The role of weighing-bathing sequence and postmenstrual age in eliciting adaptive/maladaptive responses in very low birth weight preterm infants

Purpose: In the neonatal intensive care unit, preterm infants are exposed to several stressful stimuli. Inappropriate stimulation led to high risk for short- and long-term neurocognitive disabilities. This study aimed to evaluate whether the sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and postmenstrual age (PMA) have any effect on preterm infants' stress responses. Design and Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study on a sample of 21 preterm infants. Responses to the procedures were assessed using an observational sheet based on Als's Synactive Theory of Development. Autonomic and motor responses were scored according to five-point Likert scales. The order of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and PMA were documented. Effects of weighing/bathing execution sequence and PMA on autonomic and motor response scores were analyzed by linear multiple regression analysis. Results: The sequence of execution had a significant effect on the autonomic score during weighing (p =.035), evidencing more stress when weighing was executed first. A higher level of stress response on the autonomic score during both weighing (p =.015) and bathing (p =.018) procedure was independently associated with a lower infant PMA. Conclusions and Practice Implications: The real-time recognition of adaptive/maladaptive responses allows nurses to personalize their approach to preterm infants, taking into account PMA and adjusting the appropriate sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures

The tricellular vertex-specific adhesion molecule Sidekick facilitates polarised cell intercalation during Drosophila axis extension.

In epithelia, tricellular vertices are emerging as important sites for the regulation of epithelial integrity and function. Compared to bicellular contacts, however, much less is known. In particular, resident proteins at tricellular vertices were identified only at occluding junctions, with none known at adherens junctions (AJs). In a previous study, we discovered that in Drosophila embryos, the adhesion molecule Sidekick (Sdk), well-known in invertebrates and vertebrates for its role in the visual system, localises at tricellular vertices at the level of AJs. Here, we survey a wide range of Drosophila epithelia and establish that Sdk is a resident protein at tricellular AJs (tAJs), the first of its kind. Clonal analysis showed that two cells, rather than three cells, contributing Sdk are sufficient for tAJ localisation. Super-resolution imaging using structured illumination reveals that Sdk proteins form string-like structures at vertices. Postulating that Sdk may have a role in epithelia where AJs are actively remodelled, we analysed the phenotype of sdk null mutant embryos during Drosophila axis extension using quantitative methods. We find that apical cell shapes are abnormal in sdk mutants, suggesting a defect in tissue remodelling during convergence and extension. Moreover, adhesion at apical vertices is compromised in rearranging cells, with apical tears in the cortex forming and persisting throughout axis extension, especially at the centres of rosettes. Finally, we show that polarised cell intercalation is decreased in sdk mutants. Mathematical modelling of the cell behaviours supports the notion that the T1 transitions of polarised cell intercalation are delayed in sdk mutants, in particular in rosettes. We propose that this delay, in combination with a change in the mechanical properties of the converging and extending tissue, causes the abnormal apical cell shapes in sdk mutant embryos

Prevalence of nursing diagnoses as a measure of nursing complexity in a hospital setting

Aims: To describe the prevalence of nursing diagnoses on admission among inpatient units and medical diagnoses and to analyse the relationship of nursing diagnoses to patient characteristics and hospital outcomes. Background: Nursing diagnoses classify patients according to nursing dependency and can be a measure of nursing complexity. Knowledge regarding the prevalence of nursing diagnoses on admission and their relationship with hospital outcomes is lacking. Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Data were collected for 6 months in 2014 in four inpatient units of an Italian hospital using a nursing information system and the hospital discharge register. Nursing diagnoses with prevalence higher or equal to 20% were considered as \u2018high frequency.\u2019 Nursing diagnoses with statistically significant relationships with either higher mortality or length of stay were considered as \u2018high risk.\u2019 The high-frequency/high-risk category of nursing diagnoses was identified. Results: The sample included 2283 patients. A mean of 4\ub75 nursing diagnoses per patient was identified; this number showed a statistically significant difference among inpatient units and medical diagnoses. Six nursing diagnoses were classified as high frequency/high risk. Nursing diagnoses were not correlated with patient gender and age. A statistically significant perfect linear association (Spearman's correlation coefficient) was observed between the number of nursing diagnoses and both the length of stay and the mortality rate. Conclusion: Nursing complexity, as described by nursing diagnoses, was shown to be associated with length of stay and mortality. These results should be confirmed after considering other variables through multivariate analyses. The concept of high-frequency/high-risk nursing diagnoses should be expanded in further studies

