Disruption Leads to Methodological and Analytic Innovation in Developmental Sciences: Recommendations for Remote Administration and Dealing With Messy Data

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted data collection for longitudinal studies in developmental sciences to an immeasurable extent. Restrictions on conducting in-person standardized assessments have led to disruptive innovation, in which novel methods are applied to increase participant engagement. Here, we focus on remote administration of behavioral assessment. We argue that these innovations in remote assessment should become part of the new standard protocol in developmental sciences to facilitate data collection in populations that may be hard to reach or engage due to burdensome requirements (e.g., multiple in-person assessments). We present a series of adaptations to developmental assessments (e.g., Mullen) and a detailed discussion of data analytic approaches to be applied in the less-than-ideal circumstances encountered during the pandemic-related shutdown (i.e., missing or messy data). Ultimately, these remote approaches actually strengthen the ability to gain insight into developmental populations and foster pragmatic innovation that should result in enduring change.

Antidepressant-like Effects of Combined Fluoxetine and Zinc Treatment in Mice Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress Are Related to Modulation of Histone Deacetylase

Chronic stress is the key factor contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) is well validated and is one of the most commonly used models to induce depressive-like behavior in rodents. The present study aimed to evaluate whether fluoxetine (FLU 5 mg/kg) and zinc (Zn 10mg/kg) given simultaneously induce a more pronounced antidepressant-like effect in the CRS model than both those compounds given alone. Behavioral assessment was performed using the tail suspension and splash tests (TST and ST, respectively). Furthermore, the effects of CRS, FLU and Zn given alone and combined treatment with FLU + Zn on the expression of proteins involved in the apoptotic, inflammatory, and epigenetic processes were evaluated in selected brain structures (prefrontal cortex, PFC; and hippocampus, Hp) using Western blot analysis or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results obtained indicated that three hours (per day) of immobilization for 4 weeks induced prominent depressive symptoms that manifested as increased immobility time in the TST, as well as decreased number and grooming time in the ST. Behavioral changes induced by CRS were reversed by both FLU (5 and 10 mg/kg) or Zn (10 mg/kg). Zinc supplementation (10 mg/kg) slightly increases the effectiveness of FLU (5 mg/kg) in the TST. However, it significantly increased the activity of FLU in the ST compared to the effect induced by FLU and Zn alone. Biochemical studies revealed that neither CRS nor FLU and Zn given alone or in combined treatment alter the expression of proteins involved in apoptotic or inflammatory processes. CRS induced major alterations in histone deacetylase (HDAC) levels by increasing the level of HADC1 and decreasing the level of HADC4 in the PFC and Hp, decreasing the level of HADC6 in the PFC but increasing it in Hp. Interestingly, FLU + Zn treatment reversed CRS-induced changes in HDAC levels in the Hp, indicating that HDAC modulation is linked to FLU + Zn treatment and this effect is structure-specific.

Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Aerophagia

Aerophagia is characterized by excessive air swallowing and can have serious negative effects on one’s health. We present the assessment and treatment of a 16-year-old girl, Khloe, with developmental disabilities and aerophagia. The initial assessment indicated that aerophagia occurred primarily to access attention in a divided attention context; however, our function-based treatment did not result in a clinically significant reduction in problem behavior. We then conducted a second assessment that indicated that Khloe’s aerophagia indeed occurred primarily in a divided attention context, but that it persisted independent of social consequences. We concluded that the divided attention context served as a motivating variable for aerophagia. Our second treatment consisted of differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent access to competing stimuli, and graduated exposure to contextual variables (i.e., people and divided attention) that occasioned aerophagia. The treatment was successful in reducing rates of aerophagia. We discuss implications for assessment and treatment, as well as recommendations for clinicians and students.

