Walking Interventions and Sleep Quality of Persons Living With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: Effects of Different Walking Companions.

Purpose: To examine the effect of walking interventions on sleep quality of persons with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers (dyads), and how different companions affect results.

Method: Forty-five dyads were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups (one with a care attendant, one with a family caregiver). The two experimental groups engaged in 120 minutes of walking per week for 24 weeks.

A Pilot Study to Explore the Improvements in Pulmonary and Cognitive Functions With a Kazoo Intervention Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in a Rural Community.

Dementia is a leading cause of disability and dependence in older adults worldwide. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the effect of using a kazoo instrument to improve pulmonary function and cognitive reserve in middle-aged and older adults in rural areas. This quasi-experimental study was conducted at two community care stations selected using cluster sampling from a rural district in southern Taiwan.

Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 target gene regulatory networks of nephron progenitors to control nephrogenesis.

Our studies demonstrated the critical role of Histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the regulation of nephrogenesis. To better understand the key pathways regulated by HDAC1/2 in early nephrogenesis, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) of HDAC1/2 on isolated nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) from mouse E16.5 kidneys.

Single-Cell Chromatin and Gene-Regulatory Dynamics of Mouse Nephron Progenitors.

Background: We reasoned that unraveling the dynamic changes in accessibility of genomic regulatory elements and gene expression at single-cell resolution will inform the basic mechanisms of nephrogenesis.

Methods: We performed single-cell ATAC-seq and RNA-seq both individually (singleomes; Six2 cells) and jointly in the same cells (multiomes; kidneys) to generate integrated chromatin and transcriptional maps in mouse embryonic and neonatal nephron progenitor cells.

Results: We demonstrate that singleomes and multiomes are comparable in assigning most cell states, identification of new cell type markers, and defining the transcription factors driving cell identity.

A program to improve the quality of dental unit water in a medical center.

The water quality of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is associated with patient safety. No program for DUWL water quality improvement has been formulated since the time they were established 20 years ago. This study provides an improvement program for the quality of dental unit water.

Relationship between gene polymorphism and susceptibility to bronchial asthma and glucocorticoid efficacy in children.

Objectives: To study the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase () gene polymorphism with susceptibility to bronchial asthma and glucocorticoid (GC) efficacy in children.

Methods: A total of 173 children with bronchial asthma who were hospitalized between June 2018 and December 2020 were selected as the observation group. The children received aerosol inhalation of GC for three consecutive months.

Targeted disruption of the histone lysine 79 methyltransferase Dot1L in nephron progenitors causes congenital renal dysplasia.

The epigenetic regulator Dot1, the only known histone H3K79 methyltransferase, has a conserved role in organismal development and homoeostasis. In yeast, is required for telomeric silencing and genomic integrity. In Drosophila, Dot1 () regulates homoeotic gene expression.

The polycomb proteins EZH1 and EZH2 co-regulate chromatin accessibility and nephron progenitor cell lifespan in mice.

SIX2 (SIX homeobox 2)-positive nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) give rise to all epithelial cell types of the nephron, the filtering unit of the kidney. NPCs have a limited lifespan and are depleted near the time of birth. Epigenetic factors are implicated in the maintenance of organ-restricted progenitors such as NPCs, but the chromatin-based mechanisms are incompletely understood.

Defining the dynamic chromatin landscape of mouse nephron progenitors.

Six2 cap mesenchyme cells, also called nephron progenitor cells (NPC), are precursors of all epithelial cell types of the nephron, the filtering unit of the kidney. Current evidence indicates that perinatal 'old' NPC have a greater tendency to exit the progenitor niche and differentiate into nascent nephrons than their embryonic 'young' counterpart. Understanding the underpinnings of NPC development may offer insights to rejuvenate old NPC and expand the progenitor pool.

Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 regulate the transcriptional programs of nephron progenitors and renal vesicles.

Nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) are Six2-positive metanephric mesenchyme cells, which undergo self-renewal and differentiation to give rise to nephrons until the end of nephrogenesis. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a group of epigenetic regulators that control cell fate, but their role in balancing NPC renewal and differentiation is unknown. Here, we report that NPC-specific deletion of and genes in mice results in early postnatal lethality owing to renal hypodysplasia and loss of NPCs.

