bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequence Diversity of the Gene tufA in Coleochaete: An Algal Model for Horizontal Gene Transfer
Authors: Ricker J. M. , Lewandowski J. D. , Delwiche C. F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractStudying the organellar gene transfer of tufA in Coleochaete serves as a model system for understanding the effect of functional horizontal gene transfer on sequence conservation and divergence. Previous work indicates that tufA, which codes for protein synthesis elongation factor TU, is encoded only in the chloroplast genome in most green algae, red algae, and glaucocystophytes, but only in the nuclear genome of embryophytes. In the charophytes, the lineage of green algae that gave rise to embryophytes, tufA is present variously within the chloroplast and/or nuclear genome. This implies that tufA was probably transferred to the nucleus from the chloroplast after the charophytes diverged from other green algae but before the diversification of the group. The chloroplast copy has undergone three separate fates within the charophytes: maintained in Charales, divergent in Coleochaetales, and lost in Zygnematales. Previous research indicates the presence of multiple nuclear copies and a highly divergent chloroplast encoded tufA in Coleochaete orbicularis. This research aims to isolate the chloroplast‐encoded tufA from a representative panel of Coleochaete in order to characterize patterns of conservation in the divergent chloroplast tufA. Putative chloroplast copies of tufA have been isolated through PCR and subsequent molecular cloning. By comparing the DNA sequences from copies of the chloroplast‐encoded tufA from a representative panel of Coleochaete, we hope to gain insight into patterns of sequence conservation and from this infer the current function of the divergent chloroplast tufA.
High Vitamin E Plasma Levels and Low Low‐Density Lipoprotein Oxidation Are Associated with the Absence of Atherosclerosis in Octogenarians
Authors: Cherubini Antonio , Zuliani Giovanni , Costantini Fabrizio , Pierdomenico Sante D. , Volpato Stefano , Mezzetti Andrea , Mecocci Patrizia , Pezzuto Salvatore , Bregnocchi Mario , Fellin Renato , Senin Umberto ,   and the VASA Study Group
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To identify the biological characteristics of older subjects with vascular successful aging (VASA), defined as the absence of instrumental signs and clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis in the extracoronary and coronary vessels.DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study.SETTING: A university‐affiliated outpatient clinic.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty older subjects (30 with VASA and 30 controls with moderate carotid atherosclerosis (AG group)) from a sample of 705 subjects age 75 and older consecutively screened.MEASUREMENTS: Clinical examination; ultrasonographic examination of carotid, vertebral, abdominal aortic, iliac, and femoral arteries; electrocardiogram; and laboratory evaluation (lipid profile, lipophilic antioxidants, and markers of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation).RESULTS: Compared with controls, there were more females in the VASA group (82% vs 50%, P < .01), and fewer previous smokers (20.5% vs 52.5%, P < .01). Vitamin E/total cholesterol levels both in plasma (4.81 vs 3.51 μmol/mmol, P < .001) and in isolated LDLs (2.71 vs 1.86 μg/mg LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C), P < .01), were higher in the VASA group, as was the resistance of LDLs to in vitro oxidation (as indicated by a longer duration of the lag phase: 80.2 vs 65.6 minutes, P < .001). The level of fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation (FPLPs) in native LDLs was lower in the VASA group (13.5 vs 18.8 URF/mg LDL‐C, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only plasma vitamin E level (odds ratio (OR) = 6.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.48–24.63) and FPLPs in LDLs (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.31–0.91) were independently associated with VASA.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an appropriate level of vitamin E and a low level of LDL oxidation might be important for reaching advanced age without developing atherosclerosis.
