bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute effects of zinc and insulin on arcuate anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin neurons
Authors: He Zhenyan , Gao Yong , Lieu Linh , Afrin Sadia , Guo Hongbo , Williams Kevin W
Published: December 2018

Background and Purpose

Acute insulin administration hyperpolarized, with concomitant decrease of firing rate, a subpopulation of arcuate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y/agouti‐related peptide cells. This rapid effect on cellular activity has been proposed as a cellular correlate of insulin effects on energy balance and glucose homoeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that zinc in mammalian insulin formulations is required for the insulin‐induced inhibition of arcuate POMC neurons, while guinea pig insulin, which fails to bind zinc, activates POMC neurons in mice. Here, we tested the effects of zinc and insulin formations on arcuate POMC neurons.

Experimental Approach

Effects of zinc and insulin formulations were assessed through whole‐cell patch clamp recordings on transgenic mice in vitro.

Key Results

Insulin formulations containing zinc hyperpolarized POMC neurons. Zinc also hyperpolarized arcuate POMC neurons, albeit at much higher concentration than found in various insulin formulations. Chelation of zinc inhibited the zinc‐induced hyperpolarization of POMC neurons, whereas effects of insulin on POMC cellular activity were unchanged after chelation. Zinc‐free insulin also hyperpolarized arcuate POMC neurons. Insulin failed to hyperpolarize POMC neurons deficient for insulin receptors, suggesting that insulin receptors are required for these effects. Activation of POMC neurons by guinea pig insulin was independent of insulin receptors but was inhibited by PDGF receptor antagonism or loss of TRPC5 channel subunits.

Conclusions and Implications

Together, these findings suggest that insulin inhibited arcuate POMC neurons independent of zinc and highlights a possible role of putative PDGF receptors in the acute effects of guinea pig insulin.
Children's Facial Emotion Recognition Skills: Longitudinal Associations With Lateralization for Emotion Processing
Authors: Watling Dawn , Damaskinou Nikoleta
Published: December 2018

This is the first longitudinal study to evaluate the relations between hemispheric laterality for emotion processing and the development of facial emotion recognition (FER) skills, both of which show similar developmental trajectories. Five to 12‐year‐old children (N = 160) completed an emotion discrimination task, emotion matching task, identity matching task, and behavioral lateralization for emotion processing task at baseline and 1 year later. Lateralization at baseline predicted later emotion discrimination, whereas change in strength of lateralization across the year predicted emotion matching ability. Lateralization was not a significant predictor of identity matching. These findings provide evidence that it is changes in laterality for emotion processing that contribute to improvements in FER skills between 5 and 12 years of age.
Mechanical behavior of posterior all‐ceramic hybrid‐abutment‐crowns versus hybrid‐abutments with separate crowns—A laboratory study
Authors: Nouh Ingy , Kern Matthias , Sabet Ahmed E. , Aboelfadl Ahmad K. , Hamdy Amina M. , Chaar Mohamed S.
Published: December 2018

Objective

The purpose of this laboratory study was to evaluate the fatigue resistance, fracture resistance and mode of failure of posterior hybrid‐abutment‐crown vs. hybrid‐abutment with separate crown, both bonded to short titanium bases.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐two titanium implants were embedded perpendicularly in auto‐polymerizing resin. Implant‐supported restorations simulating a maxillary first premolar were designed and milled using a CAD/CAM system and divided into 2 groups according to material (n = 16): zirconia (Z) and lithium disilicate (L). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to design (n = 8): hybrid‐abutment‐crown (ZS, LS) and hybrid‐abutment with separate crown (ZC, LC). Each group was subjected to 1.2 million cycles of thermo‐mechanical fatigue loading in a dual‐axis chewing simulator at 120 N load. Surviving specimens were subjected to quasi‐static loading in a universal testing machine. Mode of failure was determined under a low magnification optical microscope.

Results

During chewing simulation, 18.8% of zirconia and 43.8% of lithium disilicate restorations failed. The fracture resistance median values ranged from 3,730 N for group ZC, 3,400 N for group ZS, 1,295 N for group LS to 849 N for group LC. Group ZC had a statistically significant higher fracture resistance than groups LC and LS; however, it did not differ significantly from group ZS (p ≤ 0.05). Failures were seen in both titanium bases and ceramic superstructure.

