Changes in neuronal activity across the mouse ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in response to low glucose: evaluation using an extracellular multi‐electrode array approach

The hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) is involved in maintaining systemic glucose homeostasis. Neurophysiological studies in rodent brain slices have identified populations of VMN glucose‐sensing neurones: glucose‐excited (GE) neurones, cells which increased their firing rate in response to increases in glucose concentration, and glucose‐inhibited (GI) neurones, which show a reduced firing frequency in response to increasing glucose concentrations. To date, most slice electrophysiological studies characterising VMN glucose‐sensing neurones in rodents have utilised the patch clamp technique. Multi‐electrode arrays (MEAs) are a state‐of‐the‐art electrophysiological tool enabling the electrical activity of many cells to be recorded across multiple electrode sites (channels) simultaneously. We used a perforated MEA (pMEA) system to evaluate electrical activity changes across the dorsal‐ventral extent of the mouse VMN region in response to alterations in glucose concentration. Because intrinsic (ie, direct postsynaptic sensing) and extrinsic (ie, presynaptically modulated) glucosensation were not discriminated, we use the terminology ‘GE/presynaptically excited by an increase (PER)’ and ‘GI/presynaptically excited by a decrease (PED)’ in the present study to describe responsiveness to changes in extracellular glucose across the mouse VMN. We observed that 15%‐60% of channels were GE/PER, whereas 2%‐7% were GI/PED channels. Within the dorsomedial portion of the VMN (DM‐VMN), significantly more channels were GE/PER compared to the ventrolateral portion of the VMN (VL‐VMN). However, GE/PER channels within the VL‐VMN showed a significantly higher basal firing rate in 2.5 mmol l‐1 glucose than DM‐VMN GE/PER channels. No significant difference in the distribution of GI/PED channels was observed between the VMN subregions. The results of the present study demonstrate the utility of the pMEA approach for evaluating glucose responsivity across the mouse VMN. pMEA studies could be used to refine our understanding of other neuroendocrine systems by examining population level changes in electrical activity across brain nuclei, thus providing key functional neuroanatomical information to complement and inform the design of single‐cell neurophysiological studies

LYVE1 Marks the Divergence of Yolk Sac Definitive Hemogenic Endothelium from the Primitive Erythroid Lineage.

The contribution of the different waves and sites of developmental hematopoiesis to fetal and adult blood production remains unclear. Here, we identify lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE1) as a marker of yolk sac (YS) endothelium and definitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Endothelium in mid-gestation YS and vitelline vessels, but not the dorsal aorta and placenta, were labeled by Lyve1-Cre. Most YS HSPCs and erythro-myeloid progenitors were Lyve1-Cre lineage traced, but primitive erythroid cells were not, suggesting that they represent distinct lineages. Fetal liver (FL) and adult HSPCs showed 35%-40% Lyve1-Cre marking. Analysis of circulation-deficient Ncx1-/- concepti identified the YS as a major source of Lyve1-Cre labeled HSPCs. FL proerythroblast marking was extensive at embryonic day (E) 11.5-13.5, but decreased to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) levels by E16.5, suggesting that HSCs from multiple sources became responsible for erythropoiesis. Lyve1-Cre thus marks the divergence between YS primitive and definitive hematopoiesis and provides a tool for targeting YS definitive hematopoiesis and FL colonization

Re-Examining the Impact of Credit Risk on Profitability of Banks:Panel Evidence from Ghana

Credit risk management has become an instrument for the survival and growth of financial institutions.  The major cause of banking problems has been identified as ineffective credit risk management. The Ghanaian banking sector is currently undergoing significant reforms which have led to some banks being collapse whiles others consolidated. This study seeks to re-examine the impact of credit risk on the profitability of Banks in Ghana. Panel data covering the period of 2010-2015 was gathered from 20 banks. Three determinants of credit risk were selected. These are asset quality, non-performing loan, and liquidity. Return on Asset (ROA) was employed as a measure of profitability.  We found that that while the relationship between asset quality, non-performing loan and profitability were statistically significant, the relationship between liquidity ratio and banks’ profitability was found to be insignificant. This shows that banks with huge non- performing loans are less profitable and prone to a high rate solvency rate. Based on the result of the study, it is recommended that banks should adopt and implement effective credit risk management strategies as it will enhance their profitability. Keywords: Asset Quality Credit risk, Ghana, Non- performing loans. Liquidity Risk. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-5-0

