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Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies hold great potential for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. IgG is the most abundant antibody in human serum, has a long half-life, and potent effector functions, making it a prime candidate for an HIV prevention therapeutic. We combined Positron Emission Tomography imaging and fluorescent microscopy of 64Cu-labeled, photoactivatable-green fluorescent protein HIV (PA-GFP-BaL) and fluorescently labeled HGN194 IgG1 to determine whether intravenously instilled IgG influences viral interaction with mucosal barriers and viral penetration in colorectal tissue 2 h after rectal viral challenge. Our results show that IgG1 did not alter the number of virions found throughout the colon or viral penetration into the epithelium of the rectum or descending colon. A minor increase in virions was observed in the transverse colon of IgG1 treated animals. Overall, the number of viral particles found in the mesenteric lymph nodes was low. However, IgG1 administration resulted in a significant reduction of virions found in mesenteric lymph nodes. Taken together, our results show that HGN194 IgG1 does not prevent virions from penetrating into the colorectal mucosa but may perturb HIV virion access to the lymphatic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Refractive errors are common visual comorbidities among the elderly. Cognitive dysfunction also occurs in this population. A study by Ong et al (2013) demonstrated an association of refractive errors with poor cognitive performance. In this study, we explored the potential association between refractive errors (RE) and cognitive functions (CF) in an elderly population from South India. Method: This cross‐sectional analysis, based on the Tata Longitudinal Study on Aging (CBR‐TLSA) cohort (Sundarakumar et al., 2020), included participants with a minimum visual acuity of ≤ 0.52 LogMar using the LogMAR chart (Aurolab, India). Those meeting the criteria underwent objective refraction with a retinoscope (Welch Allyn, Dublin, USA) to classify RE (Emmetropia, Myopia, Hypermetropia). CF was assessed using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III) and various cognitive tests, including Digit Forward/Backward, Trail Making Test A/B, Modified Taylor Complex Figure Immediate/Delayed Recall, Digit Simple Substitution Test (DSST), and COGNITO (Computerized assessment of adult information processing) battery domain‐specific tests. Cognitive tasks were performed post‐acuity correction with prescription glasses. Result: The demographic characteristics of the study sample are mentioned in Table 1. Among 856 participants, 149 (17%) were Emmetropes, 224 (26%) were Myopes, and 483 (56%) were Hypermetropes. The Myopes performed poorly in TMT‐B (β = 14.9 (CI: 1.16, 28.68), p = 0.03), MTCF IR (β = ‐2.15 (CI: ‐3.8, ‐0.49), p = 0.01), MTCF DR (β = ‐2.2 (CI: ‐3.9, ‐0.48), p = 0.011), and reading and sentence comprehension (β = ‐0.37 (CI: ‐0.63, ‐0.11), p = 0.004) compared to emmetropes. Hypermetropic showed poor performance in Ace visuo‐spatial (β = ‐0.43 (CI: ‐0.79, ‐0.06), p = 0.02), MTCF DR (β = ‐1.5 (CI: ‐3.08, ‐0.03), p = 0.045), and showed better performance in Digit Forward Total Correct (β = 0.96 (CI:0.03,1.89), p = 0.04) & span (β = 0.53 (CI:0.07,1.004), p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our study found that individuals with myopia and hypermetropia performed worse on certain cognitive tests compared to those with normal vision. Myopic individuals struggled with tasks involving complex figure recall and comprehension, while hypermetropic individuals had difficulties with visuospatial tasks and they did better in attention tasks. These findings suggest that corrected RE in older adults could contribute to cognitive challenges and needs to be further researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frailty, synonymous with physical vulnerability and decline, may exert nuanced effects on cognitive functions.(Borges, Canevelli, Cesari, & Aprahamian, 2019) This study assesses possible association between frailty and cognitive performance with the aim of identifying vulnerable cognitive domains. Method: We analysed the baseline data from Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TLSA)(Sundarakumar et al., 2020), an ongoing longitudinal study, based in urban Bangalore, India. Frailty was evaluated using clinical markers such as Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Hand Grip Strength right and left (HGSRt and HGSLt respectively), and Chair Stand test (CST). Cognitive function was evaluated using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. Generalized linear models/ Binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the relationship between frailty parameters and cognition. Result: In a cohort of 1484 participants (51% males, 49% females; mean age 62.3 ± 9.6, mean education 15.2±3.8 years), significant positive correlation was found between HGS and ACE scores and significant negative correlation was found between TUG and ACE scores. Notably, no significant association was found between the Chair Stand Test (CST) and ACE scores (Table 1&2). Individuals with higher HGSRt (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.967, 0.939‐0.996, p value 0.026), and CST (OR = 0.903, 0.839‐0.972, p value 0.006) exhibited a lower likelihood of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Additionally, those with MCI took longer duration in TUG test (OR = 1.209, 1.122‐1.304, p value <0.001) compared to normal participants. There was no significant association between MCI and HGSLt (OR = 0.973, 0.945‐1.002, p value <0.069). Conclusion: The study reveals a significant association between frailty parameters and cognitive functions. These findings demonstrate the impact of physical resilience on cognitive well‐being, emphasizing the importance of addressing frailty as a modifiable factor in promoting cognitive health among aging individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on enhancing user authentication through keystroke dynamics to improve personal computer security. Topics include the limitations of traditional authentication methods, the role of continuous user authentication, and how keystroke analysis can create unique biometric profiles for each user to strengthen security.

