Effect Of Age Research Articles

Ethnic identity centrality across the adult lifespan: Aging, cohort, and period effects among majority and minority group members.

Ethnic identity is a major area of study across many disciplines including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and political science. Yet, little is known about changes in ethnic identity across the adult lifespan, and whether such changes are driven by normal aging processes (aging effects), unique societal influences linked with one's formative years (cohort effects), or social changes during a specific time frame (period effects). We address these key oversights by utilizing 13 annual waves of longitudinal panel data from a nationwide random sample of both ethnic majority (N = 49,660) and Indigenous ethnic minority (N = 8,325) group members in New Zealand to examine changes in ethnic identity centrality using cohort-sequential latent growth modeling. This approach helps to identify changes in mean levels of ethnic identity centrality over time and whether such changes are driven by aging, cohort, and/or period effects. Our data reveal that, among both ethnic majority and ethnic minority individuals, changes in ethnic identity centrality were informed by a combination of normative aging processes, societal circumstances that reflected the unique historical context in which people grew to maturity, and societal changes during the 13 annual assessments of our study. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time that ethnic identity centrality in adulthood is subject to lifelong changes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Preconception underweight and the risk of offspring congenital heart diseases in young pregnant women: Evidence from the China Birth Cohort Study.

Maternal obesity is a highly suggestive risk factor of offspring congenital heart diseases (CHD). However, the risk of offspring CHD associated with maternal underweight has rarely been mentioned. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of preconception underweight on offspring CHD. From November 2017 to August 2021, 132 386 pregnant women were enrolled in a birth cohort study in China in early pregnancy, and completed follow-up until delivery (or miscarriage/termination). Offspring CHD was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound examination in both live births and stillbirths. Log-binomial regression and restricted cubic spline were used to estimate the risk of offspring CHD associated with preconception body mass index (BMI). A generalized additive model was used to explore the modification effect of maternal age on the association between preconception BMI and offspring CHD. A total of 129 096 pregnant women were included in the analysis. The incidence of CHD in the underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups were 117/17 313 (0.68%), 556/85 695 (0.65%), 128/19 936 (0.64%), 47/6152 (0.76%), respectively. Both underweight and obesity before pregnancy marginally increased the risk of offspring CHD. The association between preconception BMI and offspring CHD varied by maternal age, with low preconception BMI associated with a significantly higher risk of offspring CHD in women <24 years (RR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.07-5.01 for 17 vs 21 kg/m2). Preconception underweight was associated with an increased risk of offspring CHD in young pregnant women. Therefore, weight gain is important to prevent offspring CHD, especially for young women with low preconception BMI.

Hygrothermal aging effect on static and fatigue behavior of three-dimensional five-directional hybrid braided composites under tension

This paper attempts to study the hygrothermal aging effect on static and fatigue behavior of carbon/glass fiber three-dimensional five-directional (3D5D) hybrid braided composites under tension. Firstly, moisture absorption tests and micro-CT scanning analysis were conducted on the composite specimens. The results show that the moisture absorption behavior follows the Fickian diffusion law well and the aging damage is dominated by matrix cracks/pores and interfacial debonding which is more severe in the braiding glass fiber yarn and surrounding regions than the axial carbon fiber yarn and surrounding regions. Then tensile tests and fatigue tests were performed on the unaged and aged composite specimens. It was found that hygrothermal aging has significant detrimental influence on the static tensile and tension-tension fatigue behavior of the composites. From experimental observations and failure analysis, it was also concluded that hygrothermal aging has impact on the failure mechanisms of the composites under both static tensile and fatigue loading owing to the extensively existed aging damage and deteriorated material properties in the aged composites.

