bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A-50 A Comprehensive Neuropsychological Case Study of a Child with Perinatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Perez Delgadillo P , Hernandez L , Sadurni C , Santiago C
Published: August 2019

Objective

Neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) remains present in 60% of births in the United States1. Current literature links hyperbilirubinemia with neurodevelopmental problems, particularly with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), general learning difficulties, and non-progressive developmental delays. Moderate elevations in bilirubin are also suggested to increase the risk for cognitive, perceptual, motor, and auditory disorders. Imaging studies have shown selective patterns of injury to specific brain regions associated with deficits in executive function, including impulse control and working memory as well as different subtypes of attention problems grounded in reward circuitry system dysfunction in children with bilirubin encephalopathy.

Method

Neuropsychological functioning of a 12-year old Hispanic female with a history of high levels of perinatal bilirubin, and subsequent developmental and cognitive difficulties in speech, learning, attention and memory as well as problems with socialization and anxiety is presented with the purpose of adding to existing literature. Comprehensive neuropsychiatric interview and neuropsychological testing was completed.

Results

Results revealed several areas of neurocognitive weaknesses with deficits in areas of intellectual functioning, learning (reading and mathematics), expressive language, visual memory, attention, and auditory processing. Emotional and behavioral measures evidenced significant deficits in social-emotional functioning, particularly with interpersonal skills, sense of adequacy, and self-reliance, which resulted in increased anxiety contributing to cognitive and academic deficits.

Conclusions

Neuropsychological profile was consistent with cognitive, academic, behavioral and emotional manifestations theoretically associated with neuropathological findings in hyperbilirubinemia. Furthermore, similar to existing literature, cognitive deficits were observed in the absence of a clear cause of neonatal jaundice following a full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy.
A-51 A Novel Memory Catastrophizing Scale
Authors: VanLandingham H , Alasantro L , Wagner G , Rosen J
Published: August 2019

Objective

A weak relationship exists between subjective memory complaints and performance on objective measures of learning and memory. A memory catastrophizing scale may explain this relationship. Our objective is to preliminarily explore a scale which assesses catastrophizing.

Method

The sample consisted of 46 patients (21 normal profiles, 25 mild cognitive impairment; mean age 56.1 ± 15.4) in a community-based neurology clinic. Each patient completed a clinical interview and comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II) was used to assess memory; the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms; a novel Memory Catastrophizing Scale (MCS) was used to assess subjective memory.

Results

A reliability analysis revealed internal consistency throughout the MCS (Cronbach’s alpha = .958). A bivariate correlation revealed that memory catastrophizing was significantly positively correlated with depressive (r = 0.623, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.433, p < 0.01) symptomology. Bivariate correlations demonstrated significant positive correlations between subjective memory complaints and memory (CVLT-II SDFR r = 0.502, p < .05; SDCR r = 0.434, p = 0.05; LDCR r = 0.512, p < .05) only among NP patients. The mean MCS score was 26 (±17), with a median of 17, a skewness of 0.40 and kurtosis of -0.77.

Conclusion

Our results support past research suggesting that there is a weak relationship between subjective and objective memory performances. Catastrophizing as a concept may explain the relationship between mood and performance on testing, especially amongst individuals without a known neurological pathology seeking treatment at a community-based neurological clinic.
A-56 Predicting Performance on the Raven’s Matrices from the Findings of the Boston Longitudinal MIDUS Study
Authors: Cabrera C
Published: August 2019

Objective

To examine the relationship between different cognitive measures and Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM) during midlife.

Methods

Data was derived from a de-identified MIDUS-II database (n = 328, 57.8% male, Mage = 48.14, Meducation = 15.8, 93% Caucasian). All participants were administered cognitive tests consisting of several measures of cognitive ability (Trails-B, Vocabulary, Forward & Backward-Digit-Span, and Digit-Symbol-Substitution-Test (DSST)) and RPM.

Results

Pearson correlations were conducted between cognitive performance on various measures and performance on RPM. Using a Bonferroni correction across all correlations, p-value was set at .001. Better performance on RPM was negatively associated with Trails-B (r(139) = -.446,p = .001) and positively associated with Vocabulary (r(168) = .424,p = .001), Forward-Digit-Span (r(168) = .318,p = .001), Backward-Digit-Span (r(166) = .257,p = .001), DSST (r(166) = .516,p = .001).

Conclusions

Results suggest that DSST is the strongest predictor of RPM performance, followed by Trails-B. Reasons for the strong DSST correlation suggest the shared component of sustained attention, processing speed, working memory and set shifting. A moderate association with Trails-B implies the shared components of visual-conceptualization, visual motor tracking, and working memory. Both DSST and Trails-B not only require working memory, but also visuospatial skills, suggesting the use of high-level processes may be required for successful performance on the RPM. Moreover, visuospatial skills may be more strongly related to fluid intelligence than other abilities. This suggests that visualization skills to perceive and mentally reproduce patterns, mental rotation, and flexibility of closure to detect a stimulus hidden within a complex figure are all essential in RPM performance. Future studies should focus on gender and age differences in relation to visuospatial skills, specifically the age at which these differences occur.
A-57 Processing Speed and Executive Function Contributions to Rey Complex Figure Copy Performance in Rehabilitation Patients
Authors: Mullen C , Rolin S , Davis J
Published: August 2019

Objective

The Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) is a widely used measure of visuoconstruction and memory. Prior research examined contributions of cognitive domains other than visuospatial ability on RCFT performance. This study compared processing speed, visuospatial ability, and executive function in predicting RCFT copy (RCFT-C) trial performance in a rehabilitation setting.

