The structure of schizotypal personality traits: a cross-national study

BACKGROUND

Schizotypal traits are considered a phenotypic-indicator of schizotypy, a latent personality organization reflecting a putative liability for psychosis. To date, no previous study has examined the comparability of factorial structures across samples originating from different countries and cultures. The main goal was to evaluate the factorial structure and reliability of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) scores by amalgamating data from studies conducted in 12 countries and across 21 sites.

METHOD

The overall sample consisted of 27 001 participants (37.5% males, n = 4251 drawn from the general population). The mean age was 22.12 years (s.d. = 6.28, range 16-55 years). The SPQ was used. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Multilevel CFA (ML-CFA) were used to evaluate the factor structure underlying the SPQ scores.

RESULTS

At the SPQ item level, the nine factor and second-order factor models showed adequate goodness-of-fit. At the SPQ subscale level, three- and four-factor models displayed better goodness-of-fit indices than other CFA models. ML-CFA showed that the intraclass correlation coefficients values were lower than 0.106. The three-factor model showed adequate goodness of fit indices in multilevel analysis. The ordinal α coefficients were high, ranging from 0.73 to 0.94 across individual samples, and from 0.84 to 0.91 for the combined sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are consistent with the conceptual notion that schizotypal personality is a multifaceted construct and support the validity and utility of SPQ in cross-cultural research. We discuss theoretical and clinical implications of our results for diagnostic systems, psychosis models and cross-national mental health strategies.

Intra-tumoral production of IL18, but not IL12, by TCR-engineered T cells is non-toxic and counteracts immune evasion of solid tumors

Adoptive therapy with engineered T cells shows promising results in treating patients with malignant disease, but is challenged by incomplete responses and tumor recurrences. Here, we aimed to direct the tumor microenvironment in favor of a successful immune response by local secretion of interleukin (IL-) 12 and IL-18 by sadministered T cells. To this end, we engineered T cells with a melanoma-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and murine IL-12 and/or IL-18 under the control of a nuclear-factor of activated T-cell (NFAT)-sensitive promoter. These T cells produced IL-12 or IL-18, and consequently enhanced levels of IFNγ, following exposure to antigen-positive but not negative tumor cells. Adoptive transfer of T cells with a TCR and inducible (i)IL-12 to melanoma-bearing mice resulted in severe, edema-like toxicity that was accompanied by enhanced levels of IFNγ and TNFα in blood, and reduced numbers of peripheral TCR transgene-positive T cells. In contrast, transfer of T cells expressing a TCR and iIL-18 was without side effects, enhanced the presence of therapeutic CD8⁺ T cells within tumors, reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Notably, treatment with TCR+iIL-12 but not iIL-18 T cells resulted in enhanced intra-tumoral accumulation of macrophages, which was accompanied by a decreased frequency of therapeutic T cells, in particular of the CD8 subset. In addition, when administered to mice, iIL-18 but not iIL-12 demonstrated a favorable profile of T cell co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. In conclusion, we observed that treatment with T cells engineered with a TCR and iIL18 T cells is safe and able to skew the tumor microenvironment in favor of an improved anti-tumor T cell response.

Benchmarking an 11-qubit quantum computer

The field of quantum computing has grown from concept to demonstration devices over the past 20 years. Universal quantum computing offers efficiency in approaching problems of scientific and commercial interest, such as factoring large numbers, searching databases, simulating intractable models from quantum physics, and optimizing complex cost functions. Here, we present an 11-qubit fully-connected, programmable quantum computer in a trapped ion system composed of 13 ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ ions. We demonstrate average single-qubit gate fidelities of 99.5\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\%$$\end{document}%, average two-qubit-gate fidelities of 97.5\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\%$$\end{document}%, and SPAM errors of 0.7\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\%$$\end{document}%. To illustrate the capabilities of this universal platform and provide a basis for comparison with similarly-sized devices, we compile the Bernstein-Vazirani and Hidden Shift algorithms into our native gates and execute them on the hardware with average success rates of 78\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\%$$\end{document}% and 35\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\%$$\end{document}%, respectively. These algorithms serve as excellent benchmarks for any type of quantum hardware, and show that our system outperforms all other currently available hardware.

