bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural Firing in the Prefrontal Cortex During Alcohol Intake in Alcohol‐Preferring “P” Versus Wistar Rats
Authors: Linsenbardt David N. , Lapish Christopher C. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundNeural activity within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is altered by alcohol and alcohol‐associated stimuli and is mediated by genetic susceptibility to alcoholism. However, very little is known about how genetic risk of excessive drinking might mediate neural firing in the PFC during alcohol consumption.MethodsTo determine how genetic risk influences alcohol seeking, intake, and neural activity, a Pavlovian alcohol consumption task was used—the 2‐Way Cued Access Protocol (2CAP). Alcohol‐preferring “P” rats and relatives of their (heterogeneous) founding Wistar population were used for these studies. After acquisition of 2CAP, extinction of responding for alcohol was evaluated by substituting water for alcohol. Following these experiments, in vivo electrophysiological recordings were obtained during 2CAP from the PFC in a separate cohort of Wistar and P rats implanted with moveable tetrode microdrives.ResultsP and Wistar rats increased daily alcohol seeking and intake with P rats consuming roughly twice as much alcohol as Wistar. Both rat populations decreased seeking behavior during extinction. However, P rats displayed persistent increases in seeking after controlling for intake versus Wistar. Higher firing rates (FRs) were observed in P rats prior to 2CAP and throughout alcohol and water consumption compared with Wistars that were matched for alcohol‐drinking history. Differences in FR were driven, in part, by a larger percentage of neurons in P rats versus Wistars that increased FR compared with those that decreased, or did not change.ConclusionsThese data provide additional evidence of increased alcohol consumption and persistent alcohol seeking in P versus Wistar rats. Differences in PFC neural firing observed in P rats prior to drinking could be heritable and/or related to an enhanced response to alcohol‐associated contextual cues. FR differences observed during alcohol drinking might be related to an augmented sensitivity of PFC neurons to orally consumed alcohol.
Time‐Dependent Effects of Ethanol on BK Channel Expression and Trafficking in Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Palacio Stephanie , Velázquez‐Marrero Cristina , Marrero Héctor G. , Seale Garrett E. , Yudowski Guillermo A. , Treistman Steven N. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundThe large conductance Ca2+‐ and voltage‐activated K+ channel (BK) is an important player in molecular and behavioral alcohol tolerance. Trafficking and surface expression of ion channels contribute to the development of addictive behaviors. We have previously reported that internalization of the BK channel is a component of molecular tolerance to ethanol (EtOH).MethodsUsing primary cultures of hippocampal neurons, we combine total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology, and biochemical techniques to explore how exposure to EtOH affects the expression and subcellular localization of endogenous BK channels over time.ResultsExposure to EtOH changed the expression of endogenous BK channels in a time‐dependent manner at the perimembrane area (plasma membrane and/or the area adjacent to it), while total protein levels of BK remain unchanged. These results suggest a redistribution of the channel within the neurons rather than changes in synthesis or degradation rates. Our results showed a temporally nonlinear effect of EtOH on perimembrane expression of BK. First, there was an increase in BK perimembrane expression after 10 minutes of EtOH exposure that remained evident after 3 hours, although not correlated to increases in functional channel expression. In contrast, after 6 hours of EtOH exposure, we observed a significant decrease in both BK perimembrane expression and functional channel expression. Furthermore, after 24 hours of EtOH exposure, perimembrane levels of BK had returned to baseline.ConclusionsWe report a complex time‐dependent pattern in the effect of EtOH on BK channel trafficking, including successive increases and decreases in perimembrane expression and a reduction in active BK channels after 3 and 6 hours of EtOH exposure. Possible mechanisms underlying this multiphasic trafficking are discussed. As molecular tolerance necessarily underlies behavioral tolerance, the time‐dependent alterations we see at the level of the channel may be relevant to the influence of drinking patterns on the development of behavioral tolerance.
