Influence of exercise intensity on training-induced tendon mechanical properties changes in older individuals

This study compared the effects of low vs. high intensity training on tendon properties in an elderly population. Participants were pair-matched (gender, habitual physical activity, anthropometrics, and baseline knee extension strength) and then randomly assigned to low (LowR, i.e., ~40 % 1RM) or high (High R, i.e., ~80 % 1RM) intensity resistance training programmes for 12 weeks, 3× per week (LowR, n = 9, age 74 ± 5 years; HighR, n = 8, age 68 ± 6 years). Patellar tendon properties (stiffness [K], Young’s modulus [YM], cross-sectional area [T_CSA], and tendon length [T_L]) were measured pre and post training using a combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), B-mode ultrasonography, dynamometry, electromyography and ramped isometric knee extensions. With training K showed no significant change in the LowR group while it incremented by 57.7 % in the HighR group (p < 0.05). The 51.1 % group difference was significant (p < 0.05). These differences were still apparent when the data was normalized for T_CSA and T_L, i.e., significant increase in YM post-intervention in HighR (p < 0.05), but no change in LowR. These findings suggest that when prescribing exercise for a mixed genders elderly population, exercise intensities of ≤40 % 1RM may not be sufficient to affect tendon properties.     

Inflammation and interleukin-1 signaling network contribute to depressive symptoms but not cognitive decline in old age

The association between inflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms in old age is generally accepted but poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether inflammation precedes depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in old age, and to identify specific inflammatory pathways herein. We measured serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipopolysaccharide-induced production of Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), and IL-10 levels in 85-year-old participants free from neuropsychiatric symptoms at baseline (n=267). Participants were prospectively followed for depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) and cognitive functioning (Mini Mental State Examination) from 85 to 90 years. Higher baseline CRP levels preceded accelerated increase in depressive symptoms (p<0.001). A higher production capacity of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta preceded a greater increase of depressive symptoms (p=0.06), whereas that of its natural antagonist IL-1ra preceded a smaller increase of depressive symptoms (p=0.003). There was no relation of CRP, IL-1beta, and IL-1ra with cognitive decline. Our findings show that in old age inflammatory processes contribute to the development of depressive symptoms but not cognitive decline. A high innate IL-1ra to IL-1beta production capacity reflects a better ability to neutralize inflammation and may therefore protect against depressive symptoms.     

The relationship between gender and age with monocyte tissue factor expression

Background In normal healthy individuals, the level of tissue factor (TF) expression on monocytes is low. However, studies have shown that patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have elevated levels of TF. As the risk of CVD increases with age and is more prominent in the male population, it is postulated that TF expression may be positively correlated with these factors. However, very few studies have examined the relationship between age and gender on TF expression. Methods This study evaluated the influence of age and gender on TF expression using data obtained from female (n = 44) and male (n = 27) subjects. We also examined the influence of BMI and total fat intake on TF expression in the same subjects. Results The results of our study found no significant difference in TF expression between the male and female subgroups. No correlation was found between TF and age, BMI or total fat intake in the male or female groupings. Conclusion It may be postulated that the risk of CVD development in such populations may not be due to increases in TF expression with increasing age or gender differences.     

Impact of gender on sexual problems and perceptions among urban Malay elderly in Malaysia

BackgroundPhysical and pathological changes associated with advancing age affect sexual behaviours of the elderly. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of gender on sexual problems and perceptions among the urban Malay elderly.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 Malaysian elderly participants aged 60 years and older who live in Kuala Lumpur. Twelve neighbourhood associations were randomly selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Data was collected using standardized and validated questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique with which was conducted by trained interviewers.ResultsMean age of the participants was 65.33 (5.87) year old with majority were still married. Female (55.7%) reported more sexual problems as evidenced by the higher proportion of those with lacked interest in having sex (72.5%), find sex is unpleasant (34.8%) and unable to come to orgasm (55.1%). Gender was found to have significant impact on every model obtained in the analysis for both sexual problems and perceptions. Female elderly were 10.6 times more likely to have sexual problem compared to male elderly (OR = 10.64, P < 0.001, 95% CI 3.61, 31.35) and 033 less likely to have good sexual perception (OR = 0.33, P = 0.027, 95% CI 0.12, 0.88).ConclusionGender is a crucial factor towards sexual problem and perceptions among older persons. Older women were reported to have more sexual problems and poor sexual perceptions, reflecting the needs for sexual awareness and education to improve the perceptions and sexuality in later life.     

