Search Results (1,286)

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a systemic condition linked to increased morbidity and mortality in older adults. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) offers a rapid, bedside method to assess muscle mass. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), the gold standard method, and explores its prognostic value in old patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures. Patients and Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 126 patients aged ≥ 70 years and hospitalized with hip fractures were included. Sarcopenia was defined according to the revised 2018 EWGSOP2 criteria. Muscle mass was assessed by the Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMI) using DXA and by the thickness of the rectus femoris (RF) muscle using POCUS. Results: Of the 126 included patients, 52 had both DXA and POCUS assessments, and 43% of them met the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia. RF muscle thickness measured by POCUS was significantly associated with ASMI (R² = 0.30; p < 0.001). POCUS showed a fair diagnostic accuracy in women (AUC 0.652) and an excellent accuracy in men (AUC 0.905). Optimal diagnostic thresholds according to Youden’s index were 5.7 mm for women and 9.3 mm for men. Neither RF thickness, ASMI, nor sarcopenia status predicted mortality or major postoperative complications. Conclusions: POCUS is a promising, accessible tool for diagnosing sarcopenia in old adults with hip fractures. Nonetheless, its prognostic utility remains uncertain and should be further evaluated in long-term studies. Full article

Beech forests in the Italian peninsula are actively managed and they also support a high level of biodiversity. Hence, biodiversity conservation can be synergistic with timber production and carbon sequestration, enhancing the overall economic benefits of forest management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of forest management regimes on bird communities in the Italian Peninsula during 2022 through audio recordings. We studied the structure, composition, and specialization of the breeding bird community in four managed beech stands (three even-aged beech stands aged 20, 60, and 100 years old, managed by a uniform shelterwood system; one uneven-aged stand, managed by a single-tree selection system) and one uneven-aged, unmanaged beech stand in the northern Apennines (Tuscany region, Italy). Between April and June 2022, data were collected through four 1-hour audio recording sessions per site, analyzing 5 min sequences. The unmanaged stand hosted a richer (a higher number of species, p < 0.001) and more specialized (a higher number of cavity-nesting species, p < 0.001; higher Woodland Bird Community Index (WBCI) values, p < 0.001; and eight characteristic species, including at least four highly specialized ones) bird community, compared to all the managed forests; moreover, the latter were homogeneous (similar to each other). Our study suggests that the unmanaged beech forests should be a priority option for conservation, while in terms of the managed beech forests, greater attention should be paid to defining the thresholds for snags, deadwood, and large trees to be retained to enhance their biodiversity value. Studies in additional sites, conducted over more years and including multi-taxon communities, are recommended for a deeper understanding and generalizable results. Full article

