bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disclosure of Sexual Behavior Is Significantly Associated With Receiving a Panel of Health Care Services Recommended for Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Singh Vidisha , Crosby Richard A. , Gratzer Beau , Gorbach Pamina M. , Markowitz Lauri E. , Meites Elissa
Published: June 2018

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). National guidelines recommend that MSM receive HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screening at least annually, and hepatitis A and B and human papillomavirus vaccinations. We investigated associations between disclosure of male-male sexual orientation/behavior and receipt of this panel of services.

Methods

Gay, bisexual, and other MSM aged 18 through 26 years were enrolled from health clinics serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in Los Angeles and Chicago during 2012 to 2014. Participants completed a computer-assisted self-interview regarding health care services, disclosure of sexual orientation/behavior, and recent HIV test results. Proportions receiving recommended care, prevalence ratios (PRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using SAS 9.4.

Results

Overall, 817 participants visited a provider within the past year. Of these, 525 (64.3%) had disclosed, and 749 (91.7%) felt they could disclose if important to health. In total, 548 (67.1%) received all STI screenings, and 74 (9.1%) received all vaccinations. Only 105 (12.9%) received any human papillomavirus vaccination. More disclosing participants received all recommended screenings (adjusted PR [aPR],1.4; 95% CI, 1.3–1.6) and all recommended care components (aPR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4–4.3) than nondisclosing participants.

Conclusions

Despite national recommendations, receipt of a complete panel of STI care services was low among young MSM. Vaccine uptake was lower than STI screening. However, most participants visited a health care provider in the past year and most disclosed, suggesting opportunities to improve services. Providers might encourage disclosure by improving sexual history taking and education, which could increase opportunities for MSM to receive recommended care.
Preventability of 28-Day Hospital Readmissions in General Internal Medicine Patients: A Retrospective Analysis at a Quaternary Hospital
Authors: Shuster Constantin , Hurlburt Andrew , Yung Terence , Wan Tony , Staples John A. , Tam Penny
Published: June 2018

Background:

Unplanned hospital readmissions are associated with increased patient mortality and health care costs, yet only a fraction are likely to be preventable. This study's objective was to identify preventable hospital readmissions of general internal medicine patients, and their common causes.

Methods:

Patients who were discharged from the general internal medicine teaching service and readmitted to hospital within 28 days for 24 hours or more were recruited to the study; they were identified via the hospital electronic medical record system. Data were gathered via structured review of hospital charts/electronic medical records, along with standardized patient interviews. Unique to our study, a multidisciplinary panel of physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators adjudicated preventability and identified common causes of readmission.

Results:

Fifty-five hospital readmissions were identified; 53% were adjudicated to be preventable. There was no difference in any variable analyzed between preventable and nonpreventable readmissions. The most common causes of preventable readmissions were inadequate coordination of community services upon discharge, insufficient clinical postdischarge follow-up, and suboptimal end-of-life care.

Conclusion:

This study identified a higher proportion of preventable 28-day hospital readmissions when compared with prior research. Increased involvement of palliative care during initial hospitalization for appropriate conditions and improvements in care after discharge may reduce preventable hospital readmissions.
Creating and Sustaining Care Teams in Primary Care: Perspectives From Innovative Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Authors: Howard Jenna , Miller William L. , Willard-Grace Rachel , Burger Elizabeth Stewart , Kelleher Kelly J. , Nutting Paul A. , Hahn Karissa A. , Crabtree Benjamin F.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

To learn from the experiences of innovative primary care practices that have successfully developed care teams.

Research Design:

A 2½-day working conference was convened with representatives from 10 innovative primary care practices, content experts, and researchers to discuss experiences of developing care teams. Qualitative data included observation notes, transcripts of conference sessions and interviews, and narrative summaries of innovations. Case summaries of practices and an analysis matrix were created to identify common themes.

Participants:

Ten practices known nationally for innovations in team-based care participated in the conference represented by 1 to 2 practice members.

Results:

Two domains emerged related to creating effective teams and funding them. Participants emphasized the importance of making practice values explicit and involving everyone in the change process, standardizing routine processes, and mitigating resistance. They also highlighted that team-based care adds comprehensiveness, not necessarily productivity. They, thus, highlighted the need for a long-term financial vision, including resourcefulness and alternate funding.

Conclusions:

Team-based care is possible and valuable in primary care. It is difficult to develop and sustain, however, and requires dedicated time and resources. The challenges these highly motivated practices described raise the question of feasibility for more average practices in the current funding environment.
Getting New Test Results to Patients
Authors: Graybill Sky , Kluesner Joseph , True Mark , Folaron Irene , Tate Joshua , Colburn Jeffrey , Beckman Darrick , Wardian Jana
Published: June 2018

New diagnostic results are constantly arriving to outpatient practices. It is imperative to effectively communicate these results and their implications to patients.

Methods:

We surveyed 100 patients and our clinic personnel to assess opinions regarding methods of communication in common scenarios.

