scholarly journals The use of ball pits and playpens in laboratory Lister Hooded male rats induces ultrasonic vocalisations indicating a more positive affective state and can reduce the welfare impacts of aversive procedures

2022 ◽  
pp. 002367722110659
Author(s):  
Justyna K Hinchcliffe ◽  
Megan G Jackson ◽  
Emma SJ Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Emotional State ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Laboratory Rats ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Positive Affective State

The advancement and quality of science rely on research that is robust and unbiased in its experimental design, execution, analysis, and reproducibility. In preclinical research, a better understanding of animal emotions and refinement of their husbandry, housing, and handling are important goals in providing good animal welfare in a laboratory setting which underpins rigorous research quality. Induction of positive emotional state in animals is a key component of their well-being, and one approach is to increase their environmental complexity using, for example, ball pits or playpens in rats. In this study, we recorded 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalisations (USVs) during animals’ exposure to the ball pit and playpen. We have previously shown that 50 kHz USVs provide a graded and quantifiable measure of an animal’s emotional state, and here find that access to the ball pit and playpen increases 50 kHz USVs, indicative of a more positive affective state. Using our affective bias test (ABT) we next quantified the animals’ emotional response to an aversive intervention and whether this could be attenuated by access to a playpen. The playpen exposure completely mitigated the negative affective state induced by an anxiogenic drug when compared with animals who experienced the drug in the home cage. Together, these findings suggest ball pits and playpens provide a simple and effective method to improve the welfare of laboratory rats and reduce the cumulative suffering they experience from their housing conditions and minor, aversive procedures.

scholarly journals Introduction to the EQIPD quality system

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Bespalov ◽  
René Bernard ◽  
Anja Gilis ◽  
Björn Gerlach ◽  
Javier Guillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Standards ◽  
Quality System ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Innovative Therapies ◽  
Core Requirements ◽  
Scientific Questions ◽  
Intended Use

While high risk of failure is an inherent part of developing innovative therapies, it can be reduced by adherence to evidence-based rigorous research practices. Numerous analyses conducted to date have clearly identified measures that need to be taken to improve research rigor. Supported through the European Union's Innovative Medicines Initiative, the EQIPD consortium has developed a novel preclinical research quality system that can be applied in both public and private sectors and is free for anyone to use. The EQIPD Quality System was designed to be suited to boost innovation by ensuring the generation of robust and reliable preclinical data while being lean, effective and not becoming a burden that could negatively impact the freedom to explore scientific questions. EQIPD defines research quality as the extent to which research data are fit for their intended use. Fitness, in this context, is defined by the stakeholders, who are the scientists directly involved in the research, but also their funders, sponsors, publishers, research tool manufacturers and collaboration partners such as peers in a multi-site research project. The essence of the EQIPD Quality System is the set of 18 core requirements that can be addressed flexibly, according to user-specific needs and following a user-defined trajectory. The EQIPD Quality System proposes guidance on expectations for quality-related measures, defines criteria for adequate processes (i.e., performance standards) and provides examples of how such measures can be developed and implemented. However, it does not prescribe any pre-determined solutions. EQIPD has also developed tools (for optional use) to support users in implementing the system and assessment services for those research units that successfully implement the quality system and seek formal accreditation. Building upon the feedback from users and continuous improvement, a sustainable EQIPD Quality System will ultimately serve the entire community of scientists conducting non-regulated preclinical research, by helping them generate reliable data that are fit for their intended use.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTS OF CREATIVE MEDITATION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND AWARENESS CAPACITY DURING COVID 19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Ileana-Loredana Vitalia
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Health And Well Being

Creative meditation is an effective, innovative and safe psychotherapeutic intervention that may improve psychological health and well-being during the Covid 19 pandemic. Creative meditation creates a safe place for self-awareness and self-expression, allowing the discovery and development of personal resources, converting vulnerabilities into resources and facilitating personal development. The aim of the present study is to investigate the immediate effect of creative meditation on emotional distress and awareness capacity (acceptance and mindfulness). 22 students participated in a short experiment of a single online creative meditation session with pre and post surveys. An immediate significant variation in the participants’ emotional experience was observed. Creative meditation helped participants to feel a positive affective state which facilitated awareness and creative emotional and cognitive expression. Statistical results revealed a decrease of general affective distress, and a lower level of negative emotions (sadness, anxiety, frightened, concerned). The personal resources could be first actualized through this emotional experience and then it could be invested into meaningful actions.

