BACKGROUND: The number of older people with cognitive impairment is increasing worldwide. Impaired lung function might be associated with cognitive decline in older age; however, results from large longitudinal studies are lacking. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations between pulmonary function and the trajectories of cognitive decline using prospective population-based SHARE data from 14 countries. METHODS: The analytic sample included N = 32,049 older adults (Mean age at baseline = 64.76 years). The dependent variable was cognitive performance, measured repeatedly across six waves in three domains: verbal fluency, memory, and numeracy. The main predictor of interest was peak expiratory flow (PEF). The data were analyzed in a multilevel accelerated longitudinal design, with models adjusted for a variety of covariates. RESULTS: A lower PEF score was associated with lower cognitive performance for each domain as well as a lower global cognitive score. These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for all covariates Q4 vs Q1 verbal fluency: unstandardized coefficient B = -3.15; numeracy: B = -0.52; memory: B = -0.64; global cognitive score B = -2.65, all p < .001). However, the PEF score was not found to be associated with the rate of decline for either of the cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this large multi-national longitudinal study, the PEF score was independently associated with lower levels of cognitive functions, but it did not predict a future decline. The results suggest that pre-existing differences in lung functions are responsible for variability in cognitive functions and that these differences remained stable across aging.

• MeSH
• kognice MeSH
• kognitivní dysfunkce * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• longitudinální studie MeSH
• plíce MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stárnutí * psychologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The first-line effector mechanisms of immune defence, including inflammation and oxidative burst, contribute significantly to host-pathogen resistance. Whether these immune responses undergo age-related changes in birds remains unknown. Here, we tracked selected inflammatory parameters in 54 free-living great tits (Parus major) of known age, captured repeatedly over three consecutive years, with the aims to investigate long-term repeatability and age-dependent changes in cellular oxidative burst responsiveness upon in vitro stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to identify its relationships with leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels and haematological traits. In addition, we linked these immunological traits to selected physiological markers (antioxidants and oxidative stress markers). LTB4 levels increased with age and we have shown a similar non-significant tendency also for absolute granulocyte counts, indicating propagating chronic inflammation over the bird's lifetime, consistent with the inflammaging hypothesis. In contrast, cellular oxidative burst followed a quadratic trend of dependency on age with a peak in midlife individuals, in line with the immunosenescence hypothesis. Interestingly, LTB4 levels were positively associated with general oxidative damage, but negatively with antioxidant glutathione peroxidase activity, indicating links to redox balance. This longitudinal study demonstrates the contrasting patterns of age-related changes in background and acute markers of pro-inflammatory immunity contributing to immunosenescence in birds and thus provides basis for interpretation of the tested inflammatory markers in cross-cohort datasets.

• MeSH
• imunosenescence * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• longitudinální studie MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• stárnutí MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In natural populations, individuals experience daily fluctuations in environmental conditions that synchronise endogenous biorhythms. Artificial alterations of environmental fluctuations can have negative consequences for life history traits, including lifespan. In laboratory studies of aging, the role of fluctuating temperature is usually overlooked and we know little of how thermal fluctuation modulates senescence in vertebrates. In this longitudinal study we followed individually-housed turquoise killifish, Nothobranchius furzeri, from two thermal regimes; ecologically relevant diel fluctuations (20 °C - 35 °C) and stable temperature (27.5 °C), and compared their survival, growth and reproduction. Fish experiencing fluctuating temperatures had a longer median lifespan but reached smaller asymptotic body size. Within-treatment variation indicated that extended lifespan in fluctuating temperatures was not causally linked to decreased growth rate or smaller body size, but occurred solely due to the effect of thermal fluctuations. Male body size was positively associated with lifespan in stable temperatures but this relationship was disrupted in fluctuating thermal regimes. Females exposed to fluctuating temperatures effectively compensated egg production for their smaller size. Thus, there was no difference in absolute fecundity between thermal regimes and body-size corrected fecundity was higher in females in fluctuating temperatures. Overall, despite a brief exposure to sub-optimal thermal conditions during fluctuations, fluctuating temperature had a positive effect on survival and reproduction. These results suggest that the expression of life history traits and their associations under stable temperatures are a poor representation of the relationships obtained from ecologically relevant thermal fluctuations.

