bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING AND HEALTH AMONG LOW-INCOME OLDER IMMIGRANTS: THE ROLE OF SERVICE USES
Authors: Baek Jihye , Shin Oejin , Park Sojung , Kim BoRin , Ryu Byeongju 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Older immigrants in affordable senior housing face a unique set of challenges due to their demographic, social, economic, and cultural diversity. Existing knowledge about health among this unique but increasing aging subgroup population is extremely limited. Focusing on older immigrants subgroups (Asian and Russian older adults) in affordable senior housing in St.Louis, MO, this study aimed to examine to what extent different ethnic minority elders’ health varies by their uses of services available in the housing. Data came from the survey interviews at a subsidized independent senior housing in St. Louis (n=136). Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to examine ethnic differences in self-rated health and the role of services for the health of low-income ethnic minor elders in senior housing. Compared to the non-immigrants (White/African older adults), Asian (b=0.67, p&lt;.05) and Russian residents (b=0.89, p&lt;.05) were likely to have lower self-rated health. Interestingly, for both ethnic groups, they report a better self-rated health when they use supportive daily service (i.e. e.g. meal delivery, transportation, housekeeping and others) (b= -0.84, p&lt;.05 for Asian, b=- 0.90, p&lt;.05.for Russian) and social service (e.g. recreational, wellness, and exercise programs) (b= -0.73, p&lt;.05 for Asian, b=- 0.83, p&lt;.05.for Russian). Our findings point to an important role of services for the health of low-income ethnic minor elders in senior housing. As the first attempt to examine services that explicitly focus on ethnic minority elders, our study provides meaningful implications for future research on the health and service needs for older immigrant populations in senior housing.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF A PLASMA FRACTION ON NEUROGENESIS FOR AGE-RELATED COGNITIVE DISORDERS
Authors: Gallager Ian , Kheifets Viktoria , Minami S Sakura , Czirr Eva , lohr scott , huber nina , Campbell meghan , Braithwaite Steven P 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The process of aging is multifactorial and therefore single interventions may be unlikely to attenuate the myriad pathologies. Plasma contains many beneficial factors which have been shown in animal models to ameliorate multiple age-related deficits across varied organ systems, including the brain. We demonstrated that human plasma from young 18-22-year-old donors reverses age-related cognitive decline and enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and cell survival in aged immunocompromised mice, while plasma from aged individuals (62-68 years old) has detrimental effects in young mice. Utilizing cell-based assays we identified a human plasma fraction (PF) which enhanced neuronal outgrowth and synaptic connectivity. We demonstrate that PF administration provides benefits beyond those observed with whole plasma treatment, resulting in decreased brain inflammation, increased synaptic density and neuronal activation. We evaluated longitudinal treatment of PF and observed no depletion in stem cell populations while maintaining an enhanced level of neurogenesis. We examined PF in an α-synuclein mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, where treatment significantly reversed functional, inflammatory, and neuronal deficits. To further our understanding of interplay between multiple mechanisms inducing neurogenesis, we examined the effect of exercise on PF treated mice and observed a synergistic increase in neurogenesis. Proteomic analysis of mouse plasma following PF treatment demonstrates differential protein levels compared to running or the combination of running and PF, suggesting that PF is mechanistically different from the effect of running. In summary, we demonstrate that PF is a multifactorial and multimodal, clinically-relevant, intervention for the treatment of global changes induced by aging.
HIGH RUMINATION AND LOW AMINO ACIDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF METABOLIC SYNDROME
Authors: Alwerdt Jessie , Tian Yuan , Patterson Andrew D , Sliwinski Martin 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an increasing epidemic worldwide. Identifying modifiable behaviors that intersect with the association between MetS and associated metabolites could result in alternative methods to prevent those at risk for MetS. Here we investigate the moderation of ruminating thought processes between metabolites and MetS. Rumination has been linked to exacerbating the physiological response of stress and increasing the risk for poor health outcomes, such as hypertension. Data consisted of 180 middle-aged adults from Bronx, NY. MetS was calculated based on the NIH guidelines using waist, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, blood pressure, and glucose. Using NMR-based metabolomics, 26 serum metabolites were obtained. The Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire measured rumination of thoughts. Interactions between rumination and each metabolite were conducted with logistic regressions (e.g., Valinexrumination). Overall, significant moderation occurred with the greatest effect involving different levels of phenylalanine, betaine, creatine, and isoleucine with higher rumination in relation to the increased probability for MetS. The greatest risk for MetS was in those who were high ruminators and had low values of these AAs. Therefore, within those who are high ruminators, an increase in these AAs may be beneficial in improving the risk for MetS. Further, in those who are low ruminators, minimal moderation occurred. AAs disturbance has been linked with MetS in past studies, as well as in mental health. These results suggest that ways of handling thoughts that are intertwined with everyday stress may exacerbate these associations and could benefit with modification.