Differential patterns of age-related mortality increase in middle age and old age

It is often assumed that aging is a uniform process throughout adulthood because of the approximately linear increase of logarithmic mortality. We explored this assumption by analyzing cause-specific mortality increases in France (1979-1994). Rising rapidly at ages 30-54 years ("middle age") are death rates from malignant neoplasms at various sites, acute myocardial infarction, hypertensive disease, and liver cirrhosis. Steeply increasing at 65-89 years ("old age") are death rates from certain infectious diseases, particularly of the respiratory system; certain types of accidents; nonalcoholic mental disorders (probably due mainly to Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia); heart failure; cerebrovascular disease; and some "vague" categories. The processes at work may be fundamentally different in these two life history stages, such that the mortality rise in middle age reflects specific chronic diseases that develop prematurely in some high-risk individuals, whereas the mortality increase in old age is dominated by senescent processes that eventually raise the vulnerability of almost all individuals to multiple pathologies.     

南宁市健康体检老年人胆石症患病情况调查及其与性别和年龄关系的分析

目的调查南宁市健康体检老年人胆石症患病情况及其与性别、年龄的关系,为临床诊治策略的制定提供依据。方法统计2011年全年在广西壮族自治区人民医院健康体检中心进行健康体检的本市60岁及以上老年人2 257名（男1 294名,女963名）的胆石症患病率,按年龄分为三组：A组60~69岁,B组70~79岁,C组≥80岁,采用SPSS for windows 17.0统计学软件对数据进行分析。结果 （1）该组老年人群中胆石症总的患病率为12.5%,除肝内胆管结石和胆总管结石各1例外,其余全部为胆囊结石。（2）男性和女性胆石症患病率分别为8.2%和18.2%,女性胆石症患病率显著高于男性,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。女性各年龄组胆石症患病率均高于同年龄组男性,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;女性各年龄组间胆石症患病率比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,女性胆石症患病率随年龄增长而升高,80~93岁组患病率最高。男性各年龄组间胆石症患病率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论南宁市健康体检老年人胆石症以胆囊结石为主,胆管结石所占比例小。女性老年人胆石症患病率显著高于男性,女性老年人胆石症患病率随年龄增长而升高。     

High fat diet feeding results in gender specific steatohepatitis and inflammasome activation

AIM: To develop an animal model that encompasses the different facets of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has been a challenge.METHODS: In this study, we used a high fat diet (HFD) feeding supplemented with fructose and sucrose in the water mimicking the high-fructose corn syrup that is abundant in the diet in the United States. We used C57Bl/6 wild-type mice for short and long-term feedings of 6 and 16 wk respectively, and evaluated the extent of liver damage, steatosis, and inflammasome activation. Our methods included histopathological analysis to assess liver damage and steatosis, which involved H and E and oil-red-o staining; biochemical studies to look at ALT and triglyceride levels; RNA analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction; and cytokine analysis, which included the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method to look at interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels. Furthermore, at each length of feeding we also looked at insulin resistance and glucose tolerance using insulin tolerance tests (ITT) and glucose tolerance tests.RESULTS: There was no insulin resistance, steatosis, or inflammasome activation at 6 wk. In contrast, at 16 wk we found significant insulin resistance demonstrated by impaired glucose and ITT in male, but not female mice. In males, elevated alanine aminotransferase and triglyceride levels, indicated liver damage and steatosis, respectively. Increased liver TNFα and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA and protein, correlated with steatohepatitis. The inflammasome components, adaptor molecule, Aim2, and NOD-like receptor 4, increased at the mRNA level, and functional inflammasome activation was indicated by increased caspase-1 activity and IL-1β protein levels in male mice fed a long-term HFD. Male mice on HFD had increased α-smooth muscle actin and pro-collagen-1 mRNA indicating evolving fibrosis. In contrast, female mice displayed only elevated triglyceride levels, steatosis, and no fibrosis.CONCLUSION: Our data indicate gender differences in NASH. Male mice fed a long-term HFD display steatohepatitis and inflammasome activation, whereas female mice have steatosis without inflammation.     

