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Abtin S, Seyedaghamiri F, Aalidaeijavadi Z, Farrokhi AM, Moshrefi F, Ziveh T, Zibaii MI, Aliakbarian H, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Haghparast A. A review on the consequences of molecular and genomic alterations following exposure to electromagnetic fields: Remodeling of neuronal network and cognitive changes. Brain Res Bull 2024; 217:111090. [PMID: 39349259 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/02/2024]
Abstract
The use of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is essential in daily life. Since 1970, concerns have grown about potential health hazards from EMF. Exposure to EMF can stimulate nerves and affect the central nervous system, leading to neurological and cognitive changes. However, current research results are often vague and contradictory. These effects include changes in memory and learning through changes in neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus, synapses and hippocampal neuritis, and changes in metabolism and neurotransmitter levels. Prenatal exposure to EMFs has negative effects on memory and learning, as well as changes in hippocampal neuron density and histomorphology of hippocampus. EMF exposure also affects the structure and function of glial cells, affecting gate dynamics, ion conduction, membrane concentration, and protein expression. EMF exposure affects gene expression and may change epigenetic regulation through effects on DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA biogenesis, and potentially leading to biological changes. Therefore, exposure to EMFs possibly leads to changes in cellular and molecular mechanisms in central nervous system and alter cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Abtin
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Seyedaghamiri
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Aalidaeijavadi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Mohammad Farrokhi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Moshrefi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tayebeh Ziveh
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Departments of Biophysics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hadi Aliakbarian
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, KN Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Basic Sciences, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Baekmann C, Handrup MM, Molgaard H, Ejerskov C, Jensen HK, Ostergaard JR. Insight of autonomic dysfunction in CLN3 disease: a study on episodes resembling paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:374. [PMID: 39390491 PMCID: PMC11465670 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03336-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent non-epileptic episodes resembling paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) have been observed in adolescents with Juvenile Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CLN3-disease) and a possible association to an autonomic dysfunction has been suggested. The objective of the present study was to investigate the dynamics of the autonomic activity up to, during, and in the time after individual attacks. We include all seven suitable CLN3 patients in Denmark ≥ 15 years of age. HRV parameters were assessed from continuous heart rate monitoring during seven consecutive days and a particular focus of HRV parameters was obtained in close temporal context to clinically recurrent PSH-like episodes. In addition, the likelihood of PSH was assessed by caregiver's description and by video documentation. RESULTS Respectively eight and five episodes were recorded in two patients (18 and 20 years of age). The episodes were all safely superior to the cut off values of the clinical assessment score to be considered PSH-like episodes. During all 13 episodes, HRV revealed a statistically significant decrease in root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and standard deviation of the Poincaré-Plot interval (SD1) in the minutes prior to the clinical onset of the episodes, both indicating a sudden decrease in parasympathetic activity in advance of the onset. The reduced activity remained low during the episodes, and 15-30 min following the attack cessation, the parasympathetic activity had returned to pre-attacks levels. The sympathetic HRV parameters were unchanged resulting in a sympathetic overactivity during the episodes. In a third participant (32 years of age), in whom severity of PSH-like episodes had been gradually reduced during the last years, five episodes were registered. A similar temporally related reduction of the parasympathetic activity was found, but because the sympathetic activity decreased as well, no sympathetic dominance developed, which most reasonable is the reason to the clinically reduced expression of the episodes. CONCLUSION The documented transient withdrawal of parasympathetic activity leading to a paroxysmal unbalanced sympathetic hyperactivity most probably accounts for the PSH-like episodes occurring in post-adolescent CLN3 patients. The findings shed new light on both aetiology and possible preventative and therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Baekmann
- Department of Children and Adolescence, Centre for Rare Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M M Handrup
- Department of Children and Adolescence, Centre for Rare Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H Molgaard
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - C Ejerskov
- Department of Children and Adolescence, Centre for Rare Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H K Jensen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J R Ostergaard
- Department of Children and Adolescence, Centre for Rare Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Pretzel CW, Borba JV, Resmim CM, Abreu MS, Kalueff AV, Fontana BD, Canzian J, Rosemberg DB. Ketamine modulates the exploratory dynamics and homebase-related behaviors of adult zebrafish. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024:173892. [PMID: 39378930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2024] [Revised: 09/26/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is a protective behavior when animals face aversive conditions, but commonly associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders when exacerbated. Drug repurposing has emerged as a valuable strategy to use existing pharmaceuticals for new therapeutic purposes. Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and evidence has shown potential anxiolytic and antidepressant effects at subanesthetic doses. However, the influence of ketamine on multiple behavioral domains in vertebrates is not completely understood. Here, we evaluated the potential modulatory effect of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory dynamics and homebase-related behaviors in adult zebrafish using the open field test (OFT). Animals were exposed to subanesthetic concentrations of ketamine (0, 2, 20, and 40 mg/L) for 20 min and locomotion- exploration- and homebase-related behaviors were assessed in a single 30-min trial. Our data revealed that ketamine (20 and 40 mg/L) induced hyperlocomotion, as verified by the increased total distance traveled. All concentrations tested elicited circling behavior, a stereotyped-like response which gradually reduced across the periods of test. We also observed modulatory effects of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory pattern, in which the reduced thigmotaxis and homebase activity, associated with the increased average length of trips were suggestive of anxiolytic-like effects. Collectively, our novel findings support the modulatory effects of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory activity, as well as the utility of homebase-related measurements to evaluate the behavioral dynamics of zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla W Pretzel
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - João V Borba
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Cássio M Resmim
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Western Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine (ITBM), St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China; Suzhou Key Laboratory on Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Julia Canzian
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), USA.
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4
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Coll MP, Walden Z, Bourgoin PA, Taylor V, Rainville P, Robert M, Nguyen DK, Jolicoeur P, Roy M. Pain reflects the informational value of nociceptive inputs. Pain 2024; 165:e115-e125. [PMID: 38713801 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pain perception and its modulation are fundamental to human learning and adaptive behavior. This study investigated the hypothesis that pain perception is tied to pain's learning function. Thirty-one participants performed a threat conditioning task where certain cues were associated with a possibility of receiving a painful electric shock. The cues that signaled potential pain or safety were regularly changed, requiring participants to continually establish new associations. Using computational models, we quantified participants' pain expectations and prediction errors throughout the task and assessed their relationship with pain perception and electrophysiological responses. Our findings suggest that subjective pain perception increases with prediction error, that is, when pain was unexpected. Prediction errors were also related to physiological nociceptive responses, including the amplitude of nociceptive flexion reflex and electroencephalography markers of cortical nociceptive processing (N1-P2-evoked potential and gamma-band power). In addition, higher pain expectations were related to increased late event-related potential responses and alpha/beta decreases in amplitude during cue presentation. These results further strengthen the idea of a crucial link between pain and learning and suggest that understanding the influence of learning mechanisms in pain modulation could help us understand when and why pain perception is modulated in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel-Pierre Coll
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Zoey Walden
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Veronique Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Pierre Rainville
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Stomatology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Manon Robert
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dang Khoa Nguyen
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Jolicoeur
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Roy
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Bishop ME, Servedio MR, Lerch BA. The evolution of fear-acquisition strategies under predation. J Theor Biol 2024; 595:111949. [PMID: 39306324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Fear is a taxonomically widespread behavioral response that functions to keep individuals out of danger. Empirical research has demonstrated that a diverse set of strategies are used in order to acquire a fear response across animals. Animals often use a mixed strategy: fear is acquired both innately and through learning. Despite the ubiquity of the fear response, and its established importance for shaping predator-prey interactions, little is known about why different fear acquisition strategies evolve or why mixed strategies appear common. Here, we model the evolution of fear acquisition (learning versus innate) under predation. We assume a tradeoff where individuals that learn fear are at higher risk from predators initially, but eventually obtain a lower risk as they survive predation attempts. We find that frequent predator encounters, predators that are not very dangerous, and effective learning favor the evolution of learned fear. Only pure strategies of fear acquisition evolve unless individuals suffer from either a cost to fear or, especially, a cost to learning, either of which can lead to the evolution of mixed strategies. Our results thus shed light onto the evolution of mixed fear acquisition strategies and open the door to further research on the evolution of fear acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Bishop
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3280, Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
| | - Maria R Servedio
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3280, Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Brian A Lerch
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3280, Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
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Rivera ZAA, Talubo NDD, Cabrera HS. Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis of Morinda citrifolia Fruit Metabolites Suggest Anxiety Modulation through Glutamatergic Pathways. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:1182. [PMID: 39337965 PMCID: PMC11433110 DOI: 10.3390/life14091182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2024] [Revised: 09/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The fruit of Morinda citrifolia, also known as the noni tree, has been extensively used in Polynesian culture as an alternative medicine to various diseases. Recent studies have pointed out its anxiolytic activity in vitro and in mouse models. Despite the effectiveness of developed anxiolytic drugs in the market, the potential side effects of these medications have led people to resort to traditional medicine such as M. citrifolia. However, evidence regarding its anti-anxiety characteristics is still lacking to this day. Hence, this preliminary study implemented combined network pharmacology and molecular docking to validate its anti-anxiety claims. This study highlighted the bioactive compounds of the M. citrifolia fruit part to have excellent absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties, particularly their outstanding oral bioavailability and blood-brain barrier penetration, both of which are essential considerations to ensure the effectiveness of anxiolytic drugs to arrive at the site of action. Moreover, noni fruit metabolites target genes involved in glutamatergic synapse pathways, which have been significantly associated with anxiety. Through molecular docking, selected compounds exhibited a strong binding affinity towards GRIA2 and PRKCA, both of which have connections with glutamatergic pathways. With all things considered, the results established that the noni fruit potentially contains therapeutic agents that elicit anti-anxiety potential. Through this, the promotion of a more sustainable, accessible, and affordable treatment of anxiety could be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaina Allyson A Rivera
- School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences, Mapúa University, Manila 1002, Philippines
- School of Graduate Studies, Mapúa University, Manila 1002, Philippines
| | - Nicholas Dale D Talubo
- School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences, Mapúa University, Manila 1002, Philippines
- School of Graduate Studies, Mapúa University, Manila 1002, Philippines
| | - Heherson S Cabrera
- School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences, Mapúa University, Manila 1002, Philippines
- Department of Biology, School of Health Sciences, Mapúa University, Makati 1200, Philippines
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Budden AK, Henry A, Wakefield CE, Abbott JA. Surgeon stress, anxiety, and workload: a descriptive study of participant reported responses to fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery exercises. Surg Endosc 2024:10.1007/s00464-024-11238-3. [PMID: 39271514 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-11238-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress while operating is an important contributor to surgeon health and burnout. Measuring stress is key to improving surgeon and patient outcomes, however biological responses to stress during surgery are variable and difficult to interpret. Participant reported measures of stress have been suggested as an alternative, but the most appropriate measure has not been defined. This study's primary aim was to assess measures of anxiety, stress, and workload before and after surgical simulation and characterize the relationship between these measures. METHODS Surgeons completed three laparoscopic exercises from the fundamentals of laparoscopy program (peg transfer, pattern cutting, intracorporeal suturing) in a neutral environment and "stressed" environment (ergonomic, noise, or time pressure). State trait anxiety and self-reported stress on a visual analogue scale were collected prior to simulation and again immediately afterwards. The NASA task load index (TLX) was also administered post-simulation. RESULTS Of the 26 participants from gynecological and general surgery specialties, state anxiety increased in 98/148 simulations (62%) with a significant mean increase during simulation (32.9 ± 7.9 vs 39.4 ± 10.2, p < .001). Self-reported stress increased in 107/148 simulations (72%), with a significant increase in mean scores during simulation (38.7 ± 22.5 vs 48.9 ± 23.7, p < .001). NASA-TLX scores immediately after simulation ranged from 40 to 118 (mean 60.5 ± 28.7). Greater anxiety and stress scores were reported in "stressed" simulations (43.6 ± 23.1 vs 54.2 ± 23.3; 68.7 ± 27.0 vs 52.4 ± 28.2 respectively) with a significant interaction effect of the "stressed" environment and type of exercise. Anxiety and stress were moderately positively correlated prior to simulation (r = .40) and strongly positively correlated post-simulation (r = .70), however only stress was strongly correlated to workload (r = .79). CONCLUSION Stress and anxiety varied by type of laparoscopic exercise and simulation environment. Correlations between anxiety and stress are stronger post-simulation than prior to simulation. Stress, but not anxiety, is highly correlated with workload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron K Budden
- Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
- Gynaecological Research and Clinical Evaluation (GRACE), Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Coffs Harbour Hospital, 343 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour, 2450, Australia.
