Sending Your Grandparents to University Increases Cognitive Reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project.

Increasing an individual’s level of cognitive reserve (CR) has been suggested as a nonpharmacological approach to reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. We examined changes in CR in older adults participating over 4 years in the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project. Method: A sample of 459 healthy older adults between 50 and 79 years of age underwent a comprehensive annual assessment of current CR, neuropsychological function, and psychosocial factors over a 4-year period. The intervention group of 359 older adults (M � 59.61 years, SD � 6.67) having completed a minimum of 12 months part-time university study were compared against a control reference group of 100 adults (M � 62.49 years, SD � 6.24) who did not engage in further education. Results: Growth mixture modeling demonstrated that 44.3% of the control sample showed no change in CR, whereas 92.5% of the further education participants displayed a significant linear increase in CR over the 4 years of the study. These results indicate that older adults engaging in high-level mental stimulation display an increase in CR over a 4-year period. Conclusion: Increasing mental activity in older adulthood may be a viable strategy to improve cognitive function and offset cognitive decline associated with normal aging

Crassostrea Ariakensis In Chesapeake Bay: Growth, Disease And Mortality In Shallow Subtidal Environments

In April 2004, triploid native (Crassostrea virginica) and nonnative (Crassostrea ariakensis) oysters were deployed in cages at four sites along a salinity gradient in Chesapeake Bay. In Maryland, the lowest salinity site was located in the Severn River and two low to mid-salinity sites were located in the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers. The highest salinity site was located in the York River in Virginia. Growth, disease acquisition, and mortality were measured in the deployed oysters through August 2006. Although ANOVA revealed that the nonnative oysters were significantly larger at the end of the experiment than the native oysters at all sites, the differences were much greater at the Virginia site (59 mm) than in Maryland waters (9-23 mm). With the exception of C. ariakensis in the Severn River, Perkinsus marinus infected both species at all sites. Prevalences and weighted prevalences in both species remained relatively low throughout the experiment, but native oysters consistently acquired higher prevalences and weighted prevalences than C. ariakensis by August 2006. With the exception of several mortality-inducing events including winter freezing and hypoxic exposure, mortality was generally low in both species. No disease-related mortality was suspected in either species given the low weighted prevalences observed. In the York River, where a substantial natural spatfall occurred in 2004, more native spat were found on C. ariakensis than on C. virginica. To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of triploid C. ariakensis to triploid C. virginica conducted in the field. Because we did not observe substantial disease-related mortality, it is too soon to draw conclusions regarding the disease tolerance of C. ariakensis in the field or its viability as a replacement for the native species

The hand of Homo naledi

A nearly complete right hand of an adult hominin was recovered from the Rising Star cave system, South Africa. Based on associated hominin material, the bones of this hand are attributed to Homo naledi. This hand reveals a long, robust thumb and derived wrist morphology that is shared with Neandertals and modern humans, and considered adaptive for intensified manual manipulation. However, the finger bones are longer and more curved than in most australopiths, indicating frequent use of the hand during life for strong grasping during locomotor climbing and suspension. These markedly curved digits in combination with an otherwise human-like wrist and palm indicate a significant degree of climbing, despite the derived nature of many aspects of the hand and other regions of the postcranial skeleton in H. naledi

Pharmacokinetics of Antituberculosis Drugs in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Adults in Malawi

Limited data address the impact of HIV co-infection on the pharmacokinetics of anti-tuberculosis drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa. 47 Malawian adults underwent rich pharmacokinetic sampling at 0-0.5-1-2-3-4-6-8 and 24 hours post-dose. 51% were male; mean age was 34 years. 65% were HIV-positive with a mean CD4 count of 268 cells/μL. Anti-tuberculosis drugs were administered as fixed-dose combinations (rifampicin150mg/isoniazid75mg/pyrazinamide400mg/ethambutol275mg) according to recommended weight bands. Plasma drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (rifampicin and pyrazinamide) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (isoniazid and ethambutol). Data were analysed by non-compartmental methods and analysis of variance of log-transformed summary parameters. Pharmacokinetic parameters were: rifampicin Cmax 4.129 (2.474-5.596)μg/mL, AUC0-24 21.32 (13.57-28.60)μg/mL*h, half-life 2.45 (1.86-3.08)h; isoniazid Cmax 3.97 (2.979-4.544)μg/mL, AUC0-24 22.5 (14.75-34.59)μg/mL*h, half-life 3.93 (3.18-4.73)h.; pyrazinamide Cmax 34.21 (30.00-41.60)μg/mL, AUC0-24 386.6 (320.0-463.7)μg/mL*h, half-life 6.821 (5.71-8.042)h; ethambutol Cmax 2.278 (1.694-3.098)μg/mL, AUC0-24 20.41 (16.18-26.27)μg/mL*h, half-life 7.507 (6.517-8.696)h. Isoniazid PK data analysis suggested that around two-thirds were slow acetylators. Dose, weight and weight-adjusted dose were not significant predictors of PK exposure probably due to weight-banded dosing. In this first pharmacokinetic study of tuberculosis drugs in Malawian adults, measures of pharmacokinetic exposure were comparable with other studies for all first line drugs except for rifampicin, for which Cmax and AUC0-24 were notably lower. Contrary to some earlier observations, HIV status did not significantly affect AUC of any of the drugs. Increasing the dose of rifampicin could be beneficial in African adults, irrespective of HIV status. Current co-trimoxazole prophylaxis was associated with an increase in half-life of isoniazid of 41% (p=0.022). Possible competitive interactions between isoniazid and sulphamethoxazole mediated by the N-acetyltransferase pathway should therefore be explored further

