The intricate relationship between social determinants, e.g., social frailty, biomarkers and healthy aging remains largely unexplored, despite the potential for social frailty to impact both ...intrinsic capacity (IC) and functional ability in the aging process.
Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.
Participants aged 50+ years from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) in Taiwan, stratified into three age groups: 50-64, 65-74 and 75+.
Social frailty was defined based on a score derived from four domains: exclusion from general resources, social resources, social activity, and fulfillment of basic social needs. The scores were categorized as score=0 (no social frailty), 1 (social pre-frailty), and 2+ (social frailty). Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were employed to examine the dose-responsive relationship between social frailty, low IC, functional and psychological health, and mortality.
Of 1015 study participants, 24.9% and 7.9% were classified as social pre-frailty and social frailty, respectively. No significant differences were observed in most biomarkers between those with social frailty and those without. A dose-responsive relationship was found between social frailty and increased risk of low IC (social pre-frailty: aOR 2.20 95% CI 1.59-3.04; social frailty: 5.73 3.39-9.69). Similar results were found for functional and psychological health. However, no significant association between social frailty and all-cause mortality was found at the 4-year follow-up (social pre-frailty: aHR 1.52 95% CI 0.94-2.43; social frailty: 1.59 0.81-3.09).
The significant association between social frailty and low IC, functional limitations, cognitive declines, and depressive symptoms underscores the pressing need for research on intervention strategies to enhance healthy aging in the lifespan course.
Low temperature is one of the important factors limiting wheat yield in cold regions. Expansins are nonenzymatic proteins that loosen cell walls and play important roles in diverse biological ...processes related to cell wall modification, including development and stress tolerance. Many studies have shown that expansins are involved in resistance to various abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought. However, the role of expansins in response to low‐temperature stress remains unclear.
Based on our previous transcriptome data of a winter wheat cultivar Dongnongdongmai 2 (DN2), we found that one of the expansin genes, TaEXPA8, was significantly induced by low temperature, indicating a role for TaEXPA8 in cold resistance. In this study, the paralogous TaEXPA8 genes TaEXPA8‐A, TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D were cloned by RT‐PCR. These three genes were then transformed into Arabidopsis by the floral dip method. Expression patterns of TaEXPA8 genes in different tissues and in response to several abiotic stresses and hormones were detected by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR).
The results showed that TaEXPA8‐A and TaEXPA8‐B were expressed mainly in roots, while TaEXPA8‐D was expressed predominantly in flowers. TaEXPA8 genes were induced by low‐temperature and drought. The overexpression of TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D enhanced low‐temperature resistance and had increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity and soluble protein, MDA and proline content.
In summary, our study suggested that the expansins TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D are involved in the response to low temperature and possibly play a role in cold resistance by activating the protective enzyme system.
We describe a simple and reliable orthotopic kidney transplantation method in rats with the use of sleeve arterial anastomosis and a modified stenting technique for anastomosis of the renal vein ...(RV).
Male Fischer and Lewis rats were used as kidney donors and recipients, respectively, and their left kidneys were harvested in situ. In the control rats (n = 30), the renal artery (RA) and RV anastomoses were performed end-to-end with interrupted sutures by means of the conventional technique. In the experimental animals (n = 30), revascularization of the RA was fashioned end-in-end with the use of a modified sleeve anastomosis, the RV was anastomosed end-to-end with the use of a modified stenting technique and interrupted sutures, and the ureter was anastomosed with the use of the end-to-end interrupted suture technique.
The arterial anastomosis time in the control group was 8.52 ± 1.1 minutes, and that in the experimental group was 4.7 ± 0.6 minutes (P < .05). The venous anastomosis time in the experimental group was 9.2 ± 1.3 minutes, which also was less than in the control group (11.19 ± 0.78 minutes; P < .05). The warm ischemia time decreased from 26.8 ± 1.3 minutes in the control group to 20.7 ± 0.5 minutes in the experimental group (P < .05). The success rate of 93% at 21 days after grafting was identical in the experimental and control groups.
