Body mass index (BMI) and cognitive functions in later life

Background: The findings from previous studies exploring the association between BMI and cognitive function in the elderly are conflicting. The purpose of the present study is twofold; to verify the association between BMI and cognitive functions and examine whether this association is impacted by height, when adjusted for possible covariates. Methods: The data for this study, consisted of 2287 older adults aged 60 years and above, drawn from a nationally representative population-based survey entitled "Determinants of Wellness among Older Malaysians: A Health Promotion Perspective" conducted in 2009. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 68.7 (SD=6.6) years. The average score of cognitive function, measured by MMSE was 24.5 (SD=5.6). About 40% of the respondents were classified as overweight. Results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between BMI and cognitive function (Beta=.10, p<.001). The Factorial ANCOVA revealed significant interaction effect between BMI and height on cognitive function (F= 10.8, p<.001), after adjusting for possible covariates. Conclusion: The findings from the current study indicating the positive association between BMI and cognitive function depends on height, therefore it is suggested that short people might be targeted for dementia prevention

Neoadjuvant Relatlimab and Nivolumab in Resectable Melanoma

Relatlimab and nivolumab combination immunotherapy improves progression-free survival over nivolumab monotherapy in patients with unresectable advanced melanoma1. We investigated this regimen in patients with resectable clinical stage III or oligometastatic stage IV melanoma (NCT02519322). Patients received two neoadjuvant doses (nivolumab 480 mg and relatlimab 160 mg intravenously every 4 weeks) followed by surgery, and then ten doses of adjuvant combination therapy. The primary end point was pathologic complete response (pCR) rate2. The combination resulted in 57% pCR rate and 70% overall pathologic response rate among 30 patients treated. The radiographic response rate using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 was 57%. No grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events were observed in the neoadjuvant setting. The 1- and 2-year recurrence-free survival rate was 100% and 92% for patients with any pathologic response, compared to 88% and 55% for patients who did not have a pathologic response (P = 0.005). Increased immune cell infiltration at baseline, and decrease in M2 macrophages during treatment, were associated with pathologic response. Our results indicate that neoadjuvant relatlimab and nivolumab induces a high pCR rate. Safety during neoadjuvant therapy is favourable compared to other combination immunotherapy regimens. These data, in combination with the results of the RELATIVITY-047 trial1, provide further confirmation of the efficacy and safety of this new immunotherapy regimen

The Effect of Cyberspace-Based Education on Caregivers Burden in Caregivers Who Care about Elderly with Dementia

Background: Dementia prevalence is identified as one of the consequences of aging. Care for patients with dementia has significant consequences for caregivers like poorer physical health, emotional stresses, depression and high mortality risk. This study was accomplished in order to determine the cyber-based education effect on care burden in caregivers of elderly with dementia. Methods: : This study is a quasi- experimental study performed on 86 caregivers of elderly with dementia who were referred to the Taleghani Hospital. This study samples were selected in both intervention and control groups as available sampling. Data collection tool was Zarit's care burden Questionnaire that was completed by using telephone interview (before and by passing two months from the end of intervention). Cyberspace-based educational intervention was conducted for one month, in the form of videos, clips, photo and text. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by applying Chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test. Results:This study population included 86 participants (43 people in the intervention group and 43 people in the control group). The questionnaire reliability in this study was 0.92 (Cronbach's alpha=0.92) and the physical and psychology dimensional reliability were measured as 0.75 and 0.9, respectively. Results indicated significant changes in the reduction of total care burden after education in the intervention group (P.V &lt;0.001). Moreover, the amount of physical burden (P &lt; 0.001) and psychological burden (P &lt; 0.001) have reduced after intervention.Conclusions:Conclusions: With respect to finding, cyber- based learning is suggested for caregivers of elderly with dementia in order to reduce the care burden. Keywords: Care burden, Caregivers, Dementia, Elderly, Education based on cyber

The Effect of Cyberspace-Based Education on Caregivers Burden in Caregivers Who Care about Elderly with Dementia

Background: Dementia prevalence is identified as one of the consequences of aging. Care for patients with dementia has significant consequences for caregivers like poorer physical health, emotional stresses, depression and high mortality risk. This study was accomplished in order to determine the cyber-based education effect on care burden in caregivers of elderly with dementia. Methods: : This study is a quasi- experimental study performed on 86 caregivers of elderly with dementia who were referred to the Taleghani Hospital. This study samples were selected in both intervention and control groups as available sampling. Data collection tool was Zarit's care burden Questionnaire that was completed by using telephone interview (before and by passing two months from the end of intervention). Cyberspace-based educational intervention was conducted for one month, in the form of videos, clips, photo and text. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by applying Chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test. Results:This study population included 86 participants (43 people in the intervention group and 43 people in the control group). The questionnaire reliability in this study was 0.92 (Cronbach's alpha=0.92) and the physical and psychology dimensional reliability were measured as 0.75 and 0.9, respectively. Results indicated significant changes in the reduction of total care burden after education in the intervention group (P.V &lt;0.001). Moreover, the amount of physical burden (P &lt; 0.001) and psychological burden (P &lt; 0.001) have reduced after intervention.Conclusions:Conclusions: With respect to finding, cyber- based learning is suggested for caregivers of elderly with dementia in order to reduce the care burden. Keywords: Care burden, Caregivers, Dementia, Elderly, Education based on cyber