Geriatric Depression and Cognitive Impairment-An Update.

Background: Depression and cognitive impairment often coexist in older adults. The relation between depression and cognitive impairment is complex. The objective of this article is to review recent literature on cognitive impairment in older adults with depression and provide clinicians an update.

Treatment response of colorectal cancer liver metastases to neoadjuvant or conversion therapy: a prospective multicentre follow-up study using MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and H-MR spectroscopy compared with histology (subgroup in the RAXO trial).

Background: Colorectal cancer liver metastases respond to chemotherapy and targeted agents not only by shrinking, but also by morphologic and metabolic changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in predicting treatment response and survival.

Patients And Methods: We investigated contrast-enhanced MRI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted imaging and H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) in detecting early morphologic and metabolic changes in borderline or resectable liver metastases, as a response to first-line neoadjuvant or conversion therapy in a prospective substudy of the RAXO trial (NCT01531621, EudraCT2011-003158-24).

The role of the Sunfrail tool in the screening of frailty and in integrated community-hospital care pathways: a retrospective observational study.

Background: One of the most problematic expression of ageing is frailty, and an approach based on its early identification is mandatory. The Sunfrail-tool (ST), a 9-item questionnaire, is a promising instrument for screening frailty.

Aims: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and the construct validity between the ST and a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), composed by six tests representative of the bio-psycho-social model of frailty; To verify the discriminating power of five key-questions of the ST; To investigate the role of the ST in a clinical-pathway of falls' prevention.

The Relevance and Added Value of Geriatric Medicine (GM): Introducing GM to Non-Geriatricians.

Geriatric Medicine (GM) holds a crucial role in promoting health and managing the complex medical, cognitive, social, and psychological issues of older people. However, basic principles of GM, essential for optimizing the care of older people, are commonly unknown or undermined, especially in countries where GM is still under development. This narrative review aims at providing insights into the role of GM to non-geriatrician readers and summarizing the main aspects of the added value of a geriatric approach across the spectrum of healthcare.

Molecular Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales in Long-Term Care Residents.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the burden of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in Swiss long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to describe the molecular epidemiology, describe the intrainstitutional and regional clusters of resistant pathogens, and identify independent institution- and resident-level factors associated with colonization.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting And Participants: From August to October 2019, we performed a point prevalence study among residents from 16 LTCFs in Western and Eastern Switzerland (8 per region).

Temporal trends in nutrition intake among older long-term care residents.

Background & Aims: The temporal trends in protein and other nutrient intakes among older long-term care residents have not been studied. The aim of this study was to explore the changes in energy, protein, and other nutrient intakes between 2007 and 2017-8 in two cross-sectional samples of older long-term care residents in the Helsinki metropolitan area. We also studied how the residents' disability and stage of cognition modified the association between observation year and protein intake (g/body weight kg).

Effects of Staff Training on Nursing Home Residents' End-Of-Life Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This trial examines the effects of end-of-life training on long-term care facility (LTCF) residents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and use and costs of hospital services.

Design: A single-blind, cluster randomized (at facility level) controlled trial (RCT). Our training intervention included 4 small-group 4-hour educational sessions on the principles of palliative and end-of-life care (advance care planning, adverse effects of hospitalizations, symptom management, communication, supporting proxies, challenging situations).

Non-occupational and occupational factors associated with specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among hospital workers - A multicentre cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is critical to preserve the functioning of healthcare systems. We therefore assessed seroprevalence and identified risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity in this population.

Methods: Between 22 June 22 and 15 August 2020, HCWs from institutions in northern/eastern Switzerland were screened for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Determinants of cardiac structure in frail and sarcopenic elderly adults.

Background: Cardiac structure and function change with age. The higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with concentric remodeling is indicative of a typical geometric pattern of aging associated with a higher cardiovascular (CV) risk and diseases. The recent associations found between low left ventricular and skeletal mass in older patients with frailty and sarcopenia have raised great interest in investigating cardiac characteristics and determinants of left ventricular mass (LVM) in this population.

Training Staff in Long-Term Care Facilities-Effects on Residents' Symptoms, Psychological Well-Being, and Proxy Satisfaction.

Context: Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents have unmet needs in end-of-life and symptom care.

Objectives: This study examines the effects of an end-of-life care staff training intervention on LTCF residents' pain, symptoms, and psychological well-being and their proxies' satisfaction with care.

