Invasive Growth of Trees is Associated with a High Rate of Sensitization in Atopic Patients.

Purpose: is one of the world's most invasive species with a globally problematic spread. Pollen is dispersed locally and partially airborne. We aimed at investigating if (i) pollen can be detected in relevant quantity in the air and if (ii) sensitization to can be detected in patients with seasonal exacerbation of atopic diseases.

The potential of multispectral imaging flow cytometry for environmental monitoring.

Environmental monitoring involves the quantification of microscopic cells and particles such as algae, plant cells, pollen, or fungal spores. Traditional methods using conventional microscopy require expert knowledge, are time-intensive and not well-suited for automated high throughput. Multispectral imaging flow cytometry (MIFC) allows measurement of up to 5000 particles per second from a fluid suspension and can simultaneously capture up to 12 images of every single particle for brightfield and different spectral ranges, with up to 60x magnification.

No SARS-CoV-2 detected in air samples (pollen and particulate matter) in Leipzig during the first spread.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic co-occurred with pollen season in Europe 2020 and recent studies suggest a potential link between both. Air samples collected at our measuring station in Leipzig and purified pollen were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 typical signals or for virus-induced cytopathic effects, to test if the virus could bind to bioaerosols and if so, whether these complexes are infectious. The results show that neither our air samples nor purified pollen were infectious or could act as carrier for virus particles.

Pollen analysis using multispectral imaging flow cytometry and deep learning.

Pollen identification and quantification are crucial but challenging tasks in addressing a variety of evolutionary and ecological questions (pollination, paleobotany), but also for other fields of research (e.g. allergology, honey analysis or forensics).

Findings From a Real-World Translation Study of the Evidence-Based "Partners in Dementia Care".

Background And Objectives: Numerous non-pharmacological programs for family caregivers and persons with dementia (PWDs) have been found efficacious in randomized controlled trials. Few programs have been tested in translation studies that assess feasibility and outcomes in less-controlled, real-world implementations. This translation study tested the impact of the partnership version of , "Partners in Dementia Care (PDC)," on outcomes for PWDs and their family/friend caregivers.

Effects of zooplankton carcasses degradation on freshwater bacterial community composition and implications for carbon cycling.

Non-predatory mortality of zooplankton provides an abundant, yet, little studied source of high quality labile organic matter (LOM) in aquatic ecosystems. Using laboratory microcosms, we followed the decomposition of organic carbon of fresh C-labelled Daphnia carcasses by natural bacterioplankton. The experimental setup comprised blank microcosms, that is, artificial lake water without any organic matter additions (B), and microcosms either amended with natural humic matter (H), fresh Daphnia carcasses (D) or both, that is, humic matter and Daphnia carcasses (HD).

Simulated ocean acidification reveals winners and losers in coastal phytoplankton.

The oceans absorb ~25% of the annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions. This causes a shift in the marine carbonate chemistry termed ocean acidification (OA). OA is expected to influence metabolic processes in phytoplankton species but it is unclear how the combination of individual physiological changes alters the structure of entire phytoplankton communities.

Preexisting Immunity, Not Frailty Phenotype, Predicts Influenza Postvaccination Titers among Older Veterans.

Both preexisting immunity to influenza and age have been shown to be correlates of influenza vaccine responses. Frailty, an indicator of functional impairment in older adults, was also shown in one study to predict lower influenza vaccine responses among nonveterans. In the current study, we aimed to determine the associations between frailty, preexisting immunity, and immune responses to influenza vaccine among older veterans.

Influence of Ocean Acidification on a Natural Winter-to-Summer Plankton Succession: First Insights from a Long-Term Mesocosm Study Draw Attention to Periods of Low Nutrient Concentrations.

Every year, the oceans absorb about 30% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) leading to a re-equilibration of the marine carbonate system and decreasing seawater pH. Today, there is increasing awareness that these changes-summarized by the term ocean acidification (OA)-could differentially affect the competitive ability of marine organisms, thereby provoking a restructuring of marine ecosystems and biogeochemical element cycles. In winter 2013, we deployed ten pelagic mesocosms in the Gullmar Fjord at the Swedish west coast in order to study the effect of OA on plankton ecology and biogeochemistry under close to natural conditions.

Tailored Lighting Intervention for Persons with Dementia and Caregivers Living at Home.

Objectives: Light therapy has shown promise as a nonpharmacological treatment to help regulate abnormal sleep-wake patterns and associated behavioral issues prevalent among individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). The present study investigated the effectiveness of a lighting intervention designed to increase circadian stimulation during the day using light sources that have high short-wavelength content and high light output.

Methods: Thirty-five persons with ADRD and 34 caregivers completed the 11-week study.

Using Light to Manage Sleep-Wake Issues in Patients With Dementia.

Although research has yet to provide a definitive answer about whether circadian-active light can benefit patients with dementia, a VA pilot study shows promising results.

Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression, and agitation in persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities.

Background: Light therapy has shown great promise as a nonpharmacological method to improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), with preliminary studies demonstrating that appropriately timed light exposure can improve nighttime sleep efficiency, reduce nocturnal wandering, and alleviate evening agitation. Since the human circadian system is maximally sensitive to short-wavelength (blue) light, lower, more targeted lighting interventions for therapeutic purposes, can be used.

