The feeling of anger: From brain networks to linguistic expressions.

This review of the neuroscience of anger is part of The Human Affectome Project, where we attempt to map anger and its components (i.e., physiological, cognitive, experiential) to the neuroscience literature (i.e., genetic markers, functional imaging of human brain networks) and to linguistic expressions used to describe anger feelings. Given the ubiquity of anger in both its normative and chronic states, specific language is used in humans to express states of anger. Following a review of the neuroscience literature, we explore the language that is used to convey angry feelings, as well as metaphors reflecting inner states of anger experience. We then discuss whether these linguistic expressions can be mapped on to the neural circuits during anger experience and to distinct components of anger. We also identify relationships between anger components, brain networks, and other affective research relevant to motivational states of dominance and basic needs for safety

Allele-specific miRNA-binding analysis identifies candidate target genes for breast cancer risk

Most breast cancer (BC) risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (raSNPs) identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are believed to cis-regulate the expression of genes. We hypothesise that cis-regulatory variants contributing to disease risk may be affecting microRNA (miRNA) genes and/or miRNA binding. To test this, we adapted two miRNA-binding prediction algorithms-TargetScan and miRanda-to perform allele-specific queries, and integrated differential allelic expression (DAE) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data, to query 150 genome-wide significant ( P≤5×10-8 ) raSNPs, plus proxies. We found that no raSNP mapped to a miRNA gene, suggesting that altered miRNA targeting is an unlikely mechanism involved in BC risk. Also, 11.5% (6 out of 52) raSNPs located in 3'-untranslated regions of putative miRNA target genes were predicted to alter miRNA::mRNA (messenger RNA) pair binding stability in five candidate target genes. Of these, we propose RNF115, at locus 1q21.1, as a strong novel target gene associated with BC risk, and reinforce the role of miRNA-mediated cis-regulation at locus 19p13.11. We believe that integrating allele-specific querying in miRNA-binding prediction, and data supporting cis-regulation of expression, improves the identification of candidate target genes in BC risk, as well as in other common cancers and complex diseases.Funding Agency Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology CRESC ALGARVE 2020 European Union (EU) 303745 Maratona da Saude Award DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0042 SFRH/BPD/99502/2014 CBMR-UID/BIM/04773/2013 POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spontaneous neural synchrony links intrinsic spinal sensory and motor networks during unconsciousness

Non-random functional connectivity during unconsciousness is a defining feature of supraspinal networks. However, its generalizability to intrinsic spinal networks remains incompletely understood. Previously, Barry et al., 2014 used fMRI to reveal bilateral resting state functional connectivity within sensory-dominant and, separately, motor-dominant regions of the spinal cord. Here, we record spike trains from large populations of spinal interneurons in vivo in rats and demonstrate that spontaneous functional connectivity also links sensory- and motor-dominant regions during unconsciousness. The spatiotemporal patterns of connectivity could not be explained by latent afferent activity or by populations of interconnected neurons spiking randomly. We also document connection latencies compatible with mono- and disynaptic interactions and putative excitatory and inhibitory connections. The observed activity is consistent with the hypothesis that salient, experience-dependent patterns of neural transmission introduced during behavior or by injury/disease are reactivated during unconsciousness. Such a spinal replay mechanism could shape circuit-level connectivity and ultimately behavior

