Measures of Emotional and Motivational Processes Activated by Stress or Comfort Conditions

2010 ◽  
Vol 437 ◽  
pp. 540-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Biasi ◽  
Paolo Bonaiuto ◽  
Anna Maria Giannini
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Progressive Relaxation ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Motivational Systems ◽  
Affective Processes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Stress States ◽  
Induced Changes

Under stress conditions, obtained in the field or experimentally induced, changes occur in the nature and intensity of affective processes (emotions, motivations). Symmetrical changes occur under opposite (comfort) conditions. One of the first procedures for determining temporary stress states consists of administering difficult logical tasks (15 minutes), with erroneous or ambiguous feedback and social pressure. For example, some very difficult Raven Matrices were individually assigned to participants. The first two authors later found another procedure equally effective and even more advantageous for certain aspects: the “drawing recollection” of personal stressful experiences. The corresponding comfort treatments are, firstly, a progressive relaxation session in penumbra; or, in the second case, the “drawing recollection” of personal pleasant and positive experiences. To assess the emotional changes, we prepared seven-point bipolar scales centering on the main opposing emotions. As regards motivations, we used a list of nine motivational systems [1]. The whole set of items made up the so-called Self-Appraisal Scales, administered before and after a specific treatment, thereby obtaining a measure through the differences between the two successive assessments. Factor analyses were conducted for selecting the main emotional and motivational factors. Affective reverberations on cognitive processes were also studied and measured.

Methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in dogs: effects of lung volume and O3 exposure

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 2679-2686 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Kariya ◽  
S. A. Shore ◽  
W. A. Skornik ◽  
K. Anderson ◽  
R. H. Ingram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Volume ◽  
Maximal Response ◽  
Maximal Effect ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Lung Volumes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Conducting Airways ◽  
Concentration Response Curve

The maximal effect induced by methacholine (MCh) aerosols on pulmonary resistance (RL), and the effects of altering lung volume and O3 exposure on these induced changes in RL, was studied in five anesthetized and paralyzed dogs. RL was measured at functional residual capacity (FRC), and lung volumes above and below FRC, after exposure to MCh aerosols generated from solutions of 0.1-300 mg MCh/ml. The relative site of response was examined by magnifying parenchymal [RL with large tidal volume (VT) at fast frequency (RLLS)] or airway effects [RL with small VT at fast frequency (RLSF)]. Measurements were performed on dogs before and after 2 h of exposure to 3 ppm O3. MCh concentration-response curves for both RLLS and RLSF were sigmoid shaped. Alterations in mean lung volume did not alter RLLS; however, RLSF was larger below FRC than at higher lung volumes. Although O3 exposure resulted in small leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve for RLLS, the airway dominated index of RL (RLSF) was not altered by O3 exposure, nor was the maximal response using either index of RL. These data suggest O3 exposure does not affect MCh responses in conducting airways; rather, it affects responses of peripheral contractile elements to MCh, without changing their maximal response.

scholarly journals The Effect of Dual Language Activation on L2-Induced Changes in L1 Speech within a Code-Switched Paradigm

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Ulrich Reubold ◽  
Sanne Ditewig ◽  
Robert Mayr ◽  
Ineke Mennen
Keyword(s):  
Dual Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Acoustic Measures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Language Activation ◽  
Dual Activation ◽  
Induced Changes

The present study sought to examine the effect of dual language activation on L1 speech in late English–Austrian German sequential bilinguals, and to identify relevant predictor variables. To this end, we compared the English speech patterns of adult migrants to Austria in a code-switched and monolingual condition alongside those of monolingual native speakers in England in a monolingual condition. In the code-switched materials, German words containing target segments known to trigger cross-linguistic interaction in the two languages (i.e., [v–w], [ʃt(ʁ)-st(ɹ)] and [l-ɫ]) were inserted into an English frame; monolingual materials comprised English words with the same segments. To examine whether the position of the German item affects L1 speech, the segments occurred either before the switch (“He wants a Wienerschnitzel”) or after (“I like Würstel with mustard”). Critical acoustic measures of these segments revealed no differences between the groups in the monolingual condition, but significant L2-induced shifts in the bilinguals’ L1 speech production in the code-switched condition for some sounds. These were found to occur both before and after a code-switch, and exhibited a fair amount of individual variation. Only the amount of L2 use was found to be a significant predictor variable for shift size in code-switched compared with monolingual utterances, and only for [w]. These results have important implications for the role of dual activation in the speech of late sequential bilinguals.

