The Relationship Between Upper Body Muscular Power and Objectively Measured Physical Function in Healthy Older Adults

The population of older adults is growing rapidly worldwide. There are significant challenges associated with an aging population, many of which are related to declining physical function. Muscular power has previously been postulated as an important physical characteristic for preserving physical function, however, much of the research has measured lower body muscular power against functional outcomes. The importance of upper body muscular power (UBMP) for physical function outcomes is less clear, thus, this study sought to examine that relationship. Forty-two older adults between the ages of 50 – 70 (avg = 60.5 years 5.7) were recruited for the current study. Each participant performed a battery of physical tests to measure UBMP and functional outcomes. UBMP was assessed with a seated medicine ball throw test, and the test setup allowed for the use of the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer to capture objective power data. Physical function was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), a 6-test battery measuring upper/lower body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance, and dynamic agility. The Hand Grip test was also performed as an additional measure of upper body function. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to determine the relationship between each measure of muscular power collected (throw distance, Tendo avg. power, Tendo peak power) and each measure of physical function. Of those, only the Hand Grip and Back Scratch (upper body flexibility test from SFT) showed a strong relationship with UBMP measures. Hand Grip was highly correlated with UBMP (r = .58 - .82, p \u3c .001), while Back Scratch was moderately correlated (r = -.41 – -.49, p \u3c .01). No other measure of physical function showed a substantial relationship to UBMP (r \u3c .20). Additionally, forward stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of individual physical function variables. Measures of UBMP were found to be significant unique contributors in regression models predicting Back Scratch, Sit and Reach (lower body flexibility), Arm Curl (upper body strength), 6-Minute Walk (aerobic endurance), and Hand Grip (upper body strength) performance. These results show that UBMP is clearly an important physical characteristic for upper body physical function, however, the relationship between UBMP and overall physical function is still unclear. Further research is needed to test different assessments of UBMP and physical function in a more diverse sample with regard to age and functional ability

Has the addition of community policing in neighborhoods targeted for revitalization enhanced the community revitalization process - a case study of Des Moines, Iowa from 1966 to 2012

The city of Des Moines, Iowa has employed both community policing techniques as well as extensive neighborhood revitalization efforts on an ongoing basis since being selected as one of the first cities to participate in the Model Cities program in 1966. Since then, Des Moines has evolved its neighborhood revitalization and community policing programs into effective tools to facilitate the overall revitalization goal in Des Moines. This thesis uses historical review and human-subject interviews to analyze the effectiveness of these programs and whether their collaboration has enhanced the overall goal of revitalizing Des Moines\u27 neighborhoods. The thesis also explores whether there are benefits to the programs working together

The Relationship Between Upper Body Muscular Power and Objectively Measured Physical Function in Healthy Older Adults

The population of older adults is growing rapidly worldwide. There are significant challenges associated with an aging population, many of which are related to declining physical function. Muscular power has previously been postulated as an important physical characteristic for preserving physical function, however, much of the research has measured lower body muscular power against functional outcomes. The importance of upper body muscular power (UBMP) for physical function outcomes is less clear, thus, this study sought to examine that relationship. Forty-two older adults between the ages of 50 – 70 (avg = 60.5 years 5.7) were recruited for the current study. Each participant performed a battery of physical tests to measure UBMP and functional outcomes. UBMP was assessed with a seated medicine ball throw test, and the test setup allowed for the use of the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer to capture objective power data. Physical function was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), a 6-test battery measuring upper/lower body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance, and dynamic agility. The Hand Grip test was also performed as an additional measure of upper body function. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to determine the relationship between each measure of muscular power collected (throw distance, Tendo avg. power, Tendo peak power) and each measure of physical function. Of those, only the Hand Grip and Back Scratch (upper body flexibility test from SFT) showed a strong relationship with UBMP measures. Hand Grip was highly correlated with UBMP (r = .58 - .82, p \u3c .001), while Back Scratch was moderately correlated (r = -.41 – -.49, p \u3c .01). No other measure of physical function showed a substantial relationship to UBMP (r \u3c .20). Additionally, forward stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of individual physical function variables. Measures of UBMP were found to be significant unique contributors in regression models predicting Back Scratch, Sit and Reach (lower body flexibility), Arm Curl (upper body strength), 6-Minute Walk (aerobic endurance), and Hand Grip (upper body strength) performance. These results show that UBMP is clearly an important physical characteristic for upper body physical function, however, the relationship between UBMP and overall physical function is still unclear. Further research is needed to test different assessments of UBMP and physical function in a more diverse sample with regard to age and functional ability

MicroRNA15a modulates expression of the cell-cycle regulator Cdc25A and affects hepatic cystogenesis in a rat model of polycystic kidney disease

Hyperproliferation of bile duct epithelial cells due to cell-cycle dysregulation is a key feature of cystogenesis in polycystic liver diseases (PCLDs). Recent evidence suggests a regulatory role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation. We therefore hypothesized that miRNAs may be involved in the regulation of selected components of the cell cycle and might contribute to hepatic cystogenesis. We found that the cholangiocyte cell line PCK-CCL, which is derived from the PCK rat, a model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), displayed global changes in miRNA expression compared with normal rat cholangiocytes (NRCs). More specific analysis revealed decreased levels of 1 miRNA, miR15a, both in PCK-CCL cells and in liver tissue from PCK rats and patients with a PCLD. The decrease in miR15a expression was associated with upregulation of its target, the cell-cycle regulator cell division cycle 25A (Cdc25A). Overexpression of miR15a in PCK-CCL cells decreased Cdc25A levels, inhibited cell proliferation, and reduced cyst growth. In contrast, suppression of miR15a in NRCs accelerated cell proliferation, increased Cdc25A expression, and promoted cyst growth. Taken together, these results suggest that suppression of miR15a contributes to hepatic cystogenesis through dysregulation of Cdc25A

Gender contexts, dowry and women\u27s health in India: a national multilevel longitudinal analysis

Gender-biased contexts may impact women\u27s lives across a variety of domains. This study examined whether changes in district prevalence of a salient gendered practice - dowry - are associated with changes in poor health for women in India. Two waves of national multilevel panel data were used to assess the relationship between changes in district-level dowry prevalence and changes in self-rated health for 23,785 ever-married women aged 15-50 years. Increased dowry prevalence was found to be associated with increased poor self-rated health for women. This relationship remained when controlling for potentially confounding factors including household socioeconomic status, caste, infrastructure, mobility and state fixed-effects

Facilitators and Barriers to Implementation of Community-Based Socio-Ecological Approaches to Obesity Prevention Among Cooperative Extension Agents

Perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Family and Consumer Science (FCS) agents related to the planning and implementation of community-based multi-level ecological obesity prevention strategies were identified through qualitative, exploratory research. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in the five regions of the Louisiana State University CES (LSU AgCenter). Participants included CES FCS Extension agents (n = 35; 97% of agents). Participants were female and responsible for conducting programming in parishes (counties). Thematic analysis of data found principal factors that influenced FCS Extension agents’ perceived ability to plan and implement community-based multi-level obesity prevention approaches to include knowledge of the socio-ecological model, beliefs about roles of CES, funding, human resources, community connectedness, community buy-in, guidance, and internal support. Assessing what FCS agents perceived as barriers and facilitators to implementing community-based obesity prevention approaches provided valuable direction to the state FCS office. Understanding gaps in knowledge, professional development needs, and existing strengths will help make the transition to community-based obesity prevention initiatives more effective. These findings may be beneficial to other CES and public health agencies implementing multi-level, community-based obesity prevention programs in partnership with community coalitions

Adapting Ripple Effect Mapping to a Virtual Survey Format

Community development projects continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Participatory evaluation of these projects is crucial. Ripple effect mapping (REM) is a participatory approach to evaluation that captures coalition and community member perspectives on program outcomes and impacts. In response to COVID-19, the Louisiana State University AgCenter Healthy Communities Initiative adapted REM for online delivery. The REM evaluation was found to be an effective way for community coalitions to reflect on outcomes and impacts and to motivate continued engagement

Christian Nationalism and Views of Immigrants in the United States: Is the Relationship Stronger for the Religiously Inactive?

Previous research has shown that Christian nationalism is linked to nativism and immigrant animus, while religious service attendance is associated with pro-immigrant views. The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between religious ideologies and practices when considering how religion affects politics. Using a national sample of U.S. adults, we analyze immigrant views by measuring levels of agreement or disagreement that undocumented immigrants from Mexico are “mostly dangerous criminals.” We find that Christian nationalism is inversely related to pro-immigrant views for both the religiously active and inactive. However, strongly pro-immigrant views are less likely and anti-immigrant views are more likely among strong Christian nationalists who are religiously inactive compared with strong Christian nationalists who are religiously active. These results illustrate how religious nationalism can weaken tolerance and heighten intolerance most noticeably when untethered from religious communities

Stress Buffer or Identity Threat?: Negative Media Portrayal, Public and Private Religious Involvement, and Mental Health in a National Sample of US Adults

Guided by the stress process tradition, complex links between religion and mental health have received growing attention from researchers. This study gauges individuals’ public and private religiosity, uses a novel measure of environmental stress—negative media portrayal of religion—and presents two divergent hypotheses: (1) religiosity as stress-exacerbating attachment to valued identities producing mental health vulnerability to threat and (2) religiosity as stress-buffering social psychological resource. To assess these hypotheses, we analyze three mental health outcomes (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and general mental health problems) in national U.S. data from 2010 (N = 1,714). Our findings align with the stress-buffering perspective. Results show that individuals low in public and private religiosity tend to have worse mental health with greater negative media portrayal. High public or private religiosity tends to nullify the relationship between negative media portrayal and mental health

An Analysis of Equity in Service Provided by the SNAP-Ed Program: A Comparison of Dietary Outcomes among African American and White Participants in Louisiana

Structural racism has contributed to increased poverty, food insecurity, and obesity rates among African Americans relative to Whites. Nutrition education programs should therefore consider how well they serve this population. The objective of this investigation was to assess whether African American and White Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) participants in Louisiana had comparable dietary behavior outcomes by conducting secondary data analysis of previous program evaluations from 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 among African American and White SNAP-Ed participants (n = 434). Variables measured included pre- to post-intervention changes in dietary behaviors (e.g., self-reported consumption frequency of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and juice). Statistical analyses included t-tests stratified by race and Pearson’s chi-square test for categories of change in dietary behaviors. In categorical analyses, Whites had increased consumption, and African Americans had decreased consumption of whole grain pasta following SNAP-Ed participation. Among those who did not change consumption patterns following SNAP-Ed participation, African Americans were more likely to consume fruit juice and juice-flavored sugary drinks at a rate above median consumption compared to White participants. Future research should identify how program participation is followed by different dietary behavior outcomes in different races and explore how SNAP-Ed could specifically address barriers to equity