bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
Authors: Chang Grace , Malhotra Rahul , Seligman Benjamin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The translation of reduced intrinsic capacity, assessed through physical performance such as gait speed and grip strength, to diminished functional ability, such as limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), can be modified by one’s environment. Socioeconomic status (SES), linked with access to resources, may thus modify the relationship between physical performance and ADL limitations. We study this question in a cohort of older adults, using data from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Performance was measured using gait speed and grip strength, adjusted for sex and height/BMI respectively. ADL limitation was assessed using five Katz ADLs: bathing, toileting, eating, dressing, and transferring from bed. We considered three SES measures: highest education level, household wealth, and household income. Analysis was by negative binomial regression of the number of ADL limitations on performance and/or SES with adjustment for age and sex. Individually, each performance and SES measure was associated with ADL limitations. In regressions including grip strength, SES was associated with ADL limitations, and wealth and income had interactions with grip strength. For gait speed, only wealth was associated with ADL limitations, though education had an interaction with gait speed. Our mixed results for effect modification by SES of the association between physical performance and ADL limitations do suggest the role of SES as an effect modifier, contingent on the measures being used for assessing physical performance and SES. However, they also suggest that performance may mediate the relationship between SES and ADL limitations.
MODELING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)–INDUCED NEURODEGENERATION USING HIPSC-CORTICAL ORGANOIDS
Authors: Duckworth Alyssa , Venugopal Surya , Coelho Luisa , Kwon Ester , Shah Sameer , Almenar-Queralt Angels 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious injury that affects millions of people worldwide and has significant effects on neural pathways in the brain, making it a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Most research that examines the link between TBI and neurodegeneration uses rodent models, however they do not fully recapitulate disease pathology and cannot capture human specific features including the effect of genetic variations. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived cortical organoids have become the gold standard to model neurological disorders. They recapitulate certain aspects of physiological and neural pathways of the human brain and are easily reproducible, making them a better model. To understand the effects of TBI-induced neurodegeneration and explore potential treatment therapies, we model TBI in cortical hiPSC organoids through inducing mechanical injury. We assess AD-related morphological, biochemical, and functional downstream effects with a battery of assays. Among them, we measure the impact on neuronal activity using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators to measure Ca flux at a single-cell level post injury. Together, these assays will help us establish a human-based system to model in vitro TBI-induced neurodegeneration. We hope it can help contribute to evaluate specific therapies and diagnostic tools to stop progression of neurodegeneration after mechanical injury.
SELF-COMPASSION IN CAREGIVERS OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES: DEMENTIA CARE CONTEXTS AND BEYOND
Authors: Lero Christi , Park Soobin , Mroz Emily 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Informal caregivers of those with neurodegenerative disease (ND) manage increasingly complex symptoms which impact their own wellbeing. Self-compassion can promote maintenance of wellbeing during challenging life experiences, including caregiving. There is little guidance for studying self-compassion observationally or targeting self-compassion through intervention for this population. Our objective was to complete a scoping review of research describing self-compassion in the context of wellbeing of informal caregivers of those living with ND. In this review, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, three online databases identified 350 peer-reviewed articles, 18 of which were included in this study. Eligibility included being written in English, targeting informal caregivers of a care recipient living with ND, and examination of self-compassion. Findings showed that study samples most often included informal caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Across study types (e.g., hypothesis generating, intervention) self-compassion appeared as a theoretical concept, emerging theme from participant interviews, variable associated with other outcomes, and a main outcome variable. Self-compassion is often measured using the Self-Compassion Scale or short form version of this measure. Based on this review, we will discuss how study of self-compassion as useful for informal caregivers of individuals living with ND is in a growth period. The classification of ND is broad, however the range of common NDs among care recipient diagnosis was not represented by existing work. Future research should explore the nuances of self-compassion when caregiving for persons living with other NDs, as symptomology, disease trajectory, treatments, care provision, and outcomes vary across these caregiving contexts.
