Proteo-metabolomic insights for early dual physical and cognitive impairments: A search for biomarkers of healthy aging based on muscle-brain crosstalk.

We employed an untargeted proteo-metabolomic approach to profile circulating biomarkers in plasma samples from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study, aiming to identify biomarkers and pathways associated with physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS). In 115 propensity score-matched PCDS case-control pairs, pathway analyses implicated dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism and inflammation in PCDS pathogenesis. Sex-specific associations were observed, with disruptions in central carbon metabolism (elevated PKM, MDH1, and GAPDH; decreased MINPP1) and tyrosine metabolism (decreased MIF, DBH; increased thyroxine) characterizing in men.

Sex-dependent interplay of phosphate and inflammation on muscle strength irrespective of muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults.

Background: Elevated circulatory phosphate levels are linked to age-related muscle dysfunction, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that inflammation plays a role in connecting elevated phosphate levels to muscular dysfunction in middle-aged and older individuals and explored potential sex-based differences in these associations.

Methods: The study, based on the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study Cohort, analyzed individuals' serum phosphate and hsCRP levels.

Accumulation of 3-Monochloro-Propanediol Esters in Kidney Tissues of Patients with Human Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: 3-Monochloro-propanediol esters (3-MCPDEs), commonly found in refined edible oils and related products, have generated concerns due to their nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity, yet clinical evidence remains limited.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess, for the first time, the accumulation of 3-MCPDEs in human kidney tissues, focusing on 68 participants, some with and others without renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: An analytical method for 3-MCPDE determination in kidney tissues underwent partial validation to ensure its suitability for sample analysis.

Analyzing sex-specific differences in sleep quality, resilience, and biomarkers among older adults in the Gan-Dau Healthy Longevity Plan.

Background: Limited knowledge exists regarding the interrelations between sleep quality and resilience within the demographic of healthy, community-residing middle-aged and older adults, with a particular dearth of information regarding sex-specific associations. This study aimed to examine the sex-specific associations between sleep quality, resilience, and biomarkers in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2022 Gan-Dau Healthy Longevity Plan survey initiated by the locality-based community hospital, Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital (TMGDH).

A Narrative Review: Repurposing Metformin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Oral Cancer.

Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a significant global health challenge because of its high incidence and limited treatment options. Major risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and specific microbiota, contribute to the disease's prevalence. Recently, a compelling association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and oral cancer has been identified, with metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, emerging as a potential therapeutic agent across various cancers, including OSCC.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Asians: a retrospective dual-center study.

Background: There have been limited data on idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in Asians and there remain uncertainties whether a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure of 250 mm CSF is an optimum diagnostic cutoff. The aims of the present study included (1) characterization of IIH patients in Taiwan, (2) comparisons among different diagnostic criteria for IIH, and (3) comparisons between patients with CSF pressures of > 250 and 200-250 mm CSF.

Methods: This retrospective study involved IIH patients based on the modified Dandy criteria from two tertiary medical centers in Taiwan.

The distinct impacts of sarcopenic and dynapenic obesity on mortality in middle-aged and older adults based on different adiposity metrics: Results from I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study.

Background & Aims: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) and dynapenic obesity (DO) represent two manifestations of excessive fat accumulation concurrent with compromised muscle mass and function, thereby necessitating an examination of their implications for health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between SO/DO and mortality, taking into account various adiposity measures and existing sarcopenia criteria, with further stratified analyses based on age and gender.

Methods: The study sample comprised 1779 older adults residing in the community from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study (ILAS).

The crosstalk between copper-induced oxidative stress and cuproptosis: a novel potential anticancer paradigm.

Copper is a crucial trace element that plays a role in various pathophysiological processes in the human body. Copper also acts as a transition metal involved in redox reactions, contributing to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under prolonged and increased ROS levels, oxidative stress occurs, which has been implicated in different types of regulated cell death.

Activin A as a potential biomarker for preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and clinical outcomes in community-dwelling adults.

Introduction: This study endeavors to decipher the association between Activin A and PRISm, thereby addressing the potential of Activin A as a serum biomarker for early detection and long-term clinical outcome prediction of PRISm and subsequent all-cause mortality.

Methods: The study sample comprised middle-aged and older adults from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. Pulmonary function including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) were measured.

Sex-specific implications of inflammation in covert cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: The relationship between inflammation and covert cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) with regards to sex difference has received limited attention in research. We aim to unravel the intricate associations between inflammation and covert SVD, while also scrutinizing potential sex-based differences in these connections.

Methods: Non-stroke/dementia-free study population was from the I-Lan longitudinal Aging Study.

