by Joseph S. D'Arrigo

Received: 26 December 2019;  Published: 28 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001110

Aging, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and other factors can all synergistically promote diverse pathological mechanisms. These risk factors trigger widespread inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can lead to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. These pathological cascades lead to neuronal Ca2+ increase, neurodegeneration, gradual cognitive/memory decline, and eventually Alzheimer's disease. In particular, more recent research indicates that chronic inflamm [...]

by Ashleigh Trapuzzano  , Sara Chizmar  , Lauren Wilda  and Nicole Dawson

Received: 03 April 2020;  Published: 27 September 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2003134

This study investigated the predictors of gait speed in community dwelling older adults while examining interplay between physical performance and cognition on comfortable and fast gait speed. Sixty-six community-dwelling older adults (mean age 80.8 71% female) completed the following: 30-Second Chair Stand (30-SCS), Functional Reach (FR), Flanker Task, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and gait speed (comfortable and fast). Hierarchical linear regression examined the relationship of comfortable and fast gait [...]

by Victoria Lorenzetti  , Elena Bargagli  , Antonella Fossi  , David Bennett  , Paolo Cameli  and Paola Rottoli

Received: 30 August 2018;  Published: 18 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1804033

Background: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is the most common hereditary disorder in adults and is associated with an increased risk of developing lung emphysema. Methods:Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old man, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation due to AAT deficiency emphysema in the general hospital of Siena, Italy. Results:The patient was diagnosed with partial AAT deficiency (189 mg/dL) associated with the PIMZ genotype; although he quit smoking, his lung disease progressed to chronic resp [...]

by Leila Naseri  , Mohsen Akbaribazm  and Mozafar Khazaei

Received: 06 February 2024;  Published: 04 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2403248

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy causing non-ovulation infertility in women. Women with PCOS have higher levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, cholesterol and triglycerides but, in contrast, lower levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) compared with healthy counterparts. Because of the limitations of human studies, animal models of PCOS have been developed to identify appropriate therapeutics and to explore their mechanism [...]

by Ian Macreadie  and Sudip Dhakal

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903064

The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the model eukaryote, has provided much understanding of molecular and cellular biology, as well as insights into many human diseases. In this paper we review how yeast studies are contributing to knowledge about the role of oxidative damage to cell health, and how one of the key players in Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to the reactive oxygen species response involving AHP1, which encodes an alkyl hydroperoxidase, Ahp1p, a protein involved in protect [...]

by Robert Medina  , Akanksha Dave  , Candice Keogh  , Jordan Bartfield  , Franco Estenssoro  , Melissa Fraga  and Brandon Lucke-Wold

Received: 28 February 2025;  Published: 21 July 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2503292

This review examines a multimodal approach that integrates advanced neuroimaging, biofluid biomarkers, and innovative rehabilitation strategies for the optimized diagnosis and recovery of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI remains a critical public health challenge due to its high incidence and diverse, long-lasting morbidities. Conventional diagnostic methods often lack the sensitivity to detect subtle injuries, and current prognostic models are limited by the heterogeneity of TBI. Emerging neuroimaging techniques, [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 18 January 2021;  Published: 20 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101003

Neuro-photobiomodulation (PBM) is a relatively novel optical stimulation method that is not yet generally accepted in conventional medicine. Therefore, evidence-based research in this sub-area, which is important for laser medicine, is necessary in order to provide appropriate scientific evidence for a better understanding of neuro-PBM. In this editorial, a summary of the recent results with stimulation using different frequencies (e.g., 40 Hz, 136.1 Hz) is presented. The contribution is intended to stimulate resea [...]

by Sue Westwood  , Trish Hafford-Letchfield  and Jemma James

Received: 16 October 2023;  Published: 21 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2401270

Research suggests health, social care, and social work professionals who are highly religious, and adhere closely to traditional doctrine, are more likely to take a negative view of LGBTQ people. This includes those who provide services to older people. Negative attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or queer (LGBTQ) people can translate into poor care and even abuse. This commentary discusses recent literature on older LGBTQ people’s experiences of religious abuse. It highlights the concerns among man [...]

by Myriam Rudaz  , Thomas Ledermann  , Michael P. Twohig  and Michael E. Levin

Received: 24 May 2019;  Published: 10 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904059

Background: There is robust evidence that mindfulness trainings enhance mindfulness as operationalized in Western psychology, but evidence about their effect on aspects of heartfulness is sparse. The present study, therefore, sought to evaluate whether a brief mindfulness training enhances heart qualities, including self-compassion, gratitude, and the generation of feelings of happiness. Methods: Eighteen students enrolled in a mindfulness training that was offered as part of an interdisciplinary class. The trainin [...]

