Erratum: Motion-Acuity Test for Visual Field Acuity Measurement with Motion-Defined Shapes.

This corrects the article 10.3791/66272.

Motion-Acuity Test for Visual Field Acuity Measurement with Motion-Defined Shapes.

The standard visual acuity measurements rely on stationary stimuli, either letters (Snellen charts), vertical lines (vernier acuity) or grating charts, processed by those regions of the visual system most sensitive to the stationary stimulation, receiving visual input from the central part of the visual field. Here, an acuity measurement is proposed based on discrimination of simple shapes, that are defined by motion of the dots in the random dot kinematograms (RDK) processed by visual regions sensitive to motion stimulation and receiving input also from the peripheral visual field. In the motion-acuity test, participants are asked to distinguish between a circle and an ellipse, with matching surfaces, built from RDKs, and separated from the background RDK either by coherence, direction, or velocity of dots. The acuity measurement is based on ellipse detection, which with every correct response becomes more circular until reaching the acuity threshold. The motion-acuity test can be presented in negative contrast (black dots on white background) or in positive contrast (white dots on black background). The motion defined shapes are located centrally within 8 visual degrees and are surrounded by RDK background. To test the influence of visual peripheries on centrally measured acuity, a mechanical narrowing of the visual field to 10 degrees is proposed, using opaque goggles with centrally located holes. This easy and replicable narrowing system is suitable for MRI protocols, allowing further investigations of the functions of the peripheral visual input. Here, a simple measurement of shape and motion perception simultaneously is proposed. This straightforward test assesses vision impairments depending on the central and peripheral visual field inputs. The proposed motion-acuity test advances the capability of standard tests to reveal spare or even strengthened vision functions in patients with injured visual system, that until now remained undetected.

Synchronously occurring endometrioid carcinomas of the uterine corpus and uterine cervix preceded by different precancerous lesions: A case study and a literature review.

The incidence of two synchronous carcinomas originating from the uterine corpus and uterine cervix, both endometrioid subtypes, is exceedingly rare. Herein, we presented synchronous early stage G1 adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus with cervical G2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Although both neoplasms displayed the same histological subtype, they differed significantly according to the histological grading or clinical stage of the disease. Finally, it is worth emphasizing that both tumors were preceded by different precancerous lesions, atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and foci of endometriosis localized within the uterine cervix. Although AEH is a well-known precancerous condition of endometrioid carcinoma, the mechanisms resulting in the malignant transformation of endometriosis foci to the cervical endometrioid carcinoma are still a matter of controversy. We briefly summarized the impact of different precancerous lesions on the development of synchronous female genital tract neoplasms with the same histotype.

Automatic non-invasive blood pressure measurement in left ventricular assist device patients with a photoplethysmography assisted device.

INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive measurement of blood pressure in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is challenging due to the mechanical properties of these circulatory support devices. Keeping blood pressure in a target range is crucial to reduce the risk of LVAD complications. As current assessment methods require trained personnel resulting in infrequent monitoring, devices for home-based measurements are sorely needed. OBJECTIVES: In this paper, we report a measurement method and a custom-made monitoring device based on photoplethysmography (PPG) enabling automated measurement of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of patients with LVAD. METHODS: The method and the device were tested on 21 adult patients with LVAD, and the estimated MAP values were compared to MAP values measured simultaneously by a human expert applying the commonly used Doppler-based method. RESULTS: Results of the proposed method showed highly significant correlation with Doppler-based MAP values (R = 0.85 for inflation, p < 0.001; R = 0.96 for deflation, p<0.001). The mean difference of the proposed method to the Doppler-based MAP values was 1.48 ± 5.43 mmHg for inflation and -0.19 ± 2.71 mmHg for deflation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the proposed method is a promising direction to achieve accurate, automated, non-invasive BP measurement, applicable in home health monitoring for patients with LVAD.

Satisfaction with the life of Polish women experiencing domestic violence.

