Sexuality and ageing : A mixed methods explorative study of older adult’s experiences, attitudes, and support needs

Introduction: Sexuality contributes to health and wellbeing, but it is often overlooked as an important occupation for older adults. Older adult studies focus on decreased participation and functioning in sexual acts. This study aimed to obtain perspectives and explore understandings and experiences of sexuality and of support needs, for typically ageing adults. Method: Seventy-five older adults aged 60 years and older participated in the online cross-sectional survey. Participants were primarily from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Closed questions were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and reflexive thematic analysis was used for open questions. Results: Throughout the ageing process, older adults continued to value their sexuality, expression, desire, and identity, though meanings and participation changed. Changes and challenges were overcome through openness, exploration, curiosity, valued relationships, and adaptations to ways of doing. Older adults identified being dissatisfied with current sexual health supports, resources, and services. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals need to develop intervention knowledge to address diverse needs, and better support older adults in sexuality through open discussion, addressing psychological, social, and health concerns as part of everyday practice. The development of standardized assessments and resources with consumer collaboration will ensure resources address multifaceted components of sexuality, and older adults’ needs

Blank peak current-suppressed electrochemical aptameric sensing platform for highly sensitive signal-on detection of small molecule

In this contribution, an electrochemical aptameric sensing scheme for the sensitive detection of small molecules is proposed using adenosine as a target model. A ferrocene (Fc)-functionalized thiolated aptamer probe is adapted and immobilized onto an electrode surface. Introducing a recognition site for EcoRI into the aptamer sequence not only suppresses the peak current corresponding to blank sample but also provides a signal-on response mechanism. In the absence of adenosine, the aptamer can fold into a hairpin structure and form a cleavable double-stranded region. Fc is capable of being removed from electrode surface by treatment with endonuclease, and almost no peak current is observed. The adenosine/aptamer binding induces the conformational transition of designed aptamer, dissociating the cleavable double-stranded segment. Therefore, the integrated aptamer sequence is maintained when exposing to endonuclease, generating a peak current of Fc. Utilizing the present sensing scheme, adenosine even at a low concentration can give a detectable current signal. Thus, a detection limit of 10−10 M and a linear response range from 3.74 × 10−9 to 3.74 × 10−5 M are achieved. The proposed proof-of-principle of a novel electrochemical sensing is expected to extend to establish various aptameric platforms for the analysis of a broad range of target molecules of interest

Tumor-Associated Cataract

Cataracts are opaque areas in the lens, which should be entirely clear. Cataracts can be secondary to age as well as mechanical, chemical, or radiation trauma. They are the single largest cause of blindness in the world accounting for over 47% of blindness worldwide. Intraocular tumors are a rare but important cause of cataract, and the presence of intraocular tumor as an underlying cause should be excluded when the cataract is unilateral, total, sectoral, or posterior subcapsular without an obvious cause such as trauma, inflammation, or steroid use. The cataract may be caused by the tumor itself or by previous interventions to diagnose (biopsy) or treat (steroids, excision, radiation, chemotherapy) the intraocular tumor. In the case of a poor view on funduscopy, the clinician must rely on thorough examination techniques and ancillary tests such as ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy to determine the presence and extent of an intraocular tumor. It is important to remember that the management of patients with intraocular tumors is complex, sometimes controversial, and in some instances, the tumor may have been treated with unfamiliar techniques. In this chapter we will discuss the various treatment-related causes of cataract, specific tumor entities associated with cataract, and special considerations for the management of cataract in patients with intraocular tumors