Evidence-Based Interventions to Teach Daily Life Skills to Adults Impacted by Disabilities in Transition-Based Programs

In collaboration with an occupational therapist at a school-based outreach program, we conducted a systematic literature review exploring existing evidence-based interventions that support activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) skill acquisition for transition-aged students over the age of 18 highly impacted by cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Existing literature explored the use of video-based interventions such as video prompting (VP) and video modeling (VM); interactive technology such as augmented reality, iPad applications, or audio recordings; non-technology based interventions such as visual supports, self-regulated problem solving, and adapting the environment. The evidence favored the use of VP to support ADL and IADL skill acquisition, with added support such as graduated guidance and error correction. The end product of the knowledge translation was a publicly-available VP intervention for putting groceries away. Production of the VP intervention involved creating a task analysis, filming and script writing. In order to track the ease, efficiency, and feasibility of a video-promoting intervention in this population, we administered a pre-post test survey. Results indicate a higher feasibility in use of this intervention in a setting servicing transition aged clients impacted by disabilities. We recommend that future researchers continue to focus on interventions to support transition-aged students highly impacted by disabilities with ADL and IADL skill acquisition

Exoplanet Diversity in the Era of Space-based Direct Imaging Missions

This whitepaper discusses the diversity of exoplanets that could be detected by future observations, so that comparative exoplanetology can be performed in the upcoming era of large space-based flagship missions. The primary focus will be on characterizing Earth-like worlds around Sun-like stars. However, we will also be able to characterize companion planets in the system simultaneously. This will not only provide a contextual picture with regards to our Solar system, but also presents a unique opportunity to observe size dependent planetary atmospheres at different orbital distances. We propose a preliminary scheme based on chemical behavior of gases and condensates in a planet's atmosphere that classifies them with respect to planetary radius and incident stellar flux.Comment: A white paper submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Exoplanet Science Strateg

Physiological Correlates of Volunteering

We review research on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising research field. Some of these correlates seem to be causal factors influencing volunteering. Volunteers tend to have better physical health, both self-reported and expert-assessed, better mental health, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has rarely examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic correlates of volunteering to any significant extent, especially controlling for other factors as potential confounds. Evolutionary theory and behavioral genetic research suggest the importance of such physiological factors in humans. Basically, many aspects of social relationships and social activities have effects on health (e.g., Newman and Roberts 2013; Uchino 2004), as the widely used biopsychosocial (BPS) model suggests (Institute of Medicine 2001). Studies of formal volunteering (FV), charitable giving, and altruistic behavior suggest that physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as oxytocin receptor [OXTR] genes, Arginine vasopressin receptor [AVPR] genes, dopamine D4 receptor [DRD4] genes, and 5-HTTLPR). We recommend that future research on physiological factors be extended to non-Western populations, focusing specifically on volunteering, and differentiating between different forms and types of volunteering and civic participation

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism by Phytochemicals Derived from Algae and Edible Mushrooms in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Cholesterol synthesis occurs in almost all cells, but mainly in hepatocytes in the liver. Cholesterol is garnering increasing attention for its central role in various metabolic diseases. In addition, cholesterol is one of the most essential elements for cells as both a structural source and a player participating in various metabolic pathways. Accurate regulation of cholesterol is necessary for the proper metabolism of fats in the body. Disturbances in cholesterol homeostasis have been linked to various metabolic diseases, such as hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). For many years, the use of synthetic chemical drugs has been effective against many health conditions. Furthermore, from ancient to modern times, various plant-based drugs have been considered local medicines, playing important roles in human health. Phytochemicals are bioactive natural compounds that are derived from medicinal plants, fruit, vegetables, roots, leaves, and flowers and are used to treat a variety of diseases. They include flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, and more. Many of these compounds have been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity and antihypercholesteremic activity. The multifaceted role of phytochemicals may provide health benefits to humans with regard to the treatment and control of cholesterol metabolism and the diseases associated with this disorder, such as NAFLD. In recent years, global environmental climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, the current war in Europe, and other conflicts have threatened food security and human nutrition worldwide. This further emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable sources of functional phytochemicals to be included in the food industry and dietary habits. This review summarizes the latest findings on selected phytochemicals from sustainable sources&mdash;algae and edible mushrooms&mdash;that affect the synthesis and metabolism of cholesterol and improve or prevent NAFLD

