The impact of maternal psychopathology on child–mother attachment

This review aims to consider evidence for the impact of maternal psychopathology on the child’s attachment to the mother, and the role of this in mediating the known transmission of developmental and clinical risk to children. The studies reviewed focus on mothers with depression and psychotic disorder. A number of studies (mainly of mothers with depression) demonstrate an association between insecure/disorganised infant attachments and severe maternal psychopathology, whether chronic or current, in the presence of comorbid disorder, maternal insecure or unresolved attachment state of mind, trauma/loss, or low parenting sensitivity. Whether such effects last into middle childhood, however, is unclear. Our understanding of the role of attachment in determining developmental trajectories in this group is at an early stage. Some evidence suggests that attachment may have a role in mediating the intergenerational transmission of internalising and other problems in this group, although the presence of co-occurring contextual risk factors may account for the variability in findings. A multifactorial longitudinal approach is needed to elucidate such factors. However, the current literature highlights which subgroups are likely to be vulnerable and provides an evidence-based rationale for taking an attachment-based approach to intervention in this group.     

The impact of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on neurotransmitter release from the cat carotid body

Do cat carotid bodies (CBs) increase their release of acetylcholine and ATP in response to H(2)S? Two CBs, incubated in a Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 ° C, exhibited a normal response to hypoxia-increased release of acetylcholine (ACh) and ATP. They were challenged with several concentrations of Na(2)S, an H(2)S donor. H(2)S, a new gasotransmitter, is reported to open K(ATP) channels. Under normoxic conditions the CBs reduced their release of ACh and ATP below control values. They responded identically to pinacidil, a well-known K(ATP) channel opener. CB glomus cells exhibited a positive immunohistochemical signal for cystathione-β-synthetase, a H(2)S synthesizing enzyme, and for a subunit of the K(ATP) channel. The data suggest that Na(2)S may have opened the glomus cells' K(ATP) channels, hyperpolarizing the cells, thus reducing their tonic release of ACh and ATP. Since during hypoxia H(2)S levels rise, the glomus cells responding very actively to hypoxia may be protected from over-exertion by the H(2)S opening of the K(ATP) channels.     

The confidence interval of allelic odds ratios under the Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium

In single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data analysis, the allelic odds ratio and its confidence interval (CI) are usually used to evaluate the association between disease and alleles at each SNP. The usual formula for calculating the CI of the allelic odds ratio based on the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) may, however, lead to errors beyond the control assured by the nominal confidence level if HWE is not true. We therefore present a generalized formula for CI that does not assume HWE. CIs calculated by this generalized formula are likely to be wider than those by the usual method if the Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium (HWD) is toward a relative deficiency of the heterozygotes (fixation index greater than 0), whereas they are likely to be narrower if HWD is toward a relative excess of the heterozygotes (fixation index less than 0). A simulation experiment to examine the influence of the generalization was performed for the case where 2% of SNPs had a fixation index greater than 0. The result revealed that the generalized method slightly decreased the mean number of falsely detected SNPs.     

Haematology patients and the internet – The use of on-line health information and the impact on the patient–doctor relationship

Objective

Patients access on-line health information (OHI) to better understand their health. We aimed to determine which demographic factors influence OHI use. We also explored how OHI is used and subsequent implications to the patient–doctor relationship.

Methods

We distributed a self-administered questionnaire to 202 haematology out-patients.

Results

62.3% used the internet and 54.3% used OHI. Higher education, (P < 0.001, OR 34.62, 95% CI 5.20–230.66) and household incomes of £15 000–25 000 (P = 0.023 OR 4.8 95% CI 1.236–18.59) were positively associated with OHI use.Those reassured after reading OHI had improved trust in their specialist (P < 0.001, OR 52.1, 95% CI 12.3–221.1), improved confidence during consultations, (P < 0.001, OR 23.0, 95% CI 2.8–188.2) and were improved decisions makers (P = 0.008, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.1–45.7). Those with increased trust in their haematologist also had improved confidence (P < 0.001, OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.2–17.3) and improved decision making ability (P < 0.001, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.7–39.4). 74.6% of patients did not share OHI with their haematologist.

