bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key Anatomical Clarifications for the Marginal Mandibular Branch of the Facial Nerve: Clinical Significance for the Plastic Surgeon
Authors: Marolt Clayton , Freed Blair , Coker Charles , Steele Robert , Johnson Kenneth , Arellanes Russell , Gordon Victoria , Wright Barth , Stephens Robert , Surek Christopher C
Published: December 2020

Background

The marginal mandibular branch (MMBr) of the facial nerve is the least likely to recover from injury due to infrequent anastomosis with other branches. The MMBr has been described as coursing superior to the inferior border of the mandible. However, studies have reported variations in its location in embalmed and fresh specimens. It has been postulated that the embalming process may effect its anatomic position.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to re-evalulate the location of the MMBr relative to the inferior border of the mandible in both fresh and embalmed cadavers, and investigate variation in its position with sex, side of the face, and age.

Methods

Superficial fascial planes were dissected to reveal the MMBr and its anatomic relations. Distance between the most inferior branch of the MMBr and the antegonial notch were measured bilaterally. The most inferior position of the MMBr between the antegonial notch and gonion was measured. Fresh heads were used as a comparison, with an additional measurement taken of the distance between the MMBr and the gonial angle.

Results

The MMBr was located inferior to the border of the mandible (90.3%) more often than above (9.6%). No significant differences were found between fresh and embalmed cadavers, sex, side of body, or age (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found between intact cadavers and fresh heads (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study confirms and describes reliable landmarks for safety zones for the MMBr during plastic and reconstructive surgery of the lower face and upper neck. These data add reliability to studies that have investigated nerve locations in embalmed cadavers.
Patient Representation and Diversity in Plastic Surgery Social Media
Authors: Tirrell Abigail R , Bekeny Jenna C , Baker Stephen B , Song David H , Fan Kenneth L
Published: December 2020

Background

Plastic surgeons increasingly use social media as a means for patient engagement, trainee education, and research dissemination. Appropriate patient diversity on these platforms is critical to promote interaction with all patients and ensure adequate training of plastic surgeons to work with diverse populations.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess patient representation, particularly of racial and ethnic groups, among plastic surgery Instagram accounts.

Methods

Nine Instagram accounts of plastic surgery journals and professional organizations were analyzed for posts containing patient images between April 2015 and June 2020. Each unique patient image was assessed for demographic factors. Skin tone was analyzed as a proxy for racial diversity, with Fitzpatrick scale scores of 1 to 3 indicating white and 4 to 6 indicating nonwhite. Univariate analysis was performed to determine differences in representation.

Results

A total of 6719 posts from 5 journal and 4 professional organization accounts were found to contain 2547 unique patient images. Overall, 88.14% of patient images had white skin tone, whereas only 11.86% displayed nonwhite skin tone. Cosmetic procedure patient images had a higher frequency of white skin tone than reconstruction images (89.93% vs 81.98%, P < 0.001). When compared with US Census data and the ASPS Annual Report data on race of patients undergoing plastic surgery, our data revealed significant underrepresentation of patients of color on social media (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlights the underrepresentation of patients of color within social media imagery. Equitable representation of patients on social media is important to decrease patient barriers to healthcare and improve physician training to engage with diverse populations.
DSTG: deconvoluting spatial transcriptomics data through graph-based artificial intelligence
Authors: Song Qianqian , Su Jing
Published: December 2020

Recent development of spatial transcriptomics (ST) is capable of associating spatial information at different spots in the tissue section with RNA abundance of cells within each spot, which is particularly important to understand tissue cytoarchitectures and functions. However, for such ST data, since a spot is usually larger than an individual cell, gene expressions measured at each spot are from a mixture of cells with heterogenous cell types. Therefore, ST data at each spot needs to be disentangled so as to reveal the cell compositions at that spatial spot. In this study, we propose a novel method, named deconvoluting spatial transcriptomics data through graph-based convolutional networks (DSTG), to accurately deconvolute the observed gene expressions at each spot and recover its cell constitutions, thus achieving high-level segmentation and revealing spatial architecture of cellular heterogeneity within tissues. DSTG not only demonstrates superior performance on synthetic spatial data generated from different protocols, but also effectively identifies spatial compositions of cells in mouse cortex layer, hippocampus slice and pancreatic tumor tissues. In conclusion, DSTG accurately uncovers the cell states and subpopulations based on spatial localization. DSTG is available as a ready-to-use open source software (https://github.com/Su-informatics-lab/DSTG) for precise interrogation of spatial organizations and functions in tissues.
Neuroanatomical basis of the nerve growth factor ovulation–induction pathway in llamas†
Authors: Carrasco Rodrigo A , Singh Jaswant , Ratto Marcelo H , Adams Gregg P
Published: December 2020

