397 research outputs found
Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers improvement in selective cognitive functions in older adults: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project
Introduction The strong link between early-life education and subsequent reduced risk of dementia suggests that education in later life could enhance cognitive function and may reduce age-related cognitive decline and protect against dementia. Methods Episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and language processing performances were assessed annually over 4 years in 359 healthy older adults who attended university for a minimum of 12 months (intervention) and were compared against 100 healthy adult controls. Results Multiple group latent growth curve modeling revealed a significant improvement in language processing capacity over time in the intervention group. No changes were detected for episodic memory, working memory, or executive function. Discussion These results suggest that complex mental stimulation resulting from late-life further education results in improved crystallized knowledge but no changes to fluid cognitive functions. © 2017 The Author
Feedback-amplified electrochemical dual-plate boron-doped diamond microtrench detector for flow injection analysis
An electrochemical flow cell with a boronâdoped diamond dualâplate microtrench electrode has been developed and demonstrated for hydroquinone flow injection electroanalysis in phosphate buffer pH 7. Using the electrochemical generatorâcollector feedback detector improves the sensitivity by one order of magnitude (when compared to a single working electrode detector). The diffusion process is switched from an analyte consuming âexternalâ process to an analyte regenerating âinternalâ process with benefits in selectivity and sensitivity
The Epstein-Barr Virus G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Contributes to Immune Evasion by Targeting MHC Class I Molecules for Degradation
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus that persists as a largely subclinical infection in the vast majority of adults worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that an important component of the persistence strategy involves active interference with the MHC class I antigen processing pathway during the lytic replication cycle. We have now identified a novel role for the lytic cycle gene, BILF1, which encodes a glycoprotein with the properties of a constitutive signaling G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). BILF1 reduced the levels of MHC class I at the cell surface and inhibited CD8+ T cell recognition of
endogenous target antigens. The underlying mechanism involves physical association of BILF1 with MHC class I molecules, an increased turnover from the cell surface, and enhanced degradation via lysosomal proteases. The BILF1 protein of the closely related CeHV15 c1-herpesvirus of the Rhesus Old World primate (80% amino acid sequence identity) downregulated surface MHC class I similarly to EBV BILF1. Amongst the human herpesviruses, the GPCR encoded by the ORF74 of the KSHV c2-herpesvirus is most closely related to EBV BILF1 (15% amino acid sequence identity) but did not affect levels of surface MHC class I. An engineered mutant of BILF1 that was unable to activate G protein signaling pathways retained the ability to downregulate MHC class I, indicating that the immune-modulating and GPCR-signaling properties are two distinct functions of BILF1. These findings extend our understanding of the normal biology of an important human pathogen. The discovery of a third EBV lytic cycle gene that cooperates to interfere with MHC class I antigen processing underscores the importance of the need for EBV to be able to evade CD8+ T cell responses during the lytic replication cycle, at a time when such a large number of potential viral targets are expressed
Policy Recommendations for Meeting the Grand Challenge to Achieve Equal Opportunity and Justice
This brief was created forSocial Innovation for Americaâs Renewal, a policy conference organized by the Center for Social Development in collaboration with the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, which is leading theGrand Challenges for Social Work initiative to champion social progress. The conference site includes links to speeches, presentations, and a full list of the policy briefs
Service use of older people who participate in primary care health promotion: a latent class analysis
Background: Recruiting patients to health promotion programmes who will benefit is crucial to success. A key policy driver for health promotion in older people is to reduce health and social care use. Our aim was to describe service use among older people taking part in the Multi-dimensional Risk Appraisal for Older people primary care health promotion programme. Methods: A random sample of 1 in 3 older people (â„65 years old) was invited to participate in the Multi-dimensional Risk Appraisal for Older people project across five general practices in London and Hertfordshire. Data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, well-being and functional ability, lifestyle factors and service use. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify groups based on use of the following: secondary health care, primary health care, community health care, paid care, unpaid care, leisure and local authority resources. Differences in group characteristics were assessed using univariate logistic regression, weighted by probability of class assignation and clustered by GP practice. Results: Response rate was 34% (526/1550) with 447 participants presenting sufficient data for analysis. LCA using three groups gave the most meaningful interpretation and best model fit. About a third (active well) were fit and active with low service use. Just under a third (high NHS users) had high impairments with high primary, secondary and community health care contact, but low non-health services use. Just over a third (community service users) with high impairments used community health and other services without much hospital use. Conclusion: Older people taking part in the Multi-dimensional Risk Appraisal for Older people primary care health promotion can be described as three groups: active well, high NHS users, and community service users
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Loneliness and Social Isolation: A Multi-Country Study
Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. The COVID-19 global pandemic and subsequent public health social measures have challenged our social and economic life, with increasing concerns around potentially rising levels of social isolation and loneliness. This paper is based on cross-sectional online survey data (available in 10 languages, from 2 June to 16 November 2020) with 20,398 respondents from 101 different countries. It aims to help increase our understanding of the global risk factors that are associated with social isolation and loneliness, irrespective of culture or country, to support evidence-based policy, services and public health interventions. We found the prevalence of severe loneliness was 21% during COVID-19 with 6% retrospectively reporting severe loneliness prior to the pandemic. A fifth were defined as isolated based on their usual connections, with 13% reporting a substantial increase in isolation during COVID-19. Personal finances and mental health were overarching and consistently cross-cutting predictors of loneliness and social isolation, both before and during the pandemic. With the likelihood of future waves of COVID-19 and related restrictions, it must be a public health priority to address the root causes of loneliness and social isolation and, in particular, address the needs of specific groups such as carers or those living alone
Study protocol: a mixed methods study to assess mental health recovery, shared decision-making and quality of life (Plan4Recovery)
BACKGROUND: Recovery in mental health care is complex, highly individual and can be facilitated by a range of professional and non-professional support. In this study we will examine how recovery from mental health problems is promoted in non-medical settings. We hypothesise a relationship between involvement in decisions about care, social support and recovery and quality of life outcomes. METHODS: We will use standardised validated instruments of involvement in decision-making, social contacts, recovery and quality of life with a random sample of people accessing non-statutory mental health social care services in Wales. We will add to this important information with detailed one to one case study interviews with people, their family members and their support workers. We will use a series of these interviews to examine how people build recovery over time to help us understand more about their involvement in decisions and the social links they build. DISCUSSION: We want to see how being involved in decisions about care and the social links people have are related to recovery and quality of life for people with experience of using mental health support services. We want to understand the different perspectives of the people involved in making recovery possible. We will use this information to guide further studies of particular types of social interventions and their use in helping recovery from mental health problems
Rh-POP Pincer Xantphos Complexes for C-S and C-H Activation. Implications for Carbothiolation Catalysis
The neutral RhÂ(I)âXantphos
complex [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)ÂCl]<sub><i>n</i></sub>, <b>4</b>, and cationic RhÂ(III) [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(H)<sub>2</sub>]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>2a</b>, and [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos-3,5-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(CF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>)Â(H)<sub>2</sub>]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>2b</b>, are described [Ar<sup>F</sup> = 3,5-(CF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>; Xantphos
= 4,5-bisÂ(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene; Xantphos-3,5-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(CF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> = 9,9-dimethylxanthene-4,5-bisÂ(bisÂ(3,5-bisÂ(trifluoromethyl)Âphenyl)Âphosphine].
