Average Life Span Research Articles

Gene expression analysis in plasma of patients with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a neurodegenerative disease, cannot be noticed until severe symptoms are observed. This poses a global challenge as the average human lifespan increases, making it a concern for the entire world population. Early diagnosis can play a crucial role in slowing the progression of the disease, thereby enhancing the quality of life for both the patient and their relatives. AD has been linked to alterations in mRNA expressions. The objective of the presented study was to determine whether there were significant differences in gene expression in blood plasma between Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls. MAPT, APP, Tubb3, TrkB, and CDC42 genes were selected as target genes due to their potential associations with AD. To analyse mRNA expression levels in the control group and AD patients, the real-time PCR (qPCR) method was performed. The findings indicate that MAPT, APP, Tubb3, and CDC42 genes' expression levels were significantly downregulated by 1.09, 1.08, 1.09, and 1.14 times, respectively (p<0.05) in AD patients. Although the TrkB gene expression appeared to be downregulated by 1.03 times in the AD group, it is not statistically different. Given the molecular associations between the pathways of the target genes and AD, changes in the expression of these genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. They may represent potential biomarkers for early diagnosis.

Characterisation, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Kombai Dog Breed: A Unique Genetic Resource of India

Kombai is an ancient dog breed of Tamil Nadu, India. The Kombai dog is renowned for its fierce loyalty to its family and aggressiveness towards its adversaries. They are incredibly powerful, extremely intelligent, courageous, protective, resilient, territorial, and amiable breed making them as excellent guard dogs. Other names of this breed are Indian/Tamil Bear Hound, Poligar Dog, Mandai War Dog and Indian Rottweiler. The significant feature of this breed is that it lacks a fierce bark, it barks infrequently. Kombai is a sight hound, it hunt by sight and speed rather than by scent and stamina. The breed originated from the foothills of the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamil Nadu. The breeding tract of this dog are Kombai, Uthamapalaiyam, Pannaipuram, Thevaram, Periakulam, Bodinayakkanur, Cumbam and Kudalur of Theni district and consequently dispersed throughout the southern India. The variants of this breed are Pulicharai Kombai and Porr Kombai. Kombai is medium-sized dog with muscular physique. True to this type of breeds are tan, brown, or reddish brown in color with a black muzzle, hence it is called as “Karuvaisevalai” or “Karumunji naai”. Piebald and brindle coat types are less popular. The head of a Kombai dog appear to be slightly larger than the body as a whole. Large oval-shaped dark brown eyes, strong jaws, and a broad, deep chest characterize the Kombai, and it has single, uniform, dense coat that is neither patchy nor uneven. It has lean muscles and a ridge that runs the length of their spine in the opposite way strengthens the entire body. Their mid-length ears are mostly flat or fold over at the front or sometime erect. The legs are designed for agility and quickness. The tail has smooth hair and is long, curling at the edge like a sickle. An adult dog weigh up to 30kg (Male 25–32 kg; Female 20–25 kg) and 24 inches in height (Males: 22 to 24 inches; Females:19 to 22 inches). Average life span of this breed is 12-15years. Litter size is 4 to 6. Kombai dogs attain sexual maturity between 6-10 months. At present, the Kombai breed is becoming scarce and is in danger of going extinct as a result of ban on hunting, indiscriminate breeding, lack of knowledge about their significance, and shortage of traditional breeders. It is imperative to take immediate action to conserve this superior distinctive genetic resource. Establishment of Kombai breeders association and proper coordination and integration among various agencies is highly needed. This unique Kombai dog should be conserved in their innate habitats by implementing partaking approach by including breeders, communities, and other pertinent shareholders in conservation programs and it should be registered as breed.

