bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overcoming implementation challenges through using a train-the-trainer approach to teach numeracy in a special school setting
Authors: Reardon Debbie , Apanasionok Magda M. , Grindle Corinna
Published: April 2024

Purpose

There is a sparsity of research that considers how to overcome implementation challenges for interventions in special school settings where specialist teaching methods are involved. Successful implementation has often relied on considerable researcher involvement, making them inaccessible and not sustainable for the majority of special schools. The purpose of this study was to implementa train-the-trainer approach to train teaching staff to use the Teaching Early Numeracy to Children with Developmental Disabilities (TEN-DD) programme in a large special school in the UK, thereby significantly reducing researcher involvement in its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

One staff member was trained to become the school lead for TEN-DD and trained other teaching staff in the school on implementation. This study recruited 13 students aged between 12 and 16 years of age with developmental disabilities to receive TEN-DD. Pre- and post-intervention tests on a standardised numeracy measure were conducted.

Findings

A train-the-trainer model was developed and successfully delivered to train teaching staff in TEN-DD. A standardised outcome measure indicated that ten students made improvements to their numeracy skills after teachers trained using this approach delivered TEN-DD for between 3 and 10 months.

Originality/value

Very little research has been carried out to better understand methods for overcoming implementation challenges for delivering evidence-based teaching programmes at scale to students with developmental disabilities who attend special schools. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study reports the results of the first evaluation of using a train-the-trainer model for the delivery of a numeracy intervention (TEN-DD), whereby there was no involvement of researchers in implementation beyond the initial training of the school lead. This model of training for interventions may be more sustainable for special schools and help improve the uptake of evidence-based interventions.
Epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents: A 50‐year, single‐center experience
Authors: Kandemir Nurgun , Vuralli Dogus , Ozon Alev , Gonc Nazlı , Ardicli Didem , Jalilova Lala , Gulcek Omer Nazim , Alikasifoglu Ayfer
Published: April 2024

Background

Global variations in epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) exist. This study is designed to examine demographic and clinical features of T1DM over the past 3 decades as well as evolving trends in epidemiology over last 50 years.

Methods

Clinical characteristics of 925 patients with T1DM over last 30 years (1990–2019) were evaluated and compared to previously published data of 477 patients diagnosed between 1969 and 1990 from one of the major referral centers for diabetes in Turkey.

Results

Mean age at diagnosis decreased from 9.5 ± 4.0 to 7.1 ± 3.6 years within the past 50 years (p < .001). Age at diagnosis peaked at 12–14 years between 1969 and 1990, then fell to 10–11.9 years between 1990 and 1999, and to 4–5.9 years between 2000–2009 and 2010–2019 (p = .005). Although the percentage of patients diagnosed <6 years of age is gradually increasing, the percentage between the ages of 6 and 11.9 years is decreasing, and the percentage diagnosed ≥12 years remained stable. A total of 47.5% of patients had ketoacidosis, 38.2% had ketosis, and 14.3% had only hyperglycemia. 23% of patients had severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), whereas 42% had moderate. Over last 3 decades, there has been no change in frequency of ketoacidosis at presentation, but there has been significant decline in severity (p = .865, and p < .001, respectively). Although the frequency of patients with mild DKA increased over time, frequency of patients with moderate DKA decreased; however, no significant difference was observed among patients with severe ketoacidosis. DKA was more frequent and severe in patients <6 years of age (p = .005, and p < .001, respectively).

Conclusion

Age at diagnosis shifted to younger ages in T1DM in the past 50 years. Half of patients had ketoacidosis at diagnosis and frequency of presentation with DKA did not decrease, but severity decreased slightly. Increase in prevalence of T1DM in the younger age group and the fact that half of patients present with DKA indicate that awareness should be increased in terms of early diagnosis and treatment.

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Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Han Xinyu , Zhang Xin , Liu Zhenqiu , Fan Hong , Guo Chengnan , Wang Haili , Gu Yu , Zhang Tiejun
Published: April 2024

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cirrhosis are significant clinical concerns, especially among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, in China, there is a paucity of reliable evidence detailing the characteristics of NAFLD and liver cirrhosis in T2DM. Furthermore, the relationship between blood glucose levels and NAFLD prevalence remains unclear.

Methods

Data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank were analyzed, including 6621 participants with T2DM. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography and liver cirrhosis was performed according to the health information systems. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were used to explore the potential risk factors for NAFLD and liver cirrhosis.

Results

The prevalence of NAFLD was 59.36%, and liver cirrhosis was 1.43% among T2DM patients. In these patients, factors like age, being female, marital status, and obesity significantly increased the risk of NAFLD. Specifically, obesity had a strong positive association with NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] = 4.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.13–5.34). The higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) quartile was associated with a heightened NAFLD risk compared to the lowest quartile (all p < .001). The HbA1c‐NAFLD relationship displayed a linear that mimicked an inverted L‐shaped pattern. A significant positive association existed between HbA1c levels and NAFLD for HbA1c <8.00% (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.44–1.75), but this was not observed for HbA1c >8.00% (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.92–1.15).

