Abstract Introduction The Uniform Data Set (UDS) neuropsychological battery is frequently used in clinical studies. However, practice effects, effectiveness as a measure of global cognitive ...functioning, and detection of mild cognitive impairment have not been examined. Methods A normative total score for the UDS has been developed. Linear discriminant analysis determined classification accuracy in identifying cognitively normal and impaired groups. Practice effects were examined in cognitively normal and cognitively impaired groups. Results The total score differentiates between cognitively normal participants and those with dementia, but does not accurately identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Mean total scores for test-exposed participants were significantly higher than test-naive participants in both the normal and MCI groups and were higher, but not significantly so, in the dementia group. Conclusion The total score’s classification accuracy discriminates between cognitively normal versus participants who have dementia. The total score appears subject to practice effects.
To evaluate the relationship between self-reported head injury and cognitive impairment, dementia, mortality, and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type pathological changes.
Clinical and neuropathological ...data from participants enrolled in a longitudinal study of aging and cognition (n = 649) were analyzed to assess the chronic effects of self-reported head injury.
The effect of self-reported head injury on the clinical state depended on the age at assessment: for a 1-year increase in age, the OR for the transition to clinical mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at the next visit for participants with a history of head injury was 1.21 and 1.34 for the transition from MCI to dementia. Without respect to age, head injury increased the odds of mortality (OR = 1.54). Moreover, it increased the odds of a pathological diagnosis of AD for men (OR = 1.47) but not women (OR = 1.18). Men with a head injury had higher mean amyloid plaque counts in the neocortex and entorhinal cortex than men without.
Self-reported head injury is associated with earlier onset, increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, increased risk of mortality, and AD-type pathological changes.
Intravascular lymphomas are rare disease conditions that exhibit neoplastic lymphoid cells that are confined mainly to the lumens of small capillaries and medium-sized vessels. The majority of the ...intravascular lymphomas are of B-cell origin, but they can include NK/T-cell and CD30+ immunophenotypes. In the histologic differential diagnosis are benign proliferations such as intralymphatic histiocytosis and intravascular atypical CD30+ T-cell proliferation. In this review, we discuss the clinical, histopathologic, and molecular findings of intravascular B-cell lymphoma, intravascular NK/T-cell lymphoma, intralymphatic histiocytosis, and benign atypical intravascular CD30+ T-cell proliferation.
Sexual assault samples are among the most difficult sample types encountered by forensic laboratories. Typically, a sexual assault sample poses multiple challenges including small quantity of male ...DNA and a relatively high quantity of female DNA. Differential extraction procedures are time-consuming and labor-intensive, particularly with microscopic sperm identification. A rapid upfront screening or triage assay prior to use of differential extraction procedures could ensure that male DNA is present prior to the use of full DNA workflows. Previously reported rapid male screening assays do not provide a confirmation of whether sperm are present and therefore still require the use of microscopic sperm identification. This work was focused on an improved rapid male DNA screening assay with an upfront sperm identification using mRNA profiling.
The rapid male screening assay consists of a brief lysis using only a small tip portion of a swab, to obtain both RNA (eluted) and DNA (extraction ‘waste’) followed by a one-step reverse transcription-high resolution melt assay for PRM2, a sperm-specific mRNA. Without additional purification, the DNA ‘waste’ fraction can be quantitated and used to obtain an upfront Y-STR profile of the sperm donor. The assay takes 30 min for lysis followed by ∼2 h for quantitation and sperm identification.
Here, we demonstrate the specificity of the assay to detect male DNA in semen samples with no cross reactivity with other body fluids and no PRM2 detection in vasectomized males. RNA and DNA profiling results were obtained with as little as ∼0.15 μl of semen in vaginal-semen admixtures. In all samples tested, Y-STR profiling results were obtained when male DNA was indicated based on quantitation results.
Abstract Objectives To assess racial and ethnic minority parents’ perceptions about barriers to well-child visit attendance. Methods For this cross-sectional qualitative study, we recruited parents ...of pediatric primary care patients who were overdue for a well-child visit from the largest safety net healthcare organization in central Massachusetts to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews focused on understanding potential knowledge, structural, and experiential barriers for well-child visit attendance. Interview content was inductively coded and directed content analysis was performed to identify themes. Results Twenty-five racial and ethnic minority parents participated; 17 (68%) of whom identified Spanish as a primary language spoken at home. Nearly all participants identified the purpose, significance, and value of well-child visits. Structural barriers were most cited as challenges to attending well-child visits, including parking, transportation, language, appointment availability, and work/other competing priorities. While language emerged as a distinct barrier, it also exacerbated some of the structural barriers identified. Experiential barriers were cited less commonly than structural barriers and included interactions with office staff, racial/ethnic discrimination, appointment reminders, methods of communication, wait time, and interactions with providers. Conclusions Racial and ethnic minority parents recognize the value of well-child visits; however, they commonly encounter structural barriers that limit access to care. Furthermore, a non-English primary language compounds the impact of these structural barriers. Understanding these barriers is important to inform health system policies to enhance access and delivery of pediatric care with a lens toward reducing racial and ethnic-based inequities.
Introduction
The striatum and frontal lobes have been shown to have early Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology and are critical for motor and cognitive function. We hypothesized gait would be ...associated with early‐stage dementia in Down syndrome (DS), a cohort at risk for AD.
Methods
Twenty‐eight participants with DS were enrolled in the study. Participants walked at their self‐selected pace and while completing a dual task (counting, obstacle, or counting+obstacle).
Results
All participants were able to complete the self‐paced condition and 78.57–96.42% completed the dual‐task conditions. There was a trend for greater dual‐task effects on gait velocity based on dementia diagnosis. Gait velocity had stronger associations with clinical dementia assessments than age or diagnosis.
Discussion
A dual‐task gait paradigm is feasible to conduct with adults with DS and is associated with age and cognitive impairment. Dual‐task gait may serve as an indicator of early stage dementia in DS.
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