The study aimed to validate a newly developed postoperative stability score for evaluating clinical follow-up in elderly patients with low-energy hip fractures. From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, we enrolled patients aged over 65 who underwent cephalomedullary nail fixation using proximal femoral nail antirotation II (PFNAII) and had at least 6 months of follow-up; excluding multiple fractures, pathological fractures, and periprosthetic fractures. We collected general patient data. Parameters such as TAD, Parker’s ratio (AP and lateral), and the new postoperative stability score were recorded. A loss of reduction was defined using the decline in the Chang reduction quality criteria (CRQC) score within one month. Among the 108 enrolled patients, 23 (21.3%) experienced a loss of reduction, with a mean age of 82.1 years and a mean follow-up time of 7.4 months. Univariate analysis showed no significant association between loss of reduction and general data. However, the new postoperative stability score correlated significantly with loss of reduction (mean scores: 6.68 vs. 4.83, p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis confirmed this association (odds ratio: 0.076, 95% confidence interval: 0.022–0.263, p < 0.05). The newly developed postoperative stability score, incorporating surgical technique assessment, improves prediction accuracy for loss of reduction in elderly intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) patients.
{"title":"A New Postoperative Stability Score to Predict Loss of Reduction in Intertrochanteric Fractures in Elderly Patients","authors":"Shih-Heng Sun, Chun-Yu Chen, K. Lin","doi":"10.3390/life14070858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070858","url":null,"abstract":"The study aimed to validate a newly developed postoperative stability score for evaluating clinical follow-up in elderly patients with low-energy hip fractures. From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, we enrolled patients aged over 65 who underwent cephalomedullary nail fixation using proximal femoral nail antirotation II (PFNAII) and had at least 6 months of follow-up; excluding multiple fractures, pathological fractures, and periprosthetic fractures. We collected general patient data. Parameters such as TAD, Parker’s ratio (AP and lateral), and the new postoperative stability score were recorded. A loss of reduction was defined using the decline in the Chang reduction quality criteria (CRQC) score within one month. Among the 108 enrolled patients, 23 (21.3%) experienced a loss of reduction, with a mean age of 82.1 years and a mean follow-up time of 7.4 months. Univariate analysis showed no significant association between loss of reduction and general data. However, the new postoperative stability score correlated significantly with loss of reduction (mean scores: 6.68 vs. 4.83, p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis confirmed this association (odds ratio: 0.076, 95% confidence interval: 0.022–0.263, p < 0.05). The newly developed postoperative stability score, incorporating surgical technique assessment, improves prediction accuracy for loss of reduction in elderly intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) patients.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":"47 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141663579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients require continuous rehabilitation post-discharge to ensure optimal recovery. This study investigates the effectiveness of home-based virtual reality fitness training (VRFT) as a convenient and accessible rehabilitation method for SCI patients. This randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial will enroll 120 participants, assigning them to either an 8-week VRFT program (exercise group) or a control group engaging in regular daily activities. The outcomes measured include muscle function, cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and physical performance. Our study will determine the safety and feasibility of VRFT in a home setting for SCI patients and evaluate whether these patients can effectively participate in such a program post-discharge. The results of this study are expected to inform future exercise protocols for SCI rehabilitation, offering valuable insights into the utility of VRFT as a therapeutic tool.
