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Objective@#To investigate the features of alveolar bone morphology of mandibular central incisors in high-angle adult females using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and evaluate the influence of aging in these patients.@*Methods@# CBCT and lateral cephalometric images of 142 untreated adult female patients were selected and grouped by facial growth pattern. The number of high-angle cases was increased to 164 to further explore the difference within high-angle adult females who were divided into two groups according to age. The indexes of alveolar bone height and thickness in the lower incisor region and inclination of the lower incisors were measured by Dolphin software. The data was statistically analyzed.@*Results@#Compared with the average-angle group, the high-angle group had a lower alveolar bone attachment level (P < 0.05) and less bone thickness at the root apex level (P < 0.05). The thickness of lingual alveolar bone decreased with labial inclination of the lower incisors in both the high-angle and average-angle groups (r = -0.251, P = 0.025; r = -0.428, P = 0.001, respectively). In hyperdivergent female patients, the middle-aged group had a lower attachment level of alveolar bone than the young group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in bone thickness at the root apex level (P > 0.05) was found between the two groups@*Conclusion @# High-angle adult females had thinner mandibular anterior alveolar bone with significantly lower attachment levels. Aging and inclination of lower incisors influenced bone morphology and should be taken into careful consideration.
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In the present study, we examined the sex-related differences and cross-sectional age-related changes in the cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle. The cross-sectional area was corrected for fat-free mass (FFM-corrected), which was calculated as the 2/3rd power of the total fat-free mass. A total of 240 adults (114 men, 126 women, age: 20-81 years) were included in the study. The cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle was measured by 0.2T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the total fat-free mass was measured by air displacement plethysmography. We demonstrated that the FFM-corrected cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle was greater in males than females across all age groups. Furthermore, we examined the mean FFM-corrected cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle across different age groups and demonstrated that it decreased with age. Our findings, when combined with previous results, show a peak in the 20s, which declined with age. Our study revealed sex-related differences and cross-sectional age-related changes in the FFM-corrected cross-sectional area of the psoas major muscle. Our findings also suggest that it is important to define reference values and ranges that take into account age- and sex-related differences when assessing the psoas major muscle by FFM-corrected cross-sectional area.
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Craniometry has revealed that continuous skull expansion occurs after dental maturity in macaques and other nonhuman primates. Endocranial volume has been shown to increase with age from mid-adulthood to older age in macaques. Thus, neurocranial thickness may decrease with age, especially from mid-adulthood to older age. Here, we investigated age-related changes in the cranial thickness of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Ten cranial thickness measurements (ten neurocranial landmarks) were made using computed tomographic scans of 140 crania from adult macaques (67 males and 73 females). The cranial thickness at many sites was shown to increase in the neurocranium from young adulthood (7-9 years) to early-mid adulthood (14-19 years) in males and latemid adulthood (19-24 years) in females, while it was decreased in the oldest age group (>24 years). The cranial thickness at various sites showed a significant decrease from mid-adulthood to very old age in both sexes, although females had more sites with decreasing thickness than did males. The difference between sexes in terms of age-related changes in cranial thickness at sites on the mid-sagittal plane may be associated with the differences in the size of the projecting face and canines between males and females. The greater number of sites with decreasing thickness in females than in males may be associated with postmenopausal estrogen depletion in female macaques.