Conclusions

Zirconia and lithium disilicate hybrid implant‐supported restorations with short (3 mm) titanium bases failed in a considerable number already during chewing simulation. Therefore, despite their high fracture strength the use in the posterior region should be considered critically.
A revolutionary tool: CRISPR technology plays an important role in construction of intelligentized gene circuits
Authors: Zhou Qun , Zhan Hengji , Liao Xinhui , Fang Lan , Liu Yuhan , Xie Haibiao , Yang Kang , Gao Qunjun , Ding Mengting , Cai Zhiming , Huang Weiren , Liu Yuchen
Published: December 2018

With the development of synthetic biology, synthetic gene circuits have shown great applied potential in medicine, biology, and as commodity chemicals. An ultimate challenge in the construction of gene circuits is the lack of effective, programmable, secure and sequence‐specific gene editing tools. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system, a CRISPR‐associated RNA‐guided endonuclease Cas9 (CRISPR‐associated protein 9)‐targeted genome editing tool, has recently been applied in engineering gene circuits for its unique properties‐operability, high efficiency and programmability. The traditional single‐targeted therapy cannot effectively distinguish tumour cells from normal cells, and gene therapy for single targets has poor anti‐tumour effects, which severely limits the application of gene therapy. Currently, the design of gene circuits using tumour‐specific targets based on CRISPR/Cas systems provides a new way for precision cancer therapy. Hence, the application of intelligentized gene circuits based on CRISPR technology effectively guarantees the safety, efficiency and specificity of cancer therapy. Here, we assessed the use of synthetic gene circuits and if the CRISPR system could be used, especially artificial switch‐inducible Cas9, to more effectively target and treat tumour cells. Moreover, we also discussed recent advances, prospectives and underlying challenges in CRISPR‐based gene circuit development.
Boa Morte: Reclaiming Kali, reframing death
Authors: Wallace Beverly
Published: December 2018

A reframing of an understanding of death using indigenous religious concepts rooted in an African and a Hindu religious worldview is suggested in this article. Using her personal experiences, the author suggests that reclaiming and reframing the concept of death in terms of freedom, as held by the Order of the Sisters of the Good Death in the Candomble religious community of Brazil; representing death in terms of “letting go of ego” as personified by the Hindu Goddess Kali; and seeing death as black and beautiful and of energy as Kali, might be helpful for African Americans. Noting that death and the accompanying hurt and pain of death might move one to action, the need for death rituals is also suggested as a way for the community to begin the healing process, to be reconnected and to be “re‐membered.”
Death and apocalypse in a time of fear
Authors: Trelstad Marit
Published: December 2018

This article explores consequences of perpetuating apocalyptic patterns of thought and proposes that fear‐based responses produce passivity and exacerbate the ends they prophesy. Martin Luther proposed honest, faithful confidence when facing personal death and the end of the world. Catherine Keller stressed that apocalyptic logic and fear excite violence and propagate death. Faithfulness in love, connection to others, and refusal to collapse the world into binaries offer tonic for fear.
Death, the environment, and theology
Authors: Pihkala Panu
Published: December 2018

In order to fare better amidst a growing environmental crisis, we need to face death and mortality in more profound ways. Recent psychosocial research on environmental themes has provided crucial insights. People have trouble dealing with mortality, and because environmental threats remind them (often unconsciously) of death, they tend to escape into non‐sustainable behavior. In this article, I present key insights from this interdisciplinary research and explore its relevance for practicing theologians.
Loss and trauma in Le Fils and Manchester‐by‐the‐Sea: Redemption as resilience
Authors: Nelson Derek R.
Published: December 2018

Resilience is emerging as a key concept in many disciplines to describe durability of designs, communities, institutions, and even persons. This article considers how “resilience” might be related to the “redemption” of past wrongs committed and evil suffered. Resilience functions as a kind of God‐given holding pattern so that healing can begin and amends be made. Two films, Le Fils (The Son) and Manchester‐by‐the‐Sea, present examples of characters who endure awful trauma, yet who find sources of strength outside of themselves to help keep them open to an experience of redemption.
MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY DESIGN AT THE ZERO LOWER BOUND: EVIDENCE FROM THE LAB
Authors: Hommes Cars , Massaro Domenico , Salle Isabelle
Published: December 2018

The global economic crisis of 2007–2008 has pushed many advanced economies into a liquidity trap. We design a laboratory experiment on the effectiveness of policy measures to avoid expectation‐driven liquidity traps. Monetary policy alone is not sufficient to avoid liquidity traps, even if it preventively cuts the interest rate when inflation falls below a threshold. However, monetary policy augmented with a fiscal switching rule succeeds in escaping liquidity trap episodes. We measure the effect of fiscal policy on expectations, and report larger‐than‐unity fiscal multipliers at the zero lower bound. Experimental results in different treatments are well explained by adaptive learning. (JELE70, C92, D83, D84, E52, E62)
The voice of patients in system redesign: A case study of redesigning a centralized system for intake of referrals from primary care to rheumatologists for patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lopatina Elena , Miller Jean L. , Teare Sylvia R. , Marlett Nancy J. , Patel Jatin , Barber Claire E. H. , Mosher Dianne P. , Wasylak Tracy , Woodhouse Linda J. , Marshall Deborah A.
Published: December 2018

Background

The published literature demands examples of health‐care systems designed with the active engagement of patients to explore the application of this complex phenomenon in practice.