Assistance with Personal Care Activities Among the Old‐Old in Israel: A National Epidemiological Study
Authors: Walter‐Ginzburg Adrian , Guralnik Jack M. , Blumstein Tzvia , Gindin Jacob , Baruch Modan 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES:The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate rates of difficulty, need for assistance, and receipt of assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) among the old‐old in Israel; (2) describe the living arrangements of the dependent old‐old; and (3) gain insight into the caregiving provided to the disabled members of this population.DESIGN:A random stratified sample of 1,820 subjects age 75 to 94 selected from the National Population Register (NPR), a complete listing of the Israeli population maintained by the Ministry of the Interior. The study sample consisted of Jews living in Israel on January 1, 1989, stratified by age (four 5‐year age groups: 75–79, 80–84, 85–89, 90–94), sex, and place of birth (Europe‐America, Middle East/North Africa, Israel).SETTING:National sample of old‐old Jewish Israelis.PARTICIPANTS:One thousand eight hundred twenty Israelis age 75 to 94 who were living in the community or in institutions at the time of the baseline interview.MEASUREMENTS:Participants' disability status was classified in terms of difficulty with, needing help with, and receiving help with any of five ADLs (washing/bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and eating). Only those receiving assistance from a person (as opposed to a device) were considered to be receiving help. The independent variables used included sociodemographic, health, and social network characteristics of the participants.RESULTS:Twenty‐one percent of those age 75 to 94 were found to be receiving personal assistance with at least one ADL. The most dependent were those age 90 to 94, women, those born in the Middle East or North Africa, and those living in an institution. Among those dependent in one or more ADLs, the overall community:institutionalized ratio was 2.4:1. Those who were dependent in three to five ADLs were about twice as likely to live in an institution as were those who were dependent in one or two ADLs. The Middle Eastern/North African born were more likely to be dependent, and at any given level of disability were more likely to be living in the community with a child and receiving the majority of their caretaking from the informal sector, primarily their family.CONCLUSION:We conclude that the families of disabled older people, particularly the Middle Eastern/North African born, provide a great deal of care for their older relatives despite the availability of a full range of services, providing no evidence of withdrawal of family care when state home and institutional care are available. This finding may imply underutilization of services, which should be investigated further to determine if it is caused by barriers to utilization or by the free choice of the disabled old‐old and their families.J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1176–1184, 2001.
Age‐Related Changes in the Flash Electroretinogram and Oscillatory Potentials in Individuals Age 75 and Older
Authors: Kergoat Hélène , Kergoat Marie‐Jeanne , Justino Lisette 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES:To evaluate whether the inner plexiform layer of the retina is altered during senescence by examining the oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the flash electroretinogram (fERG) in individuals age 75 and older.DESIGN:Cross‐sectional, observational study.SETTING:A university‐based center.PARTICIPANTS:Fifty‐six healthy volunteers (age 20–88 years).MEASUREMENTS:fERGs and OPs were first evaluated in scotopic conditions, following pupillary dilation and dark adaptation, in young (20–32 years; n = 30) and older (75–88 years; n = 26) individuals. Electrical signals were recorded with a Dawson‐Trick‐Litzkow type (DTL) fiber electrode in response to blue and white flashes. Red flashes were subsequently delivered to the test eye for photopic fERG and OP recordings following a period of light adaptation.RESULTS:The amplitude of the a‐ and b‐waves in response to blue and white flashes was significantly decreased in older people and their implicit time was increased. The latency of the a‐ and b‐waves under photopic conditions was also prolonged with senescence, but only the amplitude of the b‐wave was reduced. The amplitude of most OPs recorded under both scotopic and photopic conditions decreased with age, whereas their implicit times were prolonged.CONCLUSIONS:Our results confirm previous findings regarding the age dependency of the fERG a‐ and b‐waves. Furthermore, we provide novel information concerning the detrimental effects of age on the OPs, indicating that the neuronal elements within the inner plexiform layer of the retina are compromised with senescence. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1212–1217, 2001.