Methods: We report findings from a single-blind, cluster randomized controlled trial featuring 324 residents with end-of-life care needs in 20 LTCF wards in Helsinki.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Inflammatory Markers in Alzheimer's Disease: Influence of Comorbidities.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) develops into dementia after several years, and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are used as intermediary diagnoses of increasing severity. Inflammation is an important part of AD pathology and provides potential novel biomarkers and treatment targets.

Objective: To identify novel potential biomarkers of AD in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and create a molecular pattern of inflammatory factors providing differentiation between AD and SCI.

Adaptation of an online training and support program for caregivers of people with dementia to Indian cultural setting.

Support for caregivers of people with dementia has been identified as an action area in the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025 by the World Health Organization (WHO). As a step towards that, WHO developed iSupport - an online program to provide support and training for caregivers of people with dementia. To address the need of caregivers in India, the iSupport program was adapted to the Indian cultural setting.

The strategic biomarker roadmap for the validation of Alzheimer's diagnostic biomarkers: methodological update.

Background: The 2017 Alzheimer's disease (AD) Strategic Biomarker Roadmap (SBR) structured the validation of AD diagnostic biomarkers into 5 phases, systematically assessing analytical validity (Phases 1-2), clinical validity (Phases 3-4), and clinical utility (Phase 5) through primary and secondary Aims. This framework allows to map knowledge gaps and research priorities, accelerating the route towards clinical implementation. Within an initiative aimed to assess the development of biomarkers of tau pathology, we revised this methodology consistently with progress in AD research.

Prolonged SARS-CoV-2-RNA Detection from Nasopharyngeal Swabs in an Oncologic Patient: What Impact on Cancer Treatment?

The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious global challenge affecting millions of people worldwide. Cancer patients are at risk for infection exposure and serious complications. A prompt diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the timely adoption of isolation measures and the appropriate management of cancer treatments.

Resting State Functional Connectivity of Brain With Electroconvulsive Therapy in Depression: Meta-Analysis to Understand Its Mechanisms.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a commonly used brain stimulation treatment for treatment-resistant or severe depression. This study was planned to find the effects of ECT on brain connectivity by conducting a systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of the studies performing resting state fMRI (rsfMRI) in patients with depression receiving ECT. We systematically searched the databases published up to July 31, 2020, for studies in patients having depression that compared resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) before and after a course of pulse wave ECT.

Shape Profile of Corpus Callosum As a Signature to Phenotype Different Dementia.

 Phenotyping dementia is always a complex task for a clinician. There is a need for more practical biomarkers to aid clinicians.  The aim of the study is to investigate the shape profile of corpus callosum (CC) in different phenotypes of dementia.

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online training and support program for caregivers of people with dementia in India: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Internet-based interventions involving elements of cognitive behavior therapy, psychoeducation, relaxation and skills training for caregivers of people with dementia have been found to be promising in Western countries. Given these outcomes, the adapted version of a multi-component online caregiver skills training and support program of the World Health Organization, called iSupport, was tested for feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in India.

Methods: One hundred fifty-one caregivers of family members with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia were randomized to either the intervention arm (iSupport; n = 74) or to the control group (an education-only e-book program; n = 77).

Design and methodology of the chronic kidney disease as a dysmetabolic determinant of disability among older people (CKD-3D) study: a multicenter cohort observational study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in older people and represents a global health issue since it increases the risk of associated comorbidities and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, older people with reduced renal function might be at higher risk for developing functional limitation and disability. Moreover, the current creatinine-based measures of renal function are influenced by several factors in older population.

Geriatric Telepsychiatry: Promoting Access to Geriatric Mental Health Care Beyond the Physical Barriers.

Psychiatric illnesses are an important contributor of morbidity and mortality in older adults. There is increase in older adults with psychiatric disorders paralleling their growth in absolute numbers. This leads to challenges in mental health care and service delivery.

Factors associated with the perception of services by dementia informal caregivers in Greece: the role of familism.

Aim: To investigate perceptions of informal caregivers of community-dwelling persons with dementia (PwD) regarding health and social care services and their correlates using the Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization as the theoretical framework.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling technique to identify, through community-based health and social care services, caregivers of PwD. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 118 informal caregivers (78.

Comprehensive Model for Physical and Cognitive Frailty: Current Organization and Unmet Needs.

Aging is characterized by the decline and deterioration of functional cells and results in a wide variety of molecular damages and reduced physical and mental capacity. The knowledge on aging process is important because life expectancy is expected to rise until 2050. Aging cannot be considered a homogeneous process and includes different trajectories characterized by states of fitness, frailty, and disability.