bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an Oral Epithelial Ex Vivo Organ Culture Model for Biocompatibility and Permeability Assessment of Biomaterials
Authors: Machla Foteini , Bekiari Chrysanthi , Monou Paraskevi Kyriaki , Kofidou Evangelia , Theodosaki Astero Maria , Katsamenis Orestis L. , Zisis Vasileios , Kokoti Maria , Bakopoulou Athina , Fatouros Dimitrios , Andreadis Dimitrios
Published: October 2024

In the present study, a customized device (Epi-ExPer) was designed and fabricated to facilitate an epithelial organ culture, allowing for controlled exposure to exogenous chemical stimuli and accommodating the evaluation of permeation of the tissue after treatment. The Epi-ExPer system was fabricated using a stereolithography (SLA)-based additive manufacturing (AM) method. Human and porcine oral epithelial mucosa tissues were inserted into the device and exposed to resinous monomers commonly released by dental restorative materials. The effect of these xenobiotics on the morphology, viability, permeability, and expression of relevant markers of the oral epithelium was evaluated. Tissue culture could be performed with the desired orientation of air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions, and exposure to xenobiotics was undertaken in a spatially guarded and reproducible manner. Among the selected monomers, HEMA and TEGDMA reduced tissue viability at high concentrations, while tissue permeability was increased by the latter. Xenobiotics affected the histological image by introducing the vacuolar degeneration of epithelial cells and increasing the expression of panCytokeratin (pCK). Epi-ExPer device offers a simple, precise, and reproducible study system to evaluate interactions of oral mucosa with external stimuli, providing a biocompatibility and permeability assessment tool aiming to an enhanced in vitro/ex vivo-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) that complies with European Union (EU) and Food and Durg Administration (FDI) policies.
Comparative Analysis of AI Models for Atypical Pigmented Facial Lesion Diagnosis
Authors: Cartocci Alessandra , Luschi Alessio , Tognetti Linda , Cinotti Elisa , Farnetani Francesca , Lallas Aimilios , Paoli John , Longo Caterina , Moscarella Elvira , Tiodorovic Danica , Stanganelli Ignazio , Suppa Mariano , Dika Emi , Zalaudek Iris , Pizzichetta Maria Antonietta , Perrot Jean Luc , Cevenini Gabriele , Iadanza Ernesto , Rubegni Giovanni , Kittler Harald , Tschandl Philipp , Rubegni Pietro
Published: October 2024

Diagnosing atypical pigmented facial lesions (aPFLs) is a challenging topic for dermatologists. Accurate diagnosis of these lesions is crucial for effective patient management, especially in dermatology, where visual assessment plays a central role. Incorrect diagnoses can result in mismanagement, delays in appropriate interventions, and potential harm. AI, however, holds the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide reliable support to clinicians. This work aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of machine learning (logistic regression of lesion features and patient metadata) and deep learning (CNN analysis of images) models in dermoscopy diagnosis and the management of aPFLs. This study involved the analysis of 1197 dermoscopic images of facial lesions excised due to suspicious and histologically confirmed malignancy, classified into seven classes (lentigo maligna—LM; lentigo maligna melanoma—LMM; atypical nevi—AN; pigmented actinic keratosis—PAK; solar lentigo—SL; seborrheic keratosis—SK; and seborrheic lichenoid keratosis—SLK). Image samples were collected through the Integrated Dermoscopy Score (iDScore) project. The statistical analysis of the dataset shows that the patients mean age was 65.5 ± 14.2, and the gender was equally distributed (580 males—48.5%; 617 females—51.5%). A total of 41.7% of the sample constituted malignant lesions (LM and LMM). Meanwhile, the benign lesions were mainly PAK (19.3%), followed by SL (22.2%), AN (10.4%), SK (4.0%), and SLK (2.3%). The lesions were mainly localised in the cheek and nose areas. A stratified analysis of the assessment provided by the enrolled dermatologists was also performed, resulting in 2445 evaluations of the 1197 images (2.1 evaluations per image on average). The physicians demonstrated higher accuracy in differentiating between malignant and benign lesions (71.2%) than in distinguishing between the seven specific diagnoses across all the images (42.9%). The logistic regression model obtained a precision of 39.1%, a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 33.9%, and an accuracy of 53.6% on the test set, while the CNN model showed lower sensitivity (58.2%) and higher precision (47.0%), specificity (90.8%), and accuracy (59.5%) for melanoma diagnosis. This research demonstrates how AI can enhance the diagnostic accuracy in complex dermatological cases like aPFLs by integrating AI models with clinical data and evaluating different diagnostic approaches, paving the way for more precise and scalable AI applications in dermatology, showing their critical role in improving patient management and the outcomes in dermatology.
Fungal L-Methionine Biosynthesis Pathway Enzymes and Their Applications in Various Scientific and Commercial Fields
Authors: Rząd Kamila , Kuplińska Aleksandra , Gabriel Iwona
Published: October 2024

