Variety Is the Spice of Late Life: Social Integration and Daily Activity.

Objectives: Social integration (involvement with a diverse array of social ties) has been linked to positive outcomes including better physical health. Research has not investigated whether encounters with diverse social ties enhance individuals' daily behaviors. The objectives of this study were to assess whether social ties connect individuals to more diverse daily behaviors, physical activity, and nonsedentary time as well as more positive mood.

Autologous Retinal Transplant for Refractory Macular Holes: Multicenter International Collaborative Study Group.

Purpose: To report the structural and functional outcomes of autologous neurosensory retinal transplant for closure of refractory large macular holes (MHs).

Design: Multicenter, retrospective, consecutive case series.

Participants: A total of 41 eyes of 41 patients with a full-thickness MH refractory to prior vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel and tamponade.

Pharmacological inhibition of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase1 elevates tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin1 and cellular senescence.

The role of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP), on cellular-senescence remains unclear as differential effects of DAHP have been reported in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. We investigated the effect of pharmacologically-induced guanosine-triphosphate-cyclohydrolase1 (GTPCH1)-inhibition, through DAHP, on cellular-senescence in experimentally-induced diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. Cellular-senescence was evaluated through senescence-associated events, namely, cell-cycle-arrest of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs); myocardial DNA fragmentation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), telomerase-activity, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-content and tyrosine14-phosphorylation of caveolin1 (pY14) in similarly-aged, pubertal Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ) and/or DAHP.

A new species of from the oceanic island of Tobago (Squamata, Dipsadidae).

Tobago is a small island on the southeast edge of the Caribbean Plate with a continental flora and fauna. Using DNA sequences from Genbank, new sequences, and morphological data from the snakes , , , and , the species status of specimens of a Tobago snake previously considered to be was assessed. , long considered a subspecies of , was found to be a northern Venezuela-Trinidad endemic and the sister to .

Implementation and Optimization of the Sodium-Rhodizonate Method for Chemographic Shooting Distance Estimation.

In shooting incident investigations where it is important to estimate the shooting distance, the sodium-rhodizonate coloring method has been used for the visualization of GSR patterns extensively. This publication describes the optimization of this method by the use of a heated press for the transfer of GSR traces on garments, as well as variation of a number of other important process parameters. Our final aim for this project was to prepare a formal validation of the coloring method as prerequisite for its inclusion into the scope of ISO17025-certified methods in the GSR Laboratory.

Clinical-grade stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium patch rescues retinal degeneration in rodents and pigs.

Considerable progress has been made in testing stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a potential therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the recent reports of oncogenic mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) underlie the need for robust manufacturing and functional validation of clinical-grade iPSC-derived RPE before transplantation. Here, we developed oncogenic mutation-free clinical-grade iPSCs from three AMD patients and differentiated them into clinical-grade iPSC-RPE patches on biodegradable scaffolds.

AAV Gene Transfer with Tandem Promoter Design Prevents Anti-transgene Immunity and Provides Persistent Efficacy in Neonate Pompe Mice.

Hepatocyte-restricted, AAV-mediated gene transfer is being used to provide sustained, tolerogenic transgene expression in gene therapy. However, given the episomal status of the AAV genome, this approach cannot be applied to pediatric disorders when hepatocyte proliferation may result in significant loss of therapeutic efficacy over time. In addition, many multi-systemic diseases require widespread expression of the therapeutic transgene that, when provided with ubiquitous or tissue-specific non-hepatic promoters, often results in anti-transgene immunity.

Frequency response of the leap motion controller and its suitability for measuring tremor.

Although tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, it is evaluated using relatively coarse clinical scales. We propose to measure tremor in clinical settings using the Leap Motion Controller (LMC), which is a markerless motion capture sensor that has a low cost, zero set-up time, and dynamic accuracy of 1.2 mm.

A Delphi Study to Determine Leveling of the Interprofessional Core Competencies for Four Levels of Interprofessional Practice.

Introduction: Although the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Education (IPE) provide guidance in developing interprofessional learning experiences, the literature is sparse in how to incorporate them across varying levels of learning activities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore consensus for leveling the IPEC Core Competencies for use across four levels of interprofessional practice. Initially, Benner's novice to expert theory was used to develop a leveling document for planning educational experiences appropriate for pre-licensure through practice learners.

Disparities in Health Care Access and Health Among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals in California.

This policy brief examines differences in health care access, health behaviors, and health outcomes by sexual orientation among California adults. Using data from the California Health Interview Survey, the study finds that although lesbian, gay, and bisexual women and men have similar or better rates of insurance coverage compared to straight women and men, they are more likely to experience delays in getting needed health care. Lesbians, bisexual women, and bisexual men have higher rates of smoking and binge drinking than straight women and men; however, gay men are less likely to consume sugary beverages and to be physically inactive.

Antigen-selective modulation of AAV immunogenicity with tolerogenic rapamycin nanoparticles enables successful vector re-administration.

