Replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts affects structural and functional aspects of the Golgi apparatus

It is well recognized that the world population is ageing rapidly. Therefore, it is important to understand ageing processes at the cellular and molecular levels to predict the onset of age‐related diseases and prevent them. Recent research has focused on the identification of ageing biomarkers, including those associated with the properties of the Golgi apparatus. In this context, Golgi‐mediated glycosylation of proteins has been well characterized. Additionally, other studies show that the secretion of many compounds, including pro‐inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix–degrading enzymes, is modified during ageing, resulting in physical and functional skin degradation. Since the Golgi apparatus is a central organelle of the secretory pathway, we investigated its structural organization in senescent primary human dermal fibroblasts using confocal and electron microscopy. In addition, we monitored the expression of Golgi‐related genes in the same cells. Our data showed a marked alteration in the Golgi morphology during replicative senescence. In contrast to its small and compact structure in non‐senescent cells, the Golgi apparatus exhibited a large and expanded morphology in senescent fibroblasts. Our data also demonstrated that the expression of many genes related to Golgi structural integrity and function was significantly modified in senescent cells, suggesting a relationship between Golgi apparatus function and ageing.     

Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the management of tinnitus. An observational study

ObjectivesTinnitus can induce disabling psychological suffering, requiring an integrative multimodal approach, combining neuromodulation and psychotherapeutic methods. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in tinnitus.Materials and methodsThis was a single-center prospective non-comparative study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult patient, with chronic tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score > 17, causing psychological distress motivating active treatment after ineffective “classic” treatment (combining advice, sound therapy and first-line drug treatment), and agreement to EMDR therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was defined by a decrease in THI or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Treatment acceptability was defined by the rate of included patients who completed therapy.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant reduction of 53.5% in THI score in 78.9% of patients (P < 0.0001; 64.8 ± 20.8 before versus 31.8 ± 24.7 after treatment), and of 51% in VAS score in 76.3% of patients (P < 0.0001; 7.24 ± 2.12 before versus 3.58 ± 2.03 after treatment). The treatment acceptability was 86.8%.ConclusionEMDR appeared to be an effective alternative that was acceptable to the majority of patients, after failure of “classic” first-line treatment, improving quality of life in tinnitus patients and thus relieving disability.     

A genome wide association study identifies new genes potentially associated with eyelid sagging

Sagging eyelid is considered as an outward of skin ageing and may cause medical issues. However, little is known about the factors involved in sagging eyelid. The study, which aims at determining genetic risk factors for eyelid sagging, was conducted in a cohort of 502 unrelated Caucasian women living in the Paris region. All included participants were aged between 44 and 70 years old (mean age, 57.6 years old). The severity of sagging eyelid was graded in 6 categories by a dermatologist using standardized photographs of the face. A genome wide association study adjusted on potential risk factors (including age and smoking habits) was conducted to identify genetic associations. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in total linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 10, rs16927253 (P = 7.07 × 10^‐10) and rs4746957 (P = 1.06 × 10^‐8), were significantly associated with eyelid sagging severity. The rs16927253‐T and rs4746957‐A alleles showed a dominant protective effect towards eyelid sagging. These polymorphisms are located in intronic parts of the H2AFY2 gene which encodes a member of the H2A histone family and very close to the AIFM2 gene that induces apoptosis. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms with a false discovery rate below 0.25 were located nearby the type XIII collagen COL13A1 gene on chromosome 10 and in the ADAMTS18 gene on chromosome 16. Several relevant genes were identified by the genome wide association study for their potential role in the sagging eyelid severity.     

Multimorbidity and functional impairment–bidirectional interplay,synergistic effects and common pathways

This review discusses the interplay between multimorbidity (i.e. co‐occurrence of more than one chronic health condition in an individual) and functional impairment (i.e. limitations in mobility, strength or cognition that may eventually hamper a person's ability to perform everyday tasks). On the one hand, diseases belonging to common patterns of multimorbidity may interact, curtailing compensatory mechanisms and resulting in physical and cognitive decline. On the other hand, physical and cognitive impairment impact the severity and burden of multimorbidity, contributing to the establishment of a vicious circle. The circle may be further exacerbated by people's reduced ability to cope with treatment and care burden and physicians’ fragmented view of health problems, which cause suboptimal use of health services and reduced quality of life and survival. Thus, the synergistic effects of medical diagnoses and functional status in adults, particularly older adults, emerge as central to assessing their health and care needs. Furthermore, common pathways seem to underlie multimorbidity, functional impairment and their interplay. For example, older age, obesity, involuntary weight loss and sedentarism can accelerate damage accumulation in organs and physiological systems by fostering inflammatory status. Inappropriate use or overuse of specific medications and drug–drug and drug–disease interactions also contribute to the bidirectional association between multimorbidity and functional impairment. Additionally, psychosocial factors such as low socioeconomic status and the direct or indirect effects of negative life events, weak social networks and an external locus of control may underlie the complex interactions between multimorbidity, functional decline and negative outcomes. Identifying modifiable risk factors and pathways common to multimorbidity and functional impairment could aid in the design of interventions to delay, prevent or alleviate age‐related health deterioration; this review provides an overview of knowledge gaps and future directions.     

神经症患者主客观生活事件的影响因素

目的研究应对方式、社会支持和压力反应等与应激有关因素对神经症患者主观、客观生活事件的影响。方法应用自编生活事件量表、压力反应问卷、特质应对问卷、领悟社会支持量表及一般情况调查表对88例神经症患者和88名健康对照进行调查和分析。结果神经症组主观事件得分[(13.295±11.845)分]高于健康组[(7.261±10.873)分](P<0.01),而神经症组客观事件得分[(10.239±9.105)分]与健康组得分[(8.376±11.213)分]差异无显著性(P>0.05)。神经症组主观事件与压力反应正相关,与家庭内支持和年龄负相关(P<0.01),客观生活事件与应激其他因素均无关;健康对照组主观事件与压力反应正相关,客观生活事件与压力反应和消极应对正相关(P<0.01)。多元逐步回归分析提示,影响神经症组主观事件的因素依次有客观事件、年龄、压力反应和家庭内支持,预测力为47.7%;但影响神经症组客观事件、健康组主观事件和客观事件的仅有相对应的主观或客观事件。结论神经症患者主观事件报告明显多于健康人群,且神经症患者主观事件受其他压力有关因素的影响较大。     

研究生主观幸福感与人格特征相关研究

目的探讨研究生的主观幸福感与人格的关系。方法采用艾森克人格问卷量表与总体主观幸福感量表（GWB）对200名研究生进行测验。结果（1）在专业、性别、年级、年龄、婚姻状况上及来源上，研究生的主观幸福感不存在显著差异。（2）相关分析表明外向性人格纬度与总体幸福感存在显著的正相关，神经质与总体幸福感存在显著的负相关。稳定外向型和稳定内向型人格的总体幸福感水平最高，其次是不稳定外向型人格，总体幸福感水平最低的是不稳定内向型人格。结论外向性与神经质等人格特征是影响研究生幸福感的重要因素。