bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Location of the Mesopontine Neurons Responsible for Maintenance of Anesthetic Loss of Consciousness
Authors: Minert Anne , Yatziv Shai-Lee , Devor Marshall 
Published: August 2017

The transition from wakefulness to general anesthesia is widely attributed to suppressive actions of anesthetic molecules distributed by the systemic circulation to the cerebral cortex (for amnesia and loss of consciousness) and to the spinal cord (for atonia and antinociception). An alternative hypothesis proposes that anesthetics act on one or more brainstem or diencephalic nuclei, with suppression of cortex and spinal cord mediated by dedicated axonal pathways. Previously, we documented induction of an anesthesia-like state in rats by microinjection of small amounts of GABAA-receptor agonists into an upper brainstem region named the mesopontine tegmental anesthesia area (MPTA). Correspondingly, lesioning this area rendered animals resistant to systemically delivered anesthetics. Here, using rats of both sexes, we applied a modified microinjection method that permitted localization of the anesthetic-sensitive neurons with much improved spatial resolution. Microinjected at the MPTA hotspot identified, exposure of 1900 or fewer neurons to muscimol was sufficient to sustain whole-body general anesthesia; microinjection as little as 0.5 mm off-target did not. The GABAergic anesthetics pentobarbital and propofol were also effective. The GABA-sensitive cell cluster is centered on a tegmental (reticular) field traversed by fibers of the superior cerebellar peduncle. It has no specific nuclear designation and has not previously been implicated in brain-state transitions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGeneral anesthesia permits pain-free surgery. Furthermore, because anesthetic agents have the unique ability to reversibly switch the brain from wakefulness to a state of unconsciousness, knowing how and where they work is a potential route to unraveling the neural mechanisms that underlie awareness itself. Using a novel method, we have located a small, and apparently one of a kind, cluster of neurons in the mesopontine tegmentum that are capable of effecting brain-state switching when exposed to GABAA-receptor agonists. This action appears to be mediated by a network of dedicated axonal pathways that project directly and/or indirectly to nearby arousal nuclei of the brainstem and to more distant targets in the forebrain and spinal cord.
Plasticity Beyond V1: Reinforcement of Motion Perception upon Binocular Central Retinal Lesions in Adulthood
Authors: Burnat Kalina , Hu Tjing-Tjing , Kossut Małgorzata , Eysel Ulf T. , Arckens Lutgarde 
Published: August 2017

Induction of a central retinal lesion in both eyes of adult mammals is a model for macular degeneration and leads to retinotopic map reorganization in the primary visual cortex (V1). Here we characterized the spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular activity levels in the central and peripheral representation of five higher-order visual areas, V2/18, V3/19, V4/21a,V5/PMLS, area 7, and V1/17, in adult cats with central 10° retinal lesions (both sexes), by means of real-time PCR for the neuronal activity reporter genezif268.The lesions elicited a similar, permanent reduction in activity in the center of the lesion projection zone of area V1/17, V2/18, V3/19, and V4/21a, but not in the motion-driven V5/PMLS, which instead displayed an increase in molecular activity at 3 months postlesion, independent of visual field coordinates. Also area 7 only displayed decreased activity in its LPZ in the first weeks postlesion and increased activities in its periphery from 1 month onward. Therefore we examined the impact of central vision loss on motion perception using random dot kinematograms to test the capacity for form from motion detection based on direction and velocity cues. We revealed that the central retinal lesions either do not impair motion detection or even result in better performance, specifically when motion discrimination was based on velocity discrimination. In conclusion, we propose that central retinal damage leads to enhanced peripheral vision by sensitizing the visual system for motion processing relying on feedback from V5/PMLS and area 7.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCentral retinal lesions, a model for macular degeneration, result in functional reorganization of the primary visual cortex. Examining the level of cortical reactivation with the molecular activity markerzif268revealed reorganization in visual areas outside V1. Retinotopic lesion projection zones typically display an initial depression inzif268expression, followed by partial recovery with postlesion time. Only the motion-sensitive area V5/PMLS shows no decrease, and even a significant activity increase at 3 months post-retinal lesion. Behavioral tests of motion perception found no impairment and even better sensitivity to higher random dot stimulus velocities. We demonstrate that the loss of central vision induces functional mobilization of motion-sensitive visual cortex, resulting in enhanced perception of moving stimuli.
Role of Somatostatin-Positive Cortical Interneurons in the Generation of Sleep Slow Waves
Authors: Funk Chadd M. , Peelman Kayla , Bellesi Michele , Marshall William , Cirelli Chiara , Tononi Giulio 
Published: August 2017

