bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Custodial Grandparents’ Psychological Distress in COVID-19
Authors: Xu Yanfeng , Jedwab Merav , Wu Qi , Levkoff Sue , Xu Ling 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The fear and anxiety of COVID-19 and its related policy measures have increased individuals’ psychological distress. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between material hardship, parenting stress, social support, and resilience and custodial grandparents’ psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and further investigate the moderating role of kinship license status. A cross-sectional survey was administered to collect data from custodial grandparents (N = 362) in the United States. T-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models were conducted using STATA 15.0. Results indicated that material hardship (OR = 1.77, p &lt; 0.001) was associated with higher odds of psychological distress, whereas custodial grandparents’ resilience (OR = 0.08, p &lt; 0.001) and social support (OR = 0.39, p &lt; 0.001) were associated with lower odds of experiencing psychological distress. Increased parenting stress in COVID-19 was not significantly associated with psychological distress. Kinship license status moderated the relationships between social support (OR = 0.23, p &lt; 0.05), resilience (OR = 5.06, p &lt; 0.05) and psychological distress. To address custodial grandparents’ psychological distress, more allocated emergency funds and tailored financial services should be provided to meet material needs, and interventions with a focus on resilience and social support are particularly needed. Although licensed custodial grandparents were more likely to experience psychological distress due to their pre-existing vulnerability than unlicensed counterparts, parallel services should be provided to all kinship caregivers.
The Social Worker in the Nursing Home: A Systematic Review of the Literature from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Miller Vivian , Hamler Tyrone , Beltran Susanny , Burns Jacquelyn 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Social workers have an integral role in health care and a long-standing history in nursing homes. The novel pandemic, COVID-19, has disproportionately adversely affected nursing home residents, bringing to the fore the importance of practice in this setting. However, the role of the nursing home social worker is often ambiguous. The objective of this study is to (1) identify existing research studies that discuss the role of social work and nursing facilities, (2) synthesize findings to determine what is most often reported in the literature, (3) present recommendations for practice and implications for research and policy change. This rapid review used the PICO framework and PRISMA guidelines to systematically search for articles published in English between 2010 and 2020 across 11 databases. A final sample of 23 articles met inclusion criteria. Relevant details were extracted from these articles, and the following 3 categories emerged as broadly describing the literature: (1) elements of social work practice in NHs, (2) social worker responsibilities, (3) policy impacts on practice. Findings highlight that the literature on NH social workers is limited and outdated, despite the 2016 federal rule requiring increased consideration for resident quality of life, quality of care, and behavioral health, all features of social work practice. The nursing home social work role warrants greater attention, with an emphasis on how to support residents during the current pandemic to ensure the development and implementation of person-centered care. The literature points to research priorities including involving families and residents in data collection efforts.
Understanding Older Adults’ Technology use During COVID-19 to Support Health and Connection
Authors: Bardach Shani , Rhodus Elizabeth , Parsons Kelly , Gibson Allison 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted everyday life as individuals, especially older adults, are encouraged to distance to reduce virus transmission. Remote strategies for connection may ameliorate risks for social isolation, however, older adults’ adoption of such strategies remains unknown. This study involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 older adults (ages 68-94) regarding adaptations to the call for social distancing and use of technology. From a socioemotional selectivity theory lens, findings demonstrate respondents’ positive views of technology, expressing value in the context of supporting emotionally important relationships and goals, e.g. social connection and entertainment, rather than knowledge acquisition. Surprisingly, most respondents were uninterested in technology training. This may be consistent with diminished future time perspectives; several participants referenced their advanced age to explain disinterest in learning new technology and most seemed to have developed a level of technology use that met their needs. Technology resistance was consistent with a focus on emotionally meaningful goals; several respondents conveyed disinterest in social media due to perceived intrusiveness and others indicated a lack of interest in telemedicine and health portals due to the perceived loss in valuable human contact. Personal challenges with social distancing generally reflected limitations in safe human interactions, e.g. a desire for hugs or missing the spontaneity of social get-togethers, which remained emotionally meaningful but outside the scope of how technology could support wellbeing. These results suggest that focusing on older adults’ emotional goals, and highlighting how technology can support their achievement, may support meaningful use to promote health and connection.
