Fitting motivational content and process:A systematic investigation of fit between value-framing and self-regulation

Objective: Values are often phrased as ideals that people seek to approach, but they can also be conceptualized as counter-ideals that people seek to avoid. We aimed to test whether individuals endorse more strongly values that are framed in line with their predominant self-regulatory motivation, using individual difference scales in promotion/prevention (Higgins, 1997) and in behavioral approach/inhibition (Carver & White, 1994). To address this systematically, we developed approach- and avoidance-framed versions of the Portrait Value Questionnaire-RR (PVQ-RR; Schwartz et al., 2012). Method: Participants completed approach- and avoidance-framed PVQ-RR versions in two studies measuring regulatory focus or motivational orientation (together 414 U.S. adults, 48% female, ages 18-69) and one study manipulating motivational orientation (39 UK high school students, 79% female, ages 16-19). Results: Value framing consistently interacted with both self-regulation variables. However, a fit between self-regulation and value framing resulted in greater value endorsement only for promotion-focused and approach-oriented (not prevention-focused and avoidance-oriented) participants. This may be because values are more naturally understood as ideal states that people seek to approach. Conclusions: Our findings provide first insights into the psychological process of person-value framing fit affecting value endorsement. We discuss implications for cross-cultural value research and research on value-congruent behavior

Transseptal leftventricular endocardial pacing is an alternative technique in cardiac resynchronization therapy. One year experience in high volume center

Introduction. In patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), failure rate to implant the left ventricular (LV) lead by the traditional trans-venous approach is 4-8%. Surgical epicardial implantation is considered as an alternative, but this technique is not without morbidity. Evidence from case documentation and from small trial batches demonstrated the viability of endocardial LV lead implantation where surgical epicardial lead placement is not applicable

Role of C/EBPβ Transcription Factor in Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

[Background]: The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus is one of the regions in which neurogenesis takes place in the adult brain. We have previously demonstrated that CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is expressed in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus of the adult mouse hippocampus. Taking into account the important role of C/EBPβ in the consolidation of long term memory, the fact that newborn neurons in the hippocampus contribute to learning and memory processes, and the role of this transcription factor, previously demonstrated by our group, in regulating neuronal differentiation, we speculated that this transcription factor could regulate stem/progenitor cells in this region of the brain. [Methodologu/Principal Findings]: Here, we show, using C/EBPβ knockout mice, that C/EBPβ expression is observed in the subset of newborn cells that proliferate in the hippocampus of the adult brain. Mice lacking C/EBPβ present reduced survival of newborn cells in the hippocampus, a decrease in the number of these cells that differentiate into neurons and a diminished number of cells that are proliferating in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. These results were further confirmed in vitro. Neurosphere cultures from adult mice deficient in C/EBPβ present less proliferation and neuronal differentiation than neurospheres derived from wild type mice. [Conclusions/Significance]: In summary, using in vivo and in vitro strategies, we have identified C/EBPβ as a key player in the proliferation and survival of the new neurons produced in the adult mouse hippocampus. Our results support a novel role of C/EBPβ in the processes of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, providing new insights into the mechanisms that control neurogenesis in this region of the brain.This work was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (M.C.-C.) Grant Sponsor: Ministerio de Investigación y Ciencia; Grant numbers: SAF2007-62811 and SAF2010-16365. CIBERNED is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.Peer reviewe

Alterações metabólicas e complicações associadas à diabetes mellitus gestacional

INTRODUCTION: Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease resulting from glucose intolerance of varying degrees diagnosed during the gestational period, up to the third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnancy is characterized by several factors that make a diabetogenic state, as insulin and carbohydrate metabolism change in order to make glucose more accessible to the fetus. OBJECTIVE: to present, according to scientific literature, the main metabolic changes associated with gestational diabetes. METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative study, it refers to na integrative review of the literature, presenting a synthesis of the studies analyzed in full, organizing them for the elaboration of results regarding the established theme, being carried out in the month of August 2023. RESULTS: The main metabolic changes resulting from Gestational Diabetes are polyhydramnios, in 25% of cases, pyelonephritis and urinary infections, hypertensive syndromes, ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia and the risk of developing type 2 DM, in addition to vascular lesions in the retina and kidneys. These metabolic changes associated with hyperglycemia may lead to a greater risk of miscarriage for pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Therefore, due to the various changes present in the woman’s body during the gestational period, greater care is necessary for pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), so that the multidisciplinary team is ready to guide the care and treatments that this population needs, from blood glucose screening to care at the time of birth, avoiding possible metabolic complications and, in more serious cases, maternal-fetal death.INTRODUÇÃO: A Diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) é uma doença proveniente da intolerância à glicose de graus variáveis diagnosticada durante o período gestacional, até o terceiro trimestre da gravidez. A gravidez é caracterizada por vários fatores que fazem um estado diabetogênico, pois a insulina e o metabolismo de carboidratos se alteram a fim de tornar a glicose mais acessível para o feto. OBJETIVO: apresentar, de acordo com a literatura científica,  as principais alterações metabólicas associadas à diabetes gestacional. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, refere-se a uma revisão integrativa da literatura, apresentando uma síntese dos estudos analisados na íntegra, organizando-os para a elaboração dos resultados a respeito da temática estabelecida, sendo realizada no mês de agosto de 2023. RESULTADOS: As principais alterações metabólicas decorrentes da Diabetes Gestacional são a polidramnia, em 25% dos casos, a pielonefrite e as infecções urinárias,  as síndromes hipertensivas,  a cetoacidose, a hiperglicemia e o risco de desenvolvimento da DM tipo 2, além de lesões vasculares na retina e nos rins. Essas alterações metabólicas associadas à hiperglicemia podem acarretar um risco maior de abortamento para as gestantes. CONCLUSÃO: Portanto, devido às várias alterações presentes no corpo da mulher durante o período gestacional, torna-se necessário um cuidado maior com as gestantes portadoras da Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG), de forma que a equipe multiprofissional esteja pronta para orientar nos cuidados e tratamentos que esse público necessita, desde o rastreio da glicemia até os cuidados na hora do parto, evitando possíveis complicações metabólicas e em casos mais graves, o óbito materno-fetal

