Maximal voluntary tongue pressure is decreased in Japanese frail elderly persons

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00615.x Maximal voluntary tongue pressure is decreased in Japanese frail elderly persons Background and objective: To quantitatively estimate tongue function, we developed a handy device for intraoral pressure measurement. The objective of this study was to assess maximum voluntary tongue pressure (MVTP) in Japanese frail elderly persons receiving nursing care services. Materials and methods: The study included 42 men and 87 women, aged 58–100 years. To record MVTP, the participants were asked to compress the balloon (diameter: 18 mm) of the disposable intraoral pressure probe onto their palates for 7 s using the maximum voluntary effort of the tongue. Pressures were recorded three times at 1 min intervals. Results: Maximum voluntary tongue pressure was successfully measured in 111 persons. Mean (standard deviation) MVTP was 18 (12) kPa, with a range of 0–63 kPa. The remaining 18 persons could not accurately follow our instructions and MVTP could not be measured. Conclusion: In comparison with the reported standard value using the same device, the frail elderly persons included in our study were found to exert less MVTP than healthy dentate individuals. These results suggest the need for proper quantitative evaluation of oral function, including tongue capacity, at nursing care facilities.     

Colonisation on the tongue surface by respiratory pathogens in residents of a nursing home--a pilot study

Objective: The morbidity and mortality of the dependent elderly that result from aspiration pneumonia have been recognised as a major geriatric health problem. The tongue has an extremely large surface area and due to its papillary structure can retain considerable quantities of food, and thus can support and harbour a large bacterial population. The purpose of this study was to gain more information on the microflora of the tongue surface and to assess the existence of oral infectious pathogens potentially causing respiratory disease in nursing home residents. Subjects and methods: The tongue bacterial flora of 69 nursing home residents were examined to identify microorganisms by the culture method. Results: Thirteen species of microorganisms were detected from the tongue in this study. In 41 of 69 subjects (59%), potential respiratory pathogens, had colonised the tongue surface. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that bacteria that commonly cause respiratory infection colonised the tongue of nursing home residents, suggesting that it may function as a reservoir of potential respiratory pathogens to facilitate colonisation on the oropharynx.     

USING CARBON AND NITROGEN ISOTOPE VALUES TO INVESTIGATE MATERNAL STRATEGIES IN NORTHEAST PACIFIC OTARIIDS

We examine the utility of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope variations to characterize the length of the nursing/lactation period and age at weaning for two northern Pacific otariid species, the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). We used two sampling strategies to measure ontogenetic trends in isotope value, and compared our results to observational data on the reproductive strategies used by these otariids. For Zalophus, we found evidence for ¹⁵N enrichment and ¹³C‐depletion in bone collagen representing the first and second year of growth, which is consistent with the ～12–14‐mo weaning age in this population after a suitable turnover rate for bone collagen is considered. Analysis of individual tooth annuli from a different suite of Zalophus specimens suggests that half of the individuals were weaned at ～12 mo of age, and half were dependent on milk for a portion of their second year. For Callorhinus, bone collagen for age classes that contain pre‐weaned individuals were ¹⁵N‐enriched, but values were significantly lower in specimens between 6 and 20 mo of age. These ¹⁵N‐enriched values, presumably acquired during nursing between 0 and 4 mo of age in Callorhinus, were not present in specimens older than 12 mo of age. Thus complete bone collagen turnover in young‐of‐the‐year occurs in 8–10 mo. ¹⁵N enrichment is evident in the first annulus of female Callorhinus individuals, but is not detectable in males. Analyses of Callorhinus tooth annuli show no ontogenetic trends in δ¹³C values. Our study indicates that nitrogen, and in some cases carbon, isotopes can be used to assess reproductive strategies in marine mammals. When coupled with accurate age estimates based on bone growth regressions, this isotopic technique can be applied to historical or fossil otariids to gain insight into the flexibility of maternal strategies within and across species.     

Differential effects of undernutrition during pregnancy on the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and on the establishment of mutual recognition

We investigated whether undernutrition during the second half of pregnancy impaired the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and early mutual recognition. Twenty-two control and 22 underfed mixed-breed, multiparous dairy goats were used, together with their respective kids (control, n = 31: nine singles, 16 twins and six triplets; underfed, n = 32: 11 singles, 18 twins and three triplets). Undernutrition involved limiting protein and energy intake at 70% of the nutritional requirements for maintenance and foetal growth from day 70 of pregnancy until birth. The behaviour of mothers and their two first-born kids was observed for 90 min from the birth of each kid. Maternal olfactory recognition of the kid was assessed at 4 h post partum by testing selective nursing behaviour. Non-olfactory recognition was assessed at 8 h in a two-choice test excluding olfactory cues. In kids, preference for the mother was assessed in a two-choice test at either 12 or 24 h post partum. Bodyweight of does and kids were lower in the underfed group up to 2 weeks post partum. At parturition, licking, maternal bleating frequency and latency to nursing did not differ between nutritional groups. Control kids were faster than underfed kids to stand, search for and reach the udder, but underfed kids bleated more and tended to spend more time at the udder. Both control and underfed does accepted their own kid and rejected the alien in the selectivity test at 4 h. In contrast, at 8 h post partum, only control goats showed a significant preference for their own kid in the non-olfactory recognition test. Both control and underfed kids showed a preference for their own mother at 12 and 24 h and undernutrition during pregnancy had little influence on the performance of kids. However, 12 h-old underfed kids tended to be less active than control kids and visited their own mothers less than control kids. There were no significant correlations between the behaviour of the mother or of the kid at parturition and their performance in the discrimination tests. Overall, undernutrition in the second half of pregnancy appears to be more detrimental for the behaviour of the mother than for the kid. Furthermore, it has more impact on the establishment of maternal non-olfactory recognition than on maternal care at parturition or the establishment of maternal selectivity.     

