A Resource for the Allele-Specific Analysis of DNA Methylation at Multiple Genomically Imprinted Loci in Mice

Genomically imprinted loci are expressed mono-allelically dependent upon the parent of origin. Their regulation not only illuminates how chromatin regulates gene expression but also how chromatin can be reprogrammed every generation. Because of their distinct parent of origin regulation, analysis of imprinted loci can be difficult. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are required to accurately assess these elements allele-specifically. However, publicly available SNP databases lack robust verification, making analysis of imprinting difficult. In addition, the allele-specific imprinting assays that have been developed employ different mouse strains, making it difficult to systemically analyze these loci. Here, we have generated a resource that will allow the allele-specific analysis of many significant imprinted loci in a single hybrid strain of Mus musculus. This resource includes verification of SNPs present within ten of the most widely used imprinting control regions and allele-specific DNA methylation assays for each gene in a C57BL/6J and CAST/EiJ hybrid strain background.

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Natural Variation in SER1 and ENA6 Underlie Condition-Specific Growth Defects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Despite their ubiquitous use in laboratory strains, naturally occurring loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding core metabolic enzymes are relatively rare in wild isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we identify a naturally occurring serine auxotrophy in a sake brewing strain from Japan. Through a cross with a honey wine (white tecc) brewing strain from Ethiopia, we map the minimal medium growth defect to SER1, which encodes 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase and is orthologous to the human disease gene, PSAT1. To investigate the impact of this polymorphism under conditions of abundant external nutrients, we examine growth in rich medium alone or with additional stresses, including the drugs caffeine and rapamycin and relatively high concentrations of copper, salt, and ethanol. Consistent with studies that found widespread effects of different auxotrophies on RNA expression patterns in rich media, we find that the SER1 loss of function allele dominates the quantitative trait locus (QTL) landscape under many of these conditions, with a notable exacerbation of the effect in the presence of rapamycin and caffeine. We also identify a major effect QTL associated with growth on salt that maps to the gene encoding the sodium exporter, ENA6. We demonstrate that the salt phenotype is largely driven by variation in the ENA6 promoter, which harbors a deletion that removes binding sites for the Mig1 and Nrg1 transcriptional repressors. Thus, our results identify natural variation associated with both coding and regulatory regions of the genome that underlie strong growth phenotypes.

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Additional evidence supporting the central sensitization inventory (CSI) as an outcome measure among chronic pain patients in functional restoration program care

Neblett et al. [1] have elegantly demonstrated the use of the central sensitization inventory (CSI) [2,3] as an outcome measure among patients with chronic spinal pain disorder undergoing treatment in a functional restoration program. Their study is encouraging as it is the first application of the CSI in this manner, and offers another useful assessment tool in understanding recovery in such patients. We support the use of this measure and wish to share here our preliminary findings from the recent application of the CSI to our functional restoration program.

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Table of Contents

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Editorial Board

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The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI): some background and current trends

It was a pleasant surprise to read the letter by Xavier F Jimenez and colleagues, entitled "Additional evidence supporting the central sensitization inventory (CSI) as an outcome measure amongst chronic pain patients in functional restoration program care [1]." Their CSI treatment responsiveness results were very similar to the results that we reported in our article "Use of the central sensitization inventory (CSI) as a treatment outcome measure for chronic spinal pain disorder patients in a functional restoration program [2]," which appears in this issue of The Spine Journal.

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Letter to Editor, in response to Narain et al.

A recent article by Narain et al. considered whether conflicts of interest might influence the outcome of cervical disc arthroplasty clinical studies (vol. 17, issue 7, pp. 1026–1032). Discussing previously published studies in their introduction they state; "Additionally, a significant proportion of these studies either are directly funded by the companies producing these devices or involve authors with financial relationships to the industry." One of the references they cite is a paper I wrote regarding my experience with very late complications of cervical arthroplasty [1].

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Meetings Calendar

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Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

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Reply to “Letter to Editor, in response to Narain et al.”

First, we would like to thank Dr Hacker for the interest in our study regarding conflicts of interest in cervical disc arthroplasty. We would like to point out that their study [1] was determined to be non-conflicted by our analysis. We would reiterate the assertion that the authors did not function as a consultant or accept payment for the conduction of a device study.

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Hypothermia - + 1 C - light rain - EMT students training with heat insulating bag ( LESS )

It`s W a y easier to stay warm, dry and operational in Minus 20 C. -And Snow, -then in 1 Pluss 1 C. And Rain ! Over time, -more so. If rain, E w e r y t h i n g gets wet, and stay`s so... Snow you can brush off :-) That is a H u g e difference ..! Water hawe a "Thermic Conductivety" (-or wtf.) -26 times higher then Air... So if you are in (-not moving )-Water will remove heat from you`r body in a rate 26 times faster then if in same temp in air... you`insulation (-Read: Cloting ) may E a s e l y decide ... Life, -or Death ! You know how to dress, for a freshs month in the winter-mountain ? Ex.RifleSq.LeaderNorInfantry/ExEMTNor

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Hypothermia - + 1 C - light rain - EMT students training with heat insulating bag ( LESS )

It`s W a y easier to stay warm, dry and operational in Minus 20 C. -And Snow, -then in 1 Pluss 1 C. And Rain ! Over time, -more so. If rain, E w e r y t h i n g gets wet, and stay`s so... Snow you can brush off :-) That is a H u g e difference ..! Water hawe a "Thermic Conductivety" (-or wtf.) -26 times higher then Air... So if you are in (-not moving )-Water will remove heat from you`r body in a rate 26 times faster then if in same temp in air... you`insulation (-Read: Cloting ) may E a s e l y decide ... Life, -or Death ! You know how to dress, for a freshs month in the winter-mountain ? Ex.RifleSq.LeaderNorInfantry/ExEMTNor

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Hypothermia - + 1 C - light rain - EMT students training with heat insulating bag ( LESS )

It`s W a y easier to stay warm, dry and operational in Minus 20 C. -And Snow, -then in 1 Pluss 1 C. And Rain ! Over time, -more so. If rain, E w e r y t h i n g gets wet, and stay`s so... Snow you can brush off :-) That is a H u g e difference ..! Water hawe a "Thermic Conductivety" (-or wtf.) -26 times higher then Air... So if you are in (-not moving )-Water will remove heat from you`r body in a rate 26 times faster then if in same temp in air... you`insulation (-Read: Cloting ) may E a s e l y decide ... Life, -or Death ! You know how to dress, for a freshs month in the winter-mountain ? Ex.RifleSq.LeaderNorInfantry/ExEMTNor