Conclusion

Systematic screening for NAFLD is essential in T2DM patients, especially with poor glucose control and obesity in female.

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Long‐term survival of a patient with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and untreated multiple brain metastases treated with zorifertinib: A case report
Authors: Li Kang , Chen Bolin , Wang Jingyi , Wu Lin
Published: April 2024

Brain metastases (BM) are common in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and confer poor prognoses. Zorifertinib (AZD3759), an EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with high blood‐brain barrier penetration, has previously demonstrated promising systemic and intracranial antitumor activity in phase 1–3 studies. This is the first report of a patient with EGFR‐mutant (exon 21 L858R) NSCLC and symptomatic untreated multiple BM who achieved a long overall survival (OS) of more than 65 months after sequential treatment with zorifertinib and a third‐generation EGFR‐TKI. This new treatment paradigm offers a new treatment option and deserves further clinical exploration to prolong OS of patients with EGFR‐mutant NSCLC and untreated multiple BM.
Anaesthesia praCtice for Caesarean dElivery Snapshot Study (ACCESS): Protocol and baseline characteristics of registered centres
Authors: Weiniger C. F. , Brogly N. , Lustig A. , Van Den Bosch O. F. C. , Kranke P. , Lucas N. , Morau E. , Ekelund K. , Gunaydin B. , Romero C. Soledad , Afshari A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Specific guidelines to manage caesarean delivery anaesthesia are lacking. A European multicentre study, ACCESS investigates caesarean delivery anaesthesia management in European centres. In order to identify ACCESS participating centres, a registration survey was created.

Objective

The aim of the current report is to describe the characteristics of ACCESS study participating centres, the rationale for the ACCESS study and the study methodology.

Design and Setting

The ACCESS study is a European multicentre cross‐sectional study to describe anaesthesia management for caesarean delivery (CD) using a snapshot (2‐week) design. The ACCESS registration survey gathered: contact details for National Coordinators (NC); Lead Investigators (LI) per centre; centre annual CD volume; expected no. of CD during 2‐week snapshot window; centre practice information; data collection language. The ACCESS registration survey was launched July 2022 (Google Forms, Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) and distributed through personal connections, national and international societies, social media networks, during Euroanaesthesia 2023, through the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care newsletter.

Results

The ACCESS registration survey identified Lead Investigators for 418 centres, in 32 countries, representing an anticipated number of 15,073 CD cases over the planned 12‐month study period. A median (range) of 20 (2 to 400) CD cases are anticipated per centre during the 2‐week snapshot window. Most 366/418 (87.6%) centres are small, ≤2000 annual CD cases, 42 are medium 2000–5000 cases and 10 are large, ≥5000 annual CD cases. Registered centres reported in 134 (32.0%) centres that anaesthesia for caesarean delivery is performed mostly by a specialist obstetric anaesthesiologist.

Conclusion

The ACCESS registration survey revealed variability in volume and CD practice as well as training‐levels and staffing among European countries. The ACCESS study (https://www.access-study.org/) aims to generate practice data to guide CD anaesthetic management strategies.
Division of labour in the production structure and mass production in pre‐war Japan: Lessons from the metal and machinery sectors in Osaka City
Authors: Moriwaki Shota
Published: April 2024

Using 1930s panel data from Osaka City, we estimate the production function in the metal and machinery sectors in Japan to identify the factors that influence the establishment of mass‐production methods. Subcontracting income per total revenue had a positive correlation with metal and machinery output. While material‐intensive technology was used, scale‐economy‐type technology was not observed in this sector. The greater return on capital for smaller plants was attributed to efficient capital stock utilisation and subsistence wages. The division of labour between firms, through which materials and parts were traded, contributed to output expansions in the 1930s.
Necrotising enterocolitis in a middle‐income country: Early onset and risk factors for mortality
Authors: Assenga Evelyne , Tooke Lloyd
Published: April 2024

Aim

There is limited literature available about necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This study sought to determine the proportion, pattern and risk factors for mortality among very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates with NEC in a middle‐income setting.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on all infants with birth weights less than 1501 g admitted from 2018 to 2020 at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Data were obtained from the Vermont Oxford Network and hospital folders.

