bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Quercetin in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Mirazimi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Dashti Fatemeh , Tobeiha Mohammad , Shahini Ali , Jafari Raha , Khoddami Mehrad , Sheida Amir Hossein , EsnaAshari Parastoo , Aflatoonian Amir Hossein , Elikaii Fateme , Zakeri Melika Sadat , Hamblin Michael R , Aghajani Mohammad , Bavarsadkarimi Minoodokht , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: April 2022

Many cellular signaling pathways contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation, division, motility, and apoptosis. Deregulation of these pathways contributes to tumor cell initiation and tumor progression. Lately, significant attention has been focused on the use of natural products as a promising strategy in cancer treatment. Quercetin is a natural flavonol compound widely present in commonly consumed foods. Quercetin has shown significant inhibitory effects on tumor progression via various mechanisms of action. These include stimulating cell cycle arrest or/and apoptosis as well as its antioxidant properties. Herein, we summarize the therapeutic effects of quercetin in gastrointestinal cancers (pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, esophageal, hepatocellular, and oral).
Zhi-Zi-Chi Decoction Reverses Depressive Behaviors in CUMS Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress Injury Via Regulating GSH/GSSG Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yin , Fang Yi-Chao , Cui Li-Xun , Jiang Yue-Tong , Luo Yu-Sha , Zhang Wen , Yu De-Xun , Wen Jun , Zhou Ting-Ting
Published: April 2022

Depression is one of the main diseases that lead to disability and loss of ability to work. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Zhi-zi-chi decoction is utilized to regulate and improve depression. However, the research on the antidepressant mechanism and efficacy material basis of Zhi-zi-chi decoction has not been reported yet. Our previous research has found that Zhi-Zi-chi decoction can reduce glutamate-induced oxidative stress damage to PC 12 cells, which can exert a neuroprotective effect, and the antidepressant effect of Zhi-Zi-chi decoction was verified in CUMS rat models. In this study, the animal model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stimulation combined with feeding alone. The brain metabolic profile of depressed rats was analyzed by the method of metabolomics based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass. 26 differential metabolites and six metabolic pathways related to the antidepressant of Zhi-zi-chi decoction were screened and analyzed. The targeted metabolism of the glutathione metabolic pathway was analyzed. At the same time, the levels of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase in the brain of depressed rats were measured. Combined with our previous study, the antioxidant effect of the glutathione pathway in the antidepressant effect of Zhi-zi-chi decoction was verified from the cellular and animal levels respectively. These results indicated that Zhi-zi-chi decoction exerted a potential antidepressive effect associated with reversing the imbalance of glutathione and oxidative stress in the brain of depressed rats.
Large-Scale Cortex-Core Structure Formation in Brain Organoids
Authors: Borzou Ahmad , Schwarz J. M.
Published: April 2022

Brain organoids recapitulate a number of brain properties, including neuronal diversity. However, do they recapitulate brain structure? Using a hydrodynamic description for cell nuclei as particles interacting initially via an effective, attractive force as mediated by the respective, surrounding cytoskeletons, we quantify structure development in brain organoids to determine what physical mechanism regulates the number of cortex-core structures. Regions of cell nuclei overdensity in the linear regime drive the initial seeding for cortex-core structures, which ultimately develop in the non-linear regime, as inferred by the emergent form of an effective interaction between cell nuclei and with the extracellular environment. Individual cortex-core structures then provide a basis upon which we build an extended version of the buckling without bending morphogenesis (BWBM) model, with its proliferating cortex and constraining core, to predict foliations/folds of the cortex in the presence of a nonlinearity due to cortical cells actively regulating strain. In doing so, we obtain asymmetric foliations/folds with respect to the trough (sulci) and the crest (gyri). In addition to laying new groundwork for the design of more familiar and less familiar brain structures, the hydrodynamic description for cell nuclei during the initial stages of brain organoid development provides an intriguing quantitative connection with large-scale structure formation in the universe.
Self-Propelled Motion of the Camphor Float With n-Fold Rotational Symmetry
Authors: Kitahata Hiroyuki , Koyano Yuki
Published: April 2022

It is known that a camphor particle at a water surface exhibits self-propulsion since it releases camphor molecules at the surface and reduces the surface tension, and the gradient of surface tension drives the camphor particle itself. Such a motion is considered to be driven by the concentration field of the chemicals emitted by the particle itself. It is also known that the shape of the particle seriously affects the mode of motion. In order to understand the universal mechanism on the effect of the shape on such a self-propelled motion, we theoretically investigated the bifurcation structure of the motion of the camphor float with n-fold rotational symmetry, which comprises n camphor disks attached to a rigid light circular plate along a periphery with an equivalent spacing. Here, we mainly studied the cases with n = 2 and 3. We found that the camphor float with n = 2 moves in the direction perpendicular to the line connecting the two camphor disks, while that with n = 3 changes its direction of motion depending on the size of the camphor float.
Tle4z1 Facilitate the Male Sexual Differentiation of Chicken Embryos
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhou Shujian , Lian Ziyi , Jiang Jingyi , Gao Xiaomin , Hu Cai , Zuo Qisheng , Zhang Yani , Chen Guohong , Jin Kai , Li Bichun
Published: April 2022

Background

Sex differentiation is a complex and precisely regulated process by multiple genes in chicken. However, it is still unclear on the key genes of sex differentiation.

