bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of coffee consumption and striatal volume in patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhou Cheng , Guo Tao , Jiaerken Yeerfan , Yang Siyu , Huang Peiyu , Xu Xiaojun , Zhang Minming
Published: April 2023

Background

Mounting studies have demonstrated that coffee consumption significantly reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there have been few investigations about the role of chronic coffee consumption in nigrostriatal structural neurodegeneration in PD. We aimed to investigate whether chronic coffee consumption is associated with the change in striatal volume in PD.

Methods

In this study, 130 de novo patients with PD and 69 healthy controls were enrolled from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative cohort. Patients with PD and healthy controls were, respectively, divided into three subgroups, including current, ever, and never coffee consumers. Then, striatal volume was compared across the three subgroups. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between cups consumed per day and striatal volume. Furthermore, we included the factors that may have influenced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in multiple linear regression analyses to identify significant contributing factors to striatal volume in each investigated striatal region.

Results

Current coffee consumers had decreased striatal volume compared with ever consumers in controls but not patients with PD. Furthermore, the correlation analyses revealed that cups per day were negatively correlated with striatal volume in current consumers of patients with PD and controls. In addition, multiple linear regression analyses showed that current coffee consumption remained as an independent predictor of a decrease in striatal volume in controls.

Conclusions

Our study showed that chronic coffee consumption was negatively correlated with striatal volume. In addition, our study showed that chronic coffee consumption was associated with the change in striatal volume in current—rather than ever coffee consumers, which suggests that the chronic effects of caffeine on striatal morphology may fade and even compensate after quitting coffee. Our study provides evidence for the effect of chronic coffee consumption on striatal volume in human brain in vivo.
Impacts of Market‐based Environmental Regulation on Green Total Factor Energy Efficiency in China
Authors: Li Ge , Gao Da , Li Yi
Published: April 2023

This study employed a difference‐in‐differences design to assess the effect of market‐based environmental regulation on green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) in a quasi‐natural experiment that investigated China's carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS). The empirical results show that ETS had a positive effect on GTFEE. A series of robustness tests revealed that the results were robust. Potential mechanisms through which ETS can improve GTFEE include the promotion of technological innovation and the upgrading of industrial structure. The positive effects varied in different cities and different regions – the result was pronounced in eastern China and developed cities, but it was insignificant in central and western areas and developing cities. This study confirms the satisfactory performance of China's ETS in improving GTFEE, and this is relevant for other emerging countries.
Atypical fibroxanthoma and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma – gene expression analysis compared with undifferentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Anders Iris Marie , Schimmelpfennig Carolin , Wiedemann Karolin , Löffler Dennis , Kämpf Christoph , Blumert Conny , Reiche Kristin , Kunz Manfred , Anderegg Ulf , Simon Jan‐Christoph , Ziemer Mirjana
Published: April 2023

Background

The histogenetic origin of atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) has not been definitively elucidated. In addition to a fibroblastic origin, a keratinocytic differentiation is discussed due to strong clinical, histomorphological and molecular genetic similarities with undifferentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

Patients and Methods

56 cases (36 AFXs, 8 PDSs, 12 undifferentiated cSCCs) were evaluated for their clinical, histomorphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics. RNA transcriptome analysis was performed on 18 cases (6 AFXs/PDSs, 6 undifferentiated cSCCs, 6 differentiated cSCCs).

Results

Clinically, the strong similarities in age, gender and tumor location were confirmed. Without further immunohistochemical staining, histomorphological differentiation between AFX/PDS and undifferentiated cSCC is often impossible. Principal component analysis of the RNA transcriptome analysis showed that AFX/PDS and differentiated cSCC each formed their own cluster, while the undifferentiated cSCCs fall in between these two groups, but without forming a cluster of their own. When examining differentially expressed genes (DEGs), the heat maps showed that there were cases within the undifferentiated cSCC that were more likely to be AFX/PDS than differentiated cSCC based on their expression profile.

