Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase overexpression rescues the loss of cognition in the double transgenic APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Mice models of Alzheimer's disease (APP/PS1) typically experience cognitive decline with age. G6PD overexpressing mice (G6PD-Tg) exhibit better protection from age-associated functional decline including improvements in metabolic and muscle functions as well as reduced frailty compared to their wild-type counterparts. Importantly G6PD-Tg mice show diminished accumulation of DNA oxidation in the brain at different ages in both males and females. To further explore the potential benefits of modulating the G6PD activity in neurodegenerative diseases, triple transgenic mice (3xTg G6PD) were generated, overexpressing APP, PSEN1, and G6PD genes. The cognitive decline characteristic of APP/PS1 mice was prevented in 3xTg G6PD mice, despite similar amyloid-ß (Aß) levels in the hippocampus. This challenges the dominant hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) etiology and the majority of therapeutic efforts in the field, based on the notion that Aß is pivotal in cognitive preservation. Notably, the antioxidant properties of G6PD led to a decrease in oxidative stress parameters, such as improved GSH/GSSG and GSH/CysSSG ratios, without major changes in oxidative damage markers. Additionally, metabolic changes in 3xTg G6PD mice increased brain energy status, countering the hypometabolism observed in Alzheimer's models. Remarkably, a higher respiratory exchange ratio suggested increased carbohydrate utilization. The relative failures of Aß-targeted clinical trials have raised significant skepticism on the amyloid cascade hypothesis and whether the development of Alzheimer's drugs has followed the correct path. Our findings highlight the significance of targeting glucose-metabolizing enzymes rather than solely focusing on Aß in Alzheimer's research, advocating for a deeper exploration of glucose metabolism's role in cognitive preservation.

OpenWMB: An open-source and automated working memory task battery for OpenSesame.

Working memory capacity (WMC) has been measured with a plethora of cognitive tasks. Several preeminent automated batteries of working memory (WM) tasks have been developed recently. However, despite all their advantages, most batteries were programmed in paid platforms and/or only included a single WM paradigm. To address these issues, we developed the OpenWMB, an automated battery comprising seven tasks from three distinct paradigms (complex spans, updating tasks, and binding tasks) that tap into several functional aspects of WM (simultaneous storage and processing, updating, and binding). The battery runs on open-source software (OpenSesame) and is freely available online in a ready-to-download format. The OpenWMB possesses flexible features and includes a data processing script (that converts data into a format ready for statistical analysis). The instrument is available in Portuguese and English. However, we only assessed the psychometric properties of the former version. The Portuguese version presented good internal consistency and considerable internal and predictive validity: all tasks loaded into a single factor. Additionally, the WMC estimate was strongly correlated with a fluid intelligence factor. This study also tried to contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the best method to assess WMC. We computed a permutation analysis to compare the amount of variance shared between a fluid intelligence factor and (1) each WM task, (2) homogenous WMC factors (based on multiple tasks from the same paradigm), and (3) heterogeneous WMC factors (derived from triplets of tasks from different paradigms). Our results suggested that heterogeneous factors provided the best estimates of WMC.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale.

BACKGROUND: Quality assessment in oncology nursing care has been a growing topic in the literature, gaining relevance as oncological nursing care becomes more complex as the science progresses. However, there are no instruments that assess the perception of the quality of oncology nursing care from the point of view of patients for the Portuguese population. Thus, the cross-cultural translation and validation of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS) was performed for the Portuguese context. This instrument allows nurses to assess patients' self-perception of the quality of nursing care provided in an oncological setting. It also allows researchers to compare the results obtained internationally with the application of this scale. METHODS: This is a methodological study, with two distinct phases: the first corresponded to the translation and cultural adaptation of the scale to the Portuguese context, and the second consisted of the psychometric validation of the QONCS, which included factor analysis and the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument. We obtained responses from 402 patients from a Portuguese oncology hospital. RESULTS: The Portuguese version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS_PT) consists of 34 items inserted into a tetra-factorial model, which explains a total variance of the instrument of 69.8%. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 was obtained for the complete instrument. CONCLUSIONS: QONCS_PT has a competent and reliable structure. The scale's validity was assured and can be used in the Portuguese population, as it is useful for direct care provision but also for researchers and managers.

Diet-induced obesity does not exacerbate cachexia in male mice bearing Lewis-lung carcinoma tumors.