Method

Participants (N = 156) were categorized by diagnosis into TBI (n = 99), stroke (n = 34), and mixed (n = 23) groups. Outcome measures included the RCFT, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), Trail Making Test (TMT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and phonemic word generation (FAS). Diagnostic groups were compared on the RCFT-C. Outcome measure correlations were calculated. Measures were combined using principle components analysis into executive function (EXFX: TMT-B, FAS, and WCST), processing speed (SPD: TMT-A, Coding, and Symbol Search), and visuospatial ability (VIS: Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, and Visual Puzzles) scores. Nested regression models predicting RCFT-C were fitted using four predictor blocks (demographics, SPD, EXFX, and VIS).

Results

Groups differed on RCFT-C (p < .001) with the stroke and mixed groups performing worse than the TBI group. RCFT and WAIS-IV subtests showed the following correlations: verbal (r = .27-.42, p < .001); visuospatial (r = .38-.42, p < .001); working memory (r = .20-.30, p < .02); and processing speed (r = .33-.35, p < .001). Regression models supported independent contributions of EXFX, SPD, and VIS with R2 changes of .06, .16, and .08, respectively.

Conclusions

In addition to expected contributions from executive function and visuospatial ability, processing speed contributes significantly to RCFT-C performance in rehabilitation patients.
A-62 The Philips IntelliSpace Cognition Platform: Ability to Classify a Mixed Clinical Sample
Authors: Vermeent S , Van Elswijk G , Schmand B , Klaming L , Miller J , Dotsch R
Published: August 2019

Objective

We developed a cloud-based platform, Philips Intellispace Cognition (ISC), containing tablet-based versions of conventional cognitive tests. We investigated the battery’s sensitivity for subtle cognitive impairment in a mixed clinical sample.

Method

The sample consisted of 221 healthy participants and 98 traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke patients who all scored above the MMSE-2 cutoff of 24, but reported subjective cognitive complaints. All completed the following ISC tests: Phonetic Fluency; Semantic Fluency; Trail-Making; Stroop; O-Cancellation; Star-Cancellation; Digit Span; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning; Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. We used ROC analyses to investigate our ability to distinguish the patient and healthy samples. Specifically, we assessed the area under the curve (AUC), where a value of .50 indicates random classification and 1 indicates perfect distinguishability. To this end, we compared sensitivity of cognitive domain scores distilled from the ISC tests (using confirmatory factor analysis) with the sensitivity of MMSE-2 scores. The cognitive domains were executive functioning, processing speed, working memory, memory, and visuospatial ability.

Results

The AUC of the MMSE-2 was .46, as expected given the fact that all patients scored above the cut-off. The AUCs of the model domain scores ranged from .56 to .73. The differences between these AUCs and the MMSE AUC were all significant (ps ≤ .004), except for visuospatial ability (p = .070).

Conclusions

The ISC test battery was able to pick up on cognitive impairment in a mixed clinical sample consisting of patients that all scored normally on the MMSE-2. These findings show the usefulness of the digital platform in clinical practice.
A-63 The Fatigue Severity Scale and Depression in an Aging Population
Authors: Kaplan N , Leavitt M , Miller J
Published: August 2019

Objective

The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is often used in clinical populations in which fatigue is a common symptom (e.g., multiple sclerosis). Despite the prevalence of fatigue in depression, relatively few investigations have examined the relationship between the FSS and mood symptoms, particularly in aging populations with concerns of memory loss. Thus, the primary aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the relationship between fatigue symptoms and depression among older adults evaluated in a cognitive disorders clinic.

Method

Data were collected as part of a neuropsychological battery administered to patients presenting to clinic due to complaints of memory impairment. Scores on the FSS and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were collected from 430 patients (48.10% women). Mean age was 74.97 years (SD = 5.81) and 147 subjects were diagnosed with depression, based on a score of 10 or above on the GDS.

Results

We observed a small, but significant inverse relationship between age and scores on the FSS [r = -.103, p = .033], such that older adults endorsed less severe fatigue. A moderate, positive relationship between FSS and GDS was observed [r = .416, p = .000]. Comparing FSS endorsement between depressed and non-depressed individuals finds individuals with depression endorsed significantly greater levels of fatigue than non-depressed individuals, even after accounting for the effects of age [F(1, 427) = 85.79. p < .001; Cohen's d = 0.96].