L-methionine (L-Met) is one of the nine proteinogenic amino acids essential for humans since, in human cells, there are no complete pathways for its biosynthesis from simple precursors. L-Met plays a crucial role in cellular function as it is required for proper protein synthesis, acting as an initiator. Additionally, this amino acid participates in various metabolic processes and serves as a precursor for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), which is involved in the methylation of DNA molecules and phospholipids, as well as in maintaining genome stability. Due to its importance, fungal L-methionine biosynthesis pathway enzymes are being intensively studied. This review presents the current state of the art in terms of their cellular function, usefulness as molecular markers, antifungal targets, or industrial approaches.
Gintonin Stimulates Glucose Uptake in Myocytes: Involvement of Calcium and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling
Authors: Lee Rami , Won Kyung-Jong , Kim Ji-Hun , Lee Byung-Hwan , Hwang Sung-Hee , Nah Seung-Yeol
Published: October 2024

Ginseng has anti-hyperglycemic effects. Gintonin, a glycolipoprotein derived from ginseng, also stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. However, the role of gintonin in glucose metabolism within skeletal muscle is unknown. Here, we showed the effect of gintonin on glucose uptake, glycogen content, glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 expression, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in C2C12 myotubes. Gintonin (3–30 μg/mL) dose-dependently stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes. The expression of GLUT4 on the cell membrane was increased by gintonin treatment. Treatment with 1–3 μg/mL of gintonin increased glycogen content in myotubes, but the content was decreased at 30 μg/mL of gintonin. The ATP content in myotubes increased following treatment with 10–100 μg/mL gintonin. Gintonin transiently elevated intracellular calcium concentrations and increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Gintonin-induced transient calcium increases were inhibited by treatment with the lysophosphatidic acid receptor inhibitor Ki16425, the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. Gintonin-stimulated glucose uptake was decreased by treatment with U73122, the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester, and the ERK inhibitor PD98059. These results show that gintonin plays a role in glucose metabolism by increasing glucose uptake through transient calcium increases and ERK signaling pathways. Thus, gintonin may be beneficial for glucose metabolism control.
The Roles of Mitochondria in Human Being’s Life and Aging
Authors: Indo Hiroko P. , Chatatikun Moragot , Nakanishi Ikuo , Matsumoto Ken-ichiro , Imai Motoki , Kawakami Fumitaka , Kubo Makoto , Abe Hiroshi , Ichikawa Hiroshi , Yonei Yoshikazu , Beppu Hisashi J. , Minamiyama Yukiko , Kanekura Takuro , Ichikawa Takafumi , Phongphithakchai Atthaphong , Udomwech Lunla , Sukati Suriyan , Charong Nurdina , Somsak Voravuth , Tangpong Jitbanjong , Nomura Sachiyo , Majima Hideyuki J.
Published: October 2024

The universe began 13.8 billion years ago, and Earth was born 4.6 billion years ago. Early traces of life were found as soon as 4.1 billion years ago; then, ~200,000 years ago, the human being was born. The evolution of life on earth was to become individual rather than cellular life. The birth of mitochondria made this possible to be the individual life. Since then, individuals have had a limited time of life. It was 1.4 billion years ago that a bacterial cell began living inside an archaeal host cell, a form of endosymbiosis that is the development of eukaryotic cells, which contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound compartments. The bacterium started to provide its host cell with additional energy, and the interaction eventually resulted in a eukaryotic cell, with both archaeal (the host cell) and bacterial (mitochondrial) origins still having genomes. The cells survived high concentrations of oxygen producing more energy inside the cell. Further, the roles of mitochondria in human being’s life and aging will be discussed.
The Role of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition in Bone Metabolism, Bone Healing, and Bone Diseases
Authors: Zhu Xiting , Qin Ziqi , Zhou Min , Li Chen , Jing Junjun , Ye Wushuang , Gan Xueqi
Published: October 2024

