Subclinical Hypothyroidism is Not Associated with Femoral Osteoporosis in Individuals Aged 50 Years or Older.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis are conditions strongly associated with aging, and the prevalence of both conditions is expected to increase in the coming decades. Thyroid hormones regulate bone metabolism, and the role of subclinical hypothyroidism on bone mineral density (BMD) is still controversial. Hence, this study aims to assess the association of subclinical hypothyroidism with femoral osteopenia and osteoporosis in individuals aged 50 years or older. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective cohort study was carried out with 864 outpatients having at least one result for TSH levels before the first record of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The primary endpoints were osteopenia (-2.5 standard deviation (SD)

Habitual dietary intake and mediators of the inflammaging process in Brazilian older women.

AIM: This study aimed to assess whether the habitual intake of macronutrients by older women associates with circulating levels of important inflammaging mediators by means of a cross-sectional design with 229 Brazilian elderly women. METHODS: Laboratory tests determined serum IL1α, IL1ß, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12 and TNFα by specific immunoassays. Food records of three alternate days were decomposed into usual intake of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (and fractions), as well as total energy value (TEV) per patient. Moreover, the study has identified and controlled results for metabolic conditions known to influence the inflammatory profile: hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Pearson's correlation test revealed that log10IL8 expressed a positive association with levels of saturated fatty acid (FA) (r = 0.173; p = 0.009) and total cholesterol intake (r = 0.223; p = 0.001). Similar analysis of the other mediators revealed no association with dietary intake. CONCLUSION: Higher intakes of total cholesterol and saturated FA seem to correlate with increased serum IL8 levels, being a possible mechanism by which this pro-atherogenic intake pattern may increase the risk of age-related chronic diseases with important inflammatory contribution.

Serum Immune Mediators Independently Associate with Atherosclerosis in the Left (But Not Right) Carotid Territory of Older Individuals.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Disturbance in the carotid arteries strongly predicts cerebrovascular events and correlates with a systemic inflammatory milieu. We investigated the relationship of a profile of 10 circulating inflammatory mediators with measures of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in elderly subjects, taking traditional risk factors into account. METHODS: Clinical inspection for present and past chronic conditions and events, as well as biochemical and anthropometric measurements, was performed for patients in ambulatory setting. Scores of cIMT were obtained bilaterally in the distal common carotid artery wall. Serum concentrations of cytokines were assessed by bead-based, multiplexed flow cytometry immunoassays. RESULTS: Correlation analysis between log-transformed cytokines levels implicated the mediators interleukin-1ß (IL1ß), IL6, IL8, IL10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) (P ≤ .005) with scores of the left cIMT. Stepwise multivariate regression showed that TNFα, IL1ß, and IL6 levels accounted for most of the variance in the cIMT scores. Comparison of cytokine levels across increasing tertiles of the left cIMT reproduced the positive association with TNFα and IL1ß levels. CONCLUSION: Five out of ten immune mediators independently correlated with cIMT of older subjects in a territory-sensitive manner. This possible contribution of immune mediators to an atherosclerotic process probably relates to the inflammaging process.

