Explore the vast range of titles available.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric handgrip (IHG) training on central and peripheral blood pressure (BP) and wave reflections in East Asian non-medicated middle-aged and older adults.MethodsTwenty-two men and women (mean age 65 ± 11 years) who were not actively involved in regular resistance or endurance training were randomly assigned to a group that did IHG and a control (CON) group. The IHG training was comprised of four unilateral 2-min isometric contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction using a programmed handgrip dynamometer with 1-min rest periods for 5 days per week for 8 weeks.ResultsBaseline central systolic BP (cSBP), brachial systolic BP (bSBP), brachial diastolic BP (bDBP), and the augmentation index (AIx) (via an automated applanation tonometric system) did not differ significantly between the groups. Compared to baseline, cSBP, bSBP, bDBP, and AIx decreased significantly after the 8-week study period in the IHG group (P < 0.05). No significant changes in central and peripheral BP and AIx were observed in the CON group.ConclusionsThese results suggest that IHG training could reduce central and peripheral BP and wave reflections in East Asian non-medicated middle-aged and older adults.

This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed the 1-year real-world treatment outcomes of 63 consecutive eyes (of 60 patients) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) that were switched from intravitreal brolucizumab (IVBr) to intravitreal faricimab (IVF) and managed on a treat-and-extend regimen with discontinuation criteria. After the switch, patients opted to continue IVF, to switch back to IVBr, or receive photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thirty-eight patients continued IVF, 16 patients were switched back to IVBr, 2 patients received PDT, and 4 patients paused treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness (sf-CT), and injection intervals were compared immediately before and 1 year after the initial IVF. Whereas there was no change in BCVA and CST; 0 [− 0.0969 to 0.125, P  = 0.58], − 1.5 [− 27.8 to 13.5, P  = 0.11] µm, respectively, sf-CT decreased significantly; − 19.5 [− 45.5 to 7.75, P  = 0.015] µm. The patients switched back showed no significant change in sf-CT. The injection interval extended significantly in the IVF continuation and the switch-back group (2.0 and 3.0 weeks, respectively; [ P  = 0.0007 and 0.0078]) in eyes with a pre-switching interval of less than 12 weeks. Faricimab shows promise as a safe and effective alternative to brolucizumab for treating nAMD.

A new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent, brolucizumab, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2019. We evaluated whether brolucizumab reduces the treatment burden of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) after switching by examining 1-year treatment outcomes in a real-world setting. This retrospective single-institution study included 107 consecutive eyes with nAMD treated with brolucizumab. Among these eyes, 30 with treatment-naïve nAMD and 77 treated with other anti-VEGF agents for more than a year were included. All eyes were managed using a treat and extend (TAE) or modified TAE regimen. The last injection intervals at 52 weeks were 12.9 and 12.1 weeks in the treatment-naïve and switch therapy groups, respectively. Among switch therapy group patients whose pre-switch injection intervals were shorter than 120 days (n = 62 eyes), the injection interval was significantly longer after the switch than before, with a mean difference of 2.7 weeks ( P  < 0.0001). Intraocular inflammation events occurred in 2 and 7 treatment-naïve and switch therapy patients, respectively. In conclusion, brolucizumab might reduce the treatment burden in patients who required the injection of other anti-VEGF agents with a 120-day interval or shorter, despite a relatively high discontinuation rate due to intraocular inflammation.

Purpose This study investigated whether interval walking training (IWT) improves cognitive function and arterial function in older adults. Methods A total of 68 older adults registered in clinical trials (mean age ± standard deviation, 70 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: one group performed IWT ( n  = 34), and the other performed normal walking training (NWT, n  = 34). Participants in the IWT group performed five or more sets of low-intensity walking (duration: 3 min per set; peak aerobic capacity for walking: 40%) followed by high-intensity walking (duration: 3 min per set; peak aerobic capacity for walking: > 70%). The NWT group walked at approximately 50% of the peak aerobic capacity for walking. The IWT and NWT were performed for 20 weeks. Trail making test-A and B and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were measured in both groups at baseline and again at the end of the 20-week study period. Results Compared to baseline, time for trail making test-A (IWT group: P  = 0.00004, NWT group: P  = 0.000006) and B (IWT group: P  = 0.03, NWT group: P  = 0.003) as well as cfPWV (IWT group: P  = 0.000002, NWT group: P  = 0.03) decreased significantly after the 20-week study period in both groups. However, cfPWV in the IWT group decreased significantly more than that in the NWT group ( P  = 0.03). Conclusion These results suggested that although both IWT and NWT were similarly effective at improving cognitive function, IWT reduced central arterial stiffness more than NWT.

