To regain sensorimotor functions after stroke, surviving neural circuits must reorganize and form new connections. Although the thalamus is critical for processing and relaying sensory information to ...the cortex, little is known about how stroke affects the structure and function of these connections, or whether a therapeutic approach targeting these circuits can improve recovery. Here we reveal with in vivo calcium imaging that stroke in somatosensory cortex dampens the excitability of surviving thalamocortical circuits. Given this deficit, we hypothesized that chronic transcranial window optogenetic stimulation of thalamocortical axons could facilitate recovery. Using two-photon imaging, we show that optogenetic stimulation promotes the formation of new and stable thalamocortical synaptic boutons, without impacting axon branch dynamics. Stimulation also enhances the recovery of somatosensory cortical circuit function and forepaw sensorimotor abilities. These results demonstrate that an optogenetic approach can rewire thalamocortical circuits and restore function in the damaged brain.
Quantitative isotopic paleoaltimetry has been applied in regions where Rayleigh distillation controls isotopic lapse rates. Air mass mixing and moisture recycling are viewed as complicating factors. ...We show here that, because of such effects, a cross‐Andean transect of meteoric water δD values precisely marks the geographic position of the Western Cordillera crest. This modern water signal is also recorded in Pliocene‐Pleistocene hydrated volcanic glass δD values. δD values between the Pacific coast and Western Cordillera exhibit no trend up to 2.5 km elevation and 100 km inboard, consistent with an arid climate in which Amazonian moisture is topographically blocked and Pacific moisture is efficiently recycled. The result is a large δD lapse rate (−98‰/km) and an abrupt horizontal δD shift (2‰/km) at the Western Cordillera crest. Therefore, we conclude that cross‐orogen δD transects could locate the ancient Western Cordillera crest.
Plain Language Summary
Mountains have an outsized control on climate. Moist air masses rise and cool to cross high elevations, resulting in enhanced precipitation on the windward side and dry conditions downwind These processes influence the isotopic compositions of rainfall and of materials preserved in the geologic record that form from the interaction of rain with near‐surface materials. Here we report data from transects across the Peruvian Central Andes and show that the isotopic compositions shift abruptly at the position of highest topography (the crest of the Western Cordillera). This suggest that isotopic compositions of materials preserved in the geologic record might help establish the geographic position of the crests of mountain belts in the past.
Key Points
There is a substantial shift in the hydrogen isotope ratios of meteoric water at the Andean Western Cordillera crest
Volcanic glass younger than 5 million years old shows similar ratio distributions to modern soil and precipitation water values
Volcanic arc migration over time can be identified with meteoric water stable isotope records
Cesarean overuse and the culture of care White VanGompel, Emily; Perez, Susan; Datta, Avisek ...
Health services research,
April 2019, Letnik:
54, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Objective
To assess hospital unit culture and clinician attitudes associated with varying rates of primary cesarean delivery.
Data Sources/Study Setting
Intrapartum nurses, midwives, and physicians ...recruited from 79 hospitals in California participating in efforts to reduce cesarean overuse.
Study Design
Labor unit culture and clinician attitudes measured using a survey were linked to the California Maternal Data Center for birth outcomes and hospital covariates.
Methods
Association with primary cesarean delivery rates was assessed using multivariate Poisson regression adjusted for hospital covariates.
Principal Findings
1718 respondents from 70 hospitals responded to the Labor Culture Survey. The “Unit Microculture” subscale was strongly associated with primary cesarean rate; the higher a unit scored on 8‐items describing a culture supportive of vaginal birth (eg, nurses are encouraged to spend time in rooms with patients, and doulas are welcomed), the cesarean rate decreased by 41 percent (95% CI = −47 to −35 percent, P < 0.001). Discordant attitudes between nurses and physicians were associated with increased cesarean rates.
Conclusions
Hospital unit culture, clinician attitudes, and consistency between professions are strongly associated with primary cesarean rates. Improvement efforts to reduce cesarean overuse must address culture of care as a key part of the change process.
Although executive functioning (EF) difficulties are well documented among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about real-world measures of EF among adults ...with ASD. Therefore, this study examined parent-reported real-world EF problems among 35 adults with ASD without intellectual disability and their correlations with adaptive functioning and co-morbid anxiety and depression symptomatology. A variable EF profile was found with prominent deficits occurring in flexibility and metacognition. Flexibility problems were associated with anxiety-related symptoms while metacognition difficulties were associated with depression symptoms and impaired adaptive functioning (though the metacognition-adaptive functioning relationship was moderated by ADHD symptoms). These persistent EF problems are predictors of broader functioning and therefore remain an important treatment target among adults with ASD.