Vibrational dynamics of rutile-type GeO2 from micro-Raman spectroscopy experiments and first-principles calculations

The vibrational dynamics of germanium dioxide in the rutile structure has been investigated by using polarized micro-Raman scattering spectroscopy coupled with first-principles calculations. Raman spectra were carried out in backscattering geometry at room temperature from micro-crystalline samples either unoriented or oriented by means of a micromanipulator, which enabled successful detection and identification of all the Raman active modes expected on the basis of the group theory. In particular, the Eg mode, incorrectly assigned or not detected in the literature, has been definitively observed by us and unambiguously identified at 525 cm 12 1 under excitation by certain laser lines, thus revealing an unusual resonance phenomenon. First principles calculations within the framework of the density functional theory allow quantifying both wave number and intensity of the Raman vibrational spectra. The excellent agreement between calculated and experimental data corroborates the reliability of our findings

Giant Negative Thermal Expansion Induced by the Synergistic Effects of Ferroelectrostriction and Spin-Crossover in PbTiO3-Based Perovskites

The discovery of unusual negative thermal expansion (NTE) provides the opportunity to control the common but much desired property of thermal expansion, which is valuable not only in scientific interests but also in practical applications. However, most of the available NTE materials are limited to a narrow temperature range, and the NTE effect is generally weakened by means of various modifications. Here, we report an enhanced NTE effect that occurs over a wide temperature range (\alpha V = -5.24 * 10-5 {\deg}C^-1, 25-575 {\deg} C), and this NTE effect is accompanied by an abnormal enhanced tetragonality, a large spontaneous polarization, and a G-type antiferromagnetic ordering in the present perovskite-type ferroelectric of (1-x)PbTiO3-xBiCoO3. Specifically, for the composition of 0.5PbTiO3-0.5BiCoO3, an extensive volumetric contraction of ~4.8 % has been observed near the Curie temperature of 700 {\deg}C, which represents the highest level in PbTiO3-based ferroelectrics. According to our experimental and theoretical results, the giant NTE originates from a synergistic effect of the ferroelectrostriction and spin-crossover of cobalt on the crystal lattice. The actual NTE mechanism is contrasted with previous functional NTE materials, in which the NTE is simply coupled with one ordering such as electronic, magnetic, or ferroelectric ordering. The present study sheds light on the understanding of NTE mechanisms and it attests that NTE could be simultaneouslycoupled with different orderings, which will pave a new way toward the design of large NTE materials.Comment: 30 page

