Anxiety Behavior Research Articles

Protective Factors in the LGBTIQ+ Adolescent Experience: A Systematic Review.

Background: LGBTIQ+ adolescents face multiple forms of violence due to minority stress, putting their mental health at risk. These adolescents, particularly trans and gender-diverse youth, face significant challenges, including family violence, bullying, and limited access to health services. This article investigates the factors that protect their mental health. Method: A systematic review of articles published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted using the PRISMA method. Results: The study identifies family and school support, peer relationships, and individual resilience as key protective factors to reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior, as well as increase self-esteem and well-being. Conclusions: This review calls for further research into protective factors related to the microsystem, exosystem, and macrosystem and the impact of intervention programs with adolescents and their families.

Prophylactic Effects of Betaine on Depression and Anxiety Behaviors in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a typical type of inflammatory bowl disease, which is accompanied by an increased risk of depression and anxiety-related psychological symptoms. Betaine is a naturally derived compound that can function as an anti-inflammatory drug and a neuromodulator. In-depth exploration of the potential role of betaine in treating UC-related depression and anxiety is crucial. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of betaine on UC-related depression and anxiety and clarify the underlying mechanisms. A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice model was established by 4% DSS drinking ad libitum for 7 days. The colonic injury was measured using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Depression and anxiety-like behaviors were separately evaluated using a forced swimming test (FST), a tail suspension test (TST), a light-dark box test (LDBT), and an open field test (OFT). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect DNA damage and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Western blotting was applied to detect the protein levels of macrophage polarization in mice colons and the alteration of mitochondrial dysfunction and the cGAS-STING pathway in the hippocampus. Betaine strongly alleviated mucosal structural disorder and mucin secretion reduction and promoted M2-macrophage polarization in the colon of DSS-treated mice. In addition, betaine could mitigate depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in DSS-treated mice, reduce the DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibit the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Our study reveals the antidepression/anxiety effects of betaine and further demonstrates the potential mechanism by which betaine inhibits DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction to block the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby repairing neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Distinct roles of general anesthesia activated CeA neurons in acute versus late phase of neuropathic pain.

A previous study discovered a distinct population of GABAergic neurons in the ce ntral a mygdala (CeA) that can be activated by g eneral a nesthesia (CeA GA ) and exert analgesic functions (Hua et al., 2020). To independently reproduce these prior findings and to investigate the electrophysiological properties of CeA GA neurons, we first used 1.2% isoflurane to induce c-Fos activation in the mouse brain and validated the Fos expression by RNAscope in situ hybridization. Indeed, isoflurane induced robust Fos expression in CeA and these Fos + CeA GA neurons are GABAergic neurons (Vgat + ). We next used Fos-TRAP2 method (different from the CANE method used in the prior study) to label CeA GA neurons (tdTomato + ). Our ex vivo electrophysiological recordings in brain slices revealed that compared to Fos-negative CeA neurons, CeA GA neurons had significantly higher excitability and exhibited distinct patterns of action potentials. Chemogenetic activation of Fos-TRAPed CeA GA neurons was effective at increasing pain thresholds in naïve mice and mice with early-phase neuropathic pain 2 weeks after spared nerve injury (SNI). However, the same chemogenetic activation of CeA GA neurons only had modest analgesia in the late phase of SNI at 8 weeks, although it was highly effective in reducing chronic pain-associated anxiety behaviors at this stage. We found that Fos-negative CeA neurons, but not CeA GA neurons, exhibited increased excitability in the late-phase of SNI, suggesting that chronic pain causes a shift in the relative activity of the CeA microcircuit. Interestingly, Fos-negative neurons exhibited much higher expression of K + -Cl - cotransporter-2 (KCC2), and KCC2 expression was downregulated in the CeA in the late-phase of neuropathic pain. These results support the idea that targeting CeA GA neurons may provide therapeutic benefits for pain relief and chronic pain-associated anxiety. Our findings also suggest distinct roles of CeA GA neurons in regulating physiological pain, acute pain, and chronic pain with a possible involvement of KCC2.