Prescribing antimicrobials effectively in Dentistry; Resources to support the role of the dentist in antimicrobial stewardship

Background The discovery of antibiotics revolutionised modern medicine and extended the average human lifespan by 23 years.1 Antimicrobial resistance threatens to reverse the progress that has been made. In 2019, there were 4.95 million deaths globally associated with drug-resistant bacterial infections.2 That figure may rise to as many as 50 million by 2050, making this an unprecedented global public health problem.3 The threat of a post-antibiotic era has prompted the publication of Ireland’s One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2021-2025).4 This National Action Plan advocates for the judicious use of antimicrobials to limit any unintended consequences and antimicrobial resistance. This is commonly known as Antimicrobial Stewardship. Antibiotic resistance is largely driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in people, animals and in the environment.4 Dentists are responsible for approximately 10% of antibiotic prescribing in humans globally.5 With several international studies of dental antibiotic prescribing demonstrating that overprescribing occurs frequently5, dentists have an opportunity to contribute significantly to slowing the development and spread of antibiotic resistance by optimising prescribing. This article aims to show how dentists can support good antimicrobial stewardship in their practice.

Dietary restriction fails to extend lifespan of Drosophila model of Werner syndrome.

Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disease in humans, caused by mutations in the WRN gene that encodes a protein containing helicase and exonuclease domains. WS is characterized by symptoms of accelerated aging in multiple tissues and organs, involving increased risk of cancer, heart failure, and metabolic dysfunction. These conditions ultimately lead to the premature mortality of patients with WS. In this study, using the null mutant flies (WRNexoΔ) for the gene WRNexo (CG7670), homologous to the exonuclease domain of WRN in humans, we examined how diets affect the lifespan, stress resistance, and sleep/wake patterns of a Drosophila model of WS. We observed that dietary restriction (DR), one of the most robust nongenetic interventions to extend lifespan in animal models, failed to extend the lifespan of WRNexoΔ mutant flies and even had a detrimental effect in females. Interestingly, the mean lifespan of WRNexoΔ mutant flies was not reduced on a protein-rich diet compared to that of wild-type (WT) flies. Compared to WT control flies, the mutant flies also exhibited altered responses to DR in their resistance to starvation and oxidative stress, as well as changes in sleep/wake patterns. These findings show that the WRN protein is necessary for mediating the effects of DR and suggest that the exonuclease domain of WRN plays an important role in metabolism in addition to its primary role in DNA-repair and genome stability.

A clinical study of Geriatric dermatoses at Tertiary care center in South India

Geriatric health care has become a worldwide concern as advance in medical science has contributed to increase in average life span of an individual. Cutaneous dermatoses constitute one of the major comorbidities of elderly. To determine the prevalence of various skin conditions in elderly patients. A Total of 200 patients aged 60 and above attending Dermatology OPD at tertiary care centre for a period of six months from March to August were assessed for cutaneous dermatosis, routine investigations and histopathological examination done for relevant cases. Out of 200 patients included in study group 128 were males (64%) and 72females (36%), majority were in age group of 65 to70 yrs. All patients recruited were from rural area. wrinkling was seen in >95% of cases , Generalized pruritus and xerosis was seen in 56patient(28%) and 85 patients(42.5%) respectively, eczematous skin condition seen in 41 patients(21%)and psoriasis in 17 patients(8.5%) fissure foot in 15(7.5%) patients .Fungal infection is the most common infection noted(7.5% ) followed by viral infection herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia ( 4%), pyoderma (3.5%) and scabies(2.5% ).Benign tumors like acrochordons, Dermatosis Papulosis nigra and seborrheic keratosis seen in 28% of cases. Nails changes was seen in 45% of patients. The increasing prevalence of skin condition in elderly especially ruritus and eczema, emphasizes the importance of health education regarding skin care concerning appropriate use of emollients, foot care, proper hygiene, sun protection and for early diagnosis and management of the same, such that the process of senescence allowed to live hail and healthy.

Shifting Paradigms

Shifting Paradigms

Young Plasma Rejuvenates Blood DNA Methylation Profile, Extends Mean Lifespan, and Improves Physical Appearance in Old Rats.

