Dementia's Illumination of the Sacred

"Where am I? Will somebody please tell me where I am?" Alice calls in polite despair. I explain that we are in a nursing home in Church Street, Fitzroy. She nods and remarks politely that she thinks she knew someone who went to that place once. I settle back into feeding my Dad, who suffers from advanced Alzheimer's disease. Two minutes later, Alice asks me again, "Excuse me dear, could you please tell me where I am?

A single hydrophobic cleft in the Escherichia coli processivity clamp is sufficient to support cell viability and DNA damage-induced mutagenesis in vivo

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ubiquitous family of DnaN sliding processivity clamp proteins plays essential roles in DNA replication, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression, in part by managing the actions of the different proteins involved in these processes. Interactions of the homodimeric <it>Escherichia coli </it>β clamp with its known partners involves multiple surfaces, including a hydrophobic cleft located near the C-terminus of each clamp protomer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A mutant <it>E. coli </it>β clamp protein lacking a functional hydrophobic cleft (β^C) complemented the temperature sensitive growth phenotype of a strain bearing the <it>dnaN159 </it>allele, which encodes a thermolabile mutant clamp protein (β159). Complementation was conferred by a β^C/β159 heterodimer, and was observed only in the absence of the <it>dinB </it>gene, which encodes DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV). Furthermore, the complemented strain was proficient for <it>umuDC </it>(Pol V) -dependent ultraviolet light (UV) -induced mutagenesis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that a single cleft in the homodimeric <it>E. coli </it>β sliding clamp protein is sufficient to support both cell viability, as well as Pol III, Pol IV, and Pol V function <it>in vivo</it>. These findings provide further support for a model in which different Pols switch places with each other on DNA using a single cleft in the clamp.</p

Expressive and receptive use of speech and graphic symbols by typically developing children: What skills contribute to performance on structured sentence-level tasks?

Purpose: To explore expressive and receptive use of speech and graphic symbols and relationships with linguistic and cognitive skills in children with typical development. Method: Participants were 82 children with typical development (4 to 9 years). Measures of memory, visual analysis skills, and receptive language were used, along with five experimental tasks with speech or symbols as input (stimulus) or output (response), using single clause and compound clause stimuli. Cluster analysis grouped participants with similar performances patterns, who were then compared on linguistic and cognitive skill measures. Result: The lowest performing group sometimes accurately interpreted graphic symbol utterances that were visible during responding. The mid-performing group was stronger on expressive than receptive symbol utterances when the model did not remain visible. The highest group was comparable on expressive and receptive symbol tasks, but nonetheless stronger with spoken utterances. Relationships of linguistic and cognitive skills with task performance differed across the clusters. Conclusion: The findings help clarify the input-output modality asymmetry in graphic symbol communication. Spoken language proficiency does not directly transfer to sentence-level expressive and receptive graphic symbol use. Exploring potentially challenging sentence-level phenomena is important. Research is warranted to explore developmental progressions and potential clinical applications more systematically

Paleonutrition

The study of paleonutrition provides valuable insights into shifts and changes in human history. This is the most comprehensive book on the topic. Intended for students and professionals, it describes the nature of paleonutrition studies, reviews the history of research, discusses methodological issues in the reconstruction of prehistoric diets, presents theoretical frameworks frequently used in research, and showcases examples in which analyses have been successfully conducted on prehistoric individuals, groups, and populations. It offers an integrative approach to understanding state-of-the-art anthropological dietary, health, and nutritional assessments. The most recent and innovative methods used to reconstruct prehistoric diets are discussed, along with the major ways in which paleonutrition data are recovered, analyzed, and interpreted. The book includes five contemporary case studies that illustrate the mutually beneficial linkages between ethnography and archaeology

Test-retest reliability of the isometric soleus strength test in elite male academy footballers.

BACKGROUND Currently there is no reliability data is available for the isometric soleus strength test (ISST), commonly used as a monitoring tool in elite football settings. ISST for other muscle groups, most notably the hamstrings, is utilised to identify injury risk and readiness to train/play. PURPOSE To profile athletes efficiently, performance practitioners require optimal measures that are reliable. The aim of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the ISST of the soleus and validate a standardised protocol for its use within an elite male football population. STUDY DESIGN The present study represents a test-retest reliability single cohort study. METHODS Thirty elite male footballers (age = 22.8±5.0 years, height = 180.0±0.08 cm, weight = 70.57±4.0 kg) performed the ISST, through 3 maximum 3-second hold efforts with 1-minute rest between repetitions and 48 hours between tests, in each test. The test was performed mid-competitive season. All data bilaterally was checked for normality through a Shapiro-Wilk Test before a Pearson’s Correlation and Bland-Altman’s analysis was performed. RESULTS Test-retest reliability demonstrated high reliability for ISST bilaterally (Right: ICC 0.89; Left: ICC 0.79, p<0.05). Standard errors of measurement (SEM) (%) was 8.75% and minimal detectable change (MDC) was 35.55 (N) for Peak Force (PF) measures of the ISST. Levels of agreement were found bilaterally for ISST (Right: p=0.09, CI: -153.21-10.95; Left: p=0.52, CI: -139.81-72.33). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated high reliability for the ISST. The ISST is a valid and reliable method for assessing PF characteristics of the soleus in elite male academy footballers. This test may be beneficial for performance practitioners for profiling soleus function of athletes. Findings indicate that the ISST displays high test-retest reliability in elite male academy football populations and should be considered in performance profiling of the athlete

