Signs Of Arousal Research Articles

Can Virtual Art Touch Your Heart?—The Impact of Virtual Reality Art on Affect Considering Individual Characteristics and Aesthetic Experiences

Since the dawn of digital art, discourse regarding its potential persists. This research investigates how a virtual reality (VR) art gallery impacts positive and negative affect, examining the influences of aesthetic experiences and individual characteristics. It explores the connection between measures of aesthetic experiences (self-assessed, heart rate, and heart rate variability) and how gender influences this relationship. Digital art's beneficial effect is indicated by decreased negative affect after visiting the VR gallery, potentially influencing mental wellbeing. Individual characteristics influence this impact on affect after the VR experience, especially openness to experience and affect before the visit, mediated by aesthetic experience, and expertise mediated by heart rate. The findings highlight the potential impact of gender on subjective interpretations of physiological responses in the VR environment. Specifically, women tend to attribute heightened heart rate, a sign of arousal, while men associate increased heart rate variability, a sign of relaxation, to positive experiences in the VR.

Применение урапидила для коррекции артериальной гипертензии при хирургии катаракты

Purpose. Comparative analysis of clinical efficacy of urapidil and droperidol for relief of arterial hypertension (AH) during cataract surgery. Material and methods. The study included 30 patients who underwent relief of intraoperative hypertension with urapidil or droperidol in combination with sedation. According to method of treatment of hypertension, 3 groups of patients were distinguished: 1st group – 10 patients whom were injected only with urapidil, 2nd group – 10 patients whom were injected urapidil against the background of sedation; 3rd group – 10 patients whom received droperidol against the background of sedation. Results. We relieved intraoperative rise in blood pressure and avoided complications associated with it, in all 3 groups. Using of urapidil did not cause side effects from cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. The dose of urapidil was reduced when used in conjunction with sedatives. Droperidol has been shown to be effective in patients with cognitive impairment with signs of arousal. Conclusion. The applied methods of relief of intraoperative AH were effective in all patients. Urapidil for correction of AH in outpatients is justified due to its effectiveness and safety. Droperidol for treatment of AH is preferable for patients with unstable psychoemotional status, agitation. Such patients should be monitored in hospital. Key words: urapidil, ebrantil, droperidol, intraoperative arterial hypertension, ophthalmosurgery.

Parabrachial Neurons Promote Behavior and Electroencephalographic Arousal From General Anesthesia.

General anesthesia has been used clinically for more than 170 years, yet its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) in the brainstem has been known to be crucial for regulating wakefulness and signs of arousal on the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG). Lesions of the parabrachial complex lead to unresponsiveness and a monotonous high-voltage, and a slow-wave EEG, which are the two main features of general anesthesia. However, it is unclear whether and how the PBN functions in the process of general anesthesia. By recording the levels of calcium in vivo in real-time, we found that the neural activity in PBN is suppressed during anesthesia, while it is robustly activated during recovery from propofol and isoflurane anesthesia. The activation of PBN neurons by “designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs” (DREADDs) shortened the recovery time but did not change the induction time. Cortical EEG recordings revealed that the neural activation of PBN specifically affected the recovery period, with a decrease of δ-band power or an increase in β-band power; no EEG changes were seen in the anesthesia period. Furthermore, the activation of PBN elicited neural activation in the prefrontal cortex, basal forebrain, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, and supramammillary nucleus. Thus, PBN is critical for behavioral and electroencephalographic arousal without affecting the induction of general anesthesia.

Wild western lowland gorillas signal selectively using odor.

