Differences In Behavior Research Articles

Sex differences in olfactory behavior and neurophysiology in Long Evans Rats.

In many species, olfactory abilities in females are more acute than those in males. Studies in humans show that women have lower olfactory thresholds and are better able to discriminate and identify odors than men. In mice, odorants elicit faster activation from a larger number of olfactory bulb glomeruli in females than males. Our study explores sex differences in olfaction in Long Evans rats from a behavioral and electrophysiological perspective. Local field potentials (LFPs) in the olfactory bulb (OB) represent the coordinated activity of bulbar neurons. Olfactory gamma (65-120 Hz) and beta (15-30 Hz) oscillations have been functionally linked to odor perception. Spontaneous and odor-evoked OB LFPs were recorded from awake rats at the same time for 12 days. Odors used included urine of both sexes and monomolecular odorants characterized previously for correlation of volatility with behavior and OB oscillations. Sampling duration, baseline gamma and beta power, and odor-elicited beta and gamma power were analyzed. We find that females sample odorants for a shorter duration than males (just over 1s difference). While baseline gamma and beta power do not show significant differences between the two sexes, odor-elicited gamma and beta power in females is significantly lower than in males. Neither sampling duration nor beta and gamma power in females varied systematically with day of estrus. We further verify that variance of these behavioral and physiological measures is not different across sexes, adding to growing evidence that researchers need not be concerned about often-claimed additional variance in female subjects.

The effect of depression on non-suicidal self-injury and psychological status in adolescents with unipolar and bipolar disorders

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of depression on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and related psychological conditions in adolescents with unipolar disorder (UD) and bipolar disorder (BD), and to provide a basis for accurate prevention and intervention of NSSI behaviors in adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected data from adolescents aged 12–18 years with depressive episodes who exhibited NSSI behaviors and attended the psychiatric outpatient clinic of Huangshi City Psychiatric Specialized Hospital from 2018 to 2023. Depressive episodes were clinically diagnosed by two psychiatrists according to the ICD-10.ResultsIn terms of NSSI behavioral patterns and severity, adolescents with UD displayed more frequent behaviour of intentionally burning themselves with cigarettes and had more instances of self-inflicted suicidal thoughts that were not carried out compared to those with BD, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). For psychological status, Nurses′ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR) scores were significantly higher in adolescents with BD than in those with UD (P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between anxiety scores and the frequency of NSSI in adolescents with BD (P < 0.05); that is, the more anxious the adolescents with BD, the lower the frequency of NSSI. The NGASR scores of adolescents with UD and BD were significantly and positively correlated with the frequency of NSSI occurrences (P < 0.05); higher NGASR scores of adolescents with UD and BD corresponded with higher frequencies of NSSI.ConclusionThe differences in NSSI behaviors between adolescents with UD and those with BD were statistically significant in terms of self-injury method and severity. Adolescents with UD experienced more severe consequences related to NSSI behaviors. Regarding psychological conditions, adolescents with BD are at a higher risk of suicide. An inverse relationship was observed between anxiety severity and the frequency of NSSI in adolescents with BD; severe anxiety was associated with lower NSSI frequency. Additionally, higher suicide risk was associated with a higher frequency of NSSI in adolescent patients with either UD or BD. Therefore, different prevention and intervention measures are needed to address NSSI behaviors in adolescents with UD and BD.

Electrochemical Behaviors of Ultramicro Triangular Pipettes.

Ultramicro pipettes with circular orifices have practically become common probes in exploring the microscopic world, yet the versatility of differently shaped pipettes is undermined in the pore family. Herein, ultramicro triangular pipettes with a pseudotriangular-shaped orifice were fabricated by laser-pulling triangular quartz capillaries and characterized by microscopic and electrochemical methods. Then, the differences in the electrochemical behaviors of triangular and circular pores were revealed through experiments and simulations. A liquid/liquid interface was supported first at a triangular pipette, and the facilitated potassium ion transfer reactions exhibited steady-state voltammetric responses. An empirical equation for triangular pores between the diffusion-limited current and the side length (a) of the orifice was evaluated, and the corresponding mass transfer coefficient of ion ingress was estimated as mTri = 8.05D/a. As for ion egress transfer, the tip angle and pore shape would affect the diffusion regime and the ion distribution, where the mass transfer would be enhanced at the corners of a triangular pipette with a large tip angle. Triangular submicropores and nanopores were employed to detect particle translocations at a high capture rate, though the events had broader distributions and lower charges than those of circular pores. These findings demonstrate the shape effect in triangular pores that promotes the mass transfer rate of interfacial ion transfer reactions and the capture rate of ionic blockades. The universal laser-pulling method could make ultramicro pores of arbitrary shapes accessible in fundamental studies and applicable as chemical sensors.

