Evaluating the Effectiveness of Accommodations Given to Students With Learning Impairments: Ordinal and Interpretable Machine-Learning-Based Methodology

Event Abstract Back to Event Spatial learning and memory impairment in an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis Dejana Kosanovic1*, Aleksandra Stojkovic1, Natasa Vukov1 and Katica Jovanova-Nesic1 1 Biomedical Center of the Institute Torlak, Neuroimmunology, Serbia Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) could be associated with cognitive disturbances, so the aim of the study was investigation of spatial learning in mice with EAE. EAE was induced in eight-week-old C57BL/6 female mice by subcutaneous immunization (MOG35-55 in complete Freund’s adjuvant) and pertussis vaccine intraperitoneally. Animals were scored daily for clinical signs of EAE. Morris water maze test (MWM), consisting of a circular tank filled with water and a submerged platform in a fixed spot was performed before and after EAE induction. The path, time, and motor function during MWM test were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of brain tissue was used for histological examination. After two trials mice mostly swam in the quadrant with the platform and after 8 training days all the mice swam directly to the platform. 50 % of mice with EAE showed partial loss of tail tonicity approximately 13 days post immunization. In all mice with EAE hind limb weakness after swimming was observed 18 days post immunization. Significant difference (p<0.05) in the time for finding the platform was found between mice with mild clinical signs of EAE in comparison with other mice (EAE without symptoms and non-treated). Interindividual behavioral difference within mice with EAE signs were observed, in 40 % there were no changes while in 60 % signs of disorientation and anxiety-like behavior was noted. Histopathological examination showed lesions in the brain parenchyma, especially in the hippocampal region of EAE mice. Hippocampal tissue destruction in EAE mice indicates the cognitive learning and memory impairment detected. Keywords: EAE, Morris water maze, Spatial learning, memory loss, Animal Models Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Abstract Topic: Immune-mediated disease pathogenesis Citation: Kosanovic D, Stojkovic A, Vukov N and Jovanova-Nesic K (2013). Spatial learning and memory impairment in an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.00169 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 11 Mar 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013. * Correspondence: Miss. Dejana Kosanovic, Biomedical Center of the Institute Torlak, Neuroimmunology, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia, dr.dejana@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Dejana Kosanovic Aleksandra Stojkovic Natasa Vukov Katica Jovanova-Nesic Google Dejana Kosanovic Aleksandra Stojkovic Natasa Vukov Katica Jovanova-Nesic Google Scholar Dejana Kosanovic Aleksandra Stojkovic Natasa Vukov Katica Jovanova-Nesic PubMed Dejana Kosanovic Aleksandra Stojkovic Natasa Vukov Katica Jovanova-Nesic Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

P.6.a.001 The difference of decision-making pattern under ambiguity and risk between alcohol dependence and schizophrenia

