The effects of the glycaemic control on the severity of the delirium in the advanced phase of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and delirium are common in advanced phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Thirty-eight moderate-severe AD patients were enrolled (n=16 affected by type 2 diabetes). Each patient received a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (including evaluation of BPSD and frailty), and a complete metabolic evaluation (including the measurement of the glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c).

Antimicrobial Peptides and their Multiple Effects at Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations.

The frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains to conventional antimicrobials has led to a clear decline in antibiotic therapies. Therefore, new molecules with different mechanisms of action are extremely necessary. Due to their unique properties, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a valid alternative to conventional antibiotics and many of them have been characterized for their activity and cytotoxicity.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet moderates the association between multimorbidity and depressive symptoms in older adults.

Aim: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) has been associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases and may be associated with lower risk for depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate (i) the association of adherence to Med-Diet with depressive symptoms and multimorbidity in a cohort of geriatric medical outpatients, and (ii) the role of Med-Diet in mediating the association between depressive symptoms and multimorbidity.

Methods: A total of 143 geriatric patients (mean age: 73.

Oxidative Stress and Gut-Derived Lipopolysaccharides in Neurodegenerative Disease: Role of NOX2.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis represent a growing cause of disability in the developed countries. The underlying physiopathology is still unclear. Several lines of evidence suggest a role for oxidative stress and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in the neuropathological pathways that lead to ND.

Association between epicardial fat thickness and cognitive function in elderly. A preliminary study.

Background: Recent studies suggested that the visceral fat could exert a predictive role in the pathogenesis of dementia. The aims of the present study were to evaluate: i) possible differences between groups with different epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness on the included variables; ii) the possible predictive role of the EAT levels on cognitive functioning.

Methods: 65 community-dwelling subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups: EAT < 7 mm (n = 36); EAT > 7 mm (n = 29).

Thyroid hormones, metabolic syndrome and Vitamin D in middle-aged and older euthyroid subjects: a preliminary study.

Aim: To explore the relationship between thyroid hormones, Vitamin D (Vit.D) serum concentrations and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in euthyroid subjects.

Methods: 123 community-dwelling subjects were enrolled.

Esculentin-1a Derived Antipseudomonal Peptides: Limited Induction of Resistance and Synergy with Aztreonam.

Background: The massive use of antibiotics has led to the selection of resistant bacterial strains that are difficult to eradicate. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa most frequently colonizes and infects the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) represent interesting molecules for the development of new antimicrobial agents.

The Effect of a Physical Training with the Use of an Exoskeleton on Depression Levels in Institutionalized Elderly Patients: A Pilot Study.

Context: The Human Body Posturizer (HBP) is an exoskeleton used in the neurorehabilitation. The HBP may improve motor control by stimulating the pre-frontal cortex, a brain region involved also in the inhibitory modulation of the amygdala whose hyperactivity is involved in the mechanisms of depression.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate in institutionalized elderly patients the effects on depression of a physical training with the use of the HBP compared to a traditional training.

A new tool for the evaluation of the rehabilitation outcomes in older persons: a machine learning model to predict functional status 1 year ahead.

Purpose: To date, the assessment of disability in older people is obtained utilizing a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). However, it is often difficult to understand which areas of CGA are most predictive of the disability. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility to early predict-1 year ahead-the disability level of a patient using machine leaning models.

The development of a new tool for the evaluation of handicap in elderly: the Geriatric Handicap Scale (GHS).

Background: To date, the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) does not include an evaluation tool for handicap.

Aim: To develop a new instrument for assessing handicap in the elderly: the Geriatric Handicap Scale (GHS).

Methods: 656 community-dwelling elderly were enrolled in this study.

Aging and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: Relationship with Cardiometabolic Disorders and Polypharmacy.

Objectives: To investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet), cardiometabolic disorders and polypharmacy.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Geriatrics outpatient clinic, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome.

[Resistant hypertension in the elderly.].

Actually, in literature there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of resistant hypertension in the elderly; however the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey observed in the adult population prevalence of 12.8% to clinical measurement. But, especially in elderly, it's necessary exclude pseudoresistance forms due to white coat hypertension, arterial stiffness, poor patient compliance to therapy, excessive salt intake, abuse of non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs and the forms of secondary hypertension.

Promising Approaches to Optimize the Biological Properties of the Antimicrobial Peptide Esculentin-1a(1-21)NH: Amino Acids Substitution and Conjugation to Nanoparticles.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent an interesting class of molecules with expanding biological properties which make them a viable alternative for the development of future antibiotic drugs. However, for this purpose, some limitations must be overcome: (i) the poor biostability due to enzymatic degradation; (ii) the cytotoxicity at concentrations slightly higher than the therapeutic dosages; and (iii) the inefficient delivery to the target site at effective concentrations. Recently, a derivative of the frog skin AMP esculentin-1a, named esculentin-1a(1-21)NH, [Esc(1-21): GIFSKLAGKKIKNLLISGLKG-NH] has been found to have a potent activity against the Gram-negative bacterium ; a slightly weaker activity against Gram-positive bacteria and interesting immunomodulatory properties.

Association between serum vitamin D and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older adults and role of supplementation therapy with vitamin D.

Objectives: To evaluate i) the correlation between vitamin D (vit. D) serum concentrations and metabolic syndrome (MetS); ii) the efficacy of 6 months supplementation therapy with vit. D.

Efficacy and safety of spinning exercise in middle-aged and older adults with metabolic syndrome: randomized control trial.

Background: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of spinning exercise on cardio-vascular weal.

Aim: To assess whether a 6 months spinning training, combined with proper diet, is more effective than standard training programs and diet alone in improving metabolic abnormalities in middle-aged and older adults.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Relationship between vitamin D and body fat distribution evaluated by DXA in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) serum concentrations and body fat distribution in a sample of postmenopausal women.

Methods: We enrolled sixty-two postmenopausal women; 25(OH)D serum concentrations, serum intact parathyroid hormone, blood analyses, and anthropometric measurements were carried out. Body fat composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Fall prevention in the young old using an exoskeleton human body posturizer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fall risk in elderly has been related with physical decline, low quality of life and reduced survival.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of exoskeleton human body posturizer (HBP) on the fall risk in the elderly.

Methods: 150 subjects (mean age 64.

[Physical and psychological stress in a group of Italian caregivers: a new medical emergency? A pilot study].

Introduction: this study aimed to evaluate physical and psychological stress in a group of italian caregivers.

Methods: 20 subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: 10 healthy controls and 10 caregivers. Every subject underwent an cognitive, clinical and instrumental assessment.