bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twin Studies of Cardiovascular Response to Psychological Challenge: A Review and Suggested Future Directions
Authors: Turner J. Rick , Hewitt John K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This review examines studies which have explored the origins of individual differences in cardiovascular response to psychological challenge by employing the classical twin study methodology. The studies discussed focus on heart rate and/or blood pressure responses. While the widely ranging analytical techniques, relatively small sample sizes, varying health status of subjects, and the use of mainly male samples make more definitive conclusions difficult to draw, the evidence suggests that reactivity to psychological stress is indeed moderately heritable. Further, it appears unlikely that non-genetic influences shared by siblings play any substantial or lasting role in determining individual differences in responsivity. Suggested future directions for research include the incorporation of a wider range of physiological parameters, adoption of some of the new generation of behavioral medicine tasks focusing on psychosocial or social situations, racial and gender group comparisons, and investigation of genetic influences on ambulatory cardiovascular parameters. Finally, the most recent advances in appropriate behavioral genetic analytical approaches are discussed, and path analysis is suggested as the technique of choice for research in this area. By combining the most recent advances in cardiovascular psychophysiology, behavioral medicine, and behavioral genetics, future studies adopting integrative research strategies should further our understanding of genetic influences on cardiovascular reactivity.
Determinants of Body Fat Localization and its Implications for Health
Authors: Rodin Judith 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Recent epidemiologic evidence suggests that a pattern of abdominally-localized fat significantly increases risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some cancers. Four major cases of factors that regulate the distribution of body fat to different regions of the body have recently been suggested. These are: genetics, the aging process, gender, and environmental/lifestyle variables. The present review briefly discusses the current status of evidence for each of these variables, with a more extended discussion of the role of stress and stress-related lifestyle variables, such as weight cycling and cigarette smoking. It is proposed that these lifestyle factors may be of considerable significance since they may promote fat deposition selectively to the visceral intra-abdominal depots, which have recently been implicated in impaired insulin metabolism and elevated plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.
Fibromyalgia: Clinical Signs, Research Findings, Treatment Implications, and Future Directions
Authors: Baumstark Karen E. , Buckelew Susan P. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), a chronic painful condition, affects approximately six million Americans. Criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia include widespread pain and the presence of reproducible and characteristic tender points. Despite the physical impairment and distress associated with FS, there are few objective findings. Therefore, psychological factors have been proposed as important in the maintenance and exacerbation of the condition. There has been a proliferation of research findings on FS in the last ten years. This article reviews the clinical signs; research findings, including the role of physical and psychological factors; treatment implications; and future directions.
Statistical Analysis of Temporal Data With Many Observations: Issues For Behavioral Medicine Data
Authors: Jaccard James , Wan Choi K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Approaches to the analysis of behavioral medicine data with few individuals but many repeated observations are discussed. Difficulties with common analytic strategies are noted and applications from econometrics using cross-sectional pooled time series designs are recommended. Additional complications due to outliers, missing data, measurement error, and aggregation bias are discussed.
Coronary Heart Disease in Women: Influences on Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Frank Erica , Taylor C. Barr 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in the United States in both sexes. Recent advances in diagnostic and treatment techniques can lessen mortality. However, for uncertain reasons, U.S. women receive less aggressive diagnosis and treatment of CHD than do U.S. men. This article explores this gender-linked differential, examines some potential medical and psychosocial reasons for why it exists, and presents some ramifications for health professionals.
Benefits of Psychological Preparation for Surgery: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Johnston Marie , Vögele Claus 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
There is now substantial agreement that psychological preparation for surgery is beneficial to patients. It is important, however, to establish which benefits can be achieved by psychological preparation and if all forms of preparation are equally effective. The results of randomized controlled trials of psychological methods of preparing adult patients for surgery were analyzed in terms of eight outputs (negative affect, pain, pain medication, length of stay, behavioral and clinical indices of recovery, physiological indices, and satisfaction). In order to reduce publication bias, published as well as unpublished studies were included in the meta-analysis. It was concluded that significant benefits can be obtained on all of the major outcome variables that have been explored. Procedural information and behavioral instructions show the most ubiquitous effects in improving measures of postoperative recovery. The results have implications for the improvement of patient care in surgical units.
