Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
190
result(s) for
"Hanson, Jessica"
Sort by:
Female Presence and Estrous State Influence Mouse Ultrasonic Courtship Vocalizations
The laboratory mouse is an emerging model for context-dependent vocal signaling and reception. Mouse ultrasonic vocalizations are robustly produced in social contexts. In adults, male vocalization during courtship has become a model of interest for signal-receiver interactions. These vocalizations can be grouped into syllable types that are consistently produced by different subspecies and strains of mice. Vocalizations are unique to individuals, vary across development, and depend on social housing conditions. The behavioral significance of different syllable types, including the contexts in which different vocalizations are made and the responses listeners have to different types of vocalizations, is not well understood. We examined the effect of female presence and estrous state on male vocalizations by exploring the use of syllable types and the parameters of syllables during courtship. We also explored correlations between vocalizations and other behaviors. These experimental manipulations produced four main findings: 1) vocalizations varied among males, 2) the production of USVs and an increase in the use of a specific syllable type were temporally related to mounting behavior, 3) the frequency (kHz), bandwidth, and duration of syllables produced by males were influenced by the estrous phase of female partners, and 4) syllable types changed when females were removed. These findings show that mouse ultrasonic courtship vocalizations are sensitive to changes in female phase and presence, further demonstrating the context-sensitivity of these calls.
Journal Article
Multielectrode array characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons in co-culture with primary human astrocytes
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived into neurons offer a powerful in vitro model to study cellular processes. One method to characterize functional network properties of these cells is using multielectrode arrays (MEAs). MEAs can measure the electrophysiological activity of cellular cultures for extended periods of time without disruption. Here we used WTC11 hiPSCs with a doxycycline-inducible neurogenin 2 (NGN2) transgene differentiated into neurons co-cultured with primary human astrocytes. We achieved a synchrony index ∼0.9 in as little as six-weeks with a mean firing rate of ∼13 Hz. Previous reports show that derived 3D brain organoids can take several months to achieve similar strong network burst synchrony. We also used this co-culture to model aspects of blood-brain barrier breakdown by using human serum. Our fully human co-culture achieved strong network burst synchrony in a fraction of the time of previous reports, making it an excellent first pass, high-throughput method for studying network properties and neurodegenerative diseases.
Journal Article
The Oglala Sioux Tribe CHOICES Program: Modifying an Existing Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy Intervention for Use in an American Indian Community
Alcohol-exposed pregnancies are a health issue for many American Indian communities. The goal of this manuscript is to outline how an existing alcohol-exposed pregnancy prevention program with non-pregnant women (Project CHOICES) was modified to fit the needs and norms of an American Indian community. The Oglala Sioux Tribe CHOICES Program was developed and implemented using community feedback through initial meetings, reviewing materials, gathering input into recruitment and intervention logistics, and conducting interviews to evaluate the program. The intervention was implemented and has been enrolling non-pregnant American Indian women for the past several years. While data collection is ongoing, it has shown preliminary success in changing behaviors and in impacting how the community views the prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancies. Overall, this study highlights the potential to expand this prevention program to other sites and with other populations, such as adolescents. By the end of this article, readers will comprehend the steps necessary to replicate such a program at other tribal and rural sites.
Journal Article
Id2 GABAergic interneurons comprise a neglected fourth major group of cortical inhibitory cells
Cortical GABAergic interneurons (INs) represent a diverse population of mainly locally projecting cells that provide specialized forms of inhibition to pyramidal neurons and other INs. Most recent work on INs has focused on subtypes distinguished by expression of Parvalbumin (PV), Somatostatin (SST), or Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP). However, a fourth group that includes neurogliaform cells (NGFCs) has been less well characterized due to a lack of genetic tools. Here, we show that these INs can be accessed experimentally using intersectional genetics with the gene Id2 . We find that outside of layer 1 (L1), the majority of Id2 INs are NGFCs that express high levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and exhibit a late-spiking firing pattern, with extensive local connectivity. While much sparser, non-NGFC Id2 INs had more variable properties, with most cells corresponding to a diverse group of INs that strongly expresses the neuropeptide CCK. In vivo, using silicon probe recordings, we observed several distinguishing aspects of NGFC activity, including a strong rebound in activity immediately following the cortical down state during NREM sleep. Our study provides insights into IN diversity and NGFC distribution and properties, and outlines an intersectional genetics approach for further study of this underappreciated group of INs.
Journal Article
UBQLN2 restrains the domesticated retrotransposon PEG10 to maintain neuronal health in ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron dysfunction and loss. A portion of ALS cases are caused by mutation of the proteasome shuttle factor Ubiquilin 2 ( UBQLN2 ), but the molecular pathway leading from UBQLN2 dysfunction to disease remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that UBQLN2 regulates the domesticated gag-pol retrotransposon ‘paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10)’ in human cells and tissues. In cells, the PEG10 gag-pol protein cleaves itself in a mechanism reminiscent of retrotransposon self-processing to generate a liberated ‘nucleocapsid’ fragment, which uniquely localizes to the nucleus and changes the expression of genes involved in axon remodeling. In spinal cord tissue from ALS patients, PEG10 gag-pol is elevated compared to healthy controls. These findings implicate the retrotransposon-like activity of PEG10 as a contributing mechanism in ALS through the regulation of gene expression, and restraint of PEG10 as a primary function of UBQLN2.
