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Native perennial bluegrasses are common and persistent in the understory steppe vegetation of western North America. The agamospermous Poa secunda Presl. complex circumscribes a number of commonly recognized forms including big bluegrass (P. ampla Merr.), canby bluegrass (P. canbyi Scribn.), and sandberg bluegrass (P. sandbergii Vasey). Poafendleriana (Steudel) Vasey is a dioecious, morphologically distinct bluegrass species that is also native to western North America. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method was used to analyze genetic variation within and among cv. Canbar canby bluegrass, cv. Sherman big bluegrass, two allopatric natural populations of sandberg bluegrass, and one natural germplasm source of P. fendleriana. Results indicate that Sherman and Canbar are comprised of one or several fixed genotypes, respectively, that are related to sandberg bluegrass. Although several fixed genotypes were also detected within the two natural sandberg bluegrass populations, high levels of genetic diversity were present in the agamospermous sandberg populations and dioecious P. fendleriana population. Patterns of AFLP variation in P. secunda are consistent with facultative apomixis and outcrossing mode of reproduction. Moreover, population differentiation between the two highly diverse natural sandberg bluegrass populations, collected from sites nearly 600 km apart, is very low ([G.sub.s] = 0.14) and reflect a high degree of gene flow. However, the AFLP profiles of Canbar canby bluegrass and Sherman big bluegrass were distinct from sandberg bluegrass. The P. secunda complex, as a group, was clearly distinguishable from P. fendleriana. Thus, DNA fingerprinting was used to characterize naturally diverse bluegrass germplasm sources that may be used for large-scale revegetation efforts across the western USA., THE GENUS Poa displays extraordinary ecological and reproductive diversity (Kellogg, 1985a) and is of great importance in forage production, soil stabilization, and lawns. Poa secunda is a dominant perennial bluegrass [...]

Unlabelled: The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is commonly used to treat symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Although periacetabular osteotomy is becoming a more common surgical intervention to relieve pain and improve function, the strength of clinical evidence to support this procedure for these goals is not well defined in the literature. We therefore performed a systematic review of the literature to define the level of evidence for periacetabular osteotomy, to determine deformity correction, clinical results, and to determine complications associated with the procedure. Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Eleven studies were Level IV, one was Level III, and one was Level II. Radiographic deformity correction was consistent and improvement in hip function was noted in all studies. Most studies did not correlate radiographic and clinic outcomes. Clinical failures were commonly associated with moderate to severe preoperative osteoarthritis and conversion to THA was reported in 0% to 17% of cases. Major complications were noted in 6% to 37% of the procedures. These data indicate periacetabular osteotomy provides pain relief and improved hip function in most patients over short- to midterm followup. The current evidence is primarily Level IV.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 63-year-old man who was diagnosed with a proximal myopathy through targeted genetic testing following the development of early onset cognitive decline. It notes that inclusion body myopathy-Paget's disease-frontotemporal dementia is an autosomal dominant disorder with valosin-containing protein gene mutations. It claims that there is no specific treatment for valosin-containing protein disease other than supportive care for weakness and cognitive decline.

Background Aims: Hu8F4 is a T-cell receptor-like antibody with high affinity for the leukemia-associated antigen PR1/HLA-A2 epitope. Adapted into a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) format, Hu8F4-CAR is composed of the Hu8F4 single-chain variable fragment, the human IgG1 CH2CH3 extracellular spacer domain, a human CD28 costimulatory domain and the human CD3ζ signaling domain. We have demonstrated high efficacy of Hu8F4-CAR-T cells against PR1/HLA-A2-expressing cell lines and leukemic blasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia in vitro. Previous studies have shown that modification of the Fc domains of IgG4 CH2CH3 spacer regions can eliminate activation-induced cell death and off-target killing mediated by mouse Fc gamma receptor-expressing cells., Methods: We generated Hu8F4-CAR(PQ) with mutated Fc receptor binding sites on the CH2 domain of Hu8F4-CAR to prevent unwanted interactions with Fc gamma receptor-expressing cells in vivo., Results: The primary human T cells transduced with Hu8F4-CAR(PQ) can specifically lyse HLA-A2 + PR1-expressing leukemia cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, both adult donor-derived and cord blood-derived Hu8F4-CAR(PQ)-T cells are active and can eliminate U937 leukemia cells in NSG mice., Conclusions: Herein, we demonstrate that modification of the IgG1-based spacer can eliminate Fc receptor binding-induced adverse effects and Hu8F4-CAR(PQ)-T cells can kill leukemia in vivo., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no commercial, proprietary or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article., (Copyright © 2024 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Internationally, stresses related to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs)., Aims: This cross-sectional study investigated demographic, situational and psychological variables associated with mental wellbeing among family caregivers of adults with IDDs during the COVID-19 pandemic., Method: Baseline data from 202 family caregivers participating in virtual courses to support caregiver mental well-being were collected from October 2020 to June 2022 via online survey. Mental well-being was assessed using total scores from the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Demographic, situational and psychological contributors to mental well-being were identified using hierarchical regression analysis., Results: Variables associated with lower levels of mental well-being were gender (women); age (<60 years old); lack of vaccine availability; loss of programming for their family member; social isolation; and low confidence in their ability to prepare for healthcare, support their family member's mental health, manage burnout and navigate healthcare and social systems. Connection with other families, confidence in managing burnout and building resilience and confidence in working effectively across health and social systems were significant predictors of mental well-being in the final regression model, which predicted 55.6% of variance in mental well-being ( P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Family caregivers need ways to foster social connections with other families, and support to properly utilise healthcare and social services during public health emergencies. Helping them attend to their needs as caregivers can promote their mental health and ultimately improve outcomes for their family members with disabilities.

Background: Canadian 24-h movement guidelines recommend that adults achieve 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 7-9 h of sleep per night and spend no more than 8-h per day sedentary to optimise health and wellbeing., Method: Using a cross-sectional survey of 131 family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we aimed to (a) determine whether adherence to these guidelines predicts mental wellbeing in family caregivers and (b) explore the relationship between movement behaviours of family caregivers and their loved ones., Results: While MVPA was found to weakly predict wellbeing, sleep and sedentary behaviour did not. The movement behaviours of the family caregivers were not closely related to that of their loved ones., Conclusions: Fostering physical activity is important to promote the wellbeing of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their family caregivers. Opportunities to be active together may be even more beneficial., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The current study examines how a virtual wellness intervention may improve health outcomes in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thirty-six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participated in the wellness intervention. Outcome measures related to satisfaction, mental health, wellbeing, health behaviours and overall health were completed at three time points (pre, post and follow-up). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and had significant improvements in outcomes related to mental health and wellbeing. Changes in sleep, sedentary behaviour and overall health were not reported, though qualitative evidence suggests that some changes were implemented. The study provides evidence to support the use of virtual interventions to address health concerns in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in many ways, impacting their health and wellbeing. Early in the pandemic, the research team delivered a six-week virtual group-based program to help Canadian adults with intellectual disabilities cope and better manage their mental health. The study's objective was to explore ongoing concerns among individuals with intellectual disabilities following their participation in this education and support program. Thematic analysis was used to analyze participant feedback provided eight weeks after course completion. Twenty-four participants were interviewed in January 2021 and May 2021 across two cycles of the course. Three themes emerged: 1) employment and financial challenges; 2) navigating changes and ongoing restrictions; and 3) vaccine anticipation and experience. These findings suggest that despite benefiting from the program, participants continued to experience pandemic-related challenges in 2021, emphasising the need to continually engage people with intellectual disabilities., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.