Editorial on Special Issue: Animal models of Tourette syndrome

Publication date: 1 December 2017
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Volume 292
Author(s): Marco Bortolato, Giuseppe Di Giovanni




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Parental reactions to children’s negative affect: The moderating role of parental GAD

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Brenda Arellano, Colette Gramszlo, Janet Woodruff-Borden
The impact of parental anxiety disorders has been explored in broad categories of parenting behaviors; however, less is known about the impact of parental anxiety on emotion socialization behaviors. The current study tested the conditional effect of parental Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on one aspect of emotion socialization, parents' reactions to their child's negative affect. Participants were 89 children between ages 3 and 12 and their parents, from a community sample. Parents completed the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-IV (ADIS-IV), an interaction task with their child, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory-II (BAI-II). Overall, the data supported study hypotheses. Parental GAD moderated the relationship between child's negative affect and parental over control and emotional discouragement. Additionally, this relationship was unique to GAD, as self-reported anxiety symptoms did not moderate this relation. These findings suggest parents diagnosed with GAD are discouraging of their children's emotional experiences and fail to adjust their level of guidance throughout situations which induce negative affect, leaving children to cope with negative emotions on their own.



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Relationship Between Extensions and Intensions in Categorization: A Match Made in Heaven?.

Author: Djalal, Farah Mutiasari; Hampton, James A.; Storms, Gert; Heyman, Tom

DOI: 10.1037/xlm0000469

Publication Date: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 30 October 2017

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Beyond 250: A Comprehensive Strategy to Maximize the Operative Experience for Junior Residents

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): James M. Healy, Mark W. Maxfield, Daniel G. Solomon, Walter E. Longo, Peter S. Yoo
ObjectivesAmong surgical educators, duty-hour restrictions led to concern regarding the adequacy of operative experience during residency, especially for junior residents. The American Board of Surgery recently instituted guidelines mandating "a minimum of 250 operations by the end of the PGY-2 year". A series of programmatic and institutional changes were implemented at our institution to augment the junior resident operative experience and to exceed compliance with this mandate.MethodsOperative data from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs for categorical and nondesignated preliminary interns from our large academic surgical residency were identified for 5 consecutive academic years, 2011 until 2016. American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores were collected anonymously. The program systematically instituted the following changes: night float minimization, identification of new surgical opportunities, augmenting use of midlevel care providers, identification of rotations with suboptimal operative experiences, maximizing rotations with involvement of junior residents in the operating room, and systematic review of junior case logs.ResultsAfter implementation, average total cases for residents completing postgraduate year (PGY)-2 increased from 176 to 330 (p < 0.001). Specifically, there was an 18% increase for interns (p = 0.059) and a 118% increase for PGY-2 residents (p < 0.001). There were statistically significant increases in skin and soft tissue cases, vascular cases, endoscopy, and complex laparoscopic cases. Average case volumes for senior residents did not change. Night float time was significantly decreased (5.7 vs 3.4 wk; p = 0.04). ABSITE scores were not significantly changed during this time.ConclusionsBefore implementation of these interventions, our program would have had 0% compliance with the 250 junior resident case rule. Within 12 months of implementation, total case volumes for residents completing PGY-2 increased by 88%—exceeding minimum standards. Overall, 100% programmatic compliance was achieved. Our program's experience exemplifies how mandates from the American Board of Surgery can lead to programmatic changes that improve the experience of surgical house officers.



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Identifying Nontechnical Skill Deficits in Trainees Through Interdisciplinary Trauma Simulation

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): Sarah Sullivan, Krystle Campbell, Joshua C. Ross, Ryan Thompson, Alyson Underwood, Anne LeGare, Ingie Osman, Suresh K. Agarwal, Hee Soo Jung
ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to investigate nontechnical skills in a simulated trauma setting both before and after a debriefing session in order to better understand areas to target for the development of educational interventions.DesignWilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare scores on the 5 domains of the T-NOTECHS pre- and postdebriefings. A qualitative analysis using the PEARLS debriefing framework was performed to provide a rich description of the strategies used by the debriefing facilitators.SettingThe Joint Trauma Simulation Program is an interdisciplinary project designed to improve the quality of trauma care through simulation exercises emphasizing nontechnical skills development.ParticipantsThirteen teams of 5 trauma trainees participated in trauma resuscitation simulations: a surgical chief resident, a surgical junior resident, an emergency medicine resident, and 2 emergency medicine nurses.ResultsTeams significantly improved on communication and interaction skills in the simulation scenarios from pre- to postdebriefing. The debrief facilitators spent most of their time engaged in Directive Performance Feedback (56.13%).ConclusionsInterprofessional team simulation in trauma resuscitation scenarios followed by debriefing differently affected individual nontechnical skills domains. Additional facilitation strategies, such as focused facilitation and encouraging learner self-assessment, may target other nontechnical skills in different ways.



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Prospective, pilot evaluation of the performance of nanofractional radiofrequency for improvement of skin texture via skin resurfacing

Summary

Background

The latest generation of radiofrequency, nanofractional radiofrequency, allows the heat energy to be delivered through the use of pins or needles as electrodes, facilitating increased efficacy and reduced pain, downtime, and side effects.

Objective

The objective of this prospective pilot clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of nanofractional radiofrequency in skin resurfacing.

Methods and materials

Seventeen subjects were enrolled in the study, and each received three nanofractional radiofrequency (160-pin tip) treatments in the facial area at 3-week intervals. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1 and 2 months after the final treatment. Clinical photography, patient, and investigator assessments were conducted during the treatment visits and follow-up.

Results

All subjects completed the study. At the 1- and 2-month follow-up, there was a moderate to significant improvement (2.6 and 3.5, respectively, P = .01) according to the investigator global esthetic improvement scale rating. Most subjects reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome and level of comfort.

Conclusion

Nanofractional radiofrequency is a safe and effective strategy for improving texture, tone, and skin laxity with high patient satisfaction and tolerable safety profile.

