-
Examining behavioural test sensitivity and locomotor proxies of anxiety-like behaviour in zebrafish.Scientific Reports Mar 2023This study assessed the sensitivity of four anxiety-like behaviour paradigms in zebrafish: the novel tank dive test, shoaling test, light/dark test, and the less common...
This study assessed the sensitivity of four anxiety-like behaviour paradigms in zebrafish: the novel tank dive test, shoaling test, light/dark test, and the less common shoal with novel object test. A second goal was to measure the extent to which the main effect measures are related to locomotor behaviours to determine whether swimming velocity and freezing (immobility) are indicative of anxiety-like behaviour. Using the well-established anxiolytic, chlordiazepoxide, we found the novel tank dive to be most sensitive followed by the shoaling test. The light/dark test and shoaling plus novel object test were the least sensitive. A principal component analysis and a correlational analysis also showed the locomotor variables, velocity and immobility, did not predict the anxiety-like behaviours across all behaviour tests.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Behavior Rating Scale; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Anti-Anxiety Agents
PubMed: 36882472
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29668-9 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Jul 2019Smartphones have allowed for the development and use of apps. There is now a proliferation of mobile health interventions for physical activity, healthy eating, smoking...
BACKGROUND
Smartphones have allowed for the development and use of apps. There is now a proliferation of mobile health interventions for physical activity, healthy eating, smoking and alcohol cessation or reduction, and improved mental well-being. However, the strength or potential of these apps to lead to behavior change remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review a large sample of healthy lifestyle apps at a single point in time (June to July 2018) to determine their potential for promoting health-related behavior change with a view to sharing this information with the public. In addition, the study sought to test a wide range of apps using a new scale, the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS).
METHODS
Apps focusing on 5 major modifiable lifestyle behaviors were identified using a priori key search terms across the Australian Apple iTunes and Google Play stores. Lifestyle behavior categories were selected for their impact on health and included smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being. Apps were included if they had an average user rating between 3 and 5, if they were updated in the last 18 months, if the description of the app included 2 of 4 behavior change features, and if they were in English. The selected behavior change apps were rated in 2 ways using previously developed rating scales: the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) for functionality and the ABACUS for potential to encourage behavior change.
RESULTS
The initial search identified 212,352 apps. After applying the filtering criteria, 5018 apps remained. Of these, 344 were classified as behavior change apps and were reviewed and rated. Apps were given an average MARS score of 2.93 out of 5 (SD 0.58, range 1.42-4.16), indicating low-to-moderate functionality. Scores for the ABACUS ranged from 1 to 17, out of 21, with an average score of 7.8 (SD 2.8), indicating a low-to-moderate number of behavior change techniques included in apps. The ability of an app to encourage practice or rehearsal, in addition to daily activities, was the most commonly identified feature across all apps (310/344, 90.1%), whereas the second most common feature was the ability of the user to easily self-monitor behavior (289/344, 84.0%).
CONCLUSIONS
The wide variety of apps included in this 2018 study and the limited number of behavior change techniques found in many apps suggest an opportunity for improvement in app design that will promote sustained and significant lifestyle behavior change and, therefore, better health. The use of the 2 scales for the review and rating of the apps was successful and provided a method that could be replicated and tested in other behavior change areas.
Topics: Australia; Behavior Therapy; Humans; Mobile Applications
PubMed: 31274112
DOI: 10.2196/11926 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2019Dyskinesia, a major motor complication resulting from dopamine replacement treatment, manifests as involuntary hyperkinetic or dystonic movements. This condition poses a... (Review)
Review
Dyskinesia, a major motor complication resulting from dopamine replacement treatment, manifests as involuntary hyperkinetic or dystonic movements. This condition poses a challenge to the treatment of Parkinson's disease. So far, several behavioral models based on rodent with dyskinesia have been established. These models have provided an important platform for evaluating the curative effect of drugs at the preclinical research level over the past two decades. However, there are differences in the modeling and behavioral testing procedures among various laboratories that adversely affect the rat and mouse models as credible experimental tools in this field. This article systematically reviews the history, the pros and cons, and the controversies surrounding rodent models of dyskinesia as well as their behavioral assessment protocols. A summary of factors that influence the behavioral assessment in the rodent dyskinesia models is also presented, including the degree of dopamine denervation, stereotaxic lesion sites, drug regimen, monitoring styles, priming effect, and individual and strain differences. Besides, recent breakthroughs like the genetic mouse models and the bilateral intoxication models for dyskinesia are also discussed.
PubMed: 31681132
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01016 -
ALTEX 2017Although the rehoming of laboratory dogs has gained popularity, a scientific evaluation of the process is lacking. The behavior of 145 laboratory beagles was tested...
