Feasibility of deep brain stimulation for controlling the lower urinary tract functions: An animal study

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 12
Author(s): Shih-Ching Chen, Pei-Yi Chu, Tsung-Hsun Hsieh, Yu-Ting Li, Chih-Wei Peng
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and compare the potential of four DBS targets in rats for regulating bladder activity: the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), rostral pontine reticular nucleus (PnO), and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg).MethodsA bipolar stimulating electrode was implanted. The effects of DBS on the inhibition and activation of micturition reflexes were investigated by using isovolumetric intravesical pressure recordings.ResultsPAG DBS at 2–2.5 V, PnO DBS at 2–2.5 V, and PPTg DBS at 1.75–2.5 V nearly completely inhibited reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions. By contrast, LC DBS at 1.75 and 2 V slightly augmented reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions in rats. DBSs on PnO and PPTg at higher intensities (2.5–5 V) demonstrated a higher success rate and larger contraction area evocation in activating bladder contractions in a partially filled bladder. DBS targeting the PPTg was most efficient in suppressing reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions.ConclusionPPTg DBS demonstrated stable results and high potency for controlling bladder contractions. PPTg might be a promising DBS target for developing new neuromodulatory approaches for the treatment of bladder dysfunctions.SignificanceDBS could be a potential approach to manage bladder function under various conditions.



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Long-Term Impact of Optimum Contribution Selection Strategies on Local Livestock Breeds with Historical Introgression at the Example of German Angler Cattle

The long-term performance of different selection strategies was evaluated via simulation at the example of a local cattle breed, the German Angler cattle. Different optimum contribution selection approaches to maximize genetic gain were compared to a reference scenario without selection and truncation selection. The kinships and migrant contribution were estimated from genomic data. Truncation selection achieved the highest genetic gain but decreased diversity considerably at native alleles. It also caused the highest increase in migrant contributions. Traditional optimum contribution selection, which only constrains on kinship, achieved almost the same genetic gain but also caused a small increase of migrant contribution and remarkably reduced the diversity at native alleles. When migrant contribution was required not to increase and the increase of kinship at native alleles was restricted, the migrant contribution levels and the diversity at native alleles were well managed, and the genetic gain was only slightly reduced. However, genetic progress was substantially lower in the scenario that aimed at recovering the original genetic background. Truncation selection and traditional optimum contribution selection both reduce the genetic originality of breeds with historical introgression. The inclusion of migrant contribution and kinship at native alleles as additional constraints in optimum contribution selection showed great potential for conservation. Recovering the original genetic background is possible but requires many generations of selection and reduces the genetic progress in performance traits. Hence, constraining the migrant contribution at their current values can be recommended to avoid further reduction of genetic originality.

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Selected highlights in clinical anesthesia research

To review research highlights of manuscripts published in 2016 that pertain to all aspects of the clinical practice of anesthesiology.

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Enhanced skeletal muscle regrowth and remodelling in massaged and contralateral non-massaged hind limb

Abstract

Massage, in the form of cyclic compressive loading (CCL), is associated with multiple health benefits, but its potential anabolic effect on atrophied muscle has not been investigated. We hypothesized that the mechanical activity associated with CCL induces an anabolic effect in skeletal muscle undergoing regrowth after a period of atrophy. Fisher/Brown Norway rats at 10 months of age were hind limb unloaded for a period of 2 weeks. The rats were then allowed reambulation with CCL applied at a 4.5 N load at 0.5 Hz frequency for 30 min every other day for 4 bouts during a regrowth period of 8 days. Muscle fibre cross sectional area was enhanced by 18% with massage during regrowth compared to reloading alone, and this was accompanied by elevated myofibrillar and cytosolic protein as well as DNA synthesis. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation indicated that CCL increased mechanical stimulation, while a higher number of Pax7+ cells likely explains the elevated DNA synthesis. Surprisingly, the contralateral non-massaged limb exhibited a comparable 17% higher muscle fibre size compared to reloading alone, and myofibrillar protein synthesis, but not DNA synthesis, was also elevated. We conclude that massage in the form of CCL induces an anabolic response in muscles regrowing after an atrophy-inducing event. We suggest that massage can be used as an intervention to aid in the regrowth of muscle lost during immobilization.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Gene-gene interaction between DRD4 and COMT modulates clinical response to clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Clozapine is the drug of choice for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, its use is associated with variable clinical responses and serious adverse effects. Polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins involved in synaptic neurotransmission may account for such variability. Here, we studied independent and epistatic genetic associations of polymorphisms in DRD4 (120-bp duplication) and COMT (Val158Met) with clinical response to clozapine in people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We studied 93 participants who were on stable doses of clozapine for at least 12 weeks. A total score of less than or equal to 35 on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was defined as a clinical response. The genetic associations were tested using logistic regression analyses. Neither polymorphism studied was found to be independently associated with response to clozapine. However, a statistically significant gene-gene interaction was observed between the polymorphisms. Participants with the COMT Val/Met or Met/Met genotype, who also had one or two DRD4 120-bp alleles (120/240 and 120/120), showed significantly better clinical response to clozapine. Our results highlight the importance of investigating gene-gene interactions, while studying the pharmacogenetics of clozapine. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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KIMTEK transport units fit Can-Am Defender and Can-Am Defender Max

MEDLITE® and FIRELITE® slip-on skid units do the job in Can-Am side-by-sides ORLEANS, Vt. — KIMTEK Corp, makers of MEDLITE® and FIRELITE® Transport skid units for off-road rescue and wildland firefighting, announce the full compatibility of their top-selling line of UTV-based skid units with Can-Am Defender and Can-Am Defender Max (crew) side-by-side UTVs. The Defender's rugged ...