Cholesterol metabolism is a potential therapeutic target in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal muscle disease detected in approximately 1:5000 male births. DMD is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, encoding a critical protein that links the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix in skeletal and cardiac muscles. The primary consequence of the disrupted link between the extracellular matrix and the myofibre actin cytoskeleton is thought to involve sarcolemma destabilization, perturbation of Ca homeostasis, activation of proteases, mitochondrial damage, and tissue degeneration. A recently emphasized secondary aspect of the dystrophic process is a progressive metabolic change of the dystrophic tissue; however, the mechanism and nature of the metabolic dysregulation are yet poorly understood. In this study, we characterized a molecular mechanism of metabolic perturbation in DMD. Methods: We sequenced plasma miRNA in a DMD cohort, comprising 54 DMD patients treated or not by glucocorticoid, compared with 27 healthy controls, in three groups of the ages of 4–8, 8–12, and 12–20 years. We developed an original approach for the biological interpretation of miRNA dysregulation and produced a novel hypothesis concerning metabolic perturbation in DMD. We used the mdx mouse model for DMD for the investigation of this hypothesis. Results: We identified 96 dysregulated miRNAs (adjusted P-value <0.1), of which 74 were up-regulated and 22 were down-regulated in DMD. We confirmed the dysregulation in DMD of Dystro-miRs, Cardio-miRs, and a large number of the DLK1-DIO3 miRNAs. We also identified numerous dysregulated miRNAs yet unreported in DMD. Bioinformatics analysis of both target and host genes for dysregulated miRNAs predicted that lipid metabolism might be a critical metabolic perturbation in DMD. Investigation of skeletal muscles of the mdx mouse uncovered dysregulation of transcription factors of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism (SREBP-1 and SREBP-2), perturbation of the mevalonate pathway, and the accumulation of cholesterol in the dystrophic muscles. Elevated cholesterol level was also found in muscle biopsies of DMD patients. Treatment of mdx mice with Simvastatin, a cholesterol-reducing agent, normalized these perturbations and partially restored the dystrophic parameters. Conclusions: This investigation supports that cholesterol metabolism and the mevalonate pathway are potential therapeutic targets in DMD. 2

Vibrational dynamics of rutile-type GeO2 from micro-Raman spectroscopy experiments and first-principles calculations

The vibrational dynamics of germanium dioxide in the rutile structure has been investigated by using polarized micro-Raman scattering spectroscopy coupled with first-principles calculations. Raman spectra were carried out in backscattering geometry at room temperature from micro-crystalline samples either unoriented or oriented by means of a micromanipulator, which enabled successful detection and identification of all the Raman active modes expected on the basis of the group theory. In particular, the Eg mode, incorrectly assigned or not detected in the literature, has been definitively observed by us and unambiguously identified at 525 cm − 1 under excitation by certain laser lines, thus revealing an unusual resonance phenomenon. First principles calculations within the framework of the density functional theory allow quantifying both wave number and intensity of the Raman vibrational spectra. The excellent agreement between calculated and experimental data corroborates the reliability of our findings

Polarized micro-Raman spectroscopy and ab initio phonon modes calculations of LuPO4

The vibrational dynamics of lutetium orthophosphate (LuPO4) single crystals was carefully investigated by means of polarized micro-Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Eleven of the twelve independent components of the polarizability tensor, expected on the basis of the group theory for LuPO4, were selected in turn and assigned in symmetry. The only B1g(2) Raman mode was not observed, likewise due to either its very small intensity or its nearness in energy with forbidden Raman modes, which spill and could hide it. Both Raman and infrared vibrational modes are evaluated by densityfunctional theory calculations using effective core pseudo-potential. The agreement between calculated and experimental frequencies is very good. On the basis of our ab initio results, and of reduced-mass ratio considerations, the expected wavenumber of the missing B1g (2) mode falls close to that of Eg(3) mode peaked at about 306 cm1, and therefore we can definitively conclude that the observation of the missing B1g (2) mode is masked by the spill-over of this Eg mode

Survival and dispersal of a defined cohort of Irish cattle

An understanding of livestock movement is critical to effective disease prevention, control and prediction. However, livestock movement in Ireland has not yet been quantified. This study has sought to define the survival and dispersal of a defined cohort of cattle born in Co. Kerry during 2000. The cohort was observed for a maximum of four years, from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004. Beef and dairy animals moved an average 1.31 and 0.83 times, respectively. At study end, 18.8% of the beef animals remained alive on Irish farms, including 6.7% at the farm-of-birth, compared with 48.6% and 27.7% for dairy animals respectively. Beef animals werae dispersed to all Irish counties, but mainly to Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway. Dairy animals mainly moved to Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary, with less animals going to Galway, Meath and Kilkenny. The four-year survival probability was 0.07 (male beef animals), 0.25 (male dairy), 0.38 (female beef), and 0.72 (female dairy). Although there was considerable dispersal, the number of moves per animal was less than expected