Mammals communicate socially through visual, auditory and chemical signals. The chemical sense is the oldest sense and is shared by all organisms including bacteria. Despite mounting evidence for social chemo-signaling in humans, the extent to which it modulates behavior is debated and can benefit from comparative models of closely related hominoids. The use of odor cues in wild ape social communication has been only rarely explored. Apart from one study on wild chimpanzee sniffing, our understanding is limited to anecdotes. We present the first study of wild gorilla chemo-communication and the first analysis of olfactory signaling in relation to arousal levels and odor strength in wild apes. If gorilla scent is used as a signaling mechanism instead of only a sign of arousal or stress, odor emission should be context specific and capable of variation as a function of the relationships between the emitter and perceiver(s). Measured through a human pungency scale, we determined the factors that predicted extreme levels of silverback odor for one wild western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) group silverback. Extreme silverback odor was predicted by the presence and intensity of inter-unit interactions, silverback anger, distress and long-calling auditory rates, and the absence of close proximity between the silverback and mother of the youngest infant. Odor strength also varied according to the focal silverback's strategic responses during high intensity inter-unit interactions. Silverbacks appear to use odor as a modifiable form of communication; where odor acts as a highly flexible, context dependent signaling mechanism to group members and extra-group units. The importance of olfaction to ape social communication may be especially pertinent in Central African forests where limited visibility may necessitate increased reliance on other senses.

Influence of bitches sex pheromones on the heart rate and other chosen parameters of blood flow in stud dogs (Canis familiaris)

The aim of this study was to verify the usefulness of the measurement of chosen cardiovascular activity parameters for examination of sex pheromones effects in male dogs. We evaluated the influence of the bitches’ sexual pheromones (BSP) on heart rate (HR) with the use of a Holter monitor, and chosen parameters of blood flow in vessels of penis, testes and kidney, with color-coded and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. We found that the BSP increased HR in all examined males even without showing any other signs of arousal. There were no changes in the RI (resistant index) and PI (pulsative index) in any trials during the pheromone presentation. The increase in blood flow intensity was noted in penile vessels but not in the testes and kidney. We concluded that measurement of flow intensity in the penis as well as the changes in heart rate as the male’s reaction to the BSP can be useful in research concerning sex pheromones in dogs.

Care protocol for persistent vegetative states (PVS) and minimally conscious state (MSC) in Lorraine: Retrospective study over an 18-year period

Objectives Retrospective analysis of the efficiency of a protocol for care of chronic vegetative states (CVS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) in Lorraine. Material and method Two indicators are used: protocol activity (number of patients hospitalized between 1988 and 2006, number of admissions per year, of requests per year, origin of requests, waiting time) and the epidemiological data (age, sex ratio, etiology, length of stay, geographic origin, number of deaths, number of hospital discharges). The number of CVS and MCS and patients having progressed towards arousal is specified as well as the technical procedures (orthopedic surgery, number of tracheotomies). Results Forty-seven patients (30 males and 17 females) were hospitalized in a 12-bed unit. The number of admissions per year was 2.4, and the annual number of requests varied between five and 15. Hospitalization times ranged from six to 18 months. The average length of hospitalization was 41 months. Eighty-eight percent of the cases were residents of Lorraine. The etiology was traumatic (53%), vascular (38% including 12% anoxia), miscellaneous (9%). Fifteen percent rate of return to arousal (average time period: 28.41 months, traumatic etiology) with hospital discharge in four cases. Conclusion The protocol is managed as part of a local scheme and enables an appropriate response to a specific clinical profile by providing up-to-date multidiscipline follow-up care and a rapid solution should intercurrent events occur (signs of arousal, orthopedic deterioration, change of environment). Typical limitations are geographical remoteness and difficulties with family support care.

Audience effects

Audience effects

If I die before I wake: not a worry for sleep apnea patients

in theory, obstructive apneas can be terminated either by arousal or by increases in chemical drive that excite the upper airway dilating muscles ([1][1]). However, the still-prevalent view, which Younes et al. ([13][2]) test in their study in the Journal of Applied Physiology , is that obstructive

Gender-specific effects of prenatal stress on emotional reactivity and stress physiology of goat kids

