Age Of Globalization Research Articles

Potential Mechanisms of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Influencing Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure (HF) is the predominant terminal stage and the leading cause of mortality in cardiac disease. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) affects roughly 50% of HF patients globally. Due to the global aging population, the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of HFpEF have gradually increased. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), as a key visceral adipose tissue around the heart, affects cardiac diastolic function and exercise reserve capacity. EAT closely adheres to the myocardium and can produce inflammatory factors, neurotransmitters, and other factors through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, affecting the heart function by inflammatory response, cardiac metabolism and energy supply, cardiomyocyte structure and electrical activity, and pericardial vascular function. Currently, research on the mechanism and treatment methods of HFpEF is constantly improving. EAT may play a multi-level impact on the occurrence and development of HFpEF. This review also summarizes the potential impact of EAT on the heart in HFpEF combined with other metabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes over other obesity-related measures, such as body mass index (BMI) or other adipose tissue. Above all, this review comprehensively summarizes the potential mechanisms by which EAT may affect HFpEF. The objective is to enhance our comprehension and management of HFpEF. Future research should delve into the mechanistic relationship between EAT and HFpEF, and investigate interventions aimed at EAT to improve the prognosis of patients with HFpEF.

The Application Progress of Nonthermal Plasma Technology in the Modification of Bone Implant Materials.

With the accelerating trend of global aging, bone damage caused by orthopedic diseases, such as osteoporosis and fractures, has become a shared international event. Traffic accidents, high-altitude falls, and other incidents are increasing daily, and the demand for bone implant treatment is also growing. Although extensive research has been conducted in the past decade to develop medical implants for bone regeneration and healing of body tissues, due to their low biocompatibility, weak bone integration ability, and high postoperative infection rates, pure titanium alloys, such as Ti-6A1-4V and Ti-6A1-7Nb, although widely used in clinical practice, have poor induction of phosphate deposition and wear resistance, and Ti-Zr alloy exhibits a lack of mechanical stability and processing complexity. In contrast, the Ti-Ni alloy exhibits toxicity and low thermal conductivity. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) has aroused widespread interest in synthesizing and modifying implanted materials. More and more researchers are using plasma to modify target catalysts such as changing the dispersion of active sites, adjusting electronic properties, enhancing metal carrier interactions, and changing their morphology. NTP provides an alternative option for catalysts in the modification processes of oxidation, reduction, etching, coating, and doping, especially for materials that cannot tolerate thermodynamic or thermosensitive reactions. This review will focus on applying NTP technology in bone implant material modification and analyze the overall performance of three common types of bone implant materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers. The challenges faced by NTP material modification are also discussed.

Can Loneliness be Predicted? Development of a Risk Prediction Model for Loneliness among Elderly Chinese: A Study Based on CLHLS.

Loneliness is prevalent among the elderly, worsened by global aging trends. It impacts mental and physiological health. Traditional scales for measuring loneliness may be biased due to cognitive decline and varying definitions. Machine learning advancements offer potential improvements in risk prediction models. Data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), involving over 16,000 participants aged ≥65 years, were used. The study examined the relationships between loneliness and factors such as cognitive function, functional limitations, living conditions, environmental influences, age-related health issues, and health behaviors. Using R 4.4.1, seven predictive models were developed: logistic regression, ridge regression, support vector machines, K-nearest neighbors, decision trees, random forests, and multi-layer perceptron. Models were evaluated based on ROC curves, accuracy, precision, recall, F1 scores, and AUC. Loneliness prevalence among elderly Chinese was 23.4%. Analysis identified 16 predictive factors and evaluated seven models. Logistic regression was the most effective model for predicting loneliness risk due to its economic and operational advantages. The study found a 23.4% prevalence of loneliness among elderly individuals in China. SHAP values indicated that higher MMSE scores correlate with lower loneliness levels. Logistic regression was the superior model for predicting loneliness risk in this population.