Skeletal Stem Cells: A Basis for Orthopaedic Pathology and Tissue Repair.

➢ Skeletal stem cells (SSCs) continually replenish mature cell populations to support skeletal homeostasis.➢ SSCs repopulate by self-renewal, have multilineage potential, and are long-lived in vivo.➢ SSCs express specific combinations of cell surface markers that reflect their lineage identity.➢ SSCs adapt to their anatomic environment to support regional differences in skeletal behavior and pathology.

Integrated lipidomics and RNA-seq reveal prognostic biomarkers in well-differentiated and dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma

BackgroundRetroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) is a mesenchymal malignant tumor characterized by different degrees of adipocytic differentiation. Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) are two of the most common subtypes of RLPS, exhibiting clear differences in biological behaviors and clinical prognosis. The metabolic features and genomic characteristics remain unclear.MethodsThis study employed lipidomic and RNA-seq analyses of RLPS tissues from 19 WDLPS and 29 DDLPS patients. Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to verify the tumor tissue protein levels of TIMP1, FN1, MMP11, GPNMB, and ECM1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate different serum protein levels in 128 blood samples from patients with RLPS. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the most crucial variables associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the RLPS patients.ResultsLipidomic analysis revealed a significant difference in lipid metabolism, particularly in phosphatidylcholines and triacylglycerides metabolism. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that 1,630 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism, developmental process, and extracellular matrix (ECM) pathways. Integrated lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis identified 29 genes as potential biomarkers between WDLPS and DDLPS. Among the 29 DEGs, we found that TIMP1, FN1, MMP11, GPNMB, and ECM1 were increased in DDLPS tumor tissues than in WDLPS tumor tissues. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed high specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing patients using a five-gene combination (AUC = 0.904). ELISA revealed a significant increase in the serum levels of ECM1 and GPNMB in patients with DDLPS compared to patients with WDLPS. ECM1 increased progressively across different FNCLCC Grades, correlating negatively with RFS (P = 0.043). GPNMB levels showed a negative correlation with OS (P = 0.019).ConclusionsOur study reveals different lipid metabolism, several transcriptional pathways between WDLPS and DDLPS, and examines several serum markers associated with the prognosis of RLPS. These findings provide a vital basis for future endeavors in diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of retroperitoneal liposarcoma with different differentiations.

Effectiveness of systemic treatments for advanced non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundNon-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies with substantial differences in morphology, genetic profiles, clinical behavior, and prognosis. Optimal treatment for nccRCC remains unclear, largely extrapolated from evidence available for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of current mainstream drug treatments for nccRCC to provide clinical treatment guidance for advanced cases.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for trials published up to January 2, 2024, including controlled and single-arm trials. Primary outcomes included overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsWe selected six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs). These trials included four first-line and two second-line studies, with a total of 398 advanced nccRCC patients. Pooled results showed that VEGFR-TKIs significantly improved PFS compared to mTORi in first-line treatment (relative risk [RR] = 1.387; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.85; p = 0.026). In a single-arm meta-analysis, we included 22 VEGFR-TKI trials, three mTORi trials, 12 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies, five chemotherapy trials, and 10 combination therapy trials. The pooled ORR ranged from 6% (95% CI: 0–16%) to 36% (95% CI: 27–44%), and the pooled DCR ranged from 54% (95% CI: 50–58%) to 81% (95% CI: 70–91%). Subgroup analysis of ICI showed a higher ORR in the PD-L1 positive group compared to the PD-L1 negative group (RR = 3.044; 95% CI: 1.623-5.709; p = 0.001).ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that VEGFR-TKIs improve PFS in first-line treatment compared to mTORi. The single-arm meta-analysis suggest that combination therapies with different mechanisms result in better ORR and DCR. Furthermore, PD-L1 positive patients showed significantly better therapeutic responses with ICI treatment than PD-L1 negative patients.