Age and gender effects on striatal dopamine transporter density and cerebral perfusion in individuals with non-degenerative parkinsonism: a dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET study

BackgroundDual-phase fluorine-18 labeled N-3-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (18F-FP-CIT) positron emission tomography (PET) scans could be used to support disorders like Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dopamine transporter (DAT) binding and cerebral perfusion are associated with ageing and gender. We investigated the effects of age and gender on non-degenerative parkinsonism, using automated quantification in striatum: specific binding ratios (SBRs) for DAT binding in delayed phase PET (dCIT) and standardized-uptake-value ratios (SUVRs) for cerebral perfusion in early phase PET (eCIT). We also examined the correlations between SBR and SUVR.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed subjects with dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET scans. The eCIT images were acquired immediately post-injection, and dCIT images were taken 120 min later. With Brightonix software, automated quantification of SBRs for dCIT and SUVRs for eCIT were acquired from visually normal scans. The effects of aging and gender were assessed by regressing SBRs and SUVRs on age for both genders. The correlations between SUVRs and SBRs were evaluated.ResultsWe studied 79 subjects (34 males and 45 females). An age-related reduction in SBRs was observed in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for both genders. SUVRs were found to negatively correlate with age in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for males and in the dorsal striatum and caudate nucleus for females. Positive correlations between SBRs and SUVRs in the dorsal striatum, ventral striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for male and in the dorsal striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for females.ConclusionsUsing quantified values from dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET with a single injection, we demonstrate a negative impact of age on SBRs (DAT binding) in the striatum for both genders and SUVRs (cerebral perfusion) in the dorsal striatum and caudate nucleus for both genders and in the ventral striatum and putamen for males. Additionally, we found positive associations between SBR and SUVR values in the dorsal striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen for both genders and in the ventral striatum for males.

Multiscale evaluation of aging susceptibility of asphalt binders modified with recycled rubber and plastic pyrolytic oil composites

Changes in rheological performance, migration of chemical components, and microstructure transformation are some of the processes that occur as asphalt binders age across various stages throughout their lifecycle. Aging-related changes influence pavement performance, typically increasing its susceptibility to issues like fatigue and thermal cracking. Thus, comprehending the role of aging in the performance of asphalt binders is vital for devising effective pavement design and maintenance strategies. The use of plastic pyrolysis oil and recycled non-tire automobile rubber to create oil-rubber modified asphalt binders is becoming quite popular as a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for asphalt pavements. This study aimed to assess the aging behavior of asphalt binders modified with plastic pyrolysis oil and recycled non-tire automotive rubber, both separately and in composite modification. Binders underwent testing under four aging conditions: unaged, short-term aged, long-term aged, and extended long-term aged. The study focused on a multiscale assessment of aging characteristics, encompassing macroscale, mesoscale, microscale, and nanoscale analyses. At the macroscale, the binders were tested for rheological parameters using multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR), linear amplitude sweep (LAS), and Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter tests, while the mesoscale analysis was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, microstructural analysis was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and nanoscale evaluation was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Finally, a comprehensive assessment index that included all the parameters under study was generated using radar graph analysis. It was observed that modifying an asphalt binder with a heat-preheated composite of plastic pyrolysis oil and recycled non-tire automotive rubber showed the lowest CAI values, thus helping to mitigate the effects of aging and achieving enhanced binder performance.

Evaluation of urban–rural difference in breast cancer mortality among Chinese women during 1987–2021: A hierarchical age-period-cohort analysis

BackgroundBreast cancer mortality varies in urban and rural areas in China. Studies have reported urban–rural difference across time period, however, the evaluation on urban–rural differences in age and birth cohort effects is limited. Our aim was to quantitatively assess urban–rural disparities in age, period and cohort effects in breast cancer mortality in China. MethodsWe collected age-specific breast cancer mortality rates for urban and rural females aged 20–84 years from 1987 to 2021. Hierarchical age-period-cohort (HAPC) models were used to evaluate the effect of area (urban, rural) on breast cancer mortality and investigate urban–rural differences in age, time period and birth cohort effects. ResultsWe found a significant area (urban, rural) effect on breast cancer mortality in that rural females had a lower mortality risk than urban females [−0.25 (95 % confidence interval (CI): −0.32, −0.17)]. Age trajectories of mortality based on the HAPC model showed nonlinear trends with adjustment for area variable. The urban–rural difference in age effect appeared to be divergent with age, and urban women had higher mortality risk in the senior age group. The urban–rural difference in birth cohort effect indicated a reversal around the birth cohort group of 1962–1966, after which rural females had a higher mortality risk than urban females. ConclusionThe area (urban, rural) could affect breast cancer mortality among women, and the effect of urban–rural difference varies with age and birth cohort. To promote the health of urban and rural females, the gap between urban and rural areas should be shorten.