Objective

To explore the function of Tle4z1 screened by RNA-seq sequencing on sex differentiation during the development of chicken embryos.

Methods

Tle4z1 was differentially expressed from the RNA-seq of ESCs and PGCs in male and female chickens. Then, we established an effective method to overexpression or knocking down the expression of Tle4z1 in ovo and in vitro, respectively. Histomorphological observation, qRT-PCR and ELISA were applied to detect the function of Tle4z1 in the process of male sex differentiation by injecting vectors into embryos at day 0.

Results

It showed that Tle4z1 has significant male preference in embryonic day 4.5, such phenomenon persisted during the growth period of chicken embryos. Morphological observation results showed that the gonads on both sides of genetic male (ZZ) embryos with Tle4z1 knocking down developed asymmetrically, the gonadal cortex became thicker showing the typical characteristics of genetic female (ZW) gonads. Furthermore, the expression of Cyp19a1, which dominates female differentiation, was significantly increased, while the expression of male marker genes Dmrt1, Sox9, WT1 and AR was significantly downregulated. In addition, the concentration of testosterone also significantly decreased, which was positively correlated with the expression of Tle4z1 (P < 0.01). Conversely, the ZW embryo showed defeminized development when Tle4z1 was overexpressed.

Conclusion

We prove that the Tle4z1 is a novel gene through the male sexual differentiation via gene regulation process and synthesis of testosterone, which construct the basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of sex differentiation in chickens.
Involvement of Protein Kinase CgSat4 in Potassium Uptake, Cation Tolerance, and Full Virulence in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Authors: Pan Yu-Ting , Li Lianwei , Yang Ji-Yun , Li Bing , Zhang Yun-Zhao , Wang Ping , Huang Lin
Published: April 2022

The ascomycete Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a causal agent of anthracnose on crops and trees and causes enormous economic losses in the world. Protein kinases have been implicated in the regulation of growth and development, and responses to extracellular stimuli. However, the mechanism of the protein kinases regulating phytopathogenic fungal-specific processes is largely unclear. In the study, a serine/threonine CgSat4 was identified in C. gloeosporioides. The CgSat4 was localized in the cytoplasm. Targeted gene deletion showed that CgSat4 was essential for vegetative growth, sporulation, and full virulence. CgSat4 is involved in K+ uptake by regulating the localization and expression of the potassium transporter CgTrk1. CgSat4 is required for the cation stress resistance by altering the phosphorylation of CgHog1. Our study provides insights into potassium acquisition and the pathogenesis of C. gloeosporioides.
The Two Classes of Ceramide Synthases Play Different Roles in Plant Immunity and Cell Death
Authors: Zeng Hong-Yun , Bao He-Nan , Chen Yi-Li , Chen Ding-Kang , Zhang Kun , Liu Shuai-Kang , Yang La , Li Yong-Kang , Yao Nan
Published: April 2022

Ceramide synthases (CSs) produce ceramides from long-chain bases (LCBs). However, how CSs regulate immunity and cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana remains unclear. Here, we decipher the roles of two classes of CS, CSI (LAG1 HOMOLOG 2, LOH2) and CSII (LOH1/3), in these processes. The loh1-2 and loh1-1 loh3-1 mutants were resistant to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv maculicola (Psm) DG3 and exhibited programmed cell death (PCD), along with increased LCBs and ceramides, at later stages. In loh1-2, the Psm resistance, PCD, and sphingolipid accumulation were mostly suppressed by inactivation of the lipase-like proteins ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1) and PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4), and partly suppressed by loss of SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT 2 (SID2). The LOH1 inhibitor fumonisin B1 (FB1) triggered EDS1/PAD4-independent LCB accumulation, and EDS1/PAD4-dependent cell death, resistance to Psm, and C16 Cer accumulation. Loss of LOH2 enhances FB1-, and sphinganine-induced PCD, indicating that CSI negatively regulates the signaling triggered by CSII inhibition. Like Cer, LCBs mediate cell death and immunity signaling, partly through the EDS1/PAD4 pathway. Our results show that the two classes of ceramide synthases differentially regulate EDS1/PAD4-dependent PCD and immunity via subtle control of LCBs and Cers in Arabidopsis.
Repression of Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase Genes by Aluminum Stress in Roots of Secale cereale and Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Abd El-Moneim Diaa , Contreras Roberto , Silva-Navas Javier , Gallego Francisco Javier , Figueiras Ana M. , Benito Cesar
Published: April 2022

Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils influences plant development and yield. Almost 50% of arable land is acidic. Plants have evolved a variety of tolerance mechanisms for Al. In response to the presence of Al, various species exudate citrate from their roots. Rye (Secale cereale L.) secretes both citrate and malate, making it one of the most Al-tolerant cereal crops. However, no research has been done on the role of the mitochondrial citrate synthase (mCS) gene in Al-induced stress in the rye. We have isolated an mCS gene, encoding a mitochondrial CS isozyme, in two S. cereale cultivars (Al-tolerant cv. Ailés and Al-sensitive inbred rye line Riodeva; ScCS4 gene) and in two Brachypodium distachyon lines (Al-tolerant ABR8 line and Al-sensitive ABR1 line; BdCS4 gene). Both mCS4 genes have 19 exons and 18 introns. The ScCS4 gene was located on the 6RL rye chromosome arm. Phylogenetic studies using cDNA and protein sequences have shown that the ScCS4 gene and their ScCS protein are orthologous to mCS genes and CS proteins of different Poaceae plants. Expression studies of the ScCS4 and BdSC4 genes show that the amount of their corresponding mRNAs in the roots is higher than that in the leaves and that the amounts of mRNAs in plants treated and not treated with Al were higher in the Al-tolerant lines than that in the Al-sensitive lines of both species. In addition, the levels of ScCS4 and BdCS4 mRNAs were reduced in response to Al (repressive behavior) in the roots of the tolerant and sensitive lines of S. cereale and B. distachyon.
Foliar Spray of Micronutrients Alleviates Heat and Moisture Stress in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) Grown Under Rainfed Field Conditions
Authors: Venugopalan Visha Kumari , Nath Rajib , Sengupta Kajal , Pal Anjan K. , Banerjee Saon , Banerjee Purabi , Chandran Malamal A. Sarath , Roy Suman , Sharma Laxmi , Hossain Akbar , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: April 2022

The simultaneous occurrence of high temperature and moisture stress during the reproductive stage of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) constrains yield potential by disrupting the plant defense system. We studied the detrimental outcomes of heat and moisture stress on rainfed lentils under residual moisture in a field experiment conducted on clay loam soil (Aeric Haplaquept) in eastern India from 2018 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2020 in winter seasons. Lentil was sown on two dates (November and December) to expose the later sowing to higher temperatures and moisture stress. Foliar sprays of boron (0.2% B), zinc (0.5% Zn), and iron (0.5% Fe) were applied individually or in combination at the pre-flowering and pod development stages. High temperatures increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content due to membrane degradation and reduced leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water potential, and yield (kg ha–1). The nutrient treatments affected the growth and physiology of stressed lentil plants. The B+Fe treatment outperformed the other nutrient treatments for both sowing dates, increasing peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, relative leaf water content (RLWC), seed filling duration, seed growth rate, and yield per hectare. The B+Fe treatment increased seed yield by 35–38% in late-sown lentils (December). In addition, the micronutrient treatments positively impacted physiological responses under heat and moisture stress with B+Fe and B+Fe+Zn alleviating heat and moisture stress-induced perturbations. Moreover, the exogenous nutrients helped in improving physiochemical attributes, such as chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water potential, seed filling duration, and seed growth rate.
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis Based on High-Density Mapping of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms by Genotyping-by-Sequencing Against Pine Wilt Disease in Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii)
Authors: Hirao Tomonori , Matsunaga Koji , Shirasawa Kenta
Published: April 2022

Identifying genes/loci for resistance to pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) is beneficial for improving resistance breeding in Pinus thunbergii, but to date, genetic information using molecular markers has been limited. Here, we constructed a high-density linkage map using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and conducted quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for PWD resistance for the self-pollinated progeny of “Namikata 73,” which is the most resistant variety among resistant varieties of P. thunbergii, following inoculation tests with PWN. An S1 mapping population consisting of the 116 progenies derived from self-pollination of the resistant variety, “Namikata 73” (resistance rank 5 to PWN), was inoculated with PWN isolate Ka-4 and evaluated for disease symptoms. To construct a high-density linkage map, we used single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by GBS based on next-generation sequencing technology and some anchor DNA markers, expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived SNP markers and EST-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and genomic SSR markers. The linkage map had 13 linkage groups (LGs) consisting of 2,365 markers including 2,243 GBS-SNP markers over a total map distance of 1968.4 centimorgans (cM). Results from QTL analysis using phenotype data and the linkage map indicated that PWD resistance is controlled by a single locus located on LG-3, as identified in a previous study. This locus showed overdominant genetic action in the present study. With the confirmation of PWD1 in two different mapping populations (present study and a previous study), the locus associated with this region is thought to be a good target for marker-assisted selection in P. thunbergii breeding programs in order to obtain high levels of resistance to PWD caused by PWN.
Role of Nitric Oxide in Plant Senescence
Authors: Hussain Adil , Shah Farooq , Ali Farman , Yun Byung-Wook
Published: April 2022

