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This study presents an analysis of the use of bibliographic references by individual scientists in three different research areas. The number and type of references that scientists include in their papers are analyzed, the relationship between the number of references and different impact-based indicators is studied from a multivariable perspective, and the referencing patterns of scientists are related to individual factors such as their age and scientific performance. Our results show inter-area differences in the number, type, and age of references. Within each area, the number of references per document increases with journal impact factor and paper length. Top-performance scientists use in their papers a higher number of references, which are more recent and more frequently covered by the Web of Science. Veteran researchers tend to rely more on older literature and non- Web of Science sources. The longer reference lists of top scientists can be explained by their tendency to publish in high impact factor journals, with stricter reference and reviewing requirements. Long reference lists suggest a broader knowledge on the current literature in a field, which is important to become a top scientist. From the perspective of the 'handicap principle theory,' the sustained use of a high number of references in an author's oeuvre is a costly behavior that may indicate a serious, comprehensive, and solid research capacity, but that only the best researchers can afford. Boosting papers' citations by artificially increasing the number of references does not seem a feasible strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a chronic disorder associated with high mortality rates and high morbidity. The risk of obesity is associated with certain personality traits (PTs). Some studies have found correlations among some PTs and gender. Additionally, obesity implies higher costs in daily living. The aim of this paper is to overcome this problem in the literature and estimate the association between PTs and obesity by taking into account the economic situation of the individual. This study employs data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We focus on waves 5 and 6 of the ELSA with a sample of 6562 individuals. The results suggests that the traits of agreeableness (β=0.071,se=0.016,p<0.001) and openness (β=0.028,se:0.014,p<0.001) are positively and significantly associated with obesity. On the other hand, consciousness has a negative and statistically significant effect on obesity β=0.072,se:0.017,p<0.001. Results are robust to the inclusion/exclusion of different regressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper determines longitudinal changes in the time Spanish adolescents devote to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen media activity (SMA). Moreover, it examines the displacement hypothesis between time spent on SMA and MVPA. Methods: A cohort of 755 adolescents participated in a prospective cohort study over a three-year period. Repeated measures ANOVA to highlight interaction effects among all variables and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques were employed. Results: Age and gender-related variations in longitudinal changes in time spent on MVPA and SMA evolved in the inverse direction (decreased on MVPA/increased on SMA) according to the ANOVA. The potential displacement between time spent on SMA and MVPA from Wave I to Wave II was analysed via SEM. The first model, estimated in the overall sample, showed no evidence for the displacement hypothesis. Subsequently, a multigroup sequence of panel models was performed and a partial displacement was observed only in boys. Hence, boys who spent more time on SMA were more likely to devote less time to MVPA three years later. Conclusion: This study confirms the opposite trend on the time spent on MVPA and SMA over a three-year period, being clearly higher in SMA. Further SEM analyses reveal a deferred displacement hypothesis between SMA and MVPA only in boys. This partial gendered displacement may be linked to the different uses adolescents make of screen media. The incursion of new technological devices (smartphones or tablets) and their wide range of possibilities for social networking or gaming could explain this displacement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this paper was to summarize the main results of the POMONA‐ESP project, the first study to explore health status in a large representative, randomized and stratified sample of people with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain. Methods: The POMONA‐ESP project collected information about the health of 953 individuals with intellectual developmental disorders. Results: Diseases such as urinary incontinence, oral problems, epilepsy, constipation or obesity were highly prevalent among the participants; with gender‐differentiated prevalences for certain conditions, and age and intellectual disability level as risk factors for disease. Overmedication was common in the sample, and drugs were often prescribed without any clinical indication or follow‐up. The present authors also found a lack of important relevant information about the participant's health and a lack of adequate genetic counselling. Conclusions: Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of health status and needs of people with intellectual developmental disorders and suggest several courses of action to improve their health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortality counts are usually aggregated over age groups assuming similar effects of both time and region, yet the spatio-temporal evolution of cancer mortality rates may depend on changing age structures. In this paper, mortality rates are analyzed by region, time period and age group, and models including space-time, space-age, and age-time interactions are considered. The integrated nested Laplace approximation method, known as INLA, is adopted for model fitting and inference in order to reduce computing time in comparison with Markov chain Monte Carlo (McMC) methods. The methodology provides full posterior distributions of the quantities of interest while avoiding complex simulation techniques. The proposed models are used to analyze prostate cancer mortality data in 50 Spanish provinces over the period 1986-2010. The results reveal a decline in mortality since the late 1990s, particularly in the age group [65,70), probably because of the inclusion of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and better treatment of early-stage disease. The decline is not clearly observed in the oldest age groups. