Current aging science最新文献

Introduction: Weakness and fatigue in the elderly present major health challenges, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and accurate identification of their causes in emergency departments. This study aimed to investigate the final diagnoses of elderly patients presenting with symptoms of weakness and fatigue in the emergency department.

Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 200 elderly individuals (aged ≥60) with complaints of weakness and fatigue at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft, Kerman, Iran, in 2023. The collected data were extracted from patients' medical records using a checklist, and data analysis was performed using SPSS 22 software, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 78.2 years, with 56% of the patients being female. During hospitalization, 7.5% of the patients died, with 53.33% of these being men. Underlying heart diseases were present in 13.5% of the patients, with 55.6% of those being women. High blood pressure was prevalent in 81% of the patients.

Discussion: Infectious diseases were the most common final diagnosis, accounting for 27% of cases, followed by cardiovascular diseases at 18.5%. Among patients with infectious diseases, 85.5% had high blood pressure.

Conclusion: The results indicate that weakness and fatigue in elderly patients may signal serious underlying conditions. Additionally, the strong link between high blood pressure and infectious diseases underscores the importance of closely monitoring the overall health of these patients.

Dementia, characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function, poses a significant challenge to global healthcare systems, with current therapeutic approaches offering limited efficacy. The development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems has introduced promising avenues for enhancing the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Dendrimers, with their highly branched, nanoscale structure, provide an innovative platform for targeted drug delivery to the brain. Dendrimers serve as nanoscale drug carriers that facilitate controlled drug release, enhance bioavailability, and improve penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to superior therapeutic efficacy in neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, dendrimers can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, increasing their stability and minimizing systemic side effects. This review explores the unique properties of dendrimers, focusing on their potential as drug delivery vehicles in dementia treatment. We also highlight advancements in the design and application of dendrimer-based therapeutics, emphasizing their role in targeting key pathological mechanisms underlying dementia. Through these approaches, dendrimers represent a promising strategy for developing more effective and personalized treatment modalities for patients suffering from cognitive impairment and dementia.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and hallmark pathological features, such as amyloid-beta plaques and tau protein tangles. Despite substantial research, current therapeutic strategies remain primarily symptomatic, with limited success in preventing or reversing disease progression. One major challenge is the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), which restricts the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. Nanotechnology provides innovative solutions to these challenges by enabling the development of targeted drug delivery systems tailored to AD's unique pathophysiology. Nanoparticles offer several advantages for AD therapy, including their small size, surface modifiability, and the ability to traverse the BBB. These carriers can enhance drug stability, prolong systemic circulation, and enable controlled drug release, reducing systemic toxicity while maximizing therapeutic efficacy. Among various approaches, nanoparticles functionalized with ligands targeting AD show promise in promoting the clearance of pathological aggregates, potentially slowing disease progression and alleviating neurotoxicity. Liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and exosomes are notable nanocarriers that have been successfully engineered to deliver a range of therapeutic agents, including anti-amyloid drugs, neuroprotective compounds, and gene therapies. Recent advancements also emphasize stimulus-responsive nanocarriers that release drugs in response to specific pathological cues, further enhancing treatment precision. This article delves into the most recent advancements in nanotechnology for AD therapy, and the potential of these innovative systems to overcome long-standing barriers in AD treatment and paving the way for more effective and targeted interventions.

Introduction: Aging is a complex process involving cellular, genetic, metabolic, and mitochondrial changes. While significant progress has been made in understanding aging mechanisms and developing anti-aging drugs, single-drug treatments have limitations. This paper aims to investigate the synergistic effects of Ferulic acid (FA) and Rapamycin (Rapa) on anti-aging and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms, providing novel strategies for future anti-aging therapies.

Methods: The safe concentration ranges of FA and Rapa for Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were determined via Cell counting kit (CCK-8) and Senescence-associated β- Gal staining, with EC50 calculated by GraphPad Prism 8.0.2. Effects on cell cycle arrest and ROS in D-gal-induced aging HUVECs were assessed, with synergistic mechanisms explored by Western Blot and RT-qPCR for aging markers, inflammatory factors, and fibrosis genes.

Results: CCK-8 showed that 20-160 μM FA and 50-200 pM Rapa enhanced HUVECs proliferation, with EC50 of 37.78 μM for FA and 48.32 pM for Rapa. The optimal 1:2 combination ratio demonstrated reduced G0/G1 cells, decreased ROS, and lowered NF-κB p65, p53, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression. It also inhibited fibrosis-related gene transcription, downregulating aging markers and maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Discussion: These results align with previous studies highlighting FA's antioxidant properties and Rapa's role in mTOR inhibition, suggesting that their combination targets multiple aging pathways simultaneously. The dual approach-reducing oxidative damage while modulating inflammation and fibrosis-may offer superior efficacy compared to single-drug interventions.

