Presence Of Psychological Stress Research Articles

Inflammatory potential of the diet is associated with psychological stress in adults with type 2 diabetes: a methodological approach of e-Health

ObjectiveWe studied the presence of psychological stress in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and if could be attributed to the consumption of a pro-inflammatory diet. We evaluated the inflammatory potential of the habitual Mexican diet, addressed by tools with an approach to collecting information on e-Health.MethodsIn this cross-sectional analytic study of 238 Mexican adults with T2D, the profile of the inflammatory diet was obtained by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and the presence of psychological stress by the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (DSS) was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between diabetes stress and DII score. Sensitivity analysis was performed by Energy–Density Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII).ResultsWe demonstrated that there is an association between a profile of stress and high-inflammatory values of the DII score after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.2, 4.6).ConclusionUsing e-Health through web-based tools to collect information showed benefits of the application as a method of dietary assessment. We provide evidence showing that better values of the DII score and physical activity may play a protective role against the presence of psychological stress; DII and E-DII scores qualify and label habitual diet into pro and anti-inflammatory and are associated with psychological stress in T2D.

Exam Anxiety and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Indian Medical Undergraduates

Background: Exam anxiety is a global troublesome psychological problem, impairing the academic performance of medical students. This study was planned to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of Exam anxiety among Indian medical students Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 230 Indian medical undergraduate students. Westside Test Anxiety Inventory (WTAI) was used to estimate the level of Exam anxiety among medical students. We utilized multivariable logistic regression to identify independent risk factors among medical students. Results: The prevalence of high Exam Anxiety among medical students was 49.6 % (95% CI 43.9-57.0). The mean age of the students was 21.3 years. Multivariable logistic regression revealed the presence of excessive course load [AOR=2.22,95% CI:(1.03,4.78)], the presence of psychological stress [AOR=2.89,95% CI:(1.51,5.48)] and low self-esteem [AOR=8.15,95% CI:(1.51,43.96)] to be independent risk factors for exam anxiety. Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that the prevalence of Exam anxiety is very high among Indian undergraduate medical students. Our study also showed that the perception of excessive course load, psychological stress and low self-esteem were the independent risk factors in medical students.

Does COVID-19 Fear Induce Employee Innovation Performance Deficiency? Examining the Mediating Role of Psychological Stress and Moderating Role of Organizational Career Support.

With the immense, short/long-term, and multidirectional effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on work performance, industry activities, and the national/global economy, it has adversely affected employees’ psychological well-being due to its elevated stress and anxiety that have substantially affected employee innovation performance (deficiency) (EIP(D)). The goal of this empirical paper is to identify how COVID-19 induces EIPD by examining the mediating role of psychological stress (PS) on the relationship between fear of infection with COVID-19 (FIC) and EIPD based on affective events theory (AET) and the moderating effect of organizational career support (OCS) on the relationship between PS and EIPD. Based on 865 survey responses provided by mid-level managers from Chinese manufacturing firms and the covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) technique using AMOS 25, we identified that FIC has a positive relationship with EIPD while PS can fully mediate the link between FIC and EIPD and OCS weakens the positive relationship between PS and EIPD (that is, in the presence of OCS, EIPD decreases despite the presence of PS among the employees). The findings of our empirical study will theoretically and practically contribute to the pandemic-related existing literature by providing an in-depth understanding of these variables. Furthermore, policymakers can also benefit by boosting their EIP from the outcomes revealed and suggestions provided.

