Moderate Stress Group Research Articles

Comparing Brain Activation Patterns in Stress-Induced and Post-Stress Recovery States of Highly and Moderately Stressed Individuals

Our study aimed to identify the mechanisms of stress-induced and post-stress recovery states by evaluating voxel type and the total number of voxels activated based on Perceived Stress Scale scores. Functional MRI (fMRI) was used to measure the brain activation patterns in participants grouped into moderate- and high-stress categories. The number of activation voxels in the parahippocampal gyrus of the limbic lobe was greater in the high-stress group than in the moderate-stress group. Moreover, only the high-stress group showed the characteristic activation of the left precuneus. The moderate-stress group showed a greater number of activation voxels than the high-stress group for the occipital, frontal, and limbic lobes, while the reverse was true for the parietal lobe. In the post-stress recovery phase, the left lingual, inferior frontal, and middle frontal gyri were activated, and the number of activation voxels in these areas was greater in the high-stress group than in the moderate-stress group. The characteristic activation of the declive in the left cerebellum was observed in the moderate-stress group, whereas the activation of the right cuneus was dominant in the high-stress group. Our findings suggest that perceived stress may play an important role in determining the neural mechanisms underlying stress and post-stress recovery, providing insights into the complex interplay between the psychological and neural processes occurring in response to stress.

Correlation between the Degree of Psychological Stress with Pain Intensity in Tension-Type Headache Patients

Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is a critical health problem, particularly in Indonesia, with psychological stress being the most recognized contributing factor. The mechanism by which stress contributes to TTH is not fully understood, but stress has been found to increase pain sensitivity in peripheral or central patients with TTH, alongside the influence of biopsychosocial factors in different individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the degree of psychological stress and pain intensity in patients with TTH at Dr. H. Moch Ansari Saleh Banjarmasin General Hospital. This observational analytic study was carried out using a cross-sectional approach and the 30 samples employed were taken through a systematic random sampling technique. The data was analyzed using Spearman's test. Our result showed that 63.33% of patients had mild stress, while 36.67% were moderate. In the mild stress group, there were 15.79% mild pain, 73.68% moderate pain, and 10.53% severe pain. Meanwhile, in the moderate stress group, 72.73% reported moderate pain, and 27.27% had severe pain. In conclusion, this study indicated there was a correlation between the degree of psychological stress and the intensity of pain in TTH patients, despite not statistically significant (p=0.102 and R=0.304).

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND STRESS AND THEIR IMPACT ON URIC ACID LEVELS IN OLDER INDIVIDUALS

The elderly population, who are more susceptible to infection and chronic illnesses, are particularly susceptible to gout. The Pakong Health Center Working Area has a high prevalence of gout among the elderly population. The study examines the relationship between physical activity and stress, with uric acid levels as the dependent variable. The study involved 60 patients with gout, with a sample size of 53. The DASS physical activity questionnaire was used to gather data. The results showed that 77% of participants engaged in moderate physical activity, while almost 40% fell into the moderate stress group. The majority of uric acid levels were elevated, with 36 out of 68% being elevated. The Spearman Rank analysis yielded a p-value of 0.005, indicating a correlation between physical activity and uric acid levels in the elderly. Additionally, a p-value of 0.000, indicating a link between stress levels and gout occurrence, suggests that older individuals should enhance their physical activity and manage their nutrition to lower uric acid levels. Additionally, seniors should reduce stress by improving their religious practices, expressing their concerns, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency and Visual Reaction Time in Six Different Colors in Students with Different Grade of the Perceived Stress

