Cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity associated with motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults

Background Motoric cognitive risk(MCR)syndrome as a pre-dementia syndrome often co-occurring with chronic health condi-tions.This study aims to investigate the prevalence of MCR and its association with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorb-idity among older people living in rural China.Methods This population-based study included 1450 participants who were aged≥60 years(66.2%women)and who underto-ok the second wave examination of the Confucius Hometown Aging Project in Shandong,China when information to define MCR was collected.Data were collected through in-person interviews,clinical examinations,and laboratory tests.Cardiometabolic and pa-nvascular multimorbidity were defined following the international criteria.MCR was defined as subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait speed in individuals free of dementia and functional disability.Multivariable logistic regression models were used to exa-mine the associations of MCR with multimorbidity.Results MCR was present in 6.3%of all participants,and the prevalence increased with advancing age.Cerebrovascular disea-se,ischemic heart disease,heart failure,and increased serum cystatin C were associated with increased likelihoods of MCR(mult-ivariable-adjusted odds ratio range:1.90-3.02,P<0.05 for all).Furthermore,there was a dose-response relationship between the nu-mber of cardiometabolic diseases and panvascular diseases and the likelihood of MCR.The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio(95%CI)of MCR associated with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity were 2.47(1.43-4.26)and 3.85(2.29-6.47),respectiv-ely.Conclusions Older adults with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity are at a higher likelihood of MCR.These fin-dings may have implications for identifying older adults at pre-dementia state as targets for early preventive interventions to delay dementia onset.

Domestic trends in malaria research and development in China and its global influence

Background:Though many countries,including China,are moving towards malaria elimination,malaria remains a major global health threat.Due to the spread of antimalarial drug resistance and the need for innovative medical products during the elimination phase,further research and development(R&D)of innovative tools in both epidemic and elimination areas is needed.This study aims to identify the trends and gaps in malaria R&D in China,and aims to offer suggestions on how China can be more effectively involved in global malaria R&D.Methods:Quantitative analysis was carried out by collecting data on Chinese malaria-related research programmes between 1985 and 2014,invention patents in China from 1985 to 2014,and articles published by Chinese researchers in PubMed and Chinese databases from 2005 to 2014.All data were screened and extracted for numerical analysis and were categorized into basic sciences,drug/drug resistance,immunology/vaccines,or diagnostics/detection for chronological and subgroup comparisons.Results:The number of malaria R&D activities have shown a trend of increase during the past 30 years,however these activities have fluctuated within the past few years.During the past 10 years,R&D on drug/drug resistance accounted for the highest percentages of research programmes(32.4%),articles(55.0%in PubMed and 50.6%in Chinese databases)and patents(45.5%).However,these R&D activities were mainly related to artemisinin.R&D on immunology/vaccines has been a continuous interest for China’s public entities,but the focus remains on basic science.R&D in the area of high-efficiency diagnostics has been rarely seen or reported in China.Conclusions:China has long been devoted to malaria R&D in multiple areas,including drugs,drug resistance,immunology and vaccines.R&D on diagnostics has received significantly less attention,however,it should also be an area where China can make a contribution.More focus on malaria R&D is needed,especially in the area of diagnostics,if China would like to contribute in a more significant way to global malaria control and elimination.