BACKGROUND With emphasis on dimensional aspects of psychopathology in development of the upcoming DSM-V, we systematically review data on epidemiology, illness course, risk factors for, and consequences of late-life depressive syndromes not meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for major depression or dysthymia. We termed these syndromes subthreshold depression, including minor depression and subsyndromal depression. METHODS We searched PubMed (1980–Jan 2010) using the terms: subsyndromal depression, subthreshold depression, and minor depression in combination with elderly, geriatric, older adult, and late-life. Data were extracted from 181 studies of late-life subthreshold depression. RESULTS In older adults subthreshold depression was generally at least 2–3 times more prevalent (median community point prevalence 9.8%) than major depression. Prevalence of subthreshold depression was lower in community settings versus primary care and highest in long-term care settings. Approximately 8–10% of older persons with subthreshold depression developed major depression per year. The course of late-life subthreshold depression was more favorable than that of late-life major depression, but far from benign, with a median remission rate to non-depressed status of only 27% after ≥1 year. Prominent risk factors included female gender, medical burden, disability, and low social support; consequences included increased disability, greater healthcare utilization, and increased suicidal ideation. LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of the data, especially related to definitions of subthreshold depression limit our ability to conduct meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence and associated adverse health outcomes of late-life subthreshold depression indicate the major public health significance of this condition and suggest a need for further research on its neurobiology and treatment. Such efforts could potentially lead to prevention of considerable morbidity for the growing number of older adults.

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Intracranial lipomas are rare congenital lesions that occur because of abnormal differentiation of embryogenic meninges. These lipomas are usually seen incidentally on brain imaging, and are usually asymptomatic and do not require treatment. The authors present a case of ruptured intracranial lipoma, discovered in an elderly patient presenting with dizziness and episodes of falls.

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A BSTRACT Aim: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is present in human and plays a key role in intracellular destructive processes and cellular damage. It has bicarbonate and phosphate ions, which help in buffering against acids. ALP activity is affected by smoking, which changes pH in oral environment and has harmful effects. Thus, the evaluation of ALP activity of smokers and healthy nonsmoker along with patients who were diabetic, potentially malignant, and malignant was carried out in this study. Materials and Methods: The study took place between 2016 and 2017. A total of 150 smokers, non-smokers, and patients who were diabetic, potentially malignant, and malignant were included. Collection of unstimulated whole saliva was done from each participant, and salivary ALP levels were measured by spectrophotometric assay. Results: Mean salivary ALP levels were significantly higher in smokers compared to those in nonsmokers. Mean ALP levels were also increased in patients who were diabetic, potentially malignant, and malignant compared to those in controls. Conclusion: ALP levels were significantly higher among smokers when compared to a healthy control group. Oral tissue function and side effects among smokers can be evaluated by these salivary enzyme alterations, which can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of any disease process. These salivary alterations could potentially be used as biochemical markers for the evaluation and early diagnosis. The higher levels were also found in patients who were diabetic, potentially malignant, and malignant, and ALP levels may also be used as biomarkers for the evaluation of the disease process.

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Benzoyl chloride is commonly used as a food preservative to control microbial contamination by reducing the growth rate and maximum growth population and extending the lag period of the target microorganisms. Benzoyl chloride was successfully incorporated into a matrix of an ethylene acrylic acid polymer. The reaction of benzoyl chloride with ethylene acrylic acid was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of modified ionomer films was studied through the monitoring of the growth of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. on the modified films. An untreated film did not show any inhibition of microbial growth. The inhibition activity was least in an ionomer film treated with acid and benzoyl chloride, and this was followed by a film treated with alkali and benzoyl chloride. The maximum inhibition was observed in a film treated just with benzoyl chloride. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3063–3068 2006