COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths predicted by SARS-CoV-2 levels in Boise, Idaho wastewater.

The viral load of COVID-19 in untreated wastewater from Idaho's capital city Boise, ID (Ada County) has been used to predict changes in hospital admissions (statewide in Idaho) and deaths (Ada County) using distributed fixed lag modeling and artificial neural networks (ANN). The wastewater viral counts were used to determine the lag time between peaks in wastewater viral counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations as well as deaths (14 and 23 days, respectively). Quantitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA counts in the untreated wastewater was determined three times a week using RT-qPCR over a span of 13 months.

A Mediterranean Diet and Walking Intervention to Reduce Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk in Independently Living Older Australians: The MedWalk Randomized Controlled Trial Experimental Protocol, Including COVID-19 Related Modifications and Baseline Characteristics.

Background: Several clinical trials have examined diet and physical activity lifestyle changes as mitigation strategies for risk factors linked to cognitive decline and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the ability to modify these behaviors longer term, to impact cognitive health has remained elusive.

Objective: The MedWalk trial's primary aim is to investigate whether longer-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and regular walking, delivered through motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (MI-CBT), can reduce age-associated cognitive decline and other dementia risk factors in older, independently living individuals without cognitive impairment.

Correction: Ehlenfeldt et al. Asymmetric Reciprocal Crossing Behavior of an Andean Blueberry () × Lingonberry () Hybrid. 2022, , 3152.

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Assessing the Feasibility of Conducting Smoking Cessation Outreach in Food Pantries: A Pilot Intervention Study.

Introduction: Smoking prevalence is high among US adults with food insecurity. This study examined how food assistance settings, namely food pantries, can serve as a community-based venue to reach food insecure adults who smoke for smoking cessation.

Methods: Partnering with a local hunger relief organization, we conducted surveys and focus groups of food pantry clients in Greater Cleveland, Ohio, followed by food pantry-based outreach events to connect people who smoke to the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line.

Permafrost thaw induces short-term increase in vegetation productivity in northwestern Canada.

Over the past several decades, various trends in vegetation productivity, from increases to decreases, have been observed throughout Arctic-Boreal ecosystems. While some of this variation can be explained by recent climate warming and increased disturbance, very little is known about the impacts of permafrost thaw on productivity across diverse vegetation communities. Active layer thickness data from 135 permafrost monitoring sites along a 10° latitudinal transect of the Northwest Territories, Canada, paired with a Landsat time series of normalized difference vegetation index from 1984 to 2019, were used to quantify the impacts of changing permafrost conditions on vegetation productivity.

Liver and inflammatory biomarker relationships to depression symptoms in healthy older adults.

Introduction: Early identification and management of physical and mental illness is vital to maintain quality of life as we age. Markers of peripheral inflammation and liver function show elevations with aging, and are also associated with depression symptoms, suggesting a similar pattern in both aging and clinical groups.

Methods: The current study examined the relationship between such markers and measures of depression/negative mood in 284 healthy older adults using data from the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI).

Investigating the Effects of a Multinutrient Supplement on Cognition, Mood and Biochemical Markers in Middle-Aged Adults with 'Optimal' and 'Sub-Optimal' Diets: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial.

Previous randomized controlled trials examining cognitive and mood effects of combination multivitamin supplements in healthy, non-clinical adults have reported mixed results. One purported explanation for this is that the dietary status of participants at the start of supplement interventions may influence the magnitude of the effect of supplementation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a multinutrient formula containing B group vitamins, and on memory, attention, mood and biochemical markers of nutrient status in middle-aged adults ( 52.

Asymmetric Reciprocal Crossing Behavior of an Andean Blueberry (V. meridionale) × Lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea) Hybrid.

The fertility and crossing behavior of a tetraploid hybrid of 4x Andean blueberry (V. meridionale) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea) was evaluated through a series of crosses.

A Multimodal Pain Management Strategy for Burn Patients.

Background: Acute burn pain is difficult to manage, and poorly managed pain can lead to deleterious consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder, prolonged recovery, chronic pain and long-term dependence on opioids. Understanding the role of nursing in promoting self-efficacy and minimizing opioid use is valuable. It is unknown whether strategic efforts aimed at enhancing patient self-efficacy will improve pain managment and lessen opioid requirements in the adult burn population.

A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial of Vigabatrin in the Management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal.

Objective: To undertake a double blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of vigabatrin, a GABA-transaminase inhibitor, as a benzodiazepine sparing agent in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a residential setting.

Methods: We enrolled 120 patients with alcohol use disorder who were randomly assigned to either treatment with vigabatrin (2g/day for 4 days) or placebo. The primary outcome was defined as the number of participants in each treatment arm needing diazepam for withdrawal management.

Factors associated with patient experiences of the burden of using medicines and health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications, is a growing concern globally. This study aimed to identify the significant factors that predict the perceived burden of medication and health-related quality of life.

Methods: Adults, aged 18 years and above who have used at least two regular medicines, were invited to complete the study questionnaires between June and October 2019.

High-Density Linkage Map Construction and QTL Identification in a Diploid Blueberry Mapping Population.

