Investigations of exercise and cognition have primarily focused on healthy or demented older adults, and results have been equivocal in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our aim was ...to evaluate efficacy of exercise on cognition in older adults with MCI.
We conducted a meta-analysis of random controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise effects on cognitive outcomes in adults with MCI. Searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, SPORTSDICUS, PsychInfo, and PubMed.
Adults aged over 65 years with MCI or Mini-Mental State Exam mean score 24-28 inclusive.
Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale; data on participant and intervention characteristics and outcomes were extracted, followed by meta-analysis.
Fourteen RCTs (1,695 participants; age 65-95 years) met inclusion criteria. Quality was modest and under-powering for small effects prevalent. Overall, 42% of effect sizes (ESs) were potentially clinically relevant (ES >0.20) with only 8% of cognitive outcomes statistically significant. Meta-analysis revealed negligible but significant effects of exercise on verbal fluency (ES: 0.17 0.04, 0.30). No significant benefit was found for additional executive measures, memory, or information processing. Overall results were inconsistent with benefits varying across exercise types and cognitive domains.
There is very limited evidence that exercise improves cognitive function in individuals with MCI, although published research is of moderate quality and inconclusive due to low statistical power. Questions remain regarding the magnitude, generalization, persistence, and mechanisms of benefits. Large-scale, high-quality RCTs are required to determine if exercise improves cognition or reduces dementia incidence in those with MCI.
Pancreatic cancers arise predominantly from ductal epithelial cells of the exocrine pancreas and are of the ductal adenocarcinoma histological subtype (PDAC). PDAC is an aggressive disease associated ...with a poor clinical prognosis, weakly effective therapeutic options, and a lack of early detection methods. Furthermore, the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of PDAC complicates efforts to identify universally efficacious therapies. PDACs commonly harbor activating mutations in the KRAS oncogene, which is a potent driver of tumor initiation and maintenance. Inactivating mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as CDKN2A/p16, TP53, and SMAD4 cooperate with KRAS mutations to cause aggressive PDAC tumor growth. PDAC can be classified into 3-4 molecular subtypes by global gene expression profiling. These subtypes can be distinguished by distinct molecular and phenotypic characteristics. This chapter will provide an overview of the current knowledge of PDAC pathogenesis at the genetic and molecular level as well as novel therapeutic opportunities to treat this highly aggressive disease.
Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity phenomena such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression are candidate mechanisms for storing information in the brain. Regulation of synaptic ...plasticity is critical for healthy cognition and learning and this is provided in part by metaplasticity, which can act to maintain synaptic transmission within a dynamic range and potentially prevent excitotoxicity. Metaplasticity mechanisms also allow neurons to integrate plasticity-associated signals over time. Interestingly, astrocytes appear to be critical for certain forms of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity mechanisms. Synaptic dysfunction is increasingly viewed as an early feature of AD that is correlated with the severity of cognitive decline, and the development of these pathologies is correlated with a rise in reactive astrocytes. This review focuses on the contributions of astrocytes to synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity in normal tissue, and addresses whether astroglial pathology may lead to aberrant engagement of these mechanisms in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Erratic rainfall leading to flash flooding causes huge yield losses in lowland rice. The traditional varieties and landraces of rice possess variable levels of tolerance to submergence stress, but ...gene discovery and utilization of these resources has been limited to the Sub1A-1 allele from variety FR13A. Therefore, we analysed the allelic sequence variation in three Sub1 genes in a panel of 179 rice genotypes and its association with submergence tolerance. Population structure and diversity analysis based on a 36-plex genome wide genic-SNP assay grouped these genotypes into two major categories representing Indica and Japonica cultivar groups with further sub-groupings into Indica, Aus, Deepwater and Aromatic-Japonica cultivars. Targetted re-sequencing of the Sub1A, Sub1B and Sub1C genes identfied 7, 7 and 38 SNPs making 8, 9 and 67 SNP haplotypes, respectively. Haplotype networks and phylogenic analysis revealed evolution of Sub1B and Sub1A genes by tandem duplication and divergence of the ancestral Sub1C gene in that order. The alleles of Sub1 genes in tolerant reference variety FR13A seem to have evolved most recently. However, no consistent association could be found between the Sub1 allelic variation and submergence tolerance probably due to low minor allele frequencies and presence of exceptions to the known Sub1A-1 association in the genotype panel. We identified 18 cultivars with non-Sub1A-1 source of submergence tolerance which after further mapping and validation in bi-parental populations will be useful for development of superior flood tolerant rice cultivars.
