Exploring circular RNAs as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease and their expression changes after aerobic exercise rehabilitation.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are circularized single-stranded ribonucleic acids that interacts with DNA, RNA, and proteins to play critical roles in cell biology. CircRNAs regulate microRNA content, gene expression, and may code for specific peptides. Indeed, circRNAs are differentially expressed in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD), playing a potential role in the mechanisms of brain pathology.

Field-Based Estimates of Muscle Quality Index Determine Timed-Up-and-Go Test Performance in Obese Older Women.

Objective: The muscle quality index (MQI) is associated with numerous health outcomes in adults; however, the effects of distinct MQI on functional capacity in obese older women have not yet been fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the contribution of different muscle quality indices on TUG performance prediction in obese older women. We secondarily evaluated the association between MQI, aerobic capacity performance (Treadmill performance and 6-minute walk test), and obesity indices (BMI, body fat percentage, and neck, waist, and hip circumference).

Body composition and functional performance of older adults.

Objectives: To determine if anthropometric variables, body composition, medication and gender are associated with functional performance and to compare these variables between octogenarians with high and low functional performance.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were evaluated.

Obesity is associated with postural balance on unstable surfaces but not with fear of falling in older adults.

Background: There are inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI), fear of falling and body balance, especially on unstable surfaces.

Objectives: To investigate whether obesity is associated with worse postural balance and fear of falling in older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 201 older adults, classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese according to BMI.