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Background: Many studies have been conducted to analyze the effects of social networks in the elderly, who experience a decline in social networks but only focus on their relationship with one variable. In addition, few studies have analyzed the impact of social networks on the elderly by integrating them into two dimensions of the structural and functional aspects of social networks. This study aims to synthesize the effects of social networks by analyzing the factors related to social networks of the elderly living in the community, including both the structural and functional aspects of the social network. Method: Articles from the last 10 years were searched through RISS, NDSL, PubMed, and Embase. Among a total of 1,352 articles, 14 articles were finally selected according to selection and exclusion criteria. The quality of literature was evaluated using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). The general characteristics of the study, measurement tools, data analysis method, and research result data were extracted and coded. Result: A total of 16 factors related to social networks were derived from 14 studies: frailty, institutionalization, functional decline, mortality, fall risk, chronic pain, depression, loneliness, quality of life, advance care planning discussion, self‐efficacy, healthy aging, self‐perception of aging, self‐rated health, health status, health promoting behavior. These factors were classified into five health areas: physical health, mental health, socio‐emotional health, and perceived health and health behavior. Among the 16 factors related to social networks, 'quality of life' was found to be the most studied. Conclusion: It was confirmed that the social network of the community‐dwelling adults had a significant impact not only on socio‐emotional health, but also on the remaining various health areas such as physical, mental, perceived health, and health behavior of the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the overall health level of the elderly and to promote and revitalize the social network in terms of prevention of negative health consequences due to aging. At this time, both the structural and functional aspects of the social network should be considered. Finally, this study is expected to serve as basic data for developing intervention programs using social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the aging phenomenon accelerates worldwide, cognitive health and improvement of the older adults are emerging as important issues. This study was conducted to obtain implications for future clinical and research directions related to elderly cognition by examining studies that identified the brain function of the elderly using brain activation or functional connectivity. Method: Three databases(Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed) were used to collect literature for a total of five years from January 2018 to December 2022. Using "("older adult*" OR "elderly") AND "fNIRS" AND ("functional activation" OR "functional connectivity")" as the search term, we selected and analyzed the final 8 literature that matched the selection criteria and exclusion criteria of this study. Result: There were 5 cases targeting healthy older adults and 3 cases for the older adults with mild cognitive impairment, and the most active study in China was shown. In addition, a total of six types of NIRS systems were used to explore brain function in the elderly, and five studies confirmed that the NIRS system produced in Japan was used. In the case of the number of channels used, it had a wide range of 14 to 48, and there were only two studies showing functional connectivity. Conclusion: This study confirmed that it is possible to identify the cognitive function of the older adults using fNIRS, and at the same time, few studies have measured functional connectivity. Since brain regions do not work independently, it is essential to understand functional connectivity that identifies functional integration between brain regions that share similar functions, even if they are located apart. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is believed that a better understanding of functional brain changes can be achieved if brain activation and functional connectivity are also identified when conducting cognitive‐related research in the elderly using fNIRS in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the extension of the life expectancy of the elderly population, the importance of living healthy rather than simply leading a life in old age is emphasized. It is difficult to maintain social participation for older adults because most of them experience the termination of work or childcare which have been their major life roles. Considering that social participation is a factor that has a multifaceted effect on the health of older adults, it is necessary to understand and promote older adults' social participation. This systematic review aims to analyze the literature using social participation assessment tools for older adults and presented the frequency of use, assessment items, and methods of each assessment. Method: Using databases from Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science, a total of 2,423 studies were collected. 