scholarly journals The Protective Effects of Perceived Control During Repeated Exposure to Aversive Stimuli

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kainan S. Wang ◽  
Mauricio R. Delgado
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Repeated Exposure ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Aversive Stimuli ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Human Participants

The ability to perceive and exercise control is a major contributor to our mental and physical wellbeing. When faced with uncontrollable aversive stimuli, organisms develop heightened anxiety and become unwilling to exert effort to avoid the stimuli. In contrast, when faced with controllable aversive stimuli, organisms demonstrate behavioral vigor via avoidance attempts toward trying to seek and exercise control over the environment. As such, controllability confers protective effects against reduced avoidance motivation trigged by aversive environments. These observations beg the question of whether controllability can be potent enough to reverse passivity following repeated exposure to uncontrollable aversive stimuli and how this protective effect is encoded neurally. Human participants performed a Control in Aversive Domain (CAD) task where they were first subjected to a series of repeated uncontrollable aversive stimuli (i.e., aversive tones) across several contexts that were followed by a series of controllable aversive stimuli in a novel context. Faced with persistent uncontrollability, participants significantly reduced their avoidance attempts over time and biased toward giving up. However, the subsequent presence of controllability rescued participants’ avoidance behavior. Strikingly, participants who responded more strongly to the protective effects of control also had greater ventromedial prefrontal cortical (vmPFC) activation—a region previously observed to be associated with encoding the subjective value of control. Taken together, these findings highlighted the protective effect conferred by perceived control against passivity and offered insights into the potential role of the vmPFC in controllable environments, with implications for understanding the beneficial influence of perceived control on adaptive behavior.

scholarly journals Corticostriatal Circuits Encode the Subjective Value of Perceived Control

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 5049-5060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kainan S Wang ◽  
Mauricio R Delgado
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Option ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Binary Choices ◽  
Mere Presence ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Neural Underpinnings ◽  
Evoked Activity

AbstractThe ability to perceive and exercise control over an outcome is both desirable and beneficial to our well-being. It has been shown that animals and humans alike exhibit behavioral bias towards seeking control and that such bias recruits the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and striatum. Yet, this bias remains to be quantitatively captured and studied neurally. Here, we employed a behavioral task to measure the preference for control and characterize its neural underpinnings. Participants made a series of binary choices between having control and no-control over a game for monetary reward. The mere presence of the control option evoked activity in the ventral striatum. Importantly, we manipulated the expected value (EV) of each choice pair to extract the pairing where participants were equally likely to choose either option. The difference in EV between the options at this point of equivalence was inferred as the subjective value of control. Strikingly, perceiving control inflated the reward value of the associated option by 30% and this value inflation was tracked by the vmPFC. Altogether, these results capture the subjective value of perceived control inherent in decision making and highlight the role of corticostriatal circuitry in the perception of control.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF THE NEONATAL FC RECEPTOR IN THE UNCOATING OF ECHOVIRUSES AND COXSACKIEVIRUS A9

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-139
Author(s):  
P. S. Usoltseva ◽  
A. V. Alimov ◽  
A. V. Rezaykin ◽  
A. G. Sergeev ◽  
A. V. Novoselov
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Cellular Receptor ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Neonatal Fc Receptor ◽  
Receptor Specificity ◽  
Cellular Receptors ◽  
Coxsackievirus A9 ◽  
Rd Cells ◽  
Adenovirus Receptor

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the human neonatal receptor for the Fc fragment of IgG (hFcRn) as a common uncoating cellular receptor for echoviruses and coxsackievirus A9 during infection of human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Material and methods. The protective effect of the human serum albumin, purified from globulins, (HSA-GF) and antibodies to hFcRn was studied in RD cells infected with several strains and clones of species B enteroviruses possessing different receptor specificity (echoviruses 3, 9, 11, 30 and coxsackieviruses A9, B4, B5). Results. It was shown that HSA-GF at concentrations of 4% or less protected RD cells from infection with echoviruses 3, 9, 11 and coxsackievirus A9. The antibodies to hFcRn at concentrations of 2.5 ug/mL or less demonstrated the similar spectrum of protective activity in RD cells against infection with echoviruses 3, 9, 11, 30 and coxsackievirus A9. The protective effect of HSA-GF or the antibodies to hFcRn was not observed in RD cells infected with coxsackieviruses B4 and B5 that need coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor for uncoating. Discussion. The usage of the previously characterized echovirus 11 clonal variants with different receptor specificity allowed us to define the function of hFcRn as a canyon-binding uncoating receptor in RD cells. The kinetics and magnitude of the observed protective effects correlated with receptor specificity of the enteroviruses used in this work supporting the two-step interaction of DAF-dependent echoviruses with the cellular receptors. Conclusions. In this study, the function of hFcRn was defined in RD cells as a canyon-binding and uncoating receptor for echoviruses and coxsackievirus A9. The two-step interaction of DAF-dependent echoviruses during entry into the cells was confirmed: initially with the binding receptor DAF and subsequently with the uncoating receptor hFcRn.