There is converging evidence that young blood conveys cells, vesicles, and molecules able to revitalize function and restore organ integrity in old individuals. We assessed the effects of young plasma on the lifespan, epigenetic age, and healthspan of old female rats. Beginning at 25.6 months of age, a group of 9 rats (group T) was intraperitoneally injected with plasma from young rats until their natural death. A group of 8 control rats of the same age received no treatment (group C). Blood samples were collected every other week. Survival curves showed that from age 26 to 30 months, none of the group T animals died, whereas the survival curve of group C rats began to decline at age 26 months. Blood DNAm age versus chronological age showed that DNAm age in young animals increased faster than chronological age, then slowed down, entering a plateau after 27 months. The DNAm age of the treated rats fell below the DNAm age of controls and, in numerical terms, remained consistently lower until natural death. When rats were grouped according to the similarities in their differential blood DNA methylation profile, samples from the treated and control rats clustered in separate groups. Analysis of promoter differential methylation in genes involved in systemic regulatory activities revealed specific GO term enrichment related to the insulin-like factors pathways as well as to cytokines and chemokines associated with immune and homeostatic functions. We conclude that young plasma therapy may constitute a natural, noninvasive intervention for epigenetic rejuvenation and health enhancement.

Level and health evaluation of rare earth elements in human blood and hair in the mining areas in Northwest Hubei

To investigate the content of rare earth elements(REs)in blood and hair of residents in a RE mining area in Northwest Hubei, and evaluate the impact of REs on the health status of local residents. A total of 191 residents from the core area of RE mining areas and 186 residents from non RE mining areas, aged 20-69, were selected. The content of REs in the blood and hair of the survey subjects was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and compared with existing literature values. At the same time, blood tests and questionnaire surveys will be conducted on the health status of residents to examine whether human RE enrichment can lead to endemic diseases. The average total content of REs in the blood of residents in the mining area was 60.22 ng/mL, which was 3.35 times that of the control area; The average total content of REs in hair was 1197.91 ng/g, which was 6.32 times higher than the control area. As age increasing, the abundance of REs in the blood and hair of both men and women in mining areas increased. The proportion of Yttrium and Scandium in the blood and hair were much higher than that in the soil. Compared to hair, Yttrium and Scandium were more easily enriched in the blood. There was no significant difference in the probability of fatty liver, hepatitis B, hypoglycemia, hypotension, hypertension and heart disease and the average life span between residents in RE mining areas and those in the control area. The high daily average dietary intake of REs in residents leads to a relatively large accumulation of REs in human blood and hair, but no significant and substantial human health damage has been found at present.

Evaluation of rheological properties and tribological properties of choline/acetylamino acid ionic liquids at different frequencies

With the increasing average lifespan of human beings, the wear and tear caused by daily activities on joints will also escalate. Consequently, there is a growing focus on the development of green, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible non-toxic lubricating materials. The presence of dual chemical active centers in natural amino acids results in anions and cations that lead to precipitation and poor lubrication effects in traditional choline amino acid ionic liquids. In this study, nine types of choline acetyl-amino acid ionic liquids ([Ch][Ac-AA]ILs) were synthesized using acetylated amino acids (Ac-AA) as anions and choline (Ch) as cations. The physicochemical properties and tribological behavior of [Ch][Ac-AA]ILs at different frequencies were evaluated. The results demonstrated that [Ch][Ac-AA]ILs exhibited excellent tribological properties and maintained effective lubrication even under high-frequency friction conditions compared to sodium hyaluronate (HA-T). This performance was attributed to the carbon chain length and functional group composition of [Ch][Ac-AA]ILs' anions. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the superior lubrication performance of [Ch][Ac-AA]ILs was associated with the formation of chemical reaction films and physical adsorption films on the surface of friction pairs. This research enriches our understanding of [Ch][AA]ILs-based lubrication systems while providing valuable insights for selecting joint lubricants suitable for different activity frequencies.

Astrocytes: The Stars in Neurodegeneration?

Today, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affect millions of people worldwide, and as the average human lifespan increases, similarly grows the number of patients. For many decades, cognitive and motoric decline has been explained by the very apparent deterioration of neurons in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. However, more recent studies show that disease progression is greatly influenced by the vast population of glial cells. Astrocytes are traditionally considered star-shaped cells on which neurons rely heavily for their optimal homeostasis and survival. Increasing amounts of evidence depict how astrocytes lose their supportive functions while simultaneously gaining toxic properties during neurodegeneration. Many of these changes are similar across various neurodegenerative diseases, and in this review, we highlight these commonalities. We discuss how astrocyte dysfunction drives neuronal demise across a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, but rather than categorizing based on disease, we aim to provide an overview based on currently known mechanisms. As such, this review delivers a different perspective on the disease causes of neurodegeneration in the hope to encourage further cross-disease studies into shared disease mechanisms, which might ultimately disclose potentially common therapeutic entry points across a wide panel of neurodegenerative diseases.