The objective of the study was to characterize the anatomical framework and sites of action of the nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated ovulation-inducing system of llamas. The expression patterns of NGF and its receptors in the hypothalamus of llamas (n = 5) were examined using single and double immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence. We also compare the expression pattern of the P75 receptor in the hypothalamus of llama and a spontaneous ovulator species (sheep, n = 5). Both NGF receptors (TrkA and P75) were highly expressed in the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca, and populations of TrkA cells were observed in the periventricular and dorsal hypothalamus. Unexpectedly, we found NGF immunoreactive cell bodies with widespread distribution in the hypothalamus but not in areas endowed with NGF receptors. The organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and the median eminence displayed immunoreactivity for P75. Double immunofluorescence using vimentin, a marker of tanycytes, confirmed that tanycytes were immunoreactive to P75 in the median eminence and in the OVLT. Additionally, tanycytes were in close association with GnRH and kisspeptin in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence of llamas. The choroid plexus of llamas contained TrkA and NGF immunoreactivity but no P75 immunoreactivity. Results of the present study demonstrate sites of action of NGF in the llama hypothalamus, providing support for the hypothesis of a central effect of NGF in the ovulation-inducing mechanism in llamas.
Boost in Test–Retest Reliability in Resting State fMRI with Predictive Modeling
Authors: Taxali Aman , Angstadt Mike , Rutherford Saige , Sripada Chandra
Published: December 2020

Recent studies found low test–retest reliability in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), raising serious concerns among researchers, but these studies mostly focused on the reliability of individual fMRI features (e.g., individual connections in resting state connectivity maps). Meanwhile, neuroimaging researchers increasingly employ multivariate predictive models that aggregate information across a large number of features to predict outcomes of interest, but the test–retest reliability of predicted outcomes of these models has not previously been systematically studied. Here we apply 10 predictive modeling methods to resting state connectivity maps from the Human Connectome Project dataset to predict 61 outcome variables. Compared with mean reliability of individual resting state connections, we find mean reliability of the predicted outcomes of predictive models is substantially higher for all 10 modeling methods assessed. Moreover, improvement was consistently observed across all scanning and processing choices (i.e., scan lengths, censoring thresholds, volume- vs. surface-based processing). For the most reliable methods, the reliability of predicted outcomes was mostly, though not exclusively, in the “good” range (above 0.60). Finally, we identified three mechanisms that help to explain why predicted outcomes of predictive models have higher reliability than individual imaging features. We conclude that researchers can potentially achieve higher test–retest reliability by making greater use of predictive models.
Motor Planning Modulates Neural Activity Patterns in Early Human Auditory Cortex
Authors: Gale Daniel J , Areshenkoff Corson N , Honda Claire , Johnsrude Ingrid S , Flanagan J Randall , Gallivan Jason P
Published: December 2020

It is well established that movement planning recruits motor-related cortical brain areas in preparation for the forthcoming action. Given that an integral component to the control of action is the processing of sensory information throughout movement, we predicted that movement planning might also modulate early sensory cortical areas, readying them for sensory processing during the unfolding action. To test this hypothesis, we performed 2 human functional magnetic resonance imaging studies involving separate delayed movement tasks and focused on premovement neural activity in early auditory cortex, given the area’s direct connections to the motor system and evidence that it is modulated by motor cortex during movement in rodents. We show that effector-specific information (i.e., movements of the left vs. right hand in Experiment 1 and movements of the hand vs. eye in Experiment 2) can be decoded, well before movement, from neural activity in early auditory cortex. We find that this motor-related information is encoded in a separate subregion of auditory cortex than sensory-related information and is present even when movements are cued visually instead of auditorily. These findings suggest that action planning, in addition to preparing the motor system for movement, involves selectively modulating primary sensory areas based on the intended action.
Neural Correlates of Interpersonal Space Permeability and Flexibility in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Massaccesi Claudia , Groessing Alexander , Rosenberger Lisa A , Hartmann Helena , Candini Michela , di Pellegrino Giuseppe , Frassinetti Francesca , Silani Giorgia
Published: December 2020