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of maternal stress during pregnancy on the emotional reactivity, the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis, and the sympatho-adrenomedullary (SAM) system of goat offspring according to their gender, and to investigate the role of maternal cortisol in prenatal stress effects. Goats were exposed to ten transports in isolation or ten ACTH injections (0.125 IU/kg body weight) during the last third of pregnancy. Control goats remained undisturbed. No effect of repeated transport during the last third of pregnancy was found on basal cortisol concentrations of the offspring. However, an increase in phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase activity in the adrenals was observed in prenatally stressed kids compared to control kids ( P = 0.031). In the presence of novelty, prenatally stressed female kids were more active ( P = 0.049) than control females; they also showed more signs of arousal ( P = 0.039) and tended to explore more of their environment ( P = 0.053) in reaction to a startling stimulus. On the contrary, prenatally stressed male kids tended to be less active ( P = 0.051) than control male kids but showed more signs of distress ( P = 0.047) in the presence of novelty. Intermediate effects were found on the emotional reactivity to novelty of kids born from dams given injections of ACTH. In conclusion, transport stress in pregnant goats affects the sympatho-adrenomedullary system and the emotional reactivity of their offspring in a gender-specific manner. Moreover, the effects of prenatal transport and ACTH injections showed some similarities but differed in some critical details.

The bispectral index does not correlate with clinical signs of inhalational anesthesia during sevoflurane induction and arousal in children.

Validation of the bispectral index (BIS) in children requires correlating BIS with several levels of sedation, hypnosis and anesthesia. Our purpose was to compare BIS values with objective assessments of the level of hypnosis in children. We postulated that BIS predicted the level of anesthesia during induction and emergence in children. In a prospective observational study, we evaluated the BIS monitor in 87 children (ages: 0.3 to 14 yr) ASA physical status I-II undergoing general surgery under sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. Clinical signs of inhalational anesthesia (CSA), the motor response to surgical incision and signs of arousal were used as indicators of the depth of anesthesia. CSA and BIS measurements were paired every minute during induction and emergence until arousal. CSA scores decreased during induction and increased during emergence (P < 0.001) and correlated with changes in sevoflurane concentrations (r = -0.46; P < 0.001). BIS was associated with changes in CSA scores during induction (r = 0.49; P < 0.01) and emergence (r = 0.62; P < 0.01), but the ranges of individual BIS values overlapped several levels of hypnosis. A BIS value greater than 50 had a positive predictive value of 25% for distinguishing between responders and non-responders to surgical incision. A BIS score equal or greater than 72 had a predictive value of 63% for discriminating between pre-arousal and arousal. BIS correlates with several levels of hypnosis during inhalational induction and emergence in children, but individual BIS values show large inter-individual variability. The BIS monitor identified the physiological changes associated with arousal and distinguished the effects of preoperative sedation during emergence. The use of movement as an endpoint of hypnosis during surgical stimulation does not correlate with BIS values in children. The large inter-individual variability of BIS at different levels of anesthetic depth may limit the applicability of BIS to pediatric anesthesia.

BLADDER FUNCTION IN HEALTHY NEONATES AND ITS DEVELOPMENT DURING INFANCY

Bladder function in healthy neonates and its development during infancy are described. Results of free voiding studies of healthy neonates and infants using 4-hour voiding observation and urodynamics studies were reviewed. According to these studies, voiding in the healthy neonate is characterized by small, frequent voids of varying volume in the individual case and interrupted voiding in 30% of the cases. Interrupted voiding is clearly an immature phenomenon since it is seen in 60% of preterm neonates and disappears completely before the age of toilet training. These voidings are considered to be due to a dyscoordination between the sphincter and detrusor, which has also been observed on urodynamic studies and which probably also explains incomplete emptying seen in this age group. Emptying remains incomplete to the age of toilet training when residual urine is median 0 ml. during 4 hours of observation. Voiding rarely occurs during quiet sleep even in the neonatal period, when signs of arousal are often noted before voiding. However, voiding during sleep in 60% occurs of preterm infants, indicating that it may be due to maturation of the central nervous system. Bladder instability is rarely seen in healthy neonates and infants according to urodynamic studies but hyperactivity is suggested in the neonatal bladder with premature voiding contractions after only a few milliliters of filling and with leakage of urine. This latter phenomenon probably explains the low cystometric bladder capacity in this age group. High voiding pressure levels also accompany this low bladder capacity. Thus, it can be suggested that the neonatal bladder is regulated by neuronal pathways with connections to the cerebral cortex in the neonatal period, which is contrary to the earlier concept of voiding as an automatic event in response to a constant volume in the bladder. This theory does not mean that voiding is conscious or voluntary in this age group, but only that the voiding reflex disturbs the neonate. New characteristics include the concept of physiological dyscoordination, such as hyperactivity of the detrusor seen as low bladder capacity, and high voiding pressures in the neonatal period.

