-
Social Cognitive and Affective... May 2024The smell of the own baby is a salient cue for human kin recognition and bonding. We hypothesized that infant body odors function like other cues of the Kindchenschema...
The smell of the own baby is a salient cue for human kin recognition and bonding. We hypothesized that infant body odors function like other cues of the Kindchenschema by recruiting neural circuits of pleasure and reward. In two functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, we presented infantile and post-pubertal body odors to nulliparae and mothers (N = 78). All body odors increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) response and functional connectivity in circuits related to olfactory perception, pleasure and reward. Neural activation strength in pleasure and reward areas positively correlated with perceptual ratings across all participants. Compared to body odor of post-pubertal children, infant body odors specifically enhanced BOLD signal and functional connectivity in reward and pleasure circuits, suggesting that infantile body odors prime the brain for prosocial interaction. This supports the idea that infant body odors are part of the Kindchenschema. The additional observation of functional connectivity being related to maternal and kin state speaks for experience-dependent priming.
Topics: Humans; Odorants; Female; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Infant; Adult; Smell; Brain; Olfactory Perception; Brain Mapping; Oxygen; Young Adult; Child; Reward; Pleasure
PubMed: 38850226
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae038 -
Does Walking Have an Association with Osteoarthritis? A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis.Clinical Interventions in Aging 2024Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the major disabling human diseases. The related studies indicate a potential correlation between walking and OA. However, there is still a... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the major disabling human diseases. The related studies indicate a potential correlation between walking and OA. However, there is still a lack of evidence in genetics to support the correlation between walking and OA. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between walking and OA at the genetic level.
METHODS
The publicly available Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) data were used, with inverse variance weighting (IVW, the random-effects model) as the main analysis method, whereas MR-Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode as the secondary analysis methods. In addition, Cochran's Q test, pleiotropy test, and MR-Egger intercept test were conducted to examine the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the outcome.
RESULTS
In the MR analysis, IVW results showed a negative correlation between types of physical activity in last 4 weeks: Walking for pleasure (not as a means of transport) and OA (KOA or HOA) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.3224, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1261 to 0.8243), and the difference was of statistical significance (P = 0.0181). Moreover, IVW results also revealed a negative correlation between types of physical activity in last 4 weeks: Walking for pleasure (not as a means of transport) and KOA (OR = 0.1396, 95% CI: 0.0484 to 0.4026), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0003). However, IVW results did not demonstrate any statistical significance types of physical activity in last 4 weeks: Walking for pleasure (not as a means of transport) and HOA (OR = 1.2075, 95% CI: 0.1978 to 7.3727, P = 0.8381).
CONCLUSION
From genetic studies, types of physical activity in last 4 weeks: Walking for pleasure (not as a means of transport) is negatively correlated with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), but there is no clear evidence supporting its correlation with hip osteoarthritis (HOA).
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Walking; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Exercise; Blindness
PubMed: 38312845
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S442259 -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... May 2024Attention is not constant but rather fluctuates over time and these attentional fluctuations may prioritize the processing of certain events over others. In music...
Attention is not constant but rather fluctuates over time and these attentional fluctuations may prioritize the processing of certain events over others. In music listening, the pleasurable urge to move to music (termed 'groove' by music psychologists) offers a particularly convenient case study of oscillatory attention because it engenders synchronous and oscillatory movements which also vary predictably with stimulus complexity. In this study, we simultaneously recorded pupillometry and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) from participants while they listened to drumbeats of varying complexity that they rated in terms of groove afterwards. Using the intertrial phase coherence of the beat frequency, we found that while subjects were listening, their pupil activity became entrained to the beat of the drumbeats and this entrained attention persisted in the EEG even as subjects imagined the drumbeats continuing through subsequent silent periods. This entrainment in both the pupillometry and EEG worsened with increasing rhythmic complexity, indicating poorer sensory precision as the beat became more obscured. Additionally, sustained pupil dilations revealed the expected, inverted U-shaped relationship between rhythmic complexity and groove ratings. Taken together, this work bridges oscillatory attention to rhythmic complexity in relation to musical groove.
Topics: Humans; Acoustic Stimulation; Auditory Perception; Electroencephalography; Periodicity; Movement; Music
PubMed: 38547812
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.02.013 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023The surge in social network services (SNS) usage has ignited concerns about potential addictive behaviors stemming from excessive engagement. This research focuses on...
