OBJECTIVETo evaluate the stress level during parachuting training by salivary biomarker and to study the dynamic characteristics.

METHODSTwenty recruits of military parachuting training completed 8 trainings in a month. The saliva samples were collected at 2 h and 1h before boarding and at 0.5 h after landing on the 1st, 4th and 7th trainings. The levels of cortisol, chromogranin A and α-amylase in saliva samples were detected.

RESULTSThe concentrations of cortisol, chromogranin A and activity of α-amylase increased significantly from pre-boarding to landing during 3 trainings. The concentrations of cortisol, chromogranin A and activity of α-amylase at 2 h before boarding and at 0.5 h after landing decreased significantly with the training times. However, the changes of 3 biomarkers at 1 h before boarding among 3 trainings were not significant.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of stress increased significantly for 20 recruits from pre-boarding to landing during parachuting trainings. The stress levels of 20 recruits before boarding and after landing significantly decreased with parachuting training times.

Aviation ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Chromogranin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; analysis ; Male ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Stress, Psychological ; Young Adult ; alpha-Amylases ; analysis

A 'circadian rhythm' is a self-sustained biological rhythm (cycle) that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms are generated by an internal clock, or pacemaker, and persist even in the absence of environmental time cues, collectively termed 'zeitgebers.' Although organisms generate circadian rhythms internally, they are entrained by environmental stimuli, particularly the light-dark cycle. Measurement of the endogenous melatonin rhythm provides relatively reliable surrogate way of assessing the timing of the internal circadian clock. Also, core body temperature and cortisol can be used as markers of circadian rhythms. The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and melatonin rhythm have a stable internal phase relationship in humans and other diurnal species. They play an important role in controlling daily behavioral rhythms including task performance, blood pressure, and synthesis and secretion of several hormones. In this review, we address not only the properties, methods of measurement, and markers of circadian rhythms, but also the physiological and psychological importance of human circadian rhythms.
Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Circadian Clocks ; Circadian Rhythm* ; Cues ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Melatonin ; Photoperiod ; Task Performance and Analysis

PURPOSE: The present study was carried out to determine day-to-day differences in cortisol levels and the molar cortisol-to-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio (molar C/D ratio) in working subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cortisol and DHEA levels were measured from saliva samples collected 30 minutes after awakening for 7 consecutive days in full-time working subjects that worked Monday through Saturday. To determine the day-to-day differences within subjects, the collected data was analyzed using variance (ANOVA) for a randomized complete block design (RCBD). RESULTS: The cortisol levels from samples collected 30 minutes after awakening on workdays were similar to each other, but were significantly different from the cortisol levels on Sunday. The DHEA levels were not significantly different between the days of week. The DHEA levels on Monday and Tuesday were relatively lower than the levels on the other weekdays. The DHEA levels on Thursday and Friday were relatively higher than the other days. The molar C/D ratios on Sunday were significantly lower than those on workdays. The molar C/D ratios on Monday and Tuesday were significantly higher than those on Wednesday or other workdays. CONCLUSION: The cortisol levels and the molar C/D ratios demonstrate differences in adrenocortical activities between workdays and non-workdays, but the molar C/D ratio additionally represents differences in adrenocortical status between the first two workdays and other workdays. Thus, it is possible that the day-to-day differences in the cortisol levels and the molar C/D ratio represent the adrenal response to upcoming work-related stress.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Dehydroepiandrosterone/*metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saliva/chemistry ; Work/*physiology

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to further characterize the acute effects of amitriptyline (AMI) and escitalopram (ESC) on serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, cortisol and prolactin in healthy humans. METHODS: Eleven healthy male participants received a single dose of AMI 75 mg, ESC 10 mg, or placebo (PLA) at 9:00 PM in a double blind, randomized, controlled, repeated measures study separated by one week. Fasting morning serum levels (7:00 AM) of ghrelin, leptin, cortisol and prolactin were assessed. RESULTS: A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for the factor condition (AMI, ESC, PLA). Subsequent univariate analyses demonstrated significant condition effects for ghrelin and cortisol. Post-hoc analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of ghrelin levels after AMI in comparison to PLA, and a significant reduction of cortisol levels after AMI in comparison to both ESC and PLA. Other contrasts did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Administration of a single dose of AMI, but not of ESC, leads to a significant reduction in morning serum ghrelin and cortisol levels. No effects on leptin and prolactin levels were observed. The differential impact of AMI and ESC on hormones might contribute to different adverse effect profiles of both substances.
Amitriptyline* ; Citalopram* ; Fasting ; Ghrelin ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Leptin ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prolactin ; Weight Gain

Glucocorticoids/urine* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Marathon Running ; Saliva/chemistry* ; alpha-Amylases/analysis*