Best Practices for Measuring the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID 19 Using Secondary Data
Authors: McNally James , Lavender Kathryn 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This presentation reviews best practices for using data resources from the NACDA Program on Aging, its projects, and its collaborating partners for measuring the impact of epidemics. The report summarizes resources to identify measures of well-being, social connectedness, and other constructs to measure the social and behavioral effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on population health outcomes. The report suggests data resources to identify pre-crisis measures of social distancing, social networks, consumer confidence, unemployment, and the use of social media. The COVID-19 pandemic presents research challenges for how we measure governmental, community, and population responses to a crisis. COVID-19 represents a unique case because it is a new virus with a novel impact profile and a long latency period. We offer examples of variables and concepts found across multiple studies and multiple years that can provide baseline information on pre-COVID-19 social behaviors using studies managed and distributed by NACDA and ICPSR. This report also provides guidance on how to search for specific topics using the ICPSR generated search tools. Finally, we offer information on how to obtain these data for research purposes. Our hope is this information will be valuable in identifying key baseline measures of social behavior, health, and employment before the COVID-19 epidemic, and this information can allow us to evaluate challenges and recovery once the crisis has passed. Both NACDA and ICPSR remain available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to assist researchers in locating and obtaining data related to their research.
The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging: Using a Collective Impact Approach to Advance Healthy Aging
Authors: Rabalais Jennifer , Davie Laura , Rataj Alison 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NH AHA) is a statewide coalition of stakeholders building cross sector partnerships that support and promote healthy aging throughout the state. Formed in 2016, NH AHA works to promote its shared vision to create communities in New Hampshire that advance culture, policies and services which support older adults and their families. As the largest coalition focused on the health and well being of older people in the state, NH AHA currently engages over 300 participants representing more than 185 organizations and/or groups statewide. Participants will hear how this collective power has led to early successes in advancing AHA’s five strategic priorities, including early statewide policy successes. A review of the collective impact model will be provided with discussion on how NH uses this model intentionally to align the work in the aging field of NH. NH AHA’s theory of change starts with changing the conversation around aging across NH’s communities and is the foundation for the efforts to advance Reframing Aging principles and recommendations through the work of NH AHA and statewide. NH AHA’s strategic plans to become a resource and hub of Reframing Aging activity in the state will be reviewed. As a result of the presentation audience members will be able to 1) describe the 5 conditions of collective impact 2) give 2 examples of how NH is utilizing these conditions intentionally and 3) describe NH’s efforts to create common measures for the aging field in NH.
Understanding the Pathways of Neighborhood Environmental Influences on Health Among U.S. Chinese Older Immigrants
Authors: Wang Yi , Guo Man , Liu Jinyu , Carter Kara 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Neighborhood environment has proven to be consequential for older Americans’ physical, mental and cognitive health. However, this topic is much less studied among older Asian immigrants, a fast growing immigrant group who embrace values of collectivism and community connections. The current study used the first wave data (N=2920) of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), the largest population-based sample of Chinese older adults in the U.S., 1) to examine the direct associations between neighborhood environment (social cohesion, physical disorder) and health outcomes (self-rated health, depression, and cognitive health); and 2) to identify possible mediators at intrapersonal (sense of hopelessness, sense of mastery) and interpersonal levels (social engagement, cognitive engagement) through which neighborhood environment influences health. The results of Sobel tests from path analysis showed that neighborhood social cohesion was associated with better health outcomes on all the domains: self-rated health (b= 0.050, p&lt;.01), depression (b= -0.202 p&lt;.001), and cognitive health (b=0.092, p&lt;.001), whereas neighborhood physical disorder was associated with poorer self-rated health (b= -0.069, p&lt;.01) and more depressive symptoms (b=0.174, p&lt;.001). Full and partial mediations were detected. For example, neighborhood physical disorder influences depression completely through intrapersonal traits, higher sense of hopelessness (b=1.879, p&lt;0.001) and reduced sense of mastery (b= -2.656, p&lt;0.001). Neighborhood social cohesion contributes to better cognitive health partially through increased social engagement (b=1.696, p&lt;0.001) as well as cognitive activities (b=1.392, p&lt;0.001). The findings identified the ecological component in resilience building processes, and provide evidence for mezzo-level intervention to improve health among aging U.S. Chinese immigrants.
The Effect of Bottleium, a Bottle-Type Aquarium, Ownership on Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Takase Mai , Ogino Ryogo , Yoshida Keishiro , Kusunoki Hikari , Kenmochi Tetsuya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The pet ownership of ornamental fish acts positively towards the well-being of older adults. A Bottleium is an aquarium that uses a glass bottle instead of a tank. Its small size allows older adults to own ornamental fish as a pet. In this study, the effect of Bottleium ownership on the daily life of community-dwelling older adults was explored. A three-hour workshop to build one’s own Bottleium (size: 11cm×11cm×20cm) was hosted at Toyoshikidai housing complex (Kashiwa, Japan). An ornamental fish and a freshwater snail were added to each bottle. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants one month after taking the Bottleium home (N=25). The Bottleium ownership acted as a stimulus to older adults. The effects on an individual were “trigger of conversation” and “development of responsibility.” Participants living alone treated the fish as their companions and had light conversations. They carefully looked after the fish as would a pet owner. Furthermore, the Bottleium facilitated “interpersonal interactions.” Basic information was provided during the workshop, but participants assisted each other in complementing the information, and they even visited each other’s residences to observe the fish. Older adults who do not own the Bottleium also visited for this purpose. Two cases were reported where participants looked after each other’s fish in times of hospitalization. The interpersonal interactions might have resulted from the nature of the housing complex, as participants were already familiar with each other. Similar phenomena could be anticipated at places such as apartments and nursing homes.
Carotid Revascularization Improves Balance and Mobility, Particularly in Patients That Are Most Impaired
Authors: Gray Vicki , Desikan Sarasijhaa , Khan Amir , Barth Dawn , Sikdar Siddhartha , Sorkin John , Lal Brajesh 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Balance and mobility function worsen with age, and more so for those with underlying diseases. Our research has demonstrated that asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is associated with worse balance and mobility, and a higher fall risk, compared to older adults with similar comorbidities, but without ACAS. Thus, ACAS, with attendant blood flow-restriction to the brain is a potentially modifiable risk factor for balance and mobility dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of restoring blood flow to the brain by carotid revascularization, on balance and mobility in patients with high-grade ACAS (≥70% diameter-reducing stenosis). Twenty adults (67.0±9.4 years) undergoing carotid revascularization for high-grade stenosis were enrolled. A balance and mobility assessment was performed before- and six weeks- after carotid revascularization and included: Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Four Square Step Test (FSST), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed, MiniBESTest, and Walk While Talk (WWT) test. Paired t-tests assessed changes in outcome measures between the two-time points. Significant improvements were observed in measures that combined walking with dynamic movements, DGI (P=0.003), and MiniBESTest (P=0.021). Pearson’s correlations examined the relationship between balance and mobility before surgery and change score after surgery. Patients with lower baseline DGI and MiniBest scores demonstrated the most improvement on follow-up testing (r=-0.70, p=0.001, and r=-0.59, p=0.006, respectively). In conclusion, revascularization of a carotid artery stenosis improves balance and mobility; the greatest improvements are observed in those patients that are the most impaired.
Effect of PPARγ Inhibition on Bone in Aged Animals
Authors: Shi Xingming , Ding Kehong , Su Yun , Isales Carlos 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Aging is accompanied by bone loss and marrowfat accumulation. PPARg is a key factor regulating adipocyte differentiation. Marrowfat secretes large quantities of factors including adipokines, cytokines and chemokines that contribute to bone loss. We hypothesized that inhibition of PPARg would reduce adipocytes and adipose-generated inflammatory factors, and thus decrease aging-induced bone loss. To test this hypothesis, we treated young (6mo) and old (23mo) female C57BL/6 mice with a PPARg antagonist GW9662 (1mg/kg body weight, IP injection for 6wks) and examined the effects on bone, immune cell lineage skewing, and the expression of inflammation related genes. DXA analysis data showed that GW treatment had no effect on vertebral and femoral BMD and BMC in young or old mice. u-CT analysis showed that GW treatment reduced BV/TV in old mice but had no effect in young mice. FACS analysis data showed that GW treatment significantly increased lymphoid (CD3) and decreased myeloid (CD11b) lineage cells only in young mice. GW treatment significantly decreased CD4 and CD8 T cell subpopulations in young mice, but had no effect in old mice. Interestingly, Nanostring analysis of inflammation genes revealed an opposite effects of GW treatment in young vs. old mice, i.e., genes whose expression were downregulated by GW in bone cells of the young mice were upregulated in the old mice. These results suggested that systemic inhibition of PPARg, while enhancing CD3 and reducing CD11b cell populations in the bone marrow of young mice, may have a negative effect on bone architecture in old mice.
Detrusor Underactivity as an HCN-Mediated Failure of Resilience in Aging
Authors: Rosenberg Dawn , Hardy Cara , Ramasamy Ramalakshmi , Smith Phillip 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Sympathetic relaxation of the bladder wall permits low pressure urine storage and allows central regulation of afferent sensitivity to volume. Impaired regulation of volume sensitivity has been linked to symptoms of underactive bladder and cystometric detrusor underactivity. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (HCN channels) are mediators of sympathomimetic-induced detrusor relaxation in young mouse bladder tissue, however in bladder strips from old female mice, HCN blockade enhanced age-diminished isoproterenol-induced relaxation. We therefore hypothesized that loss of HCN would compromise cystometric function and enhance sympathomimetic responses in old mice. Male HCN1 KO mice (20-22 mo) and their WT littermates underwent pressure-flow cystometry under urethane anesthesia to assess urinary performance at the level of the autonomic nervous system in the absence of cortical control. Following cystometry, bladders were harvested and pharmacomyography was performed on bladder strips to determine tissue-level changes in the absence of CNS input. All mice responded to continuous-fill cystometry by establishing regular filling/voiding cycles. HCN KO mice function showed discrete changes in volume sensitivity vs. WT. Bladder strip studies showed minimal response to isoproterenol regardless of HCN status, and no significant differences in response to carbachol based on HCN status. We conclude that HCN status impacts the brainstem-bladder reflexic control over urine storage/voiding, but not by regulating bladder wall tensions during filling. The absence of HCN influence on the loss of end-organ responsiveness to sympathetic control in old mice points to an increasing dependency on central control mechanisms with aging.