A solid-state structure of <b>2b</b> isolated from C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>Cl solution shows a Îș<sup>1</sup>-chlorobenzene
adduct, [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos-3,5-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(CF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>)Â(H)<sub>2</sub>(Îș<sup>1</sup>-ClC<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>3</b>. Addition of H<sub>2</sub> to <b>4</b> affords,
crystallographically characterized, [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(H)<sub>2</sub>Cl], <b>5</b>. Addition of diphenyl
acetylene to <b>2a</b> results in the formation of the CâH
activated metallacyclopentadiene [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(ClCH<sub>2</sub>Cl)Â(Ï,Ï-(C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>)ÂCÂ(H)î»CPh)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>7</b>, a rare example of a crystallographically characterized Rhâdichloromethane
complex, alongside the RhÂ(I) complex <i>mer</i>-[RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(η<sup>2</sup>-PhCCPh)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>6</b>. Halide abstraction from [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)ÂCl]<sub><i>n</i></sub> in the presence of diphenylacetylene affords <b>6</b> as the
only product, which in the solid state shows that the alkyne binds
perpendicular to the Îș<sup>3</sup>-POP Xantphos ligand plane.
This complex acts as a latent source of the [RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)]<sup>+</sup> fragment and facilitates
<i>ortho</i>-directed CâS activation in a number
of 2-arylsulfides to give <i>mer</i>-[RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(Ï,Îș<sup>1</sup>-Ar)Â(SMe)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>] (Ar = C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>COMe, <b>8</b>; C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>(CO)ÂOMe, <b>9</b>; C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>2</sub>, <b>10</b>; C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>CNCH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>O, <b>11</b>; C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>4</sub>N, <b>12</b>).
Similar CâS bond cleavage is observed with allyl sulfide,
to give <i>fac</i>-[RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(η<sup>3</sup>-C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)Â(SPh)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>13</b>. These products of CâS
activation have been crystallographically characterized. For <b>8</b> in situ monitoring of the reaction by NMR spectroscopy reveals
the initial formation of <i>fac</i>-Îș<sup>3</sup>-<b>8</b>, which then proceeds to isomerize to the <i>mer</i>-isomer. With the <i>para</i>-ketone aryl sulfide, 4-SMeC <sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>COMe, CâH activation <i>ortho</i> to the ketone occurs to give <i>mer</i>-[RhÂ(Îș<sup>3</sup>-<sub>P,O,P</sub>-Xantphos)Â(Ï,Îș<sup>1</sup>-4-(COMe)ÂC<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>SMe)Â(H)]Â[BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>], <b>14</b>. The temporal evolution of carbothiolation catalysis using <i>mer</i>-Îș<sup>3</sup>-<b>8</b>, and phenyl acetylene
and 2-(methylthio)Âacetophenone substrates shows initial fast catalysis
and then a considerably slower evolution of the product. We suggest
that the initially formed <i>fac</i>-isomer of the CâS
activation product is considerably more active than the <i>mer</i>-isomer (i.e., <i>mer</i>-<b>8</b>), the latter of
which is formed rapidly by isomerization, and this accounts for the
observed difference in rates. A likely mechanism is proposed based
upon these data
Validation of the Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) instrument: a computerized telephonic measure
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brief screening tests have been developed to measure cognitive performance and dementia, yet they measure limited cognitive domains and often lack construct validity. Neuropsychological assessments, while comprehensive, are too costly and time-consuming for epidemiological studies. This study's aim was to develop a psychometrically valid telephone administered test of cognitive function in aging.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a sequential hierarchical strategy, each stage of test development did not proceed until specified criteria were met. The 30 minute Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) measure and a 2.5 hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a randomly selected sample of 211 participants 65 years and older that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the CALLS test was 0.81. A principal component analysis of the CALLS tests yielded five components. The CALLS total score was significantly correlated with four neuropsychological assessment components. Older age and having a high school education or less was significantly correlated with lower CALLS total scores. Females scored better overall than males. There were no score differences based on race.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The CALLS test is a valid measure that provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study cognitive function in large populations.</p
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