bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance of ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Kidney Cells
Authors: Kroll Marie-Kristin , Schloer Sebastian , Candan Peynaz , Korthals Nadia , Wenzel Christoph , Ihle Hannah , Gilhaus Kevin , Liedtke Kim Rouven , Schöfbänker Michael , Surmann Beate , Schröter Rita , Neugebauer Ute , Mall Gita , Oswald Stefan , Ludwig Stephan , Rescher Ursula , Vollenbröker Beate , Ciarimboli Giuliano
Published: March 2023

In late 2019, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China and spread rapidly around the world, causing an ongoing pandemic of global concern. COVID-19 proceeds with moderate symptoms in most patients, whereas others experience serious respiratory illness that requires intensive care treatment and may end in death. The severity of COVID-19 is linked to several risk factors including male sex, comorbidities, and advanced age. Apart from respiratory complications, further impairments by COVID-19 affecting other tissues of the human body are observed. In this respect, the human kidney is one of the most frequently affected extrapulmonary organs and acute kidney injury (AKI) is known as a direct or indirect complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this work was to investigate the importance of the protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for a possible cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human kidney cells. First, the expression of the cellular receptor ACE2 was demonstrated to be decisive for viral SARS-CoV-2 cell entry in human AB8 podocytes, whereas the presence of the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) was dispensable. Moreover, the ACE2 protein amount was well detectable by mass spectrometry analysis in human kidneys, while TMPRSS2 could be detected only in a few samples. Additionally, a negative correlation of the ACE2 protein abundance to male sex and elderly aged females in human kidney tissues was demonstrated in this work. Last, the possibility of a direct infection of kidney tubular renal structures by SARS-CoV-2 was demonstrated.
Solid-State Preparation and Characterization of 2-Hydroxypropylcyclodextrins-Iodine Complexes as Stable Iodophors
Authors: Dattilo Sandro , Spitaleri Fabiola , Aleo Danilo , Saita Maria Grazia , Patti Angela
Published: March 2023

The use of iodine as antiseptic poses some issues related to its low water solubility and high volatility. Stable solid iodine-containing formulations are highly advisable and currently limited to the povidone-iodine complex. In this study, complexes of molecular iodine with 2-hydroxypropyl α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins were considered water-soluble iodophors and prepared in a solid state by using three different methods (liquid-assisted grinding, co-evaporation and sealed heating). The obtained solids were evaluated for their iodine content and stability over time in different conditions using a fully validated UV method. The assessment of the actual formation of an inclusion complex in a solid state was carried out by thermal analysis, and the presence of iodine was further confirmed by SEM/EDX and XPS analyses. High levels of iodine content (8.3–10.8%) were obtained with all the tested cyclodextrins, and some influence was exerted by the employed preparation method. Potential use as solid iodophors can be envisaged for these iodine complexes, among which those with 2-hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin were found the most stable, regardless of the preparation technique. The three prepared cyclodextrin–iodine complexes proved effective as bactericides against S. epidermidis.
Characterization of Triacylglycerol Estolide Isomers Using High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Nanoelectrospray Ionization
Authors: Cudlman Lukáš , Machara Aleš , Vrkoslav Vladimír , Polášek Miroslav , Bosáková Zuzana , Blanksby Stephen J. , Cvačka Josef
Published: March 2023

Triacylglycerol estolides (TG-EST) are biologically active lipids extensively studied for their anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. In this work, eight standards of TG-EST were synthesized and systematically investigated by nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Mass spectra of synthetic TG-EST were studied with the purpose of enabling the unambiguous identification of these lipids in biological samples. TG-EST glycerol sn-regioisomers and isomers with the fatty acid ester of hydroxy fatty acid (FAHFA) subunit branched in the ω-, α-, or 10-position were used. Ammonium, lithium, and sodium adducts of TG-EST formed by nanoelectrospray ionization were subjected to collision-induced dissociation (CID) and higher-energy collisional dissociation (HCD). Product ion spectra allowed for identification of fatty acid (FA) and FAHFA subunits originally linked to the glycerol backbone and distinguished the α-branching site of the FAHFA from other estolide-branching isomers. The ω- and 10-branching sites were determined by combining CID with ozone-induced dissociation (OzID). Lithium adducts provided the most informative product ions, enabling characterization of FA, hydroxy fatty acid (HFA), and FAHFA subunits. Glycerol sn-regioisomers were distinguished based on the relative abundance of product ions and unambiguously identified using CID/OzID of lithium and sodium adducts.
Programming DNA Reaction Networks Using Allosteric DNA Hairpins
Authors: Qin Rui , Cui Shuang , Zhang Xiaokang , Shi Peijun , Zhou Shihua , Wang Bin
Published: March 2023

