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Background Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) share phenotypic and molecular commonalities, including the fact that they can be caused by mutations in ubiquitous proteins involved in RNA metabolism, namely SMN, TDP-43 and FUS. Although this suggests the existence of common disease mechanisms, there is currently no model to explain the resulting motor neuron dysfunction. In this work we generated a parallel set of Drosophila models for adult-onset RNAi and tagged neuronal expression of the fly orthologues of the three human proteins, named Smn, TBPH and Caz, respectively. We profiled nuclear and cytoplasmic bound mRNAs using a RIP-seq approach and characterized the transcriptome of the RNAi models by RNA-seq. To unravel the mechanisms underlying the common functional impact of these proteins on neuronal cells, we devised a computational approach based on the construction of a tissue-specific library of protein functional modules, selected by an overall impact score measuring the estimated extent of perturbation caused by each gene knockdown. Results Transcriptome analysis revealed that the three proteins do not bind to the same RNA molecules and that only a limited set of functionally unrelated transcripts is commonly affected by their knock-down. However, through our integrative approach we were able to identify a concerted effect on protein functional modules, albeit acting through distinct targets. Most strikingly, functional annotation revealed that these modules are involved in critical cellular pathways for motor neurons, including neuromuscular junction function. Furthermore, selected modules were found to be significantly enriched in orthologues of human neuronal disease genes. Conclusions The results presented here show that SMA and ALS disease-associated genes linked to RNA metabolism functionally converge on neuronal protein complexes, providing a new hypothesis to explain the common motor neuron phenotype. The functional modules identified represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets, namely given their alteration in asymptomatic settings.

The mechanism by which the Zika virus can cause fetal microcephaly is not known. Reports indicate that Zika is able to evade the normal immunoprotective responses of the placenta. Microcephaly has genetic causes, some associated with maternal exposures including radiation, tobacco smoke, alcohol, and viruses. Two hypotheses regarding the role of the placenta are possible: one is that the placenta directly conveys the Zika virus to the early embryo or fetus. Alternatively, the placenta itself might be mounting a response to the exposure; this response might be contributing to or causing the brain defect. This distinction is crucial to the diagnosis of fetuses at risk and the design of therapeutic strategies to prevent Zika-induced teratogenesis.

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations in urban areas reflect a combination of fossil fuel emissions and biogenic fluxes, offering a potential approach to assess city climate policies. However, atmospheric models used to simulate urban CO2 plumes face significant uncertainties, particularly in complex urban environments with dense populations and vegetation. This study addresses these challenges by analyzing CO2 dynamics in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). Simulations were evaluated against ground-based observations from the METROCLIMA network, the first greenhouse gas monitoring network in South America, and column concentrations (XCO2) from the OCO-2 satellite spanning February to August 2019. To improve biogenic fluxes, we optimized parameters in the Vegetation Photosynthesis and Respiration Model (VPRM) using eddy covariance flux measurements for key vegetation types, including the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and sugarcane. Results show that at the urban site (IAG), the model consistently underestimated CO2 concentrations, with a negative mean bias of −9 ppm throughout the simulation period, likely due to the complexity of vehicular emissions and urban dynamics. In contrast, at the vegetated site (PDJ), simulations showed a consistent positive mean bias of 5 ppm and closely matched observations. Seasonal analyses revealed higher CO2 concentrations in winter, driven by greater atmospheric stability and reduced vegetation uptake estimated by VPRM, while summer exhibited lower levels due to increased mixing and higher agricultural productivity. A comparison of biogenic and anthropogenic scenarios highlights the need for integrated emission modeling and improved representation of biogenic fluxes, anthropogenic emissions, and boundary conditions for high-resolution modeling in tropical regions.

The 2015–16 Zika virus epidemic emerged in the Americas and rapidly spread throughout the region and beyond, showing the epidemic potential of this mosquito-borne Orthoflavivirus and its capacity to cause severe congenital malformations and neurological sequelae. WHO declared the Zika virus epidemic a public health emergency of international concern in 2016. Despite this declaration, there are no licensed Zika virus vaccines, therapeutics, or diagnostic tests appropriate for routine antenatal screening. To address this absence of essential tools to detect and mitigate the threat of future Zika virus outbreaks, a group of global experts developed a priority agenda for Zika virus research and development. This Series paper summarises crucial challenges and knowledge gaps and outlines a comprehensive strategy to advance research, surveillance, global capacity, policy, and investment for Zika virus preparedness and response.

