Neuroinflammation, body temperature and behavioural changes in CD1 male mice undergoing acute restraint stress: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Animal models used to study pathologies requiring rehabilitation therapy, such as cardiovascular and neurologic disorders or oncologic disease, must be as refined and translationally relevant as possible. Sometimes, however, experimental procedures such as those involving restraint may generate undesired effects which may act as a source of bias. However, the extent to which potentially confounding effects derive from such routine procedures is currently unknown. Our study was therefore aimed at exploring possible undesirable effects of acute restraint stress, whereby animals were exposed to a brightly lit enclosed chamber (R&L) similar to those that are commonly used for substance injection. We hypothesised that this would induce a range of unwanted physiological alterations [such as neuroinflammatory response and changes in body weight and in brown adipose tissue (BAT)] and behavioural modification, and that these might be mitigated via the use of non-aversive handling methods: Tunnel Handling (NAH-T) and Mechanoceptive Handling (NAH-M)) as compared to standard Tail Handling (TH). METHODS: Two indicators of physiological alterations and three potentially stress sensitive behavioural parameters were assessed. Physiological alterations were recorded via body weight changes and assessing the temperature of Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) using infra-red thermography (IRT), and at the end of the experiment we determined the concentration of cytokines CXCL12 and CCL2 in bone marrow (BM) and activated microglia in the brain. Nest complexity scoring, automated home-cage behaviour analysis (HCS) and Elevated Plus Maze testing (EPM) were used to detect any behavioural alterations. Recordings were made before and after a 15-minute period of R&L in groups of mice handled via TH, NAH-T or NAH-M. RESULTS: BAT temperature significantly decreased in all handling groups following R&L regardless of handling method. There was a difference, at the limit of significance (p = 0.06), in CXCL12 BM content among groups. CXCL12 content in BM of NAH-T animals was similar to that found in Sentinels, the less stressed group of animals. After R&L, mice undergoing NAH-T and NAH-M showed improved body-weight maintenance compared to those exposed to TH. Mice handled via NAH-M spent a significantly longer time on the open arms of the EPM. The HCS results showed that in all mice, regardless of handling method, R&L resulted in a significant reduction in walking and rearing, but not in total distance travelled. All mice also groomed more. No difference among the groups was found in Nest Score, in CCL2 BM content or in brain activated microglia. CONCLUSIONS: Stress induced by a common restraint procedure caused metabolic and behavioural changes that might increase the risk of unexpected bias. In particular, the significant decrease in BAT temperature could affect the important metabolic pathways controlled by this tissue. R&L lowered the normal frequency of walking and rearing, increased grooming and probably carried a risk of low-grade neuro-inflammation. Some of the observed alterations can be mitigated by Non-aversive handlings.

Afrontamiento de los efectos psicológicos de la pandemia por COVID-19

La dependencia emocional: un problema de la psicología y otras ciencias humanísticas / Emotional dependence: a problem in psychology and other humanistic sciences