The Evolution of Telepsychiatry for Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19: a Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article aims to review and synthesize the current research evidence regarding the efficacy of telepsychiatry-delivered substance use disorder treatment using a narrative review with a focus on the effects of remote healthcare delivery within the substance abuse treatment space. RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 pandemic exerted substantial pressures on all levels of society. Social isolation, loss of employment, stress, physical illness, overburdened health services, unmet medical needs, and rapidly changing pandemic restrictions had particularly severe consequences for people with mental health issues and substance use disorders. Since the start of the pandemic, addiction treatment (and medical treatment overall) using remote health platforms has significantly expanded to different platforms and delivery systems. The USA, in particular, reported transformational policy developments to enable the delivery of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, systemic barriers such as a widespread lack of internet access and insufficient patient and provider digital skills remain. SUMMARY: Overall, telepsychiatry is a promising approach for the treatment of substance use disorders, but more randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to assess the evidence base of available interventions

Local microRNA delivery targets Palladin and prevents metastatic breast cancer

Metastasis is the primary cause for mortality in breast cancer. MicroRNAs, gene expression master regulators, constitute an attractive candidate to control metastasis. Here we show that breast cancer metastasis can be prevented by miR-96 or miR-182 treatment, and decipher the mechanism of action. We found that miR-96/miR-182 downregulate Palladin protein levels, thereby reducing breast cancer cell migration and invasion. A common SNP, rs1071738, at the miR-96/miR-182-binding site within the Palladin 3′-UTR abolishes miRNA:mRNA binding, thus diminishing Palladin regulation by these miRNAs. Regulation is successfully restored by applying complimentary miRNAs. A hydrogel-embedded, gold-nanoparticle-based delivery vehicle provides efficient local, selective, and sustained release of miR-96/miR-182, markedly suppressing metastasis in a breast cancer mouse model. Combined delivery of the miRNAs with a chemotherapy drug, cisplatin, enables significant primary tumour shrinkage and metastasis prevention. Our data corroborate the role of miRNAs in metastasis, and suggest miR-96/miR-182 delivery as a potential anti-metastatic drug

The Mechanism of Effort Intolerance in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Combined Stress Echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

Aim: We used a combined stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to explore effort intolerance in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. Methods: Twenty-three patients who had both PAD and coronary artery disease (CAD) were compared with twenty-four sex- and age-matched CAD patients and fifteen normal controls using a symptom-limited ramp bicycle CPET on a tilting dedicated ergometer. Echocardiographic images were obtained concurrently with gas exchange measurements along predefined stages of exercise. Oxygen extraction was calculated using the Fick equation at each activity level. Results: Along the stages of exercise (unloaded; anaerobic threshold; peak), in PAD + CAD patients compared with CAD or controls, diastolic function worsened (p = 0.051 and p = 0.013, respectively), and oxygen consumption (p p p = 0.0024 and p = 0.0027, respectively) were reduced. Notably, oxygen pulse was blunted due to an insufficient increase in both stroke volume (p = 0.025 and p = 0.028, respectively) and peripheral oxygen extraction (p = 0.031 and p = 0.038, respectively). Chronotropic incompetence was more prevalent in PAD patients and persisted after correction for beta-blocker use (62% vs. 42% and 11%, respectively). Conclusions: In PAD patients, exercise limitation is associated with diastolic dysfunction, chronotropic incompetence and peripheral factors

Influence of Carotid Endarterectomy on Choroidal Perfusion: The INFLATE Study

Patients with clinically significant carotid artery stenosis (CAS) undergoing carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) were imaged with swept-source tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging protocol to determine if there were changes in choroidal blood flow after surgery. Prospective observational study. Patients with clinically significant CAS undergoing unilateral CEA. All participants underwent SS-OCTA imaging using a 6×6mm scan pattern on both eyes before CEA and within one week after CEA. Previously validated automated algorithms were used to measure the mean choroidal thickness (MCT) and choroidal vascular index (CVI) within 2.5mm and 5mm circles centered on fovea. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of various baseline factors including age, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and degree of stenosis, on both baseline of MCT and CVI, and the changes in MCT and CVI. Changes in MCT and CVI. 116 eyes from 60 patients with a mean age of 71.57±7.37 years were involved in the study. At baseline, MCT in both the 2.5 mm and 5 mm circles were significantly thinner on the surgical side compared with the nonsurgical side (p=0.03), while no significant differences were seen in the CVI at baseline between the two sides (2.5 mm circle: p=0.24 and 5 mm circle: p=0.09). Within one week after CEA, there were significant increases in the MCT on the surgical side as compared with the nonsurgical side in both the 2.5mm (p<0.001) and the 5mm (p<0.001) circles. No significant change in CVI was noted before and after CEA on the surgical side versus nonsurgical side (2.5 mm: p=0.30 and 5mm: p=0.97). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that baseline MCT before CEA significantly decreased with age on both the surgical (p<0.001) and nonsurgical sides (p=0.003) while the changes in MCT and CVI after CEA were not associated with age, MAP, and degree of stenosis. A rapid and significant increase in MCT was observed on the ipsilateral side of CEA suggesting an improvement in choroidal perfusion within one week after surgery