EFETIVIDADE DA INTERVENÇÃO EDUCACIONAL DIGICARE NA MELHORIA DAS HABILIDADES DE COACHING CLÍNICO DE ESTUDANTES DE ENFERMAGEM E MEDICINA NO VIETNAME E BANGLADESH: UM PRÉ- E PÓS-ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Coaching has become an important approach to support self-management of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in healthcare education. Studies conducted in European countries have emphasized the significance of formal coaching training in enhancing the competencies of healthcare students. However, in Southeast Asia, where NCDs pose a serious public health concern, there is a lack of such training opportunities. To address this issue, an exploratory pre and post study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the DigiCare educational intervention in improving clinical coaching skills. Nursing and medical students from six universities in Vietnam and Bangladesh were invited to participate. The intervention included both theoretical and practical classes with interactive methods and home assignments, with a total duration of over 10 contact hours. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the Self-Efficacy and Performance in Self-management Support instrument, which was translated and culturally adapted to both countries. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in students’ overall competence scores from before (M = 2.6, SD = .67) to after the intervention (M = 3.05, SD = .55), with a medium effect size (p < .001; d = .73). The DigiCare educational intervention appears to be a low-cost and meaningful addition to the curriculum of both nursing and medical universities across countries, with potential benefits in the development of students’ clinical coaching competencies.O coaching tornou-se uma abordagem importante para apoiar a autogestão de pacientes com doenças não transmissíveis (DNTs) na educação em saúde. Estudos realizados em países europeus têm enfatizado a importância do treinamento formal em coaching para aprimorar as competências dos estudantes de saúde. No entanto, no Sudeste Asiático, onde as DNTs representam uma séria preocupação de saúde pública, há uma falta de oportunidades de treinamento nesse sentido. Para abordar essa questão, foi conduzido um pré- e pós-estudo exploratório para avaliar a eficácia da intervenção educacional DigiCare na melhoria das habilidades de coaching clínico. Estudantes de enfermagem e medicina de seis universidades no Vietname e em Bangladesh foram convidados a participar. A intervenção incluiu aulas teóricas e práticas com métodos interativos e tarefas domiciliares, totalizando mais de 10 horas de contato. Avaliações pré e pós-intervenção foram conduzidas utilizando o instrumento de Autoeficácia e Desempenho no Suporte à Autogestão, que foi traduzido e adaptado culturalmente para ambos os países. Análises estatísticas mostraram uma melhoria significativa nas pontuações gerais de competência dos estudantes, de antes (M = 2,6, DP = 0,67) para depois da intervenção (M = 3,05, DP = 0,55), com um efeito médio (p < 0,001; d = 0,73). A intervenção educacional DigiCare parece ser uma adição de baixo custo e significativa para o currículo de universidades de enfermagem e medicina em diferentes países, com benefícios potenciais no desenvolvimento das competências clínicas de coaching dos estudantes

ADAPTAÇÃO CULTURAL E VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO QUESTIONÁRIO SELF EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE IN SELF-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (SEPSS) EM ESTUDANTES DE GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM E MEDICINA DE BANGLADESH

In an aging society, healthcare professionals and students face increasing demands to actively involve patients in the decision-making process regarding their health conditions and lifestyles. Self-management support is considered a best practice that aligns with the patient-centered care paradigm in Bangladesh. However, there is currently no instrument available to assess healthcare professionals’ competencies in this field, particularly during their early education and training period. The aim of this study was to translate the Self Efficiency and Performance in Self-management Support (SEPSS) instrument into Bangla and validate its psychometric properties in a sample of undergraduate healthcare students in Bangladeshi higher education institutions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and cultural appropriateness of the Bangla version of SEPSS-36 among 486 nursing and medical students. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using the chi-square model fit index (CMIN), comparative fit index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) as fit indices. The internal consistency was estimated by the Cronbach alpha coefficient. The results indicate that the CMIN (2.658) and RMSEA (.058) values suggest that the sample data and hypothetical model are an acceptable fit in the analysis, with satisfactory CFI values (.895). The reliability for all SEPSS dimensions was acceptable. The Bangla version of the SEPSS questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that can assist healthcare educators and researchers in determining students’ competencies within this domain.Numa sociedade envelhecida, os profissionais de saúde e os estudantes enfrentam exigências cada vez maiores para envolver ativamente os pacientes no processo de tomada de decisão em relação às suas condições de saúde e estilos de vida. O apoio à autogestão é considerado uma prática recomendada que está alinhada com o paradigma de cuidados centrados no paciente em Bangladesh. No entanto, atualmente não existe um instrumento disponível para avaliar as competências dos profissionais de saúde nesse campo, especialmente durante o período inicial de educação e formação. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir o instrumento Self Efficiency and Performance in Self-management Support (SEPSS) para o bengali e validar as suas propriedades psicométricas numa amostra de estudantes de saúde de graduação em instituições de ensino superior de Bangladesh. Foi realizado um estudo transversal para avaliar a confiabilidade, validade e adequação cultural da versão em bengali do SEPSS-36 entre 486 estudantes de enfermagem e medicina. A análise fatorial confirmatória foi conduzida utilizando o índice de ajustamento do modelo qui-quadrado (CMIN), o índice de ajustamento comparativo (CFI) e o erro quadrado médio de aproximação (RMSEA) como índices de ajustamento. A consistência interna foi estimada pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Os resultados indicam que os valores de CMIN (2,658) e RMSEA (0,058) sugerem que os dados da amostra e o modelo hipotético têm um ajustamento aceitável na análise, com valores de CFI satisfatórios (0,895). A confiabilidade de todas as dimensões do SEPSS foi aceitável. A versão em bengali do questionário SEPSS é um instrumento válido e fiável que pode ajudar os educadores e investigadores em saúde a determinar as competências dos estudantes nesta área

