Risk Of Disability Research Articles

Galectin-3 Predicts Long-Term Risk of Cerebral Disability and Mortality in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with high mortality and cerebral disability in survivors. Current models of risk prediction and survival are mainly based on resuscitation duration. We examined the prognostic value of circulating biomarkers in predicting mortality and severe cerebral disability for OHCA survivors, alongside traditional clinical risk indicators. Biomarkers including BNP, troponin I, and galectin-3 were measured at hospital admission in resuscitated OHCA patients. Prognostic significance for mortality and cerebral disability involving circulating biomarkers, resuscitation duration, demographics, and laboratory and clinical characteristics was examined via univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. The incremental prognostic value of the index covariates was examined through model diagnostics, focusing on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell's concordance statistic (c-statistic). In a combinatorial analysis of 144 OHCA survivors (median follow-up 5.7 years (IQR 2.9-6.6)), BNP, galectin-3, arterial pH, and resuscitation time were significant predictors of all-cause death and severe cerebral disability, whereas troponin I levels were not. Multivariate regression, adjusting for BNP, arterial pH, and resuscitation time, identified galectin-3 as an independent predictor of long-term mortality. Multiple linear regression models also confirmed galectin-3 as the strongest predictor of cerebral disability. The incorporation of galectin-3 into models for predicting mortality and cerebral disability enhanced fit and discrimination, demonstrating the incremental value of galectin-3 beyond traditional risk predictors. Galectin-3 is a significant, independent long-term risk predictor of cerebral disability and mortality in OHCA survivors. Incorporating galectin-3 into current risk stratification models may enhance early prognostication and guide targeted clinical interventions.

Folate, Homocysteine, and Adverse Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke.

As a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, homocysteine can be effectively lowered by folate. However, the associations of folate and homocysteine levels with the prognosis of ischemic stroke remained unclear. A total of 3530 patients with ischemic stroke were included. Serum folate and homocysteine levels were measured at admission. The primary outcome was composite of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score≥3) at 3 months after stroke onset. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. The mediation effect of homocysteine was examined. During follow-up, 1056 participants developed the primary outcome. In the univariate model, participants in the highest quartile of folate had a 29% (95% CI, 0.58-0.87) decreased risk of primary outcome compared with those in the lowest quartile. After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio associated with the highest quartile of folate was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46-0.73) for primary outcome. In contrast, participants in the highest quartile of homocysteine had a 52% (95% CI, 1.24-1.98) increased risk of primary outcome compared with those in the lowest quartile. After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio associated with highest quartile of homocysteine was 1.57 (95% CI, 1.24-1.98) for primary outcome. In addition, 25.5% of the observed associations between folate and primary outcome was mediated through homocysteine (P=0.012). High folate levels were associated with low risks of death and major disability among Chinese patients with ischemic stroke, and homocysteine partially mediated the observed potential beneficial role of folate.

Prediction of antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae from genomic data through machine learning.

Antimicrobials, such as antibiotics or antivirals are medications employed to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial Resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, and parasites no longer respond to these medicines. This resistance renders antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs ineffective, making infections challenging or impossible to treat. This escalation in drug resistance heightens the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and mortality. With datasets now containing hundreds or even thousands of pathogen genomes, machine learning techniques are on the rise for predicting antibiotic resistance in pathogens, prediction based on gene content and genome composition. Aim of this work is to combine and incorporate machine learning methods on bacterial genomic data to predict antimicrobial resistance, we will focus on the case of Klebsiella pneumoniae in order to support clinicians in selecting appropriate therapy.