Previous research indicates that the size of interpersonal space at which the other is perceived as intrusive (permeability) and the ability to adapt interpersonal distance based on contextual factors (flexibility) are altered in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the neurophysiological basis of these alterations remains poorly understood. To fill this gap, we used fMRI and assessed interpersonal space preferences of individuals with ASD before and after engaging in cooperative and non-cooperative social interactions. Compared to matched controls, ASDs showed lower comfort in response to an approaching confederate, indicating preference for larger interpersonal space in autism (altered permeability). This preference was accompanied by reduced activity in bilateral dorsal intraparietal sulcus (dIPS) and left fusiform face area (FFA), regions previously shown to be involved in interpersonal space regulation. Furthermore, we observed differences in effective connectivity among dIPS, FFA, and amygdala in ASDs compared to controls, depending on the level of experienced comfort. No differences between groups were observed in interpersonal space regulation after an experienced social interaction (flexibility). Taken together, the present findings suggest that a dysregulation of the activity and connectivity of brain areas involved in interpersonal space processing may contribute to avoidance of physical proximity and social impairments in ASD.
Development and Validation of Two Novel Chromatographic Methods: HPTLC and HPLC for Determination of Bromhexine Hydrochloride in Presence of Its Two Impurities
Authors: Abdelwahab Nada S , Adly Selvia M , Ali Nourudin W , Abdelrahman Maha M
Published: December 2020

Two simple, sensitive and validated chromatographic methods were developed for quantitative determination of bromhexine hydrochloride (BHX) in presence of its major impurities, impurity B (IMB) and impurity C (IMC), as specified by British Pharmacopoeia. First method (I) was high-performance thin layer chromatography-densitometry at which the chromatographic separation was performed using silica gel plates and developing system consisted of hexane:acetone:ammonia solution (9:0.5:0.08, by volume) with ultraviolet scanning at 240 nm and linearity was achieved in the ranges of 0.40–10.00, 0.20–2.00 and 0.20–2.00 μg/band of BHX, IMB and IMC, respectively. Also, second chromatographic method (II) was high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) where the separation was carried out on C18 column at isocratic mode at flow rate 1.5 mL/min. The mobile phase consisted of methanol:water (90:10, v/v) adjusted to pH 2.5 with O-phosphoric acid and temperature was adjusted to 40°C. The scanning wavelength was 240 nm. The chromatographic run time was 6 min. Linearity of this method was achieved in the ranges of 4.00–40.00, 0.20–10.00 and 0.50–10.00 μg/mL for BHX, IMB and IMC, respectively.

The validation of these chromatographic methods was made according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. These methods were successfully applied for determination of BHX in its pharmaceutical formulation. Also, statistical comparison was attained between the developed methods and the reported HPLC method using Student’s t-test and F-test, and the obtained results showed that there was not any significant difference between them concerning with accuracy and precision.
HIV Prevention Trials Network 078: High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies Among Urban US Men Who Have Sex With Men, Independent of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status
Authors: Irvin Risha , Gamble Theresa , Malone Jowanna , Wang Zhe , Wilson Ethan , Hughes James P , Farley Jason , Mayer Kenneth H , Del Rio Carlos , Batey D Scott , Cummings Vanessa , Remien Robert H , Beyrer Chris , Thio Chloe L
Published: December 2020

Background

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is uncommon, yet documented among men who have sex with men (MSM), primarily among those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

In the HIV Prevention Trials Network 078 study (HPTN 078), which assessed an integrated strategy to achieve HIV viral suppression, 1305 MSM were screened across 4 geographically diverse US cities. At screening, demographic/behavioral/psychosocial questionnaires were completed, along with HIV and HCV testing. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations with HCV antibody positivity.

Results

Among the 1287 (99%) of the MSM with HCV antibody results, the median age was 41, 69% were black, 85% had a high school education or more, 35% were employed, 70% had HIV, and 21% had undergone substance use counseling. The median lifetime number of male sexual partners was 17 (interquartile range, 6–50), and 246 (19%) were HCV antibody positive. HCV antibody positivity was high in MSM with HIV (20%) and MSM without HIV (17%) (P = .12) and was higher in those receiving substance use counseling (36%) than in those who had not (15%) (P ≤ .01). Substance use counseling (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.80–3.51) and unstable housing (2.16; 1.40–3.33) were associated with HCV antibody positivity.

Conclusions

Nearly 1 in 5 MSM screened for HPTN 078 have been infected with HCV. The prevalence is high regardless of HIV status and is high even in those who did not undergo substance use counseling. In HIV burden networks, high HCV infection prevalence may occur in MSM without HIV. As implementation of preexposure prophylaxis expands and condom use declines, routine HCV counseling and screening among MSM are important.
Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Among Female Adults in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys
Authors: Petersen Molly R , Patel Eshan U , Grabowski M Kate , Gaydos Charlotte A , Quinn Thomas C , Tobian Aaron A R
Published: December 2020

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common nationally notifiable sexually transmitted infection in the United States; however, the seroprevalence of C. trachomatis infection is unknown.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1725 females aged 18 to 39 years who provided serum and urine samples in the 2013 through 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Presence of anti-C. trachomatis Pgp3 immunoglobulin G (IgG) was determined using both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multiplex bead array (MBA). Weighted seroprevalence estimates were calculated. Correlates of seroprevalence were examined by multivariable Poisson regression.