Comparing the Effects of Cognitive Stimulation, Reminiscence, and Aroma-Massage on Agitation and Depressive Mood in People With Dementia.

Purpose: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), reminiscence therapy (RT), and aroma-massage therapy (AT) are believed to be beneficial for people with dementia (PwD). However, the comparing effects of these interventions have not been reported in previous studies. The purpose of this research was thus to compare the effects of these 3 interventions on alleviating agitation and depressive mood in PwD.

Protective effects of pogostone against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via regulation of Keap1-Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Pogostone, a major component of Pogostemon cablin, has been demonstrated to possess antibacterial, anti-fungal, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of pogostone on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), mice were pretreated with pogostone prior to LPS exposure. After LPS challenge, the lungs were excised and the histological changes, wet to dry weight ratios, MPO activity reflecting neutrophil infiltration, and MDA activity reflecting oxidative stress were examined.

Development and Psychometric Testing of the Caregiver Communication Competence Scale in Patients With Dementia.

Appropriate communication skills are essential for understanding patient needs, particularly those of patients with dementia. Assessing health care providers' competence in communicating with patients with dementia is critical for planning a communication education program. However, no formally established scale can be used.

Effects of the Advanced Innovative Internet-Based Communication Education Program on Promoting Communication Between Nurses and Patients With Dementia.

Background: Effective communication between nurses and patients with dementia promotes the quality of patient care by improving the identification of patient needs and by reducing the miscommunication-related frustration of patients and nurses.

Purpose: This study evaluates the effects of an advanced innovative Internet-based communication education (AIICE) program on nurses' communication knowledge, attitudes, frequency of assessing patient communication capacity, and communication performance in the context of care for patients with dementia. In addition, this study attempts to evaluate the indirect effects of this program on outcomes for patients with dementia, including memory and behavior-related problems and depressive symptoms.

Phosphorylation of Shox2 is required for its function to control sinoatrial node formation.

Background: Inactivation of Shox2, a member of the short-stature homeobox gene family, leads to defective development of multiple organs and embryonic lethality as a result of cardiovascular defects, including bradycardia and severe hypoplastic sinoatrial node (SAN) and sinus valves, in mice. It has been demonstrated that Shox2 regulates a genetic network through the repression of Nkx2.5 to maintain the fate of the SAN cells.

Urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a potential biomarker for objective diagnosis of overactive bladder.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic performance of urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) as potential biomarkers for overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods: Ninety women diagnosed with OAB and 45 normal controls without OAB were enrolled. Urine samples were collected from all subjects.

Features of problematic eating behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with dementia: family caregivers' experience.

This study aimed to explore family caregivers' experience of the problematic eating behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with dementia, and how these caregivers cope with these problems. An exploratory qualitative study using purposive sampling recruited family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with dementia in southern Taiwan. In-depth interviews were carried out with a semi-structured interview guide.

The specific binding of chlorogenic acid to human serum albumin.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in human diet. It is also an active component in traditional Chinese medicines which are used to treat various diseases. In this study, fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy was employed to investigate the specific binding of CGA to human serum albumin (HSA) under the physiological conditions.

Functional redundancy between human SHOX and mouse Shox2 genes in the regulation of sinoatrial node formation and pacemaking function.

The homeodomain transcription factor Shox2 plays a crucial regulatory role in the development of sinoatrial node (SAN) by repressing the expression of Nkx2.5, as demonstrated by failed differentiation of SAN in Shox2 null mice. The SHOX (short stature homeobox) gene family consists of two closely related members, SHOX and SHOX2 in humans, but a SHOX ortholog does not exist in the mouse genome.

Sleep quality, depression state, and health status of older adults after silver yoga exercises: cluster randomized trial.

Background: Sleep disturbances, depression, and low perception of health status are commonly seen in elderly population; however, clinicians tend to underestimate or overlook the presence of these symptoms and assume them to be a part of normal aging. Non-pharmacological methods that promote a mind-body interaction should be tested to enhance the mental health of older adults.

Objective: To test the effects of 6 months of silver yoga exercises in promoting the mental health of older adults in senior activity centers, especially their sleep quality, depression, and self-perception of health status.