Variants of Emotional Expressivity & Complexity Across Cultural Groups

Emotions are largely considered to be universal, suggesting that their expression should be similar across cultural groups (Ekman, 1972; Ekman et al., 1987). However, some studies indicate that variability exists in the way emotions are expressed, perceived, and rated across differing racial and ethnic groups (Matsumoto & Ekman, 1989). These differences may occur as a result of differing customs and beliefs regarding culture and group identity. While previous research has compared differences in emotional experiences between White and Asian samples, few studies have looked at these differences by comparing other racial and ethnic groups. The current study extends previous work by using a sample of 434 participants stratified by race and ethnicity (i.e., 25% identifying as Hispanic, Black, Asian, White). These participants completed self-report questionnaires that assess emotional experiences and regulation, in addition to questions about cultural identity and beliefs. Significant differences regarding the experiences and regulation of emotion were found between the aforementioned groups. Moreover, indices of cultural identity and beliefs were found to differentially relate to emotional experiences and regulation among the racial and ethnic subsamples. These findings suggest the need for considering cultural factors in research on emotional experiences and regulation

Cognitive outcome and gamma noise power unrelated to neuregulin 1 and 3 variation in schizophrenia

Background Neuregulins are a family of signalling proteins that orchestrate a broad range of cellular responses. Four genes encoding Neuregulins 1–4 have been identified so far in vertebrates. Among them, Neuregulin 1 and Neuregulin 3 have been reported to contribute to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia. We hypothesized that three specific variants of these genes (rs6994992 and rs3924999 for Neuregulin 1 and rs10748842 for Neuregulin 3) that have been related to this illness may modify information processing capacity in the cortex, which would be reflected in electrophysiological parameters (P3b amplitude or gamma noise power) and/or cognitive performance. Methods We obtained DNA from 31 patients with schizophrenia and 23 healthy controls and analyzed NRG1 rs6994992, NRG1 rs3924999 and NRG3 rs10748842 promoter polymorphisms by allelic discrimination with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We compared cognitive outcome, P300 amplitude parameters and an electroencephalographic measure of noise power in the gamma band between the groups dichotomized according to genotype. Results Contrary to our hypothesis, we could not detect any significant influence of variation in Neuregulin 1/Neuregulin 3 polymorphisms on cognitive performance or electrophysiological parameters of patients with schizophrenia. Conclusions Despite our findings, we cannot discard that other genetic variants and, more likely, interactions between those variants and with genetic variation related to different pathways may still influence cerebral processing in schizophrenia

The Effect of Principal Leadership Styles on Job Satisfaction Among School Administrators

The general objective of this research was to find out the significant relationship between principal leadership styles and job satisfaction among school administrators of Trento District, Division of Agusan del Sur. The study used descriptive correlational research design. The data gathering tools were adopted from Atif Saleem Sarfraz Aslam Hong-biao Yin and Congman Rao and Lester questionnaires and were administered through purposive sampling technique among teachers and universal sampling technique for school administrators. Weighted mean and Pearson r were used as statistical tool to obtain the result. The results showed that the level of principal leadership styles was high which means oftentimes manifested. In addition, the level of job satisfaction was high which means oftentimes evident. It was found out that there was a significant relationship between principal leadership styles and job satisfaction. The overall r-value obtained 0.3 which explicitly shows that there is a weak positive correlation manifested from the related indicators. From this study, as the level of principal leadership style increases, the job satisfaction also increases and vice versa

MIR449A (microRNA 449a)

Review on MIR449A (microRNA 449a), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Global proteomic analysis of prenylated proteins in Plasmodium falciparum using an alkyne-modified isoprenoid analogue

Severe malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum infection remains a serious threat to health worldwide and new therapeutic targets are highly desirable. Small molecule inhibitors of prenyl transferases, enzymes that catalyze the post-translational isoprenyl modifications of proteins, exhibit potent antimalarial activity. The antimalarial actions of prenyltransferase inhibitors indicate that protein prenylation is required for malaria parasite development. In this study, we used a chemical biology strategy to experimentally characterize the entire complement of prenylated proteins in the human malaria parasite. In contrast to the expansive mammalian and fungal prenylomes, we find that P. falciparum possesses a restricted set of prenylated proteins. The prenylome of P. falciparum is dominated by Rab GTPases, in addition to a small number of prenylated proteins that also appear to function primarily in membrane trafficking. Overall, we found robust experimental evidence for a total of only thirteen prenylated proteins in P. falciparum, with suggestive evidence for an additional two probable prenyltransferase substrates. Our work contributes to an increasingly complete picture of essential, post-translational hydrophobic modifications in blood-stage P. falciparum

Examining the Neural Activity of Self-Monitoring Using fNIRS

In social psychology, self-monitoring refers to the way in which individuals regulate the manner in which they present themselves to others. High self-monitors are those who are driven to fit in, and strategically adapt their presentation of self to cultivate a specific image of themselves. Low self-monitors are driven more by their personal values and are less likely to adjust their behaviors situationally. One component of self-monitoring is emotional regulation, where high self-monitors are more adept at regulating the presentation of their emotions, (e.g. concealing and faking them), than low self-monitors. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to study how brain activation differs in high and low self-monitors in a self-monitoring task. fNIRS uses two wavelengths of near-infrared light to measure cortical activity by detecting levels of oxygenated hemoglobin. Participants were asked to fill out a self-monitoring questionnaire to determine whether they are high or low self-monitors. Then, while monitoring neural activity with fNIRS, participants viewed a series of positive, neutral, and negative images while completing one of three self-monitoring tasks: inhibiting facial expressions, producing a facial expression consistent with the emotion elicited by the image, and producing an expression inconsistent with the emotion elicited by the image. High self-monitors, being more skilled at emotional regulation, are expected to have an easier time inhibiting facial expressions and producing inconsistent facial expressions in comparison to low self-monitors. We hope to determine the regions of the brain involved with self-monitoring, and to detect any differences between high and low self-monitors while performing this self-monitoring task

Cyrhetrenylaniline and new organometallic phenylimines derived from 4- and 5-nitrothiophene: Synthesis, characterization, X-Ray structures, electrochemistry and in vitro anti-T. brucei activity

A novel series of cyrhetrenyl (3a-4a) and ferrocenyl (3b-4b) Schiff bases were synthesized through a condensation reaction, between the known 4-ferrocenylaniline (2b) or the unreported 4-cyhretrenylaniline (2a) with 4- or 5-nitrothiophenecarboxaldehyde. The structure of 2a and the new Schiff bases have been elucidated using conventional spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR), mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of compounds 2a, 4a and 3b. Cyclic voltammetry of organometallic phenylimines derived from 5-nitrothiophene showed NO2 group reduction potentials (E1/2z 0.575 V) that were more anodic than those registered for their 4-nitro analogues (E1/2z 0.981 V). All organometallic imines were tested against the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei. Evaluation indicated that the most active complexes are the 5-nitrothiophene derivatives, 4a, which were remarkably more active than nifurtimox. In addition, complex 4b resulted in less toxicity to host L6 cells than nifurtimox. The results revealed that the electronic effects of cyrhetrene and ferrocene are not an influential factor in E1/2 and anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity for these new imines, which is probably due to the non-coplanarity of the [(h5-C5H4)-C6H4-N=CH-(C4H2S)] system

Risk factors for adverse events induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer:a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This study aimed to identify risk factors for all types of irAEs induced by ICIs in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by systematic review and meta-analyses. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science by two independent reviewers. Studies were selected that included patients with NSCLC and evaluated characteristics of patients with and without irAEs induced by ICIs. Quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were assessed. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for risk factors of developing all type of irAEs, and separately for pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease and severe irAEs. With the objective of exploring sources of heterogeneity, stratified analyses were performed by quality and region. RESULTS: 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, the data of 6696 patients were pooled. 33 different risk factors for irAEs were reported. irAEs of interest were reported for 1653 (25%) of the patients. Risk factors related to the development of irAEs were: C-reactive protein, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), use of PD-1 inhibitor, high PD-L1 expression, an active or former smoking status, ground glass attenuation, and a better treatment response. CONCLUSION: The identified risk factors for the development of these irAEs are mostly related to the alteration of the immune system, proinflammatory states and loss of immunological self-tolerance. Patients identified as having a higher risk for irAEs should be monitored more closely