DOES THE NEWS MEDIA FOSTER A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF NEWS ARTICLES
Authors: Zhao Erfei 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The media has become increasingly more agenda-driven and politically biased in recent years. This research explores whether the major news outlets fosters an environment of negative sentiment towards the older adult population over a 4-year-period from 2016-2019. The paper uses a content analysis approach. 199 news articles that include keywords such as "older adults", "seniors" or "elderly" are randomly selected among those published in the first week of March in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 from the online archives. Main attitudes towards the older adults are extracted and categorized. In the 4-year span, regression analysis shows that negative attitudes are apolitical and are found in almost two-thirds (64%) of the 199 news articles in both liberal and conservative news outlets, suggesting that the current media creates a ubiquitously hostile environment for older adults. However, more liberal news outlets tend to produce more articles with positive messages about the older adults (p&lt;0.05), and more conservative news outlets tend to create more content that reinforces negative stereotypes of older adults as being vulnerable and less productive (p&lt;0.01). The high percentage of negative attitudes and the ubiquitous negative attitudes in news organizations, in spite of their political leaning, suggests that the media environment has some influence on the news content. Political biases of the organization are associated to numbers of articles with positive messages and negative stereotyping. Promoting professional development and self-regulating mechanisms in journalism could aid in reducing ageism perpetuated in the media.
BLOOD PRESSURE TRENDS PRECEDING DEMENTIA: A STUDY OF HEART FAILURE PATIENTS
Authors: Wilson Connor , Pangle Amanda , Wei Jeanne , Azhar Gohar 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Blood pressure and perfusion of the brain are central components of neurological health that are often influenced by heart failure. This retrospective case-control study analyzed blood pressure changes preceding the diagnosis of dementia in patients over the age of 60. Blood pressures were obtained from the date of dementia diagnosis, and then one year and five years before diagnosis. Study “controls” were age-matched patients without dementia, using the mean age of dementia diagnosis as the first data point. Over the five-year period preceding diagnosis, 67.2% with dementia showed decreasing systolic pressure compared to 46.6% of patients without dementia. Similarly, 62.7% with dementia showed a decreasing systolic pressure over the one-year period, compared to 50.0% of those without dementia. Additionally, there was a significant difference (p &lt; 0.001) in the dementia rates between African American and Caucasian subgroups (55.0% African Americans vs. 31.0% Caucasians). Patients with dementia were more likely to have decreasing blood pressure trends than age-matched patients without dementia and appeared to have significantly lower blood pressures one year before the diagnosis. It is crucial that providers are cognizant of these trends and risk factors for dementia as they manage blood pressures in geriatric patients.
TAU-INDUCED ASTROCYTE SENESCENCE: A NOVEL MECHANISM FOR NEURONAL DYSFUNCTION IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Authors: Olson Angela , Hussong Stacy A , Kayed Rakez , Galvan Veronica 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Chronic sterile inflammation is a pathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms that drive neuroinflammation and its impact on AD progression are still incompletely understood. The accumulation of molecular damage in somatic cells can trigger cellular senescence, an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest accompanied by the expression of proinflammatory mediators known collectively as the “senescence-associated secretory phenotype” (SASP). Misfolded tau forms pathogenic soluble aggregates that are released extracellularly and are transmitted trans-neuronally, promoting native tau phosphorylation and aggregation in target cells. We recently showed that, in addition to neurons, pathogenic soluble extracellular tau aggregates propagate to brain microvascular endothelial cells, where microtubule destabilization triggers senescence/SASP. Because astrocytes have a critical role in the regulation of both synaptic function and cerebral blood flow and are directly exposed to tau at its site of release at the tripartite synapse, we conducted studies to define whether soluble aggregated tau propagates to astrocytes, inducing astrocyte senescence/SASP and neuronal dysfunction/damage. Our studies indicate that tau can be propagated transcellularly to astrocytes, triggering cellular senescence/SASP. Our studies suggest that astrocyte senescence is detrimental to dendritic and synaptic structure and density, suggesting that pathogenic soluble tau-induced astrocyte senescence may contribute to synaptic dysfunction and loss in AD. Drugs that eliminate senescent cells are FDA-approved and antibody-based approaches to remove tau from brain are already in clinical trials. Our studies suggest that these interventions could be effective in the treatment of AD and other tauopathies.
