bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State and trait characteristics of anterior insula time-varying functional connectivity
Authors: Pasquini Lorenzo , Toller Gianina , Staffaroni Adam , Brown Jesse A. , Deng Jersey , Lee Alex , Kurcyus Katarzyna , Shdo Suzanne M. , Allen Isabel , Sturm Virginia E. , Cobigo Yann , Borghesani Valentina , Battistella Giovanni , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Rankin Katherine P. , Kramer Joel , Rosen Howard H. , Miller Bruce L. , Seeley William W.
Published: July 2019

The human anterior insula (aINS) is a topographically organized brain region, in which ventral portions contribute to socio-emotional function through limbic and autonomic connections, whereas the dorsal aINS contributes to cognitive processes through frontal and parietal connections. Open questions remain, however, regarding how aINS connectivity varies over time. We implemented a novel approach combining seed-to-whole-brain sliding-window functional connectivity MRI and k-means clustering to assess time-varying functional connectivity of aINS subregions. We studied three independent large samples of healthy participants and longitudinal datasets to assess inter- and intra-subject stability, and related aINS time-varying functional connectivity profiles to dispositional empathy. We identified four robust aINS time-varying functional connectivity modes that displayed both “state” and “trait” characteristics: while modes featuring connectivity to sensory regions were modulated by eye closure, modes featuring connectivity to higher cognitive and emotional processing regions were stable over time and related to empathy measures.
Translation elongation factor 1A2 (eEF1A2) is encoded by one of four closely related eef1a genes and is dispensable for survival in zebrafish
Authors: Idigo Nwamaka J. , Soares Dinesh C. , Abbott Catherine M.
Published: July 2019

Zebrafish are valuable model organisms for the study of human single-gene disorders: they are genetically manipulable, their development is well understood, and mutant lines with measurable, disease-appropriate phenotypic abnormalities can be used for high throughput drug screening approaches. However, gene duplication events in zebrafish can result in redundancy of gene function, masking loss of function phenotypes and thus confounding this approach to disease modelling. Furthermore, recent studies have yielded contrasting results depending on whether specific genes are targeted using genome editing to make mutant lines, or whether morpholinos are used (morphants). De novo missense mutations in the human gene EEF1A2, encoding a tissue-specific translation elongation factor, cause severe neurodevelopmental disorders; there is a real need for a model system in which to study these disorders and we wanted to explore the possibility of a zebrafish model. We identified four eef1a genes and examined their developmental and tissue-specific expression patterns: eef1a1l1 is first to be expressed whilst eef1a2 is only detected later during development. We then determined the effects of introducing null mutations into eEF1A2 in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, in order to compare the results with previously described morphants, and with the severe neurodegenerative lethal phenotype of eEF1A2-null mice. In contrast with both earlier analysis in zebrafish using morpholinos and with the mouse eEF1A2-null mice, disruption of the eef1a2 gene in zebrafish is compatible with normal lifespan. The resulting lines, however, may provide a valuable platform for studying the effects of expression of mutant human eEF1A2 mRNA.
Temperature compensation in a small rhythmic circuit
Authors: Alonso Leandro M. , Marder Eve
Published: July 2019

Temperature affects the conductances and kinetics of the ionic channels that underlie neuronal activity. Each membrane conductance has a different characteristic temperature sensitivity, which raises the question of how neurons and neuronal circuits can operate robustly over wide temperature ranges. To address this, we employed computational models of the pyloric network of crabs and lobsters. We employed a landscape optimization scheme introduced previously (Alonso and Marder, 2019) to produce multiple different models that exhibit triphasic pyloric rhythms over a range of temperatures. We use the currentscapes introduced in (Alonso and Marder, 2019) to explore the dynamics of model currents and how they change with temperature. We found that temperature changes the relative contributions of the currents to neuronal activity so that rhythmic activity smoothly slides through changes in mechanisms. Moreover, the responses of the models to extreme perturbations—such as gradually decreasing a current type—are often qualitatively different at different temperatures.
A 6-nm ultra-photostable DNA Fluorocube for fluorescence imaging
Authors: Niekamp Stefan , Stuurman Nico , Vale Ronald D.
Published: July 2019

Photobleaching limits extended imaging of fluorescent biological samples. Here, we developed DNA origami-based “Fluorocubes” that are similar in size to the green fluorescent protein (GFP), have single-point attachment to proteins, have a 50-fold higher photobleaching lifetime and emit 40-fold more photons than single organic dyes. We demonstrate that DNA Fluorocubes provide outstanding tools for single-molecule imaging, allowing the tracking of single motor proteins for >800 steps with nanometer precision.
A new thalamo-cortical-amygdala circuit is involved in processing a natural auditory alarm cue
Authors: Pereira Ana G , Farias Matheus , Moita Marta A.
Published: July 2019