737. ETHNIC, GENDER AND TUMOR-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION IS CRITICAL FOR CLINICAL RELEVANCE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING THERAPY FOR ESOPHAGEAL

Abstract Background Growing evidence has supported a role for body composition in predicting survival in patients undergoing esophagectomy. A contemporary meta-analysis of published data (n=44 studies) conducted for this study confirmed an association between reduced muscle mass at diagnosis and worse overall survival (HR 1.72, 95%CI 1.49-1.97). Variation in methods of assessing and defining parameters of body composition remain however an important barrier to the wider adoption in routine clinical practice. This is particularly pertinent in esophageal cancer due to known sex, biological and geographical difference in tumor subtypes. This study seeks to define baseline variation in body composition parameters and to report their association with 90-day and overall survival in a large international cohort of patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. Methods Patients who underwent esophagectomy in fourteen high-volume centers between January 2007 to December 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Survival data were included up until June 2022. Skeletal muscle, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues within CT images, acquired at the time of diagnosis, were analyzed in accordance with a standardized protocol. Results 1716 patients were recruited to this study from three global regions: North America (n=386;22.5%), Europe (n=940;54.8%) and Asia (n=390;22.7%). Patients were predominantly male (79.5%) and adenocarcinoma was the most common histological subtype (66.6%). Wide variation of skeletal muscle (17.1-83.5cm2), visceral adiposity (0.2-170.1cm2) and subcutaneous adiposity (0.2-216.8cm2) was observed at presentation. Characteristics significantly associated with levels of muscle and adiposity were global region, sex, age, and histological subtype (P<0.001) (Figure 1). Compared to adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma was associated with significantly lower levels of muscle and adiposity, a finding that was independent of global region, sex, and age using a multivariable linear regression model (p<.0001). Median follow-up was 71.3 (95%CI 69.1-73.5) months with a median overall survival of 60.9 (95%CI 53.0-68.9) months. Reduced skeletal muscle and an excess of total adiposity at the time of diagnosis was associated with worse 90-day mortality and long-term survival. An interactive online survival prediction tool was developed to provide personalized survival estimates based on relevant predictors including skeletal muscle, total adiposity at diagnosis and other tumor and patient specific variables. Conclusions This is the first and largest study to adopt standardized methods to define international variation in parameters of body composition in esophageal cancer patients. Findings corroborate the potential role of body composition as a method of prognostication in esophageal cancer and presents a on-line tool for convenient integration into clinical practice.

Reevaluating the “Middle Ages” in our Global Age

Reevaluating the “Middle Ages” in our Global Age

Can We Still Say “We”? Manuel Puig and the Question of Readership in the Global Age

Abstract What kinds of collectivities might come into being in literature in an age of diverse global readership? This question, pressing for twenty-first-century reevaluations of comparative literature, is not new to Latin American literature and its criticism. This article takes Manuel Puig’s 1980 novel Maldición eterna a quien lea estas páginas as an example of a text that engages in debates of its moment, including reader-response theory and Latin American testimonio, while also looking over their horizons to anticipate the ways the collective “we” of literary studies would be thrown into question in the decades to come. Though the novel, which was written during Puig’s exile in New York and anticipates a metropolitan readership, condemns its reader from the outset to read badly (incompetently, extractively, parasitically), it also suggests that there is ethical value in staying with the textual encounter in which meaning, power, and relation are negotiated. Miscommunication, distortion, and projection may be inevitable when continuity in culture, language, and life experience cannot be assumed between writer, characters, and readers, but Puig’s novel affirms that the creative collaboration (however conflictive) that takes place in the act of reading is what gives rise to new ways of saying “we.”

The effects of population aging on industrial structure upgrading: Empirical analysis of provincial and threshold characteristics in China

Global population aging trends are intensifying, presenting multifaceted economic and social challenges for countries worldwide. As the world’s largest developing country, China has entered a phase of extreme demographic aging, posing significant questions about its impact on the ongoing upgrading of industrial structures. How does this demographic shift influence the upgrading of industrial structures, and does technological innovation mitigate or exacerbate this impact? The empirical results indicate that population aging impedes upgrading the industrial structure, while technological innovation positively affects the relationship between the two. Moreover, using technological innovation as a threshold variable, the impact of population aging on industrial structure upgrading evolves in a “gradient” manner from “impediment” to “insignificant” to “promotion” as the technological innovation levels increase. These findings offer practical guidance for tailoring industrial policies to different stages of technological advancement.

New Emerging Aspect of Herbal Extracts for the Treatment of Osteoporosis: Overview.

