CRISPR-mediated editing of ß-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene in buffalo.

Milk is a good source of nutrition but is also a source of allergenic proteins such as α-lactalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin (BLG), casein, and immunoglobulins. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas technology has the potential to edit any gene, including milk allergens. Previously, CRISPR/Cas has been successfully employed in dairy cows and goats, but buffaloes remain unexplored for any milk trait. In this study, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 system to edit the major milk allergen BLG gene in buffaloes. First, the editing efficiency of designed sgRNAs was tested in fibroblast cells using the T7E assay and Sanger sequencing. The most effective sgRNA was selected to generate clonal lines of BLG-edited cells. Analysis of 15 single-cell clones, through TA cloning and Sanger sequencing, revealed that 7 clones exhibited bi-allelic (-/-) heterozygous, bi-allelic (-/-) homozygous, and mono-allelic (-/+) disruptions in BLG. Bioinformatics prediction analysis confirmed that non-multiple-of-3 edited nucleotide cell clones have frame shifts and early truncation of BLG protein, while multiple-of-3 edited nucleotides resulted in slightly disoriented protein structures. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) method was used to produce blastocyst-stage embryos that have similar developmental rates and quality with wild-type embryos. This study demonstrated the successful bi-allelic editing (-/-) of BLG in buffalo cells through CRISPR/Cas, followed by the production of BLG-edited blastocyst stage embryos using SCNT. With CRISPR and SCNT methods described herein, our long-term goal is to generate gene-edited buffaloes with BLG-free milk.

Retrograde endocannabinoid signaling at inhibitory synapses in vivo.

Endocannabinoid (eCB)-mediated suppression of inhibitory synapses has been hypothesized, but this has not yet been demonstrated to occur in vivo because of the difficulty in tracking eCB dynamics and synaptic plasticity during behavior. In mice navigating a linear track, we observed location-specific eCB signaling in hippocampal CA1 place cells, and this was detected both in the postsynaptic membrane and the presynaptic inhibitory axons. All-optical in vivo investigation of synaptic responses revealed that postsynaptic depolarization was followed by a suppression of inhibitory synaptic potentials. Furthermore, interneuron-specific cannabinoid receptor deletion altered place cell tuning. Therefore, rapid, postsynaptic, activity-dependent eCB signaling modulates inhibitory synapses on a timescale of seconds during behavior.

Clinical Outcomes and Cost Differences Between Patients Undergoing Primary Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Procedures with Private or Medicare Insurance: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed whether the insurance type reflects a patient's quality of care after an anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure by comparing differences in the postoperative complications, readmission rates, reoperation rates, lengths of hospital stay, and cost of treatment between patients with Medicare versus private insurance. METHODS: Propensity score matching was used to match patient cohorts insured by Medicare and private insurance in the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (2007-2016). Age, sex, year of operation, geographic region, comorbidities, and operative factors were used to match cohorts of patients who had undergone an ACDF procedure. RESULTS: A total of 110,911 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 97,543 patients (87.9%) were privately insured and 13,368 patients (12.1%) were insured by Medicare. The propensity score matching algorithm matched 7026 privately insured patients to 7026 Medicare patients. After matching, no significant differences were found in the 90-day postoperative complication rates, lengths of stay, or reoperation rates between the Medicare and privately insured cohorts. The Medicare group had had lower postoperative readmission rates for all time points: 30 days (1.8% vs. 4.6%; P < 0.001), 60 days (2.5% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001), and 90 days (4.2% vs. 7.7%; P < 0.001). The median payment to physicians was significantly lower for the Medicare group ($3885 vs. $5601; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, propensity score matched patients covered by Medicare and private insurance who had undergone an ACDF procedure had had similar treatment outcomes.

Chronic Opioid Use Prior to ACDF Surgery Is Associated with Inferior Postoperative Outcomes: A Propensity-Matched Study of 17,443 Chronic Opioid Users.

