bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WHITE MATTER INTEGRITY UNDERLYING SUBSYNDROMAL DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
Authors: Smagula Stephen , Santini Tales , Stahl Sarah , Ibrahim Tamer , Reynolds Charles , Schulz Richard , Banihashemi Layla , Zhan Liang
Published: November 2019

Past research shows that major depression is associated with lower white matter integrity in fronto-limbic and other areas. But it is not known whether the integrity of these white matter connections is associated with subsyndromal depression symptoms, a marker of risk for major depression, in family dementia caregivers (dCGs) who reported stress. If specific aspects of white matter integrity are related to depression symptoms in this high-risk group, this could provide a biomarker of vulnerability or target for treatment. Participants included 41 dCGs (average age=69, standard deviation=6.4), who underwent a 7 Tesla 64-direction (12-minute) diffusion-weighted imaging sequence. Analyses compared dCGs with (n=20) and without (n=21) subsyndromal depression symptoms (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire scores ≥5). Using fractional anisotropy (FA), we assessed differences in the integrity of 11 white matter aspects implicated in prior studies of major depression. We found that caregivers with subsyndromal depression had lower FA in tracts connecting to the posterior cingulate cortex (Cohen’s D=-0.9, p-value=0.006, FDR=0.03) and in white matter connecting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the rostral cingulate (Cohen’s D=-1.2, p-value=0.0005, FDR=0.006). Thus, differences in the integrity of white matter (and related functions) reaching the posterior cingulate (autobiographical memory/planning) and connecting dorsolateral prefrontal and rostral cingulate regions (emotion re-appraisal) may contribute to depression vulnerability in dCGs. These observations require contextualizing further (e.g., assessing roles of depression history and other risk factors) for their meaning to be fully elucidated. Potentially, relationships between known risk factors (e.g., subjective stress) and depression emerge from or drive changes in white matter.
CARDIAC MYBP-C IN C57BL/6 MICE: THE EFFECTS OF AGE
Authors: Pinheiro Amanda , Graber Ted G , Thompson LaDora V
Published: November 2019

Aging is a known contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction. It is well-established that with age there are functional changes in the heart; yet, the proteins responsible for maintaining sarcomere integrity are not well understood during the aging process. A key protein, cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C), contributes to the structural integrity and the regulation of actomyosin interactions. To date, little is known about the effects of aging on cMyBP-C. Therefore, the first step in evaluating this sarcomere protein was to determine the expression of cMyBP-C in cardiac tissue across the lifespan. Using ten C57BL/6 male mice per age group (adult (6-7 months), old (22-25 months), and very old (≥29 months)), body and heart mass were determined. Next a portion of the cardiac tissue was homogenized, and protein concentration was determined (BCA assay). The protein samples were probed for cMyBP-C with MYBPC3 (Abcam, #ab133499) by Western Blot. One-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate differences between groups. Results indicated there was an increase in heart mass with age, but relative to body weight there was no significant difference between the three age groups. Western blot analysis revealed no significant age-related difference in the expression of cMyBP-C. Although there was no change in expression levels, it is not possible to rule out cMyBP-C as a contributor to age-related cardiac dysfunction because phosphorylation is known to play a critical role in the function of cMyBP-C. Thus, further investigation of the phosphorylation status of cMyBP-C is needed and is ongoing.
EXAMINING COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES DISCONNECTS IN LATE OLD AGE: PATHS FOR REACH THROUGH THE COMMUNICATION ECOLOGY
Authors: Leach Carrie , Novak Julie
Published: November 2019

As potentially eligible recipients continue to increase in number, understanding service system utilization and barriers can help ensure very old adults can access support from their communities when needed. A communication disjuncture between seniors and community-based service providers was revealed through a multi-year, county-wide older adult needs assessment utilizing data from 1,870 individuals. In response, officials convened a post assessment team that formed the three-person Community Advisory Group (CAG, all ≥69 years) who participated in this community-based participatory research (CBPR) study. This applied, qualitative study, guided by an ecological health communication research framework, conducted multilevel examinations of interactions among older adults and their social environment. Twenty in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews (mean = 82.5 years) were conducted based on a critical threshold of understanding achieved via researcher immersion in the community preceding this study, data collected, and CAG insight revealed through collaborative analysis. Communication Infrastructure Theory helped to reveal how participants’ diminishing social network interrelated with the communication environment acted to impede connections to services. In addition to utilization impediments, enabling elements of the communication infrastructure were identified so those resources might be leveraged to bridge the senior-provider divide. Findings from this study suggest new outreach approaches for connecting to older adults through their communication ecology. The findings add to the growing convergence of evidence that calls for improved communication with older adults to minimize poor interactions that hinder accessing resources that may enhance their social, emotional, and physical well-being.
THE ASSOCIATION OF A FRAILTY INDEX AND INCIDENT DELIRIUM IN HOSPITALIZED VETERANS
Authors: Sillner Andrea Y , McConeghy Robert , Madrigal Caroline , Culley Deborah J , Arora Rakesh C , Rudolph James
Published: November 2019

