14 research outputs found
Metaflammasome components in the human brain: a role in dementia with alzheimer's pathology?
Epidemiological and genetic studies have identified metabolic disorders and inflammation as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence in obesity and type-2 diabetes suggests a role for a metabolic inflammasome (âmetaflammasomeâ) in mediating chronic inflammation in peripheral organs implicating IKKÎČ (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta), IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1), JNK (c-jun N-terminal kinase), and PKR (double-stranded RNA protein kinase). We hypothesized that these proteins are expressed in the brain in response to metabolic risk factors in AD. Neocortex from 299 participants from the MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies was analysed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of the phosphorylated (active) form of IKKÎČ [pSer176/180], IRS1 [pS312], JNK [pThr183/Tyr185] and PKR [pT451]. The data were analyzed to investigate whether the proteins were expressed together and in relation with metabolic disorders, dementia, Alzheimer's pathology and APOE genotype. We observed a change from a positive to a negative association between the proteins and hypertension according to the dementia status. Type-2 diabetes was negatively related with the proteins among participants without dementia; whereas participants with dementia and AD pathology showed a positive association with JNK. A significant association between IKKÎČ and JNK in participants with dementia and AD pathology was observed, but not in those without dementia. Otherwise, weak to moderate associations were observed among the protein loads. The presence of dementia was significantly associated with JNK and negatively associated with IKKÎČ and IRS1. Cognitive scores showed a significant positive relationship with IKKÎČ and a negative with IRS1, JNK and PKR. The proteins were significantly associated with pathology in Alzheimer's participants with the relationship being inverse or not significant in participants without dementia. Expression of the proteins was not related to APOE genotype. These findings highlight a role for these proteins in AD pathophysiology but not necessarily as a complex
Early above- and below-ground responses of subboreal conifer seedlings to various levels of deciduous canopy removal
We examined the growth of understory conifers, following partial or complete deciduous canopy removal, in a field study established in two regions in Canada. In central British Columbia, we studied the responses of three species (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss x Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm., and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and in northwestern Quebec, we studied one species (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). Stem and root diameter and height growth were measured 5 years before and 3 years after harvesting. Both root and stem diameter growth increased sharply following release but seedlings showed greater root growth, suggesting that in the short term, improvement in soil resource capture and transport, and presumably stability, may be more important than an increase in stem diameter and height growth. Response was strongly size dependent, which appears to reflect greater demand for soil resources as well as higher light levels and greater tree vigour before release for taller individuals. Growth ratios could not explain the faster response generally attributed to true fir species or the unusual swift response of spruces. Good prerelease vigour of spruces, presumably favoured by deciduous canopies, could explain their rapid response to release
Association of delirium with cognitive decline in late life: A neuropathologic study of 3 population-based cohort studies
Importance Delirium is associated with accelerated cognitive decline. The pathologic substrates of this association are not yet known, that is, whether they are the same as those associated with dementia, are independent, or are interrelated.
Objective To examine whether the accelerated cognitive decline observed after delirium is independent of the pathologic processes of classic dementia.
Design, Setting, and Participants Harmonized data from 987 individual brain donors from 3 observational cohort studies with population-based sampling (Vantaa 85+, Cambridge City Over-75s Cohort, Cognitive Function and Ageing Study) performed from January 1, 1985, through December 31, 2011, with a median follow-up of 5.2 years until death, were used in this study. Neuropathologic assessments were performed with investigators masked to clinical data. Data analysis was performed from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013. Clinical characteristics of brain donors were not different from the rest of the cohort. Outcome ascertainment was complete given that the participants were brain donors.
Exposures Delirium (never vs ever) and pathologic burden of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, vascular lesions, and Lewy bodies. Effects modeled using random-effects linear regression and interactions between delirium and pathologic burden were assessed.
Outcomes Change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores during the 6 years before death.
