Removal from the wild endangers the once widespread long-tailed macaque.

In 2022, long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), a once ubiquitous primate species, was elevated to Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2023, recognizing that the long-tailed macaque is threatened by multiple factors: (1) declining native habitats across Southeast Asia; (2) overutilization for scientific, commercial, and recreational purposes; (3) inadequate regulatory mechanisms; and (4) culling due to human-macaque conflicts, a petition for rulemaking was submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to add the species to the US Endangered Species Act, the nation's most effective law to protect at risk species. The long-tailed macaque remains unprotected across much of its geographical range despite the documented continual decline of the species and related sub-species and the recent IUCN reassessment. This commentary presents a review of the factors that have contributed to the dramatic decline of this keystone species and makes a case for raising the level of protection they receive.

Contextual factors of financial capability and financial well-being for adults living with brain injury: a qualitative photovoice study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the contextual factors related to financial capability and financial well-being for adults living with acquired brain injury (ABI). DESIGN & METHOD: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using photovoice and included 17 adults who live with ABI in Manitoba, Canada. Over 3-to-5 weeks, participants took photos of their financial capability (i.e. knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to managing finances) or their financial well-being (i.e. subjective and objective financial outcomes). Participants were interviewed about their photos. Five researchers iteratively and thematically analyzed interview transcripts. MAIN OUTCOMES/RESULTS: Analysis identified the importance of the economic, social, technology, and physical or sensory context. Subthemes related to: (i) hard times finding financial resources; (ii) processes not making sense; (iii) getting help from the right person; and (iv) invisible disability bias and stigma. CONCLUSIONS: There is decreased literature about financial capability or financial well-being after ABI. The results of this study highlight the salience of finance to living with ABI and the importance of the context to addressing financial-related life participation for people living with ABI. Information about contextual factors related to finance can improve rehabilitation assessment and intervention practice as well as emphasize needed accessibility changes to financial environments.

Financial Capability Interventions Used for Specific Diagnoses Related to Functional Impairment: A Scoping Review.

IMPORTANCE: Occupational therapists often address financial occupations of clients with acquired functional impairments who experience challenges with financial capability (FC). OBJECTIVE: To explore the intervention literature aimed at improving FC in five diagnostic adult populations. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, EconLit, and EMBASE; researchers also completed backward and forward citation searching and contacted expert authors. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION: Two independent reviewers completed article screening, selection, and extraction using a scoping review approach; a priori inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles, written in English, involving adults with one of five diagnostic conditions, describing any intervention to improve FC. FINDINGS: Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles were aimed at substance use or mental health populations (n = 20); fewer focused on brain injury (n = 2), multiple sclerosis (n = 1), or mixed-diagnosis (n = 1) populations. Only 4 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Interventions were heterogeneous and complex, including components of skills training (n = 21), individualized budgeting (n = 18), representative payeeship (n = 11), education (n = 10), structured goal setting (n = 7), savings building (n = 5), metacognitive strategies (n = 2), and assistive technology (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Despite growth in the area, the literature regarding FC intervention is limited, with few RCTs and many populations unrepresented. The literature for a systematic review of FC intervention efficacy for these populations is insufficient, particularly because included studies used varied components, limiting comparison. Further research is imperative to guide evidence-based practice. Plain-Language Summary: This study is an overview of literature about interventions to address the financial occupations of clients with acquired functional impairments. The findings give occupational therapy researchers and clinicians the information they need to begin analyzing, using, and building the evidence to support the use of interventions to improve clients' financial capability and well-being.