The surge in social network services (SNS) usage has ignited concerns about potential addictive behaviors stemming from excessive engagement. This research focuses on pinpointing the primary determinants of SNS addiction by introducing a theoretical framework centered on flow, perceived enjoyment, and habit. A sample of 282 SNS users from South Korea was surveyed, and the gathered data was assessed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The evaluation revealed that positive affect closely relates to flow and perceived enjoyment, whereas negative affect amplifies flow but diminishes perceived enjoyment. Additionally, the research underscored that social influence significantly shapes habits and affects perceived enjoyment. Notably, flow demonstrated a strong connection to addiction, and perceived enjoyment influenced both flow and habit significantly. Habit was directly linked to addiction. These insights pave the way for more in-depth studies on SNS addiction patterns and offer a foundation for devising effective strategies to mitigate its adverse effects.
Topics: Humans; Social Media; Social Networking; Behavior, Addictive; Pleasure; Happiness
PubMed: 37794135
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43796-2 -
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Dec 2023Integrating pleasure may be a successful strategy for reaching young people with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. However, sexual...
Integrating pleasure may be a successful strategy for reaching young people with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. However, sexual pleasure-related programming and research remains sparse. We aimed to assess chatbot acceptability and describe changes in SRHR attitudes and behaviours among Kenyan young adults engaging with a pleasure-oriented SRHR chatbot. We used an exploratory mixed-methods study design. Between November 2021 and January 2022, participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire before and after chatbot engagement. In-depth phone interviews were conducted among a select group of participants after their initial chatbot engagement. Quantitative data were analysed using paired analyses and interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Of 301 baseline participants, 38% (115/301) completed the endline survey, with no measured baseline differences between participants who did and did not complete the endline survey. In-depth interviews were conducted among 41 participants. We observed higher satisfaction at endline vs. baseline on reported ability to exercise sexual rights (), confidence discussing contraception () and sexual feelings/needs () with their sexual partner(s). Qualitative interviews indicated that most participants valued the chatbot as a confidential and free-of-judgment source of trustworthy "on-demand" SRHR information. Participants reported improvements in sex-positive communication with partners and safer sex practices due to new learnings from the chatbot. We observed increases in SRHR empowerment among young Kenyans after engagement with the chatbot. Integrating sexual pleasure into traditional SRHR content delivered through digital tools is a promising strategy to advance positive SRHR attitudes and practices among youth.
Topics: Young Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Kenya; Pleasure; Reproductive Health; Sexual Behavior; Reproduction
PubMed: 37982143
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2269008 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Depression is characterized by prominent indicators and manifestations, such as anhedonia, which refers to the inability to experience pleasure, and persistent feelings... (Review)
Review
Depression is characterized by prominent indicators and manifestations, such as anhedonia, which refers to the inability to experience pleasure, and persistent feelings of hopelessness. In clinical practice, the primary treatment approach involves the utilization of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these agents are associated with significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) adopts a multifaceted approach, targeting diverse components, multiple targets, and various channels of action. TCM has potential antidepressant effects. Anomalies in adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) constitute a pivotal factor in the pathology of depression, with the regulation of AHN emerging as a potential key measure to intervene in the pathogenesis and progression of this condition. This comprehensive review presented an overview of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of active ingredients found in TCM. Through examination of recent studies, we explored how these ingredients modulated AHN. Furthermore, we critically assessed the current limitations of research in this domain and proposed novel strategies for preclinical investigation and clinical applications in the treatment of depression in future.
PubMed: 38152691
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1307746 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023This systematic review synthesized the outcomes of previous intervention studies published from January 2000-October 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of Dalcroze-based... (Review)
Review
This systematic review synthesized the outcomes of previous intervention studies published from January 2000-October 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of Dalcroze-based or similar music-movement integration among groups of individuals considered vulnerable (in relation to their abilities and health/wellbeing). The target groups addressed in previous intervention studies included individuals with special educational needs (such as disorders, disabilities, or impairments) or with a (risk of) decline in health and/or physical strength. Twenty articles met the review inclusion criteria. All studies showed beneficial outcomes for music-movement intervention except one that suffered from low adherence rates. In older adults, the benefits were cognitive, physical, social, and/or emotional, including improved postural stability, balance, gait safety, confidence in mobility, metamemory skills, dual-task performance, social and physical pleasure, autotelic/flow experience, enjoyment, health, and quality of life. In individuals with special educational needs, improvement was seen in relation to inclusion, reductions in compulsive and other problematic behaviors, self-regulation, perceptual and cognitive abilities and functions, linguistic and learning skills, auditory attention and phonological awareness, social interaction, engagement, and agency.
