bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Families, Social Support, and Self-Care among Older African-American Women with Chronic Illness
Authors: Warren-Findlow Jan , Prohaska Thomas R. 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. This study describes the specific type and extent of social support provided by family members to older African-American women managing chronic disease. Design. Qualitative study with multiple in-depth interviews conducted over a 2-year time period. Setting. Participants were interviewed in their homes in a large Midwestern city. Participants. This was a purposeful study group of 12 middle-aged and older African-American women with diagnosed early-stage heart disease and other comorbidities. Methods. Data were collected on women's beliefs about their heart disease and their descriptions of how family members helped or inhibited their self-care practices. Women's descriptions of family social support were analyzed as to the type and influence. Results. Most women lived in interdependent, multigenerational situations with family members providing: instrumental support; a passive form of informational support based on family history of heart disease that was used to make health comparisons and evaluate heart health; and behavioral support, which emerged, in terms of reinforcement or discouragement of lifestyle behavior changes, as a sometimes significant barrier to practicing chronic illness self-care. Conclusion. These findings, while not statistically representative, demonstrate the significant influence that family members have on older women's chronic illness self-care activities. The positive and sometimes negative effects of living with multiple generations suggest the need for culturally relevant, family-based, chronic illness interventions for African-Americans.
Understanding Barriers to Participation in Mammography by Women with Disabilities
Authors: Barr Judith K. , Giannotti Tierney E. , Hoof Thomas J. Van , Mongoven Jennifer , Curry Maureen 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. The study purpose was to identify barriers to mammography screening among women with different disabilities and to suggest interventions to address barriers. Methods. Forty-two women with self-reported disabilities, ages 40 to 69 years participated. They resided in 24 Connecticut towns, and most had a prior mammogram. Data were collected through six disability-specific focus groups from women with sensory, physical, psychiatric, and cognitive/intellectual impairments. Facilitator-conducted groups used a semistructured guide. Qualitative analysis applied an iterative coding process to generate themes and categories. Results. We identified four themes (i.e., access, beliefs, social support, and comfort/accommodations) and nine subthemes that characterized barriers. In all focus groups, women mentioned physical access and physical comfort/accommodations as types of barriers. Other major subthemes were communication and professional support. Women also described mammography facilitators. Conclusion. Despite frequent use of health care and personal strategies to facilitate mammography screening, women with disabilities reported barriers to getting mammograms. Findings suggest a multifaceted approach to address these barriers.
Cigarette Smoking and Food Insecurity among Low-Income Families in the United States, 2001
Authors: Armour Brian S. , Pitts M. Melinda , Lee Chung-Won 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. To quantify the association between food insecurity and smoking among low-income families. Design and Setting. A retrospective study using data from the 2001 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), a longitudinal study of a representative sample of U.S. men, women, and children and the family units in which they reside. Subjects. Low-income families. Measures. Family income was linked with U.S. poverty thresholds to identify 2099 families living near or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Food insecurity (i.e., having insufficient funds to purchase enough food to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle) was calculated from the 18-core-item food security module of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Current smoking status was determined. Results. Smoking prevalence was higher among low-income families who were food insecure compared with low-income families who were food secure (43.6% vs. 31.9%; p < .01). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking was associated with an increase in food insecurity of approximately six percentage points (p < .01). Conclusions. Given our finding that families near the federal poverty level spend a large share of their income on cigarettes, perhaps it would be prudent for food-assistance and tobacco-control programs to work together to help low-income people quit smoking.
Credit Card Debt, Stress and Key Health Risk Behaviors among College Students
Authors: Nelson Melissa C. , Lust Katherine , Story Mary , Ehlinger Ed 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. To examine cross-sectional associations between credit card debt, stress, and health risk behaviors among college students, focusing particularly on weight-related behaviors. Design. Random-sample, mailed survey. Subjects/Setting. Undergraduate and graduate students (n = 3206) attending a large public university. Measures. Self-reported health indicators (e.g., weight, height, physical activity, diet, weight control, stress, credit card debt). Results. More than 23% of students reported credit card debt ≥ $1000. Using Poisson regression to predict relative risks (RR) of health behaviors, debt of at least $1000 was associated with nearly every risk indicator tested, including overweight/obesity, insufficient physical activity, excess television viewing infrequent breakfast consumption, fast food consumption, unhealthy weight control, body dissatisfaction, binge drinking, substance use, and violence. For example, adjusted RR [ARR] ranged from 1.09 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.17) for insufficient vigorous activity to 2.17 (CI: 0.68–2.82) for using drugs other than marijuana in the past 30 days. Poor stress management was also a robust indicator of health risk. Conclusion. University student lifestyles may be characterized by a variety of coexisting risk factors. These findings indicate that both debt and stress were associated with wide-ranging adverse health indicators. Intervention strategies targeting at-risk student populations need to be tailored to work within the context of the many challenges of college life, which may serve as barriers to healthy lifestyles. Increased health promotion efforts targeting stress, financial management, and weight-related health behaviors may be needed to enhance wellness among young adults.