Methods

This case study explored how the voice of patients was incorporated into the process of redesigning an element of the health‐care system, a centralized system for intake of referrals from primary care to rheumatologists for patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—centralized intake. The phenomenon of patient engagement using “patient and community engagement researchers” (PaCERs) in research and the process of redesigning centralized intake were selected as the case. In‐depth evaluation of the case was undertaken through the triangulation of findings from the document review and participants’ reflection on the case.

Results

In this case, patients and PaCERs participated in multiple activities including an initial meeting of key stakeholders to develop the project vision; a patient‐to‐patient PaCERs study to gather perspectives of patients with RA on the challenges they face in accessing and navigating the health‐care system, and what they see as key elements of an effective system that would be responsive to their needs; the development of an evaluation framework for future centralized intake; and the choice of candidate centralized intake strategies to be evaluated.

Conclusions

The described feasible multistep approach to active patient engagement in health‐care system redesign contributes to an understanding of the application of this complex phenomenon in practice. Therefore, the manuscript serves as one more step towards a patient‐centred health‐care system that is redesigned with active patient engagement.
T‐cell immunology of the lung: maintaining the balance between host defence and immune pathology
Authors: Altmann Daniel M.
Published: December 2018

Respiratory immunology poses the dual questions of how to grapple with lung infection as one of the greatest unmet global health needs of our time, while also dealing with the growing challenge posed by chronic diseases of excessive or inappropriate lung inflammation and immunity, such as chronic obstructive lung disease and asthma. These separate branches of pulmonary research are linked by the clear observation that, in a tissue as fragile as the lung, protection from microbial attack may come at the cost of chronic inflammatory damage. A number of recent studies have considered specific aspects of this double‐edged sword, including the diversity of responses to fungal exposure, sources and consequences of interleukin‐17 immunity, and the role of tertiary lymphoid follicles in the lung.
The Relationship Between Union Membership and Net Fiscal Impact
Authors: Sojourner Aaron , Pacas José
Published: December 2018

This paper develops the first evidence on how individuals’ union membership status affects their net fiscal impact, the difference between taxes they pay and cost of public benefits they receive, enriching our understanding of how labor relations interacts with public economics. Current Population Survey data between 1994 and 2015 in pooled cross‐sections and individual first‐difference models yield evidence that union membership has a positive net fiscal impact through the worker‐level channels studied.
Transforming Discipleship and the Future of Mission
Authors: Bevans Stephen
Published: December 2018

After reflecting on how the Arusha Conference continues the tradition of World Mission Conferences, this article reflects on the conference’s main theme, “Transforming Discipleship”. Transforming discipleship was proposed before the conference as having a threefold meaning. During the conference it was developed in four interlocking plenaries, and in the “Conference Report” it was developed even further. The article concludes with reflections on two other terms that bear promise for the future: “Christ‐centredness” and “Theosis.”
Mission Is Not Only about Preaching
Authors: Niyonsaba Françoise
Published: December 2018

This article reflects on the mission of the church and how it is done. This article intends to show that the church is called not only to preach, but also to exercise diakonia and empower those at the margins who are also part of the body of Christ. Discipleship, the Great Commission Jesus entrusted to his disciples and the church, is not only to speak what the Bible says or to evangelize, but also to practise what the Bible says and to serve people in need. The church as the body of Christ is composed of all people from all nations, races, and tribes, weak and strong, rich and poor, and they all have equal rights. The church is called to participate in the mission of God by serving all creation. For that reason, the church should raise the voice of the voiceless, use its prophetic voice in times of violence and injustice, and advocate for peace and justice. Most of the time the church seems to be like the Priest and the Levite who neglected their colleague while the Samaritan saved him (Luke 10:29–35). The church seems not to see the injustice and oppression happening today and remains silent. But, again, it cannot work if injustice and oppression remain within the church. To spread peace and justice in the world, the church should first uproot the injustice and oppression within itself so that people see its fruits and come to Christ.
The Branch Is Linked to the Vine
Authors: Whitmore William
Published: December 2018

Missiological and missio Dei literature primarily focuses on the outward nature of these concepts and their manifestation in the church and wider society. While beneficial, this has created a space in which the personal discipleship of the Christian participating in the missio Dei is often overlooked. Emphasis on personal discipleship has been considered self‐centred or misplaced; however, these perspectives miss the significance of the personal connection between the person engaging in the mission of God and the one who has sent them. This article will suggest that personal discipleship is an important factor in the witness to the missio Dei. The text uses Bonhoeffer’s work to define the term “discipleship.” Building upon this, the article will look at the metaphor of the vine and branch highlighted by Newbigin to discuss the importance of personal discipleship. The text concludes with the example of chaplaincy to describe the necessity of personal discipleship as central to the missio Dei and the witness of the Christian.
Translating evolving technology use into user stories: Technology life narratives of consumer technology use
Authors: Hedman Jonas , Bødker Mads , Gimpel Gregory , Damsgaard Jan
Published: December 2018