Animals use auditory cues generated by defensive responses of others to detect impending danger. Here we identify a neural circuit in rats involved in the detection of one such auditory cue, the cessation of movement-evoked sound resulting from freezing. This circuit comprises the dorsal sub-nucleus of the medial geniculate body (MGD) and downstream areas, the ventral area of the auditory cortex (VA) and the lateral amygdala (LA). This study suggests a role for the auditory offset pathway in processing a natural sound cue of threat.
It’s the fiber, not the fat: Significant effects of dietary challenge on the gut microbiome
Authors: Morrison Kathleen E. , Jašarević Eldin , Howard Christopher D. , Bale Tracy L.
Published: July 2019

Background

Dietary effects on the gut microbiome has been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of behavioral dysregulation, inflammatory disorders, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Often overlooked is that experimental diets vary significantly in the proportion and source of dietary fiber. Commonly, treatment comparisons are made between animals that are fed refined diets that lack soluble fiber and animals fed vivarium-provided chow diet that contain a rich source of soluble fiber. Despite the well-established role of soluble fiber on metabolism, immunity, and behavior via the gut microbiome, the extent to which measured outcomes may be driven by differences in dietary fiber is unclear. Further, the significant impact of sex and age in response to dietary challenge is likely important and should also be considered.

Results

We compared the impact of transitioning young and aged male and female mice from a chow diet to a refined low soluble fiber diet on body weight and gut microbiota. Then, to determine the contribution of dietary fat, we examined the impact of transitioning a subset of animals from refined low fat to refined high fat diet. Serial tracking of body weights revealed that consumption of low fat or high fat refined diet increased body weight in young and aged adult male mice. Young adult females showed resistance to body weight gain, while high fat diet-fed aged females had significant body weight gain. Transition from a chow diet to low soluble fiber refined diet accounted for most of the variance in community structure and composition across all groups. This dietary transition was characterized by a loss of taxa within the phylum Bacteroidetes and a concurrent bloom of Clostridia and Proteobacteria in a sex- and age-specific manner. Most notably, no changes to gut microbiota community structure and composition were observed between mice consuming either low- or high-fat diet, suggesting that transition to the refined diet that lacks soluble fiber is the primary driver of gut microbiota alterations, with limited additional impact of dietary fat on gut microbiota.

Conclusion

Collectively, our results show that the choice of control diet has a significant impact on outcomes and interpretation related to body weight and gut microbiota. These data also have broad implications for rodent studies that draw comparisons between refined high fat diets and chow diets to examine dietary fat effects on metabolic, immune, behavioral, and neurobiological outcomes.
Effects of hydroperiod on growth, development, survival and immune defences in a temperate amphibian
Authors: Brannelly Laura A. , Ohmer Michel E. B. , Saenz Veronica , Richards‐Zawacki Corinne L.
Published: July 2019

The many and varied effects of human‐induced environmental change have the potential to threaten animal biodiversity and species abundance. Importantly, human land use and global climate change are predicted to reduce water availability, which might have negative consequences for freshwater organisms.

In this study, we tested for an effect of a shortened hydroperiod on larval growth and development, and post‐metamorphic survival and immune function in a temperate frog, Rana pipiens.

Animals developing under pond drying conditions metamorphosed at a smaller size and had lower survival after metamorphosis. We found sex‐specific differences in larval period in our fastest drying treatment, with males metamorphosing more quickly than females. Individuals that developed under drying conditions also showed reduced skin swelling after phytohaemagglutinin injection, indicating a compromised immune response. We found support for trade‐offs between growth, development and post‐metamorphic immune function across hydroperiod treatments. Whole blood from animals with shorter larval periods had lower bacterial killing ability, and small‐bodied juveniles had lower antibody titres.

Overall, our results indicate that a shortened hydroperiod can affect the rate of larval amphibian growth and development, and might negatively impact the condition of species that rely on freshwater for development. Our work improves understanding of the complex impacts that environmental stressors might have on the health of animal populations.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Species‐specific effects of phosphorus addition on tropical tree seedling response to elevated CO2
Authors: Thompson Jennifer B. , Slot Martijn , Dalling James W. , Winter Klaus , Turner Benjamin L. , Zalamea Paul‐Camilo
Published: July 2019

Tropical forest productivity is often thought to be limited by soil phosphorus (P) availability. Phosphorus availability might therefore constrain potential increases in growth as the atmospheric CO2 concentration increases, yet there is little experimental evidence with which to evaluate this hypothesis. We hypothesized that while all species would respond more strongly to elevated CO2 when supplied with extra P, the responses of individual species would also depend on their habitat associations with either high‐ or low‐P soils. We further hypothesized that this effect would be exacerbated by a reduction in transpiration rate under elevated CO2, as transpiration may aid in P acquisition.

We used a pot experiment to test the effects of P addition on the physiological and growth response to elevated CO2 of eight tropical tree species with contrasting distributions across a soil P gradient in Panamanian lowland forests. Seedlings were grown in an ambient (400 ppm) or elevated (800 ppm) CO2‐controlled glasshouse in either a high‐ or low‐P treatment to quantify the effects of P limitation on relative growth rate (RGR), transpiration, maximum photosynthetic rate and foliar nutrients.

