Stress Reactions Research Articles

Purpose in Life and Stress Reactivity.

Individuals with a stronger sense of purpose in life experience better health across the lifespan. This chapter describes one mechanism linking purpose to health, namely stress reactivity. Across survey, experimental, and daily diary studies, research demonstrates that sense of purpose may yield a homeostatic function, insofar that it helps individuals stay the course to progress toward their purpose in life. Future research is needed to examine how self-regulatory capabilities explain why sense of purpose influences reactivity to stressors and daily events.

Revisiting Eysenck: The Association Between Personality and Acute Stress Reactivity

Eysenck’s biopsychological model of stress posits that the extraversion–introversion distinction is associated with different thresholds of arousal, which in turn moderate the stress response. Although higher thresholds of activation have been reported in the context of physiological stress induction, more contemporary research has resulted in mixed findings. The objective of the current study was to revisit Eysenck’s biopsychological model of stress by examining associations between the two personality dimensions (extraversion–introversion and neuroticism–stability) and stress reactivity in response to the Trier Social Stress Test. A total of 122 participants aged 18 to 80 years were recruited. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires, including a personality questionnaire, and were exposed to the TSST, during which salivary cortisol and galvanic skin responses (GSR) were recorded. People scoring higher on extraversion displayed heightened GSR relative to people scoring lower on extraversion. Furthermore, sex-based analyses suggest that this association was driven by females. No significant associations were found for cortisol or with respect to the neuroticism–stability dimension of personality. These findings highlight the need to take a more nuanced approach to investigating the association between personality and stress reactivity, highlighting the importance of the stress induction protocol and the stress-sensitive system under investigation.

Physiological and Psychological Stress Reactivity in Narcolepsy Type 1.

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic sleep-wake disorder, characterized by a loss of hypocretin production. Unexpectedly, in post-mortem tissue of people with NT1 there is a loss of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular nucleus. CRH is known as activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. This activation results in the release of the stress hormones adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. We hypothesize an altered physiological and psychological stress response in NT1. Participants were people with NT1 (n=14) and matched healthy controls (n=12). The Trier Social Stress Test for Groups (TSST-G), a validated socially evaluated stress test in controlled settings, induced acute stress. We measured ACTH and cortisol levels in blood before and at three timepoints after the TSST-G. We also measured subjective stress and heart rate levels. In both groups, acute stress led to increases in ACTH (p=0.006), cortisol (p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.001) and subjective stress (p<0.001). Subjectively, people with NT1 experienced more stress than controls (p<0.001). No differences were found in heart rate, cortisol, and ACTH between people with NT1 and controls at any timepoint. Secondary analyses showed that men with NT1 had lower cortisol levels immediately after stress induction than men in the control group (p=0.002). People with NT1 show an increased subjective stress response, but no changes in their endocrine or cardiovascular stress reactivity. Further research is required to determine the impact of reduced CRH production and gender in NT1.

Turn Hood into Good: Recycling Silicon from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles through Magnesium Modification to Lower Toxicity and Promote Tissue Regeneration.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have gained wide application as excellent carrier materials; however, their limited degradation in the biological system and potential chronic toxicity pose challenges to their clinical applications. Previous studies have focused on optimizing the elimination performance of MSNs; interestingly, silicon has been well-documented as an essential body component. Therefore, converting MSNs into a form readily utilizable by the organism is a way to turn waste into a valuable resource. However, the recycling and utilization of MSNs are associated with significant hurdles. This study proposes an approach to impede the formation of siloxane, the crucial core in MSNs, by introducing a gradient concentration of Mg2+. The invasion of Mg2+ significantly reduces the stability of Si-O-Si bonds by substituting silicon ions while preserving the functional three-dimensional structure. Recycling the increased release of Mg and Si ions enhances cellular antioxidant capacity, reduces oxidative stress reactions, improves mitochondrial function, and regulates macrophage inflammatory states. The proposed approach to converting MSN materials shows significant advantages for tissue regeneration in the periodontal defect model. This study opens an insight for applying MSNs in clinical applications in regenerative medicine.

Accuracy and Applicability of a Tool Designed to Address Pharmacy Personnel Stress.

