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No prior studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of zolpidem and zopiclone to treat insomnia of demented patients. This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial used these drugs to treat patients with probable, late onset Alzheimer's dementia (AD) (DSM V and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) exhibiting insomnia (DSM V criteria and nocturnal NPI scores ≥ 2). Actigraphic records were performed for 7 days at baseline and for 14 days during the treatment period in 62 patients aged 80.5 years in average and randomized at a 1:1:1 ratio for administration of zolpidem 10 mg/day, zopiclone 7.5 mg/day or placebo. Primary endpoint was the main nocturnal sleep duration (MNSD), whereas secondary outcomes were the proportion of the night time slept, awake time after sleep onset (WASO), nocturnal awakenings, total daytime sleep time and daytime naps. Cognitive and functional domains were tested before and after drug/placebo use. Three participants under zopiclone use had intervention interrupted due to intense daytime sedation and worsened agitation with wandering. Zopiclone produced an 81 min increase in MNSD (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.8, 163.2), a 26 min reduction in WASO (95% CI: -56.2, 4.8) and a 2-episode decrease in awakening per night (95% CI: -4.0, 0.4) in average compared to placebo. Zolpidem yielded no significant difference in MNSD despite a significant 22 min reduction in WASO (95% CI: -52.5, 8.3) and a reduction of 1 awakening each night (95% CI: -3.4, 1.2) in relation to placebo. There was a 1-point reduction in mean performance in the symbols search test among zolpidem users (95% CI: -4.1, 1.5) and an almost eight-point reduction in average scores in the digit-symbol coding test among zopiclone users (95% CI: -21.7, 6.2). In summary, short-term use of zolpidem or zopiclone by older insomniacs with AD appears to be clinically helpful, even though safety and tolerance remain issues to be personalized in healthcare settings and further investigated in subsequent trials. This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03075241.

INTRODUCTION: The literature remains scarce on the late effects of bariatric surgery on the general health of patients who underwent such procedures at an older age. The present study aimed to evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms, risky alcohol consumption, and binge eating in older adults undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: This study used current data (from medical records and tests) to conduct a cross-sectional study. A total of 74 individuals aged 60 years and older who underwent bariatric surgery after 55 years of age at a specialist center for obesity management located in Brazil were included and evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and Binge Eating Scale. Demographic and clinical data related to the surgical procedure (weight loss) were also collected. The Cochran-Armitage trend test, Pearson’s χ2 test, and a multiple linear regression model were used as needed. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The individuals were white (65.70%) and women (78.30%), with a mean age of 65.8 (SD 3.90) years. The mean time elapsed from surgery to evaluation was 75.70 (SD 43.70) months; 10.80% of the participants had moderate to severe depression, 8.10% moderate to severe anxiety, and 5.40% risky or high-risk alcohol consumption. None of the participants had binge eating problems. Weight regain was not associated with depressive symptom severity or risky alcohol consumption, but it was significantly associated (p = 0.034) with few or neither anxiety symptoms. Excess weight loss was not associated with any study variable. CONCLUSION: The results show a low prevalence of mental symptoms in older adults undergoing bariatric surgery compared to data from the literature on younger adults undergoing the same procedure.

Summary Objectives To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on postprandial lipemia (PPL) related to allelic variants of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene. Methods All volunteers participated in three randomly selected trials, with at least 48 h between sessions: control (no exercise), MOD-EX (moderate exercise) and INT-EX (intense exercise). Two groups of healthy young men composed of 11 and 19 carriers of the C/C and T/C genotypes of the APOB gene (rs693) were constituted. Each exercise test (MOD-EX and INT-EX) were done until the 500-kcal expenditure and were completed 30-min before ingestion of a high-fat meal (HFM). Venous blood was collected before the exercise test and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after the HFM. PPL was assessed using the area under the curve approach as well as the kinetic profile of mean lipid variables. Statistical significance was adopted at P Results The C/C group exhibited a decrease in plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein levels following both MOD-EX (1378 ± 787 vs 1069 ± 537; 837 ± 122 vs 830 ± 150; 206 ± 78 vs 186 ± 59, respectively) and INT-EX (1378 ± 787 vs 1119 ± 526; 837 ± 122 vs 828 ± 151; 206 ± 78 vs 174 ± 93, respectively). Interestingly, the T/C group was insensitive to any of the attempts to reduce circulating fat. Moderate and intense aerobic exercise were both equally effective in attenuating PPL in the C/C carriers of the APOB gene.