THE HEALTHY AGING INDEX AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MORTALITY IN OLDER MEXICAN AND EUROPEAN AMERICANS
Authors: Ganapathy Vinutha , Jacob Mini E , Short Meghan I , Gonzales Mitzi M , Barrera Claudia Satizabal , Seshadri Sudha , Wang Chen-pin , Hazuda Helen P 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Mexican Americans (MA) have higher morbidity compared to European Americans (EA); however, the mortality rate remains lower (Hispanic Paradox). The Healthy Aging Index (HAI) captures clinical and subclinical morbidity in older adults and is useful in examining ethnic differences in mortality for a given disease burden. We assessed the association between baseline HAI and all-cause mortality over 12 years of follow-up among older MAs (n=394) and EAs (n=355) in the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (SALSA) and examined differences between ethnic groups. HAI incorporates non-invasive measures (systolic blood pressure, forced vital capacity, creatinine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Mini-Mental State Exam). Missing baseline data for HAI components and covariates were imputed using multiple imputations. Proteinuria was used instead of creatinine due to non-availability. Scores of 0, 1, 2 were given from lowest to highest tertile HAI categories; diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, and renal failure were included in the highest tertiles. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the association between HAI and mortality, adjusting for confounders. After adjusting for age, gender, education, income, BMI, smoking and ethnicity, HAI was independently associated with mortality (HR 1.25 (1.16-1.35), p-value &lt;0.0001). We found no interaction effect between HAI and ethnicity on mortality ((p-value for interaction = 0.78). In the SALSA sample, HAI is a predictor of mortality after adjusting for confounders in both MAs and EAs. The absence of a significant HAI*ethnicity interaction effect further demonstrated that HAI works equally well as a predictor of mortality in both MAs and EAs.
HEART FAILURE, ARRHYTHMIAS AND DEMENTIA IN THE “OLDEST OLD” OF SOUTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES
Authors: Duke Brandon , Azhar Gohar , Pangle Amanda , Mendiratta Priya , Wei Jeanne 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Heart failure and dementia are common age-related conditions. Heart failure and associated comorbidities of hypertension and arrhythmias may impact cognition. Retrospective data of 311 patients averaging 98 (±3.2) years who received treatment at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences were analyzed for diagnoses, prescribed medications and health conditions relevant to heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias and dementia. 74% of the subjects were white, non-Hispanic, 24% were African American, and 2% were of unknown ethnicity. 83% were women and 17% were men. Only 251 (81%) of the reviewed charts had blood pressures recorded, of whom 43% (n=114) had systolic pressures &gt;140mmHg. Furthermore, 50% (n=156) of patients had heart failure, and 29% (n=89) had dementia. Of those with dementia, 35% had an arrhythmia. For those without a diagnosis of dementia or any treatment for dementia, 25% had an arrhythmia. Heart failure and arrhythmias have not been well studied as an etiological factor for dementias. In our cohort, the presence of heart failure diagnoses was not different in those with dementia versus those without dementia. However, more patients with dementia had arrhythmias versus those without dementia, suggesting that arrhythmias may contribute to cognitive decline, even in the oldest old. Approximately 70% of the arrhythmias were atrial fibrillation. We did not have data on the management of these arrhythmias and whether anticoagulants were being used appropriately, especially for atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless this highlights the importance of close management of arrhythmias for maintaining cognitive health in older adults.
EXPLORING OLDER ADULTS’ EXPERIENCES IN CARE TRANSITIONS
Authors: Zamora Flora Vieira , Silver Michelle , Berta Whitney , Nelson Michelle , Hamilton Angela 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Older adults are Canada’s largest growing demographic. Later adulthood is frequently accompanied by increased comorbidities, resulting in more people living with chronic conditions for longer portions of their lives and requiring care across multiple settings. These individuals are also the most susceptible to challenges within health care systems, especially during vulnerable times such as care transitions, which can be challenging due to issues of care integration and coordination. A scoping review was conducted to explore the experiences of older adults transitioning through various levels of care. The main themes found included personal realizations, social connectedness, importance of navigating the system and recommendations for the future. During care transitions, older adults must carefully consider their personal circumstances and limitations and often accept a new baseline, thus, adapting their lives and activities to match possible limitations. Older adults indicate the need for strong social networks, accessible and available services, as well as effective communication, information, education and engagement during care transitions. Issues with care transitions can be exacerbated in smaller communities, where resources and services may be limited. As such, this scoping review is the foundation for an ongoing systematic review which aims to summarize what is known about care transitions for older adults living in small and rural communities. By better understanding the different interacting factors that might influence care transitions for older adults living in small communities, important and sustainable changes can be identified and implemented to ensure that care transitions for older adults are safe, positive and empowering.
