Distinct Developmental Patterns Research Articles

Using Individual Residents' Learning Trajectories to Better Understand the Impact of Gaps in Practice.

To optimize learning, health professional training programs need to achieve the right balance between depth of practice (gaining more experience with particular skills) and breadth of practice (spreading experience across an array of activities). Better understanding how training for a particular skill set is impacted by periods of focus on a different skill set would allow improved curriculum and assessment design, thereby enhancing the efficiency of training and effectiveness of care. To this end, learning curves were used to compare performance in surgery after prolonged periods of practice to performance after gaps in surgical training. Daily operative assessments from the Dalhousie obstetrics and gynecology program were analyzed retrospectively and learning curves were generated. In addition to examining the variability in learning trajectories, the impact of gaps was systematically assessed by comparing resident scores after 2 successive months in which they were not assessed operatively to those collected after 2 successive months in which they were assessed at least once. Four thousand four hundred sixteen scores for 33 residents over a 10-year period were analyzed. Trajectories and peak performances were identified. Residents performed better during their third sequential month of being assessed (mean = 4.40, 95% CI = 4.33-4.46) relative to during months following a period of being away from the operating room for at least 2 months (mean = 4.21, 95% CI = 4.13-4.29; P < .01; d = 0.7). However, maximum performance achieved was more strongly related to the number of times residents experienced a gap in training (r = 0.50) than to the number of times residents experienced 3 consecutive months of training (r = 0.25). Distinct patterns of development exist for individual residents. Time away from surgical practice and assessment negatively impacted short-term performance, but may improve long-term learning trajectories. This speaks to the value of spaced education and is important for the design of longitudinal skills-based training programs.

Emerging coherence and relations to communication among executive function tasks in toddlers: Evidence from a Latin American sample.

Recent work within early executive function (EF) seems to suggest that toddlers show distinct patterns of development, involving poorly correlated performance across EF tasks and significant improvements over relatively short periods of time. The present study sought to extend these findings by investigating evidence for these patterns in toddlers and the existence of more traditional patterns of EF (e.g., correlations between tasks, links to language) when using the same tasks in a novel Latin American sample. Eighty toddlers (18-24months) and sixty young preschoolers (30-36) months completed a battery of EF tasks, early social communication, and receptive and expressive language measures. Results indicated that toddlers showed similar distinct patterns of development (i.e., few relations between tasks and links to responding to joint attention), but by early preschool a more cohesive EF and links to language were present. Further, work demonstrated significant age (older children outperformed younger children), gender (girls outperformed boys), and socioeconomic differences (satisfied basic needs outperformed unsatisfied basic needs, but only on the snack delay). This work provides evidence for patterns of emerging EF development within this novel cultural sample (and evidence for group differences) that may be supported by communicative and representational development.

The ontogeny of exploratory object manipulation behaviour in wild orangutans.

In human infants, exploratory object manipulation is a major vehicle for cognitive stimulation as well as an important way to learn about objects and basic physical concepts in general. The development of human infants' exploratory object manipulation follows distinct developmental patterns. So far, the degree of evolutionary continuity of this developmental process remains unclear. We investigated the development of exploratory object manipulations in wild orangutans. Our data included 3200 exploration events collected on 13 immatures between the ages of 0.5 and 13 years, at the Suaq Balimbing monitoring station in Indonesia. Our results identify several parallels between the development of exploratory behaviour in humans and orangutans: on top of a highly similar overall age trajectory, we found an increase in variability of the actions used, an increase in the number of body parts involved in each event, and an overall decrease of mouthing of the objects. All in all, our results show that orangutans progress through a developmental sequence of different aspects of exploration behaviour. In combination with previous findings from captivity, our results also provide evidence that exploratory object manipulations reflect cognitive development and might function as a means of cognitive stimulation not just in humans but across the great apes.

Behavioral profiles related with distinct developmental patterns of negative emotionality from preschool to school ages

Research continues to work towards a full understanding of the early risk factors and mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of externalizing and internalizing problems. There is increasing evidence of negative emotionality predicting the co-occurring forms of these problems over childhood. This feature may show substantial stability along development; however, negative emotionality might also vary depending on child characteristics, environment, and the developmental stage. The present study aimed to examine the patterns of stability and change of negative emotionality from preschool to school years, and to identify which of these patterns lead to different behavioral profiles of externalizing and internalizing problems during school years. A total of 1,293 preschoolers from 4 to 6 years (M = 4.64; SD = .67; 50.2 % girls) were followed-up for two years using parent-reported data, within the frame of the ELISA Project. Latent profile and transition analyses were conducted. The overall results revealed a primarily stability pattern of negative emotionality, and to a lesser extent some change towards a less intense emotional expression after follow-up. Results also showed particular developmental patterns of negative emotionality for the different behavioral profiles identified. Children with co-occurrent externalizing and internalizing problems displayed greater rates of transition towards a high negative emotionality expression. These findings were explained in light of individual differences during the development of temperamental characteristics, which may be the result of an interplay among biological and ecological factors