D-Serine May Ameliorate Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity Impairment Induced by Patients’ Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antibodies in Mice

Objective: To establish a mouse model of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis and assess the potential therapeutic benefits of D-serine supplementation in mitigating synaptic plasticity impairments induced by anti-NMDAR antibodies. Methods: Anti-NMDAR antibodies were purified from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and verified using a cell-based assay. CSF from patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases served as the control. These antibodies were then injected intraventricularly into C57BL/6 mice. Forty-eight hours following the injection, mice were administered either D-serine (500 mg/kg) or sterile saline intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. Subsequent analyses included Western blotting, immunofluorescence, electrophysiological studies, and a series of behavioral tests to assess pathological changes caused by anti-NMDAR antibodies. Results: Mice injected with anti-NMDAR antibodies exhibited a significant reduction in hippocampal long-term potentiation compared to controls, which was notably ameliorated by D-serine treatment. Additionally, these mice displayed decreased levels of hippocampal membrane NMDAR1 protein and postsynaptic NMDAR1 density. However, D-serine administration did not significantly alter these conditions. Notably, no significant behavioral differences were observed between mice injected with anti-NMDAR antibodies and controls in open fields, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition, or Morris water maze tests. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that exogenous D-serine can improve hippocampal plasticity impairments caused by anti-NMDAR antibodies but does not reverse the decreased expression of NMDAR. Furthermore, a single intraventricular injection of patients’ antibodies was insufficient to induce anti-NMDAR encephalitis-related behaviors in mice.

New Mechanisms of Phase Transition in Olivine‐Type LixMn0.7Fe0.3PO4 Cathodes: a Finding on Relaxation Behavior and its Implications for Battery Performance

AbstractPhosphates of the olivine type, LiMnyFe1‐yPO4 (LMFP), have garnered significant attention due to their higher energy density compared to LiFePO4 (LFP). However, their limited cycle life and rate performance remain key obstacles to their commercialization. Therefore, elucidating the intricate phase transition mechanisms during electrochemical cycling is paramount to overcoming this bottleneck. This study investigates the relaxation behavior of LixMn0.7Fe0.3PO4 (0≤x≤1) under various conditions revealed a remarkable memory characteristic in its crystal structure: the lattice parameters of different delithiated states return to their fully lithiated configuration upon complete relaxation. Moreover, the relaxation rate is influenced by the charging/discharging conditions and storage environment: higher rates, greater delithiation, and longer relaxation times are observed, as are extended relaxation time at lower temperatures and in the absence of electrolyte. These findings provide a rational explanation for the complexity of the phase transition mechanisms in LMFP and highlight the significant differences in phase transition and relaxation behaviors, advancing the understanding of LMFP materials.

Digital wear analysis of onlay restorations constructed from two pressable glass-based ceramics against natural enamel: An in vitro study

Background. The wear resistance of lithium disilicate glass ceramics remains inadequately understood. Therefore, the primary objective of this in vitro study was to digitally assess the wear characteristics of lithium disilicate and zirconia-reinforced lithium disilicate pressable ceramics following chewing simulation. Methods. Twenty-two onlay ceramic restorations were fabricated on epoxy dies replicated from the maxillary first premolar ivory tooth master die. The onlay samples were randomly allocated to two equal groups (n=11) based on the material used: group L (lithium disilicate [IPS e.max Press]) and group Z (zirconia-reinforced lithium disilicate [Vita Ambria]). Self-adhesive resin cement was used to cement all of the samples. Each sample was occluded with the buccal cusps of healthy human upper first premolar teeth (n=22). Subsequently, all the samples were scanned using an intraoral scanner (Medit i500) at baseline and after chewing simulation. The acquired standard tessellation language (STL) files of baseline and post-chewing simulation data were superimposed, and the volumetric loss (mm3) and wear depth (μm) of the materials and their enamel antagonists were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test (P=0.05). Results. There was no statistically significant difference in the wear behavior of Vita Ambria compared to IPS e.max (P&lt;0.05). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in the wear behavior of their enamel antagonists (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion. IPS e.max Press and Vita Ambria ceramics demonstrated comparable wear behavior.