Results:

Response rate was 79% from patients and 75% from clinic personnel. Most patients thought letters were an appropriate way to receive normal test results (83%). They also felt medical-technician calls were appropriate for normal results (88%), medication dose changes (75%), or need for additional studies (71%). Respondents considered nurse calls acceptable in most scenarios except for new diagnoses of cancer or need for surgery; the consensus was that physicians should directly communicate to patients in these situations.

Conclusions:

Providers should take the time to discuss results with patients that lead to significant interventions, but employ support staff to disseminate information about normal results, medication dose changes, and need for additional diagnostic testing.
Delayed Breast Reconstruction on Patients With Upper Extremity Lymphedema
Authors: Siotos Charalampos , Hassanein Aladdin H. , Bello Ricardo J. , Sebai Mohamad E. , Seal Stella M. , Manahan Michele A. , Cooney Damon S. , Cooney Carisa M. , Rosson Gedge D.
Published: June 2018

Background

Breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating condition with morbidity, hindered quality of life, and increased health-related costs. Experimental studies support the use of musculocutaneous flaps for managing animal models with lymphedema. Although vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and lymphovenous anastomosis are used to surgically treat patients with lymphedema, it is not known whether musculocutaneous or adipocutaneous flaps (eg, delayed autologous breast reconstruction) are effective for treating refractory upper extremity BCRL. We conducted a systematic review and pooled analysis to assess the impact of delayed breast reconstruction on developed BCRL.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases for relevant studies published through November 11, 2016. We screened 934 unique articles. Of these, we conducted full-text and reference screening on 37 articles. We then performed a pooled and sensitivity analysis using random effects.

Results

Eight studies met our inclusion criteria. One study was a case report; 7 studies were case series with sample sizes ranging from 3 to 38 patients. According to our pooled analysis 58% of patients reported improvement after breast reconstruction with or without VLNT. Sensitivity analysis revealed that 84% (95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.95) of patients who underwent breast reconstruction and VLNT reported improvement, whereas only 22% (95% confidence interval, 0.12–0.32) of those who had breast reconstruction alone reported improvement.

Conclusions

Our review summarizes the current evidence regarding the effect of delayed breast reconstruction on established lymphedema. The VLNT component of the autologous breast reconstruction procedures may be the largest contributing factor leading to lymphedema improvement.
Osteotomy in Genioplasty by Piezosurgery
Authors: Bertossi Dario , Albanese Massimo , Nocini Riccardo , Mortellaro Carmen , Kumar Narendra , Nocini Pier Francesco
Published: June 2018

Background:

The chin is the most prominent and median sector of the lower third of the face giving harmony to nose and lips. The authors present the application of piezoelectric scalpel for the correction of different chin deformities. The distinctive characteristics of this device allow us to avoid or reduce the immediate genioplasty complications.

Methods:

Fifty-five patients with defective chin have been treated from January 2006 to April 2008. Intraoral chinplasty was performed during the correction of dentofacial dysmorphisms or associated with nasal surgery. The authors used a piezoelectric cutting device to perform different osteotomies and if necessary, interpositional graft was used to stabilize bony segments.

Results:

Piezosurgery has been associated with a fewer number of postoperative complications, especially as regard intraoperative bleeding, nerve injuries (immediate and late), hematomas and seromas, and asymmetry (immediate and early). The mean time for completing the complete procedure of genioplasty with piezosurgery was almost the same compared with the saw and drill.

Conclusions:

Chinplasty represents one of the most common ancillary procedures and may be associated with corrective surgery of dentofacial dysmorphisms. Mental nerve injuries, asymmetries, intraoperative bleeding are the main immediate complications of genioplasty. Distinctive characteristics of ultrasonic piezoelectric osteotomy are selective cut of mineralized structure with less risk of vascular and nervous damage (microvibrations), intraoperative precision (thin cutting scalpel and no macrovibrations), blood free site (cavitation effect). In our experience, piezoelectric scalpel, compared with saw and drill, enables us to reduce or avoid immediate complications of chin surgery, helping the surgeon to reach patients’ satisfaction.

Level of Evidence:

IV.
Jugular Bulb Anatomy for Lateral Skull Base Approaches
Authors: Cömert Ela , Kiliç Caner , Cömert Ayhan
Published: June 2018

Background:

This study was designed to define the detailed anatomical relations of the jugular bulb with the facial nerve, sigmoid sinus, otic capsule, and internal acoustic canal allowing the safe management of the jugular bulb.

Methods:

Thirty-five formalin-perfused cadaveric temporal bones that had well mastoid and petrous pneumatization without any neurovascular variations on computed tomography scan were selected for the study. The bones were dissected via translabyrinthine approach.

Results:

The dome of the jugular bulb was located under the facial nerve in 21 of the cases (60%), in the mastoid cavity in 8 of the cases (22.9%), and in the tympanic cavity in 6 of the cases (17.1%). Significant difference was observed only between the temporal bones in which the dome of the jugular bulb was located in the mastoid cavity and under the facial nerve with regard to the mastoid cortex-lateral semicircular canal measurement (P = 0.04).

