Healthy Aging Research Articles

Single-value brain activity scores reflect both severity and risk across the Alzheimer's continuum.

Single-value scores reflecting the deviation from (FADE score) or similarity with (SAME score) prototypical novelty-related and memory-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation patterns in young adults have been proposed as imaging biomarkers of healthy neurocognitive aging. Here, we tested the utility of these scores as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and risk states like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD). To this end, we analyzed subsequent memory fMRI data from individuals with SCD, MCI, and AD dementia as well as healthy controls (HC) and first-degree relatives of AD dementia patients (AD-rel) who participated in the multi-center DELCODE study (N = 468). Based on the individual participants' whole-brain fMRI novelty and subsequent memory responses, we calculated the FADE and SAME scores and assessed their association with AD risk stage, neuropsychological test scores, CSF amyloid positivity, and ApoE genotype. Memory-based FADE and SAME scores showed a considerably larger deviation from a reference sample of young adults in the MCI and AD dementia groups compared to HC, SCD and AD-rel. In addition, novelty-based scores significantly differed between the MCI and AD dementia groups. Across the entire sample, single-value scores correlated with neuropsychological test performance. The novelty-based SAME score further differed between Aβ-positive and Aβ-negative individuals in SCD and AD-rel, and between ApoE ε4 carriers and non-carriers in AD-rel. Hence, FADE and SAME scores are associated with both cognitive performance and individual risk factors for AD. Their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers warrants further exploration, particularly in individuals with SCD and healthy relatives of AD dementia patients.

Association between executive functions and COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism among healthy younger and older adults: A preliminary study.

Genetic variability in the dopaminergic system could contribute to age-related impairments in executive control. In this study, we examined whether genetic polymorphism for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met) is related to performance on updating, shifting and inhibition tasks. We administered a battery of executive tasks assessing updating, shifting and inhibition functions to 45 older and 55 younger healthy participants, and created composite z-scores associated to each function. Six groups were created based on genetic alleles (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met) derived from the COMT gene and age (younger, older). Age and genotype effects were assessed with t-test and ANOVA (p<0.05). A lower performance was observed in the older group for the three executive processes, and more particularly for inhibition. Moreover, older participants homozygous for the Val allele have a lower performance on the inhibition composite in comparison to younger Val/Val. These results confirm presence of executive performance decrease in healthy aging. With regard to genetic effect, older participants seem particularly disadvantaged when they have a lower baseline dopamine level (i.e., Val/Val homozygous) that is magnified by aging, and when the executive measure emphasize the need of stable representations (as in inhibition task requiring to maintain active the instruction to not perform an automated process).

Study of the Relation between Aging and Pesticides: A Review

Aims: The main aim of this study was to use specific data from the literature on ageing, correlating this with the pesticide contamination, in order to understand the relationship with an increasingly ageing population. Study Design: A systematic review was performed. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biomathematics of the Federal University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, between April 2023 and August 2023. Methodology: A systematic search of articles was performed using the CAPES Periodic platform, a searcher from the Education Ministry of Brazil that contains Web of Science, Scopus, MedLine, from August 2020 to May 2023. For this review, the subject’s “aging theory”; “neuroscience and pathologies to aging”; “aging and aging-associated changes”; “pesticides and pesticide toxicity”; “pesticide toxicity and neurotoxicity”; “longevity and healthy aging”; “aging human and pesticides” were searched together using the type of material “articles” in English language. Some articles about “population growth”; “world population”; “population-aging” were used for epistemological composition of this work content subjects. Results: From the 19.720 articles after the exclusion and the inclusion criteria made with the subjects most pertinent to the objectives of this work; 19.570 articles were excluded, remaining 150 ones, of which 116 were qualitative in scope and 34 quantitative. Conclusion: The complex relationship between the pesticide contamination and the condition of the exposed individual may be associated with premature ageing and a greater susceptibility to debilitating age-related diseases. Although technology is increasingly improved in its innovations, health and environmental regulations have not been able to rid the production processes of their potential to pollute the environment and cause health problems for those exposed to them.