• MeSH
• dlouhověkost MeSH
• Fundulidae * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• longitudinální studie MeSH
• rozmnožování MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The present study compared the effects of 12 weeks of muscle power training performing one or three sets on muscle quality assessed by echo intensity (MQEI) and index (MQindex), muscle power-related outcomes, and functional capacity in older women. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: 1SET (n = 13) and 3SET (n = 13). Lower limb muscle power and vertical jump height were measured during a countermovement jump, maximal rate of torque development (MRTD), and root mean square (RMS) of electromyography signals and rate of rise (RER) of quadriceps maximal electromyography activation during unilateral knee extension at 0-50 and 0-200 ms, MQEI, MQindex (absolute muscle power/MQEI, and MRTD/MQEI) and functionally in both groups using timed-up-and-go were evaluated before and after training. There were significant and similar (p < 0.05) increases in muscle power, vertical jump height, MQEI, MQindex, and functionally (p ≤ 0.0001) in both groups. In contrast, MRTD increased only in 1SET (p ≤ 0.001), and the RMS0-200 and RER0-50 increased for 3SET only (p ≤ 0.05), with no difference between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, similar neuromuscular adaptations and improvements in the functional performance occurred in both groups.

• MeSH
• čtyřhlavý sval stehenní fyziologie   MeSH
• elektromyografie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odporový trénink * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• svalová síla * MeSH
• točivý moment MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

BACKGROUND: The ongoing "Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty IN older people: multi-componenT Treatment strategies (SPRINTT)" randomized controlled trial (RCT) is testing the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention in the prevention of mobility disability in older adults with physical frailty & sarcopenia (PF&S). Here, we describe the procedures followed for PF&S case finding and screening of candidate participants for the SPRINTT RCT. We also illustrate the main demographic and clinical characteristics of eligible screenees. METHODS: The identification of PF&S was based on the co-occurrence of three defining elements: (1) reduced physical performance (defined as a score on the Short Physical Performance Battery between 3 and 9); (2) low muscle mass according to the criteria released by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health; and (3) absence of mobility disability (defined as ability to complete the 400-m walk test in 15 min). SPRINTT was advertised through a variety of means. Site-specific case finding strategies were developed to accommodate the variability across centers in catchment area characteristics and access to the target population. A quick "participant profiling" questionnaire was devised to facilitate PF&S case finding. RESULTS: During approximately 22 months, 12,358 prescreening interviews were completed in 17 SPRINTT sites resulting in 6710 clinic screening visits. Eventually, 1566 candidates were found to be eligible for participating in the SPRINTT RCT. Eligible screenees showed substantial physical function impairment and comorbidity burden. In most centers, project advertisement through mass media was the most rewarding case finding strategy. CONCLUSION: PF&S case finding in the community is a challenging, but feasible task. Although largely autonomous in daily life activities, older adults with PF&S suffer from significant functional impairment and comorbidity. This subset of the older population is therefore at high risk for disability and other negative health-related events. Key strategies to consider for successfully intercepting at-risk older adults should focus on mass communication methods.

• MeSH
• analýza nákladů a výnosů MeSH
• cvičení * MeSH
• křehký senior * MeSH
• kvalita života MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• omezení pohyblivosti * MeSH
• posuzování pracovní neschopnosti MeSH
• sarkopenie prevence a kontrola   terapie   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stárnutí MeSH
• úrazy pádem prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• výběr pacientů * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky, fáze III MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie MeSH