scholarly journals Pictorial health warning labels on the waterpipe device are effective in reducing smoking satisfaction, puffing behaviour and exposure to CO: first evidence from a crossover clinical laboratory study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (e1) ◽  
pp. e37-e42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasim Maziak ◽  
Ziyad Ben Taleb ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan ◽  
Thomas Eissenberg ◽  
James Thrasher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Health Warning ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Regulatory Approach ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Exhaled Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Harmful Effects

ObjectivesThis study examined the effect of pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on the waterpipe (WP) device on smokers’ experience, puffing behaviour, harm perception and exposure to respiratory toxicants.MethodsThirty WP smokers completed two 45 min ad libitum smoking sessions (WP without HWL vs WP with HWL) in a crossover design study. Exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) was measured before and after each smoking session. Puff topography was recorded throughout the smoking session, and participants completed survey questionnaires assessing subjective smoking experiences and harm perception.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in eCO levels between the two study conditions, with lower levels of eCO boost recorded following smoking the WP fitted with HWL (16 ppm) compared with WP without HWL (22.7 ppm). Participants had more puffs, shorter interpuff intervals and a higher total puff volume during smoking the WP without HWL relative to WP with HWL (p values <0.05). We documented enhanced reports of satisfaction, taste and puff liking following smoking the WP without HWL compared with the WP with HWL. WP harm perception was significantly higher among participants after smoking the WP with HWL compared with WP without HWL.ConclusionThis pilot study shows that placing HWL on the WP device is effective in reducing WP smoker’s positive experiences, puffing parameters and exposure to carbon monoxide. HWLs lead also to more appreciation of WP harmful effects, making them a promising regulatory approach for addressing the spread of WP smoking among young adults in the USA.

Are the Dimensions Underlying Aesthetic and Affective Judgment the Same?

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Baltissen ◽  
Barbara-Maria Ostermann
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Emotional Factor ◽  
Emotional Factors ◽  
Affective Judgment ◽  
Art Objects ◽  
Emotional Pictures ◽  
Main Factor

To investigate whether aesthetic and affective judgment are similar, ninety-six subjects rated twenty-four art pictures varying in theme and date of creation as well as twenty-three emotion inducing slides (IAPS) representing different emotional qualities on nine bipolar 8-point scales, e.g., warm-cold, meaningful-not meaningful. Factor analyses performed separately for each picture set revealed two basic dimensions, named cognitive and emotional factors, explaining about 60 percent of the variance. In the case of artworks, the dominant factor was constituted by cognitive scales (meaningful, interesting, simple); regarding the affective slides, the main factor was constituted by emotional scales (warm, emotional, arousing). ANOVAs confirmed the expected differences between themes and date of creation for the art picture as well as the differences between emotional qualities of the IAPS for both, the cognitive and the emotional factor. Proportion of variance of the ratings explained by gender, age, and education was low. Overall, results suggest that looking at art objects is a predominantly cognitive process requiring understanding whereas looking at emotional pictures evokes feelings with cognitive processes being only marginally involved.

scholarly journals Short-Term Efficacy Of A Worry Postponement Intervention for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Tallon
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Stimulus Control ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Mechanisms Of Change ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Common Component ◽  
Metacognitive Beliefs ◽  
Before And After

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Worry postponement (WP), in which a client is asked to postpone worry until a 30-minute “worry time,” is a common component of CBT for GAD; however, the efficacy of WP has never been tested in people with GAD. Further, the mechanisms of change of WP are not known; nor are its effects on cognitive processes and symptoms related to GAD. A better understanding of the efficacy and mechanisms of change of WP could help to optimize CBT for GAD. The goals of the present study were to examine, in a sample of people with GAD, the effects of WP on worry and GAD symptoms, and cognitive processes and symptoms related to GAD. The study also examined the effects of WP on two proposed mediators: stimulus control and metacognitive beliefs. Sixty-seven adults were randomized to one of three conditions: 2- week worry postponement intervention (WP), 2-week worry monitoring intervention (MON), or an assessment only control. Participants completed outcome measures before and after the 2- week intervention period and at a 2-week follow-up. In the WP and MON conditions, participants completed daily worry monitoring using a phone-based application. All participants showed a significant decrease in past-week worry over the course of the study, with no significant differences between the conditions. There were no significant changes in GAD symptoms across conditions. There was no evidence that WP had superior effects to control groups on cognitive processes or symptoms related to GAD. There was no evidence that stimulus control or metacognitive beliefs mediated the reduction in past week worry in WP. This is the first known study to examine the effects of WP in people with GAD. Whereas worry did decrease on some indices over the course of the study, there were no significant differences between WP and two control conditions. Further this study found no evidence that WP has specific effects on two processes that are thought to be mechanisms of action. The findings of this study demonstrate the need to establish the efficacy of the treatment components used in CBT.