{"title":"Pilot Study of Home-Based Virtual Reality Fitness Training in Post-Discharge Rehabilitation for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Double-Blind Multicenter Trial","authors":"D. Kang, S. Eun, Jiyoung Park","doi":"10.3390/life14070859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070859","url":null,"abstract":"Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients require continuous rehabilitation post-discharge to ensure optimal recovery. This study investigates the effectiveness of home-based virtual reality fitness training (VRFT) as a convenient and accessible rehabilitation method for SCI patients. This randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial will enroll 120 participants, assigning them to either an 8-week VRFT program (exercise group) or a control group engaging in regular daily activities. The outcomes measured include muscle function, cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and physical performance. Our study will determine the safety and feasibility of VRFT in a home setting for SCI patients and evaluate whether these patients can effectively participate in such a program post-discharge. The results of this study are expected to inform future exercise protocols for SCI rehabilitation, offering valuable insights into the utility of VRFT as a therapeutic tool.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":"27 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141664961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Valerio Santarelli, Davide Rosati, V. Canale, S. Salciccia, G. Di Lascio, Giulio Bevilacqua, A. Tufano, Alessandro Sciarra, Vito Cantisani, Giorgio Franco, Martina Moriconi, Giovanni Battista Di Pierro
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an advanced imaging technique that integrates conventional US with the intravenous injection of specific US contrast agents (UCAs), combining the non-invasiveness of US with the higher accuracy of contrast-enhanced imaging. In contrast with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and cystoscopy, CEUS has few contraindications, and UCAs are non-nephrotoxic agents that can be safely used in patients with kidney failure. CEUS is a well-established method for the detection of liver lesions and for echocardiography, and its indications are expanding. The updated 2018 WFUMB-EFSUMB guidelines have added the urinary bladder under non-hepatic applications of CEUS. The technique is able to distinguish between benign tissue, such as clots or hematoma, and malignant lesions by perfusing the mass with contrast agent. Thanks to the different perfusion rates of the various layers of the bladder wall, CEUS is also able to predict tumor invasion depth and stage. Despite that, current urological guidelines do not include CEUS as a plausible imaging technique for bladder urothelial carcinoma. The main reason for this omission might be the presence of scarce randomized evidence and the absence of large validated series. In this review, we describe the rationale behind the use of CEUS in bladder cancer and the added value of this imaging technique in the detection and staging of bladder lesions. In addition, we researched the available literature on the topic and then described the results of randomized clinical trials and a meta-analysis investigating the accuracy of CEUS in bladder cancer diagnosis and staging. The reported studies show that CEUS is a highly accurate diagnostic and staging tool for BC, reaching levels of specificity and sensitivity in differentiating between Ta-T1, or low-grade BC, and T2, or high-grade BC, that are comparable to those shown by the reference standard methods. Nonetheless, several limitations were found and are highlighted in this review. The aim of this study is to further validate and promote the use of CEUS as a quick, economic and effective diagnostic tool for this high-impact disease.
对比增强超声（CEUS）是一种先进的成像技术，它将传统 US 与静脉注射特定 US 造影剂（UCAs）结合在一起，既有 US 的无创性，又有对比增强成像的高准确性。与磁共振成像（MRI）、计算机断层扫描（CT）和膀胱镜检查相比，CEUS 几乎没有禁忌症，而且 UCAs 是无肾毒性的制剂，可安全地用于肾衰竭患者。CEUS 是一种检测肝脏病变和超声心动图的成熟方法，其适应症正在不断扩大。2018 年更新的 WFUMB-EFSUMB 指南在 CEUS 的非肝脏应用中增加了膀胱。该技术通过用造影剂灌注肿块，能够区分血块或血肿等良性组织和恶性病变。由于膀胱壁各层的灌注率不同，CEUS 还能预测肿瘤的侵犯深度和分期。尽管如此，目前的泌尿外科指南并未将 CEUS 作为膀胱尿路上皮癌的一种可行成像技术。造成这种遗漏的主要原因可能是缺乏随机证据和大型验证系列。在这篇综述中，我们阐述了在膀胱癌中使用 CEUS 的基本原理，以及这种成像技术在膀胱病变检测和分期中的附加价值。此外，我们还研究了现有的相关文献，然后介绍了随机临床试验和荟萃分析的结果，这些试验和分析调查了 CEUS 在膀胱癌诊断和分期中的准确性。所报告的研究表明，CEUS 是一种高度准确的膀胱癌诊断和分期工具，在区分 Ta-T1 或低级别膀胱癌和 T2 或高级别膀胱癌方面的特异性和灵敏度水平与参考标准方法相当。尽管如此，本综述还是发现了一些局限性。本研究的目的是进一步验证和推广 CEUS 的使用，将其作为一种快速、经济、有效的诊断工具来治疗这种影响较大的疾病。
{"title":"The Current Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the Diagnosis and Staging of Bladder Cancer: A Review of the Available Literature","authors":"Valerio Santarelli, Davide Rosati, V. Canale, S. Salciccia, G. Di Lascio, Giulio Bevilacqua, A. Tufano, Alessandro Sciarra, Vito Cantisani, Giorgio Franco, Martina Moriconi, Giovanni Battista Di Pierro","doi":"10.3390/life14070857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070857","url":null,"abstract":"Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an advanced imaging technique that integrates conventional US with the intravenous injection of specific US contrast agents (UCAs), combining the non-invasiveness of US with the higher accuracy of contrast-enhanced imaging. In contrast with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and cystoscopy, CEUS