Frailty Among Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults: The All of Us Database.

Background: Despite known disparities in health status among older sexual and gender minority adults (OSGM), the prevalence of frailty is unknown. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a deficit-accumulation frailty index (AoU-FI) for the All of Us database to describe and compare frailty between OSGM and non-OSGM participants.

Methods: Developed using a standardized approach, the AoU-FI consists of 33 deficits from baseline survey responses of adults aged 50+.

Markers of kidney function, genetic variation related to cognitive function, and cognitive performance in the UK Biobank.

Background: Chronic kidney disease has been linked to worse cognition. However, this association may be dependent on the marker of kidney function used, and studies assessing modification by genetics are lacking. This study examined associations between multiple measures of kidney function and assessed effect modification by a polygenic score for general cognitive function.

Biomarkers of kidney function and cognitive ability: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria and serum uric acid (SUA) are markers of kidney function that have been associated with cognitive ability. However, whether these associations are causal is unclear.

Methods: We performed one-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the effects of kidney function markers on cognitive performance using data from the UK Biobank.

Markers of Kidney Function and Longitudinal Cognitive Ability Among Older Community-Dwelling Adults: The Rancho Bernardo Study.

Background: Reduced kidney function has been associated with cognitive decline. Most studies have examined a single marker of kidney function and have limited duration of follow-up.

Objective: This study evaluated associations between markers of kidney function (urine albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and hyperuricemia) with cognitive performance over time.

Varying reactions to feedback and their effects on observer accuracy and feedback omission.

The effectiveness of performance feedback depends on many factors, including accuracy and repeated delivery over time. Previous research has suggested that requiring the delivery of performance feedback may result in less accurate observations and feedback during subsequent observations. The current study evaluated whether different reactions (i.

Cost-effectiveness of Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain in Veterans.

Background: Yoga interventions can improve function and reduce pain in persons with chronic low back pain (cLBP).

Objective: Using data from a recent trial of yoga for military veterans with cLBP, we analyzed the incremental cost-effectiveness of yoga compared with usual care.

Methods: Participants (n=150) were randomized to either 2× weekly, 60-minute yoga sessions for 12 weeks, or to delayed treatment (DT).

Association of Race and Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE): The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort.

Background And Aims: To evaluate the association of self-reported race with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and modification of this association by paraoxonase gene (1, 2, and 3) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Methods: Included in this longitudinal study were 12,770 black or white participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort who completed a baseline visit (1987-1989) with genotyping. Demographic, behavioral, and health information was obtained at baseline.

Retrospective study of cardiovascular disease risk factors among a cohort of combat veterans with lower limb amputation.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that veterans with lower limb amputation have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with population-based controls. American veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan with lower limb amputation may be at a similarly higher risk.

Patients And Methods: The Navel Health Research Center (NHRC) maintains the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database (EMED) of military personnel who have sustained combat limb amputation or serious limb injury during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Clinic Use at the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs Following Combat Related Amputations.

Introduction: Little population-based research has described the transition from Department of Defense (DoD) to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare following combat related amputations. The objectives were to describe (1) to what extent patients used either DoD only facilities, both DoD and VA facilities, or VA only facilities during the first 5 years postinjury, (2) which specific clinics were used and (3) clinic use among patients with different levels of amputation (upper versus lower), and among patients with early or late amputation.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of health data extracted from the expeditionary medical encounter database (EMED) and national DoD and VA databases.

Prevalence and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in wastewater treatment plants by whole genomic sequencing.

Infections with Staphylococcus aureus are being spread through contact with the community environment, but the role of wastewater treatment plants in the transmission routes is not defined. This study investigated the prevalence, types, genetic elements, and potential for transmission of S. aureus by these engineered systems.

A Retrospective Comparison of Five-Year Health Outcomes Following Upper Limb Amputation and Serious Upper Limb Injury in the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts.

Background: Limited population-based research has described long-term health outcomes following combat-related upper limb amputation.

Objective: To compare health outcomes following upper limb amputation with outcomes following serious upper limb injury during the first 5 years postinjury.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Decline in Older, Community-Dwelling Adults.

Background: Hearing impairment is prevalent among older adults and has been identified as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. We evaluated the association of hearing impairment with long-term cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A population-based longitudinal study of adults not using hearing aids who had hearing acuity and cognitive function assessed in 1992-1996, and were followed for a maximum of 24 years with up to five additional cognitive assessments.

Lifetime physical activity and late-life cognitive function: the Rancho Bernardo study.

Background: physical activity in older age has been associated with better cognitive function, but the role of earlier life physical activity is less well understood.

Objective: determine associations between physical activity throughout the lifespan and cognitive function in older age.

Design: cross-sectional study.

Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Function among Older Community-Dwelling Adults.

Diet may be an important modifiable risk factor for maintenance of cognitive health in later life. This study aimed at examining associations between common dietary indices and dietary patterns defined by factor analysis and cognitive function in older community-dwelling adults. Dietary information for 1499 participants from the Rancho Bernardo Study was collected in 1988⁻1992 and used to calculate the alternate Mediterranean diet score, Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010 score and factor scores derived from factor analysis of nutrients.

