Effect Of Age Research Articles

Effect of aging and exercise on hTERT expression in thymus tissue of hTERT transgenic bacterial artificial chromosome mice.

Telomere shortening occurs with aging in immune cells and may be related to immunosenescence. Exercise can upregulate telomerase activity and attenuate telomere shortening in immune cells, but it is unknown if exercise impacts other immune tissues such as the thymus. This study aimed to examine human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) alternative splicing (AS) in response to aging and exercise in thymus tissue. Transgenic mice with a human TERT bacterial artificial chromosome integrated into its genome (hTERT-BAC) were utilized in two different exercise models. Mice of different ages were assigned to an exercise cage (running wheel) or not for 3weeks prior to thymus tissue excision. Middle-aged mice (16months) were exposed or not to treadmill running (30min at 60% maximum speed) prior to thymus collection. hTERT transcript variants were measured by RT-PCR. hTERT transcripts decreased with aging (r = - 0.7511, p < 0.0001) and 3weeks of wheel running did not counteract this reduction. The ratio of exons 7/8 containing hTERT to total hTERT transcripts increased with aging (r = 0.3669, p = 0.0423) but 3weeks of voluntary wheel running attenuated this aging-driven effect (r = 0.2013, p = 0.4719). Aging increased the expression of senescence marker p16 with no impact of wheel running. Thymus regeneration transcription factor, Foxn1, went down with age with no impact of wheel running exercise. Acute treadmill exercise did not induce any significant changes in thymus hTERT expression or AS variant ratio (p > 0.05). In summary, thymic hTERT expression is reduced with aging. Exercise counteracted a shift in hTERT AS ratio with age. Our data demonstrate that aging impacts telomerase expression and that exercise impacts dysregulated splicing that occurs with aging.

Treatment Outcomes for Asian Americans Diagnosed with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder.

We implemented a pilot study to investigate symptoms and functional outcomes of Asian Americans treated in urban community mental health centers for a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Furthermore, we investigated whether these outcomes differed between East and Southeast Asians. We collected quantitative data from 75 participants recruited using a nonprobability sampling strategy from six urban community mental health centers. We used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (Kay et al. in Schizophrenia Bulletin 13(2):261-276, 1987) and the Strauss and Carpenter Outcome Scale (Strauss and Carpenter in Archives of General Psychiatry 27(6):739-746, 1972) to measure their symptoms and functional outcomes. To compare the outcomes between East and Southeast Asians, we used a multivariable logistic regression model, which adjusted for the estimated effects of age, sex assigned at birth, and age at onset of illness for each outcome examined. The data shows that the treatment outcomes for this group are poor. Only a small number of participants experienced symptomatic remission (30.67%), role restoration (34.67%), and clinical recovery (21.33%). The majority of those who did not experience clinical recovery had difficulties sustaining symptomatic remission and restoring role functioning (54.67%). However, more participants achieved social restoration (68.00%). The results did not vary by national origin groups and sex assigned at birth. However, the participant's age, the age at which the illness began, or both determined whether the treatment outcomes were favorable. Findings underscore the need for interventions that improve symptom control to increase the likelihood of other favorable outcomes.

Performance trajectories of Italian professional cyclists: an analysis of the influence of youth performance on professional success

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to analyse individual performance trajectories of professional (PRO) Italian cyclists across their careers. It sought to compare the performance progression of successful and unsuccessful PRO cyclists, analyse the best predictors of success in PRO cyclists and explore whether the relative age effect (RAE) influences PRO success. The national ranking positions gathered in the youth (U19 and elite/U23) and the PRO categories were retrieved for every year of competition of 81 PRO Italian cyclists and retrospectively analysed. Participants were divided in successful and unsuccessful, depending on whether they reached at least once the top 400 positions in the PRO ranking or not. Successful PRO cyclists display better youth ranking positions and tend to spend less time in youth categories, transition to the PRO category at an earlier age, reach their best PRO ranking at an older age compared to unsuccessful PRO cyclists. The best youth ranking, the age of the best PRO ranking and the years spent in youth categories are all predictors of PRO success. For every additional year spent in youth categories, there are 50.8% less odds of becoming a successful PRO cyclist. RAE does not affect Italian cyclists’ PRO success.

