Investing in equitable healthy aging: Why Africa must reform social pension schemes to improve Alzheimer's disease and dementia outcomes.

The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub-Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pension at age 62. Men had a similar situation-a life expectancy of 62 years and a healthy life expectancy of 53 years, spending 10 years in poor health before becoming eligible for pensions at age 63.

A multi-cohort study of longitudinal and cross-sectional Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired older adults.

Introduction: The generalizability of neuroimaging and cognitive biomarkers in their sensitivity to detect preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and power to predict progression in large, multisite cohorts remains unclear.

Method: Longitudinal demographics, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive scores of 3036 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults (amyloid beta [Aβ]-negative/positive [A-/A+]: 1270/1558) were included. Cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and medial temporal lobe (MTL) structural measures were extracted.

LIG1 is a synthetic lethal target in BRCA1 mutant cancers.

Synthetic lethality approaches in BRCA1/2-mutated cancers have focused on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, which are subject to high rates of innate or acquired resistance in patients. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9-based screening to identify DNA Ligase I (LIG1) as a novel target for synthetic lethality in BRCA1-mutated cancers. Publicly available data supported LIG1 hyperdependence of BRCA1-mutant cells across a variety of breast and ovarian cancer cell lines.

Offspring education and cognitive health: A comparison between Hispanic and White older adults in the United States.

Introduction: We compared the relationship between offspring education and cognitive health outcomes among Hispanic and White adults.

Methods: We used data from Hispanic and White (1998-2018) United States (US) Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants (n = 17,484). We assessed cognitive function and decline using episodic memory scores in linear mixed models and incident cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) or probable dementia using the Langa-Weir 27-point-scale in Cox proportional hazards models.

Four targets: an enhanced framework for guiding causal inference from observational data.

Observational studies play an increasingly important role in estimating causal effects of a treatment or an exposure, especially with the growing availability of routinely collected real-world data. To facilitate drawing causal inference from observational data, we introduce a conceptual framework centered around "four targets"-target estimand, target population, target trial, and target validity. We illustrate the utility of our proposed "four targets" framework with the example of buprenorphine dosing for treating opioid use disorder, explaining the rationale and process for employing the framework to guide causal thinking from observational data.

Stabilization of [(N)BX] and [(N)BX] (X = H, F, Cl, Br) by Conjugation and Hyperconjugation Effects.

The isolation of nucleophilic boron bases has led to a paradigm shift in boron chemistry. Previous studies of the bis(carbene) borylene complexes revealed that these compounds possess strong donor abilities, and their reaction inertness is due to the large steric hindrance between boron reagents and reactant. In the present study, we have theoretically studied the [(N)BX] and [(N)BX] compounds (X = H, F, Cl, Br).

VAX014 Activates Tumor-Intrinsic STING and RIG-I to Promote the Development of Antitumor Immunity.

In situ immunization (ISI) has emerged as a promising approach to bolster early phases of the cancer immunity cycle through improved T cell priming. One class of ISI agents, oncolytic viruses (OVs), has demonstrated clinical activity, but overall benefit remains limited. Mounting evidence suggests that due to their inherent vulnerability to antiviral effects of type I interferon (IFN), OVs have limited activity in solid tumors expressing stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and/or retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I).

Compositional brain scores capture Alzheimer's disease-specific structural brain patterns along the disease continuum.

Introduction: Traditional multivariate methods for neuroimaging studies overlook the interdependent relationship between brain features. This study addresses this gap by analyzing relative brain volumetric patterns to capture how Alzheimer's disease (AD) and genetics influence brain structure along the disease continuum.

Methods: This study analyzed data from participants across the AD continuum from the Alzheimer's and Families (ALFA) and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) studies.

Verticillin A-Loaded Surgical Buttresses Prevent Local Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence in a Murine Model.

The fungal metabolite verticillin A is a potent and selective histone methyltransferase inhibitor. It regulates apoptosis, the cell cycle, and stress response, and displays potent activity in the suppression of tumor cell growth in several different in vivo models. Verticillin A sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by regulating PD-L1 expression.

Pathogenicity and phylogeny of Labyrinthula spp. isolated in Washington and Oregon, USA.

The class Labyrinthulomycetes constitutes a multitude of species found ubiquitously in the environment, and includes pathogens of corals, hard clams, turfgrasses, and seagrasses. Labyrinthula zosterae, the causative agent of seagrass wasting disease, has been associated with declines in seagrass coverage since the 1930s. However, pathogenic and nonpathogenic Labyrinthula spp.

Andexanet alfa: trials just leave us with more questions.

Andexanet Alfa in Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients Receiving an Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor (ANNEXA-I), the first ever randomized controlled trial of a reversal agent for direct oral anticoagulants, was published in 2024. The trial, which randomized patients with intracranial hemorrhage to andexanet alfa or usual care, was mandated by the United States Food and Drug Administration as part of its conditional approval in 2018. This approval was originally based on the single-arm trial, The Andexanet Alfa, a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulation Effects of Factor Xa Inhibitors (ANNEXA-4).

Chitosan research progress for smart packaging applications: a literature review.