RESUMEN Introducción: se consideran las ideas de L.S. Vygotsky (1896-1934) teórico del enfoque histórico-cultural con su propuesta para elaborar una teoría y práctica psicológica materialista-dialéctica. Objetivo: valorar la dependencia emocional con sus causas y factores asociados a partir de la apreciación teórica de los autores sobre su diagnóstico, orientación, educación, prevención, tratamiento y rehabilitación. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre la dependencia emocional por las bases de datos SciELO y Google Académico con predominio de los últimos 5 años, con la mirada multicausal, multidisciplinar, eminentemente psicológica, integracionista de la psicología cubana y de la escuela histórico-cultural de Vygotsky, consecuentes con lo psicobiológico, socio-económico-cultural en interacción con lo cualitativo-cuantitativo y lo clínico-epidemiológico. Desarrollo: se referenciaron múltiples disciplinas de las ciencias humanísticas, con el liderazgo de la psicología y el axioma vigotskiano: "...más allá de las potencialidades humanas para adaptarse al medio, están las posibilidades transformadoras del ser humano"; se reconocieron herramientas instrumentadas, devenidas en procesos psicológicos, protectores de personas con dependencia emocional. Conclusiones: la prevención de la dependencia emocional y su control, valorada a través de la escuela vigotskiana se apoya en la estimulación de la zona de desarrollo próximo y en la explicación de la situación social del desarrollo, regulada por actividades socio-culturales con su base natural en el sistema nervioso, regida por órganos funcionales, sin trasmisión biológica, con implicaciones de la psiconeuroinmunología, a partir de la cual se trata de solucionar el dilema cuerpo-mente relacionado con el tema.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the ideas of L.S. Vygotsky (1896-1934) theorist of the historical-cultural approach with his proposal to elaborate a materialist-dialectic psychological theory and practice are considered. Objective: to assess emotional dependence with its causes and associated factors based on the theoretical appreciation of the authors about its diagnosis, orientation, education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Methods: a bibliographic review on emotional dependence was carried out by the SciELO and Google scholar databases with a predominance of the last 5 years, with a multicausal, multidisciplinary, eminently psychological, integrationist view of Cuban psychology and the historical-cultural school of Vygotsky, consistent with the psychobiological, socio-economic-cultural in interaction with the qualitative-quantitative and the clinical-epidemiological. Development: multiple disciplines of the humanistic sciences were referenced, with the leadership of psychology and the Vigotskian axiom: "... beyond the human potentialities to adapt to the environment, there are the transforming possibilities of the human being"; Instrumented tools were recognized, turned into psychological processes, protectors of people with emotional dependence. Conclusions: the prevention of emotional dependence and its control is valued through the Vigotskian school which is based on the stimulation of the zone of proximal development and on the explanation of the social situation of development, regulated by socio-cultural activities with its natural base in the nervous system, that is governed by functional organs, without biological transmission, with implications of psychoneuroimmunology, from which it is a matter of solving the mind-body dilemma related to the subject.

Assessment of captive rearing conditions on loggerhead hatchlings: Effect of handling frequency and stocking density.

Frequently, stranded sea turtles require rehabilitation under controlled conditions. Currently, few publications have described the conditions under which rehabilitation is to take place, particularly with respect to the hatchling life stage. To address this paucity of data, we conducted some experiments to assist rehabilitating facilities assess their handling of hatchlings. While in captivity, hatchlings are routinely handled, for example, for data collection and cleaning. Standardization of handling and housing protocols is necessary to define the most adequate rearing conditions to maintain hatchling welfare. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess plasma circulating corticosterone (Cort) concentration and growth, as a biomarker for the stress of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) under controlled conditions. We performed two experiments to analyze handling frequency and stocking density. In both, Cort was measured and correlated with variations in animal weight and length. In handling experiments, Cort exhibited no significant increase when hatchlings were handled once a week, whereas Cort was significantly elevated when hatchlings were handled once every 2 weeks, suggesting that hatchlings have the ability to acclimate to frequent handling. However, hatchlings exhibited similar growth and mortality, regardless of handling regime. In stocking density experiments, hatchling isolation induced a significant elevation of Cort, in comparison with hatchlings placed with conspecifics at increasing densities. Growth increased in singly housed hatchlings, while mortality increased in tanks with three or more hatchlings. The results obtained suggest that Cort, growth, and mortality should be measured to assess hatchling welfare when kept under controlled conditions.

BLOOD LACTATE CONCENTRATIONS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) FOLLOWING CAPTURE BY A CANINE SEARCH TEAM.

