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Journal of Intelligence Jun 2024The prevalence of media multitasking has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive abilities. Despite increasing attention given to this topic, there...
The prevalence of media multitasking has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive abilities. Despite increasing attention given to this topic, there remains no consensus on how media multitasking is related to cognitive performance. This study aims to shed light on this issue by examining whether and how personality traits and family socioeconomic status (SES) moderate the relationship between media multitasking and reasoning performance. To this end, a large sample of university students ( = 777) completed a battery of measures, including the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices, the Media Multitasking Inventory, the Big Five Inventory, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Grit Scale, and the Family SES Questionnaire. Results revealed a negative correlation between media multitasking and reasoning performance. However, this relationship was substantially moderated by conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and family SES. Specifically, media multitasking was more detrimental to reasoning performance among individuals with lower levels of conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and family SES, whereas it was less detrimental to counterparts with higher levels of these personality traits and family SES. The proposed moderation model, for the first time, not only offers novel insights into the theoretical accounts regarding how media multitasking relates to cognitive abilities, but also identifies the protective factors that may buffer the negative impacts of media multitasking.
PubMed: 38921693
DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence12060058 -
Metabolites May 2024The spp. represents the most commonly produced, transitioned, and consumed fruit around the globe, with several important applications in the biotechnology,...
The spp. represents the most commonly produced, transitioned, and consumed fruit around the globe, with several important applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Moko disease is produced by -a factor with a high impact on all crops in Ecuador, representing one of the biggest phytosanitary problems. Four of the most common varieties of spp. were tested to identify the metabolic reaction of plants facing Moko disease. The phenolic and flavonoid content has been evaluated as a defense system, and the α-diphenyl-α-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging method (DPPH), free-radical-scavenging activity (ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) have been adapted to analyze the active compounds with the antioxidant capacity necessary to counteract the pathogenic attack. Our results indicate that all the studied varieties of spp. react in the same way, such that the diseased samples showed a higher accumulation of secondary metabolites with antioxidant capacity compared with the healthy ones, with high active compound synthesis identified during the appearance of Moko disease symptoms. More than 40 compounds and their derivatives (from kaempferol and quercetin glycosides) with protective roles demonstrate the implication of the spp. defense system against infection.
PubMed: 38921442
DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060307 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Brown-rot fungus is one of the important medicinal mushrooms, which include some species within the genus . This study identified wild macrofungi collected from a...
Biological Characteristics, Domesticated Cultivation Protocol, Antioxidant Activity, and Protective Effects against Cellular Oxidative Stress of an Underutilized Medicinal Mushroom: .
Brown-rot fungus is one of the important medicinal mushrooms, which include some species within the genus . This study identified wild macrofungi collected from a broad-leaved tree in Liaoning Province as using both morphological and molecular methods. To elucidate the potential medicinal and economic value of , we conducted single-factor and orthogonal tests to optimize its mycelium culture conditions. Subsequently, we completed liquid culture and domestic cultivation based on these findings. Furthermore, crude polysaccharides were extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies of and their antioxidant activity was evaluated using chemical methods and cell-based models. The results showed that the optimal culture conditions for mycelium were glucose as the carbon source, yeast extract powder as the nitrogen source, pH 6.0, and a temperature of 35 °C. Moreover, temperature was found to have the most significant impact on mycelial growth. The liquid strains were fermented for 6 days and then inoculated into a cultivation substrate composed of broadleaf sawdust, resulting in mature fruiting bodies in approximately 60 days. The crude polysaccharides extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies of (FPPs) possess in vitro scavenging abilities against DPPH radicals and OH radicals, as well as a certain ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Additionally, FPPs effectively mitigated HO-induced oxidative stress in RAW264.7cells by enhancing the intracellular activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT, scavenging excess ROS, and reducing MDA levels. This study provides preliminarily evidence of the potential medicinal and economic value of and offers initial data for the future development and utilization of this species.
PubMed: 38921365
DOI: 10.3390/jof10060380 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Jun 2024In this in vivo study on hairless mice, we examined the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) treatment applied prior to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. We found that...
In this in vivo study on hairless mice, we examined the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) treatment applied prior to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. We found that pre-treating with LED improved skin morphological and histopathological conditions compared to those only exposed to UVB irradiation. In our study, histological evaluation of collagen and elastic fibers after LED treatment prior to UVB irradiation showed that this pretreatment significantly enhanced the quality of fibers, which were otherwise poor in density and irregularly arranged due to UV exposure alone. This suggests that LED treatment promotes collagen and elastin production, leading to improved skin properties. Additionally, we observed an increase in Claudin-1 expression and a reduction in nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression within the LED-treated skin tissues, suggesting that LED therapy may modulate key skin barrier proteins and oxidative stress markers. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with LED light can enhance the skin's resistance to UVB-induced damage by modulating gene regulation associated with skin protection. Further investigations are needed to explore the broader biological effects of LED therapy on other tissues such as blood vessels. This study underscores the potential of LED therapy as a non-invasive approach to enhance skin repair and counteract the effects of photoaging caused by UV exposure.
