Skip to main content

peter anderson

Followers

24

Following

1

Public Views

Christine Mumford

Cardiff University

Jano van Hemert

University of Edinburgh

Adriana Gheorghies

University of Maribor

Patrick D Bangert

Algorithmica Technologies Gmb H

Magnus M. Halldorsson

Reykjavik University

Presidency University, Kolkata

National Institute of Technology, Warangal

Interests

Uploads

Papers by peter anderson

Advances in Ordered Greed

Ordered Greed is a form of genetic algorithm that uses a population of permutations whose fitness... more Ordered Greed is a form of genetic algorithm that uses a population of permutations whose fitnesses depend on their use as the orders in which parts of a problem are solved. For example, a permutation may specify the order of the rows in which chess-board queens are placed to try to avoid attacks by other queens, or it may specify the order in which vertices of a graph are colored to avoid adjacent vertices getting the same color. The problems mentioned are surrogates for practical, difficult, real-life problems such as scheduling. Ordered greed requires its own form of crossover. We have developed and investigate two new crossover operators. The first uses the standard combinatorial mathematics notion of permutations’ signatures, which are a list of numbers that specify a permutation, but for which the usual bit-string notions of substring-swapping crossovers apply. The second form of crossover works with permutations directly, merging two parents, as in a riffle shuffle, and extra...

Closing the gap: Using graduate attributes to improve Indigenous education

Peter J. Anderson and Bernadette Atkinson teach Indigenous and Traditionally Education in a Globa... more Peter J. Anderson and Bernadette Atkinson teach Indigenous and Traditionally Education in a Global World as a fourth year unit in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, Clayton. This paper is a selfreflective piece of work where we discuss the use of graduate attributes relating to Indigenous Education, put forward by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). These standards have the potential to improve pre-service teachers knowledge in relation to Indigenous education, therefore equipping them with the necessary skills and tools required to teach effectively to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The focus of this paper pertains specifically to AITSL focus area 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians discussing how pre-service teachers can promote reconciliation and teach Indigenous subject matter in a respectful manner to non-Indigenou...

The Influence of Prenatal DHA Supplementation on Individual Domains of Behavioral Functioning in School-Aged Children: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in the fetal brain during pregnancy and is thought to have... more Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in the fetal brain during pregnancy and is thought to have a role in supporting neurodevelopment. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in women with a singleton pregnancy who were <21 weeks’ gestation at trial entry. Women were provided with 800 mg DHA/day or a placebo supplement from trial entry until birth. When children reached seven years of age, we invited parents to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Conners 3rd Edition Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Index to assess child behavior and behavioral manifestations of executive dysfunction. There were 543 parent–child pairs (85% of those eligible) that participated in the follow-up. Scores were worse in the DHA group than the placebo group for the BRIEF Global Executive, Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition Indexes, and the Shift, Inhibit, Monit...

Short- and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants with Neonatal Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Children

Sepsis is commonly experienced by infants born very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age and/or ... more Sepsis is commonly experienced by infants born very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age and/or <1500 g birthweight), but the long-term functional outcomes are unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to identify observational studies comparing neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants who had blood culture-proven neonatal sepsis with those without sepsis. Twenty-four studies were identified, of which 19 used prespecified definitions of neurodevelopmental impairment and five reported neurodevelopmental outcomes as continuous variables. Meta-analysis was conducted using 14 studies with defined neurodevelopmental impairment and demonstrated that very preterm infants with neonatal sepsis were at higher risk of impairments, such as cerebral palsy and neurosensory deficits, compared with infants without sepsis (OR 3.18; 95% CI 2.29–4.41). Substantial heterogeneity existed across the studies (I2 = 83.1, 95% CI 73–89). The five studies that reported outcomes as co...

Language Skills in Children Born Preterm (30 Wksʼ Gestation) Throughout Childhood

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

OBJECTIVE To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmen... more OBJECTIVE To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmental factors associated with language function at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years in children born preterm (<30 weeks' gestation or <1250 g birth weight). METHODS Language function was assessed as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 224 children born preterm at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years using age-appropriate tools. Language Z-scores were generated based on a contemporaneous term-born control group. A selection of biological factors (sex, small for gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infection, and qualitatively defined brain injury) and early socioenvironmental factors at age 2 years (primary income earner employment status and type, primary caregiver education level, English as a second language, parental mental health history, parent sensitivity and facilitation, and parent-child synchrony) was chosen a priori. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models applied to outcomes at each time point. RESULTS Higher primary caregiver education level, greater parent-child synchrony, and parent sensitivity were independently associated with better language function across childhood. Socioenvironmental factors together explained an increasing percentage of the variance (9%-18%) in language function from 2 to 13 years of age. In comparison, there was little evidence for associations between biological factors and language function, even during early childhood years. CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of socioenvironmental factors over biological factors for language development throughout childhood. Some of these socioenvironmental factors are potentially modifiable, and parent-based interventions addressing parenting practices and education may benefit preterm children's language development.