Transcranial Doppler in 150 Congolese children with sickle cell disease

IntroductionSickle Cell Disease (SCD) ranks among the most prevalent genetic disorders globally. The incidence in sub-Saharan African countries has been estimated to be 230.000/y with a high prevalence (1%) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Stroke is a significant complication of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and carries a high risk of disability and mortality. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is currently the non-invasive exploration recommended for the prevention of stroke in young SCD patients.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of pathological TCD in a population of young Congolese SCA patients and to assess its association with hematological parameters.Population and methodsThis cross sectional study was carried out on 150 Congolese SS homozygous children between the ages 2–16 years old (mean age: 8.5 ± 4.0 years) in stable condition, and followed from January 1 to December 31, 2013. TCD was performed using the STOP I method in the main cerebral arteries. The risk of stroke was absent when the average maximum speed during a cycle (TAMMV) in middle cerebral artery (MCA) was < 170 cm/s, but present when TAMMV was borderline or conditional for values between 170 and 199 cm/s and pathological for values ≥ 200 cm/s.ResultsThe prevalence of pathological TCD was 4% while the conditional TCD prevalence was 10%. The Mean blood velocity in MCA was 114.0 cm/s. There was a significant difference in the means of WBC (p = 0.003), Hb (p < 0.001), Hct (p < 0.001), MCV (p = 0.005) parameters when comparing normal and at risk TCD (conditional and abnormal). However, no significant association was found for the categorical corresponding parametersConclusionGlobally, 14% of patients were at risk of stroke, hence the interest in integrating TCD in the routine monitoring of children with SCD in order to prevent overt stroke by implementing a chronic blood transfusion program or the use of hydroxycarbamide.

Teaching foundational skills using strategic incremental rehearsal: Investigating effectiveness across varying school agents

AbstractStrategic incremental rehearsal (SIR) is an efficacious flashcard intervention shown to improve foundational skill acquisition. However, there is limited research examining the feasibility and effectiveness of SIR when used by school‐based implementers. We present two studies to address this limitation. Study 1 examined the effects of SIR implemented by teachers on the acquisition of grapheme‐phoneme correspondences with three at‐risk kindergarteners. Study 2 examined the effects of SIR implemented by a same‐age peer on the acquisition and fluency of addition math facts with 3 second‐grade students receiving special education services. Overall, both studies point to the effectiveness of using SIR with students requiring intensive intervention in an focused, short timeframe. The effectiveness of SIR is particularly salient given that teachers and peers were able to implement SIR with high treatment integrity and effectively improve outcomes for students with and at risk for disabilities.

Effects of an adapted peer-assisted learning strategies reading programme on reading fluency and reading comprehension of secondary students with or at-risk for reading disabilities

ABSTRACT The acquisition of reading skills in a person’s native language is a key life component to functioning successfully within their society. Unfortunately, many German students have significant reading difficulties in their native language, German. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to translate into German and implement a promising U.S. reading programme that focuses on fluency and comprehension: Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS Reading 2–6). PALS has shown positive effects for English elementary and secondary students with or at risk for reading disabilities. Therefore, this project conducted a pilot Single Subject multiple baseline design study with eight 7th grade students with or at risk for reading disabilities, to explore the feasibility of implementing PALS in German. Results showed improvement in German reading comprehension and fluency for these students after five sessions along with stability at follow-up conducted after six weeks. Limitations of the study and areas for further research are discussed, as well as implications for practitioners.

Diagnostic accuracy of Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition to identify abnormal or delayed gross motor development in high-risk infants.

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of parent-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) to identify abnormal or delayed gross motor development in infants born less than 1000 g or less than 28 weeks gestation. Prospective cohort study of high-risk infants comparing ASQ-3 as the index test with concurrent score on Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) as the reference standard, at 4-, 8- and 12-month corrected (post-term) age. Reference standard positivity cut-offs were 'Abnormal motor development' (AIMS Clinical Range) and 'Motor delay' (AIMS score >1 SD below mean, not captured in Clinical Range). Participating infants (n = 191) had mean gestational age (95% confidence interval (CI)) 26.8 weeks (26.6-27.1) and mean birthweight (95% CI) 870 g (844-896). AIMS rated 51%, 31% and 23% of infants as having 'Abnormal motor development' and 12%, 28% and 13% with 'Motor delay', at 4, 8 and 12 months, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of ASQ-3 to identify abnormal motor development was acceptable for older infants only if 'Monitor' cut-off was used: sensitivity (95% CI) 33% (23-44), 86% (73-95) and 80% (63-92) and specificity (95% CI) 84% (74-92), 76% (66-84), and 76% (67-83) at 4, 8 and 12 months, respectively. ASQ-3 sensitivity to identify motor delay was low. ASQ-3 has poor sensitivity to identify abnormal or delayed motor development at 4 months. Using the 'Monitor' cut-off improves the diagnostic accuracy of ASQ-3 for identification of older infants with abnormal motor development who are at high risk of motor disability. However, ASQ-3 has poor sensitivity to identify motor delay. Clinical motor assessment of high-risk infants is recommended, particularly in early infancy.