The growing complexity of quantum computing devices makes presents challenges for benchmarking their performance as previous, exhaustive approaches become infeasible. Here the authors characterise the quality of their 11-qubit device by successfully computing two quantum algorithms.

CD28 cosignalling does not affect the activation threshold in a chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T-cell attack

Adoptive immunotherapy of cancer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells with redirected specificity showed efficacy in recent trials. In preclinical models, 'second-generation' CARs with CD28 costimulatory domain in addition to CD3ζ performed superior in redirecting T-cell effector functions and survival. Whereas CD28 costimulation sustains physiological T-cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 activation of naïve T cells, the impact of CD28 cosignalling on the threshold of CAR-mediated activation of pre-stimulated T cells without B7-CD28 recruitment remained unclear. Using CARs of different binding affinities, but same epitope specificity, we demonstrate that CD28 cosignalling neither lowered the antigen threshold nor the binding affinity for redirected T-cell activation. 'Affinity ceiling' above which increase in affinity does not increase T-cell activation was not altered. Accordingly, redirected tumor cell killing depended on the binding affinity but was likewise effective for CD3ζ and CD28-CD3ζ CARs. In contrast to CD3ζ, CD28-CD3ζ CAR-driven activation was not increased further by CD28-B7 engagement. However, CD28 cosignalling, which is required for interleukin-2 induction could not be replaced by high-affinity CD3ζ CAR binding or high-density antigen engagement. We conclude that CD28 CAR cosignalling does not alter the activation threshold but redirects T-cell effector functions.

Synthesis of polyhydroxyindolizidines from 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one

(1aR,5aR,5bS,6S,7S)-6,7-Di-tert-butoxy-5-oxo-pyrrolidino[1,2-b]isoxazolidino[4,5-c]tetrahydropyran (8) prepared by (1,3)-dipolar cycloaddition of the cyclic nitrone 6 derived from tartaric acid to 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (7) was transformed into indolizidine 11 via a sequence of reactions involving methanolysis of the lactone ring, intramolecular alkylation of the nitrogen atom promoted by a carbontetrabromide-triphenylphosphine mixture and hydrogenolysis of the N single bond O bond. Decarboxylation of 11 provided known 7-hydroxylentiginosine derivative 14, whereas oxidative decarboxylation gave indolizidine 15 structurally related to castanospermine.

Formation of endogenous glutamatergic receptors antagonist kynurenic acid--differences between cortical and spinal cord slices

Rat spinal cord slices produced kynurenic acid (KYNA) upon exposure to L-kynurenine. Aminooxyacetic acid, non-selective aminotransferase inhibitor, and L-glutamate, but neither N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-metyloisoxazolo-4-propionate (AMPA), nor kainate, diminished synthesis of KYNA. L-Glutamate action was less potent in spinal than in cortical slices. Metabotropic agonists, L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) and (+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD), used in concentrations inhibiting cortical KYNA synthesis, were ineffective in spinal cord. Spinal KYNA production seems less susceptible to inhibitory modulation.

Temporal discrepancies in the association between the apoB/apoA-I ratio and mortality in incident dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

In the general population, a high apoB/apoA-I ratio is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, whether this is the case in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is currently unknown.

STUDY DESIGN

The apoB/apoA-I ratio was evaluated in 391 incident CKD stage 5 patients examined close to dialysis initiation, and again after 1 year of dialysis in a subgroup of 182 patients, subsequently followed for up to 3 years.

RESULTS

Baseline values of the apoB/apoA-I ratio as well as changes in the ratio during the first year of dialysis correlated with body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. The baseline apoB/apoA-I ratio showed no association with 4-year mortality. However, after adjustment for confounders, a high apoB/apoA-I ratio (>0.9) predicted short-term (first year) survival [hazard ratio (HR): 0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13-0.85)] and long-term (next 3 years) mortality (HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.01-2.96). An increase in the apoB/apoA-I ratio during the first year of dialysis was linked to a survival advantage thereafter (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.22-0.98). However, this association lost its significance (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.26-1.36) after adjustment for indices of protein-energy wasting.

