Accelerated Aging Research Articles

Towards the Soyacene: Narratives for an Environmental History of Soy in Latin America's Southern Cone.

This article provides an historical analysis of soybean farming in the most productive region of the world: Latin America’s Southern Cone, with particular attention for Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Drawing from the premise that current narratives on soybean cultivation and commercialization have mostly focused on quantitative data of a global scope, this article discusses the potential of scholarly narratives informed by the critical tools of environmental history. Moreover, it proposes the adoption of a new term sublimating the multilayered history of soybeans in the Southern Cone: the Soyacene. This term attempts to shape an original narrative of soybean production in the age of the Great Acceleration, deconstructing misleading historical assumptions. Moreover, by critically discussing the impacts of soybean production, the Soyacene strives to produce a non-essentialist historical narrative in which the diverging interests of different social layers (e.g. governmental actors, private corporations, small farmers and indigenous populations) are addressed with contextualized critical tools.

Nitrogen (N) and sulphate (S) fertilization in wheat crop: effect on the vigor of seeds produced

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen in association with sulfur applied in the field and the influence of this fertilization on the vigor of wheat seeds produced and later evaluated in the laboratory. Field experiments were carried out in the municipalities of Caibaté-RS and Pelotas-RS using the TBIO Sinuelo cultivar adapted to all the regions of Rio Grande do Sul. The experimental design was a randomized block design with a 2x5x2 trifractory scheme (cultivation environments x doses of nitrogen x sulfur management) with 4 replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of two cultivation environments [Caibaté-RS and Pelotas-RS], five nitrogen doses Urea 45%, [0; 22.5; 45; 67.5 and 90 kg ha-1] applied at the beginning of tillering and sulfur, Sulfuric 90% sulfur, [0 and 60 kg ha-1] applied before sowing, about 7 days. After reaching physiological maturity, the seeds were harvested manually and taken to the seed laboratory. The seeds were dried in a forced ventilation oven at 41ºC until the moisture content stabilized at 12% (wet bulb). We evaluated the first germination count (FGC), accelerated aging (AA), field emergence (FE), shoot length (RL) and seedling root length (SL). The seeds produced in Caibaté-RS have greater vigor in relation to Pelotas-RS. Nitrogen fertilization favors the production of seeds with greater vigor, while sulfur can influence the vigor according to the environment in which the plants are cultivated

A Study on Parameter Variation of Cells Effects on Battery Groups with Different Topologies and Load Profiles

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">To satisfy the power and energy requirement of the systems, such as electrical vehicles, the battery packs are constructed with hundreds of single cells connected in series and parallel connection. The most significant difference between a single cell and a battery pack is cell-to-cell variation. Not only does cell-to-cell variation have a big effect on the available energy and power of the battery packs, but also it causes early degradation of battery and potential safety issues. The cell variation effects on battery packs are widely studied because it is of great significance for battery sorting and management scheme. In this paper, battery pack inconsistency is clearly defined and the resulting battery capacity loss and aging acceleration problems are analyzed in detail. A comprehensive LiFePO<sub>4</sub> battery pack model was established, which has taken into account cell-to-cell variation, thermal model, capacity degradation, resistance increasing and different battery topologies. A set of parameters are introduced to study the cell variation and their impacts on battery pack are analyzed through the different working conditions simulation. The battery sorting suggestions are given based on the quantitative result from the simulation. The quantitative results from this research demonstrate that the capacity, self-discharge rate and initial <i>SOC</i> in series battery group, capacity, resistance in parallel connection are the major affecting parameters of cell-to-cell variation, which leads to significant aging acceleration and capacity loss of the battery pack. In the meanwhile, it has been pointed that dynamic load profile caused faster cycling aging and more serious self-balancing compared with the constant load profile.</div></div>

Effects of Soybean Cultivar, Foliar Application of Azoxystrobin, and Year on Seed Vigor and Microflora Under Delayed Harvest Conditions