BACKGROUND: Nutrient status of B vitamins, particularly folate and vitamin B-12, may be related to cognitive ageing but epidemiological evidence remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the association of serum folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations with cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults from three Central and Eastern European populations. METHODS: Men and women aged 45-69 at baseline participating in the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study were recruited in Krakow (Poland), Kaunas (Lithuania) and six urban centres in the Czech Republic. Tests of immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency and letter search were administered at baseline and repeated in 2006-2008. Serum concentrations of biomarkers at baseline were measured in a sub-sample of participants. Associations of vitamin quartiles with baseline (n=4166) and follow-up (n=2739) cognitive domain-specific z-scores were estimated using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, folate was positively associated with letter search and vitamin B-12 with word recall in cross-sectional analyses. In prospective analyses, participants in the highest quartile of folate had higher verbal fluency (p<0.01) and immediate recall (p<0.05) scores compared to those in the bottom quartile. In addition, participants in the highest quartile of vitamin B-12 had significantly higher verbal fluency scores (β=0.12; 95% CI=0.02, 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Folate and vitamin B-12 were positively associated with performance in some but not all cognitive domains in older Central and Eastern Europeans. These findings do not lend unequivocal support to potential importance of folate and vitamin B-12 status for cognitive function in older age. Long-term longitudinal studies and randomised trials are required before drawing conclusions on the role of these vitamins in cognitive decline.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• geriatrické hodnocení MeSH
• hodnocení stavu výživy MeSH
• kognice * MeSH
• krátkodobá paměť MeSH
• kyselina listová krev   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lineární modely MeSH
• neuropsychologické testy MeSH
• nutriční stav MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stárnutí krev   psychologie   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• verbální chování MeSH
• vitamin B 12 krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

BACKGROUND: There is limited research examining the chemical load of toxic metals in the elderly. The aim of the present study was two-fold: to determine the body burden of lead, cadmium and mercury in association with age, gender, locality, lifestyle factors and potential health impacts among this population and to compare the values with blood values from the general Czech population aged 18-64 years. METHODS: Lead, cadmium and mercury were examined in the blood of institutionalized senior citizens (46 males, 151 females aged 61-100 years) from two localities in the Czech Republic (Prague and Teplice) from 2009 through 2011. Measurements were made using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Pb, Cd) and a single purpose spectrometer AMA 254 (Hg). RESULTS: Geometric means (GM) of whole blood lead (B-Pb), cadmium (B-Cd) and mercury (B-Hg) levels were 25.3μg/l, 0.55μg/l and 0.21μg/l, respectively. No age-related differences were found for B-Pb and B-Cd levels but a negative correlation with age was observed for B-Hg levels (p=0.04). B-Pb levels in men were significantly higher than in women (GM 29.9μg/l vs. 24.1μg/l). B-Cd was significantly higher in women (GM 0.57μg/l) than in men (0.50μg/l) (p=0.007) and in smokers (GM 1.29μg/l) than in nonsmokers (GM 0.53μg/l) (p=<0.001) and in seniors from Prague (GM 0.60μg/l) compared to those from Teplice (GM 0.43μg/l) (p=<0.001). Seniors with a history of chronic kidney disease, stroke and those using psycho-pharmaceuticals had higher B-Pb levels (p=0.008, 0.04 and 0.05, resp.), seniors diagnosed with atherosclerosis had higher B-Cd levels (p=0.002) and seniors using psycho-pharmaceuticals had higher B-Hg levels (p=0.07). B-Hg levels were also positively correlated with blood albumin levels (p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides data on levels of heavy metals in a group of elderly people. Such information is very scarce. Associations with diseases should be the subject of further investigation.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• charakteristiky bydlení MeSH
• domovy pro seniory * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• institucionalizace * MeSH
• kadmium krev   MeSH
• kouření škodlivé účinky   krev   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• obsah radioaktivních látek v organizmu MeSH
• olovo krev   MeSH
• pečovatelské domovy * MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• rtuť krev   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• stárnutí krev   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• životní styl MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

In humans, aging is accompanied by the deterioration of the hearing function--presbycusis. The major etiology for presbycusis is the loss of hair cells in the inner ear; less well known are changes in the central auditory system. Therefore, we used 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3T tomograph to examine metabolite levels in the auditory cortex of three groups of subjects: young healthy subjects less than 30 years old and subjects older than 65 years either with mild presbycusis corresponding to their age or with expressed presbycusis. Hearing function in all subjects was examined by pure tone audiometry (125-16,000 Hz). Significant differences were found in the concentrations of glutamate and N-acetylaspartate, with lower levels in aged subjects. Lactate was particularly increased in subjects with expressed presbycusis. Significant differences were not found in other metabolites, including GABA, between young and elderly subjects. The results demonstrate that the age-related changes of the inner ear are accompanied by a decrease in the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate as well as a lactate increase in the auditory cortex that is more expressed in elderly subjects with large hearing threshold shifts.