Chemiluminescence analysis of saliva for the assessment of emotional stress in autistic children undergoing a medical examination

PurposeAn electroencephalography (EEG) examination may cause psychological stress in children with autism that can interfere with the examination results. The objective information on the presence or absence of psycho-emotional stress in patients can help interpret electroencephalograms. This paper aimed to demonstrate the potential of noninvasive objective diagnostics of emotional stress in autistic children undergoing an EEG examination based on analysis of saliva.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved 19 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (ICD-10 F84.0); the mean age was seven years. During EEG examination of the children, behavioral parameters were assessed. The activity of cytochrome P450 reductase (CYPOR) in saliva was measured before and after the EEG procedure using lucigenin-enhanced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-stimulated chemiluminescence assay.FindingsSignificant differences in CYPOR activity were found between the children who were distressed during an EEG examination and the children without behavioral disturbances (Mann–Whitney test, p = 0.002). Thus, the EEG examination resulted in an increase in CYPOR activity in saliva cells, which may prove the stressful effect of this procedure on autistic children.Originality/valueThe chemiluminescent indices reflecting the activity of microsomal CYPOR in cells presenting in saliva correlate with the absence or presence of psychological stress in children; this phenomenon can be explained by an increased metabolism of the stress hormone, cortisol, by the cytochrome P450 microsomal system. Furthermore, the proposed method is completely safe, noninvasive, rapid (recording time is 20 min), inexpensive and promising for an objective assessment of psycho-emotional stress in autistic children undergoing medical examinations.

A10 FOOD ANTIGEN-STRESS INTERACTION LEADS TO INCREASE PAIN SIGNALING IN ILEUM AND COLON VIA STAT6 IN AN IBS MODEL

Abstract Background Abdominal pain can be triggered by food ingestion in IBS patients. Previously we have shown that a food antigen induces local release of immune mediators in the colon that increase dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron excitability when there is previous antigen exposure in the presence of psychological stress. However, it is unknown if this effect is limited to the colon. Furthermore, the involvement of histamine in the neuronal hyperexcitability suggests that the stress-food antigen interaction evokes a Th2 immune response. Thus, we sought to investigate the role of STAT6, a transcription factor downstream of Th2 cytokines and important for IgE production. Aims 1) Determine if stress-food antigen interaction leads to release of mediators within the small intestine that increase DRG neuron excitability. 2) Determine the involvement of STAT6 on neuronal hyperexcitability induced by the stress-food antigen interaction. Methods BALB/c mice were exposed to water avoidance stress (WAS) or sham stress (SHAM) for 1 hr daily for 10 days. On day 2–10, mice were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) or saline (SAL). Seven days later, mice were re-exposed to either OVA or SAL every 2 days for 2 weeks yielding 3 groups: WAS/OVA+OVA, WAS/SAL+OVA, and SHAM/OVA+OVA. STAT6 deficient mice were also exposed to WAS/OVA+OVA protocol. Ileum or colonic supernatants were obtained 4 hours after tissue collection. DRG neurons were incubated overnight with supernatants prior to perforated patch clamp recordings. Neuronal excitability was evaluated by measuring the rheobase (minimum current to elicit an action potential, decreased rheobase indicates increased excitability). Mechanosensitivity of extrinsic afferent nerves innervating distal ileum was examined using ex vivo extracellular afferent nerve recordings. Data was analyzed by one or two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test. Results Ileum supernatants from WAS/OVA+OVA mice increased DRG neuron excitability compared to WAS/SAL+OVA and SHAM/OVA+OVA mice (63.3 ± 6.2 pA vs 83.2 ± 5.4 pA, 86.7 ± 4.5 pA, p<0.05). Ileum afferent nerve response to distention was significantly augmented in WAS/OVA+OVA mice compared to WAS/SAL+OVA and SHAM/OVA+OVA (P<0.05, n=4–7). DRG neurons incubated with WAS/OVA+OVA supernatant from STAT6 deficient mice were less excitable compared to neurons incubated with colonic supernatants from wild type mice (86.5 ± 4.1 pA vs 67.6 ± 4.8 pA, p<0.05). Conclusions Stress-food antigen interaction releases mediators in both the small intestine and colon to increase nociceptive signaling, an important finding as IBS can involve both areas. The release of excitatory mediators within the gut appears to involve STAT6. Thus, a stress-food antigen interaction evoking a Th2 immune response in the gut may be a mechanism underlying food induced symptoms in IBS. Funding Agencies Queen’s University, Department of Medicine

