Tag: nevin manimala

J Alzheimers Dis. 2023 Jun 24. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230322. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The longevity gene Klotho (KL) was recently associated with neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Its role in the brain has not been completely elucidated, although evidence suggests that KL-VS heterozygosity is associated with a reduced risk of AD in Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers. Conversely, no data about genetic association with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are available so far.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of KL in AD and FTD by the determination of the genetic frequency of KL-VS variant and the expression analysis of KL gene.

METHODS: A population consisting of 438 patients and 240 age-matched controls was enrolled for the study. KL-VS and APOE genotypes were assessed by allelic discrimination through a QuantStudio 12K system. KL gene expression analysis was performed in a restricted cohort of patients consisting of 43 AD patients, 41 FTD patients and 19 controls. KL gene expression was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with specific TaqMan assay. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad 9 Prims software.

RESULTS: KL-VS frequency was comparable to the ones found in literature and no differences were found in both allelic and genotypic frequencies between patients and controls were found. Conversely, KL expression levels were significantly lower in AD and FTD patients compared with controls (mean fold regulation – 4.286 and – 6.561 versus controls in AD and FTD, respectively, p = 0.0037).

CONCLUSION: This is the first study investigating KL in FTD. We showed a decreased expression of the gene in AD and FTD, independent of the genotype, suggesting a role of Klotho in common steps during neurodegeneration.

PMID:37393504 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-230322

J Alzheimers Dis. 2023 Jun 26. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230266. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fear of falling (FoF) is a condition associated with falls, multi-morbidity, and functional impairment. To date it remains unknow which clinical, somatic, socio-demographic, behavioral, and emotional factors are associated with FoF and how these factors interact in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

OBJECTIVE: Identify the association of FoF with clinical, socio-demographic, and neuropsychiatric factors in patients with AD and bvFTD.

METHODS: We evaluated 98 participants, 58 with AD and 40 with bvFTD at mild or moderate stages and assess FoF using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Additionally, we analyzed cognitive, physical performance variables, functional impairment, and affective and behavioral symptoms associated with FoF using standardized scales and a regression model analysis.

RESULTS: The prevalence of FoF in AD and bvFTD was 51% and 40%, respectively. In the AD group, physical performance [F (3, 53) = 4.318, p = 0.009], the behavioral symptoms model [F (19, 38) = 3.314, p = 0.001], and the anxiety model [F (1, 56) = 13.4, p≤0.01] showed statistically significant values. In addition, the presence of hallucinations assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and social behavior assessed with the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist were significant. In contrast, in the bvFTD group, a homologous group of models was evaluated but we did not find any significant results.

CONCLUSION: FoF in people with AD was related to physical performance, neuropsychiatric symptoms such as apathy and hallucinations, and affective symptoms such as anxiety. However, this pattern was not seen in the bvFTD group, and therefore further studies are required.

PMID:37393502 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-230266

J Alzheimers Dis. 2023 Jun 30. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Most previous studies supported that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is over-activated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and exacerbates the development of AD. It is unclear whether the causal associations between the mTOR signaling-related protein and the risk for AD exist.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the causal effects of the mTOR signaling targets on AD.

METHODS: We explored whether the risk of AD varied with genetically predicted AKT, RP-S6K, EIF4E-BP, eIF4E, eIF4A, and eIF4 G circulating levels using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. The summary data for targets of the mTOR signaling were acquired from published genome-wide association studies for the INTERVAL study. Genetic associations with AD were retrieved from the International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project. We utilized the inverse variance weighted as the primary approach to calculate the effect estimates.

RESULTS: The elevated levels of AKT (OR = 0.910, 95% CI=0.840-0.986, p = 0.02) and RP-S6K (OR = 0.910, 95% CI=0.840-0.986, p = 0.02) may decrease the AD risk. In contrast, the elevated eIF4E levels (OR = 1.805, 95% CI=1.002-1.174, p = 0.045) may genetically increase the AD risk. No statistical significance was identified for levels of EIF4-BP, eIF4A, and eIF4 G with AD risk (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: There was a causal relationship between the mTOR signaling and the risk for AD. Activating AKT and RP-S6K, or inhibiting eIF4E may be potentially beneficial to the prevention and treatment of AD.

