bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards health research participation: a qualitative study of US Arabs and Chaldeans
Authors: Campbell-Voytal Kimberly D , Schwartz Kendra L , Hamade Hiam , Dallo Florence J , Neale Anne Victoria
Published: August 2018

Background

The Arab Muslim and Chaldean Christian American community is unified by language but culturally diverse. Researchers are challenged to engage the Arab/Chaldean community to meet immigrant health needs. Arabs/Chaldeans are identified as white in clinical data sets making it difficult to identify health behaviours and patterns unique to the community.

Objectives

To explore the views of members of the Arab/Chaldean community, including researchers and the lay public, regarding health research participation and the role of clinicians, researchers and community leaders in the research process.

Methods

A qualitative study of Arab and Chaldean adults and researchers conducted in a US community with a large Arab/Chaldean population. Five semi-structured focus group discussions were triangulated with five in-depth semi-structured interviews with Arab or Chaldean primary care researchers. Responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed, and findings confirmed with community representatives.

Results

Three themes were identified: (i) research expectations: risks and benefits; (ii) health care environment: clinicians as recruiters and (iii) research participations: risks and benefits. Themes captured concerns with social relationships, reputation or trust and the cost and benefit of research participation. In the Arab/Chaldean community, institutional and political fears and distrust are amplified. Respect for physicians, teachers and faith leaders connected with or recruiting for studies enhances likelihood of research participation.

Conclusion

Clinical researchers should address the cultural and immigration histories of Arab/Chaldean research participants. Studies that maximize trust will minimize participation bias and lay the groundwork for improved health. Institutional, sociocultural and personal factors require a pre-study phase to engage and educate participants.
Chronobiology and the design of marine biology experiments
Authors: Mat Audrey M
Published: August 2018

Marine habitats are shaped by several geophysical cycles ranging from a few hours (tidal and solar cycles) to a year (seasons). These cycles have favoured the selection of endogenous biological clocks. Such a clock is a molecular time-keeping mechanism that consists of a set of core clock genes whose expression oscillates. The clocks produce biological rhythms and influence virtually all metabolic, physiological, and behavioural functions in organisms. This work highlights the importance to take chronobiology into account in experimental marine biology to avoid faulty results, misinterpretation of results, and/or to strengthen observations and conclusion. A literature survey, based on 150 articles, was conducted and showed that, despite the pervasive imprint of biological rhythms in marine species, environmental cycles such as the 24 h-light/dark cycle and the seasonality are rarely considered in experimental designs. This work emphasizes that better integrating the temporal organization and regulation of marine species within the marine biology community is essential for obtaining representative results.
Sustainable use of Baltic Sea resources
Authors: Ojaveer Henn , Neuenfeldt Stefan , Dierking Jan , Eek Liina , Haldin Jannica , Martin Georg , Märtin Kaire , Peterson Kaja , Valanko Sebastian
Published: August 2018

The BONUS symposium “Science delivery for sustainable use of the Baltic Sea living resources” held in Tallinn, Estonia, in October 2017 was an opportunity for the presentation and discussion of 107 papers that examined the state and dynamics of living resources of the Baltic Sea, and associated management challenges. The symposium included a half-day stakeholder panel discussion that addressed the main challenges related to sustainable management and matching research and policy/management needs. Based on the five symposium papers published in this Special Issue as well as the stakeholder panel discussion, it can be concluded that (i) new observations about the feeding ecology of clupeids supports a more complete understanding of trophic interactions in the pelagic realm and improved calibration of ecosystem models, (ii) to safequard sustainable and diverse fisheries resources, one should take into account the specific local characteristics of the fish community, (iii) to safeguard sustainable use of marine resources and mitigate cross-sectoral and transboundary conflicts, a risk-based approach should be adopted, and (iv) incorporation of scientific advice into management faces several obstacles including the reality that not all readily available knowledge is currently being incorporated into the decision-making process.
Dysregulation of immunoproteasomes in autoinflammatory syndromes
Authors: Yasutomo Koji
Published: August 2018

Immunoproteasomes degrade ubiquitin-coupled proteins and play a role in creating peptides for presentation by MHC class I proteins. Studies of gene-deficient mice, in which each immunoproteasomal subunit was affected, have demonstrated that dysfunction of immunoproteasomes leads to immunodeficiency, i.e. reduced expression of MHC class I and attenuation of CD8 T-cell responses. Recent studies, however, have uncovered a new type of autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by fever, nodular erythema and progressive partial lipodystrophy that is caused by genetic mutations in immunoproteasome subunits. These mutations disturbed the assembly of immunoproteasomes, which led to reduced proteasomal activity and thus accumulation of ubiquitin-coupled proteins. Those findings suggest that immunoproteasomes function as anti-inflammatory machinery in humans. The discovery of a new type of autoinflammatory syndrome caused by dysregulated immunoproteasomes provides novel insights into the important roles of immunoproteasomes in inflammation as well as the spectrum of autoinflammatory diseases.
Racializing Religion: Constructing Colonial Identities in the Syrian Provinces in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Delatolla Andrew , Yao Joanne
Published: August 2018