Studies to assess wildlife health commonly evaluate clinical pathology changes, immune responses, pathogen presence, and contaminant exposure, but novel modalities are needed to characterize the unique physiologic responses of reptiles. Lactate is an indicator of hypoperfusion and/or anaerobic respiration and can be quickly and easily measured using a point-of-care analyzer. This study evaluated baseline blood lactate concentrations in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina, n = 116) using a point of care analyzer and then determined the effect of handling time, physical examination (PE) abnormalities, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction pathogen detection (Terrapene herpesvirus 1, Mycoplasma sp., Terrapene adenovirus) on lactate concentrations. Blood lactate concentrations were higher in turtles with Terrapene herpesvirus 1 (n = 11), quiet mentation, and increased packed cell volume (P < 0.05). Lactate concentrations increased between initial capture and PE, with peak values reaching 129 min after capture. Lactate at PE was positively associated with baseline lactate concentrations. Turtles with Terrapene herpesvirus 1 may have alterations in blood flow, oxygen delivery, or activity patterns, driving increases in baseline lactate. Increased handling time likely leads to more escape behaviors and/or breath holding, causing turtles to undergo anaerobic metabolism and raising lactate concentrations. Overall, lactate measured by a point of care analyzer shows variability caused by capture and health factors in eastern box turtles and may be a useful adjunctive diagnostic test in this species after full methodologic validation.

High levels of infant handling by adult males in Rwenzori Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii) compared to two closely related species, C. guereza and C. vellerosus.

Infant handling (holding or carrying) by adult males is rare in mammals; however, high levels have been reported in some primates. Though infant handling is a costly behaviour, there are many benefits that male handlers can accrue. Infant handling by males is most conspicuous in platyrrhines and tends to be uncommon in catarrhines. In the latter species, research on male-infant interactions has focused on low-cost behaviours, such as proximity and grooming. However, to better understand the evolution of infant handling by males, more data on its occurrence across the Primate order are essential, even in species where it is relatively uncommon. We compare the occurrence of infant handling by males in three closely related species of catarrhine: Colobus vellerosus, C. guereza, and C. angolensis ruwenzorii. We collected focal animal samples on infants to quantify infant handling rates and durations, and found that adult male C. a. ruwenzorii handled infants much more frequently and for much longer than males in the other two species. We discuss how C. a. ruwenzorii's unique social organization may explain high levels of infant handling by adult males in this species. More long-term and detailed comparisons of infant handling across species and populations will shed light on how sociality has shaped the evolution of this behaviour in the Primate order.

Increased MMP-9 levels with strain-dependent stress resilience and tunnel handling in mice.

Increased perineuronal net (PNN) deposition has been observed in association with corticosteroid administration and stress in rodent models of depression. PNNs are a specialized form of extracellular matrix (ECM) that may enhance GABA-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission to potentially restrict the excitation and plasticity of pyramidal glutamatergic neurons. In contrast, antidepressant administration increases levels of the PNN-degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which enhances glutamatergic plasticity and neurotransmission. In the present study, we compare pro-MMP-9 levels and measures of stress in females from two mouse strains, C57BL/6 J and BALB/cJ, in the presence or absence of tail grasping versus tunnel-associated cage transfers. Prior work suggests that C57BL/6 J mice show relatively enhanced neuroplasticity and stress resilience, while BALB/c mice demonstrate enhanced susceptibility to adverse effects of stress. Herein we observe that as compared to the C57BL/6 J strain, BALB/c mice demonstrate a higher level of baseline anxiety as determined by elevated plus maze (EPM) testing. Moreover, as determined by open field testing, anxiety is differentially reduced in BALB/c mice by a choice-driven tunnel-entry cage transfer technique. Additionally, as compared to tail-handled C57BL/6 J mice, tail-handled BALB/c mice have reduced brain levels of pro-MMP-9 and increased levels of its endogenous inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1); however, tunnel-associated cage transfer increases pro-MMP-9 levels in BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice also show increases in Western blot immunoreactive bands for brevican, a constituent of PNNs. Together, these data support the possibility that MMP-9, an effector of PNN remodeling, contributes to the phenotype of strain and handling-associated differences in behavior.

Simultaneous antagonism of dopamine D1/D2/D3 receptor in the NAc reduces 50-kHz ultrasonic calls in response to rhythmic tactile stroking.