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Hypothermia - + 1 C - light rain - EMT students training with heat insulating bag ( LESS )

It`s W a y easier to stay warm, dry and operational in Minus 20 C. -And Snow, -then in 1 Pluss 1 C. And Rain ! Over time, -more so. If rain, E w e r y t h i n g gets wet, and stay`s so... Snow you can brush off :-) That is a H u g e difference ..! Water hawe a "Thermic Conductivety" (-or wtf.) -26 times higher then Air... So if you are in (-not moving )-Water will remove heat from you`r body in a rate 26 times faster then if in same temp in air... you`insulation (-Read: Cloting ) may E a s e l y decide ... Life, -or Death ! You know how to dress, for a freshs month in the winter-mountain ? Ex.RifleSq.LeaderNorInfantry/ExEMTNor

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Issue Information

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Sex Differences in Cardiac Baroreflex Sensitivity following Isometric Handgrip Exercise.

Purpose: To investigate potential sex-related differences on spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) following acute isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise. Methods: Twenty men (23+/-3 years) and 20 women (24+/-4 years) randomly performed four sets of 2-min IHG exercise (two sets for each limb) at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC - experimental) or 3% MVC (sham). Beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (BP) were monitored using finger photoplethysmography before and 10-, 20-, and 30-min following IHG. Spontaneous cBRS was assessed via the sequence technique and cardiac autonomic modulation via time- and frequency-domain HR variability. Results: Following IHG, spontaneous cBRS increased during 10-min of recovery in men ([INCREMENT]13+/-5%, P=0.03 vs. rest) and increased further in women ([INCREMENT]23+/-4%, P

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Changes in the Electrocorticogram after Implantation of Intracranial Electrodes in Humans: The Implant Effect

Closed loop neuromodulation therapies for disorders of the brain and for brain computer interface devices rely on accurate electrophysiological measurements. These devices require that stimulation be delivered in response to detection of specific electrophysiological patterns and/or events. Whether using micro- or macro-electrode arrays, electrophysiological changes induced by the implantation procedure could alter electrophysiological patterns acutely. If this is the case, then initial detection and responsive stimulation settings could be selected that are not optimal for therapeutic efficacy over the longer term.

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Kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fractures with posterior wall injury

Cement augmentation techniques are standard treatments for osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Compared to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty is associated with lower rates of cement leak and better deformity correction, however, posterior wall fractures are relative, but not absolute, contraindications for both techniques and hence treatment practices vary among spine centers.

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Intraoperative vertebroplasty during surgical decompression and instrumentation for aggressive vertebral hemangiomas: a retrospective study of 39 patients and review of the literature

Aggressive (Enneking Stage 3, S3) vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are rare, which might require surgery. However, the choice of surgery for S3 VHs remains controversial because of the rarity of these lesions.

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Kinematic analysis of the space available for cord and disc bulging of the thoracic spine using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI)

The thoracic spine was previously known as a relatively stable region in human spine. Several studies reported motion of the thoracic spine and changes in the cross-sectional area of the spinal cord changed with positions in sagittal plane. The kinematic relationship between the thoracic disc and space available for cord with the positional change is still not well investigated.

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Role of cerebrolysin® in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients: a prospective randomized study

Cerebrolysin® is a mixture containing 85% free amino acids and 15% biologically active low-molecular weight peptides, that is believed to mimic the effects of endogenous neurotrophic factors to interact with the pathological process cascade of neurodegenerative diseases. No study has examined the effect of Cerebrolysin® on the cervical myelopathic patients.

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Postoperative pain following posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting in spine surgery: a prospective, randomized trial

Post-operative pain at the site of bone graft harvest for posterior spine fusion is reported to occur in 6% to 39% of cases. However, the area around the posterior, superior iliac spine is a frequent site of referred pain for many structures. Therefore, many postoperative spine patients may have pain in the vicinity of the posterior iliac crest that may not in fact be caused by bone graft harvesting. The literature may then overestimate the true incidence of postoperative iliac crest pain.

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Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with 30-Day Unplanned Readmission after Spinal Arthrodesis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal arthrodesis, and particularly adult spinal deformity corrective surgery, presents a high rate of early complications after discharge. Despite the high health care costs and major complications derived from unplanned readmissions, very few studies have investigated associated risk factors.

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DSM continues NOW effort to protect first responders

PARSIPPANY, N.J., - DSM and its DSM Dyneema business group today hosted an event at DSM North America corporate headquarters to show support for area first responders, continuing the organization's NOW campaign for educating emergency response personnel and helping them keep up with new challenges faced on the job. The NOW program launched during 2017 National EMS Week in response to the need for ...

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Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson

Rapid advancements in rehabilitation science and the widespread application of engineering techniques are opening the prospect of a new phase of clinical and commercial maturity for Neuroengineering, Assistive...

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Boy translates dispatcher’s instruction to help save baby sister

The dispatcher gave the boy CPR instructions that he translated to his mother who was trying to save his baby sister

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Prof. Johan Broerse 1934–2017

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 595-595, November 2017.


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High-LET Radiation Increases Tumor Progression in a K-Ras-Driven Model of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 562-570, November 2017.


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Exploring the Link between Radiation Exposure and Multifocal Basal Cell Carcinomas in a Former Chernobyl Clean-up Worker by Combining Different Molecular Biological Techniques

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 571-578, November 2017.


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Whole-Body Exposure to 28Si-Radiation Dose-Dependently Disrupts Dentate Gyrus Neurogenesis and Proliferation in the Short Term and New Neuron Survival and Contextual Fear Conditioning in the Long Term

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 532-551, November 2017.


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Decorporation Approach after Rat Lung Contamination with Plutonium: Evaluation of the Key Parameters Influencing the Efficacy of a Protracted Chelation Treatment

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 552-561, November 2017.


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Age-Dependent Responses of Brain Myelin Integrity and Behavioral Performance to Radiation in Mice

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 505-516, November 2017.


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Radiation Mitigating Properties of Intranasally Administered KL4 Surfactant in a Murine Model of Radiation-Induced Lung Damage

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 491-504, November 2017.