White matter microstructure correlates with mathematics but not word reading performance in 13-year-old children born very preterm and full-term

NeuroImage: Clinical

Individuals born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks' gestational age) are at increased risk of impaire... more Individuals born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks' gestational age) are at increased risk of impaired mathematics and word reading performance, as well as widespread white matter microstructural alterations compared with individuals born full term (FT; ≥37 weeks' gestational age). To date, the link between academic performance and white matter microstructure is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the associations between mathematics and reading performance with white matter microstructure in 114 VPT and 36 FT 13-year-old children. Additionally, we aimed to investigate whether the association of mathematics and reading performance with white matter microstructure in VPT children varied as a function of impairment. To do this, we used diffusion tensor imaging and advanced diffusion modelling techniques (Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and the Spherical Mean Technique), combined with a whole-brain analysis approach (Tract-Based Spatial Statistics). Mathematics performance across VPT and FT groups was positively associated with white matter microstructural measurements of fractional anisotropy and neurite density, and negatively associated with radial and mean diffusivities in widespread, bilateral regions. Furthermore, VPT children with a mathematics impairment (> 1 standard deviation below FT mean) had significantly reduced neurite density compared with VPT children without an impairment. Reading performance was not significantly associated with any of the white matter microstructure parameters. Additionally, the associations between white matter microstructure and mathematics and reading performance did not differ significantly between VPT and FT groups. Our findings suggest that alterations in white matter microstructure, and more specifically lower neurite density, are associated with poorer mathematics performance in 13-year-old VPT and FT children. More research is required to understand the association between reading performance and white matter microstructure in 13year-old children.

Drinking and Safer Sex: Are College Students at Risk?

Journal of Sex Education and Therapy

Researchers warn about the spread of HIV infection among college students, low levels of condom u... more Researchers warn about the spread of HIV infection among college students, low levels of condom use within this population, and the impact of alcohol consumption on risky behaviors. For the present study, questionnaires were distributed to students at several U.S. universities during the 1995-96 academic year. Usable questionnaires were returned by 1,902 students (1,134 women and 768 men). In all, 1.4% of 1,134 women (n = 16) and 7.6% of 768 men (n = 58) who completed usable questionnaires reported engaging in unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse after “drinking more than normal in order to make it easier to have sex with someone” during the past year. It was hypothesized that a greater proportion of men in the sample would engage in risky sexual behaviors (i.e., unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse). It was also hypothesized that, due to the specific risk factors involved in HIV transmission, women in the sample would be at a relatively greater risk of HIV transmission. The risk posed to students b...

Characterization of brain volume and microstructure at term-equivalent age in infants born across the gestational age spectrum

NeuroImage: Clinical

Background: Risk of morbidity differs between very preterm (VP; < 32 weeks' gestational age (GA))... more Background: Risk of morbidity differs between very preterm (VP; < 32 weeks' gestational age (GA)), moderate preterm (MP; 32-33 weeks' GA), late preterm (LP; 34-36 weeks' GA), and full-term (FT; ≥37 weeks' GA) infants. However, brain structure at term-equivalent age (TEA; 38-44 weeks) remains to be characterised in all clinically important GA groups. We aimed to compare global and regional brain volumes, and regional white matter microstructure, between VP, MP, LP and FT groups at TEA, in order to establish the magnitude and anatomical locations of between-group differences. Methods: Structural images from 328 infants (91 VP, 63 MP, 104 LP and 70 FT) were segmented into white matter, cortical grey matter, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), subcortical grey matter, brainstem and cerebellum. Global tissue volumes were analysed, and additionally, cortical grey matter and white matter volumes were analysed at the regional level using voxel-based morphometry. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) images from 361 infants (92 VP, 69 MP, 120 LP and 80 FT) were analysed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Statistical analyses involved examining the overall effect of GA group on global volumes (using linear regressions) and regional volumes and microstructure (using nonparametric permutation testing), as well performing post-hoc comparisons between the GA subgroups. Results: On global analysis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume was larger in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. On regional analysis, volume was smaller in parts of the temporal cortical grey matter, and parts of the temporal white matter and corpus callosum, in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. FA was lower, and RD and MD were higher in voxels located in much of the white matter in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. The anatomical locations of group differences were similar for each preterm vs. FT comparison, but the magnitude and spatial extent of group differences was largest for the VP, followed by the MP, and then the LP comparison. Comparing within the preterm groups, the VP subgroup had smaller frontal and temporal grey and white matter volume, and lower FA and higher MD and RD within voxels in the approximate location of the corpus callosum compared with the MP subgroup. There were few volume and microstructural differences between the MP and LP subgroups. Conclusion: All preterm subgroups had atypical brain volume and microstructure at TEA when compared with a

Brain structure and neurological and behavioural functioning in infants born preterm

