bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids, stress and eating: The mediating role of appetite‐regulating hormones
Authors: Kuckuck Susanne , van der Valk Eline S. , Scheurink Anton J. W. , van der Voorn Bibian , Iyer Anand M. , Visser Jenny A. , Delhanty Patric J. D. , van den Berg Sjoerd A. A. , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. 
Published: December 2022

SummaryDisrupted hormonal appetite signaling plays a crucial role in obesity as it may lead to uncontrolled reward‐related eating. Such disturbances can be induced not only by weight gain itself but also by glucocorticoid overexposure, for example, due to chronic stress, disease, or medication use. However, the exact pathways are just starting to be understood. Here, we present a conceptual framework of how glucocorticoid excess may impair hormonal appetite signaling and, consequently, eating control in the context of obesity. The evidence we present suggests that counteracting glucocorticoid excess can lead to improvements in appetite signaling and may therefore pose a crucial target for obesity prevention and treatment. In turn, targeting hormonal appetite signals may not only improve weight management and eating behavior but may also decrease detrimental effects of glucocorticoid excess on cardio‐metabolic outcomes and mood. We conclude that gaining a better understanding of the relationship between glucocorticoid excess and circulating appetite signals will contribute greatly to improvements in personalized obesity prevention and treatment.
Peritoneal dialysis‐associated peritonitis presenting with Ralstonia pickettii infection: A novel series of three cases during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wu Henry H. L. , Collier Joanne , Crosby Laurie , Holder David , Trautt Elizabeth , Lewis David , Poulikakos Dimitrios , Chinnadurai Rajkumar 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPeritoneal dialysis (PD)‐associated peritonitis secondary to Ralstonia infection is very rare. Ralstonia pickettii is an organism that can grow in contaminated saline, water, chlorhexidine, and other medical products used in laboratories and the clinical setting. Infective endocarditis, prosthetic joint, and severe chest infections are previously reported with R. pickettii infection. We report a novel series of three cases diagnosed with PD‐associated peritonitis caused by R. pickettii, where the cases appeared consecutively to our unit during a span of 4 weeks. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, there were increased uses of non‐sterile gloves by clinical staff as a form of personal protective equipment throughout patient interaction and PD exchange, as recommended by local hospital policy for all staff attending to patient care. A multidisciplinary team root cause analysis of our cases suggested non‐sterile gloves being the likely source of environmental contamination, leading to PD‐associated peritonitis caused by R. pickettii in this scenario.
How a supply‐side intervention can help to increase caesarean section rates in Burkina Faso facilities—Evidence from an interrupted time‐series analysis using routine health data
Authors: Ravit Marion , Lohmann Julia , Dumont Alexandre , Kabore Charles , Koulidiati Jean‐Louis , De Allegri Manuela 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjectivesIn Burkina Faso, only 2.1% of women give birth by caesarean section (CS). To improve the use of maternal health services during pregnancy and childbirth, many interventions were implemented during the 2010s including performance‐based financing (PBF) and a free maternal health care policy (the gratuité). The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a supply‐side intervention (PBF) combined with a demand‐side intervention (gratuité) on institutional CS rates in Burkina Faso.MethodsWe used routine health data from all the public health facilities in 21 districts (10 that implemented PBF and 11 that did not) from January 2013 to September 2017. We analysed CS rates as the proportion of CS performed out of all facility‐based deliveries (FBD) that occurred in the district. We performed an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to evaluate the impact of PBF alone and then in conjunction with the gratuité on institutional CS rates.ResultsCS rates in Burkina Faso increased slightly between January 2013 and September 2017 in all districts. After the introduction of PBF, the increase of CS rates was higher in intervention than in non‐intervention districts. However, after the introduction of the gratuité, CS rates decreased in all districts, independently of the PBF intervention.ConclusionIn 2017, despite high FBD rates in Burkina Faso as well as the PBF intervention and the gratuité, less than 3% of women who gave birth in a health facility did so by CS. Our study shows that the positive PBF effects were not sustained in a context of user fee exemption.
Exercise‐induced modulation of neuroinflammation in ageing
Authors: Barad Zsuzsanna , Augusto Joana , Kelly Áine M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOptimal performance of the central nervous system (CNS) depends on dynamic, multidirectional communication between different cell types both within and without the CNS to maintain the homeostatic environment. Ageing, in turn, is associated with CNS disequilibrium resulting in suboptimal functioning of its cells and potential cognitive impairment. Emerging evidence indicates that inter‐organ communication influences the functioning of CNS cell types, which are subject to age‐ and environment‐dependent alterations. Endurance exercise has specifically been demonstrated to have a marked impact on neuroimmune communications, particularly those involving microglia, the resident macrophages of the CNS parenchyma, as well as microglia–astrocyte interactions in rodents. Via its action on CNS glial cells, regular aerobic exercise has been shown to provide an adaptive advantage against perturbations to homeostasis, such as immunological challenge or ageing. In light of the accumulating evidence and evolutionary reasoning it may be argued that recurrent exercise‐associated inter‐organ signalling is necessary for the optimisation of glial function and hence CNS equilibrium. This, in turn, would imply that the absence of exercise‐derived mediators and dysregulated inter‐organ communication associated with a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to CNS dyshomeostasis, which is accelerated during ageing. As well as exploring the evidence of the impact of exercise on glial function, here we suggest potential next steps in identifying the mechanistic underpinnings of these effects and the potential importance of sex differences.
