Differences in cough strength, respiratory function, and physical performance in older adults with and without low swallowing function in the repetitive saliva swallowing test.

[Purpose] In older adults, the risk of aspiration pneumonia increases because of coexisting factors such as age-related decline in swallowing function, inefficient cough, reduced respiratory function, and poor physical performance. This study aimed to investigate the differences in cough strength, respiratory function, and physical performance in community-dwelling ambulatory older adults with and without low swallowing function. [Participants and Methods] In 225 community-dwelling ambulatory older adults, swallowing function (the repetitive saliva swallowing test, RSST), cough strength (peak cough flow), lung function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity), respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures), and physical performance (30-second chair stand test and Timed Up and Go test) were evaluated. Participants with low swallowing function in RSST (low RSST group) were compared to age- and sex-matched participants without low swallowing function (control group). [Results] Peak cough flow and maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures were significantly lower in the low RSST group (n=14) than the control group (n=14). [Conclusion] These preliminary results suggest that community-dwelling ambulatory older adults with low swallowing function in RSST might have lower cough and respiratory muscle strength, even if they have relatively preserved lung function and physical performance.

A path analysis of the interdependent relationships between life space assessment scores and relevant factors in an elderly Japanese community.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect effects of factors influencing the risk of life space assessment using path analysis. [Participants and Methods] A sample of 212 elderly residents (at least 65 years old) with no clear indications of cognitive dysfunction, visual impairment, and physical dysfunction were recruited for the study. Data on these factors were collected from the participants at a community gathering using measures of life space assessment, skeletal muscle mass, lower extremity muscle strength, mobility, cognitive function, and fear of falling. Correlational and path analyses were used to investigate the relationships between these variables. [Results] The final path model satisfied the requisite statistical criteria, and subsequently, the relationships between the physiological and psychological factors associated with life space assessment were structured and represented visually. Age, skeletal muscle mass, fear of falling, and mobility had a direct effect on life space assessment, whereas lower extremity muscle strength and cognitive function affected it indirectly. [Conclusion] In this study, direct and indirect effects of physiological and psychological factors related to risk of life space assessment of the elderly were clarified using path analysis.

Factors influencing executive function by physical activity level among young adults: a near-infrared spectroscopy study.

[Purpose] Prevention of dementia requires early intervention against it. To ensure that early interventions are effective it is crucial to study the cognitive functions related to dementia in young adulthood. Moreover, it is needed not only to verify the cognitive function test but also to elucidate the actual brain activity and the influence of related factors on the brain activity. To investigate the factors influencing cognitive function among young adults and examine the differences in executive function by physical activity level. [Subjects and Methods] Forty healthy university students (mean age, 20.4 years) were classified into two groups by cognitive function score (HIGH and LOW), determined according to Trail Making Test performance and Stroop task processing time. We then assessed what factors were related to cognitive function by logistic regression analysis. Executive function was determined by brain blood flow using near-infrared spectroscopy during the Stroop task, and was then compared by physical activity levels (determined according to number of steps per hour). [Results] Full-scale Intelligence Quotient according to the 3rd Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale and number of steps per hour influenced cognitive function score, with odds ratios of 1.104 and 1.012, respectively. Oxy-hemoglobin concentrations in areas related to executive function during the Stroop task were significantly higher among those in the high physical activity group than among those in the low physical activity group. [Conclusion] The study revealed that Full-scale Intelligence Quotient and a number of steps per hour are factors associated with the cognitive functions in young adulthood. In addition, activity in execution function related area was found to be significantly higher in the high physical activity group than in the low physical activity group, suggesting the importance of physical activity for enhancing young adulthood cognitive functions.

Free oxygen radicals are generated at the time of aspiration of oocytes from ovaries that have been stored for a long time.

In ischaemic tissues, reperfusion induces acute injury and functional changes. In this work, ovaries were stored for various times, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and dimethylthiourea (DTMU) were used at the time of oocyte aspiration. We then attempted to determine whether free oxygen radicals are generated at oocyte aspiration and whether they impair the developmental competence of oocytes. Over 2 mM of DMTU and 1000 U/ml of SOD significantly improved the rate of blastulation 8 days after insemination. For ovaries that were preserved for 3 and 7 h, using antioxidants also significantly improved the rate of blastulation 8 days after insemination. However, no effect was observed on oocytes from ovaries preserved for 1 h. We examined how the antioxidants affected the presence of germinal vesicles, chromatin configuration, and polar body extrusion 6 or 21 h after culture. Chromatin configuration was classified into three groups according to the amount of chromatin condensation (group 1, strong condensation; group 2, moderate; group 3, slight). Storing ovaries for a long time decreased the frequency of occurrence of group 2, but increased groups 1 and 3. However, using antioxidants at oocyte aspiration decreased the frequency of group 3 and increased group 1. Moreover, there was no difference in the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown and polar body extrusion. Our results show that preserving ovaries for a long time induces the generation of free oxygen radicals and that these chemicals impair oocyte viability. Using antioxidants at oocyte aspiration was beneficial for embryo production.