Cognitive impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus is negatively related to social role participation and quality of life: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: At least 38% of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) experience cognitive impairment (CI). Patients report CI impacts their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and social role participation. OBJECTIVES: To synthesize and critically appraise the quantitative literature on the relationship of CI to HRQoL and social role participation in individuals with SLE. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched in December 2018 and June 2020 by an information specialist. Two reviewers independently completed all screening phases and data extraction; a third reviewer resolved disagreements. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to critically appraise the quality of included studies. Data has been synthesized and analyzed descriptively to present evidence on the relationship of CI to HRQoL and social role participation. RESULTS: A total of 7182 references were identified and screened, with 14 articles included. Four of the included articles investigated the relationship between CI and HRQoL and all identified a negative relationship. Ten of the 14 studies investigated CI and social role participation, eight identified a negative relationship. There was heterogeneity of measures used between studies to examine CI, HRQoL, and social role participation. As such, results were interpreted descriptively and could not be pooled for meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: The presence of CI is negatively related to HRQoL and social role participation in patients with SLE. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this relationship so that it can be addressed in clinical practice. Further research, using consistent methods of quantifying CI, HRQoL and social role participation, is needed to enable data pooling.

Validity and reliability of patient reported outcomes measurement information system computerized adaptive tests in systemic lupus erythematous.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computerized adaptive test (CAT) in adults with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is an emerging field of research. We aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the PROMIS CAT in a Canadian cohort of patients with SLE. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-seven patients completed 14 domains of PROMIS CAT and seven legacy instruments during their clinical visits. Test-retest reliability of PROMIS was evaluated 7-10 days from baseline using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (2; 1)). The construct validity of the PROMIS CAT domains was evaluated against the commonly used legacy instruments, and also in comparison to disease activity and disease damage using Spearman correlations. A multitrait-multimethod matrix (MMM) approach was used to further assess construct validity comparing selected 10 domains of PROMIS and SF-36 domains. RESULTS: Moderate to excellent reliability was found for all domains (ICC [2;1] ranging from lowest, 0.66 for Sleep Disturbance and highest, 0.93 for the Mobility domain). Comparing seven legacy instruments with 14 domains of PROMIS CAT, moderate to strong correlations (0.51-0.91) were identified. The average time to complete all PROMIS CAT domains was 11.7 min. The MMM further established construct validity by showing moderate to strong correlations (0.55-0.87) between select PROMIS and SF-36 domains; the average correlations from similar traits (convergent validity) were significantly greater than the average correlations from different traits. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence on the reliability and validity of PROMIS CAT in SLE in a Canadian cohort.

Joint trajectories of disease activity, and physical and mental health-related quality of life in an inception lupus cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To examine for latent patterns of SLE disease activity trajectories that associate with specific latent patterns of health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36), and to determine baseline predictors of class membership. METHODS: In this retrospective longitudinal inception cohort of 222 SLE adults over 10 years, trajectories of three outcomes were studied jointly: Short Form-36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries and adjusted mean SLEDAI-2000 (AMS). Group-based joint trajectory modelling was used to model latent classes; univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify predictors of class membership. RESULTS: Four latent classes were identified: Class 1 (C1) (24%) had moderate AMS, and persistently low PCS and MCS; C2 (26%) had low AMS, moderate PCS and improved then worsened MCS; C3 (38%) had moderate AMS, and persistently high PCS and MCS; and C4 (11%) had high AMS, moderate-low PCS and improving MCS. Baseline older age was associated with lower HRQoL trajectories. Higher AMS trajectories did not associate with a particular pattern of HRQoL trajectory. A higher prevalence of fibromyalgia (44% in C1) was associated with worse HRQoL trajectories. Disease manifestations, organ damage and cumulative glucocorticoid were not differentially distributed across the latent classes. CONCLUSION: High disease activity did not necessarily associate with low HRQoL. More patients with worse HRQoL trajectories had fibromyalgia. Older age at diagnosis increased the probability of belonging to a class with low HRQoL trajectories. The care of SLE patients may be improved through addressing fibromyalgia in addition to disease activity.

