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Journal of Medicine and Life 2010Acute stress increases resistance to infection. The alteration of this mechanism in chronically stressed people impairs the organism's ability to mount a strong immune... (Review)
Review
Acute stress increases resistance to infection. The alteration of this mechanism in chronically stressed people impairs the organism's ability to mount a strong immune response with a resultant increase in morbidity. Acute stress induces a probable sympatho-adrenergically mediated increase in chemotaxis and adhesion molecules expression, thus promoting immune cells migration to sites of infection and/or inflammation, while chronic stress impairs this mechanism. Protracted stressful conditions decrease NK cytotoxic capacity. There is a substance P, which under stressful circumstances mediates the increase in macrophage cytokine production. Acute stress increases T cell mobilization through a beta2-adrenergically mediated process, which is blunted during chronic stress. Psychological stress impairs the immune system's ability to produce antibodies in response to a vaccine, thereby making the organism more vulnerable to infections.
Topics: Chemotaxis; Humans; Immune System; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Humoral; Killer Cells, Natural; Stress, Psychological; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 20302192
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of the American Podiatric... Sep 2020The primary objective of this investigation was to objectify perceived stresses of students enrolled at a US college of podiatric medicine.
BACKGROUND
The primary objective of this investigation was to objectify perceived stresses of students enrolled at a US college of podiatric medicine.
METHODS
Following preliminary pilot data collection and representative student interviews, the Perceived Stress Scale and a newly developed survey consisting of 46 potential stresses were administered to students. Participants were asked to identify up to ten items from the survey that caused them the most stress and to further identify up to three of these ten that they considered to be the most stressful.
RESULTS
A response rate of 71.5% (261 of 365) was observed. Specific results demonstrate that levels of perceived stress in podiatric medical students are higher than those in the general population, as well as some potential trends with respect to specific perceived stresses that change over time.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this investigation provide quantitative evidence of perceived levels of stress and specific stresses of students enrolled at a US college of podiatric medicine. We hope that these findings increase awareness of stress in podiatric medicine, lead to colleges of podiatric medicine taking active steps to improve student stress education, and lead to future investigations of stress and mental health in the field of podiatric medicine.
Topics: Humans; Podiatry; Stress, Psychological; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities
PubMed: 33179069
DOI: 10.7547/18-067 -
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience Dec 2020Stressful events affect mnemonic processing, in particular for emotionally arousing events. Previous research on the mechanisms underlying stress effects on human memory...
Stressful events affect mnemonic processing, in particular for emotionally arousing events. Previous research on the mechanisms underlying stress effects on human memory focused on stress-induced changes in the neural activity elicited by a stimulus. We tested an alternative mechanism and hypothesized that stress may already alter the neural context for successful memory formation, reflected in the neural activity preceding a stimulus. Therefore, 69 participants underwent a stress or control procedure before encoding neutral and negative pictures. During encoding, we recorded high-density EEG and analyzed-based on multivariate searchlight analyses-oscillatory activity and cross-frequency coupling patterns before stimulus onset that were predictive of memory tested 24 hr later. Prestimulus theta predicted subsequent memory in controls but not in stressed participants. Instead, prestimulus gamma predicted successful memory formation after stress, specifically for emotional material. Likewise, stress altered the patterns of prestimulus theta-beta and theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling predictive of subsequent memory, again depending on the emotionality of the presented material. Our data suggest that stress changes the neural context for building new memories, tuning this neural context specifically to the encoding of emotionally salient events. These findings point to a yet unknown mechanism through which stressful events may change (emotional) memory formation.
Topics: Brain; Emotions; Humans; Memory
PubMed: 32762518
DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01613 -
Acta Endocrinologica (Bucharest,... 2019Many negative effects of stress regarding cognitive performances and gastrointestinal habits were previously reported in both animal models and human participants.
CONTEXT
Many negative effects of stress regarding cognitive performances and gastrointestinal habits were previously reported in both animal models and human participants.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare perceived stress levels with declared gastrointestinal habits changes in a small cohort of college students during academic acquisition and evaluation periods.
