Can diagnostic imaging help improve elder abuse detection?

Elder abuse is an underdetected, under-reported issue with severe consequences. Its detection presents unique challenges based on characteristics of this vulnerable population, including cognitive impairment, age-related deconditioning, and an increased number of co-morbidities, all of which predispose to increase vulnerability to injury. While radiologists play a critical role in detection of child abuse, this role is currently not paralleled in detection of elder abuse. We conducted a thorough review of the literature using MEDLINE to describe the current knowledge on injury patterns and injury findings seen in elder abuse, as well as barriers to and recommendations for an increased role of diagnostic imaging in elder abuse detection. Barriers limiting the role of radiologists include lack of training and paucity of rigorous systematic research delineating distinctive imaging findings for physical elder abuse. We outline the current ways in which imaging can help raise clinical suspicion for elder abuse, including inconsistencies between purported mechanism of injury and imaging findings, injury location, multiple injuries at differing stages of healing, and particular patterns of injury likely to be intentionally inflicted. We additionally outline the mechanism by which medical education and clinical workflow may be modified to increase the role for imaging and radiologist participation in detecting abuse in older adult patients, and identify potential future directions for further systematic research.

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Pathogenesis of Age-related Cataract: a systematic review of proteomic studies

Current Proteomics ◽

10.2174/1570164617999201020205100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Christina Karakosta ◽

Argyrios Tzamalis ◽

Michalis Aivaliotis ◽

Ioannis Tsinopoulos

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Oxidant Stress ◽

Critical Role ◽

Human Lens ◽

Nuclear Cataract ◽

Cataract Formation ◽

Post Translational Modification ◽

Ability To Act ◽

Age Related

Background/Objective:: The aim of this systematic review is to identify all the available data on human lens proteomics with a critical role to age-related cataract formation in order to elucidate the physiopathology of the aging lens. Materials and Methods:: We searched on Medline and Cochrane databases. The search generated 328 manuscripts. We included nine original proteomic studies that investigated human cataractous lenses. Results:: Deamidation was the major age-related post-translational modification. There was a significant increase in the amount of αA-crystallin D-isoAsp58 present at all ages, while an increase in the extent of Trp oxidation was apparent in cataract lenses when compared to aged normal lenses. During aging, enzymes with oxidized cysteine at critical sites included GAPDH, glutathione synthase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and PARK7. Conclusion:: D-isoAsp in αA crystallin could be associated with the development of age-related cataract in human, by contributing to the denaturation of a crystallin, and decreasing its ability to act as a chaperone. Oxidation of Trp may be associated with nuclear cataract formation in human, while the role of oxidant stress in age-related cataract formation is dominant.

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CHEK2∗1100delC Mutation and Risk of Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer ◽

10.1155/2014/294575 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Victoria Hale ◽

Maren Weischer ◽

Jong Y. Park

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Prostate Cancer Screening ◽

Critical Role ◽

Prostate Cancer Risk ◽

Conclusive Evidence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Cancer Studies

Although the causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, previous studies support the role of genetic factors in the development of prostate cancer.CHEK2plays a critical role in DNA replication by responding to double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the role of a genetic variant, 1100delC, ofCHEK2on prostate cancer risk and discuss the implication for potential translation of this knowledge into clinical practice. Currently, twelve articles that discussedCHEK2∗1100delC and its association with prostate cancer were identified. Of the twelve prostate cancer studies, five studies had independent data to draw conclusive evidence from. The pooled results of OR and 95% CI were 1.98 (1.23–3.18) for unselected cases and 3.39 (1.78–6.47) for familial cases, indicating thatCHEK2∗1100delC mutation is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. Screening for CHEK2∗1100delC should be considered in men with a familial history of prostate cancer.