Atrial natriuretic hormone in lactate-induced panic attacks: mode of release and endocrine and pathophysiological consequences

Previous studies have shown unequivocally a lack of pituitary-adrenocortical stress hormone activation during lactate-induced panic attacks despite considerable psychopathological alterations, signs of arousal and several vegetative symptoms regularly occurring during stressful conditions. To study the possible inhibitory action of atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol release in humans, 10 patients with panic disorder (DSM-III-R) received sodium lactate and placebo (0.9% saline) infusions and ten healthy comparison subjects additionally received a 2.5% saline infusion and the response of ANH, vasopressin, ACTH, cortisol, and several biochemical and physiological cardiovascular parameters were measured. In comparison to placebo, lactate infusion led to enhanced ANH levels in both non-panicking comparison subjects and panickers. Importantly, panickers showed significantly lower baseline levels of ANH than comparison subjects followed by a faster release. No significant concomitant changes in vasopressin, ACTH, and cortisol were observed. During lactate infusion, heart rate was accelerated considerably in the two groups; in contrast, the reduction of pCO 2 indicated an enhanced ventilation only in panickers. The pattern of ANH release cannot be attributed simply to either the volume load administered, the cardiac activation or an osmotic effect since neither 0.9 nor 2.5% saline resulted in comparable effects. Additional central nervous mechanisms must be considered for the increased ANH concentrations in lactate-induced panic attacks. We propose that the release of ANH is an intrinsic mechanism contributing to the apparent unresponsiveness of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in lactate-induced panic attacks. In addition, we surmise that ANH may also play a role in the yet unknown mechanisms for termination of panic attacks e.g. either by inhibitory actions on the locus coeruleus or by bronchiorelaxation and consecutive decatastrophization.

Sexual behavior in adults with autism.

A survey of the sexual behavior of 89 adults with autism living in group homes in North Carolina found that the majority of individuals were engaging in some form of sexual behavior. Masturbation was the most common sexual behavior. However, person-oriented sexual behaviors with obvious signs of arousal were also present in one third of the sample. The relationship between sexual behavior and demographic variables and other types of behaviors is explored. Information regarding group home sexuality policies and procedures are described.

K-complexes: are they signs of arousal or sleep protective?

The number of K-complexes recorded at the central-temporal EEG derivation (C3-T3) during 5 min periods for both the ascending and descending phase of Stage 2 of NREM sleep for cycles 1, 2. etc. were counted in 10 subjects for each of the following five groups: normal persons, patients with a primary generalized form of epilepsy, narcolepsy, insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea. The differences in time spent in different stages of sleep were as expected for these types of patients. A 2-within, 1-between factors, repeated measure ANOVA was applied to the data on K-complexes. Overall, there was no significant difference between the number of K-complexes observed during the ascending and descending phases of the different sleep cycles. Patients with a sleep disorder had significantly less well-defined K-complexes than the normals and the patients with a primary form of generalized epilepsy: for insomnia (P = 0.035), for apnoea (P = 0.011) and for narcolepsy (P = 0.001). There was a significant, but very low correlation coefficient between the number of K-complexes observed during Stage 2 of NREM sleep and the time spent during that stage for all groups combined (Rho 0.27, P = 0.002) and for the narcoleptic patients (Rho 0.44, P = 0.017). In all, the findings lend support to the hypothesis that a K-complex can be seen as a 'defensive response', or has a sleep protective function.