Five‐Year Survival of Older People with Anemia: Variation with Hemoglobin Concentration
Authors: Kikuchi Motoo , Inagaki Toshiaki , Shinagawa Nagao 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the significance of low hemoglobin concentration and longevity in older people.DESIGN: Randomized prospective study.SETTING: Nursing home and geriatric hospital ward in a metropolitan welfare center.PARTICIPANTS: Apparently stable older residents from 1990 to 1996.MEASUREMENTS: Survival rates were estimated by statistical analysis. Sixty‐three older subjects with low hemoglobin (Hb<11g/dl) and age/sex‐matched normal controls (Hb≥11g/dl) were observed for 60 months. Scores of activities of daily living (ADLs) did not significantly differ between the two groups. Cerebrovascular disease was the main complication in both, and malignant neoplasms were not apparent initially.RESULTS: After 60 months, the 5‐year survival rate (FSR) of normal controls was significantly higher than that of cases with anemia (P = .0078). FSR was 67% in normal controls and 48% in anemic individuals age 70 to 79. The figures for individuals age 80 to 89 were 62% and 41%, respectively, and for individuals age 90 to 99 were 25% and 13%, respectively, the survival rate significantly decreasing with age in both groups (P < .001). FSR with severe anemia (Hb≤ 8.9g/dl) was 0% in males, and 27% in females. Values for moderate anemia (9.0g/dl to 10.9g/dl) were 25% and 51%, respectively, for normal hemoglobin (11.0g/dl to 12.9g/dl) were 44% and 61%, respectively, and for high hemoglobin (13.0g/dl≤Hb) were 50% and 70%, respectively. Advanced carcinomas were often detected at autopsy in anemic individuals. No death by cancer occurred in normal controls.CONCLUSION: Low hemoglobin concentration predicts early death in nursing home residents. Anemia‐associated conditions that might be life‐threatening risks in older people require further investigation.
The Effect of Middle‐ and Old‐Age Body Mass Index on Short‐Term Mortality in Older People
Authors: Taylor Donald H. , Østbye Truls 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES:To determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) at old age and at age 50 on short‐term survival among persons age 65 and older.DESIGN:Cross‐sectional, using the 4,791 respondents to the community interview of the 1994 National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS).SETTING:United States of America.PARTICIPANTS:Persons age 65 and older who lived in community settings as of the 1994 NLTCS interview.MEASUREMENTS:Short‐term mortality was measured from the date of the 1994 NLTCS through year‐end 1995. BMI (kg/m2) (at three points: 1994 NLTCS, 1 year before, age 50) and all other variables, including three other modifiable risk factors known to be related to mortality—cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise—were based on self‐report.RESULTS:Both the unadjusted and adjusted nadirs of mortality in relation to BMI at old age were found in older persons with a BMI between 30 and 34.9; this was true for males and females in all age groups. The highest mortality rates were found for older persons with very low BMI (<18.5). In contrast, BMI at age 50 was positively related to mortality, with those in the lowest BMI category (<18.5) at age 50 having the lowest mortality. Persons who were obese at age 50 and who were no longer obese at the 1994 NLTCS had lower mortality than persons with stable weight.CONCLUSIONS:Weight reduction by middle‐aged persons who are obese should be reinforced as a public health priority, because there is evidence that long‐term weight loss results in better short‐term survival. Further study of healthy older survivors to determine why they are not harmed by heavier weight in old age may provide useful insights into successful aging.J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1319–1326, 2001.
Pain Assessment and Management in Cognitively Impaired Nursing Home Residents: Association of Certified Nursing Assistant Pain Report, Minimum Data Set Pain Report, and Analgesic Medication Use
Authors: Fisher Susan E. , Burgio Louis D. , Thorn Beverly E. , Allen‐Burge Rebecca , Gerstle John , Roth David L. , Allen Scott J. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the associations between certified nursing assistant (CNA) report of pain, Minimum Data Set (MDS) report of pain, and analgesic medication use in cognitively impaired nursing home residents.DESIGN: Correlational study.SETTING: Three nursing homes in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty‐seven cognitively impaired nursing home residents with a mean Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 11.1.MEASUREMENTS: Pain was assessed using a three‐item proxy pain questionnaire (PPQ), developed by the researchers and administered to the residents' primary CNA. MDS and analgesic medication data corresponding with the time of PPQ data collection were gathered from medical records. Cognitive status was measured with the MMSE.RESULTS: The PPQ elicited substantially higher estimates of pain prevalence than the MDS (48% versus 20%), and the PPQ and the MDS were not well correlated (pain frequency: r = .19, P = .18; pain intensity: r = .22, P = .11). The PPQ was also more strongly associated with analgesic medication use than the MDS. Cognitive status was significantly associated with pain report on the PPQ but not on the MDS. Test‐retest reliability coefficients for the three items of the PPQ were excellent, ranging from .84 to .87 (P≤ .01).CONCLUSIONS: The CNA‐generated PPQ was a more sensitive measure of pain than the MDS for this sample. Although the MDS represents an important step toward systematic and standardized assessment of pain, more emphasis should be placed on multimodal assessment, including CNAs' perceptions and observations about pain experienced by cognitively impaired nursing home residents.
