CDK12 is hyperactivated and a synthetic-lethal target in BRAF-mutated melanoma.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and considered intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy. Nearly all melanomas harbor mutations that activate the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which contributes to drug resistance via poorly described mechanisms. Herein we show that the RAS/MAPK pathway regulates the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which is a transcriptional CDK required for genomic stability.

Perspective: Human Milk Composition and Related Data for National Health and Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research.

National health and nutrition monitoring is an important federal effort in the United States and Canada, and the basis for many of their nutrition and health policies. Understanding of child exposures through human milk (HM) remains out of reach due to lack of current and representative data on HM's composition and intake volume. This article provides an overview of the current national health and nutrition monitoring activities for HM-fed children, HM composition (HMC) and volume data used for exposure assessment, categories of potential measures in HM, and associated variability factors.

Organoids in Lung Cancer Management.

Lung cancer is a complex milieu of genomically altered cancer cells, a diverse collection of differentiated cells and nonneoplastic stroma. Lung cancer organoids is a three-dimensional structure grown from patient cancer tissue that could mimic complex behavior and cellular architecture of the cancer. Furthermore, the genomic alterations of the primary lung tumor is captured .

Sex Differences in Subsequent Falls and Falls Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study in Older Adults.

Background: Sex differences for subsequent falls and falls risk factors in community-dwelling older adults who have fallen are unknown. Our aim was to: (1) compare the number of falls between sexes, (2) identify modifiable falls risk factors, and (3) explore the interaction of sex on falls risk factors in older adults who fall.

Methods: Four hundred sixty-two community dwellers seeking medical attention after an index fall were recruited from the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic and participated in this 12-month prospective cohort study.

Feasibility of image registration and fusion for evaluation of structure and perfusion of the entire second trimester placenta by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound.

Background: Placental perfusion can be evaluated by 3D power Doppler ultrasound (3D PD-US), particularly using the validated tool 3D Fractional Moving Blood Volume (3D-FMBV); however regional variability and size limitations beyond the first trimester mean that multiple 3D PD-US volumes are required to evaluate the whole organ.

Purpose: We assessed the feasibility of manual offline stitching of second trimester 3D PD-US volumes of the placenta to assess whole organ perfusion using 3D-FMBV.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study of 36 normal second trimester singleton pregnancies with anterior placentas.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are more prevalent in Canadians of South Asian than European ancestry inhabiting the National Capital Region of Canada.

The US Institute of Medicine defined serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) cut point values of 30 nmol/L and 40 nmol/L were used to assess the vitamin D status of South Asian and European Canadians of self-identified ancestry living in the National Capital Region of Canada. Serum 25OHD values were measured in the spring and fall of 2012 to represent status during the winter and summer months, respectively. A total of 1238 measurements were obtained from 669 participants (49% South Asian ancestry): some participants were measured only once (spring or fall).

Geriatrician-led evidence-based Falls Prevention Clinic: a prospective 12-month feasibility and acceptability cohort study among older adults.

Objective: We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a geriatrician-led evidence-based Falls Prevention Clinic to older adults with a history of falls.

Design: 12-month prospective cohort study.

Setting: Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (www.

Sustained Effects of Memory and Lifestyle Interventions on Memory Functioning of Older Adults: An 18-Month Follow-Up Study.

There has been much research devoted to examining the short-term effects of different interventions for improving memory functioning of older adults with memory complaints. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the long-term effects of these interventions. Thus, the present study compared the sustained effects of a conventional memory intervention (MI) and a Chinese lifestyle intervention on improving memory functioning in older adults.

Frontal Underactivation During Working Memory Processing in Adults With Acute Partial Sleep Deprivation: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

Individuals with partial sleep deprivation may have working memory (WM) impairment, but the underlying neural mechanism of this phenomenon is relatively unknown. The present study examined neural processing during WM performance in individuals with and without partial sleep deprivation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Forty college students (10 males) were equally split into Sufficient Sleep (SS) and Insufficient Sleep (IS) groups based on self-reports of previous night's sleep duration.

Sex Difference in Aerobic Exercise Efficacy to Improve Cognition in Older Adults with Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aerobic training (AT) is a promising, non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate the deleterious effects of aging and disease on brain health. However, a large amount of variation exists in its efficacy. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of AT in 71 older adults with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (NCT01027858).

Corrigendum: The Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Fronto-Parietal Network Connectivity and Its Relation to Mobility: An Exploratory Analysis of a 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial.

[This corrects the article on p. 344 in vol. 11, PMID: 28713255.

The Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Fronto-Parietal Network Connectivity and Its Relation to Mobility: An Exploratory Analysis of a 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial.

Impaired mobility is a major concern for older adults and has significant consequences. While the widely accepted belief is that improved physical function underlies the effectiveness of targeted exercise training in improving mobility and reducing falls, recent evidence suggests cognitive and neural benefits gained through exercise may also play an important role in promoting mobility. However, the underlying neural mechanisms of this relationship are currently unclear.

A Chinese -based Mind-Body Intervention Improves Memory of Older Adults.