Impaired ventilation in infants sleeping facedown: Potential significance for sudden infant death syndrome

Although accidental suffocation has been suggested as a cause of sudden infant death syndrome in infants who are found prone with their faces straight down, the occurrence and effects on breathing of this position in living infants are unknown. We studied prone sleeping infants to see whether they will sleep with their faces straight down; whether they can spontaneously change from this position; the way that thermal stimuli or bedding softness influences this change; and whether rebreathing or airway obstruction occurs. We studied 11 healthy infants, aged 0.2 to 6 months, while they slept on soft and on firm bedding. Most infants slept facedown spontaneously or when turned to this position. All could turn their heads readily but slept facedown for variable periods. All infants put their faces straight down more often after cold than after warm stimuli. Obstructive apnea occurred only once, but rebreathing occurred in all subjects. When the infants were in the facedown position, inspired carbon dioxide was three times greater on soft than on hard bedding. End-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure rose in all subjects while they were in the facedown position; in one infant, high end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure and desaturation occurred without signs of arousal. We conclude that infants sleeping facedown may occasionally have significant asphyxia; this sleep position may have a role in some infant deaths diagnosed as sudden infant death syndrome.

Ketamine, Telazol®, Xylazine and Detomidine

This study was designed to assess the effects of 5 anesthetic drug combinations in ponies: (1) ketamine 2.75 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (KX), (2) Telazol 1.65 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (TX), (3) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 20 micrograms/kg (TD-20), (4) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 40 micrograms/kg (TD-40), (5) Telazol 3 mg/kg, detomidine 60 micrograms/kg (TD-60). All drugs were given iv with xylazine or detomidine preceding ketamine or Telazol by 5 min. Heart rate was decreased significantly from 5 min to arousal after TD-20 but only at 60 and 90 min after TD-40 and TD-60 respectively. Respiratory rate was decreased significantly for all ponies. Induction time did not differ between treatments. Duration of analgesia was 10 min for KX, 22.2 min for TX, 27.5 min for TD-20, 32.5 min for TD-40, and 70 min for TD-60. Arousal time was significantly longer with detomidine and Telazol. Smoothness of recovery was judged best in ponies receiving KX and TD-40. All ponies stood unassisted 30 min after signs of arousal.

SYMPATHETIC MUSCLE NERVE ACTIVITY DURING SLEEP IN MAN

Muscle sympathetic activity (MSA) was recorded in the peroneal nerve during sleep in 14 sleep-deprived healthy subjects. Continuous noninvasive recordings of finger blood pressure were obtained in 7 subjects. In light sleep (stage 2 sleep) the number of sympathetic bursts/min decreased to 90 +/- 8% (mean +/- SEM) and total MSA (= burst/min x mean burst area) to 89 +/- 5% of the awake value (P less than 0.05, n = 14). In deep sleep (stage 3-4) total MSA decreased further, to 71 +/- 8% of the awake value (n = 5). There was no close correlation between variations of depth of sleep and variations of sympathetic activity but during continuously deepening sleep MSA decreased progressively with time. In stage 2 sleep, high amplitude K complexes were accompanied by short-lasting increases of sympathetic activity. Since these increases of MSA were not preceded by decreases of diastolic blood pressure, which is known to evoke increased sympathetic nerve traffic in muscle nerves, we suggest that K complex related increases of MSA are signs of arousal which elicit both cortical EEG phenomena and activation of cerebral sympathetic centres. During desynchronized (REM) sleep, total MSA increased to 124 +/- 12% of the value in awake state (n = 5). The increases occurred mainly in short irregular periods, often related to rapid eye movements and there was an inverse relationship between the duration of the desynchronized sleep and the increase of total MSA. Our findings are similar to the data obtained in animal experiments and may partly explain changes of blood pressure during synchronized and desynchronized sleep reported previously in man.

