Modest Positive Correlation Research Articles

Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in Children with Celiac Disease.

Results We found significantly lower concentrations of total cholesterol, lipoprotein LDL-C, apolipoproteins A1 and B, as well as hCRP in all children with CD. We showed decreased level (<5 ng/mL) of folic acid among 46% of children treated for >5 years. Moreover, we showed significant decrease of folic acid level already after 1 year of a GFD (12 vs. 5.6 ng/mL; p < 0.001). We also found significant negative correlation of z-score body mass index (BMI) with HDL and APOA1 level (r = −0.33; p = 0.015 and r = −0.28; p = 0.038, respectively) and modest positive correlation of z-score BMI with atherogenic factor of total cholesterol-HDL ratio and LDL-HDL ratio (r = 0.40; p = 0.002 and r = 0.36; p = 0.006, respectively). Analysis of physical activity showed an increase in the insulin levels with inactivity (r = 0.36; p = 0.0025). We also found positive correlation of the sleep duration with the adiponectin level (r = 0.41; p = 0.011). Conclusions In children with CD treated with a GFD, decreased level of folic acid together with increased BMI, sedentary behavior, and an improper lipid profile may predispose them to atherosclerosis in the long run. This data suggests the need of further studies to determine the need for metabolic cardiovascular risk screening in children with CD.

1025 Global strain rate do not reduce biological variability compared to S", and do not normalize for body size

Abstract Background As the Left ventricular (LV) apex is stationary, and maximum velocities are in the mitral plane, peak systolic annular velocity (S") normalized for wall length (WL) is a measure of peak systolic strain rate (Fig. 1), as is strain rate measured by tissue Doppler. As the normalization presumably corrects for the size of the heart (and thus body), this should reduce biological variability, but this assumption has previously been shown to be faulty for annular displacement (MAPSE) vs global longitudinal strain. Methods The HUNT study examined 1266 subjects without evidence of heart disease, from a mixed urban / rural population of North Tøndelag county in Norway. Annular systolic velocity was measured by pulsed-wave Tissue Doppler in the septal, lateral, anterior and inferior points, and averaged. Wall lengths was measured in a straight line in the same points, and S" was normalized (S"/WL) and averaged. Segmental systolic strain rate was also measured by combined speckle tracking / Tissue Doppler and averaged to a global value (GLSR). Results are given in table 1. All three measures declined with increasing age (R was -0.23, -0.29 and -0.29, respectively, all p &amp;lt; 0.001) The over-all relative standard deviations were similar for S", normalized S" and global strain rate. Both S"/WL and GLSR correlated negatively with BSA, R was - 0.22 and 0.17, respectively (p &amp;lt; 0.001), while S" showed a modest positive correlation; R = 0.13, (p &amp;lt; 0.001) Conclusion Normalizing peak systolic mitral annular velocity for length do not reduce biological variability, and introduces a systematic error in the body size relation, due to the one-dimensional nature of the normalisation, and the three-dimensional nature of LV deformation. This is in accordance with what has previously been shown for global longitudinal strain vs. annular plane displacement. Table 1 Age (years) S" (cm/s) S"/WL (/s) GLSR (/s) &amp;lt; 40 9.1 (1.2) 0.93 (0.13) 1.08 (0.12) 40 - 60 8.3 (1.3) 0.86 (0.13) 1.03 (0.12) &amp;gt; 60 7.7 (1.3) 0.81 (0.14) 0.98 (0.14) All 8.4 (1.4) 0.87 (0.14) 1.03 (0.13) Relative SD (%) 16.7 16.1 12.6 Mitral annular velocity (S"), normalised velocity (S"/WL) and Global strain by age groups. (Standard deviations in parentheses) Abstract 1025 Figure. Fig. 1

The neural code of intelligence: From correlation to causation.