注射毒品者AIDS/STD感染状况及其高危行为的性别差异

目的 了解注射毒品者的艾滋病病毒（HIV）和梅毒感染情况及其影响因素的性别差异,探索性别因素在艾滋病（AIDS）和性病防治中的作用.方法 对2001年5月至2002年6月,对北京市强制戒毒所和社区招募的注射毒品者232人进行匿名问卷调查,调查结束后采取静脉血5ml,检测HIV和梅毒螺旋体感染情况.结果 男性注射毒品者166人,HIV感染率为7.83%,梅毒螺旋体感染率2.41%;女性注射毒品者66人,HIV感染率6.06%,梅毒螺旋体感染率为12.12%.梅毒螺旋体感染率的性别差异有统计学意义,女性高于男性.而且,在人口学特征、毒品使用行为、性行为等方面都存在显著的性别差异.结论 注射毒品者的艾滋病高危行为模式有性别差异,女性的高危性行为在艾滋病传播中的意义和作用,在艾滋病的防治工作中应予以考虑.     

不同年龄和性别中老年2型糖尿病合并高尿酸血症的特点

目的了解不同年龄不同性别中老年2型糖尿病合并高尿酸血症的特点。方法对2003年9月至2011年12月于我科就诊的3768例年龄≥40岁的2型糖尿病患者临床资料进行分析,根据尿酸水平将患者分为高尿酸组（A组,男性尿酸〉420μmol／L,女性尿酸〉357μmol／L）和尿酸正常组（B组）,排序后再进行五分位分组;年龄按40～70岁每5岁分组共分为7组,比较各组高尿酸血症患病率、BMI、腰臀比（WHR）、血压和生化指标。尿酸与血糖、HbAle、胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）的相关性采用Pearson相关分析,采用logistic回归方法分析尿酸的影响因素。结果男性尿酸水平明显高于女性（t=-11．091,P〈0．05）,随年龄变化为先下降后上升;女性尿酸随着年龄增长而上升。男性A组较女性A组平均年龄小、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）低（t=2．526、2．764,均P〈0．05）。女性A组空腹、餐后血糖和男性A组HbAlC均低于B组（t=2．147、3．284、2．982,均P〈0．05）,男女A组空腹、餐后胰岛素、HOMA-IR和甘油三酯（TG）、尿素氮（BUN）、肌酐（Ser）均明显高于B组（均P〈0．05）,而HDL-C、肾小球滤过率（e-GFR）明显低于B组（均P〈0．05）。男性A组白蛋白／肌酐（Alb／Cr）明显高于B组（t=-3．922;P〈0．05）,女性两组无差异。logistic回归分析示男性尿酸与BMI、TG、A1b／Cr呈正相关（OR=1．128、1．231、1．004,均P〈0．05）,与HbAlC和e-GFR呈负相关（OR=0．811、0．973,均P〈0．05）;女性尿酸与BMI、TG、HDL-C呈正相关（OR=1．171、1．179、0．264,均P〈0．05）,与e-GFR呈负相关（OR：0．978;P〈0．05）。结论糖尿病合并高尿酸血症的患者有更严重的胰岛素抵抗、血脂异常以及e—GFR下降。男女糖尿病患者的尿酸水平及其年龄、体重、血压等对尿酸水平的影响有所不同。     

Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) levels in a general adult population: curves percentile by gender and age. The EPIRCE study

Aims

To describe the distribution of HOMA-IR levels in a general nondiabetic population and its relationships with metabolic and lifestyles characteristics.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. Data from 2246 nondiabetic adults in a random Spanish population sample, stratified by age and gender, were analyzed. Assessments included a structured interview, physical examination, and blood sampling. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to assess the effect of lifestyle habits and clinical and demographic measurements on HOMA-IR. Multivariate GAMs and quantile regression analyses of HOMA-IR were carried out separately in men and women.

Results

This study shows refined estimations of HOMA-IR levels by age, body mass index, and waist circumference in men and women. HOMA-IR levels were higher in men (2.06) than women (1.95) (P = 0.047). In women, but not men, HOMA-IR and age showed a significant nonlinear association (P = 0.006), with increased levels above fifty years of age. We estimated HOMA-IR curves percentile in men and women.

Conclusions

Age- and gender-adjusted HOMA-IR levels are reported in a representative Spanish adult non-diabetic population. There are gender-specific differences, with increased levels in women over fifty years of age that may be related with changes in body fat distribution after menopause.     

Effect of age and gender on the QTc-interval in healthy individuals and patients with long-QT syndrome

Age- and gender-related differences in QTc-interval are most likely the result of changes in sex-specific hormones. Although the exact mechanisms and pathophysiology of sex hormones on the QTc-interval are not known, testosterone appears to shorten the QTc-interval. In females, however, there is a more complex interaction between progesterone and estrogen. In patients with an impaired repolarization, such as long-QT syndrome (LQTS), the effect of these sex hormones on the QTc-interval is more pronounced with a differing sensitivity between the LQTS genotypes.     

