Yeast cell wall polysaccharides enhanced expression of T helper type 1 and 2 cytokines profile in chicken B lymphocytes exposed to LPS challenge and enzyme treatment.

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential immunomodulatory effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and yeast-derived products treated with a cell wall lytic enzyme mixture on the gene expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines of chicken B cell line (DT 40) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. 2. The effect of brewer's yeast (Y), yeast cell wall (YCW), distilled dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and a processed yeast + nucleotide-rich product (PY/N) treated with a yeast cell wall lytic enzyme (E) was assessed using a chicken B cells and LPS challenge model. 3. Relative gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines was investigated. Treatment of cells with Y, YCW, YCW + E and PY/N upregulated the expression of TLR2b following LPS challenge. Gene expression of TLR4 was downregulated in E, YCW and YCW + E treatments compared to control, while adding DDGS and PY/N upregulated the expression of TLR4 either before or after enzyme treatment. Following LPS challenge, expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was upregulated in cells treated with YCW and PY/N, both pre and post enzyme incubation. Adding YCW and PY/N to the cells challenged with LPS upregulated the expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 before and after enzyme treatment. Treatment of cells with YCW, DDGS and PY/N increased the expression of IL-6 prior to LPS challenge. 4. In conclusion, the results suggested that yeast-derived products affected immunomodulatory activities by changing the expression of cytokines involved in the innate immune response.

High expression level of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) using a well-designed fusion protein-tagged construct in E. coli.

AIM: The study was aimed at design a good fusion construct that would successfully express the recombinant proteins and produce peptides in Escherichia coli. Two different constructs including human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) gene were designed to obtain an efficient expression level of hEGF. The hEGF sequence was inserted in pET32a vector containing thioredoxin (Trx) sequence and modified pET15b vector containing intein and elastin-like polypeptide (ELP). METHODS: The vectors were transformed into E. coli TOP10F' for multiplication and further into E. coli BL21 (DE3) to express protein. The hEGF expression was induced by isopropyl ß-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) while the expression levels were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and western blotting and compared by ImageJ analysis, BCA and Elisa assays. RESULTS: The expression level after 2 hours of IPTG induction was significantly higher than after other induction times. ImageJ, BCA and Elisa analyses demonstrated that the Trx presence enhanced protein expression significantly when compared to ELP-intein-based construct. CONCLUSION: The pET32a-Trx-hEGF construct had a higher expression than pET15b-ELP-intein-hEGF. Overall, considering Trx, the fusion protein in construct design can make it suitable to significantly express hEGF compared to ELP-intein while its combination with ELP-intein may improve the expression of the ELP-intein construct (Tab. 2, Fig. 7, Ref. 34).

Highly efficient and broadband optical polarizers based on dielectric nanowires.

The development of optical materials and devices that mimic the functionalities of conventional bulky optical components but on a much smaller footprint remains an important priority in nanophotonics. One prominent class of such optical elements are polarizers that change the polarization state of incident light. Recently, advances in plasmonic and photonic metasurfaces have given rise to different classes of subwavelength polarizers. Low efficiency and narrow band of operation remain, however, significant challenges. Here, we propose a device based on high refractive index dielectric nanowire dimers and analyze its working mechanism as efficient and broadband circular polarizers in the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our analysis predicts that a polarization conversion of roughly 97% with a transmission efficiency of more than 93% in a broad range of the visible spectrum is possible with nanowire dimers.

Reduced FOV diffusion tensor MR imaging and fiber tractography of pediatric cervical spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of pediatric spinal cord diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) generated from reduced field of view diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data and investigate whether there are differences in these values between typically developing (TD) subjects and patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Temple University Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia, USA. METHODS: A total of 20 pediatric subjects including 10 healthy subjects (age 15.13±3.51 years (mean±s.d.) and age range 11-21 years) and 10 subjects with SCI in the cervical area (age 13.8±3.26 years and age range 8-20 years) were recruited, and scanned using a 3.0T MR scanner. Quantitative parameters of DTI and fiber tracking, such as mean fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean length of fiber tracts and tract density, were calculated for each subject. RESULTS: Subjects with SCI showed reduced FA and tract density, and increased ADC values and length of fiber tracts, compared with controls. Statistically significant differences were seen in FA (P=0.0238) and tract density (P=0.0005) between controls and subjects with SCI, whereas there were no significant differences in ADC values and length of fiber tracts. The tractography visually showed that the white matter tracts (blue color) of the SCI patients were overall less abundant and less organized compared with control cases. CONCLUSION: The results show that DTI and DTT could be used as surrogate markers for quantification and visualization of the injured spinal cord.