Positional, morphologic, and volumetric differences in TMJ in unilateral posterior crossbites and controls: A retrospective CBCT study

The objective of this study was to evaluate if there are any morphologic, positional, and volumetric differences in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of patients with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPC) compared to controls. Another objective was to analyse the discrepancy in the TMJ between the crossbite versus non-crossbite side in UPC versus right and left sides in controls. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in the bone density at the masseteric insertion site at the angle of mandible in the UPC group and control group. One hundred and thirty-two CBCTs were analysed with 66patients in UPC group and 66patients in control group (non-crossbite). Temporomandibular joint spaces-Anterior joint space (AJS), Superior joint space (SJS), Posterior joint space (PJS), Medial joint space (MJS), Middle joint space (MiJS), and Lateral joint space (LJS) were measured. Additionally, bone density at angle of mandible and volume of mandibular condyle were evaluated. The measurements were compared between the groups as well as between the crossbite and non-crossbite sides within the UPC group and between right and left sides within the control group. Furthermore, the associations between UPC and changes in TMJ regarding joint space availability, bone density, condylar head volume, and the effects of sex and age were evaluated using regression analysis. It was observed that UPC group showed a greater condylar volume, than the control group. Additionally, a larger mean discrepancy was observed between the crossbite side and non-crossbite side within the UPC group concerning condylar volume than controls. Concerning age, condylar volume was observed to be larger in adults than children. Adults showed significantly greater bone density and condylar volume than adolescents. Concerning sex, it was observed that males showed a larger SJS (right), MiJS, LJS, and bone density at the mandibular angle than females. There is a difference in the TMJ parameters particularly condylar volume in patients with UPC compared to controls.

Mechanical Properties and Micromechanisms of SBS-Modified Asphalt Binder under Multiple Aging and Regeneration Effects

Mechanical Properties and Micromechanisms of SBS-Modified Asphalt Binder under Multiple Aging and Regeneration Effects

Anxiety and Depression Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk Through Accelerated Development of Risk Factors

BackgroundPrior studies have incompletely assessed whether the development of cardiometabolic risk factors (CVDRF) (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) mediates the association between anxiety and depression (anxiety/depression) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). ObjectivesThe authors aimed to evaluate the following: 1) the association between anxiety/depression and incident CVDRFs and whether this association mediates the increased CVD risk; and 2) whether neuro-immune mechanisms and age and sex effects may be involved. MethodsUsing a retrospective cohort design, Mass General Brigham Biobank subjects were followed for 10 years. Presence and timing of anxiety/depression, CVDRFs, and CVD were determined using ICD codes. Stress-related neural activity, chronic inflammation, and autonomic function were measured by the assessment of amygdalar-to-cortical activity ratio, high-sensitivity CRP, and heart rate variability. Multivariable regression and mediation analyses were employed. ResultsAmong 71,214 subjects (median age 49.6 years; 55.3% female), 27,048 (38.0%) developed CVDRFs during follow-up. Pre-existing anxiety/depression associated with increased risk of incident CVDRF (OR: 1.71 [95% CI: 1.59-1.83], P < 0.001) and with a shorter time to their development (β = −0.486 [95% CI: −0.62 to −0.35], P < 0.001). The development of CVDRFs mediated the association between anxiety/depression and CVD events (log-odds: 0.044 [95% CI: 0.034-0.055], P < 0.05). Neuro-immune pathways contributed to the development of CVDRFs (P < 0.05 each) and significant age and sex effects were noted: younger women experienced the greatest acceleration in the development of CVDRFs after anxiety/depression. ConclusionsAnxiety/depression accelerate the development of CVDRFs. This association appears to be most notable among younger women and may be mediated by stress-related neuro-immune pathways. Evaluations of tailored preventive measures for individuals with anxiety/depression are needed to reduce CVD risk.

The effect of posture on the age dependence of neurovascular coupling.