In recent decades, international events and incisive critical voices have catapulted the concepts of race and religion to the foreground of International Relations research. In particular, scholars have sought to recover the racialized and imperial beginnings of IR as an academic discipline in the early-20th century. This article contributes to this growing body of work by analyzing both race and religion as conceptual tools of scientific imperial administration—tools that in the 19th century classified and divided the global periphery along a continuum of civilizational and developmental difference. The article then applies this framework to the case of French, and more broadly, European, relations with populations in the Ottoman Empire, particularly within the Syrian Provinces. As described throughout this article and the case study, the Europeans used the language of race to contribute to religious hierarchies in the Syrian provinces in the mid- and late-19th century, having a lasting effect on discussions of religion in IR and international politics.
Integration Processes of Syrian Refugees in Turkey: ‘Class-based Integration’
Authors: ŞİMŞEK DOĞUŞ
Published: August 2018

This article explores the intersections between economic resources of refugees and integration. It measures processes of adaptation of Syrians by focusing on the legal-political and socio-economic dimensions of integration. The focus of my analysis of the situations of Syrian refugees in Turkey is on class and related to financial resources that help Syrians to reach a kind of stability and security to those who lack rights. The key theoretical undertaking of this article is an attempt to develop the concept of ‘class-based integration’. The data consists of 120 semi-structured interviews conducted with Syrian refugees in Istanbul, Ankara and Gaziantep. I argue that Syrian refugees in Turkey go through ‘class-based integration’, which is in favour of refugees who do investments and who are skilled and leaves out refugees who are unskilled and do not have economic resources to invest in the receiving country from the integration processes. The article also shows that having economic resources could also support the construction of social bridges with members of the receiving society and overcoming the legal barriers to integration.
When Children Refuse School
Authors: Kearney Christopher A. , Albano Anne Marie
Published: August 2018

When Children Refuse School: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach, Parent Workbook is designed to help parents work with a therapist to help their children who currently have difficulties attending school. This workbook defines school refusal behavior, describes how situations might be evaluated, and shows what parents and therapists can do to get children back into school with less distress. Parents should use this workbook with a qualified therapist who is concurrently using the therapist guide to treat the child’s school refusal behavior. Problematic school absenteeism is the primary focus of the treatment program covered in the workbook. Youths who complete high school are more likely to be successful at social, academic, occupational, and economic aspects of functioning than youths who do not. Youths with problematic school absenteeism are at risk for lower academic performance and achievement, lower reading and mathematics test scores, fewer literacy skills, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, grade retention, involvement with the juvenile justice system, and dropout. The treatment program presented in this guide is designed for youths with primary and acute school refusal behavior. The program is based on a functional model of school refusal behavior that classifies youths on the basis of what reinforces their absenteeism.
Pulsar timing constraints on the Fermi massive black hole binary blazar population
Authors: Holgado A Miguel , Sesana Alberto , Sandrinelli Angela , Covino Stefano , Treves Aldo , Liu Xin , Ricker Paul
Published: August 2018

Blazars are a subpopulation of quasars whose jets are nearly aligned with the line of sight, which tend to exhibit multiwavelength variability on a variety of time-scales. Quasi-periodic variability on year-like time-scales has been detected in a number of bright sources, and has been connected to the orbital motion of a putative massive black hole binary. If this were indeed the case, those blazar binaries would contribute to the nanohertz gravitational-wave stochastic background. We test the binary hypothesis for the blazar population observed by the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, which consists of BL Lacertae objects and flat-spectrum radio quasars. Using mock populations informed by the luminosity functions for BL Lacertae objects and flat-spectrum radio quasars with redshifts z ≤ 2, we calculate the expected gravitational-wave background and compare it to recent pulsar timing array upper limits. The two are consistent only if a fraction ≲10−3 of blazars hosts a binary with orbital periods <5 yr. We therefore conclude that binarity cannot significantly explain year-like quasi-periodicity in blazars.
The nature of the variable millimetre–selected AGN in the brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 851
Authors: Cheale R A , Geach J E , Edge A C , Perrott Y C , Cantwell T
Published: August 2018

We present the detection of a bright 3 mm continuum source in the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in Abell 0851 (z = 0.411) with the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA). When this detection is compared to other multifrequency observations across 21cm–$100 {\mu {m}}$, including new Arcminute Microkelvin Imager 15 GHz observations, we find evidence for a relatively flat, variable core source associated with the BCG. The radio power and amplitude of variability observed in this galaxy is consistent with the cores in lower redshift BCGs in X-ray–selected clusters, and the flat mm–cm spectrum is suggestive of the BCG being a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus archetype. The discovery of this system could provide a basis for a long-term study of the role of low-luminosity radio mode ‘regulatory’ feedback in massive clusters.
Predicting kidney failure risk after acute kidney injury among people receiving nephrology clinic care
Authors: Sawhney Simon , Beaulieu Monica , Black Corri , Djurdjev Ognjenka , Espino-Hernandez Gabriela , Marks Angharad , McLernon David J , Sheriff Zainab , Levin Adeera
Published: August 2018

Background

Outcomes after acute kidney injury (AKI) are well described, but not for those already under nephrology clinic care. This is where discussions about kidney failure risk are commonplace. We evaluated whether the established kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) should account for previous AKI episodes when used in this setting.