Metabolic Regulation of the Senescence Program
Authors: Potnis Manali , Nacarelli Timothy , Noguchi Eishi , Azar Ashley , Sell Christian 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Cellular senescence is a cell fate defined by an irreversible cell-cycle arrest and a pro-inflammatory secretory profile. It is a consequence of a shift in metabolism and rearrangement of chromatin. Accumulation of senescent cells is a universal hallmark of age-related pathologies suggesting these cells contribute to age-related susceptibility to disease. Here, we examine the interplay between two metabolic inhibitors of senescence: Rapamycin treatment and Methionine restriction (metR). We report that a combination of methionine restriction and rapamycin induces a metabolic reprogramming that prevents activation of the senescence program in human fibroblasts. The treated cells continue to divide at a slow rate at a high passage and lack senescence-associated markers and inflammatory cytokines. Genome-wide chromatin accessibility analysis reflects chromatin remodeling with distinctly increased accessibility of heterochromatic regions in treated cells. Further, Transcriptome-wide analysis reveals increased expression of specific methyltransferases which alter the trimethylation of H3, one of the strongest hallmarks of open chromatin. This may represent a mechanistic link between a major hallmark of senescence and nuclear events required for senescence.
Pro-inflammatory CD8 T Cells Contribute to Age-Related Large Artery Stiffening
Authors: Trott Daniel , Sharma Sunita 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We have shown that T cells accumulate around the aorta with advanced age and that both pharmacologic and genetic deletion of total T cells result in improved large artery stiffness in old mice. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that CD8 T cells specifically mediate age-related large artery stiffening. We randomized old (22-24 month) C57Bl6 mice (n=5/group) to treatment with an anti-CD8 or isotype control antibody (100µg every 5 days) for 28 days. We assessed large artery stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) before and after antibody treatment. We found that PWV was similar between isotype (301±14 cm/s) and anti-CD8 (292±18 cm/s) before treatment. Following treatment, anti-CD8 treated mice exhibited lower PWV (272±11 cm/s) compared to the isotype (315±14 cm/s). Following euthanasia, we assessed aortic T cell infiltration by flow cytometry we found that anti-CD8 treated mice exhibited blunted aortic total CD3+ (262±42 vs. 1400±94 cells per aorta) and CD8+ (52±19 vs. 565±139 cells per aorta) cells compared to isotype controls. In a separate cohort of mice we compared interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production of aortic infiltrating CD8 cells from young (4-6 months, n=5) and old mice (n=8) using flow cytometry. A greater proportion of CD8 cells from old aortas produced IFN-γ (70±3% vs. 46±6%) compared to young. Similarly, a greater proportion of aortic infiltrating CD8 cells from old mice produced TNF-α (35±6% vs. 17±3%) compared to young. Collectively, these results suggest that pro-inflammatory CD8 cells contribute to cell non-autonomous arterial aging.
Prevalence and Predictors of Mortality for Older Adults Referred to a Hospital Avoidance Program
Authors: Gul Shahzad , Freund Megan , Sanson-Fisher Robert , Clapham Matthew , Webster Penelope 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
A cross sectional retrospective data linkage study of older adults discharged from local hospital avoidance program between January 2017 and January 2018 was undertaken (N=286; mean age 80.5 years). The prevalence of death at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 33 months was calculated. Patient demographic characteristics associated with participant’s risk of mortality at 33 months after discharge was examined using Cox multivariable regression. Patient demographic and health characteristics associated with participant mortality within 12 months of discharge was examined using multivariable logistic regression for patients with complete health characteristic data (n=195). The mortality prevalence was 17% at six months and the cumulative prevalence at one year, 18 months and 33 months post discharge were 24%, 29% and 36% respectively. Patient demographic characteristics associated with participants’ risk of mortality at 33 months after discharge were gender, age and household arrangements. Health and demographic characteristics associated with mortality within 12 months of discharge were lower cognition, increased burden of comorbidity, decreased physical function, a weight less than 55 kilograms, older age and male gender. These results indicate that a significant proportion of people attending a hospital avoidance program are likely to be entering into the final year of their life. This suggests that hospital avoidance programs should routinely identify patients who are likely nearing end of life, and support advance care planning for this patient group.