As the global population ages, osteoporosis is becoming a more common silent disease. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone quality and strength, which increases the risk of fragility fractures in the elderly. According to estimates, 50% of women eventually suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. Due to increasing disability, more frequent hospital hospitalizations, and most critically, fragility fractures have been linked to a reduced quality of life. Osteoporotic fractures have been linked to an increased mortality risk; and must be considered in awareness as a serious health concern. There are anti-osteoporotic medications available that improve bone quality. Considering the availability of various treatment options, still there are a lot of underserved needs in the treatment of fractures and osteoporosis. For example, the application of natural products and herbal resources for fracture healing, because of the androgen-like and antioxidant characteristics of the plants, they can play a crucial for accelerating the repair of bone fractures. In this article, we'll discuss the herbal remedies that are essential for treating osteoporosis (bone disease).

Fracture Non-Union in Osteoporotic Bones: Current Practice and Future Directions.

Given the compromised bone quality and altered healing environment, fracture non-union in osteoporotic bones presents a complex challenge in orthopedics. As global populations age, the incidence of osteoporotic fractures rises, leading to increased delayed healing and non-union cases. The pathophysiology underlying non-union in osteoporotic patients involves impaired bone regeneration, reduced osteoblast function, and poor vascularity. Traditional management strategies - ranging from pharmacological interventions like bisphosphonates and teriparatides to surgical approaches such as bone grafting and mechanical fixation - often yield limited success due to the weakened bone structure. Recent advances, however, have introduced novel therapies such as growth factors, stem cell applications, gene therapy, and bioactive scaffolds that offer more targeted and biologically driven solutions. Emerging technologies like three-dimensional printing and nanotechnology further contribute to customized treatment strategies that hold promise for improved outcomes. Diagnostic approaches have also evolved, integrating radiological assessments and biomarkers to identify patients at risk for non-union better. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including the high costs, technical complexities, and the need for more robust clinical evidence. Future directions involve optimizing these innovative treatments, validating their effectiveness in more extensive clinical trials, and integrating personalized medicine approaches to cater to the individual needs of osteoporotic patients. Overall, integrating these emerging therapeutic strategies alongside traditional practices represents a significant shift towards more effective and personalized management of fracture non-union in osteoporotic bones.

Multimodal Transformers and Their Applications in Drug Target Discovery for Aging and Age-Related Diseases.

Given the unprecedented rate of global aging, advancing aging research and drug discovery to support healthy and productive longevity is a pressing socioeconomic need. Holistic models of human and population aging that account for biomedical background, environmental context, and lifestyle choices are fundamental to address these needs, but integration of diverse data sources and large data sets into comprehensive models is challenging using traditional approaches. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and specifically multimodal transformer-based neural networks, have enabled the development of highly capable systems that can generalize across multiple data types. As such, multimodal transformers can generate systemic models of aging that can predict health status and disease risks, identify drivers, or breaks of physiological aging, and aid in target discovery against age-related disease. The unprecedented capacity of transformers to extract and integrate information from large and diverse data modalities, combined with the ever-increasing availability of biological and medical data, has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, promoting healthy longevity and mitigating the societal and economic impacts of global aging.

Guardians of memory: The urgency of early dementia screening in an aging society.

The global aging population has led to a significant rise in the prevalence of age-related non-communicable diseases such as dementia and other cognitive disorders. In 2019, there were 57.4 million people with dementia worldwide, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. Intervening in and managing 12 potentially modifiable dementia risk factors can prevent or delay the onset and progression of about 40% of dementia cases. Neuroimaging, biomarkers, and advanced neuropsychological testing offer promising pathways for the early detection of dementia. Emphasis should be placed on educating the public about the importance of brain health and the early signs of cognitive impairment, as well as promoting dementia prevention measures. Adopting a healthy lifestyle - including a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, active social engagement, cognitive activities, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption - can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and prevent cognitive disorders. Government policies on dementia prevention and health care, along with early and regular dementia screening programs, can enhance the early identification and management of individuals at risk. In addition, integrating cognitive health assessments into routine medical check-ups is essential for the early screening and management of dementia.