Conclusion:

Because of the high variability of the position of the dome of the jugular bulb, the precise knowledge of the relations of the jugular bulb and the preoperative radiologic verification of possible variations are essential to avoid the problems associated with its position and to decide the approach individually.
Bilateral Harvesting of a Fibula Free Flap: Assessment of Morbidity
Authors: Ferrari Silvano , Perlangeli Giuseppe , Mammi Patrizia , Varazzani Andrea , Bianchi Bernardo , Fusetti Stefano , Brevi Bruno Carlo , Ferri Andrea
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To investigate morbidity related to harversting of bilateral fibula free flap for head and neck reconstruction using subjective and functional tests.

Methods:

Patients were retrospectively evaluated using point evaluation system (PES) and balance evaluation systems test (BESTest) questionnaires to assess morbidity related to surgery.

Results:

Five patients were enrolled in the study. Mean PES scores was 22.2 over 24. Mean overall function assessed with BESTest was 77.6%, and the results were poorest for section I. Sections V and VI had scores of 88% and 83%, respectively, indicating that the sensory balance and gait stability of the patients were compromised only minimally.

Conclusion:

Bilateral harvesting of the fibula free flap is not associated with an increase in long-term morbidity and does not lead to significant functional impairments. Therefore, this procedure should be considered safe, and can be performed without concern regarding morbidity, when bone reconstruction with a fibula free flap is indicated.
Introducing the Rectus Fascia Scalp Augmentation Technique: A New Method for Improving Scalp Durability in Cranioplasty Reconstruction
Authors: Wolff Amir , Santiago Gabriel , Weingart Jon , Huang Judy , Gordon Chad R.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Patients with cranioplasty in need of skull reconstruction are at increased risk of complications when presenting with abnormally thin scalps. As such, the authors sought to develop and investigate a new technique for scalp augmentation using autologous rectus fascia grafts (ARFGs) for prevention of implant extrusion and long-term scalp durability.

Methods:

A retrospective review of our database, consisting of 450 consecutive cranial reconstructions from 2012 to 2017, was performed under institutional review board approval. Selection criteria included all adult patients requiring implant-based cranioplasty reconstruction and concomitant scalp augmentation using ARFGs. All long-term outcomes were reviewed for scalp-related complications and are presented here.

Results:

In total, 12 consecutive patients receiving ARFGs were identified. Average follow-up was 10 months (range = 2–17 months). Average graft size and dimension was 82 cm2 (range = 12–360 cm2). All patients (n = 12) underwent concomitant cranioplasty reconstruction and had a history of at least 5 or greater previous neurocranial operations. Six patients had radiation therapy prior to cranioplasty. Two major complications (2/12, 17%) were identified related to deep, recurrent intracranial infections. More importantly, none of the patients (n = 12) in this study cohort developed scalp breakdown and/or implant extrusion in the areas of rectus fascia scalp augmentation.

Conclusion:

The use of ARFGs for underlay scalp augmentation appears to be both safe and reliable based on our preliminary experience. This new approach is extremely valuable when performing large-size cranioplasty reconstruction in patients with abnormally thin scalps, an extensive neurosurgical history, and/or suboptimal tissue quality. Furthermore, this method has been successful in avoiding free tissue transfer and/or staged tissue expansion as first-line surgery in our complicated cranioplasty population.
Sphenoid Sinus Mucocele Caused by Complications After Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Lee Dong Hoon , Jang Woo Youl , Yoon Tae Mi , Lee Joon Kyoo , Jung Shin , Lim Sang Chul
Published: June 2018

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical characteristics, treatment methods, and surgical outcomes of sphenoid sinus mucocele after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 404 patients who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery between January 2010 and December 2016 were identified. Among them, 5 patients with sphenoid sinus mucocele were included in this study. In our hospital, a single-nostril endonasal endoscopic wide sphenoidotomy is routinely used for pituitary tumor surgery.

Results:

The occurrence rate of sphenoid sinus mucocele was 1.2% (5/404). Of the 5 patients, 2 were males and 3 were females. Four lesions (80.0%) were located in the right sphenoid sinus and 1 lesion (20.0%) was located in the left sphenoid sinus. Endoscopic marsupialization for sphenoid sinus mucocele was performed under local anesthesia in all patients. There were no major complications resulting from the surgical intervention, and there was no recurrence at the time of the last follow-up.

Conclusion:

Sphenoid sinus mucocele after endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is an extremely rare complication. Nasal endoscopy and MRI are useful for diagnosing this lesion. Endoscopic marsupialization is a safe and effective procedure for sphenoid sinus mucocele after endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.
Correcting the Cleft Lip Nose Deformity: The Graft Number 1 for the Columella
Authors: Monasterio Luis , Villalobos Bruno , Monasterio Luis F.
Published: June 2018

Background:

The nose deformity associated with cleft lip is difficult to solve in the primary and secondary surgery. In an adult patient, many techniques are used including mobilization, suspension, fixation and trimming the alar cartilages, septoplasty, nasal bones osteotomies, and dorsal bone and cartilage resection. Different types of cartilage grafts are commonly used.