has few contraindications, and UCAs are non-nephrotoxic agents that can be safely used in patients with kidney failure. CEUS is a well-established method for the detection of liver lesions and for echocardiography, and its indications are expanding. The updated 2018 WFUMB-EFSUMB guidelines have added the urinary bladder under non-hepatic applications of CEUS. The technique is able to distinguish between benign tissue, such as clots or hematoma, and malignant lesions by perfusing the mass with contrast agent. Thanks to the different perfusion rates of the various layers of the bladder wall, CEUS is also able to predict tumor invasion depth and stage. Despite that, current urological guidelines do not include CEUS as a plausible imaging technique for bladder urothelial carcinoma. The main reason for this omission might be the presence of scarce randomized evidence and the absence of large validated series. In this review, we describe the rationale behind the use of CEUS in bladder cancer and the added value of this imaging technique in the detection and staging of bladder lesions. In addition, we researched the available literature on the topic and then described the results of randomized clinical trials and a meta-analysis investigating the accuracy of CEUS in bladder cancer diagnosis and staging. The reported studies show that CEUS is a highly accurate diagnostic and staging tool for BC, reaching levels of specificity and sensitivity in differentiating between Ta-T1, or low-grade BC, and T2, or high-grade BC, that are comparable to those shown by the reference standard methods. Nonetheless, several limitations were found and are highlighted in this review. The aim of this study is to further validate and promote the use of CEUS as a quick, economic and effective diagnostic tool for this high-impact disease.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":"64 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141664905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Irina Balan, Adelina Grusca, S. L. Chéry, Baylee R. Materia, T. O’Buckley, A. L. Morrow
This study investigates the impact of allopregnanolone ([3α,5α]3-hydroxypregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP); 10 mg/kg, IP) on fractalkine/CX3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) levels, associated signaling components, and markers for microglial and astrocytic cells in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male and female alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Previous research suggested that 3α,5α-THP enhances anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine production in the brains of male P rats, with no similar effect observed in females. This study reveals that 3α,5α-THP elevates CX3CL1 levels by 16% in the NAc of female P rats, with no significant changes observed in males. The increase in CX3CL1 levels induced by 3α,5α-THP was observed in females across multiple brain regions, including the NAc, amygdala, hypothalamus, and midbrain, while no significant effect was noted in males. Additionally, female P rats treated with 3α,5α-THP exhibited notable increases in CX3CL1 receptor (CX3CR1; 48%) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1; 24%) levels, along with heightened activation (phosphorylation) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; 85%) in the NAc. Conversely, no similar alterations were observed in male P rats. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels by 19% in both female and male P rat NAc, without affecting microglial markers ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119). These findings indicate that 3α,5α-THP enhances the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pathway in the female P rat brain but not in males, primarily influencing astrocyte reactivity, with no observed effect on microglial activation.
本研究探讨了异孕烯醇酮（[3α,5α]3-羟基孕甾-20-酮或 3α,5α-四氢孕甾酮（3α,5α-THP）；10毫克/千克，IP）对雄性和雌性酒精偏好大鼠（P）的脑核（NAc）中分叉碱/CX3-C motif趋化因子配体1（CX3CL1）水平、相关信号成分以及小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞标记物的影响。以前的研究表明，3α,5α-THP 能增强雄性酒精偏好大鼠大脑中抗炎性白细胞介素-10（IL-10）细胞因子的产生，但在雌性大鼠中没有观察到类似的效果。本研究发现，3α,5α-THP 可使雌性 P 型大鼠 NAc 中的 CX3CL1 水平升高 16%，而在雄性大鼠中未观察到明显变化。3α,5α-THP诱导的CX3CL1水平升高在雌性大鼠的多个脑区均可观察到，包括NAc、杏仁核、下丘脑和中脑，而在雄性大鼠中则未发现明显影响。此外，用 3α,5α-THP治疗的雌性P大鼠的CX3CL1受体（CX3CR1；48%）和转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1；24%）水平明显升高，NAc中信号转导和转录激活因子1（STAT1；85%）的激活（磷酸化）也有所增强。相反，在雄性 P 型大鼠身上没有观察到类似的变化。此外，3α,5α-THP 还能使雌性和雄性 P 型大鼠 NAc 中神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）水平降低 19%，但不会影响小神经胶质标记物电离钙结合适配分子 1（IBA1）和跨膜蛋白 119（TMEM119）。这些研究结果表明，3α,5α-THP 可增强雌性 P 大鼠大脑中的 CX3CL1/CX3CR1 通路，但对雄性 P 大鼠没有影响，主要影响星形胶质细胞的反应性，对小胶质细胞的活化没有观察到影响。