<<The>> estrogen receptor α is the key regulator of the bifunctional role of FoxO3a transcription factor in breast cancer motility and invasiveness

Dottorato di Ricerca in Biochimica Cellulare ed Attività dei Farmaci in Oncologia, XXVI Ciclo,a.a. 2012-2013The role of the Forkhead box class O (FoxO)3a transcription factor in breast cancer migration and invasion is controversial. Here we show that FoxO3a overexpression decreases motility, invasiveness, and anchorage-independent growth in estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) cancer cells while eliciting opposite effects in ERα-silenced cells and in ERα-negative (ERα−) cell lines, demonstrating that the nuclear receptor represents a crucial switch in FoxO3a control of breast cancer cell aggressiveness. In ERα+ cells, FoxO3a-mediated events were paralleled by a significant induction of Caveolin-1 (Cav1), an essential constituent of caveolae negatively associated to tumor invasion and metastasis. Cav1 induction occurs at the transcriptional level through FoxO3a binding to a Forkhead responsive core sequence located at position −305/−299 of the Cav1 promoter. 17β-estradiol (E2) strongly emphasized FoxO3a effects on cell migration and invasion, while ERα and Cav1 silencing were able to reverse them, demonstrating that both proteins are pivotal mediators of these FoxO3a controlled processes. In vivo, an immunohistochemical analysis on tissue sections from patients with ERα+ or ERα− invasive breast cancers or in situ ductal carcinoma showed that nuclear FoxO3a inversely (ERα+) or directly (ERα−) correlated with the invasive phenotype of breast tumors. In conclusion, FoxO3a role in breast cancer motility and invasion depends on ERα status, disclosing a novel aspect of the well-established FoxO3a/ERα interplay. Therefore FoxO3a might become a pursuable target to be suitably exploited in combination therapies either in ERα+ or ERα− breast tumors.Università della Calabri

The role of the halogen bond in iodothyronine deiodinase: Dependence on chalcogen substitution in naphthyl-based mimetics

The effects on the activity of thyroxine (T4) due to the chalcogen replacement in a series of peri-substituted naphthalenes mimicking the catalytic function of deiodinase enzymes are computationally examined using density functional theory. In particular, T4 inner-ring deiodination pathways assisted by naphthyl-based models bearing two tellurols and a tellurol-thiol pair in peri-position are explored and compared with the analogous energy profiles for the naphthalene mimic having two selenols. The presence of a halogen bond (XB) in the intermediate formed in the first step and involved in the rate-determining step of the reaction is assumed to facilitate the process increasing the rate of the reaction. The rate-determining step calculated energy barrier heights allow rationalizing the experimentally observed superior catalytic activity of tellurium containing mimics. Charge displacement analysis is used to ascertain the presence and the role of the electron density charge transfer occurring in the rate-determining step of the reaction, suggesting the incipient formation or presence of a XB interaction

Selective Emergence of the Halogen Bond in Ground and Excited States of Noble-Gas–Chlorine Systems

Molecular-beam scattering experiments and theoretical calculations prove the nature, strength, and selectivity of the halogen bonds (XB) in the interaction of halogen molecules with the series of noble gas (Ng) atoms. The XB, accompanied by charge transfer from the Ng to the halogen, is shown to take place in, and measurably stabilize, the collinear conformation of the adducts, which thus becomes (in contrast to what happens for other Ng-molecule systems) approximately as bound as the T-shaped form. It is also shown how and why XB is inhibited when the halogen molecule is in the 3 Π u excited state. A general potential formulation fitting the experimental observables, based on few physically essential parameters, is proposed to describe the interaction accurately and is validated by ab initio computations

Front Cover: σ‐Electrons Responsible for Cooperativity and Ring Equalization in Hydrogen‐Bonded Supramolecular Polymers

The cover picture shows σ-electrons, which by traveling through the chain, strengthen the hydrogen bonds in squaramide linear chains. This increasing gain in stability becomes more pronounced when the chain elongates and originates from the donor–acceptor charge transfer interaction within the σ-electronic system. As the charge flows from one end of the chain towards the other, it amplifies the charge separation across the chain, resulting in a stronger hydrogen bond with the new incoming monomer. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Célia Fonseca Guerra, and co-workers