| 1. |
- Blomqvist, Sven, Universitetslektor, 1964-, et al.
(författare)
-
Using augmented reality technology for balance training in the older adults : a feasibility pilot study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Impaired balance leading to falls is common in the older adults, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR, the older adults can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the older adults.; Methods: Seven older adults (66-88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling and balance ability were measured before and after training.; Results: Five participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application's menu was difficult to control with different hand manoeuvres, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described. Results of the balance tests and self-assessment instruments indicated no improvements in balance performance after AR training.; Conclusions: The study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the older adults, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation, which is a prerequisite for adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.
|
|
| 2. |
- Pan, Kuan-Yu, et al.
(författare)
-
The role of Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 in the association between psychosocial working conditions and dementia
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Aging. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1945-4589. ; 12:4, s. 3730-3746
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this population-based prospective study, we examined the association of job demand-control combinations with dementia, and explored the roles of Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE epsilon 4) and work duration in this association. A total of 2,579 dementia-free individuals aged 60+ years from Sweden were followed over 12 years. Dementia diagnosis was made by physicians. Lifelong occupational experience was collected, and job demands and control were assessed using a psychosocial job-exposure matrix. Data were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. During the follow-up, 282 people developed dementia. Passive jobs (low control/low demands) were related to a higher risk of dementia compared with active jobs (high control/high demands) among the younger-old (aged <= 72 years), but not among the older-old (aged >= 78 years). Among the younger-old, compared to those with no passive job experience, those with 11+ years in passive jobs had a higher dementia risk. The joint-effect analyses showed that APOE epsilon 4 carriers with passive jobs had an even higher risk of dementia compared to APOE epsilon 4 non-carriers with active jobs. These findings suggest that passive jobs are related to a higher dementia risk among the younger-old. APOE epsilon 4 and long work duration may amplify the impact of passive jobs on dementia.
|
|
| 3. |
- Lin, Tzung-Sheng, et al.
(författare)
-
Sulfation pattern of chondroitin sulfate in human osteoarthritis cartilages reveals a lower level of chondroitin-4-sulfate
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Carbohydrate Polymers. - : Elsevier. - 0144-8617 .- 1879-1344. ; 229
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chondroitin sulfates (CS) account for more than 80% of glycosaminoglycans of articular cartilage, which imparts its physiological functions. We quantified the absolute concentration of the CS components of the full thickness cartilages from the knees of patients with terminal-phase osteoarthritis. Osteochondrol biopsies were removed from the medial femoral condyle and lateral femoral condyle of sixty female patients receiving total knee arthroplasty, aged from 58 to 83 years old. We found that total CS concentrations and chondroitin-4-sulfate disaccharide were significantly lowered in osteoarthritic samples. Microstructure analysis indicated that while chondroitin-0-sulfate was equally distributed across different zones of the osteoarthritic cartilages, chondroitin-4-sulfate is significantly less in the deep zones. Down-regulation of sulfotransferases, the enzymes responsible for CS sulfation in the lesion site of cartilage were observed. Our study suggested chondroitin-4-sulfate down-regulation may be a diagnostic marker for degraded osteoarthritis cartilage, with potential implications in cartilage regeneration.
|
|
| 4. |
- Alehagen, Urban, 1951-, et al.
(författare)
-
Impact of Selenium on Biomarkers and Clinical Aspects Related to Ageing : A Review
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Biomolecules. - : MDPI. - 2218-273X. ; 11:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Selenium (Se) is an essential dietary trace element that plays an important role in the prevention of inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, infections, and cancer. Selenoproteins contain selenocysteine in the active center and include, i.a., the enzymes thioredoxin reductases (TXNRD1-3), glutathione peroxidases (GPX1-4 and GPX6) and methionine sulfoxide reductase, involved in immune functions, metabolic homeostasis, and antioxidant defense. Ageing is an inevitable process, which, i.a., involves an imbalance between antioxidative defense and reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in protein and mitochondrial renewal, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, epigenetic alterations, and stem cell exhaustion. These conditions are associated with mild to moderate inflammation, which always accompanies the process of ageing and age-related diseases. In older individuals, Se, by being a component in protective enzymes, operates by decreasing ROS-mediated inflammation, removing misfolded proteins, decreasing DNA damage, and promoting telomere length. Se-dependent GPX1-4 and TXNRD1-3 directly suppress oxidative stress. Selenoprotein H in the cell nucleus protects DNA, and selenoproteins residing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) assist in the removal of misfolded proteins and protection against ER stress. In this review, we highlight the role of adequate Se status for human ageing and prevention of age-related diseases, and further its proposed role in preservation of telomere length in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
|
|
