Help is on the Way

It happens all too often. You get a call from someone higher up on the food chain in your organization, be it a director, faculty member, or partner, requesting that you give a presentation the next day about some specialized legal research topic. Everyone knows how this scenario plays out. You run around like crazy trying to pull something together in time. But what if you didn’t have to spend the night before your presentation stressed? What if you had a collection of your law librarian colleagues’ instructional materials right at your fingertips to browse, adapt, and reuse? This is not a fantasy—now this is reality. AALL offers two high-quality resources from which you can benefit. One is an innovative development from the Academic Law Libraries Special Interest Section (ALLSIS): the Legal Research Sourcebook. The other is a time-tested favorite: the Research Instruction and Patron Services Special Interest Section (RIPS-SIS) Teach-In Resource Kit

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Wrist-worn Transdermal Alcohol Biosensor to Collect Data in the Field

Transdermal alcohol monitoring allows for continuous, non-invasive, objective, and remote measurement of alcohol consumption. We evaluated feasibility and acceptability of participant use of the BACtrack Skyn biosensor bracelet in daily life. Heavy drinkers (n=20) wore the Skyn and self-reported drinking behavior for 7 days, followed by an individual interview. Recruitment and retention benchmarks were met, supporting feasibility. Participants provided both positive and constructive feedback on the Skyn during interviews, and usability of the bracelet was deemed “good”. Most missing data were inconsequential (<5 mins), with data available 85% of the time participants were asked to wear it. Missing data was largely expected and due to bracelet removal during bathing or charging. Overall, results indicate promise in our ability to integrate this tool into research and/or clinical practice, passively and objectively monitoring alcohol use in participants and/or patients with minimal burden

Genomic and systems evolution in Vibrionaceae species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The steadily increasing number of prokaryotic genomes has accelerated the study of genome evolution; in particular, the availability of sets of genomes from closely related bacteria has facilitated the exploration of the mechanisms underlying genome plasticity. The family <it>Vibrionaceae </it>is found in the <it>Gammaproteobacteria </it>and is abundant in aquatic environments. Taxa from the family <it>Vibrionaceae </it>are diversified in their life styles; some species are free living, others are symbiotic, and others are human pathogens. This diversity makes this family a useful set of model organisms for studying bacterial evolution. This evolution is driven by several forces, among them gene duplication and lateral gene transfer, which are believed to provide raw material for functional redundancy and novelty. The resultant gene copy increase in one genome is then detected as lineage-specific expansion (LSE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we present the results of a detailed comparison of the genomes of eleven <it>Vibrionaceae </it>strains that have distinct life styles and distinct phenotypes. The core genome shared by all eleven strains is composed of 1,882 genes, which make up about 31%–50% of the genome repertoire. We further investigated the distribution and features of genes that have been specifically expanded in one unique lineage of the eleven strains. Abundant duplicate genes have been identified in the eleven <it>Vibrionaceae </it>strains, with 1–11% of the whole genomes composed lineage specific radiations. These LSEs occurred in two distinct patterns: the first type yields one or more copies of a single gene; we call this a single gene expansion. The second pattern has a high evolutionary impact, as the expansion involves two or more gene copies in a block, with the duplicated block located next to the original block (a contiguous block expansion) or at some distance from the original block (a discontiguous block expansion). We showed that LSEs involve genes that are tied to defense and pathogenesis mechanisms as well as in the fundamental life cycle of <it>Vibrionaceae </it>species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results provide evidence of genome plasticity and rapid evolution within the family <it>Vibrionaceae</it>. The comparisons point to sources of genomic variation and candidates for lineage-specific adaptations of each <it>Vibrionaceae </it>pathogen or nonpathogen strain. Such lineage specific expansions could reveal components in bacterial systems that, by their enhanced genetic variability, can be tied to responses to environmental challenges, interesting phenotypes, or adaptive pathogenic responses to host challenges.</p