Exploring the impact of short daily haemodialysis on muscle strength and bone health in end-stage kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Short-daily haemodialysis (SDH) has been strongly recommended over conventional haemodialysis (CHD) for end-stage kidney disease patients, though few studies have directly compared the effects of these two haemodialysis (HD) modalities on clinical variables related to patient's health. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in individuals undergoing HD, comparing epidemiological, clinical, metabolic, inflammatory, anthropometric, bone health/metabolism, and skeletal muscle function according to dialysis modality. One-hundred seventy-eight patients (20.8% females, 62 ± 2.5 years old), were analysed in this study, 86 (48%) of whom were undergoing CHD versus 92 (51%) who were undergoing SDH. RESULTS: SDH patients had significantly higher serum albumin levels (3.93 vs. 3.66 g/dL, P < 0.0001) and higher Kt/v (2.6 vs. 2.38, P < 0.0001). SDH group presented a significantly lower number of erythropoietin-stimulating agents compared with CHD group (percentage: 53.3 vs. 83.7%, P < 0.0001) and had lower levels of serum phosphate (4.9 vs. 5.3 mg/dL, P = 0.004) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (398.4 vs. 480.4 pg/mL, P < 0.001) compared with CHD patients. In terms of bone health and metabolism, SDH patients had significantly higher total BMD, femur BMD, lumbar BMD, and femoral neck BMD compared with CHD patients (all P < 0.05). SDH patients also had lower anti-osteogenic and inflammatory biomarkers, including FGF23, sclerostin, TNF, IL-18, IL-17a, and C-reactive peptide (all P < 0.05). CHD modality was demonstrated to be a risk factor for low BMD (odds ratio: 4.02; 95% CI: 1.59-10.2, P = 0.003). In terms of skeletal muscle function, SDH patients had significantly higher 6-minute walking test (444.6 vs. 424.9 m, P = 0.04) and higher fat-free mass (52.3 vs. 51.68 kg, P = 0.02) compared with CHD patients. Higher fat-free mass and handgrip strength were associated with a 34% and 23% lower risk of low BMD, respectively. SDH patients had lower levels of the uremic toxin asymmetric dimethyl-l-arginine (ADMA) (1.8 vs. 2.07 µM, P = 0.002) and fasting blood glucose (132.6 vs. 141.7 mg/dL, P < 0.02) than CHD group. SDH patients also displayed higher levels of haemoglobin when compared with CHD group (11.9 vs. 10.2 g/dL, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study improves our understanding of the relationship between dialysis modality and clinical variables that may influence HD patient's health. Grip strength and lean mass were positively correlated with bone mineral density in HD patients regardless of dialysis modality. SDH was associated with better bone mineral density, inflammatory profile, and skeletal muscle function when compared with CHD patients. These findings provide more evidence of the clinical benefits of SDH that should be explored in greater detail.

Impact of different automated peritoneal dialysis modalities on the inflammatory profile of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease, more prevalent in the elderly, is considered a public health issue worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of automated, peritoneal dialysis modalities, intermittent and continuous, on the inflammatory profile of elderly people with chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional and analytical study carried out in a dialysis clinic in Brasília - Brazil, with 74 elderly people aged 60 years or older. The patients underwent rapid Peritoneal Equilibration Test, clinical assessment, blood collection for biochemical and cytokine assessments, interleukin 6 and transforming growth factor beta 1, and answered a quality-of-life questionnaire (KDQOL-SF36). We used a 5% significance level for data analysis, associations and correlations. RESULTS: Patients in the continuous modality had higher serum values of transforming growth factor beta 1 than those in the intermittent modality, which had higher peritoneal transforming growth factor beta 1, age and residual renal function than those in continuous mode. Interleukin 6 dosage in the peritoneum was associated with age, while serum IL-6 was associated with IL-6 in the peritoneum, time on dialysis and age. There was no association between the modality and the presence of diabetes, blood volume or nutritional status. Both modalities enable good adaptation to the dialysis treatment. CONCLUSION: Inflammation in automated peritoneal dialysis is mainly associated with low residual renal function, advanced age and longer time on therapy, and not to the type of dialysis performed.

Holoprosencephaly in Patau Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate radiological (gestational and perinatal) and neonatal signs of patients with Patau syndrome and semilobar holoprosencephaly, as well as to report the association of both pathologies. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report is about a female infant, born at term with trisomy of the chromosome 13 and semilobar holoprosencephaly, with thalamic fusion and a single cerebral ventricle, in addition to several other changes that worsened the patient's prognosis. COMMENTS: Chromosome 13 trisomy is a genetic alteration that leads to the symptoms that determines Patau syndrome. In this syndrome, cardiovascular, urogenital, central nervous system, facial structure and intellectual impairment are common, in addition to problems in limb formation, such as decreased humerus and femur length, polydactyly, hypotelorism and low ear implantation. It is estimated, however, that holoprosencephaly is present in only 24 to 45% of the patients with trisomy 13.