Introduction: Domestic violence against a woman, inflicted by her husband/partner, disrupts the socially recognized model of partnership and family life and endangers the health and life of the victim. The aim of the study was to assess the level of satisfaction with the life of Polish women experiencing domestic violence and compare it to results of women not experiencing domestic violence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 610 Polish women divided in two groups: victims of domestic violence (Group 1, n = 305) and women not experiencing domestic violence (Group 2, n = 305). Results and Conclusions: Most Polish women experiencing domestic violence are characterized by low life satisfaction. The mean value of life satisfaction in Group 1 was 13.78, SD = 4.88, significantly lower when compared to Group 2 (M = 21.04, SD = 5.61). Their satisfaction with life is related, among other things, to the form of violence inflicted upon them by their husband/partner. Abused women with low life satisfaction are most often victims of psychological violence. The most common cause is the perpetrator's addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. Assessment of their life satisfaction is unrelated to help-seeking and to the occurrence of violence in their family home in the past.

Spatio-temporal variations in water quality of a river-lake system during restoration treatments.

To fill the knowledge gap about the functioning of the lake-river system subjected to restoration treatments, two tributaries, a shallow, restored lake and its outflow, were examined. The quality of water inflows, lake and outflow was compared before (BR), during sustainable (SR, deep water aeration, phosphorus inactivation and biomanipulation for 3 years) and limited lake restoration (LR, only aeration for 2 years). Physico-chemical parameters were analysed monthly at five stations. The nutrient concentrations at the inflows decreased over the years due to the improvement of water and sewage management in the catchment (in Mielcuch from 18.0 to 8.0 mgN L-1 and 1.0 to 0.6 mgP L-1). The decline at the outflow was the result of a better quality of water at the tributaries and SR in the lake. During LR, decrease of phosphorus concentration still occurred (0.11 mgP L-1), but nitrogen concentration slightly increased (3.9 mgN L-1). Although the outflowing waters still transported a high content of chlorophyll a and suspended solids during SR, their amount was lower (34.5 µg L-1 and 17 mg L-1, respectively) than that during BR and LR. During restoration, it is significant to monitor the water quality not only in the lake but also at the outflow. The slow deterioration of water quality at the outflow indicated that introducing changes in the applied restoration methods must be done carefully because the previously achieved effect may be lost. Hence, restoration of the upstream lake and good quality of its tributaries are of great importance for water bodies located downstream.

Chlorophytes response to habitat complexity and human disturbance in the catchment of small and shallow aquatic systems.

Human-originated transformation in the catchment area may be reflected in the water quality and ecological state of the aquatic environment. Chlorophytes, the most common and diverse group of microalgae, may be a valuable tool for studies of small water bodies, ecosystems poorly recognized but extremely sensitive to the climate changes. Here we investigated the response of the chlorophytes to abiotic and biotic factors in different habitats and ponds' catchments. Chlorophytes demonstrated a prevalence towards a specific type of catchment area. Field ponds supported chlorophytes typical for nutrient-rich/high-organic and shallow well-mixed waters. Forest ponds supported high chlorophyte diversity. A high importance of desmids, tolerant to light deficiency, confirms their preferences towards lower pH and lower trophic state in the forest ponds. Habitat type strongly impacted the distribution of chlorophytes. Great abundance and fertile-water species were associated with the open water, whereas aquatic plants hosted relatively low chlorophyte abundance which is a derivate of the filtrators grazing as well as the nutrient uptake and shadowing by macrophytes. Macrophyte-dominated zones created favorable conditions for some periphytic desmids and filamentous chlorophytes, species preferring lower trophic state and co-occurring with zooplankton. We assume that cosmopolitan chlorophytes can be adapted for determination of the ecological value of small water bodies, including the level of habitat heterogeneity. But chlorophytes clearly react to the level of human impact in the ponds' catchment, both specific species and functional groups. Thus, we recommend them, particularly desmids, for water quality state assessment in ponds.

Contralesional angiotensin type 2 receptor activation contributes to recovery in experimental stroke.