| | - Amanda Henry
- Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Claire E Wakefield
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason A Abbott
- Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- Gynaecological Research and Clinical Evaluation (GRACE), Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia
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Bilika P, Kalamatas-Mavrikas P, Vasilis N, Strimpakos N, Kapreli E. Reliability of Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) and Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) in Participants with and without Chronic Shoulder Pain. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1734. [PMID: 39273758 PMCID: PMC11395602 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12171734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to estimate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) and Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) in healthy participants and patients with chronic shoulder pain. Additionally, the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Smallest Detectable Change (SDC) were calculated. Thirty-one healthy volunteers and twenty patients with chronic shoulder pain were assessed using the PPT and CPM by two raters, with a 24 h interval between sessions. Excellent intra-rater reliability was demonstrated for PPT, with similar SEM and SDC when assessed by the same rater. The inter-rater reliability for PPTs in patients was moderate to good (ICC = 0.59-0.89) with higher SEM (73.83-121.98 kPa) and SDC (61.58-97.59) values than the asymptomatic group (ICC = 0.92-0.96, SEM = 49.61-103.12 kPa, SDC = 42.01-56.30) respectively. CPM's intra-rater reliability was good (ICC = 0.82) in the patients and moderate (ICC = 0.67) in the asymptomatic group, while inter-rater reliability was low for the asymptomatic group (ICC = 0.37) and extremely low (ICC = 0.074) for the patients, with comparable SEM and SDC outcomes in both groups. PPT and CPM measurements are highly reliable when conducted by the same rater on the same day. Patients had lower inter-rater PPT reliability but better intra-rater CPM reliability. Clinicians need to be mindful of potential variability when interpreting these test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Bilika
- Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 351 32 Lamia, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kalamatas-Mavrikas
- Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 351 32 Lamia, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Vasilis
- Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 351 32 Lamia, Greece
- Go Physio Laboratory, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre, 106 75 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Strimpakos
- Health Assessment and Quality of Life Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 351 32 Lamia, Greece
- Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, Honorary Research Associate, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Eleni Kapreli
- Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 351 32 Lamia, Greece
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Benz P, Zablotski Y, Schulz B. Evaluation of Stress Scores of Healthy Adult Cats during Barometric Whole-Body Plethysmography and Its Correlation with Measurement Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2249. [PMID: 39123775 PMCID: PMC11311053 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) is considered to be a particularly gentle method of assessing lung function in cats. However, there have been no studies to date investigating the stress experienced by cats during measurements. The prospective study included 48 healthy adult cats. Each cat was measured in the plethysmographic chamber for a total of 30 min and stress levels were determined every 10 min using a stress ethogram. At the beginning of measurements, 75% of cats were assessed as tense. Over the three time periods, a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the total stress score was observed. In addition, all measurement parameters correlated significantly with the stress score, with the exception of enhanced pause and tidal volume. It can therefore be assumed that cats will initially experience stress during examination in the plethysmographic chamber, but stress will decrease significantly over time. As the stress level correlates with many measurement parameters, this should be taken into account when interpreting the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Benz
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (Y.Z.); (B.S.)
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Ko K, Jones A, Francis D, Robidoux S, McArthur G. Physiological correlates of anxiety in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3388. [PMID: 38451702 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent problems that affects children and adolescents. The vast majority of diagnostic tools for anxiety depend on written or verbal reports from children and adolescents or their significant others. The validity and reliability of such reports can be compromised by their subjective nature. Thus, there is growing interest in whether anxiety can be indexed with objective physiological measures. The key aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine which physiological measures are most reliably associated with elevated levels of anxiety amongst children and adolescents. Online databases (e.g., PsycINFO, Embase, Medline) were searched for relevant studies according to pre-determined criteria. Twenty-five studies comprising 2502 participants (N = 1160 with high anxiety) met inclusion, identifying 11 groups of physiological measures. Our meta-analysis revealed that skin conductance level is the most sensitive measure of anxiety (d = 0.83), followed by electromyography (EMG) measures (d = 0.71) and skin conductance response (d = 0.58). However, the included studies varied in terms of subjective measures, study designs, experimental task measures, and physiological measures. Consideration of these differences in methodology offer potential directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ko
- Macquarie University Centre for Reading, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alana Jones
- Macquarie University Centre for Reading, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deanna Francis
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Serje Robidoux
- Macquarie University Centre for Reading, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Genevieve McArthur
- Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation Literacy and Clinical Services, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Chanthongdee K, Fuentealba Y, Wahlestedt T, Foulhac L, Kardash T, Coppola A, Heilig M, Barbier E. Comprehensive ethological analysis of fear expression in rats using DeepLabCut and SimBA machine learning model. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1440601. [PMID: 39148895 PMCID: PMC11324570 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1440601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Defensive responses to threat-associated cues are commonly evaluated using conditioned freezing or suppression of operant responding. However, rats display a broad range of behaviors and shift their defensive behaviors based on immediacy of threats and context. This study aimed to systematically quantify the defensive behaviors that are triggered in response to threat-associated cues and assess whether they can accurately be identified using DeepLabCut in conjunction with SimBA. Methods We evaluated behavioral responses to fear using the auditory fear conditioning paradigm. Observable behaviors triggered by threat-associated cues were manually scored using Ethovision XT. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of diazepam (0, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally before fear memory testing, to assess its anxiolytic impact on these behaviors. We then developed a DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow for ethological analysis employing a series of machine learning models. The accuracy of behavior classifications generated by this pipeline was evaluated by comparing its output scores to the manually annotated scores. Results Our findings show that, besides conditioned suppression and freezing, rats exhibit heightened risk assessment behaviors, including sniffing, rearing, free-air whisking, and head scanning. We observed that diazepam dose-dependently mitigates these risk-assessment behaviors in both sexes, suggesting a good predictive validity of our readouts. With adequate amount of training data (approximately > 30,000 frames containing such behavior), DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow yields high accuracy with a reasonable transferability to classify well-represented behaviors in a different experimental condition. We also found that maintaining the same condition between training and evaluation data sets is recommended while developing DeepLabCut + SimBA workflow to achieve the highest accuracy. Discussion Our findings suggest that an ethological analysis can be used to assess fear learning. With the application of DeepLabCut and SimBA, this approach provides an alternative method to decode ongoing defensive behaviors in both male and female rats for further investigation of fear-related neurobiological underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanat Chanthongdee
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yerko Fuentealba
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Thor Wahlestedt
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lou Foulhac
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Bordeaux Neurocampus, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tetiana Kardash
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andrea Coppola
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Markus Heilig
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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12
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Vuong T, Zhu K, Pastor A. Virtual Reality as a Pain Control Adjunct in Orthopedics: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e66401. [PMID: 39246903 PMCID: PMC11379475 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Orthopedic surgeons typically prescribe opioids for postoperative pain management as they are effective in managing pain. However, opioid use can lead to issues such as overdose, prescription excess, inadequate pain management, and addiction. Virtual reality (VR) therapy is an alternative route for postoperative pain management that has grown in popularity over the years. VR therapy involves immersing patients in a virtual 3D experience that is anticipated to alleviate pain. In this review article, we summarized the findings of numerous PubMed studies on the effectiveness of VR therapy for postoperative pain control. VR therapy is beneficial for reducing anxiety, pain, and opioid use after surgical procedures across various specialties. Further studies should explore VR therapy in orthopedic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha Vuong
- Orthopedics, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Everett, USA
| | - Kai Zhu
- Orthopedic Surgery, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Spokane, USA
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13
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Bucaktepe PGE, Akgül F, Çelİk SB. Evaluation of the effects of pandemic-related fears on anxiety and depression: the mediating roles of traumatic stress and loneliness. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:388. [PMID: 38997784 PMCID: PMC11241983 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01880-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detrimental mental health effects which emerged from COVID-19 have profoundly affected healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating effects of traumatic stress and loneliness on the fears of contracting and dying from COVID-19, and anxiety and depression of HCWs during the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was completed by HCWs in a province of Turkey. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Impact of Events Scale-Revised and numerical rating scales (for fears of COVID-19 and loneliness) were used and a bootstrap approach was used in the analyses with SPSS PROCESS macro software. RESULTS Of the HCWs evaluated, 150 (34.4%) were doctors, with a mean duration of work experience of 10.6 ± 7.5 years. The results indicated that fear of contracting COVID-19 was directly related to anxiety (β = 0.244, p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.135, p < 0.01) and that traumatic stress and loneliness mediated the relationships between the fear of contracting COVID-19 and anxiety (β = 0.435, p < 0.001; β = 0.235, p < 0.001, respectively) and depression (β = 0.365, p < 0.001; β = 0.294, p < 0.001, respectively). The fear of dying from COVID-19 was determined to be directly associated with anxiety (β = 0.190, p < 0.001) but not with depression (β = 0.066, p = 0.116), and traumatic stress and loneliness mediated the relationships between the fear of dying from COVID-19 and anxiety (β = 0.476, p < 0.001; β = 0.259, p < 0.001, respectively) and depression (β = 0.400, p < 0.001; β = 0.311, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The study results demonstrated the important roles of traumatic stress and loneliness in exacerbating the negative consequences of fears of COVID-19 on anxiety and depression, and provide insights for identifying HCWs at greater risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fethiye Akgül
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Batman Training and Research Hospital, Batman, Turkey
