Project description:ObjectivesEngaging in mentally challenging activities is associated with reduced risk for cognitive impairment and dementia; however, its association with rates of cognitive decline has been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to test whether working in mentally challenging occupations is related to rates of cognitive change at later older adulthood.MethodThe sample consisted of 1,520 individuals (baseline mean age = 78.6 ± 5.1, range = 64-100) from the Einstein Aging Study. Occupation information of each participant was collected retrospectively and linked with the substantive complexity of work score from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Cognitive changes in memory, speed, and executive function (EF) domains were represented using two time metrics (i.e., time from retirement, time from study enrollment).ResultsResults from mixed models showed that occupational complexity was associated with significantly faster rates of cognitive decline in speed and EF in the "time from retirement" model but not in the "time from baseline" model. Despite faster cognitive loss, the protective effect of occupational complexity persisted for decades after retirement due to higher initial levels of cognition.DiscussionThe result suggests that protective factors for cognitive health may be associated with delayed onset but more rapid cognitive decline afterwards at later stages of cognitive aging.

| S-EPMC7955975 | biostudies-literature

Three more steps toward better science.

Project description:Science has striven to do better since its inception and has given us good philosophies, methodologies and statistical tools that, in their own way, do reasonably well for purpose. Unfortunately, progress has also been marred by historical clashes among perspectives, typically between frequentists and Bayesians, leading to troubles such as the current reproducibility crises. Here I wish to propose that science could do better with more resilient structures, more useful methodological tutorials, and clearer signaling regarding how much we can trust what it produces.

| S-EPMC6468710 | biostudies-literature

Graduate students are more challenging, demanding, and questioning.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC1124216 | biostudies-literature

Commentary: In the hands of the few, less is more.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC8691935 | biostudies-literature

Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases: a call for more rapid and accurate methods.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC7290552 | biostudies-literature

COVID-19 transmission: a rapid systematic review of current knowledge.

Project description:ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the potential and definite sources of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsDue to time constraints and the acute nature of the pandemic, we searched only PubMed/Medline from inception until January 28, 2021. We analyzed the level of evidence and risk of bias in each category and made suggestions accordingly.ResultsThe virus was traced from its potential origin via possible ways of transmission to the last host. Symptomatic human-to-human transmission remains the driver of the epidemic, but asymptomatic transmission can potentially contribute in a substantial manner. Feces and fomites have both been found to contain viable virus; even though transmission through these routes has not been documented, their contribution cannot be ruled out. Finally, transmission from pregnant women to their children has been found to be low (up to 3%).ConclusionEven though robust outcomes cannot be easily assessed, medical personnel must maintain awareness of the main routes of transmission (via droplets and aerosols from even asymptomatic patients). This is the first attempt to systematically review the existing knowledge to produce a paper with a potentially significant clinical impact.

| S-EPMC8102883 | biostudies-literature

Challenging the standard of care in advanced melanoma: focus on pembrolizumab.

Project description:The last several years have seen a dramatic rise in the number of effective therapies that have been shown to improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma. Among these treatments are the immune checkpoint inhibitors, a new class of immunotherapy, that have demonstrated the ability to improve both response rates and survival outcomes. Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks the negative regulatory PD-1 receptor on T-cell lymphocytes, has shown improved efficacy compared to standard therapies with an acceptable tolerability profile. Additionally, this agent is being evaluated in adjuvant and combination trial strategies that have great potential to further advance outcomes. This review focuses on the advances that pembrolizumab has made in melanoma and what studies are upcoming that could change the future of melanoma treatment yet again.

| S-EPMC5626384 | biostudies-literature

Globalization and loss of plant knowledge: challenging the paradigm.

Project description:The erosion of cultural knowledge and traditions as a result of globalization and migration is a commonly reported phenomenon. We compared one type of cultural knowledge about medicinal plants (number of plants reported to treat thirty common health conditions) among Dominican laypersons who self-medicate with plants and live in rural or urban areas of the Dominican Republic (DR), and those who have moved to New York City (NYC). Many plants used as medicines were popular Dominican food plants. These plants were reported significantly more often by Dominicans living in NYC as compared to the DR, and this knowledge was not age-dependent. These results contradict the popular paradigm about loss of cultural plant knowledge and is the first study to report a statistically measurable increase in this type of knowledge associated with migration.

| S-EPMC3360753 | biostudies-literature

Ground-glass opacities: a problem bound to get more challenging.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC10423360 | biostudies-literature