Cognitive stimulation and cognitive results in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Purpose The lack of cognitive activity accelerates age cognitive decline. Cognitive stimulation (CS) tries to enhance cognitive functioning. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on cognitive outcomes (general cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains) in older adults (aged 65 years or older, cognitively healthy participants, or with mild cognitive impairment, or dementia). Methods PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were identified in these databases, and. 33 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Raw means and standard deviations were used for continuous outcomes. Publication bias was examined by Egger's Regression Test for Funnel Plot Asymmetry and the quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health. Results CS significantly improves general cognitive functioning (mean difference=MD = 1.536, 95%CI, 0.832 to 2.240), memory (MD = 0.365, 95%CI, 0.300 to 0.430), orientation (MD = 0.428, 95%CI, 0.306 to 0.550), praxis (MD = 0.278, 95%CI, 0.094 to 0.462) and calculation (MD = 0.228, 95%CI, 0.112 to 0.343). Conclusion CS seems to increase general cognitive functioning, memory, orientation, praxis, and calculation in older adults

Cognitive stimulation and psychosocial results in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a popular and cost-effective intervention, which applies different types of techniques focused on cognitive skills and can be administered by different professionals. CS can be defined as activities that involve cognitive processing usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. Therefore, CS can improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety and activities of daily living (ADLs) independent of the pharmacological treatment such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on psychosocial outcomes in older adults (aged 65 years or over), with healthy cognitive ageing, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Methods PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were initially identified in these databases. After discarding studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 30 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis performed with robust variance estimator (RVE) due the inclusion of studies with repeated measurements. The quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Results CS was significantly associated with a higher QoL in participants who received personalized/adapted CS (RVE = 0.11±0.19 [-0.76, 0.99], t(1.86) = 0.6, p = 0.61). . Conclusion Personalized/adapted CS seems to improve QoL in older adults

Systematic bias in high-throughput sequencing data and its correction by BEADS.

Genomic sequences obtained through high-throughput sequencing are not uniformly distributed across the genome. For example, sequencing data of total genomic DNA show significant, yet unexpected enrichments on promoters and exons. This systematic bias is a particular problem for techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation, where the signal for a target factor is plotted across genomic features. We have focused on data obtained from Illumina's Genome Analyser platform, where at least three factors contribute to sequence bias: GC content, mappability of sequencing reads, and regional biases that might be generated by local structure. We show that relying on input control as a normalizer is not generally appropriate due to sample to sample variation in bias. To correct sequence bias, we present BEADS (bias elimination algorithm for deep sequencing), a simple three-step normalization scheme that successfully unmasks real binding patterns in ChIP-seq data. We suggest that this procedure be done routinely prior to data interpretation and downstream analyses

IL-10 Counteracts Proinflammatory Mediator Evoked Oxidative Stress in Caco-2 Cells

Oxidative stress is thought to play a key role in the development of intestinal damage in intestinal inflammatory diseases. Several molecules are involved in the intestinal inflammation, either as pro- or anti-inflammatory factors; however, their effects on intestinal oxidative stress seem to be controversial. This work analyzes the contribution of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules to the balance of oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells, as well as their effects on cellular antioxidant enzyme activity. With this purpose, the lipid and protein oxidation, together with the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined in the Caco-2 cells treated with serotonin, adenosine, melatonin, and TNFα, as proinflammatory factors, and IL-10, as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The results have shown that all the proinflammatory factors assayed increased oxidative damage. In addition, these factors also inhibited the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the cells, except melatonin. In contrast, IL-10 did not alter these parameters but was able to reduce the prooxidant effects yielded by serotonin, adenosine, melatonin, or TNFα, in part by restoring the antioxidant enzymes activities. In summary, proinflammatory factors may induce oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells, whereas IL-10 seems to be able to restore the altered redox equilibrium in Caco-2 cells

IL-10 counteracts proinflammatory mediator evoked oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells.

Oxidative stress is thought to play a key role in the development of intestinal damage in intestinal inflammatory diseases. Several molecules are involved in the intestinal inflammation, either as pro- or anti-inflammatory factors;however, their effects on intestinal oxidative stress seem to be controversial. This work analyzes the contribution of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules to the balance of oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells, as well as their effects on cellular antioxidant enzyme activity. With this purpose, the lipid and protein oxidation, together with the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined in the Caco-2 cells treated with serotonin, adenosine, melatonin, and TNF??, as proinflammatory factors, and IL-10, as an anti-inflammatory cytokine.The results have shown that all the proinflammatory factors assayed increased oxidative damage. In addition, these factors also inhibited the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the cells, except melatonin. In contrast, IL-10 did not alter these parameters but was able to reduce the prooxidant effects yielded by serotonin, adenosine, melatonin, or TNF??, in part by restoring the antioxidant enzymes activities. In summary, proinflammatory factors may induce oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells, whereas IL-10 seems to be able to restore the altered redox equilibrium in Caco-2 cells