Cachexia is a muscle-wasting syndrome commonly observed in patients with cancer, which can significantly worsen clinical outcomes. Because of a global rise in obesity, the coexistence of cachexia in obese individuals poses unique challenges, with the impact of excessive adiposity on cachexia severity and underlying pathophysiology not well defined. Understanding the interplay between cachexia and obesity is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment strategies for these patients; therefore, the present study examined differences in cachexia between lean and obese mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumors. Nine-week-old, male C57Bl6J mice were placed on either a chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 9 wk. After the diet intervention, mice were inoculated with LLC or vehicle. Markers of cachexia, such as body and muscle loss, were noted in both chow and HFD groups with tumors. Tumor weight of HFD animals was greater than that of chow. LLC tumors reduced gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus mass, regardless of diet. The tibialis anterior and plantaris mass and cross-sectional area of type IIb/x fibers in the gastrocnemius were not different between HFD-chow, HFD-tumor, and chow-tumor. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the plantaris muscle from chow-tumor and HFD-tumor groups, we identified ∼400 differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatic analysis identified changes in lipid metabolism, mitochondria, bioenergetics, and proteasome degradation. Atrophy was not greater despite larger tumor burden in animals fed an HFD, and RNA-seq data suggests that partial protection is mediated through differences in mitochondrial function and protein degradation, which may serve as future mechanistic targets.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides timely information on the interaction between obesity and cancer cachexia. Lean and obese animals show signs of cachexia with reduced body weight, adipose tissue, and gastrocnemius muscle mass. There was not significant wasting in the tibialis anterior, plantaris, or fast twitch fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle of obese animals with tumors. RNA-seq analysis reveals that obese tumor bearing animals had differential expression of mitochondria- and degradation-related genes, which may direct future studies in mechanistic research.

Biochar as a carbonaceous material to enhance soil quality in drylands ecosystems: A review.

Drylands are fragile environments that should be carefully managed to improve their quality and functions to achieve sustainable development. Their major problems involve low availability of nutrients and soil organic carbon content. Biochar effect on soil is a joint response of micro to nano sized biochar and soil characteristics. In this review, we attempt to carry out a critical analysis of biochar application to enhance dryland soil quality. Correlating the effects identified from its soil application, we explored the subjects that remains open in the literature. The relation of composition-structure-properties of biochar vary among pyrolysis parameters and biomass sources. Limitations in soil physical quality in drylands, such as low water-holding capacity, can be alleviated by applying biochar at a rate of 10 Mg ha-1 also resulting in beneficial effects on soil aggregation, improved soil porosity, and reduced bulk density. Biochar addition can contribute to the rehabilitation of saline soils, by releasing cations able to displaces sodium in the exchange complex. However, the recovery process of salt-affected soils might be accelerated by the association of biochar with another soil conditioners. This is a promising strategy especially considering the biochar alkalinity and variability in nutrients bioavailability to improve soil fertilization. Further, while higher biochar application rate (>20 Mg ha-1) might change soil C dynamics, a combination of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer can increase microbial biomass carbon in dryland systems. Other aspect of biochar soil application is the economic viability of scale-up production, which is mainly associate to pyrolysis process being biochar production the costliest stage. Nevertheless, the supplying of feedstock might also represent a great input on biochar final costs. Therefore, biochar-based technology is a big opportunity to improve fragile environments such as drylands, integrating sustainable technologies with regional development. Considering the specificity of application area, it might be a model of sustainable agricultural practices protecting the environment in a bioeconomic perspective.

Functional mobility and 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older people from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of performance in functional mobility tasks related to the mortality patterns for the different causes of death for the Brazilian older population is still a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To analyze if gait speed and chair stand test performance are associated with mortality in older adults, and if the overall mobility status changes the effect of other mortality risk factors. METHODS: The data were from SABE (Health, Well-being and Aging Study), a multiple-cohort study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with a representative sample of people aged 60 and more. Cox regression models were used to analyze 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality with consideration for gait speed and the chair stand test. RESULTS: Of the 1411 participants, 26% died during the follow-up. The performance in the chair stand test had a more consistent association with mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05) than gait speed. Being unable to perform the test also increased the risk to die by all-cause (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.42) and by diseases of the circulatory system (HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.65). The stratified analysis of mobility performance changed the effects of some of the mortality risk factors, such as cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The chair stand test could be a better choice than 3-meters walking test as a mortality predictor. In addition, the impact of cognitive decline and multimorbidity were greater among those with reduced mobility, supporting the development of preventive interventions and public policies targeted at more vulnerable groups of older adults.