In plants senescence is the final stage of plant growth and development that ultimately leads to death. Plants experience age-related as well as stress-induced developmental ageing. Senescence involves significant changes at the transcriptional, post-translational and metabolomic levels. Furthermore, phytohormones also play a critical role in the programmed senescence of plants. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous signalling molecule that regulates a plethora of physiological processes in plants. Its role in the control of ageing and senescence has just started to be elucidated. Here, we review the role of NO in the regulation of programmed cell death, seed ageing, fruit ripening and senescence. We also discuss the role of NO in the modulation of phytohormones during senescence and the significance of NO-ROS cross-talk during programmed cell death and senescence.
Lack of Blue Light Regulation of Antioxidants and Chilling Tolerance in Basil
Authors: Larsen Dorthe H. , Li Hua , Shrestha Samikshya , Verdonk Julian C. , Nicole Celine C. S. , Marcelis Leo F. M. , Woltering Ernst J.
Published: April 2022

Blue light, measuring from 400 to 500 nm, is generally assumed to increase the content of antioxidants in plants independent of the species. Blue light stimulates the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and their subclass anthocyanins from the phenylpropanoid pathway. Flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids are strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and may lessen the symptoms of abiotic stresses such as chilling. We tested the hypothesis that a high percentage of blue light induces the accumulation of antioxidants and that this effect depends on the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD, 400–700 nm). The effect may be more pronounced at a lower PPFD. We investigated the changes in primary and secondary metabolites of basil in response to the percentage of blue light (9, 33, 65, and 100%) applied either as a 5-day End-Of-Production (EOP) treatment or continuous throughout the growth cycle in the green cv. Dolly. We also studied if the response to the percentage of blue light (9 or 90%) was dependent on the total PPFD (100 or 300 μmol m–2 s–1 PPFD) when applied as a 5-day EOP treatment in the green cv. Dolly and the purple cv. Rosie. For both green and purple basil, it was found that the percentage of blue light had little effect on the levels of antioxidants (rosmarinic acid, total ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins) at harvest and no interactive effect with PPFD was found. Antioxidants generally decreased during postharvest storage, wherein the decrease was more pronounced at 4 than at 12°C. Chilling injury, as judged from a decrease in Fv/Fm values and from the occurrence of black necrotic areas, was not affected by the percentage of blue light. Particularly, chilling tolerance in the purple cultivar was increased in plants grown under higher PPFD. This may be related to the increased levels of soluble sugar and starch in leaves from high PPFD treated plants.
Time Series Transcriptome Analysis in Medicago truncatula Shoot and Root Tissue During Early Nodulation
Authors: Gao Yueyao , Selee Bradley , Schnabel Elise L. , Poehlman William L. , Chavan Suchitra A. , Frugoli Julia A. , Feltus Frank Alex
Published: April 2022

In response to colonization by rhizobia bacteria, legumes are able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules in their roots, allowing the plants to grow efficiently in nitrogen-depleted environments. Legumes utilize a complex, long-distance signaling pathway to regulate nodulation that involves signals in both roots and shoots. We measured the transcriptional response to treatment with rhizobia in both the shoots and roots ofMedicago truncatulaover a 72-h time course. To detect temporal shifts in gene expression, we developed GeneShift, a novel computational statistics and machine learning workflow that addresses the time series replicate the averaging issue for detecting gene expression pattern shifts under different conditions. We identified both known and novel genes that are regulated dynamically in both tissues during early nodulation including leginsulin, defensins, root transporters, nodulin-related, and circadian clock genes. We validated over 70% of the expression patterns that GeneShift discovered using an independentM. truncatulaRNA-Seq study. GeneShift facilitated the discovery of condition-specific temporally differentially expressed genes in the symbiotic nodulation biological system. In principle, GeneShift should work for time-series gene expression profiling studies from other systems.
Multi-Dimensional Molecular Regulation of Trichome Development in Arabidopsis and Cotton
Authors: Wang Yanan , Zhou Qi , Meng Zhigang , Abid Muhammad Ali , Wang Yuan , Wei Yunxiao , Guo Sandui , Zhang Rui , Liang Chengzhen
Published: April 2022