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As future health educators, nursing and physiotherapy students will play an essential role in the prevention of smoking. Aim To determine the prevalence of smoking among students and to analyse their knowledge of and attitudes towards smoking. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire and conducted in a Spanish Faculty of Health Sciences in 2013. Findings 247 nursing and physiotherapy students (82.33%) participated in the study. The global prevalence of smoking (18.2%) was lower compare with the general population group of the same age. We have observed statistical significance in relation to previous studies. Nursing and physiotherapy students showed a low nicotine dependence. We found a lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of cigarette consumption on health. Statistically significant results were also found in relation to degree courses (p < 0.01) as regards students' opinions about their knowledge of strategies and methods to help patients stop smoking. Conclusion Most students started smoking before commencing their university studies; consequently, interventions should focus on cessation programmes. An analysis of university curricula leading to the award of a degree in the health sciences could serve to identify educational deficiencies in order to implement the necessary modifications. Implications for nursing and health policy This paper presents an update in tobacco use characteristics amongst nursing and physiotherapy students. Those results have showed a need to improve the curricula in order to develop specific programmes to improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Measures to prevent smoking must be taken at school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built environment (BE) impacts on people's disability and health, in terms of overweight, depression, alcohol abuse, poor self-rated health and presence of psychological symptoms; it is reasonable to assume that BE also impacts on participation levels. This paper presents the validation of the COURAGE Built Environment Self-Reported Questionnaire (CBE-SR), an instrument designed to evaluate BE in the context of health and disability. Subjects participating to COURAGE, a cross-sectional study conducted on 10 800 citizens of Poland, Finland and Spain, completed a protocol inclusive of the CBE-SR. Psychometric properties and factor structure were analysed, and factor scores created. Gender differences, differences between persons from different age groups and persons reporting the environment as facilitating, hindering or neutral were calculated. Eight items were deleted so that the final version of CBE-SR comprises 19 items. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.743 to 0.906, and test-retest stability was demonstrated for the majority of items. Four subscales were identified: Usability of the neighbourhood environment; Hindrance of walkable environment; Easiness of use of public buildings, places and facilities; and Risk of accidents and usability of the living place. Younger respondents reported their neighbourhood as more usable but perceived walkways as more hindering and public buildings as less easy to use; gender differences were almost inexistent. The CBE-SR is a four-scale instrument with good psychometric properties that measures the person-environment interaction. It is sensitive across age groups and is consistent with the subject's overall judgement of the degree to which the environment is facilitating or hindering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Poor built environments have a negative impact on the level of a person's participation. However, instruments measuring the person-environment interaction are lacking., The CBE-SR is a valid and reliable instrument that researchers can use to assess the relationships between the intrinsic health state and the objective features of the environment., Understanding this relationship would provide further insight into the need of addressing the individual's functioning either by means of interventions directed to the individual or by making changes to the individual's environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this paper, we analyse reunification processes from family foster care, both kinship and non-kinship, and the variables associated with them in a Spanish sample. Data collection was carried out after a review of child protection and foster care files, and those responsible for the cases were also consulted. The cases studied were closed, which made it possible to assess the final outcome of the fostering. We found that only one-fifth of the children return to their birth family after the fostering, and that those in non-kinship are less likely to do so. Seven factors were associated with family reunification processes: age of the child, kinship care with family co-operation, drug dependence in parents, neglect due to alcoholism, foster care under voluntary arrangement with visits, short-term fostering with family co-operation and parental impossibility due to imprisonment. The contribution of these data takes on particular importance given that the Spanish child protection system keeps no official statistics on the development or outcome of its interventions and records even less information on the factors associated with such outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies revealed unidirectional associations between frailty and medication‐related problems (MRPs) among older adults. Less is known about the association between frailty and the risk of MRPs. We aimed to assess the bi‐directional association between frailty and the risk of MRPs in community‐dwelling older adults in five European countries. Methods: Participants were 1785 older adults in the population‐based Urban Health Centres Europe project. Repeated assessments were collected at baseline and one‐year follow‐up, including frailty, the risk of MRPs, and covariates. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the unidirectional associations. A cross‐lagged panel modeling was used to assess bi‐directional associations. Results: The unidirectional association between frailty at baseline and the risk of MRPs at follow‐up remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (β = 0.10, 95%CI:0.08, 0.13). The association between the risk of MRPs at baseline and frailty at follow‐up shows similar trends. The bi‐directional association was comparable with reported unidirectional associations, with a stronger effect from frailty at baseline to the risk of MRPs at follow‐up than reversed path (Wald test for comparing lagged effects: p < 0.05). Conclusion: This longitudinal study suggests that a cycle may exist where older adults with higher frailty levels are more likely to have a higher risk of MRPs, which in turn contributes to developing a higher level of frailty. Further research is needed to validate our findings and explore underlying pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to contribute to the international scientific literature that highlights the benefits of children walking to school without adult supervision, and its influence on aspects such as mobility autonomy and health (among others). The study included 215 children from a public school in the municipality of Bilbao, Spain in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades of Primary Education. The questionnaire consisted of different validated scales on independence of mobility, self‐esteem and happiness. Our findings suggest that students who participate in the 'friendly paths' project have greater independent mobility in comparison with those who do not, whilst it is noteworthy that this type of project primarily affects the closer spaces or school journeys. Moreover, our findings indicate that variables such as gender and age are determining factors in the independence of mobility, with older children showing greater autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is certain empirical evidence of, on the one hand, a positive correlation between executive functions (EFs) and intelligence in people with intellectual disability (ID) and, on the other hand, a slower rate of development of EFs in these people relative to people without ID. This evidence is not, however, unequivocal, and further studies are required. Methods: We analysed the relationship between development of EFs and both age and intellectual capacity, in a sample of 106 students with either ID or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) at a special education centre [63 boys and 43 girls, 11–18 years old, mean total intelligence quotient (TIQ) of 59.6]. We applied nine instruments to evaluate both neuropsychological development (working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, planning, processing speed and verbal fluency) and behavioural development [teachers' perceptions of the EFs of their students by Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Second Edition (BRIEF‐2) School]. ID and BIF groups were statistically compared in terms of mean performance measures in EF tests. We looked at the correlation between EFs and age, and correlations between EFs and intelligence: TIQ, fluid intelligence [measured by the perceptual reasoning (PR) sub‐index of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐IV (WISC‐IV)] and crystallised intelligence (measured by the verbal comprehension (VC) sub‐index of WISC‐IV). Regression models were built for variables with strong correlation. Results: In most of the tests used to evaluate EFs, the ID subgroup performed significantly worse than the subgroup with BIF. In general, teachers' thought that participants had 'medium–low' levels of EFs. TIQ, by WISC‐IV scale, correlated significantly with scores in all tests for all EFs. The PR sub‐index correlated significantly with 14 of the tests for EFs; 35% of the variation in PR can be explained by variation in performance in Picture Span (working memory) and Mazes (planning). The VC sub‐index correlated weakly with seven of the EF tests. We found significant correlations in the ID group between age and scores in all tests of working memory and inhibitory control. Age – considering all participants – did not correlate with any of the variables of teachers' perception except for working memory, and this correlation was not strong. Conclusions: The results of our study are consistent with descriptions of the typical population: (1) fluid intelligence is more related to EFs than crystallised intelligence is; and (2) working memory capacity is the EF most strongly related with general, fluid and crystallised forms of intelligence. The results suggest that as children and adolescents with ID/BIF get older, their capacities for working memory and inhibitory control increase; development of the other EFs studied was less evident. Teachers' perceptions of the EFs of children with ID or BIF were independent of intellectual capacity and age. More research is needed to delve further into the development of EFs in people with ID/BIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First‐generation antihistamines are considered driving‐impairing medicines (DIM), while second‐ and third‐generation antihistamines are relatively safe for driving. Objectives: The aim of this study was to know the trend of consumption of antihistamines and other DIMs in Spain between 2015 and 2019. Methods: This is a population‐based registry study. The population distribution by age and gender has been taken into account, as well the