Conclusion

Present findings suggest that older adults do not necessarily endorse higher rates of fatigue on the FSS. However, the presence of depression in older adults has large effects on fatigue severity.
A-66 Wechsler Test of Adult Reading is a More Useful Indicator of Premorbid Cognitive Functioning than the Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test in Blast Exposed Veterans
Authors: Tadrous-Furnanz S , Clark J , Zaccari B , Storzbach D
Published: August 2019

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to compare the utility of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) with the Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test (RIST) as a measure of premorbid cognitive functioning among blast-exposed Veterans.

Method

Sixty-nine Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) Veterans enrolled at the VA Portland Health Center who passed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) were given the WTAR, RIST, and the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB). Data was analyzed using bi-variate correlational analyses and linear regressions.

Results

Scores on the WTAR were correlated significantly ( p < .05) with RIST, academic achievement, executive functioning (phonemic fluency), and multiple measures of attention, verbal learning and memory, and visuospatial skills. The WTAR was more consistently and strongly associated with those cognitive outcomes than the RIST. A stepwise linear regression was conducted to examine which of these cognitive domains loaded the highest on the WTAR. The overall attention index was the single most significant contributor to WTAR score, F(1,67) = 23.23, p < .001. Phonemic fluency added a significant proportion to the variance in WTAR scores Δr2 = .10, F (2, 66) = 18.30, p < .001.

Conclusions

The utility of word reading measures as indicators of premorbid functioning across multiple domains has been recently questioned. The current data suggests that for blast-exposed Veterans, the WTAR is indeed associated with cognitive functioning in attention, learning/memory, and executive functioning, even more so than the RIST. In particular, the WTAR appears related to attention.
A-71 Comparing College Athletes and Non-Athlete Controls on the ImPACT Validity Indices at Baseline
Authors: Greenberg L , Merrit V , Arnett P
Published: August 2019

Objective

In the context of sports-related concussion (SRC) evaluations, athletes have been shown to “sandbag” their baseline testing in order to improve their chances of return-to-play post-concussion. To circumvent this problem, performance validity tests are often administered. The ImPACT, a widely used computerized program in SRC evaluations, has five embedded validity indices (VIs); however, indications of their use as measures of effort have not been well established. With this in mind, we aimed to compare performance on the ImPACT VIs between athletes and non-athlete controls at baseline. Given the incentive to “sandbag” by at least some players, it was hypothesized that athletes would demonstrate poorer performance on all VIs than controls.

Method

Participants included 1,254 college students (70% male; 77.3% Caucasian) divided into two groups: athletes (n = 929) and non-athlete controls (n = 325). All participants completed the ImPACT individually. Primary outcomes of interest included the five ImPACT VIs: Impulse Control Composite, X’s and O’s Total Incorrect, Word Memory Learning Percent Correct, Design Memory Learning Percent Correct, and Three Letters Total Letters Correct.

Results

Independent samples t-tests revealed that athletes performed worse than controls on 4 of the 5 VIs (p = < .001 to .028; d = 0.13 to 0.23). The only VI that was not significantly different between groups was Three Letters (p>.05, d = 0.11).

Conclusion

Consistent with our hypotheses, findings generally showed that athletes demonstrated worse performance on the ImPACT VIs compared to non-athlete controls. Although future research is needed to validate the utility of the VIs, our results suggest that these scores may be useful in detecting suboptimal baseline performance.
A-77 Validity Testing with Youth Populations: D-KEFS Trail Making Test Conditions 4:2 Ratio as an Embedded Validity Indicator
Authors: Kaswan N , Thompson R , Adler J , Hirst R
Published: August 2019

Objective

The Trail Making Test B:A ratio is an embedded validity indicator (EVI) for neuropsychological assessment (NA; Ruffolo, Guilmette, & Willis, 2000). Recent literature supports D-KEFS Trail Making Test Conditions 4:2 (analogous to B:A) ratio (D-KEFS 4:2) as an EVI (Erdodi et al., 2018). The present study sought to assess the utility of D-KEFS 4:2 as an EVI for youth populations, using the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) to operationalize effort.

Method

102 children (81.2% male, Mage = 11.88) completed a NA, including D-KEFS 4:2 and TOMM. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis calculating Area Under the Curve (AUC) determined whether D-KEFS 4:2 accurately categorized participants’ effort (represented by TOMM performance).

Results

D-KEFS 4:2 (cut-off = 1.60: Erdodi et al., 2018) produced sensitivity of 9.09% and specificity of 91.25% in predicting TOMM performance on Trial 1 (TOMM1; AUC = 0.488) and 0.00% and 91.09% in predicting Trial 2 (TOMM2; AUC = 0.772). As a TOMM2 cut-off of 49 is suggested as more sensitive to inadequate effort, another analysis showed D-KEFS 4:2 yielded sensitivity of 33.33% and specificity of 91.92% (AUC = 0.710) in predicting TOMM2 performance with the more conservative cutoff.