Scoping Review on Rehabilitation Scoping Reviews.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent, scope, and methodological quality of rehabilitation scoping reviews. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive list of scoping reviews conducted in the broader health field (inception to July 2014), with a further update of that list (up to February 2017) using similar methods, including searching 9 electronic databases. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were included if they were scoping reviews within rehabilitation. Established review methods were used including (1) a PubMed filter detecting rehabilitation content and (2) title-and-abstract screening by 2 independent reviewers applied sequentially to articles from the existing list of scoping reviews and to the updated search results. Full-text articles were reviewed by 1 reviewer, with discrepancies resolved by another after pilot screening with > 80% agreement. Remaining discrepancies were resolved by external experts. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers used piloted and standardized data extraction forms. DATA SYNTHESIS: We screened 1823 records, including 992 full texts, to identify 251 rehabilitation-related scoping reviews. Rehabilitation scoping reviews had an exponential yearly increase since 2008 (r2=0.89; P<.01). The literature addressed diverse topics (eg, spread over 43 condition groupings); 43% were published in Canada. Examples of methodological limitations included: 39% of reviews did not cite the use of a methodological framework, 96% did not include the appropriate flow diagram, 8% did not report eligibility criteria, and 57% did not report data extraction details. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing popularity of scoping reviews in rehabilitation has not been met by high standards in methodological quality. To increase the value of rehabilitation scoping reviews, rehabilitation stakeholders need to use existing methodological standards for the conduct, reporting, and appraisal of scoping reviews.

Noninvasive Detection of Tuberculosis by Oral Swab Analysis.

Diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB) usually require collection of sputum, a viscous material derived from human airways. Sputum can be difficult and hazardous to collect and challenging to process in the laboratory. Oral swabs have been proposed as alternative sample types that are noninvasive and easy to collect. This study evaluated the biological feasibility of oral swab analysis (OSA) for the diagnosis of TB. Swabs were tested from South African adult subjects, including sputum GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GeneXpert)-confirmed TB patients (n = 138), sputum GeneXpert-negative but culture-positive TB patients (n = 10), ill non-TB patients (n = 37), and QuantiFERON-negative controls (n = 34). Swabs were analyzed by using a manual, nonnested quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting IS6110 Two swab brands and three sites within the oral cavity were compared. Tongue swabbing yielded significantly stronger signals than cheek or gum swabbing. A flocked swab performed better than a more expensive paper swab. In a two-phase study, tongue swabs (two per subject) exhibited a combined sensitivity of 92.8% relative to sputum GeneXpert. Relative to all laboratory-diagnosed TB, the diagnostic yields of sputum GeneXpert (1 sample per subject) and OSA (2 samples per subject) were identical at 49/59 (83.1%) each. The specificity of the OSA was 91.5%. An analysis of "air swabs" suggested that most false-positive results were due to contamination of manual PCRs. With the development of appropriate automated methods, oral swabs could facilitate TB diagnosis in clinical settings and patient populations that are limited by the physical or logistical challenges of sputum collection.

Hair cortisol and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) from Gibraltar.

RATIONALE: Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol can precipitate a catabolic state in animals resulting in a negative nitrogen balance and increased excreted nitrogen, possibly affecting stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in animal tissues. Here we test the hypothesis that stress, as measured by hair cortisol, is a significant contributor to variation in δ15 N and δ13 C values in hair. The results of the present study have important implications for the use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios measured in animal and human tissues to make inferences regarding feeding ecology and diet. METHODS: Samples containing roughly 10-20 hairs (approx. 4-6 cm long) were collected from 49 free ranging macaque monkeys (Macaca sylvanus) in Gibraltar. Hair samples were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes by continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Cortisol extracted from matched hair samples was measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cortisol and stable isotope ratios were compared statistically using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, as well as Spearman correlation. RESULTS: Correlation analysis revealed that although hair δ15 N and δ13 C values were significantly correlated with each other, neither was correlated with cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentrations were not correlated with age-adjusted body mass index. Age category was correlated with δ13 C values but not with δ15 N values. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the cumulative stress experienced by these macaques under typical social and environmental conditions is not a significant contributor to variation in δ15 N and δ13 C values, nor does it have a significant effect on relative body mass.

Optimising activity and participation outcomes for people with self-awareness impairments related to acquired brain injury: an interventions systematic review.