Considering the global increase in use of Z-drugs to treat insomnia, the study objective was to conduct a systematic review on the efficacy and safety of zopiclone to treat sleep disorders in older adults compared to other sedative-hypnotics, to placebo or to non-pharmacological interventions. The literature search for original reports — clinical trials, cohort studies and cross-sectional, observational investigations — was done in eleven databases and web search engines followed PRISMA guidelines, and methodological quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias tool in the Cochrane Reviewers’ Handbook. The search resulted in 12 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials along with 2 open studies and 2 observational reports. Overall, the studies suggest that zopiclone is effective to treat insomnia by reducing sleep latency, nocturnal awakenings and wake time after sleep onset while increasing total sleep time, with probable effects on sleep architecture. Zopiclone was found to be fairly tolerated, to induce a low rate of adverse events with non-severe impact on psychomotor or cognitive performance and to produce no major harm to the overall well-being and daily living abilities. However, the quality of most studies was classified as low or unclear. Though the studies available support benefits from zopiclone use, there is still a need for further evidence on long-term effects, tolerability and safety in the treatment of older adults by means of high-quality trials.

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo verificar a interação entre a vacinação contra a influenza e as taxas de mortalidade por doenças respiratórias entre idosos brasileiros. Estudo observacional (longitudinal do tipo ecológico), empregando dados obtidos a partir de bancos de dados públicos secundários e ministeriais. Entre os idosos, não houve correlação entre a cobertura vacinal cumulativa e as taxas de mortalidade por doenças respiratórias. No entanto, observou-se aumento nas taxas de mortalidade respiratória em todos os estratos etários, com as maiores pontuações entre os homens e residentes nas regiões Sul e Sudeste.

de L. Corrêa, H, Ribeiro, HS, Maya, ÁTD, Neves, RP, de Moraes, MR, Lima, RM, Nóbrega, OT, and Ferreira, AP. Influence of the ACTN3 genotype and the exercise intensity on the respiratory exchange ratio and excess oxygen consumption after exercise. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1380-1388, 2021-This study aimed to assess the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) after high-intensity interval training and continuous moderate-intensity aerobic training in accordance with the ACTN3 genotype. A cross-sectional study with 30 physically active individuals who participated in 3 experimental sessions, as follows: a high-intensity interval aerobic exercise, for 3 minutes at 115% anaerobic threshold, with 90 seconds of passive recovery; a continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at 85% anaerobic threshold; and a control session. Respiratory exchange ratio and V̇o2 were obtained through an indirect, calorimetry-based gas analysis method, using a breath-by-breath approach, assessed at baseline, during the trials, and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after exercise. We found that lower postexercise RER values were observed only in subjects with the X allele, in both the high- and the moderate-intensity training protocols. Homozygous RR subjects showed no differences in postexercise RER compared with the scores at the control day. After both sessions of exercise, EPOC levels were higher compared with scores at the control day for 2 hours among X allele carriers, and only in the first hour among RR homozygous. Thus, the RER and EPOC presented different responses after moderate and intense exercise according to the ACTN3 genotype. Moreover, individuals with the X allele of the ACTN3 gene show a higher oxidation of fats in the postexercise period.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to being associated with worsening of diseases related to metabolic syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders, obesity in older adults increases the risk of falls, frailty syndrome, depression, and dementia, with consequent functional loss. Among all treatments available, bariatric surgery is an option for eligible patients. OBJECTIVES: To discuss aspects related to the safety and benefits of bariatric surgery for the control or remission of comorbidities in older adults. METHODS: This literature review was carried out in databases, using the following keywords: bariatric surgery and elderly or aged or older adult and comorbidities or safety. We included clinical trials, observational studies, comparative studies, and reviews that evaluated the effect of bariatric surgery on the control or remission of comorbidities in older adults. RESULTS: In recent years, several studies have evidenced not only control or remission of comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea syndrome, but also a low rate of complications, similar to those observed in young people. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of these studies, bariatric surgical procedures can be indicated for eligible older adults, without age restriction, taking into account functional and life expectancy aspects.