The effects of cultivar and foliar fungicide applications on soybean seed germination, vigor, microflora, and yield after delayed harvest were determined at the University of Arkansas Vegetable Research Station in Kibler, AR, from 2008 to 2010. Seven cultivars with varying levels of resistance to Diaporthe spp. or Cercospora spp. were treated or not treated with a foliar application of azoxystrobin at the R5 growth stage. Plots were harvested 3 weeks after the plants had reached harvest maturity. Yields were recorded, samples of seed were collected, and standard germination (SG) and accelerated aging (AA) were assessed. Seeds were also assayed for infection by fungi on modified potato dextrose agar and by bacteria on nutrient agar. Seed vigor was significantly reduced by infection with Diaporthe spp., Fusarium spp., and Bacillus subtilis, but not with Cercospora spp. Cultivar had a significant impact on yield, seed vigor, and seed infection levels. The cultivar Osage had consistently high seed vigor and low overall seed infection incidence throughout the study. MO/PSD-0259, AG 4403, and UA 4805 also had relatively high seed vigor and low seed infection rates. PI 80837 had a low incidence of seed infection by Diaporthe spp. and Fusarium spp. in 2008 and 2010, but high levels in 2009, when environmental conditions were especially favorable for these pathogens. AP 350 and Suweon97 had relatively high seed infection incidences, particularly of Diaporthe spp. and Fusarium spp., and relatively low seed vigor. Application of the foliar fungicide azoxystrobin at the R5 growth stage significantly increased AA across years and cultivars and increased seed infection by Diaporthe spp. in 2009 across cultivars. There were significant negative correlations between yield and seed infection by Diaporthe spp. and Bacillus subtilis during 1 year and with Fusarium spp. during all 3 years. Overall, resistance to seed infection can persist even when harvest is delayed. In addition to Diaporthe spp., other seedborne pathogens may reduce seed vigor and yield.

Physiological quality and seed storage potential of four soybean cultivars

The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological seeds quality of four soybean cultivars during storage, under controlled and uncontrolled conditions. Seeds of Brasmax Lança IPRO, Brasmax Raio IPRO (está diferente do Material e Médtodos), Pioneer 95y52 and TMG 7062 IPRO cultivars were stored in controlled (20 ± 1.2 °C) and uncontrolled (producer's warehouse) environments and the following traits were assessed: percentage of germination (GERM), germination speed index (GSI), germination speed (GS) and accelerated aging (AA) at 0, 60, 120 and 180 days of storage. Covariance matrices structure of storage time was tested through repeated measures analysis, adopting a bifactorial model. Data were submitted to ANOVA (α=5%) and when the means presented significant differences, regression analysis and Scott-Knott test (α=5%) were performed. Differences in soybean seeds physiological quality are not related to storage environment. Lança cultivar was the most tolerant to storage, while Ray and TMG 7062 cultivars were more sensitive.

Terminalia ferdinandiana inhibited the increased of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and prevent collagen decreased in mice skin exposed to UV-B

Kakadu cream contained 0,1% Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) extract with a high content of phenolic compound, flavonol, tocopherol, luthein, chlorophyll, and ellagic acid has potential to prevent the Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) effect on skin aging acceleration. To date, there’s no in vivo experiment on the effect of kakadu plum extract on collagen nor matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1). This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Kakadu cream administration in inhibiting the increase of MMP-1 expressions and prevent the decrease of collagen amount in mice (Mus musculus) skin exposed to UV-B.
 
 An experimental study with a post-test only control group design was employed in 36 male mice, 6-8 weeks old, weighing 20-25 grams. The samples were divided randomly into two groups, a control group given base cream and the study group, given Kakadu cream 0,1% on their shaved backs, 1 cm2 in size as the UV-B exposure's location. The UV-B irradiation was done three times a week for 4 weeks. The base and Kakadu cream were given twice a day. Comparative analysis was carried out to compare MMP-1 expression and collagen amount in both groups.
 
 The results show that the mean of MMP-1 expression on the study group was significantly lower compared to control group (p<0.001). The mean collagen amount was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p< 0,001).
 
 From the results, can be concluded that Kakadu cream inhibited the increase MMP-1 expression and prevent the decrease of collagen amount in mice skin exposed to UV-B.

Mathematical modelling of ageing acceleration of the human follicle due to oxidative stress and other factors.