484 Exploring fear in client-owned dogs: Insights from behavioral testing, owner surveys, and biomarker validation

Abstract Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, pet professionals and owners have observed an increase in anxiety-related behaviors, including fearfulness, contributing to behavioral problems, reduction in pet and owner welfare, and increased rates of shelter relinquishment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate canine demographics and owner-identified fearfulness compared with fear-related behaviors during in-person behavior tests, with further verification using fear-related biomarkers. Client-owned dogs [n = 102; 25.3 ± 11.6 kg body weight (BW)] were included between 1 to 10 yr of age, of varying breeds, sex and neuter statuses, and home dynamics. Dogs had no known health issues, were not receiving medication, and were fed a standardized diet for 4 wk prior to testing. Owners provided information via a questionnaire regarding fear, anxiety, excitability, and separation behaviors, as well as information on the lifestyle and background of the dog. Behavior tests, which consisted of a novel human, novel object, and an open field test, were performed indoors in a constructed 3 x 3 m arena at the University of Guelph. Fecal samples were provided by owners and blood samples were collected immediately following the behavior assessment. Commercial ELISA kits were used to quantify fecal IgA, serum serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), then the 5-HIAA:5-HT ratio was calculated. Behavior tests were recorded on a GoPro camera, and behaviors were coded using BORIS. For preliminary analysis, owner questionnaire data relating to human-directed fear was separated into frequency of human-directed fear (HFF), intensity of human-directed fear (HFI), frequency of fear-related behaviors during grooming or veterinary visits (VHF), and intensity of fear-related behaviors during grooming or veterinary visits (VHI) section. Regression analyses were conducted using SAS, with outcomes derived from behavioral tests serving as dependent variables, and predictor variables encompassing sex, neuter status, age, BW, biomarker concentrations, and owner survey scores. Significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.10. Preliminary data analysis using data from the novel human test of 50 dogs indicates that the duration of reduced body posture during the test was positively correlated with VHF (P = 0.0201) and VHI (P = 0.0226) scores, and negatively correlated with HIAA concentrations (P = 0.0134). The duration of the “side” ear position was also positively associated with HFF (P = 0.0219), HFI (P = 0.0471), and VHI (P = 0.0170) scores, with a trend observed in VHF (P = 0.0818) scores. Duration of time with ears pinned back was similarly associated with HFF (P = 0.0064), HFI (P = 0.0076), and VHI (0.0192) scores. These results suggest that behavior may be reliably predicted from owner-completed surveys and can be a valuable tool in gathering information for both professionals and the public. Further data analysis from the present study will be conducted to further understand the relationship between canine demographics, owner identified fear scores, physiological biomarkers and behavior testing results.

HMGCR Inhibitor Restores Mitochondrial Dynamics by Regulating Signaling Cascades in a Rodent Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Atorvastatin an HMGCR inhibitor may play a role in enhancing spatial and long-term memory and combating anxious behavior deficits induced by Aβ1-42. Behavioral deficit studies, immunoblotting for the antioxidant/apoptotic protein expression, flow cytometry (FACS) for mitochondrial ROS, membrane potential (▲ψm), and histopathological alterations were performed against Aβ1-42 toxicity. Aβ1-42 was infused directly into the brain through i.c.v for the establishment of the AD model. Atorvastatin (ATOR) was administered orally and was used to treat AD in adult male Wistar rats aged between 200 and 250g. We confirmed that ATOR administration significantly attenuates the Aβ1-42-induced cognitive decline targeted mitochondrial-mediated age-dependent disease progression. Nrf2 stabilizes to interact SOD2 antioxidant enzyme, allowing transcriptional activity by the steep increase in ▲ψm and a reduction in ROS by activating mitochondrial superoxide scavenger and Nrf2-dependent pathway. These findings confirmed that ATOR has the potential efficacy to modulate the interference in cognitive decline induced by Aβ1-42.