18 studies were selected according to the selection and exclusion criteria. Result: 9 studies (50%) were published in the last five years. In the case of research design, 12 studies (66.6%) were designed as cross‐sectional survey studies, which were found to be the most common. There were a total of 11 assessment tools for older adults' social participation among 18 studies. The most widely used assessment tool was Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE‐H), which was used in a total of 7 studies (38.9%). It was found that the components were different for each tool. Most of the assessment tools were in the form of self‐reporting questionnaires. Frequency of the participation was the most common method. Others asked the degree of difficulty and a number or status of participating activities. Conclusion: In this study, a total of 18 pieces of literature were reviewed to analyze the assessment tool that measured the social participation of older adults of 65 and above. A total of 11 assessment tools were derived, and LIFE‐H was the most frequently used. Through this study, it is expected that clinicians or researchers can help when judging and selecting social participation assessment tools, and that appropriate tool selection can lead to a better understanding of the social participation of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self‐assembly of short peptides gives rise to versatile nanomaterials capable of promoting efficient catalysis. We have shown that short, seven‐residue peptides bind hemin to produce functional catalytic materials which display highly efficient peroxidation activity, reaching a catalytic efficiency of 3×105 m−1 s−1. Self‐assembly is essential for catalysis as non‐assembling controls show no activity. We have also observed peroxidase activity even in the absence of hemin, suggesting the potential to alter redox properties of substrates upon association with the assemblies. These results demonstrate the practical utility of self‐assembled peptides in various catalytic applications and further support the evolutionary link between amyloids and modern‐day enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A home‐based ICT program to elderly people aged 65 years or older to confirm the effect of the cognitive enhancement program and explore the possibility of remote rehabilitation. Method: This study from August to October 2022, three subjects were selected and the intervention was conducted for about two months. This intervention was conducted using the Korean version of Mini‐Mental State Examination(MMSE‐K), the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA‐K), the Computer Cognitive Senior Assessment System(CoSAS), and the two shorter form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale(CESD‐10‐D) to evaluated cognitive improvement before and after the program. The therapist remotely set the difficulty lever of cognitive training suitable fore the level of the subject through weekly feedback, and during the program. Interviews were conducted for additional opinions on the cognitive enhancement program. Result: After the intervention, all subjects showed improved scores in most items of the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment conducted before and after the intervention. In addition, among the items of CoTras, upper cognition, language ability, attention, visual perception, and memory were improved. In addition, subjective satisfaction with the cognitive improvement program was high. Conclusion: Cognitive rehabilitation training using a home‐based ICT program not only prevented dementia but also made it habitual. Through this study, it was confirmed that remote rehabilitation for the elderly could be possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Life expectancy has been increasing over the decades, while there is a gap between the genders. Women are more likely to live longer than men, resulting in older women living alone. Older adults living alone could be at risk of physical or mental health and well‐being. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to identify which interventions affected older women living alone and suggest community programs to improve their health and well‐being. Method: This study was conducted using three databases, including PubMed, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Scopus. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRiSMA) guidelines, and studies were assessed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Standardised Critical Appraisal Tool from Joanna Briggs Institute Meta‐Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI‐MAStARI) was used to appraise the methodological quality of these studies. Result: Of the 2003 articles, three of them met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. The articles are clinical trials, and the interventions were psychosocial support, reminiscence therapy, and a well‐being enhancement program. As a result of the interventions, self‐efficacy, cognitive function, and quality of life were improved, and the level of loneliness was decreased in older women living alone. Conclusion: The findings indicated that a community intervention such as psychosocial support, reminiscence therapy, and a well‐being enhancement program positively affected self‐efficacy, cognitive function, quality of life, and the level of loneliness for older women living alone. However, further studies are required with sufficient sample sizes and diverse intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Equol is a major isoflavone metabolite, and equol‐producing bacteria have been isolated and characterized; however, fermentation has been performed with soybean‐based products as