Investigation of the mental health and cognitive correlates of psychological decentering in adolescence.

The ability to notice and reflect on distressing internal experiences from an objective perspective, often called psychological decentering, has been posited to be protective against mental health difficulties. However, little is known about how this skill relates to age across adolescence, its relationship with mental health, and how it may impact key domains such as affective executive control and social cognition. This study analysed a pre-existing dataset including mental health measures and cognitive tasks, administered to adolescents in Greater London and Cambridge (mean age (SD) = 14.4 (1.77) years, N = 553). A self-report index of decentering based on available questionnaire items in the dataset was developed. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations between decentering and mental health, affective executive control (measured using an affective Stroop Task, affective Working Memory Task, and affective Sustained Attention to Response Task) and social cognition. Higher decentering was significantly associated with lower depression and anxiety scores and higher psychological wellbeing. Results did not indicate significant relationships between decentering, affective executive control and social cognition. Further research is needed to discover cognitive mechanisms associated with this process, which could allow for optimisation of existing psychological therapy and reveal new avenues of intervention.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Cardiac Changes in Patients with Hypothyroidism and the Response to Treatment.

Thyroid hormone acts on heart and peripheral vascular system in multiple ways. Most of the cardiac manifestations are reversible with adequate and timely thyroid therapy. Echocardiographic changes are present in patients with untreated hypothyroidism and the changes are reversible with treatment. Aim of the study was to evaluate the structural and functional changes of the heart in hypothyroid patients and its response to treatment. This prospective observational study was performed in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2012 to April 2013. The study included 35 cases and 35 control based on their thyroid hormonal status. The cases were previously untreated for hypothyroidism. By 2D and M-mode echocardiography LV septal wall and posterior wall thickness, LVIDD, LVIDS, LA and Aortic diameter and ejection fraction were measured. Mitral inflow pattern was observed through pulse wave Doppler and peak E velocity, a velocity and E/A ratio were noted. All the observations were noted both in cases and controls and in cases after normalization of hypothyroid status. Echocardiographic variables showed that septal wall and posterior wall thickness, LVIDD and LVIDS were higher in the cases than those in the control group. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in case group compared to control group. Of the mitral inflow parameters, a velocity was higher and E/A ratio lower in cases than those in control group. Following treatment of >3 months the septal wall and posterior wall thicknesses were reduced significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively) and Left ventricular ejection fraction was also improved significantly (p<0.001) from its baseline status. Of the mitral inflow parameters, E-velocity was significantly increased, A-velocity significantly decreased and E/A ratio significantly increased from their baseline figures (p=0.016, p=0.032 and p<0.001 respectively). Cardiovascular complications of hypothyroidism increase the morbidity of the patients. Results of our study showed importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment reversed the condition and that will diminish the extent of cardiac complications.

Emotional interference during conflict resolution depends on task context.

Evidence is currently mixed regarding the way in which cognitive conflict modulates the effect of emotion on task performance. The present study aimed to address methodological differences across previous studies and investigate the conditions under which interference from emotional stimuli can either be elicited or eliminated under high cognitive conflict. Four behavioural experiments were conducted with a university sample using a gender-discrimination stimulus-response compatibility task. In line with our previous findings, Experiment 1 found that when emotion and cognitive conflict conditions were blocked, emotional faces increased reaction time interference during response compatible trials (low conflict) but not response incompatible trials (high conflict). However, when conflict and emotion conditions were randomised in different configurations across Experiments 2 (all trials randomised), 3 (emotion blocked, compatibility randomised) and 4 (compatibility blocked, emotion randomised), emotion interfered with task performance across both high and low conflict trials. These results suggest that predictability of both compatibility and emotion is required in order to obtain reduced emotional interference under high cognitive conflict. Consistent with prior reports, a top-down anticipatory control mechanism seems to be engaged in the presence of negative emotion when there are incompatible stimulus-response mappings.

Using temporal distancing to regulate emotion in adolescence: modulation by reactive aggression.

Adopting a temporally distant perspective on stressors reduces distress in adults. Here we investigate whether the extent to which individuals project themselves into the future influences distancing efficacy. We also examined modulating effects of age across adolescence and reactive aggression: factors associated with reduced future-thinking and poor emotion regulation. Participants (N = 83, aged 12-22) read scenarios and rated negative affect when adopting a distant-future perspective, near-future perspective, or when reacting naturally. Self-report data revealed significant downregulation of negative affect during the distant-future condition, with a similar though non-significant skin conductance pattern. Importantly, participants who projected further ahead showed the greatest distress reductions. While temporal distancing efficacy did not vary with age, participants reporting greater reactive aggression showed reduced distancing efficacy, and projected themselves less far into the future. Findings demonstrate the importance of temporal extent in effective temporal distancing; shedding light on a potential mechanism for poor emotional control associated with reactive aggression.

Long-term tryptophan administration enhances cognitive performance and increases 5HT metabolism in the hippocampus of female rats.

It has been shown in various studies that increase in serotonergic neurotransmission is associated with increased memory consolidation whereas low brain 5HT impairs memory performance. In the first phase of our study we found that tryptophan (TRP) administration for 6 weeks increased plasma TRP and whole brain TRP, 5HT and 5HIAA levels. Many brain regions are involved in the learning process but particularly the hippocampus is known to have key role in learning and memory. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of TRP loading particularly on hippocampal 5HT metabolism and cognitive performance in rats. TRP-treated rats demonstrated spatial enhancement as evidenced by a significant decrease in time to find the hidden food reward in radial arm maze test (RAM). The important finding of the present study was the greater increase in the 5HT metabolism in hippocampus than in any other brain region of the TRP-treated rats. This increased 5HT metabolism in the hippocampus emphasizes the involvement of this region in memory process.

