A modified behavioral test protocol for simultaneously evaluating the incentive value of alcohol drinking and social interaction in mice.

Individual sociability and alcohol drinking are interacted to escalate alcohol use. An impairment in perceiving and discriminating the difference in incentive values between social interaction and drinking behavior indicates a shift from moderate alcohol consumption to misuse. However, few studies have evaluated the incentive value of these two behaviors in the same scenario. Thus, we modified a behavioral test protocol to evaluate rodents' ability to perceive and discriminate the differences in incentive value between alcohol drinking and interaction with their social partners. The present protocol is simple and practicable. Only 2-3 days are required to complete the whole process. Compared with existing methods, our protocol is simple and practicable. Our findings suggested that subtle changes in the incentive value of distinct behaviors can be accurately and reliably assessed using the present protocol in mice with low or high levels of alcohol preference.•We described a modified behavioral test protocol to simultaneously evaluate the incentive value of alcohol drinking and social interaction.•The subtle changes in the incentive value of mice with different levels of alcohol preference can be accurately and reliably assessed in the present protocol.•Using our modified protocol, the differences of incentive value between distinct behaviors can be accurately and reliably assessed in mice with different risks to develop into AUD.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine supplement on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease, often accompanied by metabolic disorders. Metformin, as an insulin sensitizer, is widely used to improve the metabolic function of PCOS, but may have gastrointestinal side effects. Emerging evidence suggests that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improves metabolic parameters in PCOS and may be a potential alternative to metformin. Methods: We searched four online databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, from inception to April 1, 2023. The I2 statistic and Cochrane's Q test were employed to determine heterogeneity between studies, with an I2 value >50% or p < 0.1 considered significant. The data were expressed as standardized mean differences and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis, including 869 women with PCOS. The results showed that NAC caused more changes in body mass index (SMD: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.40 to 0.08), body weight (SMD: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.50 to 0.00), fasting insulin (SMD: -0.24, 95% CI: -0.53 to 0.06), ratio of fasting blood glucose to fasting insulin (SMD: 0.38, 95% CI: -0.33 to 1.08), total cholesterol (SMD: -0.11, 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.17), triglycerides (SMD: -0.18, 95% CI: -0.63 to 0.28), and low-density lipoprotein (SMD: -0.09, 95% CI: -0.51 to 0.33) compared with metformin. Compared with metformin or placebo, NAC significantly reduced fasting blood-glucose levels (SMD: -0.23, 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.04; SMD: -0.54, 95% CI: -1.03 to -0.05, respectively). In addition, NAC significantly reduced total cholesterol (SMD: -0.74, 95% CI: -1.37 to -0.12), and this effect was observed when NAC was compared with placebo. However, NAC reduced HDL levels in women with PCOS compared with metformin (SMD: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.42 to 0.14). Conclusion: This study suggests that NAC is effective in improving metabolic parameters in PCOS and may be a promising nutritional supplement for the treatment of PCOS.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=415172, identifier CRD42022339171.

Effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior of Chinese university students: A moderated mediation model.

The relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior has been highlighted by previous studies. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying body dissatisfaction-induced binge eating behavior remain unclear. Here, we further addressed this issue in the framework of the sociocultural model of eating disorders. Firstly, we investigated the mediation effect of perceived stress on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating. Secondly, we examined the moderation role of the self-acceptance and emotion regulation strategies on the indirect effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior mediated by perceived stress. Data from 903 Chinese university students were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro. Results indicated that perceived stress mediates the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior. Main interactional effects have been observed when self-acceptance and cognitive reappraisal but not expressive suppression are introduced in the model as a moderator. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Effect of Self-Efficacy on Bedtime Procrastination Among Chinese University Students: A Moderation and Mediation Model.

Bedtime procrastination (BP) is generally considered to be a maladaptive behavior. However, BP may be an adaptive fast LH strategy within the LH framework, and further, personal beliefs about their abilities and resources promote this fast LH strategy. Here, the present study addressed this idea, focusing on the effect of self-efficacy on BP, the mediation of harm avoidance (HA), and the moderation of novelty seeking (NS). Data from 552 Chinese university students (205 men and 347 women) were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro. Results indicated that HA partially mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and BP. Main interactional effects have been observed when NS is introduced in the model as a moderator. Implications and limitations of the study and suggestions for further study are discussed.

A recurrence model for laryngeal cancer based on SVM and gene function clustering.

CONCLUSION: A prognostic model was obtained for LC. Several critical genes were unveiled. They could be potentially applied for LC recurrence prediction. OBJECTIVE: Gene expression data of laryngeal cancer (LC) were analyzed to identify critical genes associated with recurrence. METHODS: Two gene expression datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Dataset GSE27020 is used as the training set, containing 75 non-recurred LC cases and 34 recurred LC cases. RESULTS: A total of 725 DEGs were identified from the training set. A total of 4126 gene pairs showed significant correlations in non-recurred LC only, corresponding to 533 genes. A total of 7235 gene pairs showed significant correlations in recurred LC only, corresponding to 608 genes. Besides, 1694 gene pairs showed significant correlations in both non-recurred and recurred LC, corresponding to 322 genes. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for the three groups of DEGs. Seven overlapping biological functions were revealed: positive regulation of chondrocyte differentiation, autoimmune thyroid disease, focal adhesion, linoleic acid metabolism, drug metabolism, organic cation transport, and ECM-receptor interaction. Eight feature genes (PDIA3, MYH11, PDK1, SDC3, RPE65, LAMC3, BTK, and UPK1B) were identified. Their prognostic effect was validated by independent test set as well as survival analysis.