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Molecular signatures of skeletal muscle insulin resistance: bringing personalised diabetes treatment a step closer
Get PDFMathematical artifacts in slope-intercept correlations invalidate biological inferences in aging research
Get PDFPredisposing Factors, Pathologies, and Precipitating Factors Causing Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Get PDFMost people with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have hypertension, which is the strongest modifiable predisposing (risk) factor. However, multiple long-term medical conditions and other known predisposing factors for ICH usually coexist with hypertension, indicating that the causal pathway is multifactorial, and the term hypertensive ICH is oversimplistic. In this review, we integrate the highest quality evidence and our clinical experience in a framework to attribute multiple predisposing factors, underlying pathologies, and precipitating factors as the cause of ICH. In clinical practice, this framework supports physicians to take a holistic approach to treatment and prevention of ICH. In research, this framework shows how existing classification systems for the cause of ICH include underlying macrovascular, microvascular, and other structural pathologies but few predisposing or precipitating factors. Furthermore, this framework can inform the development of a more holistic classification system and expose knowledge gaps, including how predisposing factors lead to underlying pathologies and why only some people with these pathologies experience ICH.</p
Introduction:The visual and material worlds of James VI and I
Get PDFThis introduction/editorial challenges the assumption that James VI and I was indifferent to art, showing instead how visual and material display underpinned authority, favour, diplomacy, and identity throughout his reign
Holotype genome of the lesula provides insights into demography and evolution of a threatened primate lineage
Get PDFBackgroundThe development of genome sequencing techniques has revolutionized evolutionary biology, facilitating the study of adaptation and speciation at the genome level. Genomic data has also become a cornerstone in conservation management, allowing inferences of population demography and genetic diversity. ResultsWe sequence the genome of the holotype specimen of the elusive lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis), a recently described member of the guenons (tribe Cercopithecini), endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using published and novel genomic data, we explore the evolutionary and demographic history of C. lomamiensis and its sister species C. hamlyni. We estimate that the two species split ca. 3-4 million years ago, and find that they both show high genetic diversity despite being listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. We identify signatures of positive selection in genes involved in pelage coloration and immune functions, as well as skeletal morphology and locomotor behavior, potentially related to the terrestrial lifestyle of C. lomamiensis and C. hamlyni, which stands out among the otherwise arboreal Cercopithecus genus. We specifically explore whether introgression from more distantly related terrestrial guenons was involved in the evolution of terrestriality in the hamlyni group, but found low molecular convergence suggesting that putative terrestrial adaptations occurred largely independently. ConclusionsThis study provides insights into the demography and evolutionary history in a poorly known, threatened primate lineage. Furthermore, our results suggest that genomic erosion is not an imminent threat to these species, and that conservation management should prioritize actions to prevent further population decline
[Review of] S. Rodway, J. Rowland, & E. Poppe, Celts, Gaels and Britons: Studies in Language and Literature from Antiquity to the Middle Ages in Honour of Patrick Sims-Williams. Turnhout: Brepols, 2022
Get PDFEthnographic and narrative methods of enquiry for researching intangible cultural heritage
Get PDFIntangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) related to tangible heritage sites includes contemporary meaningful human practices such as experiences, stories and embodied knowledge. These practices can deepen people’s connection to the past and prepare them for the future, especially in times of environmental crises and societal transformations. To facilitate preservation and sharing of such ICH, museums and other cultural institutions and agencies are increasingly interested in accounting for the living practices of communities and different social groups connected with heritage sites in creative and engaging ways. For attaining this, accessible methods of cultural research that are considerate of community engagement are needed. This article presents multisensory narrative methods that we have been adapting and developing in order to capture, present and share ICH associated with several ancient heritage sites across Europe in a multi- and trans-disciplinary context. In particular, we focus on two methods: (1) on-site walking interviews inspired by sensobiographic walking, and (2) a form of narrative workshop which combines storytelling circle with sensory activities. Through these creative and participatory methods, we have produced research data about the experiences, emotions and environmental dimensions related to the megalithic, standing stone sites in the Central Alentejo region of Portugal, and Calanais stone circles in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Our objective here is to share these knowledge generation methods so that they can be easily replicated by others, while taking into account the complexity and depth of human narratives of ICH.<br/
Cognitive profiles at presentation and subsequent cognitive decline and quality of life in Parkinson's disease
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Currently, our ability to predict cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease is limited.METHODS: In 234 dementia-free PD patients, cognitive profiles at baseline were determined using cluster analysis and longitudinal associations with global cognitive z-score, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), caregiver burden, and risk of reliable cognitive change (RCC) were tested.RESULTS: Participants fell into four cognitive profiles at baseline: normal cognition (n = 108), memory impairment (n = 47), memory and executive function impairment (n = 59), and global cognitive impairment (n = 20). After adjusting for the severity of cognitive impairment, only the memory impairment cluster showed a higher risk of RCC. Baseline cognitive profiles did not predict different rates of cognitive decline, change in HR-QoL, or caregiver burden.DISCUSSION: The memory impairment cluster showed a higher risk of developing a reliable cognitive change; however, baseline cognitive profiles did not consistently predict different rates of cognitive decline, HR-QoL, or caregiver burden.HIGHLIGHTS: Data-driven approach to identify cognitive profiles. Cognitive decline across domains assessed by risk of reliable cognitive change. Cognitive profiles did not predict rate of cognitive decline. Memory impairment profile had a higher risk of reliable cognitive change.</p
Mapping of Nrd1 RNA-binding sites in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with abrogated binding of Nab3 to PIC2
No full textUsing CRAC, we compared the transcriptomic occupancy of Nrd1 in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 parental strain (PIC2-GFP) and two derived mutants lacking Nab3 RNA-binding sites in PIC2. The purpose of the experiment was two-fold: on the one hand, we aimed to verify that the mutations inserted in the Nab3 binding sequences of PIC2 affected the binding of Nrd1 to the PIC2 transcript; on the other hand, we wanted to check whether differential binding of Nab3 to PIC2 would affect how the protein bound other targets in the genome. Sequencing outputs were processed using the pyCRAC pipeline and peak calling was performed with DBPeaks, our newly developed package for identification and comparison of binding sites defined by RNA-binding footprinting techniques (e.g., CRAC, iCLIP, PAR-CLIP, etc.)
The experiences of clinical staff approaching families for organ donation consent:A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies
Get PDFHealthcare professionals (HCPs) play an essential role in organ donation (OD) particularly when approaching families to discuss consent to OD. We synthesized the evidence on experiences of HCPs when approaching potential organ donor families. Fourteen electronic databases were searched to identify studies describing HCP experiences or associations between HCP experiences and consent rates. Methodological quality was assessed by independent reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic synthesis, while quantitative data were summarized by narrative review. Ninety-two studies were included. HCP experiences were conceptualised as a paradox due to the challenges to negotiate the boundaries between life and death. Organisational and personal aspects broadly shape the experiences of professionals. Studies suggest that staff experiences can be improved by training and education, however, quantitative studies did not show a strong association between OD training and improved consent rates. The complexities of the family approach were evident in the variety of interactions between HCPs and the donor family, which may explain why there is no uniform approach across settings and countries. The review highlights the challenges faced by professionals when negotiating policy and practice and informs recommendations to support staff involved in the OD process worldwide.</p
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