Effect of chlorpromazine on brain biogenic amines in normal and hyperglycemic state.

In present study the effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ) were studied on NA, DA and its metabolities i.e. DOPAC and HVA as well as on 5-HT and its metabolite 5-HIAA in normal and hyperglycemic rats. Significant differences were noted in brain biogenic amines of normal and diabetic control animals. In case of CPZ treated normal and hyperglycemic rats significant differences were observed only in case DOPAC and 5-HIAA. NA and 5-HIAA levels were significantly affected by CPZ and diabetes interaction.

Effects of diazepam and cinchocaine on biogenic amines.

Neurochemical and behavioural research show that benzodiazepines are well know anxiolytic drugs, which are also used for the treatment of epilepsy, hypnosis and insomnia. Administration of benzodiazepine to experimental animals produces anxiolytic-like effects in various animal and decreases exploratory activity. Psychomotor stimulants such as cinchocaine also showed potent effect on brain biogenic amines and their metabolite. The present studies indicate the changes in dopamine and 5-HT and their metabolites levels after acute administration of cinchocaine and diazepam.

Effects of cinchocaine cocaine analogs on brain mono amines and their metabolites in male mice.

Cinchocaine analogs were studied to determine the effects of acute administration of cocaine analogs on dopamine, 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their metabolites. Psychomotor stimulants, (such as cinchocaine), potently influencing dopamine transport carrier were used to characterize in-vivo DA transmission. DA, DOPAC, HVA level and indoleamine were measured in brain after drug administration. Significant changes in levels of DA, DOPAC, 5-HT, 5HIAA and HVA were noted. The present findings suggests that acute administration of cinchocaine increases the level of Dopamine, 5-HT and their metabolites and alter the level of amines as compare to control group. These studies also indicate that difference in structure do not affect the binding sites and inhibition of amine uptake.

The ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor (E)-2'-fluoromethylene-2'-deoxycytidine (MDL 101,731): a potential topical therapy for herpes simplex virus infection.

The ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor MDL 101,731 was examined for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro and in combination with acyclovir in the murine zosteriform model of HSV-1 infection. The in vitro antiviral activity (IC50) for both serotypes of HSV was similar and in the range 23-98 nM for Vero cells. Comparable activities were obtained against acyclovir-resistant viruses. In the zosteriform model, topical combination therapy of MDL 101,731 with acyclovir (5%:5% w/w) applied 48 h after infection was more effective than acyclovir alone and even appeared to promote lesion resolution.

Effect of some psychoactive drugs on stress induced alteration in plasma corticosterone level.

Psychoactive drugs such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, propranolol and diazepam were evaluated for their ability to block stress induced changes in Wistar albino rats. The stress induced changes were monitored as the difference in plasma corticosterone (PCS) levels, before and after the administration of minimum effective doses of psychoactive drugs. Significant results were obtained with diazepam at the dose of 5-10 mg/kg and to a lesser extent with propranolol 20 mg/kg. Other drugs, at their minimum effective doses showed no significant change in plasma corticosterone levels.

Antiviral activity and metabolism of the castanospermine derivative MDL 28,574, in cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 2.

The 6-O-butanoyl derivative of castanospermine (MDL 28,574: BUCAST), an inhibitor of glycoprotein processing, blocked the growth of herpes simplex virus type-2 with the effect markedly enhanced by exposure of cells to the compound pre- as well as post-infection. The effectiveness of the derivative corresponded to an increased uptake with greatest accumulation after virus infection. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry identified the predominant component in MDL 28,574 treated cells as castanospermine, an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase 1. The effects of this compound on the synthesis of viral glycoprotein, gB, was determined with the increased molecular weight of the mannose-rich precursor evidence for the modulation of glycoprotein processing.

The effect of oral treatment with 6-O-butanoyl castanospermine (MDL 28,574) in the murine zosteriform model of HSV-1 infection.

Oral treatment of mice, cutaneously infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (strain SC16), with the alpha-glucosidase 1 inhibitor 6-O-butanoyl castanospermine (MDL 28,574) produced a significant delay in lesion development and reduced the amount of virus recovered from the brain. Virus load in the brains of mice, whose treatment started 2 days prior to infection, was reduced approximately 100-fold when compared to untreated controls. Treatment initiated at the time of infection, while less effective than pre-treatment, nevertheless reduced virus recovery from the brain by 10-fold. Consistent with its antiviral activity, orally administered MDL 28,574 was rapidly incorporated by brain tissue and mice fed with compound over extended periods maintained relatively high levels of drug at this site.

Biochemical alterations during swimming induced stress.

Stress can be defined as any stimulus that creates an imbalance in the internal environment. Hypothalamus has sensors that detect changes produced in the body. Stress can cause diseases by altering immune system, cardiovascular System neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine functions. Present study is designed to evaluate the effect of stress on few biochemical parameters during swimming induced stress. Significant changes have been observed especially in lipid profile. Corticosterone was also evaluated as reliable stress marker.

SAFETY EVALUATION OF ICTERENE - A HERBAL MEDICINE (III. Histopathological consideration).

In earlier studies (Zafar et al., 1993; Ahmed at al. 1993) on safety evaluation of Iceterne, it has been observed that the drug doesn't cause any side effect as far as biochemical and hematological parameters are concerned. Present study is an extension in the same direction through histopathologic approach.