Decades of biomass loss in the shallow rocky subtidal vegetation of the south-eastern Bay of Biscay

[EN] This study seeks to assess changes over time in the structure of subtidal macroalgal assemblages across depth in the south-eastern Bay of Biscay. The results reveal a large-scale decline in total macroalgal biomass between 1982 and 2014. However, the temporal pattern of shift differs from one depth to another: total biomass decreased at depths from 3 to 10 m, but increased at depths of 2 and 11 m. The strong decrease in biomass detected in the 3-10-m depth range is a consequence of a sharp net decline in large macroalgae biomass which was not offset by increased biomass of small species, mainly corresponding to turf-forming algae. The dominant canopy-forming Gelidium corneum in 1982 had practically disappeared by the end of the study period and its biomass loss was far from being offset by the small increase detected in the fucoid Gongolaria baccata. By contrast, at depths of 2 and 11 m, the most notable result is an increase in large species, mainly Halopithys incurva and Codium decorticatum at 2 m and G. baccata at 11 m; however, at both depth levels, a new canopy was far from being developed. These findings evidence that biomass and habitat provision, two pivotal roles of canopy-forming species in ecosystem functioning, have been altered. Further research into potential changes in primary productivity and biodiversity linked to the shift detected in assemblage structure needs to be conducted in order to get information for conservation and management decisions associated with the loss of habitat-forming macroalgae.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature

La responsabilidad de las agencias de calificación crediticia

El presente trabajo se ocupa de analizar el régimen de responsabilidad de las Agencias de Calificación Crediticia no solo a nivel interno, sino también a nivel comunitario e incluso global, porque la actividad típica de estas entidades se desarrolla de forma eminentemente transfronteriza. De este modo, se estudian tres partes bien diferenciadas dirigidas a la concreción de los elementos esenciales que permitan establecer el sistema jurídico de responsabilidad en torno a éstas. Así se analiza, en primer lugar, el concepto, regulación y clases de agencias; en segundo lugar, la actividad calificadora; y por último, la responsabilidad en la que incurren las agencias de calificación creditici

Toll-like receptors: New targets for multiple myeloma treatment?

Despite recent biomedical improvements in treating multiple myeloma, this disease still remains incurable. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key immune receptors that recognize conserved molecular patterns expressed by pathogens and damaged cells. Activation of TLRs can induce several effects including inflammatory responses, modulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, or regulation of cell metabolism. In multiple myeloma there is a dysregulated signalling of TLRs due to an abnormal presence of certain pathogens and release of molecules from damaged cells. Thus, TLRs could be critical players for tumour microenvironment and multiple myeloma progression. This haematological malignancy is characterized by a high percentage of recurrences, where many patients can develop residual drug-resistant malignant cells. Strategic targeting of TLRs might result in novel therapeutic combinations that improve the response to current treatments, reducing relapses. This review examines the potential of TLRs as targets for the treatment of multiple myeloma, making a particular emphasis on their therapeutic applications

Job demands may determine cognitive and physical aging after retirement

During adulthood, we spend most of our time and efforts at work. However, the impact of employment in aging is poorly explored. Our study addressed how job demands can affect aging after retirement. We have developed a descriptive observational study carried out in 367 older adults with a mean age of 73.9 years (66.5% women and 33.5% men), measuring cognition and functional status. Our results demonstrate that older adults who had high mental demands in their jobs, show better scores in cognition. However, they show poor functional development of basic and instrumental activities of daily life (p<.05). In contrast, former workers who had high physical demands, display lower scores in cognition and lower functional performance in instrumental activities (p<.05). Work life activities contribute to cognitive and physical decline after retirement. Therefore, healthy aging should include interventions that consider the job influence on the age impairment. © The Author(s) 2022

Effects of cognitive stimulation program on cognition and mood in older adults, stratified by cognitive levels: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose of the research Cognitive stimulation (CS) is defined as activities that involve cognitive processing, usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a personalized-adapted CS program in older adults on global cognition, neuropsychological constructs, activities of daily living (ADLs), and mood. Materials and methods The randomized controlled single-blind trial involving 337 participants (235 women and 102 men) ≥ 65 years of age in a Primary Care centre classified participants into 4 groups: 101 for the no deterioration (ND) group; 100 for the subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) group; 108 for the level deterioration (LD) group and 28 for the moderate deterioration group. The intervention consisted of a personalized CS adapted program for 10 weeks. Follow-up assessments were conducted post-intervention, and at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was global cognition measured by the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The secondary outcomes were measured by the Barthel Index, the Lawton and Brody Scale, the Goldberg Questionnaire (anxiety sub-scale) and the abbreviated Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Results The intervention showed a tendency of improvement on global cognition and different cognitive functions for groups with no deterioration or level deterioration. The group with moderate deterioration improved in anxiety. Conclusions The findings demonstrated benefits in global cognition, different cognitive functions, semantic fluency, IADLs and anxiety. The most benefits are given in the intermediate groups, SCI, and LD. Moreover, the intervention works by increasing the benefits in the different phases