Age and ageing
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the diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of vascular dementia (VaD), relies solely on neuroimaging studies. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic biomarkers in various disorders. Our aim was to identify differentially expressed, circulating miRNAs in small vessel VaD which could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for this disease. ⋯ plasma miR-409-3p, miR-502-3p, miR-486-5p and miR-451a could be used to differentiate small vessel VaD patients from healthy controls. Large-scale studies of their biomarker potential are warranted.
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In this commentary article, we describe the impact that an ageing population is having on the nature of major trauma seen in emergency departments. The proportion of major trauma victims who are older people is rapidly increasing and a fall from standing is now the most common mechanism of injury in major trauma. ⋯ Furthermore, the use of frailty screening tools may facilitate more informed early decision-making in relation to treatment interventions in older trauma victims. We call for geriatric medicine and emergency medicine departments to collaborate-equipping urgent care staff with the basic competencies necessary to initiate CGA should be a priority, and geriatricians have a key role to play in delivery of such educational interventions.