Circulating Interleukin-6 (but Not Other Immune Mediators) Associates with Criteria for Fried's Frailty among Very Old Adults.

METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one very old patients (aged ≥80 years) devoid of cognitive decline were eligible for analyses. Clinical and biochemical data along with physical and cognitive assessments encompassing dual-energy X-ray scans and hand dynamometry were adopted to investigate frailty criteria, while circulating immune mediators (IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα) were assessed using high-throughput flow cytometry. RESULTS: Preliminarily, IL-6 correlated positively with waist-to-hip ratio and C-reactive protein and negatively with glycemia. In analyses controlled for these factors, serum levels of IL-6 were comparatively augmented among the very old participants with reduced grip strength (OR = 3.299; 95% CI 1.08-6.09; p=0.032) and among those with slow walk speed (OR = 2.460; 95% CI 1.16-7.05; p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a strong negative correlation of IL-6 levels with Fried's frailty components of grip strength and walk speed in very old adults, regardless of confounding factors.

Factors associated with above-average cognitive performance in long-lived older adults / Fatores associados ao desempenho cognitivo acima da média em idosos longevos

Abstract Objective To investigate the factors associated with performance equal to or higher than the 95th percentile in the Mini Mental State Examination of elderly people aged 80 years and over. Method This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative research conducted with a convenience sample composed of 101 cognitively healthy older adults residing in Brazil's Federal District, assessed by scales that measure mood, social support, functional performance, and health. Results Bivariate statistical analyses indicated that older individuals with better cognitive performance in the Mini Mental State Examination, when compared to participants with performance below the 95th percentile, showed better self-perceived health, greater satisfaction with the ability to perform daily tasks, and a more positive evaluation of general social support and in the domain of having someone to talk to when feeling lonely. Conclusion High global cognitive performance in old age is associated with perceived health, satisfaction with functional performance, and social support.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar os fatores associados ao desempenho igual ou superior ao percentil 95 no Miniexame de Estado Mental de pessoas idosas com 80 anos e mais. Método Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal, descritiva e quantitativa, conduzida com uma amostra de conveniência composta por 101 idosos cognitivamente saudáveis, residentes no Distrito Federal e avaliados por escalas de humor, suporte social, desempenho funcional e saúde. Resultados Análises estatísticas bivariadas indicaram que os longevos com melhor desempenho cognitivo no Miniexame de Estado Mental, quando comparados aos participantes com desempenho abaixo ao percentil 95, apresentaram melhor autopercepção de saúde, maior satisfação com a capacidade de resolução de tarefas cotidianas, avaliação mais positiva do suporte social geral e relacionado ao domínio de ter com quem conversar quando se sente sozinho. Conclusão O elevado desempenho cognitivo global na velhice se associa à saúde percebida, à satisfação em relação ao desempenho funcional e ao suporte social.

A common polymorphism in the renin angiotensin system is associated with differential outcome of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy prescribed to Brazilian older women.

BACKGROUND: Since variations on the renin angiotensin (RA) system tend to exert effects on blood pressure, we investigated the association of the common ACE and AT1R polymorphisms with response to a multivariate pharmacotherapy. METHODS: This prospective study involved 169 hypertensive, community-dwelling older women. Genotypes were obtained by length analysis or direct sequencing of PCR products. Blood pressure-lowering pharmacotherapy was conducted according to current Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies were in agreement to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Interventions were found to represent actual hypertension-management practices in Brazil, and accounted for a significant reduction in both systolic (P<0.001) and diastolic (P<0.001) blood pressure. Concerning the effect of polymorphisms, no influence of the ACE and AT1R genotypes were found on the magnitude of the treatment-induced blood pressure reduction (P>0.05). Nonetheless, the clinical result varied according to the ACE alleles since mean systolic pressure was roughly 10 mm Hg higher in insertion (I) homozygotes than in the deletion (D) counterparts either in baseline (P=0.001) and endpoint (P=0.010). CONCLUSION: The outcome of the antihypertensive pharmacotherapy advocated by national guidelines was significantly influenced by the ACE I/D polymorphism but not by the AT1R 1166 A/C polymorphism among postmenopausal women.

