Using the Medication Cabinet to Predict Fall Risk In Elderly Adults

Background: In the United States, 30-60% of older adults fall each year; 10-20% of these falls result in injury, hospitalization, or even death. Better prevention of falls in this population may be facilitated by broader identification of risk factors. The use of statins has emerged as a potential risk factor, but the data provide conflicted results. Purpose: To examine the relationship between statin use and falls among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We evaluated the patient registry of a Level 1 trauma center. All patients aged \u3e 50 years who were admitted for falls in 2015 were included (n=615). Many of these patients had been previously admitted for falls and many were later readmitted for falls. We analyzed predictors of both prior admission and readmission with linear regressions. Independent variables were self-reported balance problems, diagnosis of dementia, and the use of statins. Results: On average, patients admitted for falls were 79.9 + 9.3 years old and 28% (n=173) were taking statins. Our collection of predictors explained 14.2% of the variance in the number of prior admissions (p\u3c0.001). In this model, the use of statins significantly predicted the number of previous fall-related admissions (95% CI: 0.07–0.50, p=0.010). This same model maintained its significance when predicting admissions for future falls (p\u3c0.001) and the use of statins continued to predict a greater number of readmissions (95% CI: 0.04–0.36, p=0.015). Conclusion: More than 25% of all Americans age \u3e 40 years are taking cholesterol-lowering medication; 93% of those medications are statins. Although evidence is conflicted, these data support the finding that statin therapy increases the risk of falls in older adults. Incorporating exercise training as a prophylactic measure: enhancing lipid profiles and decreasing the need for statins while also improving balance, coordination, and mobility, may reduce fall-related injuries

Favorite Food Places + Connemara

Postcard from Jessica Lopez, during the Linfield College Semester Abroad Program at the National University of Ireland, Galwa

Conformational Dynamics in Vertebrate Hexa-Coordinate Hemoglobins

Cytoglobin, a recently discovered hemeprotein, is part of a globin protein family including hemoglobin, myoglobin, and neuroglobin. Numerous studies have reported the role of cytoglobin in tissue protection as well as a tumor suppression. However, the molecular mechanism of how cytoglobin carries out its protective functions under physiological and pathological conditions remains unclear. The cytoglobin structure includes a globin core that is homologous to myoglobin and a 20 amino acid residue extension at the N terminus and the C terminus that is unique among vertebrate globins. This study aims to provide a molecular insight into the cytoglobin folding mechanism with a focus on the role of N- and C- terminal extensions in modulating protein stability and its folding mechanism. The protein stability will be monitored by exposure of wild type (WT) cytoglobin and cytoglobin construct missing the C-terminal extension (C cytoglobin) to an increasing concentration of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). The changes in the secondary and tertiary protein structure will be monitored by circular dichroism and steady-state fluorescence of intrinsic tryptophan residues, respectively. CD spectra experiments indicate that WT cytoglobin folding proceeds as a two state mechanism (FU) with midpoint GuHCl concentration of 3.5 M. Analogous results were obtained by steady-state fluorescence experiments. This study will provide new insights into the structure - function relationship of newly discovered cytoglobin and the importance of its C- and N- terminals in protein stability and its folding mechanism. The information provided in this study adds to the growing amount of data on cytoglobin and provides structural data that can be of future use in discovering the overall molecular function of cytoglobin

Mapping of the Chromium and Iron Pyrazolate Landscape

The main objective of this project is to synthesize the first family of polynuclear chromium pyrazolate complexes. Complexity in analysis of the experimental magnetic data of multinuclear complexes arises from their (2S +1)N microstates, where S is the spin of each metal center and N is the number of metal centers. For example, high-spin (HS)-FeIII3 has 216 microstates and HS-FeIII8 ≈ 1.7x106 microstates (S= 5/2). However, complexes with chromium(III) S = 3/2 will have a noticeable reduction of microstates. Mononuclear complexes with formula [mer-CrCl3(pzH*)3] (pz*H = pyrazole, 3-Me-pzH, 4-Me-pzH, 4-Cl-pzH, 4-I-pzH, 4-Br-pzH) and [trans-CrCl2(pzH*)4]Cl (pzH* = pyrazole and 3-Me-pzH) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Polynuclear iron pyrazolate complexes are prepared by the addition of base to [mer-FeCl3(pzH*)3] and [trans-FeCl2(pzH*)4]Cl complexes; the path is not paralleled by mononuclear chromium(III) pyrazole complexes. There is a challenging situation with these reactions, caused by the attainment of equilibrium, where the stable mononuclear complexes and traces of dinuclear species coexist in solution. Microwave assisted reaction of Cr(NO3)3·9H2O and pyrazole ligand in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution afforded redox inactive trinuclear formate-pyrazolate mixed-ligand complexes with formula [Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-O2CH)3(μ-4-R-pz)3(DMF)3]+ (pz = pyrazolate anion; R= H, Me, Cl). Thermally assisted synthesis with non-hydrolysable solvent yielded an electrochemically active all-pyrazolate complex. Complex with formula (Ph4P)2[Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-4-Cl-pz)6Cl3] and (Ph4P)2[Cr3(μ3-O)(μ-4-Cl-pz)6Br3] have an oxidation process at 0.502 V at 0.332 V, respectively. The latter has a second accessed oxidation process at 0.584 V. These systems are the first example of electrochemically amendable trinuclear pyrazolate complex with {Cr3O} core. The all-ferric complexes [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(L)3]2- (L = NCO-, N3) were synthesized from reaction of [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6Cl3]2- with NaNCO and NaN3. Expected reversible reduction processes were observed for both complexes at more negative potential, -0.70 V, compared to the thiocyanate complex (-0.36 V). The 57Fe Mössbauer of the reduced [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(N3)3]3- is suggestive of a HS-to-LS electronic reorganization, as seen for the [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(SCN)3]3- complex. Furthermore, compound [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-4-NO2-pz)6(N3)3]2-, shows a unique reversible oxidation process at 0.82 V (vs. Fc+/Fc) to a mixed-valent, formally Fe3+2/Fe4+ species