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Term-equivalent age AIM To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently a... more Term-equivalent age AIM To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently assessed neurological and behavioural functioning, in infants born preterm at term-equivalent age (TEA; approximately 38-44wks); and (2) whether brain structure-function relationships differ between infants born very (24-29wks) and moderate-late (32-36wks) preterm. METHOD A total of 257 infants (91 very preterm, 166 moderate-late preterm; 120 males, 137 females) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological and behavioural assessments (Prechtl's general movements assessment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale [NNNS] and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination [HNNE]). Two hundred and sixty-three infants (90 very preterm, 173 moderatelate preterm; 131 males, 132 females) had diffusion MRI and assessments. Associations were investigated between assessment scores and global brain volumes using linear regressions, regional brain volumes using Voxel-Based Morphometry, and white matter microstructure using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. RESULTS Suboptimal scores on some assessments were associated with lower fractional anisotropy and/or higher axial, radial, and mean diffusivities in some tracts: NNNS attention and reflexes, and HNNE total score and tone, were associated with the corpus callosum and optic radiation; NNNS quality of movement with the corona radiata; HNNE abnormal signs with several major tracts. Brain structure-function associations generally did not differ between the very and moderate-late preterm groups. INTERPRETATION White matter microstructural alterations may be associated with suboptimal neurological and behavioural performance in some domains at TEA in infants born preterm. Brain structure-function relationships are similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm.

Language in 2-year-old children born preterm and term: a cohort study

Archives of Disease in Childhood

PurposeLanguage skills are critical. Children born very preterm are vulnerable to language proble... more PurposeLanguage skills are critical. Children born very preterm are vulnerable to language problems, but further work is needed to determine characteristics and specific predictors of language problems in this population. We aimed to compare language outcomes between 2-year-old children born <30 weeks and their term-born peers; and to explore risk factors for language difficulties in this cohort.DesignLanguage at 2 years was examined in 134 children born <30 weeks and 133 children born at term using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – 3rd Edition (Bayley-3) and the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scale: Developmental Profile (Infant Toddler Checklist) (CSBS:DP). Outcomes were compared between groups. Factors hypothesised to predict language outcome were examined in the preterm group: gestational age at birth, birth weight z-score, sex, hearing loss, multilingualism, maternal education, brain abnormality on MRI, medical risk and oromotor concerns at 12 mo...

Developmental Disorders Among Very Preterm Children

Current Developmental Disorders Reports

Changes in long-term prognosis with increasing postnatal survival and the occurrence of postnatal morbidities in extremely preterm infants offered intensive care: a prospective observational study

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health, Jan 22, 2018

Decisions regarding provision of intensive care and post-discharge follow-up for infants born ext... more Decisions regarding provision of intensive care and post-discharge follow-up for infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) are based on the risks of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. We aimed to elucidate the changes in probability of three outcomes (death, survival with major disability, and survival without major disability) with postnatal age in extremely preterm infants offered intensive care, and the effect of postnatal events on the probability of survival without major disability. In this prospective observational study, we used data from three geographical cohorts composed of all extremely preterm livebirths offered intensive care at birth during three distinct periods (1991-92, 1997, and 2005) in Victoria, Australia. Participants were assessed at 8 years' corrected age for major neurodevelopmental disability, defined as moderate or severe cerebral palsy, general intelligence more than 2 SDs below term-born control means, blindness, or deafn...

Influence of Gestational Age and Working Memory on Math Skills in Children Aged 8 to 9 Years

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Prematurity affects children&amp;amp;#39;s functioning in domains such as cognitive skills an... more Prematurity affects children&amp;amp;#39;s functioning in domains such as cognitive skills and math skills. However, there is limited research examining math skills as gestational age (GA) increases weekly. We aimed at determining, in a population-based cohort of children aged 8 to 9 years, the association between the GA spectrum and math skills and working memory&amp;amp;#39;s (WM&amp;amp;#39;s) role in this relationship. Children aged 8 to 9 years in 2014 (n = 1761), from 44 primary schools in a metropolitan city, were recruited through the Memory Maestros study in 2012. GA was measured using the parent report. Math skills were measured using the Wide Range Achievement Test 4 math computation subtest (mean, 100; SD, 15), and WM was measured using 2 subtests of the Automated Working Memory Assessment. The method of analysis was multivariate linear regression, with adjustment for both WM measures and social risk indicators as potential confounders. A total of 1168 children (66%) had analyzable data. Compared with children of ≤34-week gestation, there was a mean difference increase of 0.48 in math standard scores per weekly increase in GA (95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.85%; p = 0.01). This equates to a difference of 6.29 (0.42 SD) standard math scores between the ≤34- and ≥42-week group. The relationship was independent of WM. Weekly increases in GA beyond 34 weeks are associated with higher mathematics achievement scores for children aged 8 to 9 years, independent of the child&amp;amp;#39;s WM. This assists with identification of individuals at risk of poorer math skills.