Many pharmacy workplaces are so stressful that pharmacy personnel are unable to meet both clinical and non-clinical duties. Adjustments to training, roles, and responsibilities are not able to be made quickly enough to adapt to change and meet expanding responsibilities. Misalignment between a person's unique personality type and their work dynamics can be associated with a stress reaction, what that reaction looks like, and what strategies would be most effective for reducing stress. The objectives for this study were to: (1) assess variability in the personality types of pharmacy personnel, (2) explore variation in most satisfying job activities and perceptions of stress by personality type, and (3) receive feedback regarding the accuracy, applicability, and recommendations for improving a tool for addressing stress. A self-administered online questionnaire was used for collecting data from 1,098 pharmacy personnel licensed in Minnesota. After answering four Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire (PCSQ) items, a personalized De-Stress RxTM report was generated for each respondent's feedback by answering questions about the tool's accuracy, applicability to them for helping reduce or manage stress, and recommendations for improving its usefulness. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings showed variability in the personality types of pharmacy personnel and that both the most satisfying job activities and stress perceptions vary by personality type. A tool that was designed to address pharmacy personnel stress was found to be both accurate and applicable. Study participants encouraged the expansion of the tool to include resources for follow-up and implementation. Also, they recommended expansion to teach groups and leaders about how to apply this tool to whole organizations, group dynamics, and evolving practice settings. We propose that the De-Stress RxTM Tool can help reduce the stress that is inherent in current pharmacy work settings.

Abstract 4140185: The Burden Of Substance Abuse And Mental Health Disorders In Patients Admitted With Stress Cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Several studies have linked mental health disorders and substance abuse as risk factors for stress cardiomyopathy (SC). However, the true burden of these disorders amongst patients with stress cardiomyopathy remains unknown. Methods: We used the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample database to identify hospitalizations for SC who underwent diagnostic catheterization. We assessed the proportion of patients diagnosed with a substance abuse or mental health disorder. Subsequently, the association of these disorders in SC compared to patients admitted for myocardial infarction (MI) was assessed using the chi-square test. Results: From 2016 to 2020, there were 33,075 hospitalizations for stress cardiomyopathy who were diagnosed by cardiac catheterization. Of these patients, 5,920 (17.9 %) had depression, 8,500 (25.7 %) had anxiety, 1058 (3.2 %) had severe stress reactions, and 16,372 (49.5 %) were diagnosed with a mental health disorder. 9,955 (30.1 %) were smokers, 5,358 (16.2%) abused hallucinogens, 5,457 (16.5 %) abused cocaine, 5,457 (16.5%) abused sedatives, 6,019 (18.2 %) abused cannabis, 5,920 (17.9%) abused opioids, 6,416 (19.4 %) abused alcohol. Subsequently, the association of stress cardiomyopathy with mental and substance abuse disorder was compared with patients admitted with myocardial infarction See Table 1. Conclusion: Mental health and substance abuse disorders are common in patients diagnosed with SC. These disorders are more commonly present in SC compared to MI. Further research is needed to assess the significance of these findings.

Infants show negative changes in affect and physiology when re-experiencing a stressor, its context, and a positive event 24-h later.

Exposure to early life stress shapes further development, affects later stress reactivity, and mental health outcomes. Despite the central role of early experiences, there is little understanding of how these rapidly forgotten events gain their influence. An infant's ability to cope with everyday stressors is founded on successful co-regulation through mother-infant interaction. A significant disruption of this interaction through the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm elicits a well-documented behavioral and physiological stress response in infants. What has yet to be explored is whether infants show regulatory adaptions when encountering the situation over again. To fill this gap, 80 mother-infant dyads were observed in the lab on two consecutive days. Infants in the experimental condition (n=40) were exposed to a double Still-Face paradigm on day one. Infants in the control group (n=40) completed time-matched episodes of typical play during their first visit. Mother-infant dyads from both groups returned to the lab 24h later and participated in the double Still-Face paradigm. Changes in behavior (positive and negative affect), physiology (heart rate), and salivary cortisol, compared to day one and between groups, were evaluated and used to infer adaption to the previous experienced laboratory visit. Infants in the experimental condition showed a significant decrease in positive affect (p=0.016) and an increase in heart rate (p<0.001) on day two, compared to controls, even during baseline measures and a neutral first play episode. Infants in the control condition showed a significant decrease in affect (p=0.05) and non-significant increase in heart rate on day two when first encountering the Still-Face paradigm. Infants in the experimental condition showed significant higher heart rate on day two compared to the control group (p=0.046). Infants in the experimental condition also exhibited a marginally significant increase in salivary cortisol on day two, compared to day one (p=0.054). The change in infant heart rate was independent of maternal heart rate which did not differ between day one and day two, or between groups. Findings suggest that a previous stressful experience may elicit a behavioral and physiological adaption in infants 24h later. Our results suggest that even a short, acute stressful event can elicit a lasting stress response in infants 24h later. The effect we observed was specific to the context of the stressful event, not just the stressor. More precisely, the effect "spilled over" from the stressful experience on day one into the baseline measure of day two, usually a neutral experience. The results could have implications for further research on how stressful experiences may shape the stress response.