Fatores clínicos e sociodemográficos associados a recuperação da marcha de indivíduos após acidente vascular cerebral trombolisado na fase aguda / Clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with gait recovery in individuals after thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke

O tratamento trombolítico promove reperfusão cerebral após acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) isquêmico, e é considerado o tratamento mais eficaz na fase aguda, estando associado a melhores desfechos clínicos e funcionais. Entre as principais sequelas após AVC estão a hemiparesia e o déficit de equilíbrio, que repercutem diretamente na locomoção do indivíduo. Objetivo: Investigar quais fatores estão associados com a recuperação da marcha na fase aguda do AVC trombolisado. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, com 32 indivíduos na fase aguda do AVC trombolisado. Os indivíduos foram avaliados nas primeiras horas após terem sido submetidos à terapia trombolítica, e após 7 dias ou no momento da alta da unidade de internamento. Resultados: O desfecho principal foi a presença ou não de marcha independente até o sétimo dia de internamento ou até a alta da unidade. A variável resposta foi o número de dias necessário para recuperar a marcha, sendo analisada em 3 categorias: "1 dia", "2 dias" e "3 ou mais dias". Dos 32 indivíduos da amostra apenas 4 não andaram em até 7 dias após o AVC e cerca de 50% andou no primeiro dia de internamento. Houve associação significativa entre a Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e o tempo para andar. Conclusão: O estudo sugere que a maioria dos indivíduos submetidos à trombólise para tratamento de AVC isquêmico recupera a capacidade de andar dentro de sete dias da ocorrência do evento, e que esta recuperação está associada ao equilíbrio nas primeiras horas após o AVC.

The thrombolytic treatment promotes cerebral reperfusion after ischemic stroke and it is considered the most effective treatment in the acute phase. The thrombolysis is associated with better clinical and functional outcomes. Hemiparesis and balance deficits are important sequelae after a stroke and both affect the individual's locomotion. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate what factors are associated with gait recovery in the acute phase of stroke after thrombolysis. Method: This is a longitudinal study, including 32 individuals in the acute phase of stroke after thrombolytic treatment. The individuals were evaluated in the first hours after thrombolytic therapy, and then, after 7 days or at the time of discharge from the inpatient unit. Results: The main outcome was the presence or absence of independent gait until the seventh day of hospitalization or until discharge from the unit. The response variable was the number of days required to recover gait, being analyzed in 3 categories: "1 day", "2 days" and "3 or more days". Of the 32 individuals in the sample, only 4 did not walk within 7 days after the stroke and about 50% walked on the first day of hospitalization. There was a significant association between the Berg Balance Scale and the time to walk. Conclusions: This study suggests that most individuals undergoing thrombolysis for the treatment of ischemic stroke recover their capacity to walk within seven days of the event and this recovery is associated with balance in the first hours after stroke.

[Factors associated with limitations in functional mobility in elderly in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: a comparative analysis of 15 years]. / Fatores associados à limitação da mobilidade funcional em idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil: análise comparativa ao longo de 15 anos.