CaMKIIα–GluA1 Activity Underlies Vulnerability to Adolescent Binge Alcohol Drinking
Authors: Agoglia Abigail E. , Holstein Sarah E. , Reid Grant , Hodge Clyde W. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundBinge drinking during adolescence is associated with increased risk for developing alcohol use disorders; however, the neural mechanisms underlying this liability are unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether binge drinking alters expression or phosphorylation of 2 molecular mechanisms of neuroplasticity, calcium/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II alpha (CaMKIIα) and the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in addiction‐associated brain regions. We also asked whether activation of CaMKIIα‐dependent AMPAR activity escalates binge‐like drinking.MethodsTo address these questions, CaMKIIαT286 and GluA1S831 protein phosphorylation and expression were assessed in the amygdala and striatum of adolescent and adult male C57BL/6J mice immediately after voluntary binge‐like alcohol drinking (blood alcohol >80 mg/dl). In separate mice, effects of the CaMKIIα‐dependent GluA1S831 phosphorylation (pGluA1S831)‐enhancing drug tianeptine were tested on binge‐like alcohol consumption in both age groups.ResultsBinge‐like drinking decreased CaMKIIαT286 phosphorylation (pCaMKIIαT286) selectively in adolescent amygdala with no effect in adults. Alcohol also produced a trend for reduced pGluA1S831 expression in adolescent amygdala but differentially increased pGluA1S831 in adult amygdala. No effects were observed in the nucleus accumbens or dorsal striatum. Tianeptine increased binge‐like alcohol consumption in adolescents but decreased alcohol consumption in adults. Sucrose consumption was similarly decreased by tianeptine pretreatment in both ages.ConclusionsThese data show that the adolescent and adult amygdalae are differentially sensitive to effects of binge‐like alcohol drinking on plasticity‐linked glutamate signaling molecules. Tianeptine‐induced increases in binge‐like drinking only in adolescents suggest that differential CaMKIIα‐dependent AMPAR activation may underlie age‐related escalation of binge drinking.
Executive Functions and Motivation as Moderators of the Relationship Between Automatic Associations and Alcohol Use in Problem Drinkers Seeking Online Help
Authors: van Deursen Denise S. , Salemink Elske , Boendermaker Wouter J. , Pronk Thomas , Hofmann Wilhelm , Wiers Reinout W. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundDual process models posit that problem drinking is maintained by an imbalance between relatively strong automatic processes and weak controlled processes, a combination of executive functions and motivation. Few studies have examined how the interplay between automatic processes and executive functions is affected by motivation to change. This study examined this relationship in problem drinkers seeking online help to change their alcohol use. It was expected that executive functions (i.e., working memory, response inhibition) would moderate the relationship between automatic (valence and approach) associations and alcohol use and that this effect would be stronger in individuals with strong motivation to change.MethodsA sample of 302 problem drinkers (mean age: 51.7 years) participated in this study as part of the baseline assessment before an Internet intervention. Participants completed an online version of the brief Implicit Association Test (valence and approach associations), the self‐ordered pointing task (working memory), the Stroop task (response inhibition), the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (motivation to change), and the Timeline Follow‐Back Questionnaire (alcohol use). Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the 4 hypothesized 3‐way interactions.ResultsAs expected, the interaction between valence associations and working memory only predicted alcohol use among individuals with strong motivation. This pattern was neither found for response inhibition nor for approach associations.ConclusionsResults provide partial support for the moderating role of motivation in the interplay between automatic processes and executive functions. Future studies should investigate this relationship in participants with the full range of motivation and alcohol use.
Evaluation of Tp‐E Interval and Tp‐E/QT Ratio in Patients with Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Yayla Çağrı , Bilgin Murat , Akboğa Mehmet Kadri , Gayretli Yayla Kadriye , Canpolat Uğur , Dinç Asarcikli Lale , Doğan Mehmet , Turak Osman , Çay Serkan , Özeke Özcan , Akyel Ahmet , Yeter Ekrem , Aydoğdu Sinan 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundThe risk of syncope and sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias increased in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, it was shown that Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc ratio can be novel indicators for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between AS and ventricular repolarization using Tp‐e interval and Tp‐e/QT ratio.MethodsTotally, 105 patients with AS and 60 control subjects were enrolled to this study. The severity of AS was defined by transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc ratios were measured from the 12‐lead electrocardiogram.ResultsTp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc ratios were significantly increased in parallel to the severity of AS (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). Also, it was shown that Tp‐e/QTc ratio had significant positive correlation with mean aortic gradient (r = 0.192, P = 0.049). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Tp‐e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found to be independent predictors of severe AS (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively).ConclusionsOur study showed that Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with severe AS. Tp‐e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found as independent predictors of severe AS.