substrates. Pueraria lobata has been reported as a plant with higher content of isoflavones. RESULTS: The genome of new equol‐producing bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei JS1, was analyzed. Also, the effect of P. lobata extract fermented with L. paracasei JS1 (FPE) on the skin and intestinal immune response was examined. With gene expression analysis, it was proven that seven skin‐related proteins, hyaluronan synthase‐1, ‐2, ‐3, collagen, elastin, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor were differentially expressed upon FPE treatment. The messenger RNA expression increased with treatment with the FPE, and a skin moisturizing effect was confirmed by a hematoxylin–eosin staining experiment. In addition, such an experiment showed that proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor‐α, cyclooxygenase‐2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin‐1β, ‐4, and ‐6, were reduced in large intestine when treated with FPE. CONCLUSION: L. paracasei JS1 has the ability to produce equol having beneficial effects on the skin. Moreover, FPE also has an inhibitory effect on inflammation cytokines in the large intestine. Thus, the novel and edible equol‐producing L. paracasei JS1 and FPE have thepotential to be developed as nutricosmetic resources. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the versatile metabolic functions of peroxisomes such as lipid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation and their relevance to genetically inherited diseases, namely, peroxisome biogenesis disorders and peroxisomal enzyme deficiency, there is not much research on peroxisome‐targeting therapeutics. Herein we present supramolecular nanostructured probes based on the self‐assembly of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) having peroxisome‐targeting ability in mammalian cells. The PA was designed to include the peroxisome‐targeting tripeptide (SKL) and a fluorescent dye (pyrene). It was revealed that the presence of the SKL‐appended carboxyl terminal group of PA, the extent of α‐helical nature of the peptide block, and the fibrillar morphology of nano‐assemblies affected the targeting efficiency of PA supramolecular nanoprobe. The simple modification of PAs by the peroxisome‐targeting strength prediction showed an enhanced peroxisome specificity, as expected. This work provides important insights into designing subcellular organelle‐targeting nanoparticles for next‐generation nanomedicines. A peroxisome‐targetable supramolecular nanoprobe was prepared based on the aqueous self‐assembly of peptide amphiphiles containing SKL‐COOH, which can be recognized by the peroxisome targeting signal receptor type 1 of the peroxisome membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural light-harvesting complexes are operated through the well-designed self-assembly of pigments with large protein complexes in a thylakoid lipid bilayer. However, a long-range, directed transfer of excitation energy has not been achieved in artificial systems because the nanoscale arrangement of chromophores into stable micrometer-scale structures is highly challenging. Here the multiscale assembly of chromophores for excited energy transfer through the arrangement of chromophores on nanoscale DNA templates followed by their incorporation into larger multilamellar lipid structures is reported. Single-strand 10 nucleotide DNA molecules containing a terminal residue linked with three different chromophores are hybridized with their complementary 30 nucleotide matrix DNA strand. Due to the short DNA sequences, the energy transfer of the DNA-templated chromophore arrays is limited at 4 °C. However, the incorporation of DNA-templated chromophores into lipid-DNA complexes dramatically increases both of the efficiencies and antenna effects of the single and two-step energy transfers at room temperature through the structural stabilization and the secondary assembly of DNA between the interstitial spaces of multilamellar lipid structures. The findings suggest that the supramolecular alignment of DNA-templated chromophores, which has never been explored previously, can be a very promising route toward directed, long-range light harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of nanoparticles mimicking the key features in size, shape, and surface molecular organization of biological objects that provide danger-signals are essential in the formulation of effective vaccine. Here, multifaceted immunomodulatory nanoliposomes (denoted as 'tumosomes') that can turn tumors into vaccines and induce enhanced antitumor immune response are suggested. Multifaceted tumosomes are synthesized by assembling tumor cell membrane proteins as tumor-associated antigens with two lipid-based adjuvants as pathogen characters (i.e., monophosphoryl lipid A as a danger signal, dimethyldioctadecylammonium as a cell-invasion moiety). The enhanced antitumor immunity of tumosomes afforded by the improved antigenicity and antigen uptake efficiency is also evaluated in a tumor challenge experiment after their image-guided intralymph node injection. Tumosomes are able to provide tumor antigens and molecular adjuvants for the priming of a long-term adaptive immune response in tumor draining lymph nodes, as well as in the spleen. Tumosome injection leads to an inhibition of tumor growth, and the survival rate of mice treated with the tumosomes is higher than those of other groups. Taken together, the tumosomes are expected to be used for the reshaping the