Geriatrics Commons^™

Arginase 1 Insufficiency Precipitates Amyloid-Β Deposition And Hastens Behavioral Impairment In A Mouse Model Of Amyloidosis, Chao Ma, Jerry B. Hunt, Maj-Linda B. Selenica, Awa Sanneh, Leslie A. Sandusky-Beltran, Mallory Watler, Rana Daas, Andrii Kovalenko, Huimin Liang, Devon Placides, Chuanhai Cao, Xiaoyang Lin, Michael B. Orr, Bei Zhang, John C. Gensel, David J. Feola, Marcia N. Gordon, Dave Morgan, Paula C. Bickford, Daniel C. Lee

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) includes several hallmarks comprised of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, tau neuropathology, inflammation, and memory impairment. Brain metabolism becomes uncoupled due to aging and other AD risk factors, which ultimately lead to impaired protein clearance and aggregation. Increasing evidence indicates a role of arginine metabolism in AD, where arginases are key enzymes in neurons and glia capable of depleting arginine and producing ornithine and polyamines. However, currently, it remains unknown if the reduction of arginase 1 (Arg1) in myeloid cell impacts amyloidosis. Herein, we produced haploinsufficiency of Arg1 by the hemizygous deletion in myeloid cells using Arg1 …

Lat1 Protein Content Increases Following 12 Weeks Of Resistance Exercise Training In Human Skeletal Muscle, Paul A. Roberson, Christopher Brooks Mobley, Matthew A. Romero, Cody T. Haun, Shelby C. Osburn, Petey W. Mumford, Christopher G. Vann, Rory A. Greer, Arny A. Ferrando, Michael D. Roberts

Physiology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Amino acid transporters are essential for cellular amino acid transport and promoting protein synthesis. While previous literature has demonstrated the association of amino acid transporters and protein synthesis following acute resistance exercise and amino acid supplementation, the chronic effect of resistance exercise and supplementation on amino acid transporters is unknown. The purpose herein was to determine if amino acid transporters and amino acid metabolic enzymes were related to skeletal muscle hypertrophy following resistance exercise training with different nutritional supplementation strategies.

Methods: 43 college-aged males were separated into a maltodextrin placebo (PLA, n = 12), leucine (LEU, n = 14), …

Dystrophic Microglia Are Associated With Neurodegenerative Disease And Not Healthy Aging In The Human Brain, Ryan K. Shahidehpour, Rebecca E. Higdon, Nicole G. Crawford, Janna H. Neltner, Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Ela Patel, Douglas Price, Peter T. Nelson, Adam D. Bachstetter

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

Loss of physiological microglial function may increase the propagation of neurodegenerative diseases. Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging; thus, we hypothesized age could be a cause of dystrophic microglia. Stereological counts were performed for total microglia, 2 microglia morphologies (hypertrophic and dystrophic) across the human lifespan. An age-associated increase in the number of dystrophic microglia was found in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. However, the increase in dystrophic microglia was proportional to the age-related increase in the total number of microglia. Thus, aging alone does not explain the presence of dystrophic microglia. We next tested if dystrophic microglia could …

On Wisdom, Gerontology, And Personal Aging: Through A Looking Glass, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Personal discussion on the perspective of aging and teaching more interiority and self-reflection in the field of gerontology.

Leading From The Middle, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

A reminiscent farewell to colleagues and the Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA) as Edward F. Ansello, Ph.D., retires as Director of VCoA.

Actively Engaging With Virginia Center On Aging’S Retired Community, Leland "Bert" Waters

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

VCU is the receiver of an Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network designation in June 2021. The Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC) maintains a diverse team, including those who make "mid/late-career" changes into the Gerontology field. Bert Waters gives examples and history on some who make up this diverse team.

Metabolic Syndrome And How To Fight It, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The health condition Metabolic Syndrome is becoming increasingly prevalent. To combat this, dietary improvements and incorporating movement into our daily routines are the basics suggested.

