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Following the spread of the pandemic by COVID-19 social distancing has been imposed, which, along with other behaviors, changed our usual lifestyle. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether social distancing can influence the processing of stimuli such as commercial logos. During a size discrimination task, logos were presented on the screen in their original and spaced representation, belonging to three different categories (letters, symbols and social images). Results showed an effect of spacing (slower processing of spaced stimuli than original stimuli) modulated by the type of logo. Specifically, the effect emerged with logos that have a social dimension, while it was null with logos representing letters and abstract symbols.

The influence of spatial-numerical associations in number categorization tasks has been widely discussed, while the role of mathematical symbols is less clear. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that subtraction and addition, reducing and increasing the magnitude of numbers, are associated with left and right space, respectively. This result is explained by invoking a mental number line or a semantic association. The present work investigated the role of the mathematical symbols «minus and plus» presented as fixation points in a spatial compatibility task. Results demonstrated an opposite influence of the two symbols: the processing of the «minus» facilitated responses to the target presented on the left, while the «plus» facilitated responses to the target presented on the right.

Previous research investigating handle-response compatibility effects with graspable objects used different categories of objects as stimuli, regardless of their specific, intrinsic characteristics. The current study explores whether different types of objects’ characteristics may elicit different types of spatial compatibility, that is, handle-response and response-effect compatibility as well as their potential interaction. In Experiment 1, objects having a graspable handle opposite to either a visible functional component (i.e., handle-function objects: a teapot) or a latent functional component (handle-only objects: a pitcher lacking the spout) were presented separately in different blocks. Both the handle and the goal-directed functional components of these objects were located on the horizontal axis. In Experiment 2, handle-only objects had a handle located on the horizontal axis and a latent functional component located on the vertical axis (e.g., a cup). In both experiments, participants were required to judge the material (plastic and metal) the object was made of. Results showed that the handle-response compatibility effect was sensitive to whether the actions consequences of object manipulation took place on the horizontal rather than on the vertical axis.

Platelet gel is used to facilitate wound healing in virtue of the growth factors released from activated platelets at the site of lesion, but little is known about the specific mechanisms underlying cellular repair.To evaluate, in vitro, cellular effects of different concentrations of platelet gel -released supernatant on endothelial cells.Platelet concentrate was produced at the Service of Immunohaematology and Transfusion of San Salvatore Hospital of L'Aquila, using multiple bags. Platelet gel was obtained by adding thrombin and calcium gluconate to the concentrates and then centrifuging to recover the supernatant. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were isolated from umbilical cord veins and grown in appropriate conditions. To study their viability, cells were treated with different concentrations of supernatant and XTT assays were performed on the 3 days following treatment. Endothelial cell motility and invasiveness were assayed using modified Boyden chambers with filters coated with 0.1% gelatin (for the motility test) or with a thick layer of the reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel (for the invasion test). The supernatant, added at various concentrations to the lower compartment of the chamber, was used as an attractant. Umbilical cells were added to the upper compartment of the chamber. After 4 hours (for the motility test) or 6 hours (for the invasion test), filters were stained and the migrated cells in five high-power fields were counted.When used at specific concentrations, platelet gel-released supernatant is able to induce proliferation and to stimulate motility and invasiveness of endothelial human cells. Higher concentrations induce a reversion of the stimulatory processes.There is a large body of evidence indicating that platelets and their derivatives have the potential for a substantial therapeutic role in tissue regeneration. The results of this in vitro study highlight the need for an in-depth analysis of technical protocols for the most appropriate and effective use of platelet gel for in vivo applications.

The ability of a cell to modify the extracellular matrix is important in several pathophysiological alterations including tumorigenesis. Cell transformation is accompanied by changes in the surrounding stroma as a result of the action of specific proteases such as the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), which has been associated with invasive potential in many tumor types. In this study, we analyzed the release of vesicle-associated uPA by the aggressive prostatic carcinoma cell line PC3 and the implications of this release for the invasive behaviour of prostatic tumor cells. Zymography and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of vesicle-associated uPA in the high-molecular weight form. Vesicles adhered to and degraded both collagen IV and reconstituted basal membrane (Matrigel), and plasminogen enhanced the degradation in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of membrane vesicles shed by PC3 cells to cultures of the poorly invasive prostate cancer cell line LnCaP enhanced the adhesive and invasive capabilities of the latter, suggesting a mechanism involving substrate recognition and degradation. Together, these findings indicate that membrane vesicles can promote tumor invasion and point to the important role of vesicle-associated uPA in the extracellular compartment.

