Depression in postmenopause: interdisciplinary approach in management and perspectives for rehabilitation

Surgical and natural menopause is often associated with depression symptoms. Along with the postpartum period, perimenopause is a “window of vulnerability” for depression development, because decline in estrogen level accounts for extinction of reproductive function, emotional disorders, genitourinary menopausal syndrome, which are combined with non-endocrine risk factors, such as decreasing income levels, low social support, and stress. Although a direct relationship between blood estrogens level and depression has not been demonstrated, the relation between menopause symptoms and depression has been proven, i.e., the symptoms of menopause can be considered as risk factors. Here, we summarizes the current view on the correct counseling and routing of menopausal women with depression symptoms in primary health care facilities, the principles of managing patients with risk factors, including genitourinary menopausal syndrome, as well as methods of rehabilitation and informational support. This will aid to improve the quality of medical care for such patients.

Fundamental Physics and Computation: The Computer-Theoretic Framework

The central goal of this manuscript is to survey the relationships between fundamental physics and computer science. We begin by providing a short historical review of how different concepts of computer science have entered the field of fundamental physics, highlighting the claim that the universe is a computer. Following the review, we explain why computational concepts have been embraced to interpret and describe physical phenomena. We then discuss seven arguments against the claim that the universe is a computational system and show that those arguments are wrong because of a misunderstanding of the extension of the concept of computation. Afterwards, we address a proposal to solve Hempel’s dilemma using the computability theory but conclude that it is incorrect. After that, we discuss the relationship between the proposals that the universe is a computational system and that our minds are a simulation. Analysing these issues leads us to proposing a new physical principle, called the principle of computability, which claims that the universe is a computational system (not restricted to digital computers) and that computational power and the computational complexity hierarchy are two fundamental physical constants. On the basis of this new principle, a scientific paradigm emerges to develop fundamental theories of physics: the computer-theoretic framework (CTF). The CTF brings to light different ideas already implicit in the work of several researchers and provides a new view on the universe based on computer theoretic concepts that expands the current view. We address different issues regarding the development of fundamental theories of physics in the new paradigm. Additionally, we discuss how the CTF brings new perspectives to different issues, such as the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics and the foundations of cognitive science.

Transglutaminase mediated asprosin oligomerization allows its tissue storage as fibers

Asprosin, the C-terminal furin cleavage product of profibrillin-1, was reported to act as a hormone that circulates at nanomolar levels and is recruited to the liver where it induces G protein-coupled activation of the cAMP-PKA pathway and stimulates rapid glucose release into the circulation. Although derived from profibrillin-1, a multidomain extracellular matrix glycoprotein with a ubiquitous distribution in connective tissues, little is known about the tissue distribution of asprosin. In the current view, asprosin is mainly produced by white adipose tissue from where it is released into the blood in monomeric form. Here, by employing newly generated specific asprosin antibodies we monitored the distribution pattern of asprosin in human and murine connective tissues such as placenta, and muscle. Thereby we detected the presence of asprosin positive extracellular fibers. Further, by screening established cell lines for asprosin synthesis we found that most cells derived from musculoskeletal tissues render asprosin into an oligomerized form. This oligomerization is facilitated by transglutaminase activity and requires an intact fibrillin fiber network for proper linear deposition. Our data suggest a new extracellular storage mechanism of asprosin in oligomerized form which may regulate its cellular bioavailability in tissues.

Is Protein Folding a Thermodynamically Unfavorable, Active, Energy-Dependent Process?