Objective
Body checking (BC) and body image avoidance (BIA) have been proposed as etiological and maintaining mechanisms for eating disorder (ED) pathology. To date, no comprehensive review ...summarizes the relationships of BC and BIA with ED pathology, body image dissatisfaction, or mood/affect.
Method
Meta‐analyses examined the relationships of BC and BIA with ED pathology, body image dissatisfaction, and mood/affect. Gender, publication status, and presence or absence of ED diagnoses were examined as potential moderators.
Results
Results showed strong relationships between BC and ED pathology (ρ = 0.588) and BC and body image dissatisfaction (ρ = 0.631) and a moderate relationship between BC and mood/affect (ρ = 0.385). Similarly, results showed strong relationships between BIA and ED pathology (ρ = 0.553) and BIA and body image dissatisfaction (ρ = 0.543) and a moderate relationship between BIA and mood/affect (ρ = 0.392). Overall, limited evidence supported publication bias; however, publication bias may exist in the relationship between BIA and body image dissatisfaction in the literature. Subgroup moderator analyses suggested that gender moderates the strength of the relationships between BC and ED pathology, body image dissatisfaction, and mood/affect and between BIA and body image dissatisfaction.
Discussion
Results are consistent with cognitive‐behavioral models of ED pathology that suggest BC and BIA are behavioral expressions of overvaluation of weight and shape. Notably, more published research has investigated BC than BIA. Future studies, incorporating methods such as meta‐analytic structural equation modeling, should examine these variables to further test cognitive‐behavioral models of ED development and maintenance.
Resumen
Objetivo
La verificación corporal (BC) y la evitación de la imagen (BIA) se han propuesto como mecanismos etiológicos y de mantenimiento para la patología en los trastornos de la alimentación (TCA). A la fecha, no hay una revisión completa que correlacione la BC y la BIA con la patología alimentaria (TCA), la insatisfacción corporal o el ánimo/afecto.
Método
Se realizó un meta‐análisis de la relación entre BC y BIA con TCA, insatisfacción corporal y ánimo/afecto. Se examinaron el género, estatus de la publicación y la presencia o ausencia de diagnóstico de TCA como moderadores potenciales.
Resultados
Los resultados mostraron una fuerte relación entre BC y patología TCA (p = .588) y BC e insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (p = .631) y una relación moderada entre BC y ánimo/afecto (p = .385). De manera similar, los resultados mostraron una fuerte relación entre BIA y patología ED (p = .553) y BIA e insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (p = .543) y una relación moderada entre BIA y ánimo/afecto (p = .392). En general, la evidencia limitada mostraba sesgos de publicación; sin embargo, los sesgos de publicación pueden existir en la relación entre BIA e insatisfacción con la imagen corporal en la literatura. Los análisis del subgupo de moderadores sugiere que el género fortalece la relación entre BC y patología TCA, insatisfacción con la imagen corporal y ánimo/afecto, y entre BIA e insatisfacción con la imagen corporal.
Discusión
Los resultados son consistentes con los modelos cognitivos‐conductuales para la patología TCA que sugiere que la BC y BIA son expresiones corporales de la sobre‐evaluación del peso y figura. De forma notoria, existe más investigación publicada sobre BC que BIA. Estudios posteriores, que incorporen métodos como un meta‐análisis de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, deben examinar estas variables para probar más modelos cognitivos‐conductuales del desarrollo del TCA y su mantenimiento.
An ambient air particulate matter sampling study was conducted at the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) AMS-1 Fort McKay monitoring station in the Athabasca Oil Sand Region (AOSR) in ...Alberta, Canada from February 2010 to July 2011. Daily 24h integrated fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10–2.5) particulate matter was collected using a sequential dichotomous sampler. Over the duration of the study, 392 valid daily dichotomous PM2.5 and PM10–2.5 sample pairs were collected with concentrations of 6.8±12.9μgm−3 (mean±standard deviation) and 6.9±5.9μgm−3, respectively. A subset of 100 filter pairs was selected for element analysis by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Application of the U.S. EPA positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model to the study data matrix resolved five PM2.5 sources explaining 96% of the mass including oil sands upgrading (32%), fugitive dust (26%), biomass combustion (25%), long-range Asian transport lead source (9%), and winter road salt (4%). An analysis of historical PM2.5 data at this site shows that the impact of smoke from wildland fires was particularly high during the summer of 2011. PMF resolved six PM10–2.5 sources explaining 99% of the mass including fugitive haul road dust (40%), fugitive oil sand (27%), a mixed source fugitive dust (16%), biomass combustion (12%), mobile source (3%), and a local copper factor (1%). Results support the conclusion of a previous epiphytic lichen biomonitor study that near-field atmospheric deposition in the AOSR is dominated by coarse fraction fugitive dust from bitumen mining and upgrading operations, and suggest that fugitive dust abatement strategies targeting the three major sources of PM10–2.5 (e.g., oil sand mining, haul roads, bulk material stockpiles) would significantly reduce near-field atmospheric deposition gradients in the AOSR and reduce ambient PM concentrations in the Fort McKay community.