Research into the neural underpinning of intelligence has mainly adopted a construct perspective: trying to find structural and functional brain characteristics that would accommodate the psychological concept of g. Few attempts have been made to explain intelligence exclusively based on brain characteristics - the brain perspective. From a methodological viewpoint the brain intelligence relation has been studied by means of correlational and interventional studies. The later providing a causal elucidation of the brain - intelligence relation. The best neuro-anatomical predictor of intelligence is brain volume showing a modest positive correlation with g, explaining between 9 to 16% of variance. The most likely explanation was that larger brains, containing more neurons, have a greater computational power and in that way allow more complex cognitive processing. Correlations with brain surface, thickness, convolution and callosal shape showed less consistent patterns. The development of diffusion tensor imaging has allowed researchers to look also into the microstructure of brain tissue. Consistently observed was a positively correlation between white matter integrity and intelligence, supporting the idea that efficient information transfer between hemispheres and brain areas is crucial for higher intellectual competence. Based on functional studies of the brain intelligence relationship three theories have been put forward: the neural efficiency, the P-FIT and the multi demand (MD) system theory. On the other hand, The Network Neuroscience Theory of g, based on methods from mathematics, physics, and computer science, is an example for the brain perspective on neurobiological underpinning of intelligence. In this framework network flexibility and dynamics provide the foundation for general intelligence. With respect to intervention studies the most promising results have been achieved with noninvasive brain stimulation and behavioral training providing tentative support for findings put forward by the correlational approach. To date the best consensus based on the diversity of results reported would be that g is predominantly determined by lateral prefrontal attentional control of structured sensory episodes in posterior brain areas. The capacity of flexible transitions between these network states represents the essence of intelligence - g.

Wide Variation in the Percentage of Donation After Circulatory Death Donors Across Donor Service Areas: A Potential Target for Improvement.

Substantial differences exist in the clinical characteristics of donors across the 58 donor service areas (DSAs). Organ procurement organization (OPO) performance metrics incorporate organs donated after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) donors but do not measure potential DCDD donors. Using 2011-2016 United Network for Organ Sharing data, we examined the variability in DCDD donors/all deceased donors (%DCDD) across DSAs. We supplemented United Network for Organ Sharing data with CDC death records and OPO statistics to characterize underlying process and system factors that may correlate with donors and utilization. Among 52 184 deceased donors, the %DCDD varied widely across DSAs, with a median of 15.1% (interquartile range [9.3%, 20.9%]; range 0.0%-32.0%). The %DCDD had a modest positive correlation with 4 DSA factors: median match model for end-stage liver disease, proportion of white deaths out of total deaths, kidney center competition, and %DCDD livers by a local transplant center (all Spearman coefficients 0.289-0.464), and negative correlation with 1 factor: mean kidney waiting time (Spearman coefficient -0.388). Adjusting for correlated variables in linear regression explained 46.3% of the variability in %DCDD. Donor pool demographics, waitlist metrics, center competition, and DCDD utilization explain only a portion of the variability of DCDD donors. This requires further studies and policy changes to encourage consideration of all possible organ donors.

Economic interdependence and economic sanctions: a case study of European Union sanctions on Russia

Economic sanctions impose costs on sender as well as target states, and those costs increase with the degree of interdependence between the states in question. We test the hypothesis that EU member states that are more economically interdependent with Russia would be the most opposed to the imposition of sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine in 2013–2014. However, an analysis of the debate over the imposition of sanctions shows the opposite: a modest positive correlation between economic interdependence and support for the sanctions among EU member states. This finding further calls into question the fundamental linkage between economic self-interest and conflict avoidance among interdependent states.

Erwinia amylovora Auxotrophic Mutant Exometabolomics and Virulence on Apples.

The Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight disease of apples and pears. While the virulence systems of E. amylovora have been studied extensively, relatively little is known about its parasitic behavior. The aim of this study was to identify primary metabolites that must be synthesized by this pathogen for full virulence. A series of auxotrophic E. amylovora mutants, representing 21 metabolic pathways, were isolated and characterized for metabolic defects and virulence in apple immature fruits and shoots. On detached apple fruitlets, mutants defective in arginine, guanine, hexosamine, isoleucine/valine, leucine, lysine, proline, purine, pyrimidine, sorbitol, threonine, tryptophan, and glucose metabolism had reduced virulence compared to the wild type, while mutants defective in asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid, histidine, and serine biosynthesis were as virulent as the wild type. Auxotrophic mutant growth in apple fruitlet medium had a modest positive correlation with virulence in apple fruitlet tissues. Apple tree shoot inoculations with a representative subset of auxotrophs confirmed the apple fruitlet results. Compared to the wild type, auxotrophs defective in virulence caused an attenuated hypersensitive immune response in tobacco, with the exception of an arginine auxotroph. Metabolomic footprint analyses revealed that auxotrophic mutants which grew poorly in fruitlet medium nevertheless depleted environmental resources. Pretreatment of apple flowers with an arginine auxotroph inhibited the growth of the wild-type E. amylovora, while heat-killed auxotroph cells did not exhibit this effect, suggesting nutritional competition with the virulent strain on flowers. The results of our study suggest that certain nonpathogenic E. amylovora auxotrophs could have utility as fire blight biocontrol agents.IMPORTANCE This study has revealed the availability of a range of host metabolites to E. amylovora cells growing in apple tissues and has examined whether these metabolites are available in sufficient quantities to render bacterial de novo synthesis of these metabolites partially or even completely dispensable for disease development. The metabolomics analysis revealed that auxotrophic E. amylovora mutants have substantial impact on their environment in culture, including those that fail to grow appreciably. The reduced growth of virulent E. amylovora on flowers treated with an arginine auxotroph is consistent with the mutant competing for limiting resources in the flower environment. This information could be useful for novel fire blight management tool development, including the application of nonpathogenic E. amylovora auxotrophs to host flowers as an environmentally friendly biocontrol method. Fire blight management options are currently limited mainly to antibiotic sprays onto open blossoms and pruning of infected branches, so novel management options would be attractive to growers.

PROMIS Physical Function 10-Item Short Form for Older Adults in an Emergency Setting.

Functional status in older adults predicts hospital use and mortality, and offers insight into independence and quality of life. The Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed to improve and standardize patient-reported outcomes measurements. The PROMIS Physical Function (PROMIS PF) 10-Item Short Form was not created specifically for older adults. By comparing PROMIS with the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz), we evaluated PROMIS for measurement of physical function versus general function in an older adult population seen in the ED. A prospective, convenience sample of ED patients 65 years and older (from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015) completed Katz and PROMIS PF. Both were compared for scoring distributions and conventional scoring thresholds for severity of impairment (eg, minimal, moderate, severe). We assessed convergence through Spearman correlations, equivalents of conventional thresholds and ranges of physical function, and item-response frequencies. A total of 357 completed both function surveys. PROMIS PF and Katz have a modest positive correlation (r = .50, p < .01). Mean PROMIS PF scores within Katz scoring ranges for minimal (43, SD = 10), moderate (32, SD = 7), and severe (24, SD = 7) impairment fell within respective PROMIS PF scoring ranges (severe = 14-29, moderate = 30-39, mild = 40-45), indicating convergence. PROMIS identified impairment in 3× as many patients as did Katz, as PROMIS assesses vigorous physical function (eg, running, heavy lifting) not queried by Katz. However, PROMIS does not assess select activities of daily living (ADLs; eg, feeding, continence) important for assessment of function in older adults. There is a modest correlation between PROMIS and Katz. PROMIS may better assess physical function than Katz, but is not an adequate replacement for assessment of general functional status in older adults.