Previous studies report contradicting age-related neurovascular coupling (NVC). Few studies assess postural effects, but less investigate relationships between age and NVC within different postures. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of age on NVC in different postures with varying cognitive stimuli. Beat-to-beat blood pressure, heart rate and end-tidal carbon dioxide were assessed alongside middle and posterior cerebral artery velocities (MCAv and PCAv, respectively) using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in 78 participants (31 young-, 23 middle- and 24 older-aged) with visuospatial (VST) and attention tasks (AT) in various postures at two timepoints (T2 and T3). Between-group significance testing utilized one-way analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) (Tukey post-hoc). Mixed three-way/one-way ANOVAs explored task, posture, and age interactions. Significant effects of posture on NVC were driven by a 3.8% increase from seated to supine. For AT, mean supine %MCAv increase was greatest in younger (5.44%) versus middle (0.12%) and older-age (0.09%) at T3 (p = 0.005). For VST, mean supine %PCAv increase was greatest at T2 and T3 in middle (10.99%/10.12%) and older-age (17.36%/17.26%) versus younger (9.44%/8.89%) (p = 0.004/p = 0.002). We identified significant age-related NVC effects with VST-induced hyperactivation. This may reflect age-related compensatory processes in supine. Further work is required, using complex stimuli while standing/walking, examining NVC, aging and falls.

Risk Assessment Method for Forecasting Time-Dependent Aging Effects on Corrosion Rate: Preemptive Bridge Assets Management

Risk Assessment Method for Forecasting Time-Dependent Aging Effects on Corrosion Rate: Preemptive Bridge Assets Management

A Hypothesis-Free Approach to Identifying Potential Effects of Relative Age in School Year: an Instrumental Variable Phenome-Wide Association Study in the UK Biobank.

A child's relative age within their school year ('relative age') is associated with educational attainment and mental health. However, hypothesis driven studies often re-examine the same outcomes and exposure, potentially leading to confirmation and reporting biases, and missing unknown effects. Hypothesis-free outcome-wide analyses can potentially overcome these limitations. We conducted a hypothesis-free investigation of the effects of relative age within school year. We used an instrumental variable (IV)-pheWAS in the UK Biobank (participants aged 40-69 years at baseline), using the PHESANT software package. We created two IVs for relative age: being born in September vs. August (n=64 075) and week of birth (n=383 309). Outcomes passing the Bonferroni-corrected P value threshold for either instrument were plotted to identify a discontinuity at the school year transition. 13 traits associated with at least one of the instruments showed a discontinuity. Previously identified effects included those with a younger relative age being less likely to have educational qualifications and more likely to have started smoking at a younger age. We detected a few associations not explored by previous studies. For example, those with younger relative age had better lung function as adults. Hypothesis-free approaches could help address confirmation and reporting biases in epidemiology.

Does Weathering Explain Low Birth Weight in Uttar Pradesh? Findings From NFHS-5

The present study uses concept of weathering by evaluating maternal age birth and birth-weight associations across caste and religious groups in Indian context under the presumption that that disadvantaged caste and religious groups experience more rapidly deteriorating birth-weight outcomes at older ages than others. Caste and religion stratified average marginal effects of maternal age at birth on low birth-weight are estimated using data from 2015-16 and 2019-21 NFHS Uttar Pradesh data-files. The average marginal effect suggests no evidence of weathering across caste and religious groups in birth-weight patterns by maternal age at birth in Uttar Pradesh.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;

Normal Facial Function in the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System: Is the 100% Score too Restrictive?

