Modulation of linguistic prediction by TDCS of the right lateral cerebellum.

It has been postulated recently that the cerebellum contributes the same prediction and learning functions to linguistic processing as it does towards motor control. For example, repetitive TMS over posterior-lateral cerebellum caused a significant loss in predictive language processing, as assessed by the latency of saccades to target items of spoken sentences, using the Visual World task. We aimed to assess the polarity-specific effects of cerebellar TDCS, hypothesising that cathodal TDCS should impair linguistic prediction, and anodal TDCS facilitate it. Our design also tested whether TDCS modulated associative learning in this task. A between groups (sham, anodal, cathodal) design was used, with concurrent stimulation during performance of a manual variation of the Visual World paradigm, and with assessment of latency reduction over repeated presentations of the spoken sentences. Mixed model ANOVA was used to analyse change in response latency. Cathodal TDCS decreased participants' response time advantage for the predictable sentence items without change for non-predictable items, consistent with the previous TMS results. Furthermore, anodal stimulation enhanced the response time advantage for the predictable items, again without change in latencies for non-predictive items. We found a clear practice-based effect over 4 blocks. However, this difference was not significantly modulated by either anodal or cathodal stimulation. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that cerebellum contributes to predictive language processing, mirroring its predictive role in motor control, but we do not yet have evidence that the learning process was affected by cerebellar TDCS.

Forensic ancestry analysis with two capillary electrophoresis ancestry informative marker (AIM) panels: Results of a collaborative EDNAP exercise.

There is increasing interest in forensic ancestry tests, which are part of a growing number of DNA analyses that can enhance routine profiling by obtaining additional genetic information about unidentified DNA donors. Nearly all ancestry tests use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but these currently rely on SNaPshot single base extension chemistry that can fail to detect mixed DNA. Insertion-deletion polymorphism (Indel) tests have been developed using dye-labeled primers that allow direct capillary electrophoresis detection of PCR products (PCR-to-CE). PCR-to-CE maintains the direct relationship between input DNA and signal strength as each marker is detected with a single dye, so mixed DNA is more reliably detected. We report the results of a collaborative inter-laboratory exercise of 19 participants (15 from the EDNAP European DNA Profiling group) that assessed a 34-plex SNP test using SNaPshot and a 46-plex Indel test using PCR-to-CE. Laboratories were asked to type five samples with different ancestries and detect an additional mixed DNA sample. Statistical inference of ancestry was made by participants using the Snipper online Bayes analysis portal plus an optional PCA module that analyzes the genotype data alongside calculation of Bayes likelihood ratios. Exercise results indicated consistent genotyping performance from both tests, reaching a particularly high level of reliability for the Indel test. SNP genotyping gave 93.5% concordance (compared to the organizing laboratory's data) that rose to 97.3% excluding one laboratory with a large number of miscalled genotypes. Indel genotyping gave a higher concordance rate of 99.8% and a reduced no-call rate compared to SNP analysis. All participants detected the mixture from their Indel peak height data and successfully assigned the correct ancestry to the other samples using Snipper, with the exception of one laboratory with SNP miscalls that incorrectly assigned ancestry of two samples and did not obtain informative likelihood ratios for a third. Therefore, successful ancestry assignments were achieved by participants in 92 of 95 Snipper analyses. This exercise demonstrates that ancestry inference tests based on binary marker sets can be readily adopted by laboratories that already have well-established CE regimes in place. The Indel test proved to be easy to use and allowed all exercise participants to detect the DNA mixture as well as achieving complete and concordant profiles in nearly all cases. Lastly, two participants successfully ran parallel next-generation sequencing analyses (each using different systems) and achieved high levels of genotyping concordance using the exercise PCR primer mixes unmodified.

Results of data gathered at a smoking cessation counselling stand in the Dublin Dental University Hospital on Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2012.