Strengthening Capacities To Respond To Dementia With Lifelong Disabilities: Using The Project Echo Model, Edward F. Ansello

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To discuss the need for interprofessional training about aging with lifelong disabilities and dementia.

2. To demonstrate the continuing heterogeneity among adults growing older with these conditions.

3. To report the relevance of the Project ECHO model as a means of collaborative training and practice improvement.

Lucy Corr Dental Clinic: Addressing Dental Needs Of Uninsured Older Adults, Patricia B. Bonwell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Discuss the critical importance of oral health and the oral-systemic relationship in older adults.

2. Describe how dental insurance determines receipt of dental treatment in older adults.

3. Share how the Lucy Corr Dental Clinic (LCDC) increases access to dental care for uninsured older adults.

4. Describe valuable collaborations with community foundations, the Virginia Dental Association, and Virginia Commonwealth University that enable the success of the LCDC.

The Vcu Nursing Home Echo, A Member Of The National Covid-19 Action Network, Bert Water, Kimberly Ivey, Annie Rhodes, Christian Bergman, Daniel Bluestein, Jenni Mathews, Laura Finch, Shannon Arnette, Joanne Coleman, Maddie Mcintyre, Tara Rouse

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To demonstrate the tremendous impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.

2. To discuss the need for continuous, current, interprofessional education of both administrative and clinical staff within long-term care facilities.

3. To discuss the value of building interconnective and interprofessional relationships between both academic health science centers and nursing homes.

Improving Guardianship Practices Through Collaborative Stakeholder Action, Erica Wood, Shasta Douglass

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the purpose of adult guardianship and its effect on fundamental rights.

2. Explain the need for guardianship reform, the obstacles to reform, and what issues need attention in Virginia.

3. Discuss the purpose of state Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) and the creation and accomplishments of Virginia WINGS.

4. Review cases in which a WINGS pilot project supported the needs and rights of adults with guardians.

Spreading Encouragement To Seniors In A Pandemic, Bonnie L. Rogulj, Lashia Hicks

Physical Therapy Collection

This brief note describes a "virtual calendar" project created by students of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The calendar of images and poetry was shared with older adult community members to reduce loneliness and increase mental health and wellness in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using The Memorial Sloan Kettering Frailty Index To Identify Patients At High Risk For Postoperative Intensive Care Unit Admission, Specialized Advanced Care Unit Admission, And 30-Day Readmission, Timothy J. Donoghue

Theses and Dissertations

Frailty is roughly defined as an accumulation of physiological, emotional, cognitive, and social deficits that impair a person’s response to stressful events. A frailty diagnosis has been associated with poor outcomes following surgical procedures. Cancer surgical patients aged 65 or older represent a vulnerable population susceptible to being frail and the potential associated complications that can accompany frailty. Measuring frailty is an objective risk assessment that identifies increased risk better than age or American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) score such that frailty can independently predict poor surgical outcomes.

Frailty is not specifically a result of having cancer, disability, …

Interdisciplinary Community-Based Support For Caregivers Of Individuals Living With Dementia, Gina Tucker-Roghi, Jamie Escoubas, Renee Tolliver, Sarah Tucker

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Evidence indicates family caregivers of individuals living with dementia (ILwD) are at risk for diminished physical and mental health; which may decrease their quality of life and directly impact their ability to provide care. An interdisciplinary approach to self-care and skill-building for caregivers is provided in a virtual support group offered by Council on Aging in Sonoma County, CA. As part of the nonprofit’s Adult Day Program, the group is offered to client caregivers and has two goals: First, creating a communitybased, long-term support system for ILwD who are agingin-place; second, fostering a safe and supportive community for family caregivers, …

A Weight-Loss Intervention Augmented By A Wearable Device In Rural Older Adults With Obesity: A Feasibility Study, John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew L. Clark, Summer B. Cook, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Rima I. Al-Nimer, Dawna Pidgeon, David Kotz, Todd A. Mackenzie, Stephen J. Bartels

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background

Older persons with obesity aged 65+ residing in rural areas have reduced access to weight management programs due to geographic isolation. The ability to integrate technology into health promotion interventions shows a potential to reach this underserved population. Methods

A 12-week pilot in 28 older rural adults with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) was conducted at a community aging center. The intervention consisted of individualized, weekly dietitian visits focusing on behavior therapy and caloric restriction with twice weekly physical therapist-led group strengthening training classes in a community-based aging center. All participants were provided a Fitbit Flex …

Validity, Reliability, And Measurement Error Of A Sit-To-Stand Power Test In Older Adults: A Pre-Registered Study, Anoop T. Balachandran

Publications and Research

Objectives: Lower body power declines with age and is associated with decreased physical function in older adults. However, the majority of the tools available to measure power are expensive and require considerable space and expertise to operate. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and measurement error of a sit-to-stand power test (STSp) to assess lower body power. Methods: 51 community-dwelling adults, 65 years or older, completed a power test using a pneumatic leg press (LP), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) that includes a test of balance, usual walking speed, and chair stand tests; Timed …

New Evidence For P-Gp-Mediated Export Of Amyloid-Β Peptides In Molecular, Blood-Brain Barrier And Neuronal Models, Amanda B. Chai, Anika M. S. Hartz, Xuexin Gao, Alryel Yang, Richard Callaghan, Ingrid C. Gelissen

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Defective clearance mechanisms lead to the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the Alzheimer’s brain. Though predominantly generated in neurons, little is known about how these hydrophobic, aggregation-prone, and tightly membrane-associated peptides exit into the extracellular space where they deposit and propagate neurotoxicity. The ability for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, to export Aβ across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has previously been reported. However, controversies surrounding the P-gp–Aβ interaction persist. Here, molecular data affirm that both Aβ₄₀ and Aβ₄₂ peptide isoforms directly interact with and are substrates of P-gp. This was reinforced ex vivo by the …

Neither “Post-War” Nor Post-Pregnancy Paranoia: How America’S War On Drugs Continues To Perpetuate Disparate Incarceration Outcomes For Pregnant, Substance-Involved Offenders, Becca S. Zimmerman

Pitzer Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the unique interactions between pregnancy, substance involvement, and race as they relate to the War on Drugs and the hyper-incarceration of women. Using ordinary least square regression analyses and data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates, I examine if (and how) pregnancy status, drug use, race, and their interactions influence two length of incarceration outcomes: sentence length and amount of time spent in jail between arrest and imprisonment. The results collectively indicate that pregnancy decreases length of incarceration outcomes for those offenders who are not substance-involved but not evenhandedly -- benefitting white …

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Health And Well-Being Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia: A Rapid Systematic Review, M. Courtney Hughes, Yujun Liu, Abby Baumbach

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Background: In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or COVID-19, raised worldwide concern. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced health and wellness across the globe and caused nearly three million deaths. This study focuses on informal caregivers of people with dementia, a disease that affects about 50 million older adults worldwide and requires much caregiving support.

Objective: Examine the current literature on the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of informal caregivers for people with dementia.

Method: This rapid review was conducted across five electronic databases for quantitative and qualitative articles published …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Technology-Based, Rural Weight Management Int Ervention In Older Adults With Obesity, John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew M. Clark, Summer B. Cook, David Kotz, Tyler L. Gooding, Meredith N. Roderka, Rima I. Al-Nimer, Dawna M. Pidgeon, Ann Haedrich, K. C. Wright, Christina Aquila, Todd A. Mackenzie

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background

Older adults with obesity residing in rural areas have reduced access to weight management programs. We determined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of an integrated technology-based health promotion intervention in rural-living, older adults using remote monitoring and synchronous video-based technology.

Methods

A 6-month, non-randomized, non-blinded, single-arm study was conducted from October 2018 to May 2020 at a community-based aging center of adults aged ≥65 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2. Weekly dietitian visits focusing on behavior therapy and caloric restriction and twice-weekly physical therapist-led group strength, flexibility and balance training classes were delivered using video-conferencing …