Physiological and Morphological Characterization of Genetically Defined Classes of Interneurons in Respiratory Rhythm and Pattern Generation in Neonatal Mice

Breathing in mammals depends on an inspiratory-related rhythm that is generated by glutamatergic neurons in the preBotzinger complex (preBotC), a specialized site of the lower brainstem. Rhythm-generating preBotC neurons are derived from a single lineage that expresses the transcription factor (TF) Dbx1, but the cellular mechanisms of rhythmogenesis remain incompletely understood. to elucidate these mechanisms we comparatively analyzed Dbx1-expressing neurons (Dbx1 +) and Dbxl- neurons in the preBotC in knock-in transgenic mice. Whole-cell recordings in rhythmically active newborn mouse slice preparations showed that Dbx1 + neurons activate earlier in the respiratory cycle and discharge greater magnitude inspiratory bursts compared to Dbxl - neurons. Furthermore, Dbx1+ neurons required significantly less input current to discharge spikes (rheobase) in the context of network activity. The expression of intrinsic membrane properties indicative of A-current (IA) and hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) was generally mutually exclusive in Dbx1 + neurons, which may indicate rhythmogenic function. In contrast, there was no such relationship in the expression of intrinsic currents I A and Ih in Dbxl- neurons. Confocal imaging and digital reconstruction of recorded neurons revealed dendritic spines on Dbxl- neurons, but Dbx1 + neurons were spineless. Dbx1 + neuron morphology was largely confined to the transverse plane whereas Dbxl- neurons projected dendrites to a greater extent in the parasagittal plane (rostrocaudally). A greater percentage of Dbx1 + neurons showed contralaterally projecting axons whereas Dbxl- neurons showed axons projecting in the rostral direction, which were severed by transverse cutting of the slice. Our data suggest that the rhythmogenic properties of Dbx1+ neurons include a higher level of intrinsic excitability that promotes burst generation in the context of network activity, which may be attributable to dendritic active properties that are recruited by excitatory synaptic transmission. Along with Dbxl, the TF Math1 has been shown to give rise to neurons that have important respiratory functions, including a potential role in coordinating the inspiratory and expiratory phases. to evaluate this role, we performed physiological and morphological characterizations of Math1+ neurons in transgenic mice and found that one out of six recorded Math1+ neurons showed expiratory activity. The expiratory Math1+ neuron appeared to be have a larger soma as well as a greater somatodendritic span in all axes (dorsal-ventral, medial-lateral and rostral-caudal) than the non-respiratory modulated Math1+ neurons. This suggests that respiratory modulated Math1+ neurons may be physiologically and morphologically specialized compared to non-rhythmic Mathl+ neurons. their larger morphological span and rhythmic expiratory modulation could be indicative of a function in coordinating phasic activity between inspiratory and expiratory oscillators. Although our findings are still preliminary, the data thus far are consistent with a hypothesized respiratory network model wherein the Math1+ neurons function in coordinating the pattern of inspiration and expiration. Identifying and characterizing hindbrain interneurons according to developmental genetic origins as well as physiological properties provides complementary information to help elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying the generation and coordination of the respiratory rhythm

Empirical Identification of Axis I and Axis II Symptom Subtypes of Sex Addiction Using Lateny Profile Analysis

Sexual addiction is a disorder characterized by lack of control over sexual urges, pathological relationships and lack of intimacy, mood-altering experiences, and adverse consequences that tend to be disregarded by the person affected. Although not classified as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV-TR (DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000) this distressful sexual manifestation is increasingly recognized as a clinical and public health problem. Previous studies suggest commonalities with addictive disorders and maladaptive personality traits. The purpose of the current study was to analyze personality configurations of individuals diagnosed as sex addicts and uncover specific subtypes or profiles associated to sexually addictive behaviors. The study used archival data from 222 individuals, mostly males, treated at a residential program for sex addiction. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was utilized to uncover latent classes by using scale scores from the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). The statistical analyses identified four latent classes for Axis I and five classes for Axis II corresponding to homogeneous subgroups of participants, and determined class membership. Findings were followed up with multivariate and univariate analyses of variances and discriminant analysis to better understand qualitative and quantitative differences among groups. Results revealed significant relationships between class membership and symptoms of Axis I and Axis II disorders measured by other screening tests: the Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Revised (SAST- R), the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Post Traumatic Stress Inventory (PTSI), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), as well as severity of sexually addictive behaviors, and specific types of behavioral manifestations of sexual addiction as measured by the Sexual Dependency Inventory (SDI-R). No relations were found with legal consequences of addictive behavior. Some implications for treatment of sexual addiction were also addressed

