EVIDENCE OF COMMUNAL OVIPOSITION AND NEST ABANDONMENT IN THE NORTHERN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (EURYCEA BISLINEATA, (GREEN, 1818)) IN NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT

Most plethodontid salamanders oviposit their eggs in an individual nest and attend the clutch until hatching. Here, we describe aspects of the reproduction of Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) from three field sites in northeastern Connecticut that contrast with the typical plethodontid reproductive behavior. Rocks used as oviposition sites contained up to 296 eggs, with an average of more than 100. These numbers exceed the maximum ovarian egg counts for this species, indicating that communal oviposition is common. The lack of correlation between rock size and number of eggs, as well as the lack of discrete clutches when eggs are laid in large clusters, suggests that communal oviposition may be caused by something other than nest site limitation. Additionally, the rate of maternal attendance at nests was low. Thus, communal oviposition with high rates of nest abandonment is the dominant reproductive strategy in E. bislineata at these sites

Scoring of Scales in the Statewide Investigation of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prison Study

The Statewide Investigation of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prisons (SITBIP) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded research project with three specific aims. The primary aim is to examine the relationship of recidivism and traumatic brain injury (TBI) among a population-based sample of inmates being released from South Carolina\u27s state prisons. The second aim is to estimate the prevalence of TBI, substance abuse, and violence in this sample and the third aim is to examine the validity of inmate report of TBI against SC hospital records. In order to fulfill these aims, 636 inmates in the SC Department of Corrections were interviewed. The interview contains numerous scales, many are complete scales that have been previously validated and published, some are parts of such scales, and some are original questions created specifically for this study. This paper\u27s purpose is to detail the scoring of these scales and questions, especially to inform readers of details unique to this sample and study. The questions used in the interview are in the SITBIP Data Codebook accessible at http://people.musc.edu/~pickelse/TBI_Prison_Study/SITBIP-Data_Codebook.pdf. It is very important for the reader to download the file and review the entire questionnaire

A Systematic Literature Review of the Current State of Knowledge Related to Interventions for Bereaved Parents

Aims: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to describe the interventions for bereaved parents, evaluate intervention effectiveness through study methodology rigor, replicability, and theoretical foundations. Methods: We searched MEDLINE via PubMed (1966-2018), CINAHL (1937-present), PsycINFO (1887-present), and Embase (1947-present) using various search words and MeSH terms related to the study purpose. A blinded screening of title/abstract was performed, with conflicting inclusion decisions resolved through group discussions. Matrices for remaining articles were created and discussed among the team. The levels of evidence of the 9 records were rated from very low to high based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidelines. Results: Our initial pool included 1025 articles. After the screening of titles/abstracts, 63 articles were retained for full-text reviews. Evaluated based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 9 records met the review criteria. Of the 9 records, 1 was graded as very low, 3 low, and 5 low to moderate. The interventions for bereaved parents varied from using single-model interventions such as expressive arts therapy and telephone support to multimodal interventions that combined resources (ie, peer support, resource packets, and health-care support). Only 1 study explicitly illustrated how its bereavement intervention was designed based on the proposed theoretical model. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for individualized, well-tested, and effective bereavement care interventions to support bereaved parents. In summary, the state of the science on interventions for bereaved parents is poor and much work needs to be done to effectively address the needs of bereaved parents, including both their physical and emotional health needs

Psychotropic Medications, Weight Gain and Chronic Diseases in a Correctional Setting: Impact on Women’s Health

