α‐Synuclein (aSyn) toxicity is associated with cell cycle alterations, activation of DNA damage responses (DDR), and deregulation of autophagy. However, the relationships between these phenomena remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that in a yeast model of aSyn toxicity and aging, aSyn expression induces Ras2‐dependent growth signaling, cell cycle re‐entry, DDR activation, autophagy, and autophagic degradation of ribonucleotide reductase 1 (Rnr1), a protein required for the activity of ribonucleotide reductase and dNTP synthesis. These events lead to cell death and aging, which are abrogated by deleting RAS2, inhibiting DDR or autophagy, or overexpressing RNR1. aSyn expression in human H4 neuroglioma cells also induces cell cycle re‐entry and S‐phase arrest, autophagy, and degradation of RRM1, the human homologue of RNR1, and inhibiting autophagic degradation of RRM1 rescues cells from cell death. Our findings represent a model for aSyn toxicity that has important implications for understanding synucleinopathies and other age‐related neurodegenerative diseases.

Breast reduction is one of the most common procedures in breast surgery. The aim of this work is to develop a computational model allowing one to forecast the final breast geometry according to the incision marking parameters. This model can be used in surgery simulators that provide preoperative planning and training, allowing the study of the origin of the errors in breast reduction. From the mathematical point of view, this is a problem of calculus of variations with unusual boundary conditions, known as knitting conditions. The breast tissue is considered as a hyperelastic material, discretized with three-dimensional finite elements for the body, whereas the skin is modelled with two-dimensional finite elements on the curved surface. Although the model is of low precision, we show that it is sufficient for a satisfactory prediction of breast reduction surgery results, allowing an analysis of errors frequently performed during the surgery and giving an understanding of how to avoid or correct them. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.