Nutrition, physical activity and psychological status during lockdown due to Covid-19

Aim of the present study was to assess physical activity, nutrition and psychological status of the population during lockdown due to covid-19. Online survey was conductedamong 534 participants within the age range of 16-78 years using convenient sampling. Participantsfrom varied regions within India and abroad were enrolled for the present study. Volunteered participants were solicited to take part in a survey that has to be carried out by filling an online questionnaire form available to them as a URL link in the invitation through WhatsApp/Messenger. The gathered data has been compiled, coded and cleaned using Microsoft Excel. Analysis has been carried out employing descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 17.0.Majority of participants in the studied population showed significant change in their nutrition and physical activity status due to lockdown. Covid-19 lockdown did limit their daily activities. It also had impacted their psychological status.The current investigation accentuates the need to pursue suitable life style for the maintenance of optimum metabolism and physiology. Sticking to more regular timetable of meals, effective management of stress levels and continued physical activity during the quarantine and in all the following phases of living is desirable.

Terapia narrativa e neuroplasticidade: pensando suas conexões / Narrative therapy, neuroplasticity and their connections

Foi investigado, nesse artigo, a forma com que a terapia narrativa, a partir da construção de histórias alternativas, pode estimular a plasticidade neuronal, promovendo mudanças psicológicas e comportamentais. Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica para analisar as contribuições teóricas e práticas da relação entre histórias alternativas e a neuroplasticidade. Foi observado que esta interface tem sido pouco estudada enquanto tema unificado. Na terapia narrativa o terapeuta ajuda o paciente a olhar detalhes até então não percebidos de sua história, trazendo novos estímulos e permitindo ao paciente recontar repetidas vezes sua própria história alternativa. Isso contribui para uma ressignificação de sua história e o desenvolvimento de novos pensamentos e sentimentos, que resultarão em novos comportamentos. A vivência desse processo, ativa a neuroplasticidade do cérebro e cria novas conexões neuronais, gerando mudanças saudáveis e funcionais na vida do paciente.

This work investigates how narrative therapy can stimulate neuroplasticity, with basis on the construction of alternative histories, thus promoting psychological and behavioral changes. A literature review was carried out to analyze the contribution, theoretical and practical, arising from the relationship between neuroplasticity and alternative histories. It was noticed that this interface has been little studied as a unified theme. In narrative therapy, the therapist helps the patient to look at details of his/her history so far unnoticed, bringing new stimuli and allowing the patient to recall his/her alternative history, over and over again. This contributes to a resignification of his/her history and the development of new thoughts and feelings, which will result in behavioral changes. The experience of the process of creating and recalling such alternative history, activates brain’s neuroplasticity, establishing new neural connections and contributing to healthy and functional changes in the patient's life.

Effects of video game on socio- behavioral environment

Background: Nowadays the teens playing outdoor games are difficult to be seen and of course, they play all these games not in reality but in a screen using video games. The biggest revolution in electronic world has put our teens more addicted towards video games which not only affect their academic performance but also have impact on their behaviour and health. The objectives of the study were to assess the pattern of video game usage among the study population; to determine the influence of video game in behaviour of the study population.Methods: The study was conducted as a cross sectional study during January and February 2018, among medical students of tertiary care hospital, Chennai. The data was collected using preformed pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.Results: Out of 211 study participants, majority 168 (80%) were males. Around, 97 (45.9%) participants, liked to play during night hours and most 114 (54.1%) of them preferred adventure and racing games. The change in behavioral patterns like, skipping sleep 20 (25.3%), using bad words 22 (27.8%), betting 40 (50.6%), risky stunts 38 (48.1%) were observed. Around half of the participants 97 (46%) were giving complaints of various health problems like finger pain, 72 (34.1%) wrist pain, 63 (29.8%) neck pain, and 54 (26%) eye pain due to usage of video games.Conclusions: The behavioral patterns explored in this study are alarming which suggest that this age group has to be sensitized on the self control to use the video games.