Background: Studies with non-incarcerated populations have found a relationship between psychotropic medications and metabolic side effects, such as weight gain. Few studies have investigated the relationship between psychotropic medications associated with weight gain in prisoners, despite data showing that 73% of female and 55% of male offenders have a mental health problem and 15% have had medications prescribed. Methods: This longitudinal study investigated the relationship among psychotropic medications and weight gain in prisoners. We hypothesized that women prescribed psychotropic medications gain more weight than men. Data were extracted from Department of Corrections’ electronic health records. All prisoners with active records that included weight pre and post initiation of psychotropic medication were included in the study. Results: Women were prescribed antidepressants in higher proportions compared to men (χ2 = 58.3, p \u3c .01). The differences for antipsychotics were not significant (χ2 = 2.3, p = .13). There were no significant gender differences regarding the percentage of inmates who gained weight. In regard to changes in weight (kg), women on antidepressants gained more weight (mean 6.4 kg) compared to men (mean 2.0 kg), which was significant (p \u3c .01). Although women prescribed antipsychotics gained an average of 8.8 kg compared to men prescribed antipsychotics, who gained an average of 1.6 kg, this difference was not significant (p = .12). Further, there were no weight gain differences in terms of race or age in contrast to non-incarcerated populations. Conclusions: The significant weight gain among women prisoners raises important questions about the effects of incarceration on women’s health. Despite the significantly greater weight gain among women prisoners, other correlates of weight gain found in non-incarcerated populations are not evident in corrections

Innovating Pedagogy 2015: Open University Innovation Report 4

This series of reports explores new forms of teaching, learning and assessment for an interactive world, to guide teachers and policy makers in productive innovation. This fourth report proposes ten innovations that are already in currency but have not yet had a profound influence on education. To produce it, a group of academics at the Institute of Educational Technology in The Open University collaborated with researchers from the Center for Technology in Learning at SRI International. We proposed a long list of new educational terms, theories, and practices. We then pared these down to ten that have the potential to provoke major shifts in educational practice, particularly in post-school education. Lastly, we drew on published and unpublished writings to compile the ten sketches of new pedagogies that might transform education. These are summarised below in an approximate order of immediacy and timescale to widespread implementation

Stories of God\u27s Love: Preschool Program (Ages 3-4)

Stories of God’s Love is a Bible-based program prepared by a team of respected preschool specialists from the University of Dayton and is written following the directives developed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The leaflet style format proclaims age appropriate Bible stories as well as contemporary stories which connect the scripture story to an everyday life experience of a preschool child. Seasonal leaflets introduce and explore holy days, holidays and the seasons of the year. A music component, poster set and program director manual completes the program. Multi-day and one-day guides are available

SIRT1-FOXO3a Regulate Cocaine Actions in the Nucleus Accumbens

Previous studies have shown that chronic cocaine administration induces SIRT1, a Class III histone deacetylase, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, and that such induction influences the gene regulation and place conditioning effects of cocaine. To determine the mechanisms by which SIRT1 mediates cocaine-induced plasticity in NAc, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq), 1 d after 7 daily cocaine (20 mg/kg) or saline injections, to map SIRT1 binding genome-wide in mouse NAc. Our unbiased results revealed two modes of SIRT1 action. First, despite its induction in NAc, chronic cocaine causes depletion of SIRT1 from most affected gene promoters in concert with enrichment of H4K16ac (itself a deacetylation target of SIRT1), which is associated with increased expression of these genes. Second, we deduced the forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) family to be a downstream mechanism through which SIRT1 regulates cocaine action. We proceeded to demonstrate that SIRT1 induction causes the deacetylation and activation of FOXO3a in NAc, which leads to the induction of several known FOXO3a gene targets in other systems. Finally, we directly establish a role for FOXO3a in promoting cocaine-elicited behavioral responses by use of viral-mediated gene transfer: we show that overexpressing FOXO3a in NAc enhances cocaine place conditioning. The discovery of these two actions of SIRT1 in NAc in the context of behavioral adaptations to cocaine represents an important step forward in advancing our understanding of the molecular adaptations underlying cocaine action.National Institute on Drug AbuseNational Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (U.S.)UNCF-Merc

