All the extracts were undergone for chemical reactions for the pr

All the extracts were undergone for chemical reactions for the presence of compounds. The chloroform and methanolic OSI-744 supplier extracts of S. swietenoides were mixed as they showed similar spots on thin layer chromatography (Chloroform:Benzene : 8:2). The combined extracts were column chromatographed over silica gel (Acme, 100–200 mesh) and the compounds thus obtained were characterized by spectral analysis (IR, 1 H NMR and Mass). The experimental protocol was approved by the institutional animal ethics committee of Andhra university, Vishakhapatnam, which was registered with Committee for the purpose of control and supervision of experiments on animal (CPCSEA),

Govt. of India (registration no.516/01/A/CPCSEA). In this experiment Wistar albino rats

of either sex (150–200 g) were maintained under controlled conditions for all sets of experiments. The rats were allowed to take standard laboratory feed and water ad libitum. Toxicity studies were conducted as per internationally accepted protocol drawn under OECD guidelines in Wistar albino rats at a dose GSK2118436 mw level of extracts up to 2000 mg/kg b.w. The toxic effect of the methanolic extract of S. swietenoides (roots) was studied at a dose level of 2000 mg/kg b.w. The animals were also closely examined for signs of intoxication, lethargy, behavioral modification and morbidity. 7 and 8 Each set of experiment was divided into groups consisting of 6 rats in each group towards control, toxicant, standard, and test. The methanolic extract obtained from the roots of S. swietenoides were suspended in 1% Sodium CMC and administered at a dose levels of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. The rats of control group I received three

doses of 1% Sodium CMC (1 mL/kg p.o.). The animals in group II were given with CCl4 at a dose of 1.25 mL/kg. The group III received the first dose of silymarin (25 mg/kg) at 0 h. Groups IV, V and VI received different doses of extracts viz 200,400 and 800 mg/kg. After 72 h blood was drawn from the retero-orbital plexus venous and allowed to clot for the separation of serum. The no serum was used for the assay of the marker enzymes SGOT, SGPT and ALKP. TBL, CHL, TPTN and ALB parameters were also estimated. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 The values were expressed as mean ± SEM. The data was subjected to the analysis of variance (one way ANOVA) to determine the significance of changes followed by students “t”-test.15, 16 and 17 Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram + ve organisms). Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas vulgaris and Serratia marcescens (Gram–ve organisms). Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Penicillium chrysogenum.

3 and 10 culture volume per day) at days 3 and 4 Prior to virus

3 and 10 culture volume per day) at days 3 and 4. Prior to virus infection, using the same bioreactor vessel used for Vero cell culture, the media feed was stopped and pH, DO and temperature settings were adjusted to 7.4, 25% and 32.5 °C, respectively. Media was not refreshed but glucose and glutamine

were fed when concentrations were below 5 mM and 0.5 mM, respectively. Cells were infected with poliovirus with an MOI (multiplicity of infection) of 0.01. Virus cultivation was considered finished when 100% CPE (cytopathic effect) was observed microscopically. Cells were counted daily using a Nucleocounter NC-100 (Chemometec). Cell culture metabolites such as glucose, lactate, glutamine, glutamate and ammonia were monitored using a Bioprofile 100 Plus (Nova Biomedical Waltham, MA). Poliovirus was quantified with a virus titer PD-0332991 manufacturer assay as described previously [10]. The amount of d-antigen was assessed using a d-antigen ELISA [11]. Vero cell cultures were performed

in four different cultivation modes, batch, semi-batch, perfusion and recirculation. Batch cultivations were performed to obtain a reference growth curve for later comparison with the more sophisticated culture methods where either media is refreshed (semi-batch and perfusion) or circulated (recirculation). After 3–4 days of cultivation, a cell density at 1.0 × 106 cells mL−1 was reached in batch cultivation with an average growth rate of 0.036 h−1 during exponential growth and a growth rate of 0.022 h−1 at the moment of virus infection on day 4 (Fig. 1; Table 1). At this point cells are present these as a monolayer on the microcarriers (Fig. 2). Applying a daily partial www.selleckchem.com/Wnt.html medium renewal in a semi-batch mode allowed cell growth to continue and after 2 additional days of culture (6 days in total) a cell density of 1.8 × 106 cells mL−1 was obtained. Here comparable growth rates to batch cultivation were observed. The growth rate declined during the feed phase from

