Search

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by contributing to tissue damage and exacerbating the immune response. The investigation of serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A) ligands and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel ligands is of significant interest due to their potential to modulate key inflammatory pathways, mitigate the pathological effects of inflammation, and offer new avenues for therapeutic interventions in IBD. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory effects of 5-HT2A ligands, including psilocybin, 4-AcO-DMT, and ketanserin, in combination with TRP channel ligands, including capsaicin, curcumin, and eugenol, on the inflammatory response induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in human 3D EpiIntestinal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the expression of pro-inflammatory markers TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and GM-CSF. Our results show that psilocybin, 4-AcO-DMT, and eugenol significantly reduce TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, while capsaicin and curcumin decrease these markers to a lesser extent. Psilocybin effectively lowers IL-6 and IL-8 levels, but curcumin, capsaicin, and 4-AcO-DMT have limited effects on these markers. In addition, psilocybin can significantly decrease MCP-1 and GM-CSF levels. While ketanserin lowers IL-6 and GM-CSF levels, there are no effects seen on TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8, or MCP-1. Although synergistic effects between 5-HT2A and TRP channel ligands are minimal in this study, the results provide further evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of psilocybin and eugenol. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action and the feasibility of using these compounds as anti-inflammatory therapies for conditions like IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of literature informing pedagogical content and strategies of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the education of speech-language pathologists. However, little discussion has included content related to LGBTQ+ people, even though LGBTQ+ people exist across all racial/ethnic groups. This article seeks to fill that void and provide instructors of speech-language pathology with practical information to educate their graduate students. The discussion uses a critical epistemology and invokes theoretical models, such as Queer/Quare theory, DisCrit, the Minority Stress Model, the Ethics of Care, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Information is organized according to developing graduate students' awareness, knowledge, and skills and challenges instructors to modify current course content to disrupt systemic oppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the increased popularity of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) and their appearance in beauty products without rigorous research on their rejuvenation efficacy, we decided to investigate the potential role of pCBs in skin rejuvenation. Utilizing healthy and stress-induced premature senescent (SIPS) CCD-1064Sk skin fibroblasts, the effects of pCBs on cellular viability, functional activity, metabolic function, and nuclear architecture were tested. Both delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) within the range of 0.5 µM to 2.0 µM increased cell growth in a dose-dependent manner while significantly decreasing senescence as measured by beta-galactosidase activity. Utilizing a scratch assay, both THC and CBD (2.0 µM) significantly improved wound healing in both healthy and SIPS fibroblasts. THC and CBD altered nuclear architecture and mRNA levels of cell cycle regulators and genes involved in ECM production. Subsequently, we found ELN, Cyclin D1, PCNA, and BID protein levels altered by SIPS but ameliorated after pCBs exposure in human dermal fibroblasts. Lastly, we compared the efficacy of THC and CBD with common anti-aging nutrient signaling regulators in replicative senescent adult human dermal fibroblasts, CCD-1135Sk. Both THC and CBD were found to improve wound healing better than metformin, rapamycin, and triacetylresveratrol in replicative senescent CCD-1135Sk fibroblasts. Therefore, pCBs can be a valuable source of biologically active substances used in cosmetics, and more studies using clinical trials should be performed to confirm the efficacy of phytocannabinoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying effective anti-aging compounds is a cornerstone of modern longevity, aging, and skin-health research. There is considerable evidence of the effectiveness of nutrient signaling regulators such as metformin, resveratrol, and rapamycin in longevity and anti-aging studies; however, their potential protective role in skin aging is controversial. In light of the increasing appearance of phytocannabinoids in beauty products without rigorous research on their rejuvenation efficacy, we decided to investigate the potential role of phytocannabinoids in combination with nutrient signaling regulators in skin rejuvenation. Utilizing CCD-1064Sk skin fibroblasts, the effect of metformin, triacetylresveratrol, and rapamycin combined with phytocannabinoids on cellular viability, functional activity, metabolic function, and nuclear architecture was tested. We found triacetylresveratrol combined with cannabidiol increased the viability of skin fibroblasts (p < 0.0001), restored wound-healing functional activity (p < 0.001), reduced metabolic dysfunction, and ameliorated nuclear eccentricity and circularity in senescent fibroblasts (p < 0.01). Conversely, metformin with or without phytocannabinoids did not show any beneficial