Investigating the effect of anxiety on pain scores in dogs

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between anxiety and pain scores using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale–Short Form (CMPS-SF) in dogs.StudyProspective observational study.AnimalsA group of 18 dogs undergoing surgical management of stifle disease.MethodsPreoperatively dogs were scored using the CMPS-SF, the anxiety behaviour-based Reactivity Evaluation Form (REF), a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for anxiety and a sedation score. Assessments of pain, anxiety and sedation were repeated approximately 2–6 hours postoperatively. Dogs were divided into groups based on preoperative REF (‘Low REF’ and ‘High REF’), and VAS scores (‘Low VAS’ and ‘High VAS’). Scores (CMPS-SF, REF, VAS and sedation) were compared between groups using Mann–Whitney U tests. Preoperative and postoperative CMPS-SF, REF and VAS scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Relationships between anxiety and CMPS-SF scores were assessed using a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Scores are presented as median (range). A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsWhen divided based on REF, CMPS-SF scores did not differ between groups preoperatively [Low REF: 2 (0–3), High REF: 2 (1–3); p = 0.509] or postoperatively [Low REF: 3 (2–5), High REF: 3 (2–5); p = 0.624]. When divided based on VAS, CMPS-SF scores did not differ between groups preoperatively [Low VAS: 2 (0–2), High VAS: 2 (1–3); p = 0.215] or postoperatively [Low VAS: 3 (2–5), High VAS: 3 (2–5); p = 1]. Postoperative REF [pre: 4.5 (2–8), post: 5 (4–10); p = 0.0105] and CMPS-SF scores [pre: 2 (0–3), post: 3 (2–5); p = 0.0318] increased significantly compared with preoperative scores.Conclusions and clinical relevanceNo apparent relationship exists between baseline anxiety levels and CMPS-SF scores. Understanding the influence of anxiety when using the CMPS-SF is important when assessing pain in dogs. Anxiety and pain may increase postoperatively in dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery.     

中年C57BL/6小鼠焦虑行为改变

利用高架十字迷宫﹑旷场和黑白巷3个任务检测中年C57BL/6小鼠焦虑行为,探索是否有年龄及性别的影响以及3个任务是否具有一致性.结果表明,在高架十字迷宫中15月龄雌鼠进入开放臂的次数显著多于同龄雄鼠和7月龄雌鼠.15月龄鼠在黑白巷任务中的潜伏期和黑端停留的时间明显长于7月龄鼠,主要归因于雄鼠,而15月龄鼠从黑色端至白色端次数少于7月龄鼠,雌雄鼠均有改变.在旷场中,15月龄鼠的潜伏期和周边所花的时间要显著长于7月龄鼠,以雌鼠改变为主.这些结果提示中年C57BL/6小鼠即有焦虑性改变,但改变的方向并不一致,依任务和性别而定.     

馆员焦虑与馆员职业生涯

由于改革充满了不确定性和模糊性，加之馆员个体经验和能力差异，在面对复杂的变革情境时．会产生不同类型的焦虑，它影响着馆员的职业发展与图书馆改革的实施。因此，减少馆员的焦虑程度对推进馆员职业发展具有极其重要的意义。     

中学生的自立人格特质对考前焦虑的预测：特质焦虑的中介作用

为了探索考前焦虑的保护性人格因素及其作用机制,在开学1周内用青少年学生自立人格量表和特质焦虑量对296名中学生进行了调查,2个月后的期中考试前用状态焦虑量表对同样的被试再次进行调查,并做了相关分析和路径分析.结果发现:①人际独立、个人独立和个人主动与2个月后的考前焦虑显著负相关;特质焦虑与2个月后的考前焦虑显著正相关;②特质焦虑在人际独立、个人独立和个人责任对2个月后的考前焦虑的预测中起到完全中介作用.可以认为,自立人格特质是焦虑的保护性人格因素,特质焦虑是自立人格特质影响考前焦虑的中介因素.     

农业院校大学生心理健康测评

采用ＳＣＬ－９０症状自评量表，以整群抽样法，对３所农业院校２４８名大学生的心理健康状况进行了测评，结果表明，总均分为１．１８±０．１８，阳性均分为２．３４±０．２２，阳性项目数为４４．３±６．３．各因子分中以强迫、人际关系敏感、抑郁为前三位。强迫、人际关系敏感、偏执的症状痛苦水平达中度－重度的人数比例分别为１０．５％，８．１％，６％。心理反应异常的检出率１２．９％，以偏执、抑郁、焦虑为多。     

存在—人本心理学理论观照下的大学生生命教育

人类的存在问题是生命的终极问题。存在意识的唤醒是追求自我实现的前提。以存在—人本主义的三条价值观念：自由、经验反省、责任,作为大学生生命教育的参照,提出生命教育的三个方面：真实生活、培养个人觉知能力、直面焦虑。     

Effects of preadoption counseling on the prevention of separation anxiety in newly adopted shelter dogs