This paper is the first report on the use of the electron microscopy autoradiography technique to detect metabolically tritium labeled sphingolipids in intact cells in culture. To label cell sphingolipids, human fibroblasts in culture were fed by a 24 hours pulse, repeated 5 times, of 3 x 10(-7) M [1-(3)H]sphingosine. [1-(3)H]sphingosine was efficently taken up by the cells and very rapidly used for the biosynthesis of complex sphingolipids, including neutral glycolipids, gangliosides, ceramide and sphingomyelin. The treatment with [1-(3)H]sphingosine did not induce any morphological alteration of cell structures, and well preserved cells, plasma membranes, and intracellular organelles could be observed by microscopy. Ultrathin sections from metabolic radiolabeled cells were coated with autoradiographic emulsion. One to four weeks of exposition resulted in pictures where the location of radioactive sphingolipids was evidenced by the characteristic appearance of silver grains as irregular coiled ribbons of metallic silver. Radioactive sphingolipids were found at the level of the plasma membranes, on the endoplasmic reticulum and inside of cytoplasmic vesicles. Thus, electron microscopy autoradiography is a very useful technique to study sphingolipid-enriched membrane domain organization and biosynthesis.

The in vitro release of matrix-degrading proteinases from breast cancer cells is associated in part with shed membrane vesicles. To determine whether shed vesicles might play a similar role in ovarian cancer cells, we analyzed the shedding phenomenon in vivo and in vitro as well as the enzymatic content of their vesicles. This is the first time that an immunoelectron microscopical analysis revealed membrane vesicles carrying tumor-associated antigen alpha-Folate Receptor (alpha-FR), circulating in biological fluids (ascites and serum) of an ovarian carcinoma patient. These vesicles were trapped in a fiber network with characteristic fibrin periodicity. An ovarian cancer cell line (CABA I) established from ascitic fluid cells of this patient, grew in Matrigel and formed tubular structures suggesting invasive capability. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated strong cytoplasmic staining of CABA I cells with anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and anti-urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) antibodies. CABA I cells shed membrane vesicles, which were morphologically similar to those identified in vivo, as determined by electron microscopy. Gelatin zymography of vesicles isolated both in vivo and in vitro revealed major gelatinolytic bands of the MMP family, identified as the zymogen and active forms of gelatinase B (MMP-9) and gelatinase A (MMP-2). By casein-plasminogen zymography we observed high-molecular weight (HMW)-uPA and plasmin bands. Incubation of purified vesicles from CABA I cells with Matrigel led to cleavage of Matrigel components. Taken together, our results point to a possible role of shed vesicles, both in vivo and in vitro, in proteolysis that mediates invasion and spread of ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells.

Shedding of membrane vesicles is a vital phenomenon frequently observed in tumor cells and suggested to be involved in several aspects of tumor progression. Our previous studies have shown that human breast tumor cells rapidly shed membrane vesicles containing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study we present that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as well as different tumor cell lines (human ovarian cancer, CABA I and A2780, and hepatocarcinoma cell line, SK-Hep 1) shed vesicles in the extracellular medium. These vesicles carry MMPs and their inhibitors TIMPs. We conclude that tumor and endothelial cells shed MMP-containing vesicles and this may represent a mechanism for regulating focalized proteolytic activity and a way to interact with microenvironment during tumor angiogenesis.