The prevailing current view of protein folding is the thermodynamic hypothesis, under which the native folded conformation of a protein corresponds to the global minimum of Gibbs free energy G. We question this concept and show that the empirical evidence behind the thermodynamic hypothesis of folding is far from strong. Furthermore, physical theory-based approaches to the prediction of protein folds and their folding pathways so far have invariably failed except for some very small proteins, despite decades of intensive theory development and the enormous increase of computer power. The recent spectacular successes in protein structure prediction owe to evolutionary modeling of amino acid sequence substitutions enhanced by deep learning methods, but even these breakthroughs provide no information on the protein folding mechanisms and pathways. We discuss an alternative view of protein folding, under which the native state of most proteins does not occupy the global free energy minimum, but rather, a local minimum on a fluctuating free energy landscape. We further argue that ΔG of folding is likely to be positive for the majority of proteins, which therefore fold into their native conformations only through interactions with the energy-dependent molecular machinery of living cells, in particular, the translation system and chaperones. Accordingly, protein folding should be modeled as it occurs in vivo, that is, as a non-equilibrium, active, energy-dependent process.

THE INTERNATIONAL POPULARISATION OF LESSON STUDY: EARLY STUDIES AND THEIR RELEVANCE IN LATER LITERATURE

Lesson study (LS) is a teachers’ professional development practice with a Japanese origin that, at present, is practiced in more than 30 countries. Literature on LS acknowledges the works of Stigler and Hiebert and of Yoshida in 1999 as the origin of its internationalization. However, earlier studies described its practice and have mostly remained under the radar of LS previous researcher. This historical and documentary literature review sheds light on these previous studies describing LS, analyses their bibliometric relevance, and uncovers the first use of ‘lesson study’ as the terminology adopted in the international literature. Results reveal eight studies clearly describing LS before 1999 and more oblique references in the 1980s. ‘Lesson study’ appeared first in 1997, but we make the case for the previous use of other terminology. Findings also show that only those studies written by authors who later became key in the field of LS have received a high number of citations. These results bring attention to LS-related literature that has infrequently been cited, granting it recognition in the international history of LS, and expanding our current view in relation to its practice.

ANALYSIS OF GREEN CAMPUS POTENTIAL IN PARTS OF ARID ZONE USING HYDRO-LANDSCAPE TECHNIQUE

India is a massive country with wide range of climatic condition in terms of rainfall, temperature, depth of ground water level, soil cover etc. These variations may affect the ground cover such as in Tropical and sub-tropical zone - the scarcity of rainfall and the micro-climate becomes conducive for the growth of vegetation where as in arid zone such as Gujarat and Rajasthan- the soil and water are not very favorable, as a consequence scarcity of vegetation. The current view on climatic analysis of India clearly indicates that the development of Green Campus in arid climate zone will be a challenging issue especially in the field of landscape architecture. The basic issues related to arid climate is depletion in the depth of ground water level condition by virtue of which the vegetation in general is decreasing. In this way, the hydro-landscape technique will be useful for Green Campus development in part of arid zone with selective areas conducive to develop of soil moisture content. The present study is with the application of hydro-landscape technique to develop the green campus in arid climate in order to establish the area with conducive environment.

Shift in G1-Checkpoint from ATM-Alone to a Cooperative ATM Plus ATR Regulation with Increasing Dose of Radiation

The current view of the involvement of PI3-kinases in checkpoint responses after DNA damage is that ATM is the key regulator of G1-, S- or G2-phase checkpoints, that ATR is only partly involved in the regulation of S- and G2-phase checkpoints and that DNA-PKcs is not involved in checkpoint regulation. However, further analysis of the contributions of these kinases to checkpoint responses in cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) recently uncovered striking integrations and interplays among ATM, ATR and DNA-PKcs that adapt not only to the phase of the cell cycle in which cells are irradiated, but also to the load of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), presumably to optimize their processing. Specifically, we found that low IR doses in G2-phase cells activate a G2-checkpoint that is regulated by epistatically coupled ATM and ATR. Thus, inhibition of either kinase suppresses almost fully its activation. At high IR doses, the epistatic ATM/ATR coupling relaxes, yielding to a cooperative regulation. Thus, single-kinase inhibition suppresses partly, and only combined inhibition suppresses fully G2-checkpoint activation. Interestingly, DNA-PKcs integrates with ATM/ATR in G2-checkpoint control, but functions in its recovery in a dose-independent manner. Strikingly, irradiation during S-phase activates, independently of dose, an exclusively ATR-dependent G2 checkpoint. Here, ATM couples with DNA-PKcs to regulate checkpoint recovery. In the present work, we extend these studies and investigate organization and functions of these PI3-kinases in the activation of the G1 checkpoint in cells irradiated either in the G0 or G1 phase. We report that ATM is the sole regulator of the G1 checkpoint after exposure to low IR doses. At high IR doses, ATM remains dominant, but contributions from ATR also become detectable and are associated with limited ATM/ATR-dependent end resection at DSBs. Under these conditions, only combined ATM + ATR inhibition fully abrogates checkpoint and resection. Contributions of DNA-PKcs and CHK2 to the regulation of the G1 checkpoint are not obvious in these experiments and may be masked by the endpoint employed for checkpoint analysis and perturbations in normal progression through the cell cycle of cells exposed to DNA-PKcs inhibitors. The results broaden our understanding of organization throughout the cell cycle and adaptation with increasing IR dose of the ATM/ATR/DNA-PKcs module to regulate checkpoint responses. They emphasize notable similarities and distinct differences between G1-, G2- and S-phase checkpoint regulation that may guide DSB processing decisions.