Issues in the Prevention of Weight Gain after Smoking Cessation
Authors: Perkins Kenneth A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Although commonly accepted, there is essentially no direct support for the assumption that preventing weight gain after smoking cessation will improve the likelihood of remaining abstinent from smoking. First, developing interventions to prevent this weight gain has proven to be extremely difficult. To date, no adjunct behavioral treatment has been shown to be successful in attenuating cessation-induced weight gain in healthy ex-smokers. Reasons for this failure may stem from inadequate intensity of interventions, poor compliance due to the complexity of interventions aimed at both eliminating smoking and controlling weight, or to biological pressures for weight to increase after removal of the weight suppressing effects of smoking (i.e. altered energy regulation). Pharmacological interventions, despite being successful during brief periods of active use, have not been studied beyond several months' duration of treatment. Second and more importantly, prospective studies have not reported that weight gain after cessation directly predicts relapse, and results of a recent intervention indicate that adjunct weight control treatment may be associated with greater smoking relapse. Although contrary to common belief these findings are very consistent with a large body of basic animal research showing that food or weight restriction increases drug intake. In light of these observations, a more prudent and fruitful approach for basic and clinical research may be to re-examine the fundamental relationships among smoking, eating, body weight, and perhaps weight-related attitudes, rather than developing intensive strategies for combating weight gain after smoking cessation. If further study continues to find no positive relationship between this weight gain and risk of subsequent smoking relapse, it may be necessary to consider developing treatments designed to help ex-smokers accept, rather than fight, weight gain after cessation.
Social Support and Marital Coping with Chronic Illness
Authors: Revenson Tracey A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This article reviews a number of issues related to married couples' coping with and adjustment to chronic physical illness. Spouses occupy a dual role in the coping process, as primary provider of support to the ill partner and as a family member who needs support in coping with the illness-related stresses he or she is experiencing. Studies on the impact of illness on the healthy spouse and the marital relationship are reviewed, with a focus on social support transactions between partners. In addition, sources of support for the healthy spouse are described. Two theoretical models of couples' coping are presented and suggested for future research in the area: one focuses on relationship-focused coping efforts and the other focuses on the congruence or fit between husbands' and wives' coping efforts. An integrative framework is presented, and a call is sounded for research on couples' coping with chronic stress that addresses the multiple influences of gender.
Treatments for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Haddck C. Keith , Shadish William R. , Klesges Robert C. , Stein Risa J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The current review provides the first comprehensive metaanalysis of the childhood and adolescent obesity treatment literature. A total of 41 controlled, treatment outcome studies were included in the analyses. Results indicated that treatments for childhood and adolescent obesity produce significantly better outcomes than control conditions both at posttest and follow-up. Three variables were most consistently related to treatment outcome. First, comprehensive behavioral treatments—those using a combination of behavioral modification procedures, a special diet, and an exercise program—emerged as the treatment of choice for childhood and adolescent obesity. Second, treatments which included behavioral modification techniques produced better treatment results than weight loss programs not using behavioral modification. Third, studies using heavier children as subjects produced larger absolute weight losses. Suggestions for future research are discussed in relation to the limitations of the current childhood obesity treatment literature.
Mammography Use in the U.S.: Trends and the Impact of Interventions
Authors: Rimer Barbara K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Mammography use has increased dramatically over the last five years. In 1990, 63% of U.S. women over age 40 reported ever having had a mammogram. The most important barriers to mammography have remained stable—lack of a physician recommendation and not knowing that mammograms are needed in the absence of symptoms. A range of interventions have been employed to increase mammography use. These include media campaigns, patient-directed interventions, system-directed or physician-directed interventions, access-enhancing interventions, policy-level interventions, social network interventions, and multi-strategy interventions. Six studies were reviewed in which single-intervention strategies were evaluated. Two of the six studies showed main effects; the others evidenced interventions. Fourteen studies included multi-strategy approaches to intervention: 11 of 14 had main effects. The others showed interactions. Thus, 33% of the single-intervention trials resulted in significant main effects compared to 85% of the multi-intervention studies. In the future, there should be more attention to standardization of measures and to the refinement of interventions for women over age 50 who are not currently getting regular mammograms.
III—Doing Our ‘Best’? Utilitarianism, Rationality and the Altruist’s Dilemma
Authors: Hayward Max Khan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Utilitarians think that what matters in ethics is making the world a better place. In that case, it might seem that we each rationally ought to do our best—perform the actions, out of those open to each of us, with the best expected outcomes. In other words, we should follow act-utilitarian reasons. But often the result of many altruistic agents following such individualistic reasons is worse than the result of them following collectivist ‘team-reasons’. So utilitarians should reject act utilitarianism, and accept a dualist view according to which both individualistic and team reasons are fundamental. In order to align these distinct kinds of reason, utilitarians must focus centrally on questions of political and social reform—as did their historical forebears.