treatment duration with these medicines and the concomitant use of other DIMs. Adjusted consumption for licensed drivers is also presented. Results: Between 2015 and 2019, antihistamines were dispensed to 12.1% of the population and 9.25% of drivers. Oral antihistamines are the most consumed with 85.83%, and generally more used by women than men. Regardless of systemic antihistamines, the second‐generation were the most consumed (8.9%) followed by the third‐generation (2.07%) and the first‐generation (0.61%). Subacute use was predominant in second ‐generation antihistamines (4.96%) and third‐generation (1.26%), while acute use was predominant in third‐generation antihistamines. On the other hand, only 0.36% of the population consumed antihistamines daily. The concomitant use of antihistamines with other DIMS was considerable, especially anxiolytics, opioids, other analgesics and antipyretics and antidepressants. The results in drivers were similar than in the general population. Conclusions: The use of antihistamines has increased in recent years, however, in Spain, the use of less sedatives predominates, which is safe for driving. Finally, it is important to consider that concomitant use with other DIMs was frequent, which may affect the fitness to drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the interaction between children in foster care and their main caregivers during a microcoded co‐construction task, focusing on the verbal and non‐verbal behaviours that the adults use to promote a secure attachment in the child. It also examines how children and caregivers' socio‐demographic variables relate to the interaction. The sample is made up of 28 Spanish children between 4 and 9 years old in long‐term non‐kin foster care and their foster families. The building task was administered to 28 dyads, composed of the child and the main caregiver in each family. Our results showed that the caregivers' use of attachment‐facilitating behaviours was frequent during the interaction. Moreover, children tended to display a positive attitude when adults used these attachment‐facilitating behaviours. We also found some differences in the interaction according to the caregivers and children's age, the child's gender and the caregivers' satisfaction with the child's development. These results offer us a better understanding of the functioning of the adult–child relationships in foster families, which helps us make more efficient interventions to improve the caregivers' sensitivity towards the children's needs and difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this review is to analyse the studies about cost and clinical implications that malnutrition causes in the Spanish hospitals. Material and methods: The review of the literature was carried out through a bibliographic search in Web of Science following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) criteria and analyse the cost of treatment of malnourished and anorexia nervosa (AN) patients Results: Seventeen studies with economic data related to malnutrition were included. The employment of a nutritional screening is the first tool to determinate the prevalence. Malnutrition is related to an incremental cost due to a longer hospital stay, expensive treatment, and higher rate of readmissions. Malnourished patients present more clinical complications, more infections, and higher mortality. No studies were found with economic data of AN in Spain. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition is over 20%, with the elderly patients being the most affected. Nutritional screening is not implanted in all Spanish hospitals in spite of its proven cost‐effectiveness. The cost and the clinical implications of malnutrition make this disease a health national problem. The knowledge of the real cost of AN treatment would increase the interest of public institutions on the development of specific Nutritional Screening tools for an early detection of AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of Grieving, risk for Complicated Grieving, and Complicated Grieving in the primary care setting. METHODS: Retrospective epidemiological study, analyzing data from electronic health records (EHR). FINDINGS: A total of 84% of the 9,063 records had diagnostic labels without defining characteristics, related factors, or risk factors. A larger frequency of complicated grieving was found in deceased mourners. CONCLUSIONS: The grieving epidemiology opens new chances for the research using data from EHR. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The adequacy of the records is essential to develop a profile of the patient at risk of complications after the loss. This research is an important step to build an epidemiological basis for nursing diagnosis of grieving in the primary health care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional support of families that are under temporary protection, with the goal of reunification, is necessary for helping families re‐establish their family dynamics. Without this support, the conditions that contributed to child abuse and neglect will likely persist. In this context, the attitude of professionals towards positive parenting and child participation is a decisive factor. The quantitative study presented here contributes knowledge regarding these 2 variables. The study was conducted with 106 professionals who work in the child protection system. The results show a high degree of consensus among professionals regarding the following practices: (a) incorporating positive parenting into family reunification processes; (b) training the biological parents in parenting skills; and (c) promoting the active participation of children in foster care and reunification. Regarding the latter point, the study found that older and more experienced professionals are more open and inclined to promote participation in family reunification processes. The practical implications of the results invite us to review attitudinal competencies training for professionals working in child protection services, focusing on encouraging a