Worksite-Based Weight Loss Programs: A Systematic Review of Recent Literature
Authors: Benedict Michael A. , Arterburn David 
Published: June 2010

Objective. To update a previous systematic review on the effectiveness of worksite-based weight loss programs. Data Source. The following databases were searched: Medline, PsychINFO, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and LexisNexis. Study Inclusion and Exclusion. Studies were limited to those published in English from 1995 to 2006 to which the following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) worksite intervention, (2) body weight assessed before and after intervention, and (3) study duration of at least 8 weeks. Data Extraction. Data were extracted on the following: study design; funding source; purpose of evaluation; participant and worksite characteristics; type, intensity and duration of intervention; primary and secondary outcomes; and methodological quality. Data Synthesis. Heterogeneity of study designs precluded quantitative data synthesis. Results. We identified 11 randomized controlled trials, most of which focused on education and counseling to improve diet and increase physical activity. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 18 months, with 56% to 100% of subjects completing the studies. The overall methodological quality of the studies was poor. Intervention groups lost significantly more weight than controls, with the mean difference in weight loss ranging from −0.2 to −6.4 kg. Conclusion. Worksite-based weight loss programs can result in modest short improvements in body weight; however, long-term data on health and economic outcomes are lacking. So What? There is a need for rigorous controlled studies of worksite-based interventions that integrate educational, behavioral, environmental, and economic supports.
The Effectiveness of Tailored Feedback and Action Plans in an Intervention Addressing Multiple Health Behaviors
Authors: de Vries H. , Kremers S. P. J. , Smeets T. , Brug J. , Eijmael K. 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. Examine the effects of three iterative tailored feedback letters addressing smoking; physical activity; and fruit, vegetable, and fat intake, and test the additional effects of providing feedback on action plans. Design. A tailored, print-based intervention was developed and tested in a randomized control trial with a posttest after 9 months. Setting. A total of 2827 respondents agreed to participate. They were recruited from a random sample of 35,000 addresses obtained through the Dutch national telephone company. Subjects. The mean age was 49 years, and 55% were female. Intervention. The experimental group received three printed tailored letters, and the control group received three printed generic letters. Respondents from the experimental group randomly received either a third letter with tailored information or tailored information and action-planning feedback. Measures. The questionnaire assessed physical activity; smoking; consumption of fruit, vegetables and fat; motivational determinants; action plans; and demographics. Results. Tailored information resulted in more improvement over time than generic information for the intake of fruit, vegetables, and fat and for physical activity. No differences between the conditions were found for smoking because of high cessation rates in all conditions. Action-planning feedback did not increase the effects. Conclusions. Tailored lifestyle information can be effective for adults in changing nutrition behavior and physical activity.
The Ecological Approach in Health Promotion Programs: A Decade Later
Authors: Kok Gerjo , Gottlieb Nell H. , Commers Matthew , Smerecnik Chris 
Published: June 2010

Purpose. Present a 10-year update of the ecologic model of health promotion published by Richard et al. in the American Journal of Health Promotion in 1996. Approach. We adapted and simplified the model by leaving out settings, focusing on levels, and incorporating interpersonal and individual levels and agents that are in control of environmental conditions. Setting. Health care facilities, schools, workplaces, living environments, and public environments were represented in program descriptions. Participants. Forty-three program coordinators responsible for 47 programs were interviewed in the United States and The Netherlands. Methods. A systematic interview protocol elicited general program descriptions and relevant aspects of the ecologic approach. Program aspects from written reports were coded by the authors into levels, interventions, targets, and strategies. Results. The programs had 234 strategies and 276 targets, with a mean of 2.15 levels. Twenty-seven distinct intervention strategies were identified, with the most common being modification of an organization to which the at-risk individuals belong, followed by policy and community changes. Conclusion. Our data fit the ecologic model and our adaptations and indicate that over the past decade health promotion practice may have changed to include more multilevel programs. Systematic analysis of program strategies within and across environmental levels allows better understanding of the social ecology of health-related behavior and potential leverage points for change.
