bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predisposing Factors and Precipitants for Bathing Disability in Older Persons
Authors: Gill Thomas M. , Han Ling , Allore Heather G. 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To identify potential predisposing factors and precipitants for bathing disability.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: Greater New Haven, Connecticut.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred fifty‐four community‐living residents aged 70 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Potential predisposing factors were measured every 18 months for 6 years during comprehensive home‐based assessments. Participants were followed with monthly telephone interviews for a median of 61 months to ascertain exposure to potential precipitants, which included illnesses and injuries leading to hospitalization or restricted activity, and to determine the occurrence of persistent disability in bathing.RESULTS: Over the course of nearly 8 years, 333 (44.2%) participants developed persistent disability in bathing. After accounting for age, sex, and race, nine predisposing factors were independently associated with persistent bathing disability. The strongest associations were found for inability to rise from a chair, low bathing self‐efficacy, and low physical activity, each of which more than doubled the risk of persistent bathing disability. After the potential precipitants were added to the final model, the associations between the predisposing factors and persistent bathing disability were only modestly diminished. The effects of the precipitants on persistent bathing disability were large, with multivariable hazard ratios of 24.6 for hospitalization and 3.01 for restricted activity only. The relative contributions of the predisposing factors and precipitants to the development of persistent bathing disability were 47.7% and 27.1%, respectively.CONCLUSION: Disability in bathing is attributable to a combination of predisposing factors that make community‐living older persons vulnerable and intervening illnesses or injuries that act as precipitants. These factors and precipitants may be suitable targets for the prevention of bathing disability.
Influence of Comorbid Conditions on Long‐Term Mortality After Pneumonia in Older People
Authors: Yende Sachin , Angus Derek C. , Ali Ibrahim Sultan , Somes Grant , Newman Anne B. , Bauer Douglas , Garcia Melissa , Harris Tamara B. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. ,   for the Health ABC Study
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that increased long‐term mortality after hospitalization for community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is independent of comorbid conditions.DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study in metropolitan areas.SETTING: Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand seventy‐five subjects aged 70 to 79 over 5.2 years.MEASUREMENTS: Unadjusted and adjusted mortality from an initial hospitalization for CAP were compared with mortality from different causes of hospitalization, including cancer, fracture, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and other causes. Demographics, smoking, nutritional markers, functional status, inflammatory markers, and chronic health conditions were adjusted for.RESULTS: Of the 106 subjects hospitalized for CAP, 22 (20.8%) and 38 (35.8%) died at 1 and 5 years. Subjects hospitalized with CAP had higher mortality than nonhospitalized subjects (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=7.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.2–14.4). One‐ and 5‐year mortality after CAP hospitalization were higher than mortality from other causes requiring hospitalization and remained unchanged in multivariable analysis (adjusted OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.5–8.1; adjusted OR=5.6, 95% CI=2.8–11.2, respectively). One‐ and 5‐year mortality after hospitalization for CAP were similar to or higher than mortality after an initial hospitalization for CHF, CVA, or fracture. Rehospitalization was common in subjects hospitalized for CAP and may explain greater long‐term mortality.CONCLUSION: In this high‐functioning cohort of older persons, an initial hospitalization for CAP was associated with greater long‐term mortality, independent of prehospitalization comorbid conditions. Hospitalization for CAP has as serious a prognosis as hospitalization for CHF, stroke, or major fracture.
Protective Association Between Neighborhood Walkability and Depression in Older Men
Authors: Berke Ethan M. , Gottlieb Laura M. , Moudon Anne Vernez , Larson Eric B. 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between neighborhood walkability and depression in older adults.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analysis using data from Adult Changes in Thought (ACT), a prospective, longitudinal cohort study.SETTING: King County, Washington.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred forty randomly selected men and women aged 65 and older, cognitively intact, living in the same home for at least 2 years.MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The Walkable and Bikable Communities Project provided objective data predicting the probability of walking at least 150 minutes per week in a particular neighborhood. ACT data were linked at the individual level via a geographic information system to this walkability score using buffer radii of 100, 500, and 1,000 meters around the subject's home. Multiple regression analysis tests were conducted for associations between the buffer‐specific neighborhood walkability score and depressive symptoms.RESULTS: There was a significant association between neighborhood walkability and depressive symptoms in men when adjusted for individual‐level factors of income, physical activity, education, smoking status, living alone, age, ethnicity, and chronic disease. The odds ratio for the interquartile range (25th to 75th percentile) of walkability score was 0.31 to 0.33 for the buffer radii (P=.02), indicating a protective association with neighborhood walkability. This association was not significant in women.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant association between neighborhood walkability and depressive symptoms in older men. Further research on the effects of neighborhood walkability may inform community‐level mental health treatment and focus depression screening in less‐walkable areas.