positive attitude towards the parental competencies of the biological family and the active participation of children in foster care and reunification. These professionals' attitudes are a key factor in mediating the process of family reunification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we described the profile of advanced nursing practice in Spain. A cross‐sectional study design was used to explore the extent and patterns of advanced nursing practice activity within the domains of expert care planning, integrated care, interprofessional collaboration, education, research, evidence‐based practice, and professional leadership. Data were collected in 2015/2016. Purposive sampling yielded a sample of 165 specialist and expert nurses employed by a dual tertiary and community hospital in an urban setting. The study included specialist and expert nurses who had a higher practice profile than registered general nurses. The performance of activities according to age, current position, years of experience, nursing grade, and education was compared. Practice domains were more strongly influenced by the predictors of nursing position and professional career ladder. Age and experience predictors were found to be weak predictors of advanced practice domains. This study offers essential information of the nursing workforce, and clarifies both the advanced nursing practice profile and nomenclature in the context of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2012, the prevalence of obesity and overweight statuses among children in Spain was 9% and 26%, respectively. Concerns about childhood obesity have increased over the past few years, as obesity developed during childhood can persist throughout an individual's lifetime (cohort effect). This study aims to develop a better understanding of the factors influencing the prevalence of obesity in Spain. Methods Microdata from the 2012 National Health Survey are used, and the methodological framework is based on the estimation of a sample selection model. Results Results suggest that the prevalence of obesity increases among children who live in households of a lower socio-economic status and households in which parents are obese. Lower levels of childhood physical activity are positively related to the probability of being obese. Finally, there exists a positive relationship between children's body mass index and an inappropriate intake of fresh fruits, fish, pasta and rice, legumes, sweets and soft drinks. Conclusions The methodological framework used in this study is flexible enough to be used in traditional longitudinal studies. Children's and households' lifestyles play a pivotal role in the prevalence of obesity. Policies should be oriented toward changing lifestyles, which would require more multidisciplinary research in the future to reduce childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we estimated the risk of acute coronary syndrome and stroke associated with several emerging cardiovascular risk factors. This was a case-control study, where an age - and sex-matched acute coronary syndrome group and stroke group were compared with controls. Demographic and clinical data were collected through patient interviews, and blood samples were taken for analysis. In the bivariate analysis, all cardiovascular risk factors analyzed showed as predictors of acute coronary syndrome and stroke, except total cholesterol and smoking. In the multivariate logistic regression model for acute coronary syndrome, hypertension and body mass index, N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A were independent predictors. For stroke, the predictors were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide. Controlling for age, sex, and classical cardiovascular risk factors, N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A were independent emerging cardiovascular risk factors for acute coronary syndrome, but pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A was not for stroke. High levels of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with no episodes of cardiovascular disease requires the implementation of prevention programs, given that at least half of them are modifiable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the prevalence and severity of periodontal conditions among a representative sample of employed adults in Spain. Material and Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted during 2008-2011. Periodontal status of 5130 workers, stratified by gender, age and occupation, was assessed based on Community Periodontal Index ( CPI) and Clinical Attachment Level ( CAL), following the WHO criteria. Results The percentage of subjects with periodontal pockets ( CPI codes 3-4) was 38.4%, [95% Confidence Interval ( CI): 36.4-40.5] increasing significantly in subjects ≥45 years; 13.7% (95% CI: 12.8-14.7) of workers showed CAL 4-5 mm, while 7.7% (95% CI: 7.0-8.5) showed CAL ≥6 mm, again increasing significantly in the population ≥45 years. Prevalence of worse periodontal conditions was significantly higher in male workers, in subjects with primary school education and lower income, and in smokers and former smokers. The periodontal condition in young adults (35-44 years) was worse in comparison with those previously reported in Spanish national surveys. Conclusion Prevalence of destructive periodontal diseases was age-, gender-, education-, income- and tobacco smoking-related. Young adults showed worse periodontal conditions than has been previously reported in national surveys in Spain. It is suggested to include oral evaluation and preventive strategies in work-related medical check-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine mortality and mobility rates after hip fracture. Methods A prospective study ( n = 199 patients) was carried out in the Health Care Center of A Coruña ( Spain) during the period between January 2009 and December 2011. A descriptive study, and Cox and logistic regression analysis were carried out. Informed consent and ethical review board approval were obtained (code 2010/120 CEIC