Development of Body Movement During Early Stages of Chick Embryos

In this study, we investigate developmental patterns of body movements that may play roles in normal embryonic growth using direct recordings of chick embryos during the early stages of development (72–125 h of incubation). In three individuals, embryonic body movements occurred intermittently and irregularly after 72-h incubation, and frequencies and sizes of movements increased with embryonic growth. Additionally, patterns of the body movements became periodic at 85 h in all individuals, and cyclic periods of body movements were then shortened and periodicities of movements gradually disappeared with embryonic development. If cyclic body movements are a common requirement during normal chick embryo growth, continuous monitoring of body movements could be used to predict abnormal embryonic growth. Future studies are required to investigate distinctive body movements and developmental patterns during embryonic growth in disease models and under various environmental conditions, such as under hypoxia.

DYNAMIC CHANGES IN CHILD-TO-ADULT BODY MASS INDEX AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN MIDDLE AGE: 30-YEAR HANZHONG ADOLESCENT HYPERTENSION STUDY

Objective: It is well known that body mass index (BMI) developmental patterns from childhood to adulthood are diverse, but few studies have focused on the association between BMI patterns and adult metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to identify distinct BMI trajectories and their relationship with metabolic syndrome in the Chinese population. Design and method: This study included 4623 participants, aged 6–18 years, from the prospective Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort Study, which was established in 1987 and followed up for over 30 years. To address BMI heterogeneity, we used latent mixture modeling to identify developmental patterns related to BMI. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to analyze BMI association with adult metabolic syndrome outcomes. After excluding only the first three BMI measurements and the last three BMI measurements, 2679 participants were included in the final analysis, including 1524 males and 1155 females. Results: Five distinct developmental BMI patterns were identified in this study: slightly increasing normal (25.9%), moderately increasing normal/overweight (49.9%), progressively overweight/obese (19.8%), resolving (1.8%) and rapidly overweight/obese (2.6%). Compared with the slightly increasing normal group, those who had relatively higher BMI levels had a higher risk of MetS [all risk ratios (RRs) &gt; 4.0, P &lt; 0.05]. Compared with those in the ‘progressively overweight/obese’ group, participants who resolved youth adiposity had lower risks of central obesity, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [RR = 0.84 (0.68–1.04); RR = 0.86 (0.47–1.57); RR = 0.88 (0.63–1.24), respectively]. Conclusions: Our study indicated that the developmental patterns of BMI from childhood to adulthood are diverse and that adult BMI lacks stability. Obese subjects have an overall higher risk of MetS than that of subjects with normal BMI. The resolution of youth obesity may have a positive impact on lipid profiles. Early prevention and control of obesity at different stages of life is of utmost importance.

Development of γ-aminobutyric acid-, glycine-, and glutamate-immunopositive boutons on the rat genioglossal motoneurons.

Detailed information about the development of excitatory and inhibitory synapses on the genioglossal (GG) motoneuron may help to understand the mechanism of fine control of GG motoneuron firing and the coordinated tongue movement during postnatal development. For this, we investigated the development of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunopositive (GABA +), glycine + (Gly +), and glutamate + (Glut +) axon terminals (boutons) on the somata of rat GG motoneurons at a postnatal day 2 (P2), P6 and P18 by retrograde labeling of GG motoneurons with horseradish peroxidase, electron microscopic postembedding immunogold staining with GABA, Gly, and Glut antisera, and quantitative analysis. The number of boutons per GG motoneuron somata and the mean length of bouton apposition, measures of bouton size and synaptic covering percentage, were significantly increased from P2/P6 to P18. The number and fraction of GABA + only boutons of all boutons decreased significantly, whereas those of Gly + only boutons increased significantly from P2/P6 to P18, suggesting developmental switch from GABAergic to glycinergic synaptic transmission. The fraction of mixed GABA +/Gly + boutons of all boutons was the highest among inhibitory bouton types throughout the postnatal development. The fractions of excitatory and inhibitory boutons of all boutons remained unchanged during postnatal development. These findings reveal a distinct developmental pattern of inhibitory synapses on the GG motoneurons different from that on spinal or trigeminal motoneurons, which may have an important role in the regulation of the precise and coordinated movements of the tongue during the maturation of the oral motor system.