Tactile stimulation such as rhythmic stroking elicits 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rats that are thought to reflect positive affective states. Dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is required for tactile reward-induced 50-kHz USVs; however, it is still unknown whether the accumbal dopaminergic system differentially modulates 50-kHz USV call subtypes induced by rhythmic stroking. We therefore examined both total and categorized 50-kHz USV rate, peak frequency, and duration under dopamine (DA) receptor antagonism in the NAc shell. Bilateral injection of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (500 ng/side) plus the D2/D3 receptor antagonist raclopride (25 µg/side) significantly reduced the number of predominantly flat calls with harmonics during stimulation and the number of frequency-modulated (FM) calls after stimulation. In contrast, there were no substantial changes in total and categorized 50-kHz USVs mean peak frequencies and call durations. Therefore, emission of different subtypes of 50-kHz USVs may be differently regulated by dopaminergic transmission. The 50-kHz harmonics and FM USVs induced by rhythmic stroking may be useful behavioral markers for tactile reward in rats.

Effects of handling on the behavioural phenotype of the neuregulin 1 type III transgenic mouse model for schizophrenia.

Handling of laboratory mice affects animal wellbeing and behavioural test outcomes. However, present research has focused on handling effects in common strains of laboratory mice despite the knowledge that environmental factors can modify established phenotypes of genetic mouse models. Thus, we examined the impact of handling on the face validity of a transgenic mouse model for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin 1 (i.e. Nrg1 type III overexpression). Nrg1 III tg and wild type-like (WT) control mice of both sexes underwent tail or tunnel handling before being assessed in the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), social preference/novelty, prepulse inhibition, and fear conditioning tests. Tunnel-handling reduced the startle response in all mice, increased OF locomotion and exploration in males and reduced anxiety in males (OF) and females (EPM) compared to tail-handling. Importantly, tunnel handling induced a more pronounced startle response to increasing startle stimuli in Nrg1 III tg females compared to respective controls, a phenomenon absent in tail-handled females. Finally, Nrg1 III tg males displayed reduced OF exploration and centre locomotion and Nrg1 III tg females displayed increased cue freezing over time compared to controls. In conclusion, handling methods have a significant impact on a variety of behavioural domains thus the impact of routine handling procedures need be considered when testing behavioural phenotypes. Handling did not change the main schizophrenia-relevant characteristics of Nrg1 III tg mice but affected the acoustic startle-response in a genotype- and sex-specific manner. Future research should evaluate the effect of handling on other genetic models.

Neurodevelopmental testing of mice in the neonatal period does not affect their locomotor activity, depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour in adolescence.

Neonatal life is a sensitive period of brain plasticity. There are concerns that pre-weaning handling may therefore alter behavioural phenotype in adolescence or adulthood. Since neurodevelopment tests require daily manipulation with pups, later behavioural outcomes might be biased by repeated handling during suckling period. The aim of our study was to assess whether daily neurodevelopmental testing would cause alterations in behavioural phenotype. Sixty-four CD1 mice were randomized to tested and not tested group. In the tested group, maturation of physical features and neurodevelopment were monitored daily from postnatal day 1-21 between 9 and 11 AM. After weaning, battery of behavioural tests to monitor anxiety-like, depressive, or repetitive behaviour was performed in all mice. We revealed no significant between-group differences in performance of these tests. Our data did not confirm the assumption that early neurodevelopment testing during suckling period affects behavioural phenotype in adolescence.

Urocanic acid enhances memory consolidation and reconsolidation in novel object recognition task.

Urocanic acid (UCA) is an endogenous small molecule that is elevated in skin, blood and brain after sunlight exposure, mainly playing roles in the periphery systems. Few studies have investigated the role of UCA in the central nervous system. In particular, its role in memory consolidation and reconsolidation is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal injection of UCA on memory consolidation and reconsolidation in a novel object recognition memory (ORM) task. In the consolidation version of the ORM task, the protocol involved three phases: habituation, sampling and test. UCA injection immediately after the sampling period enhanced ORM memory performance; UCA injection 6 h after sampling did not affect ORM memory performance. In the reconsolidation version of the ORM task, the protocol involved three phases: sampling, reactivation and test. UCA injection immediately after reactivation enhanced ORM memory performance; UCA injection 6 h after reactivation did not affect ORM memory performance; UCA injection 24 h after sampling without reactivation did not affect ORM memory performance. This UCA-enhanced memory performance was not due to its effects on nonspecific responses such as locomotor activity and exploratory behavior. The results suggest that UCA injection enhances consolidation and reconsolidation of an ORM task, which further extends previous research on UCA effects on learning and memory.