{"title":"Neurosteroid [3α,5α]-3-Hydroxy-pregnan-20-one Enhances the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Pathway in the Brain of Alcohol-Preferring Rats with Sex-Specificity","authors":"Irina Balan, Adelina Grusca, S. L. Chéry, Baylee R. Materia, T. O’Buckley, A. L. Morrow","doi":"10.3390/life14070860","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070860","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the impact of allopregnanolone ([3α,5α]3-hydroxypregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP); 10 mg/kg, IP) on fractalkine/CX3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) levels, associated signaling components, and markers for microglial and astrocytic cells in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male and female alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Previous research suggested that 3α,5α-THP enhances anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine production in the brains of male P rats, with no similar effect observed in females. This study reveals that 3α,5α-THP elevates CX3CL1 levels by 16% in the NAc of female P rats, with no significant changes observed in males. The increase in CX3CL1 levels induced by 3α,5α-THP was observed in females across multiple brain regions, including the NAc, amygdala, hypothalamus, and midbrain, while no significant effect was noted in males. Additionally, female P rats treated with 3α,5α-THP exhibited notable increases in CX3CL1 receptor (CX3CR1; 48%) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1; 24%) levels, along with heightened activation (phosphorylation) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; 85%) in the NAc. Conversely, no similar alterations were observed in male P rats. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels by 19% in both female and male P rat NAc, without affecting microglial markers ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119). These findings indicate that 3α,5α-THP enhances the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pathway in the female P rat brain but not in males, primarily influencing astrocyte reactivity, with no observed effect on microglial activation.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":"36 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141663878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lorenzo Ricolfi, Valeria Reverdito, Guido Gabriele, Micaela Bortolon, Ilaria Macherelli, Piero Haag, Nicoletta De Santis, Massimo Guerriero, Laura Patton
We evaluated the effect of compression leggings with micromassage in association with physical activity on women with lipedema, not previously treated and without recent changes in body weight. The treatment resulted in an improvement in all subjective parameters, in spontaneous and evoked pain, in the volume of the limbs, in the absence of significant changes in body weight, and regardless of the duration of use, age, years of illness, the clinical stage, and body mass index (BMI). Evoked pain did not improve in areas affected by untreated lipedema; foot circumferences did not increase. We found a significant reduction in the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and skin evaluated in multiple points of the lower limb. Micromassage compression leggings are proposed as an integral part of conservative treatment. A method is proposed for the clinical evaluation of evoked pain, called the Progressive Pain Check (PPC), which allows for the calculation of a numerical score called the Ricolfi–Patton Score (RPS) and for the ultrasound evaluation of tissues. The method is simple and repeatable and allows for completion of the clinical evaluation of the patient at diagnosis and for an evaluation of the effects of various treatments, even applied to just one side of the body.
{"title":"Micromassage Compression Leggings Associated with Physical Exercise: Pilot Study and Example of Evaluation of the Clinical and Instrumental Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment in Lipedema","authors":"Lorenzo Ricolfi, Valeria Reverdito, Guido Gabriele, Micaela Bortolon, Ilaria Macherelli, Piero Haag, Nicoletta De Santis, Massimo Guerriero, Laura Patton","doi":"10.3390/life14070854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070854","url":null,"abstract":"We evaluated the effect of compression leggings with micromassage in association with physical activity on women with lipedema, not previously treated and without recent changes in body weight. The treatment resulted in an improvement in all subjective parameters, in spontaneous and evoked pain, in the volume of the limbs, in the absence of significant changes in body weight, and regardless of the duration of use, age, years of illness, the clinical stage, and body mass index (BMI). Evoked pain did not improve in areas affected by untreated lipedema; foot circumferences did not increase. We found a significant reduction in the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and skin evaluated in multiple points of the lower limb. Micromassage compression leggings are proposed as an integral part of conservative treatment. A method is proposed for the clinical evaluation of evoked pain, called the Progressive Pain Check (PPC), which allows for the calculation of a numerical score called the Ricolfi–Patton Score (RPS) and for the ultrasound evaluation of tissues. The method is simple and repeatable and allows for completion of the clinical evaluation of the patient at diagnosis and for an evaluation of the effects of various treatments, even applied to just one side of the body.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":"106 44","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141667017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ouyang An, Can Zhang, N. Adra, R. Tesh, Haoqi Sun, Dan Lei, Jin Jing, Peng Fan, Luis Paixao, W. Ganglberger, Logan Briggs, J. Salinas, M. Bevers, Christiane Dorothea Wrann, Z. Chemali, Gregory Fricchione, Robert J. Thomas, J. Rosand, Rudolph E. Tanzi, M. Westover