Predictor factors for lower extremity malalignment and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in male athletes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the predictor factors concerning the lower extremity alignment in non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among male athletes. METHODS: In a retrospective study, the unilateral navicular drop, the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), internal tibia torsion, knee genu recurvatum, quadriceps angle, hip internal and external rotation ROM and hip anteversion were measured in 53 subjects with complete ACL injury and compared with these accepted standard values. To identify predictor factors for lower extremity alignment and non-contact ACL injuries in male athletes, a multiple logistic regression analysis method was performed. All the subjects were primarily assessed with activity modification and without an ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: The results of this study showed significant predictor correlations between the independent variables, ankle dorsiflexion, hip internal rotation and hip anteversion (p < 0.05). However, the differences in navicular drop, internal tibia torsion, knee hyperextension, Q angle and hip external rotation were non-significant. CONCLUSION: According to these findings, a decreased ROM in ankle dorsiflexion, hip internal rotation and increased hip anteversion appeared to be statistically significant predictors for developing non-contact ACL ligament injuries in male athletes. Based on the results of this study, significant predictor factors between lower extremity alignment and ACL injuries are clinically relevant as it confirms the existence of increased injury risk with certain patterns of skeletal alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) improved blood and hepatic antioxidant indices in laying hens receiving low n-6 to n-3 ratios.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) powder and vitamin E on serum lipid profile, enzyme activities and antioxidant indices, as well as hepatic biochemical and histological alterations in laying hens receiving different n-6 to n-3 ratios. A total of 160 laying hens, 43 weeks of age, were allotted to 8 experimental diets with 5 cages of 4 birds each. Dietary treatments consisted of two ratios of n-6 to n-3 (16.71 and 2.35), three levels of clove bud (0.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg) and a high vitamin E level (200 mg/kg, as a positive control in each level of n-6 to n-3 ratio) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement during 70 days of the experiment. Results showed that a decline in the n-6 to n-3 ratio led to a reduction in serum cholesterol concentration (p < 0.05) and an increase in serum HDL content (p < 0.05). Additionally, decreasing n-6 to n-3 ratio and increasing clove bud level caused a remarkable decline in serum aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05) enzyme activities. Furthermore, total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) as well as serum vitamin E concentration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) was decreased and enhanced by low n-6 to n-3 ratio diets (LRD) and clove bud powder respectively. Decreasing the n-6 to n-3 ratio lowered hepatic lipid (p < 0.05) and glycogen contents (p < 0.01) as well as tissue integrity (p < 0.05), and raised liver MDA concentration (p < 0.001), markedly. Nevertheless, increments in clove bud content led to a reduction (p < 0.01) in liver relative weight (p < 0.05) and hepatic fat vacuole numbers. In general, the best synergistic responses on modulating of blood lipids and serum enzyme activities were observed when the highest level of clove bud was supplemented in the diets with low n-6 to n-3 ratio. Likewise, antioxidant indices were improved by administration of dietary clove bud powder although feeding fish oil was observed to elevate the susceptibility of blood and hepatocytes to lipid peroxidation.

Emergence of transverse spin in optical modes of semiconductor nanowires.

The transverse spin angular momentum of light has recently received tremendous attention as it adds a new degree of freedom for controlling light-matter interactions. In this work we demonstrate the generation of transverse spin angular momentum by the weakly-guided mode of semiconductor nanowires. The evanescent field of these modes in combination with the transversality condition rigorously accounts for the occurrence of transverse spin angular momentum. The intriguing and nontrivial spin properties of optical modes in semiconductor nanowires are of high interest for a broad range of new applications including chiral optical trapping, quantum information processing, and nanophotonic circuitry.

Dominant chiral optical forces in the vicinity of optical nanofibers.

Transverse spin angular momentum (SAM) of light and associated transverse chiral optical forces have received tremendous attention recently, as the latter may lead to an optical separation of chiral biomolecules. In this context, the relative magnitude of chiral and non-chiral forces is a challenge when implementing chiral separation schemes. In this work we have demonstrated that, by spatially separating the maxima of transverse spin density from the gradient of field intensity, it is possible to dominate chiral-specific components of the force over non-chiral ones. To that end, we studied optical nanofibers and nanowires as candidates for such a scheme and demonstrated that in their vicinity, chiral optical forces can emerge that are stronger than gradient and scattering forces. This finding may be of significance in the design of improved optical separation schemes for chiral biomolecules.