Results

In 2013 through 2016, overall seroprevalence of C. trachomatis Pgp3 IgG was 30.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.5-35.0) as measured by ELISA and 29.4% (95% CI, 25.8-33.0) as measured by the MBA assay. Overall agreement between tests was 87.1% (1503/1725). There was a high positive agreement by the MBA assay with current detection of chlamydia in urine (86% [36/42]), a past-year diagnosis of chlamydia (81.8% [27/33]), and a history of treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (60.7% [37/61]). Seroprevalence of C. trachomatis Pgp3 IgG, as measured by MBA, was significantly higher among non-Hispanic Blacks (68.0%; adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 2.7 [95% CI, 2.3-3.3]), Mexican Americans (30.9%; aPR = 1.5 [95% CI, 1.2-1.9]), and other Hispanics (35.0%; aPR = 1.9 [95% CI, 1.4-2.5]) compared with non-Hispanic Whites (21.4%). A higher lifetime number of sexual partners and a younger age at sexual debut was also associated with higher seroprevalence.

Conclusion

Both the ELISA and MBA serologic assays revealed a high prevalence of antibodies to C. trachomatis Pgp3 in young adult females in the US household population. There were major racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to C. trachomatis, with increased vulnerability among non-Hispanic Black females.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis System for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Empirical Wavelet Transform on Auscultation Sounds
Authors: Gökçen Ahmet
Published: December 2020

In this study, it is aimed to develop computer-aided a diagnosis system for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which is a completely incurable and chronic disease. The COPD causes obstructions of the airways in the lungs by arising air pollution environments. Contributing analysis of abnormalities in simple ways is very important to shorten the duration of treatment by early diagnosis. The most common diagnostic method for respiratory disorders is auscultation sounds. These sounds are also essential and effective signals for diagnosing the COPD. The analysis was performed using signals from the RespiratoryDatabase@TR which consists of 12-channel lung sounds. In the computerized analysis, Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT) algorithm was applied to the signals for extracting different modes. Afterwards the statistical features were extracted from each EWT modulation. The highest classification performances were achieved with the rates of 90.41%, 95.28%, 90.56% and 85.78% for Support Vector Machine, AdaBoost, Random Forest and J48 Decision Tree, respectively. The contribution of the study is reducing the diagnosis time to 5 seconds within higher accuracy rate.
Paradoxical impact of socioeconomic factors on outcome of atrial fibrillation in Europe: trends in incidence and mortality from atrial fibrillation
Authors: Al-Khayatt Becker M , Salciccioli Justin D , Marshall Dominic C , Krahn Andrew D , Shalhoub Joseph , Sikkel Markus B
Published: December 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to understand the changing trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence and mortality across Europe from 1990 to 2017, and how socioeconomic factors and sex differences play a role.

Methods and results

We performed a temporal analysis of data from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Database for 20 countries across Europe using Joinpoint regression analysis. Age-adjusted incidence, mortality, and mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) to approximate case fatality rate are presented. Incidence and mortality trends were heterogenous throughout Europe, with Austria, Denmark, and Sweden experiencing peaks in incidence in the middle of the study period. Mortality rates were higher in wealthier countries with the highest being Sweden for both men and women (8.83 and 8.88 per 100 000, respectively) in 2017. MIRs were higher in women in all countries studied, with the disparity increasing the most over time in Germany (43.6% higher in women vs. men in 1990 to 74.5% higher in women in 2017).

Conclusion

AF incidence and mortality across Europe did not show a general trend, but unique patterns for some nations were observed. Higher mortality rates were observed in wealthier countries, potentially secondary to a survivor effect where patients survive long enough to suffer from AF and its complications. Outcomes for women with AF were worse than men, represented by higher MIRs. This suggests that there is widespread healthcare inequality between the sexes across Europe, or that there are biological differences between them in terms of their risk of adverse outcomes from AF.
How low is safe? The frontier of very low (<30 mg/dL) LDL cholesterol
Authors: Karagiannis Angelos D , Mehta Anurag , Dhindsa Devinder S , Virani Salim S , Orringer Carl E , Blumenthal Roger S , Stone Neil J , Sperling Laurence S
Published: December 2020

