bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HDL cholesterol and clinical outcomes in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ishibashi Takuma , Kaneko Hidehiro , Matsuoka Satoshi , Suzuki Yuta , Ueno Kensuke , Ohno Ryusei , Okada Akira , Fujiu Katsuhito , Michihata Nobuaki , Jo Taisuke , Takeda Norifumi , Morita Hiroyuki , Node Koichi , Yasunaga Hideo , Komuro Issei 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Aims
HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) has been thought to protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas a U-shaped association of both low and extremely high HDL-C with a high mortality risk has been increasingly reported in recent years. However, whether this U-shaped association is universal regardless of the individual’s clinical background, including lifestyle diseases, remains unclear. We examined whether fasting plasma glucose modifies the U-shaped association between the HDL-C level and clinical outcomes.

Methods and results
This retrospective observational cohort study analysed data from the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2021 for 3 282 389 participants without a history of CVD. The median age was 44 years (IQR, 36–51), and 1 878 164 participants (57.2%) were men. The median HDL-C level was 62 (IQR 52–74) mg/dL. The study participants were categorized according to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels (&lt;100 mg/dL, 100–125 mg/dL, and ≥126 mg/dL). The primary endpoint was composite CVD outcome, consisting of myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause death. During a mean follow-up period of 1181 ± 932 days, 35 233 composite CVD events were recorded. The association between low HDL-C and CVD risk increased with the FPG level, and the relationship of high HDL-C with CV outcome was prominent only in people with diabetes mellitus. A similar relationship was observed in the individual subgroups and in each CV outcome.

Conclusion
The U-shaped association between HDL-C and clinical outcomes was amplified with worsening glucose tolerance, suggesting a potential interaction between HDL-C levels and glycaemic status on clinical outcomes.
Soil Carbon Dioxide Emission along a Permafrost Hillslope inLarix gmeliniiForest in China
Authors: Luo Yuyang , Li Shangyuan , Ma Yingmei , Meng Fanxu , Wang Bo , Wang Xu , Wang Shusen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractQuantification of regional soil carbon changes in boreal forests in China is difficult for high spatial heterogeneity, especially considering soil CH4 fluxes in permafrost regions. This study attempted to quantify the variation of soil CO2 emission and its relationship with other soil properties along a permafrost hillslope in Larix gmelinii Kuzen. forest. Using a closed-chamber method, the soil CO2 emission was measured at four slope positions in the Greater Xing’an Range of China in two growing seasons. The results showed that soil CO2 changes have high spatial variability in Larix gmelinii forest along the slope, and average soil CO2 emission at the upper part of the slope was 64% higher than at the bottom. Soil CO2 fluxes showed high positive correlation with soil temperature at 10 cm depth and fungi numbers and negative correlation with soil CH4 change. This study showed the complexity of CO2 emission and could provide data support for forest carbon measurement caused by hillslope in the boreal forest of China.Study Implications: The forest area of Larix gmelinii Kuzen. in the Greater Xing’an Range accounts for 13.2% of the total forest area China. Therefore, the accurate calculation of carbon sequestration of Larix gmelinii forest is significant to the forest carbon measurement of China. However, due to the topographical complexity of the Greater Xing’an Range, the measurement of soil carbon has always been a problem. This study explored the soil carbon dioxide emissions at different slope positions along a hillslope and provided some methods and data support to solve measurement problems caused by hillslope in boreal forest in China.
Neural Mechanisms of Age-Related Loss of Muscle Performance and Physical Function
Authors: Clark Brian C 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: This article discusses the putative neural mechanisms of age-related muscle weakness within the broader context of the development of function-promoting therapies for sarcopenia and age-related mobility limitations. We discuss here the evolving definition of sarcopenia and its primary defining characteristic, weakness.
Methods: This review explores the premise that impairments in the nervous system’s ability to generate maximal force or power contribute to sarcopenia.
Results: Impairments in neural activation are responsible for a substantial amount of age-related weakness. The neurophysiological mechanisms of weakness are multifactorial. The roles of supraspinal descending command mechanisms, spinal motor neuron firing responsivity, and neuromuscular junction transmission failure in sarcopenia are discussed. Research/clinical gaps and recommendations for future work are highlighted.
Conclusion: Further research is needed to map putative neural mechanisms, determine the clinical relevance of age-related changes in neural activation to sarcopenia, and evaluate the effectiveness of various neurotherapeutic approaches to enhancing physical function.
Challenges and Future Prospects of Targeting Myostatin/Activin A Signaling to Treat Diseases of Muscle Loss and Metabolic Dysfunction
Authors: Lee Se-Jin , Bhasin Shalender , Klickstein Lloyd , Krishnan Venkatesh , Rooks Daniel 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Over the past 25 years, considerable progress has been made in terms of elucidating the regulatory and signaling mechanisms underlying the control of skeletal muscle mass by myostatin and other secreted proteins belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Preclinical studies demonstrating the potential benefits of targeting the activities of these ligands have fueled the development of numerous biologics capable of perturbing this signaling pathway and increasing muscle mass and function. These biologics have been tested in numerous clinical trials for a wide range of indications characterized by muscle loss and excess adiposity. Here, we review the results of these trials and discuss some of the challenges and future prospects for targeting this signaling pathway to treat muscle and metabolic diseases. Myostatin inhibitors may improve metabolic outcomes by increasing muscle mass, and metabolic disorders may be attractive potential indications for these molecules.
Attitudes to COVID-19 Vaccines Among Australians During the Delta Variant Wave: A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Lupton Deborah 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 globally, a range of vaccines has been developed and delivered to reduce viral transmission and prevent COVID cases. This article reports findings from a qualitative research project involving telephone interviews with a diverse group of 40 adult Australians about their experiences of the COVID crisis. Interviews were conducted in late 2021 when Australians were dealing with the Delta variant outbreak and following a major effort on the part of government authorities to improve COVID-19 vaccination supplies and take-up. Responses to a question about COVID vaccines revealed that attitudes to and acceptance of COVID vaccines among this group were overwhelmingly positive. All participants had received at least one vaccine dose and the majority expressed views in support of mass vaccination against COVID. People who were hesitant or cautious about accepting COVID vaccination referred to the vaccines’ novelty and potential side effects. While many people were aware of debates about vaccine safety in the news media, trust in science and medical advice about COVID vaccines was strong. Participants wanted to protect themselves and others by accepting the recommended doses. Participants’ locale was a major factor in shaping experiences and stances on vaccines. The setting of government targets and mandates for vaccination was a key motivating factor. The goal of ‘getting back to normal’ was expressed as another reason for accepting vaccination, particularly for those living in areas that had been badly affected by high COVID cases and prolonged lockdowns.
Mind the gap: Danish school heads’ ability to implement a national physical activity school requirement
Authors: Nielsen Jonas Vestergaard , Koch Sofie , Skovgaard Thomas 
Published: February 2023