We and others have previously shown that angiotensin II receptor type 2 receptor (AT2R) is upregulated in the contralesional hemisphere after stroke in normoglycemic Wistar rats. In this study, we examined the expression of AT2R in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and control Wistars after stroke. We also tested the contribution of the contralesional AT2R in recovery after stroke through a specific knockdown of the AT2R in this hemisphere only. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, GK rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and treated with the angiotensin II receptor type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker candesartan or saline at reperfusion. Stroke outcomes, as well as AT2R expression, were examined and compared to control Wistars at 24 h. In the second experiment, localized AT2R knockdown was achieved through intrastriatal injection of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral particles or non-targeting control into the left-brain hemisphere of Wistar rats. After 14 days, rats were subjected to right MCAO and treated with the AT2R agonist, Compound 21 (C21), or saline for 7 days. Behavioral outcomes were assessed for up to 10 days. In the first experiment, stroke reduced the expression of AT2R in GK rats. Candesartan treatment failed to improve the neurobehavioral outcomes, preserve vascular integrity or reduce oxidative/nitrative stress or apoptotic markers at 24 h post stroke in these animals. In the second experiment, contralesional AT2R knockdown reduced the C21-mediated functional recovery after stroke. In conclusion, contralesional AT2R upregulation after stroke is blunted in diabetic rats which show reduced sensitivity to post-stroke candesartan treatment. Contralesional AT2R could be involved in C21-mediated functional recovery after stroke.

Hospital Ethical Climate and Job Satisfaction among Nurses: A Scoping Review.

The aim of this study was to map and summarize the published research findings on hospital ethical climate and its relationship with nursing staff job satisfaction as well as strategies proposed in the literature for the improvement of hospital ethical climate and job satisfaction through the actions of nursing staff in leadership positions. A scoping review has been performed in accordance with the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension scoping reviews statement (PRISMA-ScR). Three electronic bibliographic databases were searched: the SCOPUS, Medline, and CINHAL Complete using a combination of keywords with the range of years 1994-2021. A total of 15 papers out of 235 records identified were eligible for the analysis. The literature review confirmed a significant relationship between ethical climate and job satisfaction of nurses. Furthermore, the interdependence of ethical climate and job satisfaction of nursing staff affects many different aspects including patients, co-workers, an organization and research. Identifying factors that influence ethical climate and job satisfaction as well as the relationship between these variables may help to reduce the dropout concerning a change of profession among nursing staff.

Specific Avenin Cross-Reactivity with G12 Antibody in a Wide Range of Current Oat Cultivars.

Current clinical studies confirm that the consumption of oats for people suffering from celiac disease is safe. Some studies have confirmed different levels of immunoreactive gluten epitopes of oats in different cultivars, while others explain these differences due to contamination with gluten-rich species or as random cross-reactivity ELISA of homologous oat epitopes with anti-wheat gliadin antibodies. The aim of our two-year study was therefore to map cross-reactive oat epitopes in a set of 132 oat cultivars using a G12-based ELISA kit. The results were focused on the varietal and annual level of cross-reactivity (interference) of avenin epitopes with the G12 antibody on the identification of potential cultivars with significantly different interferences and assessing the degree of risk of possible false-contamination with external gluten. Although repeated evaluations confirmed high year-to-year variability (RSD ≥ 30%) in approximately 2/3 of the cultivars, the content of interfering avenin epitopes with G12 did not exceed the considered safe limit (20 mg·kg-1) for celiacs. At the same time, not only annual but, above all, significant cultivar dependences in the interference of avenins to the G12 antibody were demonstrated. Genetic dependence was further confirmed in connection with the proven avenin polymorphism as well as immunoblotting with the identification of interfering peptides with the G12 antibody in the 25 and 30 kDa regions. It was the occurrence of two bands around 30 kDa that predominantly occurred in oat cultivars with a relatively higher content of cross-reactive avenins (12-16 mg·kg-1). Due to the fact that the contents of interfering avenins ranged in several cultivars even over 16 mg·kg-1, the choice of a suitable oat cultivar may be crucial for gluten-free food producers, as it reduces the risk of a possible false-response of the commercial ELISA kits when checking the real-gluten contamination.

