Context and strain-dependent behavioral response to stress

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Resilience in Children: Within a Spiritual, Social, and Neurobiological Framework

Abstract This paper explores the spiritual, psychological, and biological aspects of children and resilience. It analyzes the positive role of early exposure to hardship and argues that the benefits stem from exposure to events requiring adaptation to change. This adaptation occurs at the level of the brain as well as at the level of the soul and spirit, and is mediated by neuroendocrine and molecular events as well as by forces acting upon the soul. Exposure to hardship thus allows the child to learn flexibility and to find his or her sphere of useful service in a constantly changing world. Résumé Le présent article traite des dimensions spirituelle, psychologique et biologique de l'endurance chez l'enfant. L'auteur y analyse le rôle positif d'une expérience précoce de l'adversité et il soutient que ces bienfaits sont attribuables au fair que l'enfant a été contraint de s'adapter au changement. Une telle adaptation se produit à la fois au niveau du cerveau et au niveau de l'âme. Elle fair intervenir des phénomènes neuroendocriniens et moléculaires tout autant que des forces spirituelles. Ainsi, en étant confronté à l'adversité, l'enfant apprend à développer la souplesse et à trouver sa voie de service dans un monde en perpétuel changement. Resumen Este ensayo explora los aspectos espirituales, psicológicos, y biológicos de los niños y su capacidad de superar pruebas. Analiza el papel positivo que la exposición a dificultades a temprana edad desempeña y sostiene que las ventajas se derivan de la exposición a sucesos que requieren adaptación. Esta adaptación ocurre tanto al nivel del cerebro como al del alma y del espíritu, y está mediada por sucesos neuroendocrinos y moleculares al igual que por fuerzas actuando sobre el alma. La exposición a dificultades, por lo tanto, deja que el niño aprenda adaptabilidad y que encuentre una esfera de servicio útil en un mundo que va cambiando constantemente

Context and strain-dependent behavioral response to stress

Abstract Background This study posed the question whether strain differences in stress-reactivity lead to differential behavioral responses in two different tests of anxiety. Strain differences in anxiety-measures are known, but strain differences in the behavioral responses to acute prior stress are not well characterized. Methods We studied male Fisher 344 (F344) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats basally and immediately after one hour restraint stress. To distinguish between the effects of novelty and prior stress, we also investigated behavior after repeated exposure to the test chamber. Two behavioral tests were explored; the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field (OFT), both of which are thought to measure activity, exploration and anxiety-like behaviors. Additionally, rearing, a voluntary behavior, and grooming, a relatively automatic, stress-responsive stereotyped behavior were measured in both tests. Results Prior exposure to the test environment increased anxiety-related measures regardless of prior stress, reflecting context-dependent learning process in both tests and strains. Activity decreased in response to repeated testing in both tests and both strains, but prior stress decreased activity only in the OFT which was reversed by repeated testing. Prior stress decreased anxiety-related measures in the EPM, only in F344s, while in the OFT, stress led to increased freezing mainly in WKYs. Conclusion Data suggest that differences in stressfulness of these tests predict the behavior of the two strains of animals according to their stress-reactivity and coping style, but that repeated testing can overcome some of these differences.</p

Genome-wide association study of breast cancer in Latinas identifies novel protective variants on 6q25

The genetic contributions to breast cancer development among Latinas are not well understood. Here we carry out a genome-wide association study of breast cancer in Latinas and identify a genome-wide significant risk variant, located 50 of the Estrogen Receptor 1 gene (ESR1; 6q25 region). The minor allele for this variant is strongly protective (rs140068132: odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.67, P = 9 x 10^-18), originates from Indigenous Americans and is uncorrelated with previously reported risk variants at 6q25. The association is stronger for oestrogen receptor-negative disease (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21–0.54) than oestrogen receptor-positive disease (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49–0.80; P heterogeneity = 0.01) and is also associated with mammographic breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer (P = 0.001). rs140068132 is located within several transcription factor-binding sites and electrophoretic mobility shift assays with MCF-7 nuclear protein demonstrate differential binding of the G/A alleles at this locus. These results highlight the importance of conducting research in diverse populations