Female Wistar Kyoto More Immobile rats with genetic stress hyper-reactivity show enhanced contextual fear memory without deficit in extinction of fear.

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is higher in females than males, but pre-clinical models are established almost exclusively in males. This study is aimed to investigate the stress-enhanced fear learning model of PTSD in females. The model mirrors PTSD symptomology in males, whereby prior stress leads to extinction resistant exaggerated contextual fear memory. As stress reactivity is highly relevant to the study and risk for PTSD, females of the stress hyper-reactive Wistar Kyoto More Immobile (WMI) and its nearly isogenic control the Wistar Kyoto Less Immobile (WLI) strains were employed. Prior studies have shown WMI females presenting unchanged or enhanced fear memory in the stress-enhanced fear learning paradigm compared WLIs. The present study confirmed the enhanced fear memory following contextual fear conditioning in WMIs compared to WLI females, but this increased fear memory was neither exaggerated by prior stress nor showed extinction deficit. The novel stressor of a glucose challenge test resulted in subtle strain- and prior stress-induced differences in plasma glucose responses. However, fasting plasma corticosterone levels were lower, and rose slower in response to glucose challenge in WMI females, suggesting a PTSD-like dysfunctional stress response. Hippocampal expressions of genes relevant to both learning and memory and the stress response were decreased in stressed WMIs compared to WLI females, further suggesting a marked dysregulation in stress-related functions like in PTSD. Thus, although WMI females do not show extinction-resistant enhanced fear memory, they do present other characteristics that are relevant to PTSD in women.

Sex Differences in the Neuroendocrine Stress Response: A View from a CRH-Reporting Mouse Line

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons within the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) play a crucial role in initiating the neuroendocrine response to stress and are also pivotal in coordination of autonomic, metabolic, and behavioral stress reactions. Although the role of parvocellular CRHPVH neurons in activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is well established, the distribution and function of CRH-expressing neurons across the whole central nervous system are less understood. Stress responses activate complex neural networks, which differ depending on the type of stressor and on the sex of the individual. Because of the technical difficulties of localizing CRH neurons throughout the rodent brain, several CRH reporter mouse lines have recently been developed. In this study, we used Crh-IRES-Cre;Ai9 reporter mice to examine whether CRH neurons are recruited in a stressor- or sex-specific manner, both within and outside the hypothalamus. In contrast to the clear sexual dimorphism of CRH-mRNA-expressing neurons, quantification of CRH-reporting, tdTomato-positive neurons in different stress-related brain areas revealed only subtle differences between male and female subjects. These results strongly imply that sex differences in CRH mRNA expression occur later in development under the influence of sex steroids and reflects the limitations of using genetic reporter constructs to reveal the current physiological/transcriptional status of a specific neuron population. Next, we compared the recruitment of stress-related, tdTomato-expressing (putative CRH) neurons in male and female Crh-IRES-Cre;Ai9 reporter mice that had been exposed to predator odor. In male mice, fox odor triggered more c-Fos in the CRH neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, central amygdala, and anterolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis compared to females. These results indicate that male mice are more sensitive to predator exposure due to a combination of hormonal, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Psychoneurological disorders in the stage of post-COVID syndrome

