Body mass index and cognitive decline among community-living older adults: the modifying effect of physical activity

Objective To examine the associations between BMI categories and subsequent 3-year cognitive decline among older adults, and to test whether physical activity modifies the associations. Methods Study sample included n = 1028 cognitively unimpaired older adults participating in the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés (ESA)-Services longitudinal study and followed 3 years later. Cognitive decline was defined as a decrease of > 3 points in MMSE scores between baseline and follow-up. BMI categories (normal weight (reference), underweight, overweight, obese) were derived from self-reported weight and height. Moderate to vigorous physical activity of ≥20 min (# of times per week) was self-reported. The presence of chronic disorders was ascertained from administrative and self-reported data. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the risk of cognitive decline associated with BMI categories stratified by weekly physical activity (≥140 min), the presence of metabolic, cardiovascular and anxio-depressive disorders. Results In the overall sample, there was no evidence that underweight, overweight, or obesity, as compared to normal weight, was associated with cognitive decline, after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Individuals with overweight reporting high physical activity had lower odds of cognitive decline (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.07–0.89), whereas no association was observed in individuals with overweight reporting low physical activity (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.41–1.75). Among participants with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, individuals with overweight reporting high physical activity had lower odds of cognitive decline (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01–0.59 and OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01–0.92 respectively), whereas no association was observed in those with low physical activity. Conclusion Physical activity modifies the association between overweight and cognitive decline in older adults overall, as in those with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Results highlight the importance of promoting and encouraging regular physical activity in older adults with overweight as prevention against cognitive decline.

Role of Polyherbal Formulations of Medicinal Plants From Himalayan Regions in the Management of Diabetes

Current research on phytochemicals is mainly focused on novel phenolic and polyphenolic compounds expressing their potential as therapeutic agents in various diseases like cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, oxidative stress-related diseases, as well as their properties to inhibit the growth and proliferation of infectious agents. Among the human physiological disorders, one of the most severe endocrine metabolic diseases is Diabetes mellitus which is a clinical disease distinguished by a deficit in the production of insulin or resistance to the action of insulin. Globally, diabetes is an increasing health concern which is now emerging as an epidemic. About 700-800 plants are exhibiting anti-diabetic activity that has been studied. As far as nanotechnology in diabetes research is concerned, it has made possible the buildout of novel glucose measurement as well as insulin delivery modalities that possess the potential to excellently enhance the quality of life of the diabetic patient.

Cardiovascular Presentation in Pheochromocytoma: What We Should be Aware

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor that although being a rare disease, it poses diagnostic problems because its clinical presentation often mimics certain diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. The effects of excessive catecholamine secretion cause a variety of cardiovascular presentations ranging from hypertension to life-threatening cases such as hypertensive emergency, shock, supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and acute coronary syndromes. The principal medical treatment for pheochromocytoma is a blockade of adrenergic receptors. However, surgical or tumor resection often provides complete resolution of abnormal myocardial dysfunction or arrhythmias, so this approach remains the mainstay of treatment that should be performed as soon as the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is established. As clinicians, we must be aware of the characteristics of the cardiovascular manifestations of pheochromocytoma to make an earlier diagnosis and more appropriate management.

Pharmacological Justification for the Medicinal Use of Plumeria rubra Linn. in Cardiovascular Disorders

Plumeria rubra (L.) is a traditional folkloric medicinal herb used to treat cardiovascular disorders. The present investigation was methodically planned to investigate the pharmacological foundations for the therapeutic effectiveness of P. rubra in cardiovascular illnesses and its underlying mechanisms. Ex vivo vaso-relaxant effects of crude leaf extract of P. rubra were observed in rabbit aorta ring preparations. Hypotensive effects were measured using pressure and force transducers connected to the Power Lab data acquisition system. Furthermore, P. rubra displayed cardioprotective properties in rabbits when they were exposed to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction. In comparison to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed decreased troponin levels, CK-MB, LDH, ALT, ALP, AST, and CRP, as well as necrosis, apoptosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell enrollment. P. rubra has revealed good antioxidant properties and prolonged the noradrenaline intoxicated platelet adhesion. Its anticoagulant, vasorelaxant, and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo investigations are enabled by blocking L-type calcium channels, lowering adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, and tissue tear, justifying its therapeutic utility in cardiovascular disorders.

Therapeutic enzymes as non-conventional targets in cardiovascular impairments:A Comprehensive Review

Over the last few decades, substantial progress has been made towards the understanding of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In-depth mechanistic insights have also provided opportunities to explore novel therapeutic targets and treatment regimens to be discovered. Therapeutic enzymes are an example of such opportunities. The balanced functioning of such enzymes protects against a variety of CVDs while on the other hand, even a small shift in the normal functioning of these enzymes may lead to deleterious outcomes. Owing to the great versatility of these enzymes, inhibition and activation are key regulatory approaches to counter the onset and progression of several cardiovascular impairments. While cardiovascular remedies are already available in excess and of course they are efficacious, a comprehensive description of novel therapeutic enzymes to combat CVDs is the need of the hour. In light of this, the regulation of the functional activity of these enzymes also opens a new avenue for the treatment approaches to be employed. This review describes the importance of non-conventional enzymes as potential candidates in several cardiovascular disorders while highlighting some of the recently targeted therapeutic enzymes in CVDs.

The Effect of Music on Livestock: Cattle, Poultry and Pigs

The welfare of animals, especially those kept in intensive production systems, is a priority for modern agriculture. This stems from the desire to keep animals healthy, to obtain a good-quality final product, and to meet the demands of today’s consumers, who have been increasingly persuaded to buy organic products. As a result, new sound-based methods have been pursued to reduce external stress in livestock. Music therapy has been known for thousands of years, and sounds were believed to improve both body and spirit. Today, they are mostly used to distract patients from their pain, as well as to treat depression and cardiovascular disorders. However, recent studies have suggested that appropriately selected music can confer some health benefits, e.g., by increasing the level and activity of natural killer cells. For use in livestock, the choice of genre, the loudness of the music and the tempo are all important factors. Some music tracks promote relaxation (thus improving yields), while others have the opposite effect. However, there is no doubt that enriching the animals’ environment with music improves their welfare and may also convince consumers to buy products from intensively farmed animals. The present paper explores the effects of music on livestock (cattle, poultry and pigs) on the basis of the available literature.