During non-rapid eye-movement (NREM) sleep, cortical and thalamic neurons oscillate every second or so between ON periods, characterized by membrane depolarization and wake-like tonic firing, and OFF periods, characterized by membrane hyperpolarization and neuronal silence. Cortical slow waves, the hallmark of NREM sleep, reflect near-synchronous OFF periods in cortical neurons. However, the mechanisms triggering such OFF periods are unclear, as there is little evidence for somatic inhibition. We studied cortical inhibitory interneurons that express somatostatin (SOM), because ∼70% of them are Martinotti cells that target diffusely layer I and can block excitatory transmission presynaptically, at glutamatergic terminals, and postsynaptically, at apical dendrites, without inhibiting the soma. In freely moving male mice, we show that SOM+ cells can fire immediately before slow waves and their optogenetic stimulation during ON periods of NREM sleep triggers long OFF periods. Next, we show that chemogenetic activation of SOM+ cells increases slow-wave activity (SWA), slope of individual slow waves, and NREM sleep duration; whereas their chemogenetic inhibition decreases SWA and slow-wave incidence without changing time spent in NREM sleep. By contrast, activation of parvalbumin+ (PV+) cells, the most numerous population of cortical inhibitory neurons, greatly decreases SWA and cortical firing, triggers short OFF periods in NREM sleep, and increases NREM sleep duration. Thus SOM+ cells, but not PV+ cells, are involved in the generation of sleep slow waves. Whether Martinotti cells are solely responsible for this effect, or are complemented by other classes of inhibitory neurons, remains to be investigated.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCortical slow waves are a defining feature of non-rapid eye-movement (NREM) sleep and are thought to be important for many of its restorative benefits. Yet, the mechanism by which cortical neurons abruptly and synchronously cease firing, the neuronal basis of the slow wave, remains unknown. Using chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches, we provide the first evidence that links a specific class of inhibitory interneurons—somatostatin-positive cells—to the generation of slow waves during NREM sleep in freely moving mice.
Effector-Invariant Movement Encoding in the Human Motor System
Authors: Haar Shlomi , Dinstein Ilan , Shelef Ilan , Donchin Opher 
Published: August 2017

