Summary measure of dietary musculoskeletal nutrient (calcium,vitamin D,magnesium, and phosphorus) intakes is associated with lower-extremity physical performance in homebound elderly men and women

BACKGROUND: Nutritional intake has been overlooked as a possible contributing factor to lower-extremity physical performance, especially in homebound elderly persons. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to examine the association of a summary measure of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus intakes with 1) the inability to perform lower-extremity physical performance tests and 2) declining levels of summary lower-extremity physical performance. DESIGN: Baseline data from the Nutrition and Function Study were used to calculate a summary musculoskeletal nutrient (SMN) score as a measure of nutrient intake (factor analysis) and to examine the association of SMN intake with physical performance (multivariable regression models) among recipients of home-delivered meals who completed an in-home assessment (anthropometric measures and performance-based physical tests) and three 24-h dietary recalls. RESULTS: Among the 321 participants, elderly age, black race, body mass index (in kg/m2) > or = 35, arthritis, frequent fear of falling, and lowest SMN intake were independently associated with being unable to perform functional tests. The lowest SMN intake and the highest BMI were both significantly associated with increasingly worse levels of lower-extremity physical performance, after adjustment for health and demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the importance of identifying short- and long-term outcomes that help elderly persons maintain adequate nutritional status and remain functionally independent at home, the results of this study suggest the need to identify intervention strategies that target the improvement of dietary intake and physical performance. Further investigation is indicated to identify the manner in which nutritional status contributes to the preservation or deterioration of physical performance in homebound elderly persons.     

ERCP-induced pancreatitis

Opinion statement  

Spinal deformity and mobility self-confidence among women with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures

This study evaluated the direct and indirect effects of spinal deformity on confidence in mobility among 185 older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. We administered multidimensional tests of physical and psychosocial impairment and function to female residents of continuing care retirement communities, and used path analytic regression methods to delineate relationships between spinal deformity, pain, function and mobility self-confidence. No direct effect of spinal deformity on confidence in mobility was observed. However, important indirect paths mediated by functional limitations were confirmed. A pattern of indirect effects was observed for a broad array of impairment-level constructs. These results support current models of the disablement process that propose functional limitations as the major pathway to disability. However, they also suggest that the impact of impairment-level constructs might be overlooked unless we evaluate indirect, as well as direct effects, on disability.     

Measuring reinforcer efficacy: does relative persistence do it? Comment on Meisch (2000)

R. A. Meisch (2000a) offers a new way to scale the effectiveness of reinforcers. Specifically, he uses as a measure the ratio of output under a relatively large fixed-ratio schedule to the output under a smaller fixed-ratio schedule. With such metrics, it is usually the case that as reinforcer magnitude is increased, the measured ratio increases. The method, however, violates a foundation of all measurement, comparison against a fixed standard. Some of the data provided in this article illustrate the problem of selecting what will serve as the "baseline" for comparison (i.e., what will serve as the denominator of the measure). Depending on the selection of baseline, one can find effects of a particular experimental operation ranging from none to substantial.     

中国丙型病毒性肝炎医院感染防控指南(2021年版)

丙型病毒性肝炎是严重威胁人民健康的公共卫生问题.目前尚无预防丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的疫苗,但直接抗病毒药物联合治疗可以治愈95％以上的慢性丙型病毒性肝炎.加强HCV感染者的筛查,针对确诊HCV感染者尽早进行有效的治疗,是消除传染源,阻断HCV传播的有效措施.本指南在2012年版《中国丙型病毒性肝炎医院感染防控指南》基础...