Longer Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated with Smaller Hippocampal Volume among Non-Demented APOE ε3/ε3 Subjects

Telomere length shortens with cellular division, and leukocyte telomere length is used as a marker for systemic telomere length. The hippocampus hosts adult neurogenesis and is an important structure for episodic memory, and carriers of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele exhibit higher hippocampal atrophy rates and differing telomere dynamics compared with non-carriers. The authors investigated whether leukocyte telomere length was associated with hippocampal volume in 57 cognitively intact subjects (29 ε3/ε3 carriers; 28 ε4 carriers) aged 49–79 yr. Leukocyte telomere length correlated inversely with left (rs = −0.465; p = 0.011), right (rs = −0.414; p = 0.025), and total hippocampus volume (rs = −0.519; p = 0.004) among APOE ε3/ε3 carriers, but not among ε4 carriers. However, the ε4 carriers fit with the general correlation pattern exhibited by the ε3/ε3 carriers, as ε4 carriers on average had longer telomeres and smaller hippocampi compared with ε3/ε3 carriers. The relationship observed can be interpreted as long telomeres representing a history of relatively low cellular proliferation, reflected in smaller hippocampal volumes. The results support the potential of leukocyte telomere length being used as a biomarker for tapping functional and structural processes of the aging brain

A Passable and Good Temperament. A New Methodology for Studying Tuning and Temperament in Organ Music

Playing Johann Sebastian Bach's organ chorale O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (BWV 656) on an organ tuned according to a historic temperament raises questions about the role of temperament in organ music. From the interpreters point of view it would be desirable to be able to compare different temperaments effect on the music, and based on that draw conclusions about the temperaments role in the interpretative process. Since a historical instrument cannot be retuned, a new methodology, based on digital technology and MIDI was developed, to enable the comparison of several temperaments in a musical context. An investigation of relevant contemporary theoretical sources and information available about temperaments used in "Bach organs" form the basis for choosing relevant temperaments to compare. Out of twenty-six discussed temperaments, eight were selected: 1/4 syn tonic comma mean-tone, Harald Vogel's reconstruction of Heinrich Scheidemann and Jacob Praetorius recommendation in Bremen 1641 (modified mean-tone); Georg Andreas Sorge's 1748 description of Gottfried Silbermann's temperament (1/6 Pythagorean comma mean-tone); Andreas Werckmeister's third temperament (1681/1691); Johann Georg Neidhardt "Für ein Dorf" (1732); Johann Georg Neidhardt "Für eine kleine Stadt" (1732); Johann Georg Neidhardt "Für eine grosse Stadt" (1732); Johann Georg Neidhardt "Für den Hof" (1724/1732, Equal temperament). The organ in Abbenrode (close to Goslar, Germany), built by Christoph Contius in 1708, was recorded and sam pied. A digital instrument was created, and sound examples of excerpts from O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (BWV 656), Canzona (BWV 588), the Prelude in B Minor (BWV 544), the Toccata in F Major (BWV 540), the Prelude in Eb Major (BWV 552), and the Fantasia in G Minor (BWV 542) in all temperaments were prepared and discussed. Based on the discussion a style sheet for integrating the aspect of temperament in interpretation was proposed. 1) A thorough understanding of the construction of temperament, for example: How are the fifths tempered? Is there a wolf? Which intervals and keys have the best and poorest intonation respectively? 2) Observing the historical con text of the music with regard to both written sources and instruments. For example, investigating what historical temperaments are described in the sources, and what historical temperaments were used in organs? 3) Analyzing the composition from the perspective of temperament. For example: Does the music exceed the tonal con tent of the temperament? Is any harmonic or melodic material affected by the temperament? 4) Making interpretative decisions with regard to articulation, phrasing, choice of tempo, registration, etc. Decisions made by the interpreter (organist) can mitigate or emphasize the effect of the temperament trough articu!ation, phrasing, choice of tempo and registration

