bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EMPOWERING LGBTQ OLDER ADULTS: PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY AND WELL-BEING ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jun , Fredriksen-Goldsen Karen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The population is becoming more diverse in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity across all age groups. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) older adults are found to experience health disadvantages over time. However, there is a lack of research on health-related mechanisms, so it is important to understand the unique needs and resources in these underserved communities. This symposium fills this research gap by examining the factors that affect LGBTQ health trajectories and subgroup differences using a life course developmental framework, the Health Equity Promotion Model (HEPM). The HEPM model highlights historical, social, environmental, and cultural influence on health and well-being and varying adaptations of LGBTQ older adults. The symposium draws on data from the first national and longitudinal study, Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender study, which has been following 2,450 LGBTQ midlife and older adults since 2014. Dr. Nelson will discuss sexual and gender identities and their associations with physical and psychological health-related quality of life. By investigating the interplay between marginalization, health behaviors, and health care access over time, Dr. Fredriksen-Goldsen assesses quality of life over time by gender and generational differences. Dr. Kim will discuss the role of social connectivity and intersectionality in predicting cognitive impairment over time among racially and ethnically diverse LGBTQ older adults. Using a health equity lens, this symposium will shed new light on the ways in which historical and environmental contexts influence human development and how marginalization and resilience shape lives over time. This is a Rainbow Research Group Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.
JGMS EDITOR’S CHOICE ARTICLES OF 2022: BIOLOGIC AND SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL AGING
Authors: Lipsitz Lewis , Cawthon Peggy 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This symposium will present four 2022 “Editor’s Choice” articles from the Journal of Gerontology Medical Sciences that focus on the biological and social influences on cognitive and physical aging. Mercedes Sotos-Prieto and her colleagues, in their article “A Mediterranean Lifestyle and Frailty Incidence in Older Adults: The Seniors-ENRICA-1 Cohort” examine the association between a Mediterranean lifestyle, which included diet, customs, and traditions, and frailty incidence in older adults. Mark Espeland and his colleagues, in “Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: Role of Exposure to Ambient Fine Particles” used unique data from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study to investigate this previously unstudied relationship between racial disparities, ambient fine particle exposure, and risk of Alzheimer’s. “Trans-Ethnic Meta-Analysis of Interactions Between Genetics and Early-Life Socioeconomic Context on Memory Performance and Decline in Older Americans,” written by Jessica Faul and colleagues, examines whether gene regions previously associated with cognitive performance, dementia, and related traits had an interaction with childhood socioeconomic context on memory performance or decline. Lingxiao He and coauthors, in their article, “Prospective Associations of Plasma Growth Differentiation Factor 15 With Physical Performance and Cognitive Functions in Older Adults” examines the relationship between Plasma GDF15, lower-limb physical performance, and global cognitive function in older adults. Our discussant, Peggy Cawthon, will highlight commonalities and lessons learned from these studies.
BIOSOCIAL PATHWAYS AFFECTING HEALTH AND AGING IN THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY
Authors: Klopack Eric , Meier Helen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Representative population studies, like the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), are gathering large amounts of biomarker and multi-omic data. This presents a unique opportunity to investigate how population-level aging effects is driven by social inequality. This research has the capacity to uncover targets for intervention that could result in extending longevity and healthy life span and reducing inequalities in aging. There has been substantial research and progress in identifying biological processes underlying age-related decline, morbidity, and mortality (the so-called biological hallmarks of aging); however, despite this progress, demographic, social, and psychological factors (the so-called social hallmarks of aging) are substantially associated with cognitive aging and ADRD above-and-beyond genetic and biological factors There is, therefore, a need for research that carefully integrates the social and biological hallmarks of the human aging processes. This symposium highlights research that investigates interactions between biological and social processes that lead to inequalities in health and aging among older adults utilizing recently released data from the HRS Venous Blood Study (a nationally representative sample of US adults over age 55). Included are papers investigating the role of timing of childhood adversity in affecting adult DNA methylation patterns, how childhood parental loss is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, how socioeconomic status patterns expression of genes related to inflammation and cellular senescence, and how sets of age-related biomarkers can explain sociodemographic inequalities in mortality. These studies contribute to an emerging literature integrating social and biological sciences to better understand inequalities in the aging process.