Syntectonic deposition and paleohydrology of the spring-fed Hualapai Limestone and implications for 5-6 MA integration of the Colorado River system through Grand Canyon : evidence from sedimentology, geochemistry and detrital zircon analysis

The Hualapai Limestone, at the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, provides the best sedimentary record available for 12 to 6 Ma at the mouth of the Grand Canyon. Because it directly underlies the first Colorado River gravels, this unit is a key element for understanding the integration of the Colorado River from the Colorado Plateau to the Basin and Range province, and the early paleogeography of the Grand Canyon region. This study combines a tectonic investigation with a stratigraphic and sedimentologic analysis that includes new geochemistry, tephrochronology, and detrital zircon analysis to examine variations of the sedimentary and tectonic records from the Hualapai Limestone basins. Thickness variations, with progressively thicker deposits towards the east in two of the four basins, indicate syntectonic deposition of the unit in half grabens formed above listric faults with 5-11 km depth to detachments. A sedimentary facies analysis highlights that the Hualapai Limestone was deposited in spring-fed lake and marsh systems fed by groundwater similar in composition to modern Havasu Creek and western Colorado Plateau groundwater. Stable isotope analysis of carbon and oxygen suggests gradual increase in meteoric water input through time. Sr isotopes, though variable, show an up-section decrease in 87Sr/86Sr and confirm a freshwater origin for the Hualapai Limestone. These data, plus facies analysis, suggest that waters that fed the Hualapai Limestone contained a significant component of endogenic spring inputs. Detrital zircon data for the Grand Wash trough indicate that red siltstones that underlie and interfinger with the Hualapai Limestone, from 13 to 6 Ma, were not derived from the Colorado Plateau, but likely from the Kingman Arch to the south. Western basins contain a more diverse suite of detrital zircons, suggesting possible connections to a northern Paleo Virgin River source. Tephrochronologic analyses show a 12 Ma ash near the base of the unit, extending the basal Hualapai date. We propose that the Hualapai Limestone was a long-lived (12-6 Ma) groundwater-fed series of lake and marsh systems that were deposited in syntectonic half grabens via spring vents along faults and discharge along the dissected aquifer of the Grand Wash Cliffs

Education Needs Assessment for Mekelle City, Ethiopia

This study provides an overview of the education system in Mekelle, Ethiopia, and assesses prospects for achieving education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specifically ensuring universal primary education (MDG 2) and gender parity in schools (MDG3), by 2015. Mekelle is on its way toward achieving universal primary education by 2015; however, improvements in educational quality are needed. Concerning MDG 3, gender parity has been achieved at the primary level, and Mekelle is on target to achieve this goal by 2015 at the secondary level. Yet promoting gender parity through public programs and campaigns, providing sufficient private toilet facilities for girls and increasing the number of female teachers are necessary

A Family Approach to Family Literacy with Latino Parents

The research question addressed in this project is, How can Latino parent involvement and direct teaching of literacy skills help to improve their child’s reading skills? Over the years, research has demonstrated the importance of parent involvement in the success of students’ achievement. Furthermore, Latino parent involvement has demonstrated benefits that far exceed expectations. When families and schools work together utilizing different Family Literacy programs, students and families succeed. This Capstone reviewed different literature to help understand Latino family involvement, in addition to reviewing different family literacy programs to help answer the research question. The Capstone also included a project that is an eight week training session for parents on different second grade literacy skills that are introduced through shared reading. The skills they gained over the eight weeks helped provide them with tools that could help improve their child’s reading skills

Short-term effects of ambient ozone on stroke risk in South Carolina

Recent reports have suggested that exposure to ozone is associated with stroke events; however, findings have been inconsistent. Utilizing a case-crossover study design, we explored the association between acute ozone exposure (maximum 8-hour daily average) and risk of stroke hospitalization among South Carolina residents and effect modification by race and gender. For total stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic combined), a 10 ppb increase in ozone exposure on the day of hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of stroke hospitalization (OR: 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06, 1.11). Effects were similar for other lag days; however, the association was strongest for lag days 0-6 (OR: 1.20; 95% CIs 1.16, 1.24). We observed subtle differences in total stroke risk by gender, with females having a slightly lower risk than males, although CIs overlapped considerably. For hemorrhagic stroke, there was evidence of effect modification by race for all time periods of ozone exposure considered

Reproductive Healthcare Success Guide: A Resource for Practitioners and Funders

The Reproductive Healthcare Success Guide aims to advance equitable reproductive healthcare in New Mexico. In this guide we share and elevate what we have learned through collaborative work with our communities, and offer guidance directly to providers and funders who are seeking to offer and support reproductive healthcare in New Mexico. This guidance extends to organizational leaders, health and wellness practitioners and specialists, caregivers, clinics and clinicians, and those in a range of roles who fund efforts to provide care in New Mexico.This resource was developed in close collaboration with community partners, clinicians, and birth workers in Doña Ana, McKinley, and Santa Fe Counties. The guide outlines some of the critical aspects future providers, funders, and other institutions must consider as they begin the process to serve New Mexico communities with respect and dignity