There is a gradual telomere shortening due to the inability of the replication machinery to copy the very ends of chromosomes. Additionally, other factors such as high levels of oxidation (free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS)), e.g. due to cumulated stress, inflammation or tobacco smoke, accelerate telomere shortening. In humans, the average telomere length is about 10-15 kb at birth and telomeres shorten at a pace of 70 bp per year. However, when cells are exposed to ROS, telomere attrition happens at a faster pace, generating a wide variety of telomere size distribution in different length percentiles, which are different to what is expected just by age. In this work, the generational age of a cell is associated with its telomere length (TL), from certain maximum to the minimal TL that allows replication. In order to study the accumulation of aged granulosa cells in human follicles, from preantral to preovulatory size, a mathematical model is proposed, regarding different degrees of accelerated telomere shortening, which reflect the action of ROS in addition to the telomere shortening that happens after cell division. In cases of cells with TL shorter than cells with average TL, with low telomerase activity and accelerated telomere shortening, the mathematical model predicts an aged outcome in preovulatory follicles. The model provides a plausible explanation for what has been observed in oocytes from older women, which have been exposed to ROS for a longer period of time and have bad outcomes after in vitro fertilization.

Piptadenia moniliformis Benth. seeds subjected to accelerated aging

The accelerated aging test is efficient for evaluating the seed vigor of many species, but there are few studies on forest tree species. The aim of this study was to determine the adequate exposure time of Piptadenia moniliformis Benth. seeds to the accelerated aging test in order to evaluate the vigor of seeds classified by color and size. Ten sub-lots were obtained by separating the seeds into two tegument colors (light and dark) and five size classes (11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), using round wire sieves. Before the accelerated aging (AA) test, the seeds were treated with concentrated sulfuric acid for 20 minutes to overcome dormancy. Next, the sub-lot seeds underwent different aging times (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours) at 45 ºC. The AA test, conducted at 45 ºC for 72 hours, is adequate to evaluate the quality of P. moniliformis seeds, in terms of color and size.

Acetylation Modification During Autophagy and Vascular Aging.

Vascular aging plays a pivotal role in the morbidity and mortality of elderly people. Decrease in autophagy leads to acceleration of vascular aging, while increase in autophagy leads to deceleration of vascular aging. And emerging evidence indicates that acetylation plays an important role in autophagy regulation; therefore, recent research has focused on an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying this regulation. In this review, current knowledge on the role of acetylation of autophagy-related proteins and the mechanisms by which acetylation including non-autophagy-related acetylation and autophagy related acetylation regulate vascular aging have been discussed. We conclude that the occurrence of acetylation modification during autophagy is a fundamental mechanism underlying autophagy regulation and provides promising targets to retard vascular aging.

Role of tubular epithelial arginase-II in renal inflammaging

The aging kidney undergoes complex changes and is vulnerable to injury and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with preponderance affecting more women than men. Evidence has been presented that the type-II L-arginine:ureohydrolase, arginase-II (Arg-II) plays a role in the acceleration of aging. Arg-II is highly expressed in the kidney. However, the role of Arg-II in renal aging is not known. This study is to investigate whether Arg-II is involved in the kidney aging process dependently on sex. Arg-II level in the kidney of wild type (WT) mice is significantly elevated with aging, which is accompanied by an increase in expression of the inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, tissue macrophages, factors involved in fibrosis, and tubulointestitial fibrosis in both males and females. This renal aging phenotype is significantly suppressed in arg-II−/− mice, mainly in the females in which Arg-II level is higher than in the males. Importantly, numerous factors such as IL-1β, MCP1, VCAM-1, and TGFβ1 are mainly localized in the proximal tubular S3 segment cells expressing Arg-II in the aging kidney. In human proximal tubular cells (HK-2), TNF-α enhances adhesion molecule expression dependently on Arg-II upregulation. Overexpression of Arg-II in the cells enhances TGFβ1 levels which is prevented by mitochondrial ROS inhibition. In summary, our study reveals that renal proximal tubular Arg-II plays an important role in the kidney aging process in females. Arg-II could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of aging-associated kidney diseases.