Backgrounds: Sleep disturbances are prevalent among elderly individuals. While polysomnography (PSG) serves as the gold standard for sleep monitoring, its extensive setup and data analysis procedures impose significant costs and time constraints, thereby restricting the long-term application within the general public. Our laboratory introduced an innovative biomarker, utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms applied to PSG data to estimate brain age (BA), a metric validated in cohorts with cognitive impairments. Nevertheless, the potential of exercise, which has been a recognized means of enhancing sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults to reduce BA, remains undetermined. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study to evaluate whether 12 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise can improve cognitive function, sleep quality, and the brain age index (BAI), a biomarker computed from overnight sleep electroencephalogram (EEG), in physically inactive middle-aged and older adults. Home wearable devices were used to monitor heart rate and overnight sleep EEG over this period. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, in-lab overnight polysomnography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and a multiplex cytokines assay were employed to compare pre- and post-exercise brain health, exercise capacity, and plasma proteins. Results: In total, 26 participants completed the initial assessment and exercise program, and 24 completed all procedures. Data are presented as mean [lower 95% CI of mean, upper 95% CI of mean]. Participants significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption (Pre: 21.11 [18.98, 23.23], Post 22.39 [20.09, 24.68], mL/kg/min; effect size: −0.33) and decreased resting heart rate (Pre: 66.66 [63.62, 67.38], Post: 65.13 [64.25, 66.93], bpm; effect size: −0.02) and sleeping heart rate (Pre: 64.55 [61.87, 667.23], Post: 62.93 [60.78, 65.09], bpm; effect size: −0.15). Total cognitive performance (Pre: 111.1 [107.6, 114.6], Post: 115.2 [111.9, 118.5]; effect size: 0.49) was significantly improved. No significant differences were seen in BAI or measures of sleep macro- and micro-architecture. Plasma IL-4 (Pre: 0.24 [0.18, 0.3], Post: 0.33 [0.24, 0.42], pg/mL; effect size: 0.49) was elevated, while IL-8 (Pre: 5.5 [4.45, 6.55], Post: 4.3 [3.66, 5], pg/mL; effect size: −0.57) was reduced. Conclusions: Cognitive function was improved by a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise program in physically inactive middle-aged and older adults, as were aerobic fitness (VO2max) and plasma cytokine profiles. However, we found no measurable effects on sleep architecture or BAI. It remains to be seen whether a study with a larger sample size and more intensive or more prolonged exercise exposure can demonstrate a beneficial effect on sleep quality and brain age.
{"title":"Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Brain Age and Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Single-Arm Pilot Clinical Trial","authors":"Ouyang An, Can Zhang, N. Adra, R. Tesh, Haoqi Sun, Dan Lei, Jin Jing, Peng Fan, Luis Paixao, W. Ganglberger, Logan Briggs, J. Salinas, M. Bevers, Christiane Dorothea Wrann, Z. Chemali, Gregory Fricchione, Robert J. Thomas, J. Rosand, Rudolph E. Tanzi, M. Westover","doi":"10.3390/life14070855","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070855","url":null,"abstract":"Backgrounds: Sleep disturbances are prevalent among elderly individuals. While polysomnography (PSG) serves as the gold standard for sleep monitoring, its extensive setup and data analysis procedures impose significant costs and time constraints, thereby restricting the long-term application within the general public. Our laboratory introduced an innovative biomarker, utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms applied to PSG data to estimate brain age (BA), a metric validated in cohorts with cognitive impairments. Nevertheless, the potential of exercise, which has been a recognized means of enhancing sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults to reduce BA, remains undetermined. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study to evaluate whether 12 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise can improve cognitive function, sleep quality, and the brain age index (BAI), a biomarker computed from overnight sleep electroencephalogram (EEG), in physically inactive middle-aged and older adults. Home wearable devices were used to monitor heart rate and overnight sleep EEG over this period. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, in-lab overnight polysomnography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and a multiplex cytokines assay were employed to compare pre- and post-exercise brain health, exercise capacity, and plasma proteins. Results: In total, 26 participants completed the initial assessment and exercise program, and 24 completed all procedures. Data are presented as mean [lower 95% CI of mean, upper 95% CI of mean]. Participants significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption (Pre: 21.11 [18.98, 23.23], Post 22.39 [20.09, 24.68], mL/kg/min; effect size: −0.33) and decreased resting heart rate (Pre: 66.66 [63.62, 67.38], Post: 65.13 [64.25, 66.93], bpm; effect size: −0.02) and sleeping heart rate (Pre: 64.55 [61.87, 667.23], Post: 62.93 [60.78, 65.09], bpm; effect size: −0.15). Total cognitive performance (Pre: 111.1 [107.6, 114.6], Post: 115.2 [111.9, 118.5]; effect size: 0.49) was significantly improved. No significant differences were seen in BAI or measures of sleep macro- and micro-architecture. Plasma IL-4 (Pre: 0.24 [0.18, 0.3], Post: 0.33 [0.24, 0.42], pg/mL; effect size: 0.49) was elevated, while IL-8 (Pre: 5.5 [4.45, 6.55], Post: 4.3 [3.66, 5], pg/mL; effect size: −0.57) was reduced. Conclusions: Cognitive function was improved by a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise program in physically inactive middle-aged and older adults, as were aerobic fitness (VO2max) and plasma cytokine profiles. However, we found no measurable effects on sleep architecture or BAI. It remains to be seen whether a study with a larger sample size and more intensive or more prolonged exercise exposure can demonstrate a beneficial effect on sleep quality and brain age.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":" 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141668721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Săvulescu-Fiedler, Razvan Mihalcea, S. Dragosloveanu, C. Scheau, Radu Octavian Baz, A. Căruntu, A. Scheau, Constantin Căruntu, Serban Nicolae Benea
Obesity is an important condition affecting the quality of life of numerous patients and increasing their associated risk for multiple diseases, including tumors and immune-mediated disorders. Inflammation appears to play a major role in the development of obesity and represents a central point for the activity of cellular and humoral components in the adipose tissue. Macrophages play a key role as the main cellular component of the adipose tissue regulating the chronic inflammation and modulating the secretion and differentiation of various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation also involves a series of signaling pathways that might represent the focus for new therapies and interventions. Weight loss is essential in decreasing cardiometabolic risks and the degree of associated inflammation; however, the latter can persist for long after the excess weight is lost, and can involve changes in macrophage phenotypes that can ensure the metabolic adjustment. A clear understanding of the pathophysiological processes in the adipose tissue and the interplay between obesity and chronic inflammation can lead to a better understanding of the development of comorbidities and may ensure future targets for the treatment of obesity.
{"title":"The Interplay between Obesity and Inflammation","authors":"I. Săvulescu-Fiedler, Razvan Mihalcea, S. Dragosloveanu, C. Scheau, Radu Octavian Baz, A. Căruntu, A. Scheau, Constantin Căruntu, Serban Nicolae Benea","doi":"10.3390/life14070856","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070856","url":null,"abstract":"Obesity is an important condition affecting the quality of life of numerous patients and increasing their associated risk for multiple diseases, including tumors and immune-mediated disorders. Inflammation appears to play a major role in the development of obesity and represents a central point for the activity of cellular and humoral components in the adipose tissue. Macrophages play a key role as the main cellular component of the adipose tissue regulating the chronic inflammation and modulating the secretion and differentiation of various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation also involves a series of signaling pathways that might represent the focus for new therapies and interventions. Weight loss is essential in decreasing cardiometabolic risks and the degree of associated inflammation; however, the latter can persist for long after the excess weight is lost, and can involve changes in macrophage phenotypes that can ensure the metabolic adjustment. A clear understanding of the pathophysiological processes in the adipose tissue and the interplay between obesity and chronic inflammation can lead to a better understanding of the development of comorbidities and may ensure future targets for the treatment of obesity.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":" 962","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141669139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anamaria-Hortensia Strichea, Ștefania Livia Hreniuc, G. Solcan
A 14-year-old, female spayed Bichon Maltese with no other known previous pathologies was presented for dermatological examination after being referred from a private clinic with the suspicion of generalized, treatment-resistant demodicosis. Upon presentation and clinical examination, multiple deep skin scrapings were performed, returning negative parasitological results. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed mild hepatic damage. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an abnormal echostructure of the liver displaying a honeycomb or Swiss cheese-like pattern, reported as pathognomonic for hepatocutaneous syndrome. The owner declined any further paraclinical examination, including skin biopsy and histopathological examination, requesting a treatment protocol that could be pursued at home, considering the age of the dog and its reactive behavior during the examination. The present case report highlights a non-invasive method of diagnosing the hepatocutaneous syndrome in a dog by clinical examination, routine blood testing, and ultrasound assessment of the abdomen, in the absence of the possibility of doing a histopathological diagnosis.