The construction of DNA reaction networks with complex functions using various methods has been an important research topic in recent years. Whether the DNA reaction network can perform complex tasks and be recycled directly affects the performance of the reaction network. Therefore, it is very important to design and implement a DNA reaction network capable of multiple tasks and reversible regulation. In this paper, the hairpin allosteric method was used to complete the assembly task of different functional nucleic acids. In addition, information conversion of the network was realized. In this network, multiple hairpins were assembled into nucleic acid structures with different functions to achieve different output information through the cyclic use of trigger strands. A method of single-input dual-output information conversion was proposed. Finally, the network with signal amplification and reversible regulation was constructed. In this study, the reversible regulation of different functional nucleic acids in the same network was realized, which shows the potential of this network in terms of programmability and provides new ideas for constructing complex and multifunctional DNA reaction networks.
Progress of Wnt Signaling Pathway in Osteoporosis
Authors: Gao Yongguang , Chen Na , Fu Zhanda , Zhang Qing
Published: March 2023

Osteoporosis, one of the serious health diseases, involves bone mass loss, bone density diminishing, and degeneration of bone microstructure, which is accompanied by a tendency toward bone fragility and a predisposition to fracture. More than 200 million people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis, and the cost of treating osteoporotic fractures is expected to reach at least $25 billion by 2025. The generation and development of osteoporosis are regulated by genetic factors and regulatory factors such as TGF-β, BMP, and FGF through multiple pathways, including the Wnt signaling pathway, the Notch signaling pathway, and the MAPK signaling pathway. Among them, the Wnt signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways. It is not only involved in bone development and metabolism but also in the differentiation and proliferation of chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. Dkk-1 and SOST are Wnt inhibitory proteins that can inhibit the activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and block the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Therefore, they may serve as potential targets for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this review, we analyzed the mechanisms of Wnt proteins, β-catenin, and signaling molecules in the process of signal transduction and summarized the relationship between the Wnt signaling pathway and bone-related cells. We hope to attract attention to the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in osteoporosis and offer new perspectives and approaches to making a diagnosis and giving treatment for osteoporosis.
Distinct Roles of SELENOF in Different Human Cancers
Authors: Flowers Brenna , Bochnacka Oliwia , Poles Allison , Diamond Alan M. , Kastrati Irida
Published: March 2023

SELENOF, previously known as SEP15, is a selenoprotein that contains selenium in the form of the amino acid selenocysteine. Like other selenoproteins, the role for SELENOF in carcinogenesis has been investigated due to its altered expression compared to the corresponding normal tissue, its molecular function, and the association of genetic variations in the SELENOF gene to cancer risk or outcome. This review summarizes SELENOF’s discovery, structure, cellular localization, and expression. SELENOF belongs to a new family of thioredoxin-like proteins. Published data summarized here indicate a likely role for SELENOF in redox protein quality control, and in the regulation of lipids, glucose, and energy metabolism. Current evidence indicates that loss of SELENOF contributes to the development of prostate and breast cancer, while its loss may be protective against colon cancer. Additional investigation into SELENOF’s molecular mechanisms and its impact on cancer is warranted.
Dexamethasone Is Not Sufficient to Facilitate Tenogenic Differentiation of Dermal Fibroblasts in a 3D Organoid Model
Authors: Kroner-Weigl Niklas , Chu Jin , Rudert Maximilian , Alt Volker , Shukunami Chisa , Docheva Denitsa
Published: March 2023

Self-assembling three-dimensional organoids that do not rely on an exogenous scaffold but maintain their native cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions represent a promising model in the field of tendon tissue engineering. We have identified dermal fibroblasts (DFs) as a potential cell type for generating functional tendon-like tissue. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and facilitate differentiation towards other mesenchymal lineages. Therefore, we hypothesized that the administration of DEX could reduce excessive DF proliferation and thus, facilitate the tenogenic differentiation of DFs using a previously established 3D organoid model combined with dose-dependent application of DEX. Interestingly, the results demonstrated that DEX, in all tested concentrations, was not sufficient to notably induce the tenogenic differentiation of human DFs and DEX-treated organoids did not have clear advantages over untreated control organoids. Moreover, high concentrations of DEX exerted a negative impact on the organoid phenotype. Nevertheless, the expression profile of tendon-related genes of untreated and 10 nM DEX-treated DF organoids was largely comparable to organoids formed by tendon-derived cells, which is encouraging for further investigations on utilizing DFs for tendon tissue engineering.
Immune-Onco-Microbiome: A New Revolution for Gynecological Cancers
Authors: Di Tucci Chiara , De Vito Ilaria , Muzii Ludovico
Published: March 2023

Despite significant advances in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying gynaecological cancers, these cancers still remain widespread. Recent research points to a possible link between microbiota and cancer, and the most recent attention is focusing on the relationship between the microbiome, the immune system, and cancer. The microbiome diversity can affect carcinogenesis and the patient’s immune response, modulating the inflammatory cascade and the severity of adverse events. In this review, we presented the recent evidence regarding microbiome alterations in patients with gynaecological tumours to understand if the link that exists between microbiome, immunity, and cancer can guide the prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic management of gynaecological cancers.
Development of Cellular Signaling Pathways by Bioceramic Heat Treatment (Sintering) in Osteoblast Cells
Authors: Jung Yoona , Kim Jooseong , Kim Sukyoung , Chung Shin hye , Wie Jinhong
Published: March 2023

