Lymphopenia Induced by Acute Bacterial Infections in the Elderly: A Sign of Age-Related Immune Dysfunction of Major Prognostic Significance

Gerontology ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Proust ◽  
P. Rosenzweig ◽  
C. Debouzy ◽  
R. Moulias
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Immune Dysfunction ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Acute Bacterial Infections

Degenerative cardiovascular disease in the elderly

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2960-2964
Author(s):  
Edgar Argulian
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Degenerative Changes ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Mitral Annular Calcification ◽  
Aortic Valve Sclerosis ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Annular Calcification

The ageing population represents a unique challenge for cardiovascular care. Ageing causes remodelling of the cardiovascular system and commonly results in distinct degenerative changes. Most of these degenerative changes have significant interactions with cardiovascular risk factors by either being a marker of disease burden or being exaggerated by co-morbid conditions. Also, age-related degenerative conditions have physiological and prognostic implications. This chapter discusses several common degenerative cardiovascular conditions in the elderly such as cardiac fibrosis, amyloidosis, mitral annular calcification, and aortic valve sclerosis. Some of these conditions (such as cardiac fibrosis and amyloidosis) are implicated in pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Others (such as mitral annular calcification and aortic valve sclerosis) do not typically cause any measurable physiological abnormality but have prognostic significance.

Degenerative cardiovascular disease in the elderly

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2960-2964
Author(s):  
Edgar Argulian
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Degenerative Changes ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Mitral Annular Calcification ◽  
Aortic Valve Sclerosis ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Annular Calcification

The ageing population represents a unique challenge for cardiovascular care. Ageing causes remodelling of the cardiovascular system and commonly results in distinct degenerative changes. Most of these degenerative changes have significant interactions with cardiovascular risk factors by either being a marker of disease burden or being exaggerated by co-morbid conditions. Also, age-related degenerative conditions have physiological and prognostic implications. This chapter discusses several common degenerative cardiovascular conditions in the elderly such as cardiac fibrosis, amyloidosis, mitral annular calcification, and aortic valve sclerosis. Some of these conditions (such as cardiac fibrosis and amyloidosis) are implicated in pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Others (such as mitral annular calcification and aortic valve sclerosis) do not typically cause any measurable physiological abnormality but have prognostic significance.

Effect of age on susceptibility to post-traumatic infection in the elderly

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 449-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.K. Butcher ◽  
V. Killampalli ◽  
H. Chahal ◽  
E. Kaya Alpar ◽  
J.M. Lord
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Neutrophil Function ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Fractured Neck Of Femur ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Tract Infections

Previous work has demonstrated an age-related decline in neutrophil function, including a decline in phagocytic capacity, with age in healthy individuals. This decline in function may contribute to increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in the elderly population. The present study has investigated the effects of age on susceptibility to infection and neutrophil function in elderly humans following mild trauma. Specifically, we have measured neutrophil function in 44 patients, all of whom had no significant co-morbidity, were over 65 years old (mean age 82.5 years) and had sustained a fractured neck of femur. We obtained neutrophils and examined the process of microbial engulfment by phagocytosis and the bactericidal mechanism of superoxide production. In the 5-week period after trauma, almost half of the elderly trauma patients succumbed to bacterial or fungal infection, with a predominance of chest and urinary tract infections. When examining neutrophil function, a decline in superoxide production was observed in neutrophils from the elderly trauma group at the time of hip fracture when compared with those from healthy elderly controls, and this was maintained 5 weeks after trauma. This was accompanied by an age-related reduction in phagocytic function during this period. We propose that trauma and an age-related decline in neutrophil function combine to decrease the immune response to bacteria in the elderly.

scholarly journals Patho-Physiology of Aging and Immune-Senescence: Possible Correlates With Comorbidity and Mortality in Middle-Aged and Old COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Farheen ◽  
Sudhanshu Agrawal ◽  
Swaleha Zubair ◽  
Anshu Agrawal ◽  
Fauzia Jamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Immune Dysfunction ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Co Morbidity