Gene therapy mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is a promising treatment for systemic monogenic diseases. However, vector immunogenicity represents a major limitation to gene transfer with AAV vectors, particularly for vector re-administration. Here, we demonstrate that synthetic vaccine particles encapsulating rapamycin (SVP[Rapa]), co-administered with AAV vectors, prevents the induction of anti-capsid humoral and cell-mediated responses.

Rise in Medi-Cal Enrollment Corresponded to Increases in California County Health Spending During ACA Implementation.

As Medi-Cal enrollment expanded during the early years of ACA expansion (2014 and 2015), county health department spending in California also swelled. For most counties and regions in the state, the two measures tracked closely. However, exceptions in Northern California (with high enrollment and low spending growth) and Central California (low enrollment but high spending growth) show that other factors may also have had an effect.

The role of fathers in overweight prevention: an analysis of a Caribbean cohort.

Background: Family-based strategies to reduce the risk of overweight in childhood are needed in the Caribbean.

Aim: To investigate the associations between parental characteristics and risk of overweight and explore possible mechanisms.

Methods: Data from a parenting intervention were analysed.

Erroneous thyroid diagnosis due to over-the-counter biotin.

Objectives: Biotin is a component of the vitamin B complex used in standard immunoassays to detect serum levels of various hormones and non-hormones, including thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroxine. These assays involve a strong bond between streptavidin and biotin, which serves as an anchor for measured analytes. Large doses of exogenous biotin for the treatment of certain medical conditions have resulted in assay interference, causing TSH to be spuriously lowered.

Depression history and memory bias for specific daily emotions.

Reports of emotions experienced over the past week can be influenced by memory bias, which is more pronounced for people with depression. No studies, however, have examined memory bias for specific emotion clusters (e.g.

Scientific Opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) effect models for regulatory risk assessment of pesticides for aquatic organisms.

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) developed an opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) models and their use in prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticides and aquatic organisms. TKTD models are species- and compound-specific and can be used to predict (sub)lethal effects of pesticides under untested (time-variable) exposure conditions. Three different types of TKTD models are described, viz.

The Manchester Large Macular Hole Study: Is it Time to Reclassify Large Macular Holes?

Purpose: To evaluate anatomic and functional outcomes of full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) larger than 400 μm following vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peel, gas tamponade, and face-down posturing.

Design: A retrospective interventional case series.

Methods: A total of 258 consecutive eyes with FTMH larger than 400 μm were enrolled at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital study over a 5-year period from 2012 to 2017.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Conbercept, Ranibizumab, and Triamcinolone on 23-Gauge Vitrectomy for Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Introduction: To compare the effect and safety of intravitreal conbercept (IVC), intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR), or intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection on 23-gauge (23-G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: Fifty patients (60 eyes) of varying degrees of PDR were randomly grouped into 3 groups (1 : 1 : 1) ( = 20 in each group). The 23-G PPV was performed with intravitreal conbercept or ranibizumab injection 3-7 days before surgery or intravitreal TA injection during surgery.

Diurnal cortisol profiles, inflammation, and functional limitations in aging: Findings from the MIDUS study.

Objective: The current study examined the association between diurnal cortisol profiles, inflammation, and functional limitations, among adults ranging in age from 34-84 years.

Method: Participants ( = 799) completed Waves 2 (between 2004 and 2006) and 3 (between 2014 and 2016) of the Midlife Development in the United States Survey. At Wave 2, participants provided saliva samples across 4 consecutive days, from which cortisol was assayed.

The management of macular hole retinal detachment and macular retinoschisis in pathological myopia; a UK collaborative study.

Purpose: To study UK practice patterns for the management of retinal detachment secondary to macular hole (MHRD) and macular retinoschisis (MRS) in pathological myopia (PM). To review the anatomical and visual outcomes of the surgically managed cases.

Methods: A prospective observational case series for the management of MHRD was undertaken in association with the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU).

Control of redundant pointing movements involving the wrist and forearm.

The musculoskeletal system can move in more ways than are strictly necessary, allowing many tasks to be accomplished with a variety of limb configurations. Why some configurations are preferred has been a focus of motor control research, but most studies have focused on shoulder-elbow or whole arm movements. This study focuses on movements involving forearm pronation-supination (PS), wrist flexion-extension (FE), and wrist radial-ulnar deviation (RUD) and elucidates how these three degrees of freedom (DOF) combine to perform the common task of pointing, which only requires two DOF.

Forskolin attenuates doxorubicin-induced accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine and s-adenosylhomocysteine methyltransferase activity in leukemic monocytes.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antitumor drug, associated with cardiomyopathy. Strategies to address DOX-cardiomyopathy are scarce. Here, we identify the effect of forskolin (FSK) on DOX-induced-asymmetric-dimethylarginine (ADMA) accumulation in monocytoid cells.