Systematic review of the impact of sacral neuromodulation on clinical symptoms and gastrointestinal physiology
Authors: Mirbagheri Naseem , Sivakumaran Yogeesan , Nassar Natasha , Gladman Marc A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundSacral neuromodulation (SNM) has emerged as a treatment option for faecal incontinence (FI). However, its objective effect on symptoms and anorectal function is inconsistently described. This study aimed to systematically review the impact of SNM on clinical symptoms and gastrointestinal physiology in patients with FI, including factors that may predict treatment outcome.MethodsAn electronic search of MEDLINE (1946–2014)/EMBASE database was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Articles that reported the relevant outcome measures following SNM were included. Clinical outcomes evaluated included: frequency of FI episodes, FI severity score and success rates. Its impact on anorectal and gastrointestinal physiology was also evaluated.ResultsOf 554 citations identified, data were extracted from 81 eligible studies. Meta‐analysis of the data was precluded due to lack of a comparison group in most studies. After permanent SNM, ‘perfect’ continence was noted in 13–88% of patients. Most studies reported a reduction in weekly FI episodes (median difference of the mean −7.0 (range: −24.8 to −2.7)) and Wexner scores (median difference of the mean −9 (−14.9 to −6)). A trend towards improved resting and squeeze anal pressures and a reduction in rectal sensory volumes were noted. Studies failed to identify any consistent impact on other physiological parameters or clinicophysiological factors associated with success.ConclusionSNM improves clinical symptoms and reduces number of incontinence episodes and severity scores in patients with FI, in part by improving anorectal physiological function. However, intervention studies with standardized outcome measures and physiological techniques are required to robustly assess the physiological impact of SNM.
In the Nature of the Non‐City: Expanded Infrastructural Networks and the Political Ecology of Planetary Urbanisation
Authors: Arboleda Martín 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper proposes extending Urban Political Ecology's (UPE) ideas about the urbanisation of nature in order to include the geographical imprints of expanding, global metabolic flows of matter, energy and capital. It does so through the analysis of Huasco, a small agricultural village in northern Chile that has been overburdened with massive energy undertakings aimed at powering the operations of mines that supply raw materials to international markets. Like the sewage and technological networks that feed the life of cities, the paper argues that Huasco—as a metabolic vehicle of planetary urbanisation—has also been hidden from view, and thus the fetishisation of urban infrastructural networks initially theorised by UPE, has been ratcheted‐up to the global level by the mediating powers of neoliberalising capitalism. Just as the socio‐material arrangements that facilitate the smooth functioning of the modern city and household are riddled with glitches and exclusions, the paper suggests that globally up‐scaled infrastructures reveal even larger contradictions that put into jeopardy the very premises upon which the ongoing commodification of nature is grounded.
Inference from PseudoLikelihoods with Plug‐In Estimates
Authors: Pace Luigi , Salvan Alessandra , Sartori Nicola 
Published: August 2015

SummaryEffective implementation of likelihood inference in models for high‐dimensional data often requires a simplified treatment of nuisance parameters, with these having to be replaced by handy estimates. In addition, the likelihood function may have been simplified by means of a partial specification of the model, as is the case when composite likelihood is used. In such circumstances tests and confidence regions for the parameter of interest may be constructed using Wald type and score type statistics, defined so as to account for nuisance parameter estimation or partial specification of the likelihood. In this paper a general analytical expression for the required asymptotic covariance matrices is derived, and suggestions for obtaining Monte Carlo approximations are presented. The same matrices are involved in a rescaling adjustment of the log likelihood ratio type statistic that we propose. This adjustment restores the usual chi‐squared asymptotic distribution, which is generally invalid after the simplifications considered. The practical implication is that, for a wide variety of likelihoods and nuisance parameter estimates, confidence regions for the parameters of interest are readily computable from the rescaled log likelihood ratio type statistic as well as from the Wald type and score type statistics. Two examples, a measurement error model with full likelihood and a spatial correlation model with pairwise likelihood, illustrate and compare the procedures. Wald type and score type statistics may give rise to confidence regions with unsatisfactory shape in small and moderate samples. In addition to having satisfactory shape, regions based on the rescaled log likelihood ratio type statistic show empirical coverage in reasonable agreement with nominal confidence levels.
Regularised Manova for High‐Dimensional Data
Authors: Ullah Insha , Jones Beatrix 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe traditional and readily available multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests such as Wilks' Lambda and the Pillai–Bartlett trace start to suffer from low power as the number of variables approaches the sample size. Moreover, when the number of variables exceeds the number of available observations, these statistics are not available for use. Ridge regularisation of the covariance matrix has been proposed to allow the use of MANOVA in high‐dimensional situations and to increase its power when the sample size approaches the number of variables. In this paper two forms of ridge regression are compared to each other and to a novel approach based on lasso regularisation, as well as to more traditional approaches based on principal components and the Moore‐Penrose generalised inverse. The performance of the different methods is explored via an extensive simulation study. All the regularised methods perform well; the best method varies across the different scenarios, with margins of victory being relatively modest. We examine a data set of soil compaction profiles at various positions relative to a ridgetop, and illustrate how our results can be used to inform the selection of a regularisation method.