Erratum to "Neuropredictors of oromotor feeding impairment in 12 month-old children" [Early Hum. Dev. (2017) 49-55]

Early human development, Jan 24, 2018

miRNA-376c-3p mediates TWIST-1 inhibition of BMSC osteogenesis and can reduce aberrant bone formation of TWIST-1 haploinsufficient calvarial cells

Stem cells and development, Jan 19, 2018

Key transcription factors, which activate or repress master gene regulators and signalling pathwa... more Key transcription factors, which activate or repress master gene regulators and signalling pathways, tightly regulate self-renewal and cell lineage differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). Among these factors is the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST-1), which is important in BMSC self-renewal, life span and differentiation. Another layer of gene regulation comes from MicroRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that interfere with translation of specific target mRNAs and thereby regulate diverse biological processes including BMSC lineage commitment. However, little is known of how TWIST-1 regulated miRNAs control osteogenic commitment, and influence the fate of bone precursor cells. In this study, we have discovered a novel TWIST-1 regulated miRNA, miR-376c-3p. Reduced miR-376c-3p expression by a miR-376c-3p inhibitor or due to TWIST-1 haploinsufficiency promotes alkaline phosphatase activity, mineral deposition an...

Caffeine for apnea of prematurity and brain development at 11 years of age

Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2018

Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has been reported to improve brain white matter microst... more Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has been reported to improve brain white matter microstructure at term-equivalent age, but its long-term effects are unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether caffeine affects (1) brain structure at 11 years of age, and (2) brain development from term-equivalent age to 11 years of age, compared with placebo. Preterm infants born ≤1250 g were randomly allocated to caffeine or placebo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 70 participants (33 caffeine, 37 placebo) at term-equivalent age and 117 participants (63 caffeine, 54 placebo) at 11 years of age. Global and regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure were measured at both time points. In general, there was little evidence for differences between treatment groups in brain volumes or white matter microstructure at age 11 years. There was, however, evidence that the caffeine group had a smaller corpus callosum than the placebo group. Volumetric brain developmen...

Changes in neonatal regional brain volume associated with preterm birth and perinatal factors

NeuroImage, Jan 21, 2018

Preterm birth is associated with altered brain development, with younger gestational age (GA) at ... more Preterm birth is associated with altered brain development, with younger gestational age (GA) at birth often associated with greater brain volume reduction. Such volume alterations at term equivalent age (TEA) have been found with differing magnitude across different brain regions, although this has mostly been investigated with regards to whole tissue volumes and large-scale subdivisions. In addition to degree of prematurity, many other perinatal factors have been found to influence brain structure and development in infants born preterm. We aimed to clarify the relationships between degree of prematurity and regional brain volumes at TEA, and between perinatal factors and regional brain volumes at TEA, in finer spatial detail. 285 preterm and term-born infants (GA at birth 24.6-42.1 weeks; 145 female; 59 born at term) were scanned at TEA. Data on perinatal factors were obtained by chart review, including sex, multiple birth, birthweight standard deviation (SD) score, postnatal gro...

Efficiency of structural connectivity networks relates to intrinsic motivation in children born extremely preterm

Brain imaging and behavior, Jan 30, 2018

Intrinsic motivation is essential for academic success and cognitive growth, but limited work has... more Intrinsic motivation is essential for academic success and cognitive growth, but limited work has examined the neuroanatomical underpinnings of intrinsic motivation from a network perspective, particularly in early childhood. Using graph theoretical analysis, this study investigated global and local properties of structural connectivity networks in relation to intrinsic motivation within a vulnerable group of children at early school age. Fifty-three 7 year-old children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestational age)/extremely low birth weight (<1000 g) underwent T1 and diffusion weighted imaging. Structural connectivity networks were generated using 162 cortical and subcortical nodes, and edges were created using constrained spherical deconvolution-based tractography. Global and node-specific network measures were analyzed in association with self-reported aspects of intrinsic motivation for school learning (Mastery, Challenge and Curiosity) using linear regression. R...

Complete Coupled Binding-Folding Pathway of the Intrinsically Disordered Transcription Factor Protein Brinker Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Markov State Modeling

Biochemistry, Jan 19, 2018

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) make up a large class of proteins that lack stable struc... more Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) make up a large class of proteins that lack stable structures in solution, existing instead as dynamic conformational ensembles. To perform their biological functions, many IDPs bind to other proteins or nucleic acids. Although IDPs are unstructured in solution, when they interact with binding partners, they fold into defined three-dimensional structures via coupled binding-folding processes. Because they frequently underlie IDP function, the mechanisms of this coupled binding-folding process are of great interest. However, given the flexibility inherent to IDPs and the sparse populations of intermediate states, it is difficult to reveal binding-folding pathways at atomic resolution using experimental methods. Computer simulations are another tool for studying these pathways at high resolution. Accordingly, we have applied 40 μs of unbiased molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state modeling to map the complete binding-folding pathway of...

