Enhancing Cognitive Function in Older Adults through Processing Speed Training: Implications for Cognitive Health Awareness.

It may be possible to enhance adults' cognitive health and promote healthy aging through processing speed training using the Useful Field of View (UFOV) related activities and software. This study investigated the impact of utilizing UFOV on processing speed improvement in older adults in response to the growing global attention on cognitive health and aging issues. In this quasi-experimental study, 22 individuals (mean age ± SD = 71.

Mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between social support and self-management behaviors among patients with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Good self-management behaviors in patients with knee osteoarthritis can improve disease awareness, treatment effectiveness, quality of life, and reduce medical costs. However, there is a paucity of studies focusing on patients with knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on aspects of social support and self-management behaviors in this population.

Phase 1-2 study of vorinostat (SAHA), cladribine and rituximab (SCR) in relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma.

Altered DNA methylation and histone acetylation in lymphoma provided the rationale for using vorinostat (SAHA), cladribine and rituximab (SCR) in non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) in this phase 1-2 study (NCT00764517). Treatment included cladribine 5 mg/m intravenously (IV) (days 1-5), rituximab 375 mg/m IV (weekly 4× for cycle 1 and 1×/month) and vorinostat orally once daily (days 1-14) every 28 days for up to six cycles. Phase 1 included relapsed patients (n = 10) in a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design (vorinostat: 200, 300 and 400 mg).

Transplanted human neural precursor cells integrate into the host neural circuit and ameliorate neurological deficits in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is to date one of the major critical conditions causing death and disability worldwide. Exogenous neural stem/precursor cells (NSCs/NPCs) hold great promise for improving neurological dysfunction, but their functional properties in vivo remain unknown. Human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) carrying one fluorescent reporter gene (DsRed) can be observed directly in vivo using two-photon laser-scanning microscope.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of optic disc perfusion in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Aim: To compare the optic disc blood flow of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) eyes with normal eyes.

Methods: The optic disc blood flow densities of diagnosed non-acute phase NAION eyes (21 eyes, 14 individuals) and normal eyes (19 eyes, 12 individuals) were detected Optovue optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The optic disc blood flow was measured Image J software.

The Pharmacological Heterogeneity of Nepenthone Analogs in Conferring Highly Selective and Potent κ-Opioid Agonistic Activities.

To develop novel analgesics with no side effects or less side effects than traditional opioids is highly demanded to treat opioid receptor mediated pain and addiction issues. Recently, κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has been established as an attractive target, although its selective agonists could bear heterogeneous pharmacological activities. In this study, we designed and synthesized two new series of nepenthone derivatives by inserting a spacer (carbonyl) between 6α,14α-endo-ethenylthebaine and the 7α-phenyl substitution of the skeleton and by substituting the 17-N-methyl group with a cyclopropylmethyl group.

Notch4 inhibition reduces migration and invasion and enhances sensitivity to docetaxel by inhibiting Akt/fascin in pancreatic cancer cells.

Overexpression of Notch4 is associated with a variety of tumor types. Only sparse information exists on Notch4 expression in pancreatic cancer (PC). The present study demonstrated that Notch4 expression was significantly upregulated in PC cell lines compared with a non-transformed pancreatic epithelial cell line, HPDE6c-7.

[Effects of interferon-alpha combined with saikosaponin on serum T lymphocyte subgroups and hepatic cytokines in mice with immune hepatic injury].

Objective: To observe the effects of interferon-alpha combined with saikosaponin on serum T lymphocyte subgroups and hepatic cytokines in mice with immune hepatic injury.

Methods: The mice were randomly divided into five groups, i. e.

Long-term results of bipolar radiofrequency needle ablation of the prostate for lower urinary tract symptoms.

Purpose: To report the first long-term experience on the efficacy of bipolar transurethral radiofrequency needle ablation (RFA) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms that are secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Patients And Methods: A nonrandomized prospective cohort of 12 candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate underwent bipolar transurethral RFA in 2004 (mean age 63; prostate volume 34 cc). Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 12, 36, and 60 months postprocedure.

Variability among pediatric infectious diseases specialists in the treatment and prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections.

There are currently no clear consensus recommendations for the treatment and prevention of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections in pediatric patients. We surveyed over 100 Pediatric Infectious Diseases consultants and found considerable variability in both the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections and the strategies used for the management of children with recurrent MRSA disease.

Elements of influenza vaccination programs that predict higher vaccination rates: results of an emerging infections network survey.

Introduction: To address suboptimal influenza vaccination rates among health care workers, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently issued recommendations designed to increase the number of health care workers vaccinated against influenza. The purpose of the present study was to determine how widely these recommendations have been implemented and to identify important elements of successful influenza vaccine programs.

Methods: The Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network surveyed 991 infectious diseases consultants.

An outbreak of severe Clostridium difficile-associated disease possibly related to inappropriate antimicrobial therapy for community-acquired pneumonia.

We report a severe outbreak of Clostridium difficile infection. According to a chart review, half of the patients who received treatment for bacterial pneumonia before they developed C. difficile infection may not have had pneumonia.

Applying Fong's CRS liver score in patients with colorectal liver metastases treated by cryotherapy.

Background: A significant proportion of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer have unresectable disease and we have used cytoablative treatment such as cryotherapy in some of these patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent hepatic cryotherapy for colorectal metastases and studied the effect of the clinical risk score (CRS) reported by Fong et al, which can predict survival following liver resection.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent hepatic cryotherapy between 1990 and 2000 in St George Hospital.

Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in a rural state.

Background: Most data on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolates come from large tertiary care centers. Infection control personnel need to understand the epidemiology of MRSA and VRE across the continuum of care, including small rural hospitals, to develop effective control strategies.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of MRSA and VRE in Iowa.

Risk factors for groin wound infection after femoral artery catheterization: a case-control study.

Objective: Groin wound infection (GWI) after femoral artery catheterization is unusual. However, several reports of GWI associated with the use of a Perclose device appear in the surgical literature.

Design: A case-control study.

Lipase and pancreatic amylase activities in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients with hyperamylasemia.

Background: Measurement of total serum amylase (AMY) is the most widely used biochemical test for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, but it is commonly considered a nonspecific marker. To improve the biochemical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, lipase (LIP) and pancreatic amylase (PAMY) have been tested in recent years. The present study was designed to evaluate whether serum LIP and pancreatic PAMY tests could replace total amylase test to improve diagnostic efficiency in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis in patients with hyperamylasemia.