A Guide to Elucidate the Hidden Multicomponent Layered Structure of Plant Cuticles by Raman Imaging

The cuticle covers almost all plant organs as the outermost layer and serves as a transpiration barrier, sunscreen, and first line of defense against pathogens. Waxes, fatty acids, and aromatic components build chemically and structurally diverse layers with different functionality. So far, electron microscopy has elucidated structure, while isolation, extraction, and analysis procedures have revealed chemistry. With this method paper, we close the missing link by demonstrating how Raman microscopy gives detailed information about chemistry and structure of the native cuticle on the microscale. We introduce an optimized experimental workflow, covering the whole process of sample preparation, Raman imaging experiment, data analysis, and interpretation and show the versatility of the approach on cuticles of a spruce needle, a tomato peel, and an Arabidopsis stem. We include laser polarization experiments to deduce the orientation of molecules and multivariate data analysis to separate cuticle layers and verify their molecular composition. Based on the three investigated cuticles, we discuss the chemical and structural diversity and validate our findings by comparing models based on our spectroscopic data with the current view of the cuticle. We amend the model by adding the distribution of cinnamic acids and flavonoids within the cuticle layers and their transition to the epidermal layer. Raman imaging proves as a non-destructive and fast approach to assess the chemical and structural variability in space and time. It might become a valuable tool to tackle knowledge gaps in plant cuticle research.

Postcoloniality in Global and Regional Dimensions

The article reflects the results of research in the North-South Group focused on the development of the polycentric, personalized and mobile Universe, while the ensemble of interconnected influential concepts (postmodernity and postcoloniality) had been analyzed. The current view on globalization as a political and economic cohesion of the modern world, contrasts the view on global restructuring as a consequence of the crisis of institutions of world bureaucracy, collectivist ideo-party totality, others unifying administrative and sociocultural mechanics. Attention is drawn to the trends of individuation and privatization, substitution of subordination by subsidiarity, which reflects the crisis of the national statehood format. The complex reality that arises in the bosom of modern culture, implements its own polycentricity, based not on the etatist symphony, but on a distributed set of diasporas, corporate or personal sovereignty. Postmodernity, denying the former world order, reproduces the semblance of a post-colonial situation, which allows us to turn to the experience of countries that have gained political sovereignty and mastered their new status in its various versions. Coloniality is understood as the result of hegemony, which goes beyond the prevailing interpretation of colonialism, but as a repressive emanation of the hegemonic world, offering subaltern other two modus of behavior: submission or subjugation assimilation, denying the legality of alternative self-realization or resistance. Pathos of post-modern, post-imperial and post-colonial positions declares the right of the individual and the communities to realize their original identity, dissimilation of former loyalties and sovereign search for alternatives. The universal quest is for political, sociocultural and semantic counter-hegemony, which also denies the current world to be an instrument of the modal-assimilation complex knowledge - power. The urgency of this problem was confirmed by the riots that broke out in the United States and other parts of the world in 2020.