Endometriosis is a benign and often underdiagnosed condition that affects women of reproductive age, typically between 18 and 45 years. It can cause infertility and pain, including radicular pain and low back pain (LBP). The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance of making a differential diagnosis when facing LBP and radicular symptoms. We report the case of a 17-year-old female patient, R.A., presented with a significant LBP (NPRS 8/10) radiating from her lumbar spine to her right buttock and occasionally to both legs, accompanied by weakness. She revealed exacerbation of pain during menstruation, despite being under hormonal contraceptive treatment. After three physiotherapy sessions that included education, manual therapy and exercise, the patient’s pain persisted so her physiotherapist recommended an evaluation in the emergency department, where standard radiography did not reveal any significant findings. Physiotherapy continued until the fifth session, when the patient agreed to undergo evaluation at a specialized endometriosis centre. Further investigations revealed endometriotic tissue on the uterosacral ligament, leading to hormonal therapy adjustment, with which pain gradually decreased to a manageable level (NPRS 2/10). This case report highlights the importance of an early differential diagnosis in patients with LBP, as endometriosis can present not only in older women but also in younger patients, including those already on oral contraceptives. Therefore, to mitigate the risk of pattern recognition bias, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for endometriosis, even in atypical or unlikely clinical presentations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Educational background is an aspect of socio-economic status, that may be associated with higher caries risk. This study aimed to investigate differences in caries prevalence between different school types for older adolescents in Greifswald, Germany. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected as part of compulsory dental school examinations between 2020 and 2023. Oral health status was assessed according to WHO criteria by six calibrated examiners and reported as mean D₃MFT (D₃: dentin caries, M: missing, F: filled, SD/±: standard deviation). To compare educational backgrounds, the adolescents were divided into two groups according to their age and type of school (11–15 and 16–18 years old). Results: The study included 5816 adolescents (48.7% females) with a mean D₃MFT of 0.65 (Q1–Q3: 0–1); 73.8% were clinically caries-free, having D₃MFT = 0, confirming the polarization in caries experience with 2.5 ± 2.13 SaC index. The logistic regression model showed a significantly increased Odds Ratio for having caries in relation to age, being male, having plaque or gingivitis (p < 0.005). There were significant differences in caries experience and prevalence between school types, where high schools had the lowest D₃MFT values in both age groups (0.39 ± 1.17 and 0.64 ± 1.49, respectively). The highest D₃MFT values were in schools for special educational needs in younger adolescents (1.12 ± 1.9) and in vocational schools in older adolescents (1.63 ± 2.55). Conclusions: In a low-caries-risk population, there were significant differences in caries experience and prevalence among adolescents in different school types. Prevention strategies should aim to reduce the polarization in caries across different educational backgrounds in late adolescence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurately assessing the independence level of older adults using useful assessment tools is an important step toward providing them with the necessary care while preserving their dignity. These tools allow older adults to receive effective, personalized home care, which improves their quality of life. This study aimed to clarify the current prevalence of severe and complete functional dependence and associated factors among Kazakhstan’s older adults aged >60 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in several polyclinics and geriatric service care centers in two cities of Kazakhstan from March to May 2024. Functional status was assessed by the Barthel Index. We combined the selection into two categories: total dependency and severe dependency in the category “dependent”, and moderate dependency, slight dependency, and total independence in the category “active patients”. Results: Among the 642 older people in this study, 43.3% were dependent patients, and 56.7% were active patients. The odds of severe and total functional dependence are significantly higher for frail participants (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.70, 5.16], p < 0.001) compared to those that are not frail; eleven times higher for those at home (AOR =11.90, 95% CI [5.77, 24.55], p < 0.001) than those in nursing homes; two times higher for participants with sarcopenia (AOR =2.61, 95% CI [1.49, 4.55], p < 0.001) compared to those with no sarcopenia; and three times higher for participants with high risk of fracture (AOR =3.30, 95% CI [1.94, 5.61], p < 0.001) compared to those with low risk. The odds of having severe and total functional dependence are significantly higher for participants with low dynamometry (AOR =1.05, 95% CI [1.03, 1.07], p < 0.001) compared to those with normal dynamometry. Conclusions: Old age, low dynamometry (for men ≤ 29 kg, for women ≤ 17 kg), frailty, being at home, high risk of fracture and osteoporosis, and sarcopenia were associated with increased risk of severe and total functional dependence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral health has specific importance and consequences from a military and Navy standpoint. The aim of this study was to determine and compare caries prevalence and dental care in Spanish Navy personnel. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out with a sample size of 1318 individuals (34.65 ± 8.82 years old) stationed at the Rota naval base in Spain, whose dental charts were examined. Caries prevalence was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index; dental care was evaluated using the care index (CI); and demographic and occupational factors were recorded. Results: The population of this study had a mean DMFT index of 5.99 ± 4.71 and a CI of 79%. Through the results of the DMFT index and CI, the statistical significance of the age and rank variables (p < 0.01) was confirmed, with personnel >45 years old and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) having the highest mean DMFT values and the youngest and officer groups having the greatest CI variable. Comparing the DMFT index across genders and ages and between age and rank also revealed significant differences. Conclusions: This study’s findings show a low prevalence of cavitated caries (14.5%), with intermediate DMFT values and higher CIs compared to those in previous published data. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical activity (PA) during preschool is vital for supporting physiological development, enhancing cognitive abilities and fostering socio-emotional growth. However, consistent disparities in meeting PA guidelines have been observed. This systematic review aims to identify studies that compared preschoolers’ PA, as measured by technological devices, with recommended PA guidelines. Specifically, it examines (i) factors associated with meeting PA guidelines and (ii) the outcomes observed when children meet these guidelines. Methods: The search strategy was designed based on the PICOS framework. Then, a systematic review was conducted using four databases to identify studies that included children from 0 to 6 years old participating in PA sessions recorded through technological devices. PA is compared with guidelines, and correlations were reported. Results: Of the 52 studies reviewed, most found that meeting PA guidelines in preschool-aged children was linked to favourable outcomes across multiple domains. Children who met the guidelines tended to show better motor competence, emotional regulation and cognitive skills, particularly in areas like working memory and social understanding. However, the relationship with body composition and body mass index was inconsistent, suggesting that the benefits of PA in early childhood extend beyond weight-related measures. Conclusions: Meeting PA guidelines in early childhood is strongly associated with cognitive development, emotional regulation, motor skills and social behaviours. However, adherence varies significantly due to a complex mix of individual, familial, socioeconomic and environmental factors. Full article