When Home Care Ends—Changes in the Physical Health of Informal Caregivers Caring for Dementia Patients: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Gräsel Elmar 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To verify the change in health variables and parameters of health service utilization in a group of active caregivers for older persons with dementia in comparison with former caregivers who had ceased to provide home care for at least 6 months (death of the patient or institutionalized care).DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study with 1‐year follow‐up. Active and former caregiver groups originated from a sample of active caregivers at baseline.SETTING: Participants were recruited mainly via advertisements placed in two magazines with large, nationwide circulation. The questionnaires were sent on request.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred twenty primary caregivers of dementia patients living in the community. All patients had a medical diagnosis of dementia and had a score of 20 or greater on the mental‐mnestic disturbances factor of the Sandoz Clinical Assessment—Geriatric scale. Their care needs covered at least one of four activities of daily living (personal hygiene, eating, toilet use/excretion, mobility). After 12 months, 681 caregivers were reinterviewed.MEASUREMENTS: The physical complaints were assessed with the 24‐item Giessen Symptom List (subscales: aching limbs, stomach complaints, heart complaints, physical exhaustion). Other key variables were the number of illnesses, number of somatic and psychotropic medications, and number of physician visits.RESULTS: Although the somatic symptoms of the active caregivers (n = 427) remained stable at a high level, they decreased significantly (24%) in the group of former caregivers (n = 121). Simultaneously, the number of visits former caregivers made to physicians almost doubled. The reason why home care was terminated (death or institutionalization) did not influence health variables or health service utilization.CONCLUSION: The physical health of former caregivers improves in the long term once they cease to provide home care. The fact that former caregivers go to the doctor much more frequently is to be interpreted as an indication that they take the time to attend to their own physical and medical needs.
Underestimation of Disability in Community‐Living Older Persons
Authors: Gill Thomas M. , Hardy Susan E. , Williams Christianna S. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: When ascertaining the occurrence of disability, long assessment intervals may be problematic because they do not account for the possibility of recovery or for deaths or losses to follow‐up. Our objective was to compare the rates of disability obtained from single follow‐up assessments with those obtained from monthly assessments for intervals up to 24 months.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: General community.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred fifty‐four nondisabled persons, aged 70 and older, categorized into three groups according to their risk for disability (low, intermediate, and high).MEASUREMENTS: Participants were followed with monthly telephone interviews to determine the occurrence of disability in one or more of four key activities of daily living (ADLs).RESULTS: For each risk group, the rates of disability obtained from monthly assessments of ADL function (cumulative disability) were considerably greater than those obtained from single follow‐up assessments (prevalent disability). These differences in rates increased progressively as the length of the assessment interval increased. For example, the cumulative and prevalence rates of disability in participants in the intermediate risk group were 0.24 and 0.11 at 6 months, 0.36 and 0.20 at 12 months, 0.46 and 0.16 at 18 months, and 0.53 and 0.20 at 24 months, respectively. Although the overall rates were lower, the results for persistent disability, defined as a new disability that was present for at least 2 consecutive months, were similar. Although these differences in rates were attributable almost exclusively to recovery from disability in the first 6 months, they were due increasingly to deaths and losses to follow‐up over the next 18 months, particularly in participants in the high‐risk group.CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of disability is substantially underestimated by longitudinal studies with long assessment intervals. More frequent assessments of functional status could lead to an improved understanding of the course and overall burden of disability in community‐living older persons.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Revaccination: Immunoglobulin G Seroconversion, Persistence, and Safety in Frail, Chronically Ill Older Subjects