Summary
In 2014, the Danish government introduced a wide-ranging reform of primary and lower secondary education that applied to all public schools. A distinctive feature was that it became mandatory for schools to provide an average of 45 min of daily physical activity (PA). The capacity for change of local school heads and the schools overall are considered key to fulfilling such a policy-driven requirement. The aim of this study is therefore to explore local school heads’ ability to implement the stated requirement of 45 min of daily PA within their local organizational capacity for change. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted across 11 schools. Respondents were school staff with management responsibilities (leading teachers with school management responsibilities, deputy heads and school heads). Results indicate that local school heads are central agents in converting the Danish school requirement of 45 min of daily PA into local action. This includes their ability to advance broad aims into concrete goals, secure supportive structures and organize the implementation strategy. Heads also need to support the staff in building sufficient knowledge capacity on how to arrange and incorporate PA into their daily practice, support the widespread dissemination of this knowledge across the school and reserve work hours for such activities. Assigning local PA ambassadors was particularly highlighted as important implementation support, as they can help build and disseminate knowledge while also broadcasting the school head’s strategy and focus on integrating and upholding students’ PA levels.
‘Football and dancing are in our blood’: culture promoting sports practice among immigrants in Europe
Authors: Monserrate-Gómez Sílvia , Rubio-Rico Lourdes , Cuesta-Martínez Roser , Raventós-Torner Rosa-Dolors , Roca-Biosca Alba , de Molina-Fernández Inmaculada 
Published: February 2023