We developed a modified model of orthotopic kidney transplantation that can significantly reduce the warm ischemia time.
•The renal artery was anastomosed with the use of a modified sleeve technique.•The renal vein was anastomosed with the use of a modified stenting technique.•We compared our modified method with the traditional technique.•Our technique can significantly reduce the warm ischemia time.
The crystal structure of a ternary Er(DBM)3phen complex (DBM = dibenzoylmethane; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) and its in‐situ synthesis via a sol–gel process are reported. The infrared (IR), diffuse ...reflectance (DR), and fluorescence spectra of the pure complex and the Er3+/DBM/phen co‐doped luminescent hybrid gel, formed via an in‐situ method (ErDP gel), have been investigated. The results reveal that the erbium complex is successfully synthesized in situ in the ErDP gel. Excitation at the maximum absorption wavelength of the ligands resulted in the typical near‐IR luminescence (centered at around 1.54 μm) resulting from the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition of the Er3+ ion, which contributes to the efficient energy transfer from the ligands to the Er3+ ion in both the Er(DBM)3phen complex and the ErDP gel (an antenna effect). The full width at half maximum (FWHM) centered at 1541 nm in the emission spectrum of the ErDP gel is 72 nm, which has potential for optical‐amplification applications. Further theoretical analysis on the Er3+ ion in the ErDP gel shows that it appears to be a promising candidate for tunable lasers and planar optical amplifiers.
The optical‐amplification potential of an erbium complex, formed in‐situ in a gel, is discussed. The properties of the erbium‐doped gel are investigated, and compared to those of the pure complex. Experimental data (from infrared, diffuse reflectance, and fluorescence spectroscopy) and a theoretical, Judd–Ofelt analysis (see Figure) are used to highlight the potential this new gel has for telecommunications applications.
•Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) suffer from an increased risk of fractures.•Clinical data shows that patients with T2DM have normal to high bone mineral density (BMD).•The ...hyperglycaemic, hyperinsulinemic and inflammatory conditions in T2DM contribute to skeletal complications.•Exercise can help combat the multifactorial impact of T2DM.
Bones undergo continuous cycles of bone remodelling that rely on the balance between bone formation and resorption. This balance allows the bone to adapt to changes in mechanical loads and repair microdamages. However, this balance is susceptible to upset in various conditions, leading to impaired bone remodelling and abnormal bones. This is usually indicated by abnormal bone mineral density (BMD), an indicator of bone strength. Despite this, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit normal to high BMD, yet still suffer from an increased risk of fractures. The activity of the bone cells is also altered as indicated by the reduced levels of bone turnover markers in T2DM observed in the circulation. The underlying mechanisms behind these skeletal outcomes in patients with T2DM remain unclear. This review summarises recent findings regarding inflammatory cytokine factors associated with T2DM to understand the mechanisms involved and considers potential therapeutic interventions.
Studies have demonstrated associations between inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive function in people with dementia or stroke, but little is known regarding these associations in healthy ...middle-aged and older populations.
This study aims to examine associations between inflammatory biomarkers (both vascular and systemic) and cognitive performance in stroke- and dementia-free middle-aged and older adults without apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE ε4) allele carriers.
A cross-sectional study.
Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) 2006.
A total of 983 participants aged 53 years and older.
Composite cognitive function assessment, including the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Overnight venous blood sampling for 6 inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, homocysteine, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin) and ApoE genotyping.
Among 983 participants (mean age: 65.8±9.5 years), 808 were non-ApoE e4 allele carriers and were stroke- and dementia-free. Higher log fibrinogen was associated with poorer cognitive function after adjustment for potential confounding factors in non-ApoE e4 allele carriers and stroke- and dementia-free populations (unstandardized coefficients β= -1.553, P value= 0.003). In participants aged 65 years or older, both of elevated fibrinogen and homocysteine were associated with poorer cognitive function (β= -2.288, P value= 0.015; β= -1.331, P value= 0.012, respectively). Elevated log CRP was significantly associated with lower cognitive function only in women (β= -0.514, P value= 0.024).