We found evidence of limitation by P and CO2 on growth, photosynthesis, foliar nutrients and transpiration. However, the affinity of a species for P, defined as the species distribution relative to P availability, was not correlated with RGR or transpiration responses to elevated CO2 in either the low‐P or high‐P treatments.

Transpiration rates decreased under elevated CO2, but foliar P was greater for some species under elevated CO2, suggesting a greater capacity for upregulation of P acquisition in species associated with low‐P soils.

Our results show that tropical forest responses to elevated CO2 will be species‐specific and not necessarily explained by P affinities based on distribution, which poses challenges for predictions of community‐wide responses.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Agents intervening against delirium in the intensive care unit (AID‐ICU) – Protocol for a randomised placebo‐controlled trial of haloperidol in patients with delirium in the ICU
Authors: Andersen‐Ranberg Nina C. , Poulsen Lone M. , Perner Anders , Wetterslev Jørn , Estrup Stine , Lange Theis , Ebdrup Bjørn H. , Hästbacka Johanna , Morgan Matthew P.G. , Citerio Giuseppe , Zafrani Lara , Caballero Jesús , Oxenbøll-Collet Marie , Weber Sven‐Olaf , Andreasen Anne S. , Bestle Morten , Pedersen Helle B. S. , Hildebrandt Thomas , Thee Carsten , Jensen Troels B. , Dey Nilanjan , Nielsen Louise G. , Mathiesen Ole
Published: July 2019

Background

Delirium among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a common condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Haloperidol is the most frequently used pharmacologic intervention, but its use is not supported by firm evidence. Therefore, we are conducting Agents Intervening against Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit (AID‐ICU) trial to assess the benefits and harms of haloperidol for the treatment of ICU‐acquired delirium.

Methods

AID‐ICU is an investigator‐initiated, pragmatic, international, randomised, blinded, parallel‐group, trial allocating adult ICU patients with manifest delirium 1:1 to haloperidol or placebo. Trial participants will receive intravenous 2.5 mg haloperidol three times daily or matching placebo (isotonic saline 0.9%) if they are delirious. If needed, a maximum of 20 mg/daily haloperidol/placebo is given. An escape protocol, not including haloperidol, is part of the trial protocol. The primary outcome is days alive out of the hospital within 90 days post‐randomisation. Secondary outcomes are number of days without delirium or coma, serious adverse reactions to haloperidol, usage of escape medication, number of days alive without mechanical ventilation; mortality, health‐related quality‐of‐life and cognitive function at 1‐year follow‐up. A sample size of 1000 patients is required to detect a 7‐day improvement or worsening of the mean days alive out of the hospital, type 1 error risk of 5% and power 90%.

Perspective

The AID‐ICU trial is based on gold standard methodology applied to a large sample of clinically representative patients and will provide pivotal high‐quality data on the benefits and harms of haloperidol for the treatment ICU‐acquired delirium.
Elevated maternal and child mortality among women with multiple DUI convictions compared with socio‐demographically matched controls
Authors: McCutcheon Vivia V. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Houston‐Ludlam Alexandra N. , Heath Andrew C.
Published: July 2019

Aims

To assess whether having multiple convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol (MDUI) in women is a risk factor for maternal, infant and child mortality.

Design

Retrospective cohort design using record linkage, comparing women with MDUI convictions with propensity‐matched women without alcohol‐related driving offences ascertained through state records, on rates of maternal, infant and child mortality.

Setting

Missouri, United States.

Participants

MDUI women (n = 1658) and women with no alcohol‐related driving convictions (control, n = 184 252) who gave birth from 2000 to 2004.

Measurements

Data were obtained from state administrative records and US Census data. The outcomes were maternal, infant and child mortality. The input variable was presence or absence of MDUI convictions. Propensity‐matching variables were maternal (smoking during pregnancy, delayed prenatal care, previous child deaths, age at birth, mother Missouri‐born, education, pre‐pregnancy obesity, marital status), reproductive partner (un‐named partner, race/ethnicity, education, DUI status) and census tract (socio‐economic advantage, urbanicity) characteristics.

Findings

Women with MDUI convictions had higher odds of maternal, infant and child mortality than propensity‐matched controls [odds ratio (OR) = 2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.07–3.40 and OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.17–2.61, respectively].

