Modifiable risk factors for mild cognitive impairment among cognitively normal community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although numerous studies have investigated modifiable risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among community-dwelling seniors, no meta-analysis has summarized these findings. Five databases were searched from January 1, 2000, to December 30, 2023. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO.

Total Synthesis and Structure Confirmation of () and ()-Ocellenyne.

The (/)-ocellenynes are C dibrominated natural products whose structures have been subject to several reassignments on the basis of extensive NMR analysis, biosynthetic postulates, and DFT calculations. Herein, we report the synthesis of both ()- and ()-ocellenyne, which, in combination with single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, allows their absolute configuration to be established and defines the configuration of the -12,13-dibromide as being (, ) in keeping with their proposed biogenesis from the (6, 7)-laurediols.

Translation and validation of the Reaction to Impairment and Disability Inventory for Chinese population in Hong Kong.

Purpose: This study translated the reaction to impairment and disability inventory (RIDI) to Chinese and validated it for use in Hong Kong.

Methods: We conducted an instrument validation of the Chinese RIDI, with a sample of 244 persons with CID. The research questionnaire collected demographic information, illness-related variables, the Chinese version of RIDI (C-RIDI), and measures of resilience and well-being.

Nivolumab versus placebo in patients with relapsed malignant mesothelioma (CONFIRM): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Background: No phase 3 trial has yet shown improved survival for patients with pleural or peritoneal malignant mesothelioma who have progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in these patients.

Methods: This was a multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, randomised, phase 3 trial done in 24 hospitals in the UK.

Spontaneous Intramuscular Abscesses Involving the Rotator Cuff Muscles in Two Cases Presenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Spontaneous abscesses involving the rotator cuff muscles are a rare surgical occurrence. Patients with such abscesses are often initially misdiagnosed or there is a significant diagnostic delay. Herein, we report one case of a spontaneous intramuscular abscess involving the subscapularis muscle and a second case of an abscess involving the supraspinatus muscle.

Can a modified theory of planned behavior explain the effects of empowerment education for people with type 2 diabetes?

Background: The effectiveness of the Patient Empowerment Program (PEP) has been demonstrated in people with diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the underlying reasons for its effectiveness remain unclear. To improve effectiveness, we need to study the psychological mechanism(s) of PEP to understand why it is effective. This study hypothesized that the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), modified specifically for people with DM, could describe the mechanism explaining PEP effects.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Complex Tricyclic Oxonium Ions, Proposed Intermediates in Natural Product Biosynthesis.

Reactive intermediates frequently play significant roles in the biosynthesis of numerous classes of natural products although the direct observation of these biosynthetically relevant species is rare. We present here direct evidence for the existence of complex, thermally unstable, tricyclic oxonium ions that have been postulated as key reactive intermediates in the biosynthesis of numerous halogenated natural products from species. Evidence for their existence comes from full characterization of these oxonium ions by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, coupled with the direct generation of 10 natural products on exposure of the oxonium ions to various nucleophiles.

Reliability of measurements for sub-painful and painful perception on artificial electrical stimulations.

Artificial electrical stimulation is a common type of stimulus to induce sub-painful and painful sensation in clinical or neuroscience experiments. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) is often used to evaluate subjective perception due to external stimulations. Yet the relationship between the intensity levels of electrical stimulations and self-perception has seldom been examined.

Salience of Somatosensory Stimulus Modulating External-to-Internal Orienting Attention.

Shifting between one's external and internal environments involves orienting attention. Studies on differentiating subprocesses associated with external-to-internal orienting attention are limited. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of the disengagement, shifting and reengagement subprocesses by using somatosensory external stimuli and internally generated images.

A latent profile analysis on patient empowerment programme in a Hong Kong primary care setting.

Objective: This study identified the profiles of subgroups of type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients of the Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP) by different levels of benefits gained in diabetic self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, and health literacy.

Methods: This study adopted a non-experimental repeated-measures design on T2DM patients who joined PEP, using structured questionnaires. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify patterns of participants' change on the outcome measures.

Chinese Calligraphy Writing for Augmenting Attentional Control and Working Memory of Older Adults at Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Nonpharmacological intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) needs further investigation.

Objective: Test efficacy of an eight-week Chinese calligraphy writing training course in improving attentional control and working memory.

Methods: Ninety-nine participants with MCI were randomized into the eight-week calligraphy writing (n = 48) or control (tablet computer) training (n = 51).

Generalization of Context-Specific Training in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Event-Related Potential Study.

Background: This study examined the neural processes associated with the generalization of the effect of context-specific (CS) training to noncontextual situations among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Fourteen and 16 participants with MCI were randomly allocated to a Chinese calligraphy writing (CW) training or a control group, respectively. The CW participants learned how to write Chinese strokes in a semicursive style to construct characters, tapping on working memory functions.

Filling potholes on the implementation highway: Evaluating the implementation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in Los Angeles County.