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Combined Therapy of Pegylated G-CSF and Alxn4100TPO Improves Survival and Mitigates Acute Radiation Syndrome after Whole-Body Ionizing Irradiation Alone and Followed by Wound Trauma

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 476-490, November 2017.


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Atmospheric Cosmic-Ray Variation and Ambient Dose Equivalent Assessments Considering Ground Level Enhancement Thanks to Coupled Anisotropic Solar Cosmic Ray and Extensive Air Shower Modeling

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 517-531, November 2017.


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Growth Differentiation Factor 11 does not Mitigate the Lethal Effects of Total-Abdominal Irradiation

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 469-475, November 2017.


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Oxygen Enhancement Ratio in Radiation-Induced Initial DSBs by an Optimized Flow Cytometry-based Gamma-H2AX Analysis in A549 Human Cancer Cells

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 591-594, November 2017.


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TP53 Mutational Status and ROS Effect the Expression of the Survivin-Associated Radio-Adaptive Response

Radiation Research, Volume 188, Issue 5, Page 579-590, November 2017.


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DNA-RNA interactions are critical for chromosome condensation in Escherichia coli [Genetics]

Bacterial chromosome (nucleoid) conformation dictates faithful regulation of gene transcription. The conformation is condition-dependent and is guided by several nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) and at least one nucleoid-associated noncoding RNA, naRNA4. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism of how naRNA4 and the major NAP, HU, acting together organize the chromosome structure...

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Genomic features shaping the landscape of meiotic double-strand-break hotspots in maize [Genetics]

Meiotic recombination is the most important source of genetic variation in higher eukaryotes. It is initiated by formation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in chromosomal DNA in early meiotic prophase. The DSBs are subsequently repaired, resulting in crossovers (COs) and noncrossovers (NCOs). Recombination events are not distributed evenly along chromosomes but...

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Interpreting the MINT Randomized Trials Evaluating Radiofrequency Ablation for Lumbar Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Pain: A Call From ASRA for Better Education, Study Design, and Performance.

No abstract available

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ASGE EndoVators Summit: defining the role and value of endoscopic therapies in obesity management

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Ensuring Implementation Fidelity of a 10-Week Home Visiting Program in Two Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Introduction Implementation fidelity is a challenge for the adoption of evidence-based programs within social service broadly and child welfare specifically. However, implementation fidelity is critical for maintaining the integrity of clinical trials and for ensuring successful delivery of services in public health settings. Methods Promoting First Relationships ^® (PFR), a 10-week home visiting parenting intervention, was evaluated in two randomized clinical trials with populations of families in child welfare. Seven providers from community agencies participated in the trials and administered PFR. Fidelity data collected included observational measures of provider behavior, provider records, and input from clients to assess training uptake, adherence to content, quality of delivery, program dosage, and participant satisfaction. Results In mock cases to assess training uptake, providers demonstrated an increase in PFR verbalization strategies and a decrease non-PFR verbalizations from pre to post PFR training, and overall this was maintained a year later (Mann–Whitney U's = 0, p's < .01). Adherence to content in actual cases was high, with M = 97% of the program elements completed. Quality of delivery varied across providers, indicated by PFR consultation strategies (Wilks' Lambda F = 18.24, df = 15, p < .001) and global ratings (F = 13.35, df = 5, p < .001). Program dosage was high in both trials (71 and 86% receiving 10 sessions), and participant satisfaction was high (M = 3.9, SD = 0.2; 4 = greater satisfaction). Discussion This system of training and monitoring provides an example of procedures that can be used effectively to achieve implementation fidelity with evidence-based programs in social service practice.

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Dispatcher helps 9-year-old give CPR instructions to mother to save baby

The dispatcher gave the boy CPR instructions that he translated to his mother who was trying to save his baby sister

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Study Points to Value of Genetic Testing in Epilepsy

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Cover Image, Volume 173A, Number 12, December 2017

The cover image, by Isabel Hardee et al., is based on the Clinical Report Defective ciliogenesis in INPP5E-related Joubert syndrome, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38376. Design Credit: Darryl Leja.

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Clinical delineation of a subtype of frontonasal dysplasia with creased nasal ridge and upper limb anomalies: Report of six unrelated patients

Frontonasal dysplasias are rare congenital malformations of frontonasal process-derived structures, characterized by median cleft, nasal anomalies, widely spaced eyes, and cranium bifidum occultum. Several entities of syndromic frontonasal dysplasia have been described, among which, to date, only a few have identified molecular bases. We clinically ascertained a cohort of 124 individuals referred for frontonasal dysplasia. We identified six individuals with a similar phenotype, including one discordant monozygous twin. Facial features were remarkable by nasal deformity with creased ridge and depressed or absent tip, widely spaced eyes, almond-shaped palpebral fissures, and downturned corners of the mouth. All had apparently normal psychomotor development. In addition, upper limb anomalies, frontonasal encephalocele, corpus callosum agenesis, choanal atresia, and congenital heart defect were observed. We identified five reports in the literature of patients presenting with the same phenotype. Exome sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from blood of two individuals, no candidate gene was identified. In conclusion, we report six novel simplex individuals presenting with a specific frontonasal dysplasia entity associating recognizable facial features, limb and visceral malformations, and apparently normal development. The identification of discordant monozygotic twins supports the hypothesis of a mosaic disorder. Although previous patients have been reported, this is the first series, allowing delineation of a clinical subtype of frontonasal dysplasia, paving the way toward the identification of its molecular etiology.

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Table of Contents, Volume 173A, Number 12, December 2017

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Publication schedule for 2017

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Cryptographic Strategy Could Deliver Better Genomic Privacy

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“Minimal” holoprosencephaly in a 14q deletion syndrome patient

We report on a patient with terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 14 displaying brain interhemispheric fusion limited to the midline anterior frontal cortex associated with hypoplastic corpus callosum and incomplete rotation of the left hippocampus in a clinical setting of motor and intellectual disability with poor language, and social behavior abnormalities with aggressiveness. Some possible correlations between clinical signs and symptoms and various aspects of the complex brain malformation are briefly discussed and compared with other known abnormalities of chromosome 14. The different neuropathology of the most common forms and the new forms of holoprosencephaly recently described is also discussed and leads us to suggest classifying the interhemispheric fusion of this case as a "minimal" form of holoprosencephaly. This appears to be the first description in a 14q deletion patient.