Conclusions

Two-thirds of participants were exposed directly or indirectly to OHI. OHI affects patients’ view of their health and influences behaviour during consultations.

Practice implications

Haematologists could facilitate patients using OHI by recommending high quality websites and act supportively when patients share OHI.     

The impact of the aortic valve impairment on the distant coronary arteries hemodynamics: a fluid–structure interaction study

Atherosclerosis is still the leading cause of death in the developed world. Although its initiation and progression is a complex multifactorial process, it is well known that blood flow-induced wall shear stress (WSS) is an important factor involved in early atherosclerotic plaque initiation. In recent clinical studies, it was established that the regional pathologies of the aortic valve can be involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the impact of hemodynamic effects is not yet fully elucidated for disease initiation and progression. In this study, our developed 3D global fluid–structure interaction model of the aortic root incorporating coronary arteries is used to investigate the possible interaction between coronary arteries and aortic valve pathologies. The coronary hemodynamics was examined and quantified for different degrees of aortic stenosis varying from nonexistent to severe. For the simulated healthy model, the calculated WSS varied between 0.41 and 1.34 Pa which is in the atheroprotective range. However, for moderate and severe aortic stenoses, wide regions of the coronary structures, especially the proximal sections around the first bifurcation, were exposed to lower values of WSS and therefore they were prone to atherosclerosis even in the case of healthy coronary arteries.     

The lung–gut axis during viral respiratory infections: the impact of gut dysbiosis on secondary disease outcomes

Bacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host's defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota's composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota's composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.     

The impact of the learning environment sudden shifts on students’ performance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThis study aims to determine the effect of sudden changes in learning environments on students’ performance, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We present an analysis of the kinesiology program, focusing on the learning modality changes through the years, and its impact on students’ performance.MethodsWe analyzed three periods over five years. During the Pre-pandemic period (2018-2019), classes had been taught in-person, during the pandemic (2020-2021) classes had been taught online, and during end of lockdown (2022) classes had return to in-person modality. In addition, we also examined the academic performance outcomes by gender during the three periods.ResultsWe found that the academic performance significantly increased in all cohort of career, increasing the average grade from 4.7 ± 0.08 (2018 to 2019, in-person) to 5.15 ± 0.07 during the pandemic period, from 2020 to 2021, when online modality was utilized. Furthermore, when returning to in-person classes in 2022, the academic performance reduced significantly to 4.6 ± 0.17. We also found that gender did not have an influence on academic performance in any of the learning environments presented. However, during clinical internships, we found that gender had a significantly effect on academic performance.ConclusionBased on these results, we conclude that the sudden shift from in-person learning to online learning modality helped improved the learning performance of student, reflecting those results on better students’ performance scores that could be associated with the enhanced efficient use of time.     

The impact of goal-oriented task design on neurofeedback learning for brain–computer interface control

Neurofeedback training teaches individuals to modulate brain activity by providing real-time feedback and can be used for brain–computer interface control. The present study aimed to optimize training by maximizing engagement through goal-oriented task design. Participants were shown either a visual display or a robot, where each was manipulated using motor imagery (MI)-related electroencephalography signals. Those with the robot were instructed to quickly navigate grid spaces, as the potential for goal-oriented design to strengthen learning was central to our investigation. Both groups were hypothesized to show increased magnitude of these signals across 10 sessions, with the greatest gains being seen in those navigating the robot due to increased engagement. Participants demonstrated the predicted increase in magnitude, with no differentiation between hemispheres. Participants navigating the robot showed stronger left-hand MI increases than those with the computer display. This is likely due to success being reliant on maintaining strong MI-related signals. While older participants showed stronger signals in early sessions, this trend later reversed, suggesting greater natural proficiency but reduced flexibility. These results demonstrate capacity for modulating neurofeedback using MI over a series of training sessions, using tasks of varied design. Importantly, the more goal-oriented robot control task resulted in greater improvements.     