The study aimed to analyze the prevalence of self-reported limitation of functional mobility and associated factors from 2000 to 2015 in elderly residing in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The analyses used data from the four waves (2000, 2006, 2010, and 2015) in the Health, Well-Being, and Aging Study (SABE). Regression models were conducted to analyze the demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related characteristics of individuals associated with limitations of mobility in each wave of the study, and multilevel analysis was performed for comparison between the four waves. The results showed an increase in the prevalence of self-reported limitations in mobility, most evident in the year 2006. There was also an association between chronic health conditions such as history of stroke (PR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.29; 1.58, in 2000), presence of osteoarticular diseases (PR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.23; 1.49, in 2015), and complaint of "backache" (PR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.22; 1.45, in 2006), as well as with socioeconomic aspects such as insufficient income (PR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.07; 1.28, in 2010). In a context of rapid population aging, these results provide relevant information for promoting public policies to prevent the decline in mobility in the elderly.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a prevalência de limitação na mobilidade funcional autorreferida e os fatores associados no período entre os anos 2000 e 2015, em idosos residentes no Município de São Paulo, Brasil. Para as presentes análises foram utilizados os dados das quatro ondas (2000, 2006, 2010 e 2015) do Estudo Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE). Foram conduzidos modelos de regressão para analisar as características demográficas, socioeconômicas, comportamentais e relativas à saúde dos indivíduos associadas à limitação da mobilidade em cada onda do estudo, e análise multinível para a comparação entre as quatro ondas. Os resultados indicaram aumento nas prevalências de limitações na mobilidade autorreferida, mais evidente no ano de 2006. Foi observado, ainda, associação com condições crônicas de saúde, como a história de AVC (RP = 1,43; IC95%: 1,29; 1,58, em 2000), a presença de doenças osteoarticulares (RP = 1,35; IC95%: 1,23; 1,49, em 2015), e a queixa de "dor nas costas" (RP = 1,33; IC95%: 1,22; 1,45, em 2006), bem como com aspectos socioeconômicos, como a renda insuficiente (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,07; 1,28, em 2010). Em um contexto de envelhecimento populacional acelerado, esses resultados trazem informações relevantes para a promoção de políticas públicas voltadas à prevenção de declínio da mobilidade em pessoas idosas.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la prevalencia de limitación en la movilidad funcional autoinformada y sus factores asociados durante el período entre los años 2000 y 2015, en ancianos residentes en el Municipio de São Paulo, Brasil. Para los análisis actuales se utilizaron los datos de cuatro oleadas (2000, 2006, 2010 y 2015) del Estudio Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE). Se aplicaron modelos de regresión para analizar las características demográficas, socioeconómicas, comportamentales y relativas a la salud de los individuos, asociadas a la limitación de la movilidad en cada oleada del estudio, y un análisis multinivel para la comparación entre las 4 oleadas. Los resultados indicaron un aumento en las prevalencias de limitaciones respecto a la movilidad autoinformada, pero fue evidente en el año 2006. Se observó, incluso, una asociación con las condiciones crónicas de salud, como un historial de ACV (RP = 1,43; IC95%: 1,29; 1,58, en 2000), la presencia de enfermedades osteoarticulares (RP = 1,35; IC95%: 1,23; 1,49, en 2015), y la queja de "dolor de espalda" (RP = 1,33; IC95%: 1,22; 1,45, en 2006), así como con aspectos socioeconómicos, como la renta insuficiente (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,07; 1,28, en 2010). En un contexto de envejecimiento poblacional acelerado, esos resultados presentan información relevante para la promoción de políticas públicas dirigidas a la prevención del declive de la movilidad en personas ancianas.

Potential Protein Blood-based Biomarkers in Different Types of Dementia: A Therapeutic Overview.

Biomarkers capable of identifying and distinguishing types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), have become increasingly relentless. Studies on possible biomarker proteins in the blood that can help formulate new diagnostic proposals and therapeutic visions of different types of dementia are needed. However, due to several limitations of these biomarkers, especially in discerning dementia, their clinical applications are still undetermined. Thus, updating biomarker blood proteins that can help in the diagnosis and discrimination of these main dementia conditions is essential to enable new pharmacological and clinical management strategies with specificities for each type of dementia. This paper aimed to review the literature concerning protein bloodbased AD and non-AD biomarkers as new pharmacological targets and/or therapeutic strategies. Recent findings related to protein-based AD, PDD, LBD, and FTD biomarkers are focused on in this review. Protein biomarkers are classified according to the pathophysiology of the dementia types. The diagnosis and distinction of dementia through protein biomarkers is still a challenge. The lack of exclusive biomarkers for each type of dementia highlights the need for further studies in this field. Only after this, blood biomarkers may have a valid use in clinical practice as they are promising to help in the diagnosis and in the differentiation of diseases.

Early identification of older individuals at risk of mobility decline with machine learning.

BACKGROUND: The early identification of individuals at risk of mobility decline can improve targeted strategies of prevention. AIMS: To evaluate the predictive performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in identifying older individuals at risk of future mobility decline. METHODS: We used data from the SABE Study (Health, Well-being and Aging Study), a representative sample of people aged 60 years and more, living in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. Mobility decline was assessed 5 years after admission in the study by self-reported difficulty to walk a block, climb steps, being able to stoop, crouch and kneel, or lifting or carrying weights greater than 5 kg. Popular machine learning algorithms were trained in 70% of the sample with 10-fold cross-validation, and predictive performance metrics were obtained from applying the trained algorithms to the other 30% (test set). RESULTS: Of the 1,615 individuals, 48% developed difficulty in at least one of the four tasks, 32% in stooping, crouching and kneeling, and 30% in carrying weights. The random forest algorithm had the best predictive performance for most outcomes. The tasks that the algorithm was able to predict with better performance were crouching and kneeling (AUC-ROC: 0.81[0.76-0.85]), and lifting or carrying weights (AUC-ROC: 0.80[0.75-0.84]). Age was the most important variable for the algorithms, followed by education and back pain, according to the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values. CONCLUSION: Applications of ML algorithms are a promising tool to identify older patients at risk of mobility decline, with the potential of improving targeted preventive programs.

Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele impairs cortical activity in healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease.

AIM: To investigate the influence of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on cortical activity, using the event-related potential P300 in healthy older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: A cohort of 37 healthy older adults and 48 with AD participated in this study and completed an auditory oddball task using electroencephalographic equipment with 21 channels (10-20 system). APOE genotyping was obtained by real-time PCR. RESULTS: AD presented increased P300 latency and lower P300 amplitude, compared to healthy older adults. AD APOE ε4 carriers presented increased P300 latency in F3 (420.7 ± 65.8 ms), F4 (412.0 ± 49.0 ms), C4 (413.0 ± 41.1 ms) and P3 (420.4 ± 55.7 ms) compared to non-carriers (F3 = 382.5 ± 56.8 ms, p < 0.01; F4 = 372.2 ± 56.7 ms, p < 0.01; C4 = 374.2 ± 51.7 ms, p < 0.01; P3 = 384.4 ± 44.4 ms, p < 0.01). Healthy older adults APOE ε4 carriers presented lower Fz amplitude (2.6 ± 1.5 µV) compared to non-carriers (4.9 ± 2.9 µV; p = 0.02). Linear regression analysis showed that being a carrier of APOE ε4 allele remained significantly associated with P300 latency even after adjusting for sex, age, and cognitive grouping. APOE ε4 allele increases P300 latency (95% CI 0.11-0.98; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: APOE ε4 allele negatively impacts cortical activity in both healthy older adults and AD individuals.

Fatores associados à limitação da mobilidade funcional em idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil: análise comparativa ao longo de 15 anos / Factors associated with limitations in functional mobility in elderly in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: a comparative analysis of 15 years / Factores asociados a la limitación de la morbilidad funcional en ancianos del Municipio de São Paulo, Brasil: análisis comparativo a lo largo de 15 años

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a prevalência de limitação na mobilidade funcional autorreferida e os fatores associados no período entre os anos 2000 e 2015, em idosos residentes no Município de São Paulo, Brasil. Para as presentes análises foram utilizados os dados das quatro ondas (2000, 2006, 2010 e 2015) do Estudo Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE). Foram conduzidos modelos de regressão para analisar as características demográficas, socioeconômicas, comportamentais e relativas à saúde dos indivíduos associadas à limitação da mobilidade em cada onda do estudo, e análise multinível para a comparação entre as quatro ondas. Os resultados indicaram aumento nas prevalências de limitações na mobilidade autorreferida, mais evidente no ano de 2006. Foi observado, ainda, associação com condições crônicas de saúde, como a história de AVC (RP = 1,43; IC95%: 1,29; 1,58, em 2000), a presença de doenças osteoarticulares (RP = 1,35; IC95%: 1,23; 1,49, em 2015), e a queixa de "dor nas costas" (RP = 1,33; IC95%: 1,22; 1,45, em 2006), bem como com aspectos socioeconômicos, como a renda insuficiente (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,07; 1,28, em 2010). Em um contexto de envelhecimento populacional acelerado, esses resultados trazem informações relevantes para a promoção de políticas públicas voltadas à prevenção de declínio da mobilidade em pessoas idosas.

The study aimed to analyze the prevalence of self-reported limitation of functional mobility and associated factors from 2000 to 2015 in elderly residing in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The analyses used data from the four waves (2000, 2006, 2010, and 2015) in the Health, Well-Being, and Aging Study (SABE). Regression models were conducted to analyze the demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related characteristics of individuals associated with limitations of mobility in each wave of the study, and multilevel analysis was performed for comparison between the four waves. The results showed an increase in the prevalence of self-reported limitations in mobility, most evident in the year 2006. There was also an association between chronic health conditions such as history of stroke (PR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.29; 1.58, in 2000), presence of osteoarticular diseases (PR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.23; 1.49, in 2015), and complaint of "backache" (PR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.22; 1.45, in 2006), as well as with socioeconomic aspects such as insufficient income (PR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.07; 1.28, in 2010). In a context of rapid population aging, these results provide relevant information for promoting public policies to prevent the decline in mobility in the elderly.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la prevalencia de limitación en la movilidad funcional autoinformada y sus factores asociados durante el período entre los años 2000 y 2015, en ancianos residentes en el Municipio de São Paulo, Brasil. Para los análisis actuales se utilizaron los datos de cuatro oleadas (2000, 2006, 2010 y 2015) del Estudio Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE). Se aplicaron modelos de regresión para analizar las características demográficas, socioeconómicas, comportamentales y relativas a la salud de los individuos, asociadas a la limitación de la movilidad en cada oleada del estudio, y un análisis multinivel para la comparación entre las 4 oleadas. Los resultados indicaron un aumento en las prevalencias de limitaciones respecto a la movilidad autoinformada, pero fue evidente en el año 2006. Se observó, incluso, una asociación con las condiciones crónicas de salud, como un historial de ACV (RP = 1,43; IC95%: 1,29; 1,58, en 2000), la presencia de enfermedades osteoarticulares (RP = 1,35; IC95%: 1,23; 1,49, en 2015), y la queja de "dolor de espalda" (RP = 1,33; IC95%: 1,22; 1,45, en 2006), así como con aspectos socioeconómicos, como la renta insuficiente (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,07; 1,28, en 2010). En un contexto de envejecimiento poblacional acelerado, esos resultados presentan información relevante para la promoción de políticas públicas dirigidas a la prevención del declive de la movilidad en personas ancianas.