Augmenting Immune Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Tai Chi
Authors: Irwin Michael R. , Olmstead Richard , Oxman Michael N. 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a behavioral intervention, Tai Chi, on resting and vaccine‐stimulated levels of cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and on health functioning in older adults.DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial with allocation to two arms (Tai Chi and health education) for 25 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, subjects were vaccinated with VARIVAX, the live attenuated Oka/Merck VZV vaccine licensed to prevent varicella.SETTING: Two urban U.S. communities between 2001 and 2005.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 112 healthy older adults aged 59 to 86.MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was a quantitative measure of VZV‐CMI. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36).RESULTS: The Tai Chi group showed higher levels of VZV‐CMI than the health education group (P<.05), with a significant rate of increase (P<.001) that was nearly twice that found in the health education group. Tai Chi alone induced an increase in VZV‐CMI that was comparable in magnitude with that induced by varicella vaccine, and the two were additive; Tai Chi, together with vaccine, produced a substantially higher level of VZV‐CMI than vaccine alone. The Tai Chi group also showed significant improvements in SF‐36 scores for physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health (P<.05).CONCLUSION: Tai Chi augments resting levels of VZV‐specific CMI and boosts VZV‐CMI of the varicella vaccine.
The Relationship Between the Action of Arginine Vasopressin and Responsiveness to Oral Desmopressin in Older Men: A Pilot Study
Authors: Johnson Theodore M. , Burridge Andrea , Issa Muta M. , Miller Myron , Tang Terence , Ouslander Joseph G. 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To identify whether oral desmopressin (ddAVP) reduced nocturnal urine volume (NUV) in older men with nocturia without obvious bladder outlet obstruction and to determine whether deficiencies in arginine vasopressin (AVP) release and action demonstrated using water deprivation testing predicted responsiveness to ddAVP.DESIGN: Participants had a 2‐day Clinical Research Center (CRC) evaluation followed by a double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial of individually titrated oral ddAVP.SETTING: Participants were from a single Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.MEASUREMENTS: Maximum urine osmolality and percentage increase in osmolality were measured after subjects received aqueous vasopressin as part of the overnight water deprivation study; these data were used to categorize participants as normal, having partial central AVP deficiency, or having impaired renal responsiveness to AVP. Response to ddAVP was assessed using data from frequency‐volume records.RESULTS: Fourteen participants completed the CRC stay and ddAVP trial. Subjects given ddAVP reduced NUV significantly from baseline (P=.02) and had significantly lower NUV than when on placebo (P=.01). The mean net reduction in NUV from ddAVP compared to placebo was 14±18%. Using water deprivation testing to categorize participants, 10 were normal, two had partial central AVP deficiency, and two had impaired renal responsiveness. The mean net reduction in NUV for those with abnormal water deprivation tests was 11±25%, versus 15±16% for those with normal water deprivation testing (P=.70).CONCLUSION: In this small randomized, controlled trial in older men with nocturia, ddAVP reduced NUV. Counter to expectations, participants deemed normal according to water deprivation tests had approximately equivalent responsiveness to ddAVP. Although this study cannot offer definitive conclusions on the lack of prediction of water deprivation testing for ddAVP benefit, these data offer additional information that may help clarify the pathophysiology and optimal treatment of nocturia in older men.
Farmer management of production risk on degraded lands: the role of wheat variety diversity in the Tigray region, Ethiopia
Authors: Di Falco Salvatore , Chavas Jean‐Paul , Smale Melinda 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article investigates the effects of wheat genetic diversity and land degradation on risk and agricultural productivity in less favored production environments of a developing agricultural economy. Drawing production data from a household survey conducted in the highlands of Ethiopia, we estimate a stochastic production function to evaluate the effects of variety richness, land degradation, and their interaction on the mean and the variance of wheat yield. Ethiopia is a center of diversity for durum wheat and farmers manage complex variety mixtures on multiple plots. Econometric evidence shows that variety richness increases farm productivity. Variety richness also reduces yield variability but only for high levels of genetic diversity. Simulations with estimated parameters illustrate how planting more diverse durum wheat varieties on multiple plots contribute to improving farmer's welfare.