Separation anxiety is one of the more prevalent and difficult to treat behavior problems in dogs. The associated behaviors can be undesirable to dog owners and damage the human animal bond, leading to relinquishment or return to an animal shelter. Due to the high prevalence of separation related problems in recently adopted shelter dogs, shelter staff hold a critical role in advising and educating owners on how to prevent separation anxiety post-adoption. The aim of this study was to propose a form of that preventive counseling as a means of preventing the development of separation anxiety in recently adopted shelter dogs. The efficacy of preadoption counseling in the education and prevention of separation anxiety problems was tested in a prospective, randomized, parallel-group study. Participants included 133 new owners of dogs 6 months of age and older. At the time of adoption, sixty-six of these owners were randomly selected to receive five minutes of counseling on the prevention of separation anxiety, while the remaining sixty-seven owners served as the controls. A follow-up survey regarding the signs associated with separation anxiety and other potentially related behaviors was conducted one month post adoption. Results showed that 19 owners reported their dogs as having separation anxiety. There was no significant effect of adoption counseling on the prevention of separation anxiety. Owners in both groups were equally as likely to perform most of the recommendations given during counseling. Dogs that were reported to have separation anxiety were significantly more likely than dogs without reported separation anxiety to show nervous or panicked behavior as the owner prepared to leave (P = 0.0001) and were more likely to be reported as being “needy” (P = 0.031). Having another dog in the home was not protective against the development of separation anxiety. Owners in the counseling group were more likely than those in the control group to put food inside a toy at the time of leaving the dog home alone (P = 0.0001), suggesting the counseling recommendations were indeed followed by the owners. Owner compliance supports the idea that counseling is a useful tool for owners. Separation anxiety is a disorder whose course may be difficult to alter in recently adopted shelter dogs using only basic, interventional information. Brief counseling and a toy do not effectively prevent the occurrence of this complex behavioral condition. Further investigation should be done to find more specific, effective prevention tools for owners to use in the home to minimize the development of separation anxiety and shelter should be prepared to provide interventional resources to owners whose dogs develop separation anxiety despite these efforts.     

孕期心理干预对改善孕产妇心理状况的研究

目的：探讨孕期心理干预对改善孕产妇心理状况的可行措施。方法：随机将孕妇分为2组并随访至产后2周（非心理干预组402人，随访至产后2周者356人；心理干预组323人，随访至产后2周者287人），心理干预组孕妇分孕早期、孕中期和孕晚期进行三阶段的心理干预，孕期调查用医院焦虑和抑郁量表（HAD），产后2周调查用艾迪产后抑郁量表（EPDS）并增加本次有关妊娠、分娩前后的生活事件等内容并进行比较。结果：心理干预组孕妇临产前焦虑和抑郁情绪均分值明显低于非心理干预组，其焦虑和抑郁情绪发生率也明显低于心理干预组，差异非常显著（P＜0．01）；产后抑郁症发生率明显低于非心理干预组（P＜0．01）。对其潜在心理背景分析表明：心理干预组的孕产妇在妊娠心境、产后育儿、与社会家人关系等得到明显改善（P＜0．01）；而对来自分娩周围环境、分娩疼痛等压力无明显改善，与非心理干预组比较差异不显著（P＞0．05）。结论：孕期心理干预可明显改善孕产妇的心理状况和降低产后抑郁症的发生率。     

Evaluation of effects of olfactory and auditory stimulation on separation anxiety by salivary cortisol measurement in dogs

Separation anxiety (SA) is a serious behavioral problem in dogs. In this study, salivary cortisol was studied to determine if the owner''s odor or voice could reduce SA in dogs. Twenty-eight dogs with SA were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (with owner''s clothes during the separation period; SP) and group 3 (a recording of the owner''s voice was played during SP). The dog''s saliva was collected after the owner and their dog were in the experimental room for 5 min (PRE). The dog was then separated from the owner for 20 min and saliva collected four times at intervals of 5 min (SP1–4). Finally, the owner was allowed back into the room to calm the dog for 5 min, after which saliva was collected (POST). Evaluation of salivary cortisol concentrations by ELISA revealed that the ratios of SP1 concentration to PRE or POST concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 or 3. Additionally, the concentrations of SP1–PRE and SP1–POST among groups differed significantly. These findings indicate that the owner''s odor or voice may be helpful to managing stress in dogs with SA.     

Possible Anxiolytic Effects of Ivermectin in Rats

Ivermectin, a mixture of 22,23-dihydroavermectin B_1a (80%) and B_1b (20%), is produced by Streptomyces avermectilis, an actinomycete. It is a macrocyclic lactone disaccharide, a member of the avermectin family, and is used as an antiparasitic drug. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed that doramectin, another avermectin drug, interferes with GABAergic-related behaviours, leading to anxiety and seizures. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of ivermectin (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) on the central nervous system of rats, using behavioural models related to GABAergic neurotransmission. A known anxiolytic drug, diazepam, was used as a positive control. Open field and elevated plus-maze behaviours, as well as conflict behaviour to a conditioned response, were assessed. The effects of ivermectin and diazepam in reversing the anxiety induced by picrotoxin was studied. The protective effects of ivermectin on pentylenetetrazole- and picrotoxin-induced seizures were also investigated. In the open field, 1.0 mg/kg ivermectin decreased locomotion frequency at 15 and 60 min of observation, rearing behaviour showed a biphasic effect at 15 and 30 min and duration of immobility was increased in all sessions after 1.0 mg/kg ivermectin. These data suggest anxiolytic or sedative effects. Ivermectin and diazepam both had a tendency to cause an increase both in the number of entries into the open arms and on the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze. Picrotoxin on its own reduced the number of entries as well as the time spent in the open arms. Both diazepam and ivermectin reversed these effects of picrotoxin. In conflict behaviour analysis, ivermectin and diazepam gave the classic effect of an anxiolytic drug, reversing the conditioned response to shock. Ivermectin protected rats from the convulsant effects of pentylenetetrazole but not from those of picrotoxin. Thus, ivermectin had the pharmacological profile of an anxiolytic drug with GABAergic properties. The lack of effect on seizures induced by picrotoxin suggests that the action of ivermectin is different from that of the benzodiazepine drugs.