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a proven causative factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Individuals with genetic conditions associated with lifelong very low LDL-C levels can be healthy. We now possess the pharmacological armamentarium (statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors) to reduce LDL-C to an unprecedented extent. Increasing numbers of patients are expected to achieve very low (<30 mg/dL) LDL-C. Cardiovascular event reduction increases log linearly in association with lowering LDL-C, without reaching any clear plateau even when very low LDL-C levels are achieved. It is still controversial whether lower LDL-C levels are associated with significant clinical adverse effects (e.g. new-onset diabetes mellitus or possibly haemorrhagic stroke) and long-term data are needed to address safety concerns. This review presents the familial conditions characterized by very low LDL-C, analyses trials with lipid-lowering agents where patients attained very low LDL-C, and summarizes the benefits and potential adverse effects associated with achieving very low LDL-C. Given the potential for cardiovascular benefit and short-term safe profile of very low LDL-C, it may be advantageous to attain such low levels in specific high-risk populations. Further studies are needed to compare the net clinical benefit of non-LDL-C-lowering interventions with very low LDL-C approaches, in addition to comparing the efficacy and safety of very low LDL-C levels vs. current recommended targets.
Pulmonary vein isolation in a real-world population does not influence QTc interval
Authors: Hermans Ben J M , Zink Matthias D , van Rosmalen Frank , Crijns Harry J G M , Vernooy Kevin , Postema Pieter , Pison Laurent , Schotten Ulrich , Delhaas Tammo
Published: December 2020

Aims

We aimed to examine whether routine pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) induces significant ventricular repolarization changes as suggested earlier.

Methods and results

Five-minute electrocardiograms were recorded at hospital’s admission (T−1d), 1 day after the PVI-procedure (T+1d) and at 3 months post-procedure (T+3m) from a registry of consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients scheduled for routine PVI with different PVI modalities (radiofrequency, cryo-ablation, and hybrid). Only patients who were in sinus rhythm at all three recordings (n = 117) were included. QT-intervals and QT-dispersion were evaluated with custom-made software and QTc was calculated using Bazett’s, Fridericia’s, Framingham’s, and Hodges’ formulas. Both QT- and RR-intervals were significantly shorter at T+1d (399 ± 37 and 870 ± 141 ms) and T+3m (407 ± 36 and 950 ± 140 ms) compared with baseline (417 ± 36 and 1025 ± 164 ms). There was no statistically significant within-subject difference in QTc Fridericia (T−1d 416 ± 28 ms, T+1d 419 ± 33 ms, and T+3m 414 ± 25 ms) and QT-dispersion (T−1d 18 ± 12 ms, T+1d 21 ± 19 ms, and T+3m 17 ± 12 ms) between the recordings. A multiple linear regression model with age, sex, AF type, ablation technique, first/re-do ablation, and AF recurrence to predict the change in QTc at T+3m with respect to QTc at T−1d did not reach significance which indicates that the change in QTc does not differ between all subgroups (age, sex, AF type, ablation technique, first/re-do ablation, and AF recurrence).

Conclusion

Based on our data a routine PVI does not result in a prolongation of QTc in a real-world population. These findings, therefore, suggest that there is no need to intensify post-PVI QT-interval monitoring.
Effect of aluminum stress on the quality ofEnteromorpha proliferabased on SEM-EDX and FT-IR
Authors: Zhou Liping , Wang Ye , Lou Yongjiang , Shao Haitao , Li Yongyong
Published: December 2020

To clarify the effect of aluminum stress on the quality of Enteromorpha prolifera (E. prolifera) and to explore the mechanism of the combination of aluminum and E. prolifera, we analyzed changes in the nutrients, micromorphology, element distribution, and spectrum of E. prolifera treated with different concentrations of aluminum (0, 0.2, 2.0, and 20.0 μmol·L–1) using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The biomass, protein, dietary fiber, and ash contents of E. prolifera initially increased and then subsequently decreased with an increasing concentration of aluminum. Meanwhile, the total amount of amino acids decreased. Scanning the surface of E. prolifera by SEM-EDX revealed that a high concentration of aluminum damaged the cells of E. prolifera. Additionally, the content of aluminum on the surface of E. prolifera cells increased and the absorption of other elements was also affected. The FT-IR analysis showed that aluminum might combine with the functional groups at the 3408 cm–1, 2928 cm–1, and 1072 cm–1 peaks in E. prolifera and alter the characteristic of the different absorption peaks.
Utilizing an Interprofessional Value Scale to Optimize Team Assessment
Authors: Mendez Jennifer , Illahi Atta , Cicala David , Schiller Martha , Brown Shanique
Published: December 2020

Wayne State University Interprofessional Team Visit (IPTV) is a program that introduces medical, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, dental, and social work students to working in a collaborative team during an older adult home visit assessment. This 60-minute visit, students ask questions about the older adult’s daily activities, nutrition, medications, family health, and social supports. Interprofessional education is crucial for health care delivery, there is a need to evaluate the engagement of students in teams. The Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS), measures self-perceived experiences with collaborative teamwork, including the ability, value, and comfort in working with others. The ISVS tool was used to evaluate educational experiences of students. There are 18 questions pertaining to perceptions of what students have learned from other disciplines. Students respond to each statement using a 7-point scale with 1 = “Not at All” and 7 = “To a Very Great Extent.” The Pre and Post data discuss the differences between groups of students in feeling comfortable working in teams. The feedback ensure better care, value, and education of future healthcare practitioners.
Examining the Role of Aging Education: Educational Themes Across 2013-2019 GSA Conference Presentations
Authors: Hollis-Sawyer Lisa
Published: December 2020

