Intentional Strategic Changes in the National Institute on Aging's RCMAR Program: Broadening its Scope and Reach to Strengthen its Impact.

Since 1997, the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) program, supported by the Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), has served as BSR's flagship mentoring program for early-career scientists from diverse backgrounds. The program has undergone significant changes over time, adapting to meet institutional and societal needs. This article highlights the motivations behind programmatic shifts in the fifth funding cycle (2018-2023) and the guiding principles for RCMAR VI (2023-present).

Ambient Stability of Sodium-Doped Copper Oxide Obtained through Thermal Oxidation.

The ambient stability of copper oxide layers produced through thermal oxidation is a critical factor for their application in advanced photovoltaic devices. This study investigates the long-term stability of thermally grown sodium-doped copper oxides fabricated at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C. The structural, optical, and electronic properties of these oxide layers were examined after a 30-day period to understand how thermal oxidation temperature and sodium doping influence the durability and properties of copper oxide films.

Potential Teratogenicity Effects of Metals on Avian Embryos.

Agricultural areas can provide sources of food and hiding and nesting places for wild birds. Thus, the chemical load of potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cu, Pb) due to industrial and agricultural activities can affect not only the adult birds but also the embryos developing in the egg. The toxic effects of heavy metals applied alone were investigated on chicken embryos in the early and late stages of embryonic development using injection and immersion treatment methods.

Revisiting the dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase inhibitor captopril as a source of pan anti-trypanosomatid agents.

The protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are responsible for continued propagation of neglected tropical diseases such as African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis respectively. Following a report that captopril targets Leishmania donovani dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, a series of simple proline amides and captopril analogues were synthesized and found to exhibit 1-2 μM in vitro inhibition and selectivity against Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp.

Microstructural and micromechanical characteristics of composite osteoconductive coatings deposited by the atmospheric pressure plasma technique.

Long-term placement of facial implants requires avoiding the formation of fibrous tissue capsules around the artificial material by creating osteoconductive properties of the surface. Most promising approach is the deposition coatings made of materials very similar to bone mineral components, that is, calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite (HAp). As part of the research work, an innovative, cost-effective atmospheric pressure plasma deposition (APPD) system was used as a low-temperature coating technology for generating the HAp coatings deposition.

The Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network Research Collaboration: protocol for a longitudinal, multi-university program of work to explore the effect of rurally based medical school programs in the Murray-Darling region.

Introduction: There is now strong evidence to support the positive impact of place-based medical education on the recruitment and retention of the rural health workforce in Australia. Much of this work, however, has been undertaken in the context of 'extended rural clinical placement' - students undertaking part of their medical degree in a rural location. Until recently, there were only a few places in Australia in which students could undertake the entirety of their medical degree in a rural area.

Evaluation of In Vivo Biocompatibility in Preclinical Studies of a Finger Implant Medical Device Correlated with Mechanical Properties and Microstructure.

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the biocompatibility of four 3D-printed biomaterials planned for use in the surgical treatment of finger amputees: Ti-6Al-4 V (Ti64), ZrO-AlO ceramic material (ATZ20), and osteoconductive (anodized Ti64) and antibacterial (Hydroxyapatite, HAp) coatings that adhere well to materials dedicated to finger bone implants. The work concerns the correlation of mechanical, microstructural, and biological properties of dedicated materials. Biological tests consisted of determining the overall cytotoxicity of the organism on the basis of in vivo tests carried out in accordance with the ISO 10993-6 and ISO 10993-11 standards.

Synergistic Effect of Precursor and Interface Engineering Enables High Efficiencies in FAPbI Perovskite Solar Cells.

Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI)-based perovskite solar cells have gained immense popularity over the last few years within the perovskite research community due to their incredible opto-electronic properties and the record power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) achieved by the solar cells. However, FAPbI is vulnerable to phase transitions even at room temperature, which cause structural instability and eventual device failure during operation. We performed post-treatment of the FAPbI surface with octyl ammonium iodide (OAI) in order to stabilize the active phase and preserve the crystal structure of FAPbI.

A Review of CRISPR Tools for Treating Usher Syndrome: Applicability, Safety, Efficiency, and In Vivo Delivery.

This review considers research into the treatment of Usher syndrome, a deaf-blindness syndrome inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Usher syndrome mutations are markedly heterogeneous, involving many different genes, and research grants are limited due to minimal patient populations. Furthermore, gene augmentation therapies are impossible in all but three Usher syndromes as the cDNA sequence exceeds the 4.

Surface-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks for Binding Coronavirus Proteins.

Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, a multitude of strategies have been explored for the means of protection and shielding against virus particles: filtration equipment (PPE) has been widely used in daily life. In this work, we explore another approach in the form of deactivating coronavirus particles through selective binding onto the surface of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to further the fight against the transmission of respiratory viruses. MOFs are attractive materials in this regard, as their rich pore and surface chemistry can easily be modified on demand.

An eggshell-localised annexin plays a key role in the coordination of the life cycle of a plant-parasitic nematode with its host.

Host-specific plant pathogens must coordinate their life cycles with the availability of a host plant. Although this is frequently achieved through a response to specific chemical cues derived from the host plant, little is known about the molecular basis of the response to such cues and how these are used to trigger activation of the life cycle. In host-specific plant-parasitic cyst nematodes, unhatched juvenile nematodes lie dormant in the eggshell until chemical cues from a suitable host plant are detected and the hatching process is initiated.