Although the rehoming of laboratory dogs has gained popularity, a scientific evaluation of the process is lacking. The behavior of 145 laboratory beagles was tested before leaving a research facility (Test 1). The new owners were then surveyed using a standardized telephone interview 1 week (n = 143) and 12 weeks (n = 126) after adoption. The behavior test was repeated with 68 dogs in their new homes 6 weeks after adoption (Test 2). The predictive power of Test 1 or Interview 1 on Test 2 or Interview 2, respectively, as well as the relevance of various factors was analyzed. We found no significant differences between Tests 1 and 2 regarding the behavior reactions. However, body language scores and heart rates changed significantly, indicating a more relaxed state of the dogs in their new homes. The interviews revealed a significant change toward desired behavior in most dogs within the 11 week period (p < 0.0001). The main behavior problems included separation problems (28%; n = 126), destroying objects (24%), and not being housebroken (39%). Owners of 9 dogs returned the animals, resulting in a rehoming success rate of 94%. Test 1 revealed a significant age effect (p = 0.0066), with younger and older dogs reaching higher scores than dogs who were approximately 2 years old. Dogs that had been born and reared in the research facility scored higher than dogs that had originally been acquired from a commercial breeder (p = 0.0257). The predictive power of Test 1 on Test 2 or Interview 1 on Interview 2 was moderate to low, respectively. Altogether, rehoming of laboratory dogs is a valuable alternative to euthanasia.
Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Behavior, Animal; Dogs; Human-Animal Bond; Ownership; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 27725989
DOI: 10.14573/altex.1608171 -
International Journal of Clinical... 2019Dental treatment is known to trigger anxiety and fear even in fully grown adults, especially if administration of local anesthesia with a syringe is indicated. This...
INTRODUCTION
Dental treatment is known to trigger anxiety and fear even in fully grown adults, especially if administration of local anesthesia with a syringe is indicated. This study is aimed to evaluate whether procedures like an extraction and pulpectomy could trigger fear and anxiety in a pediatric patient and also the response of pediatric patients to other treatment modalities. Their perception toward receiving dental treatment as a whole is also evaluated. The effect of conditioning of the environment and the dentist (extractions done in second or third appointments) and its effect in decreasing the anxiety is also evaluated. The aim of the study is to evaluate the behavior of pediatric patients aged 7-17 years in response to various treatment procedures at Saveetha Dental College.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The behavior of 50 children reporting to Saveetha Dental College, categorized according to the Frankl's behavior rating scale, was recorded before, during, and posttreatment.
RESULTS
Children undergoing extractions and pulpectomies showed the most uncooperative behavior. Sixty percent of patients undergoing extraction and 45% of patients undergoing the pulp therapy showed negative behavior (rating 2) during treatment.
CONCLUSION
Invasive procedures like extractions and pulpectomies were procedures that brought out negative behavior in pediatric patients, especially during treatment.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Sivakumar P, Gurunathan D. Behavior of Children toward Various Dental Procedures. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(5):379-384.
PubMed: 32440041
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1670 -
Seizure Oct 2021This study aimed to explore the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics-cognition, behavior, parenting-related stress, and sleep-of children with epilepsy,...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics-cognition, behavior, parenting-related stress, and sleep-of children with epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or both.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 33 children with epilepsy and ADHD, 113 with epilepsy alone, and 294 with ADHD alone. The children were required to complete the Advanced Test of Attention (ATA), and their parents completed the ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Disruptive Behavior Disorder (DBD) Scale (DBD), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF).
RESULTS
Auditory Commission Errors made during the ATA were higher in children with epilepsy and ADHD than in those with epilepsy alone. On the SRS, all the subscales except Social Awareness were significantly higher in children with epilepsy and ADHD or ADHD alone than in those with epilepsy alone. The Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder subscales on DBD, Attention Problems, and Aggressive Behaviors on CBCL were significantly higher in children with both epilepsy and ADHD than in those with epilepsy alone. The Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscales on the PSI-SF were significantly greater in children with both epilepsy and ADHD than in those with epilepsy alone. The subscales on the CSHQ did not significantly differ between children with both epilepsy and ADHD and those with epilepsy alone.
CONCLUSIONS
In children with epilepsy, comorbid ADHD was associated with negative effects on response inhibition, aggressive behavior, and parenting-related stress.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Epilepsy; Humans; Parents; Retrospective Studies; Sleep
PubMed: 34274892
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.06.022 -
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing Mar 2019This study was designed to develop a valid and reliable scale for the evaluation of preconception health behavior in women preparing for pregnancy.
PURPOSE
This study was designed to develop a valid and reliable scale for the evaluation of preconception health behavior in women preparing for pregnancy.