Crosstalk between E2f1 and c-Myc mediates hepato-protective effect of royal jelly on taxol-induced damages

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 626-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Malekinejad ◽  
M Fani ◽  
S Kh Shafiee-Roodbari ◽  
F Delkhosh-Kasmaie ◽  
A Rezaei-Golmisheh
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Liver Growth ◽  
Histopathological Studies

Previous histopathological studies have shown the hepatotoxicity of paclitaxel (TXL). However, there is little known about the molecular pathway(s) of TXL-induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to uncover the role of two transcription factors in the TXL-induced hepatotoxicity. Moreover, the hepato-protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on TXL-induced toxicity was investigated. Wistar rats were divided into control and test groups. The test groups along with TXL received various doses of RJ (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, body weight). Biochemical hepatic functional assays, histopathological studies and hepatic superoxide dismutase level were determined. Additionally, the expression of E2f1 and cellular-myelocytomatosis (c-Myc) at messenger RNA (mRNA) level in the liver was evaluated. The hepatic functional biomarkers showed a significant ( p < 0.05) elevation in the TXL-received animals, while RJ administration for 28 days resulted in a remarkable reduction in TXL-elevated alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase levels. The TXL-treated animals showed a significant ( p < 0.05) up-regulation of E2f1 and down-regulation of c-Myc at mRNA level, respectively. RJ lowered the expression of E2f1 while enhanced the expression of c-Myc in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest the hepato-protective effects of RJ on TXL-induced toxicity, which may attribute to a clear crosstalk between E2f1 and c-Myc as two regulators of liver growth.

scholarly journals Positive components of mental health provide significant protection against likelihood of falling in older women over a 13-year period

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1419-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Burns ◽  
Julie Byles ◽  
Paul Mitchell ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Random Intercept ◽  
Psychological Risk

ABSTRACTBackground:In late life, falls are associated with disability, increased health service utilization and mortality. Physical and psychological risk factors of falls include falls history, grip strength, sedative use, stroke, cognitive impairment, and mental ill-health. Less understood is the role of positive psychological well-being components. This study investigated the protective effect of vitality on the likelihood of falls in comparison to mental and physical health.Methods:Female participants were drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) harmonization project. Participants (n= 11,340) were aged 55–95 years (Mean = 73.68; SD = 4.31) at baseline and observed on up to four occasions for up to 13 years (Mean = 5.30; SD = 2.53).Results:A series of random intercept logistic regression models consistently identified vitality's protective effects on falls as a stronger effect in the reduction of the likelihood of falls than the effect of mental health. Vitality is a significant predictor of falls likelihood even after adjusting for physical health, although the size of effect is substantially explained by its covariance with mental and physical heath.Conclusions:Vitality has significant protective effects on the likelihood of falls. In comparison with mental health, vitality reported much stronger protective effects on the likelihood to fall in comparison with the risk associated with poor mental health in a large sample of older female adults. Both physical health and mental health account for much of the variance in vitality, but vitality still reports a protective effect on the likelihood of falls.

Protective Effects Of Isothiocyanates Against Alzheimer's Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 07 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asif ◽  
Chandra Kala ◽  
Sadaf Jamal Gilani ◽  
Syed Sarim Imam ◽  
Mohamad Taleuzzaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Pharmaceutical Research ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Extensive Search

Background: The extensive search for a novel therapeutic agent against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in medical and pharmaceutical research still continues. Despite a lot being explored about its therapeutics, there is still much more to learn in order to achieve promising therapeutic agents against ADAlzheimer's. Phytochemicals, especially secondary metabolites, are the major focus of the investigators for AD treatment. Objective: To describe major therapeutics targets of AD and the role of isothiocyanates (ITCs) in modulating these targets. Methods: Scientific databases, including Elsevier, Science Direct, Pub med, were explored. The explored literature was mainly journal publications on pathogenesis and targets of AD, and the effect of various ITCs in the modulation of these targets. Results: The major targets of AD include the Nrf-2/ARE signaling pathway, MAPKs pathway, GSK-3 signaling, and Ubiquitin-Protease system. ITCs, such as Sulforaphane, Allyl isothiocyanates, Moringin, 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl ITC, Phenethyl isothiocyanates, and Erucin, were reported to exert a protective effect against AD via modulating one of the several above mentioned targets. Conclusion: This article gives a detailed description of the therapeutic targets of AD and sheds light that phytochemicals, such as ITCs, can exert a protective effect against AD by targeting those pathways. However, properly designed research and clinical trials are required to include ITCs as a mainstream agent against AD.

scholarly journals The reflection effect in memory-based decisions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Agnes Weilbächer ◽  
Peter Maximilian Kraemer ◽  
Sebastian Gluth
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Behavioral Pattern ◽  
Memory Bias ◽  
Uncertainty Aversion ◽  
Reflection Effect ◽  
Aversive Stimuli ◽  
Decisions Under Risk ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Uncertain Outcomes