COMPENSATION EFFECT OF MORTALITY: A CHALLENGE TO LIFE EXTENSION
Authors: Gavrilova Natalia S , Gavrilov Leonid 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In order to develop genuine anti-aging interventions it is important to find the best estimate of the aging rate in humans, which is often measured as a slope parameter of the Gompertz law. The compensation effect of mortality (CEM), refers to mortality convergence, when higher values for the slope parameter are compensated by lower values of the intercept parameter (initial mortality) in different populations of a given species. The age of this convergence point is called the "species-specific life span". Due to CEM, factors associated with life span extension are usually accompanied by paradoxical increase in actuarial aging rate. We evaluated the stability of CEM by analyzing the United Nations abridged life tables for 241 countries and regions and estimating parameters of the Gompertz-Makeham model using method of non-linear regression in the age interval 30-80 years. We found that the species-specific lifespan is equal to 94.5 ± 0.5 years, which is the same as reported in the past for years before the 1960s: 95 ± 3 years (Gavrilov, Gavrilova, 1991). Thus, the convergence point of CEM is stable despite significant mortality decline over past 50 years and is not affected by factors decreasing mortality at younger ages. Populations deviating from CEM with apparently slow aging (with both slow actuarial aging rate and low intercept parameter) have been identified. The existence of CEM in mice (ITP data) allowed us to find interventions that are able to both extend lifespan and slow the actuarial aging rate giving promise for radical life extension.
EXPANDING BENEVOLENT AGEISM: MEASURING EXPERIENCES OF OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Sublett Jennifer F , Bisconti Toni L 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Benevolent ageism has recently been recognized as a form of patronizing treatment that older adults experience because of the kind and incompetent age stereotype proposed by the Stereotype Content Model. However, there is limited research that examines older adults’ experiences with patronizing treatment. The aim of this study was to conceptualize benevolent ageism based on older adults’ experiences with items from an existing measure of ageism, the Ambivalent Ageism Scale, and additional items created by us that expand the measurement of benevolent ageist behaviors. In an internet-based sample of older adults who were 65 years old and older (N =135), the benevolent subscale of the Ambivalent Ageism Scale with our additional 10 items demonstrated excellent reliability (α = .90). An exploratory factor analysis cleanly yielded a 4-factor solution that mirrored previous findings, (1) hostile ageism, (2) unwanted help, (3) cognitive assistance/protection, while introducing a new factor of (4) condescending endearment. The findings from this study have widened the scope with which ageism is viewed by examining older adults’ experiences with ageism and conceptualizing characteristics of benevolence that older adults may face due to the widespread belief that they are kind and incompetent. The validation of a scale measuring individuals’ experiences with ageism will provide insight as to whether older adults experience ageist behaviors that people report endorsing and if older adults receive unnecessary offers of help. A recipient’s perspective of ageism will aid in the understanding of the insidious and benevolent characteristics of ageism within society.
EXPERIENCES WITH SHARED DECISION-MAKING AND ADVANCED CARE PLANNING AMONG OLDER SPANISH-SPEAKING LATINOS
Authors: Castellon-Lopez Yelba M , Ryan Gery , Duru O Kenrik , Moreno Gerardo 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Advance care planning (ACP) helps individuals clarify their values and preferences for future care, and to communicate their wishes to loved ones, surrogate decision-makers and healthcare providers in advance of when they become unable to make healthcare decisions. Older Spanish-speaking Latino adults have among the lowest rates of advance directives a form of ACP. Shared decision-making (SDM) interventions have significantly improved outcomes for disadvantaged patients. SDM has proven to be particularly beneficial in ethnic minority populations with low literacy and low socioeconomic status groups. The aim of this study was to pilot an online SDM module delivered in Spanish to better understand experiences with ACP among older Spanish-speaking Latino adults. We recruited a sample of older Latino adults ages 56-81 who were low-income and primarily Spanish-speaking (N=20). Sixty-five percent of the sample was female. Participants were asked to complete an SDM module delivered by a physician to discuss ACP. The online module was developed by Healthwise © a national leader in SDM. Qualitative interviews were conducted to examine experiences with SDM and ACP. SDM improved awareness about ACP options and facilitated conversations with family members among participants. Results from the study demonstrated a four-step process for engaging participants in ACP including: Awareness, Initial conversations, Conversations with medical provider, and Formalizing. Interviews informed opportunities for culturally tailored interventions along different points on the continuum. This study highlights important opportunities to better understand the process-based steps and targeted interventions needed to address disparities in ACP among Spanish-speaking low-income Latinos.