Blood-Based miRNA Biomarkers as Correlates of Brain-Based miRNA Expression

The use of easily accessible peripheral samples, such as blood or saliva, to investigate neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders is well-established in genetic and epigenetic research, but the pathological implications of such biomarkers are not easily discerned. To better understand the relationship between peripheral blood- and brain-based epigenetic activity, we conducted a pilot study on captive baboons (Papio hamadryas) to investigate correlations between miRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 14 different cortical and subcortical brain regions, represented by two study groups comprised of 4 and 6 animals. Using next-generation sequencing, we identified 362 miRNAs expressed at ≥ 10 read counts in 80% or more of the brain samples analyzed. Nominally significant pairwise correlations (one-sided P \u3c 0.05) between peripheral blood and mean brain expression levels of individual miRNAs were observed for 39 and 44 miRNAs in each group. When miRNA expression levels were averaged for tissue type across animals within the groups, Spearman\u27s rank correlations between PBMCs and the brain regions are all highly significant (r s = 0.47-0.57; P \u3c 2.2 × 10-16), although pairwise correlations among the brain regions are markedly stronger (r s = 0.86-0.99). Principal component analysis revealed differentiation in miRNA expression between peripheral blood and the brain regions for the first component (accounting for ∼75% of variance). Linear mixed effects modeling attributed most of the variance in expression to differences between miRNAs (\u3e70%), with non-significant 7.5% and 13.1% assigned to differences between blood and brain-based samples in the two study groups. Hierarchical UPGMA clustering revealed a major co-expression branch in both study groups, comprised of miRNAs globally upregulated in blood relative to the brain samples, exhibiting an enrichment of miRNAs expressed in immune cells (CD14+, CD15+, CD19+, CD3+, and CD56 + leukocytes) among the top blood-brain correlates, with the gene MYC, encoding a master transcription factor that regulates angiogenesis and neural stem cell activation, representing the most prevalent miRNA target. Although some differentiation was observed between tissue types, these preliminary findings reveal wider correlated patterns between blood- and brain-expressed miRNAs, suggesting the potential utility of blood-based miRNA profiling for investigating by proxy certain miRNA activity in the brain, with implications for neuroinflammatory and c-Myc-mediated processes

The Postgraduate Certificate & Master's in Student Engagement in Higher Education: a professional development opportunity to critically examine and influence research, policy and practice

Every member of staff within a higher education institution (HEI), whether professional services or academic, holds the potential to contribute towards the student experience through the engagement of students. Indeed, there has been a growth in universities recognising the importance of student engagement as a priority area, with sector regulators endorsing such practices too (Office for Students, 2020). This is manifested through strategies that highlight the key role of student engagement, and numerous staff at HEIs tasked with meeting HE sector regulations in relation to student engagement and enhancing the student experience. Yet, there are virtually no student engagement professional development qualifications available for those working in HE beyond discipline specific or teaching and learning focused programmes. The University of Winchester, having recognised this gap therefore launched the Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) and Master’s (MA) in Student Engagement in Higher Education. This brings together sector experts to look critically at student engagement research, policy and practice. The University of Winchester validated the PgCert in 2018 and the MA was validated in 2019. This case study will provide an overview of the blended approach taken to running the first MA and PgCert in Student Engagement in Higher Education programme in the UK, through offering our reflections on the academic programme three years on from its inception

Selection of endurance capabilities and the trade-off between pressure and volume in the evolution of the human heart

Chimpanzees and gorillas, when not inactive, engage primarily in short bursts of resistance physical activity (RPA), such as climbing and fighting, that creates pressure stress on the cardiovascular system. In contrast, to initially hunt and gather and later to farm, it is thought that preindustrial human survival was dependent on lifelong moderate-intensity endurance physical activity (EPA), which creates a cardiovascular volume stress. Although derived musculoskeletal and thermoregulatory adaptations for EPA in humans have been documented, it is unknown if selection acted similarly on the heart. To test this hypothesis, we compared left ventricular (LV) structure and function across semiwild sanctuary chimpanzees, gorillas, and a sample of humans exposed to markedly different physical activity patterns. We show the human LV possesses derived features that help augment cardiac output (CO) thereby enabling EPA. However, the human LV also demonstrates phenotypic plasticity and, hence, variability, across a wide range of habitual physical activity. We show that the human LV’s propensity to remodel differentially in response to chronic pressure or volume stimuli associated with intense RPA and EPA as well as physical inactivity represents an evolutionary trade-off with potential implications for contemporary cardiovascular health. Specifically, the human LV trades off pressure adaptations for volume capabilities and converges on a chimpanzee-like phenotype in response to physical inactivity or sustained pressure loading. Consequently, the derived LV and lifelong low blood pressure (BP) appear to be partly sustained by regular moderate-intensity EPA whose decline in postindustrial societies likely contributes to the modern epidemic of hypertensive heart disease