不同年龄、性别的冠心病患者住院费用分析

目的分析不同年龄、性别及其他临床情况对于冠状动脉造影患者住院费用的影响。方法研究对象为2001年1月1日至2006年12月3113北京协和医院心内科住院患者,年龄在40-79岁之间,有完整的各项住院费用记录。住院费用包括药费、检查费、治疗费、床位费、材料费、其他费用以及总费用。所有患者均进行了冠状动脉造影（CAG）,部分患者进行了冠脉介入处理。结果40-59岁男性患者1130例,60－79岁男性患者1167例,40-59岁女性患者420例,60-79岁女性患者903例,各组患高血压病、心肌梗死、脑中风、糖尿病等疾病的比例差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。不同年龄性别组住院总费用在23237．11～47282．72元,从多到少排序分别为60－79岁男性患者、60～79岁女性患者、40～59岁男性患者和40～59岁女性患者。冠脉无明显狭窄患者以及CAG明显狭窄但未进行介入处理的患者,各组间总费用虽然有一定的差异,但无统计学意义。CAG明显狭窄并进行介入处理的患者,总费用在各组问差异有统计学意义,年龄大组的各项费用大于年轻组的费用。同一年龄性别组的不同冠脉处理情况的住院费用比较,有冠脉狭窄未介入处理亚组住院总费用为14771．99-21967．94元,冠状动脉无明显狭窄亚组住院总费用为8787．55—10757．86元,前者是后者的1．68－2．28倍,材料费是2．16-3．99倍,治疗费是1．12～2．51倍,检查费是1．31-1．56倍,药费是1．89~2．14倍,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;冠状动脉介入处理亚组住院总费用（57356．76-67420．77元）是冠状动脉无明显狭窄亚组的6．13-7．01倍,材料费是13．99-17．251倍,治疗费是3．53－4．50倍,检查费是1．40～1．87倍,药费是2．52～2．90倍,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。住院总费用与是否介入、性别、年龄、高血压、心肌梗死、中风病史、外周血管病史、糖尿病和肾功不全等均有一定相关性,住院总费用与以上各项参数进行多元逐步回归分析,住院费用与是否冠脉介入、心肌梗死史、年龄、高血压、糖尿病、是否有外周血管病和肾功能不全7项参数有独立相关性。结论年龄越大,住院费用越高,性别不是住院总费用的独立影响因素;影响住院总费用的其他独立因素包括是否进行冠脉介入,是否有心肌梗死史、高血压、糖尿病、外周血管病和肾功能不全。     

老年人血清皮质醇水平与年龄、性别及疾病的相关性探讨

目的　探讨老年人早晨 (8:0 0 )血清皮质醇水平变化及年龄、性别和疾病对其的影响。方法　用ELISA法检测 1 4 5例中国人 (31 1 1 0岁 )早晨 (8:0 0 )血清皮质醇水平。结果　早晨血清皮质醇水平随着年龄增长呈上升趋势 ,与成年组 (<60岁 )比较 60岁、70岁组和 >80岁组的皮质醇水平明显增高 (P <0 0 0 1 ) ,>80岁组的皮质醇水平显著高于 60岁和 70岁组 (P <0 0 1 ) ;60岁健康组中女性血清皮质醇水平明显低于男性 (P <0 0 5) ;老年患者 (主要为心血管系统疾病 )与同龄健康老年人相比血清皮质醇水平明显升高 (P <0 0 1 )。结论　年龄、疾病以及性别对早晨血清皮质醇具有影响作用 ,增龄、心血管疾病和男性与血清皮质醇水平呈正相关。     

Influence of gender and age of onset on the outcome in children with systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of our study was to determine the influence of gender and age of onset on the outcome in Saudi children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medical records of children with SLE treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center were reviewed. Outcome measures included Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index score (SLICC/ACR), renal disease requiring dialysis, or transplant and death related to SLE. Patients were classified based on age at disease onset into early onset (<5 years) and late onset (>5 years). Data were analyzed, and comparison was made according to the gender and age groups. Eighty-nine patients (76 female and 13 male) were included. The median disease duration was 5 years. Twelve patients had early-onset disease. There was no difference in the mean age, age at diagnosis, disease duration, and follow-up between the different groups. Logistic regression analysis showed significant association of high SLICC/ACR score with early-onset disease and male gender, while renal disease requiring dialysis and renal transplant was associated significantly with male gender independently of age of disease onset. In contrast, death related to SLE was influenced by early-onset disease. Male children and early onset disease of this cohort had poorer outcome. This finding indicates that gender and early-onset disease influence the long-term outcome of SLE in children.     