Conclusion: In summary, this dual-target strategy presents a promising avenue for developing advanced anti-aging therapies, warranting further investigation in preclinical and clinical settings.

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder, profoundly impacting individuals and often exacerbated by stressful experiences. Current treatment options have limitations, including reduced efficacy and undesirable side effects. While antidepressant medications target distinct brain regions, their precise mechanisms influencing behavior remain incompletely elucidated. Recent research underscores the significance of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway within the hippocampus in mediating the effects of various antidepressants. Notably, these drugs inhibit BMP signaling, thereby augmenting neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Inhibiting BMP signaling specifically in newly generated brain cells elicits antidepressant effects, whereas suppressing these cells impedes such outcomes. This underscores the pivotal role of BMP signaling in the mechanism of antidepressant action. Adult neurogenesis, particularly in the hippocampus, emerges as pivotal for emotional regulation and stress response. Stress reduces the generation of new brain cells, whereas prolonged use of antidepressants promotes neurogenesis, suggesting a link between neurogenesis and depression. Investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying depression, anxiety, and antidepressant efficacy holds promise for the development of improved treatments characterized by rapid relief and reduced side effects.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neuron-degenerative old age illness, which deteriorates the neuronal cells of the brain ultimately leading to dementia, decreased thinking ability and intricacy in performing daily routine activities. In most of the cases, AD is suspected to be caused by a combination of numerous factors, like environmental, genetic and lifestyle affecting the brain functioning. The present permitted treatments include N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, cholinesterase inhibitors, and their combinations, which provide only momentary and symptomatic relief. Nowadays, clinical research is interested, in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease to target the metabolism of abnormal tau protein, removal of beta-amyloid inflammatory response, the cholinergic neuron, and free radical damage, and treatments that can either stop or modify the course, of AD. Globally, efforts are continued to search new targets to invent new options for the treatment of AD. The present review critically discusses about various treatment strategies for the patients presented with AD. Moreover, herbal drug and new drug candidates, along with nanoformulations for the treatments of AD and the role of AI-based technology in searching therapy for AD have been delineated in the present article. We concluded that preventing amyloid-β (Aβ) synthesis, enhancing the removal of Aβ deposition, or preventing Aβ aggregation can suppress AD. Moreover, herbal medicines have become an attractive alternative to cure this disease with numerous beneficial effects with little side effects. Novel approaches using AI are therefore required to create treatments with novel targets that may not only cure symptoms but also prevent disease development at an early stage to improve the quality of patients' lives.

This perspective paper presents an in-depth analysis of the demographic shifts and changing disease burden in Brazil, exploring their profound impact on future healthcare trends and expenditure requirements. Brazil, with its vast and diverse population, is witnessing significant demographic transformations, including an aging populace and a notable shift in disease patterns. These changes are steering the country towards a heightened burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases, even as it continues to grapple with existing infectious diseases. Using data extracted from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation database and published in the 2017 Global Disease Burden Study, the paper examines current demographic trends in Brazil, emphasizing the increasing proportion of the elderly and the consequent rise in age-associated health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. It highlights the implications of these shifts on the healthcare system, particularly the increased demand for long-term healthcare services and the challenge of providing comprehensive care within Brazil's existing healthcare infrastructure. This transition poses significant challenges in healthcare financing and resource allocation, necessitating strategic healthcare planning and substantial investments. This paper also explores potential strategies for addressing these emerging healthcare challenges. It advocates for the strengthening of primary healthcare services, investment in preventive healthcare measures, and the integration of advanced healthcare technologies. It provides projections for future healthcare expenditures in Brazil and highlights the need for efficient and targeted healthcare spending, aligned with the evolving demographic and disease profiles. Additionally, it underscores the importance of a multi-faceted approach involving government, private sector, and community collaboration for a robust and sustainable healthcare system.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and incurable condition that impairs kidney function over time. Affecting approximately 13% of the global population, CKD poses a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems and significantly reduces both the quality and duration of life for affected individuals. The overview of innovative methods will facilitate the identification and documentation of novel biomarkers associated with kidney diseases.

