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Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Jun 2013The diet in the elderly does not provide a sufficient level of nutrients needed to maintain an adequate healthy status leading to micronutrient deficiencies and impaired... (Review)
Review
The diet in the elderly does not provide a sufficient level of nutrients needed to maintain an adequate healthy status leading to micronutrient deficiencies and impaired immune response with subsequent development of degenerative diseases. Nutrient "zinc" is a relevant micronutrient involved in maintaining a good integrity of many body homeostatic mechanisms, including immune efficiency, owing to its requirement for the biological activity of many enzymes, proteins and for cellular proliferation and genomic stability. Old people aged 60-65 years and older have zinc intakes below 50% of the recommended daily allowance on a given day. Many causes can be involved: among them, altered intestinal absorption, inadequate mastication, psychosocial factors, drugs interactions, altered subcellular processes (zinc transporters (Zip and ZnT family), metallothioneins, divalent metal transporter-1). Zinc supplementation may remodel the immune alterations in elderly leading to healthy ageing. Several zinc trials have been carried out with contradictory data, perhaps due to incorrect choice of an effective zinc supplementation in old subjects showing subsequent zinc toxic effects on immunity. Old subjects with specific IL-6 polymorphism (GG allele carriers; named C-) are more prone for zinc supplementation than the entire old population, in whom correct dietary habits with foods containing zinc (Mediterranean diet) may be sufficient in restoring zinc deficiency and impaired immune response. We summarise the main causes of low zinc dietary intake in elderly reporting an update on the impact of zinc supplementation upon the immune response also on the basis of individual IL-6 polymorphism.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Immunity; Intestinal Absorption; Zinc
PubMed: 22222917
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9377-3 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe method to examine human brain. However, a typical MR scan is very sensitive to motion, and it requires the subject to lie... (Review)
Review
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe method to examine human brain. However, a typical MR scan is very sensitive to motion, and it requires the subject to lie still during the acquisition, which is a major challenge for pediatric scans. Consequently, in a clinical setting, sedation or general anesthesia is often used. In the research setting including healthy subjects anesthetics are not recommended for ethical reasons and potential longer-term harm. Here we review the methods used to prepare a child for an MRI scan, but also on the techniques and tools used during the scanning to enable a successful scan. Additionally, we critically evaluate how studies have reported the scanning procedure and success of scanning. We searched articles based on special subject headings from PubMed and identified 86 studies using brain MRI in healthy subjects between 0 and 6 years of age. Scan preparations expectedly depended on subject's age; infants and young children were scanned asleep after feeding and swaddling and older children were scanned awake. Comparing the efficiency of different procedures was difficult because of the heterogeneous reporting of the used methods and the success rates. Based on this review, we recommend more detailed reporting of scanning procedure to help find out which are the factors affecting the success of scanning. In the long term, this could help the research field to get high quality data, but also the clinical field to reduce the use of anesthetics. Finally, we introduce the protocol used in scanning 2 to 5-week-old infants in the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, and tips for calming neonates during the scans.
PubMed: 34321992
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.666020 -
European Radiology Feb 2021An automated workflow for age- and sex-specific estimation of regional brain volume changes from structural MRI relative to a standard population is presented and...
OBJECTIVES
An automated workflow for age- and sex-specific estimation of regional brain volume changes from structural MRI relative to a standard population is presented and evaluated for feasibility.
METHODS
T1w MRI scans are preprocessed in a standardized way comprising gray matter (GM) segmentation, normalization, modulation, and spatial smoothing. Resulting GM images are then compared to precomputed age- and sex-specific GM templates derived from the population-based Nathan Kline Institute Rockland Sample, and voxel-wise z-maps are compiled. z-maps are color-coded and fused with the subject's T1w images. The rate of technical success of the proposed workflow was evaluated in 1330 subjects of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Furthermore, medial temporal atrophy (MTA) was assessed using the color-coded maps and with the MTA visual rating scale in these subjects. Sensitivities and specificity of color-coded maps and MTA scale were compared using McNemar's test.
