Significant Increase In Anxiety Level Research Articles

Histological Changes in Adipose Tissue: An Alarm When Methamphetamine Is Targeted for Weight Loss Purposes

BACKGROUNDMethamphetamine (METH) may be administered for weight loss purposes and to understand the METH side-effects more in details, this study aimed at determining the effect of METH on changes in adipose tissue in experimental rats.METHODSForty five male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three equal groups. Group 1 was experimental receiving METH [0.4 mg/kg, subcutaneously (S/C), 0.6 mL/rat] for 3 weeks, group 2 was the sham group receiving normal saline (0.6 mL/rat, S/C) and the 3rd group was the control receiving distilled water, identically. The elevated plus maze test was used to confirm cognitive impairment and distraction as anxiety and to verify addiction to METH by assessing the percent time spent in open arm (OAT), the percent time spent in closed arm (CAT), the percent time spent in central parts and head dipping over the side of the maze. Adipose tissue was assessed histologically 7, 14 and 21-days after interventions. RESULTSA significant increase in anxiety level, and histologically inflammation, degeneration and necrosis in adipose tissue were visible after METH use. CONCLUSIONMETH use resulted in a significant inflammation and necrosis in adipose tissue denoting to the dangers of METH use, when recreationally targeted for weight loss purposes.

The effect of nationwide quarantine on anxiety levels during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.

BackgroundIn the recent outbreak of COVID‐19, many countries have enacted various kinds of quarantine measures to slow down the explosive spread of COVID‐19. Although these measures were proven to be successful in stopping the outbreak in China, the potential adverse effects of countrywide quarantine have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsIn this study, we performed an online survey to evaluate the psychological effects of quarantine using the Zung Self‐rating Anxiety Scale in February 2020 when the outbreak had nearly peaked in China. Along with the anxiety scores, limited personal information, such as age, gender, region, education, occupation, and specifically, the type and duration of quarantine, was collected for analysis.ResultsFrom a total of 992 valid questionnaires from 23 provinces in China, clinically significant anxiety symptoms were observed in 9.58% of respondents according to clinical diagnostic standards in China. The specific groups of people showing higher levels of anxiety were (a) adolescents (<18 years); (b) respondents with education lower than junior high school; (c) people with chronic diseases; and (d) frontline medical personnel. Other characteristics, such as gender, marital status, region, and acquaintance with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID‐19, did not affect anxiety levels significantly. Respondents who experienced different forms of quarantine showed different anxiety levels. People undergoing centralized quarantine have higher levels of anxiety. Unexpectedly, longer durations of quarantine did not lead to a significant increase in anxiety level.ConclusionsOur results suggest a rather mild psychological influence caused by the countrywide quarantine during the COVID‐19 outbreak in China and provide a reference for other countries and regions battling COVID‐19.

Melatonin Ameliorates Neuropharmacological and Neurobiochemical Alterations Induced by Subchronic Exposure to Arsenic in Wistar Rats.

An experimental study was conducted in Wistar rats to characterize the arsenic ("As")-induced alterations in neurobiochemistry in brain and its impact on neuropharmacological activities with or without the melatonin (MLT) as an antioxidant given exogenously. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided in to four groups of six each. Group I served as untreated control, while group II received As [sodium (meta) arsenite; NaAsO2] at 10mg/kg bw (p.o.) for a period of 56days. Experimental rats in group III received treatment similar to group II but in addition received MLT at 10mg/kg bw (p.o.) from day 32 onwards. Rats in group IV received MLT alone from day 32 onwards similar to group III. Sub-chronic exposure to As (group II) significantly reduced both voluntary locomotor and forced motor activities and melatonin supplementation (group III) showed a significant improvement in motor activities, when subjected to test on day 42 or 56. Rats exposed to As showed a significant increase in anxiety level and a marginal nonsignificant reduction in pain latency. Sub-chronic administration of As induced (group II) significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) called malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain tissue (5.55 ± 0.57nmolg-1), and their levels were significantly reduced by MLT supplementation (group III 3.96 ± 0.15nmolg-1). The increase in 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels in As-exposed rats indicated nitrosative stress due to the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO-). However, exogenously given MLT significantly reduced the 3-NT formation as well as prostaglandin (PGE2) levels in the brain. Similarly, MLT administration have suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (viz., IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and amyloid-β1-40 (Aβ) deposition in the brain tissues of experimental rats. To conclude, exogenous administration of melatonin can overcome the sub-chronic As-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress in the CNS, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restored certain disturbed neuropharmacological activities in Wistar rats.

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordination-linked behaviour in male rats.

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2-4 were exposed to 2.5Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage.

Anxiety Level of Hospitalized Pre-Schooler Undergoing Venipuncture: A Comparative Study in The Presence and Absence of Parents

Distraction is the most frequent intervention used in the paediatric department to guide children's attention away from the painful stimuli and reduce pain and anxiety. Distraction techniques are often provided by nurses, parents or child life specialists. Objectives are a) to assess the anxiety level of hospitalized pre-schooler undergoing venipuncture in the presence of parents in selected hospitals of Vidarbha region. b) to assess the anxiety level of hospitalized pre-schooler undergoing venipuncture in the absence of parents. c) to compare the anxiety level of hospitalized pre-schooler undergoing venipuncture in the presence and absence of parents. d) to associate the anxiety level of hospitalized pre-schooler undergoing venipuncture in the presence of parents with selected demographic variables. e) to associate the anxiety level of hospitalized pre-schooler undergoing venipuncture in the absence of parents with selected demographic variables. Facial anxiety scale and behavioural anxiety assessment scale was used. Comparative study design was used. Non-Probability convenience samplingtechnique was used. The samples were 60 hospitalized pre-schoolers undergoing venipuncture. Comparison of anxiety scores shows that the calculated't ’value for facial anxiety is 6.61 and for behaviour anxiety is 7.24 which is higher than the tabulated value 2, at 5% level of significance and calculated ‘p ’value was 0.00. Hence, it is statistically interpreted that there is a significant increase in anxiety level of children undergoing venipuncture in the absence of parents.

Replication of “Speech Fluency Fluctuations during the Menstrual Cycle”

This study tested the hypothesis suggested by our earlier research that the principal effect of heightened anxiety on speech fluency is an interference with language formulation. 20 women read contexual material aloud at ovulation (when the typical woman experiences her greatest feelings of well-being) and at premenstrution (when she experiences a significant increase in anxiety level). They were no less fluent at premenstruation than at ovulation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis tested.