| | - Sercan Bulut Çelİk
- Batman GAP Family Health Center, Provincial Health Directorate, Batman, Turkey
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14
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Reinhard J, Mittermeier A, Brandstetter L, Mowat K, Slyschak A, Reiter AMF, Gamer M, Romanos M. Fear conditioning and fear generalization in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:2163-2172. [PMID: 37794273 PMCID: PMC11255079 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Overgeneralization of conditioned fear is associated with anxiety disorders (AD). Most results stem from studies done in adult patients, but studies with children are rare, although the median onset of anxiety disorders lies already in childhood. Thus, the goal of the present study was to examine fear learning and generalization in youth participants, aged 10-17 years, with AD (n = 39) compared to healthy controls (HC) (n = 40). A discriminative fear conditioning and generalization paradigm was used. Ratings of arousal, valence, and US expectancy (the probability of an aversive noise following each stimulus) were measured, hypothesizing that children with AD compared to HC would show heightened ratings of arousal and US expectancy, and decreased positive valence ratings, respectively, as well as overgeneralization of fear. The results indicated that children with AD rated all stimuli as more arousing and less pleasant, and demonstrated higher US expectancy ratings to all stimuli when compared to HC. Thus, rather than displaying qualitatively different generalization patterns (e.g., a linear vs. quadratic slope of the gradient), differences between groups were more quantitative (similar, but parallel shifted gradient). Therefore, overgeneralization of conditioned fear does not seem to be a general marker of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reinhard
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Anna Mittermeier
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Brandstetter
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kimberly Mowat
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Slyschak
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andrea M F Reiter
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Gamer
- Department of Psychology (Experimental Clinical Psychology), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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15
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Botelho RDO, Coelho CCF, Andrade EF, Castelo PM, Pardi V, Murata RM, Pereira LJ. Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine in a public healthcare system and university setting. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304000. [PMID: 38917110 PMCID: PMC11198793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the known benefits, some individuals remain apprehensive about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, which hampers vaccination efforts and the achievement of herd immunity. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess vaccination rates and identify factors influencing fear of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals served by the public healthcare system (Family Health Strategy - FHS) and in a university community in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Surveys were conducted face-to-face with FHS participants and online with university members, employing a free sharing approach on social media. A total of 1896 and 312 responses were collected, respectively. The survey covered sociodemographic information, COVID-19 fear levels, and vaccination status for both individuals and their children Vaccination coverage was 83% among FHS participants and 99.1% in the university setting. Female respondents in both groups exhibited higher levels of COVID-19 fear (p<0.05), with FHS-assisted women reporting greater apprehension towards vaccination (p<0.05). Educated parents demonstrated better understanding of the importance of child vaccination, while younger parents expressed heightened concerns about vaccine side effects. Among FHS participants, women exhibited a 1.6 times higher fear of vaccination compared to men. Additionally, fear of vaccination increased by 1.10 times for each additional point on the COVID-19 Fear Scale (physiological domain). Effective communication strategies and dispelling misconceptions surrounding immunization could alleviate fear and promote vaccination acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paula Midori Castelo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Pardi
- Department of Foundational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Ramiro Mendonça Murata
- Department of Foundational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Luciano José Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil
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16
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Volitaki E, Forro T, Li K, Nevian T, Ciocchi S. Activity of ventral hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons during anxiety. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114295. [PMID: 38796850 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety plays a key role in guiding behavior in response to potential threats. Anxiety is mediated by the activation of pyramidal neurons in the ventral hippocampus (vH), whose activity is controlled by GABAergic inhibitory interneurons. However, how different vH interneurons might contribute to anxiety-related processes is unclear. Here, we investigate the role of vH parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons while mice transition from safe to more anxiogenic compartments of the elevated plus maze (EPM). We find that vH PV interneurons increase their activity in anxiogenic EPM compartments concomitant with dynamic changes in inhibitory interactions between PV interneurons and pyramidal neurons. By optogenetically inhibiting PV interneurons, we induce an increase in the activity of vH pyramidal neurons and persistent anxiety. Collectively, our results suggest that vH inhibitory microcircuits may act as a trigger for enduring anxiety states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouela Volitaki
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Forro
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kaizhen Li
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Nevian
- Neuronal Plasticity Group, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Ciocchi
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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17
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Li X, Yang Y, Wang R, Zhou L, Zheng X. Secure attachment priming inhibits the generalization of conditioned fear. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:358. [PMID: 38890761 PMCID: PMC11186254 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01857-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fear overgeneralization constitutes a susceptibility factor contributing to the development and maintenance of anxiety spectrum disorders. Extant research has demonstrated that exposure to positive and supportive social relationships attenuates fear acquisition and promotes the extinction of conditioned fear responses. However, the literature lacks investigation into the effect of secure attachment priming on inhibiting the generalization of conditioned fear. METHODS In this study, college students were recruited via online platforms to voluntarily engage in the experimental procedures, resulting in 57 subjects whose data were deemed suitable for analysis. The experimental protocol consisted of four consecutive phases: pre-acquisition, acquisition, priming, and generalization. The priming phase consisted of two experimental conditions: secure attachment priming (experimental group) and positive emotion priming (control group). This study adopted the perceptual discrimination fear conditioning paradigm, employing subjective expectancy of shock ratings and skin conductance responses as primary assessment indices. Individual difference variables were measured using corresponding psychological measurement scales. RESULTS In terms of generalization degree, a notable divergence surfaced in the skin conductance responses across various generalization materials between the secure attachment priming group and the control group. Similarly, during generalization extinction, a significant disparity emerged in the skin conductance responses across different generalization phases between the secure attachment priming group and the control group. In addition, individual differences analyses revealed that the inhibitory effect of secure attachment priming on fear generalization was not affected by intolerance of uncertainty and attachment orientations. Conversely, slope analyses confirmed that as intolerance of uncertainty increased, the inhibitory effect of positive emotion priming on fear generalization was attenuated. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that activating participants' representations of secure attachment via imagination effectively attenuates the generalization of perceptual fear at the physiological level. The inhibitory effect of secure attachment priming appears to be distinct from positive emotional modulation and remains unaffected by individual trait attachment styles. These results offer novel insights and avenues for the prevention and clinical intervention of anxiety spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China.
| | - Yong Yang
- School of Educational Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Ranran Wang
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China
| | - Lehong Zhou
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China
| | - Xifu Zheng
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Balietti M, Principi E, Giacomini L, Giorgetti B, Conti F. The effect of late-life environmental enrichment on stress and anxiety: The role of sex and age-related differences in coping with aversive stimuli. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32021. [PMID: 38867995 PMCID: PMC11168381 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety significantly diminishes the quality of life in older adults, and the drugs used for its treatment often come with risky side effects. Non-pharmacological protocols could be valuable, but more research is needed in this area. Environmental enrichment induces positive effects on anxiety-like behavior in young and adult animals; whether the same happens in aged animals is still elusive. The aged brain undergoes changes that contribute to make it "fragile" and consequently even mild, potentially positive stimuli can trigger dyshomeostasis, worsening rather than ameliorating functioning. Here, by combining behavioral analysis and measurement of serum and brain corticosterone levels, we show that late-life environmental enrichment can induce eustress or distress, depending on sex and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function. These findings pave the way for optimizing outcomes and minimizing undesired effects in the clinical setting, underscoring the need to overcome the limits of gender medicine and emphasizing the crucial role of individually tailored therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Balietti
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elisa Principi
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Luca Giacomini
- Center for Animal Welfare, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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19
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de Oliveira Santana K, Figueira Pereira C, Silva Ramos M, da Silva RR, de Vargas D, de Fátima Fernandes MN, da Silva Gherard-Donato EC. The effectiveness of mindfulness for the management of anxiety in the nursing staff: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2024; 50:129-146. [PMID: 38789225 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2024.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
A systematic review with meta-analysis following Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. It aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness for the management of anxiety symptoms in the nursing staff and stress as a secondary outcome. The databases searched were MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Psycinfo. Search was conducted in October 2022. Independent reviewers used standardized methods to research, track, and code the included studies. Data meta-analysis was performed using random effects models. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used as an approach to assess the quality and certainty of evidence in research studies. The review examined the effectiveness of mindfulness on nursing staff in 13 studies. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety and stress after treatment, with an average reduction of 0.36 in anxiety and 0.48 in stress. The results emphasizes the possibility of mindfulness being an effective intervention to the management of anxiety and stress in nursing staff. However, the studies analyzed presented limitations in the design and sampling in the development of the intervention, which impact the conclusive statements about the effectiveness of mindfulness and the generalization of the results. The implications to the nursing field involve adopting evidence-based research and practices to improve the well-being and quality of life of nursing professionals, as well as strengthening the evidence base surrounding mindfulness interventions in nursing practice. This may lead to changes in healthcare policies, care practices, and recognition of the importance of nurses' well-being for effective healthcare delivery.