Medetomidine, a new sedative‐analgesic for use in the dog and its reversal with atipamezole

ABSTRACTThe sedative and physiological effects of intramuscular medetomidine (20 and 40 μg/kg) in dogs were compared with those of xylazine (2 mg/kg). The efficacy of atipamezole (200 μg/kg), as an antagonist given 15 or 45 minutes after medetomidine (40 μg/kg) was studied. Following medetomidine, onset of sedation was rapid, and depth and duration of sedation were dose dependent. The higher dose produced jaw relaxation, depression of the pedal reflex, downward rotation of the eye and dogs could be positioned for radiography of the hips. Side effects were similar after either medetomidine or xylazine, and included bradycardia, a fall in respiratory rate and muscle tremor. Vomiting during induction was less frequent after medetomidine than after xylazine. Intramuscular administration of atipamezole rapidly reversed the sedative effects of medetomidine. Signs of arousal were seen within three minutes; all dogs could stand within 10 minutes and appeared clinically normal. Heart and respiratory rates rose, but did not return to presedation values. Relapse to sedation was not noted.

Responses in the diagonal band of Broca evoked by stimulation of the fornix in the cat.

1. Field potentials were recorded within the boundaries of the septal component of the diagonal band of Broca following stimulation of the fornix. The position of the recording electrode was marked by pressure injection of Alcian blue dye. 2. Stimulation of the medial aspect of the ipsilateral fornix produced a simple field caudally consisting of a short duration, short latency negative wave (N1) and a later small prolonged positive wave (P1). It is suggested that N1 is due to antidromic activation of the cells and P1 to their recurrent inhibition. 3. In the rostral part of the septal component of the diagonal band of Broca the field pattern was more complex, containing, in addition to N1 and P1, further negative waves, N2 and N3. N2 was compounded of antidromically and synaptically evoked components and N3 was associated with monosynaptic excitation of the cells. 4. Stimulation of the lateral margin of the fornix was shown to excite antidromically and synaptically the same cells as were excited by stimulation of the medial aspect of the fornix. 5. Stimulation of the medial and lateral aspects of contralateral fornix generated positive waves of similar character to P1. 6. Intracarotid injection of hyperosmotic saline solution caused behavioural signs of arousal and inhibition of spontaneous discharge in a third of the units tested. Spontaneously discharging units (mean frequency +/- S.E. of mean, 13.4 +/- 1.8, n = 55) were inhibited by stimulation of the medial and lateral ipsilateral and contralateral fornix. It is suggested that inhibitory interneurones receive contra- and ipsilateral input. Units with these characteristics were found. 7. The septal component of the diagonal band of Broca was compared with other septal nuclei and found to resemble them in its rostral portion in that it has a reciprocal relationship with ventral and dorsal hippocampus. The caudal portion is unique in the cells project to dorsal and ventral hippocampus but there is no reciprocal projection.

Effects of cortical spreading depression on behaviors elicited by hypothalamic stimulation in rats

Eating or drinking was elicited via electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus of rats. To determine the effects of single waves of cortical spreading depression on elicited behavior, 1,1 animals were tested with 10 sec trains of stimulation at 20 sec intervals and administered 1–5 μl of 6% KCl through cannulae onto the frontal or occipital cortices of the contralateral or ipsilateral hemispheres. Under single waves of bilateral spreading depression the elicited consummatory behavior was blocked, but other signs of arousal were intact. Single waves of unilateral depression increased the onset-latencies and decreased the duration of elicited behavior, depending on the magnitude of the electrical stimulation. Anterior cortical injection blocked elicited behavior earlier than occipital injection. No differences were apparent between ipsilateral and contralateral injection of KCl. In some animals single waves of unilateral depression were accompanied by a reversible shifting from one elicited consummatory response to another, usually from eating to drinking. The results were interpreted to reflect cortico-hypothalamic interactions in the control of motivated behavior.