Regular touchscreen training affects faecal corticosterone metabolites and anxiety-like behaviour in mice.

Automated touchscreen techniques find increasing application for the assessment of cognitive function in rodents. However, hardly anything is known about the potential impact of touchscreen-based training and testing procedures on the animals under investigation. Addressing this question appears particularly important in light of the long and intensive training phases required for most of the operant tasks. Against this background, we here investigated the influence of regular touchscreen training on hormones and behaviour of mice. Faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs), reflecting corticosterone levels around the time of treatment, were significantly increased in touchscreen-trained mice, even one week after the training phase was already terminated. Such an effect was not detected on baseline FCMs. Thus, regular touchscreen training can be assumed to cause long-term effects on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Furthermore, anxiety-like behaviour was increased in touchscreen-trained mice two weeks after the end of the training phase. Traditionally, this would be interpreted as a negative influence of the training procedure on the animals' affective state. Yet, we also provide two alternative explanations, taking the possibility into account that touchscreen training might have enriching properties.

Behaviour Management of the Contemporary Child in Paediatric Dentistry: An Overview of the Research

ABSTRACT Objective: To provide an overview of the most relevant studies on non-pharmacological behaviour management techniques for contemporary children, the so-called alpha generation, who undergo dental treatment. Material and Methods: A systematic search was performed on the Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar (grey literature) databases. The articles were read and data collected by two reviewers on an independent basis. Two reviewers collected data from the studies selected in tables structured by using the Rayyan QCRI software. The following data were extracted: year of study, child's age, child's gender, technique used. Results: A total of 322 articles were found, remaining only 17 after duplicates were removed and inclusion and exclusion criteria applied. The studies were conducted between 2010 and 2019 in Saudi Arabia, Greece, India, Brazil, USA, Italy, and Switzerland. The samples ranged from 15 to 306 children aged between 3 and 10 years old. The children attended the dental office for different reasons, ranging from simple prevention to endodontic treatment under local anaesthesia. Several behaviour modification methods are known to be used before and during a dental consultation. Conclusion: After reading the articles, we concluded that alpha generation children are inserted in a daily environment of modernization and that conventional non-pharmacological techniques using technology, such as audio-visual glasses, are more interesting and make children distracted and relaxed during dental treatment, thus minimizing their stress, anxiety and fear.

Which tactics of sexual violence predict leaving the relationship?. The Role of dependence towards partner / ¿Qué tácticas de violencia sexual predicen el abandono de la relación?. El papel de la dependencia hacia la pareja

Intimate partner sexual violence has countless consequences for women suffering it. This research analyse the effect of the type of sexual coercion tactic and partner dependence on both the attribution of responsibility and the probability of leaving a relationship. In Study 1, six scenarios for different sexual tactics were presented (coaxing, coercion, and aggression) to 5 experts in order to select those with better evidence of content validity regarding the construct evaluated. In Study 2, the three selected scenarios were presented to 304 Spanish participants from the general population, analysing the effect of the type of tactic and dependence on attributed responsibility and the probability of leaving a relationship. Results showed that in the sexual aggression scenario, participants assigned the highest responsibility to the aggressorand showed the strongest likelihood of leaving the relationship. Further, results revealed that in the coaxing scenario, dependence had an indirect effect on the probability of leaving the relationship through a lower responsibility attributed to the aggressor. As a conclusion, this study emphasises the importance of the sexual tactic used by aggressors in individuals' perception about sexual coercion, contributing to increasing the visibility of this unacceptable action, especially in its more subtle and normalised form