INTRODUCTION: The addictive aspect of smoking is well acknowledged. Research has shown that interventions by healthcare professionals have been shown to be effective and that smokers will benefit from smoking cessation counselling before, during and after their quit attempts. Dental hygienists, as part of the healthcare team, are well positioned to provide this counselling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by patients, staff, students and members of the public, during Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2012 in the Dublin Dental University Hospital to assess the prevalence of smoking as well as the history of smoking and quit attempts by current and former smokers. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was lower than the national average. A total of 18.3% of those surveyed were smokers, 25% were former smokers, and 68% of the smokers had their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, indicating high dependence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the smokers (79%) had attempted to quit. Stress was the most common reason for lapsing. The most common reasons for smoking cessation were health issues. The public is well disposed to receive information regarding smoking and the methods available to quit by healthcare professionals on health awareness days such as Mouth Cancer Awareness Day.

An intracranial neoplasm complicating labour.

We present a case in which a 27-year-old primigravida was found to have an intracranial tumour during the first stage of labour. We review previous reports of similar cases and discuss the management options.

Formation of intermediate transcription initiation complexes at pfliD and pflgM by sigma(28) RNA polymerase.

The sigma subunit of prokaryotic RNA polymerase is an important factor in the control of transcription initiation. Primary sigma factors are essential for growth, while alternative sigma factors are activated in response to various stimuli. Expression of class 3 genes during flagellum biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is dependent on the alternative sigma factor sigma(28). Previously, a novel mechanism of transcription initiation at the fliC promoter by sigma(28) holoenzyme was proposed. Here, we have characterized the mechanism of transcription initiation by a holoenzyme carrying sigma(28) at the fliD and flgM promoters to determine if the mechanism of initiation observed at pfliC is a general phenomenon for all sigma(28)-dependent promoters. Temperature-dependent footprinting demonstrated that promoter binding properties and low-temperature open complex formation are similar for pfliC, pfliD, and pflgM. However, certain aspects of DNA strand separation and complex stability are promoter dependent. Open complexes form in a concerted manner at pflgM, while a sequential pattern of open complex formation occurs at pfliD. Open and initiated complexes formed by holoenzyme carrying sigma(28) are generally unstable to heparin challenge, with the exception of initiated complexes at pflgM, which are stable in the presence of nucleoside triphosphates.

Learning leadership: students' experiences of a midwifery mentoring practicum.

A leadership mentoring practicum is described wherein nurse-midwifery students are placed with leader/mentors at the state, regional, and national levels of organizations. Logs are kept by the students and discussions at student-faculty seminars focus on linking leadership theory to observations of leadership qualities and behaviours in the mentors. A profile of a "composite leader" derived from the students' experience experiences is presented.

Satisfaction with a new model of professional practice in critical care.

Although only a moderately severe general nursing shortage exists at this time, the shortage of critical care nurses remains severe. Innovative administrators across the country are trying new professional practice models aimed at maximizing autonomy and freeing nurses from mundane tasks with the hopes of retaining experienced clinicians. We implemented a professional practice model in which unlicensed assistive personnel were trained to assist registered nurses in patient care. Monies saved by increasing nurse-patient ratios were distributed to staff nurses. Acuity-based staffing was maintained and professional practice encouraged through self-scheduling and elimination of hierarchical relationships. Satisfaction among nurses working in the program increased in terms of coworkers and supervision. Patient satisfaction with the quality of care provided did not change during the course of the program. Data from interviews demonstrated that staff were satisfied with the quality of care provided by the assistants, but the changes in the staffing ratios coupled with the increased responsibility for overseeing the assistants caused stress in the nurses. We conclude that a professional practice model in which critical care assistants are added to the work force is a viable option, but creative methods of addressing the stress of increased workload are needed.

Progressive renal failure due to renal invasion and parenchymal destruction by adult T-cell lymphoma.

A 43-year-old patient of occult adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL) presenting with systemic illness and progressive renal failure due to lymphomatous infiltration of kidneys is described. The striking feature observed was destructive infiltration of the kidneys, by malignant CD4 cells, virtually replacing the normal renal architecture. The diagnosis of lymphoma was made by renal biopsy. Clinical features typical of ATL were hypercalcemia, lytic bone lesions, and profound wasting and inanition. The patient died rapidly despite attempted therapy. The case illustrates the potential of ATL for direct renal parenchymal destruction.