| 1. |
- Fan, Dong, et al.
(author)
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Cardiovascular health profiles, systemic inflammation, and physical function in older adults : A population-based study
- 2023
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In: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-4943 .- 1872-6976. ; 109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examined the association of modifiable cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics with physical function among rural older adults in China and the potential role of inflammatory mechanisms in the association. This study included 3733 stroke-and dementia-free participants (age >= 65 years; 56.9% women) in the baseline survey of a multimodal intervention study in rural China. From March-September 2018, data were collected via face-to-face interviews, clinical assessments, and laboratory tests. The Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) test was performed to assess physical function. We defined six modifiable CVH metrics according to the modified American Heart Association's recommendations. Serum interleukin (IL)-6 was measured in a subsample (n = 1156). Data were analyzed with multiple general linear and logistic regression models and structural equation modeling. Poor physical function (SPPB score <= 9) was defined in 1443 participants. Ideal CVH (vs. poor CVH) was associated with multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of 0.60 (95%CI 0.48-0.75) for poor physical function. Ideal CVH was significantly associated with higher scores on balance, chair stand, and walking speed tests (all p < 0.05). Moreover, ideal CVH profile was associated with lower serum IL-6 (multivariable-adjusted beta=-0.04; 95% CI-0.06,-0.01). Mediation analysis revealed that serum IL-6 accounted for 14% of the association of CVH with total SPPB score and 10% of the association with walking speed score (p < 0.05). This study suggests that an ideal CVH profile is associated with better physical function among stroke-and dementia-free older adults, partly via inflammatory mechanisms. The preventive implications of these findings warrant further investigation in cohort studies.
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| 2. |
- Ali, Asad, et al.
(author)
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Gram-scale production of in-situ generated iron carbide nanoparticles encapsulated via nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotubes for oxygen evolution reaction
- 2023
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In: Materials Science for Energy Technologies. - : Elsevier. - 2589-2991. ; 6, s. 301-309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optimizing electrocatalytic activity and recognizing the most reactive sites for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are valuable to the order of renewable power. In this research article, we explored an innovative in-situ annealing technique for constructing iron carbide nanoparticles (Fe3C NPs) encapsulated via nitrogen and phosphorous doped bamboo-shape carbon nanotubes (NP-CNTs) for OER. Interestingly, the constructed Fe3C NPs@NP-CNT-800 composite exhibited remarkable electrochemical operation and offered a stable current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a lower overpotential (280 mV) in an alkaline solution. Furthermore, an innovative Fe3C NPs@N,P-CNT-800 hybrid surpassed the standard RuO2 electrocatalyst in terms of OER performance and showed negligible degradation in chronoamperometric (21 h) and chronopotentiometry (3000 cycles) analyses. The remarkable performance and stability are ascribed to the Fe3C NPs, novel tubular bamboo-like morphology of its carbon materials, and heteroatom doping, which contribute to the electrochemical interfaces, large surface area, active catalytic sites, and rapid charge transfer kinetics.
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| 3. |
- Liang, Xiaoyan, et al.
(author)
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Exosomal miR-532-5p induced by long-term exercise rescues blood–brain barrier function in 5XFAD mice via downregulation of EPHA4
- 2023
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In: Aging Cell. - : Wiley. - 1474-9718 .- 1474-9726. ; 22:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The breakdown of the blood–brain barrier, which develops early in Alzheimer's disease (AD), contributes to cognitive impairment. Exercise not only reduces the risk factors for AD but also confers direct protection against cognitive decline. However, the exact molecular mechanisms remain elusive, particularly whether exercise can liberate the function of the blood–brain barrier. Here, we demonstrate that long-term exercise promotes the clearance of brain amyloid-β by improving the function of the blood–brain barrier in 5XFAD mice. Significantly, treating primary brain pericytes or endothelial cells with exosomes isolated from the brain of exercised 5XFAD mice improves cell proliferation and upregulates PDGFRβ, ZO-1, and claudin-5. Moreover, exosomes isolated from exercised mice exhibit significant changes in miR-532-5p. Administration or transfection of miR-532-5p to sedentary mice or primary brain pericytes and endothelial cells reproduces the improvement of blood–brain barrier function. Exosomal miR-532-5p targets EPHA4, and accordingly, expression of EphA4 is decreased in exercised mice and miR-532-5p overexpressed mice. A specific siRNA targeting EPHA4 recapitulates the effects on blood–brain barrier-associated cells observed in exercised 5XFAD mice. Overall, our findings suggest that exosomes released by the brain contain a specific miRNA that is altered by exercise and has an impact on blood–brain barrier function in AD.
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| 4. |
- Tian, Na, et al.
(author)
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Triglyceride-glucose index, Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers, and dementia in older adults : The MIND-China study
- 2023
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In: Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. - 2352-8729. ; 15:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Population-based studies have rarely explored the associations of the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index, a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, with dementia and plasma biomarkers for amyloid beta (Aβ) and neurodegeneration.Methods: This population-based study included 5199 participants (age ≥ 65 years); of these, plasma Aβ, total tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were measured in 1287 persons. Dementia and subtypes were diagnosed following the international criteria. TyG index was calculated as ln(fasting triglyceride(mg/dL) × fasting glucose[mg/dL]/2). Data were analyzed using logistic and general linear regression models.Results: Dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) were diagnosed in 301, 195, and 95 individuals, respectively. A high TyG index was significantly associated with increased likelihoods of dementia and AD; the significant association with dementia remained among participants without cardiovascular disease or diabetes. In the biomarker subsample, a high TyG index was correlated with elevated plasma Aβ, but not with total tau or NfL.Discussion: High TyG index is associated with dementia, possibly via Aβ pathology.
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