Frailty is an accumulation of deficits that helps identify patients who are vulnerable to stressors. Acute illness and hospitalization are stressors that may result in delirium. Delirium is significant in older adults, resulting in increased hospital stays, institutionalization, morbidity, and mortality. This study aimed to determine if a frailty index (FI), calculated on hospital admission, was associated with the development of incident delirium. An FI was built on an accumulation of deficits model which included assessments of cognition, physical function, and medical comorbidities for a cohort of 218 patients admitted to a Veteran Affairs medical facility. The FI was calculated as a proportion of possible deficits (range 0-1; higher scores indicate increased frailty). Delirium was assessed daily by expert clinician interview. Participants were, on average, 71 years (SD=9.53), white (92.7%), and male (91.7%). Participants were grouped using FI ranges as non-frail (FI<0.25; 26%), pre-frail (FI=0.25-0.35; 39%), and frail (FI>0.35; 35%). Incident delirium was more likely to occur in those who were frail (29.3%, p=0.001), compared to those who were pre-frail (20.9%) or non-frail (3.6%). The association of FI and incident delirium remained after adjustment for age, education, and other demographics (pre-frail: adjusted OR=5.64, 95%CI; 1.23, 25.99; frail: adjusted OR=6.80, 95%CI; 1.38, 33.45). Continued data analysis will include an AUC model to demonstrate robustness of the FI. The results from this study support the use of frailty assessments at hospital admission to identify patients at high risk of delirium and in need of additional clinical support and interdisciplinary resources.
COMPARISON OF A FRAILTY RISK SCORE AND COMORBIDITY FOR EARLY REHOSPITALIZATION USING ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD DATA
Authors: Lekan Deborah A , McCoy Thomas P , Jenkins Marjorie , Mohanty Somya , Manda Prashanti
Published: November 2019

Frailty is a clinical syndrome of impaired homeostasis and decreased physiologic reserve and resilience resulting in diminished ability to recover from stressors. In the hospital setting, barriers to adoption of popular frailty assessments make them impractical for widespread use. Improving quality and costs associated with hospitalization has motivated using data from the electronic health record (EHR) to identify patients at risk for adverse outcomes such as early readmission. Patient-level factors such as frailty and comorbidity may signal high readmission risk. In this retrospective study and secondary analysis of EHR data, we investigated Frailty Risk Scores (FRS) in models that included sociodemographic, comorbidity, and laboratory data for early 3-, 7-, and 30-day unplanned readmission. Study data were collected from a health system in the Southeastern U.S. on adults >50 years with an inpatient stay of >24 hours, 2013-2017. Exclusions included planned readmission and in-hospital mortality. The FRS was constructed using ICD-10-CM codes mapped for symptoms, syndromes, and laboratory values. Cox and logistic regression were conducted to examine associations with readmission. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) quantified accuracy. The sample was 53% female and 73% non-Hispanic White (N=55,778). About one-third took at least 7 prescribed medications (34%) and average length of stay was 4.3 days (max=103.6). FRS was a significant predictor of readmission for almost all models, independently of three comorbidity indices (range AUC=.850-.854 for 3-day, .809-.813 for 7-day, and .757 to .768 for 30-day). Frailty and comorbidity are independently associated with early rehospitalization.
BIOLOGICAL AGING IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED MONOCYTE INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Tavenier Juliette , Rasmussen Line J H , Houlind Morten B , Andersen Aino L , Langkilde Anne , Nehlin Jan , Petersen Janne , Andersen Ove
Published: November 2019

Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in biological aging. However, the causes of chronic inflammation are not fully elucidated. We hypothesized that a dysregulation in monocyte inflammatory activity may contribute to chronic inflammation and biological aging. There are no validated methods for Biological Age (BA) estimation. Therefore, we also hypothesized that older adults with a recent ED (Emergency Department) admission had a higher BA compared to age-matched older adults without a recent ED admission. Two groups of older adults were enrolled: a “high BA”-group who were discharged from the ED four weeks preceding data collection (n=52), and a “low BA”-group consisting of age and sex matched participants without ED admission within the two years preceding data collection (n=52). We assessed NF-κB phosphorylation (Ser529) and NLRP3 inflammasome levels in monocytes using flow cytometry staining of whole blood. Preliminary analyses showed that participants had a median age of 74.8 (IQR: 70.7–82.0) years, 48% were women. Participants in the high-BA group had reduced lower body strength (30 seconds chair stand test p=0.02 and 4 meters gait speed p=0.001) and cognitive function (Digit Symbol Substitution Test p=0.001 and Trail Making Test p=0.002) compared to the low-BA group. Monocytes of participants in the low BA group had lower constitutive p-NF-κB (p< 0.0001) and NLRP3 (p=0.0001) median fluorescence intensity compared to the high BA group. Increased monocyte inflammatory activity assessed by p-NF-κB and NLRP3 was associated with a higher BA. We will investigate associations between monocyte inflammatory activity and markers of chronic inflammation.
EFFECTIVENESS OF MULTICOMPONENT EXERCISE INTERVENTIONS IN DEMENTIA PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Ribeiro Oscar , Borges-Machado Flavia , Lima Nádia , Farinatti Paulo , Carvalho Joana
Published: November 2019