La craneometría ha revelado que la expansión continua del cráneo se produce después de la madurez dental en macacos y otros primates no humanos. Se ha demostrado que el volumen endocraneal aumenta con la edad desde mediados de la edad adulta hasta la edad más avanzada en macacos. Por lo tanto, el grosor neurocraneal puede disminuir con la edad, especialmente desde la edad adulta media hasta la edad avanzada. Aquí, investigamos los cambios relacionados con la edad en el grosor craneal de los macacos Japoneses (Macaca fuscata). Se realizaron diez mediciones del grosor craneal (considerando diez puntos de referencia neurocraneales) mediante tomografías computarizadas de 140 cráneos de macacos adultos (67 machos y 73 hembras). Se observó que el grosor craneal en muchos sitios aumentó en el neurocráneo desde la edad adulta joven (7-9 años) hasta la edad adulta media (14-19 años) en los hombres y en la edad adulta media tardía (19-24 años) en las mujeres, mientras que se redujo en el grupo de mayor edad (> 24 años). El grosor craneal en varios sitios mostró una disminución significativa desde la edad adulta media hasta la edad muy avanzada en ambos sexos, aunque las hembras tenían más sitios con grosor decreciente. La diferencia entre sexos, en términos de cambios relacionados con la edad, en el grosor craneal en los sitios en el plano mediano puede asociarse con las diferencias en el tamaño de la cara y en los caninos entre machos y hembras. El mayor número de sitios con grosor decreciente en las hembras respecto a los machos puede estar asociado con el agotamiento de los estrógenos posmenopáusicos en los macacos hembras.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Skull/anatomy & histology , Aging/physiology , Cephalometry , Macaca fuscata/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between the root diameter and the diameter of the root canal and the diameter of the root canal of the maxillary central incisors of Han nationality.Methods November 2014 to 2015 during November,select the database in a local three grade hospital in 420 cases of Han nationality in CBCT image data as the research object,according to the age will be all of the subjects were divided into six (8～12 years old,13 to 17,18 22,23 to 27,28 to 32,33 to 37 years old),70 cases in each group,men and women,15 cases in each group.Of all the research object of the maxillary central incisor root diameter and root pipe diameter were measured,take the cemento enamel junction from the apical 3/4,analysis of maxillary central incisor root diameter and root tube diameter and age,men and women of the maxillary central incisor root diameter.Results The men and women of the maxillary central incisor root diameter compared with significant difference (P＜0.05);male and female maxillary central incisor root diameter compared with significant difference (P＜0.05);male and female maxillary incisor root diameter and root diameter ratio compared with the difference significant (P＜0.05);different genders maxillary central incisor root diameter and root diameter ratio and age has certain correlation (R2=0.623,P＜0.05).Conclusion The root diameter and the diameter of root canal of maxillary central incisors of Han nationality were correlated with the age,and the trend of male root canal diameter was higher than that of female.
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Resumen Introducción: el Cortisol salival ha sido frecuentemente utilizado como un marcador de estrés. El cortisol tiene un importante ritmo diurno con elevaciones pico en las horas de madrugada, denominada respuesta del cortisol al despertar (RCD) con una caída durante el día. Los cambios al envejecer en el eje hipotálamo-pituitaria-adrenal (HPA) son contradictorios. Objetivo: este estudio examina la variación diurna de los niveles de cortisol salival en sujetos ancianos que viven en la comunidad. Diseño: estudio trasversal descriptivo. Medio: Poblacional. Participantes del estudio IMIAS (International Mobility in Aging Study). Participantes: cuatrocientos cincuenta personas mayores de 65 años, hombres y mujeres con una submuestra (100) para la toma de cortisol salival. Mediciones: los participantes recolectaron diez muestras de saliva, cinco por día, durante dos días así: al levantarse, 30 minutos (media hora) después de despertarse, una hora después de despertarse, en la tarde a las 3 pm y al acostarse. El cortisol fue evaluado mediante radioinmunoanálisis enzimático. Se evaluaron RCD, el área bajo la curva y la curva de patrón diurno. Resultados: se encontró una RCD amputada con un perfil diurno aplanado y con los niveles más bajos en la noche. El patrón de curva encontrado se considera como un patrón "normal" de ritmo circadiano de cortisol al envejecer, que se caracteriza por tener una baja RCD y con una caída lenta a través del día. Conclusiones: los ancianos muestran una menor respuesta del cortisol al despertar con un ritmo diurno reducido probablemente implicando una regulación alterada del eje HPA con el envejecimiento. (Acta Med Colomb 2016; 41:130-137).
Abstract Introduction: salivary cortisol has been frequently used as a marker of stress. Cortisol has an important diurnal rhythm with peak elevations at the dawn hours, called cortisol awakening response (CAR) with a drop during the day. Aging changes in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis are contradictory. Objective: this study examines the diurnal variation of salivary cortisol levels in elderly subjects living in the community. Design: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Medium: populational. Participants of IMIAS study (International Mobility in Aging Study). Participants: four hundred and fifty people over 65, men and women with a subsample (100) for the sampling of salivary cortisol. Measurements: participants collected ten saliva samples, five per day, for two days in this way: when getting up, 30 minutes (half an hour) after waking up, an hour after waking up, in the afternoon at 3 pm and at bedtime. Cortisol was assessed by enzyme radioimmunoassay. CAR, the area under the curve and the curve of diurnal pattern were evaluated. Results: an amputee CAR with a flattened diurnal profile and lower levels at night was found. Curve pattern found is considered a "normal" pattern of circadian rhythm of cortisol aging, characterized by having a low CAR and a slow fall throughout the day. Conclusions: The elderly have a lower cortisol response to awakening with a reduced diurnal rhythm probably involving an altered HPA axis regulation with aging. (Acta Med Colomb 2016; 41: 130-137).