Impact of Industrial Wastewaters on Fresh Water Fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1785): A Tool for Ecological Risks Monitoring

Background: In the era of industries, the problem of pollution of aquatic resources has become aggravated due to continuous wastewater disposal. The Aquatic ecosystem health can be considered as an indicator of the environmental state. Furthermore, fishes are an ideal indicators for contaminated environment. Aims: To assess the sensitivity of common carp fishes against industrial wastewaters exposure on the basis of lethal effects and behavioral changes as a tool for ecotoxicology for knowing the possible effects upon environment due to selected industries wastewater. Methodology: In this study, the effects of industrial wastewaters for different ecotoxicological parameters (mortality and behaviour changes) on common carp were studied under static conditions during different time interval (24, 42, 72 and 96 h) followed by sampled industrial wastewater quality analysis for physicochemical parameters. Results: Increased space between the gills and operculum, excessive excretion, as well as increased fish surface activity was found in the wastewater exposed fish compared to control. Conclusion: The overall findings from the present study indicate that the sampled industrial wastewaters are safe for crop irrigation but may have some adverse impact on the biota due to the observed behavioral and histological changes in wastewater exposed fishes.

Prevalence Of Ncds And Its Correlates Among Young Population Of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study

Background– Non–communicable diseases (NCD), also known as chronic diseases include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, most forms of cancers and injuries. Changes in lifestyles, behavioral patterns, demographic profile, socio–cultural and technological advancements are leading to sharp increases in the prevalence of NCDs among young population. Objectives– To assess the burden of non communicable diseases and their correlation with various factors present among young population of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Methods– Surveys were collected from a total of 770 participants chosen by simple random sampling. Semi–structured schedule was used to collect information and STEP–wise Approach to surveillance (STEPS) by World Health Organization was followed. Data analysis was done by using Epi–info software 7.2.1.1. Results– Amongst total 770 respondents, 462 (60%) males and 308 (40%) females. Out of total 431(55.97%) had presence of one of the non communicable diseases (CVS, Diabetes, Hypertension and Cancer) in their parents. The main risk factors were lack of physical activity, eating unhealthy diet and lifestyle changes. Conclusion– The young population needs to motivate and government has to implement promotive services about the lifestyle changes and dietary modifications for good health. Make recommendations for the improvement of health services of young population.

Prevalence of behavioral changes in senile dogs / Prevalência de alterações comportamentais em cães idosos

ABSTRACT: Owing to improvements in animal welfare, such as in nutrition, preventive medicine, and diagnostic tools, older dogs have become increasingly more prevalent than before. Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of dogs presenting behavioral changes correlated with this growth in the geriatric population. However, many of these owners consider these signs as normal for old age. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of clinical signs related with behavioral changes in the canine geriatric population admitted to the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science College of Universidade Estadual Paulista. The owners of 800 old dogs completed a questionnaire about disorientation, changes in social interaction, loss of training (house soiling), changes in the wake-sleep cycle, physical activity, memory, learning, consciousness, and perception. The results showed that the prevalence of behavioral changes in the canine geriatric population was 90.7% of dogs that presented at least one of these behavioral changes, and 22.3% with at least six changes, and with changes in physical activity (58.5%) and loss of acquired training (30.2%) being the highest percentage groups that were reported by the owners. We concluded that the prevalence of behavioral changes related with aging in the canine geriatric population was high, and that it was important to include questions about behavioral changes during regular veterinary clinical appointments to identify these clinical signs earlier and investigate the possible causes of the cognitive impairment, including neurological diseases, such as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.