Alcohol Intake and Cognitively Healthy Longevity in Community-Dwelling Adults: The Rancho Bernardo Study.

To better understand the association of alcohol intake with cognitively healthy longevity (CHL), we explored the association between amount and frequency of alcohol intake and CHL among 1,344 older community-dwelling adults. Alcohol intake was assessed by questionnaire in 1984-1987. Cognitive function was assessed in approximate four-year intervals between 1988 and 2009.

Correction: A Comparison of Four-Year Health Outcomes following Combat Amputation and Limb Salvage.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A Comparison of Four-Year Health Outcomes following Combat Amputation and Limb Salvage.

Little research has described the long-term health outcomes of patients who had combat-related amputations or leg-threatening injuries. We conducted retrospective analysis of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs health data for lower extremity combat-injured patients with (1) unilateral amputation within 90 days postinjury (early amputation, n = 440), (2) unilateral amputation more than 90 days postinjury (late amputation, n = 78), or (3) leg-threatening injuries without amputation (limb salvage, n = 107). Patient medical records were analyzed for four years postinjury.

Analysis of ABCG2 and other urate transporters in uric acid homeostasis in chronic kidney disease: potential role of remote sensing and signaling.

Background: In the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD), altered extra-renal urate handling may be necessary to regulate plasma uric acid. The Remote Sensing and Signaling Hypothesis (Nigam S. What do drug transporters really do? Nat Rev Drug Discov 2015; 14: 29-44) suggests that multispecific solute carrier (SLC) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters in different tissues are part of an inter-organ communication system that maintains levels of urate and other metabolites after organ injury.

Lower-limb amputation and effect of posttraumatic stress disorder on Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient cost trends.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient costs were analyzed for combat Veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001 to 2008. Patients had serious lower-limb injuries (n = 170) or unilateral (n = 460) or bilateral (n = 153) lower-limb amputation(s). Total costs over the follow-up period (2003 to 2012) and annual costs were analyzed.

Association of the ADRB2 (rs2053044) polymorphism and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor blood pressure response in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension.

Aim/objectives/background: Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease and is most prevalent in African-American adults. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is integral in blood pressure regulation; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors such as ramipril are first-line treatment options. As decreases in angiotensin result in catecholamine release, β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) polymorphisms may influence blood pressure response to ramipril.

The organic anion transporter (OAT) family: a systems biology perspective.

The organic anion transporter (OAT) subfamily, which constitutes roughly half of the SLC22 (solute carrier 22) transporter family, has received a great deal of attention because of its role in handling of common drugs (antibiotics, antivirals, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), toxins (mercury, aristolochic acid), and nutrients (vitamins, flavonoids). Oats are expressed in many tissues, including kidney, liver, choroid plexus, olfactory mucosa, brain, retina, and placenta. Recent metabolomics and microarray data from Oat1 [Slc22a6, originally identified as NKT (novel kidney transporter)] and Oat3 (Slc22a8) knockouts, as well as systems biology studies, indicate that this pathway plays a central role in the metabolism and handling of gut microbiome metabolites as well as putative uremic toxins of kidney disease.

Glasgow Coma Scale scores, early opioids, and 4-year psychological outcomes among combat amputees.

Morphine and fentanyl are frequently used for analgesia after trauma, but there is debate over the advantages and disadvantages of these opioids. Among combat amputees, intravenous (IV) morphine (vs IV fentanyl) after injury was associated with reduced likelihood of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The previous results were based on military health diagnoses over 2 yr postinjury.

Socio-emotional skills, behavior problems, and Spanish competence predict the acquisition of English among English language learners in poverty.

This article analyzes the role that individual differences in children's cognitive, Spanish competence, and socio-emotional and behavioral skills play in predicting the concurrent and longitudinal acquisition of English among a large sample of ethnically diverse, low-income, Hispanic preschool children. Participants assessed at age 4 for language, cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral skills were followed through kindergarten. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that Spanish-speaking preschoolers with greater initiative, self-control, and attachment and fewer behavior problems at age 4 were more successful in obtaining English proficiency by the end of kindergarten compared to those initially weaker in these skills, even after controlling for cognitive/language skills and demographic variables.

Impact of endothelial microparticles on coagulation, inflammation, and angiogenesis in age-related vascular diseases.

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are complex vesicular structures that originate from plasma membranes of activated or apoptotic endothelial cells. EMPs play a significant role in vascular function by altering the processes of inflammation, coagulation, and angiogenesis, and they are key players in the pathogenesis of several vascular diseases. Circulating EMPs are increased in many age-related vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebral ischemia, and congestive heart failure.

Reducing FLI1 levels in the MRL/lpr lupus mouse model impacts T cell function by modulating glycosphingolipid metabolism.

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease caused, in part, by abnormalities in cells of the immune system including B and T cells. Genetically reducing globally the expression of the ETS transcription factor FLI1 by 50% in two lupus mouse models significantly improves disease measures and survival through an unknown mechanism. In this study we analyze the effects of reducing FLI1 in the MRL/lpr lupus prone model on T cell function.