Bone is a dynamic organ with an active metabolism and high sensitivity to mitochondrial dysfunction. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is a low-selectivity channel situated in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), permitting the exchange of molecules of up to 1.5 kDa in and out of the IMM. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of the mPTP in bone tissue, but there is currently a lack of reviews concerning this topic. This review discusses the structure and function of the mPTP and its impact on bone-related cells and bone-related pathological states. The mPTP activity is reduced during the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), while its desensitisation may underlie the mechanism of enhanced resistance to apoptosis in neoplastic osteoblastic cells. mPTP over-opening triggers mitochondrial swelling, regulated cell death, and inflammatory response. In particular, mPTP over-opening is involved in dexamethasone-induced osteoblast dysfunction and bisphosphonate-induced osteoclast apoptosis. In vivo, the mPTP plays a significant role in maintaining bone homeostasis, with many bone disorders linked to its excessive opening. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of the over-opening of mPTP has shown potential in enhancing bone injury recovery and alleviating bone diseases. Here, we review the findings on the relationship of the mPTP and bone at both the cellular and disease levels, highlighting novel avenues for pharmacological approaches targeting mitochondrial function to promote bone healing and manage bone-related disorders.
Prognostic Value of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography-Derived Strain in Unmasking Risk for Arrhythmias in Children with Myocarditis
Authors: Rolfs Nele , Huber Cynthia , Opgen-Rhein Bernd , Altmann Isabell , Anderheiden Felix , Hecht Tobias , Fischer Marcus , Wiegand Gesa , Reineker Katja , Voges Inga , Kiski Daniela , Frede Wiebke , Boehne Martin , Khedim Malika , Messroghli Daniel , Klingel Karin , Schwarzkopf Eicke , Pickardt Thomas , Schubert Stephan , Lunze Fatima I. , Seidel Franziska
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Risk assessment in pediatric myocarditis is challenging, particularly when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is preserved. This study aimed to evaluate LV myocardial deformation using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived longitudinal +strain (LS) and assessed its diagnostic and prognostic value in children with myocarditis. Methods: Retrospective STE-derived layer-specific LV LS analysis was performed on echocardiograms from patients within the multicenter, prospective registry for pediatric myocarditis “MYKKE”. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression and ROC analysis identified predictors of cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrioventricular blockage III°) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: need for mechanical circulatory support (MCS), cardiac transplantation, and/or cardiac death). Results: Echocardiograms from 175 patients (median age 15 years, IQR 7.9–16.5 years; 70% male) across 13 centers were included. Cardiac arrhythmias occurred in 36 patients (21%), and MACE in 28 patients (16%). Impaired LV LS strongly correlated with reduced LVEF (r > 0.8). Impaired layer-specific LV LS, reduced LVEF, LV dilatation, and increased BSA-indexed LV mass, were associated with the occurrence of MACE and cardiac arrhythmias. In patients with preserved LVEF, LV LS alone predicted cardiac arrhythmias (p < 0.001), with optimal cutoff values of −18.0% for endocardial LV LS (sensitivity 0.69, specificity 0.94) and –17.0% for midmyocardial LV LS (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.75). Conclusions: In pediatric myocarditis, STE-derived LV LS is not only a valuable tool for assessing systolic myocardial dysfunction and predicting MACE but also identifies patients at risk for cardiac arrhythmias, even in the context of preserved LVEF.
Oxygen Glucose Deprivation-Induced Lactylation of H3K9 Contributes to M1 Polarization and Inflammation of Microglia Through TNF Pathway
Authors: He Lu , Yin Rui , Hang Weijian , Han Jinli , Chen Juan , Wen Bin , Chen Ling
Published: October 2024

Background: Hypoxia-induced M1 polarization of microglia and resultant inflammation take part in the damage caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Histone lactylation, a novel epigenetic modification where lactate is added to lysine residues, may play a role in HIE pathogenesis. This study investigates the role of histone lactylation in hypoxia-induced M1 microglial polarization and inflammation, aiming to provide insights for HIE treatment. Methods: In this study, we assessed the effects of hypoxia on microglial polarization using both an HIE animal model and an oxygen–glucose deprivation cell model. Histone lactylation at various lysine residues was detected by Western blotting. Microglial polarization and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by immunofluorescence, qPCR, and Western blotting. RNA sequencing, ChIP-qPCR, and siRNA were used to elucidate mechanisms of H3K9 lactylation. Results: H3K9 lactylation increased due to cytoplasmic lactate during M1 polarization. Inhibiting P300 or reducing lactate dehydrogenase A expression decreased H3K9 lactylation, suppressing M1 polarization. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that H3K9 lactylation regulated M1 polarization via the TNF signaling pathway. ChIP-qPCR confirmed H3K9 lactylation enrichment at the TNFα locus, promoting OGD-induced M1 polarization and inflammation. Conclusions: H3K9 lactylation promotes M1 polarization and inflammation via the TNF pathway, identifying it as a potential therapeutic target for neonatal HIE.
Incidental Parathyroidectomy After Thyroid Surgery: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Granata Roberta , Zanghì Antonio , Scribano Marianna , Riccioli Giordana , Privitera Francesca , La Vignera Sandro , Condorelli Rosita Angela , Leonforte Francesco , Mistretta Antonio , Calogero Aldo Eugenio , Veroux Massimiliano
Published: October 2024