Anionic Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Based Molecular Brushes: Thermo- and pH-Responsive Properties

Anionic thermo- and pH-responsive copolymers were synthesized by photoiniferter reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (PI-RAFT). The thermo-responsive properties were provided by oligo(ethylene glycol)-based macromonomer units containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. The pH-responsive properties were enabled by the addition of 5–20 mol% of strong (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic) and weak (methacrylic) acids. Upon initiation by visible light at 470 nm and in the absence of radical initiators, yields from the ternary copolymers reached 94% in 2.5 h when the process was carried out in continuous flow mode using 4-cyano-4-[(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl]pentanoic acid as a light-sensitive RAFT agent. The polymers were characterized using size exclusion chromatography, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The copolymers featured a sufficiently high molecular weight (93–146 kDa) consistent with theoretical values and satisfactory dispersities in the range of 1.18–1.45. The pH-responsive properties were studied in deionized water, saline, and buffer solutions. Dramatic differences in LCST behavior were observed in strong and weak acid-based polyelectrolytes. The introduction of sulfonic acid units, even in very small amounts, completely suppressed the LCST transition in deionized water while maintaining it in the saline and buffer solutions, with a negligible LCST dependence on the pH. In contrast, the incorporation of weak methacrylic acid demonstrated a pronounced pH dependence. The peculiarities of micelle formation in aqueous solutions were investigated and critical micelle concentrations and their ability to retain pyrene, a hydrophobic drug model, were determined. It was observed that anionic molecular brushes formed small micelles with aggregation numbers of 1–2 at concentrations in the order of 10−4 mg/mL. These micelles have a high ability to entrap pyrene, which makes them a promising tool for targeted drug delivery.

Exploring the Effects of Mixed Reality Agents’ Locomotion and Postures on Social Perception Through a Board Game

Non-verbal cues like locomotion and posture influence users’ perceptions of Mixed Reality Agents (MiRAs). While Electroencephalography (EEG) captures cognitive responses, the influence of MiRAs’ locomotion and postures on brain activity remains underexplored. Additionally, few studies integrate subjective and behavioral measures with EEG to evaluate these cues’ impact on social perception. To address this, we conducted a within-subject study where participants played Gobang against three virtual agents in mixed reality: 1) a speech-only agent (S), 2) an embodied agent with speech and locomotion (S + L), and 3) an embodied agent with speech, locomotion, and posture (S + L + P). Results showed the S + L + P agent had higher engagement measured by the questionnaire but a lower EEG-based engagement index at AF3 than the S + L agent. Besides, the S + L + P was also rated higher in social presence, engagement, and emotional arousal than the S condition; No behavioral differences were observed. We discuss how MiRAs’ locomotion and posture affect users’ social perception and provide design implications for future human-agent interactions.

Assessment of UK Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers' lifestyle behaviours: a cross-sectional study.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers face difficult working conditions, promoting unhealthy lifestyle behaviours which are associated with an elevated prevalence of long-term health conditions. 109 drivers across the UK completed an online survey investigating differences in lifestyle behaviours between drivers with (N = 54) and without obesity (N = 55), including differences on work and non-workdays using an exploratory data analysis approach. Drivers with obesity (49.6%) perceived more barriers to healthy eating and being active than drivers without obesity. Drivers with obesity reported choosing more unhealthy options as snacks, ate more often at fast-food chains, and fewer fulfilled the physical activity guidelines. Additionally, the two groups differed regarding food and beverage choices on work and non-workdays. HGV drivers with obesity exhibit various dietary and physical activity behaviours associated with overnutrition and poor cardiometabolic health.

Individual Variability in the Structural Connectivity Architecture of the Human Brain.

The human brain exhibits high degree of individual variability in both its structure and function, which underlies inter-subject differences in cognition and behavior. It was previously shown that functional connectivity is more variable in the hetero-modal association cortex but less variable in the unimodal cortices. Structural connectivity is the anatomical substrate of functional connectivity, but the spatial and temporal patterns of individual variability in structural connectivity (IVSC) remain largely unknown. In the present study, we discovered a detailed and robust chart of IVSC obtained by applying diffusion MRI and tractography techniques to 1724 adults (770 males and 954 females) from multiple imaging datasets. Our results showed that the structural connectivity exhibited the highest and lowest variability in the limbic regions and the unimodal sensorimotor regions, respectively. With increased age, higher IVSC was observed across most brain regions. Moreover, the specific spatial distribution of IVSC is related to the cortical laminar differentiation and myelination content. Finally, we proposed a modified ridge regression model to predict individual cognition and generated idiographic brain mapping, which was significantly correlated with the spatial pattern of IVSC. Overall, our findings further contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of individual variability in brain structural connectivity and link to the prediction of individual cognitive function in adult subjects.Significance Statement White matter connectivity between grey matter regions plays an important role in integrating information from distributed regions when individuals performing complex cognitive functions. Unique white matter connectivity is the neuroanatomical identity of each individual. The authors systematically explored the spatio-temporal pattern of individual variability in structural connectivity, and the results show higher variability in structural connectivity relates to higher neuroplasticity. In addition, this study reveals that structural connectivity involved in executive function and attention task is different among individuals and highlights the importance of individualized statistical methods for mapping neural pathway of complex cognition.