Decoding Human Megakaryocyte Development.

Despite our growing understanding of embryonic immune development, rare early megakaryocytes (MKs) remain relatively understudied. Here we used single-cell RNA sequencing of human MKs from embryonic yolk sac (YS) and fetal liver (FL) to characterize the transcriptome, cellular heterogeneity, and developmental trajectories of early megakaryopoiesis. In the YS and FL, we found heterogeneous MK subpopulations with distinct developmental routes and patterns of gene expression that could reflect early functional specialization. Intriguingly, we identified a subpopulation of CD42b+CD14+ MKs invivo that exhibit high expression of genes associated with immune responses and can also be derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) invitro. Furthermore, we identified THBS1 as an early marker for MK-biased embryonic endothelial cells. Overall, we provide important insights and invaluable resources for dissection of the molecular and cellular programs underlying early human megakaryopoiesis.

Socioecological informed comparative modeling to promote sustainable urban policy transitions: Case study in Chicago and Stockholm

Adapting successes of policy transition from one city to another has been more difficult than single case of successful sustainability-driven projects and developments. A thorough understanding of local biophysical and socio-economic conditions is essential in formulating effective development plans and policies. Here, we propose the use of a social-ecological model as a comparative tool to help understand these critical components in order to inform sustainability-driven strategic interventions and best practice learning. We use the cities of Chicago and Stockholm as our comparison cases, and explore the spatial relationships between development patterns and accessibility attractors such as employment, transportation, and recreational opportunities. Potential environmental impacts are evaluated for comparison using ecosystem service value and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results indicate that although each city exhibits distinctive patterns of development, there are commonalities to build on for potential adaption strategies. For example, to mitigate the high ecosystem service and NDVI losses of Chicago from urban development, what can be learned from Stockholm are: 1) promoting infill for future residential development; and 2) stronger restrictions on both commercial and residential developments on buffer zones of valuable ecosystem services, especially waterways. These findings help us to understand the driving forces of different patterns of urban growth and to give suggestions on city-specific sustainability policies.

Development of serotonergic projections to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the mouse brain

Serotonin (5-HT) and its innervation have been implicated in various neural functions including circadian systems. Although classical studies have examined the 5-HT innervation pattern in the adult suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the fine-grained morphological study of the development of pathway and terminal projections to the SCN remains scarce. Here, we utilize transgenic mice expressing GFP under the serotonin transporter (SERT) promoter to subserve our developmental mapping study. We demonstrate that the morphology of 5-HT pathway fibers decussating over the supraoptic commissure that projects to the SCN exhibits two distinct developmental patterns. The punctate fibers at the fetal stage gradually become smooth and filamentous, especially during postnatal one week and remain constant thereafter. The innervation field in the SCN develops properly only during postnatal two weeks. Its ventromedial area remains one of the highest 5-HT innervated areas in the adult brain, whereas the dorsolateral area is less innervated. Thus, we provide novel and specific insights on the developmental map of 5-HT system into the SCN using transgenic mouse.

Iron ore peripheries in the extractive boom: A comparison between mining conflicts in India and Brazil

The emerging economies of India and Brazil experienced a strong increase in iron ore extraction during the late commodities boom. Despite similar extraction trends, these economies followed distinct development patterns. While Brazilian neoextractivism strongly promoted iron ore exports, Indian production was largely turned to domestic consumption as a response to demands of industrialization. In both countries, the resulting expansion of extraction frontiers into new spaces and ecosystems already inhabited by local communities generated several ecological distribution conflicts. In this paper we analyse iron ore mining conflicts exploring the links between conflicts dynamics and different development patterns of India and Brazil. By providing both quantitative and qualitative data on the selected cases, the study contributes towards addressing core-periphery dynamics as a key aspect of environmental (in)justice. We show that, while Indian social mobilizations were sometimes successful in delaying or halting the expansion of extractive frontiers, power relations in Brazil were less favorable to resistance movements. Still, even in India, international and national asymmetries impinged costs of extractivism to local communities. The reinforcement of environmental (in)justices related to extractive industries by very different development models points to the importance of debates around development alternatives, especially for emerging countries.

Latent class trajectories of infant temperament and associations with problem behavior at two years of age.