Chinese version of the Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviours Scale: Psychometric properties based on CTT and IRT

ObjectivesThe Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviour Scale (DABBS) is a unique tool designed to assess the detrimental beliefs and avoidant behaviors linked to death anxiety. This study aimed to adapt the DABBS into Chinese and verify its psychometric characteristics within a community-dwelling older adult population. MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional design and translated the DABBS into Chinese. The psychometric properties of 437 community-dwelling older persons were assessed using the Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT). ResultsThe DABBS consisted of affect, beliefs, and behaviours, with 18 entries in 3 dimensions. The I-CVI of the DABBS ranged from 0.857 to 1.000, and the S-CVI was 0.968; Cronbach's alpha of 0.905. Rasch analysis results showed that the 3 dimensions of the scale possessed good unidimensionality, and the entries were well-fitted to the dimensions in which they were located; each entry Infit MNSQ and Outfit MNSQ were in the range of 0.50 to 1.50; the analysis of the functional differences of items in different characteristic subgroups (gender) showed that the absolute value of DIF Contrast was <0.50. The results of the Wright map showed that the ability of the participants was normally distributed, and the difficulty of the scale's entries was adapted to the average ability level of older adults. ConclusionsThe present data indicate that the revised DABBS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing affect, beliefs, and behaviors associated with death anxiety in community-dwelling older individuals.

Intranasal dantrolene nanoparticles inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced depression and anxiety behavior in mice.

This study investigates the therapeutic effectiveness of intranasal dantrolene nanoparticles in the Ryanodex formulation (DNRF) pretreatment to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive and anxiety behavior in mice. Both wild-type (WT) B6SJLF1/J and 5XFAD adult mice were pretreated with intranasal DNRF (5mg/kg), daily, Monday to Friday, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Then, mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5mg/kg) for one time. Behavioral tests for depression and anxiety were performed 24 hours after a one-time LPS injection. Biomarkers for inflammation (IL-1β and IL-18) in blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In both types of mice, intranasal DNRF significantly inhibited LPS-induced pathological elevation of IL-1β and IL-18 in the blood. Intranasal DNRF abolished LPS-induced depression and anxiety behaviors behavior in both WT and 5XFAD mice, without obvious side effects, which was associated with its significant inhibition of pathological elevation of pyroptosis related cytokines in blood.

Unraveling the Liver-Brain Axis: Resveratrol's Modulation of Key Enzymes in Stress-Related Anxiety.

Stress-related anxiety disorders and anxiety-like behavior in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with altered neurocircuitry pathways, neurotransmitter systems, and the activities of monoamine and glucocorticoid-metabolizing enzymes. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipsychiatric properties. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol reduces anxiety-like behavior in animal PTSD models by downregulating key enzymes such as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD-1) and monoamine oxidases (MAOs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we explored the efficacy of resveratrol in treating stress-induced anxiety using a chronic predator stress model in rats. Resveratrol was administered intraperitoneally at 100 mg/kg following a 10-day stress exposure, and anxiety behavior was assessed with an elevated plus maze. Our results indicated that stress-related anxiety correlated with increased activities of brain MAO-A, MAO-B, and hepatic 11β-HSD-1, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers in the brain and liver. Resveratrol treatment improved anxiety behavior and decreased enzyme activities, oxidative stress, and hepatic damage. We demonstrate that resveratrol exerts antianxiogenic effects by modulating glucocorticoid and monoamine metabolism in the brain and liver. These findings suggest resveratrol's potential as a therapeutic agent for anxiety disorders, warranting further clinical investigation.

Relationships between Anxiety, Repetitive Behavior and Parenting Stress: A Comparative Study between Individuals with Autism from Spain and Colombia.

The present study analyzed the association between anxiety, repetitive behavior and parental stress in individuals with autism from Spain (n = 60, mean age = 8.52, SD = 4.41) and Colombia (n = 58, mean age = 10.29, SD = 4.98). Similarly, differences in anxiety, repetitive behavior and parental stress between both countries were analyzed. Outcomes revealed a strong relationship between anxiety and repetitive behavior in both populations. Furthermore, moderate positive associations were observed between anxiety, repetitive behavior and parental stress in the Spanish sample. However, parental stress was found to be moderately and negatively related with anxiety and repetitive behavior in the Colombian sample. Finally, no differences were found in anxiety and repetitive behavior between countries, but differences did emerge for parental stress which was found to be higher in the Colombian sample. In conclusion, differences in parental stress may be due to regional differences in socio-health resources, socio-economics, parenting styles, etc.