Conclusions

Having multiple convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol in women appears to be a risk factor for increased maternal, infant and child mortality.
Inadequate community engagement hamstrings sustainable wildlife resource management in Zambia
Authors: Milupi Inonge D. , Somers Michael J. , Ferguson Willem
Published: July 2019

We propose improvements for addressing the inadequate sustainable use of wildlife resources in the community‐based natural resource management (CBNRM) programme in game management areas (GMAs) using case study data from Mumbwa and Lupande GMAs in Zambia. Firstly, we assess the sustainability of wildlife resources in these GMAs using design principles for enduring common pool institutions. Secondly, we propose the steps required to address the lack of sustainability of wildlife resources in the CBNRM programme in the two GMAs by building on indicators suggested by Ostrom's principles. The resource use patterns in the two GMAs were assessed according to their socio‐economic and institutional factors. Comparisons were made between the two GMAs in relation to Ostrom's design principles. Accordingly, the combination of socio‐economic and institutional factors restrains the sustainable use of wildlife resources in the two GMAs. Unless the Zambian government provides local communities with meaningful decision‐making powers and benefits for the utilisation and management of wildlife, this resource is likely to disappear outside national parks.
The Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE)® paediatric anaesthesia course: educational impact in five countries in East and Central Africa
Authors: Boyd N. , Sharkey E. , Nabukenya M. , Tumukunde J. , Sipuka N. , Zyambo M. , Walker I. , Hart J. , Byrne‐Davis L.
Published: July 2019

There is an urgent need to improve access to safe surgical and anaesthetic care for children living in many low‐ and middle‐income countries. Providing quality training for healthcare workers is a key component of achieving this. The 3‐day Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE)® paediatric anaesthesia course was developed to address the specific skills and knowledge required in this field. We undertook a project to expand this course across five East and Central African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia) and train local faculty. This study reports the outcomes from course evaluation data, exploring the impact on knowledge, skills and behaviour change in participants. Eleven courses were conducted in a 15‐month period, with 381 participants attending. Fifty‐nine new faculty members were trained. Knowledge scores (0–50 scale) increased significantly from mean (SD) 37.5 (4.7) pre‐course to 43.2 (3.5) post‐course (p < 0.0001). Skills scores (0–10 scale) increased significantly from 5.7 (2.0) pre‐course to 8.0 (1.5) post‐course (p < 0.0001). One hundred and twenty‐six participants in Malawi, Uganda and Zambia were visited in their workplace 3–6 months later. Knowledge and skills were maintained at follow‐up, with scores of 41.5 (5.0) and 8.3 (1.4), respectively (p < 0.0001 compared with pre‐course scores). Content analysis from interviews with these participants highlighted positive behaviour changes in the areas of preparation, peri‐operative care, resuscitation, management of the sick child, communication and teaching. This study indicates that the SAFE paediatric anaesthesia course is an effective way to deliver training, and could be used to help strengthen emergency and essential surgical care for children as a component of universal health coverage.
The first‐generation phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and their pharmacokinetic issue
Authors: Zucchi A. , Costantini E. , Scroppo F. I. , Silvani M. , Kopa Z. , Illiano E. , Petrillo M. G. , Cari L. , Nocentini G.
Published: July 2019

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a relatively frequent disease that negatively impacts the overall quality of life, well‐being, and relationships. Although the use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) has revolutionized the treatment of ED, a high percentage of ED patients discontinue PDE5i treatment.

Objectives

(i) To analyze the reasons for patient dissatisfaction leading to PDE5i discontinuation; (ii) analyze the pharmacokinetics of new formulations focusing on the time needed to reach an effective plasma concentration of PDE5is (Tonset) following drug intake; and (iii) summarize the physicochemical properties of sildenafil to understand which excipients may increase the absorption rate.

Material and methods

An online PubMed literature search was conducted to identify English language publications from inception to January 2019.

Results

The main reasons for patient dissatisfaction when using PDE5is on demand are the relatively long Tonset after taking vardenafil and sildenafil, including formulations such as film‐coated tablets, fine granules, orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), and oral thin films (ODFs). The relatively long Tonset, further worsened when accompanied by eating, highlights the following: (i) the need for planning intercourse, determining partner‐related issues; (ii) issues when having sex before the maximum effect of the drug; and (iii) lower drug‐related placebo effects. Some data suggest that sildenafil is a ‘difficult’ molecule, but Tonset can be improved following absorption by buccal mucosa using appropriate excipients.

Conclusions

We conclude that several ODT and ODF formulations can improve the ‘discretion’ issue because they are taken without water, but they have similar pharmacokinetics to corresponding film‐coated tablet formulations. One ODF formulation of sildenafil was characterized by a shorter Tonset and could potentially increase patient satisfaction following treatment. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm the findings. Surfactants and ascorbic acid appear to be crucial excipients for achieving a high absorption rate, but more studies are needed.
Diagnostic accuracy of a single‐lead portable ECG device for measuring QTc prolongation
Authors: Bekker Charlotte L. , Noordergraaf Fauve , Teerenstra Steven , Pop Gheorghe , van den Bemt Bart J. F.
Published: July 2019

Background

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a single‐lead portable ECG device for measuring QTc‐intervals in comparison with a standard 12‐lead ECG.