Doctoral programmes in the nursing discipline: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to map and summarise the state of the research regarding doctoral programs in nursing, as well as the issues debated in the context of nursing doctoral education. A Scoping Review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension scoping reviews statement (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. Three electronic bibliographic data bases were searched: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, Medline (on EBSCO Host) and SCOPUS to identify empirical studies published between January 2009 and December 2019. The review process was based on framework identified by Arksey and O'Malley and further revised by Levac and colleagues. Analysis was performed with the use of the Donabedian framework regarding the structure of the doctorate programmes, the process, and the outcomes. RESULTS: The review included 41 articles, mostly originating in the United States (n=26) and Europe (n=8), mainly by collecting the perceptions of students and faculty members with descriptive studies. The following issues were investigated at the (a) structure level: Prerequisite for doctoral candidates, Qualifications of faculty members, Mission of doctoral programs; (b) process level: Doctoral programs contents, Doctoral programs resources and quality, Mentoring and supervision, Doing doctorate abroad; and (c) outcome level: Academic performance outcomes in doctoral programs, Doctoral graduates' competences, Doctoral students/graduates' satisfaction, Doctoral graduates' challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Doctoral programs have mainly been investigated to date with descriptive studies, suggesting more robust research investigating the effectiveness of strategies to prepare future scientists in the nursing discipline. Doctorates are different across countries, and there is no visible cooperation of scholars internationally; their structure and processes have been reported to be stable over the years, thus not following the research development in nursing, discipline and practice expectations. Moreover, no clear framework of outcomes in the short- and long-term have been established to date to measure the quality and effectiveness of doctorate education. National and global strategies might establish common structure, process and outcome frameworks, as well as promote robust studies that are capable of assessing the effectiveness of this field of education.

Avenanthramides: Unique Bioactive Substances of Oat Grain in the Context of Cultivar, Cropping System, Weather Conditions and Other Grain Parameters.

Our study was focused on the evaluation of the content of a wider spectrum of eight avenanthramides (AVNs) as unique components of oat grain under the effects of four selected factors (cultivar, locality, cropping system, and year). The weather effects on changes in the AVN content and their relationship to other important parameters of oat grain were further evaluated in more detail. A sensitive UHPLC system coupled with a QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer was used for AVN quantification. AVNs confirmed a high variability (RDS = 72.7-113.5%), which was dominantly influenced by the locality and year factors. While most AVN types confirmed mutually high correlations (r = 0.7-0.9), their correlations with the other 10 grain parameters were lower (r ≤ 0.48). Their significant correlations (0.27-0.46) with ß-D-glucan could be used in perspective in breeding programs for the synergetic increase of both parameters. PCA analysis and Spearman correlations based on individual cultivars confirmed a significant effect of June and July precipitation on the increase of Σ AVNs. However, the results also indicated that higher precipitation can generate favorable conditions for related factors, such as preharvest sprouting evoking a direct increase of AVNs synthesis in oat grain.

Polish Adaptation of the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Female Autism Phenotype: An Investigation of Potentially Sex-Biased Items in the Screening Assessment and Their Impact on Scores.

Standardized screening assessments and sex differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are still under-explored in Poland. This study investigated the differences between Polish ASD females and males based on the responses provided by parents/caregivers to a Polish adaptation of the Social Communication Questionnaire, SCQ Lifetime and SCQ Current. The study included 90 ASD participants from Mental Health Services and Autism Clinics in Poland with no intellectual disability and no profound communication difficulties. Parents provided information on the SCQ items which were compared under three domains of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Four SCQ items with the examples were investigated. No significant differences were found between the two sexes in the three domains. The repetitive use of objects declined with age in ASD males. Although the findings of the present study did not reveal substantial gender biases in the Polish adaptation of the SCQ, it is necessary to take into account potential gender differences in the clinical presentation of ASD and in the adaptation of screening and diagnostic tools.

Motion-Based Acuity Task: Full Visual Field Measurement of Shape and Motion Perception.

Purpose: Damage of retinal representation of the visual field affects its local features and the spared, unaffected parts. Measurements of visual deficiencies in ophthalmological patients are separated for central (shape) or peripheral (motion and space perception) properties, and acuity tasks rely on stationary stimuli. We explored the benefit of measuring shape and motion perception simultaneously using a new motion-based acuity task. Methods: Eight healthy control subjects, three patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; tunnel vision), and 2 patients with Stargardt disease (STGD) juvenile macular degeneration were included. To model the peripheral loss, we narrowed the visual field in controls to 10 degrees. Negative and positive contrast of motion signals were tested in random-dot kinematograms (RDKs), where shapes were separated from the background by the motion of dots based on coherence, direction, or velocity. The task was to distinguish a circle from an ellipse. The difficulty of the task increased as ellipse became more circular until reaching the acuity limit. Results: High velocity, negative contrast was more difficult for all, and for patients with STGD, it was too difficult to participate. A slower velocity improved acuity for all participants. Conclusions: Proposed acuity testing not only allows for the full assessment of vision but also advances the capability of standard testing with the potential to detect spare visual functions. Translational Relevance: The motion-based acuity task might be a practical tool for assessing vision loss and revealing undetected, undamaged, or strengthened properties of the injured visual system by standard testing, as suggested here for two patients with STGD and three patients with RP.