Maternal depressed mood moderates the impact of infant sleep on mother–infant bonding

Parent–infant bonding has long-term consequences for the psychological wellbeing of the child. Considering the centrality of infant sleep patterns in infant–caregiver interactions in the first year of life, we propose that infant sleep patterns act as a catalyst or disruptor for mother–infant relationship, such that infant sleep patterns contribute to maternal mood, maternal sleep quality, perception of infant temperament, and her bonding experience. One hundred fifty-two Israeli mothers, of 5–8-month-old infants, responded to Internet-based questionnaires regarding their sleep, their mood, their infant’s sleep, the infant’s temperament, and their bonding experience. Eight percent of the mothers reported clinically significant depression, while 67 % reported significant sleep difficulties. Infant sleep difficulties correlated with maternal mood and sleep quality, infant fussiness, and bonding. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that maternal sleep partially mediated the relationship between infant sleep and maternal mood. Additionally, 22 % of the variance in bonding was explained by infant sleep problems and temperament. Notably, maternal depression moderated this effect such that infant sleep problems correlated with bonding only in those mothers who were depressed. The results suggest that infant sleep is a vector by which maternal cognitions and mood are transmitted to her child, with long-term implications for psychological development.     

Effect of pitch–space correspondence on sound-induced visual motion perception

The brain tends to associate specific features of stimuli across sensory modalities. The pitch of a sound is for example associated with spatial elevation such that higher-pitched sounds are felt as being “up” in space and lower-pitched sounds as being “down.” Here we investigated whether changes in the pitch of sounds could be effective for visual motion perception similar to those in the location of sounds. We demonstrated that only sounds that alternate in up/down location induced illusory vertical motion of a static visual stimulus, while sounds that alternate in higher/lower pitch did not induce this illusion. The pitch of a sound did not even modulate the visual motion perception induced by sounds alternating in up/down location. Interestingly, though, sounds alternating in higher/lower pitch could become a driver for visual motion if they were paired in a previous exposure phase with vertical visual apparent motion. Thus, only after prolonged exposure, the pitch of a sound became an inducer for upper/lower visual motion. This occurred even if during exposure the pitch and location of the sounds were paired in an incongruent fashion. These findings indicate that pitch–space correspondence is not so strong to drive or modulate visual motion perception. However, associative exposure could increase the saliency of pitch–space relationships and then the pitch could induce visual motion perception by itself.     

The Effects of Lesions to the Striatum on the Function of the Hypothalamo–Hypophyseal–Adrenal System in Adrenalectomized Rats

Experiments on white rats were performed to study the effects of bilateral lesioning of the striatum on activation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system (HHAS) after unilateral adrenalectomy. These studies showed that increases in the weight of the surviving adrenal gland were smaller in striatectomized rats than in controls. There was a significant decrease in corticosteroid production by the intact gland. These changes were most marked after destruction of the dorsal parts of the nucleus. These data provide evidence for involvement of the striatum in controlling HHAS activity via a feedback mechanism.     

The Influence of Strain Rate Dependency on the Structure–Property Relations of Porcine Brain

This study examines the internal microstructure evolution of porcine brain during mechanical deformation. Strain rate dependency of porcine brain was investigated under quasi-static compression for strain rates of 0.00625, 0.025, and 0.10 s⁻¹. Confocal microscopy was employed at 15, 30, and 40% strain to quantify microstructural changes, and image analysis was implemented to calculate the area fraction of neurons and glial cells. The nonlinear stress–strain behavior exhibited a viscoelastic response from the strain rate sensitivity observed, and image analysis revealed that the mean area fraction of neurons and glial cells increased according to the applied strain level and strain rate. The area fraction for the undamaged state was 7.85 ± 0.07%, but at 40% strain the values were 11.55 ± 0.35%, 13.30 ± 0.28%, and 19.50 ± 0.14% for respective strain rates of 0.00625, 0.025, and 0.10 s⁻¹. The increased area fractions were a function of the applied strain rate and were attributed to the compaction of neural constituents and the stiffening tissue response. The microstructural variations in the tissue were linked to mechanical properties at progressive levels of compression in order to generate structure–property relationships useful for refining current FE material models.     