Bioceramics are calcium-phosphate-based materials used in medical and dental implants for replacing or repairing damaged bone tissues; however, the effect of bioceramic sintering on the intracellular signaling pathways remains unknown. In order to address this, we analyzed the impact of sintering on the cell signaling pathways of osteoblast cells using sintered and non-sintered hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). X-ray diffraction indicated that only the morphology of HA was affected by sintering; however, the sintered bioceramics were found to have elevated the calcium concentrations in relation to the non-sintered variants. Both bioceramics inhibited the JNK signaling pathway; the sintered HA exhibited half the value of the non-sintered variant, while the sintered β-TCP rarely expressed a p-JNK value. The total Src and Raptor protein concentrations were unaffected by the sintering, while the p-Src concentrations were decreased. The p-EGFR signaling pathway was regulated by the non-sintered bioceramics, while the p-p38 concentrations were reduced by both the sintered β-TCP and HA. All of the bioceramics attenuated the total AKT concentrations, particularly the non-sintered HA, and the AKT phosphorylation concentration, except for the non-sintered β-TCP. Thus, the sintering of bioceramics affects several intracellular signaling pathways. These findings may elucidate the bioceramic function and expand their application scope as novel substrates in clinical applications.
Acute COVID-19 Management in Heart Failure Patients: A Specific Setting Requiring Detailed Inpatient and Outpatient Hospital Care
Authors: Palazzuoli Alberto , Beltrami Matteo , McCullough Peter A.
Published: March 2023

The relationship existing between heart failure (HF) and COVID-19 remains questioned and poorly elucidated. Many reports suggest that HF events are reduced during pandemics, although other studies have demonstrated higher mortality and sudden death in patients affected by HF. Several vascular, thrombotic, and respiratory features may deteriorate stable HF patients; therefore, the infection may directly cause direct myocardial damage, leading to cardiac function deterioration. Another concern is related to the possibility that antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and corticosteroid agents commonly employed during acute COVID-19 infection may have potentially deleterious effects on the cardiovascular (CV) system. For these reasons, HF patients deserve specific management with a tailored approach in order to avoid arrhythmic complications and fluid retention events. In this review, we describe the complex interplay between COVID-19 and HF, the evolving trend of infection with related CV events, and the specific management strategy to adopt in this setting.
Modelling the Complexity of Human Skin In Vitro
Authors: Hofmann Elisabeth , Schwarz Anna , Fink Julia , Kamolz Lars-Peter , Kotzbeck Petra
Published: March 2023

The skin serves as an important barrier protecting the body from physical, chemical and pathogenic hazards as well as regulating the bi-directional transport of water, ions and nutrients. In order to improve the knowledge on skin structure and function as well as on skin diseases, animal experiments are often employed, but anatomical as well as physiological interspecies differences may result in poor translatability of animal-based data to the clinical situation. In vitro models, such as human reconstructed epidermis or full skin equivalents, are valuable alternatives to animal experiments. Enormous advances have been achieved in establishing skin models of increasing complexity in the past. In this review, human skin structures are described as well as the fast evolving technologies developed to reconstruct the complexity of human skin structures in vitro.
Real-Time Temperature Sensing Using a Ratiometric Dual Fluorescent Protein Biosensor
Authors: Sorenson Alanna E. , Schaeffer Patrick M.
Published: March 2023

Accurate temperature control within biological and chemical reaction samples and instrument calibration are essential to the diagnostic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. This is particularly challenging for microlitre-scale reactions typically used in real-time PCR applications and differential scanning fluorometry. Here, we describe the development of a simple, inexpensive ratiometric dual fluorescent protein temperature biosensor (DFPTB). A combination of cycle three green fluorescent protein and a monomeric red fluorescent protein enabled the quantification of relative temperature changes and the identification of temperature discrepancies across a wide temperature range of 4–70 °C. The maximal sensitivity of 6.7% °C−1 and precision of 0.1 °C were achieved in a biologically relevant temperature range of 25–42 °C in standard phosphate-buffered saline conditions at a pH of 7.2. Good temperature sensitivity was achieved in a variety of biological buffers and pH ranging from 4.8 to 9.1. The DFPTB can be used in either purified or mixed bacteria-encapsulated formats, paving the way for in vitro and in vivo applications for topologically precise temperature measurements.
Anthracycline-Functionalized Dextran as a New Signal Multiplication Tagging Approach for Immunoassay
Authors: Kaladari Fatema , Kishikawa Naoya , Shimada Ai , El-Maghrabey Mahmoud , Kuroda Naotaka
Published: March 2023