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Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Outcome studies for eating disorders regularly measure pathology change or remission as the only outcome. Researchers, patients and recovered individuals highlight the importance of using additional criteria for measuring eating disorder recovery. There is no clear consensus on which additional criteria are most fundamental. Studies focusing on the perspectives of recovered patients show criteria which are closely related to dimensions of positive functioning as conceptualized in the complete mental health model. The aim of this study was to identify fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery according to recovered individuals.

Methods

A systematic review and a qualitative meta-analytic approach were used. Eighteen studies with recovered individuals and meeting various quality criteria were included. The result sections of the included papers were searched for themes that were stated as criteria for recovery or 'being recovered'. All themes were analyzed using a meta-summary technique. Themes were labeled into criteria for recovery and the frequency of the found criteria was examined.

Results

In addition to the remission of eating disorder pathology, dimensions of psychological well-being and self-adaptability/resilience were found to be fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery. The most frequently mentioned criteria were: self-acceptance, positive relationships, personal growth, decrease in eating disorder behavior/cognitions, self-adaptability/resilience and autonomy.

Conclusions

People who have recovered rate psychological well-being as a central criterion for ED recovery in addition to the remission of eating disorder symptoms. Supplementary criteria, besides symptom remission, are needed to measure recovery. We recommend including measurements of psychological well-being and self-adaptability/resilience in future research, such as outcome studies and in routine outcome measurement.

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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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Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based thermoresponsive surfaces provide new types of biomedical applications

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 153
Author(s): Kenichi Nagase, Masayuki Yamato, Hideko Kanazawa, Teruo Okano
Thermoresponsive surfaces, prepared by grafting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) or its copolymers, have been investigated for biomedical applications. Thermoresponsive cell culture dishes that show controlled cell adhesion and detachment following external temperature changes, represent a promising application of thermoresponsive surfaces. These dishes can be used to fabricate cell sheets, which are currently used as effective therapies for patients. Thermoresponsive microcarriers for large-scale cell cultivation have also been developed by taking advantage of the thermally modulated cell adhesion and detachment properties of thermoresponsive surfaces. Furthermore, thermoresponsive bioseparation systems using thermoresponsive surfaces for separating and purifying pharmaceutical proteins and therapeutic cells have been developed, with the separation systems able to maintain their activity and biological potency throughout the procedure. These applications of thermoresponsive surfaces have been improved with progress in preparation techniques of thermoresponsive surfaces, such as polymerization methods, and surface modification techniques. In the present review, the various types of PIPAAm-based thermoresponsive surfaces are summarized by describing their preparation methods, properties, and successful biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract

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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Jejunum with Active Bleeding Demonstrated on Dual Energy MDCT Angiography: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Abdul Razik, Kumble Madhusudhan, Abhishek Aggarwal, Rajesh Panwar, Deep N Srivastava
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and may occasionally present with acute gastrointestinal bleed (GIB). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography is extremely useful in demonstrating the tumor as well as the presence of active hemorrhage, thereby guiding subsequent interventional or surgical management. We report a case of a 38-year-old male who presented with acute onset melena and compensated shock, whose source of bleed remained elusive on endoscopy. MDCT angiography performed on a dual energy scanner showed a jejunal tumor with active intraluminal contrast extravasation. The tumor was subsequently resected and the patient did well on follow up. This was one of the few instances when MDCT angiography demonstrated active bleeding in a GIST and the first such case demonstrated on a dual energy scanner.



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Towards Consensus: Training in Procedural Skills for Diagnostic Radiology Residents--Current Opinions of Residents and Faculty at a Large Academic Center

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Adam Prater, Bradley S. Rostad, Emily L. Ebert, Mark E. Mullins, Christopher P. Ho
Rationale and ObjectivesThe Diagnostic Radiology Milestones Project provides a framework for measuring resident competence in radiologic procedures, but there is limited data available to assist in developing these guidelines [1]. We performed a survey of current radiology residents and faculty at our institution as a first step towards obtaining data for this purpose. The survey addressed attitudes toward procedural standardization and procedures that trainees should be competent in by the end of residency.Materials and MethodsCurrent residents and faculty members were surveyed about: whether or not there should be standardization of procedural training; in which procedures residents should achieve competency; and the number of times a procedure needs to be performed to achieve competency.ResultsSurvey data were received from 60 study participants with an overall response rate of 32%. Sixty-five percent of respondents thought that procedural training should be standardized. Standardization of procedural training would include both the list of procedures that trainees should be competent in at the end of residency and the standard minimum number of procedures to achieve competency. Procedures that both residents and faculty agreed are important in which to achieve competency in included: central line/port procedures; CT guided abdominal, thoracic, and musculoskeletal procedures; minor fluoroscopic guided procedures; general fluoroscopy; peripheral line placements; and US guided abdominal procedures. For most of these categories, the majority of respondents believed that these procedures needed to be performed 6–20 times to achieve competency.ConclusionBoth resident and faculty respondents agreed that procedural training should be standardized during residency and competence in specific procedures should be achieved at the completion of residency. While this study is limited to a single institution, our data may provide assistance in developing future guidelines for standardizing image guided procedure training. Future studies could be expanded to create a national consensus regarding the implementation of the Diagnostic Radiology Milestones Project [1].



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Developing a Multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Clinic and Reviewing the Radiologist′s Clinic Role

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Mark D. Mamlouk, Pristine W. Lee




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Portable CT pulmonary angiogram in an infant on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the pediatric intensive care unit

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Simon Ho, Meral Patel, Renee Mansour, Atul Vats, Nikhil Chanani, Bradley S. Rostad
Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to change management in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although techniques have been described to transport these critically ill patients to the CT suite in the radiology department, transport out of the intensive care setting is not without risk, and using portable CT is a practical alternative. However, obtaining a CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) in a patient on veno-arterial (VA) ECMO presents unique challenges due to bypass of the cardiopulmonary system, which may lead to suboptimal opacification of the pulmonary arteries. Here we describe a method to obtain a diagnostic CTPA study in an infant on VA ECMO in the intensive care unit using portable CT. This case demonstrates that in select instances CTPA in infants on VA ECMO can be achieved using a portable CT system.