PubMed: 38921009
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060338 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Adolescence is recognised as a notoriously vulnerable period in the human life cycle. Influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social factors,... (Review)
Review
Adolescence is recognised as a notoriously vulnerable period in the human life cycle. Influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social factors, adolescents show a marked propensity to engage in risk behaviours. A systematic review was conducted of studies published in the Web of Science, PsycInfo and MEDLINE databases over the last decade, with the aim of collecting studies on the relationship between self-esteem and risk behaviour in individuals aged 12-18 years. The aim was to confirm the role of high self-esteem as a consistent protective factor against risk behaviour. The results show that self-esteem is negatively related to risk behaviour. Our results also reflect the need for further research on how sociodemographic factors, among others, affect the relationship between self-esteem and risk behaviours. This review highlights the relevance of implementing specific educational interventions to strengthen self-esteem in adolescents, with the aim of preventing various risk behaviours that may emerge during adolescence and persist throughout life if not addressed early.
PubMed: 38920764
DOI: 10.3390/bs14060432 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Hyperuricemia may play a role in various systemic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of peptic ulcer...
BACKGROUND
Hyperuricemia may play a role in various systemic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Therefore, in this population-based study, we enrolled over 120,000 participants from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and examined the risk factors for self-reported PUD. In addition, we investigated sex differences in the association between hyperuricemia and self-reported PUD.
METHODS
Data of 121,583 participants were obtained from the TWB. Male participants with a serum uric acid level >7 mg/dl and female participants with a serum uric acid level >6 mg/dl were classified as having hyperuricemia. Details of self-reported PUD were obtained by questionnaire. The association between hyperuricemia and self-reported PUD in the male and female participants was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of self-reported PUD was 14.6%, with a higher incidence in males (16.5%) compared to females (13.5%). After multivariable adjustment, male sex [vs. female sex; odds ratio (OR) = 1.139; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.084-1.198; < 0.001], and hyperuricemia (OR = 0.919; 95% CI = 0.879-0.961; < 0.001) were significantly associated with self-reported PUD. Further, a significant interaction was found between sex and hyperuricemia on self-reported PUD ( = 0.004). Hyperuricemia was associated with a low risk of self-reported PUD in males (OR = 0.890; 95% CI = 0.837-0.947; < 0.001) but not in females ( = 0.139).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of self-reported PUD was higher in the male participants than in the female participants. Hyperuricemia was associated with low prevalence of self-reported PUD in males, but not in females. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind these observations and verify the potential protective role of hyperuricemia on the development of self-reported PUD.
PubMed: 38919943
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1383290 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Previous observational studies have shown conflicting results of vitamins supplementation for thyroid diseases. The causal relationships between vitamins and thyroid...
BACKGROUND
Previous observational studies have shown conflicting results of vitamins supplementation for thyroid diseases. The causal relationships between vitamins and thyroid diseases are unclear. Therefore, we conducted a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore association of circulating vitamin levels with thyroid diseases.
METHODS
We performed a bidirectional MR analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Genetic tool variables for circulating vitamin levels include vitamins A, B, B, C, D, and E, Genetic tool variables of thyroid diseases include autoimmune hyperthyroidism, autoimmune hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules (TNs), and Thyroid cancer (TC). Inverse-variance weighted multiplicative random effects (IVW-RE) was mainly used for MR Analysis, weighted median (WM) and MR Egger were used as supplementary methods to evaluate the relationships between circulating vitamin levels and thyroid diseases. Sensitivity and pluripotency were evaluated by Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO, Radial MR, MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out analysis.
RESULTS
Positive MR evidence suggested that circulating vitamin C level is a protective factor in autoimmune hypothyroidism (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.58-0.83, = 1.05E-04). Reverse MR Evidence showed that genetic susceptibility to autoimmune hyperthyroidism is associated with reduced level of circulating vitamin A(OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-1.00, = 4.38E-02), genetic susceptibility of TNs was associated with an increased level of circulating vitamin D (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, = 6.86E-03). No causal and reverse causal relationship was detected between other circulating vitamin levels and thyroid diseases.