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Presurgical language mapping using event-related high-gamma activity: the Detroit procedure

The ultimate goal of epilepsy surgery is to completely remove the epileptogenic zone while maximally preserving functionally-important brain areas including the primary language areas (Asano et al., 2013). In case noninvasive evaluation fails to satisfactorily localize these areas of interest, invasive presurgical evaluation is often employed with intracranial electrodes placed on the affected hemisphere for days to weeks (Lesser et al., 2010). The seizure onset zone responsible for habitual seizures and the spatial extent of neuroimaging abnormalities are determined for localization of the epileptogenic zone (Asano et al., 2009).

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Student Veterans Reintegrating from the Military to the University with Traumatic Injuries: How Does Service Use Relate to Health Status?

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Christine A. Elnitsky, Cara Blevins, Jan Warren Findlow, Tabitha Alverio, Dennis Wiese
ObjectiveTo examine the effects of campus services on the health of veterans with traumatic injuries and comorbidities as they return from military service and enter college.DesignCross-sectional internet survey using a mixed-methods analysis approach.SettingA four-year urban research university in the southeastern United States.ParticipantsWe conducted a survey of 127 veterans returning from active military duty.InterventionsNone.Main Outcome MeasuresSurveys included standardized measures of health status, traumatic injuries and functional impairment (PCL-C, VHA TBI screen, Veterans RAND-12), as well as use of campus services and perceived effectiveness of these services in supporting reintegration to the university, and recommendations for additional services.ResultsQuantitative and qualitative data revealed that student veterans experience high rates of chronic pain that interfere with their daily functioning (92.7%), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (77.9%), traumatic brain injury (TBI) (26.0%), and comorbidities as the Polytrauma Clinical Triad (PCT) (14.2%). Despite the high prevalence of pain, PTSD, and TBI, few students used disability services (5.2%), counseling services (18.8%) or student health services (36.5 %). Students experienced challenges accessing needed health services when reintegrating from the military to the university, including mutable university service factors.ConclusionsFindings indicate the need for campus services to address the particular needs of student veterans and the need for determining what particular services should be offered to help this population cope with injuries and succeed in college.



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Long-term social reintegration outcomes for burn survivors with and without peer support attendance: A Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Study

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Brian Grieve, Gabriel D. Shapiro, Lucy Wibbenmeyer, Amy Acton, Austin Lee, Molly Marino, Alan Jette, Jeffrey C. Schneider, Lewis E. Kazis, Colleen M. Ryan
ObjectiveTo examine differences in long-term social reintegration outcomes for burn survivors with and without peer support attendence.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingCommunity-dwelling burn survivors.ParticipantsBurn survivors (N = 601) aged ≥18 years with injuries to ≥5% total body surface area or burns to critical areas (hands, feet, face, or genitals).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe LIBRE Profile was used to examine the following previously validated six scale scores of social participation: Family & Friends, Social Interactions, Social Activities, Work & Employment, Romantic Relationships, and Sexual Relationships.ResultsBurn support group attendance was reported by 330 (55%) of 596 respondents who responded to this item. Attendees had larger burn size (43.4 ± 23.6 vs. 36.8 ± 23.4% total body surface area burned (TBSA), p<0.01) and were more likely to be >10 years from injury (50% vs 42.5%, p<0.01). Survivors who attended at least one support group scored significantly higher on three of the scales: Social Interactions (p=.01), Social Activities (p=.04) and Work and Employment (p=.05). In adjusted analyses, peer support attendance was associated with increased scores on the Social Interactions scale, increasing scores by 17% of a standard deviation (95% CI, 1-33%, p = .04).ConclusionsBurn survivors who reported peer support attendance had better social interaction scores than those who did not. This is the first reported association between peer support group attendance and improvements in community reintegration in burn survivors. This cross-sectional study prompts further exploration into the potential benefits of peer support groups on burn recovery with future intervention studies.



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Comparison of different methodologies for the 90Sr determination in environmental samples

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 181
Author(s): Željko Grahek, Silvia Dulanská, Gorana Karanović, Ivana Coha, Ivana Tucaković, Marijana Nodilo, Ľubomír Mátel
The paper describes different isolation/separation and detection procedures for ⁹⁰Sr determination in the environmental samples which are routinely used in Laboratories A and B. In this context, four different methods for strontium isolation and two methods for detection were tested and compared by ⁹⁰Sr determination in proficiency test samples (water, soil, vegetation) and animal bone samples. The chromatographic isolation of Sr on Sr resin, AnaLig^®Sr01 resin gel, strong base anion exchange resins in nitrate form and combination of strong base anion exchange and Sr resin were used for the examination of the impact of sample matrix constituents on efficiency of strontium isolation (chemical yield), while Cherenkov counting of ⁹⁰Y and counting of ⁹⁰Sr(⁹⁰Y) on proportional counter were used for the quantitative ⁹⁰Sr determination. The chemical yields obtained with different isolation methods were compared with the emphasis on its influence on reliability of the ⁹⁰Sr determination in different kinds of samples. The results show that the efficiency of strontium isolation depends on type of sample and separation methodology. The strontium yield on Sr resin column decreases with the increase of Sr, Ca and Na concentration. In the presence of 1 g of Ca and 1 g of Na, the yield of 85% was obtained for 5 mg of Sr carrier and dropped below 50% with further increase of Sr and other elements. However, the yield can be increased to 75% if Na and part of Ca are separated from Sr on the anion exchange column with alcoholic solution of nitric acid and by final separation of Ca from Sr on the Sr resin column. In the presence of large amounts of Ca, Na and other elements, isolation efficiency on the Sr resin column significantly decreases in comparison with other methods. The average yield for isolation from vegetation samples on the Sr resin column is only 21%. For the soil samples the highest average yield (78%) is obtained for the isolation in the combination of anion exchange and Sr resin columns. For the isolation from bone samples the average yields over 80% are on AnaLig^®Sr01 and anion exchange resins columns, while Sr resin was not used for separation due to high content of Ca in samples. The results of the ⁹⁰Sr determination in proficiency testing (PT) samples show that the accuracy of the determination does not depend on high chemical yield but depends on accuracy of yield determination. The analysis of z-values shows that 96% of obtained z-values range from 0 to ±2 while 77% of z-values range between 0 and ± 1. Ninety percent of obtained results of ⁹⁰Sr determination deviate less than 20% from assigned values in PT provider reports. The results of ⁹⁰Sr determination in animal bone samples using different methods are in good agreement. The results obtained by Cherenkov counting in both laboratories vary from −3.1–14.5% while results obtained by determination via ⁹⁰Y and counting on i-Matic vary between −10.0 and −2.9%. These deviations are in accordance with deviations obtained with PT samples. Activity concentrations of ⁹⁰Sr in wild boar bone samples range from 4 to 30 Bq kg⁻¹ while in deer bone samples from 2 to 8 Bq kg⁻¹.