Obesity phenotype and gut microbiota alterations are not associated with anxiety-like behaviour in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Anxiety is a common co-morbidity with obesity and metabolic disease, and can lead to a significant impact on quality of life. The vast differences in the gut microbiota between obese and control individuals provide a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. A high-fat diet (HFD) in rodent models have been shown to induce anxiety-like behaviour and has been tested through an array of distinct behavioural tests such as the elevated plus maze test, light-dark test and open field test. Despite differences in testing and assessment parameters, the behavioural outcomes have previously yielded similar results. Recent evidence suggests that HFD has an anxiolytic effect on mice, complicating the model. Here, we aimed to confirm whether HFD-fed mice are more susceptible to presenting anxiety-like behaviours. Our findings showed no significant differences in behaviour, plasma corticosterone and inflammation markers between HFD and control diet (CTD) mice, despite considerable differences in adiposity and faecal microbial communities. Additionally, daily oral gavage is one of the most common methods for testing bacterial probiotics in rodent models, but this handling could potentially also cause stress to the mice. Thus, we investigated if daily oral gavage could mask differences in HFD and CTD mice. We found no significant differences in weight, fat mass or anxiety-like behaviour in CTD-fed mice with or without daily oral gavage.

Synthesis and Evaluation of 9-epi-Koshidacin B as Selective Inhibitor of Histone Deacetylase 1.

A concise synthetic route to an epimer of the recently isolated biologically active cyclic tetrapeptide koshidacin B has been developed, which featured a late-stage functionalization of a macrocyclic scaffold through a cross metathesis reaction. The synthetic 9-epi-koshidacin B showed marginal differences in spectroscopic behavior with that of the natural product but exhibited conformational preferences similar to those reported for analogous substrate chlamydocin. Moreover, it exhibited a useful level of selective inhibition of biologically relevant enzyme histone deacetylase 1 with an IC50 value of 0.145 μM over two other isoforms. Docking studies indicate that the natural product as well as its 9-epimer binds very similarly to the active site of HDAC1 indicating little influence of the configuration of the C9-stereocenter.

A Genetic Polymorphism Underlying Alternative Reproductive Tactics in Eurycea Salamanders.

Alternative reproductive tactics are discrete, intrasexual differences in reproductive behaviour within a population. In some cases, these complex phenotypes are determined by autosomal supergenes or sex chromosomes-both of which exhibit reduced recombination and thus enable the linked inheritance of co-adapted alleles from multiple loci. Most alternative reproductive tactics in amphibians are plastic (and reversible), environmentally determined and lacking morphological differentiation, but a striking exception is found in the two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata) species complex. In some populations, two distinct male phenotypes coexist: 'searching' males have mental glands, protruding premaxillary teeth and elongate cirri used in terrestrial courtship, while 'guarding' males lack these traits and instead have hypertrophied jaw musculature used in mate guarding at aquatic nesting sites. These tactics differ in many morphological and behavioural phenotypes, but their proximate cause has not yet been described. Here, we generated genome-wide SNP data from > 130 Eurycea cf. wilderae collected from Highlands Biological Station. We provide evidence for an XY sex determination and for a Y-linked polymorphism underlying alternative reproductive tactics in this population. We then develop and validate a PCR-based genotyping assay and apply it to characterise the sex ratio and relative frequency of male tactics from a sample of larvae. Our results add to the growing body of literature exploring the importance of supergenes and sex chromosomes in complex intraspecific polymorphisms, and we highlight opportunities for future work to continue exploring the genomic architecture of these traits.

PERAN ORANG TUA DALAM PENGEMBANGAN SOSIAL EMOSIONAL ANAK DI ERA SOCIETY 5.0

The Society 5.0 era is a concept of a human-centered and technology-based Society , where early childhood is also very close to technology, especially gadgets. This has more or less affected the social emotional development of early childhood. This study aims to determine the role of parents in the development of children's social emotional aspects in the Society 5.0 era and to determine the social emotional aspects of children in the Society 5.0 era using a qualitative descriptive approach to parents who have children aged 4-5 years. Data collection techniques with interviews and observations. The role of parents in the Society 5.0 era has a very influential role in children, differences in children's behavior were found when using technology and their social emotions in parents who play a direct role in children and parents who work and the social emotional aspects of children are currently influenced by the Society 5.0 era which makes children dependent on gadgets so that children are more comfortable alone with gadgets which has an impact on minimal interaction and socializing children with others. The role of parents is very influential in the social emotional development of early childhood, therefore the need for care and guidance for children.