PubMed: 37744587
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1127654 -
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Dec 2023Pleasure is often left out of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. The expanding evidence base suggests that the inclusion of pleasure can... (Review)
Review
Pleasure is often left out of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. The expanding evidence base suggests that the inclusion of pleasure can improve SRHR outcomes and increase safer sex practices. However, there is a lack of research into how to include pleasure in applied SRHR work, particularly outside of key groups. This study aims to present the experiences of a cohort of pleasure implementers and develop a series of implementation best practices. Data were gathered from a structured survey filled out by pleasure implementers ( = 8) twice between September 2021 and October 2022 at 6-month intervals. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out remotely with pleasure implementers, those that funded their pleasure work ( = 2) or provided technical support ( = 2) in January 2023. Pleasure implementers, based in Central, East and Southern Africa and India, reported tangible outcomes of their pleasure-based work in various contexts and across diverse groups. Themes that emerged from analysis of the FGDs and survey responses included pleasure as a portal to positive outcomes, barriers to a pleasure approach, and mechanisms by which pleasure allows for open and non-judgmental discussion about sex and pleasure. A series of best practices emerged from pleasure implementer experiences. This study concludes that a pleasure-based approach can be introduced to a wide range of groups and communities, even those assumed too conservative to accept a pleasure approach. The best practices developed offer a range of practically driven recommendations, that others can lean on when integrating a pleasure approach into their work.
Topics: Humans; Reproductive Health; Pleasure; Sexual Behavior; Reproduction; Sexual Health
PubMed: 38037813
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2275838 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Oct 2023Stochastic simulations of virtual oil spills from ships were performed for the Adriatic Sea over 2017-2020, applying the European Marine Observation and Data Network...
Stochastic simulations of virtual oil spills from ships were performed for the Adriatic Sea over 2017-2020, applying the European Marine Observation and Data Network vessel densities as a proxy for starting locations of operational spillage. The MEDSLIK-II oil spill model was run using high-resolution currents provided by the Copernicus Marine Service and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts winds. Chronic exposure to operational oil spills was reported in terms of hazard indices for five vessel groups: pleasure and passenger ships, cargo and service vessels, the fishing fleet, tankers, and other ships. The northernmost Adriatic expectedly showed the highest hazard values, including the areas of Trieste and Venice, where cargo and service ships were the dominant polluters. The Croatian coastal waters were more chronically polluted than the Italian coastal waters; the predominant contribution was from coastwise pleasure and passenger ships.
PubMed: 37666136
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115450 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior May 2024A recent review of cultural and academic discourse presented evidence that some people experience attraction to two (or more) people in a preexisting relationship. This...
A recent review of cultural and academic discourse presented evidence that some people experience attraction to two (or more) people in a preexisting relationship. This phenomenon, symbiosexuality, is understudied in the field of sexuality. Lack of recognition and validation for this attraction, including in the polyamorous community, may be negatively impacting those who experience symbiosexual attraction. I conducted an integrated mixed-methods analysis of secondary data from the 2023 The Pleasure Study to learn more about symbiosexual attraction. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that people experience symbiosexual attraction, which they describe as an attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships. Further, findings from this study indicate that a diverse group of people experience symbiosexual attraction and, while unanticipated, symbiosexual attraction can be a strong, frequent, and/or pervasive experience. These findings push the boundaries of the concepts of desire and sexual orientation in sexuality studies and challenge the ongoing invisibility and invalidation of and stigma and discrimination against such attractions, within both the polyamorous community and our broader mononormative culture.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Sexual Behavior; Middle Aged; Sexual Partners; Young Adult; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Adolescent; Sexuality; Interpersonal Relations
PubMed: 38589744
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02857-x