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Fallout isotope chronology of the near-surface sediment record of Lake Bolătău

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 181
Author(s): Árpád Bihari, Máté Karlik, Marcel Mîndrescu, Zoltán Szalai, Ionela Grădinaru, Zoltán Kern
Fallout isotope (²¹⁰Pbex,¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am) based dating has been carried out on the near-surface sediment core collected from Lake Bolătău-Feredeu (Bukovina, Romania). The motivation was to improve the chronology of this recent section in connection with significant fluctuations observed in sediment accumulation rates, particle size distribution and primordial radioisotope (i.e. ⁴⁰K and ²³²Th) composition. Previously only an extrapolation of a broad-range OxCal age-depth model, which was based on 8 AMS radiocarbon dates from the deeper part of a parallel sediment sequence and tentatively validated for the upper part using the double peaks of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration distribution, was available for the studied section (1–24 cm). Parallel to the previous ¹³⁷Cs measurement, ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁶Ra (for a more detailed, ²¹⁰Pbex-based chronology), ²⁴¹Am (for an additional time-marker), as well as ⁴⁰K and ²³²Th concentrations have also been determined by gamma-spectrometry. In case of the ²¹⁰Pbex-based chronology, due to a large deviation from a pure exponential distribution, the Constant Flux (CF) model has been used for the calculation of sediment ages and accumulation rates. Although the broad-range OxCal and the CF model were broadly similar down to 22 cm, the ²¹⁰Pbex-based ages are clearly superior in terms of uncertainty in the uppermost 12 cm, while the broad-range model has smaller uncertainty below 20 cm (>150 years). The CF model gave an average mass accumulation rate of (0.08 ± 0.03) g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ for sections 0–11 cm, and (0.03 ± 0.01) g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ for sections 12–22 cm, respectively. Significant changes have been observed in the depth distribution of both the particle size distribution and the elemental/isotopic composition of the sediment record, most likely related to the variation observable in the intensity and volume of precipitation in the catchment. The obtained high-resolution records of Lake Bolătău, including multiple radioisotopes, can serve as a regional benchmark for similar studies.

Graphical abstract

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Inside Front Cover - Editorial Board Page

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180





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Detailed effects of particle size and surface area on 222Rn emanation of a phosphate rock

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): Gustavo Haquin, Zohar Yungrais, Danielle Ilzycer, Hovav Zafrir, Noam Weisbrod
The dependency of radon emanation on soil texture was investigated using the closed chamber method. Ground phosphate rock with a large specific surface area was analyzed, and the presence of inner pores, as well as a high degree of roughness and heterogeneity in the phosphate particles, was found. The average radon emanation of the dry phosphate was 0.145 ± 0.016. The emanation coefficient was highest (0.169 ± 0.019) for the smallest particles (<25 μm), decreasing to a constant value (0.091 ± 0.014) for the larger particles (>210 μm). The reduction rate followed an inverse power law. As expected, a linear dependence between the emanation coefficient and the specific surface area was found, being lower than predicted for the large specific surface area. This was most likely due to an increase in the embedding effect of radon atoms in adjacent grains separated by micropores. Results indicate that knowledge of grain radium distribution is crucial to making accurate emanation predictions.



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Application of topographical source model for air dose rates conversions in aerial radiation monitoring

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): Azusa Ishizaki, Yukihisa Sanada, Mutsushi Ishida, Masahiro Munakata
After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident in 2011, aerial radiation monitoring (ARM) using a manned helicopter was conducted to rapidly measure air dose rates and the deposition of radioactive nuclides over a large area. Typically, the air dose rate is obtained by conversion from the count rate using conventional flat source model (FSM). The converted dose rate obtained via aerial monitoring poorly matches the results of ground measurement in the mountain and forest areas because FSM does not consider topographical effects. To improve the conversion accuracy, we developed new methods to analyze aerial monitoring data using topographical source model (TSM) based on the analytical calculation of the gamma-ray flux. The ARM results converted using both FSM as well as TSM were compared with ground measurement data obtained after the FDNPS accident. By using TSM, the conversion accuracy was improved. In addition, to determine a parameter sensitive to topographical effects, we examined five parameters and it was clear that the difference between the elevation just below the helicopter and the mean elevation within the measurement area was the most influential.

