Factors associated with attitudes toward research MRI in older Asian Americans.

INTRODUCTION: South Asian (SA) and East Asian (EA) older adults represent the fastest-growing racial/ethnic groups of Americans at risk for dementia. While recruiting older SA adults into a brain health study, we encountered unexpected hesitancy toward structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis and stigmatizing attitudes related to internal locus of control (LoC) for future dementia risks. We hypothesized that support for MRI-related research was influenced by these attitudes as well as personal MRI experience, perceived MRI safety, and concerns for personal risk for future dementia/stroke. METHODS: We developed a brief cross-sectional survey to assess older adults' MRI experiences and perceptions, desire to learn of six incidental findings of increasing impact on health, and attitudes related to dementia (including LoC) and research participation. We recruited a convenience sample of 256 respondents (74% reporting as 50+) from the New Jersey/New York City area to complete the survey (offered in English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish) and modeled the proportional odds (PO) for favorable attitudes toward research activities. RESULTS: Seventy-seven SA and 84 EA respondents were analyzed alongside 95 White, Black, or Hispanic adults. White (PO = 2.54, p = 0.013) and EA (PO = 2.14, p = 0.019) respondents were both more likely than SA respondents to endorse healthy volunteers' participation in research, and the difference between White and SA respondents was mediated by the latter's greater internal LoC for dementia risks. EA respondents had more worries for future dementia/stroke than SA respondents (p = 0.006) but still shared SA respondents' lower wish (measured by proportion of total) to learn of incidental MRI findings. DISCUSSION: SA-and EA compared to SA-older adults had low desire to learn of incidental MRI findings but had different attitudes toward future dementia/stroke risks. A culturally appropriate protocol to disclose incidental MRI findings may improve SA and EA participation in brain health research. Highlights: Older Asian Americans have limited interest in incidental findings on research MRISouth Asians are most likely to attribute dementia to people's own behaviorsSouth Asians' attitudes mediate lower support for healthy volunteers in researchSouth and East Asians differ in dementia worries and research-related attitudes.

Too much information? Asian Americans' preferences for incidental brain MRI findings.

INTRODUCTION: South Asian (SA) and East Asian (EA) older adults represent the fastest growing group of Americans at risk for dementia, but their participation in aging and dementia research has been limited. While recruiting healthy SA older adults into a brain health study, we encountered unexpected hesitancy towards structural brain MRI analysis along with some stigmatizing attitudes related to internal locus of control (LoC) for future dementia risks. We hypothesized that support for MRI-related research was influenced by these attitudes as well as one's own MRI experience, perceived MRI safety, and concerns for one's own risks for future dementia/stroke. METHODS: We developed a brief cross-sectional survey to assess older adults' MRI experiences and perceptions, desire to learn of six incidental findings of increasing health implications, and attitudes related to dementia as well as research participation. We recruited a convenience sample of 256 respondents (74% reporting as 50+) from the New Jersey/New York City area to complete the survey, and modeled the proportional odds (P.O.) for pro-research attitudes. RESULTS: 77 SA and 84 EA respondents were analyzed with 95 non-Asian adults. White (P.O.=2.54, p=0.013) and EA (P.O.=2.14, p=0.019) respondents were both more likely than SA respondents to endorse healthy volunteers' participation in research, and the difference between White and SA respondents was mediated by the latter's greater internal LoC for dementia risks. EA respondents had more worries for future dementia/stroke than SA respondents (p=0.006), but still shared SA respondents' low desire to learn of incidental MRI findings. DISCUSSION: SA and EA older adults had different attitudes towards future dementia/stroke risks, but shared a low desire to learn of incidental MRI findings. A culturally-appropriate protocol to disclose incidental MRI findings may improve SA and EA participation in brain health research.

Rbc-determining biosensors in athletes' urine / Biossensores determinantes de hemácias na urina de atletas / Biosensores determinantes de glóbulos rojos en la orina de deportistas

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is a lack of electrochemical biosensors that allow finding hemoglobin (Hb), a protein found within red blood cells, available in athletes' urine samples. Objective: This work is focused on the production of dsDNA immobilized on an Au-modified glassy carbon electrode (dsDNA/Au/GCE) and its use as a sensor for the presence of urinary hemoglobin. Methods: The elements were deposited in spherical form and tested as a porosity electrode surface for DNA immobilization according to the surface scan of the functionalized dsDNA/Au/GCE using SEM analysis. DPV and amperometry were used to conduct electrochemical studies. Results: Amperometric analyses showed that Hb determination on dsDNA/Au/GCE showed better stability and sensitivity. In the existence of multiple interfering species and clinical urine samples produced, the selectivity and the actual ability of dsDNA/Au/GCE for hemoglobin determination were investigated. Conclusion: The results showed that dsDNA/Au/GCE is effective, reliable, and selective as an electrochemical sensor of Hb. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Há uma carência de biossensores eletroquímicos que permitam encontrar a hemoglobina (Hb), uma proteína encontrada dentro dos glóbulos vermelhos do sangue, disponível em amostras de urina dos atletas. Objetivo: Este trabalho é focado na produção de dsDNA imobilizado em um eletrodo de carbono vítreo Au-modificado (dsDNA/Au/GCE) e seu uso como sensor para a presença de hemoglobina urinária. Métodos: Os elementos foram depositados em forma esférica e testados como superfície de eletrodo de porosidade para imobilização do DNA, de acordo com o exame de superfície do dsDNA/Au/GCE funcionalizado, utilizando análise SEM. DPV e amperometria foram usados para conduzir estudos eletroquímicos. Resultados: As análises amperométricas demonstraram que a determinação de Hb em dsDNA/Au/GCE apresentou um melhor grau de estabilidade e sensibilidade. Na existência de múltiplas espécies interferentes e amostras clínicas de urina produzidas, a seletividade e capacidade real do dsDNA/Au/GCE para a determinação da hemoglobina foram investigadas. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que o dsDNA/Au/GCE é efetivo, confiável e seletivo como sensor eletroquímico de Hb. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Se carece de biosensores electroquímicos que permitan encontrar la hemoglobina (Hb), una proteína que se encuentra dentro de los glóbulos rojos, disponible en las muestras de orina de los deportistas. Objetivo: Este trabajo se centra en la producción de dsDNA inmovilizado en un electrodo de carbono vítreo modificado con Au (dsDNA/Au/GCE) y su uso como sensor de la presencia de hemoglobina urinaria. Métodos: Los elementos fueron depositados en forma esférica y probados como una superficie de electrodo porosa para la inmovilización de ADN, según el escaneo de la superficie del dsDNA/Au/GCE funcionalizado, utilizando el análisis SEM. Se utilizó la DPV y la amperometría para realizar estudios electroquímicos. Resultados: Los análisis amperométricos demostraron que la determinación de Hb en dsDNA/Au/GCE mostraba un mayor grado de estabilidad y sensibilidad. En la existencia de múltiples especies interferentes y muestras clínicas de orina producidas, se investigó la selectividad y la capacidad real del dsDNA/Au/GCE para la determinación de Hb. Conclusión: Los resultados mostraron que el dsDNA/Au/GCE es eficaz, fiable y selectivo como sensor electroquímico de Hb. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Pulse wave velocity and age- and gender-dependent aortic wall hardening in fowl.

Before sexual maturation, chickens (Gallus gallus) show high blood pressure (BP) and neointimal plaques in the lower abdominal aortae (AbA). We investigated age/sex-related changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV), elastin, collagen, and protein levels in AbA, and cardiac morphology to determine whether PWV increases during incremental increases in BP of maturing fowl, while arterial stiffness becomes dominant with aging. PWV (m/s) was significantly greater in male chicks (6-7 weeks, 9.3+/-0.8; females, 6.1+/-0.5) and remained high in cockerels (13 weeks), young (27-28 weeks), and adults (44-66 weeks). PWV increased in prepubertal pullets (10.0+/-0.9), dropped significantly in young hens, and remained low in adults. In contrast, medial thickness, protein levels, and collagen levels increased, while elastin/collagen ratios decreased, with maturation/aging. Males had heavier ventricular mass and thicker ventricular walls than females at all ages; left ventricular thickness decreased with maturation/aging. Thus, sustained high BP may have caused progressive medial hypertrophy, increased aortic rigidity, and enlarged hearts with left ventricular dilation. PWV of AbA was already greater in male chicks at an age when both sexes have similar collagen levels and low protein levels, suggesting that a factor other than structural stiffness may be an important determinant of PWV.