CONCLUSIONS

A high apoB/apoA-I ratio and an increase in this ratio during the first year on dialysis were associated with short-term survival advantage in CKD patients. This paradoxical relationship represents an example of the so-called reverse epidemiology phenomenon in CKD patients and suggests that the apoB/apoA-I ratio should always be interpreted with caution in this patient population.

Noncanonical effector functions of the T-memory-like T-PLL cell are shaped by cooperative TCL1A and TCR signaling

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a poor-prognostic neoplasm. Differentiation stage and immune-effector functions of the underlying tumor cell are insufficiently characterized. Constitutive activation of the T-cell leukemia 1A (TCL1A) oncogene distinguishes the (pre)leukemic cell from regular postthymic T cells. We assessed activation-response patterns of the T-PLL lymphocyte and interrogated the modulatory impact by TCL1A. Immunophenotypic and gene expression profiles revealed a unique spectrum of memory-type differentiation of T-PLL with predominant central-memory stages and frequent noncanonical patterns. Virtually all T-PLL expressed a T-cell receptor (TCR) and/or CD28-coreceptor without overrepresentation of specific TCR clonotypes. The highly activated leukemic cells also revealed losses of negative-regulatory TCR coreceptors (eg, CTLA4). TCR stimulation of T-PLL cells evoked higher-than-normal cell-cycle transition and profiles of cytokine release that resembled those of normal memory T cells. More activated phenotypes and higher TCL1A correlated with inferior clinical outcomes. TCL1A was linked to the marked resistance of T-PLL to activation- and FAS-induced cell death. Enforced TCL1A enhanced phospho-activation of TCR kinases, second-messenger generation, and JAK/STAT or NFAT transcriptional responses. This reduced the input thresholds for IL-2 secretion in a sensitizer-like fashion. Mice of TCL1A-initiated protracted T-PLL development resembled such features. When equipped with epitope-defined TCRs or chimeric antigen receptors, these Lckpr-hTCL1Atg T cells gained a leukemogenic growth advantage in scenarios of receptor stimulation. Overall, we propose a model of T-PLL pathogenesis in which TCL1A enhances TCR signals and drives the accumulation of death-resistant memory-type cells that use amplified low-level stimulatory input, and whose loss of negative coregulators additionally maintains their activated state. Treatment rationales are provided by combined interception in TCR and survival signaling.

Forest passerines as a novel dispersal vector of viable bryophyte propagules

Animal dispersal influences the community structure and diversity of a wide variety of plant taxa, yet the potential effects of animal dispersal in bryophytes (hornworts, liverworts, and mosses) is poorly understood. In many communities, birds use bryophyte-abundant niche space for foraging and gathering nest material, suggesting that birds may play a role in bryophyte dispersal. As highly motile animals with long migratory routes, birds potentially provide a means for both local and long-distance bryophyte dispersal in a manner that differs greatly from passive, aerial spore dispersal. To examine this phenomenon, we collected and germinated bryophyte propagules from the legs, feet and tails of 224 birds from 34 species within a temperate forest community. In total we found 1512 spores, and were able to germinate 242 bryophyte propagules. In addition, we provide evidence that topical (externally-carried) spore load varies by bird species and behaviour. Tail feather spore abundance is highest in bark and foliage gleaning species and is positively correlated with tarsal length. Together, these data suggest that a variety of forest birds exhibit the potential to act as dispersal vectors for bryophyte propagules, including an abundance of spores, and that understanding the effects of animal behaviour on bryophyte dispersal will be key to further understanding this interaction.