The primary objective of this study was to describe the distribution of the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System scores in the general population. Secondary objectives included analyzing the effects of age, gender and facial side on these scores. Two speech therapists specializing in facial motor skill assessment evaluated the healthy participants using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, first with the right hemiface as a reference and then with the left hemiface as a reference. The study was conducted in our ENT department from September 2022 to June 2023. One hundred eleven healthy participants were included (57 women and 54 men), aged 18 to 79 years. SFGS composite scores (SFGS-Total) and sub-scores at rest (SFGS-Rest) and in movement (SFGS-Movement) were studied according to three age categories (18-39 years) (40-59 years) and (60-79 years) and gender. Inter-rater reliability was collected between the two evaluators with Cronbach's alpha. Taking the right hemiface as a reference, SFGS-Total scores ranged from 65% to 100% (median = 96, IQR [91-100]). When the left hemiface was considered as the reference, scores ranged from 78% to 100% (median = 95; IQR [90-100]). Right and left SFGS-Total scores showed high inter-rater reliability (respectively α = 0.953 and α = 0.926). There was a slight negative correlation between age and SFGS-Total scores. By embracing a more realistic approach that acknowledges natural variations and asymmetry in facial movements, we can enhance patient care and promote a more holistic understanding of facial rehabilitation outcomes.

Seasonal Sulfur Redox Cycling in Two Constructed Wetlands with Insight on How They Age.

Long-term metal remediation in wetland treatment systems (WTSs) involves facilitating dissimilatory sulfate reduction to produce sulfide and mineralize metals in deep sediments. We evaluated seasonal sulfur cycling in two constructed wetlands (Maintained WTS constructed in 2007, and the Unmaintained WTS constructed in 2000) on the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, USA. Significant interactions in sulfide concentration were observed between sediment depth, season, and wetland (F = 4.64, df = 11, P = 3.28 × 10 - 5). In the Maintained WTS, dissimilatory sulfate reduction dominated the surface sediments during the warm season (0-2cm depth, t=-2.66, P = 9.70 × 10 - 3), unlike the Unmaintained system. Sulfate concentrations in pore waters increased in the warm season (F = 7.84, df = 1, P = 6.50 × 10 - 3), contrary to expectations. Sulfur limitation in the Unmaintained WTS during the warm season correlated with increased sulfur assimilation in giant bulrush. Lower sulfide concentrations in surface sediments of the Unmaintained WTS illustrated aging effects. The Maintained WTS shows potential for managing erosion, pH reduction, and sulfur limitation observed in the older Unmaintained WTS.

The effect of age on heart rate variability indices during and following high-intensity continuous exercise in masters and young cyclists.

This study compared heart rate variability (HRV) parameters of cardiovascular autonomic regulation between well-trained masters and young cyclists at rest, during and following a continuous cycle (CTS) protocol. Ten masters (age = 56 ± 5years) and eight young (age = 26 ± 3years) cyclists completed a 100min experimental protocol consisting of a 60min CTS cycling bout at 95% of Ventilatory Threshold 2 followed by 40min of supine recovery. Beat-to-beat heart rate was measured continuously, and HRV parameters analysed at standardised 5min intervals during rest, exercise and recovery. The root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD), low-frequency power and high-frequency power parameters were corrected by division of the R-R interval (time domain), or R-R interval squared (frequency domain). Further, the RMSSD and RMSSD:RR for successive 60-s R-R intervals at the onset (0-10min) and offset (60-70min) of CTS exercise were analysed over 10-min periods. The natural logarithm (Ln) of skewed parameters was taken for analysis. Significant interaction effects (P < 0.05) for 5min segments were found for (LnRMSSD, LnRMSSD:RR, LnHF and LnHF:RR2. Masters cyclists demonstrated lower values of parasympathetic activity at rest and during recovery (15-20min and 35-40min) compared to younger cyclists. However, similar HRV responses were observed during exercise, including throughout the acute onset and offset periods (P > 0.05). This data shows that cardiac autonomic regulation during, or immediately following CTS exercise may not be influenced by age, but masters athletes may exhibit a lower baseline for parasympathetic activity.

