scholarly journals Verbal threat learning does not spare loved ones

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Morato ◽  
Pedro Guerra ◽  
Florian Bublatzky

AbstractSignificant others provide individuals with a sense of safety and security. However, the mechanisms that underlie attachment-induced safety are hardly understood. Recent research has shown beneficial effects when viewing pictures of the romantic partner, leading to reduced pain experience and defensive responding. Building upon this, we examined the inhibitory capacity of loved face pictures on fear learning in an instructed threat paradigm. Pictures of loved familiar or unknown individuals served as signals for either threat of electric shocks or safety, while a broad set of psychophysiological measures was recorded. We assumed that a long-term learning history of beneficial relations interferes with social threat learning. Nevertheless, results yielded a typical pattern of physiological defense activation towards threat cues, regardless of whether threat was signaled by an unknown or a loved face. These findings call into question the notion that pictures of loved individuals are shielded against becoming threat cues, with implications for attachment and trauma research.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Bublatzky ◽  
Sabine Schellhaas ◽  
Pedro Guerra

Abstract Looking at pictures of loved ones, such as one's romantic partner or good friends, has been shown to alleviate the experience of pain and reduce defensive reactions. However, little is known about such modulatory effects on threat and safety learning and the psychophysiological processes involved. Here, we explored the hypothesis that beloved faces serve as implicit safety cues and attenuate the expression of fear responses and/or accelerate extinction learning in a threatening context. Thirty-two participants viewed pictures of their loved ones (romantic partner, parents, and best friend) as well as of unknown individuals within contextual background colors indicating threat-of-shock or safety. Focusing on the extinction of non-reinforced threat associations (no shocks were given), the experiment was repeated on two more test days while the defensive startle-EMG, SCR, and threat ratings were obtained. Results confirmed pronounced defensive responding to instructed threat-of-shock relative to safety context (e.g., threat-enhanced startle reflex and SCR). Moreover, threat-potentiated startle response slowly declined across test days indicating passive extinction learning in the absence of shocks. Importantly, neither a main effect of face category (loved vs. unknown) nor a significant interaction with threat/safety instructions was observed. Thus, a long-term learning history of beneficial relations (e.g., with supportive parents) did not interfere with verbal threat learning and aversive apprehensions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-173
Author(s):  
Eray YILDIZ ◽  
Şevket ARSLAN ◽  
Fatih ÇÖLKESEN ◽  
Filiz Sadi AYKAN ◽  
Recep EVCEN ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical course and treatment outcomes of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) after infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with HAE were included in this study. These patients were regularly followed up over phone calls since the first COVID-19 case was seen in our country. Patients were asked to visit the hospital if there was a history of contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or if the patient developed clinical symptoms of COVID-19.Results: There were 21 (54%) patients with type I HAE, and 18 (46%) with type II HAE. All patients received treatment for angioedema attacks (C1-inhibitor [C1-INH], icatibant), and seven (20%) received long-term prophylaxis (danazol). Treatment for attacks was continued for all patients during the pandemic. Patients taking danazol were switched to long-term prophylaxis using the C1-INH concentrate. Eleven (28%) patients with HAE developed COVID-19 during this study. Only one patient had severe COVID-19. Six patients (54.5%) were diagnosed with type II HAE, and five (45.5%) were diagnosed with type I HAE. The most common COVID-19 symptoms were fever (7/11; 64%) and myalgia (6/11; 55%). Mild angioedema attacks were experienced by 36% (4/11) of the HAE patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Icatibant was used in all patients.Conclusion: Agents used for HAE block the kallikrein-kinin system and may be useful in the treatment of COVID-19. Considering their beneficial effects on COVID-19, it is recommended that HAE patients should continue the use of agents blocking the kallikrein-kinin system. Keywords: COVID-19, hereditary angioedema, kallikrein-kinin system, bradykinin, C1-INH


Author(s):  
Matthias Forstmann ◽  
Christina Sagioglou

Abstract. After decades of stagnation, research on psychedelic substances (such as lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], psilocybin, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine [DMT]) has experienced a renaissance over the last 10 years, with various major research programs being conducted across Europe and the United States. This research primarily investigates the potential of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders, their short- and long-term effects on recreational users, and the neurological and cognitive processes responsible for their effects. The present review provides a concise summary of the most recent insights gained from this research. We briefly outline the history of psychedelic research, the objective and subjective effects caused by these substances, the prevalence and socio-psychological correlates of their use, as well as their potential for harm. Subsequently, we review empirical research on the beneficial effects of psychedelics in clinical samples, focusing on their efficacy in the treatment of major depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, and discuss research on the proposed neural and cognitive mechanisms behind these effects. We then review research on their effects on healthy subjects, focusing on psychological well-being as well as changes in personality, nature-relatedness, and creativity. Finally, we review empirical evidence regarding the long-term effects of single experiences with psychedelics and conclude with a summary and outlook.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Salman Ghaffari ◽  
◽  
Mehran Razavipour ◽  
Parastoo Mohammad Amini ◽  
◽  
...  

McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS) is characterized by endocrinopathies, café-au-lait spots, and fibrous dysplasia. Bisphosphonates are the most prescribed treatment for reducing the pain but their long-term use has been associated with atypical fractures of cortical bones like femur in patients. We present a 23-year-old girl diagnosed with MAS. She had an atypical mid-shaft left femoral fracture that happened during simple walking. She also had a history of long-term use of alendronate. Because of the narrow medullary canal, we used 14 holes hybrid locking plate for the lateral aspect of the thigh to fix the fracture and 5 holes dynamic compression plate (instead of the intramedullary nail) in the anterior surface to double fix it, reducing the probability of device failure. With double plate fixation and discontinuation of alendronate, the complete union was achieved five months after surgery


Author(s):  
Johann P. Arnason

Different understandings of European integration, its background and present problems are represented in this book, but they share an emphasis on historical processes, geopolitical dynamics and regional diversity. The introduction surveys approaches to the question of European continuities and discontinuities, before going on to an overview of chapters. The following three contributions deal with long-term perspectives, including the question of Europe as a civilisational entity, the civilisational crisis of the twentieth century, marked by wars and totalitarian regimes, and a comparison of the European Union with the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on similar crisis symptoms. The next three chapters discuss various aspects and contexts of the present crisis. Reflections on the Brexit controversy throw light on a longer history of intra-Union rivalry, enduring disputes and changing external conditions. An analysis of efforts to strengthen the EU’s legal and constitutional framework, and of resistances to them, highlights the unfinished agenda of integration. A closer look at the much-disputed Islamic presence in Europe suggests that an interdependent radicalization of Islamism and the European extreme right is a major factor in current political developments. Three concluding chapters adopt specific regional perspectives. Central and Eastern European countries, especially Poland, are following a path that leads to conflicts with dominant orientations of the EU, but this also raises questions about Europe’s future. The record of Scandinavian policies in relation to Europe exemplifies more general problems faced by peripheral regions. Finally, growing dissonances and divergences within the EU may strengthen the case for Eurasian perspectives.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Shaikh ◽  
Natasha Shrikrishnapalasuriyar ◽  
Giselle Sharaf ◽  
David Price ◽  
Maneesh Udiawar ◽  
...  

Diabetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1386-P
Author(s):  
SYLVIA E. BADON ◽  
FEI XU ◽  
CHARLES QUESENBERRY ◽  
ASSIAMIRA FERRARA ◽  
MONIQUE M. HEDDERSON

Author(s):  
L.V. Vetchinnikova ◽  
◽  
A.F. Titov ◽  
◽  

The article reports on the application of the best known principles for mapping natural populations of curly (Karelian) birch Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hämet-Ahti – one of the most appealing representatives of the forest tree flora. Relying on the synthesis and analysis of the published data amassed over nearly 100 years and the data from own full-scale studies done in the past few decades almost throughout the area where curly birch has grown naturally, it is concluded that its range outlined in the middle of the 20th century and since then hardly revised is outdated. The key factors and reasons necessitating its revision are specified. Herewith it is suggested that the range is delineated using the population approach, and the key element will be the critical population size below which the population is no longer viable in the long term. This approach implies that the boundaries of the taxon range depend on the boundaries of local populations (rather than the locations of individual trees or small clumps of trees), the size of which should not be lower than the critical value, which is supposed to be around 100–500 trees for curly birch. A schematic map of the curly birch range delineated using this approach is provided. We specially address the problem of determining the minimum population size to secure genetic diversity maintenance. The advantages of the population approach to delineating the distribution range of curly birch with regard to its biological features are highlighted. The authors argue that it enables a more accurate delineation of the range; shows the natural evolutionary history of the taxon (although it is not yet officially recognized as a species) and its range; can be relatively easily updated (e.g. depending on the scope of reintroduction); should be taken into account when working on the strategy of conservation and other actions designed to maintain and regenerate this unique representative of the forest tree flora.


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