The effects of community-based exercise modalities and volume on musculoskeletal health and functions in elderly people.

The effects of different muscle loading exercise (MLEX) modes and volume on musculoskeletal health is not well-studied in older populations. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of community-based MLEX modalities and volume on musculoskeletal health in elderly people. Elderly men (n = 86) and women (n = 170), age 50-82 years old, were assigned to the sedentary (SE, n = 60), muscle strengthening exercise (MSE, n = 71), aerobic exercise (AE, n = 62) and Tai Chi exercise (TCE, n = 63) groups, based on > 2 years of exercise history.

Perception and reaction of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) researchers to different forms of research integrity education modality.

Background: Research and academic institutions use various delivery channels to deliver Research Integrity (RI) education in their communities. Yet there is no consensus on the best delivery method and the effectiveness of these channels in inculcating a positive RI culture varies across institutions. Hence, this study aimed to understand the preferences of the research community in Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

Systemic Lactate Elevation Induced by Tobacco Smoking during Rest and Exercise Is Not Associated with Nicotine.

Lactate is a metabolite produced during anaerobic glycolysis for ATP resynthesis, which accumulates during hypoxia and muscle contraction. Tobacco smoking significantly increases blood lactate. Here we conducted a counter-balanced crossover study to examine whether this effect is associated with inhaling nicotine or burned carbon particles.

Higher extracellular water to total body water ratio was associated with chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes.

Aim: We studied the association between extracellular volume status and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression; and the role of extracellular volume excess as a potential mediator in the relationship between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and CKD progression in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1079 T2DM patients. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed to assess body fluid status.

Low muscle mass is associated with progression of chronic kidney disease and albuminuria - An 8-year longitudinal study in Asians with Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims: We examined the longitudinal relationship between baseline skeletal muscle mass and its change over time with eGFR decline and albuminuria progression among Asians with type 2 diabetes(T2D).

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 1272 T2D patients. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using tetra-polar multi-frequency bio-impedance analysis and Skeletal Muscle Mass Index(SMI) was defined as skeletal muscle mass/weight * 100.

The role of pulse pressure in navigating the paradigm of chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease progression (CKD). Pulse pressure is a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. It is unclear if pulse pressure predicts CKD progression in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Fundamental Concepts of Human Thermoregulation and Adaptation to Heat: A Review in the Context of Global Warming.

The international community has recognized global warming as an impending catastrophe that poses significant threat to life on earth. In response, the signatories of the Paris Agreement (2015) have committed to limit the increase in global mean temperature to < 1.5 °C from pre-industry period, which is defined as 1950-1890.

Association between vascular measures and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To examine correlation between vascular measures and cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on patients (N = 1167) aged ≥45 years attending Diabetes Centre in a tertiary hospital and primary care polyclinic. The following vascular measures were measured: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI).

Higher ratio of extracellular water to total body water was associated with reduced cognitive function in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Fluid imbalance is associated with various clinical conditions, but the association between elevated extracellular-water to total-body-water (ECW/TBW) ratio, an indicator of fluid balance, and cognitive impairment is unknown. We aimed to investigate relationship between ECW/TBW ratio and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design, comparing 1233 patients aged 61.

Pulse Wave Velocity Is Associated with Increased Plasma oxLDL in Ageing but Not with FGF21 and Habitual Exercise.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and adiponectin increase the expression of genes involved in antioxidant pathways, but their roles in mediating oxidative stress and arterial stiffness with ageing and habitual exercise remain unknown. We explored the role of the FGF21-adiponectin axis in mediating oxidative stress and arterial stiffness with ageing and habitual exercise. Eighty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were assigned to younger sedentary or active (18-36 years old, = 20 each) and older sedentary or active (45-80 years old, = 20 each) groups.

Association between Lower Extremity Skeletal Muscle Mass and Impaired Cognitive Function in Type 2 Diabetes.

Lower extremity skeletal muscle mass (LESM) in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) has been linked to adverse clinical events, but it is not known whether it is associated with cognitive difficulties. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1,235 people (mean age 61.4 ± 8.

Age-related bone loss is associated with FGF21 but not IGFBP1 in healthy adults.

