A regional learning health system of congregate care facilities for COVID-19 response.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected congregate care (CC) facilities due to communal living, presence of vulnerable populations, inadequate preventive resources, and limited ability to respond to the pandemic's rapidly evolving phases. Most facilities function independently and are not organized for collaborative learning and operations.

Methods: We formed a learning health system of CC facilities in our 14-county metropolitan region, coordinated with public health and health care sectors, to address challenges driven by COVID-19.

Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development?

Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner.

Novel Trauma Composite Score is a more reliable predictor of mortality than Injury Severity Score in pediatric trauma.

Background: The equivalent Injury Severity Score (ISS) cutoffs for severe trauma vary between adult (ISS, >16) and pediatric (ISS, >25) trauma. We hypothesized that a novel injury severity prediction model incorporating age and mechanism of injury would outperform standard ISS cutoffs.

Methods: The 2010 to 2016 National Trauma Data Bank was queried for pediatric trauma patients.

Interactions of Dimethylarsinic Acid, Total Arsenic and Zinc Affecting Rice Crop Management and Human Health in Cambodia.

Background: In parts of Cambodia and in many other parts of the world, irrigation of rice with groundwater results in arsenic (As) accumulation in soil and rice, leading to health concerns associated with rice consumption. At times, some As is present as relatively nontoxic, non-regulated, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Low levels of zinc (Zn) have been found in rice from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and China where As levels in rice are high.

Environmental and Health Implications of the Correlation Between Arsenic and Zinc Levels in Rice from an Arsenic-Rich Zone in Cambodia.

Background: In parts of Cambodia, irrigation of rice with groundwater results in arsenic accumulation in soils and rice, leading to health concerns associated with rice consumption. In Bangladesh and China, low zinc levels in rice have been found in regions where arsenic levels in rice are high. Furthermore, there have been claims that zinc deficiency is responsible for stunting of children in Cambodia.

Groundwater Irrigation and Arsenic Speciation in Rice in Cambodia.

Background: Arsenic bioaccumulation in rice is a global concern affecting food security and public health.

Objective: The present study examined arsenic species in rice in Cambodia to characterize health risks with rice consumption and to clarify uncertainties with Codex guidelines.

Methods: The present study collected 61 well water samples, 105 rice samples, 70 soil samples, and conducted interviews with 44 families in Preak Russey near the Bassac River and Kandal Province along the Mekong River in Cambodia.

Effects of Arsenic, Iron and Fertilizers in Soil on Rice in Cambodia.

Background: In parts of Cambodia, irrigation with groundwater results in arsenic accumulation in soils and rice, leading to health concerns associated with rice consumption. A high concentration of iron in groundwater can precipitate arsenic and reduce its bioavailability, however high concentrations of arsenic and iron can also reduce rice production. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about chemical contamination from inorganic fertilizers used to grow rice.

Hospital-based, Multidisciplinary, youth mentoring and medical exposure program positively influences and reinforces health care career choice: "The Reach One Each One Program early Experience".

Background: According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, underrepresented minorities (URMs) are more likely to leave science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at higher rates than their peers during undergraduate studies. Many institutions of higher learning have implemented pipeline programs aimed at preparing and inspiring high school and college aged students in select careers in health sciences with varying levels of success. Research has shown that a health care workforce that mirrors the community they serve is more effective in reducing health disparities and increasing positive health outcomes.

Vitamin D3 Suppresses Class II Invariant Chain Peptide Expression on Activated B-Lymphocytes: A Plausible Mechanism for Downregulation of Acute Inflammatory Conditions.

Class II invariant chain peptide (CLIP) expression has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the regulation of B cell function after nonspecific polyclonal expansion. Several studies have shown vitamin D3 helps regulate the immune response. We hypothesized that activated vitamin D3 suppresses CLIP expression on activated B-cells after nonspecific activation or priming of C57BL/6 mice with CpG.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Extended Brief Intervention for Alcohol-Dependent Patients in an Acute Hospital Setting.

Aims: To determine whether alcohol-dependent patients in a hospital setting benefit from extended brief interventions (EBI) delivered by an Alcohol Specialist Nurse.

Methods: Alcohol-dependent patients recruited via screening at the emergency department (ED) (n = 267), whether or not admitted to hospital, were randomized to EBI (up to six counselling sessions offered) or control. At 6 months, 84.