Ipsilateral motor areas of cerebral cortex are active during arm movements and even reliably predict movement direction. Is coding similar during ipsilateral and contralateral movements? If so, is it in extrinsic (world-centered) or intrinsic (joint-configuration) coordinates? We addressed these questions by examining the similarity of multivoxel fMRI patterns in visuomotor cortical regions during unilateral reaching movements with both arms. The results of three complementary analyses revealed that fMRI response patterns were similar across right and left arm movements to identical targets (extrinsic coordinates) in visual cortices, and across movements with equivalent joint-angles (intrinsic coordinates) in motor cortices. We interpret this as evidence for the existence of distributed neural populations in multiple motor system areas that encode ipsilateral and contralateral movements in a similar manner: according to their intrinsic/joint coordinates.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCortical motor control exhibits clear lateralization: each hemisphere controls the motor output of the contralateral body. Nevertheless, neural populations in ipsilateral areas across the visuomotor hierarchy are active during unilateral movements. We show that fMRI response patterns in the motor cortices are similar for both arms if the movement direction is mirror-reversed across the midline. This suggests that in both ipsilateral and contralateral motor cortices, neural populations have effector-invariant coding of movements in intrinsic coordinates. This not only affects our understanding of motor control, it may serve in the development of brain machine interfaces that also use ipsilateral neural activity.
Accumulation of Deleterious Mutations During Bacterial Range Expansions
Authors: Bosshard Lars , Dupanloup Isabelle , Tenaillon Olivier , Bruggmann Rémy , Ackermann Martin , Peischl Stephan , Excoffier Laurent 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecent theoretical work suggested that deleterious mutations could accumulate during the range expansion of a species, negatively affecting its fitness.Recent theory predicts that the fitness of pioneer populations can decline when species expand their range, due to high rates of genetic drift on wave fronts making selection less efficient at purging deleterious variants. To test these predictions, we studied the fate of mutator bacteria expanding their range for 1650 generations on agar plates. In agreement with theory, we find that growth abilities of strains with a high mutation rate (HMR lines) decreased significantly over time, unlike strains with a lower mutation rate (LMR lines) that present three to four times fewer mutations. Estimation of the distribution of fitness effect under a spatially explicit model reveals a mean negative effect for new mutations (−0.38%), but it suggests that both advantageous and deleterious mutations have accumulated during the experiment. Furthermore, the fitness of HMR lines measured in different environments has decreased relative to the ancestor strain, whereas that of LMR lines remained unchanged. Contrastingly, strains with a HMR evolving in a well-mixed environment accumulated less mutations than agar-evolved strains and showed an increased fitness relative to the ancestor. Our results suggest that spatially expanding species are affected by deleterious mutations, leading to a drastic impairment of their evolutionary potential.
Parent Coping Support Interventions During Acute Pediatric Hospitalizations: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Doupnik Stephanie K. , Hill Douglas , Palakshappa Deepak , Worsley Diana , Bae Hanah , Shaik Aleesha , Qiu Maylene (Kefeng) , Marsac Meghan , Feudtner Chris 
Published: August 2017

CONTEXT:
Parents may experience psychological distress when a child is acutely hospitalized, which can negatively affect child outcomes. Interventions designed to support parents’ coping have the potential to mitigate this distress.

OBJECTIVE:
To describe interventions designed to provide coping support to parents of hospitalized children and conduct a meta-analysis of coping support intervention outcomes (parent anxiety, depression, and stress).

DATA SOURCES:
We searched Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, Psychiatry Online, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from 1985 to 2016 for English-language articles including the concepts “pediatric,” “hospitalization,” “parents,” and “coping support intervention.”

STUDY SELECTION:
Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts to identify studies meeting inclusion criteria and reviewed full text if a determination was not possible using the title and abstract. References of studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed to identify additional articles for inclusion.

DATA EXTRACTION:
Two authors abstracted data and assessed risk of bias by using a structured instrument.

RESULTS:
Initial searches yielded 3450 abstracts for possible inclusion. Thirty-two studies met criteria for inclusion in the systematic review and 12 studies met criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The most commonly measured outcomes were parent depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. In meta-analysis, combined intervention effects significantly reduced parent anxiety and stress but not depression. Heterogeneity among included studies was high.

LIMITATIONS:
Most included studies were conducted at single centers with small sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS:
Coping support interventions can alleviate parents’ psychological distress during children’s hospitalization. More evidence is needed to determine if such interventions benefit children.
Violência obstétrica: revisão integrativa de pesquisas qualitativas
Authors: Barbosa Luara De Carvalho , Fabbro Márcia Regina Cangiani , Machado Geovânia Pereira dos Reis 
Published: August 2017