Journal Article
Reach, Acceptability, and Sustainability of the Native Changing High-Risk Alcohol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) Intervention: A Qualitative Evaluation of an Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy Prevention Program
American Indian (AI) women are at risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) due to the higher prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and risky drinking. The Native Changing High-Risk Alcohol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (Native CHOICES) was implemented in partnership with a Northern Plains Tribal community to address the effectiveness of a brief, motivational interviewing-based intervention to reduce AEP risk among adult AI women. A subgroup of the participants shared their perspectives in a qualitative interview conducted following the completion of the six-month post-baseline data collection. These interviews solicited participant perspectives on the Native CHOICES intervention and its satisfaction, reach, acceptability, and sustainability. The participants were delighted with Native CHOICES, felt the intervention helped them learn about AEP prevention and goal setting, learned valuable lessons, and believed Native CHOICES would be well-received by other women in their community and should be continued. The participants also shared how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their choices about drinking and birth control. The findings showed the receptivity to and acceptance of Native CHOICES among AI women. The interview findings offered a glimpse into the effectiveness of Native CHOICES and how it contributed to participants making healthier choices surrounding drinking and sexual health.
Journal Article
Examining the role of social determinants of health in alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk among American Indian women
Alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) is a public health issue that impacts women from all backgrounds and nationalities. In particular, little is known about American Indian women at risk for AEP during the preconceptual period. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the social determinants of health among American Indian women at risk for AEP in the Great Plains.
Baseline data with American Indian women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a culturally modified version of CHOICES, an AEP risk reduction intervention, were analyzed. Eligibility included age (18-44), self-identification as American Indian, current risky drinking, and the ability to get pregnant but not currently pregnant. Social determinants of health metrics comprised the broad categories of economic and housing stability, health care access, and social and community context.
A total of 404 women with a mean age of 31.9 were enrolled. Most were unemployed (77%) and half reported a total annual household income of less than $5,000. Most (78%) considered their housing situation secure, although 43% had experienced homelessness in the past 6 months. Participants placed high importance on Native values and practices and reported strong social connections and social support.
This descriptive, cross-sectional study of American Indian women at risk for AEP highlighted the importance of queries on housing, economic factors, social support, and culture. Despite adverse social determinants of health, the fabric of social support and the importance of local cultural values was strong, factors that could be used in future AEP prevention efforts.
Journal Article
“Sorry for laughing, but it’s scary”: humor and silence in discussions of Colorectal Cancer with Urban American Indians
Background
Given high rates of cancer mortality in Native communities, we examined how urban American Indian and Alaska Native elders talk about colorectal cancer (CRC) and CRC screening.
Methods
We conducted seven focus groups with a total of 46 participants in two urban clinics in the Pacific Northwest to assess participant awareness, perceptions, and concerns about CRC and CRC screening. Using speech codes theory, we identified norms that govern when and how to talk about CRC in this population.
Results
Our analyses revealed that male participants often avoided screening because they perceived it as emasculating, whereas women often avoided screening because of embarrassment and past trauma resulting from sexual abuse. Both men and women used humor to mitigate the threatening nature of discussions about CRC and CRC screening.
Conclusions
We offer our analytic results to assist others in developing culturally appropriate interventions to promote CRC screening among American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Journal Article
Feasibility and Acceptability of Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Evaluate Alcohol Use with American Indian Women
Background: Ecological momentary assessments (EMA) are one way to collect timely and accurate alcohol use data, as they involve signaling participants via cell phones to report on daily behaviors in real-time and in a participant’s natural environment. EMA has never been used with American Indian populations to evaluate alcohol consumption. The purpose of this project was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of EMA for American Indian women. Methods: Eligible participants were American Indian women between the ages of 18 and 44 who were not pregnant and had consumed more than one drink within the past month. All participants received a TracFone and weekly automated messages. Self-reported measures of daily quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, alcohol type, and context were assessed once per week for four weeks. Baseline measurements also included the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R) and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL). Results: Fifteen participants were enrolled in the study. All but one participant completed all data collection time points, and drinking patterns were consistent across the study period. A total of 420 records were completed across 86 drinking days and 334 non-drinking days. Participants reported drinking an average of 5.7 days over the 30-day period and typically consumed 3.99 drinks per drinking occasion. Sixty-six percent of participants met gender-specific cut-points for heavy episodic drinking, with an average of 2.46 binge drinking occasions across the four week study period. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept project showed that EMA was both feasible and acceptable for collecting alcohol data from American Indian women. Additional studies are necessary to fully implement EMA with American Indian women to better understand the drinking motives, contexts, patterns, and risk factors in this population.
Journal Article