Methods

Adult patients visiting the cardiology outpatient clinic for a 12‐lead recording were also measured with a portable single‐lead ECG recorder (HeartcheckTM). QTc‐intervals were determined by two cardiologists. Perfect agreement was defined as a limit of ≤10 ms between the two measurement methods.

Results

Hundred one ECGs were recorded. QTc‐interval mean differences between the two measurement methods was substantially outside our definition of perfect agreement (‐31.9 [SD±41.3] ms).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Heartcheck single‐lead ECG device is not accurate for measuring QTc‐intervals.
Facilities for presence and provision of support to parents and significant others in neonatal units
Authors: Flacking Renée , Breili Christine , Eriksson Mats
Published: July 2019

Aim

To describe parental facilities for staying in neonatal units, visiting policies and access to emotional support during hospitalisation.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was used in which a survey was presented to all neonatal units in Sweden; 34 out of 38 units participated (89%).

Results

The findings showed that in 50% of the units, parents could stay 24/7 for the infant's entire hospital stay. In 32% of the units, siblings could stay the night with their parents. Units had policies on restrictions for visits by siblings (80%), grandparents (59%), friends and relatives (71%). All units offered counselling to parents, and some units offered peer‐to‐peer groups (24%), diaries (35%), relaxation techniques (6%) or Internet parental forums (6%). All units enabled parents to be at home with their infant and to visit the unit for check‐ups (35%) or to have staff visits at home (65%).

Conclusion

Facilities for parents to stay with their infant during hospitalisation and to have significant others visit are good, but there is room for improvement. During the transitional phase to being at home, parents are facilitated in being at home before the infant is discharged and are supported by the unit, which must be considered beneficial for parents.
Robust inference on the average treatment effect using the outcome highly adaptive lasso
Authors: Ju Cheng , Benkeser David , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: July 2019

Many estimators of the average effect of a treatment on an outcome require estimation of the propensity score, the outcome regression, or both. It is often beneficial to utilize flexible techniques, such as semiparametric regression or machine learning, to estimate these quantities. However, optimal estimation of these regressions does not necessarily lead to optimal estimation of the average treatment effect, particularly in settings with strong instrumental variables. A recent proposal addressed these issues via the outcome‐adaptive lasso, a penalized regression technique for estimating the propensity score that seeks to minimize the impact of instrumental variables on treatment effect estimators. However, a notable limitation of this approach is that its application is restricted to parametric models. We propose a more flexible alternative that we call the outcome highly adaptive lasso. We discuss the large sample theory for this estimator and propose closed‐form confidence intervals based on the proposed estimator. We show via simulation that our method offers benefits over several popular approaches.
Building generalized linear models with ultrahigh dimensional features: A sequentially conditional approach
Authors: Zheng Qi , Hong Hyokyoung G. , Li Yi
Published: July 2019

Conditional screening approaches have emerged as a powerful alternative to the commonly used marginal screening, as they can identify marginally weak but conditionally important variables. However, most existing conditional screening methods need to fix the initial conditioning set, which may determine the ultimately selected variables. If the conditioning set is not properly chosen, the methods may produce false negatives and positives. Moreover, screening approaches typically need to involve tuning parameters and extra modeling steps in order to reach a final model. We propose a sequential conditioning approach by dynamically updating the conditioning set with an iterative selection process. We provide its theoretical properties under the framework of generalized linear models. Powered by an extended Bayesian information criterion as the stopping rule, the method will lead to a final model without the need to choose tuning parameters or threshold parameters. The practical utility of the proposed method is examined via extensive simulations and analysis of a real clinical study on predicting multiple myeloma patients’ response to treatment based on their genomic profiles.
Distance‐based analysis of variance for brain connectivity
Authors: Shinohara Russell T. , Shou Haochang , Carone Marco , Schultz Robert , Tunc Birkan , Parker Drew , Martin Melissa Lynne , Verma Ragini
Published: July 2019

The field of neuroimaging dedicated to mapping connections in the brain is increasingly being recognized as key for understanding neurodevelopment and pathology. Networks of these connections are quantitatively represented using complex structures, including matrices, functions, and graphs, which require specialized statistical techniques for estimation and inference about developmental and disorder‐related changes. Unfortunately, classical statistical testing procedures are not well suited to high‐dimensional testing problems. In the context of global or regional tests for differences in neuroimaging data, traditional analysis of variance (ANOVA) is not directly applicable without first summarizing the data into univariate or low‐dimensional features, a process that might mask the salient features of high‐dimensional distributions. In this work, we consider a general framework for two‐sample testing of complex structures by studying generalized within‐group and between‐group variances based on distances between complex and potentially high‐dimensional observations. We derive an asymptotic approximation to the null distribution of the ANOVA test statistic, and conduct simulation studies with scalar and graph outcomes to study finite sample properties of the test. Finally, we apply our test to our motivating study of structural connectivity in autism spectrum disorder.
Penile urethroplasty using Orandi's dorsal skin flap: a new technique
Authors: Barbagli Guido , Joshi Pankaj M. , Kulkarni Sanjay B. , Butnaru Denis , Sansalone Savatore , Lazzeri Massimo
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To describe, step by step, a new one‐stage dorsal skin flap urethroplasty for penile stricture repair.