0.034 h−1 at day 3 to 0.006 h−1 at day 6. Using a perfusion mode, where medium renewal is continuous, cell growth could be prolonged to yield a cell density of 2.7 × 106 cells mL−1 in 7 days. The growth rates of the Vero cells were lower during the feed phase compared to the growth rates observed in semi-batch cultivations and decreased from 0.018 h−1 at day 3 to 0.005 h−1 at day 7. Cells were present in a multilayer on the microcarriers at these cell concentrations (Fig. 2). In the so-called recirculation method [9] cells were retained in the bioreactor while medium from an external container was circulated. When starting with an inoculation density of 0.6 × 106 cells mL−1 a monolayer was already formed after one day of cultivation, and cells started to grow in a multilayer rapidly. Cell concentrations of 5.0 × 106 cells mL−1 were found after a culture time of 4 days, while growth rates decreased linearly during the feed phase from 0.025 h−1 at day 2 to 0.0004 h−1 at day 4.

Such antibodies may be effectors, or their detection may have uti

Such antibodies may be effectors, or their detection may have utility as a correlate or surrogate of vaccine-induced cross-protection [21]. The development of potential next generation vaccines to improve the breadth of genotype coverage [1] and [22]

is based upon two approaches: improving the immunogenicity of a conserved region of the minor capsid protein (L2) to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies [23], and using a multivalent L1 VLP-based vaccine that induces type-specific antibodies against a wider array of HPV genotypes (HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, HPV52, HPV58; V503, Merck Research Laboratories). The latter approach is the most advanced selleck kinase inhibitor and early clinical trial data show promising immunogenicity and efficacy profiles [24], whereas L2-based candidate vaccines are currently in pre-clinical development [23]. Reduced dosing schedules for the current HPV vaccines are also being investigated with data suggesting non-inferiority of type-specific antibody responses, although there is an impact on the development of cross-neutralizing Selleck MK-2206 antibodies [10], [25], [26] and [27]. Early pre-clinical immunogenicity [28], [29] and [30] and MAb reactivity [17] data suggest a degree of inter-genotype antigenic similarity within the Alpha-7 and Alpha-9 species

groups. The extent of this antibody cross-reactivity is unclear as only a limited number of immunogens and target antigens have been used. Some of these

data have been generated using L1-based targets [28], rather than pseudovirus targets bearing both the L1 and L2 proteins, with both proteins being necessary for efficient infectivity and the appropriate presentation of L1 conformational epitopes [23], [31] and [32]. We carried out a comprehensive pre-clinical evaluation of the immunogenicity of L1 VLP derived from multiple HPV genotypes within the Alpha-7 and Alpha-9 species groups and used L1L2 pseudoviruses, representing these same genotypes, as the target antigens in neutralization assays. Such data should improve our understanding of the antigenic Rutecarpine diversity of the L1 protein per se and may inform the design of a next generation vaccine formulation that encompasses a limited number of antigens based upon empirical data. Cervarix® was obtained through the National Vaccine Evaluation Consortium, UK. L1 VLP representing Alpha-7 and Alpha-9 HPV genotypes and control Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) were expressed using the Bac-to-Bac® Baculovirus System (Life Technologies), as previously described [33] and [34], wherein the L1 genes shared 100% amino acid sequence identity with the L1 genes of the pseudovirus clones [20] used for the neutralization assay (see Section 2.3). Five week old female BALB/c mice were immunized with saline (naïve) or 1/10th (2 μg each HPV16 and HPV18 VLP) the human dose equivalent of Cervarix®[35] by the intramuscular (IM) or sub-cutaneous (SC) routes.