Gerontology education and the goal of “geriatric competence” are considered invaluable within the field but barriers exist in communicating ideas and training needs across areas of specialization. The main challenge of higher education institutions throughout the world is to develop professionals capable of understanding and responding to the current issues of diverse aging populations. The specific focus of the presentation will be the examination of aging education “themes” within and across different conference sections’ presentations in GSA conference proceedings across the last six years. Specifically, this presentation will review the outcomes of qualitative content analyses from several GSA conferences’ research presentations regarding the role of education across different disciplines in the gerontology field. Thematic analysis of several past years GSA conference programs of 2013 through 2019 yielded some of the following education-related themes (sample): theme #1: community education for clients, practitioners and applied service providers, theme #2: intergenerational educational mentoring/programming among researchers and practitioners in the field, and theme #3: professional knowledge updating for geriatric professionals. The implications for increasing emphasis on ongoing geriatric education for all professionals in the field and those they serve (older adults, families, and community members) will be discussed. This presentation offers insights regarding trends in educational issues within the field as well as the unique valuation of gerontology education within different areas of field specialization. The importance of examining different areas of specialization exists because different aging-related disciplines can share knowledge and resources in providing an integrated array of educational and training options.
Associations of Depression and Social Isolation Risk Among Adults Age 60 and Older
Authors: Smith Matthew , Steinman Lesley , Barrett Matthew , Eagle Leigh Ann , Lachenmayr Sue , Belza Basia
Published: December 2020

Background. Depression and social isolation are believed to be strongly interrelated. Social isolation can lead to depression because of reduced human contact and connectivity. Depression can cause withdrawal from interpersonal encounters and fuel feelings of social isolation. Despite causality, this study aimed to examine the relationship between depression and social isolation risk among older adults. Methods. Using an internet-delivered survey, data were analyzed from a national sample of 4,082 adults age 60 years and older. The survey intended to validate the Upstream Social Isolation Risk Screener (U-SIRS), a 13-item screener (Cronbach’s alpha=0.80) to assesses physical, emotional, and social support aspects of social isolation. Theta scores for the U-SIRS served as the primary independent variable, which were generated using Item Response Theory. Depression was the dependent variable for this study, which was identified using the PHQ-2 (scores of 3+ indicated risk for depression). Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depression. Results. Participants’ average age was 69.6(±5.2) years, 59% of participants were female, and 9% met depression criterion. Depressive symptomology and U-SIRS theta scores were positively significantly correlated (r=0.56, P<0.001). Participants with higher U-SIRS theta scores (OR=3.52, P<0.001), with more chronic conditions (OR=1.16, P<0.001), and without people they felt close to and could call for help (OR=1.76, P=0.004) were more likely to report depression. Conclusion. Given the strong interrelation of depression and social isolation risk, coordinated efforts are needed to both treat depressive symptomology and link older adults to resources and services that facilitate meaningful interactions with others.
Determinants of social inclusion and their effect on the wellbeing of older adults
Authors: Sen Keya , Prybutok Victor , Prybutok Gayle
Published: December 2020

Social inclusion fosters interpersonal relationships that reduce social isolation and enhance wellbeing in older adults. This study finds that socially engaged older adults are less likely to decline in health and have more wellbeing than those less engaged. The connection between wellbeing and social engagement is examined with hypotheses that there is a significant linear relationship between wellbeing and age, ethnicity, gender, the involvement and perception of participatory activities, community dwelling and the use of technology among older adults. A multiple linear regression on 4621samples obtained from National Health and Aging Trend Study, Round 8 shows that social engagement explained a unique variance in wellbeing (34.5%) suggesting that more social connections, via social activities, community-dwelling, mobility, and use of technology, there is enhanced health and fewer chances of cognitive decline in older adults. The use of text messaging and emails had a moderating effect on cognition and wellbeing of older adults. It is suggested that existing low-cost community programs targeting the so-called social determinants of health can be reworked to address social isolation and foster knowledge and technology skills in the older population. Directions for future research include examining human behaviors and perceptions to stay connected.
Family Solidarity, Social Support, Loneliness, and Well-Being Among Older Adults in Rural China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Silverstein Merril
Published: December 2020