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In this issue

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Dynamic patterns of gene expression during leaf initiation

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2017
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Ting Yu, Chunmei Guan, Jin Wang, Muhammad Sajjad, Lingjian Ma, Yuling Jiao




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Site-specific transfer of chromosomal segments and genes in wheat engineered chromosomes

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2017
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Jing Yuan, Qinghua Shi, Xiang Guo, Yalin Liu, Handong Su, Xianrui Guo, Zhenling Lv, Fangpu Han
Recently, engineered minichromosomes have been produced using a telomere-mediated truncation technique in some plants. However, the study on transferring genes to minichromosomes is very limited. Here, telomere-mediated truncation was successfully performed in common wheat (Triticum aestivum) to generate stable truncated chromosomes accompanied by a relatively high frequency of chromosomal rearrangements. After the cross between transgenic parents, a promoter-less DsRed gene in a chromosome from one parent was transferred to another chromosome from the other parent at the site behind a maize ubiquitin promoter via the Cre/lox system. DsRed transcripts and red fluorescent proteins were detected in the recombinant plants. In one such seedling, transgenic signals were detected at the centric terminus of chromosome 4D and the distal terminus of chromosome 3A. Clear translocations could be detected at the transgenic loci of these two chromosomes. Intriguingly, signals of centric-specific sequences were co-localized with the translocated D-group chromosomal segment in the terminal region of chromosome 3A. Our results indicate that the Cre/lox system induces the gene swapping to the target chromosome and non-homologous chromosomal recombination simultaneously. These approaches could offer a platform to transfer large DNA fragments or even terminal chromosomal segments to other chromosomes of the natural genome.



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Cotton functional genomics reveals global insight into genome evolution and fiber development

Publication date: Available online 14 November 2017
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Zhiguo Wu, Yan Yang, Gai Huang, Jing Lin, Yuying Xia, Yuxian Zhu
Due to the economic value of natural textile fiber, cotton has attracted much research attention, which has led to the publication of two diploid genomes and two tetraploid genomes. These big data facilitate functional genomic study in cotton, and allow researchers to investigate cotton genome structure, gene expression, and protein function on the global scale using high-throughput methods. In this review, we summarized recent studies of cotton genomes. Population genomic analyses revealed the domestication history of cultivated upland cotton and the roles of transposable elements in cotton genome evolution. Alternative splicing of cotton transcriptomes was evaluated genome-wide. Several important gene families like Myb, Nac, Sus, and GhPLDa1 were systematically identified and classified based on genetic structure and biological function. High-throughput proteomics also unraveled the key functional proteins correlated with fiber development. Functional genomics studies have provided unprecedented insights into global-scale methods for cotton research.



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Fatigue, scheduling are critical EMS challenges

By Jay Fitch, PhD Caregiver fatigue and increasing negative performance associated with longer shifts are often the underlying reasons for changing schedules that we hear from clients and colleagues. More than 50 percent of the agencies in the EMS Trend Report Cohort operate with 12-hour shifts, rather than the 16- or 24-hour shifts used in the past and still used by many services. EMS leaders have ...

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Roundtable: Experts reflect on trends, findings from the 2017 EMS Trend Report

Now in its second year, the EMS Trend Report reflects changes in EMS care delivery and how those changes align with overarching health care trends. We asked EMS1 editorial advisors and contributors to review the data and offer their reactions and insights into what changed and what didn't – and where EMS leaders go from here. The panel includes: Chris Cebollero, EMS consultant Dr. Maia Dorsett ...

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Why a consistent identity matters for EMS

We name everything around us so we can categorize, organize and make sense of everything from inanimate objects to conceptual ideas to people. Identifying the person or thing in front of us provides a sense of familiarity. Society uses common names to group similar objects together in order to simplify retention. Most of us don't look at a stretch of rocky beach and call it a "mixture of igneous ...

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Fundamentals of Anaesthesia, 4th ed

No abstract available

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In Response

No abstract available

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Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Facemask for Positive Pressure Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Manual positive pressure ventilation is an essential skill in a variety of clinical situations. The C&E technique is commonly used with standard facemasks to provide effective ventilation. The Tao mask is a novel design that allows a more ergonomic grip. A seal between the mask and face is made with downward pressure of the palm, centered on the mask, and jaw lift is achieved with 4 fingers centered under the mandible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Tao mask compared to a standard mask before and after the administration of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) using 2 previously established ventilation scales. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two patients >18 years of age who were scheduled for general anesthesia were recruited. All care team members were shown a brief instructional video on the use of the Tao mask. After induction of general anesthesia with a standardized protocol, each patient was ventilated with both the standard (Vital Signs #082510) and Tao masks and effectiveness was measured using the Han and Warters scales. This process was repeated after NMB. The sequence of masks was determined with a random-number generator. RESULTS: Tao mask ventilation scores were significantly better than standard mask scores on both the Han scale and the Warters scale before the administration of NMB (P

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The Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Landmark and ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane blocks have demonstrated an opioid-sparing effect postoperatively after cesarean delivery. The more posterior quadratus lumborum (QL) might provide superior local anesthetic spread to the thoracolumbar fascia and paravertebral space. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of the QL block after cesarean delivery. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was performed. Forty parturients undergoing cesarean delivery received bilateral ultrasound-guided QL blocks with either 2 mg/mL ropivacaine or saline postoperatively. All patients received spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine and sufentanil and a postoperative analgesic regimen of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and ketobemidone administered by a patient-controlled analgesic pump. The ketobemidone consumption and time of each dose administered were recorded. The primary outcome was ketobemidone consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary and exploratory analyses compared repeated measures of pain scores, nausea, and fatigue, and total differences in time until patients were able to stand and able to walk 5 m, and the interaction between the effective analgesic score and time. RESULTS: All 40 patients completed the trial, 20 in each group. The cumulative ketobemidone consumption in 24 hours was reduced in the active group compared with the control group (P = .04; ratio of means = 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.97). The effective analgesic scores were significantly better in the treatment group compared with the placebo group both at rest (P

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In Response

No abstract available

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Hypoxia and Postoperative Stroke: The Picture Is Still Not Clear

