Small is fast: astrocytic glucose and lactate metabolism at cellular resolution

Brain tissue is highly dynamic in terms of electrical activity and energy demand. Relevant energy metabolites have turnover times ranging from milliseconds to seconds and are rapidly exchanged between cells and within cells. Until recently these fast metabolic events were inaccessible, because standard isotopic techniques require use of populations of cells and/or involve integration times of tens of minutes. Thanks to fluorescent probes and recently available genetically-encoded optical nanosensors, this Technology Report shows how it is now possible to monitor the concentration of metabolites in real-time and in single cells. In combination with ad hoc inhibitor-stop protocols, these probes have revealed a key role for K(+) in the acute stimulation of astrocytic glycolysis by synaptic activity. They have also permitted detection of the Warburg effect in single cancer cells. Genetically-encoded nanosensors currently exist for glucose, lactate, NADH and ATP, and it is envisaged that other metabolite nanosensors will soon be available. These optical tools together with improved expression systems and in vivo imaging, herald an exciting era of single-cell metabolic analysis

The role of academic mentors for Latino/a adolescents exposed to community violence

AimsWe examined the protective role of academic mentors for Latino/a youth exposed to community violence. We tested whether the mentor facilitation of positive growth and mentor school involvement moderated the relations between exposure to violence and Latino/a youth’s educational values, school effort, and academic efficacy.MethodsWe used hierarchical linear regressions to examine these relations among 210 Latino/a high school students.ResultsWitnessing violence and personal victimization was negatively related to all three educational outcomes. Mentor school involvement was positively related to all three educational outcomes, whereas mentor facilitation of growth was positively related to educational values only. A significant interaction between witnessing violence and mentor school involvement indicated that the negative relation between witnessing violence and educational values weakened at high levels of mentor school involvement.ConclusionWe discuss the benefits of academic mentoring and exploring effective mentoring characteristics with Latino/a youth exposed to violence.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150558/1/jcop22189_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150558/2/jcop22189.pd

Neighborhood Influences on Perceived Social Support Among Parents: Findings from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods

Background: Social support is frequently linked to positive parenting behavior. Similarly, studies increasingly show a link between neighborhood residential environment and positive parenting behavior. However, less is known about how the residential environment influences parental social support. To address this gap, we examine the relationship between neighborhood concentrated disadvantage and collective efficacy and the level and change in parental caregiver perceptions of non-familial social support. Methodology/Principal Findings: The data for this study came from three data sources, the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) Study's Longitudinal Cohort Survey of caregivers and their offspring, a Community Survey of adult residents in these same neighborhoods and the 1990 Census. Social support is measured at Wave 1 and Wave 3 and neighborhood characteristics are measured at Wave 1. Multilevel linear regression models are fit. The results show that neighborhood collective efficacy is a significant ($\beta$ = .04; SE = .02; p = .03), predictor of the positive change in perceived social support over a 7 year period, however, not of the level of social support, adjusting for key compositional variables and neighborhood concentrated disadvantage. In contrast concentrated neighborhood disadvantage is not a significant predictor of either the level or change in social support. Conclusion: Our finding suggests that neighborhood collective efficacy may be important for inducing the perception of support from friends in parental caregivers over time

Parents’ Promotion of Psychological Autonomy, Psychological Control, and Mexican–American Adolescents’ Adjustment

Mexican–American adolescents are at an elevated risk for adjustment difficulties. In an effort to identify parenting practices that can affect the adjustment of Mexican–American youth, the current study examined parents’ promotion of psychological autonomy and parents’ psychological control as perceived by Mexican–American early adolescents, and explored their associations with adolescents’ adjustment in the context of acculturation. In 5th grade, 134 (54.5% female) Mexican–American adolescents reported on their acculturation level and the parenting practices of their mothers and fathers. In 5th and 7th grade, adolescents also reported on their depressive symptoms, number of delinquent friends, and self-worth. Perceptions of promotion of psychological autonomy and of psychological control were positively correlated. However, perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy and of less psychological control predicted fewer depressive symptoms 2 years later. Perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy also predicted fewer delinquent friends two years later. Finally, perceptions of more promotion of psychological autonomy predicted higher self-worth only among less acculturated adolescents. The study underscores the roles that promotion of psychological autonomy and psychological control may play in Mexican–American children’s well-being during early adolescence