Improvement of both human and animal memory by synergy between fructooligosaccharide and L‐theanine function establishing a safe and effective food supplement

AbstractAging is classically associated with a decline of cognitive abilities, especially in relation to memory. While the development of potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases has been in sharp focus, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a form of age‐related memory loss, in the absence of severe functional impairment, a condition experienced by many healthy adults, has received relatively little attention. Advances in this space would make significant contributions to the goal of healthy aging and may also help promote cognitive performance across the wider population. The individual action of either fructooligosaccharide (FOS) or L‐theanine, both natural plant‐derived molecules, has been tentatively linked with improvements in cognition, but our understanding remains far from complete. We therefore determined the effect of different dose combinations of FOS and L‐theanine (termed MT‐01/GBL‐Memory1) in mice against FOS and L‐theanine monotherapy. FOS and L‐theanine were found to synergistically enhance murine memory in our animal tests at a dose of 100 mg/kg (coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) &lt; 1). In a subsequent human trial, we demonstrated that MT‐01 improved the memory of healthy adults after 1 month of consumption. Our results suggest that a combination of FOS and L‐theanine synergistically enhances murine memory within a specific dose range. We show that this plant natural product regimen also improves human memory in a population of healthy adults. MT‐01 therefore represents a novel, safe, and effective dietary supplement to promote human memory and cognition.

Nutrition for dementia prevention: a state of the art update for clinicians.

Dementia prevalence continues to rise. It is therefore essential to provide feasible and effective recommendations to encourage healthy brain ageing and reduce dementia risk across the population. Appropriate nutrition represents a potential strategy to mitigate dementia risk and could be recommended by clinicians as part of mid-life health checks and other health initiatives to reduce dementia prevalence. The purpose of this review is to provide a clinician-focused update on the current state of the knowledge on nutrition and dementia prevention. Narrative review. Strong evidence exists to support the consumption of healthy, plant-based dietary patterns (e.g. Mediterranean, MIND or Nordic diet) for maintaining cognitive function and reducing dementia risk in later life and is supported by dementia prevention guideline from leading public health bodies (e.g. World Health Organization). Emerging evidence suggests potential cognitive benefits of consuming specific nutrients/foods (e.g. n-3 fatty acids or fish, flavonols and B-vitamins) and multi-nutrient compounds (e.g. Fortasyn Connect). Challenges and opportunities for integrating nutritional/dietary interventions for dementia prevention into clinical practice are explored in this review. Appropriate nutrition represents an important factor to help facilitate healthy cognitive ageing and allay dementia risk. The information provided in this article can help clinicians provide informed opinions on appropriate nutritional strategies as part of mid-life Health Checks and other risk reduction initiatives.

Biomarker signatures associated with ageing free of major chronic diseases: results from a population-based sample of the EPIC-Potsdam cohort.

A number of biomarkers denoting various pathophysiological pathways have been implicated in the aetiology and risk of age-related diseases. Hence, the combined impact of multiple biomarkers in relation to ageing free of major chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, has not been sufficiently explored. We measured concentrations of 13 biomarkers in a random subcohort of 2,500 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Potsdam study. Chronic disease-free ageing was defined as reaching the age of 70years within study follow-up without major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes or cancer. Using a novel machine-learning technique, we aimed to identify biomarker clusters and explore their association with chronic disease-free ageing in multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis taking socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric factors into account. Of the participants who reached the age of 70years, 321 met our criteria for chronic-disease free ageing. Machine learning analysis identified three distinct biomarker clusters, among which a signature characterised by high concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 and low concentrations of triglycerides was associated with highest odds for ageing free of major chronic diseases. After multivariable adjustment, the association was attenuated by socio-demographic, lifestyle and adiposity indicators, pointing to the relative importance of these factors as determinants of healthy ageing. These data underline the importance of exploring combinations of biomarkers rather than single molecules in understanding complex biological pathways underpinning healthy ageing.

Identification of the needs and priorities of older people and stakeholders in rural and urban areas of Santo Andre, Brazil.