Only the Alaska Native and Australian Aboriginal populations had

Only the Alaska Native and Australian Aboriginal populations had high (≥50%) pre-introduction VT carriage (Appendix B.3, Table 5; data from older children and teenagers). Therefore, it remains unclear whether the relationship between impact on NP carriage relative see more to that for VT-IPD varies with preexisting carriage burden. Primary evidence included 38 articles representing 9 countries and 26 populations (some overlapping), including indigenous populations, HIV and AIDS patients, and the general population. PCV introduction was nearly invariably followed

by sharp reductions in VT-IPD rates in non-targeted populations, including infants too young to be immunized [36] (Appendix B.3, Table 1). The median proportion decrease in VT-IPD incidence among unimmunized age-groups increased with number of years post routine PCV introduction (Table 2). Of 56 age-specific data points, 53 reported decreases in VT-IPD incidence. All age-groups experienced significant indirect benefit, with many data points showing declines in VT-IPD below 50% and near elimination for those with the longest

follow-up (Fig. 4). Median percentage decrease in VT-IPD was 57% (interquartile range [IQR]: 40–77%) for the general population, 67% (IQR: 40–85%) for aboriginal populations, and 30% (IQR: 13–46%) for HIV-positive populations (data not shown). Plateaus in values should not be interpreted to mean that Selleckchem GSKJ4 within a population this plateau is observed since values reflect data from varying settings and countries. PCV vaccination coverage among targeted age-groups was reported in heterogeneous formats across the various publications, limiting summary correlations between VT-IPD changes among non-targeted age-groups and coverage (Table 3) although these seemed to correlate over time. When coverage rates were high, evidence for indirect impact was consistent; it was mixed with low coverage rates but suggestive, starting at 3-dose coverage among 19–35-month-olds as low as 40%. If PCV target-aged children were the only significant pneumococcal carriers in communities, rates of

VT-IPD in all age-groups might fall proportionate to some function of coverage soon after introduction. Instead, decreases in VT-IPD in non-target groups exceed contemporaneous 3-dose vaccine coverage rates in their communities (Table Ketanserin 3). In the US ABCs and Navajo populations where vaccine has been used the longest albeit with imperfect coverage, VT-IPD among non-target groups has been virtually eliminated in the 5–10 years following introduction. Six data sets (all from Australia) evaluated a primary series schedule without a PCV booster dose; the median decrease of VT-IPD among non-target groups was 60% (IQR: 50–67%). The median decrease in VT-IPD in countries using a PCV booster dose was 62% (IQR: 40–78%) [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44] and [45]. Appendix B.4 includes a full discussion of supporting data.

Several examples of joint programs, international networks, conso

Several examples of joint programs, international networks, consortia and other public–private partnerships have been established to foster and coordinate the development of vaccines with low feasibility and uncertain markets. For example, in the field of HIV, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) acts as a full-scale AIDS vaccine research, advocacy and policy organization [56],

the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise is a “virtual” consortium of independent organizations that mobilizes resources and coordinates collaboration between HIV vaccine researchers worldwide via a shared strategic scientific plan [57], while the NIAID-supported HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Bleomycin in vivo focuses on small trials to address INCB024360 manufacturer fundamental scientific questions [58]. NIAID plays an

important role in supporting vaccine research and development at various stages, with the objective to help translate research into early products. It has preclinical and clinical resources and can help vaccine researchers and developers at different levels, for example, to develop an appropriate vaccine formulation, test vectors, conduct clinical trials, or to work on vaccination strategies in adolescents. NIAID can establish partnerships with research organizations, private partners, and industry (through CRADAs) [59], and works in contact with other government agencies such as CDC and FDA. Europe also has developed several mechanisms and programs to accelerate the development of vaccines, Bumetanide including private-public partnerships such as the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) [60]. But NIAID seems to be the only research organization to have clearly identified STDs as an important global health priority because of their devastating impact on women and infants and their inter-relationships with HIV/AIDS.

For example, NIAID has been involved in clinical trials of HSV and gonorrhea vaccines [61]. A global public–private consortium could mobilize the common efforts of scientists in different disciplines and of all stakeholders involved in R&D and implementation of STI vaccines; ensure that sufficient resources are applied to R&D of vaccines against these STIs; and finally, provide the pull–push forces that are necessary to overcome the barriers to develop safe and effective vaccines against these diseases. The author alone is responsible for the views expressed in this article and does not necessarily represent the views, decisions or policies of the institutions with which she is affiliated.