Methods

This observational cohort study included 7491 people referred for nephrology clinic care in British Columbia in 2003–09 followed to 2016. Predictors were previous Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes–based AKI, age, sex, proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and renal diagnosis. Outcomes were 5-year kidney failure and death. We developed cause-specific Cox models (AKI versus no AKI) for kidney failure and death, stratified by eGFR (</≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2). We also compared prediction models comparing the 5-year KFRE with two refitted models, one with and one without AKI as a predictor.

Results

AKI was associated with increased kidney failure (33.1% versus 26.3%) and death (23.8% versus 16.8%) (P  < 0.001). In Cox models, AKI was independently associated with increased kidney failure in those with an eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 {hazard ratio [HR] 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.70]}, no increase in those with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ([HR 1.05 95% CI 0.91–1.21)] and increased mortality in both subgroups [respective HRs 1.89 (95% CI 1.56–2.30) and 1.43 (1.16–1.75)]. Incorporating AKI into a refitted kidney failure prediction model did not improve predictions on comparison of receiver operating characteristics (P = 0.16) or decision curve analysis. The original KFRE calibrated poorly in this setting, underpredicting risk.

Conclusions

AKI carries a poorer long-term prognosis among those already under nephrology care. AKI may not alter kidney failure risk predictions, but the use of prediction models without appreciating the full impact of AKI, including increased mortality, would be simplistic. People with kidney diseases have risks beyond simply kidney failure. This complexity and variability of outcomes of individuals is important.
Disentangling Within- and Between-Person Effects of Shared Risk Factors on E-cigarette and Cigarette Use Trajectories From Late Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Authors: Dunbar Michael S , Davis Jordan P , Rodriguez Anthony , Tucker Joan S , Seelam Rachana , D’Amico Elizabeth J
Published: August 2018

Background

Longitudinal studies report associations between use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) and cigarettes over time among young people, but do not distinguish within- from between-person effects, which complicates interpretation of findings. Further, the role of shared risk factors, such as substance use and mental health, in explaining longitudinal associations between EC and cigarette use remains unclear. This study used within- and between-person analyses to assess longitudinal associations between youths’ EC and cigarette use and shared risk factors.

Methods

Between 2015 and 2017, 2039 youths completed three Web-based surveys, allowing us to model EC and cigarette use from ages 16 to 20. Auto-regressive latent growth models with structured residuals (ALT-SR) examined both between-person and within-person associations between past-month frequency of EC use, cigarette use, and third variables (alcohol and marijuana use, mental health symptoms) over time.

Results

Models revealed robust reciprocal associations between EC and cigarette use, such that more frequent EC use at one time predicted more frequent cigarette use at the subsequent time, and vice versa. Between-person analyses showed associations between shared risk factors and both EC and cigarette use. However, shared risk factors did not predict frequency of subsequent EC and cigarette use in within-person analyses.

Conclusions

Findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that EC use among youth is prospectively associated with progression toward greater cigarette use. Shared risk factors may help explain differences in EC and cigarette use patterns between young people, but do not appear to influence longitudinal trajectories of EC and cigarette use within individuals.

Implications

This study examined within- and between-person associations between e-cigarette use, cigarette use, and shared risk factors (alcohol use, marijuana use, mental health symptoms) in a longitudinal cohort of youths. Within- and between-person analyses revealed reciprocal prospective associations between e-cigarette and cigarette use, suggesting a progression toward more frequent use of both products over time. The shared risk factors examined here did not affect escalations in e-cigarette or cigarette use over time within individuals, but likely influence which youths use these products. Findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that e-cigarette use increases subsequent cigarette use in young people.
Evaluation of a Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of a Culturally Targeted and Nontargeted Smoking Cessation Intervention for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Smokers
Authors: Matthews Alicia K , Steffen Alana D , Kuhns Lisa M , Ruiz Raymond A , Ross Nat A , Burke Larisa A , Li Chien Ching , King Andrea C
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To examine the benefits of a culturally targeted compared with a nontargeted smoking cessation intervention on smoking cessation outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) smokers.

Methods

A prospective randomized design was used to evaluate the added benefits of an LGBT culturally targeted Courage to Quit (CTQ-CT) smoking cessation treatment (N = 172) compared with the standard intervention (CTQ; N = 173). The smoking cessation program consisted of six treatment sessions combined with 8 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy. The primary smoking cessation outcome was 7-day point prevalence quit rates. Secondary outcomes examined included changes in nicotine dependence, nicotine withdrawal, cigarettes per day, smoking urges, self-efficacy, and readiness to quit.