Conclusions

The results provide evidence of molecular similarities between AFX/PDS and undifferentiated cSCC and suggest a common histogenetic origin.
Modeling the rarest of the rare: a comparison between multi‐species distribution models, ensembles of small models, and single‐species models at extremely low sample sizes
Authors: Erickson Kelley D. , Smith Adam B.
Published: April 2023

Species distribution models are useful for estimating the distribution and environmental preferences of rare species, but these same species are challenging to model on account of sparse data. We contrast a traditional single‐species approach (generalized linear models, GLMs) with two promising frameworks for modeling rare species: ensembles of small models (ESMs), which average across simple models; and multi‐species distribution models (MSDMs), which allow rarer species to benefit from statistical ‘borrowing of strength' from more common species. Using a virtual species within a community of real species, we evaluated how model accuracy was influenced by the number of occurrences of the rare species (N = 2–64), niche breadth, and similarity to more numerous species' niches. For discriminating between presence and absence, ESMs with just linear terms (ESM‐L) performed best for N ≤ 4, whereas for GLMs and ESMs with polynomial terms (ESM‐P) were best for N ≥ 8. For calibrating the species' response to influential variables, the MSDM hierarchical modeling of species communities (HMSC) and ESM‐P were best for species with niches similar to those of other species. For species with dissimilar niches, ESM‐P did best for N ≥ 8, but no model was well calibrated for smaller sample sizes. For identifying uninfluential variables, ESM‐L and species archetype models (SAMs), a type of MSDM, did well for ≤ 4, and ESM‐L for N ≥ 8. Models of species with narrow niches dissimilar to others had the highest discrimination capacity compared to models for generalist species and/or species with niches similar to other species' niches. ‘Borrowing of strength' in MSDMs can assist with some inference tasks, but does not necessarily improve predictions for rare species; simpler, single‐species models may be better at a given task. The best algorithm depends on modeling goal (discrimination versus calibration), sample size, and niche breadth and similarity.

Keywords: borrowing of strength, calibration, data‐deficient species, discrimination, presence–absence, rare species
Ontogenetic trajectories and early shape differentiation of treehopper pronota (Hemiptera: Membracidae)
Authors: Kudla Anna M. , Miranda Ximena , Frederik Nijhout H.
Published: April 2023

Membracids (family: Membracidae), commonly known as treehoppers, are recognizable by their enlarged and often elaborated pronota. Much of the research investigating the development and evolution of this structure has focused on the fifth instar to adult transition, in which the pronotum undergoes the largest transformation as it takes on adult identity. However, little is known about the earlier nymphal stages, the degree to which the pronotum develops at these timepoints, and how development has changed relative to the ancestral state. Here, we studied the nymphal stages and adults of five morphologically distinct membracid species and of Aetalion reticulatum (family: Aetalionidae), the outgroup which was used as an ancestral state proxy. We found that shape differentiation in the pronotum of membracids can start as early as the second instar stage. Most shape differentiation occurs within the nymphal stages and not in the embryo since the shape of the first‐instar pronotum did not differ from the outgroup species in all but one species we investigated. We found the anterior–posterior axis of the pronotum elongated at a faster relative rate in membracid species than in A. reticulatum, which contributed to the development of exaggerated pronotal size. Finally, we found differences in the morphogenesis of shape across species. We suggest this is due to the developmental and evolutionary divergence of differential growth patterning of the dorsal surface of the pronotum, not only across species, but also between stages within the same species. This lability may contribute to the evolvability and diversification of the membracid pronotum.
Population and movement ecology of two life‐history contrasting dung beetle species in a tropical human‐modified landscape
Authors: Barretto Julliana W. , Cultid‐Medina Carlos , Luna Pedro , Dáttilo Wesley , Escobar Federico
Published: April 2023

The study of population movements and abundance are useful to evaluate the reduction of biodiversity due to changes in landscape composition and configuration. These parameters are modulated by the effects of landscape on individuals' behaviours and species' life histories (e.g., specialists and generalists in forest use).

We used hierarchical models and tools derived from network theory to evaluate how landscape characteristics affect the abundance and movement patterns of the neotropical dung beetle species Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas with contrasting life histories in a human‐modified landscape of a Mexican cloud forest.

Movement and abundance patterns observed for both species and sexes showed opposite responses to the percentage of forest cover and edge density. The specialist species showed a higher abundance, lower movement and spatial distribution limited to the forest, whereas the generalist species showed a lower abundance, higher movement and unrestricted distribution. For both species, males tended to travel longer distances than females, but we observed no difference in the movement metrics between sexes.