Ceilometer Monitoring of Boundary-Layer Height and Its Application in Evaluating the Dilution Effect on Air Pollution

The dilution effect caused by boundary-layer evolution over land has strong influences on air quality. Accurate and continuous measurements of the boundary-layer height over urban areas are therefore needed for complete air-quality assessments. Commercial ceilometers, in combination with reliable and simple methodologies, can be used to retrieve the mixed-layer height, and represent a means of obtaining information on vertical mixing and atmospheric structure above cities. Here, we evaluate various retrieval algorithms based on the gradient method against high-temporal-resolution radiosonde observations. Based on the results, we propose a simple algorithm by using the gradient method, the correction of background noise and the moving averages, with the minimum number of parameters that need to be adjusted to the local properties and the instrument itself. The algorithm is adjusted for Seoul, Korea, and improves the retrieval performance by reducing high-frequency noise. The algorithm is used to investigate the relationship between the evolution of the daytime mixed-layer height and air pollution under a two-layer mixing model where changes in concentration depend only on the urban boundary-layer growth and air entrainment from the free atmosphere. Using 2 months of ceilometer retrievals of mixed-layer height and air-quality data from across the city, we find strong negative correlations for primary emitted pollutants such as NO2, CO, SO2, and particulate matter smaller than 10 µm, and a modest positive correlation for O3. The results provide insight into the significant influence of urban boundary-layer evolution on Seoul’s air quality.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (Cyto-MSC) are well-tolerated and associated with renal function improvement in patients with chronic kidney disease: an observational retrospective study

Background & Aim Background Microvascular disease and structural damage are hallmarks of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We have demonstrated previously that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could differentiate into mesangial cells in animal models of glomerular injury. We further demonstrated that MSCs promoted angiogenesis in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia. Given the ability to improve vascularity and structure, MSCs may potentially improve renal function in CKD. Objective In this study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability and renal function of patients with CKD who had participated in MSC-related clinical trials. Methods, Results & Conclusion Methodology There were 4 clinical trials approved at the National University Malaysia in collaboration with Cytopeutics (Cyberjaya, Malaysia) which provided the mesenchymal stromal cells (Cyto-MSC) for treatment of acute stroke, heart failure, diabetes with critical limb ischemia and severe deforming osteoarthritis. All patients received 65-130 × 106 Cyto-MSC intravenously. Severity of chronic kidney disease is based on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine which are markers of renal dysfunction. These and other blood tests including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and Hba1c (marker of glycemic control) were measured at baseline and 12 months post infusion. Results 82 patients (53 men, 29 women; age 38-92 years) with different CKD stages (stage 3, n=65; stage 4, n=5; stage 5, n=12) were identified. 33 patients have type 2 diabetes. All patients tolerated the treatment well. There was significant improvement in serum creatinine (170±148 vs. 144±123 μmol/L; p=0.013) and eGFR values (37±17 vs. 41±18 mL/min/1.73m2; p=0.001). Patients with stage 3 CKD have the most significant eGFR value improvement (45±9 vs. 50±10 mL/min/1.73m2; p=0.006). Among diabetic patients, improvements were observed in creatinine (167±138 vs. 145±115 μmol/L, p=0.011), eGFR (37±15 vs. 41±16, p=0.05), HbA1c (7.4±2.1 vs. 6.2±1.4 %, p=0.011) and FBS (7.1±1.1 vs. 6.8±0.8 mmol/L %, p=0.021). There was also modest positive correlation between FBS with urea (p=0.001) and eGFR (p=0.016). Conclusion Cyto-MSC appears to be safe and well-tolerated by patients with moderate-severe CKD and associated with improvement in renal function particularly for moderate CKD patients. Further randomized prospective studies are warranted.

Prescribing fitness apps for people with cancer: a preliminary assessment of content and quality of commercially available apps.

The benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors are increasingly recognised and smartphone applications are available to assist them to become more physically active. Cancer clinicians, however, lack confidence about which physical activity apps to recommend as evidence on their quality and content is limited. Therefore, we reviewed freely available commercial physical activity/fitness apps to systematically assess their behavioural change content and quality of their design. Systematic searches of the app stores for Apple and Android operating systems were conducted and apps were screened to identify free apps appropriate for cancer survivors. Quality was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and behavioural content was evaluated using the Behavioural Change Techniques Taxonomy (BCTT). Of 341 apps identified, 67 were judged appropriate for cancer survivors and 46% combined aerobic and strength/stretching content. The overall number of behavioural change techniques (BCT) included was 3.96 (SD = 2.09), with the most frequent being 'feedback on behaviour' and 'goal setting behaviour'. The mean scores for objective and subjective quality were 4.11 (SD = 0.59) and 3.07 (SD = 0.91) respectively (range 0 to 5). Finally, a modest positive correlation was found between the number of BCT and the quality of engagement, awareness and knowledge as assessed by the MARS. Only a fifth of retrieved physical activity apps contained potentially suitable content for people affected by cancer. Overall, most apps we reviewed appeared to perform well in terms of their objective quality, but less well at promoting knowledge and awareness or help seeking related to physical activity. Many physical activity apps are available but the combined use of MARS and BCTT suggests that not all of them are suitable to the needs is a promising and feasible approach for assessing the applicability, usability and content of physical activity of apps employed by cancer survivors and this study is a first step toward developing a guide.

Personality traits and its correlation to burnout in female nurses

Background:Few Indian studies have deliberated on the role of personality traits in perceived stress and burnout among female nurses employed in the government sector.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 600 female nurses employed in 30 government hospitals of India. Two hundred and ninety-eight valid questionnaires received with demographic data, NEO Five-Factor Inventory scores, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory scores were analyzed using linear regression analysis.Results:Trait neuroticism scores had modest positive correlation for personal burnout (R2: 0.32, F: 138.68), work-related burnout (R2: 0.22, F: 84.09), and overall burnout scores (R2: 0.30, F: 128.09). Extraversion scores had low negative correlation with personal burnout (R2: 0.08, F: 27.22, P < 0.00), work-related burnout (R2: 0.09, F: 28.81), and overall burnout scores (R2: 0.10, F: 31.68). Scores on agreeableness trait had weak negative correlation with personal burnout (R2: 0.09, F: 32.98), workrelated burnout (R2: 0.06, F: 20.96), patientrelated burnout (R2: 0.06, F: 21.27), and overall burnout scores (R2: 0.10, F: 33.43). Openness to experience had no significant correlation to personal, work-related, patient-related, or overall burnout scores. Conscientiousness scores had low negative correlation with the scores on personal burnout (R2: 0.12, F: 41.96), work-related burnout (R2: 0.09, F: 27.88), and overall burnout scores (R2: 0.10, F: 31.80). Neuroticism had modest positive correlation with perceived stress scores (R2: 0.33, F: 145.61). Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were weakly negatively correlated with perceived stress scores.Conclusions:Trait neuroticism increased the vulnerability to perceived stress and burnout, whereas traits of extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness were protective against perceived stress and burnout in the sample of female nurses surveyed.

The Neuroanatomical Basis of Two Subcomponents of Rumination: A VBM Study.

Rumination is a trait that includes two subcomponents, namely brooding and reflective pondering, respectively construed as maladaptive and adaptive response styles to negative experiences. Existing evidence indicates that rumination in general is associated with structural and functional differences in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, conclusive evidence on the specific neural structural basis of each of the two subcomponents is lacking. In this voxel-based morphometry study, we investigated the independent and specific neural structural basis of brooding and reflective pondering in 30 healthy young adults, who belonged to high or low brooding or reflective pondering groups. Consistent with past research, modest but significant positive correlation was found between brooding and reflective pondering. When controlling for reflective pondering, high-brooding group showed increased gray matter volumes in the left DLPFC and ACC. Further analysis on extracted gray matter values showed that gray matter of the same DLPFC and ACC regions also showed significant negative effects of reflective pondering. Taken together, our findings indicate that the two subcomponents of rumination might share some common processes yet also have distinct neural basis. In view of the significant roles of the left DLPFC and ACC in attention and self-related emotional processing/regulation, our findings provide insight into how the potentially shared and distinct cognitive, affective and neural processes of brooding and reflective pondering can be extended to clinical populations to further elucidate the neurobehavioral relationships between rumination and prefrontal abnormality.

