The role of ritual behaviour in anxiety reduction: an investigation of Marathi religious practices in Mauritius

While the occurrence of rituals in anxiogenic contexts has been long noted and supported by ethnographic, quantitative and experimental studies, the purported effects of ritual behaviour on anxiety reduction have rarely been examined. In the present study, we investigate the anxiolytic effects of religious practices among the Marathi Hindu community in Mauritius and test whether these effects are facilitated by the degree of ritualization present in these practices. Seventy-five participants first experienced anxiety induction through the public speaking paradigm and were subsequently asked to either perform their habitual ritual in a local temple (ritual condition) or sit and relax (control condition). The results revealed that participants in the ritual condition reported lower perceived anxiety after the ritual treatment and displayed lower physiological anxiety, which was assessed as heart-rate variability. The degree of ritualization in the ritual condition showed suggestive albeit variable effects, and thus further investigation is needed. We conclude the paper with a discussion of various mechanisms that may facilitate the observed anxiolytic effects of ritual behaviour and should be investigated in the future. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'.

Thyroid nodules: pathophysiological insight on oncogenesis and novel diagnostic techniques

Thyroid nodules are a very frequent pathology among common population. Despite the vast majority of them are of benign origin, the incidence of thyroid cancer is currently rather rising. Although there are several risk factors of thyroid cancer and several clinical, ultrasound, biochemical and molecular diagnostic markers, the exact mechanisms of thyroid oncogenesis and the linkage between thyroid nodule ultrasound appearance and its biological character remain unclear. While ionizing radiation is the only one well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer, the significance of some others remains unclear. The aim of our review was to discuss some not completely known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in thyroid oncogenesis as hypothyroidism, mutations of genes regulating cell proliferation, thyroid autoimmunity and pregnancy and to describe pathophysiological background of some ultrasound markers of thyroid cancer (size, echogenicity, vascularization, calcifications and stiffness). Better knowledge in this field is crucial for development of novel diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches. For example, the analysis of BRAF, RAS and other mutations in cytological samples may help to distinction between follicular thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid adenoma and may significantly decrease the number of unnecessary surgery among patients with thyroid nodules. Alternatively, the different malign cells growth, angiogenesis, destructions of thyroid follicles, reparative changes, growth retardation, fibrosis and increased interstitial fluid pressure implicate the typical ultrasound appearance of papillary thyroid cancer (hypoechogenicity, irregular vascularization, microcalcifications, stiffness) which is essential to catch the suspicious nodules on the basis of their ultrasound appearance among large amount of benign nodules.

[High frequency "bubble" oscillation ventilation in the neonatal period]

The authors tested their own high frequency, oscillation, "bubble" ventilator on a model of neonatal lungs in vitro and in vivo. They used the effect of oscillations which develop when through fluid (in vivo water) a mixture of air is bubbled and which can be, if the expiration tube is sufficiently rigid, transmitted back into the lungs. If the CPAP circuit is suitably arranged, it can ensure an adequate exchange of blood gases. The authors found marked changes in the amplitude of pressure oscillations as well as of the frequency in relation to the shape of the ending beneath the fluid surface (greatest when a funnel with a 30 mm diameter and 90 degree angle in relation to a normal line projected on the water surface is used). They found that the compliance (C) has no substantial effect on the amplitude nor on the frequency of oscillations. The mentioned bubble system approached as to its efficiency the commercial oscillation ventilator Stephen 3000 SFH and was used in the therapy of respiratory failure in three neonates with body weights of 1250-2700 g. The authors conclude that high frequency oscillation "bubble" ventilation is a cheap, safe and highly effective therapy which can be used in any department providing care of neonates even during transport.

Influence of physical exertion on early isoproterenol-induced heart injury

The effect of swimming instantly following an injection of isoproterenol was studied in rats in whom the administration of the drug caused changes in the cardiac muscle. The animals were compared with those of a group kept only under normal cage activity after the administration. Oxygen inhalation in the exercised group of rats was higher than in the sedentary group and after 4 minutes of measuring, continually remained at a higher level. It was determined that swimming prevented the early death of the rats. This was more pronounced in the animals of higher body weight. The extent of myocardial damage in the exercised group was markedly smaller. The intensity of enzyme reaction, SDH, LDH and G6PDH, in the area of undamaged tissue was the same in both the exercised and sedentary groups, in areas of damage it was minimal. The intensity of alpha GP was lowered in the exercised group, but in the sedentary group it was lowered throughout the entire section. Electron optic examination of the tissue, which under the light microscope appeared normal, revealed no substantial differences between the exercised and sedentary groups. We presume that the better condition of the rats was in part due to the peripheral breakdown of the catecholamine owing to the increased blood flow created by muscular activity.