Productive aging

This study aimed to identify the status, determining factors, and challenges in adopting climate smart livestock production practices by farmers. Three-staged sampling techniques were used to select the research sites and 233 sample farmer household respondents. Data were collected mainly using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also conducted to complement the household survey data. Descriptive statistics and an ordered logistic regression model were applied to analyze the quantitative data...

Biologic treatments can alleviate severe asthma symptoms and reduce health service use. However, service capacity limits and low referral rates from primary care indicate unmet patient need. We report a mixed-methods evaluation of an enhanced severe asthma pathway implemented in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, UK which aimed to optimise primary care referrals through training/education, and increased capacity in specialist clinics. Quantitative analysis assessed patient wait times between pathway stages, prescribing changes, exacerbations, hospital admissions and asthma control...

Only ~20% of heavy drinkers develop alcohol cirrhosis (AC). While differences in metabolism, inflammation, signaling, microbiome signatures and genetic variations have been tied to the pathogenesis of AC, the key underlying mechanisms for this interindividual variability, remain to be fully elucidated. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes (iHLCs) from patients with AC and healthy controls differ transcriptomically, bioenergetically and histologically. They include a greater number of lipid droplets (LDs) and LD-associated mitochondria compared to control cells...

The application of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition (mTORi) as primary prophylactic therapy to optimize T cell effector function while preserving allograft tolerance remains challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive two-step therapeutic approach in a male patient with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and heart transplantation followed with concomitant longitudinal analysis of systemic immunologic changes. In the first step, calcineurin inhibitor/ mycophenolic acid is replaced by the mTORi everolimus to achieve an improved effector T cell status with increased cytotoxic activity (perforin, granzyme), enhanced proliferation (Ki67) and upregulated activation markers (CD38, CD69)...

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are neuroendocrine tumors characterized by the excessive production of catecholamines. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of PPGL cases in Argentina over recent decades. A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional analysis was carried out using a database comprising both pediatric and adult patients with confirmed PPGL diagnoses based on pathological reports. A cohort of 486 patients with PPGL was recruited. Women represent 58.4% of the patients, with a mean age of 38...

The plant cell wall is a complex, heterogeneous structure primarily composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Exploring the variations in these three macromolecules over time is crucial for understanding wood formation to enhance chemical processing and utilization. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the chemical composition of cell walls in the trunks of Pinus tabulaeformis using multiple techniques. In situ analysis showed that macromolecules accumulated gradually in the cell wall as the plant aged, and the distribution pattern of lignin was opposite that of polysaccharides, and both showed heterogenous distribution patterns...

The immune system is sensitive to many chemicals. Among dioxin compounds, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodizenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most toxic environmental pollutant. The effects of perinatal maternal exposure to dioxins may persist into childhood. However, there have been no reports to date on the effects of exposure to dioxins during infancy, when the immune organs are developing. Therefore, we investigated the effects of TCDD and antigen exposure during lactation on immune function, especially antibody production capacity, in adult mice...

Astaxanthin is a keto-based carotenoid mainly obtained from marine organisms, like Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis). Previous studies indicated the protective effects of Astaxanthin and H. pluvialis on aging related oxidative injury in liver, while the potential mechanisms are largely unknown. In addition, H. pluvialis residue is a by-product after astaxanthin extraction, which is rarely studied and utilized. The present study aimed to compare the effects of astaxanthin, H. pluvialis and H. pluvialis residue on the oxidant injury of liver in D-galactose-induced aging mice and explore the potential mechanisms through gut-liver axis...

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine, a method of healthcare service delivery bridging geographic distances between patients and providers, has gained prominence. This modality is particularly advantageous for outpatient consultations, addressing inherent barriers of travel time and cost. OBJECTIVE: We aim to describe economical outcomes towards the implementation of a multidisciplinary telemedicine service in a high-complexity hospital in Latin America, from the perspective of patients...

INTRODUCTION: Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars (MC/FC) bring profits to U.S. tobacco companies at the cost of Black/African American (B/AA) lives. This exploratory cross-sectional study describes perceptions of tobacco company engagement and activities in B/AA communities related to MC/FC. AIMS AND METHODS: Among 2307 U.S. adults aged 18-45 surveyed in 2022, six items addressed beliefs about tobacco company funding of B/AA community organizations, payment of B/AA lobbyists to oppose public health policies, support of health equity efforts in B/AA communities, and targeted marketing of MC/FC in B/AA communities...

BACKGROUND: Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) results from severe hereditary deficiency of ADAMTS13. The efficacy and safety of recombinant ADAMTS13 and standard therapy (plasma-derived products) administered as routine prophylaxis or on-demand treatment in patients with congenital TTP is not known. METHODS: In this phase 3, open-label, crossover trial, we randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to two 6-month periods of prophylaxis with recombinant ADAMTS13 (40 IU per kilogram of body weight, administered intravenously) or standard therapy, followed by the alternate treatment; thereafter, all the patients received recombinant ADAMTS13 for an additional 6 months...

