Elderly Stage Research Articles

Factors affecting the desire to work among elderly people in Thailand

Globally, the number of elderly people is increasing. It is important for elderly people to be financially active to enhance their values and health. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the factors affecting the desire to work among elderly people in Thailand. The present study was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted using the 2017 Elderly Population Survey database of the National Statistical Office, which includes 32,035 individuals. The statistical analysis was performed by a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). This study revealed that 31.05% of the elderly participants desired to work (95% CI: 30.54-31.55). Statistically significant factors influencing this desire included demographic characteristics such as gender (female, AOR=1.76), age groups (middle elderly stage, AOR=3.13; late elderly stage, AOR=8.88), and literacy (ability to read and write, AOR=1.21). Marital status also played a role, with married (AOR=1.39) and single (AOR=1.37) individuals showing a higher desire to work. Health-related factors were equally important. Those with better physical health had a much higher likelihood of wanting to work compared to those with very poor health (AOR=5.81). Furthermore, engaging in exercise (AOR=1.30), participating in social groups (AOR=2.50), and community activities (AOR=1.11) were positively associated with the desire to work. Sensory abilities, such as clear vision (AOR=1.14) and hearing (AOR=1.42), as well as residing in rural areas (AOR=1.23), also influenced this desire. Approximately one-third of the elderly people were willing to work. Factors that were associated with the desire to work included gender, age, reading and writing ability, marital status, physical health, engaging in exercise, ability to participate in social groups, participation in community activities, vision and hearing ability and location of residence. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach that considers these factors should be undertaken to promote suitable work for elderly people to enhance their values and health.

Benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage IB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity-matched analysis.

Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is a well-recognized and well-established treatment for surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its suitability for elderly patients remains controversial. Further investigation is warranted to guide ACT decisions in this demographic. We extracted data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, focusing on patients aged 70 years or older who underwent surgical resection for stage IB, II, or III NSCLC as per the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system (AJCC 7th edition). Propensity score matching (PSM), Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression were employed for statistical analyses. There were 503 participants received ACT in this study of 2,000 patients aged 70 or older with stage IB-IIIB NSCLC who underwent surgical resection without preoperative chemotherapy. Overall, ACT did not significantly correlate with extended overall survival (OS) (P=0.07) compared to non-ACT. After 2:1 PSM, the matched cohort comprised 317 non-ACT and 206 ACT recipients. Post-PSM, the ACT group exhibited improved OS (P=0.044) compared to the non-ACT group. Cox regression analysis identified gender, primary tumor site, histologic grade, N stage, and ACT as independent predictors of OS (P<0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated amplified ACT benefits in individuals aged 70-79 years, male, with N1 stage, or those without radiotherapy. ACT may confer benefits to elderly stage IB-IIIB NSCLC patients, particularly those aged 70-79 years, male, and with N1 stage.

Ketogenic diet administration later in life improves memory by modifying the synaptic cortical proteome via the PKA signaling pathway in aging mice

Aging compromises brain function leading to cognitive decline. A cyclic ketogenic diet (KD) improves memory in aged mice after long-term administration; however, short-term effects later in life and the molecular mechanisms that govern such changes remain unclear. Here, we explore the impact of a short-term KD treatment starting at elderly stage on brain function of aged mice. Behavioral testing and long-term potentiation (LTP) recordings reveal that KD improves working memory and hippocampal LTP. Furthermore, the synaptosome proteome of aged mice fed a KD long-term evidence changes predominantly at the presynaptic compartment associated to the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. These findings were corroborated invivo by western blot analysis, with high BDNF abundance and PKA substrate phosphorylation. Overall, we show that a KD modifies brain function even when it is administered later in life and recapitulates molecular features of long-term administration, including the PKA signaling pathway, thus promoting synaptic plasticity at advanced age.

