bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Serosal TRPV4-Constituted SOCE Mechanism in Secretagogues-Stimulated Intestinal Epithelial Anion Secretion
Authors: Cui Yinghui , Chu Fenglan , Yin Kai , Chen Xiongying , Wan Hanxing , Luo Gang , Dong Hui , Xu Feng
Published: July 2021

As little is known about the role of calcium (Ca2+) signaling mediating the small intestinal epithelial anion secretion, we aimed to study its regulatory role in secretagogue-stimulated duodenal anion secretion and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Therefore, intestinal anion secretion from native mouse duodenal epithelia was examined with Ussing chambers to monitor PGE2-, 5-HT-, and CCh-induced short-circuit currents (Isc). PGE2 (10 μM) and 5-HT (10 μM) induced mouse duodenal Isc, markedly attenuated by serosal Ca2+-free solution and selective blockers of store-operated Ca2+ channels on the serosal side of the duodenum. Furthermore, PGE2- and 5-HT-induced duodenal Isc was also inhibited by ER Ca2+ chelator TPEN. However, dantrolene, a selective blocker of ryanodine receptors, inhibited PGE2-induced duodenal Isc, while LiCl, an inhibitor of IP3 production, inhibited 5-HT-induced Isc. Moreover, duodenal Isc response to the serosal applications of both PGE2 and 5-HT was significantly attenuated in transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) knockout mice. Finally, mucosal application of carbachol (100 μM) also induced duodenal Isc via selective activation of muscarinic receptors, which was significantly inhibited in serosal Ca2+-free solution but neither in mucosal Ca2+-free solution nor by nifedipine. Therefore, the serosal TRPV4-constituted SOCE mechanism is likely universal for the most common and important secretagogues-induced and Ca2+-dependent intestinal anion secretion. These findings will enhance our knowledge about gastrointestinal (G.I.) epithelial physiology and the associated G.I. diseases, such as diarrhea and constipation.
Investigating the Pharmacological Mechanisms of SheXiang XinTongNing Against Coronary Heart Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Evaluation
Authors: Jia Li-ying , Cao Gui-yun , Li Jia , Gan Lu , Li Jin-xin , Lan Xin-yi , Meng Zhao-qing , He Xin , Zhang Chun-feng , Wang Chong-Zhi , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: July 2021

SheXiang XinTongNing (XTN), which is composed of six traditional Chinese herbs, is a commercially available Chinese patent medicine that has been widely used as the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Its mechanisms against coronary heart disease, however, remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of XTN against CHD via network pharmacology and experimental evaluation. In this study, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment were firstly performed for acquiring the potentially active constituents of XTN, the candidate targets related to coronary heart disease, the drug-components-targets network as well as the protein-protein interaction network and further predicting the mechanisms of XTN against coronary heart disease. Subsequently, a series of in vitro experiments, specifically MTT assay, flow cytometry and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, and a succession of in vivo experiments, including Tunel staining and immunohistochemical staining were conducted for further verification. Results showed that Bcl-2, IGF1, CASP3 were the key candidate targets which significantly associated with multiple pathways, namely PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. It indicated that the potential mechanism of XTN against CHD may be predominantly associated with cell apoptosis. The in vitro experimental results showed that XTN treatment remarkably decreased the apoptotic rate and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of H9c2 cells. Histological results confirmed that XTN not only effectively alleviated oxidative damage caused by myocardial ischemia but inhibited cell apoptosis. Given the above, through the combined utilization of virtual screening and experimental verification, the findings suggest that XTN makes a significant contribution in protecting the heart from oxidative stress via regulating apoptosis pathways, which lays the foundations and offers an innovative idea for future research.
Nanomaterials Manipulate Macrophages for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Authors: Li Shuang , Su Jin , Cai Wei , Liu Jian-xin
Published: July 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, and systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, characterized by synovial inflammation, synovial lining hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, autoantibody production, and cartilage/bone destruction. Macrophages are crucial effector cells in the pathological process of RA, which can interact with T, B, and fibroblast-like synovial cells to produce large amounts of cytokines, chemokines, digestive enzymes, prostaglandins, and reactive oxygen species to accelerate bone destruction. Therefore, the use of nanomaterials to target macrophages has far-reaching therapeutic implications for RA. A number of limitations exist in the current clinical therapy for patients with RA, including severe side effects and poor selectivity, as well as the need for frequent administration of therapeutic agents and high doses of medication. These challenges have encouraged the development of targeting drug delivery systems and their application in the treatment of RA. Recently, obvious therapeutic effects on RA were observed following the use of various types of nanomaterials to manipulate macrophages through intravenous injection (active or passive targeting), oral administration, percutaneous absorption, intraperitoneal injection, and intra-articular injection, which offers several advantages, such as high-precision targeting of the macrophages and synovial tissue of the joint. In this review, the mechanisms involved in the manipulation of macrophages by nanomaterials are analyzed, and the prospect of clinical application is also discussed. The objective of this article was to provide a reference for the ongoing research concerning the treatment of RA based on the targeting of macrophages.
Advances of Zebrafish in Neurodegenerative Disease: From Models to Drug Discovery
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Zhang Jin-Bao , He Kai-Jie , Wang Fen , Liu Chun-Feng
Published: July 2021