CSF dynamics throughout the ventricular system using 4D flow MRI: associations to arterial pulsatility, ventricular volumes, and age.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics are increasingly studied in aging and neurological disorders. Models of CSF-mediated waste clearance suggest that altered CSF dynamics could play a role in the accumulation of toxic waste in the CNS, with implications for Alzheimer's disease and other proteinopathies. Therefore, approaches that enable quantitative and volumetric assessment of CSF flow velocities could be of value. In this study we demonstrate the feasibility of 4D flow MRI for simultaneous assessment of CSF dynamics throughout the ventricular system, and evaluate associations to arterial pulsatility, ventricular volumes, and age. In a cognitively unimpaired cohort (N = 43; age 41-83 years), cardiac-resolved 4D flow MRI CSF velocities were obtained in the lateral ventricles (LV), foramens of Monro, third and fourth ventricles (V3 and V4), the cerebral aqueduct (CA) and the spinal canal (SC), using a velocity encoding (venc) of 5cm/s. Cerebral blood flow pulsatility was also assessed with 4D flow (venc = 80cm/s), and CSF volumes were obtained from T1- and T2-weighted MRI. Multiple linear regression was used to assess effects of age, ventricular volumes, and arterial pulsatility on CSF velocities. Cardiac-driven CSF dynamics were observed in all CSF spaces, with region-averaged velocity range and root-mean-square (RMS) velocity encompassing from very low in the LVs (RMS 0.25 ± 0.08; range 0.85 ± 0.28mm/s) to relatively high in the CA (RMS 6.29 ± 2.87; range 18.6 ± 15.2mm/s). In the regression models, CSF velocity was significantly related to age in 5/6 regions, to CSF space volume in 2/3 regions, and to arterial pulsatility in 3/6 regions. Group-averaged waveforms indicated distinct CSF flow propagation delays throughout CSF spaces, particularly between the SC and LVs. Our findings show that 4D flow MRI enables assessment of CSF dynamics throughout the ventricular system, and captures independent effects of age, CSF space morphology, and arterial pulsatility on CSF motion.

The effect of age on the relationship between negative life events and current and new depressive episodes: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

There is scarce data concerning the relationship between negative life events (NLEs)* and current and new depressive episodes by age. Cross-sectional (baseline) and prospective analyses (4-year/8-year follow-ups) were performed in 15,105 civil servants in 6 cities in Brazil classified according to age strata at baseline: 1st(35-44), 2nd(45-54), 3rd(55-64), and 4th(65-74) years. The independent variable was NLEs in the last year (robbery, hospitalization, death of a relative, financial hardship, and rupture of a love relationship) collected at baseline. The dependent variable was depressive episodes assessed at baseline (current), and 4-year/8-year follow-ups (new). We built logistic (Odds Ratio[OR];95 % Confidence Interval[CI]) in the cross-sectional analysis and Poisson regression models (Relative Risk[RR], [CI]) in the prospective analysis. Robbery, hospitalization, financial hardship, rupture of a relationship were associated with current depressive episodes concentrated in the 35-44 age range, while for new depressive episodes, the association of hospitalization, death of a relative, and financial hardship were concentrated in the 45-54 age stratum. Financial hardship was associated with current depressive episodes in all age-strata: 1st: OR, 2.77(CI, 1.83-4.19); 2nd: OR, 1.71(CI, 1.26-2.34); 3rd: OR, 1.68(CI,1.15-2.46); 4th, OR, 4.07(CI, 1.24-13.34), and new depressive episodes: 1st: RR, 1.45(CI, 1.09-1.93); 2nd RR, 1.46(CI: 1.15-1.84); 3rd: RR, 1.97(CI, 1.38-2.82). Rupture of a relationship was associated only with current depressive episode, while death of a relative only with new depressive episode. We cannot rule out the possibility of recall bias, since NLEs` information was self-reported. The association between NLEs with depressive episodes was concentrated in youngers.

Reducing age differences in the retrieval of verbatim and gist representations: Encoding manipulations.