RESULTS
One test dataset was excluded due to severe motion artifacts. Out of the remaining 1329 datasets, atrophy map generation was successful in 1323 ADNI subjects (99.5%). Sensitivity for AD diagnosis (71.4 % vs. 53.3%, p < 0.0001 for left; 70.4% vs. 55.3%, p < 0.0001 for right hemisphere) and for MCI (45.4% vs. 17.4, p < 0.0001 for left; 43.5% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.0001 for right hemisphere) based on medial temporal atrophy assessment in color-coded maps was significantly higher than for MTA visual rating scale, while specificity was lower (78.4% vs. 93.8%, p < 0.0001 for left; 79.4% vs. 95.8%, p < 0.0001 for right hemisphere). The workflow is named veganbagel and is published as open-source software with an integrated PACS interface.
CONCLUSIONS
Automated brain volume change estimation with the proposed workflow is feasible and technically dependable. It provides high potential for radiologic assessment of brain volume changes and neurodegenerative diseases.
KEY POINTS
• A workflow combining techniques from voxel-based morphometry and population-based neuroimaging data is feasible and technically highly dependable. • The workflow is provided as open-source software, named veganbagel. • Sensitivity of medial temporal atrophy assessment in atrophy maps from veganbagel exceeds the sensitivity of MTA visual rating scale for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Atrophy; Brain; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Workflow
PubMed: 32852588
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07196-8 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022(1) Background: The aim of the study was to assess the dental age of the subjects and compare it to their chronological age; to assess the dominant tooth for evaluation...
(1) Background: The aim of the study was to assess the dental age of the subjects and compare it to their chronological age; to assess the dominant tooth for evaluation of dental age; and to investigate possible individual differences between the left and right side of the dental arch. (2) Methods: This study involved evaluating panoramic radiographs of patients aged 7-13 years. A separate assessment was performed for each tooth according to the degree of germ development. Each subject's dental age was estimated. (3) Results: The study involved evaluating 349 panoramic radiographs. No difference was found between stages of tooth development on the right side and left side. Correlation between the stages of tooth development and the chronological age was found to be highest in the second permanent molar teeth. The age can be predicted with the estimated age of tooth #37 and the gender of the patient. (4) Conclusions: The chronological age of children aged 7-13 may be estimated based on a modified seven-stage London Atlas of tooth development, where the most accurate landmark(s) of use are second molars.
PubMed: 36553320
DOI: 10.3390/children9121877 -
American Journal of Orthodontics and... Mar 2021Appreciation of the soft-tissue profile is important in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. However, are the patients themselves aware of their profile appearance? We...
INTRODUCTION
Appreciation of the soft-tissue profile is important in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. However, are the patients themselves aware of their profile appearance? We aimed to evaluate if age influences self-perception of the soft-tissue profile in children.
METHODS
The study population for this prospective cross-sectional investigation consisted of 3 groups of 60 patients, classified according to age (<12 years; 12-15 years; >15 years). Each subject's right-sided facial profile was photographed to obtain a silhouette. Facial profile silhouette templates were created to represent the local population. Each subject's photograph was inserted into the corresponding template, and the subjects were asked to identify themselves. Facial profile self-recognition was recorded as a binary variable (yes or no). Other recorded variables included age, sex, and sexual maturity rating (using Tanner staging). Chi-square tests were used to analyze facial profile self-recognition between different subgroups, and stepwise multiple regression was used to predict the probabilities of facial profile self-recognition, with age, sexual maturity rating, and other recorded variables as independent variables.
RESULTS
Eighty percent of subjects aged >15 years recognized their own profile, compared with only 55% and 50% of subjects aged 12-15 years and <12 years, respectively. Subjects aged >15 years were significantly more likely to recognize their profile than younger subjects (P = 0.001). Similarly, subjects with the most advanced sexual maturity rating (stage V) were significantly more likely to recognize their profile (85% self-recognition) than those in groups I-IV (P <0.001). Girls were more likely to recognize their profiles than boys (P = 0.028). When using multiple regression analysis, sexual maturity rating appears to be the only significant predictor for facial profile self-recognition (R = 0.25; P <0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Facial profile self-recognition seems to improve with age and sexual maturity (sexual maturity rating stage V). Because orthodontic treatment planning takes possible soft-tissue changes into account, it is important to evaluate the degree of self-perception of the patients to adapt our goals and treatment discussions.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Care; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Self Concept
PubMed: 33461898
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2020.10.016 -
The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal 2023Knee injuries induce swelling and resolution of swelling may be a useful factor in identifying states of healing and time to return to sports activities. Recent work has...