Results

A total of 104/1582 (6.6%) neonates were diagnosed with NEC with a median onset of 8 days of life. The mortality rate was 39.0%, compared to the all‐cause mortality rate of 18.7% for VLBW neonates. Thirty‐two (32.0%) neonates with NEC were transferred for surgery of whom 10 (31.3%) died. Small for gestational age (p = 0.13), NEC stage 2B or above (p = 0,002), a positive blood culture (p = 0.018), a raised C‐reactive protein (p = 0.013), hyponatraemia (p = 0.004), anaemia requiring blood transfusion (p = 0.003) and thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion (p = 0.033) were associated with mortality. A positive blood culture was found in 37.0% with a predominance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Conclusion

NEC has an early onset and a high mortality rate in our setting.
Optimization of vigabatrin dosage in children with epileptic spasms: A population pharmacokinetic approach
Authors: Molimard Agathe , Foissac Frantz , Bouazza Naïm , Gana Inès , Benaboud Sihem , Froelicher Léo , Hirt Déborah , Urien Saïk , Desguerre Isabelle , Treluyer Jean‐Marc , Chemaly Nicole , Nabbout Rima
Published: April 2024

Aims

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug used to treat some forms of severe epilepsy in children. The main adverse effect is ocular toxicity, which is related to the cumulative dose. The aim of the study is to identify an acceptable exposure range, both through the development of a population pharmacokinetic model of vigabatrin in children enabling us to calculate patient exposure and through the study of therapeutic response.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study including children with epilepsy followed at Necker‐Enfants Malades hospital who had a vigabatrin assay between January 2019 and January 2022. The population pharmacokinetic study was performed on Monolix2021 using a nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling approach. Children treated for epileptic spasms were classified into responder and nonresponder groups according to whether the spasms resolved, in order to identify an effective plasma exposure range.

Results

We included 79 patients and analysed 159 samples. The median age was 4.2 years (range 0.3–18). A 2‐compartment model with allometry and creatinine clearance on clearance best fit our data. Exposure analysis was performed on 61 patients with epileptic spasms. Of the 22 patients who responded (36%), 95% had an AUC0–24 between 264 and 549 mg.h.L−1.

Conclusions

The population pharmacokinetic model allowed us to identify bodyweight and creatinine clearance as the 2 main factors explaining the observed interindividual variability of vigabatrin. An acceptable exposure range was defined in this study. A target concentration intervention approach using this pharmacokinetic model could be used to avoid overexposure in responder patients.
Weighing the moral status of brain organoids and research animals
Authors: Koplin Julian J.
Published: April 2024

Recent advances in human brain organoid systems have raised serious worries about the possibility that these in vitro ‘mini‐brains’ could develop sentience, and thus, moral status. This article considers the relative moral status of sentient human brain organoids and research animals, examining whether we have moral reasons to prefer using one over the other. It argues that, contrary to common intuitions, the wellbeing of sentient human brain organoids should not be granted greater moral consideration than the wellbeing of nonhuman research animals. It does so not by denying that typical humans have higher moral status than animals, but instead by arguing that none of the leading justifications for granting humans higher moral status than nonhuman animals apply to brain organoids. Additionally, it argues that there are no good reasons to be more concerned about the well‐being of human brain organoids compared to those generated from other species.
Evaluating technology enhanced learning by using single‐case experimental design: A systematic review
Authors: Dayo Nadira , Said Metwaly Sameh , Van Den Noortgate Wim
Published: April 2024

Single‐case experimental designs (SCEDs) may offer a reliable and internally valid way to evaluate technology‐enhanced learning (TEL). A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of what, why and how SCEDs are used to evaluate TEL. Accordingly, 136 studies from nine databases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. The results showed that most of the studies were conducted in the field of special education focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of computer‐assisted instructions, video prompts and mobile devices to improve language and communication, socio‐emotional, skills and mental health. The research objective of most studies was to evaluate the effects of the intervention; often no specific justification for using SCED was provided. Additionally, multiple baseline and phase designs were the most common SCED types, with most measurements in the intervention phase. Frequent data collection methods were observation, tests, questionnaires and task analysis, whereas, visual and descriptive analysis were common methods for data analysis. Nearly half of the studies did not acknowledge any limitations, while a few mentioned generalization and small sample size as limitations. The review provides valuable insights into utilizing SCEDs to advance TEL evaluation methodology and concludes with a reflection on further opportunities that SCEDs can offer for evaluating TEL.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

SCEDs use multiple measurements to study a single participant over multiple conditions, in the absence and presence of an intervention

SCEDs can be rigorous designs for evaluating behaviour change caused by any intervention, including for testing technology‐based interventions.

What this paper adds

Reveals patterns, trends and gaps in the use of SCED for TEL.

Identifies the study disciplines, EdTech tools and outcome variables studied using SCEDs.

Provides a comprehensive understanding of how SCEDs are used to evaluate TEL by shedding light on methodological techniques.

Enriches insights about justifications and limitations of using SCEDs for TEL.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Informs about the use of the rigorous method, SCED, for evaluation of technology‐driven interventions across various disciplines.

