Exploring how harming and helping behaviors drive prediction and explanation during anthropomorphism

Cacioppo and colleagues advanced the study of anthropomorphism by positing three motives that moderated the occurrence of this phenomenon; belonging, effectance, and explanation. Here, we further this literature by exploring the extent to which the valence of a target’s behavior influences its anthropomorphism when perceivers attempt to explain and predict that target’s behavior, and the involvement of brain regions associated with explanation and prediction in such anthropomorphism. Participants viewed videos of varying visually complex agents - geometric shapes, computer generated (CG) faces, and greebles - in nonrandom motion performing harming and helping behaviors. Across two studies, participants reported a narrative that explained the observed behavior (both studies) while we recorded brain activity (study one), and participants predicted future behavior of the protagonist shapes (study two). Brain regions implicated in prediction error (striatum), not language generation (inferior frontal gyrus; IFG) engaged more to harming than helping behaviors during the anthropomorphism of such stimuli. Behaviorally, we found greater anthropomorphism in explanations of harming rather than helping behaviors, but the opposite pattern when participants predicted the agents’ behavior. Together, these studies build upon the anthropomorphism literature by exploring how the valence of behavior drives explanation and prediction

Physical activity, approach-avoidance temperament and depressive symptoms

The goal was to assess the connections between vigorous physical activity (VPA), approach-avoidance temperament and depressive symptoms. Two studies were conducted. Study 1, correlational, to assess the mediating role of both dimensions of temperament, approach-avoidance contrast, between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Participants, 335 college students, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Depressive Symptoms Scale (DSS) and the Approach-Avoidance Temperament Questionnaire (Ap-AvTQ). Results showed that approach-avoidance contrast could be considered a potential mediator between VPA and depressive symptoms. The global model was significant, F(2, 351)=3.22, p<.001, R2=14.91%, R2 adjusted=14.42%, and the bootstrapped upper and lower limits did not contain zero with the lower limit at -.05 and the upper at -14, suggesting a connection between VPA and depressive symptoms mediated by the approach-avoidance contrast temperament. Study 2, longitudinal, to test if a physical activity program could produce changes in approach-avoidance contrast temperament, manipulating the depressive symptoms. A VPA program was conducted with 149 college students. Participants completed the DSS and the Ap-AvTQ. The true intraindividual change modeling technique, a more direct approach to modeling interindividual differences in intraindividual change without using a control group, showed that participants’ depressive symptoms were predicted through the mediation of the approach-avoidance contrast temperament (γ=-.36, p<.001). VPA was positively linked to the approach-avoidance contrast temperament that was negatively connected to depressive symptoms, and negatively linked to the approach-avoidance contrast temperament that was positively connected to depressive symptoms. It seems possible to influence depressive symptoms through approach-avoidance contrast temperament using VPA

Exploring the relationship between gene expression and topological properties of Arabidopsis thaliana interactome network.

The aim of this study is to integrate and link up transcriptomic data with biological networks approaches. The main objective was to determinate the correlation of transcriptomic profiles with PPI topology, seeking to demonstrate relational or structural patterns within the network internal organization

Kinetic characterization of digestive proteinases extracted from the processing waste of South Atlantic fish

In Argentina, the fishing industry is highly developed, producing large quantities of waste products from fish processing which contain digestive enzymes with potential biotechnological uses. Among these enzymes are proteinases that hydrolyze proteins and can convert them into functional ingredients. To use these value-added compounds in industrial processes, kinetic characterization of these proteinases under specific conditions, such as contact time, pH, and temperature, must first be carried out. The objective of the present work was to perform a kinetic characterization of crude extracts of alkaline proteinases from intestine-ceca of Merluccius hubbsi, Percophis brasiliensis, Urophycis brasiliensis, and Cynoscion guatucupa. Results showed that the reached maximum values of A440 depended on both the species analyzed and the initial concentration of azocasein. The maximum concentration of hydrolysis products obtained at long times was proportional to the initial concentration of the target protein. P. brasiliensis was the most suitable tested species to obtain high hydrolysis rates at high azocasein concentrations, and exhibited the highest proteinase activities, so it can be considered a candidate species for future biotechnological applications.Fil: Friedman, Ivana Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Contreras, Edgardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentin

Energy reserves mobilization: Strategies of three decapod species

In food deprivation assays, several different responses have been observed in crustaceans. However, studying energy reserves utilization among more than one species during the same starvation period has not yet been performed, particularly to discern whether the responses are due to intrinsic and/or environmental factors. We hypothesize that decapod species with similar feeding habits have the same strategies in the use of energetic reserves during starvation, even though they inhabit different environments. The aim of this study was to compare the energy reserves mobilization of three decapods species (Cherax quadricarinatus, Palaemon argentinus and Munida gregaria) with similar feeding habits, exposed to similar food deprivation conditions. The crayfish, shrimp and squat-lobster were experimentally kept at continuous feeding or continuous starvation throughout 15 days. Every 3rd day, the midgut gland index (MGI), and the glycogen, lipid and protein contents were measured in the midgut gland (MG) and pleon muscle. Palaemon argentinus mobilized more reserves during starvation, followed by C. quadricarinatus, and the last M. gregaria. The starved shrimps presented low MGI, whereas MG showed a reduction in glycogen (from day 6 to 15), lipid (from day 3 to 15), and protein levels (at day 9 and 15) while in their muscle, lipid reserves decreased at days 3 and 6. In C. quadricarinatus, the most affected parameters in the MG were MGI, glycogen (from day 6 to 15), and lipids (at day 12 and 15). In the MG of M. gregaria only the glycogen was reduced during fasting from 3 to 15 days. Even though the three studied species have similar feeding habitats, we found that their energetic profile utilization is different and it could be explained by the habitat, life span, temperature, organ/tissue, and metabolism of the species. Our results may be useful to understand the several different responses of crustaceans during starvation.Fil: Sacristán, Hernán Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Yamila Eliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Nair de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Laura Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Lovrich, Gustavo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Estudio Descriptivo del Consumo de Esteroides Anabólicos en la población que asiste a gimnasios de la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los esteroides anabólicos son sustancias sintéticas con efectos virilizantes y anabolizantes, además de múltiples efectos a nivel cardíaco, músculoesquelético, sexual, genital, hepático, renal y psicológico. Los principales consumidores son atletas con alta exigencia física con riesgo de abuso y adicción los mismos. OBJETIVOS: Conocer la prevalencia del consumo en la población que asiste a gimnasios de la ciudad de Corrientes, grupos etarios de mayor riesgo, motivos de consumo, fuentes de información para el mismo y efectos adversos de los mismos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Universo de 200 individuos masculinos entre 15 y 55 años que asistían regularmente a gimnasios de la ciudad de Corrientes a los que se les realizó encuestas anónimas con 14 preguntas cerradas analizando las variables: edad, vía de administración, anabólico consumido, razones para consumir, fuentes de información utilizadas y efectos adversos atribuidos a su uso. RESULTADOS: Prevalencia: 6,5 %. Rangos etarios: 15-19 años (31%), 20-24 años (23%), 25-29 años (15%), 30-34 años (8%), 35-39 años (8%), 45-49 años (15%). Anabólicos más consumidos: Dianabol (46%), Testosterona (23%), Nandrolona (23%) y Estazolol (8%). Fuentes de información: Internet (77%), entrenadores (69%), nutricionistas (23%), farmacéuticos (23%) y médicos (15%). Razones para el consumo: rendimiento físico (77%) y estética (54%). Efectos adversos: trastornos psicológicos (62%), acné y pérdida de cabello (46%), menor deseo sexual, (31%), mayor deseo sexual (15%), problemas de erección (8%). DISCUSIÓN: Se observa una clara prevalencia de consumo de esteroides anabólicos en la población, siendo los adolescentes el grupo de mayor riesgo donde el aspecto físico es un factor de alta influencia. CONCLUSION: El consumo de esteroides anabólicos es más notable en la población joven, donde su madurez psicológica tiene un rol importante. Estos, en su mayoría, obtienen información de medios poco fidedignos como Internet. Los trastornos psicológicos representan los efectos negativos más relevantes a corto plazo, ya que implican conductas inapropiadas. En conjunto, lo expuesto argumenta la necesidad del compromiso de la sociedad en general para la prevención y educación en el uso de esteroides anabólicos.INTRODUCTION: Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances with virilizing and anabolic effects and multiple effects on the heart, musculoskeletal, sexual, genital, hepatic, renal and psychological. The main consumers are highly physically demanding athletes at risk of abuse and addiction the same. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence in the population attending gyms in Corrientes city, the higher groups risk, consumer reasons, sources of information and adverse effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of 200 male individuals between 15 and 55 years who regularly attended gyms in Corrientes city were conducted with 14 closed questions analyzing the variables: age, way of administration, anabolic consumed, reasons for consuming, sources used and adverse effects attributed to its use. RESULTS: Prevalence: 6.5%. Age ranges: 15-19 years (31%), 20-24 years (23%), 25-29 years (15%), 30-34 years (8%), 35-39 years (8%), 45 - 49 years (15%). The more important anabolics consumed are: Dianabol (46%), Testosterone (23%), Nandrolone (23%) and Estazolol (8%). Sources of information: Internet (77%), coaches (69%), nutritionists (23%), pharmacists (23%) and doctors (15%). Reasons to consume: physical performance (77%) and esthetics (54%). Adverse effects: psychological disorders (62%), acne and hair loss (46%), decreased sexual desire (31%), increased sexual desire (15%), erection problems (8%). DISCUSSION: There is a clear prevalence of anabolic steroid use in the population, with adolescents at greatest risk where physical appearance is a highly influential factor. CONCLUSION: Young people are the most important consumer of anabolic steroids in this group , where psychological maturity has an important role. These group get information from media such as the Internet. Psychological disorders represent the most significant negative effects in the short term, just as involve inaproppiate conduct. The above information argues the society need to commitment for prevention and education in the use of anabolic steroids.Fil: Dominguez, Eliana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Pedro Nicolás. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Jose. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Gerometta, Rosana María del Rosario. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin