Question word-order influences on covariate effects: predicting zero-sum beliefs

Zero-sum-like statements have the form ‘‘The more of resource X for consumer A, the less of resource Y for consumer B’’ and these have four permutations, whereby {X, A} and {B, Y} exchange places, and/or ‘‘more’’ and ‘‘less’’ exchange places. Smithson and Shou (Front Psychol 7:984, 2016) found that these permutations strongly influence the endorsement of such statements. This paper reports two studies investigating personality traits as predictors of zero-sum endorsements, and whether their predictive performance is moderated by statement permutations. Social Dominance Orientation, Competitive World View, the Egocentricity subscale from the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, and the Interpersonal subscale from the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy Scale are shown to be positively associated with zerosum endorsement, whereas none of the Big-5 personality factors are. Only the Egocentricity subscale’s effect is moderated by statement permutations, so that for high scores on the subscale, zero-sum endorsement is boosted in such a way that the permutation effects disappear. The paper concludes with a discussion of the methodological implications of attitude statement permutation effects.Funding was provided by Australian Research Council (Grant No. DP120101095)

Assessing Callous-Unemotional Traits in Chinese Detained Boys: Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits

The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) was designed to evaluate multiple facets of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits in youths. However, no study has examined the factor structure and psychometrical properties of the ICU in Chinese detained juveniles. The current study assesses the factor structure, internal consistency and convergent validity of the ICU in 613 Chinese detained boys. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the original three-factor model with 24 items showed an unacceptable fit to the data, however, the 11-item shortened version of the ICU (ICU-11) with callousness and uncaring dimensions showed the best fit. Moreover, the ICU-11 total score and factor scores had good and acceptable internal consistencies. The convergent and criterion validity of the ICU-11 was demonstrated by comparable and significant associations in the expected direction with relevant external criteria (e.g., psychopathy, aggression, and empathy). In conclusion, present findings indicated that the ICU-11 is a reliable and efficient instrument to replace the original ICU when assessing CU traits in the Chinese male detained juvenile sample.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31800945 and 31400904) and Guangzhou University’s 2017 training program for young topnotch personnels (BJ201715)

Assessing Impulsivity in Chinese: Elaborating Validity of BIS Among Male Prisoners

This study was carried out to test the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–Version 11 (BIS-11), and its short versions (the eight-item and 15-item BIS) in a sample of 424 Chinese male prisoners (M = 31.26, SD = 7.43, age = 18-52 years). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFAs) indicated that the single-factor model of BIS with eight items (BIS-8) and the three-factor model of BIS with 15 items (BIS-15) fit the data well. In addition, the item response theory (IRT) approach confirmed the construct and items for the BIS-8 with good discrimination, threshold parameters, and test information curve. Correlations with psychopathic traits, antisocial personality disorder, and aggression suggested that the performance of the eight-item BIS was comparable with that of the original 30-item BIS in measuring general impulsivity.This research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 31400904) and Guangzhou University’s 2017 training program for top-notch young people (Grant BJ201715)

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract targets p66Shc to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in diabetic kidney disease

Mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics are associated with renal mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathophysiological development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Decreased p66Shc expression prevents DKD progression by significantly regulating mitochondrial function. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a potential therapeutic medicine for multiple kinds of diseases. The effect of GSPE on the mitochondrial function and p66Shc in DKD has not been elucidated. Hence, we decided to identify p66Shc as a therapeutic target candidate to probe whether GSPE has a renal protective effect in DKD and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods. In vivo, rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) and treated with GSPE. Biochemical changes, mitochondrial morphology, the ultrastructure of nephrons, and protein expression of mitochondrial biogenesis (SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM) and dynamics (DRP1, MFN1) were determined. In vitro, HK-2 cells were transfected with p66Shc and treated with GSPE to evaluate changes in cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial quality, the protein expression. Results. In vivo, GSPE significantly improved the renal function of rats, with less proteinuria and a lower apoptosis rate in the injured renal tissue. Besides, GSPE treatment increased SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM, and MFN1 expression, decreased p66Shc and DRP1 expression. In vitro, overexpression of p66Shc decreased the resistance of HK-2 cells to high glucose toxicity, as shown by increased apoptosis and ROS production, decreased mitochondrial quality and mitochondrial biogenesis, and disturbed mitochondrial dynamic homeostasis, ultimately leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. While GSPE treatment reduced p66Shc expression and reversed these changes. Conclusion. GSPE can maintain the balance between mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics by negatively regulating p66Shc expression

