Neural correlates of reward valuation in individuals with nonsuicidal self-injury under uncertainty.

BACKGROUND: Attitudes toward risk and ambiguity significantly influence how individuals assess and value rewards. This fMRI study examines the reward valuation process under conditions of uncertainty and investigates the associated neural mechanisms in individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a coping mechanism for psychological pain. METHODS: The study involved 44 unmedicated individuals who reported five or more NSSI episodes in the past year, along with 42 age-, sex-, handedness-, IQ-, and socioeconomic status-matched controls. During the fMRI scans, all participants were presented with decision-making scenarios involving uncertainty, both in terms of risk (known probabilities) and ambiguity (unknown probabilities). RESULTS: In the NSSI group, aversive attitudes toward ambiguity were correlated with increased emotion reactivity and greater method versatility. Whole-brain analysis revealed notable group-by-condition interactions in the right middle cingulate cortex and left hippocampus. Specifically, the NSSI group showed decreased neural activation under ambiguity v. risk compared to the control group. Moreover, reduced hippocampal activation under ambiguity in the NSSI group was associated with increased emotion regulation problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first evidence of reduced brain activity in specific regions during value-based decision-making under conditions of ambiguity in individuals with NSSI. These findings have important clinical implications, particularly concerning emotion dysregulation in this population. This study indicates the need for interventions that support and guide individuals with NSSI to promote adaptive decision-making in the face of ambiguous uncertainty.

Synergistic effects of 2A-mediated polyproteins on the production of lignocellulose degradation enzymes in tobacco plants.

Cost-effective bioethanol production requires a supply of various low-cost enzymes that can hydrolyse lignocellulosic materials consisting of multiple polymers. Because plant-based enzyme expression systems offer low-cost and large-scale production, this study simultaneously expressed ß-glucosidase (BglB), xylanase (XylII), exoglucanase (E3), and endoglucanase (Cel5A) in tobacco plants, which were individually fused with chloroplast-targeting transit peptides and linked via the 2A self-cleaving oligopeptideex from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) as follows: [RsBglB-2A-RaCel5A], [RsXylII-2A-RaCel5A], and [RsE3-2A-RaCel5A]. The enzymes were targeted to chloroplasts in tobacco cells and their activities were confirmed. Similarly to the results of a transient assay using Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts, when XylII was placed upstream of the 2A sequence, the [RsXylII-2A-RaCel5A] transgenic tobacco plant had a more positive influence on expression of the protein placed downstream. The [RsBglB-2A-RaCel5A] and [RsE3-2A-RaCel5A] transgenic lines displayed higher activities towards carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC) compared to those in the [RsXylII-2A-RaCel5A] transgenic line. This higher activity was attributable to the synergistic effects of the different cellulases used. The [RsBglB-2A-RaCel5A] lines exhibited greater efficiency (35-74% increase) of CMC hydrolysis when the exoglucanase CBHII was added. Among the various exoglucanases, E3 showed higher activity with the crude extract of the [RsBglB-2A-RaCel5A] transgenic line. Transgenic expression of 2A-mediated multiple enzymes induced synergistic effects and led to more efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials for bioethanol production.

Correlates of quality of life in South Korean patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation based on the symptom management model.

While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has led to higher survival rates, the number of patients experiencing adverse reactions is also increasing. Based on the symptom management model, we aimed to analyze the relationships between symptom experience, symptom management strategies, self-management behavior, and quality of life among patients undergoing HSCT in South Korea and to identify the factors affecting their quality of life. The data of 67 conveniently sampled patients undergoing HSCT at a university-affiliated hospital, for the period from March 23 to June 7, 2016, were collected using a self-reported structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlations and multiple regression analysis. Quality of life showed a significant negative correlation with symptom experience and significant positive correlations with symptom management strategies. Factors influencing quality of life included symptom distress, symptom management strategies, and self-management behavior; these explained 39.4% of the variance. To improve quality of life in patients undergoing HSCT, the efficient management of multiple co-existing symptoms is important. There is a need for tailored nursing interventions based on a patient-focused and person-centered approach for patients undergoing HSCT.