The most used kind of immunoassay is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); however, enzymes suffer from steric effects, low stability, and high cost. Our research group has been developing quinone-linked immunosorbent assay (QuLISA) as a new promising approach for stable and cost-efficient immunoassay. However, the developed QuLISA suffered from low water-solubility of synthesized quinone labels and their moderate sensitivity. Herein, we developed a new approach for signal multiplication of QuLISA utilizing the water-soluble quinone anthracycline, doxorubicin, coupled with dextran for signal multiplication. A new compound, Biotin-DexDox, was prepared in which doxorubicin was assembled on oxidized dextran 40, and then it was biotinylated. The redox-cycle-based chemiluminescence and the colorimetric reaction of Biotin-DexDox were optimized and evaluated, and they showed very good sensitivity down to 0.25 and 0.23 nM, respectively. Then, Biotin-DexDox was employed for the detection of biotinylated antibodies utilizing avidin as a binder and a colorimetric assay of the formed complex through its contained doxorubicin redox reaction with NaBH4 and imidazolium salt yielding strong absorbance at 510 nm. The method could detect the plate-fixed antibody down to 0.55 nM. Hence, the application of Biotin-DexDox in QuLISA was successfully demonstrated and showed a significant improvement in its sensitivity and applicability to aqueous assays.
An Impedimetric Biosensor for Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds in Food
Authors: Calabrese Alessia , Battistoni Pietro , Ceylan Seniz , Zeni Luigi , Capo Alessandro , Varriale Antonio , D’Auria Sabato , Staiano Maria
Published: March 2023

The demand for a wide choice of food that is safe and palatable increases every day. Consumers do not accept off-flavors that have atypical odors resulting from internal deterioration or contamination by substances alien to the food. Odor response depends on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their detection can provide information about food quality. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is the most powerful method available for the detection of VOC. However, it is laborious, costly, and requires the presence of a trained operator. To develop a faster analytic tool, we designed a non-Faradaic impedimetric biosensor for monitoring the presence of VOCs involved in food spoilage. The biosensor is based on the use of the pig odorant-binding protein (pOBP) as the molecular recognition element. We evaluated the affinity of pOBP for three different volatile organic compounds (1-octen-3-ol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, and hexanal) related to food spoilage. We developed an electrochemical biosensor conducting impedimetric measurements in liquid and air samples. The impedance changes allowed us to detect each VOC sample at a minimum concentration of 0.1 μM.
Tigecycline Immunodetection Using Developed Group-Specific and Selective Antibodies for Drug Monitoring Purposes
Authors: Galvidis Inna A. , Surovoy Yury A. , Tsarenko Sergei V. , Burkin Maksim A.
Published: March 2023

Tigecycline (TGC), a third-generation tetracycline, is characterized by a more potent and broad antibacterial activity, and the ability to overcome different mechanisms of tetracycline resistance. TGC has proven to be of value in treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, but therapy can be complicated by multiple dangerous side effects, including direct drug toxicity. Given that, a TGC immunodetection method has been developed for therapeutic drug monitoring to improve the safety and efficacy of therapy. The developed indirect competitive ELISA utilized TGC selective antibodies and group-specific antibodies interacting with selected coating TGC conjugates. Both assay systems showed high sensitivity (IC50) of 0.23 and 1.59 ng/mL, and LOD of 0.02 and 0.05 ng/mL, respectively. Satisfactory TGC recovery from the spiked blood serum of healthy volunteers was obtained in both assays and laid in the range of 81–102%. TGC concentrations measured in sera from COVID-19 patients with secondary bacterial infections were mutually confirmed by ELISA based on the other antibody–antigen interaction and showed good agreement (R2 = 0.966). A TGC pharmacokinetic (PK) study conducted in three critically ill patients proved the suitability of the test to analyze the therapeutic concentrations of TGC. Significant inter-individual PK variability revealed in this limited group supports therapeutic monitoring of TGC in individual patients and application of the test for population pharmacokinetic modelling.
Enzyme-Regulated In Situ Formation of Copper Hexacyanoferrate Nanoparticles with Oxidase-Mimetic Behaviour for Colorimetric Detection of Ascorbate Oxidase
Authors: Zhang Hao , Yang Dan-Ni , Li Yan , Yang Feng-Qing
Published: March 2023

In this study, a copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle with excellent oxidase-mimetic behaviour has been synthesized through a simple precipitation method. The synthesized copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle has intrinsic oxidase-like activity, which can catalyze the chromogenic reaction of 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) through an O2•− reactive oxygen-species-participated process. On the other hand, K3[Fe(CN)6] can be reduced by ascorbic acid (AA) to produce K4[Fe(CN)6], thereby inhibiting the formation of the copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles. Furthermore, ascorbate oxidase (AAO) can catalyze the oxidation of AA to produce dehydroascorbic acid, which cannot reduce K3[Fe(CN)6]. Thus, a system for an AAO-regulated in situ formation of copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles was constructed by coupling a prepared copper hexacyanoferrate nanozyme with AA for the detection of AAO activity. This colorimetric sensing assay shows high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of AAO activity (the limit of detection is 0.52 U/L) with a linear range of 1.1–35.7 U/L. Finally, the developed method was applied to detect the activity of AAO in normal human serum with a satisfactory sample spiked recovery (87.4–108.8%). In short, this study provides a good strategy for the construction of nanozyme-based multi-enzyme cascade-signal amplification assay.
Last Trends in Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnostics for the Management of Hematological Indices in Home Care Patients
Authors: Clemente Fabrizio , Antonacci Amina , Giardi Maria Teresa , Frisulli Valeria , Tambaro Francesco Paolo , Scognamiglio Viviana
Published: March 2023