La violencia sexual en las relaciones de pareja tiene innumerables consecuencias para las mujeres que la sufren. Esta investigación analiza el efecto del tipo de táctica de coerción sexual y la dependencia de la pareja en la atribución de responsabilidad y la probabilidad de dejar la relación. En el Estudio 1 se presentaron seis escenarios sobre diferentes tácticas sexuales(persuasión, coerción y agresión) a 5 expertos con la finalidad de seleccionar a aquellos que mostraran una mayor validez de contenido con respecto al constructo evaluado. En el Estudio 2, 304 participantes leyeron los tres escenarios seleccionados y se analizó el efecto del tipo de táctica y la dependencia en la responsabilidad atribuida y en la probabilidad de dejar la relación. Los resultados mostraron que los participantes responsabilizaban más al agresor y dejarían con más probabilidad la relación en la condición de agresión sexual que en la condición de coerción sexual o persuasión sexual. Además, los resultados revelan que en el escenario más sutil (persuasión) la dependencia tiene un efecto indirecto sobre probabilidad de dejar la relación a través de una menor responsabilidad atribuida al agresor. Como conclusión, esta investigación enfatiza la importancia que tiene la táctica sexual utilizada por el agresor en la percepción de la coerción sexual, contribuyendo a aumentar la visibilidad de este acto inaceptable, especialmente en su forma más sutil y normalizada

Avaliação e manejo da ansiedade e fobia odontológica: a psicologia na formação do cirurgião-dentista / Evaluation and management of anxiety and dental fear: psychology in the formation of the dentist

Dental fear and anxiety arise from several factors, among them, exposure to previous traumatic experiences with needles, injections and instruments that can cause discomfort. Anxious patients tend to reschedule appointments, avoid treatments and are only available for visits at the dentist when painful symptoms appear, so delayed treatment tends to be more invasive and cause even more emotional damage to the patient, consequently aggravate this feeling and, in turn, create a vicious cycle in which avoiding treatment only makes the oral health condition even worse. It is up to professionals of Dentistry to identify anxiety in patients and make use of resources to manage this anxiety in order to enable an effective dental treatment with less emotional damage to the patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate, by means of a integrative literature review, the importance of the study of Psychology by the dental professional and to expose the techniques for coping with dental anxiety, based on scientific evidences.

O medo e a ansiedade odontológica surgem por diversos fatores, entre eles, a exposição à experiências traumáticas anteriores com envolvimento de agulhas, injeções e instrumentos que possam causar incômodo. Os pacientes ansiosos tendem a adiar consultas, evitam os tratamentos odontológicos e só se dispõe às visitas ao dentista quando aparecem sintomas dolorosos, logo o tratamento tardio tende a ser mais invasivo causando ainda mais prejuízo emocional ao paciente, consequente agravo a tal sentimento e, por sua vez, origina um ciclo vicioso no qual evitar o tratamento agrava ainda mais a condição de saúde bucal. Cabe aos profissionais da Odontologia identificar a ansiedade nos pacientes e fazer uso de recursos de manejo dessa ansiedade de modo a possibilitar um tratamento odontológico eficaz e com menor prejuízo emocional ao paciente. Com este estudo pretende-se avaliar por meio de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, a importância do estudo da Psicologia pelo profissional da Odontologia e expor algumas técnicas de enfrentamento da ansiedade odontológica, com base em evidências científicas.

The impact of handling technique and handling frequency on laboratory mouse welfare is sex-specific.

Handling is a well-known source of stress to laboratory animals and can affect variability of results and even compromise animal welfare. The conventional tail handling in mice has been shown to induce aversion and anxiety-like behaviour. Recent findings demonstrate that the use of alternative handling techniques, e.g. tunnel handling, can mitigate negative handling-induced effects. Here, we show that technique and frequency of handling influence affective behaviour and stress hormone release of subjects in a sex-dependent manner. While frequent tail handling led to a reduction of wellbeing-associated burrowing and increased despair-like behaviour in male mice, females seemed unaffected. Instead, they displayed a stress response to a low handling frequency, which was not detectable in males. This could suggest that in terms of refinement, the impact in handling could differ between the sexes. Independently from this observation, both sexes preferred to interact with the tunnel. Mice generally explored the tunnel more often than the tail-handling hands of the experimenter and showed more positively rated approaches, e.g. touching or climbing, and at the same time, less defensive burrowing, indicating a strong preference for the tunnel.

