Mixed Methods to Assess Sex Differences in Weight Bias Internalization Among Patients With Obesity.

Background: Individuals with obesity frequently encounter weight bias, which can contribute to the internalization of negative weight-related attitudes. This study examined sex differences in self-reported weight bias internalization among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adults with obesity engaged in treatment.

Methods: Mixed method approach was used.

The association of age of onset of obesity with experienced weight stigma in adulthood.

Background: Experienced weight stigma (EWS) is linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including maladaptive health behaviors and attenuated weight loss in people with obesity. Limited research is available regarding the association between the age of onset and severity of obesity and lifetime experience of EWS among adults with obesity.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey data (n = 686) from a single-site academic obesity medicine program was analyzed, including demographics, anthropometric measures, and the Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI-B).

Binge eating behaviours are associated with recurrent weight gain after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Background: Recurrent weight gain (RWG) is a major post-operative challenge among metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients. Binge eating behaviours (BEB) and food addiction (FA) have been identified as significant predictors of post-MBS RWG. However, limited research has investigated their independent associations with post-MBS RWG.

Sex differences in perceived discrimination among patients with obesity.

The negative impacts of perceived discrimination on health have been documented, but how perceptions of discrimination vary by sex among people with obesity (PWO) is not well understood. This study assessed sex differences in perceived discrimination among PWO. This cross-sectional study analysed self-reported data from racially/ethnically diverse PWO attending an academic obesity program.

Association of Social Support and Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Completion Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Patients.

Purpose: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is presently the most evidence-based, effective treatment of obesity. Nevertheless, only half of the eligible individuals who are referred for this procedure complete it. This study aims to investigate the association between social support and MBS completion, considering race and ethnicity.

Impact of employment status and work setting on body weight and health behaviors among people with obesity.

Background: The impact of employment and the work-from-home (WFH) setting on body weight among people with obesity is unknown.

Objective: This study examined the relationship between employment status, WFH setting, and change in body weight among adults with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Patients from an obesity medicine clinic completed an online survey in 2022 to assess health, work, and lifestyle behaviors.

Factors Associated with the Decision to Complete Bariatric Metabolic Surgery among a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sample of Adults: A Classification and Regression Tree Analysis.

Background: Less than 50% of eligible candidates who are referred complete Bariatric Metabolic Surgery (BMS). The factors influencing the decision to complete BMS, particularly how these factors vary across different racial and ethnic groups, remain largely unexplored.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included adult patients referred to a bariatric surgeon or obesity medicine program between July 2019-September 2022.

Depression and Anxiety as Predictors of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Completion Among Ethnically Diverse Patients.

Background: Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety are often prevalent among metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients, but it is not known if these conditions predict the decision to complete the procedure and if this varies by race and ethnicity. This study aimed to determine if depression and anxiety are associated with MBS completion among a race/ethnically diverse sample of patients.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included participants who were referred to an obesity program or two MBS practices between August 2019 and October 2022.

Effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide for treating post-metabolic and bariatric surgery weight recurrence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide for treating post-metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) weight recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 207 adults with post-MBS weight recurrence treated with semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly (n = 115) or liraglutide 3.

Association Between Patient Satisfaction With Their Patient-Physician Relationship and Completion of Bariatric Surgery by Race and Ethnicity Among US Adults.

Importance: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective and safe treatment for obesity and its comorbidities, but less than 50% of those who are eligible and referred for MBS complete the procedure. The patient-physician relationship could be a decisive factor in the decision to complete MBS; however, this relationship has not been explored, particularly among racially and ethnically diverse populations.

Objective: To examine the association between patient-reported satisfaction with their patient-physician relationship and MBS completion by self-reported racial and ethnic group.

Changes in body weight, health behaviors, and mental health in adults with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between body weight changes, health behaviors, and mental health in adults with obesity during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Between March 1, 2021, and November 30, 2021, adults from three obesity practices completed an online survey. The primary outcomes were ≥ 5% of body weight change since March 2020 and associated health behaviors and mental health factors.

Substance Use, Mental Health, and Weight-Related Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients.