Today, complete blood count (CBC) analyses are highly automated and allow for high throughput and accurate and reliable results. However, new analytical tools are in great demand to provide simple, rapid and cost-effective management of hematological indices in home care patients. Chronic disease monitoring at home has become a benefit for patients who are finding cost savings in programs designed to monitor/treat patients in offsite locations. This review reports the latest trends in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics useful for home testing of key hematological counts that may be affected during home therapy treatment.
Electrochemical-Based Sensing Platforms for Detection of Glucose and H2O2 by Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks: A Review of Status and Prospects
Authors: Sohrabi Hessamaddin , Maleki Fatemeh , Khaaki Pegah , Kadhom Mohammed , Kudaibergenov Nurbolat , Khataee Alireza
Published: March 2023

Establishing enzyme-free sensing assays with great selectivity and sensitivity for glucose and H2O2 detection has been highly required in biological science. In particular, the exploitation of nanomaterials by using noble metals of high conductivity and surface area has been widely investigated to act as selective catalytic agents for molecular recognition in sensing platforms. Several approaches for a straightforward, speedy, selective, and sensitive recognition of glucose and H2O2 were requested. This paper reviews the current progress in electrochemical detection using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for H2O2 and glucose recognition. We have reviewed the latest electrochemical sensing assays for in-place detection with priorities including straightforward procedure and manipulation, high sensitivity, varied linear range, and economic prospects. The mentioned sensing assays apply electrochemical systems through a rapid detection time that enables real-time recognition. In profitable fields, the obstacles that have been associated with sample preparation and tool expense can be solved by applying these sensing means. Some parameters, including the impedance, intensity, and potential difference measurement methods have permitted low limit of detections (LODs) and noticeable durations in agricultural, water, and foodstuff samples with high levels of glucose and H2O2.
Production, Kinetic/Thermodynamic Study, and Evaluation of the Influence of Static Magnetic Field on Kinetic Parameters of β-Fructofuranosidase from Aspergillus tamarii Kita UCP 1279 Produced by Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo Lira , dos Santos Aldeci França Araújo , Cardoso Bianca Alencar , da Silva Santos Thayanne Samille , de Campos-Takaki Galba Maria , Porto Tatiana Souza , Porto Camila Souza
Published: March 2023

β-fructofuranosidases (FFases) are enzymes involved in sucrose hydrolysis and can be used in the production of invert sugar and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). This last is an important prebiotic extensively used in the food industry. In the present study, the FFase production by Aspergillus tamarii Kita UCP 1279 was assessed by solid-state fermentation using a mixture of wheat and soy brans as substrate. The FFase presents optimum pH and temperature at 5.0–7.0 and 60 °C, respectively. According to the kinetic/thermodynamic study, the FFase was relatively stable at 50 °C, a temperature frequently used in industrial FOS synthesis, using sucrose as substrate, evidenced by the parameters half-life (115.52 min) and D-value (383.76 min) and confirmed by thermodynamic parameters evaluated. The influence of static magnetic field with a 1450 G magnetic flux density presented a positive impact on FFase kinetic parameters evidenced by an increase of affinity of enzyme by substrate after exposition, observed by a decrease of 149.70 to 81.73 mM on Km. The results obtained indicate that FFases present suitable characteristics for further use in food industry applications. Moreover, the positive influence of a magnetic field is an indicator for further developments of bioprocesses with the presence of a magnetic field.
The Impact of Motor-Cognitive Dual-Task Training on Physical and Cognitive Functions in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Xiao Yi , Yang Tianmi , Shang Huifang
Published: March 2023

Rehabilitation is a high-potential approach to improving physical and cognitive functions in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dual-task training innovatively combines motor and cognitive rehabilitation in a comprehensive module. Patients perform motor and cognitive tasks at the same time in dual-task training. The previous studies of dual-task training in PD had high heterogeneity and achieved controversial results. In the current review, we aim to summarize the current evidence of the effect of dual-task training on motor and cognitive functions in PD patients to support the clinical practice of dual-task training. In addition, we also discuss the current opinions regarding the mechanism underlying the interaction between motor and cognitive training. In conclusion, dual-task training is suitable for PD patients with varied disease duration to improve their motor function. Dual-task training can improve motor symptoms, single-task gait speed, single-task steep length, balance, and objective experience of freezing of gait in PD. The improvement in cognitive function after dual-task training is mild.
How Do Women and Men Look at the Past? Large Scanpath in Women during Autobiographical Retrieval—A Preliminary Study
Authors: El Haj Mohamad , Boutoleau-Bretonnière Claire , Guerrero Sastoque Lina , Lenoble Quentin , Moustafa Ahmed A. , Chapelet Guillaume , Sarda Elisa , Ndobo André
Published: March 2023