Patterns and Changes in Life Expectancy in Korea, 1990-2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to measure the contribution of life expectancy to changes in mortality due to age, sign in Korea.Methods: This study used the life table data (1990-2020) and analyzed the data of the death statistics of the National Statistical Office in 1990 and 2020 (Categorization data by ICD-10). The contribution of differen ages, and causes of death to the change in life expectancy at birth during the 1900-2020 was estimated with a decomposition technique developed by Arriaga.Results: The contribution to the average life span of 1990-2007 was 7.50 years, and 2.91 years between 2007-2015. From 1990 to 2007, the positive contributing causes of death were cerebrovascular disease (0.781 years), hypertensive disease (0.599 years), and heart disease (0.475 years), and the negative contributing causes were intentional self-harm (-0.304 years), pneumonia (-0.209 years), and colon cancer (-0.092 years). From 2007 to 2015, the positive contributing causes were malignant neoplasms (0.548 years), cerebrovascular disease (0.529 years), and diabetes (0.162 years), and the negative contributing causes were pneumonia (-0.198 years), Alzheimer’s (-0.060 years), sepsis (-0.038 years), etc. From 2015 to 2020, the positive contributing causes of death were malignant neoplasms (0.474 years), cerebrovascular disease (0.301 years), and heart disease (0.475 years), and the negative contributing causes were intentional self-harm (-0.304 years), pneumonia (-0.209 years), and colon cancer (-0.092 years). In general, pneumonia was shown to be the cause of death with the largest negative contribution due to increased mortality, and the pattern by age group showed that the positive contribution was relatively large in the age group after 65 years of age. In common, the positive contribution of most causes decreased as time passed.Conclusions: The age group that contributed the most to the increase in life expectancy after 1990 was found to be 70-74 years old (0.74 years) from 1990-2007. In addition, it was found to have contributed significantly to those aged 70-74 (0.42 years) from 2007-2015 and those aged 75-79 (0.27 years) from 2015-2020. In the overall period, the contribution to average life expectancy appears to be large in the age group of 65 years or older, and in recent years, the contribution to average life expectancy from age 0 gradually decreases, while the contribution to average life expectancy in the middle-aged and older age group increases. This study evaluated the increase in life expectancy by age and cause of death by applying join point regression analysis, which can partially complement the limitations of existing models, to evaluate and analyze the amount of life expectancy according to changes in mortality level.

Subsurface eddies east of the Philippines: Geographic characteristics, vertical structures, volume and thermohaline transport

Energetic subsurface eddies (SSEs) play a significant role in regulating the subthermocline circulation east of the Philippines. However, due to the paucity of targeted observations, they remain largely unexplored. By analyzing the outputs from an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model (OGCM), this study investigated the statistics of SSEs east of the Philippines, including their geographic characteristics, vertical structures, and eddy-induced transport. During the period of 2009–2019, approximately 1927 and 1176 SSEs were detected to be anticyclonic and cyclonic, respectively, indicating the predominance of subsurface anticyclonic eddies (SSAE). The hotspot area of SSEs is in the latitude band of 6° N–15° N off the Philippine coast, especially around 10° N and 14° N–15° N prevailing abundant SSEs. Most SSEs originate at ∼138° E furthest with a mean lifespan of 55 days and a westward translation speed of 6 cm/s. The composite SSAE exhibits a typical subsurface-intensified feature with a velocity core at ∼520 m, while the subsurface cyclonic eddy (SSCE) has a relatively shallow core at ∼420 m and exhibits considerable strength near the surface with a rotating speed is around 5 cm/s. Temperature anomalies induced by SSEs show a dual-core structure associated with lens-like isopycnal undulations, and salinity anomalies are characterized by an alternating positive and negative signal owing to the complexity of the water masses. SSEs-induced meridional volume transport mainly occurs off the Philippine coast, where the northward transport is approximately 0.3 Sv and the southward transport is approximately 0.5 Sv. The zonal volume transport of SSEs is 1–2 Sv per latitude and mainly occurs in the North Equatorial Current (NEC) region. SSEs-induced stirring heat/salt transport is 1–2 orders larger than the trapping component and is mainly concentrated near the Mindanao coast. The meridional stirring heat transport is equatorward, which is up to 2.7 × 107 W/m, and the salt transport is northward with a magnitude of ∼100 kg·m−1·s−1 between 200 m and 2000 m. At the 8°N section, the mean salt transport associated with SSEs is about 24% of that induced by the Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC).

