scholarly journals Modulating the Activity of the VMPFC With tDCS Alters the Social Framing Effect

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuyou Chen ◽  
Xinbo Lu ◽  
Ping Yu ◽  
Lulu Zeng ◽  
Hang Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Framing Effect ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sham Treatment ◽  
Cathodal Tdcs ◽  
The Social ◽  
Helping Behaviour

Numerous experimental studies have replicated the social framing effect-the observation that people’s decisions related to economic benefits and feelings depend on the method of presentation. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) plays a part in the influence of framing and how individuals think about the feelings of others. Based on this, we used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate neuronal activity in the VMPFC to determine the likelihood of a direct association between VMPFC activity and the social framing effect. Subsequently, in three stimulation treatments, we assessed the presence of the social framing effect, as demonstrated by a disparity between harm degree and help degree. The findings revealed a social framing effect in the participants in the control group and the sham treatment but no social framing effect in the participants in the anodal or cathodal treatments. Furthermore, sex differences were observed in the sham treatment’s social framing effect, whereas no sex differences were observed in the anodal or cathodal treatments. The participants tended to harm the victim after receiving anodal or cathodal tDCS over the VMPFC and did not change their helping behaviour in any stimulations. Consequently, a clear causal link between the behaviour of the VMPFC and the social framing effect was found in the present research.

scholarly journals Effects of virtual reality on social participation after stroke: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Letícia Costa Queiroz ◽  
Kênia Kiefer Parreiras de Menezes ◽  
Patrick Roberto Avelino
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Permanent Disability ◽  
Unified Health System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Local Supply

Background: The cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke, is characterized as a vascular injury occurring in the nervous tissue, in which there is interruption in the blood flow with consequent loss of the local supply of nutrients and oxygen, leading to tissue death. According to data from the Unified Health System and other studies, the CVA represents the greatest cause of death and permanent disability in Brazil. Objectives: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature, searching for evidence of the effects of the use of the rehabilitation based on virtual reality to help recover the social participation of hemiparetic subjects after stroke. Methods: Searches were conducted on Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS and PEDro databases, without restriction regarding the language and publication year of the study. The articles were evaluated by title, abstract and full text and, finally, selected in relation to the eligibility by two independent authors. The methodological quality of the included experimental studies was evaluated according to the PEDro scale. Results: Among the 11 articles included in the present review, only 4 demonstrated significant effects of virtual reality training on social participation/quality of life of hemiparetic subjects, when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The studies analyzed show that although there seems to be benefits of using virtual reality in global aspects of hemiparetic patient recovery, such as in motor function, the results are still not consistent regarding the social participation.

Epistemic and relational conflicts in sharing identical vs. complementary information during cooperative learning

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Darnon ◽  
Céline Buchs ◽  
Fabrizio Butera
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complementary Information ◽  
Relational Conflict ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University

When interacting on a learning task, which is typical of several academic situations, individuals may experience two different motives: Understanding the problem, or showing their competences. When a conflict (confrontation of divergent propositions) emerges from this interaction, it can be solved either in an epistemic way (focused on the task) or in a relational way (focused on the social comparison of competences). The latter is believed to be detrimental for learning. Moreover, research on cooperative learning shows that when they share identical information, partners are led to compare to each other, and are less encouraged to cooperate than when they share complementary information. An epistemic vs. relational conflict vs. no conflict was provoked in dyads composed by a participant and a confederate, working either on identical or on complementary information (N = 122). Results showed that, if relational and epistemic conflicts both entailed more perceived interactions and divergence than the control group, only relational conflict entailed more perceived comparison activities and a less positive relationship than the control group. Epistemic conflict resulted in a more positive perceived relationship than the control group. As far as performance is concerned, relational conflict led to a worse learning than epistemic conflict, and - after a delay - than the control group. An interaction between the two variables on delayed performance showed that epistemic and relational conflicts were different only when working with complementary information. This study shows the importance of the quality of relationship when sharing information during cooperative learning, a crucial factor to be taken into account when planning educational settings at the university.