Authors: Lackner Thomas E. , G Hamilton Robert , J Hill John , Davey Cynthia , Guay David R. P. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine the 1‐month postpneumococcal polysaccharide‐revaccination immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response, its persistence at 1 year, and tolerability of revaccination in frail, chronically ill older nursing facility residents.DESIGN: Prospective study conducted between December 1998 and July 2000.SETTING: Six skilled nursing facilities in the Minneapolis‐St. Paul, Minnesota, metropolitan area.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty‐seven subjects aged 65 and older having received primary vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) at least 5 years before enrollment.INTERVENTION: Revaccination with one dose of 23‐valent PPV.MEASUREMENTS: Adverse events and concentrations of seven individual pneumococcal polysaccharide type‐specific IgG antibodies (against serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) and their aggregate before and 1 and 12 months after revaccination.RESULTS: A significant increase in all individual and aggregate median antibody concentrations over baseline was observed 1 month after revaccination. However, after 1 year, the increase remained significant only for serotypes 6B and 18C and the aggregate parameter. One month after revaccination, the mean increase in antibody concentration over baseline was significantly greater than 1.4‐fold for six of the seven serotypes and the aggregate. However, the increase was not significantly greater than 1.4 at 1 year for any of the serotypes or the aggregate. Minor, self‐limited localized adverse reactions and systemic reactions occurred in 11.3% of the subjects.CONCLUSIONS: In frail, chronically ill older nursing facility residents, revaccination with 23‐valent PPV at least 5 years after primary vaccination (whether primary vaccination occurred before or after age 65) is associated with a significant, albeit brief, immunological response for most of the serotypes tested. Revaccination was well tolerated.
Role of Facet Joints in Chronic Low Back Pain in the Elderly: A Controlled Comparative Prevalence Study
Authors: Manchikanti Laxmaiah , Pampati Vidyasagar , Rivera Jose , Fellows Bert , Beyer Carla , Damron Kim 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Evaluation of the age related prevalence of persistent low back pain has been estimated to be consistently higher in the elderly compared to the younger population. Facet joints have been shown to be the cause of chronic low back pain in 15% to 45% of the patients in controlled studies. Prevalence of facet joint mediated pain has not been studied in the elderly. The study population consisted of 100 patients. Group I consisted of 50 patients that were 64 years of age or younger. Group II consisted of 50 patients 65 years of age or older. The patients were randomly allocated into 1 of the 2 groups. Facet joints were investigated with diagnostic blocks initially using lidocaine 1% followed by bupivacaine 0.25%, usually 2 weeks apart.The prevalence of facet joint mediated pain was determined to be 30% in the adults and 52% in the elderly, which was significantly higher with a false positive rate of 26% in adults and 33% in the elderly.In conclusion, the results of this study show that facet joint mediated pain is a significant problem in all patients suffering with chronic low back pain with the prevalence of 52% in the elderly and 30% in adults.
Chronic Pain and Self‐efficacy: The Effects of Age, Sex, and Chronicity
Authors: Chong Gary S. , Cogan Dennis , Randolph Patrick , Racz Gabor 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Higher self‐efficacy (SE) is associated with lower pain ratings in chronic pain patients, although longer experience with chronic pain leads to lower SE scores. Self‐efficacy in pain patients does not appear to be clearly related to sex or age, however. This study investigated the effects of gender, age, length of pain experience (chronicity) on SE and pain ratings.Archival data from the records of 187 patient's charts were evaluated for demographic information, chronicity, pain ratings and SE. Analyses found a significant inverse relationship between SE and pain ratings (r = −.22) and lower SE for young adult patients. Results support the conclusion that enhanced SE is an important psychosocial intervention in the treatment of chronic pain patients.