Results

Overall quit rates were 31.9% at 1 month, 21.1% at 3 months, 25.8% at 6 months, and 22.3% at 12 months. Quit rates did not differ between treatment groups [1 month OR = 0.81 (0.32, 2.09), 3 months OR = 0.65 (0.23, 1.78), 6 months OR = 0.45 (0.17, 1.21), 12 months OR = 0.70 (0.26, 1.91)]. Compared with baseline levels, all secondary smoking cessation outcomes measured were improved at 1 month and were maintained at 12-month follow-up. Compared with the CTQ, the CTQ-CT intervention was more highly rated on program effectiveness (d = 0.2, p = .011), intervention techniques (d = 0.2, p = .014), the treatment manual (d = 0.3, p < .001), and being targeted to the needs of LGBT smokers (d = 0.5, p < .0001).

Conclusions

LGBT smokers receiving the CTQ intervention achieved smoking cessation outcomes in the range reported for other demographic groups. Cultural targeting improved the acceptability of the intervention but did not confer any additional benefit for smoking cessation outcomes.

Implications

Study results have implications for understanding the benefits of culturally targeted compared with nontargeted smoking cessation interventions for improving smoking cessation outcomes among LGBT smokers. Shorter and longer term 7-day point prevalence quit rates associated with the targeted and nontargeted interventions were modest but comparable with other group-based interventions delivered in a community setting. Although cultural targeting improved the overall acceptability of the intervention, no added benefits were observed for the culturally targeted intervention on either the primary or secondary outcomes.
Metric semi-groups of normal states determine F-algebras
Authors: Lau Anthony To-Ming , Ng Chi-Keung , Wong Ngai-Ching
Published: August 2018

Let A be an F-algebra and S(A*) be the metric semi-group of normal states of the W*-algebra A*. We show that S(A*) determines A, when A* is of type I. In particular, when A is either the Fourier algebra A(G) or the Fourier–Stieltjes algebra B(G) of a type I locally compact group G, the metric semi-group S(A*) determines G up to opposition. A remark for the general case will also be given.
Impact of RSV Coinfection on Human Bocavirus in Children with Acute Respiratory Infections
Authors: Sun Huiming , Sun Jiyang , Ji Wei , Hao Chuangli , Yan Yongdong , Chen Zhengrong , Wang Yuqing
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess epidemiological and clinical features of human bocavirus (HBoV) coinfection with other viruses.

Method

Children coinfected with HBoV between January 2012 and December 2014 were enrolled and retrospectively reviewed.

Result

A total of 984 patients were stratified into five groups: HBoV infection alone (n = 249), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection alone (n = 649), HBoV coinfection with RSV (n = 28), with human rhinovirus (HRV) (n = 39) and with other virus (n = 19). Length of hospitalization was longer in HBoV coinfection with RSV group than HBoV (9.0 days vs. 7.0 days, p = 0.001), RSV (9.0 days vs. 8.0 days, p = 0.016) infection alone group. Pneumonia was more common in the HBoV coinfection with RSV group compared with the HBoV, RSV infection alone group, respectively (75.0% vs. 44.2%, 31.3%, p < 0.001). HBoV DNA copy numbers (383 000 copies/ml) were positively correlated with the length of hospitalization (r = 0.334, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

HBoV coinfection with RSV increases HBoV infection severity.
Medical Student Suicide Rates: A Systematic Review of the Historical and International Literature
Authors: Blacker Caren J. , Lewis Charles P. , Swintak Cosima C. , Bostwick J. Michael , Rackley Sandra J.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Physician suicide rates are reportedly higher than those of the general population, but medical student suicide rates are not well studied. It is difficult to determine whether physician suicide rates can be predicted by medical student risk factors for suicide and difficult to identify those risk factors without knowing medical student suicide rates. The authors systematically reviewed the literature to collate data on medical student suicide rates.

Method

The authors searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Library of Congress databases for papers published in any language before November 11, 2017. They identified 3,429 papers; after the initial screening process, they assessed 82 full-text articles for eligibility. Twelve ultimately met the full inclusion criteria; meta-analysis was not possible. Data regarding medical student suicide numbers and rates were extracted and compared with contemporaneous general population suicide rates using public epidemiological data, when available.

Results

Medical student suicide rates were infrequently reported in the historical and international literature, and data collection techniques were inconsistent. Generally, U.S. medical student suicide rates were lower than those of the contemporaneous general population. Proportionate mortality of medical students (number of deaths by a particular cause such as suicide divided by total number of deaths) was not reported in the literature.