Multicomponent training (MT) combines aerobic, strength, postural, and balance exercises, and has been presented as a promising intervention strategy for dementia due to its potential influence in treating symptoms and/or delaying the disease progression in addition to its intrinsic health benefits. This study aims to systematize evidence on how effective MT is in what concerns physical fitness, cognition, and functionality in dementia patients. Four databases (PubMed, WoS, Scopus & SportDiscus) were systematically searched to locate potential trials through March 2019. A total of 2,312 records were identified and a final set of 17 manuscripts reviewed; of these, only 6 satisfied all inclusion/exclusion criteria: peer-reviewed studies performed with humans aged 60+ years; interventions exclusively MT conducted with clinically diagnosed dementia patients; controlled trials (randomized or not). Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to estimate risk of bias. Samples sizes ranged from 27 to 170 participants; MT programs lasted between 4 weeks up to 12 months, took place from a daily basis to twice a week, and sessions ranged from 30 to 60min. Routine medical care was the most frequent intervention offered to control groups. In overall, studies revealed that MT benefits agility/balance, gait speed and strength. Evidence remains unclear regarding MT effectiveness on increasing cognitive function and ADL performance, although maintenance and more pronounced decline on control groups were reported. MT may be an important non-pharmacological strategy to enhance physical conditioning on dementia patients, but further evidence is needed for acknowledging its benefits in specific cognitive abilities and ADL performance.
EXECUTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN OF UNIVERSITY AGE-FRIENDLINESS: FINDINGS FROM A MIXED METHODS STUDY
Authors: Zakrajsek Andrea G , Masinda Sarah , Simon Amanda , Barragan Cassandra
Published: November 2019

Internationally, universities are recognizing the importance of understanding and enhancing age as a component diversity and inclusion efforts through the Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative. This session will describe an environmental scan of “age-friendliness” that one AFU university designed. The overall aims of the project include: (1) exploring how stakeholders understand age-friendliness, (2) identifying current efforts and opportunities that exist within the university, and (3) gathering data that describes the perception of barriers that older learners encounter at the university. This presentation will be used to discuss a mixed-methods study that included interviews and a survey of performance and importance ratings of the international AFU principles. Twenty-eight participants were purposefully recruited from divisions across a campus of a regional university to participate in in-depth interview data collection with the research team. Qualitative thematic findings that emerged through a constant comparative method of analysis of interview transcripts include: Existence of Age-Inclusivity Barriers and Opportunities for Change, Need for Intentionality in Age-Friendly Efforts, and Importance of Connections. Furthermore, AFU principle performance and importance ratings were descriptively analyzed in order to prioritize university efforts to enhance inclusion initiatives related to age.
IMPROVEMENT IN FINE MOTOR CONTROL IN DEMENTIA ELDERLY FROM A COMPUTERIZED TOUCHSCREEN TRAINING PROGRAM
Authors: Yow W Quin , Chen Hui-Ching , Lokanathan Tharshini
Published: November 2019

Dementia, a prevalent ageing disease, affects both the higher brain function and motor function, particularly finger movements (Chan, Haber, Drew, & Park, 2014). Task-based finger-tapping speed on a touchscreen device has been used as an assessment criterion to identify patients with deteriorating cognitive abilities (Gualtieri & Johnson, 2005; Cipriani, Bianchetti, & Trabucchi, 2006). As part of a larger project, we designed a computerized cognition intervention program and examined whether the intervention program would improve the finger-tapping speed of the dementia vis-à-vis the cognitively-healthy elderly. Ten mild-to-moderate dementia elderly (aged 83± 5.6) and 8 cognitively healthy elderly (aged 78±6.1) participated in a computerized intervention program where they played cognitive games on touch-screen tablet for about 30-45 minutes per session over two weeks. Participants’ touch interaction data over six sessions were collected and analyzed. Using a linear mixed-effect model for analysis, we found that in the 1st session, the touch performance of the dementia elderly was significantly worse than that of the cognitively-healthy elderly (b=-0.172, Z=-2.311, p<.05). By the 6th session, the dementia elderly had significantly improved their touch performance (b=-0.171, Z= -8.042, p<.001) such that their touch performance was now comparable to the cognitively-healthy elderly (b=-0.064, Z=-0.874, p=.393). Overall, our preliminary results suggested that after participating in 6 sessions of our computerized cognitive intervention program, the dementia elderly showed significant improvement in their fine motor movement as measured by their finger-tapping speed. The improved finger-tapping speed serves as a first step toward slowing down the cognitive decline of the dementia elderly.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR TRANSITIONS BETWEEN COGNITIVE STATES: A COORDINATED ANALYSIS
Authors: Yoneda Tomiko , Rush Jonathan , Lewis Nathan A , Knight Jamie E , Hyun Jinshil , Piccinin Andrea , Terrera Graciela Muniz
Published: November 2019

