Reciprocal Role Research Articles

Reciprocal Roles of Tom7 and OMA1 during Mitochondrial Import and Activation of PINK1

Mutations in PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) can cause recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Import arrest results in PINK1 kinase activation specifically on damaged mitochondria, triggering Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Here, we show that PINK1 import is less dependent on Tim23 than on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). We identified a negatively charged amino acid cluster motif that is evolutionarily conserved just C-terminal to the PINK1 transmembrane. PINK1 that fails to accumulate at the outer mitochondrial membrane, either by mutagenesis of this negatively charged motif or by deletion of Tom7, is imported into depolarized mitochondria and cleaved by the OMA1 protease. Some PD patient mutations also are defective in import arrest and are rescued by the suppression of OMA1, providing a new potential druggable targetfor PD. These results suggest that ΔΨm loss-dependent PINK1 import arrest does not result solely from Tim23 inactivation but also through anactively regulated "tug of war" between Tom7 and OMA1.

Autism, social connectedness, and minimal social acts

Autism spectrum condition (henceforth ASC) is a complex psychopathological condition characterized by repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviors, as well as by impairments in social interaction and communication. This article focuses on the idea that ASC involves impairments in the capacity to connect with the feelings and actions of others. The metaphor of social connectedness might be considered somewhat uninformative, hardly specific of ASC, and ultimately compatible with a variety of competing approaches to social impairments in ASC. Nevertheless, here I develop an account of social connectedness which plays a distinctive and informative role in further understanding ASC. My strategy is to explore the role of social reciprocity in relation to the difficulties that persons with ASC have with social connectedness. Drawing on the work of Peter Hobson, I propose that such difficulties primarily involve experiences and actions that require the uptake or response from another subject for their fulfillment. I clarify and develop this idea by introducing the concept of minimal social act, inspired by the work of the phenomenologists Adolf Reinach and Dietrich von Hildebrand, and by discussing some 4E (i.e., embodied, enactive, embedded, and extended) approaches to ASC. On the current proposal, minimal social acts are pervasive and developmentally critical experiences that have built into their conditions of success a receptiveness or responsiveness from the subject to whom they are directed.

Gift-selection for close recipients: how perceived similarity of preferences affect giver’s attitude

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of gift-givers’ perception of relational closeness on their gift-selection attitude and eventual selection when the gift is not a requested-gift.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework was constructed on the basis of five hypotheses, which were tested by field data collected through surveys of urban Indian gift-givers while they shopped for a gift. Logistic regressions were used for validating hypotheses. Mediation effect was computed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.FindingsThe giver may have either a “recipient-centric” or a “giver-centric” attitude towards gift-selection. It was found that givers who feel greater closeness towards recipients are less likely to be “giver-centric” and more likely to believe that the recipient’s preferences are similar to their own. The givers’ belief that the recipient’s preferences are similar to their own mediates the effect of closeness on attitude. Closeness reduces the odds of making a “preference-contrary” selection among “recipient-centric” givers because of a perceived similarity of preferences.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted among urban Indian gift-shoppers. Cross-cultural study may be required for general interpretation of the results. In addition, the role of reciprocity in determining giver’s attitude and gift-selection was not studied.Practical implicationsThe study found that the odds of making “preference-contrary” gift-selection depend on the closeness of the dyadic relation. This understanding can be used in advertising and promoting products that are used as gifts between close relations.Originality/valuePrevious studies postulated and demonstrated that relational closeness affects gift-giving behaviour, but none connected closeness to gift-selection. This research conceptualised gift-giver’s attitude, which influences giver’s selection.

Promoting reciprocity through theatre: interdisciplinary reflections from the S-Word laboratory

ABSTRACTThis article stems from practice-based research conducted during the 2018 S-Word conference hosted by the University of California, Riverside. As a psychology professor and theatre professor, we take a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to examine the roles of reciprocity, empathy, and power dynamics. We ground our exploration in a participatory theatre exercise that emphasized varying levels of eye contact and interaction prompted by playing with the dynamics of observing and being observed. We employ psychology and neuroscience research on areas such as eye contact, mutual gaze, and power to make relevant connections for the actor-audience dynamics. We contend that by shifting perspective taking, theatre and participatory theatre exercises contribute to mitigating power imbalances between actors and their audience, thus making space for increased empathic connections.

