EFFECT OF MORTALITY SALIENCE ON HEALTH COMPROMISING BEHAVIOR

Over the decades, researchers have leaned on the TMT to explain numerous phenomena, including consumer choice, exercise motivation, risky driving behavior, and other behavioral domains. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mortality salience on RSB as a health-compromising behavior. Sixty-two participants took part in the study. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. The result showed that MS increased resentment to RSB in the experimental condition (M = 44.82, SD= 9.28) compare to the control condition (M = 21.27, SD = 5.19). An independent t-test was used to test the studys hypothesis, and the result established a statistically significant differential effect of MS on RSB resentment between the conditions. We conclude that MS is effective in mitigating the incidence of RSB.

The Effects of Resveratrol Treatment on Bcl-2 and Bax Gene Expression in Endometriotic Compared with Non-Endometriotic Stromal Cells

Background: We aimed to examine resveratrol effects on gene expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-2/Bax ratio in endometrial stromal cells derived from women with and without endometriosis. Methods: Endometrial tissues were obtained from 40 endometriotic patients and 15 non-endometriotic controls undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy in the gynecology ward of Rassoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2015 to 2017. After the enzymatic digestion, eutopic (EuESCs) and ectopic (EESCs) endometrial stromal cells from patients with endometriosis as well as endometrial stromal cells from non-endometriotic controls (CESCs) were treated with or without resveratrol (100 µM) and the levels of Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-2/Bax gene expression ratio in the cells from all origins were examined at 6, 24 and 48 h post-treatment by real-time PCR. Results: Resveratrol treatment increased Bcl-2 expression in CESCs at 24 and 48 h and in EuESCs at 48 h (P<0.05), but had no significant effects on the expression of this gene in EESCs. On the other hand, resveratrol treatment increased Bax expression in EuESCs at 6 h and decreased its expression in EESCs at 48 h (P<0.05). Regarding the Bcl-2/Bax gene expression ratio, resveratrol treatment increased Bcl-2/Bax gene expression ratio in CESCs and EuESCs at 48 h (P<0.01). However, this treatment had no significant differential effect on Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax gene expression ratio between CESCs and EuESCs at 48 h. Conclusion: Resveratrol treatment significantly increased Bcl-2/Bax gene expression ratio in EuESCs and CESCs but had no significant effect in EESCs.

Shiitake and Oyster Mushroom Production on Apple Pomace and Sawdust

A mixture of apple pomace and sawdust was tested as a substrate for production of shiitake [Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler] and oyster mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer and P. sajor-caju (Fr.) Sing.] on synthetic logs. MyCelia grew faster and more densely in logs containing apple pomace than in sawdust alone. Five shiitake isolates and two Pleurotus spp. produced higher fresh weights on a mixture of equal parts (by weight) of apple pomace and sawdust than on either substrate alone. An alternative substrate based on sawdust, millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), bran gave almost identical overall yield as pomace-sawdust medium, but there was a significant differential effect of the substrates on yield of the two tested shiitake isolates. Analyses and experiments in vitro suggested that optimal N levels provided by apple pomace account in part for its effectiveness.

Effects of Heart-Rate Biofeedback and False Feedback on Reactions to Stressful Stimulation

Three groups of 10 subjects were exposed to intermittent bursts of loud noise. Two groups attempted bi-directional cardiac control immediately prior to the noise bursts, one with the aid of continuous heart-rate biofeedback and one without. The third group did not attempt heart-rate control but instead received false feedback that heart rate was either increasing or decreasing prior to the noise bursts. Only the biofeedback-assisted group demonstrated reliably different cardiac changes during attempted heart-rate increase and decrease. The heart rates of the false-feedback subjects were unaffected by the direction of change signalled by the feedback display. However, a significant differential effect on subjects' ratings of the noise bursts, in terms of loudness and unpleasantness, was apparent only in the false-feedback group. Skin conductance responses showed no such effect in any of the three groups. The results are most readily accounted for in terms of attribution theory.

A Comparison of Three Drug Information Presentations

The effects of presenting (a) general drug and drug usage information by lecture or mixed mode format and (b) information on the types of programs and facilities available through the Alberta Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Commission, on the knowledge and attitudes of 347 technical college students were compared. The results indicated that the presentations had no significant differential effect on the participants' general knowledge of drugs and drug usage nor on their attitudes toward certain aspects of drug usage. However, those individuals who received information about programs and facilities demonstrated significantly ( p < .01) greater knowledge in that area than did individuals who did not receive this information. The results were discussed in terms of research on training and attitudes and recommendations were made for future drug information programs.

Activation and Satiation of a Sensory Reinforcer in the Chick

200 chicks were exposed to 1 of 5 experimental conditions of differing frequencies of light onset for 30 min. prior to a subsequent 30-min. period in which light onset was contingent upon the behavior of the experimental bird. The exposure to light onset had a significant differential effect upon elicited responses as well as light-reinforced responses during the second phase. The general results were discussed in terms of the activating and reinforcing function of the sensory stimulus.