Otávio T Nóbrega,1 Alessandra M Campos-Staffico,2 Elayne Kelen Oliveira,3 Daniel B Munhoz,3 Filipe A Moura,3 Luis Sérgio F Carvalho,4 Alexandre Anderson SM Soares,1,5 Ciro M Gomes,1,6 Audrey C Tonet-Furioso,7 Andrei C Sposito1,3 On behalf of Brasilia Heart Study and the Brasilia Heart Study Group1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil; 2Departamento de Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil; 3Departamento de Cardiologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil; 4Centro de Inovação, Ensino e Pesquisa, Instituto de Gestão Estratégica em Saúde do Distrito Federal, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 5Serviço de Cardiologia, Instituto Biocárdios, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 6Laboratório de Dermatomicologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil; 7Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB-DF), Taguatinga, DF, BrazilCorrespondence: Andrei C SpositoLaboratório de Biologia Vascular e Aterosclerose (AteroLab), Departamento de Cardiologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), 126 Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, Campinas, 13083-887, SP, BrazilTel +55 19 3521 9590Fax +55 19 3289 4107Email andreisposito@gmail.comBackground: Glycemic disorders are strong predictors of mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and disruption in nitric oxide (NO) production is associated with insulin-resistant states. We evaluated whether a defective allele of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene (NOS1) might influence insulin response and blood-glucose balance during the acute phase of STEMI and if post-infarction total plasma-NO levels and vasodilation scores varied across nNOS genotypes.Methods: Consecutive patients with STEMI (n=354) underwent clinical evaluations and genotyping for the promoter variation rs41279104. In-hospital clinical and blood evaluations were performed at admission and five days after STEMI, with glycemic, insulinemic, and disposition indices assessed at the same times. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed by reactive hyperemia on the 30th day.Results: Homozygotes for the defective allele (A) showed lower glycemia and insulin sensitivity on day 1 while showing the highest β-cell function and no changes in the circulating NO pool, which is compatible with hyperresponsive β cells counteracting the inherent glucose-resistant state of AA patients. At day 5, glycemic scores had shifted to indicate greater insulin sensitivity among A homozygotes, paralleled by a significant yet poor increase in NO bioavailability compared to that among G carriers. All in all, defective homozygotes showed greater insulin resistance at admission that had reversed by 5 days after STEMI. Even so, A carriers developed lower FMD scores compared to G homozygotes after the acute phase.Conclusion: A defective nNOS allele (and due decline in NO production) seemed to elicit a hyperinsulinemia response to compensate for an insulin-resistant state during the acute phase of STEMI and to be associated with poor endothelial function after the acute phase.Keywords: nitric oxide, insulin, blood glucose, vasodilation, polymorphism, myocardial infarction

O aumento da população idosa, com os complexos problemas de saúde que a envolvem, evidencia a necessidade do uso da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), que deve ser a porta de entrada para a atenção à saúde dos idosos. Espera-se que a APS exerça ações curativas e, principalmente, de prevenção e promoção à saúde para este grupo etário. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, em 49 médicos que atuam na APS de Anápolis, estado de Goiás, a formação profissional na área do envelhecimento, os conhecimentos básicos sobre a velhice e as crenças relacionadas aos idosos. Foram aplicados os seguintes questionários: formação acadêmica na área do envelhecimento; Questionário Palmore-Neri-Cachioni, a fim de avaliar os conhecimentos básicos sobre a velhice; e Escala de Neri, para verificar as crenças relacionadas aos idosos. Os médicos mostraram carecer de formação acadêmica e conhecimentos básicos na área gerontológica. Entre eles, 22,4% deles não cursaram a disciplina Geriatria e Gerontologia na graduação, 71,4% não tinham qualquer tipo de especialização, 91,8% não fizeram residência médica. Nos últimos cinco anos, somente 38,8% participaram de cursos de Geriatria e Gerontologia, 10,2% fizeram pesquisa na área, e 59,2% leram algum artigo sobre envelhecimento. Na avaliação dos conhecimentos básicos sobre a velhice, os maiores números de acertos, 91,8% e 83,7%, surgiram nas duas questões que tratam de aspectos físicos do envelhecimento. A questão que recebeu menor número de acertos (6,1%) aborda o aspecto social do envelhecimento; e as duas questões que tratam de aspectos psicológicos tiveram menos de 20% de acertos. Quanto às crenças relacionadas à velhice, a tendência geral das respostas foi negativa. O domínio com avaliação mais positiva foi Agência e o com avaliação mais negativa foi Relacionamento Social. O item com crença mais positiva foi o relacionado à sabedoria. Concluiu-se que é necessária educação continuada para os médicos que atuam na APS, focada nos diferentes aspectos do envelhecimento, incluindo os psicossociais, assim como a adoção de crenças positivas relacionadas aos idosos.