Neurodegenerative disease (NDD), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons which leads to the decline of motor and/or cognitive function. Currently, the prevalence of NDD is rapidly increasing in the aging population. However, valid drugs or treatment for NDD are still lacking. The clinical heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis of NDD pose a great challenge for the development of disease-modifying therapies. Numerous animal models have been generated to mimic the pathological conditions of these diseases for drug discovery. Among them, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are progressively emerging and becoming a powerful tool for in vivo study of NDD. Extensive use of zebrafish in pharmacology research or drug screening is due to the high conserved evolution and 87% homology to humans. In this review, we summarize the zebrafish models used in NDD studies, and highlight the recent findings on pharmacological targets for NDD treatment. As high-throughput platforms in zebrafish research have rapidly developed in recent years, we also discuss the application prospects of these new technologies in future NDD research.
Tanshinol Alleviates Microcirculation Disturbance and Impaired Bone Formation by Attenuating TXNIP Signaling in GIO Rats
Authors: Lai Wenxiu , Mo Yulin , Wang Dongtao , Zhong Ying , Lu Lujiao , Wang Jiajia , Cui Liao , Liu Yanzhi , Yang Yajun
Published: July 2021

Impaired bone formation is the main characteristics of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIO), which can be ameliorated by tanshinol, an aqueous polyphenol isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. However, the underlying mechanism is still not entirely clear. In the present study, we determined the parameters related to microstructure and function of bone tissue, bone microcirculation, and TXNIP signaling to investigate the beneficial effects of tanshinol on skeleton and its molecular mechanism in GIO rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 months were administrated orally with distilled water (Con), tanshinol (Tan, 25 mg kg−1 d−1), prednisone (GC, 5 mg kg−1 d−1) and GC plus tanshinol (GC + Tan) for 14 weeks. The results demonstrated that tanshinol played a significant preventive role in bone loss, impaired microstructure, dysfunction of bone metabolism and poor bone quality, based on analysis of correlative parameters acquired from the measurement by using Micro-CT, histomorphometry, ELISA and biomechanical assay. Tanshinol also showed a significant protective effect in bone microcirculation according to the evidence of microvascular perfusion imaging of cancellous bone in GIO rats, as well as the migration ability of human endothelial cells (EA.hy926, EA cells). Moreover, tanshinol also attenuated GC-elicited the activation of TXNIP signaling pathway, and simultaneously reversed the down-regulation of Wnt and VEGF pathway as manifested by using Western-blot method in GIO rats, EA cells, and human osteoblast-like MG63 cells (MG cells). Collectively, our data highlighted that tanshinol ameliorated poor bone health mediated by activation of TXNIP signaling via inhibiting microcirculation disturbance and the following impaired bone formation in GIO rats.
Decoherent Excitation of Transverse Free Currents in Dielectric Liquids via Inter-Molecular Interactions
Authors: DiLoreto C. S. , Rangan C.
Published: July 2021

We present a theoretical model for a class of optical scattering experiments in which short-duration, linearly-polarized electromagnetic pulses scatter off dielectric liquids. The pattern of scattering, particularly in the transverse direction, indicates that significant free currents are generated in the direction orthogonal to the polarization of the incident light. Modelling the target as a dense cluster of two-level systems, we show that transverse free currents are produced by short duration, electric-dipole interactions between proximate molecules, and result in scattering patterns similar to those observed in the experiments. Calculations provide a rationale for why these scattering patterns are not observed in the same molecules at lower densities or with lower field intensities. These features make this model a relevant alternative to proposed transverse optical magnetism theories.
Effects of Venoconstrictive Thigh Cuffs on Dry Immersion-Induced Ophthalmological Changes
Authors: Kermorgant Marc , Sadegh Ayria , Geeraerts Thomas , Varenne Fanny , Liberto Jérémy , Roubelat François-Philippe , Bataille Noémie , Bareille Marie-Pierre , Beck Arnaud , Godard Brigitte , Golemis Adrianos , Nasr Nathalie , Arvanitis Dina N. , Hélissen Ophélie , Senard Jean-Michel , Pavy-Le Traon Anne , Soler Vincent
Published: July 2021