The Effect of Age on High-Dose Therapy with Autologous Stem Cell Support in Multiple Myeloma: A Single-Center Experience

Background: This retrospective one-center study demonstrates the complications related to high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell support (HDT) and the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients according to age groups. Methods: We categorized the patients into two groups: those who were ≤65 years old (group 1) (N = 115) and those who were &gt;65 years old (group 2) (N = 26). The mean duration of follow-up was 48 (1–125) months. Results: In group 2 patients, the use of a reduced dosage of melphalan (12 [46%] versus 30 [26%]) was more frequent in comparison to group 1 (p = 0.046). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the neutrophil engraftment days (p = 0.001) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02). The PFS was 44 months for group 1 and 30 months for group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in relation to the median duration of hospitalization, presence of bacteremia, intravenous antibiotic administration, and overall survival (OS). Conclusions: The study’s results indicate that HDT is a reliable method of treatment for older patients with MM, provided that they obtain a suitable conditioning regimen and, furthermore, these patients achieved a comparable OS rate to that of younger patients.

The Effect of Age and Stellar Model Choice on Globular Cluster Color-to-metallicity Conversions

The photometric colors of globular clusters (GCs) act as effective proxies for metallicity, since all normally used optical/IR color indices exhibit a nonlinear but monotonic relation between their integrated color and their metallicity. One color index, (g − z) or (F475W–F850LP), has been spectroscopically calibrated in several studies, providing leverage to define color-to-metallicity conversions for other indices. In this paper, building on the work of Hartman et al., we study the GC color-metallicity relation in more detail by testing the dependence of the relations on different suites of stellar models and different assumed GC ages. Though noticeable differences between models exist, we find that the net effect on the derived GCS metallicity distributions is small.

Effect of thermal ageing on fatigue crack growth behaviour of forged alloy 617M at elevated temperatures

ABSTRACT Fatigue crack growth (FCG) studies have been conducted on compact tension specimens of alloy 617M for as-received and aged for 1000, 5000 and 10,000 h at 710°C. Effects of thermal ageing on FCG behaviour of alloy 617M forged has been characterised at 27°C, 650°C, 710°C and 750°C. Results reveal that threshold stress intensity factor ( Δ K th ) decreases as temperature increases upto 710°C and then increases at 750°C for all the ageing conditions except for 1000 h aged. The Δ K th value also decreases with an increase in ageing time till 5000 h, but at 10,000 h a reverse trend is observed. The influence of thermal ageing and temperature reflects major deviations for Paris constant (C) and exponent (m). Additionally, thermal ageing and temperature influences on FCG, the effects of dynamic strain ageing, Cr-rich carbides and γ’-phase precipitations have been discussed and corroborated with fractographic and microstructural changes.