Serum retinol-binding protein 4 is associated with insulin resistance in patients with early and untreated rheumatoid arthritis.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), systemic inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) are linked, yet the determinants of RBP4 and its impact on IR in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of IR in RA and investigate whether the serum levels of RBP4 were associated with IR in patients with RA. In this study, 403 individuals with newly diagnosed and untreated RA were consecutively recruited. We calculated the Disease Activity Score assessed using 28-joint counts for swelling and tenderness (DAS28). Levels of serum RBP4, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α were tested. IR was defined as Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index greater than or equal 2.40. In those 403 patients, 68 (16.9%) were male and the median age was 43 years (IQR: 36-52). There was an evidently positive correlation between increased serum levels of RBP4 and increasing severity of RA (DAS28) (r = 0.403, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a modest positive correlation between levels of serum RBP4 and HOMA-IR score (r = 0.251; P < 0.0001) was found. Eighty-five patients (21.1%) in patients with RA were defined as IR (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.40), which was significantly higher than in normal cases (4.7%). In the patients with IR, serum levels of RBP4 were higher when compared with those in patients free-IR P < 0.001. The IR distribution across the quartiles of RBP4 ranged between 5.0% (first quartile) to 39.0% (fourth quartile), P for trend < 0.001. For each 1unit increase of RBP4, the unadjusted and adjusted risk of IR increased by 8% (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05-1.11, P < 0.001) and 5% (1.05; 1.02-1.09, P = 0.001), respectively. When RBP4 was added to the model containing established significant risk factors, AUROC (standard error) was increased from 0.768 (0.025) to 0.807(0.021). A significant difference in the AUC between the established risk factors alone and the addition of RBP4 was observed (difference, 0.039[0.004]; P = 0.02). Elevated serum levels of RBP4 were associated with increased risk of IR and might be useful in identifying RA at risk for IR and/or impaired glucose tolerance for early prevention strategies, especially in obese and women patients.

Arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide tension difference (CO2 gap) as a prognostic marker for adverse outcomes in emergency department patients presenting with suspected sepsis.

The arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide tension difference (CO2 gap) correlates with physiologic dead space. The prognostic value of increased CO2 gap in trauma and respiratory distress patients is documented. Transpulmonary arteriovenous shunting is identified as a predictor of mortality in non-pulmonary sepsis. We set out to investigate the prognostic value of the CO2 gap in a pilot study of patients with suspected sepsis from non-respiratory causes. Patients presenting to tertiary Australian ED with suspected sepsis (n = 215) underwent near-simultaneous end-tidal carbon dioxide and partial pressure of carbon dioxide measurements. We investigated the correlation of CO2 gap levels with the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality (IHM) and secondary outcomes of sepsis (ΔSOFA ≥2) and IHM and/or intensive care unit stay ≥72 h (IHM/ICU72h) in patients with sepsis because of non-respiratory causes. Among patients included in the analysis (n = 165), the CO2 gap showed modest positive correlation with qSOFA (ρ = 0.39) and weak positive correlation with SOFA scores (ρ = 0.29) (both P < 0.01). The CO2 gap had modest predictive value for primary outcome (IHM), area under receiver operating curve (AUROC 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.90) and IHM/ICU72h outcome (AUROC 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.86), but lower predictive value for sepsis outcome (AUROC 0.64, 95% CI 0.55-0.71) (all P < 0.001). We report modest test performance for primary outcome at CO2 gap ≥5 and ≥10 mmHg cut-offs. In this pilot study of patients with suspected sepsis from non-respiratory causes, an increased CO2 gap demonstrates value in risk stratification and needs to be further evaluated and compared to other existent biomarkers.