OBJECTIVE: Candidates for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) have a higher rate of opioid use than does the public, but studies on preoperative opioid use have not been conducted. We aimed to understand how preoperative opioid use affects post-ACDF outcomes. METHODS: The MarketScan Database was queried from 2007 to 2015 to identify adult patients who underwent an ACDF. Patients were classified into separate cohorts based on the number of separate opioid prescriptions in the year before their ACDF. Ninety-day postoperative complications, postoperative readmission, reoperation, and total inpatient costs were compared between opioid strata. Propensity score-matched patient cohorts were calculated to balance comorbidities across groups. RESULTS: Of 81,671 ACDF patients, 31,312 (38.3%) were nonusers, 30,302 (37.1%) were mild users, and 20,057 (24.6%) were chronic users. Chronic opioid users had a higher comorbidity burden, on average, than patients with less frequent opioid use (P < 0.001). Chronic opioid users had higher rates of postoperative complications (9.1%) than mild opioid users (6.0%) and nonusers (5.3%) (P < 0.001) and higher rates of readmission and reoperation. After balancing opioid nonusers versus chronic opioid users along with demographic characteristics, preoperative comorbidity, and operative characteristics, postoperative complications remained elevated for chronic opioid users relative to opioid nonusers (8.6% vs. 5.7%; P < 0.001), as did rates of readmission and reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic opioid users had more comorbidities than opioid nonusers and mild opioid users, longer hospitalizations, and higher rates of postoperative complication, readmission, and reoperation. After balancing patients across covariates, the outcome differences persisted, suggesting a durable association between preoperative opioid use and negative postoperative outcomes.

Climbing Fiber-Mediated Spillover Transmission to Interneurons Is Regulated by EAAT4.

Neurotransmitter spillover is a form of communication not readily predicted by anatomic structure. In the cerebellum, glutamate spillover from climbing fibers recruits molecular layer interneurons in the absence of conventional synaptic connections. Spillover-mediated signaling is typically limited by transporters that bind and reuptake glutamate. Here, we show that patterned expression of the excitatory amino acid transporter 4 (EAAT4) in Purkinje cells regulates glutamate spillover to molecular layer interneurons. Using male and female Aldolase C-Venus knock-in mice to visualize zebrin microzones, we find larger climbing fiber-evoked spillover EPSCs in regions with low levels of EAAT4 compared with regions with high EAAT4. This difference is not explained by presynaptic glutamate release properties or postsynaptic receptor density but rather by differences in the glutamate concentration reaching receptors on interneurons. Inhibiting glutamate transport normalizes the differences between microzones, suggesting that heterogeneity in EAAT4 expression is a primary determinant of differential spillover. These results show that neuronal glutamate transporters limit extrasynaptic transmission in a non-cell-autonomous manner and provide new insight into the functional specialization of cerebellar microzones.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) help maintain the fidelity and independence of point-to-point synaptic transmission. Whereas glial transporters are critical to maintain low ambient levels of extracellular glutamate to prevent excitotoxicity, neuronal transporters have more subtle roles in shaping excitatory synaptic transmission. Here we show that the patterned expression of neuronal EAAT4 in cerebellar microzones controls glutamate spillover from cerebellar climbing fibers to nearby interneurons. These results contribute to fundamental understanding of neuronal transporter functions and specialization of cerebellar microzones.

Training needs assessment: tool utilization and global impact.

BACKGROUND: Global demand for standardized assessment of training needs and evaluation of professional continuing education programs across the healthcare workforce has led to various instrumentation efforts. The Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis (TNA) questionnaire is one of the most widely used validated tools. Endorsed by the World Health Organization, the tool informs the creation of tailored training to meet professional development needs. The purpose of this project was to describe TNA tool utilization across the globe and critically appraise the evidence of its impact in continuous professional development across disciplines and settings. METHODS: A systematic integrative literature review of the state of the evidence across PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases was carried out. Full-text, peer reviewed articles and published dissertations/theses in English language that utilized the original, adapted or translated version of the TNA tool were included. Selected articles were appraised for type and level of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 33 articles were synthesized using an inductive thematic approach, which revealed three overarching themes: individual, team/interprofessional, and organizational level training needs. Included articles represented 18 countries, with more than two thirds involving high-income countries, and one third middle-income countries. Four studies (12.1%) used the original English version instrument, 23 (69.7%) adapted the original version, and 6 (18.2%) translated and culturally adapted the tool. Twenty-three studies targeted needs at the individual level and utilized TNA to determine job roles and responsibilities. Thirteen articles represented the team/interprofessional theme, applying the TNA tool to compare training needs and perceptions among professional groups. Last, three articles used the tool to monitor the quality of care across an institution or healthcare system, demonstrating the organizational training needs theme. CONCLUSIONS: Overall evidence shows that the TNA survey is widely used as a clinical practice and educational quality improvement tool across continents. Translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric testing within a variety of settings, populations, and countries consistently reveals training gaps and outcomes of targeted continuous professional development. Furthermore, it facilitates prioritization and allocation of limited educational resources based on the identified training needs. The TNA tool effectively addresses the "know-do" gap in global human resources for health by translating knowledge into action.

