-
IUBMB Life Dec 2008The mammalian beta-globin locus is a multigene locus containing several globin genes and a number of regulatory elements. During development, the expression of the genes... (Review)
Review
The mammalian beta-globin locus is a multigene locus containing several globin genes and a number of regulatory elements. During development, the expression of the genes changes in a process called "switching." The most important regulatory element in the locus is the locus control region (LCR) upstream of the globin genes that is essential for high-level expression of these genes. The discovery of the LCR initially raised the question how this element could exert its effect on the downstream globin genes. The question was solved by the finding that the LCR and activate globin genes are in physical contact, forming a chromatin structure named the active chromatin hub (ACH). Here we discuss the significance of ACH formation, provide an overview of the proteins implicated in chromatin looping at the beta-globin locus, and evaluate the relationship between nuclear organization and beta-globin gene expression.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes, Switch; Humans; Locus Control Region; Transcription, Genetic; beta-Globins
PubMed: 18767169
DOI: 10.1002/iub.129 -
Brain Imaging and Behavior Jun 2022The locus coeruleus is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain and is often affected in neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging with...
The locus coeruleus is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain and is often affected in neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging with specific T1-weighted sequences for neuromelanin has been used to evaluate locus coeruleus integrity in patients with these conditions. In some of these studies, abnormalities in locus coeruleus signal have also been found in healthy controls and related to ageing. However, this would be at variance with recent post-mortem studies showing that the nucleus is not affected during normal ageing. The present study aimed at evaluating locus coeruleus features in a well-defined cohort of cognitively healthy subjects who remained cognitively intact on a one-year follow-up. An ad-hoc semiautomatic analysis of locus coeruleus magnetic resonance was applied. Sixty-two cognitively intact subjects aged 60-80 years, without significant comorbidities, underwent 3 T magnetic resonance with specific sequences for locus coeruleus. A semi-automatic tool was used to estimate the number of voxels belonging to locus coeruleus and its intensity was obtained for each subject. Each subject underwent extensive neuropsychological testing at baseline and 12 months after magnetic resonance scan. Based on neuropsychological testing 53 subjects were cognitively normal at baseline and follow up. No significant age-related differences in locus coeruleus parameters were found in this cohort. In line with recent post-mortem studies, our in vivo study confirms that locus coeruleus magnetic resonance features are not statistically significantly affected by age between 60 and 80 years, the age range usually evaluated in studies on neurodegenerative diseases. A significant alteration of locus coeruleus features in a cognitively intact elderly subject might be an early sign of pathology.
Topics: Aged; Brain; Humans; Locus Coeruleus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 34741273
DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00562-0 -
BMJ Open Oct 2022We examined the combined effects of behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation, on one hand, and locus of control, on the other hand, on different categories of...
OBJECTIVES
We examined the combined effects of behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation, on one hand, and locus of control, on the other hand, on different categories of smoking behaviour (non-smoking, ex-smoking, occasional smoking, daily smoking).
DESIGN
This study adopted a cross-sectional design. Participants completed questionnaires regarding demographics, smoking patterns, behavioural inhibition/behavioural activation systems and locus of control.
SETTING
The study was conducted across four companies from the transportation, cooling plant and education sectors in Singapore.
PARTICIPANTS
Three hundred sixty-nine male working adults were included in the final sample.
RESULTS
Corroborating previous research, a logistic regression model examining behavioural inhibition/behavioural activation systems revealed that the fun-seeking aspect of behavioural activation was a unique predictor in distinguishing non-smokers from daily smokers (OR=1.24, p=0.012). By contrast, in a separate model examining locus of control, external locus of control was found to be a unique predictor in distinguishing non-smokers from daily smokers (OR=1.13, p<0.001). In addition, a third model combining both behavioural inhibition/behavioural activation systems and locus of control found that only external locus of control remained a significant predictor (OR=1.12, p<0.001). Further analyses revealed a mediating effect of external locus of control on the relationship between fun-seeking and smoking behaviour. That is, the increase in the odds of daily smoking due to fun-seeking was explained by external locus of control (direct pathway OR=1.20, p=0.058; indirect pathway OR=1.04, p<0.050).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, fun-seeking through its influence on external locus of control indirectly affects daily smoking behaviour, suggesting a more complex relationship than shown in previous research.