PMID:37393500 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-230128

J Alzheimers Dis. 2023 Jun 27. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230039. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation (DNAm), an epigenetic mark reflecting both inherited and environmental influences, has shown promise for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prediction.

OBJECTIVE: Testing long-term predictive ability (>15 years) of existing DNAm-based epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) measures and identifying novel early blood-based DNAm AD-prediction biomarkers.

METHODS: EAA measures calculated from Illumina EPIC data from blood were tested with linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) in a longitudinal case-control sample (50 late-onset AD cases; 51 matched controls) with prospective data up to 16 years before clinical onset, and post-onset follow-up. Novel DNAm biomarkers were generated with epigenome-wide LMMs, and Sparse Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis applied at pre- (10-16 years), and post-AD-onset time-points.

RESULTS: EAA did not differentiate cases from controls during the follow-up time (p > 0.05). Three new DNA biomarkers showed in-sample predictive ability on average 8 years pre-onset, after adjustment for age, sex, and white blood cell proportions (ps: 0.022-<0.00001). Our longitudinally-derived panel replicated nominally (p = 0.012) in an external cohort (n = 146 cases, 324 controls). However, its effect size and discriminatory accuracy were limited compared to APOEɛ4-carriership (OR = 1.38 per 1 SD DNAm score increase versus OR = 13.58 for ɛ4-allele carriage; AUCs = 77.2% versus 87.0%). Literature review showed low overlap (n = 4) across 3275 AD-associated CpGs from 8 published studies, and no overlap with our identified CpGs.

PMID:37393498 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-230039

J Alzheimers Dis. 2023 Jun 27. doi: 10.3233/JAD-221210. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Race/ethnicity is associated with differences in reproductive history and cognition individually, yet it remains an understudied factor in the relationship between parity and later-life cognition.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the association between parity and cognition differs between racial/ethnic groups.

METHODS: Participants included 778 older, postmenopausal women from the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Latina: n = 178, Non-Latino Black [NLB]: n = 169, Non-Latino White [NLW]: n = 431) who self-reported at least one birth. Cognitive outcomes included working memory, learning memory, and verbal fluency. Covariates included age, education, cardiovascular and other reproductive health factors, adult socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms. We fit a series of linear models to examine a) whether parity was associated with cognitive functioning, b) if this association varied by race/ethnicity through parity by race/ethnicity interactions, and c) individual parity with cognition associations stratified by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS: In the full sample, parity was significantly negatively associated with Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) performance (b = -0.70, p = 0.024) but not Animal Fluency or word-list learning and memory. Tests of race/ethnicity-by-parity interactions were not statistically significant (ps > 0.05). However, stratified analyses by race/ethnicity showed a differential effect of parity on DSST performance, such that parity was significantly negatively associated with DSST performance (b = -1.66, p = 0.007) among Latinas but not in NLWs (b = -0.16, p = 0.74) or NLBs (b = -0.81, p = 0.191).

CONCLUSION: Among Latina, but not NLB or NLW women, greater parity was associated with worse processing speed/executive functioning later in life. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms driving racial/ethnic differences.

PMID:37393496 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-221210

Work. 2023 Jun 24. doi: 10.3233/WOR-230022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adaption to clinical work during the internship can induce several stressors among medical students, especially in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Particularly, job stress could be linked to the development of psychological traits and the formation of the professional identity of medical interns.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between job stress, psychological capital, and professional identity through a mediation analysis of Chinese medical interns.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 hospitals and clinics in China from June 2021 to March 2022. A total of 665 medical interns filled out questionnaires related to demographic questions, psychological capital, job stress, and professional identity. Data analysis was executed using the IBM SPSS version 22.0 software and its add-in PROCESS Windows version 4.0.

RESULTS: The findings indicated a statistically significant mediating effect of psychological capital between job stress and professional identity. Job stress and job stress combined with psychological capital accounted for 5.3% and 37.9%, respectively, of the variance in professional identity. The bootstrapping method corroborated the significance of the indirect effect of job stress through psychological capital (95% bootstrap CI = -4.7921, -2.4345).

CONCLUSION: The current findings underscore the need for increased attention on improving the psychological capital of medical interns.

