Assessing older adult physical activity levels in clinical settings: The modified PAVS for older adults.

Participating in recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is critical for preventing functional decline, falls, and frailty, making it essential to identify older adults not meeting national PA guidelines. However, guidance on assessing older adult PA levels, particularly in clinical settings, is lacking. This article presents an overview of clinically feasible PA assessment tools for older adults, identifies gaps in current tools, and provides recommendations on addressing these gaps. We conducted a literature review on clinically feasible PA assessment tools, suggested modifications to an existing PA assessment for older adult patients, and highlighted opportunities for integrating the modified PA assessment tool in clinical settings. We identified 16 PA assessment tools used in clinical settings. The most widely used tool is the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS), which has been successfully integrated into several electronic health records (EHR) and clinical practices. Most tools, including the PAVS, primarily focus on aerobic activities, with limited consideration for strength and balance. We recommend the use of a Modified PAVS for Older Adults that includes items on muscle-strengthening and balance activities to better align with national PA guidelines. We then identified several existing opportunities for broad implementation of the Modified PAVS for Older Adults within clinical settings. Widespread integration of the Modified PAVS for Older Adults will better support healthcare providers in identifying individuals not meeting national PA recommendations, assisting them in prescribing tailored PA prescriptions and better connecting their patients to appropriate resources and professionals for further support. [Abstract copyright: © 2024 The American Geriatrics Society.

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Diversity in Eucalyptus

1 Extensive variation to damage by the invasive gall-forming wasp Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is known to exist amongst Eucalyptus genotypes. 2 In the present study, 30 of the 50 tested genotypes were susceptible to gall formation and development of the wasp. Gall development on the petiole and leaves of plants was compared to calculate the percentage of infestation per plant and per genotype. 3 A positive correlation between galls on petioles and leaves indicated an absence of specificity at this level, and also that either leaves or petioles could be used to obtain an accurate estimate of the level of infestation. 4 Genotypes of E. nitens × E. grandis and E. grandis × E. camaldulensis were most susceptible, with a maximum damage index value for leaves and petioles of 0.52 and 0.39, respectively. Eucalyptus dunii, E. nitens, E. smithii, E. urophylla and E. saligna × E. urophylla showed little or no infestation. 5 The results obtained in the present study suggest that the selection and planting of resistant/less susceptible genotypes will be an important aid in managing damage from L. invasa invasion.The University of Pretoria, members of the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) and The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1461-9563

And now for something completely different: Diversity in ligand-dependent activation of Ah receptor responses

Ligand-dependent activation of the Ah receptor (AhR) can result in an extremely diverse spectrum of biological and toxic effects that occur in a ligand-, species- and tissue-specific manner. While the classical mechanism of AhR-dependent signal transduction is directly related to its ability to modulate gene expression, the dramatic diversity in responses observed following AhR activation or inhibition is inconsistent with a single molecular mechanism of AhR action. Recent studies have revealed that key molecular events underlying the AhR signaling pathway are significantly more varied and complex than previously established, and the specificity and diversity in AhR response can be selectively modulated by a variety of factors. Here we describe new insights into the mechanistic diversity in AhR signal transduction that can contribute to ligand-, species- and tissue-specific differences in AhR reponse

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor is essential for mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of a novel low-molecular-weight compound

VAF347 is a low-molecular-weight compound that inhibits allergic lung inflammation in vivo. This effect is likely the result of a block of dendritic cell (DC) function to generate proinflammatory T-helper (Th) cells because VAF347 inhibits interleukin (IL)–6, CD86, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–DR expression by human monocyte-derived DC, 3 relevant molecules for Th-cell generation. Here we demonstrate that VAF347 interacts with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) protein, resulting in activation of the AhR signaling pathway. Functional AhR is responsible for the biologic activity of VAF347 because (1) other AhR agonists display an identical activity profile in vitro, (2) gene silencing of wild-type AhR expression or forced overexpression of a trans-dominant negative AhR ablates VAF347 activity to inhibit cytokine induced IL-6 expression in a human monocytic cell line, and (3) AhR-deficient mice are resistant to the compound's ability to block allergic lung inflammation in vivo. These data identify the AhR protein as key molecular target of VAF347 and its essential role for mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of the compound in vitro and in vivo