Background: Hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemia is the most frequent complication after thyroid surgery. Many risk factors have been involved in the development of this complication, with conflicting results. Incidental parathyroidectomy (IP) may be a frequent cause of postoperative hypocalcemia. In this study, we have evaluated the risk factors associated with the IP in a single-center cohort of patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Patients and methods: The incidence and the risk factors for IP were evaluated in 799 patients scheduled for surgical treatment for thyroid disease between January 2018 and December 2023. Parathyroid hormone levels and serum calcium levels, together with the histological specimens, were evaluated in all patients. Results: Post-operative temporary hypocalcemia was present in 239 (29.9%) patients. A total of 144 patients (21.9%) had an incidental parathyroidectomy. Younger patients (<40 years) had the highest risk of having an incidental parathyroidectomy (RR 1.53 (95% CI 1.084–2.161), OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.091–2.710), p = 0.014). Moreover, thyroid cancer (RR 1.4 (95 CI 1.114–1.882) OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.145–2.484), p < 0.05) and the neck dissection (RR 1.75 (95% CI 1.409–2.198) OR 2.38 (95% CI 1.644–3.460), p < 0.001) were strongly associated with the risk of incidental parathyroidectomy. Conclusions: Younger female patients with thyroid cancer and neck dissection were at the highest risk of incidental parathyroidectomy. A meticulous surgical dissection, together with imaging methods for the detection of the parathyroid glands, may reduce the incidence of this complication.
The Expression of Genes CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and CYP2J3 in Distinct Regions of the Heart and Its Possible Contribution to the Development of Hypertension
Authors: Perepechaeva Maria L. , Stefanova Natalia A. , Grishanova Alevtina Y. , Kolosova Nataliya G.
Published: October 2024

Background: It is believed that alterations in the functioning of the cytochrome P450 (CYP), which participates in metabolic transformations of endogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (with the formation of cardioprotective or cardiotoxic products), affects the development of age-related cardiovascular diseases and reduces the effectiveness of some cardioselective drugs. For example, CYP2J2 activation or CYP1B1 inhibition protects against the cardiovascular toxicity of anticancer drugs. It is currently unclear whether CYPs capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid and ω-3 PUFAs to vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive derivatives are expressed in all heart regions. Methods: The work was performed on senescence-accelerated OXYS rats featuring elevated blood pressure, OXYSb rats (an OXYS substrain with normal blood pressure), and Wistar rats as a “healthy” control. The mRNA level was determined in the right and left ventricles, the right and left atria, and the aorta of 1-, 3-, and 12-month-old rats. Results: We showed that all heart regions express CYPs capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid and ω-3 PUFAs and revealed significant differences between heart regions both in the mRNA level of genes CYP1B1, CYP2J3, and CYP1A1 and in the time course of expression changes with age. Conclusions: We noticed that expression levels of these CYPs in the heart regions and aorta differ between hypertensive OXYS rats, normotensive OXYSb rats, and healthy Wistar rats but could not detect any clear-cut patterns associated with the hypertensive status of OXYS rats.
Ultrasound-Guided Venous Puncture Reduces Groin Complications in Electrophysiological Procedures
Authors: Teumer Yannick , Eckart Daniel , Katov Lyuboslav , Graf Markus , Bothner Carlo , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Weinmann-Emhardt Karolina
Published: October 2024

Background: In electrophysiological procedures, multiple punctures on the femoral vein can be necessary depending on the number of catheters required. The femoral vein is typically located indirectly by using its anatomical relationship to the artery as a reference. However, this conventional approach can lead to significant complications, including bleeding, peri-interventional transfusion, pseudoaneurysms, or arteriovenous fistulas. Despite these risks, there is limited evidence comparing the safety of ultrasound-guided venipuncture versus the conventional technique in electrophysiological procedures. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ultrasound-guided venipuncture on vascular access complications in electrophysiological procedures and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: In this single-center trial, patients scheduled for electrophysiological procedures at Ulm University Heart Center, Germany, were enrolled between November 2021 and October 2023. Venipuncture in the groin was performed using either the conventional or an ultrasound-guided approach. The primary composite endpoint was defined as peri-interventional major vascular access complications (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) ≥2 bleeding, pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, and peri-interventional transfusion) and minor complications (BARC 1). Results: A total of 1370 patients were included: 749 in the conventional group and 621 in the ultrasound group. The primary endpoint was achieved in 19.2% of the conventional group and 12.1% of the ultrasound group (p < 0.001). An increased sheath diameter and a higher number of venous accesses were identified as risk factors for the primary endpoint. Conclusions: Ultrasound guidance for venous groin puncture in electrophysiological procedures reduces access-related complications, supporting its use with careful attention to sheath size and number.
A Clinical Evaluation of the Role of Autoimmunity in the Relation Between Erosions and Bone Mineral Density in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Moret Margaux , Morizot Caroline , de Carvalho Bittencourt Marcelo , Allado Edem , Chary-Valckenaere Isabelle , Loeuille Damien
Published: October 2024