PMID:37393480 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-230022

Work. 2023 Jun 24. doi: 10.3233/WOR-230015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction and physical inactivity are often a major public health problem.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between internet addiction (IA) and physical activity (PA) levels of university students in a province in eastern Turkey.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 638 students. Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were administered. Chi-square, independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance tests (ANOVA), Tukey HSD test, multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS: 64.6% of the participants were female, with a mean age of 20.4±2.4 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.3±3.5. 83.4% of the participants were identified as those asymptomatic, 15.2% showed limited symptoms, and 1.4% were pathological internet users according to IAT. A statistically significant difference was found between IAT scores and gender, mother’s education level, father’s education level, academic success, smoking status, and alcohol use (p < 0.05). According to IPAQ scores, 28.1% of the students were inactive, 56.3% were moderate PA and 15.7% had vigorous PA levels. IPAQ total scores of male participants, smokers, and participants with exercise habits were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05). The mean score IAT and IPAQ was found to be 30.9±18.9 and 1697.7±1847.0. A negative, significant correlation was found between students’ PA and IA levels (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: It has been observed that IA negatively affects PA. Seminars, conferences, and panels on the internet and physical activity should be organized for university students.

PMID:37393479 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-230015

Work. 2023 Jun 24. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220705. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic had a harmful impact on the psychological and physical health of children and teenagers. It is known that interruptions in rehabilitation can cause soft tissue contractures, bone deformities and a decline in motor functions among other complications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and physical activity levels of physically disabled children who continued and did not continue rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD: The gross motor levels of 18 children who continued special education and rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and 18 children who did not continue were determined with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ) and Children’s Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL) questionnaires were administered.

RESULTS: The study participants comprised 54.1% females and 45.9% males with a mean age of 9.02 years. No significant differences were detected between the two groups in respect of demographic, clinical and functional characteristics (p > 0.05). The walking parameters of PedsQL (p = 0.02) and IPAQ-SF scores (p = 0.03) were determined to be statistically significantly better in the group that continued rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the quality of life and walking capacity of children who continued rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic were better. Methods should be developed to ensure that rehabilitation is not interrupted during isolation periods of any future pandemic.

PMID:37393478 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-220705

Work. 2023 Jun 26. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220491. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early self-assessment for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is crucial in preventing severe symptoms and long-term consequences. Accessible tools are necessary for proactive management.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the OfficeCheck web application as a screening tool to classify office workers as capable of self-management for specific symptoms of WMSDs or requiring professional consultation.

METHODS: This study was conducted to determine the criterion-related validity of OfficeCheck using physical therapy assessment as the reference standard. In total, 223 office workers who work with a computer more than two hours a day with or without symptoms of WMSDs participated in this study. All of them were classified by self-assessment on the OfficeCheck process flow (Kappa = 0.841) and physical therapy assessment, respectively. For statistical analysis, classification numbers were calculated for sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

RESULTS: A total of 223 workers with a mean age of 38.9±9.0 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.3±5.2 kg/m2 were illustrated. The most common areas of complaint were neck/upper back and lower back/hip. The results indicated that OfficeCheck had high sensitivity (95.1%), low specificity (42.0%), low PPV (38.0%), and high NPV (95.8%). The FPR was 58.0% and the FNR was 4.9%.

CONCLUSION: OfficeCheck was found to have high sensitivity to classify office workers as capable of self-management for specific symptoms of WMSDs or requiring professional consultation. Use of OfficeCheck is thus recommended for self-detection and management to stop the consequences of WMSDs.

PMID:37393474 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-220491

Work. 2023 Jun 26. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220485. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Burnout is not only related to mental health but also to efficiency. Thus, recognizing effective coping strategies has a significant role in improving mental health, the efficiency and productivity of human resources, and making better the level of quality of service.

OBJECTIVE: To determine burnout syndrome and examine related factors among the employees of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 employees at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. They were selected by a stratified sampling method. The data collection tool was the demographic information and the Burnout Self-Test Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 software, descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson and Spearman regression.

RESULTS: The findings showed that emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in the majority of employees were high and personal accomplishment was low at 88.33% of cases. All participants presented burnout. However, participants aged 35-40 years, those with professional and Ph.D. degrees, and research staff reported higher burnout levels.

CONCLUSION: Job burnout and its subscale levels among the employees were high. Job burnout is associated with socioeconomic status that can be affected by individual, organizational, management, and environmental factors. Therefore, this study suggests that employees need to get out of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization conditions for higher job performance. Additionally, further research is required to examine the long-term effects of workplace burnout.

PMID:37393473 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-220485