Retracted Article: COVID-19, suicide, and femicide: Rapid Research using Google search phrases

We, the Author, Editor and Publisher of the Journal of General Psychology have retracted the following article: COVID-19, suicide, and femicide: Rapid Research using Google search phrases by Katerina Standish Journal of General Psychology, published online: 22 January 2021 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221309.2021.1874863 Since publication, the author has identified inaccuracies in the methodology. Specifically, the article is based on problematical use and interpretation of search entries and their results to draw conclusions about the presence of psychological stress in online searches. As this directly impacts the validity of the reported results and conclusions, the Author notified the Editor and Publisher and all have agreed to retract the article to ensure the integrity of the scholarly record. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Mental stress promotes the proliferation of endometriotic lesions in mice

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the womb lining begins to grow in other sites, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain, adhesion formation, and infertility. Here, we investigated the relationship between deterioration of endometriosis and inflammation of intraperitoneal adipose tissue in mice. We created a mouse model of endometriosis, then subjected these mice to stress loading. In the experimental mice, we measured protein expression levels of prostaglandin-E2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α using ELISA kits. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related enzymes and cytokines in lesions and adipose tissues. This study sugest that endometriotic lesions may progress in the presence of psychological stress in the presence of endometriosis. In addition, inflammation of the adipose tissue around the uterus may be involved in the development of endometriosis. However, this needs further consideration. Reducing or avoiding stress as much as possible may prevent the progression of endometriosis.

Emotional Effects on Factors Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain.

PurposeAlthough chronic low back pain (CLBP) has profound effects on patients, society, and economy, its causes are difficult to identify. Psychogenic effects or social stress is known to affect CLBP; hence, investigation of its underlying causes requires a multifactorial approach. We determined the factors associated with CLBP by using an Internet-based survey. To prevent CLBP, we need to understand its cause and background.Patients and methodsA total of 1000 participants either with (+) or without (−) CLBP answered the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), which assesses five domains of CLBP: low back pain, lumbar function, walking ability, social life function and mental health. We also administered a new questionnaire for participants, that comprised five different domains: Body, Lifestyle, Emotion, Diet, and Social. To evaluate psychogenic effects on CLBP, we added two original factors, namely outshout and HIE, which have not yet been studied. HIE is a traditional concept (sense) of “feeling cold” or “chilly.” All participants completed both questionnaires.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis extracted four factors (sleep, room temperature, outshout, and HIE) that were associated with CLBP. The mental health domain was assessed using the JOABPEQ for each of these factors. The factors outshout and HIE differed between CLBP (+) and CLBP (−) patients. CLBP (−) participants also showed a difference in Sleep and HIE factors.ConclusionAmong psychogenic effects, Emotion was common to all the four extracted factors. There was no common physical divisor. Therefore, we hypothesized that acute low back pain might develop into CLBP in the presence of psychological stress or other emotional factors such as outshout or HIE. Hence, we need to consider both physical and psychogenic effects in the prevention and treatment of CLBP. Furthermore, appropriate evaluation and treatment of psychological stress may be effective in reducing CLBP.

THE RELATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS AND SEVERITY OF THE CLINICAL PROFILE OF PSORIASIS IN AN EGYPTIAN SAMPLE

