Elderly Individuals Research Articles

Temporal inequality of RR intervals like a new psychophysiological indicator of mental stress

Introduction: Gini coefficient (Gini index or Gini ratio) is a parameter that is normally used in economy to measure the income distribution in a country or in the whole wide world, but it can be used to measure any kind of distribution. In the present study it is exposed an innovative proposal of application of the Gini coefficient to Heart Rate Variability (HRV) like a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress.Objective: to assess the application of the Gini coefficient as a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress.Methods: a non-observational crossover study, carried out in the biomedical laboratory of the Medical University of Santiago de Cuba. The involved participants are 13 healthy individuals (age 19 ± 1,5 years). Heart rate was continuously recorded at rest (5 minutes) and during a mental stress (5 minutes). Linear and nonlinear methods of heart rate variability were assessed, and 2 new indicators (Sequential and Non-Sequential Gini) were calculated and proposed to measure HRV differences between states.Results: when comparing rest and mental stress conditions, a sensible decrease of the traditional indicators of the HRV was founded (p<0,05), an increase of the heart rate (p=0,004) and of the Sequential Gini (p=0,004) and Non-Sequential Gini (p=0,04).Conclusions: the results suggest that temporary inequality of the RR intervals analyzed from the Gini coefficient could be an adequate indicator of sympathetic activity present during the mental stress

The Effect of Circulating Exosomes Obtained from Young and Old Individuals on the Aging related hTERT and P16 Expression in Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Introduction: Functional reduction of telomeres can induce DNA damage response through cell cycle checkpoints and contribute to the senescence of stem cells. The effect of exosomes on the aging and rejuvenation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is not well known. Therefore, the present study is designed to examine the impact of plasma exosomes derived from young and old individuals on hTERT and P16 expression involved in the cellular aging process. Methods: Exosomes isolated from four young (Y-Exo) and four old (O-Exo) men were evaluated for CD63 protein expression, morphology, size and zeta potential. HSCs were treated with exosomes, and then, the cell viability and the mRNA expression (hTERT and P16) were evaluated using MTT and qRT-PCR methods, respectively. To measure the hTERT protein level, a western blot technique was performed. Results: The gene expression of hTERT was significantly decreased in HSCs treated with 5 μg/ml (O5-Exo) and 10 μg/ml (O10-Exo) doses of exosomes obtained from elderly individuals compared to the cells treated with young exosomes and the untreated HSCs (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a profound elevation of hTERT protein in the HSCs treated with both doses of young exosomes in comparison with the cells treated with both doses of old exosomes (p < 0.05). Moreover, P16 expression was markedly upregulated in the O5-Exo and O10-Exo groups compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the concept that depending on the age of individuals, circulating exosomes may acquire properties that affect the pathways involved in the aging process in HSCs.

Effectiveness of vestibular therapy as an adjunct to cognitive therapy to improve cognition in elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

The rapid global increase in aging populations is leading to a rise in age-related conditions like mild cognitive impairment (MCI), necessitating new treatment strategies. This study will conduct a double-blinded, three-arm, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of adding vestibular therapy to cognitive therapy (VT+CT) compared to cognitive therapy (CT) alone and a control group. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: VT+CT, CT only, or a control group. The VT+CT group will receive vestibular rehabilitation exercises along with a computerized brain program, while the CT group will get only the computerized brain program. Primary outcomes will include electroencephalography (EEG), the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and event-related potential (ERP-P300). Secondary outcomes will be the Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT), Trail-Making Test (TMT), and European Quality 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-5L). This research aims to determine if VT+CT improves cognitive function in elderly individuals with MCI.