The Impact of the Cheaper Medicines Act on Households in Metro Manila: A Qualitative Study

This research forms part of the "Health Systems Research Management in the Department of Health (DOH)", a project funded by the DOH and implemented by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The study aimed to: determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the Cheaper Medicines Act (CMA) among households from three socioeconomic classes (SECs) - low income (Class DE), middle income (Class C), and high income (Class AB); and assess the impact of the key provisions and implementation of the CMA among these three classes of households. Information from this study would provide insights useful in identifying actions to improve the implementation of the CMA and increase its positive impact on the poorer sections of society.The main research methodology was focus group discussion (FGD) complemented by a review of related literature. A total of 62 respondents (Rs), all female, were selected from the three SECs based on the Philippine Marketing and Opinion Research Society (MORES) classification and on their being household (HH) decisionmakers on health matters. Nine FGDs were conducted in June 2013 - three from each SEC. All Rs were from Metro Manila since it is the biggest market for any product or service in the country

‘Why I Sent My Child Away’: Culturally Structured Motivations for Long-distance Parenting

Although long-distance parenting is often depicted as a response to crisis (e.g., economic) or other stressful life events, it is sometimes undertaken in various culturally normative situations. This current study explores the motivations of South Asian Indian immigrant parents for sending their young children to India to live temporarily with their grandparents. This qualitative study involves in-depth interviews with first generation immigrant parents about their experiences and motivations for sending their children to India. Analysis of the data revealed five themes, namely, (a) contextual and daily challenges in caring for their children in the United States, (b) parents’ concern around paid group childcare, (c) grandparents as ideal caregivers but unable to stay in the United States, (d) presence of other extended network of relationships and support in India and (e) parents wanting their children to maintain their language and customs. Findings suggest culturally grounded beliefs around optimal childrearing (e.g., grandparents as ideal caregivers, presence of extended network of support in India and maintaining Indian traditions and values) and parents’ contextual needs (e.g., parents’ busy schedule around job and education) when traditional caregiving context changes due to migration to a new country. Implications for researchers are discussed

Selected Private Higher Educational Institutions In Metro Manila: A DEA Efficiency Measurement

This paper measures the technical efficiency of 16 selected colleges and universities in Metro Manila, Philippines, using academic data for the SY 2001 – 2005. Using the data envelopment analysis (DEA), on average, schools posted 0.807 index score and need additional 19.3% efficiency growth to be efficient. Overall, there are top four efficient schools, with an average technical efficiency score between 99-100%, representing 25% of the sample. The slacks and efficient targets results have school’s policy decision-making implications: Through DEA, schools have a reference set of actual values and accurate information for performance improvement on their resource allocation usage and output targets. The benchmarking characteristics of DEA may help school’s administrators aspire for better performance by learning from other efficient schools. 

The Family Mealtime Study: Parent Socialization and Context During Family Meals

Research on the family mealtime has shown its importance for youths\u27 dietary attitudes and behaviors. Youths who have more frequent family meals often have more healthful dietary behaviors. However, little is known about the context and processes related to how family mealtimes affect youths\u27 dietary behaviors. To address this gap, we examined the context of family mealtimes and parent socialization that occurs during family meals through mealtime observations and interviews. Family mealtimes are valued by parents, and our findings can be useful to Extension professionals in educating parents and families regarding shaping of family mealtimes, feeding strategies, and nutrition

Introduction to \u3ci\u3eParenting from Afar and the Reconfiguration of Family Across Distance\u3c/i\u3e