Historic cohort study on mode of delivery of a macrosomic baby: the women's point of view
Authors: Vercellini Paolo , Fumagalli Monica , Consonni Dario , de Braud Lucrezia , Barbara Giussy , Iurlaro Enrico , Mosca Fabio , Fedele Luigi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionA historic cohort study was conducted to evaluate satisfaction with childbirth of a macrosomic baby according to mode of delivery.Material and methodsAll 559 nulliparous women who delivered a neonate weighing >4000 g between 2008 and 2012 were included. The degree of women's satisfaction with childbirth after elective cesarean, vaginal delivery or cesarean during labor was assessed using a five‐level scale. Immediate neonatal and maternal outcomes were retrieved from clinical records. Long‐term maternal outcomes were evaluated using four questionnaires on urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, and sexual functioning.ResultsNinety‐nine women underwent elective cesarean, whereas 460 attempted a vaginal delivery. In the latter group, 276 women delivered vaginally, whereas 184 underwent a cesarean during labor. Long‐term outcomes were assessed in 273 women (49%; elective cesarean, n = 55; vaginal delivery, n = 135; cesarean in labor, n = 83) after a mean 3‐year follow up. The proportion of long‐term stress or mixed urinary incontinence was, respectively, 8%, 34%, and 12%, whereas that of anal incontinence was 7%, 19%, and 6%. Sexual functioning was similar in the three groups. No major neonatal complications were observed. When pooling the vaginal delivery and the cesarean in labor groups, the likelihood of being satisfied with childbirth was 63% in the “attempted vaginal delivery” group and 85% in the elective cesarean group (adjusted risk ratio, 0.72; 95% CI 0.61–0.84).ConclusionsAbout one‐third of women attempting a vaginal delivery of a macrosomic baby, would choose an elective cesarean if they could turn back time.
Impact of obstetric factors on outcome of extremely preterm births in Sweden: prospective population‐based observational study (EXPRESS)
Authors: Källén Karin , Serenius Fredrik , Westgren Magnus , Maršál Karel ,   the EXPRESS Group
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionA population‐based observational study investigated the contribution of obstetric factors to the survival and postnatal development of extremely preterm infants.Material and methodsMortality up to 1 year and neurodevelopment at 2.5 years (Bayley‐III test, cerebral palsy, vision, hearing) were evaluated in infants born before 27 weeks of gestation in Sweden 2004–2007 (n = 1011), using logistic regression analyses of risk factors.ResultsOf 844 fetuses alive at admission, 8.4% died in utero before labor, 7.8% died intrapartum. Of 707 live‐born infants, 15% died within 24 h, 70% survived ≥365 days, 64% were assessed at 2.5 years. The risk of death within 24 h after birth decreased with gestational age [odds ratio (OR) 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.4], antenatal corticosteroids (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.6), and cesarean section (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9); it increased with multiple birth (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.5–6.0), vaginal breech delivery (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.0–5.1), 5‐min Apgar score <4 (OR 50.4; 95% CI 28.2–90.2), and birth at a level II hospital (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2–5.3). The risk of death between 1 and 365 days remained significantly decreased for gestational age and corticosteroids. The risk of mental developmental delay at 2.5 years decreased with gestational age, birthweight and fetal growth; it increased with vaginal breech delivery (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2–7.4), male gender, low Apgar score and high Clinical Risk Index for Babies score.ConclusionSeveral obstetric factors, including abdominal delivery, influenced the risk of death within the first day of life, but not later. Antenatal corticosteroids and gestational age decreased the mortality up to 1 year. Mental developmental delay was related to vaginal breech delivery.
Evaluation of postoperative pain at the stoma site in patients who underwent a single‐port Hartmann's procedure
Authors: Tei Mitsuyoshi , Wakasugi Masaki , Akamatsu Hiroki 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate postoperative pain at the stoma site in patients who underwent a single‐port Hartmann's procedure (SPH) and to compare the SPH to the multiport Hartmann's procedure (MPH) in terms of postoperative pain.MethodsWe studied 17 consecutive patients who underwent SPH or MPH for left colon cancer. Postoperative pain was evaluated from postoperative day 1 to 7 with the Numeric Rating Scale.ResultsThe postoperative pain score at the stoma site was highest on postoperative day 2 (Numeric Rating Scale score = 3.6). The duration of narcotics use was significantly shorter in the SPH group than in the MPH group (2.1 vs 3.3 days; P = 0.012). The rescue analgesia was administered fewer times in the SPH group than in the MPH group (1.3 vs 4.6; P = 0.012), and the duration of rescue analgesia use was shorter (1.1 vs 3.7 days; P = 0.013). The worst Numeric Rating Scale score in the SPH group was significantly lower than that in the MPH group on postoperative day 3 (1.9 vs 4.1; P = 0.031).ConclusionsPostoperative pain at the stoma site was highest on postoperative day 2. The SPH was associated with less postoperative pain than the MPH.