Frailty and Visual Impairment in Elderly Individuals: Improving Outcomes and Modulating Cognitive Decline Through Collaborative Care Between Geriatricians and Ophthalmologists

Frailty and Visual Impairment in Elderly Individuals: Improving Outcomes and Modulating Cognitive Decline Through Collaborative Care Between Geriatricians and Ophthalmologists

Predicting mortality of elderly patients undergoing open heart surgery with delirium using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), multi-organ dysfunction (MODS), and logistic organ dysfunction system (LODS) scores

PurposeThis study aims to assess the predictive accuracy of SOFA, MODS, and LODS scores in determining the mortality of elderly undergoing open heart surgery with delirium. MethodsA prospective study involved 111 elderly patients who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using scoring systems: SOFA, MODS, and LODS. ResultsUpon final follow-up, 86.5 % of the patients had recovered, 13.5 % had died. Sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values for predicting mortality in elderly patients were calculated for the SOFA score as 99 %, 73 %, 98 %, and 76 %, respectively. For the MODS score, these values were 95 %, 60 %, 95 %, and 67 %; for the LODS score, they were 92 %, 73 %, 92 %, and 75 %, respectively. The overall accuracy of the three scores—SOFA, MODS, and LODS—was 84 %, 76 %, and 82 %, respectively. ConclusionThe results indicated that the SOFA score exhibited the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality among elderly individuals

An Updated Review on the Role of Phytoconstituents in Modulating Signalling Pathways to Combat Skin Ageing: Nature’s Own Weapons and Approaches

Abstract: Various geographical areas exhibit varying degrees of prevalence and severity of dermatological issues. The most commonly observed skin issues among adolescents during their growth period on a global scale encompass dry skin, dyspigmentation, wrinkles, fungal infections, as well as benign and malignant tumors. These conditions arise as a consequence of diminished functional capacity and heightened skin susceptibility. The primary manifestation of the whole process of skin ageing is its visual presentation, which encompasses changes in both the structure and function of the skin. The look and function of human skin exhibit particular variations as individuals age, representing a time-dependent phenomenon. This review article primarily examines the discussion surrounding the diverse phytoconstituents and their impact on signalling pathways in cellular metabolism, as well as their interaction with environmental factors and xenobiotic agents that contribute to skin aging. Ultraviolet (UV) light induces the rapid formation and subsequent accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within skin cells, hence accelerating oxidative stress and the ageing process of the skin. One effective approach to addressing age-related skin disorders entails the utilization of exogenous supplementation through the consumption of dietary antioxidants, as well as the application of antioxidant-based lotions to the skin prior to sun exposure. Several plant species include phenolic components, including ascorbic acid, ellagitannins, and carotenoids, which have the ability to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and influence several survival signalling pathways. This comprehensive study elucidated multiple processes by which phytoconstituents exert their effects for intervention purposes. Additionally, it highlighted the ability of these phytoconstituents to modulate the NF-κB signalling pathway, MAPK signalling, Nrf2 signalling, and other pathways, hence demonstrating their potential anti-aging properties.

Noninvasive, epigenetic age estimation in an elasmobranch, the cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus)

Age data are essential for estimating life history parameters and are thus critical for population assessment, management, and conservation. Traditional vertebrae-based age estimation in elasmobranchs can be costly, time intensive, of low accuracy, and is by necessity lethal. Herein, epigenetic clocks were developed for an elasmobranch, the cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), using aquarium-born individuals (n = 42) with known dates of birth (age range: 7−7,878 days or 0−21 years) and two tissue types (fin clips and whole blood) that can be sampled in a relatively non-invasive manner. Enzymatically-converted restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ECrad-seq) was used to identify CpG sites that exhibited age-correlated DNA methylation. The epigenetic clocks developed were highly accurate (mean absolute error, MAE, < 0.75 years) and precise (R2 > 0.98). Age-associated CpG sites were identified across tissues, and a multi-tissue clock was also highly accurate (MAE < 1 year) and precise (R2 = 0.97). Using the developed fin clip clock, three wild-caught individuals of unknown age but managed in aquariums for > 22 years were predicted to be 22.10−23.49 years old. Overall, the results have important implications for future epigenetic clock development and noninvasive age estimation in elasmobranchs.