The rs4430796 SNP of the HNF1ß gene associates with type 2 diabetes in older adults.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus raises interest in understanding its evolutionary-genetic basis, to unveil yet unknown pathways that may have immediate medical relevance. The HNF1ß gene (hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 beta) is a transcription factor expressed in tissues such as liver, kidney, genital tract and pancreas that is known to be essential for insulin secretion and glucose balance. We tested the association of allelic variants produced by the HNF1ß gene (rs4430796) variation with the clinical and biochemical profile of elderly Brazilian outpatients with metabolic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anthropometry, blood pressure, glycaemia, lipemia and other parameters were assessed in 184 Brazilians aged 60 or older in clinical care settings. Alleles were determined by amplification of the polymorphic site by real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Analysing variables across the genotypes, a statistically significant difference was noticed in the allele frequencies among diabetic patients, with 30.8% of the A homozygous bearing the condition compared to a prevalence of 12.2% between G homozygotes. CONCLUSION: Our results corroborate the possible protective property of the GG genotype from the rs4430796 variation (already presented in the literature) against occurrence of diabetes mellitus, which appears applicable to elderly individuals as well, even in the context of multiple metabolic disorders so typical in older Brazilians.

Interplay between circulating nitric oxide and interleukin-17 in elderly outpatients with non-inflammatory conditions.

Nitric oxide (NOx) availability in biological systems is associated with either favorable or unfavorable outcomes. In this sense, several studies bring about evidence that unbalanced NOx production may be underlying to the pathophysiology of vascular disorders. Our study investigated the possible association of clinical, biochemical and inflammatory variables with total circulating levels of NOx in elderly patients devoid of major inflammatory conditions. Clinical (demographics, lifestyle, anthropometry, pressoric traits) and biochemical characteristics (lipemic, glycemic and hormonal profiles) were assessed from 168 geriatrics outpatients eligible for primary care for age-related disorders. Furthermore, circulating levels of 10 inflammatory mediators and of NOx were measured. Correlation tests analyzed categorical or continuous traits according to serum NOx and found no association between NOx and any of the clinical or laboratory data but a negative correlation between plasma NOx concentrations and levels of the immune mediator IL17a (r = -0.236; P = 0.004). Evidence for a correlation between circulating NOx and IL17 is already present in the literature, mostly from studies conducted under inflammatory conditions. Our hypothesis is that such negative correlation can be attributed to an endogenous homeostatic system that IL17 production by the constitutively produced NOx from the vascular endothelium.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Gene Polymorphism Associated with Ultrasound-Assessed Carotid Thickness among Older Adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Due to the high incidence of vascular diseases, it is necessary to identify new circulating or structural markers for predicting risk for chronic diseases. Some studies suggest that MMP1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the enzyme expression levels in situ (e.g., in atherosclerotic plaques). OBJECTIVES: Thus, the study of this polymorphism may help understanding the pathophysiology of coronary disease. METHODS: We performed cross-sectional clinical and laboratory evaluations (including measurement of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries) and genotyping of the MMP1 SNP rs495366 (A/G) in 366 elderly people. RESULTS: No significant differences between genotypes were noted for biochemical, metabolic, inflammatory, or clinical variables except for a significant difference in intima-media thickness for the left carotid artery and a trend toward significance for the right counterpart. CONCLUSION: Carriers of the allele associated with lower MMP1 expression (allele A) presented greater carotid thickness. We suggest that the phenomenon can be explained by impaired remodeling of the arterial wall (poor degradation of collagen fibers in this scenario), yielding carotid wall thickening and a greater intrinsic risk for cerebrovascular events.