The randomisation was stratified for lung function (FEV1 > or ≤ 4

The randomisation was stratified for lung function (FEV1 > or ≤ 40% predicted), 6-minute walk distance (> or ≤ 50% predicted) (Troosters et al 1999), and the main limiting symptom in the initial endurance cycle test (ie, dyspnoea, leg fatigue, or a combination of both symptoms). Participants

undertook three sessions per week of supervised group training in their allocated exercise mode for eight weeks. Each participant maintained his/her medication regimen during the intervention period. Saracatinib in vivo An assessor, blinded to group allocation, performed the outcome measures at the end of the intervention period. Participants were included if they had COPD stage I to IV (Global Initiative for COPD classification (GOLD) 2008). Participants were excluded if any of the following criteria applied: acute exacerbation of COPD within the last 4 weeks, significant co-morbidity including malignancy, symptomatic http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Romidepsin-FK228.html cardiovascular disease, or other systemic or musculoskeletal disease that could hinder the exercise training. As well, participants were excluded if they had a body mass index (weight in kg/height in m2) ≥ 35 kg/m2, required supplemental

oxygen during exercise training, or used a walking aid. The study participants underwent pulmonary function testing including spirometry, lung volumes, and carbon monoxide transfer factor, and the six-minute walk test. Pulmonary function tests were performed according to the recommended standards (ATS/ERS Task Force 2005a, 2005b, 2005c) and results were compared with predicted normal values (Quanjer et al 1993). In the walk group, participants trained on a 26-m circular indoor track with the

initial training speed set at 75% of the participant’s peak walking speed, achieved in the incremental shuttle walk test (Hernandez et al 2000). Each participant was given a goal of completing a set number of laps in each five-minute period. All participants used a lap counter to monitor the number of laps walked during the prescribed duration. In the cycle group, participants were trained on an upright cycle ergometer with the initial training intensity set at 60% of the peak work capacity achieved in the incremental cycle test (Maltais et al 1997). The initial training intensities were chosen based on previous studies that reported that these training intensities were tolerated by participants Bumetanide with COPD (Hernandez et al 2000, Maltais et al 1997). The training intensities for both groups were progressed as symptoms permitted so that the dose of training was maximised, with participants in the walk group walking at a faster pace and those in the cycle group cycling at a higher work rate. In the walk group, if walking speed became limited by stride length, further progress of training intensity was achieved by adding weights in 2 kg increments to a backpack. The duration of training for both groups was 30 minutes in the first week and increased by five minutes every two weeks to a maximum of 45 minutes by Week 6.

1 mM−1 cm−1) The reaction buffer contained 10 mM potassium phosp

1 mM−1 cm−1). The reaction buffer contained 10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.0, 0.6 mM n-dodecyl-d-maltoside, 2–4 l g−1 homogenate protein and the reaction was initiated with addition of 0.7 l g−1 reduced cytochrome c. The activity of complex IV was measured at 25 °C for 10 min. The activities of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes

were described as nmol min−1 mg protein−1. The homogenates (n = 5 each) were centrifuged at 800g for 10 min. and the supernatants kept at −70 °C until used for creatine kinase activity determination. The maximal period between homogenate preparation and enzyme analysis was always less than 5 days. Protein content was determined by the method described by Lowry et al. (1951) using bovine serum albumin as standard. Creatine kinase activity was measured see more in brain homogenates pre-treated with 0.625 mM lauryl maltoside. The reaction mixture consisted of 60 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.5, containing 7 mM phosphocreatine, 9 mM MgSO4 and approximately 0.4–1.2 μg protein in a final volume of 100 μL. After 15 min of preincubation at 37 °C, the reaction was started by the addition of 0.3 μmol of ADP plus 0.08 μmol of reduced glutathione. The reaction was

stopped after 10 min by the addition of 1 μmol of hydroxymercuribenzoic acid. The creatine formed was estimated according to the colorimetric method of Hughes (1962). The color was developed by the addition of 100 μL 2% α-naphthol and 100 μL 0.05% diacetyl in a final volume of 1 mL and read spectrophotometrically after 20 min at 540 nm. Results were described as nmol min−1 mg protein−1. selleck chemical The prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala (n = 5