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is more common in children in the developing world. The current incidence in the United Kingdom is reported to be less than 1 in 100,000 children. It is, however, rare in the developed world, particularly in the adult Caucasian population. We present a case of ARF in a 39-year-old Caucasian female who needed multiple hospital admissions before the ARF diagnosis was made. A comprehensive, up-to-date literature review of ARF in Caucasians is lacking. Therefore, a systematic literature review (SLR) of Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar was conducted to investigate the characteristics, management, and prognostic outcomes of new cases of ARF among Caucasians. A total of 10 cases were reported from six countries between 1990 and 2022. The mean age of patients was 33.2 (range 18–41), and most were females (6, 60%). The most common presenting symptoms were fever, arthralgia, and malaise. All patients met the modified Jones criteria for ARF diagnosis. All patients received antibiotics, with only one patient requiring corticosteroids. Two patients developed rheumatic heart disease (RHD), and none died as a result of ARF. This case-based literature review underscores the critical importance of a high index of clinical suspicion in promptly diagnosing ARF to mitigate long-term sequelae of RHD. Full article

Meat quality is influenced by factors such as age, breed, slaughter weight, and nutrition. This study investigated the growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality of ducks across different breeds and ages. Results indicated that at the same age, significant differences in body weight were observed among breeds (p < 0.05), with the weight ranking in descending order as follows: Cherry Valley ducks (C) > Wuqin 10 meat ducks (W) > Mianyang Partridge ducks (M) > Liancheng White ducks (L). A comparison of the same breed across different ages revealed that the pectoral muscle ratio tended to increase with age, whereas the leg muscle ratio showed the opposite trend; however, total meat production gradually rose. At all three growth stages, C ducks exhibited higher body weight and meat yield than the other breeds. W ducks demonstrated excellent meat quality traits and appropriate meat production, with indices such as shear force, water-holding capacity, and fat content all higher than those of the other breeds. L ducks and M ducks had relatively lower body weight and meat production compared to the other breeds, yet their shear force and water-holding capacity were superior to those of C ducks. The analysis of meat quality at different times showed that across all breeds, shear force, meat color, muscle fiber diameter, crude protein content, and fat content increased with age, while drip loss rate and muscle fiber density decreased. A comprehensive multi-index evaluation model for duck meat quality under different breeds was established, along with a four-factor principal component model (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4). Using the comprehensive ranking equation K, the meat quality performance of different breeds at various ages, in descending order, was as follows: 63-day-old W > 90-day-old M > 63-day-old C > 90-day-old L > 63-day-old M > 90-day-old C > 63-day-old L > 90-day-old W > 42-day-old C > 42-day-old W. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for evaluating meat quality traits in different duck breeds but also offers insights for breed selection and age-related quality optimization. Full article