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The Lumbar Facet Capsular Ligament Becomes More Anisotropic and the Fibers Become Stiffer With Intervertebral Disc and Facet Joint Degeneration
Authors: Middendorf Jill M. , Budrow Christopher J. , Ellingson Arin M. , Barocas Victor H. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Degeneration of the lumbar spine, and especially how that degeneration may lead to pain, remains poorly understood. In particular, the mechanics of the facet capsular ligament may contribute to low back pain, but the mechanical changes that occur in this ligament with spinal degeneration are unknown. Additionally, the highly nonlinear, heterogeneous, and anisotropic nature of the facet capsular ligament makes understanding mechanical changes more difficult. Clinically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based signs of degeneration in the facet joint and the intervertebral disc (IVD) correlate. Therefore, this study examined how the nonlinear, heterogeneous mechanics of the facet capsular ligament change with degeneration of the lumbar spine as characterized using MRI. Cadaveric human spines were imaged via MRI, and the L2-L5 facet joints and IVDs were scored using the Fujiwara and Pfirrmann grading systems. Then, the facet capsular ligament was isolated and biaxially loaded. The nonlinear mechanical properties of the ligament were obtained using a nonlinear generalized anisotropic inverse mechanics analysis (nGAIM). Then a Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden (HGO) model was fit to the stress–strain data obtained from nGAIM. The facet capsular ligament is stiffer and more anisotropic at larger Pfirrmann grades and higher Fujiwara scores than at lower grades and scores. Analysis of ligament heterogeneity showed all tissues are highly heterogeneous, but no distinct spatial patterns of heterogeneity were found. These results show that degeneration of the lumbar spine including the facet capsular ligament appears to be occurring as a whole joint phenomenon and advance our understanding of lumbar spine degeneration.
Parametric Characterization and Distribution Consistency Evaluation of Machining-Induced Residual Stresses
Authors: Zhao Shengqiang , Sun Hao , Peng Fangyu , Yan Rong , Tang Xiaowei , Zhang Hua , Zhang Teng 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Uneven distribution of machining-induced residual stresses (MIRS) caused by dynamic cutting conditions and material internal properties has a significant impact on fatigue resistance, stress corrosion resistance, and accuracy retention of aerospace structural parts. Owing to the challenges in describing residual stress distribution property, this paper proposes a distribution consistency characterization model with high accuracy, as well as a quantitative evaluation strategy in milling titanium alloy. MIRS reduction surrogate model embedded with mechanism knowledge describes the general profile of MIRS in the explicit form. Compared with the surrogate model, the prediction accuracy of MIRS under Bayesian calibration is improved by more than 25.68%. To evaluate the MIRS distribution consistency, self-consistent indexes are innovatively proposed based on the extraction of four fundamental MIRS features in parametric form. The sensitivity analyses between three machining parameters and self-consistent indexes are carried out, guiding in selecting machining parameters in consideration of MIRS distribution consistency. Consequently, this work can provide a novel insight into determining the optimal machining parameters with comprehensive consideration of MIRS features magnitudes and distribution consistency. According to the proposed procedure, there exists a potential for future extensions to other materials and cutting processes with more complex stress distributions.
Interventions to increase the uptake and continuation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by adolescent girls and young women at high risk of HIV in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Ekwunife Obinna Ikechukwu , Ejie Izuchukwu Loveth , Okelu Valentine , Mita Carol , Durosinmi-Eti Oluwale , Powell Antonia , Franke Molly F 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionEffective strategies to increase pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and continuation among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who engage in sex work or transactional sex are sparsely reported. We aimed to describe the available evidence on strategies for improving the uptake and continuation of PrEP among AGYW who engage in sex work or transactional sex, or otherwise are at high risk of acquiring HIV, and report their implementation outcomes.MethodPubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Global Health were searched for studies describing strategies to increase uptake and continuation of PrEP for HIV prevention among AGYW at high risk of acquiring HIV in low-income and middle-income countries. Two independent reviewers screened citations for inclusion and performed data abstraction. Proctor’s framework was used to report the implementation outcomes of the interventions.ResultWe identified 1046 citations, and reviewed 69 full-text documents, of which we included 11 in the scoping review. A social marketing campaign was used in one study to create demand for PrEP. A decision support tool was used in one study to improve PrEP initiation. SMS reminders (two studies), drug-level feedback (two studies), peer group support (one study) and conditional economic incentives (one study) were used to improve PrEP continuation. Five studies reported adoption outcomes, two of which were high. Four studies reported sustainability outcomes; these were low or moderate. One study found private youth-friendly clinics a better fit for AGYW PrEP delivery compared with public hospitals, and prescription of PrEP by non-study staff in the hospital facility was low.ConclusionMultiple promising interventions have been used to deliver PrEP to AGYW at high risk of acquiring HIV; however, more information is needed to understand how these interventions would likely perform at scale outside of a research context.