Аim. Generalization and systematization of ideas about the pathophysiological mechanisms of asthenic syndrome development against the background of COVID-19.Materials and methods. The work analyzed scientific articles and monographs devoted to the etiopathogenesis of post-COVID asthenic syndrome (PCAS). The search was carried out by the keywords «COVID-19», «post-COVID syndrome», «psychoneurological disorders», «asthenic syndrome» using the PubMed, Medline, eLibrary.ru databases.Results and discussion. The ideas about the clinical structure of PCAS are systematized, the mechanisms of penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the nervous system are presented, modern views on the molecular mechanisms of the development of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 convalescents are highlighted. The key pathogenetic links of PCAS are described, including immune deviations associated with cytokine imbalance, oxidative and nitrosative stress reactions with subsequent activation of anaerobic metabolic pathways in brain and muscle tissues; neurometabolic changes accompanied by dysfunction of the serotonergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic and GABAergic systems.Conclusion. Analysis of world literature data, as well as our own clinical experience, allows us to conclude that psychoneurological disorders associated with COVID-19 infection are multifaceted and complex and are accompanied by highly variable symptoms. At the same time, the existing fragmentary knowledge regarding the pathomechanisms of psychoneurological disorders against the background of COVID-19 dictates an urgent need to continue further research in this area.

Prospective stability of memory for peritraumatic dissociation and anxiety: Replication and extension examining PTSD treatment modality and response.

Retrospective memory for peritraumatic reactions occurring during or immediately after trauma exposure may decrease in intensity for some over treatment. This may be due to psychotherapy-specific memory processes, such as repeated accessing of the trauma memory. Additionally, it may be that recovery drives changes in memory for these experiences. Critical to examining these hypotheses is an effective control treatment that reduces symptoms but does not directly involve repeated retrieval of the trauma memory, such as pharmacotherapy. In a sample of 200 individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder, retrospective memory for dissociation and anxiety occurring around the index traumatic event (Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, Marmar et al., 1997; Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, Cardeña et al., 2000) was assessed before and after treatment in a randomized clinical trial (NCT00127673) comparing prolonged exposure and sertraline. Participants reported that their memory for dissociation and anxiety at the time of the trauma was less intense at posttreatment (d = 0.26-0.64). There was no difference between prolonged exposure and sertraline on these memory indices. However, treatment responders, using a clinically meaningful change cutoff score, remembered their reactions at the time of the trauma as less dissociative (d = 0.66) and less anxious (d = 1.19) at posttreatment than nonresponders. Retrospective memory for the intensity of reactions experienced at the time of the traumatic event decreased from pre- to posttreatment, with effects most pronounced for those who made clinically meaningful gains in treatment. Inclusion of a nonpsychotherapy intervention control argues that recovery processes may explain these shifts and point to potential mood-dependent memory effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationships between personality factors and DC/TMD Axis II scores of psychosocial impairment among patients with pain related temporomandibular disorders

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to assess the relationship between personality factors and the DC/TMD Axis II scores of psychosocial impairment among patients with pain related temporomandibular disorders (TMD). 120 participants (60 females and 60 males) who were diagnosed with pain related TMD according to the Axis I DC/TMD protocol were recruited. The participants were requested to complete four tests including the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) to assess personality factors and three Axis II DC/TMD tools; the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) Version 2.0 to assess TMD pain intensity and pain-related disability, Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to assess psychological distress due to TMD pain, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to assess patients’ stress reactivity. Results showed that 49.2% of the participants experienced high intensity of characteristic pain, 14.2% reported pain related disability more than 30 days (grade 3 disability days) and had disability scores of 70 or above (grade 3 disability scores), 16.7% demonstrated severe distress, and 18.3% reported severe anxiety due to TMD pain. Females scored higher on all these variables than males (P < .05). Multiple regression analyses indicated that higher extraversion scores, higher agreeableness scores and being a female were associated with higher intensity of characteristic pain (p < .05). Also, higher neuroticism and agreeableness scores were associated with more disability days (p < .05). In addition, higher agreeableness scores were associated with higher disability scores and disability point values (p < .05). Furthermore, lower neuroticism scores and being a female were associated with higher PHQ total scores, while being a female and having a lower level of education were associated with higher GAD total scores (p < .05). In conclusion, personality profiles and gender significantly impact the DC/TMD Axis II scores of psychosocial impairment among patients with pain related TMD.

