Role of light walking pace on cognition: Findings from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study.

Moderate- to vigorous intensities of physical activity are recommended for health promotion, including brain health. Regular physical activity is considered a modifiable factor to delay -perhaps prevent- onset of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. Little is known about the benefits of light physical activity.

Optimizing Graft Extraction From the Femoral Condyle for Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in Treating Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum: Best Fit Based on Radius of Curvature.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a common cause of pain and dysfunction in adolescents that engage in repetitive elbow loading. For large, unstable lesions fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation (FOCAT) from the femoral condyle has been described as an effective treatment. Current practice involves significant guesswork in obtaining an appropriately sized graft, with anatomic variations resulting in poor graft fit.

Acute Changes in NADPH Oxidase 4 in Early Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis.

Knee injuries cause structural damage and acute inflammation that initiates the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), a member of a family of enzymes that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a pivotal role in normal development of the musculoskeletal system, but may increase ROS production to harmful levels after joint injury. The role of ROS in both normal joint homeostasis and injury is poorly understood, but inhibition of excessive ROS production by Nox4 after joint injury could be protective to the joint, decreasing oxidative stress, and initiation of PTOA.

Headless Compression Screw Fixation of Vertical Medial Malleolus Fractures is Superior to Unicortical Screw Fixation.

This study is the first biomechanical research of headless compression screws for fixation of vertical shear fractures of the medial malleolus, a promising alternative that potentially offers several advantages for fixation. Vertical shear fractures were simulated by osteotomies in 20 synthetic distal tibiae. Models were randomly assigned to fixation with either 2 parallel cancellous screws or 2 parallel Acutrak 2 headless compression screws (Acumed).

Depressive symptoms prospectively predict cardiovascular disease among older adults: Findings from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study.

A recent meta-analysis identified a prospective association between depression and cardiovascular disease; however, there was no association for studies with long-term follow-up periods. The literature has primarily focused on baseline depression status or symptoms, which may not capture the chronic nature of depression. This study examined the prospective relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease up to 15 years later in 274 cardiovascular disease-free older adults.

Poorer Visual Acuity Is Associated with Declines in Cognitive Performance Across Multiple Cognitive Domains: The Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: Prior studies have found associations between visual acuity (VA) and cognitive function. However, these studies used a limited range of cognitive measures and did not control for cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVD-RFs) and baseline function. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the associations of VA and cognitive performance using a thorough neuropsychological test battery.

Associations between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Stiffness: A Prospective Analysis Based on the Maine-Syracuse Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate prospective associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus status and the gold standard non-invasive method for ascertaining arterial stiffness, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity.

Methods: The prospective analysis employed 508 community-dwelling participants (mean age 61 years, 60% women) from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study. Pulse wave velocity at wave 7 (2006-2010) was compared between those with type 2 diabetes mellitus at wave 6 (2001-2006) ( = 52) and non-diabetics at wave 6 ( = 456), with adjustment for demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle- and pulse wave velocity-related factors.

Mini-Fragment Fixation Is Equivalent to Bicortical Screw Fixation for Horizontal Medial Malleolus Fractures.

Horizontal fractures of the medial malleolus occur through application of valgus or abduction force through the ankle that creates a tension failure of the medial malleolus. The authors hypothesize that mini-fragment T-plates may offer improved fixation, but the optimal fixation construct for these fractures remains unclear. Forty synthetic distal tibiae with identical osteotomies were randomized into 4 fixation constructs: (1) two parallel unicortical cancellous screws; (2) two parallel bicortical cortical screws; (3) a contoured mini-fragment T-plate with 2 unicortical screws in the fragment and 2 bicortical screws in the shaft; and (4) a contoured mini-fragment T-plate with 2 bicortical screws in the fragment and 2 unicortical screws in the shaft.

Stem Cells in Spinal Fusion.

Study Design: Review of literature.

Objectives: This review of literature investigates the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in spinal fusion, highlights potential uses in the development of bone grafts, and discusses limitations based on both preclinical and clinical models.

Methods: A review of literature was conducted looking at current studies using stem cells for augmentation of spinal fusion in both animal and human models.

Age modifies the relation between intraindividual measurement-to-measurement variation in blood pressure and cognitive function: the Maine-Syracuse Study.

Background: There is evidence to suggest that intraindividual variability in blood pressure (BP IIV) may be superior to mean BP for predicting cognitive function, taken from both within a single visit and between-visits. BP IIV increases with age in studies of persons middle-aged and older. The aim was therefore to investigate age by BP IIV (SBP and DBP) interactions with regard to cognitive functioning while considering medication class and polypharmacy, which may also affect BP IIV with advancing age.

Risk for cognitive impairment across 22 measures of cognitive ability in early-stage chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant risk factor for cognitive impairment. Previous studies have examined differences in cognitive impairment between persons with and without CKD using multiple cognitive outcomes, but few have done this for an extensive battery of cognitive tests. We relate early-stage CKD to two indices of impairment for 22 measures of cognitive ability.