The number of infants born to opioid-dependent pregnant women in North America is a growing problem. Studies that focus on the long-term effects of neurodevelopmental changes of prenatal opioid exposure in human infants are however limited. The use of rodent models to evaluate these changes may provide some insight. This review focuses on studies of rodent models exposed to opioids such as morphine, heroin, oxycodone, buprenorphine, methadone, and l-α-acetylmethadol in uteroand briefly discusses the neural and behavioural effects in human children. Most of the rodent studies reported the following neural effects: increases in caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, altered NMDA activity, and decreases in BDNF expression in the offspring prenatally exposed to opioids. In addition, they showed decreases in synaptic plasticity, LTP, LTD, dendritic length, and dendritic branch number. The exposed rodent offspring were more inclined to perform poorly in the behavioural tests. Likewise, some of the human studies reported a significant difference between the exposed group and the control; however, other studies reported insignificant or no significant differences after correcting for covariates. Most of the studies suggest an impairment in learning and memory in the rodent offspring and deficits in behaviour and cognition in human children; however, this was not always the case. It is still not clear whether the effects of prenatal opioid exposure are due to the opioid itself being the prime factor, as various factors may also contribute to the results. Further studies of the effects of early opioid exposure on neurodevelopment in the offspring are required.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether familiarity with a cue would enhance the ability of rats with hippocampus (HPC) damage to locate a cued hidden platform in the Morris water test. After preoperative training with the cue (n = 21) or handling only (n = 17), rats were given electrolytic bilateral HPC lesions or sham surgery for controls. All rats were then tested for 4 days, 6 trials per day, with the cue marking the platform location. Rats with HPC lesions familiar with the cue (FB) were significantly more efficient than rats with HPC lesions unfamiliar with the cue (UB) in swim time (M = 10.31 +/- 2.2 vs 46.72 +/- 7.5 sec, p < .05) and in directional heading error (M = 31.98 +/- 3.4 vs 57.92 +/- 4.0 degrees, p < .05) on Day 1. These differences occurred across the 4 test days and were shown to be the result of an impairment in learning of the cue task in the UB groups rather than simply an effect of more practice with the cue by FB animals. No significant differences were found between FB animals and familial controls.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a major complication of sepsis and is associated with high mortality and poor long-term prognosis. The purpose of this study is to develop interpretable machine learning models to predict the occurrence of SAE after ICU admission and implement the individual prediction and analysis. Patients with sepsis admitted to ICU were included. SAE was diagnosed as glasgow coma score (GCS) less than 15. Statistical analysis at baseline was performed between SAE and non-SAE. Six machine learning classifiers were employed to predict the occurrence of SAE, and the adjustment of model super parameters was performed by using Bayesian optimization method. Finally, the optimal algorithm was selected according to the prediction efficiency. In addition, professional physicians were invited to evaluate our model prediction results for further quantitative assessment of the model interpretability. The preliminary analysis of variance showed significant differences in the incidence of SAE among patients with pathogen infection. There were significant differences in physical indicators like respiratory rate, temperature, SpO2 and mean arterial pressure (P < 0.001). In addition, the laboratory results were also significantly different. The optimal classification model (XGBoost) indicated that the best risk factors (cut-off points) were creatinine (1.1 mg/dl), mean respiratory rate (18), pH (7.38), age (72), chlorine (101 mmol/L), sodium (138.5 k/ul), SAPSII score (23), platelet count (160), and phosphorus (2.4 and 5.0 mg/dL). The ranked features derived from the best model (AUC is 0.8837) were mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, phosphorus, SOFA score, and vasopressin usage. The SAE risk prediction model based on XGBoost created here can make very accurate predictions using simple indicators and support the visual explanation. The interpretable model was effectively evaluated by professional physicians and can help them predict the occurrence of SAE more intuitively.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease, has been, by and large, correlated to insulin pathway, glucose level, and energy metabolism in the brain. Intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) leads to glucose and energy metabolism dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and increased oxidative stress in the brain. Acteoside has a myriad of pharmacological effects on the brain, namely, neuroprotection and recuperation of cognitive functions. The primary focus of the current study was to examine the effect of acteoside on insulin, glucose transport, and energy metabolism in the hippocampal area of the brain. The behavioral experiments such as spatial memory, active learning, and passive memory suggested that acetoside ameliorated the ICV-STZ-induced learning and cognitive impairment. The acteoside induced increase in the protein expression of glucose transporters (Glu T1, Glu T3, and Glu T4), glucose, and insulin levels in the hippocampus for maintaining normal learning and memory function were demonstrated by Western blot. In addition, acteoside's long-term oral administration increased the the ratio of ATP content divided by ADP content (ATP/ADP) ratio, which, in turn, reduced the reactiveoxygen species (ROS) level and improved the cellular oxidative stress response. Compared with the model group, the above results show significant differences in different degrees (p < .05 or p < .01). This study suggests that acteoside can ameliorate the ICV-STZ-induced learning and memory impairment caused due to insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1, Glu T1, Glu T3, and Glu T4 pathways by triggering intracerebral metabolism.

The burdens of psychostimulant use disorders are becoming a worldwide problem. One of the psychostimulants widely consumed in Ethiopia and East African countries is Catha edulis Forsk (khat). However, no studies have been conducted on the cognitive effects of khat and its correlation with serum electrolytes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of khat on spatial learning and memory and their correlation with serum electrolytes. Diethyl ether and chloroform (3:1v/v ratio) were solvents used to obtain the crude khat extract in this study. T80W was used to prepare the khat juice, fresh khat leave extract. The rats were received crude khat extract subchronically (KESC) (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w), khat juice (KHJ 2.5 mL/kg), 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v, vehicle) and khat extract subacutely (KESA) (300 mg/kg). For subchronic treatment, each rat was administered for twelve weeks before Morris water maze experiment has been started, while it was administered for a week for acute treatment. Spatial learning and memory were measured using the Morris water maze model and serum sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride were evaluated using Cobas 6000. Spatial learning was improved with trials across the groups, while average escape latency (s) of rats received KESC 200 mg/kg (p<0.001), KESC 300 mg/kg (p<0.01) and KHJ 2.5 mL/kg (p<0.05) was significantly greater than rats that received vehicle. There was no significant difference in the latency between rats that received KESA 300mg/kg and vehicle (p>0.05). Thigmotaxis was significantly higher in rats that received all doses of khat extract (p<0.001). The time spent in the target quadrant in rats that received KESC 300 mg/kg was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Serum calcium level was inversely correlated with the escape latency (R = -0.417, p<0.05) in rats that received khat. Khat extract and juice administered subchronically, but not subacutely, impaired learning and memory and was associated with serum calcium reduction. The neuronal basis for such alteration should be investigated.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and is defined as a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Main clinical features of AD are progressive impairment in learning and memory loss. Several studies have indicated that mitochondria play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin on mitochondria-dependent TRPA1 ion channels in neuroblastoma cells by creating an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease. Okadaic acid was applied to SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cell line) cells to create an AD model. After cellular differentiation, the following 7 main groups were created: Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Mel+AD), Group 3 (Mel+AD+AP18), Group 4 (AD), Group 5 (AD+AP18), Group 6 (AD+Mel), and Group 7 (AD+Mel+AP18), and Alzheimer's disease was determined in vitro by examining the effect of melatonin on calcium-dependent TRPA1 channels in neuroblastoma cells. The Ca2+concentration was greater in the melatonin+AD, AD and AD+melatonin groups than in the control (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between Mel+AD+AP18, AD+Mel+AP18 and the control. We determined that Ca2+ levels were lower in the melatonin+AD and AD+melatonin groups than in the AD group (p<0.001 and p<0.05). Additionally, cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations were found to be lower in the melatonin+AD group than in the AD+melatonin group (p<0.05). In evaluating the apoptosis and oxidative stress levels, we found that the apoptosis and intracellular ROS values were higher in the melatonin+AD, AD and AD+melatonin groups than in the control (p<0.001). In this respect, the mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels were higher in the melatonin+AD, AD and AD+melatonin groups than in the control group (p<0.001). Additionally, the mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-3 and caspase-9 values were higher in the AD group than in the melatonin+AD and AD+melatonin groups (p<0.001), while mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 levels were lower in the melatonin+AD group than in the AD+melatonin group (p<0.001). However, in the same groups, there was no statistically significant difference in caspase-9 results. Additionally, the caspase-9 values were lower in the melatonin+AD group, AD group and AD+melatonin groups than in the melatonin+AD+AP18, AD+AP18 and AD+melatonin+AP18 groups, respectively (p<0.001 and p<0.05). Our results suggest that melatonin may be an effective option in the treatment and prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease by reducing cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, apoptosis and intracellular ROS through TRPA1 channels.

This chapter develops a conceptual framework and structural model for the measurement of innovation by universities. Theoretical framework has been built by adopting the linear model of innovation and “non-linear” elements are added to depict the interactive learning theory of systems approach of innovation. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique has been used to build the structural model depicting the relationship among indicators identified from literature. The model thus build is then subjected to indicators’ classification which is then upgraded to interpret the nodes and links through a technique called Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM). Structural model reveals that innovation process in a higher academic technical institution takes place in four different stages or levels. Some indicators like patents, publications, collaboration and networking, etc. act as strong linkage factors that connect final outcomes with the basic research inputs like funds. The model also helps in addressing the ambiguity in the literature regarding the use of indicators as input, output and outcome factors.

Our aim was to evaluate liver transplant outcomes involving donors with high macrosteatosis grafts in the obese modern liver transplant recipient population. A high-steatosis graft was defined as donor graft macrosteatosis ≥30% on biopsy. Recipient obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) >35 adjusted for ascites. Raw and adjusted recipient liver transplant survival were evaluated and compared between 4 cohorts: (1) high-steatosis graft in high-BMI recipient; (2) low-steatosis graft in high-BMI recipient; (3) high-steatosis graft in normal-BMI recipient; and (4) low-steatosis graft in normal-BMI recipient. After adjustment for multiple factors, recipient high-BMI remained an independent predictor of posttransplant mortality at 30 days (P < 0.0001) and persisted at 1 year (P = 0.009). A high-steatosis graft was the strongest independent predictor of mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 2.05, 1.66-2.53; P < 0.0001) and that effect was diminished but persistent at 1 year (1.27, 1.10-1.46; P = 0.001). Recipient high-BMI and a high-steatosis graft are both significant independent and equally powerful predictors of mortality after modern liver transplant. High-steatosis grafts transplanted into obese recipients have the highest mortality. The increase in mortality associated with a high-steatosis graft into a normal-BMI recipient is similar in magnitude to a low-steatosis graft placed into a high-BMI recipient.

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs during pregnancy, but little is known about the lasting effects of early-life exposure to this drug. In this study, male Wistar rat pups were treated daily with (-)-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 5 mg/kg, s.c.) or its vehicle between postnatal days (PND) 4 and 14. Drug administration during this early postnatal period in rats is analogous to the third trimester of gestation in humans, which is a major period of synaptogenesis. Rats were subsequently tested drug-free during young adulthood (PND 56) using a two-component food-motivated double Y-maze test. Each trial included distinct spatial discrimination and delayed alternation components, which permitted the simultaneous assessment of reference memory and working memory. Rats were tested for 30 trials/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. Results revealed no significant differences between THC- and vehicle-treated rats in the spatial discrimination task. However, compared to vehicle-treated rats, THC-treated rats committed significantly more errors, and required significantly longer to obtain 80% correct over two consecutive days in the delayed alternation task. Results suggest that neonatal THC exposure leads to a specific and lasting deficit in learning in adulthood, which is likely due to impaired working memory function.

In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the astrocytic adrenergic signalling enhances glycogenolysis which provides energy to be transported to nearby cells and in the form of lactate. This energy source is important for motor and cognitive functioning. While it is suspected that the β2-adrenergic receptor on astrocytes might contribute to this energy balance, it has not yet been shown conclusively in vivo. Inducible astrocyte specific β2-adrenergic receptor knock-out mice were generated by crossing homozygous β2-adrenergic receptor floxed mice (Adrb2flox) and mice with heterozygous tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase-expression driven by the astrocyte specific L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter promoter (GLAST-CreERT2). Assessments using the modified SHIRPA (SmithKline/Harwell/Imperial College/Royal Hospital/Phenotype Assessment) test battery, swimming ability test, and accelerating rotarod test, performed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, 6 and 12 months after tamoxifen (or vehicle) administration did not reveal any differences in physical health or motor functions between the knock-out mice and controls. However deficits were found in the cognitive ability of aged, but not young adult mice, reflected in impaired learning in the Morris Water Maze. Similarly, long-term potentiation (LTP) was impaired in hippocampal brain slices of aged knock-out mice maintained in low glucose media. Using microdialysis in cerebellar white matter we found no significant differences in extracellular lactate or glucose between the young adult knock-out mice and controls, although trends were detected. Our results suggest that β2-adrenergic receptor expression on astrocytes in mice may be important for maintaining cognitive health at advanced age, but is dispensable for motor function.

Impaired performance of children exposed in utero to cocaine on a novel test of visuospatial working memory

Quality and inclusive education, especially for people with disabilities, finds priority in academic and policy initiatives for special education (SPED) programs. Several scholars have highlighted the significance of SPED in the domain literature; however, a comprehensive analysis of critical factors contributing to successful teaching, especially mathematics, is currently missing. Hence, the structural relationship among the critical success factors is established in this study through an interpretive structural modeling approach and Matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment (MICMAC) analysis. Results from the adopted methodology show that a teacher's mathematical knowledge is the most significant factor contributing to the success of teaching mathematics with SPED students. Allocating resources to improve and address this particular driving factor will influence the remaining factors. The study findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers and relevant stakeholders in academic institutions.

Exposure to bisphenol A appears to impair hippocampal neurogenesis and spatial learning and memory