Effectiveness and Safety of Low-flow Sevoflurane Combined with Remifentanil on Anaesthesia of Patients Undergoing Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the advantages of sevoflurane (low-flow) + remifentanil for patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. Methods: 300 patients admitted for gynaecological laparoscopic surgery between July 2020 and July 2023 were selected and divided equally by random number table, 150 cases were counted in the observation group, and sevoflurane (low-flow) + remifentanil was chosen for maintenance anaesthesia; 150 cases were counted in the reference group, and anaesthesia was maintained only with remifentanil. The anaesthesia indexes, haemodynamics, stress reaction indexes, and adverse reaction rate of the two groups were compared. Results: The anaesthesia indexes of the observation group were better than those of the reference group (P &lt; 0.05). Before 5 min of anaesthesia (T1), there was no difference between the haemodynamics and stress reaction indexes of the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). After 30 min of pneumoperitoneum (T2) and immediately after the end of surgery (T3), the hemodynamic and stress indicators of the observation group were lower than those of the reference group (P &lt; 0.05). The adverse reaction rate of the observation group was lower than that of the reference group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Sevoflurane (low-flow) + remifentanil can improve the anaesthesia indexes of gynecological laparoscopic surgery patients, stabilize intraoperative haemodynamics, reduce the stress reaction, and the safety of medication is high.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Energy CT for Bone Stress Injury of the Lower Limb.

Background Because of its ability to help assess the presence of subtle morphologic changes in bone and bone marrow edema, dual-energy CT (DECT) could be an alternative to MRI in the diagnosis of bone stress injury that includes a stress fracture (SF) and stress reaction (SR). Purpose To determine the diagnostic accuracy of DECT in identifying bone stress injury of the lower limb using MRI as the reference standard. Materials and Methods This prospective study, conducted between June 2021 and January 2024, included consecutive patients clinically suspected of having stress injury (SF or SR) of the lower limb (leg, ankle, or foot). Imaging diagnosis was based on the absence or presence of cortical or periosteal changes, bone marrow edema, or a fracture line. The diagnostic performance of four blinded independent readers was determined for the entire cohort and for the subset of participants without fracture lines. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Interobserver agreement was evaluated with Kendall coefficient of concordance (W). Results A total of 184 patients (mean age, 58 years ± 17 [SD]; 97 male) were enrolled. At MRI, 107 of 184 participants (58%) had positive diagnoses, including 70 with SF and 37 with SR. The mean overall sensitivity and specificity were 91% (390 of 428; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.95) and 93% (287 of 308; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.97), respectively, with an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.97). Among patients without fracture lines (n = 114), the mean overall sensitivity and specificity of DECT were 79% (117 of 148; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.88) and 93% (287 of 308; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.97), respectively, with an AUC of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.94). The interobserver agreement was very good for diagnosis of SF and SR combined (Kendall W = 0.90) and SR alone (Kendall W = 0.84). Conclusion DECT helped to accurately diagnose bone stress injury of the lower limb by identifying fracture lines and osseous stress reactions. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Breighner in this issue.

New mechanistic insights into soil ecological risk assessment of arsenite (III) and arsenate (V)：Cellular and molecular toxicity responses in Eisenia fetida

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a persistent bioaccumulation carcinogen that is most abundant in soils in the form of arsenite-As (III) and arsenate-As (V). However, there is currently very little explicit evidence about cytotoxicity of As on soil organisms. Moreover, toxicological data for iAs and proteotoxicity is shortage. The purpose of the present work is to elucidate the cytotoxicity mechanism of As (III) and As (V) to earthworms, a soil ecological sentinel species, and the molecular mechanisms by which As (III)/As (V) directly bind to antioxidative enzyme Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD). Results indicate that iAs triggered cell membrane injury and genotoxicity. As (V) (56.15%) induced lower cell viability than As (III) (61.88%). Higher ROS and lipid peroxidation level in As (V) support greater cytotoxicity. Differences in cellular uptake due to valence induced diverse levels of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. At the molecular level, As (III) (129.33%) induced higher Cu/Zn-SOD activity than As (V) (110.75%). Changes in backbone, secondary structure, amino acid microenvironment and particle size of Cu/Zn-SOD further revealed the mechanisms of differential molecular toxicity of As (III) and As (V). Binding reactions with Cu/Zn-SOD explain differences in molecular toxicity. Collective research showed that iAs-induced oxidative stress and binding reactions determine the difference of SOD activity between As (III) and As (V) at the cellular level. This work offers new insights into the health risk assessment of As.