each) were homogenized (1:10, w/v) in SETH buffer (0.25 M sucrose, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.4). The homogenates were centrifuged at 800×g for 10 min and the supernatants were kept at −70 °C until it will be used for enzyme activity determination. Protein content was determined by the method described by Lowry et al. (1951) using bovine serum albumin as standard. Citrate synthase activity before was assayed according to the method described by Shepherd and Garland (1969). The reaction mixture contained 100 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 100 mM acetyl CoA, 100 mM 5,5-di-thiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid), 0.1% triton X-100, and 2–4 g supernatant protein and was initiated with 100 Moxaloacetate and monitored at 412 nm for 3 min at 25 °C (the final volume of reaction mixture was 0.3 mL). The Prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala tissues (n = 5 each) were excised. The tissues were homogenized immediately in extraction buffer (mM) (1% Triton-X 100, 100 Tris, pH 7.4, containing 100 sodium pyrophosphate, 100 sodium fluoride, 10 EDTA, 10 sodium vanadate, 2 PMSF and 0.1 mg of aprotinin/ml) at 4 °C with a Polytron PTA 20S generator (Brinkmann Instruments model PT 10/35) operated at maximum speed for 30 s. The extracts were centrifuged at 11,000 rpm and 4 °C in a Beckman 70.

Other clinical studies have shown that in elderly volunteers the

Other clinical studies have shown that in elderly volunteers the immunogenicity of intradermal-TIV 15 μg is comparable with that of an intramuscular subunit vaccine adjuvanted with MF59 [24]. Data from clinical trials indicate that intradermal delivery of influenza vaccines results in significantly enhanced immune responses compared with the conventional intramuscular vaccination route [25] and [26]. This superiority

is consistent with the idea of a large number of dendritic cells present in the skin, which act as potent antigen-presenting cells important in immune surveillance, MDV3100 solubility dmso resulting in a strong humoral and cellular immune responses [27] and [28]. Our comparison of two groups that had both received the seasonal influenza vaccine overcame confounding by indication. We derived an accurate indicator of chronic illness based

on dispensed cardiovascular and respiratory medication during 2011, assuming prescription composition and duration as a proxy for chronic comorbidity [29]. We were able to find Alectinib research buy a positive laboratory result for influenza virus in over 97% of all hospitalizations, 93% were confirmed by PCR, suggesting a high specificity of the case definition in our study. Most of our study cases (241 out of 260; 93%) were ascertained through active surveillance; therefore, the variability in the quality of CMBD registers, or the likelihood of specimen sampling variability for laboratory confirmation of influenza virus across hospitals should Carnitine dehydrogenase not have significantly affected our results. However, a potential limitation of our study is that, although the same study protocol was used to detect influenza-like illness

(ILI) admissions within 7 days of symptom onset across hospitals, ILI hospital admission criteria may vary among hospitals. This could result in a differential sensitivity to detect the actual number of influenza-related hospitalizations across study hospitals. Under this scenario, it is possible that bias was introduced by the fact that only one type of vaccine was distributed for the catchment area of each hospital, because the probability of cases going undetected could be associated with vaccine type. However, sensitivity analysis excluding the hospital showing higher admission rates for influenza-related hospitalizations did not vary the conclusions of this study. Our data suggest that intradermal-TIV vaccination performed using a microinjection system provides higher protection against influenza-related hospitalization in elderly adults compared with the virosomal-TIV, intramuscularly delivered influenza vaccine in 2011–2012, a season where A(H3N2) dominated [30].

From this we can conclude, that the production of biohydrogen had

From this we can conclude, that the production of biohydrogen had showed great promise

in converting Compound Library chemical structure waste like mango juice effluent. All authors have none to declare. “
“Pharmaceuticals intended to be used in tropics like antimalarial compounds are required to maintain their stability under most severe storage conditions. Understanding of the stability characteristics of drug substances and drug products is a critical responsibility of pharmacist in formulation development.1 Determining appropriate storage conditions for a drug substance or product requires knowledge of the conditions that induce degradation mechanisms.2 Solubility of the compound, particularly the aqueous solubility, is required in order to design parenteral products.3 and 4 If the aqueous solubility is too low, then an organic co-solvent may be utilized. Co solvents offers way of increasing drug solubility, but the amount of co solvent used in parenteral IV formulation is constrained by toxicity considerations. They may cause haemolysis,5 or the drug may precipitate when diluted or injected, causing phlebitis.6 and 7 In the preliminary investigation, observations were made regarding sample stability includes exposure of solid state samples to heat, humidity, and light and exposure of solutions to pH extremes, oxidative condition.8, 9 and 10

Antimalarial compounds are weak acids or weak bases; hence their solubility is a function of pH. These compounds also show different photo reactivity in solution as well as in solid state. The formulation process can change crystal modification and photo stability of drugs. AS is in Adriamycin order the class of medications known as artemesinins, which are derivatives from the “quinghaosu” or sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua) and it is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in preference to quinidine for the treatment most of severe malaria and has been used worldwide for many years. 11 AS monotherapy, allowing the parasites to more easily adapt

to it, hence combination therapies have been widely used to overcome the problems of drug resistance. 12, 13 and 14 AS degradation is related to mainly moisture, light, acidic and basic conditions. Commercially AS injection is available in dry powder form and should be reconstituted in 5% sodium bicarbonate solution as AS dissolves carbon dioxide gas evolves, reducing the contact between drug and dissolution medium and thus lengthen the time needed to completely dissolves the formulation. 15 HCQ sulphate is a modified chloroquine and used in the treatment of obstructive vascular diseases as it inhibits sludging of erythrocytes. 4-Aminoquinolines like chloroquinine and HCQ are liable to phototoxic reactions in solutions and discolouration in the solid state. 16 The pH of the medium strongly influences the observation as well as the photochemical pattern.

The 1RT and 2RT groups participated in a progressive high intensi

The 1RT and 2RT groups participated in a progressive high intensity protocol using a weights machine and free weights for resistance with a training regimen of 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions for arm and leg exercises. The BAT group’s

Galunisertib ic50 program consisted of exercises for stretching, range of motion, pelvic floor and balance, and relaxation techniques. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was change in the executive cognitive function of selective attention and conflict resolution as measured by the Stroop test at 6 and 12 months. The Stroop test assesses the time taken to name words of colours typed in incongruent ink colours. Secondary outcome measures were cognitive functions of set shifting and working memory, whole-brain volume, and functional measures of gait speed and muscular performance. Results: 135 participants (87%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. At 6 months there was no between-group difference but at 12 months, task performance in the Stroop test had improved by –2.9 s in the 2RT group compared to BAT (95% CI –12.2 to –0.8) and –4.3 s in the 1RT compared to BAT (95% CI –13.8 to –2.5) representing improvement of 11% and 13% in 2RT and 1RT groups, respectively, and deterioration of 0.5% in the BAT group. Peak quadriceps muscle power increased by 13% in the 2RT group, but decreased by 8% in 1RT

and 16% in the BAT group. There was a small but significant reduction in whole brain volume in 1RT and 2RT compared with BAT. The groups did not differ significantly on the remaining secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Twelve months of once or twice-weekly resistance training can improve first BMS-354825 supplier the cognitive functioning of older women living in the community. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) contributes to the growing body of literature showing that physical activity can improve cognitive function in cognitively healthy

older adults (Angevaren et al 2008). Liu-Ambrose and colleagues demonstrated that only one 60-minute session of supervised progressive resistance training per week for 12 months improved participants’ selective attention and conflict resolution in comparison to a twice weekly balance and tone training control group. This improvement was greater in the once weekly resistance training group than in the twice weekly group. However, the authors did not offer any explanations for this dose effect. The authors conclude that the positive cognitive effect may be selective for executive functions since other secondary cognitive outcomes did not improve, however the battery of cognitive tests used was small. Furthermore the authors reported that the improvement in executive functions was significantly associated with increased gait speed. This important finding adds further weight to the relevance of gait speed for cognitive function and survival (Soumaré et al 2009, Hardy et al 2007).