Novel genetic loci associated with osteoarthritis in multi-ancestry analyses in the Million Veteran Program and UK Biobank.

Osteoarthritis is a common progressive joint disease. As no effective medical interventions are available, osteoarthritis often progresses to the end stage, in which only surgical options such as total joint replacement are available. A more thorough understanding of genetic influences of osteoarthritis is essential to develop targeted personalized approaches to treatment, ideally long before the end stage is reached.

Neuromodulation for Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study.

Background: Apathy, a profound loss of motivation, initiation, and goal directed cognition, is a common comorbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The presence of apathy is associated with rapid progression of AD, long-term impairment, disability, and higher mortality. Pharmacological treatments of apathy are limited.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors-associated apathy syndrome: A cross sectional study.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly used to treat depression, are associated with loss of motivation, anergy, and lack of curiosity often referred collectively as apathy. However, this association has not been systematically assessed using a specific rating scale for measuring apathy syndrome. Our objective was to study the association between SSRI use and apathy syndrome.

Home-Based Physical Activity and Diet Intervention to Improve Physical Function in Advanced Liver Disease: A Randomized Pilot Trial.

Introduction: A decline in physical function is highly prevalent and a poor prognostic factor in cirrhosis. We assessed the benefits of a home-based physical activity program (HB-PAP) in patients with cirrhosis with a randomized pilot trial.

Methods: All participants received a personal activity tracker to monitor daily activities and were given 12 g/day of an essential amino acid supplement.

A guide for using NIH Image J for single slice cross-sectional area and composition analysis of the thigh from computed tomography.

Reports using computed tomography (CT) to estimate thigh skeletal muscle cross-sectional area and mean muscle attenuation are often difficult to evaluate due to inconsistent methods of quantification and/or poorly described analysis methods. This CT tutorial provides step-by-step instructions in using free, NIH Image J software to quantify both muscle size and composition in the mid-thigh, which was validated against a robust commercially available software, SliceOmatic. CT scans of the mid-thigh were analyzed from 101 healthy individuals aged 65 and older.

Tutorial for using SliceOmatic to calculate thigh area and composition from computed tomography images from older adults.

Objective: Area of muscle, fat, and bone is often measured in thigh CT scans when tissue composition is a key outcome. SliceOmatic software is commonly referenced for such analysis but published methods may be insufficient for new users. Thus, a quick start guide to calculating thigh composition using SliceOmatic has been developed.

Immunohistochemical Identification of Human Skeletal Muscle Macrophages.

Macrophages have well-characterized roles in skeletal muscle repair and regeneration. Relatively little is known regarding the role of resident macrophages in skeletal muscle homeostasis, extracellular matrix remodeling, growth, metabolism and adaptation to various stimuli including exercise and training. Despite speculation into macrophage contributions during these processes, studies characterizing macrophages in non-injured muscle are limited and methods used to identify macrophages vary.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for apathy in mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, cross-over pilot study.

Apathy is a common and disabling behavioral concomitant of many neurodegenerative conditions. The presence of apathy with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is linked with heightened rates of conversion to Alzheimer's disease. Improving apathy may slow the neurodegenerative process.

Methylphenidate for Apathy in Community-Dwelling Older Veterans With Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: Apathy is a common behavioral problem in Alzheimer's disease. Apathy has profound consequences, such as functional impairment, higher service utilization, higher caregiver burden, and increased mortality. The authors' objective was to study the effects of methylphenidate on apathy in Alzheimer's disease.

Home-Based Exercise Program Improves Balance and Fear of Falling in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background/objective: Balance problems are common in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective was to study the effects of a Wii-Fit interactive video-game-led physical exercise program to a walking program on measures of balance in older adults with mild AD.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled parallel-group trial (Wii-Fit versus walking) was conducted in thirty community-dwelling older adults (73±6.

Efficacy of Wii-Fit on Static and Dynamic Balance in Community Dwelling Older Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

. Balance problems are well-established modifiable risk factors for falls, which are common in older adults. The objective of this study was to establish the efficacy of a Wii-Fit interactive video-game-led physical exercise program to improve balance in older Veterans.

Proteins that accumulate with age in human skeletal-muscle aggregates contribute to declines in muscle mass and function in .

Protein aggregation increases with age in normal tissues, and with pathology and age in Alzheimer's hippocampus and mouse cardiac muscle. We now ask whether human skeletal muscle accumulates aggregates with age. Detergent-insoluble protein aggregates were isolated from biopsies from 5 young (23–27 years of age) and 5 older (64-80 years) adults.

Immune Function and Muscle Adaptations to Resistance exercise in Older Adults: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nutritional Supplement.

Background: Immune function may influence the ability of older adults to maintain or improve muscle mass, strength, and function during aging. Thus, nutritional supplementation that supports the immune system could complement resistance exercise as an intervention for age-associated muscle loss. The current study will determine the relationship between immune function and exercise training outcomes for older adults who consume a nutritional supplement or placebo during resistance training and post-training follow-up.

Molecular changes in bone marrow, tumor and serum after conductive ablation of murine 4T1 breast carcinoma.

Thermal ablation of solid tumors using conductive interstitial thermal therapy (CITT) produces coagulative necrosis in the center of ablation. Local changes in homeostasis for surviving tumor and systemic changes in circulation and distant organs must be understood and monitored in order to prevent tumor re-growth and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to use a mouse carcinoma model to evaluate molecular changes in the bone marrow and surviving tumor after CITT treatment by quantification of transcripts associated with cancer progression and hyperthermia, serum cytokines, stress proteins and the marrow/tumor cross-talk regulator stromal-derived factor 1.

Nutrient intake, peripheral edema, and weight change in elderly recuperative care patients.

Background: It is unclear whether serial measures of body weight are valid indicators of nutritional status in older patients recovering from illness. Objectives. Investigate the relative influence of nutrient intake and changes in peripheral edema on weight change.

Changes in activities of daily living, nutrient intake, and systemic inflammation in elderly adults receiving recuperative care.

Objectives: To determine the relationships between physical function, systemic inflammation, and nutrient intake in elderly adults who are deconditioned or recovering from medical illness.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Recuperative care and rehabilitation setting of a Veterans Affairs hospital.

Wii-fit for improving gait and balance in an assisted living facility: a pilot study.

Objectives. To determine the effects on balance and gait of a Wii-Fit program compared to a walking program in subjects with mild Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Methods.

Thrombin expression in prostate: a novel finding.

Introduction: A variable repertoire of coagulation protein expression is observed in different cancers. We evaluated expression of thrombin in prostate tissue.

Methods: Detection of thrombin was performed using quantitative real-time PCR in fresh tissue and in situ hybridization (ISH) in archival prostate tissue and by immunohistochemistry of prostate tissue microarrays.

Muscle expression of genes associated with inflammation, growth, and remodeling is strongly correlated in older adults with resistance training outcomes.

A group (n = 8) of healthy older (68 +/- 6 yr) adults participated in a 36-session progressive resistance exercise training program targeting the thigh muscles to determine the relationship between muscle gene expression and gains in muscle size and strength. Biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis at baseline 72 h after an acute bout of exercise and 72 h after completion of the training program. Training increased thigh muscle size (7%) and strength for the three exercises performed: knee extension (30%) and curl (28%) and leg press (20%).

Changes in prealbumin, nutrient intake, and systemic inflammation in elderly recuperative care patients.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between prealbumin, nutrient intake, and indicators of inflammation for recuperative and rehabilitative care patients.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Recuperative Care Unit within a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit.