Synergistic label-free fluorescence imaging and miRNA studies reveal dynamic human neuron-glial metabolic interactions following injury.

Neuron-glial cell interactions following traumatic brain injury (TBI) determine the propagation of damage and long-term neurodegeneration. Spatiotemporally heterogeneous cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolic pathways are involved, leading to challenges in developing effective diagnostics and treatments. An engineered three-dimensional brain tissue model comprising human neurons, astrocytes, and microglia is used in combination with label-free, two-photon imaging and microRNA studies to characterize metabolic interactions between glial and neuronal cells over 72 hours following impact injury.

Disability education and implications for genetic counselor training.

The genetic counseling (GC) community has faced criticism about the duality of promoting patient autonomy while also advocating for individuals with disabilities. This study assessed the attitudes of the disability community and GCs to identify content that should be included in GC disability education and evaluate the landscape of GC disability education. Members of the disability community and GCs completed an electronic survey distributed through electronic listservs and partnering organizations.

Extracellular Vesicle Levels of Nervous System Injury Biomarkers in Critically Ill Trauma Patients with and without Traumatic Brain Injury.

Moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes injury patterns with heterogeneous pathology producing varying outcomes for recovery. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles containing a myriad of molecules involved in cell signaling. EVs may hold promise as biomarkers in TBI because of their encapsulation, including improved stability/decreased degradation.

Cytokine Profiles Differentiate Symptomatic from Asymptomatic PTSD in Service Members and Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly observed comorbid occurrences among military service members and veterans (SMVs). In this cross-sectional study, SMVs with a history of TBI were stratified into symptomatic and asymptomatic PTSD groups based on posttraumatic stress checklist-civilian (PCL-C) total scores. Blood-based biomarkers were assessed, and significant differential markers were associated with scores from multiple neurobehavioral self-report assessments.

Assessing patient attitudes toward genetic testing for hereditary hematologic malignancy.

Since 2003, more than 15 genes have been identified to predispose to hereditary hematologic malignancy (HHM). Although the yield of germline analysis for leukemia appears like that of solid tumors, genetic referrals in adults with leukemia remain underperformed. We assessed leukemia patients' attitudes toward genetic testing and leukemia-related distress through a survey of 1093 patients diagnosed with acute or chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or aplastic anemia.

Elevated Axonal Protein Markers Following Repetitive Blast Exposure in Military Personnel.

Blast exposures that occur during training are common in military personnel; however, the biomarkers that relate to these subtle injuries is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the acute biomarkers related to blast injury in a cohort of military personnel exposure to blast-related training. Thirty-four military personnel who participated in the training program were included in this study.

Treg tissue stability depends on lymphotoxin beta-receptor- and adenosine-receptor-driven lymphatic endothelial cell responses.

Regulatory T cell (Treg) lymphatic migration is required for resolving inflammation and prolonging allograft survival. Focusing on Treg interactions with lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), we dissect mechanisms and functional consequences of Treg transendothelial migration (TEM). Using three genetic mouse models of pancreatic islet transplantation, we show that Treg lymphotoxin (LT) αβ and LEC LTβ receptor (LTβR) signaling are required for efficient Treg migration and suppressive function to prolong allograft survival.

Extracellular vesicle neurofilament light is elevated within the first 12-months following traumatic brain injury in a U.S military population.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be associated with long-term neurobehavioral symptoms. Here, we examined levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in extracellular vesicles isolated from blood, and their relationship with TBI severity and neurobehavioral symptom reporting. Participants were 218 service members and veterans who sustained uncomplicated mild TBIs (mTBI, n = 107); complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBIs (smcTBI, n = 66); or Injured controls (IC, orthopedic injury without TBI, n = 45).

Sex Differences in Behavioral Symptoms and the Levels of Circulating GFAP, Tau, and NfL in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of Americans each year and has been shown to disproportionately impact those subject to greater disparities in health. Female sex is one factor that has been associated with disparities in health outcomes, including in TBI, but sex differences in biomarker levels and behavioral outcomes after TBI are underexplored. This study included participants with both blunt and blast TBI with majority rating their TBI as mild.

Influence of genetic counselor medical history on specialty and psychosocial practice in North America.

A personal or family medical history is inherently part of a genetic counselor's life story. Yet, the degree to which this history influences counselors' clinical specialty choice and professional psychosocial practice is unexplored. A medical diagnosis may foster capacity for greater empathy, understanding, and rapport-building self-disclosure.

Utility of expanded carrier screening in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities.

Objective: Explore the utility of expanded carrier screening in evaluating heritable causes of congenital anomalies detected by prenatal ultrasound.

Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect structural abnormality and genetic testing data on infants who were evaluated postnatally by a medical geneticist. These were used to determine if expanded carrier screening could have determined the etiology prior to delivery.