What is the central question of this study? Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays important therapeutic roles in metabolic diseases but is associated with bone loss, through insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), in animals. However, the effect of the FGF21-IGFBP1 axis on age-related bone loss has not been explored in humans. What is the main finding and its importance? Using 'genetically linked' parent and child family pairs, we show that the FGF21 concentration, but not the IGFBP1 concentration, is higher in older than in younger adults.

Airway microbiome composition correlates with lung function and arterial stiffness in an age-dependent manner.

Objective: To investigate age-associated changes in airway microbiome composition and their relationships with lung function and arterial stiffness among genetically matched young and elderly pairs.

Methods: Twenty-four genetically linked family pairs comprised of younger (≤40 years) and older (≥60 years) healthy participants were recruited (Total n = 48). Lung function and arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx)) were assessed.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Mediates the Associations between Exercise, Aging, and Glucose Regulation.

Introduction: Aging increases the prevalence of glucose intolerance, but exercise improves glucose homeostasis. The fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21)-adiponectin axis helps regulate glucose metabolism. However, the role of FGF21 in mediating glucose metabolism with aging and exercise remains unknown.

Heat Sepsis Precedes Heat Toxicity in the Pathophysiology of Heat Stroke-A New Paradigm on an Ancient Disease.

Heat stroke (HS) is an ancient illness dating back more than 2000 years and continues to be a health threat and to cause fatality during physical exertion, especially in military personnel, fire-fighters, athletes, and outdoor laborers. The current paradigm in the pathophysiology and prevention of HS focuses predominantly on heat as the primary trigger and driver of HS, which has not changed significantly for centuries. However, pathological and clinical reports from HS victims and research evidence from animal and human studies support the notion that heat alone does not fully explain the pathophysiology of HS and that HS may also be triggered and driven by heat- and exercise-induced endotoxemia.

Associations between sleep quality and inflammatory markers in patients with schizophrenia.

Sleep disorder is a risk factor for several systemic inflammation-related diseases and there are extensive data showing that schizophrenia is associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. This study investigated the associations between sleep quality and inflammatory markers in patients with schizophrenia, which has not been examined before. Sleep quality (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, total activity counts, wake after sleep onset, number of awakening, and average length of awakening) was measured using actigraphy in 199 schizophrenia inpatients.

Erratum to: Respiratory consequences of N95-type Mask usage in pregnant healthcare workers-a controlled clinical study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13756-015-0086-z.].

Respiratory consequences of N95-type Mask usage in pregnant healthcare workers-a controlled clinical study.

Background: Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases have led to guidelines recommending the routine use of N95 respirators for healthcare workers, many of whom are women of childbearing age. The respiratory effects of prolonged respirator use on pregnant women are unclear although there has been no definite evidence of harm from past use.

Methods: We conducted a two-phase controlled clinical study on healthy pregnant women between 27 to 32 weeks gestation.

Statistical modeling reveals the effect of absolute humidity on dengue in Singapore.

Weather factors are widely studied for their effects on indicating dengue incidence trends. However, these studies have been limited due to the complex epidemiology of dengue, which involves dynamic interplay of multiple factors such as herd immunity within a population, distinct serotypes of the virus, environmental factors and intervention programs. In this study, we investigate the impact of weather factors on dengue in Singapore, considering the disease epidemiology and profile of virus serotypes.

Effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation and exercise performance in the heat.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-strain probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, systemic markers of inflammation and running performance when exercising in the heat.

Methods: Ten male runners were randomized to 4 weeks of daily supplementation with a probiotics capsule (45 billion CFU of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus strains) or placebo, separated by a washout period (double-blind, cross-over trial). After each treatment, the runners exercised to fatigue at 80% of their ventilatory threshold at 35 °C and 40% humidity.

Gastrointestinal response and endotoxemia during intense exercise in hot and cool environments.

This study investigated plasma lipopolysaccharides (LPS) concentration and intestinal permeability after 60-min run at 70 % maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in hot [33 °C, 50 % relative humidity (rH)] and cool (22 °C, 62 % rH) conditions. Fifteen volunteers gave their informed consent to participate in this study. Their venous blood samples were taken before, after, 2 and 5 h after exercise in each of the conditions.