Aging alone or combined with obesity increases white adipose tissue inflammatory status in male mice

White adipose tissue (WAT) has been recognized as a fundamental and crucial organ of interest in research focusing on inflammation during obesity or aging. WAT is also proposed as a significant component of cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) storage, which participates in the decrease of 25(OH)D plasma levels reported during aging and obesity. In the present study, we evaluated WAT and plasma cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D content together with inflammatory status to highlight the putative relationship between vitamin D status and inflammatory process during aging alone or combined with obesity. Circulating cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D and the stored quantity of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT were quantified in young and old mice fed a control or obesogenic diet. The inflammation was assessed by measuring plasma inflammatory cytokines, mRNA, and microRNAs inflammatory-associated in WAT. The combination of aging and obesity decreased 25(OH)D plasma levels but did not modify circulating inflammatory markers. A cumulative effect of aging and obesity was observed in WAT, with rising mRNA inflammatory cytokines, notably Ccl5 and Tnf. Interestingly, aging and obesity-associated were also characterized by increased inflammatory microRNA expression. The inflammatory parameters in WAT were negatively correlated with the plasma 25(OH)D but positively correlated with the quantity of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT. These results support the cumulative effect of obesity and aging in aggravation of WAT inflammation and suggest that accumulation of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT could constitute a mechanism to counteract WAT inflammation during aging and obesity.

The Coloristic Properties of Biodegradable Fibers

This work aims to present the results of evaluating the coloristic properties of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers. PLA is common nowadays in much research, as it is a biodegradable plastic from renewable sources. However, little research is devoted to PLA fibers, and even less to applied research of colored fibers. The prepared color masterbatches, created using inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide and carbon black, were subsequently used to prepare dyed PLA fibers in mass. The fibers were drawn to the maximum drawn ratio. The properties of the pure and dyed fibers were investigated before and after accelerated light aging using Q-SUN equipment. The changes were recorded by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and colorimetric properties were recorded using a device spectrometer from TECHKON SpectroDens. We also evaluated thermal properties from the first heating via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The measurements were taken before and after the aging of the PLA fibers, in order to see the effect of aging on the supermolecular structure, excluding the influence of the preparation process and the influence of the kind of PLA. Using inorganic pigments showed sufficient color stability even after accelerated light aging, which is beneficial for using colored fibers in practice.

The effect of age on the attachment ability of stick insects (Phasmatodea)

Many insect species have found their way into ageing research as small and easy-to-keep model organisms. A major sign of ageing is the loss of locomotory functions due to neuronal disorders or tissue wear. Soft and pliable attachment pads on the tarsi of insects adapt to the substrate texture to maximize their real contact area and, thereby, generate attachment during locomotion. In the majority of stick insects, adhesive microstructures covering those pads support attachment. Stick insects do not molt again after reaching the imaginal stage; hence, the cuticle of their pads is subject to continuous ageing. This study aims to quantify how attachment ability changes with age in the stick insect Sungaya aeta Hennemann, 2023 and elucidate the age effects on the material and microstructure of the attachment apparatus. Attachment performance (adhesion and friction forces) on substrates with different roughnesses was compared between two different age groups, and the change of attachment performance was monitored extending over a larger time frame. Ageing effects on the morphology of the attachment pads and the autofluorescence of the cuticle were documented using light, scanning electron, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results show that both adhesion and friction forces decline with age. Deflation of the pads, scarring of the cuticle, and alteration of the autofluorescence, likely indicating stiffening of the cuticle, were observed to accumulate over time. This would reduce the attachment ability of the insect, as pads lose their pliant properties and cannot properly maintain sufficient contact area with the substrate.

Effects of aging on diaphragm hyperemia and blood flow distribution in male and female Fischer 344 rats.