Sled fixation for horizontal medial malleolus fractures.

Background: Horizontal fractures of the medial malleolus occur through exertion of various rotational forces on the ankle, including supination--external rotation, pronation--external rotation, and pronation-abduction. Many methods of fixation are employed for these fractures, but the optimal fixation construct remains unclear.

Methods: Horizontal medial malleolus osteotomies were performed in synthetic distal tibiae and randomized into two fixation groups: 1) two parallel unicortical cancellous screws or 2) medial malleolar sled fixation.

Challenging the "jolly fat" hypothesis among older adults: High body mass index predicts increases in depressive symptoms over a 5-year period.

Several investigators have observed lowered risk of depression among obese older adults, coining the "jolly fat" hypothesis. We examined this hypothesis using baseline and a 5-year follow-up body mass index, depressive symptoms, and covariates from 638 community-based older adults. High objectively measured body mass index and functional limitations predicted increased future depressive symptoms.

Association between depressive symptoms, use of antidepressant medication and the metabolic syndrome: the Maine-Syracuse Study.

Background: Both depression and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are two major public health issues. The aim of this study was to examine associations between depressive symptoms, the use of antidepressant medications, and the prevalence of MetS.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on 970 participants from the Maine-Syracuse Study.

Antiglide plating of vertical medial malleolus fractures provides stiffer initial fixation than bicortical or unicortical screw fixation.

Background: Vertical shear fractures of the medial malleolus (44-A2 ankle fractures) occur through a supination-adduction mechanism. There are numerous methods of internal fixation for this fracture pattern.

Methods: Vertical medial malleolus osteotomies were created in synthetic distal tibiae.

Higher HDL cholesterol is associated with better cognitive function: the Maine-Syracuse study.

Few studies have examined associations between different subcategories of cholesterol and cognitive function. We examined relationships between total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride levels and cognitive performance in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study, a community-based study of cardiovascular risk factors. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on data from 540 participants, aged 60 to 98 years, free of dementia and stroke.

Measurement-to-measurement blood pressure variability is related to cognitive performance: the Maine Syracuse study.

The objective was to investigate the association between variability in blood pressure (BP) and cognitive function for sitting, standing, and reclining BP values and variability derived from all 15 measures. In previous studies, only sitting BP values have been examined, and only a few cognitive measures have been used. A secondary objective was to examine associations between BP variability and cognitive performance in hypertensive individuals stratified by treatment success.

Deterioration in renal function is associated with increased arterial stiffness.

Background: Higher levels of baseline pulse wave velocity (PWV) have been associated with longitudinal decline in renal function in patients with kidney disease. We examined longitudinal decline in renal function in relation to levels of PWV. We hypothesized that longitudinal decline in renal function in a community-based, nonclinic sample would be associated with higher levels of PWV.

Decline in renal functioning is associated with longitudinal decline in global cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning and verbal memory.

Background: Decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher serum creatinine (sCR) levels have been associated with longitudinal decline in global mental status measures. Longitudinal data describing change in multiple domains of cognitive functioning are needed in order to determine which specific abilities are most affected in individuals with impaired renal function.

Methods: We conducted a 5-year longitudinal study with 590 community-living individuals (mean age 62.

Relations between dairy food intake and arterial stiffness: pulse wave velocity and pulse pressure.

Modifiable risk factors, such as diet, are becomingly increasingly important in the management of cardiovascular disease, one of the greatest major causes of death and disease burden. Few studies have examined the role of diet as a possible means of reducing arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity, an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dairy food intake is associated with measures of arterial stiffness, including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and pulse pressure.

Normative data for elderly adults: the Maine-Syracuse study.

The primary objective of this study was to provide supplementary normative data on aging and cognition from an ongoing community-based study. This dementia- and stroke-free sample (age range = 70-89; mean = 77.5) consisted of 228 women and 155 men participating in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study at waves 6 to 7 (2001-2009).

From blood pressure to physical disability: the role of cognition.

We examined the hypothesis that lowered cognitive performance plays a role in the relation between elevated blood pressure and physical disability in performing basic physical tasks. A community-based sample (N=1025) free from stroke and dementia (mean age: 61.1 years; SD: 13.

Chronic kidney disease, creatinine and cognitive functioning.

Background: Non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) is related to cognitive impairment. Previous studies have not explored the extent of impairment across multiple cognitive domains. We examined the range of specific cognitive abilities affected by CKD and whether the associations of CKD with cognition were eliminated by statistical control for cardiovascular disease correlates of CKD.

Arterial pulse wave velocity and cognition with advancing age.

We hypothesized that carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, interacts with age such that the magnitude of associations between PWV and cognitive performance are greater with increasing age and that this interaction is observed despite adjustments for demographic variables, mean arterial pressure, and cardiovascular risk factors. PWV was estimated using applanation tonometry in 409 dementia- and stroke-free participants of the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (24 to 92 years of age; 62.3% women).