Impaired self-awareness related to acquired brain injury (ABI-ISA) can result in limitations in daily living activities and community participation. We hypothesise that with the appropriate interventions, outcomes for adults with ABI-ISA can be enhanced. The objectives of the study were to describe and examine critically the non-pharmacological intervention literature and to identify intervention elements that optimise everyday living outcomes in adults with ABI-ISA. Two reviewers selected articles and extracted data using five databases, a review protocol, and systematic review standards (i.e., Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Assessing the Quality and Applicability of Systematic Reviews (AQASR)). Included studies reported quantitative activity and participation intervention outcomes for people with stated or measured ABI-ISA, and the methodological quality of randomised controlled trials (RCT) was rated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro). Seventeen articles discussing 15 unique intervention studies were found, including two RCTs of good methodological quality. All studies reported improvements on measures of everyday living, utilised interventions with multiple therapeutic elements, and used various forms of external feedback. Evidence supports the use of intervention protocols including elements of experiential practice, external feedback, Socratic guided discussion, and metacognitive strategy training.

Systematic Review of Measurement Property Evidence for 8 Financial Management Instruments in Populations With Acquired Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVES: To critically appraise the measurement property evidence (ie, psychometric) for 8 observation-based financial management assessment instruments. DATA SOURCES: Seven databases were searched in May 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers used an independent decision-agreement process to select studies of measurement property evidence relevant to populations with adulthood acquired cognitive impairment, appraise the quality of the evidence, and extract data. Twenty-one articles were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: This review used the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments review guidelines and 4-point tool to appraise evidence. After appraising the methodologic quality, the adequacy of results and volume of evidence per instrument were synthesized. Measurement property evidence with high risk of bias was excluded from the synthesis. DATA SYNTHESIS: The volume of measurement property evidence per instrument is low; most instruments had 1 to 3 included studies. Many included studies had poor methodologic quality per measurement property evidence area examined. Six of the 8 instruments reviewed had supporting construct validity/hypothesis-testing evidence of fair methodologic quality. There is a dearth of acceptable quality content validity, reliability, and responsiveness evidence for all 8 instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation practitioners assess financial management functions in adults with acquired cognitive impairments. However, there is limited published evidence to support using any of the reviewed instruments. Practitioners should exercise caution when interpreting the results of these instruments. This review highlights the importance of appraising the quality of measurement property evidence before examining the adequacy of the results and synthesizing the evidence.

Genesis of Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) clade 2.3.4.4 virus emerged in 2016 and spread to Russia, Europe, and Africa. Our analysis of viruses from domestic ducks at Tanguar haor, Bangladesh, showed genetic similarities with other viruses from wild birds in central Asia, suggesting their potential role in the genesis of A(H5N8).

Survey of Treponemal Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Macaques, 1999-2012.

Survey results showed treponemal infection among pet macaques in Southeast Asia, a region with a high prevalence of human yaws. This finding, along with studies showing treponemal infection in nonhuman primates in Africa, should encourage a One Health approach to yaws eradication and surveillance activities, possibly including monitoring of nonhuman primates in yaws-endemic regions.

Non-Human Primates Harbor Diverse Mammalian and Avian Astroviruses Including Those Associated with Human Infections.

Astroviruses (AstVs) are positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted to a wide range of hosts via the fecal-oral route. The number of AstV-infected animal hosts has rapidly expanded in recent years with many more likely to be discovered because of the advances in viral surveillance and next generation sequencing. Yet no study to date has identified human AstV genotypes in animals, although diverse AstV genotypes similar to animal-origin viruses have been found in children with diarrhea and in one instance of encephalitis. Here we provide important new evidence that non-human primates (NHP) can harbor a wide variety of mammalian and avian AstV genotypes, including those only associated with human infection. Serological analyses confirmed that >25% of the NHP tested had antibodies to human AstVs. Further, we identified a recombinant AstV with parental relationships to known human AstVs. Phylogenetic analysis suggests AstVs in NHP are on average evolutionarily much closer to AstVs from other animals than are AstVs from bats, a frequently proposed reservoir. Our studies not only demonstrate that human astroviruses can be detected in NHP but also suggest that NHP are unique in their ability to support diverse AstV genotypes, further challenging the paradigm that astrovirus infection is species-specific.

Urban primate ranging patterns: GPS-collar deployments for Macaca fascicularis and M. sylvanus.