SPATIAL PROFILING CELLULAR SENESCENCE IN THE HUMAN BRAIN ACROSS EIGHT DECADES OF LIFE
Authors: Orr Miranda 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Neurons with tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) closely correlate with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression and severity, but do not undergo immediate cell death. Our prior work determined that NFT-bearing neurons undergo a change in cell fate consistent with cellular senescence. CDKN2D/p19 was identified as a key biomarker for identifying senescent neurons in postmortem human AD brain tissue. Studying the interaction between senescent (e.g., p19+/NFT+) neurons and their environments is a necessary next step to understanding how these cells may be impacting their local and synaptically-connected neighboring cells. The goal of this project was to evaluate the expression and subcellular localization of multiple analytes in normal and senescent cells in postmortem mouse and human brains using non-destructive, multi-plex, spatially-resolved profiling methods. Postmortem mouse and human brains were analyzed using NanoString, Inc GeoMx digital spatial profiling (DSP) and CosMx spatial molecular imaging (SMI). Region of interest (ROI) selection included the presence or absence of neuronally expressed AT8 (phosphorylated tau, NFTs) and/or p19 (senescence). NFTs with or without p19 expression were compared to healthy neurons from the same cases. The expression of 86 proteins associated with neuropathology, inflammation, autophagy and cell typing was determined for each ROI and immediate environment using GeoMx. CosMx SMI was used to develop a subcellular expression map of &gt;1000 genes and spatially-resolved cell type map of mouse and human entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. The complete dataset consisted of over 160,000 single cells and ~170 million transcripts, and a spatially-resolved cell type map of mouse brain tissue. Significant differences across biological aging pathways between disease and healthy conditions in both species were identified. Additionally, the results provide insights into which cells are susceptible to senolytic clearing interventions currently underway (NCT04685590).
CONTRACT NURSE STAFFING AND NURSING HOMES: ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES
Authors: Pradhan Rohit , Weech-Maldonado Robert , Banaszak-Holl Jane 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Nursing home (NH) quality has been a matter of long-standing policy interest at the federal and state level, as it concerns the health and well-being of one of our most vulnerable populations. Nurse staffing intensity and skill mix have a consequential impact on NH care quality. Unfortunately, NH staffing has been marked by multitudes of challenges including high levels of turnover and absenteeism. In recent years, the utilization of agency or contract nurse staffing has increased as facilities face persistent staffing shortages exacerbated by COVID-19 which has had a disproportionate and devastating impact on NHs. The literature suggests that agency staffing negatively influences the performance of healthcare organizations due to multiple reasons including unfamiliarity with organizational culture, decline in teamwork, and the attendant high costs attached to contract staffing. However, contract nurse utilization practices and its impact on NH care has not been studied adequately, and much of the limited literature relies on datasets with limited understanding of agency staffing. The overarching goal of this symposium is to explore the antecedents and consequences of the increased utilization of contract nurse staffing. As part of the symposium, we include studies examining NH nursing skill mix and intensity, the organizational and market level factors associated with higher levels of contract staffing, and the impact of nurse contract staffing on NH staff turnover, quality, and financial performance. We believe that this series of studies would have important managerial and policy implications. This is a Research in Quality of Care Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.
THE IMPACT OF CONTRACT NURSE UTILIZATION ON NURSING HOME FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Authors: Ghiasi Akbar , Davlyatov Gani , Pradhan Rohit , Lord Justin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Ensuring the financial viability of NHs is an important policy and managerial concern. The financial sustainability of nursing homes has been threatened in the recent past by high staff turnover, growing competition, low Medicaid reimbursement, and declining occupancy rates. The literature suggests that nurse staffing may have a significant impact on NH financial performance. We examined whether higher ratios of contract nurse use were associated with NHs operating margin. Employing a pooled cross-sectional observational study design, we extracted secondary data from the PBJ nurse staffing, Nursing Home Compare, Healthcare Cost Report Information System (HCRIS) Dataset, RUCA codes, and the ACS for the period 2017-2021. To test the relationship between the ratios of contract nurses and operating margin, we employed multivariate mixed-effects maximum likelihood regression. We ran three separate regressions for RN, LPN, and CNA. Our findings showed that a 10% increase in the contract nurse ratio among RNs, LPNs, and CNAs is associated with a 0.45%, 0.48%, and 0.52% decrease in operating margin, respectively. Our results demonstrate a consistent negative association between the ratio of contract nurses and nursing home operating margin. Our results are consistent with the extant literature with contract nurse staffing said to be significantly more expensive. Considering NHs operate in a financially precarious environment, the increased utilization of contract nurse staffing may pose a further threat to their financial viability, with negative implications for quality and access.
