Impact Of Aging Process Research Articles

EEG-based Signatures of Schizophrenia, Depression, and Aberrant Aging: A Supervised Machine Learning Investigation.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a noninvasive, cost-effective, and robust tool, which directly measures in vivo neuronal mass activity with high temporal resolution. Combined with state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) techniques, EEG recordings could potentially yield in silico biomarkers of severe mental disorders. Pathological and physiological aging processes influence the electrophysiological signatures of schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD). From a single-center cohort (N = 735, 51.6% male) comprising healthy control individuals (HC, N = 245) and inpatients suffering from SCZ (N = 250) or MDD (N = 240), we acquired resting-state 19 channel-EEG recordings. Using repeated nested cross-validation, support vector machine models were trained to (1) classify patients with SCZ or MDD and HC individuals and (2) predict age in HC individuals. The age model was applied to patient groups to calculate Electrophysiological Age Gap Estimation (EphysAGE) as the difference between predicted and chronological age. The links between EphysAGE, diagnosis, and medication were then further explored. The classification models robustly discriminated SCZ from HC (balanced accuracy, BAC = 72.7%, P < .001), MDD from HC (BAC = 67.0%, P < .001), and SCZ from MDD individuals (BAC = 63.2%, P < .001). Notably, central alpha (8-11 Hz) power decrease was the most consistently predictive feature for SCZ and MDD. Higher EphysAGE was associated with an increased likelihood of being misclassified as SCZ in HC and MDD (ρHC = 0.23, P < .001; ρMDD = 0.17, P = .01). ML models can extract electrophysiological signatures of MDD and SCZ for potential clinical use. However, the impact of aging processes on diagnostic separability calls for timely application of such models, possibly in early recognition settings.

A Case of Electroencephalography and Machine Learning in Early Diagnosis of Psychotic and Affective Disorders

AbstractElectroencephalography (EEG) serves as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and robust tool, directly measuring in-vivo neuronal mass activity with high temporal resolution. Using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, EEG recordings have the potential to generate in silico biomarkers for severe mental disorders. In this study, we developed EEG-based classification models for schizophrenia and depression taking into account physiological and pathological aging processes. From a cohort (N=735, 51.6% male) that is acquired in LMU Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, comprising healthy control individuals (HC, N=245) and patients with schizophrenia (SCZ, N=250) or major depressive disorder (MDD, N=240), we extracted power spectrum density and connectivity measures based on 60 second resting-state EEG recordings with 19 channels. The support vector machine models were trained to 1) classify patients with SCZ or MDD and HC individuals, and 2) predict age in HC individuals using ten-by-ten repeated nested-cross validation. The age-predicting model was applied to patient groups to calculate EphysAGE (Electrophysiological Age Gap Estimation) by subtracting chronological age from chronological age. The links between diagnosis, medication, and EphysAGE, i.e., accelerated aging, were then further explored with univariate analyses. The EphysAGE Model had an explained variance of 46% (MAE=8.7 years, T=14.31, P1000&lt;0.001). The patients with SCZ had a significantly higher EphysAGE (mean[SD]=0.61[10.32]) than the patients with MDD (mean[SD]=-1.10[10.49], p=0.04). The classification models discriminated SCZ from HC (Balanced Accuracy, BAC=72.7%, p&lt;0.001), MDD from HC (BAC=67.0%, p&lt;0.001), and SCZ from MDD individuals (BAC=63.2%, p&lt;0.001). Higher EphysAGE was associated with an increased likelihood of being misclassified as SCZ in HC and MDD (ρHC=0.23, p&lt;0.001; ρMDD=0.17, p=0.01) based on percentile rank scores from the SCZ Model. Moreover, in the Differential Diagnostic Model, higher EphysAGE is positively correlated with being misclassified as SCZ in patients with MDD (ρMDD=0.14, p=0.03). Machine learning models can extract electrophysiological signatures of MDD and SCZ for potential clinical use. However, the impact of aging processes on diagnostic separability calls for timely application of such models, possibly in early recognition settings.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Effect of combined aging treatment on biochar adsorption and speciation distribution for Cd(II)