Materials and Methods

The surgery was accomplished through a midline incision on the ventral penile surface, the urethra was fully dissected from the corpora cavernosa and longitudinally opened along its dorsal surface. A penile skin island, based on the dartos fascia flap, was dissected and moved over the corpora cavernosa, and the urethra was moved and sutured over the penile skin flap.

Results

Out of the 12 cases, 10 were classified successful and there were two failures. The operating time was 60 min. There was no postoperative fistula or urethral diverticulum.

Conclusion

Our modified Orandi's technique was easy and feasible, and avoided fistula and diverticulum formation after repair.
Working with Signs of Safety: Parents' perception of change
Authors: Baginsky Mary , Hickman Ben , Moriarty Jo , Manthorpe Jill
Published: July 2019

Signs of Safety (SoS) is an approach used to work with families involved with children's services that was developed in Australia during the 1990s. Despite the fact that it has been adopted by countries across the globe, the evidence for its effectiveness in relation to improved outcomes for children has not been established. This study attempted to take an initial step in measuring the impact of SoS on families. In the course of evaluating SoS in 10 areas across England, the authors collected data from social workers using the approach and from families with whom they were working who also gave permission for their case records to be examined. Where social workers were more confident about using SoS and had consistently applied its elements, more families reported improvements in their lives. Families with social workers who had higher confidence in using SoS were also more likely to say that they had achieved more than expected against their earlier stated goals and were more likely to report positively against self‐defined goals.
The inclusive family support model: Facilitating openness for post‐adoptive families
Authors: Kim JaeRan , Tucker Angela
Published: July 2019

Open adoptions have increased over the past few decades, and although guidance for considering and creating open adoption agreements exist, one area of needed post‐adoption support is helping adoptive birth/first families navigate open‐adoption relationships after finalization. Adoption agencies have a responsibility to assist adoptive parents, who may have fears and concerns about openness, see the potential benefits rather than only the challenges. This article describes a practice model designed by one agency to help families navigate post‐adoption openness. The Inclusive Family Support model is conceptualized through the theoretical perspectives of family systems theory, ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief, and the transtheoretical model of change. We highlight the major dimensions of the model, how it will be implemented and evaluated at one agency, and discuss implications for practice and policy.
Reimagining child welfare outcomes: Learning from Family Group Conferencing
Authors: Mitchell Mary
Published: July 2019

This article reports on a qualitative study, which sought to retrospectively understand the contribution family group conferencing (FGC) makes to longer‐term outcomes for children at risk of entering State care and their families. Eleven case examples of FGC were studied from five local government areas across Scotland. Each example included the perspectives of different stakeholders in the process: children, their parents/carers and extended family (n = 32), and professionals (n = 28) involved with them. The study found a number of interconnecting issues in relation to FGC outcome contribution. First, the personal experience of process matters to the service user and his/her opinion of the outcomes they achieve. Second, what professionals do and how they do it can impact the outcomes of people requiring support. Thus, the relationship between professionals and service users is central to understanding why and how families achieve longer‐term outcomes. Finally, who defines outcomes and to what purpose is significant when understanding outcomes. This article reports on two sets of FGC outcomes identified within the study: personal and professional. Arguing for a more nuanced understanding of outcomes in child welfare this article begins to explore, and challenge, the manner in which outcomes are identified and valued in child welfare.
Supporting care‐experienced adults' educational journeys: “Linked lives” over the life course
Authors: Brady Eavan , Gilligan Robbie
Published: July 2019

Research highlights the role of key actors and relationships in supporting the educational attainment and progress of children in care and care leavers. We know less about how relationships influence the educational journeys of people with care experience over time and how to support the educational progress and engagement of adults with care experience. The principle of “linked lives” is central to the life course perspective referring to the interdependence of human lives throughout the life course. This paper explores how the principle of linked lives can illuminate our understanding of how relationships positively influence the educational journeys of adults with care experience over time. Educational life history interviews were conducted with 18 care‐experienced adults (aged 24–36) in Ireland. Findings suggest that the principle of linked lives is a valuable conceptual tool for providing new insights on this issue. Four key themes were identified: (a) opportunities for educational support are present across the life course; (b) “family” is a central source of educational support; (c) there is intergenerational capacity for educational support; and (d) relationships beyond the “family” are supportive of education. Implications for practice, policy, and research are explored.
Challenges and dilemmas working with high‐conflict families in child protection casework
Authors: Sudland Cecilie
Published: July 2019

