Over half our sample was identified as at risk of malnutrition or malnourished and this was associated with poorer clinical outcomes.

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Macaque retinae were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies directed against the protein synaptotagmin-2 (Syt2). Syt2 was localized in a population of small-field amacrine cells, whose cell bodies formed a regular mosaic within the inner nuclear layer, indicating they represent a single amacrine cell type. The labeled amacrine cells had a bistratified appearance with a dense dendritic plexus in the OFF-layer and only a few lobular processes extending into the ON-layer of the inner plexiform layer, similar to A8 amacrine cells described in cat and human retina. Syt2-labeled cells were immunoreactive for glycine but lacked immunoreactivity for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), suggesting they use glycine as their neurotransmitter. The density of these cells increases from ∼200/mm(2) in peripheral retina to ∼1,400/mm(2) in central retina. Their bipolar cell input was studied by immunolabeling experiments using various bipolar cell markers combined with CtBP2, a marker of presynaptic ribbons. Our data show that Syt2-labeled amacrine cells receive input from both OFF and ON cone bipolar cells, as well as from rod bipolar cells. The OFF input is dominated by the diffuse bipolar cell DB1 (44%) and the OFF midget bipolar cell (38%). Here we describe a population of bistratified small-field amacrine cells closely resembling A8 amacrine cells and their cone-dominated bipolar cell input. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:709-724, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aim:  To determine the inter‐rater reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and relationship with body composition and nutritional biochemistry among older Australians undergoing rehabilitation. Methods:  Thirty‐eight adults aged ≥65 years were prospectively and consecutively recruited from an Australian rehabilitation ward. Two dietitians independently administered the 18‐item MNA to determine inter‐rater reliability. MNA classifications (well nourished, at risk of malnutrition, malnourished) were compared with body composition (using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) and serum albumin. These analyses were also performed for the short‐form version of the MNA (six items). Results:  In this cross‐sectional study, inter‐rater reliability of the 18‐item MNA score, estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.833, while inter‐rater reliability estimated by the weighted kappa index was 0.53. The two raters reached agreement on MNA classification for 26 of 38 cases (68%). Women classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition using the 18‐item MNA had lower total body fat (11 kg vs 29 kg, P < 0.01) and per cent body fat (25% vs 40%, P < 0.01), compared with women classified as well nourished. Similar findings were not apparent for men, although men classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition had lower serum albumin (32 g/L vs 36 g/L, P = 0.04) compared with men classified as well nourished. Similar findings were evident for the short‐form version of the MNA. Conclusion:  The MNA was found to be useful for identifying older women with lower body fat in the Australian rehabilitation setting. The 18‐item MNA score has substantial inter‐rater reliability, and fair inter‐rater reliability when used according to the classifications. Inclusion of subjective and self‐reported items in surveys can be problematic for optimal reliability as can the use of such items in a subject population that is experiencing rapid progress in recovery.