Differences in treatment patterns and overall survival between grade II and anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) are classified as a grade II neoplasm, typically occur in children, and have favorable prognoses. However, their anaplastic counterparts remain poorly understood and vaguely characterized. In the present study, a large cohort of grade II PXA patients were compared with primary anaplastic PXA (APXA) patients to characterize patterns in treatment and survival. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Cancer Institute's SEER database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were used to evaluate the prognostic impact of demographic, tumor, and treatment-related covariates. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival. RESULTS: A total of 346 grade II PXA and 62 APXA patients were identified in the SEER database between 2000 and 2016. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed substantially inferior survival for APXA patients compared to grade II PXA patients (median survival: 51 months vs. not reached) (p < 0.0001). After controlling across available covariates, increased age at diagnosis was identified as a negative predictor of survival for both grade II and APXA patients. In multivariate and propensity-matched analyses, extent of resection was not associated with improved outcomes in either cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Using a large national database, we identified the largest published cohort of APXA patients to date and compared them with their grade II counterparts to identify patterns in treatment and survival. Upon multivariate analysis, we found increased age at diagnosis was inversely associated with survival in both grade II and APXA patients. Receipt of chemoradiotherapy or complete surgical resection was not associated with improved outcomes in the APXA cohort.

The role of pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide in the motivational effects of addictive drugs.

Pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) was originally isolated from the hypothalamus and found to stimulate adenylyl cyclase in the pituitary. Later studies showed that this peptide and its receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2) are widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Consistent with its distribution in the CNS, the PACAP/PAC1 receptor system is involved in several physiological responses, such as mediation of the stress response, modulation of nociception, regulation of prolactin release, food intake, etc. This system is also implicated in different pathological states, e.g., affective component of nociceptive processing, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorders. A review of the literature on PubMed revealed that PACAP and its receptors also play a significant role in the actions of addictive drugs. The goal of this review is to discuss the literature regarding the involvements of PACAP and its receptors in the motivational effects of addictive drugs. We particularly focus on the role of this peptide in the motivational effects of morphine, alcohol, nicotine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.

Knowledge and perceptions of familial and genetic risks for breast cancer risk in adolescent girls.

Evidence suggests early events might modify adult breast cancer risk and many adolescents learn of familial and genetic risks for breast cancer. Little is known about how adolescent girls understand and respond to breast cancer risk. Semi-structured interviews with 11-19 year-old girls at high-risk and population-risk for breast cancer evaluated knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer risk and risk modification. Framework analysis and descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze open-ended responses. Risk group and age differences were evaluated by Fisher's exact and McNemar's tests. Fifty-four girls (86 % of invited), 35 high-risk (65 %), and 19 population-risk (35 %) completed interviews. The most frequently reported risk for breast cancer was family history/hereditary predisposition (66 %). Only 17 % of girls were aware of BRCA1/2 genes. The majority (76 %) of high-risk girls perceive themselves to be at increased risk for breast cancer, compared to 22 % of population-risk girls (p = 0.001). Half of girls reported that women can get breast cancer before 20-years-old. The majority believe there are things women (70 %) and girls (67 %) can do to prevent breast cancer. Mother was the most frequently reported source of information for breast cancer among both high-risk (97 %) and population-risk (89 %) girls. In this study, many high-risk girls perceive themselves to be at increased risk for breast cancer, and many girls believe that breast cancer can occur in teens. Yet, most girls believe there are things women and girls can do to prevent breast cancer. Research evaluating the impact of awareness and perceptions of breast cancer risk on psychosocial, health, and risk behaviors is needed to develop strategies to optimize responses to cancer risk.