COMO É QUE OS ESTUDANTES DE ENFERMAGEM PERCEBEM A TECNOLOGIA EM SAÚDE? UM ESTUDO DE VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO USABILITY EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE NO VIETNAME

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the role of nurses and nursing students in patient care, making it an integral component of healthcare delivery. The use of innovative technologies has become commonplace in healthcare settings, creating a high-tech environment that can enhance nursing care quality and patient experience. It is essential for nursing staff and students to be receptive to incorporating such tools into their practice to ensure safe and efficient use of various forms of healthcare technology. Objective: Given the absence of an existing tool in Vietnam to evaluate healthcare students’ technology acceptance, the aim of our research was to culturally adapt, translate, and validate the Usability Evaluation Questionnaire (UtEQ) among nursing students in Vietnam. Method: We conducted a methodological and cross-sectional study in two phases: translation of the UtEQ to Vietnamese (UtEQ-V) following six stages proposed by Beaton and collaborators, and assessment of its psychometric properties in a non-probability sample of 295 Vietnamese nursing students. Results: The UtEQ-V’s reliability was found to be above 0.8 for all factors (.88–.95), while confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate goodness-of-fit indicators. Conclusion: The UtEQ-V is a reliable and valid instrument that can support nursing educators and researchers to assess students’ technology acceptance during their clinical training.O rápido avanço da tecnologia transformou o papel das enfermeiras e dos estudantes de enfermagem nos cuidados aos pacientes, tornando-o um componente integral da prestação de cuidados de saúde. O uso de tecnologias inovadoras tornou-se comum nos contextos de saúde, criando um ambiente de alta tecnologia que pode melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados de enfermagem e a experiência do paciente. É essencial que a equipa de enfermagem e os estudantes estejam recetivos à incorporação de tais ferramentas na sua prática, a fim de garantir o uso seguro e eficiente de várias formas de tecnologia de saúde. Objetivo: Dada a inexistência de uma ferramenta existente no Vietname para avaliar a aceitação da tecnologia por parte dos estudantes de saúde, o objetivo da nossa investigação foi adaptar culturalmente, traduzir e validar o Questionário de Avaliação da Usabilidade (UtEQ) entre estudantes de enfermagem no Vietname. Método: Realizámos um estudo metodológico e transversal em duas fases: tradução do UtEQ para vietnamita (UtEQ-V) seguindo as seis etapas propostas por Beaton e colaboradores e avaliação das suas propriedades psicométricas numa amostra não probabilística de 295 estudantes de enfermagem vietnamitas. Resultados: A fiabilidade do UtEQ-V revelou-se superior a 0,8 para todos os fatores (.88–.95), enquanto a análise fatorial confirmatória apresentou indicadores adequados de ajustamento. Conclusão: O UtEQ-V é um instrumento fiável e válido que pode apoiar os educadores e os investigadores de enfermagem na avaliação da aceitação da tecnologia pelos estudantes durante o seu treino clínico

Electrical fingerprint of the amygdala guides neurofeedback training for stress resilience

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) has revived the translational perspective of neurofeedback (NF)1. Particularly for stress management, targeting deeply located limbic areas involved in stress processing2 has paved new paths for brain-guided interventions. However, the high cost and immobility of fMRI constitute a challenging drawback for the scalability (accessibility and cost-effectiveness) of the approach, particularly for clinical purposes3. The current study aimed to overcome the limited applicability of rt-fMRI by using an electroencephalography (EEG) model endowed with improved spatial resolution, derived from simultaneous EEG–fMRI, to target amygdala activity (termed amygdala electrical fingerprint (Amyg-EFP))4,5,6. Healthy individuals (n = 180) undergoing a stressful military training programme were randomly assigned to six Amyg-EFP-NF sessions or one of two controls (control-EEG-NF or NoNF), taking place at the military training base. The results demonstrated specificity of NF learning to the targeted Amyg-EFP signal, which led to reduced alexithymia and faster emotional Stroop, indicating better stress coping following Amyg-EFP-NF relative to controls. Neural target engagement was demonstrated in a follow-up fMRI-NF, showing greater amygdala blood-oxygen-level-dependent downregulation and amygdala–ventromedial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity following Amyg-EFP-NF relative to NoNF. Together, these results demonstrate limbic specificity and efficacy of Amyg-EFP-NF during a stressful period, pointing to a scalable non-pharmacological yet neuroscience-based training to prevent stress-induced psychopathology