In October 2012, first 5 LA funded a unique collaboration between Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and UC Davis PCIT Training Center (UCD PCIT) to train county-contracted agencies to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This $20 million dollar, 5-year grant represented the largest implementation effort of an empirically based treatment to date. The purpose of this paper was to describe the first 2 years of the implementation process of this project, beginning with project start up and pre-implementation phases, and to present agency training and client performance outcomes from our first year of training.

Differentiating cognitive functions of poststroke patients with specific brain lesions: A preliminary study on the clinical utility of Cognistat-P.

The Cognistat is widely used to measure the cognitive profile of neurological patients. This study aimed to further obtain evidence on the construct and discriminative validity of the Putonghua version of the Cognistat (Cognistat-P) on poststroke patients with specific brain lesions. Cognistat-P was administered to poststroke patients (n = 98), as well as healthy elderly (n = 40) and adult (n = 34) participants as the control groups.

A conceptual model of patient-professional communication as a self-management skill: A latent growth change modeling.

Background: Patient Communication with healthcare professionals is an integral self-management skill. Yet the underlying mechanisms explaining how such communication might be enhanced across time have not been well studied.

Objectives: Based on the transtheoretical model, the study aimed to develop an across-time Attitude-Social Influence-Efficacy model in order to explain changes in participants' patient-professional communication behaviors in the Chronic Disease Self-management Program (CDSMP).

Tuning cellular response by modular design of bioactive domains in collagen.

Collagen's ability to direct cellular behavior suggests that redesigning it at the molecular level could enable manipulation of cells residing in an engineered microenvironment. However, the fabrication of full-length collagen mimics of specified sequence de novo has been elusive, and applications still rely on material from native tissues. Using a bottom-up strategy, we synthesized modular genes and expressed recombinant human collagen variants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

First cases of KPC-type carbapenemase-producing bacteria in patients in New Zealand hospitals.

The emergence and global spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) is a significant public health problem. Between October 2010 and July 2013, KPC-producing K. pneumoniae were isolated from four patients in New Zealand hospitals.

Early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer at diagnosis: a prospective study using a novel panel of TMPRSS2:ETS fusion gene markers.

We explore noninvasive clinical applications of multiple disease-specific fusion markers recently discovered in prostate cancer to predict the risk of cancer occurrence and aggressiveness at diagnosis. A total of 92 men who were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screened and scheduled for diagnostic biopsy were enrolled for this study. Prospectively collected urine was blind coded for laboratory tests.

Simultaneous quantification of mitochondrial DNA damage and copy number in circulating blood: a sensitive approach to systemic oxidative stress.

Systemic oxidative stress is associated with a wide range of pathological conditions. Oxidative DNA damage is frequently measured in circulating lymphocytes. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is known to be more sensitive to oxidative damage than nuclear DNA but is rarely used for direct measurement of DNA damage in clinical studies.

One-year follow-up of Chinese people with spinal cord injury: a preliminary study.

Background: A tertiary spinal cord injury (SCI) center was established in the northern region of Hong Kong, China and a multidisciplinary SCI rehabilitation program was developed to reintegrate patients into the community.

Objective: To investigate functional outcomes for Chinese people with SCI across a 1-year period.

Design: Longitudinal prospective design.

RNA preservation in decalcified cochlear samples.

Hypothesis: Decalcification of cochlear samples in Morse's solution after methacarn fixation provides greater RNA quantification and morphologic preservation of cochlear structures as compared with EDTA and formic acid decalcifying solutions after methacarn fixation.

Background: A variety of fixatives and decalcifying agents can fragment or chemically alter RNA in samples inhibiting their isolation and quantification. Morphologic alterations can also be observed in light microscopy analyses.

Orienting attention modulates pain perception: an ERP study.

Introduction: Research has shown that people with chronic pain have difficulty directing their attention away from pain. A mental strategy that incorporates focused attention and distraction has been found to modulate the perception of pain intensity. That strategy involves placing attention on the nociceptive stimulus felt and shifting attention to a self-generated sub-nociceptive image and rehearsing it.

Influence of microsurgical varicocelectomy on human sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number: a pilot study.

Background: There is good evidence to show that varicocele repair can improve conventional sperm parameters, as well as, sperm DNA integrity, in infertile men with a clinical varicocele.

Objective: To examine the effect of varicocelectomy on sperm quality, specifically, sperm nuclear chromatin integrity and sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A prospective study done between March 2007 and January 2008.

Mitochondrial DNA damage is sensitive to exogenous H(2)O(2) but independent of cellular ROS production in prostate cancer cells.

Intrinsic oxidative stress through enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prostate and other cancers may contribute to cancer progression due to its stimulating effect on cancer growth. In this study, we investigate differential responses to exogenous oxidative stimuli between aggressive prostate cancer and normal cell lines and explore potential mechanisms through interactions between cytotoxicity, cellular ROS production and oxidative DNA damage. The circular, multi-copy mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is used as a sensitive surrogate to oxidative DNA damage.