While research has consistently demonstrated how autobiographical memory triggers visual exploration, prior studies did not investigate gender differences in this domain. We thus compared eye movement between women and men while performing an autobiographical retrieval task. We invited 35 women and 35 men to retrieve autobiographical memories while their gaze was monitored by an eye tracker. We further investigated gender differences in eye movement and autobiographical specificity, that is, the ability to retrieve detailed memories. The analysis demonstrated shorter fixations, larger duration and amplitude of saccades, and higher autobiographical specificity in women than in men. The significant gender differences in eye movement disappeared after controlling for autobiographical specificity. When retrieving autobiographical memory, female participants generated a large scan with short fixation and high saccade amplitude, while male participants increased their fixation duration and showed poorer gaze scan. The large saccades in women during autobiographical retrieval may constitute an exploratory gaze behavior enabling better autobiographical memory functioning, which is reflected by the larger number of autobiographical details retrieved compared to men.
Entorhinal Cortex Functional Connectivity during Item Long-Term Memory and the Role of Sex
Authors: Spets Dylan S. , Slotnick Scott D.
Published: March 2023

A growing body of literature shows there are sex differences in the patterns of brain activity during long-term memory. However, there is a paucity of evidence on sex differences in functional brain connectivity. We previously identified sex differences in the patterns of connections with the hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregion, during spatial long-term memory. The perirhinal/entorhinal cortex, another MTL subregion, plays a critical role in item memory. In the current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we investigated perirhinal/entorhinal functional connectivity and the role of sex during item memory. During the study phase, abstract shapes were presented to the left or right of fixation. During the test phase, abstract shapes were presented at fixation, and the participants classified each item as previously “old” or “new”. An entorhinal region of interest (ROI) was identified by contrasting item memory hits and misses. This ROI was connected to regions generally associated with visual memory, including the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and visual-processing regions (the bilateral V1, bilateral cuneus, and left lingual gyrus). Males produced greater connectivity than females with the right IFG/insula and the right V1/bilateral cuneus. Broadly, these results contribute to a growing body of literature supporting sex differences in the brain.
Immune Cell Ratios Are Higher in Bipolar Affective than Unipolar Depressive Disorder and Modulated by Mood Episode: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Koureta Anastasia , Asimakopoulos Lampros O. , Bozikas Vasilios P. , Agorastos Agorastos
Published: March 2023

Immune dysregulation is implicated in the pathophysiology of both bipolar and major depressive disorder, while immune cell ratios (IRCs) have recently been proposed as clinically applicable immune biomarkers. We investigated IRCs differences in affective disorders and their association with current mood episodes and clinical features. This retrospective cohort study analyzed neutrophil–lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte–lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet–lymphocyte (PLR) ratios upon admission in 135 affective disorder in-patients with mania (MA, n = 36), bipolar depression (BiD, n = 38), and unipolar depression (MDD, n = 61). Demographic, clinical, and immune data were extracted from medical records. Monocyte count was significantly higher in BiD compared to MDD (p < 0.001). Multivariable regression models suggested higher NLR in MA compared to MDD (p = 0.039), higher MLR in both MA and BiD compared to MDD (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively), while we found neither group differences in PLR nor an effect of type and duration of hospitalization, current psychotic, or suicidal features and psychiatric history on IRCs. Here, we show that IRCs are elevated in bipolar disorder versus MDD and affected by mood episode, while MLR could be especially valuable in the differential diagnosis between bipolar and unipolar depression. IRCs represent inexpensive, routinely accessible and clinically applicable biomarkers with diagnostic validity in affective disorders that could be easily implemented as illness activity indicators, to better follow the course of illness and eventually predict relapse or treatment response and, thus, guide therapeutic targeting.
Association between Antiepileptic Drugs and Incident Parkinson’s Disease among Patients Followed in German Primary Care Practices
Authors: Kostev Karel , Doege Corinna , Jacob Louis , Smith Lee , Koyanagi Ai , Gollop Celina , Schrag Anette
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze whether prescriptions of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are significantly associated with an increased incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the German population. Methods: This study used data from German primary care practices found in the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) and included all patients aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with PD between January 2010 and December 2021 (index date). The controls were patients without PD matched (1:1) by age, sex, and pre-diagnostic observation time in years. Associations between AED prescriptions (any AED as well as separate evaluations for carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, sodium valproate, gabapentin, and pregabalin) and subsequent diagnosis of PD were examined using a logistic regression model adjusted for epilepsy, restless legs syndrome, and neuropathy diagnoses. Results: We identified 24,950 cases that were matched with 24,950 controls (mean age 75.2 years, 47.3% women). Diagnoses of epilepsy, restless legs syndrome, and neuropathy as well as AED prescription were significantly associated with an increased incidence of PD. In the multivariate analysis, incidence of PD was significantly associated with epilepsy (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.69–2.15), restless legs syndrome (OR: 3.02; 95% CI: 2.73–3.34), and neuropathy (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.44–1.62)), as well as the prescription of any AED (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.33–1.53), sodium valproate (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.84–3.11), gabapentin (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.22–1.52), and pregabalin (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.15–1.41). Conclusion: Prescriptions of AEDs, including sodium valproate, gabapentin, and pregabalin, were associated with an increased risk of subsequent PD, even after adjustment for underlying diagnoses. Further studies are needed to confirm the present results.
The Mediating Effect of Psychological Ownership on the Relationship between Value Co-Creation and the In-App Purchasing Intention of Mobile Games Players
Authors: Li Yiwen , Joo Jaewoo
Published: March 2023