Our findings highlight the effects of landscape covariables on population structure and dynamics, predict spatial dynamics of species habitat use and could be evidence of functional connectivity at the landscape scale.
Evaluation of eastern gamagrass as dual‐purpose complementary bioenergy and forage feedstock to switchgrass
Authors: Kieffer Christina , Hui Dafeng , Matamala Roser , Li Jianwei , Tyler Donald , Dzantor E. Kudjo
Published: April 2023

Switchgrass (SG) is considered a model bioenergy crop and a warm‐season perennial grass (WSPG) that traditionally served as forage feedstock in the United States. To avoid the sole dependence on SG for bioenergy production, evaluation of other crops to diversify the pool of feedstock is needed. We conducted a 3‐year field experiment evaluating eastern gamagrass (GG), another WSPG, as complementary feedstock to SG in one‐ and two‐cut systems, with or without intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch, and under different nitrogen (N) application rates. Our results showed that GG generally produced lower biomass (by 29.5%), theoretical ethanol potential (TEP, by 2.8%), and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY, by 32.9%) than corresponding SG under the same conditions. However, forage quality measures, namely acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and elements P, K, Ca, and Mg were significantly higher in GG than those in SG. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhanced biomass (by 1.54 Mg ha−1), lignin content (by 2.10 g kg−1), and TEY (787.12 L ha−1) in the WSPGs compared to unfertilized treatments. Intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch did not significantly increase biomass of the WSPGs, or TEP and TEY in unfertilized plots. This study demonstrated that GG can serve as a complementary crop to SG and could be used as a dual‐purpose crop for bioenergy and forage feedstock in farmers' rotations.
Evolutionary history and global angiosperm species richness–climate relationships
Authors: Jiang Ke , Wang Qinggang , Dimitrov Dimitar , Luo Ao , Xu Xiaoting , Su Xiangyan , Liu Yunpeng , Li Yaoqi , Li Yichao , Wang Zhiheng
Published: April 2023

Aim

Climate has been regarded as an important explanation for large‐scale species richness patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the significant variations in species richness–climate relationships across different clades remain to be tested. We explored how niche conservatism, diversification rates and time for speciation influenced species richness–climate relationships between clades.

Location

The globe.

Time Period

Present day.

Major Taxa Studied

Angiosperms.

Methods

Based on a newly complied database of the global distributions of 288,735 angiosperm species, we used generalized linear models to assess the relationships between species richness of different angiosperm families and climatic factors. We also conducted phylogenetic comparative analysis to test whether niche conservatism, diversification rates and time for speciation affect the variations in species richness–climate relationships.

Results

We found that temperature seasonality dominated the global angiosperm diversity patterns. Closely related families had more similar species richness–climate relationships than distantly related ones. The discrepancy between the current and ancestral niches of different clades had much stronger effects on variations in species richness–climate relationships than diversification rates and time for speciation. With the increase in the discrepancy between current and ancestral niches, the explanatory power (i.e.,R2) of contemporary temperature and precipitation in explaining species richness patterns increased.

Main Conclusions

Overall, our findings strongly support that niche conservatism dominates the variations in species richness–climate relationships across taxonomic groups. These findings allow better understanding on how large‐scale species diversity patterns are formed.
Mass elevation effect and continentality have a stronger impact on global treelines than spatial isolation
Authors: Kienle David R. , Irl Severin D. H. , Beierkuhnlein Carl
Published: April 2023

Aim

The global relationship between treeline elevation and temperature (or latitude as a proxy) is well established. However, additional large‐scale and regional abiotic influences such as mass elevation effect (MEE), continentality and isolation are superimposed onto the latitude‐treeline relationship. To quantify these effects, we apply globally applicable measures and test the effects of MEE, an aspect of continental climate and isolation on treeline elevation.

Location

Global treeline elevations (n = 629).

Methods

We sampled treeline sites using earth observation. We calculated MEE as the distance to the nearest mountain chain limits. Continentality was assessed by the distance to the nearest coastline. Isolation was calculated by the nearest distance of a mountain chain to another mountain chain within a comparable elevational band.

Results

The global latitudinal pattern showed a distinct bimodal latitude‐treeline elevation relationship. Treeline elevations increased substantially with increased MEE and distance to coastlines while isolation even decreased treeline elevations.