effects on functional activity, while rapamycin inhibited cell viability (p < 0.01) and the speed of wound healing (p < 0.001). Therefore, triacetylresveratrol and cannabidiol can be a valuable source of biologically active substances used in aging and more studies using animals to confirm the efficacy of cannabidiol combined with triacetylresveratrol should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern understanding of aging is based on the accumulation of cellular damage during one's life span due to the gradual deterioration of regenerative mechanisms in response to the continuous effect of stress, lifestyle, and environmental factors, followed by increased morbidity and mortality. Simultaneously, the number of senescent cells accumulate exponentially as organisms age. Cell culture models are valuable tools to investigate the mechanisms of aging by inducing cellular senescence in stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) models. Here, we explain the three-step and one-step H2O2-induced senescence models of SIPS designed and reproduced on different human dermal fibroblast cell lines (CCD-1064Sk, CCD-1135Sk, and BJ-5ta). In both SIPS models, it was evident that the fibroblasts developed similar aging characteristics as cells with replicative senescence. Among the most noticeable senescent biomarkers were increased β-Gal expression, high levels of the p21 protein, altered levels of cell-cycle regulators (i.e., CDK2 and c-Jun), compromised extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, reduced cellular viability, and delayed wound healing properties. Based on the significant increase in senescence biomarkers in fibroblast cultures, reduced functional activity, and metabolic dysfunction, the one-step senescence model was chosen as a feasible and reliable method for future testing of anti-aging compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes research on the places people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live and disparities in housing and long-term services and supports (LTSS) outcomes for people with IDD from racially and culturally minoritized groups. It also summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the Housing and Long-Term Services and Supports strand of the 2022 State of the Science Conference on the Intersection of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Supports and Services for People with IDD, identifies limitations of the available research and recommends strategies to improve research, knowledge translation, and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: cardiovascular dysfunction; developmental programming; hypertrophy; metabolomics; obesity; pregnancy; transcriptomics EN cardiovascular dysfunction developmental programming hypertrophy metabolomics obesity pregnancy transcriptomics 3221 3223 3 07/18/22 20220715 NES 220715 Introduction Diets high in fats and sugar are becoming increasingly popular in Western societies and have been linked to numerous diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Since placental transport is altered during maternal obesity (Rosario et al., 2015), Vaughan et al. (2022) set out to research whether the cause of maternal obesity-induced diastolic dysfunction is due to altered fetal myocardial metabolism (Vaughan et al., 2022). Maternal obesity induces cardiac hypertrophy and sex-specific myocardial transcriptomic and metabolomic alterations. [Extracted from the article]

On the occasion of this special issue of the Journal of Coordination Chemistry honoring Professor Jerry L. Atwood, I offer a brief summary of his spectacular career in chemistry and the virtues of taking a risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if African American students were disproportionately represented between the years of 2004 and 2014 in the primary disability category of Speech or Language Impairment (S/LI) under the 2004 reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Method: S/LI enrollment data from the Office of Special Education Programs and general enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics were analyzed to compare the risk of primary S/LI category enrollment of African American students to that of all other students. Risk ratios with 99% confidence intervals were calculated for each state across the 10 years studied. Results: An average of 75% of states disproportionately represented African American students in the S/LI category each year; on average, 62% underrepresented African American students, and 14% overrepresented them. A post hoc analysis of the relationship between African American student representation and population densities revealed that states with high African American population densities almost exclusively underrepresented African American students and states with low densities tended toward a proportionate representation. Conclusions: African American students were largely underrepresented in the category of S/LI in the years studied. These findings, alongside historic and chronic overrepresentation in other categories of special education, are discussed in the context of the fragmented harm theory (Payne, 1984; Voulgarides, 2018; Voulgarides, Zwerger, & Noguera, 2013) and the disability rights and critical race theory (Annamma, Connor, & Ferri, 2013). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the history of motion picture title writing with a focus on the career of title writer Ralph Spence. Emphasis is given to topics such as the development and professionalization of title writing in the silent film era, the titling of films including "Molly and I" and "The Gorilla," and the impact of titling on motion picture audiences and critical reception.