Transitioning children with urological issues into adulthood

Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada, 2018

Advances in Ordered Greed

Ordered Greed is a form of genetic algorithm that uses a population of permutations whose fitness... more Ordered Greed is a form of genetic algorithm that uses a population of permutations whose fitnesses depend on their use as the orders in which parts of a problem are solved. For example, a permutation may specify the order of the rows in which chess-board queens are placed to try to avoid attacks by other queens, or it may specify the order in which vertices of a graph are colored to avoid adjacent vertices getting the same color. The problems mentioned are surrogates for practical, difficult, real-life problems such as scheduling. Ordered greed requires its own form of crossover. We have developed and investigate two new crossover operators. The first uses the standard combinatorial mathematics notion of permutations’ signatures, which are a list of numbers that specify a permutation, but for which the usual bit-string notions of substring-swapping crossovers apply. The second form of crossover works with permutations directly, merging two parents, as in a riffle shuffle, and extra...

Closing the gap: Using graduate attributes to improve Indigenous education

Peter J. Anderson and Bernadette Atkinson teach Indigenous and Traditionally Education in a Globa... more Peter J. Anderson and Bernadette Atkinson teach Indigenous and Traditionally Education in a Global World as a fourth year unit in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, Clayton. This paper is a selfreflective piece of work where we discuss the use of graduate attributes relating to Indigenous Education, put forward by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). These standards have the potential to improve pre-service teachers knowledge in relation to Indigenous education, therefore equipping them with the necessary skills and tools required to teach effectively to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The focus of this paper pertains specifically to AITSL focus area 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians discussing how pre-service teachers can promote reconciliation and teach Indigenous subject matter in a respectful manner to non-Indigenou...

The Influence of Prenatal DHA Supplementation on Individual Domains of Behavioral Functioning in School-Aged Children: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in the fetal brain during pregnancy and is thought to have... more Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in the fetal brain during pregnancy and is thought to have a role in supporting neurodevelopment. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in women with a singleton pregnancy who were <21 weeks’ gestation at trial entry. Women were provided with 800 mg DHA/day or a placebo supplement from trial entry until birth. When children reached seven years of age, we invited parents to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Conners 3rd Edition Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Index to assess child behavior and behavioral manifestations of executive dysfunction. There were 543 parent–child pairs (85% of those eligible) that participated in the follow-up. Scores were worse in the DHA group than the placebo group for the BRIEF Global Executive, Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition Indexes, and the Shift, Inhibit, Monit...

Short- and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants with Neonatal Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Children

Sepsis is commonly experienced by infants born very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age and/or ... more Sepsis is commonly experienced by infants born very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age and/or <1500 g birthweight), but the long-term functional outcomes are unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to identify observational studies comparing neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants who had blood culture-proven neonatal sepsis with those without sepsis. Twenty-four studies were identified, of which 19 used prespecified definitions of neurodevelopmental impairment and five reported neurodevelopmental outcomes as continuous variables. Meta-analysis was conducted using 14 studies with defined neurodevelopmental impairment and demonstrated that very preterm infants with neonatal sepsis were at higher risk of impairments, such as cerebral palsy and neurosensory deficits, compared with infants without sepsis (OR 3.18; 95% CI 2.29–4.41). Substantial heterogeneity existed across the studies (I2 = 83.1, 95% CI 73–89). The five studies that reported outcomes as co...

Language Skills in Children Born Preterm (30 Wksʼ Gestation) Throughout Childhood

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

OBJECTIVE To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmen... more OBJECTIVE To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmental factors associated with language function at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years in children born preterm (<30 weeks' gestation or <1250 g birth weight). METHODS Language function was assessed as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 224 children born preterm at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years using age-appropriate tools. Language Z-scores were generated based on a contemporaneous term-born control group. A selection of biological factors (sex, small for gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infection, and qualitatively defined brain injury) and early socioenvironmental factors at age 2 years (primary income earner employment status and type, primary caregiver education level, English as a second language, parental mental health history, parent sensitivity and facilitation, and parent-child synchrony) was chosen a priori. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models applied to outcomes at each time point. RESULTS Higher primary caregiver education level, greater parent-child synchrony, and parent sensitivity were independently associated with better language function across childhood. Socioenvironmental factors together explained an increasing percentage of the variance (9%-18%) in language function from 2 to 13 years of age. In comparison, there was little evidence for associations between biological factors and language function, even during early childhood years. CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of socioenvironmental factors over biological factors for language development throughout childhood. Some of these socioenvironmental factors are potentially modifiable, and parent-based interventions addressing parenting practices and education may benefit preterm children's language development.