Aging causes changes in episodic memory. While the ability to remember the general idea or gist of past episodes is relatively preserved from the effects of aging, the ability to remember the verbatim details of these episodes declines. The aim of the present study was to examine whether age-related differences in the quality of episodic representations could be reduced by manipulations of information encoding. Two experiments were conducted with younger adults (NExp.1 = 32, NExp.2 = 31, 18-27 years old) and older adults (NExp.1 = 31, NExp.2 = 30, 54-81 years old) in which either the retrieval of gist representations of studied items was facilitated by presenting items that could be grouped within the same category (Exp. 1) or the retrieval of verbatim details of studied items was facilitated by presenting the same items repeatedly (Exp. 2). Both manipulations proved effective in increasing retrieval of either gist or verbatim representations in a recognition task in younger and older adults. Increasing gist retrieval improved correct recognition performance for both younger and older adults but also led the latter to make more recognition errors. Increasing verbatim retrieval improved correct recognition performance for both younger and older adults, and the gain was greater for older adults. These findings support the notion that age-related changes in episodic memory can be explained by changes in the specificity of representations and suggest that simple encoding manipulations could improve episodic memory in older adults.

Effects of release strategy, source population, and age on reintroduced scaled quail reproduction

Effects of release strategy, source population, and age on reintroduced scaled quail reproduction

Demographic factors impact the rate of hearing decline across the adult lifespan.

Little is known about the natural history of hearing loss in adults, despite it being an important public health problem. The purpose of this study is to describe the rate of hearing change per year over the adult lifespan. The 1436 participants are from the MUSC Longitudinal Cohort Study of Age-related Hearing Loss (1988-present). Outcomes are audiometric thresholds at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz, averaged across right and left ears, and pure-tone average (PTA). Demographic factors are sex (female/male), race, which is categorized as white or racial Minority, and baseline age group (18-39, 40-59, 60-69, 70+ years). Linear mixed regression models are used to estimate the effect of age (per year) on the rate of threshold and PTA change. Participants' mean age is 63.1 (SD 14.9) years, 57.7% are female, and 17.8% are racial Minority (17.1% were Black or African American). In sex-race-adjusted models, rates of threshold change are 0.42 to 1.44 dB across thresholds. Rates of change differ by sex at most individual thresholds, but not PTA. Females (versus males) showed higher rates of threshold change in higher frequencies but less decline per year in lower frequencies. Black/African American (versus white) participants have lower rates of threshold and PTA change per year. Hearing thresholds decline across the adult lifespan, with older (versus younger) baseline age groups showing higher rates of decline per year. Declines to hearing occur across the adult lifespan, and the rate of decline varies by sex, race, and baseline age.

The uniqueness of human vulnerability to brain aging in great ape evolution.

Aging is associated with progressive gray matter loss in the brain. This spatially specific, morphological change over the life span in humans is also found in chimpanzees, and the comparison between these great ape species provides a unique evolutionary perspective on human brain aging. Here, we present a data-driven, comparative framework to explore the relationship between gray matter atrophy with age and recent cerebral expansion in the phylogeny of chimpanzees and humans. In humans, we show a positive relationship between cerebral aging and cortical expansion, whereas no such relationship was found in chimpanzees. This human-specific association between strong aging effects and large relative cortical expansion is particularly present in higher-order cognitive regions of the ventral prefrontal cortex and supports the "last-in-first-out" hypothesis for brain maturation in recent evolutionary development of human faculties.

The effect of aging on the dual-route model of emotion processing applied to memory recognition.

Emotional faces are automatically processed in the human brain through a cortical route (conscious processing based on high spatial frequencies, HSF) and a subcortical route (subliminal processing based on low spatial frequencies, LSF). How each route contributes to emotional face recognition is still debated, and little is known about this process in aging. Here, 147 younger adults (YA) and 137 older adults (OA) were passively presented with neutral, happy, and angry faces, shown as (a) unfiltered, (b) filtered at LSF, and (c) hybrid (emotional LSF superimposed to the neutral HSF of the same face). In a succeeding recognition phase, the same faces and new faces were shown as unfiltered, and participants were asked whether each face had been already presented in the encoding phase. Despite the better performance by YA compared with OA for neutral faces presented as unfiltered (cortical route), the performance of OA was better than that of YA for angry faces presented as hybrid and for happy faces presented at LSF and as hybrid. We conclude that the activity of the subcortical route during the encoding phase facilitates emotional recognition in aging. Results are discussed in accordance with the dual-route model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).