Resilience and successful aging: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the relationship between successful aging (SA) and resilience in older adults, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above, to address a significant gap in understanding how resilience contributes to SA. METHODS: Following the Cochrane review guidelines, we conducted searches in databases such as Web of Science, PsycNet, and PubMed up to December 2021 and used PRISMA as a tool for reporting the results. Our inclusion criteria were studies on psychological resilience and SA in older adults aged 60 and above. Exclusion criteria included studies on physical resilience, medical outcomes of SA, other indicators not used in screened studies (e.g., prevalence, means), populations with suicidal ideation or chronic/palliative illnesses, studies considering resilience as an indicator of SA, and qualitative studies on the association between resilience and SA. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included and assessed for risk of bias using funnel plot and trim-and-fill methods. The meta-analysis revealed a medium effect size indicating a positive relationship between resilience and SA. However, high heterogeneity warrants a cautious interpretation of these results. No significant differences were found between older adults in the general population and those in retirement communities, nor were geographical variations (Asia, Europe, America) found to moderate this relationship. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the intrinsic link between older adults' attitudes towards aging, their subjective evaluations, and their level of psychological resilience. Resilience acts as a protective factor against psychological and physical adversities, underscoring the importance of resilience-enhancing strategies in interventions aimed at promoting SA. The conclusions drawn from this analysis should be approached with caution due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.

Multi-platform metabolomics analyses of a broad collection of fragrant and non-fragrant rice varieties reveals the high complexity of grain quality characteristics.

The quality of rice in terms not only of its nutritional value but also in terms of its aroma and flavour is becoming increasingly important in modern rice breeding where global targets are focused on both yield stability and grain quality. In the present paper we have exploited advanced, multi-platform metabolomics approaches to determine the biochemical differences in 31 rice varieties from a diverse range of genetic backgrounds and origin. All were grown under the specific local conditions for which they have been bred and all aspects of varietal identification and sample purity have been guaranteed by local experts from each country. Metabolomics analyses using 6 platforms have revealed the extent of biochemical differences (and similarities) between the chosen rice genotypes. Comparison of fragrant rice varieties showed a difference in the metabolic profiles of jasmine and basmati varieties. However with no consistent separation of the germplasm class. Storage of grains had a significant effect on the metabolome of both basmati and jasmine rice varieties but changes were different for the two rice types. This shows how metabolic changes may help prove a causal relationship with developing good quality in basmati rice or incurring quality loss in jasmine rice in aged grains. Such metabolomics approaches are leading to hypotheses on the potential links between grain quality attributes, biochemical composition and genotype in the context of breeding for improvement. With this knowledge we shall establish a stronger, evidence-based foundation upon which to build targeted strategies to support breeders in their quest for improved rice varieties.

Special forms in twin pregnancy - ACARDIAC TWIN/ Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence.

UNLABELLED: Twin pregnancy generally represents a high-risk pregnancy, but monozygous twin pregnancy is a real challenge for the obstetrician due to the serious complications that may occur during its evolution. A very rare, severe complication of monozygous twin pregnancy, which we recently dealt with in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, was a monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy with acardiac twin (TRAP). One of the fetuses (acardiac twin) presented a rudimentary unfunctional heart or even no heart at all, underdeveloped inferior part of the body and head, being transfused by the other fetus with a normal heart (pumping twin) by one superficial arterio-arterial anastomosis through which blood pumped backwards. The understanding of these cases is mandatory in order to offer maximum survival and heath chances to the viable fetus. ABBREVIATIONS: RFA = radiofrequency ablation, TRAP = reversed arterial perfusion.

Dose of terbutaline respirator solution in children with asthma.

Twenty children, aged 8 to 17 years, with bronchial asthma were each given 0.02ml/kg, 0.03ml/kg and 0.04ml/kg terbutaline respirator solution (10mg/ml), one dose at a time on three separate occasions. Terbutaline by nebuliser produced a bronchodilator response within five minutes which reached near peak levels by 15 minutes. There was a wide variation in response. A dose of 0.02ml/kg produce a mean increase in FEV1 of 55 percent and an increase in MMEFR of 121 percent. Doses of 0.03ml/kg and 0.04ml/kg given to the same children resulted in slightly better, but not statistically significant different responses. The effect lasted for four hours, although the MMEFR was falling at this time. The baseline FEV1 did not affect the bronchodilator response. An inhalation of 0.02ml/kg of terbutaline respirator solution (10mg/ml) will produce an adequate bronchodilator response in most children.