A comparison of the impact of CPOE implementation and organizational determinants on doctor–nurse communications and cooperation

ObjectiveTo compare the impact of CPOE implementation and of the workplace organizational determinants on the doctor–nurse cooperation and communication processes.MethodA first study was undertaken in eight different wards aimed to identify the different workplace organizations that support doctor–nurse communications’. A second study compared the impact of these organizations and of a CPOE on medication-related doctor–nurse communications.ResultsThe doctor–nurse communications could be structured into three typical workplace organizations: the common round, the briefing and the opportunistic exchange organizations. The results (i) confirmed the impact of the organizational determinants on the cooperative activities and (ii) demonstrated the CPOE system has no significant impact within a given workplace organization.ConclusionThe success of the implementation of HIT applications relies partly on the identification of the actual (and sometimes hidden) structuring variables of teamwork and ultimately on their control at the time of implementation to ensure the quality and safety of the patient care provided.     

Effects of the Ebbinghaus illusion on children’s perception and grasping

We investigated the development of the Ebbinghaus illusion in children’s perception and grasping. A previous study (Hanisch et al. 2001) had reported negative illusion effects on 5- to 12-year-olds’ grasping as compared to their perception. We attempted to replicate this finding and to test different hypotheses based on a direct influence of the context elements on the trajectories of the fingers which could explain this reversal of the illusion effects. For 5- to 7- and 9- to 11-year-olds we observed the classical illusion effects in perception. Illusion effects were perfectly similar for perception and grasping in 9- to 11-year-olds, while there was a non-significant trend toward smaller illusion effects in grasping for the 5- to 7-year-olds. This could be due to a slightly different effect of the illusion on younger children’s grasping. However, it seems clear that there are no qualitative changes, as a reversal of the illusion effects in grasping of younger children. Finally, we show that our grasping data conform well to the motor literature for children’s grasping, thereby strengthening our conclusions.     

The musical centers of the brain: Vladimir E. Larionov (1857–1929) and the functional neuroanatomy of auditory perception

In 1899 a landmark paper entitled “On the musical centers of the brain” was published in Pflügers Archiv, based on work carried out in the Anatomo-Physiological Laboratory of the Neuropsychiatric Clinic of Vladimir M. Bekhterev (1857–1927) in St. Petersburg, Imperial Russia. The author of that paper was Vladimir E. Larionov (1857–1929), a military doctor and devoted brain scientist, who pursued the problem of the localization of function in the canine and human auditory cortex. His data detailed the existence of tonotopy in the temporal lobe and further demonstrated centrifugal auditory pathways emanating from the auditory cortex and directed to the opposite hemisphere and lower brain centers. Larionov’s discoveries have been largely considered as findings of the Bekhterev school. Perhaps this is why there are limited resources on Larionov, especially keeping in mind his military medical career and the fact that after 1917 he just seems to have practiced otorhinolaryngology in Odessa. Larionov died two years after Bekhterev’s mysterious death of 1927. The present study highlights the pioneering contributions of Larionov to auditory neuroscience, trusting that the life and work of Vladimir Efimovich will finally, and deservedly, emerge from the shadow of his celebrated master, Vladimir Mikhailovich.     

The influence of carbon fibres on the resorption time and mechanical properties of the lactide–glycolide co-polymer

In this study the influence of short carbon fibres (CF) on mechanical properties and degradation time of the lactide–glycolide co-polymer (PGLA) and on the mechanism of bone ingrowth into the implants was determined. Mechanical properties and push-out tests were measured. The pH of solutions and the implants' weights were tested after incubation in Ringer fluid. Analysis was based upon FT-IR and SEM with EDS studies. Pathological examinations were also performed. The in vitro examination revealed that carbon fibres accelerated polymer degradation process and increased the mechanical strength of polymer. In the case of PGLA + CF under in vivo conditions, initially, the superficial polymer degradation with new tissue in-growth was observed. Next, the degradation process included also the inner part of the implant, while the bone began to grow on exposed carbon fibres. In the case of pure PGLA the growth of soft tissue can be observed at the bone–implant interface and in the implant area. Our research indicates that PGLA + CF composite can be used in bone surgery as a short-term multifunctional load-bearing implant, which initially provides a mechanical support. During the time of controlled resorption of PGLA, carbon fibres act as a scaffold for the bone growth.