The opioid epidemic is a major public health crisis in the U.S. Contemporary data on opioid use disorder (OUD) related hospitalizations are needed. Our objective was to assess whether OUD ...hospitalizations and associated mortality are increasing over time and examine the factors associated healthcare utilization and mortality.
We examined the rates of OUD hospitalizations and associated mortality using the U.S. National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 1998-2016. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression assessed the association of demographic, clinical and hospital characteristics with inpatient mortality and healthcare utilization (total hospital charges, discharge to a rehabilitation facility, length of hospital stay) during the index hospitalization for opioid use disorder. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We estimated 781,767 OUD hospitalizations. The rate of OUD hospitalization and associated mortality (/100,000 overall NIS hospitalizations) increased from 59.8 and 1.2 in 1998-2000 to 190.7 and 5.9 in 2015-16, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted analysis, the following factors were associated with worse outcomes; compared to age <34 years, older age was associated with higher risk of hospital charges above the median and length of stay >3 days, slightly higher risk of discharge to a rehabilitation facility. Higher Deyo-Charlson score was associated with higher hospital charges, length of hospital stay, and inpatient mortality. Women had lower odds of inpatient mortality than men and blacks had lower odds of mortality than whites.
Rising OUD hospitalizations from 1998 to 2016 and increasing associated inpatient mortality are concerning. Certain groups are at higher risk of poor utilization outcomes and inpatient mortality. Resources and healthcare policies need to focus on the high-risk group to reduce mortality and associated utilization.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In the present work, 4-amino-5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (AMTT) was synthesized and characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR. The triazole was for the first time investigated as a novel corrosion ...inhibitor for copper in 3.5% NaCl solution employing the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. The AMTT showed a corrosion inhibition efficiency of >94% at a concentration of 0.5 mmol L−1 and behaved as a mixed type inhibitor with cathodic predominance. The influence of AMTT on the kinetics of the oxidation-reduction behaviour of copper in 3.5% NaCl was studied using cyclic voltammetry. The protective film of AMTT on the copper surface was studied in detail using time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), AFM and FTIR-ATR. The results of surface analysis suggested chemical adsorption of AMTT over copper surface. The inhibitor AMTT is found to interact with the copper surface via the sulphur atom of the thiol group and the nitrogen atoms of the amino group and the triazole ring. ToF-SIMS data also suggest that the inhibitor may bind to two copper surface atoms. The results of theoretical studies via pKa analysis and the quantum chemical calculations support the experimental observations.
•Aminomercaptotriazole was prepared, characterized and tested on copper corrosion.•Maximum inhibition efficiency of >94% was obtained at 0.5 mM in 3.5% NaCl.•EIS, Tafel and Cyclic voltammetry showed the adsorption of inhibitor on Cu surface.•Triazole adsorption on Cu was corroborated with AFM, FTIR-ATR and ToF-SIMS.•ToF-SIMS analysis revealed the chemical bonds between N, S with copper surface.
The present study focused on the physiological and biochemical aspects of Tricleocarpa fragilis, red seaweed belonging to the phylum Rhodophyta, along the South Andaman coast, with particular ...attention given to its symbiotic relationships with associated flora and fauna. The physicochemical parameters of the seawater at the sampling station, such as its temperature, pH, and salinity, were meticulously analyzed to determine the optimal harvesting period for T. fragilis. Seaweeds attach to rocks, dead corals, and shells in shallow areas exposed to moderate wave action because of its habitat preferences. Temporal variations in biomass production were estimated, revealing the highest peak in March, which was correlated with optimal seawater conditions, including a temperature of 34 + or - 1.1 degreesC, a pH of 8 + or - 0.1, and a salinity of 32 + or - 0.8 psu. GC-MS analysis revealed n-hexadecanoic acid as the dominant compound among the 36 peaks, with major bioactive compounds identified as fatty acids, diterpenes, phenolic compounds, and hydrocarbons. This research not only enhances our understanding of ecological dynamics but also provides valuable insights into the intricate biochemical processes of T. fragilis. The established antimicrobial potential and characterization of bioactive compounds from T. fragilis lay a foundation for possible applications in the pharmaceutical industry and other industries.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Photocatalytic alkene synthesis can involve electron and energy transfer processes. The structure of the photocatalyst can be used to control the rate of the energy transfer, providing a mechanistic ...handle over the two processes. Jointly considering catalyst volume and emissive energy provides a highly sensitive strategy for predicting which mechanistic pathway will dominate. This model was developed
to a photocatalytic C
-F alkenylation reaction of alkynes and highly-fluorinated arenes as partners. By judicious choice of photocatalyst, access to
- or
-olefins was accomplished, even in the case of synthetically challenging trisubstituted alkenes. The generality and transferability of this model was tested by evaluating established photocatalytic reactions, resulting in shortened reaction times and access to complimentary
-cinnamylamines in the photocatalytic 2 + 2 and C-H vinylation of amines, respectively. These results show that taking into account the size of the photocatalyst provides predictive ability and control in photochemical quenching events.
Summary
Image watermarking in wavelet domain is a challenging problem as it includes a proper selection of wavelet transforms as well as sub‐bands for accurate embedding and recovery of watermarks. ...However, selection of a suitable wavelet transform for multiple image watermarking is an area of great interest. Therefore, in this work, a multiple watermarking technique using combination of redundant discrete wavelet transforms (RDWT), non‐subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT), set partitioning in hierarchical tree (SPIHT), and singular value decomposition (SVD) is proposed. The proposed scheme is aimed to achieve high capacity, robustness, and imperceptibility. The security aspect of the proposed method is enhanced by using Arnold transform. Since RDWT and NSCT are both shift invariant in nature, therefore they are suitable for multiple image watermarking. Furthermore, the proposed method provides flexibility in selection of appropriate sub‐bands for watermark embedding and recovery. Experimental results and analysis reveals that the proposed technique gives maximum PSNR, NC, and SSIM value up to 40.97 dB, 1, and 0.9994, respectively. Furthermore, the performance estimation of our technique is found superior to previously reported techniques under consideration.
Abstract
Objective
To examine patient experience, views, and opinions regarding the ineffectiveness of the current knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatments.
Methods
Nominal groups were conducted with ...consecutive clinic patients with knee OA, oversampling African Americans. Patients discussed and rank-ordered their concerns.
Results
Fourteen nominal groups with 48 knee OA patients were conducted with a mean age of 60.6 years (standard deviation, 9.8) and a knee OA duration of 7.8 years (sd, 5.4); 25% were men, and 54% were African American. The most frequently cited highly ranked concerns for the ineffectiveness of current knee OA treatments were as follows: (1) medication-related—(A) side effects (3 groups; 4% vote), (B) limited efficacy (5 groups; 11% vote), (C) medication not targeting underlying disease (7 groups; 16% vote), (D) lack of personalized medication use (3 groups; 4% vote), (E) temporary benefit (3 groups; 6% vote), and (F) fear of addiction/natural treatment preference (2 groups; 3% vote); (2) exercise/physical therapy-related—(G) exacerbation of joint pain (1 group; 3% vote), (H) difficulty in doing exercises (2 groups; 2% vote), (I) lack of motivation (8 groups; 12% vote), (J) technical challenges/lack of personalized exercise regimens (1 group; 1% vote), and (K) cost (2 groups; 3% vote); and (3) weight loss-related—(L) difficulty in achieving weight loss (4 groups; 6% vote) and (M) motivation (1 group; 1% vote).
Conclusions
A representative sample of participants with knee OA identified several barriers to the effectiveness of current knee OA treatments. This new knowledge provides insights for making the current treatment options potentially more usable and/or more effective.
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