Quality of life after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors for lung cancer:the impact of age

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized lung cancer treatment. However, it remains unclear as to whether changes in Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) are associated with the age of lung cancer patients treated using ICIs. This study aimed to evaluate this possible association and to compare ICI-treated patients’ HRQoL scores with normative data of an age-matched non-cancer general population.Methods: Lung cancer patients from the OncoLifeS data-biobank were included if they were treated with ICIs, irrespective of other treatments, at the University Medical Center Groningen between 2015 and 2021 and had completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTCQLQ-C30), both at the start of ICI treatment and after six months. Association of age as a continuous variable (per 10 years) and changes in HRQoL scores between baseline and 6 months was assessed using multivariable regression analyses. Clinical relevance of differences in HRQoL scores between OncoLifeS and the general population was classified into trivial, small, medium, and large, for three age groups (&lt;60, 60–69 and ≥ 70 years).Results: 151 patients were included with a mean age of 65.8 years. An increase in age per 10 years was associated with a larger decrease in the summary HRQoL score(β = -3.28,CI95%-6.42;-0.14), physical(β = -4.8, CI95% −8.71;-0.88), cognitive(β = −4.51,CI95%-8.24;−0.78), role functioning(β = −5.41,CI95%-10.78;−0.05), symptom burden(β = −3.66,CI95%-6.6;-0.73), and smaller negative changes in financial difficulties(β = 6.5 95 % CI 3.16; 9.85). OncoLifeS HRQoL scores were lower than those of the general population and differences were most often classified as large and medium.Conclusion: Older lung cancer patients experience larger deteriorations in most HRQoL domains after 6 months of ICI treatment. Also, these patients showed significantly lower HRQoL scores compared to the general population.</p

Molecular analysis of sonic hedgehog (shh) in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate in chilean Case-parent trios

