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The aim of our studies was to determine the influence of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) on the phagocytosis of latex beads (LBs) and the expression level of proteins/genes in the human monocytic macrophage Mono Mac 6 (MM6) cell line in in vitro conditions. Before phagocytosis assay cells were pre-stimulated with infectious agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), or the proliferatory agent phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and then exposed to EMF (30 mT, 7 Hz, 3 h). The expression of cytoplasmic proteins like iPLA, cPLA, iNOS, NLR3/4, and Hsp70 involved in the immune response pathways to phagocytosed particles were evaluated with the usage of the Western blot analysis. mRNA encoding the iNOS protein was detected by reverse transcription PCR method. The most meaningful changes were observed for PLA2 and NLC4 proteins level and between iNOS protein expression and mRNA encoding iNOS protein amount. The EMF exposure exerted the strongest effect on iNOS encoding mRNA in cells pre-stimulated with LPS or SEB and phagocytosing LBs. The influence of EMF on phagocytosis was experimentally proved for the first time and there is a need for further investigations in term of the usage of EMF as a prospect, supportive therapy.

Additional file 1. A questionnaire in which the caregiver assessed the elderly patient in terms of geriatric deficits.

Purpose To report the most important messages of the 2018 EuGMS Congress in Berlin. Methods Review based on an on-site attendance in the sessions by the European Academy for Medicine of Aging graduates. Results The 14th Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine Society which took place in Berlin, Germany, from 10 to 12 October 2018, addressed the issue of challenges and opportunities associated with a fast changing modern world. Covering among other topics social issues, new technologies and the much-awaited new European definition of sarcopenia, the meeting streamed with important information. Conclusions Attended by more than 1800 participants from Europe and from across the world, it was one of the most successful geriatric events in 2018. In the following text, in preparation to the next, 15th Congress in Kraków, Poland, we briefly describe the highlights of the Berlin Congress.

Ageing is commonly associated with multiple concomitant chronic diseases resulting in a variety of functional deficits. The average number of diseases increases from two or three in patients in their early seventies to four or five in those in their late eighties. On the top of chronic medical problems, the aged person frequently faces sensory impairments, cognitive disorders, sarcopenia, incontinence, or limitations in everyday living. Moreover, some elderly people suffer from the aftereffects of disorders previously successfully treated, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, or accidents. Although a variety of measures have been introduced to assess multimorbidity, good clinical data and proper guidelines on how to individualize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in such complex patients are lacking. The progress in medicine leading to development of sophisticated subspecialties and innovative treatments often results in fragmentation of care, higher costs, and difficulties in establishing and achieving therapeutic goals. In addition, such a multidisciplinary approach results in ill-defined responsibilities for numerous healthcare workers involved in the care of an individual patient. Thus, in elderly patients with multimorbidity, an assembly of medical specialists, physiotherapists, nurses, and social workers ideally should assess care needs and develop healthcare model to optimize preventive and therapeutic strategies. Conceivably, providing a single care coordinator for any given geriatric patient with multimorbidities would facilitate the implementation of such a care plan. Clearly, when approaching the elderly patient with multimorbidity, the dictum ‘Quod medicina aliis, aliis est acre venenum’ (‘What is medicine to some, is bitter poison to others’) should be taken to heart.

Table S1. Volunteer–Patient Contact Form (DOCX 18 kb)

Table S2. SPIRIT checklist (DOCX 61 kb)

Multimorbidity is defined as any combination of a chronic disease with at least one other acute or chronic disease or biopsychosocial or somatic risk factor. Old age is a leading risk factor for multimorbidity. It has a negative impact on short- and long-term prognosis, patients’ cognitive and functional performance, self-care, independence, and quality of life. It substantially influences patients’ clinical management and increases healthcare-related costs. There is a great variety of clinical measures to assess multimorbidity; some are presented in this chapter. Despite its high prevalence in older adults, clinical guidelines for physicians managing patients with multimorbidity are underdeveloped and insufficient.