Results There were 987 participants (290 from Vantaa 85+, 241 from the Cambridge City Over-75s Cohort, and 456 from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study) with neuropathologic data; mean (SD) age at death was 90 (6.4) years, including 682 women (69%). The mean MMSE score 6 years before death was 24.7 points. The 279 individuals with delirium (75% women) had worse initial scores (â2.8 points; 95% CI, â4.5 to â1.0; Pâ<â.001). Cognitive decline attributable to delirium was â0.37 MMSE points per year (95% CI, â0.60 to â0.13; Pâ<â.001). Decline attributable to the pathologic processes of dementia was â0.39 MMSE points per year (95% CI, â0.57 to â0.22; Pâ<â.001). However, the combination of delirium and the pathologic processes of dementia resulted in the greatest decline, in which the interaction contributed an additional â0.16 MMSE points per year (95% CI, â0.29 to â0.03; Pâ=â.01). The multiplicative nature of these variables resulted in individuals with delirium and the pathologic processes of dementia declining 0.72 MMSE points per year faster than age-, sex-, and educational levelâmatched controls.
Conclusions and Relevance Delirium in the presence of the pathologic processes of dementia is associated with accelerated cognitive decline beyond that expected for delirium or the pathologic process itself. These findings suggest that additional unmeasured pathologic processes specifically relate to delirium. Age-related cognitive decline has many contributors, and these findings at the population level support a role for delirium acting independently and multiplicatively to the pathologic processes of classic dementia
Assessment of the Performance of Osmotically Driven Polymeric Membrane Processes
The universal water scarceness and the extensive ordeals with energy cost in
conjunction with the undesirable ecological effects have advanced the
improvement of novel osmotically driven membrane processes. Membrane
processes which are osmotically driven are developing type of membrane
separation procedures that apply concentrated brines to separate liquid
streams. They are adaptable in various applications; hence, allow them to be
an attractive substitute for drug release, wastewater treatment and the
production and recovery of energy. Although, internal concentration
polarization (ICP) occurs in membrane practises which are osmotically driven
as a consequence of hindered diffusion of solute in a porous stratum, their
interest has even increased. Here we review two natural membrane processes
that are osmotically driven; Forward osmosis (FO) and Pressure retarded
osmosis (PRO). Thus, the major points are as follows: 1) it was highlighted in
this review, that the major developments in FO process, important for the
process efficiency is to choose a suitable membrane and draw solution. 2) The
recent evaluation, understanding and optimizing the activities of fouling
throughout the osmotic dilution of seawater employing FO was discussed. 3)
Recent advancements of FO in the application of food processing was
reviewed. 4) It was highlighted that the main concept of PRO for power
generation is the energy of mixing that offers great assessment of the nonexpansion
work which could be generated from mixing; nonetheless, the
development of effective membranes with appropriate arrangement and
performance is needed for the advancement of PRO process for power
generation. 5) One major challenge of osmotically driven membrane
processes, most recent developments and model development to predict their
performances were discussed
Performing subcutaneous injections : a literature review
Background: Persons using daily subcutaneous injections to administer medicine perform them in
different ways and thereby increase the risk of skin complications related to the injection. It is often part
of nursesâ role to administer medicine and educate the patient in injection technique. Course literature
in nursing education, commercial patient education pamphlets, and instructional leaflets do not give
consistent advice regarding subcutaneous injection technique.
Aim: The aim of this review was to identify the scientific foundation for the technical performance
of subcutaneous injections. The question to be answered was: How should a subcutaneous injection be
administered to achieve the right dose in the right place with minimum complications?
Method: The review included a search in three databases, a screening process at abstract level, followed
by a quality assessment of included articles. The quality assessment was done independently by two people
and followed specific protocols.
Result: A total of 38 articles were assessed for quality and covered information on dose, location, and
complications of subcutaneous injection. The assessed studies are heterogeneous in design and describe
different aspects of the subcutaneous injection technique. Therefore, the scientific foundation for technical
performance is weak. However, several studies indicate that the amount of subcutaneous fat and
appropriate needle length are of high importance for the drug to reach the target tissue.
Conclusion: More research regarding effective subcutaneous injection technique needs to be done