COMO É QUE OS ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA E ENFERMAGEM VEEM A TECNOLOGIA DE SAÚDE? UM ESTUDO DE VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO QUESTIONÁRIO DE AVALIAÇÃO DE USABILIDADE EM BANGLADESH

The modernization of healthcare delivery is a reality in various international settings. To ensure efficient and safe use of the diverse forms of healthcare technology available, professionals and students must be receptive to incorporating such tools into their practice. Currently, there is no instrument in Bangladesh to assess healthcare students’ technology acceptance. Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Usability Evaluation Questionnaire (UtEQ) among Bangladeshi healthcare students. Method: A cross-sectional study with a methodological approach was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved the translation of the UtEQ questionnaire to Bengali, following the six stages proposed by Beaton et al. In the second phase, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated using a non-probability sample of 486 undergraduate healthcare students from three higher education institutions in Bangladesh. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was estimated to find out the internal consistency. Results: Internal consistency was found to be excellent for all scale dimensions, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92, while confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate goodness-of-fit indicators. Conclusion: The UtEQ-B provides a reliable and valid method for healthcare educators and researchers to assess technology acceptance among healthcare students during clinical training in Bangladesh.A modernização da prestação de cuidados de saúde é uma realidade em vários contextos internacionais. Para garantir a utilização eficiente e segura das diversas formas de tecnologia em saúde disponíveis, os profissionais e estudantes devem estar receptivos à incorporação dessas ferramentas na sua prática. Atualmente, não existe em Bangladesh um instrumento para avaliar a aceitação da tecnologia pelos estudantes de saúde. Objetivo: Traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e validar o Questionário de Avaliação da Usabilidade (UtEQ) entre estudantes de saúde de Bangladesh. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma abordagem metodológica em duas fases. A primeira fase envolveu a tradução do questionário UtEQ para bengali, seguindo as seis etapas propostas por Beaton et al. Na segunda fase, foram avaliadas as propriedades psicométricas do questionário usando uma amostra não probabilística de 486 estudantes de graduação em saúde de três instituições de ensino superior em Bangladesh. Foi realizada uma análise fatorial confirmatória e estimou-se o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para verificar a consistência interna. Resultados: Foi encontrada uma consistência interna excelente para todas as dimensões da escala, variando de 0,88 a 0,92, enquanto a análise fatorial confirmatória mostrou indicadores adequados de ajuste. Conclusão: O UtEQ-B fornece um método confiável e válido para educadores e pesquisadores em saúde avaliarem a aceitação da tecnologia entre estudantes de saúde durante o treinamento clínico em Bangladesh

A checklist for assessing the methodological quality of concurrent tES-fMRI studies (ContES checklist): a consensus study and statement

Background: Low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including alternating or direct current stimulation (tACS or tDCS), applies weak electrical stimulation to modulate the activity of brain circuits. Integration of tES with concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows for the mapping of neural activity during neuromodulation, supporting causal studies of both brain function and tES effects. Methodological aspects of tES-fMRI studies underpin the results, and reporting them in appropriate detail is required for reproducibility and interpretability. Despite the growing number of published reports, there are no consensus-based checklists for disclosing methodological details of concurrent tES-fMRI studies. Objective: To develop a consensus-based checklist of reporting standards for concurrent tES-fMRI studies to support methodological rigor, transparency, and reproducibility (ContES Checklist). Methods: A two-phase Delphi consensus process was conducted by a steering committee (SC) of 13 members and 49 expert panelists (EP) through the International Network of the tES-fMRI (INTF) Consortium. The process began with a circulation of a preliminary checklist of essential items and additional recommendations, developed by the SC based on a systematic review of 57 concurrent tES-fMRI studies. Contributors were then invited to suggest revisions or additions to the initial checklist. After the revision phase, contributors rated the importance of the 17 essential items and 42 additional recommendations in the final checklist. The state of methodological transparency within the 57 reviewed concurrent tES-fMRI studies was then assessed using the checklist. Results: Experts refined the checklist through the revision and rating phases, leading to a checklist with three categories of essential items and additional recommendations: (1) technological factors, (2) safety and noise tests, and (3) methodological factors. The level of reporting of checklist items varied among the 57 concurrent tES-fMRI papers, ranging from 24% to 76%. On average, 53% of checklist items were reported in a given article. Conclusions: Use of the ContES checklist is expected to enhance the methodological reporting quality of future concurrent tES-fMRI studies, and increase methodological transparency and reproducibility