XBP-1S TRANSCRIPTIONAL TARGETS IN THE ER UNFOLDED PROTEIN RESPONSE RESCUE AGING-RELATED TAUOPATHY PROTEOSTASIS
Authors: Kraemer Brian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Proteostasis mechanisms fail with aging, promoting toxic protein accumulation. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to proteostatic disruption leading to aging related neurodegeneration. Abnormal activation of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPRER) is implicated in tauopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Previous work showed neuronal overexpression of UPRER transcription factor XBP-1s suppresses tauopathy in C. elegans. Whole-genome RNA sequencing of C. elegans overexpressing XBP-1s showed upregulation of the following genes with human homologs compared to non-transgenic controls: csp-1, F42G8.7, F41E7.6, Y19D10A.16, C01B4.6, dnj-28, hsp-4, ckb-2, mct-2, lipl-3, and eol-1. Surprisingly, each one of these genes is required for xbp-1s-mediated suppression of tauopathy, suggesting that XBP-1s activates a broad and non-redundant network of cellular mechanisms to reduce tau pathology. Of these, we examined the critical UPRER regulator BiP/hsp-4, the ER resident HSP70 homolog. Hsp-4 loss of function, but not loss of the cognate ER resident DNAJ protein dnj-28, eliminates xbp-1s-mediated suppression of tauopathy. While hsp-4 loss of function exacerbates tau-induced behavioral deficits, tau protein level and phosphorylation are unaffected. High level overexpression of hsp-4 exacerbates tau-induced behavioral deficits and protein accumulation, while moderated hsp-4 overexpression ameliorates this phenotype. Furthermore, caspases also appear to play an important role downstream of XBP-1s: both the XBP-1s target csp-1 and its non-XBP-1s target gene family member ced-3 are required for xbp-1s-mediated suppression of tauopathy. In summary, this data set provides new therapeutic ideas that may be leveraged into novel treatments for tauopathy disorders further development against tauopathy.
AGE DIFFERENCES IN POSTPRANDIAL AMINO ACID PROFILES ARE DETERMINED BY PROTEIN CONTENT OF THE MEAL
Authors: Herpich Catrin , Li Donna , Weber Daniela , Norman Kristina 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Amino acid availability after a meal differs between older and younger adults and the macronutrient composition of the meal affects postprandial amino acid availability as well. In this analysis, we examined postprandial amino acid response of healthy older and younger study participants to test meals with varying protein contents. The test meal either had normal protein (16 E% (energy percent) protein, 68 E% carbohydrates) or a high-protein content (HP, 77 E% protein (whey), 17% carbohydrates; 450 kcal each). Postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations were quantified at different timepoints (0, 30, 60, 120, 240 min) using UPLC-MS/MS. Amino acids were grouped into essential (EAA), dispensable (NEAA), and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Time and group differences of amino acid profiles were examined by repeated measures ANOVA and by comparing the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) using Mann-Whitney test. In older (n=40, 72.8±5.05 years) and younger adults (n=30, 25.5±3.94 years), EAA, NEAA and BCAA concentrations increased after both test meals over four hours (all p&lt; 0.005), with a higher increase in response to HP. After the HP meal, significantly higher BCAA and EAA concentrations were found in older adults at 60 min. In addition, iAUC of BCAA, EAA and NEAA was significantly higher only in older participants following HP (all p&lt; 0.05). After a meal containing high amounts of fast-absorbed protein, healthy older adults show higher postprandial amino acid concentrations that might result from delayed tissue uptake. Whereas in response to normal protein content no age-differences were seen.
VALIDATION OF A COMBINED SARCOPENIA AND NUTRITION SCREENING TOOL FOR COMMUNITY-LIVING OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Saffel-Shrier Susan , Covington Amy , Wang Jing 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Malnutrition and sarcopenia are major intersecting conditions of the frailty syndrome. Both have similar symptoms to include reduced energy and protein intake along with losses of muscle and strength. These losses can lead to decreased functionality and independence culminating in poor health outcomes. When both conditions are present, community-living older adults have a potential for a more direct negative health effect. Appropriate screening tools for malnutrition and sarcopenia are frequently underutilized impairing diagnosis and treatment in this population. Furthermore, there is a lack of validated community-based nutrition screening tools compared against the Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam (NFPE), the gold standard for malnutrition diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine if combining two screening tools, the nutrition SCREEN II and sarcopenia SARC-F would yield higher malnutrition diagnostic accuracy compared to using each tool individually. Utilizing the NFPE tool as a reference, the combined SCREEN II plus SARC-F accurately diagnosed malnutrition in 103 participants (84.4%), surpassing the individual diagnoses of 72 (59%) by SCREEN II and 66 (54%) by SARC-F. This result underscores the superior accuracy of the combined tool. The internal consistency reliability of the combined tool, assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, yielded a coefficient of 0.73, indicating satisfactory internal consistency reliability. The convergent validity, assessed using the Phi coefficient, was 0.67, suggesting that the combined scores from the two tools are positively correlated with diagnoses of malnutrition based on the NFPE. These results support utilization of the combined screening tools in diagnosing malnutrition therefore improving the health of older adults.