Contributes therefore to the quality of an evidence base, which provides policymakers, and different stakeholders a consolidated resource to design, implement and decide about TEL.
Comprehensive analysis and prediction model of mitophagy and ferroptosis in primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Mo Jiani , Liu Yong , Zhang Wencong , Li Liang , Li Lindi , Li Tianwen , Mo Jiahua , Chen Yujiang , Liang Liang , Zhang Yuming , Yang Mo
Published: April 2024

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is linked to specific pathogenic mechanisms, yet its relationship with mitophagy and ferroptosis is poorly understood. This study aimed to identify new biomarkers and explore the role of mitophagy and ferroptosis in ITP pathogenesis. Techniques such as differential analysis, Mfuzz expression pattern clustering, machine learning, gene set enrichment analysis, single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) and immune infiltration analysis were employed to investigate the molecular pathways of pivotal genes. Two‐sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) assessed the causal effects in ITP. Key genes identified in the training set included GABARAPL1, S100A8, LIN28A, and GDF9, which demonstrated diagnostic potential in validation sets. Functional analysis indicated these genes' involvement in ubiquitin phosphorylation, PPAR signalling pathway and T‐cell differentiation. Immune infiltration analysis revealed increased macrophage presence in ITP, related to the critical genes. scRNA‐seq indicated reduced GABARAPL1 expression in ITP bone marrow macrophages. TSMR linked S100A8 with ITP diagnosis, presenting an OR of 0.856 (95% CI = 0.736–0.997, p = 0.045). The study pinpointed four central genes, GABARAPL1, S100A8, LIN28A, and GDF9, tied to mitophagy and ferroptosis in ITP. It posits that diminished GABARAPL1 expression may disrupts ubiquitin phosphorylation and PPAR signalling, impairing mitophagy and inhibiting ferroptosis, leading to immune imbalance.
Advances in meta‐analysis: A unifying modelling framework with measurement error correction
Authors: Becker Betsy Jane , Zhang Qian
Published: April 2024

In psychological studies, multivariate outcomes measured on the same individuals are often encountered. Effects originating from these outcomes are consequently dependent. Multivariate meta‐analysis examines the relationships of multivariate outcomes by estimating the mean effects and their variance–covariance matrices from series of primary studies. In this paper we discuss a unified modelling framework for multivariate meta‐analysis that also incorporates measurement error corrections. We focus on two types of effect sizes, standardized mean differences (d) and correlations (r), that are common in psychological studies. Using generalized least squares estimation, we outline estimated mean vectors and variance–covariance matrices for d and r that are corrected for measurement error. Given the burgeoning research involving multivariate outcomes, and the largely overlooked ramifications of measurement error, we advocate addressing measurement error while conducting multivariate meta‐analysis to enhance the replicability of psychological research.
Maternal depression, parenting, and child psychological outcomes in the context of maternal pain
Authors: O'Brien Jacqueline R. , Lee Angela H. , Stone Amanda L. , Dieckmann Nathan F. , Zalewski Maureen , Wilson Anna C.
Published: April 2024

Parental chronic pain is associated with adverse outcomes in children, but the mechanisms of transmission are largely untested. Mothers with chronic pain (N = 400, Mage = 40.3 years, 90.5% White) and their children (Mage = 10.33 years, 83.3% White, 50.2% female) were recruited in 2016–2018 to test longitudinal pathways of risk transmission from maternal chronic pain to children's psychological symptoms, examining roles of parenting, maternal depression, and child distress tolerance. Maternal pain was associated with positive (β = .28) and pain‐specific (β = .10) parenting behaviors. Maternal depression was associated with lower child distress tolerance (β = −.03), which was associated with greater child psychological symptoms (β = −.62). Parenting and maternal pain were not prospectively associated with child outcomes. When considering the dual‐generational impacts of chronic pain, physical and psychological functioning should be examined.
Autoimmune nodopathy
Authors: Iijima Masahiro
Published: April 2024

Autoimmune nodopathy (AN) is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting molecules essential for saltatory conduction in myelinated nerves. Clinical manifestations of AN show similarities with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), including progressive and symmetrical sensorimotor deficits with electrophysiological demyelinating features in nerve conduction studies. Although no common autoantibodies have yet been identified in CIDP, AN is characterized by autoantibodies that primarily target specific molecular complex structures represented by the Ranvier node and paranode. Furthermore, these autoantibodies, such as neurofascin‐155 (NF155), contactin‐1 (CNTN1), contactin‐related protein 1 (Caspr1), and the CNTN1/Caspr1 complex, are illustrative examples of such autoantibodies. They can disrupt the septal‐like junction of paranodes without triggering cellular immune responses. AN manifests uniquely with symptoms such as ataxia, tremors, and markedly high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels, often accompanied by nerve root and cranial nerve hypertrophy. Notably, this condition is resistant to immunotherapies typically effective against CIDP, including intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg). Current evidence suggests that B‐cell depletion therapies, such as rituximab, could benefit AN treatment. Since it has been suggested that existing treatments for CIDP may be effective in cases of autoantibody positivity of subclasses other than IgG4, CIDP that is resistant to conventional therapy requires novel therapeutic strategies that take into account the possibility of IgG4 autoantibodies.
AZD1390, an ataxia telangiectasia mutated inhibitor, attenuates microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation and ischemic brain injury
Authors: Lan Zhen , Qu Long‐jie , Liang Ying , Chen Li‐qiu , Xu Shuai , Ge Jian‐wei , Xue Zhi‐wei , Bao Xin‐yu , Xia Sheng‐nan , Yang Hai‐yan , Huang Jing , Xu Yun , Zhu Xiao‐lei
Published: April 2024