Psychological stressors have been reported to precede the onset of psoriasis in 44% of patients, initiate recurrent skin flares in 88% of psoriatic and may worsen psoriasis severity and may even lengthen the time to disease clearance. This study aimed to: 1. Identifying the types of stressors, which are related to the forms and severity of clinical profile of psoriasis, 2. Identifying the types of psychosocial factors which are related to the forms and severity of clinical profile of psoriasis in Egyptian sample. Methods: One hundred and fifty patients randamised samples were collected from dermatological out-patient clinic affiliated to ministry of health and universities hospitals. All subjects were exposed to the followings: A full dermatological history including exacerbating factors. General examination to exclude chronic diseases. Clinical examination, Socioeconomic data will be collected for all patients. Holms and Rahe for assessment of stressors. Psoriasis area severity index. Results: The socio-demographic characteristics show that the mean age of patients with psoriasis of both sexes was 40.91 (standard deviation, SD 14.26) years, while the men:women ration was 2.66:1. Additionally, 68% of psoriatic patient were occupationally skilled person; 18% were un-employed; 10% were professional and 4% were students. A significant relation between weather condition and type of psoriasis severity was noticed. It appears that psoriatic patients were improved in summer and worsened in winter. During autumn and springs, patients didn't notice changes in psoriasis signs. A significant relation between presence of psychological stress and degree of psoriasis severity. It appears that moderate degree of psoriasis was the most common among psoriatic patient with stress (45.5%) or without stress (65.3%). Conclusion: The study showed that environmental stressors have relevant effects on severity of psoriasis. In addition, there is a specific relation between both climate and psychological stresses on the severity of psoriasis.

Assessment of Nutritional Risk and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Women of Old Age Homes of South Suburban Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Different physiological, social and psychological factors contribute to nutritional risk in elderly population. Elderly women residing at old age homes are particularly susceptible. To find out psychological and financial factors, if any, associated with malnutrition and risk of malnutrition. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 residents belonging to > 65 years age group of nine old age homes selected randomly among eighteen old age homes located at south suburban areas of Kolkata from September 2010 to April 2011 using a pre-designed, pilot tested schedule containing Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Intergroup comparison was performed using chi-square test.The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata,India. Written informed consent was taken from each study participant. Among 158 'possibly malnourished' women, 114 (57%) were 'at risk of malnutrition' and 44 (22%) were malnourished according to MNA. Psychological stress was present among 44% of 'at risk of malnutrition' and 56% 'malnourished' population (df=1, x2= 28.852, p<0.001). About 77% of women having moderate depression were 'at risk of malnutrition' whereas 52% of women having severe depression were 'malnourished' (df =2, x2= 23.769, p<0.001). High proportion of 'at risk malnutrition' and 'malnutrition' associated with presence of psychological stress and different grades of depression were the major areas of concern.

Influence of Gut Microbes on the Brain-Gut Axis (Gut 2011;60:307-317)

Psychological stress and its morbidity are often encountered in functional gut disorders and this emphasizes the importance of the brain-gut axis in regulating gastrointestinal physiology.1,2 The bidirectional interaction between the gut and the brain is vital in maintaining homeostasis but the exact mechanism on how both communicate remains elusive. Evidence from animal studies suggests a possible role of intestinal microbiota to influence central control in this brain-gut axis.3,4 The current study by Gareau et al5 in the Gut 2011 issue provided a direct link for the first time between enteric infection and impaired learning and memory in the presence of psychological stress. The memory impairment persisted even after bacterial clearance and resolution of intestinal pathology. In addition, the study demonstrated the beneficial effect of probiotics in preventing stress-induced memory deficits, normalizing alteration in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and colonic injury. This effect was associated, in part, with the restoration of hippocampus brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and c-Fos expression in the context of normalized microbiota. Germ-free mice also displayed an absence of memory, providing support for the requirement of commensal gut microbiota in memory. In this study, female mice at 5-6 weeks were sourced commercially from 2 sites (Charles River, Canada and Taconic Farms, New York, USA) but both populations of mice behaved similarly according to the author (data not shown). Germ-free mice were contained for 72-96 hours before study to normalize the stress from shipping. The mice were infected with Citrobacter rodentium (strain DBS100, Dr David Schauer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA) administered by oral gavage and were tested for behavior at 10 days and 30 days after infection, respectively.6 C. rodentium is a gram-negative bacterium that causes transient colitis in mice including attaching and effacing lesions and colonic epithelial cell hyperplasia.7 A subset of mice was treated with probiotics (Lacidofil, Montreal, Canada) or placebo daily via their drinking water (orogastric gavage induces stress) starting 1 week before infection. Psychological stress was induced using water avoidance stress,8 behavioral testing included the novel object test,9 while the T-maze test10 was used for dorsal hippocampus memory function (non-spatial and working memory) and light/dark box test11 for anxiety. After behavioral testing, the mice were sacrificed. Blood was collected for serum corticosterone to measure HPA activation, colon tissue for histology to assess for colonic pathology, intra-colonic fecal samples for assessment of bacterial DNA and brain tissue to assess for intensity of BDNF and c-Fos in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. C.rodentium infection in mice was not associated with anxiety behavior whether stressed or not. This was in contrast with another study showing an anxiety response after 8 hours of infection.12 However the current study assessed for anxiety after 10 days which was at the peak of host response to the pathogen. Infected mice demonstrated water avoidance stress-induced memory impairment which was maintained until 30 days after infection, a time period where bacteria should clear and colonic lesions resolved. Probiotics when administered to mice, prevented stress-induced memory deficits with reduction in hippocampus BDNF and c-Fos, reduced serum corticosterone, ameliorated colonic injuries and normalized changes in intestinal microbiota. To confirm the role of microbiota in mediating memory, behavior was studied in germ-free mice. No anxiety was observed in the germ-free mice but memory deficits were evident and this was associated with decrease in hippocampus BDNF and c-Fos.