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Development and Assessment of a Multidisciplinary Radiology Contrast Reaction Training Course: Our Experience and Future Directions

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Alisa Sumkin, Michael J. Magnetta, Ryan Anderson, Deborah Farkas, Margarita Zuley, Philip Orons, Marion Hughes




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Trainee Knowledge of Imaging Appropriateness and Safety: Results of a Series of Surveys from a Large Academic Medical Center

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Thaddeus D. Hollingsworth, Richard Duszak, Arvind Vijayasarathi, Rondi B. Gelbard, Mark E. Mullins




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Model selection for high b-value diffusion-weighted MRI of the prostate

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 46
Author(s): Yousef Mazaheri, Andreas M. Hötker, Amita Shukla-Dave, Oguz Akin, Hedvig Hricak
PurposeTo assess the abilities of the standard mono-exponential (ME), bi-exponential (BE), diffusion kurtosis (DK) and stretched exponential (SE) models to characterize diffusion signal in malignant and prostatic tissues and determine which of the four models best characterizes these tissues on a per-voxel basis.Materials and methodsThis institutional-review-board-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study included 55 patients (median age, 61years; range, 42–77years) with untreated, biopsy-proven PCa who underwent endorectal coil MRI at 3-Tesla, diffusion-weighted MRI acquired at eight b-values from 0 to 2000s/mm². Estimated parameters were apparent diffusion coefficent (ME model); diffusion coefficients for the fast (Dfast) and slow (Dslow) components and fraction of fast component, ffast (BE model); diffusion coefficient D, and kurtosis K (DK model); distributed diffusion coefficient DDC and α for (SE model). For one region-of-interest (ROI) in PZ and another in PCa in each patient, the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and the Akaike weight (w) were calculated for each voxel.ResultsBased on AICc and w, all non-monoexponential models outperformed the ME model in PZ and PCa. The DK model in PZ and SE model in PCa ROIs best fit the greatest average percentages of voxels (39% and 43%, respectively) and had the highest mean w (35±16×10⁻² and 41±22×10⁻², respectively).ConclusionDK and SE models best fit DWI data in PZ and PCa, and non-ME models consistently outperformed the ME model. Voxel-wise mapping of the preferential model demonstrated that the vast majority of voxels in either tissue type were best fit with one of the non-monoexponential models. At the given SNR levels, the maximum b-value of 2000s/mm² is not sufficiently high to identify the preferred non-monoexponential model.



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Diversity of cultivable bacterial endophytes in Paullinia cupana and their potential for plant growth promotion and phytopathogen control

Publication date: Available online 1 November 2017
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Rhavena Graziela Liotti, Maria Isabela da Silva Figueiredo, Gilvan Ferreira da Silva, Elisabeth Aparecida Furtado de Mendonça, Marcos Antônio Soares
Endophytic bacteria occupy the same niche of phytopathogens and may produce metabolites that induce the host plant systemic resistance and growth. Host and environmental variables often determine the endophytic community's structure and composition. In this study, we addressed whether the plant genotype, organ, and geographic location influence the structure, composition, and functionality of endophytic bacterial communities in Paullinia cupana. To characterize the communities and identify strains with potential application in agriculture, we analyzed two P. cupana genotypes cultivated in two cities of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface-disinfested root, leaf, and seed tissues through the fragmentation and maceration techniques. The colonization rate, number of bacteria, richness, diversity, and functional traits were determined. The plant growth-promoting ability of selected bacterial strains was assessed in Sorghum bicolor. We identified 95 bacterial species distributed in 29 genera and 3 phyla (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes). The colonization rate, richness, diversity, and species composition varied across the plant organs; the last parameter also varied across the plant genotype and location. Some strains exhibited relevant plant growth-promoting traits and antagonistic traits against the main phytopathogens of P. cupana, but they were not separated by functional traits. The main bacterial strains with plant growth-promoting traits induced S. bicolor growth. Altogether, our findings open opportunities to study the application of isolated endophytic bacterial strains in the bioprospection of processes and products.



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Beyond the genome—towards an epigenetic understanding of handedness ontogenesis

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Progress in Neurobiology
Author(s): Judith Schmitz, Gerlinde A.S. Metz, Onur Güntürkün, Sebastian Ocklenburg
Hemispheric asymmetries represent one of the major organizational principles in vertebrate neurobiology, but their molecular determinants are not well understood. For handedness, the most widely investigated form of hemispheric asymmetries in humans, single gene explanations have been the most popular ontogenetic model in the past. However, molecular genetic studies revealed only few specific genes that explain a small fraction of the phenotypic variance. In contrast, family studies indicated heritability of up to 0.66. It has been suggested that the lack of recognizable genetic heritability is partly accounted for by heritable epigenetic mechanisms. Based on recent neuroscientific findings highlighting the importance of epigenetic mechanisms for brain function and disease, we review recent findings describing non-genetic influences on handedness from conception to childhood. We aim to advance the idea that epigenetic regulation might be the mediating mechanism between environment and phenotype. Recent findings on molecular epigenetic mechanisms indicate that particular asymmetries in DNA methylation might affect asymmetric gene expression in the central nervous system that in turn mediates handedness. We propose that an integration of genes and environment is essential to fully comprehend the ontogenesis of handedness and other hemispheric asymmetries.



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The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation in multiple sclerosis: clues for other neuroinflammatory diseases

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Progress in Neurobiology
Author(s): Valerio Chiurchiù, Mario van der Stelt, Diego Centonze, Mauro Maccarrone
Multiple sclerosis is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, caused by an autoimmune response against myelin that eventually leads to progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Although the knowledge on its underlying neurobiological mechanisms has considerably improved, there is a still unmet need for new treatment options, especially for the progressive forms of the disease. Both preclinical and clinical data suggest that cannabinoids, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, may be used to control symptoms such as spasticity and chronic pain, whereas only preclinical data indicate that these compounds and their endogenous counterparts, i.e. the endocannabinoids, may also exert neuroprotective effects and slow down disease progression. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies that could explain the therapeutic action of cannabinoid-based medicines, as well as the medical potential of modulating endocannabinoid signaling in multiple sclerosis, with a link to other neuroinflammatory disorders that share common hallmarks and pathogenetic features.



