RESUMO
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Related Dementias (ADRD) are a growing concern across the globe. Unfortunately, racial/ethnic minorities in the United States (U.S.), such as Chinese Americans, have lower ADRD knowledge, and these individuals are less likely to be targeted and engaged in recommended dementia prevention and care. The objective of this study is to examine knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about healthy aging and ADRD among older Chinese Americans living in New York City. Chinese Americans with very low English proficiency were recruited from a senior center in New York City. Accordingly, surveys were translated and focus groups were conducted in Mandarin or Cantonese. Questionnaires assessed demographic and health characteristics. Focus groups followed an open-ended protocol which was guided by the published literature. Focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated to English for qualitative analysis. Analysis of qualitative data proceeded according to the constant comparative method. A total of 18 participants were recruited. Average age of participants was 76.4 years and participants were 72.2% female. The majority were married (72.2%). Participants reported chronic conditions, including diabetes (38.9%) and dyslipidemia (22.2%). Participants commonly reported that their health limited their ability to accomplish things (66.7%) and achieve things (66.7%). While 16.7% of participants reported no bodily pain, slight pain was reported by 44.4%, moderate pain by 33.3%, and extreme pain by 5.6%. Qualitative analysis revealed several prominent themes, including: (1) perceptions about normal aging; (2) fears about loneliness and cognitive decline; (3) understanding of healthy aging; (4) cultural influences on aging; and (5) perceptions of ADRD. Results from this study highlight a set of cultural beliefs about healthy aging as well as knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs pertaining to ADRD. These results may inform opportunities for increasing healthy aging practices and knowledge about dementia among underserved older Chinese Americans.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Envelhecimento Saudável , Idoso , Asiático/psicologia , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Cidade de Nova Iorque , Dor , Estados UnidosRESUMO
The aim of the current study was to collect qualitative data to understand the nature of sleep and sleep difficulties among Asian American older adults and identify daily routines that may lend insight into modifiable targets for future nursing interventions. We recruited Chinese and Bangladeshi older adults with low English proficiency from community-based settings in New York City. Eligible participants were aged ≥55 years and reported China or Bangladesh as their country of origin. Focus groups were conducted in their native language. Participants completed a questionnaire before joining the discussion. Participants (N = 32) were 57% Chinese American and 43% Bangladeshi American. Average age was 73 years, 50% of the sample reported diabetes, and 22% reported sleep apnea. Our analysis revealed the daily routines among Chinese and Bangladeshi American older adults. Both groups reported general sleep difficulties and sleep difficulties related to health conditions as well as some subgroup differences. Future research may consider designing tailored nursing interventions to improve sleep among these groups. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(12), 35-41.].
Assuntos
Idioma , Sono , Idoso , China , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Cidade de Nova IorqueRESUMO
Interventions that can block the transmission of malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) between the human host and Anopheles vector have the potential to reduce the incidence of malaria. Pfs48/45 is a gametocyte surface protein critical for parasite development and transmission, and its targeting by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 85RF45.1 leads to the potent reduction of parasite transmission. Here, we reveal how the Pfs48/45 6C domain adopts a (SAG1)-related-sequence (SRS) fold. We structurally delineate potent epitope I and show how mAb 85RF45.1 recognizes an electronegative surface with nanomolar affinity. Analysis of Pfs48/45 sequences reveals that polymorphisms are rare for residues involved at the binding interface. Humanization of rat-derived mAb 85RF45.1 conserved the mode of recognition and activity of the parental antibody, while also improving its thermostability. Our work has implications for the development of transmission-blocking interventions, both through improving vaccine designs and the testing of passive delivery of mAbs in humans.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/química , Epitopos/química , Malária Falciparum/transmissão , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/química , Plasmodium falciparum/imunologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/química , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/química , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/imunologia , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/química , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Reações Antígeno-Anticorpo , Antígenos de Protozoários/genética , Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Epitopos/imunologia , Humanos , Vacinas Antimaláricas , Malária Falciparum/imunologia , Malária Falciparum/prevenção & controle , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/imunologia , Modelos Moleculares , Domínios Proteicos , Dobramento de Proteína , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/imunologia , RatosRESUMO
Recapitulation of lung development from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in three dimensions (3D) would allow deeper insight into human development, as well as the development of innovative strategies for disease modelling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. We report here the generation from hPSCs of lung bud organoids (LBOs) that contain mesoderm and pulmonary endoderm and develop into branching airway and early alveolar structures after xenotransplantation and in Matrigel 3D culture. Expression analysis and structural features indicated that the branching structures reached the second trimester of human gestation. Infection in vitro with respiratory syncytial virus, which causes small airway obstruction and bronchiolitis in infants, led to swelling, detachment and shedding of infected cells into the organoid lumens, similar to what has been observed in human lungs. Introduction of mutation in HPS1, which causes an early-onset form of intractable pulmonary fibrosis, led to accumulation of extracellular matrix and mesenchymal cells, suggesting the potential use of this model to recapitulate fibrotic lung disease in vitro. LBOs therefore recapitulate lung development and may provide a useful tool to model lung disease.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Pulmão/patologia , Organoides/patologia , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/patologia , Fibrose Pulmonar/patologia , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial/patologia , Engenharia Tecidual/métodos , Animais , Diferenciação Celular , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Humanos , Pulmão/metabolismo , Pulmão/virologia , Transplante de Pulmão , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Mutação , Organogênese , Organoides/metabolismo , Organoides/transplante , Organoides/virologia , Fenótipo , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/transplante , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/virologia , Fibrose Pulmonar/genética , Fibrose Pulmonar/metabolismo , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial/metabolismo , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial/virologia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The presence of diffuse and widespread abnormalities within the 'normal appearing' white matter (NAWM) of multiple sclerosis (MS) brain has been established. T(1) histogram analysis has revealed increased T(1) (related to water content) in segmented NAWM, while quantitative assessment of T(2) relaxation measures has demonstrated decreased myelin water fraction (MWF, related to myelin content) and increased geometric mean T(2) (GMT(2)) of the intra/extracellular water pool. Previous studies with follow-up periods of 1-5 years have demonstrated longitudinal changes in T(1) histogram metrics over time; however, longitudinal changes in MWF and GMT(2) of segmented NAWM have not been examined. We examined the short-term evolution of MWF, GMT(2) and T(1) in MS NAWM based on monthly scanning over 6 months in 18 relapsing remitting (RR) MS subjects. Histogram metrics demonstrated short-term stability of T(1), MWF and remitting (RR) MS subjects. We observed no change in MWF, GMT(2) or T(1) histogram metrics in NAWM in RRMS over the course of 6 months. Longer follow-up periods may be required to establish demonstrable changes in NAWM based on of MWF, GMT(2) and T(1) metrics.
Assuntos
Imagem Ecoplanar/métodos , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/patologia , Fibras Nervosas Mielinizadas/patologia , Adulto , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
We have generated protein block polymer E(n)C and CE(n) libraries composed of two different self-assembling domains (SADs) derived from elastin (E) and the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein coiled-coil (C). As the E domain is shortened, the polymers exhibit an increase in inverse transition temperature (T(t)); however, the range of temperature change differs dramatically between the E(n)C and CE(n) library. Whereas all polymers assemble into nanoparticles, the bulk mechanical properties of the E(n)C are very different from CE(n). The E(n)C members demonstrate viscolelastic behavior under ambient conditions and assemble into elastic soft gels above their T(t) values. By contrast, the CE(n) members are predominantly viscous at all temperatures. All library members demonstrate binding to curcumin. The differential thermoresponsive behaviors of the E(n)C and CE(n) libraries in addition to their small molecule recognition abilities make them suitable for potential use in tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Assuntos
Elastina/metabolismo , Proteínas da Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Nanopartículas , Polímeros/síntese química , Curcumina/metabolismo , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos/métodos , Elastina/química , Proteínas da Matriz Extracelular/química , Géis/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/química , Proteínas Matrilinas , Biblioteca de Peptídeos , Polímeros/química , Conformação Proteica , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Proteínas , Temperatura , Engenharia Tecidual/métodos , Substâncias Viscoelásticas , ViscosidadeRESUMO
Genetically engineered protein block polymers are an important class of biomaterials that have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in biotechnology, electronics and medicine. The majority of the protein materials have been composed of at least a single self-assembling domain (SAD), enabling the formation of supramolecular structures. Recently, we developed block polymers consisting of two distinct SADs derived from an elastin-mimetic polypeptide (E) and the alpha-helical COMPcc (C). These protein polymers, synthesized as the block sequences--EC, CE, and ECE--were assessed for overall conformation and macroscopic thermoresponsive behavior. Here, we investigate the supramolecular assembly as well as the small molecule binding and release profile of these block polymers. Our results demonstrate that the protein polymers assemble into particles as well as fully or partially networked structures in a concentration dependent manner that is distinct from the individual E and C homopolymers and the E+C non-covalent mixture. In contrast to synthetic block polymers, the structured assembly, binding and release abilities are highly dependent on the composition and orientation of the blocks. These results reveal the promise for these block polymers for therapeutic delivery and biomedical scaffolds.