RESUMO: Devido à melhora na nutrição e na medicina veterinária, há mais cães idosos do que antes. Infelizmente, acompanhando este crescimento na população geriátrica, houve um aumento no número de cães demonstrando distúrbios de comportamento e senilidade aparente. Entretanto, muitos dos proprietários têm considerado todos esses sinais decorrentes de uma inevitável velhice. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter a prevalência de sinais clínicos relacionados com alterações comportamentais na população canina idosa, atendida no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da UNESP. Proprietários de 800 cães idosos responderam um questionário sobre desorientação, alterações na interação social, perda de treinamento (urina e/ou defeca em locais não habituais), alterações no ciclo sono-vigília, atividade física, memória, aprendizagem, consciência e percepção. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo apresentaram uma prevalência de alterações comportamentais na população canina idosa significativa, variando de 22,3% dos cães, com pelo menos seis alterações comportamentais e, chegando a 90,7% com pelo menos uma alteração de comportamento, sendo alterações na atividade física (58,5%) e perda de treinamentos adquiridos (30,2%) os grupos de maior percentual relatado pelos proprietários. Conclui-se que a prevalência de alterações comportamentais relacionadas com o envelhecimento da população canina é alta, sendo importante incluir questões sobre as alterações comportamentais durante as consultas clínicas veterinárias regulares para identificar, o mais precocemente possível, estes sinais clínicos e realizar ações para investigar as possíveis causas de déficit cognitivo, incluindo doenças neurológicas, como a Síndrome de Disfunção Cognitiva canina.

O desenvolvimento de uma escala de transição e adaptação acadêmica / The development of the scale of transition and academic adaptation

A experiência vivida por jovens calouros em universidades é composta por várias facetas. Durante o primeiro ano da universidade, o estudante passa por um processo de adaptação acadêmica marcada por mudanças. Esse período, sendo multidimensional e complexo, necessita ser investigado, principalmente no contexto brasileiro, em que muitas alterações ocorreram no ingresso ao ensino superior e poucos estudos foram desenvolvidos para avaliar as dificuldades de adaptação desses novos estudantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um instrumento que avalie a experiência de transição acadêmica enfrentada por jovens calouros. Participaram da pesquisa 275 estudantes de graduação de duas universidades públicas federais. O instrumento utilizado inspirou-se no Questionário de Experiências de Transição Acadêmica ­ QETA ­ introduzido por Stocker e Faria (2008), em Portugal. As análises utilizaram o SPSS ­ StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences e princípios da análise fatorial: técnicas de extração de componentes principais e rotação Oblimin direct, com o teste de confiabilidade, Alpha de Cronbach. A escala foi definida em cinco dimensões. Os resultados confirmam a pertinência de algumas dimensões, como pares e professores e traz evidências da importância do ensino médio para o estudo sobre a transição e adaptação acadêmica no contexto universitário.

The experience lived by new students in universities consists of many facets. During the first year of University, students go through a process of academic adaptation marked by change. This multidimensional and complex period needs to be investigated, especially in the Brazilian context, in which many changes have occurred in the process of the selection procedures to higher education and only few studies have been developed to assess the difficulties of adaptation of new college students. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to evaluate the experience of academic transition faced by new students. 275 students of two public universities participated in the research. The instrument was inspired by the Academic Transition Experiences Questionnaire ­ QETA ­ introduced by Stocker and Faria (2008), in Portugal. The analysis used the SPSS ­ Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and principles of factor analysis: principal components extraction techniques and direct Oblimin rotation, with the reliability test, Alpha of Cronbach. The scale was set in 5 dimensions. The results confirm the relevance of some dimensions, such as peers and teachers, and bring evidence of the importance of secondary education for the studyon the transition and adaptation in the academic context.

Temperature dependent mortality and behavioral changes in a freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis to dimethoate exposure.