Holoprosencephaly in Patau Syndrome / Holoprosencefalia na Síndrome de Patau

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate radiological (gestational and perinatal) and neonatal signs of patients with Patau syndrome and semilobar holoprosencephaly, as well as to report the association of both pathologies. Case description: This case report is about a female infant, born at term with trisomy of the chromosome 13 and semilobar holoprosencephaly, with thalamic fusion and a single cerebral ventricle, in addition to several other changes that worsened the patient's prognosis. Comments: Chromosome 13 trisomy is a genetic alteration that leads to the symptoms that determines Patau syndrome. In this syndrome, cardiovascular, urogenital, central nervous system, facial structure and intellectual impairment are common, in addition to problems in limb formation, such as decreased humerus and femur length, polydactyly, hypotelorism and low ear implantation. It is estimated, however, that holoprosencephaly is present in only 24 to 45% of the patients with trisomy 13.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar sinais radiológicos (gestacionais e perinatais) e neonatais de paciente com síndrome de Patau e holoprosencefalia semilobar, assim como relatar a associação de ambas as patologias. Descrição do caso: Trata-se de um relato de recém-nascido do sexo feminino a termo, que apresentou trissomia do cromossomo 13 e holoprosencefalia semilobar, com fusão talâmica e ventrículo cerebral único, além de várias outras alterações que pioraram o prognóstico da paciente. Comentários: A trissomia do cromossomo 13 é um defeito genético que caracteriza um conjunto de sintomas que compõem a Síndrome de Patau. Nesta síndrome, é comum o acometimento cardiovascular, urogenital, do sistema nervoso central, da estrutura facial e da capacidade intelectual, além de falhas na formação dos membros, como diminuição no comprimento do úmero, fêmur, polidactilia, hipotelorismo e baixa implantação das orelhas. Estima-se, no entanto, que a holoprosencefalia apresente-se nesse grupo de malformações congênitas apenas em 24 a 45% dos casos.

Impact of different automated peritoneal dialysis modalities on the inflammatory profile of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease / Impacto das diferentes modalidades de diálise peritoneal automatizada sobre o perfil inflamatório de idosos portadores de doença renal crônica

Abstract Introduction: Chronic kidney disease, more prevalent in the elderly, is considered a public health issue worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the impact of automated, peritoneal dialysis modalities, intermittent and continuous, on the inflammatory profile of elderly people with chronic kidney disease. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional and analytical study carried out in a dialysis clinic in Brasília - Brazil, with 74 elderly people aged 60 years or older. The patients underwent rapid Peritoneal Equilibration Test, clinical assessment, blood collection for biochemical and cytokine assessments, interleukin 6 and transforming growth factor beta 1, and answered a quality-of-life questionnaire (KDQOL-SF36). We used a 5% significance level for data analysis, associations and correlations. Results: Patients in the continuous modality had higher serum values of transforming growth factor beta 1 than those in the intermittent modality, which had higher peritoneal transforming growth factor beta 1, age and residual renal function than those in continuous mode. Interleukin 6 dosage in the peritoneum was associated with age, while serum IL-6 was associated with IL-6 in the peritoneum, time on dialysis and age. There was no association between the modality and the presence of diabetes, blood volume or nutritional status. Both modalities enable good adaptation to the dialysis treatment. Conclusion: Inflammation in automated peritoneal dialysis is mainly associated with low residual renal function, advanced age and longer time on therapy, and not to the type of dialysis performed.