Ophthalmate is a new regulator of motor functions via CaSR: implications for movement disorders
Authors: Alhassen Sammy , Hogenkamp Derk , Nguyen Hung Anh , Al Masri Saeed , Abbott Geoffrey W , Civelli Olivier , Alachkar Amal 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Dopamine’s role as the principal neurotransmitter in motor functions has long been accepted. We broaden this conventional perspective by demonstrating the involvement of non-dopaminergic mechanisms. In mouse models of Parkinson’s disease, we observed that L-DOPA elicited a substantial motor response even when its conversion to dopamine was blocked by inhibiting the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). Remarkably, the motor activity response to L-DOPA in the presence of an AADC inhibitor (NSD1015) showed a delayed onset, yet greater intensity and longer duration, peaking at 7 h, compared to when L-DOPA was administered alone. This suggests an alternative pathway or mechanism, independent of dopamine signalling, mediating the motor functions. We sought to determine the metabolites associated with the pronounced hyperactivity observed, using comprehensive metabolomics analysis.
Our results revealed that the peak in motor activity induced by NSD1015/L-DOPA in Parkinson’s disease mice is associated with a surge (20-fold) in brain levels of the tripeptide ophthalmic acid (also known as ophthalmate in its anionic form). Interestingly, we found that administering ophthalmate directly to the brain rescued motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease mice in a dose-dependent manner. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying ophthalmate’s action and discovered, through radioligand binding and cAMP-luminescence assays, that ophthalmate binds to and activates the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR).
Additionally, our findings demonstrated that a CaSR antagonist inhibits the motor-enhancing effects of ophthalmate, further solidifying the evidence that ophthalmate modulates motor functions through the activation of the CaSR. The discovery of ophthalmate as a novel regulator of motor function presents significant potential to transform our understanding of brain mechanisms of movement control and the therapeutic management of related disorders.
BioKC: a collaborative platform for curation and annotation of molecular interactions
Authors: Vega Carlos , Ostaszewski Marek , Grouès Valentin , Schneider Reinhard , Satagopam Venkata 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Curation of biomedical knowledge into systems biology diagrammatic or computational models is essential for studying complex biological processes. However, systems-level curation is a laborious manual process, especially when facing ever-increasing growth of domain literature. New findings demonstrating elaborate relationships between multiple molecules, pathways and cells have to be represented in a format suitable for systems biology applications. Importantly, curation should capture the complexity of molecular interactions in such a format together with annotations of the involved elements and support stable identifiers and versioning. This challenge calls for novel collaborative tools and platforms allowing to improve the quality and the output of the curation process. In particular, community-based curation, an important source of curated knowledge, requires support in role management, reviewing features and versioning. Here, we present Biological Knowledge Curation (BioKC), a web-based collaborative platform for the curation and annotation of biomedical knowledge following the standard data model from Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML). BioKC offers a graphical user interface for curation of complex molecular interactions and their annotation with stable identifiers and supporting sentences. With the support of collaborative curation and review, it allows to construct building blocks for systems biology diagrams and computational models. These building blocks can be published under stable identifiers and versioned and used as annotations, supporting knowledge building for modelling activities.
Evolution and characteristics of studies estimating attributable mortality to second-hand smoke: a systematic review
Authors: López-Medina Diana C , Candal-Pedreira Cristina , Rey-Brandariz Julia , Guerra-Tort Carla , García Guadalupe , Martín-Gisbert Lucia , Casal-Acción Beatriz , Ruano-Ravina Alberto , Varela-Lema Leonor , Pérez-Ríos Mónica 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Several studies have estimated the impact of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure on mortality in the population of different countries. This study aimed to identify and describe studies that have estimated the attributable mortality (AM) associated with SHS exposure in the adult population.

Methods
A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases up to January 2023. Studies that estimated the AM associated with SHS exposure in the adult population and used a prevalence-dependent method were included. The main characteristics of the studies and their results were described.

Results
Fifty-three studies were included. Most of them were conducted in North America (n = 13), Europe (n = 14) and China (n = 6) and included lung cancer (n = 46) or ischaemic heart disease (n = 22) as causes of death. There was considerable variety in the population under study regarding the relationship with tobacco: non-smokers (n = 30); never-smokers (n = 9); both non and never-smokers (n = 2); the whole population (n = 1) and not known (n = 11). The age at which AM was estimated also varied between studies, ranging from 15  to 40 years and older.