Recent studies suggest that covering the face inhibits the recognition of identity and emotional expressions. However, it might also make the eyes more salient, since they are a reliable index to orient our social and spatial attention. This study investigates (1) whether the pervasive interaction with people with face masks fostered by the COVID-19 pandemic modulates the processing of spatial information essential to shift attention according to other’s eye-gaze direction (i.e., gaze-cueing effect: GCE), and (2) whether this potential modulation interacts with motor responses (i.e., Simon effect). Participants were presented with face cues orienting their gaze to a congruent or incongruent target letter location (gaze-cueing paradigm) while wearing a surgical mask (Mask), a patch (Control), or nothing (No-Mask). The task required to discriminate the identity of the lateralized target letters by pressing one of two lateralized response keys, in a corresponding or a non-corresponding position with respect to the target. Results showed that GCE was not modulated by the presence of the Mask, but it occurred in the No-Mask condition, confirming previous studies. Crucially, the GCE interacted with Simon effect in the Mask and Control conditions, though in different ways. While in the Mask condition the GCE emerged only when target and response positions corresponded (i.e., Simon-corresponding trials), in the Control condition it emerged only when they did not correspond (i.e., Simon-non-corresponding trials). These results indicate that people with face masks induce us to jointly orient our visual attention in the direction of the seen gaze (GCE) in those conditions resembling (or associated with) a general approaching behavior (Simon-corresponding trials). This is likely promoted by the fact that we tend to perceive wearing the mask as a personal safety measure and, thus, someone wearing the face mask is perceived as a trustworthy person. In contrast, people with a patch on their face can be perceived as more threatening, therefore inducing a GCE in those conditions associated with a general avoidance behavior (Simon-non-corresponding trials).

Using abstract concepts is a hallmark of human cognition. While multiple kinds of abstract concepts exist, they so far have been conceived as a unitary kind in opposition to concrete ones. Here, we focus on Institutional concepts, like justice or norm, investigating their fine-grained differences with respect to other kinds of abstract and concrete concepts, and exploring whether their representation varies according to individual proficiency. Specifically, we asked experts and non-experts in the legal field to evaluate four kinds of concepts (i.e., institutional, theoretical, food, artefact) on 16 dimensions: abstractness-concreteness; imageability; contextual availability; familiarity; age of acquisition; modality of acquisition; social valence; social metacognition; arousal; valence; interoception; metacognition; perceptual modality strength; body-object interaction; mouth and hand involvement. Results showed that Institutional concepts rely more than other categories on linguistic/social and inner experiences and are primarily characterized by positive valence. In addition, a more subtle characterization of the institutional domain emerged: Pure-institutional concepts (e.g., parliament) were perceived as more similar to technical tools, while Meta-institutional concepts (e.g., validity) were characterized mainly by abstract components. Importantly, for what concerns individual proficiency, we found that the level of expertise affects conceptual representation. Only law-experts associated Institutional concepts with exteroceptive and emotional experiences, showing also a more grounded and situated representation of the two types of institutional concepts. Overall, our finding highlights the richness and flexibility of abstract concepts and suggests that they differ in the degree of embodiment and grounding. Implications of the results for current theories of conceptual representation and social institutions are discussed.

Humans have this extraordinary cognitive ability: They imagine inexistent objects, they treat them as if they were real, and by doing so they make them real. They thus give rise to a shared institutional reality that enables them to cooperate in ways that would be impossible otherwise. In this paper, we would like to revisit the account that HLA Hart gives of the practice of collective acceptance that makes a legal system possible. We try to provide an explanation of what Hart calls the 'internal point of view', on the basis of experiments on institutional concepts, drawing on the paradigm known as 'embodied cognition'. Experts and non-experts in law rated the role of several cognitive dimensions for a list of words referring to two kinds of abstract concepts (institutional and theoretical/scientific) and two kinds of concrete ones (food and artifact). Institutional concepts were distinguished into pure-institutional (e.g., 'contract', 'state', 'property') and meta-institutional (e.g., 'norm', 'duty', 'justice'). The results provide an empirical account of how our way of thinking about institutions changes as we acquire expertise in the legal field, thus shading light on the cognitive underpinnings of the 'internal point of view'.