Perceived stress is the thoughts or feelings one has about their level of experienced stress. Theonset of fatigue and perceived stress could be detrimental to the cognitive functioning and ability.Visual reaction time indicates the sensory motor coordination and critical flicker fusion frequencyindicates detrimental to the cognitive functioning and ability. In this study the levels of perceivedstress and their effect on visual reaction time and critical fusion frequency is measured.Methods: A total of 75 apparently healthy students in the age group of 18-40 years students wereincluded in the study. The perceived stress scores were measured using the questionnaire andparticipants were divided into mild (group I) and moderate stress group (group II). The visualreaction time recording was done using different color like red, green, blue, yellow, purple andaqua. Critical flicker fusion frequency was also measured.Results: The average visual reaction time for red, green and blue was less when compared topurple, yellow and aqua. The mean reaction time for red color in mild stress group I (392 ± 44msec) was more when compared to group II (379 ± 40 msec). similar findings were found inall other colors except purple were mean reaction time same in both the group. There was nodifference in the CFFF between the groups.Conclusion: It found that sensory coordination in the mild stress group was diminished whencompared to participants in moderate stress group. There are no changes in cognitive ability (CFFF) between the groups.

The impact of dental environment stress on caries experience, salivary flow rate and uric acid

Background: Several pathologies of the oral cavity have been associated with stress. Dental students need to gain assorted proficiencies as theoretical knowledge, clinical proficiencies, and interpersonal dexterity which is accompanied with high level of stress. Uric acid is the major antioxidant in saliva. The aim of this study is to assess the dental caries experience among dental students with different levels of dental environment stress in relation to physicochemical characteristics of whole unstimulated saliva.
 Materials and Methods: the total sample is composed of 300 dental students (73 males, 227 female) aged 22-23 years old, from collage of dentistry / university of Baghdad, from the 4th and 5th grade. The total sample was classified into three categories (mild stress, moderate stress and severe stress) according to Dental environment stress questionnaire (DESQ); Diagnosis and recording of dental caries were assessed according to Decay, Missed, Filled surface and teeth index (DMFS, DMFT) of WHO criteria in 1987. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from the 95 dental students from the mild stress group (27 male, 28 female) and from the severe stress group (11 male, 29 female). Then, salivary flow rate was measured and chemically analyzed to determine salivary uric acid concentration. All data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21.
 Results: The mean value of the DMFT and DS fraction was higher among severe stress group of dental environment stress scale with no significant differences (P≥ 0.05), while DMFS, FS and MS fractions were higher among moderate stress group of dental environment stress scale with no significant differences (P≥ 0.05). The data from salivary analysis showed that the mean value of salivary flow rate was lower among severe dental environment stress category than mild dental environment stress category but the difference was statistically not significant, while the mean value of uric acid was higher among students with severe dental environment stress than students with mild dental environment stress with statistically significant difference. The flow rate was negatively correlated with caries experience among both mild and severe stress groups except for the DS was positively correlated with flow rate among students with mild stress. The correlation of uric acid with DMFT was negative among students with mild stress while among severe stress group was positive; however all these correlations were not statistically significant.
 Conclusion: Dental environment stress appears to affect oral health, shown by higher caries prevalence among dental students with moderate and severe dental environment stress level by affecting the normal level of salivary flow rate and uric acid.
 Keywords: Dental environment stress, stress, dental caries, flow rate, uric acid.

The Impact of Dental Environment Stress on Dentition Status, Salivary Nitric Oxide and Flow Rate.

ABSTRACTAim:This study aimed to assess the dental caries experience among dental students with different levels of dental environment stress in relation to salivary nitric oxide (NO) and flow rate of whole unstimulated saliva.Materials and Methods:The study involved 300 dental students. They were classified into three categories (mild stress, moderate stress, and severe stress) according to dental environment stress questionnaire (DESQ); clinical examination for dental caries was carried out. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from the mild and severe stress groups for measuring the salivary flow rate. Estimation of salivary NO was carried out by using salivary NO test strips. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 21.0 (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois).Results:Dental caries experience was higher among severe and moderate stress groups with nonsignificant differences (P > 0.05). Mean value of salivary flow rate was lower among severe stress group with nonsignificant differences (P > 0.05). NO was significantly higher among severe stress group (P < 0.05). Flow rate was weak negatively correlated with caries experience among both mild and severe stress groups except for the decay surface (DS), which was weak positive among mild stress group. NO was weak negatively correlated with DS among both mild and severe stress groups. All these correlations were statistically not significant (P > 0.05).Conclusion:Dental environment stress appears to affect oral health, shown by higher dental caries among dental students with severe dental environment stress by affecting the normal level of salivary flow rate and NO.