As a passivation material for heavy metals in-situ remediation, biochar (BC) has often been expected to maintain long-term adsorption performance for target pollutants. There is still lack of consensus about the impact of aging processes on biochar properties, particularly with respect to its long-term sorption performance. In this study, the changes to immobilization mechanisms as well as the speciation distribution of Cd(II) triggered by combined aging simulation (dry-wet, freeze-thaw cycle and oxidation treatment) on BC prepared under three levels of pyrolysis temperatures (300, 500 and 700 °C) were investigated. The results showed significant inhibition of aging on adsorption performance with the adsorptive capacity of BC300, BC500 and BC700 for Cd(II) decreased by 31.12 %, 50.63 % and 14.94 %, respectively. However, sequential extraction results indicated little influence of the aging process on the relative fractionation of Cd(II) speciation. The distribution of readily bioavailable, potentially bioavailable and non-bioavailable fractions of Cd(II) on BC showed only minimal changes post-aging. Overall, there was less Cd(II) sorption following aging, but the fractional availability (in relative terms) remained the same. Compared with 300 and 700 °C, the biochar prepared under 500 °C accounted the highest fraction of non-bioavailable Cd(II) (67.23 % of BC500, 59.17 % of Aged-500), and thus showed most promising for Cd(II) immobilization. This study has important practical significance for the long-term application of biochar in real environment.

Impact of Selected Lifestyle Factors on Semen Quality in Iraqi Men

Background: Millions of people in their reproductive years are affected by infertility around the globe, which has consequences for their families and communities. Presently, various factors related to lifestyle (such as age, BMI, and smoking) are greatly responsible for male infertility. The primary goal of performing a semen analysis is to evaluate a man's ability to fertilize, estimate his fertility, and this process is comparatively easier, less invasive, and cheaper than examining the female. Objectives: In Iraqi males of infertile couples, this study aims to establish the correlation between paternal age, body mass index, and smoking habit, and its impact on semen parameters. Materials and Methods: During their attendance at a private infertility clinic from July 2021 to October 2022, a total of 120 couples struggling with infertility took part in the study. The males were subjected to semen analysis, following the guidelines set by WHO-1999. The study aimed to assess the impact of factors such as paternal age, body mass index, and smoking habits on semen parameters. These factors were then subjected to statistical testing to determine their significance. Results: Secondary infertility, the most prevalent among all infertile couples (n=69), is characterized by inversely related sperm parameters when considering the duration of infertility. The decrease in sperm concentration, rapid progressive motility, and normal morphology resulting from the impact of aging process, body weight, and smoking habit was found to be statistically significant (p-value

Influence of Aging Processes on the Biology and Outcome of Multiple Myeloma

Influence of Aging Processes on the Biology and Outcome of Multiple Myeloma

Neuroinflammation as Fuel for Axonal Regeneration in the Injured Vertebrate Central Nervous System.

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly, as repair after lesions or neurodegenerative disease usually fails because of the limited capacity of CNS regeneration. The causes underlying this limited regenerative potential are multifactorial, but one critical aspect is neuroinflammation. Although classically considered as harmful, it is now becoming increasingly clear that inflammation can also promote regeneration, if the appropriate context is provided. Here, we review the current knowledge on how acute inflammation is intertwined with axonal regeneration, an important component of CNS repair. After optic nerve or spinal cord injury, inflammatory stimulation and/or modification greatly improve the regenerative outcome in rodents. Moreover, the hypothesis of a beneficial role of inflammation is further supported by evidence from adult zebrafish, which possess the remarkable capability to repair CNS lesions and even restore functionality. Lastly, we shed light on the impact of aging processes on the regenerative capacity in the CNS of mammals and zebrafish. As aging not only affects the CNS, but also the immune system, the regeneration potential is expected to further decline in aged individuals, an element that should definitely be considered in the search for novel therapeutic strategies.

Fish-ing for neuroregenerative strategies in senescent teleosts

Fish-ing for neuroregenerative strategies in senescent teleosts

Utilization of “Titanium White” Waste as Raw Material in Preparation of Poly-Ti–Fe (M-PTF) Coagulant: Changes in Characteristics During Aging Process

A poly-Ti–Fe (M-PTF) coagulant was prepared using a kind of “waste acid filter cake (WAFC)” derived from production process of “titanium white” as a raw material. The impact of aging process on the micro-characteristics of M-PTF was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pH meter and UV spectrophotometer (UV), respectively, and coagulation performance in treating a simulated dyeing wastewater was then studied. The results indicated the following changes occurred with the increasing of aging time: the proportion of middle or high polymer part in M-PTF increased, the amount of crystalline-like structure having smooth surface morphology in the mixed netlike structure consisted of non-crystalline and crystalline-like structure increased, gradual conversion occurred from a strong acid weak base salts or acid salts to strong base weak acid salts or basic salts, and the structure and composition basically tended to be stable after aging 10 days. Removal efficiency of pollutants by M-PTF decreased with the increasing of aging time: removal of turbidity, organic matters and color reached 97, 76 and 97 %, and 61, 8 and 66 % at aging time of 1 and 26 days, respectively. Using WAFC to prepare coagulants is a feasible way, and controlling the growth of crystalline-like structure is one of the key factors to improve the stability of storage and removal efficiency of M-PTF.