In previous research on in-app purchasing, one of the revenue sources for mobile games focuses on users’ unilateral relationships, such as their achievement, loyalty, and perception. However, little has been discussed about the commercial impact of the bilateral relationship. We extend discussions by examining an unprecedented issue, that is, the role of the bilateral relationships between users and mobile game companies in increasing in-app purchasing intention. We borrow from the business literature and psychology to hypothesize that when mobile game users co-create value with a mobile game company, their psychological ownership of the mobile game increases, which in turn increases their in-app purchasing intentions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a carefully designed study by recruiting eighty-six Chinese game users. Half of the participants were exposed to an imaginary mobile game whose interface allowed them to co-create value with the mobile game company and the other half were exposed to an identical mobile game whose interface did not. We recruited participants from the two online platforms in which Chinese mobile game players gather—Weibo and WeChat Moment. Using SPSS 26, we conducted an independent samples test to test the effect of value co-creation and employed Hayes Model 4 to test whether psychological ownership mediated the relationship between value co-creation and in-app purchasing intention. We found that (1) when participants were allowed to co-create value, their in-app purchasing intentions increased, and (2) the relationship between value co-creation and in-app purchasing intention was mediated by psychological ownership. Our findings provide fresh insights for mobile game designers and marketers.
Taking Placebos as Needed to Reduce Appetite: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Unger Isabella , Schienle Anne
Published: March 2023

Placebos can reduce appetite. However, when placebos are prescribed over a longer period of time, compliance and response rates are not always satisfactory. A new administration approach ‘as needed’ was tested to improve adherence to placebo treatment and its effectiveness. Participants could decide on the time of placebo intake (when their appetite had increased substantially). A randomized controlled trial was conducted over seven days. The participants were allocated to one of two groups: a placebo group (PG; n = 41) or a control group with no placebo treatment (CG; n = 34). During the intervention, participants used a mobile phone application to rate their daily appetite, mood, and the occurrence of binge-eating episodes in their normal environment. The placebo effect was short-lived; the placebo reduced self-reported appetite only on days 1 and 2 of the trial. The placebo neither influenced mood nor binge-eating frequency. This study found an app-assisted approach with continuous monitoring to be helpful for identifying the temporal course of the placebo response. Future placebo trials should implement this method.
Environmentally Responsible Purchase Intention in Pacific Alliance Countries: Geographic and Gender Evidence in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: García-Salirrosas Elizabeth Emperatriz , Niño-de-Guzmán Juan Carlos , Gómez-Bayona Ledy , Escobar-Farfán Manuel
Published: March 2023

The objectives of this research were: (1) to examine the influence of environmental awareness (EA), sustainable consumption (SC) and social responsibility (SR) on the environmentally responsible purchase intention (ERPI) of consumers in the member countries of the Pacific Alliance, namely, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru; and (2) to analyze whether there is a moderating effect related to the country of residence and gender of the consumer. The study was conducted under a quantitative and cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 1646 consumers: 24.4% from Peru (n = 402), 25.4% from Mexico (n = 418), 26.1% from Colombia (n = 401) and 24.1% from Chile (n = 397). Data analysis and hypothesis testing were performed using a multigroup Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results show a positive influence among environmental awareness (EA), sustainable consumption (SC) and social responsibility (SR) on environmentally responsible purchase intention (ERPI). Gender and country of residence were also shown to be moderating variables in these relationships. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that the participants of this study recognize the importance of acquiring environmentally friendly products. Among them, the female population is more aware of this issue. It is recommended new business models be created to provide products and services oriented to this market according to consumers’ tastes, desires and purchasing preferences; the proposals they have should be friendly to the environment and to society.
Trait Mindfulness and Problematic Smartphone Use in Chinese Early Adolescent: The Multiple Mediating Roles of Negative Affectivity and Fear of Missing Out
Authors: Jin Yuchang , Xiong Wen , Liu Xinyun , An Junxiu
Published: March 2023