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A paper-based SERS test strip for quantitative detection of Mucin-1 in whole blood

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Shan-Wen Hu, Shu Qiao, Jian-Bin Pan, Bin Kang, Jing-Juan Xu, Hong-Yuan Chen
A paper-based SERS test strip combining strengths of paper chip and Raman active substrate was demonstrated to overcome challenges in spectroscopic sensing of complicated samples and realize quantitative detection of disease markers in whole blood. The precisely controlled Au NPs were not only capable of generating condensed hot spots on the fibers, but also enhanced the size exclusion effect of paper, resulting in the novel performance on both SERS detection and sample pretreatment. A biosensor for Mucin-1 is developed by equipping the Au NPs with aptamer. Combining all these merits, this small, cheap and portable test strip might find wide application in clinical diagnosis and health evaluation.

Graphical abstract

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Exploiting multivariate calibration for compensation of iron interference in the spectrophotometric flow-based catalytic determination of molybdenum

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Eliezer Oliveira, Camelia Henriquez, Lidiane C. Nunes, Elias A.G. Zagatto
Multivariate calibration involving partial least squares was exploited in the flow-based spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum in river waters relying on the Mo(VI)-catalyzed iodide oxidation by H2O2 under acidic conditions. Two sample aliquots were simultaneously inserted into the carrier stream, and differential pumping was accountable for in-line addition of sulfuric acid to one of them. Pronounced gradients (acidity and reagent concentrations) were established along the complex sample zone formed, and the absorbance-time function was characterized by local maximum and minimum values. As these values were intrinsically more precise, they were used for implementing the PLS multivariate calibration. Mo(VI) and Fe(III) were jointly determined, and Fe(III) interference was straightforwardly circumvented. Influence of reagent concentrations, acidity, available time for reaction development, and nature of the acid was investigated, and this later parameter manifested itself as relevant for discriminating purposes. The calibration set consisted of 6.2 – 50.0μgL⁻¹ Mo(VI) plus 0.5 – 7.0mgL⁻¹ Fe(III) solutions. The PLS model was characterized by good prediction ability [RMSEP = 0.67μgL⁻¹ for Mo(VI)]. The innovation was applied to spiked river waters, and analytical precision, sampling rate, recovery, detection limit and reagent consumption were estimated as 0.5 – 2.4%, 31h⁻¹, 98–114%. 0.88μgL⁻¹ Mo(VI), and 54.0mg KI per determination, respectively. Results were in agreement with ICP OES.

Graphical abstract

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Sensitive and fast characterization of site-specific protein glycosylation with capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Yanyan Qu, Liangliang Sun, Guijie Zhu, Zhenbin Zhang, Elizabeth H. Peuchen, Norman J. Dovichi
Glycoproteomic analysis requires efficient separation and sensitive detection to enable the comprehensive characterization of glycan heterogeneity. Here, we report the use of capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS) with an electrokinetically-pumped nanospray interface for the study of protein glycosylation microheterogeneity. A fast separation was developed that resolved intact glycopeptides generated from standard proteins within ~9min. Differentially terminal-galactosylated and sialylated species with the same glycosylation sites were well resolved. The concentration detection limits for CZE were three times higher than for nanoLC methods; however, a 200-fold smaller injection volume was used in CZE, which reflects the use of an extremely efficient electrospray interface in our CZE-ESI-MS setup. The resulting glycopeptide mass detection limit was two orders of magnitude superior to a nanoLC method. We also observed a 1.5% and 7% average relative standard deviation in peak migration time and glycopeptide relative abundance, and a four order of magnitude linear dynamic range in signal intensity. With CZE-ESI-MS, 40 haptoglobin glycopeptides were identified from roughly 40 fmol of digest.

Graphical abstract

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Electrochemical aptasensor for multi-antibiotics detection based on endonuclease and exonuclease assisted dual recycling amplification strategy

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Shengfeng Huang, Ning Gan, Tianhua Li, You Zhou, Yuting Cao, Youren Dong
An ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor for multiplex antibiotics detection based on endonuclease and exonuclease assisted dual recycling amplification strategy was proposed. Kanamycin and chloramphenicol were selected as candidates. Firstly, aptamers of the antibiotics were immobilized on bar A and then binding with their endonuclease labeled complementary DNA strands to construct enzyme-cleavage probes. Secondly, The nano zirconium-metal organic framework (NMOF) particles with 1,4-benzene-dicarboxylate (BDC) as linker was defined as UiO-66. And its updated version, hierarchically porous UiO-66 (HP-UIO-66) decorated with different electroactive materials as signal tags were synthesized. Then they were immobilized on bar B linked by two duplex DNA strands which can be specifically cleaved by corresponding enzyme-cleavage probes in bar A. Once targets were introduced into system, aptamers can capture them and then release enzyme-cleavage probes. In the presence of exonuclease-I, exonuclease assisted target recycling amplification was triggered and more enzyme-cleavage probes were released into solution. The probes can trigger endonuclease assisted recycles and repeatedly cleave their corresponding duplex DNA strands on bar B then released numerous signal tags into supernatant. Thus two recycling amplification was performed in the system. Finally, MB and Fc in the signal tags were detected by square wave voltammetry after removing bar A/B and the current intensities were correspondent with the concentration of KANA and CAP respectively. Under the optimum condition, the limits of detection for the KANA and CAP were 35fM and 21fM respectively with a wide linear range from 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 50nM. This dual recycling amplification detection system exhibited high sensitivities and specificity. It can be easily extended to detect other targets if changing the corresponding aptamers and has potential application values for screening of multiplex antibiotics residues in food safety.