Sex-Specific Roles of Hypocretin Receptor Signaling in CRF Neurons on Alcohol Drinking, Anxiety, and BNST Neuronal Excitability.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption and negative emotional states during withdrawal, often perpetuating a cycle of addiction through arousal dysfunction. The hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) neuropeptide system, a key regulator of arousal, has been implicated in these processes, particularly in its interactions with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). We investigated the role of Hcrt receptor signaling in CRF neurons in modulating alcohol intake, anxiety behaviors, and BNST excitability, with a focus on sex-specific differences. Using CRF-specific genetic deletion of HcrtR1 and/or HcrtR2 receptors in mice, we found that deletion of HcrtR1 significantly reduced alcohol intake, with sex-specific effects on BNST excitability. CRF-specific HcrtR2 deletion, while not affecting alcohol consumption, decreased baseline anxiety-like behaviors in males relative to females. Moreover, the double deletion of both Hcrt receptors from CRF neurons led to reduced alcohol drinking in males and dampened anxiety behaviors and BNST excitability in both sexes during protracted withdrawal. These findings suggest that Hcrt signaling in CRF neurons plays a critical role in the persistence of excessive alcohol consumption and the development of negative affective states, with distinct contributions from HcrtR1 and HcrtR2. The observed sex-specific differences underscore the need for tailored therapeutic approaches targeting the Hcrt system in the treatment of AUD.

Behavioral regression in shank3Δex4-22 mice during early adulthood corresponds to cerebellar granule cell glutamatergic synaptic changes.

Shank3, a gene encoding a synaptic scaffolding protein, is implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is disrupted in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Despite evidence of regression or worsening of ASD-like symptoms in individuals with PMS, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Although shank3 is highly expressed in the cerebellar cortical granule cells, its role in cerebellar function and contribution to behavioral deficits in ASD models are unknown. This study investigates behavioral changes and cerebellar synaptic alterations in shank3 Δex4-22 mice at two developmental stages. Shank3 Δex4-22 wildtype, heterozygous, and homozygous knockout mice lacking exons 4-22 (all functional isoforms) were subjected to a behavioral battery in both juvenile (5-7 weeks old) and adult (3-5 months old) mouse cohorts of both sexes. Immunostaining was used to show the expression of SHANK3 in the cerebellar cortex. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) from cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. Deletion of shank3 ex4-22 caused deficits in motor function, heightened anxiety, and repetitive behaviors. These genotype-dependent behavioral alterations were more prominent in adult mice than in juveniles. Reduced social preference was only identified in adult shank3 Δex4-22 knockout mice and self-grooming was uniquely elevated only in males across both age groups. Immunofluorescence staining indicates the presence of SHANK3 predominantly in the dendrite-containing rosette-like structures in CGCs, colocalizing with presynaptic markers of glutamatergic mossy fiber. Electrophysiological findings identify a parallel relationship between the age-related exacerbation of behavioral impairments and the enhancement of sEPSC amplitude in CGCs. Other behavioral tests of muscle strength (grip strength test), memory (Barnes/water maze), and communication (ultrasonic vocalization), were not performed. Further study is necessary to elucidate how SHANK3 modulates synaptic function at the mossy fiber-granule cell synapse in the cerebellum. Our findings reveal an age-related exacerbation of behavioral impairments in shank3 Δex4-22 mutant mice. These results suggest that SHANK3 may play a role in maintaining glutamatergic receptors and synapses in CGCs, as well as the potential involvement of the cerebellum in ASD.

Association between parental factors and child's behaviors during moderate sedation in pediatric dental care.