Background/objectives: Both erosions and osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have common mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between erosion and bone mineral density (BMD) in RA and whether it can be driven by autoimmunity. Methods: Patients fulfilling the ACR 1987- or ACR/EULAR 2010-criteriae for RA. performed radiographs (erosions evaluated by the modified Sharp/van der Heidje erosion score) and biology for anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs), rheumatoid factors (RFs) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) at intervals of less than 2 years from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for BMD assessment. Results: A total of 149 patients were included, (75.8% women, mean age of 62 y.o (SD 9.61) and a median disease duration of 132 months [60; 240]). A total of 61.1% patients were ACPA positive, 79.9% were erosive and 10.7% had a hip or spine T-score ≤ −2.5. A higher erosion score was associated with a lower BMD (value: −0.222; p = 0.009) and T-score (value −0.397; p < 0.0001) in the hip. ACPA status was associated with a higher erosion score (63.0 (53.2) vs. 45.5 (44.1) for ACPA- (p = 0.04)). ACPA titers were associated with a lower BMD in the hip (value −0.216; p = 0.01). In linear regression, erosion and BMD were still associated, but this association is not driven by ACPA status or titer. Conclusions: In RA patients, erosions and BMD are inversely associated but this relationship does not seem to be driven by autoimmunity only. However, the presence of ACPA or erosion should lead to osteoporosis screening.
Improvement of Statistical Models by Considering Correlations among Parameters: Local Anesthetic Agent Simulator for Pharmacological Education
Authors: Ara Toshiaki , Kitamura Hiroyuki
Published: October 2024

Background: To elucidate the effects of local anesthetic agents (LAs), guinea pigs are used in pharmacological education. Herein, we aimed to develop a simulator for LAs. Previously, we developed a statistical model to simulate the LAs’ effects, and we estimated their parameters (mean [μ] and logarithm of standard deviation [logσ]) based on the results of animal experiments. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation were similar to those from the animal experiments. However, the drug parameter values widely varied among individuals, because this simulation did not consider correlations among parameters. Method: In this study, we set the correlations among these parameters, and we performed simulations using Monte Carlo simulation. Results: Weakly negative correlations were observed between μ and logσ (rμ−logσ). In contrast, weakly positive correlations were observed among μ (rμ) and among logσ (rlogσ). In the Monte Carlo simulation, the variability in duration was significant for small rμ−logσ values, and the correlation for the duration between two drugs was significant for large rμ and rlogσ values. When parameters were generated considering the correlation among the parameters, the correlation of the duration among the drugs became larger. Conclusions: These results suggest that parameter generation considering the correlation among parameters is important to reproduce the results of animal experiments in simulations.
Is Water the Engine of Protein Folding?
Authors: Campanile Marco , Graziano Giuseppe
Published: October 2024

No one can dismiss the fundamental role played by water in several important biochemical processes, including the folding of globular proteins. The so-called hydrophobic effect is the theoretical construct to rationalize how water molecules stabilize the folded state. However, over the years, analyses have been published that lead to the conclusion that water destabilizes the folded state. The aim of the present work is to state that the gain in translational entropy of water molecules (due to the decrease in water-accessible surface area associated with folding) is the driving force behind protein folding.
Role of Peroxynitrite in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease and Its Fluorescence Imaging-Based Detection
Authors: Lv Jiye , Chen Feiyu , Zhang Changchan , Kang Yubing , Yang Yan , Zhang Chengwu
Published: October 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the lives of millions of people worldwide. Although the mechanism underlying PD pathogenesis is largely undefined, increasing evidence indicates that oxidative and nitrosative stresses play a crucial role in PD occurrence and development. Among them, the role of oxidative stress has been widely acknowledged, but there is relatively less attention given to nitrosative stress, which is mainly derived from peroxynitrite. In the present review, after briefly introducing the background of PD, we discuss the physiopathological function of peroxynitrite and especially highlight how overloaded peroxynitrite is involved in PD pathogenesis. Then, we summarize the currently reported fluorescence imaging-based peroxynitrite detection probes. Moreover, we specifically emphasize the probes that have been applied in PD research. Finally, we propose perspectives on how to develop a more applicable peroxynitrite probe and leverage it for PD theranostics. Conclusively, the present review broadens the knowledge on the pathological role of peroxynitrite in the context of PD and sheds light on how to develop and utilize fluorescence imaging-based strategies for peroxynitrite detection.
The Distribution, Population Size, and Habitat Preferences of a Newly Established Population of the Oriental Magpie Pica serica in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, Northern Japan
Authors: Fujioka Masahiro , Murayama Hisaya
Published: October 2024

Non-native species have caused various problems for both animal and human communities globally, but their monitoring during the early stages of establishment is often difficult. A population of the Oriental Magpie (Pica serica) has established on Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, since the 1990s, offering a rare opportunity for field biologists to monitor the entire history of a colonizing avian population. To clarify the current number and distribution of the population and their major determinants, we conducted bimonthly surveys from May 2012 to March 2013, over a total of 417 h, in Tomakomai City, the central area of the current distribution. We found 181 to 248 magpies in every survey, and 46 active nests in May. Most of the magpies appeared in residential areas, avoiding commercial and industrial areas, and did not show seasonal changes in their distribution pattern. The magpies mainly foraged in short grasslands in public spaces, such as parks, in May and July, but most of the birds preferred house gardens for foraging from November to March. Dogs or cats were often kept outside in the gardens where the magpies foraged, and observations of magpies stealing and hoarding pet food were common. It is likely that the magpies rely on anthropogenic food resources such as pet food, especially in winter. Continuous monitoring of this population will enable further knowledge of the factors that limit the number and range of not only non-native species but also avian populations in general to be obtained.
Neurophysiological Correlates of Expert Knowledge: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) Study about Law-Relevant Versus Law-Irrelevant Terms
Authors: Walla Peter , Kalt Stefan , Lachmayer Konrad
Published: October 2024