People acquire and buy technology in stores or online in the same way as any other consumer product, so understanding the user as a consumer of technology is essential. In this study, we investigate how the use of ubiquitous consumer technology evolves over time and suggest a theoretical account of how use evolves into different patterns of embodiment. Empirically, we followed 15 consumers of smartphones during a 6‐month field study and collected data via interviews, survey, and focus groups. Analytically, we view the user as a consumer of technology and develop three technology life narratives as patterns of embodiment. As a theoretical lens, we draw upon the theory of consumption values and approached use as a dynamic consumption process in which different values drive use over time. We found three distinct patterns of embodiment: that of conditionalists, aesthetic socialites, and functional enthusiasts. Conditionalists are pragmatic and use technology only when the device fulfils pre‐existing needs and the preferred alternative is unavailable. Aesthetic socialites use the technology as a fashion accessory and to manage their personal relationships. Functional enthusiasts are gadget lovers whose tinkering for the sake of exploration leads them to discover new needs that the technology can fulfil. Besides the three patterns of embodiment, we discovered a type of use that we argue falls outside of the values described in the theory of consumption values. This is the use of technology without any identifiable purpose other than just using the technology, which is driven by expositional value.
Reply to a correspondence addressing the European guideline for treatment of atopic eczema, functional textiles and the CLOTHES trial
Authors: Wollenberg A. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Christen‐Zäch S. , Ring J.
Published: December 2018

Linked article: This article is commented on by B. Wüthrich et al., pp. e151–e153 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15382.
Methotrexate in atopic eczema. Comments to: Consensus‐based European guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children: part II
Authors: Goujon C. , Nicolas J.F. , Nosbaum A.
Published: December 2018

Linked article: This article is commented on by A. Wollenberg et al., pp. e155–e156 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15377.
Cognitive Health and Incarceration among Older Adults
Authors: L. Lloyd Shawnta
Published: December 2018

See the Reply by Ahalt et al.
Hematological evaluation of free‐living golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) from an Urban Atlantic Forest
Authors: dos Santos Aline Vieira Pinheiro , de Souza Aline Moreira , Machado Camila de Souza Cerqueira , Bueno Marina Galvão , Catao‐Dias José Luiz , Campos Sabrina Destri Emmerick , Knackfuss Fabiana Batalha , Pissinatti Alcides , Kierulff Maria Cecília Martins , Silva Danilo Gomes de Freitas , Almosny Nádia Regina Pereira
Published: December 2018

Background

The Atlantic Forest where the animals were captured is surrounded by residences, so this close contact could favor the presence of disease‐transmitting pathogens, putting the local population at risk. For these and other factors, it is important to perform laboratory tests enabling the performance of important diagnoses.

Methods

Blood samples of 268 golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) inhabiting an Atlantic Forest area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were processed for accessing age and sex influence in hematological parameters and to establish normative hematology values.

Results

Mean values of red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count were significantly higher in adult males than in adult females. Adult animals had significantly higher mean neutrophil count, and young animals had higher averages than adults in lymphocyte values. Anisocytosis and platelet indices parameters were also provided for the first time.

Conclusions

Averages presented can be used as hematological parameters for golden‐headed lion tamarins.
Molecular detection of Bifidobacterium spp. in faeces of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra)
Authors: Hernández‐Rodríguez Dolores , Vásquez‐Aguilar Antonio Acini , Serio‐Silva Juan Carlos , Rebollar Eria Alaide , Azaola‐Espinosa Alejandro
Published: December 2018

Background

Bifidobacterium genus are considered to be beneficial bacteria for their hosts; however, knowledge about the specific species that are part of the gut microbiome of howler monkeys is scarce. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a useful technique for the identification of non‐cultivable or difficult to grow bacterial species. With the goal of detecting species of the genus Bifidobacterium in black howler monkeys, we used PCR on DNA derived from faecal samples.

Methods

We collected and extracted DNA from 40 faecal samples. Using specific primers, we performed PCR and nested PCR to detect members of the Bifidobacterium genus and a subset of species: Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis.

Results

97.5% (39/40) of the samples were positive for Bifidobacterium spp. We found B longum in 100% of the analysed samples.