White matter microstructure correlates with mathematics but not word reading performance in 13-year-old children born very preterm and full-term

NeuroImage: Clinical

Individuals born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks' gestational age) are at increased risk of impaire... more Individuals born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks' gestational age) are at increased risk of impaired mathematics and word reading performance, as well as widespread white matter microstructural alterations compared with individuals born full term (FT; ≥37 weeks' gestational age). To date, the link between academic performance and white matter microstructure is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the associations between mathematics and reading performance with white matter microstructure in 114 VPT and 36 FT 13-year-old children. Additionally, we aimed to investigate whether the association of mathematics and reading performance with white matter microstructure in VPT children varied as a function of impairment. To do this, we used diffusion tensor imaging and advanced diffusion modelling techniques (Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and the Spherical Mean Technique), combined with a whole-brain analysis approach (Tract-Based Spatial Statistics). Mathematics performance across VPT and FT groups was positively associated with white matter microstructural measurements of fractional anisotropy and neurite density, and negatively associated with radial and mean diffusivities in widespread, bilateral regions. Furthermore, VPT children with a mathematics impairment (> 1 standard deviation below FT mean) had significantly reduced neurite density compared with VPT children without an impairment. Reading performance was not significantly associated with any of the white matter microstructure parameters. Additionally, the associations between white matter microstructure and mathematics and reading performance did not differ significantly between VPT and FT groups. Our findings suggest that alterations in white matter microstructure, and more specifically lower neurite density, are associated with poorer mathematics performance in 13-year-old VPT and FT children. More research is required to understand the association between reading performance and white matter microstructure in 13year-old children.

Drinking and Safer Sex: Are College Students at Risk?

Journal of Sex Education and Therapy

Researchers warn about the spread of HIV infection among college students, low levels of condom u... more Researchers warn about the spread of HIV infection among college students, low levels of condom use within this population, and the impact of alcohol consumption on risky behaviors. For the present study, questionnaires were distributed to students at several U.S. universities during the 1995-96 academic year. Usable questionnaires were returned by 1,902 students (1,134 women and 768 men). In all, 1.4% of 1,134 women (n = 16) and 7.6% of 768 men (n = 58) who completed usable questionnaires reported engaging in unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse after “drinking more than normal in order to make it easier to have sex with someone” during the past year. It was hypothesized that a greater proportion of men in the sample would engage in risky sexual behaviors (i.e., unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse). It was also hypothesized that, due to the specific risk factors involved in HIV transmission, women in the sample would be at a relatively greater risk of HIV transmission. The risk posed to students b...

Characterization of brain volume and microstructure at term-equivalent age in infants born across the gestational age spectrum

NeuroImage: Clinical

Background: Risk of morbidity differs between very preterm (VP; < 32 weeks' gestational age (GA))... more Background: Risk of morbidity differs between very preterm (VP; < 32 weeks' gestational age (GA)), moderate preterm (MP; 32-33 weeks' GA), late preterm (LP; 34-36 weeks' GA), and full-term (FT; ≥37 weeks' GA) infants. However, brain structure at term-equivalent age (TEA; 38-44 weeks) remains to be characterised in all clinically important GA groups. We aimed to compare global and regional brain volumes, and regional white matter microstructure, between VP, MP, LP and FT groups at TEA, in order to establish the magnitude and anatomical locations of between-group differences. Methods: Structural images from 328 infants (91 VP, 63 MP, 104 LP and 70 FT) were segmented into white matter, cortical grey matter, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), subcortical grey matter, brainstem and cerebellum. Global tissue volumes were analysed, and additionally, cortical grey matter and white matter volumes were analysed at the regional level using voxel-based morphometry. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) images from 361 infants (92 VP, 69 MP, 120 LP and 80 FT) were analysed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Statistical analyses involved examining the overall effect of GA group on global volumes (using linear regressions) and regional volumes and microstructure (using nonparametric permutation testing), as well performing post-hoc comparisons between the GA subgroups. Results: On global analysis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume was larger in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. On regional analysis, volume was smaller in parts of the temporal cortical grey matter, and parts of the temporal white matter and corpus callosum, in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. FA was lower, and RD and MD were higher in voxels located in much of the white matter in all preterm subgroups compared with the FT group. The anatomical locations of group differences were similar for each preterm vs. FT comparison, but the magnitude and spatial extent of group differences was largest for the VP, followed by the MP, and then the LP comparison. Comparing within the preterm groups, the VP subgroup had smaller frontal and temporal grey and white matter volume, and lower FA and higher MD and RD within voxels in the approximate location of the corpus callosum compared with the MP subgroup. There were few volume and microstructural differences between the MP and LP subgroups. Conclusion: All preterm subgroups had atypical brain volume and microstructure at TEA when compared with a

Brain structure and neurological and behavioural functioning in infants born preterm