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20
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Craig AR, Smith SW, Nall RW, Sullivan WE, Roane HS. Abstinence as Choice: Exploring Voluntary Abstinence from Alcohol Self-Administration Using the Resurgence-as-Choice Framework. Perspect Behav Sci 2024; 47:335-363. [PMID: 39099746 PMCID: PMC11294306 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-024-00405-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Resurgence is an increase in the rate of a previously suppressed behavior that occurs when an alternative source of reinforcement is made worse in some way. The Resurgence as Choice model offers a quantitative approach to understanding resurgence that may provide important insights into the variables that affect this form of relapse in the natural environment. Bringing this model to bear on relapse following reinforcement-based interventions for alcohol and other substance use disorders, however, may not be straightforward. Laboratory work on which the Resurgence as Choice model is based has almost exclusively focused on resurgence following extinction of target behavior, but abstinence from alcohol during intervention is often voluntary: Patients may drink alcohol and forfeit therapeutic reinforcers at any time. In this article, we first will review recent data from our group that demonstrate a method for studying resurgence following voluntary abstinence from alcohol seeking in rats. In a previous experiment, we reduced rats' alcohol-maintained lever pressing to low levels without placing it on extinction by arranging nondrug differential reinforcement of other behavior. Further, when we suspended nondrug reinforcement, resurgence of lever pressing occurred. Next, we will explore methods for modeling these outcomes using the Resurgence-as-Choice framework. We conclude that the data under consideration may not be sufficient to discriminate between candidate models of resurgence following voluntary abstinence and point to areas for future empirical and theoretical development. This work may provide a stronger bridge between preclinical and conceptual work on resurgence and clinical treatments for alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Craig
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, 475 Irving Avenue, Suite 300, Syracuse, NY 13202 USA
| | - Sean W. Smith
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, 475 Irving Avenue, Suite 300, Syracuse, NY 13202 USA
| | | | - William E. Sullivan
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, 475 Irving Avenue, Suite 300, Syracuse, NY 13202 USA
| | - Henry S. Roane
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, 475 Irving Avenue, Suite 300, Syracuse, NY 13202 USA
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21
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Fennema D, Barker GJ, O'Daly O, Duan S, Godlewska BR, Goldsmith K, Young AH, Moll J, Zahn R. Neural responses to facial emotions and subsequent clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression. Psychol Med 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38757184 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724001144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex responses to facial emotions have shown promise in predicting treatment response in medication-free major depressive disorder (MDD). Here, we examined their role in the pathophysiology of clinical outcomes in more chronic, difficult-to-treat forms of MDD. METHODS Forty-five people with current MDD who had not responded to ⩾2 serotonergic antidepressants (n = 42, meeting pre-defined fMRI minimum quality thresholds) were enrolled and followed up over four months of standard primary care. Prior to medication review, subliminal facial emotion fMRI was used to extract blood-oxygen level-dependent effects for sad v. happy faces from two pre-registered a priori defined regions: bilateral amygdala and dorsal/pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. Clinical outcome was the percentage change on the self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (16-item). RESULTS We corroborated our pre-registered hypothesis (NCT04342299) that lower bilateral amygdala activation for sad v. happy faces predicted favorable clinical outcomes (rs[38] = 0.40, p = 0.01). In contrast, there was no effect for dorsal/pregenual anterior cingulate cortex activation (rs[38] = 0.18, p = 0.29), nor when using voxel-based whole-brain analyses (voxel-based Family-Wise Error-corrected p < 0.05). Predictive effects were mainly driven by the right amygdala whose response to happy faces was reduced in patients with higher anxiety levels. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the prediction that a lower amygdala response to negative v. positive facial expressions might be an adaptive neural signature, which predicts subsequent symptom improvement also in difficult-to-treat MDD. Anxiety reduced adaptive amygdala responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diede Fennema
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gareth J Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Owen O'Daly
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Suqian Duan
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Beata R Godlewska
- Psychopharmacology Research Unit, University Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Kimberley Goldsmith
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Pioneer Science Program, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre of Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- National Service for Affective Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Pioneer Science Program, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Isparta S, Töre-Yargın G, Wagner SC, Mundorf A, Cinar Kul B, Da Graça Pereira G, Güntürkün O, Ocklenburg S, Freund N, Salgirli Demirbas Y. Measuring paw preferences in dogs, cats and rats: Design requirements and innovations in methodology. Laterality 2024; 29:246-282. [PMID: 38669348 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2024.2341459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Studying behavioural lateralization in animals holds great potential for answering important questions in laterality research and clinical neuroscience. However, comparative research encounters challenges in reliability and validity, requiring new approaches and innovative designs to overcome. Although validated tests exist for some species, there is yet no standard test to compare lateralized manual behaviours between individuals, populations, and animal species. One of the main reasons is that different fine-motor abilities and postures must be considered for each species. Given that pawedness/handedness is a universal marker for behavioural lateralization across species, this article focuses on three commonly investigated species in laterality research: dogs, cats, and rats. We will present six apparatuses (two for dogs, three for cats, and one for rats) that enable an accurate assessment of paw preference. Design requirements and specifications such as zoometric fit for different body sizes and ages, reliability, robustness of the material, maintenance during and after testing, and animal welfare are extremely important when designing a new apparatus. Given that the study of behavioural lateralization yields crucial insights into animal welfare, laterality research, and clinical neuroscience, we aim to provide a solution to these challenges by presenting design requirements and innovations in methodology across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevim Isparta
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gülşen Töre-Yargın
- Brunel Design School College of Engineering Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
- METU/BILTIR-UTEST Product Usability Unit, Department of Industrial Design, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selina C Wagner
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Annakarina Mundorf
- Institute for Systems Medicine and Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bengi Cinar Kul
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Goncalo Da Graça Pereira
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Research Center One Health Ruhr, Research Alliance Ruhr, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Lafortune D, Dubé S, Lapointe V, Bonneau J, Champoux C, Sigouin N. Virtual Reality Could Help Assess Sexual Aversion Disorder. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:588-602. [PMID: 37556729 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2241860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) may improve our understanding of sexual dysfunctions' manifestations, although research in this area remains limited. This study assessed the potential use of a VR Behavior Avoidance Test (VR-BAT) as a tool for examining the clinical features of Sexual Aversion Disorder (SAD): the experience of fear, disgust, and avoidance when facing sexual cues/contexts. A sample of 55 adults (≥ 18y) with (n = 27) and without SAD (n = 28) completed a self-report measure of sexual avoidance. Their anxiety, disgust, electrodermal activity, heart rate, and visual and behavioral avoidance were then examined during two VR-BATs involving sexual or non-sexual stimuli. Mixed repeated measures ANOVAs, t-tests, and correlational analyses were performed. Results showed that individuals in the SAD group reported greater anxiety and disgust compared to their non-SAD counterparts during the sexual stimuli condition. Sexual avoidance scores were largely positively related to anxiety and disgust during the VR sexual condition, and moderately negatively related to the time spent touching the virtual character's genitals. This study is important given the prevalence of sexual difficulties, such as SAD, and the new research avenues offered by emerging technologies, like VR.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lafortune
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal
| | - S Dubé
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University
| | - V Lapointe
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal
| | - J Bonneau
- School of Media, Université du Québec à Montréal
| | - C Champoux
- School of Media, Université du Québec à Montréal
| | - N Sigouin
- School of Media, Université du Québec à Montréal
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24
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Abbak N, Nemutlu E, Reçber T, Gul ASD, Akkoyun HT, Akkoyun MB, Yilmaz G, Ekin S, Bakir A, Arihan O. Behavior, antioxidant, and metabolomics effects of Allium tuncelianum. Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:3538-3551. [PMID: 38726412 PMCID: PMC11077190 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Allium species are consumed extensively as folkloric medicine and dietary elements, but limited studies have been conducted on them. In this study, the effects of an ethanol-water extract obtained from the underground bulb of Allium tuncelianum (Kollmann) Özhatay, B. Mathew & Şiraneci (AT) on the behavioral, antioxidant, and metabolite parameters in rats were evaluated. AT was administered orally once a day at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg to male Wistar albino rats for 10 consecutive days. The elevated plus maze, rotarod, and hotplate tests were used to examine anxiety-like behaviors, locomotor activities, and pain perception in the rats, respectively. Additionally, untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed on plasma samples and AT extracts using two orthogonal analytical platforms. The phenolic components, mainly fumaric acid, malic acid, vanillic acid, quercetin-3-arabinoside, hydrocinnamic acid, and gallocatechin, were determined in the extract. In addition, arbutin, salicylic acid, trehalose, and nicotinic acid were analyzed in the extract for the first time. The AT extract did not decrease the catalase, glutathione peroxidase, or superoxide dismutase levels; however, diazepam decreased some of those parameters significantly in the brain, liver, and kidney. Although both the AT and diazepam treatments resulted in an increase in anxiolytic-like effects compared to the control group, no significant differences were observed (p > .05). In the metabolomic analysis, significant changes were observed in the rats treated with AT and diazepam, and they caused significant changes in some metabolic pathways, including amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, compared to the control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigar Abbak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Emirhan Nemutlu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of PharmacyHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Tuba Reçber
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of PharmacyHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Asli San Dagli Gul
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - H. Turan Akkoyun
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary FacultySiirt UniversitySiirtTurkey
| | | | - Gulderen Yilmaz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of PharmacyAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Suat Ekin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceVan Yuzuncu Yil UniversityVanTurkey
| | - Ahmet Bakir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceVan Yuzuncu Yil UniversityVanTurkey
| | - Okan Arihan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
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25