Inter-cultural perspectives on aging

This review examines the inter-cultural perspectives on aging, focusing on how cultural dimensions and stereotypes influence attitudes toward the elderly. The purpose of this research is to explore the variations in aging perceptions between Eastern and Western cultures, considering the growing global aging population. The study analyzes significant cultural dimensions, including power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term versus short-term orientation, which shape societal attitudes toward older adults. The review compares Eastern cultures, which are generally influenced by Confucian values promoting respect and care for the elderly, with Western societies that often emphasize youth, independence, and innovation, leading to more prevalent ageism. Furthermore, the impact of stereotypes on healthcare practices is explored, revealing how negative perceptions can adversely affect the quality of care provided to older adults. The findings indicate that intercultural sensitivity is crucial for healthcare professionals to deliver effective, culturally appropriate care. The review highlights the need for further research and the development of healthcare systems that address the needs of diverse aging populations. In conclusion, understanding cultural influences on aging is essential for enhancing the well-being and quality of life of older adults globally, and for creating inclusive societies that value all age groups.

Exploring Senior Tourists' Technological Experiences: Based on Embodied Cognitive Theory

ABSTRACTThe global aging population brings a growing senior tourist market. This study applies embodied cognitive theory and grounded theory to explore how senior tourists' technological experiences are formed in three travel stages. Twenty‐five in‐depth interviews were conducted with senior tourists aged 55–82. Three main components of embodied technological experiences were found, namely the characteristics of senior tourists, tourism contexts, and technological cognition. Characteristics affect technological cognition and how seniors react in specific tourism contexts. Tourism contexts play a stimulating role in motivating senior tourists to participate in different tourism activities. Technological cognition reflects personal characteristics and factors that influence technological usage. It proposes meaningful insights that can inspire tourism suppliers to enhance senior tourists' overall technological experience.

Surgical Outcomes of Thyroidectomy in Geriatric Patients Aged 80 Years and Older: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: As the global aging population grows, the incidence of thyroidectomy in elderly patients is increasing. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of thyroidectomy in patients aged 80 years and older. Materials and Methods: All patients aged 80 years and older who underwent thyroidectomies at our hospital between January 2015 and December 2022 were reviewed in this retrospective cohort study. Collected data consisted of patients' clinical characteristics, functional status, compression symptoms, preoperative assessments, perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications (such as bleeding events, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypocalcemia), pathological findings, readmission, and follow-up outcomes. Results: Seventeen patients were included in this study, with female predominance (82.4%). The mean age was 85.6 ± 4.8 years. Fourteen patients (82.4%) exhibited compression-related symptoms as surgical indications. Based on pathological reports, patients were categorized into benign (12/17, 70.6%) and malignancy (5/17, 29.4%) groups. The benign group had a shorter operation time compared with the malignancy group (164.3 ± 32.0 min vs. 231.0 ± 79.1 min, p = 0.048). No major postoperative complications developed. The median postoperative follow-up duration was 28 months (range: 2-91 months). Thirteen patients (76.5%) were alive at the end of the study period. Conclusions: Despite potential age-related risks, thyroidectomy is feasible for carefully selected patients aged 80 years and older. It provides benefits not only in terms of oncological curative treatment but also in improving the quality of life, such as compressive symptoms and wound condition.

Mega-analysis of the brain-age gap in substance use disorder: An ENIGMA Addiction working group study.

The brain age gap (BAG), calculated as the difference between a machine learning model-based predicted brain age and chronological age, has been increasingly investigated in psychiatric disorders. Tobacco and alcohol use are associated with increased BAG; however, no studies have compared global and regional BAG across substances other than alcohol and tobacco. This study aimed to compare global and regional estimates of brain age in individuals with substance use disorders and healthy controls. This was a cross-sectional study. This is an Enhancing Neuro Imaging through Meta-Analysis Consortium (ENIGMA) Addiction Working Group study including data from 38 global sites. This study included 2606 participants, of whom 1725 were cases with a substance use disorder and 881 healthy controls. This study used the Kaufmann brain age prediction algorithms to generate global and regional brain age estimates using T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. We used linear mixed effects models to compare global and regional (FreeSurfer lobestrict output) BAG (i.e. predicted minus chronological age) between individuals with one of five primary substance use disorders as well as healthy controls. Alcohol use disorder (β = -5.49, t = -5.51, p < 0.001) was associated with higher global BAG, whereas amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder (β = 3.44, t = 2.42, p = 0.02) was associated with lower global BAG in the separate substance-specific models. People with alcohol use disorder appear to have a higher brain-age gap than people without alcohol use disorder, which is consistent with other evidence of the negative impact of alcohol on the brain.

