Muscle strength and carotid artery flow velocity is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in adults

  Background: Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) has been proposed as a surrogate marker of atherosclerotic disease. In addition, carotid flow velocity (FV) and muscle strength (MS) are reported to be associated with increased CIMT. As there remains insufficient evidence for a complex association of CIMT with FV and MS, the aim of this study was to examine this association in adults. Methods: A total of 426 adults participated in this study. MS in all subjects was measured by hand grip strength. Carotid variables were measured with B-mode ultrasound. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to assess independent differences in the CIMT among four groups, according to the level of peak systolic flow velocity (PSV) and MS after multivariate adjustment. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the independent as­sociations between PSV and MS and the estimated risk of atherosclerosis. Results: Increased CIMT is associated with MS and PSV. ANCOVA showed that the CIMT varied significantly among groups according to the level of PSV and MS after multivariate adjustment. When calculated for the estimated risk of carotid atherosclerosis, the adjusted OR for the low PSV and MS group was 3.87 (95% CI 1.78–8.44). Conclusions: The results suggest that CIMT and risk of carotid atherosclerosis are significantly cor­related with PSV and upper body MS, more closely for the PSV than for the MS after adjustment for po­tential confounders. PSV by itself, and/or PSV with grip strength may be an indicator of atherosclerotic plaque instability. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 4: 385–392

Correlation of Pre-Hypertension with Carotid Artery Damage in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

The intima–media thickness (IMT), luminal diameters (LDs), flow velocities (FVs), compliance, and β-stiffness of the carotid artery (CA) are considered as independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Pre-hypertension (PHT) is also an independent CVD risk factor. This study investigated the association between CA damage (CAD) and PHT. A total of 544 adults participated; their blood pressures (BPs) and CA characteristics were measured using a mercury-free sphygmomanometer and ultrasound. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to assess the differences in the CA characteristics according to the BPs, multinomial logistic regression to evaluate the risk of CAD associated with PHT. In ANCOVA, the CA characteristics of PHT were significantly different from normotensive. The odds ratios (ORs) of IMTmax, LDmax, LDmin, peak-systolic FV (PFV), end-diastolic FV (EFV), PFV/LDmin, EFV/LDmax, compliance, and β-stiffness of PHT were 4.20, 2.70, 3.52, 2.41, 3.06, 3.55, 3.29, 2.02, and 1.84 times higher than those of the normotensive, respectively, in Model 2. In Model 3 adjusted for age, the ORs of LDmax, LDmin, EFV, PFV/LDmin, and EFV/LDmax of PHT were 2.10, 2.55, 1.96, 2.20, and 2.04 times higher than those of the normotensive, respectively. Therefore, the present study revealed that CAD is closely correlated with pre-hypertensive status in adults

Azide-Alkyne Huisgen [3+2] Cycloaddition Using CuO Nanoparticles

Recent developments in the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) and their application to the [3+2] cycloaddition of azides with terminal alkynes are reviewed. With respect to the importance of click chemistry, CuO hollow NPs, CuO hollow NPs on acetylene black, water-soluble double-hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) nanoreactors and ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs were synthesized. Non-conventional energy sources such as microwaves and ultrasound were also applied to these click reactions, and good catalytic activity with high regioselectivity was observed. CuO hollow NPs on acetylene black can be recycled nine times without any loss of activity, and water-soluble DHBC nanoreactors have been developed for an environmentally friendly process.open6