Methods:

A septal cartilage graft was used in 75 adult patients with mild to severe cleft lip deformities. Based on the golden ratio proportions of the columella that can be observed in the lateral view, a septal cartilage graft with a number 1 shape was created and inserted between the medial cruras in 75 patients, with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip, between 2007 and 2014. Complementary surgery was done in the nose of all the patients. A retrospective, observational, and descriptive study was made with presurgical and postsurgical photographs, throughout a 6-month follow-up period.

Results:

Excellent cosmetic and functional results were seen, especially in the lateral view. There was 1 septal perforation reported. The patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results.

Conclusion:

The graft number 1 works in the reality; it has proven to be a stable support to the affected cartilage, projects a nice nasal tip, and is a lasting solution for adults.
Relationships Between Cognitive Complaints and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment, Mild Alzheimer Disease Dementia, and Normal Cognition
Authors: Stites Shana D. , Harkins Kristin , Rubright Jonathan D. , Karlawish Jason
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To examine in persons with varying degrees of cognitive impairment the relationship between self-reports of cognitive complaints and quality of life (QOL).

Methods:

Older adults (n=259) with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild stage Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia completed tests of cognition and self-report questionnaires about QOL and 3 kinds of cognitive complaints: cognitive difficulties, distress from cognitive difficulties, and believing you had more memory problems than most people. Bivariate, multivariable, and multivariate regression analyses assessed relationships between domains of QOL and each cognitive complaint.

Results:

Bivariate and multivariable analyses controlling for severity of cognitive and functional impairment found that cognitive complaints were related to relatively lower quality of daily life (QOL-AD, Dementia Quality of Life Scale), greater depression (GDS), more anxiety (BAI), higher perceived stress (PSS), and lower general mental well-being (SF-12 MCS).

Discussion:

Cognitive complaints have robust associations with QOL. These findings have implications for AD prevention trials and management of clinical populations.
Alzheimer Disease Clinical Trial Recruitment
Authors: Barber Justin M. , Bardach Shoshana H. , Jicha Gregory A.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Slow participant recruitment impedes Alzheimer disease research progress. Although research suggests that direct involvement with potential participants supports enrollment, strategies for how best to engage potential participants are still unclear.

Purpose:

This study explores whether community health fair (HF) attendees who engage in a brief cognitive screen (BCS) are more likely to enroll in research than attendees who do not complete a BCS.

Subjects:

A total of 483 HF attendees.

Methods:

Attendees were tracked for a 1-year period to ascertain research involvement.

Results:

In total, 364 attendees expressed interest in research and 126 completed a BCS. Over the follow-up period, 21 individuals prescreened as eligible and 19 enrolled in an investigational study. Among all HF attendees, BCS completers had a 2.5-fold increase in subsequently prescreening as eligible as compared with non-BCS completers. However, when limited only to participants who stated an interest in research, this difference was no longer significant.

Conclusions:

Completing a BCS at a community event may be an indicator of future research engagement, but for those already interested in participation, the BCS may be a poor indicator of future involvement. The BCS may also reduce anxiety and stigma around memory evaluation, which may translate into research engagement in the future.
MRI in multiple sclerosis: what is changing?
Authors: Filippi Massimo , Preziosa Paolo , Rocca Maria A.
Published: June 2018

Purpose of review

To summarize recent findings from the application of MRI in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS), and to review the insights into disease pathophysiology and the utility of MRI for monitoring treatment response.

Recent findings

New evidence from the application of MRI in patients with clinically isolated syndromes has guided the 2017 revision of the McDonald criteria for MS diagnosis, which has simplified their clinical use while preserving accuracy. Other MRI measures (e.g., cortical lesions and central vein signs) may improve diagnostic specificity, but their assessment still needs to be standardized, and their reliability confirmed. Novel MRI techniques are providing fundamental insights into the pathological substrates of the disease and are helping to give a better understanding of its clinical manifestations. Combined clinical-MRI measures of disease activity and progression, together with the use of clinically relevant MRI measures (e.g., brain atrophy) might improve treatment monitoring, but these are still not ready for the clinical setting.

Advances in MRI technology are improving the diagnostic work-up and monitoring of MS, even in the earliest phases of the disease, and are providing MRI measures that are more specific and sensitive to disease pathological substrates.
Update on amino acid PET of brain tumours
Authors: Langen Karl-Josef , Galldiks Norbert
Published: June 2018

Purpose of review

The aim of this study was to give an update on the emerging role of PET using radiolabelled amino acids in the diagnostic workup and management of patients with cerebral gliomas and brain metastases.