How Entrepreneurial Competence and Leadership Style Affect Business Performance

This research is based on the importance of entrepreneurial skills and leadership style in influencing business performance, especially for women entrepreneurs. In the age of globalization and increasingly intense competition, women entrepreneurs must possess sufficient skills and apply efficient leadership styles in order to achieve the best business outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which entrepreneurial skills and leadership styles impact the business performance of women entrepreneurs. This study involved women entrepreneurs in Bekasi district with 100 respondents randomly selected as the research sample. Information was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using the Smart PLS (Partial Least Squares) technique to test the research model and hypotheses. The analysis found that entrepreneurial ability and leadership style have a major impact on firm performance. The entrepreneurial capability has been shown to make a significant contribution to improving operational efficiency and the ability to innovate, while a flexible and inspiring leadership style is able to improve team motivation and performance. It was found that it is important for women entrepreneurs to develop appropriate competencies and leadership styles to support their business success.

Being a Jesuit in Renaissance Italy: Biographical Writing in the Early Global Age, by Camilla Russell

<i>Being a Jesuit in Renaissance Italy: Biographical Writing in the Early Global Age</i>, by Camilla Russell

Exploring the Facilitators of the Gerotranscendence Theory: Correlations among Sustainable Behaviors, Biophilic Design, and Nature Connectedness.

Aim: This study aims to shift views away from negative perceptions towards aging by exploring the following research question: How are the multiple levels of the gerotranscendence theory influenced by the sustainable behavior and attitude toward the biophilic design of older adults? Background: Improving perceptions of aging is vital for positively impacting both the biological and societal aspects of the global aging phenomenon. Methods: The study utilized a mixed-method design. Initially, 300 older Turkish adults completed self-reported measures including the Gerotranscendence Scale (GS), Pro-environmental Behavior (PB), Environmental Identity Scale (EID), Biophilic Design Importance Level (BDI), and Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale (INS). Subsequently, the second phase involved diary logs from 30 participants who volunteered during the initial phase. Results: Results indicated that a higher importance level placed on biophilic design was linked to a greater inclusion of nature in the self. Moreover, a stronger interest in nature correlated positively with the gerotranscendence experience. Conclusions: The results bring significant attention to biophilic design, especially its relevance in supporting sustainable environmental behaviors and positive aging.

Molecular mechanism of skeletal muscle loss and its prevention by natural resources.

A skeletal muscle disorder has drawn attention due to the global aging issues. The loss of skeletal muscle mass has been suggested to be from the reduced muscle regeneration by dysfunction of muscle satellite cell/fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells and the muscle atrophy by dysfunction of mitochondria, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and autophagy. In this review, we highlighted the underlying mechanisms of skeletal muscle mass loss including Notch signaling, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Hedgehog signaling, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In addition, we summarized accumulated studies of natural resources investigating their roles in ameliorating the loss of skeletal muscle mass and demonstrating the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, following the studies of natural resources exerting the preventive activity in muscle mass loss, the signaling-based approaches may accelerate the development of functional foods for sarcopenia prevention.

Publicly subsidized senior housing: the national profile of independent living models in South Korea

ABSTRACT Understanding alternative senior housing arrangements is important because of the expanding global aging population, increasing cost concerns for long-term care, and the desire of older people to age in place (AIP). Using a convergent mixed-method design, we examined the South Korean case using national data on independent living models for older adults. We examined the socioeconomic and health characteristics of residents and the service and operational environment of their housing. Based on quantitative and qualitative information collected by the executive director and key staff in senior housing, we discussed areas of mismatch between aging individuals’ needs and housing resources. Our findings suggest that the current service delivery model of housing needs to be reformed to address (1) the heterogeneous support and care needs of residents, (2) limited operational capacity, and that the spatial design needs to be restructured to ensure privacy. We discuss several programmatic and policy-level reforms to build and expand sustainable publicly subsidized senior housing.