scholarly journals Elucidating the Effects of a Cryptomeria fortunei Forest Environment on Overall Health Based on Open Field Testing of Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Yanying Wang ◽  
Yuying Li ◽  
Zonghua Ji ◽  
Feng Han ◽  
Dong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Behavioral Indicators ◽  
Suspended Particulate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Late Stages

In order to elucidate the impact of fortunei forest environment on overall health, the effect of the Cryptomeria fortunei forest environment on mice was examined. Using an OFT (Open Field Test), the behavior of mice in fortunei forest and in an indoor environment (used as a control) was analyzed, while minor changes in climate, oxygen, and suspended particulate matter were observed and recorded simultaneously. The results indicated that the two environments were significantly different in regard to relative humidity, wind speed, and the oxygen content of air, while there were no significant differences in temperature. Importantly, spontaneous activity behavioral indicators in mice were significantly different. Mice in the Cryptomeria fortunei environment (LS group) spent less time in the corners and near walls in comparison to mice in the indoor environment (CK group). Compared with indoor control mice, for the mice exposed to forest environments total distance traveled, central grid distance, frequency of movement through the central grid, frequency of standing, and body mass significantly increased; The number of fecal grains significantly decreased. The spontaneous activity behavioral indicators changed over time stages. In the early stages there were no differences, but after accumulation of environmental effects in the late stages, significant differences were evident. The above results showed that the Cryptomeria fortunei forest environment increased excitability and cognitive ability of mice, was able to effectively alleviate anxiety, and was able to emotionally relax and improve the appetite of the mice.

scholarly journals Anxiolytic-like effect of Urena lobata (L.) in swiss albino mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Torequl Islam ◽  
Thoufiqul Alam Riaz ◽  
Seyed Abdulmajid Ayatollahi ◽  
Javad Sharifi-Rad
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Albino Mice ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAnxiety disorders are general and psychological problems that are also linked to symptoms of depression. This study aimed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects of Urena lobata L. (MEUL) methanolic extract in different behavioral paradigms in Swiss albino mice. For this, after an oral acute toxicity study, adult male mice were treated with MEUL (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and subjected to a number of behavioral studies. In the open-field test, the number of square field cross, grooming, and rearing, was counted, while in the light/dark and swing test, the time spent in the dark portion and number of swings was calculated, respectively. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis was also done. Results reveal that the MEUL possesses alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenes (including triterpenes), gums, and reducing sugars. MEUL showed a significant (p < 0.05) anxiolytic-like effect in experimental animals, where it’s dose-dependently modulated the test parameters in an open-field test. The MEUL also increased the light residence time and the number of swings in a dose-dependent manner. A dose of 500 mg/kg of MEUL caused the highest calming effect when combined with the experimental animals’ diazepam group. Taken together, findings expand an understanding of the impact of U. lobata on the central nervous system and show that this plant may be useful for the treatment of disorders associated with anxiety.

Subtle Impact of Akt1 and Akt3 on Exploratory Behavior in Gene Targeted Mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 223 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Leibrock ◽  
Michael Hierlmeier ◽  
Undine E. Lang ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Forced Swimming Test ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Average Speed ◽  
Closed Area ◽  
Light Area ◽  
Swimming Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Center Area ◽  
Dark Transition

Abstract. The present study explored the impact of Akt1 and Akt3 on behavior. Akt1 (akt1-/-) and Akt3 (akt3-/-) knockout mice were compared to wild type (wt) mice. The akt1-/- mice, akt3-/- mice, and wt mice were similar in most parameters of the open-field test. However, the distance traveled in the center area was slightly but significantly less in akt3-/- mice than in wt mice. In the light/dark transition test akt1-/- mice had significantly lower values than wt mice and akt3-/- mice for distance traveled, number of rearings, rearing time in the light area, as well as time spent and distance traveled in the entrance area. They were significantly different from akt3-/- mice in the distance traveled, visits, number of rearings, rearing time in the light area, as well as time spent, distance traveled, number of rearings, and rearing time in the entrance area. In the O-maze the time spent, and the visits to open arms, as well as the number of protected and unprotected headdips were significantly less in akt1-/- mice than in wt mice, whereas the time spent in closed arms was significantly more in akt1-/- mice than in wt mice. Protected and unprotected headdips were significantly less in akt3-/- mice than in wt mice. In closed area, akt3-/- mice traveled a significantly larger distance at larger average speed than akt1-/- mice. No differences were observed between akt1-/- mice, akt3-/- mice and wt-type mice in the time of floating during the forced swimming test. In conclusion, akt1-/- mice and less so akt3-/ mice display subtle changes in behavior.

scholarly journals A pilot study on the impact of a first-time central heating intervention on resident mental wellbeing

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2097546
Author(s):  
Richard A Sharpe ◽  
Andrew J Williams ◽  
Ben Simpson ◽  
Gemma Finnegan ◽  
Tim Jones
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Central Heating ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Mental Well Being

Fuel poverty affects around 34% of European homes, representing a considerable burden to society and healthcare systems. This pilot study assesses the impact of an intervention to install a new first time central heating system in order to reduce fuel poverty on household satisfaction with indoor temperatures/environment, ability to pay bills and mental well-being. In Cornwall, 183 households received the intervention and a further 374 went onto a waiting list control. A post-intervention postal questionnaires and follow-up phone calls were undertaken ( n = 557) to collect data on household demographics, resident satisfaction with indoor environment, finances and mental well-being (using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale). We compared responses between the waiting list control and intervention group to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. A total of 31% of participants responded, 83 from the waiting list control and 71 from the intervention group. The intervention group reported improvements in the indoor environment, finances and mental well-being. However, these benefits were not expressed by all participants, which may result from diverse resident behaviours, lifestyles and housing characteristics. Future policies need to consider whole house approaches alongside resident training and other behaviour change techniques that can account for complex interactions between behaviours and the built environment.