Anonymity Reduces Generosity in High School Students

The disinterested willingness a person has for helping others is known as altruism. But is this willingness to help others dependent on external factors that make you more or less inclined to be generous? We hypothesized that generosity in adolescents would depend on external factors and that these factors would change the amount of help given. To evaluate altruism and generosity, we conducted non-anonymous and anonymous variations of the dictator game and ultimatum game experiments and explored the role of anonymity, fairness, and reciprocity in high school students. Instead of using money, we randomly selected high school students from six science classrooms to receive extra points on their midterm exam, while the rest of the students did not receive extra points. The students that received extra points became donors, while the students that did not receive extra points became recipients. We varied the ability to redistribute points in three ways. One, donors could donate points, showing true altruism. Two, donors could donate or steal points from the recipients, allowing us to assess fairness. Finally, donors could donate points, but the allocation of points depended upon recipients accepting or rejecting the proposed donation in a measure of fairness and reciprocity. We found that both anonymity and the possibility of taking points decreased the willingness to give, while reciprocity increased the willingness to give as the students based their decision more on strategy than generosity. We concluded that generosity in adolescents is mostly dependent on personal gain and peer judgment rather than pure altruism.

Constructing and Deconstructing Cancers using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and Organoids.

Cell lines and animal models have provided the foundation of cancer research for many years. However, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and organoids are increasingly enabling insights into tumor development, progression, and treatment. Here, we review recent studies using hPSCs to elucidate the reciprocal roles played by genetic alterations and cell identity in cancer formation. We also review studies using human organoids as models that recapitulate both intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity to gain new insights into tumorigenesis and treatment responses. Finally, we highlight potential opportunities for cancer research using hPSC-derived organoids and genome editing in the future.

Retraction of: Reciprocal role of hBD2 and hBD3 on the adaptive immune response by measuring T lymphocyte proliferation in terms of CD4 and CCR6 expression.

Retraction of: Nima Taefehshokr, Alireza Isazadeh, Amin Oveisi, Yashar Azari Key and Sina Taefehshokr. Reciprocal role of hBD2 and hBD3 on the adaptive immune response by measuring T lymphocyte proliferation in terms of CD4 and CCR6 expression. Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation. Volume 35, Issue 1-3, Article ID: 20180023. (DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2018-0023). This article has been retracted by the editors/the publisher due to suspected academic misconduct which has not been refuted by the authors.

A Reciprocal Role of the Smad4-Taz Axis in Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into mature cells of various cell types. Although the differentiation process of MSCs requires lineage‐specific transcription factors, the exact molecular mechanism that determines MSCs differentiation is not clearly addressed. Here, we demonstrate a Smad4‐Taz axis as a new intrinsic regulator for adipo‐osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and show that this function of Smad4 is independent of the transforming growth factor‐β signal. Smad4 directly bound to the Taz protein and facilitated nuclear localization of Taz through its nuclear localization signal. Nuclear retention of Taz by direct binding to Smad4 increased expression of osteogenic genes through enhancing Taz‐runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) interactions in the C3H10T1/2 MSC cell line and preosteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells, whereas it suppressed expression of adipogenic genes through promoting Taz‐peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) interaction in C3H10T1/2 and preadipogenic 3T3‐L1 cells. A reciprocal role of the Smad4 in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was also observed in human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (hASCs). Consequently, Smad4 depletion in C3H10T1/2 and hASCs reduced nuclear retention of Taz and thus caused the decreased interaction with Runx2 or PPARγ, resulting in delayed osteogenesis or enhanced adipogenesis of the MSC. Therefore, these findings provide insight into a novel function of Smad4 to regulate the balance of MSC lineage commitment through reciprocal targeting of the Taz protein in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation pathways. Stem Cells 2019;37:368–381

Regulation of Aldosterone Signaling by MicroRNAs.

The mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone is released by the adrenal glands in a homeostatic mechanism to regulate blood volume. Several cues elicit aldosterone release, and the long-term action of the hormone is to restore blood pressure and/or increase the retrieval of sodium from filtered plasma in the kidney. While the signaling cascade that results in aldosterone release is well studied, the impact of this hormone on tissues and cells in various organ systems is pleotropic. Emerging evidence indicates aldosterone may alter non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to integrate the hormonal response, and these ncRNAs may contribute to the heterogeneity of signaling outcomes in aldosterone target tissues. The best studied of the ncRNAs in aldosterone action are the small ncRNAs, microRNAs. MicroRNA expression is regulated by aldosterone stimulation, and microRNAs are able to modulate protein expression at all steps in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-signaling system. The discovery and synthesis of microRNAs will be briefly covered followed by a discussion of the reciprocal role of aldosterone/microRNA regulation, including misregulation of microRNA signaling in aldosterone-linked disease states.