FRIENDLY regulates mitochondrial distribution, fusion, and quality control in Arabidopsis.

Mitochondria are defining components of most eukaryotes. However, higher plant mitochondria differ biochemically, morphologically, and dynamically from those in other eukaryotes. FRIENDLY, a member of the CLUSTERED MITOCHONDRIA superfamily, is conserved among eukaryotes and is required for correct distribution of mitochondria within the cell.

Thinking positively about chronic illness: An exploration of optimism, illness perceptions and well-being in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: Holding positive beliefs about illness and having an optimistic outlook have been associated with increased well-being across a range of health conditions. However, research has indicated that being very optimistic may not actually be beneficial, and holding a realistic attitude is more adaptive in some forms of chronic illness, for example, Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore the nature of relationships between illness perceptions, optimism and well-being: specifically, whether a linear or non-linear relationship best described the data.

The Turn the Tables Technique (T(3)): A Program Activity to Provide Group Facilitators Insight into Teen Sexual Behaviors and Beliefs.

The Turn the Tables Technique (T(3)) is an activity designed to provide group facilitators who lead HIV/STI prevention and sexual health promotion programs with detailed and current information on teenagers' sexual behaviors and beliefs. This information can be used throughout a program to tailor content. Included is a detailed lesson plan of T(3), a description of the purpose of T(3), how it was implemented, the context in which it was used, how T(3) addressed common challenges in HIV prevention with teenagers, and future implications for its use.

Cognition, coping, and outcome in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Cognitive impairment and depression are common and disabling non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have shown associations between them but the nature of the relationship remains unclear. In chronic illness, problem- or task-oriented coping strategies are associated with better outcome but often require higher level cognitive functioning.

A multicentre community-based study of dementia cases and subcases in older people in China--the GMS-AGECAT prevalence and socio-economic correlates.

Background: Previous studies indicated overall relatively low prevalence of dementia in older people in China, which may be biased by studied samples or methods. We determined the prevalence of dementia cases and subcases in China and examined their socio-economic correlates.

Methods: Using the Geriatric Mental State interview, we examined random samples of 2917 participants aged ≥ 65 years in urban and rural Anhui, China in 2001-2003, and 3327 in four other provinces in 2008-2009.

A randomised controlled trial of extended brief intervention for alcohol dependent patients in an acute hospital setting (ADPAC).

Background: Alcohol dependence affects approximately 3% of the English population, and accounts for significant medical and psychiatric morbidity. Only 5.6% of alcohol-dependent individuals ever access specialist treatment and only a small percentage ever seek treatment.

PAP inhibitor with in vivo efficacy identified by Candida albicans genetic profiling of natural products.

Natural products provide an unparalleled source of chemical scaffolds with diverse biological activities and have profoundly impacted antimicrobial drug discovery. To further explore the full potential of their chemical diversity, we survey natural products for antifungal, target-specific inhibitors by using a chemical-genetic approach adapted to the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans and demonstrate that natural-product fermentation extracts can be mechanistically annotated according to heterozygote strain responses. Applying this approach, we report the discovery and characterization of a natural product, parnafungin, which we demonstrate, by both biochemical and genetic means, to inhibit poly(A) polymerase.

The tidal influence on oil and gas emissions from an abandoned oil well: Nearshore Summerland, California.

Oil and gas emissions were quantified for natural and human sources in nearshore waters off Summerland, California through deployment of custom designed collection tents. Seepage was measured at a repeatedly abandoned well, on the seabed from a caisson located along the historical location of the Treadwell Wharf, where the world's first off-shore oil wells were drilled at the end of the 19th century. Seepage rates at the capped T-10 Well, located in approximately 5m water, showed high correlation to tides.

Transforming data into practical information: using consumer input to improve home-care services.

Purpose: As funds have increased for the provision of in-home care, so too have concerns about the quality of services. In response, care management agencies and home-care providers have developed an array of monitoring activities designed to ensure the quality of services. In this article, we show how an area agency on aging both collected and used data to improve the quality of a network of in-home services.

Guideline for the management of late-life depression in primary care.

Objective: To develop a guideline for the primary care management of depression in later life based on best practice.

Method: Source material included relevant guidelines, literature reviews and consensus documents coupled with an updated literature review covering 1998-October, 2001. This material was summarised as a series of evidence-based statements and recommendations agreed by consensus.