Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Remote administration of well-established neuropsychological instruments (TeleNeuropsychological or TeleNP) can reduce assessment wait times and expand access to cognitive assessments for medically compromised and socially disadvantaged patients. A major limitation in the widespread uptake of TeleNP relates to the need for more normative data compared to in-person assessments. This presentation describes a novel ascertainment strategy used in Florida's Older Adults TeleNeuropsychology (FLOAT) project to identify and recruit "cognitively healthy" older adults to norm well-established neuropsychological instruments administered remotely.

Anticholinergic Medication Burden and Cognitive Subtypes in Parkinson's Disease without Dementia.

Objective: Cognitive changes are heterogeneous in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study compared whether anticholinergic burden drives differences in cognitive domain performance and empirically-derived PD-cognitive phenotypes.

Method: A retrospective chart review contained participants (n = 493) who had idiopathic PD without dementia.

Greater Apathy Associated With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: Apathy, a motivational disorder, is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and often misdiagnosed as depression. Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with increased apathy in adolescents and adults with depression. Based on observations that serotonin may downregulate dopaminergic systems, we examined the relationship between apathy and SSRI use in individuals with PD.

VDR, SOD-2, and CYP24A1 Gene Expression in Different Genotypes of BsmI SNP of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene in Individuals with Hypovitaminosis.

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is a public health problem due to its implications for various diseases. Vitamin D has numerous functions, such as modulating the metabolism of cellular tissues, and it is expressed through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene that may influence gene expression modulation, which plays an important role in vitamin D metabolism.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the genotypes of BsmI single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the VDR gene on VDR, SOD2, and CYP24A1 gene expression in individuals with low serum vitamin D levels.

Black skin color but not VDR gene represent a risk factor for low serum levels of vitamin D in self-declared black individuals.

Background: The absorption of vitamin D occurs via two main pathways: first, through the biosynthesis in the skin under the exposure of UV from sunlight; and second, through the intake of certain foods. However, its levels can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, which can generate changes such as vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D), a condition that black adults have a high potential to suffer from.

Objective: The aim of this work is to study the association of skin color (self-reported: black, brown and white), food consumption, and the BsmI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) on serum levels of vitamin D in a group of adults.

Assessment of a Peer Physician Coaching Partnership Between a Designated Cancer Center Genetics Service and a Community Cancer Network Hospital.

Background: Patients with cancer seen in rural and underserved areas disproportionately face barriers to access genetic services. Genetic testing is critical to inform treatment decisions, for early detection of another cancer, and to identify at-risk family members who may benefit from screening and prevention.

Objective: To examine medical oncologists' genetic testing ordering trends for patients with cancer.

Unpacking the NIH Toolbox Emotion Battery in Persons With Parkinson's disease.

Objective: Examine the relationship between the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Emotion Battery (Emotion Toolbox) and traditional measures in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method: Persons with PD (n = 30) and cognitively healthy older adults (OA; n = 40) completed the Emotion Toolbox consisting of Well-Being, Negative Affect, and Social Satisfaction scores along with traditional measures of depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]), and apathy (Apathy Scale [AS]); total raw scores).

Results: Separate bootstrapped analyses of covariance indicated that the PD group scored higher on BDI-II and STAI-State compared to OA (ps < .

The Val16Ala MnSOD gene polymorphism is associated with hypertension in self-declared black individuals.

Hypertension is the leading contributor to cardiovascular disease worldwide; the prevalence of hypertension is higher among black adults than other racial/ethnic groups. One of the cellular defense mechanisms against reactive oxygen species are the antioxidants, such as the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the influence of the SNP Val16Ala of the SOD2 gene on oxidative stress and hypertension in a community population of self-declared black individuals in southern Brazil.

Does the use of compression garments increase venous stasis in the common femoral vein?

Background: Abdominoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures in plastic surgery. The impact of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after this operation is well described and is a feared complication. Most plastic surgeons recommend the use of compression garment after this procedure.

Rice body formation without rheumatic disease or tuberculosis infection: a case report and literature review.

Rice body formation is an uncommon inflammatory disorder associated with systemic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis infection. The pathophysiology of rice bodies is poorly understood. We describe a case of rice body formation in a 51-year-old male who presented with pain and swelling of the left wrist.