Background: Auditory attention and memory are the understudied aspects of cognition. Poor performance on cognitive tasks is assumed to be due to peripheral hearing loss, which is not always the case. Auditory processing issues may affect the auditory recall and attention tasks even though the hearing and cognition are normal. Education and nutrition influence cognitive function, including auditory attention and memory. Education provides individuals with strategies essential for effective auditory processing, while nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting brain health and optimal cognitive functioning. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between education, nutrition, and auditory cognition in adults, especially when the peripheral hearing and CDR scores are normal. Method: Educational backgrounds were assessed based on years of schooling and academic achievements, nutritional status was evaluated through blood sample biochemistry. The hearing is assessed through a handheld audiometer, and cognition through a CDR score. Auditory attention and memory through standardized cognitive tests, immediate and delayed recall and Digit span forward and backwards. Result: The results revealed that education played a very significant role in our study. Subject with postgraduate and above education levels performed better compared to primary education level on auditory attention (B(S.E.) = ‐0.49 (0.19), p < 0.01), Logical memory‐ immediate (B(S.E) = ‐3.93 (0.85), p<0.001) and delayed recall (B (S.E) = ‐4.5 (0.86), p<0.001) tasks and Digit Span forward (‐1.2 (0.35), p<0.01) and digit span backward tasks (B (S.E) = ‐0.98 (0.27), p<0.001). Additionally, older individuals with Vitamin D insufficiency (B (S.E.) = ‐0.44 (0.2), p < 0.05) and Vitamin B12 deficiency exhibited poorer auditory attention, Immediate memory (B (S.E.) = ‐7.2 (2.90), p < 0.05) and delayed memory (B (S.E.) = ‐6.3 (2.91), p < 0.05) performance, respectively. Conclusion: This study highlights the role of auditory processing and importance of good education and proper nutrition in supporting auditory cognition. Investing in quality education and promoting healthy dietary habits, including adequate intake of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, can contribute to better outcomes, particularly in the domain of auditory cognition. These findings underscore the need for proper hearing assessments, diet, and education for comprehensive interventions to optimize cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the early stages of typical Alzheimer's disease, there is a well‐documented pattern of memory deficits, especially episodic memory, substantiated with evidence of medial temporal lobe atrophy, specifically of the hippocampus in line with the memory deficits. Studies have shown that several other demographic, biological, and lifestyle factors influence memory and there is a need for identifying early risk factors and for the development of clinical intervention programs to delay or prevent cognitive decline. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the impact of various factors on episodic memory decline in an urban cohort. Method: A longitudinal analysis within the TATA Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA) examined episodic memory in a Bangalore urban cohort (n = 212). The analysis utilized data from baseline and a 2‐year follow‐up, employing the logical memory test for episodic memory assessment. Various demographic, clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors were analyzed with episodic memory. Chi‐square and binominal logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Result: In a study sample of 212,51.4% women and 48.6% were men. The mean age of the study sample was 67.71 and the mean years of education was 14.9. There was a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and episodic memory delayed recall score after two years [OR = 3.31 (1.19, 9.21)], indicating that people who consumed alcohol were 3.31 times more likely to experience a decline in episodic memory performance. Additionally, a significant association was identified between hypertension and delayed recall score [OR = 2.76 (1.34‐5.66)], implying that individuals with hypertension were 2.76 times more likely to exhibit episodic memory decline over the two years. Age, gender, education, smoking, diabetes, depression and anxiety were not significant with episodic memory. Conclusion: There was an association between alcohol consumption, hypertension, and episodic memory decline, indicating that individuals who engage in alcohol consumption or have hypertension are more prone to experiencing a decline in episodic memory over two years. This research study underscores the importance of Clinical programs promoting healthier lifestyles, particularly around alcohol consumption and blood pressure management, which could significantly mitigate memory‐related problems in aging populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from multiple converging sources has demonstrated the clear benefits of physical activity in promoting mental health and improving cognitive function. However, more than 54% of Indians do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity. The present study aims to explore the association of physical activity with cognitive abilities among the elderly aging population in an urban Indian setting. Methods: The study utilized baseline data of 1250 till Dec 2023 from the ongoing Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing cohort study. We categorized subjects into physically active (PA) and sedentary groups (SG)based on the time they spend doing different types of physical activity in a typical week using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Cognitive assessments were performed using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE‐III). Multiple linear regression was performed where cog variables were loaded as dependent variables, physical activity was a predictor, and covariates used were education, gender, socioeconomic status, and clinical dementia rating scores. Result: The mean age SD) of the study sample was 62.6 (9.6) years. Among 1250 participants, 804 (64.3%) were physically active and 446 (35.7%) belonged to the sedentary group. The physically active group had significantly higher median years of education (14.9 vs 14.6; p = <0.001), more proportion of males (56.3% vs 43.5%, p < 0.001), upper socioeconomic class (62.8% vs 34.2%) and lesser people with mild cognitive impairment (6.1% vs 14.2, p <0.001) as shown in Table 1. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that after controlling for confounding variables, the physically active group performed better in ACE total (β = ‐1.330, p = 0.002), ACE memory (β = ‐0.627, p < 0.001), ACE fluency (β = ‐0.257, p = 0.043) and ACE language (β = ‐0.263, p = 0.012) when compared to the sedentary group as shown in Table 2. ACE attention and ACE visuospatial scores were not statistically significant between both groups. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that physically active participants had better global cognition and better performance in memory, executive functioning, and perceptual‐motor function. Promotion of physical activity should hence be implemented for enhancing cognitive abilities in elderly individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive control deficits can be early indicators of cognitive decline in individuals. Studies have found a bilingual advantage in cognitive control, however, there is little research on the Indian population, particularly those residing in rural areas. We aimed to investigate how cognitive control is influenced by the number of languages known to individuals among the aging population in both urban and rural settings in South India. Method: The study comprises cross‐sectional data from healthy individuals aged 45 years and above, with 1058 participants from the urban Tata Longitudinal Study on Ageing (CBR‐TLSA) cohort and 4820 participants from the rural Srinivaspura Ageing, Neuro Senescence, and Cognition (CBR‐SANSCOG) study cohort. Both study protocols are harmonized. Cognitive control was assessed using the Stroop, visuospatial span, categorical fluency, and letter fluency tests. Mann‐Whitney U test was used to compare monolingual and multilingual participants' performance in cognitive control tasks separately. The differences in monolingualism and multilingualism on cognitive control were adjusted with age, gender, years of education, cohort, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham‐D) scores using the General Linear Model. Result: Urban participants performed better than their rural counterparts in all four cognitive control tasks (Table 1). Within the urban cohort, multilingual participants' performed better than the monolingual participants in the categorical fluency task, whereas, in the rural cohort, multilingual participants performed better in all four tasks. Monolingual and multilingual participants in the urban cohort performed better than their respective counterparts in the rural cohort in the cognitive control tasks. After adjusting for the covariates, we found a significant difference between monolingual and multilingual participants on the categorical fluency task, with multilingual participants performing better than monolinguals (Table 2). Conclusion: Our results indicated a multilingual advantage in cognitive control in aging Indians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visuo‐cognitive skills represent a network of different abilities that rely on vision and cognition. While visuo‐cognitive abilities have been considered prominent indicators of dementia, there is a dearth of studies that profile these abilities with demographic correlates in an aging Indian population. Investigating the pattern of visuo‐cognitive abilities is essential to facilitate early indication, better prognosis and treatment of symptoms. Method: The sample comprises baseline data collected from 1271 urban aging individuals (≥ 45 years) who are a part of the Tata Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TLSA), Bangalore, India. Visuo‐cognition was measured by Visuospatial span (VS), Visual Attention (VA), Modified Taylor Complex Figure (MTCF) Copy, Immediate Recall (IR), Delayed Recall (DR), and the visuospatial domain from Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) III. Unadjusted effect was performed using Mann Whitney U and adjustments were made using General Linear Model to examine the association between each visuo‐cognitive test and demographic factors. Result: In the total sample of 1271 participants, there were 620 females and 651 males. Mean age of females and males is 60.2±8.68 & 63.69 ±9.61 respectively. Mean years of education in females was 14.36 with a standard deviation of ±3.92. Mean years of education in males was 15.33 with a standard deviation of ±4.07. The correlation between age and MTCF Copy Time was positive, whereas with visuospatial span, visual attention, MTCF Copy, MTCF DR, and visuospatial domain of ACE III age was negatively correlated. Females performed better on tests of VA, MTCF IR, and the visuospatial domain on ACE III. There was a positive correlation between education and visuospatial span, visual attention, MTCF Copy, IR, DR, and visuospatial domain of ACE III. A negative correlation was found between education and MTCF Copy time and no significant association of the variables with MTCF IR Time. Conclusion: Age and education influenced various visuo‐cognitive components, while gender had specific impacts on visual attention and MTCF measures. These findings provide insights for early diagnosis, tailored interventions, and further investigations into cognitive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are the non‐invasive tests to measure the lung function. Relationship between pulmonary function and cognition is an emerging area of research, understanding this is crucial for prevention and management of dementia. Hence this study aims to investigate the association between pulmonary function and cognition. Method: This cross sectional analysis includes the participants aged 45 years and above (N = 924) from an ongoing longitudinal study, the Tata Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA), conducted in urban Bangalore, India. The pulmonary function was assessed through spirometry, Z scores were calculated for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), then categorized into equal quartiles. Cognition was assessed using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III). The association between pulmonary function and cognition was examined using multiple linear regression with three models: Model 1 – unadjusted, model 2‐adjusted for age and gender, model 3 – adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking status, depression, anxiety, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac illness and respiratory disease. Result: Regression analysis revealed an association between pulmonary function and cognition across all the models. In the fully adjusted model, compared to the lowest quartile (quartile 4), participants in highest quartiles of FVC performed better in ACE [quartile 1 (β = 2.36, 95% CI, 0.56‐4.15, p = 0.01), quartile 2 (β = 2.62, 95% CI, 1.08‐4.15, p = 0.001), quartile 3 (β = 1.87, 95% CI, 0.53‐3.22, p = 0.006)], similarly for PEF, participants in highest quartiles exhibited better ACE score [quartile 1 (β = 3.42, 95% CI, 2.02‐4.82, p <0.001), quartile 2 (β = 3.49, 95% CI, 2.16‐4.81, p <0.001), quartile 3 (β = 3.72, 95% CI, 2.41‐5.03, p ≤0.001)], there was no significant association found between FEV1 and ACE score. Conclusion: These findings indicate the link between pulmonary function and cognitive performance, highlighting the importance of respiratory well‐being in preserving the cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), defined as a self‐experienced persistent cognitive decline with a normal performance in objective neuropsychological assessments is one of the first clinical manifestations of dementia. SCD has a strong association with depression, and more research is needed to understand the relationship between the two. When they co‐occur the risk of developing dementia increases. Despite the increased focus on the preclinical stages of dementia such as SCD there is limited research on its prevalence specifically in India. The present study aims to bridge this research gap by estimating the prevalence of SCD in India and assessing urban‐rural differences in its prevalence as well as sociodemographic factors. Method: The study used data from two ongoing community‐based prospective cohort studies, namely the Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TLSA) and Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) in urban Bangalore and Srinivaspura respectively (Sundarakumar et al., 2020). Baseline data collected from 4429 participants aged 45 years and older were included in the analysis. The study used Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) scores and participants' responses to the questions pertaining to subjective cognitive impairment in Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to estimate the prevalence of SCD. Result: Of 4429 participants recruited between 2015 and 2022, a total of 1010 (22.8%) participants [median (IQR) age, 60 (15)] were classified as having SCD. As shown in Tabe1, the prevalence was higher in the rural cohort than in the urban cohort (25.1% vs 14.0%, p<0.001). The rural cohort was also found to be comparatively younger (57 (15) vs 63 (14)), and have fewer years of education (4 (9) vs 15(2)). Depression was found to have significant association with SCD in both the cohorts, with more depressive symptoms observed in the rural cohort. As shown in Table 2, the prevalence of SCD was higher in women than men in the urban cohort. Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that despite being comparatively younger, the rural cohort had a higher prevalence of SCD, potentially due to the protective effect of higher years of education in the urban cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eye are the extension of brain, any vascular abnormalities in the brain might reflect in ocular structures. The retinal microcirculation of an individual is similar to the small blood vessels found in the brain. The changes to the retina that result from neurodegenerative diseases can be observed through the eye. Studies have shown reduced retinal thickness in MCI when compared to healthy controls (HC). Therefore, OCT plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases, and also in the MCI (Dudekova et al., 2016) (Sefton et al., 2022). Method: This is a case‐control study. Total of 19 eyes from 11 MCI subjects, and 20 eyes from 15 HC were taken for analysis from Tata Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA) cohort (Sundarakumar et al., 2020). Clinical dementia rating (CDR) score was used to group the participants as having normal cognition and MCI. A score of 0 and 0.5 was considered as subjects having normal cognition and MCI respectively. Macular and radial peripapillary angiography were done using SD OCT‐A to compare foveal avascular zone (FAZ), Superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vessel density VD and SCP perfusion density (PD), and radial peripapillary capillary perfusion (CPD) and radial peripapillary capillary flux index (CFI) between both the MCI and HC groups. Result: Table 1 shows demographic details, and Table 2 shows comparison of SD OCT‐A data between MCI and HC. MCI subjects showed significant decrease in mean CPD compared to HC (44.19% ± 1.59% vs 45.05% ± 2.03%; p < 0.05). Also, MCI group showed significant decrease in mean CFI (0.42 ± 0.03 vs 0.43 ± 0.02; p <0.05) compared to HC. Conclusion: We demonstrated that there is decreased radial peripapillary perfusion and flux index in MCI subjects. By using SD OCT‐A, microvascular changes in early stage of dementia offers as a new way of detecting ocular biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recruitment and retention of participants is a crucial step in any longitudinal study. The TATA Longitudinal Study for Aging (TLSA) is an urban cohort study to gather long term data to identify risk and protective factors for dementia in India. Method: We have recruited more than 1000 individuals with age ≥ 45 years for the study. Our recruitment strategies centered around existing urban community centers in Bangalore, India, where we have conducted more than 50 awareness programs to inform the participants about the healthy aging and our study. We maintain the periodic