Recent findings

Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of PET using radiolabelled amino acids for differential diagnosis of brain tumours, delineation of tumour extent for treatment planning and biopsy guidance, differentiation between tumour progression and recurrence versus treatment-related changes, and for monitoring of therapy. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group – an international effort to develop new standardized response criteria for clinical trials in brain tumours – has recently recommended the use of amino acid PET imaging for brain tumour management in addition to MRI at every stage of disease. With the introduction of F-18 labelled amino acids, a broader clinical application has become possible, but is still hampered by the lack of regulatory approval and of reimbursement in many countries.

PET using radiolabelled amino acids is a rapidly evolving method that can significantly enhance the diagnostic value of MRI in brain tumours. Current developments suggest that this imaging technique will become an indispensable tool in neuro-oncological centres in the near future.
Evolutionary trade-offs between unicellularity and multicellularity in budding yeast
Authors: Kuzdzal-Fick Jennie J. , Chen Lin , Balázsi Gábor
Published: June 2018

Multicellular organisms appeared on Earth through several independent major evolutionary transitions. Are such transitions reversible? Addressing this fundamental question entails understanding the benefits and costs of multicellularity versus unicellularity. For example, some wild yeast strains form multicellular clumps, which might be beneficial in stressful conditions, but this has been untested. Here we show that unicellular yeast evolves from clump-forming ancestors by propagating samples from suspension after larger clumps have settled. Unicellular yeast strains differed from their clumping ancestors mainly by mutations in theAMN1(Antagonist of Mitotic exit Network) gene. Ancestral yeast clumps were more resistant to freeze/thaw, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol stressors than their unicellular counterparts, while unicellularity was advantageous without stress. These findings inform mathematical models, jointly suggesting a trade-off between the benefits and downsides of multicellularity, causing bet-hedging by regulated phenotype switching as a survival strategy in unexpected stress.
Bats adjust temporal features of echolocation calls but not those of communication calls in response to traffic noise
Authors: Song Shengjing , Lin Aiqing , Jiang Tinglei , Zhao Xin , Metzner Walter , Feng Jiang
Published: June 2018

Summary statement

This study reveals the impact of anthropogenic noise on spectrally distinct vocalizations and the limitations of the acoustic masking hypothesis to explain the vocal response of bats to chronic noise.

The acoustic masking hypothesis states that auditory masking may occur if the target sound and interfering sounds overlap spectrally, and it suggests that animals exposed to noise will modify their acoustic signals to increase signal detectability. However, it is unclear if animals will put more effort into changing their signals that spectrally overlap more with the interfering sounds than when the signals overlap less. We examined the dynamic changes in the temporal features of echolocation and communication vocalizations of the Asian particolored bat (Vespertilio sinensis) when exposed to traffic noise. We hypothesized that traffic noise has a greater impact on communication vocalizations than on echolocation vocalizations and predicted that communication vocalization change would be greater than echolocation. The bats started to adjust echolocation vocalizations on the fourth day of noise exposure, including an increased number of call sequences, decreased number of calls, and vocal rate within a call sequence. However, there was little change in the duration of the call sequence. In contrast, these communication vocalization features were not significantly adjusted under noise conditions. These findings suggest that the degree of spectral overlap between noise and animal acoustic signals does not predict the level of temporal vocal response to the noise.
Auditory attention reduced ear-canal noise in humans, but not through medial olivocochlear efferent inhibition: Implications for measuring otoacoustic emissions during behavioral task performance
Authors: Francis Nikolas A. , Zhao Wei , Guinan John J.
Published: June 2018

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are often measured to non-invasively determine activation of medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferents in humans. Usually these experiments assume that ear-canal noise remains constant. However, changes in ear-canal noise have been reported in some behavioral experiments. We studied the variability of ear-canal noise in eight subjects who performed a two-interval-forced-choice (2IFC) sound-level-discrimination task on monaural tone pips in masking noise. Ear-canal noise was recorded directly from the unstimulated ear opposite the task ear. Recordings were also done with similar sounds presented, but no task done. In task trials, ear-canal noise was reduced at the time the subject did the discrimination, relative to the noise level earlier in the trial. In two subjects, there was a decrease in ear-canal noise, primarily at 1-2 kHz, with a time course similar to that expected from inhibition by MOC activity elicited by the task-ear masker noise. These were the only subjects with spontaneous OAEs (SOAEs). We hypothesize that the SOAEs were inhibited by MOC activity elicited by the task-ear masker. Based on the standard rationale in OAE experiments that large bursts of noise are artifacts due to subject movement, noise bursts above a sound-level criterion were removed. As the criterion was lowered and more high-and moderate-level noise bursts were removed, the reduction in noise level from the beginning of the trial to the time of the 2IFC discrimination became less. This pattern is opposite that expected from MOC inhibition (which is greater on lower-level sounds), but can be explained by the hypothesis that subjects move less and create fewer bursts of noise when they concentrate on doing the task. In contrast, for the six subjects with no SOAEs, in no-task trials the noise level was little changed throughout the trial. Our results show that measurements of MOC effects on OAEs must measure and account for changes in ear-canal noise, especially in behavioral experiments. The results also provide a novel way of showing the time course of the buildup of attention in ear-canal noise during a 2IFC task.
Bulk Tissue Cell Type Deconvolution with Multi-Subject Single-Cell Expression Reference
Authors: Wang Xuran , Park Jihwan , Susztak Katalin , Zhang Nancy R. , Li Mingyao
Published: June 2018