There is growing interest in the adoption of lifestyle interventions to remediate age-related declines in memory functioning and physical and psychological health among older adults. This study aimed to investigate whether a Chinese -based lifestyle intervention, the Dejian Mind-Body Intervention (DMBI), leads to positive benefits for memory functioning in older adults. Fifty-six adults aged 60 years or older with subjective memory complaints (SMC) were randomly assigned to receive the DMBI or a control intervention (i.

Slow Processing Speed Predicts Falls in Older Adults With a Falls History: 1-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Background/objectives: A previous fall is a strong predictor of future falls. Recent epidemiologic data suggest that deficits in processing speed predict future injurious falls. Our primary objective was to determine a parsimonious predictive model of future falls among older adults who experienced ≥1 fall in the past 12 months based on the following categories: counts of (1) total, (2) indoor, (3) outdoor or (4) non-injurious falls; (5) one mild or severe injury fall (yes vs no); (6) an injurious instead of a non-injurious fall; and (7) an outdoor instead of an indoor fall.

Economic evaluation of aerobic exercise training in older adults with vascular cognitive impairment: PROMoTE trial.

Background/objectives: Evidence suggests that aerobic exercise may slow the progression of subcortical ischaemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) by modifying cardiovascular risk factors. Yet the economic consequences relating to aerobic training (AT) remain unknown. Therefore, our primary objective was to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained of a thrice weekly AT intervention compared with usual care.

Distinct Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Previous studies have shown that immunological factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, this research has been conducted almost exclusively in Western contexts, and only a handful of studies on immune measures have been conducted in Asian populations, such as Chinese populations. The present study examined whether immunological abnormalities are associated with cognitive deficits and problem behaviors in Chinese children with ASD and whether these children show different immunological profiles.

Are the EQ-5D-3L and the ICECAP-O responsive among older adults with impaired mobility? Evidence from the Vancouver Falls Prevention Cohort Study.

Purpose: Preference-based generic measures are gaining increased use in mobility research to assess health-related quality of life and wellbeing. Hence, we examined the responsiveness of these two measures among individuals at risk of mobility impairment among adults aged ≥70 years.

Methods: We conducted a 12-month prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults (n = 288 to n = 341 depending on analysis) who were seen at the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic who had a history of at least one fall in the previous 12 months.

Can the Otago falls prevention program be delivered by video? A feasibility study.

Objectives: We assessed the feasibility of delivering the Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) via an interactive DVD (ie, OEP-DVD) in combination with monthly physical therapist phone calls to older adults.

Design: This pre-post (baseline and 6-month follow-up) study included an intervention group (n=61) based in a rural location and a control group (n=21) based in a city.

Setting: Sechelt and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Aerobic exercise and vascular cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a progressive aerobic exercise training program on cognitive and everyday function among adults with mild subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI).

Methods: This was a proof-of-concept single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing a 6-month, thrice-weekly, progressive aerobic exercise training program (AT) with usual care plus education on cognitive and everyday function with a follow-up assessment 6 months after the formal cessation of aerobic exercise training. Primary outcomes assessed were general cognitive function (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale [ADAS-Cog]), executive functions (Executive Interview [EXIT-25]), and activities of daily living (Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living [ADCS-ADL]).

Health literacy of mothers accessing child development services: a model of information use.

This study aimed to explore how mothers use information in home therapy programs within child development services. A grounded theory study using semistructured interviews was conducted with 14 mothers of children aged 3-6 years accessing occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology services for developmental needs. A conceptual model of mothers' information use was developed.

Agreement between Patient and Proxy Assessments of Quality of Life among Older Adults with Vascular Cognitive Impairment Using the EQ-5D-3L and ICECAP-O.

Background: The assessment of quality of life is critical in ascertaining the benefit of interventions aimed to reduce morbidity among individuals with cognitive impairment. However, the assessment of quality of life is challenging in this population due to the uncertain validity of patient responses as cognitive function declines. Hence, we examined the level of agreement between patient and proxy assessments of health related quality of life (HRQoL) and wellbeing based on the domains that comprise each of these constructs.

EPA and DHA status of South Asian and white Canadians living in the National Capital Region of Canada.

To minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), most dietary guidelines have recommended consuming 500 mg/day of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or two servings of oily fish/week. The sum of percent EPA and DHA in red blood cell (RBC) total fatty acids-termed the omega-3 index-has been proposed as a biomarker for assessing the risk of death from CVD. The omega-3 indices of ≤4, >4 to <8 and ≥8 % have been proposed to be associated with high, intermediate and low CVD risks, respectively.

Children and adolescents living with atopic eczema: an interpretive phenomenological study with Chinese mothers.

Aim: This article is a report on a phenomenological study of Chinese mothers' experiences of caring for their children who were living with atopic eczema.

Background: A mother's attitude and personality may have a direct influence on her child's adherence to treatment for atopic eczema. Thus, good communication between healthcare professionals and the mother is essential.

A synopsis of current haemophilia care in Hong Kong.

Objective: To provide a synopsis of current haemophilia care in Hong Kong.

Design: Retrospective survey.

Setting: All haematology units of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.