scholarly journals Toxicity and Neuropharmacological Effects of Elenine

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Navarro ◽  
S. J. Alonso ◽  
R. Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
General Behaviour ◽  
Similar Chemical ◽  
Sedative Effects ◽  
Traction Test ◽  
Central Depressant

Elenine is the aglycone of elenoside, a cytotoxic arylnaphthalene lignan (NSC 644013-W/1) derived fromJusticia hyssopifolia. (Family: Acanthaceae). Elenoside is a β-D-glucoside, with a similar chemical structure to etoposide, exhibiting central depressant activity. In the present study, elenine was given to mice and rats at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. Acute toxicity (24 h) and general behaviour in mice was studied as well as its effects on muscular relaxant activity, locomotor activity (Varimex test), and the open-field test and were compared with 10 mg/kg of chlorpromazine. Elenine produced a reduction in the permanence time in muscular relaxant activity (traction test). Spontaneous activity was lower in the Varimex test. The ambulation and rearing were lower compared with the control group, and an increase in boluses was observed in the open-field test. Thus, it can be concluded that elenine has central sedative effects at lower doses than those used with elenoside and has a possible application in conditions of anxiety.

scholarly journals Participation ofGABAAChloride Channels in the Anxiolytic-Like Effects of a Fatty Acid Mixture

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa ◽  
Rosa Isela García-Ríos ◽  
Jonathan Cueto-Escobedo ◽  
Blandina Bernal-Morales ◽  
Carlos M. Contreras
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Acid Mixture ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Gaba Binding ◽  
Defensive Burying

Human amniotic fluid and a mixture of eight fatty acids (FAT-M) identified in this maternal fluid (C12:0, lauric acid, 0.9 μg%; C14:0, myristic acid, 6.9 μg%; C16:0, palmitic acid, 35.3 μg%; C16:1, palmitoleic acid, 16.4 μg%; C18:0, stearic acid, 8.5 μg%; C18:1cis, oleic acid, 18.4 μg%; C18:1trans, elaidic acid, 3.5 μg%; C18:2, linoleic acid, 10.1 μg%) produce anxiolytic-like effects that are comparable to diazepam in Wistar rats, suggesting the involvement ofγ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, a possibility not yet explored. Wistar rats were subjected to the defensive burying test, elevated plus maze, and open field test. In different groups, threeGABAAreceptor antagonists were administered 30 min before FAT-M administration, including the competitive GABA binding antagonist bicuculline (1 mg/kg),GABAAbenzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (5 mg/kg), and noncompetitiveGABAAchloride channel antagonist picrotoxin (1 mg/kg). The FAT-M exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the defensive burying test and elevated plus maze, without affecting locomotor activity in the open field test. TheGABAAantagonists alone did not produce significant changes in the behavioral tests. Picrotoxin but not bicuculline or flumazenil blocked the anxiolytic-like effect of the FAT-M. Based on the specific blocking action of picrotoxin on the effects of the FAT-M, we conclude that the FAT-M exerted its anxiolytic-like effects throughGABAAreceptor chloride channels.

Acute effects of ethanol on behavioral responses of male and female zebrafish in the open field test with the influence of a non-familiar object

2021 ◽  
pp. 104474
Author(s):  
Thiele P. Souza ◽  
Francini Franscescon ◽  
Flavia V. Stefanello ◽  
Talise E. Müller ◽  
Laura W. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Open Field Test ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Familiar Object ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Zebrafish

scholarly journals How Dead Wood in the Forest Decreases Relaxation? The Effects of Viewing of Dead Wood in the Forest Environment on Psychological Responses of Young Adults

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Emilia Janeczko ◽  
Ernest Bielinis ◽  
Ulfah Tiarasari ◽  
Małgorzata Woźnicka ◽  
Wojciech Kędziora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
The Impact

The intensity of the neutral environment impact on humans may be determined by specific features of space, including dead wood occurrence. Dead wood is claimed to be disliked by the public because it reduces the scenic beauty and recreational values of the forest. The attractiveness of a forest with dead wood may be determined by its variants. Much is known about the preference for landscape with dead wood, but there is little information available about how such a landscape affects a person’s mental relaxation, improves mood, increases positive feelings, levels of vitality, etc. Hence, the aim of our research was to investigate the psycho-logical relaxing effects of short 15-min exposures to natural and managed forests with dead wood. In the study, three areas within the Białowieża Primeval Forest were used to measure the impact of different types of forest with dead wood (A: forest reserve with dead wood subject to natural decomposition processes; B: managed forest with visible cut wood and stumps; C: man-aged forest with dead trees from bark beetle outbreak standing) on human psychological relaxation in a randomized experiment. The participants of the experiment were forty-one young adults aged 19–20. Each respondent experienced each type of forest at intervals visiting it. Four psychological questionnaires were used in the project (Profile of Mood States (POMS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS), and Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS)) before and after the short exposure to the forest were evaluated. The results show that a forest landscape with dead wood affects the human psyche, and the relaxing properties of such a landscape are better in a protected forest with natural, slow processes of tree dieback than those obtained in managed forests

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