Graphical abstract

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Emergency preparedness for the accidental release of radionuclides from the Uljin Nuclear Power Plant in Korea

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): Soon-Ung Park, In-Hye Lee, Seung Jin Joo, Jae-Won Ju
Site specific radionuclide dispersion databases were archived for the emergency response to the hypothetical releases of ¹³⁷Cs from the Uljin nuclear power plant in Korea. These databases were obtained with the horizontal resolution of 1.5 km in the local domain centered the power plant site by simulations of the Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model (LPDM) with the Unified Model (UM)–Local Data Assimilation Prediction System (LDAPS). The Eulerian Dispersion Model–East Asia (EDM–EA) with the UM–Global Data Assimilation Prediction System (UM-GDAPS) meteorological models was used to get dispersion databases in the regional domain. The LPDM model was performed for a year with a 5-day interval yielding 72 synoptic time-scale cases in a year. For each case hourly mean near surface concentrations, hourly mean column integrated concentrations, hourly total depositions for 5 consecutive days were archived by the LPDM model in the local domain and by the EDM-EA model in the regional domain of Asia. Among 72 synoptic cases in a year the worst synoptic case that showed the highest mean surface concentration averaged for 5 days in the LPDM model domain was chosen to illustrate the emergency preparedness to the hypothetical accident at the site. The simulated results by the LPDM model with the ¹³⁷Cs emission rate of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident for the first 5-day period were found to be able to provide prerequisite information for the emergency response to the early phase of the accident whereas those of the EDM-EA model could provide information required for the environmental impact assessment of the accident in the regional domain. The archived site-specific database of 72 synoptic cases in a year could have a great potential to be used as a prognostic information on the emergency preparedness for the early phase of accident.

Graphical abstract

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Fukushima-derived radiocesium fallout in Hawaiian soils

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): Trista McKenzie, Henrietta Dulai
Several reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant suffered damage on March 11, 2011, resulting in the release of radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs), as well as other radionuclides, into the atmosphere. A week later, these isotopes were detected in aerosols over the state of Hawai'i and in milk samples analyzed on the island of Hawai'i. This study estimated the magnitude of cesium deposition in soil, collected in 2015–2016, resulting from atmospheric fallout. It also examined the patterns of cesium wet deposition with precipitation observed on O'ahu and the island of Hawai'i following the disaster. Fukushima-derived fallout was differentiated from historic nuclear weapons testing fallout by the presence of ¹³⁴Cs and the assumption that the ¹³⁴Cs to ¹³⁷Cs ratio was 1:1. Detectable, Fukushima-derived ¹³⁴Cs inventories ranged from 30 to 630 Bq m⁻² and ¹³⁷Cs inventories ranged from 20 to 2200 Bq m⁻². Fukushima-derived cesium inventories in soils were related to precipitation gradients, particularly in areas where rainfall exceeded 200 mm between March 19 and April 4, 2011. This research confirmed and quantified the presence of Fukushima-derived fallout in the state of Hawai'i in amounts higher than predicted by models and observed in the United States mainland, however the activities detected were an order of magnitude lower than fallout associated with historic sources such as the nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. In addition, this study showed that areas of highest cesium deposition do not overlap with densely populated or agriculturally used areas.

Graphical abstract

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Study of soil-fern transfer of naturally occurring alpha emitting radionuclides in the Southern Region of Cameroon

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): S. Mvondo, G.H. Ben-Bolie, J.M. Ema'a Ema'a, P. Owono Ateba, P. Ele abiama, J.F. Beyala Ateba
This study was carried out in the localities Melondo and Ngombas located in the Southern Region of Cameroon where there are known to be uranium-bearing and high background radiation areas. Activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides ²¹⁰Po, ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁴U, ²³²Th, ²³⁰Th, ²²⁸Th and ²²⁶Ra were determined in soil and fern (filicophyta) samples collected at 10 points in both localities. In soil, the average values of these activity concentrations (in Bq.kg⁻¹ d.w.) were ²¹⁰Po(130 ± 10), ²³⁸U(126 ± 11.6), ²³⁵U(5 ± 1), ^234U(131 ± 10), ²³²Th(400 ± 22), ²³⁰Th(145 ± 11), ²²⁸Th(381 ± 21) and ²²⁶Ra(154 ± 28) at Melondo; and ²¹⁰Po(228 ± 1), ²³⁸U(170 ± 11), ²³⁵U(9 ± 2), ²³⁴U(179 ± 12), ²³²Th(200 ± 18), ²³⁰Th(184 ± 18), ²²⁸Th(228 ± 22) and ²²⁶Ra(416 ± 7) at Ngomba. In fern the average activity concentrations were: ²¹⁰Po(35 ± 3), ²³⁸U(0.68 ± 0.05), ²³⁵U(0.042 ± 0.01), ²³⁴U(0.90 ± 0.05), ²³²Th(1.2 ± 0.2), ²³⁰Th(0.7 ± 0.1), ²²⁸Th(39 ± 3) and ²²⁶Ra(14 ± 3) at Melondo and ²¹⁰Po(24 ± 2), ²³⁸U(0.82 ± 0.06), ²³⁵U(0.046 ± 0.01), ²³⁴U(0.92 ± 0.06), ²³²Th(0.8 ± 0.2), ²³⁰Th(0.9 ± 0.2), ²²⁸Th(15 ± 5) and ²²⁶Ra(14 ± 3) at Ngomba. The soil-fern transfer factors (TF) (in kg.kg⁻¹) were respectively ²¹⁰Po(1.64 × 10⁻¹), ²³⁸U (5 × 10⁻³), ²³⁵U(7 × 10⁻³), ²³⁴U(6 × 10⁻³), ²³²Th(3 × 10⁻³), ²³⁰Th(5 × 10⁻³), ²²⁸Th(7.9 × 10⁻²), and ²²⁶Ra(5.1 × 10⁻²). The highest TF for fern was for ²¹⁰Po, probably because of atmospheric deposition. The TFs of uranium and thorium were comparable to those given in the IAEA handbook for grass.