Topics: Adult; Male; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Internal-External Control; Singapore; Cohort Studies; Smoking
PubMed: 36307163
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061318 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022(1) Background: The aim of this study was to explore the role of perceived stress and the health locus of control in Crohn's disease and their influence upon the...
(1) Background: The aim of this study was to explore the role of perceived stress and the health locus of control in Crohn's disease and their influence upon the development of flare-ups of this disease. (2) Methods: Stress and the external locus of control were evaluated in a sample of 64 Crohn's patients (flare-up phase versus latency phase). The perceived stress scale (PSS-14) and the multidimensional health locus of control scale were the measurement instruments used. (3) Results: The results indicate that the patients have high stress levels during a flare-up (26.13; 27.44; 28.79; 29.67); high stress levels (28.07; 29.67; 27.44; 28.07) if they have a high external locus of control; and that the external locus of control and stress levels have a significant influence upon the existence of flare-ups in those patients with low external locus of control levels (χ2 = 11.127; df = 1: < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Actions aimed at reducing stress and external locus of control levels are necessary in Crohn's disease.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Internal-External Control
PubMed: 36293710
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013131 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021As little research has been devoted to examining associations between the four locus-of-hope dimensions (internal, external-peer, external-family, and...
BACKGROUND
As little research has been devoted to examining associations between the four locus-of-hope dimensions (internal, external-peer, external-family, and external-spiritual) and individual differences, the current study explores the correlations with individual-level individualist and collectivist relational tendencies, self-esteem, insecure attachment, and gender within a culturally diverse sample of university undergraduate students.
METHODS
questionnaires were completed by a culturally diverse sample of undergraduate students measuring locus-of-hope, individualist and collectivist relational tendencies, self-esteem, insecure attachment, and gender.
RESULTS
State and trait locus-of-hope were significantly correlated. Individualism showed positive correlations with internal and external-family locus-of-hope. Collectivism positively correlated with internal locus-of-hope and the three external locus-of-hope dimensions. Internal locus-of-hope was significantly predicted by self-esteem, relational self-esteem, individualism, and collectivism. External-spiritual locus-of-hope was not significantly predicted by the variables. External-family locus-of-hope was significantly predicted by relational self-esteem and collectivism and external-peer locus-of hope was significantly predicted by relational self-esteem, collectivism, and avoidant attachment style. No significant gender differences in locus-of-hope were found.
CONCLUSIONS
The results provide further understanding about the construct of locus-of-hope and provide a foundation for future research to continue exploring the role of locus-of-hope in the development and expression of self-esteem and attachment profiles.
PubMed: 34562958
DOI: 10.3390/bs11090120 -
G3 (Bethesda, Md.) Sep 2021Eagle is an R package for multi-locus association mapping on a genome-wide scale. It is unlike other multi-locus packages in that it is easy to use for R users and...
Eagle is an R package for multi-locus association mapping on a genome-wide scale. It is unlike other multi-locus packages in that it is easy to use for R users and non-users alike. It has two modes of use, command line and graphical user interface. Eagle is fully documented and has its own supporting website, http://eagle.r-forge.r-project.org/index.html. Eagle is a significant improvement over the method-of-choice, single-locus association mapping. It has greater power to detect SNP-trait associations. It is based on model selection, linear mixed models, and a clever idea on how random effects can be used to identify SNP-trait associations. Through an example with real mouse data, we demonstrate Eagle's ability to bring clarity and increased insight to single-locus findings. Initially, we see Eagle complementing single-locus analyses. However, over time, we hope the community will make, increasingly, multi-locus association mapping their method-of-choice for the analysis of genome-wide association study data.