Farm‐gate tomato price negotiations under asymmetric information
Authors: Jaleta Moti , Gardebroek Cornelis 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article provides an empirical analysis of farm‐gate tomato price negotiations under asymmetric information. Regression models are estimated to analyze when and by how much sellers stick to their initial ask prices and what explains the variation in the initial ask–offer price spread. Detailed information on 66 farm‐gate tomato transactions and daily tomato wholesale price data from the central vegetable market in Addis Ababa are used for the analysis. Estimation results show that farmers are less committed to their initial ask price when the buyer speaks out the transaction price first, when their quality perceptions of the tomatoes being transacted differ from those of the buyers, and when their tomato farm is at a large distance from the main road. Sellers stick more to their initial ask price when they know that the central market price is high. The initial ask–offer price spread decreases when the buyer speaks out the initial negotiation price first, but increases in the difference in quality perception between buyer and seller, and in the quantity of tomatoes being transacted.
Hedging dairy production losses using weather‐based index insurance
Authors: Deng Xiaohui , Barnett Barry J. , Vedenov Dmitry V. , West Joe W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article proposes a temperature–humidity index insurance product and examines whether this product can effectively protect against the risk of reduced milk production caused by heat stress. Results suggest that even when premiums are at higher than actuarially fair levels and the insurance purchaser is faced with both spatial and temporal basis risks, a temperature–humidity index insurance product would provide risk management benefits to a representative south‐central Georgia dairy producer.
Unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation after non‐myeloablative conditioning for patients with high‐risk multiple myeloma
Authors: Bruno Benedetto , Sorasio Roberto , Patriarca Francesca , Montefusco Vittorio , Guidi Stefano , Busca Alessandro , Scimé Rosanna , Console Giuseppe , Milone Giuseppe , Marotta Giuseppe , Dominietto Alida , Giaccone Luisa , Rotta Marcello , Falda Michele , Bacigalupo Andrea , Bosi Alberto , Corradini Paolo , Fanin Renato , Pollichieni Simona , Boccadoro Mario ,   Gruppo Italiano Trapianto Midollo Osseo (GITMO)
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:  Allografting induces long‐term molecular remissions and possibly cure in myeloma patients. The development of non‐myeloablative conditionings has reduced the transplant‐related mortality (TRM) associated with myeloablation and extended the eligible age for transplantation. Moreover, high response rates are reported especially when allografting is preceded by cytoreductive high‐dose chemotherapy. We investigated the feasibility of unrelated donor non‐myeloablative transplantation as either part of the initial treatment plan or as salvage treatment in heavily pretreated patients.Methods:  Twenty‐two patients underwent non‐myeloablative allografting, 10 as part of their initial treatment and 12 at relapse. Donors were matched for HLA‐A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 by high‐resolution typing. Only one single class I allele disparity was allowed. Conditioning consisted of fludarabine 90 mg/m2 and 2 Gy total body irradiation. Graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil.Results:  All patients except two (91%) readily engrafted. After a median follow‐up of 20 (10–30) months, incidences of grade II‐IV acute and extensive chronic GVHD were 50% and 61%. Overall response (OR) was 55%, with four (20%) complete and seven (35%) partial remissions. However, in patients allografted up‐front OR was 89% whereas in the heavily pretreated group OR was 27% (P = 0.01). Two‐year overall and event‐free survivals were both 79% in the group transplanted up‐front and 27% and 25% among relapsed patients (P = 0.025 and P = 0.006, respectively). Overall, six patients died of TRM and three of disease progression.Conclusions:  Unrelated donor non‐myeloablative allografting is feasible in myeloma. Disease control appears more pronounced when patients are treated soon after diagnosis.
Land‐use effects on soil macro‐ and micronutrient status in tropical lowland zone of Bolivia
Authors: Abe Susumu Shin , Yamamoto Sadahiro , Masunaga Tsugiyuki , Endo Tsuneyoshi , Wakatsuki Toshiyuki , Honna Toshimasa 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe present study investigated macro‐ and micronutrient status in the soils under the native forest (NF), cropland (CL) and rangeland over 27 years in Colonia Okinawa, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in order to assess the effect of land use on soil fertility in the region. The C, N and P pools in the soil of CL were less by 60, 57 and 27% as compared to NF, respectively. The rangeland with Panicum maximum (RG) showed almost similar values of C, N and P pools to CL, while the values in the rangeland with Paspalum notatum (RB) were relatively closer to NF. Mehlich‐3 extractable P, Ca and Mg considerably declined in CL, RG and RB, but an inverse trend was observed in Mehlich‐3 extractable K probably due to the stimulation of weathering of illite in the soil. Mehlich‐3 extractable Mn, Fe and Cu were tended to increase in RG and RB, which suggested possible accumulation of these metals because of the manure deposited by grazing cattle on the rangelands. Besides C, N and P pools, the values of Mehlich‐3 extractable K, Mn, Fe and Zn were less in RG than RB because of greater exploitation of these nutrients in RG than RB. There was a significant correlation between C, N, P, Ca, Mg and Zn suggesting that the dynamics of these components could be associated with the organic matter in the soil. The findings of this study clarified the soil chemical degradation in the cropland and rangeland. However, the magnitude of the land chemical deterioration under the rangeland was highly variable depending on the grass species.