Repeated Low-Dose Acrolein Triggers Irreversible Lamina Propria Edema in Urinary Bladder, Transient Voiding Behavior and Widening of Eyes to Mechanical Stimuli

Acrolein is a metabolite of cyclophosphamide (CYP), an alkylating agent used for a wide range of benign and malignant diseases. CYP treatments are known to trigger hemorrhagic cystitis in patients and animals. Significant effort has been made to prevent CYP/acrolein-induced cystitis, while still maintaining its therapeutic benefits. As a result, supplementary therapeutic options to mediate the protective role against CYP/acrolein and lower doses of CYP are currently given to targeted patients, as compared to past treatments. There is still a need to further study the effects of the repeated low-dose CYP/acrolein on the pathophysiology of the urinary bladder. In our study, a one-time treatment of acrolein and repeated low-dose acrolein triggered the thickening of the smooth muscle and lamina propria in the urinary bladder of C57BL/6J mice, respectively. The first dose of acrolein did not trigger voiding dysfunction, but the second dose triggered high-volume low-frequency voiding. Interestingly, our new scoring criteria and concurrent behavioral assessment revealed that mice with repeated low-dose acrolein had a wider opening of eyes in response to mechanical stimuli. Our study suggests that clinical symptoms among patients undergoing prolonged low-dose CYP may differ from previously reported symptoms of CYP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

The Comparison of Three Assessment Scales in a Neonatal Unit in Poland

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the following three assessments: the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and the General Movement Assessment (GMA). 29 patients from the neonatal unit of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Hospital were examined. The study was conducted between feedings by a person properly trained in the use of the NBAS, the AIMS, and the GMA. The average postmenstrual age of the examined newborns was 35.6 weeks. The average week of gestation was the 29th, the average birth weight was 1469 g, and the Median Apgar score in the fifth minute of life was 7. A relationship was found between the AIMS and the NBAS. It was concluded that the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale may be used to determine the motor development of preterm infants. Moreover, it is advisable to use more than one assessment method in order to adjust the intervention.

Psychiatric behavioral effect and characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus on Japanese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: a preliminary retrospective study

Objectives In recent years, research on behavioral and psychiatric problems of adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has gained attention. However, no report is available regarding the relationship between psychiatric illness and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with PWS. Therefore, we evaluated a behavioral assessment to address the lack of data on the association between psychiatric behavior and T2DM. Methods This was a retrospective single-center study of patients with PWS. Patients with PWS whose blood tests were performed in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 and aged >10 years were included. We evaluated the data, including the behavioral patterns of Japanese PWS patients with T2DM. Results Overall, 114 patients were evaluated; 33 patients (28.9%) developed T2DM. The age of T2DM onset was 18.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 14.6–21.4 years). The median body mass index at T2DM onset was 33.7 kg/m2 (IQR, 30.0–37.4 kg/m2). Between-group comparisons of the intelligence quotient, Food-Related Problem Questionnaire (FRPQ), and Japanese versions of the Short Sensory Profile and Aberrant Behavior Checklist showed a significant difference only in FRPQ scores (p=0.003). Conclusions The occurrence of T2DM among Japanese patients with PWS remains high. Only the FRPQ was significantly different between the T2DM and the non-T2DM group.

Behavioral Assessment and Evaluation of Innovative Hollow Glue-Laminated Timber Elements

Due to the growing need to preserve our planet and reduce carbon emissions during construction, the use of the only carbon-absorbing material, timber, is increasingly being imposed. In addition to the requirement of reducing emissions, there is a necessity for the shortest possible construction time and the minimum use of construction machinery, which has led to the development of prefabricated construction systems. This paper deals with the innovative, hollow, glue-laminated timber elements which are intended for modular construction. Comparing this new system with existing modular systems, the main features and behavior of the constitutive elements, i.e., the hollow, glue-laminated timber elements, are presented. Experimental and numerical analysis of the mechanical performance of the timber elements was carried out and a comparative analysis of the behavior of two different types of hollow timber elements was conducted. The finite element method was used to predict the behavior of this innovative structural system. The results are compared with the analytical procedure to provide a background for the development of standardized methods for the design of timber structures.