DISTINCTIVE NEURONAL RESPONSES TO VARIOUS ANTICHOLINERGICS IN THE ACT COHORT HIPSC-DERIVED NEURONS
Authors: Pranoto Inez , Schwarze-Taufiq Tiara , Hui Katherine , Zhu Ruowei , Ogg Jordan , Crane Paul , Gray Shelly , Young Jessica 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Anticholinergic medications remain widely used among older adults despite evidence of safety concerns, including dementia risk. Clinical cohort studies have linked certain anticholinergic classes, such as antidepressants and bladder antimuscarinics, to higher dementia risk. However, distinguishing whether this association stems from individuals’ predisposed conditions or drug-induced neuronal dysfunctions remains challenging. To address this, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (hiPSC-Ns) from participants in the Adult Changes in Thought Study (ACT) aging study. We treated ACT hiPSC-Ns with four anticholinergic classes: antidepressants, antihistamines, bladder antimuscarinics, and antispasmodics. We evaluated drug-induced neuronal responses at a cellular and molecular level by measuring cytotoxicity, synaptic gene expression, and secreted amyloid-beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. We found that exposure to antidepressants and bladder antimuscarinics induced neurotoxicity, while antihistamines and antispasmodics did not compromise cell viability at the concentrations tested. Despite inducing neurotoxicity, antidepressants and bladder antimuscarinic treatments upregulated the expression of various genes involved in synaptic plasticity, synaptic vesicle trafficking/release, and synaptic inhibition. Notably, treatment with a bladder antimuscarinic drug increased the secreted A𝛃-42/A𝛃-40 ratio, indicating a higher production of pathogenic amyloid isoform. Our preliminary findings reveal a consistent elevation in neurotoxicity, synaptic gene expression, and secreted amyloid-beta following exposure to antidepressants and bladder antimuscarinics across hiPSC-Ns from multiple ACT participants. We aim to further investigate the distinct molecular mechanisms of different anticholinergic compounds and their potential impact on declining neuronal functions. Our ongoing investigation provides cellular and molecular evidence to discern the source of dementia risk observed in cohort studies.
ADAPTING A NOVEL BEHAVIORAL TEST TO SCREEN FOR PRECLINICAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN PRIMARY CARE
Authors: Schaefer Sydney , Fauth Elizabeth , Hooyman Andrew , Love Jill 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Most early dementia cases are missed in primary care, due partly to subjective screening (i.e., self-reported concerns, clinician observation). Objective tests (e.g., Mini-Mental Status Exam) are valid but take too long for widespread use in primary care. Extensive research on our qBEANS behavioral test supports that it is sensitive and specific to Alzheimer’s disease pathology, and is prognostic of cognitive and functional decline. This timed test engages motor learning, visuospatial memory, and executive function, involving six trials of 15 repetitions in which patients spoon raw kidney beans to small plastic cups in a sequence; no technology or wearable sensors are required. However, the current version is too long for primary care adoption (~7 minutes). The purpose of this study was to identify the minimum number of trials needed for reliability relative to the original longer version. Forty-eight non-demented participants (mean±SD age: 75.4±7.0 years; 77% female) completed the original version while the duration of each repetition was also recorded. Our reliability threshold was an intraclass correlation (ICC) &gt;0.75. Results indicated that the most reliable shorter version involved only three full (15-repetition) trials (mean completion time = 232 seconds, or 3.85 minutes), 48% faster than the original version (ICC=0.85). While this shorter version is reliable, future work will determine if it is acceptable in primary care settings when administered by medical assistants during the rooming process. Findings also warrant further development of qBEANS as a direct-to-consumer product, given its low cost and ease of administration.
ACTIVOT: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF AN INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE HEALTH-PROMOTING DAILY ACTIVITY
Authors: Klinedinst Tara , Hollman Nicholas , Ciro Carrie , Kendzor Darla 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Nearly half of older adults in the U.S. have multiple chronic conditions in addition to functional limitations that restrict health-promoting daily activity (e.g., sleep, medication-taking, physical activity). We tested an innovative combination of behavioral activation and occupational therapy techniques to improve performance of meaningful, healthy activity. The ActivOT intervention was delivered by occupational therapists in 10 weekly sessions in participant homes. The primary outcome is performance of health-promoting daily activity, measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) at baseline, 10-weeks, and 22-weeks. We report outcome data from 17 participants who were randomized to ActivOT or brief education (n=9 Tx, n=8 Control). On average, participants were 73.0 years old (SD=6.9), majority female (n=13), and White (n=1 Black, n=1 Hispanic/Latino). They had an average of 3.9 chronic conditions (SD=1.4), and 1.9 functional limitations (SD=1.7). The average COPM performance score (out of 10) at baseline was similar for the ActivOT group (M=3.6, SD=1.6) and control group (M=3.3, SD=1.1). At 10-week follow-up, the ActivOT group average increased to 7.0 (SD=1.7) and further increased to 7.2 (SD=1.0) at 22-weeks. In comparison, the control group average increased to 5.9 (SD=2.0) at 10-weeks, then decreased to 5.0 (SD=2.2) at 22-weeks. Further, 89% percent of the ActivOT group reported clinically significant improvements on the COPM (MCID=3). Results show an initial increase in both groups, but the increases are only maintained in the ActivOT group. This study is in progress (aiming for n=40) but shows promise for improving performance of health-promoting daily activity in a difficult-to-treat population.
