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Previous studies of nonhuman primates have found relationships between health and individual differences in personality, behavior, and social status. However, despite knowing these factors are intercorrelated, many studies focus only on a single measure, for example, rank. Consequently, it is difficult to determine the degree to which these individual differences are independently associated with health. The present study sought to untangle the associations between health and these individual differences in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We studied 85 socially housed macaques at the Oregon and California National Primate Research Centers, and used veterinary records to determine the number of injuries and illnesses for each macaque. We measured personality using 12 items from a well-established primate personality questionnaire, performed focal observations of behaviors, and calculated dominance status from directional supplant data. All twelve personality questionnaire items were reliable and were used to represent five of the six personality dimensions identified in rhesus macaques-Dominance, Confidence, Openness, Anxiety, and Friendliness (also known as Sociability). Following this, we fit generalized linear mixed effects models to understand how these factors were associated with an animal's history of injury and history of illness. In the models, age was an offset, facility was a random effect, and the five personality dimensions, behavior, sex, and dominance status were fixed effects. Number of injuries and illnesses were each best represented by a negative binomial distribution. For the injury models, including the effects did improve model fit. This model revealed that more confident and more anxious macaques experienced fewer injuries. For the illness models, including the fixed effects did not significantly improve model fit over a model without the fixed effects. Future studies may seek to assess mechanisms underlying these associations.

Prior studies used exploratory bifactor analyses to examine the structure of the Neuroticism scale from the Short-scale Eysenck Personality Questionnaire–Revised (EPQ–RS). These studies revealed a general factor and two group factors—Anxious-Tense and Worried-Vulnerable. These factors were related to poorer mental health, but their associations with physical health differed, as did their genetic and neurobiological underpinnings. A later study found that their associations with the Big Five Inventory-2 Short Form's factors and facets differed. We reanalyzed data on 1,006 Spanish students who completed Spanish-language versions of the EPQ–RS and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI–R). Using confirmatory factor analysis, we showed that a model comprising the general factor and a group factor—Anxious-Tense—fit well. In later correlations, a joint factor analysis, and simultaneous multiple regressions, we showed that the EPQ-RS's general factor and the group factor had different patterns of associations with the NEO PI–R domains and facets. These associations were consistent with the definition of the EPQ–RS Neuroticism scale's general factor and that of the group factor. Further investigation into the EPQ–RS Neuroticism scale's structure can improve our understanding of neuroticism's relationship with health and other outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new insert for a commercially available end-to-end test phantom was designed and in-house manufactured by 3D printing. Subsequently, the insert was tested for different stereotactic radiation therapy workflows (SRS, SBRT, FSRT, and Multimet) also in comparison to the original insert. Workflows contained imaging (MR, CT), treatment planning, positioning, and irradiation. Positioning accuracy was evaluated for non-coplanar x-ray, kV- and MV-CBCT systems, as well as surface guided radiation therapy. Dosimetric accuracy of the irradiation was measured with an ionization chamber at four different linear accelerators including dynamic tumor tracking for SBRT. CT parameters of the insert were within the specification. For MR images, the new insert allowed quantitative analysis of the MR distortion. Positioning accuracy of the phantom with the new insert using the imaging systems of the different linacs was < 1 mm/degree also for MV-CBCT and a non-coplanar imaging system which caused > 3 mm deviation with the original insert. Deviation of point dose values was < 3% for SRS, FSRT, and SBRT for both inserts. For the Multimet plans deviations exceeded 10% because the ionization chamber was not positioned in each metastasis, but in the center of phantom and treatment plan. The in-house manufactured insert performed well in all steps of four stereotactic treatment end-to-end tests. Advantages over the commercially available alternative were seen for quantitative analysis of deformation correction in MR images, applicability for non-coplanar x-ray imaging, and dynamic tumor tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread production and disposal of plastics have led to an alarming accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment with significant implications for human health. MPs have infiltrated and accumulated in various ecosystems around the world and consequently in human bodies, posing severe health risks, including the onset of, and acceleration of, neurodegenerative diseases. This review article explores the sources and routes of transmission by which MPs enter the central nervous system, including inhalation and direct penetration of the blood–brain barrier, detection strategies such as engineered nanostructures and gold nanoparticles, and the role of glial cells in exacerbating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's diseases, Parkinson's diseases, and multiple sclerosis in the presence of MPs. Further, this paper emphasizes a call for action for further investigation and prevention strategies of the impact of MPs including environmental policy changes, advanced detection methods, and potential therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]