Is the Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test a viable alternative to the Trier Social Stress Test?

BackgroundThe Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a widely used laboratory protocol to study acute stress reactivity, a hallmark of which is a meaningful increase in saliva cortisol (> 2.5 nmol/L) in most individuals, reflecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. The Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test (MMST) has potential as a low staff burden alternative to the TSST, with one study showing statistically significant increases in subjective stress, heart rate and saliva cortisol; however, uncertainty remains about the meaningfulness of these psychobiological responses. ObjectiveTo assess whether the MMST is a viable alternative to the TSST. MethodsUsing a between subjects design, 31 healthy adults were randomised to the standard TSST or the MMST using stratified block randomisation accounting for sex and trait anxiety. The standard TSST consisted of an anticipation phase, followed by a free speech and mental arithmetic task performed in front of a panel of trained actors. The MMST consisted of a computer based Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (cognitive stressor) with additional motivational, emotional, and acoustic stressors in the presence of one unresponsive observer. ResultsGroup x time interactions showed that the MMST induced smaller psychobiological responses compared with the TSST (mixed model ANCOVA, P < 0.05). Post-hoc analyses revealed that the MMST induced a significant yet smaller state anxiety response (score range 20–80, MMST: 47 ± 12 vs. TSST: 57 ± 9; P < 0.01, Cohens d = 0.9) and peak heart rate response (MMST: 98 ± 17 vs. TSST: 110 ± 21 bpm; P < 0.05, Cohens d = 0.6) compared with the TSST. Despite observing stereotypical neuroendocrine responses to the TSST, the MMST did not increase saliva α-amylase or cortisol (Δ saliva cortisol, 0.1 ± 1.1 vs. TSST: 10.3 ± 12.8 nmol/L; between group difference P < 0.01, Cohens d = 1.1). Moreover, meaningful increases in saliva cortisol (> 2.5 nmol/L) were observed in 80% of participants after the TSST but in no participant after the MMST. ConclusionThe Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test increased state anxiety and heart rate but not saliva cortisol. As such, the present results do not support the utility of the Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test as a viable alternative to The Trier Social Stress Test.

Building a dynamic adaptational process theory of resilience (ADAPTOR): Stress exposure, reserve capacity, adaptation, and consequence.

A Dynamic Adaptational Process Theory of Resilience (ADAPTOR) incorporates a synchronistic interplay of reserve capacity, adaptation, and consequences in the context of the larger exposome. This conceptualization of resilience centers on the argument that individuals can "build" resilience by drawing upon their various reserve capacities to effectively adapt to challenging contextual factors, and that this process has long-term consequences for health and wellness trajectories. These theoretical arguments were tested using the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-Being-COVID Study, which is a multitimescale, longitudinal study of data collected from September 2020 through February 2022. We included 444 participants (age range = 26-90, M = 62.23, SD = 14.26), and used hierarchical linear modeling to assess the effects of global perceptions of stress reactivity (reserve capacity), daily affective reactivity (adaptation), as well as negative pandemic exposure (exposome) on trajectories of depression and anxiety (consequences) across the COVID-19 pandemic. Most pertinent to ADAPTOR, an interactive effect indicated that reserve capacity and adaptation may serve compensatory roles for one another in the context of a more stressful exposome, whereas the synchrony between reserve capacity and adaptation may be important in the context of a less stressful exposome. These findings support the ADAPTOR framework, such that reserve capacity, adaptation, the exposome, and their confluence differentially impact various consequences. This ultimately highlights the importance of taking a dynamic, process-oriented, and multifaceted approach to studying resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Inhibition of LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells by natural Chlorogenic acid isomers involved with AKR1B1 inhibition