Association of cardiovascular health and epigenetic age acceleration

BackgroundCardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as the presence of the “Life’s Simple 7” ideal lifestyle and clinical factors. CVH is known to predict longevity and freedom from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States. DNA methylation markers of aging have been aggregated into a composite epigenetic age score, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it is unknown whether poor CVH is associated with acceleration of aging as measured by DNA methylation markers in epigenetic age.Methods and resultsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of racially/ethnically diverse post-menopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative cohort recruited between 1993 and 1998. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) was calculated using DNA methylation data on a subset of participants and the published Horvath and Hannum methods for intrinsic and extrinsic EAA. CVH was calculated using the AHA measures of CVH contributing to a 7-point score. We examined the association between CVH score and EAA using linear regression modeling adjusting for self-reported race/ethnicity and education. Among the 2,170 participants analyzed, 50% were white and mean age was 64 (7 SD) years. Higher or more favorable CVH scores were associated with lower extrinsic EAA (~ 6 months younger age per 1 point higher CVH score, p < 0.0001), and lower intrinsic EAA (3 months younger age per 1 point higher CVH score, p < 0.028).ConclusionsThese cross-sectional observations suggest a possible mechanism by which ideal CVH is associated with greater longevity.

Temperature, Ageing and Thermal Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Heat generation and therefore thermal transport plays a critical role in ensuring performance, ageing and safety for lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Increased battery temperature is the most important ageing accelerator. Understanding and managing temperature and ageing for batteries in operation is thus a multiscale challenge, ranging from the micro/nanoscale within the single material layers to large, integrated LIB packs. This paper includes an extended literature survey of experimental studies on commercial cells investigating the capacity and performance degradation of LIB. It compares the degradation behavior in terms of the influence of operating conditions for different chemistries and cell sizes. A simple thermal model for linking some of these parameters together is presented as well. While the temperature appears to have a large impact on ageing acceleration above room temperature during cycling for all studied cells, the effect of SOC and C rate appear to be rather cell dependent.Through the application of new simulations, it is shown that during cell testing, the actual cell temperature can deviate severely from the reported temperature depending on the thermal management during testing and C rate. It is shown, that the battery lifetime reduction at high C rates can be for large parts due to an increase in temperature especially for high energy cells and poor cooling during cycling studies. Measuring and reporting the actual battery (surface) temperature allow for a proper interpretation of results and transferring results from laboratory experiments to real applications.

An update in toxicology of ageing

The field of ageing research has been rapidly advancing in recent decades and it had provided insight into the complexity of ageing phenomenon. However, as the organism-environment interaction appears to significantly affect the organismal pace of ageing, the systematic approach for gerontogenic risk assessment of environmental factors has yet to be established. This puts demand on development of effective biomarker of ageing, as a relevant tool to quantify effects of gerontogenic exposures, contingent on multidisciplinary research approach.Here we review the current knowledge regarding the main endogenous gerontogenic pathways involved in acceleration of ageing through environmental exposures. These include inflammatory and oxidative stress-triggered processes, dysregulation of maintenance of cellular anabolism and catabolism and loss of protein homeostasis. The most effective biomarkers showing specificity and relevancy to ageing phenotypes are summarized, as well. The crucial part of this review was dedicated to the comprehensive overview of environmental gerontogens including various types of radiation, certain types of pesticides, heavy metals, drugs and addictive substances, unhealthy dietary patterns, and sedentary life as well as psychosocial stress. The reported effects in vitro and in vivo of both recognized and potential gerontogens are described with respect to the up-to-date knowledge in geroscience. Finally, hormetic and ageing decelerating effects of environmental factors are briefly discussed, as well.

Accelerated epigenetic aging in adolescents living with HIV is associated with altered development of brain structures.

We recently demonstrated that adolescents perinatally infected with HIV-1 (PHIV+) have accelerated aging as measured by a highly accurate epigenetic biomarker of aging known as the epigenetic clock. However, whether epigenetic age acceleration in PHIV+ impacts brain development at the macro- and microstructural levels of brain anatomy has not been studied. We report on a cross-sectional study of PHIV+ enrolled in the Cape Town Adolescent Antiretroviral Cohort (CTAAC). The Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC array was used to generate DNA methylation data from the blood samples of 180 PHIV+ aged 9 to 12years. The epigenetic clock software and method was used to estimate two measures, epigenetic age acceleration (AgeAccelerationResidual) and extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA). Each participant underwent T1 structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In order to investigate the associations of chronological age, sex, epigenetic age acceleration and treatment variables (CNS penetration effectiveness score (CPE)) of antiretroviral regimen on brain structure in PHIV+, we developed stepwise multiple regression models in R (version 3.4.3, 2017) including grey and white matter volumes, cortical thickness, cortical surface area and DTI measures of white matter microstructural integrity. The mean DNAm age (16.01years) of the participants was higher than their mean chronological age (10.77years). Epigenetic age acceleration contributed more to regional alterations of brain volumes, cortical thickness, cortical surface areas and neuronal microstructure than chronological age, in a range of regions. CPE positively contributed to volume of the brain stem. Understanding the drivers of epigenetic age acceleration could lead to valuable insights into structural brain alterations, and the persistence of neurocognitive disorders in seen in PHIV+ .