Although existing research shows that physical activity (PA) protects against cognitive decline, it is unclear if maintenance of PA throughout older adulthood influences the timing of onset or transitions through cognitive states. Further understanding of modifiable lifestyle factors that protect against cognitive changes characteristic of both normal aging and pathological aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, is imperative. Data were drawn from fourteen longitudinal studies of aging from Europe and America (total N=53,069). Controlling for demographics and chronic conditions, multi-state models were independently fit between datasets to investigate the impact of PA (computed based on Metabolic Equivalent of Task Method) on the likelihood of transitioning through three cognitive states, while also accounting for death as a competing risk factor. Random effects meta-analysis of transition probabilities indicated that more PA was associated with a reduced risk of transitioning from normal cognition to mildly impaired cognition (HR=0.90, CI’s=0.84, 0.97, p=0.007) and death (HR=0.24, CI’s=0.06, 0.92, p=0.04), as well as an increased likelihood of transitioning from severe impairment back to mild impairment (HR=1.09, CI’s=1.01, 1.17, p=0.03). Engagement in national minimum recommendations for PA (~150 minutes/week) increased total life expectancy for 70 year old males and females by 4.08 and 5.47 years, respectively. These results suggest that engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week in older adulthood contributes to delays in onset of mild cognitive impairment, substantially increases life expectancy, and may also diminish the symptoms that contribute to poor cognitive performance at the severely impaired stage.
CORRELATION BETWEEN FRAILTY AND DNA DAMAGE IN HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Mazzola Paolo , Bombelli Silvia , Grasselli Chiara , Bolognesi Maddalena , Antolini Laura , Cattoretti Giorgio , Annoni Giorgio , Perego Roberto
Published: November 2019

Frailty is an age-related syndrome characterized by a progressive impairment of multiple physiological systems and leading to poor clinical and functional outcomes. Our aim was to explore the DNA damage, as an effect of increased oxidative stress related to frailty, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and circulating hematopoietic stem cells (cHSC). According to Fried’s operating definition of frailty, we enrolled three groups of subjects: frail seniors (age >65 years, n=19), fit seniors (>65 years, n= 16) and young controls (age 25-35 years, n=19). We carried out a comprehensive assessment and obtained 3 vials of whole blood for cells and plasma separation. We separated PBMC by Ficoll-Paque and stained with specific conjugated antibodies leucocyte lineage and HSC. We evaluated DNA damage by FACS detection of γ-H2AX in the total PBMC and cHSC subpopulation. We observed an increased percentage of cells, although not significant, with DNA damage in PBMC from frail seniors (0.70%) compared to fit seniors (0.37%) and young controls (0.13%). The percentage of cells with DNA damage in cHSC of frail seniors (2.97%) was higher compared to fit seniors (1.66%, not significant) and young controls (0.46%, statistically significant). Moreover, cHSC present the statistically higher amount of DNA damage, measured as fluorescence intensity, compared to fit seniors and young controls. cHSC from frail seniors show the highest total DNA damage, compared to fit seniors and young controls. This is probably linked to an increase of oxidative stress related to frailty, which we are going to analyze in the near future.
SHORT-TERM INTRAINDIVIDUAL DYNAMICS OF HEART RATE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Rush Jonathan , Yoneda Tomiko , Venditelli Rebecca , Knight Jamie E , Lewis Nathan A , Rast Philippe , Hofer Scott
Published: November 2019

Short-term intraindividual variability in cognition can provide insights into the underlying processes that cannot be captured by only examining mean levels (MacDonald et al., 2003). This variability is often dependent on a number of individual or contextual characteristics. Thus, modeling the heterogeneity of the within-person variance and including meaningful covariates to account for why individuals are more variable on some occasions than others is an alternate way to understand process. The present study utilized a 14-day intensive measurement design to examine the effects of fluctuations in daily heart rate on variability in cognitive performance. Fifty-five older adults (Mage = 70.1 years) completed daily cognitive tasks and measures of well-being, while also wearing an accelerometer to capture physical activity, sleep, and continuous heart rate. Data were examined with a mixed effects location scale model (Hedeker et al., 2008; Rast et al., 2012), which incorporates both an individual’s measured level (location) and their variability around that level (scale). Both the location and the scale are permitted to be random such that on any given occasion an individual may deviate from their typical level and they may also deviate from their typical amount of variability. In this way, the location scale model allows for the heterogeneity of the variance in cognition to be modeled and accounted for with other covariates. Results revealed that there were significant amounts of variability in daily heart rate and cognition across 14 days. The impact of heart rate variability on cognitive performance will be discussed.
WHAT IS AGEISM?: A REVIEW AND ANALYTICAL CRITIQUE OF CURRENT MEASURES OF AGEISM
Authors: Lee Jerin , Wilson Jenna , Shook Natalie
Published: November 2019