Inflammation is the physiological response of the immune system to injury or infection, typically manifested by local tissue congestion, swelling, heat, and pain. Prolonged or excessive inflammation can lead to tissue damage and the development of many diseases. The anti-inflammatory effects of natural ingredients have been extensively researched and confirmed. This study investigated the effects of Chlorogenic acid (CGA) isomers —— 3-Caffeolyquninic acid (3-CQA), 4-Caffeolyquninic acid (4-CQA), and 5-Caffeolyquninic acid (5-CQA) —— on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress reaction induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Overall, 3-CQA exhibited the most significant reduction in levels of TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and ROS. 4-CQA showed superior inhibition of TNF-α compared to 5-CQA (p < 0.05), while no significant difference in other parameters. We further used DARTS and CETSA to demonstrate that CGA isomers have stable affinity with AKR1B1. As a positive control, the AKR1B1 antagonist epalrestat exhibited similar effects to the CGA isomers. 3-CQA having the smallest half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) for AKR1B1, while 4-CQA and 5-CQA have similar values. AutoDock simulations of the docking conformations revealed minimal differences in the average binding energies of the CGA isomers. The main differences were that VAL47 formed a hydrogen bond with 3-CQA, whereas GLN49 formed hydrogen bonds with 4-CQA and 5-CQA. Additionally, the number of hydrophobic bonds involving PHE122 and LEU300 varies. Our conclusion is that differences in non-covalent interactions result in the varying inhibitory abilities of CGA isomers on AKR1B1, which further affect the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CGA isomers.

Improving psychological and social support needs after traumatic birth: A qualitative study

IntroductionEmergency deliveries increase maternal risk for postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One in three women describe their birth experience as traumatic, but patient-centered support needs are unclear. We conducted a qualitative study of women with traumatic birth to identify patient-centered priorities to optimize mental health support. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with women who experienced an emergency during birth, and who self-identified as experiencing traumatic birth. The Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire and PTSD Checklist were completed. Interviews included open-ended questions about birth events that improved or worsened their delivery experience, perceptions of mental, physical, and emotional support provided by staff, and patient perspectives about psychological and social support referrals after emergent deliveries. ResultsA majority of participants met positive screening criteria for PTSD at the time of interviews. Birth experiences were affected by prenatal expectations, as well as the style and quality of clinical staff communication during and after delivery. There were four key themes central to their experiences and perceptions: (1) Emotional Impact and Intensity, (2) Factors Influencing Birth Experience, (3) Perceived Lack of Emotional Support, and (4) Desire for Post-Birth Follow-Up and Support. Participants almost unanimously desired to be offered psychosocial services after birth trauma. ConclusionThere are significant gaps in emotional support and communication for patients experiencing traumatic births. Offering structured, in-hospital mental health referrals may address immediate psychological needs, aid in trauma recovery, and potentially mitigate long-term mental health consequences. These findings advocate for a more holistic approach to postpartum care that prioritizes both physical and emotional well-being.

No Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on Kynurenine Pathway, Inflammation, Depressive Symptoms, and Stress Response in Males: A Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Increased inflammation and heightened physiological stress reactivity have been associated with pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. The underlying biological mechanisms by which inflammation and stress may influence neurogenesis are changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, which is activated under stress. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase stress resilience. Whether n-3 PUFAs alter KYN stress response is unknown. Objectives: This placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of n-3 PUFAs on KYN metabolism, inflammation, depressive symptoms, and mood. Moreover, stress-induced changes following a laboratory stressor have been assessed. Methods: In this placebo-controlled study, 47 healthy male adults received either 4 g n-3 PUFAs per day (Omega-3 group) or a placebo (Placebo group) for 12 weeks. Results: A significant group-by-time interaction was found for the inflammatory markers gp130 (F = 7.07, p = 0.011), IL-6R alpha (F = 10.33, p = 0.003), and TNF_RI (F= 10.92, p = 0.002). No significant group-by-time interactions were found for KYN metabolites, depressive symptoms, and mood (except for Hedonic tone (F = 6.50, p = 0.014)), nor for stress-induced changes in KYN metabolites and mood following a laboratory stressor. Conclusions: Overall, increased n-3 PUFA levels in healthy men ameliorate inflammatory markers but do not ameliorate KYN metabolism, depressive symptoms, mood, or KYN metabolism and mood following a stress induction. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT05520437 (30/08/2022 first trial registration).