Aims

Excessive neuroinflammation mediated mainly by microglia plays a crucial role in ischemic stroke. AZD1390, an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) specific inhibitor, has been shown to promote radio‐sensitization and survival in central nervous system malignancies, while the role of AZD1390 in ischemic stroke remains unknown.

Methods

Real‐time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the activation of microglia and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Behavioral tests were performed to measure neurological deficits. 2,3,5‐Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was conducted to assess the infarct volume. The activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway was explored through immunofluorescence staining, western blot, co‐immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay.

Results

The level of pro‐inflammation cytokines and activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway was suppressed by AZD1390 in vitro and in vivo. The behavior deficits and infarct size were partially restored with AZD1390 treatment in experimental stroke. AZD1390 restrict ubiquitylation and sumoylation of the essential regulatory subunit of NF‐κB (NEMO) in an ATM‐dependent and ATM‐independent way respectively, which reduced the activation of the NF‐κB pathway.

Conclusion

AZD1390 suppressed NF‐κB signaling pathway to alleviate ischemic brain injury in experimental stroke, and attenuated microglia activation and neuroinflammation, which indicated that AZD1390 might be an attractive agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
The role of non‐oropharyngeal biopsies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary: A systematic review
Authors: Bowe C. M. , Garg M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

This systematic review aims to evaluate the role of biopsies in non‐oropharyngeal subsites in patients with cervical metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP).

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Articles that encompassed non‐oropharyngeal biopsies in HNSCCUP as part of the diagnostic work‐up were selected and analysed.

Results

A comprehensive search strategy was used to search relevant literature in PubMed from inception to October 2021. Eleven articles out of 860 were included, comprising 990 patients. There are no randomised control trials comparing the outcomes of survival and or locoregional control between patients who have or have not undergone non‐targeted biopsies of non‐oropharyngeal sub‐sites for HNSCCUP.

Several retrospective studies which showed an extremely low yield from random biopsies (range of yield, 0%–9%) of non‐oropharyngeal subsites. Even targeted biopsies showed a low yield (range of yield, 0.6%–16.6%) from non‐oropharyngeal subsites. The primary site identified for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) positive cervical lymph nodes with an unknown primary is mainly the nasopharynx (51.7%). Narrow band imaging (NBI) (sensitivity range, 64%–91%) helps in the detection of primaries to target biopsies in non‐oropharyngeal subsites.

Conclusions

On the basis of this systematic review, it is not appropriate to offer biopsies of clinically and radiologically normal upper aerodigestive tract mucosa at non‐oropharyngeal sites. Offer nasopharyngeal biopsies when the cervical node sampling reveals EBV‐positive metastasis. Where available, NBI should be used to help detect and target biopsies in non‐oropharyngeal subsites.
Tracing the origins of sea turtle eggs in the markets of Costa Rica
Authors: Pheasey Helen , Albert Fonseca Andrea , Albertazzi Federico J. , Griffiths Richard A. , Roberts David L.
Published: April 2024

Unsustainable wildlife trade is a major contributor to biodiversity loss; however, trade regulations have failed to prevent the decline of high‐profile species. Where wildlife is traded legally, opportunities exist to launder protected species through legal channels. The legal commercialization of olive ridley sea turtle eggs from Ostional, Costa Rica, has been criticized with some suggesting that the legal trade stimulates illegal extraction and sale of eggs. We aimed to identify whether the traceability rules, under which the Ostional project operates, were suitably robust. We surveyed markets across Costa Rica, by purchasing openly available sea turtle eggs and recording qualitative and quantitative data at the point of sale. We found that 378 (80%) of turtle eggs openly sold in the market were from olive ridley sea turtles. Green (n = 5) and leatherback (n = 6) turtle eggs were only on offer on three occasions, but no vendor referred to Ostional. Vendors frequently breached trade regulations, which appeared to be due to these regulations misaligning with consumer demand. Although the Ostional traceability rules are regularly flouted, we found no evidence that Ostional is being used as a cover to sell eggs from other turtle species.
In real life: Gaming community engagement in museums
Authors: Connor Alysha
Published: April 2024