Conclusions

This is the first report of B longum in black howler monkey faeces.
Effects of cannabinoids in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) murine models: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Urbi Berzenn , Owusu Maame Amma , Hughes Ian , Katz Matthew , Broadley Simon , Sabet Arman
Published: December 2018

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from motor neuron damage. Cannabinoids have been proposed as treatments for ALS because of their anti‐excitotoxicity, anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Preclinical studies in mice models of ALS have been published using a range of cannabinoid formulations and doses. To date, there has been no rigorous evaluation of these trials to assess a potential cannabinoid treatment effect. This review and meta‐analysis was undertaken to provide evidence for or against a treatment effect of cannabinoids in murine ALS models. Evidence of a treatment effect in mice may provide motivation for trials in human ALS. We identified a total of 10 studies; nine studies using cannabinoid treatment in transgenic SOD1‐G93A ALS‐model mice and one study in TDP‐43 transgenic mice. Eight of the nine studies that used SOD1‐G93A mice expressed similarly high copy numbers of the transgene while one study used a low‐copy number line. Outcomes evaluated were survival time and disease progression. The latter was measured by motor function and bodyweight decline. Meta‐analysis of the mean difference in survival time across the seven studies showed an increase in survival of 3.84 days (95% CI: 0.35–7.32 days; p = 0.031) for cannabinoid treated compared to control SOD1‐G93A mice. It was not possible to conduct meta‐analyses for motor function decline or weight loss. However, eight of nine studies reported significant improvements in measures of motor function decline and one reported non‐significant improvements. Weight loss was significantly attenuated in four of five studies reporting this measure while the other study reported a non‐significant attenuation. This review provides some evidence for the efficacy of cannabinoids in prolonging survival time in an ALS mouse model. A delay in disease progression is also suggested following cannabinoid treatment though it was not possible to consolidate the results from reviewed studies. However, studies have moderate to high risk of bias and are highly heterogeneous. Although this review provides some evidence to support the conduct of a cannabinoid trial in human ALS, more standardized studies on specific cannabinoids are necessary before supporting therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in treating patients with ALS.

Open science badges

This article has received a badge for *Preregistration* because the study was pre‐registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=89274. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.

Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 168.

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HIV gp120‐induced neuroinflammation potentiates NMDA receptors to overcome basal suppression of inhibitory synapses by p38 MAPK
Authors: Zhang Xinwen , Green Matthew V. , Thayer Stanley A.
Published: December 2018

HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder affects about half of HIV‐infected patients. HIV impairs neuronal function through indirect mechanisms mainly mediated by inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic viral proteins, such as the envelope protein gp120. HIV gp120 elicits a neuroinflammatory response that potentiates NMDA receptor function and induces the loss of excitatory synapses. How gp120 influences neuronal inhibition remains unknown. In this study, we expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged recombinant antibody‐like protein that binds to the post‐synaptic scaffolding protein gephyrin to label inhibitory synapses in living neurons. Treatment with 600 pM gp120 for 24 h increased the number of labeled inhibitory synapses. HIV gp120 evoked the release of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) from microglia to activate IL‐1 receptors on neurons. Subsequent activation of the tyrosine kinase Src and GluN2A‐containing NMDA receptors increased the number of inhibitory synapses via a process that required protein synthesis. In naïve cultures, inhibition of neuronal p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) increased the number of inhibitory synapses suggesting that p38 MAPK produces a basal suppression of inhibitory synapses that is overcome in the presence of gp120. Direct activation of a mutant form of p38 MAPK expressed in neurons mimicked basal suppression of inhibitory synapses. This study shows for the first time that gp120‐induced neuroinflammation increases the number of inhibitory synapses and that this increase overcomes a basal suppression of synaptic inhibition. Increased inhibition may be an adaptive mechanism enabling neurons to counteract excess excitatory input in order to maintain network homeostasis.

Open Science Badges

This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.

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Validation of the targeted metabolomic pathway in the hippocampus and comparative analysis with the prefrontal cortex of social defeat model mice
Authors: Xu Ke , He Yong , Chen Xi , Tian Yu , Cheng Ke , Zhang Lu , Wang Yue , Yang Deyu , Wang Haiyang , Wu Zhonghao , Li Yan , Lan Tianlan , Dong Zhifang , Xie Peng
Published: December 2018

The proportion of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients around the world has increased remarkably. Although many studies of MDD have been conducted based on classic hypotheses, like alteration of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis or monoamine neurotransmitters, the mechanisms underlying MDD remain unclear. Aiming to further investigate the mechanisms of MDD, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was employed to measure target metabolites in the hippocampus (HIPPO) of chronic social defeat stress model mice. Compared with control mice, stress‐susceptible mice showed a reduction of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid and kynurenic acid in the tryptophan pathway, and an increased level of dopamine in the catecholamine pathway, while stress‐resilient mice displayed a reduction of 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the tryptophan pathway. The altered levels of key molecules related to the tryptophan or dopamine metabolic pathways were validated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or western blotting. Comparative analysis with previous targeted metabolomics results in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of chronic social defeat stress mice revealed that the altered metabolites manifested in specific brain areas, and only the dopamine metabolic pathway was perturbed in both the HIPPO and PFC after stress. Additionally, correlation analysis validated that levels of kynurenic acid in the HIPPO, along with glutamic acid, L‐3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine, and vanillylmandelic acid in the PFC, were correlated with depression‐like behaviors. This study provides a unique perspective on the potential molecular mechanisms of stress susceptibility and stress resilience.