Conclusions

This study suggests that D-KEFS 4:2 is an adequate EVI in predicting suboptimal effort when operationalized by TOMM performance, particularly when more conservative TOMM cutoffs are used. D-KEFS 4:2 detected true effortful performance with excellent specificity but exhibited poor detection of suboptimal performance. As a result, D-KEFS 4:2 has utility as an EVI in youth populations, but should not be used independently.
A-83 The Applicability of the Word Accentuation Test (WAT) in a Diverse Spanish Speaking Population: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gonzalez D , Facchini R , Marquez C , Masur D , McGinley J , Weiss E , Zwerling J
Published: August 2019

Objective

A valid estimate of premorbid ability (PA) is important when attempting to identify cognitive decline. Measures of PA in English have been widely validated, but there is a lack of PA instruments for Spanish speakers. The findings of a pilot study assessing the feasibility of using the Word Accentuation Test (WAT) as a PA measure in a diverse, traditionally underserved, Spanish speaking population are described.

Method

The WAT was administered as part of comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and neurobehavioral status exams (NBSE) completed with Spanish speaking patients at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) in a 6-month period. Sixty-one patients completed the WAT- 12 as part of comprehensive testing (mean age 60 (SD 11.05) range 43-80, 67% female) and 49 during NBSEs within the context of multidisciplinary memory disorders clinics (mean age 74.35 (SD 8.60) range 51-93, 80% female). T-tests and correlations with WAT performances were completed.

Results

Overall, our population correctly read an average of 19.67 (SD 7.61) words. There was no statistical difference by gender or age, but years of education predicted WAT performance (p = .004). For those individuals who had comprehensive cognitive evaluations, WAT scores were correlated with performance on the vocabulary subtest of the EIWA-III (p = .003). All patients without severe dementia were able to complete the task.

Conclusions

Analysis of pilot data from our diverse Spanish population demonstrated that the WAT is an PA appropriate task that appears to have good correlation with years of education and vocabulary performance. Additional research is necessary to validate the measure in this cohort and other cohorts.
B-06 Attention and Verbal Memory Declines after Epilepsy Surgery Associated with Restricted Improvements in Cognitive, Energy and Medication Related Aspects of Quality of Life in Latino People with Epilepsy
Authors: Neaves S , Smith J
Published: August 2019

Objective

Explore neuropsychological and quality of life outcomes of epilepsy surgery in an underserved, primarily immigrant, Spanish-speaking cohort of people with epilepsy (PWE).

Methods

Pre- and postsurgical Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS) and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31; Spanish Version) results were compared for 22 adult Latinos (females = 50%), from Mexico (81.8%), El Salvador (9.1%) and Guatemala (9.1%). All participants were part of a comprehensive epilepsy center in Los Angeles. Mean surgical age was 33.5 years (SD = 8.5), while mean education was 8.7 years (SD = 3.1). Seizures were exclusively lateralized to right (59.1%) and left hemispheres (40.9%).

Results

One-tailed, paired t-tests demonstrated statistically significant differences between pre- and postsurgical raw scores for Digit Span, t(21) = -2.52, p = 0.02 (presurgical M = 8.05, SD = 1.70; postsurgical M = 7.32, SD = 1.43), and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) Delayed Recall, t(21) = -2.99, p < 0.01 (presurgical M=10.00, SD=2.51; postsurgical M = 8.55 SD = 2.61). Respective effect sizes were moderate (d = .54; d = .64). QOLIE-31 scores improved on all subscales, as expected. Significant changes |p < 0.05| were found on most QOLIE-31 subscales, i.e., Seizure Worry, Emotional Well-Being, Social Function and Overall Quality of Life. Remaining subscales did not significantly improve, i.e., Energy/Fatigue, Cognitive and Medication Effects.

Conclusions

Attention and verbal memory declines after epilepsy surgery were associated with limited improvements on QOLIE-31 subscales of Cognitive, Energy/Fatigue and Medication Effects in Latino PWE. Previous studies have not simultaneously examined neuropsychological and QOLIE-31 outcomes after epilepsy surgery in this unique, underserved, Spanish-speaking population. Further investigation is warranted.
Below Chance Performance of p < .05 or p < .20: Frequency of Statistically Below Chance Scores in Dementia
Authors: Olsen D , Schroeder R , Martin P
Published: August 2019

Objective

A p-value of < .05 has traditionally been utilized to determine below chance performance on forced-choice performance validity tests (PVT). Recently, Binder and colleagues (2014 & 2018) proposed that the p-value cutoff increase to < .20. To ensure this does not result in frequent false-positive errors in patients who are likely to have significant cognitive impairment, frequency of below chance scores at both p-values were examined within the context of possible dementia.

Method

Archival data of cognitively impaired inpatient (n = 55; mean RBANS Total Score = 64.67) and outpatient (n = 203; mean RBANS Total Score = 74.15) older adults without external incentives were examined to determine frequency of below chance performances on the Coin-in-the-Hand Test. To supplement this data and examine below chance performance on a second PVT, the authors reviewed empirical literature and extracted data on TOMM performance in individuals with dementia. Four studies (n = 269 patients) provided data that could be extracted.