Demography and life cycle of Daphnia Magna, subjected to the toxicity of andiroba oil used as a natural repelente

Daphnia magna is a common model organism used in toxicological testing because it is widely distributed in aquatic environments, has a short life cycle and is easy to rear in the laboratory. For the cultivation of cladocerans and for experiments, natural water and algae of the species Chlorella sorokiniana was used as diet. For Daphnia culture, modified EPA medium was used. And the general experimental conditions were: 50 mL transparent bottles, in a 1:1 ratio, of medium water and test substance, in treatments and control with medium water, where each test bottle received 10 neonates (<24 h) from the test organism, Daphnia magna. Calculations related to demographic analysis were determined, such as average lifespan, life expectancy, gross reproduction rate, net reproduction rate, generation time and intrinsic population growth rate. In general, the toxicity of andiroba oil promoted mortality in Daphnia magna compared to the control, regardless of any concentration tested. The fertility patterns of D. magna showed a decrease in the production of neonates with increasing andiroba oil concentration. The results of the experiment indicated that andiroba oil had toxic effects on Daphnia magna, being important to evaluate the safety of this chemical product, contributing significantly to the understanding of the risks associated with its use.

Novel Flavonol Alkaloids in Green Tea: Synthesis, Detection, and Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Effect in a Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL4176 Model.

Novel N-ethy-2-pyrrolidinone-substituted flavonols, myricetin alkaloids A-C (1-3), quercetin alkaloids A-C (4a, 4b, and 5), and kaempferol alkaloids A and B (6 and 7), were prepared from thermal reaction products of myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol─l-theanine, respectively. We used HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS to detect 1-7 in 14 cultivars of green tea and found that they were all present in "Shuchazao," "Longjing 43", "Fudingdabai", and "Zhongcha 108" green teas. The structures of 1-4 and 6 were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies. These flavonol alkaloids along with their skeletal flavonols were assessed for anti-Alzheimer's disease effect based on molecular docking, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and the transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL4176 model. Compound 7 strongly binds to the protein amyloid β (Aβ1-42) through hydrogen bonds (BE: -9.5 kcal/mol, Ki: 114.3 nM). Compound 3 (100 μM) is the strongest one in significantly extending the mean lifespan (13.4 ± 0.5 d, 43.0% promotion), delaying the Aβ1-42-induced paralysis (PT50: 40.7 ± 1.9 h, 17.1% promotion), enhancing the locomotion (140.0% promotion at 48 h), and alleviating glutamic acid (Glu)-induced neurotoxicity (153.5% promotion at 48 h) of CL4176 worms (p < 0.0001).

Diagnostic Utility of Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent Parameter in the Evaluation of Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia – Our Experience from Northeast India