Grassland degradation in China: Methods of monitoring, management and restoration
Authors: Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Kawamura Kensuke 
Published: February 2007

AbstractGrasslands in China cover nearly 4 million km2, more than 40% of its total land area. Grasslands play an important role in livestock farming and environmental conservation. In spite of numerous efforts that have been undertaken to arrest land desertification in China, grassland degradation is advancing over wide areas through overgrazing, cropland misuse and unregulated collection of fuel and medical plants. This review presents specific examination of the present situation of grassland desertification in China, and discusses mechanisms of grassland degradation. Assessments of desertification since the 1980s are introduced, and its expanse and extent are discussed. Many scientists admit that both are causes, but two contradicting arguments surround the main cause of desertification, with one citing natural origins such as climate change, and the other pointing to anthropogenic factors such as overgrazing. Trials for clarifying mechanisms of grassland degradation are attempted from the perspective of water and energy dynamics. In addition, causes and measures of moving sand dunes and sandstorms are also discussed. For elucidation of the mechanisms of grassland degradation, the grassland ecosystem functions must be considered. Among the proposals, a mathematical approach and measurement of spectral reflectance are some new methods that are effective for assessing those functions. Measurements of soil respiration under altered grazing intensities are also useful to examine prospects in the event of global climate change. Several technologies for grassland diagnosis have been developed to arrest grassland deterioration. Indicator plant species have been determined according to grassland types. Relations of grazing pressure and species distribution have been quantified. Several measures for restoration of degraded grasslands are proposed as the next step of development in this field, including agro‐ecological measures. A promising tool for grassland monitoring is the use of remote sensing in conjunction with geographic information systems. Accurate and real‐time monitoring and management of grasslands have become increasingly feasible through sensor improvement in satellite and geographic information systems generalization in recent years.
Digital analysis of ulnar trochlear notch sclerosis in Labrador retrievers
Authors: Burton N. J. , Comerford E. J. , Bailey M. , Pead M. J. , Owen M. R. 
Published: February 2007

Objectives:To compare ulnar trochlear notch bone radiopacity in Labrador retrievers with and without fragmented medial coronoid process using quantitative analysis of film density on digitised radiographs.Methods:Mediolateral view elbow radiographs from Labrador retrievers (n=34) aged between six and 18 months were obtained and digitised. Images from dogs with an arthroscopic diagnosis of fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (n=17) were compared with that of a control population (n=17), and this data subject to statistical analysis.Results:A statistically significant relationship between the presence of increased trochlear notch radiopacity and a fragmented medial coronoid process was identified. Fractional analysis of this area shows the region of greatest difference in radiopacity between normal and fragmented medial coronoid process cohorts to be in the trochlear region of the medial coronoid process of the ulna. A decrease in radiopacity values in the dysplastic group versus the normal cohort was observed for the region of the proximo‐caudal ulnar trochlear notch.ClinicalSignificance:An increase in ulnar trochlear notch radiopacity is a finding associated with fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in Labrador retrievers.
First‐episode psychosis patients recruited into treatment via early detection teams versus ordinary pathways: course, outcome and health service use during first 2 years
Authors: Johannessen Jan O. , Friis Svein , Joa Inge , Haahr Ulrik , Larsen Tor K. , Melle Ingrid , Opjordsmoen Stein , Rund Bjørn R. , Simonsen Erik , Vaglum Per , McGlashan Thomas 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim:  Within an early detection sector, to compare the 1‐ and 2‐year course and outcome of first‐episode psychosis patients coming into the treatment system via active outreach detection teams (DTs) versus those achieving help via ordinary referral channels (not‐DT).Methods:  Longitudinal, comparative study of two parallel consecutive samples using structured clinical interview for the DSM‐IV, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Score, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and Premorbid Assessment of Functioning Scale.Results:  The DT group had significantly better functioning at baseline, but this was reversed after 3 months. At 2 years the groups had similar outcome. The DT group developed a more serious diagnostic pattern, had more cases of schizophrenia, and was more frequently treated on an outpatient basis only.Conclusions:  The DTs recruited more chronic patients with poorer prognostic features, but fewer symptoms and better functioning at baseline. At 2 years the DT‐patients did as well as the not‐DT patients. They recovered more slowly, but given sufficient time, responded as well to therapy as the not‐DT group.