Results

No patient produced a Coin-in-the-Hand Test score (0/258 individuals) reaching either p value cutoff. Similarly, no patient produced a TOMM Trial 2 (0/121 individuals) or Retention score (0/84 individuals) reaching either p value cutoff. For TOMM Trial 1, no patient (0/44) scored at p < .05 but two patients (2/64) scored at p < .20.

Conclusions

No individual in this study produced scores on either PVT reaching the p < .05 cutoff. At the p < .20 cutoff, there were only 2 out of 527 performances (0.4%) that reached this threshold; both of which were observed on TOMM Trial 1. This data supports the recommendation that p < .20 be used when determining below chance performance.
Impact of Puberty and Age on Adolescent Inhibition Over Time
Authors: Harrison J , Wong M , McManimen S
Published: August 2019

Objective

We measured how puberty impacted inhibition over three years. We hypothesized that age and puberty development would predict inhibition at each time point. Results revealed differential effects of puberty and age over time.

Method

Participants from Southern Idaho were 245 adolescents at Time 1 (T1) (M = 10.4, SD = 1.5, 50% female, 64% Caucasian), 196 adolescents at Time 2 (T2) (M = 11.8, SD = 1.5, 50% female, 81% Caucasian), and 87 adolescents at Time 3 (T3) (M = 13, SD = 1.5, 56% female, 82% Caucasian). Participants completed a physical exam with a registered nurse, which included the Tanner Scale (Apter & Hermanson, 2002; Tinggaard et. al., 2012) and the Puberty Development Scale (Petersen et al., 1988). Inhibition was assessed using stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) within the Stop-it Task (Logan, Cowan, & Davis, 1984).

Results

Using structural equation modeling, for T1, the overall model demonstrated a good fit, χ2(3) = 1.23, p = .75, RMSEA = .00, CFI = 1.00, TLI = 1.04. Puberty significantly predicted inhibition (β = -.21, p < .05), i.e., higher puberty scores predicted stronger inhibition. However, age was not a significant predictor. At T2, the model demonstrated a good fit, χ2(7) = 7.77, p = .35, RMSEA = .03, CFI = 1.00, TLI = .99. Age significantly predicted inhibition (β=-.39, p < .001). However, puberty was not a significant predictor. In T3, neither age nor puberty predicted inhibition.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that early adolescent increases in inhibition may be due to puberty development rather than age. As one ages, puberty has less effect, and chronological age becomes more significant. Finally, in mid-adolescence, neither age nor puberty significantly affects inhibition. These findings highlight the changing effects of age and puberty on inhibitory control across adolescence.
Normative Data that Does Not Exclude Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment Results in Lower Than Expected Memory Impairment Rates, Particularly in Females
Authors: Stricker N , Lundt E , Christianson T , Machulda M , Kremers W , Fields J , Mielke M , Knopman D , Petersen R
Published: August 2019

Objective

Mayo’s Older Adult Normative Studies (MOANS) have served as an important resource for clinicians for three decades. Data collection was completed prior to the development and widespread use of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as a construct. Therefore, a portion of individuals included in the MOANS normative studies likely had undetected cognitive impairment.

Method

The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) is a population-based study of cognitive aging among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents that began in October 2004. We applied age-adjusted MOANS norms (Ivnik et al., 1992) for the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) long delay recall to cognitively unimpaired participants age 56 or older in the MCSA (N = 3,603). We used 1-sample tests of proportions comparing observed impairment rates to impairment rates expected based on a normal distribution of performance.

Results

Results showed that a significantly lower than expected number of participants demonstrated impaired delayed recall based on MOANS norms (all p’s < .001). Using a lenient cut-off (< -1 SD), only 7.3% of participants demonstrated impaired performance (vs. 15.9% expected), and this was more pronounced for females (3.5% impaired) relative to males (11.1% impaired). Further, only 0.6% of participants demonstrated impaired performance at a cut-off of < -2 SD, and no participants aged 80-91 reached this cut-off (2.3% expected).

Conclusions

Results suggest that the sensitivity of the original MOANS norms is lowered by likely inclusion of individuals with MCI, particularly in females. Updated normative data for the AVLT that exclude individuals with MCI and adjust for sex are needed.
Does city life reduce neophobia? A study on wild black-capped chickadees.
Authors: Jarjour Catherine , Evans Julian C , Routh Mélanie , Morand-Ferron Julie
Published: August 2019