A brain-age model for preterm infants based on functional connectivity

Objective: In this study, the development of EEG functional connectivity during early development has been investigated in order to provide a predictive age model for premature infants. Approach: The functional connectivity has been assessed via the coherency function (its imaginary part (ImCoh) and its mean squared magnitude (MSC)), the phase locking value () and the Hilbert–Schimdt dependence (HSD) in a dataset of 30 patients, partially described and employed in previous studies (Koolen et al 2016 Neuroscience 322 298–307; Lavanga et al 2017 Complexity 2017 1–13). Infants’ post-menstrual age (PMA) ranges from 27 to 42 weeks. The topology of the EEG couplings has been investigated via graph-theory indices. Main results: Results show a sharp decrease in ImCoh indices in θ, (4–8) Hz and α, (8–16) Hz bands and MSC in β, (16–32) Hz band with maturation, while a more modest positive correlation with PMA is found for HSD, and MSC in , θ, α bands. The best performances for the PMA prediction were mean absolute error equal to 1.51 weeks and adjusted coefficient of determination equal to 0.8. Significance: The reported findings suggest a segregation of the cortex connectivity, which favours a diffused tasks architecture on the brain scalp. In summary, the results indicate that the neonates’ brain development can be described via lagged-interaction network features.

Student Approach to Learning in a Bachelor Level Cadaver Dissection Course

The objective of this study was to determine how students' approach to learning changes through a semester‐long cadaver dissection course and if in‐class and online integrative drawing and concept‐mapping exercises can shift student approach to learning and diversity of study methods employed. Study participants were 67 fourth‐year bachelor students from two cohorts of a semester‐long anatomy course with lecture and cadaver dissection. At the beginning and end of the course students completed the revised two‐factor Study Process Questionnaire (Biggs, British Journal of Educational Psychology, 2001, 71, 133–149) to assess deep and surface motivation and strategies in their approach to learning. At the same time students responded to open‐ended questions regarding study methods. Course exercises included demonstrations of concept mapping, time in lecture for group work, and online forums where students posted diagrams responding to prompts asking students to integrate sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, or the muscles, innervations, and secretions within the digestive system. Some individual students showed major shifts in their approach to learning however there was not a significant overall trend toward either deep or surface learning over the course and no influence of participation in the class exercises on approach to learning. There was a modest positive correlation between deep approach to learning at the end of the course and overall performance (r=0.30, p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the class exercises did not measurably alter student approach to learning, but open‐ended questions indicated that students enjoyed the integrative exercises and felt the skills they learned were applicable in other courses. This perceived value of the exercises could be more generally attributed to an increased awareness of the learning process.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Is It Better to Enter a Volume CT Dose Index Value before or after Scan Range Adjustment for Radiation Dose Optimization of Pediatric Cardiothoracic CT with Tube Current Modulation?

ObjectiveTo determine whether the body size-adapted volume computed tomography (CT) dose index (CTDvol) in pediatric cardiothoracic CT with tube current modulation is better to be entered before or after scan range adjustment for radiation dose optimization.Materials and MethodsIn 83 patients, cardiothoracic CT with tube current modulation was performed with the body size-adapted CTDIvol entered after (group 1, n = 42) or before (group 2, n = 41) scan range adjustment. Patient-related, radiation dose, and image quality parameters were compared and correlated between the two groups.ResultsThe CTDIvol after the CT scan in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2 (1.7 ± 0.1 mGy vs. 1.4 ± 0.3 mGy; p < 0.0001). Image noise (4.6 ± 0.5 Hounsfield units [HU] vs. 4.5 ± 0.7 HU) and image quality (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6) showed no significant differences between the two (p > 0.05). In both groups, all patient-related parameters, except body density, showed positive correlations (r = 0.49–0.94; p < 0.01) with the CTDIvol before and after the CT scan. The CTDIvol after CT scan showed modest positive correlation (r = 0.49; p ≤ 0.001) with image noise in group 1 but no significant correlation (p > 0.05) in group 2.ConclusionIn pediatric cardiothoracic CT with tube current modulation, the CTDIvol entered before scan range adjustment provides a significant dose reduction (18%) with comparable image quality compared with that entered after scan range adjustment.