In manned deep-space exploration, extremely isolated environments may adversely affect the mood and cognition of astronauts. Horticultural plants and activities have been proven to be effective in improving their physical, psychological, and cognitive states. To assess the effects of applying horticultural plants and activities in isolated environments, this study investigated the influence of viewing strawberry plants on the mood of people in a laboratory experiment as indicated by heart rate, salivary cortisol, and psychological scales. The results showed that heart rate and salivary cortisol were significantly decreased after viewing strawberry plants for 15 min. "Tension" and "confusion" scored using the Profile of Mood States negative mood subscales, and anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale were also significantly reduced. This study further explored the impact of viewing strawberry plants on cognition. A notable reduction of the subjects' reaction time after 15-min plant viewing was observed. Based on these findings, a long-duration isolated experiment in a bioregenerative life support system-"Lunar Palace I"-was conducted. A similar trend was obtained that crew members' mood states were improved by viewing the strawberry plants, but no significant change was observed. This study provided some experimental evidence for the benefits of interacting with strawberry plants in isolated environments.
Adult ; Affect ; Cognition ; Emotions ; Environment ; Female ; Fragaria ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/analysis* ; Male ; Saliva/chemistry*

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the effects of aromatherapy on stress and stress responses in adolescents. METHODS: A two-group cross-over design was used for this study. The experimental treatment was aroma essential oil inhalation and the placebo treatment was carrier oil inhalation using a necklace. The sample included 36 female high school students. Fisher's exact test, t-test, and paired t-test using SPSS/WIN program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Stress levels were significantly lower when the students received the aroma treatment compared to when they received the placebo treatment. The stress responses except salivary IgA levels were significantly lower when the students received the aroma treatment. CONCLUSION: Aroma inhalation could be a very effective stress management method for high school students. Therefore, it is recommended that this program be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for high school students
Adolescent ; Anxiety/psychology ; *Aromatherapy ; Blood Pressure ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/analysis ; Immunoglobulin A/analysis ; Plant Oils/*therapeutic use ; Stress, Psychological/*therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the key indicators in the pituitary-target gland axes in the animal model of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSThe 8 biological indicators [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol (CORT)] in the pituitary-target gland axes were grouped using factor analysis. Then the sensitivity of every indicator was calculated according to the sensitivity function defined in this paper, so as to find all the most sensitive indicators in every group as key indicators of SYDS.

RESULTSThe key indicators in the early period of SYDS were T, LH, T4, and CORT. The key indicators in the middle period were LH,T, CORT, and ACTH. The key indicators in the late period were LH, T, CORT, and FSH.

CONCLUSIONST, LH, and CORT were the common key indicators of the three periods, and other different key indicator of SYDS in the early, middle and late period were T4, ACTH, and FSH respectively, which changed from the thyroid axis to the adrenal axis and then to the gonadal axis as the period changed. The key indicators in the late period were mainly in the gonadal axis, showing gonadal dysfunction in the late period.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estradiol ; analysis ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; analysis ; Hydrocortisone ; analysis ; Luteinizing Hormone ; analysis ; Male ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; analysis ; Thyrotropin ; analysis ; Thyroxine ; analysis ; Yang Deficiency ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVEThe present study aimed to test whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phone base stations may have effects on salivary alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and cortisol levels.

METHODSFifty seven participants were randomly allocated to one of three different experimental scenarios (22 participants to scenario 1, 26 to scenario 2, and 9 to scenario 3). Each participant went through five 50-minute exposure sessions. The main RF-EMF source was a GSM-900-MHz antenna located at the outer wall of the building. In scenarios 1 and 2, the first, third, and fifth sessions were "low" (median power flux density 5.2 microW/m(2)) exposure. The second session was "high" (2126.8 microW/m(2)), and the fourth session was "medium" (153.6 microW/m(2)) in scenario 1, and vice versa in scenario 2. Scenario 3 had four "low" exposure conditions, followed by a "high" exposure condition. Biomedical parameters were collected by saliva samples three times a session. Exposure levels were created by shielding curtains.

RESULTSIn scenario 3 from session 4 to session 5 (from "low" to "high" exposure), an increase of cortisol was detected, while in scenarios 1 and 2, a higher concentration of alpha-amylase related to the baseline was identified as compared to that in scenario 3. IgA concentration was not significantly related to the exposure.

CONCLUSIONSRF-EMF in considerably lower field densities than ICNIRP-guidelines may influence certain psychobiological stress markers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Phone ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Young Adult ; alpha-Amylases ; analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of laughter therapy on postpartum fatigue and stress respon-ses of postpartum women. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were 67 postpartum women who agreed to participate in this study, selected by convenience sampling: (experiment group-33 and control group-34). The data were collected from August 5 to September 30, 2010. The experimental group received laughter therapy from a laughter therapy expert for 60 min, twice a week for 2 weeks, a total of 4 sessions. To evaluate the effects of laughter therapy, postpartum fatigue by self-report questionnaire and cortisol concentration in breast milk were measured. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 13.0 Program. RESULTS: The first hypothesis that "the degree of postpartum fatigue in the experimental group participating in laughter therapy would be lower than that of the control group" was accepted. These findings indicate that laughter therapy has a positive effect on decreasing postpartum fatigue. CONCLUSION: The finding provides evidence for use of complementary and alternative nursing in Sanhujori facilities and obstetric units to reduce postpartum women's fatigue.
Adult ; Fatigue/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/analysis ; *Laughter Therapy ; Milk, Human/chemistry ; Postpartum Period ; Questionnaires ; Stress, Psychological/*therapy