Background And Aims: This study examines whether a three-year change in serum albumin concentration is associated with subsequent decline in functional status in older persons.
Methods: A total of 588 participants from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam aged 65-85 years were followed for six years. The three-year change in serum albumin was classified in four groups: chronic low (< or =43 g/L at both time points), decrease (decrease of 2.4% or more) from normal to low, decrease but still normal, and stable normal albumin (reference group). During the subsequent three years, absolute change and a decline of one standard deviation or more (termed substantial decline) in functional status was assessed. Functional status was measured in two ways: using performance tests and self-reported functional ability.
Results: Substantial decline in functional performance and functional ability was observed in 243 persons (41.3%) and 133 persons (22.6%), respectively. After adjustment for baseline functional status and potential confounders, chronic low albumin and a decrease from normal to low albumin were associated with a greater absolute decline in functional performance and in self-reported functional ability. Using the outcome substantial decline in functional status, only decrease to low serum albumin was associated with decline in functional ability [odds ratio (OR)=1.97; one-sided 95% Confidence Limit (CL)=1.09].
Conclusions: This study indicates that chronic low serum albumin is a determinant of decline in functional status. However, a decrease in serum albumin from normal to low levels but within the normal range was a stronger determinant of future decline in functional status. Change in serum albumin level within the normal range measured between two points in time may be used as a general marker of future functional decline.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03324614 | DOI Listing |
JAMA Netw Open
January 2025
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Importance: Data characterizing the severity and changing prevalence of bone mineral density (BMD) deficits and associated nonfracture consequences among childhood cancer survivors decades after treatment are lacking.
Objective: To evaluate risk for moderate and severe BMD deficits in survivors and to identify long-term consequences of BMD deficits.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the St Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) cohort, a retrospectively constructed cohort with prospective follow-up.
Cells
January 2025
Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Calambrone, Italy.
CLN8 and other neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) often lead to cognitive decline, emotional disturbances, and social deficits, worsening with disease progression. Disrupted lysosomal pH, impaired autophagy, and defective dendritic arborization contribute to these symptoms. Using a zebrafish model, we identified significant impairments in locomotion, anxiety, and aggression, along with subtle deficits in social interactions, positioning zebrafish as a useful model for therapeutic studies in NCL.
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January 2025
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital "ATTIKON", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.
Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in female reproductive health; influencing natural conception and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). An essential component of innate immunity, the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is one of the major mediators of inflammatory responses, and its activation is closely linked to oxidative stress. This interaction contributes to a decline in oocyte quality, reduced fertilization potential, and impaired embryo development.
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January 2025
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
Bi-hormonal islet endocrine cells have been proposed to represent an intermediate state of cellular transdifferentiation, enabling an increase in beta-cell mass in response to severe metabolic stress. Beta-cell plasticity and regenerative capacity are thought to decrease with age. We investigated the ontogeny of bi-hormonal islet endocrine cell populations throughout the human lifespan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
January 2025
Neuroimmunology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.
Background/objectives: Growing evidence suggests that the gut-brain axis influences brain function, particularly the role of intestinal microbiota in modulating cognitive processes. Probiotics may alter brain function and behavior by modulating gut microbiota, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this review is to systematically review the current literature exploring the effects of probiotic supplementation on gut microbiota and cognitive function in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
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