There are few data reporting the needs and priorities of older adults in Brazil. This hampers the development and/or implementation of policies aimed at older adults to help them age well. The aim of this study was to understand areas of importance, priorities, enablers and obstacles to healthy ageing as identified by older adults and key stakeholders in both urban and rural environments. Two locations were selected, one urban and one rural in the municipality of Santo André, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (SP). Workshops for older adults (>60 y) and stakeholders were conducted separately in each location. The workshops incorporated an iterative process of discussion, prioritisation and ranking of responses, in roundtable groups and in plenary. Areas of commonality and differences between older adult and stakeholder responses were identified by comparing responses between groups as well as mapping obstacles and enablers to healthy ageing identified by older adults, to the priorities identified by stakeholder groups. The socio-ecologic model was used to categorise responses. There were few shared responses between stakeholders and older adults and little overlap between the top ranked responses of urban and rural groups. With respect to areas of importance, both stakeholder groups ranked policies for older people within their top five reponses. Both older adult groups ranked keeping physically and mentally active, and nurturing spirituality. There was a marked lack of congruence between older adults' obstacles and enablers to healthy ageing and stakeholder priorities, in both urban and rural settings. Most responses were located within the Society domain of the socio-ecologic model, although older adults also responded within the Individual/ Relationships domains, particularly in ranking areas of most importance for healthy ageing. Our results highlight substantial differences between older adults and stakeholders with respect to areas of importance, priorities, enablers and obstacles to healthy ageing, and point to the need for more engagement between those in advocacy and policymaking roles and the older people whose needs they serve.

The effects of work on cognitive functions: a systematic review

IntroductionCognitive functions play a crucial role in individual’s life since they represent the mental abilities necessary to perform any activity. During working life, having healthy cognitive functioning is essential for the proper performance of work, but it is especially crucial for preserving cognitive abilities and thus ensuring healthy cognitive aging after retirement. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the scientific literature related to the effects of work on cognitive functions to assess which work-related factors most adversely affect them.MethodWe queried the PubMed and Scopus electronic databases, in February 2023, according to the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID number = CRD42023439172), and articles were included if they met all the inclusion criteria and survived a quality assessment. From an initial pool of 61,781 papers, we retained a final sample of 64 articles, which were divided into 5 categories based on work-related factors: shift work (n = 39), sedentary work (n = 7), occupational stress (n = 12), prolonged working hours (n = 3), and expertise (n = 3).ResultsThe results showed that shift work, occupational stress, and, probably, prolonged working hours have detrimental effects on cognitive functioning; instead, results related to sedentary work and expertise on cognitive functions are inconclusive and extremely miscellaneous.DiscussionTherefore, workplace health and well-being promotion should consider reducing or rescheduling night shift, the creation of less demanding and more resourceful work environments and the use of micro-breaks to preserve workers’ cognitive functioning both before and after retirement.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023439172, identifier CRD42023439172.

Arriba por la Vida Estudio: a randomized controlled trial promoting standing behavior to reduce sitting time among postmenopausal Latinas.

Postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina (N = 254) women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25kg/m2 were randomized to an intervention to reduce sitting time or a comparison condition for 12weeks. The standing intervention group received three in-person health-counseling sessions, one home visit, and up to eight motivational interviewing calls. The heart healthy lifestyle comparison group (C) received an equal number of contact hours to discuss healthy aging. The primary outcome was 12-week change in sitting time measured via thigh-worn activPAL. Group differences in outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Participants had a mean age of 65 (6.5) years, preferred Spanish language (89%), BMI of 32.4 (4.8) kg/m2, and sat for an average of 540 (86) minutes/day. Significant between-group differences were observed in reductions of sitting time across the 12-week period [Mdifference (SE): C - 7.5 (9.1), SI - 71.0 (9.8), p < 0.01]. Results demonstrate that coaching models to reduce sitting are feasible and effective.

Harnessing Resilience in the Healthy Ageing Discourse: Insights from Attappadi Indigenous Older Adults, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT In this “Decade of Healthy Ageing,” the integration of resilience into the healthy aging discourse becomes paramount, particularly in the context of indigenous communities grappling with the enduring effects of historical oppression, persistent poverty, and health disparities in their aging journey. Employing a phenomenological lens, this study seeks to derive the resilient characteristics exhibited by the Attappadi indigenous older adults of Kerala, aiming to explore the role of resilience in their pursuit of healthy aging. In-depth phenomenological interviews (n = 34), observation, and document analysis have revealed four key themes: A life course marked by adversities, Embracing the unyielding strength within, Personal resilience catalysts, and Extrinsic resilience catalysts. The participants exhibited a reasonably well-functioning collective, given their persistent adversities in their life course. Narratives illuminated a notable connection between the presence of resilience characteristics and the overall functioning of older adults. From a social work standpoint on resilience, this article underscores the vital interplay between individual agency and environmental factors in addressing adversity. The article advocates culturally sensitive, asset-based strategies to strengthen indigenous older adults’ intrinsic and extrinsic resilience to ensure that they are not left behind in the global pursuit of healthy aging.