Stress-induced hemorrhagic gastric ulcer after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication: two case reports.

IntroductionHelicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of gastric ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori eradication drastically reduces ulcer recurrence. It has been reported, however, that severe physical stress is closely associated with gastric ulceration even in Helicobacter pylori -negative patients.Case presentationWe report the cases of a 47-year-old Japanese man and a 69-year-old Japanese man who developed psychological stress-induced hemorrhagic gastric ulcers, in both of whom Helicobacter pylori had been successfully eradicated.ConclusionOur cases strongly suggest that not only physical but also psychological stress is still an important pathogenic factor for peptic ulceration and accordingly that physicians should pay attention to the possible presence of psychological stress in the management of patients with peptic ulcers.

Risk factors for behavioral and emotional problems in childhood: a community study in Uruguay

To explore some of the demographic risk factors that are associated with the risk of behavioral or emotional problems in children, and to examine the possibility of an association between psychological stress in the parents and psychological problems in their children. In this study, the presence of psychological stress in the parents and certain psychosocial characteristics that increase the risk of mental problems in childhood were examined in a sample of Uruguayan children from three communities, two urban and one rural. The study, which was carried out in Ciudad Vieja and Barrio Sur, in the city of Montevideo, and in Colonia de Sacramento, a rural town, comprised 115 children between the ages of 5 and 15. Mothers answered the Child Psychiatric Morbidity Questionnaire (QMPI), an instrument for the detection of behaviors pointing to the presence of emotional problems in children. Both parents also supplied the demographic information requested in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview Demoralization Scale; they answered the CAGE questionnaire, a screening tool for alcoholism; they responded to the Social Support Network Inventory; and they answered questions about their self-perceived mental health. Fifty-three percent of the children had scores greater than 6 on the QMPI, which indicates the possible presence of behavioral or emotional problems. Fathers' self-perception of emotional problems and mothers' feeling of being demoralized showed a statistically significant association with a greater risk of behavioral or emotional problems in their children. In light of our results, mental health in childhood is a social and public health problem that warrants further epidemiologic study in Uruguay.

Endocrine effects of examination stress.

1. We have studied endocrine function in nine healthy young men 16 weeks before and immediately after Final degree examinations. Factors other than psychological stress which might have affected hormone levels were excluded. 2. The presence of psychological stress at the time of examinations was confirmed by finding increased values for two self-rating anxiety scales. 3. Urine metadrenaline excretion was increased in all subjects at the time of examination. Serum and early morning urine cortisol as well as pituitary-testicular and pituitary-thyroid function and prolactin levels were unaffected by examination stress. 4. This study questions the popular belief that psychological stress stimulates prolactin secretion and suppresses pituitary-testicular function.