Reasoning of medical tactics at the preconception in patients with a history of miscarriage and abnormal vaginal discharge

2016 ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
N.V. Schuruk ◽  
◽  
V.I. Pyrohova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Patient Survey ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Genital Infections ◽  
Reproductive Losses ◽  
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Complicated Pregnancy

The objective: evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the drug complex hinekit during preconception preparation for women with complicated pregnancy loss history and uncomplicated mixed genital infections. Patients and methods. The study involved 65 women with reproductive losses in history, who turned over the abnormal vaginal discharge. Diagnosis of sexual transmitted infections (C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, HSV-II, HPV), assessment of vaginal microbiota was performed by PCR with detection results in real time. Bacterial Vaginosis verified by the Amsel system. Results. All the examinees in the history have miscarriage in the first (56.9%) or the second (43.1%) trimester of pregnancy. According to the results of the patient survey were divided into clinical groups. In 26.2% of women infectious pathology of the lower genital tract has not been confirmed, 26.2% of patients did not give consent to participate in the study and were formed in the control group that received therapy according to existing clinical settings. 31 patients with mixed genital infection (study group) received complex preparation gіnekit. This positive trend was observed in all the patients of the main group (the disappearance of subjective sensations on average 2.2±0.3 hours). After treatment T. vaginalis, BV were not detected in one patient, active mycotic process in the absence of complaints remained at 4.8% of women, complete eradication of C. trachomatis was achieved in 92.3% of patients. Conclusions. Reducing the duration of treatment of mixed genital infections at the preconception in women with reproductive losses in the history is achieved in terms of clinical, microbiological and pharmaco-economic benefits by prescribtion an gіnekit preparation. Summary of clinical and microbiological effects of the proposed approach is 96.0 ± 0.9%, which corresponds to all requirements for multimodal therapy of genital infections, and no side effects, short course of treatment provides a high compliance of patients (9.2±0.7 points). Key words: mixed genital infections, miscarriages, gіnekit, azithromycin, fluconazole, seknidazol.

The influence of probiotic drug Biolax-U on morphological and biochemical parameters of blood in cows

2020 ◽  
pp. 70-76
Author(s):  
A. Farkhutdinova
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Animal Blood ◽  
Black And White ◽  
White Breed

The expediency of using the probiotic drug Biolax-U in the rations of lactating and dry cows of Black-and-White breed has been studied and scientifically proved. The influence of this drug on the morphological and biochemical parameters of animal blood has been determined. The composition of the probiotic drug Biolax-U consists of eight strains of a balanced complex of living lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, as well as biologically active substances. For experimental studies conducted on 2 groups of cows have been selected by the method of pairs-analogs, the influence of feeding of feed have been prepared with the use of the microbiological drug with probiotic action Biolax-U on feed consumption, morphological and biochemical changes in blood has been studied. Analysis of the rations of cows indicates that the content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur and trace elements such as manganese, copper, zinc and cobalt in the feed has been reduced. It has been found by studies that the use of probiotic drug Biolax-U had the positive influence on the feed intake, digestibility and better assimilation of feed nutrients and contributed to the improvement of blood morphological and biochemical parameters. For example, in animals of the experimental group hemoglobin has increased by 3,6 % (Р < 0,05), red blood cells by 10,1 (P ≤ 0,05), the content of leukocytes by 4,43, carotene by 9,6, glucose by 3,4; reserve alkalinity by 15,6, calcium by 19,4 (P ≤ 0,01), and phosphorus by 18,4 % compared with the control group of animals. During the lactation significantly improved hematological parameters including alkalinity reserve by 5,11 %, calcium level by 11,1, phosphorus by 8,6, hemoglobin by 14,2 %, the content of erythrocytes by 12,3, leukocyte by 3,86, and carotene 11,1 % against the parameters of animals of control group. The improvement of morphological and biochemical parameters of blood of cows indicates about stimulating effect on hematopoiesis and the general clinical condition of animals that contributes to the improvement of metabolic processes when using feed prepared with the use of microbiological drug with probiotic action Biolax-U.

