A robust depolymerization route for polysiloxanes.

A versatile, robust, and stable tetrabutylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate (TBAT) catalyst has been deployed for efficient depolymerization of silicones. This catalyst is soluble in a variety of organic solvents and is stable up to 170 °C, enabling a wide range of reaction conditions under which F-catalysed siloxane bond cleavage can be initiated. This effort offers significant advancement overcoming the traditional limitations of silicone depolymerization, such as high catalyst loading, storage and handling, and few viable reaction media.

Quantification of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins in the vaginal secretions of pre- and postmenopausal women with and without prolapse.

Objectives: Cellular senescence has been proposed as a pathophysiologic driver in the development of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), especially during aging. In this study, we aimed to determine if markers of cell senescence can be quantified from vaginal secretions collected from pre- and postmenopausal women with and without POP.

Methods: Vaginal swabs were collected from 81 women in four groups: premenopausal with (pre-P) and without prolapse (pre-NP), and postmenopausal with (post-P) and without prolapse (post-NP).

Three-dimensional (3D) area and volume measurements for rhinoplasty.

Background: Morphometric changes achieved in rhinoplasty are mostly analyzed on two-dimensional (2D) images. However, most of these alterations are amenable to three-dimensional (3D) analysis.

Objectives: Objective measurements for rhinoplasty are currently done on 2D photographic analyses.

Anatomic relationships of the clitoral body, bulbs of the vestibule, and urethra.

Background: Although recent studies have enhanced our understanding of the anatomy of the clitoris and its somatic innervation, less emphasis has been placed on the anatomic relationships of the clitoris to its surrounding structures.

Objective: This study aimed to further characterize the gross and histologic relationships of the clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and urethra.

Study Design: Detailed dissections were performed in 30 unembalmed female cadavers.

Evaluation of 13,466 Fecal Immunochemical Tests in Patients Attending Primary Care for High- and Low-Risk Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer.

Aim/objective: Quantitative fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) were recommended by NICE for patients in primary care presenting with low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC). FIT is more accurate in the detection of CRC than symptom criteria. Despite this, CRC still occurs with a negative FIT and the importance of safety netting for patients with severe or persistent symptoms is paramount.

Assessment of non-directed computer-use behaviours in the home can indicate early cognitive impairment: A proof of principle longitudinal study.

Objectives: Computer-use behaviours can provide useful information about an individual's cognitive and functional abilities. However, little research has evaluated unaided and non-directed home computer-use. In this proof of principle study, we explored whether computer-use behaviours recorded during routine home computer-use i) could discriminate between individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ii) were associated with cognitive and functional scores; and iii) changed over time.

A comparison of post-saccadic oscillations in European-Born and China-Born British University Undergraduates.

Previous research has revealed that people from different genetic, racial, biological, and/or cultural backgrounds may display fundamental differences in eye-tracking behavior. These differences may have a cognitive origin or they may be at a lower level within the neurophysiology of the oculomotor network, or they may be related to environment factors. In this paper we investigated one of the physiological aspects of eye movements known as post-saccadic oscillations and we show that this type of eye movement is very different between two different populations.

Association of peripheral artery disease with life-space mobility restriction and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: Symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) impairs walking, but data on the impact of PAD on community mobility is limited. Life-space mobility measures the distance, frequency, and assistance needed as older adults move through geographic areas extending from their bedroom (life-space mobility score: 0) to beyond their town (life-space mobility score: 120). We evaluated the association of PAD with longitudinal life-space mobility trajectory.

The Effects of Previous Error and Success in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

This work investigated in Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD), whether the probability of making an error on a task (or a correct response) was influenced by the outcome of the previous trials. We used the antisaccade task (AST) as a model task given the emerging consensus that it provides a promising sensitive and early biological test of cognitive impairment in AD. It can be employed equally well in healthy young and old adults, and in clinical populations.

Abnormalities of saccadic eye movements in dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background There is increasing evidence that people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have subtle impairments in cognitive inhibition that can be detected by using relatively simple eye-tracking paradigms, but these subtle impairments are often missed by traditional cognitive assessments. People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at an increased likelihood of dementia due to AD. No study has yet investigated and contrasted the MCI subtypes in relation to eye movement performance.

Oculomotor and Inhibitory Control in Dyslexia.

Previous research has suggested that people with dyslexia may have an impairment of inhibitory control. The oculomotor system is vulnerable to interference at various levels of the system, from high level cognitive control to peripheral neural pathways. Therefore, in this work we examined two forms of oculomotor inhibition and two forms of oculomotor interference at high and low levels of the control system.

Determination of the Minimal Important Change in the Life-Space Assessment.

Background/objectives: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is a widely used measure of community mobility. To assist clinicians and researchers with assessing the significance of changes in scores, we determined the minimal important change associated with a change in health status.

Setting: Homes of community-dwelling older adults.

Association Between Executive Dysfunction and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Racial and Ethnic Differences Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Southeastern US.