Introduction. Sarcopenia is defined as the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, associated with aging. A multidisciplinary approach has been increasingly prioritized in elderly care. A technique that has been widely used by the seniors is acupuncture. Objectives. To analyse the effects of acupuncture in muscle strength and in inflammatory markers of older people with sarcopenia. Methods. The sample was composed by 53 elderly people, aged over 60 years. Inclusion criteria were as follows: male and female seniors, sedentary and who were not under acupuncture treatment during the survey period. Assessment of body composition, handgrip strength, and functional test and IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α cytokines analyses were performed. After verification of the physical examination, the subjects were divided into two groups (sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic). The first group was then randomized (by drawing lot) to be further divided into two subgroups: G1, composed of sarcopenic elderly people who received acupuncture intervention, and G2, composed of sarcopenic elderly people who did not receive intervention. The nonsarcopenic elderly people composed the group 3 (G3) and did not receive acupuncture intervention. ANOVA Split Plot was performed for intergroup comparison. For intragroup evaluation, ANOVA was conducted for repeated measures. For the delta values, ANCOVA was performed with the pretest as covariant. A p<0.05 significance level was adopted. Results. 26 older people concluded the collections. There was no statistically significant difference between the G1 group and the other ones regarding the assessed variables (muscle mass, muscle strength, functionality, and inflammatory markers). Conclusion. The results allow us to infer that it is possible that the conducted intervention protocol has not produced any significant effects in the studied population. UTN number: RBR-8df2h4.

Background and Aim: Inflammatory and methylation imbalances occur in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of acute resistance exercise on the inflammatory profile and on DNA methylation of elderly patients with T2DM using metformin. Methods: For this purpose, we enrolled 22 male and female older adults (68.2 ± 5.3 years), of whom 13 had controlled T2DM (D) under metformin use and 9 were nondiabetics (ND). All subjects underwent a neuromuscular circuit (8 exercises in 40 min, with each exercise performed in 3 sets of 40 s each and a 20-s interval between repetitions). Results: The main results indicated a significant difference between groups for baseline interleukin (IL)-10, with a higher concentration in the D group compared to the ND group (p = 0.019). An increase in IL-6 concentration after intervention was observed in group D (p = 0.035). No effect was observed in total DNA methylation within or between groups. Conclusions: The resistance training protocol applied in this study modulates the IL-10 and IL-6 concentrations in elderly people with T2DM and under metformin use, possibly as a result of physiological adaptations, with no effect on nondiabetic elderly. No effects on absolute levels of DNA methylation were observed.

Background Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s attention has been focused on better understanding the relation between the human host and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as its action has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Objective In this context, we decided to study certain consequences of the abundant cytokine release over the innate and adaptive immune systems, inflammation, and hemostasis, comparing mild and severe forms of COVID-19. Methods To accomplish these aims, we will analyze demographic characteristics, biochemical tests, immune biomarkers, leukocyte phenotyping, immunoglobulin profile, hormonal release (cortisol and prolactin), gene expression, thromboelastometry, neutralizing antibodies, metabolic profile, and neutrophil function (reactive oxygen species production, neutrophil extracellular trap production, phagocytosis, migration, gene expression, and proteomics). A total of 200 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction–confirmed patients will be enrolled and divided into two groups: mild/moderate or severe/critical forms of COVID-19. Blood samples will be collected at different times: at inclusion and after 9 and 18 days, with an additional 3-day sample for severe patients. We believe that this information will provide more knowledge for future studies that will provide more robust and useful clinical information that may allow for better decisions at the front lines of health care. Results The recruitment began in June 2020 and is still in progress. It is expected to continue until February 2021. Data analysis is scheduled to start after all data have been collected. The coagulation study branch is complete and is already in the analysis phase. Conclusions This study is original in terms of the different parameters analyzed in the same sample of patients with COVID-19. The project, which is currently in the data collection phase, was approved by the Brazilian Committee of Ethics in Human Research (CAAE 30846920.7.0000.0008). Trial Registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-62zdkk; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-62zdkk International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/24211

Experts have called attention to the possible negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related cytokine storm syndrome on the progression of leprosy-related disabilities. We assessed the frequency of reactional states in patients co-infected with Mycobacterium leprae and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We consecutively included patients during the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil and analyzed the expressions of genes encoding interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12A, IL-12B, and tumor necrosis factor-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We included 64 leprosy patients and 50 controls. Twelve of the leprosy patients and 14 of the controls had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Co-infection was associated with increased IL-6 (P = 0.043) and IL-12B (P = 0.017) expression. The median disability grades were higher for leprosy/COVID-19 patients; however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.194). Patients co-infected with M. leprae and SARS-CoV-2 may experience a higher-grade proinflammatory state.