No abstract available

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Ultrasound-Guided Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning Technique Versus Palpation Technique for Radial Arterial Cannulation in Adult Surgical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Radial arterial cannulation is most commonly done using palpation, but the use of ultrasound has increased the cannulation success rate. This improvement, albeit significant, has not led to a very high success rate especially in trainees. A modified ultrasound technique for vascular cannulation (dynamic needle tip positioning) has been described for peripheral venous cannulation. We therefore assessed the success rate of this technique compared to the palpation technique for radial artery cannulation in adult surgical patients. METHODS: We enrolled patients who were having nonemergent operations that required a radial arterial catheter for intraoperative monitoring. Patients were randomized to either palpation or dynamic needle tip positioning technique. Arterial cannulation was performed by anesthesia residents or faculty members. The primary end point was successful cannulation on the first pass. Secondary end points were overall 5-minute success rate and number of attempts within 5 minutes. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty patients were evaluated. The first-pass success rate was 83% in the dynamic needle tip positioning technique group (n = 132) and 48% in the palpation group (n = 128; P

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In Response

No abstract available

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Least Injurious Mechanical Ventilation in Pulmonary Resection Surgery

No abstract available

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General Anesthetics to Treat Major Depressive Disorder: Clinical Relevance and Underlying Mechanisms

Major depressive disorder is a frequent and devastating psychological condition with tremendous public health impact. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involve abnormal neurotransmission and a relatedly impaired synaptic plasticity. Since general anesthetics are potent modulators of neuronal activity and, thereby, can exert long-term context-dependent impact on neural networks, an intriguing hypothesis is that these drugs could enhance impaired neural plasticity associated with certain psychiatric diseases. Clinical observations over the past few decades appear to confirm this possibility. Indeed, equipotency of general anesthesia alone in comparison with electroconvulsive therapy under general anesthesia has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. Importantly, in the past 15 years, intravenous administration of subanesthetic doses of ketamine have also been demonstrated to have rapid antidepressant effects. The molecular, cellular, and network mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects have been partially identified. Although several important questions remain to be addressed, the ensemble of these experimental and clinical observations opens new therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of depressive disorders. Importantly, they also suggest a new therapeutic role for anesthetics that goes beyond their principal use in the perioperative period to facilitate surgery. Accepted for publication September 19, 2017. Funding: None. The author declares no conflicts of interest. Reprints will not be available from the author. Address correspondence to Laszlo Vutskits, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Intensive Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, 4, rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Address e-mail to laszlo.vutskits@unige.ch. © 2017 International Anesthesia Research Society

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Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology 2017 Meeting Report

No abstract available

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Cardiac Arrest in the Operating Room: Resuscitation and Management for the Anesthesiologist Part 1

Cardiac arrest in the operating room and procedural areas has a different spectrum of causes (ie, hypovolemia, gas embolism, and hyperkalemia), and rapid and appropriate evaluation and management of these causes require modification of traditional cardiac arrest algorithms. There is a small but growing body of literature describing the incidence, causes, treatments, and outcomes of circulatory crisis and perioperative cardiac arrest. These events are almost always witnessed, frequently known, and involve rescuer providers with knowledge of the patient and their procedure. In this setting, there can be formulation of a differential diagnosis and a directed intervention that treats the likely underlying cause(s) of the crisis while concurrently managing the crisis itself. Management of cardiac arrest of the perioperative patient is predicated on expert opinion, physiologic rationale, and an understanding of the context in which these events occur. Resuscitation algorithms should consider the evaluation and management of these causes of crisis in the perioperative setting. Accepted for publication September 8, 2017. Funding: This manuscript was developed from previous iterations on behalf of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists. Portions of this manuscript appear verbatim and are used with the permission of the ASA. Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Vivek K. Moitra, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, PH 527-B, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 West 168th St, New York NY 10032. Address e-mail to vm2161@cumc.columbia.edu. © 2017 International Anesthesia Research Society

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Neuroplasty Is a Safe, Effective Procedure

No abstract available

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Constitutive activity of 5-HT2C receptors is present after incomplete spinal cord injury but is not modified after chronic SSRI or baclofen treatment

After spinal cord injury (SCI), reflexes become hyperexcitable, leading to debilitating muscle spasms and compromised motor function. Previous work has described adaptations in spinal systems that might underlie this hyperexcitability, including an increase in constitutively active 5-HT_2C receptors in spinal motoneurons. That work, however, examined adaptations following complete transection SCI, whereas SCI in humans is usually anatomically and functionally incomplete. We therefore evaluated whether constitutive activity of 5-HT_2C receptors contributes to reflex hyperexcitability in an incomplete compression model of SCI and to spasms in vitro and in vivo. Our results confirm that 5-HT_2C receptor constitutive activity contributes to reflex excitability after incomplete SCI. We also evaluated whether constitutive activity could be altered by manipulation of neural activity levels after SCI, testing the hypothesis that it reflects homeostatic processes acting to maintain spinal excitability. We decreased neural activity after SCI by administering baclofen and increased activity by administering the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine. We found that drug administration produced minimal alterations in in vivo locomotor function or reflex excitability. Similarly, we found that neither baclofen nor fluoxetine altered the contribution of constitutively active 5-HT_2C receptors to reflexes after SCI, although the contribution of 5-HT_2C receptors to reflex activity was altered after SSRIs. These results confirm the importance of constitutive activity in 5-HT_2C receptors to spinal hyperexcitability following SCI in the clinically relevant case of incomplete SCI but suggest that this activity is not driven by homeostatic processes that act to maintain overall levels of spinal excitability.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY After spinal cord injury (SCI), most people will develop muscle spasms below their level of injury that can severely impact function. In this work, we examine the adaptations that occur within the spinal cord after SCI that contribute to these motor dysfunctions. We also evaluate one hypothesis about how these adaptations develop, which will potentially lead to intervention strategies to improve functional outcomes in persons with SCI.