Individual differences in temperament have been well-described, but individual differences in temperament trajectories require elaboration. Specifically, it is unknown if subgroups of infants display different developmental patterns and if these patterns relate to later behavioral problems. The aims were to identify distinct developmental patterns in broad dimensions of temperament among typically developing infants, to determine whether these developmental patterns differ by sex, to evaluate how developmental patterns within each dimension of temperament relate to developmental patterns within other dimensions of temperament, and to determine whether developmental patterns of infant temperament are associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior at 2 years of age. Data from the longitudinal Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study (n = 1,819) were used to model latent class trajectories of parent-reported infant temperament at 3, 6, and 12 months. Four to five unique latent trajectories were identified within each temperament dimension. Sex was not associated with trajectory groups. Developmental coordination was observed between trajectories of negative emotionality and regulatory capacity, and between regulatory capacity and positive affect, but not between positive affect and negative emotionality. Negative emotionality and regulatory capacity predicted internalizing and externalizing behavior. Patterns of development in infant temperament, and not just intensity of temperament, contribute toward later problem behavior.

Patterns of Development in Children’s Scientific Reasoning: Results from a Three-Year Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Scientific reasoning refers to the thinking skills involved in conceiving and conducting an investigation. This study examined how proficiency in performing these skills develops during the upper-elementary school years. A sample of 157 children (age 7–10) took a performance-based scientific reasoning test in three consecutive years. Four distinct developmental patterns emerged from their annual test scores, which were independent of prior domain knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics except gender. Developmental patterns in scientific reasoning and reading comprehension, but not math, were related such that many children with a high entry level or accelerated growth in scientific reasoning also performed better and progressed more in reading comprehension. These results indicate that scientific reasoning develops differently in same-age children, largely independent of personal characteristics but generally comparable with reading comprehension.

Dissecting the initiation of female meiosis in the mouse at single-cell resolution.

Meiosis is one of the most finely orchestrated events during gametogenesis with distinct developmental patterns in males and females. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain not well known. Here, we report detailed transcriptome analyses of cell populations present in the mouse female gonadal ridges (E11.5) and the embryonic ovaries from E12.5 to E14.5 using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq). These periods correspond with the initiation and progression of meiosis throughout the first stage of prophase I. We identified 13 transcriptionally distinct cell populations and 7 transcriptionally distinct germ cell subclusters that correspond to mitotic (3 clusters) and meiotic (4 clusters) germ cells. By analysing cluster-specific gene expression profiles, we found four cell clusters correspond to different cell stages en route to meiosis and characterized their detailed transcriptome dynamics. Our scRNA seq analysis here represents a new important resource for deciphering the molecular pathways driving female meiosis initiation.

Methodological Issues in the Study of the Development of Pain Responsivity in Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review.

The study of the development of neonatal pain responses is of key importance, both for research and for clinical reasons, with particular regard to the population of preterm neonates, given the amount of painful procedures they are exposed to on a daily basis. The aim of this work was to systematize our knowledge about the development of pain responses in prematurely born neonates by focusing on some key methodological issues. Studies on the impact of age variables, namely gestational age (GA), postmenstrual age (PMA) and chronological age (CH), on pain responsivity in premature neonates were identified using Medline and Scopus. Studies (N = 42) were categorized based on terminological and methodological approaches towards age variables, and according to output variables considered (facial, nonfacial behavioral, physiological). Distinct multidimensional developmental patterns were found for each age-sampling strategy. Overall, each of the three age variables seems to affect pain responsivity, possibly differently across age windows. Targeted as well as integrated approaches, together with a renewed attention for methodological consistency, are needed to further our knowledge on this topic.

SynGAP splice variants display heterogeneous spatio-temporal expression and subcellular distribution in the developing mammalian brain.

The SynGAP protein is a major regulator of synapse biology and neural circuit function. Genetic variants linked to epilepsy and intellectual disability disrupt synaptic function and neural excitability. SynGAP has been involved in multiple signaling pathways and can regulate small GTPases with very different roles. Yet, the molecular bases behind this pleiotropy are poorly understood. We hypothesize that different SynGAP isoforms will mediate different sets of functions and that deciphering their spatio‐temporal expression and subcellular localization will accelerate understanding their multiple functions. Using isoform‐specific antibodies recognizing SynGAP in mouse and human samples we found distinctive developmental expression patterns for all SynGAP isoforms in five mouse brain areas. Particularly noticeable was the delayed expression of SynGAP‐α1 isoforms, which directly bind to postsynaptic density‐95, in cortex and hippocampus during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development. Suggesting that during this period other isoforms would have a more prominent role. Furthermore, we observed subcellular localization differences between isoforms, particularly throughout postnatal development. Consistent with previous reports, SynGAP was enriched in the postsynaptic density in the mature forebrain. However, SynGAP was predominantly found in non‐synaptic locations in a period of early postnatal development highly sensitive to SynGAP levels. While, α1 isoforms were always found enriched in the postsynaptic density, α2 isoforms changed from a non‐synaptic to a mostly postsynaptic density localization with age and β isoforms were always found enriched in non‐synaptic locations. The differential expression and subcellular distribution of SynGAP isoforms may contribute to isoform‐specific regulation of small GTPases, explaining SynGAP pleiotropy.