We present MuSiC, a method that utilizes cell-type specific gene expression from single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data to characterize cell type compositions from bulk RNA-seq data in complex tissues. When applied to pancreatic islet and whole kidney expression data in human, mouse, and rats, MuSiC outperformed existing methods, especially for tissues with closely related cell types. MuSiC enables characterization of cellular heterogeneity of complex tissues for identification of disease mechanisms.
Antioxidant Gene Expression in Vocal Hindbrain of a Teleost Fish
Authors: Liao Clara , Feng Ni Y. , Bass Andrew H.
Published: June 2018

Plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) have a remarkable capacity to generate long duration advertisement calls known as hums, each of which may last for close to two hours and be repeated throughout a night of courtship activity during the breeding season. The midshipman’s striking sound production capabilities provide a unique opportunity to investigate the mechanisms that motor neurons require for withstanding high-endurance activity. The temporal properties of midshipman vocal behaviors are largely controlled by a hindbrain central pattern generator that includes vocal motor neurons (VMN) that directly determine the activity pattern of target sonic muscles and, in turn, a sound’s pulse repetition rate, duration and pattern of amplitude modulation. Of the two adult midshipman male reproductive phenotypes -- types I and II-- only type I males acoustically court females with hums from nests that they build and guard, while type II males do not produce courtship hums but instead sneak or satellite spawn to steal fertilizations from type I males. A prior study using next generation RNA sequencing showed increased expression of a number of cellular respiration and antioxidant genes in the VMN of type I males during the breeding season, suggesting they help to combat potentially high levels of oxidative stress linked to this extreme behavior. This led to the question of whether the expression of these genes in the VMN would vary between actively humming versus non-humming states as well as between male morphs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that to combat oxidative stress, the VMN of reproductively active type I males would exhibit higher mRNA transcript levels for two superoxide dismutases (sod1,sod2) compared to the VMN of type II males and females that do not hum and in general both of which have a more limited vocal repertoire than type I males. The results showed no significant difference insod1transcript expression across reproductive morphs in the VMN and the surrounding hindbrain, and no difference ofsod2across the two male morphs and females in the SH. However, we observed a surprising, significantly lower expression ofsod2transcripts in the VMN of type I males as compared to type II males. We also found no significant difference insod1andsod2expression between actively humming and non-humming type I males in both the VMN and surrounding hindbrain. These findings overall lead us to conclude that increased transcription ofsod1andsod2is not necessary for combatting oxidative stress from the demands of the midshipman high-endurance vocalizations, but warrant future studies to assess protein levels, enzyme activity levels, as well as the expression of other antioxidant genes. These results also eliminate one of the proposed mechanisms that male midshipman use to combat potentially high levels of oxidative stress incurred by motor neurons driving long duration vocalization and provide more insight into how motor neurons are adapted to the performance of extreme behaviors.
Follicle stimulating hormone is an autocrine regulator of the ovarian cancer metastatic niche through Notch signaling
Authors: Gera Sakshi , Kumar S Sandeep , Swamy Shalini N. , Bhagat Rahul , Vadaparty Annapurna , Gawari Ramesh , Bhat Ramray , Dighe Rajan R
Published: June 2018

The association between the upregulated Notch and FSH signaling and ovarian cancer is well documented. However, their signaling has been investigated independently and only in the primary tumor tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of FSH and Notch signaling on the ovarian cancer proliferation, formation and maintenance of the disseminated ovarian cancer cells. Roles of Notch and FSH in the ovarian cancer pathogenesis was investigated using ovarian cancer cell lines and specific antibodies against Notch and FSH receptor (FSHR). FSH upregulated Notch signaling and proliferation in the ovarian cancer cells. High levels of FSH were detected in the ascites of patients with serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. The spheroids from the ascites of the patients, as well as, the spheroids from the ovarian cancer cell lines under low attachment culture conditions, expressed FSHβ subunit mRNAs and secreted the hormone into the medium. In contrast, the primary ovarian tumor tissues and cell line monolayers expressed very low levels of FSHβ. The ovarian cancer cell spheroids also exhibited higher expression of the FSH receptor and Notch downstream genes than their monolayer counterparts. A combination of FSHR and Notch antagonistic antibodies significantly inhibited spheroid formation and cell proliferationin vitro. This study demonstrates that spheroids in ascites express and secrete FSH, which regulates cancer cell proliferation and spheroidogenesis through Notch signaling, suggesting that FSH is an autocrine regulator of cancer metastasis. Further, Notch and FSHR are potential immunotherapeutic targets for ovarian cancer treatment.
Identification of candidate genes controlling black seed coat and pod tip color in cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL. Walp)
Authors: Herniter Ira A , Muñoz-Amatriaín María , Lo Sassoum , Guo Yi-Ning , Close Timothy J
Published: June 2018

