The first cavefish in the Dinaric Karst?Cave colonization made possible by phenotypic plasticity in Telestes karsticus

Cave animals are an excellent model system for studying adaptive evolution.At present,however,little is known about the mechanisms that enable surface colonizers to survive in the challenging environment of caves.One possibility is that these species have the necessary genetic background to respond with plastic changes to the pressures of underground habitats.To gain insight into this process,we conducted a comparative study with the fish species Telestes karsticus,which occurs in a hydrological system consisting of an interconnected stream and a cave.Results showed that T.karsticus resided year-round and spawned in Sušik cave,making it the first known cavefish in the Dinaric Karst.Cave and surface populations differed in morphological and physiological characteristics,as well as in patterns of gene expression without any evidence of genetic divergence.To test whether observed trait differences were plastic or genetic,we placed adult fish from both populations under light/dark or constant dark conditions.Common laboratory conditions erased all morphometric differences between the two morphs,suggesting phenotypic plasticity is driving the divergence of shape and size in wild fish.Lighter pigmentation and increased fat deposition exhibited by cave individuals were also observed in surface fish kept in the dark in the laboratory.Our study also revealed that specialized cave traits were not solely attributed to developmental plasticity,but also arose from adult responses,including acclimatization.Thus,we conclude that T.karsticus can adapt to cave conditions,with phenotypic plasticity playing an important role in the process of cave colonization.

The Hippo pathway and its correlation with acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury(AKI) is a significant clinical complication with a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality, for which therapeutic options remain limited. The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway implicated in cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and apoptosis via phosphorylation and inactivation of its downstream effectorsYes-associatedprotein(YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif(TAZ). Recent studies have revealed that the Hippo pathway plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and repair of AKI. The Hippo pathway can mediate renal dysfunction through modulation of mitochondrial apoptosis under AKI conditions. Transient activation of YAP/TAZ in the acute phase of AKI may benefit renal recovery and regeneration, whereas persistent activation of YAP/TAZ in severe AKI may lead to maladaptive repair and transition to chronic kidney disease. This review aims to summarize recent findings on the associations between the Hippo pathway and AKI and to identify new therapeutic targets and strategies for AKI.

Time dependent integration of matrix metalloproteinases and their targeted substrates directs axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis following central nervous system injury

Over the past two decades, many investigators have reported how extracellular matrix molecules act to regulate neuroplasticity. The majority of these studies involve proteins which are targets of matrix metalloproteinases. Importantly, these enzyme/substrate interactions can regulate degenerative and regenerative phases of synaptic plasticity, directing axonal and dendritic reorganization after brain insult. The present review first summarizes literature support for the prominent role of matrix metalloproteinases during neuroregeneration, followed by a discussion of data contrasting adaptive and maladaptive neuroplasticity that reveals time-dependent metalloproteinase/substrate regulation of postinjury synaptic recovery. The potential for these enzymes to serve as therapeutic targets for enhanced neuroplasticity after brain injury is illustrated with experiments demonstrating that metalloproteinase inhibitors can alter adaptive and maladaptive outcome. Finally, the complexity of metalloproteinase role in reactive synaptogenesis is revealed in new studies showing how these enzymes interact with immune molecules to mediate cellular response in the local regenerative environment, and are regulated by novel binding partners in the brain extracellular matrix. Together, these different examples show the complexity with which metalloproteinases are integrated into the process of neuroregeneration, and point to a promising new angle for future studies exploring how to facilitate brain plasticity.

Oxytocin but Not Testosterone Modulates Behavioral Patterns in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology. Social deficits represent one of the core symptoms of the diagnosis. The aim was to reveal possible correlations among peripheral levels of oxytocin and testosterone with behavioral and symptom characteristics in patients with ASD. 8 children with ASD were recruited and underwent psychological profiling. Blood oxytocin and testosterone levels were analyzed using ELISA method. Oxytocin levels positively correlated with Adaptation to change category of CARS-2 (P = 0.008, R = 0.848) and Vineland-II maladaptive behavior scores (P = 0.004, R = 0.884). No significant correlations were found among testosterone levels and behavioral parameters. Higher oxytocin levels were connected with more severe adaptive behavior in ASD patients. Increased oxytocin levels in children with more severe phenotype could be a result of compensatory mechanism of impaired oxytocin signaling. Oxytocin seems to employ distinct mechanisms in regulating social behavior in autism and healthy population.

Psychological themes that influence self-management of type 1 diabetes

It has long been accepted that psychological factors adversely influence efforts to optimise glycaemic control.These are often unrecognised in terms of clinical assessment and therefore under reported.This essay presents an introduction to psychological issues that interact with psychiatric co-morbidities and diabetesspecific distress,and a case scenario illustrating the interconnectedness of presenting problems and themes.In the way that we cannot separate carbohydrate counting,blood glucose monitoring and insulin doseadjustment in the understanding of a presenting problem such as poor control,so we cannot separate the concurrent thoughts,feelings,and behaviours.Each of these emotional aspects are self-managed either through avoidance,or by delayed disclosure and are frequently associated with poor health outcomes.There is a requirement for the healthcare team to be sensitised to these issues and to develop styles of communication that are empathic,reflective and non judgemental.A brief outline of evidence-based psychotherapy treatments is given.