"Jardins das ocupações": estratégias de cuidados diante de perdas ocupacionais e luto / "Garden of occupations": care strategies in the face of occupational losses and mourning

Resumo Situações vivenciadas como estressoras, tais como a morte de entes queridos, perda de emprego, sonhos, projetos e outros têm afetado direta ou indiretamente as ocupações rotineiras das pessoas, resultando em rupturas, mudanças e afastamentos das preferências ocupacionais diárias, tanto as externas como as realizadas no ambiente doméstico, o que pode impactar a pessoa e a maneira como se ocupa e participa da vida social. O presente artigo apresenta uma proposta de intervenção e cuidados nas condições de perdas significativas e luto e fomenta reflexões a esse respeito sob uma perspectiva ocupacional, correlacionando conceitos da Ciência da Ocupação, Logoterapia e Análise Existencial de Viktor Frankl. Para tanto, baseia-se na estratégia interventiva de cuidado no luto, denominada "Jardim de Ocupações", a qual emprega elementos como a metáfora e o desenho como possibilidades para criar aproximações com a fundamentação teórica ancorada na Ciência Ocupacional, sob a ótica da tensão existencial e valores de sentido de Viktor Frankl. Considera-se a proposta interventiva "Jardins de Ocupações" como um instrumento participativo, reflexivo, com potencial para aprofundar reflexões e compreensões sobre os sentidos de vida e o engajamento em ocupações ante às perdas sofridas.

Abstract Situations experienced as stressful, such as the death of loved ones, loss of jobs, dreams, projects and others, have directly or indirectly affected people's routinely occupations, resulting in disruptions, changes and withdrawals from daily occupational preferences - both externally and the ones carried out in the domestic environment - which can impact the person and the way in which they engage and participate in social life. This article presents a proposal for intervention and care in the conditions of significant loss and mourning and promotes reflections on this subject from an occupational perspective, correlating concepts from Occupation Science, Logotherapy and Existential Analysis by Viktor Frankl. Therefore, it is based on the interventional strategy of care in mourning, called "Garden of occupations", which uses elements such as metaphors and drawing as possibilities to create approximations with the theoretical foundation anchored in Occupational Science, from the perspective of existential tension and values of meaning by Viktor Frankl. The interventional proposal "Garden of occupations" is considered a participatory, reflective instrument, with the potential to deepen reflections and understandings about the meanings of life and engagement in occupations in the face of losses suffered.

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, quality of life, inflammation and depression in older adults: Are they related?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between inflammation and depression taking into account the effect of several confounders, but specially plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adults (n = 346) aged 60 years or older recruited from primary healthcare centres. Depression was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), while plasma 25(OH)D and inflammatory cytokines were measured following routine biochemical laboratory protocols. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into two subgroups according to their depression status, and matched in their baseline conditions using random forest-based propensity scores. Both groups were rather similar in regard to most variables, apart from quality of life (p < 0.001) and plasma levels of IL-6 (p = 0.03). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 36.3% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI], 30.2%-42.5%), without a significant difference between depression groups (p = 0.2). A significant association was observed between GDS score and plasma IL-6 levels only among those with SF-6D score between 0.26 and 0.50 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The association between inflammation and depression is more likely to be due to a moderation influence of quality of life rather than plasma 25(OH)D levels. However, further studies are needed to ascertain the effect of a poor quality of life leading to chronic inflammation and poor health upon longer periods of follow-up.