Background: Sleep disorders have multifactorial causes affecting 25 to 30%of the adult population, which can consist of primary or secondary conditions, representing a serious risk to public health. They are risk factors for the elderly population, estimating that 50% of this age group have symptoms related to sleep. Objectives: to verify the efficacy of expressive therapies (ET) in sleep disorders in hyperfrequent elderly (HE) of Primary Health Care (PHC). Methods: Quasi-experimental study, with 69 elderly people assisted at PHC in a metropolitan region of the Midwest, divided into two groups: intervention (hyperfrequent elderly) and control (non-hyperfrequent). The sleep questionnaires were used: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESE), Insomnia severity index (ISI) and STOP-Bang (SB), in addition to the investigation of sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. and related to health services. For data analysis, chi-square tests, multivariate analysis of variance and Wilks’ Lambda test were used, considering p ≤ 0.05. Results: The intervention group (IG) showed a decrease in the scores of PSQI (p = 0.003), ESE (p = 0.006), ISI (p

Our aim in this study was to assess the clinical and metabolic impact of bariatric surgery in older adults. This analytical, observational, longitudinal study was carried out with individuals aged 60 years and older who underwent bariatric surgery after 55 years of age at a specialist center for obesity management located in the Federal District of Brazil. Post-surgery changes in the following parameters from baseline: total body weight, excess weight lost, body mass index (BMI), number of medications, number of comorbidities, and weight regain. Mean values of the variables of interest before and after surgery were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test, Poisson regression and multiple linear regression to test the effect of different variables. Overall, 74 subjects were assessed (78.3% female, mean age 65.8 ± 3.9 years). The mean time from bariatric surgery to assessment was 75.7 months. The mean weight and BMI in the overall sample at baseline was 101.9 ± 17.1 kg and 39.8 ± 4.9 kg/m2, respectively. After the procedure, mean weight and BMI were reduced to 75.9 ± 12.9 kg and 29.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively. Reductions were also achieved in mean number of medications used (P

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:23:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-10-01 Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAP-DF) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerged as regulatory elements, with up to 70 % of all miRNAs found in the brain, playing key roles in the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: to broadly assess the expression levels of miRNAs in post-mortem brain (PMB) samples of individuals deceased with or without AD. Methods: A high-throughput micmarray platform was used to sketch miRNA samples isolated from superior and middle temporal gyrus of A+T+ AD cases, compared to samples from age- and sex-matched AD-devoid donors, all pulled from the University of Sao Paulo's Brain Biobank. The miRNAs identified by microarray were subjected to validation with specific qRT-PCR assays employing independent PMB samples. Results: The analyses yielded 6 miRNAs differentially expressed (miR-30e_3p; miR-365b_5p; miR-664_3p; miR1202; miR-4286; miR-4449), and their interplay with specific AD-related genes and signaling pathways was explored using bioinformatics analyses (including the KEGG package, mirPath v.3). In the end, 3 miRNAs, 7 target genes and 11 pathways were found closely interrelated and implicated with the AD pathophysiology. Conclusion: A dysregulation on a subset of these miRNAs appear to affect a range of genes (notably PTEN) and pathways (emphasis to PI3K-AKT) so to provide grounds for neuronal death by apoptotic signaling, autophagy and/or oxidative damage. Fed Univ Brasilia UnB, Brasilia, DF, Brazil State Univ Sao Paulo USP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil McGill Univ Hlth Ctr MUHC, Montreal, PQ, Canada State Univ Sao Paulo USP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAP-DF): 193.000.967/2015 CNPq: 445692/2014-6 CAPES: 001 CNPq: 303,540/2019 2