Perception of health, health behaviours and the use of prophylactic examinations in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Pro-health behaviours aim at disease prevention, recovery from an illness and maintenance of good health in a physical, mental and social sphere. The study had two main objectives: (a) to analyse health behaviours of postmenopausal women and their understanding of the notion of health, and (b) to analyse the relationship between individual categories of health behaviours and prophylactic activities undertaken by postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 510 postmenopausal women. Three study instruments were used: an original questionnaire and two instruments designed by Juczynski: the List of Health Criteria and the Health Behaviour Inventory. RESULTS: In the view of the respondents health was primarily synonymous with a feature, because the following three associations were given the highest priority when defining health: to be healthy means 'have all body parts functioning well' (M = 1.82), 'do not experience any physical problems' (M = 1.43) and 'not be sick, only occasionally suffer from flu, cold or indigestion'. The score for health behaviours was average (M = 86.18). The highest score was achieved in the area of prophylactic behaviours. General indicator of health-related behaviours was higher in women who rated their health as very good (p < 0.05). Women whose general indicator of health-related behaviours was higher regularly performed prophylactic gynaecological examinations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that women after menopause treat health mainly as a feature of their body and condition specific for this period of life. The analysis of postmenopausal women's health behaviours and their perception of health helped to identify areas that require the focus of medical personnel in regard to health promotion and prophylaxis. The average general indicator of health-related behaviours is positive for this group of women as it shows that they care about their health, especially in terms of prophylaxis.

Attitudes of Teenage Mothers towards Pregnancy and Childbirth.

The problem of early motherhood is still a serious medical and social problem in many countries around the world. The aim of this study was to analyze the attitudes of teenage mothers towards pregnancy and childbirth. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with the use of an original questionnaire containing a test to measure attitudes on a five-point Likert scale and a Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) to assess dispositional optimism. The study involved 308 teenage mothers between 13 and 19 years of age. Attitudes of teenage mothers towards pregnancy and childbirth were more often positive (90.6%) than negative (9.4%). Sociodemographic features determining the attitudes of teenage mothers towards both their pregnancy and childbirth included their age, marital status, current occupation, and main source of income. The type of attitude adopted by teenage mothers towards pregnancy and childbirth was significantly related to the level of their dispositional optimism.

Conscientious object in nursing: Regulations and practice in two European countries.

BACKGROUND: The concept of conscientious objection is well described; however, because of its nature, little is known about real experiences of nursing professionals who apply objections in their practice. Extended roles in nursing indicate that clinical and value-based dilemmas are becoming increasingly common. In addition, the migration trends of the nursing workforce have increased the need for the mutual understanding of culturally based assumptions on aspects of health care delivery. AIM: To present (a) the arguments for and against conscientious objection in nursing practice, (b) a description of current regulations and practice regarding conscientious objection in nursing in Poland and the United Kingdom, and (c) to offer a balanced view regarding the application of conscientious objection in clinical nursing practice. DESIGN: Discussion paper. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Ethical guidelines has been followed at each stage of this study. FINDINGS: Strong arguments exist both for and against conscientious objection in nursing which are underpinned by empirical research from across Europe. Arguments against conscientious objection relate less to it as a concept, but rather in regard to organisational aspects of its application and different mechanisms which could be introduced in order to reach the balance between professional and patient's rights. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Debate regarding conscientious objection is vivid, and there is consensus that the right to objection among nurses is an important, acknowledged part of nursing practice. Regulation in the United Kingdom is limited to reproductive health, while in Poland, there are no specific procedures to which nurses can apply an objection. The same obligations of those who express conscientious objection apply in both countries, including the requirement to share information with a line manager, the patient, documentation of the objection and necessity to indicate the possibility of receiving care from other nurses. Using Poland and the United Kingdom as case study countries, this article offers a balanced view regarding the application of conscientious objection in clinical nursing practice.

