Low molecular weight polysaccharide of Tremella fuciformis exhibits stronger antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities than high molecular weight polysaccharide.

Low molecular weight polysaccharides had higher bio-activity and bioavailability compared to ultra-high molecular weight polysaccharides, this study aimed to obtain low molecular weight polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis (TFLP) by using high-temperature and high-pressure assisted hydrochloric acid method to degrade Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFP), and the structural characteristics, in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities of TFP and TFLP was explored through Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mice model. It was found that TFP and TFLP were acidic polysaccharides with molecular weights of 2238 kDa and 3 kDa, respectively. The glycosidic bonding of TFP and TFLP was mainly composed of different configurations of mannopyranose. TFP and TFLP had excellent in vivo antioxidant activity and stress resistance by regulating the mRNA transcription level and metabolites in C. elegans. Results also showed that TFP and TFLP could enhance the antioxidant capacity and immunity of serum, spleen and small intestine tissues in normal mice and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice through regulating the relative transcription and expression levels of anti-inflammatory related signaling factors, and it has found that TFLP showed better immune enhancement and antioxidant activity than TFP. In addition, Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Alloprevotella were characteristic bacteria at the genus level in immunosuppressed mice intervened with TFLP, with a significant increase in relative abundance. The content of SCFAs significantly increased in immunosuppressed mice by TFLP. These results indicated that TFP and TFLP had potential in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities.

Anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of mannoprotein-rich yeast cell wall enzymatic hydrolysate by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In this study, antioxidant and anti-aging studies were carried out by mannoprotein-rich yeast cell wall enzymatic hydrolysate (MYH) obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of yeast cell wall through the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. It was found that MYH could improve the lifespan and anti-stress ability of C. elegans by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as T-SOD, GSH-PX and CAT, and reducing the levels of MDA, ROS and apoptosis. At the same time, through the verification expression of corresponding mRNA, it was found that MYH exerted antioxidant and anti-aging activities by up-regulating the translation of MTL-1, DAF-16, SKN-1 and SOD-3 mRNA, and down-regulating the translation of AGE-1 and DAF-2 mRNA. In addition, it was found that MYH could improve the composition and distribution of the gut microbiota of C. elegans, and significantly improve the level of metabolites through the sequencing of gut microbiota and untargeted metabolomic studies. It has contributed to studying the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of microorganisms such as yeast through the level of gut microbiota and metabolites and the development of related functional foods.

Behavioral Model of Middle-Aged and Seniors for Bicycle Tourism.

This research centers on the behavioral tendency of the middle-aged and seniors in bicycle tourism at environmentally protected scenic areas and its relevant influence factors. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is adopted as the basis of this study. The middle-aged and seniors are the subjects of this research. A questionnaire survey is conducted at environmentally protected national scenic areas in Taiwan. A total of 230 samples are drawn with a random sampling method, and 210 are valid. The findings indicate two things. First, when applying the TPB to different fields of the study, the level of predictability may vary. Another finding is that subjective norm shows a higher level of susceptibility to sport habit and predictability to behavioral intention than the other two constructs. With an empirical analysis, the study is able to provide middle-aged and senior participants and sport administration authorities with relevant suggestions for reference at the end of this paper.

Predictors of retention among African American and Hispanic older adult research participants in the Well Elderly 2 randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to document predictors of long-term retention among minority participants in the Well Elderly 2 Study, a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle intervention for community-dwelling older adults. The primary sample included 149 African American and 92 Hispanic men and women aged 60 to 95 years, recruited at senior activity centers and senior residences. Chi-square and logistic regression procedures were undertaken to examine study-based, psychosocial and health-related predictors of retention at 18 months following study entry. For both African Americans and Hispanics, intervention adherence was the strongest predictor. Retention was also related to high active coping and average (vs. high or low) levels of activity participation among African Americans and high social network strength among Hispanics. The results suggest that improved knowledge of the predictors of retention among minority elders can spawn new retention strategies that can be applied at individual, subgroup, and sample-wide levels.