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Critical role of the CD44lowCD62Llow CD8+ T cell subset in restoring antitumor immunity in aged mice

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.2103730118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 118 (23) ◽

pp. e2103730118

Author(s):

Yuka Nakajima ◽

Kenji Chamoto ◽

Takuma Oura ◽

Tasuku Honjo

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Activation ◽

Critical Role ◽

Cell Subset ◽

Effector Memory ◽

T Cell Subset ◽

Aged Mice ◽

Age Related

CD8+ T cells play a central role in antitumor immune responses that kill cancer cells directly. In aged individuals, CD8+ T cell immunity is strongly suppressed, which is associated with cancer and other age-related diseases. The mechanism underlying this age-related decrease in immune function remains largely unknown. This study investigated the role of T cell function in age-related unresponsiveness to PD-1 blockade cancer therapy. We found inefficient generation of CD44lowCD62Llow CD8+ T cell subset (P4) in draining lymph nodes of tumor-bearing aged mice. In vitro stimulation of naive CD8+ T cells first generated P4 cells, followed by effector/memory T cells. The P4 cells contained a unique set of genes related to enzymes involved in one-carbon (1C) metabolism, which is critical to antigen-specific T cell activation and mitochondrial function. Consistent with this finding, 1C-metabolism–related gene expression and mitochondrial respiration were down-regulated in aged CD8+ T cells compared with young CD8+ T cells. In aged OVA-specific T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, ZAP-70 was not activated, even after inoculation with OVA-expressing tumor cells. The attenuation of TCR signaling appeared to be due to elevated expression of CD45RB phosphatase in aged CD8+ T cells. Surprisingly, strong stimulation by nonself cell injection into aged PD-1–deficient mice restored normal levels of CD45RB and ameliorated the emergence of P4 cells and 1C metabolic enzyme expression in CD8+ T cells, and antitumor activity. These findings indicate that impaired induction of the P4 subset may be responsible for the age-related resistance to PD-1 blockade, which can be rescued by strong TCR stimulation.

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Role of the Undergraduate Student Research Assistant in the New Millennium

Cell Biology Education ◽

10.1187/cbe.04-02-0032 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 235-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Thais Dutra Nascimento Silva ◽

Lúcia Cristina da Cunha Aguiar ◽

Jaqueline Leta ◽

Dilvani Oliveira Santos ◽

Fernanda Serpa Cardoso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Undergraduate Student ◽

Critical Role ◽

Academic Research ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Research Assistant ◽

Age Related ◽

Research Careers ◽

New Research

In this study, we analyze the contribution of the undergraduate student who participates in the process of generating scientific data and developing a research project using Brazilian research as an example. Historically, undergraduate students have performed the critical role of research assistants in developing countries. This aspect has been underappreciated as a means of generating scientific data in Brazilian research facilities. Brazilian educational institutions are facing major age-related generational changes among the science faculty within the next 5–10 yr. A lack of adequate support for graduate students leads to a concern that undergraduates will not be interested in choosing research assistant programs and, subsequently, academic research careers. To remedy this situation it is important to focus on ways to encourage new research careers and enhance university–industry collaborations.

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Fungal Production and Manipulation of Plant Hormones

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867324666170314150827 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 253-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sandra Fonseca ◽

Dhanya Radhakrishnan ◽

Kalika Prasad ◽

Andrea Chini

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Critical Role ◽

Plant Defence ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Defensive Strategies ◽

Hormone Balance ◽

Living Organisms

Living organisms are part of a highly interconnected web of interactions, characterised by species nurturing, competing, parasitizing and preying on one another. Plants have evolved cooperative as well as defensive strategies to interact with neighbour organisms. Among these, the plant-fungus associations are very diverse, ranging from pathogenic to mutualistic. Our current knowledge of plant-fungus interactions suggests a sophisticated coevolution to ensure dynamic plant responses to evolving fungal mutualistic/pathogenic strategies. The plant-fungus communication relies on a rich chemical language. To manipulate the plant defence mechanisms, fungi produce and secrete several classes of biomolecules, whose modeof- action is largely unknown. Upon perception of the fungi, plants produce phytohormones and a battery of secondary metabolites that serve as defence mechanism against invaders or to promote mutualistic associations. These mutualistic chemical signals can be co-opted by pathogenic fungi for their own benefit. Among the plant molecules regulating plant-fungus interaction, phytohormones play a critical role since they modulate various aspects of plant development, defences and stress responses. Intriguingly, fungi can also produce phytohormones, although the actual role of fungalproduced phytohormones in plant-fungus interactions is poorly understood. Here, we discuss the recent advances in fungal production of phytohormone, their putative role as endogenous fungal signals and how fungi manipulate plant hormone balance to their benefits.