Assessment of the Provision and Use of Emergency Assistance, Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, and Shelter in Hennepin County

Capstone paper for the fulfillment of the Master of Public Policy degree.Over 1,400 families experience homelessness every night in Hennepin County, and thousands more are at serious risk of entering shelter (Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness, 2017). In order to more effectively target services, county officials would like to understand the demographic characteristics and service use patterns of families at risk of entering shelter. This project aims to provide Hennepin County with more information about who is accessing its services and when they are accessing them; specifically addressing these questions: ● How do families who receive Emergency Assistance (EA), Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP), or enter shelter compare across demographics and service use? ● Of those who received EA, FHPAP, or shelter services, how many also received services (i.e., EA, FHPAP) before and when? ● To what extent do families that come to the county for homelessness prevention or homelessness assistance follow Hennepin County’s expected pathway of services: emergency assistance, community prevention (FHPAP), and shelter? ● Of those who received prevention (i.e., EA, FHPAP), how many also entered shelter within one year? Does Hennepin County target its services (i.e., EA, FHPAP) to those most at risk of entering shelter? Our research team conducted quantitative analysis on household heads who received homelessness prevention and assistance services from the County. Data on household heads included demographics and use of other county-administered government services. Samples were constructed to look backwards and forwards from families’ interactions with homelessness prevention and assistance services to understand the use and effectiveness of these services. Our research found the majority of families accessing preventive services had a female head of household between the ages of 25 to 34 with one to two children. Relative to their populations in Hennepin County, African American families were disproportionately represented in use of preventative services and shelter. American Indian families were disproportionately represented in shelter and underserved by EA and FHPAP

Transition Metal Dopants Essential for Producing Ferromagnetism in Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Recent claims that ferromagnetism can be produced in nanoparticles of metal oxides without the presence of transition metal dopants have been challenged in this work by investigating 62 high quality well-characterized nanoparticle samples of both undoped and Fe doped (0-10% Fe) ZnO. The undoped ZnO nanoparticles showed zero or negligible magnetization, without any dependence on the nanoparticle size. However, chemically synthesized Zn1-xFexO nanoparticles showed clear ferromagnetism, varying systematically with Fe concentration. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of Zn1-xFexO nanoparticles showed strong dependence on the reaction media used to prepare the samples. The zeta potentials of the Zn1-xFexO nanoparticles prepared using different reaction media were significantly different, indicating strong differences in the surface structure. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies indicate that the difference in the ferromagnetic properties of Zn1-xFexO nanoparticles with different surface structures originates from differences in the fraction of the doped Fe ions that participate in ferromagnetic resonance

Three-dimensional Ultrasound Volume Measurements in an Aortic Aneurysm Model

Measuring the aneurysm sac’s size is vital in postoperative surveillance following endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms.  A three-dimensional ultrasound technique may enable accurate volume measurements.  However, there is no validation of any commercially   available electro-mechanical 3D ultrasound equipment or of the software used when measuring the volume of the aortic aneurysm sac. This investigation used a phantom model to study a three-dimensional ultrasound technique on aortic aneurysm sac volume measurements.  High volume measurement accuracy indicates that this method may be useful for postoperative surveillance following endovascular aortic aneurysm operations.  These results must be confirmed in clinical studies

Conflicting Values

Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the dilemma’s, the conflicting values, and their underlying factors that Dutch midwives experience when they find it difficult to conform to, or to accommodate women’s care needs. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 11 community-based midwives using narrative inquiry.Findings: Three themes emerged: (1) Loyalty - the conflict between wanting to be loyal to the woman’s wishes and expectations AND to guidelines, scientific evidence and to the collaborative relationships with other professionals – the value of women’s childbirth experiences versus the value of good health outcomes (influenced by the midwife’s risk perception, the healthcare system and organization of care). (2) Responsibility - the conflict between respecting the woman AND doing her justice as a person and the social norm in maternity services - women’s autonomy and individuality versus the midwife’s accountability and responsibility (influenced by fear and wanting to “do good”). (3) Selfhood - the conflict between the woman’s self-assertive behavior in pursuing her needs AND the midwife’s professional behavior - the woman as self-expert versus the midwife’s professional identity (influenced by control, experience, knowledge, and contextual issues). Conclusion: Midwives encounter women and colleagues whose wishes and norms lead to dilemmas and conflicts they need to manage in everyday practice. Education and supervision should involve the discussion and questioning of values

Conflicting Values

Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the dilemma’s, the conflicting values, and their underlying factors that Dutch midwives experience when they find it difficult to conform to, or to accommodate women’s care needs. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 11 community-based midwives using narrative inquiry.Findings: Three themes emerged: (1) Loyalty - the conflict between wanting to be loyal to the woman’s wishes and expectations AND to guidelines, scientific evidence and to the collaborative relationships with other professionals – the value of women’s childbirth experiences versus the value of good health outcomes (influenced by the midwife’s risk perception, the healthcare system and organization of care). (2) Responsibility - the conflict between respecting the woman AND doing her justice as a person and the social norm in maternity services - women’s autonomy and individuality versus the midwife’s accountability and responsibility (influenced by fear and wanting to “do good”). (3) Selfhood - the conflict between the woman’s self-assertive behavior in pursuing her needs AND the midwife’s professional behavior - the woman as self-expert versus the midwife’s professional identity (influenced by control, experience, knowledge, and contextual issues). Conclusion: Midwives encounter women and colleagues whose wishes and norms lead to dilemmas and conflicts they need to manage in everyday practice. Education and supervision should involve the discussion and questioning of values

Evaluating the diagnostic and triage performance of digital and online symptom checkers for the presentation of myocardial infarction; A retrospective cross-sectional study

Online symptom checkers are increasingly popular health technologies that enable patients to input their symptoms to produce diagnoses and triage advice. However, there is concern regarding the performance and safety of symptom checkers in diagnosing and triaging patients with life-threatening conditions. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate and compare commercially available symptom checkers for performance in diagnosing and triaging myocardial infarctions (MI). Symptoms and biodata of MI patients were inputted into 8 symptom checkers identified through a systematic search. Anonymised clinical data of 100 consecutive MI patients were collected from a tertiary coronary intervention centre between 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. Outcomes included (1) diagnostic sensitivity as defined by symptom checkers outputting MI as the primary diagnosis (D1), or one of the top three (D3), or top five diagnoses (D5); and (2) triage sensitivity as defined by symptom checkers outputting urgent treatment recommendations. Overall D1 sensitivity was 48±31% and varied between symptom checkers (range: 6–85%). Overall D3 and D5 sensitivity were 73±20% (34–92%) and 79±14% (63–94%), respectively. Overall triage sensitivity was 83±13% (55–91%). 24±16% of atypical cases had a correct D1 though for female atypical cases D1 sensitivity was only 10%. Atypical MI D3 and D5 sensitivity were 44±21% and 48±24% respectively and were significantly lower than typical MI cases (p<0.01). Atypical MI triage sensitivity was significantly lower than typical cases (53±20% versus 84±15%, p<0.01). Female atypical cases had significantly lower diagnostic and triage sensitivity than typical female MI cases (p<0.01).Given the severity of the pathology, the diagnostic performance of symptom checkers for correctly diagnosing an MI is concerningly low. Moreover, there is considerable inter-symptom checker performance variation. Patients presenting with atypical symptoms were under-diagnosed and under-triaged, especially if female. This study highlights the need for improved clinical performance, equity and transparency associated with these technologies