scholarly journals Vasculotoxicity of Chemotherapy: Assessment оf Endothelial Dysfunction Biomarkers’ Levels in Gastric Cancer Patients

Kardiologiia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Yu. Yu. Kirichenko ◽  
Yu. N. Belenkov ◽  
E. V. Privalova ◽  
Yu. I. Naymann ◽  
E. P. Gitel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Stomach Cancer ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Instrumental Evaluation ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
Before And After

Aim To evaluate dynamics of biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction (ED), including endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) in patients with stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) before and after polychemotherapy (PCT); to compare these results with respective values in healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD); to study correlations of the ED biomarkers with indexes of instrumental evaluation of endothelial dysfunction.Material and methods The study included 75 participants, including 25 healthy volunteers (control group), 25 patients with documented CVDs (arterial hypertension + ischemic heart disease), and 25 patients of the main group with histologically documented stage II-IV stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) who received different courses of PCT with platinum-based agents (oxaliplatin, cisplatin) and fluoropyrimidines (5 fluorouracil, capecitabin). Laboratory measurement of ED biomarkers, computerized nailfold video capillaroscopy (CNVC), and finger laser photoplethysmography (PPG) (methods for noninvasive evaluation of vascular wall and ED), electrocardiography, 24-h ECG Holter monitoring, and echocardiography (EchoCG) were performed for all patients of the main group prior to PCT and within one months after the last course completion. This evaluation was performed once for healthy volunteers and patients of the CVD group upon inclusion into the study.Results In the main group, ET-1 levels were non-significantly lower than normal and did not change during the courses of antitumor treatment (0.95 [0.6; 1.4] and 0.94 [0.7; 1.4] pg /ml (р<0.9) before and after PCT, respectively). Statistically significant differences were found between the control group and oncological patients after the treatment (р<0.04). Levels of VWF remained within the normal range in all examined participants and did not significantly differ between study groups, including oncological patients before and after the specific treatment (р>0.05 for all comparisons). The correlation analysis detected significant correlations of ET-1 levels with functional disorders of microcirculation, ET-1 with the occlusion index (rs=0.56; p=0.005), ЕТ-1 with percentage of capillary restoration (PCR, rs= –0.72; p=0.018) and with the incidence rate of supraventricular extrasystole (rs=0.48; p=0.032).Conclusion The dynamics of ED biomarkers was studied for the first time in patients with stomach cancer receiving a specific antitumor therapy. Although no significant changes in ЕТ-1 and VWF were observed during the PCT (probably due to exhaustion of the endothelial system and a small patient sample), these indexes can be considered as early vasculotoxicity markers due to the presence of significant correlations with indexes of impaired endothelial function according to the results of instrumental evaluation.

scholarly journals Modeling glioblastoma invasion using human brain organoids and single-cell transcriptomics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa G Krieger ◽  
Stephan M Tirier ◽  
Jeongbin Park ◽  
Tanja Eisemann ◽  
Heike Peterziel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Invasive Capacity ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Potential Interactions

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are devastating neoplasms with high invasive capacity. GBM has been difficult to study in vitro. Therapeutic progress is also limited by cellular heterogeneity within and between tumors. To address these challenges, we present an experimental model using human cerebral organoids as a scaffold for patient-derived glioblastoma cell invasion. By tissue clearing and confocal microscopy, we show that tumor cells within organoids extend a network of long microtubes, recapitulating the in vivo behavior of GBM. Single-cell RNA-seq of GBM cells before and after co-culture with organoid cells reveals transcriptional changes implicated in the invasion process that are coherent across patient samples, indicating that GBM cells reactively upregulate genes required for their dispersion. Functional therapeutic targets are identified by an in silico receptor-ligand pairing screen detecting potential interactions between GBM and organoid cells. Taken together, our model has proven useful for studying GBM invasion and transcriptional heterogeneity in vitro, with applications for both pharmacological screens and patient-specific treatment selection at a time scale amenable to clinical practice.

scholarly journals Transient and Sustained Bacterial Adaptation following Repeated Sublethal Exposure to Microbicides and a Novel Human Antimicrobial Peptide

