Costs of Forced Retirement: Measuring the Effect of Lost Work Opportunity on Health.

Objective: Unemployment is a known health stressor that also increases early retirements. This study addresses mixed literature on retiree health and underreporting of forced retirement to better identify potential health impacts of lost work opportunity.

Methods: A Lost-work Opportunity Score (LOS) was created using variables from the Health and Retirement Study assessing unemployment, forced retirement, and earlier-than-planned retirement for 2576 respondents.

A Mixed-Methods Examination of Lost Occupational Choice in Retirement.

Lost work opportunity and forced retirement demonstrate negative health impacts related to occupational deprivation. Measuring occupational loss during the retirement transition can be problematic. The objective of the study is to clarify measurement of involuntary retirement in its relationship to occupational loss and deprivation.

Phytoplankton Producer Species and Transformation of Released Compounds over Time Define Bacterial Communities following Phytoplankton Dissolved Organic Matter Pulses.

Phytoplankton-bacterium interactions are mediated, in part, by phytoplankton-released dissolved organic matter (DOMp). Two factors that shape the bacterial community accompanying phytoplankton are (i) the phytoplankton producer species, defining the initial composition of released DOMp, and (ii) the DOMp transformation over time. We added phytoplankton DOMp from the diatom Skeletonema marinoi and the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus MIT9312 to natural bacterial communities from the eastern Mediterranean and determined the bacterial responses over a time course of 72 h in terms of cell numbers, bacterial production, alkaline phosphatase activity, and changes in active bacterial community composition based on rRNA amplicon sequencing.

Single-cell measurements and modelling reveal substantial organic carbon acquisition by Prochlorococcus.

Marine phytoplankton are responsible for about half of the photosynthesis on Earth. Many are mixotrophs, combining photosynthesis with heterotrophic assimilation of organic carbon, but the relative contribution of these two lifestyles is unclear. Here single-cell measurements reveal that Prochlorococcus at the base of the photic zone in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea obtain only ~20% of carbon required for growth by photosynthesis.

Opioid misuse viewed through person and place in the rural West.

Objective: This article overviews the current statistics and factors related to increased rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural areas, uncovering factors that may contribute to increased vulnerability to opioid overdose. We qualitatively review opinions, feelings, and thoughts surrounding this issue in rural areas of Utah, analyzing participant stories in reference to three themes through qualitative interviews, including the solitude of addiction, the beguiling strength of addiction, and one way out of addiction.

Design: In 2018, three focus groups were convened with 25 individuals from the rural area.

Phytoplankton exudates provide full nutrition to a subset of accompanying heterotrophic bacteria via carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus allocation.

Marine bacteria rely on phytoplankton exudates as carbon sources (DOCp). Yet, it is unclear to what extent phytoplankton exudates also provide nutrients such as phytoplankton-derived N and P (DONp, DOPp). We address these questions by mesocosm exudate addition experiments with spent media from the ubiquitous pico-cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus to bacterial communities in contrasting ecosystems in the Eastern Mediterranean - a coastal and an open-ocean, oligotrophic station with and without on-top additions of inorganic nutrients.

Active DNRA and denitrification in oxic hypereutrophic waters.

Since the start of synthetic fertilizer production more than a hundred years ago, the coastal ocean has been exposed to increasing nutrient loading, which has led to eutrophication and extensive algal blooms. Such hypereutrophic waters might harbor anaerobic nitrogen (N) cycling processes due to low-oxygen microniches associated with abundant organic particles, but studies on nitrate reduction in coastal pelagic environments are scarce. Here, we report on N isotope-labeling experiments, metagenome, and RT-qPCR data from a large hypereutrophic lagoon indicating that dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification were active processes, even though the bulk water was fully oxygenated (> 224 µM O).

Nitrogen Flow in Diazotrophic Cyanobacterium Is Altered by Cyanophage Infection.

Viruses can significantly influence cyanobacteria population dynamics and activity, and through this the biogeochemical cycling of major nutrients. However, surprisingly little attention has been given to understand how viral infections alter the ability of diazotrophic cyanobacteria for atmospheric nitrogen fixation and its release to the environment. This study addressed the importance of cyanophages for net N assimilation rate, expression of nitrogenase reductase gene () and changes in nitrogen enrichment (N/N) in the diazotrophic cyanobacterium during infection by the cyanophage vB_AphaS-CL131.

Cells Rely on Microbial Interactions Rather than on Chlorotic Resting Stages To Survive Long-Term Nutrient Starvation.

Many microorganisms produce resting cells with very low metabolic activity that allow them to survive phases of prolonged nutrient or energy stress. In cyanobacteria and some eukaryotic phytoplankton, the production of resting stages is accompanied by a loss of photosynthetic pigments, a process termed chlorosis. Here, we show that a chlorosis-like process occurs under multiple stress conditions in axenic laboratory cultures of , the dominant phytoplankton linage in large regions of the oligotrophic ocean and a global key player in ocean biogeochemical cycles.

Boundaries of the Construct of Unemployment in the Preretirement Years: Exploring an Expanded Measurement of Lost-Work Opportunity.

There is uncertainty related to whether retirement negatively affects health-possibly due to complexity around retirement decisions. Lost-work opportunity through unemployment or forced retirement has been shown to negatively affect health. Lost-work opportunity can be captured in two measurement fields, either a reported experience of being forced into retirement or reported unemployment.

Distinctive tasks of different cyanobacteria and associated bacteria in carbon as well as nitrogen fixation and cycling in a late stage Baltic Sea bloom.