DESIGN
College students were recruited and divided into two groups: the control group evaluated during the acquisition period of the academic year and the stressed group evaluated during the examination period.
SUBJECT AND METHODS
The students' psychological and gastrointestinal status was evaluated using a common stress questionnaire and a gastrointestinal habits survey.
RESULTS
Our results showed increased perceived stress in college students during stressful conditions, as compared to lesser demanding periods. Similarly, more than 40%of the participants declared that gastrointestinal habits changes occurred during stressful periods. We observed significant correlations between the perceived stress levels and gastrointestinal habits changes.
CONCLUSION
This small-sized survey study showed that the occurrence of the stressful event in young adults recorded higher perceived stress scores and frequent functional gastrointestinal symptoms, as compared to the lower stressful periods. Also, we showed that functional gastrointestinal symptoms are rather common and could be regarded as a negative response to stress.
PubMed: 31508190
DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2019.274 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Dec 2019For 40 years, it has been known that chloroplasts signal to the nucleus and the cell to coordinate gene expression, maximize photosynthesis, and avoid stress. However,... (Review)
Review
For 40 years, it has been known that chloroplasts signal to the nucleus and the cell to coordinate gene expression, maximize photosynthesis, and avoid stress. However, the signaling mechanisms have been challenging to uncover due to the complexity of these signals and the stresses that induce them. New research has shown that many signals are induced by singlet oxygen, a natural by-product of inefficient photosynthesis. Chloroplast singlet oxygen not only regulates nuclear gene expression, but also cellular degradation and cell death. Stressed chloroplasts also induce post-translational mechanisms, including autophagy, that allows individual chloroplasts to regulate their own degradation and turnover. Such chloroplast quality control pathways may allow cells to maintain healthy populations of chloroplasts and to avoid cumulative photo-oxidative stress in stressful environments.
Topics: Autophagy; Cell Nucleus; Chloroplasts; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Photosynthesis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31442733
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2019.06.005 -
Functional Plant Biology : FPB Feb 2019Plants are constantly exposed to various stresses, which can degrade their health. The stresses can be alleviated by the application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which is... (Review)
Review
Plants are constantly exposed to various stresses, which can degrade their health. The stresses can be alleviated by the application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which is a hormone involved in plant signalling. MeJA induces synthesis of defensive compounds and initiates the expression of pathogenesis-related genes involved in systemic acquired resistance and local resistance. Thus, MeJA may be used against pathogens, salt stress, drought stress, low temperature, heavy metal stress and toxicities of other elements. The application of MeJA improves growth, induces the accumulation of active compounds, and affects endogenous hormones levels, and other physiological and biochemical characteristics in stressed plants. Furthermore, MeJA antagonises the adverse effects of osmotic stress by regulating inorganic penetrating ions or organic penetrants to suppress the absorption of toxic ions. MeJA also mitigates oxidative stress by activating antioxidant systems to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stressed plants. For these reasons, we reviewed the use of exogenous MeJA in alleviating biotic (pathogens and insects) and abiotic stresses in plants.
Topics: Acetates; Cyclopentanes; Oxylipins; Plants
PubMed: 32172764
DOI: 10.1071/FP18106 -
Journal of Human Stress Sep 1978The relationship between stress and menstrual distress is considered in response to three questions: (1) How stressful are menstruation and its associated events? (2)... (Review)
Review
The relationship between stress and menstrual distress is considered in response to three questions: (1) How stressful are menstruation and its associated events? (2) What factors serve to make menstruation stressful? (3) What are the effects of stress upon the menstrual cycle? Included in the analysis are estimates of the incidence of negative symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, other indicators of the stressfulness of the premenstrual and menstrual phases, adrenal factors, animal studies, and suggested directions for research and practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amenorrhea; Animals; Emotions; Environment; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Haplorhini; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Menstruation; Mental Processes; Papio; Personality; Premenstrual Syndrome; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 99472
DOI: 10.1080/0097840X.1978.9934989 -
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2019Observing another person in a stressful situation can cause a full-blown physiological stress response in the observer, which is referred to as empathic stress. One way...