Background: The evaluation of evidence, which frequently takes the form of scientific evidence, necessitates the input of experts in relevant fields. The results are presented as expert opinions or expert evaluations, which are generally accepted as a reliable representation of the facts. A further issue that remains unresolved though is the process of evaluating the expertise and knowledge of an expert in the first instance. In general, earned certificates, grades and other objective criteria are typically regarded as representative documentation to substantiate an expert status. However, there is a possibility that these may not always be sufficiently representative. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to provide evidence that the neural processing of law-relevant and law-irrelevant terms varies significantly between participants who have received training in the field of law (experts) and those who have not (novices). Methods: To this end, changes in brain activity were recorded via electroencephalography (EEG) during visual presentations of terms belonging to five different categories (fake right, democracy, filler word, basic right and rule of law). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were subsequently averaged for each category and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The results clearly demonstrate that participants trained in law processed fake rights and filler words in a similar manner. Furthermore, both of these conditions elicited different levels of brain activity compared to all law-relevant terms. This was not the case in participants who had not received legal training. The brains of untrained participants processed all five term categories in a strikingly similar manner. In light of prior knowledge regarding language processing, the primary focus was on two distinct electrode locations: one in the left posterior region, and the other in the left frontal region. In both locations, the most prominent differences in brain activity elicited by the aforementioned term categories in law-trained participants occurred approximately 450 milliseconds after stimulus onset. The results were further corroborated by a repeated-measures ANOVA and subsequent t-tests, which also demonstrated the absence of this effect in law-untrained participants. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide empirical evidence that brain activity measurements, in particular ERPs, can be used to distinguish between experts trained in a specific field of expertise and novices in that field. Such findings have the potential to facilitate objective assessments of expertise, enabling comparisons between experts and novices that extend beyond traditional criteria such as qualifications and experience. Instead, individuals can be evaluated based on their cognitive processes, as observed through brain activity.
Intentional or Designed? The Impact of Stance Attribution on Cognitive Processing of Generative AI Service Failures
Authors: Lv Dong , Sun Rui , Zhu Qiuhua , Zuo Jiajia , Qin Shukun , Cheng Yue
Published: October 2024

Background: With the rapid expansion of the generative AI market, conducting in-depth research on cognitive conflicts in human–computer interaction is crucial for optimizing user experience and improving the quality of interactions with AI systems. However, existing studies insufficiently explore the role of user cognitive conflicts and the explanation of stance attribution in the design of human–computer interactions. Methods: This research, grounded in mental models theory and employing an improved version of the oddball paradigm, utilizes Event-Related Spectral Perturbations (ERSP) and functional connectivity analysis to reveal how task types and stance attribution explanations in generative AI influence users’ unconscious cognitive processing mechanisms during service failures. Results: The results indicate that under design stance explanations, the ERSP and Phase Locking Value (PLV) in the theta frequency band were significantly lower for emotional task failures than mechanical task failures. In the case of emotional task failures, the ERSP and PLV in the theta frequency band induced by intentional stance explanations were significantly higher than those induced by design stance explanations. Conclusions: This study found that stance attribution explanations profoundly affect users’ mental models of AI, which determine their responses to service failure.
The Moderating Role of the Five-Factor Model of Personality in the Relationship between Job Demands/Resources and Work Engagement: An Online Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fukuzaki Toshiki , Iwata Noboru
Published: October 2024