Population and high-risk group screening for glaucoma: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of various screening tests, both individually and in combination, to detect glaucoma in the general Latino population and high-risk subgroups. METHODS: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study is a population-based study of eye disease in Latinos 40 years of age and older. Participants (n = 6082) underwent Humphrey visual field testing (HVF), frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT), and independent assessment of optic nerve vertical cup disc (C/D) ratio. Screening parameters were evaluated for three definitions of glaucoma based on optic disc, visual field, and a combination of both. Analyses were also conducted for high-risk subgroups (family history of glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, and age ≥65 years). Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for those continuous parameters independently associated with glaucoma. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to develop a multivariate algorithm for glaucoma screening. RESULTS: Preset cutoffs for screening parameters yielded a generally poor balance of sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity/specificity for IOP ≥21 mm Hg and C/D ≥0.8 was 0.24/0.97 and 0.60/0.98, respectively). Assessment of high-risk subgroups did not improve the sensitivity/specificity of individual screening parameters. A CART analysis using multiple screening parameters-C/D, HVF, and IOP-substantially improved the balance of sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity/specificity 0.92/0.92). CONCLUSIONS: No single screening parameter is useful for glaucoma screening. However, a combination of vertical C/D ratio, HVF, and IOP provides the best balance of sensitivity/specificity and is likely to provide the highest yield in glaucoma screening programs.

Four-year incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To estimate 4-year incidence and progression of early and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. METHODS: A comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including stereoscopic fundus photography was performed on adult Latinos at baseline and follow-up. Photographs were graded using a modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. For estimations of incidence and progression of AMD, the Age Related Eye Disease Study Scale was used. Main outcome measures are incidence and progression of early AMD (drusen type, drusen size, and retinal pigmentary abnormalities) and advanced AMD (exudative AMD and geographic atrophy). RESULTS: A total of 4658 of 6100 subjects (76%) completed the follow-up examination. The 4-year incidence of early AMD was 7.5% (95% CI: 6.7, 8.4) and advanced AMD was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1, 0.4). Progression of any AMD occurred in 9.2% (95% CI: 8.3, 10.1) of at-risk participants. Incidence and progression increased with age. Incidence of early AMD in the second eye (11.2%) was higher than incidence in the first eye (6.9%). Baseline presence of soft indistinct large drusen >or=250 microm in diameter was more likely to predict the 4-year incidence of pigmentary abnormalities, geographic atrophy, and exudative AMD than smaller or hard or soft distinct drusen. CONCLUSIONS: Age-specific incidence and progression of AMD in Latinos are lower than in non-Hispanic whites. While incident early AMD is more often unilateral, the risk of its development in the second is higher than in the first eye. Older people and those with soft indistinct large drusen had a higher risk of developing advanced AMD compared to those who were younger and did not have soft indistinct large drusen.

Intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and prevalence of open-angle glaucoma: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and intraocular pressure (IOP) and the impact of central corneal thickness (CCT) on this relationship. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 5,970 participants from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) with no history of glaucoma treatment and with complete ophthalmic examination data. The relationship between the prevalence of OAG and IOP was contrasted across persons with CCT designated as thin, normal, or thick. RESULTS: Prevalence of OAG was exponentially related to IOP. When stratified by CCT, persons with thin CCT had a significantly higher prevalence of OAG than did those with normal or thick CCTs at all levels of IOP. Adjusting each IOP individually for CCT did not impact significantly the relationship between the prevalence of OAG and IOP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that adjusting for the impact of CCT on IOP by correction algorithms is not necessary in a population based assessment of glaucoma prevalence; CCT, however, is an important independent risk factor for the prevalence of OAG.