The past two decades have been marked by a rapidly aging population in the U.S. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018), making prejudicial attitudes toward older adults (i.e., ageism) and the impact of such attitudes more relevant. Understanding ageism is necessary to change institutionalized beliefs and reduce prejudice toward older adults. However, it requires the availability of valid and reliable measures of ageism. The purpose of the present research was to: (1) provide an analytical review of three existing self-report measures of ageism (i.e., Fabroni Scale of Ageism [FSA]; Relating to Older People Evaluation [ROPE]; Ambivalent Ageism Scale [AAS]); and (2) examine the reliability and convergent validity of these ageism measures. A total of 473 undergraduate students completed the FSA, ROPE, and AAS online. The results indicated that the FSA, subscales of the ROPE (i.e., positive and negative ageism), and subscales of the AAS (i.e., benevolent and hostile ageism) were generally positively associated with one another, with two exceptions. First, positive ageism was negatively correlated with the FSA. Second, positive ageism was not significantly correlated with hostile ageism. Importantly, there was notable variability in the magnitude of the correlations between the measures, as correlations were mostly weak to moderate in magnitude (rs ranged from -.13 to .65). These associations are below the recommended threshold of r = ±.70 for convergent validity (Carlson & Herdman, 2012), suggesting conceptual problems with current ageism measures as they do not appear to reflect a common construct, which has practical implications for future theoretical and empirical work.
AN ANALYSIS OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER CHINESE ADULTS
Authors: Pan Xi , Luo Ye
Published: November 2019

Recent evidence suggests that inflammatory markers may reflect cerebral disease mechanisms related to dementia. However, whether and how inflammation is associated with cognitive function in older Chinese is unknown. The current study is to analyze the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of chronic inflammation, and domain-specific cognitive function (i.e., mental status, memory, and overall cognition) among older adults aged 65 years and over in China. Data of the study (n=2,438) were selected from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and were analyzed using linear regression models. Results of the study show that for every 1.00 mg/L increase in CRP, the scores of mental status and overall cognition both decreases by 0.03 unit and higher levels of CRP are observed in men than women. The findings might be useful in interpreting the biological mechanisms of dementia and add value in dementia prevention and health promotion for the general older population.
PATHWAYS TO A GOOD LIFE? MULTIPLE SOCIAL ROLES IN ADULTHOOD AND MENTAL WELL-BEING IN LATER LIFE IN EUROPE
Authors: Deindl Christian , Engels Miriam
Published: November 2019

The connection between employment, family life and health is well documented. Job demands and family obligations are divergent responsibilities and can be a constant source of conflict. The resulting role strain can have a long lasting impact on mental health. Using data from SHARE and ELSA, we take a life course perspective and look at patterns of employment history from the age of 25 to 40 combined with partnership and fertility history of 17,189 men and 23,266 women in 22 European countries. Sequence analysis combined with cluster analysis shows a clear picture of five dominant states in our sample: Stable work and family, stable work without family, working single parent, working childless couples, and being non employed. This pattern is similar for men and women. We use path models to distinguish the impact of childhood conditions on such life course patterns and the direct and indirect impact of employment and family life on mental health. Women who did not combine work and family roles, (work without family, family without work) reported higher levels of depression in comparison with women who combined work and family. Non-working women and single mothers also experienced indirect effects on depression through their economic situation. Unemployed men or men without family reported higher levels of depression. Unemployment and being a single father also have an indirect impact on depression via economic conditions and health. Moreover, such results also differ between countries, with lower employment rates reducing role strain for women, but not so for men.
ASSESSMENT OF A MICROPLATE SYSTEM FOR MEASURING INDIVIDUAL REAL-TIME RESPIRATION IN SMALL MODEL ORGANISMS OF AGING
Authors: Turner Ashley N , Hoffman Jessica M , Powell Mickie L , Sammy Melissa J , Moellering Douglas R , Nagy Tim R , Austad Steven N , Smith Daniel L
Published: November 2019

The ability to measure oxygen consumption rates of a living organism in real-time provides an indirect method of monitoring dynamic changes in metabolism reflecting organismal level mitochondrial function. In this study, we assessed the Loligo Systems microplate system for measuring individual respiration in small organisms. This included adult nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans, N2), zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio, AB), and adult fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster, w1118). Organisms were placed inside 80 µL glass chambers on a 24-well microplate atop a 24-channel optical fluorescence oxygen reading device. Adult nematodes and zebrafish embryos were in liquid culture, M9 buffer and egg water respectively, and the adult flies were in room air. The microplate and reader were placed inside an incubator for temperature control. A silicone gasket with a thin liner was used to seal the chambers. Reference standard oxygen consumption (respiration) of single and multiple adult nematodes (n=1–4 animals/well), zebrafish embryos (n=1–4 animals/well), and adult flies (n=1–2 animals/well) in the microplate system were achieved. Significant differences across numbers of animals/well and by sex were observed. Validation experiments of the oxygen consumption rates measured in C. elegans in parallel with Seahorse extracellular flux (XF) experiments are underway. The Loligo Systems microplate system offers a non-invasive, non-destructive method to measure real-time respiration in smaller organisms. These data provide preliminary evidence for utility of the system for a variety of biomedical applications that relate to organismal and mitochondrial function/dysfunction, including research in the basic biology of aging in these highly-utilized, pre-clinical, genetic model organisms.
ELDER FAMILY FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION: EXPERIENCES WITH SOCIAL SERVICES
Authors: Kilaberia Tina R , Fuhrman Emma , Stum Marlene , Freeman Iris
Published: November 2019