Resumo Introdução: A doença renal crônica, mais prevalente em idosos, é considerada um problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto das modalidades de diálise peritoneal automatizada, intermitente e contínua, no perfil inflamatório de idosos renais crônicos. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal e analítico realizado em uma clínica de diálise em Brasília, com 74 idosos com idade igual ou maior que 60 anos. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao Teste de Equilíbrio Peritoneal rápido, avaliação clínica, coleta de sangue para avaliações bioquímicas e de citocinas, interleucina 6 e fator de crescimento transformador beta 1, e questionário de qualidade de vida (KDQOL-SF36). Foram utilizadas para análise dos dados, associações e correlações com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Pacientes na modalidade contínua apresentaram valores séricos do fator de crescimento transformador beta 1 maiores do que os em modalidade intermitente. Estes apresentaram fator de crescimento transformador beta 1 no peritônio, idade e função renal residual maiores do que os em modalidade contínua. A dosagem da interleucina 6 no peritônio foi associada à idade, enquanto a IL-6 sérica foi associada à IL-6 no peritônio, ao tempo em diálise e à idade. Não houve associação entre a modalidade e a presença de diabetes, volemia ou estado nutricional. Ambas as modalidades permitem boa adequação à terapia dialítica. Conclusão: A inflamação na diálise peritoneal automatizada está associada principalmente à baixa função renal residual, à idade avançada e ao maior tempo em terapia, e não à modalidade de diálise realizada.

[Prevalence of depression among the elderly population who frequent community centers]. / Prevalência de depressão em idosos que freqüentam centros de convivência.

The objective of the study was to establish the prevalence rate of depression among the elderly population (those 60 and older) who frequent community centers. From February to July of 2001, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with elderly people from community centers in Taguatinga, Brasilia, FD (Federal District). The sample included 118 elderly people, distributed in five-year age brackets, who responded to a simplified version of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale with 15 questions. Anova and the Tukey test were performed to analyze differences between the age groups with 95% confidence intervals. The sample was predominantly female (90%) with the majority reporting being in the age bracket of 60 to 64 years old (31%). Depression was reported by 36 respondents (31%) and severe depression was reported by 4% of those interviewed, all of whom were in the age bracket of 60 to 64 (representing 14% of this group). National programs should be developed in community centers focused on decreasing depression among the elderly population.

A arte no ensino da gerontologia: o envelhecimento na visão dos pintores renascentistas / Art in the teaching of gerontology: aging in view of renaissance painters

Ao usar a arte no ensino da gerontologia, foram pesquisadas obras de pintores renascentistas que abordassem a temática velhice e envelhecimento. Utilizou-se o enfoque qualitativo descritivo, realizando-se busca nas bases de dados Europeana, Britannica Academic, Scholarpedia, Yale Arts database, Web Gallery of Art e Art Source ­ Ebsco, e em livros de texto sobre arte. Foram utilizados os seguintes termos na pesquisa em português, francês e inglês: as três idades; as três idades na arte; as idades da vida; as idades na pintura; as idades do homem na pintura; a arte da velhice; alegoria do tempo; velhos na pintura renascentista; velhice na pintura renascentista. Encontraram-se cinco obras que destacavam os contrastes de beleza entre corpos jovens e idosos: A Velha (1505), de Giorgione; As Três Idades do Homem (1512), de Ticiano; As Três Idades do Homem (1515), de Dosso Dossi; Três Idades da Mulher e a Morte (1510) e As idades e a morte (1539), de Hans Baldung Grien. Estas figuras, em alguns casos, eram realçadas por pinceladas que tornaram mais evidente a diferença entre as idades do ser humano. Os pintores renascentistas reproduziam em suas obras a visão de que o envelhecimento era o último estágio da vida humana, portanto, época de decadência física e, muitas vezes, de solidão.(AU)

