The Associations Between Clinical, Social, Financial Factors and Unmet Needs of Autistic Adults: Results from an Observational Study.

Background: Autism is a developmental disability that affects how individuals experience the world. Each Autistic individual experiences Autism in their own way, meaning that the level and type of assistance in their everyday lives vary widely. A shortage of programs and services tailored to Autistic adults exists worldwide, and the current gap between needs and services is likely to worsen as the growing number of Autistic children being diagnosed reach adulthood.

Associations between physical activity motives and trends in moderate-to-Vigorous physical activity among adolescents over five years.

This study examined the longitudinal associations between five physical activity (PA) motives and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) across a 5-year period spanning late childhood to middle adolescence.: Data ( = 937; 55% girls; mean age = 10.33 years) were drawn from the Monitoring Activities for Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits study.

Mind Over Magnets - How Magnetic Particle Imaging is Changing the Way We Think About the Future of Neuroscience.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging imaging technique, which has the potential to provide the sensitivity, specificity and temporal resolution necessary for novel imaging advances in neurological applications. MPI relies on the detection of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles, which allows for visualization and quantification of iron or iron-labeled cells throughout a subject. The combination of these qualities can be used to image many neurological conditions including cancer, inflammatory processes, vascular-related issues and could even focus on cell therapies and theranostics to treat these problems.

Complex Relationship Between Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Degradation and Signal Intensity in Magnetic Particle Imaging.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI), using superparamagnetic nanoparticles as an imaging tracer, is touted as a quantitative biomedical imaging technology, but MPI signal properties have never been characterized for magnetic nanoparticles undergoing biodegradation. We show that MPI signal properties can increase or decrease as iron oxide nanoparticles degrade, depending on the nanoparticle formulation and nanocrystal size, and degradation rate and mechanism. Further, we show that long-term in vitro MPI experiments only roughly approximate long-term in vivo MPI signal properties.

"We are the stakeholders with the most at stake": scientific and autism community co-researchers reflect on their collaborative experience in the CONNECT project.

Background: Little research describes the everyday challenges and needs of autistic adults. In order to fill this data gap, the CONtiNuity of carE and support for autistiC adulTs (CONNECT) project set out to learn about the health and well-being of autistic adults as well as their service and support needs. To do so, CONNECT welcomed autistic adults and caregivers of autistic adults as members of the research team, alongside researchers, policy-makers, service providers and health professionals.

Magnetic Particle Imaging of Macrophages Associated with Cancer: Filling the Voids Left by Iron-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging molecular imaging technique that directly detects iron nanoparticles distributed in living subjects. Compared with imaging iron with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MPI signal can be measured to determine iron content in specific regions. In this paper, the detection of iron-labeled macrophages associated with cancer by MRI and MPI was compared.

Fluorine-19 Cellular MRI Detection of In Vivo Dendritic Cell Migration and Subsequent Induction of Tumor Antigen-Specific Immunotherapeutic Response.

Purpose: A major hurdle in the advancement of cell-based cancer immunotherapies is the inability to track in vivo therapeutic cell migration. With respect to dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapies, this lack of knowledge represents an even greater hurdle as the quantity of tumor-antigen specific DC reaching a secondary lymphoid organ post injection is predictive of the magnitude of the ensuing tumor-specific immune response. We propose fluorine-19 (F-19) cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a suitable and non-invasive imaging modality capable of detecting and quantifying DC migration in vivo and thus, serving as a surrogate marker of DC-based immunotherapeutic effectiveness.

Incidence and risk factors for anastomotic bleeding in lower gastrointestinal surgery.

Objective: Although major anastomotic bleeding after lower gastrointestinal surgery is considered rare, it can be life-threatening if not properly managed. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of postoperative lower gastrointestinal intraluminal bleeding and to identify its potential risk factors. This retrospective cohort study used data from charts of 314 patients who underwent digestive surgery of the colon or small intestine.

Parents' participation in physical activity predicts maintenance of some, but not all, types of physical activity in offspring during early adolescence: A prospective longitudinal study.

Purpose: We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations between parents' and youth's participation in physical activity (PA).

Methods: One hundred and ninety youth completed self-administered questionnaires 3 times per year from 2011 to 2015, and their parents completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during a telephone interview once in 2011-2012. Data on youth's and parents' activities were classified as interdependent or coactive/independent.

F-perfluorocarbon-labeled human peripheral blood mononuclear cells can be detected in vivo using clinical MRI parameters in a therapeutic cell setting.