Normative Values of Echocardiographic Chamber Size and Function in Older Healthy Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Echocardiographic (2-dimensional echocardiography) thresholds indicating disease or impaired functional status compared with normal physiological aging in individuals aged ≥65 years are not clearly defined. In the present study, we sought to establish standard values for 2-dimensional echocardiography parameters related to chamber size and function in older adults without cardiopulmonary or cardiometabolic conditions. In this cross-sectional study of 3032 individuals who underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography at exam 6 in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), 608 participants fulfilled our inclusion criteria of healthy aging, with normative values defined as the mean ± 1.96 standard deviation and compared across sex and race and ethnicity. Functional status measures included NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), 6-minute walk distance, and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Prognostic performance using MESA cutoffs was compared with established guideline cutoffs using time-to-event analysis. The normative aging cohort (69.5±7.0 years, 46.2% male, 47.5% White) had lower NT-proBNP, higher 6-minute walk distance, and higher (better) Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary values. Women had significantly smaller chamber sizes and better biventricular systolic function. White participants had the largest chamber dimensions, whereas Chinese participants had the smallest, even after adjustment for body size. Current guidelines identified 81.6% of healthy older adults in MESA as having cardiac abnormalities. Among a large, diverse group of healthy older adults, we found significant differences in cardiac structure and function by sex and race/ethnicity, which may signal sex-specific cardiac remodeling with advancing age. It is crucial for existing guidelines to consider the observed and clinically significant differences in cardiac structure and function associated with healthy aging. Our study highlights that existing guidelines, which grade abnormalities in echocardiographic cardiac chamber size and function based on younger individuals, may not adequately address the anticipated changes associated with normal aging.

Exploring the Causal Effects of Mineral Metabolism Disorders on Telomere and Mitochondrial DNA: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the causal relationships between mineral metabolism disorders, representative of trace elements, and key aging biomarkers: telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN). Utilizing bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in combination with the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method, we explored the causal relationships between mineral metabolism disorders and these aging indicators. Sensitivity analysis can be used to determine the reliability and robustness of the research results. The results confirmed that a positive causal relationship was observed between mineral metabolism disorders and TL (p &lt; 0.05), while the causal relationship with mtDNA-CN was not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Focusing on subgroup analyses of specific minerals, our findings indicated a distinct positive causal relationship between iron metabolism disorders and both TL and mtDNA-CN (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, disorders in magnesium and phosphorus metabolism did not exhibit significant causal effects on either aging biomarker (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, reverse MR analysis did not reveal any significant causal effects of TL and mtDNA-CN on mineral metabolism disorders (p &gt; 0.05). The combination of 2SLS with MR analysis further reinforced the positive causal relationship between iron levels and both TL and mtDNA-CN (p &lt; 0.05). Notably, the sensitivity analysis did not indicate significant pleiotropy or heterogeneity within these causal relationships (p &gt; 0.05). These findings highlight the pivotal role of iron metabolism in cellular aging, particularly in regulating TL and sustaining mtDNA-CN, offering new insights into how mineral metabolism disorders influence aging biomarkers. Our research underscores the importance of trace element balance, especially regarding iron intake, in combating the aging process. This provides a potential strategy for slowing aging through the adjustment of trace element intake, laying the groundwork for future research into the relationship between trace elements and healthy aging.

The Vital Role of Melatonin and Its Metabolites in the Neuroprotection and Retardation of Brain Aging

While primarily produced in the pineal gland, melatonin’s influence goes beyond its well-known role in regulating sleep, nighttime metabolism, and circadian rhythms, in the field of chronobiology. A plethora of new data demonstrates melatonin to be a very powerful molecule, being a potent ROS/RNS scavenger with anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and oncostatic properties. Melatonin and its metabolites exert multiple beneficial effects in cutaneous and systemic aging. This review is focused on the neuroprotective role of melatonin during aging. Melatonin has an anti-aging capacity, retarding the rate of healthy brain aging and the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc. Melatonin, as well as its metabolites, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK), can reduce oxidative brain damage by shielding mitochondria from dysfunction during the aging process. Melatonin could also be implicated in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, by modifying their characteristic low-grade neuroinflammation. It can either prevent the initiation of inflammatory responses or attenuate the ongoing inflammation. Drawing on the current knowledge, this review discusses the potential benefits of melatonin supplementation in preventing and managing cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.