Studies on synthesis and structure of O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl(1"-->2')ribonucleosides and oligonucleotides

Minor nucleosides found in several eukaryotic initiator tRNASiMet, O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl(1"-->2')adenosine and -guanosine (Ar and Gr), as well as their pyrimidine analogues, were obtained from N-protected 3',5'-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)ribonucle osides and 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-ribofuranose in the presence of tin tetrachloride in 1,2-dichloroethane. A crystal structure has been solved for 2'-O-ribosyluridine. The 3'-phosphoramidites of protected 2'-O-ribosylribonucleosides were prepared as the reagents for 2'-O-ribofuranosyloligonucleotides synthesis. O-beta-D-Ribofuranosyl(1"-->2')adenylyl(3'-->5')guanosine (ArpG) was obtained and its structure was analysed by NMR spectroscopy.

Increased rate of cholesterologenesis--a possible cause of hypercholesterolemia in experimental chronic renal failure in rats

Hypercholesterolemia plays an important role in the lipid abnormalities in chronic renal failure (CRF). It is thought to contribute to both a progression of renal failure and atherosclerosis. Despite intensive research, the etiopathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia in CRF patients is still obscure. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible role of cholesterol overproduction in the development of hypercholesterolemia associated with experimental CRF. We found that plasma total cholesterol and cholesterol distributed in VLDL, LDL and HDL concentrations were significantly enhanced in CRF rats. Simultaneously, the rate of liver cholesterol biosynthesis in vivo (measured by determining the incorporation of tritium from tritiated water intraperitoneally injected into cholesterol ), liver microsomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity and liver HMG-CoA reductase mRNA presence were elevated. Significant increases in activity of liver malic enzyme, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, NADPH-producing enzyme (required for cholesterol synthesis) have also been observed in CRF rats. In conclusion, the increased rate of liver cholesterol biosynthesis due to increase of HMG-CoA reductase and NADPH-producing enzyme gene expression could be one of the possible causes of hypercholesterolemia in CRF animals.

Six-membered cyclic sulfites derived from glucofuranose and 1,2,4-butanetriol

Six-membered cyclic sulfites derived from glucofuranose derivatives 5, 6 and from 1-O-tert-butyldimethylsilil-1,2,4-butanetriol 12 were synthesized and separated into pure diastereomers which were in turn subjected to the sequence of reactions leading to the introduction of the terminal vinyl ether fragment. Reactivity and applicability of cyclic sulfites as intermediates in [2+2]cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) to vinyl ethers were studied. The cycloaddition to vinyl ethers 19 and 20 proceeded in low yield and low asymmetric induction, in the case of the former, and moderate yield and pronounced asymmetric induction, in the case of the latter. The (1)H-NMR spectra of sulfites 13-16 reveal a preference of the sulfite oxygen atom for the axial position. Thus, well-defined conformation in solution for compounds 13 and 15 and a mixture of the two possible chair forms for sulfites 14 and 16 could be assigned. The stretching frequency of the S-->O bond in stable conformation with an axial sulfite oxygen occurs in the range 1,160-1,210 cm(-1), whereas conformationally mobile sulfites exhibit corresponding absorption above 1,220 cm(-1). The absolute configuration assignments of sulfites 7, 8, 15, 16 and 25-28 were done empirically based on the combined analysis of the NMR, IR, X-ray, and dichroic data. It was demonstrated that the sign of the Cotton effect around 194 nm correlated with the absolute stereochemistry at the sulfur atom in a sulfite chromophore.

Diurnal rhythm of cholesterol biosynthesis in experimental chronic renal failure

Changes in lipid metabolism are an important risk factor for vascular complications during chronic renal failure (CRF). In experimental CRF hypercholesterolemia has been found to be the main lipid disorder. It is probably due to enhanced cholesterologenesis. Mechanisms of these changes remain poorly understood. It is well known that activity of cholesterologenesis undergoes a significant diurnal rhythm. However, there was no evidence that this rhythm is still present in the course of experimental CRF. Results of our studies indicate that in contrast to puromycin induced nephrotic syndrome, diurnal rhythm of cholesterologenesis in CRF rats is preserved both in liver and in the intestine tissue. Significant higher incorporation of tritiated water into cholesterol fraction was found in vivo both in liver as well as in intestine of CRF rats, as compared to control animals. Increased (with comparison to the controls) incorporation of 14C-acetate, and 3H-mevalonate into CRF rat liver sterols indicate that mechanism of enhanced cholesterologenesis is more complex than simply due to the elevated level of mevalonate (potential substrate for cholesterologenesis) which has been reported in plasma of CRF animals.