Graphical abstract

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SERS strategy based on the modified Au nanoparticles for highly sensitive detection of bisphenol A residues in milk

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Libin Yang, Yongliang Chen, Yu Shen, Ming Yang, Xiuling Li, Xiaoxia Han, Xin Jiang, Bing Zhao
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a highly toxic chemical, and its residue in milk product is threatening people's health due to its possible leaching from the packagings and cans with BPA coating. In this work, halides modified Au nanoparticles (NPs) as the modification substrates were first designed for rapid and sensitive determination of BPA residue in real milk by SERS method with the assistance of aggregation agents (Zn²⁺). It can be concluded that Au NPs modification substrate with assistance of the aggregation agent can remarkably improve the detection sensitivity of BPA residue, which can significantly enhance the SERS signal of BPA and achieve the trace-level detection of BPA residue. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection of BPA residue can be as low as to 4.3 × 10⁻⁹mol/L (equal to 0.98 × 10⁻³mg/kg), which is much less than the standard of European Union (0.6mg/kg). And, there is a good linear relationship (R² = 0.990) between the intensity of SERS signal and the logarithm of BPA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻³mol/L. By this method, the recovery of BPA residue ranges from 89.5% to 100.2% with relative standard deviation between 4.6% and 2.7%. The proposed SERS method proves to be reliable, highly sensitive and possesses good reproducibility, which is very promising for sensitive detection of bisphenols residue in foodstuff.

Graphical abstract

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Simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel fly ash using solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): A. Cárdenas Valdivia, E. Vereda Alonso, M.M. López Guerrero, J. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, J.M. Cano Pavón, A. García de Torres
A green and simple method has been proposed in this work for the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS HR CS GFAAS). The application of fast programs in combination with direct solid sampling allows eliminating pretreatment steps, involving minimal manipulation of sample. Iridium treated platforms were applied throughout the present study, enabling the use of aqueous standards for calibration. Correlation coefficients for the calibration curves were typically better than 0.9931. The concentrations found in the fuel ash samples analysed ranged from 0.66% to 4.2% for V, 0.23–0.7% for Ni and 0.10–0.60% for Fe. Precision (%RSD) were 5.2%, 10.0% and 9.8% for V, Ni and Fe, respectively, obtained as the average of the %RSD of six replicates of each fuel ash sample.The optimum conditions established were applied to the determination of the target analytes in fuel ash samples. In order to test the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method in the analysis of samples, five ash samples from the combustion of fuel in power stations, were analysed. The method accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results obtained using the proposed method with the results obtained by ICP OES previous acid digestion. The results showed good agreement between them.The goal of this work has been to develop a fast and simple methodology that permits the use of aqueous standards for straightforward calibration and the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by direct SS HR CS GFAAS.

Graphical abstract

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Do different methods for measuring joint moment asymmetry give the same results?

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): AmirAli Jafarnezhadgero, Morteza Madadi-Shad, Fatemeh Salari Esker, D.G.E. Robertson
Gait asymmetry is defined as a loss of perfect agreement between the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs. Conflicting results from gait asymmetry studies may be due to different definitions of asymmetry, different research methods, and/or different variables and formulas used for asymmetry calculation. As a result, this makes it difficult to compare joint asymmetry values between studies. An accurate and precise understanding of asymmetry during human walking is an important step towards developing enhanced rehabilitation protocols for pathological gait. This study examined bilateral lower extremity joint moment asymmetry during the stance phase of walking using three different methods. Fourteen male children (with flat feet) aged 8–14 years participated in this study. The three-dimensional lower limb kinetics was evaluated during a comfortable gait. Then, right and left lower limb joint moments were used to calculate the joint moment asymmetry via three different methods (Lathrop-Lambach method: equation used by Lathrop-Lambach et al. (2014); Su method: equation used by Su et al. (2015); Nigg method: equation used by Nigg et al. (2013)). Repeated-measures ANOVAs (α = 0.05) were used to compare the values of net joint moment asymmetry calculated by the three methods. The results of the statistical analyses found that the amounts of moment symmetry between limbs calculated by the first two methods were significantly greater than that of using the Nigg method (except for the values of the frontal ankle moment computed by the Lathrop-Lambach method). Furthermore, in comparison of the first two methods, using the Su method showed a reduction in moment asymmetry for all joints and for all moments (p < 0.05). We conclude that, although all of three common methods for determining asymmetry between limbs have documented merit, they sometimes differ dramatically in results.



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Fascia – The unsung hero of spine biomechanics

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): P. Mark Driscoll




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Validation of the range of dry needling with the fascial winding technique in the carpal tunnel using ultrasound

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Jordi Gascon-Garcia, Caridad Bagur-Calafat, Montserrat Girabent-Farrés, Ramon Balius
ObjectivesTo use ultrasound imaging to show how the needles in dry needling applied in the carpal tunnel can reach the transverse carpal ligament, acting on it in the form of traction-stretching when the fascial winding technique is performed. The potential associated risks are also assessed.DesignValidation study.ParticipantsHealthy volunteers (n = 18).MethodsFour dry needling needles were applied to the carpal tunnel, only using anatomical references, according to the original approach known as "four-pole carpal dry needling", and manipulating the needles following the so-called fascial winding technique according to the authors, in the form of unidirectional rotation. An ultrasound recording of the distance reached was then performed, and compared with the mechanical action achieved on the transverse carpal ligament.Results93.1% of the needles placed came into contact with the transverse carpal ligament with traction-stretching of the ligament observed when the needles were manipulated with the fascial winding technique in 80.6%. The mean distance from the tip of the needle to the median nerve was 3.75 mm, with CI95% [3.10, 4.41] and it was 7.78 mm with CI95% [6.64, 8.91] to the ulnar artery. Pain immediately after the technique concluded was of mild intensity, almost nil 10 min later, and non-existent after one week.ConclusionDry needling with fascial winding technique in the carpal tunnel using the four-pole carpal dry needling approach is valid for reaching and traction of the transverse carpal ligament, and may stretch it and relax it. It is also safe with regard to the median nerve and ulnar artery, with a very mild level of pain.