During the last 2 years, the entire world has been severely devastated by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic (COVID-19) as it resulted in several million deaths across the globe. While the virus infects people indiscriminately, the casualty risk is higher mainly in old, and middle-aged COVID-19 patients. The incidences of COVID-19 associated co-morbidity and mortality have a great deal of correlation with the weakened and malfunctioning immune systems of elderly people. Presumably, due to the physiological changes associated with aging and because of possible comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular, and lung diseases, which are more common in elderly people, may be considered as the reason making the elderly vulnerable to the infection on one hand, and COVID-19 associated complications on the other. The accretion of senescent immune cells not only contributes to the deterioration of host defense, but also results in elevated inflammatory phenotype persuaded immune dysfunction. In the present review, we envisage to correlate functioning of the immune defense of older COVID-19 patients with secondary/super infection, increased susceptibility or aggravation against already existing cancer, infectious, autoimmune, and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, we have discussed how age-linked modulations in the immune system affect therapeutic response against administered drugs as well as immunological response to various prophylactic measures including vaccination in the elderly host. The present review also provides an insight into the intricate pathophysiology of the aging and the overall immune response of the host to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A better understanding of age-related immune dysfunction is likely to help us in the development of targeted preemptive strategies for deadly COVID-19 in elderly patients.

The Biological Clock and Sleep in the Elderly

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Juda ◽  
Mirjam Münch ◽  
Anna Wirz-Justice ◽  
Martha Merrow ◽  
Till Roenneberg
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Biological Clock ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Theoretical Considerations ◽  
Sleep Difficulties ◽  
Circadian Biology

Abstract: Among many other changes, older age is characterized by advanced sleep-wake cycles, changes in the amplitude of various circadian rhythms, as well as reduced entrainment to zeitgebers. These features reveal themselves through early morning awakenings, sleep difficulties at night, and a re-emergence of daytime napping. This review summarizes the observations concerning the biological clock and sleep in the elderly and discusses the documented and theoretical considerations behind these age-related behavioral changes, especially with respect to circadian biology.

What Can We Learn from Sarcopenia with Curarisation in the Context of Cancer Surgery? A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (28) ◽  
pp. 3005-3010
Author(s):  
Georges Samouri ◽  
Alexandre Stouffs ◽  
Lionel V. Essen ◽  
Olivier Simonet ◽  
Marc De Kock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frail Elderly ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Hepatic Function ◽  
Volume Of Distribution ◽  
Neuromuscular Blocking ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Old People ◽  
Age Related

Introduction: The monitoring of the curarisation is a unique opportunity to investigate the function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) during cancer surgery, especially in frailty-induced and age-related sarcopenia. Method: We conducted a comprehensive literature review in PubMed, without any limit of time related to frailty, sarcopenia, age and response to neuromuscular blockers in the context of cancer surgery. Results: Several modifications appear with age: changes in cardiac output, a decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat, the deterioration in renal and hepatic function, the plasma clearance and the volume of distribution in elderly are smaller. These changes can be exacerbated in cancer patients. We also find modifications of the NMJ: dysfunctional mitochondria, modifications in the innervation of muscle fibers and motor units, uncoupling of the excitation-contraction of muscle fibers, inflammation. : Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) compete with acetylcholine and prevent it from fixing itself on its receptor. Many publications reported guidelines for using NMBAs in the elderly, based on studies comparing old people with young people. : No one screened frailty before, and thus, no studies compared frail elderly and non-frail elderly undergoing cancer surgery. Conclusion: Despite many studies about curarisation in the specific populations, and many arguments for a potential interest for investigation, no studies investigated specifically the response to NMBAs in regard of the frailty-induced and age-related sarcopenia.