CONCLUSION
Our findings provide genetic evidence supporting a bi-directional causal relationship between circulating vitamin levels and thyroid diseases. These findings provide information for the clinical application of vitamins prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Genome-Wide Association Study; Vitamins; Thyroid Diseases; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 38919472
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1360851 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Mar 2024We aimed to investigate two polymorphisms, and of in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
BACKGROUND
We aimed to investigate two polymorphisms, and of in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS
In the present case-control research, we collected blood samples from 117 AD patients and 130 controls from Alzheimer's Hospital, residents of Tehran, Iran during the winter 2020 to autumn 2022. Following extraction of DNA, Genotyping of polymorphisms and were examined by sequencing and ARMS/PCR approaches. We compared distributions of genotypes in both patient and healthy groups using the Chi-Square test.
RESULTS
Regarding rs157580, a statistically significant difference was observed in the GA genotype frequency between patient and healthy groups, in both univariate and multivariate modes with these results that have come respectively, and it can be regarded as a protection factor <0.05).. No significant difference was observed in the frequency of A and G alleles between patient and healthy groups. Besides, concerning rs8106922, the AG genotype frequency in research groups in both univariate and multivariate cases, with these results that have come respectively was significantly different (=0.003) & (=0.009). Regarding GG genotype, a statistically significant difference was observed between the patient and healthy groups in both univariate and multivariate cases, respectively (=0.419) & (=0.425). Significant differences were observed in the G allele frequency for rs8106922 in the healthy and patient groups (=0.007), it can be regarded as a potential protective factor.
CONCLUSION
It is possible to consider the gene as one of the potential genes concerning Alzheimer's disease.
PubMed: 38919296
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i3.15148 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Mar 2024Fine particulate matter (PM), an important component of ambient air pollution, induces significant adverse health effects. MitoQuinone (MitoQ), a mitochondria-targeted...
BACKGROUND
Fine particulate matter (PM), an important component of ambient air pollution, induces significant adverse health effects. MitoQuinone (MitoQ), a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, has been reported to play a protective role in various diseases. However, the roles of MitoQ in PM induced pulmonary toxicity remains to be elucidated.
METHODS
All the experiments were performed at Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Translational Oncology of Fujian Province, Putian City, China in 2023. Pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) were pretreated with 4 μM MitoQ for 2 h and exposed to PM for 24 h. Cell viability was tested through CCK8 assay. Oxidative stress state and active mitochondria was used to study MitoQ's effect on PM induced injury, and cell apoptosis was measured using a flow cytometer and analyzed by Bcl-2 family.
RESULTS
MitoQ pretreatment significantly relieved a decreased cell viability, subsequently, MitoQ alleviated ROS production and prevented the reduction of T-AOC and GSH and increased the expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and p62 in A549 cells exposed to PM. MitoQ restored the decreased mitochondrial dysfunction and dynamics disorder and inhibited activated mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis induced by PM. Furthermore, the decreased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and expression of Mcl-1 and the enhanced expression of Caspase-3 were reversed by MitoQ pretreatment.
CONCLUSION
MitoQ might be regarded as a potential drug to relieve PM induced pulmonary epithelial cells damage.
PubMed: 38919288
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i3.15143 -
Journal of Diabetes Research 2024Spexin is a novel peptide hormone and has shown antinociceptive effects in experimental mice. This study is aimed at evaluating the association of serum spexin level...
Spexin is a novel peptide hormone and has shown antinociceptive effects in experimental mice. This study is aimed at evaluating the association of serum spexin level with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and related pain in a Chinese population. We enrolled 167 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) including 56 patients without DPN (non-DPN), 67 painless DPN, and 44 painful DPN. Serum spexin was measured using ELISA. Logistic regression models were performed to analyze the independent effects of spexin on prevalence of DPN and painful DPN. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, mechanical pain threshold was measured using electronic von Frey aesthesiometer. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and further stimulated with lipopolysaccharide without or with spexin. The gene expression was assayed by qPCR. Compared with non-DPN, serum spexin level decreased in painless DPN and further decreased in painful DPN. The odds of DPN was associated with low spexin level in T2DM, which was similar by age, sex, BMI, and diabetes duration, but attenuated in smokers. The odds of having pain was associated with decreased spexin level in DPN, which was similar by age, sex, smoking status, and diabetes duration, but attenuated in normal weight. Furthermore, we observed that mechanical pain threshold increased in spexin-treated diabetic mice. We also found that lipopolysaccharide treatment increased the mRNA level of TNF-, IL-6, and MCP-1 in human PBMCs, while spexin treatment prevented this increase. These results suggested that spexin might serve as a protective factor for diabetes against neuropathology and pain-related pathogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Neuropathies; Animals; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Mice; Aged; Peptide Hormones; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Pain Threshold; China; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38919263
DOI: 10.1155/2024/4538199