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Hypothalamus , Women , Aging , Pituitaria glandulaABSTRACT
Introduction: Outpatients health care service or ambulatory care is can support the most (80-85% of all) health services except the admission and emergency and intensive care of severe patients. WHO is offering the health care services provided to patients on an ambulatory basis, rather by admission to a hospital or other health care facility in developing countries. The outpatient health services quality may be diminished in my country since 1990 and also outpatient health care services did not expanded because of too much concerning about hospital admission. Goal of study: To evaluate the Achtan Elite Clinical Hospitals outpatient- policlinic health service in 2006-2007 years and to improve the outpatient- inpatient services correlation and management. Objectives: 1. To make analyses outpatient-policlinic health service result. 2. To find out outpatient areas workloads. Methodology of study: We prepared special questionnaire and tried to evaluate a daily normal workloads. We used Statistical SPSS-12 program is used for statistical analyses. Results of study: Achtan Clinical hospital served 3899-4364 inpatients for admition in hospital, 38327-39675 outpatients in 2006-2007 years. The most 30308- 35959 outpatients were for diagnostic visit for doctors and rest people visited for preventive care. If compare our workloads with state clinical hospitals, we provide 11.9%-14.3% health service of state hospitals workloads. Gastroenterology, cardiology and neurology cabinets workloads are always higher than other cabinets in 108% -124%. In contrast traditional medicine, pediatric, neurosurgery and psychiatrist cabinets did not perform (55-75%) their normal workloads. Discussion: According to ambulatory-outpatient health, services study shows that necessity of opening the family doctor centered local outpatient care in big cities like Ulaanbaatar. There will need 10-15 family doctors and 8-10 specialized doctors to serve 20000-25000 residencies or 4000-5000 families. Laboratory, rehabilitations, dispensary, health education department of preventing most infectious diseases including tuberculosis, psychiatric and traumatic disorders preventing programs will be able to maintain. When we change the policy of administration and management of outpatient health services than community, based prevention will be able to follow. Conclusion: 1. There is a necessity of expanding and management of renewing out and inpatient clinic. Which provide 80-85% of all the medical help and service. 2. The relationship of out and inpatient clinic and their activity risk and resource are need to determine. All these mentioned fi nding show that health administrative has to perform well-targeted study. 3. To fi nd out normal working load is main problem of health management. In our predictive study-shows in internal and neurological cabinets load can be 25 people per day, 15-20 for surgical and ophthalmological, 10-15 for urology and gynecology cabinets.
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Introduction: Biological aging is defined as a process or group processes that originate from progressive decrement of viability and increment of vulnerability of the organism with the passage of time. Biological age can be viewed as an objective measure for the assessment of ones biological vigor which is inevitably declined with advancing chronological age. Materials and methods: The individuals biological age scores (BAS) were estimated from 5 variables: forced expiratory volume in 1.0 sec (FEV1), systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood glucose, albumin, other proteins ratio and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). The study was composed on study design, based on E. Nakamuras developed method. Using above mentioned parameters was calculated biological age score (BAS), by which were assessed the aging rate of each individual. Results: We investigated a trend for the rate of aging changes in adults aged above 35. Variables used as a biomarkers of aging are significantly correlated with aging, where the systolic blood pressure was strongest one. Biological age score was calculated for every individual and it has strong correlation with chronological age (r=0.331, p=0.01). The rate at which ageing process relatively faster were 45-55 and 55-66 age intervals for females, against which aging rate of man was slower than women in above mentioned age groups. Conclusion: Variables used in calculation of BAS had significant cross sectional correlation with age and the aging rate was faster in man than in women in later age groups. In younger and older age groups (35-45 and above 65) individuals of both sexes had similar aging rate.