五年制高职护理学生乙型肝炎KAP及需求调查

目的：通过了解高职护理学生对乙型肝炎（简称＂乙肝＂）流行病学知识及在医疗护理过程中对乙肝病毒感染防护措施的知晓程度,了解感染乙肝病毒（HBV）后对学生的心理行为和社会功能的影响,为今后有针对性地开展学校传染病管理和宣传工作提供依据。方法：对盐城卫生职业学院2006级552名高职护理学生采用问卷调查的方式进行乙肝相关知识及职业暴露防护相关措施的调查。结果：高职护理学生对乙肝相关知识的了解比较丰富,主要原因是接受过乙肝流行病学的专业学习;但对在医疗护理过程中预防乙肝病毒感染的措施缺乏了解,并且感染乙肝后对其心理、学习、人际交往等方面均有不同程度的影响。结论：高职护理学生乙肝相关知识掌握的较丰富,但就预防乙肝病毒感染和病毒感染后的行为水平较低,学校应加强学生的职业暴露防护及健康心理行为的教育。     

Midlife obesity and long-term risk of nursing home admission

Objective: Obesity is a growing problem among middle‐aged individuals. We investigated whether obesity in middle‐aged individuals influences the need for future nursing home care and whether the risk of nursing home admission associated with obesity is greater in whites than in blacks. Research Methods and Procedures: The study population (N = 8804) consisted of long‐term members of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Plan ages 75 to 85 years in 1995 who had completed a standardized, multiphasic health checkup while in their 50s. The multiphasic health checkup examinations were performed as part of routine medical care between the years 1964 and 1973 and included standardized measurements of BMI. We used health plan records to assess incident nursing home admissions from 1995 to 2002. The risk of nursing home admission associated with standard categories of midlife BMI was estimated using Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: During an average follow‐up of 5.1 years, the nursing home admission rate was 6.8 per 100 person‐years of observation. After adjustment for comorbidities, midlife obesity predicted incident nursing home admission ～25 years later [hazard ratio (HR), 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15 to 1.46; p < 0.001]. Overweight BMI at midlife was not associated with future nursing home admission (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.14; p = 0.23). The risk of nursing home admission associated with midlife obesity was higher in whites (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.54; p < 0.001) than in blacks (HR 1.15; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.52; p = 0.32), but the difference between races was not significant (p for interaction = 0.65). Discussion: Obesity among middle‐aged individuals is associated with an increased risk of nursing home admission in late life and may be an important target for reducing the future societal burden of nursing home care.     

Dwindling pollen resources trigger the transition to broodless populations of long-lived honeybees each autumn

Abstract.  1. Each autumn in northern regions, honeybee colonies shift from populations of short-lived workers that actively rear brood to broodless populations of long-lived winter bees. To determine if dwindling pollen resources trigger this transition, the natural disappearance of external pollen resources was artificially accelerated or delayed and colonies were monitored for effects on the decline in brood-rearing activity and the development of populations of long-lived winter bees.
2. Delaying the disappearance of pollen resources postponed the decline in brood rearing in colonies. Colonies with an extended supply of pollen reared workers longer into October before brood rearing ended than control colonies or colonies for which pollen supply was cut short artificially in autumn.
3. Colonies with extended pollen supply produced more workers throughout autumn than colonies with less pollen, but the development of the population of long-lived winter bees was delayed until relatively later in autumn. Colonies produced similar numbers of winter bees, regardless of the timing of the disappearance of pollen resources.
4. Mean longevity of autumn-reared workers was inversely related to the amount of brood remaining to be reared in colonies when workers eclosed. Consequently, long-lived workers did not appear in colonies until brood rearing declined, which in turn was controlled by the availability of pollen.
5. Dwindling pollen resources provide a powerful cue that initiates the transition to populations of broodless winter bees because it directly affects the brood-rearing capacity of colonies and indirectly indicates deteriorating environmental conditions associated with the approach of winter.     

Parasitic nursing behavior in the wedge-capped capuchin monkey (Cebus olivaceus)

Juvenile and adult females in two wild groups of wedge-capped capuchin monkeys (Cebus olivaceus) were observed nursing from other adult females. The context of the interactions varied with participants but always involved a higher-ranking female nursing from a lower-ranking female. This behavior appears to be an example of an exploitative interaction in which the suckling female benefits at the expense of the nursing female.     

Indiscriminate nursing in communal breeders: a role for genomic imprinting

Abstract In several communally nesting mammal species, females indiscriminately nurse each others' offspring. Previous hypotheses have suggested that the inability to recognize one's own young during lactation is the result of costs incurred from recognition errors. Here, we propose an alternative hypothesis based on sexual conflict theory and genomic imprinting. In polygynous species, males copulate with several females that may later breed communally. Under such conditions, males benefit from indiscriminate nursing of all their offspring and the reduced risk of female infanticide. This may have selected for paternally expressed genes that suppress kin recognition during lactation.     

“以人为本”理念在产科护理质量持续性改进中的应用

目的 探析“以人文本”管理理念指导产科管理对护理质量持续性提高的促进作用。方法 随机选取“以人为本”管理模式实施前后半年收治的120例产妇为调查对象,分别归于对照组和研究组,对比分析两组产妇并发症发生情况及护理服务满意情况,同时随机选取本科室40名护理人员,对比分析实施前后职业工作紧张和职业倦怠情况、护理管理态度以及护理质量情况。结果 实施“以人为本”护理管理后,护理人员学习主动性、护理管理理解、护理管理接受、护理管理态度、护理工作价值观评分明显高于常规管理（P＜0.05）。结论 “以人为本”管理实施提高护理人员积极性和职业效能。