Association rules analysis on patterns of multimorbidity in adults: based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Xie Yangli , Huang Junlan , Sun Xianding , Zhang Ruobin , Chen Lin 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in population with different genders and age ranges.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingNational Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database.Participants12 576 patients.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity.ResultsHigh cholesterol had the highest prevalence in all population (33.4 (95% CI: 32.0 to 34.9)) and males. In females <65 years, the most prevalent disease was sleep disorder (32.1 (95% CI: 29.6 to 34.5)) while in females ≥65 years, hypertension was the most prevalent disease (63.9 (95% CI: 59.9 to 67.9)). Hypertension and high cholesterol were associated with the highest support (occur together most frequently) in all population regardless of genders. Hypertension displayed the highest betweenness centrality (mediating role in the network) followed by high cholesterol and arthritis in all population. For males aged <65 years, hypertension and high cholesterol presented the highest betweenness centrality. In males ≥65 years, hypertension, high cholesterol and arthritis were the top three diseases of degree centrality (direct association with other conditions). As for females ≥65 years, hypertension showed the highest betweenness centrality followed by high cholesterol and arthritis. The associations of hypertension, arthritis and one other item with high cholesterol presented the highest support in all population. In males, the associations of depression, hypertension with sleep disorders had the highest lift (the chance of co-occurrence of the conditions and significant association). Among females, the associations of depression, arthritis with sleep disorders had the highest lift.ConclusionHypertension and high cholesterol were prevalent in all population, regardless of females and males. Hypertension and high cholesterol, arthritis and hypertension, and diabetes and hypertension were more likely to coexist. The findings of this study might help make plans for the management and primary care of people with one or more diseases.
Cohort profile: the Swedish National Quality Register for bipolar disorder(BipoläR)
Authors: Pålsson Erik , Melchior Lydia , Lindwall Sundel Kristina , Karanti Alina , Joas Erik , Nordenskjöld Axel , Agestam Mattias , Runeson Bo , Landén Mikael 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe Swedish National Quality Register for bipolar affective disorder, BipoläR, was established in 2004 to provide nationwide indicators for quality assessment and development in the clinical care of individuals with bipolar spectrum disorder. An ancillary aim was to provide data for bipolar disorder research.ParticipantsInclusion criteria for registration in BipoläR is a diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorder (ICD codes: F25.0, F30.1–F30.2, F30.8–F31.9, F34.0) and treatment at an outpatient clinic in Sweden. BipoläR collects data from baseline and annual follow-up visits throughout Sweden. Data is collected using questionnaires administered by healthcare staff. The questions cover sociodemographic, diagnostic, treatment, outcomes and patient reported outcome variables. The register currently includes 39 583 individual patients with a total of 75 423 baseline and follow-up records.Findings to dateData from BipoläR has been used in several peer-reviewed publications. Studies have provided knowledge on effectiveness, side effects and use of pharmacological and psychological treatment in bipolar disorder. In addition, findings on the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, risk factors for attempted and completed suicide and health economics have been reported. The Swedish Bipolar Collection project has contributed to a large number of published studies and provides important information on the genetic architecture of bipolar disorder, the impact of genetic variation on disease characteristics and treatment outcome.Future plansData collection is ongoing with no fixed end date. Currently, approximately 5000 new registrations are added each year. Cohort data are available via a formalised request procedure from Centre of Registers Västra Götaland (e-mail: registercentrum@vgregion.se). Data requests for research purposes require an entity responsible for the research and an ethical approval.