Topics: Animals; Chromosome Mapping; Eagles; Genome; Genome-Wide Association Study; Mice; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 34544142
DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab204 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Jul 2021Existential vacuum and psychological burnout are becoming increasingly important issues in healthcare professions, especially nursing. This study aimed to investigate...
Existential vacuum and psychological burnout are becoming increasingly important issues in healthcare professions, especially nursing. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of several demographic factors including gender, work position, experience, and educational level as well as existential vacuum and locus of control (external and internal) in predicting burnout among nurses. A convenience sample of 181 nurses was selected to represent the study sample. Participants were assessed using an existence scale, locus of control scale, and burnout scale. The study showed that 40.3% of nurses had severe existential vacuum. It was found that 93.9% of nurses had experienced a moderate level of burnout. External locus of control was the most common personality trait among participating nurses in this study. It also was found that existential vacuum and external locus of control were the main predictors of psychological burnout among nurses. The findings of our study highlight major problems facing nursing, such as existential vacuum and psychological burnout. It is recommended to enhance nurses' workplace, provide proper psychological prevention programs, and teach advocacy skills.
PubMed: 34968331
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep11030053 -
SSM - Population Health Mar 2024We provide the first empirical evidence on the direct link between locus of control and self-control, and how they interact in explaining a range of health outcomes....
We provide the first empirical evidence on the direct link between locus of control and self-control, and how they interact in explaining a range of health outcomes. Using rich Australian survey data, we find that, while the two traits are distinct constructs, a greater internal locus of control is associated with higher self-control. The association between locus of control and health is reduced once we control for self-control, suggesting that self-control mediates at least part of this relationship. Finally, an internal locus of control amplifies the beneficial effects of self-control particularly for physical health.
PubMed: 38077246
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101566 -
Neural Plasticity 2017The locus coeruleus is connected to the dorsal hippocampus via strong fiber projections. It becomes activated after arousal and novelty, whereupon noradrenaline is... (Review)
Review
The locus coeruleus is connected to the dorsal hippocampus via strong fiber projections. It becomes activated after arousal and novelty, whereupon noradrenaline is released in the hippocampus. Noradrenaline from the locus coeruleus is involved in modulating the encoding, consolidation, retrieval, and reversal of hippocampus-based memory. Memory storage can be modified by the activation of the locus coeruleus and subsequent facilitation of hippocampal long-term plasticity in the forms of long-term depression and long-term potentiation. Recent evidence indicates that noradrenaline and dopamine are coreleased in the hippocampus from locus coeruleus terminals, thus fostering neuromodulation of long-term synaptic plasticity and memory. Noradrenaline is an inductor of epigenetic modifications regulating transcriptional control of synaptic long-term plasticity to gate the endurance of memory storage. In conclusion, locus coeruleus activation primes the persistence of hippocampus-based long-term memory.
Topics: Animals; Hippocampus; Locus Coeruleus; Long-Term Potentiation; Memory; Neural Pathways; Norepinephrine
PubMed: 28695015
DOI: 10.1155/2017/2727602 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2020to assess the relation of the locus of control with the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP).
OBJECTIVES
to assess the relation of the locus of control with the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP).
METHODS
this is a cross-sectional study with 1,192 high school students. Data were collected using the KAP questionnaire and the Levenson locus of control scale and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test.
RESULTS
Women presented higher Externality Powerful Others locus of control than man (p=0.0015) and adolescents over 17, higher Externality Chance locus of control (p=<0.0001). Students who used contraceptive methods at the first contraceptive method had higher Externality Powerful Others (p=0.0107) and those who used coitus interruptus, had higher Externality Chance (p=0.0013). Internality was inversely proportional to the practice in relation to the dimensions of the locus of control.
CONCLUSIONS
The dimensions of the locus of control were related to some contraceptive practices, but little or no relation to knowledge and attitude.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Contraception Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Internal-External Control; Male; Sexual Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32236358
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0604