Objetivo: Describir cómo los factores que afectan las prácticas de atención del parto interfieren en la experiencia del parto y en el nacimiento.Síntesis de contenido: Se trata de una revisión integradora de investigaciones cualitativas. A partir de las búsquedas en las bases de datos seleccionadas, se encontraron 17 051 artículos,de los cuales, según los criterios preestablecidos, se eligieron 54. De acuerdo con el análisis de los estudios elegidos, emergieron cuatro categorías, a saber: Preconcepciones contemporáneas sobre el parto normal y la cesárea, Elementos desfavorables para la vivencia satisfactoria del parto, Banalización de la violencia obstétrica y Presupuestos sobre la asistencia humanizada del parto. Los resultados revelaron que las prácticas de asistencia al parto estaban desactualizadas, eran inapropiadas, se consideraban“normales” y estaban marcadas por el autoritarismo y por la falta de respeto hacia las mujeres, lo cual caracteriza la violencia obstétrica. Por su parte, el modelo humanizado, al valorar elprotagonismo femenino, hace que la experiencia del parto sea más gratificante. Conclusión: Las prácticas de asistencia al parto en Brasil no respetan los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, lo que se refleja en los altos índices de cesáreas innecesarias y en los maltratos que las mujeres sufren en los hospitales materno-infantilesbrasileños.
Inclusion of gaming disorder in the diagnostic classifications and promotion of public health response
Authors: Shadloo Behrang , Farnam Rabert , Amin-Esmaeili Masoumeh , Hamzehzadeh Marziyeh , Rafiemanesh Hosein , Jobehdar Maral Mardaneh , Ghani Kamyar , Charkhgard Nader , Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin 
Published: August 2017

There are ongoing controversies regarding the upcoming ICD-11 concept of gaming disorder. Recently, Aarseth et al. have put this diagnostic entity into scrutiny. Although we, a group of Iranian researchers and clinicians, acknowledge some of Aarseth et al.’s concerns, believe that the inclusion of gaming disorder in the upcoming ICD-11 would facilitate necessary steps to raise public awareness, enhance development of proper diagnostic approaches and treatment interventions, and improve health and non-health policies.
Evaluation and prediction of cyclic response of Q690D steel
Authors: Wang Yan-Bo , Li Guo-Qiang , Sun Xu , Chen Suwen , Hai Le-Tian 
Published: August 2017

High-strength structural steel of nominal yield strength greater than 690 MPa is difficult to produce in the hot-rolled condition without heat treatment. Quenching and tempering are thus commonly used to trade ductility for high strength. However, in seismic regions, good ductility of steel structural members is required to endure expected inelastic deformation under severe earthquake actions. This paper describes an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and hysteretic behaviour of Q690D steel through 29 tensile coupon tests and 14 cyclic loading coupon tests subjected to four different cyclic patterns. The 16 mm and 40 mm quenched and tempered Q690D steel plates used in this study are equivalent to S690Q steel according to EN 10025-6. The test results of Q690D steel were compared with the ductility requirements of current seismic design codes. Under cyclic loading, Q690D steel showed cyclic softening. Based on analysis of the test results, a combined isotropic and kinematic hardening hysteretic model was developed to predict the cyclic behaviour of Q690D steel, with consideration of the Bauschinger effect and cyclic softening behaviour.
TIC no ensino e na formação de professores: reflexões a partir da prática docente
Authors: Vasconcelos Carlos Alberto de , Oliveira Eliane Vasconcelos 
Published: August 2017

O presente texto, oriundo das avaliações, indagações e discussões travadas na disciplina Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) no ensino e formação de professores, no ano de 2015, ofertada pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática (PPGECIMA) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), tem como objetivo apresentar reflexões e resultados obtidos através dos depoimentos, produções finais elaboradas no curso, assim como seus efeitos para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento dos participantes no tocante às tecnologias na sociedade da informação e, em especial, na formação e prática docente. Para tanto, trabalhou-se com abordagem qualitativa de investigação, tendo como instrumentos para coleta de dados os textos elaborados pelos discentes no final do curso, uma sondagem do material publicado na página do Facebook criada como extensão da sala de aula, a pesquisa bibliográfica e anotações em diário. Para o estudo e interpretação dos dados optou-se pela análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2011). Nessa disciplina se privilegiou a discussão sobre a importância das TIC e suas influências na/para a sociedade atual, especificamente na educação. Após a análise dos depoimentos dos discentes foi possível concluir que essas reflexões, assim como os debates e as produções desenvolvidas durante o curso, proporcionaram aos participantes momentos de autorreflexão e questionamentos referentes à prática docente com o uso das TIC. De acordo com Nóvoa (2000), essa reflexão sobre a prática deve fazer parte da rotina do professor.
Determination of Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection Among the Pregnant Women with Lower Abdominal Pain
Authors: Chandra Bala Sekharan  , Devarajan Dinesh Kumar  , Koneru Ratna Kumari  , Cecilia Alphonce Joachim  
Published: August 2017