임상간호사의 직무 스트레스와 건강증진행위 및 건강상태의 관련성

Purpose: This study examined association of job stress with health-promoting behaviors and objective health status in 129 clinical nurses working at a university hospital. Methods: A cross- sectional and descriptive design was used. Job stress and health behaviors were measured with Korean Occupational Stress Scale and Heath Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, respectively. Health status measured with afternoon plasma cortisol, C-peptide, and lipid profiles. Results: The level of job stress among clinical nurses was moderate with 51.41 on average. The mean for health-promoting behavior in the low stress group was significantly higher than that in the high or moderate stress groups (p<.001). The proportions of nurses with high C-peptide and cortisol levels, or low high-density lipoprotein levels, ranged from 14.0% to 35.7%. In particular, the percentage of nurses with high C-peptide levels was significantly higher in moderate and high stress groups than in the low stress group (24.1% versus 11.6%, p<.05). Conclusion: The study findings affirmed the associations of job stress with health-promoting behaviors as well as selected health status indicators such as C-peptide in clinical nurses. Job stress management intervention can help clinical nurses to improve their health-promoting behaviors and health status.

A Study of Relationship between Occupational Stress and Psychological Well-Being among Private and Public Sector Employee

The present investigation was to compare the relationship between occupational stress and psychological well-being among Private and Public Sector Employee. The sample consisted of 120 male and female Private and Public Sector Employee working at various manufacturing industries in Rajkot city. Srivastava &amp; Singh’s (1984) “Occupational stress Scale” and Bhogle &amp; Prakash’s (1995) “Psychological will-being Questionnaire” were administrated to them. Karl Pearson’s correlation method yielded negative and significant correlation between occupational stress and psychological well-being among Private and Public Sector Employee. Moreover high-stress group has been found to have higher correlation between occupational stress and psychological well-being than moderate stress group and low stress group.

Assessment of plasma B7-H3 levels in pediatric patients with different degrees of surgical stress.

BackgroundSurgical stress initiates a series of host hormone, metabolism and immune responses, which predominantly affect the homeostatic mechanism of patients with major surgery. B7-H3 is a co-stimulatory molecule and has been shown to participate in both adaptive and innate immune responses. In this study we evaluated the clinical significance of plasma B7-H3 levels in pediatric patients with different types of operation and degrees of surgical stress.MethodsA total of 48 children received pediatric general and cardiac surgery were recruited into this study. Based on the surgical stress scoring, children were divided into moderate stress (n = 14) and severe stress (n = 34) groups. Plasma B7-H3 levels were assessed at selected time points: before surgery, immediately after surgery, at day 1, day 3, and day 7 after surgery. Correlations between plasma B7-H3 levels and surgical stress scores were also examined.ResultsPlasma B7-H3 levels were significantly decreased in all 48 pediatric patients after surgery compared to the B7-H3 level before surgery (p < 0.01). Children with general surgery showed significant decreases in plasma B7-H3 immediately after surgery, and at day 3 and day 7 after surgery (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), whereas children with cardiac surgery showed reduced plasma B7-H3 immediately after surgery and at day 3 after surgery (p < 0.05). Plasma B7-H3 in cardiac surgery group was dropped much lower than that in general surgery group at day 1 (p < 0.05) and day 3 (p < 0.01) after surgery. Significantly reduced plasma B7-H3 was observed in the severe stress group, but not in the moderate stress group, immediately after surgery and at day 3 after surgery (p < 0.05), and severe stress group had significantly lower plasma B7-H3 levels than moderate stress group at day 1, day 3, and day 7 after surgery (p < 0.05). Furthermore, plasma B7-H3 levels at day 1 (p = 0.01) and day 3 (p = 0.025) after surgery correlated negatively with surgical stress scores.ConclusionsPlasma B7-H3 levels were decreased significantly in children subjected to pediatric general and cardiac surgery, which is closely associated with the severity of surgical stress. The negative correlation of plasma B7-H3 levels at day 1 and day 3 after surgery with surgical stress scoring implicates that the plasma B7-H3 level might be a useful biomarker for monitoring stress intensity during pediatric surgery.