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Role of digit placement control in sensorimotor transformations for dexterous manipulation

Dexterous manipulation relies on the ability to modulate grasp forces to variable digit position. However, the sensorimotor mechanisms underlying such critical ability are not well understood. The present study addressed whether digit force-to-position modulation relies entirely on feedback of digit placement and force, or on the integration of such feedback with motor commands responsible for digit positioning. In two experiments, we asked 25 subjects to estimate the index fingertip position relative to the thumb (perception test) or to grasp and lift an object with an asymmetrical mass distribution while preventing object roll (action test). Both tests were performed after subjects' digits were placed actively or passively at different distances (active and passive condition, respectively) and without visual feedback. Because motor commands for digit positioning would be integrated with position and force feedback in the active condition, we hypothesized this condition to be characterized by greater accuracy of digit position estimation and digit force-to-position modulation. Surprisingly, discrimination of digit position and force-to-position modulation was statistically indistinguishable in the active and passive conditions. We conclude that voluntary commands for digit positioning are not essential for accurate estimation of finger position or modulation of digit forces to variable digit position. Thus digit force-to-position modulation can be implemented by integrating sensory feedback of digit position and voluntary commands of digit force production following contact.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study was designed to understand the sensorimotor mechanisms underlying digit force-to-position modulation required for manipulation. Surprisingly, estimation of relative digit position and force-to-position modulation was accurate regardless of whether the digits were passively or actively positioned. Therefore, accurate estimation of digit position does not require an efference copy of active digit positioning, and the hypothesized advantage of active over passive movement on estimation of end-point position appears to be task and effector dependent.

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Vowel generalization and its relation to adaptation during perturbations of auditory feedback

Repeated perturbations of auditory feedback during vowel production elicit changes not only in the production of the perturbed vowel (adaptation) but also in the production of nearby vowels that were not perturbed (generalization). The finding that adaptation generalizes to other, nonperturbed vowels suggests that sensorimotor representations for vowels are not independent; instead, the goals for producing any one vowel may depend in part on the goals for other vowels. The present study investigated the dependence or independence of vowel representations by evaluating adaptation and generalization in two groups of speakers exposed to auditory perturbations of their first formant (F1) during different vowels. The speakers in both groups who adapted to the perturbation exhibited generalization in two nonperturbed vowels that were produced under masking noise. Correlation testing was performed to evaluate the relations between adaptation and generalization as well as between the generalization in the two nonperturbed vowels. These tests identified significant coupling between the F1 changes of adjacent vowels but not nonadjacent vowels. The pattern of correlation findings indicates that generalization was due in part to feedforward representations that are partly shared across adjacent vowels, possibly to maintain their acoustic contrast.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Speech adaptations to alterations, or perturbations, of auditory feedback have provided important insights into sensorimotor representations underlying speech. One finding from these studies that is yet to be accounted for is vowel generalization, which describes the effects of repeated perturbations to one vowel on the production of other vowels that were not perturbed. The present study used correlation testing to quantify the effects of changes in a perturbed vowel on neighboring (i.e., similar) nonperturbed vowels. The results identified significant correlations between the changes of adjacent, but not nonadjacent, vowel pairs. This finding suggests that generalization is partly a response to adaptation and not solely due to the auditory perturbation.

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Ventilation inhibits sympathetic action potential recruitment even during severe chemoreflex stress

This study investigated the influence of ventilation on sympathetic action potential (AP) discharge patterns during varying levels of high chemoreflex stress. In seven trained breath-hold divers (age 33 ± 12 yr), we measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at baseline, during preparatory rebreathing (RBR), and during 1) functional residual capacity apnea (FRC_Apnea) and 2) continued RBR. Data from RBR were analyzed at matched (i.e., to FRC_Apnea) hemoglobin saturation (HbSat) levels (RBR_Matched) or more severe levels (RBR_End). A third protocol compared alternating periods (30 s) of FRC and RBR (FRC-RBR_ALT). Subjects continued each protocol until 85% volitional tolerance. AP patterns in MSNA (i.e., providing the true neural content of each sympathetic burst) were studied using wavelet-based methodology. First, for similar levels of chemoreflex stress (both HbSat: 71 ± 6%; P = NS), RBR_Matched was associated with reduced AP frequency and APs per burst compared with FRC_Apnea (both P < 0.001). When APs were binned according to peak-to-peak amplitude (i.e., into clusters), total AP clusters increased during FRC_Apnea (+10 ± 2; P < 0.001) but not during RBR_Matched (+1 ± 2; P = NS). Second, despite more severe chemoreflex stress during RBR_End (HbSat: 56 ± 13 vs. 71 ± 6%; P < 0.001), RBR_End was associated with a restrained increase in the APs per burst (FRC_Apnea: +18 ± 7; RBR_End: +11 ± 5) and total AP clusters (FRC_Apnea: +10 ± 2; RBR_End: +6 ± 4) (both P < 0.01). During FRC-RBR_ALT, all periods of FRC elicited sympathetic AP recruitment (all P < 0.001), whereas all periods of RBR were associated with complete withdrawal of AP recruitment (all P = NS). Presently, we demonstrate that ventilation per se restrains and/or inhibits sympathetic axonal recruitment during high, and even extreme, chemoreflex stress.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The current study demonstrates that the sympathetic neural recruitment patterns observed during chemoreflex activation induced by rebreathing or apnea are restrained and/or inhibited by the act of ventilation per se, despite similar, or even greater, levels of severe chemoreflex stress. Therefore, ventilation modulates not only the timing of sympathetic bursts but also the within-burst axonal recruitment normally observed during progressive chemoreflex stress.

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Firing rate estimation using infinite mixture models and its application to neural decoding

Neural decoding is a framework for reconstructing external stimuli from spike trains recorded by various neural recordings. Kloosterman et al. proposed a new decoding method using marked point processes (Kloosterman F, Layton SP, Chen Z, Wilson MA. J Neurophysiol 111: 217–227, 2014). This method does not require spike sorting and thereby improves decoding accuracy dramatically. In this method, they used kernel density estimation to estimate intensity functions of marked point processes. However, the use of kernel density estimation causes problems such as low decoding accuracy and high computational costs. To overcome these problems, we propose a new decoding method using infinite mixture models to estimate intensity. The proposed method improves decoding performance in terms of accuracy and computational speed. We apply the proposed method to simulation and experimental data to verify its performance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We propose a new neural decoding method using infinite mixture models and nonparametric Bayesian statistics. The proposed method improves decoding performance in terms of accuracy and computation speed. We have successfully applied the proposed method to position decoding from spike trains recorded in a rat hippocampus.