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The evaluation of the 1001.03 keV gamma emission absolute intensity using fundamental parameter method

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 180
Author(s): A.E.M. Khater, Y.Y. Ebaid
The accurate evaluation of the absolute intensity of the gamma-ray transition 1001.03 keV of ^234mPa is crucial for accurate determination of ²³⁸U in nuclear material and environmental samples. Over the last decades, a wide range of 1001.03 keV absolute intensity values were published by different researchers and ranged from 0.59 to 1.12%. Nowadays, one of the most commonly used values is 0.847 ± 0.008% that seems not accurate and would eventually lead to an overestimation of ²³⁸U activity concentration. The absolute intensity of 1001.03 keV gamma transition was re-evaluated using different fundamental parameter method (FPM) modes, uranium ore and granite samples, samples' geometries, sample-to-detectors' geometries and gamma ray spectrometers. The mean ± standard deviation of newly optimized absolute intensity value is 1.067 ± 0.084% with an average relative bias of - 20% from the commonly used value.



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Can Ultrasound-guided S1 Transforaminal Epidural Injection Using the In-plane Approach and Color Doppler Imaging be a safer alternative to lumbar inter-laminar epidural injection? : A Visual Vignette.

No abstract available

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Ultrasonography Imaging for the Diagnosis and Guided Injection of Plantaris Tendon Strain in a Patient with Tennis Leg.

No abstract available

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New Neandertal wrist bones from El Sidrón, Spain (1994–2009)

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 114
Author(s): Tracy L. Kivell, Antonio Rosas, Almudena Estalrrich, Rosa Huguet, Antonio García-Tabernero, Luis Ríos, Marco de la Rasilla
Twenty-nine carpal bones of Homo neanderthalensis have been recovered from the site of El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain) during excavations between 1994 and 2009, alongside ∼2500 other Neandertal skeletal elements dated to ∼49,000 years ago. All bones of the wrist are represented, including adult scaphoids (n = 6), lunates (n = 2), triquetra (n = 4), pisiforms (n = 2), trapezia (n = 2), trapezoids (n = 5), capitates (n = 5), and hamates (n = 2), as well as one fragmentary and possibly juvenile scaphoid. Several of these carpals appear to belong to the complete right wrist of a single individual. Here we provide qualitative and quantitative morphological descriptions of these carpals, within a comparative context of other European and Near Eastern Neandertals, early and recent Homo sapiens, and other fossil hominins, including Homo antecessor, Homo naledi, and australopiths.Overall, the El Sidrón carpals show characteristics that typically distinguish Neandertals from H. sapiens, such as a relatively flat first metacarpal facet on the trapezium and a more laterally oriented second metacarpal facet on the capitate. However, there are some distinctive features of the El Sidrón carpals compared with most other Neandertals. For example, the tubercle of the trapezium is small with limited projection, while the scaphoid tubercle and hamate hamulus are among the largest seen in other Neandertals. Furthermore, three of the six adult scaphoids show a distinctive os-centrale portion, while another is a bipartite scaphoid with a truncated tubercle. The high frequency of rare carpal morphologies supports other evidence of a close genetic relationship among the Neandertals found at El Sidrón.



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The easternmost Middle Paleolithic (Mousterian) from Jinsitai Cave, North China

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 114
Author(s): Feng Li, Steven L. Kuhn, Fuyou Chen, Yinghua Wang, John Southon, Fei Peng, Mingchao Shan, Chunxue Wang, Junyi Ge, Xiaomin Wang, Tala Yun, Xing Gao
The dispersal of Neanderthals and their genetic and cultural interactions with anatomically modern humans and other hominin populations in Eurasia are critical issues in human evolution research. Neither Neanderthal fossils nor typical Mousterian assemblages have been reported in East Asia to date. Here we report on artifact assemblages comparable to western Eurasian Middle Paleolithic (Mousterian) at Jinsitai, a cave site in North China. The lithic industry at Jinsitai appeared at least 47–42 ka and persisted until around 40–37 ka. These findings expand the geographic range of the Mousterian-like industries at least 2000 km further to the east than what has been previously recognized. This discovery supplies a missing part of the picture of Middle Paleolithic distribution in Eurasia and also demonstrates the makers' capacity to adapt to diverse geographic regions and habitats of Eurasia.



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Scaling of bony canals for encephalic vessels in euarchontans: Implications for the role of the vertebral artery and brain metabolism

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 114
Author(s): Doug M. Boyer, Arianna R. Harrington
Supplying the central nervous system with oxygen and glucose for metabolic activities is a critical function for all animals at physiologic, anatomical, and behavioral levels. A relatively proximate challenge to nourishing the brain is maintaining adequate blood flow. Euarchontans (primates, dermopterans and treeshrews) display a diversity of solutions to this challenge. Although the vertebral artery is a major encephalic vessel, previous research has questioned its importance for irrigating the cerebrum. This presents a puzzling scenario for certain strepsirrhine primates (non-cheirogaleid lemuriforms) that have reduced promontorial branches of the internal carotid artery and no apparent alternative encephalic vascular route except for the vertebral artery. Here, we present results of phylogenetic comparative analyses of data on the cross-sectional area of bony canals that transmit the vertebral artery (transverse foramina). These results show that, across primates (and within major primate subgroups), variation in the transverse foramina helps significantly to explain variation in forebrain mass even when variation in promontorial canal cross-sectional areas are also considered. Furthermore, non-cheirogaleid lemuriforms have larger transverse foramina for their endocranial volume than other euarchontans, suggesting that the vertebral arteries compensate for reduced promontorial artery size. We also find that, among internal carotid-reliant euarchontans, species that are more encephalized tend to have a promontorial canal that is larger relative to the transverse foramina. Tentatively, we consider the correlation between arterial canal diameters (as a proxy for blood flow) and brain metabolic demands. The results of this analysis imply that human investment in brain metabolism (∼27% of basal metabolic rate) may not be exceptional among euarchontans.