Construction a novel osteoporosis model in immune-deficient mice with natural ageing

Osteoporosis (OP) predominantly affects elderly individuals. Stem cells show potential for treating OP. However, animal models with normal immune function can eliminate implanted human cells. This study utilized naturally aging NOD/SCID mice, which exhibit immunodeficiency, to create a human osteoporosis model. This approach helps to minimize the premature immune clearance of transplanted allogeneic or xenogeneic cells in preclinical studies, allowing for a more accurate replication of the clinical pharmacological and pharmacokinetic processes involved in stem cell interventions for osteoporosis. NOD/SCID mice were fed until 12, 32, and 43 weeks of age, respectively, and then euthanized. We harvested lumbar vertebra for Micro‐Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) scanning and pathological examination. Additionally, we performed biomechanical testing of lumbar vertebra to assess the severity of osteoporosis. We utilized real-time RT-PCR to assess gene expression changes associated with bone metabolism, aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the Tgf-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. In addition, the protein expression levels of P16, Tgf-β1 and Smad3 were detected using Western Blotting (WB). In comparison to 12-week-old mice, the 32-week-old and 43-week-old mice displayed significantly sparser and fractured trabeculae in their lumbar vertebra, lower bone mineral density (BMD), and changes in bone microstructural parameters (**P<0.01, ***P<0.001). Additionally, compared to 12-week-old mice, the 32-week-old and 43-week-old mice exhibited decreased expression of osteogenic genes (Alp, Opg, Sp7, Col1a1), increased expression of osteoclastic gene (Rankl), the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts significantly increased in 32-week-old and 43-week-old mice compared to 12-week-old mice. The expression of genes related to aging and inflammatory (P16, Il-1β, Tnf-α) increases with advancing age (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001). The expression of oxidative stress-related genes (Sod1, Sod2, Foxo3, Nrf2), as well as Tgf-β1 and Smad3 decreased with age (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001). As age increases, the levels of P16 protein increase, Tgf-β1 and Smad3 proteins decrease. Our study successfully replicated osteoporosis models in NOD/SCID mice at both 32 and 43 weeks, with the latter exhibiting more severe osteoporosis. This condition seems to be driven by factors such as aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the Tgf-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Thermal Stress in Outdoor Spaces During Mediterranean Heatwaves: A PET and UTCI Analysis of Different Demographics

Urban public space comfort is essential for improving quality of life, particularly as climate change affects outdoor thermal environments. This study utilizes ENVI-met, a 3D microclimate simulation tool, to assess thermal comfort concerning demographic factors such as age and gender. The findings indicate significant disparities in thermal stress vulnerability among demographic groups. On the hottest day of July 2023, at 10 a.m., children’s PET values were approximately 2 °C higher than those of other groups. By 3 p.m., females experienced slightly higher upper-range thermal stress than males. Elderly individuals aged 80 exhibited a broad range of PET values, from 38.14 °C to 62.39 °C, with prevailing values above 56.9 °C, indicating greater vulnerability to extreme heat. Children aged 8 showed PET values ranging from 40.20 °C to 59.34 °C, with prevailing estimates between 54.2 °C and 55.7 °C. Minimum PET values for children were significantly higher than those for adults, suggesting a greater baseline level of thermal stress. Despite cooling effects in the evening, children remained exposed to more pronounced stress than elderly individuals, males, and females. The UTCI values recorded indicate a period of extreme heat stress for all demographic groups assessed. While individuals aged 35 may encounter considerable discomfort, the severity of the impact is notably more pronounced for both older adults and children. This study underscores the need for tailored management strategies and advocates for expanding ENVI-met’s capabilities to enhance urban resilience and well-being amid rising temperatures.

The Association Between Physical Activity Levels and Health-related Quality of Life in Korean Elderly: The Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVES This study identified the association between physical activity levels and health-related quality of life in Korean elderly.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The data for the analysis included socioeconomic variables, adherence to WHO-recommended levels of aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise, subjective perceived health and health-related quality of life as measured by the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated for the association using the complex samples logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were significant differences in subjective perceived health and health-related quality of life based on the levels of aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise. Elderly individuals who engaged in aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise at levels recommended by the WHO had higher perceived health and better health-related quality of life. And it was confirmed that the level of physical activity and health-related quality of life had a significant association even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that performing aerobic activity and resistance exercise at levels recommended by the WHO significantly improved health-related quality of life in Korean elderly.

