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Centenarians and near-centenarians in India: empirical insights on health and well-being characteristics
We examined the socioeconomic and health characteristics of centenarians (100 years or above) and near-centenarians (90-99 years) in India. Utilizing data from the Wave-1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), we compared the distribution of centenarians and near-centenarians with those aged 60-89 years across socioeconomic, health, and subjective well-being indicators. Our findings revealed that most of the sample centenarians and near-centenarians were female, educated, and widowed....
Advances, challenges, and opportunities of human midbrain organoids for modelling of the dopaminergic system
Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral midbrain are critical for regulating movement, cognition, and emotion. Ventral midbrain organoids can be used to model both development and diseases of the dopaminergic system, especially Parkinson's disease. Here, we summarize recent advances and remaining challenges in developing such three-dimensional organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. We outline how ventral midbrain organoid systems have progressed from early three-dimensional culture models to...
The Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues Network
From fertilization onwards, the cells of the human body acquire variations in their DNA sequence, known as somatic mutations. These postzygotic mutations arise from intrinsic errors in DNA replication and repair, as well as from exposure to mutagens. Somatic mutations have been implicated in some diseases, but a fundamental understanding of the frequency, type and patterns of mutations across healthy human tissues has been limited. This is primarily due to the small proportion of cells...
WSTF nuclear autophagy regulates chronic but not acute inflammation
Acute inflammation is an essential response that our bodies use to combat infections¹. However, in the absence of infections, chronic inflammation can have a pivotal role in the onset and progression of chronic diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, autoimmune disorders, metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and most ageing-associated pathologies^(2,3). The underlying mechanisms that distinguish chronic inflammation from its acute counterpart remain unclear, posing challenges to...
Analysis of health information needs of elderly patients with chronic diseases based on Kano Model: a descriptive cross-sectional study
CONCLUSIONS: This study combines the Kano Model with the self-designed needs questionnaire to systematically classify and rank the health information needs of older patients with chronic diseases by priority. The results provide a novel analytical framework for related research. By clarifying the satisfaction paths of different types of needs, the study can serve as a valuable guide for optimising service supply and promoting the efficient allocation of health information resources. In...
Association between community-based health services and health lifestyles of older adults: evidence from China
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the role of public health services in shaping the health lifestyles of older adults, so as to promote healthy aging. The study also has limitations in the comprehensive assessment of health lifestyles, causal inference, and the acquisition of recent data.
Transforming aged care in China: insights from a TF-IDF-based data mining analysis of national policies (2018-2022)
CONCLUSIONS: This research provides critical insights for global policymakers facing similar demographic challenges, advocating for a resilient, holistic, and inclusive aged care system.
Development and validation of a predictive model for sarcopenia risk in older Chinese adults based on key factors
CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a practical and interpretable predictive model for sarcopenia, highlighting key modifiable risk factors such as BMI and sleep duration. The findings underscore the critical need for evidence-based, individualized prevention strategies and a multidisciplinary approach to mitigate sarcopenia in aging populations.
Impact of wearable-assisted walking on sarcopenia and body composition in older adults
CONCLUSIONS: Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, provide real-time feedback and enable tailored exercise recommendations, offering a practical and personalized strategy for mitigating sarcopenia. This study confirms that wearable-assisted walking programs effectively improve muscle health and functional performance in older adults, reinforcing their potential for promoting healthy aging.
Evaluating swallowing capacity in older adults with dysphagia: high protein, low carbohydrate smoothie formulas versus commercial formula
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that smoothie drinks, particularly WS (51-350 centipoise), may offer a viable alternative to commercial formula (1-50 centipoise) for older adults with dysphagia, potentially reducing premature spillage. The findings provide useful preliminary insights into the potential of these formulas to support safer swallowing. Further research, including longer-term studies, would help to more fully explore their nutritional benefits, safety, and applicability across...
Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study
CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that both psychological and physical factors are associated with experiencing loneliness, in addition to increased susceptibility upon village entry. Identification of these factors permits co-design and implementation of targeted initiatives to support residents' social wellbeing.
Status and factors associated with health service utilization among older adults in China: a recent national population-based survey
CONCLUSION: The overall level of health service utilization among older adults is low, so policies and decision-makers can consider improving the development of targeted measures for different service types to increase the utilization rate of medical care services for the elderly and promote the health equity of vulnerable groups.
Impact of socioeconomic status on obesity in older adults: the suppressive effect of social support and sleep quality
CONCLUSIONS: Greater social support and sleep quality lower the obesity risk associated with SES in older adults. Therefore, targeted prevention, control, and intervention measures, such as increasing social support and improving sleep quality, can be applied based on the characteristics of older adults of different socioeconomic statuses to minimize the socioeconomic status-associated obesity risks and thus achieve the goal of reducing obesity.
Predictors of transition from independence to limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) among independent community-dwelling older adults: longitudinal evidence from the Malaysia ageing and retirement survey (MARS)
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ADL limitation among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia was comparable to the other reported figures. Lower levels of physical activity and abnormal BMI were two modifiable predictors of transition to ADL limitation among independent older adults. As such, policy strategies to further enhance active lifestyles and maintain normal BMI levels, especially among independent older adults, should be explored.
Global burden of disease and its risk factors for adults aged 70 and older across 204 countries and territories: a comprehensive analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
CONCLUSIONS: The global disease burden among adults aged 70 and older has shown declines in death and DALY rates, yet remains a significant challenge exacerbated by population growth, especially in less developed regions. Implementing preventive strategies that target primary risk factors early and enhancing treatment of underlying conditions are crucial.
A secondary analysis of cortical atrophy and plasma amyloid β patterns in older patients with cognitive frailty undergoing elective surgery
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that atrophy in aging- and AD-related cortical regions is associated with cognitive frailty. Plasma amyloid β42/β40-ratios were significantly lower in patients with frailty and cognitive frailty, suggesting that (pre-)frailty in general, rather than cognitive frailty specifically, is associated with AD-like changes. Hence, AD-related pathology seems to be associated with cognitive frailty, but the available data is not sufficient to indicate shared pathomechanisms...
Validating Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) BioPsychoSocial Risk Screener Version II (BPS-RS II) with Diverse Multi-Ethnic Senior Populations in Singapore: A Mixed-Methods Study
CONCLUSIONS: Using BPS-RS II over I is recommended for biopsychosocial risk assessment and stratifying older people to interventions for population health management. The updated tool is theory-based, culturally sensitive to multi-ethnic contexts in Singapore, and shows improved associations with health-related outcomes, and strong associations with QoL.
Exploring the public's perception and understanding of Parkinson's disease in Ireland: a study protocol
BACKGROUND: There appears to be a lack of empirical investigation on how the public currently understands Parkinson's Disease (PD)and the impact this has on people with PD and their carers, across Ireland. This research hopes to build a greater public understanding of PD, reduce stigma and improve the quality of life for people with PD. The aim of this study is to (1) explore public perceptions, awareness and understanding about PD across the island of Ireland and (2) discover how this impacts...
Pancreatic surgery is safe in elderly patients with PDAC
CONCLUSION: With comprehensive preoperative evaluation and careful postoperative care, pancreatic surgery is safe for elderly patients in experienced pancreatic cancer centers.
Attitudes to aging, depression, and death anxiety among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional correlational study
CONCLUSION: This result highlights that interventions should be planned in order to reduce death anxiety among community-dwelling older adults by taking the attitude to ageing and the symptoms of depression into account.