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Objective To explore the changes of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged female Long-Evans rat. Methods The hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of 5 young (6-month old), 5 middle-aged (18-month old) and 6 aged (28-month old) female Long-Evans rats were quantitatively investigated with the stereological techniques and transmission electronic microscope technique. Results There were no significant changes in the volume of hippocampal formation, the volume density, the total volume, the length density and the mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation among young, middle-aged and aged rats. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was significantly increased by 63.6%. When compared to that of middle-aged rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was significantly decreased by 47.5%. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was non-significantly decreased by 13.8%. Conclusion Although the reason why the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was longer than that of young rats needs further investigations, the present results together with our previous findings in white matter and cortex further suggest that there are age-related changes of the myelinated nerve fibers in the normal aged brains.
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PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to examine the changes of basal cortisol and DHEA levels present in saliva and serum with age, and to determine the correlation coefficients of steroid concentrations between saliva and serum. The secondary objective was to obtain a standard diurnal rhythm of salivary cortisol and DHEA in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the first objective, saliva and blood samples were collected between 10 and 11 AM from 359 volunteers ranging from 21 to 69 years old (167 men and 192 women). For the second objective, four saliva samples (post-awakening, 11AM, 4PM, and bedtime) were collected throughout a day from 78 volunteers (42 women and 36 men) ranging from 20 to 40 years old. Cortisol and DHEA levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: The morning cortisol and DHEA levels, and the age-related steroid decline patterns were similar in both genders. Serum cortisol levels significantly decreased around forty years of age (p < 0.001, when compared with people in their 20s), and linear regression analysis with age showed a significant declining pattern (slope= -2.29, t= -4.297, p < 0.001). However, salivary cortisol levels did not change significantly with age, but showed a tendency towards decline (slope= -0.0078, t= -0.389, p=0.697). The relative cortisol ratio of serum to saliva was 3.4 - 4.5% and the ratio increased with age (slope=0.051, t=3.61, p < 0.001). DHEA levels also declined with age in saliva (slope= -0.007, t= -3.76, p < 0.001) and serum (slope= -0.197 t= -4.88, p < 0.001). In particular, DHEA levels in saliva and serum did not start to significantly decrease until ages in the 40s, but then decreased significantly further at ages in the 50s (p < 0.001, when compared with the 40s age group) and 60s (p < 0.001, when compared with the 50 age group). The relative DHEA ratio of serum to saliva was similar throughout the ages examined (slop = 0.0016, t = 0.344, p = 0.73). On the other hand, cortisol and DHEA levels in saliva reflected well those in serum (r = 0.59 and 0.86, respectively, p < 0.001). The highest salivary cortisol levels appeared just after awakening (about two fold higher than the 11 AM level), decreased throughout the day, and reached the lowest levels at bedtime (p < 0.001, when compared with PM cortisol levels). The highest salivary DHEA levels also appeared after awakening (about 1.5 fold higher than the 11 AM level) and decreased by 11AM (p < 0.001). DHEA levels did not decrease further until bedtime (p=0.11, when compared with PM DHEA levels). CONCLUSION: This study showed that cortisol and DHEA levels change with age and that the negative slope of DHEA was steeper than that of cortisol in saliva and serum. As the cortisol and DHEA levels in saliva reflected those in serum, the measurement of steroid levels in saliva provide a useful and practical tool to evaluate adrenal functions, which are essential for clinical diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Circadian Rhythm , Dehydroepiandrosterone/blood , Hydrocortisone/blood , Saliva/metabolismABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to examine the changes of basal cortisol and DHEA levels present in saliva and serum with age, and to determine the correlation coefficients of steroid concentrations between saliva and serum. The secondary objective was to obtain a standard diurnal rhythm of salivary cortisol and DHEA in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the first objective, saliva and blood samples were collected between 10 and 11 AM from 359 volunteers ranging from 21 to 69 years old (167 men and 192 women). For the second objective, four saliva samples (post-awakening, 11AM, 4PM, and bedtime) were collected throughout a day from 78 volunteers (42 women and 36 men) ranging from 20 to 40 years old. Cortisol and DHEA levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: The morning cortisol and DHEA levels, and the age-related steroid decline patterns were similar in both genders. Serum cortisol levels significantly decreased around forty years of age (p < 0.001, when compared with people in their 20s), and linear regression analysis with age showed a significant declining pattern (slope= -2.29, t= -4.297, p < 0.001). However, salivary cortisol levels did not change significantly with age, but showed a tendency towards decline (slope= -0.0078, t= -0.389, p=0.697). The relative cortisol ratio of serum to saliva was 3.4 - 4.5% and the ratio increased with age (slope=0.051, t=3.61, p < 0.001). DHEA levels also declined with age in saliva (slope= -0.007, t= -3.76, p < 0.001) and serum (slope= -0.197 t= -4.88, p < 0.001). In particular, DHEA levels in saliva and serum did not start to significantly decrease until ages in the 40s, but then decreased significantly further at ages in the 50s (p < 0.001, when compared with the 40s age group) and 60s (p < 0.001, when compared with the 50 age group). The relative DHEA ratio of serum to saliva was similar throughout the ages examined (slop = 0.0016, t = 0.344, p = 0.73). On the other hand, cortisol and DHEA levels in saliva reflected well those in serum (r = 0.59 and 0.86, respectively, p < 0.001). The highest salivary cortisol levels appeared just after awakening (about two fold higher than the 11 AM level), decreased throughout the day, and reached the lowest levels at bedtime (p < 0.001, when compared with PM cortisol levels). The highest salivary DHEA levels also appeared after awakening (about 1.5 fold higher than the 11 AM level) and decreased by 11AM (p < 0.001). DHEA levels did not decrease further until bedtime (p=0.11, when compared with PM DHEA levels). CONCLUSION: This study showed that cortisol and DHEA levels change with age and that the negative slope of DHEA was steeper than that of cortisol in saliva and serum. As the cortisol and DHEA levels in saliva reflected those in serum, the measurement of steroid levels in saliva provide a useful and practical tool to evaluate adrenal functions, which are essential for clinical diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Circadian Rhythm , Dehydroepiandrosterone/blood , Hydrocortisone/blood , Saliva/metabolismABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to develop a new system for measuring leg motions using a portable three-dimensional accelerometer. The measuring system is composed of acceleration sensors (MicroStone, MA3-10Ac), a data logger, a data reader, and a personal computer. The personal computer draws a graph of the acceleration of movements (i.e., accelerogram) from the output signals of the acceleration sensors. We then calculated the average acceleration to evaluate leg motions. We drew the accelerograms from 19 young subjects and 36 elderly subjects during the performance of physical fitness activities and walking. Different accelerograms were obtained from two subjects for different walking styles. The average accelerations at the lumbar, ankle and toe points were higher at all axes during movements from the physical fitness activities in the elderly subjects. The accelerations of leg motion at the knee point were, however, lower in the up and down axis in the elderly subjects than in the young subjects, although they were higher in the back and forth and the right and left axes. The new instrument has enabled us to evaluate leg motions by measuring three-dimensional acceleration during the performance of physical fitness activities and walking. The average accelerations of leg motions showed age-related changes. Thus, the average acceleration of leg motions may be used as a new index for evaluating leg motions at the dynamic state.
Subject(s)
Lower Extremity , Walking , Physical Fitness , Aged , MotionABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to develop a new system for measuring leg motions using a portable three-dimensional accelerometer. The measuring system is composed of acceleration sensors (Micro Stone, MA3-10Ac), a data logger, a data reader, and a personal computer. The personal computer draws a graph of the acceleration of movements (i.e., accelerogram) from the output signals of the acceleration sensors. We then calculated the average acceleration to evaluate leg motions. We drew the accelerograms from 19 young subjects and 36 elderly subjects during the performance of physical fitness activities and walking. Different accelerograms were obtained from two subjects for different walking styles. The average accelerations at the lumbar, ankle and toe points were higher at all axes during movements from the physical fitness activities in the elderly subjects. The accelerations of leg motion at the knee point were, however, lower in the up and down axis in the elderly subjects than in the young subjects, although they were higher in the back and forth and the right and left axes. The new instrument has enabled us to evaluate leg motions by measuring three-dimensional acceleration during the performance of physical fitness activities and walking. The average accelerations of leg motions showed age-related changes. Thus, the average acceleration of leg motions may be used as a new index for evaluating leg motions at the dynamic state.
