Loneliness, Interpersonal Goals, Life Satisfaction, and Subjective Well-being in Older Adults

Background: Loneliness is detrimental to health and is linked to numerous physiological and psychological problems. People across the age spectrum can be affected by loneliness at one point or another in their lives; however, older adults are disproportionally affected. Aims: This study investigated the effect of interpersonal goals (compassionate and self-image goals), life satisfaction, and subjective well-being on loneliness in older adults and the influence of demographics and social support. The Ecosystem-Egosystem Theory of Social Motivation served as the theoretical framework. Design and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional correlational study used the 2016 Health and Retirement Study. Participants were 65 years of age or older, community-dwelling, and able to complete the interview themselves. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between dependent and independent variables. Findings: Interpersonal goals, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction were significantly related to loneliness. Higher compassionate and self-image goals reported less loneliness. Conclusion: These results add to understanding the effect of interpersonal goals on loneliness in older adults. Initial findings warrant further exploration. Existing loneliness interventions for older adults may benefit from the outcomes of the study

Synthesis of Novel Valine-based Dipeptide Carboxamide Bearing Benzene Sulfonamide Moiety as Antimalarial Agent

Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 5(2): 176-197 Authors: James A. Ezugwu, *Ucheckukwu. C. Okoro, Mercy A. Ezeokonkwo, and China R. Bhimapaka Received 15 April 2020/Accepted 14 May 2020   Syntheses of eleven novel Valine-based dipeptide carboxamide derivatives bearing benzensulphonamide are reported. These were achieved by facile amidation reaction of p- substituted benzenesulphonamoyl alkanamides with 2-amino-4-methyl-N-substituted phenyl butanamide using classical peptide coupling reagents. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were established by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ESI- HRMS, and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo antimalarial against P. berghei. Haematological analysis was also evaluated on the synthesized compounds. At 50mg/kg body weight, the compounds 8e, 8g, 8i, 8k, 8d and 8h inhibited the multiplication of the parasite by 46-71% on day seven of post-treatment exposure comparable to the 67% reduction with artemisinin

Molecular detection of rabies lyssaviruses from dogs in Southeastern Nigeria : evidence of transboundary transmission of rabies in West Africa

Despite being the first country to register confirmed cases of Mokola and Lagos bat lyssaviruses (two very distant lyssaviruses), knowledge gaps, particularly on the molecular epidemiology of lyssaviruses, still exist in Nigeria. A total of 278 specimens were collected from dogs in southeastern Nigeria between October 2015 and July 2016, and 23 (8.3%) of these tested positive for lyssaviruses with the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA). The lyssaviruses were genetically characterized by amplifying the highly conserved nucleoprotein (N) gene of the rabies lyssaviruses (RABVs) of the viral genome. Phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences showed that all the RABV sequences in this study were of the Africa-2 lineage. Our results demonstrated that transboundary transmission of rabies lyssavirus is a key event, given that one of the RABV sequences (MN196576) clustered with rabies variants from neighboring Niger Republic. Furthermore, three RABVs from dogs from Anambra State clustered separately forming a novel and distinct group. Our results demonstrated that transboundary transmission of RABLVs is a key driver in the spread of rabies in West Africa. In order for the successful control of this zoonotic disease, a multinational stepwise surveillance and elimination of rabies in Africa by 2030 is probably the solution for regional elimination.The Tertiary Educational Trust Fund (TETFund) of the Nigerian government through University of Nigeria IBR and Bench Space Intervention (TETFUND/DESS/UNI/NSUKKA/RP/VOL.V) and also the ARC-OVI National Assets [P10000029] Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/virusesam2021Veterinary Tropical Disease

Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) greatly affects livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana prevalence of AAT is estimated to range between 5 and 50%. Studies have reported serum biochemical aberrations and variability in cytokine profiles in animals during infection. However, information regarding the biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural infections are limited. This study was therefore aimed at investigating changes in the levels of serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines during a natural infection. METHODS: Nested internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR and sequencing were used to characterise trypanosome infection in cattle at two areas in Ghana (Adidome and Accra) of different endemicities. The cattle were sampled at four to five-week intervals over a period of six months. Levels of serum biochemical parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and total protein and cytokines (interleukin 10, interleukin 4, interleukin 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured in serum samples and then compared between infected cattle and uninfected controls. RESULTS: The predominant trypanosome species detected in Accra (non-endemic) and Adidome (endemic) were Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Serum biochemical parameters were similar between infected and uninfected cattle in Accra. Infected cattle at Adidome however, had significantly higher levels of ALP, creatinine, total protein and total bilirubin (P < 0.05) and significantly lower levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) at specific time points. At basal levels and during infection, significantly higher pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory (Th1/Th2) cytokine ratios were observed in cattle at Adidome compared to Accra (P < 0.05), indicating a shift towards Th1 immune response in Adidome. Levels of IL-10 were, however, significantly elevated in infected cattle in Accra (P < 0.05), suggesting high anti-inflammatory cytokine response in Accra. CONCLUSION: These results suggests that cattle in an endemic area repeatedly infected with trypanosomes of different species or different antigenic types demonstrate high pro-inflammatory (Th1) immune response and biochemical alterations whereas cattle in a non-endemic area with predominantly chronic T. theileri infections demonstrate high anti-inflammatory response and no biochemical alterations

Loneliness in Homebound Older Adults: Integrative Literature Review.

Loneliness affects people of all ages at one point or another in their lives; however, older adults aged ≥65 years are disproportionally affected due to age-related losses. Most research on loneliness has focused on older adults in general. Older adults who are homebound tend to have more disabilities and associated complications than older adults in the general population and face unique challenges. The current review examined and synthesized knowledge about loneliness among older adults who are homebound using Whittemore and Knafl\u27s analysis process. Fourteen studies published from 1999 to 2020 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis resulted in four themes: characteristics of loneliness in older adults who are homebound, risks for homebound in older adults, location of older adults who are homebound, and coping strategies and methods to reduce loneliness in this population. Implications for nursing practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.