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High-fat diet exposure, regardless of induction of obesity, is associated with altered expression of genes critical to normal ovulatory function

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Natalie M. Hohos, Kirstin J. Cho, Delaney C. Swindle, Malgorzata E. Skaznik-Wikiel
We evaluated the impact of high-fat diet (HFD) on ovarian gene expression. Female 5-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% HFD or standard chow for 10 weeks. HFD-fed mice were then separated into obese (HF-Ob) and lean (HF-Ln) based on body weight. HFD exposure led to impairment of the estrous cycle, changes in hormones affecting reproduction, and decreased primordial follicles regardless of the development of obesity. RNA-sequencing of whole ovaries identified multiple genes with altered expression after HFD, with 25 genes displaying decreased expression in both HF-Ln and HF-Ob mice compared to the chow-fed controls (q < 0.05). Several of these 25 genes are involved in normal ovarian functions, including ovulation (Edn2, Tnfaip6, Errfi1, Prkg2, and Nfil3), luteinization (Edn2), and luteolysis (Nr4a1). Taken together, elevated dietary fat intake, regardless of obesity, is associated with impaired estrous cycle, depletion of the ovarian reserve, and altered expression of genes critical to normal ovulatory function.



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Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, first order nonlinear optical properties and DFT calculations of novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone ligand

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): Samir A. Abdel-Latif, Adel A. Mohamed
Novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone (L) have been prepared and characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. 1:1 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) are distorted octahedral whereas Ni(II) complex is square planar and Cu(II) is distorted trigonal bipyramid. 1:2 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are distorted trigonal bipyramid whereas Ni(II) complex is distorted tetrahedral. All complexes behave as non-ionic in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The electronic structure and nonlinear optical parameters (NLO) of the complexes were investigated theoretically at the B3LYP/GEN level of theory. Molecular stability and bond strengths have been investigated by applying natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The geometries of the studied complexes are non-planner. DFT calculations have been also carried out to calculate the global properties; hardness (η), global softness (S) and electronegativity (χ). The calculated small energy gap between HOMO and LUMO energies shows that the charge transfer occurs within the complexes. The total static dipole moment (μtot), the mean polarizability (<α>), the anisotropy of the polarizability (Δα) and the mean first-order hyperpolarizability (<β>) were calculated and compared with urea as a reference material. The complexes show implying optical properties.

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Experimental and theoretical analysis of a rare nitrato bridged 3d-4f complex containing LaZn2 core synthesized from a Zn(II) metalloligand

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): S.S. Sreejith, Nithya Mohan, M.R. Prathapachandra Kurup
A trinulcear Zn2La Schiff base complex was synthesized using slow-solvent evaporation technique from a Zn(II) mononuclear metalloligand by 2:1 addition with La(NO3)3 salt. Single crystal XRD analysis revealed a rare nitrato bridged trinuclear entity which is seldom seen in these class of ligand systems. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of intermolecular interactions/short contacts were done using Hirshfeld surface and 2D finger print analysis. The thermally stable, blue luminescent compound exhibits internal heavy atom effect thereby quenching the emission intensity of the ligand. DFT calculations were performed on the compound to analyze frontier orbitals and also ESP plots were used to monitor nucleophilic/electrophilic regions on the compound and its implications on hydrogen bonding. A comparison of the bond orders and atomic charges on the trinuclear compound and the Zn(II) metalloligand precursor was performed to substantiate the formation of the trinuclear product through ligand exchange.

Graphical abstract

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Mononuclear late first row transition metal complexes of ONO donor hydrazone ligand: Synthesis, characterization, crystallographic insight, in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): Umashri Kendur, Geeta H. Chimmalagi, Sunil M. Patil, Kalagouda B. Gudasi, Christopher S. Frampton, Chandrashekhar V. Mangannavar, Iranna S. Muchchandi
Air and moisture stable coordination compounds of late first row transition metal ions, viz., Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with a newly designed ligand, (E)-2-amino-N'-(1-(2-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (H2L) were prepared and extensively characterized using various spectro-analytical techniques. The ligand acts both in mono as well as doubly deprotonated manner. The ligand to metal stoichiometry was found to be 1:2 in case of complexes using chloride salts, whereas 1:1 in case of copper (II) complex using its acetate salt. The molecular structures of H2L, nickel and copper complexes were unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that H2L exists in a zwitterionic form while copper complex has copper centre in a distorted square planar environment. On the other hand, cobalt, nickel and zinc complexes display distorted octahedral coordination around the metal ion. In case of [Ni(HL)2].H2O, intramolecular CH⋯π stacking interaction were observed between the centroid of five membered chelate ring and phenyl proton C5H5 and intermolecular CH⋯π stacking interaction between the centroid of phenyl ring, dehydroacetic acid (DHA) ring and phenyl protons. The [Cu(L)DMF] complex is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding N1H⋯N2 and by intermolecular hydrogen bonding N1H⋯O4. Intermolecular interactions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces. Further, H2L and its metal complexes were screened for their in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities. The activity of the ligand has enhanced on coordination with transition metals. The tested compounds have shown excellent activity, which is almost equipotent to the standard used in the study.

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Implications of farnesyltransferase and its inhibitors as a promising strategy for cancer therapy

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Sergey G. Klochkov, Margarita E. Neganova, Nagendra Sastry Yarla, Madhukiran Parvathaneni, Bechan Sharma, Vadim V. Tarasov, George Barreto, Sergey O. Bachurin, Ghulam Md Ashraf, Gjumrakch Aliev
Ras proteins have been reported to play key role in oncologic diseases. Ras proteins are associated with cellular membranes for its carcinogenic activities through post-translational modifications, including farnesylation. Farnesyltransferase is responsible for a type of Ras membrane targeting, which leads to cancer origin and progression. Inhibitors of farnesyltransferase have been developed as novel anticancer agents for several cancers. In this review, role of farnesyltransferase in cancer progression and development has been discussed. Further, current status of development of farnesyltransferase inhibitors for cancer prevention and treatment has also been reviewed.



