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Frontiers in Psychology 2021While scientific interest in understanding the grit trait has grown exponentially in recent years, one important gap in the grit literature relates to its biological and...
While scientific interest in understanding the grit trait has grown exponentially in recent years, one important gap in the grit literature relates to its biological and neural substrate. In the present study, we adopted a hypotheses-driven approach in a large sample of young adults ( = 120) with diverse educational backgrounds and work experiences in order to investigate the electrophysiological correlates of grit both during rest and while performing a learning task. Additionally, we selected a measure of impulsiveness to better understand the neural similarities and differences between grit and related self-control constructs. Based on previous work that implicated the prefrontal cortex in grit, we hypothesized that high grit participants would have lower frontal theta/beta ratio (a broadly used index that reflects prefrontally-mediated top-down processes, which might indicate better control over subcortical information). Furthermore, we expected the perseverance of effort facet of grit to be linked to higher complexity during task engagement because previous research has shown complexity indexes (entropy and fractal dimension) to be linked to effort while performing cognitive tasks. Our results revealed that although there were no differences at rest as a function of grit, the participants with high grit and high consistency of interest scores exhibited lower frontal theta/beta ratios during the learning task. This pattern suggests that individual differences in grit might be more evident when top-down control processes are at work. Furthermore, there was a positive association between perseverance of effort and entropy at task, which might indicate more effort and engagement in the task. Finally, no association was found between the neural indexes (frontal theta/beta ratio, entropy, or fractal dimension) and impulsiveness, neither impulsiveness mediated between grit and brain measures. Finally, when controlling for impulsiveness and demographic variables (gender, age, education, and work experience) the effects at the facet level remained statistically significant. While there is still a long way to fully understand the neural mechanisms of grit, the present work constitutes a step toward unveiling the electrophysiological prints of grit.
PubMed: 34721192
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730172 -
Psychiatry Research Apr 2021Reversal learning deficits following reward and punishment processing are observed across disruptive behaviors (DB) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),...
Reversal learning deficits following reward and punishment processing are observed across disruptive behaviors (DB) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and have been associated with callous-unemotional (CU) traits. However, it remains unknown to what extent these altered reinforcement sensitivities are linked to the co-occurrence of oppositional traits, ADHD symptoms, and CU traits. Reward and punishment sensitivity and perseverative behavior were therefore derived from a probabilistic reversal learning task to investigate reinforcement sensitivity in participants with DB (n=183, ODD=62, CD=10, combined=57, age-range 8-18), ADHD (n=144, age-range 11-28), and controls (n=191, age-range 8-26). The SNAP-IV and Conners rating scales were used to assess oppositional and ADHD traits. The Inventory of CU traits was used to assess CU traits. Decreased reward sensitivity was associated with ADHD symptom severity (p=0.018) if corrected for oppositional symptoms. ADHD symptomatology interacted with oppositional behavior on perseveration (p=0.019), with the former aggravating the effect of oppositional behavior on perseveration and vice versa. Within a pooled sample, reversal learning alterations were associated with the severity of ADHD symptoms, underpinned by hyposensitivity to reward and increased perseveration. These results show ADHD traits, as opposed to oppositional behavior and CU traits, is associated with decreased reward-based learning in adolescents and adults.
Topics: Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Conduct Disorder; Humans; Punishment; Reward
PubMed: 33582524
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113795 -
Light, Science & Applications Nov 2022EDITORIAL: "When all those around me are drunk, I alone am sober," lamented an ancient Chinese poet on fighting a lone and helpless cause. In the world of science a few...
EDITORIAL: "When all those around me are drunk, I alone am sober," lamented an ancient Chinese poet on fighting a lone and helpless cause. In the world of science a few decades ago, there was also a lone researcher who pursued the field of optical resolution despite suspicions and derisions. Unlike those who made their names young, this scientist only succeeded thanks to his own perseverance. He developed the 4Pi microscope and successfully increased the vertical resolution of traditional optical microscopes by 3-7 times. Once he sold the patent to a company, he invested the little personal money gained from the patent in breaking the Abbe diffraction limit. Despite all his hard work, his papers kept getting rejected by respected journals, and his work was subjected to mistrust and even criticism. This scientist is Stefan Hell, someone who is never afraid of difficulties and ever determined to forge ahead.Hell was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014 for being the first to propose and demonstrate that the optical diffraction limit can be broken, and for successfully developing the STED super-resolution fluorescence microscope. Later Hell and his colleagues proposed and commercialized MINFLUX, which brought optical microscopy technology to the three-dimensional single-nanometer scale, opening the "post-superresolution era".Frank and sincere, persistent and humble, boldly innovative and resolute, Hell is a scientist, an entrepreneur, a mentor, and an everyday man who enjoys life.In this interview, we will reacquaint ourselves with the Nobel laureate, Stefan Hell.