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) and Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) are economically important pathogens of the poultry industry worldwide. However, the impact of dual infection of these two pathogens in chickens remains unclear. This study investigated the pathogenic effects of dual infection with CAV and E. tenella using two trials. In Trial A, chickens were infected at 21 days of age (D21) with either CAV and E. tenella simultaneously (C₂₁ + T₂₁), CAV alone (C_21a), E. tenella alone (T₂₁), or PBS as a negative control (NC). In Trial B, chickens received CAV at D21 followed by E. tenella at D28 (C₂₁ + T₂₈), CAV alone at D21 (C_21b), E. tenella alone at D28 (T₂₈), or PBS at D21 (NC). Assays of lesion scores (LS), oocysts per gram (OPG) of feces, packed cell volume (PCV), and thymus index (TI) were used to assess variations in pathogenicity. Both the C₂₁ + T₂₁ and C₂₁ + T₂₈ groups showed higher OPG than the group infected with E. tenella alone, with significantly elevated OPG in the secondary infection scenario and more severe lesions in the concurrent co-infection group (p < 0.05). Anemia, indicated by PCV < 27%, was observed in the C₂₁ + T₂₁ group at day 28 and in the C₂₁ + T₂₈ group at day 35, both of which had significantly lower PCV values than the group infected with CAV alone (p < 0.001). Thymus atrophy was most severe in C₂₁ + T₂₁ at 28 days old (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). In this study, preliminary observations suggested that concurrent and secondary infections with CAV and E. tenella showed variable trends that may indicate potential interactions; however, these exploratory findings require more systematic validation in older chickens. Full article

(1) Background: The provision of monofunctional or inadequately distributed services in urban park green spaces often constrains residents’ opportunities and diversity for outdoor activities, particularly limiting access and participation for specific age groups or activity preferences. However, functional nodes with temporal and spatial flexibility demonstrate high-quality characteristics of resilient and shared services through integrated development. Accurately identifying user demand provides a solid basis for optimizing the functional configuration of urban parks. (2) Methods: This study took the old city area of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, as a case study. By collecting and integrating various types of data, such as geographic spatial data, field investigation data, and behavioral observations, we developed a population demand quantification method and a modular analysis approach for park service functions. This framework enabled correlation analysis between diverse user needs and park services. The study further classified and combined park functions into modular units, quantifying their elastic and shared service capabilities—namely, the adaptive flexibility and shared utilization capacity of park services. Additionally, we established a demand-responsive evaluation system for identifying and diagnosing problem areas in park services based on multi-source data. (3) Results: The demand response index and diagnostic results indicate that the supply of fitness facilities—particularly equipment-based installations—is insufficient within the old urban district of Zhengzhou. Among the three user groups—children, young and middle-aged adults, and the elderly—the elderly population exhibited the lowest demand response index, revealing a significant gap in meeting their specific needs. (4) Conclusions: Based on the research findings, a three-tier optimization strategy is proposed: A. improve green space connectivity to expand the service coverage of parks; B. implement multifunctional overlay and coordinated integration in spatial design based on site characteristics and demand diagnostics; and C. increase the total supply of facilities to enhance spatial efficiency in parks. By integrating the demand assessment data and diagnostic results, this approach enabled a data-driven reorganization of service types and targeted allocation of resources within existing park infrastructure, offering a practical tool and reference for the planning of urban outdoor activity spaces. Full article

Background: Sport plays an important role in the health promotion of people with cerebral palsy (CP). However, risk factors may impair sport performance and health in non-ambulatory athletes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore body composition and bone health in a group of world-class Boccia players with CP. Methods: Five BC2-class players with CP, aged 15–42 years old, were assessed using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) for body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC). The fat mass index (kg/m²) was used to define obesity, and the BMD Z-score used to analyze bone health. A preliminary indicator of sarcopenia was considered using the appendicular lean mass index. Results: Players 1 and 3 exhibited similar body compositions (obesity class 1 and BMD Z-score are below the expected range for age). Player 5 exhibited multiple health-related risk factors. The results regarding youth players (Player 2 and Player 4) should be analyzed with caution. Conclusions: Overall, due to Boccia’s specific characteristics, players may benefit from close monitoring by multidisciplinary teams and supplementary strategies (e.g., strength training, individualized diet plans) to promote quality of life and performance. However, further research is needed to confirm the data, since these preliminary findings do not allow for broader generalizations. Full article