Seed coat color is an important part of consumer preferences for cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL. Walp). Color has been studied in numerous crop species and has often been linked to loci controlling the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. This study makes use of available resources, including mapping populations, a reference genome, and a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping platform, to map the black seed coat and purple pod tip color traits in cowpea. Several gene models encoding MYB domain protein 113 were identified as candidate genes. MYB domain proteins have been shown in other species to control expression of genes encoding enzymes for the final steps in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. PCR analysis indicated that a presence/absence variation of one or more MYB113 genes may control the presence or absence of black pigment. A PCR marker has been developed for black seed coat color in cowpea.
genomeview - an extensible python-based genomics visualization engine
Authors: Spies Noah , Zook Justin , Sidow Arend , Salit Marc
Published: June 2018

Visual inspection and analysis is integral to quality control, hypothesis generation, methods development and validation of genomic data. The richness and complexity of genomic data necessitates customized visualizations highlighting specific features of interest while hiding the often vast tide of irrelevant attributes. However, the majority of genome-visualization occurs either in general-purpose tools such as IGV (Robinson et al, 2011) or the UCSC Genome Browser (Kent et al, 2002) - which offer many options to adjust visualization parameters, but very little in the way of extensibility - or narrowly-focused tools aiming to solve a single visualization problem. Here, we present genomeview, a python-based visualization engine which is easy to extend and simple to integrate into existing analysis pipelines.
ATP synthase K+- and H+-flux drive ATP synthesis and enable mitochondrial K+-uniporter function
Authors: Juhaszova Magdalena , Kobrinsky Evgeny , Zorov Dmitry B. , Nuss H. Bradley , Yaniv Yael , Fishbein Kenneth W. , de Cabo Rafael , Montoliu Lluis , Gabelli Sandra B. , Aon Miguel A. , Cortassa Sonia , Sollott Steven J.
Published: June 2018

ATP synthase (F1Fo) synthesizes daily our body’s weight in ATP, whose production-rate can be transiently increased several-fold. Using purified mammalian F1Fo-reconstituted proteoliposomes and isolated mitochondria, we show that F1Foutilizes both H+- and K+-transport (because of >106-fold K+excess vs H+) to drive ATP synthesis with the H+:K+permeability of ~106:1. F1Focan be upregulated by endogenous survival-related proteins (Bcl-xL, Mcl-1) and synthetic molecules (diazoxide, pinacidil) to increase its chemo-mechanical efficiency via IF1. Increasing K+- and H+-driven ATP synthesis enables F1Foto operate as a primary mitochondrial K+-uniporter regulating energy supply-demand matching, and as the recruitable mitochondrial KATP-channel that can limit ischemia-reperfusion injury. Isolated mitochondria in the presence of K+can sustain ~3.5-fold higher ATP-synthesis-flux (vs K+absence) driven by a 2.7:1 K+:H+stoichiometry with unaltered OxPhos coupling. Excellent agreement between F1Fosingle-molecule and intact-mitochondria experiments is consistent with K+-transport through ATP synthase driving a major fraction of ATP synthesis.
Electrophysiological correlates of hyperoxia during resting-state EEG in awake human subjects
Authors: Kizuk Sayeed A.D. , Vuong Wesley , MacLean Joanna E. , Dickson Clayton T. , Mathewson Kyle E.
Published: June 2018

Recreational use of concentrated oxygen has increased. Claims have been made that hyperoxic breathing can help reduce fatigue, increase alertness, and improve attentional capacities; however, few systematic studies of these potential benefits exist. Here we examined the effects of short-term (15 minute) hyperoxia on resting-states in awake human subjects by measuring spontaneous EEG activity between normoxic and hyperoxic situations, using a within-subjects design for both eyes-opened and eyes-closed conditions. We also measured respiration rate, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation levels to correlate basic physiological changes due to the hyperoxic challenge with any brain activity changes. Our results show that breathing short term 100% oxygen led to increased blood-oxygen saturation levels, decreased heart rate, and a slight, but non-significant, decrease in breathing rate. Changes of brain activity were apparent, including decreases in low-alpha (7-10 Hz), high-alpha (10-14 Hz), beta (14-30 Hz), and gamma (30-50 Hz) frequency ranges during eyes-opened hyperoxic conditions. During eyes-closed hyperoxia, increases in the delta (0.5-3.5 Hz) and theta (3.5-7 Hz) frequency range were apparent together with decreases in the beta range. Hyperoxia appeared to accentuate the decrease of low alpha and gamma ranges across the eyes-opened and closed conditions suggesting that it modulated brain state itself. As decreased alpha during eyes-opened conditions has been associated with increased attentional processing and selective attention, and increased delta and theta during eyes-closed condition are typically associated with the initiation of sleep, our results suggest a state-specific and perhaps opposing influence of short-term hyperoxia.
The unsolved problem of otitis media in indigenous populations: A systematic review of upper respiratory and middle ear microbiota in indigenous children
Authors: Coleman Andrea , Wood Amanda , Bialasiewicz Seweryn , Ware Robert S , Marsh Robyn L , Cervin Anders
Published: June 2018

Background

Otitis media (OM) imposes a great burden of disease in indigenous populations around the world, despite a variety of treatment and prevention programs. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of OM in indigenous populations is required to advance treatment and reduce prevalence. We conducted a systematic review of the literature exploring upper airway and middle ear microbiota in relation to OM in indigenous children.

