Adult Life Research Articles

Perinatal administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 prevents asthma development in the offspring of mice.

Asthma prevalence has been increasing in communities that become more urbanised. Our previous results showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 prevented the development of asthma symptoms and characteristics in a dose-dependent manner. Perinatal programming theory proposes that early exposure to some stimuli may have a protective effect in adult life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of perinatal administration of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 in the prevention of asthma in the offspring of mice. S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 was cultured in YPD broth medium and administered to three groups of mice: before conception, during gestation and lactation (CGL group); during gestation and lactation (GL group); and only during lactation (L group). The offspring of these animals were sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin. Two control groups received saline in the same periods. After, in vivo measurements of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were performed. Total and differential cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17A in the lung homogenate or BAL; and ELISA for ovalbumin (OVA)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) were performed. The animals of the CGL, GL, and L group, when compared to the OVA group, presented a significant reduction of AHR ( P < 0.01), levels of IL-5 ( P < 0.001) in BAL, and IL-4 ( P < 0.05) and IL-13 ( P < 0.01) in the lung homogenate. Serum IgE levels were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in CGL and GL groups when compared to the OVA group, but not in the L group. Only in the group L, there was a significant decrease in the number of total cells ( P < 0.01) and eosinophils ( P < 0.05). Perinatal administration of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 prevented the development of asthma-like characteristics and may be an option for asthma management. The protective effects on the offspring were more prominent when the yeast was given during lactation.

Emerging Targets and Treatments for Sarcopenia: A Narrative Review.

Sarcopenia is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, significantly impacting overall health and quality of life in older adults. This narrative review explores emerging targets and potential treatments for sarcopenia, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current and prospective interventions. The review synthesizes current literature on sarcopenia treatment, focusing on recent advancements in muscle regeneration, mitochondrial function, nutritional strategies, and the muscle-microbiome axis. Additionally, pharmacological and lifestyle interventions targeting anabolic resistance and neuromuscular junction integrity are discussed. Resistance training and adequate protein intake remain the cornerstone of sarcopenia management. Emerging strategies include targeting muscle regeneration through myosatellite cell activation, signaling pathways, and chronic inflammation control. Gene editing, stem cell therapy, and microRNA modulation show promise in enhancing muscle repair. Addressing mitochondrial dysfunction through interventions aimed at improving biogenesis, ATP production, and reducing oxidative stress is also highlighted. Nutritional strategies such as leucine supplementation and anti-inflammatory nutrients, along with dietary modifications and probiotics targeting the muscle-microbiome interplay, are discussed as potential treatment options. Hydration and muscle-water balance are emphasized as critical in maintaining muscle health in older adults. A combination of resistance training, nutrition, and emerging therapeutic interventions holds potential to significantly improve muscle function and overall health in the aging population. This review provides a detailed exploration of both established and novel approaches for the prevention and management of sarcopenia, highlighting the need for further research to optimize these strategies.

Quality of Life of Malaysian Older Adults of Indian Community: A Pilot Study

Background: Quality of life (QOL) among the geriatric population is a global concern as it reflects the status of health and of wellbeing. Aims: Aims of this pilot study to assess the quality of life and its associated factors among older adults of Malaysian Indian community living in urban areas. Settings and Design: A community based cross sectional pilot study, using convenience sampling technique was conducted from April 2024 to May 2024, among 30 older adults in a urban town, Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Quality of life scale developed through the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used to collect data, about quality of life and socio-demographic details were also collected. Statistical Analysis: The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The highest average quality of life score, 3.6762±1.10, was in the psychological health domain and the lowest was in the physical health domain, 3.3714±0.31. The scores of the other two domains were moderate, that is, the social relationship score was 3.5111±0.48 and the environment score was 3.4000±0.83. Conclusion: The quality of life score among the elderly was moderate, while in the domain of psychological health, the quality of life score was found to be high. The quality of life scores of the social relations and environmental domains were moderate while the quality of life scores of the physical health domain were the lowest. Lifelong education that includes, the importance of understanding physical health activities, and environmental changes and improvements in social relationships can help in improving the quality of life among the elderly of the Indian community in the city of Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia.