Plant trichomes are specialized epidermal cells that are widely distributed on plant aerial tissues. The initiation and progression of trichomes are controlled in a coordinated sequence of multiple molecular events. During the past decade, major breakthroughs in the molecular understanding of trichome development were achieved through the characterization of various trichomes defective mutants and trichome-associated genes, which revealed a highly complex molecular regulatory network underlying plant trichome development. This review focuses on the recent millstone in plant trichomes research obtained using genetic and molecular studies, as well as ‘omics’ analyses in model plant Arabidopsis and fiber crop cotton. In particular, we discuss the latest understanding and insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of trichomes formation at multiple dimensions, including at the chromatin, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. We summarize that the integration of multi-dimensional trichome-associated genes will enable us to systematically understand the molecular regulation network that landscapes the development of the plant trichomes. These advances will enable us to address the unresolved questions regarding the molecular crosstalk that coordinate concurrent and ordered the changes in cotton fiber initiation and progression, together with their possible implications for genetic improvement of cotton fiber.
The Perception of School Life From the Perspective of Popular and Rejected Students
Authors: Hrbackova Karla , Hrncirikova Zuzana
Published: April 2022

The experience of peer rejection in the classroom, an environment in which students spend a large part of their time, is accompanied by a sense of social pain which can have a profound effect on self-perception and attitude toward the overall school environment. These attitudes can be subsequently reflected in the student’s behavior at school and in his/her school success. The research aims to identify differences in the perception of school life (interpersonal and intrapersonal) among rejected and popular upper-primary school students. For this purpose, the sociometric nomination method and a questionnaire measuring the student’s perception of the school environment were used. From a total of 1,625 students (aged 11–15) from 20 schools, 312 students with the status of popular (liked) and rejected (disliked) were included in the research. The multivariate analysis of covariance (with age and gender as covariates) results revealed no significant differences between the two contrasting groups (popular and rejected) in terms of the perception of school life (interpersonal and intrapersonal). The results of the research indicated a different perception of the school environmentwithinthe groups of rejected and popular students rather than differencesbetweenthe groups. Both the rejected and popular students report contradictory attitudes toward school life. Half of the students indicated that they feel lonely at school and have no confidence in teachers, considering the school a place where they do not like to learn, where they are troubled and where they do not like to talk to their classmates. Perhaps counterintuitively, a larger number of popular students stated that they feel lonely than did the rejected students from the class. Although the results do not paint a very positive picture of perceptions of the school environment, this should be seen as an opportunity to develop active class work with a greater emphasis on strengthening collective trust in the school.
Visuo-Motor Affective Interplay: Bonding Scenes Promote Implicit Motor Pre-dispositions Associated With Social Grooming–A Pilot Study
Authors: Grichtchouk Olga , Oliveira Jose M. , Campagnoli Rafaela R. , Franklin Camila , Correa Monica F. , Pereira Mirtes G. , Vargas Claudia D. , David Isabel A. , Souza Gabriela G. L. , Gleiser Sonia , Keil Andreas , Rocha-Rego Vanessa , Volchan Eliane
Published: April 2022

Proximity and interpersonal contact are prominent components of social connection. Giving affective touch to others is fundamental for human bonding. This brief report presents preliminary results from a pilot study. It explores if exposure to bonding scenes impacts the activity of specific muscles related to physical interaction. Fingers flexion is a very important component when performing most actions of affectionate contact. We explored the visuo-motor affective interplay by priming participants with bonding scenes and assessing the electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle, in the absence of any overt movements. Photographs of dyads in social interaction and of the same dyads not interacting were employed. We examined the effects upon the electromyographical activity: (i) during the passive exposure to pictures, and (ii) during picture offset and when expecting the signal to perform a fingers flexion task. Interacting dyads compared to matched non-interacting dyads increased electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle in both contexts. Specific capture of visual bonding cues at the level of visual cortex had been described in the literature. Here we showed that the neural processing of visual bonding cues reaches the fingers flexor muscle. Besides, previous visualization of bonding cues enhanced background electromyographic activity during motor preparation to perform the fingers flexion task, which might reflect a sustained leakage of central motor activity downstream leading to increase in firing of the respective motor neurons. These data suggest, at the effector level, an implicit visuo-motor connection in which social interaction cues evoke intrinsic dispositions toward affectionate social behavior.
The Relationship Between Parental Satisfaction and Parental Loyalty in Kindergartens: The Mediating Role of Parental Trust and Parental Relationship Commitment
Authors: Huang Jian-Hao , Chen Ling-Ge , Ma Yan-Xia , Gao Sun-Yu
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to explore the psychological mechanisms behind the relationship between kindergarten parental satisfaction and parental loyalty. This study used the parental satisfaction scale, parental trust scale, parental relationship commitment scale, and parental loyalty scale on 923 kindergarten parents. The test was conducted on 923 kindergarten parents. The results of this study showed that parental satisfaction significantly and positively affected parental loyalty. Parental trust was partially mediated between parental satisfaction and parental loyalty. Parental relationship commitment was also partially mediated between parental satisfaction and parental loyalty. Regarding to parental satisfaction and parental loyalty, parental trust and parental relationship commitment had chain mediation effect between parental satisfaction and parental loyalty. The findings of this study provided valuable insights into the effect of parental satisfaction on parental loyalty and offer concrete practical suggestions for kindergarten operators to improve the loyalty of kindergarten parents.
Sexual Activity in Couples Dealing With Breast Cancer. A Cohort Study of Associations With Patient, Partner and Relationship-Related Factors
Authors: Rottmann Nina , Larsen Pia Veldt , Johansen Christoffer , Hagedoorn Mariët , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Hansen Dorte Gilså
Published: April 2022