Summary
The current state of knowledge indicates that regular sports practice helps prevent and treat non-communicable diseases. The promotion of sport is, therefore, an important community health intervention for maintaining and improving the health of individuals and populations. Culture is identified as being associated with sports practice and sedentary behaviour of ethnic and national minorities. This study aims qualitatively to analyse the potential for culture as a basis for the promotion of sport among immigrants in four regions of Mediterranean Europe. Ten focus groups (n = 62) were conducted with immigrants—adults and young people over the age of 11—and people involved in promoting sport. Thematic content analysis was conducted. The results enabled identifying two major issues: sport as a vehicle for cultural expression and synergies between sport and culture. Accordingly, sport serves to express global, local and non-ethno-national cultural belonging. Regarding synergies, culture and sport feed each other positively and contribute to immigrants’ health and cultural well-being. Culture as a strategy for promoting sports practice requires an interdisciplinary approach that involves collaboration between healthcare practitioners and social sciences professionals. There is also a need to use the various axes of cultural definition—global, local and non-ethno-national—of those involved, and for them to take part themselves in designing sports activities. Moreover, promoting sport through non-ethno-national axes of cultural definition may help with immigrants’ social inclusion, as intercultural relations between migrants and newcomers are promoted.
Medication adherence to disease-modifying therapies among a cohort of Jordanian patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Keilani Maha S , Almomani Basima A 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate medication adherence to oral and parenteral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and to explore factors associated with medication non-adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsA cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted among patients with MS. Patients who attended outpatient clinics of neurology departments from three major referral centres were invited to participate in the study. Medication adherence was measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire.Key findingsA total of 319 patients with MS on DMT were included in the final analyses, their average age was 35 years and more than two-thirds (72.1%) of them were women. The adherent group comprised 46.7% of patients. The results of association analyses showed that factors that were associated with adherence level were female gender (P = 0.034), non-smoking/x-smoking (P = 0.007), school education (P = 0.019), unemployment (P = 0.006), history of previous DMT (P = 0.020), longer previous treatment duration (P = 0.008), and type of current DMT (P = 0.020). Among the non-adherent patients, there were significant differences between oral and parenteral DMT users in the importance of barriers to adherence (P &lt; 0.001). Additionally, the degree of treatment satisfaction was higher in oral users than in parenteral users (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsThe adherence level was quite low. Gender, smoking status, education, employment status, history of previous DMT, previous treatment duration and type of current DMT were associated with medication non-adherence in our patients with MS. These factors should be considered when evaluating medication adherence, and the modifiable factors may represent potential targets for interventions to improve pharmaceutical care planning in patients with MS.
Exploring migration intention among registered pharmacists in Kerala: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Kunnumbrath Navaneeth , Kodali Prakash Babu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the intention to migrate among pharmacists in Kerala and explored the factors driving pharmacist migration in Kerala.MethodsA sequential mixed-methods study was carried out to explore the intention to migrate among pharmacists in Kerala, India. A survey of 256 registered pharmacists and in-depth interviews with 15 pharmacists having high migration intentions were undertaken. Quantitative data were analysed employing univariate approaches and binary logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed employing thematic analysis.Key findingsAbout 44.5% (n = 114) of pharmacists expressed a high intention to migrate. Younger age of up to 30 years (AOR = 8.31, 95% CI = 2.24–30.82), more opportunities abroad (AOR = 4.28, 95% CI = 1.87–9.80), better salaries (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.04–5.95) and a general negative outlook towards a pharmacy career in Kerala (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.22–6.56) predicted a high level of intention to migrate among pharmacists. Lower incomes, working conditions, respect and recognition in the society, professional conflict and social connections were observed to be major push factors influencing pharmacists’ migration intentions.ConclusionsJust under half of the registered pharmacists in Kerala has a high intention to migrate abroad. Economic factors, workplace factors, lack of opportunities, social status and so on, were influencers of the intention to migrate among pharmacists. Ensuring implementation of equitable wage policies, preventing unlicensed pharmacy practice, improving societal awareness and providing clear job roles for pharmacists with PharmD and MPharm degrees are needed.
Evaluation of Variability in Interpretation of Disk Diffusion Testing for Cefiderocol Using Different Brands of Mueller–Hinton Agar
Authors: Potter Robert F , Wallace Meghan A , Muenks Carol E , Alvarado Kelly , Yarbrough Melanie L , Burnham Carey-Ann D 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Cefiderocol is a new antibiotic used to treat infections with antibiotic resistant Gram-negative bacilli. The impact of differences between Mueller–Hinton agar (MHA) brands on susceptibility testing is underexplored. Compounding the implementation of cefiderocol susceptibility testing is a lack of harmonization between different regulatory body breakpoint criteria.

Methods
We performed Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion using BD, Hardy, and Remel MHA, in addition to broth microdilution for Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 25), Enterobacterales (n = 25), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 24), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 23). We analyzed disk diffusion diameters and minimum inhibitory concentrations using interpretive criteria from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST).

Results
Breakpoint criteria impacted interpretation of susceptibly testing results, for example with the broth microdilution we found 8% (2/25) of A. baumannii isolates change interpretation between CLSI and EUCAST and 32% (8/25) change between CLSI and FDA, 12% (3/25) of Enterobacterales change between CLSI and EUCAST, 13% (3/23) of P. aeruginosa interpretations change between CLSI and FDA, and 4% (1/25) S. maltophilia change between CLSI and FDA. There was a significant difference between the zone disk diffusion diameters for P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia between Hardy and BD; which changed interpretation (using CLSI criteria) for 8.7% (2/23) for P. aeruginosa but 0% (0/24) for S. maltophilia.