{"title":"Non-Invasive Paraclinical Diagnosis of Hepatocutaneous Syndrome in a Dog","authors":"Anamaria-Hortensia Strichea, Ștefania Livia Hreniuc, G. Solcan","doi":"10.3390/life14070853","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070853","url":null,"abstract":"A 14-year-old, female spayed Bichon Maltese with no other known previous pathologies was presented for dermatological examination after being referred from a private clinic with the suspicion of generalized, treatment-resistant demodicosis. Upon presentation and clinical examination, multiple deep skin scrapings were performed, returning negative parasitological results. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed mild hepatic damage. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an abnormal echostructure of the liver displaying a honeycomb or Swiss cheese-like pattern, reported as pathognomonic for hepatocutaneous syndrome. The owner declined any further paraclinical examination, including skin biopsy and histopathological examination, requesting a treatment protocol that could be pursued at home, considering the age of the dog and its reactive behavior during the examination. The present case report highlights a non-invasive method of diagnosing the hepatocutaneous syndrome in a dog by clinical examination, routine blood testing, and ultrasound assessment of the abdomen, in the absence of the possibility of doing a histopathological diagnosis.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":" September","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141669927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vassileios Daskalopoulos, E. Polemis, Irini-Evangelia Kioupidi, P. Trigas, G. Zervakis
Fungi of the genus Tuber are famous for their hypogeous ascomata (truffles), many of which possess noteworthy organoleptic properties. T. aestivum shows a wide geographic distribution, has many plant symbionts and is well adapted to various climatic conditions. In this study, five Quercus taxa native to Greece (i.e., Q. coccifera, Q. ilex, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana) were inoculated with spore suspensions obtained from a single ascoma of T. aestivum. The fungal colonization of oak roots was evaluated at three, seven and 12 months after inoculation; the respective colonization rates for each time period were as follows: low to medium (17–41%) for Q. pubescens, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, medium to relatively high (58–80%) for Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. ilex, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, and medium to high (45–87%) for all oak species examined. Positive correlations were assessed between the number of colonized root tips and the total root tips number, but no significant differences were detected between the inoculated plants and the respective control as regards plant growth. The ectomycorrhizae formed by T. aestivum with Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana are described for the first time. The outcome of the study evidences the feasibility of generating the seedlings of various indigenous oak species (covering a large range of diverse habitats) successfully inoculated with autochthonous truffles to be readily used for cultivation purposes.
{"title":"Evaluation of the Colonization of Plants from Five Quercus Taxa Native to Greece by Tuber aestivum (Ascomycota, Pezizales)","authors":"Vassileios Daskalopoulos, E. Polemis, Irini-Evangelia Kioupidi, P. Trigas, G. Zervakis","doi":"10.3390/life14070852","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070852","url":null,"abstract":"Fungi of the genus Tuber are famous for their hypogeous ascomata (truffles), many of which possess noteworthy organoleptic properties. T. aestivum shows a wide geographic distribution, has many plant symbionts and is well adapted to various climatic conditions. In this study, five Quercus taxa native to Greece (i.e., Q. coccifera, Q. ilex, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana) were inoculated with spore suspensions obtained from a single ascoma of T. aestivum. The fungal colonization of oak roots was evaluated at three, seven and 12 months after inoculation; the respective colonization rates for each time period were as follows: low to medium (17–41%) for Q. pubescens, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, medium to relatively high (58–80%) for Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. ilex, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, and medium to high (45–87%) for all oak species examined. Positive correlations were assessed between the number of colonized root tips and the total root tips number, but no significant differences were detected between the inoculated plants and the respective control as regards plant growth. The ectomycorrhizae formed by T. aestivum with Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana are described for the first time. The outcome of the study evidences the feasibility of generating the seedlings of various indigenous oak species (covering a large range of diverse habitats) successfully inoculated with autochthonous truffles to be readily used for cultivation purposes.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":" 92","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141671115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ignazzo Condello, G. Nasso, Salvatore Scrivo, F. Fiore, G. Speziale