Objective

Breast cancer may profoundly affect a couple’s sex life. The present study examines whether patient-, partner- and relationship-related characteristics are associated with sexual activity of couples following breast cancer diagnosis in the treatment phase and over time.

Methods

Women with breast cancer and their male cohabiting partners participated in a longitudinal study in Denmark. Logistic regression was used to examine associations of patient-, partner- and relationship-related characteristics at baseline (≤4 months following surgery) with couples’ sexual activity at baseline, 5 and 12 months later. The longitudinal analyses were stratified for couples’ sexual activity status at baseline.

Results

A total of 722, 533 and 471 couples were included in the analyses at baseline, 5- and 12-months follow-up, respectively. Older age, depressive symptoms and lower vitality of patients were associated with lower odds of couples’ sexual activity at baseline; chemotherapy treatment and older age of patients were associated with lower odds at 5-months follow-up in couples who were not sexually active at baseline. Higher ratings of emotional closeness, affectionate behavior and satisfaction with dyadic coping were associated with higher odds for sexual activity at baseline and over time in couples who were sexually active at baseline.

Conclusion

Sexual counseling during cancer treatment and rehabilitation should include a couple perspective. Relationship-related variables may be a protective factor for remaining sexually active after breast cancer diagnosis. Interventions could focus on strengthening these factors. Health professionals also need to consider the patients’ breast cancer treatment, vitality, and emotional distress in counselling on sexuality.
The Curvilinear Relationships Between Relational Embeddedness and Dynamic Capabilities: The Mediating Effect of Ambidextrous Learning
Authors: Zhang Yina , Long Jiancheng , Zhao Wu
Published: April 2022

Dynamic capabilities are crucial to the survival and development of enterprises in the BOP (Base/Bottom of the Pyramid, hereinafter BOP) market. The research focuses on the double-edged sword impact of relational embeddedness on dynamic capabilities via ambidextrous learning, that is moderate embeddedness facilitates dynamic capabilities while overembeddedness inhibits them. Furthermore, this study investigates whether human capital moderates the relationships between relational embeddedness and ambidextrous learning. Selecting 264 samples for empirical research, firstly, the results show that the relational embeddedness in the BOP cooperation network has an inverted U-shaped influence on ambidextrous learning and dynamic capabilities. Secondly, exploratory learning and exploitative learning play a mediating role in relational embeddedness and dynamic capabilities. Thirdly, prior experience plays a positive moderating role in relational embeddedness and exploitative learning. The conclusions facilitate understanding the antecedents of dynamic capabilities and the black box of “embeddedness paradox,” and provide empirical evidence for adjusting the human capital of enterprises, enhancing the exploratory learning capability and exploitative learning capability, and coping with the overembeddedness effects.
Implementing Mindfulness in General Life and Organizations. Validation of the Time Flow Mindfulness Questionnaire for Effective Health Management
Authors: Petitta Laura , Sinato Emanuela , Giannelli Maria Teresa , Palange Miriam
Published: April 2022

The primary purpose of the current research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Time Flow Mindfulness Questionnaire (TFMQ), a new self-report scale designed to measure cognitive, emotional, bodily, context-related, and action-related distracting inputs experienced by the mind during three different time windows of mindfulness practice (preliminary moments, during-the-practice, after-the-practice). The 42-item scale assesses the following second-order and first-order factors: Practice (preliminary, during), Benefits (short-term, long-term) and Benefits at work. Three studies were conducted. The first study assessed the factor structure and internal consistency on a sample of 141 mindfulness practitioners. Using a two-wave lagged design on a different sample of 46 trainees attending mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) courses, the second study examined concurrent validity by performing correlations between the TFMQ and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The third study (same sample as Study 1) examined criterion validity by testing a structural equation model wherein mindfulness practice predicts job burnout, both directly and indirectly through mindfulness benefits at work. All studies relied on anonymous surveys. Our findings suggest that the TFMQ: (a) has a factor structure consistent with the hypothesized conceptual dimensions; (b) has good concurrent validity as demonstrated by significant correlations with the FFMQ dimensions; and (c) consists of mindfulness dimensions that predict job burnout in organizations (i.e., criterion validity). The TFMQ is a valid and reliable mindfulness measure that may help (a) practitioners gain awareness of different types of inputs that potentially distract the mind and mindfulness beneficial consequences, and (b) organizations implement mindfulness in work-settings.
Developing a Decision-Making Model for Construction Safety Behavior Supervision: An Evolutionary Game Theory-Based Analysis
Authors: Ning Xin , Qiu Yu , Wu Chunlin , Jia Kexin
Published: April 2022