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Childhood Leukemias.

Simple SummaryIn childhood leukemias the central nervous system (CNS) can be invaded by leukemic cells, leading to disease recurrence and treatment failures. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, is crucial for detection of leukemia in that compartment. Despite advances made in treatments for childhood leukemias, therapies continue to adversely affect the developing brain with resulting neurocognitive deficits in many survivors. This review presents an overview of studies demonstrating that CSF proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites, so called biomarkers, can be utilized in tracing both CNS disease and neurotoxicity of treatments in childhood leukemias.Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in childhood leukemias remains a major cause of treatment failures. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid constitutes the most important diagnostic pillar in the detection of CNS leukemia and relies primarily on cytological and flow-cytometry studies. With increasing survival rates, it has become clear that treatments for pediatric leukemias pose a toll on the developing brain, as they may cause acute toxicities and persistent neurocognitive deficits. Preclinical research has demonstrated that established and newer therapies can injure and even destroy neuronal and glial cells in the brain. Both passive and active cell death forms can result from DNA damage, oxidative stress, cytokine release, and acceleration of cell aging. In addition, chemotherapy agents may impair neurogenesis as well as the function, formation, and plasticity of synapses. Clinical studies show that neurocognitive toxicity of chemotherapy is greatest in younger children. This raises concerns that, in addition to injury, chemotherapy may also disrupt crucial developmental events resulting in impairment of the formation and efficiency of neuronal networks. This review presents an overview of studies demonstrating that cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can be utilized in tracing both CNS disease and neurotoxicity of administered treatments in childhood leukemias.

Epigenetic Clock Analysis in Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is characterized by severe clinical impairment, considerable social burden, and high mortality and morbidity, which are due to various malformations, sepsis, and cancer. As >50% of deaths from FASD occur during the first year of life, we hypothesized that there is the acceleration of biological aging in FASD. Several recent studies have established genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles as "epigenetic clocks" that can estimate biological aging, and FASD has been associated with differential DNAm patterns. Therefore, we tested this hypothesis using epigenetic clocks. We investigated 5 DNAm-based measures of epigenetic age (HorvathAge, HannumAge, SkinBloodAge, PhenoAge, and GrimAge) and telomere length (DNAmTL) using 4 independent publicly available DNAm datasets; 2 datasets were derived from buccal epithelium, and the other 2 datasets were derived from peripheral blood. Compared with controls, children with FASD exhibited an acceleration of GrimAge in 1 buccal and 2 blood datasets. No significant difference was found in other DNAm ages and DNAmTL. Meta-analyses showed a significant acceleration of GrimAge in the blood samples but not in the buccal samples. This study provides novel evidence regarding accelerated epigenetic aging in children with FASD.

Experimental investigation of long-term effects on temperature reliability of exothermic coating for smart railway structures with self-heating surfaces