Self-medication in older adults: An important yet challenging issue

The elderly stage is a vulnerable phase in the human lifespan, wherein individuals face potential risks such as a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and a lack of social assistance. Moreover, due to physical and mental limitations, their personal autonomy is often jeopardized in various circumstances [1]. Older adults may independently take medications due to existing physical and mental health conditions. Self-medication is a significant aspect of self-care practices and a key topic in healthcare discussions [2]. Self-medication is a behavior in which a person tries to fix his illness or health problem without the help and opinion of professionals. Self-medication can be done by consuming an industrial or handmade drug, obtaining drugs without a specialist's prescription, using prescribed drugs in similar cases, dividing prescribed drugs for a person among family members and acquaintances, using additional and remaining drugs at home, refraining from taking the original prescribed medicine, whether it is done by taking extra medicine without a doctor's prescription or not taking the medicine completely [3].

The correlation between obesity and prostate volume in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective cohort study.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing substantial burden on health care systems. Men with high body mass index (BMI) have bigger prostate volumes (PV) with subsequent increase in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) than men with normal BMI. The purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation between Obesity and PV in patients with BPH. The study included 560 patients (50-80 years) with BPH. Weight and height measured to calculate BMI. TRUS was used to measure PV. Patient demographics such as IPSS score and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were also noted. Patients in the study had a mean age of 65.3 ± 9.45 years and the mean BMI was 23.97 ± 4.89 kg/m2. The mean PV of each BMI group were 37.45 ± 0.81, 57.89 ± 1.52 and 77.94 ± 2.17 (ml) for normal, overweight and obese groups, respectively, and the average PV score was 57.76 ± 1.50 ml. The mean PSA score was 3.26 ± 0.94 (ng/dl) with a range of 0.6-10.4. There was significant correlation between BMI and PV (p = 0.001) as well as between BMI with PSA and IPSS (p = 0.02, 0.001, respectively). The results showing strong correlation between BMI and PV also BMI with PSA and IPSS. Therefore reducing weight may lead to a lower prostate volume in the elderly stage, making LUTS less noticeable and improving quality of life.

Penggunaan Gigi Tiruan pada Lansia dengan Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A person who has reached the elderly stage will have an experienced degenerative process that causes several disorders. Changes in the masticatory function due to the loss of the remaining teeth can cause a transformation not only in the mastication system but also in the upper airway system of respiration. This is due to orofacial deformation, tongue retraction while in the resting position, occlusal vertical dimension changes, and a decrease in facial height. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep breathing disorder with 17 % prevalence rate in adults and increases up to 49% in the elderly stage. A complete denture can be a rehabilitative treatment option for the elderly OSA patient. Wearing dentures during sleep is against the principles of dentistry because it can cause the tongue to be positioned posteriorly. However, people, mostly women, still wears denture while sleeping. This might further increase the obstruction of upper airway system.

Famine exposure in early life increases risk of cataracts in elderly stage.

Epidemiological studies have shown that early-life nutritional deficiencies are associated with an increased risk of diseases later in life. This study aimed to explore the correlation between famine exposure during the early stages of life and cataracts. We included 5,931 participants from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) 2018 cross-sectional data in our study. Subjects were categorized into three groups by their age during the famine: adulthood group, school age famine exposure group, and teenage famine exposure group. Utilizing binary logistic regression models, we investigated the relationship between early-life famine exposure and cataracts. Compared to the adulthood group, both the school age exposure group (OR = 2.49, 95%CI = 1.89-3.27) and teenage exposure group (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.20-1.76) had a heightened risk of developing cataracts in elderly stage. And the sex differences in the impact of famine during early years on elderly cataract risk were observed, particularly indicating a higher risk among women who experienced childhood famine compared to men with similar exposure. Famine exposure during the early stages of life is associated with a heightened risk of developing cataracts in old age. To prevent cataracts in elderly individuals, particularly in females, measures should be taken to address nutritional deficiencies in these specific periods.