Genotyping by sequencing approaches have been widely applied in major crops and are now being used in horticultural crops like berries and fruit trees. As the original and largest producer of cultivated blueberry, the United States maintains the most diverse blueberry germplasm resources comprised of many species of different ploidy levels. We previously constructed an interspecific mapping population of diploid blueberry by crossing the parent F#10 ( Fla4B × diploid W85-20) with the parent W85-23 (diploid ).

The effects of alcohol intoxication on cognitive functions critical for driving: A systematic review.

Alcohol is the most frequently detected substance in drivers involved in road traffic collisions. Given that up to 35% of fatal road collisions are alcohol-related, it is important to determine the influence of alcohol intoxication on driving-related skills. This review provides an updated and systematic evaluation of the available research concerning the effect of alcohol intoxication on cognitive functions critical for driving.

Chemical surface modification of lithium disilicate needles of a silica-based ceramic after HF-etching and ultrasonic bath cleaning: Impact on the chemical bonding with silane.

Objective: Recommendations to obtain the best bonding to silica-based ceramics are to prepare its surface by hydrofluoric-acid HF etching and regular application of a silane. This study investigated how the HF-etching following by ultrasonic water bath cleaning (recommended protocol to improve the bonding with a composite resin), modifies the surface chemistry of a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and impacts the chemical bonding with silane.

Methods: Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic discs (IPS Emax Press, Ivoclar Vivadent) were mirror polished, etched with 9% HF for 20 s and rinsed 1 min under water.

Kava for generalised anxiety disorder: A 16-week double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Previous randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown that Kava (a South Pacific medicinal plant) reduced anxiety during short-term administration. The objective of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to perform a larger, longer-term trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Kava in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder and to determine whether gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter (SLC6A1) single-nucleotide polymorphisms were moderators of response.

Methods: The trial was a phase III, multi-site, two-arm, 16-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating an aqueous extract of dried Kava root administered twice per day in tablet form (standardised to 120 mg of kavalactones twice/day) in 171 currently non-medicated anxious participants with diagnosed generalised anxiety disorder.

Lessons Learned from the CORE Group Polio Project and Their Relevance for Other Global Health Priorities.

Despite numerous setbacks, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has implemented various community strategies with potential application for other global health issues. This article reviews strategies implemented by the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP), including pursuit of the missed child, microplanning, independent campaign monitoring, using community health workers and community mobilizers to build community engagement, community-based surveillance, development of the capacity to respond to other health needs, targeting geographic areas at high risk, the secretariat model for non-governmental organization collaboration, and registration of vital events. These strategies have the potential for contributing to the reduction of child and maternal mortality in hard-to-reach, underserved populations around the world.

The CORE Group Polio Project: An Overview of Its History and Its Contributions to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

The CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) has contributed to polio eradication by successfully engaging civil society, particularly the non-governmental organization (NGO) community. This engagement, which began with a grant from the U.S.

Transcriptome analysis identifies genes related to the waxy coating on blueberry fruit in two northern-adapted rabbiteye breeding populations.

Background: Blueberry is of high economic value. Most blueberry varieties selected for the fresh market have an appealing light blue coating or "bloom" on the fruit due to the presence of a visible heavy epicuticular wax layer. This waxy layer also serves as natural defense against fruit desiccation and deterioration.

Dataset of assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome of blueberry ( spp.).

Blueberry is an economically important berry crop. Both production and consumption of blueberries have increased sharply worldwide in recent years at least partly due to their known health benefits. The development of improved genomic resources for blueberry, such as a well-assembled genome and transcriptome, could accelerate breeding through genomic-assisted approaches.

Exploring the Capabilities of Harmony for Upper-Limb Stroke Therapy.

Harmony is a bimanual upper-limb exoskeleton designed for post-stroke rehabilitation. It moves the subject's shoulders and arms through their entire ranges of motion while maintaining natural coordination, is capable of force/torque control of each joint, and is equipped with sensors to measure motions and interaction forces. With these capabilities Harmony has the potential to assess motor function and create individualized therapy regimens.

When should the driver with a history of substance misuse be allowed to return to the wheel? A review of the substance misuse section of the Australian national guidelines.

Assessing fitness to drive in applicants with a historical or current substance use disorder presents a specific clinical challenge. The Australian guidelines require evidence of remission and absence of cognitive change when considering applications for re-licensing driver or individuals applying to reengage in safety-sensitive work. This paper reviews some of the clinical and biochemical indicators that determine whether a particular person is in 'remission' and meets the criteria for return to driving or other safety-sensitive occupation.

Understanding vaccine hesitancy in polio eradication in northern Nigeria.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy constitutes a major threat to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and to further expansion of routine immunisation. Understanding hesitancy, leading in some cases to refusal, is vital to the success of GPEI. Re-emergence of circulating wild poliovirus in northern Nigeria in mid-2016, after 24months polio-free, gives urgency to this.

Managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults using illicit psychostimulants: A systematic review.

Context: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and stimulant use disorder commonly co-exist, and appropriate treatments have not been well established.

Objective: To provide guidance for treatment of co-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and stimulant use disorder.

Data Sources: A systematic review of published English articles using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane, utilising consistent search terms.