Conclusions

Gaps exist in knowledge of medical student suicide rates, risk factors, and targets for intervention. Significant barriers have impeded information collection. Yet, more comprehensive data collection is needed to understand suicide risk in this population and to implement and improve effective intervention strategies.
Getting Real: Aligning the Learning Needs of Clerkship Students With the Current Clinical Environment
Authors: Klamen Debra L. , Williams Reed , Hingle Susan
Published: August 2018

The authors present follow-up to a prior publication, which proposed a new model for third-year clerkships. The new model was created to address deficiencies in the clinical year and to rectify a recognized mismatch between students’ learning needs and the realities of today’s clinical settings. The new curricular model was implemented at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in academic year 2016–2017. Guiding principles were developed. These were to more deeply engage students in experiential learning through clinical immersion; to pair individual faculty with individual students over longer periods of time so real trust could be developed; to provide students with longitudinal clinical reasoning education under controlled instructional conditions; to simplify goals and objectives for the core clerkships and align them with student learning needs; and to provide students with individualized activities to help them explore areas of interest, choose their specialty, and improve areas of clinical weakness before the fourth year. The authors discuss reactions by faculty and students to the new curriculum, which were mostly positive, as well as several outcomes. Students showed very different attitudes toward what they defined as success in the clerkship year, reflective of their deeper immersion. Students spent more time working in clinical settings and performed more procedures. Performance on Step 2 Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills was unchanged from traditional clerkship years. The 2015 article called for rethinking the third-year clerkships. The authors have shown that such change is possible, and the new curriculum can be implemented with successful early outcomes.
Health Care Simulation in Developing Countries and Low-Resource Situations
Authors: Martinerie Laetitia , Rasoaherinomenjanahary Fanjandrainy , Ronot Maxime , Fournier Pierre , Dousset Bertrand , Tesnière Antoine , Mariette Christophe , Gaujoux Sébastien , Gronnier Caroline
Published: August 2018

Introduction:

Health care simulation, as a complement to traditional learning, has spread widely and seems to benefit both students and patients. The teaching methods involved in health care simulation require substantial human, logistical, and financial investments that might preclude their spread in developing countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the health care simulation experiences in developing countries.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was performed from January 2000 to December 2016. Articles reporting studies on educational health care simulation in developing countries were included.

Results:

In total, 1161 publications were retrieved, of which 156 were considered eligible based on title and abstract screening. Thirty articles satisfied our predefined selection criteria. Most of the studies were case series; 76.7% (23/30) were prospective and comparative, and five were randomized trials. The development of dedicated task trainers and telesimulation were the primary techniques assessed. The retrieved studies showed encouraging trends in terms of trainee satisfaction with improvement after training, but the improvements were mainly tested on the training tool itself. Two of the tools have been proven to be construct valid with clinical impact.

Conclusion:

Health care simulation in developing countries seems feasible with encouraging results. Higher-quality studies are required to assess the educational value and promote the development of health care simulation programs.
In Vivo Remodeling of an Extracellular Matrix Cardiac Patch in an Ovine Model
Authors: Baker R. Scott , Zafar Farhan , Kimura Naritaka , Knilans Timothy , Osinska Hanna , Robbins Jeffrey , Taylor Michael , Morales David L.S.
Published: August 2018

Lack of an ideal patch material for cardiac repairs continues to challenge congenital heart surgeons. The current materials are unable to grow and result in scarring, contraction, and arrhythmias. An acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) patch derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa has demonstrated remodeling potential when used to repair various tissues. This study investigated the in vivo electrophysiologic, mechanical, and histological properties of an ECM patch used to repair a right-ventricular (RV) wall defect in a growing ovine model. A full-thickness, 2 × 2 cm RV defect was created in 11 juvenile sheep and repaired with an ECM patch. Longitudinal RV three-dimensional-electrical mapping, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histological analysis were performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Three-dimensional mapping demonstrated consistent conduction across the patch with little to no difference in voltage, but conduction velocity was consistently less than native myocardium. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed changing strain properties of the patch which by 9–12 months resembled native tissue. Histologic analysis at 3 months demonstrates cardiomyocyte degeneration and partial replacement via proliferation of connective tissue cells that were predominately fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. There was marked neovascularization and an absence of calcification at 12 months. Over time, the ECM patch remained viable with stable muscle at the edges. In growing sheep, an ECM patch becomes a viable tissue and remains so up to at least a year. Although ECM demonstrates some functional aspects of remodeling to native myocardium, histologically it remained immature.
Ultrashort Time-to-Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3 T for the Detection of Spondylolysis in Cadaveric Spines
Authors: Finkenstaedt Tim , Siriwanarangsun Palanan , Achar Suraj , Carl Michael , Finkenstaedt Sina , Abeydeera Nirusha , Chung Christine B. , Bae Won C.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance and confidence of conventional, optimized, and ultrashort time to echo (UTE) magnetic resonance (MR) protocols for detection of simulated lumbar spondylolysis in human cadavers. In addition, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of the UTE technique in subjects with and without spondylolysis.

Materials and Methods

Four human lumbar spine specimens with 46 individual pars interarticularis were randomly left intact (n = 26) or received experimental osteotomy (n = 20) using a microsurgical saw to simulate spondylolysis. The specimens were imaged using a computed tomography (CT) scan along with 3 “Tiers” of MR protocols at 3 T: Tier 1, conventional lumbar MR protocol; Tier 2, optimized conventional protocol consisting of a sagittal oblique spoiled gradient recall echo and axial oblique T1 and short tau inversion recovery sequences; and Tier 3, a sagittal UTE MR sequence. Two blinded readers evaluated the images using a 4-point scale (1 = spondylolysis certainly absent, 2 = probably absent, 3 = probably present, 4 = certainly present) at each individual pars. For each imaging protocol, diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, using the surgical osteotomy as the reference) and confidence were assessed and compared using the McNemar test. Furthermore, 2 human subjects were imaged with the conventional and UTE MR protocols to demonstrate feasibility in vivo.