Conclusions
Studies estimating AM associated with SHS exposure are heterogeneous in terms of the causes of death studied, the age at which mortality is attributed, or the population to which mortality referred: consensus should be reached. Despite their importance, studies assessing AM to SHS are infrequent in low- and middle-income countries.
Emergence of phenotypic plasticity through epigenetic mechanisms
Authors: Romero-Mujalli Daniel , Fuchs Laura I R , Haase Martin , Hildebrandt Jan-Peter , Weissing Franz J , Revilla Tomás A 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Plasticity is found in all domains of life and is particularly relevant when populations experience variable environmental conditions. Traditionally, evolutionary models of plasticity are non-mechanistic: they typically view reactions norms as the target of selection, without considering the underlying genetics explicitly. Consequently, there have been difficulties in understanding the emergence of plasticity, and in explaining its limits and costs. In this paper, we offer a novel mechanistic approximation for the emergence and evolution of plasticity. We simulate random “epigenetic mutations” in the genotype–phenotype mapping, of the kind enabled by DNA-methylations/demethylations. The frequency of epigenetic mutations at loci affecting the phenotype is sensitive to organism stress (trait–environment mismatch), but is also genetically determined and evolvable. Thus, the “random motion” of epigenetic markers enables developmental learning-like behaviors that can improve adaptation within the limits imposed by the genotypes. However, with random motion being “goal-less,” this mechanism is also vulnerable to developmental noise leading to maladaptation. Our individual-based simulations show that epigenetic mutations can hide alleles that are temporarily unfavorable, thus enabling cryptic genetic variation. These alleles can be advantageous at later times, under regimes of environmental change, in spite of the accumulation of genetic loads. Simulations also demonstrate that plasticity is favored by natural selection in constant environments, but more under periodic environmental change. Plasticity also evolves under directional environmental change as long as the pace of change is not too fast and costs are low.
Embargoes, Weapons, and Violence: The Conditional Effects of Arms Embargoes on Civilian Targeting
Authors: Jadoon Amira , Early Bryan R 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A primary goal of arms embargoes is to mitigate the humanitarian effects of conflict within target states by restricting access to foreign weaponry. Within this study, we investigate how embargoed governments adapt their violent strategies in response to restrictions on arms imports. We theorize that arms embargoes that undermine governments’ military strength may inadvertently increase their reliance on civilian repression as an alternative approach to countering domestic threats. However, we expect that targeted governments’ ability to acquire weapons from non-participating or non-compliant suppliers will have a mitigating effect. A global examination of the effects of arms embargoes between 1989 and 2004 supports our argument and also suggests that both the levels of arms received and who supplies them matter. Our findings suggest that policymakers who employ arms embargoes should consider increased violence against civilians as a potential unintended consequence and closely monitor target governments’ use of repression.
Advance Care Planning in the Context of Dementia: Defining Concordance
Authors: Clayton Jordana L , Supiano Katherine P , Aruscavage Nancy , Bybee Sara G , Utz Rebecca L , Iacob Eli , Dassel Kara B 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Individuals with dementia may require a surrogate decision maker as their disease progresses. To prepare for this potential role, dementia care partners need to develop a thorough understanding of their care recipient’s end-of-life values and preferences, or care dyad advance care planning (ACP) concordance. As part of our pilot study implementing the LEAD intervention with dementia care dyads, we conducted a multimethod investigation to define care dyad ACP concordance.

Research Design and Methods
We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies published after 1991 in English focusing on care dyad ACP concordance in dementia care and included 34 articles. Concurrently, we used descriptive qualitative analysis to analyze 7 dyadic ACP conversations from a pilot study about dyadic dementia ACP.

Results
The scoping review demonstrated (a) no definition of care dyad ACP concordance was reported; (b) surrogate accuracy in end-of-life decisions varies widely; and (c) best practices for ACP in dementia may aid in achieving ACP concordance, but do not prioritize it as an outcome. Qualitative analysis identified 7 elements for achieving concordance: Respect/Regard; use of Clarifying Processes; Conveying Health Care Scenarios; Affirmation of Understanding; Recognizing Uncertainty; Expression of Positive Emotions; and Trust.

Discussion and Implications
Care dyad ACP concordance occurs when care recipients and care partners both understand a care recipient’s end-of-life values, understand the end-of-life preferences informed by those values, and the care partner expresses a willingness to accomplish the care recipient’s wishes to the best of their ability. ACP concordance can be further operationalized for research and clinical care.