Single Parenting and Child Behavior Problems in Kindergarten

Two waves of data from a sample of 89 poor and near-poor single black mothers and their preschool children were used to study the influences of parenting stress, physical discipline practices, and nonresident fathers’ relations with their children on behavior problems in kindergarten. The results indicate that higher levels of parent stress, more frequent spanking, and less frequent father–child contact at time 1 were associated with increased teacher-reported behavior problems at time 2. In addition, more frequent contact between nonresident biological fathers and their children moderated the negative effect of harsh discipline by mothers on subsequent child behavior problems. Specifically, when contact with the father was low, maternal spanking resulted in elevated levels of behavior problems; with average contact, this negative effect of spanking was muted; and with high contact, spanking was not associated with increased behavior problems in kindergarten. The implications of these findings for future research and policy are discussed

Documenting adaptations to an evidence-based intervention in 58 resource-variable pediatric oncology hospitals across implementation phases

Background Adaptation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often occurs when implemented in new local contexts and settings. It is unclear, however, during which phase of implementation adaptations are most frequently made and how these changes may impact the fidelity, effectiveness, and sustainability of the EBI. Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS) are EBIs for early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer. This study evaluates adaptations of PEWS made among resource-variable pediatric oncology hospitals in Latin America implementing and sustaining PEWS. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among pediatric oncology centers participating in Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), a collaborative to implement PEWS. Adaptations to PEWS were assessed via 3 multiple choice and 1 free text question administered as part of a larger study of PEWS sustainability. Descriptive statistics quantitatively described what, when, and why adaptations were made. Qualitative analysis of free text responses applied the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications Expanded (FRAME) to describe respondent perspectives on PEWS adaptations. Results We analyzed 2,094 responses from 58 pediatric oncology centers across 19 countries in Latin America. Participants were predominantly female (82.5%), consisting of nurses (57.4%) and physicians (38.2%) who were PEWS implementation leaders (22.1%) or clinical staff (69.1%). Respondents described multiple PEWS adaptations across all implementation phases, with most occurring during the planning and piloting of EBIs. Adaptations included changes to PEWS content (algorithm, scoring tool, terminology, and use frequency) and context (personnel delivering or population). Respondents felt adaptations streamlined monitoring, enhanced effectiveness, improved workflow, increased comprehension, and addressed local resource limitations. Qualitative analysis indicated that most adaptations were categorized as fidelity consistent and planned; fidelity inconsistent adaptations were unplanned responses to unanticipated challenges. Conclusion Adaptations made to PEWS across implementation phases demonstrate how EBIs are adapted to fit dynamic, real-world clinical settings. This research advances implementation science by highlighting EBI adaptation as a potential strategy to promote widespread implementation and sustainability in hospitals of all resource levels

Does intercropping encourage increase in population of natural enemies in corn field?

The study was conducted to determine whether change in microclimatic variables through intercropping, can influence natural enemies\u27 presence and abundance in the agroecosystem. The results showed that a significant level of light intensity prevailed from 0700h to 1500h outside the plant canopy. With intercropping, this climatic variable is significantly increased, creating a favorable environment for survival of crops and beneficial insects within the area. The natural enemies found in the intercrop plots were significantly more abundant than those in the monocrop. Intercropping and refugia have similar subtle effects on the microclimate, favoring the increase in number of some beneficial species, particularly the parasitic flies and predatory beetles. The low number of beneficial species under a monocrop can probably be increased with refugia around the field boundaries. However; this will require further evaluation

Oregano planted beside pechay sets cutworm into oviposition panic mode

The effect of oregano on the oviposition behavior of cutworm Spodoptera litura was determined. The number of egg masses deposited by gravid cutworm and the sites of oviposition were assessed. Cutworms laid eggs with or without oregano. The average number of egg masses laid per female per day was 2.1±0.5 when pechay was beside oregano, 1.2±0.7 with pechay alone, and 2±2.1 with oregano alone. Oregano had impact on egg mass size and the site selected for oviposition