Results

Diagnostic performance was moderate for Tiers 1 and 2, with a moderate sensitivity (0.70 to 0.75) and high (1.00) specificity. In contrast, CT and Tier 3 UTE MR imaging had both high sensitivity (1.00) and specificity (1.00). The sensitivities of CT or Tier 3 were statistically greater than Tier 1 sensitivity (P = 0.041) and neared statistical significance when compared with Tier 2 sensitivity (P = 0.074). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was also significantly greater for CT and Tier 3 (each area = 1.00), compared with the areas for Tier 1 (0.89, P = 0.037) or Tier 2 (0.873, P = 0.024). Diagnostic confidences of CT or Tier 3 were much greater than other Tiers: Both Tiers 1 and 2 had a large percentage of uncertain (>60%, P < 0.001) or wrong interpretations (>10%, P < 0.001), unlike CT or Tier 3 (0% uncertain or wrong interpretations). Preliminary in vivo UTE images clearly depicted intact and fractured pars.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the detection of pars fractures using a single sagittal UTE MR sequence is superior in performance and confidence to conventional and optimized MR protocols at 3 T, whereas matching those from CT evaluation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility of in vivo application of the UTE sequence in subjects with and without spondylolysis.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Healthy Skeletal Muscles
Authors: Giraudo Chiara , Motyka Stanislav , Weber Michael , Feiweier Thorsten , Trattnig Siegfried , Bogner Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the overall performance, reliability, variability, as well as the accuracy of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tracking metrics, for the muscles of the calf at 3 T and 7 T.

Materials and Methods

Ten volunteers (5 males; mean age, 29.1 ± 4.7 years), with no history of muscle disease, were examined twice at 3 T and 7 T, using a stimulated-echo acquisition mode DTI sequence. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and DTI metrics (track numbers [trn], length [trl], volume [trv], fractional anisotropy [FA], mean [MD], axial [AD], and radial diffusivity [RD]) of the whole-calf muscles, the tibialis anterior, the gastrocnemius medialis, the gastrocnemius lateralis, and the soleus were collected. The Student t test was used to compare SNR and DTI metrics obtained at 3 T and 7 T. The coefficients of variation and the intraclass correlation coefficients were derived to assess the variability and the reliability of the DTI measurements at 3 T and 7 T. To further assess the accuracy of the measurements, the absolute difference was computed for each DTI metric at 3 T and 7 T and then compared (Student t test). The applied level of significance for all the statistical analyses was P < 0.05.

Results

As expected, the SNR was higher at 7 T than at 3 T (+111%; P < 0.001). At 7 T, the tracked fibers of the whole calf muscles, the gastrocnemii, and the soleus were more numerous (trn +5.5%, +3.1%, +8.5%, and +15.1%, respectively), longer (trl +13.1%, +18.8%, +19.3%, and +33.3%, respectively), and showed a greater volume (trv +12.1%, +12.2%, +14.7%, and +15.7%, respectively) than at 3 T (P < 0.05 each). The soleus demonstrated higher FA (+14.3%), lower MD (−1.7%), AD (−1.9%), and RD (−2%) at 7 T than at 3 T (P < 0.05 each), whereas the other muscles showed more heterogeneous results. The coefficients of variation were good (ie, <10%) for all DTI metrics at both 3 T and 7 T. The intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent (>0.750) at 7 T and 3 T for several DTI metrics, such as the trn of the gastrocnemii and the soleus, the trv of the gastrocnemii, the FA of the whole-calf muscles, gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, and soleus, and the RD of all investigated muscles (ie, whole-calf muscles, gastrocnemii, tibialis anterior, and soleus). There were no significant differences between the 2 consecutive measurements with each device, except for the trn of the whole-calf muscles and the FA of the gastrocnemius lateralis (higher mean absolute difference at 3 T and 7 T, respectively; P < 0.05 each).

Conclusions

Despite the numerous challenges associated with DTI of the muscles, both 3 T and 7 T demonstrated reliable and precise results.
Surgical Treatment of Anterior Sinus Wall Fracture Due to Sports Accident
Authors: Hadad Henrique , Cervantes Lara Cristina Cunha , Silva Raquel Barroso Parra da , Junger Bruna , Gonçalves Paulo Zupelari , Fabris André Luis da Silva , Júnior Idelmo Rangel Garcia
Published: August 2018

Frontal bone fractures represent a low percentage of craniofacial fractures. However, a systematic approach and a correct diagnosis are essential for successful treatment and maintenance of physiology of the frontal sinus and late complications. The purpose of this study was to report a clinical patient with anterior wall fracture of the frontal due to sports accident sinus that was surgically treated.
The Supratarsal Approach for Correction of Anterior Frontal Bone Fractures
Authors: Alinasab Babak , Fridman-Bengtsson Ola , Sunnergren Ola , Stjärne Pär
Published: August 2018

Background:

To approach isolated anterior frontal bone fracture, coronal incision is the common surgical access of choice. This approach has complications such as aesthetically undesirable scarring and alopecia along the incision line. An alternative approach to these fractures is through a supratarsal incision. The aim of the present study was to correct the frontal bone fracture, through supratarsal approach.

