Facilitators, Barriers and Structural Determinants of Physical Activity in Nulliparous Pregnant Women: A Qualitative Study

Backgrounds: Reduced physical activity in pregnant women is highly stemmed from their misconceptions and attitudes during pregnancy. This study aimed to recognize the facilitators, barriers, and structural factors that influence activity among pregnant women.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from January to June 2020 in nulliparous pregnant women. Forty participants selected randomly from the Pounak Health Center of Tehran City, Iran, were answered open-ended questions about the obstacles that deprived them of physical activity during pregnancy. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA 12 software. Results: 620 primary codes, 42 secondary codes, 11 sub-themes, and 6 themes were extracted. These themes were divided into the PEN-3 categories; facilitators, barriers, and structural factors. The nurture factors as facilitators had communication and support from others as sub-themes. Barriers consisted of socio-cultural (participate in pregnancy ‎class with a companion; social beliefs; culture of poverty), socioeconomic (financial problems), and individual factors‎ (physical, psycho-emotional, and spiritual dimensions) and structural factors consisted of environmental (equipment) and organizational (possibilities in health ‎centers) factors. Conclusion: Lack of awareness and misinformation, accessibility obstacles, and economic problems are ‎the most physical activity barriers during pregnancy. Being among other pregnant women ‎and the physicians' recommendations are the most facilitators of physical activity during ‎pregnancy.‎

Temporal pattern and synergy influence activity of ERK signaling pathways during L-LTP induction

Long-lasting long-term potentiation (L-LTP) is a cellular mechanism of learning and memory storage. Studies have demonstrated a requirement for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in L-LTP produced by a diversity of temporal stimulation patterns. Multiple signaling pathways converge to activate ERK, with different pathways being required for different stimulation patterns. To answer whether and how different temporal patterns select different signaling pathways for ERK activation, we developed a computational model of five signaling pathways (including two novel pathways) leading to ERK activation during L-LTP induction. We show that calcium and cAMP work synergistically to activate ERK and that stimuli given with large inter-trial intervals activate more ERK than shorter intervals. Furthermore, these pathways contribute to different dynamics of ERK activation. These results suggest that signaling pathways with different temporal sensitivity facilitate ERK activation to diversity of temporal patterns.

Three neurotransmitters regulate diverse inhibitory and excitatory Parvalbumin interneuron circuits in the dorsal horn

Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVINs) in the spinal dorsal horn are found primarily in laminae II inner and III. Inhibitory PVINs (iPVINs) play an important in segregating innocuous tactile input from pain-processing circuits, achieved through presynaptic inhibition of myelinated low-threshold mechanoreceptors and postsynaptic inhibition of distinct spinal circuits. By comparison, relatively little is known of the role of excitatory PVINs (ePVINs) in sensory processing. Here we use neuroanatomical and optogenetic approaches to show that ePVINs comprise a larger proportion of the PVIN population than previously reported, and that both ePVIN and iPVIN populations form synaptic connections amongst (and between) themselves. We find that these cells contribute to neuronal networks that influence activity within several functionally distinct circuits, and that aberrant activity of ePVINs under pathological conditions contributes to the development of mechanical hypersensitivity.

Temporal pattern and synergy influence activity of ERK signaling pathways during L-LTP induction

ABSTRACTLong lasting long-term potentiation (L-LTP) is a cellular mechanism of learning and memory storage. Studies have demonstrated a requirement for the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in L-LTP produced by a diversity of temporal stimulation patterns. Multiple signaling pathways converge to activate ERK, with different pathways being required for different stimulation patterns. We addressed the critical questions of whether maximal activation of ERK requires multiple pathways, and whether different temporal patterns select different signaling pathways for ERK activation. We developed a computational model of five signaling pathways (including two novel pathways) leading to ERK activation during L-LTP. Simulations show that calcium and cAMP work synergistically to activate ERK, and that stimuli given with large inter-trial intervals activate more ERK than shorter intervals, a temporal sensitivity similar to PKA but contrary to CaMKII. These results suggest that signaling pathways with different temporal sensitivity facilitate ERK activation to diversity of temporal patterns.