Retinopathy in persons without diabetes: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of retinopathy and its relationship to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in a population-based cohort of adult Latinos without diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study comprising 6357 Latinos, 40 years of age and older, from six census tracts in La Puente, Los Angeles, California. An interviewer-administered questionnaire assessed sociodemographic factors and medical history. Color fundus photographs were taken and graded in a masked manner according to a modified Airlie House Classification Grading System. Participants underwent a physical examination that included height, weight, blood pressure, random serum glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin measurements. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and retinopathy in persons without diabetes. RESULTS: The prevalence of retinopathy among individuals without diabetes in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) population was 6.6% (95% confidence interval 5.9%-7.4%). Stepwise logistic regression indicated that stage II hypertension (World Health Organization 2003 Guidelines), male gender, current smoking status, and obesity (body mass index >or= 30 kg/m(2)) were associated with retinopathy (odds ratio = 4.3, 1.6, 1.4, and 1.3, respectively). No statistically significant associations with retinopathy were present for Native American ancestry; country of origin; health insurance status; history of cardiovascular disease; or history of aspirin, oral contraceptive, or hormone replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the prevalence of retinopathy in nondiabetic individuals among Latinos of primarily Mexican ancestry is significant. Independent risk indicators for retinopathy in the study population are hypertension, male gender, current smoking status, and obesity.

Effects of corneal thickness, corneal curvature, and intraocular pressure level on Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometry.

PURPOSE: To compare the measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature, and level of IOP on these methods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: From the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study, 2157 participants of primarily Mexican ancestry. METHODS: Average GAT measurements were compared to DCT, and both were examined with respect to CCT (< or =500, 501-550, 551-600, >600 microns), corneal curvature (<42, 42-46, >46 diopters), and level of IOP (0-10, 11-20, >20 mmHg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean GAT and DCT IOP levels were compared for the entire population, and then trends for the CCT, curvature, and IOP groupings were analyzed. The magnitude of the difference of GAT minus DCT was compared for these different strata, with special attention to a difference of +/- 3 mmHg or greater, which was defined as clinically significant. RESULTS: Mean IOP for the entire population by GAT was significantly lower (14.4+/-3.2 mmHg) compared with DCT (16.0+/-3.6; P<0.0001). Both GAT and DCT IOP levels were lowest for thin CCT and increased stepwise with increasing CCT, but this difference was more pronounced with GAT than DCT (P<0.0001 and P = 0.0012, respectively). The difference between GAT and DCT was largest for thin CCT and decreased for thicker CCT (P<0.0001). After adjusting for CCT, the corneal curvature affected IOP measured by DCT (P = 0.02) but not GAT (P = 0.3) such that mean DCT IOP increased with increasing corneal curvature. After adjusting for the CCT effect on IOP and stratifying by DCT IOP groups, the greatest difference between GAT and DCT was seen in the lowest IOP group (3.55+/-3.1), became negative in the intermediate group (-1.86+/-2.60), and was most negative in the highest IOP group (-3.88+/-3.3; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular pressure measured by GAT was consistently lower when compared with DCT, and this difference was greatest with thinner CCT. Dynamic contour tonometry was also less affected by variations in CCT. Corneal curvature affected IOP measurements with DCT but not GAT, but this effect was less than the CCT effect on GAT. Goldmann applanation tonometry tended to underestimate IOP at higher levels and overestimate it at lower IOP levels when compared to DCT.

Highly purified 1000-cSt silicone oil for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipoatrophy: an open pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Among human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals, facial lipoatrophy has become epidemic. Those affected are stigmatized, leading to psychological distress, social and career impediments, and impaired compliance to human immunodeficiency virus medications. Temporary treatment options are limited by excessive cost, necessity of frequent treatments, and lack of a natural look or feel beneath the skin. Affected patients require more persistent, affordable, safe, and effective treatment options. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of highly purified 1000-cSt silicone oil injected by microdroplet serial puncture technique for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated lipoatrophy. METHODS: Data on 77 patients with a complete correction were analyzed to determine the number of treatments, amount of silicone, and time required to reach complete correction, relative to initial severity. RESULTS: The volume of silicone, number of treatments, and time required to reach a complete correction were directly related to initial severity of lipoatrophy (p < 0.0001). Supple, even facial contours were routinely restored, with all patients tolerating treatments well. No adverse events were noted. CONCLUSION: In this pilot trial, we have demonstrated that highly purified 1000-cSt silicone oil is a safe and effective treatment option for human immunodeficiency virus facial lipoatrophy. Longer-term safety and efficacy in human immunodeficiency virus patients remain to be proven.