A COMMUNITY-ENGAGED RESEARCH JOURNEY: USING HOME REPAIRS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Filec Sarah , Schechter Gail , Laz Mike , O’Conor Rachel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Homeownership is a primary mechanism to build wealth. The majority of older Chicagoans own their home, but stark racial inequities exist due to discriminatory lending and purchasing practices. Homeownership requires regular maintenance, but low-income older adults are often forced to defer maintenance for financial reasons, which can lead to hazardous living environments, falls, and the need to move. Intuitively, housing conditions play a pivotal role in enabling older adults to continue to live in their home safely, yet few studies have examined the independent benefit of home repairs towards preserving homeownership and improving older adults’ health. In 2019, stakeholders from community based organizations (CBO) and academic researchers convened a partnership identifying shared research goals and priorities focused on the impact of housing support services on older adult health. Over the past four years, we formalized a partnership and through iterative conversations with experts in aging and housing, and older adults with lived experience, our team identified a need to evaluate home repairs and their impact on 1) health outcomes, and 2) preserved homeownership and independent living for older adults. Our team iteratively co-developed a pilot study, with all stakeholders (older homeowners, CBOs, researchers) informing the methodology and research questions. In January 2023, we collectively launched our research pilot to evaluate the impact of a home repair program on health outcomes and homeownership preservation among predominantly Black low-income older adults in Chicago. Together we established a trusted partnership that will continue to address root causes of health inequities of older adults.
POPULATION ATTRIBUTABLE FRACTIONS FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF HEARING LOSS ON DEMENTIA RISK ACROSS COHORT STUDIES
Authors: Smith Jason , Burg Emily , Sharrett A Richey , Reed Nicholas , Lin Frank , Coresh Josef , Deal Jennifer , Ishak Emily 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Estimates range from 2-8% of dementia cases in the US are attributable to hearing loss. Here, we investigate measurement considerations in quantifying the population attributable fraction (PAF) of dementia from hearing loss to highlight how differences in methodology can underestimate the PAF. We use two cohort studies of older adults in the US: the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally-representative sample of older Medicare beneficiaries; and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a large, community-based cohort study with longitudinal follow-up. Each study collects reference-standard hearing measures on participants. We have two specific aims. First, we compare two valid, formula-based approaches to quantifying the PAF. The advantages of quantifying a PAF using a well-characterized, biracial, community-based sample with a longitudinal design are weighed against those of using a nationally-representative sample with a cross-sectional design (moderate or greater hearing loss: PAF in NHATS, 16.9% [95% CI: 4.1-28.7%]; PAF in ARIC, 13.2% [95% CI: 2.2-20.9%]), highlighting the need for longitudinal designs in studies of the PAF from hearing loss. Second, we describe the impact of subjective versus objective measures of hearing loss on the PAF. In ARIC, subjective hearing loss was not associated with incident dementia (hazard ratio &lt;1.0). PAFs of dementia from objective hearing loss were 6- to 8-fold greater than PAFs previously quantified using self-reported hearing measures in population-based studies. Our findings have broad implications for the inclusion of hearing loss as a potentially modifiable risk factor in clinical and public health initiative for dementia prevention.
REDUCING HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA—RESULTS FROM THE GERMAN DEMWG-STUDY
Authors: Wolf-Ostermann Karin , Schmidt Annika , Stiefler Susanne , Altona Janissa , Kratzer Andre , Donath Carolin , Graessel Elmar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
People living with dementia (PlwD) have a high risk of being admitted to hospital, especially in advanced stages of dementia – with often severe negative consequences. The DemWG-study therefore aimed to reduce the number of hospital admissions for long-term care dependent PlwD by a complex intervention - including motor and cognitive training for PlwD and education of caregivers and general practitioners. By means of a cluster randomised longitudinal design, data on hospital admissions as well as quality of life, risk of falls, challenging behaviours and cognitive functioning were assessed in 97 shared-housing arrangement (SHA) in Germany with a total of 341 PlwD at baseline and after a 6 months intervention. Results of the of longitudinal data analysis showed a significant decline in hospital admissions for the intervention period and less challenging behaviours. Quantitative and additionally qualitative data were also collected 12 and 18 months after baseline. Caregivers perceived improved social interaction, which in turn has a positive effect on living together in the SHA. Based on the results and in light of the urgent need for easy to implement non-pharmacological and/or psychosocial therapy approaches recommendations for better care and support can be derived and the intervention can be implemented in everyday practice.