Aging is associated with inspiratory muscle dysfunction, however, the impact of aging on diaphragm blood flow (BF) regulation, and whether sex-differences exist, is unknown. We tested the hypotheses in young animals, that diaphragm BF and vascular conductance (VC) would be greater in females and that aging would decrease the diaphragm's ability to increase BF with contractions. Young (4-6 months) and old (22-24 months) Fischer-344 rats were divided into four groups: Young Female (YF, n=7), Young Male (YM, n=8), Old Female (OF, n=9), and Old Male (OM, n=9). Diaphragm BF (ml/min/100g) and VC (ml/mmHg/min/100g) were determined, via fluorescent microspheres, at rest and during 1Hz contractions. In YF versus OF, aging blunted the increase in medial costal diaphragm BF (44 ± 5% vs. 16 ± 12%; P < 0.05) and VC (43 ± 7% vs. 21 ± 12%; P < 0.05). Similarly, in YM versus OM, aging blunted the increase in medial costal diaphragm BF (43 ± 6% vs. 24 ± 12%; P < 0.05) and VC (50 ± 6% vs. 34 ± 10%; P < 0.05). Compared to young, dorsal costal diaphragm BF was increased in OF while crural diaphragm BF was increased in OM (P < 0.05). Compared to age-matched females, dorsal costal diaphragm BF was lower in YM and OM (P < 0.05). Aging results in an inability to augment medial costal diaphragm BF and alters regional diaphragm BF distribution in response to muscular contractions. Further, sex differences in regional diaphragm BF are present in young and old animals.

Comparative Study of the Technological Potential of Durum Wheat Varieties after Natural Aging

Background: Durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is one of the most essential cereal species and is cultivated worldwide over almost 17 million ha, with a global production of 38.1 million tonnes in 2019 (Ioannis et al., 2020). Cereal grains have always been the main source of food for humans and domestic animals. In Algeria, cereal products, mainly wheat, play a strategic role in the food system and the national economy. Knowledge of the phenomena governing their preservation and mastery of storage techniques are crucial to the survival of the world’s population. The world human population is increasing day by day and estimated to reach 8.0 billion by 2025 and 8.9 billion by 2050. Methods: The ideal of this work was to study the effect of natural aging on the viability and technological quality of four kinds of durum wheat, saved for two years under two storage conditions, favorable conditions in the cold room, temperature (-04°C); moisture (12%) and inimical conditions (medium), temperature estimated between 11 and 37°C and relative moisture of 30 to 85 83%. To do this, a study of morphological, physiological, biochemical and technological parameters was initiated on the seed and on the whole factory. Result: The protein content values recorded are low compared to the control under both conditions (favorable, inimical) of natural aging; the differences are veritably largely significant. A significant increase in proline situations in seeds subordinated to natural aging compared to the control. Under good natural aging conditions, we notice that the different genotypes tested record low answerable sugar contents compared to the control; whereas under inimical NA conditions, we note a significant increase in answerable sugar content; the differences are veritably largely significant. The results attained show that, in general, the kinds are more sensitive to inimical conditions of natural aging, while without favorable conditions, the effect is less drastic.

Causal effects of genetic birth weight and gestational age on adult esophageal diseases: Mendelian randomization study

Causal effects of genetic birth weight and gestational age on adult esophageal diseases: Mendelian randomization study

GABA levels decline with age: A longitudinal study

Abstract One factor that might contribute to functional deterioration in healthy older adults is a decline in the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Previous studies have reported mixed results regarding whether GABA declines in healthy aging. These previous studies were cross-sectional and therefore cannot provide insight into GABA changes over time within aging individuals. Furthermore, aging is associated with gray and white matter atrophy that may confound age-related differences in GABA. In the present study, we utilized a repeated-measures, longitudinal design and MR spectroscopy to measure GABA levels in bilateral auditory, sensorimotor, and ventrovisual voxels of interest (VOI) in 30 healthy older adults at two time points a few years apart. Furthermore, we applied two of the most common tissue correction strategies to control for the effects of tissue composition on GABA estimates. Results from mixed-effects models showed that longitudinal change in age is a significant predictor of tissue-corrected longitudinal change in GABA levels: as age increases, GABA declines. In contrast, there was no cross-sectional effect of age on GABA in our sample (e.g., the oldest old did not have lower GABA levels than the youngest old). In conclusion, results from this study provide support for within-person, age-related declines in GABA over time, even after controlling for tissue composition.

Continental scale dietary patterns in a New World raptor using web-sourced photographs.

