by Sean A. Hebert  , Aleksandra M. De Golovine  , Rita D. Swinford  , Cynthia S. Bell  , Karen J. Vigil  and Sonal Bhatnagar

Received: 30 June 2018;  Published: 14 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1803017

Background: Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infections are an increasingly concerning etiology for post-transplantation viral-related malignancies. The nonavalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) affords transplant recipients the best opportunity for malignancy prevention, but vaccine uptake remains low. Not previously reported for solid organ transplant recipients, we studied influential factors for HPV vaccine non-initiation. Methods: This survey, conducted from May to December 2017, examined influential factors for HPV vacc [...]

by James S. Powers  , Michelle Moseley  , Lovely Abraham  , Jennifer Buckner  , Nkechi Azubike  and Catherine Xie

Received: 21 May 2018;  Published: 13 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803008

Background: A Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patient centered medical home, the Geriatric Patient- Aligned Care Team (GeriPACT). Methods: Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles regarding strategy, resource development, patient and caregiver experience of care, and clinical care process improvement. Stakeholder engagement for half-time operation with initial grant support for personnel who also had collateral duties. Tracking of operations data. Results: The clinic population grew from 200 to 627 over a 7-year period [...]

by Kazushige Kimura  , James F. Reichert  , Omid Ranjbar Pouya  , Ahmad Byagowi  , Xikui Wang  , Debbie M. Kelly  and Zahra Moussavi

Received: 25 May 2018;  Published: 09 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803007

Background: In this paper, we describe the design of a virtual environment (VE) using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) to scan and replicate a real environment (RE) in a virtual domain. Compared to using a CAD software, SLAM allows for the replication of an RE quite easily and quickly. Methods: To test the user’s performance in a SLAM-based VE, we developed an immersive virtual reality setup using a specialized wheelchair (VRNChair) and a head mounted display (Oculus Rift DK2), and employed a knowledge [...]

by Katsuhisa Omagari  , Ayumi Fukuda  , Machiko Suga  , Ayumi Ogata  , Shinta Nishioka  , Kazuhito Suruga  , Mayuko Ichimura  and Koichi Tsuneyama

Received: 09 April 2018;  Published: 03 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1803008

Background: The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is thought to be multifactorial, and oxidative stress may play an important role in the development of NASH. Peptides obtained by enzymatic decomposition of mackerel (EMP) including selenoneine were recently reported to possess antioxidative activity. Thus, EMP can be a candidate dietary strategy for the prevention of NASH. [...]

by Masahiro Sato  , Emi Inada  , Shingo Nakamura  and Issei Saitoh

Received: 28 March 2018;  Published: 02 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1803016

Background: Transplantation of isolated islets is one of the most powerful approaches to cure insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Currently, the most widely used transplantation strategy is percutaneous perfusion into the liver via the portal vein. However, this approach has several drawbacks and is often limited by the large number of islets required and hypoxic damage to the grafts. Methods: In this article, we posit intrapancreatic parenchymal cell transplantation (IPPCT) as a promisin [...]

by Ana Monteagudo-Sánchez  , Marta Sánchez-Delgado  , Sonia Guara Ciurana  , Jose Medrano  , Maria Eugenia Poo-Llanillo  , Miho Ishida  , Gudrun E. Moore  , Isabel Iglesias-Platas  , Carlos Simón  and David Monk

Received: 29 May 2018;  Published: 29 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803026

Background: Symmetrical DNA methylation profiles of autosomal genes are associated with equal expression by both alleles. Genes with an allelic imbalance or monoallelic expression are associated with discrete intervals of allele-specific methylation (ASM), as highlighted by genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation and genotype-driven ASM. However, a more complex pattern has been described in which random monoallelic methylation provides cells with a unique mechanism for modulating allelic dosage. Methods: We c [...]

by Inês Lopes Cardoso

Received: 17 April 2018;  Published: 27 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803025

Some repeats of three or more nucleotides in tandem, which are present in a gene or in its vicinity, tend to increase in number and for this reason are called dynamic mutations. These triplet repeats are unstable and can expand from one generation to the next. According to the expansion size, an unaffected individual can carry a pre-mutation that will expand through generations leading to the development of triplet repeat expansion diseases. The increase in the number of repeats over time leads to earlier developme [...]

by Shoshana H. Bardach  , Christina Moore  , Sarah D. Holmes  , Richard R. Murphy  , Allison Gibson  and Gregory A. Jicha

Received: 15 June 2018;  Published: 26 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803006

Background: Given the stigma and fear associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), combined with the progressive nature of the disease, the diagnosis of AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often very difficult; yet, there may still be ways to experience some positive outcomes following diagnosis. We aim to assess the psychological impact of a diagnosis of MCI or early dementia on positive well-being. Methods: Individuals with a diagnosis of MCI or AD were mailed surveys with the Silver-Lining Questionnaire. Resul [...]

by Joep Geraedts

Received: 05 June 2018;  Published: 23 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803024

Both preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and prenatal diagnosis (PND) are powerful tools to tackle the transmission of inherited disorders carried by families from generation to generation. Here, we present an overview of the current landscape of both methods and identify the pros and cons of each of these reproductive options. In prenatal testing, non-invasive diagnostic methods have become available as an alternative for invasive diagnosis. Different genome sequencing strategies have now been introduced that en [...]

by Irina Bakloushinskaya  and Sergey Matveevsky

Received: 16 May 2018;  Published: 22 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803023

Species of mole voles Ellobius demonstrate a broad variation in sex chromosomes and autosomes, which is unique among mammals. In four species, a Y chromosome was lost, and X0 or XX sex chromosomes in both sexes were obtained. The key testis-determining Sry (Sex-determining Region on Y) gene is absent in these species, and the regulation of its target, the Sox9 (SRY -box 9) gene, is questionable due to deletion in the key enhancer. In a single species, E. fuscocapillus, with routine XX-XY, the same deletion is prese [...]