Probabilistic Prediction of Microdamage Progression in Bone

Author(s):  
X. Neil Dong ◽  
Daniel M. Sparkman ◽  
Huijie Leng ◽  
Harry R. Millwater ◽  
Xiaodu Wang

Age-related bone fractures are a major health concern to the elderly population. In addition to the loss of bone mass, the deterioration of bone quality is another major reason for such fractures. The decline of bone quality is manifested with the accumulation of microdamage in bone with age [1]. Two major types of microdamage have been observed in bone tissue: linear microcracks and diffuse damage [2]. Linear microcracks are individual cracks at a size of microns or larger and are usually visible under an optical microscope. On the other hand, diffuse damage is detectable only by staining and consists of an extensive network of fine, ultrastructural-level defects. The mechanisms for the formation of these two distinct types of microdamage in bone are still unclear. In this study, probabilistic finite element models of mineral-collagen composites were used to study the progression of microdamage in bone, thereby exploring the conditions under which linear microcracks and diffuse damage are produced in bone.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tylutka ◽  
Barbara Morawin ◽  
Artur Gramacki ◽  
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny

Abstract Background. The decrease in immunity with age is still a major health concern as elderly people are more susceptible to infections and increased incidence of autoimmunity. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in immunosenescence and changes in immunology cells like T cells. The aim of our study was to find a disproportion in subpopulation of T cells as well as CD4/CD8 ratio depending on the age, gender or comorbidities. Results. In the present study, a flow cytometry was used to indicate the differences between age, sex, disorders and fat content in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells population divided into naïve and memory cells as well as CD4/CD8 ratio in people aged 71.9± 5.8 years (females n=83, males n=16) compared to young people aged 20.6 ± 1.1 years (females n=12, males n=19). The percentage of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ cells was found to be statistically significantly lower in the elderly compared to the young. In addition, gender was observed to play an important role in the outcomes in the analysed subpopulations and in female group, who live statistically longer than males, our older group of Polish women demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of naïve lymphocytes in both the CD4+ and CD8+ populations compared to men. The CD4/CD8 ratio increases with age, which can be considered one of the markers determining longevity. Elderly people with age-related diseases (hypertension) also show an increased level of CD4/CD8 ratio as well as CD4+. Conclusion. We demonstrated that changes in the T cells population, including naïve cell population as well as CD4/CD8 ratio, are important markers which can be predictive of healthy status. In order to accurately determine longevity, gender or age-associated diseases should be taken into account.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Anna Izzo ◽  
Elena Massimino ◽  
Gabriele Riccardi ◽  
Giuseppe Della Pepa

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major health burden for the elderly population, affecting approximately 25% of people over the age of 65 years. This percentage is expected to increase dramatically in the next decades in relation to the increased longevity of the population observed in recent years. Beyond microvascular and macrovascular complications, sarcopenia has been described as a new diabetes complication in the elderly population. Increasing attention has been paid by researchers and clinicians to this age-related condition—characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass together with the loss of muscle power and function—in individuals with T2DM; this is due to the heavy impact that sarcopenia may have on physical and psychosocial health of diabetic patients, thus affecting their quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an update on: (1) the risk of sarcopenia in individuals with T2DM, and (2) its association with relevant features of patients with T2DM such as age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, glycemic control, presence of microvascular or macrovascular complications, nutritional status, and glucose-lowering drugs. From a clinical point of view, it is necessary to improve the ability of physicians and dietitians to recognize early sarcopenia and its risk factors in patients with T2DM in order to make appropriate therapeutic approaches able to prevent and treat this condition.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 624
Author(s):  
Laura M. Stephens ◽  
Steven M. Varga

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is most commonly associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children. However, RSV also causes a high disease burden in the elderly that is often under recognized. Adults >65 years of age account for an estimated 80,000 RSV-associated hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in the United States annually. RSV infection in aged individuals can result in more severe disease symptoms including pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Given the large disease burden caused by RSV in the aged, this population remains an important target for vaccine development. Aging results in lowered immune responsiveness characterized by impairments in both innate and adaptive immunity. This immune senescence poses a challenge when developing a vaccine targeting elderly individuals. An RSV vaccine tailored towards an elderly population will need to maximize the immune response elicited in order to overcome age-related defects in the immune system. In this article, we review the hurdles that must be overcome to successfully develop an RSV vaccine for use in the elderly, and discuss the vaccine candidates currently being tested in this highly susceptible population.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
Ilia Adami ◽  
Michalis Foukarakis ◽  
Stavroula Ntoa ◽  
Nikolaos Partarakis ◽  
Nikolaos Stefanakis ◽  
...  