When organizations or managers utilize personality assessments for their workers, it is crucial to consider not only personality profiles but also the interaction between these profiles and the psychosocial environmental factors in the workplace. The present study aimed to examine the moderating effects of the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits on the relationship between job demands/resources and work engagement (WE). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November and December 2022, targeting full-time workers in Japan. Data were collected from 1500 participants (757 men and 743 women). The survey included demographic variables, job demands and resources (job control, supervisor, and coworker support), WE, and the FFM. The primary statistical analysis was hierarchical regression analysis, which tested the interactions between job demands/resources and each personality trait. Four significant interactions were found: job demands and neuroticism, control and neuroticism, control and conscientiousness, and supervisor support and extraversion. High conscientiousness was associated with higher WE when job control was abundant. Moreover, low levels of both neuroticism and extraversion were linked to higher WE. The results suggest that managers can enhance WE by aligning workplace factors with employee personality traits. These insights can be applied to organizational staffing decisions.
The Perils of Perfection: Navigating the Ripple Effects of Organizational Perfectionism on Employee Misbehavior through Job Insecurity and the Buffering Role of AI Learning Self-Efficacy
Authors: Kim Byung-Jik , Oh Hyun-Joo , Kim Min-Jik , Lee Dong-gwi
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the complex interplay between organizationally prescribed perfectionism (OPP), job insecurity, counterproductive work behavior (CWB), and self-efficacy in learning artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of modern organizations. Based on several theories, the current research suggests and tests a moderated mediation model. Using a three-wave time-lagged design with data collected from 412 workers across various South Korean corporations, we examine how OPP influences CWB both directly and indirectly through job insecurity, and how self-efficacy in AI learning moderates the OPP–job insecurity link. Our results show that OPP is positively linked to CWB, and this association is partially mediated by job insecurity. Moreover, AI learning self-efficacy functions as a moderator in the OPP–job insecurity link, such that the positive link is weaker for members with higher levels of AI learning self-efficacy. These findings extend our understanding of perfectionism in organizational settings and highlight the role of technological self-efficacy in mitigating the negative impacts of perfectionist cultures. This research may contribute to the literature on perfectionism, CWB, and technological adaptation at work, and has important implications for managing high-performance cultures in the period of rapid technological advancement.
COVID-19 and University Students’ Well-Being: An Ecological and Multidimensional Perspective on Post-Pandemic Effects
Authors: Esposito Ciro , Agueli Barbara , Arcidiacono Caterina , Di Napoli Immacolata
Published: October 2024

In February 2020, the Italian government started to adopt measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. This emergency had a strong impact on people’s lives and daily activities, negatively affecting their well-being. One of the groups of people that suffered the most from the pandemic emergency and the related isolation was university students. Based on these considerations, this article analyzes the effects of COVID-19 on Italian students’ well-being during three periods: the first lockdown (March–April 2020), one year later (March–April 2021), and two years after the lockdowns (March–April 2022). Three samples comprising a total of 765 participants (M = 21 years, SD = 2.87) completed an online self-report questionnaire, which included the I COPPE scale (its short form), a tool that measures the perception of present and future well-being, both as an overall evaluation and its six specific domains: interpersonal, community, occupational, physical, psychological, and economic. The results indicated a general trend in the well-being levels of university students from the beginning of the pandemic to 2022. Compared to 2020, in 2021, there was a sharp decline in well-being, whereas in 2022, there was an increase in well-being levels. Practical implications, limitations, and future recommendations arising from the present study are extensively discussed.
Just-World Beliefs, System Justification, and Their Relationship with People’s Health-Related Well-Being: A Narrative Review
Authors: Silva Camilo , Pedrero Víctor , Barrientos Jaime , Manzi Jorge , Reynaldos Katiuska
Published: October 2024

Beliefs about a social system help people understand and evaluate their environment and are related to their behavior within a society. When people believe that they live in a just social system and develop positive attitudes about the social and political environment, they experience greater satisfaction and well-being. This phenomenon is known as a palliative effect. Two theoretical approaches that explain support for social and political systems are the beliefs in a just world and system justification approaches. The objective of this review was to analyze the literature published between 2019 and 2023 that addressed the associations of beliefs in a just world and system justification with health-related well-being. The search yielded 2064 potentially eligible articles, 26 of which were ultimately selected. The results showed that beliefs in a just world are associated with a more positive perception of the world and better health outcomes. In addition, people with a greater propensity to justify the system experience higher levels of health-related well-being. This positive association is consistently observed across different social groups and contexts. These findings support the phenomenon of palliative effects attributable to beliefs in a just world and system justification.
Conceptualizing Sleep Satisfaction: A Rapid Review
Authors: Protogerou Cleo , Gladwell Valerie Frances , Martin Colin R.
Published: October 2024

Good, satisfying, sleep is a key indicator and determinant of health and wellness. However, there is no consensus about how to define and measure good sleep. The present research aimed to define sleep satisfaction through the extant literature and disentangle it from sleep quality, a conceptually similar construct. Systematic review methods were adapted for a rapid review approach. The entire review was completed in eight weeks. Tabulation coding with content analysis was used to identify key categories and synthesize findings. A systematic process for generating construct definitions was followed. Database search yielded 51 eligible studies (N > 218,788), representing diverse adult populations, in 20 countries. Designs varied in rigour. Sleep satisfaction was defined as a personal, introspective, and global judgment about one’s feelings of contentment with one’s sleep, at a particular point in time. Sleep satisfaction was understood as an indicator of general health, impacted by and varied as a function of one’s sleep environment and individual-level characteristics. This rapid review contributes to the literature by providing the first systematically generated definition of sleep satisfaction, with strong implications for measurement, research, and practice.
The Impact of Online Pandemic-Related Information on Prosocial Behavior among Healthcare Students: The Role of Emotional Contagion and Epistemic Motivation
Authors: Zhou Shiyu , Chang Jing , Yang Yang , Han Yue , Liu Chang , Jiao Yuchen , Meng Yao , Ji Yan
Published: October 2024