Comparison of spatial and temporal variables of gait between individuals above and below 65 years with bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Background:Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees is a chronic degenerative disease that causes changes in the articular cartilage, the most common musculoskeletal disease worldwide (Blanco et al., 1998). The World Health Organization estimates that 25% of those over 65 years suffer from pain and disability associatedwith this disease. Symptoms of kneeOA are related to pain joint, loss of muscle strength of the lower extremities, gait disturbance and decreased aerobic capacity (Fransen et al., 2001). Considering that this disease increases with advancing age, it is important to evaluate the influence of aging on parameters of gait in individuals with knee OA. Purpose:To compare the parameters of gait in individuals above and below 65 years with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Twenty individuals of both sexes with bilateral knee OA grades I-III according to the classification of Kellgren and Lawrence were evaluated and divided into group 1 (n= 10): individuals with OA below 65 years (45–55 years) and group 2 (n= 10): individuals with OA over 65 years (65–75 years) who live in the city of Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, which signed a consent form agreeing to participate in this study, approved by the Committee of Ethics of the Clinical Hospital, Medicine School of Ribeirao Preto. Participants underwent a radiograph of bilateral knees and all were diagnosed with some degree of OA (I–III in both knees) by an experienced radiologist. For analysis of gait variables (speed and step length) the equipmentGAITRitePlatinum26′ Portable Walkway System was used. The participants were instructed to walk (simulating habitual gait) on the carpet of the equipment, the gait starting 1 meter before and finishing 1 meter after the carpet to exclude acceleration and deceleration (repeating the task 3 times). For statistical analyses the T test of Student with level of significance p≤ 0.05 was used. Results: Subjects in group 1 presented amean (±standard deviation) value of speed gait of 1.08± 0.11m/s and left step length of 56.92± 3.34 cm and right step length of 57.42± 3.14 cm, with no significant difference compared to group 2 who presented mean value of speed gait of 1.02± 0.14m/s and left step length of 57.96± 5.39 cm and right step length of 56.80± 5.54 cm. Conclusion(s):Neither the aging process or OA presence promoted changes in gait parameters in individuals with OA. It can be concluded that aging was not a factor that promoted changes in variables of gait of subjects with knee OA. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate and to compare gait parameters between subjects with and without OA with different age ranges. Implications: The better understanding of the impact of aging process on gait aspects in individuals with knee OA is important to help in the elaboration of physical therapy intervention.

Contribution of Crumb Rubber in the Aging Process of Asphalt Concrete

Implementation of sustainable solutions in the road construction industry is considered as one of the major research topics worldwide. The impact of aging process on the properties of asphalt cement and asphalt concrete was investigated using both of short and long-term aging. Scrap tire rubber was introduced into asphalt cement to modify its physical and rheological properties. Two percentages of crumb rubber (8 and 16) percent by weight of asphalt cement have been tried to modify the properties of asphalt cement, and to investigate its contribution in the aging process. Such modified asphalt was implemented in the construction of asphalt concrete. Marshal, Resilient Modulus, and tensile properties of rubber-modified asphalt concrete were tested and compared with different aging periods and with that of reference mix. The results show that aging for 7 hours of asphalt cement, make the asphalt stiffer, that lead to decreased penetration by an average value of (47.24%), ductility (49.6%) and increased softening point (10.75%) and creep stiffness (79.25%). It was concluded that 8% of crumb rubber is able to overcome the negative impact of short and long term aging on overall asphalt cement and asphalt concrete properties, and improves the rutting resistance at 1000 repetition by (32.4 % and 57.3%) for short and long term aging respectively.

Career barriers and the older woman manager

Following the removal of the age retirement barrier in Australia, it is expected that more older workers will remain in the workforce beyond the age of 65. An important segment of this older workforce is the managerial and professional woman, aged in her 50s and part of the first generation of women to have had a long‐term career. This paper reports on an investigation into the career and life decisions of 33 such women in Perth, Western Australia. The research looked at issues such as career histories and future work goals; impact of ageing process on career achievement, and retirement plans, and also examined the implications of barriers facing the older career woman. The research identified five related career barriers and goes on to examine the management and organisational implications of these barriers. The need to further develop career development models to include the varying circumstances and experiences of older women employees is also discussed.