Cyanobacteria and associated heterotrophic bacteria hold key roles in carbon as well as nitrogen fixation and cycling in the Baltic Sea due to massive cyanobacterial blooms each summer. The species specific activities of different cyanobacterial species as well as the N- and C-exchange of associated heterotrophic bacteria in these processes, however, are widely unknown. Within one time series experiment we tested the cycling in a natural, late stage cyanobacterial bloom by adding 13C bi-carbonate and 15N2, and performed sampling after 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h in order to determine the fixing species as well as the fate of the fixed carbon and nitrogen in the associations.

Factors regulating the coastal nutrient filter in the Baltic Sea.

The coastal zone of the Baltic Sea is diverse with strong regional differences in the physico-chemical setting. This diversity is also reflected in the importance of different biogeochemical processes altering nutrient and organic matter fluxes on the passage from land to sea. This review investigates the most important processes for removal of nutrients and organic matter, and the factors that regulate the efficiency of the coastal filter.

Application of machine learning for diagnostic prediction of root caries.

Objective: This study sought to utilise machine learning methods in artificial intelligence to select the most relevant variables in classifying the presence and absence of root caries and to evaluate the model performance.

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral health problems. Artificial intelligence can be used to develop models for identification of root caries risk and to gain valuable insights, but it has not been applied in dentistry.

Validation of a photophobia symptom impact scale.

Background: Routine assessment of photophobia in the clinical setting may underestimate the presence and severity of this condition. We aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to improve evaluation of the impact of photophobia on activities of daily living, and to determine the relationship of this questionnaire to psychophysical assessment of light sensitivity thresholds.

Methods: We developed the 17-item Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale (UPSIS-17) and compared its psychometric properties to the 8-item Korean Photophobia Questionnaire (KUMC-8).

Minimal Clinically Important Difference After Carpal Tunnel Release Using the PROMIS Platform.

Purpose: In light of recently-proposed quality measures for carpal tunnel release (CTR), elucidating the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for selected outcome measures will be important when interpreting treatment responses. Our purpose was to estimate the MCID of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments and the short Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) following CTR.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing isolated unilateral CTR between July 2014 and October 2016 were identified.

Evaluation of Version 2.0 of the PROMIS Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test in Nonshoulder Upper Extremity Patients.

Purpose: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test (UE CAT) was recently updated to version 2.0 (v2.0).

Assessing spousal support and health in an aging population: support and strain amidst changing social dynamics.

This study examined the role of relationship quality on physical and psychological health among older adults. It included 2,298 adults aged 50 and older who participated in the Midlife in the US national longitudinal study of health and well-being. We assessed the effect of spousal support and strain on psychological and physical health, controlling for age, education, income, depression levels and prior health.

Psychometric evaluation of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function and Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Test for subacromial impingement syndrome.

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) was previously validated for rotator cuff disease and shoulder instability. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) CAT, PROMIS Pain Interference (PI) CAT, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Function Score for subacromial impingement syndrome.

Methods: PROMIS PF CAT, PI CAT, and ASES (Pain, Function, Total) were collected on all visits for 2 surgeons between January 2016 and August 2016.

Health Effects of Late-Career Unemployment.

Job loss has a demonstrated negative impact on physical and mental health. Involuntary retirement has also been linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. This study examined whether late-career unemployment is related to involuntary retirement and health declines postretirement.

Responsiveness of the PROMIS and FAAM Instruments in Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Population.

Background:: Investigating the responsiveness of an instrument is important in order to provide meaningful interpretation of clinical outcomes. This study examined the responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF), the PROMIS Pain Interference (PI), and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Sports subscale in an orthopedic sample with foot and ankle ailments.

Methods:: Patients presenting to an orthopedic foot and ankle clinic during the years 2014-2017 responded to the PROMIS and FAAM instruments prior to their clinical appointments.

PROMIS and FAAM Minimal Clinically Important Differences in Foot and Ankle Orthopedics.

Background:: Establishing score points that reflect meaningful change from the patient perspective is important for interpreting patient-reported outcomes. This study estimated the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) values of 2 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Sports subscale within a foot and ankle orthopedic population.

Methods:: Patients seen for foot and ankle conditions at an orthopedic clinic were administered the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) v1.

Evaluating the Prediction of Breast Cancer Survival Using Lymph Node Ratio.

Purpose: Previous oncological studies showed that lymph node ratio (LNR) (ratio of number of lymph nodes that tested positive for metastasis to the total number of lymph nodes examined) is a negative indicator of cancer survival. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system incorporates tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis in a comprehensive model of cancer progression, but LNR alone has been shown to outperform the AJCC system in prognostic and survival predictions for various types of cancer. The effectiveness of LNR has not been evaluated in breast cancer staging.

What Are the MCIDs for PROMIS, NDI, and ODI Instruments Among Patients With Spinal Conditions?

Background: As new Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments are incorporated into clinical practice, determining how large a change on these instruments represents a clinically relevant difference is important; the metric that describes this is the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Prior research on MCIDs of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) has produced values ranging from 5 to 10 points, but these measures have not been presented in relation to MCID values of PROMIS instruments.

Questions/purposes: To establish a comprehensive repository of MCID values calculated both with distribution-based and anchor-based methods for four outcomes instruments in spine care, we asked: (1) What are the MCIDs of the PROMIS Physical Function (PF); (2) the PROMIS Pain Interference (PI); (3) the NDI; and (4) the ODI among spine patients?

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of previously tested diagnostic measures on 1945 consecutive patients with a reference standard applied.

Modified dynamic gait index and limits of stability in myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking tests in relation to self-reported fall history in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Methods: Twenty-two (13 male) participants with DM1 completed, a 6-month fall history questionnaire, the modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI), limits of stability (LoS) testing, and 10-m walking tests.

Results: Mean (SD) falls in 6 months was 3.