The Contribution of Da'wah For the Elderly in the Qur'an and Al-Hadith and its Implementation in the People of Bekasi City

Elderly is the final stage in the journey of human life, where humans in general experience a lot of decline, weakening and reduced potential abilities and activities. So that the elderly appear weak, lethargic, sluggish, and tired. Their lives tend to be unemployed, inattentive, more rested, and not much activity. They can no longer be aggressive, agile and agile like they were when they were young. On the other hand, there is a general view (public opinion) circulating in the community, that the existence of the elderly (elderly) or often referred to as elderly (elderly human) still does not receive a positive response and is underestimated. Including the participation and contribution of the elderly in preaching and fighting in upholding the religion of Allah SWT. In fact, these da'wah activities must continue, continue, and continue to move from childhood, to old age. Because Islam is a missionary religion. A religion that must be driven by its carriers and callers. So Islam always encourages its people to always play an active role in carrying out these da'wah activities. Because da'wah is one of the important means of spreading Islamic teachings to the community. And in order to realize the Islamic religion which continues to exist throughout the ages, missionary workers (including the elderly) are needed who are constantly moving and rotating; continuous, ongoing, and continuous. Therefore, the study of the elderly and their contribution to da'wah is very important to do. This study aims to: First, explain who is the elderly, and the characteristics and characteristics attached to them; Second: explaining the verses of the Al-Qur'an and Al-Hadith which explain matters concerning humans who are in the elderly stage; Third, exploring the potential of the elderly in contributing (contribution) in da'wah; and Fourth, determining how the elderly are able to implement their preaching potential to the people of Bekasi City. This research method consists of: a. This type of research is descriptive qualitative, through library research and field research as well. Where in the library research it examines more on the concept of the verses of the Koran al-hadith on the elderly; b. While the technique of collecting data for field research, by means of interviews, observation and documentation, to get the results of real implementation studies (practices and applications) in the field. Furthermore, the collected data is processed and analyzed, so that it will get a more comprehensive research. The results of this study indicate that: First, the elderly are actually an important element in society that must be properly responded to for their potential in the da'wah movement; Second, there are potentials that are quite calculated in contributing their da'wah to the community. Third, there are areas of da'wah that can be moved by the elderly in implementing their da'wah contribution to the people of Bekasi City.

Tracking functional network connectivity dynamics in the elderly.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has shown that aging disturbs healthy brain organization and functional connectivity. However, how this age-induced alteration impacts dynamic brain function interaction has not yet been fully investigated. Dynamic function network connectivity (DFNC) analysis can produce a brain representation based on the time-varying network connectivity changes, which can be further used to study the brain aging mechanism for people at different age stages. This presented investigation examined the dynamic functional connectivity representation and its relationship with brain age for people at an elderly stage as well as in early adulthood. Specifically, the resting-state fMRI data from the University of North Carolina cohort of 34 young adults and 28 elderly participants were fed into a DFNC analysis pipeline. This DFNC pipeline forms an integrated dynamic functional connectivity (FC) analysis framework, which consists of brain functional network parcellation, dynamic FC feature extraction, and FC dynamics examination. The statistical analysis demonstrates that extensive dynamic connection changes in the elderly concerning the transient brain state and the method of functional interaction in the brain. In addition, various machine learning algorithms have been developed to verify the ability of dynamic FC features to distinguish the age stage. The fraction time of DFNC states has the highest performance, which can achieve a classification accuracy of over 88% by a decision tree. The results proved there are dynamic FC alterations in the elderly, and the alteration was found to be correlated with mnemonic discrimination ability and could have an impact on the balance of functional integration and segregation.

Theranostic Approach for the Management of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone-metabolic disorder, causing micro-architecture degeneration and a decrease in bone density. Nutritional deficiency, i.e., calcium, vitamin D, and hormonal imbalances are the primary cause for the occurrence of OP. Although conventional diagnostic techniques and therapies are available and found to be effective only at a later stage, though still lack prevention strategies. Thus, the patients tend to suffer incidence of fractures and many difficulties to manage their day-to-day activities at an elderly stage. Numerous nanomaterial(s) possessing unique physicochemical, optical, and electrical properties are reported nowadays to be employed for both early-stage detections of disease and its treatment. Amongst these nanomaterials, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) possessing strong magnetic susceptibility, less in vivo toxicity, and surface functionalities are extensively employed for MRI contrast imaging agents in the area of disease diagnosis, and drug delivery tools for various therapies. Therefore, this review highlights the pathophysiology of OP, conventional techniques of diagnosis, and the application of SPIONs for diagnostic and treatment purposes of osteoporosis.