A Fluorine (F) perfluorocarbon cell labeling agent, when employed with an appropriate cellular MRI protocol, allows for in vivo cell tracking. F cellular MRI can be used to non-invasively assess the location and persistence of cell-based cancer vaccines and other cell-based therapies. This study was designed to determine the feasibility of labeling and tracking peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), a heterogeneous cell population.

Avoidance of the vaginal incision site for mesh placement in vaginal wall prolapse surgery: A prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of a minimal surface area, vaginally-installed polypropylene tape (VPT), avoiding insertion on the incision line to treat an anterior, posterior or anteroposterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Study Design: Patients with an anterior, posterior or anteroposterior vaginal wall prolapse waiting for surgical treatment were included in the study. Primary outcome was the incidence of prolapse recurrence reported with combined outcome measures and was reported with Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence.

A Bit of Fit: Minimalist Intervention in Adolescents Based on a Physical Activity Tracker.

Background: Only 5% of Canadian youth meet the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, with leisure time being increasingly allocated to technology usage. Direct-to-consumer mHealth devices that promote physical activity, such as wrist-worn physical activity trackers, have features with potential appeal to youth.

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether a minimalist physical activity tracker-based intervention would lead to an increase in physical activity in young adolescents.

Quantifying tumor associated macrophages in breast cancer: a comparison of iron and fluorine-based MRI cell tracking.

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with tumor growth and metastasis. MRI can detect TAMs labeled with iron oxide (USPIO) or perfluorocarbon (PFC) agents. This study compared these two cell tracking approaches for imaging TAMs in vivo.

Cellular Imaging With MRI.

Cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an evolving field of imaging with strong translational and research potential. The ability to detect, track, and quantify cells in vivo and over time allows for studying cellular events related to disease processes and may be used as a biomarker for decisions about treatments and for monitoring responses to treatments. In this review, we discuss methods for labeling cells, various applications for cellular MRI, the existing limitations, strategies to address these shortcomings, and clinical cellular MRI.

Application of dual F and iron cellular MRI agents to track the infiltration of immune cells to the site of a rejected stem cell transplant.

Purpose: Cellular MRI) was used to detect implanted human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the resulting macrophage infiltration that occurs in response to xenotransplantation.

Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were prelabeled with a fluorine-19 ( F) agent prior to implantation, allowing for their visualization and quantification over time. Following implantation of 1 × 10 F-labeled hMSCs into the mouse hind limb, longitudinal imaging was performed to monitor the stem cell graft.

Effects of an aerobic exercise program on driving performance in adults with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been linked to decreases in driving performance and an increased crash risk. Regular exercise has been linked to improved driving performance among healthy adults. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and driving performance among individuals with CVD.

Tracking the fate of stem cell implants with fluorine-19 MRI.

Background: In this study we used cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) labeled with a Fluorine-19 (19F) agent. 19F-MRI offers unambiguous detection and in vivo quantification of labeled cells.

Methods: We investigated two common stem cell transplant mouse models: an immune competent, syngeneic transplant model and an immune compromised, xenograft transplant model.

Fluorine-19 MRI Contrast Agents for Cell Tracking and Lung Imaging.

Fluorine-19 ((19)F)-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging stand to revolutionize imaging-based research and clinical trials in several fields of medical intervention. First, their use in characterizing in vivo cell behavior may help bring cellular therapy closer to clinical acceptance. Second, their use in lung imaging provides novel noninvasive interrogation of the ventilated airspaces without the need for complicated, hard-to-distribute hardware.

In vivo MR detection of fluorine-labeled human MSC using the bSSFP sequence.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are used to restore deteriorated cell environments. There is a need to specifically track these cells following transplantation in order to evaluate different methods of implantation, to follow their migration within the body, and to quantify their accumulation at the target. Cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using fluorine-based nanoemulsions is a great means to detect these transplanted cells in vivo because of the high specificity for fluorine detection and the capability for precise quantification.

Investigating the autonomic nervous system and cognitive functions as potential mediators of an association between cardiovascular disease and driving performance.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) impacts the autonomic nervous system and cognitive functions related to activities of daily living, including driving an automobile. Although CVD has been linked to unsafe driving, mechanisms underlying this relationship remain elusive. The aim of this study was to examine the role of cognitive functions and the autonomic nervous system as potential mediators of driving performance.

Gene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans by transitive RNA interference.

When a cell is exposed to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), mRNA from the homologous gene is selectively degraded by a process called RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we provide evidence that dsRNA is amplified in Caenorhabditis elegans to ensure a robust RNAi response. Our data suggest a model in which mRNA targeted by RNAi functions as a template for 5' to 3' synthesis of new dsRNA (termed transitive RNAi).