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Dagli Gul AS, Boyuk Ozcan G, Arihan O. Silibinin as a promising treatment for diabetes: Insights into behavioral and metabolic changes in an animal model. Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:3336-3345. [PMID: 38726421 PMCID: PMC11077243 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is causing serious health problems in the chronic period. Silibinin is a flavonoid obtained from the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which is among the herbal ethnopharmacological administrations. In studies with silibinin, it has been reported that it increases the activity of pancreatic beta cells and insulin sensitivity and has a hyperglycemia-reducing effect. However, behavioral parameters have not been evaluated together with insulin levels and liver function tests. Our aim in this study was to examine the effects of silibinin on insulin secretion, anxiety-like behaviors, and learning in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetes model. Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into 4 groups. Control: Saline solution, Diabetes: STZ 45 mg/kg, S 100: STZ 45 mg/kg + Silibinin 100 mg/kg, S 200: STZ 45 mg/kg + Silibinin 200 mg/kg. Administrations were continued for 21 days. On the 21st day, open field and elevated plus maze as unconditional anxiety tests; Barnes maze for learning and memory; and rotarod test for locomotor activity were conducted. Following behavioral tests, blood samples were taken under anesthesia. Blood glucose levels and ALT values were measured. Insulin levels were measured with an ELISA plate reader. Silibinin shortened the time to find the correct hole. Silibinin prevented the decrease in insulin due to STZ, exhibited a hyperglycemia-reducing effect and decreased the elevation of ALT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asli San Dagli Gul
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Gulbahar Boyuk Ozcan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineAnkara Medipol UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Okan Arihan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
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26
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Cebrino J, Portero de la Cruz S. A Worldwide Bibliometric Analysis of Published Literature Assessing Fear of COVID-19. Clin Pract 2024; 14:672-684. [PMID: 38804386 PMCID: PMC11130842 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Many people experience intense fear of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive visual overview of the published literature from 2020 to 2022 assessing fear of COVID-19. From 2020 to 2022, we employed the Scopus database to conduct a bibliometric analysis. We used the VOSviewer program to perform the author co-citation analysis, Mapchart to produce a worldwide map, and Wordart to make a word cloud image. From the 1769 records examined, 1654 (93.50%) were articles, with English being the most common language (96.31%). From 2020 to 2022, annual citations experienced significant growth (R2 = 99.91%; p = 0.0195). The Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM, France) and China led in terms of publication output (n = 36; n = 255). M. D. Griffiths authored the highest number of articles (n = 21). The most active journal was the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (n = 146), and the most prevalent keyword was "human/s" (11.51%). This bibliometric analysis evaluates the quality of the research on fear of the pandemic and the crisis management of COVID-19, which can provide managers and researchers with crucial insights for future decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cebrino
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Avda. Sánchez Pizjuán, S/N, 41009 Seville, Spain;
| | - Silvia Portero de la Cruz
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal, S/N, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Research Group GE10 Clinical and Epidemiological Research in Primary Care, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
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27
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Vitorino C, Canavarro MC, Carona C. Six-month psychopathological symptom trajectories following the COVID-19 outbreak: Contrasting mental health outcomes between nurses and the general population. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301527. [PMID: 38626159 PMCID: PMC11020497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a social, economic and health crisis that had a major impact on the mental health of the global community, particularly nurses. The objective of the current study is to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of the trajectory of depressive, anxiety, trauma, and fear of COVID-19 symptoms, comparing self-reports of nurses and the general population over a six-month period. Self-report questionnaires were administered online to a sample of 180 nurses and 158 individuals from the general population for the baseline assessment (T1) and follow-up at 6 months (T2). Levels of symptoms reported by nurses were generally greater and tended to worsen over time, as opposed to the levels of symptoms reported by the general population that tended to improve. Levels of depressive, anxiety, and trauma symptoms were significantly different between nurses and the general population over time. Levels of fear of COVID-19 declined significantly from T1 to T2 in both groups. These results suggest that it is crucial to monitor the longer-term effects of COVID-19 and to develop resilience-promoting interventions tailored to the unique needs of this vulnerable group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Vitorino
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Canavarro
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Carona
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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28
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Lourenço da Silva MI, Ulans A, Jacobs L. Pharmacological validation of an attention bias test for conventional broiler chickens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297715. [PMID: 38593170 PMCID: PMC11003672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear and anxiety are considered concerns for animal welfare as they are associated with negative affective states. This study aimed to pharmacologically validate an attention bias test (ABT) for broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a cognitive bias test to determine anxiety. Two-hundred-and-four male Ross 708 broiler chickens were arbitrarily allocated to either the anxiogenic or control treatment at 25 days of age (n = 102/treatment). Birds from the anxiogenic group were administered with 2.5 mg of β-CCM (β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid-N-methylamide [FG 7142]) per kg of body weight through an intraperitoneal injection (0.1 ml/100 g of body weight). Birds from the control group were administered with 9 mg of a saline solution per kg of body weight. During ABT, birds were tested in groups of three (n = 34 groups of three birds/treatment) with commercial feed and mealworms as positive stimuli and a conspecific alarm call as a negative stimulus. Control birds were 45 s faster to begin feeding than anxiogenic birds. Birds from the control group vocalized 40 s later and stepped 57 s later than birds from the anxiogenic group. The occurrence of vigilance behaviors did not differ between treatments. This study was successful in pharmacologically validating an attention bias test for fast-growing broiler chickens, testing three birds simultaneously. Our findings showed that latencies to begin feeding, first vocalization, and first step were valid measures to quantify anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marconi Italo Lourenço da Silva
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Ulans
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Leonie Jacobs
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
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29
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Deng J, Lee M, Qin C, Lee Y, You M, Liu J. Protective behaviors against COVID-19 and their association with psychological factors in China and South Korea during the Omicron wave: a comparative study. Public Health 2024; 229:116-125. [PMID: 38428248 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the level of protective behaviors against COVID-19 and its association with psychological factors in China and South Korea during the Omicron wave. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey from March 15 to 30, 2023 in China and South Korea. Demographic characteristics, health status, protective behaviors, and psychological factors (including perceived risks, efficacy belief, attribution of disease, fear of COVID-19, trust and evaluation, fatalism, resilience, and pandemic fatigue) were investigated. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors, multivariable regression models were constructed to explore the psychological influencing factors of protective behavior. RESULTS A total of 3000 participants from China and 1000 participants from Korea were included in the final analysis. The mean performance score for protective behaviors among all respondents was 2.885 in China and 3.139 in Korea, with scores ranging from 1 to 4. In China, performance scores were higher in those who were female, aged 30-39, employed, married, living in urban areas, having the highest income level, having the best subjective health status, and having a history of chronic disease (P-value <0.05). In Korea, performance scores were higher for individuals who were female, over 50 years old, educated to high school or below, unemployed, married, had a history of chronic disease, and had never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (P-value <0.05). In the multivariable regression model, perceived severity (β = 0.067), attribution of disease (β = 0.121), fear of COVID-19 (β = 0.128), trust and evaluation (β = 0.097), psychological resilience (β = 0.068), and efficacy belief (β = 0.216) were positively associated with the performance scores, pandemic fatigue (β = -0.089) was negatively associated with performance scores in China (P-value <0.05). However, in Korea, perceived susceptibility (β = 0.075), fear of COVID-19 (β = 0.107), and efficacy belief (β = 0.357) were positively associated with protective behaviors (P-value <0.05), trust and evaluation (β = -0.078) and pandemic fatigue (β = -0.063) were negatively associated with performance scores (P-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Populations in both China and Korea demonstrated great compliance with protective behaviors during the Omicron wave. Because of the sociocultural, economic, and political differences, there were differences in the association between psychological factors and protective behaviors in the two countries. This study, from the perspective of psychological factors in different cultural contexts, would provide references for increasing adherence to protective guidelines in future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Deng
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - M Lee
- Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - C Qin
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Y Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - M You
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - J Liu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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30
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Gencturk S, Unal G. Rodent tests of depression and anxiety: Construct validity and translational relevance. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:191-224. [PMID: 38413466 PMCID: PMC11039509 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01171-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral testing constitutes the primary method to measure the emotional states of nonhuman animals in preclinical research. Emerging as the characteristic tool of the behaviorist school of psychology, behavioral testing of animals, particularly rodents, is employed to understand the complex cognitive and affective symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders. Following the symptom-based diagnosis model of the DSM, rodent models and tests of depression and anxiety focus on behavioral patterns that resemble the superficial symptoms of these disorders. While these practices provided researchers with a platform to screen novel antidepressant and anxiolytic drug candidates, their construct validity-involving relevant underlying mechanisms-has been questioned. In this review, we present the laboratory procedures used to assess depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in rats and mice. These include constructs that rely on stress-triggered responses, such as behavioral despair, and those that emerge with nonaversive training, such as cognitive bias. We describe the specific behavioral tests that are used to assess these constructs and discuss the criticisms on their theoretical background. We review specific concerns about the construct validity and translational relevance of individual behavioral tests, outline the limitations of the traditional, symptom-based interpretation, and introduce novel, ethologically relevant frameworks that emphasize simple behavioral patterns. Finally, we explore behavioral monitoring and morphological analysis methods that can be integrated into behavioral testing and discuss how they can enhance the construct validity of these tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Gencturk
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunes Unal
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey.
