Development and Validation of a Tool to Predict Onset of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Dementia.

Importance: The ability to predict the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer dementia (AD) could allow older adults and clinicians to make informed decisions about dementia care.

Objective: To assess whether the age at onset of MCI and AD can be predicted using a statistical modeling approach.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study used data from 2 aging and dementia cohort studies-the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)-for model development and validation of the Florey Dementia Index (FDI), a tool used to predict the age at onset of MCI and AD in older adults.

Autoantibodies to BACE1 promote Aβ accumulation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

The profile of autoantibodies is dysregulated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autoantibodies to beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) are present in human blood. This study aims to investigate the clinical relevance and pathophysiological roles of autoantibodies to BACE1 in AD.

A Retrospective Study on the Long-Term Outcomes of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Versus Sublobar Resection in Lung Cancer: Analysis From the Scottish Cancer Registry.

Introduction:  A comparison between sublobar resection and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in the treatment of lung cancer is a trending topic. However, there is still a lack of strong randomized controlled trials on this subject. We believe that the National Cancer Registry can provide good insight into decision-making when comparing these two modalities of treatment.

New Commuting Zone delineation for the U.S. based on 2020 data.

This paper documents the creation of new 'commuting zones' for the United States based on 2020 geographies and data. Commuting zones originated in the late 1980's as the result of an effort by the Economic Research Service of the U.S.

Stable potassium isotope ratios in human blood serum towards biomarker development in Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's disease (AD)-affected brain purges K with concurrently increasing serum K, suggesting brain-blood K transferal. Here, natural stable K isotope ratios-δ41K-of human serum samples were characterized in an AD biomarker pilot study (plus two paired Li-heparin and potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [K-EDTA] plasma samples). AD serum was found to have a significantly lower mean δ41K relative to controls.

A Comparison of an Australian Observational Longitudinal Alzheimer's Disease Cohort to Community-Based Australian Data.

Background: Observational Alzheimer's disease (AD) cohorts including the Australian, Biomarkers, Imaging and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study have enhanced our understanding of AD. The generalizability of findings from AIBL to the general population has yet to be studied.

Objective: We aimed to compare characteristics of people with AD dementia in AIBL to 1) the general population of older Australians using pharmacological treatment for AD dementia, and to 2) the general population of older Australians who self-reported a diagnosis of dementia.

Safety attitudes culture remain stable in a transplant center: evidence from the coronavirus pandemic.

Background: We sought to understand how safety culture may evolve during disruption, by using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, to identify vulnerabilities in the system that could impact patient outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of transplant personnel at a high-volume transplant center was conducted using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ). Survey responses were scaled and evaluated pre- and post-COVID-19 (2019 and 2021).

Exploring the link between comorbidities and Alzheimer's dementia in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study.

Introduction: Mounting evidence suggests that certain comorbidities may influence the clinical evolution of Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

Methods: We conducted logistic regression analyses on the medical history and cognitive health diagnoses of participants in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle study ( = 2443) to investigate cross-sectional associations between various comorbidities and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/AD.

Results: A mixture of associations were observed.

Benchmark findings from a veteran electronic patient-reported outcomes evaluation from a chronic pain management telehealth program.

Background: Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and negatively impacts biological/physical, psychological, and social aspects of life resulting in significant pain interference or disability. This project was part of a longitudinal mixed-methods implementation evaluation of the TelePain-Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a non-pharmacological chronic pain intervention. The purpose of this quality management project was to examine electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROs) including primary pain-related (intensity, interference, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) and secondary outcomes (physical, psychological, acceptance, social) to determine TelePain-EVP effectiveness.

Exploring the association between cancer and cognitive impairment in the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study.

An inverse association between cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been demonstrated; however, the association between cancer and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the association between cancer and cognitive decline are yet to be clarified. The AIBL dataset was used to address these knowledge gaps. The crude and adjusted odds ratios for MCI/AD and cognitive decline were compared between participants with/without cancer (referred to as C+ and C- participants).

ENHANCE: a comparative prospective longitudinal study of cognitive outcomes after 3 years of hearing aid use in older adults.

Background: With an aging population, the prevalence of hearing loss and dementia are increasing rapidly. Hearing loss is currently considered the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. The effect of hearing interventions on cognitive function should therefore be investigated, as if effective, these may be successfully implemented to modify cognitive outcomes for older adults with hearing loss.

Qualitative Evaluation Informs the Implementation of a Telehealth Program to Manage Chronic Pain.

In response to the opioid epidemic and high rates of chronic pain among the veteran population, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs implemented the TelePain-Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a nonpharmacological pain management program for veterans.

Optimized spatial information for 1990, 2000, and 2010 U.S. census microdata.

We report on the successful completion of a project to upgrade the positional accuracy of every response to the 1990, 2000, and 2010 U.S. decennial censuses.

Remotely Delivered Psychologically Informed Mindful Movement Physical Therapy for Pain Care: A Framework for Operationalization.

Background: While there is recognition by the greater medical community and physical therapists to address the biopsychosocial needs of people with chronic, persistent pain, there are challenges in implementation and delivery including wide variability in interventions, lack of clear rationale, and absence of clinical models that are feasible and acceptable on a large scale. Important components for psychologically informed physical therapy (PiPT) for pain care include behavioral approaches (e.g.

Longitudinal trajectories of basal forebrain volume in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Dysfunction of the cholinergic basal forebrain (BF) system and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition are early pathological features in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their association in early AD is not well-established. This study investigated the nature and magnitude of volume loss in the BF, over an extended period, in 516 older adults who completed Aβ-PET and serial magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Mobile and Web-Based Partnered Intervention to Improve Remote Access to Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Management: Recruitment and Attrition in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Increasing access to nonpharmacological interventions to manage pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential for veterans. Complementary and integrative health (CIH) interventions can help individuals manage symptom burden with enhanced accessibility via remotely delivered health care. Mission Reconnect (MR) is a partnered, self-directed intervention that remotely teaches CIH skills.

CSF Aβ and tau biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired Aβ- middle-aged and older APOE ε4 carriers.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, and cognition in cognitively unimpaired (CU) middle-aged adults (n = 82; M = 58.2), and in Aβ- CU older adults (n = 71; M = 71.8).

Empower Veterans Program (EVP): a chronic pain management program demonstrates positive outcomes among veterans.

Background: Chronic pain is a highly prevalent health condition among veterans. Traditional pharmacological interventions present unique challenges for chronic pain management including prescription opioid addiction and overdose. In alignment with the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and VA's Stepped Care Model to meet veterans' pain management needs, the Offices of Rural Health and Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) funded an enterprise-wide initiative to implement a Step 3 integrated tele-pain program: Empower Veterans Program (EVP).

History of childhood physical abuse is associated with gut microbiota diversity among adult psychiatric inpatients.

Background: Traumatic life events are associated with the development of psychiatric and chronic medical illnesses. This exploratory study examined the relationship between traumatic life events and the gut microbiota among adult psychiatric inpatients.

Methods: 105 adult psychiatric inpatients provided clinical data and a single fecal sample shortly after admission.

Diagnostic performance of CSF biomarkers in a well-characterized Australian cohort of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

The most frequently utilized biomarkers to support a pre-mortem clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) include concentrations of the 14-3-3 and total tau (T-tau) proteins, as well as the application of protein amplification techniques, such as the real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Utilizing CSF from a cohort of neuropathologically confirmed (definite) sCJD ( = 50) and non-CJD controls ( = 48), we established the optimal cutpoints for the fully automated Roche Elecsys immunoassay for T-tau and the CircuLexTM 14-3-3 Gamma ELISA and compared these to T-tau protein measured using a commercially available assay (INNOTEST hTAU Ag) and 14-3-3 protein detection by western immunoblot (WB). These CSF specimens were also assessed for presence of misfolded prion protein using the RT-QuIC assay.

User Testing of the Veteran Delegation Tool: Qualitative Inquiry.

Background: Informal caregivers, or care partners, provide critical support to care recipients when managing health care. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) priorities identify care partners as vital in supporting veterans' care management. The Veteran Delegation Tool (VDT) is VHA's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant solution for care partners to comanage veterans' care through VHA's electronic health portal.