HSP70 overexpression may play a protective role in the mouse embryos stimulated by CUMS.

BackgroundWe evaluated whether heat shock protein HSP70 plays a protective role in the embryos of Kunming mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress.MethodsFemale mice were stimulated for 4 weeks with nine stressors and then divided into mild, moderate and severe stress groups. Superovulation was induced with a gonadotropin preparation (PMSG/HCG) and HSP70 expression in 2-cell embryos and day 4 embryos was detected by immunofluorescence (IF) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsIn the mild stress group, ovarian response and oocyte development potential were similar to those of the control group, while the HSP70 mRNA levels of the embryos were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In the severe stress group, ovarian response and oocyte development potential decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05), while the HSP70 mRNA levels were similar. The results of the moderate stress group were intermediate among the three groups. Furthermore, HSP70 mRNA levels of the embryos were shown to be positively associated with parameters of oocyte and embryo development potential (P < 0.05).ConclusionsHSP70 overexpression may play a protective role in the embryos of the mild or moderate stress mice stimulated by chronic unpredictable mild stress.

Weathering the storm: Children's long‐term recall of Hurricane Andrew

Children who experienced a highly stressful natural disaster, Hurricane Andrew, were interviewed within a few months of the event, when they were 3–4 years old, and again 6 years later, when they were 9–10 years old. Children were grouped into low, moderate, or high stress groups depending on the severity of the experienced storm. All children were able to recall this event in vivid detail 6 years later. In fact, children reported over twice as many propositions at the second interview as at the first. At the initial interview, children in the high stress group reported less information than children in the moderate stress group, but 6 years later, children in all three stress groups reported similar amounts of information. However children in the high stress group needed more questions and prompts than children in the other stress groups. Yet children in the high stress group also reported more consistent information between the two interviews, especially about the storm, than children in the other stress groups. Implications for children's developing memory of stressful events are discussed.

A pilot study examining the relationship between stress and serum cortisol concentrations in women with asthma

The mechanism (s) by which stress exacerbates asthma is unknown. One explanation could be a reduction in endogenous serum cortisol concentrations as a result of stress. Our objective was to determine if a reduction in morning serum cortisol concentrations is associated with higher levels of stress in women with asthma. In this pilot study, seven women with a history of allergic-asthma were prospectively assigned to either low, moderate, or high stress groups based on a combination of their level of current stress and their resources to cope with the stress. After stress group assignment, women donated a morning blood sample, which was analyzed for serum cortisol concentration by an independent laboratory whose personnel were blinded to the subjects'stress status. Three women were assigned to the low stress group, two to the moderate stress group and two to the high stress group. Serum cortisol concentrations ranged from 8 to 23 μg/dl, averaging 14±6 μg/dl. A Spearman rank correlation indicated that serum cortisol concentrations were significantly inversely related to the stress groupings ( r s = −0.915; P = 0.025). These results suggest that a reduction in morning serum cortisol concentration may be associated with higher levels of stress and lower resources to cope with the stress in women with allergic-asthma.

Maternal stress is associated with bacterial vaginosis in human pregnancy.

Maternal infection, particularly bacterial vaginosis (BV) in pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of adverse perinatal outcomes. The determinants of individual differences in susceptibility, or vulnerability, to maternal infections are poorly understood. This study examines whether chronic maternal stress predisposes women to infection during pregnancy, and if so, whether the effects of chronic stress on infection are independent of other established risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional, clinical prevalence study of chronic maternal stress and BV status in a sample of 454 pregnant women at 14.3+/-0.3 weeks gestation (+/-SEM). BV was diagnosed by Gram-stain of vaginal fluid samples; chronic maternal stress was assessed using the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale. Other established risk factors for BV, including maternal age, race/ethnicity, marital status, SES, and behaviors related to feminine hygiene, sexual practices, and substance use, were measured using a structured interview. Of the 454 women enrolled in this study, 224 (49%) were BV positive (Nugent score 7-10), 64 (14%) had intermediate vaginal flora (Nugent score 4-6), and 166 (37%) were BV negative (Nugent score 0-3). BV+ women had significantly higher chronic stress levels than BV- women (24.6+/-0.5 vs. 22.2+/-0.6 units (+/-SEM), respectively; t = 3.19; p < .01). Maternal sociodemographic variables (African-American race/ethnicity) and behavioral characteristics (vaginal douching, number of lifetime sexual partners, and use of illicit drugs) also were significantly associated with the presence of BV. After controlling for the effects of these variables, using a multivariable logistic regression model, chronic maternal stress remained a significant and independent predictor of BV status. Women in the moderate-stress group (third quartile) and high-stress (fourth quartile) group were 2.3 times (95% CI = 1.2-4.3) and 2.2 times (95% CI = 1.1-4.2) more likely to be BV+ than women in the low-stress group (bottom quartile). High levels of chronic stress during pregnancy are associated with bacterial vaginosis. The effect of chronic maternal stress is independent of the effects of other established sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors for BV.