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Full Time Faculty/Clinical Coordinator Position in Emergency - MassBay Community College

Position Summary MassBay Community College seeks a qualified full time instructor for the Emergency Medical Services Department. The EMS faculty member teaches courses in the classroom, skills and simulation laboratory, and in clinical setting in the EMT and Paramedicine Programs. This instructor also serves as Clinical Coordinator to advocate for clinical and field placements, will monitor student ...

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STAR syndrome plus: The first description of a female patient with the lethal form

The STAR syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant developmental disorder caused by point mutations in the single FAM58A gene or deletions involving FAM58A and its flanking genes. The STAR phenotype is characterized by a rather homogeneous constellation of facial dysmorphisms and malformations summarized by its acronym, Syndactyly, Telecanthus, Anogenital, and Renal malformations. Here we describe a female patient with STAR syndrome and a 130 kb deletion at Xq28, including the FAM58A gene. She presented with cleft lip palate, omphalocele, and cerebral malformations not previously considered part of the phenotypic spectrum of this syndrome. She died at 6 weeks from respiratory failure.

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Widespread covariation of early environmental exposures and trait-associated polygenic variation [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]

Although gene–environment correlation is recognized and investigated by family studies and recently by SNP-heritability studies, the possibility that genetic effects on traits capture environmental risk factors or protective factors has been neglected by polygenic prediction models. We investigated covariation between trait-associated polygenic variation identified by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and...

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Mutagenic cost of ribonucleotides in bacterial DNA [Genetics]

Replicative DNA polymerases misincorporate ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) into DNA approximately once every 2,000 base pairs synthesized. Ribonucleotide excision repair (RER) removes ribonucleoside monophosphates (rNMPs) from genomic DNA, replacing the error with the appropriate deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP). Ribonucleotides represent a major threat to genome integrity with the potential to cause strand...

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WD40-repeat 47, a microtubule-associated protein, is essential for brain development and autophagy [Genetics]

The family of WD40-repeat (WDR) proteins is one of the largest in eukaryotes, but little is known about their function in brain development. Among 26 WDR genes assessed, we found 7 displaying a major impact in neuronal morphology when inactivated in mice. Remarkably, all seven genes showed corpus callosum defects,...

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Training and Development Specialist - Ready Responders

The Role The Training and Development Specialist (TDS) is responsible for designing and implementing the training programs for all Ready Responders teammates: onboarding, new industry standards, reinforcement of best practices, targeted trainings to address gaps, seasonal trainings, etc. While Ready Responders start their roles with foundational knowledge and experience, the TDS has the unique opportunity ...

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Supply Chain Manager - Ready Responders

About The Role The Supply Chain Manager will work closely with the Chief Operations Officer and Team Supervisors to drive and manage company-wide processes, ensuring that every Ready Responder is able to provide the highest level of care to patients across Orleans Parish. Each Ready Responder will be equipped with his/her own kit of essential tools and equipment so that (s)he is fully prepared for every ...

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Supervisor - Ready Responders

The Role As a Ready Responders Supervisor you will directly manage and provide ongoing support to Ready Responders: regular individual check-ins, troubleshooting as needed, general and targeted performance management, and ongoing coaching and support. This integral role will not only be responsible for maintaining the overall performance of his/her Responder team, (s)he will hold a high bar for both ...

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Paramedic - Ready Responders

About The Role When you join our team as a Ready Responder, you will join a group of dedicated healthcare providers who are licensed, trained, and credentialed to respond at the EMT-Basic level of care. Our Responders provide two types of service: Acute care response, high priority calls for service Help to improve patient outcomes by arriving at the scene within minutes Provide on-scene triage and ...

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Emergency Medical Technician - Ready Responders

About The Role When you join our team as a Ready Responder, you will join a group of dedicated healthcare providers who are licensed, trained, and credentialed to respond at the EMT-Basic level of care. Our Responders provide two types of service: Acute care response, high priority calls for service Help to improve patient outcomes by arriving at the scene within minutes Provide on-scene triage and ...

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Paramedic--Flexible Hours - Ready Responders

About The Role When you join our team as a Ready Responder, you will join a group of dedicated healthcare providers who are licensed, trained, and credentialed to respond at the EMT-Basic level of care. Our Responders provide two types of service: Acute care response, high priority calls for service Help to improve patient outcomes by arriving at the scene within minutes Provide on-scene triage and ...

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EMT--Flexible Hours - Ready Responders

About The Role When you join our team as a Ready Responder, you will join a group of dedicated healthcare providers who are licensed, trained, and credentialed to respond at the EMT-Basic level of care. Our Responders provide two types of service: Acute care response, high priority calls for service Help to improve patient outcomes by arriving at the scene within minutes Provide on-scene triage and ...