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Parathormone (PTH) is strongly related to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensives, obese, and normal control

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Alexandria Journal of Medicine
Author(s): Samir Naim Assaad, Aliaa Ali El-Aghoury, Eman M. El-Sharkawy, Tamer Mohamed Elsherbiny, Ahmed Abdelhameed Osman




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Dexmedetomidine promotes liver regeneration in mice after 70% partial hepatectomy by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome not TLR4/NFκB

Publication date: January 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 54
Author(s): Meihong Lv, Huizhi Zeng, Yi He, Jiashu Zhang, Guang Tan
Inflammasome activation is mediated by NOD-like receptors (NLRs) that play important role in cellular proliferation. NLRP3 senses the widest array of stimuli. But its role in the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is still unknown. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been documented to protect the liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury via the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, which is important for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and liver regeneration. We tested whether Dex contributes to liver regeneration, and investigated its consequent effect on inflammasome activation. In vitro, L02 human liver cells were treated with Dex at different concentrations. The 70% PHx was performed in C57 BL/6 mice as PHx group, and sham-operated animals as Sham group, Dex-treated animals were assigned into two groups: Dex+PHx, which received single intraperitoneal injections of Dex (25μg/kg) before PHx 30mins; Dex+PHx+Dex, which received additional Dex (25μg/kg) after PHx for 3days. Dex significantly inhibited the proliferation of Lo2 cells in vitro and decreased the expression of TLR4/NFκB. In vivo, Dex+PHx exhibited promoted effect on liver regeneration and liver function recovery via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Dex+PH+Dex inhibited the liver regeneration, which may be associated with suppressed expression levels of TLR4/NFκB pathway. Though Dex pretreatment contributed to liver regeneration and function recovery via inflammation suppression, excessive inflammation suppression accompanied with TLR4 suppression could be related to the diminished liver regeneration, suggesting that TLR4/NFκB played important role in liver regeneration and Dex+PHx might be a useful therapeutic strategy to promote liver regeneration in clinical.



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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Using verbal instructions to influence lifting mechanics – Does the directive “lift with your legs, not your back” attenuate spinal flexion?

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Author(s): Tyson A.C. Beach, Tatjana Stankovic, Danielle R. Carnegie, Rachel Micay, David M. Frost
"Use your legs" is commonly perceived as sound advice to prevent lifting-related low-back pain and injuries, but there is limited evidence that this directive attenuates the concomitant biomechanical risk factors. Body segment kinematic data were collected from 12 men and 12 women who performed a laboratory lifting/lowering task after being provided with different verbal instructions. The main finding was that instructing participants to lift "without rounding your lower back" had a greater effect on the amount of spine flexion they exhibited when lifting/lowering than instructing them to lift "with your legs instead of your back" and "bend your knees and hips". It was concluded that if using verbal instructions to discourage spine flexion when lifting, the instructions should be spine- rather than leg-focused.



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Power Frequency Spectrum Analysis of Surface EMG Signals of Upper Limb Muscles During Elbow Flexion – A Comparison Between Healthy Subjects And Stroke Survivors

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Author(s): Silvija Angelova, Simeon Ribagin, Rositsa Raikova, Ivanka Veneva
After a stroke, motor units stop working properly and large, fast-twitch units are more frequently affected. Their impaired functions can be investigated during dynamic tasks using electromyographic (EMG) signal analysis. The aim of this paper is to investigate changes in the parameters of the power/frequency function during elbow flexion between affected, non-affected, and healthy muscles.Fifteen healthy subjects and ten stroke survivors participated in the experiments. Electromyographic data from 6 muscles of the upper limbs during elbow flexion were filtered and normalized to the amplitudes of EMG signals during maximal isometric tasks. The moments when motion started and when the flexion angle reached its maximal value were found. Equal intervals of 0.3407 s were defined between these two moments and one additional interval before the start of the flexion (first one) was supplemented. For each of these intervals the power/frequency function of EMG signals was calculated. The mean (MNF) and median frequencies (MDF), the maximal power (MPw) and the area under the power function (APw) were calculated.MNF was always higher than MDF. A significant decrease in these frequencies was found in only three post-stroke survivors. The frequencies in the first time interval were nearly always the highest among all intervals. The maximal power was nearly zero during first time interval and increased during the next ones. The largest values of MPw and APw were found for the flexor muscles and they increased for the muscles of the affected arm compared to the non-affected one of stroke survivors.



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Scholar : These new articles for International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Research Paper A mindfulness training program based on brief practices (M-PBI) to reduce stress in the workplace: a randomised controlled pilot study M. Arredondo , M. Sabaté , N. Valveny , M. Langa , R. Dosantos , J. Moreno & L. Botella Pages: 1-12 | DOI: 10.1080/10773525.2017.1386607 Hoping to have your article read by anyone, anywhere and at any time? Find out more about publishing open access with Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

New Year’s greetings

Publication date: Available online 27 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Masashi Mizuguchi




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A de novo p.Arg756Cys mutation in ATP1A3 causes a distinct phenotype with prolonged weakness and encephalopathy triggered by fever

Publication date: Available online 21 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Yuji Nakamura, Ayako Hattori, Mitsuko Nakashima, Daisuke Ieda, Ikumi Hori, Yutaka Negishi, Naoki Ando, Naomichi Matsumoto, Shinji Saitoh
Patients with a mutation at Arg756 in ATP1A3 have been known to exhibit a distinct phenotype, characterized by prolonged weakness and encephalopathy, triggered by febrile illness. With only eight reports published to date, more evidence is required to correlate clinical features with a mutation at Arg756. Here we report an additional case with an Arg756Cys mutation in ATP1A3. A four-year-old boy showed mild developmental delay with recurrent paroxysmal episodes of weakness and encephalopathy from nine months of age. Motor deficits, which included bilateral hypotonia, ataxia, dysmetria, limb incoordination, dysarthria, choreoathetosis, and dystonia, were observed from one year and three months. Whole-exome sequencing detected a heterozygous de novo variant at c.2266C>T (p.Arg756Cys) in ATP1A3. The episodic course and clinical features of this case were consistent with previously reported cases with mutations at Arg756. Furthermore, his phenotype of marked ataxia was more similar to that of an Arg756Cys patient with relapsing encephalopathy and cerebellar ataxia syndrome, than to those with Arg756His and Arg756Leu mutations. This report therefore provides evidence of genotype-phenotype correlations in ATP1A3-related disorders as well as in patients with mutations at Arg756 in ATP1A3.