Methods:

Six consecutive patients with frontal bone fracture were operated through supratarsal incision and evaluated regarding: patient cosmetic satisfaction, forehead contour, scarring, sensibility and motility in forehead and upper eyelids.

Results:

Seven months (6–12) postoperatively, all the patients had normal mobility in the forehead and the upper eyelids and 17% (n = 1) had hypoesthesia of superior orbital nerve. The forehead contour was excellent in all patients. About 83% (n = 5) of the patients were very satisfied and 17% (n = 1) were satisfied with the surgical result.

Conclusion:

Correction of anterior frontal bone fracture through a supratarsal approach appears to be safe and offers a sufficient exposure to the frontal bone fracture correction with excellent contouring results and no noticeable scarring.
Age of onset in genetic prion disease and the design of preventive clinical trials
Authors: Minikel Eric Vallabh , Vallabh Sonia M , Orseth Margaret C , Brandel Jean-Philippe , Haïk Stéphane , Laplanche Jean-Louis , Zerr Inga , Parchi Piero , Capellari Sabina , Safar Jiri , Kenny Janna , Fong Jamie C , Takada Leonel T , Ponto Claudia , Hermann Peter , Knipper Tobias , Stehmann Christiane , Kitamoto Tetsuyuki , Ae Ryusuke , Hamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Sanjo Nobuo , Tsukamoto Tadashi , Mizusawa Hidehiro , Collins Steven J , Chiesa Roberto , Roiter Ignazio , Pedro-Cuesta Jesús de , Calero Miguel , Geschwind Michael D , Yamada Masahito , Nakamura Yosikazu , Mead Simon
Published: August 2018

Regulatory agencies worldwide have adopted programs to facilitate drug development for diseases where the traditional approach of a randomized trial with a clinical endpoint is expected to be prohibitively lengthy or difficult. Here we provide quantitative evidence that this criterion is met for the prevention of genetic prion disease. We assemble age of onset or death data fromN=1,094 individuals with high penetrance mutations in the prion protein gene (PRNP), generate survival and hazard curves, and estimate statistical power for clinical trials. We show that, due to dramatic and unexplained variability in age of onset, randomized preventive trials would require hundreds or thousands of at-risk individuals in order to be statistically powered for an endpoint of clinical onset, posing prohibitive cost and delay and likely exceeding the number of individuals available for such trials. Instead, the characterization of biomarkers suitable to serve as surrogate endpoints will be essential for the prevention of genetic prion disease. Biomarker-based trials may require post-marketing studies to confirm clinical benefit. Parameters such as longer trial duration, increased enrollment, and the use of historical controls in a post-marketing study could provide opportunities for subsequent determination of clinical benefit.
Cell lineage inference from SNP and scRNA-Seq data
Authors: Ding Jun , Lin Chieh , Bar-Joseph Ziv
Published: August 2018

Several recent studies focus on the inference of developmental and response trajectories from single cell NA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) data. A number of computational methods, often referred to as pseudo-time ordering, have been developed for this task. Recently, CRISPR has also been used to reconstruct lineage trees by inserting random mutations. However, both approaches suffer from drawbacks that limit their use. Here we develop a method to detect significant, cell type specific, sequence mutations from scRNA-Seq data. We show that only a few mutations are enough for reconstructing good branching models. Integrating these mutations with expression data further improves the accuracy of the reconstructed models. As we show, the majority of mutations we identify are likely RNA editing events indicating that such information can be used to distinguish cell types.
Successful optimization of reconstruction parameters in structured illumination microscopy – a practical guide
Authors: Karras C. , Smedh M. , Förster R. , Deschout H. , Fernandez-Rodriguez J. , Heintzmann R.
Published: August 2018

The impact of the different reconstruction parameters in super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) onto artifacts is carefully analyzed. They comprise the Wiener filter parameter, an apodization function, zero-frequency suppression and modifications of the optical transfer function. A detailed investigation of the reconstructed image spectrum is concluded to be suitable for identifying artifacts. For this purpose, two samples, an artificial test slide and a more realistic biological system, were used to characterize the artifact classes and their correlation with the image spectra as well as the reconstruction parameters. In addition, a guideline for efficient parameter optimization is suggested and the implementation of the parameters in selected up-to-date processing packages (proprietary and open-source) is depicted.
Novel Method for Viability Assessment ofBifidobacterium longumATCC 15707 on Non-dairy Foods during drying
Authors: Min Min , Mason Susan L. , Bennett Grant N. , Hussain Malik A. , Bunt Craig R.
Published: August 2018