Neuro-ophthalmological changes named spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) reported after spaceflights are important medical issues. Dry immersion (DI), an analog to microgravity, rapidly induces a centralization of body fluids, immobilization, and hypokinesia similar to that observed during spaceflight. The main objectives of the present study were 2-fold: (1) to assess the neuro-ophthalmological impact during 5 days of DI and (2) to determine the effects of venoconstrictive thigh cuffs (VTC), used as a countermeasure to limit headward fluid shift, on DI-induced ophthalmological adaptations. Eighteen healthy male subjects underwent 5 days of DI with or without VTC countermeasures. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of 9: a control and cuffs group. Retinal and optic nerve thickness were assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) was measured by ocular ultrasonography and used to assess indirect changes in intracranial pressure (ICP). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was assessed by applanation tonometry. A higher thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the temporal quadrant was observed after DI. ONSD increased significantly during DI and remained higher during the recovery phase. IOP did not significantly change during and after DI. VTC tended to limit the ONSD enlargement but not the higher thickness of an RNFL induced by DI. These findings suggest that 5 days of DI induced significant ophthalmological changes. VTC were found to dampen the ONSD enlargement induced by DI.
Enhanced Placental Mitochondrial Respiration in Tibetan Women at High Altitude
Authors: Liu Huifang , Tenzing Noryung , van Patot Martha Tissot , Qile Muge , Ge Ri-li , Wuren Tana
Published: July 2021

Living at high altitudes is extremely challenging as it entails exposure to hypoxia, low temperatures, and high levels of UV radiation. However, the Tibetan population has adapted to such conditions on both a physiological and genetic level over 30,000–40,000 years. It has long been speculated that fetal growth restriction is caused by abnormal placental development. We previously demonstrated that placentas from high-altitude Tibetans were protected from oxidative stress induced by labor compared to those of European descent. However, little is known about how placental mitochondria change during high-altitude adaptation. In this study, we aimed to uncover the mechanism of such adaptation by studying the respiratory function of the placental mitochondria of high-altitude Tibetans, lower-altitude Tibetans, and lower-altitude Chinese Han. We discovered that mitochondrial respiration was greater in high-altitude than in lower-altitude Tibetans in terms of OXPHOS via complexes I and I+II, ETSmax capacity, and non-phosphorylating respiration, whereas non-ETS respiration, LEAK/ETS, and OXPHOS via complex IV did not differ. Respiration in lower-altitude Tibetans and Han was similar for all tested respiratory states. Placentas from high-altitude Tibetan women were protected from acute ischemic/hypoxic insult induced by labor, and increased mitochondrial respiration may represent an acute response that induces mitochondrial adaptations.
UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Endocannabinoid and Related Lipid Metabolism in Mouse Mucosal Tissue
Authors: Wiley Mark B. , Perez Pedro A. , Argueta Donovan A. , Avalos Bryant , Wood Courtney P. , DiPatrizio Nicholas V.
Published: July 2021

The endocannabinoid system is expressed in cells throughout the body and controls a variety of physiological and pathophysiological functions. We describe robust and reproducible UPLC-MS/MS-based methods for analyzing metabolism of the endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol and arachidonoyl ethanolamide, and related monoacylglycerols (MAGs) and fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), respectively, in mouse mucosal tissues (i.e., intestine and lung). These methods are optimized for analysis of activity of the MAG biosynthetic enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase (DGL), and MAG degradative enzymes, monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and alpha/beta hydrolase domain containing-6 (ABHD6). Moreover, we describe a novel UPLC-MS/MS-based method for analyzing activity of the FAE degradative enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), that does not require use of radioactive substrates. In addition, we describe in vivo pharmacological methods to inhibit MAG biosynthesis selectively in the mouse small-intestinal epithelium. These methods will be useful for profiling endocannabinoid metabolism in rodent mucosal tissues in health and disease.
To Help or Not to Help: Intervening in Cyberbullying Among Chinese Cyber-Bystanders
Authors: Leung Angel Nga Man
Published: July 2021