Background: Reticulocytes are red blood cell precursors with an average lifespan of 1–2 days. Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) is an early marker of iron deficiency (ID) erythropoiesis and reflects real-time information regarding the synthesis of young erythrocytes in the bone marrow. The objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic utility of Ret-He in patients having microcytic hypochromic anemia in comparison with serum ferritin and iron studies. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic utility of the Ret-He parameter in patients having microcytic hypochromic anemia in comparison with the serum ferritin, iron studies and its role in routine hematological screening for nutritional deficiency anemia like ID. Design and Settings: The design involves observational study. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based observational study was carried out in a referral hospital. Hematological parameters were processed using Sysmex XN1000 (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) analyzer and were compared with Serum iron studies using biochemistry analyzer (VITROS® 250 Chemistry System) from 201 participants who presented with microcytic hypochromic anemia. Main Outcome and Measures: Relationship of Ret-He parameter and its diagnostic utility for screening of iron-deficient states. Sample Size: The sample size was 201. Results: When serum ferritin is taken as “the gold standard” to detect ID, with Ret-He cutoff of 27.15 pg/cell, we found a statistically significant positive correlation between Ret-He and serum ferritin (P &lt; 0.001). We found a sensitivity of 57.37% and specificity of 75.95% with area under the curve of 0.681, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 3.8%, and accuracy of 62.19% for Ret-He in detecting ID anemia (IDA). Also found a statistically significant negative correlation between Ret-He and total iron binding capacity (P &lt; 0.001). There was no statistical correlation between Ret-He and serum iron levels in our study. Conclusions: The present study suggests Ret-He is one of the better and more reliable hematological parameters indicating ID and, when used along with biochemical parameters like serum ferritin, can give valuable inputs in a better screening and diagnosis of IDA; hence proper treatment is possible. Limitations: The multicentric study is required to standardize Ret-He reference values, and follow-up to therapy of the subjects was not done. Additional hemoglobin variant analysis data would have been favorable to the study.

The Impact of Business Diagnostics on the Activities of SMEs in Nigeria

In the context of Nigeria, where the average lifespan of businesses is limited to approximately five years, addressing and overcoming challenges has become a critical imperative. This study underscores the pivotal role of business diagnostics in supporting the growth and sustainability of businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates how SMEs in Nigeria employ diagnostic tools, such as SWOT analysis, to discern their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, the study employs a structured, open-ended questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument, with a sample of fifteen strategically chosen SMEs participating in a specialized course at a business school. Purposive sampling ensures diversity among the selected SMEs, enriching the depth of the collected data. The structured, open-ended questionnaire allows participants to express their perspectives, facilitating in-depth responses freely. Thematic analysis is applied to identify patterns and insights within the qualitative data, providing nuanced answers to the research questions. The findings underscore that business diagnostics significantly contribute to the effective management and growth of SMEs in Nigeria, illuminating the potential for increased economic development through improved SME performance. Incorporating the results, the study sheds light on the varied experiences and perspectives of SMEs with business diagnostics, offering a rich and contextualized exploration of the subject matter. Meaningful recommendations derived from the study's findings, contribute to the body of knowledge on effective business diagnostics for SMEs in Nigeria.

Impact of Schistosoma sp., Infection on Biological, Feeding, Physiological, Histological, and Genotoxicological Aspects of Biomphalaria alexandrina andBulinus truncatus Snails.

Trematode infections of the genus Schistosoma can induce physiological and behavioral changes in intermediate snail hosts. This is because the parasite consumes essential resources necessary for the host's survival, prompting hosts to adapt their behavior to maintain some level of fitness before parasite-induced mortality occurs. In this study, the reproductive and biochemical parameters of Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus were examined during the cercareal shedding stage of infection with Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, respectively, compared with controls. The study revealed an infection rate of 34.7% for S. mansoni and 30.4% for S. haematobium. In B. alexandrina infected with S. mansoni, a survival rate of 65.2% was recorded, along with a mean prepatent period of 30.3 ± 1.41days, a mean shedding duration of 14.2 ± 0.16days, and a mean lifespan of 44.1 ± 0.24days. Meanwhile, in B. truncatus infected with S. haematobium, a survival rate of 56.4% was observed, with a mean prepatent period of 44.3 ± 1.41days, a mean shedding duration of 22.6 ± 2.7days, and a mean lifespan of 66.9 ± 1.6days. Feeding increased in both infected species of snails, while the net reproductive rate (Ro) of the infected snails decreased. Total antioxidant (TAO) and lipid peroxidation activity increased in the two infected snail species during shedding, while Glutathione-S-transferase levels decreased. Lipid peroxidase activity and nitrogen oxide levels significantly decreased in infected B. alexandrina and increased in infected Bulinus. Steroid hormone levels were elevated in infected Biomphalaria, whereas they were reduced in infected Bulinus. Comet assay parameters showed an increase in the two infected genera after infection compared to control snails, indicating genotoxic damage and histopathological damage was observed. These findings demonstrate that infection with larva species diverse biochemical, hormonal, genotoxic, and histopathological changes in the tissues responsible for fecundity and reproduction in B. alexandrina and B. truncates comparing with controls.