BACKGROUND
Knee injuries induce swelling and resolution of swelling may be a useful factor in identifying states of healing and time to return to sports activities. Recent work has suggested that bioimpedance can provide an objective measure of swelling following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and therefore may also provide guidance for clinical decision-making following knee injury. This study measures knee bioimpedance in young, active people to help define baseline variability and factors that influence limb to limb differences.
METHODS
Bioimpedance was measured via sensors placed at the foot/ankle and thigh, in positions similar to those suggested for monitoring post-TKA swelling. Initial tests were performed to verify method repeatability, then bioimpedance was measured in a convenience sample of 78 subjects (median age 21yrs). The influence of age, BMI, thigh circumference, and knee function (KOOS-JR) on the impedance measures and difference in impedance between the subject's knees were examined using a generalized multivariable linear regression.
RESULTS
The repeatability study measurements were highly consistent with a COV of 1.5% for resistance and an ICC of 97.9%. Women exhibited significantly larger dominant limb impedance and larger limb to limb difference in impedance than men. Regression analysis indicated that subject sex and BMI significantly influenced bioimpedance but joint score and age did not. The limb to limb differences in impedance were small on average (<5%), with larger magnitudes of difference associated with female sex, lower knee function scores, and larger limb to limb differences in thigh circumference.
CONCLUSION
Bioimpedance measurements across right and left knees of healthy young people were similar, supporting use of bioimpedance measures from a patient's uninjured knee as a benchmark to monitor healing of a contralateral injured knee. Future work should focus on understanding how knee function scores and bioimpedance are related, and further explore how sex and side to side anatomic differences impact the measurement. .
Topics: Male; Female; Young Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Adult; Lower Extremity; Knee Joint; Thigh; Knee Injuries; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee
PubMed: 37383845
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of exercise on vascular function in patients with pre- and hypertension. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of exercise on vascular function in patients with pre- and hypertension.
METHODS
A systematic review of articles retrieved the PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases was conducted. All the randomized controlled trials published between the establishment of the databases and October 2022 were included. Studies that evaluated the effects of exercise intervention on vascular function in patients with pre- and hypertension were selected.
RESULTS
A total of 717 subjects were included in 12 randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis showed that in patients with pre- and hypertension, exercise can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( = -4.89; 95% CI, -7.05 to -2.73; < 0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( = -3.74; 95% CI, -5.18 to -2.29; < 0.00001) and can improve endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation ( = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.71-2.61; < 0.00001), and exercise did not reduce pulse wave velocity (PWV) ( = 0.03, 95% CI, -0.45-0.50; = 0.92). Regression analysis showed that changes in exercise-related vascular function were independent of subject medication status, baseline SBP, age and duration of intervention.
CONCLUSION
Aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity intermittent exercise all significantly improved SBP, DBP, and FMD in pre- and hypertensive patients, however, they were not effective in reducing PWV, and this effect was independent of the subject's medication status, baseline SBP, age and duration of intervention.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022302646.
PubMed: 36620631
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1013490 -
Neurological Research and Practice 2019Disadvantageous socioeconomic conditions (SEC) in both childhood and adulthood increase the risk of stroke. We investigated whether intergenerational and lifetime social...
BACKGROUND
Disadvantageous socioeconomic conditions (SEC) in both childhood and adulthood increase the risk of stroke. We investigated whether intergenerational and lifetime social advancement decreases and/or social descent increases stroke risk.
METHODS
In a case-control study with 466 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and 807 controls randomly selected from the general population, we compared paternal profession to subjects' professional education in adolescence and their last profession in adulthood. Furthermore, we constructed a socioeconomic risk score for childhood (based on paternal and maternal profession and occupation, familial, living and material conditions), adolescence (based on highest school degree and professional education), and adulthood (based on last profession, periods of unemployment, and marital status), and compared subjects´ positions at different life stages. Odds ratios were derived based on conditional logistic regression conditioning on age and sex only, after adjustment for medical and lifestyle risk factors, and after additional adjustment for socioeconomic risk score values.