by Giuseppe Cocco  and Philipp Amiet

Received: 05 February 2020;  Published: 19 March 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001111

The present article summarizes the current state of understanding in geriatric cardiology in terms of the main developments in the field. The focus of the present review is on the therapeutics, into the specific characteristics of the elderly pa­tients dealing with the prevention of arterial hypertension, bradycardic arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery syndromes, valve heart diseases, and heart failure. Progress in the field of medicine has rendered possible to treat lethal cardiac diseases in the [...]

by Patrick Hagen  , William Adams  , Shruti Singh  , Shuai Qin  , Loredana Campo  , Stephanie Tsai  , Nasheed Hossain  , Scott E Smith  and Patrick J Stiff

Received: 04 November 2020;  Published: 07 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101136

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option for many hematological malignancies. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternate donor source with potentially increased morbidity in elderly patients. We evaluated outcomes in alternate donor sources, prior to the initiation of haploidentical transplantation at our institution, of matched unrelated donor (MUD) and UCB in elderly patients (mean age 64, range 60-75). One hundred and eighty-four patients were included (MRD: 57; MUD: 69; UCB: 58). Th [...]

by Omid Ranjbar Pouya  , Ahmad Byagowi  , Debbie M. Kelly  and Zahra Moussavi

Received: 20 August 2018;  Published: 27 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902059

Background: Previous studies have reported that coordinate information (i.e. distance between any two objects in a specific direction) is encoded differently from Virtual Reality (VR) and physical scenes. However, the accuracy of encoding categorical information (i.e. relative positions of objects) from VR scenes has not been adequately investigated. During this study, we used a novel rotating visual scene to study the effects of aging, prior experience with VR, and dementia on the accuracy of encoding categorical [...]

by Katrine Hygum  , Jakob Starup-Linde  , Torben Harsløf  and Bente Langdahl

Received: 29 August 2019;  Published: 04 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1904090

Background: The increased risk of fractures in individuals with diabetes has been underestimated by conventional fracture predictors such as the bone mineral density T-score or the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. The present study conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the association between the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) and fractures in patients with diabetes. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search. Eligibility criteria were studies investigating BTMs in patient [...]

by James David Adams

Received: 14 January 2018;  Published: 19 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804035

Background: This study presents several case reports of chronic pain patients treated with two different plant medicines from the Chumash Indian tradition. Methods: Patients suffering from self-reported fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, chronic bursitis, chronic tendinitis and other conditions were treated. California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) was grown by the author and made into a liniment. The liniment was applied to painful sites on the skin. Black sage (Salvia mellifera) was made into a sun tea. Chronic [...]

by Robert Marx  and Lisa Burroughes

Received: 13 October 2018;  Published: 02 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901009

Background: Training is generally not available for those wishing to deliver non 8 week Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) adapted for specific contexts and populations. A new model for training in MBIs is developed with the following principle components: teaching on theory, participation in a practice, followed by teaching the practice and receiving feedback, and consultation and discussion of live mindfulness-based work. Methods: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation is presented of the experience of the [...]

by Lisa Grentz  , Kristin Furfari  and Rebekah Keifer

Received: 13 January 2024;  Published: 19 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2402007

Infants with a critical congenital heart defect are at high-risk for feeding difficulties, often necessitating feeding tube placement. Enteral nutrition (EN) support is initiated to meet nutritional requirements and promote growth pre- and post-operatively. Tube-fed infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) who achieve stable health status post-operatively are at risk of becoming feeding tube dependent (FTD). We report a clinical observation for infants with CHD based on survey results from Growing Independent Ea [...]

by Luis F. Riquelme  , Sara Diab  , Angela Horyacheva  , Isabel Huribal  , Andreea Shellerud  , Sophia Werden Abrams  and Ashwini M. Namasivayam-MacDonald

Received: 29 April 2022;  Published: 11 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203036

The purpose of this study was to collate and summarize the content covered in published literature describing speech-language pathology management of adult patients with COVID-19 in the acute hospital setting as of February 2022. This review serves as an updated review of the initial recommendations to guide speech-language pathology management for adults with COVID-19 in the acute hospital setting previously provided by Namasivayam-MacDonald and Riquelme in July of 2020. This scoping review followed the Preferred [...]

by Elisavet Kouvidi  , Haralambia Tsarouha  , Christina Katsidi  , Sophia Zachaki  , Nikolaos Nitsos  , Sofia Samourgianidi  , Amelia Pantou  , Lazaros Leandros  , Emmanouel Kanavakis  and Ariadni Mavrou

Received: 21 October 2022;  Published: 08 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2301178