The present article researched works of Renaissance painters that approached the thematic of old age and aging. A qualitative descriptive approach was used, searching the databases Europeana, Britannica Academic, Scholarpedia, Yale Arts database, Web Gallery of Art and Art Source ­ Ebsco, as well as art textbooks. The following terms were used to search in the Portuguese, French and English languages: the three ages; the three ages in art; the ages of life; the ages in painting; the ages of man in painting; the art of old age; allegory of time; the older person in Renaissance painting; old age in Renaissance painting. There were five works that emphasized the contrasts of beauty between young and old bodies: The Old Woman (1505), by Giorgione; The Three Ages of Man (1512), by Titian; The Three Ages of Man (1515), by Dosso Dossi; Three Ages of the Woman and the Death (1510), and The Ages and the Death (1539), by Hans Baldung Grien. These figures, in some cases, were highlighted by brushstrokes that made the difference between the ages of the human being more evident. Renaissance painters reproduced in their works the view that aging was the last stage of human life, therefore, a time of physical decay and, often, loneliness. It was conclude that one way of teaching gerontology is by using art, when the gaze is not only observer, but see beyond, understanding what they are seeing.(AU)

Análise do filme iris sob o olhar da enfermagem gerontológica / Analysis of the iris film from the perspective of gerontological nursing

Objetivo: realizar uma análise do filme "Iris", buscando destacar e apresentar, à luz da Enfermagem Gerontológica, temas relevantes ao cuidado do idoso diagnosticado com demência do tipo Alzheimer. Método: análise fílmica que buscará apresentar as articulações imagéticas que formam os produtos artísticos audiovisuais, dotando-os de significados, buscando explicar cenas, esclarecer pontos e propor a sua interpretação. Resultados: a análise desse filme de drama--romance mostrou o papel importante que John Bayley teve enquanto cuidador de Iris, estimulando-a e, consequentemente, fortalecendo-a na busca por promoção de saúde e qualidade de vida. Conclusão: a reflexão sob o olhar da Enfermagem Gerontológica surge também no contexto dos idosos fragilizados ou doentes, sendo uma importante opção de suporte à família cuidadora, auxiliando em esforços conjuntos na busca e na conquista de políticas e programas queviabilizem uma assistência condigna, em quaisquer condições e circunstâncias e à conservação da sua dignidade na vida social.(AU)

Objective: to carry out an analysis of the film "Iris", seeking to highlight and present, in the light of gerontological nursing, relevant themes for the care of the elderly diagnosed with alzheimer's type dementia. Method: film analysis, which will seek to present the image articu-lations that form audiovisual artistic products, endowing them with meanings, seeking to explain scenes, clarify points and propose their interpretation. Results: the analysis of this drama-romance film showed the important role that John Bayley played as Iris's caregiver, stimulating and, consequently, strengthening her in the search for health promotion and quality of life. Conclusion: reflection from the perspective of gerontological nursing also arises in the context of frail or sick elderly people, being an important option to support the family caregiver, assisting in joint efforts in the search for and conquest ofpolicies and programs that enable decent care, in conditions and circumstances and the preservation of their dignity in social life.(AU)

Associação entre eventos estressores e citocinas inflamatórias e anti-inflamatórias em pessoas idosas longevas / Association between stressor events and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in long-lived older people

Resumo Objetivo investigar a associação entre a frequência de eventos estressores e citocinas em pessoas idosas longevas. Métodos os participantes responderam a um questionário constituído de variáveis sociodemográficas, indicaram quais eventos estressores constantes no Inventário de Eventos Estressores de vida ocorreram nos últimos cinco anos e responderam a escala de depressão geriátrica (GDS). Foram dosados por citometria de fluxo: interleucina (IL) 10, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2, fator de necrose tumoral (TNF-α) e interferon gama (IFN-γ). A análise descritiva foi realizada para a caracterização da amostra. Para investigar a associação entre as variáveis foi desenvolvido um modelo de regressão linear múltipla, utilizando o método Backward. Resultados Participaram da pesquisa 91 pessoas idosas com média de idade de 82 anos. Mais da metade da amostra relatou morte de ente querido como o evento estressor mais prevalente (61%). Nessa amostra foi possível perceber que quanto mais eventos estressores foram relatados, menor o nível de IL-4 (p=0,046), da mesma forma que o estado civil viuvez, onde os dados mostraram que quem é viúvo tem menos eventos estressores em comparação a quem é casado (p=0,037). Conclusão Evidenciou-se a importância de um olhar mais cuidadoso dos profissionais de saúde na avaliação multidimensional da pessoa idosa, de forma que se obtenham subsídios para a implementação de programas e intervenções específicos que possam amenizar a percepção dos eventos estressores vivenciados, colaborando com menores danos decorrentes da imunossenescência.