This study used a cross-sectional study design to investigate whether the mindfulness trait was a protective factor against problematic smartphone use (PSPU) of early adolescents, and whether negative affectivity and fear of missing out (FoMO) mediated this relationship. The study selected a sample of middle school students (N = 517, 46.03% males, Mage = 13.81, SD = 1.40) in China. The results of the structural equation modelling indicated that (a) mindfulness significantly and negatively predicted PSPU, (b) FoMO played a mediating role between mindfulness and PSPU, (c) negative affectivity (including depression and anxiety) played a mediating role between mindfulness and PSPU, but loneliness did not, and (d) negative affectivity and FoMO played a chain-mediated role, and depression, anxiety, and loneliness played a chain-mediated role with FoMO between mindfulness and PSPU. We discuss the possibility that high levels of mindfulness in early adolescents may reduce the short-term effects of problematic smartphone use by reducing negative emotions and FoMO and relate our results to an emphasis on the role of enhanced mindfulness in long-term internal self-regulation and well-being. Findings have implications for individuals and schools for PSPU prevention and intervention.
A New Explanation for the Attitude-Behavior Inconsistency Based on the Contextualized Attitude
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Sun Rui , Zuo Jiajia , Chen Xue
Published: March 2023

Inconsistency between attitude and behavior is a major obstacle to research on the predictive power of attitudes on behavior. To clarify the mechanism underlying such inconsistency, we combined event-related potential (ERP) and questionnaires to explore the relationship between contextualized attitudes and retrospective attitudes in the context of illusion of privacy empowerment (IPE). When the participants read the IPE events (including platform empowerment intention, technique, result, etc.) on slides, we measured retrospective attitudes with questionnaires and recorded contextualized attitudes with ERPs. We found that individuals’ retrospective attitudes were different from contextualized attitudes: retrospective attitudes were mainly affected by the individual’s analytic system, while contextualized attitudes were mainly affected by the direct stimulus-response (i.e., heuristic system). Therefore, retrospective attitudes may not accurately reflect individual cognition in the immediate context, and inconsistency between attitudes and behavior may be caused by the mismatch between retrospective attitudes and immediate behavior. Our findings provide a more reasonable account of the relationship between attitudes and behavior.
Burnout, Organizational Justice, Workload, and Emotional Regulation among Medical and Non-Medical Personnel Working in Romanian Healthcare Units
Authors: Claponea Roxana Mihaela , Iorga Magdalena
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the levels of organizational justice, emotional regulation, and workload associated with the level of burnout experienced in medical and non-medical staff from public and private medical units. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 230 healthcare professionals, including 139 medical personnel and 91 non-medical staff respondents. The collected socio-demographic and organizational data and psychological tools were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI HSS), the ECO System, and the emotional regulation questionnaire (ERQ). Results: For medical staff, burnout was measured in terms of emotional exhaustion (M = 27.05 ± 12.34), depersonalization (M = 8.26 ± 3.95), and personal accomplishment (M = 47.35 ± 6.78). The scores for non-medical staff were emotional exhaustion (M = 35.84 ± 14.71), depersonalization (M = 11.79 ± 6.30), and personal accomplishment (M = 44 ± 7.37). In terms of workload, higher scores were observed for non-medical staff (M = 25.43 ± 7.87), while medical staff recorded lower values (M = 20.35 ± 7.65). The scores for the cognitive reappraisal dimension were as follows: medical personnel (M = 32.02 ± 5.37) and non-medical staff (M = 31.67 ± 6.19). In terms of the expressive suppression dimension, medical staff registered at M = 17.99 ± 5.61, and non-medical staff registered at M = 17.19 ± 5.53. For organizational justice, higher scores were registered for medical staff (M = 25.87 ± 6.02) and lower scores for non-medical staff (M = 21.34 ± 5.72). Conclusions: Medical staff felt a higher sense of organizational justice than non-medical staff, as is also evidenced by the level of the workload dimension, which registers higher values for non-medical personnel. In the case of burnout, higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions were also revealed for non-medical staff and, in the case of the professional fulfillment dimension, higher scores were registered for medical staff.
Psychosocial and Cultural Processes Underlying the Epidemiological Paradox within U.S. Latino Sexual Risk: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cabral Patricia , Chinn Miya , Mack Jasmine , Costarelli Miari , Ross Emma , Henes Ethan , Steck Lily , Williams Alika Jay Ka’imipono , Lee Yoo Bin , Fretes Sofia , Fernandez Grace , Garcia Leslie , Sato Lucia , Patrocinio Yareimy , Shah Disha
Published: March 2023

According to the epidemiological paradox, less acculturated Latina/o youth display fewer sexual risk behaviors. A systematic review was performed on psychosocial and cultural mechanisms potentially underlying the epidemiological paradox in sexual risk behaviors of U.S. Latina/o youth across acculturation measures (between January 2000 to October 2022). Thirty-five publications (n = 35) with forty-eight analyses of underlying mechanisms met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one results from twenty-three publications found supporting evidence that one of the five factors was an underlying mechanism in the epidemiological paradox (n = 13 parenting practices, n = 4 peer influences, n = 4 familismo values, n = 4 religiosity, n = 6 traditional gender norms) as, generally protective, mediators or moderators in the link between acculturation and sexual risk behaviors. Studies varied in the sexual risk behavior examined and measurement of acculturation, but primarily employed cross-sectional designs and recruited samples through schools. Mechanisms that enhance close ties and unity of the family, such as those of familismo values and positive parenting, reduce the likelihood of sexual risk behaviors as Latina/o youth become more acculturated. Future directions are discussed which may provide guidance for risk prevention and intervention.