The service years of the milled pavement are varied in numerous SBS modified asphalt pavement milling assignments. To investigate the milling characteristics of SBS (styrene–butadiene–styrene) modified asphalt pavements with different service years, the values of the bonding parameters were calibrated and verified and then used to build three simulation models for the milling of old asphalt pavements with service years of 2~3 years, 7~8 years, and 11~12 years, respectively. The milling characteristics of SBS modified asphalt pavements with different service years were investigated using the moving speed $v$ and rotating speed $\omega$ of the milling rotor as test factors, and the particle bonding ratio ($R_b$) and rotor average force ($F_a$) as test indexes. The results demonstrate that the following: The regularity of the effects of milling rotor moving speed and rotating speed on the particle bonding ratio and milling rotor average forces remained consistent overall as the pavement age increased. For the same milling parameters, the particle bonding ratio and the rotor average force are reduced. From 2~3 years old pavements to 7~8 years old pavements, the overall reduction in the particle bonding ratio indicator is about 12%, and the average force on the milling rotor is about 24%. From 7~8 years old pavements to 11~12 years old pavements, the overall reduction in the particle bonding ratio indicator is about 3%, and the average force on the milling rotor is about 15%. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have progressively displayed a range of symptoms linked to protracted COVID during the post-acute phase of illness. Concurrently, in several nations globally, the phenomenon of population aging has been intensifying. In this scenario, the aged population has become both vulnerable and high-risk during the acute phase of COVID-19, and faces significant dangers associated with long-COVID. This study seeks to analyze the incidence and spatial distribution of health complications in older people affected by COVID-19, in the first year of the pandemic (2020), in the State of Paraná, as well as to identify the factors associated with the development of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. Method: An observational and retrospective study was carried out in the Brazilian state of Paraná. Participants were randomly selected from two databases. A total of 893 older people (≥60 years) participated in the study 12 months after acute COVID-19 infection. Telephone questionnaires were applied between March and December 2021. The Moran index test, logistic regression, and Poisson models were used to analyze the data. Results: In terms of age, most participants (66%) were between 60 and 69 years old, 25.8% were between 70 and 79 years old, and 8.2% were 80 years old or older. Most participants were female (51.2%), white (98.1%), had a partner (69.8%), and had been hospitalized due to COVID-19 (59.3%). Cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent in the population (39.5%), followed by metabolic diseases (27.3%). The long-term use of medication was associated with the development of metabolic diseases (aOR = 9.8), cardiovascular diseases (aOR = 6.6), and diseases in multiple organic systems (aOR = 3.2); living alone was associated with neurological diseases (aOR = 2.5), and the age group of 80 years or older (aOR = 2.4) was associated with cardiovascular events. The spatial distribution showed that complications in body groups are distributed randomly among the health regions of the state, with no influence from neighboring locations. Conclusions: Post-COVID-19 health complications are more frequent in older adults who have comorbidities and long-term medication use. Therefore, long-term monitoring of these individuals and investment in public policies for rehabilitation and prevention of complications are necessary. Full article

Background/Objectives: The male prepuce that covers the glans penis is richly innervated by low-threshold mechanoreceptors, which form cutaneous end-organ complexes (Meissner, Pacinian and Ruffini corpuscles) and mucous end-organ complexes (especially Krause-like corpuscles). The mechanosensory inputs from these formations are the beginning for spinal reflexes that regulate movements of intercourse and erection and, therefore, are required for sexual function. The study was aimed at analyzing the age-dependent changes in prepuce innervation. Methods: Here we used immunohistochemistry to investigate whether the innervation of the male prepuce undergoes age-dependent changes, analyzing subjects aged 4 months to 61 years. Results: Abundant Meissner corpuscles and Krause-like corpuscles were regularly found whose morphology, size, and topography were variable and were not correlated with age; however, Ruffini’s and Pacinian corpuscles were scarcely observed. The earliest evidence of Meissner corpuscles was observed at 4 months, and thereafter they undergo significant age-dependent variations in density. Until the age of 20 years increases progressively, remains stable until 40 years, and then the density decreases. Meissner’s corpuscle index paralleled that of density. Regarding Kause-like corpuscles already resemble the skin of 4-month-old subjects and from the age of 3 years they can be identified at all ages. Its density significantly increased until 10 years and then remained stable. Conclusions: Present results state that the mechanosensory innervation of the human foreskin reaches its maximum value around the age of 20, remains stable during adulthood and decreases with maturity. These findings contribute to a more complete understanding of foreskin innervation and add to the scientific knowledge base surrounding the potential harm of removing a richly innervated structure. Full article