Leisure-time activities and disability among Chinese community-dwelling oldest old: evidence from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study.

With the acceleration of population aging, disability in older adults is a growing public health problem; however, little is known about the role of specific leisure-time activities in affecting disability. This study prospectively examined the association of leisure-time activities with disability among the Chinese oldest old. A total of 14039 adults aged 80 years or older (median age of 89.8 years) were enrolled from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 1998 to 2014. Disability was defined as the presence of concurrent impairment in activities of daily living and physical performance. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations between leisure-time activities and disability. During a mean of 4.2 years (2.7 years) of follow-up, 4487 participants developed disability. Compared with participants who never engaged in leisure-time activities, participants who engaged in almost daily activities, including gardening, keeping domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, reading books or newspapers, and watching TV or listening to the radio had a lower risk of disability, with HRs of 0.78 (0.69-0.88), 0.64 (0.58-0.70), 0.74 (0.63-0.86), 0.74 (0.65-0.84), and 0.84 (0.77-0.90), respectively. Moreover, the risk of disability gradually decreased with participation in an increasing number of those leisure-time activities (P for trend <0.001). Frequent engagement in leisure-time activities was associated with a lower risk of disability among the Chinese oldest old. This study highlights the importance of incorporating a broad range of leisure-time activities into the daily lives of older adults.

Mir-150-5p distinguishes acute pulmonary embolism, predicts the occurrence of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and regulates ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury

BackgroundAcute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a major type of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a high risk of mortality and disability. There is a lack of biomarkers for APE to indicate deteriorating development and predict adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the significance of miR-150-5p in APE aiming to explore a novel potential biomarker for APE.MethodsThe study enrolled APE (n = 137) and deep wein thrombosis (DVT, n = 67) patients and collected plasma samples from all study subjects. The expression of miR-150-5p was analyzed by PCR and its significance in screening APE and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was assessed by receiver operating curve (ROC) and logistic analyses. The study established oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human venous endothelial cells (HUVECs). Through cell transfection combined with cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the effect of miR-150-5p on ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury was evaluated.ResultsSignificant downregulation of miR-150-5p was observed in the plasma of APE patients compared with DVT patients (P < 0.0001). The plasma miR-150-5p levels in APE patients occurred PAH was much lower than in patients without PAH (P < 0.0001). Reducing miR-150-5p distinguished APE patients from DVT patients (AUC = 0.912) and was identified as a risk factor for the occurrence of PAH in APE patients (OR = 0.385, P = 0.010). In HUVECs, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) caused inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD). Overexpressing miR-150-5p could promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress of ox-LDL-treated HUVECs.ConclusionsDownregulated plasma miR-150-5p served as a diagnostic biomarker for APE and predicted the predisposition of PAH in APE patients. Overexpressing miR-150-5p could alleviate ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury in HUVECs.