Elder family financial exploitation (EFFE) has attracted the attention of scholars and professionals across disciplines. This qualitative study examines the experiences of help seeking by non-perpetrator family members with a focus on the role of social services. 15 in-depth interviews were examined in which social services were mentioned as being involved. Findings provide insight into the role and involvement of social services, whether wishes expressed by victims to participants made a difference in help-seeking, and gaps experienced. Participants described social services professionals as those who (1) received reports of exploitation; (2) provided education and served as a liaison with families; (3) conducted assessments, including cognitive assessment of elders; and (4) acted as connectors to other systems. In some cases, when elders were assertive about their wishes, they had results such as reporting exploitation or transferring power of attorney to non-perpetrator family members. In other cases, elders were prevented from taking such action because of undue influence by perpetrators, disregard of their wishes, due to being uninformed, or opposing helpful family members. Participants explained experienced gaps in two ways: by attributing responsibility to social services in terms of failure to believe victims, do meaningful cognitive assessments, and navigate family dynamics. On the other hand, participants were not able to clearly ascribe responsibility, and questioned whose fault it was, suggesting opportunities for improved systems functioning. Recommendations for improving the role of social services in addressing the help-seeking needs of concerned family members coping with EFFE follow.
THE EFFECTS OF SIMULATION-BASED EMPATHY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR CARER OF THE ELDERLY ON COUNSELLING
Authors: Park Sangmi , Kim Tae Hui , Um Tae Rim , Lee Kyuwon , Jung Jisoo , Hong Myounghee , Choi Soyeon , Han Areum
Published: November 2019

Empathy of the caregiver can influence both the caregiver’s performance and the receiver’s enhanced life. The aim of this study is to examine whether Simulation-based Empathy Enhancement program for the Carer of the Elderly (SEE-C) is effective in increasing care receivers’ session satisfaction and positive emotional change. We developed SEE-C by modifying the Dementia Live(TM) program and adding with a brief mindfulness. The effect on counselling was assessed using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ), which is self-report tool asking the client about their experience with the session just ended. A total of 100 older adults living alone were interviewed by caregivers who experienced SEE-C (n=12) and by non-experienced (n=12). Participants in this study were randomly assigned to each of the two caregiver groups, and were interviewed about demographics, health and emotional status, and lifestyle using the same protocols. Analysis of covariance was conducted, controlling variables of age of subjects and caregivers’ months of career, which were found to differ significantly between the two groups. Among the four subcategories of SEQ, the experimental group reported significantly higher scores than the control group in three subcategories of session-depth (F(1, 96)=9.647, P=.002), session-smoothness (F(1, 96)=13.699, p<.001), emotion-positive (F(1, 96)=18.056, p<.001), with the exception of emotion-alertness (F(1, 96)=0.366, p=.546). These results suggest that SEE-C could have a positive impact on interviewing the elderly in terms of improving the capacity of the interviewer and raising the satisfaction of the interviewee.
EVALUATING AN INTERVENTION TO PREVENT SELF-NEGLECT IN VULNERABLE ADULT HEALTHCARE PATIENTS
Authors: Rose Miriam , Ejaz Farida , Reynolds Courtney , Ye Minzhi
Published: November 2019

Alleged self-neglect is the most commonly reported type of abuse to Adult Protective Service (APS) agencies nationwide. Researchers, healthcare practitioners and APS staff in Texas collaborated on a project funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living to develop and evaluate an intervention to prevent self-neglect in older and/or disabled adults. Nineteen primary care clinics in a large healthcare system were randomized to intervention (intensive case management over a four-month period) and control (usual healthcare) groups. Patients with risk factors for self-neglect in these clinics were randomly selected, and 480 patients consented to participate in the study. Baseline EMR data indicated the most common risk factors for self-neglect included depression (54% of these participants), dependence in activities of daily living (28%), and dementia (27%). Social workers conducted a home visit with 287 intervention clinic patients, identified their needs, developed a care plan, and followed up regularly with patients. Based on the Adult Self-Neglect Assessment, 61% were identified as having concerns related to self-neglect. Their most frequently identified areas of need for help were food assistance/nutrition (54%), functional limitations (40%), social isolation (36%), home modifications (34%), and mental health issues (32%). Along with public assistance, and referrals to home- and community-based services, findings are promising for preventing patients from becoming self-neglecting in the future. Only 7 intervention clinic participants were reported by project staff to APS for suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation during the 16-month study. This type of multi-disciplinary collaboration can inform development of evidence-based innovations in practice and policy.
WHOLE-BODY MRI TO ASSESS SUBCLINICAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND FRAILTY DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Ambale-Venkatesh Bharath , Sesso Jaclyn , Walston Jeremy , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Lima Joao
Published: November 2019