The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection among the pregnant women with lower abdominal pain and its aetiological micro-organism. Cross sectional study was done at Mount meru hospital laboratory, Arusha, Tanzania. 225 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Levolosi hospital (Arusha, Tazania) were enrolled. To diagnose urinary tract infection in the enrolled participants, mid stream urine was collected and culture on Macconkey agar media and blood agar media. Urine analysis was done using dipstick test, urine microscopy and biochemical tests. The prevalence of urinary tract infection was found to be 31.6%. High incidence of infection was found in 33-40 years age group (41.6%). The incidence of infection was high in the third trimester of pregnancy compared to first and second trimester. The prevalence of infection is more in participants who had past history of infection. The bacterial pathogens isolated include E.coli (40.8%), Staphylococcus species (30.0%), Klebsiella species (14.1%), Proteus species (11.3%), Citrobacter species (1.4%) and Enterobacter species (1.4%). Diagnosis of urinary tract infection in pregnant women during all antenatal visits should be considered a vital care in the community. This helps to keep away from complications in pregnancy at an early stage.
Evaluation of hematological and Biochemical changes induced by garlic (Allium Satium) in Rats
Authors: Azuoma Kosisochukwu E.  , Nnolum Blessing U.  , Enwelum Henry O.  
Published: August 2017

The effect of Allium sativum on the blood cells, platelet and electrolytes was investigated in twelve (12) wistar rats. The experiment lasted for four weeks excluding one weeks of acclimatization. At the end of the experiment, the animals were starved overnight, anesthetized, and the blood sample collected through the cardiac puncture. Blood was collected into an EDTA and plain bottle for hematological parameters and electrolyte analysis respectively. The evaluated parameters were; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), White blood cell count (WBC), Hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), monocyte, basophil, eosinophil, Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The result obtained showed that Allium sativum at a low doses significantly affected white blood cells count (WBC), platelet, monocyte, Basophile, Na+, HCO3 (P<0.05). Other parameters were not significantly affected. It was concluded that consumption of Allium sativum in minimal dose affects the amount of circulating blood cells hence increases body defense. Garlic demonstrated potential benefits by causing the increase in some blood parameters implicated in promoting good health, maintaining blood factors required for body defense and helps maintain electrolyte balance in the rat’s system.
Screening of Antistress and Anxiolytic Activities of Piper longum Fruits Extract
Authors: Nanjappaiah HM  , Patil VP  , MuchchandiI S  , Chandrashekar VM  , Shivakumar H  
Published: August 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate adaptogenic and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract of Piper longum fruits at different dose levels (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) using different experimental animal models. In the present research work antistress activity was assessed by swimming endurance and immobilization stress models, and anxiolytic activity were assessed by elevated plus maze behavior of mice, light dark exploration test in mice and open field apparatus test in rats. In swimming endurance test, the mean time of swimming performance and swimming stress induced biochemical parameters such as serum cortisol, the weights of adrenal glands, ascorbic acid and cortisol levels were recorded in the adrenal gland. There was dose dependent significant increase in swimming performance time observed in mice pretreated with graded doses of the test extracts. Animals pretreated with test extracts at different dose levels showed significant and dose dependent fall in all the biochemical parameters, as compared to the stress control animals. Treatment with standard and test extracts significantly reversed the stress induced altered hematological parameters, biochemical parameters, organs weight, GSH and LPO levels and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, nor adrenaline and serotonin levels in rat brain In immobilization stress. The test extracts demonstrated the significant increase in time spent and number of entries into open arm in elevated plus maze apparatus test and also increase in time spent and number of entries into lit box was observed in light box exploration test and reduction in time spent and number crossing into the dark compartment observed in animals pretreated with test extract. Pretreatment with test extracts demonstrated dose dependent significant increase in ambulation, rearing and self-grooming and significant decrease in fecal dropping in case of open field test.