MR connectomics: a conceptual framework for studying the developing brain

The combination of advanced neuroimaging techniques and major developments in complex network science, have given birth to a new framework for studying the brain: “connectomics.” This framework provides the ability to describe and study the brain as a dynamic network and to explore how the coordination and integration of information processing may occur. In recent years this framework has been used to investigate the developing brain and has shed light on many dynamic changes occurring from infancy through adulthood. The aim of this article is to review this work and to discuss what we have learned from it. We will also use this body of work to highlight key technical aspects that are necessary in general for successful connectome analysis using today's advanced neuroimaging techniques. We look to identify current limitations of such approaches, what can be improved, and how these points generalize to other topics in connectome research

Gastrocnemius-Soleus Muscle Tendon Unit Changes Over the First 12 Weeks of Adjusted Age in Infants Born Preterm

Background and Purpose: Differences in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle and tendon have been documented shortly after birth in infants born preterm compared with infants born at term. Knowledge of muscle tendon unit lengths at term age to 12 weeks of age in infants born preterm may be useful in understanding motor development. Participants and Method: Gastrocnemius-soleus muscle tendon unit lengths were compared at term age, at 6 weeks of age, and at 12 weeks of age (preterm adjusted age) in 20 infants born full term and 22 infants born preterm. Results: Significant differences were found between the 2 groups on taut tendon, relaxed muscle length (AO); taut tendon, stretched muscle length (AMax); and muscle stretch (AO to AMax). Infants born preterm demonstrated measures of AO and AMax in positions of greater plantar flexion compared with infants born full term. Significant differences in measurements of AO were found between term age and 12 weeks of age, indicating that the tendon lengthens during this period for both groups. Discussion and Conclusion: These results provide knowledge of musculoskeletal development of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle and tendon. Differences in musculoskeletal measurements are consistent with uterine confinement in the last weeks of full-term gestation. These findings have implications when examining the musculoskeletal system in infants born preterm who are demonstrating functional changes

Depression and Oral FTC/TDF Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (MSM/TGW).

We conducted a longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of depressive symptomology in iPrEx, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of daily, oral FTC/TDF HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in men and transgender women who have sex with men. Depression-related adverse events (AEs) were the most frequently reported severe or life-threatening AEs and were not associated with being randomized to the FTC/TDF arm (152 vs. 144 respectively OR 0.66 95 % CI 0.35-1.25). Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) and a four questions suicidal ideation scale scores did not differ by arm. Participants reporting forced sex at anal sexual debut had higher CES-D scores (coeff: 3.23; 95 % CI 1.24-5.23) and were more likely to have suicidal ideation (OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.09-4.26). CES-D scores were higher among people reporting non-condom receptive anal intercourse (ncRAI) (OR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.09-1.94). We recommend continuing PrEP during periods of depression in conjunction with provision of mental health services

Genetic epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration

Over 892 million people in 48 countries are at risk of infection by nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis. As part of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, mass drug administration is distributed to communities until surveillance indicates infection rates are below target prevalence thresholds. In some countries, including American Samoa, lymphatic filariasis transmission persists despite years of mass drug administration and/or has resurged after cessation. Nothing is known about the population genetics of Wuchereria bancrofti worms in Polynesia, or whether local transmission is persisting and/or increasing due to inadequate mass drug administration coverage, expansion from residual hotspots, reintroduction from elsewhere, or a combination. We extracted DNA from microfilariae on blood slides collected during prevalence surveys in 2014 and 2016, comprising 31 pools of five microfilariae from 22 persons living in eight villages. We sequenced 1104 bp across three mitochondrial markers (ND4, COI, CYTB). We quantified parasite genetic differentiation using variant calls and estimated haplotypes using principal components analysis, F-statistics, and haplotype networks. Of the variants called, all but eight were shared across the main island of Tutuila, and three of those were from a previously described hotspot village, Fagali’i. Genotypic data did not support population genetic structure among regions or villages in 2016, although differences were observed between worms collected in Fagali’i in 2014 and those from 2016. Because estimated haplotype frequency varied between villages, these statistics suggested genetic differentiation, but were not consistent among villages. Finally, haplotype networks demonstrated American Samoan sequence clusters were related to previously published sequences from Papua New Guinea. These are, to our knowledge, the first reports of W. bancrofti genetic variation in Polynesia. The resurgent parasites circulating on the main island of American Samoa represent a single population. This study is the first step towards investigating how parasite population structure might inform strategies to manage resurgence and elimination of lymphatic filariasis