The Dutch Lung Cancer Audit-Radiotherapy (DLCA-R): Real-World Data on Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Curative Chemoradiation

IntroductionChemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care in inoperable non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, favoring concurrent (cCRT) over sequential CRT (seqCRT), with adjuvant immunotherapy in responders. Elderly and frail NSCLC patients have generally been excluded from trials in the past. In elderly patients however, the higher treatment related morbidity of cCRT, may outweigh the possible lower tumor control of seqCRT. For elderly patients with locally advanced NSCLC real-world data is essential to be able to balance treatment toxicity and treatment outcome. The aim of this study is to analyze acute toxicity and 3-month mortality of curative chemoradiation (CRT) in patients with stage III NSCLC and to analyze whether cCRT for elderly stage III NSCLC patients is safe. MethodsThe Dutch Lung Cancer Audit-Radiotherapy (DLCA-R) is a national lung cancer audit that started in 2013 for patients treated with curative intent radiotherapy. All Dutch patients treated for stage III NSCLC between 2015 and 2018 with seqCRT or cCRT for (primary or recurrent) stage III lung cancer are included in this population-based study. Information was collected on patient, tumor- and treatment characteristics and the incidence and severity of acute non-hematological toxicity (CTCAE-4 version 4.03) and mortality within 3 months after the end of radiotherapy. To evaluate the association between prognostic factors and outcome (acute toxicity and mortality within 3 months), an univariable and multivariable analysis was performed. The definition of cCRT was:radiotherapy started within 30 days after the start of chemotherapy. ResultsOut of all 20 Dutch departments of radiation oncology, 19 centers participated in the registry. A total of 2942 NSCLC stage III patients were treated with CRT. Of these 67.2% (n = 1977) were treated with cCRT (median age 66 years) and 32.8% (n = 965) were treated with seqCRT (median age 69 years). Good performance status (WHO 0-1) was scored in 88.6% for patients treated with cCRT and in 71.0% in the patients treated with seqCRT. Acute nonhematological 3-month toxicity (CTCAE grade ≥3 or radiation pneumonitis grade ≥2) was scored in 21.9% of the patients treated with cCRT and in 17.7% of the patients treated with seqCRT. The univariable analysis for acute toxicity showed significantly increased toxicity for cCRT (P = .008), WHO ≥2 (P = .006), and TNM IIIC (P = .031). The multivariable analysis for acute toxicity was significant for cCRT (P = .015), WHO ≥2 (P = .001) and TNM IIIC (P = .016). The univariable analysis for 3-month mortality showed significance for seqCRT (P = .025), WHO ≥2 (P < .001), higher cumulative radiotherapy dose (P < .001), higher gross tumor volume total (P = .020) and male patients (p < .001). None of these variables reached significance in the multivariable analysis for 3-month mortality. ConclusionIn this national lung cancer audit of inoperable NSCLC patients, 3-month toxicity was significantly higher in patients treated with cCRT (21.9% vs. 17.7% for seqCRT) higher TNM stage IIIC, and poor performance (WHO≥2) patients.The 3-months mortality was not significantly different for tested parameters. Age was not a risk factor for acute toxicity, nor 3 months mortality.

Prognostic risk factors for postoperative long-term outcomes in elderly stage IA gastric cancer patients.

The number of gastric cancer (GC) patients with other diseases is increasing due to the aging of the population. In particular, in stage IA GC patients who have multiple diseases, surgical indications should be considered after identifying prognostic factors. We therefore investigated prognostic factors for stage IA GC in the elderly. Patient characteristics were collected and analyzed retrospectively for elderly patients with stage IA GC who underwent curative surgical treatment at Okayama University Hospital between 2010 and 2015, and an elderly group (EG; 75-79 years old) and very elderly group (VEG; ≥80 years old) were compared. Fifty-three patient in the EG and 31 patients in the VEG were compared. No factors associated with clinicopathological characteristics or surgical or postoperative short-term outcomes differed significantly between groups. Although no factors in the EG appeared significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS), severe comorbidity [Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥2; P=0.019], open gastrectomy (P=0.012), high volume of blood loss (≥300 mL; P=0.013) and long postoperative hospital stay (≥14 days; P=0.041) were significantly associated with poor OS. Furthermore, only CCI ≥2 [hazard ratio (HR) =9.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-68.9; P=0.032] was an independent prognostic factor associated with poor OS. Five-year OS was 88.9% for CCI 0/1 patients and 62.3% for CCI ≥2 patients, representing very impressive results. CCI ≥2 is an important prognostic factor in clinical decisions in stage IA GC patients ≥2, so careful determination of surgical indications is desirable.

Comparison of Physical Function among Elderly Japanese Women with and without Low Bone Mass and Low Muscle Mass: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Women Who Engage in Regular Physical Activity.

A decline in physical function is common among elderly people who have lost both bone and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between low bone and muscle mass and physical function in elderly women of different age groups who exercise regularly. The analysis included 299 elderly women. Low bone mass was determined by a T-score of −2.5 or less, and low muscle mass was determined by a skeletal muscle mass index of <5.7 kg/m2. Physical function was measured by grip strength, knee extension strength, standing ability, gait function, and balance function. The participants were divided into four groups based on bone and muscle mass (healthy, low bone mass, low muscle mass, and low bone and muscle mass groups), and their physical functions were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in physical function between the low bone and muscle mass and the healthy groups. There were also no statistically significant differences in physical function among the four groups in the late elderly stage (75 and older). Elderly women who exercise regularly are less likely to experience a decline in physical function, even if they have reduced bone and muscle mass.

Deep Learning Based Heart Disease Prediction Using CNN

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These are the primary reasons of leading cause of death globally. From small age to old age people are suffering due to this problem and investigation of heart diseases at the age of childhood is of crucial importance. This study explained Prediction of cardiovascular diseases at the early stages in a cardiac patient. So we can monitoring and provide better treatment easily at this stage rather than at the elderly stage. In this study we developed a classification method on ECG image data where the combination of a convolutional neural network and advanced form of CNN that is AlexNet,GG16 MobileNet, are used to diagnose ECG image. The experimental method consisted of detection and classification of the input data was carried out using each model. Then comparative study of four model carried out, best result of model on basis of accuracy and loss value. The experimental results showed that the implemented method demonstrated high classification performance in terms of accuracy, and loss rate of four model respectively.

P68-10 A prospective study of the geriatric assessment in elderly stage III colorectal cancer patients on adjuvant chemotherapy

As there is little evidence on the impact during adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly colorectal cancer patient‘s functional, psychosocial, physical, and cognitive abilities in the patients aged 70 years or older, we need a new scale other than PS to assess activity in the elderly. Geriatric Assessment in the elderly (CGA analysis: G8, IADL, Mini-COG) has been recognized as an indicator of difficulty and continuity of chemotherapy.

Dynamics of vaginal microbiome in female beagles at different ages

Age-related changes in human vaginal microbiota composition have been reported, and such changes might be influenced by humidity, external stimuli, hormone levels, drug to use, and other factors. However, there is no report about the vaginal microbiota composition of female beagles at different ages. To investigate the effects of aging on the vaginal microbiota independent of other effects, we analyzed the vaginal microbiomes of 23 beagles at a wide range of ages from 1 year to 7 years old (except the 3rd year), 1–2 y were categorized into youth stage (YS), 4–5 y were categorized into middle stage (MS), and 6–7 y were categorized into elderly stage (ES) based on age. Samples were collected by scraping the vaginal mucosa of YS (n = 8), MS (n = 5) and ES (n = 10), and analyzed by 16S-rRNA gene high-throughput-sequencing. The diversity of the vaginal microbiome in female beagles was found to continuously change with age. We also found associations between age and specific members and functions of the vaginal microbiome. The metabolism of terpenoids and polyketide and the cell motility are significantly enhanced with age. Our results suggest that the proportion of Tenericutes might be a biomarker which could distinguish between YS and others

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefit in Elderly Stage II/III Colon Cancer Patients.