Objective: Examining cultural differences in assessment of cognitive/functional disability among older Americans is needed. This analysis examined associations between day-to-day function, measured by activities of daily living (ADL), and cognition, measured by CLOX scores, among older African American (AA) and non-Hispanic White (nHW) community-dwelling women and men.

Methods: Design- Cross-sectional.

Life-Space mobility and clinical outcomes in COPD.

Background: Social isolation is a common experience in patients with COPD but is not captured by existing patient-reported outcomes, and its association with clinical outcomes is unknown.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled adults with stable COPD who completed the University of Alabama at Birmingham Life Space Assessment (LSA) (range: 0-120, restricted Life-Space mobility: ≤60 and a marker of social isolation in older adults); six-minute walk test (6MWT), and the University of California at San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The occurrence of severe exacerbations (emergency room visit or hospitalization) was recorded by review of the electronic record up to 1 year after enrollment.

A comparison of urban and non-urban African American older adults on health-related characteristics.

Although residential geographic health disparities have been noted in the previous literature, studies are specifically lacking on intra-group health comparisons of African American older adults by residential geography. The purpose of this study was to determine if health-related characteristics of African American older adults varied by residential geography. Socioeconomic demographics, medical conditions, primary care use, and self-ratings of general health, social activity, and physical activity were compared in a community-dwelling sample of 327 urban and non-urban African American older adults.

Prevalence and predictors of co-occurring diabetes and hypertension in community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of co-occurring diabetes and hypertension among older adults, examine predictors of co-occurring diabetes and hypertension, and ascertain whether predictors varied by race.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out using a statewide survey of Alabama community-dwelling older adults (n = 1204). Measures of central tendency and frequency distributions were used for univariate analysis.

Factors That Contribute to Recovery of Community Mobility After Hospitalization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This study aimed to determine the proportion of older adults who recovered community mobility after hospitalization and identify factors associated with recovery. Using a random sample of 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age, we identified individuals with at least one hospitalization over 8.5 years of follow-up.

Can you detect early dementia from an email? A proof of principle study of daily computer use to detect cognitive and functional decline.

Objective: To determine whether multiple computer use behaviours can distinguish between cognitively healthy older adults and those in the early stages of cognitive decline, and to investigate whether these behaviours are associated with cognitive and functional ability.

Methods: Older adults with cognitive impairment (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 24) completed assessments of cognitive and functional abilities and a series of semi-directed computer tasks. Computer use behaviours were captured passively using bespoke software.

Life-Space Predicts Health Care Utilization in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objective: To determine whether decline in life-space mobility predicts increased health care utilization among community-dwelling older adults.

Method: Health care utilization (number of emergency department [ED] visits and hospitalizations) was self-reported during monthly interviews among 419 community-dwelling African American and non-Hispanic White adults aged 75 years and older in The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging II. Life-space was measured using the UAB Life-Space Assessment.

Effect of aging on post-saccadic oscillations.

Recent research have shown that the eye movement data measured by an eye tracker does not necessarily reflect the exact rotations of the eyeball. For example, post-saccadic eye movements may be more reflecting the relative movements between the pupil and the iris rather than the eyeball oscillations. Since, accurate measurement of eye movements is important in many studies, it is crucial to identify different factors that influence the dynamics of the eye movements measured by an eye tracker.

Associations of Multimorbid Medical Conditions and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older African American Men.

Background: African American (AA) men battling multiple morbidities are tasked with managing the components of each condition and are at greater risk for adverse outcomes such as poor health-related quality of life (QOL), disability, and higher mortality rates.

Method: Baseline data for AA men from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging were utilized. Factor analysis was used to categorize medical conditions and create factor scores.

Life-Space Mobility Change Predicts 6-Month Mortality.

Objectives: To examine 6-month change in life-space mobility as a predictor of subsequent 6-month mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Community-dwelling older adults from five Alabama counties in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging.

ED Utilization and Self-Reported Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Unlabelled: The rise in ED utilization among older adults is a nursing concern, because emergency nurses are uniquely positioned to have a positive impact on the care of older adults. Symptoms have been associated with ED utilization; however, it remains unclear whether symptoms are the primary reason for ED utilization. The purpose of this study was to describe the self-reported symptoms of community-dwelling older adults prior to accessing the emergency department and to examine the differences in self-reported symptoms among those who did and did not utilize the emergency department.

Ficolin-2 inhibitors are present in sera after prolonged storage at -80 °C.

Ficolins can activate the lectin pathway of the complement system that provides innate immune protection against pathogens, marks host cellular debris for clearance, and promotes inflammation. Baseline inflammation increases with aging in a phenomenon known as "inflammaging." Although IL-6 and C-reactive protein are known to increase with age, contributions of many complement factors, including ficolins, to inflammaging have been little studied.

Neighborhood Disadvantage and Life-Space Mobility Are Associated with Incident Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic characteristics, life-space mobility, and incident falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort study with a baseline in-home assessment and 6-month telephone follow-up.

Setting: Central Alabama.