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Isolation and identification of endogenous RFamide‐related peptides 1 and 3 in the mouse hypothalamus
Authors: Gospodarska Emilia , Kozak Leslie P. , Jaroslawska Julia
Published: December 2018

Although the RFamide‐related peptide (RFRP) preproprotein sequence is known in mice, until now, the molecular structure of the mature, functional peptides processed from the target precursor molecule has not been determined. In the present study, we purified endogenous RFRP1 and RFRP3 peptides from mouse hypothalamic tissue extracts using an immunoaffinity column conjugated with specific antibodies against the mouse C‐terminus of RFRP‐1 and RFRP‐3. Employing liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that RFRP1 consists of 15 amino acid residues and RFRP3 consists of 10 amino acid residues (ANKVPHSAANLPLRF‐NH2 and SHFPSLPQRF‐NH2, respectively). To investigate the distribution of RFRPs in the mouse central nervous system, we performed immunohistochemical staining of the brain sections collected from wild‐type and Rfrp knockout animals. These data, together with gene expression in multiple tissues, provide strong confidence that RFRP‐immunoreactive neuronal cells are localised in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) and between the DMH and the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. The identification of RFRP1 and RFRP3 peptides and immunohistochemical visualisation of targeting RFRPs neurones in the mice brain provide the basis for further investigations of the functional biology of RFRPs.
Chronic tubal pregnancy manifesting as a heterogeneous adnexal mass with prominent neovascularization in a woman with a negative serum β‐human chorionic gonadotropin level
Authors: Fujita Kazuhisa , Iyoshi Shohei , Watanabe Kazuko , Takeda Akihiro
Published: December 2018

A 41‐year‐old woman (gravida 2, para 1) underwent elective termination of pregnancy at approximately 7 weeks of gestation. At 1 month after the elective abortion, she was referred due to abnormal results in a cervical cytological examination. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous mass of 16 mm in diameter in the left adnexal region. At 3 months after her referral, the asymptomatic left adnexal mass had increased to 55 mm in diameter. Prominent vascular flow was detected in the solid portion by color Doppler ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging showed suspected hemorrhage in the left adnexal cystic mass. Three‐dimensional computerized tomographic angiography showed the prominent development of tortuous blood vessels in the left adnexal region, which originated from the left ovarian artery. The patient had a negative β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level. Left salpingectomy was performed by a single‐port laparoscopic approach. A pathological examination revealed degenerated villous tissue with β‐hCG‐positive syncytiotrophoblasts.
Physical response of dogs supplemented with fish oil during a treadmill training programme
Authors: Pellegrino Francisco Javier , Risso Analía , Relling Alejandro E. , Corrada Yanina
Published: December 2018

The rise in popularity of dog sports competitions has led to the evaluation of improvements in dog physical performance. The potential benefit of dietary supplementation with fish oil (FO) on the physical performance of human beings and horses has been reported. However, such effect has not been studied in dogs. We therefore evaluated the effect of FO dietary supplementation on heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and thigh circumference (TC) in dogs during aerobic treadmill training, and further determined HR response and blood lactate (BL) concentration during an incremental exercise test. Using a cross‐over design, eight male dogs were randomly assigned to two groups and received a standard balanced commercial diet (control, CG, n = 7) and the same diet supplemented with 54 mg FO/kg metabolic weight per day (FOG, n = 8). All dogs had 30‐min treadmill sessions at 8 km/hr and 7.5% slope twice a week for 12 weeks. Assessment of HR and RT was performed before and immediately after each session; HR was also assessed 5 min after the end of each session. Thigh circumference was evaluated before each session. All dogs performed an incremental exercise test on the treadmill at 0, 6 and 12 weeks to evaluate HR response and BL concentration. Data were analysed using the mixed procedure (SAS 9.4). In FOG, pre‐HR (−4.9%) and post‐HR (−2.4%) values and post‐RT (−0.3%) values were lower during treadmill training, whereas TC (+2.2%) values were higher as compared with CG (p < 0.01). Through the incremental exercise test, mean HR (week 6, −5.3%; week 12, −6.0%) values in FOG were lower than in CG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, FO supplementation slightly improved the physiological response of dogs to exercise during training.
Core Human Rights Concepts in Irish Health and Housing Policy Documents: In Search of Equity for People With ID
Authors: O'Donovan Mary‐Ann , Mannan Hasheem , McVeigh Joanne , Mc Carron Mary , McCallion Philip , Byrne Elaine
Published: December 2018