Development of Peptides that Inhibit Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes and β-Lactamases for Control of Resistant Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1011-1026
Author(s):  
Bruna O. Costa ◽  
Marlon H. Cardoso ◽  
Octávio L. Franco
Keyword(s):  
Drug Target ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Target Interaction ◽  
Multiresistant Bacteria ◽  
Acute Bacterial Infections

: Aminoglycosides and β-lactams are the most commonly used antimicrobial agents in clinical practice. This occurs because they are capable of acting in the treatment of acute bacterial infections. However, the effectiveness of antibiotics has been constantly threatened due to bacterial pathogens producing resistance enzymes. Among them, the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) and β-lactamase enzymes are the most frequently reported resistance mechanisms. AMEs can inactivate aminoglycosides by adding specific chemical molecules in the compound, whereas β-lactamases hydrolyze the β-lactams ring, preventing drug-target interaction. Thus, these enzymes provide a scenario of multidrug-resistance and a significant threat to public health at a global level. In response to this challenge, in recent decades, several studies have focused on the development of inhibitors that can restore aminoglycosides and β-lactams activity. In this context, peptides appear as a promising approach in the field of inhibitors for future antibacterial therapies, as multiresistant bacteria may be susceptible to these molecules. Therefore, this review focused on the most recent findings related to peptide-based inhibitors that act on AMEs and β-lactamases, and how these molecules could be used for future treatment strategies.

scholarly journals A Narrative Review on Sarcopenia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Anna Izzo ◽  
Elena Massimino ◽  
Gabriele Riccardi ◽  
Giuseppe Della Pepa
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Macrovascular Complications ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Age Related

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major health burden for the elderly population, affecting approximately 25% of people over the age of 65 years. This percentage is expected to increase dramatically in the next decades in relation to the increased longevity of the population observed in recent years. Beyond microvascular and macrovascular complications, sarcopenia has been described as a new diabetes complication in the elderly population. Increasing attention has been paid by researchers and clinicians to this age-related condition—characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass together with the loss of muscle power and function—in individuals with T2DM; this is due to the heavy impact that sarcopenia may have on physical and psychosocial health of diabetic patients, thus affecting their quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an update on: (1) the risk of sarcopenia in individuals with T2DM, and (2) its association with relevant features of patients with T2DM such as age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, glycemic control, presence of microvascular or macrovascular complications, nutritional status, and glucose-lowering drugs. From a clinical point of view, it is necessary to improve the ability of physicians and dietitians to recognize early sarcopenia and its risk factors in patients with T2DM in order to make appropriate therapeutic approaches able to prevent and treat this condition.

scholarly journals Molecular diagnostics helps to identify distinct subgroups of spinal astrocytomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria Biczok ◽  
Felix L. Strübing ◽  
Julia M. Eder ◽  
Rupert Egensperger ◽  
Oliver Schnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Diffuse Astrocytoma ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
High Grade Astrocytoma ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Few Data

AbstractPrimary spinal cord astrocytomas are rare, hence few data exist about the prognostic significance of molecular markers. Here we analyze a panel of molecular alterations in association with the clinical course. Histology and genome sequencing was performed in 26 spinal astrocytomas operated upon between 2000 and 2020. Next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing (NGS) and methylome analysis were performed to determine molecular alterations. Histology and NGS allowed the distinction of 5 tumor subgroups: glioblastoma IDH wildtype (GBM); diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M mutated (DMG-H3); high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features (HAP); diffuse astrocytoma IDH mutated (DA), diffuse leptomeningeal glioneural tumors (DGLN) and pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Within all tumor entities GBM (median OS: 5.5 months), DMG-H3 (median OS: 13 months) and HAP (median OS: 8 months) showed a fatal prognosis. DMG-H3 tend to emerge in adolescence whereas GBM and HAP develop in the elderly. HAP are characterized by CDKN2A/B deletion and ATRX mutation. 50% of PA tumors carried a mutation in the PIK3CA gene which is seemingly associated with better outcome (median OS: PIK3CA mutated 107.5 vs 45.5 months in wildtype PA). This exploratory molecular profiling of spinal cord astrocytomas allows to identify distinct subgroups by combining molecular markers and histomorphology. DMG-H3 tend to develop in adolescence with a similar dismal prognosis like GBM and HAP in the elderly. We here describe spinal HAP with a distinct molecular profile for the first time.

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