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 5809-5817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Forbes ◽  
Curtis B. Dobson ◽  
Gavin J. Humphreys ◽  
Andrew J. McBain
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Exposure System ◽  
Polyhexamethylene Biguanide ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Laboratory Exposure

ABSTRACTMicrobicides (biocides) play an important role in the prevention and treatment of infections. While there is currently little evidence for in-use treatment failures attributable to acquired reductions in microbicide susceptibility, the susceptibility of some bacteria can be reduced by sublethal laboratory exposure to certain agents. In this investigation, a range of environmental bacterial isolates (11 genera, 18 species) were repeatedly exposed to four microbicides (cetrimide, chlorhexidine, polyhexamethylene biguanide [PHMB], and triclosan) and a cationic apolipoprotein E-derived antimicrobial peptide (apoEdpL-W) using a previously validated exposure system. Susceptibilities (MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations [MBCs]) were determined before and after 10 passages (P10) in the presence of an antimicrobial and then after a further 10 passages without an antimicrobial to determine the stability of any adaptations. Bacteria exhibiting >4-fold increases in MBCs were further examined for alterations in biofilm-forming ability. Following microbicide exposure, ≥4-fold decreases in susceptibility (MIC or MBC) occurred for cetrimide (5/18 bacteria), apoEdpL-W (7/18), chlorhexidine (8/18), PHMB (8/18), and triclosan (11/18). Of the 34 ≥4-fold increases in the MICs, 15 were fully reversible, 13 were partially reversible, and 6 were nonreversible. Of the 26 ≥4-fold increases in the MBCs, 7 were fully reversible, 14 were partially reversible, and 5 were nonreversible. Significant decreases in biofilm formation in P10 strains occurred for apoEdpL-W (1/18 bacteria), chlorhexidine (1/18), and triclosan (2/18), while significant increases occurred for apoEdpL-W (1/18), triclosan (1/18), and chlorhexidine (2/18). These data indicate that the stability of induced changes in microbicide susceptibility varies but may be sustained for some combinations of a bacterium and a microbicide.

EMG Changes in Human Thenar Motor Units With Force Potentiation and Fatigue

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1518-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Thomas ◽  
R. S. Johansson ◽  
B. Bigland-Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Motor Unit ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Single Motor Unit ◽  
Tetanic Force ◽  
Twitch Force ◽  
Emg Amplitude ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Motor Unit Emg

Few studies have analyzed activity-induced changes in EMG activity in individual human motor units. We studied the changes in human thenar motor unit EMG that accompany the potentiation of twitch force and fatigue of tetanic force. Single motor unit EMG and force were recorded in healthy subjects in response to selective stimulation of their motor axons within the median nerve just above the elbow. Twitches were recorded before and after a series of pulse trains delivered at frequencies that varied between 5 and 100 Hz. This stimulation induced significant increases in EMG amplitude, duration, and area. However, in relative terms, all of these EMG changes were substantially smaller than the potentiation of twitch force. Another 2 min of stimulation (13 pulses at 40 Hz each second) induced additional potentiation of EMG amplitude, duration, and area, but the tetanic force from every unit declined. Thus activity-induced changes in human thenar motor unit EMG do not indicate the alterations in force or vice versa. These data suggest that different processes underlie the changes in EMG and force that occur during human thenar motor unit activity.

Computer use by People with Aphasia: A Survey Investigation

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Finch ◽  
Anne J. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Aphasia Therapy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
High Level

Computers are encountered increasingly in the clinical setting, including during aphasia rehabilitation. However, currently we do not know what people with aphasia think about using computers in therapy and daily life, or to what extent people with aphasia use computers in their everyday life. The present study explored: (1) the use of computers by people with aphasia; and (2) the perceptions of people with aphasia towards computers and computer-based therapy. Thirty-four people with aphasia completed an aphasia-friendly paper-based survey about their use of computers before and after the onset of their aphasia, and their attitudes towards computer-based aphasia therapy. There was a high level of computer usage by people with aphasia both before and after the onset of their aphasia. However, the nature of the computer use changed following aphasia onset, with a move away from work-based usage. The majority of the cohort used computers for aphasia therapy and liked using computer-based aphasia therapy, provided that the programs were perceived as appropriate for their individual needs. The results highlight the importance of exposing people with aphasia to computer-based aphasia therapy in a supported clinical environment, and the need to ensure that computer-based therapy is individualised for each client. It should be noted, however, that while the majority of participants reported positive experiences with using computers, this does not mean that the computer-based therapy software used was necessarily an effective treatment for aphasia.

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