RESULTS
Intergenerational upward mobility between paternal profession and subject's professional education was associated with lower ischemic stroke risk independent of medical and lifestyle risk factors (odds ratio (OR) 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.81) and after additional adjustment for socioeconomic conditions in all three life stages (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.45-0.99). Advancement between fathers´ profession and subject's last profession was associated with reduced odds of stroke after adjustment for risk factors (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.47-0.89), but not significantly after additional adjustment for SEC (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.52-1.13). Social descent between adolescence and adulthood indicated by the transition into a more disadvantageous tertile of socioeconomic risk score was associated with increased odds of stroke after adjustment for all risk factor (OR 2.93; 95% CI 1.21-7.13). Analyses by sex revealed mostly similar results in men and women with only few potential differences.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study results indicate that aspects of social downward mobility during adulthood may be associated with increased risk of stroke, whereas intergenerational upward mobility may be linked to a lower stroke risk. If confirmed by future studies, such results may help to focus stroke prevention measures at high risk populations.
PubMed: 33324874
DOI: 10.1186/s42466-019-0012-6 -
Cells Dec 2022Uncultured, unmodified, autologous, adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs) are a safe and effective treatment option for various musculoskeletal pathologies....
The Composition of Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells Isolated from Lipoaspirate Using a Point of Care System Does Not Depend on the Subject's Individual Age, Sex, Body Mass Index and Ethnicity.
Uncultured, unmodified, autologous, adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs) are a safe and effective treatment option for various musculoskeletal pathologies. However, it is unknown whether the composition of the final cell suspension systematically varies with the subject's individual age, sex, body mass index and ethnicity. UA-ADRCs were isolated from lipoaspirate from = 232 subjects undergoing elective lipoplasty using the Transpose RT system (InGeneron, Inc.; Houston, TX, USA). The UA-ADRCs were assessed for the number of nucleated cells, cell viability and the number of viable nucleated cells per gram of adipose tissue harvested. Cells from = 37 subjects were further characterized using four-channel flow cytometry. The present study shows, for the first time, that key characteristics of UA-ADRCs can be independent of the subject's age, sex, BMI and ethnicity. This result has important implications for the general applicability of UA-ADRCs in regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue. Future studies must determine whether the independence of key characteristics of UA-ADRCs of the subject's individual age, sex, BMI and ethnicity only applies to the system used in the present study, or also to others of the more than 25 different experimental methods and commercially available systems used to isolate UA-ADRCs from lipoaspirate that have been described in the literature.
Topics: Humans; Body Mass Index; Ethnicity; Point-of-Care Systems; Adipose Tissue; Lipectomy
PubMed: 36611823
DOI: 10.3390/cells12010030 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... May 2014Stereognosis means the ability of a person to recognize the shape and surface characters of an object using tactile sensations, without looking at them. The purpose of... (Review)
Review
Stereognosis means the ability of a person to recognize the shape and surface characters of an object using tactile sensations, without looking at them. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the oral stereognostic levels of different age groups having full complement of teeth, for edentulous patients with and without prosthesis and also for denture satisfaction. In this study, oral stereognosis was tested with the aid of small metallic pellets referred as test forms, which had surface alterations as well as alterations in basic shape. The seven test forms were cube forms of 5mm x 5mm x 5mm & plaster replicas of these forms were five times larger which served as visual aid to the patient during tests. To start, each subject was given sufficient time to get acquainted with general shapes and surface characters of test form by visual inspection of plaster replicas. One of the metallic test form was randomly selected & placed on the subject's tongue and asked to indicate the identification by pointing at the appropriate plaster replica. In this study, inverse relationship was found between stereognostic level and age of the subject. The stereognostic scores of dentulous subjects were higher than edentulous. There were no significant differences in edentulous persons with or without denture. Stereognostic score was low in most satisfied denture wearers and was high in dissatisfied denture wearers.
PubMed: 24995263
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/9212.4341