Effects of multicomponent exercise on cognitive function in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of a multicomponent exercise program on the cognitive function of older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). METHODS: Design: Twelve months, randomized controlled trial; Setting: Community center in Japan; Participants: Fifty older adults (27 men) with aMCI ranging in age from 65 to 93 years (mean age, 75 years); Intervention: Subjects were randomized into either a multicomponent exercise (n = 25) or an education control group (n = 25). Subjects in the multicomponent exercise group exercised under the supervision of physiotherapists for 90 min/d, 2 d/wk, for a total of 80 times over 12 months. The exercises included aerobic exercises, muscle strength training, and postural balance retraining, and were conducted using multiple conditions to stimulate cognitive functions. Subjects in the control group attended three education classes regarding health during the 12-month period. Measurements were administered before, after the 6-month, and after the 12-month intervention period; Measurements: The performance measures included the mini-mental state examination, logical memory subtest of the Wechsler memory scale-revised, digit symbol coding test, letter and categorical verbal fluency test, and the Stroop color word test. RESULTS: The mean adherence to the exercise program was 79.2%. Improvements of cognitive function following multicomponent exercise were superior at treatment end (group × time interactions for the mini-mental state examination (P = 0.04), logical memory of immediate recall (P = 0.03), and letter verbal fluency test (P = 0.02)). The logical memory of delayed recall, digit symbol coding, and Stroop color word test showed main effects of time, although there were no group × time interactions. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that exercise improves or supports, at least partly, cognitive performance in older adults with aMCI

A Large, Cross-Sectional Observational Study of Serum BDNF, Cognitive Function, and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly

Objective: The clinical relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between serum BDNF and cognitive function and MCI, and determine whether serum BDNF level might be a useful biomarker for assessing risk for MCI in older people.Materials and Methods: A total of 4463 individuals aged 65 years or older (mean age 72 years) participating in the study. We measured performance in a battery of neuropsychological and cognitive function tests; serum BDNF concentration.Results: Eight hundred twenty-seven participants (18.8%) had MCI. After adjustment for sex, age, education level, diabetes, and current smoking, serum BDNF was associated with poorer performance in the story memory, and digit symbol substitution task scores. Serum BDNF was marginally associated with the presence of MCI (OR, 95% CI: 1.41, 1.00–1.99) when BDNF was 1.5 SD lower than the mean value standardized for sex and age, education level, diabetes, and current smoking.Conclusion: Low serum BDNF was associated with lower cognitive test scores and MCI. Future prospective studies should establish the discriminative value of serum BDNF for the risk of MCI

A Follow-Up Study of the Effects of ""Falls Prevention Program"" on Bone Mass and Mobility Parameters

PURPOSE : As demanded by the present situation, the ""Falls Prevention program"" has been carried out in Japan as a national policy. At present, it is considered to symbolize its idea and significance of the health promotion. The purpose of the present study was to examine how the program influenced the mobility parameters one year or more after the end of the program. RELEVANCE : Dargent-Molina [1999] reported that the walking ability (10m-rapid gait time and cadence) related to rate of falls and bone fracture. Therefore, in the program, training for improving mobility walking ability is a main part. DESCRIPTION : 169 female middle and aged subjected, subjects completed 12 weeks falls prevention program, were recruited. In the present study, the maximum walking speed for 10-meters, the maximum step length, 40-cm steps and single leg stance were assessed as mobility parameters. Quantitative ultrasound bone measurements (AOS100, Aloka Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) were used to calculate the Osteo Sono-Assesment Index (OSI) of the calcaneus which is an indicator of the bone mass. The mobility parameters and the bone mass were measured at the end of the program and at one year or more after completion of the program. EVALUATION : Subjects were 169 women and 22 men who had completed twelve weeks program, for Falls Prevention. In the present study, the maximum walking speed for 10-meters, the maximum step length, 40-cm steps and single leg stance were assessed as mobility parameters. Quantitative ultrasound bone measurements (AOS100, Aloka Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) were used to calculate the Osteo Sono-Assesment Index (OSI) of the calcaneus which is an indicator of the bone mass. The mobility parameters and the bone mass were measured at the end of the program and at one year or more after completion of the program. CONCLUSIONS : It was found that the calcaneal bone strength did not decrease in the subjects whose mobility parameters were better than normal at the end of program period. Since walking is practical and easy exercise to practice and its ability might be a reliable indicator for estimating the risk of falls, improving the walking ability is considered to be a good strategy to prevent falls and bone fracture. IMPLICATIONS : Since maintenance of high mobility parameters influences the calcaneal bone mass, compliance of a habit to exercise regularly seems to be important. Therefore, an educational system encouraging maintenance of the habit for life should be constructed for the community-dwelling peoples