Species-specific effects of passive warming in an Antarctic moss system

Polar systems are experiencing rapid climate change and the high sensitivity of these Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems make them especially vulnerable to accelerated ecological transformation. In Antarctica, warming results in a mosaic of ice-free terrestrial habitats dominated by a diverse assemblage of cryptogamic plants (i.e. mosses and lichens). Although these plants provide key habitat for a wide array of microorganisms and invertebrates, we have little understanding of the interaction between trophic levels in this terrestrial ecosystem and whether there are functional effects of plant species on higher trophic levels that may alter with warming. Here, we used open top chambers on Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, to examine the effects of passive warming and moss species on the abiotic environment and ultimately on higher trophic levels. For the dominant mosses, Polytrichastrum alpinum and Sanionia georgicouncinata, we found species-specific effects on the abiotic environment, including moss canopy temperature and soil moisture. In addition, we found distinct shifts in sexual expression in P. alpinum plants under warming compared to mosses without warming, and invertebrate communities in this moss species were strongly correlated with plant reproduction. Mosses under warming had substantially larger total invertebrate communities, and some invertebrate taxa were influenced differentially by moss species. However, warmed moss plants showed lower fungal biomass than control moss plants, and fungal biomass differed between moss species. Our results indicate that continued warming may impact the reproductive output of Antarctic moss species, potentially altering terrestrial ecosystems dynamics from the bottom up. Understanding these effects requires clarifying the foundational, mechanistic role that individual plant species play in mediating complex interactions in Antarctica's terrestrial food webs.

Species-specific interactions in avian-bryophyte dispersal networks

Studies from seed plants have shown that animal dispersal fundamentally alters the success of plant dispersal, shaping community composition through time. Our understanding of this phenomenon in spore plants is comparatively limited. Though little is known about species-specific dispersal relationships between passerine birds and bryophytes, birds are particularly attractive as a potential bryophyte dispersal vector given their highly vagile nature as well as their association with bryophytes when foraging and building nests. We captured birds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest to sample their legs and tails for bryophyte propagules. We found 24 bryophyte species across 34 bird species. We examined the level of interaction specificity: (i) within the overall network to assess community level patterns; and (ii) at the plant species level to determine the effect of bird behaviour on network structure. We found that avian-bryophyte associations are constrained within the network, with species-specific and foraging guild effects on the variety of bryophytes found on bird species. Our findings suggest that diffuse bird-bryophyte dispersal networks are likely to be common in habitats where birds readily encounter bryophytes and that further work aimed at understanding individual bird-bryophyte species relationships may prove valuable in determining nuance within this newly described dispersal mechanism.

Impact of changing climate on bryophyte contributions to terrestrial water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles

Bryophytes, including the lineages of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, are the second-largest photoautotroph group on Earth. Recent work across terrestrial ecosystems has highlighted how bryophytes retain and control water, fix substantial amounts of carbon (C), and contribute to nitrogen (N) cycles in forests (boreal, temperate, and tropical), tundra, peatlands, grasslands, and deserts. Understanding how changing climate affects bryophyte contributions to global cycles in different ecosystems is of primary importance. However, because of their small physical size, bryophytes have been largely ignored in research on water, C, and N cycles at global scales. Here, we review the literature on how bryophytes influence global biogeochemical cycles, and we highlight that while some aspects of global change represent critical tipping points for survival, bryophytes may also buffer many ecosystems from change due to their capacity for water, C, and N uptake and storage. However, as the thresholds of resistance of bryophytes to temperature and precipitation regime changes are mostly unknown, it is challenging to predict how long this buffering capacity will remain functional. Furthermore, as ecosystems shift their global distribution in response to changing climate, the size of different bryophyte-influenced biomes will change, resulting in shifts in the magnitude of bryophyte impacts on global ecosystem functions.