Associations between inflammatory markers and muscle strength in older adults according to the presence or absence of obesity.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between inflammatory markers and muscle strength in older adults according to the presence or absence of obesity. Dynapenia is the age-related decline in muscle strength and results in negative outcomes to older adults. Accordingly, obesity is more prevalent throughout aging and is associated with comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Both dynapenia and obesity are strongly linked to chronic inflammation, sharing common signaling pathways. METHODS: We recruited 247 older adults aged 60 or older and collected sociodemographic, anthropometric and metabolic data. Dynapenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria. Circulating inflammatory cytokines were measured in plasma using a multiplex panel kit. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose were also assessed. RESULTS: Dynapenic participants were predominantly males (74.4%), had insufficiently active lifestyle and higher IL-10 plasma levels (0.95 pg/mL; 0.40-2.12). The prevalence of obesity was higher among non-dynapenic participants (45.3%; 95% CI, 37.7-53). In dynapenic older adults, obesity was predominant in males (53.6%) and subjects with normal muscle strength had higher serum levels of TNF-ß (0.63 pg/mL; 0.30-1.30) and lower hand-grip strength (24 kg; 20.00-28.00). Using a multivariate quantile regression analysis, we found a strong and negative association between IL-10 and muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: This study can help to understand the association of inflammation, obesity and muscle strength to promote interventions in order to avoid or delay the negative outcomes associated with dynapenia and sarcopenia in older adults.

Cause-specific mortality prediction in older residents of São Paulo, Brazil: a machine learning approach.

BACKGROUND: Populational ageing has been increasing in a remarkable rate in developing countries. In this scenario, preventive strategies could help to decrease the burden of higher demands for healthcare services. Machine learning algorithms have been increasingly applied for identifying priority candidates for preventive actions, presenting a better predictive performance than traditional parsimonious models. METHODS: Data were collected from the Health, Well Being and Aging (SABE) Study, a representative sample of older residents of São Paulo, Brazil. Machine learning algorithms were applied to predict death by diseases of respiratory system (DRS), diseases of circulatory system (DCS), neoplasms and other specific causes within 5 years, using socioeconomic, demographic and health features. The algorithms were trained in a random sample of 70% of subjects, and then tested in the other 30% unseen data. RESULTS: The outcome with highest predictive performance was death by DRS (AUC-ROC = 0.89), followed by the other specific causes (AUC-ROC = 0.87), DCS (AUC-ROC = 0.67) and neoplasms (AUC-ROC = 0.52). Among only the 25% of individuals with the highest predicted risk of mortality from DRS were included 100% of the actual cases. The machine learning algorithms with the highest predictive performance were light gradient boosted machine and extreme gradient boosting. CONCLUSION: The algorithms had a high predictive performance for DRS, but lower for DCS and neoplasms. Mortality prediction with machine learning can improve clinical decisions especially regarding targeted preventive measures for older individuals.

The Effects of Combined Physical Exercise on Serum Redox Biomarkers and Leukocyte DNA Damage of Obese Women.

Obesity is usually linked to oxidative stress, which can lead to damage to biomolecules. The combination of aerobic and strength exercises seems to induce health benefits in obese individuals, but little is known about the effects of combined physical exercise on redox homeostasis and DNA damage in this population. Thus, the aim of the current study was to determine the effects of 16 weeks of combined physical exercise on biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage in obese women. 17 obese women underwent 16 weeks of a combined physical training program, 3 times per week. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activity, plasma 8-isoprostane levels, and DNA and chromosomal damage were evaluated before and after physical training. Combined physical exercise training decreased body weight (83.2 ± 9.6 vs. 80.2 ± 9.6 kg), body mass index (33.8 ± 3.6 vs. 32.6 ± 3.7 kg·m-2), body fat (40.2 ± 2.6 vs. 39.0 ± 3.2%), and waist circumference (99.3 ± 9.4 vs. 94.1 ± 8.8 cm), while the fat-free mass was augmented (59.9 ± 2.9 vs. 60.7 ± 3.1 kg). Moreover, blood glucose reduced (113.5 ± 29.6 vs. 107.3 ± 28.9 mg/dL) along with high-density lipoprotein (54.6 ± 18.1 vs. 59.0 ± 18.8 mg/dL), TSH (2.1 ± 1.1 vs. 2.6 ± 1.2 mIU/mL), and free T4 (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.12 ± 0.2 ng/dL) increase after physical exercise training. Plasma 8-isoprostane levels (17.24 ± 7.9 vs. 29.11 ± 17.44 pg/mL) and DNA damage (34.16 ± 7.1 vs. 45.96 ± 5.8% DNA in tail) were also higher after physical training. No changes were observed in chromosomal damage levels. These results suggest that 16 weeks of combined exercise training 3 times per week is effective in reducing body fat but also increases oxidative stress and DNA damage in obese women.