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and frailty have been linked at the mechanistic and epidemiological levels. Our goal is to identify if subclinical markers such as atherosclerosis, body composition, and fibrofatty infiltration measured from non-contrast whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are markers of physical frailty. Community dwelling older adults with frailty status ascertained by Fried measurement are being recruited from an aging studies registry. MRI is performed using a Canon Galan3T with dedicated coils. Preliminary analysis from 4 frail individuals (86±15 years, 3 female, BMI=22±3kg/m2) and 2 age-matched robust controls (86±1 years, 1 female, BMI=28±0.2kg/m2) is presented. Of 4 frail one had a prior heart attack; one was previously diagnosed with heart failure. Mean atheroma score from 28 vessel segments (0.42±0.26 vs 0.18±0.10) and aortic tortuosity (2.3±0.4 vs 2.1±0.1) were higher in frail compared to robust indicative of higher atherosclerotic burden and vascular stiffness. Mean subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue volumes were lower in frail compared to robust. However, mean myocardial (1113±27 vs 1089±2), liver (729±92 vs 683±104) and skeletal muscle (1106±25 vs 1072±64) T1 times (milliseconds) were each higher indicative of greater diffuse interstitial fibrosis. Averaged intramuscular fat percent measured across the pelvis, forearm, pectus, thigh, and calf was higher in frail compared to robust (14.8±4.1% vs 8.5±2.3%) indicative of higher fatty infiltration. Although these early results do not reach statistical significance, they support further study to determine cardiovascular and tissue related differences between physically frail and robust older adults, which in turn may inform intervention developments for frailty and CVD.
ATTACHMENT SECURITY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER-ADULT MARRIAGES
Authors: Syed Sumaiyah U , Monin Joan K
Published: November 2019

Attachment theory emphasizes attachment security, providing and receiving communication of safety and emotional support, as one of the most fundamental needs in close relationships across the lifespan. Having an insecure attachment style, anxious or avoidant attachment, has been related to depressive symptoms in mostly young adult marriages. This study examined the interpersonal associations between attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and depressive symptoms in 98 older adult couples, using self-report measures. The Actor Partner Interdependence model was used to analyze the data. Results show that one partner’s anxious attachment was significantly positively associated with their own greater depressive symptoms (β=2.10, p=0.000). This effect was stronger for husbands than for wives (β=1.13, p=0.002). Results remained when controlling for age, physical functioning, marital length, and socio-demographics. There were no significant cross-partner associations. Findings suggest that attachment anxiety may be particularly impactful for depressive symptoms in husbands.
EVALUATION OF SMART BELT HIP PROTECTION IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY
Authors: Tarbert Rebecca J , Singhatat Wamis
Published: November 2019

Hip fractures impact > 300,000 US older adults yearly resulting in 70,000 deaths and are expected to gain in numbers with the rising population. Residents of skilled nursing facilities are among the highest at risk of sustaining hip fractures due to increased risk of falls and frailty. These most vulnerable stand to experience the most serious results of hip fracture with > 50% resulting in total dependency and/or death. Care providers are focused on providing an environment of safety with implementation of traditionally utilized fall prevention measures. Unfortunately, the maintenance of safety in this high-risk population often comes at the price of limiting independent mobility. The utilization of passive hip protector padding for those recognized as being at high risk of hip fracture can decrease the risk of hip fracture by 82%; however, challenges to adherence of hip protectors limit the effectiveness of this widely utilized measure. Emerging technology in the form of a smart belt was evaluated in a skilled nursing setting to offer insight into efficacy and user adherence. The smart belt is capable of sensing when the wearer is experiencing a motion that would likely result in a fall onto the hip, deploy an anatomically conforming airbag and alert caregivers that a fall has occurred. The embedding of the hip protection technology into care planning led to daily patient utilization totaling over 3000 hours. Specific findings of the user derived motion and experience will be articulated through case studies and illustration of the technology captured motion data.
WHAT MAKES A NURSING HOME FEEL LIKE HOME? RESIDENT PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Cater Diana , Hasworth Serena , White Diana , Tunalilar Ozcan , Winfree Jaclyn
Published: November 2019