Temperature is a crucial determinant of biogeography, directly affecting the behavioral responses of the organisms. An acute static bioassay was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on dimethoate toxicity in a freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis. The mussel, were exposed for 96 hr at different concentrations of dimethoate (155.00, 160.00, 165.00, 170.00, 175.00, 180.00, 185.00, 190.00, 195.00, and 200.00 mgl-1) in the month of January when water temperature was 14.9±1.20C and at concentration 35.00, 37.00, 39.00, 41.00, 43.00, 45.00, 47.00, and 49.00 mgl-1 in the month of August when the water temperature was 28.0±0.50C. The LC50 values were calculated from the mortality data obtained (using EPA-Probit analysis version 1.5, statistical software). The 96 hr LC50 value recorded at higher temperature was 36.34mgl-1 and at low temperature was 163.59 mgl-1. The mussel exposed at higher temperature showed more sensitive behavioral responses like huge mucus secretion, sudden closure of shell valves, quick post-mortem changes and increased oxygen consumption in comparison to exposure at low temperature. Therefore, the increasing threat of global warming increases the risk of pesticide toxicity in the exposed organisms.

Increased levels of glutamate in the central nervous system are associated with behavioral symptoms in experimental malaria

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. This condition has been associated with cognitive, behavioral and motor dysfunctions, seizures and coma. The underlying mechanisms of CM are incompletely understood. Glutamate and other metabolites such as lactate have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of glutamate in the behavioral symptoms of CM. Seventeen female C57BL/6 mice (20-25 g) aged 6-8 weeks were infected with P. berghei ANKA by the intraperitoneal route using a standardized inoculation of 10(6) parasitized red blood cells suspended in 0.2 mL PBS. Control animals (N = 17) received the same volume of PBS. Behavioral and neurological symptoms were analyzed by the SmithKline/Harwell/Imperial College/Royal Hospital/Phenotype Assessment (SHIRPA) battery. Glutamate release was measured in the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid of infected and control mice by fluorimetric assay. All functional categories of the SHIRPA battery were significantly altered in the infected mice at 6 days post-infection (dpi) (P ≤ 0.05). In parallel to CM symptoms, we found a significant increase in glutamate levels in the cerebral cortex (mean ± SEM; control: 11.62 ± 0.90 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 10.36 ± 1.17 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 26.65 ± 0.73 nmol/mg protein; with EGTA, control: 5.60 ± 1.92 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 6.24 ± 1.87 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 14.14 ± 0.84 nmol/mg protein) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (control: 128 ± 51.23 pmol/mg protein; infected: 301.4 ± 22.52 pmol/mg protein) of infected mice (P ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest a role of glutamate in the central nervous system dysfunction found in CM.

A thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy model in C57BL/6 mice: a behavioral and neurochemical study / Modelo de encefalopatia hepática induzida por tioacetamida em camundongos C57BL/6: estudo comportamental e neuroquímico

OBJECTIVE: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from liver failure. In the present study, we aimed to standardize an animal model of HE induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in C57BL/6 mice evaluating behavioral symptoms in association with liver damage and alterations in neurotransmitter release. METHOD: HE was induced by an intraperitoneal single dose of TAA (200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg or 1,200 mg/kg). Behavioral symptoms were evaluated using the SHIRPA battery. Liver damage was confirmed by histopathological analysis. The glutamate release was measured using fluorimetric assay. RESULTS: The neuropsychiatric state, motor behavior and reflex and sensory functions were significantly altered in the group receiving 600 mg/kg of TAA. Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in the glutamate release in the cerebral cortex of HE mice. CONCLUSION: HE induced by 600mg/kg TAA injection in C57BL/6 mice seems to be a suitable model to investigate the pathogenesis and clinical disorders of HE.

OBJETIVO: A encefalopatia hepática (EH) é uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica resultante da falência hepática. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estabelecer um modelo de EH induzida por tioacetamida (TAA) em camundongos C57BL/6 avaliando transtornos comportamentais, falência hepática e alterações na liberação de neurotransmissores. MÉTODO: A EH foi induzida por meio de uma única dose intraperitoneal de TAA (200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, 1.200 mg/kg). As alterações comportamentais foram avaliadas utilizando a bateria SHIRPA. A falência hepática foi confirmada através de análises histopatológicas e a liberação de glutamato medida, por ensaio fluorimétrico. RESULTADOS: Foram encontradas alterações significativas no estado neuropsiquiátrico, comportamento motor e função reflexa e sensorial no grupo que recebeu 600 mg/kg de TAA. Análises bioquímicas revelaram aumento na liberação de glutamato no córtex cerebral dos camundongos com EH. CONCLUSÃO: A EH induzida por 600 mg/kg de TAA em camundongos C57BL/6 parece ser um modelo apropriado para a investigação da patogênese e dos transtornos clínicos da EH.