As human populations increase and city borders grow, many animals have to modify foraging behaviors in order to exploit evolutionarily novel urban food sources that could aid their survival. Neophobia, the fear of novelty, can lead to missed opportunities in these cases. Here, we studied the novelty response of wild animals in ecologically relevant conditions while controlling for individual characteristics and potential differences in foraging group size. We predicted that urban black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) would be more likely to initially contact novelty than rural chickadees and that subordinates and juveniles would be more likely to first contact novelty than dominants and adults, respectively. We ran replicated experiments using three novelty types (object, color, or food) on six sites, during which we registered feeder choice of 71 tagged individuals. We found that urban chickadees showed less neophobia than their rural counterparts, the latter having a higher probability of initially contacting the familiar feeder before approaching the novel feeder. There was no significant effect of an individual’s dominance, age, or sex on its first choice of feeder, nor was there any effect of novelty type. Overall, our results suggest that urban chickadees exhibit less neophobia than their rural counterparts because they have generally learned to tolerate novelty in their habitat, they have adapted to live in an environment that rewards low neophobia, and/or they are less reluctant to use feeders at new locations.
Doxycycline Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: Grant Juliana S , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Celum Connie , Grennan Troy , Haire Bridget , Kaldor John , Luetkemeyer Anne F , Saunders John M , Molina Jean-Michel , Klausner Jeffrey D
Published: August 2019

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been increasing over the past 2 decades in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. With the widespread use of early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, which virtually eliminates transmission risk, and the availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, there have been attitudinal changes regarding HIV infection with resultant increases in sexual contact and declines in condom use. Doxycycline is used for primary prophylaxis in a number of infectious diseases. We conducted a state-of-the-art review to examine the current state of research, knowledge gaps, and challenges around the use of doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent syphilis and other STIs. International academic and government experts met in March 2019 to frame the initial inquiry, which was supplemented by focused literature searches. Two small short-term randomized controlled trials examining doxycycline prophylaxis found high efficacy. Five additional clinical studies are underway or in development. Studies differed in design, population, outcomes, and safety measures. Doxycycline prophylaxis for bacterial STIs shows promise. Better and more robust data are needed on efficacy; target population; community acceptability; behavioral risk compensation; doxycycline dose, regimen, and formulation; long-term safety; antimicrobial resistance; cost-effectiveness; and risk–benefit.
Endothelial microvesicles carrying Src-rich cargo impair adherens junction integrity and cytoskeleton homeostasis
Authors: Chatterjee Victor , Yang Xiaoyuan , Ma Yonggang , Cha Byeong , Meegan Jamie E , Wu Mack , Yuan Sarah Y
Published: August 2019

Aims

Microvesicles (MVs) conduct intercellular communication and impact diverse biological processes by transferring bioactive cargos to other cells. We investigated whether and how endothelial production of MVs contribute to vascular dysfunction during inflammation.

Methods and results

We measured the levels and molecular properties of endothelial-derived MVs (EC-MVs) from mouse plasma following a septic injury elicited by cecal ligation and puncture, as well as those from supernatants of cultured endothelial cells stimulated by inflammatory agents including cytokines, thrombin, and complement 5a. The mouse studies showed that sepsis caused a significant increase in total plasma vesicles and VE-cadherin+ EC-MVs compared to sham control. In cultured ECs, different inflammatory agents caused diverse patterns of EC-MV production and cargo contents. When topically applied to endothelial cells, EC-MVs induced a cytoskeleton-junction response characterized by myosin light chain phosphorylation, contractile fibre reorganization, VE-cadherin phosphorylation, and adherens junction dissociation, functionally measured as increased albumin transendothelial flux and decreased barrier resistance. The endothelial response was coupled with protein tyrosine phosphorylation promoted by MV cargo containing c-Src kinase, whereas MVs produced from c-Src deficient cells did not exert barrier-disrupting effects. Additionally, EC-MVs contribute to endothelial inflammatory injury by promoting neutrophil-endothelium adhesion and release of neutrophil extracellular traps containing citrullinated histones and myeloperoxidase, a response unaltered by c-Src knockdown.

Conclusion

Endothelial-derived microparticles cause endothelial barrier dysfunction by impairing adherens junctions and activating neutrophils. The signalling mechanisms underlying the endothelial cytoskeleton-junction response to EC-MVs involve protein phosphorylation promoted by MV cargo carrying c-Src. However, EC-MV-induced neutrophil activation was not dependent on c-Src.
Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of testis pathology and Sertoli cell epimutations: generational origins of male infertility
Authors: Sadler-Riggleman Ingrid , Klukovich Rachel , Nilsson Eric , Beck Daniel , Xie Yeming , Yan Wei , Skinner Michael K
Published: August 2019

