Sinclairprater5202
In the article "Religiously/Spiritually Involved, but in Doubt or Disbelief-Why? Healthy?", Mrdjenovich (in J Relig Health https//doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0711-2 , 2018) explored the practices of religious attendance and prayer among atheists and agnostic theists. Speed et al. (in J Relig Health https//doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01109-1 , 2020) offered a commentary regarding Mrdjenovich's (2018) article with attention to moderators of associations between religious/spiritual constructs and health outcomes. In this rejoinder, I review Speed et al.'s (2020) commentary and I identify a number of concerns, both with their observations and ostensive oversights involving qualitative research methodology, the utility of survey data, the domain of belief, and the impact of calls for a pluralistic approach in the religion-heath research field. I conclude that Mrdjenovich does not misunderstand mechanisms of the (non)religion-health relationship as much as Speed et al. seem to misinterpret Mrdjenovich's (2018) purpose, perspective, and default position on the issues. I reiterate that a concerted effort is required to study health outcomes among religious minorities.Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by increased anxiety, repetitive behaviors, social communication deficits, delayed language development, and abnormal sensory processing. Recently, we have identified electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers that are conserved between the mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO mice) and humans with FXS. In this study, we test a specific candidate mechanism for engagement of multielectrode array (MEA) EEG biomarkers in the FXS mouse model. We administered TAK-063, a potent, selective, and orally active phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitor, to Fmr1 KO mice, and examined its effects on MEA EEG biomarkers. We demonstrate significant dose-related amelioration of inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) to temporally modulated auditory stimuli by TAK-063 in Fmr1 KO mice. Our data suggest that TAK-063 improves cortical auditory stimulus processing in Fmr1 KO mice, without significantly depressing baseline EEG power or causing any noticeable sedation or behavioral side effects. selleck Thus, the PDE10A inhibitor TAK-063 has salutary effects on normalizing EEG biomarkers in a mouse model of FXS and should be pursued in further translational treatment development.The development of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease is a major challenge which would be facilitated by a better understanding of the pathogenesis. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and α-synuclein are key players in Parkinson's disease, but their relationship remains incompletely resolved. Previous studies investigating the effect of LRRK2 on α-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation in preclinical Parkinson's disease models have reported conflicting results. Here, we aimed to further explore the functional interaction between α-synuclein and LRRK2 and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting physiological LRRK2 levels. We studied the effects of total LRRK2 protein loss as well as pharmacological LRRK2 kinase inhibition in viral vector-mediated α-synuclein-based Parkinson's disease models developing early- and late-stage neurodegeneration. Surprisingly, total LRRK2 ablation or in-diet treatment with the LRRK2 kinase inhibitor MLi-2 did not significantly modify α-synuclein-induced motor deficits, dopaminergic cell loss, or α-synuclein pathology. Interestingly, we found a significant effect on α-synuclein-induced neuroinflammatory changes in the absence of LRRK2, with a reduced microglial activation and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration. This observed lack of protection against α-synuclein-induced toxicity should be well considered in light of the ongoing therapeutic development of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors for idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Future studies will be crucial to understand the link between these neuroinflammatory processes and disease progression as well as the role of α-synuclein and LRRK2 in these pathological events.Chinese culture has long favored sons over daughters. With the development of reproductive technology, the methods can be used not only in facilitation of conception, but also in sex-selective termination of pregnancies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate (1) the rate of pregnant expectancy/planning of children; (2) whether the Chinese cultural influence of son preference still exists, and factors effecting sex preference; and (3) whether artificial reproductive technology plays a role in parents giving birth to a child of their preferred sex. We used the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study dataset at six-months, which included 21,248 babies born in 2005. More mothers than fathers reported this pregnancy as unexpected (29.0% vs. 20.5%). Over half of the parents showed no preference for the sex of their child (mothers 52.6%, fathers 55.8%). However, among those who showed a preference, significantly more preferred sons than daughters (son preference, mothers 24.8%, fathers 24.3%; daughter preference, mothers 22.5%, fathers 19.9%). Additionally, structural equation modeling found that parents who had planned their pregnancy were more likely to prefer sons and less likely to prefer daughters. Parents who used artificial reproductive technology for conception were more likely to prefer and conceive sons. A preference for male children still exists in Taiwan, contributing to the high sex ratio at birth of 110 in our 2005 birth cohort. However, over half of the parents reported being neutral in the preference of the gender of their offspring. This suggests that Taiwan is moving toward a more gender-equitable society.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alcohol intoxication and its interaction with contextual or situation (partner familiarity) and individual differences variables (effortful control, urgency, and whether taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication) on sexual behaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM), a subgroup for whom HIV continues to be a major public health problem in the U.S. The participants were 236 men recruited from two northeastern U.S. cities and aged 21-50 years, M = 27.8). These men participated in a 6-week (two 3-week sampling bursts) experience sampling method (ESM) study. The ESM data were collected via use of software installed on the participant's own or study-provided mobile phone. Individual differences variables were measured by participants' completing questionnaires measuring effortful control and urgency, and the participant's self-report of whether he was currently taking PrEP. The ESM data pertained to sexual behavior as well as situation variables of familiarity of relevant sexual partners and number of standard alcohol drinks consumed.