Bribery: Behavioral Drivers of Distorted Decisions

We experimentally investigate behavioral drivers of bribery, focusing on the role of self-interest, reciprocity, and moral costs associated with distorting judgment. In our laboratory experiment, two participants compete for a prize; a referee picks the winner. Participants can bribe the referee. When the referee can keep only the winner's bribe, bribes distort her judgment. When the referee keeps the bribes regardless of the winner, bribes no longer influence her decision. An experiment in an Indian market confirms these results. These findings imply that our participants are influenced by bribes out of self-interest, and not because of a desire to reciprocate. Further evidence shows that self-interest guides decisions to a greater extent when referees have scope for avoiding the moral costs associated with distorting judgment. As a result, limiting referees’ ability to form self-serving evaluations can significantly reduce the effectiveness of bribes. (Less)

Time-reversal symmetry in temporal coupled-mode theory and nonreciprocal device applications.

We present a fundamental result on the role of time-reversal symmetry in the temporal coupled-mode theory (TCMT). The TCMT is a phenomenological theory that describes resonant wave scattering in photonics, acoustics, and other fields. Modifications to the canonical formulation of the TCMT are required for nonreciprocal devices where time-reversal symmetry is usually absent. We discover that previous results on reciprocity for the TCMT are incomplete, and we provide a mathematical proof to clarify the roles of time-reversal symmetry and reciprocity in the TCMT. The new result leads to a general treatment of nonreciprocity in the TCMT. The theoretical result has many practical applications, including the design of nonreciprocal devices such as optical circulators and isolators.

Childbirth Related Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Maternal Sleep Difficulties: Associations With Parenting Stress.

In the literature, increasing evidence is showing the importance of sleep difficulties in the development or maintenance of posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms as well as the association between childbirth-related PTS symptoms and early maternal emotions and perceptions of their children. However, little is known regarding the effects of maternal sleep difficulties on parenting or about the mediational role of childbirth-related PTS symptoms in this association. The present study (pregnancy: T0; 1 month postpartum: T1; 3 months postpartum: T2) had two aims. The first one was to explore whether maternal sleep difficulties could contribute to the maintenance of PTS symptoms and whether PTS symptoms could contribute to the maintenance of maternal sleep difficulties. The second purpose was to explore, at 3 months (T2), the associations among childbirth-related PTS symptoms, maternal sleep difficulties, and the three dimensions of parenting stress [parental distress (PD), parent–child dysfunctional interaction, and difficult child] by examining the mediational role of both maternal sleep difficulties and childbirth-related PTS symptoms. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 95 women at different times (T0, T1, and T2). Mediational results confirmed the bidirectional effects between maternal sleep difficulties and PTS symptoms and their reciprocal role of maintenance of symptoms. Moreover, at 3 months postpartum (T2), sleep difficulties mediated the association between PTS symptoms and the three dimensions of maternal parenting stress, while PTS symptoms mediated the associations among maternal sleep difficulties, PD, and difficult child dimensions of parenting stress. The study contributes to the understanding of the maintenance factors of childbirth-related PTS symptoms and of the relationships among PTS symptoms, maternal sleep difficulties, and parenting stress.

Focal Adhesion Kinase and ROCK Signaling Are Switch-Like Regulators of Human Adipose Stem Cell Differentiation towards Osteogenic and Adipogenic Lineages.

Adipose tissue is an attractive stem cell source for soft and bone tissue engineering applications and stem cell therapies. The adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) have a multilineage differentiation capacity that is regulated through extracellular signals. The cellular events related to cell adhesion and cytoskeleton have been suggested as central regulators of differentiation fate decision. However, the detailed knowledge of these molecular mechanisms in human ASCs remains limited. This study examined the significance of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Rho-Rho-associated protein kinase (Rho-ROCK), and their downstream target extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) on hASCs differentiation towards osteoblasts and adipocytes. Analyses of osteogenic markers RUNX2A, alkaline phosphatase, and matrix mineralization revealed an essential role of active FAK, ROCK, and ERK1/2 signaling for the osteogenesis of hASCs. Inhibition of these kinases with specific small molecule inhibitors diminished osteogenesis, while inhibition of FAK and ROCK activity led to elevation of adipogenic marker genes AP2 and LEP and lipid accumulation implicating adipogenesis. This denotes to a switch-like function of FAK and ROCK signaling in the osteogenic and adipogenic fates of hASCs. On the contrary, inhibition of ERK1/2 kinase activity deceased adipogenic differentiation, indicating that activation of ERK signaling is required for both adipogenic and osteogenic potential. Our findings highlight the reciprocal role of cell adhesion mechanisms and actin dynamics in regulation of hASC lineage commitment. This study enhances the knowledge of molecular mechanisms dictating hASC differentiation and thus opens possibilities for more efficient control of hASC differentiation.