Purpose: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral issues among those who have completed bariatric surgery (BS) is not well described in ethnically diverse populations. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of COVID-19 lockdown orders and after lockdown orders were lifted on substance use, mental health, and weight-related behaviors among a sample of post-BS adults.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective medical chart review identified BS patients from one university-based obesity medicine clinic and two BS practices.

Telehealth utilization among multi-ethnic patients with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The science of telemedicine has shown great advances over the past decade. However, the field needs to better understand if a change in care delivery from in-person to telehealth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will yield durable patient engagement and health outcomes for patients with obesity. The objective of this study was to examine the association of mode of healthcare utilization (telehealth versus in-person) and sociodemographic factors among patients with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Substance use, mental health and weight-related behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with obesity.

Studies have shown the negative impact of COVID-19 lockdown orders on mental health and substance use in the general population. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic onsubstance use, mental health and weight-related behaviors in a sample of adults with obesity after lockdown orders were lifted (June-September 2020). A retrospective medical chart review identified patients with obesity from one university-based obesity medicine clinic, and two metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) practices.

Impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on weight-related behaviours among patients with obesity.

How the impact of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders is influencing physical, mental and financial health among vulnerable populations, including those with obesity is unknown. The aim of the current study was to explore the health implications of COVID-19 among a sample of adults with obesity. A retrospective medical chart review identified patients with obesity from an obesity medicine clinic and a bariatric surgery (MBS) practice.

The glial sodium-potassium-2-chloride cotransporter is required for synaptic transmission in the Drosophila visual system.

The Drosophila Ncc69 gene encodes a Na-K-2Cl-cotransporter (NKCC) that is critical for regulating intra- and extracellular ionic conditions in different tissues. Here, we show that the Ncc69 transporter is necessary for fly vision and that its expression is required non-autonomously in glia to maintain visual synaptic transmission. Flies mutant for Ncc69 exhibit normal photoreceptor depolarization in response to a light pulse but lack the ON and OFF-transients characteristic of postsynaptic responses of lamina neurons, indicating a failure in synaptic transmission.

Intracellular Chloride and Scaffold Protein Mo25 Cooperatively Regulate Transepithelial Ion Transport through WNK Signaling in the Malpighian Tubule.

With No Lysine kinase (WNK) signaling regulates mammalian renal epithelial ion transport to maintain electrolyte and BP homeostasis. Our previous studies showed a conserved role for WNK in the regulation of transepithelial ion transport in the Malpighian tubule. Using assays and transgenic lines, we examined two potential WNK regulators, chloride ion and the scaffold protein mouse protein 25 (Mo25), in the stimulation of transepithelial ion flux.

Trans-ethnic Fine Mapping Highlights Kidney-Function Genes Linked to Salt Sensitivity.

We analyzed genome-wide association studies (GWASs), including data from 71,638 individuals from four ancestries, for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function used to define chronic kidney disease (CKD). We identified 20 loci attaining genome-wide-significant evidence of association (p < 5 × 10(-8)) with kidney function and highlighted that allelic effects on eGFR at lead SNPs are homogeneous across ancestries. We leveraged differences in the pattern of linkage disequilibrium between diverse populations to fine-map the 20 loci through construction of "credible sets" of variants driving eGFR association signals.

Use of the Ramsay Assay to Measure Fluid Secretion and Ion Flux Rates in the Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian Tubule.

Modulation of renal epithelial ion transport allows organisms to maintain ionic and osmotic homeostasis in the face of varying external conditions. The Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian (renal) tubule offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the molecular mechanisms of epithelial ion transport, due to the powerful genetics of this organism and the accessibility of its renal tubules to physiological study. Here, we describe the use of the Ramsay assay to measure fluid secretion rates from isolated fly renal tubules, with the use of ion-specific electrodes to measure sodium and potassium concentrations in the secreted fluid.

Hypotonicity stimulates potassium flux through the WNK-SPAK/OSR1 kinase cascade and the Ncc69 sodium-potassium-2-chloride cotransporter in the Drosophila renal tubule.

The ability to osmoregulate is fundamental to life. Adult Drosophila melanogaster maintain hemolymph osmolarity within a narrow range. Osmolarity modulates transepithelial ion and water flux in the Malpighian (renal) tubules of the fly, which are in direct contact with hemolymph in vivo, but the mechanisms causing increased transepithelial flux in response to hypotonicity are unknown.