ATTITUDINAL DISTINCTIONS OF SOLO SEX ENGAGERS AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Steckenrider Janie 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Solo sex gets little attention in the research on sexual activity of older adults as most studies frame definitions around partnered sexual behaviors. This does not reflect the reality of many older adults who lack active sexual partners due to death, dysfunction, or serious illness. When solo sex is included in studies, they rarely go beyond frequency. The aim of this study was to determine how sexually active older adults view solo sex, its importance, and attitude distinctions between solo sex engagers and non-engagers through survey research with a sample over age 60 (N=556). The majority (58%) of older adults engage in solo sex with men more likely (67%) than women (53%). As expected, solo sex engagers are twice as likely to use sexual toys and to be interested in using them if they currently do not. More solo sex engagers (70%) view orgasms as being extremely/very important for a good sexual experience than non-engagers (55%). Positive sexual outlooks correlate with solo sex as 80% of engagers anticipate an unlimited number of future orgasms compared to 65% of non-engagers. The most striking attitude distinction is 72% of engagers believe solo sex can be “great sex” compared to only 39% of non-engagers. Solo sex has psychological and physiological benefits for older adults and this study demonstrates solo sex correlates with positive sexual attitudes. The findings of this study highlight the need for further attention to the importance of solo sex for older adults and how it relates to positive sexual health.
BUFFERING EFFECT OF MARRIAGE ON DAILY WORK STRESS–INFLAMMATION LINK: LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF THE MIDUS STUDY
Authors: Park Jeongmin , Almeida David , Santos-Lozada Alexis 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Aims
This study investigates how frequency of daily work stress predicts inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein levels (CRP), in employed middle-aged and older adults. It explores Relationship Buffering Hypothesis by assessing how marital status and quality of marital relationships moderate this stress-inflammation link. Additionally, it examines role of age and gender. Based on Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory, we hypothesize that relationship buffering will be greater for older workers.

Methods
Data were from Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) waves 2 and 3, samples include 314 employed individuals over 40 (at wave 3), participating in both National Study of Daily Experiences and Biomarker projects. CRP was measured during laboratory visits, whereas daily work stress was computed as the mean of 8-day diary responses of binary stress events at workplace ranging from 0 (not work stressors) to 1 (work stressors every day).

Results
Linear regression revealed that frequent daily work stress predicts higher CRP a decade later, controlling for initial CRP, age, gender, education, and race (B = 4.49, p &lt; 0.01). Marital status (B = -8.35, p &lt; 0.01) and relationship quality among married individuals (B = -1.41, p &lt; 0.05) moderated this relationship. No significant three-way interactions with age or gender were found. Conclusions: The daily work stress-inflammation link varied by status and relationship quality of marriage. Specifically, non-married individuals and those experiencing lower relationship quality within marriage showed a heightened stress-inflammation link, underscoring the protective role of strong marital relationships against stress-induced inflammation, in alignment with the Relationship Buffering Hypothesis.
COMMUNITY-LEVEL SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY IN JAPAN: FINDINGS FROM THE ADACHI COHORT STUDY
Authors: Murayama Hiroshi , Sugiyama Mika , Inagaki Hiroki , Ura Chiaki , Miyamae Fumiko , Edahiro Ayako , Okamura Tsuyoshi , Awata Shuichi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Community-level social capital is known to be associated with various health outcomes, but its impact on mortality is not fully understood. This study examined the association between community-level social capital and all-cause mortality among community-dwelling older Japanese people. The baseline data was obtained from a questionnaire survey for all 132,005 residents aged ≥65 years without long-term care insurance certification in Adachi Ward of the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2015 (75,358 valid responses; mean age 73.8 years; 45.0% males). We measured two aspects of social capital: neighborhood cohesion (trust, attachment, and a sense of belonging) and neighborhood network (neighborly ties). We stratified these into high, medium, and low categories. For community-level social capital, we calculated the proportion of those with high and medium neighborhood cohesion and neighborhood network by 262 administrative areas in Adachi. The study protocol was approved by the IRB. A sex-stratified multilevel survival analysis (average follow-up of 1,656 days), after adjusting for both individual-level and community-level covariates, showed that community-level neighborhood cohesion was negatively associated with all-cause mortality in men (hazard ratios: 0.92 [0.84-1.00] for the highest quintile and 0.91 [0.82-0.99] for the second, compared to the lowest), but not in women. These suggest that for men, who typically have fewer social networks and support systems than women, the benefits of living in a cohesive community may be life-extending. This supports the notion that interventions aimed at enhancing community social capital could be a strategic component in public health efforts to reduce mortality risks, particularly among older men.