Frailty as a mediator of postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing orthopedic surgery: A causal mediation analysis

BackgroundPostoperative delirium has a high prevalence in hospitalized older adults. Frail older adults have an increased risk for developing it. Preoperative pain—a common symptom in older adults with orthopedic conditions—shows a connection with frailty through an inflammatory process. However, an association among preoperative pain, frailty, and postoperative delirium remains unexplored among older adults undergoing orthopedic surgery. ObjectivesTo examine the magnitude, direction, and mediation effect of frailty on the association between preoperative pain and postoperative delirium among older adults undergoing orthopedic surgery. DesignA secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Setting and participantsA cohort of 200 older adults (60 years and older) who underwent major orthopedic surgery at a university hospital in Thailand was recruited for the study. MethodsParticipants responded to the Demographic and Health Information Form, the Reported Edmonton Frailty Scale-Thai version, and the Thai version of the 4 A's test. Analyses were conducted using a causal mediation analysis with 95 % confidence intervals. ResultsWe found that 12.5 % of participants developed postoperative delirium. For the direct paths associated with postoperative delirium, statistically significant effects were observed for frailty, preoperative pain, and comorbidity. Considering frailty as a mediator of postoperative delirium, a significant positive indirect effect was identified from preoperative pain. Controlling for age and comorbidities, frailty mediated the association between preoperative pain and postoperative delirium in a statistically significant manner; the average direct effect was 0.014 (95 % confidence interval: 0.008–0.020), the average causal mediating effect was 0.002 (95 % confidence interval: 0.000–0.010), the total effects was 0.017 (95 % confidence interval: 0.010–0.020), and the probability mediation accounted for 14 % (95 % confidence interval: 0.031–0.300). ConclusionIntegrating the concept of age-related decline and frailty assessment may offer opportunities to provide disease-specific care and strengthen precision perioperative care, which ultimately enhance quality of life in older adults undergoing orthopedic surgery.

THE ISSUE OF GIFTEDNESS IN PSICHOANALYTIC-PEDAGOGICAL STUDIES

The article presents the ideas of several psychoanalysts regarding the formation, diagnosis, and development of child giftedness. Contradictions in the views on the development of giftedness are identified, particularly among representatives of experimental psychology, behaviorism, and psychoanalysis. It is noted that the greatest contributions to the study of giftedness were made by S. Freud, his daughter A. Freud, and her follower H. Hartmann. Specifically, H. Hartmann emphasized that there are three philosophies of education within society: 1) adapting the child to the realities of the world; 2) preparing the child for future activities; and 3) shaping educational goals based on past societal ideals.The article also examines the unique experiences of gifted students and how educators and psychologists respond to potential conflicts between gifted children, their peers, and parents. For the first time, the specific psychological complexes observed during the learning process are discussed. In particular, the article explores the God Complex, Jonah Complex, and Prometheus Complex.The conclusion suggests that the development of child giftedness often becomes an obsessive pursuit for parents, who may seek to fulfill their own ambitions and dreams through the child. As a result, instead of understanding that the world is imperfect, the child attempts to fit their new identity into an “ideological model” of adult life, conforming to external expectations and role demands.The article outlines prospects for further research into psychoanalytic pedagogy, particularly in developing pedagogical technologies that engage the deeper structures of the psyche and the unconscious. It is emphasized that such technologies can promote the child’s self-knowledge and self-realization.

Vitalidad en movimiento: la experiencia de la actividad física musicalizada en la calidad de vida del adulto mayor

To establish the impact of musicalized physical activity on the quality of life of older adults. The present research adopts a qualitative approach through a narrative design, using semi-structured interviews as a method of data collection. Content analysis was used to address dimensions such as self-concept, socioemotional skills, health, and physical well-being. A positive impact on self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, improvements in conflict resolution and communication skills, as well as gains in vitality, physical and mental well-being are highlighted. In addition, the constant motivation to remain active in the area of physical wellbeing is highlighted. The findings provide contextualized evidence of the positive impacts that community-based physical activity programs have on the overall quality of life of older adults. The experiences and testimonies of the participants highlight concrete impacts on fundamental biopsychosocial dimensions to promote active and healthy aging.

Lower Healthcare Access and Its Association With Individual Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Rare Diseases in Switzerland.