This book is about the social psychological dynamics and phenomenology of social inclusion and exclusion. The editors take as their starting point the assumption that social life is conducted in a framework of relationships in which individuals seek inclusion and belongingness. Relationships necessarily include others, but equally they have boundaries that exclude. Frequently these boundaries are challenged or crossed. The book will draw together research on individual motivation, small group processes, stigmatization and intergroup relations, to provide a comprehensive social psychological account of social inclusion and exclusion. Acknowledgements Contributors Chapter 1. A Social Psychological Framework for Understanding Social Inclusion and Exclusion Dominic Abrams, Michael A. Hogg and José M. Marques SECTION A: INDIVIDUAL INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION Chapter 2. Social Exclusion Increases Aggression and Self-defeating Behavior while Reducing Intelligent Thought and Prosocial Behavior Jean M. Twenge and Roy F. Baumeister Chapter 3. Reacting to Ostracism: Retaliation or Reconciliation? Kipling D. Williams and Cassandra L. Govan Chapter 4. Stigma and Social Exclusion Brenda Major and Collette P. Eccleston Chapter 5. The Role of Exclusion in Maintaining Ingroup Inclusion Cynthia L. Pickett and Marilynn B. Brewer Chapter 6. Exclusion of the Self by Close Others and by Groups: Implications of the Self-Expansion Model Tracy McGlaughlin-Volpe, Art Aron, Stephen C. Wright and Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. SECTION B: GROUP DYNAMICS OF INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION Chapter 7. Managing Group Composition: Inclusive and Exclusive Role Transitions John M. Levine, Richard L. Moreland, and Leslie R. M. Hausmann Chapter 8. When Bad Becomes Good (and Vice Versa): Why Social Exclusion Is Not Based on Difference Dominic Abrams, Georgina Randsley de Moura, Paul Hutchison and G.Tendayi Viki Chapter 9. Fringe Dwellers: Processes of Deviance and Marginalization in Groups Michael A. Hogg and Kelly S. Fielding and John Darley Chapter 10. Delinquency: Cause or consequence of social exclusion? Nicholas Emler and Stephen Reicher SECTION C: INTERGROUP INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION Chapter 11. Social Inclusion and Exclusion: Recategorization and the Perception of Intergroup Boundaries John F. Dovidio, Samuel L. Gaertner, Gordon Hodson, Melissa A. Houlette and Kelly M. Johnson Chapter 12. Intergroup Contact in a Divided Society: Challenging Segregation in Northern Ireland Miles Hewstone, Ed Cairns, Alberto Voci, Stefania Paolini, Frances McLernon, Richard J. Crisp, Ulrike, Niens and Jean Craig Chapter 13. Cognitive Representations and Exclusion of Immigrants: Why Red-Nosed Reindeer Don't Play Games Diana R. Rice and Brian Mullen Chapter 14. Attitudes toward Immigrants and Immigration: The Role of National and International Identity Victoria M. Esses, John F. Dovidio, Antoinette Semenya and Lynne M. Jackson Author Index Subject Index \"This volume spans the full range from global to personal analysis of people in the process of including and excluding each other. The editors have assembled an impressive array of experts who shed light on people in (and out) of groups. Policy implications leap out from every chapter. A crucial book for all of us concerned with the current, unprecedented intergroup challenges to the human social condition.\" - Susan T. Fiske, Princeton University \"The Social Psychology of Inclusion and Exclusion is an important and timely publication. With 14 pointed chapters written by leading social psychologists, this edited volume provides a summary of where the intergroup field stands at present. I especially like the focus on social inclusion and exclusion at all three levels of analysis – micro-individual, meso-group, and macro-societal. Thus, this volume covers the effects of exclusion from laboratory studies on individuals to survey studies of Northern Ireland. In short, this volume can be highly recommended for all who are concerned with intergroup phenomena.\" - Thomas F. Pettigrew, University of California at Santa Cruz

We developed new methods for parameter estimation-in-context and, with the help of 125 authors, built the AmP (Add-my-Pet) database of Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models, parameters and referenced underlying data for animals, where each species constitutes one database entry. The combination of DEB parameters covers all aspects of energetics throughout the full organism's life cycle, from the start of embryo development to death by aging. The species-specific parameter values capture biodiversity and can now, for the first time, be compared between animals species. An important insight brought by the AmP project is the classification of animal energetics according to a family of related DEB models that is structured on the basis of the mode of metabolic acceleration, which links up with the development of larval stages. We discuss the evolution of metabolism in this context, among animals in general, and ray-finned fish, mollusks and crustaceans in particular. New DEBtool code for estimating DEB parameters from data has been written. AmPtool code for analyzing patterns in parameter values has also been created. A new web-interface supports multiple ways to visualize data, parameters, and implied properties from the entire collection as well as on an entry by entry basis. The DEB models proved to fit data well, the median relative error is only 0.07, for the 1035 animal species at 2018/03/12, including some extinct ones, from all large phyla and all chordate orders, spanning a range of body masses of 16 orders of magnitude. This study is a first step to include evolutionary aspects into parameter estimation, allowing to infer properties of species for which very little is known.