Sexual activity among older Thais: The influence of age, gender and health

This study examines sexual activity among thepopulation aged 50 and over in Thailand inrelation to age, gender and health status. Itis the first study of older persons based on alarge nationally representative survey in anynon-Western or developing country. The resultsindicate substantial proportions of oldermarried Thais remain sexually active, but atlower levels than found in Western countries. Sexual activity and desire decline steadilywith age for both married men and women but atany given age both are lower for women. Overall, the sexual desire of husbands is a farmore important determinant of marital sexualactivity than that of wives. Poor healthdepresses activity and desire but does notaccount for the decline of either with age. Forthe majority of older married Thai men andwomen behavior and desires are concordant. Discordance levels for married women exceedthose for men, however, and arise primarilyfrom being active but lacking desire. Possiblereasons for lower sexual activity relative toWestern countries are considered. Implicationsfor the quality of life of older persons andthe AIDS epidemic are discussed together withmethodological lessons for research on olderage sexual behavior.     

The relationship between age and running time in elite marathoners is U-shaped

GeroScience - Several investigations have demonstrated that running performance gradually decreases with age by using runners &gt;25 years grouped in 5-year age brackets. The aim of this study...     

Leisure participation and subjective well-being: Exploring gender differences among elderly in Shanghai,China

ObjectivesTo explore the association between leisure participation and subjective well-being and the role gender in this issue among elderly Chinese in Shanghai, China.MethodsPrincipal components analysis and logistic regressions are used to analyze the cross-sectional data of the 2013 Shanghai Elderly Life and Opinion Survey that contains 2884 respondents (60+ with a mean age of 72.6) recruited from a multistage cluster sampling design. Subjective well-being is measured by happiness and life satisfaction, and leisure participation is examined by the type and diversity of leisure activities.ResultsPrincipal components analysis identifies four major types of leisure activity that elderly Chinese are actively engaged in—detachment-recovery, aesthetic, social, and performing-arts activities. Among them, social activities and performing-arts activities have the most relevance to subjective well-being. Females are more likely to engage in social and performing-arts activities whereas males are more likely to engage in detachment-recovery and aesthetic activities. Performing-arts activities promote subjective well-being only for females. Social activities are beneficial for both gender groups, but more so for males than for females. While increased levels of leisure diversity are linearly related to increased odds of subjective well-being for females, moderate level of leisure diversity is found to be the most important for males.ConclusionsLeisure participation is positively related to subjective well-being among elderly Chinese, and thus could play a critical role in promoting healthy aging. The major gender differences as observed suggest the need to further explore gender-specific barriers in leisure participation.     

黑龙江省部分地区不同年龄、性别组糖代谢异常患病率调查

目的 调查黑龙江部分地区20～74岁人群的糖代谢异常年龄和性别分布情况,为糖尿病的防治提供依据.方法 选取2007年9月至2008年3月期间黑龙江省糖尿病流行病学调查中20～74岁的人群共3058例(男1219例、女1839例)作为研究对象,其中空腹血糖受损(IFG)患者143例,糖耐量异常(IGT)患者333例,IFG+IGT患者113例,糖尿病患者265例,糖调节正常(NGR)个体2204名.测定受试者空腹血糖、口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)1 h血糖及OGTT 2 h血糖.依据WHO1999年糖尿病的诊疗标准进行诊断.采用M-H x2检验分析组间数据.结果 糖尿病女性患病的高峰在60～74岁组,患病率为15.57%(20～29岁组:4.35%;30～39岁组:4.68%;40～49岁组:6.87%;50～59岁组:12.20%);男性患病的高峰在50～59岁组,患病率为21.84%(20～29岁组:5.96%;30～39岁组:10.60%;40～49岁组:11.79%;60～74岁组:15.0%).糖调节受损(IGR)女性和男性患病的高峰均在60～74岁组,患病率分别为35.33%(20～29岁组:13.04%;30～39岁组:14.56%;40～49岁组:20.62%;60～74岁组:24.58%)和30.83%(20～29岁组:16.80%;30～39岁组:14.90%;40～49岁组:28.05%;50～59岁组:17.78%).结论 IGR、糖尿病和IFG+IGT组的男性、女性和男女合计患病率和IGT组的女性和男女合计患病率均随年龄增加有上升趋势,而IFG组的男性、女性和男女合计患病率以及IGT组男性患病率和年龄无关.性别和年龄是糖尿病患病的两个重要危险因素,要采取综合措施预防和控制老年人糖尿病,特别是老年男性.