Male reproductive health has been in decline for decades with dropping sperm counts and increasing infertility, which has created a significant societal and economic burden. Between the 1970s and now, a general decline of over 50% in sperm concentration has been observed in the population. Environmental toxicant-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance has been shown to affect testis pathology and sperm count. Sertoli cells have an essential role in spermatogenesis by providing physical and nutritional support for developing germ cells. The current study was designed to further investigate the transgenerational epigenetic changes in the rat Sertoli cell epigenome and transcriptome that are associated with the onset of testis disease. Gestating female F0 generation rats were transiently exposed during the period of fetal gonadal sex determination to the environmental toxicants, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or vinclozolin. The F1 generation offspring were bred (i.e. intercross within the lineage) to produce the F2 generation grand-offspring that were then bred to produce the transgenerational F3 generation (i.e. great-grand-offspring) with no sibling or cousin breeding used. The focus of the current study was to investigate the transgenerational testis disease etiology, so F3 generation rats were utilized. The DNA and RNA were obtained from purified Sertoli cells isolated from postnatal 20-day-old male testis of F3 generation rats. Transgenerational alterations in DNA methylation, noncoding RNA, and gene expression were observed in the Sertoli cells from vinclozolin and DDT lineages when compared to the control (vehicle exposed) lineage. Genes associated with abnormal Sertoli cell function and testis pathology were identified, and the transgenerational impacts of vinclozolin and DDT were determined. Alterations in critical gene pathways, such as the pyruvate metabolism pathway, were identified. Observations suggest that ancestral exposures to environmental toxicants promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of Sertoli cell epigenetic and transcriptome alterations that associate with testis abnormalities. These epigenetic alterations appear to be critical factors in the developmental and generational origins of testis pathologies and male infertility.
Evaluation of the Epidemiologic Efficacy of EradicatingHelicobacter pylorion Development of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Duan Fujiao , Song Chunhua , Zhang Jintao , Wang Peng , Ye Hua , Dai Liping , Zhang Jianying , Wang Kaijuan
Published: August 2019

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori colonization has been reported to affect the progression of gastric cancer. A comprehensive literature search was performed from 1997 to 2017 using electronic databases. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized controlled trials (non-RCT) evaluated the effect of H. pylori eradication on development of gastric cancer. Four RCTs and 9 non-RCTs were included (n = 40,740 participants; 321,269 person-years). Overall, H. pylori eradication therapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of gastric cancer (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41, 0.65). Results of mixed-effect Poisson regression meta-analysis were similar to those of traditional meta-analyses. In stratified analyses, the IRRs were 0.59 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.86) in RCTs and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.64) in non-RCTs. The IRRs were 0.45 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.61) in patients and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.90) in the general population. Moreover, the relative risk reduction was approximately 77% on the development of noncardiac gastric cancer with H. pylori eradication therapy in China. Attributable risk percentage and population attributable risk percentage for Chinese patients were 77.08% and 75.33%, respectively, and for Japanese patients were 57.80% and 45.99%, respectively. H. pylori eradication therapy reduces the risk of noncardiac gastric cancer development. The findings indicate the importance of early intervention with H. pylori eradication therapy from the perspective of epidemiology.
Need for pacemaker implantation in patients with normal QRS duration immediately after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Schoechlin Simon , Jalil Fares , Blum Thomas , Ruile Philipp , Hein Manuel , Nührenberg Thomas G , Arentz Thomas , Neumann Franz-Josef
Published: August 2019

Aims

We sought to assess the need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients with QRS <120 ms in electrocardiogram (ECG) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed 1139 consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI between 2008 and 2016, receiving different valve types. All patients were surveyed by continuous ECG monitoring for 48 h, 12-lead ECGs starting immediately after procedure, as well as 24-h Holter recording the day before discharge. Indication for PPI was at the discretion of the attending physician. Among 760 patients with QRS <120 ms prior to the TAVI procedure, 400 patients showed QRS <120 ms immediately after procedure, whereas 360 patients had QRS ≥120 ms. In the group with QRS <120 ms, PPI was performed in 34 patients [8.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.6–11.2%] during the first week. Eight of the PPIs in the group with QRS <120 ms (2%; CI 0.8–3.5%) fulfilled Class I indications for PPI after TAVI, whereas 26 PPIs had different indications [left bundle branch block, sick sinus, low-grade atrioventricular (AV) block]. Complete AV block developed in three patients of the group of QRS <120 ms (0.75%; CI 0.0–1.7%), which in all cases occurred after the 48 h-surveillance period. During 1-year follow-up, 11 PPIs were performed (2.8%; CI 1.2–4.5%), thereof three PPI for Class I indications including one complete AV block.

Conclusion

In patients with QRS duration <120 ms immediately after TAVI, the risk for complete AV block was low during the first week after TAVI and 1-year follow-up.
Balancing Selection Drives the Maintenance of Genetic Variation in Drosophila Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Chapman Joanne R , Hill Tom , Unckless Robert L
Published: August 2019

Genes involved in immune defense against pathogens provide some of the most well-known examples of both directional and balancing selection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are innate immune effector genes, playing a key role in pathogen clearance in many species, including Drosophila. Conflicting lines of evidence have suggested that AMPs may be under directional, balancing, or purifying selection. Here, we use both a linear model and control-gene-based approach to show that balancing selection is an important force shaping AMP diversity in Drosophila. In Drosophila melanogaster, this is most clearly observed in ancestral African populations. Furthermore, the signature of balancing selection is even more striking once background selection has been accounted for. Balancing selection also acts on AMPs in Drosophila mauritiana, an isolated island endemic separated from D. melanogaster by about 4 Myr of evolution. This suggests that balancing selection may be broadly acting to maintain adaptive diversity in Drosophila AMPs, as has been found in other taxa.
Making Qualitative Intestinal Stricture Quantitative: Embracing Radiomics in IBD
Authors: Lin Sinan , Lin Xiaoqin , Li Xuehua , Chen Minhu , Mao Ren
Published: August 2019