immune response in the lymph node and enhanced antitumor immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new cobalt-ruthenium heterometallic molecular rectangles, 1- 3, were synthesized through the coordination-driven self-assembly of a new cobalt sandwich donor, (η5-Cp)Co[C4- trans-Ph2(4-Py)2] (L; Cp: cyclopentyl; Py: pyridine), and one of three dinuclear precursors, [( p-cymene)2Ru2(OO∩OO)2Cl2] [OO∩OO: oxalato ( A1), 5,8-dioxido-1,4-naphthoquinone ( A2), or 6,11-dioxido-5,12-naphthacenedione ( A3)]. All of the self-assembled architectures were isolated in very good yield (92-94 %) and were fully characterized by spectroscopic analysis; the molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The anticancer activities of bimetallic rectangles 1- 3 were evaluated with a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, an autophagy assay, and Western blotting. Rectangles 1- 3 showed higher cytotoxicity than doxorubicin in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. In addition, the autophagic activities and apoptotic cell death ratios were increased in AGS cells by treatment with 1- 3; the rectangles induced autophagosome formation by promoting LC3-I to LC3-II conversion and apoptotic cell death by increasing caspase-3/7 activity. Our results suggest that rectangles 1- 3 induce gastric cancer cell death by modulating autophagy and apoptosis and that they have potential use as agents for the treatment of human gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and practical 'solution-biphase method' allows the preparation of efficient charge-transporting 1D nanocrystals with coaxial p-n junctions. It involves gradual diffusion of a top layer of poor solvent (acetonitrile) into a bottom layer of poly(3-hexyl thiophene)- b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P3HT-b-P2VP) conjugated polymers (CPs) and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) dissolved in chloroform. Initial interfacial crystallization-driven assembly of CPs results in the formation of seeds consisting of dimeric QDs transversely bridged by CPs. Coaxial CPs/QDs hybrid NWs are generated by 1D growth of QDs-dimeric seeds, enabling tracing of the CPs-crystallization process via the QDs. Thus, well-arranged QDs along the longitudinal axis of the NWs infer highly crystalline CPs with edge-on orientation, as confirmed by electron tomography, UV-vis spectroscopy, and grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering. This high cristallinity as well as the increased length of the resulting hybrid NWs in solution and the corresponding crystallite size in as-cast film represent a significant improvement compared to the conventional 'one-pot addition method'. Moreover, although randomly QDs-attached hybrids of P3HT homopolymer are produced by the solution-biphase method, branched aggregates with micrometer-long NW arms are generated from the crystal seeds containing multiple growth facets without precipitate, despite acetonitrile being a nonsolvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailoring unique nanostructures of biocompatible and degradable polymers and the consequent elucidation of shape effects in drug delivery open tremendous opportunities not only to broaden their biomedical applications but also to identify new directions for the design of nanomedicine. Cellular organelles provide the basic structural and functional motif for the development of novel artificial nanoplatforms. Herein, aqueous onion-like vesicles structurally mimicking multicompartmentalized cellular organelles by exhibiting exquisite control over the molecular assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)- block-poly( ε-caprolactone) (PEO- b-PCL) semicrystalline amphiphiles are reported. Compared to in situ self-assembly, emulsification-induced assembly endows the resulting nanoaggregates of PEO- b-PCL with structural diversity such as helical ribbons and onion-like vesicles through the molecular packing modification in the hydrophobic core with a reduction of inherent crystalline character of PCL. In particular, onion-like vesicles composed of alternating walls and water channels are interpreted by nanometer-scale 3D visualization via cryogenic-electron tomo­graphy (cryo-ET). Interestingly, the nature of the multi-walled vesicles results in high drug-loading capacity and stepwise drug release through hydrolytic cleavage of the PCL block. The crystalline arrangement of PCL at the molecular scale and the spatial organization of assembled structure at the nanoscale significantly affect the drug-release behavior of PEO- b-PCL nanovehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-dimensional (0D) nanospheres, 1D nanocaterpillars, and 3D aggregates are produced from simple diblock copolymers containing polyacetylene (PA) via in situ nanoparticlization of conjugated polymers. The diblock copolymers are prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization via one-pot sequential addition of an endo-tricyclo[4.2.2.0]deca-3,9-diene (TD) and cyclooctatetraene. Initially, they spontaneously form nanospheres consisting of a PA core and PTD shell, and increasing the length of the PA block leads to the direct nanoparticlization of the higher-dimensional structures such as 1D and 3D aggregates because of the decreased effective volume ratio of the rigid PTD shell to the solvophobic PA core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND This study was designed to examine the potential health benefits of Allium sativum L. (garlic) stem