Gravel scattering, which occurs from snow-ice that develops on trains during winter, is a major cause of damage to train parts. An exothermic technology that uses copper wires to solve the problem of gravel scattering is ineffective on the snow-ice produced on the surface of the trains. Therefore, studies have been conducted to overcome the weaknesses of the conventional methods and to develop a paint-type surface exothermic technology that can be efficiently applied to complicated structures. However, multi-layered paint-type coatings can lead to problems such as a delamination or exfoliation of the layers when used for a long period of time within an environment undergoing variations in temperature. Therefore, this study assesses the long-term effects of temperature on multi-layered exothermic coating technology based on nano-solutions for an application of self-heating function on railway infrastructures. To do so, we developed an exothermic coating test specimen using the paint applied to train cars and commercial nano-solutions. To conduct an experiment on accelerated aging, the specimen was subjected to regular changes in the temperature within a thermal chamber. The results revealed that there is a nonlinear decline in the performance as the specimen is worn out in comparison to the exothermic performance achieved during the early stages. Further, it is possible to identify the structural causes of the decline in performance from the specimen applied thermal load by analyzing the morphology. However, it is possible to observe a high stability from noninvasive overheating or short-circuits based on the structural changes to the coating, which are observed during the assessment of the exothermic uniformity. Therefore, it can be concluded that a multi-layer exothermic coating, which can be effectively applied as an exothermic technology based on self-heating surfaces, can be applied for a long period to prevent disasters from freezing or snow-ice in trains during winter.

Prevention and treatment of root surface caries

With the acceleration of population aging in China, the incidence of root surface caries is increasing year by year. Different from coronal caries, lesions of root surface caries mostly occur on the exposed root surfaces after gingival recession in elderly patients, mainly involving cementum and dentin. Root surface caries shows specificity in the pathogenic characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This review mainly summarizes the etiology and prevalence, pathology and clinical manifestations, classification, as well as three-level-prevention of root caries, in order to provide relevant guidance for the clinical prevention and treatment of root caries.

The activity of daily living (ADL) subgroups and health impairment among Chinese elderly: a latent profile analysis

BackgroundDisability in aged people became one of the major challenges in China due to the acceleration of population aging. Nevertheless, there were limited methods to appropriately discriminate the degree of combined basic activity of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). The present study explored an empirical typology of the activity of daily living (ADL) and its association with health status among the elderly in China.MethodsData throughout the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) was retrieved and Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify the subgroups of ADL for included elderly subjects. Multinomial regression was performed to detect the effect of identified characteristics with ADL subgroups, and the restricted cubic spine was drawn to show the changes in the relationship between age-specific ADL disability and BMI.ResultsThe overall participants (n=8108) were divided into three ADL classes by LPA - ‘no BADL limitation-no IADL limitation’ (Class one, n=6062, 75%), ‘no BADL limitation- IADL impairment’ (Class two, n=1526, 19%), and ‘BADL impairment- IADL impairment’ (Class three, n=520, 6%). Compared with the participants in Class one, the oldest-old, living without spouse, lacking of exercise, short in social activities, having experience of falls, having comorbidity of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, decreased cognitive function, depression symptom were highly associated with Class two and Class three. Additionally, malnutrition and asthma were associated with combined BADL/IADL impairment (Class three), while illiteracy was only associated with IADL impairment (Class two). Furthermore, a statistically significant U-shape association was detected between age and BADL/IADL disability (Class three vs. Class two) as well as BMI and BADL/IADL disability (Class three vs. Class one). The elderly aged 80–90 with IADL impairment were less likely to evolve into combined BADL/IADL impairment, and the elderly who were underweight or obese may have higher risk of combined BADL/IADL impairment.ConclusionA novel functional assessment was explored based on LPA, by which elderly people could be classified into three distinct classes of combined BADL/IADL. The predictors identified with particular IADL/BADL classes could draw early attention to the onset of functional disability and enlighten targeted interventions to address consequent problems of aged people.

Accelerated aging test of seed vigour for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice

Seed vigour tests enable detection of seedlots with high field emergence and storability. Here, an accelerated aging (AA) protocol is proposed as a seed vigour test for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. Seeds of 10 rice varieties, eight with intermediate bold grain type and two with short round grain type, harvested in 2017 were subjected to AA at temperatures of 40–45°C for periods of 24–120 h, or to standard seed germination at 25°C, followed by emergence testing in a rice field. AA treatments that were found to be appropriate to predict field emergence in 2017 were repeated with the same varieties harvested in 2018. Standard seed germination could not predict field emergence of tested rice varieties (r &lt;0.2, α = 0.01). The appropriate AA treatment to predict field emergence was dependent on the grain type. AA treatment 43°C/72 h was found to be the best for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice of intermediate bold grain type (r &gt;0.8, α = 0.01). Further studies are needed to find the best AA test for predicting field emergence of varieties of short round grain type.