Isolation, Library Preparation, and Bioinformatic Analysis of Historical and Ancient Plant DNA

The ability to sequence DNA retrieved from ancient and historical material plays a crucial role in reinforcing evolutionary and anthropological inference. While the focus of the field is largely on analyzing DNA from ancient hominids and other animals, we have also learned from plant ancient DNA (aDNA), in particular, about human farming practices, crop domestication, environment management, species invasion, and adaptation to various environmental conditions. In the following protocols, we outline best practices for plant aDNA isolation, preparation for sequencing, bioinformatic processing, and authentication. We describe the process all the way from processing of archaeological or historical plant material to characterizing and authenticating sequencing reads. In alternative protocols, we include modifications to this process that are tailored to strongly degraded DNA. Throughout, we stress the importance of precautionary measures to successfully analyze aDNA. Finally, we discuss the evolution of the archaeogenomics field and the development of new methods, which both shaped this protocol. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolation of aDNA Alternate Protocol 1: Isolation of ultra-short DNA (Dabney modification) Support Protocol 1: Preparation of PTB-based mix Support Protocol 2: Preparation of binding buffer Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of genomic libraries Alternate Protocol 2: Preparation of genomic libraries with uracil removal Basic Protocol 3: Bioinformatic processing and authentication of aDNA

Domain and Geometry Agnostic CNNs for Left Atrium Segmentation in 3D Ultrasound

Segmentation of the left atrium and deriving its size can help to predict and detect various cardiovascular conditions. Automation of this process in 3D Ultrasound image data is desirable, since manual delineations are time-consuming, challenging and observer-dependent. Convolutional neural networks have made improvements in computer vision and in medical image analysis. They have successfully been applied to segmentation tasks and were extended to work on volumetric data. In this paper we introduce a combined deep-learning based approach on volumetric segmentation in Ultrasound acquisitions with incorporation of prior knowledge about left atrial shape and imaging device. The results show, that including a shape prior helps the domain adaptation and the accuracy of segmentation is further increased with adversarial learning

How might secondary dementia prevention programs work in practice: a pre-implementation study of the APPLE-Tree program

Background: Over 850,000 people in the UK currently have dementia, and that number is expected to grow rapidly. One approach that may help slow or prevent this growth is personalized dementia prevention. For most people, this will involve targeted lifestyle changes. These approaches have shown promise in trials, but as of yet, the evidence for how to scale them to a population level is lacking. In this pre-implementation study, we aimed to explore stakeholder perspectives on developing system-readiness for dementia prevention programs. We focused on the APPLE-Tree program, one of several low-intensity, lifestyle-based dementia prevention interventions currently in clinical trials. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with health and social care professionals without previous experience with the APPLE-Tree program, who had direct care or managerial experience in services for older adults with memory concerns, without a dementia diagnosis. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide interviews and thematic analysis. Results: We interviewed 26 stakeholders: commissioners and service managers (n = 15) and frontline workers (n = 11) from eight NHS and 11 third sector organizations throughout England. We identified three main themes: (1) favorable beliefs in the effectiveness of dementia prevention programs in enhancing cognition and wellbeing and their potential to fill a service gap for people with memory concerns, (2) challenges related to funding and capacity to deliver such programs at organizations without staff capacity or higher prioritization of dementia services, and (3) modifications to delivery and guidance required for compatibility with organizations and patients. Conclusion: This study highlights likely challenges in scale-up if we are to make personalized dementia prevention widely available. This will only be possible with increased funding of dementia prevention activities; integrated care systems, with their focus on prevention, may enable this. Scale-up of dementia prevention programs will also require clear outlines of their core and adaptable components to fit funding, patient, and facilitator needs

How might secondary dementia prevention programs work in practice: a pre-implementation study of the APPLE-Tree program.

BACKGROUND: Over 850,000 people in the UK currently have dementia, and that number is expected to grow rapidly. One approach that may help slow or prevent this growth is personalized dementia prevention. For most people, this will involve targeted lifestyle changes. These approaches have shown promise in trials, but as of yet, the evidence for how to scale them to a population level is lacking. In this pre-implementation study, we aimed to explore stakeholder perspectives on developing system-readiness for dementia prevention programs. We focused on the APPLE-Tree program, one of several low-intensity, lifestyle-based dementia prevention interventions currently in clinical trials. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with health and social care professionals without previous experience with the APPLE-Tree program, who had direct care or managerial experience in services for older adults with memory concerns, without a dementia diagnosis. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide interviews and thematic analysis. RESULTS: We interviewed 26 stakeholders: commissioners and service managers (n = 15) and frontline workers (n = 11) from eight NHS and 11 third sector organizations throughout England. We identified three main themes: (1) favorable beliefs in the effectiveness of dementia prevention programs in enhancing cognition and wellbeing and their potential to fill a service gap for people with memory concerns, (2) challenges related to funding and capacity to deliver such programs at organizations without staff capacity or higher prioritization of dementia services, and (3) modifications to delivery and guidance required for compatibility with organizations and patients. CONCLUSION: This study highlights likely challenges in scale-up if we are to make personalized dementia prevention widely available. This will only be possible with increased funding of dementia prevention activities; integrated care systems, with their focus on prevention, may enable this. Scale-up of dementia prevention programs will also require clear outlines of their core and adaptable components to fit funding, patient, and facilitator needs