Predicting which people with psychosocial distress are at risk of becoming dependent on state benefits: analysis of routinely available data

Objectives To examine whether there was significant variation in levels of claiming incapacity benefit across general practices. To establish whether it is possible to identify people with mental health problems who are more at risk of becoming dependent on state benefits for long term health problems based on their general practice consulting behaviour

An online study combining the constructs from the theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation theory in predicting intention to test for chlamydia in two testing contexts

Chlamydia is a common sexually-transmitted infection that has potentially serious consequences unless detected and treated early. The health service in the UK offers clinic-based testing for chlamydia but uptake is low. Identifying the predictors of testing behaviours may inform interventions to increase uptake. Self-tests for chlamydia may facilitate testing and treatment in people who avoid clinic-based testing. Self-testing and being tested by a health care professional (HCP) involve two contrasting contexts that may influence testing behaviour. However, little is known about how predictors of behaviour differ as a function of context. In this study, theoretical models of behaviour were used to assess factors that may predict intention to test in two different contexts: self-testing and being tested by a HCP. Individuals searching for, or reading about chlamydia testing online were recruited using Google Adwords. Participants completed an online questionnaire that addressed previous testing behaviour and measured constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Protection Motivation Theory, which propose a total of eight possible predictors of intention. The questionnaire was completed by 310 participants. Sufficient data for multiple regression were provided by 102 and 118 respondents for self-testing and testing by a HCP respectively. Intention to self-test was predicted by vulnerability and self-efficacy, with a trend-level effect for response efficacy. Intention to be tested by a HCP was predicted by vulnerability, attitude and subjective norm. Thus, intentions to carry out two testing behaviours with very similar goals can have different predictors depending on test context. We conclude that interventions to increase self-testing should be based on evidence specifically related to test context

A powerful intervention: general practitioners' use of sickness certification in depression

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; Depression is frequently cited as the reason for sickness absence, and it is estimated that sickness certificates are issued in one third of consultations for depression. Previous research has considered GP views of sickness certification but not specifically in relation to depression. This study aimed to explore GPs views of sickness certification in relation to depression.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods&lt;/b&gt; A purposive sample of GP practices across Scotland was selected to reflect variations in levels of incapacity claimants and antidepressant prescribing. Qualitative interviews were carried out between 2008 and 2009.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt; A total of 30 GPs were interviewed. A number of common themes emerged including the perceived importance of GP advocacy on behalf of their patients, the tensions between stakeholders involved in the sickness certification system, the need to respond flexibly to patients who present with depression and the therapeutic nature of time away from work as well as the benefits of work. GPs reported that most patients with depression returned to work after a short period of absence and that it was often difficult to predict which patients would struggle to return to work.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt; GPs reported that dealing with sickness certification and depression presents distinct challenges. Sickness certificates are often viewed as powerful interventions, the effectiveness of time away from work for those with depression should be subject to robust enquiry

Standardizing gross descriptions of skin lesions in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in Southwest Florida, 2015–2019

As the first line of defense, the integumentary system is critical in comprehensively evaluating dolphin morbidity during stranding response. Most published studies on skin lesions in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) lack standardized gross descriptions and methodologies for evaluating lesions. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an assessment matrix designed to consistently describe skin lesions based on a set of standardized gross description characteristics. The matrix was implemented by reviewing necropsy reports, histopathology reports, and photographs collected from bottlenose dolphins stranded in Southwest Florida from 2015 through 2019. Of the 32 dolphins that met the inclusion criteria, 19 presented with skin lesions and five reviewers described each of the 46 lesions according to a novel, standardized assessment matrix. The most common descriptor selected, in each of the respective matrix categories, were, by anatomic location, head; distribution, multifocal to coalescing; quantity, moderate (10–30); size, &lt;2 cm; shape, punctate; margin, rounded; color modifier, hyperpigmentation; texture, smooth; and texture modifier, flat. These prevalent descriptors coincided with the frequent occurrence of histologically described hydropic degeneration (n=7, 15.2%) and were confirmed poxviral lesions in 6.52% (n=3). Identifying lesion patterns using standardized descriptors capitalizes on the unique pathogen tissue tropism and the implementation of certain disease mechanisms in the integumentary system. Therefore, it can facilitate differential disease diagnoses and guide ancillary diagnostics testing. The use of standardized descriptors will aid in etiologic identification and monitoring of skin lesions and associated diseases, advancing our understanding of dolphin morbidity and mortality