Abstract Objective To investigate the association between the frequency of stressor events and cytokines in long-lived older people. Methods The participants answered a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables, indicated which stressor events included in the Stressor Life Events Inventory occurred in the last five years and answered the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The following were measured by flow cytometry: interleukin (IL) 10, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). We carried out a descriptive statistical analysis in order to characterize the sample. To investigate the association between the variables, a multiple linear regression model was developed, using the Backward method. Results 91 older people with an age average of 82 years participated in the research. More than half of the sample reported the death of a loved one as the most prevalent stressor event (61%). In this sample, it was possible to notice that the more stressor events were reported, the lower the level of IL-4 (p=0.046), as well as the marital status of widowhood, where data showed that those who are widowed have fewer stressor events in comparison to who is married (p=0.037). Conclusion The importance of a more careful look by health professionals in older people multidimensional assessment was evidenced, so that subsidies are obtained for the implementation of specific programs and interventions that can ease the perception of the stressor events experienced, collaborating with less resulting damage of immunosenescence.

O envelhecer na sétima arte: o capitão américa e seus retratos biopsicossociais / Aging in the seventh art: captain america and his biopsychosocial portraits

Este artigo propõe uma análise das representações sociais da velhice, do lazer e dos aspectos biopsicossociais relacionados ao processo de envelhecimento, tendo como base as idades cronológica, biológica, psicológica e social do indivíduo, a partir da trajetória do Capitão América - personagem de histórias em quadrinho criado nos anos 1940. Os resultados desta pesquisa apontam que as temáticas relativas à longevidade necessitam de rearranjos de ideias e de valores, no sentido de assegurar um envelhecimento ativo e socialmente inserido, tendo o entretenimento e as produções cinematográficas um potencial para auxiliar nesse movimento.

This article proposes an analysis of the social representations of old age, leisure, entertainment and biopsychosocial aspects related to the aging process, based on the individual's chronological, biological, psychological and social ages, based on the trajectory of Captain America - character of comic books created in the 1940s. The results of this research show that the themes related to old age need rearrangements of ideas and values, in order to ensure an active and socially inserted aging, with leisure and film productions a potential for assist in this movement.

Serum Klotho (but not haplotypes) associate with the post-myocardial infarction status of older adults.

OBJECTIVES:: The number of deaths from vascular diseases is incredibly high worldwide, and reliable markers for major events are still needed. The current cross-sectional study investigated the association of Klotho haplotypes and Klotho serum levels with classic risk factors and a clinical history of vascular events. METHODS:: Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional assessments were conducted with 168 older adults, complemented by genotyping (rs9536314 and rs9527025) and the detection of serum Klotho (ELISA). RESULTS:: Klotho levels and haplotypes did not associate with most classic risk factors for vascular events, including markers such as C-reactive protein and homocysteine. A positive association was only found between Klotho levels and the previous occurrence of a myocardial infarction by both correlational (p=0.006) and variance analyses (p<0.001), and these associations were independent of the context. CONCLUSION:: Our results suggest that serum Klotho is higher in individuals with a clinical history of myocardial infarction but not with a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. None of the Klotho haplotypes were associated with the variables investigated herein.