China is experiencing a large increase in elderly population. In 2019, China’s population aged 60 and above had reached 253 million, accounting for 18.1% of the total population (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2020). By 2050, the number of adults aged 60+ would be up to 430 million, reaching one third of the total population (Du, Zhai & Chen, 2005). Considering such a rapid aging process and the existing large number of older adults in China, it becomes imperative to investigate how psychosocial factors affect this group’s subjective well-being. This study proposed that, among older adults, higher support received from each of the three relational sources (adult children, family and friends) were associated with reduced loneliness and improved well-being. Structural equation modeling was conducted using a sample of rural adults aged 60 and older (N= 1142) from the 2018 wave of data from the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China. Findings indicated that support from adult children directly and indirectly decreased older adults’ depression and improved their life satisfaction through loneliness; while support from family members directly decreased depression but did not directly improve life satisfaction or indirectly improve well-being through loneliness. Although support from friends did not have a significant impact on older adults’ well-being, it indirectly improved well-being through reduced loneliness. Findings have implications for programs or interventions targeting both parent -adult-child support and friends support and reducing rural older adults’ loneliness.
Relative Importance of Positive Aging Dimensions Among Latino Older Adults and Service Providers
Authors: Smith Jennifer , O’Brien Cate , Bihary Joseph
Published: December 2020

The variation in Latino older adults’ conceptualizations of positive aging across studies suggests greater attention should be paid to within-group factors. The purpose of the current study was to identify which factors are important to positive aging from the perspective of Latino older adults, and whether the importance of these factors varied based on participant characteristics. A second aim of this study was to examine whether there are differences in views of successful aging between Latino older adults and service providers who support aging Latinos. The current study was conducted as part of a broader research project investigating Latino older adults’ perceptions of positive aging. Latino older adults (n = 93) and aging services providers (n = 45) rated the importance of a series of statements related to positive aging. Mixed-methods analysis of the statements identified nine distinct dimensions (Positive Outlook, Spirituality/Religion, Healthy Behaviors, Independence, Self-Care, Support for Others, Social Support, Leisure Activities, and Adaptability). Latino older adults rated Positive Outlook and Spirituality highest on importance, and ratings differed based on gender and other individual difference characteristics. For example, men placed greater relative importance on Independence and Support for Others compared to women, and younger participants rated Independence higher on importance compared to older participants. In addition, Latino older adults (vs. providers) placed greater importance on all aspects of positive aging, with greatest mean differences related to providing Support for Others and Spirituality. These findings have implications for wellness programs for Latino older adults and training for service providers.
Men’s Healing Work: Reconciling Intergenerational Ambivalence Through Fatherhood, Letter Writing, and Community
Authors: Kim Allen
Published: December 2020

Due to globalization, new ideals of fatherhood are challenging traditional paternal roles in South Korea. Contemporary fathers striving to emulate more engaged parenting sometimes wrestle with painful recollections of their own fathers’ stern, distant, and patriarchal approach. How do men reconcile their aspirations for their own development as parents when conflicted relationships with their fathers? Motivated by the concept of intergenerational ambivalence, this study analyzes letters South Korean men write to their fathers as assigned homework for Father School, an international men’s movement that aims to make men more nurturing. Under Father School direction, men adopt a life course frame that allows them to reconcile their mixed feelings toward their aging fathers. Analysis points to three life course discursive strategies that permit men to balance negative judgments with positive ones: 1) sharing with their parent the life stage as worker and father; 2) appreciating historically-situated differences between twentieth and twenty-first century lives and parenting imperatives; and, 3) drawing on deeply rooted filial norms to take responsibility for their own role in intergenerational conflicts. In addressing how these men manage intergenerational ambivalence, the article moves beyond prior research to extend the concept to father-son dyads, the Asian context, and the neglected meso-level where organizations may actively structure reconciliation.
Older Couples’ Marital Quality and Health Behaviors
Authors: Curl Angela , Bulanda Jennifer , Roberts Amy Restorick
Published: December 2020

Health benefits of marriage may stem in part from spouses discouraging unhealthy behavior and encouraging healthy practices. Although studies show spousal effects on health behaviors, few have assessed whether spousal effects vary by the quality of the marital relationship. Spouses in low-quality marriages may be less likely to engage in joint activities that promote health (e.g., shared exercise), make fewer attempts at monitoring their spouse’s health behaviors, and be less successful in their attempts to intervene. Those in unhappy relationships may also use unhealthy behaviors as maladaptive coping strategies to deal with marital stress. We use dyadic data from couples over age 50 in the 2006 and 2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine how both spouses’ ratings of positive and negative dimensions of marital quality are associated with their own and their spouses’ exercise and smoking (n=3,498 couples). Using HLM software, we estimated actor-partner interdependence models (APIM). Results indicate that both own and husbands’ ratings of positive marital quality are significantly associated with wives’ odds of smoking. Own perceptions of negative marital quality and wives’ perceptions of both positive and negative marital quality are associated with husbands’ odds of smoking. For wives, neither own nor spousal marital quality is significantly related to exercise. For husbands, however, wives’ higher positive marital quality and lower negative marital quality are associated with increased exercise. Strategies to improve marital quality may promote healthy behaviors among older adults, particularly for husbands.
Relationship Quality and Depressive Symptoms Among Very Old Parents and Their Older Children in South Korea
Authors: Han Gyounghae , Min Joohong , Kim Joohyun , Kim Kyungmin , Boerner Kathrin
Published: December 2020