Providing an environment that feels like home is increasingly a programmatic goal in nursing homes (NH), yet few NH studies have explored “home” as a concept through a large number of residents’ voices. In the current study, 294 residents living in 32 randomly selected NH in Oregon were asked if it felt like home. We followed up with “what makes it feel like home?” or “what would make it feel more like home?” Open-ended responses were classified via open coding. Six major themes emerged: relationships, meaningful possessions, quality of care, personal autonomy, physical environment, and the impossibility of it feeling like home. Overall, 26% percent of residents found that their current setting felt like home. Among residents who perceived their current setting as feeling like home, the most prominent theme was relationships with people at the nursing home (45% of responses). Residents also emphasized the importance of having family or other meaningful relationships from outside the nursing home (22% of all responses) for an environment that was home. Among those who responded that the nursing home did not feel like home, 32% reported that nothing could replace their home. Results indicate that NH can become home environments for their residents and provides additional evidence that relationship building, personal autonomy, and physical environment are likely critical pillars for creating and sustaining feelings of home. Future research will examine variations in responses described here, including resident or facility characteristics, and length of stay.
WHAT'S MOTIVATION GOT TO DO WITH IT? USING LATENT PROFILE ANALYSIS FOR BIOMARKERS & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Teas Elizabeth , Kimiecik Jay , Ward Rose Marie , Timmerman Kyle
Published: November 2019

Heart disease is prevalent among older adults. The aim of this study was to a) identify different health behavioral motivation profiles among older adults; and b) investigate if these profiles differed in physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Data on 79 participants (mean age = 68.76 years) was collected. Participants’ degree of intrinsic/extrinsic motivation for diet and exercise was assessed using intuitive eating and self-determination scales. Cardiometabolic risk factors included inflammation and blood lipids. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the optimal number of groups and one-way ANOVAs assessed group differences on the variables of interest. Three profiles were found to best represent the data. The most self-determined, or most intrinsically motivated, group comprised the highest number of participants. In line with Self-Determination Theory, this group demonstrated the highest levels of objective and self-reported physical activity as well as the lowest inflammation and most optimal cholesterol measures. The group with the lowest intuitive eating and high identified exercise regulation scores exhibited the worst outcomes among the three groups. The results suggest that among older adults, different types and levels of motivation for diet and exercise can coexist and interact, and these differences produce varying health outcomes. If supported by future work, these findings can inform practitioners in developing more specific and tailored interventions relevant to older adults based on their motivational profile.
THE EFFECTS OF HEARING LOSS AND MOBILITY DECLINE ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Sakurai Ryota , Kawai Hisashi , Yanai Shuich , Kim Hunkyung , Hirano Hirohiko , Ihara Kazushige , Obuchi Shuichi , Fujiwara Yoshinori
Published: November 2019

Background: Both hearing loss and mobility decline are well-known risk factors of cognitive impairment among older adults. However, the effects of the accumulation of these functional impairments are still unclear. Thus, the present study examined whether the interactive effects of hearing loss and poor gait performance contribute to cognitive impairments. Methods: Hearing loss and gait performance were assessed in 716 community-dwelling older adults at baseline. Pure-tone audiometry was conducted to determine hearing loss at 1 (i.e., low tone) and 4 kHz (i.e., high tone). Poor gait performance was defined as the lowest quartile (fourth quartile) of age- and sex-appropriate mean gait velocity. Participants were then classified into four groups according to the presence of hearing loss and poor gait performance. Cognitive function was assessed using MMSE and MoCA at baseline and four years later. Results: Older adults who had either hearing loss (low or high tone) or poor gait performance showed lower MMSE and MoCA scores at baseline. Multiple regression models showed that hearing loss and poor gait performance at baseline were significantly associated with decreased cognitive function at follow-up. Among older adults with low tone hearing loss, absence of slow gait was not associated with decreased cognitive function. Conclusions: Our results indicate the possibility that hearing loss and slow gait synergistically increase the risk of cognitive impairment. The results also suggest that the effect of slow gait on cognition exceeds the effects of hearing loss, indicating the importance of maintaining mobility in late life.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE NIH TOOLBOX COGNITION BATTERY AND GAIT IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Hamel Kate , Barber Sarah , Ketcham Carl , Lui Kristy
Published: November 2019

The relationship between older adults’ gait and cognition has been well-studied, however there is little consensus regarding a best set of measures to assess cognition. One option that has not been previously examined is the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHT-CB), which was developed to be used across the lifespan and across research disciplines. This study examined the relationships between the seven subtests of the NIHT-CB, Trail-Making Tests A and B, and temporospatial measures of gait. One hundred sixty-seven healthy, community-dwelling older adults (115 females, 73.4 ± 4.5 years) completed these cognitive measures and also walked at their self-selected pace back-and-forth five times along a temporospatial-measuring walkway. The mean and coefficient of variation were calculated for each gait variable (stride length, width, time and velocity; stance/swing time and % of stride). After controlling for potential confounders (height, weight, age, sex, education, self-efficacy, health, exercise and falls history), executive function measures were typically the most significant cognitive predictors. More specifically, the Dimensional Change Card Sort task was the best predictor of temporal measures and stride velocity (all ps < 0.001) and the Trail-Making Test Part B was the best predictor for variability measures (five of eight p-values < 0.001). Interestingly, stride length and also stance and swing % of stride were strongly related to a measure of language - Picture Vocabulary (all ps < 0.006). The NIHT-CB appears to be a useful tool for studies of gait in older adults, particularly when used in conjunction with Trail-Making Test B.