Managing young children with negative behaviors can be challenging in dental settings. Moderate sedation (MS) is often used as a treatment option for such children. However, children's behavior during MS may vary depending on several variables. These variables include parental factors, such as parental anxiety, coping strategies, and pain catastrophizing. However, this area, particularly in Saudi Arabia, remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association among parental anxiety, coping style, pain catastrophizing, and children's behavior during MS among Saudi children. Based on sample size calculation, this cross-sectional observational study included 85 children aged 3-5 years undergoing dental treatment under MS at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Parental anxiety, coping styles, and pain catastrophizing were assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Scale, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Child behavior was evaluated using the Houpt scale during sedation visits, which was video-recorded and independently analyzed by a single evaluator. Data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses. The results showed no significant association among parental dental anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and child behaviors during MS. Specific parental coping strategies, such as acceptance, were positively associated with positive sedation outcomes (P = 0.03), while active coping strategies were linked to less favorable outcomes (P = 0.03). Female children had higher sedation failure rates (P = 0.02), and the number of dental treatments was positively associated with success rates (P = 0.03). Parental anxiety and pain catastrophizing did not significantly affect the success of sedation. However, acceptance as a coping strategy was significantly associated with sedation success in pediatric dental care under MS, whereas active coping strategies were associated with less favorable outcomes.

Is Mindfulness a Double-Edged Sword? Associations With Climate Anxiety and Pro-Environmental Behavior

ObjectivesAt a time of growing global concern about climate change, mindfulness has been put forward as a potential tool to alleviate climate anxiety and engage people with environmental issues. However, climate anxiety is not a pathology to treat. Instead, climate anxiety is increasingly understood as reflecting a deep engagement with environmental concerns that motivates pro-environmental action. We question whether some aspects of mindfulness may be related to lower climate anxiety that flows into lower pro-environmental behavior.MethodWe surveyed people living in Australia (n = 287) about their experiences of dispositional mindfulness, climate anxiety, anticipatory solastalgia (distress about future environmental losses), and their pro-environmental behavior.ResultsIn a mediation analysis, we identified that mindfulness has a potential anxiolytic effect on climate anxiety, specifically acting with awareness, nonreactive decentering, and accepting nonjudgmental attitude related to lower scores on climate anxiety facets. Conversely, both greater awareness of internal and external experiences were related to greater climate anxiety. In its association with lower climate anxiety, acting with awareness also related indirectly to lower engagement in pro-climate collective action behavior. Awareness of external experiences related to higher anticipatory solastalgia and in turn greater engagement in collective action and personal pro-environmental behaviors.ConclusionsOverall, the current study adds to a growing body of literature that highlights the nuanced relationships between mindfulness, affect, and pro-environmental behavior. It specifically raises the question of whether greater mindful emotion regulation and meta-awareness might reduce individuals’ likelihood of pro-environmental action, potentially by removing the negative affective motivator. In contrast, greater awareness of experiences might increase pro-environmental behavior by increasing experienced negative affect.PreregistrationThe study was not preregistered.

Virtuell virkelighet, virkelig mestring: Virtual Reality som verktøy i behandling av psykoselidelser

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as an innovative tool in psychotherapy. In this article, we review the evidence base for the use of VR in therapy, focusing on the treatment of psychotic disorders. We present a fictional case study based on real-life patient pathways from several psychosis treatment units at Oslo University Hospital, showing how VR can be used to address anxiety and avoidance behaviours in patients with psychotic disorders. Furthermore, we introduce RecoVRy, a novel Norwegian intervention combining VR and artificial intelligence (AI) to help individuals with psychotic disorders manage everyday anxiety. Although integrating VR and AI holds considerable potential, we also discuss challenges related to privacy and ethical considerations. We conclude that although VR therapy probably does not represent a universal solution, the technology constitutes a valuable supplement that can enrich therapeutic practices and potentially contribute to significant health and socioeconomic savings. Finally, we emphasise the need for further research to fully realise this potential. Keywords: Virtual reality, VR, virtual reality exposure therapy, VRET, artificial intelligence, AI, psychosis, schizophrenia

Acute Stress Affects the Relaxin/Insulin-Like Family Peptide Receptor 3 mRNA Expression in Brain of Pubertal Male Wistar Rats.