Blood pressure (BP) control in the elderly is often limited by poor compliance with prescribed regimen. Both can be influenced by clinical cognitive or mood impairments; however, the impact of subclinical alterations of cognition or mood remains unknown.To assess the relation between cognition, mood, and BP control in treated older hypertensive patients.Cross-sectional association study.Predefined substudy to the POLFOKUS nationwide survey investigating the correlates of poor BP control in patients randomly drawn from primary and specialist practices across Poland.1988 outpatients ≥65 years of age treated for hypertension for at least 1 year.BP was mean of at least 2 office measurements. We assessed adherence to antihypertensive medications using a questionnaire and performed screening tests for cognitive deficits [Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS)] and mood disorders [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)]. In all patients, we used a unified (BP 140/90 mm Hg) and in ≥80 years old a unified or age-specific (150 mm Hg systolic BP) definition of BP control. We fitted logistic regression models to assess the probability of poor BP control in association with cognitive and mood disturbances.The mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 1988 (65.6% women) patients was 73.9 (6.0) years (19.3% ≥80 years old). Cognitive and mood impairments were observed in 8.0% and 37.2%, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 141.8 (16.4) and 83.6 (9.5) mm Hg, respectively. According to age-stratified and unified definition of proper BP control, goal BP was achieved in 65.4% and 38.5% patients ≥80 years of age, respectively. In younger patients, the control reached 46%. Globally, 66% patients adhered to antihypertensive medications. Poor compliance was related to cognitive and mood impairments. When unified goal was applied, there was a 15.0% higher risk of finding poor BP control per 1 score lost in AMTS and an 8.0% increase per 1 score gained in GDS (all P .001).Poorer BP control is related to subclinical worsening of cognition and mood, which supports widespread use of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment even in apparently self-dependent older patients with hypertension.

The article concisely outlines the issues of the relationship between the aging of the organism and educational activities. Populations in the world are aging. Elderly people generally preserve the ability to learn, although learning takes more time. It is believed that educating the elderly reduces their risk of dementia development. Due to the changes in the aging process, the elderly require comprehensive geriatric assessment. Labor et Educatio

Background: It is thought that at least one medication is taken by up to 60% of elderly people. What is more, in US elderly people living in the community take on average four medications, while home-care residents take averagely seven drugs a day. The above-mentioned facts, in the light of current demographic changes of the structure of population, indicate the growing cost of ambulatory drug therapy of the elderly. Aim of the study: To analyze the costs of one month of ambulatory drug therapy in the group of elderly aged 80 and over following hospital discharge. Moreover, the relation between the number of pills and drugs taken in general, concomitant illnesses and costs of therapy were assessed. Materials and methods: The retrospective analysis of medical documentation of 116 patients aged 80 and over was performed. The costs of therapy were calculated accordingly to the prices published in The Drug Index. Co-morbid illnesses were classified accordingly to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Analysis in the age subgroups was performed. Results: Mean age was 85.2 ± 4.2y-rs, group consisted of 62 women and 27 men; 27 patients were excluded from further analysis. Mean number of prescribed drugs was 7.6 ± 2.9 (min.–max.: 1–16), mean number of prescribed pills was 8.8 ± 4.3 (min.–max.: 0–23). Patients in the examined group suffered from 5.8 ± 2.0 chronic diseases averagely. Mean cost of one month of ambulatory drug therapy was 135.9 ± 95.7 PLN (min.–max.: 1,96–625,9 PLN). Significant relations between the costs of ambulatory drug therapy and the number of chronic diseases (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001) as well as the number of pills (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and drugs (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) were observed. The differences in the subgroups were observed. Conclusions: The high co-morbidity observed in the elderly results in the need for taking a great number of drugs and consequently causes high costs of ambulatory drug therapy. When planning ambulatory treatment, it is important to analyze the patients’ and their families’ financial situation, and when necessary provide economical support.