Skin calcium deposits in primary familial brain calcification: A novel potential biomarker
Authors: Emmi Aron , Bonato Giulia , Tushevski Aleksandar , Bertolin Cinzia , Cavallieri Francesco , Porzionato Andrea , Antonini Angelo , Salviati Leonardo , Carecchio Miryam 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObjectivePrimary Familial Brain Calcification (PFBC) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by small vessel calcifications in the basal ganglia. PFBC is caused by pathogenic variants in different genes and its physiopathology is still largely unknown. Skin vascular calcifications have been detected in single PFBC cases, suggesting that calcium deposition may not be limited to the brain, but it is unknown whether this is a hallmark of all PFBC genetic and clinical subtypes. This work aims at assessing anatomical and subcellular localization of calcium‐phosphate deposits in skin biopsies from PFBC patients to ascertain the accuracy of histological calcium staining in differentiating PFBC from healthy controls (HC) and Parkinson's Disease (PD).MethodsHistopathology and light microscopy of skin biopsy from 20 PFBC, 7 HC and 10 PD subjects (3 mm ø–5 mm deep punch biopsies, Hematoxylin–Eosin and vonKossa staining, immunoperoxidase CD31 staining); clinical, genetic and radiological assessment.ResultsUnlike HC and PD subjects, the majority of PFBC patients (17/20) showed a consistent pattern of granular argyrophilic calcium‐phosphate deposits in the basal lamina and the cytoplasm of CD31+ endothelial cells and pericytes of dermal capillaries, and the basement membrane of sweat glands. This pattern was unrelated to the underlying mutated gene or clinical status.InterpretationSkin biopsy may be a novel PFBC diagnostic tool and a potential biomarker for future therapies, and a tool to investigate PFBC disease mechanisms. Different findings in some patients could be due to skin sampling variability and biological consequences of specific PFBC gene variants.
Lupus Flares: More Common in Dialysis Patients than in Post‐Kidney Transplant Recipients ‐ A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Daoud Ansaam , Dweik Loai , Desai Niraj , Hasni Sarfaraz A. , Pamuk Omer N. 
Published: February 2025

ObjectivesIn this study, we performed a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis to assess the frequency of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) flares in patients with ESRD and patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) (hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplant (KT).MethodsLiterature from 1973 to 2023 was searched for studies on the frequency of lupus flares after RRT. Data were extracted for ESRD and each RRT modality. Forest plots and random effect models were used to evaluate the odds ratios (95% CI) of SLE flares after ESRD or RRT, and study heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.Results57 studies fulfilled the study entry criteria. 29 studies evaluated extra‐renal SLE flares after HD/PD and 5 studies evaluated extra‐renal SLE flares after KT. The frequency of extra‐renal SLE flares was compared between HD and PD in 7 studies, and between HD/PD and KT in 4. The recurrence of lupus nephritis (LN) was analyzed in 29 studies. Overall, 35.9% of patients with ESRD had at least one extra‐renal flare after RRT. The frequency of extra‐renal SLE flare was similar in PD and HD (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.57‐1.94). Extra‐renal flare risk was significantly higher in the PD/HD group compared to KT (OR: 4.36, 95%CI: 1.66‐11.47, p=0.0028). The recurrence of LN after KT was 3.39%.ConclusionsExtra‐renal lupus flares can still occur in more than one‐third of patients with ESRD on RRT. Dialysis patients have a higher flare risk than those post‐KT, with comparable flare risk among patients on HD and PD.
Mucus Physically Restricts Influenza A Viral Particle Access to the Epithelium
Authors: Kaler Logan , Engle Elizabeth M. , Corkran Maria , Iverson Ethan , Boboltz Allison , Ignacio Maxinne A. , Yeruva Taj , Scull Margaret A. , Duncan Gregg A. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPrior work suggests influenza A virus (IAV) crosses the airway mucus barrier in a sialic acid‐dependent manner through the actions of the viral envelope proteins, hemagglutinin, and neuraminidase. However, host and viral factors that influence how efficiently mucus traps IAV remain poorly defined. In this work, how the physicochemical properties of mucus influence its ability to effectively capture IAV is assessed using fluorescence video microscopy and multiple particle tracking. Our studies suggest an airway mucus gel layer must be produced with virus‐sized pores to physically constrain IAV. While sialic acid binding by IAV may improve mucus trapping efficiency, sialic acid binding preference is found to have little impact on IAV mobility and the fraction of viral particles expected to penetrate the mucus barrier. Further, synthetic polymeric hydrogels engineered with mucus‐like architecture are similarly protective against IAV infection despite their lack of sialic acid decoy receptors. Together, this work provides new insights on mucus barrier function toward IAV with important implications on innate host defense and transmission of respiratory viruses.
Nanotechnology in Plant Nanobionics: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Gautam Kajal , Singh Hukum , Sinha A. K. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPlants are vital to ecosystems and human survival, possessing intricate internal and inter‐plant signaling networks that allow them to adapt quickly to changing environments and maintain ecological balance. The integration of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) with plant systems has led to the emergence of plant nanobionics, a field that holds the potential to enhance plant capabilities significantly. This integration may result in improved photosynthesis, increased nutrient uptake, and accelerated growth and development. Plants treated with ENMs can be stress mitigators, pollutant detectors, environmental sensors, and even light emitters. This review explores recent advancements in plant nanobionics, focusing on nanoparticle (NP) synthesis, adhesion, uptake, transport, fate, and application in enhancing plant physiological functioning, stress mitigation, plant health monitoring, energy production, environmental sensing, and overall plant growth and productivity. Potential research directions and challenges in plant nanobionics are highlighted, and how material optimization and innovation are propelling the growth in the field of smart agriculture, pollution remediation, and energy/biomass production are discussed.