Surgical correction of medial canthal widening associated with aging: two case reports

Medial canthal widening due to aging is a frequent concern among elderly individuals, often resulting in cosmetic dissatisfaction. This condition commonly involves caruncle exposure and elongation of the medial canthus, sometimes requiring surgical intervention. While medial epicanthoplasty is commonly used to address medial canthal deformities, age-related changes call for a modified approach to optimize aesthetic results. We present two cases of elderly patients whose medial canthal widening was corrected using a modified V-Y advancement flap combined with medial canthal tendon tightening. This technique involves elevating a V-flap and suturing the pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle and medial canthal tendon to restore medial canthal contour. In one case, an 85-year-old man with unilateral caruncle exposure experienced marked cosmetic improvement post-surgery. In the second case, a 71-year-old woman with bilateral medial canthal widening also reported significant improvement. Both patients had no complications and expressed satisfaction with their postoperative appearance. This surgical approach effectively reduced caruncle exposure and enhanced eye shape with no recurrence or wound healing problems. Medial canthal widening from aging can be successfully treated with a V-Y advancement flap and medial canthal tendon tightening, offering elderly patients a dependable solution with favorable cosmetic results.

Use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition in chronic disease management

As individuals age or contend with chronic diseases, shifts in body composition often emerge, characterized by a loss of muscle mass and an increase in fat mass, even among those with stable body weight. Both obesity and sarcopenia are key drivers of frailty, disability, and heightened morbidity and mortality. The simultaneous decline in skeletal muscle and accumulation of visceral fat can work synergistically, magnifying their detrimental effects on physical function and metabolic health. Today, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is widely recognized as one of the most versatile imaging techniques for assessing not only osteoporosis but also sarcopenia and obesity. Whole-body DEXA facilitates comprehensive analysis, offering detailed insights into fat mass, non-bone lean mass, and bone mineral content at both total and regional levels. DEXA is highly valued for its accuracy, reproducibility, speed, affordability, and low radiation exposure. Furthermore, advancements in DEXA technology and software now allow for precise estimation of visceral adipose tissue. This review underscores the clinical applications of whole-body DEXA, focusing on the use of muscle and fat mass indices in diagnosing low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, aligned with the latest research and guidelines.

Nonlinear Dynamics of a Zoonotic Disease with Control Interventions through Fractional Derivative

The zoonotic infection campylobacteriosis poses a significant public health burden, contributing to widespread morbidity and, in severe cases, mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The economic impact is considerable, with costs arising from medical care, hospitalization, lost productivity, and the need for stringent food safety measures. In this paper, we model the dynamics of campylobacteriosis with drug resistance in humans and animals using fractional derivatives. The fundamental concepts of fractional derivatives are presented to analyze the disease dynamics. Our work focuses on both the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed model. The fixed-point theorem is applied to investigate the existence and uniqueness of solutions. We also examine the stability of the system through analytical techniques. To further explore the system, a numerical scheme is introduced to visualize the solution pathways and assess the influence of various factors. We demonstrate the dynamics of campylobacteriosis with drug resistance, highlighting the effects of different factors on infection levels. Furthermore, our results identify the key factors crucial for effective disease control and management.

Characterization of potential salivary biomarkers in Behçet's disease.

Diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD) has always been a challenging task due to the heterogeneity and complexity of the disease, while available literature on BD biomarkers is largely inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of a panel of salivary biomarkers in a group of BD patients and test their association with BD. The study population comprised 23 BD patients (12 females and 11 males) and a control group of age and gender-matched healthy individuals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to test the expression of 5 salivary proteins including: interleukin 1β (IL-1β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transferrin (TrF). BD activity was evaluated using the International Society for Behçet's disease (ISBD) current activity form. Salivary endothelin, EGF and VEGF were significantly higher in the BD group compared to controls (16.3 Vs. 7.7pg/ml, 194.5 Vs. 163.4pg/ml and 262 Vs. 150.2pg/ml, p<0.05, respectively) whereas TrF was significantly lower in BD group compared to controls (497 Vs. 2206pg/ml, p<0.001). The correlation analysis showed a trend of a positive linear association between endothelin expression and both BD activity (r=0.41) and BD activity index score (r=0.4), without reaching statistical significance (p>0.05). In conclusion, salivary TrF, endothelin, VEGF and EGF may represent potential biomarkers for BD. These findings require further validation in larger samples and different activity states of BD.

Plasma proteomics-based organ-specific aging for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.