Galicia). Results The patients' mean age was 82.5 ± 8.4 years and 76% were female. The average Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 6.1 ± 2.1. Creatinine clearance <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 44%. The probability of survival 6 months after hip fracture was 89.2% and the survival rate at 12 months was 81.4%. Cox regression analysis showed that the indicator that most influenced mortality rate was comorbidity ( HR = 1.133; P = 0.020) and age approaching borderline statistical significance ( HR = 1.034; P = 0.064). The Parker Mobility Score decreased significantly ( P < 0.001) after hip fracture. Before fracture, 19% of the patients were able to get about the house, 26% were able to get out of the house and 55% were able to go shopping. After hip fracture (90 days), the percentages changed to 56.2%, 19.1% and 24.7%, respectively ( P < 0.001). After taking into account age, sex, type of fracture, surgical delay, previous fracture and comorbidity, the only indicator capable of predicting incapacity to walk was comorbidity. Conclusions Comorbidity is the best predictor of mortality and mobility after hip fracture. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 561-569. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To evaluate whether the relationship between blood pressure ( BP) measures and cognitive function is different according to age and functional status in older outpatients. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Outpatient hospital-based Milan Geriatrics 75+ Cohort Study. Participants Individuals aged 75 and older ( N = 1,540). Measurements Blood pressure, Mini-Mental State Examination ( MMSE), basic activities of daily living ( ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living ( IADLs) were assessed. Associations between BP measures and MMSE score were first analyzed in the total population using linear regression models and were then further examined according to strata of age, ADLs, and IADLs. All analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and presence of comorbidities. Results In the total population, higher systolic BP ( SBP), diastolic BP ( DBP), pulse pressure ( PP), and mean arterial pressure ( MAP) were all associated with higher MMSE score (all P < .05). Each 10-mmHg higher SBP and DBP was associated with a 0.26- and 0.55-point higher MMSE score, respectively. The associations between MMSE score and SBP, DBP, and MAP differed materially according to strata of age and functioning and were most pronounced in those aged 85 and older, with ADL impairments, and with IADL impairments. Conclusion Higher BP is associated with better cognitive function in the oldest old and in those with impaired functional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses takotsubo cardiomyopathy in elderly adults. Details are presented about an analysis of health records for 343 people with takotsubo syndrome. The author concludes that older adults with this condition have prognoses worse than that for the general population, and should be made subject to greater surveillance during and after their time in the hospital.

Background: This study investigated verb argument structure effects in children with specific language impairment (SLI). Aims: A picture-naming paradigm was used to compare the response times and naming accuracy for nouns and verbs with differing argument structure between Spanish-speaking children with and without language impairment. Methods & Procedures: Twenty-four children with SLI (ages 5;3-8;2 [years;months]), 24 age-matched controls (ages 5;3-8;2), 24 MLU-w controls (ages 3;3-7;1 years), and 31 adults participated in a picture-naming study. Outcomes & Results: The results show all groups produced more correct responses and were faster for nouns than all verbs together. As regards verb type accuracy, there were no differences between groups in naming one-argument verbs. However, for both two- and three-argument verbs, children with SLI were less accurate than adults and age-matched controls, but similar to the MLU-matched controls. For verb type latency, children with SLI were slower than both the age-matched controls and adults for one- and two-argument verbs, while no differences were found in three-argument verbs. No differences were found between children with SLI and MLU-matched controls for any verb type. Conclusions & Implications: It has been shown that the naming of verbs is delayed in Spanish children with SLI. It is suggested that children with SLI may have problems encoding semantic representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following initial adversity, internationally adopted children arrive with significant growth and developmental delays. Post-placement recovery has been widely documented, but little has been known about its extent and timing several years after placement and in children with diverse pre-adoptive experiences. A total of 289 children adopted from six countries into Spanish families were studied. Growth and psychological development were considered on arrival and after an average of over 3 years. Growth and developmental initial delays affected a substantial percentage of the children. Post-adoption recovery seemed quicker and more complete in weight and height than in head circumference and psychological development. Initial and later values were correlated, but growth-development relation on arrival subsequently lost significance. Most of the catch-up happened in the first three post-adoption years. Adoption offers an impressive opportunity for recovery after previous adversity, although continuity between past and present persists. The improvement is more marked in some areas than in others and more substantial in the first post-adoption years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning a study evaluating the effects of age on ventricular response rates for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which found an inverse association between the ventricular rate and age in individuals with permanent or persistent atrial fibrillation.