GoArt databas

GOArt (Göteborg Organ Art Center) is a research center that specializes in integrated studies of instruments and performance. The pipe organ and its related keyboard instruments - the clavichord, harpsichord, harmonium, and fortepiano - form the research field. The organ database system was developed 1995 - 2000. The main goal was to create a database structure in which it is possible to store both technical and historical information on organs. In addition to storing information on organs, it was important to be able to store information on archive documents and persons related to the instruments. The database thus consists of four main parts, divided into: technical information about the organs, historical information, other archival data, and information about persons linked to the organs. This structure makes it possible to select a certain point of time in history and to trace the historical process, in the database stored as a network between organs, documents, and persons. The user can navigate backwards or forwards in time and will always be informed about connections between organs, documents, and persons at every point in this historical network. The purpose of the database has been to serve as a documentation tool for results from research as well as a tool for analysis and evaluation. The database is also a source of information for future research projects. There are at present more than 200 historical Swedish organs, 870 archive documents and 1900 person records in the database. Purpose: The purpose of the database has been to serve as a documentation tool for results from research as well as a tool for analysis and evaluation. The collection of data to the database helps to preserve a unique Swedish cultural heritage for posterity, thus supporting sustainable development. The database information may help curators to make decisions with financial implications, as it may provide a basis for assessing the need and value of measures. The database will also contribute to the documentation and inventory of parts of organs that are unique and protected by the Antiquities Act.GOArt (Göteborg Organ Art Center) är ett forskningscentrum som specialiserat sig på integrerade studier av instrument och utförande. Orgeln och dess relaterade klaviaturinstrument - klavikord, cembalo, tramporgel och hammarklaver - bildar forskningsområdet. Orgeldatabassystemet utvecklades 1995 - 2000. Huvudsyftet var att skapa en databas i vilken det är möjligt att lagra både teknisk och historisk information om orglarna. Utöver information om själva orgeln var det viktigt att kunna lagra information om arkivhandlingar och personer med anknytning till instrumenten. Databasen innehåller således fyra huvuddelar som materialet delas upp i: teknisk information om orglarna, historisk information, andra arkivdata, samt information om personer knutna till orglarna. Denna struktur gör det möjligt att välja en viss tidpunkt i historien och att spåra den historiska processen, i databasen lagrad som ett nätverk mellan orgel, dokument och personer. Användaren kan navigera bakåt eller framåt i tiden och kommer alltid att informeras om kopplingar mellan orgel, dokument och personer i varje punkt i detta historiska nätverk. Syftet med databasen har varit att fungera som dokumentationshjälpmedel för resultat från forskning samt ett verktyg för analys och utvärdering. Databasen är också en källa till information för framtida forskningsprojekt. Det finns för närvarande mer än 200 historiska svenska orglar, 870 arkivdokument och 1900 personposter i databasen. Syfte: Syftet med databasen har varit att fungera som ett dokumentationshjälpmedel för resultat från forskning samt ett verktyg för analys och utvärdering. Insamlandet av data till databasen bidrar till att bevara ett unikt svenskt kulturarv åt eftervärlden och gynnar därmed en hållbar utveckling. Informationen i databasen kan hjälpa antikvarier att fatta beslut med ekonomiska konsekvenser, då den kan tillhandahålla underlag för att bedöma behovet och värdet av åtgärder. Databasen bidrar också till dokumentation och inventering av delar av orglar som är unika och skyddade av fornminneslagen

Correlations between leukocyte TL and hippocampal volume among <i>APOE</i> ε3/ε3 and <i>APOE</i> ε4 carriers.

<p>Leukocyte TL was adjusted for age. Hippocampal volume was adjusted for body (and head) size and age. Regression lines only shown for significant Spearman correlations.</p

General characteristics of study participants.

<p>All values are means unless otherwise stated. MMSE, Mini-mental state examination; SD, standard deviation.</p>a<p>Blood pressure ≥140/90 or taking antihypertensive medication.</p>b<p>Adjusted for body (and head) size and age.</p>c<p>Adjusted for age.</p