Is fear of falling key to identifying gait and balance abnormalities in community-dwelling older adults? Protocol of a mixed-methods approach
Authors: McColl Lewis , McMeekin Peter , Poole Marie , Parry Steve W 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThe ageing population poses an increasing burden to public health systems, particularly as a result of falls. Falls have been associated with poor gait and balance, as measured by commonly used clinical tests for poor gait and balance. Falls in older adults have the potential to lead to long-term issues with mobility and a fear of falling (FoF). FoF is measured by a variety of instruments; the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) version is widely used within clinical and research arenas. The ability of the FoF, as measured by the FES-I to predict gait and balance abnormalities (GABAb) has not previously been measured; this study aims to be the first to investigate this prospective relationship.Methods and analysesTo investigate the ability of the FES-I to predict GABAb a mixed-methods approach will be used, including quantitative, qualitative and health economics approaches. Initially the ability of the FES-I to identify poor gait and balance will be investigated, along with whether the measure is able to assess change in gait and balance in response to exercise training. The ability of an online FES-I tool to assess poor gait and balance in an alternative pre-existing online strength and balance programme will also be investigated. Interviews will be carried out to investigate participant experiences and motivations of those that are offered Age UK Strength and Balance Training, along with the views of healthcare professionals and Age UK staff involved within the process.Ethics and disseminationNHS REC Approval has been granted (IRAS ID 314705). Study participation is voluntary; participants will be provided with all necessary information within the participant information sheet, with written consent being sought. Study findings will be disseminated through manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, at scientific conferences and in a short report to participants and the funding body.
Experience using singleton exome sequencing of probands as an approach to preconception carrier screening in consanguineous couples
Authors: Abulí Anna , Costa-Roger Mar , Codina-Solà Marta , Valenzuela Irene , Leno-Colorado Jordi , Rovira-Moreno Eulàlia , Cueto-González Anna , Fernández-Álvarez Paula , García-Arumí Elena , Cuscó Ivon , Tizzano Eduardo F 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundConsanguineous couples have an increased risk of severe diseases in offspring due to autosomal recessive disorders. Exome sequencing (ES) offers the possibility of extensive preconception carrier screening (PCS) in consanguineous couples who may be at risk of rare genetic disorders.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed ES data from 65 probands affected with rare genetic disorders born from consanguineous couples. We explored diagnostic yield and carrier status for recessive disorders.ResultsThe overall diagnostic yield in a singleton approach was 53.8%, mostly recessive variants. In a hypothetical exome-based PCS, only 11.7% of these causative rare variants would have been missed in the filtering process. Carrier screening for recessive conditions allowed the identification of at least one additional pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in 85.7% of the probands, being the majority with a gene carrier frequency <1 in 200. In addition, considering only clinically actionable conditions, we estimated that 12.3% of our close consanguineous couples may be at risk for an additional recessive disease.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that ES outperforms panel-based screening in a PCS context in consanguineous couples and could potentially increase their reproductive autonomy and facilitate informed decision-making.
Low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels may be an early predictor of sepsis
Authors: Li Peng , Lu Yi , Guo Shu-Bin , Wang Jun-Yu , Yang Jun 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore whether thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) plays an early warning role in detecting progression of bacterial infection to sepsis and can serve as a novel marker for the diagnosis of sepsis.MethodThis was a prospective study of patients treated for ‘bacterial infection’ in the emergency department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021. Subjects were divided into a sepsis group (SG) and a non-SG (NSG), according to whether their condition had progressed to sepsis within 72 hours of admission. Routine blood test results as well as biochemical and thyroid function indices (T4, FT4, T3, FT3) were recorded at the time of admission. TSH, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were likewise documented.ResultsA total of 62 patients were enrolled, the SG and the NSG showed significant differences in their levels of TSH. The results indicate that TSH is an early warning marker for sepsis.ConclusionsTSH plays an early warning role in the diagnosis of bacterial infection progressing to sepsis, having a strong predictive value.
Optimal Scheduling in the Multiserver-job Model under Heavy Traffic
Authors: Grosof Isaac , Scully Ziv , Harchol-Balter Mor , Scheller-Wolf Alan 
Published: December 2022

Multiserver-job systems, where jobs require concurrent service at many servers, occur widely in practice. Essentially all of the theoretical work on multiserver-job systems focuses on maximizing utilization, with almost nothing known about mean response time. In simpler settings, such as various known-size single-server-job settings, minimizing mean response time is merely a matter of prioritizing small jobs. However, for the multiserver-job system, prioritizing small jobs is not enough, because we must also ensure servers are not unnecessarily left idle. Thus, minimizing mean response time requires prioritizing small jobs while simultaneously maximizing throughput. Our question is how to achieve these joint objectives.
We devise the ServerFilling-SRPT scheduling policy, which is the first policy to minimize mean response time in the multiserver-job model in the heavy traffic limit. In addition to proving this heavy-traffic result, we present empirical evidence that ServerFilling-SRPT outperforms all existing scheduling policies for all loads, with improvements by orders of magnitude at higher loads.
Because ServerFilling-SRPT requires knowing job sizes, we also define the ServerFilling-Gittins policy, which is optimal when sizes are unknown or partially known.