Targeting intracellular nontuberculous mycobacteria and with a bactericidal enzymatic cocktail.

To address intracellular mycobacterial infections, we developed a cocktail of four enzymes that catalytically attack three layers of the mycobacterial envelope. This cocktail is delivered to macrophages, through a targeted liposome presented here as ENTX_001. Endolytix Cocktail 1 (EC1) leverages mycobacteriophage lysin enzymes LysA and LysB, while also including α-amylase and isoamylase for degradation of the mycobacterial envelope from outside of the cell.

Silver Memories: implementation and evaluation of a unique radio program for older people.

Objectives: A unique radio program, Silver Memories, specifically designed to address social isolation and loneliness in older people by broadcasting music (primarily), serials and other programs relevant to the period when older people grew up--the 1920-1950s--first aired in Brisbane, Australia, in April 2008. The impact of the program upon older listeners' mood, quality of life (QOL) and self-reported loneliness was independently evaluated.

Method: One hundred and thirteen community-dwelling persons and residents of residential care facilities, aged 60 years and older participated in a three month evaluation of Silver Memories.

Reflexivity and minimization of the impact of age-cohort differences between researcher and research participants.

Reflexivity in research can be defined as (a) the acknowledgment and identification of one's place and presence in the research, and (b) the process of using these insights to critically examine the entire research process. Many authors implore qualitative researchers to be reflexive. Very few, however, specify how to do this in practice.

Community perceptions on the significant extension of life: an exploratory study among urban adults in Brisbane, Australia.

Some researchers in the field of ageing claim that significant extension of the human lifespan will be possible in the near future. While many of these researchers have assumed that the community will welcome this technology, there has been very little research on community attitudes to life extension. This paper presents the results of an in-depth qualitative study of community attitudes to life extension across age groups and religious boundaries.

Measuring the impact of increased exercise on quality of life in older adults: the UQQoL, a new instrument.

The University of Queensland Quality of Life instrument (UQQoL) was developed to provide a quantitative measure sensitive to the impact of increased exercise on the quality of life (QoL) of older individuals. This paper describes the development and testing of the UQQoL including an exploratory study of focus group interviews with 18 participants aged 65 and over, item development and selection, and instrument piloting with groups of older adults undergoing high-intensity training. The SF-36, another established QoL tool, was also administered at the same time points for comparative purposes.

Professional and personal attitudes of researchers in ageing towards life extension.

It is often assumed that there is broad public support for strong life extension research (i.e. research aimed at the dramatic extension of human life beyond the current maximum), and that there would be a near universal interest in using any life extending technologies that this research may produce.

Transition care: will it deliver?

Transition care is a new program to Australia that is designed to facilitate transitions of frail older people between the hospital and aged care systems. This program is designed to deliver potentially important improvements to the Australian health care system--but will it deliver? The current evidence base regarding the efficacy of this type of program is mixed, and there is little evidence to indicate improved patient outcomes. An average transition care episode is expensive (about $11 000).

Healthy aging as an intervention to minimize injury from falls among older people.

With global trends toward population aging, many countries are adopting healthy aging policies to minimize disability and increase quality in the extended years of life. Falls in older people are a major contributor to functional decline generally associated with aging. Based on a study quantifying the relationship between healthy aging factors and risk of fall-related hip fracture in community-dwelling older people, this paper discusses evidence for the promotion of healthy aging as a population-based intervention for prevention of injuries from falls.

Behavioral determinants of healthy aging.

With global trends in population aging, many nations are developing and implementing healthy aging policies to promote quality as well as years of healthy life. To broaden the evidence base for such policy development, a review of the literature was conducted to summarize the existing evidence regarding the behavioral determinants of healthy aging. Such research is needed so that the efficacy of modes of intervention can be better understood.

Primary health care for older people: progress towards an integrated strategy?

The importance of providing integrated, holistic and cohesive primary care for older people has been increasingly emphasized in recent policy initiatives and directives in the UK. These have sometimes proved to be elusive goals, however, as an ageing population and rapidly changing health care environment have increased the pressures on the primary care team to keep pace with the growing level of need. As primary care faces a new set of challenges presented by the development of Primary Care Groups (PCGs), opportunities may be found to address older people's health needs in a more coordinated way.