Individual's aging rates vary across organs. However, there are few methods for assessing aging at organ levels and whether they contribute differently to mortalities remains unknown. We analyzed data from 45,821 adults in the UK Biobank, using plasma proteomics and machine learning to estimate biological ages for 12 major organs. The differences between biological age and chronological age, referred to as "age gaps," were calculated for each organ. Partial correlation analyses were used to assess the association between age gaps and modifiable factors. Adjusted multivariable Cox regression models were applied to examine the association of age gaps with all-cause mortality, cause-specific mortalities, and cancer-specific mortalities. We reveal a complex network of varied associations between multi-organ aging and modifiable factors. All age gaps increase the risk of all-cause mortality by 6-60%. The risk of death varied from 5.54 to 29.18 times depending on the number of aging organs. Cause-specific mortalities are associated with certain organs' aging. For mental diseases mortality, and nervous system mortality, only brain aging exhibited a significant increased risk of HR 2.38 (per SD, 95% CI: 2.06-2.74) and 1.99 (per SD, 95% CI: 1.84-2.16), respectively. Age gaps of stomach were also a specific indicator for gastric cancer. Eventually, we find that an organ's biological age selectively influences the aging of other organ systems. Our study demonstrates that accelerated aging in specific organs increases the risk of mortality from various causes. This provides a potential tool for early identification of at-risk populations, offering a relatively objective method for precision medicine.

Bone Mineral Density, Bone Biomarkers, and Joints in Acute, Post, and Long COVID-19: A Systematic Review

SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible and affects the respiratory system. People with COVID-19 are at higher risk of physical and mental health conditions, which could impact bone health. The aim of this review was to explore the effects of COVID-19 on BMD, BTMs, and joints. An electronic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid Medline databases considered studies published between 1 January 2020 and 1 November 2023. The search was limited to English, original studies in adult humans. The title and abstract of the identified papers were screened, followed by a full-text review using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data extracted included the study and participant characteristics, BTMs, BMD, and joint abnormalities. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale quality assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Five studies involving 305 out of 495 infected individuals observed a reduced BMD after COVID-19, with the most significant reduction occurring a year later. Both bone resorption and bone formation markers decreased, while regulatory markers showed higher levels in infected patients. COVID-19 may harm bone health by increasing bone regulatory markers and reducing bone formation and absorption, leading to a lower BMD. Elderly, frail, and osteopenic or osteoporotic individuals are at higher risk and should be regularly monitored for bone loss if they have long COVID.

A measurement study of the environmental quality and medical expenditures of elderly individuals: causal inference based on machine learning

BackgroundThe global surge of environmental pollution exacerbates health issues, disease incidence, and economic strain. In China, the increasing healthcare costs of the elderly population necessitate addressing this challenge as part of the “Healthy China” strategy. We explore the impact of environmental quality on elderly healthcare expenses.MethodsThis study devised a comprehensive environmental quality index for 30 Chinese provinces, excluding Tibet, which was correlated with medical expenses for individuals older than 60 years, using China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. Because the traditional econometric model cannot solve the endogeneity problem and the selection of instrumental variables is subjective, a new machine learning algorithm is adopted based on the traditional ordinary least squares (OLS) model and the fixed effect model to conduct causal analysis to ensure the reliability of the results. Finally, heterogeneity analysis was conducted based on the generalized random forest algorithm.ResultsSouthern provinces such as Jiangxi and Guangxi exhibited superior environmental qualities. A regional analysis revealed a gradient where environmental quality decreased from west to east and from south to north. Both conventional and machine learning methodologies underscored a pivotal finding: enhanced environmental qualities significantly curtail elderly healthcare expenses. A heterogeneity assessment revealed that such improvements predominantly benefit elderly people in the eastern and central regions, with marginal impacts in the west. For different groups, the improvement of environmental quality can significantly reduce the medical expenditure of people aged 60 to 75, with bedtime hours between 9 and 11 PM and a lower household income.ConclusionsThis study, employing machine learning and traditional models, demonstrates that enhancements in environmental quality significantly reduce medical costs for the elderly in China, especially in the eastern and central regions, and among demographics such as individuals aged 60–75 and low-income households. These findings underscore the potential of environmental policies to lower medical costs within the “Healthy China” initiative framework. However, the study’s scope is limited by the environmental quality index and the extent of data coverage, indicating a need for further research expansion.