Lipid Droplets in Atherosclerotic Fatty Streaks of Human Aorta

A B S T R A C T Preparations of lipid droplets and droplet-free tissue residue (cytoplasm + membranes + nuclei) were obtained by homogenization and centrifugal separation from intimal fatty streak lesions of aortic atherosclerosis of 21 adults who had died suddenly. Neutral lipids and phospholipids were analyzed by quantitative thin-layer chromatography and cholesteryl ester fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography. Optical properties of droplets were evaluated by differential counting and sizing procedures with the polarizing microscope. The droplets occurred in mixtures of two forms distinguished by their optical properties, anisotropic (i.e. liquid crystals) and isotrop c (true liquids). Both forms had average diameters of about 1.8 1A, with a range of 0.55 ,.. The proportions of the two forms varied with temperature as individual droplets changed their form; anisotropic forms averaged 83.7% at 220C and 37.8% at 370C, with isotropic forms being 16.3 and 62.2% respectively. The proportions of anisotropic forms at 220C decreased with age. These forms were not separated for chemical analysis. The droplets contained about half the lipid in the lesions. The composition of the lipids of the droplet mixture was remarkably uniform and strikingly different from that of the droplet-free residue. respectively: cholesteryl esters 94.9% vs. 38.7%, free cholesterol 1.7% vs. 18.6%. total phospholipids 1.0% vs. 38.6%, and triglycerides 2.4% vs. 4.0%. The proportions of individual phospholipids, with the exception of lysolecithin, were also different between the preparations. In the droplets only the proportions of lecithin correlated positively with the proportion of anisotropi

Timing of deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease: a need for reappraisal?

We review the current application of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD) and consider the evidence that earlier use of DBS confers long-term symptomatic benefit for patients compared to best medical therapy. Electronic searches were performed of PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify all article types relating to the timing of DBS in PD. Current evidence suggests that DBS is typically performed in late stage PD, a mean of 14 to 15 years after diagnosis. Current guidelines recommend that PD patients who are resistant to medical therapies, have significant medication side effects and lengthening off periods, but are otherwise cognitively intact and medically fit for surgery be considered for DBS. If these criteria are rigidly interpreted, it may be that, by the time medical treatment options have been exhausted, the disease has progressed to the point that the patient may no longer be fit for neurosurgical intervention. From the evidence available, we conclude that surgical management of PD alone or in combination with medical therapy results in greater improvement of motor symptoms and quality of life than medical treatment alone. There is evidence to support the use of DBS in less advanced PD and that it may be appropriate for earlier stages of the disease than for which it is currently used. The improving short and long-term safety profile of DBS makes early application a realistic possibility

Baseline and follow-up assessment of regional left ventricular volume using 3-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance

The assessment of regional volumes is an option for analysis of the response of LV segments to interventions such as revascularization or cell therapy. We sought to compare regional volumes from 3D-echocardiography (3DE) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) over follow-up

Left ventricular non-compaction: clinical features and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Background: It is apparent that despite lack of family history, patients with the morphological characteristics of left ventricular non-compaction develop arrhythmias, thrombo-embolism and left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Forty two patients, aged 48.7 +/- 2.3 yrs (mean +/- SEM) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for the quantification of left ventricular volumes and extent of non-compacted (NC) myocardium. The latter was quantified using planimetry on the two-chamber long axis LV view (NC area). The patients included those referred specifically for CMR to investigate suspected cardiomyopathy, and as such is represents a selected group of patients. RESULTS: At presentation, 50% had dyspnoea, 19% chest pain, 14% palpitations and 5% stroke. Pulmonary embolism had occurred in 7% and brachial artery embolism in 2%. The ECG was abnormal in 81% and atrial fibrillation occurred in 29%. Transthoracic echocardiograms showed features of NC in only 10%. On CMR, patients who presented with dyspnoea had greater left ventricular volumes (both p < 0.0001) and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.0001) than age-matched, healthy controls. In patients without dyspnoea (n = 21), NC area correlated positively with end-diastolic volume (r = 0.52, p = 0.0184) and end-systolic volume (r = 0.56, p = 0.0095), and negatively with EF (r = -0.72, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular non-compaction is associated with dysrrhythmias, thromboembolic events, chest pain and LV dysfunction. The inverse correlation between NC area and EF suggests that NC contributes to left ventricular dysfunction

First-phase ejection fraction by CMR predicts outcomes in aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND: First-phase ejection fraction (EF1; the ejection fraction measured during active systole up to the time of maximal aortic flow) measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a powerful predictor of outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis. We aimed to assess whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) might provide more precise measurements of EF1 than TTE and to examine the correlation of CMR EF1 with measures of fibrosis. METHODS: In 141 patients with at least mild aortic stenosis, we measured CMR EF1 from a short-axis 3D stack and compared its variability with TTE EF1, and its associations with myocardial fibrosis and clinical outcome (aortic valve replacement (AVR) or death). RESULTS: Intra- and inter-observer variation of CMR EF1 (standard deviations of differences within and between observers of 2.3% and 2.5% units respectively) was approximately 50% that of TTE EF1. CMR EF1 was strongly predictive of AVR or death. On multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, the hazard ratio for CMR EF1 was 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.89–0.97, p = 0.001) per % change in EF1 and, apart from aortic valve gradient, CMR EF1 was the only imaging or biochemical measure independently predictive of outcome. Indexed extracellular volume was associated with AVR or death, but not after adjusting for EF1. CONCLUSIONS: EF1 is a simple robust marker of early left ventricular impairment that can be precisely measured by CMR and predicts outcome in aortic stenosis. Its measurement by CMR is more reproducible than that by TTE and may facilitate left ventricular structure–function analysis