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Term-equivalent age AIM To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently a... more Term-equivalent age AIM To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently assessed neurological and behavioural functioning, in infants born preterm at term-equivalent age (TEA; approximately 38-44wks); and (2) whether brain structure-function relationships differ between infants born very (24-29wks) and moderate-late (32-36wks) preterm. METHOD A total of 257 infants (91 very preterm, 166 moderate-late preterm; 120 males, 137 females) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological and behavioural assessments (Prechtl's general movements assessment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale [NNNS] and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination [HNNE]). Two hundred and sixty-three infants (90 very preterm, 173 moderatelate preterm; 131 males, 132 females) had diffusion MRI and assessments. Associations were investigated between assessment scores and global brain volumes using linear regressions, regional brain volumes using Voxel-Based Morphometry, and white matter microstructure using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. RESULTS Suboptimal scores on some assessments were associated with lower fractional anisotropy and/or higher axial, radial, and mean diffusivities in some tracts: NNNS attention and reflexes, and HNNE total score and tone, were associated with the corpus callosum and optic radiation; NNNS quality of movement with the corona radiata; HNNE abnormal signs with several major tracts. Brain structure-function associations generally did not differ between the very and moderate-late preterm groups. INTERPRETATION White matter microstructural alterations may be associated with suboptimal neurological and behavioural performance in some domains at TEA in infants born preterm. Brain structure-function relationships are similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm.

Language in 2-year-old children born preterm and term: a cohort study

Archives of Disease in Childhood

PurposeLanguage skills are critical. Children born very preterm are vulnerable to language proble... more PurposeLanguage skills are critical. Children born very preterm are vulnerable to language problems, but further work is needed to determine characteristics and specific predictors of language problems in this population. We aimed to compare language outcomes between 2-year-old children born <30 weeks and their term-born peers; and to explore risk factors for language difficulties in this cohort.DesignLanguage at 2 years was examined in 134 children born <30 weeks and 133 children born at term using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – 3rd Edition (Bayley-3) and the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scale: Developmental Profile (Infant Toddler Checklist) (CSBS:DP). Outcomes were compared between groups. Factors hypothesised to predict language outcome were examined in the preterm group: gestational age at birth, birth weight z-score, sex, hearing loss, multilingualism, maternal education, brain abnormality on MRI, medical risk and oromotor concerns at 12 mo...

Developmental Disorders Among Very Preterm Children

Current Developmental Disorders Reports

Changes in long-term prognosis with increasing postnatal survival and the occurrence of postnatal morbidities in extremely preterm infants offered intensive care: a prospective observational study

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health, Jan 22, 2018

Decisions regarding provision of intensive care and post-discharge follow-up for infants born ext... more Decisions regarding provision of intensive care and post-discharge follow-up for infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) are based on the risks of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. We aimed to elucidate the changes in probability of three outcomes (death, survival with major disability, and survival without major disability) with postnatal age in extremely preterm infants offered intensive care, and the effect of postnatal events on the probability of survival without major disability. In this prospective observational study, we used data from three geographical cohorts composed of all extremely preterm livebirths offered intensive care at birth during three distinct periods (1991-92, 1997, and 2005) in Victoria, Australia. Participants were assessed at 8 years' corrected age for major neurodevelopmental disability, defined as moderate or severe cerebral palsy, general intelligence more than 2 SDs below term-born control means, blindness, or deafn...

Influence of Gestational Age and Working Memory on Math Skills in Children Aged 8 to 9 Years

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Prematurity affects children&amp;amp;#39;s functioning in domains such as cognitive skills an... more Prematurity affects children&amp;amp;#39;s functioning in domains such as cognitive skills and math skills. However, there is limited research examining math skills as gestational age (GA) increases weekly. We aimed at determining, in a population-based cohort of children aged 8 to 9 years, the association between the GA spectrum and math skills and working memory&amp;amp;#39;s (WM&amp;amp;#39;s) role in this relationship. Children aged 8 to 9 years in 2014 (n = 1761), from 44 primary schools in a metropolitan city, were recruited through the Memory Maestros study in 2012. GA was measured using the parent report. Math skills were measured using the Wide Range Achievement Test 4 math computation subtest (mean, 100; SD, 15), and WM was measured using 2 subtests of the Automated Working Memory Assessment. The method of analysis was multivariate linear regression, with adjustment for both WM measures and social risk indicators as potential confounders. A total of 1168 children (66%) had analyzable data. Compared with children of ≤34-week gestation, there was a mean difference increase of 0.48 in math standard scores per weekly increase in GA (95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.85%; p = 0.01). This equates to a difference of 6.29 (0.42 SD) standard math scores between the ≤34- and ≥42-week group. The relationship was independent of WM. Weekly increases in GA beyond 34 weeks are associated with higher mathematics achievement scores for children aged 8 to 9 years, independent of the child&amp;amp;#39;s WM. This assists with identification of individuals at risk of poorer math skills.