Do ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 reflect the severity of coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. We thereby sought to investigate whether the biomarkers, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL-4) and galectin-3, reflect the severity of CAD. Patients were screened based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and written informed consent was obtained from the patients. Serum ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlated with the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and GENSINI score using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis. A total of 226 patients consisting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI/unstable angina (USA), chronic stable angina (CSA) and normal controls (NCs) participated in the study. ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 were significantly higher in CAD than the NC group. ANGPTL-4 showed significant negative correlation with GRACE score in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ( r = -0.211, p = 0.03) patients. ANGPTL-4 showed significant positive correlation with serum creatinine ( r = 0.304, p = 0.056) and body mass index (BMI) ( r = 0.424, p = 0.009) in CSA patients. A modest positive correlation was observed between the serum galectin-3 levels and GRACE score ( r = 0.187, p = 0.055) in ACS patients. However, on multivariate analysis the positive correlation relationship between ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 with the severity of CAD was not sustained. In conclusion, ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 do not appear to have a promising role for assessing the severity of CAD. Nevertheless these biomarkers do warrant further exploration in improving the management of CAD.

Impact of emergency department discharge stream short stay unit performance and hospital bed occupancy rates on access and patient flowmeasures: A single site study.

The ED discharge stream short stay units (EDSSUs) aim to facilitate patient flows through EDs. We investigate the relationship between EDSSU census and hospital bed occupancy rates (BORs) on National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) performance and did-not-wait (DNW) rates at a tertiary metropolitan adult ED in Sydney, Australia. We collated data for all ED presentations between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014. Daily ED, EDSSU census and ED-accessible hospital BORs were tabulated with daily ED NEAT performance and DNW rates. Non-parametric regression analyses was conducted on cohorts of appropriate, inappropriate, successful and failed EDSSU admissions based on local admission policies and BOR for NEAT and DNW outcomes. Among all presentations (n = 192 506) during the study period, 43.8% of patients were admitted in hospital including 10.4% for EDSSU (n = 20 081). Analyses reveal modest positive correlation of EDSSU admissions with NEAT performance (τ = 0.35, P < 0.001) and weak negative correlation with DNW rates (τ = -0.29, P < 0.001). These associations were more pronounced on days when BOR >100% (τ = 0.39 and τ = -0.36, P < 0.001). BOR of >100% were associated with reduced EDSSU admits, NEAT performance and increased DNW rates (P < 0.001). Appropriate EDSSU admissions had shorter EDSSU length of stay than inappropriate EDSSU admissions (350 vs 557 min, median difference -158 min, P < 0.001). Appropriate use of EDSSU provides effective conduit for ongoing patients' management beyond mandated timelines. Health systems should focus on reducing hospital BORs to mitigate exclusive ED pressure to deliver NEAT performance targets.

Parasympathetic Concomitants of Habitual, Spontaneous, and Instructed Emotional Suppression

Abstract. The neurovisceral integration model proposes that different forms of self-regulation, including the emotional suppression, are characterized by the activation of neural network whose workings are also reflected in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). However, most of the previous studies failed to observe theoretically expected increases in RSA during emotional suppression. Even when such effects were observed, it was not clear whether they resulted from specific task demands, a decrease in muscle activity, or they were the consequence of more specific self-control processes. We investigated the relation between habitual or trait-like suppression, spontaneous, and instructed suppression with changes in RSA during negative emotion experience. A modest positive correlation between spontaneous situational and habitual suppression was observed across two experimental tasks. Furthermore, the results showed greater RSA increase among participants who experienced higher negative affect (NA) increase and reported higher spontaneous suppression than among those with higher NA increase and lower spontaneous suppression. Importantly, this effect was independent from the habitual suppression and observable facial expressions. The results of the additional task based on experimental manipulation, rather than spontaneous use of situational suppression, indicated a similar relation between suppression and RSA. Our results consistently demonstrate that emotional suppression, especially its self-regulation component, is followed by the increase in parasympathetic activity.