Social workers within child protection services report that families marked by high levels of conflict between separated parents are among the most challenging cases to handle. Few studies however have focussed on how social workers themselves experience and meet with parents involved in hostile martial interactions. This article reports on a qualitative study involving 31 social workers and provides an analysis of their experiences and dilemmas in working with such families. Findings demonstrate that social workers struggle to find ways to help high‐conflict families and often find themselves at an impasse. Parents involved in such conflict are highly resistant to change, and social workers struggle to engage with them over concerns about their children. Furthermore, findings suggest that social workers lack organizationally allotted time to assist the parents. I conclude by discussing ways in which emotional support, empowering interventions, and strength‐based approaches enable social workers to manage relationships with high‐conflict families. More research on this topic is needed to support and promote better practices for social workers to be more effective in assisting high‐conflict families.
Examining individual‐level academic risk and protective factors for foster youth: School engagement, behaviors, self‐esteem, and social skills
Authors: Mihalec‐Adkins Brittany P. , Cooley Morgan E.
Published: July 2019

Students' school engagement is widely regarded as critical for positive school adjustment and overall academic success. Foster youth persistently face poorer educational outcomes than peers and demonstrate lower levels of school engagement and higher levels of academically threatening behaviors. The goals of the present study were (a) to explore relationships amongst various child‐level correlates of school engagement and problem behaviors—namely, self‐esteem and social skills—and (b) to respectively investigate the protective potential of self‐esteem and social skills in the association between school engagement and behavior problems that threaten educational trajectories. Results indicate significant associations between school engagement and problem behaviors, as well as between self‐esteem, social skills, and school engagement. Further, self‐esteem mediated the association between school engagement and both youth‐ and foster parent‐reported externalizing behavior, and social skills mediated the association between school engagement and both youth‐ and foster parent‐reported externalizing behavior. Implications for future practice, research, and policy are discussed.
Context matters: Nonresident grandparent contributions to low‐income rural families
Authors: Yancura Loriena A. , Barnett Melissa A. , Sano Yoshie , Mammen Sheila
Published: July 2019

Low‐income mothers in rural areas lack access to resources and may rely strongly on support from their children's grandparents. However, most current research on grandparent support focuses on coresidential or custodial grandparents. Very few recent studies focus on the types of support provided by nonresident grandparents, who may be a particularly critical source of support for mothers in rural areas. This qualitative study analyzed interview transcripts from 68 low‐income rural mothers to characterize the support they received from their children's grandparents. Two main themes emerged: multidimensionality and multivalence of support. In many families, resources were limited across generations. Results highlight the importance and complexity of multidimensional and multidirectional intergenerational relationships. Nonresident grandparent support appeared to play a key role in the financial and emotional functioning of these families, which may be overlooked in current research and practice with low‐resource rural families.
Proportionate universalism in child and family social work
Authors: Dierckx Melissa , Devlieghere Jochen , Vandenbroeck Michel
Published: July 2019

Integrated services in preventive health care and child and family social work increasingly embrace the concept of proportionate universalism (PU) as a means of overcoming the dichotomy between universal and targeted services in contexts of diversity. The implementation of the concept of PU raises several theoretical and empirical questions that form the basis of this article. This study aims to provide more insight in how the concept of PU is operationalized in child and family social work. Qualitative research was performed in three specific cases of child and family social work, the so‐called “Huizen van het Kind” or Children's Houses in Flanders (Belgium). The study triangulates three perspectives: policy, organizational level, and street level. The findings generate three meta‐themes: perseverant structuring of populations or predefinitions, image and conceptualization of the Children's House, and organizational challenges. These results reveal a difference between the theoretical assumption of PU and the practical implementation in child and family social work.
Identification of the gene signature reflecting schizophrenia’s etiology by constructing artificial intelligence‐based method of enhanced reproducibility
Authors: Yang Qing‐Xia , Wang Yun‐Xia , Li Feng‐Cheng , Zhang Song , Luo Yong‐Chao , Li Yi , Tang Jing , Li Bo , Chen Yu‐Zong , Xue Wei‐Wei , Zhu Feng
Published: July 2019

Aims

As one of the most fundamental questions in modern science, “what causes schizophrenia (SZ)” remains a profound mystery due to the absence of objective gene markers. The reproducibility of the gene signatures identified by independent studies is found to be extremely low due to the incapability of available feature selection methods and the lack of measurement on validating signatures’ robustness. These irreproducible results have significantly limited our understanding of the etiology of SZ.

Methods

In this study, a new feature selection strategy was developed, and a comprehensive analysis was then conducted to ensure a reliable signature discovery. Particularly, the new strategy (a) combined multiple randomized sampling with consensus scoring and (b) assessed gene ranking consistency among different datasets, and a comprehensive analysis among nine independent studies was conducted.

Results

Based on a first‐ever evaluation of methods’ reproducibility that was cross‐validated by nine independent studies, the newly developed strategy was found to be superior to the traditional ones. As a result, 33 genes were consistently identified from multiple datasets by the new strategy as differentially expressed, which might facilitate our understanding of the mechanism underlying the etiology of SZ.