Effect of yeast-derived products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance and local innate immune response of broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens.

This study evaluated the effect of yeast-derived products on growth performance, gut lesion score, intestinal population of Clostridium perfringens, and local innate immunity of broiler chickens challenged with C. perfringens. One-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments providing six replicate pens of 55 birds each per treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of Control diets without and with C. perfringens challenge, and diets containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD, 55 g/tonne), nucleotides (150 g/tonne), yeast cell wall (YCW, 300 g/tonne), and a commercial product Maxi-Gen Plus (1 kg/tonne) fed to chickens challenged with C. perfringens. Diets containing 10% distillers dried grains with solubles without and with C. perfringens challenge were also used. Birds were orally challenged with C. perfringens (10(8) colony-forming units (cfu)/bird) on day 14. On day 21, intestinal samples were collected for gene expression analysis. Pathogen challenge significantly (P < 0.05) impaired feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) shortly after the challenge (14-21 days). Increased C. perfringens counts and intestinal lesion scores were observed for challenged birds except the BMD-containing diet. Over the entire trial (1-35 days), no difference in growth performance was observed except the BMD diet which improved FCR over the Control, challenged group. Birds receiving nucleotides showed increased expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-18 compared to the Control, challenged group. Expression of macrophage mannose receptor and IL-18 was upregulated in birds receiving YCW. Increased expression of cytokines and receptors involved in innate immunity in broilers receiving nucleotides and YCW suggests the immunomodulatory properties of these products under pathogen challenge conditions.

Effect of yeast-derived products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, gut morphology, and gene expression of pattern recognition receptors and cytokines in broiler chickens.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of yeast-derived products and distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and innate immune response in broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age. Nine replicates of 5 birds each were assigned to dietary treatments consisting of a control diet without antibiotic (C), and diets containing 11 mg/kg of virginiamycin, 0.25% of yeast cell wall (YCW), 0.2% of a commercial product Maxi-Gen Plus, 0.025% of nucleotides, 0.05% of nucleotides, or a diet containing 10% of DDGS. On d 21, 5 birds per treatment were euthanized and approximately 5-cm long duodenum, jejunum, and ileum segments were collected for intestinal morphology measurements. Cecal tonsils and spleen were collected to measure the gene expression of toll-like receptors TLR2b, TLR4, and TLR21, macrophage mannose receptor (MMR), and cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, and IL-4. No significant difference was observed for growth performance parameters. However, diets containing 0.05% of nucleotides and YCW significantly increased (P < 0.05) villus height in the jejunum. Furthermore, the number of the goblet cells per unit area in the ileum was increased (P < 0.05) in diets supplemented with yeast-derived products. The expression of TLR2b in the spleen was down-regulated for diets supplemented with nucleotides and antibiotic. In addition, lower expression of TLR21 and MMR was observed in the spleen of birds receiving yeast-derived products and antibiotic. However, expression of TLR4 in the spleen was up-regulated in diets supplemented with YCW and nucleotides. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 was down-regulated in the spleen of birds fed diets supplemented with yeast-derived products. In addition, inclusion of YCW, Maxi-Gen Plus, or 0.05% of nucleotides down-regulated the expression of IL-10 and IL-4 in the cecal tonsils. In conclusion, down-regulation of receptors and cytokines in spleen and cecal tonsils of birds fed diets supplemented with yeast-derived products may suggest that yeast products do not exert immune stimulating effect under normal health conditions.

Effect of yeast-derived products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on antibody-mediated immune response and gene expression of pattern recognition receptors and cytokines in broiler chickens immunized with T-cell dependent antigens.