Recent work has shown that number concepts activate both spatial and magnitude representations. According to the social co-representation literature which has shown that participants typically represent task components assigned to others together with their own, we asked whether explicit magnitude meaning and explicit spatial coding must be present in a single mind, or can be distributed across two minds, to generate a spatial-numerical congruency effect. In a shared go/no-go task that eliminated peripheral spatial codes, we assigned explicit magnitude processing to participants and spatial processing to either human or non-human co-agents. The spatial-numerical congruency effect emerged only with human co-agents. We demonstrate an inter-personal level of conceptual congruency between space and number that arises from a shared conceptual representation not contaminated by peripheral spatial codes. Theoretical implications of this finding for numerical cognition are discussed.

The Simon effect refers to the fact that, even though stimulus position is task-irrelevant, responses to a task-relevant stimulus dimension are faster and more accurate when the stimulus and response spatially correspond than when they do not. Although the Simon effect is a very robust phenomenon, it is modulated by practice or transfer from previous tasks. Practice refers to the modulation of the Simon effect as a function of number of trials. Transfer refers to the modulation of the Simon effect as a function of preceding tasks. The aim of the present study is to disentangle the role of practice and transfer in modulating the Simon effect and to investigate whether such modulation can be extended to a different response modality. Three experiments were conducted, which included three sessions: the Baseline session, the Inducer session and the Diagnostic session. The task performed in the Baseline and the Diagnostic sessions were comprised of location-irrelevant trials (i.e., they were Simon tasks). The task performed in the Inducer session required performing location-relevant trials (i.e., it was a spatial compatibility task with a compatible or an incompatible stimulus–response mapping). In the first and third experiments, participants were required to respond manually in all sessions. In the second experiment, the task performed in the Inducer session required manual response, while in the Baseline and Diagnostic sessions the tasks required ocular response. Results showed a reduced-Diagnostic Simon effect after both compatible and incompatible mapping in the Inducer session, regardless of whether response modality was the same or different. These results support the notion that the practice effect prevails over the transfer effect.

In the present study, we examined the pupillary response of White participants who were asked to tell the truth or lie to White or Black partners. Research on cues to deception has assumed that lying is more cognitively demanding that truth telling. In line with this assumption, previous studies have shown that lying is associated with greater pupil dilation, a behavioral cue that typically manifests itself under conditions of stress or cognitive effort. In accordance with these results, we predicted greater pupil dilation when lying than when telling the truth. Furthermore, pupil dilation was expected to be greater when responding to White than Black partners. Finally, we hypothesized that pupil dilation would be greater when lying to White than Black partners. Participants were instructed to answer a set of questions, half truthfully and half deceptively. They were led to believe that White vs. Black partners (one male and one female) would ask the questions via computer connection. Indeed, we used feminine and masculine synthetic voices. Pupil dilation was assessed with a remote eye-tracking system. Results provided support for the first two hypotheses. However, the predicted interaction between race of partners and truth status of message (lying vs. telling the truth) was nonsignificant. Our findings highlight the importance of considering race in the study of truthful and deceptive communications.

Number processing induces spatial attention shifts to the left or right side for small or large numbers, respectively. This spatial-numerical association (SNA) extends to mental calculation, such that subtractions and additions induce left or right biases, respectively. However, the time course of activating SNAs during mental calculation is unclear. Here, we addressed this issue by measuring visual position discrimination during auditory calculation. Thirty-four healthy adults listened in each trial to five successive elements of arithmetic facts (first operand, operator, second operand, equal and result) and verbally classified their correctness. After each element (except for the result), a fixation dot moved equally often to either the left or right side and participants pressed left or right buttons to discriminate its movement direction (four times per trial). First and second operand magnitude (small/large), operation (addition/subtraction), result correctness (right/wrong) and movement direction (left/right) were balanced across 128 trials. Manual reaction times of dot movement discriminations were considered in relation to previous arithmetic elements. We found no evidence of early attentional shifts after first operand and operator presentation. Discrimination performance was modulated consistent with SNAs after the second operand, suggesting that attentional shifts occur once there is access to all elements necessary to complete an arithmetic operation. Such late-occurring attention shifts may reflect a combination of multiple element-specific biases and confirm their functional role in mental calculation.