Ukrainian guidelines for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Introduction. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a bone metabolic disease that develops as a result of glucocorticoid (GC) use, is one of the most frequent causes of secondary osteoporosis, leads to an increase in the risk of low-energy fractures, disability and mortality of GC users. Despite the few stu­dies conducted in Ukraine on the epidemiology and treatment of GIOP, there have been no national recommendations for its ma­nagement until now, which has become the background for their creation. The purpose was to develop national guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of GIOP based on the analytical analysis of modern literary sources to improve the awareness of the medical community of Ukraine, improve management, and reduce the socio-economic burden of the disease. Materials and ­methods. A group of 18 experts, leading Ukrainian scientists in various fields, was created to develop the guideline. An analysis of current literary sources on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of GIOP, and monitoring of the effectiveness and safety of its treatment was carried out. Evidence was synthesized ­using the GRADE system, and a critical assessment of the quality of the recommendations was carried out using the AGREE II tool. ­Results. The guideline consists of 12 provisions on screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of GIOP. The authors emphasized the need to increase the awareness of the medical community of Ukraine regarding the problem, as well as patients regarding the possible side effects of GC. They presented the features of the clinical assessment of the osteoporotic fracture risk in GC users, as well as modern and available in Ukraine methods of diagnosis and treatment of GIOP. Conclusion. The first Ukrainian guideline for screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of GIOP is an important national tool for its management, which is recommended by the Board of the Ukrainian Association of Osteoporosis for use in practical health care by doctors of various specialties.

Progress in clinical application of humoral biomarkers for central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases

Central nervous system idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IIDD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammatory demyelination. The disease follows a course of recurrent attacks and remission, with some cases displaying continuous progression, often resulting in disability. The incidence of CNS-IIDD has been increasing, imposing a substantial burden on both patients' families and society in recent years. A promising strategy for disease management involves the identification of humoral biomarkers to diagnose CNS-IIDD and predict disease attack and progression. Such biomarkers could aid in identifying individuals at high risk of disability, enabling targeted preventive interventions. This study summarizes advancements in the identification of humoral biomarkers and their potential for predicting disease activity and progression to offer novel insights into the management of CNS-IIDD.

Tuberculosis-Associated Respiratory Disability in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Approximately 2% of the global population has survived tuberculosis (TB). Increasing evidence indicates that a significant proportion of pulmonary TB survivors develop TB-associated respiratory disability, commonly referred to as post-TB lung disease (PLTD) and marked by impaired respiratory function, persistent symptoms, and activity limitations. However, the prevalence, risk factors, and progression of TB-associated respiratory disability throughout the life course are not well understood. To address these gaps, we will undertake a systematic review and individual participant-level data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) focusing on TB-associated respiratory disability in children, adolescents, and adults successfully treated for pulmonary TB. We will systematically search MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Global Index Medicus, and medRxiv for original studies investigating TB-associated respiratory disability in people of all ages who have completed treatment for microbiologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed pulmonary TB. Authors of eligible studies will be invited to contribute de-identified data and form a collaborative group. Primary outcomes will be (1) abnormal lung function based on spirometry parameters and (2) chronic respiratory symptoms. We will estimate the overall and subgroup-specific prevalence of each outcome through IPD meta-analysis. Next, we will develop clinical prediction tools assessing the risk of future TB-associated respiratory disability at (i) the start of TB treatment and (ii) end of TB treatment for those without existing signs of disability. Finally, we will use stepwise hierarchical modelling to identify epidemiological determinants of respiratory disability. This study has been approved by the ethics review boards at the Rhode Island Hospital (2138217-2) and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (2024-10345). Individual study authors will be required to obtain institutional approval prior to sharing data. Results will be disseminated through open-access, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. CRD42024529906.