Improving the well-being and quality of life of the elderly population is closely related to assisting them to effectively manage age-related conditions such as chronic illnesses and anxiety, and to maintain their independence and self-sufficiency as much as possible. This paper presents the design, architecture and implementation structure of an adaptive system for monitoring the health and well-being of the elderly. The system was designed following best practices of the Human-Centred Design approach involving representative end-users from the early stages.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1726-1730
Author(s):  
KA Melez ◽  
LF Fries ◽  
BS Bender ◽  
T Quinn ◽  
MM Frank

Decreased immune functions have been suggested as a cause for the increased incidence of autoimmunity, malignancy, and infection in the elderly population. To assess the possible role of changes in macrophage function in the aging process we studied the Fc receptor- mediated clearance of IgG-coated erythrocytes in 56 healthy normal volunteers by following the removal of radiolabeled autologous erythrocytes. An age-related decrease in Fc-mediated clearance rates in both female and male subjects was found, which suggests a physiological decline of this macrophage function in older individuals.


Author(s):  
Faradila Budi Saputri ◽  
Azizah Amimathul Firdha ◽  
Safira Rahma ◽  
Rieza Rizqy Alda ◽  
Syahwina Inayasari ◽  
...  

Presbycusis is a disease that can befall the elderly, caused by a multifactorial process that should be allowed to disrupt communication and social life and cause mental disorders. According to WHO the proportion of the elderly population rises rapidly which is estimated in 2025, there are about 1,2 billion elderly people with a risk of presbycusis. Mr.S was 84 years old, married and had 2 children, complained of hearing loss since 10 years ago on the patient's left ear. The decline in hearing occurred gradually, giving the last 4 years after his wife's death. Patients was taken to Otorhinolaryngologist and expressed age-related hearing impairment and was advised to use hearing aids. Patients are not routinely using hearing aids. In addition, patients have hypertension and heart disease. Patients consumed Captopril 2x1 tablets, Fundifar 2x1, Furosemide 1x40 mg and Fargoxin 1x0.25 mg. Patients do not routinely consumed cardiac medicine and used hearing aids. From the results of heteroanamnesis, physical examination, and audiogram examination conducted in Mr.S patients, it can be concluded that Mr.S suffers from presbycusis with hypertensive and congestive heart failure. Mr.S was advised to routinely have their hearing check to Otorhinolaryngologist the as an evaluation and routine control to Cardiologist. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Sirawit Sriwichaiin ◽  
Nipon Chattipakorn ◽  
Siriporn C. Chattipakorn

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a major health problem among the elderly population. Some evidence suggests that metabolic disturbance possibly plays a role in the pathophysiology of AD. Currently, the study of metabolomics has been used to explore changes in multiple metabolites in several diseases, including AD. Thus, the metabolomics research in AD might provide some information regarding metabolic dysregulations, and their possible associated pathophysiology. This review summarizes the information discovered regarding the metabolites in the brain and the blood from the metabolomics research of AD from both animal and clinical studies. Additionally, the correlation between the changes in metabolites and outcomes, such as pathological findings in the brain and cognitive impairment are discussed. We also deliberate on the findings of cohort studies, demonstrating the alterations in metabolites before changes of cognitive function. All of these findings can be used to inform the potential identity of specific metabolites as possible biomarkers for AD.


Author(s):  
Gagan Chooramani ◽  
Pooja Singh

The World Health Organization has declared that the spread of tuberculosis is a global emergency. Despite the implementation of strong tuberculosis-control initiatives by WHO, this highly infectious disease continues to affect all vulnerable populations, including the elderly population. Adverse social factors and poor living conditions also affect the elderly much more than the young. The clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in older adults can be unusual and may be confused with age-related illnesses. Various factors related to old age can also cause complications in the diagnosis, treatment, and disease outcomes for tuberculosis patients. The contributory factors may be poor memory, deafness, mental confusion, or impairment of speech. In addition, therapy for tuberculosis in elderly individuals is challenging because of the increased incidence of adverse drug reactions. Hence, understanding the impact of these substantial aspects will help to overcome the problem of tuberculosis in the elderly population.


Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disorder of the central retina and represents the leading cause of severe visual impairment in the elderly population of industrialized societies. It is known that it currently exists between 30 and 50 million people around the world and is estimated that will have doubled by the end of the coming decade. Several large epidemiologic studies have evaluated the prevalence of non-neovascular or so-called dry AMD. There is some variation in the prevalence of non-neovascular AMD depending on the exact definition of AMD. All of them report a higher prevalence of early AMD and an increasing prevalence with age. It is seen most in Caucasians and least in people with Africans and it is not related to gender.


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