Genome- and epigenome-wide association study of hypertriglyceridemic waist in Mexican American families

This file contains Supplementary Table 1. (XLSX 782 MB

Brief Report: Diagnostic Accuracy of Oral Mucosal Transudate Tests Compared with Blood-Based Rapid Tests for HIV Among Children Aged 18 Months to 18 Years in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND: Gaps persist in HIV testing for children who were not tested in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs. Oral mucosal transudate (OMT) rapid HIV tests have been shown to be highly sensitive in adults, but their performance has not been established in children. METHODS: Antiretroviral therapy-naive children aged 18 months to 18 years in Kenya and Zimbabwe were tested for HIV using rapid OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test on oral fluids (OMT) and blood-based rapid diagnostic testing (BBT). BBT followed Kenyan and Zimbabwean national algorithms. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the national algorithms as the reference standard. RESULTS: A total of 1776 children were enrolled; median age was 7.3 years (interquartile range: 4.7-11.6). Among 71 children positive by BBT, all 71 were positive by OMT (sensitivity: 100% [97.5% confidence interval (CI): 94.9% to 100%]). Among the 1705 children negative by BBT, 1703 were negative by OMT (specificity: 99.9% [95% CI: 99.6% to 100.0%]). Due to discrepant BBT and OMT results, 2 children who initially tested BBT-negative and OMT-positive were subsequently confirmed positive within 1 week by further tests. Excluding these 2 children, the sensitivity and specificity of OMT compared with those of BBT were each 100% (97.5% CI: 94.9% to 100% and 99.8% to 100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to national algorithms, OMT did not miss any HIV-positive children. These data suggest that OMTs are valid in this age range. Future research should explore the acceptability and uptake of OMT by caregivers and health workers to increase pediatric HIV testing coverage

Characterizing a neurodegenerative syndrome: primary progressive apraxia of speech

Apraxia of speech is a disorder of speech motor planning and/or programming that is distinguishable from aphasia and dysarthria. It most commonly results from vascular insults but can occur in degenerative diseases where it has typically been subsumed under aphasia, or it occurs in the context of more widespread neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to determine whether apraxia of speech can present as an isolated sign of neurodegenerative disease. Between July 2010 and July 2011, 37 subjects with a neurodegenerative speech and language disorder were prospectively recruited and underwent detailed speech and language, neurological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging testing. The neuroimaging battery included 3.0 tesla volumetric head magnetic resonance imaging, [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and [11C] Pittsburg compound B positron emission tomography scanning. Twelve subjects were identified as having apraxia of speech without any signs of aphasia based on a comprehensive battery of language tests; hence, none met criteria for primary progressive aphasia. These subjects with primary progressive apraxia of speech included eight females and four males, with a mean age of onset of 73 years (range: 49–82). There were no specific additional shared patterns of neurological or neuropsychological impairment in the subjects with primary progressive apraxia of speech, but there was individual variability. Some subjects, for example, had mild features of behavioural change, executive dysfunction, limb apraxia or Parkinsonism. Voxel-based morphometry of grey matter revealed focal atrophy of superior lateral premotor cortex and supplementary motor area. Voxel-based morphometry of white matter showed volume loss in these same regions but with extension of loss involving the inferior premotor cortex and body of the corpus callosum. These same areas of white matter loss were observed with diffusion tensor imaging analysis, which also demonstrated reduced fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, particularly the premotor components. Statistical parametric mapping of the [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans revealed focal hypometabolism of superior lateral premotor cortex and supplementary motor area, although there was some variability across subjects noted with CortexID analysis. [11C]-Pittsburg compound B positron emission tomography binding was increased in only one of the 12 subjects, although it was unclear whether the increase was actually related to the primary progressive apraxia of speech. A syndrome characterized by progressive pure apraxia of speech clearly exists, with a neuroanatomic correlate of superior lateral premotor and supplementary motor atrophy, making this syndrome distinct from primary progressive aphasia