Higher serum levels of fibrinogen were negatively associated with cognitive function, which was independent of ApoE genotyping and prior cerebrovascular events in dementia-free community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are needed to validate the roles of fibrinogen in the pathophysiology of dementia and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Impaired intrinsic capacity (IC), which affects approximately 90% of older adults, is associated with a significantly heightened risk of frailty and cognitive decline. Existing evidence suggests that ...multidomain interventions have the potential to enhance cognitive performance and yield positive effects on physical frailty.
To examine roles of baseline IC and its subdomains on the efficacy of multidomain interventions in promoting healthy aging in older adults.
a cluster-randomized controlled trial.
1,054 community-dwelling older adults from 40 community-based clusters across Taiwan.
A 12-month pragmatic multidomain intervention of exercise, cognitive training, nutritional counseling and chronic condition management.
Baseline IC was measured by 5 subdomains, including cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA), sensory (visual and hearing impairment), vitality (handgrip strength or Mini-Nutritional Assessment-short form), psychological well-being (Geriatric Depression Scale-5), and locomotion (6m gait speed). Outcomes of interest were cognitive performance (MoCA scores) and physical frailty (CHS frailty score) over a follow-up period of 6 and 12 months.
Of all participants (mean age:75.1±6.4 years, 68.6% female), about 90% participants had IC impairment at baseline (2.0±1.2 subdomains). After covariate adjustment using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), the multidomain intervention significantly prevented cognitive declines and physical frailty, particularly in those with IC impairment ≥ 3 subdomains (MoCA: coefficient: 1.909, 95% CI: 0.736 ~ 3.083; CHS frailty scores: coefficient = -0.405, 95% CI: -0.715 ~ -0.095). To assess the associations between baseline poor capacity in each IC subdomain and MoCA/CHS frailty scores over follow-up, a 3-way interaction terms (time*intervention*each poorer IC subdomains) were added to GLMM models. Significant improvements in MoCA scores were shown for participants with poorer baseline cognition (coefficient= 1.138, 95% CI: 0.080 ~ 2.195) and vitality domains (coefficient= 1.651, 95% CI: 0.541 ~ 2.760). The poor vitality domain also had a significant modulating effect on the reduction of CHS frailty score after the 6- and 12-month intervention period (6 months: coefficient= -0.311, 95% CI: -0.554 ~ -0.068; 12 months: coefficient= -0.257, 95% CI: -0.513 ~ -0.001).
A multidomain intervention in community-dwelling older adults improves cognitive decline and physical frailty, with its effectiveness influenced by baseline IC, highlighting the importance of personalized strategies for healthy aging.
Background
One of the major unresolved issues in treating pain is the paradoxical hyperalgesia produced by opiates, and accumulating evidence implicate that EphBs receptors and ephrinBs ligands are ...involved in mediation of spinal nociceptive information and central sensitization, but the manner in which ephrinB/EphB signalling acts on spinal nociceptive information networks to produce hyperalgesia remains enigmatic. The objective of this research was to investigate the role of ephrinB/EphB signalling in remifentanil‐induced hyperalgesia (RIH) and its downstream effector.
Methods
We characterized the remifentanil‐induced pain behaviours by evaluating thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in a rat hind paw incisional model. Protein expression of EphB1 receptor and ephrinB1 ligand in spinal dorsal horn cord was determined by Western blotting, and Fos was determined by immunohistochemistry assay, respectively. To figure out the manner in which ephrinB/EphB signalling acts with N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, we used MK‐801, an antagonist of NMDA receptor, trying to suppressed the hyperalgesia induced by ephrinB1‐Fc, an agonist of ephrinB/EphB.
Results
Continuing infusion of remifentanil produced a thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, which was accompanied with increased protein expression of spinal‐level EphB1 receptor, ephrinB1 ligand and Fos; what appeared above was suppressed by pretreatment with EphB1‐Fc, an antagonist of ephrinB/EphB or MK‐801, and increased pain behaviours induced by intrathecal injection of ephrinB1‐Fc, an agonist of ephrinB/EphB, were suppressed by MK‐801.
Conclusions
Our findings indicated that ephrinB/EphB signalling is involved in RIH. EphrinB/EphB signalling might be the upstream of NMDA receptor.
Objective
Older patients with diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of developing diabetic macro- and micro-vascular complications and cardiovascular diseases than younger diabetes mellitus ...patients. However, older diabetes mellitus patients are very heterogeneous in their clinical characteristics, diabetes mellitus-related complications and age at disease onset. This study aimed to evaluate the all-cause mortality rates and adverse health outcomes among older adults with new-onset diabetes mellitus through a nationwide population-based study.
Design
A retrospective cohort study.
Setting
2001-2011 data of the National Health Insurance database.
Population
Nationally representative sample of Taiwanese adults aged 65 years and older with propensity score-matched controls.
Main outcome measures
All-cause mortality and adverse health outcomes.
Results
During the study period, 45.3% of patients in the diabetes mellitus cohort and 38.8% in the non-diabetes mellitus cohort died. The adjusted relative risk for mortality in the diabetes mellitus cohort compared to the non-diabetes mellitus cohort was 1.23 (95% Confidence Interval CI=1.16-1.30) for males and 1.27 (95%CI=1.19-1.35) for females. During the follow-up period, 8.9% of the diabetes mellitus cohort and 5.8% of the non-diabetes mellitus cohort developed cardiovascular diseases; the diabetes mellitus cohort had an adjusted relative risk of cardiovascular complications compared to the non-diabetes mellitus cohort of 1.54 (95%CI=1.36-1.75) for men and 1.70 (95%CI=1.43-2.02) for women. The adjusted relative risk of mortality in the patients with hypoglycemia compared to non-hypoglycemia patients in the diabetes mellitus cohort was 2.33 (95%CI=1.81-3.01) for men and 2.73 (95%CI=2.10-3.52) for women after adjustment for age, Charlson comorbidity index, acute coronary syndrome, respiratory disease, cancer, infectious disease and nervous system disease at baseline.
Conclusions
New-onset diabetes in older adults is associated with an increased risk of mortality, and hypoglycemia is an important marker of this association. Individualized care plans stratified by age at onset, duration of disease, comorbidity and functional status, as well as hypoglycemia avoidance, would benefit the management of diabetes in older adults.
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was common in the elderly, but its prognostic significance in older old population remained unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival ...impact of MetS among older men aged 75 and over in Taiwan. METHODS: From 2008, residents aged 75 years and older of Banciao Veterans Home were invited for study and were followed for 3 years. All participants received history taking, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Mortality was determined by Veteran Affairs Death Registry, which was linked to the National Death Registry. RESULTS: Overall, 680 men (mean age: 82.5±47 years) were enrolled for study and the prevalence of MetS was 31.6%. During the follow-up period, 140 (20.6%) participants died, and the causes of death included infectious diseases (62, 9.1%), cardiovascular disease (37, 5.4%), cancer (20, 2.9%), and others (21, 3.1%). MetS subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and having higher body mass index, waist circumferences, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride and lower HDL-C level than non-MetS subjects. However, MetS subjects were less likely to die during study period (16.3% vs. 22.6%, P=0.059). Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age (OR: 1.04, 95% C.I.: 1.00–1.08, P=0.04), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.34–3.30, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality; and serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were protective factors (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99–1.00, P=0.037 for cholesterol; OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99–1.00, P=0.013 for triglyceride). Adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, serum levels of total cholesterol, and triglyceride, MetS played a potential trend of survival benefits among study subjects (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 045–1.12, P=0.144). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MetS among men aged 75 years and over was 31.6%, and the 3-year mortality rate was 20.6%. Older age, diabetes mellitus, lower serum cholesterol and lower serum triglyceride were independent risk factors for mortality. Further investigation is needed to clarify the prognostic impact of MetS in older adults.
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