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GRIN2A mutations in epilepsy-aphasia spectrum disorders

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Xiaoling Yang, Ping Qian, Xiaojing Xu, Xiaoyan Liu, Xiru Wu, Yuehua Zhang, Zhixian Yang
ObjectiveEpilepsy-aphasia spectrum (EAS) are a group of epilepsy syndromes denoting an association between epilepsy, speech disorders and the EEG signature of centrotemporal spikes. Mutations in the GRIN2A gene, encoding the NMDA glutamate receptor α2 subunit were reported in focal epilepsy with speech disorder. We aimed to explore the role of GRIN2A mutations in patients with centrotemporal spikes related epileptic syndromes in a Chinese cohort.MethodsPatients with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS), epileptic encephalopathy with continuous spike-and-wave during sleep (ECSWS), atypical benign partial epilepsy (ABPE), and benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) were recruited. GRIN2A mutation screening was performed using PCR and Sanger sequencing.Results122 patients, including 9 LKS, 26 ECSWS, 42 ABPE and 45 BECTS were enrolled. The mean age of seizure or aphasia onset was 5 years, ranging from 10 months to 11 years. Heterozygous GRIN2A mutations were detected in four patients (G760S, D1385Y, C455Y and C231R) GRIN2A mutation was found in 11.1% (1 out of 9 cases) of LKS, and in 7.1% (3 out of 42 cases) of ABPE, but in none with ECSWS and BECTS. No GRIN2A mutation was found in patients with a family history of febrile seizures or epilepsy.ConclusionGRIN2A mutation is a genetic cause in less than 11% patients with LKS or ABPE. GRIN2A gene is a rare causative gene in Chinese patients with EAS, suggesting the possibility of other gene involved in the pathogenesis.



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Is vatiquinone truly beneficial for Leigh syndrome?

Publication date: Available online 18 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Josef Finsterer, Sinda Zarrouk-Mahjoub




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Developmental trend of children with Down’s syndrome – How do sex and neonatal conditions influence their developmental patterns?

Publication date: Available online 18 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Sayaka Aoki, Yuko Yamauchi, Keiji Hashimoto
ObjectiveThis study investigated factors that would influence developmental trend of children with Down's syndrome (DS) in three different domains (motor, cognitive, language), specifically focusing on the effect of sex and neonatal conditions, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital heart disease (CHD).MethodsThe participants were 158 children with DS (mean age at the initial test = 25.5 months) receiving clinical service at a rehabilitation center in Yokohama, Japan. Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development was used to measure developmental level, which derive total developmental age (DA), Posture-motor DA, Cognitive-adaptive DA, and Language-social DA. For the analyses, a multilevel model for change was adopted, as the model allowed us to investigate intrapersonal growth and the between-personal factors that are associated with individual differences in the pattern of growth.ResultsThe developmental speed of children with DS was found to be slower than that of typical children in all the three developmental domains assessed (i.e., the estimated coefficient of the slope for chronological age on DA was less than 1). DS Girls developed significantly faster than boys in non-verbal cognitive and language abilities. Low birth weight and CHD had a significant negative impact on development of non-verbal cognitive abilities for boys, but had a somewhat positive effect for girls.ConclusionAs was shown in previous studies, the result of this study indicated that the children with DS develop slower than non-disabled children. Low birth weight and CHD were found to influence developmental trend of children with DS, differently for boys and girls.



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Three children of meningoencephalitis with Kikuchi necrotizing lymphadenitis

Publication date: Available online 16 October 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Joung-Hee Byun, Su Eun Park, Sang Ook Nam, Young A Kim, Young Mi Kim, Gyu Min Yeon, Yun-Jin Lee
BackgroundKikuchi necrotizing lymphadenitis (KNL) is a rare and benign cause of lymphadenopathy, most often cervical. The etiology of KNL remains unknown. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement, such as in meningoencephalitis, is a very rare clinical manifestation of KNL, especially in children.Case reportsA 12-year-old boy presented with unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. Histopathological findings led to the diagnosis of KNL. He revisited due to severe headache and vomiting one week later. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis demonstrated pleocytosis (lymphocytic 57%), high protein (312 mg/dL) and low CSF/serum glucose ratio (52/121 mg/dL.) The next day, he had a seizure. Brain MRI revealed increased signal involving posterior area of both hemisphere. Another 17-year-old boy presented with headache for 7 days and behavioral and personality changes. He had a history of cervical lymphadenopathy two weeks ago. CSF analysis demonstrated lymphocytosis, high protein and low glucose ratio. MRI revealed the involvement of right cerebellum and posterior brainstem. A biopsy of one cervical lymphadenopathy demonstrated the findings of KNL. A 15-year-old girl presented with fever, headache, and cervical pain lasting 10 days. CSF analysis demonstrated pleocytosis (lymphocytic 95%), high protein and low CSF/serum glucose ratio. Histopathological findings of lymph node were suggestive of KNL. Above three patients were undertaken the steroid therapy and recovered fully without neurological dysfunction.ConclusionsRecognition of CNS involvement in KNL may help evaluate the patients of acute meningitis/encephalitis with regional lymphadenopathy, thereby avoiding unnecessary treatment.



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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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Magnitude estimation of respiratory resistive loads in Parkinson's disease

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 129
Author(s): Karen W. Hegland, Michelle S. Troche, Alexandra Brandimore




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Inside front cover continued (editorial board members)

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 129





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Editorial board

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 129





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