This study aims to determine clusters of access to healthcare among adults with rare diseases in Switzerland, identify associated individual characteristics of access, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Swiss adults (N = 341) diagnosed with a rare disease completed an online survey including the Perception of Access to Healthcare Questionnaire (PAHQ) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). We employed partition around medoids algorithm to identify patient clusters based on the PAHQ. Various sociodemographic/disease-related factors and HRQoL were assessed. We identified two patient clusters: higher (n = 227) and lower access (n = 114). Significantly associated with lower access were an unstable disease course (p < 0.05), increased number of misdiagnoses (p < 0.05), and diseases affecting the nervous system (p < 0.01). Membership in the lower access cluster was significantly associated with worse HRQoL (p < 0.05). Findings highlight the need for comprehensive assessment of healthcare access in adults with rare diseases and identifies potential targets for tailored interventions.

Peanut Allergy in Children-Is Prevention Better than Cure?

Peanut allergy, one of the most frequently occurring allergies, usually starts in childhood and rarely subsides-often persisting throughout adult life. Accidental exposure to peanuts can often result in adverse reactions ranging from mild to life-threatening, such as anaphylactic shock. Historically, food avoidance and the use of rescue drugs have remained a fundamental management mechanism for dealing with food allergy. However, prevention of adverse reactions to food allergy is playing an increasing role. This is possible through the early introduction of peanuts into the diet, especially in infants at risk of this allergy. In recent years, specific immunotherapy has been used to develop desensitisation and, in some patients, tolerance-defined as a persistent state of clinical non-reactivity to the allergen after therapy is finished. The aim of this article is to summarise the current state of knowledge on the prevention and treatment of peanut allergy, with a focus on clinical trials, current guidelines, and recent experimental studies. This review may be particularly useful for paediatricians and general practitioners.

Non-communicable diseases: Opportunities to promote future health during the first 1000 day of life

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework now underlies the evolution and epigenetics of many non-communicable diseases that develop in adult life. Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease and stroke in particular have links back to events during the first 1000 days of life, and as the world is witnessing an epidemic of these conditions, identifying measures able to contribute to reducing the potential for these NCDs to develop in our aging populations becomes all the more important. Parental health at conception and good maternal health and nutrition throughout pregnancy are known to be integral to normal infant development and health in later life, but more recently the central importance of infant nutrition that achieves healthy weight gain has become recognized. In this context, achieving growth patterns for infants that avoid either the onset of obesity or development of stunting during the first 1000 days of life appears to be an achievable goal with significant potential for the avoidance of many NCDs in later life. Hence the relevance of health promotion initiatives to share this knowledge among health care providers and educate parents on the benefits of optimal infant nutrition.

Proteins required for stereocilia elongation during mammalian hair cell development ensure precise and steady heights during adult life

The hair bundle, or stereocilia bundle, is the mechanosensory compartment of hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear. To date, most mechanistic studies have focused on stereocilia bundle morphogenesis, and it remains unclear how this organelle critical for hearing preserves its precise dimensions during life in mammals. The GPSM2-GNAI complex occupies the distal tip of stereocilia in the tallest row and is required for their elongation during development. Here, we ablate GPSM2-GNAI in adult mouse HCs after normal stereocilia elongation is completed. We observe a progressive height reduction of the tallest row stereocilia totaling ~600 nm after 12 wk in Gpsm2 mutant inner HCs. To measure GPSM2 longevity at tips, we generated a HaloTag-Gpsm2 mouse strain and performed pulse-chase experiments in vivo. Estimates using pulse-chase or tracking loss of GPSM2 immunolabeling following Gpsm2 inactivation suggest that GPSM2 is relatively long-lived at stereocilia tips with a half-life of 9 to 10 d. Height reduction coincides with dampened auditory brainstem responses evoked by low-frequency stimuli in particular. Finally, GPSM2 is required for normal tip enrichment of elongation complex (EC) partners MYO15A, WHRN, and EPS8, mirroring their established codependence during development. Taken together, our results show that the EC is also essential in mature HCs to ensure precise and stable stereocilia height and for sensitive detection of a full range of sound frequencies.