extract ( ASSE) on obesity and related disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obese mice were orally administered ASSE at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg kg−1 body weight day−1 for 4 weeks. RESULTS Consumption of ASSE significantly suppressed body weight gain and white adipose tissue ( WAT) weight regardless of daily food intake. Obese mice fed ASSE also exhibited a significant decrease in WAT cell size. The decreased level of adiponectin and increased level of leptin in obese mice reverted to near normal mice levels in ASSE-treated mice. ASSE administration significantly improved lipid parameters of the serum and liver and inhibited fat accumulation in the liver by modulating the activities of hepatic lipid-regulating enzymes in obese mice. Administration of ASSE also led to significant increases in antioxidant enzymes and suppressed glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation in hepatic tissue. CONCLUSION These results suggest that ASSE may ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance and oxidative damage in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloids, enzyme catalysis, peptides, peroxidases, self-assembly Keywords: amyloids; enzyme catalysis; peptides; peroxidases; self-assembly EN amyloids enzyme catalysis peptides peroxidases self-assembly 1 1 1 03/24/21 20210322 NES 210322 B Catalytic amyloids formed by short peptides b and metallocofactors efficiently promote oxidation of organic substrates with activities approaching those of designed heme proteins. Frontispiece: Self-Assembling Catalytic Peptide Nanomaterials Capable of Highly Efficient Peroxidase Activity. [Extracted from the article]

In article number 1803051, Eunji Lee and co‐workers present a therapeutic carbon monoxide (CO)‐releasing hydrogel patch obtained from self‐assembling rationally designed peptides. Controllable CO‐release elicits effective cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory activities on mammalian tissues. The developed syringe‐injectable CO‐releasing peptide hydrogel and the corresponding bioadhesive hydrogel patch allow for localized application of therapeutic gas by injection or implantation into a tissue/organ of interest, providing new direction for regenerative medicine using gasotransmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon monoxide (CO) is recently accepted as a therapeutic molecule that exhibits remarkable biological actions, including anti‐inflammation, antiapoptosis, and cytoprotection, at a physiological level. For clinical use without the side effect of tissue hypoxia, which arises from the uncontrolled administration of CO in the human body, CO‐releasing molecules (CORMs) are developed to ensure safe and efficient CO‐delivery. Herein, a syringe‐injectable CO‐releasing peptide hydrogel (COH) and a corresponding bioadhesive hydrogel patch (COHP), developed by rational supramolecular chemistry, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CO with controllable CO‐release to a specific tissue is report. The injectable COH is prepared by self‐assembly of the CORM‐attached peptides with a gel‐forming diphenylalanine‐derivative, resulting in fibrillar networks and exhibiting prolonged CO‐release compared with CORMs. Furthermore, Ca2+‐chelating and mussel‐derived catechol‐functionalized peptides are introduced to afford a mechanically rigid, bioadhesive COHP that elicits cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory activities. The supramolecular COHP can be utilized in the efficient CO‐delivery to the site of interest by conformal contacts, making it a promising scaffold for biomedical applications. A therapeutic carbon monoxide (CO)‐releasing hydrogel patch is fabricated by self‐assembly of rationally designed peptides. Increase in mechanical strength and adhesive force of hydrogel enables the local CO‐delivery with its sustained release. The hydrogel patch elicits effective cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects on cardiomyocytes by conformally contacting with the desired tissues, resulting in an efficient nanoplatform for a medical gas therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A peroxisome‐targetable supramolecular nanoprobe was developed based on the self‐assembly of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) in water. The nanostructured fluorescent probe was decorated with a short tripeptide of SKL (serine‐lysine‐leucine)–carboxylic group (COOH), which is a well‐known peroxisome‐targeting signal type 1 (PTS1) recognized by the PTS receptor–Pex5p of the peroxisomal membrane. The subcellular organelle‐targeting ability of the nanoprobes was affected by the presence of SKL‐COOH at the C‐terminus of the PA, the extent of α‐helical nature of the peptide, and the fibrillar morphology of the nanostructure. More information can be found in the Communication by Eun Hee Han, Eunji Lee et al. on page 3485 in Issue 22, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/asia.201800863). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On page 4570, E. Lee and team demonstrate the fabrication of aqueous onion‐like vesicles with multi‐walls based on the controlled assembly of biocompatible and degradable semicrystalline polymers (PEO‐b‐PCL). The multi‐walled vesicles formed by emulsion droplet instability lead to high drug‐loading capacity and stepwise drug‐releasing behavior through sequential hydrolytic degradation from the outermost to innermost wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]