Templated Freeze‐Casting for Porous Organic Battery Electrodes with High‐Rate Capabilities
Authors: Vaidyula Rinish Reddy , Kawashima Kenta , Brotherton Zachary W. , Fuller Robert Ferguson , Wang Ziqing , Ellison Christopher J. , Lynd Nathaniel A. , Mullins C. Buddie 
Published: February 2025

AbstractRedox‐active polymer (RAP)‐based organic electrodes offer versatile energy storage solutions across various battery systems. However, effective dispersion of polymer active materials with conductive additives remains challenging, limiting active site accessibility and material utilization. This study introduces camphene (CAMP), a bio‐derived solvent, to fabricate porous organic electrodes through templated freeze casting. Compared to conventional N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP)‐cast electrodes, CAMP‐cast electrodes exhibit superior ion diffusion, lower charge transfer resistance, and enhanced reaction kinetics across three different RAPs. This results in excellent rate capabilities and significant capacity retention even at 20 A g−1 current density. At higher mass loadings (>1.0 mg cm−2), CAMP‐cast electrodes achieve areal capacities of ≈0.15 mAh cm−2 at 0.5 A g−1 over 1000 cycles and maintain more than 80% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 2 A g−1. These findings demonstrate CAMP's potential as an eco‐friendly alternative to NMP for producing high‐performance organic electrodes, offering a sustainable approach to advanced energy storage solutions.
Programmable Liquid Crystal Elastomers Via Magnetic Field Assisted Oligomerization
Authors: Mouhoubi Rakine , Lapinte Vincent , Blanquer Sébastien 
Published: February 2025

AbstractLiquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are highly promising soft actuators due to their ability to undergo significant, rapid, and programmable shape transformations. Achieving this actuation requires precise mesogen alignment before crosslinking. Magnetic field alignment offers an advantage over other techniques as it enables volumetric mesogen alignment. However, magnetic alignment has to be performed in the state where mesogens exhibit anisotropic diamagnetic properties suitable for alignment, typically in the nematic phase. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a stable nematic liquid crystalline mixture before crosslinking, while preventing mesogen recrystallization. To address this challenge, a method using a magnetic field assisted thio‐Michael polyaddition followed by the photo‐crosslinking of liquid crystal oligomers (LCOs) is presented. This process is straightforward and allows the synthesis of magnetically aligned high molecular weight LCOs, which maintain a nematic phase before crosslinking. By applying different magnetic field orientations during the polyaddition, three distinct LCE networks are synthesized, each demonstrating unique reversible deformation behaviors, including radial contraction and expansion, thickness contraction, and bending. The potential of this approach is further demonstrated with LCE‐based four‐leaf clovers exhibiting selective and reversible large‐angle bending deformation, despite the high thickness of the material. This simple approach should help researchers in various fields looking for a practical and versatile method for designing robust LCE actuators.
Bacteria‐Derived Carbon Composite Anode for Highly Durable Lithium‐Ion Storage Enabled by Heteroatom Doping and Pore Construction
Authors: Sun Jie , Li Ping , Cheng Zhongling , Tang Cheng , Du Aijun , Zhang Haijiao 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBacteria‐derived carbon anode materials have shown appealing potential for advanced energy storage applications due to their low cost and good sustainability. However, the few intrinsic defects, sluggish transmission dynamics, and low capacity become the main bottleneck for their further development. Herein, the study designs a highly B, N co‐doped mesoporous carbon (BNMC)/staphylococcus aureus‐derived carbon (SAC) composite via a facile assembly route, followed by boron‐doping. Enabled by heteroatom doping and pore construction, the resulting BNMC/SAC anode for lithium‐ion batteries demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 621.77 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 even after 500 cycles, and an excellent rate performance of 405.14 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1. Importantly, in situ/ex situ characterizations and theoretical simulation results further unveil that high B, N co‐doping along with a small amount of P doping can significantly increase the intrinsic defects of BNMC/SAC, thus providing more active sites for lithium‐ion storage. Furthermore, these structural features are conducive to improving the interfacial stability of the whole electrode, achieving a thin and uniform SEI film. The multi‐component co‐doping strategy along with pore engineering presents a scalable approach for enhancing the interfacial stability and transfer dynamics of carbon‐based electrode materials for low‐cost energy storage.