Methods: The present study investigated the effectiveness of a tailored lighting intervention for individuals with ADRD living in nursing homes.

Ecosystem-level studies of terrestrial carbon reveal contrasting bacterial metabolism in different aquatic habitats.

In aquatic systems, terrestrial dissolved organic matter (t-DOM) is known to stimulate bacterial activities in the water column, but simultaneous effects of autumnal leaf input on water column and sediment microbial dynamics in littoral zones of lakes remain largely unknown. The study's objective was to determine the effects of leaf litter on bacterial metabolism in the littoral water and sediment, and subsequently, the consequences for carbon cycling and food web dynamics. Therefore, in late fall, we simultaneously measured water and sediment bacterial metabolism in the littoral zone of a temperate shallow lake after adding terrestrial particulate organic matter (t-POM), namely, maize leaves.

Hospital lighting and its association with sleep, mood and pain in medical inpatients.

Aims: To describe light exposure, sleep-wake patterns, mood, pain and their relationships in adult medical inpatients.

Background: The hospital environment may contribute to patient discomfort by providing a lighting structure that interferes with circadian rhythmicity, sleep, mood and pain.

Design: A descriptive correlational design was used in this preliminary study.

Frailty assessment in the geriatric outpatient clinic.

Aim: Frailty is a common phenomenon in geriatric patients. In the present translational research study, we assessed two frailty instruments (Fried 2001; Gill 2002), comparing the usefulness and scoring classifications for frailty screening in an academically affiliated geriatrics clinic.

Methods: Assessment was completed on 162 male veterans (mean age 83.

Field measurements of light exposures and circadian disruption in two populations of older adults.

The absence of daily robust light-dark exposure patterns may contribute to sleep disturbances in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Personal light-dark and activity-rest patterns were measured for healthy older adults and for persons with ADRD. Persons with ADRD experienced lower light levels, exhibited lower activity levels, and had greater levels of circadian disruption than healthy older adults during winter.

Rest-activity and light exposure patterns in the home setting: a methodological case study.

Background: This methodological case study describes light exposure and rest-activity patterns in an older adult with dementia and his caregiver spouse.

Methods: Two devices were used to measure rest-activity and light exposure data: a wrist-worn actigraph with a light sensor to record full spectrum light exposure data and an eye-level wavelength-sensitive light meter (Daysimeter). The wife wore both devices simultaneously; the husband wore only the actigraph.

Influenza-induced production of interferon-alpha is defective in geriatric individuals.

Background: The majority of deaths (90%) attributed to influenza are in person's age 65 or older. Little is known about whether defects in innate immune responses in geriatric individuals contribute to their susceptibility to influenza.

Objective: Our aim was to analyze interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from young and geriatric adult donors, stimulated with influenza A or Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands.

Fatal hemolytic anemia associated with metformin: a case report.

Introduction: Metformin is a widely prescribed biguanide antidiabetic drug that has been implicated as a cause of hemolytic anemia in three previous case reports. We report a case of rapidly fatal hemolysis that was temporally associated with the initiation of metformin treatment for diabetes. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare but potentially serious side effect of metformin.

Preventing and managing diabetic complications in elderly patients.

Elderly patients with diabetes are prone to a number of complications, some of which take precedence over or hinder or preclude the intensive glucose control recommended for younger diabetic patients. This article reviews some of these complications, including coronary artery disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and others.

Managing diabetes in the elderly: go easy, individualize.

The care of elderly patients with diabetes should be individualized, taking into account the patient's comorbidities, other medications, cognitive abilities, home care situation, and life expectancy. Especially in frail, elderly patients, there should be less emphasis on strict glycemic control than on avoiding malnutrition and hypoglycemia and achieving the best quality of life possible.

Surgical innovations: impact on the quality of life of the older patient.

As surgery has been extended into the elderly population, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been appropriately added as a parameter to evaluate surgical success. Surgery remains of significant risk in older patients, and an estimate of the type of outcome, including morbidity, mortality, and HRQOL can aid in that decision. New techniques, such as laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery show great promise for reduction in perioperative stress and improved HRQOL in younger patients, but have not been extensively used in the older and frail patients for whom the benefits potentially may be greater.

Initial evaluation of a computer-based medication management tool in a geriatric clinic.

Background: Optimal management of medication regimens remains a challenge for elderly patients and their providers. Tools that aid communication and adherence can be valuable but often do not meet expectations.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to describe the development and preliminary evaluation of a computer-based medication management tool, the Visual Medication Profile (VMP), and to report initial feedback from geriatric patient and provider focus groups.

Enhanced hypoprothrombinemia with warfarin due to azithromycin.

Objective: To report a case of probable azithromycin-warfarin drug interaction with enhanced hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin.

Case Summary: An 83-year-old African American man stabilized on warfarin therapy (10 mg on Wednesdays, 7.5 mg on other days) developed a prolonged prothrombin time one day after starting azithromycin 500 mg.