BackgroundStudies providing more evidence to guide adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in elderly colon cancer patients are expected. MethodsWe obtained data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2012. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to calculate the cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate, and comparisons of survival difference between different subgroups were performed using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were carried out to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of different clinicopathological characteristics.ResultsIn stage II colon cancer patients aged 70 years or older, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year CSS rates of no chemotherapy and chemotherapy groups were 82.0% and 72.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). In stage III colon cancer patients aged 70 years or older, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year CSS rates of no chemotherapy and chemotherapy groups were 50.7% and 61.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with chemotherapy receipt were independently associated with a 35.8% lower cancer-specific mortality rate (HR = 0.642, 95% CI: 0.620-0.665, P < 0.001) compared with those who did not receive chemotherapy.ConclusionsAdjuvant chemotherapy should be considered during the treatment of stage III colon cancer patients aged 70 years or older, but the chemotherapy benefit in elderly stage II colon cancer is suboptimal.

Prognosis of stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients aged ≥ 80 years who were considered medically operable but received best supportive care alone

IntroductionSome elderly stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may refuse both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgery and may instead desire best supportive care (BSC) alone, despite having a medically operable condition. MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the differences in the 3-year overall survival (3-year OS) rates among elderly stage I NSCLC patients aged ≥ 80 years who received surgery (OP group, n = 39), SBRT (RT group, n = 32) or BSC alone (BSC group, n = 28), stratifying the later groups according to those who were medically inoperable (MI subgroup) and those who were considered medically operable but refused surgery (MO subgroup). ResultsDuring a median 39.1-month follow-up period, 44 patients died. The 3-year OS rates were longer and higher in the MI-RT subgroup and the OP group than in the MI-BSC subgroup (67%, 89%, and 22%, respectively; p = 0.001). No differences in the 3-year OS rates were seen among the MO-RT subgroup, the MO-BSC subgroup, and the OP group (75%, 70%, and 89%, respectively; p = 0.164). However, a multivariate analysis identified a performance status (PS) score of 1–2 or a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score of ≥2, as well as stage IB disease and BSC, as independently increasing the risk of death. ConclusionsElderly stage I NSCLC patients who were medically operable but who refused surgery and desire BSC alone should be encouraged to undergo SBRT unless they have a good PS and are otherwise in healthy condition.

β-RA Targets Mitochondrial Metabolism and Adipogenesis, Leading to Therapeutic Benefits against CoQ Deficiency and Age-Related Overweight.

Primary mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear genes, leading to the abnormal function of specific mitochondrial pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also a secondary event in more common pathophysiological conditions, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. In both cases, the improvement and management of mitochondrial homeostasis remain challenging. Here, we show that beta-resorcylic acid (β-RA), which is a natural phenolic compound, competed in vivo with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which is the natural precursor of coenzyme Q biosynthesis. This led to a decrease in demethoxyubiquinone, which is an intermediate metabolite of CoQ biosynthesis that is abnormally accumulated in Coq9R239X mice. As a consequence, β-RA rescued the phenotype of Coq9R239X mice, which is a model of primary mitochondrial encephalopathy. Moreover, we observed that long-term treatment with β-RA also reduced the size and content of the white adipose tissue (WAT) that is normally accumulated during aging in wild-type mice, leading to the prevention of hepatic steatosis and an increase in survival at the elderly stage of life. The reduction in WAT content was due to a decrease in adipogenesis, an adaptation of the mitochondrial proteome in the kidneys, and stimulation of glycolysis and acetyl-CoA metabolism. Therefore, our results demonstrate that β-RA acted through different cellular mechanisms, with effects on mitochondrial metabolism; as such, it may be used for the treatment of primary coenzyme Q deficiency, overweight, and hepatic steatosis.

Adult-onset non-5q proximal spinal muscular atrophy: a comprehensive review.

Adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) represents an expanding group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders in clinical practice. This review aims to synthesize the main clinical, genetic, radiological, biochemical, and neurophysiological aspects related to the classical and recently described forms of proximal SMA. The authors performed a non-systematic critical review summarizing adult-onset proximal SMA presentations. Previously limited to cases of SMN1-related SMA type 4 (adult form), this group has now more than 15 different clinical conditions that have in common the symmetrical and progressive compromise of lower motor neurons starting in adulthood or elderly stage. New clinical and genetic subtypes of adult-onset proximal SMA have been recognized and are currently target of wide neuroradiological, pathological, and genetic studies. This new complex group of rare disorders typically present with lower motor neuron disease in association with other neurological or systemic signs of impairment, which are relatively specific and typical for each genetic subtype.