Methods

Papers targeting microbiota in relation to OM in children <18 years indigenous to Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Greenland were sought. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Informit databases were searched using key words. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and then full-text papers against inclusion criteria according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Twenty-five papers considering indigenous Australian, Alaskan and Greenlandic children were included. There were high rates of nasopharyngeal colonization with the three main otopathogens (Haemophilus influenzae,Streptococcus pneumoniae, andMoraxella catarrhalis) in indigenous children with OM. Middle ear samples had lower rates of otopathogen detection, although detection rates increased when molecular methods were used.Pseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureuswere commonly detected in middle ear discharge of children with chronic suppurative OM. There was significant heterogeneity between studies, particularly in microbiological methods, which were largely limited to culture-based detection of the main otopathogens.

Conclusions

There are high rates of otopathogen colonization in indigenous children with OM. Chronic suppurative OM appears to be associated with a different microbial profile. Beyond the main otopathogens, the data are limited. Further research is required to explore the entire upper respiratory tract/ middle ear microbiota in relation to OM, with the inclusion of healthy indigenous peers as controls.
Direct Observation of Topoisomerase IA Gate Dynamics
Authors: Mills Maria , Tse-Dinh Yuk-Ching , Neuman Keir C.
Published: June 2018

Type IA topoisomerases cleave single-stranded DNA and relieve negative supercoils in discrete steps corresponding to the passage of the intact DNA strand through the cleaved strand. Although it is assumed type IA topoisomerases accomplish this strand passage via a protein-mediated DNA gate, opening of this gate has never been observed. We developed a single-molecule assay to directly measure gate opening of theE. colitype IA topoisomerases I and III. We found that following cleavage of single-stranded DNA, the protein gate opens by as much as 6.6 nm and can close against forces in excess of 16 pN. Key differences in the cleavage, ligation and gate dynamics of these two enzymes provide insights into their different cellular functions. The single-molecule results are broadly consistent with conformational changes obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. These results allow us to develop a mechanistic model of type IA topoisomerase-ssDNA interactions.
Dual-polarity pulse processing and analysis for charge-loss correction in cadmium–zinc–telluride pixel detectors
Authors: Abbene Leonardo , Gerardi Gaetano , Principato Fabio , Bettelli Manuele , Seller Paul , Veale Matthew C. , Fox Oliver , Sawhney Kawal , Zambelli Nicola , Benassi Giacomo , Zappettini Andrea
Published: June 2018

Charge losses at the inter-pixel gap are typical drawbacks in cadmium–zinc–telluride (CZT) pixel detectors. In this work, an original technique able to correct charge losses occurring after the application of charge-sharing addition (CSA) is presented. The method, exploiting the strong relation between the energy after CSA and the beam position at the inter-pixel gap, allows the recovery of charge losses and improvements in energy resolution. Sub-millimetre CZT pixel detectors were investigated with both uncollimated radiation sources and collimated synchrotron X-rays, at energies below and above the K-shell absorption energy of the CZT material. The detectors are DC coupled to fast and low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifiers (PIXIE ASIC) and followed by a 16-channel digital readout electronics, performing multi-parameter analysis (event arrival time, pulse shape, pulse height). Induced-charge pulses with negative polarity were also observed in the waveforms from the charge-sensitive preamplifiers (CSPs) at energies >60 keV. The shape and the height of these pulses were analysed, and their role in the mitigation of charge losses in CZT pixel detectors. These activities are in the framework of an international collaboration on the development of energy-resolved photon-counting systems for spectroscopic X-ray imaging (5–140 keV).
Elemental fingerprinting of mineral species in iron-fortified milk: anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering and resonant soft X-ray scattering studies
Authors: Ingham Bridget , Kirby Nigel , Wang Cheng , Brady Mike , Carr Alistair
Published: June 2018

Anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS) and resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSoXS) are two related techniques that can enable element-specific structural information to be obtained. The development of iron-fortified milk products can greatly benefit from such techniques, allowing the structure of iron and other minerals (such as native calcium) within the casein micelle to be determined. Each method has advantages and disadvantages: for ASAXS, the sample preparation is straightforward, but the signal is relatively low and information about the structure of Ca is difficult to access. RSoXS can be used to study both Ca and Fe, and the element-specific signals observed are proportionally much higher; however, the measurements are challenging due to the difficulty of precise control of the solution thickness using currently available vacuum-compatible liquid cells. Nevertheless, complementary results from both techniques indicate Fe is co-located with Ca, i.e. within the colloidal calcium phosphate nanoclusters that are present within native casein micelles in milk.