scholarly journals Introduction to the EQIPD Quality System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Bespalov ◽  
Rene Bernard ◽  
Björn Gerlach ◽  
Christoph Emmerich ◽  
Malgorzata Pietraszek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Standards ◽  
Quality System ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Innovative Therapies ◽  
Core Requirements ◽  
Intended Use

While high risk of failure is an inherent part of developing innovative therapies, it can be reduced by adherence to evidence-based rigorous research practices. Numerous analyses conducted to date have clearly identified measures that need to be taken to improve research rigor. Supported through the European Union’s Innovative Medicines Initiative, the EQIPD consortium has developed a novel preclinical research quality system that can be applied in both public and private sectors and is free for anyone to use. The EQIPD Quality System was designed to be suited to boost innovation by ensuring the generation of robust and reliable preclinical data while being lean, effective and not becoming a burden that could negatively impact the freedom to explore scientific questions. EQIPD defines research quality as the extent to which research data are fit for their intended use. Fitness, in this context, is defined by the stakeholders, who are the scientists directly involved in the research, but also their funders, sponsors, publishers, research tool manufacturers and collaboration partners such as peers in a multi-site research project. The essence of the EQIPD Quality System is the set of 18 core requirements that can be addressed flexibly, according to user-specific needs and following a user-defined trajectory. The EQIPD Quality System proposes guidance on expectations for quality-related measures, defines criteria for adequate processes (i.e., performance standards) and provides examples of how such measures can be developed and implemented. However, it does not prescribe any pre-determined solutions. EQIPD has also developed tools (for optional use) to support users in implementing the system. Further, EQIPD is preparing training support and assessment services for those research units that successfully implement the quality system and would like to seek formal accreditation. Building upon the feedback from users and continuous improvement, a sustainable EQIPD Quality System will ultimately serve the entire community of scientists conducting non-regulated preclinical research, by helping them generate reliable data that are fit for their intended use.

scholarly journals Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Academic Self-Efficacy, and Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts as Predictors of Aesthetic-Musical Awareness in Late Adolescence

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Pilar Esteve-Faubel ◽  
María Pilar Aparicio-Flores ◽  
Victoria Cavia-Naya ◽  
José María Esteve-Faubel
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Late Adolescence ◽  
Automatic Thoughts ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Academic Self Efficacy

Aesthetic-musical awareness demarcates a person's own perception of their ability to connect with music and the emotions it evokes. This may imply a benefit for the affective state of the individual. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe whether there are statistically significant differences in emotional intelligence, perceived academic self-efficacy, and perfectionistic automatic thoughts when there are high and low scores in aesthetic-musical awareness in late adolescence. Likewise, we also aimed to determine whether emotional intelligence, perceived academic self-efficacy, and perfectionistic automatic thoughts are predictors of high aesthetic-musical awareness. To this end, a sample of 798 Spanish students between 17 and 23 years of age (Mage = 18.5 years) was used. Statistically significant differences were found for the dimensions of each variable when there were high and low scores in aesthetic-musical awareness (scores between d = −0.31 and −0.40), with higher mean scores for emotional intelligence, perceived academic self-efficacy, and perfectionistic automatic thoughts being present in the group with high aesthetic-musical awareness. Likewise, it was observed that the probability of presenting high scores in aesthetic-musical awareness was higher when there was an increase in emotional intelligence, perceived academic self-efficacy, and perceived automatic thoughts. In conclusion, the results found demonstrate that both emotional intelligence, perceived academic self-efficacy, and the presence of perfectionistic automatic thoughts influence on whether an individual has greater aesthetic-musical awareness. Taking into account previous studies that show how music influences the well-being of the person, these findings show a favorable link for the design of programs that benefit the emotional state of adolescents.

scholarly journals A break from the pups: The effects of loft access on the welfare of lactating laboratory rats