Conclusion

A new strategy capable of enhancing the reproducibility of feature selection in current SZ research was successfully constructed and validated. A group of candidate genes identified in this study should be considered as great potential for revealing the etiology of SZ.
Visual configural processing in adults born at extremely low birth weight
Authors: Mathewson Karen J. , Maurer Daphne , Mondloch Catherine J. , Saigal Saroj , Van Lieshout Ryan J. , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: July 2019

Being born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; ≤1,000 g) is associated with enduring visual impairments. We tested for long‐term, higher order visual processing problems in the oldest known prospectively followed cohort of ELBW survivors. Configural processing (spacing among features of an object) was examined in 62 adults born at ELBW (Mage = 31.9 years) and 82 adults born at normal birth weight (NBW; ≥2,500 g: Mage = 32.5 years). Pairs of human faces, monkey faces, or houses were presented in a delayed match‐to‐sample task, where non‐matching stimuli differed only in the spacing of their features. Discrimination accuracy for each stimulus type was compared between birth weight groups, adjusting for neurosensory impairment, visual acuity, binocular fusion ability, IQ, and sex. Both groups were better able to discriminate human faces than monkey faces (p < .001). However, the ELBW group discriminated between human faces (p < .001), between monkey faces (p < .001), and to some degree, between houses (p < .06), more poorly than NBW control participants, suggesting a general deficit in perceptual processing. Human face discrimination was related to performance IQ (PIQ) across groups, but especially among ELBW survivors. Coding (a PIQ subtest) also predicted human face discrimination in ELBW survivors, consistent with previously reported links between visuo‐perceptive difficulties and regional slowing of cortical activity in individuals born preterm. Correlations with Coding suggested ELBW survivors may have used a feature‐matching approach to processing human faces. Future studies could examine brain‐based anatomical and functional evidence for altered face processing, as well as the social and memory consequences of face‐processing deficits in ELBW survivors.
Reservoir to river: Quantifying fine‐scale fish movements after translocation
Authors: Carpenter‐Bundhoo Luke , Butler Gavin L. , Espinoza Tom , Bond Nick R. , Bunn Stuart E. , Kennard Mark J.
Published: July 2019

Translocation of individuals is a widely used tool in the conservation of threatened species. The movement behaviours of translocated individuals in their new environment are a key factor that can influence translocation success (i.e. survival and reproduction). In this study, eel‐tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) movements were monitored using fine‐scale acoustic telemetry over a 5‐month period in two lowland rivers in eastern Australia. Fine‐scale movement and habitat selection were compared among translocated lacustrine and resident riverine T. tandanus and between species. We found no difference in fine‐scale movement behaviours between translocated and resident T. tandanus; however, there was some variation in movement response to environmental variation between species. In contrast, habitat selection varied not only between the two species, but also between resident and translocated T. tandanus individuals. Notably, activity was significantly lower in the first day after release compared to the remainder of the study period. Although T. tandanus translocated from a reservoir had never experienced the environmental fluctuations of a riverine system, individuals still responded in the same way as resident riverine fish, suggesting an innate behavioural response. However, this was not the case for habitat selection, where translocated individuals preferred habitats more common in their source population's lacustrine environment. The findings of this study are important in guiding future conservation efforts involving the translocation of wild‐caught fish, primarily the importance of the suitable habitat at the release site to ensure the success and persistence of translocated populations.
The priming effect of food persists following blockade of dopamine receptors
Authors: Evangelista Czarina , Hantson Arne , Shams Waqqas M. , Almey Anne , Pileggi Michael , Voisard Jacques R. , Boulos Vanessa , Al‐qadri Yaman , Gonzalez Cautela Brunella V. , Zhou Fei Xiang , Duchemin Jesse , Habrich Andrew , Tito Noemie , Koumrouyan Ramela A. , Patel Smita , Lorenc Victoria , Gagne Collin , El Oufi Khaoula , Shizgal Peter , Brake Wayne G.
Published: July 2019

The priming effect of rewards is a boost in the vigor of reward seeking resulting from the previous receipt of a reward. Extensive work has been carried out on the priming effect of electrical brain stimulation, but much less research exists on the priming effect of natural rewards, such as food. While both reinforcement and motivation are linked with dopamine transmission in the brain, the priming effect of rewards does not appear to be dopamine‐dependent. In the present study, an operant method was developed to measure the priming effect of food and then applied to investigate whether it is affected by dopamine receptor antagonism. Long‐Evans rats were administered saline or one of the three doses (0.01, 0.05, 0.075 mg/kg) of the dopamine D1 receptor family antagonist, SCH23390, or the dopamine D2 receptor family antagonist, eticlopride. Although dopamine receptor antagonism affected pursuit of food, it did not eliminate the priming effect. These data suggest that despite the involvement of dopamine transmission in reinforcement and motivation, the priming effect of food does not depend on dopamine transmission.