Chromosomal abnormalities represent a significant genetic cause of male infertility because they impair spermatogenesis. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of chromosomal abnormalities in Greek men with infertility. Four hundred eighty-eight infertile men (27 azoospermic, 168 with oligospermia -98 mild, 57 moderate, 13 severe- and 293 with normospermia) undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) between 2016-2022 were enrolled in the study. Thirty-eight fertile men were [...]

by Stefan Klek  , Jonathan Newgren  , Philip Burns  , Angelika Kwak  , Eric Casinelli  , Tony Tu  , Theodote K. Pontikes  and Edwin Meresh

Received: 10 May 2023;  Published: 13 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2304188

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Malignant Catatonia (MC) are conditions with significant overlap and are classically characterized by autonomic dysfunction, rigidity, bradyreflexia, posturing, lead-pipe rigidity in the former and waxy flexibility in the latter, stereotyping, an increase in creatinine kinase, and/or leukocytosis. Onset after inciting factor ranges from days to weeks, as does resolution with appropriate treatment. The overlap in symptomatology with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a f [...]

by Musa Itopa Yakubu  , Nuhu Mohammed Danjamu  , Mohammed Garba Magaji  , Sani Malami  , Axel Becker  , Medinat Yakubu Abbas  and Ben Ahmed Chindo

Received: 25 February 2022;  Published: 31 March 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2201013

Preparations of Zingiber officinale are used in Nigerian folk medicine to manage colds, pain, arthritis, nausea, and epilepsy. The ameliorative effects of co-administering aqueous Zingiber officinale extract (GE) and sodium valproate (SDV) on pentylenetetrazole-kindled mice were evaluated regarding cognitive deficits, neuronal cell loss, and seizure severity. GFAP was also quantified. Male mice were pretreated with GE (50 mg/kg), SDV (100 and 200 mg/kg), and GE + SDV before kindling. After kindling, the mice underw [...]

by Hong Chee Chew  , Ling Gao  , Jeanette E. Villaneuva  , Aoife Doyle  , Mark Hicks  , Andrew Jabbour  , Kumud K. Dhital  and Peter S. Macdonald

Received: 09 March 2019;  Published: 18 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1902067

Background: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) utilises 1.2-1.5L of donor blood (DB) with a target perfusate haematocrit of 25% to reanimate the donor heart. Limitations to current practise include small donor size and donor anaemia which can impact on the recovery of these hearts. Furthermore, in donation after circulatory death (DCD), blood collection may delay delivery of preservation solutions resulting in longer warm ischaemic times for the heart and other organs. Banked blood (BB) is a potential alternative [...]

by Lordwin Girish Kumar Jeyakumar  , David B. McKenzie  , Laura E. Christianson  and Evan Derdall

Received: 29 December 2020;  Published: 15 April 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2102005

Denitrifying bioreactor technology, where a solid carbon source (woodchips) acts as a reactive medium to intercept agricultural tile drainage water, has been successfully used to convert N (NO3-) to di-nitrogen (N2) gas. Four replicated field-scale (24 m long × 3 m wide × 1 m deep), bioreactors were built and operated at the St. John's Research and Development Centre and were successful at removing a notable amount of nitrate (N) from agricultural subsurface drainage water. The objective of this study [...]

by Birthe Osorio  and Karsten Münstedt

Received: 27 February 2019;  Published: 05 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903043

Background: In particular, the women with breast cancer seek methods offered by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Unfortunately, the value of most of such methods remains unclear. Methods: The present review was aimed at identifying reasonable strategies for patients with breast cancer on the basis of the current literature. Results: The analyses revealed that there is no evidence of alternative medicine which might result in healing. However, several strategies are available which could improve patient [...]

by Chloe Moran  , Hannah Shaw  , Sue Black  and Kay Brewster

Received: 29 July 2022;  Published: 16 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301006

There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of brief, group-based compassionate mind training (CMT) in reducing shame and self-criticism, and increasing self-compassion. The current evaluation of an 8-week CMT group programme in an NHS Physical Health Psychology Service supports these findings. Based on a cross-diagnostic sample of 25-39 participants with physical health difficulties, results demonstrate significant reduction in depression and anxiety, significant increase in perceived wellbeing and acceptan [...]

by Martin Wynn  and Peter Jones

Received: 06 September 2023;  Published: 07 December 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2304053

While artificial intelligence has been attracting increasing investment and controversy, a new, and potentially much more powerful technology, Quantum Computing, is on the business horizon. Already, organizations are assessing its potential for addressing a range of computationally challenging issues, such as last-mile optimization and cryptanalysis to break encryption algorithms, and are exploring possible applications in a range of business areas. While the advent of Quantum Computing may bring an array of opport [...]