Endurance exercise upregulates mtp expression in aged Drosophila to ameliorate age-related diastolic dysfunction and extend lifespan.

Diastolic dysfunction is a major cardiac dysfunction, and an important predisposing factor is age. Although exercise training is often used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease nowadays, little is currently known about whether exercise interventions associated with the slowing of cardiac aging are related to mtp-related pathways. In the present study, the UAS/Tub-Gal4 system was used to knockdown whole-body mtp expression levels in Drosophila, which underwent 2 weeks of endurance training. By conducting different assays and quantifying different indicators, we sought to investigate the relationship between mtp, exercise, and age-related diastolic dysfunction. We found that (1) Drosophila in the mtpRNAi youth group exhibited age-related diastolic dysfunction and had a significantly shorter mean lifespan. (2) Endurance exercise could improve diastolic dysfunction and prolong lifespan in aged Drosophila. (3) Endurance exercise could increase the expression levels of apolpp and Acox3, and decrease the levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG in the aged group. In summary, aging causes age-associated diastolic dysfunction in Drosophila, and systemic knockdown of mtp causes premature age-associated diastolic dysfunction in young Drosophila. Besides, endurance exercise improves age-related diastolic dysfunction and prolongs lifespan.

Betulinic Acid Increases the Lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster via Sir2 and FoxO Activation.

Betulinic acid (BetA), a triterpenoid derivative found abundantly in the plant kingdom, has emerged as a promising candidate for promoting longevity. Many research studies have shown its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer activities, making it an interesting subject for investigating its potential influence on lifespan. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BetA on longevity and the mechanisms associated with it using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as the organism model. The results showed that 50 μM BetA supplementation extended the mean lifespan of fruit flies by 13% in males and 6% in females without any adverse effects on their physiology, such as fecundity, feeding rate, or locomotion ability reduction. However, 50 μM BetA supplementation failed to increase the lifespan in mutants lacking functional silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) and Forkhead box O (FoxO)-null, implying that the longevity effect of BetA is related to Sir2 and FoxO activation. Our study contributes to the knowledge in the field of anti-aging research and inspires further investigations into natural compounds such as BetA to enhance organismal healthspan.

Systematic review of mortality and survival rates for APDS

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS) is a rare genetic disorder that presents clinically as a primary immunodeficiency. Clinical presentation of APDS includes severe, recurrent infections, lymphoproliferation, lymphoma, and other cancers, autoimmunity and enteropathy. Autosomal dominant variants in two independent genes have been demonstrated to cause APDS. Pathogenic variants in PIK3CD and PIK3R1, both of which encode components of the PI3-kinase, have been identified in subjects with APDS. APDS1 is caused by gain of function variants in the PIK3CD gene, while loss of function variants in PIK3R1 have been reported to cause APDS2. We conducted a review of the medical literature and identified 256 individuals who had a molecular diagnosis for APDS as well as age at last report; 193 individuals with APDS1 and 63 with APDS2. Despite available treatments, survival for individuals with APDS appears to be shortened from the average lifespan. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis for APDS showed the conditional survival rate at the age of 20 years was 87%, age of 30 years was 74%, and ages of 40 and 50 years were 68%. Review of causes of death showed that the most common cause of death was lymphoma, followed by complications from HSCT. The overall mortality rate for HSCT in APDS1 and APDS2 cases was 15.6%, while the mortality rate for lymphoma was 47.6%. This survival and mortality data illustrate that new treatments are needed to mitigate the risk of death from lymphoma and other cancers as well as infection. These analyses based on real-world evidence gathered from the medical literature comprise the largest study of survival and mortality for APDS to date.