Without the active participation of enterprises and front-line workers, it is difficult for the government to perform effective supervision to ensure behavioral safety among front-line workers. To overcome inadequate government supervision and information attenuation caused by vertical management mode and limited resources, and to change passive supervision into active control with the proactive participation of enterprises and workers, this paper combines the entity responsibility mechanism and the third-party participation mechanism based on government supervision to analyze the decision-making process of government and enterprises on safety behavior supervision. An evolutionary game model was established to describe the decision-making interactions between the government and construction enterprises under the two mechanisms, and a simulation was performed to illustrate the factors influencing the implementation of the mechanisms. The results show that both mechanisms have a positive effect on government supervision, and the third-party participation mechanism was found to be working better. The implementation of the two mechanisms is influenced by punishment, subsidy, and cost, and it has different sensitivities to the three influencing factors. This study provides a theoretical framework for enhancing the government supervision mechanism, and the decision-making between the government and construction enterprises enhances the management form and guides their actual supervision practices.
Toward Sustainable Consumption Behavior in Online Education Industry: The Role of Consumer Value and Social Identity
Authors: Jiang Songyu , Jotikasthira Nuttapong , Pu Ruihui
Published: April 2022

The prosperous development of online education in the digital age harvested countless consumers. Education for sustainable development is an important proposition for both academic community and practitioner, however, current little studies have shed light on Sustainable Consumption Behavior in online education industry (SCBOEI). The Consumer Value Theory and Social Identity Theory as theoretical basis linked with the field of Sustainable Consumption Behavior. This study is to further investigate the role of consumer value and social identity in the relation to Sustainable Consumption Behavior. Putting forward suggestions from this study to online education providers toward sustainable development.

Method

Data on the impact of personal value on SCBOEI through a survey method with 552 valid students as respondents are collected from higher education institutions in China. A structural equation modeling approach is employed in this study for data analysis.

Results

The result shows at the level of excellent model fit as indicated by all indicators: X2/DF = 1.053 (<3), RMSEA = 0.010 (<0.08), CFI = 0.991, GFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.989, AGF = 0.961 (>0.9). The results showed that, through social identity, functional value (indirect effect = 0086, P < 0.001), emotional value (indirect effect = 0061, P < 0.001), and social value (indirect effect = 0.073, P < 0.001) influence the variance of SCBOEI. The finding reveals that both theories can explain the SCBOEI of higher education students by showing that functional, social, and emotional values as well as social identity are powerful predictors of the Sustainable Consumption Behavior. The proposed model highlights the mediating role of social identity between SCBOEI and the three values. The functional, emotional, and social values influence SCBOEI directly and through social identity.

Implications

The study significantly contributes to market promotion, college students, education planning, and teaching. Online education market personnel and college students can better understand the significance of sustainable development aspect of online education. Teaching and learning activities help lead students to SCBOEI by shaping their values and identities while paying more attention to quality education, knowledge sharing, and social equality.
Sleep and Mental Health Issues in Current and Former Athletes: A Mini Review
Authors: Montero Ashley , Stevens David , Adams Robert , Drummond Murray
Published: April 2022

Sleep and mental health are important aspects of human health that work concurrently. However, sleep and mental health disorders are often overlooked and undiagnosed in sport due to the negative stigma associated with them. Evidence suggests that athletes are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and sleep problems. Internal and external pressures contribute to psychological distress. Variable competition times, travel and stress are detrimental to sleep quality. Retirement from sport can deteriorate sleep and psychological wellbeing, particularly for those who retired involuntarily and identify strongly with their athletic role. When untreated, these issues can manifest into a range of clinical disorders. This is concerning, not only for compromised athletic performance, but for general health and wellbeing beyond sport. Previous research has focussed on sleep and health independently among currently competing, or former, athletes. To date, no research has comprehensively assessed and compared sleep complaints and mental health issues between these two cohorts. Moreover, research has failed to obtain data across a variety of different competition levels, sports, and genders, leaving the current scope of the literature narrow. Comorbid conditions (e.g., concussion history, obesity), ex-college athletes, and mental health has been the focus of existing literature post-retirement. Future research would benefit from employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to comprehensively assess the prevalence and severity of sleep and mental health disorders across current and retired athletes. Research outcomes would inform education strategies, safeguarding athletes from these issues by reducing negative stigmas associated with help-seeking in sport and ultimately increase self-guided treatment.
Identifying Determinants of Dyslexia: An Ultimate Attempt Using Machine Learning
Authors: Walda Sietske , Hasselman Fred , Bosman Anna
Published: April 2022

