An Analysis of Bilateral Tripart Hippocampal Volume and its Relation to Spatial Processing in a Middle Childhood Sample

Throughout the years, animal research has unearthed that certain cells in the hippocampus contribute to spatial processing, which involves an animal’s recognition of its environmental layout and directionality. In order to apply this work to human children, we will identify whether hippocampal volume is related to spatial processing, including identifying which section(s) of the hippocampus seem to be more related to processing layouts versus directionality. Based on previous literature (Goodrich-Hunsaker, Hunsaker, & Kenser, 2005; McHugh, Fillenz, Lowry, Rawlins, & Bannerman, 2010), we predicted there would be a relationship between bilateral posterior and middle hippocampal regions and spatial processing, such that decreased hippocampal volume of these areas would correspond with worse spatial processing. This project includes structural magnetic resonance images (MRI) from 136 children (8-12 years old) with the neurodevelopmental disorders of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Reading Disability (RD) and comorbid ADHD/RD, as well as typically developing controls. Analyze software was used for tracing the hippocampus on these images and for segmenting bilateral hippocampal volume into three sub regions (anterior, middle, and posterior). Spatial processing was assessed with WISC Block Design, Development Test of Visual Motor Integration (DTVMI), NEPSY Visual Attention, and NEPSY Design Fluency. Linear regressions indicated that bilateral anterior, middle, and posterior hippocampal volume were significant predictors of all measures of spatial processing except Block Design. Our results provide evidence that all regions of the hippocampus are associated with spatial processing

A physical map of Brassica oleracea shows complexity of chromosomal changes following recursive paleopolyploidizations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evolution of the Brassica species has been recursively affected by polyploidy events, and comparison to their relative, <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>, provides means to explore their genomic complexity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A genome-wide physical map of a rapid-cycling strain of <it>B. oleracea </it>was constructed by integrating high-information-content fingerprinting (HICF) of Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) clones with hybridization to sequence-tagged probes. Using 2907 contigs of two or more BACs, we performed several lines of comparative genomic analysis. Interspecific DNA synteny is much better preserved in euchromatin than heterochromatin, showing the qualitative difference in evolution of these respective genomic domains. About 67% of contigs can be aligned to the Arabidopsis genome, with 96.5% corresponding to euchromatic regions, and 3.5% (shown to contain repetitive sequences) to pericentromeric regions. Overgo probe hybridization data showed that contigs aligned to Arabidopsis euchromatin contain ~80% of low-copy-number genes, while genes with high copy number are much more frequently associated with pericentromeric regions. We identified 39 interchromosomal breakpoints during the diversification of <it>B. oleracea </it>and <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>, a relatively high level of genomic change since their divergence. Comparison of the <it>B. oleracea </it>physical map with Arabidopsis and other available eudicot genomes showed appreciable 'shadowing' produced by more ancient polyploidies, resulting in a web of relatedness among contigs which increased genomic complexity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A high-resolution genetically-anchored physical map sheds light on Brassica genome organization and advances positional cloning of specific genes, and may help to validate genome sequence assembly and alignment to chromosomes.</p> <p>All the physical mapping data is freely shared at a WebFPC site (<url>http://lulu.pgml.uga.edu/fpc/WebAGCoL/brassica/WebFPC/</url>; Temporarily password-protected: account: pgml; password: 123qwe123.</p

Ambulatory antenatal fetal electrocardiography in high-risk pregnancies (AMBER): protocol for a pilot prospective cohort study

Introduction Fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is a vital aspect of fetal well-being assessment, and the current method of computerised cardiotocography (cCTG) is limited to the hospital setting. Non-invasive fetal ECG (NIFECG) has the ability to produce FHR patterns through R wave detection while eliminating confusion with maternal heart rate, but is presently limited to research use. Femom is a novel wireless NIFECG device that is designed to be placed without professional assistance, while connecting to mobile applications. It has the ability to achieve home FHR monitoring thereby allowing more frequent monitoring, earlier detection of deterioration, while reducing hospital attendances. This study aims to assess the feasibility, reliability, and accuracy of femom (NIFECG) by comparing its outputs to cCTG monitoring.Methods and analysis This is a single-centred, prospective pilot study, taking place in a tertiary maternity unit. Women with a singleton pregnancy over 28+0 weeks’ gestation who require antenatal cCTG monitoring for any clinical indication are eligible for recruitment. Concurrent NIFECG and cCTG monitoring will take place for up to 60 min. NIFECG signals will be postprocessed to produce FHR outputs such as baseline FHR and short-term variation (STV). Signal acceptance criteria is set as &lt;50% of signal loss for the trace duration. Correlation, precision and accuracy studies will be performed to compare the STV and baseline FHR values produced by both devices. The impact of maternal and fetal characteristics on the effectiveness of both devices will be investigated. Other non-invasive electrophysiological assessment parameters will be assessed for its correlation with the STV, ultrasound assessments and maternal and fetal risk factors.Ethics and dissemination Approval has been obtained from South-East Scotland Research Ethics Committee 02 and MHRA. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences.Trial registration number NCT04941534

Design of a Standardized in vitro Model of Skeletal Muscle Regeneration For Implantable Fibrin Microthread Scaffolds

Current treatments for Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) defects limit the restoration of functional muscle tissue at the site of the wound, where the primary action and uniaxial growth of the myoblasts is destroyed. Wounded warriors and trauma patients undergo months of painful and expensive treatments for VML, with limited outcomes. Implantable biomimetic scaffolds are being explored as treatments for VML injuries because of their ability to guide uniaxial regeneration of muscle tissue. In this project, we created a reproducible, user friendly, and cost effective 3D model to depict skeletal muscle outgrowth onto fibrin microthreads in vitro, mimicking wound healing responses to the scaffold in vivo

LearnPads for Schools

The Postal Museum of London purchased a set of tablets intended to support engagement during primary school group visits. Our team’s goal was to identify how The Postal Museum might deploy these tablets to improve the effectiveness and consistency of the in-gallery experience. We identified industry benchmarks by conducting observations and interviews at museums offering digital programs for schools. Next, we assessed the needs of our target audience through interviews and focus groups. Based on our findings, we created and tested a functional alpha prototype outlining activities for use in The Postal Museum gallery. In addition to the prototype we delivered a set of recommendations detailing how to implement and maintain the tablets most effectively

Replication of Stellar, Gordon, Anderson, Piff, McNeil, &amp; Keltner (2018; Study 3) at Saint Louis University

The Collaborative Undergraduate Billiken Behavior (CUBB) Lab at Saint Louis University will complete this replication to engage in research and develop research skills