Photosensitivity detection using diffusion tensor imaging in a traumatic brain injury patient

The present study examined a patient with traumatic brain injury who exhibited visual photosensitivity and axonal iniury of the left optic radiation, which was detected by diftusion tensor imaging. The patient was a 41-year-old man. He began to complain of photosensitivity at 4 months after head trauma. Ophthalmic evaluation, including visual-evoked potential and conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging, did not reveal a pathologic basis for photosensitivity. Axonal injury in the left optic radiation was detected via diffusion tensor imaging at 36 months after head trauma. The lesion was almost recovered at 76 months. However, photosensitivity continued. Therefore, the photosensitivity was considered to be a result of axonal injury to the left optic radiation, which could be a symptom of maladaptive plasticity that occurs during recovery of axonal injury of the left optic radiation.

Early Maladaptive Schemas, Working Memory and Academic Performances of Moroccan Students

Our aim is to study the early maladaptive schemas and the memory span abilities and to evaluate the relationship between these schemas and the memory in one side and academic performance in the other side among Moroccan students. A cross-sectional study is conducted among 212 students, randomly selected from different institutions of the IBN TOFAIL University, located in the city of Kenitra (NW of Morocco). Three neurocognitive tests are used: the short version of the Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire to evaluate the early maladaptive schemas (EMS), the sub-test of the Wechsler to evaluate the working memory among these subjects, and a general questionnaire about socio-economic data, nutritional and mental health status and also, academic performances of each student. The obtained results showed some significant negative correlations between forward memory span and activated schema, and significant negative correlations are registered between backward memory span and activated schema. More, thirty-three percent of students passed the exams of the autumn term against 67% who failed it. Moreover, significant negative correlations are registered between the schemas and the number of Units validated in the autumn term. In addition, fifty-three percent of students had a normal forward memory, 47% had an excellent forward memory and no one had pathological one. However, 63% had a pathological backward memory span, 28% had normal memory and 9% had an excellent backward memory. The EMS appeared in connection with the student’s working memory and the academic performance. Deeper investigations are needed to understand this relationship and also to study other possible factors that could affect this important neurocognitive function.

Are early maladaptive schemas, temperament and character dimensions correlated?

Objective: Aim of the study is to examine the relationships between early maladaptive schemas and the character and temperament aspects of personality, which are known as two approaches to the understanding of personality structure. Methods: We conducted the study using the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and the Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in 122 university students from different schools. Results and Conclusion: Results demonstrated that there are high level of positive as well as negative correlations between most of TCI items and some of the sub-scales of the YSQ, including vulnerability, social isolation and defectiveness. In consistent with the Halvorsen et al.’s findings, our study demonstrated that harm avoidance had a positive relationship with several EMSs, including emotional deprivation, deficiency, dependence, failure, subjugation and selfsacrifice. More importantly, we obtained the results consistent with theirs regarding the negative correlations between self-directedness and almost all of EMSs, with the exception of the schema of subjugation. We concluded that although some of the personality characteristics contained in the YSQ and the TCI are appeared to be related to each other, we need more studies to support the Young et al.’s suggestion that early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are likely to reflect underlying characterological factors of personality.

Coping strategies used by suicide attempters and comparison groups

A variety of factors have been identified as being risk factors for suicidal behaviour. One of them is the handling of stressful events. The aim of the present study was to investigate the coping-strategies used by suicide attempters and comparison groups. 37 patients who had recently made a suicide attempt, 38 suicide attempters at follow up, 20 psychiatric follow up controls, and 19 healthy controls filled in the COPE. We found that suicide attempters at long term follow up and healthy controls used more adaptive problem solving strategies than patients who had recently made a suicide attempt, or psychiatric controls at follow up, who used more maladaptive coping strategies. Our findings suggest that suicide attempters in a twelve year follow up are able to use coping strategies similarly to healthy controls by e.g. approaching the stressor actively. Further examinations of the impact of long term professional care and treatment of suicide attempters on their coping strategies are necessary.

Environmental toxicant-induced maladaptive mitochondrial changes:A potential unifying mechanism in fatty liver disease?

Occupational and environmental exposures to industrial chemicals are well known to cause hepatotoxicity and liver injury.However,despite extensive evidence showing that exposure can lead to disease,current research approaches and regulatory policies fail to address the possibility that subtle changes caused by low level exposure to chemicals may also enhance preexisting conditions.In recent years,the conceptual understanding of the contribution of environmental chemicals to liver disease has progressed significantly.Mitochondria are often target of toxicity of environmental toxicants resulting in multisystem disorders involving different cells,tissues,and organs.Here,we review persistent maladaptive changes to mitochondria in response to environmental toxicant exposure as a mechanism of hepatotoxicity.With better understanding of the mechanism(s) and risk factors that mediate the initiation and progression of toxicant-induced liver disease,rational targeted therapy can be developed to better predict risk,as well as to treat or prevent this disease.

Autophagy in acute kidney injury and maladaptive kidney repair

Acute kidney injury(AKI)is a major renal disease characterized by a sudden decrease in kidney function.After AKI,the kidney has the ability to repair,but if the initial injury is severe the repair may be incomplete or maladaptive and result in chronic kidney problems.Autophagy is a highly conserved pathway to deliver intracellular contents to lysosomes for degradation.Autophagy plays an important role in maintaining renal function and is involved in the pathogenesis of renal diseases.Autophagy is activated in various forms of AKI and acts as a defense mechanism against kidney cell injury and death.After AKI,autophagy is maintained at a relatively high level in kidney tubule cells during maladaptive kidney repair but the role of autophagy in maladaptive kidney repair has been controversial.Nonetheless,recent studies have demonstrated that autophagy may contribute to maladaptive kidney repair after AKI by inducing tubular degeneration and promoting a profibrotic phenotype in renal tubule cells.In this review,we analyze the role and regulation of autophagy in kidney injury and repair and discuss the therapeutic strategies by targeting autophagy.