Benefits of tunnel handling persist after repeated restraint, injection and anaesthesia.

Millions of mice are used every year for scientific research, representing the majority of scientific procedures conducted on animals. The standard method used to pick up laboratory mice for general husbandry and experimental procedures is known as tail handling and involves the capture, elevation and restraint of mice via their tails. There is growing evidence that, compared to non-aversive handling methods (i.e. tunnel and cup), tail handling increases behavioural signs of anxiety and induces anhedonia. Hence tail handling has a negative impact on mouse welfare. Here, we investigated whether repeated scruff restraint, intraperitoneal (IP) injections and anaesthesia negated the reduction in anxiety-related behaviour in tunnel compared with tail handled BALB/c mice. We found that mice which experienced repeated restraint spent less time interacting with a handler compared to mice that were handled only. However, after repeated restraint, tunnel handled mice showed increased willingness to interact with a handler, and reduced anxiety in standard behavioural tests compared with tail handled mice. The type of procedure experienced (IP injection or anaesthesia), and the duration after which behaviour was measured after a procedure affected the willingness of mice to interact with a handler. Despite this, compared with tail handling, tunnel handling reduced anxiety in standard behavioural tests and increased willingness to interact with a handler within hours after procedures. This suggests that the welfare benefits of tunnel handling are widely applicable and not diminished by the use of other putatively more invasive procedures that are frequently used in the laboratory. Therefore, the simple refinement of replacing tail with tunnel handling for routine husbandry and procedures will deliver a substantial improvement for mouse welfare and has the potential for improving scientific outcomes.

Between anguish and act: challenges for the management of subjective urgency in the psychoanalytic clinic / Entre angústia e ato: desafios para o manejo da urgência subjetiva na clínica psicanalítica

RESUMO: A partir de questões suscitadas pela clínica da recepção em um ambulatório público de saúde mental, investigamos o manejo clínico da urgência subjetiva. Tendo em vista a recorrência do sofrimento psíquico relacionado à angústia e a manifestações ligadas ao ato, revisamos o lugar da angústia em psicanálise e sua relação com o acting out e a passagem ao ato. Verificamos como o psicanalista pode acolher a urgência subjetiva, permitindo que este momento de crise dê lugar ao trabalho psíquico e possibilite uma subjetivação do sofrimento.

Abstract: From issues raised by the reception clinic in a public mental health clinic, we investigated the clinical management of subjective urgency. In view of the recurrence of psychic suffering related to the anguish and manifestations associated with the act, we review the place of anguish in psychoanalysis and its relation to the acting out and the passage to the act. We verify how the psychoanalyst can take on the subjective urgency, allowing this moment of crisis to give way to psychic work and enable a subjectivation of suffering.

Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) behavioral responses to a visual signal preceding handling.

Zoos use ambassador animals in educational programs featuring close contact with humans. Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) at the Saint Louis Zoo are retrieved for programs by a keeper wearing brown handling gloves, but green cleaning gloves are worn during normal husbandry when physical contact with the animal is only incidental. The chinchillas' primary keeper anecdotally reported more reactivity and movement from chinchillas when approached with handling gloves. Animals' behavioral reactions to the presence of humans often include locomotion and vigilance, but these responses may be attenuated by predictability. To investigate these behaviors, handling trials involving brief contact attempts with both cleaning and handling gloves were filmed. Results indicated that chinchillas responded to disturbances by moving, jumping, and adopting more alert body postures. Surprisingly, movement was recorded in longer durations when the keeper attempted to touch the animals with cleaning gloves. This higher arousal may indicate that the animal was not expecting to be handled, yet an attempt to do so was being made. This reaction provides evidence that potentially aversive events should be reliably and consistently signaled.

Saúde mental de grupos especiais

Saúde mental de grupos especiais