PubMed: 36418300
DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-01034-w -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022Although it is an ancient pathogen, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major infectious cause of death globally, transiently displaced by COVID-19 [...].
Although it is an ancient pathogen, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major infectious cause of death globally, transiently displaced by COVID-19 [...].
PubMed: 35456067
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040392 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022The comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses is well established. An ASD diagnosis is associated with...
The comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses is well established. An ASD diagnosis is associated with elevated ADHD traits and symptoms, as well as strengths in attention. In the ASD literature, attentional strengths have been described as maladaptive (e.g., hyperfocus), in contrast with positive portrayals in the typically developing population (e.g., flow). The objective of this study was to (1) compare profiles of attentional strengths and weaknesses in ASD and ADHD and (2) determine whether attentional strengths in ASD are associated with impairment, poorer cognitive flexibility, and perseveration/perfectionism. In a community sample of 5,744 children and youth, 131 children were reported as having a diagnosis of ASD (mean age 10.3 years) and 346 children were reported as having a diagnosis of ADHD (mean age 10.7 years). We used the Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviors (SWAN) rating scale to calculate attentional and hyperactive/impulse control strength and weakness counts and scores. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient Switching factor served as a measure of cognitive flexibility. Impairment was assessed with the Columbia Impairment Scale. We used the symmetry/ordering factor on the Toronto Obsessive-Compulsive Scale as a measure of perseveration/perfectionism. No differences were found between the ADHD and ASD groups in SWAN weakness scores, symptoms, or hyperactive/impulse control strengths; however, autistic children had higher rates of attentional strengths [odds ratio: 5.7, 95% CI (2.8, 11.6), < 0.0001]. pairwise testing identified four attentional strengths with significantly higher rates in ASD than in ADHD. Attentional strength scores were not associated with impairment or poor cognitive flexibility, but predicted levels of perseveration/perfectionism. The effect of attentional strengths on impairment and cognitive flexibility did not differ between autistic and Control children, but the higher perseveration/perfectionism scores seen in ASD were not found in Control children. ASD is associated with a pattern of attentional strengths that is not found in ADHD Characterizing the full range of attentional abilities in autistic children may explain variability in outcomes such as quality-of-life indicators and identify protective factors, providing targets for strength-based behavioral interventions. The clinical and etiological implications of the subgroup of autistic children with attentional strengths require further investigation.
PubMed: 36276327
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.886692 -
Critical Care (London, England) Jul 2023Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is associated with high morbidity, with no current therapies available beyond continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Prognostic and predictive value of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: risk-stratified analysis from a prospective observational cohort of pediatric septic shock.
BACKGROUND
Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is associated with high morbidity, with no current therapies available beyond continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are key drivers of SA-AKI. We sought to measure differences between endothelial dysfunction markers among children with and without SA-AKI, test whether this association varied across inflammatory biomarker-based risk strata, and develop prediction models to identify those at highest risk of SA-AKI.
METHODS
Secondary analyses of prospective observational cohort of pediatric septic shock. Primary outcome of interest was the presence of ≥ Stage II KDIGO SA-AKI on day 3 based on serum creatinine (D3 SA-AKI SCr). Biomarkers including those prospectively validated to predict pediatric sepsis mortality (PERSEVERE-II) were measured in Day 1 (D1) serum. Multivariable regression was used to test the independent association between endothelial markers and D3 SA-AKI SCr. We conducted risk-stratified analyses and developed prediction models using Classification and Regression Tree (CART), to estimate risk of D3 SA-AKI among prespecified subgroups based on PERSEVERE-II risk.
RESULTS
A total of 414 patients were included in the derivation cohort. Patients with D3 SA-AKI SCr had worse clinical outcomes including 28-day mortality and need for CRRT. Serum soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2), and Tie-2 were independently associated with D3 SA-AKI SCr. Further, Tie-2 and Angpt-2/Tie-2 ratios were influenced by the interaction between D3 SA-AKI SCr and risk strata. Logistic regression demonstrated models predictive of D3 SA-AKI risk performed optimally among patients with high- or intermediate-PERSEVERE-II risk strata. A 6 terminal node CART model restricted to this subgroup of patients had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.90 and 0.77 upon tenfold cross-validation in the derivation cohort to distinguish those with and without D3 SA-AKI SCr and high specificity. The newly derived model performed modestly in a unique set of patients (n = 224), 84 of whom were deemed high- or intermediate-PERSEVERE-II risk, to distinguish those patients with high versus low risk of D3 SA-AKI SCr.