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A critical appraisal of pharmacogenetic inference

In essence, pharmacogenetic research is aimed at discovering variants of importance to gene-treatment interaction. However, epidemiological studies are rarely set up with this goal in mind. It is therefore of great importance that researchers clearly communicate which assumptions they have had to make, and which inherent limitations apply to the interpretation of their results. This review discusses considerations of, and the underlying assumptions for, utilizing different response phenotypes and study designs popular in pharmacogenetic research to infer gene-treatment interaction effects, with a special focus on those dealing with of clinical effects of drug treatment.

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FOXE3 mutations: genotype-phenotype correlations

Microphthalmia and anophthalmia (MA) are severe developmental eye anomalies, many of which are likely to have an underlying genetic cause. More than 30 genes have been described, each of which is responsible for a small percentage of these anomalies. Amongst these, is the FOXE3 gene, which was initially described in individuals with dominantly inherited anterior segment dysgenesis and, subsequently, associated with recessively inherited primary aphakia, sclerocornea and microphthalmia. In this work, we describe 8 individuals presenting with a MA phenotype. Among them, 7 are carrying biallelic recessive FOXE3 mutations and 2 of these have novel mutations: p.(Ala78Thr) and p.(Arg104Cys). The last of our patients is carrying in the heterozygous state the recessive p.(Arg90Leu) mutation in the FOXE3 gene. To further understand FOXE3 involvement in this wide spectrum of ocular anomalies with two different patterns of inheritance, we reviewed all individuals with ocular abnormalities described in the literature for which a FOXE3 mutation was identified. This review demonstrates that correlations exist between the mutation type, mode of inheritance and the phenotype severity. Furthermore, understanding the genetic basis of these conditions will contribute to overall understanding of eye development, improve the quality of care, genetic counseling and, in future, gene based therapies.

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Patient outcomes of genetic counseling: assessing the impact of different approaches to family history collection

No studies have evaluated whether different modalities for collection of family history data influence patient outcomes of genetic counseling. We retrospectively compared outcomes of genetic counseling between patients whose family history (Fhx) was collected: a) via telephone prior to their appointment (FhxPrior), or b) during the appointment (FhxDuring). We used a psychiatric genetic counseling clinic database, where information about demographics and Fhx timing is recorded and patients complete the Genetic Counseling Outcomes Scale (GCOS, measuring empowerment) and Illness Management Self-Efficacy Scale (IMSES) immediately prior to (T1) and one-month after their appointment (T2). We used ANCOVA to evaluate the effect of Fhx method on patient outcomes at T2. Complete data were available for 240 patients and were used for analysis (FhxPrior, n=206; FhxDuring, n=34). GCOS and IMSES scores increased from T1-T2 (p<0.0005, and p=0.004, respectively). Though there was no difference for GCOS (p=0.412), T2 IMSES scores were significantly higher for FhxPrior than FhxDuring after controlling for T1 scores (p=0.011). Our data suggest that obtaining Fhx via telephone prior to genetic counseling may lead to greater increases in patient self-efficacy as compared to obtaining Fhx during the genetic counseling appointment.

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Genetic prediction of type 2 diabetes using deep neural network

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has strong heritability but genetic models to explain heritability have been challenging. We tested deep neural network (DNN) to predict T2DM using the nested case-control study of Nurses' Health Study (3,326 females, 45.6% T2DM) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (2,502 males, 46.5% T2DM). We selected 96, 214, 399, and 678 SNPs through Fisher's exact test and L1-penalized logistic regression. We split each dataset randomly in 4:1 to train prediction models and test their performance. DNN and logistic regressions showed better AUC of ROC curves than the clinical model when 399 or more SNPs included. DNN was superior to logistic regressions in AUC with 399 or more SNPs in male and 678 SNPs in female. Addition of clinical factors consistently increased AUC of DNN but failed to improve logistic regressions with 214 or more SNPs. In conclusion, we show that DNN can be a versatile tool to predict T2DM incorporating large numbers of SNPs and clinical information. Limitations include a relatively small number of the subjects mostly of European ethnicity. Further studies are warranted to confirm and improve performance of genetic prediction models using DNN in different ethnic groups.

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Homozygous XYLT2 variants as a cause of spondyloocular syndrome

Spondyloocular syndrome (SOS) is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal disorder. Two recent studies have shown that it is the result of biallelic sequence variants in the XYLT2 gene with pleiotropic effects in multiple organs including retina, heart muscle, inner ear, cartilage, and bone. The XYLT2 gene encodes xylosyltransferase 2, which catalyzes the transfer of xylose (monosaccharide) to the core protein of proteoglycans (PG) leading to initiating the process of proteoglycan assembly.

SOS was originally characterized in two families A and B of Iraqi and Turkish origin, respectively. Using DNA from affected members of the same two families we performed whole exome sequencing, which revealed two novel homozygous missense variants (c.1159C>T, p.Arg387Trp) and (c.2548G>C, p.Asp850His). Our findings extend the body of evidence that SOS is caused by homozygous variants in the XYLT2 gene. In addition, this report has extended the phenotypic description of SOS by adding follow-up data from five affected individuals in one of the two families, presented here.

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A heterozygous mutation in RPGR associated with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa in a patient with Turner syndrome mosaicism (45,X/46,XX)

Turner syndrome with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is rare, with only three cases reported based on clinical examination alone. We summarized the 4-year follow-up and molecular findings in a 28-year-old patient with Turner syndrome and the typical features of short stature and neck webbing, who also had X-linked RP. Her main complaints were night blindness and progressive loss of vision since the age of 9 years. Ophthalmologic examination, optical coherent tomographic imaging, and visual electrophysiology tests showed classic manifestations of RP. The karyotype of peripheral blood showed mosaicism (45,X [72%]/46,XX[28%]). A novel heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.2403_2406delAGAG, p.T801fsX812) in the RP GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene was detected using next generation sequencing and validated by Sanger sequencing. We believe that this is the first report of X-linked RP in a patient with Turner syndrome associated with mosaicism, and an RPGR heterozygous mutation. We hypothesize that X-linked RP in this woman is not related to Turner syndrome, but may be a manifestation of the lack of a normal paternal X chromosome with intact but mutated RPGR.