Earthquake-Induced Potentiation of Acute Risk Factors in Hypertensive Elderly Patients: Possible Triggering of Cardiovascular Events After a Major Earthquake

Objectives. We sought to investigate the potentiation of acute risk factors after the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake (7.2 on the Richter scale).Background. The frequency of cardiovascular events increases just after a major earthquake, but the causative factors have not been fully investigated.Methods. We studied the changes in cardiovascular risk factors in 42 elderly outpatients with well-controlled hypertension living near the epicenter (Awaji-Hokudan districts) 7 to 14 days after the earthquake when the major felt-aftershocks persisted. They all experienced the highest stress grading of 6 (catastrophic stress) according to the DSM-III-R. To study the hemostatic profile and endothelial cell state, we measured the blood pressure (BP), hematocrit and lipid profiles as well as fibrinogen, a marker of fibrin turnover (d-dimer), fibrinolytic factors (plasmin-alpha2–plasmin inhibitor complex [PIC], tissue-type plasminogen activator [t-PA] antigen and t-PA inhibitor [PAI] activity) and an endothelial cell-derived marker (von Willebrand factor [vWF]).Results. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and other variables increased after the earthquake. Before and after the earthquake, the median (25th to 75th percentiles) systolic BP was 152 (range 142 to 164) and 170 mm Hg (range 161 to 178), respectively (p < 0.0001), and the diastolic BP was 83 (range 79 to 88) and 91 mm Hg (range 84 to 96), respectively (p < 0.0001). Of blood viscosity determinants, hematocrit was 38.1% (range 40.7% to 35.9%) and 39.7% (range 42.9% to 38.3%), respectively (p < 0.001), and fibrinogen 316 (range 272 to 360) and 335 mg/dl (range 307 to 391), respectively (p < 0.05). Von Willebrand factor was 128% (range 74% to 148%) and 148% (range 100% to 178%), respectively (p < 0.01); d-dimer was 410 (range 285 to 633) and 560 ng/ml (range 391 to 888), respectively (p < 0.0001); and PIC was 0.74 (range 0.58 to 0.91) and 0.75 μg/ml (range 0.58 to 1.1), respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, lipid profiles did not change after the quake. When the patients were classified into the high stress and moderate stress groups according to the degrees of damage to their house and injury to family members, the levels of fibrinogen, vWF, PIC and t-PA antigen were increased only in the former group, whereas BP, hematocrit and d-dimer levels were increased in both groups. These abnormalities of acute risk factors, except for vWF, were transient and decreased to prequake levels by 4 to 6 months after the quake.Conclusions. Earthquake-induced stress seems to induce transient increases in BP, blood viscosity determinants and fibrin turnover and to prolong endothelial cell stimulation. The potentiation of these acute risk factors might contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular events just after a major earthquake in elderly subjects with hypertension.(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:926–33)© 1997 by the American College of Cardiology

The Role of Stressor Intensity in Influencing the Course of Heart Disease in Cardiomyopathic Hamsters