Quantifying intestinal fibrosis is an important but challenging issue in stricturing CD. With the advent of radiomics, MRE and CTE are highly minable data rather than merely pictures, which will greatly facilitate precision medicine in intestinal fibrosis of CD.
Modelling chance and necessity in natural systems
Authors: Planque Benjamin , Mullon Christian
Published: August 2019

Nearly 30 years ago, emerged the concept of deterministic chaos. With it came sensitivity to initial conditions, nonlinearities, and strange attractors. This constituted a paradigm shift that profoundly altered how numerical modellers approached dynamic systems. It also provided an opportunity to resolve a situation of mutual misunderstanding between scientists and non-scientists about uncertainties and predictability in natural systems. Our proposition is that this issue can be addressed in an original way which involves modelling based on the principles of chance and necessity (CaN). We outline the conceptual and mathematical principles of CaN models and present an application of the model to the Barents Sea food-web. Because CaN models rely on concepts easily grasped by all actors, because they are explicit about knowns and unknowns and because the interpretation of their results is simple without being prescriptive, they can be used in a context of participatory management. We propose that, three decades after the emergence of chaos theories, CaN can be a practical step to reconcile scientists and non-scientists around the modelling of structurally and dynamically complex natural systems, and significantly contribute to ecosystem-based fisheries management.
BMI and weight changes and risk of obesity-related cancers: a pooled European cohort study
Authors: Bjørge Tone , Häggström Christel , Ghaderi Sara , Nagel Gabriele , Manjer Jonas , Tretli Steinar , Ulmer Hanno , Harlid Sophia , Rosendahl Ann H , Lang Alois , Stattin Pär , Stocks Tanja , Engeland Anders
Published: August 2019

Background

Obesity is an established risk factor for several cancers. Adult weight gain has been associated with increased cancer risk, but studies on timing and duration of adult weight gain are relatively scarce. We examined the impact of BMI (body mass index) and weight changes over time, as well as the timing and duration of excess weight, on obesity- and non-obesity-related cancers.

Methods

We pooled health data from six European cohorts and included 221 274 individuals with two or more height and weight measurements during 1972–2014. Several BMI and weight measures were constructed. Cancer cases were identified through linkage with national cancer registries. Hazard ratios (HRs) of cancer with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from time-dependent Cox-regression models.

Results

During follow-up, 27 881 cancer cases were diagnosed; 9761 were obesity-related. The HR of all obesity-related cancers increased with increasing BMI at first and last measurement, maximum BMI and longer duration of overweight (men only) and obesity. Participants who were overweight before age 40 years had an HR of obesity-related cancers of 1.16 (95% CI 1.02, 1.32) and 1.15 (95% CI 1.04, 1.27) in men and women, respectively, compared with those who were not overweight. The risk increase was particularly high for endometrial (70%), male renal-cell (58%) and male colon cancer (29%). No positive associations were seen for cancers not regarded as obesity-related.

Conclusions

Adult weight gain was associated with increased risk of several major cancers. The degree, timing and duration of overweight and obesity also seemed to be important. Preventing weight gain may reduce the cancer risk.
The impact of alternative historical extrapolations of diesel exhaust exposure and radon in the Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study (DEMS)
Authors: Vermeulen Roel , Portengen Lützen , Lubin Jay , Stewart Patricia , Blair Aaron , Attfield Michael D , Silverman Debra T
Published: August 2019

Background

Previous results from the Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study (DEMS) demonstrated a positive exposure–response relation between lung cancer and respirable elemental carbon (REC), a key surrogate for diesel exhaust exposure. Two issues have been raised regarding DEMS: (i) the use of historical carbon monoxide (CO) measurements to calibrate models used for estimating historical exposures to REC in the DEMS exposure assessment; and (ii) potential confounding by radon.

Methods

We developed alternative REC estimates using models that did not rely on CO for calibration, but instead relied on estimated use of diesel equipment, mine ventilation rates and changes in diesel engine emission rates over time. These new REC estimates were used to quantify cumulative REC exposure for each subject in the nested case-control study. We conducted conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for lung cancer. To evaluate the impact of including radon as a potential confounder, we estimated ORs for average REC intensity adjusted for cumulative radon exposure in underground miners.

Results

Validation of the new REC exposure estimates indicated that they overestimated historical REC by 200–400%, compared with only 10% for the original estimates. Effect estimates for lung cancer using these alternative REC exposures or adjusting for radon typically changed by <10% when compared with the original estimates.

Conclusions

These results emphasize the robustness of the DEMS findings, support the use of CO for model calibration and confirm that radon did not confound the DEMS estimates of the effect of diesel exposure on lung cancer mortality.