Erratum to "Neuropredictors of oromotor feeding impairment in 12 month-old children" [Early Hum. Dev. (2017) 49-55]

Early human development, Jan 24, 2018

miRNA-376c-3p mediates TWIST-1 inhibition of BMSC osteogenesis and can reduce aberrant bone formation of TWIST-1 haploinsufficient calvarial cells

Stem cells and development, Jan 19, 2018

Key transcription factors, which activate or repress master gene regulators and signalling pathwa... more Key transcription factors, which activate or repress master gene regulators and signalling pathways, tightly regulate self-renewal and cell lineage differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). Among these factors is the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST-1), which is important in BMSC self-renewal, life span and differentiation. Another layer of gene regulation comes from MicroRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that interfere with translation of specific target mRNAs and thereby regulate diverse biological processes including BMSC lineage commitment. However, little is known of how TWIST-1 regulated miRNAs control osteogenic commitment, and influence the fate of bone precursor cells. In this study, we have discovered a novel TWIST-1 regulated miRNA, miR-376c-3p. Reduced miR-376c-3p expression by a miR-376c-3p inhibitor or due to TWIST-1 haploinsufficiency promotes alkaline phosphatase activity, mineral deposition an...

Caffeine for apnea of prematurity and brain development at 11 years of age

Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2018

Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has been reported to improve brain white matter microst... more Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has been reported to improve brain white matter microstructure at term-equivalent age, but its long-term effects are unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether caffeine affects (1) brain structure at 11 years of age, and (2) brain development from term-equivalent age to 11 years of age, compared with placebo. Preterm infants born ≤1250 g were randomly allocated to caffeine or placebo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 70 participants (33 caffeine, 37 placebo) at term-equivalent age and 117 participants (63 caffeine, 54 placebo) at 11 years of age. Global and regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure were measured at both time points. In general, there was little evidence for differences between treatment groups in brain volumes or white matter microstructure at age 11 years. There was, however, evidence that the caffeine group had a smaller corpus callosum than the placebo group. Volumetric brain developmen...

Changes in neonatal regional brain volume associated with preterm birth and perinatal factors

NeuroImage, Jan 21, 2018

Preterm birth is associated with altered brain development, with younger gestational age (GA) at ... more Preterm birth is associated with altered brain development, with younger gestational age (GA) at birth often associated with greater brain volume reduction. Such volume alterations at term equivalent age (TEA) have been found with differing magnitude across different brain regions, although this has mostly been investigated with regards to whole tissue volumes and large-scale subdivisions. In addition to degree of prematurity, many other perinatal factors have been found to influence brain structure and development in infants born preterm. We aimed to clarify the relationships between degree of prematurity and regional brain volumes at TEA, and between perinatal factors and regional brain volumes at TEA, in finer spatial detail. 285 preterm and term-born infants (GA at birth 24.6-42.1 weeks; 145 female; 59 born at term) were scanned at TEA. Data on perinatal factors were obtained by chart review, including sex, multiple birth, birthweight standard deviation (SD) score, postnatal gro...

Efficiency of structural connectivity networks relates to intrinsic motivation in children born extremely preterm

Brain imaging and behavior, Jan 30, 2018

Intrinsic motivation is essential for academic success and cognitive growth, but limited work has... more Intrinsic motivation is essential for academic success and cognitive growth, but limited work has examined the neuroanatomical underpinnings of intrinsic motivation from a network perspective, particularly in early childhood. Using graph theoretical analysis, this study investigated global and local properties of structural connectivity networks in relation to intrinsic motivation within a vulnerable group of children at early school age. Fifty-three 7 year-old children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestational age)/extremely low birth weight (<1000 g) underwent T1 and diffusion weighted imaging. Structural connectivity networks were generated using 162 cortical and subcortical nodes, and edges were created using constrained spherical deconvolution-based tractography. Global and node-specific network measures were analyzed in association with self-reported aspects of intrinsic motivation for school learning (Mastery, Challenge and Curiosity) using linear regression. R...

Complete Coupled Binding-Folding Pathway of the Intrinsically Disordered Transcription Factor Protein Brinker Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Markov State Modeling

Biochemistry, Jan 19, 2018

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) make up a large class of proteins that lack stable struc... more Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) make up a large class of proteins that lack stable structures in solution, existing instead as dynamic conformational ensembles. To perform their biological functions, many IDPs bind to other proteins or nucleic acids. Although IDPs are unstructured in solution, when they interact with binding partners, they fold into defined three-dimensional structures via coupled binding-folding processes. Because they frequently underlie IDP function, the mechanisms of this coupled binding-folding process are of great interest. However, given the flexibility inherent to IDPs and the sparse populations of intermediate states, it is difficult to reveal binding-folding pathways at atomic resolution using experimental methods. Computer simulations are another tool for studying these pathways at high resolution. Accordingly, we have applied 40 μs of unbiased molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state modeling to map the complete binding-folding pathway of...

Transitioning children with urological issues into adulthood

Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada, 2018