ASSESSING STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF WORKPLACE SAFETY IN NURSING HOMES: ITEM SET DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING
Authors: Zebrak Katarzyna , Yount Naomi , Sorra Joann , Gray Laura , Kirchner Jessica , Campione Joanne 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Workplace safety is important for advancing resident safety and eliminating harm to both nursing home staff and residents. The goal of this study was to develop and test survey items to assess how the organizational culture in nursing homes supports workplace safety for staff. After conducting a literature review and background interviews with nursing home staff and workplace safety experts, we identified important areas of workplace safety culture (i.e., workplace hazards; moving/transferring/lifting residents; inappropriate resident behavior toward staff; interactions among staff; supervisor/management support for workplace safety; workplace safety reporting; and, work stress/burnout) and drafted survey items to assess each area. These draft items were administered with the AHRQ Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) Nursing Home Survey to staff in 48 U.S. nursing homes. We conducted psychometric analysis on data from 2,468 respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis results and internal consistency and site-level reliability coefficients were acceptable for the 18 survey items grouped into 6 composite measures. All composite measures were significantly correlated (p&lt; 0.05) with each other and with the overall rating on workplace safety, indicating adequate conceptual convergence among survey measures. On average, 33% of respondents reported symptoms of burnout. Higher burnout was significantly correlated with lower job satisfaction (rs=-0.42) and greater intent to leave the nursing home (rs=0.37). Nursing homes and researchers can use the Workplace Safety Supplemental Item Set to assess nursing home staff burnout and the dimensions of organizational culture that support staff safety, and to identify both strengths and areas for improvement.
KUAKINI HHP CENTER FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH ON AGING: LATEST FINDINGS FROM MODEL ORGANISMS TO HUMANS
Authors: Willcox Bradley , Allsopp Richard , Martin Peter 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Kuakini Medical Center (Kuakini) was funded by NIH in late 2019 to create an interdisciplinary Hawai’i-based, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), for translational research on aging. This Center is building upon Kuakini’s five-decades of prior NIH-funded research. These resources include clinical data from the 58-year ongoing Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program (HHP), Honolulu-Asia Aging Study, HHP Offspring Study and a large biorepository with over 500,000 biological samples. The Center’s overarching aim is to increase infrastructure for collaborative aging research in Hawaii. The first step is to grow the Center’s faculty by hiring and mentoring research project leaders (RPLs) from diverse disciplines to become independent, R01-funded, investigators on aging. Our first RPL has graduated after obtaining R01-funded status. His project utilizes novel CRISPR methods to i) improve the safety and efficacy of delivering potentially therapeutic genes (such as FOXO3) to the mouse genome, and ii) test whether temporal enhancement of FOXO3 expression improves healthy aging in this mouse model - both key steps for potential translation to human clinical therapies. This work will be highlighted in the Program Overview session followed by current RPL findings. These findings include novel findings on a potential relation between FOXO3 genotype and stroke dynamics in elderly Japanese-American males; venous congestion in the brain and its potential impact on cognitive function; new findings on the Okinawan longevity phenomenon, among other interesting findings related to healthy aging. Supported by NIGMS 5P20GM125526 and NIA R01AG027060.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN ASSOCIATION OF OBJECTIVELY MEASURED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FALLS
Authors: Le Qun , Churchill Linda , Kane Kevin , Chen Lingming , Crouter Scott , Berry Sarah , Hannan Marian , Li Wenjun 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Fall-related injury and hospitalization rates have been steadily increasing by 2% and 4% per year. Physical Activity Guidelines advise older adults to remain physically active to promote muscle strength, bone health, and balance. The Healthy Aging and Neighborhood Study enrolled 379 community-dwelling persons aged 65 years or older in Central Massachusetts (2018-2020). Participant physical activity (PA) levels were measured using waist-worn Actigraphy accelerometers for at least 8 hours per day for 5 or more days including 1 weekend day. Average daily PA intensities were categorized according to minutes of sedentary (SB), light (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) using Copeland cutoffs. Falls, including the circumstances of the fall, were ascertained using monthly falls calendars and follow-up telephone interviews. Negative Binomial Regressions were used to estimate the associations of PA with rates of indoor and outdoor falls. Models were run overall and by race, with all models adjusting for age and gender. Mean age was 73.71(SD:6.41) years, 58.31%(n=221) were female, and 35.62%(n=135) were non-White. There was no significant difference in SB, LPA, and MVPA by race. White race was associated with higher rates of outdoor falls (RR(95% CI)=2.73 (1.51, 4.93)). Every 30 more minutes of MVPA was significantly associated with 25% lower rate of indoor falls (RR(95% CI)=0.74 (0.58, 0.97)) and 42% higher rate of outdoor falls (RR(95% CI)=1.42 (1.04, 1.95)) among non-White but not White (p for interaction=0.03, 0.07, respectively). Socioeconomic factors may explain the differences observed by race. Thus, future investigations should consider socioeconomic when examining indoor and outdoor falls.