The global increase in urbanization is leading to heavier interface between humans and wildlife. Within these anthropogenic landscapes, little is known about ranging patterns, particularly with regard to urban primates. Here we present the results of the first long-term deployment of multiple GPS collars on two species of macaques to investigate the impacts of urbanization on urban primate ranging patterns in Singapore and Gibraltar. Collars data acquisition were excellent with respect to the amount, quality, and accuracy of data collected; however, remote connectivity and drop-off functionality was poor across all deployments. Analyses highlighted high variability in ranging patterns between individuals within each species that aligned with access to human food resources and patterns of tourism. Individuals from troops with less access to human food had much larger home, core, and day ranges relative to those with regular provisioning or raiding opportunities. Almost no temporal range overlap was observed between any focal individuals at either site and spatial overlap was low for all but two troops at each site. We found no relationship between anthropogenic schedules and changes in ranging patterns. Significant seasonal variation existed for daily path length and day range size for both the Singapore long-tailed and the Gibraltar Barbary macaques, with long-tailed macaques increasing their range during the equatorial monsoon season and Barbary macaques increasing their range during drier, summer months. This study highlights how the behavioral plasticity found within the genus Macaca is reflected in ranging pattern variability within urban environments.

A Seminomadic Population in Bangladesh with Extensive Exposure to Macaques Does Not Exhibit High Levels of Zoonotic Simian Foamy Virus Infection.

Simian foamy viruses (SVF) are ubiquitous in nonhuman primates (NHP). SFV can be zoonotically transmitted to humans who either work with or live commensally with NHP. We analyzed the blood of 45 Bangladeshi performing monkey owners (an ethnic group called the Bedey) for SFV infection. Surprisingly, a PCR assay failed to detect SFV infection in any of these participants. This is in contrast to our previously reported infection rate of about 5% among Bangladeshi villagers.

Oculomotor-Based Vision Assessment in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to synthesize and appraise the evidence regarding the use of oculomotor-based vision assessment to identify and monitor recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Specific objectives are to (1) identify changes in oculomotor-based vision following mTBI; (2) distinguish methods of assessment; (3) appraise the level and quality of evidence; and, if warranted, (4) determine clinical recommendations for assessment. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to identify and appraise relevant literature. A search was conducted of 7 databases of peer-reviewed literature from January 1990 to January 2015. Articles were included if study populations were clearly identified as having mTBI and used an assessment of oculomotor-based vision. Articles with pooled data (eg, mTBI and stroke), addressing afferent visual function (eg, visual field deficits) or using single case designs, were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty articles were selected for inclusion. Exploratory findings suggest that measurements of saccades, smooth pursuit, and vergence are useful in detecting changes associated with mTBI. Assessment methods included eye tracker protocols, optometric assessment, and the King-Devick test. CONCLUSION: The strength of this evidence is not yet sufficient to warrant clinical recommendations. Research using rigorous methods is required to develop reliable, valid, and clinically useful assessment protocols.

Loss of Financial Management Independence After Brain Injury: Survivors' Experiences.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the experiences of brain injury survivors after a change in financial management (FM) independence. METHOD: Using a qualitative descriptive design, 6 participants with acquired brain injury were recruited from a community brain injury organization and participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) trajectory of FM change, involving family members as key change agents; (2) current FM situation, involving FM strategies such as automatic deposits and restricted budgets; and (3) the struggle for control, in which survivors desired control while also accepting supports for FM. CONCLUSION: This study identifies some of the challenges brain injury survivors face in managing their finances and the adjustment associated with a loss of FM independence. Occupational therapists should be aware of clients' experiences when supporting them through a change in independence.

Replication Capacity of Avian Influenza A(H9N2) Virus in Pet Birds and Mammals, Bangladesh.

Avian influenza A(H9N2) is an agricultural and public health threat. We characterized an H9N2 virus from a pet market in Bangladesh and demonstrated replication in samples from pet birds, swine tissues, human airway and ocular cells, and ferrets. Results implicated pet birds in the potential dissemination and zoonotic transmission of this virus.