A unique telomere DNA expansion phenotype in human retinal rod photoreceptors associated with aging and disease

We have identified a discrete, focal telomere DNA expansion phenotype in the photoreceptor cell layer of normal, non‐neoplastic human retinas. This phenotype is similar to that observed in a subset of human cancers, including a large fraction of tumors of the central nervous system, which maintain their telomeres via the non‐telomerase‐mediated alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. We observed that these large, ultra‐bright telomere DNA foci are restricted to the rod photoreceptors and are not observed in other cell types. Additionally, focus‐positive rod cells are dispersed homogeneously throughout the posterior retinal photoreceptor cell layer and appear to be human‐specific. We examined 108 normal human retinas obtained at autopsy from a wide range of ages. These large, ultra‐bright telomere DNA foci were not observed in infants before 6 months of age; however, the prevalence of focus‐positive rod cells dramatically increased throughout life. To investigate associations between this phenotype and retinal pathology, we assessed adult glaucoma (N = 29) and diabetic retinopathy (N = 38) cases. Focus‐positive rod cells were prominent in these diseases. When compared to the normal group, after adjusting for age, logistic regression modeling revealed significantly increased odds of falling in the high category of focus‐positive rod cells for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In summary, we have identified a dramatic telomere alteration associated with aging and diseases affecting the retina.     

Can we identify older people most vulnerable to living in cold homes during winter?

Purpose

Living in a cold home increases the risk of dying in winter, especially in older people. However, it is unclear which individual factors predict whether older people are living in cold homes.

Commonality of Risk Factors for Mothers’ Poor Oral Health and General Health: Baseline Analysis of a Population-Based Birth Cohort Study

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Objective The association between and commonality of risk factors for poor self-rated oral health (SROH) and general health (SRGH) among new mothers has not been...     

Factor Structure and Sensitivity to Change of the Recovery Assessment Scale

The focus on recovery, not just symptom reduction, in mental health care brings a need for psychometrically sound measures of recovery. This study examined the factor structure and sensitivity to change of a common measure of mental health recovery, the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). We conducted a secondary data analysis from a randomized clinical trial of self-management for depression (n = 302). We tested both bifactor and the previously found five-factor model. Sensitivity to change was examined three ways: (1) between the intervention and control group; (2) across time in the intervention group; and (3) in those whose depression remitted. The previous five-factor model was supported. One subscale, no domination by symptoms, was particularly sensitive to change and showed sensitivity to change whereas the subscale reliance on others did not show change in any of the comparisons. Results suggest that the subscales of the RAS should be examined separately in future studies of recovery.     

Programs for Preventing Depression in Adolescence: Who Benefits and Who Does Not? An Introduction to the Supplemental Issue

We introduce this supplemental issue of Prevention Science, which brings together a set of papers from leading investigators who have conducted trials testing whether intervention programs prevent adolescent depression. Using data from these trials, these papers explore a series of factors that might account for variation in intervention benefit, employing several novel methods for assessing effect heterogeneity. These studies follow two general paradigms: three papers report findings from single randomized preventive intervention trials, while the remaining papers develop and apply new methods for combining data from multiple studies to evaluate effect heterogeneity more broadly. Colleagues from NIMH and SAMHSA also provide commentaries on these studies. They conclude that synthesis of findings from multiple trials holds great promise for advancing the field, and progress will be accelerated if collaborative data sharing becomes the norm rather than the exception.     

The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation. Part II: Total inward leakage tests

Inhalation of ash can be of great concern for affected communities, during and after volcanic eruptions. Governmental and humanitarian agencies recommend and distribute a variety of respiratory protection (RP), most commonly surgical masks. However, there is currently no evidence on how effective such masks are in protecting wearers from volcanic ash. In Part I of this study (Mueller et al., 2018), we assessed the filtration efficiency (FE) of 17 materials from different forms of RP against volcanic ash and a surrogate, low-toxicity dust, Aloxite. Based on those results, we now present the findings from a volunteer simulation study to test the effect of facial fit through assessment of Total Inward Leakage (TIL).Four different disposable RP types that demonstrated very high median FE (≥96% for Aloxite; ≥89% for volcanic ash) were tested without provision of training on fit. These were an industry-certified mask (N95-equiv.); a surgical mask from Japan designed to filter PM_2.5; a flat-fold basic mask from Indonesia; and a standard surgical mask from Mexico, which was also tested with an added medical bandage on top, as an additional intervention to improve fit.Ten volunteers (6 female, 4 male) were recruited. Each RP type was worn by volunteers under two different conditions simulating cleaning-up activities during/after volcanic ashfall. Each activity lasted 10?min and two repeats were completed for each RP type per activity. Dust (as PM_2.5) concentration inside and outside the mask was measured with two TSI SidePak aerosol monitors (Models AM510 and AM520, TSI, Minnesota, USA) to calculate TIL. A questionnaire was administered after each test to collect perceptions of fit, comfort, protection and breathability.The best-performing RP type, across both activities, was the industry-certified N95-equiv. mask with 9% mean TIL. The standard surgical mask and the basic flat-fold mask both performed worst (35% TIL). With the additional bandage intervention, the surgical mask mean TIL improved to 24%. The PM_2.5 surgical mask performed similarly, with 22% TIL. The N95-equiv. mask was perceived to provide the best protection, but was also perceived as being uncomfortable and more difficult to breathe through.This study provides a first objective evidence base for the effectiveness of a selection of RP types typically worn around the world during volcanic crises. The findings will help agencies to make informed decisions on the procurement and distribution of RP in future eruptions.