Further Validation of the Inventory of CallousUnemotional Traits in Chinese Children: Cross-Informants Invariance and Longitudinal Invariance

The present study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the shortened versions of the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits (ICU) with data from multiple informants. Five short versions of the ICU proposed in previous studies were tested and compared through confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement invariance across different informants (i.e., self-report, parent-report, and teacher-report) and longitudinal measurement invariance for the resulting best-fitting model were tested thoroughly. Results indicated that a shortened form that consists of 11 items (ICU-11) to assess callousness and uncaring factors had excellent overall fit. Moreover, the ICU-11 was invariant across informant and occasions. However, the ICU-11 was not without limitations; the internal consistency α for the uncaring factor with self-report scores was marginal. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the ICU-11 was an excellent fit for our data and displayed measurement invariance across informants and over time. The ICU-11 may be a promising assessment tool that could be used in research to assess callous–uncaring traits in Chinese children.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 31400904) and Guangzhou University’s 2017 training program for top-notch young people (Grant BJ201715)

Systemic DKK1 neutralization enhances human adipose-derived stem cell mediated bone repair

: Progenitor cells from adipose tissue are able to induce bone repair; however, inconsistent or unreliable efficacy has been reported across preclinical and clinical studies. Soluble inhibitory factors, such as the secreted Wnt signaling antagonists Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), are expressed to variable degrees in human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), and may represent a targetable "molecular brake" on ASC mediated bone repair. Here, anti-DKK1 neutralizing antibodies were observed to increase the osteogenic differentiation of human ASCs in vitro, accompanied by increased canonical Wnt signaling. Human ASCs were next engrafted into a femoral segmental bone defect in NOD-Scid mice, with animals subsequently treated with systemic anti-DKK1 or isotype control during the repair process. Human ASCs alone induced significant but modest bone repair. However, systemic anti-DKK1 induced an increase in human ASC engraftment and survival, an increase in vascular ingrowth, and ultimately improved bone repair outcomes. In summary, anti-DKK1 can be used as a method to augment cell-mediated bone regeneration, and could be particularly valuable in the contexts of impaired bone healing such as osteoporotic bone repair

Clinical analysis of decision implementation by a multidisciplinary team in cervical cancer cases in Ganzhou, China

ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated the role of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in clinical practice for cervical cancer by analyzing the development of a single-case multidisciplinary consultation for cervical cancer.MethodsPatients in MDT consultations for cervical cancer were retrospectively analyzed for clinical information, decision content of MDT discussion, implementation, and follow-up results.ResultsOf the 392 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 359 had a first episode, of which 284 were stage IA-IIA2 (79.11%) and 75 were stage IIB-IVB (20.89%). Of these 392, 33 had a recurrence (8.42%). A total of 416 cases were analyzed, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery was recommended in 43 cases, of which 40 cases were implemented, and 36 of the 40 achieved the expected outcome. Surgical treatment was recommended in 241 cases, of which 226 underwent surgery, and 215 of them achieved the expected outcome. Radiotherapy was recommended in 31 cases, of which 26 cases underwent it, and 22 of them achieved the expected efficacy. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was recommended in 57 cases, of which 49 underwent it, and 39 of them achieved the expected efficacy. Other treatments were recommended in 44 cases, of which 23 cases were implemented, and 10 of them achieved the expected efficacy, with statistically significant differences compared with cases without implementation (P <0.05). MDT decisions were correlated with age; the younger the patients, the higher the implementation efficiency (P <0.05). The difference between MDT expectation in all implementation and partial implementation and age was statistically significant (P <0.05). No significant difference was found between age and MDT expectation in all not fully implemented decisions (P >0.05). Some decisions were not fully implemented due to economic status and fear of certain treatments of the patient.ConclusionThe MDT plays an important role in clinical practice such as clinical staging, treatment plan, and the complete treatment management of patients with cervical cancer, which can significantly improve the near-term treatment effect, whereas its effect on a long-term prognosis needs further clinical observation and active exploration