Conclusions
Breakpoint criteria impact cefiderocol susceptibility testing interpretation for broth microdilution and disk diffusion. Choice of MHA brand can also affect result interpretation.
A Simple Admission Order-set Improves Adherence to Canadian Guidelines for Hospitalized Patients With Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Li Fraine Steven , Malhamé Isabelle , Cafaro Teresa , Simard Camille , MacNamara Elizabeth , Martel Myriam , Barkun Alan , Wyse Jonathan M 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Individuals hospitalized with severe ulcerative colitis represent a complex group of patients. Variation exists in the quality of care of admitted patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We hypothesized that implementation of a standardized admission order set could result in improved adherence to current best practice guidelines (Toronto Consensus Statements) for the management of this patient population.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted with severe ulcerative colitis to a Montreal tertiary center was conducted. Two cohorts were defined based on pre- and post-implementation of a standardized order set. Adherence to 11 quality indicators was assessed before and after implementation of the intervention. These included: Clostridioides difficile and stool cultures testing, ordering an abdominal X-ray and CRP, organizing a flexible sigmoidoscopy, documenting latent tuberculosis, initiating thromboprophylaxis, use of intravenous steroids, prescribing infliximab if refractory to steroids, limiting narcotics, and surgical consultation if refractory to medical therapy.

Results
Adherence to 6 of the 11 quality indicators was improved in the post-intervention cohort. Significant increases were noted in adherence to C difficile testing (75.5% versus 91.9%, P &lt; 0.05), CRP testing (71.4% versus 94.6%, P &lt; 0.01), testing for latent tuberculosis (38.1% versus 84.6%, P &lt; 0.01), thromboprophylaxis (28.6% versus 94.6%, P &lt; 0.01), adequate corticosteroids prescription (72.9% versus 94.6%, P &lt; 0.01), and limitation of narcotics prescribed (68.8% versus 38.9%, P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusions
Implementation of a standardized order set, focused on pre-defined quality indicators for hospitalized patients with severe UC, was associated with meaningful improvements to most quality indicators defined by the Toronto Consensus Statements.
A Comparison of Preference-Based, Generic and Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Bashir Naazish S , Walters Thomas D , Griffiths Anne M , Otley Anthony , Critch Jeff , Ungar Wendy J 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectiveGeneric preference-based HRQOL assessments used expressly for economic evaluation have not been examined in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The objective was to further assess the construct validity of preference-based HRQOL measures in pediatric IBD by comparing the Child Health Utility 9 Dimensions (CHU9D) and Health Utilities Index (HUI) to the disease-specific IMPACT-III and to the generic PedsQL in children with CD and with UC.MethodsThe CHU9D, HUI, IMPACT-III and/or PedsQL were administered to Canadian children aged 6 to 18 years with CD and UC. CHU9D total and domain utilities were calculated using adult and youth tariffs. HUI total and attribute utilities were determined for the HUI2 and HUI3. Total scores for IMPACT-III and PedsQL were determined. Spearman correlations were calculated between generic preference-based utilities and the IMPACT-III and PedsQL scores.ResultsThe questionnaires were administered to 157 children with CD and 73 children with UC. Moderate to strong correlations were observed between the CHU9D, HUI2, HUI3 and the disease-specific IMPACT-III or generic PedsQL. As hypothesized, domains with similar constructs demonstrated stronger correlations, such as the Pain and Well-being domains.ConclusionsWhile all questionnaires were moderately correlated with the IMPACT-III and PedsQL questionnaires, the CHU9D using youth tariffs and the HUI3 were most strongly correlated and would be suitable choices to generate health utilities for children with CD or UC for the purpose of economic evaluation of treatments in pediatric IBD.
Implementing Landscape-scale Environmental Management: Landscape Enterprise Networks
Authors: Rodgers Christopher , Kendall Helen 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
This article considers the use of Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) as an innovative model for developing collaborative landscape-scale environmental management. It does so by relying on case studies to present LENs as a model that can be successfully used to create, and then manage, the market for ecosystem services provided by multi-functional landscapes. LENs can, for example, be used to address diffuse water pollution and to establish landscape-scale biodiversity and pollution ‘offsets’ through the creation of new wetlands or large-scale rewilding initiatives. The analysis presented here concludes that LENs offers an imaginative and valuable tool for landscape-level environmental management but that changes will be needed in the legal framework for property rights and development planning if it is to fulfill its considerable potential. The governance arrangements for functioning LENs will also need refinement to introduce greater transparency, strategic direction and accountability to their future development.