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Mutations of PTPN23 in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy

Abstract

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders with poor prognosis. Recent discoveries have greatly expanded the repertoire of genes that are mutated in epileptic encephalopathies and DEE, often in a de novo fashion, but in many patients, the disease remains molecularly uncharacterized. Here, we describe a new form of DEE in patients with likely deleterious biallelic variants in PTPN23. The phenotype is characterized by early onset drug-resistant epilepsy, severe and global developmental delay, microcephaly, and sometimes premature death. PTPN23 encodes a tyrosine phosphatase with strong brain expression, and its knockout in mouse is embryonically lethal. Structural modeling supports a deleterious effect of the identified alleles. Our data suggest that PTPN23 mutations cause a rare severe form of autosomal-recessive DEE in humans, a finding that requires confirmation.

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Spontaneous external biliary fistula arising from an intrahepatic duct

Abstract

A spontaneous external biliary fistula is most commonly a cholecystocutaneous fistula secondary to acute cholecystitis. A fistula arising from an intrahepatic duct is extremely rare. An 87-year-old man presented with swelling of the epigastric region and right upper quadrant abdomen. He had a history of cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy. After antibiotic treatment and surgical opening of both lesions, abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a soft tissue mass cephalad to the umbilicus. We excised the mass, and found it to be associated with a fistula through the linea alba. Fistulography showed an abscess cavity communicating with the intrahepatic duct in segment III. Histopathological examination of the mass showed an abscess without malignancy. The fistula closed spontaneously without laparotomy. In this case, the underlying pathology was considered to be associated with a subcapsular hepatic cyst in segment III.

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Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairments and the Potential for Treatment with Cellex

Objective. To assess the neuropsychological characteristics of post-stroke cognitive impairments (PSCI) in the acute period of ischemic stroke (IS) and to evaluate the efficacy of Cellex. Materials and methods. Complex neuropsychological testing was performed in 288 patients in the acute period of IS. Cellex was used in addition to basal treatment in 30 patients at a dose of 0.1 mg (1 ml) s.c. for 10 days, with treatment being initiated in the hyperacute period. Results and discussion. Multifunctional PSCI was detected in 87% of the patients in the acute period of IS. Most patients showed impairments to attention, regulatory functions, speech, and memory. More than a third of patients showed multifunctional non-amnestic cognitive impairments. Monofunctional nonamnestic PSCI was encountered in 5.5% of cases. Isolated memory deficit was found in 2% of patients. Most elderly patients displayed PSCI, mostly the mixed variant. Isolated decreases in the rate or regulation of cognitive activity dominated among young and middle-aged patients, with one in four patients showing mixed cognitive impairments. A tendency to greater age was seen in patients with mixed-type PSCI. Analysis of the efficacy of Cellex in the acute period of IS showed that use was linked with improvements in cognitive status and the state of neurodynamic, regulatory, and visuospatial functions. The neurotrophic agent Cellex was effective in correcting PSCI in the acute period of IS.

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Rapid recovery and altered neurochemical dependence of locomotor central pattern generation following lumbar neonatal spinal cord injury

Abstract

Following incomplete compression injury in the thoracic spinal cord of neonatal mice one day after birth (P1), virtually normal hindlimb locomotor function is recovered within about 3 weeks despite substantial permanent thoracic tissue loss (Boulland et al. 2013; Chawla et al. 2016). Here, we asked whether similar recovery occurs following lumbar injury that impacts more directly on the locomotor central pattern generator (CPG). As in thoracic injuries, lumbar injuries caused about 90% neuronal loss at the injury site and increased serotonergic innervation below the injury. Motor recovery was slower after lumbar than thoracic injury, but virtually normal function was attained by P25 in both cases. Locomotor CPG status was tested by eliciting fictive locomotion in isolated spinal cords using a widely used neurochemical cocktail (NMDA, dopamine, serotonin). No fictive locomotion could be elicited 1 day post-injury, but could within 3 days post-injury as readily as in age-matched uninjured control spinal cords. Burst patterning and coordination were largely similar in injured and control spinal cords but there were differences. Notably, in both groups there were two main locomotor frequencies, but injured spinal cords exhibited a shift towards the higher frequency. Injury also altered the neurochemical dependence of locomotor CPG output, such that injured spinal cords, unlike control spinal cords, were incapable of generating low frequency rhythmic coordinated activity in the presence of NMDA and dopamine alone. Thus, the neonatal spinal cord exhibits remarkable functional recovery also after lumbar injuries, but the neurochemical sensitivity of locomotor circuitry is modified in the process.

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Microvascular reactivity, assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and a vascular occlusion test, is associated with patient outcomes following cardiac surgery: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular dysfunction in patients admitted to the ICU following cardiac surgery may be related to perioperative complications and increased resource utilisation even in the presence of acceptable systemic haemodynamic variables. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between microvascular impairment using peripheral near-infrared spectroscopy at ICU admission and 6 h postadmission and the duration of mechanical ventilatory support, length of stay in ICU and in hospital. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: Single-centre, tertiary-level cardiac ICU. PATIENTS: Sixty-nine adult patients following elective cardiac surgery excluding patients with on-going extracorporeal support or in whom tissue haemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) measurements were not feasible. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thenar and forearm StO2 in response to a vascular occlusion test to calculate desaturation and reperfusion slopes. A logistic regression model was used to ascertain the associations between StO2, desaturation and reperfusion slopes as well as cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, arterial lactate concentrations and prolonged (>=75th percentile) duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: A reduced reperfusion slope at ICU admission was associated independently with prolonged mechanical ventilation at thenar (OR 0.08; 95% CI [0.02 to 0.47], P = 0.003) and forearm [OR 0.2 (0.04 to 0.59), P = 0.006] sites. Similarly, a reduced Rres was associated with prolonged ICU LOS at both thenar [OR 0.3 (0.13 to 0.77), P = 0.007] and forearm [OR 0.2 (0.05 to 0.62), P = 0.007] sites at ICU0 h, as well as ICU6 h [OR 0.2 (0.05 to 0.66), P = 0.004 and OR 0.05 (0.008 to 0.34), P = 0.002]. An increased Rdes was associated with prolonged hospital LOS at the thenar eminence at ICU0 h [OR 1.9 (1.4 to 2.3), P = 0.004] and ICU6 h [OR 6.7 (2.0 to 23), P = 0.002] as well as the forearm at ICU0 h [OR 1.5 (1.3 to 1.9), P = 0.004] and ICU6 h [OR 1.6 (1.3 to 2.1), P = 0.004]. CONCLUSION: In the early postoperative period following cardiac surgery, changes in thenar and forearm tissue oxygenation variables are associated with patient resource utilisation outcomes. (C) 2017 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Measuring in vivo responses to endogenous and exogenous oxidative stress using a novel Heme Oxygenase 1 reporter mouse