The environmental crisis was brought on by composites made of synthetic materials that are not biodegradable. Eco-friendly replacement materials for non-biodegradable composites is biodegradable composites. The poisonous remnants are avoided because of how the environment breaks them down.

Speckle-illumination spatial frequency domain imaging with a stereo laparoscope for profile-corrected optical property mapping.

Significance: Laparoscopic surgery presents challenges in localizing oncological margins due to poor contrast between healthy and malignant tissues. Optical properties can uniquely identify various tissue types and disease states with high sensitivity and specificity, making it a promising tool for surgical guidance. Although spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) effectively measures quantitative optical properties, its deployment in laparoscopy is challenging due to the constrained imaging environment.

Impact of molecular diagnostic techniques on the acute respiratory infection sentinel surveillance program, Antioquia, Colombia, 2022.

Objectives: Surveillance of acute respiratory infection (ARI) informs vaccination, preventive, and management decisions. In many countries, immunofluorescence is the cornerstone for ARI surveillance. We aimed to determine the effect of adding multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) to conventional surveillance in ARI.

PALMS: Plane-based Accessible Indoor Localization Using Mobile Smartphones.

In this paper, we present PALMS, an innovative indoor global localization and relocalization system for mobile smartphones that utilizes publicly available floor plans. Unlike most vision-based methods that require constant visual input, our system adopts a dynamic form of localization that considers a single instantaneous observation and odometry data. The core contribution of this work is the introduction of a particle filter initialization method that leverages the Certainly Empty Space (CES) constraint along with principal orientation matching.

Initiation of primary T cell-B cell interactions and extrafollicular antibody responses in an organized microphysiological model of the human lymph node.

Antibody production is central to protection against new pathogens and cancers, as well as to certain forms of autoimmunity. Antibodies often originate in the lymph node (LN), specifically at the extrafollicular border of B cell follicles, where T and B lymphocytes physically interact to drive B cell maturation into antibody-secreting plasmablasts. In vitro models of this process are sorely needed to predict aspects of the human immune response.

Identification of two glycosyltransferases required for synthesis of membrane glycolipids in .

Unlabelled: infections cause over 12,000 deaths and an estimated one billion dollars in healthcare costs annually in the United States. The cell membrane is an essential structure that is important for protection from the extracellular environment, signal transduction, and transport of nutrients. The polar membrane lipids of are ∼50% glycolipids, a higher percentage than most other organisms.

Enforced E-selectin ligand installation enhances homing and efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells.

Adoptive T-cell transfer has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, this approach has had very limited success in treating solid tumors, largely due to inadequate infiltration of vascularly administered T cells at tumor sites. The shear-resistant interaction between endothelial E-selectin and its cognate ligand expressed on leukocytes, sialyl Lewis X (sLe), is an essential prerequisite for extravasation of circulating leukocytes.

Contributions of Hope in physical activity and exercise goal attainment in college students.

Background: College students significantly decrease physical activity (PA) over the course of a four-year degree, increasing the risk for chronic disease. Research shows that psychological constructs impact behavior and goal attainment. However, little is known regarding the effect of psychological variables on PA levels in students.

Scientific mapping of the nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability: bibliometric analysis.

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental sustainability (ES) has recently become the subject of extensive research. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively analyze of EO and ES by conducting a bibliometric network and systematic review analysis of over ten years of publications. A total of 390 articles were identified using the Scopus and Mendeley search engines.

Indigenous Maya-Mam leadership competencies: a grounded theory study.

Introduction: This study explores the leadership competencies within the Indigenous Maya-Mam community, aiming to understand the specific skills and qualities exhibited by Maya-Mam leaders. The research seeks to address the gap in literature regarding Indigenous leadership practices, particularly focusing on how cultural values influence leadership behaviors.

Methods: Qualitative methods were employed for this study, including interviews and thematic analysis.

Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women.

Existing HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear.

The Association Between the CALLY Index and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with COPD: Results from the Cohort Study of NHANES 2007-2010.

Purpose: The C-reactive protein (CRP)-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index is a newly developed biomarker that combines measurements of CRP, serum albumin, and lymphocyte count. This index provides a thorough assessment of a patient's inflammation level, nutritional condition, and immunological function. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the CALLY index and all-cause mortality in COPD patients.

Pancreatopleural fistula: A rare cause of recurrent pleural effusion.

Pancreatopleural fistulas, rare complications of chronic pancreatitis, are often overlooked in the initial differential diagnoses of pleural effusions, resulting in delayed diagnosis and management. We present the case of an elderly male with recurrent pleural effusion and a history of chronic pancreatitis. Diagnostic challenges arose, with the initial misdiagnosis as pneumonia.

Study based on bibliometric analysis: potential research trends in fluid management for sepsis.

Objective: To investigate the potential and evolving trends in fluid management for patients with sepsis, utilizing a bibliometric approach.

Methods: Scholarly articles pertaining to fluid therapy for sepsis patients were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database as of June 1, 2024. The R software package, "Bibliometrix," was utilized to scrutinize the primary bibliometric attributes and to construct a three-field plot to illustrate the relationships among institutions, nations, and keywords.