Social Participation Patterns Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Roles of Community Social Cohesion and Health.

The objectives of this study were to investigate groupwide variations in social participation among older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and how such variations were associated with their community social cohesion and health. Data were from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2019-2020; n = 2,597 adults aged 65 or older). Latent class analysis was used to identify groupwide variations in social participation. These variations were then incorporated into adjusted regressions to test relationships with social cohesion and health. Four participation patterns emerged: active, selective independent, occasional, and selective religious participants. Selective independent and occasional participants were likely to live in less socially cohesive communities. During the pandemic, active participants were likely to report better self-rated health and lower risks of depressive and anxiety symptoms and dementia. Findings highlight directions for policy and intervention design that can enhance social participation and support healthy aging.

Emerging Vistas for the Nutraceutical Withania somnifera in Inflammaging

Inflammaging, a coexistence of inflammation and aging, is a persistent, systemic, low-grade inflammation seen in the geriatric population. Various natural compounds have been greatly explored for their potential role in preventing and treating inflammaging. Withania somnifera has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine as a nutraceutical for its numerous health benefits including regenerative and adaptogenic effects. Recent preclinical and clinical studies on the role of Withania somnifera and its active compounds in treating aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress have shown promise for its use in healthy aging. We discuss the chemistry of Withania somnifera, the etiology of inflammaging and the protective role(s) of Withania somnifera in inflammaging in key organ systems including brain, lung, kidney, and liver as well as the mechanistic underpinning of these effects. Furthermore, we elucidate the beneficial effects of Withania somnifera in oxidative stress/DNA damage, immunomodulation, COVID-19, and the microbiome. We also delineate a putative protein–protein interaction network of key biomarkers modulated by Withania somnifera in inflammaging. In addition, we review the safety/potential toxicity of Withania somnifera as well as global clinical trials on Withania somnifera. Taken together, this is a synthetic review on the beneficial effects of Withania somnifera in inflammaging and highlights the potential of Withania somnifera in improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the aging population worldwide.

Effect of social participation on the trajectories of activities of daily living disability among community-dwelling older adults: a 7-year community-based cohort

IntroductionStudies examining the effects of social participation on activities of daily living (ADL) disability are still scarce.AimTo assess the reciprocal relationship between ADL disability trajectories and social participation among older Chinese people aged ≥ 60 years.MethodsThis study included 2976 participants aged ≥ 60 years in six waves of a community-based survey from 2015 to 2022. Basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were used to assess the ADL disability in each survey. Social participation was assessed by involvement in four social activities and an extensive social participation score. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify potential heterogeneity in longitudinal changes over 7 years and explore associations between baseline predictors of group membership and these trajectories.ResultsTwo BADL disability trajectories were identified: stable (94.8%) and increase (5.2%). Additionally, three IADL disability trajectories were distinguished: stable (73.2%), moderate (20.2%), and increase (6.6%). After controlling for the potential covariates, each point increase in the extensive social participation score correlated with a 17% decrease in the odds of older individuals belonging to the increase BADL trajectory group (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.68–1.00). For IADL, it decreased the odds of being assigned to the moderate trajectory group by 16% (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.75–0.95) and to the increase trajectory group by 23% (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.93).ConclusionsHigher levels of social participation among older individuals were more likely to be classified as stable trajectories in both BADL and IADL. Increased participation in social activities by community-dwelling elderly adults may promote healthy aging.

Age-related shifts in mental health determinants from a deprived area in the European Union: informing the national healthy aging program of Hungary.

Mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, disproportionately affecting older people. This study aims to assess the mental health of elderly individuals living in a deprived region of Hungary, and to identify and estimate the weight of different determinants of mental health across different age groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected samples of individuals (n = 860) aged 18years and older in Northeast Hungary. The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the single-item Life Satisfaction Scale, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to measure mental health of the participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to measure the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and mental health. Overall, the mean WHO-5 score was 69.2 ± 18.1 and it showed a significant decrease by age (p < 0.001), with the lowest score observed in aged 75years and above (p < 0.001). The mean life satisfaction score was 7.5 ± 1.9 and it showed a significant decreasing trend over the life course (p < 0.001). The highest level of psychological distress as assessed by GHQ-12 was observed in the group aged 75years or older (11.5 ± 6.0, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that self-reported financial status, social support, sense of control over their health, activity limitation and pain intensity were the most important determinants of mental health among older adults. Interventions to improve the mental health of older adults should focus on the positive impact of social support, the reduction of financial insecurity and the use of effective pain relief medications.