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Cellular Aging Characteristics and Their Association with Age-Related Disorders

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9020094 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 94 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Magdalena Rudzińska ◽

Alessandro Parodi ◽

Anastasia V. Balakireva ◽

Olga E. Chepikova ◽

Franco M. Venanzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cellular Senescence ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Cell Metabolism ◽

Critical Role ◽

Cellular Aging ◽

Molecular Signaling ◽

Age Related ◽

Organelle Communication ◽

Metabolic Dysfunctions

Different molecular signaling pathways, biological processes, and intercellular communication mechanisms control longevity and are affected during cellular senescence. Recent data have suggested that organelle communication, as well as genomic and metabolic dysfunctions, contribute to this phenomenon. Oxidative stress plays a critical role by inducing structural modifications to biological molecules while affecting their function and catabolism and eventually contributing to the onset of age-related dysfunctions. In this scenario, proteins are not adequately degraded and accumulate in the cell cytoplasm as toxic aggregates, increasing cell senescence progression. In particular, carbonylation, defined as a chemical reaction that covalently and irreversibly modifies proteins with carbonyl groups, is considered to be a significant indicator of protein oxidative stress and aging. Here, we emphasize the role and dysregulation of the molecular pathways controlling cell metabolism and proteostasis, the complexity of the mechanisms that occur during aging, and their association with various age-related disorders. The last segment of the review details current knowledge on protein carbonylation as a biomarker of cellular senescence in the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for age-related dysfunctions.

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The critical role of Krüppel-like factors in kidney disease

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00550.2016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 312 (2) ◽

pp. F259-F265 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Sandeep K. Mallipattu ◽

Chelsea C. Estrada ◽

John C. He

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Critical Role ◽

Vital Role ◽

Glomerular Filtration Barrier ◽

Kidney Fibrosis ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Filtration Barrier ◽

And Function ◽

Mammalian Embryonic Development

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of zinc-finger transcription factors critical to mammalian embryonic development, regeneration, and human disease. There is emerging evidence that KLFs play a vital role in key physiological processes in the kidney, ranging from maintenance of glomerular filtration barrier to tubulointerstitial inflammation to progression of kidney fibrosis. Seventeen members of the KLF family have been identified, and several have been well characterized in the kidney. Although they may share some overlap in their downstream targets, their structure and function remain distinct. This review highlights our current knowledge of KLFs in the kidney, which includes their pattern of expression and their function in regulating key biological processes. We will also critically examine the currently available literature on KLFs in the kidney and offer some key areas in need of further investigation.

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Age-Related Progressive Synaptic Dysfunction: The Critical Role of Presenilin 1

Reviews in the Neurosciences ◽

10.1515/revneuro.2010.21.4.239 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Alexandra Auffret ◽

Jean Mariani ◽

Catherine Rovira

Keyword(s):

Critical Role ◽

Presenilin 1 ◽

Synaptic Dysfunction ◽

Age Related

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The critical role and potential target of the autotaxin/lysophosphatidate axis in pancreatic cancer

Tumor Biology ◽

10.1177/1010428317694544 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 101042831769454 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ming Quan ◽

Jiu-jie Cui ◽

Xiao Feng ◽

Qian Huang

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Critical Role ◽

Treatment Resistance ◽

G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽

Signaling Axis ◽

Tumorigenesis And Progression ◽

Pathologic Processes ◽

G Protein Coupled

Autotaxin, an ecto-lysophospholipase D encoded by the human ENNP2 gene, is expressed in multiple tissues, and participates in numerous critical physiologic and pathologic processes including inflammation, pain, obesity, embryo development, and cancer via the generation of the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidate. Overwhelming evidences indicate that the autotaxin/lysophosphatidate signaling axis serves key roles in the numerous processes central to tumorigenesis and progression, including proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, metastasis, cancer stem cell, tumor microenvironment, and treatment resistance by interacting with a series of at least six G-protein-coupled receptors (LPAR1–6). This review provides an overview of the autotaxin/lysophosphatidate axis and collates current knowledge regarding its specific role in pancreatic cancer. With a deeper understanding of the critical role of the autotaxin/lysophosphatidate axis in pancreatic cancer, targeting autotaxin or lysophosphatidate receptor may be a potential and promising strategy for cancer therapy.

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