Embodied metaphor in communication about lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China.

The study investigated how a group of 27 Wuhan citizens employed metaphors to communicate about their lived experiences of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through in-depth individual interviews. The analysis of metaphors reflected the different kinds of emotional states and psychological conditions of the research participants, focusing on their mental imagery of COVID-19, extreme emotional experiences, and symbolic behaviors under the pandemic. The results show that multiple metaphors were used to construe emotionally-complex, isolating experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most metaphorical narratives were grounded in embodied sensorimotor experiences such as body parts, battling, hitting, weight, temperature, spatialization, motion, violence, light, and journeys. Embodied metaphors were manifested in both verbal expressions and nonlinguistic behaviors (e.g., patients' repetitive behaviors). These results suggest that the bodily experiences of the pandemic, the environment, and the psychological factors combine to shape people's metaphorical thinking processes.

The Vigabatrin Induced Retinal Toxicity is Associated with Photopic Exposure and Taurine Deficiency: An In Vivo Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Retinal toxicity is one of the most commonly discussed and concerning adverse effects of vigabatrin (VGB). The present study explored the relationship between the VGB elicited retinal toxicity, photopic exposure, and taurine deficiency, aiming at screening for risk factors to minimize the adverse effects of VGB. METHODS: The effects of VGB on function and morphology of mouse retinas were examined via a series of in vivo tests, including electroretinography (ERG), Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and optokinetic testing. Moreover, VGB-treated mice were in addition treated with taurine to verify possible protective effects against retinal toxicity. RESULTS: A close relationship between VGB induced retinal toxicity and light exposure was observed. The VGB-treated mice which were reared in darkness preserved better visual function and retinal architectures as verified by the optokinetic tests, OCT and ERG examinations. The retinal taurine level of the VBG-treated mice which were exposed to light were significantly lower than that of the VBG mice reared in darkness. Furthermore, several in vivo evidence provided by our research confirmed that the VGB induced morphological and functional impairments could be partially alleviated by taurine treatment. The present study showed the retinal toxicity of VGB by in vivo measurements. CONCLUSION: The VGB induced retinal toxicity is closely associated with photopic exposure and taurine deficiency. Patients who are taking VGB might benefit from minimization of light exposure and dietetic taurine supplements.