If specific groups and their needs are excluded from policy, this exclusion may extend to service delivery and add to the inequities that already exist in health and housing access for vulnerable groups. The extent to which Irish housing/de‐institutionalization and health policies include core human rights concepts has not been examined previously. This article examines the extent to which the core human rights concepts for people with ID are represented in health and housing policies. EquiFrame was the analytical tool for examining six health and housing policies. EquiFrame analyzes policy content on commitment to core concepts of human rights and inclusion of vulnerable groups. Health and housing policies in Ireland, despite outlining a commitment to reducing health inequities, were not found to have a commitment to the core human rights concepts in relation to the specific needs of people with disabilities and people with an intellectual disability. Equity means inclusion of all people and includes recognition, acknowledgement, and monitoring of the specific needs and challenges faced by particular vulnerable population groups, and that these needs are being addressed through policy administered by federal oversight agencies. An implication of the findings is that the EquiFrame tool previously used in the health sector is also useful in considering housing policy. Furthermore, equity concerns need to be examined closely for people with ID because including all vulnerable groups in one aggregated category has been shown to conceal the specific needs and challenges that need to be addressed for specific vulnerable groups.
Shift work, sleep disturbances and social jetlag in healthcare workers
Authors: Hulsegge Gerben , Loef Bette , van Kerkhof Linda W. , Roenneberg Till , van der Beek Allard J. , Proper Karin I.
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to compare chronotype‐ and age‐dependent sleep disturbances and social jetlag between rotating shift workers and non‐shift workers, and between different types of shifts. In the Klokwerk+ cohort study, we included 120 rotating shift workers and 74 non‐shift workers who were recruited from six Dutch hospitals. Participants wore Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for 24 hr for 7 days. From the Actigraph data, we predicted the sleep duration and social jetlag (measure of circadian misalignment). Mixed models and generalized estimation equations were used to compare the sleep parameters between shift and non‐shift workers. Within shift workers, sleep on different shifts was compared with sleep on work‐free days. Differences by chronotype and age were investigated using interaction terms. On workdays, shift workers had 3.5 times (95% confidence interval: 2.2–5.4) more often a short (< 7 hr per day) and 4.1 times (95% confidence interval: 2.5–6.8) more often a long (≥ 9 hr per day) sleep duration compared with non‐shift workers. This increased odds ratio was present in morning chronotypes, but not in evening chronotypes (interaction p‐value < .05). Older shift workers (≥ 50 years) had 7.3 times (95% confidence interval: 2.5–21.8) more often shorter sleep duration between night shifts compared with work‐free days, while this was not the case in younger shift workers (< 50 years). Social jetlag due to night shifts increased with increasing age (interaction p‐value < .05), but did not differ by chronotype (interaction p‐value ≥ .05). In conclusion, shift workers, in particular older workers and morning chronotypes, experienced more sleep disturbances than non‐shift workers. Future research should elucidate whether these sleep disturbances contribute to shift work‐related health problems.
The use of heart rate variability analysis to detect arrhythmias in horses undergoing a standard treadmill exercise test
Authors: Frick Ladina , Schwarzwald Colin C. , Mitchell Katharyn J.
Published: December 2018

Background

Little is known about normal heart rate variability (HRV) in horses during exercise. It can be difficult to separate premature beats from normal beat‐to‐beat variation at higher heart rates.

Objectives

The aim was to quantify HRV in healthy horses during a high‐speed treadmill‐standardized exercise test (HSET) and to compare with the HRV in horses observed to have arrhythmias during exercise.

Animals

Thirteen healthy horses (Group H), 30 horses with arrhythmias (Group A), and 11 horses with poor performance but no observed arrhythmias (Group O).

Methods

Prospective, observational study. All horses performed a HSET with simultaneous electrocardiograph (ECG) recorded. The ECGs were corrected for artifacts, and arrhythmias noted. Percent instantaneous beat‐to‐beat cycle length variation (% R‐R variation) was calculated, and HRV analyses were performed on trot, canter, and recovery segments.

Results

Group H showed between −4.4 and +3.8% R‐R variation during trot and between −6.1 and +5.4% R‐R variation during the canter phase of the HSET. Group A had significantly larger maximum and 1st percentile R‐R shortening and lengthening compared with Group H and Group O during the recovery phase where most arrhythmias were observed. During recovery, a cutoff of 6% maximum % R‐R shortening predicted the presence of arrhythmia with 88% sensitivity and 97% specificity and likelihood ratio of 26.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Healthy horses have little instantaneous R‐R variation during exercise. If a cardiac cycle shortens more than 6% from the previous cycle during the recovery phase, this R‐R interval is likely to represent an arrhythmic event.
IV. CO‐CONSTRUCTION OF ATTACHMENT REPRESENTATIONS AND AFFECT‐REGULATING COGNITIONS: THE ROLE OF MATERNAL ATTACHMENT SECURITY
Authors: Waters Harriet S. , Steiner Michelle A. , Zaman Widaad , Apetroaia Adela , Crowell Judith A.
Published: December 2018