Motivations and Impact of Training of Home Care Workers for Older Adults in Nigeria

Background: The aging population in Nigeria presents a significant challenge to the healthcare system, particularly in providing adequate home care. This study addresses the urgent need for well-trained home care workers as traditional family-based care models become increasingly unsustainable due to urbanization and economic pressures. Objectives: The study explored the motivations and impacts of a two-week training program for home care workers, aimed at equipping participants with essential skills for caring for older adults in Nigeria. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, this study investigates the motivations for joining the training program and its impact on professional development and competency in elder care. Results: The findings reveal diverse motivations for participation, including aspirations for career advancement, personal growth, and a strong commitment to providing quality care. The training program significantly enhanced participants' skills, knowledge, and confidence, enabling them to manage complex caregiving situations more effectively and improve the overall quality of care. Conclusions: This research highlights the critical role of specialized training in improving the quality of life for older adults in Nigeria. It emphasizes the need for policy interventions to standardize training for home care workers, ensuring consistent quality of care for Nigeria's aging population and recognizing the profession's essential contribution to the healthcare system.

Possibilities: A commentary on creative aging

This commentary offers a critical and personal perspective on Adams-Price and Morse’s “Creativity, aging, context and culture: Reimagining creativity in everyday life in older adults.” The commentary provides a close reading of the authors’ premise which argues for bridging creativity theory and research on creative aging. The commentary also suggests next steps, emphasizing the need to engage with contemporary issues of privilege and discrimination.

A meta-analysis of the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive training on working memory in healthy older adults.

Working memory (WM) loss, which can lead to a loss of independence, and declines in the quality of life of older adults, is becoming an increasingly prominent issue affecting the ageing population. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, is emerging as a potential alternative to pharmacological treatments that shows promise for enhancing WM capacity and May enhance the effects of cognitive training (CT) interventions. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore how different tDCS protocols in combination with CT enhanced WM in healthy older adults. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the effects of tDCS combined with CT on WM in healthy older adults were retrieved from the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases. The search time period ranged from database inception to January 15, 2024. Methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the risk-of-bias criteria for RCTs from the Cochrane Collaboration Network, and RevMan 5.3 (Cochrane, London, United Kingdom) was used for the meta-analysis of the final literature outcomes. Six RCTs with a total of 323 participants were ultimately included. The results of the meta-analysis show that tDCS combined with CT statistically significantly improves WM performance compared to the control sham stimulation group in healthy older adults [standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.11-0.59, I 2 = 0%, Z = 2.86, p = 0.004]. The first subgroup analysis indicated that, when the stimulus intensity was 2 mA, a statistically significant improvement in WM performance in healthy older adults was achieved (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.08-0.70, I 2 = 6%, Z = 2.46, p = 0.01). The second subgroup analysis showed that long-term intervention (≥ 10 sessions) with tDCS combined with CT statistically significantly improved WM compared to the control group in healthy older adults (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.22-1.21, I 2 = 0%, Z = 2.85, p = 0.004). tDCS combined with CT statistically significantly improves WM in healthy older adults. For the stimulus parameters, long-term interventions (≥ 10 sessions) with a stimulation intensity of 2 mA are the most effective.

Relationship between Body Mass Index and Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly: A Comprehensive Analysis

This study aims to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and urinary incontinence in the elderly, a significant but often neglected public health concern. A cross-sectional design was used, involving elderly residents of Wisma Mulia Nursing Home. Urinary incontinence was measured using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and BMI was calculated using a standard formula. Statistical analysis with Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant association between BMI and urinary incontinence (p &lt; 0.05), with an average ICIQ-SF score of 16.00 and a standard deviation of 10.30. These findings suggest that BMI is a contributing factor to the severity of urinary incontinence in the elderly. Clinically, the results emphasize the importance of considering BMI in the assessment and management of urinary incontinence. Interventions focusing on BMI reduction, including diet and exercise, could improve the quality of life for older adults. This aligns with the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), promoting good health and well-being. Future research with larger sample sizes, and exploration of factors such as physical activity and comorbidities, is essential. Longitudinal studies tracking BMI changes over time and their impact on urinary incontinence would provide deeper insights for effective interventions.

Pidotimod – Current Role and Evidence

ABSTRACT Recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) are common in the pediatric age group and in patients with chronic respiratory disorders, leading to frequent hospitalization and poorer quality of life. Studies have shown that an immature immune system in childhood can predispose to RRIs, leading to adult life. Immunomodulators are drugs which modulate the immune system of the host to increase resistance against various infections. They interact with specific receptors and cellular components of innate and adaptive response to modulate the immune response. Pidotimod (PDT) is one such immunomodulator which has shown emerging evidence in the past 2 decades, to reduce the recurrence of lower respiratory tract infections and help in faster recovery from the same. This review highlights the evidence behind the potential role of PDT in the prevention and management of RRIs.

Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity, erosive tooth wear, gingival recession and periodontal health in seven European countries

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and associated risk indicators for dentine hypersensitivity (DH), erosive tooth wear (ETW), gingival recession (GR), and gingival inflammation (bleeding on probing, BOP), with clinical and questionnaire data from seven European countries. MethodsA cross-sectional, observational, seven-European country, epidemiological study in systemically healthy adults. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding oral hygiene, diet and lifestyle factors. A clinical examination, by calibrated examiners, measured DH (Schiff; participant yes/no), ETW (basic erosive tooth wear examination, BEWE), GR (mm), and BOP (yes/no). Results3551 participants completed the study, mean age 44 ± 17.4, 43.6 % male, 26.1 % rural dwellers. DH (Schiff ≥ 1) was seen in 75.9 % of participants, ETW (BEWE ≥ 1) in 97.6 %, GR (≥1 mm) in 87.9 %. 65.7 % participants had BOP ≥ 10 % sites, 34.3 % BOP<10 % with probing depths ≤3 mm. DH, ETW, GR and BOP increased markedly during young adult life. Thereafter, GR and ETW continued to increase, DH declined after around age 38–47, and BOP plateaued after age 48. DH was significantly associated with ETW (p < 0.001) and GR (p < 0.01); GR was significantly associated with BOP on lingual surfaces (p = 0.017). There were significant associations between increased full mouth BOP ≥ 10 % and reduced brushing duration and exercise frequency (p < 0.001); increased DH and heartburn (p < 0.001); decreased DH (p < 0.001), ETW (p < 0.001) and BOP ≥ 10 % (p = 0.002) with powered toothbrush use. ConclusionsPrevalence of oral conditions assessed was high, greater than in the majority of the GR, DH and ETW literature. Periodontal health was seen in a third of sampled individuals. All these conditions varied markedly by country and age. Clinical significanceOral diseases and conditions were highly prevalent throughout the seven European countries investigated. For the majority, these conditions are eminently preventable and treatable by changing behaviours. Upstream policy changes are needed to address these health challenges, to raise awareness and to empower individuals with oral health education and support.

Effect of automated insulin delivery systems on person-reported outcomes in people with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusive evidence on the benefits of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems on person-reported outcomes (PROs) is missing. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and GoogleScholar) were searched from inception up to August 7th, 2024. All types of studies were included if studies reported on PROs in people with diabetes using an AID system. All types of control groups in randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included. Summary data were extracted by three reviewers. Main outcomes focused on diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycaemia and quality of life. Meta-analyses were conducted for RCTs and observational studies separately. When five or more studies could be pooled, random-effects meta-analysis was used, otherwise common-effects meta-analysis was used. Risk of bias was evaluated with Cochrane tools. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022352502. A total of 62 studies (n=9253) were included reporting on 45 different questionnaires. Twenty-seven studies were RCTs and 25 were observational studies. RCT meta-analyses showed reduced diabetes distress (standardised mean difference [95% CI]:-0.159 [-0.309,-0.010], I2=23.0%), reduced fear of hypoglycaemia (-0.339 [-0.566,-0.111], I2=42.6%), and improved hypoglycaemia unawareness (-0.231 [-0.424,-0.037], I2=0.0%), quality of life in adults (0.347 [0.134, 0.560], I2=0.0%) and children/adolescents (0.249 [0.050, 0.448], I2=0.0%). Observational meta-analyses corroborated improvements in diabetes distress (-0.217 [-0.403,-0.031], I2=68.5%), fear of hypoglycaemia (-0.445 [-0.540,-0.349], I2=0.0%), hypoglycaemia unawareness (-0.212 [-0.419,-0.004], I2=0.0%), and showed improved sleep quality (-0.158 [-0.255,-0.061], I2=0.0%). We found low to moderate effect sizes indicating that AID therapy is associated with reduced burden and improved well-being in people with diabetes. Evidence comes from both RCTs and observational studies. However, for some PROs only a limited number of studies could be pooled with a large heterogeneity in questionnaires used. More research is needed with a more uniformed assessment of PROs to demonstrate the added value of AID therapy on psychosocial outcomes. None.