Precise time-matching in chimpanzee allogrooming does not occur after a short delay.

Allogrooming is a key aspect of chimpanzee sociality and many studies have investigated the role of reciprocity in a biological market. One theoretical form of reciprocity is time-matching, where payback consists of an equal duration of effort (e.g. twenty seconds of grooming repaid with twenty seconds of grooming). Here, we report a study of allogrooming in a group of twenty-six captive chimpanzees (Chester Zoo, UK), based on more than 150 hours of data. For analysis, we introduce a methodological innovation called the “Delta scale”, which unidimensionally measures the accuracy of time-matching according to the extent of delay after the cessation of grooming. Delta is positive when reciprocation occurs after any non-zero delay (e.g. A grooms B and then B grooms A after a five second break) and it is negative when reciprocation begins whilst the original grooming has not yet ceased. Using a generalized linear mixed-method, we found evidence for time-matched reciprocation. However, this was true only for immediate reciprocation (Delta less than zero). If there was a temporal break in grooming between two members of a dyad, then there was no evidence that chimpanzees were using new bouts to retroactively correct for time-matching imbalances from previous bouts. Our results have implications for some of the cognitive constraints that differentiate real-life reciprocation from abstract theoretical models. Furthermore, we suggest that some apparent patterns of time-matched reciprocity may arise merely due to the law of large numbers, and we introduce a statistical test which takes this into account when aggregating grooming durations over a window of time.

Reciprocity matters: Idiosyncratic deals to shape the psychological contract and foster employee engagement in times of austerity

Following the 2007/2008 global financial crisis, the UK public sector has experienced major funding cuts resulting in staffing reductions and a dilution in the employment deal. Consequently, the aim of this study is to understand how i‐deals, which are unique conditions of employment negotiated between an individual and their employer (Rousseau, 2005), may be used to accept a new psychological contract and foster employee engagement during austerity. Four qualitative team case studies were conducted comprising senior, middle‐line, and first‐line managers, and either professional or nonprofessional employees, within one English local authority (LA). Methods included 29 × one‐to‐one and three focus group semistructured interviews incorporating the critical incident technique. By examining i‐deals through the lens of social exchange theory (Blau, 1964), this research demonstrates the role of reciprocity in the form of i‐deals to accept the new psychological contract and foster engagement. Here, for some employees, once concrete and universal resources were available to a certain level (e.g., pay), the difference (e.g., universal resources such as a pay rise, external training) was substituted by more particularistic resources (e.g., flexibility and developmental i‐deals) herewith extending Foa and Foa's (1976, 1980, and 2012) resource theory. Furthermore, resultant economic or social exchange may be due to the individual attribution of why the i‐deal was agreed, rather than the i‐deal content. Finally, when i‐deals are denied, action to lower the risk of psychological contract breach is advised.

Overexpression of CXCR4 synergizes with LL-37 in the metastasis of breast cancer cells

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 was involved in the progression of breast cancer to a metastatic phenotype, leading to the major cause of death in patients. A more in-depth understanding of signaling mechanism underlying CXCR4 is critical to develop effective therapies toward metastasis. Recently, the role of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in contributing to the metastasis of breast cancer cells was observed. Clinical analysis of data herein demonstrated for the first time that overexpression of LL-37 and CXCR4 co-existed in human primary breast tumors with lymph node metastases. Further study disclosed that forced expression of CXCR4 led to the enhancement of pro-migratory signaling and migration rate induced by LL-37 in breast cancer cells. Moreover, LL-37 affected tumor microenvironment including induction of migration of mesenchymal stem cells and CXCR4-dependent capillary-like tubule formation. Functional analysis showed that LL-37 induced the internalization of CXCR4 through approaching Glu268, the residue of CXCR4, independent of the binding pocket (Asp171, Asp262, and Glu288) for CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100, signifying that LL-37 is a distinct agonist of CXCR4. These results suggest the reciprocal roles of LL-37 and CXCR4 in promoting breast cancer cell migration and provide new insight into the design of CXCR4 inhibitor for intervention of metastatic breast cancer.