CONCLUSIONS
Endothelial dysfunction biomarkers are independently associated with risk of severe SA-AKI. Pending validation, incorporation of endothelial biomarkers may facilitate prognostic and predictive enrichment for selection of therapeutics in future clinical trials among critically ill children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Shock, Septic; Prognosis; Sepsis; Biomarkers; Acute Kidney Injury
PubMed: 37400882
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04554-y -
Behavioral Neuroscience Aug 2021Reversal learning paradigms are widely used assays of behavioral flexibility with their probabilistic versions being more amenable to studying integration of reward...
Reversal learning paradigms are widely used assays of behavioral flexibility with their probabilistic versions being more amenable to studying integration of reward outcomes over time. Prior research suggests differences between initial and reversal learning, including higher learning rates, a greater need for inhibitory control, and more perseveration after reversals. However, it is not well-understood what aspects of stimulus-based reversal learning are unique to reversals, and whether and how observed differences depend on reward probability. Here, we used a visual probabilistic discrimination and reversal learning paradigm where male and female rats selected between a pair of stimuli associated with different reward probabilities. We compared accuracy, rewards collected, omissions, latencies, win-stay/lose-shift strategies, and indices of perseveration across two different reward probability schedules. We found that discrimination and reversal learning are behaviorally more unique than similar: Fit of choice behavior using reinforcement learning models revealed a lower sensitivity to the difference in subjective reward values (greater exploration) and higher learning rates for the reversal phase. We also found latencies to choose the better option were greater in females than males, but only for the reversal phase. Further, animals employed more win-stay strategies during early discrimination and increased perseveration during early reversal learning. Interestingly, a consistent reward probability group difference emerged with a richer environment associated with longer reward collection latencies than a leaner environment. Future studies should systematically compare the neural correlates of fine-grained behavioral measures to reveal possible dissociations in how the circuitry is recruited in each phase. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Animals; Choice Behavior; Discrimination Learning; Discrimination, Psychological; Female; Male; Rats; Reinforcement, Psychology; Reversal Learning; Reward
PubMed: 34460275
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000474 -
Nutrients Dec 2023Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The burden... (Review)
Review
Combined Exercise Training and Nutritional Interventions or Pharmacological Treatments to Improve Exercise Capacity and Body Composition in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The burden of respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation can translate to reduced physical activity, in turn contributing to poor exercise capacity, muscle dysfunction, and body composition abnormalities. These extrapulmonary features of the disease are targeted during pulmonary rehabilitation, which provides patients with tailored therapies to improve the physical and emotional status. Patients with COPD can be divided into metabolic phenotypes, including cachectic, sarcopenic, normal weight, obese, and sarcopenic with hidden obesity. To date, there have been many studies performed investigating the individual effects of exercise training programs as well as nutritional and pharmacological treatments to improve exercise capacity and body composition in patients with COPD. However, little research is available investigating the combined effect of exercise training with nutritional or pharmacological treatments on these outcomes. Therefore, this review focuses on exploring the potential additional beneficial effects of combinations of exercise training and nutritional or pharmacological treatments to target exercise capacity and body composition in patients with COPD with different metabolic phenotypes.
Topics: Humans; Sarcopenia; Exercise Tolerance; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Exercise; Obesity; Body Composition; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38140395
DOI: 10.3390/nu15245136 -
La Clinica Terapeutica Jul 2021The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created havoc worldwide ever since its emergen-ce in December 2019. The current evidence... (Review)
Review
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created havoc worldwide ever since its emergen-ce in December 2019. The current evidence indicates that the virus remains viable in aerosols for hours and on fomites for few days. A little information is available on the topic, the present communication reviews the perseverance and distribution of the novel coronavirus in the aerosol and on various inanimate surfaces so that the appropriate safety measures can be undertaken and the virus protection guidelines may be framed accordingly.
Topics: Aerosols; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Disinfectants; Fomites; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Safety Management
PubMed: 34247208
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2021.2329 -
HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine 2022Description This photograph was taken in 2016 in rural South Texas as a part of a series called , which explores the idea of rural America and its values in spite of a...
Description This photograph was taken in 2016 in rural South Texas as a part of a series called , which explores the idea of rural America and its values in spite of a narrative that paints rural regions as bleak and desolate. The owner of this truck pointed it out as an example of reliability, pride, and perseverance-all attributes that were apparent in his community.
PubMed: 37426862
DOI: 10.36518/2689-0216.1529