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31
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Saadatmand S, Zohroudi F, Tangestani H. The Effect of Oral Chamomile on Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Clin Nutr Res 2024; 13:139-147. [PMID: 38784853 PMCID: PMC11109927 DOI: 10.7762/cnr.2024.13.2.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is a prevalent psychiatric issue that affects 4.05% of the global population. As complementary and alternative medicine gains popularity, many individuals with anxiety symptoms seek herbal remedies. This systematic review aims to explore the sedative efficacy of chamomile as an herbal medicine for anxiety treatment. Our search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases until August 2023. Among 389 papers found, after removing duplicates and irrelevant papers, 10 clinical trials investigating the effect of oral consumption of chamomile on anxiety were included. Two researchers independently completed all steps, including the screening process and data extraction. Out of the 10 articles selected, 9 studies have concluded that chamomile is effective in reducing anxiety. Even though, the exact mechanism of chamomile's anxiolytic action is not well understood, evidence suggests that its active compounds, including apigenin, may modulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis by affecting neurotransmitter pathways. This systematic review showed that chamomile potentially has an anxiolytic effect. In addition, due to the side effects of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders, the use of chamomile seems to be effective and less dangerous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sogand Saadatmand
- Student Research and Technology Committee, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran
| | - Foad Zohroudi
- Student Research and Technology Committee, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran
| | - Hadith Tangestani
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran
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32
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Joybell C, Kumar K. Evaluating the Effectiveness of CHRIS'S Birds Assisted Therapy on Dental Anxiety among Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024; 17:S84-S94. [PMID: 39185259 PMCID: PMC11343993 DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The heart of childhood nurtures an array of immature emotions. Through this rollercoaster of childhood emotions, from tears to laughter, it is the sole responsibility of a pediatric dentist to help the children navigate through their emotions with their empathetic actions. Whenever a child is anxious or fearful in the dental chair, the child may put forth his emotion through crying or taking up a flight response. Dental caries is a disease that is aggravated when a child refuses to cooperate with dental treatment. The tiny holes in the tooth, when unfilled, may lead to bigger problems, which in turn may lead to tooth loss in future. It is the comprehensive responsibility of the pediatric dentist to support health and emotional development and provide a complete, fulfilling oral rehabilitation to the child patient. Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the anxiety levels of pediatric patients visiting the dental Outpatient Department at a Dental College and Hospital in Kavalkinaru. This study unveils a novel technique wherein birds were used in the form of CHRIS'S Birds Assisted Therapy to reduce anxiety in pediatric dental patients. Results Results showed that intervention with birds through CHRIS'S Birds Assisted Therapy significantly reduced the anxiety levels in children. Conclusion Thus, CHRIS'S Birds Assisted Therapy is shown to be a promising method of anxiety control, a key to a successful pediatric dental practice. How to cite this article Joybell C, Kumar K. Evaluating the Effectiveness of CHRIS'S Birds Assisted Therapy on Dental Anxiety among Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(S-1):S84-S94.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishantha Joybell
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Rajas Dental College and Hospital, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kawin Kumar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Flint HE, Weller JE, Parry-Howells N, Ellerby ZW, McKay SL, King T. Evaluation of indicators of acute emotional states in dogs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6406. [PMID: 38493262 PMCID: PMC10944520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56859-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A complete assessment of animal welfare requires not just an understanding of negative emotional states, such as fear and anxiety, but also of positive states, such as calmness and happiness. However, few studies have identified accurate and reliable indicators of positive emotional states in dogs. This study aimed to identify parameters that may serve as indicators of short-term emotional states in dogs. Using a cross-over design, 60 dogs living at a research facility were exposed to six different 10-min scenarios expected to elicit responses varying in emotional valence and arousal. A range of behavioural and physiological parameters were collected and their relationship to anticipated emotional valence and arousal was analysed using linear and logistic mixed models. Cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, heart rate variability, panting, whining, and body shake all demonstrated significant differences based on arousal levels, but only within negative valence scenarios. Scores from a qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) were associated with both emotional valence and arousal and were considered the best indicator of positive valence. Activity, ear temperature, and sitting were associated with positive high arousal, although this may have been influenced by differing levels of movement induced during these scenarios. Meanwhile, heart rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, standing and lying all showed similar changes associated with arousal for both positive and negative valence scenarios. This study provides a critical first step towards identifying evidence-based indicators of short-term emotional states in dogs, while highlighting considerations that should be made when employing these parameters, including the influence of coder bias, food provision, exercise, and external temperature. Overall, it is recommended future dog emotion and welfare research use a combination of parameters including indicators of both emotional valence and arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Flint
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK.
| | - Jennifer E Weller
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Nia Parry-Howells
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Zack W Ellerby
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Stephanie L McKay
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Tammie King
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham on the Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK
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Grochowalska K, Ziętkiewicz M, Nowicka-Sauer K, Topolski M, Więsik-Szewczyk E, Matyja-Bednarczyk A, Napiórkowska-Baran K, Zdrojewski Z. Anxiety in Polish adult patients with inborn errors of immunity: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1293935. [PMID: 38516260 PMCID: PMC10954803 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1293935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) experience recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and malignancies. Owing to repeated medical procedures, the need for constant treatment and surveillance, and the unpredictable course of the disease, patients with IEI are prone to develop mental health disorders, including anxiety. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and level of anxiety symptoms in adult Polish patients with IEI and explore the determinants of anxiety in this group of patients. Methods Data from 105 Polish patients with IEI were collected via the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), brief illness perception questionnaire (B-IPQ), illness cognition questionnaire (ICQ), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and a questionnaire on general health and demographic data. For statistical analyses of data, the normality of distribution of quantitative data was assessed, and internal consistency of tests was investigated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient; moreover, we performed the analysis of correlations and between-group differences, and path analysis to explore causal relationships. Significance was considered at p < 0.050. Results Thirty-eight (36.2%) patients had anxiety symptoms (HADS-A ≥ 8); 14 (13.3%) patients had severe anxiety (score ≥ 11), and 24 (22.9%) had moderate anxiety (score of 8-10). Patients with poor sleep quality, higher pain frequency, younger age, and no fixed income had higher anxiety scores than others. Emotional and cognitive representations of illness were positively correlated with anxiety levels. Intense anxiety was related to more negative illness perception, higher helplessness, lower illness acceptance, and lower perceived benefits. Discussion Anxiety is common in patients with IEI. However, results indicate that it is not related to a more severe course of IEI or several comorbidities, whereas, pain frequency and poor sleep quality were identified to be important clinical factors for anxiety. Because anxiety was related to negative illness perception, psychological therapy may apply to this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Grochowalska
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marcin Ziętkiewicz
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Nowicka-Sauer
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mariusz Topolski
- Department of Systems and Computer Networks, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Więsik-Szewczyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pneumonology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Matyja-Bednarczyk
- Outpatient Clinic for the Immunological and Hypercoagulable Diseases, Medical University of Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Napiórkowska-Baran
- Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Zdrojewski
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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Federico G, Ciccarelli G, Noce G, Cavaliere C, Ilardi CR, Tramontano L, Alfano V, Mele G, Di Cecca A, Salvatore M, Brandimonte MA. The fear of COVID-19 contagion: an exploratory EEG-fMRI study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5263. [PMID: 38438468 PMCID: PMC10912687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pandemics have the potential to change how people behave and feel. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception; thus, it may serve as a "challenging context" for understanding how pandemics affect people's minds. In this study, we used high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural correlates of fear of contagion during the most critical moments of COVID-19 in Italy (i.e., October 2020-May 2021). To do that, we stimulated participants (N = 17; nine females) with artificial-intelligence-generated faces of people presented as healthy, recovered from COVID-19, or infected by SARS-CoV-2. The fMRI results documented a modulation of large bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal functional brain networks. Critically, we found selective recruitment of cortical (e.g., frontal lobes) and subcortical fear-related structures (e.g., amygdala and putamen) of the so-called social brain network when participants observed COVID-19-related faces. Consistently, EEG results showed distinct patterns of brain activity selectively associated with infected and recovered faces (e.g., delta and gamma rhythm). Together, these results highlight how pandemic contexts may reverberate in the human brain, thus influencing most basic social and cognitive functioning. This may explain the emergence of a cluster of psychopathologies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study underscores the need for prompt interventions to address pandemics' short- and long-term consequences on mental health.
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Wang S, Cai Z, Gao G, Yan S. Correlation Between Maternal Anxiety During Mid-Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Sleep Issues: A Cross-Sectional Study from 2015 to 2016. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:623-633. [PMID: 38410242 PMCID: PMC10894751 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s445604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the correlation between maternal anxiety during mid-pregnancy and infant sleep issues based on the anxiety status of mothers in mid-pregnancy. Patients and Methods A cohort of 2122 primigravida women from Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, was followed from pregnancy until 6 months postpartum. The study analyzed the impact of maternal anxiety on infant sleep patterns, including primary caregivers, encompassing insufficient sleep duration, frequent nocturnal awakenings, prolonged nocturnal awakening durations, and elongated sleep latency. Results A total of 1891 mother-infant pairs were included in this analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive correlation was found between maternal anxiety during mid-pregnancy and insufficient sleep duration (OR=1.69, 95% CI:1.13-2.52), and elongated sleep latency (OR=2.26, 95% CI:1.61-3.18). Conclusion Maternal anxiety during mid-pregnancy is associated with sleep issues in infants. Addressing maternal mental health during pregnancy may enhance sleep quality for mothers and infants, promoting overall maternal-infant health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Wang
- Ma’anshan Maternal and Child Health Center, Ma’anshan, Anhiu Province, 243011, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiling Cai
- Ma’anshan Maternal and Child Health Center, Ma’anshan, Anhiu Province, 243011, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guopeng Gao
- Ma’anshan Maternal and Child Health Center, Ma’anshan, Anhiu Province, 243011, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuangqin Yan
- Ma’anshan Maternal and Child Health Center, Ma’anshan, Anhiu Province, 243011, People’s Republic of China
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Jászberényi M, Thurzó B, Bagosi Z, Vécsei L, Tanaka M. The Orexin/Hypocretin System, the Peptidergic Regulator of Vigilance, Orchestrates Adaptation to Stress. Biomedicines 2024; 12:448. [PMID: 38398050 PMCID: PMC10886661 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The orexin/hypocretin neuropeptide family has emerged as a focal point of neuroscientific research following the discovery that this family plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. These neuropeptides serve as powerful neuromodulators, intricately shaping autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral responses across species. Notably, they serve as master regulators of vigilance and stress responses; however, their roles in food intake, metabolism, and thermoregulation appear complementary and warrant further investigation. This narrative review provides a journey through the evolution of our understanding of the orexin system, from its initial discovery to the promising progress made in developing orexin derivatives. It goes beyond conventional boundaries, striving to synthesize the multifaceted activities of orexins. Special emphasis is placed on domains such as stress response, fear, anxiety, and learning, in which the authors have contributed to the literature with original publications. This paper also overviews the advancement of orexin pharmacology, which has already yielded some promising successes, particularly in the treatment of sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Jászberényi
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary; (M.J.); (B.T.); (Z.B.)
| | - Balázs Thurzó
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary; (M.J.); (B.T.); (Z.B.)