Previous research has shown that episodic memory influences decisions, with peopleexhibiting too strong preferences for remembered over forgotten options. However, thecognitive mechanisms underlying this memory bias remain elusive. Here, we propose thatchoosing forgotten (or poorly remembered) options is conceptually similar to choosingoptions with uncertain outcomes. Following this rationale, we predicted that the memorybias is reduced when options have negative subjective value – analogous to the reflectioneffect, according to which uncertainty aversion is stronger in gains than in losses. In twopreregistered experiments, participants made memory-based decisions between sets ofappetitive or aversive stimuli. As predicted, people preferred remembered over forgottenoptions in the gain domain, but this behavioral pattern reversed in the loss domain. Ourresults contribute to an increasing understanding of the role of memory in decision makingand connect this emerging field to the well-established research on decisions under risk anduncertainty.

Social Motives Predict Loneliness During a Developmental Transition

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Social Approach ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Developmental Transitions ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract. Establishing new social relationships is important for mastering developmental transitions in young adulthood. In a 2-year longitudinal study with four measurement occasions (T1: n = 245, T2: n = 96, T3: n = 103, T4: n = 85), we investigated the role of social motives in college students’ mastery of the transition of moving out of the parental home, using loneliness as an indicator of poor adjustment to the transition. Students with strong social approach motivation reported stable and low levels of loneliness. In contrast, students with strong social avoidance motivation reported high levels of loneliness. However, this effect dissipated relatively quickly as most of the young adults adapted to the transition over a period of several weeks. The present study also provides evidence for an interaction between social approach and social avoidance motives: Social approach motives buffered the negative effect on social well-being of social avoidance motives. These results illustrate the importance of social approach and social avoidance motives and their interplay during developmental transitions.

Effects of High Intensity Statin Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Dyslipidemia in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Vavlukis ◽  
Sasko Kedev
Keyword(s):  
Statin Therapy ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Incident Diabetes ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitors ◽  
Diabetic Dyslipidemia ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

Background: Diabetic dyslipidemia has specifics that differ from dyslipidemia in patients without diabetes, which contributes to accelerated atherosclerosis equally as dysglycemia. The aim of this study was to deduce the interdependence of diabetic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), therapeutic strategies and the risk of diabetes development with statin therapy. Method: We conducted a literature review of English articles through PubMed, PubMed Central and Cochrane, on the role of diabetic dyslipidemia in atherosclerosis, the antilipemic treatment with statins, and the role of statin therapy in newly developed diabetes, by using key words: atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, diabetic dyslipidemia, CVD, statins, nicotinic acid, fibrates, PCSK9 inhibitors. Results: hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia cannot be treated separately in patients with diabetes. It seems that dyslipidemia plays one of the key roles in the development of atherosclerosis. High levels of TG, decreased levels of HDL-C and increased levels of small dense LDL- C particles in the systemic circulation are the most specific attributes of diabetic dyslipidemia, all of which originate from an inflated flux of free fatty acids occurring due to the preceding resistance to insulin, and exacerbated by elevated levels of inflammatory adipokines. Statins are a fundamental treatment for diabetic dyslipidemia, both for dyslipidemia and for CVD prevention. The use of statin treatment with high intensity is endorsed for all diabetes-and-CVD patients, while a moderate - intensity treatment can be applied to patients with diabetes, having additional risk factors for CVD. Statins alone are thought to possess a small, although of statistical significance, risk of incident diabetes, outweighed by their benefits. Conclusion: As important as hyperglycemia and glycoregulation are in CVD development in patients with diabetes, diabetic dyslipidemia plays an even more important role. Statins remain the cornerstone of antilipemic treatment in diabetic dyslipidemia, and their protective effects in CVD progression overcome the risk of statin- associated incident diabetes.

The Protective Effect of Metformin against Oxandrolone-Induced Infertility in Male Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulqader Fadhil Abed ◽  
Yazun Bashir Jarrar ◽  
Hamzeh J Al-Ameer ◽  
Wajdy Al-Awaida ◽  
Su-Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
P Value ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr

Background: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analogue that is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes. However, oxandrolone causes male infertility. Recently, it was found that metformin reduces the risk of infertility associated with diabetes mellitus. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Methods: Rats continuously received one of four treatments (n=7) over 14 days: control DMSO administration, oxandrolone administration, metformin administration, or co-administration of oxandrolone and metformin. Doses were equivalent to those used for human treatment. Subsequently, testicular and blood samples were collected for morphological, biochemical, and histological examination. In addition, gene expression of the testosterone synthesizing enzyme CYP11A1 was analyzed in the testes using RT-PCR. Results: Oxandrolone administration induced male infertility by significantly reducing relative weights of testes by 48%, sperm count by 82%, and serum testosterone levels by 96% (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). In addition, histological examination determined that oxandrolone caused spermatogenic arrest which was associated with 2-fold downregulation of testicular CYP11A1 gene expression. However, co-administration of metformin with oxandrolone significantly ameliorated toxicological alterations induced by oxandrolone exposure (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Metformin administration protected against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility among athletes.

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