Follistatin-respiratory connection predicting all-cause mortality among community-dwelling middle-to-old age individuals: Results from the I-Lan Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: The link between aging and pulmonary function decline is well-established, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully revealed. Serum follistatin, a myokine implicated in muscle degeneration, may play a role in age-related pulmonary changes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum follistatin levels and pulmonary function decline in community-dwelling older adults, and evaluate their combined association with all-cause mortality.

Safeguarding vitality and cognition: The role of sarcopenia in intrinsic capacity decline among octogenarians from multiple cohorts.

Background: Sarcopenia and intrinsic capacity (IC) declines pose significant challenges to healthy aging, particularly in the rapidly growing octogenarian population. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between sarcopenia and declines in IC across multiple cohorts of community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Data from four Taiwanese cohorts were analyzed.

The Epidemiology, Management and Therapeutic Outcomes of Subdural Empyema in Neonates with Acute Bacterial Meningitis.

Subdural empyema is one of the more serious complications of bacterial meningitis and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of subdural empyema in neonates with bacterial meningitis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two medical centers in Taiwan that enrolled all cases of neonates with subdural empyema after bacterial meningitis between 2003 and 2020.

Different Splice Isoforms of Peripheral Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 mRNA Expressions are Associated With Cognitive Decline in Mild Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease and Reflect Central Neuroinflammation.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is upregulated in activated microglia and may be related to cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is conflicting evidence regarding the association of peripheral TREM2 mRNA expression/soluble TREM2 (the extracellular domain of TREM2) with cognitive function/neuroinflammation in patients with AD. Herein, we studied the TREM2 and TREM2 mRNA expression and their association with the cognitive performance in subjects with mild dementia due to AD and healthy controls.

Occurrence and risk assessment of glycidyl and 3-monochloropropanediol esters in infant formulas marketed in Taiwan.

Glycidyl esters (GEs) and 3-monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDEs) are process contaminants commonly found in refined edible oils which are often added to infant formulas. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) launched regulations for GEs in infant formulas that went into effect on 1 July 2021. To investigate levels of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in infant formula powder, 45 products were sampled and analysed during 2020-2021.

Sex differences in the frailty phenotype and mortality in the I-Lan longitudinal aging study cohort.

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome related to multiple adverse outcomes. Sex differences in its prevalence and impact on mortality remain incompletely understood.

Methods: This study was conducted with data from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study, in which community-dwelling subjects aged > 50 years without coronary artery disease or diabetes were enrolled.

Intrinsic capacity and multimorbidity predicting incident disability-Insights from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study.

Objectives: This longitudinal cohort study aimed to examine the effect of intrinsic capacity (IC) and multimorbidity on the development of new disabilities.

Methods: The study utilized data from 1,009 participants without disabilities from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to assess the predictive capability of IC (ranging from 0 to 100) and multimorbidity for incident disability over a 7-year follow-up period.

Altered cerebellar and caudate gray-matter volumes and structural covariance networks preceding dual cognitive and mobility impairments in older people.

Introduction: The neuroanatomical changes driving both cognitive and mobility impairments, an emerging preclinical dementia syndrome, are not fully understood. We examined gray-matter volumes (GMVs) and structural covariance networks (SCNs) abnormalities in community-based older people preceding the conversion to physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS).

Methods: Voxel-wise brain GMV and established SCNs were compared between PCDS and non-PCDS converters.

Probabilistic risk assessment for determining nonessential metals in commercial infant formula products in Taiwan.

During the early months of life, infant formula plays a crucial role as a primary source of both food and essential nutrients for infants, serving as a replacement for or supplement to breast milk. However, nonessential metals in infant formulas are a concern because infants are highly vulnerable to chemical exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate infant exposure to nonessential metals in infant formula products in Taiwan and assess the associated health risks.

Nano-Brush Structure for Rapid Label-Free Differentiation of Alzheimer's Disease Stages and Direct Capture of Neuron-Derived Exosomes from Human Blood Plasma.

The measurement of the neurofilament light chain (NFL) in human blood plasma/serum is a promising liquid biopsy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, offering advantages over conventional neuroimaging techniques recommended in clinical guidelines. Here, a controllable nano-brush structure comprising upstanding silicon nanowires coated with indium tin oxide was employed as the sensing substrate. This nano-brush structure was modified with an NFL antibody (NFLAb) via silane coupling and then further connected as the extended gate in a field-effect transistor (EGFET).

Enhancing Intrinsic Capacity and Related Biomarkers in Community-Dwelling Multimorbid Older Adults Through Integrated Multidomain Interventions: Ancillary Findings From the Taiwan Integrated Geriatric (TIGER) Trial.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of integrated multidomain interventions and primary health care on intrinsic capacity (IC) and related biomarkers.

Design: An ancillary analysis from the Taiwan Integrated Geriatric Care (TIGER) study: a randomized controlled trial.

Setting And Participants: A total of 398 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years with ≥3 chronic conditions.