Dietary studies are essential to better understand raptor ecology and resource requirements through time and space, informing species habitat use, interspecific interactions and demographic rates. Methods used to collect data on raptor diets can constrain how dietary analyses can be interpreted. Traditional approaches to study raptor diets, such as analysis of pellets or prey remains, often provide dietary data at the local population level and tend to be restricted to pairs during the breeding season. The increasing use of citizen science data has the potential to provide dietary inferences at larger spatial, demographic and temporal scales. Using web-sourced photography, we explore continental-scale demographic and latitudinal dietary patterns between adult and non-adult Crested Caracaras (Caracara plancus), throughout the species' range across the Americas. We analysed 1,555 photographs of caracaras feeding and found no age effects on the probabilities of different food groups being included in photographs. The probability of reptiles being included in photographs of caracaras from the northern population was significantly higher than those from the southern population, with the opposite pattern for birds. There were significant latitudinal effects with the probabilities of fishes and invertebrates in the diet of northern caracaras increasing towards the equator. Contrastingly, the probability of mammals in the diet increased away from the equator for both populations. Assuming the focal species is well-sampled, web-sourced photography can improve our understanding of raptor diets at large-scales and complements more traditional approaches. This approach is more accessible to raptor researchers without access to the field or expertise in physical prey identification techniques.

Effects of Age and MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease on the Expression of Genes Associated with the Regulation of the Sleep–Wake Cycle in Mice

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a long prodromal period, during which patients often have sleep disturbances. The histaminergic system and circadian rhythms play an important role in the regulation of the sleep–wake cycle. Changes in the functioning of these systems may be involved in the pathogenesis of early stages of PD and may be age-dependent. Here, we have analyzed changes in the expression of genes associated with the regulation of the sleep–wake cycle (Hnmt, Hrh1, Hrh3, Per1, Per2, and Chrm3) in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum of normal male mice of different ages, as well as in young and adult male mice with an MPTP-induced model of the early symptomatic stage (ESS) of PD. Age-dependent expression analysis in normal mouse brain tissue revealed changes in Hrh3, Per1, Per2, and Chrm3 genes in adult mice relative to young mice. When gene expression was examined in mice with the MPTP-induced model of the ESS of PD, changes in the expression of all studied genes were found only in the SN of adult mice with the ESS model of PD. These data suggest that age is a significant factor influencing changes in the expression of genes associated with sleep–wake cycle regulation in the development of PD.

Trends of falls mortality among older adults in urban and rural China, 1987–2021

BackgroundFalls in older age pose a major public health concern, with unclear urban–rural patterns of falls mortality in China. This study examines the trends of late-life falls mortality in urban...

A novel olfactory sorting task.

This study aimed to develop a simple self-administered screening tool for odor memory, which allowed users to self-test their olfactory function repeatedly even at home. One hundred and ten participants were recruited (30 men, age = 50.1 ± 9.9 years; 80 women, age = 47.1 ± 11.5 years); half of them were heathy volunteers, the other half were patients with olfactory dysfunction. Fifty-one healthy participants volunteered for a retest within an interval of a maximum of 14 days. Olfactory function was assessed using the extended Sniffin' Sticks test (SST) comprising tests for odor threshold, identification, and discrimination. All participants received the Novel Olfactory Sorting Task (NOST) which is based on the sorting of 12 matching pairs of odors involving olfactory and cognitive functions. After that, all participants rated questions related to their test performance and the practicability of the test. Consistent with the previous literature, significant effects of age were found. Results showed an acceptable test-retest reliability and a satisfactory validity of the NOST. The NOST score not only had positive correlations with SST, but also was capable of differentiating severe hyposmia/anosmia from normosmia by the score of 5.5 (sensitivity of 76.2%, specificity of 77.6%). The present study showed the good reliability, validity, and possible clinical usefulness of the NOST. As a self-performed screening test, it can be comprehended and conducted easily, which may provide a quick and simple approach to obtaining a global estimation of olfactory and cognitive functions.