Cyberbullying has become a serious concern among Internet users worldwide. However, relatively little is known about individuals who witness cyberbullying and how they behave. A bystander is someone who sees bullying or other forms of aggressive or violent behavior that targets someone else and who may choose to respond by either being part of the problem (a hurtful bystander), or part of the solution (a helpful bystander). Few studies examined the phenomena of cyber-bystanders in Chinese populations. Guided by the five-step bystander theoretical model and the theory of planned behavior, this study, addressed this gap to understand how the characteristics of cyber-bystanders explained their intervention in cyberbullying in a Chinese population. This study tested two preregistered hypotheses: (1) controlling for age and gender, awareness of cyberbullying, attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control to intervene; plus past experience with cyberbullying (measured as past experience in cyberbullying perpetration and victimization), felt responsibility, and self-efficacy to intervene with regard to cyberbullying would explain the intention of cyber-bystanders to intervene in cyberbullying, and (2) the intention of cyber-bystanders to intervene cyberbullying would positively explain their intervening behavior. A total of 581 college students with experience of witnessing cyberbullying were included in the analysis. Applying structural equation modeling with observed variables, a path analysis model was built to test the hypotheses; this study also conducted exploratory analyses by including direct paths from the characteristics of cyber-bystanders to explain intervening behavior. Results found that only awareness of cyberbullying, a subjective norm, and self-efficacy to intervene positively explained intention to intervene cyberbullying; therefore, hypothesis 1 was partly supported. Also, intention to intervene cyberbullying positively explained intervening behavior; therefore, hypothesis 2 was supported. For the exploratory analysis, intention to intervene partially mediated the relation between a subjective norm to intervene and intervening behavior; and intention to intervene also partially mediated the relation between self-efficacy to intervene and intervening behavior. In addition, past experience in cyberbullying victimization also positively and directly predicted intervening behavior. Findings provided a foundation for designing future intervention programs to mobilize cyber-bystanders to become “upstanders.”
Differences in Facial Expression Recognition Between Unipolar and Bipolar Depression
Authors: Ruihua Ma , Meng Zhao , Nan Chen , Panqi Liu , Hua Guo , Sijia Liu , Jing Shi , Ke Zhao , Yunlong Tan , Shuping Tan , Fude Yang , Li Tian , Zhiren Wang
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To explore the differences in facial emotion recognition among patients with unipolar depression (UD), bipolar depression (BD), and normal controls.

Methods

Thirty patients with UD and 30 patients with BD, respectively, were recruited in Zhumadian Second People’s Hospital from July 2018 to August 2019. Fifteen groups of facial expressions including happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust were identified.

Results

A single-factor ANOVA was used to analyze the facial expression recognition results of the three groups, and the differences were found in the happy-sad (P= 0.009), happy-angry (P= 0.001), happy-surprised (P= 0.034), and disgust-surprised (P= 0.038) facial expression groups. The independent sampleT-test analysis showed that compared with the normal control group, there were differences in the happy-sad (P= 0.009) and happy-angry (P= 0.009) groups in patients with BD, and the accuracy of facial expression recognition was lower than the normal control group. Compared with patients with UD, there were differences between the happy-sad (P= 0.005) and happy-angry (P= 0.002) groups, and the identification accuracy of patients with UD was higher than that of patients with BD. The time of facial expression recognition in the normal control group was shorter than that in the patient group. Using happiness-sadness to distinguish unipolar and BDs, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) is 0.933, the specificity is 0.889, and the sensitivity is 0.667. Using happiness-anger to distinguish unipolar and BD, the AUC was 0.733, the specificity was 0.778, and the sensitivity was 0.600.

Conclusion

Patients with UD had lower performance in recognizing negative expressions and had longer recognition times. Those with BD had lower accuracy in recognizing positive expressions and longer recognition times. Rapid facial expression recognition performance may be as a potential endophenotype for early identification of unipolar and BD.
The Nonlinear and Gender-Related Relationships of Face Attractiveness and Typicality With Perceived Trustworthiness
Authors: Li Nan , Liu Ning
Published: July 2021

Perceived trustworthiness is one of the most important facial traits in social interaction. To elucidate how facial trustworthiness is assessed by others and its relationship to other facial traits would have significant theoretical and practical implications. Prior studies have shown that perceived attractiveness and typicality of a face may contribute to trustworthiness judgments; i.e., trustworthy faces are always the typical and attractive ones. Here, by conducting judgments of facial traits (i.e., trustworthiness, attractiveness, and typicality) on the same set of faces, we revealed a more profound relationship among these facial traits. First, we found that trustworthiness judgments did not always peak at the average face, in contrast to previous research. Second, trustworthiness exhibited a nonlinear relationship with attractiveness and typicality: Men relied more on typicality when judging a face as untrustworthy or neutral, whereas women relied more on typicality when judging a face as untrustworthy but more on attractiveness when judging a face as trustworthy. Third, women and men may utilize different traits to evaluate face trustworthiness: The relationship between trustworthiness and typicality judgments was closer in men than in women, whereas women counted on face attractiveness more than men did to evaluate face trustworthiness. These findings demonstrate that judging the trustworthiness of a face is a more complex process than previously thought, which may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying highly flexible and sophisticated social interactions in humans.
Sharing Experiences in Infancy: From Primary Intersubjectivity to Shared Intentionality
Authors: Moll Henrike , Pueschel Ellyn , Ni Qianhui , Little Alexandra
Published: July 2021

