The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Training on Cognitive, Social, and Physical Functioning in High-Functioning Older Adults (CoSoPhy FX): 2-Arm, Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising technology for enhancing the health care of older individuals, particularly in the domains of cognition, physical activity, and social engagement. However, existing VR products and services have limited availability and affordability; hence, there is a need for a scientifically validated and personalized VR service to be used by older adults in their homes, which can improve their overall physical, cognitive, and social well-being.

Objective: The main purpose of the CoSoPhy FX (Cognitive, Social, and Physical Effects) study was to analyze the effects of a VR-based digital therapeutics app on the cognitive, social, and physical performance abilities of healthy (high-functioning) older adults.

Virtual reality-based training may improve visual memory and some aspects of sustained attention among healthy older adults - preliminary results of a randomized controlled study.

Background/aims: Older age and cognitive inactivity have been associated with cognitive impairment, which in turn is linked to economic and societal burdens due to the high costs of care, especially for care homes and informal care. Emerging non-pharmacological interventions using new technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) delivered on a head-mounted display (HMD), might offer an alternative to maintain or improve cognition. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VR-based Digital Therapeutics application for improving cognitive functions among healthy older adults.

Expression of Dopamine D and Serotonin 5-HT Receptors in Blood Mononuclear Cells in Schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to determine the mRNA expression profile of dopamine D, D, D, D and serotonin 5-HT, 5-HT, and 5-HT receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in schizophrenia and the effect of antipsychotics on the expression of these receptors in PBMCs of healthy subjects. Twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy controls were recruited for the study. All study subjects underwent thorough clinical assessment, including anthropometric and body composition measurements.

Association between adiposity and fasting serum levels of appetite-regulating peptides: Leptin, neuropeptide Y, desacyl ghrelin, peptide YY(1-36), obestatin, cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript, and agouti-related protein in nonobese participants.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between adiposity parameters and fasting serum levels of appetite-regulating peptides: leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), desacyl ghrelin, peptide YY(1-36), obestatin, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), and agouti-related protein in 30 healthy, non-obese subjects. Thirty European Caucasian adult participants were included in the study (17 men and 13 women). Body composition (body fat and lean body mass) was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Fasting serum leptin levels in elderly women with major depressive disorder: a case-control study.

Objective: Leptin is produced in the adipose tissue. It controls energy homeostasis by reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. According to the "leptin hypothesis of depression", chronic stress leads to reduced leptin concentration and leptin insufficiency may underlie depressive symptoms.

In vitro cytokine synthesis in unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with schizophrenia.

Increasing evidence has shown that the immune system is involved in the schizophrenia development, with alterations in immune cell reactivity being one possible factor contributing to its pathogenesis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate in vitro the capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from subjects with schizophrenia and controls to engage in spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cytokine production. The concentrations of various cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-10) in supernatants from cultured PBMCs were measured using the cytometric bead array.

The expression of toll-like receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is altered in schizophrenia.

Increasing evidence suggests that in addition to neurochemical abnormalities, various immunological alterations are related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) actively mediate immune/inflammatory processes and play a pivotal role in damage/danger recognizing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the expression of TLRs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in schizophrenic patients with those of healthy subjects.

In schizophrenia serum level of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is increased only if depressive symptoms are present.

Aim: Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is a neurotrophic factor responsible for promoting development, survival and function of neurons. NT-3 may be involved in the etiopathology of schizophrenia and mood disorders. However it must be cleared up if changes of NT-3 level are associated with schizophrenia itself or are secondary to certain symptoms (e.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is increased in elderly patients with first episode depression, but not in recurrent depression.

Association between inflammation and depression, especially in elderly patients, leads to conclusions about their shared influence on risk of cardiovascular disease and death. It might be found useful to predict those issues by monitoring inflammatory parameters, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The aim of this study was to determine the NLR in elderly patients with unipolar depression compared with non-depressed elderly patients.

Atherogenic Indices Are Increased in Elderly Patients with Unipolar Depression-Case-Control Analysis.

Background: Blood lipids are widely used in monitoring the risk of cardiovascular diseases; however, atherogenic indices are more precise markers. The aim of the study was to determine differences in atherogenic indices in elderly patients with unipolar depression (DEP) compared with nondepressed elderly patients (nonDEP) using case-control analysis.

Methods: Fasting serum lipid profiles were measured in 564 (depressed: n = 282, nondepressed: n = 282, 83.

Mass spectrometry and HPLC with fluorescent detection-based orthogonal approaches to characterize N-linked oligosaccharides of recombinant monoclonal antibodies.

A number of HPLC and mass spectrometric techniques are used to characterize post-translational modification in recombinant monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) using the intact glycoprotein and free glycans. LC separation utilizing fluorescent detection technique allows tentative structural assignment of MAb oligosaccharides. Intact molecular weight analysis via electrospray allows for an accurate mass determination and observation of the native glycoform mass envelope.

Comparability and monitoring immunogenic N-linked oligosaccharides from recombinant monoclonal antibodies from two different cell lines using HPLC with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometry.

One of the most important structural features of recombinant monoclonal antibodies produced in mammalian cells is the N-linked oligosaccharide profile. These profiles impact recombinant therapeutics in a multitude of ways affecting distribution, efficacy, and immunogenicity. High mannose, alpha-gal and other oligosaccharide species are highly immunogenic and in most cases should be minimized during manufacturing.

Novel mutations introduced at the beta-site of amyloid beta protein precursor enhance the production of amyloid beta peptide by BACE1 in vitro and in cells.

Abnormal production and accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). beta-secretase (BACE1) is responsible for the cleavage at thebeta-site in amyloid beta protein precursor (AbetaPP/APP) to generate the N-terminus of Abeta. Here we report the stepwise identification and characterization of a novel APP-beta-site mutant, "NFEV" (APP_NFEV) in vitro and in cells.

Beta-secretase cleavage at amino acid residue 34 in the amyloid beta peptide is dependent upon gamma-secretase activity.

The amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) are the major components of the senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Abeta peptides are generated from the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta- and gamma-secretases. Beta-secretase (BACE), a type-I transmembrane aspartyl protease, cleaves APP first to generate a 99-amino acid membrane-associated fragment (CT99) containing the N terminus of Abeta peptides.

Novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitors identified using multiple cyclic peptide combinatorial libraries.

Twenty-six cyclic synthetic peptide combinatorial libraries (disulfides and lactams) of varying size and composition, representing 6.8 x 10(3) to 4.7 x 10(7) individual peptides, were synthesized along with their respective linear analogs.

Cyclic peptide template combinatorial libraries: synthesis and identification of chymotrypsin inhibitors.

A cyclic peptide template combinatorial library in a positional scanning format, composed of three positional libraries, was synthesized using solid-phase chemistry and four orthogonal protecting groups (Fmoc, Boc, Dde, OAll). The cyclic peptide template is composed of three lysine residues and one glutamic acid residue. The chemical diversity was introduced by acylating the epsilon-amino groups of the lysine residues using 10 carboxylic acids in addition to the 20 proteinogenic amino acids.