Anthropologists have provided a rich research literature on family life, documenting the quite extreme variations in emotional and interactional closeness of the husband-wife relationship with respect to sleeping, eating, work, and leisure. For example, John and Beatrice Whiting (l975a) studied the dimension of what they characterized as husband-wife aloofness versus intimacy:\u27 They and other anthropologists have correlated this dimension of husband-wife closeness with male cross-sex identity, male involvement in warfare and group defense (extensive vs. unpredictable), marriage type (monogamous vs. polygynous), household structure (nuclear vs. extended, joint, or polygynous), preferred leisure and work partners (same-gender vs. mixed gender, paternal interaction with infants and young children (extensive vs. minimal), and other facets of culture, economy, and society (e.g., Chasdi, 1994; Harkness, Mavridis, Uu, & Super, 2015; Shwalb & Shwalb, 2015; Whiting & Edwards, 1988; Whiting & Whiting, 1975b). Yet, in all of the common household and normative arrangements, sets of parents and children nevertheless tend to live their days and nights, if not dwelling under the same roof and sharing common social space in at least part of the same homestead or compound except during times while the father was away at war or engaged in other temporary demands related to livestock or subsistence agriculture. It seems that although definitions of family constellation and household structure have been found to vary by culture, in general, parental-child units in the past were usually found to dwell in close geographic proximity to one another. This expectation included the cases of one husband with multiple wives and sets of children, commonly found, for example, in sub-Saharan Africa; in the husband-wife-children units deeply embedded in complex multigenerational joint family compounds, commonly found in India, Pakistan, and other parts of the Mideast and Southeast Asia; and in the single mother-children-but no husband or partner units that have become highly frequent in all countries with complex and stratified industrial economies in North and South America and Western Europe. Thus, what is striking in the contemporary world is that the very expectation for geographic unity of parents and children is in the process of a profound reworking to include a greater diversity in constellations of family life that exists around the world. Increased migration and mobility, as well as societal shifts, have challenged these traditional notions, yet much of mainstream research and prevailing societal views rely on past notions of the family as a cohesive unit in one domicile or set of contiguous domiciles (de Guzman, 2014; Smith, 1993). The present volume is dedicated to examining the various circumstances surrounding nuclear and extended family life across physical distance, how families operate and maintain ties in the context of dispersal, and how the very notion of family is redefined in these various settings. Research on the topic of long-distance family life has flourished in recent years as scholars from various disciplines-anthropology, sociology, migration studies, feminist studies, and psychology-have paid closer attention to the experience, causes, and consequences of separation from the individual to the societal level. This volume brings together scholars representing these various perspectives and fields of study, utilizing diverse methodologies and approaches, and examining family separation in numerous geographical location

Evaluation of the Health Rocks! Program: The Association of Youth Engagement with Program Outcomes

This evaluation research examined the relationship between program process and program outcome, specifically, youth engagement in the national 4-H Council Health Rocks! program and their program outcomes. Based on program evaluation surveys completed after the program by participants, youths’ engagement in the program was associated with their gains in knowledge and skills about substance use, and personal assets related to avoiding risks. When youth participants find a program interesting, are actively engaged in the program, and find the program staff friendly, they benefit more from the program. Findings underscore the importance of engaging curriculum and friendly staff to the success of extension or afterschool youth programs. The evaluation method may offer an example of balancing rigor of evaluation design and feasibility of implementing an evaluation

Flood Insurance as a Flood Management Tool: An Economic Perspective

Flood insurance is an insurance contract that covers losses to properties caused by flooding. Although floods affect Asia more than any other continent in the world, flood insurance is still at its nascent stage in the region. This paper explores the potentials and challenges of adapting flood insurance to the Asian setting. Due to the need to explore alternative flood management schemes and the context-specificity of flooding, country-specific design and testing of a feasible flood insurance is deemed necessary. This paper presents key aspects of flood insurance including economic design issues

Perceived social support networks and prosocial outcomes among Latino/a youth in the United States

This study examines Latino/a adolescents’ perceived sources and types of social support, and links between social support and prosocial tendencies. Latino/a adolescents (N=126) in Midwestern United States participated in the study. Respondents of higher generational status reported broader social support networks and a higher amount of overall social support compared to peers of lower generational status. Youth perceived the highest amount of social support from immediate family, followed by extended family, and lastly from non-kin individuals. Path analysis indicated that overall social support was directly and positively associated with altruistic prosocial tendencies, and directly and negatively associated with public prosocial tendencies. Social support was indirectly related to altruistic, public, dire and emotional prosocial tendencies variably mediated by empathy, perspective taking and self-efficacy. La percepción de las redes de apoyo social y resultados prosociales entre Latino / a jóvenes en los Estados Unidos de América: Resumen: Este estudio examin los fuentes y tipos de apollo social entre adolescentes Latinos/Latinas en los Estados Unidos, y la relación entre apollo social y tendencias prosociales. Los adolescentes Latinos (N=126) participaron en el estudio. Los encuestados de un estado generacional más alto reportaron redes de apollo social que eran más extensos y más apollo social en general que sus compañeros de un estado generacional más bajo. Adolescentes percibieron lo más apollo social de la familia inmediata, seguido por la familia extendida, y por ultimo de las personas en no eran de la familia. Un análisis de ruto demostró que apollo social en general se asoció directamente y positivamente con las tendencias altruistas de conductas prosociales, y se asoció directamente y negativamente con tendencias prosociales en pública. Apollo social se asoció indirectamente con tendencias prosociales de altruismo, pública, tendencias horrendas, y emoción y son mediados por empatía, toma de perspectiva, y auto-eficacia