METHODS
The initial strategy included a literature review, interviews, and construction of a conceptual framework. The preliminary items were evaluated twice for content validity by experts, and modified two preliminary investigations. Participants in the 2 main investigations and the confirmation investigation were tested for reliability and validity of the preliminary scale in women preparing for pregnancy. The data were analyzed for different items exploratory and confirmatory factors.
RESULTS
The 5-point Likert scale consisted of 6 factors and 27 items. The 6-factors included 'hazardous substance factor,' 'medical management factor,' 'rest and sleep factor,' 'stress management factor,' 'information acquisition factor,' and 'resource preparation factor.' Goodness of fit of the final research model was very appropriate and based on the following measures: Q=1.98, comparative fit index=.91, Tucker-lewis index=.89, standardized root mean square residual=.07, and root mean square error of approximation=.07. The criterion validity was .64. The reliability coefficient was .92 and the test-retest reliability was .61.
CONCLUSION
The study findings indicate that the scale can be used for the development of nursing interventions to promote preconception health behavior in women preparing for pregnancy.
PubMed: 37679928
DOI: 10.4069/kjwhn.2019.25.1.31 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2022The prolonged lifespan of companion dogs has resulted in increased behavioural and physical challenges linked to old age. The development of behavioural tests to...
The prolonged lifespan of companion dogs has resulted in increased behavioural and physical challenges linked to old age. The development of behavioural tests to identify and monitor age-related differences has begun. However, standardised testing requires validation. The present study aimed to assess external validity, interobserver reliability, and test-retest reliability of an indoor test battery for the rapid assessment of age-related behavioural differences in dogs. Two experimenters tested young dogs (N = 20, mean age ± SD = 2.7 ± 0.4 years) and old dogs (N = 18, mean age ± SD = 11.8 ± 1.3 years) in the test battery once and then again after two weeks. Our results found external validity for two subtests out of six. On both test occasions, old dogs committed more errors than young dogs in a memory subtest and showed more object avoidance when encountering a novel object. Interobserver reliability and test-retest reliability was high. We conclude that the Memory and Novel object subtests are valid and reliable for monitoring age-related memory performance and object neophobic differences in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Behavior Rating Scale; Cognition; Dogs; Pets; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 36171232
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19918-7 -
Molecular Brain May 2020Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder found in children. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and...
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder found in children. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) are commonly prescribed for the treatment of ADHD. In the present study, we examined the behavioral and brain transcriptome changes in MPH-treated and ATX-treated zebrafish. In behavioral analysis, zebrafish showed opposite response to each treatment. MPH-treated fish showed higher anxiety-like behavior while ATX-treated fish showed lower anxiety-like behavior. Further, we performed RNA sequencing analysis of zebrafish brain to elucidate the underlying biological pathways associated with MPH and ATX treatment. Interestingly, we found that shared differentially expressed genes in MPH-treated and ATX-treated fish were instrumental in cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and were regulated in opposite manner. Our findings highlight the contrast between MTH and ATX, and may suggest the alterations in clinical practice for these medications and drug development for ADHD.
Topics: Animals; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Behavior Rating Scale; Brain; Gene Ontology; Lipid Metabolism; Methylphenidate; Signal Transduction; Transcriptome; Zebrafish
PubMed: 32375837
DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00614-4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2023Tourette's disorder (TD) is a highly heritable childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder and is caused by a complex interplay of multiple genetic and environmental...
Tourette's disorder (TD) is a highly heritable childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder and is caused by a complex interplay of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder remain largely elusive. In this study, we used the available omics data to compile a list of TD candidate genes, and we subsequently conducted tissue/cell type specificity and functional enrichment analyses of this list. Using genomic data, we also investigated genetic sharing between TD and blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolite levels. Lastly, we built a molecular landscape of TD through integrating the results from these analyses with an extensive literature search to identify the interactions between the TD candidate genes/proteins and metabolites. We found evidence for an enriched expression of the TD candidate genes in four brain regions and the pituitary. The functional enrichment analyses implicated two pathways ('cAMP-mediated signaling' and 'Endocannabinoid Neuronal Synapse Pathway') and multiple biological functions related to brain development and synaptic transmission in TD etiology. Furthermore, we found genetic sharing between TD and the blood and CSF levels of 39 metabolites. The landscape of TD not only provides insights into the (altered) molecular processes that underlie the disease but, through the identification of potential drug targets (such as FLT3, NAALAD2, CX3CL1-CX3CR1, OPRM1, and HRH2), it also yields clues for developing novel TD treatments.
Topics: Humans; Child; Tourette Syndrome; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Brain; Behavior Rating Scale
PubMed: 36674940
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021428