Arthrophytum scoparium Extract Improves Memory Impairment and Affects Acetylcholinesterase Activity In Mice Brain

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 480-487
Author(s):  
Med A. Smach ◽  
Jawhar Hafsa ◽  
Bassem Charfeddine ◽  
Hedi Dridi ◽  
Khalifa Limem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Oxidative Damages ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Mice Brain

Background: Arthrophytum scoparium (Pomel) Iljin (Amaranthaceae family) has been widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine to treat many disorders such as migraine, headache, and neurological disorders. This study investigates the effect of Arthrophytum scoparium Aqueous Extract (ASAE) on cognitive impairments and oxidative injury induced by galactose (10%) in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: The mice were divided randomly into 4 experimental groups, including the control group (saline water 9 ‰), Galactose group, Scop group (300 mg/kg/d), and Scop+Gal group (300 mg/kg/d). Mice received the corresponding solutions by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 7 days before the Y-maze active tests. Galactose 10% was given to all groups except control and Scop groups, 30 min before the trial. Levels of Acetylcholinesterase Activity (AChE), Ascorbic Acid (AA), Gluthatione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice brains were examined. Results: Chronic administration of galactose significantly impaired cognitive performance in Y maze, caused marked oxidative damages and a significant increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity as compared to other groups. On the contrary, ASAE (300 mg/kg) treatment suppressed galactoseinduced oxidative damage by ameliorating the increased levels of GSH and AA. Moreover, ASAE treatment reduced brain AChE activities in the galactose-induced model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ASAE exerts potent anti-amnesic effects via the modulation of cholinergic and antioxidant activities. The observed pharmacological activities should be further evaluated by detailed experimental studies and validated by clinical trials.

Race and Sex Differences and Fear of Dying: A Test of Two Hypotheses — High Risk or Social Loss?

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Marks
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Zero Order ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Social Loss ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
The Social

A national sample of noninstitutionalized adult Americans is used to test two hypotheses and their relation to fear of death, The first hypothesis, referred to as the high risk hypothesis (i.e., groups with higher mortality rates will express more fear of death than groups with lower rates of mortality), is rejected. The second hypothesis, referred to as the social loss hypothesis, is developed and tested across six status categories—race, sex, age, religion, level of education, and health status. Zero order differences did appear for sex and race, however, these differences were eliminated with the introduction of controls. Both hypotheses are rejected.

An intervention study on the effectiveness of an anti-stress-app on psychophysiological acute and chronic stress (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Lautenbach
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Trier Social Stress Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Acute And Chronic Stress

BACKGROUND Dealing with stress is of central importance. Lately, smartphone applications (apps) are deployed in stress interventions as they offer maximal flexibility for users. First results of experimental studies show that anti-stress apps effect subjective perception of stress positively (Ly et al., 2014). However, current literature lacks studies on physiological stress reactions (e.g., cortisol), although they are of special interest to health issues. OBJECTIVE Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an anti-stress app in chronic and acute stress reduction on a physiological (cortisol) and psychological level (subjective perception of stress) in comparison to a face-to-face and a control group in a pre-post design, for the first time. METHODS Sixty-two participants took part in the pretesting procedure (drop-out of 53 %). Based on age, gender, physical activity and subjectively perceived acute stress due to the Trier Social Stress Test for groups (TSST-G; von Dawans et al., 2011) as well as based on subjectively chronic stress assessed during the pretest, participants were parallelized in three groups (anti-stress-app: n = 10, face-to-face: n = 11, control group: n = 9). RESULTS After six weeks of the cognitive-based resource-oriented intervention, participants were exposed to the TSST-G for post testing. Results did not show a change of cortisol secretion or cognitive appraisal of the acute stressor. Further, no changes were detected in the chronic physiological stress reaction. CONCLUSIONS Possible causes are discussed extensively. CLINICALTRIAL no

scholarly journals Understanding sex differences in long-term blood pressure regulation: insights from experimental studies and computational modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (5) ◽  
pp. H1113-H1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameed Ahmed ◽  
Rui Hu ◽  
Jessica Leete ◽  
Anita T. Layton
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Blood Pressure Regulation ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Key Players

Sex differences in blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension are found in humans and animal models. Moreover, there has been a recent explosion of data concerning sex differences in nitric oxide, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, inflammation, and kidney function. These data have the potential to reveal the mechanisms underlying male-female differences in blood pressure control. To elucidate the interactions among the multitude of physiological processes involved, one may apply computational models. In this review, we describe published computational models that represent key players in blood pressure regulation, and highlight sex-specific models and their findings.

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