The ‘gown’ unconcerned with the town? Residential satisfaction of university students living in off-campus private accommodation

This paper aims to extend the understanding of residential satisfaction determinants of students living in off-campus private accommodation and thus contribute to the studentification debate. Our study is based on an original dataset derived from a survey conducted among students in Lodz, Poland and Turin, Italy. Using the ordered logit model, we tested the impact of neighbourhood and accommodation attributes, as well as personal and household characteristics, on students’ residential satisfaction. Our findings show that owning the property has the most significant effect on students’ residential satisfaction. Moreover, this satisfaction increases when student accommodation is affordable, located in a building of pleasant appearance, and in a neighbourhood well connected by public transportation and with a student atmosphere. In light of these findings, we claim that students’ residential satisfaction is not determined by most neighbourhood attributes; therefore, a wide range of neighbourhoods are potentially ‘studentifiable’.This work was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland [grant number 2016/23/N/HS4/03390]

Preliminary report on the microvertebrate faunal remains from the late triassic locality at Krasiejów, SW Poland

Fossil vertebrate remains from the Keuper unit in the vicinity of the village of Krasiejów have been analyzed for almost two decades. However, the main goal of these works was focused mainly on large vertebrates. Here the authors present the first description of microvertebrate fossils from that site. The collection of around 5,000 specimens is mainly comprised of teeth and scales. The most numerous remains belong to osteichthyans: dipnoans (Ptychoceratodus and cf. Arganodus), palaeoniscids, semionotids, redfieldiids and chondrichthyans, such as Lonchidion sp., which is the first indisputable record of that genus in the Upper Triassic of Poland and the first shark at the Krasiejów locality. Tetrapod fossils consist of temnospondyl amphibians, rhynchocephalian lepidosauromorphs and archosauromorphs. Among them, temnospondyl amphibian remains are the most numerous and are represented mostly by Metoposaurus. However, on the basis of diversity in tooth morphotypes, the occurrence of other taxa cannot be excluded. Rhynchocephalians are composed of 7 fragmentary jaw morphotypes with dentition, which could indicate high taxonomic diversity (cf. Planocephalosaurus, cf. Diphydontosaurus and cf. Clevosaurus). The most varied fossil group was assigned to the archosauromorphs. The authors can distinguish at least 19 teeth morphotypes, which show similarities to the dentition of: protorosaurians (cf. Tanystropheidae), pseudosuchians (cf. Protecovasaurus, cf. Revueltosaurus), early crocodylomorphs and basal sauropodomorph dinosaurs. The first occurrence of a theropod dinosaur and cynodonts at the Krasiejów locality is also recorded. However, their remains are very rare. These new records show a high taxonomic diversity at the Krasiejów locality that contributes to our deeper understanding of Late Triassic ecosystem of Poland.publishersversionpublishe

RNA-Puzzles Round IV:3D structure predictions of four ribozymes and two aptamers

International audienceRNA-Puzzles is a collective endeavor dedicated to the advancement and improvement of RNA 3D structure prediction. With agreement from crystallographers, the RNA structures are predicted by various groups before the publication of the crystal structures. We now report the prediction of 3D structures for six RNA sequences: four nucleolytic ribozymes and two riboswitches. Systematic protocols for comparing models and crystal structures are described and analyzed. In these six puzzles, we discuss (i) the comparison between the automated web servers and human experts; (ii) the prediction of coaxial stacking; (iii) the prediction of structural details and ligand binding; (iv) the development of novel prediction methods; and (v) the potential improvements to be made. We show that correct prediction of coaxial stacking and tertiary contacts is essential for the prediction of RNA architecture, while ligand binding modes can only be predicted with low resolution and simultaneous prediction of RNA structure with accurate ligand binding still remains out of reach. All the predicted models are available for the future development of force field parameters and the improvement of comparison and assessment tools

Is it possible to prevent excessive synaptic pruning in schizophrenia? Possibilities and limitations

BackgroundSynaptic pruning is a critical neurodevelopmental process that eliminates redundant or weak synaptic connections to optimize brain circuitry. In schizophrenia, converging evidence from imaging, genetic, and postmortem studies suggests that this process is pathologically accelerated, particularly in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. The resulting reduction in synaptic density has been implicated in disrupted neural connectivity observed in psychosis, with the onset of cognitive impairment and negative symptoms.ObjectiveThis review explores whether modulating aberrant synaptic pruning could serve as a preventive or early intervention strategy for schizophrenia. We analyze domains with emerging therapeutic relevance: tetracycline antibiotics, the complement system and C4 gene, kynurenine pathway modulation, epigenetic therapies, neuroprotective strategies (e.g., BDNF, NF-κB, progranulin), genetic and transcriptional regulators of pruning, and other new, mostly hypothetical, options. We also discuss the limitations of the impact on pruning.MethodsWe conducted a structured review of the mechanisms involved in pruning, as well as clinical trials, preclinical studies, and mechanistic models that investigate molecular targets influencing synaptic pruning in schizophrenia.ResultsSeveral molecular pathways have been implicated in abnormal synaptic pruning in schizophrenia, including complement C4A overexpression, kynurenine pathway imbalance (KYNA/QUIN), and dysregulation of microglial and transcriptional modulators such as MEF2C and TCF4. While retrospective studies suggest minocycline or doxycycline may reduce psychosis risk, randomized trials remain inconclusive. Emerging interventions, including LSD1 inhibitors, BDNF/progranulin enhancers, and lifestyle-based epigenetic modulation, show promise but require further validation in clinical settings. We also discuss the limitations of these methods, including safety considerations.ConclusionTargeted modulation of synaptic pruning represents a promising but complex therapeutic strategy. The timing, specificity, and reversibility of interventions are crucial to avoid disrupting essential neurodevelopment. Future efforts should focus on identifying biomarkers for patient stratification and validating preventive strategies in high-risk populations

Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in various types of dementia

Dementia is recognized as a healthcare and social burden and remains challenging in terms of proper diagnosis and treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in various neurological diseases that noninvasively investigates cortical excitability and connectivity and can induce brain plasticity. This article reviews findings on TMS in common dementia types as well as therapeutic results. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by increased cortical excitability and reduced cortical inhibition, especially as mediated by cholinergic neurons and as documented by impairment of short latency inhibition (SAI). In vascular dementia, excitability is also increased. SAI may have various outcomes, which probably reflects its frequent overlap with AD. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with SAI decrease. Motor cortical excitability is usually normal, reflecting the lack of corticospinal tract involvement. DLB and other dementia types are also characterized by impairment of short interval intracortical inhibition. In frontotemporal dementia, cortical excitability is increased, but SAI is normal. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has the potential to improve cognitive function. It has been extensively studied in AD, showing promising results after multisite stimulation. TMS with electroencephalography recording opens new possibilities for improving diagnostic accuracy; however, more studies are needed to support the existing data