Stress urinary incontinence after labor and satisfaction with sex life.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of stress urinary incontinence in women after labor, its determinants,and to establish its effect on women's satisfaction with their sex lives. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research implemented the Gaudenz-Incontinence-Questionnaire and the Sexual Quality ofLife-Female scale (SQoL-F). The principal inclusion criterion was the time of 3 to 6 months after labor. RESULTS: The research was carried out amongst 193 women. Thirty-two of the participants (16.6%) showed symptoms ofstress urinary incontinence after labor that were statistically correlated with the number of experienced labors (p = 0.044)and the newborn's weight (p = 0.016). The participants' sex life satisfaction was on average 75.47 ± 24.68. The respondentssuffering from stress urinary incontinence obtained a significantly lower (p = 0.006) average score for general sex life satisfaction(64.38 ± 26.15) when compared with women without symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (77.67 ± 23.86). CONCLUSIONS: The problem of incontinence after labor affected one in six women. Occupation, number of pregnancies,damage to the perineum during labor, and the infant's birth weight significantly dependent on the incontinence occurrenceafter labor. The onset of incontinence symptoms in women in the reproductive age has an adverse effect on theirsex life satisfaction.

Predicted difficulties, educational needs, and interest in working in end of life care among nursing and medical students.

BACKGROUND: The need to provide care for the dying patient and his/her family may occur in every medical setting. Newly graduated nurses and physicians should therefore be prepared to deliver it at a high-quality level. OBJECTIVES: To explore (a) the primary difficulties participants anticipate they will encounter whilst working with dying patients, (b) their interest in developing competencies in caring for dying patients, and (c) their interest in working in palliative/hospice settings or with dying patients in the future. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: A medical university in Poland. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of nursing (=112) and medical students (=101) at the end of their undergraduate education. METHODS: Questionnaire distributed online and in hard-copy format. RESULTS: Half of the participants anticipated experiencing various emotional and professional difficulties in caring for dying individuals, especially medical students. These difficulties pertained mostly the reaction of family members to the patient's death, addressing the psychological needs of the dying person, and coping with his/her own emotions when dealing with the patient's death. Students reported that working with dying patients could cause occupational stress - more so among medical students. The majority of them showed an interest in improving knowledge regarding palliative care and also in this case this was mostly true of medical rather than nursing students. However, more than half of the participants preferred avoiding work in palliative/hospice settings, with no differences between the two groups. Participants attributed this attitude to two factors: (a) the desire to avoid negative emotions and stress that could be triggered by dealing with death and dying; and (b) because they felt they lacked the required skills and personal abilities to handle such situations. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate curricula that include strategies for coping with negative emotions associated with facing the process of death and dying should be developed. Interprofessional education should be encouraged, especially regarding the psychosocial aspects of end-of-life care.

No Risk, No Differences. Neural Correlates of Temperamental Traits Revealed Using Naturalistic fMRI Method.

The main goal of this study was to identify the moderating role of temperamental traits, as defined by Strelau's Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT), in explaining brain activity evoked by video stimuli of varying stimulatory value. fMRI scans were performed in a group of 61 young females in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The validity of stimulus selection had been verified prior to the main study by collecting declarative measures of affective reactions, including valence, arousal, and basic emotions ratings. The choice of dynamic and complex video-stimuli allowed us to induce high levels of arousal effectively. Three categories of movies used in the experiment included neutral, low arousing, and highly arousing scenes. Movies classified into the last category depicted extreme-sport activities allowing us to confront the subjects with recordings potentially life-threatening situations. Results of the study revealed that activation of orbitofrontal cortex in highly arousing conditions is linked to the levels of activity, while traits of perseverance and emotional reactivity were negatively correlated with the BOLD signal in this structure. Low arousing movies evoked higher activation of the amygdala and left hippocampus in emotionally reactive subjects. Obtained results might be coherently interpreted in the light of RTT theory, therefore providing its first validation using functional brain imaging.