•mRNA is a safe and precise vaccine technology.•Over 140 clinical trials can be found using mRNA vaccines.•Scalability and cost-effectiveness in mRNA manufacturing is still a bottleneck.•Continuous manufacturing can potentially be used in the mRNA technology manufacturing. Vaccines are one of the most important tools in public health and play an important role in infectious diseases control. Owing to its precision, safe profile and flexible manufacturing, mRNA vaccines are reaching the stoplight as a new alternative to conventional vaccines. In fact, mRNA vaccines were the technology of choice for many companies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was the first technology to be approved in both United States and in Europe Union as a prophylactic treatment. Additionally, mRNA vaccines are being studied in the clinic to treat a number of diseases including cancer, HIV, influenza and even genetic disorders. The increased demand for mRNA vaccines requires a technology platform and cost-effective manufacturing process with a well-defined product characterisation. Large scale production of mRNA vaccines consists in a 1 or 2-step in vitro reaction followed by a purification platform with multiple steps that can include Dnase digestion, precipitation, chromatography or tangential flow filtration. In this review we describe the current state-of-art of mRNA vaccines, focusing on the challenges and bottlenecks of manufacturing that need to be addressed to turn this new vaccination technology into an effective, fast and cost-effective response to emerging health crises.

The food consumption of adolescents has changed nowadays, with an increase in ultra-processed food that in general shows higher calories and lower nutrients. Because of this, the objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of a 12-week multi-professional family versus isolated intervention on the food level processing of overweight adolescents. A randomized clinical trial study was carried out in which adolescents (n = 43; mean aged 13.73 years) who were divided into FG—family group (n = 21; the adolescents performed the activities with their parents) and IG—isolated group (n = 22; the adolescents performed the activities alone). The parameters measured before and after 12 weeks of multi-professional intervention (physical exercise, nutrition and psychoeducation) were: body mass, height and body mass index-BMI. The level of food processing was analyzed using a three-day food recall (24hR), classified according to the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population (fresh, minimally, processed and ultra-processed foods). The main results show that there was only a significant reduction in the consumption of processed foods (FG: 7.93%; IG: 49.73%) and ultra-processed foods (FG: 35.06%; IG: 67.16%) in grams (FG: 22.29%; IG: 65.23%) and calories (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). The consumption of fresh foods in grams (FG:61.97%; IG: 147.13%) and calories (FG: 147.13%; IG: 118.03%) and minimally processed foods (FG: 27.45%; IG: 14.64%) in grams increased significantly (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). However, no significant differences were observed between all variables analyzed for the groups, nor any interaction (p > 0.05). In conclusion, both groups who participated in the activities showed positive changes with increased consumption of fresh foods and reduced consumption of processed foods, without difference between them.

To reverse the effects of deforestation, tropical areas have expanded restoration efforts in recent years. As ecological restoration positively affects the structure and function of degraded ecosystems, understanding to what extent restoration recovers ecosystem services (ES) is an important step in directing large-scale restoration actions. We evaluated the effect of restoration in increasing the provision of ES in tropical forests. We performed a global meta-analysis of ecological indicators of the ES provided in restored areas, degraded areas and reference ecosystems. We tested for the effects of different restoration strategies, different types of degradation and for the effects of restoration over time. Overall, restoration actions contributed to a significant increase in levels of ecological indicators of ES (carbon pool, soil attributes and biodiversity protection) compared to disturbed areas. Among the restoration strategies, the natural regeneration was the most effective. Biodiversity protection and carbon recovered better than soil attributes. All other restoration strategies recovered ES to a substantially lesser degree, and reforestation with exotics decreased the ES of areas degraded by agriculture. In areas degraded by pasture, restoration was more effective in recovering the biodiversity protection, whereas in areas degraded by agriculture, the restoration recovered mainly the carbon pool. Our results show that by choosing the correct strategy, restoration can recover much of the ES lost by the degradation of tropical forests. These results should be considered for large-scale conservation and management efforts for this biome.

Stress is a well-established trigger for a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, as it alters both structure and function of several brain regions and its networks. Herein, we conduct a longitudinal neuroimaging study to assess how a chronic unpredictable stress protocol impacts the structure of the rat brain and its functional connectome in both high and low responders to stress. Our results reveal the changes that stress triggers in the brain, with structural atrophy affecting key regions such as the prelimbic, cingulate, insular and retrosplenial, somatosensory, motor, auditory and perirhinal/entorhinal cortices, the hippocampus, the dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens, the septum, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the thalamus and several brain stem nuclei. These structural changes are associated with increasing functional connectivity within a network composed by these regions. Moreover, using a clustering based on endocrine and behavioural outcomes, animals were classified as high and low responders to stress. We reveal that susceptible animals (high responders) develop local atrophy of the ventral tegmental area and an increase in functional connectivity between this area and the thalamus, further spreading to other areas that link the cognitive system with the fight-or-flight system. Through a longitudinal approach we were able to establish two distinct patterns, with functional changes occurring during the exposure to stress, but with an inflection point after the first week of stress when more prominent changes were seen. Finally, our study revealed differences in functional connectivity in a brainstem–limbic network that distinguishes resistant and susceptible responders before any exposure to stress, providing the first potential imaging-based predictive biomarkers of an individual’s resilience/vulnerability to stressful conditions.