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253020
Author(s):  
Anna S. Ratuski ◽  
Daniel M. Weary
Keyword(s):  
Affective State ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Laboratory Rats ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Positive Affective State ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Measured Time ◽  
Anticipatory Behavior ◽  
Time Away ◽  
Negative Affective State

Rats (Rattus norvegicus) bred for research are typically confined with their litters until weaning, but will spend time away from pups when given the opportunity. We aimed to assess how dam welfare is affected by the ability to escape from their pups. Rat dams (n = 16) were housed in cages either with or without an elevated loft. We measured time dams spent in lofts, time spent nursing, and affective states using elevated plus maze and anticipatory behavior testing. We predicted that 1) dams housed with lofts would use them increasingly as pups aged, 2) dams without a loft would spend more time passively nursing (i.e. initiated by pups rather than the dam) and more total time nursing as pups aged, and 3) dams housed with lofts would show evidence of a more positive affective state. Dams housed with lofts spent more time in the loft with increasing pup age; dams spent on average (mean ± SE) 27 ± 5% of their time in the loft when pups were 1 wk old, increasing to 52 ± 5% of their time at 3 wks. When pups were 3 wks old, dams with lofts spent less time passively nursing (10 ± 2% of total time, compared to 27 ± 4% for dams without a loft) and less time nursing overall (36 ± 4% of time versus 59 ± 2% for dams without a loft). Rats without loft access showed increased anticipatory behavior potentially indicative of negative affective state (24.5±1.8 behaviors per minute in wk 3 compared to 18.8±1.0 in wk 1). These findings indicate that rat dams in laboratories choose to spend time away from their pups when provided the opportunity, particularly later in lactation; an inability to do so is associated with increased passive nursing and negative affect.

Exploratory Behavior as a Function of Environmental Novelty and Complexity in Male and Female Rats

2005 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 631-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Pisula ◽  
Jerome Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Behavior ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Adaptive Function ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Laboratory Rats ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Novel Objects ◽  
Male Specific

Laboratory rats show a positive response to low- and nonstressful novel events. The novel event may involve a number of aspects of the stimulus field. It is usually associated with a change in amount of environmental complexity. Most studies concerning novelty-related behavior involve the introduction of novel objects or the rearrangement of familiar objects. The present purpose was to measure exploratory behavior in response to environments of increased and decreased complexity. Both directions of environmental change are conditions of novelty. A two-way manipulation of increasing and decreasing the complexity of the environment was used. Rats of both sexes showed increased exploration to exposure to novelty, no matter which manipulation was applied; however, female and male rats behaved differently to the two types of novelty. Males responded more to novelty from the introduction of an unfamiliar object. The results indicate novel stimulation, whether of increasing or decreasing complexity, has reward properties. Perhaps the male-specific behavior directed toward unfamiliar objects may serve an adaptive function.

Associations Between Self-Report of Emotional State and the EEG Patterns in Affective Disorders Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Wyczesany ◽  
Jan Kaiser ◽  
Anton M. L. Coenen
Keyword(s):  
State Energy ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Manic Episode ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
High Tension

The study determines the associations between self-report of ongoing emotional state and EEG patterns. A group of 31 hospitalized patients were enrolled with three types of diagnosis: major depressive disorder, manic episode of bipolar affective disorder, and nonaffective patients. The Thayer ADACL checklist, which yields two subjective dimensions, was used for the assessment of affective state: Energy Tiredness (ET) and Tension Calmness (TC). Quantitative analysis of EEG was based on EEG spectral power and laterality coefficient (LC). Only the ET scale showed relationships with the laterality coefficient. The high-energy group showed right shift of activity in frontocentral and posterior areas visible in alpha and beta range, respectively. No effect of ET estimation on prefrontal asymmetry was observed. For the TC scale, an estimation of high tension was related to right prefrontal dominance and right posterior activation in beta1 band. Also, decrease of alpha2 power together with increase of beta2 power was observed over the entire scalp.

scholarly journals Psychiatric disorders in China: strengths and challenges of contemporary research and clinical services

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Xiao Chang ◽  
Qiyong Gong ◽  
Chunbo Li ◽  
Weihua Yue ◽  
Xin Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Neuroscience Research