Bonded by nature: humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves

Introduction: To explore human-canid relationships, we tested similarly socialized and raised dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus) and their trainers in a wildlife park. The aims of our study were twofold: first, we aimed to test which factors influenced the relationships that the trainers formed with the dogs or wolves and second, we investigated if the animals reacted to the trainers in accordance with the trainers’ perceptions of their relationship. Methods: To achieve these goals, we assessed the relationships using a human-animal bonds survey, which the trainers used to rate the bonds between themselves and their peers with the canids, and by observing dyadic trainer-canid social interactions. Results: Our preliminary results given the small sample size and the set-up of the research center, demonstrate that our survey was a valid way to measure these bonds since trainers seem to perceive and agree on the strength of their bonds with the animals and that of their fellow trainers. Moreover, the strength of the bond as perceived by the trainers was mainly predicted by whether or not the trainer was a hand-raiser of the specific animal, but not by whether or not the animal was a wolf or a dog. In the interaction test, we found that male animals and animals the trainers felt more bonded to, spent more time in proximity of and in contact with the trainers; there was no difference based on species. Discussion: These results support the hypothesis that wolves, similarly to dogs, can form close relationships with familiar humans when highly socialized (Canine Cooperation Hypothesis). Moreover, as in other studies, dogs showed more submissive behaviors than wolves and did so more with experienced than less experienced trainers. Our study suggests that humans and canines form differentiated bonds with each other that, if close, are independent of whether the animal is a wolf or dog

Preference for different relaxation techniques by COPD patients: comparison between six techniques.

BACKGROUND: A review of the effectiveness of relaxation techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients has shown inconsistent results, but studies have varied in terms of technique and outcome measures. AIM: To determine patient preference for different relaxation techniques. METHODS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were presented with six techniques via a DVD and asked to rate the techniques in terms of effectiveness, rank in order of likely use, and comment. RESULTS: Patients differed in the technique preferred and reason for that preference, but the most commonly preferred technique both for effectiveness and ease of use was "thinking of a nice place" followed by progressive relaxation and counting. Familiarity and ease of activity were commonly given reasons for preference. CONCLUSION: Rather than providing patients with a single technique that they might find difficult to implement, these results suggest that it would be better to give a choice. "Thinking of a nice place" is a popular but under-investigated technique

Pathophysiologic Changes in Extracellular pH Modulate Parathyroid Calcium-Sensing Receptor Activity and Secretion via a Histidine-Independent Mechanism

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) modulates renal calcium reabsorption and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and is involved in the etiology of secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD. Supraphysiologic changes in extracellular pH (pH(o)) modulate CaR responsiveness in HEK-293 (CaR-HEK) cells. Therefore, because acidosis and alkalosis are associated with altered PTH secretion in vivo, we examined whether pathophysiologic changes in pH(o) can significantly alter CaR responsiveness in both heterologous and endogenous expression systems and whether this affects PTH secretion. In both CaR-HEK and isolated bovine parathyroid cells, decreasing pH(o) from 7.4 to 7.2 rapidly inhibited CaR-induced intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(i)) mobilization, whereas raising pH(o) to 7.6 potentiated responsiveness to extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(o)). Similar pH(o) effects were observed for Ca(2+)(o)-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and actin polymerization and for L-Phe-induced Ca(2+)(i) mobilization. Intracellular pH was unaffected by acute 0.4-unit pH(o) changes, and the presence of physiologic albumin concentrations failed to attenuate the pH(o)-mediated effects. None of the individual point mutations created at histidine or cysteine residues in the extracellular domain of CaR attenuated pH(o) sensitivity. Finally, pathophysiologic pH(o) elevation reversibly suppressed PTH secretion from perifused human parathyroid cells, and acidosis transiently increased PTH secretion. Therefore, pathophysiologic pH(o) changes can modulate CaR responsiveness in HEK-293 and parathyroid cells independently of extracellular histidine residues. Specifically, pathophysiologic acidification inhibits CaR activity, thus permitting PTH secretion, whereas alkalinization potentiates CaR activity to suppress PTH secretion. These findings suggest that acid-base disturbances may affect the CaR-mediated control of parathyroid function and calcium metabolism in vivo

One size does not fit all - stroke survivor's views on group self-management interventions

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the main cause of complex disability in the UK. Many stroke survivors feel abandoned when rehabilitation ends and more than half are left with long-term unmet needs. There is now emerging interest in whether group self-management programs (SMP) specifically for stroke survivors could help. However, more work is required to understand the acceptability of group SMPs to stroke survivors and the factors of concern that could impact efficacy. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore stroke survivor's views on (1) possible benefits of a group SMP, (2) possible challenges of a group SMP, and (3) when/where to implement a SMP in an individual's stroke journey. METHOD: Fourteen stroke survivors took part in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified in the data: (1) a space to share support, (2) it is not a one size fits all problem, and (3) how is it all going to happen? CONCLUSION: A varied group of stroke survivors can provide valuable insight and ideas about how group SMP's should be constructed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient engagement study that explores group SMPs for stroke. In future work, researchers may find it helpful to consider the findings from this study to inform the design of group SMPs. Implications for Rehabilitation There is interest in whether unmet needs after stroke could be addressed through a group self-management program (SMP). Stroke survivors can provide valuable insight and ideas about how group SMPs should be constructed. Group SMPs should carefully consider: how to create a safe space in which stroke survivors feel comfortable, the impact of the facilitators, tailoring the group to the individual, the presence of carers, and the emotional impact of a group SMP

Lessons from dynamic cadaver and invasive bone pin studies: do we know how the foot really moves during gait?

Background: This paper provides a summary of a Keynote lecture delivered at the 2009 Australasian Podiatry Conference. The aim of the paper is to review recent research that has adopted dynamic cadaver and invasive kinematics research approaches to better understand foot and ankle kinematics during gait. It is not intended to systematically cover all literature related to foot and ankle kinematics (such as research using surface mounted markers). Since the paper is based on a keynote presentation its focuses on the authors own experiences and work in the main, drawing on the work of others where appropriate Methods: Two approaches to the problem of accessing and measuring the kinematics of individual anatomical structures in the foot have been taken, (i) static and dynamic cadaver models, and (ii) invasive in-vivo research. Cadaver models offer the advantage that there is complete access to all the tissues of the foot, but the cadaver must be manipulated and loaded in a manner which replicates how the foot would have performed when in-vivo. The key value of invasive in-vivo foot kinematics research is the validity of the description of foot kinematics, but the key difficulty is how generalisable this data is to the wider population. Results: Through these techniques a great deal has been learnt. We better understand the valuable contribution mid and forefoot joints make to foot biomechanics, and how the ankle and subtalar joints can have almost comparable roles. Variation between people in foot kinematics is high and normal. This includes variation in how specific joints move and how combinations of joints move. The foot continues to demonstrate its flexibility in enabling us to get from A to B via a large number of different kinematic solutions. Conclusion: Rather than continue to apply a poorly founded model of foot type whose basis is to make all feet meet criteria for the mechanical 'ideal' or 'normal' foot, we should embrace variation between feet and identify it as an opportunity to develop patient-specific clinical models of foot function

An exploratory cluster randomised trial of a university halls of residence based social norms marketing campaign to reduce alcohol consumption among 1st year students

<p>Aims: This exploratory trial examines the feasibility of implementing a social norms marketing campaign to reduce student drinking in universities in Wales, and evaluating it using cluster randomised trial methodology.</p> <p>Methods: Fifty residence halls in 4 universities in Wales were randomly assigned to intervention or control arms. Web and paper surveys were distributed to students within these halls (n = 3800), assessing exposure/contamination, recall of and evaluative responses to intervention messages, perceived drinking norms and personal drinking behaviour. Measures included the Drinking Norms Rating Form, the Daily Drinking Questionnaire and AUDIT-C.</p> <p>Results: A response rate of 15% (n = 554) was achieved, varying substantially between sites. Intervention posters were seen by 80% and 43% of students in intervention and control halls respectively, with most remaining materials seen by a minority in both groups. Intervention messages were rated as credible and relevant by little more than half of students, though fewer felt they would influence their behaviour, with lighter drinkers more likely to perceive messages as credible. No differences in perceived norms were observed between intervention and control groups. Students reporting having seen intervention materials reported lower descriptive and injunctive norms than those who did not.</p> <p>Conclusions: Attention is needed to enhancing exposure, credibility and perceived relevance of intervention messages, particularly among heavier drinkers, before definitive evaluation can be recommended. A definitive evaluation would need to consider how it would achieve sufficient response rates, whilst hall-level cluster randomisation appears subject to a significant degree of contamination.</p&gt