This article looks at the ways museums can collaborate with the gaming community to better preserve, curate, digitize, and understand video games. Museums have become increasingly drawn to the collection and study of video games. Ideally, the acquisition and preservation of video games would need to be overseen by museum professionals specializing in digital collections, however, the museum sector lacks such specialists and resourcing. Often curators and museum staff do not have the necessary cultural and technological skills to properly care for gaming material culture. To remedy this problem, this paper suggests a more collaborative approach whereby gaming communities could be included in the collection, preservation, and display of gaming history and culture in museums. Using examples from the United States and Australia, this article examines the many ways the gaming community can help museums understand, acquire, display, and preserve video games.
SNP‐based analysis of European Thymallus spp. (Salmonidae) reveals extensive mito‐nuclear discordance relevant for biogeographic inferences, taxonomy and conservation
Authors: Englmaier Gernot K. , Rodríguez Nuria Viñuela , Bravničar Jernej , Zangl Lukas , Persat Henri , Marić Saša , Ratschan Clemens , Delling Bo , Gonçalves Duarte V. , Secci‐Petretto Giulia , Froufe Elsa , Weiss Steven J.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Paleohydrological dynamics are well‐documented for European river systems, promoting shifting phases of isolation and connectivity of their aquatic fauna. These conditions coupled with high rates of hybridisation found in freshwater fishes may introduce considerable complexity and potential mito‐nuclear discordance of phylogenetic patterns. We evaluate this hypothesis using the first large‐scale analysis of nuclear SNPs in European species of grayling (Thymallus) compared to mtDNA data with the aim of reassessing the evolutionary history of this group of rheophilic fishes.

Location

Freshwater systems in Europe.

Methods

Based on mitochondrial (mitogenomes, control region) and nuclear (ddRADseq) data, we applied population‐genetic, phylogenetic, and biogeographic tools to evaluate lineage diversity in the context of paleohydrological alterations.

Results

The results corroborated previously recognised high levels of lineage diversity, but revealed several cases of mito‐nuclear discordance and signals of both historical (natural) and human‐mediated introgression among major inter‐ and intraspecific lineages of Thymallus in Europe. A time‐calibrated phylogeny and ancestral area estimation, based on nuclear SNP data, supported a late Pliocene diversification of the genus in Europe and suggested an early colonisation of the Black Sea basin with subsequent dispersal into Central and Western Europe.

Main Conclusions

The genetic structure of Thymallus in Europe recovered by nuclear SNPs contrasts considerably with that supported by mtDNA. Several instances of mito‐nuclear discordance underscore frequent contact of allopatric lineages in a dynamic paleohydrological landscape and reveal the weakness of basing both taxonomic and conservation decisions on inferences based on mtDNA alone. The Danube and Rhine drainages were inferred as important zones of contact between divergent phylogeographic lineages. Additionally, our data cast doubt on the genetic integrity of the endangered T. aeliani. Its divergence from T. thymallus, using nuclear SNPs, appears minimal as samples of T. aeliani group within Danubian lineages, despite carrying highly divergent reciprocally monophyletic mtDNA.
Probing the content of affective semantic memory following caregiving‐related early adversity
Authors: Vannucci Anna , Fields Andrea , Bloom Paul A. , Camacho Nicolas L. , Choy Tricia , Durazi Amaesha , Hadis Syntia , Harmon Chelsea , Heleniak Charlotte , VanTieghem Michelle , Dozier Mary , Milham Michael P. , Ghetti Simona , Tottenham Nim
Published: April 2024

Cognitive science has demonstrated that we construct knowledge about the world by abstracting patterns from routinely encountered experiences and storing them as semantic memories. This preregistered study tested the hypothesis that caregiving‐related early adversities (crEAs) shape affective semantic memories to reflect the content of those adverse interpersonal‐affective experiences. We also tested the hypothesis that because affective semantic memories may continue to evolve in response to later‐occurring positive experiences, child‐perceived attachment security will inform their content. The sample comprised 160 children (ages 6–12 at Visit 1; 87F/73 M), 66% of whom experienced crEAs (n = 105). At Visit 1, crEA exposure prior to study enrollment was operationalized as parental‐reports endorsing a history of crEAs (abuse/neglect, permanent/significant parent‐child separation); while child‐reports assessed concurrent attachment security. A false memory task was administered online ∼2.5 years later (Visit 2) to probe the content of affective semantic memories–specifically attachment schemas. Results showed that crEA exposure (vs. no exposure) was associated with a higher likelihood of falsely endorsing insecure (vs. secure) schema scenes. Attachment security moderated the association between crEA exposure and insecure schema‐based false recognition. Findings suggest that interpersonal‐affective semantic schemas include representations of parent‐child interactions that may capture the quality of one's own attachment experiences and that these representations shape how children remember attachment‐relevant narrative events. Findings are also consistent with the hypothesis that these affective semantic memories can be modified by later experiences. Moving forward, the approach taken in this study provides a means of operationalizing Bowlby's notion of internal working models within a cognitive neuroscience framework.