Abstract

Hmox1 protein holds great promise as a biomarker of in vivo stress responses as it is highly induced in stressed or damaged cells. However, Hmox1 expression patterns have thus far only been available in simple model organisms with limited relevance to humans. We now report a new Hmox1 reporter line that makes it possible to obtain this information in mice, a premiere model system for studying human disease and toxicology. Using a state-of-the-art strategy, we expressed multiple complementary reporter molecules from the murine Hmox1 locus, including firefly luciferase to allow long-term, non-invasive imaging of Hmox1 expression, and β-galactosidase for high-resolution mapping of expression patterns post-mortem. We validated the model by confirming the fidelity of reporter expression, and its responsiveness to oxidative and inflammatory stimuli. In addition to providing blueprints for Hmox1 expression in mice that provide novel biological insights, this work paves the way for the broad application of this model to establish cellular stresses induced by endogenous processes and those resulting from exposure to drugs and environmental agents. It will also enable studies on the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of disease and its prevention.

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Ribeye protein is intrinsically dynamic but is stabilized in the context of the ribbon synapse

Abstract

Ribeye protein is a major constituent of the synaptic ribbon, an organelle that coordinates rapid and sustained vesicle release to enable hearing and balance. The ribbon is considered to be a stable structure. However, under certain physiological conditions such as acoustic overexposure that results in temporary noise-induced hearing loss or perturbations of ion channels, ribbons may change shape or vanish altogether, suggesting greater plasticity than previously appreciated. The dynamic properties of ribeye proteins are unknown. Here we use transgenesis and imaging to explore the behaviours of ribeye proteins within the ribbon and also their intrinsic properties outside the context of the ribbon synapse in a control cell type, the skin cell. By fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) on transgenic zebrafish larvae, we test whether ribeye proteins are dynamic in vivo in real time. In the skin, a cell type devoid of synaptic contacts, Ribeye a-mCherry exchanges with ribbon-like structures on a minute timescale (t_1/2 = 3.2 min). In contrast, Ribeye a of the ear and lateral line and Ribeye b of the lateral line each exchange at ribbons of hair cells an order of magnitude slower (t_1/2 of 125.6 min, 107.0 min, and 95.3 min, respectively) than Ribeye a of the skin. These basal exchange rates suggest that long-term ribbon presence may require ribeye renewal. Our studies demonstrate that ribeye proteins are inherently dynamic but are stabilized at the ribbons of sensory cells in vivo.

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Approaches to modeling the development of physiological stress responsivity

Abstract

Influential biopsychosocial theories have proposed that some developmental periods in the lifespan are potential pivot points or opportunities for recalibration of stress response systems. To date, however, there have been few longitudinal studies of physiological stress responsivity and no studies comparing change in physiological stress responsivity across developmental periods. Our goals were to (a) address conceptual and methodological issues in studying the development of physiological stress responsivity within and between individuals, and (b) provide an exemplar for evaluating development of responsivity to stress in the parasympathetic nervous system, comparing respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) responsivity from middle to late childhood with middle to late adolescence. We propose the use of latent growth modeling of stress responsivity that includes time-varying covariates to account for conceptual and methodological issues in the measurement of physiological stress responsivity. Such models allow researchers to address key aspects of developmental sensitivity including within-individual variability, mean level change over time, and between-individual variability over time. In an empirical example, we found significant between-individual variability over time in RSA responsivity to stress during middle to late childhood but not during middle to late adolescence, suggesting that childhood may be a period of greater developmental sensitivity at the between-individual level.

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A successful case of locally advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing curative distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection after combination chemotherapy of nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer patients have a poor prognosis because of a low rate of resection that results from distant metastases or local advancement. We report a successful case of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer in a patient who was curatively resected after combination therapy with nab-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) and gemcitabine (GEM). A 61-year-old man was referred for treatment of a 45-mm pancreatic tail tumor involving the celiac axis, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery that appeared as an abnormal soft-density mass on imaging. This patient's tumor was defined as unresectable due to local advancement, and, therefore, the powerful combined chemotherapy regimen of nab-PTX with GEM was initiated to allow for possible resection later. After three cycles of chemotherapy, a CT scan revealed that the soft-density mass around the celiac axis and common hepatic artery had dramatically disappeared, and the tumor was then determined to be a resectable lesion. Thus, distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection was performed and curability was achieved. There has been no tumor recurrence or distant metastasis at more than 12 months after surgery, and the patient remains alive at 17 months after initial chemotherapy.

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