ADAM10 plasma levels predict worsening in cognition of older adults: a 3-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are highly needed in clinic practice. So far, the gold standards for AD diagnosis are brain neuroimaging and beta-amyloid peptide, total tau, and phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); however, they are not attractive for large-scale screening. Blood-based biomarkers allow an initial large-scale screening of patients under suspicion that could later be tested for the already established CSF biomarkers. To this regard, in this study, we evaluated whether plasma ADAM10 levels would be predictors of declines in cognition in community-dwelling older adults after a 3-year period follow-up. METHODS: This was a 3-year longitudinal cohort study that included 219 community-dwelling older adults. Sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, depressive symptoms (GDS), and cognitive data (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; Clock Drawing test, CDT) were gathered. The measurement of ADAM10 plasma levels was performed using a sandwich ELISA kit. Bivariate comparisons between groups were performed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney for continuous data and Pearson's chi-square tests with Yates continuity correction for categorical data. Longitudinal analyzes of changes in the MMSE scores were performed using linear mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: Baseline MMSE scores and ADAM10 levels were significantly associated with MMSE scores on the follow-up assessment. When analyzing the interaction with time, normal MMSE scores and the ADAM10 plasma levels at baseline presented a significant and independent negative association with MMSE score values on the follow-up assessment. The analyses also showed that the predictive effect of ADAM10 plasma levels on decreasing MMSE scores on follow-up seems to be more pronounced in participants with normal MMSE, when compared with those with altered MMSE scores at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that ADAM10 increase in plasma is detected as soon as in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, the results presented here may support the complementary clinical use of this biomarker, in addition to the classical AD biomarkers. Taken together, these results provide the first direct evidence that changes in ADAM10 plasma levels are predictors of cognitive worsening in older adults. Moreover, this work can shed light on the study of blood biomarkers for AD and contribute to the advancement of the area.

A Systematic Review of Altered P300 Event-Related Potential in Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) Carriers.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein ε4 allele (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and seems to be related to cognitive decline and damaged event-related potential P300, which is a sensitive measure to assess cognitive processing. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to critically review the existing scientific evidence regarding the association between APOE4 and P300. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out up to January 2020 on the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus and Medline/PubMed. Articles were considered for inclusion if they are original research that provided information regarding the association between APOE4 and P300, available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and available in full text. The methodological quality of the studies selected was evaluated using the quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies recommended by Cochrane. RESULTS: Out of 993 studies, 14 met the inclusion criteria. The results obtained showed that APOE4 is related to a longer P300 latency. However, the data supplied do not allow us to confirm if this relationship also occurs in amplitude measures. Moreover, it was observed that APOE genotype may influence P300 in different ages, from younger individuals to demented older people. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows that APOE4 negatively influences cortical activities related to cognitive functions, as indicated by P300.

Are body fat and inflammatory markers independently associated with age-related muscle changes?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A growing number of studies have shown that body fat and inflammation are associated with age-related changes in body muscle composition. However, most of these studies did not control for potential confounders. The aim was to determine whether there is an association between body fat and inflammatory cytokines with muscle mass/strength decline in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Anthropometric, physical and functionality variables were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by the MNA form. Dynapenia was assessed with handgrip strength on the dominant hand using a dynamometer. Sarcopenia was determined using adapted criteria from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). Inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in plasma using a multiplex assay. Associations to muscle mass/strength decline were analyzed using a multinominal logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: We recruited a convenience sample of 311 adults aged 60 years or older. Most of subjects were sufficiently active females with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 64-74 years), whereas about a half (46.3%) were at risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of dynapenia was 38.3%, whereas sarcopenia was 13.2%. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that relative fat mass index is independently associated with sarcopenia. Loss of strength was independently associated only with female sex, lower physical activity, worse nutrition and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, whereas female sex, an insufficiently active lifestyle and relative fat mass index were the key determinants of sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of physical activity and healthy diet as effective interventions to prevent muscle mass/strength decline, and points to IL-10/TNF-α ratio and body fat as independently associated factors for dynapenia and sarcopenia, respectively.