Purpose This study examined whether decline in cognitive function is related to arterial stiffness and reduction in physical fitness in middle-aged and older adults. Methods A total of 1554 healthy middle-aged and older adults participated in this study. The trail making test parts-A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), grip strength, the 30-s chair stand (CS-30) test, the 6-min walk (6MW) test, the 8-foot up-and-go (8UG) test and gait assessment were performed. Participants were classified into a middle-aged group (40–64 years; mean, 50.4 ± 0.2 years) or an older group (≥ 65 years; mean, 73.1 ± 0.5 years), as well as into three cognition (COG) groups (high, moderate, and low) based on median TMT-A and -B scores (high scores on both, either, or neither TMT-A and -B, respectively). Results The results revealed that baPWV was significantly lower in the high-than in the moderate- and low-COG groups in both middle-aged and older adults ( P  < 0.05). In addition, except for a few parameters (e.g., 6MW test in middle-aged adults), physical fitness was significantly higher in the high-than in the moderate- and low-COG groups in both middle-aged and older adults ( P  < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that baPWV ( P  < 0.05) and some physical fitness indicators (grip strength, CS-30, and 8UG) were significantly independently associated with both TMT-A and -B in the middle-aged and older groups ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that increased arterial stiffness and reduced physical fitness are associated with impaired cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? How do free weight resistance training (RT) and body mass‐based RT for 8 weeks compare for isometric muscular strength, muscle size and intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the quadriceps femoris? What is the main finding and its importance? Free weight and body mass‐based RTs could induce muscle hypertrophy; however, decreased IMF content was observed following the body mass‐based RT alone. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of free weight and body mass‐based resistance training (RT) on muscle size and thigh intramuscular fat (IMF) in young and middle‐aged individuals. Healthy individuals (aged 30–64 years) were assigned to either a free weight RT group (n = 21) or a body mass‐based RT group (n = 16). Both groups performed whole‐body resistance exercise twice a week for 8 weeks. Free weight resistance exercises (squats, bench press, deadlift, dumbbell rows and back range) involved 70% one repetition maximum, with three sets of 8–12 repetitions per exercise. The nine body mass‐based resistance exercises (leg raise, squats, rear raise, overhead shoulder mobility exercise, rowing, dips, lunge, single‐leg Romanian deadlifts and push‐ups) included the maximum possible repetitions per session, which were performed in one or two sets. Mid‐thigh magnetic resonance images using the two‐point Dixon method were taken pre‐ and post‐training. The muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and IMF content in the quadriceps femoris were measured from the images. Both the groups showed significantly increased muscle CSA post‐training (free weight RT group, P = 0.001; body mass‐based RT group, P = 0.002). IMF content in the body mass‐based RT group significantly decreased (P = 0.036) but did not significantly change in the free weight RT group (P = 0.076). These results suggest that the free weight and body mass‐based RTs could induce muscle hypertrophy; however, in healthy young and middle‐aged individuals, decreased IMF content was induced following the body mass‐based RT alone.