The current literature suggests that relaxin-3/relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 3 (RLN-3/RXFP-3) system is involved in the pathophysiology of affective disorders because the results of anatomical and pharmacological studies have shown that the RLN-3 signaling pathway plays a role in modulating the stress response, anxiety, arousal, depression-like behavior, and neuroendocrine homeostasis. The risk of developing mental illnesses in adulthood is increased by exposure to stress in early periods of life. The available data indicate that puberty is especially characterized by the development of the neural system and emotionality and is a "stress-sensitive" period. The presented study assessed the short-term changes in the expression of RLN-3 and RXFP-3 mRNA in the stress-dependent brain regions in male pubertal Wistar rats that had been subjected to acute stress. Three stressors were applied from 42 to 44 postnatal days (first day: a single forced swim; second day: stress on an elevated platform that was repeated three times; third day: restraint stress three times). Anxiety (open field, elevated plus maze test) and anhedonic-like behavior (sucrose preference test) were estimated during these tests. The corticosterone (CORT) levels and blood morphology were estimated. We found that the RXFP-3 mRNA expression decreased in the brainstem, whereas it increased in the hypothalamus 72h after acute stress. These molecular changes were accompanied by the increased levels of CORT and anxiety-like behavior detected in the open field test that had been conducted earlier, that is, 24h after the stress procedure. These findings shed new light on the neurochemical changes that are involved in the compensatory response to adverse events in pubertal male rats and support other data that suggest a regulatory interplay between the RLN-3 pathway and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in the mechanisms of anxiety-like behavior.

Clinical application of Er:YAG laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children.

This study compares the clinical efficacy of erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children. The study cohort comprised 78 children aged 5 to 10 years with caries in two symmetrical maxillary molars. Different carious sides of the same child were randomly divided into control and observed sides. For each child, the caries on the control side were treated with a traditional dental turbine, while the observed side was treated with an Er:YAG laser. The study evaluated the use of anesthetics, pain levels, tooth hypersensitivity and the occurrence and severity of tooth fractures during caries removal with different methods. Additionally, the clinical anxiety and cooperative behavior of the children were observed. The time required for caries removal and cavity preparation by both methods was recorded, and the success rate of treatment was assessed after one year of follow-up. The results indicated a significant reduction in the use of anesthetics, pain and the incidence and severity of tooth hypersensitivity with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the occurrence of tooth fractures between the two groups (p > 0.05). The children treated with Er:YAG laser demonstrated better clinical anxiety levels and cooperative behavior. However, the time required for cavity preparation was longer with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). After a 12-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in the success rate of treatment between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, compared to the traditional dental turbine, the use of Er:YAG laser improves treatment comfort and cooperation in children with caries and reduces the need for intraoperative anesthetics.

Genistein-3′-sodium sulfonate enhances neurological function in neonatal rats with hypoxia-ischemia during the recovery period

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) can cause neonatal brain damage leading to disability. Patients with HI experience long-term neurological issues impacting quality of life. Limited clinical treatments are available despite extensive research on HI's molecular mechanisms. Genistein-3′-sodium sulfonate (GSS), a phytoestrogen, has been found to improve acute brain injury in neonatal rats caused by hypoxic-ischemia, but its potential for chronic stage neurological recovery in HI is unknown. HI neonatal rats were treated with 1 mg/kg GSS once a day for 21 days. Then, a series of behavioral experiments was performed to evaluate the learning, memory, cognition, anxiety level and depression-like behaviors of the rats. GSS treatment reduced neuronal loss, enhanced learning, memory and cognitive function while also alleviated anxiety and depression-like behaviors in HI rats during the recovery period. These findings indicated that GSS exerted enhance neurological function in HI rats during the chronic stage, prompting further research on how it works to potentially develop new therapies.