Cambios conductuales en estudiantes del Nuevo Modelo Pedagógico / Behavioral changes in students of the New Educational Model

La formación profesional desde las sedes universitarias adquiere una relevante significación del trabajo personalizado con los estudiantes. Proceso en el cual también interviene el entorno socio _ laboral. Se realizó estudio explorativo transversal con el objetivo de valorar los cambios conductuales y psicosociales del nuevo modelo pedagógico desde septiembre 2005-febrero 2006 en la sede universitaria, Hospital Pediàtrico Eduardo Agramonte Piña, Camagüey. El universo y muestra estuvo compuesto por 17 jóvenes; el primario se obtuvo de la entrevista individual a cada estudiante al inicio del curso y a los 6 meses, y encuesta, elaborada para la investigación, que incluyo las variables edad, sexo, evaluación de valores, valoración psicológica, responsabilidad académica e integralidad adquirida, el trabajo estuvo avalado por criterios de expertos, que incluyó, valoración de la influencia del medio familiar y la motivación por el estudio. Los datos fueron procesados por el método estadístico Excel 2002. Los principales resultados antes estuvieron manifestados en el grupo etario de mßs de 31 años, la evaluación de valores antes fue el patriotismo con 17 evaluados de bien, después prevaleció el colectivismo y el patriotismo en 17 jóvenes, la valoración psicológica fue evaluada de bien al inicio y a los 6 meses en 12 y 17 respectivamente relacionado con la autoestima, la responsabilidad académica e integralidad adquirida fueron evaluados de bien al cumplirse los objetivos educativos e instructivos. La influencia del medio familiar y la motivación por el estudio fue considerada positiva(AU)

Professional training from the university headquarters has a relevant mean of personalized work with students, process where also is present the socio-technical environment. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the behavioral land psychosocial changes of the new educational model from September, 2005 to February, 2006 in university headquarter in Eduardo Agramonte Piña in Camaguey province. The universe and sample included 17 young people; the primary one was achieved in the individual interview of each student at onset of the course and at 6 months and other survey designed for research including the following variables: age, sex, values assessment, psychological evaluation, educational responsibility and integration acquired, the work was supported by expert criteria including evaluation of family environment influence and study motivation. Data were processed by Excel 2002 statistical method. Main results before were manifested in age group of 31 years, value evaluation before was the patriotism where 17 student evaluated it like well, after there was a prevalence of collectivism and patriotism in 17 young people, psychological evaluation was qualified like well at onset and at 6 months in 12 and 17, respectively related to self-esteem, educational responsibility and integration acquired were assessed of well fulfilling the educational and instructive objectives. Family environment influence and motivation for study was qualified like positive(AU)

Effect of Xiaopi Yueyi formula on behavioral changes in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome / 医学研究生学报

Objective:To explore and discuss the effect of Xiaopi Yueyi formula on behavioral changes in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome.Methods:24 rats were divided into group model(16 rats) and control(8 rats) at random,and after produced rats with chronic fatigue syndrome,half in the former were taken orally with Xiaopi Yueyi formula while the latter were taken equally normal saline,moreover,methods of Open-Field、tail suspend time and exhaust swimming time were estimated and evaluated.Results:After succeeding in chronic fatigue manifestation in rats of group model,number of parallel and vertical movement diminished markedly,furthermore,time of tail suspend and exhaust swimming prolonged apparently.Nevertheless,Xiaopi Yueyi formula could ameliorate significantly these parameters in rats(P