Circulating microRNAs May Be Predictive of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Basic Science. The objective of this study was to identify a unique serum profile of circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) compared to healthy controls (HC). Currently, DCM is diagnosed with a combination of history, physical examination, and close correlation to advanced imaging. To date, no serum marker has been identified to be diagnostic of this condition. Whole venous blood was collected from patients with DCM as well as healthy age- and sex-matched controls. miRNA was extracted from venous blood and a screening analysis was initially conducted to identify miRNA dysregulation in DCM patients. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of 2 specific miRNAs based on screening analysis and literature review. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify gene networks and potential targets of the miRNA. In addition, the serum inflammatory profile of DCM and HC groups was differentiated using a pro-inflammatory panel. Thirty-six patients were enrolled in the DCM group (36.1% male, 61.5±9.5y) while 35 patients were enrolled in the HC group (31.4% male, 57.5±8.9y). Of the 15 total miRNAs differentially expressed between DCM and HC groups, two were selected for further analysis: miR-223-3p (upregulated) and miR-451a (downregulated). Functional gene network analysis revealed the highest-ranking gene network was involved in neurological disease, while the most overexpressed miRNA in this network (miR-233-3p) was noted to have over 100 targets including CDKN1B and the insulin receptor. Serum cytokine analysis showed significant upregulation of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DCM cohort compared to the HC group. DCM patients demonstrated a set of unique circulating miRNAs in addition to a different serum inflammatory profile compared to HC. These miRNAs may potentially serve as targets for future therapeutic intervention or diagnostic/prognostic testing.

Shuttle Time for Seniors: The Impact of 8-Week Structured Badminton Training on Markers of Healthy Aging and Evaluation of Lived Experiences-A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Engagement in sport offers the potential for improved physical and psychological well-being and has been shown to be beneficial for promoting healthy aging. Opportunities for older adults to (re)engage with sport are limited by a paucity of age-appropriate introductory sports intervention programs. As such, the study evaluated the efficacy of a newly designed 8-week badminton training program (Shuttle Time for Seniors) on markers of healthy aging and the lived experiences of participation. Forty-three older adults assigned to a control (N = 20) or intervention group (N = 23) completed pre-post assessment of physical and cognitive function, self-efficacy for exercise, and well-being. Focus groups were conducted for program evaluation and to understand barriers and enablers to sustained participation. Those in the intervention group increased upper body strength, aerobic fitness, coincidence anticipation time, and self-efficacy for exercise. Objectively improved physical and cognitive functions were corroborated by perceived benefits indicated in thematic analysis. Shuttle Time for Seniors was perceived as appropriate for the population, where the age-appropriate opportunity to participate with likeminded people of similar ability was a primary motivator to engagement. Despite willingness to continue playing, lack of badminton infrastructure was a primary barrier to continued engagement. Shuttle Time for Seniors offered an important opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with badminton, where the physical and psychosocial benefits of group-based badminton improved facets important to healthy aging. Significance/Implications: Age-appropriate introductory intervention programs provide opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with sport. However, important barriers to long-term engagement need to be addressed from a whole systems perspective.

Emerging Roles of Vitamin B12 in Aging and Inflammation.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient for humans and animals. Metabolically active forms of B12-methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin are cofactors for the enzymes methionine synthase and mitochondrial methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Malfunction of these enzymes due to a scarcity of vitamin B12 leads to disturbance of one-carbon metabolism and impaired mitochondrial function. A significant fraction of the population (up to 20%) is deficient in vitamin B12, with a higher rate of deficiency among elderly people. B12 deficiency is associated with numerous hallmarks of aging at the cellular and organismal levels. Cellular senescence is characterized by high levels of DNA damage by metabolic abnormalities, increased mitochondrial dysfunction, and disturbance of epigenetic regulation. B12 deficiency could be responsible for or play a crucial part in these disorders. In this review, we focus on a comprehensive analysis of molecular mechanisms through which vitamin B12 influences aging. We review new data about how deficiency in vitamin B12 may accelerate cellular aging. Despite indications that vitamin B12 has an important role in health and healthy aging, knowledge of the influence of vitamin B12 on aging is still limited and requires further research.