This study focused on the role of maternal co‐construction skills in building attachment relevant representations in early childhood. Thirty‐four mothers and their 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children were presented with two co‐construction tasks, one an attachment storytelling task, the other an affect discussion task about emotion‐laden situations. Maternal co‐construction skills were assessed with several scales that scored the quality of the co‐construction partnership, the mother's skill in prompting elaboration, and helping build an explanatory framework. Mothers completed the Attachment Script Assessment (ASA) and the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) as well. Results indicated that mothers’ secure base script knowledge (ASA) was significantly related to communication effectiveness, encouraging elaboration of storylines, and using open‐ended and why questions. Maternal AAI coherence showed similar relations to co‐construction support.
VII. MATERNAL SECURE BASE SCRIPT KNOWLEDGE AND JUDGMENTS OF MOTHER–CHILD INTERACTIONS
Authors: Waters Harriet S. , Corcoran David M. , Waters Theodore E. A.
Published: December 2018

Previous studies have shown that mothers with high script scores are better at providing secure base support in naturalistic settings. In the current study, we examine whether maternal script knowledge guides mothers’ expectations and judgments of mother–child interactions, providing a bridge between their knowledge and behavior. Forty mothers were asked to use a new Parental Secure Base Q‐set designed to characterize a typical mother–child play day at a park. Furthermore, video clips from mother–child joint storytelling sessions, already scored for maternal co‐construction skills (from Chapter IV), were presented. The mothers rated the videotaped mothers’ interaction skills on several quality of interaction scales (sensitivity to signals, cooperation vs. inference, affect regulation). Results indicated that mothers with high script scores showed greater understanding of secure base support (Q‐sort data) and an observant “eye” for skillful mother–child interaction, particularly with respect to noting less effective mother–child interactions. These findings support the hypothesis that secure base script knowledge is linked to broad‐based understanding of secure base support across contexts.
THE MOTHER–CHILD ATTACHMENT PARTNERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD: SECURE BASE BEHAVIORAL AND REPRESENTATIONAL PROCESSES
Authors: Vaughn Brian E.
Published: December 2018

The chapters in this monograph describe the transition of attachment representations from a predominantly sensorimotor, in the moment, experience for the infant/toddler to internalized, mental representations of attachment that are transportable to new social contexts, in which attachment figures may not be present. The chapters focus on means that parents use to help their child effect this transition in terms of both behavioral support for the child's secure base behavior and for cognitive skills that underlie the child's construction of mental models of attachment. The results cohere across studies and make a compelling case for Bowlby's notion that internal models of how attachment “works” are co‐constructed through social processes during early childhood. Taken together, the results reported here constitute a milestone achievement for the attachment enterprise in terms of their theoretical and methodological rigor. These findings also justify Bowlby's confidence that cognitive psychology would become a critical disciplinary ally of attachment theory.
Mindfulness and burnout among bedside registered nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhao Jing , Li Xiaohui , Xiao Hui , Cui Naixue , Sun Liang , Xu Yuhua
Published: December 2018

Nursing is a high stress job, and burnout of nurses is of particular concern. The aim of this cross‐sectional survey study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness and burnout, and how the mindfulness facets vary in their associations with the different domains of burnout for Chinese nurses. A sample of registered bedside nurses working in a tertiary Chinese hospital (n = 763) was surveyed from February to June 2017 regarding mindfulness (i.e. acting with awareness, describing, and non‐judging of experiences), burnout (i.e. emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment), and sociodemographic and job‐related characteristics. Higher scores on the three facets of mindfulness were associated with less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and acting with awareness showed the highest regression coefficients. Personal accomplishment was positively associated with acting with awareness and describing, whereas it was negatively related to non‐judging of experiences. Describing was the strongest facet associated with personal accomplishment. In conclusion, there were clearly correlations between mindfulness as a personal trait and burnout among Chinese bedside nurses. These findings suggest the potential benefits of tailored mindfulness‐based interventions in reducing nurse burnout in China.
Mediating effects of fatigue on the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Bai Yu‐Ling , Chang Yong‐Yuan , Chiou Chou‐Ping , Lee Bih‐O
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to explore how hemodialysis patients' quality of life is related to sociodemographic data and depression as predicting variables, and how it is affected by fatigue as a mediating variable. Participants were 405 patients who has been receiving hemodialysis treatment regularly. SPSS Amos path analysis was used to explore the causal relationship and the mediating effect of fatigue among the variables of sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and quality of life. Unstandardized estimates determined that while sociodemographic characteristics were a significant predictor of fatigue, they were not directly related to quality of life. The results showed that depression and fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis are important factors that affect patients' quality of life to a greater (fatigue) or lesser (depression) extent. Depression can affect patients' quality of life either directly or indirectly via fatigue. In this study, we demonstrated that fatigue plays an important role in the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis. The results of the study further suggest that comprehensive management programs should be applied with patients to reduce their fatigue, and ultimately to improve their quality of life.