Research based on traditional linear techniques has yet not been able to clearly identify the role of cognitive skills in reading problems, presumably because the process of reading and the factors that are associated with reading reside within a system of multiple interacting and moderating factors that cannot be captured within traditional statistical models. If cognitive skills are indeed indicative of reading problems, the relatively new nonlinear techniques of machine learning should make better predictions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cognitive factors play any role in reading skill, questioning (1) the extent to what cognitive skills are indicative of present reading level, and (2) the extent to what cognitive skills are indicative of future reading progress. In three studies with varying groups of participants (average school-aged and poor readers), the results of four supervised machine learning techniques were compared to the traditional General Linear Models technique. Results of all models appeared to be comparable, producing poor to acceptable results, which are however inadequate for making a thorough prediction of reading development. Assumably, cognitive skills are not predictive of reading problems, although they do correlate with one another. This insight has consequences for scientific theories of reading development, as well as for the prevention and remediation of reading difficulties.
Human-Computer Interactive English Learning From the Perspective of Social Cognition in the Age of Intelligence
Authors: Yan Qilin
Published: April 2022

Under the wave of globalization, the ties between countries are getting closer and closer. Based on the differences in the languages of different countries, the importance of English as a universal language is becoming more and more prominent. In the past, English teaching was mainly taught by teachers and students. This mode of English learning is more of theoretical teaching, which has little effect on improving English ability. In the era of intelligence, with the upgrading of technology and the renewal of ideas, interactive English teaching is more accepted by people and becomes a new solution for English teaching. Studying English teaching from the perspective of social cognition, this paper proposes to realize human-computer interaction with the help of advanced science and technology, create an interactive teaching environment, and realize interactive learning in an English environment. This paper designed a control experiment of the experimental group and the control group to verify the impact of human-computer interaction teaching on students’ English performance and investigated students’ performance and teachers’ feelings and their related opinions on human-computer interaction learning. The experimental results of this paper show that human-computer interactive English teaching can help to enhance students’ interest in English learning and improve English expression significantly.
A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship Among Cytokines, 5-HT2A Receptor Polymorphisms, and Sleep Quality of Non-manual Workers in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Wang Juan , Gao Xiaoyan , Gao Pengcheng , Liu Jiwen
Published: April 2022

Background

Studies have shown that cytokine activity changes during the sleep-wake process, suggesting that inflammatory factors may be involved in a mechanism affecting sleep quality. Furthermore, the serotonergic system is also one of the essential components of airway relaxation during sleep, especially the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR2A) type that plays an important role in the sleep-wake process. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effects of cytokines and 5-HTR2A polymorphisms on sleep quality in non-manual workers in Urumqi, Xinjiang in order to explore the relationship between the three.

Methods

This study used a cluster sampling method to randomly select non-manual workers who worked in Urumqi, Xinjiang for at least 1 year. From July 2016 and December 2017, this study recruited 1,500 non-manual workers for physical examination in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1,329 non-manual workers were finally included in the questionnaire study. It used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to assess sleep quality. Moreover, another 15% of respondents were randomly selected as the experimental study group. The polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect 5-HTR2A gene genotypes. Simultaneously, the cytokine (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α) content was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunoassay.

Results

The results showed that among the 1,329 respondents, 870 had sleep quality problems, and the detection rate was 65.46%. The distribution of −1438G/A genotypes in the 5-HTR2A gene was significantly different among different sleep quality groups (p < 0.05), with no statistical significance present when comparing to T102C (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the AG [odds ratio (OR) = 2.771, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.054–7.287] and GG (OR = 4.037, 95% CI: 1.244–13.105) genotypes at −1438G/A loci were both associated with poor sleep quality and were thus considered the susceptibility genotypes for sleep problems. Furthermore, IL-1β was shown to be a protective factor for sleep quality (OR = 0.949, 95% CI: 0.925–0.974). The interaction results showed that AG × IL-1β (OR = 0.952, 95% CI: 0.918–0.987) was associated with a lower risk of sleep problems than AA × IL-1β.

Conclusion

Cytokines and 5-HTR2A polymorphisms not only have independent effects on sleep but also may have cumulative effects. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the related mechanisms affecting sleep quality to improve the sleep quality of non-manual workers.