Observing another person in a stressful situation can cause a full-blown physiological stress response in the observer, which is referred to as empathic stress. One way through which stress-related information might be transmitted between individuals under conditions of empathic stress is chemosensory communication. In the present study, we investigated whether the odorant Hedione, as a potential chemosignal, affects the empathic stress response at a physiological and psychological level. For this purpose, two experiments were designed, each testing one group of participants in an odor-free room and a second group in a room scented with Hedione. In Experiment 1, 60 participants (25 males) watched a video of an unknown female participant in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). In Experiment 2, 37 free-cycling females watched a live video of a male participant in the TSST. Observers' psychological and physiological stress response was captured repeated measurements of salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and self-report ratings. Empathy with the stressed participants was assessed on the dimensions of personal distress and empathic concern of the Emotional Response Scale (ERS). Our results show no substantial physiological stress response in the observers and no effect of Hedione on physiological stress measures. Further, in Experiment 1, there was no subjective stress elicited by the video and no effect of Hedione. In Experiment 2, the observation was perceived as stressful and Hedione reduced subjective vicarious stress. The subjective stress response was associated with the Observers' direct personal distress, but not with their empathic concern for the target in both experiments. Based on the findings presented above, we conclude that under conditions of empathic stress, Hedione alleviates subjectively perceived stress felt when observing another person being stressed, while leaving empathic concern for the target unaffected. In this regard, future research is warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms of this effect.
PubMed: 32038191
DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00297 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB May 2022As sessile species and without the possibility of escape, plants constantly face numerous environmental stresses. To adapt in the external environmental cues, plants... (Review)
Review
As sessile species and without the possibility of escape, plants constantly face numerous environmental stresses. To adapt in the external environmental cues, plants adjust themselves against such stresses by regulating their physiological, metabolic and developmental responses to external environmental cues. Certain environmental stresses rarely occur during plant life, while others, such as heat, drought, salinity, and cold are repetitive. Abiotic stresses are among the foremost environmental variables that have hindered agricultural production globally. Through distinct mechanisms, these stresses induce various morphological, biochemical, physiological, and metabolic changes in plants, directly impacting their growth, development, and productivity. Subsequently, plant's physiological, metabolic, and genetic adjustments to the stress occurrence provide necessary competencies to adapt, survive and nurture a condition known as "memory." This review emphasizes the advancements in various epigenetic-related chromatin modifications, DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, phytohormones, and microRNAs associated with abiotic stress memory. Plants have the ability to respond quickly to stressful situations and can also improve their defense systems by retaining and sustaining stressful memories, allowing for stronger or faster responses to repeated stressful situations. Although there are relatively few examples of such memories, and no clear understanding of their duration, taking into consideration plenty of stresses in nature. Understanding these mechanisms in depth could aid in the development of genetic tools to improve breeding techniques, resulting in higher agricultural yield and quality under changing environmental conditions.
Topics: Droughts; Epigenesis, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Breeding; Plants; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 35305363
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.004 -
Trends in Biochemical Sciences Mar 2009In response to physical and chemical stresses that affect protein folding and, thus, the execution of normal metabolic processes, cells activate gene-expression... (Review)
Review
In response to physical and chemical stresses that affect protein folding and, thus, the execution of normal metabolic processes, cells activate gene-expression strategies aimed at increasing their chance of survival. One target of several stressing agents is pre-mRNA splicing, which is inhibited upon heat shock. Recently, the molecular basis of this splicing inhibition has begun to emerge. Interestingly, different mechanisms seem to be in place to block constitutive pre-mRNA splicing and to affect alternative splicing regulation. This could be important to modulate gene expression during recovery from stress. Thus, pre-mRNA splicing emerges as a central mechanism to integrate cellular and metabolic stresses into gene-expression profiles.
Topics: Animals; Cell Cycle Proteins; Humans; Models, Biological; Neoplasm Proteins; RNA Precursors; RNA Splicing; RNA-Binding Proteins; Repressor Proteins; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 19208481
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2008.11.004