Research Highlights

Affective semantic memories representing insecure schema knowledge (child needs + needs‐not‐met) may be more salient, elaborated, and persistent among youths exposed to early caregiving adversity.

All youths, irrespective of early caregiving adversity exposure, may possess affective semantic memories that represent knowledge of secure schemas (child needs + needs‐met).

Establishing secure relationships with parents following early‐occurring caregiving adversity may attenuate the expression of insecure semantic memories, suggesting potential malleability.

Affective semantic memories include schema representations of parent‐child interactions that may capture the quality of one's own attachment experiences and shape how youths remember attachment‐relevant events.
Human milk and breastfeeding during ketogenic diet therapy in infants with epilepsy: Clinical practice guideline
Authors: van der Louw Elles , Trimmel‐Schwahofer Petra , Devlin Anita , Armeno Marisa , Thompson Lindsey , Cross J. Helen , Auvin Stéphane , Dressler Anastasia
Published: April 2024

Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is a safe and effective treatment for epilepsy and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) deficiency syndrome in infancy. Complete weaning from breastfeeding is not required to implement KDT; however, breastfeeding remains uncommon. Barriers include feasibility concerns and lack of referrals to expert centres. Therefore, practical strategies are needed to help mothers and professionals overcome these barriers and facilitate the inclusion of breastfeeding and human milk during KDT. A multidisciplinary expert panel met online to address clinical concerns, systematically reviewed the literature, and conducted two international surveys to develop an expert consensus of practical recommendations for including human milk and breastfeeding in KDT. The need to educate about the nutritional benefits of human milk and to increase breastfeeding rates is emphasized. Prospective real‐world registries could help to collect data on the implementation of breastfeeding and the use of human milk in KDT, while systematically including non‐seizure‐related outcomes, such as quality of life, and social and emotional well‐being, which could improve outcomes for infants and mothers.

What this paper adds

Human milk and breastfeeding can be incorporated safely into ketogenic diet therapy.

With expert guidance, human milk and breastfeeding do not reduce diet effectiveness.

We show two strategies for clinical practice to include human milk.

Mothers can be encouraged to continue breastfeeding.
Sex‐specific consequences of host shift for morphology and fluctuating asymmetry in a seed beetle: an experimental evolution approach
Authors: Rončević Aleksa , Savković Uroš , Đorđević Mirko , Vlajnić Lea , Stojković Biljana , Budečević Sanja
Published: April 2024

Morphological plasticity may be induced by altering host plants and commonly it is sex‐specific in phytophagous insects. It is hypothesized that stress in insects caused by a host shift leads to morphological changes and developmental destabilization, which may be identified by fluctuating asymmetry. We performed reciprocal transplant experiments in eight replicated populations of the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) adapted to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabaceae) as its ancestral host and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L., Fabaceae) as a suboptimal host. Using methods of geometric morphometrics we assessed the effects of the short‐ and long‐term host shift on size and shape variation of beetles of both sexes. We also tested the hypothesis that fluctuating asymmetry is lower when the beetles develop within seeds of the ancestral host. Our results showed that females respond more plastically related to their body size and shape of the abdomen, particularly during a short‐term host shift, suggesting that females have a greater importance in maintaining the population on a new host. The level of fluctuating asymmetry is lowest in males that have evolved for generations on bean indicating that they have the most canalized development, so we suggested that symmetry in A. obtectus is maintained by sexual selection. Even if the beetles are adapted to a suboptimal host over many generations, they stabilize their development after returning to the ancestral host. Our work indicates that host shifts may change morphological aspects of the beetles in a sex‐specific manner and consequently influence their developmental trajectories.
Excitatory/inhibitory motor balance reflects individual differences during joint action coordination
Authors: Vescovo Enrico , Cardellicchio Pasquale , Tomassini Alice , Fadiga Luciano , D'Ausilio Alessandro
Published: April 2024