This study demonstrates a new technique for separating and purifying viable microbes from samples that interfere with viability staining. The viability ofBifidobacterium longumATCC 15707 was assessed using PBDC to separate bacteria from complex non-dairy food matrices and Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy (QFM) to determine individual cells using LIVE/DEADBacLight bacterial viability staining. Water agar (3%) was used to retain cells ofB. longumand offered a lower fluorescence background withBacLight viability staining, compared with fixation on polycarbonate (PC) black membrane. The effect of drying temperatures and non-dairy foods on viability ofB. longumwas assessed.B. longumcoated on oat, peanut or raisin was separated by filtration, low- and high-speed centrifugation, flotation and sedimentation buoyant density centrifugation. Purified cells were subsequently deposited on water agar for rehydration followed by LIVE/DEADBacLight viability staining and enumeration. Conventional plate counting was also conducted to compare viability results. Finally, the applicability of this novel method for viability assessment was demonstrated and informative information of cell membrane damages ofB. longumincorporated onto non-dairy foods during 24 h drying was observed. Viability assessment ofB. longumcoated onto oat, peanut, or raisin was much lower by plate counting compared to viability staining. Drying appeared to have a greater impact when viability was assessed by plate counting compared to viability staining.

IMPORTANCE

Enumeration of viable beneficial bacteria from function foods presents a significant bottle neck for product development and quality control. Interference with microscopic and/or fluorescent techniques by ingredients, time required to incubate plated microbes, and the transient nature of the colony forming unit make rapid assessment of viable bacteria difficult. Viability assessment ofBifidobacterium longumATCC 15707 by Percoll Buoyant Density Gradient Centrifugation with LIVE/DEADBacLight viability staining on water agar (3%) was in agreement with serial dilution enumeration. Without the need for incubation viability assessment by staining provided a more rapid means to assess the impact of drying on the viability ofB. longumcoated onto oat, peanut or raisin.
Cellular and Synaptic Phenotype Compensations Limit Circuit Disruption inFmr1-KOMouse Layer 4 Barrel Cortex but Fail to Prevent Deficits in Information Processing
Authors: Domanski Aleksander P.F. , Booker Sam A. , Wyllie David J.A. , Isaac John T.R. , Kind Peter C.
Published: August 2018

Sensory hypersensitivity is a common and debilitating feature of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). However, how developmental changes in neuronal function ultimately culminate in the network dysfunction that underlies sensory hypersensitivities is not known. To address this, we studied the layer 4 barrel cortex circuit inFmr1knockout mice, a critical sensory processing circuit in this mouse model of FXS. By systematically studying cellular and synaptic properties of layer 4 neurons and combining with cellular and network simulations, we explored how the array of phenotypes inFmr1knockout produce circuit pathology during development that result in sensory processing dysfunction. We show that many of the cellular and synaptic pathologies inFmr1knockout mice are antagonistic, mitigating circuit dysfunction, and hence can be regarded as compensatory to the primary pathology. Despite this compensation, the layer 4 network in theFmr1knockout exhibits significant alterations in spike output in response to ascending thalamocortical input that we show results in impaired sensory encoding. We suggest that it is this developmental loss of layer 4 sensory encoding precision that drives subsequent developmental alterations in layer 4 – layer 2/3 connectivity and plasticity observed in theFmr1knockout, and is a critical process producing sensory hypersensitivity.
Zfp189 Mediates Stress Resilience Through a CREB-Regulated Transcriptional Network in Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Lorsch Zachary S. , Hamilton Peter J. , Ramakrishnan Aarthi , Parise Eric M. , Wright William J. , Salery Marine , Lepack Ashley , Mews Philipp , Issler Orna , McKenzie Andrew , Zhou Xianxiao , Parise Lyonna F. , Pirpinias Stephen T , Torres Idelisse Ortiz , Montgomery Sarah , Loh Yong-Hwee Eddie , Labonté Benoit , Conkey Andrew , Symonds Ann E. , Neve Rachael , Turecki Gustavo , Maze Ian , Dong Yan , Zhang Bin , Shen Li , Bagot Rosemary C. , Nestler Eric J.
Published: August 2018

Stress resilience involves numerous brain-wide transcriptional changes. Determining the organization and orchestration of these transcriptional events may reveal novel antidepressant targets, but this remains unexplored. Here, we characterize the resilient transcriptome with co-expression analysis and identify a single transcriptionally-active uniquely-resilient gene network. Zfp189, a previously unstudied zinc finger protein, is the top network key driver and its overexpression in prefrontal cortical (PFC) neurons preferentially activates this network, alters neuronal activity and promotes behavioral resilience. CREB, which binds Zfp189, is the top upstream regulator of this network. To probe CREB-Zfp189 interactions as a network regulatory mechanism, we employ CRISPR-mediated locus-specific transcriptional reprogramming to direct CREB selectively to the Zfp189 promoter. This single molecular interaction in PFC neurons recapitulates the pro-resilient Zfp189-dependent downstream effects on gene network activity, electrophysiology and behavior. These findings reveal an essential role for Zfp189 and a CREB-Zfp189 regulatory axis in mediating a central transcriptional network of resilience.