We contrast two theses that make different assumptions about the developmental onset of human-unique sociality. The primary intersubjectivity thesis (PIT) argues that humans relate to each other in distinct ways from the beginning of life, as is shown by newborns' participation in face-to-face encounters or “primary intersubjectivity.” According to this thesis, humans' innate relational capacity is the seedbed from which all subsequent social-emotional and social-cognitive developments continuously emerge. The shared intentionality thesis (SIT) states that human-unique forms of interaction develop at 9–12 months of age, when infants put their heads together with others in acts of object-focused joint attention and simple collaborative activities. According to this thesis, human-unique cognition emerges rapidly with the advent of mind-reading capacities that evolved specifically for the purpose of coordination. In this paper, we first contrast the two theses and then sketch the outlines of an account that unifies their strengths. This unified account endorses the PIT's recognition of the fundamental importance of primary intersubjectivity. Any act of sharing experiences is founded on the communicative capacity that is already displayed by young infants in primary intersubjectivity. At the same time, we question the PIT's interpretation that dyadic encounters have the triadic structure of joint attention. Lastly, we draw on empirical work on the development of joint attention, imitation, and social referencing that serves as evidence that primary intersubjectivity continuously unfolds into the capacity for triadic joint attention.
Experience in a Climate Simulator: Influence of Probability Function and Feedback on Decisions Against Climate Change
Authors: Choudhary Gitanshu , Dutt Varun
Published: July 2021

Research indicates that people continue to exhibit “wait-and-see” preferences toward climate change, despite constant attempts to raise awareness about its cataclysmic effects. Experiencing climatic catastrophes via simulation tools has been found to affect the perception of people regarding climate change and promote pro-environmental behaviors. However, not much is known about how experiential feedback and the probability of climate change in a simulation influence the decisions of people. We developed a web-based tool called Interactive Climate Change Simulator (ICCS) to study the impact of different probabilities of climate change and the availability of feedback on the monetary actions (adaptation or mitigation) taken by individuals. A total of 160 participants from India voluntarily played ICCS across four between-subject conditions (N = 40 in each condition). The conditions differed based on the probability of climate change (low or high) and availability of feedback (absent or present). Participants made mitigation and adaptation decisions in ICCS over multiple years and faced monetary consequences of their decisions. There was a significant increase in mitigation actions against climate change when the feedback was present compared to when it was absent. The mitigation and adaptation investments against climate change were not significantly affected by the probability of climate change. The interaction between probability of climate consequences and availability of feedback was significant: In the presence of feedback, the high probability of climate change resulted in higher mitigation and adaptation investments against climate change. Overall, the experience gained in the ICCS tool helped alleviate peoples' “wait-and-see” preferences and increased the monetary investments to counter climate change. Simulation tools like ICCS have the potential to increase people's understanding of climatic disasters and can act as a useful aid for educationalists and policymakers.
A Storytelling Approach on Vocabulary, Reading, and Letter Sound Fluency of Struggling First Graders With German as Second Language With and Without Behavioral Problems
Authors: Barwasser Anne , Bracht Janine , Grünke Matthias
Published: July 2021

The number of students learning German as a second language (L2) is steadily increasing. Unfortunately, studies reveal that less-proficient school performance affects a larger proportion of these students and additional behavioral problems can create even greater learning barriers. In order to master a language, the focus is not only on vocabulary, but also on reading, and studies show that multi-component intervention in reading and L2 acquisition is particularly promising. Therefore, this multiple baseline study focuses on a multi-component storytelling intervention on vocabulary, reading, and letter sound fluency of low-achieving first graders with German as L2 with and without behavioral problems (N = 7). The intervention was implemented 3 times a week over a 6-week period. Results show significant large to very large effects on vocabulary and moderate to large effects on letter sound fluency and reading, providing indication for the positive impact of storytelling on multiple aspects simultaneously for the focused sample.
When Problems Only Get Bigger: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experience on Adult Health
Authors: Novais Márcia , Henriques Teresa , Vidal-Alves Maria João , Magalhães Teresa
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences negatively impact child development, with consequences throughout the lifespan. Some of these consequences include the exacerbation or onset of several pathologies and risk behaviors.

Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 398 individuals aged 20 years or older from the Porto metropolitan area, with quotas, was collected. The evaluation was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions about exposure to adverse childhood experiences, a list of current health conditions, questions about risk behaviors, the AUDIT-C test, the Fagerström test and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–brief form. Variables were quantified to measure adverse childhood experiences, pathologies, and risk behaviors in adult individuals for comparison purposes.

Results: Individuals with different forms of adverse childhood experiences present higher rates of smoking dependence, self-harm behaviors, victimization of/aggression toward intimate partners, early onset of sexual life, sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual partners, abortions, anxiety, depression, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and stroke. Different associations are analyzed and presented.