Genesurance counseling: Current training practices of genetic counseling graduate programs in the United States.

In recent years, it has become apparent that patients expect genetic counselors to be able to address questions about insurance coverage for genetic testing and perform 'genesurance' tasks in and out of genetic counseling sessions. Anecdotally, many genetic counseling graduate programs have begun to incorporate genesurance training in some capacity. However, the amount, modality, and potential barriers to this training had not been previously studied; therefore, this study aimed to elucidate current graduate program practice regarding genesurance.

Survival Rates and Biomarkers in a Large Animal Model of Traumatic Brain Injury Combined With Two Different Levels of Blood Loss.

Introduction: The pathology resulting from concurrent traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic shock (HS; TBI+HS) are leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide following trauma. However, the majority of large animal models of TBI+HS have utilized focal/contusional injuries rather than incorporating the types of brain trauma (closed-head injury caused by dynamic acceleration) that typify human injury.

Objective: To examine survival rates and effects on biomarkers from rotational TBI with two levels of HS.

Detrimental effects of flame retardant, PBB153, exposure on sperm and future generations.

In 1973, the Velsicol Chemical Company, which manufactured FireMaster, a brominated flame retardant, and NutriMaster, a nutritional supplement, mistakenly shipped hundreds of pounds of FireMaster to grain mills around Michigan where it was incorporated into animal feed and then into the food chain across the state. An estimated 6.5 million Michigan residents consumed polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)-laced animal products leading to one of the largest agricultural accidents in U.

Impacts of genesurance considerations on genetic counselors' practice and attitudes.

Genesurance counseling has been identified as an integral part of many genetic counseling sessions, but little is known about the workflow impacts and genetic counselor perceptions of genesurance-related tasks. In this study, we aimed to characterize how insurance and billing considerations for genetic testing are being incorporated into genetic counselors' practice in the United States, as well as describe current attitudes and challenges associated with their integration. An electronic survey was sent by email to members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).

Circulating Brain Injury Exosomal Proteins following Moderate-To-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Temporal Profile, Outcome Prediction and Therapy Implications.

Brain injury exosomal proteins are promising blood biomarker candidates in traumatic brain injury (TBI). A better understanding of their role in the diagnosis, characterization, and management of TBI is essential for upcoming clinical implementation. In the current investigation, we aimed to explore longitudinal trajectories of brain injury exosomal proteins in blood of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI, and to evaluate the relation with the free-circulating counterpart and patient imaging and clinical parameters.

Exploring experiences and expectations of prenatal health care and genetic counseling/testing in immigrant Latinas.

As the Latino population of the United States continues to increase, the specific needs of Latinos in genetic counseling continue to be unmet. Using culturally tailored genetic counseling responsive to the needs of the patient can assist in building rapport in genetic counseling sessions. We aimed to investigate the relationship between acculturation, prenatal care, genetic testing experiences, and expectations for prenatal care in an immigrant Latino population.

Manufacturing biological medicines on demand: Safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in a mouse model of total body irradiation.

Protein therapeutics, also known as biologics, are currently manufactured at centralized facilities according to rigorous protocols. The manufacturing process takes months and the delivery of the biological products needs a cold chain. This makes it less responsive to rapid changes in demand.

It takes two: uptake of carrier screening among male reproductive partners.

Objective: To describe uptake of carrier screening by male reproductive partners of prenatal and preconception patients.

Methods: A retrospective database review of all prenatal and preconception patients seen for genetic counseling in Maternal Fetal Medicine clinics was performed. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used on the data set.

Differential Regulation of T-cell Immunity and Tolerance by Stromal Laminin Expressed in the Lymph Node.

Background: Stromal laminins α4 and α5 are differentially regulated in transplant tolerance and immunity, respectively, resulting in altered T-cell trafficking. We hypothesized that laminins directly regulated T-cell activation and polarization.

Methods: Human and mouse CD4 T cells were activated in Th1, Th2, Th17, or regulatory T cell (Treg) environments with/without laminin α4 and/or α5.

Author Correction: Regulation of T cell afferent lymphatic migration by targeting LTβR-mediated non-classical NFκB signaling.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Introduction of cell-free DNA screening is associated with changes in prenatal genetic counseling indications.

The introduction of cell-free DNA screening, or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), for chromosome abnormalities has greatly impacted prenatal care since its introduction in late 2011. We aimed to evaluate the association between the introduction of cell-free DNA screening and indication and referral patterns for genetic counseling at a large US academic medical center by comparing the percentage of each counseling indication between the time period prior to the introduction of cell-free DNA screening (2006-2011) and following its introduction (2012-2016) using multivariable Poisson regression models. Genetic counseling indications for positive carrier screens, average risk patients, abnormal ultrasound findings, and family history indications were significantly higher following the introduction of NIPT while advanced maternal age and abnormal maternal serum screening indications dropped significantly.