Purpose: This study explored how typically developing 1st grade African American English (AAE) speakers differ from mainstream American English (MAE) speakers in the completion of 2 common phonological awareness tasks (rhyming and phoneme segmentation) when the stimulus items were consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant (CVCC) words and nonwords. Method: Forty-nine 1st graders met criteria for 2 dialect groups: AAE and MAE. Three conditions were tested in each rhyme and segmentation task: Real Words No Model, Real Words With a Model, and Nonwords With a Model. Results: The AAE group had significantly more responses that rhymed CVCC words with consonant-vowel-consonant words and segmented CVCC words as consonant-vowel-consonant than the MAE group across all experimental conditions. In the rhyming task, the presence of a model in the real word condition elicited more reduced final cluster responses for both groups. In the segmentation task, the MAE group was at ceiling, so only the AAE group changed across the different stimulus presentations and reduced the final cluster less often when given a model. Conclusion: Rhyming and phoneme segmentation performance can be influenced by a child's dialect when CVCC words are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In legislative studies, a "roll rate" refers to the proportion of votes where a member or group of members is "rolled"- voting no on a measure that passes. Roll rates analysis is a potentially useful tool for evaluating arguments that the majority party in the House exercises influence by controlling what does and does not make it onto the agenda. Despite its promise, so far the use of roll rates to test these arguments has faced the problem of observational equivalence-that the predictions of partisan theories of agenda control are indistinguishable from those of arguments that have no place for parties. I address this problem by calculating party-less and partisan counterfactual roll rates data to pin down the predictions of these theories. This offers a powerful research design to evaluate observed roll rates from sample Congresses. The results provide intriguing evidence for partisan theories of the House agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Award Article targets the evolving, yet surprisingly fruitful, chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbenes with low-oxidation-state main-group elements. Specifically, the chemistry of carbene-stabilized diatomic allotropes, diborenes, gallium octahedra, beryllium borohydride, and a host of related compounds will be presented. Providing a valuable historical perspective, the foundational work concerning the organometallic chemistry of gallium with sterically demanding m-terphenyl ligands from this laboratory will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Region of Aisén, in Chilean Patagonia, musicians claim Argentine popular music from the early twentieth century as regional tradition, and call on it to express local identifications and Chilean patriotism. This seemingly incongruous form of traditionalism is rooted in narratives of Aisén's early history when Chilean settlers depended on Argentina for their survival in marginal, frontier circumstances. 'This article introduces the concept of the "post-frontier" to explain the position from which residents of Aisén claim this music as their own. This research opens new territory in the study of transnational music, tracing the various ways in which temporality acts upon and within notions of regional identity, national belonging, and transnational affinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabidopsis thaliana accessions have shown genetic diversity and type of stressor to be important determinants of transgenerational stress memory. Alvarez et al. found that certain accessions showed reversible phenotypic plasticity, supporting a model of transgenerational stress memory based upon epigenetic changes. The main proposed epigenetic regulators include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA silencing via small noncoding RNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural variation as well as human impacts can alter the light environment in lakes in ways that affect aquatic host‐parasite interactions. In laboratory infection assays, Rogalski and Duffy (2020) determine that the bacterial parasite Pasteuria ramosa adapts to solar radiation by increasing its transmission potential to its zooplankton host, Daphnia dentifera. Local adaptation to light can allow P. ramosa spores to retain their infectivity following light exposure. Future work should determine the underlying drivers of P. ramosa light adaptation and how adaptation might alter ecosystem dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies of the trade-conflict relationship focus primarily on dyadic trade and its implications for the opportunity cost of conflict. Most states maintain economic relations with numerous partners, yet few studies have examined the effects of extradyadic trade on dyadic conflict. In an influential discussion of economic interdependence, Albert Hirschman ([1945] 1980) draws attention to the importance of both direct trade ties and the extent to which a state’s total trade is monopolized by any one trading partner. Building on this notion, we present and test a theoretical argument about the conflict-reducing implications of third-party trade. The findings provide support for our prediction that greater concentration of trade outside the dyad is associated with a reduced risk of interstate hostility and violent disputes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article highlights recent efforts of this laboratory in the stabilization of highly reactive, low-oxidation-state, main-group molecules using bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligands [L: = :C{N(2,6-Pri2C6H3)CH}2; L′: = :C{N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)CH}2; L″: = :C{(i-Pr)NC(Me)}2]. The syntheses, structures, and computational studies of carbene-stabilized neutral diborenes [L:(H)B-B(H):L and L′:(H)B-B(H):L′], a neutral Ga6 octahedron (L″:Ga[Ga4Mes4]Ga:L″), disilicon (L:Si-Si:L), bis-silylene [L:(Cl)Si-Si(Cl):L], dipnictogens (L:E-E:L, E = P, As; L′:P-P:L′), and parent phosphinidene (L:PH) are discussed. Some of the unique challenges associated with this "carbene-stabilization" strategy are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a criticism of the film "How It Feels to Be Run Over" by Cecil M. Hepworth, one of Britain's successful early filmmakers. It notes that the film utilized text rather than a talking movie giving the movie a feel or taste of strangeness or uniqueness unto it. It adds that with the use of text, moviegoers felt the energy moved outward toward the spectator rather than on the character-based narrative.

