Applying a Heuristic Approach for a Minimum-cost Operating Strategy for Tap Water

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchive

Task-Switching Performance Improvements After Tai Chi Chuan Training Are Associated With Greater Prefrontal Activation in Older Adults

Studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) training has benefits on task-switching ability. However, the neural correlates underlying the effects of TCC training on task-switching ability remain unclear. Using task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a numerical Stroop paradigm, we investigated changes of prefrontal brain activation and behavioral performance during task-switching before and after TCC training and examined the relationships between changes in brain activation and task-switching behavioral performance. Cognitively normal older adults were randomly assigned to either the TCC or control (CON) group. Over a 12-week period, the TCC group received three 60-min sessions of Yang-style TCC training weekly, whereas the CON group only received one telephone consultation biweekly and did not alter their life style. All participants underwent assessments of physical functions and neuropsychological functions of task-switching, and fMRI scans, before and after the intervention. Twenty-six (TCC, N = 16; CON, N = 10) participants completed the entire experimental procedure. We found significant group by time interaction effects on behavioral and brain activation measures. Specifically, the TCC group showed improved physical function, decreased errors on task-switching performance, and increased left superior frontal activation for Switch > Non-switch contrast from pre- to post-intervention, that were not seen in the CON group. Intriguingly, TCC participants with greater prefrontal activation increases in the switch condition from pre- to post-intervention presented greater reductions in task-switching errors. These findings suggest that TCC training could potentially provide benefits to some, although not all, older adults to enhance the function of their prefrontal activations during task-switching

JAK2 V617F Mutation in Adult Taiwanese Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia: More Prevalent in Old Patients and Correlated with Higher Hemoglobin Level and Higher Leukocyte Count

Background: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is classified as a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm. JAK2 V617F mutation is found in about 50–60% patients with ET. We aim to determine the prevalence of JAK2 V617F mutation and its association with phenotype in adult Taiwanese patients with ET. Methods: In this combined retrospective and prospective study, adult ET patients, at least 18 years of age, were enrolled between November 2007 and September 2011. Genomic DNA was extracted from unsorted bone marrow and/or peripheral blood samples for the detection of JAK2 V617F mutation by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of all patients at the time of diagnosis or referral were determined retrospectively by chart review. Results: A total of 82 patients were enrolled, and JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 55 patients (67.1%). JAK2 V617F mutation was significantly more prevalent in old patients (36.4% vs. 14.8%, p=0.044), and associated with higher hemoglobin level (median 13.7 vs. 12.8 g/dL p=0.012) and higher white blood cell count at diagnosis (12.1×103 vs. 8.8×103/μL p=0.015). ET patients with the mutation also tend to have lower platelet count (median 902×103 vs. 1078×103/μL p=0.051). In a binary logistic regression model, only higher hemoglobin concentration was significantly associated with JAK2 V617F mutational status (odds ratio 1.2 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.5; p=0.047). Conclusion: JAK2 V617F mutation in Taiwanese adult patients with ET has a high prevalence of 67.1% and is associated with old age, higher hemoglobin level, and higher leukocyte count

Potential Role of Vegetarianism on Nutritional and Cardiovascular Status in Taiwanese Dialysis Patients: A Case-Control Study

<div><p>Background & Objectives</p><p>Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death for patients on chronic dialysis. End stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis imposed to reduce phosphorus intake, which likely contributes to development of vegetarian diet behaviors. Vegetarian diets are often lower in protein content, in contradiction to the recommendation that a high protein diet is followed by patients undergoing dialysis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a vegetarian diet on the nutritional and cardiovascular status of dialysis patients.</p><p>Design, Setting, Participants, Measurements</p><p>A study of 21 vegetarian dialysis patients and 42 age- and sex-matched non-vegetarian dialysis patients selected as controls was conducted in the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and biochemistry data including total homocysteine levels, serum lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, vitamin D levels, albumin, and normalized protein catabolic rate were measured.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared with the non-vegetarian control group, vegetarian subjects had lower body weight, body mass index, serum phosphate, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, vitamin D, uric acid, albumin, and normalized protein catabolic rate (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The vegetarian group showed higher brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity than the non-vegetarian group (1926.95 ± 456.45 and 1684.82 ± 309.55 cm/sec, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.05). After adjustment for age, albumin, pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure, and duration of dialysis, vegetarian diet remained an independent risk factor for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The present study revealed that patients on dialysis who follow vegetarian diets may experience subclinical protein malnutrition and vitamin D deficiency that could offset the beneficial cardiovascular effects of vegetarianism.</p></div

Comparison of dietary composition between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

<p>Comparison of dietary composition between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.</p

Differences in biochemical and nutritional markers between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups.

<p>Differences in biochemical and nutritional markers between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups.</p