Main Conclusions

Our study shows a globally consistent effect of MEE and distance to the coastline on treeline elevation, contributing to our basic understanding of large‐scale biogeographic processes governing treeline formation. MEE and continentality reduce cloudiness and increase solar radiation, resulting in higher treeline elevations. Isolation effects are not consistent and may be influenced by immigration and speciation. Understanding global treeline formation using comprehensive measures contributes to a better understanding of how environmental conditions determine vegetation boundaries at large spatial scales.
Lower socio‐economic status in adolescence is associated with poor oral health at an older age: Mediation by social and behavioural factors
Authors: Yamamoto‐Kuramoto Kinumi , Kusama Taro , Kiuchi Sakura , Kondo Katsunori , Osaka Ken , Takeuchi Kenji , Aida Jun
Published: April 2023

Aim

To examine the mediators between lower socio‐economic status (SES) in adolescence and oral health at an older age to uncover the underlying mechanisms of the association.

Methods

Participants (n = 21 536) aged ≥65 years from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study were evaluated. The dependent variables were self‐rated chewing difficulty and having ≤19 remaining teeth. The main independent variable was self‐perceived SES in adolescence. The Karlson–Holm–Breen method was used for mediation analysis.

Results

Mean age of the participants was 74.8 years (standard deviation = 6.4), and 51.5% were female. Overall, 5598 (26.0%) participants reported chewing difficulty and 9404 (43.7%) had ≤19 remaining teeth. Lower SES in adolescence was associated with a higher prevalence of chewing difficulty (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, 95%confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–1.48; total effect). After controlling for mediators, OR for lower SES in adolescence was 1.22 (95%CI = 1.13–1.30; direct effect) and 1.13 (95%CI = 1.11–1.16; indirect effect). Mediators, prominently the number of teeth and income, explained 39.3% of the associations. Lower SES in adolescence increased the odds of ≤19 remaining teeth by OR = 1.23 (95% CI = 1.16–1.31; total effect). After controlling for mediators, the OR for lower SES in adolescence was 1.03 (95%CI = 0.97–1.10; direct effect) and 1.19 (95%CI = 1.16–1.23; indirect effect). Mediators, prominently educational attainment, explained 85.0% of the associations.

Conclusions

Lower SES in adolescence was associated with poor oral health at an older age through mediators. Approaches that consider social determinants from the beginning of the life course are required.
Oral lacosamide for the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia: A retrospective analysis of 86 cases
Authors: Muñoz‐Vendrell Albert , Tena‐Cucala Raquel , Campoy Sergio , García‐Parra Belia , Prat Joan , Martínez‐Yélamos Sergio , Huerta‐Villanueva Mariano
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

First‐line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is limited to carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, and in refractory cases, alternatives are scarce. Lacosamide has been suggested as a valid option. In this study, we describe a series of patients who received oral lacosamide as treatment for TN after first‐line drug failure.

Methods

In this retrospective descriptive cohort study, we included patients with refractory TN who attended a tertiary center between 2015 and 2021 and were prescribed oral lacosamide after first‐line treatment failure. The primary endpoints were pain relief and adverse effects. We secondarily analyzed clinical outcomes and compared responders versus nonresponders in the search for potential predictors of response.

Results

Eighty‐six patients were included (mean age: 62 [SD 15.6] years; 54/86 [63%] female). The TN etiology was secondary in 16/86 (19%) patients. Concomitant continuous pain was present in 29/86 (34%) patients. The mean number of previous treatments was 2.7 [SD 1.5]. Pain relief was achieved in 57/86 (66%) cases, with 28/86 (33%) patients presenting adverse effects, all of which were mild. No statistically significant differences were observed between responders and nonresponders, but subtle clinical differences suggested potential predictors of response.

Conclusion

Lacosamide may be an effective and relatively safe treatment for refractory pain in TN patients after first‐line treatment failure.
Multi‐region local field potential signatures and brain coherence alternations in response to nitroglycerin‐induced migraine attacks
Authors: Wang Zhen , Lin Qing , Peng Yuan B.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To decipher the underlying mechanisms of nitroglycerin (NTG)‐induced migraine electrophysiologically.

Background

Migraine is a recurrent primary headache disorder with moderate to severe disability; however, the pathophysiology is not fully understood. Consequently, safe and effective therapies to alleviate migraine headaches are limited. Local field potential (LFP) recording, as a neurophysiological tool, has been widely utilized to investigate combined neuronal activity.

Methods

We recorded LFP changes simultaneously from the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior nucleus of the thalamus, trigeminal ganglion, and primary visual cortex after NTG injection in both anesthetized and freely moving rats. Additionally, brain coherence was processed, and light‐aversive behavior measurements were implemented.