Functional fitness and physical independence in later years: cut-off values and validation

BackgroundTo establish and validate the criterion-referenced standards of functional fitness in predicting physical independence in 80 + years.MethodsA group of 2,749 older community dwellers (60–84 years) were recruited, and 2,050 were identified with moderate-to-high independent living ability according to the proposed minimum composite physical function score. The Senior Fitness Test battery was applied to measure functional fitness at five-year intervals. The declining rate for each fitness dimension was calculated based on the differences between any two adjacent age groups and was adjusted according to the reported degradation rate differences between the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.ResultsThe age-and-sex-specific criterion-referenced standards were identified for muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, and dynamic balance that older adults should possess at 60–79 to maintain independent living abilities. Moderate to high consistency (k = 0.622–0.650) and associations (φ = 0.641–0.694) were found between the predicted physical independence by criterion-referenced standards of functional fitness and the results from the composite physical function scale. Moreover, the predicted independent living abilities in later years from the criterion-referenced standards of functional fitness showed high test-retest reliability (Pa = 0.90–0.96).ConclusionThe criterion-referenced standards for functional fitness are valid and reliable to predict independent living abilities in later years, and provide the threshold to identify the limitations in physical fitness and detect the risks of functional disabilities among older adults in an early stage.

The association between depressive trajectories and disability-free survival among middle-aged and older adults in China: a prospective cohort study.

This study aims to examine the association of depressive trajectories with disability-free-survival (DFS). This prospective cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2011-2015. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale-10. Disability was assessed using activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified and classified by latent mixture modelling. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between depressive trajectories and DFS. A total of 8373 participants aged 45 years and older were included. We identified four distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms: 'no depressive symptoms', 'decreasing depressive symptoms', 'increasing depressive symptoms', and 'persistent depressive symptoms'. Compared to participants in the no depressive symptom trajectory, those in the decreasing depressive symptoms, increasing depressive symptoms and persistent depressive symptoms trajectories had an increased risk of disability or mortality, with multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.75 (1.45-2.12), 2.05 (1.77-2.38) and 3.50 (2.77-4.42). Our study shows that among middle-aged and older Chinese adults, individuals with a trajectory of depressive symptoms are at increased risk of disability or mortality. Our findings underscore the importance of early prevention, identification and intervention of depression in clinical care to promote healthy ageing.

A Critical Examination of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Disability Risk in Adolescent Mothers: A Systematic Review

A Critical Examination of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Disability Risk in Adolescent Mothers: A Systematic Review

Antimicrobial and Computational Studies of Newly Synthesized Benzotriazoles.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) due to non-responding viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites leads to discovery of new antimicrobial medicines which can control the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death. Heterocyclic chemistry has always been a continuous supplier of novel antimicrobial agents which are in great demand in pharma sector. Therefore, compounds such as 1-(Chloromethyl)-1H-Benzotriazole, 1; 1-((1-H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)methyl)phenyl hydrazine, 2; 1-((1-H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)methyl)hydrazine, 3; and N-(benzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4(3-H)-ylmethylbenzenamine, 4 were designed, and synthesized through conventional and microwave-assisted methods. All of these novel benzotriazoles were explored through in-vitro antimicrobial studies and in silico studies. Antimicrobial activity was carried out against bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and fungal strains Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans at concentrations 5, 10 and 15mg/ml. In silico studies was carried out with 4CAW: Aspergillus fumigatus N-myristoyl transferase in complex with myristoyl CoA and a pyrazole sulphonamide ligand. Our antimicrobial and molecular docking studies revealed that all of the derivatives showed promising activity, moreover molecular docking gave significant values of ligand posed energy and docking run elapsed time which further endorsed the astonishing characteristic of benzotriazole derivatives esp. N-(benzo[e]a[1,2,4] triazin-4(3-H)-ylmethylbenzenamine for biological and therapeutic leads.

Does COVID-19 Related Lockdown Restrictions Impact People With Musculoskeletal Disorders? A Systematic Review.

As a result of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related lockdown restrictions, people with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders could be at increased risk of physical and psychological disabilities. This review aimed to summarise the impact of COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on people with MSK disorders. Six electronic databases were searched for studies in the English language published until June 10, 2024. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from the included studies. Data were summarised using narrative synthesis, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. The search strategy identified 637 articles, 129 of which were removed as duplicates. Fifteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were analysed. The sample size the studies reviewed ranged from 40 to 1800. Having MSK disorders during COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, stress, depression, anxiety, MSK related injuries, decreased quality of life and increased use of emergency department. This is the first study to report that COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, MSK injuries and healthcare resource utilisation as well as decreased quality of life among patients with MSK disorders. These results may help inform policy and management strategies in future for people with MSK disorders to mitigate the negative impact of pandemic.