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•Fine and coarse particulate matter was quantified in Fort McKay, Alberta.•Receptor modeling elucidated and quantified significant contributing sources.•58% of PM2.5 and 83% of PM10–2.5 was attributable to oil sands production operations.•25% of the observed PM2.5 was attributed to biomass combustion.
Background
Prompt treatment of pediatric pneumonia symptoms is a cornerstone of child survival programs but remains a challenge in Nigeria. Psychosocial influences, or ideations, directly influence ...pathways to care but have not been previously measured or examined for pediatric pneumonia.
Methods
A two‐stage cluster‐sample cross‐sectional population‐based survey was conducted in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States in September 2019. Across 108 enumeration areas, all households were enumerated to census pregnant women and randomly sample women with children under 2 years (“under‐twos”) for inclusion. Respondents were asked about pediatric pneumonia and other health‐related behaviors and ideations developed using the Ideation Model of Strategic Communication and Behavior Change. Prevalence ratios for predictors of care‐seeking from formal medical sources and antibiotic treatment for pneumonia symptoms among under‐twos were calculated using mixed‐effects Poisson regression models with robust error variance.
Results
Among 350 under‐twos with pneumonia symptoms, 33.8% were taken to formal medical care and 38.0% used antibiotics. Women who positively viewed treatment efficacy and those who positively viewed health services quality had 1.35 (95% CI: 1.00‐1.82; P = .050) and 2.13 (95% CI: 1.35‐3.35; P = .001) times higher likelihood of attending formal medical sources, while women viewing peers as mostly attending drug shops had 29% lower likelihood. Perceived treatment efficacy and illness susceptibility were also significant predictors for antibiotic use.
Conclusions
Program interventions focusing on increasing pneumonia knowledge alone may not be sufficient to improve care‐seeking and treatment rates and should expand to address perceived and actual poor‐quality health services and maternal beliefs about treatment efficacy, social norms, illness severity, and susceptibility.
An unprecedented wildfire impacted the northern Alberta city of Fort McMurray in May 2016 causing a mandatory city wide evacuation and the loss of 2,400 homes and commercial structures. A two-hectare ...wildfire was discovered on May 1, grew to ~157,000ha by May 5, and continued to burn an estimated ~590,000ha by June 13. A comprehensive air monitoring network operated by the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) in and around Fort McMurray provided essential health-related real-time air quality data to firefighters during the emergency, and provided a rare opportunity to elucidate the impact of gaseous and particulate matter emissions on near-field communities and regional air pollution concentrations. The WBEA network recorded 188 fire-related exceedances of 1-hr and 24-hr Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives. Two air monitoring sites within Fort McMurray recorded mean/maximum 1-hr PM2.5 concentrations of 291/5229μgm−3 (AMS-6) and 293/3259μgm−3 (AMS-7) during fire impact periods. High correlations (r2=0.83–0.97) between biomass combustion related gases (carbon monoxide (CO), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), total hydrocarbons (THC), total reduced sulfur (TRS), ammonia) and PM2.5 were observed at the sites. Filter-based 24-hr integrated PM2.5 samples collected every 6 days showed maximum concentrations of 267μgm−3 (AMS-6) and 394μgm−3 (AMS-7). Normalized excess emission ratios relative to CO were 149.87±3.37μgm−3ppm−1 (PM2.5), 0.274±0.002ppmppm−1 (THC), 0.169±0.001ppmppm−1 (NMHC), 0.104±0.001ppmppm−1 (CH4), 0.694±0.007ppbppm−1 (TRS), 0.519±0.040ppbppm−1 (SO2), 0.412±0.045ppbppm−1 (NO), 1.968±0.053ppbppm−1 (NO2), and 2.337±0.077ppbppm−1 (NOX). A subset of PM2.5 filter samples was analyzed for trace elements, major ions, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and carbohydrates. Sample mass reconstruction and fire specific emission profiles are presented and discussed. Potential fire-related photometric ozone instrument positive interferences were observed and were positively correlated with NO and NMHC.
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•Horse River Fire had a major air quality impact on the city of Fort McMurray.•PM2.5 enhancements at the community monitoring sites ranged from a factor of 19–54.•Significant enhancements of NMHC, NH3, BC, DC, TRS, NOx, and H2S were observed.•First observations of reduced sulfur compounds (TRS/H2S) emissions from a wildfire•Fire PM2.5 profiles were uniform across the network, can be used as a fingerprint.
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