Use of the stock market simulator in the Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences of the UV as a tool to support the learning of students

El objetivo de este artículo es exponer la manera en que se ha implementado la simulación en los estudiantes que cursan la experiencia educativa Finanzas Internacionales de la carrera de Administración de Negocios Internacionales, así como los beneficios que ha aportado en su formación. Por lo que en primera instancia, se presenta una revisión de literatura sobre el uso de los simuladores educativos a través del tiempo, posteriormente se aborda la metodología empleada en el curso iniciando como base del conocimiento la parte teórica, para luego aplicarlos en el uso del simulador bursátil donde éste favorece significativamente en el aprendizaje, pues los acerca al mundo real de una manera fácil, en seguida se muestran los resultados obtenidos los cuales revelan que los simuladores son una herramienta única para crear un entorno de enseñanza-aprendizaje efectivo, ya que proporcionan una visión integral de los saberes teóricos y prácticos, finalizando con las conclusiones.The objective of this article is to expose the way in which simulation has been implemented in students who are studying the International Finance educational experience of the International Business Administration career, as well as the benefits it has provided in their training. Therefore, in the first instance, a review of the literature on the use of educational simulators over time is presented, later the methodology used in the course is addressed, starting as a basis of knowledge the theoretical part, and then applying them in the use of the Stock market simulator where it significantly favors learning, as it brings them closer to the real world in an easy way, then the results obtained are shown which reveal that simulators are a unique tool to create an effective teaching-learning environment, since provides a comprehensive view of the theoretical and practical knowledge ending with the conclusions

A large population sample of African HIV genomes from the 1980s reveals a reduction in subtype D over time associated with propensity for CXCR4 tropism

We present 109 near full-length HIV genomes amplified from blood serum samples obtained during early 1986 from across Uganda, which to our knowledge is the earliest and largest population sample from the initial phase of the HIV epidemic in Africa. Consensus sequences were made from paired-end Illumina reads with a target-capture approach to amplify HIV material following poor success with standard approaches. In comparisons with a smaller 'intermediate' genome dataset from 1998 to 1999 and a 'modern' genome dataset from 2007 to 2016, the proportion of subtype D was significantly higher initially, dropping from 67% (73/109), to 57% (26/46) to 17% (82/465) respectively (p < 0.0001). Subtype D has previously been shown to have a faster rate of disease progression than other subtypes in East African population studies, and to have a higher propensity to use the CXCR4 co-receptor ("X4 tropism"); associated with a decrease in time to AIDS. Here we find significant differences in predicted tropism between A1 and D subtypes in all three sample periods considered, which is particularly striking the 1986 sample: 66% (53/80) of subtype D env sequences were predicted to be X4 tropic compared with none of the 24 subtype A1. We also analysed the frequency of subtype in the envelope region of inter-subtype recombinants, and found that subtype A1 is over-represented in env, suggesting recombination and selection have acted to remove subtype D env from circulation. The reduction of subtype D frequency over three decades therefore appears to be a result of selective pressure against X4 tropism and its higher virulence. Lastly, we find a subtype D specific codon deletion at position 24 of the V3 loop, which may explain the higher propensity for subtype D to utilise X4 tropism

Research priorities for the management of broken bones of the upper limb in people over 50: A UK priority setting partnership with the James Lind Alliance