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to examine potential barriers to seeking services for communication impairments perceived by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Specifically, this clinical survey investigated (a) the rate and importance of disclosure of membership in the LGBT community by people with communication impairments to their clinicians and (b) the perception of bias of audiologists and speech-language pathologists against LGBT individuals with communication impairments. Method: A total of 192 people identifying as LGBT with a communication impairment responded to a web-based survey. The survey contained questions about the respondents' demographic information, living situation, and experiences with clinical services for communication impairments. In addition, the survey contained open-ended comment sections. Results: There were differences in the responses of LGBT people with speech-language impairments and those with hearing impairments. The majority of respondents did not disclose their membership in the LGBT community, although they felt it was important. Most respondents reported perceiving bias toward a heterosexual orientation from their clinicians. Conclusions: Exploration of issues important to the LGBT community contributes to the growing emphasis on diversity and cultural competency in communication sciences and disorders. Specific clinical recommendations and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant progress in the chemistry of main group compounds (group 13, 14, and 15) containing homonuclear multiple bonds has been made over the past three decades. This feature article addresses the unique structural and bonding motifs of these compounds, with a particular emphasis on both iconic molecules and recent novel discoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant progress in the chemistry of main group compounds (group 13, 14, and 15) containing homonuclear multiple bonds has been made over the past three decades. This feature article addresses the unique structural and bonding motifs of these compounds, with a particular emphasis on both iconic molecules and recent novel discoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if the number and type of African American English (AAE) features that are spoken in sentences influence speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') judgments of (a) how noticeable the dialect is (dialect detectability) and (b) how understandable a speaker is to others (comprehensibility). Method: Certified SLPs with little conversational experience with AAE were recruited from predominantly Caucasian American school districts in Michigan. They listened to sentences that contained varying amounts and types of AAE phonological features. The SLPs rated the sentences on 5-point scales regarding dialect detectability and comprehensibility. The ratings for the different sentences were compared to determine how the variables contributed to the SLPs' judgments of AAE. Results: Both dialect detectability and comprehensibility ratings were affected by the number of AAE features that were included in the sentences. The types of AAE features consistently affected the comprehensibility ratings but less consistently affected the dialect detectability ratings. Conclusion: Multiple factors may affect SLPs' perceptions of AAE. The outcomes have both theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental tenet of partisan theories of legislative organization is that the majority party is able to generate outcomes that deviate in their preferred direction from the chamber median. While these biased outcomes may be achieved through arm twisting on final passage votes, there is a more efficient means for achieving this bias: restrictive rules. While scholars have recognized this tactic as an important leadership tool in the House, its effectiveness has been often assumed but never empirically tested. We develop a theoretical model that demonstrates how the majority party can use restrictive rules to offer successful "take-it-or-leave-it" proposals to the floor median. More significantly, we test this model using DW-NOMINATE's estimated cut points of final passage roll calls in the House from the 101st to 108th Congress. Our results support the prediction of our model and suggest that majority party leaders achieve biased policy outcomes through the use of restrictive rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a technique to define gene function using antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) inhibition of gene expression in mice. A single intravenous injection of an AS-ODN targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into pregnant mice between E7.5-8.5 resulted in a lack of primary angiogenesis. This enabled us to define the critical window required to inhibit VEGF expression and recapitulate the primary loss of function phenotype observed in VEGF (-/-) embryos. This phenotype was sequence-specific and time- and dose-dependent. Injection of an AS-ODN targeting a second gene, E-cadherin, into pregnant mice at E10 confirmed a hypothesized secondary phenotype. This is the first report of AS-ODN inhibition of gene expression in utero and provides a new strategy for target validation in functional genomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stringent accuracy specifications required that particular care be taken in the provision of geodetic control for the construction of the Superconducting Super Collider. The design and implementation of the surface geodetic control networks are described. The horizontal network was realized by Global Positioning System measurements, and the vertical network by means of precise geodetic leveling. The highly expansive soils in the project area required that the horizontal and vertical surface monuments be designed to be stable for the duration of the construction of the project. The methodology adopted for the densification of horizontal and vertical control from the surface networks to the shaft area, and an innovative technique used for the transfer of control into the underground facilities are described. The underground networks were designed so as to minimize the geometric weakness inherent in tunnel surveys. In the interests of economy, removable tunnel brackets were developed and used for the large number of horizontal underground monuments. Survey results for five tunnel half-sector breakthroughs are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the effects of tinted nonoptical lenses on reading achievement, specific reading strategies and perception ability. Inadequate visual processing as a factor in reading disability; Previous studies by H. Irlen, L.C. Ehri and L. Wilce.