Our earlier work showed that stress had progressively more serious consequences in a hamster model of congestive heart failure as the magnitude of heart failure worsened. Based on that study, we hypothesized that the intensity of the stressor used might play an important part in determining this outcome as well as in influencing coronary reactivity to arginine vasopressin (AVP). Cardiomyopathic (2.5, 6.5, and 10 months) hamsters (CMHs) were stressed with a 2-hr period of supine immobilization for five consecutive days. Stressor intensity was increased by exposing the hamsters to progressively longer periods at 4 degrees C: the low stress group was never put in the cold; the moderate stress group was exposed to cold for 1 hr, and the high stress group for 2 hr. CMHs were anesthetized and sacrificed 5 days after stress, and their hearts were perfused using a modified Langendorff system. Maximum +/- dP/dt, developed pressure, ventricular relaxation time, (T), and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) were recorded, and CVR was also measured following coronary infusion of AVP. Stressor intensity had no effect on cardiac mechanics in 2.5-month CMHs. In 6.5-month CMHs, only the high-intensity stressor impaired ventricular mechanics (decreased maximum +/- dP/dt and developed pressure, increased T; P < 0.05), while low and moderate stress produced no effects. In 10-month CMHs, stress at all intensities exacerbated ventricular dysfunction (decreased maximum +/- dP/dt and developed pressure; P < 0.05). These results support our first hypothesis that stressor intensity interacts multiplicatively with severity of the underlying disease to influence the course of heart failure. However, our second hypothesis was not supported, because stress-regardless of intensity-affected reactivity of the coronary vasculature to AVP only in 2.5-month CMHs. A further test of the relation of stressor intensity and coronary vascular reactivity requires study of additional groups of CMHs during the period of their disease characterized by coronary vasospasm.

EFFECTS OF TRANSPORT AND ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ION CONCENTRATIONS, CARCASS YIELD AND QUALITY IN BULLS

Two experiments were completed to: (1) identify predictive acid-base and electrolyte parameters that might be correlated with meat quality in marketed bulls; and (2) to determine whether bulls could be treated with either glucose or electrolyte drinks while in lairage to improve electrolyte balance and meat quality. In the first experiment, 29 crossbred yearling bulls averaging 499 ± 13.4 kg were exposed to either a minimal stress of no mixing and 3 km transport (N = 13) or a moderate stress of mixing, 6 h transport 24 h off feed in lairage, plus an additional 3 km transport immediately prior to slaughter (N = 16). Animals exposed to moderate stress displayed higher serum chloride values (137 mmol L−1) compared to pre treatment control (121 mmol L−1) or minimal stress values (118 mmol L−1) (P ≤ 0.01). The moderate stress group also displayed lower blood hydrogen ion concentrations (P &lt; 0.05) and produced a high frequency of dark, firm and dry meat (9 out of 16 animals compared to 0 out of 13 in the control group). In the second experiment, 79 crossbred yearling bulls averaging 595 ± 6.5 kg were divided into treatment groups of either 19 or 20 animals each and subjected to mixing, handling and a 6-h transport period after which they were left in lairage for 18–20 h before slaughter. Treatment groups were: (1) no water during lairage; (2) water only; (3) electrolyte drink; or (4) a 5% glucose drink. Animals in exp. 2 given either water or no water displayed significantly higher serum sodium (P ≤ 0.01) and chloride ion (P ≤ 0.02) levels compared to animals offered an electrolyte or glucose drink. It was also found that the urine cation levels of animals offered no water or water only were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05). In all animals, improved electrolyte balance coincided with improved meat quality traits and carcass yield. Key words: Electrolyte balance, transport stress, bulls, carcass quality

Plasma glucagon changes in surgical patients.

We studied the effect of surgery on plasma glucagon (IRG) levels in 40 patients divided into 3 groups according to the severity of surgical stress. In the major and moderate stress groups, 30--100% IRG increases were noted one hour after the start of surgery. In these groups, IRG was increased in the lst to 7th postoperative days and there was a correlation between the amount of increase and the severity of operative stress. In the minor stress group, no postoperative IRG increase was noted. Our results indicate that the severity of operative stress had a direct bearing on the amount of intra- and postoperative IRG increase. We also discuss the origin of hyperglucagonemia in surgical patients.