The Association between Reward Sensitivity and Activity Engagement: the Influence of Delay Discounting and Anhedonia

Aim Reward sensitivity affects individuals’ motivation to engage in goal-directed behavior. Other concepts, critical for reward appraisal, that potentially influence activity participation encompass delay discounting and anhedonia. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that anhedonia and delay discounting influence the relationship between reward sensitivity and activity engagement. Methods In total, 37 inpatient patients with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 37 matched healthy controls completed the behavioral activation system scale (BAS scale), the Pleasant Activities List (PAL), the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and the Delay Discounting Task (DDT). Results Patients differed from controls on SHAPS, DDT-k, PAL substance-related activities (SRA), but not BAS and PAL non-substance-related activities (non-SRA). Correlational analyses revealed a strong correlation between BAS and PAL non-SRA in both patients (r = 0.53) and controls (r = 0.47), but also with PAL-SRA in patients (r = 0.40), although not controls (r = 0.09). BAS was negatively correlated with SHAPS in both groups and with DDT in controls. SHAPS was negatively linked to PAL non-SRA in both groups. The BAS-PAL non-SRA relationship was influenced by discount rates in controls. Conclusion A strong link exists between reward sensitivity and engagement in non-SRA in both groups. Delay discounting affects the reward sensitivity and non-SRA association in healthy controls, while anhedonia did not impact the association between reward sensitivity and engagement in (non-)SRA in both conditions.

From Prior Information to Saccade Selection: Evolution of Frontal Eye Field Activity during Natural Scene Search

Prior knowledge about our environment influences our actions. How does this knowledge evolve into a final action plan and how does the brain represent this? Here, we investigated this question in the monkey oculomotor system during self-guided search of natural scenes. In the frontal eye field (FEF), we found a subset of neurons, “Early neurons,” that contain information about the upcoming saccade long before it is executed, often before the previous saccade had even ended. Crucially, much of this early information did not relate to the actual saccade that would eventually be selected. Rather, it related to prior information about the probabilities of possible upcoming saccades based on the presaccade fixation location. Nearer to the time of saccade onset, a greater proportion of these neurons’ activities related to the saccade selection, although prior information continued to influence activity throughout. A separate subset of FEF neurons, “Late neurons,” only represented the final action plan near saccade onset and not prior information. Our results demonstrate how, across the population of FEF neurons, prior information evolves into definitive saccade plans.

A PERCEPÇÃO DOS PARLAMENTARES POTIGUARES ACERCA DO LOBBY E DO PODER DE INFLUÊNCIA DOS GRUPOS DE PRESSÃO

O presente artigo de discussão teórica tem por finalidade abordar estudos relacionados à atividade de influência proveniente do Lobby e dos Grupos de Pressão. Para tanto, foram analisados, essencialmente, artigos de periódicos clássicos sobre a matéria, com publicações reconhecidas internacionalmente, disponíveis em bases de pesquisas especializadas, ocorridas no período de 1963 a 2016. De paradigma construtivista e associado à abordagem qualitativa, este trabalho, baseado nas investigações iniciais e lastreado por estudos específicos, permite concluir, preliminarmente, que as atividades dos grupos de pressão e de lobby se apresentam como vitais para obter vantagens hipercompetitivas mediante intervenção direta, seja nas decisões dos agentes públicos, seja na elaboração de legislações específicas. Palavras-chave: Lobby. Grupos de Pressão. Poder de Influência. Agentes públicos. Políticas públicas.ABSTRACTThe present article of theoretical discussion has as purpose to approach studies related to influence activity from Lobby and Pressure Groups. In order to do so, we have analyzed, essentially, articles from classic journals on the subject, with internationally recognized publications, available on specialized research bases, from 1963 to 2016. From a constructivist paradigm associated to the qualitative approach, this work, based on the initial investigations and backed up by specific studies, it is possible to conclude preliminarily that lobbying and lobbying activities are vital for obtaining hypercompetitive advantages through direct intervention in the decisions of public agents and in the elaboration of specific legislations.Keywords: Lobby. Power of Influence. Peer Pressure. Public Agents. Public policy.