Humans reciprocate by discriminating against group peers

Abstract Motivated by cycles of intergroup revenge in real-world conflicts, we experimentally test the hypothesis that humans practice group-based reciprocity: if someone harms or helps them, they harm or help other members of that person's group. Subjects played a trust game, then allocated money between other people. Senders whose partners returned more in the trust game gave more to that partner's group members. The effect was about half as large as the effect of direct reciprocity. Receivers' allocations to group members were not affected by their partners' play in the trust game, suggesting that group reciprocity was only triggered by strong norm violations. We discuss the role of group reciprocity in conflict among early humans.

Experiences of partners of professional nurses venting traumatic information.

BackgroundProfessional nurses employed in trauma units encounter numerous stressors in their practice environment. They use different strategies to cope with this stress, including venting traumatic information to their partners and other family members.AimsTo describe how partners of professional nurses cope with traumatic information being vented to them.MethodsA qualitative research method with an interpretive descriptive inquiry design was used to explore, interpret and describe the coping experiences of the nurses’ partners. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of 14 partners, but only ten participated in semi-structured interviews. Tesch’s eight steps of open coding were used for data analysis.ResultsFour main themes were identified indicating adaptive and maladaptive coping skills, namely partners’ experiences of traumatic information vented to them; partners’ coping activities; reciprocal communication and relationship support between partners and nurses; and resilience of partners to deal with the nursing profession.ConclusionPartners employed different ways to cope with traumatic information. It was essential for partners and nurses to be supported by nurses’ practice environments and to develop resilience to fulfil reciprocal supportive roles in their relationships.

Reciprocal role of hBD2 and hBD3 on the adaptive immune response by measuring T lymphocyte proliferation in terms of CD4 and CCR6 expression.

Background Human β-defensins (hBD2 and hBD3) are small cationic antimicrobial peptides of innate immune system which can act as a barrier against the majority of pathogens, contributing to the host immune defence. Objective The aim of study is to determine whether hBD2 and hBD3 play a role in development and proliferation of human effector CD4 T cells or not. Furthermore, if enhanced proliferation is observed in the presence of hBD2 and hBD3, these data will demonstrate whether chemokine receptor type 6 (CCR6) is required to be present for this activity to occur. Methods In this study, we examined the effect of hBD2 and hBD3 on CD4+ T cell proliferation in CCR6+ and CCR6- T cells through co-culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulation in the presence or absence of hBD2 and hBD3. Proliferation was assessed using flow cytometry. Results It was demonstrated that, co-culture with hBD2 and hBD3 led to up-regulation of CD4+ T cell proliferation after 72 h whereas, CD4+ T cell proliferation was suppressed after 96 h. On the other hand, CCR6- and CCR6+ T cell proliferation was up-regulated after 72 h. But, CCR6+ only was down-regulated in the second cycle in the presence of hBD3. In contrast, after 96 h CCR6+ and CCR6- T cell proliferation was decreased. Conclusion Collectively, our data indicated that hBD2 and hBD3 play a positive and negative regulatory role in development and proliferation of human effector CD4+ T cells which is essential for optimal adaptive immune responses and the control of immunopathology.

Growing, guarding and generous exchange in an analogue sharing economy

Sharing economies hold significant potential to unsettle dominant capitalist economic relations and to inspire more responsible and collaborative ways of utilising resources. Recent, prolific writing on the topic in geography, however, tends to prioritise novel, digitally mediated and often for-profit iterations of the ‘on-demand’ economy over the lived experience of sharing and its relationship with activist praxis. Centring on the everyday, ‘analogue’ practice of sharing in communities of gardeners concerned with conserving agricultural biodiversity and reviving the skill of seed saving, this paper interrogates the relationship between mundane performances of sharing, the circulation of material items and the micro-political. With reference to original ethnographic research with gardeners involved in seed conservation and exchange in the UK, I argue sharing is a way to understand economy through everyday practice, offering opportunities for the enactment of economic diversity and critique of neoliberal food and seed systems. Via the themes of growing and guarding, I show that the circulation of seeds and garden produce can galvanise diverse economic dispositions, communities of connected growers and cultures of non-monetary exchange. Sharing is conceptualised not as a distinctly altruistic, non-reciprocal social practice but as ‘generous exchange’: a practice and discourse that draws together and renders legible a range of interwoven practical concerns, enthusiasms, and material and interpersonal relationships. I suggest it is vital to interrogate the mundane, material dimensions of diverse sharing economies in order to understand the role of reciprocity in transforming relationships with natural resources and commodities, and in generating temporally and spatially extended practices of care and communality.