Background: Phosphorylcholine has emerged as a potential adjunctive agent in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. Phosphorylcholine serves as a coating for the CPB circuit, potentially enhancing biocompatibility and reducing thrombotic events. However, its impact on specific patient populations and procedural outcomes remains underexplored. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 60 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB, comprising 20 cases each of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valve repair, and aortic valve replacement. The patient cohort was divided into two groups—30 patients whose CPB circuits were coated with phosphorylcholine (phosphorylcholine-coated group) and 30 patients who did not receive phosphorylcholine supplementation or circuit coating. Both groups underwent surgery with identical CPB circuit designs. We assessed the absence of adverse events, safety, and efficacy parameters, including blood loss, clotting, and the structural integrity of the CPB circuit. Additionally, we measured changes in mean albumin levels (g/dL), mean platelet counts (×109/L), and antithrombin III (ATIII) levels before and after CPB. Results: The retrospective analysis revealed an absence of adverse events in both groups. In the phosphorylcholine-coated group compared to the non-phosphorylcholine-coated group, there was a notable difference in the delta change in mean albumin levels (0.87 ± 0.1 vs. 1.65 ± 0.2 g/dL, p-value 0.021), mean platelet counts (42.251 ± 0.121 vs. 54.21 ± 0.194 × 109/L, p-value 0.049), and ATIII levels (16.85 ± 0.2 vs. 31.21 ± 0.3 p-value 0.017). There was a notable reduction in the perioperative consumption of human complex units after CPB (3 vs. 12, p-value 0.019). Conclusions: Both groups, phosphorylcholine and non-phosphorylcholine, demonstrated the absence of adverse events and that the systems are safe for iatrogenic complication. Our findings suggest that the use of phosphorylcholine coating on the CPB circuit, in the absence of supplementary phosphorylcholine, in cardiac surgery is associated with favorable changes in mean albumin levels, mean platelet counts, and ATIII levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate the full extent of phosphorylcholine’s impact on patient outcomes and CPB circuit performance.
{"title":"Health Technology Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuit with and without Phosphorylcholine Coating: A Retrospective Study on Safety and Efficiency in Cardiac Surgery","authors":"Ignazzo Condello, G. Nasso, Salvatore Scrivo, F. Fiore, G. Speziale","doi":"10.3390/life14070851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070851","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Phosphorylcholine has emerged as a potential adjunctive agent in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. Phosphorylcholine serves as a coating for the CPB circuit, potentially enhancing biocompatibility and reducing thrombotic events. However, its impact on specific patient populations and procedural outcomes remains underexplored. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 60 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB, comprising 20 cases each of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valve repair, and aortic valve replacement. The patient cohort was divided into two groups—30 patients whose CPB circuits were coated with phosphorylcholine (phosphorylcholine-coated group) and 30 patients who did not receive phosphorylcholine supplementation or circuit coating. Both groups underwent surgery with identical CPB circuit designs. We assessed the absence of adverse events, safety, and efficacy parameters, including blood loss, clotting, and the structural integrity of the CPB circuit. Additionally, we measured changes in mean albumin levels (g/dL), mean platelet counts (×109/L), and antithrombin III (ATIII) levels before and after CPB. Results: The retrospective analysis revealed an absence of adverse events in both groups. In the phosphorylcholine-coated group compared to the non-phosphorylcholine-coated group, there was a notable difference in the delta change in mean albumin levels (0.87 ± 0.1 vs. 1.65 ± 0.2 g/dL, p-value 0.021), mean platelet counts (42.251 ± 0.121 vs. 54.21 ± 0.194 × 109/L, p-value 0.049), and ATIII levels (16.85 ± 0.2 vs. 31.21 ± 0.3 p-value 0.017). There was a notable reduction in the perioperative consumption of human complex units after CPB (3 vs. 12, p-value 0.019). Conclusions: Both groups, phosphorylcholine and non-phosphorylcholine, demonstrated the absence of adverse events and that the systems are safe for iatrogenic complication. Our findings suggest that the use of phosphorylcholine coating on the CPB circuit, in the absence of supplementary phosphorylcholine, in cardiac surgery is associated with favorable changes in mean albumin levels, mean platelet counts, and ATIII levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate the full extent of phosphorylcholine’s impact on patient outcomes and CPB circuit performance.","PeriodicalId":18182,"journal":{"name":"Life","volume":" 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141671513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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