Research has consistently reported the association between intergenerational relationship quality and mental health outcomes in later life. However, few studies have examined the link among very old parents and their older children, and even fewer studies investigated whether the relationship quality matters similarly to parents and children. Employing a dyadic approach, this study examined how one’s own and partner’s perceptions of relationship quality (i.e., support and conflict) are associated with depressive symptoms among very old parents and their children. Data from 105 dyads of parents (age 81-97; M = 87.92, SD = 2.80) and their children (age 65-72; M = 65.87, SD = 1.23) in South Korea were used. Results showed that parents tended to report significantly higher levels of intergenerational support and lower levels of intergenerational conflict, compared to their children. Regarding the actor effects of relationship quality, one’s own perceptions of intergenerational conflict were positively associated with depressive symptoms for both parents (β = 0.26, p < .01) and children (β = 0.37, p < .001), whereas intergenerational support was not significant. In terms of the partner effect, intergenerational support (reported by parents) was negatively related to depressive symptoms only for children (β = -0.21, p < .01), but the partner effect of conflict was not significant. The findings highlight the centrality of perceptions of intergenerational relationship in understanding well-being in later life. Further, children’s depressive symptoms were susceptible to how their parents view the relationship. Findings were discussed in the context of Intergenerational Stake Theory.
Associative Imagery as a Strategy to Improve Destination Memory in Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Johnson Tara , Stanko Katie , Jefferson Susan
Published: December 2020

Destination memory errors (inability to remember to whom information was shared) affects all ages, but older adults are particularly vulnerable due to poor source monitoring. Individuals may assume information was already shared when it was not or repeat previously shared information. The current study explored two mental imagery strategies (vivid imagery, visualizing context) to improve destination memory. Using a software program, younger and older adults told randomly generated facts to random celebrity faces. Participants were unaware of the upcoming memory tests. The control group did not use a strategy. The imagery group used vivid imagery to connect the fact and face (e.g., visualize Oprah on a dime to remember Oprah was told that dimes have 118 ridges). The context group visualized a provided context (e.g., grocery store) when telling a fact to a face. Assessments of performance on item memory (facts, faces) as well as destination memory (face-fact pairings) were counterbalanced. Results indicated an associative memory deficit among older adults, which was driven by a higher rate of false alarms. However, across all adults, the vivid imagery condition was more accurate than the control condition, and they demonstrated fewer false alarms. These findings suggest that older adults can use mental imagery to reduce false alarms and improve destination memory performance. Implications include reducing age stereotypes, improving conversations, and decreasing potentially dangerous situations (e.g., withholding important health information thinking it already was shared with a doctor).
Chronic Stress, C-Reactive Protein, and Cognition Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults
Authors: Morris Emily , Zahodne Laura
Published: December 2020

Objective: Previous research suggests that chronic stress is associated with worse cognitive aging, but minimal research has examined potential mechanisms and moderators of these associations. Chronic stress is known to increase inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein [CRP]), which has in turn been associated with worse cognition among older adults. The present study examined whether (1) CRP mediates associations between chronic stress and episodic memory and verbal fluency; and (2) these relationships differ by race/ethnicity. Methods: Participants included 18,968 adults (64% non-Hispanic White; 19% non-Hispanic Black; 14% Hispanic; 3% non-Hispanic other race/ethnicity; Mage=71.8; SDage=6.0) from the Health and Retirement Study. Chronic stress was operationalized as the occurrence and impact of eight ongoing stressors. Cross-sectional, stratified mediation models were conducted for three cognitive outcomes: immediate recall, delayed recall, and verbal fluency. Covariates included sociodemographics and vascular disease burden. Results: Chronic stress was associated worse immediate recall (beta=-.028). Higher CRP was not associated with any cognitive domains. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported more chronic stress than non-Hispanic White and Hispanic participants. Chronic stress was less strongly associated with higher CRP in non-Hispanic Black (beta=-.035) participants than non-Hispanic White (beta=.046) or Hispanic (beta=.059) participants. Discussion: Chronic stress may negatively influence episodic memory, but findings do not suggest that CRP mediates links between chronic stress and cognition. CRP may not track as closely with chronic stress among non-Hispanic Black older adults who may experience additional risk factors for inflammation and/or adapt to increased chronic stress.