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TAF4b is a gonadal-enriched subunit of the general transcription factor TFIID that is implicated in promoting healthy ovarian aging and female fertility in mice and humans. To further explore the potential mechanism of TAF4b in promoting ovarian follicle development, we analyzed global gene expression at multiple time points in the human fetal ovary. This computational analysis revealed coordinate expression of human TAF4B and critical regulators and effectors of meiosis I including SYCP3, YBX2, STAG3, and DAZL. To address the functional relevance of this analysis, we turned to the embryonic Taf4b-deficient mouse ovary where, for the first time, we demonstrate, severe deficits in prophase I progression as well as asynapsis in Taf4b-deficient oocytes. Accordingly, TAF4b occupies the proximal promoters of many essential meiosis and oogenesis regulators, including Stra8, Dazl, Figla, and Nobox, and is required for their proper expression. These data reveal a novel TAF4b function in regulating a meiotic gene expression program in early mouse oogenesis, and support the existence of a highly conserved TAF4b-dependent gene regulatory network promoting early oocyte development in both mice and women.

TAF4b is a gonadal-enriched subunit of the TFIID complex that is required for mouse fertility. TAF4b-deficient male mice undergo a complex series of developmental defects that result in the inability to maintain long-term spermatogenesis. To decipher the transcriptional mechanisms upon which TAF4b functions in spermatogenesis, we used two-hybrid screening to identify a novel TAF4b-interacting transcriptional cofactor, ZFP628. Deletion analysis of both proteins reveals discrete and novel domains of ZFP628 and TAF4b protein that function to bridge their direct interaction in vitro. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation of ZFP628 and TAF4b proteins in testis-derived protein extracts supports their endogenous association. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we disrupted the expression of ZFP628 in the mouse and uncovered a post-meiotic germ cell arrest at the round spermatid stage in the seminiferous tubules of the testis in ZFP628-deficient mice that results in male infertility. Coincident with round spermatid arrest, we find reduced mRNA expression of transition protein (Tnp1 and Tnp2) and protamine (Prm1 and Prm2) genes, which are critical for the specialized maturation of haploid male germ cells called spermiogenesis. These data delineate a novel association of two transcription factors, TAF4b and ZFP628, and identify ZFP628 as a novel transcriptional regulator of stage-specific spermiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions (JPBI) celebrated 10 years in publication. As the flagship journal of positive behavior support (PBS), it is important to periodically examine the research published in JPBI to determine whether it reflects the basic principles of PBS, to explore the ways in which PBS is being practiced, and to consider future directions for PBS. We analyzed various dimensions of intervention research studies published in JPBI during the first 10 years. The data indicate that research has increasingly becoming aligned with PBS principles in many areas, yet other areas merit additional focus in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal, evidence-based practice (EBP) inter-professional approach to improving care for the surgical patient. ERAS pathways include minimally invasive surgeries, pre-op nutritional support, intraoperative fluid management, and decreased opioid use with early mobilization, introduction of food, and gum chewing. Patient engagement is critical to achieving ERAS objectives. European countries have been implementing the concepts associated with ERAS for nearly 20?years. Benefits of ERAS innovative pathways are decreased length of stay, postop complications, infections, malnutrition, pain management and hospital readmission. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with an increased length of stay, morbidity, costs of care, and readmissions. An ERAS program was started at a large acute care, level II trauma facility in January 2017 to utilize evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes in elective colorectal surgery patients. From 1st to 4th Quarter 2017, there was a steady decrease in the surgical site infection rate in ERAS colon procedures from 6% to 2%. While a slight increase was noted in the first two quarters of 2018, the overall Colon SSI Standardized Infection Ration (SIR) dropped from 1.867 in the 1st Quarter of 2017 to 0.656 in the 2nd Quarter of 2018. The ERAS program improved the outcomes of patients requiring a colon procedure by improving pain control and return of gastric motility and reducing SSI and length of hospital stay. Interventions that may have contributed to the reduced colon SSI SIR include changes in practice by colon surgeons (separate closure trays, oral antibiotics, separate staplers e.g.) and implementation of an evidenced-based ERAS program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]