contact with participants through telephone, in person visits and mental health awareness programs. Though we do not offer any treatment the clinical team provides brief feedback on participants blood test reports, ECG and MRI and makes appropriate referrals to the health system if necessary. To emphasize participant convenience and reduce burden, our study team has a mobile unit that conducts clinical and cognitive sessions at the participant's location. Transportation is also offered for each participant to attend the sessions at the study center. During the COVID 19 pandemic period, all participants were given special attention in terms of enquiring about their well‐being and using standard methods to assess their anxiety and depression. To keep the participants engaged during COVID 19 pandemic, we had shared the links for virtual museums, materials to read and offered psychosocial support. Result: We have approached 2225 individuals out of which 52% consented and able to complete the baseline assessment for them. It is been observed that good support and willingness to contribute to the study with the notion of potentially helping their future generations. Currently up to 50% of the participants completed first follow‐up sessions. Conclusion: The recruitment and retention of participants in the longitudinal clinical studies is a challenging task. However, TLSA study provides the unique insights on recruitment approaches that can be tailored and adopted for increasing the study enrolment and retaining in the urban cohorts of developing countries like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthropometric characteristics of individuals and populations are simple and strong predictors of nutrition, future ill health, functional impairment and mortality (WHO‐TRS 854). Our objective was to observe differences in various anthropometric measurements between urban and rural aging participants in India. The Tata Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA) and Srinivaspura Aging Neurosenescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) study are ongoing, large‐scale, prospective, population‐based cohort studies in urban and rural India respectively (Sundarakumar J et.al 2020). Method: A cross‐sectional comparative study that included 1089 urban and 4913 rural participants of both the genders aged 45 years and above were selected from ongoing TLSA and SANSCOG studies. Anthropometric measurements such as Height, Weight, Waist circumference, Hip circumference, Waist‐Hip ratio, Waist‐Height ratio, Body fat and Visceral fat of both the groups were obtained through a structured clinical protocol by trained physicians and nurses and Tanita body composition analyzer. Chi‐square and Mann Whitney U tests were used to analyze the results as the data was not normally distributed. Result: Urban participants were older and had more years of education. The proportion of males and females did not differ between both cohorts as shown in Table 1. Mann‐Whitney U test was conducted to determine whether there was a difference in various anthropometric measures between Urban and Rural cohorts. The results indicate significant difference between the groups as shown in Table 2. Conclusion: Urban participants were observed to have comparatively high range of anthropometric measurements compared to rural participants. This difference may be because mean age of rural cohort was less where they mostly engage in more physically demanding occupation such as farming while their urban counterparts were elder and may engage in sedentary occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional phase between normal cognitive ageing and dementia. The prevalence of MCI in rural populations is an understudied area. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and depression are more prevalent in rural areas, which can contribute to the development of MCI (Longfei et al, 2020). The purpose of this study is to find out the prevalence of MCI amongst a rural cohort and to study the relationship between MCI and hypertension, diabetes and depression. Method: Cross sectional analysis on the subset of data taken from ongoing longitudinal study on dementia named Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) (Sundarakumar et al, 2020), which has a target of 10000 participants. MCI was diagnosed in the subject whose Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score was 0.5, as per the NIA‐AA (National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association) criteria, 2011. Presence of hypertension and diabetes were collected through a structured clinical questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 30 (GDS‐30) and a score above 9 was considered as depression. Chi‐square analysis(χ2) was used to study the association between MCI and hypertension, diabetes and depression. Result: A total of 3789 participants were examined amongst which 293 had a CDR score of 0.5, indicating presence of MCI in 7.7% of the study group. Prevalence of depression in non‐MCI and MCI subjects was 14.91% and 30.73% respectively and depression was found to be significantly associated with MCI(χ2 =24.522, p< 0.001). Hypertension was seen in 13.83% of non‐MCI subjects and in 17.76% of subjects with MCI. Diabetes was seen in 16.93% of non‐MCI subjects and in 18.25% of subjects with MCI. Both hypertension (χ2 =2.086, p = 0.149) and diabetes (χ2=0.195, p = 0.659) were not significantly associated with MCI. Conclusion: Depression was significantly associated with MCI. It is known that late onset depression, which is diagnosed above the age of 50, may be a predisposing factor for dementia in later life. Our results may indicate this relationship between depression and cognitive impairment. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate causal relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression and anxiety have a considerably adverse impact on physical, mental and cognitive abilities. Since rural communities generally have more difficult living circumstances than urban communities, it is likely that prevalence of depression and anxiety could be higher in the rural population. Socio‐demographic factors, such as gender and age could also significantly influence the prevalence of these conditions. This study aims to examine the above potential differences. Method: This was a cross‐sectional study which included participant's ≥45 years, of both genders, who were recruited as part of two ongoing, prospective, aging cohort studies – Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) in rural India and Tata Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA) in urban India. Baseline clinical data of SANSCOG (rural) and TLSA (urban) participants was utilized. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐30) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD‐7) were used to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Binomial test to determine differences in prevalence of depression and anxiety between the two populations as well as gender and age group‐wise differences. Result: Overall prevalence of depression was significantly higher among rural (16.13%) than urban population (8.2%, p<0.001). Similar trend was seen for prevalence of anxiety (rural = 5.27%, urban = 2.42%, p = 0.002). Also, prevalence of depression was significantly higher among females than males in both rural (20% vs. 12%, p = <0.001) and urban participants (11% vs. 5%, p = 0.0003). Prevalence of anxiety was also significantly higher among females than males in rural (6% vs. 4%, p = 0.01) but not significantly different in urban population (3% vs. 2%, p = 0.36). There was no significant difference between the two age groups in either of the populations for depression (rural: <65 = 15% vs. ≥65 = 18%, p = 0.92 and urban: <65 = 9% vs. ≥65 = 7%, p = 0.18) or anxiety (rural: <65 = 6% vs. ≥65 = 4%, p = 0.12 and urban: <65 = 2% vs. ≥65 = 3%, p = 0.81). Conclusion: Rural Indians had significantly higher prevalence of depression and anxiety than their urban counterparts. Women in both these populations had significantly higher burden than men. However, no age group‐wise differences were observed. Public health initiatives to address the high burden of depression in rural Indian women are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults living in urban areas differ from their rural counterparts in many ways, including the cognitive performance. Executive functioning is one of the few cognitive domains that is implicated to be affected in early stages of dementia. However, there are very few studies that have explored differences in cognitive functioning across rural and urban contexts in India. Our objective was to evaluate differences in executive functioning across urban and rural participants. Method: Our study sample includes ageing individuals (≥ 45 years): 1089 from the urban Tata Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TLSA) cohort and 4913 from the rural Srinivaspura Ageing, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) study cohort. The TLSA and SANSCOG are parallel, harmonised, community‐based cohort studies in urban and rural India exploring the risk and protective factors associated with cognitive changes due to normal ageing, dementia and other related disorders. The difference in executive functioning measured by Categorical fluency, Letter fluency, Visuospatial span and Stroop tests were compared across both cohorts. Result: Urban participants were older, had more years of education had less Geriatric Depression Score (GDS) as shown in Table 1. They did not differ in gender and proportion of cognitive impairment. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of each executive functioning tests between both the cohorts (urban participants were coded as reference category) while age, years of education and GDS were adjusted. Urban participants performed better than Rural participants on Categorical fluency (β = ‐2.379, p < 0.001), Letter fluency (β = ‐4.343, < 0.001), Visuospatial span (β = ‐0.279, < 0.001) and Stroop (β = 0.934, < 0.001). Similar results were obtained after gender stratification as shown in Table 2. Conclusion: Urban participants performed better than their rural counterparts in all tests examining executive functioning. Poorer cognitive functioning in the rural ageing cohort could be due to a number of reasons including limited or less cognitively demanding occupations. There is a need for more such longitudinal studies in India that explore community environment on cognitive function across different cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a transition state of cognitive decline from healthy brain to dementia. It is a prodrome of Alzheimer's disease. Verbal‐Language/Orientation‐Memory (VLOM) ratio, a simply calculated index compares its language and memory scores helps to differentiate between Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia (Mathuranath, et al.,2000). VLOM ratio is helpful in prognosticating and planning future management of the disease. The previous studies have shown the association of scores in cognitive domains with years of education (Nieto A, et al.,2016). Therefore, the objective of the study is to explore the association of years of education with VLOM ratio in MCI participants and normal participants. Method: Cross sectional analysis was done using the baseline data from the cohort study Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TLSA) from urban Bengaluru, India. Clinical dementia rating scale (CDR) was used to classify participants into normal and MCI category. CDR score of 0 was considered as normal, score of 0.5 as MCI. ACE III‐R (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III‐R) a neuropsychological test was administered and verbal fluency plus language to orientation plus memory (VLOM) ratio was calculated. Further, years of education was classified into three levels and comparison of VLOM ratio was made within these levels of education groups in both MCI and normal participants. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the VLOM ratio between MCI and normal participants. VLOM ratio and years of education among the MCI and normal participants was compared using Kruskal‐Wallis test. Results: Among 953 participants, 69 had MCI and 884 participants had normal cognition. Comparison of VLOM ratio between MCI and normal participants showed a significant difference, with higher VLOM ratio in MCI participants (Median (IQR)) = 0.97 (0.11) vs 0.95 (0.09); p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in VLOM ratio between years of education in both normal and MCI participants. Conclusion: The VLOM ratio found to be higher in MCI group indicating that the scores in orientation and memory domain might be lower in MCI compared to Normal participants. There was no association of VLOM ratio with years of education in normal and MCI participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research suggests that multilingualism may play an important role in enhancing cognitive health. The process of language acquisition constitutes a form of natural brain training, which in turn is thought to increase the neuroplasticity. The aim of this study is to examine the association between multilingualism and cognitive performance. Method: This study utilized cross‐sectional (baseline) data from the Srinivasapura Aging Neuro Senescence and COGnition study (SANSCOG), which is an ongoing community‐based, longitudinal aging cohort study conducted in a rural setting in Southern India. Study participants were dementia‐free, aging adults (45 years and above) from the villages of Srinivaspura. This study site is located in the state of Karnataka, close to the border of an adjoining state, Andhra Pradesh. The subjects are separated into two groups, namely monolinguals, participants knowing one language and multilinguals, participants knowing more than one language, to assess if language has any role in cognitive performance. The cognitive performance of the participants was assessed using Hindi Mental State Examination (HMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). A total of 3283 subjects for HMSE, and 3634 for CDR, including both normal and cognitively impaired subjects were considered for the study. Dementia free patients with HMSE scores below 24 and CDR scores of 0.5 are considered as the inclusion criteria. The data analysis was performed using chi‐square test. Result: The study showed a statistical significance for the association between number of languages spoken and cognition. Multilinguals achieved better cognitive scores, which shows their greater flexibility in cognition. The p value and chi‐square (p value:< 0.001; chi‐square: 59.448) of monolinguals and HMSE scores shows that the analysed data is significant. The odds ratio is 2.562 and it indicates that monolinguals have higher odds of developing cognitive decline than multilinguals. The analysis indicates that exposure to multiple languages has the upper hand, as it is thought to enhance the brain function. Conclusion: This study highlights that learning multiple languages might have a profound impact on cognitive health, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur containing amino acid generated in the metabolism of methionine involving co‐factors such as B vitamins and folic acid. Deficiency of these co‐factors have been associated with increased Hcy levels (Hutto, 1997). Relationship between differing levels of plasma Hcy, vitamin B12, folic acid and cognitive impairment is inconclusive. Method: Cross sectional analysis was done using the baseline data from two ongoing longitudinal studies such as Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TLSA, N = 984) and Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG, N = 4404), an urban and rural cohorts (Sundarakumar et al, 2020) respectively. Hcy, vitamin B12, folic acid levels were compared between the subjects of both cohorts. Comparison of these levels between healthy and MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) subjects within and across the cohorts were done. CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating) scale was used to classify subjects having normal cognition and MCI, considering score of 0.5 as MCI. Mann‐Whitney U test was used to compare these levels between the groups. Result: Hcy, vitamin B12, folic acid levels between the two cohorts showed significant difference, with higher levels of Hcy (median (IQR)) = (17.08 (11) vs 14.63 (10); p <0.001), vitamin B12 (247 (252) vs 220 (143); p <0.001) and folic acid (8.55 (9) vs 5.55(4); p <0.05) in TLSA than SANSCOG. Significant difference seen in Hcy (17.73(11) vs 14.73 (10); p <0.001), vitamin B12 (246 (249) vs 220 (136); p <0.001) and folic acid (8.42 (9) vs 5.53 (4): p <0.001) levels for healthy subjects between cohorts, higher levels were seen in TLSA subjects. Hcy (16.08 (8) vs 14.43 (12); p <0.001) vitamin B12 (305 (341) vs 216 (174); p = 0.03) and folic acid (8.52 (9) vs 5.34 (4): p <0.001) levels were significantly high in TLSA than SANSCOG for MCI subjects. However, these levels were not significantly different between healthy and MCI subjects within cohorts. Conclusion: Consistently elevated levels of Hcy was observed in urban cohort. Though elevated level of Hcy was observed with normal vitamin B12 and folic acid, it was not associated with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of Cardiovascular risk factors is increasing in India and the rural population is more susceptible due to rapidly changing lifestyle. There cardiovascular risk factors are known to occur in clusters and are implicated in poor cognitive performance. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is a simplified and common tool for the assessment of risk of developing Cardiovascular events over 10 years using six risk factors, such as, age, gender, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), smoking habits, and systolic blood pressure. Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) is a longitudinal, prospective cohort study in healthy aging individuals in a town located near Bangalore, India, where participants are recruited from the community. Method: Our objective was to examine to effect of FRS on cognitive performance measured by COGNITO among SANSCOG cohort participants. We performed separate multiple linear regression analysis to examine to effect of FRS on various COGNITO domains after adjusting for years of education and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores. Result: In a sample of 3929 individuals, 2022 (51.5%) were women. The median (IQR) age of the sample was 58 (50,65), the median (IQR) years of education was 4 (0,9) and the median (IQR) GDS was 2 (1,6). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to see the association of FRS with various cognitive tests after adjusting for years of education and GDS revealed that individuals with higher FRS performed poorly in all cognitive domains as shown in Table 1. When we examined this in men and women separately the results remained the same. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that higher FRS affects cognitive performance among rural elderly Indian individuals of both genders. It is imperative to design and implement strategies for risk‐reduction such as early identification and management of risk factors, a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and regular physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression and Anxiety are the most widespread forms of psychiatric disorders. Studies on families and twins indicate that genetic variations can be a risk factor. Apolipoprotein ε4 gene is one such gene (APOE ε4). Studies on both humans and animals indicate that APOE ε4 may be a susceptibility gene in depression and anxiety disorders mean while the contradictory observations also reported. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of APOE isoforms on depression and anxiety among two aging Indian cohorts. Method: The study participants are from ongoing Srinivaspura Aging Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) (n = 4913) and TATA Longitudinal Study for Aging (TLSA) (n = 1089) study which are longitudinal, observational studies on aging from rural and urban India respectively. Depression and Anxiety were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐30) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD‐7). APOE gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We performed the Chi‐square test to examine the relationship between prevalence of depression and anxiety in APOE ε4 homozygous, heterozygous and, non‐carriers. Result: The basic socio demographic characteristics of both cohorts are escribed in Table 1. There was no significant association between APOE ε4 isoforms and prevalence of depression and anxiety in both cohorts as described in Table 2. Conclusion: APOE ε4 did not show any association with depression or anxiety in both cohorts. There may be other factors are predominant in modulating the depression and anxiety. Moreover, ethnicity plays a significant role in the prevalence of APOE ε4 gene and its modulation effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association has been reported between factor VIII and arterial thrombosis such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. We report a 36-year-old man who had a myocardial infarction despite lacking traditional cardiac risk factors. He developed end-stage heart failure and renal insufficiency necessitating a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD). While on the transplant list, he experienced two episodes of LVAD thrombosis 6 months apart, prompting device exchange and escalation of anticoagulation therapy. He eventually underwent a successful heart-kidney transplant before suffering an extensive left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis 6 weeks later. A thrombophilia workup revealed elevated factor VIII activity of 319% (normal range, 50%–150%). He was placed on indefinite anticoagulation with apixaban with no further thrombotic episode in 18 months of follow-up to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the stage always associated with social reform and collective commitment, drama played an active role in the early-20th-century Kerala reform movement. These plays of the 1920s and the 1930s emphasised the need for reforming the situation of women. Produced as a part of social renovation, they had a strong ideology that stood in favour of gender equity and initiated a cross-fertilisation of theatre literature and social restructuring. This paper locates the impact of drama in 20th-century Kerala on the portrayal of Namboodiri women and purports to analyse the deconstructing waves that lashed through the medium of theatre against the conventional norms of feminine subjugation. In this regard, the study explores the role of selected plays by V. T. Bhattathiripad, M. R. Bhattathiripad, Premji and Lalithambika Anterjanam as critical tools in the social reformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data compression plays a vital role in multimedia devices to present the information in a succinct frame. Initially, the DCT structure is used for Image compression, which has lesser complexity and area efficient. Similarly, 2D DCT also has provided reasonable data compression, but implementation concern, it calls more multipliers and adders thus its lead to acquire more area and high power consumption. To contain an account of all, this paper has been dealt with VLSI architecture for image compression using Rom free DA based DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) structure. This technique provides high-throughput and most suitable for real-time implementation. In order to achieve this image matrix is subdivided into odd and even terms then the multiplication functions are removed by shift and add approach. Kogge_Stone_Adder techniques are proposed for obtaining a bit-wise image quality which determines the new trade-off levels as compared to the previous techniques. Overall the proposed architecture produces reduced memory, low power consumption and high throughput. MATLAB is used as a funding tool for receiving an input pixel and obtaining output image. Verilog HDL is used for implementing the design, Model Sim for simulation, Quatres II is used to synthesize and obtain details about power and area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with left abdominal pain of one-month duration. The patient had a previous ultrasonography report which showed a hypoechoic retroperitoneal left para-aortic mass. A computerized tomography (CT) scan had now been requested. CT revealed a well-defined heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion with necrotic areas in the left para-aortic region, anterior to left psoas muscle which appeared to be encasing the ovarian artery. Patient then underwent surgery and histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen established the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]