Domains of Sedentary Behavior and Cognitive Function: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study, 1999/2000 to 2006/2007.

Background: This study examines the relationship between various domains of sedentary behavior and subsequent cognitive function to evaluate whether different sedentary activities have specific associations with future cognitive performance.

Methods: Data were from 1 261 older adults participating in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study between 1999/2000 and 2006/2007. Total sitting time (hours/day), reading time (hours/week), and TV time (≤27/≥28 h/wk) were self-reported at baseline and 3 years later.

The message matters: Advertisement framing and college women's beliefs toward exercise.

Four differently framed group exercise advertisements were used to prompt focus group discussions on beliefs and intentions to exercise. Transcribed data were analyzed with a thematic content approach. Undergraduate female participants described more positive beliefs that influence intention with a well-being-framed advertisement.

Characterization of biomaterials with reference to biocompatibility dedicated for patient-specific finger implants.

Purpose: The research was focused on determining basic mechanical properties, surface, and phase structure taking into consideration basic cytotoxicity analysis towards human cells.

Methods: Biological tests were performed on human C-12302 fibroblasts cells using 3D-printed Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti64), produced by laser-based powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) and Alumina Toughened Zirconia 20 (ATZ20), produced by lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM). Surface modifications included electropolishing and hydroxyapatite or hydroxyapatite/zinc coating.

Antimicrobial materials with improved efficacy dedicated to large craniofacial bone defects after tumor resection.

The research was focused on alternative treatment techniques, separating immediate and long-term reconstruction stages. The work involved development of ceramic materials dedicated to reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint area. They were based on alumina (aluminum oxide) and characterized by varying porosities.

New CRISPR Tools to Correct Pathogenic Mutations in Usher Syndrome.

Inherited retinal degenerations are a leading cause of blindness in the UK. Significant advances have been made to tackle this issue in recent years, with a pioneering FDA approved gene therapy treatment (Luxturna), which targets a loss of function mutation in the gene. However, there remain notable shortcomings to this form of gene replacement therapy.

Wear mechanisms description in nanoscale by SEM/TEM of multilayer Zr/ZrN coatings in dependence on phases ratio.

As a result of loading with an external force during the wear process, coating deforms uniformly. After a certain limit load is exceeded, coating deformation is localised through the formation of the so-called shear bands. It has been showed experimentally the process of shear bands formation.

A specialized Hsp90 co-chaperone network regulates steroid hormone receptor response to ligand.

Heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) chaperone machinery is involved in the stability and activity of its client proteins. The chaperone function of Hsp90 is regulated by co-chaperones and post-translational modifications. Although structural evidence exists for Hsp90 interaction with clients, our understanding of the impact of Hsp90 chaperone function toward client activity in cells remains elusive.

Protocol for a Randomized Multiple Center Trial of Conservative Versus Liberal Oxygenation Targets in Critically Ill Children (Oxy-PICU): Oxygen in Pediatric Intensive Care.

Objectives: Oxygen administration is a fundamental part of pediatric critical care, with supplemental oxygen offered to nearly every acutely unwell child. However, optimal targets for systemic oxygenation are unknown. Oxy-PICU aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a conservative peripheral oxygen saturation (Sp o2 ) target of 88-92% compared with a liberal target of more than 94%.

Interdisciplinary Methods for Zoonotic Tissue Acellularization for Natural Heart Valve Substitute of Biomimetic Materials.

The goal of this work was to create a bioactive tissue-based scaffold using multi-disciplinary engineering materials and tissue engineering techniques. Materials & methods: Physical techniques such as direct laser interference lithography and proton radiation were selected as alternative methods of enzymatic and chemical decellularization to remove cells from a tissue without degradation of the extracellular matrix nor its protein structure. This study was an attempt to prepare a functional scaffold for cell culture from tissue of animal origin using new physical methods that have not been considered before.

Influence of rural clinical school experience and rural origin on practising in rural communities five and eight years after graduation.

Objective: To examine associations between extended medical graduates' rural clinical school (RCS) experience and geographic origins with practising in rural communities five and eight years after graduation.

Design, Participants: Cohort study of 2011 domestic medical graduates from ten Australian medical schools with rural clinical or regional medical schools.

Main Outcome Measures: Practice location types eight years after graduation (2019/2020) as recorded by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, classified as rural or metropolitan according to the 2015 Modified Monash Model; changes in practice location type between postgraduate years 5 (2016/2017) and 8 (2019/2020).

Reproductive toxicological changes in avian embryos due to a pesticide and an environmental contaminant.

Single and simultaneous toxic effects of glyphosate (Amega Up, 360 g L-1, 4%) and copper sulphate (0.01%) were studied in avian embryos treated either with injection directly into the air chamber or by immersion application for 30 min on day 0 of incubation. Alterations of the chicken embryos were evaluated during necropsy performed on day 19 of incubation, together with mortality, body weight and the type of developmental abnormalities.

Rationale and protocol for the Nursing and Allied Health Graduate Outcomes Tracking (NAHGOT) study: a large-scale longitudinal investigation of graduate practice destinations.

Introduction: Inequitable distribution of health workforce limits access to healthcare services and contributes to adverse health outcomes. WHO recommends tracking health professionals from their points of entry into university and over their careers for the purpose of workforce development and planning. Previous research has focused on medical students and graduates' choice of practice location.