PurposeTo identify the inflammatory cytokine profile in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with intraocular inflammation (IOI) after intravitreal administration of brolucizumab (IVBr) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.MethodsEight eyes from seven patients with IOI after initial IVBr (IVBrIOI +) were enrolled. Sixteen eyes from 16 patients without IOI after IVBr (IVBrIOI −) and aflibercept (IVA) were used as controls. AH samples were analyzed using a multiplex immunoassay.ResultsC–C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL10, CXCL13, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin levels were significantly higher in IVBrIOI + than in IVBrIOI − and IVA. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly lower in IVBrIOI − compared to that in IVBrIOI + and IVA. In the IVBrIOI + group, there were significant correlations between CCL2, CXCL1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, G-CSF, GM-CSF, ICAM-1, and E-selectin, which also exhibited significant correlations in the IVBrIOI − group.ConclusionThe number of inflammatory cytokines increases during IOI, which is associated with type IV hypersensitivity and vascular inflammation. Some cytokines exhibit correlations even in non-inflamed eyes, indicating a subclinical response to IVBr.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), produced by vascular endothelial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular tone. Isomaltulose, a naturally occurring sweetener and structural isomer of sucrose, reduces postprandial hyperglycemia, but its effect on arteriosclerosis due to hyperglycemia is unknown. The effects of 12 weeks of isomaltulose administration on ET-1 levels, a peptide that regulates arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and vascular tone, were tested before and after an oral glucose tolerance test. Fifty-four healthy middle-aged and older adults (30 men and 24 women) were divided into two groups: (1) a 25 g isomaltulose jelly drink intake group (Group I, 27 participants, mean age 55 ± 1 years) and (2) a sucrose jelly drink intake group (Group S, 27 participants, mean age 55 ± 1 years), each consuming isomaltulose or sucrose daily for 12 weeks, and a randomized, controlled study was conducted. Participants visited the laboratory before the intervention and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention to measure carotid–femoral (cf) and brachial–ankle (ba) pulse wave velocity (PWV), systolic blood pressure (BP), plasma glucose (PG), insulin, and ET-1 levels before and 60 and 120 min after a 75-g OGTT. baPWV, and ET-1 levels before intervention were significantly increased after 75-g OGTT compared to before 75-g OGTT in both groups ( p  < 0.05). The post-intervention baPWV, and ET-1 levels were significantly increased after 75-g OGTT in Group S compared to before 75-g OGTT ( p  < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in Group I. These results suggest that consumption of isomaltulose, which has a lower GI than sucrose, is more effective in preventing the increases in systemic arterial stiffness associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of online home-based resistance exercise training on fitness, depression, stress, and well-being. A total of 67 individuals participated. Of them, 28 participants (13 men and 15 women, average age: 45.1 ± 12.2 years) performed the same exercise training online (n = 17), using Zoom, or in person (n = 11) in 2020 (Study 1). In addition, 39 participants (15 men and 24 women; average age: 47.6 ± 10.8 years) performed eight weeks of online home-based resistance exercise training in 2021 (Study 2). The participants performed low-load resistance exercises twice a week for eight weeks (16 sessions). Muscle strength, thigh muscle cross-sectional area, fitness parameters, blood pressure, mental health (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale—CES-D; and Kessler Psychological Distress scale—K6), and well-being (Well-Being Index—WHO-5) were measured pre-and post-resistance training. In Study 1, eight weeks of online home-based resistance training improved CES-D (p = 0.003), and a similar tendency was observed in resistance training (RT) with the in-person group (p = 0.06). There was a significant improvement in CES-D symptoms after the online home-based resistance training in Study 2 (p = 0.009). However, there were no significant changes in the WHO-5 and K6. Our results suggest that online low-load resistance training improves fitness parameters and curbs depressive status.

Background Maximal aerobic capacity, e.g. maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max), is not constant, and it has a time-dependent variation based on the condition of individual. On the other hand, arterial properties play an important role in determining aerobic performance, and lower arterial stiffness is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels. This study examined whether individual variations in maximal aerobic performance are associated with arterial stiffness. Methods Twenty-four (mean age, 19.8 ± 0.2 y) and 10 (mean age, 21.2 ± 0.2 y) recreationally active young men and women participated in Experiment 1 (Ex1) and in Experiment 2 (Ex2), respectively. Aerobic performance was assessed using a graded power test (Ex1) or a 1500-m time trial (Ex2). Simultaneously, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness in both Ex1 and Ex2 before the exercise trials. In both experiments, subjects returned for measurement of baPWV and V̇O 2 max or 1500-m time trial at 1 month after first measurements. Results No significant differences in mean baPWV, V̇O 2 max or 1500-m run time were seen between first and second visits. Mean baPWV was significantly lower on days when participants showed higher V̇O 2 max or better 1500-m run time ( P = 0.001 each) than on days when participants showed lower V̇O 2 max or worse 1500-m run time. In addition, a significant relationship was seen between individual changes in baPWV from first to second visits and changes in V̇O 2 max ( P =0.0001) or 1500-m run time ( P =0.04). Conclusion These findings suggest that individual day-to-day variations in maximal aerobic performance are associated with variations in arterial stiffness.