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Autoencoder-Inspired Convolutional Network-Based Super-Resolution Approach inside MRI.
Here, we summarized the various roles of exosomes, and how they might relate to the pathogenesis of AD. We also highlight the potential application of exosomes as a therapeutic option in AD therapy. © 2020 Yin et al.Background Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Its worldwide prevalence is over 24 million and is expected to double by 2040. Finding ways to prevent its cognitive decline is urgent. Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed instrumenting glutamine, which is abundant in blood, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, and involved in a metabolic cycle with glutamate in the brain. Results The results reveal a protective effect of circulating glutamine against Alzheimer's disease (inverse-variance weighted method, odds ratio per 1-standard deviation increase in circulating glutamine = 0.83; 95% CI 0.71, 0.97; P = 0.02). Conclusion These findings lend credence to the emerging story supporting the modifiability of glutamine/glutamate metabolism for the prevention of cognitive decline. More circulating glutamine might mean that more substrate is available during times of stress, acting as a neuroprotectant. Modifications to exogenous glutamine may be worth exploring in future efforts to prevent and/or treat Alzheimer's disease. © 2020 Adams.Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of inertial training on upper and lower extremity strength in the elderly. The study also assessed the influence of inertial training on their independence, balance, and speed and quality of gait. Methods Twenty physically inactive older residents of a nursing home (6 women and 14 men; age, 76.7 ± 8.77 years) were randomized to a training (T; n = 10) or control group (C; n = 10). The T group performed inertial training twice a week for 6 weeks using a Cyklotren inertial device. Each training session included 12 exercise sets involving the elbow and knee flexor and extensor muscles (3 sets per single muscle group). The training loads were 10 and 20 kg for the upper and lower extremities, respectively. Before and after training, the maximum force of trained muscles was evaluated under training conditions. Functional tests were also completed. Results Participants from the T group had significantly increased (37.1-69.1%) elbow and knee flexor and extensor muscle strength. Improvement in upper and lower limb strength in non-specific conditions was also noted; 23.3% and 40.6%, respectively. Functional abilities improved significantly in the T group (Tinetti balance test 29%, Tinetti gait tests 18.6%, and gait speed (8-Foot Up-and-Go) 12.8%), while remaining unchanged in C. Conclusion We strongly recommend a daily routine of inertial training for older adults. Benefits from inertial training can reduce the risk of falls and increase the safety and independence of the elderly. © 2020 Naczk et al.Anti-γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor (anti-GABABR) encephalitis is a rare type of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Although it responds well to immunomodulating therapy and has favorable prognosis, anti-GABABR AE has often been misdiagnosed as infectious encephalitis. Herein, we present a case of a 59-year-old female with anti-GABABR AE associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that was once misdiagnosed as infectious encephalitis. Our findings increase the awareness that patients presenting with a clinical trial of cognitive impairment, seizures and SCLC may harbor AE. learn more Our case also highlights the importance of anti-SOX1 antibody in the detection of SCLC. © 2020 Qin et al.Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide; with age acknowledged as an independent cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) in adults. Appreciating the association between age and classic CRFs is believed to boost all potential benefits of prevention. Purpose Assessment of the prevalence of single and clustered CRFs and their association with age. Patients and Methods The survey involved 4735 people (33.6% men) who were PONS project attendees aged 45-64. The study protocol comprised the Health Status Questionnaire, general medical examination, anthropometric measurements, and blood and urine sampling. The prevalence of single and clustered CRFs (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity) in the incrementally split age groups was calculated. The incidence rate of CRFs, against their absence, was determined by Poisson regression models with robust standard errors. Results The prevalence of CRFs was established in 90% of the respondents. Except dyslipidemia and ≥1 CRFs, prevalence of risk factors increased with age, although this trend was the weakest in men. In the total group, and in women, prevalence of dyslipidemia and ≥1 CRFs was unrelated to age, whereas in men, it was on the rise in the younger age groups. The incidence rate of CRFs was strongly related to age, and, with the exception of dyslipidemia, was higher in the older age groups. Conclusion Cardiovascular risk factors are common in the adult population, while their prevalence and clustering are more prevalent in seniors. Apart from dyslipidemia, the risk of CRFs is appreciably age-related, and higher in seniors. © 2020 Macek et al.Objective Data on the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer (OC) and associated cerebral infarction (CI) are extremely limited. The objectives were to investigate the risk factors for prognosis in patients with OC and associated CI. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients with OC from January 2013 to November 2018 in Peking Union Medical Hospital. Results In total, 2632 inpatients were diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer in our institution, and 30 patients (1.1%) were diagnosed with OC-associated CI. The median age was 60 years (range, 37-83). The standard treatment, according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, was administered to 19 patients. The median follow-up time was 19.5 months (range, 1-59 months). In total, 17 patients experienced tumor progression, and 16 of them died. In univariate analysis, overall survival was significantly associated with the D-dimer level (P=0.017), FIGO stage (P=0.014), complete cytoreduction (P less then 0.000) and standard treatment (P less then 0.000). In multivariate analysis, the standard treatment remained an independent protective factor for death (hazard ratio=0.061, 95% confidence interval=0.007-0.537, P=0.012). Conclusion Although the prognosis of patients with OC and associated CI was poor, those who underwent the standard treatment still benefited. © 2020 Yuan et al.Background Demographic aging results in increased incidence of old-age disability. Frailty is a major factor contributing to old-age disability. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the frailty phenotype as defined by Fried et al and to estimate the need for associated preventative interventions in early-old community-dwelling inhabitants of the southern industrial region of Poland, as well as to investigate the defining components of the frailty phenotype. Methods The study group consisted of 160 individuals with an average age of 66.8 ± 4.2 years ( ± SD), 71 (44.4%) of study participants were women. The cohort was randomized out of over 843 thousand community-dwelling Upper Silesian inhabitants aged 60-74 years, who agreed to participate in this project. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), frailty phenotype test (as described by Fried et al) blood tests and bioimpedance body structure analysis was completed for study participants. Functional assessment included Barthel Index ofConclusion At least 25% of the early-old community-dwelling population would benefit from a frailty prevention program. The frailty phenotype reflects both physical and mental health in this population. © 2020 Batko-Szwaczka et al.Purpose The protection motivation theory (PMT) is a common framework understanding the use of protective behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the predictors of fall protective behaviors among community-dwelling older adults, Iran. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in Qom, Iran, from May to October 2018. Three hundred older people were selected from retirement centers via stratified sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing items on socio-demographic information, Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale, and PMT constructs scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Results The mean (SD) age of the participants was 64.6 (5.5) and the majority were male (77.7%). Level of perceived fall threat was lower than perceived efficacy of fall protective behaviors. There was a significant relationship between protection motivation and fall protective behaviors (β= 0.515, t-value= 13.650). Coping appraisals (β= 0.409, t-value= 7.352) and fear (β= 0.194, t-value= 2.462) were associated with motivation. The model explained approximately 27% of the variance in fall protective behaviors. The goodness of fit index of 0.48 indicating the model good fit. Conclusion The results indicated that protection motivation, coping appraisals and reasonable fear are considered as the strongest predictors of fall protective behaviors among older people. The results can help health care providers to develop appropriate interventions to fall prevention among older people. © 2020 Taheri-Kharameh et al.Purpose This study aimed to predict stage of exercise among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes by using an extended theory of planned behavior model (TPB) incorporating descriptive norm and self-identity. Patients and Methods Participants (N=791) were included in a cross-sectional study. Structural equation modeling was used to explain how the extended TPB could predict the stage of exercise. Results The model accounted for 41% of the variance in stage of exercise and 81.1% of the variance in intention. Intention (β=0.359, P less then 0.01) and self-identity (β=0.236, P less then 0.001) had a direct effect on stage of exercise. Self-identity (β=0.261, P less then 0.001), descriptive norm (β=0.035, P less then 0.05) and PBC (β=0.683, P less then 0.001) were strong predicators of intention. The effects of self-identity and PBC on behavior were significantly mediated via intention. Age, BMI and stage of diet behavior were found to be significantly related to intention and behavior. Conclusion This study has tested the usefulness of the extended TPB for explaining exercise in Chinese diabetic patients. To promote patients to start or continue exercising, interventions should target self-identity and controllability for physical activity. © 2020 Gao et al.Introduction The aim of this study was to examine physicians' preferences regarding adherence-promoting programs (APPs), and to investigate which APP characteristics influence the willingness of physicians to implement these in daily practice. Materials and Methods A discrete choice experiment was conducted among general practitioners, cardiologists, neurologists and ophthalmologists in Germany. The design considered five attributes with two or three attribute levels each validation status of the APP; possibility for physicians to receive a certificate; type of intervention; time commitment per patient and quarter of the year to carry out the APP; reimbursement for APP participation, per included patient and quarter of the year.A multinomial logit model was run to estimate physicians' utility for each attribute and to evaluate the influence of different levels on the probability of choosing a specific APP. The relative importance of the attributes was compared between different pre-defined subgroups. Results In total, 222 physicians were included in the analysis.
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