- Emergency Patient Care Unit, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary; (M.J.); (B.T.); (Z.B.)
| | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
- HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Masaru Tanaka
- HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
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Oxley JA, Meyer G, Butcher M, Bellantuono G, Levers A, Westgarth C. Veterinary students' proximity to and interpretation of a simulated "aggressive" dog before and after training. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3209. [PMID: 38332166 PMCID: PMC10853229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53551-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Dog "aggression" in the veterinary practice is commonplace. Therefore, student knowledge and education about dog behaviour and the ability to interpret "aggressive" behaviour is important from a human injury prevention and dog welfare perspective. The study aimed to compare first-year veterinary students' perceived safest proximity to both an "aggressive" and non-reactive simulated dog, both before and after a teaching intervention about canine behaviour and a handling practical. It also examined student confidence and their ability to identify "aggressive" behaviours. Forty first year veterinary students took part in two surveys. Each survey included two videos: one of a simulated dog displaying "aggressive" behaviour, based on the 'Canine Ladder of Aggression'; and another displaying non-reactive (passive behaviours without reaction to the participants) behaviours. Each video depicted the slow and consistent approach towards the virtual dog within a virtual indoor environment, and participants were asked to press stop if or when they would stop approaching the dog. In the "aggressive" scenario, there was a reduction in the approach-stop time from survey 1 (median = 17.8 s) to survey 2 (median = 15.2 s) in the intervention group (p = 0.018) but not in the control group (p = 0.147). Regarding confidence, there was a significant increase in the self-reported confidence rating relating to a participant's ability to interpret canine behaviour in both the control (p = 0.011) and intervention (p = 0.003). In conclusion, these results indicate that students using approach-stop videos stayed further away from an "aggressive" virtual dog model if they had undertaken a canine behaviour educational intervention. This novel approach has the potential for further use in teaching and assessment of student knowledge and behaviour which may otherwise be difficult to demonstrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Oxley
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, UK
| | - Georg Meyer
- Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthew Butcher
- Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Giuseppe Bellantuono
- Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Levers
- Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, UK.
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Kılıç Z, Günaydın Y, Yıldırım T, Aydınlı A. The relationship between perception of COVID-19, fear of COVID-19 and self-care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process in Turkey. J Clin Nurs 2024; 33:617-629. [PMID: 37743613 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the relationship between perception of COVID-19, fear of COVID-19 and self-care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process. BACKGROUND Individuals with chronic diseases are a sensitive group during the COVID-19 pandemic process; it is thought that self-care management may be adversely affected as a result of their more intense exposure to the psychological, physiological and economic effects of the pandemic. In the literature, there is no study examining the effect of perception of COVID-19 and fear of COVID-19 on self-care management in individuals with chronic diseases. DESIGN Descriptive study. METHODS The study was conducted with 322 individuals who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinics of a university's Health Practice and Research Center, met the inclusion criteria, agreed to participate in the study and had a chronic disease. Questionnaire form, Perception of COVID-19 Scale (P-COVID-19), The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Self-Care Management Process in Chronic Illness Scale (SCMP-G) were used to collect data. STROBE checklist was used to report the present study. RESULTS In the study, it can be stated that individuals with chronic diseases had a moderate to the high perception of contagiousness and dangerousness of COVID-19, they had a moderate-high level of fear of COVID-19 and their self-care care management was above moderate level. There was a significant positive correlation between P-COVID-19, FCV-19S and SCMP-G in the study. CONCLUSIONS It was found that the perception of COVID-19 contagiousness and the fear of COVID-19 had a positive effect on the self-care management of individuals with chronic diseases. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Determining the level of COVID-19 perception and fear of COVID-19 and their effects on the life of the individual, and evaluating self-care management during the difficult pandemic process will increase the success in the holistic nursing care and management of chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Züleyha Kılıç
- Department of Internal Diseases Nursing, Zübeyde Hanım Faculty of Health Sciences, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey
| | - Yurdagül Günaydın
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Tekin Yıldırım
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bozok University Faculty of Medicine, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Aydınlı
- Department of Fundamentals of Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Süleyman Demirel University, Çünür/Isparta, Turkey
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Martinez RM, Chou SH, Fan YT, Chen YC, Goh KK, Chen C. Negative emotionality downregulation affects moral choice but not moral judgement of harm: a pharmacological study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1200. [PMID: 38216629 PMCID: PMC10786834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous neuroscientific research has expounded on the fundamental role played by emotion during moral decision-making. Negative emotionality has been observed to exert a general inhibitory effect towards harmful behaviors against others. Nevertheless, the downregulation of negative affects at different levels of moral processing (e.g. impersonal versus personal moral dilemmas) alongside its possible interactions with other factors (e.g. perspective taking) hasn't been directly assessed; both of which can assist in predicting future moral decision-making. In the present research, we empirically test (Study 1, N = 41) whether downregulating negative emotionality through pharmacological interventions using lorazepam (a GABA receptor agonist), modulate the permissibility of harm to others -i.e. if participants find it more morally permissible to harm others when harm is unavoidable (inevitable harm moral dilemmas), than when it may be avoided (evitable harm moral dilemmas). Furthermore, using another sample (Study 2, N = 31), we assess whether lorazepam's effect is modulated by different perspective-taking conditions during a moral dilemma task -e.g. "is it morally permissible for you to […]?" (1st person perspective), relative to "is it morally permissible for [x individual] to […]?" (3rd person perspective)-, where the outcome of the different scenarios is controlled. The results of both studies converge, revealing an emotion-dependent, rather than an outcome-dependent, pharmacological modulation. Lorazepam only influenced interpersonal moral judgments when not modulated by the evitable/inevitable condition. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between perspective-taking and drug administration, as lorazepam exerted a larger effect in modulating moral choices rather than moral judgements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Marcelo Martinez
- Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
- School of Psychological Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Chou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Teng Fan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Chen
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kah Kheng Goh
- Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Innovative and Translational Research Center for Brain Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chenyi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- The Innovative and Translational Research Center for Brain Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Abozaid A, Gerlai R. Paradoxical effects of feeding status on food consumption and learning performance in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 128:110846. [PMID: 37611652 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Associative learning is often studied using food reward as the unconditioned stimulus (US). With warm-blooded species, to get the subject more motivated the solution has been to feed less, making the subject hungrier. Here we show the opposite with zebrafish. We randomly assigned zebrafish to two groups: a once-a-day-fed and a five-times-a-day-fed group, with the same amount of food fed per occasion for fish of both groups, a feeding regimen that lasted for three months. Subsequently, we trained fish by pairing food (US) with a red cue card (the conditioned stimulus, CS), which were placed together in one arm of a plus-maze across eight training sessions. We also ran unpaired training, in which the CS and US were presented in different arms. We found the previously once-a-day-fed zebrafish to consume less food throughout habituation and training sessions compared to the previously five-times-a-day-fed ones. Furthermore, five-times-a-day-fed fish in the paired group swam significantly closer to the CS during a post-training probe trial compared to the five-times-a-day-fed unpaired fish, a paired training effect that was absent in once-a-day-fed fish. Groups did not differ in health or general activity. In sum, elevated chronic feeding improved food consumption and enhanced learning and memory performance without affecting activity levels in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Abozaid
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada.
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada.
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Sethiya NK, Ghiloria N, Srivastav A, Bisht D, Chaudhary SK, Walia V, Alam MS. Therapeutic Potential of Myricetin in the Treatment of Neurological, Neuropsychiatric, and Neurodegenerative Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:865-882. [PMID: 37461364 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230718105358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Myricetin (MC), 3,5,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxyflavone, chemically belongs to a flavonoid category known to confer antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects. MC is known to suppress the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and inflammatory markers. It has been reported to improve insulin function in the human brain and periphery. Besides this, it modulates several neurochemicals including glutamate, GABA, serotonin, etc. MC has been shown to reduce the expression of the enzyme Mono Amine Oxidase (MAO), which is responsible for the metabolism of monoamines. MC treatment reduces levels of plasma corticosterone and restores hippocampal BDNF (full form) protein in stressed animals. Further, MC has shown its protective effect against amyloid-beta, MPTP, rotenone, 6-OHDA, etc. suggesting its potential role against neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of the present review is to highlight the therapeutic potential of MC in the treatment of several neurological, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neha Ghiloria
- Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, New Delhi 110085, India
| | | | - Dheeraj Bisht
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sir J.C. Bose Technical Campus, Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002, India
| | | | - Vaibhav Walia
- Department of Pharmacology, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana 122505, India
| | - Md Sabir Alam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana 122505, India
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Kylie J, Cooper DM, Kurpinski JK, Chase FT, Muzyka MD, Plachta TC. Evaluation of Potential Low-stress Handling Methods in Crl:CDSD Rats ( Rattus norvegicus). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2024; 63:10-19. [PMID: 38097198 PMCID: PMC10844733 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-23-000009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Low-stress handling methods have been studied in detail in mice, but relatively little research exists concerning preferred handling methods in rats. Most recommendations for low-stress handling of rats have been extrapolated from the mouse literature, despite known differences in handler interaction between the 2 species. The goal of the current study was to evaluate common methods of handling in rats, including application of recognized, low-stress handling methods from other species to rats, in order to determine relative stress levels associated with the handling methods. Seventy male and 70 female, 8-wk-old, Crl:CDSD rats, were housed either individually or in pairs, and were handled weekly or daily using one of the following methods: encircling of the torso (standard thoracic hold), handled using a tunnel, handled using a protective bite glove, handled using a soft paper towel, or tickled prior to being handled by the torso ( n = 10 per sex per treatment group). Body weight and clinical observations were scored at each handling session, abbreviated functional observation batteries were performed every other week, and an interaction test and hematology were conducted prior to study and on the day of study termination. Rats that were socially housed and handled weekly using the standard thoracic hold showed the least evidence of stress, while those that were singly housed and handled weekly using a protective bite glove or tunnel showed the highest level of stress. These effects were predominantly seen in males. This study suggests that standard low-stress handling methods used for other species may not be optimal for rats, and that additional research is needed to identify alternative methods to the standard thoracic hold that would further reduce stress during handling in rats.