Effect of Neurological Music Therapy Among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by cognitive decline that exceeds normal age-related changes but does not significantly impair daily life. This condition is a precursor to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and affects emotional well-being and quality of life.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neurological music therapy (MMT) on cognitive function, emotional well-being, and quality of life in older adults with MCI.Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted over six weeks with 20 participants aged 60-80 years. Participants were randomly assigned to the MMT group, which received exercise therapy with music and the Naruko clapper, or the STT group, which received standard exercise guided by counts. The MoCA and SF-36 were used to assess outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing paired and independent t-tests with a significance level of p &lt; 0.05.Results: Post-intervention, the MMT group showed a significant improvement in MoCA scores (23.33 ± 2.06) compared to the STT group (18.75 ± 2.61, p &lt; 0.001). SF-36 scores also significantly increased in the MMT group (82.62 ± 6.16) versus the STT group (47.32 ± 11.01, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Neurological music therapy significantly enhanced cognitive and physical health outcomes in older adults with MCI, suggesting its potential as an effective non-pharmacological intervention.

Folk games as a tool of formation of artistic and creative competence of primary school children in music classes

The article describes the features of acquiring artistic and creative competence, as a child's elementary awareness of the specifics of art forms (artistic and productive, musical, theatrical); valuable attitude to art and artistic activity, the desire to perceive folklore art. Folkloric forms of the heritage of Ukrainian culture are considered. Teaching and methodical material and practical recommendations are offered, which in music classes will be useful both to experienced teachers of preschool institutions and to those workers who are starting to work with the smallest brains. Normative documents in the field of preschool education were studied and play competence was considered as a child's ability to free, emotionally saturated, spontaneous activity on his/her own initiative, in which the possibility of applying existing and assimilating new knowledge and personal development is realized due to the child's desire to participate in the life of adults through the realization of interests in game and role-playing actions in a generalized form. The necessity of using folk games for the formation of artistic and creative competence in preschool children is substantiated. Peculiarities of knowledge of the surrounding world of preschool children and themselves in it are determined. The work proposes to create a basis for the natural formation and development of musical abilities in preschoolers through a folk game by encouraging children to play folk games. It has been emphasized that raising children is based on love and respect for Ukrainian musical folklore. The secrets of conducting music classes using folk games and working with preschoolers are recommended to teachers of primary schools, music teachers, teachers of children's vocal ensembles of extracurricular and club institutions, scientists, graduate students, students of pedagogical and art educational institutions, parents and the general public

The short-chain fatty acid receptors Gpr41/43 regulate bone mass by promoting adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly remodeled throughout adult life. Recently, it has been shown that bone turnover decreases shortly after food consumption. This process has been linked to the fermentation of non-digestible food ingredients such as inulin by gut microbes, which results in the production of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate. SCFAs exert various metabolic functions, which in part can be explained by activation of G protein-coupled receptors (Gpr) 41 and 43. However, the potential relevance of a SCFA-Gpr41/43 signaling axis for bone metabolism has not been established. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of Gpr41/43 in bone metabolism and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. For this purpose, we analyzed the skeletal phenotype of wild type controls (WT) and Gpr41/43 double knockout (Gpr41/43 dKO) mice fed either a chow or an inulin-enriched diet. In addition, we isolated bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells from WT and Gpr41/43 dKO mice and differentiated them into osteoblasts in the absence or presence of acetate. MicroCT scanning of femoral bones of Gpr41/43 dKO mice revealed a significant increase of trabecular bone volume and trabecular compared to WT controls. Treatment of WT bone marrow-derived osteoblasts with acetate resulted in decreased mineralization and substantial downregulation of bone formation markers such as Phex, Ptgs2 and Col1a1. Notably, this effect was strongly attenuated in differentiated osteoblasts lacking Gpr41/43. Inversely, acetate supplementation resulted in higher levels of adipocyte marker genes including Pparg, Lpl and Adipoq in bone marrow-derived cells from WT mice, an effect blunted in differentiated cells isolated from Gpr41/43 dKO mice. Overall, these data indicate that acetate regulates bone architecture via SCFA-Gpr41/43 signaling by modulating the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.