This study evaluated the effect of yeast-derived products on innate and antibody mediated immune response in broiler chickens following immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). One-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments of 9 replicate cages of 5 birds each per treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of a Control diet without antibiotic, and diets containing 11 mg/kg of virginiamycin, 0.25% of yeast cell wall (YCW), 0.2% of a commercial product Maxi-Gen Plus containing processed yeast and nucleotides, 0.05% of nucleotides, or a diet containing 10% of DDGS. On days 21 and 28 post-hatching, 5 birds per treatment were immunized intramuscularly with both SRBC and BSA. One week after each immunization, blood samples were collected. Serum samples were analyzed by hemagglutination test for antibody response to SRBC, and by ELISA for serum IgM and IgG response to BSA. On d 35, 5 birds per treatment were euthanized and the tissue samples from the cecal tonsils were collected to assess the gene expression of toll-like receptors TLR2b, TLR4, and TLR21, monocyte mannose receptor (MMR), and cytokines IL-10, IL-13, IL-4, IL-12p35, and IFN-γ. The results for gene expression analysis demonstrated that the diet supplemented with YCW increased the expression of TLR2b and T-helper type 2 cytokines IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13 relative to the Control; and the expression of TLR4 and IL-13 was upregulated in the nucleotide-containing diet. However, the diets containing antibiotics or Maxi-Gen Plus downregulated the expression of IFN-γ compared to the control. The primary antibody response to SRBC was not affected by diets. However, the diet containing YCW increased the secondary antibody response to SRBC compared to the antibiotic treatment. Neither primary nor secondary IgG and IgM response against BSA were affected by diets. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet with YCW stimulated Th2 cell-mediated immune response indicating the immunomodulatory activities of these products following immunization with non-inflammatory antigens.

Organic trace mineral supplementation enhances local and systemic innate immune responses and modulates oxidative stress in broiler chickens.

The effect of organic trace mineral supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology, immune organ weights (bursa of Fabricius and spleen), expression of innate immune response related genes, blood heterophils/lymphocytes ratio, chemical metabolic panel, natural antibodies (IgG), and oxidative stress of broiler chickens was studied. A total of 1,080 day-old male broilers were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments, which included basal diet with Monensin (control), control diet supplemented with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), and BMD diet supplemented with organic trace minerals (OTM). No difference in feed conversion ratio was observed among treatments; ileum histomorphological analysis showed a lower crypt depth, higher villi height/crypt depth ratio, and lower villi width in the OTM treatment compared to control. Furthermore, OTM treatment resulted in higher uric acid and lower plasma malondehaldehyde (MDA), indicating lower oxidative stress. Gene expression analysis showed that OTM treatment resulted in up-regulations of TLR2 bin the ileum, and TLR2b, TLR4, and IL-12p35 in the bursa of Fabricius, and down-regulation of TLR2b and TLR4 in the cecal tonsils. In the spleen, OTM treatment resulted in up-regulation of IL-10. In conclusion, OTM supplementation to broiler diets may have beneficial effects on intestinal development, immune system status, and survival by improving ileum histomorphological parameters, modulation of Toll-like receptors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and decreasing level of MDA, which in conjunction could enhance health status.

Making molehills out of a mountain: experience with a new scheduling strategy to diminish workload variations in response to increased treatment demands.

PURPOSE: A new scheduling strategy was implemented. Before implementation, treatments and planning computed tomography (ct) imaging were both scheduled at the same time. Maximal wait times for treatment are defined by the Quebec Ministry of Health's plan of action according to treatment aim and site. After implementation, patients requiring rapid treatment (priorities 0-3) continued to have their treatments scheduled at the same time as their planning ct; treatments for priority 4 (P4) patients were scheduled only after the treatment plan was approved. That approach aims to compensate for unexpected increases in planning workload by relocating less delay-sensitive cases to other time slots. We evaluated the impact on the patient experience, workload in various sectors, the care team's perception of care delivery, access to care, and the department's efficiency in terms of hours worked per treatment delivered. METHODS: Three periods were defined for analysis: the pre-transitional phase, for baseline evaluation; the transitional phase, during which there was an overlap in the way patients were being scheduled; and the post-transitional phase. Wait times were calculated from the date that patients were ready to treat to the date of their first treatment. Surveys were distributed to pre- and post-transitional phase patients. Care team members were asked to complete a survey evaluating their perception of how the change affected workload and patient care. Operational data were analyzed. RESULTS: We observed a 24% increase in the number of treatments delivered in the post-transitional phase. Before implementation, priority 0-3 patients waited a mean of 7.9 days to begin treatments (n = 241); afterward, they waited 6.3 days (n = 340, p = 0.006). Before implementation, P4 patients waited a mean 15.1 days (n = 233); after implementation, they waited 16.1 days (n = 368, p = 0.22). Surveys showed that patients felt that the time it took to inform them of treatment appointments was acceptable in both phases. No significant change in overtime hours occurred in dosimetry (p = 0.7476) or globally (p = 0.4285) despite the increased number of treatments. However, departmental efficiency improved by 16% (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This new scheduling strategy for P4 cases resulted in improved access to care for priority 0-3 patients. Departmental efficiency was improved, and overtime hours did not increase. Patient satisfaction remained high.