Objective. To determine research priorities for the management of broken bones of the upper limb in people over 50 which represent the shared priorities of patients, their families, carers and healthcare professionals. Design/setting. A national (UK) research priority-setting partnership. Participants. People aged 50 and over who have experienced a fracture of the upper limb; carers involved in their care; family and friends of patients; healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of these patients. Methods. Using a multiphase methodology in partnership with the James Lind Alliance over 15 months (September 2017 – December 2018), a national scoping survey asked respondents to submit their research uncertainties. These were amalgamated into a smaller number of research questions. The existing evidence was searched to ensure that the questions had not already been answered. A second national survey asked respondents to prioritise the research questions. A final shortlist of 25 questions was taken to a multistakeholder workshop where a consensus was reached on the top 10 priorities. Results. There were 1898 original uncertainties submitted by 328 respondents to the first survey. These original uncertainties were refined into 51 research questions of which 50 were judged to be true uncertainties following a review of the research evidence. There were 209 respondents to the second (interim prioritisation) survey. The top 10 priorities encompass a broad range of uncertainties in management and rehabilitation of upper limb fractures. Conclusions. The top 10 UK research priorities highlight uncertainties in how we assess outcomes, provide information, achieve pain control, rationalise surgical intervention, optimise rehabilitation and provide psychological support. The breadth of these research areas highlights the value of this methodology. This work should help to steer research in this area for the next 5-10 years and the challenge for researchers now is to refine and deliver answers to these research priorities

Caffeine Consumption Contributes to Skin Intrinsic Fluorescence in Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: A variant (rs1495741) in the gene for the N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) protein is associated with skin intrinsic fluorescence (SIF), a noninvasive measure of advanced glycation end products and other fluorophores in the skin. Because NAT2 is involved in caffeine metabolism, we aimed to determine whether caffeine consumption is associated with SIF and whether rs1495741 is associated with SIF independently of caffeine. Materials and Methods: SIF was measured in 1,181 participants with type 1 diabetes from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study. Two measures of SIF were used: SIF1, using a 375-nm excitation light-emitting diode (LED), and SIF14 (456-nm LED). Food frequency questionnaires were used to estimate mean caffeine intake. To establish replication, we examined a second type 1 diabetes cohort. Results: Higher caffeine intake was significantly associated with higher SIF1LED 375 nm[0.6, 0.2] (P=2×10−32) and SIF14LED 456 nm[0.4, 0.8] (P=7×10−31) and accounted for 4% of the variance in each after adjusting for covariates. When analyzed together, caffeine intake and rs1495741 both remained highly significantly associated with SIF1LED 375 nm[0.6, 0.2] and SIF14LED 456 nm[0.4, 0.8]. Mean caffeinated coffee intake was also positively associated with SIF1LED 375 nm[0.6, 0.2] (P=9×10−12) and SIF14LED 456 nm[0.4, 0.8] (P=4×10−12), but no association was observed for decaffeinated coffee intake. Finally, caffeine was also positively associated with SIF1LED 375 nm[0.6, 0.2] and SIF14LED 456 nm[0.4, 0.8] (P\u3c0.0001) in the replication cohort. Conclusions: Caffeine contributes to SIF. The effect of rs1495741 on SIF appears to be partially independent of caffeine consumption. Because SIF and coffee intake are each associated with cardiovascular disease, our findings suggest that accounting for coffee and/or caffeine intake may improve risk prediction models for SIF and cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes

Sixty Years of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

The first issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians was published in November of 1950. On the 60th anniversary of that date, we briefly review several seminal contributions to oncology and cancer control published in our journal during its first decade. CA Cancer J Clin 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78301/1/20088_ftp.pd

Northeastern united states species treated with copper-based preservatives: Durability in mississippi stake tests

This paper reports on the ground-contact durability of lesser-used wood species of the northeastern United States after treatment with copper-based preservatives. Stakes (19 by 19 by 457 mm) cut from balsam-fir (Abies balsamea), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), eastern spruce (mixture of Picea glauca, Picea mariana and Picea rubens), red maple (Acer rubrum) or eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) were treated with one of four concentrations of chromated copper arsenate type C (CCA-C), copper citrate (CC), alkaline copper quat type C (ACQ-C) or copper azole type A (CBA-A) and placed into the ground at a test site in southern Mississippi. Similarly treated southern pine (Pinus spp.) stakes were included for comparison. The stakes were rated for decay and termite attack after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 12 years. Eastern white pine and incised eastern hemlock and balsam-fir had durability similar to southern pine when treated with CCA or the other copper-based preservatives. Eastern spruce was less durable than the other softwood species, apparently because of low preservative uptake. Red maple had the least durability at all retentions and for all preservatives. This study indicates that several northeastern softwoods can be adequately durable when pressure-treated with CCA-C or copper-based preservatives