Discussion and Conclusions: The results show that individuals with adverse childhood experiences have higher total scores for more risk behaviors and health conditions than individuals without traumatic backgrounds. These results are relevant for health purposes and indicate the need for further research to promote preventive and protective measures.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence, the Teacher-Student Relationship, and Flourishing on Academic Performance in Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Study
Authors: Chamizo-Nieto María Teresa , Arrivillaga Christiane , Rey Lourdes , Extremera Natalio
Published: July 2021

Educational context has an important influence on adolescents’ development and well-being, which also affects their academic performance. Previous empirical studies highlight the importance of levels of emotional intelligence for students’ academic performance. Despite several studies having analyzed the association and underlying mechanisms linking emotional intelligence and academic performance, further research, including both personal and contextual dimensions, is necessary to better understand this relation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to deepen the understanding of the effect of emotional intelligence has on academic performance, examining the possible mediating role of flourishing and the moderating role of the teacher-student relationship. A convenience sample of 283 adolescents (49.8% female), aged 12–18 years (M = 14.42, SD = 1.12), participated in a cross-sectional study by completing self-report questionnaires measuring emotional intelligence (Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale), flourishing (Flourishing Scale), and teacher-student relationship (Inventory of Teacher-Student Relationships) and reported their grades of the previous term on four mandatory subjects in the Spanish education curriculum. Results indicated that flourishing completely mediated the path from emotional intelligence to academic performance and that teacher-student relationship was a significant moderator in this model. Thus, in adolescents with worse teacher-student relationship, the association of emotional intelligence and flourishing was stronger than in adolescents with better teacher-student relationship. In turn, flourishing was positively associated with academic performance. These results suggest that it is crucial to foster better teacher-student relationship, especially in adolescents with low emotional intelligence, and to positively impact their well-being and their academic performance.
Prevalence of Mental Disorders in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zuberi Alina , Waqas Ahmed , Naveed Sadiq , Hossain Md Mahbub , Rahman Atif , Saeed Khalid , Fuhr Daniela C.
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To synthesize the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization.

Methods: The literature search was conducted across several databases in two phases. First, we searched for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published before 2014, reporting prevalence estimates for mental disorders in the EMR. Then, we identified new primary cross-sectional or longitudinal studies published between 2014 and 2020. Studies were included if they had a sample size of ≥ 450 and were conducted among the general adult population. Current, period and lifetime prevalence estimates for each disorder were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses, and subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were conducted.

Findings: Prevalence estimates were extracted from 54 cross-sectional studies across 15 countries within the EMR. Pooled analyses of current, period and lifetime prevalence showed the highest prevalence for depression (14.8%, 95% confidence interval, CI: 10.7–20.1%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (10.4%, 95% CI: 7.1–14.7%), post-traumatic stress disorder (7.2%, 95% CI: 2.9–16.6%), substance use (4.0%, 95% CI: 3.1–5.2%), obsessive compulsive disorder (2.8%, 95% CI: 1.6–4.9%), phobic disorders (1.8%, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8%), panic disorders (1.1%, 95% CI: 0.6–2.2%), bipolar disorders (0.7%, 95% CI: 0.3–1.6%), and psychosis (0.5%, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9%). Populations exposed to adverse events had higher prevalence of mental disorders than the general population. Period and lifetime prevalence showed little difference across mental disorders. More pronounced differences in prevalence were seen for depression and GAD, specifically between current and lifetime prevalence (depression: current prevalence 20.5% (95% CI: 14.9–27.4%), vs. lifetime prevalence: 4.2% (95%CI: 1.8–9.6%); GAD: current prevalence 10.3% (95% CI: 6.1–17.0), vs. lifetime prevalence: 4.5% (95% CI: 2.4–8.3%). Differences between current and lifetime prevalence of mental disorders may be due to the use of different screening instruments and thresholds being applied.

Conclusion: The prevalence of mental and substance use disorders in the EMR is high. Despite substantial inter-survey heterogeneity, our estimates align with previous global and regional data on mental disorders. Our meta-review provides new evidence on the burden of mental health problems in the EMR.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020187388.
Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Promote Positive Mental Health Among Postpartum Women With Low Risk for Postpartum Depression: Exploring Psychological Mechanisms of Change
Authors: Monteiro Fabiana , Pereira Marco , Canavarro Maria Cristina , Fonseca Ana
Published: July 2021

Background: This study explored whether Be a Mom, a brief and unguided cognitive behavioral web-based intervention, was effective in promoting psychological processes (self-compassion, psychological flexibility, emotion regulation) among low-risk postpartum women. Effects of Be a Mom in psychological processes compared with a control group were examined at post-intervention and at 4-months follow-up. Additionally, this work explored whether changes in psychological processes mediated improvements in positive mental health at postintervention.

Methods: In total, 367 postpartum women presenting low risk for postpartum depression were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 191) or to a waiting-list control group (n = 176).

Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group reported significantly greater baseline to postintervention increases in self-compassion. No significant effects were found at the 4-month follow-up. Multilevel mediation showed that self-compassion improvements significantly mediated improvements in positive mental health among the intervention group. No significant results were found for psychological flexibility or emotion regulation.