Analytical quaternion-based bias estimation algorithm for fast and accurate stationary gyro-compassing.

This work introduces a novel approach to Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) alignment, distinct from recursive methods like Kalman filtering. The proposed methodology expedites bias error calculations by utilizing quaternion-based analytical relationships, which bypasses the slow convergence behavior associated with recursive algorithms, particularly in azimuth angle error estimation. In addition, the proposed approach demonstrates comparable accuracy to traditional fine alignment methods. Simulations and experiments validate that in contrast to the 10-min time requirement of traditional fine alignment methods (for azimuth angle estimation in stationary conditions), the proposed approach achieves the same accuracy within 20 s. However, limitations exist as the algorithm is applicable only in stationary conditions, and necessitating a high-grade IMU capable of measuring the earth's rotation rate.

Microstructural alterations of major thalamic nuclei in the chronic pediatric spinal cord injured population.

Background: The brain undergoes reorganization following spinal cord injury (SCI), but little is known about how the thalamus is affected in pediatric SCIs. Purpose: To characterize microstructural alterations in the thalamus after SCI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics. Methods: 18 pediatric participants with chronic SCI (8-20 years) were stratified using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) into groups: A, B, and C/D. DTI of the brain used a 3 T Siemens Verio MRI using the parameters: 20 directions, number of averages = 3, b = 1000 s/mm2, voxel size = 1.8 mm × 1.8 mm, slice thickness = 5 mm, TE = 95 ms, TR = 4300 ms, 30 slices, FOV = 230 × 230 mm2, matrix = 128 × 128, acquisition time = 4:45 min. Diffusion data was processed to generate DTI metrics FA, MD, AD, and RD. Data analysis: DTI metrics were acquired by superimposing the AAL3 thalamic atlas onto participant diffusion images registered to MNI152 space. We utilized a multiple Mann-Whitney U-test to compare between AIS groups, considering values of p ≤ 0.05 as significant. Results: FA, AD, RD, and MD significantly differed in thalamic nuclei between AIS groups A vs B and B vs C/D. Significant nuclei include the right ventral anterior, left intralaminar, bilateral lateral pulvinar, and right lateral geniculate. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the presence of microstructural alterations based on SCI severity in pediatric patients. These results are encouraging and warrant further study.

Factors influencing social prescribing initiatives: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

AIMS: Social prescribing is a growing health policy agenda to improve the quality and effectiveness of health systems. However, systematically collected knowledge on factors influencing the effective implementation of SP is scarce. A systematic review was conducted to identify and categorize factors influencing social prescribing initiatives. METHODS: A search of three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge) was carried out to retrieve studies from inception to May 2022, supplemented by grey literature searching and snowballing of the relevant references. The inclusion criteria were original empirical research, qualitative data collection, and a description of factors affecting social prescribing initiatives. Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. We categorized the results of individual studies using a narrative approach. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were included for analysis. Along with patient-related factors (patient-centeredness, clinical complexity, perception, knowledge), three main settings of social prescribing initiatives (including healthcare providers, link workers, and voluntary and community sectors) are affected by (1) individual characteristics (knowledge, perception, skill mix); (2) interpersonal relations (collaboration, trust, feedback, supportive climate, follow-up, sustained connection, peer support within and across sectors); (3) organizational contingencies (resource adequacy, staffing, training, role description, continuity of support, caseload management, monitoring, affordability, accessibility, referral criteria, and tailored support); and (4) political context (national policy and guidance, stewardship, planning, cocreation, bureaucracy, economic condition, and the number of support organizations). CONCLUSION: Many factors influencing social prescribing initiatives were identified. The results of this review can be applied by different stakeholders of social prescribing to guide development, implementation, description, and evaluation.

Impact of twice weekly versus daily iron supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and fetal haematological indices: a randomized clinical trial.

A randomized clinical trial examined the efficiency and tolerability of twice weekly versus daily iron supplementation during pregnancy. A total of 370 pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either daily or twice weekly iron supplementation during pregnancy. There were no significant differences in initial and delivery haemoglobin and haematocrit levels between the 2 groups. Ferritin concentrations were significantly lower in the twice weekly group at delivery, but hypoferritinaemia (ferritin < 15 microg/L) was not observed in either group. The frequency of nausea, vomiting and constipation were significantly lower in the twice weekly group. Birth weight and length were significantly higher in the daily supplemented group. In non-anaemic mothers, a smaller dose of iron may be sufficient and also might prevent the complications of iron excess.