The Impact of the Farming Gardening Project Method Through Moving Classes on the Social and Emotional Behaviour of Kindergarten Age Children

This research problem focuses on the low ability of kindergarten B children in terms of cooperation, helping, discipline, self-confidence, and self-control. So, to overcome this problem, this study aims to analyze the impact of the farming gardening project method through moving classes on improving the social and emotional behavior of kindergarten B children. This type of research is an experiment with a quasi-experimental design. The research subjects comprised 40 kindergarten B children divided into two groups: an experimental group of 20 children and a control group of 20 children. Data collection methods used observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research instruments included social and emotional behavior observation sheets and interview guides. Data were analyzed using statistical techniques with the help of the SPSS 12.0 for Windows program. The results showed that children in the experimental group who applied the farming gardening project method through moving class significantly improved social and emotional behavior compared to the control group who used conventional learning methods. Statistically, the difference in children's social and emotional behavior between the experimental and control groups was significant for social and emotional behavior. The conclusion of this study shows that the farming gardening project method through moving classes is efficacious in improving the social and emotional behavior of kindergarten B children. The implication of this study is the importance of applying project-based methods in learning activities to stimulate children's social and emotional development holistically.

Behavioral Alterations in Mice Exposed to Manganese via Drinking Water: Effects of Sex and a Lipopolysaccharide Challenge.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential and important metal; however, overexposures lead to adverse neurological outcomes. Nonoccupational Mn overexposure occurs primarily through consumption of Mn-contaminated drinking water (DW). Sex differences in terms of nervous and immune systems' responsiveness to excessive Mn in the DW are understudied. Thus, this study investigated behavioral and sex differences in response to Mn DW treatment (0.4 g Mn/L for up to 8 weeks) and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge of adult C57BL/6 mice with GFP-tagged monocytes/microglia. After 6 weeks, in motor function tests, Mn exposure resulted in decreased activity and gait deficits. In two different mood tests (open field test [OFT]/elevated zero maze), Mn-exposed mice exhibited decreased fear/anxiety-like behavior. Two weeks after behavioral assessment, when mice were challenged with LPS, circulating inflammatory cytokines, and acute phase proteins increased in both sexes. After 8 weeks of Mn exposure, liver and brain Mn levels were increased, but Mn alone did not affect circulating cytokines in either sex. Notably, Mn-exposed/LPS-challenged males had potentiated plasma cytokine output, whereas the reverse was seen in females. Males, but not females, continued to exhibit increased fearlessness (i.e., increased OFT center time), even when challenged with LPS. Overall, our results show that Mn DW exposure increases brain Mn levels and it leads to behavioral alterations in both sexes. However, males might be more susceptible to the effect of Mn on mood, and this effect is recalcitrant to an inflammagen challenge. Mn augmented post-LPS cytokine production only in males, further indicating that important Mn effects are sex-biased.

How does teaching experience impact brain processes underlying the theory of mind? Study on primary school educators

ABSTRACT Despite its importance for daily social interactions, few studies have explored interindividual differences in the Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities of healthy adults. We used Children’s False-Attribution (CFA), Children’s False-Beliefs (CFB), and Belief-Desire Reasoning tasks, along with fMRI-based assessments, in a comparative analysis of ToM among primary school teachers (PST; n = 27), skilled in social interactions with children, and matched controls (MC; n = 24), who lacked such experience. PST demonstrated slower reaction times than MC in Adult and Child false-belief stories of CFB. However, no other behavioral differences between the groups and between-group differences were observed at the brain level. Both groups presented similar valence ratings for stories in the CFA. Notably, fMRI analysis revealed a group-by-condition interaction effect in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). In PSTs, OFC activation decreased during negative false-attribution stories regarding children compared to stories related to adults, whereas MC demonstrated an opposite activation pattern. Between-group differences in right lateral OFC activity possibly signify a neural efficiency effect secondary to frequent social interactions of PSTs, unlike the MCs, with children in the working environment. These results underscore the significance of everyday social experiences in the functional plasticity of ToM networks.