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Effectiveness of interprofessional education in renal physiology curricula for health sciences graduate students

The primary purpose of conducting an interprofessional education (IPE) experience during the renal physiology block of a graduate-level course was to provide basic science, physical therapy, and physician assistant graduate students with an opportunity to work as a team in the diagnosis, treatment, and collaborative care of a patient with acute kidney injury. The secondary purpose was to enhance the understanding of basic renal physiology principles with a patient case presentation of renal pathophysiology. The overall purpose was to assess the value of IPE integration within a basic science course by examining student perceptions and program evaluation. Graduate-level students operated in interprofessional teams while working through an acute kidney injury patient case. The following Interprofessional Education Collaborative subcompetencies were targeted: Roles/Responsibilities (RR) Behavioral Expectations (RR1, RR4) and Interprofessional Communication (CC) Behavioral Expectations (CC4). Clinical and IPE stimulus questions were discussed both within and between teams with assistance provided by faculty facilitators. Students were given a pre- and postsurvey to determine their knowledge of IPE. There were statistically significant increases from pre- to postsurvey scores for all six IPE questions for all students. Physical therapy and physician assistant students had a statistically significant increase in pre- to postsurvey scores, indicating a more favorable perception of their interprofessional competence for RR1, RR4, and CC4. No changes were noted in pre- to postsurvey scores for basic science graduate students. Incorporating planned IPE experiences into multidisciplinary health science courses represents an appropriate venue to have students learn and apply interprofessional competencies.

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Developing a tool for observing group critical thinking skills in first-year medical students: a pilot study using physiology-based, high-fidelity patient simulations

Most assessments of physiology in medical school use multiple choice tests that may not provide information about a student's critical thinking (CT) process. There are limited performance assessments, but high-fidelity patient simulations (HFPS) may be a feasible platform. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether a group's CT process could be observed over a series of HFPS. An instrument [Critical Thinking Skills Rating Instrument CTSRI)] was designed with the IDEAS framework. Fifteen groups of students participated in three HFPS that consisted of a basic knowledge quiz and introduction, HFPS session, and debriefing. HFPS were video recorded, and two raters reviewed and scored all HFPS encounters with the CTSRI independently. Interrater analysis suggested good reliability. There was a correlation between basic knowledge scores and three of the six observations on the CTSRI providing support for construct validity. The median CT ratings significantly increased for all observations between the groups' first and last simulation. However, there were still large percentages of video ratings that indicated students needed substantial prompting during the HFPS. The data from this pilot study suggest that it is feasible to observe CT skills in HFPS using the CTSRI. Based on the findings from this study, we strongly recommend that first-year medical students be competent in basic knowledge of the relevant physiology of the HFPS before participating, to minimize the risk of a poor learning experience.

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Whether we know it or not, our educational perceptions and decisions are shaped by "race"

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Lecture attendance improves success in medical physiology

The educators have underlined the importance of lecture attendance for decades. Nowadays, students have ample online educational sources, which began a debate on the necessity of in-class lectures. In the present study, we investigated the influence of lecture attendance on the exam success. To this aim, we adopted a novel approach and matched second-year medicine students' answers in three interim exams with the lectures related to those questions. Thereby, we were able to evaluate if attending lectures increases the chance of giving a correct answer to the exam question generated from the attended lecture. Furthermore, we examined students who had never taken the course before (first-time takers) and students who had failed and repeated the course (repeat takers) separately, since repeat takers may have attended a lecture previously. We found that first-time takers attended more lectures and gained higher total scores than repeat takers. Lecture-matched correct answers were significantly higher for attended lectures than for skipped lectures in all interim exams. Moreover, the correlation analyses revealed that the number of correct answers increases by lecture attendance in both first-time and repeat takers. These results indicate that in-class lectures still should be considered as an essential part of the medical physiology education, even in the internet era.

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Autonomic regulation of the immune system in cardiovascular diseases

The autonomic nervous system is a powerful regulator of circulatory adjustments to acute hemodynamic stresses. Here we focus on new concepts that emphasize the chronic influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems on cardiovascular pathology. The autonomic neurohumoral system can dramatically influence morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease through newly discovered influences on the innate and adaptive immune systems. Specifically, the end-organ damage in heart failure or hypertension may be worsened or alleviated by pro- or anti-inflammatory pathways of the immune system, respectively, that are activated through neurohumoral transmitters. These concepts provide a major new perspective on potentially life-saving therapeutic interventions in the deadliest of diseases.

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Physiology undergraduate degree requirements in the U.S.

Course-level learning objectives and core concepts for undergraduate physiology teaching exist. The next step is to consider how these resources fit into generalizable program-level guidelines for Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Physiology. In the absence of program-level guidelines for Physiology degree programs, we compiled a selective internal report to review degree requirements from 18 peer BS programs entitled "Physiology" in the United States (U.S.). There was a range of zero to three required semesters of math, physics, physics laboratory, general biology, biology laboratory, general chemistry, chemistry laboratory, organic chemistry, organic chemistry laboratory, biochemistry, biochemistry laboratory, anatomy, anatomy laboratory, core systems physiology, and physiology laboratory. Required upper division credits ranged from 11 to 31 and included system-specific, exercise and environmental, clinically relevant, pathology/disease-related, and basic science options. We hope that this information will be useful for all programs that consider themselves to be physiology, regardless of name. Reports such as this can serve as a starting point for collaboration among BS programs to improve physiology undergraduate education and best serve our students.

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Sport science internships for learning: a critical view

Sport science has gained vast popularity with students who have an interest in both physiology and the underpinning mechanisms of exercise concerning performance and health. The high numbers of graduates each year, coupled with the low number of graduate positions working in sports, has led to a high level of competition between students. To stand out from the crowd, sport science students may undertake an internship placement as part of their course, designed to enhance theoretical, practical, and soft skills in an applied setting. In the present article, we highlight some of the positives and negatives of sport science internships and ways in which they can be implemented and facilitated. Suggestions have also been provided to make students more aware of the reality of working in professional sports, which includes awareness of the potential for long and unsociable hours of work.

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World trends for H. pylori eradication therapy and gastric cancer prevention strategy by H. pylori test-and-treat

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis leads to the development of gastric cancer. Kyoto global consensus report on H. pylori gastritis recommended H. pylori eradication therapy to prevent gastric cancer. To manage H. pylori infection, it is important to choose the appropriate regimen considering regional differences in resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole. Quinolones and rifabutin-containing regimens are useful as third- and fourth-line rescue therapies.

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Expression of concern on 'The oldest hominin butchery in European mid-latitudes at the Jaramillo site of Untermassfeld (Thuringia, Germany)'

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2017
Source:Journal of Human Evolution





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