SIRT1-FOXO3a Regulate Cocain Actions in the Nucleus Accumbens

Previous studies have shown that chronic cocain administration induces SIRT1, a Class III histone deacetylase, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, and that such induction influences the gene regulation and place conditioning effects of cocaine. To determine the mechanisms by which SIRT1 mediates cocaine-induced plasticity in NAc, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq), 1 d after 7 daily cocain (20 mg/kg) or saline injections, to map SIRT1 binding genome-wide in mouse NAc. Our unbiased results revealed two modes of SIRT1 action. First, despite its induction in NAc, chronic cocain causes depletion of SIRT1 from most affected gene promoters in concert with enrichment of H4K16ac (itself a deacetylation target of SIRT1), which is associated with increased expression of these genes. Second, we deduced the forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) familty to be a downstream mechanis through which SIRT1 regulates cocaine action. We proceeded to demonstrate that SIRT1 induction causes the deacetylation and activation of FOXO3a in NAc, which leads to the induction of several known FOXO3a gene targets in other systems. Finally, we directly establish a role for FOXO3a in promoting cocaine-elicited behavioral responses by use of viral-mediated gene transfer: we show that overexpressing FOXO3a in NAc enhances cocaine place conditioning. The discovery of these two actions of SIRT1 in NAc in the context of behavioral adaptations to cocaine represents an important step forward in advancing our understanding of the molecular adaptations underlying cocaine action

Racial differences in renal allograft survival: The role of systemic hypertension

Racial differences in renal allograft survival: The role of systemic hypertension. The rate of decline in the number of functioning renal allografts beyond the first year after transplantation has changed little in the last 25 years, and during long-term follow-up most allografts are lost due to chronic transplant rejection or patient death. The recipient race correlates with allograft survival, and African American recipients have a lower allograft survival than Caucasians. The goal of the present study was to identify clinical variables present during the first six months after transplantation that predict the loss of renal allografts beyond six months after transplantation, and in particular to determine the role of systemic hypertension on renal allograft survival in black and white recipients. This study includes 547 recipients of first cadaveric renal allografts performed at The Ohio State University. All patients were treated with a uniform immunosuppressive protocol and had a follow-up of at least three years. By multivariate analysis the following variables correlate with poor allograft survival: an elevated serum creatinine concentration measured six months after transplantation (SCr6mo) (P < 0.0001); black race (P < 0.0001); increasing numbers of acute rejection episodes (ATR) (P = 0.002); and young recipients (P = 0.026). Allograft survival is significantly worse in black (mean allograft half-life of 7.7 ± 1.3 years) than in white recipients (24 ± 3 years) (P < 0.0001). Black recipients also have a significantly higher six month average mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (105 ± 8 mm Hg) than white recipients (102 ± 7 mm Hg) (P = 0.002). However, the prevalence of hypertension is not significantly different in black (33%) than in white recipients (26%). Furthermore, increasing MAP levels correlate with a shorter allograft half-life in black recipients (P = 0.0002), but not in white recipients (P = 0.84). Allograft survival was eight times shorter in hypertensive black (3.1 ± 0.7 years) than in hypertensive white recipients (24.6 ± 7 years). In contrast, allograft survival was not statistically different between normotensive black and white patients. In conclusion, the presence of poorly controlled systemic hypertension, early after renal transplantation, correlates with poor allograft survival in black recipients. Thus, systemic hypertension may explain, in part, differences in renal allograft survival between black and white patients

Essential Role of SIRT1 Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens in Cocain and Morphine Action

Sirtuins (SIRTs), class III histone deacetylases, are well characterized for their control of cellular physiology in peripheral tissues, but their influence in brain under normal and pathological conditions remains poorly understood. Here, we establish an essential role for brain reward region. We show that chronic cocain administration increases SIRT1 and SIRT2 expression in the mouse NAc, while chronic morphine administration induces SIRT1 expression alone, with no regulation of all other sirtuin family members observed. Drug induction of SIRT1 and SIRT2 is mediated in part at the transcriptional level via the drug-induced transcription factor ΔFosB and is associated with robust histone modifications at the Sirt1 and Sirt2 genes. Viral-mediated overexpression of SIRT1 or SIRT2 in the NAc enhances the rewarding effects of both cocain and morphine. In contrast, the local knockdown of SIRT1 from the NAc of floxed Sirt1 mice decreases drug reward. Such behavioral effects of SIRT1 occur in concert with its regulation of numerous synaptic proteins in NAc as well as with SIRT1-mediated induction of dendritic spines on NAc medium spiny neurons. These studies establish sirtuins as key mediators of the molecular and cellular plasticity induced by drugs of abuse in NAc, and of the associated behavioral adaptations, and point towards novel signaling pathways involved in drug action