At a recent symposium on aging biology, a debate was held as to whether or not we know what biological aging is. Most of the participants were struck not only by the lack of consensus on this core question, but also on many basic tenets of the field. Accordingly, we undertook a systematic survey of our 71 participants on key questions that were raised during the debate and symposium, eliciting 37 responses. The results confirmed the impression from the symposium: there is marked disagreement on the most fundamental questions in the field, and little consensus on anything other than the heterogeneous nature of aging processes. Areas of major disagreement included what participants viewed as the essence of aging, when it begins, whether aging is programmed or not, whether we currently have a good understanding of aging mechanisms, whether aging is or will be quantifiable, whether aging will be treatable, and whether many non-aging species exist. These disagreements lay bare the urgent need for a more unified and cross-disciplinary paradigm in the biology of aging that will clarify both areas of agreement and disagreement, allowing research to proceed more efficiently. We suggest directions to encourage the emergence of such a paradigm.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients experience hemodynamic instability and intradialytic exercise seems to attenuate it. This study aimed to verify the acute hemodynamic response to different intradialytic handgrip exercise intensities in HD patients. In a randomized, cross-over, experimental pilot study, eight patients completed two experimental sessions and one control in random order: (a) regular HD; (b) low-intensity isometric handgrip exercise; and (c) moderate-intensity isometric handgrip exercise. BP and heart rate variability were recorded immediately before and every 15 minutes. Isometric handgrip exercise protocols, regardless of the intensity, did not lead to significant changes in hemodynamic stability, nor when compared to the control condition (P > .05). The systolic BP and double product significantly increased immediately after the moderate-intensity protocol (122.0 ± 15.9 vs 131.3 ± 19.8, P

In the search for molecular markers that aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of various human diseases, many studies have focused on changes in genes, their transcripts and protein products. Recent advances in proteomic methodologies, such as mass spectrometry (MS), generate new opportunities to obtain relevant information on normal and abnormal processes that occur in many important cell pathways. The human eye is a highly specialized and compartmentalized organ, and the interpretation of molecular biomarkers helps to evaluate its cellular structure, providing a broader molecular understanding that corroborates in the pathophysiology of ophthalmological diseases, with marked improvements in their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. This review summarizes the most important protein biomarkers in Ophthalmology screened by MS tools. The use of translational medicine techniques (as MS), integrating basic and clinical research, still transforms scientific findings, from laboratory researches to clinical applications, from the bedside into the community.

Zolpidem is widely used to treat insomnia of older adults despite that few randomized controlled studies were conducted in this group. We systematically reviewed the relevant literature on efficacy/effectiveness and safety of zolpidem use by elderly individuals in relevant databases completed with a manual search of key journals. Studies were required to include individuals aged ≥60 years under intervention with zolpidem compared to placebo or other hypnosedatives. Outcomes were either objectively- or subjectively-assessed improvements in specific sleep parameters and safety for clinical use. The 31 reports selected for review were mostly of low-quality. The evidence suggests that zolpidem is useful typically by reducing sleep latency and episodes of wake after sleep onset, and increasing total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Regarding safety and tolerability, analyses suggest a low risk of daytime sleepiness and of deleterious effects on memory or psychomotor performance, provided that recommended dosage and precautions are followed. Few retrospective studies associate zolpidem use with risk of falls, fractures, dementia, cancer, and stroke. Zolpidem appears effective at lower doses and for short-term treatment among the elderly. Rigorous, new clinical trials are warranted to further document the specific effects of zolpidem in older individuals.

Background and Aim. Frailty is a geriatric condition resulting from physiological changes covering the musculoskeletal, immune, and neuroendocrine systems, leading to a greater inflammatory state. The present research aimed to investigate the association of components of Fried’s frailty (as well as of the phenotype as a whole) with total serum levels of a panel of inflammatory mediators. Methods. One hundred and sixty-one very old patients (aged ≥80 years) devoid of cognitive decline were eligible for analyses. Clinical and biochemical data along with physical and cognitive assessments encompassing dual-energy X-ray scans and hand dynamometry were adopted to investigate frailty criteria, while circulating immune mediators (IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα) were assessed using high-throughput flow cytometry. Results. Preliminarily, IL-6 correlated positively with waist-to-hip ratio and C-reactive protein and negatively with glycemia. In analyses controlled for these factors, serum levels of IL-6 were comparatively augmented among the very old participants with reduced grip strength (OR = 3.299; 95% CI 1.08–6.09;p=0.032) and among those with slow walk speed (OR = 2.460; 95% CI 1.16–7.05;p=0.022). Conclusions. Our study shows a strong negative correlation of IL-6 levels with Fried’s frailty components of grip strength and walk speed in very old adults, regardless of confounding factors.

The apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene contains several polymorphic sites described as risk modifiers for cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to verify the association of the classic APOB Xba I polymorphism (rs693) with atherosclerotic risk factors in a segment of the Brazilian elderly population considering their usual dietary intake. Clinical and biochemical characteristics as well as total caloric and fat intake data were determined from 644 elderly individuals. Polymorphism analysis was performed by conventional polymerase chain reaction followed by enzyme restriction. Statistical analyses compared measures and proportions according to different APOB genotypic combinations. Statistically significant association was found between Xba I polymorphism and serum LDL, total cholesterol, and total lipid levels, with important elevations among T homozygotes compared to the other genotypes. There was homogeneity in all other parameters analyzed (including intake pattern), with a tendency for reduced levels of circulating apolipoprotein B among TT individuals. Our results pointed out that genetic variation in APOB affected the lipemic profile of elderly individuals in a context not biased by diet, generating a pattern suggestive of secretory disorder of lipoprotein particles, with possible implication in atherosclerotic risk.

Background and Aim. Due to the high incidence of vascular diseases, it is necessary to identify new circulating or structural markers for predicting risk for chronic diseases. Some studies suggest that MMP1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the enzyme expression levels in situ (e.g., in atherosclerotic plaques). Objectives. Thus, the study of this polymorphism may help understanding the pathophysiology of coronary disease. Methods. We performed cross-sectional clinical and laboratory evaluations (including measurement of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries) and genotyping of the MMP1 SNP rs495366 (A/G) in 366 elderly people. Results. No significant differences between genotypes were noted for biochemical, metabolic, inflammatory, or clinical variables except for a significant difference in intima-media thickness for the left carotid artery and a trend toward significance for the right counterpart. Conclusion. Carriers of the allele associated with lower MMP1 expression (allele A) presented greater carotid thickness. We suggest that the phenomenon can be explained by impaired remodeling of the arterial wall (poor degradation of collagen fibers in this scenario), yielding carotid wall thickening and a greater intrinsic risk for cerebrovascular events.

Objective: To analyze the impact of I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene on the responses of 24 h blood pressure, heart rate variability and nitric oxide after moderate aerobic exercise session. Method: Twenty seven hypertensive elderly were genotyped for the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (D/D: n = 9; I/D: n = 9; I/I: n = 9) and performed a bout of aerobic exercise at 90% of anaerobic threshold. Measurements of mean blood pressure, heart rate variability and nitric oxide were performed before and during 24 h post-aerobic exercise session. Results: The D/D genotype showed impaired mean arterial pressure responses (elevation) in the nocturnal sleep (10:30 pm to 06:30 am) post-aerobic exercise when compared to rest (D/D= −4.2 ± 8.1 mmHg; p > 0.05, I/D = −9.2 ± 9.1 mmHg; p 0.05), showed reduced elevation of nitric oxide between genotypes immediately after aerobic exercise (D/D = 12.8 ± 135.3 μM and I/D = −8.7 ± 69.0 μM vs. I/I = 132.9 ± 188.7 μM; p 0.05, I/D = –9.2 ± 9.1 mmHg; p 0.05, I/D = –9.2 ± 9.1 mmHg; p

This study verified the blood pressure response between high-intensity interval aerobic exercise and continuous aerobic exercise of moderate intensity in normotensive participants. For this, we evaluated 30 physically active (23.0 ± 6.5 years; 71.9 ± 7.2 kg: 1.74 ± 0.1 m; 23.9 ± 2.0% of body fat) normotensive men (systolic: 122 ± 9 and diastolic: 75 ± 9). After measuring maximum oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold, the sample was randomized into three conditions: (1) high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (HIIAE); (2) continuous aerobic exercise of moderate intensity (CAEMI); and (3) Control. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured at rest and 15′, 30′, 45′ 1, 2, 3, and 4-h post-exercise. There was a decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure up to 3 h in the CAEMI session (systolic: 112 ± 9 and diastolic: 70 ± 9; p 0.05). CAEMI and HIIAE induced similar post-exercise hypotension; however, HIIAE provided longer post-exercise hypotension.