With age, the speech system undergoes important changes that render speech production more laborious, slower and often less intelligible. And yet, the neural mechanisms that underlie these age-related changes remain unclear. In this EEG study, we examined two important mechanisms in speech motor control: pre-speech movement-related cortical potential (MRCP), which reflects speech motor planning, and speaking-induced suppression (SIS), which indexes auditory predictions of speech motor commands, in 20 healthy young and 20 healthy older adults...

Selection to increase body weight in poultry can hamper reproduction traits and compromise production efficiency. Thus, attention to reproduction traits is essential to improving the sustainability of breeding programs. Data from a domestic quail breeding program for meat production were used to estimate genetic parameters. We analyzed five traits: 4-week body weight, age at sexual maturity for males and females, cloacal gland area, female, and male reproductive organs weights. A multi-trait mixed model analysis with fixed effects of generation/hatch was performed, assuming environmental covariance equals zero for sex-limited traits...

Speakers with motor speech disorders (MSD) present challenges in speech production, one of them being the difficulty to adapt their speech to different modes. However, it is unclear whether different types of MSD are similarly affected when it comes to adapting their speech to various communication contexts. This study investigates the encoding of speech modes in individuals with AoS following focal brain damage and in individuals with hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) secondary to Parkinson's disease. Participants with mild-to-moderate MSD and their age-matched controls performed a delayed production task of pseudo-words in two speech modes: normal and whispered speech...

A comprehensive understanding of the full volatility spectrum of organic oxidation products from the benzene series precursors is important to quantify the air quality and climate effects of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and new particle formation (NPF). However, current models fail to capture the full volatility spectrum due to the absence of important reaction pathways. Here, we develop a novel unified model framework, the integrated two-dimensional volatility basis set (I2D-VBS), to simulate the full volatility spectrum of products from benzene series precursors by simultaneously representing first-generational oxidation, multigenerational aging, autoxidation, dimerization, nitrate formation, etc...

This study was conducted on 90 grazing Hair, Alpine × Hair F1 (AHF1 ), and Saanen × Hair F1 (SHF1 ) crossbred goats in three farms located around the Taurus Mountains in Konya, Türkiye. The study investigated variation in milk production, physico-chemical traits of milk fractions (foremilk, hindmilk and total milk), and growth traits. Genotype, parity, offspring sex, birth type, and flock factors significantly influenced milk production and quality traits of milk fractions (P < 0...

Egg preference as a source of protein also provides beneficial fatty acids, vital for human consumption. However, rich in lipid products are prone to oxidative damage. The study aims to determine the effect of supplementing biogenic selenium (Se) from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, ADS18 (ADS18) in laying hens' diet on yolk lipid oxidation status (MDA), beta-carotene (β-carotene) content, cholesterol, fatty acids, Se, and vitamin E (VE) level. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) laying hens of Lohmann Brown strains aged 50 weeks, weighing 1500 to 2000 g were reared individually in A-shape two-tier stainless-steel cages sized 30 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm (width, depth height)...

AIM: This study was undertaken with an aim to explore the influence of factors associated with anxiety and fear of dentistry on oral health behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients aged 20-40 years visiting the dental institute for the management of gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) and tooth decay (dental caries) were enrolled. Fear of dentistry and oral health behaviors were recorded employing a dental fear survey (DFS) and oral health behaviors checklist...

BACKGROUND: A coordinated network of circulating inflammatory molecules centered on the pleotropic pro-atherogenic cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) is linked to cerebral small vessel disease. We sought to validate the association of this inflammatory biomarker network with incident stroke risk, cognitive impairment, and imaging metrics in a sample of the Framingham Offspring Cohort. METHODS: Using available baseline measurements of serum levels of IL-18, GDF (growth and differentiation factor)-15, soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products, myeloperoxidase, and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) from Exam 7 of the Framingham Offspring Cohort (1998-2001), we constructed a population-normalized, equally weighted log-transformed mean Z -score value representing the average level of each serum analyte to create an inflammatory composite score (ICS5)...

In recent decades, there has been a significant rise in the utilization of medical cannabis. Understanding the various facets surrounding its usage and regulation is paramount for patients, health professionals, and policymakers. This cross-sectional study conducted at the CANNAVITAL clinic in Lima, Peru aimed to assess the basic knowledge, attitudes towards use, and beliefs regarding regulation and safety of Cannabis sativa L. Among 86 patients (mean age: 41 ± 7.8 years; 53.4% women) actively receiving medical cannabis treatment for at least one year, we utilized the 22-item KUC-22 questionnaire to evaluate their understanding of cannabis, risk factors, legislation, medical and recreational use...