• MeSH
• audiometrie čistými tóny MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• glutamáty metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina asparagová analogy a deriváty   metabolismus   MeSH
• laktáty metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční spektroskopie * MeSH
• presbyakuze metabolismus   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sluchové korové centrum metabolismus   MeSH
• stárnutí metabolismus   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Age-related changes in the levels of major intracellular calcium buffers are known to occur in different parts of the mammalian brain, including the central auditory pathway. In the present study, we evaluate with immunohistochemistry and the western blot technique the effect that aging has on the calbindin- and calretinin-expressing system of neurons in the higher structures of the central auditory pathway, in the inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB) and auditory cortex (AC) of two rat strains, the slowly aging Long-Evans and the fast aging Fischer 344. Interestingly, the age-related changes demonstrated a similar character regardless of the rat strain. In the IC of young animals, the majority of calbindin and calretinin immuno-reactive (CB and CR-ir) cells were found in the dorsal and external cortices and only sparse positive cells were present in the central nucleus of the IC. With aging, the number of CB-ir and CR-ir neurons decreased significantly in both the dorsal and external cortices. Furthermore, these declines were accompanied by an age-related reduction in the mean volumes of CB- and CR-ir neuronal somas. In the MGB of young rats, CB-ir neurons were present in abundant numbers in both the dorsal and ventral subdivisions, while CR-ir neurons were practically absent in this structure. With aging, the number and mean volume of CB-ir cells in the ventral subdivision of the MGB were significantly decreased. In comparison with the IC and MGB, age-related numerical and volumetric declines of both CB-ir and CR-ir neurons in the AC were less pronounced. Western blot protein analysis revealed a pronounced age-related decline in the levels of calbindin in both strains and in all examined brain regions. In contrast, the decline in calretinin levels with aging was less prominent, with a significant decline only in the IC of both strains. The observed age-related changes in the calbindin- and calretinin-expressing systems may contribute significantly to the deterioration of hearing function known as central presbycusis.

• MeSH
• colliculus inferior metabolismus   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• metathalamus metabolismus   MeSH
• mozek metabolismus   MeSH
• neurony metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani inbrední F344 MeSH
• potkani Long-Evans MeSH
• S100 kalcium vázající protein G metabolismus   MeSH
• sluchové korové centrum metabolismus   MeSH
• stárnutí metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The behavioral consequences of age-related changes in the auditory system were studied in Fischer 344 (F344) rats as a model of fast aging and in Long Evans (LE) rats as a model of normal aging. Hearing thresholds, the strength of the acoustic startle responses (ASRs) to noise and tonal stimuli, and the efficiency of the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of ASR were assessed in young-adult, middle-aged, and aged rats of both strains. Compared with LE rats, F344 rats showed larger age-related hearing threshold shifts, and the amplitudes of their startle responses were mostly lower. Both rat strains demonstrated a significant decrease of startle reactivity during aging. For tonal stimuli, this decrease occurred at an earlier age in the F344 rats: middle-aged F344 animals expressed similar startle reactivity as aged F344 animals, whereas middle-aged LE animals had similar startle reactivity as young-adult LE animals. For noise stimuli, on the other hand, a similar progression of age-related ASR changes was found in both strains. No significant relationship between the hearing thresholds and the ASR amplitudes was found within any age group. Auditory PPI was less efficient in F344 rats than in LE rats. An age-related reduction of the PPI of ASR was observed in rats of both strains; however, a significant reduction of PPI occurred only in aged rats. The results indicate that the ASR may serve as an indicator of central presbycusis.

• MeSH
• akustická stimulace metody   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• potkani inbrední F344 MeSH
• potkani Long-Evans MeSH
• předčasné stárnutí patofyziologie   psychologie   MeSH
• presbyakuze patofyziologie   psychologie   MeSH
• reflex akustický fyziologie   MeSH
• sluchový práh fyziologie   MeSH
• stárnutí psychologie   MeSH
• úleková reakce fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH