Conceptualizing and assessing spirituality among Chinese elders: towards evidence-based practice

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Spinal Astrocytic Activation Is Involved in a Virally-Induced Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ), plays a major role in decreased life quality of HZ patients. However, the neural mechanisms underlying PHN remain unclear. Here, using a PHN rat model at 2 weeks after varicella zoster virus infection, we found that spinal astrocytes were dramatically activated. The mechanical allodynia and spinal central sensitization were significantly attenuated by intrathecally injected L-α-aminoadipate (astrocytic specific inhibitor) whereas minocycline (microglial specific inhibitor) had no effect, which indicated that spinal astrocyte but not microglia contributed to the chronic pain in PHN rat. Further study was taken to investigate the molecular mechanism of astrocyte-incudced allodynia in PHN rat at post-infection 2 weeks. Results showed that nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase mediated the development of spinal astrocytic activation, and activated astrocytes dramatically increased interleukin-1β expression which induced N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) phosphorylation in spinal dorsal horn neurons to strengthen pain transmission. Taken together, these results suggest that spinal activated astrocytes may be one of the most important factors in the pathophysiology of PHN and “NO-Astrocyte-Cytokine-NMDAR-Neuron” pathway may be the detailed neural mechanisms underlying PHN. Thus, inhibiting spinal astrocytic activation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for clinical management of PHN

Effects of Tillage and Nitrogen Fertilizers on CH4 and CO2 Emissions and Soil Organic Carbon in Paddy Fields of Central China

Quantifying carbon (C) sequestration in paddy soils is necessary to help better understand the effect of agricultural practices on the C cycle. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of tillage practices [conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT)] and the application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (0 and 210 kg N ha−1) on fluxes of CH4 and CO2, and soil organic C (SOC) sequestration during the 2009 and 2010 rice growing seasons in central China. Application of N fertilizer significantly increased CH4 emissions by 13%–66% and SOC by 21%–94% irrespective of soil sampling depths, but had no effect on CO2 emissions in either year. Tillage significantly affected CH4 and CO2 emissions, where NT significantly decreased CH4 emissions by 10%–36% but increased CO2 emissions by 22%–40% in both years. The effects of tillage on the SOC varied with the depth of soil sampling. NT significantly increased the SOC by 7%–48% in the 0–5 cm layer compared with CT. However, there was no significant difference in the SOC between NT and CT across the entire 0–20 cm layer. Hence, our results suggest that the potential of SOC sequestration in NT paddy fields may be overestimated in central China if only surface soil samples are considered

Family caregiving and impact on caregiver mental health: a study in Shanghai

This chapter analyzes the aging population and related policy in present-day China by pointing out that long-term care needs are growing but China still lacks a national long-term care policy. The case of Shanghai is reviewed, with an observation that there was a missing element in the long-term care model—family caregivers. An empirical study on family caregiving and impact on caregivers’ mental health is described. Findings show that about one-fi fth of the caregivers were at risk of depressive symptoms, a signifi cant number, which deserves policy responses. A national level long-term care policy is suggested so as to clarify the defi nition of long-term care and policy objectives. Moreover, there is a need to integrate needs of family caregivers into the long-term care policy and service model. Financial needs, health needs, and knowledge/skills needs are recommended to be taken into consideration for policy and service development purposes

上海高龄体弱老人家庭亲属照顾者的生活满意度:照顾资源的作用

This paper aims to examine the role of caregiving resources in the relationship between the needs of frail elders and life satisfaction of family caregivers in Shanghai, China. In the context of the aging population and changing family structure, understanding factors affecting life satisfaction among family caregivers in China has both theoretical and practical significance. A total of 697 dyads( frail older persons aged 75 or above and their primary caregiver) were randomly selected from six street-level communities by using multi-stage sampling methods. Standardized questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers through face-to-face interviews. Results showed that caregiving resources significantly affected the relationship between care needs and life satisfaction.对上海城区697对75岁及以上的体弱老人及其家庭亲属照顾者作了抽样调查和统计分析。家庭亲属照顾者的照顾资源是影响高龄体弱老人生活满意度的显著因素。经济资源充分、家庭和朋友支持充足、健康自评相对好、运用积极应对策略的照顾者有较高的生活满意度。要提升家庭亲属照顾者的心理健康,首要的任务之一是增强照顾资源,包括经济的、健康的、心理的、社会的资源

Caregiver's needs and psychological well-being in Shanghai, China

Session 1920 (Symposium)This journal supplement contains 2011 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting AbstractsOBJECTIVE: This study investigates the needs of caregivers in Shanghai, China, and their psychological well-being. METHOD: Using a multistage sampling strategy, a total of 716 dyads (i.e., older adults and their family caregivers) were interviewed in-person by trained interviewers. RESULTS: About 60% of the caregivers were female; more than 50% were 60 years and older; about 20% provided care for more than 10 hours per day; around 30% had provided care continuously for more than six years. About 20% of the caregivers showed depressive symptoms, which were associated with care receivers’ degree of dependency, and caregivers’ perceived burden, and coping avoidance. About 10% of caregivers were dissatisfied with life. Higher caregiver life satisfaction was associated with lower caregiving burden, greater social support, active coping and higher income. CONCLUSION: Providing support for the psychological well-being of Shanghai’s caregivers will be discussed in light of its implications for service provision and policy.link_to_OA_fulltextThe 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Boston, MA., 18-22 November 2011.In The Gerontologist, 2011, v. 51 suppl. 2, p. 53

Constructing elderly-friendly community: an empirical research from Shanghai

長者友善的社區環境對于老年人繼續在熟悉的社區中獨立生活和接受照料、減少機構化具有重要意義.基于對基層社區的實地調查,對上海在長者友善的社區環境創設方面的現狀和不足進行檢視,并提出多部門協調合作、建立直接的老人福利權利和要求的表達機制、加強對老人實際滿意度的調查和改進緊急求助系統等進一步完善長者友善社區建設的建議. Elderly-friendly Community environment is of great significance in helping the older people to live in the community independently and enhancing quality of life as people age.This research examined the status quo of the construction of Elderly-friendly Community in Shanghai based on empirical study,highlighted the issues and concerns voiced by older people and those who serve older people.Suggestions include multi-departments coordination;establishing direct approach for the elderly to ex-press their welfare demands; detailed investigation of satisfactions of older people; and improving the emergency call system were proposed

Spouse caregiving for frail elders in Shanghai China: a selection, optimization and compensation analysis

Theme: Transitions of Care Across the Aging Continuu

Age-friendly city: a perspective from older people in Shanghai

International forum on Ageing in Place and Aged Friendly Cities, Akita, Japan, 10-11 October 2009