A Two-Hit Approach Inducing Flurothyl Seizures in Fmr1 Knockout Mice Impacts Anxiety and Repetitive Behaviors.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with seizures. We examined the impact of repeated seizures on the behavioral and molecular changes in male Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice. Seizures were induced by administering three flurothyl seizures per day across postnatal days (PD) 7-11, for a total of 15 seizures. In adulthood, mice were tested in a battery of behavioral tasks to assess long-term behavioral deficits. The two-hit impact of a Fmr1 knockout and seizures resulted in decreased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze test and a longer latency to their first nose poke (repetitive behavior). Seizures resulted in decreased activity, decreased repetitive behavior (grooming and rearings), and decreased social behavior, while they also increased habituation to auditory stimuli and increased freezing in delayed fear conditioning in both KO and control mice. KO mice displayed increased repetitive behavior in the open field task (clockwise revolutions) and repeated nose pokes, and decreased anxiety in the open field test. No differences in mTOR signaling were found. These findings further illuminate the long-term effects of synergistic impact of two hits on the developing brain.

청소년의 스트레스가 자해행동에 미치는 영향: 사회적 지지에 의한 불안의 조절된 매개효과

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a moderated mediating effect of anxiety through social support in the process of stress influencing self-injury behavior. The subjects of the study were 5,937 elementary, middle, and high school students from the Korea Youth Policy Institute's ‘2021 Mental Health Survey of Teenagers’ data, and the adjusted mediation effect was verified using the Macro Process for SPSS program. The research results are as follows. First, as a result of examining the mediating effect of anxiety in the relationship between stress and self-injury behavior, it was confirmed that anxiety has a mediating effect in the process of stress affecting self-injury behavior. The results of a bootstrapping analysis to verify the significance of the indirect effect of anxiety, a mediator, showed that the mediation effect was statistically significant. Second, as a result of conducting a moderating effect analysis to determine whether social support plays a moderating role in the relationship between anxiety, which is a mediating variable, and self-injury behavior, which is a dependent variable, it was found that social support has a moderating effect in explaining the relationship between anxiety and self-injury behavior. appear. Third, as a result of analyzing the moderated mediation effect of anxiety through social support in the process of adolescent stress influencing self-injury behavior, the results showed that anxiety was moderated by social support in the process of adolescent stress influencing self-injury behavior. The effect was found to be significant. Based on these results, we proposed measures to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and expand the social support system as part of an effort to reduce self-injury behavior in adolescents.

Pathways Linking Maternal Anxious Rearing Behavior, Self-Efficacy, and Moral Motivation to Cyberbullying Outsider and Defender Behavior Among Adolescents

Objectives: The term “outsider behavior” refers to the practice of not responding to cyberbullying, while the term “defender behavior” involves reacting to the perpetrator’s actions and seeking assistance from friends to support the victims. This study examined behavior mechanisms in the context of cyberbullying, focusing on the role of maternal anxious rearing behavior and the mediating roles of adolescents’ self-efficacy and moral motivation.Methods: The study participants were 234 adolescents (Mage = 13.92, SD = .96) who witnessed cyberbullying while attending middle schools in South Korea. Adolescents’ perceived maternal anxious rearing behavior, self-efficacy, moral motivation, and cyberbullying outsider and defender behavior were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Data analyses were conducted to examine descriptive statistics using SPSS and a structural equation model using AMOS.Results: The results indicated that while maternal anxious rearing behavior is not directly associated with cyberbullying outsider behavior, it is significantly associated with lower levels of cyberbullying defender behavior. Higher levels of maternal anxious rearing behavior are associated with lower levels of self-efficacy in adolescents, leading to lower moral motivation, which, in turn, is associated with an increase in cyberbullying outsider behavior. In contrast, moral motivation is not significantly associated with cyberbullying defender behavior.Conclusion: Adopting an integrated perspective, our findings underscore pathways to shaping different cyberbullying behavior in adolescents linked with their perceived maternal anxious rearing behavior, self-efficacy, and moral motivation. These findings highlight the crucial role of maternal anxious rearing behavior in practical implications, suggesting the need for effective interventions when adolescents witness cyberbullying.