U-shaped association of serum vitamin A concentrations with all-cause mortality in patients with NAFLD: results from the NHANES database prospective cohort study

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated a significant association between serum vitamin A concentration and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. However, the long-term prognostic implications of serum vitamin A in patients with NAFLD remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate whether there exists a correlation between serum vitamin A concentrations and overall mortality among subjects diagnosed with NAFLD.MethodsTo investigate the association between serum vitamin A concentrations and NAFLD outcomes, we conducted prospective cohort studies using data from the 1999–2006 and 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We utilized a multivariate Cox regression model to explore the relationship between serum vitamin A levels and all-cause mortality. Survival curves related to serum vitamin A were constructed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Additionally, the restricted cubic splines (RCS) method was applied to examine potential nonlinear relationships between serum vitamin A concentrations and all-cause mortality of NAFLD.ResultsOver a median follow-up period of 10.3 years, a total of 1,399 all-cause deaths were recorded. The weighted average concentration of serum vitamin A was 61.48 ± 0.37 μg/dL. After adjusting for potential confounders, a significant U-shaped relationship was identified between serum vitamin A concentrations and the risk of all-cause mortality in NAFLD patients. This relationship was particularly pronounced in men and elderly individuals aged 60 to 85.ConclusionOur study reveals a significant non-linear relationship between serum vitamin A concentrations and the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with NAFLD. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and maintaining optimal serum vitamin A levels to potentially improve survival outcomes in NAFLD patients.

FONDUE: Robust resolution-invariant denoising of MR Images using Nested UNets

Abstract Recent human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies continually push the boundaries of spatial resolution as a means to enhance levels of neuroanatomical detail and increase the accuracy and sensitivity of derived brain morphometry measures. However, acquisitions required to achieve these resolutions have a higher noise floor, potentially impacting segmentation and morphometric analysis results. This study proposes a novel, fast, robust, and resolution-invariant deep learning method to denoise structural human brain MRIs. We explore denoising of T1-weighted (T1w) brain images from varying field strengths (1.5T to 7T), voxel sizes (1.2mm to 250µm), scanner vendors (Siemens, GE, and Phillips), and diseased and healthy participants from a wide age range (young adults to aging individuals). Our proposed Fast-Optimized Network for Denoising through residual Unified Ensembles (FONDUE) method demonstrated stable denoising capabilities across multiple resolutions with performance on par or superior to the state-of-the-art methods while being several orders of magnitude faster at low relative cost when using a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). FONDUE achieved the best performance on at least one of the four denoising-performance metrics on all the test datasets used, showing its generalization capabilities and stability. Due to its high-quality performance, robustness, fast execution times, and relatively low-GPU memory requirements, as well as its open-source public availability, FONDUE can be widely used for structural MRI denoising, especially in large-cohort studies. We have made the FONDUE repository and all training and evaluation scripts as well as the trained weights available at https://github.com/waadgo/FONDUE.

An aged-related structural study of DHPR tetrads in peripheral couplings of human skeletal muscle.

Among the numerous changes that occur in skeletal muscle during aging, the reduced regeneration potential after an injury is largely due to the impaired ability of satellite cells to proliferate and differentiate. Herein, using the freeze-fracture electron microscopy technique, we analyzed both the incidence and size of dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) tetrads (4 particles) in cultured myotubes from a young subject (28 years) after 9 days of differentiation and from an old subject (71 years) after 9 and 12 days of differentiation. Compared to young myotubes, at 9 days of differentiation old myotubes exhibited: i) a lower incidence and a smaller size of DHPR clusters and ii) a lower number of complete tetrads. At 12 days of differentiation values of incidence, size and number of complete tetrads in old myotubes were instead comparable with those of young myotubes at 9 days of differentiation. Collectively, these results indicate that in aged myotubes the synthesis process of the proteins involved in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism, such as the DHPR, is somehow slowed, supporting previous studies evidence of a decrease in the differentiation potential of myotubes from elderly individuals.