Prosocial behavior is fundamental for healthcare students, shaped by their traits and the external environment. Online information seeking is the most commonly used way for healthcare students to access pandemics; however, it is unclear whether the willingness of healthcare students to help others will be affected by pandemic information via the Internet environment. The current study takes the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, investigating how 81 healthcare students with varying prosocial tendencies behaved helpfully after being exposed to pandemic-related pictures online. Study 1 measured the influence of emotional contagion (positive emotion/negative emotion) from online information on students’ prosocial behavior; Study 2 examined online information’s influence on prosocial behavior by controlling individuals’ epistemic motivation (goal-directed task/no-goal-directed task) to gain pandemic information. The results indicated that negative pandemic information was more likely to influence students with low prosocial tendencies, which would then lead to a decrease in prosocial actions (F = 7.842, p = 0.005). Further, students with low prosocial tendencies were more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when they did not aim goal-directed attention to the pandemic-related information, compared to those with goal-directed attention (F = 9.159, p = 0.003). Participants with high prosocial tendencies did not differ much in helping others (p > 0.05). The results indicated that only healthcare students with limited prosocial tendencies were less inclined to assist others after receiving negative information about the pandemic. Thus, reducing their deliberate approach to online information related to the pandemic will increase their chances of taking prosocial behavior.
Understanding Leadership from the Inside: Using Ethnographic Methods to Examine How the Interplay between Leaders, Followers, and Group Context Shapes Leadership Outcomes
Authors: Coleman James , Mallett Clifford J. , Steffens Niklas K. , Haslam S. Alexander
Published: October 2024

This paper outlines a novel method for leadership researchers and practitioners to understand how and why effective and ineffective leadership look different in different groups. Leadership is a complex and contextually dependent process influenced by the interplay between leaders, followers, the group, and their environment. The social identity approach to leadership describes how a group’s identity shapes the ways in which people can lead effectively. It also implies that (in)effective leadership looks different across diverse groups and teams. Accordingly, it follows that there is no single correct way to lead. To explore these ideas, we propose ethnographic methods, where researchers and practitioners immerse themselves in a group environment, as a novel type of method for examining leadership in action. We suggest the social identity approach as a framework to help guide researchers’ data collection and sense-making of leadership behaviours. Additionally, we explain that ethnographic data can be represented well through creative non-fiction stories that capture the context surrounding leadership behaviours. These stories could support leadership consultancy and development programs to demonstrate the complex interplay between leaders, followers, and the group context.
Dating Violence and the Quality of Relationships through Adolescence: A Longitudinal Latent Class Study
Authors: Viejo Carmen , Ortega-Ruiz Rosario , Sánchez-Zafra María
Published: October 2024

Dating violence can manifest itself in different ways, with important consequences for both members of the couple. Due to the normalization of certain behaviour and the perceived quality of the relationship, it may be difficult to identify this violent dynamic in its early stages, allowing it to escalate and lead to severe levels of violent behaviour. This study aims to analyse violent profiles using latent class analysis (LCA) and explore the role of relationship quality variables as risk factors for those profiles. A two-stage longitudinal design was used with a sample of 2849 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 18 years old. The LCA produced five different groups: those not involved in violence; those involved in mild forms of violence (with two sub-groups: those involved in psychological–sexual violence and in psychological–physical violence); and those involved in the most severe forms of violence, with a co-occurrence of psychological–physical–sexual violence (with two sub-groups, according to the higher of lower frequency of involvement). Despite the differences between boys and girls, negative-quality variables played a more important role in dating violence. Discussion of the results focuses on both the complex nature of the violence and the multi-probabilistic view of its development.
The Discursive Configuration of the Therapeutic Community for Substance Users: Positioning and Ethnopsychological Processes Concerning Entry
Authors: Iudici Antonio , Berardelli Tobia , Fenini Davide , Subissi Emiliano , Neri Jessica
Published: October 2024

Therapeutic communities face high drop-out rates and general distrust of their effectiveness among substance users. Actively involving users early in treatment promotes greater compliance with the treatment and is predictive of better outcomes. However, users often occupy a passive and subordinate role, exacerbated by the lack of research that explores their perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. This study examined the discourses of 57 consumers who were part of a community for less than 15 days, investigating the meanings attributed to service entry and treatment. A protocol of four written open-ended questions was employed and analysed through discourse analysis and positioning theory. The results indicate that participants configure the community as a place symbolically and spatially distinct from the rest of the world, where they isolate themselves to seek support during times of extreme difficulty. However, what they are seeking is a solution to acute distress caused by substance use, intertwined with social, economic, and relational issues. The concept of treatment is built on the image of the substance user as an individual making a weak request for help, attributing the problem solely to drugs and exhibiting reduced agency in addressing their issues. The collected texts provide a better understanding of the experiences of new users, highlighting the importance of co-constructing personalised projects that empower consumers to feel actively involved in their own change, exploring their theories and definitions of self to structure pathways based strictly on their needs.