While the dithiolene-based N-heterocyclic silane (4) reacts with two equivalents of BX3 (X = Br, I) to give zwitterionic Lewis adducts 5 and 8, respectively, the parallel reaction of 4 with BCl3 results in 10, a dithiolene-substituted N-heterocyclic silane, via the Si-S bond cleavage. Unlike 5, the labile 8 may be readily converted to 9 via BI3-mediated cleavage of the Si-N bond. The formation of 5 and 8 confirms that 4 uniquely possesses dual nucleophilic sites: (a) the terminal sulphur atom of the dithiolene moiety; and (b) the backbone carbon of the N-heterocyclic silane unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1 : 2 reaction of the imidazole‐based dithiolate (2) with GeCl2 • dioxane in THF/TMEDA gives 3, a TMEDA‐complexed dithiolene‐based germylene. Compound 3 is converted to monothiolate‐complexed (5) and N‐heterocyclic carbene‐complexed (7) germanium(II) dithiolene complexes via Lewis base ligand exchange. A bis‐dithiolene‐based germylene (8), involving a 3c–4e S‐Ge‐S bond, has also been synthesized through controlled hydrolysis of 7. The bonding nature of 3, 5, and 8 was investigated by both experimental and theoretical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a report within the issue regarding acid-base chemistry research by Kinjo and colleagues in which they use carbenes to stabilize a borylene. According to the authors, boron compounds have the potential to be bases, but they have only been observed as a transient intermediate because of their reactivity. Topics include a brief definition of Lewis acids and bases and the team's strategy for stabilizing borylene.

Inflammation is an organism's biological defense mechanism. Acute and chronic inflammation of the body triggers the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways that can affect the content of cytokines in the brain and thus cause brain inflammation. Disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often associated with elevated inflammation. Recently, positive and promising clinical results of psilocybin for the treatment of depression and PTSD were reported. Thus, we decided to test whether psilocybin alone or in combination with eugenol, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, would prevent the increase in or decrease the content of cytokines in the brain of C57BL/6J mice injected with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Two experiments were performed, one with pre-treatment of mice through gavage with psilocybin (0.88 mg/kg), eugenol (17.6 mg/kg), or combinations of psilocybin and eugenol (1:10, 1:20, or 1:50), followed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and the second, post-treatment, with initial injection with LPS, followed by treatment with psilocybin, eugenol, or their combination. Brain tissues were collected, and cytokines were analyzed by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test or with multiple unpaired t-tests. LPS upregulated mRNA expression of COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. All pre-treatments decreased the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α, with psilocybin alone and in 1:50 combination, with eugenol being the most effective. In the post-treatment, all combinations of psilocybin and eugenol were effective in reducing inflammation, with the 1:50 ratio displaying the most prominent results in reducing the mRNA content of tested cytokines. Western blot analysis confirmed the effect on COX-2 and IL-1β proteins. Finally, the ELISA showed that post-treatment with psilocybin + eugenol (1:50) demonstrated the best results, decreasing the expression of multiple markers including IL-6 and IL-8. This demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effects of a combination of psilocybin and eugenol in the brain of animals with systemically induced inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]