Abstract China accounts for 17% of the global disease burden attributable to mental, neurological and substance use disorders. As a country undergoing profound societal change, China faces growing challenges to reduce the disease burden caused by psychiatric disorders. In this review, we aim to present an overview of progress in neuroscience research and clinical services for psychiatric disorders in China during the past three decades, analysing contributing factors and potential challenges to the field development. We first review studies in the epidemiological, genetic and neuroimaging fields as examples to illustrate a growing contribution of studies from China to the neuroscience research. Next, we introduce large-scale, open-access imaging genetic cohorts and recently initiated brain banks in China as platforms to study healthy brain functions and brain disorders. Then, we show progress in clinical services, including an integration of hospital and community-based healthcare systems and early intervention schemes. We finally discuss opportunities and existing challenges: achievements in research and clinical services are indispensable to the growing funding investment and continued engagement in international collaborations. The unique aspect of traditional Chinese medicine may provide insights to develop a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders. Yet obstacles still remain to promote research quality and to provide ubiquitous clinical services to vulnerable populations. Taken together, we expect to see a sustained advancement in psychiatric research and healthcare system in China. These achievements will contribute to the global efforts to realize good physical, mental and social well-being for all individuals.

scholarly journals Embitterment as a Specific Mental Health Reaction during the Coronavirus Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Beate Muschalla ◽  
Clio Vollborn ◽  
Anke Sondhof
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Perceived Injustice

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Embitterment can occur as a reaction to perceived injustice. During the pandemic and restrictions in daily living due to infection risk management, a range of many smaller or severe injustices have occurred. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study is to investigate what characterizes persons with high embitterment, mental illness, embitterment and mental illness, and those without embitterment or mental health problems. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted an online survey including persons from the general population in November 2020 and December 2020, the phase during which a second lockdown took place, with closed shops, restaurants, cultural and activity sites. 3,208 participants (mean age 47 years) gave self-ratings on their present well-being, burdens experienced during the pandemic, embitterment, wisdom, and resilience. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Embitterment occurred among 16% of the sample, which is a high rate in comparison with 4% during pre-pandemic times. Embitterment was weakly correlated with unspecific mental well-being. There were more persons with embitterment than those with embitterment and a mental health problem. Persons with embitterment reported less coronavirus-related anxiety than persons without embitterment. However, embittered persons reported more social and economic burdens and more frequent experiences of losses (job loss and canceling of medical treatments). Embittered persons perceive their own wisdom competencies on a similar level as persons with mental health problems or persons without mental health problems. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Embitterment is a specific potentially alone-standing affective state, which is distinguishable from general mental health and coping capacities (here: wisdom). The economic and social consequences of pandemic management should be carefully recognized and prevented by policy.

scholarly journals MORRIS WATER MAZE – A BENCH MARK TEST FOR LEARNING AND MEMORY DISORDERS IN ANIMAL MODELS: A REVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Ch Venkataramaiah ◽  
G Swathi ◽  
W Rajendra
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Escape Latency ◽  
Bench Mark ◽  
Spatial Learning And Memory ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Escape Route ◽  
Laboratory Rats

 The morris water maze (MWM) was developed by morris as a device to investigate spatial learning and memory in laboratory rats. MWM has become one of the most frequently used laboratory tools in behavioral neuroscience. The MWM task has been often used in the validation of rodent models for neurocognitive disorders (e.g., Parkinson, Alzheimer, Epilepsy, and Schizophrenia), and the evaluation of possible neurocognitive treatments. It is also being used to assess the properties of established potential antipsychotics in animal models of Schizophrenia. The MWM task requires rats to find a hidden platform in a large, circular pool of water that is colored opaque with powdered non-fat milk (or) non-toxic tempera paint where they must swim to the hidden platform. Because they are in the opaque water, the animals cannot see the platform and cannot rely on scent to find the escape route. Instead, they must rely on extra-maze cues. The behavior of rat can be evaluated by analyzing the different parameters such as escape latency, swim speed, and path length, and probe trail. The purpose of this review is to briefly describe procedural aspects, interpretational difficulties of data and advantages of MWM. This paradigm has become a benchmark test for learning and memory difficulties in animal models and preclinical research in general.

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