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Objective A morphometric study was carried out on GABAergic neurons and astrocytes in primary auditory cortex of 4 young cats (1-3 years old, 20-2.5 kg) and 4 old cats (10-13-year-old, 3-3.5 kg), in order to explore the age-related changes and the probably physical effects underlying these changes. Methods The same regions of the primary auditory cortex (AI) were comparatively studied. Nissl staining and immunohistochemical methods were applied to explore the differences of GABAergic neurons and astrocytes(specifically labeled by GFAP as a mark as antibody) in the primary auditory cortex(Al) between young and old cats. Serial cross-sections from two age groups were stained with Nissl for layer structure observation and demonstration of neurons; Adjacent sections were stained with anti_GABA immunohistochemistry for localizing and characterizing GABAergic and with anti-GFAP for astrocytes in AI. Results The diameter, density and number of GABAergic neurons in Al of old cats declined significantly compared with the counterpart in young cats, especially in layers Ⅱ,Ⅲ of AI; but the change in GFAP-IR cells was reversed: old cats showed clearly larger number and stronger staining of GFAP-IR cells than that in young cats. The GFAP-IR cell bodies and dendrites swelled obviously in old cats, especially in layer Ⅰ of AI and in white matter. Conclusion The result presented a direct morphological evidence for weakness of GABAergic intracortical inhibition, which is considered to be a possible mechanism for age-related acoustic function decline. The enhanced function of astrocytes may play an important role in decreasing the GABA content in AI of the old individuals.
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Objective:To study age-related changes of stimulated whole saliva flow rate and nitric oxide level in healthy adults.Methods:97 healthy adults were divided into four age groups:20-39 years (youth group), 40-59 years (middle-aged group), 60-79 years (elderly group), and 80 years and over (macrobian group).The volunteers were asked to restrain from breakfast in the morning.After mouth rinse with 2.5 ml/L chlorhexidine,20 ml/L citrate was dropped on the anterior third of the tongue dorsum of the subjects for two minutes at the pace of 1 drop every 20 seconds.Then the subjects rinsed their mouth 3 times with double-distilled water within 1 minute,then saliva was collected for 5 minutes. The volume of saliva was documented. Samples were frozen at -70 ℃ until assayed. The rates were calculated. Nitric oxide concentrations were measured with nitrate reductase and the Griess reagent, and then nitric oxide output (mol/min) was calculated.Results:(1) The flow rate of stimulated whole saliva in youth group was significantly higher than that in middle-aged, aged and macrobian groups(P 0.05 ). (2) There were no significant differences in nitric oxide concentrations between any two of the groups. Output of nitric oxide in youth group was significantly higher than that in middle-aged, aged and macrobian groups(P0.05). Conclusion:Nitric oxide exists in saliva of healthy adults. Stimulated whole saliva flow rate and nitric oxide output decreases with aging.
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PURPOSE: Values for hemoglobin, erythrocyte indices and red cell distribution width used in the diagnosis of anemia and iron deficiency are known to vary to some degree according to age. We tried to define age-related changes in red blood cells (RBC) profiles. METHODS: With the eletronic counters routinely used in clinical laboratories we evaluated the RBC profiles of 1,717 samples of blood from children who were considered healthy. Mean, median and percentile curves of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices and red cell distribution width were calculated in children aged 5 months to 15 yr of age. RESULTS: The median values for hemoglobin and hematocrit were increased substantially during childhood. The values of hemoglobin were increased from 11.6 g/dl at 6-11 months, to 12.0 g/dl at 2 yr of age, 12.7 g/dl at 6-8 yr, reaching a maximum level of 13.7 g/dl at 12-15 yr for males and 13.3 g/dl for females, with an average of 13.5 g/dl for both sexes. The values of hematocrit were also increased from 34.4 % at 6-11 months, 35.5 % at 2 yr of age, 37.4 % at 6-8 yr and achieved 39.3 % for males and 38.6 % for females in adolescence. The MCV at 6-11 months was 76.3 fl; at 2 yr 77.1; and 83.4 fl for males and 84.8 fl for females in adolescence. The increase in MCH parallels the MCV fairly closely from 25.9 pg at 6-11 months of age to 29.0 pg at adolescence. The MCHC remains conatant throughout infancy and childhood. Cut-off values (3 percentile) of hemoglobin were 10.7 g/dl at 6-11 months, 11 g/dl at 1-2 yr and 11.5 after 6 yr. Cut-off values (3 percentile) of MCV were 70 fl at 1-2 yr and 75 fl after 6 yr. Correlation between hemoglobin, MCV, MCH and RDW was relatively significant, but it was much less dependent variables in this reference population than in the children with iron deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that there is a developmental change in red blood cell size extending beyond the well-recognized changes seen in the first 6 months of life. Age-related changes in hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and MCH must be taken into consideration in order to optimize the identification of individuals with anemia and iron deficiency.