Conclusions: This study suggests that Be a Mom has the potential to cultivate self-compassion among low-risk postpartum women and that this may be a key mechanism for promoting positive mental health in this context.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT04055974.
The Influence of Leisure Activity Types and Involvement Levels on Leisure Benefits in Older Adults
Authors: Li Jintian , Zeng Baogen , Li Peiyan
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To explore the types of leisure activities, the degree of activity involvement, and the relationship between leisure benefits in older adults in cities and towns in Northern Guangdong, China; to provide valuable references for formulating related policies on the leisure industry for relevant governing bodies and for gaining the optimal benefits for industry business people and leisure enthusiasts.

Methods: After searching for a large amount of literature and expert consultations, a questionnaire on the leisure involvement and leisure benefits scale was constructed. The participants aged 60 years or older were recruited as the survey population. By using SPSS statistics 21.0, the raw and processed data in this study were analyzed and interpreted.

Results: (1) The approach that the leisure involvement levels were divided into subjective and objective involvement levels to predict leisure benefits was more comprehensive and reliable than uni-level prediction. Among them, the overall leisure involvement level had a significant positive effect on the leisure benefits of leisure participants; the performance of the subjective involvement level to enhance the leisure benefits comprehensively surpassed the objective involvement level. (2) The effect of leisure involvement levels on leisure benefits was affected by the type of leisure, which was manifested as physiological and psychological leisure pleasure; the degree of leisure involvement had an inverted U-shaped relationship with its emotional leisure benefits. For individuals with physiological hedonistic leisure, the degree of leisure involvement had an inverted U-shaped relationship with its emotional, social, and self-realized leisure interests. (3) For individuals with psychological leisure, the degree of leisure involvement was positively U-shaped with its social and self-affirmed leisure benefits. However, this finding needs to be confirmed by further research.

Conclusion: There are two types of linear and curvilinear relationships between the degree of leisure involvement and leisure benefits, which makes the connection between leisure involvement and leisure benefits deviate from the linearity in a particular situation and present an inverted U-shaped or positive U-shaped relationship, which shows, when the individuals are under- or over-volume leisure activities involvement, they will not create excellent leisure benefits.
Known and Unknown Transboundary Infectious Diseases as Hybrid Threats
Authors: Valdivia-Granda Willy A.
Published: July 2021

The pathogenicity, transmissibility, environmental stability, and potential for genetic manipulation make microbes hybrid threats that could blur the distinction between peace and war. These agents can fall below the detection, attribution, and response capabilities of a nation and seriously affect their health, trade, and security. A framework that could enhance horizon scanning regarding the potential risk of microbes used as hybrid threats requires not only accurately discriminating known and unknown pathogens but building novel scenarios to deploy mitigation strategies. This demands the transition of analyst-based biosurveillance tracking a narrow set of pathogens toward an autonomous biosurveillance enterprise capable of processing vast data streams beyond human cognitive capabilities. Autonomous surveillance systems must gather, integrate, analyze, and visualize billions of data points from different and unrelated sources. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms can contextualize capability information for different stakeholders at different levels of resolution: strategic and tactical. This document provides a discussion of the use of microorganisms as hybrid threats and considerations to quantitatively estimate their risk to ensure societal awareness, preparedness, mitigation, and resilience.
Do We Need a Specific Guideline for Assessment and Improvement of Acromegaly Patients Adherence?
Authors: Kamusheva Maria , Parvanova Alexina , Rusenova Yanitsa , Vandeva Silvia , Elenkova Atanaska
Published: July 2021

Background: Adherence to therapy is one of the most important elements during the therapeutic process ensuring the predefined therapeutic outcomes. The aim is to analyze the need and importance of treatment adherence guideline for acromegaly patients and the possibilities for its development and implementation in Bulgaria.

Methods: A set of methods was applied: (1) a literature review in the electronic database for identification of articles and guidelines related to adherence and acromegaly; (2) analysis of Bulgarian legislative documents; (3) a pilot study for assessment of the level of treatment adherence among hospitalized Bulgarian acromegaly patients in 2018; (4) a plan for development and implementation of specific guideline was created entitled BULMEDACRO - BULgarian guideline for MEdication aDherence assessment and improvement in ACROmegaly.

Results: No specific guidelines for evaluation, monitoring, reporting and/or improving adherence in acromegaly patients has been found in the literature. Requirements for regular assessment of the level of adherence, application of appropriate methods for improvement and monitoring are not sufficiently formulated and mandatory. The pilot study confirmed that therapy adherence among Bulgarian patients with acromegaly is relatively high as almost 90% of patients report that they strictly comply with their prescribed treatment regimen. It is necessary, however, a specific guideline focused on the methods for assessment and improvement of adherence, in order to ensure monitoring and follow-up of acromegaly patients.

Conclusions: Patients with acromegaly should be the focus of specially designed national programs, initiatives and/or guidelines for regular evaluation and improvement of the adherence level. Despite the difficulties and the lack of an adequate legal basis, successive steps initiated by different stakeholder are needed.
Quenching of Isovector and Isoscalar Spin-M1 Excitation Strengths in N = Z Nuclei
Authors: Matsubara Hiroaki , Tamii Atsushi
Published: July 2021

Spin-M1 excitations of nuclei are important for describing neutrino reactions in supernovae or in neutrino detectors since they are allowed transitions mediated by neutral current neutrino interactions. The spin-M1 excitation strength distributions in self-conjugate N=Z nuclei were studied by proton inelastic scattering at forward angles for each of isovector and isoscalar excitations as reported in H. Matsubara et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 102501 (2015). The experiment was carried out at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics, Osaka University, employing a proton beam at 295 MeV and the high-resolution spectrometer Grand Raiden. The measured cross-section of each excited state was converted to the squared nuclear matrix elements of spin-M1 transitions by applying a unit cross-section method. Comparison with predictions by a shell-model has revealed that isoscalar spin-M1 strengths are not quenched from the prediction although isovector spin-M1 strengths are quenched similarly with Gamow-Teller strengths in charged-current reactions. This finding hints at an important origin of the quenching of the strength relevant to neutrino scattering, that is, the proton-neutron spin-spin correlation in the ground state of the target nucleus. In this manuscript we present the details of the unit cross-section method used in the data analysis and discuss the consistency between the quenching of the isoscalar magnetic moments and that of the isoscalar spin-M1 strengths.
Low Temperature Biodisinfection Effectiveness for Phytophthora capsici Control of Protected Sweet Pepper Crops in the Southeast of Spain
Authors: Guerrero María del Mar , Lacasa Carmen Mª , Martínez Victoriano , Martínez Mª Carmen , Monserrat Antonio , Larregla Santiago
Published: July 2021

Biodisinfection using fresh sheep manure in August is effective in controlling Phytophthora root rot in greenhouses in southeast Spain, but this is not the case after the beginning of September. The effectiveness of biodisinfection of new amendments has been evaluated beginning in October in sweet pepper greenhouses to control Phytophthora capsici. The amendments used were: T1: wheat husk + fresh sheep manure (FSM), 3.5 kg m−2; T2: sunflower pellets 3.5 kg m−2; T3: FSM: 3.5 kg m−2; T4: Control. Temperatures above 40°C were obtained in some amendments; anoxic conditions were found in all amendments, and also a reduction of the viability of P. capsici oospores with respect to the control, as well as a higher yield. The contribution of fresh sheep manure to the amendments did not lead to an improvement in their effectiveness. Autumn biodisinfection under low temperature conditions using fresh organic amendments that enhance soil anaerobic conditions may be a promising strategy for the control of P. capsici in pepper greenhouses in southeastern Spain.
Freud también quería ser científico
Authors: Mitjavila Mercè
Published: July 2021

En este artículo me posiciono considerando el psicoanálisis desde la psicología académica y, la psicología académica, desde el psicoanálisis. Intento empatizar y, al mismo tiempo, reflexionar desde una actitud crítica, con ambas posiciones. Se aportan algunas consideraciones para explicar el tradicional desencuentro entre el psicoanálisis y la psicología académica: la adscripción al modelo positivista por parte de la psicología académica, y la adscripción al enfoque clínico como contexto único de práctica terapéutica e investigación, por parte del psicoanálisis. Se comentan los aspectos restrictivos de ambas posiciones: qué debería revisar el psicoanálisis para afrontar el presente y el futuro, qué debería aprovechar la psicología de las aportaciones psicoanalíticas.
El poder de la escritura en psicoterapia
Authors: Fernández-Álvarez Héctor
Published: July 2021

En este artículo se considera el poder terapéutico de la escritura en psicoterapia como un desarrollo coherente de la curación por la palabra. El autor describe las diversas modalidades a través de las cuales la escritura expresiva contribuye a promover el bienestar emocional. Escribir sobre las experiencias emocionales se convierte en un proceso terapéutico que reporta beneficios específico, por lo que merece ser utilizado en la práctica habitual de la psicoterapia.
Un marco narrativo-histórico para la terapia post-racionalista: actualización de los principios psicoterapéuticos
Authors: Irarrázaval Correa Leonor María
Published: July 2021

La evolución teórica de las ciencias sociales y de salud mental no siempre se acompaña de un avance paralelo en la aplicación práctica de las mismas. Los discursos de los profesionales de la salud mental habitualmente manifiestan la intención de avance pero en la práctica clínica no son pocos los que aún se encuentran atrapados aplicando esquemas y procedimientos que los nuevos tiempos declaran obsoletos. Precisamente, en este artículo se actualizan los principios de la terapia cognitiva post-racionalista según sus últimas tendencias teóricas. Es un simple intento de promover la continuidad de las implicaciones clínicas de este modelo siguiendo su desarrollo conceptual en el marco de la fenomenología y la hermenéutica.