Atlas-Based Quantification of DTI Measures in a Typically Developing Pediatric Spinal Cord.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multi-parametric MRI, provides a variety of biomarkers sensitive to white matter integrity, However, spinal cord MRI data in pediatrics is rare compared to adults. The purpose of this work was 3-fold: 1) to develop a processing pipeline for atlas-based generation of the typically developing pediatric spinal cord WM tracts, 2) to derive atlas-based normative values of the DTI indices for various WM pathways, and 3) to investigate age-related changes in the obtained normative DTI indices along the extracted tracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI scans of 30 typically developing subjects (age range, 6-16 years) were acquired on a 3T MR imaging scanner. The data were registered to the PAM50 template in the Spinal Cord Toolbox. Next, the DTI indices for various WM regions were extracted at a single section centered at the C3 vertebral body in all the 30 subjects. Finally, an ANOVA test was performed to examine the effects of the following: 1) laterality, 2) functionality, and 3) age, with DTI-derived indices in 34 extracted WM regions. RESULTS: A postprocessing pipeline was developed and validated to delineate pediatric spinal cord WM tracts. The results of ANOVA on fractional anisotropy values showed no effect for laterality (P = .72) but an effect for functionality (P < .001) when comparing the 30 primary WM labels. There was a significant (P < .05) effect of age and maturity of the left spinothalamic tract on mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity values. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed automated pipeline in this study incorporates unique postprocessing steps followed by template registration and quantification of DTI metrics using atlas-based regions. This method eliminates the need for manual ROI analysis of WM tracts and, therefore, increases the accuracy and speed of the measurements.

A new set of reagents and related software used for NGS based classical and non-classical HLA typing showing evidence for a greater HLA haplotype diversity.

To evaluate the HLA typing performance of a new Long-Range PCR NGS set of reagents and its dedicated software, a panel of 41 reference homozygous cell lines from the International Histocompatibility Working Group (IHWG) and a panel of 376 volunteer bone marrow donors were analyzed for classical and non-classical HLA class I and class II genes. All results, except HLA-DPB1, were obtained without any ambiguities at the 3rd field level. Based on the high resolution performance of the reagents, a number of new alleles have been described not only for classical but also for non-classical HLA class I genes, leading to a more accurate haplotype definition. Linkage disequilibrium between HLA-A and HLA-G genes has been defined at 4th field level of resolution. Moreover, for the first time, HLA-DQA2 and DQB2 polymorphisms and their linkage disequilibrium with DQB1 were described.

Feasibility of diffusion and probabilistic white matter analysis in patients implanted with a deep brain stimulator.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) is an established advanced therapy that produces therapeutic effects through high frequency stimulation. Although this therapeutic option leads to improved clinical outcomes, the mechanisms of the underlying efficacy of this treatment are not well understood. Therefore, investigation of DBS and its postoperative effects on brain architecture is of great interest. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is an advanced imaging technique, which has the ability to estimate the structure of white matter fibers; however, clinical application of DWI after DBS implantation is challenging due to the strong susceptibility artifacts caused by implanted devices. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of generating meaningful white matter reconstructions after DBS implantation; and to subsequently quantify the degree to which these tracts are affected by post-operative device-related artifacts. DWI was safely performed before and after implanting electrodes for DBS in 9 PD patients. Differences within each subject between pre- and post-implantation FA, MD, and RD values for 123 regions of interest (ROIs) were calculated. While differences were noted globally, they were larger in regions directly affected by the artifact. White matter tracts were generated from each ROI with probabilistic tractography, revealing significant differences in the reconstruction of several white matter structures after DBS. Tracts pertinent to PD, such as regions of the substantia nigra and nigrostriatal tracts, were largely unaffected. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and clinical applicability of acquiring and processing DWI post-operatively in PD patients after DBS implantation. The presence of global differences provides an impetus for acquiring DWI shortly after implantation to establish a new baseline against which longitudinal changes in brain connectivity in DBS patients can be compared. Understanding that post-operative fiber tracking in patients is feasible on a clinically-relevant scale has significant implications for increasing our current understanding of the pathophysiology of movement disorders, and may provide insights into better defining the pathophysiology and therapeutic effects of DBS.