Joint action (JA) is a continuous process of motor co‐regulation based on the integration of contextual (top‐down) and kinematic (bottom‐up) cues from partners. The fine equilibrium between excitation and inhibition in sensorimotor circuits is, thus, central to such a dynamic process of action selection and execution. In a bimanual task adapted to become a unimanual JA task, the participant held a bottle (JA), while a confederate had to reach and unscrew either that bottle or another stabilized by a mechanical clamp (No_JA). Prior knowledge was manipulated in each trial such that the participant knew (K) or not (No_K) the target bottle in advance. Online transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was administered at action‐relevant landmarks to explore corticospinal excitability (CSE) and inhibition (cortical silent period [cSP]). CSE was modulated early on before the action started if prior information was available. In contrast, cSP modulation emerged later during the reaching action, regardless of prior information. These two indexes could thus reflect the concurrent elaboration of contextual priors (top‐down) and the online sampling of partner's kinematic cues (bottom‐up). Furthermore, participants selected either one of two possible behavioural strategies, preferring early or late force exertion on the bottle. One translates into a reduced risk of motor coordination failure and the other into reduced metabolic expenditure. Each strategy was characterised by a specific excitatory/inhibitory profile. In conclusion, the study of excitatory/inhibitory balance paves the way for the neurophysiological determination of individual differences in the combination of top‐down and bottom‐up processing during JA coordination.
Symptom‐based staging for logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Hardy Chris J. D. , Taylor‐Rubin Cathleen , Taylor Beatrice , Harding Emma , Gonzalez Aida Suarez , Jiang Jessica , Thompson Laura , Kingma Rachel , Chokesuwattanaskul Anthipa , Walker Ffion , Barker Suzie , Brotherhood Emilie , Waddington Claire , Wood Olivia , Zimmermann Nikki , Kupeli Nuriye , Yong Keir X. X. , Camic Paul M. , Stott Joshua , Marshall Charles R. , Oxtoby Neil P. , Rohrer Jonathan D. , O'Shea Frankie , Volkmer Anna , Crutch Sebastian J. , Warren Jason D.
Published: April 2024

Background and purpose

Logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) is a major variant presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that signals the importance of communication dysfunction across AD phenotypes. A clinical staging system is lacking for the evolution of AD‐associated communication difficulties that could guide diagnosis and care planning. Our aim was to create a symptom‐based staging scheme for lvPPA, identifying functional milestones relevant to the broader AD spectrum.

Methods

An international lvPPA caregiver cohort was surveyed on symptom development under an ‘exploratory’ survey (34 UK caregivers). Feedback from this survey informed the development of a ‘consolidation’ survey (27 UK, 10 Australian caregivers) in which caregivers were presented with six provisional clinical stages and feedback was analysed using a mixed‐methods approach.

Results

Six clinical stages were endorsed. Early symptoms included word‐finding difficulty, with loss of message comprehension and speech intelligibility signalling later‐stage progression. Additionally, problems with hearing in noise, memory and route‐finding were prominent early non‐verbal symptoms. ‘Milestone’ symptoms were identified that anticipate daily‐life functional transitions and care needs.

Conclusions

This work introduces a new symptom‐based staging scheme for lvPPA, and highlights milestone symptoms that could inform future clinical scales for anticipating and managing communication dysfunction across the AD spectrum.
Long‐term effect of exposure to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) on male mouse reproduction
Authors: Darmani Homa , Ali Razan Ramiz Abbas
Published: April 2024

Our study investigated the impact on male mouse fertility and reproduction of long‐term (14 weeks) exposure to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), a co‐monomer of resin‐based compounds, at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm. Test and control mice were then paired with sexually mature untreated female mice and their fertility evaluated. Females paired with males exposed to all TEGDMA doses exhibited a significant decline in pregnancy rates, and significant increases in the total embryonic resorption‐to‐implantation ratio, except for males exposed to 0.01 ppm TEGDMA. Males in the highest dose group (10 ppm) showed significant increases in seminal vesicle and preputial gland weights. They also had significantly higher serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) than the controls, and the 0.01 ppm dosage group for FSH levels. TEGDMA exposure resulted in notable histopathological alterations in the testis, with detachment of germ cells and shedding of germinal epithelium into the tubule lumen. These results strongly indicate that TEGDMA exposure has detrimental consequences on the reproductive abilities and functions in male mice through disruption of the standard hormonal regulation of the reproductive system, leading to changes in spermatogenesis and ultimately leading to decreased fertility.
Spillovers of PE investments
Authors: Truong Huynh S. , Walz Uwe
Published: April 2024

We investigate a potential primary effect of leveraged buyouts (LBOs) by private equity (PE) on peers in the same industry using data on US public‐to‐private LBO transactions between 1985 and 2016. We use a network‐based instrumental variable approach to account for potential endogeneity concerns. Our findings indicate that the LBOs by PEs matter for peer firms' performance and corporate strategy relative to nonpeer firms. Our study supports a learning factor hypothesis, but we find no evidence to support the conjecture that peers lose due to the increased competitiveness of the LBO target.
Patterns of integrating the Seal of Biliteracy into the school context
Authors: Wesely Pamela M. , Gao Bing
Published: April 2024

The Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) is a high school graduation credential that recognizes US students in their final year of high school who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one other language. SoBL implementation has been shown in many contexts to be governed by local policy arbiters, who interpret the state policy to provide access to the SoBL to students. Additionally, scholars have suggested that the discourse surrounding the SoBL has been permeated with neoliberal logic that prioritizes individual success and economic advantage. This study investigates how these themes play out in the implementation of the SoBL in 16 schools across Iowa, diverse in size, location, and student linguistic profiles. Findings indicate that the implementation of the SoBL was influenced by the local context and local policy arbiters, and how the SoBL, in turn, influenced the arbiters' perspectives and practices related to language learners and language instruction.