Aim: This review summarizes the findings of previous studies associated with novel therapeutic approaches and biomarkers for the early detection of CKD.

Materials and methods: All relevant databases were searched for published articles on the topic of interest from the beginning of the study period up to April 2025, using the following search terms: "Chronic Kidney Disease," "Conventional Biomarkers," and "Novel Biomarkers." We also reviewed the reference lists of eligible studies, previous review articles, and registered clinical trials. A total of 101 manuscripts were included in this evaluation.

Results: To comprehensively understand the diverse changes resulting from the complex pathomechanisms of CKD, the use of a combination of biomarkers is recommended. Relying solely on creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria may be insufficient for accurate diagnosis. However, for the diagnosis, monitoring of progression, and assessment of disease severity, direct measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remains the most reliable and optimal approach. Glomerular, tubular, and tissue integrity of endothelial and epithelial cells in the nephron could be representative of morphophysiological changes associated with CKD. Albumin and creatinine are not sufficient for clinical application in the early detection of CKD. The published articles reported urea/BUN, creatinine, and cystatin C as the functional biomarkers. Injury biomarkers included: proteinuria, hematuria, creatinine (when > 40% kidney parenchyma is damaged), cystatin C, podocytes, podocalyxin, Nephrin, Podocin, CR1, CD80, synaptopodin, GLEPP-1, CD59, WT1, and CD59. For CKD progression, measuring DKK3, CKD273, hL-FABP, Fetuin-A, and Scd25 might offer valuable information.

Conclusion: Different biomarkers should be deliberated regarding the early detection of CKD based on their sensitivity, efficacy, specificity, and, of course, cost benefits for both patients and health system decision makers, which confer relevance.

It has been known since ancient times that garlic (Allium sativum), a member of the Alliaceae family, is an indispensable component of human food. This compound contains abundant nutrients, minerals, sulphur-containing compounds, essential oils, phenols, and free amino acids. Sugar levels in the blood that are abnormally high are a symptom of diabetes mellitus, in which the body has difficulty appropriately regulating glucose metabolism. Elevated levels of glucose in blood plasma are considered DM. It has been suggested that two primary mechanisms are responsible for the pathogenesis of the disease. One of the main causes of the persistent hyperglycemia linked to diabetes mellitus is the immune system's devastation of pancreatic β-cells, which results in a lack of insulin synthesis. Additionally, endogenous resistance of the body cells to the action of insulin is also a contributing factor. Children who have type 1 diabetes frequently experience symptoms such as polyuria, weight loss, and polydipsia of varying degrees. A comprehensive literature search on the potential benefits of allicin in diabetes mellitus (DM) was conducted using reputable databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and other recognized scientific sources. Furthermore, information on the clinical application of allicin was reviewed and compiled from ClinicalTrials.gov to provide insights into ongoing and completed clinical studies. Allicin is a compound that has the potential to have effects on pancreatic cells, wound healing, promoting insulin secretion, diabetic macroangiopathy, maintaining glucose homeostasis, and diabetic nephropathy. In addition, studies on cell lines that were carried out with different concentrations of allicin demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on diabetes mellitus. The promising treatment strategy, therapeutic benefits, and inhibitory actions that allicin exhibits on diabetes make it an appealing candidate for additional research and the possibility of its application in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Background: Women undergoing hysterectomy without oophorectomy face a risk of needing re-surgery for new adnexal conditions. Additionally, large ovarian cysts in posthysterectomy patients can complicate diagnoses, often mimicking conditions, like mesenteric cysts, massive ascites, or giant hydronephrosis.

Case presentation: A 54-year-old para four and live four (P4L4) post-hysterectomy woman presented to the gynecological outpatient department with complaints of lower abdominal and back pain lasting seven days, along with difficulty urinating and burning during micturition. Her initial outside imaging, including a CECT and CT-urogram, suggested a grade three or four ureterocele, with potential differentials, such as megaureter and vesicoureteric reflux. However, upon clinical examination and further evaluation using MRI, it was found to be a large left-sided ovarian cyst of 13.8x9.5x11.3 cm causing hydroureteronephrosis (left>right). Her intraoperative findings revealed a large predominantly, tense cystic lesion of size 13x12 cm, completely occupying the lower pelvis in the midline, and it was densely adherent to the bladder and omentum anteriorly, and to the bowel posteriorly and on sides. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed it as a mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary.

Conclusion: Large ovarian masses in post-hysterectomy patients present significant diagnostic and management challenges as they can mimic a range of conditions. This underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize patient outcomes.