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Friedlander L, Hunt G, Chandler N, Daniel B. Students' experience and perceptions of undergraduate endodontic education in New Zealand. AUST ENDOD J 2023; 49:492-502. [PMID: 37367204 DOI: 10.1111/aej.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the clinical experience and perceptions of New Zealand graduating dental students (2019 and 2020) towards endodontic teaching and their clinical learning outcomes using an online survey and clinical scenarios. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS software, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Responses were similar for both cohorts (response rates 74%, 2019; 73%, 2020). Endodontic teaching was valuable and interesting but difficult compared with other disciplines. Molar endodontics, finding canals and managing posture were challenging. Students felt more confident and less anxious when supervised by clinicians experienced in endodontics. Time management was the most anxiety-inducing factor and significantly related to clinical experience (p < 0.001). Overall, students appropriately applied knowledge in most areas of endodontics while holistic problem-solving in complex scenarios was variable. Maximising clinical experience and supervision from teachers experienced in endodontics are important for learning, improving confidence and reducing anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Friedlander
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Gabrielle Hunt
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas Chandler
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ben Daniel
- Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Abu Hasan NI, Ganggayah MD, Suhaimi S, Abu Hasan N, Jamal NF. Mediating Effects of Fear on Mental Health among Undergraduate Students during Open Distance Learning. Malays J Med Sci 2023; 30:91-107. [PMID: 38239247 PMCID: PMC10793133 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.6.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Online distance learning (ODL) known as the flexible learning environment can trigger a negative impact on students' mental health. The study aimed to identify the influence of fear as mediator between mental health problem and university students' perception on ODL. Methods This is a cross-sectional study involving a convenient sampling of 258 undergraduate students. Self-administered structured questionnaires adapted from the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), were used to assess the severity of psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress) and fear. The perception towards ODL is also designed to assess the students' perception related to ODL implementation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). Results Overall, 84.2%, 95.0% and 67.4% of the participants experienced moderate to very severe level of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. In addition, 82.6% of them suffering with moderate to extreme level of fear, of which 81.8% of participants had a negative view on ODL. The results of SEM-PLS revealed that there are complementary partial mediation effects of fear on the relationship between depression and students' perception during ODL (β = 0.502, t-value = 0.828, P-value = 0.017). The anxiety (β = 0.353, t-value = 5.401, P-value = 0.000) and stress (β = 0.542, t-value = 8.433, P-value = 0.000) have directly influenced on fear. Conclusion This study demonstrated that university students had the prevalence of psychological symptoms and fear during ODL. In line with this, fear contributes significantly to the mental health status of university students and has negatively impacted the students' perception during ODL implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurhasniza Idham Abu Hasan
- School of Mathematical Sciences Studies, College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Mogana Darshini Ganggayah
- Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Suzainiwati Suhaimi
- BDP Global Services Sdn. Bhd., Menara Takaful Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurhasnira Abu Hasan
- Department of Research, Development and Innovation, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Faezah Jamal
- School of Mathematical Sciences Studies, College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak, Malaysia
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Sporrer JK, Brookes J, Hall S, Zabbah S, Serratos Hernandez UD, Bach DR. Functional sophistication in human escape. iScience 2023; 26:108240. [PMID: 38026199 PMCID: PMC10654542 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals including humans must cope with immediate threat and make rapid decisions to survive. Without much leeway for cognitive or motor errors, this poses a formidable computational problem. Utilizing fully immersive virtual reality with 13 natural threats, we examined escape decisions in N = 59 humans. We show that escape goals are dynamically updated according to environmental changes. The decision whether and when to escape depends on time-to-impact, threat identity and predicted trajectory, and stable personal characteristics. Its implementation appears to integrate secondary goals such as behavioral affordances. Perturbance experiments show that the underlying decision algorithm exhibits planning properties and can integrate novel actions. In contrast, rapid information-seeking and foraging-suppression are only partly devaluation-sensitive. Instead of being instinctive or hardwired stimulus-response patterns, human escape decisions integrate multiple variables in a flexible computational architecture. Taken together, we provide steps toward a computational model of how the human brain rapidly solves survival challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana K. Sporrer
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Jack Brookes
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Samson Hall
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Sajjad Zabbah
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Ulises Daniel Serratos Hernandez
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Dominik R. Bach
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
- University of Bonn, Transdisciplinary Research Area “Life and Health”, Hertz Chair for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Kong T, Zeng S. The Effect of Perceived Environmental Uncertainty on University Students' Anxiety, Academic Engagement, and Prosocial Behavior. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:906. [PMID: 37998653 PMCID: PMC10669797 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncertainty, as the predominant characteristic of the contemporary landscape, poses significant challenges and exerts profound influence on individual decision making and behaviors; however, there remains a limited understanding of its impact on university student behavior. Building upon the uncertainty management theory, this study presents a conceptual framework to investigate the impact of perceived environmental uncertainty on university students' anxiety levels and behaviors, including academic engagement and prosocial behavior. Additionally, our model proposes that the intolerance of uncertainty moderates a mediating effect on anxiety. These hypotheses are empirically tested using a sample of 221 Chinese university students. The results reveal a positive relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty and anxiety among university students; subsequently, anxiety exerts a negative influence on both academic engagement and prosocial behavior. Furthermore, we find that anxiety serves as a psychological mediator between perceived environmental uncertainty and both academic engagement and prosocial behavior. This research also underscores the significance of the intolerance of uncertainty in shaping university students' involvement in academic pursuits when confronted with anxiety stemming from perceived environmental uncertainty. Consequently, these findings have practical implications for facilitating university students' adaptive coping strategies in uncertain contexts and mitigating the negative effects of anxiety on their behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Kong
- Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China;
| | - Shuang Zeng
- College of Foreign Languages, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
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Filgueira L, Steinberg A, Mendonca R, Lim SH. Returning to employment following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: A major problem among survivors. EJHAEM 2023; 4:1132-1142. [PMID: 38024592 PMCID: PMC10660407 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of cancer survivorship. One of the most acute problems that impact survivors in many aspects of activities of daily living and compromise their QoL is the inability to return to employment following successful cancer therapy. This is most prominent among survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). More than 50% of the survivors following allo-HSCT remain unemployed one year after the procedure. This problem extends beyond the initial few years; unemployment rates among those who underwent allo-HSCT during their childhoods or adolescence have remained high. The inability to return to employment imposes a financial burden. Survivors following allo-HSCT also experience a multitude of chronic psychosocial complications that may be both contributing and consequential to the inability to return to employment. However, many transplant programs and cancer centers do not have return-to-employment programs. In this review paper, we discuss the prevalence of unemployment following allo-HSCT. We examine the psychosocial symptoms experienced by survivors and how they may affect survivors' ability to return to employment. Finally, we propose a multi-disciplinary multi-pronged occupation-focused approach to address the complex and inter-related psychosocial symptoms to help alleviate the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Filgueira
- Programs in Occupational TherapyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Amir Steinberg
- Department of MedicineDivision of Hematology and OncologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNew YorkUSA
| | - Rochelle Mendonca
- Programs in Occupational TherapyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Seah H. Lim
- Department of MedicineDivision of Hematology and OncologyState University of New York Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuseNew YorkUSA
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Casarrubea M, Di Giovanni G, Aiello S, Crescimanno G. The hole-board apparatus in the study of anxiety. Physiol Behav 2023; 271:114346. [PMID: 37690695 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders pose a significant challenge in contemporary society, and their impact in terms of social and economic burden is overwhelming. Behavioral research conducted on animal subjects is crucial for comprehending these disorders and, from a translational standpoint, for introducing innovative therapeutic approaches. In this context, the Hole-Board apparatus has emerged as a widely utilized test for studying anxiety-related behaviors in rodents. Although a substantial body of literature underscores the utility and reliability of the Hole-Board in anxiety research, recent decades have witnessed a range of studies that have led to uncertainties and misinterpretations regarding the validity of this behavioral assay. The objective of this review is twofold: firstly, to underscore the utility and reliability of the Hole-Board assay, and concurrently, to examine the underlying factors contributing to potential misconceptions surrounding its utilization in the study of anxiety and anxiety-related behaviors. We will present results from both conventional quantitative analyses and multivariate approaches, while referencing a comprehensive collection of studies conducted using the Hole-Board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Casarrubea
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Aiello
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Crescimanno
- Laboratory of Behavioural Physiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Corso Tukory n.129, Palermo 90134, Italy
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Nieves GM, Bravo M, Bath KG. Early life adversity ablates sex differences in active versus passive threat responding in mice. Stress 2023; 26:2244598. [PMID: 37624104 PMCID: PMC10529224 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2244598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life adversity (ELA) heightens the risk for anxiety disorders (which are characterized by heightened fear and avoidance behaviors), with females being twice as likely as males to develop pathology. Pavlovian fear conditioning tasks have been used to study possible mechanisms supporting endophenotypes of pathology. Identification of sex and ELA selective effects on the nature of behavioral responding in these paradigms may provide a unique window into coping strategies in response to learned fear to guide more mechanistic studies. The goals of this study were two-fold; First, to test if male and female mice employed different coping strategies in response to threat learning using different conditioning parameters (low, medium, and high intensity foot shocks). Second, to test if ELA in the form of limited bedding and nesting (LBN) altered the behavioral response of mice to conditioning. Mice received 6 tone/foot-shock pairings at one of three different foot-shock intensities (0.35 mA; 0.57 mA; 0.7 mA). Freezing, darting, and foot-shock reactivity were measured across trials. During conditioning, control-reared female mice exhibited significantly higher rates of darting behavior compared to control males at nearly all shock intensities tested. LBN rearing decreased the proportion of darting females to levels observed in males. Thus, ELA in the form of LBN significantly diminished the recruitment of active versus passive coping strategies in female mice but did not generally change male responding. Additional work will be required to understand the neural basis of these behavioral effects. Findings extending from this work have the potential to shed light on how ELA impacts trajectories of regional brain development with implications for sex-selective risk for behavioral endophenotypes associated with pathology and possibly symptom presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Manzano Nieves
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
| | - Marilyn Bravo
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
| | - Kevin G. Bath
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute/Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY 1003
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