Development of Cynicism in Medical Students: Exploring the Role of Signature Character Strengths and Well-Being.

Reports of medical students experiencing burnout-related symptoms (e.g., cynicism) have increased in recent years. Little is known about the developmental process of this phenomenon and its relations with signature character strengths and well-being. The aim of this longitudinal analysis was to explore changes in the level of cynicism of medical students while in preclinical education. We further examined how the applicability of signature character strengths and well-being are related to this developmental process. Medical students (N = 99) participated in three online surveys over 3 years during medical school. Latent growth modeling, latent class growth modeling, general mixed modeling was conducted, and post hoc mixed ANOVA, Friedman test and Welch test analyses were examined. The results showed an increase in cynicism among medical students from first to last measurement. Two groups with distinct developmental trajectory patterns of cynicism were identified. Students with high levels of cynicism (high-level group) and students with changing levels of cynicism (increasing group) perceived higher applicability of signature character strengths in private life compared to the study context. Moreover, the high-level group experienced significantly lower psychological well-being (in particular mastery, optimism, and relationship) in their first year of medical education. This explorative study offers a comprehensive understanding of cynicism development in medical students during medical school and its relations to the applicability of signature character strengths and well-being. Prospective replication studies are needed to replicate the results obtained in this study.

Ameloblastoma cell lines derived from different subtypes demonstrate distinct developmental patterns in a novel animal experimental model.

Objective Ameloblastoma is a representative odontogenic tumor comprising several characteristic invasive forms, and its pathophysiology has not been sufficiently elucidated. A stable animal experimental model using immortalized cell lines is crucial to explain the factors causing differences among the subtypes of ameloblastoma, but this model has not yet been disclosed. In this study, a novel animal experimental model has been established, using immortalized human ameloblastoma-derived cell lines.Methodology Ameloblastoma cells suspended in Matrigel were subcutaneously transplanted into the heads of immunodeficient mice. Two immortalized human ameloblastoma cell lines were used: AM-1 cells derived from the plexiform type and AM-3 cells derived from the follicular type. The tissues were evaluated histologically 30, 60, and 90 days after transplantation.Results Tumor masses formed in all transplanted mice. In addition, the tumors formed in each group transplanted with different ameloblastoma cells were histologically distinct: the tumors in the group transplanted with AM-1 cells were similar to the plexiform type, and those in the group transplanted with AM-3-cells were similar to the follicular type.Conclusions A novel, stable animal experimental model of ameloblastoma was established using two cell lines derived from different subtypes of the tumor. This model can help clarify its pathophysiology and hasten the development of new ameloblastoma treatment strategies.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Apple (Malus domestica) Cysteine-Rich Receptor-Like Kinase (CRK) Family: Annotation, Genomic Organization, and Expression Profiles in Response to Fungal Infection

Cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) took crucial roles in plant cell growth and development, as well as environmental adaption. Apple (Malus domestica) had been considered a staple fruit crop and a model of woody plants. In this study, the annotation, evolution, and duplication of the CRK gene family members in apple (MdCRK) were characterized. Besides, we also investigated the expressional patterns of MdCRKs in various tissue types and response to signals from Alternaria alternate apple pathotype (AaAP), Penicillium expansum (Pe), and Valsa mali (Vm). A total of 36 MdCRKs were annotated. The phylogenetic analysis of CRKs among apple, Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), banana (Musa acuminata), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) revealed the distinct evolutionary characteristics in plants. Based on gene duplication analysis, seven tandem gene clusters containing 24 members and ten segmental gene pairs were found from MdCRKs. A large number segmental gene pairs were identified from CRKs between apple and cotton. Abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)–responsive cis-elements were discovered from the promoter region of most MdCRKs. MdCRKs showed distinct tissue and developmental expression patterns. Most members displayed distinct expression patterns among various tissue types. Six members were differentially expressed in response to signals from at least two pathogenic fungi. Our study provides valuable information for further studies on the evolution and functional investigation on disease resistance of CRKs.

Decreasing Influence of Retinal Inputs on the Developing Visual Cortex

Before vision matures, spontaneous retinal activity drives downstream visual targets. In this issue of Neuron, Gribizis etal. (2019) image activity simultaneously in connected mouse visual areas and demonstrate distinct developmental patterns of signal transformation in thalamocortical versus retinocollicular pathways.