Burden of care in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Greater Noida, U.P., India.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that causes major functional impairments, raises the risk of disability, and reduces life expectancy. It affects around 7 in 1000 people b/w the age of 15 and 35 years. Schizophrenia poses a great challenge not only for the patient but also for the people and the society around the patient. Family members who serve as informal primary carers may suffer personal expenses as a result of providing care for those who have major mental illnesses. One outcome that is regularly studied is the caregiver burden or the challenges encountered in providing care. Burden of care in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Greater Noida, U.P, India. This cross-sectional study was carried out at the School of medical sciences and Research, Sharda University. We enrolled 100 caregivers and it is assessed through the burden assessment scale. Caregivers ranged in age from 20 to 85, with a mean age of 47 (SD=14.1). The male-to-female ratio was 1.7, with 63 men and 37 women present. The majority of the caregivers were parents (n=54), siblings (n=9), spouses (n=10), or their children (n=5). On the burden assessment scale, the severity of the burden was found on the basis of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. It is important to understand the mental health of caregivers in order to develop an appropriate intervention to deal with their mental health problems. Therefore, this study highlighted the need for psychological interventions not only for the patients but also for caregivers.

Prevention of Age-Related-Increases in the Risks of Incident Functional Disability and Dementia by Home-Delivered Functional Dairy Product Consumption in Japanese Older Adults.

Dairy products formulated with bioactives are widely distributed in Japan, but it remains to be clear whether a regular consumption of these products would help reduce the risks of incidental functional disability and dementia in older adults. This study aimed to investigate Japanese subjects aged ≥65 y (n=629) that routinely consumed three functional dairy products, a calcium-enriched milk supplemented with Bifidobacterium longum BB536, a yogurt supplemented with lactoferrin, B. longum BB536 and heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849, and a drinkable yogurt supplemented with lactoferrin, B. longum BB536 and heat-killed L. paracasei MCC1849, through a home delivery service. Intake frequency and intake duration of these functional dairy products were compared with the risk scores of incident functional disability and dementia, developed by the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. In the participants aged <75 y, the incident functional disability risk was significantly maintained or decreased in the participants with the long intake duration level compared with the short intake duration level (OR, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.25-0.93). In the participants aged ≥75 y, the dementia risk was significantly maintained or decreased in the participants with the high intake frequency level compared with the low intake frequency level (OR, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.22-0.95). A high intake frequency or long term duration of these functional dairy products may be effective in preventing an aging-related increase in the risks of incident functional disability and dementia in older adults, but this warrants further investigation using different products containing different bioactives.

Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: brain iron deposition as a new hypothesis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in the older adults. The main pathological change in PD is the degenerative death of dopamine (DA) neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra, which causes a significant decrease in the DA content of the striatum. However, the exact etiology of this pathological change remains unclear. Genetic factors, environmental factors, aging, and oxidative stress may be involved in the degenerative death of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Pharmacological treatment using levodopa (L-DOPA) remains the main treatment for PD. Most patients with PD consuming L-DOPA for a long time usually develop levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) after 6.5years of use, and LID seriously affects the quality of life and increases the risk of disability. Recently, studies have revealed that cerebral iron deposition may be involved in LID development and that iron deposition has neurotoxic effects and accelerates disease onset. However, the relationship between cerebral iron deposition and LID remains unclear. Herein, we reviewed the mechanisms by which iron deposition may be associated with LID development, which are mainly related to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction. Using iron as an important target, the search and development of safe and effective brain iron scavengers, and thus the alleviation and treatment of LID, has a very important scientific and clinical value, as well as a good application prospect.