ABSTRACT: La identificación de desigualdades en salud es un paso hacia el análisis de inequidades, tema que preocupa a diversos actores relacionados con la salud bucal. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en identificar la distribución de los indicadores de experiencia de caries dental por superficies en la primera infancia. Métodos: estudio descriptivo a partir de los datos obtenidos en el estudio de línea de base de indicadores de salud en 623 niños y niñas menores de seis años de edad del municipio de Andes (Antioquia) en 2015. La presencia y severidad de las lesiones de caries dental se registró según el Sistema Internacional para la Detección y Evaluación de Caries (ICDAS). Se calcularon los índices de superficies cariadas, obturadas y perdidas por caries dental (cICDAS5-6 ops y cICDAS1-6 ops), las curvas de Lorenz y los coeficientes de Gini para las frecuencias acumuladas de ambos indicadores. Resultados: se encontró un c ICDAS5-6 ops promedio de 3,3 ± 7,4, así: 3,5 ± 8,0 en la zona rural y 2,7 ± 5,7 en la urbana. El promedio del c ICDAS1-6 ops fue 14,3 ± 15,1, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas por zona de residencia: 15,7 ± 15,8 en la rural y 11,3 ± 12,8 en la urbana. El análisis de la curva de Lorenz mostró desigualdad en la distribución de la experiencia de caries. Los coeficientes de Gini fueron 0,412 para el cICDAS5-6 ops y 0,284 para el cICDAS1-6 ops. Conclusión: los análisis evidencian una distribución sesgada de la caries dental en los niños y niñas menores de seis años, y una mayor desigualdad en los indicadores de experiencia de caries dental en su forma severa en el municipio de Andes.ABSTRACT: Introduction: identifying inequalities in health is a step towards inequity analysis, a topic that concerns various oral health stakeholders. The aim of the present study was to identify the distribution of indicators of early childhood caries experience. Methods: descriptive study based on data obtained from the baseline study on health indicators in 623 children under six years of age from the municipality of Andes (Antioquia) in 2015. The presence and severity of dental caries lesions were recorded following the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), calculating the indexes of decayed, missing, and filled surfaces due to caries (dICDAS5-6mfs and dICDAS1-6 mfs), as well as Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients for the accumulated frequencies of both indicators. Results: an average dICDAS5-6 mfs of 3.3 ± 7.4 was found as follows: 3.5 ± 8.0 in the rural area and 2.7 ± 5.7 in the urban area. The average dICDAS1-6 mfs was 14.3 ± 15.1, with statistically significant differences by area of residence: 15.7 ± 15.8 in the rural area and 11.3 ± 12.8 in the urban area. The analysis with Lorenz curves showed inequality in distribution of caries experience. The Gini coefficients were 0.412 for d ICDAS5-6mfs and 0.284 for dICDAS1-6mfs. Conclusion: the analyses show a skewed distribution of dental caries in children under the age of six, and a greater inequality in terms of indicators of dental caries experience in its severe form in the municipality of Andes."Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) is one of the most common congenital malformations not only in Chile but also worldwide. It has a multifactorial inheritance pattern with interaction of several genes and the environment. Several experimental studies have proven the participation of Sonic hedgedhog (Shh) in the migration process of cells from the neural crest, in the epithelium-mesenchyme transformation, and in the formation of middle craniofacial structures during embryo development; an association between Shh variants and NSCLP is probable. Methods: the goal of this study was to evaluate both exonic and intronic regions adjacent to Shh, in a sample of 150 case-parent trios in order to find possible associations with NSCLP. The PCR-RFLP method was used to determine the presence of heteroduplex. Afterwards, the Conformation Sensitive Gel Electrophoresis (CSGE) technique was used to visualize DNA distortion at the heteroduplexes. As an alternative method, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed in order to determine NSCLP-Shh associations, by means of these SNPs: rs1233555 and rs1233556, located at the first Shh intron. Results: no heteroduplexes were found in any of the analyzed Shh segments in 150 trios; SNP analysis did not show associations between Shh and NSCLP either.RESUMEN: La fisura labio palatina no sindrómica, NSCLP (del inglés Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate) es una de las malformaciones congénitas más frecuentes tanto en Chile como en el resto del mundo. Presenta un modo de herencia multifactorial, en la que interactúan varios genes y el medio ambiente. Evidencias experimentales han demostrado la participación de Sonic hedgedhog (Shh) en la migración de las células de la cresta neural, en la transformación epitelio-mesénquima y en la formación de las estructuras medias craneofaciales durante el desarrollo embrionario, es probable una asociación entre variantes de Shh y la NSCLP. Métodos: el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las regiones exónicas e intrónicas adyacentes de Shh, en una muestra de 150 tríos caso-progenitores para hallar la asociación con NSCLP. Se utilizó el método PCR-RFLP para determinar la presencia de heterodúplex. Luego, se utilizó la técnica de Conformation Sensitive Gel Electrophoresis (CSGE) para ver la distorsión del ADN en los heterodúplex. Como método alternativo, se hizo un análisis de polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (del inglés single-nucleotide polymorphism SNP) para determinar asociación entre NSCLP y Shh, para lo cual se utilizaron los SNP: rs1233555 y rs1233556, ubicados en el primer intrón de Shh. Resultados: no se observaron heterodúplex en ninguno de los segmentos de Shh analizados en 150 tríos, el análisis de SNP tampoco mostró asociación con Shh y FLPNS. Conclusión: la no asociación puede deberse a que la frecuencia de distribución de los SNP en la población chilena es diferente a la de las poblaciones referidas, o a que el número de SNP analizados fue insuficiente, o la no inclusión para el análisis de otras regiones de Shh