Results

Significant elevations of LFP powers with various response patterns for the delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands following NTG injection were detected in both anesthetized and freely moving rats; however, a surge of coherence alternations was exclusively observed in freely moving rats after NTG injection.

Conclusion

The multi‐region LFP signatures and brain coherence alternations in response to NTG‐induced migraine attacks were determined. Furthermore, the results of behavior measurements in the freely moving group indicated that NTG induced the phenomenon of photophobia in our study. All these findings offer novel insights into the interpretation of migraine mechanisms and related treatments.
Efficacy, durability, and tolerability of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for the treatment of HIV in a real‐world setting in Belgium
Authors: Nasreddine Rakan , Florence Eric , Yombi Jean Cyr , Henrard Sophie , Darcis Gilles , Van Praet Jens , Vandekerckhove Linos , Allard Sabine D. , Demeester Rémy , Messiaen Peter , Ausselet Nathalie , Delforge Marc , De Wit Stéphane ,   the Belgian Research on AIDS and HIV Consortium (BREACH)
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) in a real‐world setting in Belgium.

Methods

This was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study involving adult treatment‐naïve (TN) and treatment‐experienced (TE) people living with HIV receiving BIC/FTC/TAF between 1 January 2019 and 30 September 2020. The primary outcome was rate of virological suppression (plasma HIV‐1 viral load <50 copies/mL; on‐treatment analysis) at weeks 24 and 48. The main secondary outcomes included loss of virological suppression (LVS; two consecutive viral loads of >200 copies/mL after being virologically suppressed) by week 48 and analysis of resistance‐associated mutations at time of LVS; tolerability of BIC/FTC/TAF over the 48‐week study period; and change in weight and proportion of participants reporting a >10% weight gain at week 48.

Results

Overall, 2001 participants were included. Through 48 weeks, overall rate of virological suppression was 93.5%, with similar results observed in the following subgroups: age ≥50 years (92.7%), women (92.8%), Black sub‐Saharan African (91%), TN (94%), TE (93.2%), and non‐suppressed at baseline (86.6%). LVS was observed in 0.7% (n = 14) of participants, with one participant developing resistance‐associated mutations to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (184 V) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (263KR). Of the 131 (6.5%) treatment discontinuations, the most common reason was an adverse event (2.4%), with the most frequent being central nervous system/psychiatric (0.4%) and gastrointestinal (0.4%) toxicity. Median weight gain at week 48 was 2 kg (interquartile range −1 to 5), and a >10% weight increase was observed in 11.6% of participants.

Conclusion

In this large real‐world cohort, BIC/FTC/TAF showed excellent virological efficacy in a diverse population of patients with HIV. Rare occurrence of emergent drug resistance was observed, and treatment was well tolerated.
Impact of Nax genes for Na+ exclusion from leaves on bread wheat yield on saline soils
Authors: James Richard A. , Khan Md. Mustafa , Neogi Mrinmoy G. , Zwart Alexander B. , Munns Rana , Kabir Md. Rezwan , Akhond Md. Abdullah Yousuf
Published: April 2023

Wheat production in many countries is threatened by climate change and rising sea levels causing increases in salt‐water intrusion in low‐lying coastal areas. Large areas of the coastal zone of Bangladesh remain fallow during the dry season primarily due to salinity. It is estimated that 0.86 million hectares of land currently under fallow in the dry season would be suitable for wheat production using varieties with enhanced salt tolerance. This study investigated the impact of salt tolerance Nax genes (Na+ exclusion) on the grain yield of bread wheat grown on saline soils in southern Bangladesh. Nax1 and Nax2 genes were separately crossed into two Bangladeshi bread wheat varieties, BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26, through conventional crossing with marker‐assisted selection. The key outcome was strong evidence that both Nax genes have the capacity to lower leaf Na+ concentration in locally adapted bread wheat and consequently deliver improved yields in challenging field environments in southern Bangladesh with moderate to high salinity. The genetic backgrounds of the adapted varieties played a significant role in the expression of these genes. There was a differential response in the phenotypic expression of Nax genes to reduce leaf Na+ levels between the two local varieties selected as recurrent parents and the resultant variation in yield. The average reduction in leaf Na+ concentrations from the third backcrossed lines in the BARI Gom 25 background was about twice that of lines in the BARI Gom 26 background. These same lines typically yielded between 10% and 20% higher than BARI Gom 25 on moderate to high salinity sites, whereas the backcrossed lines in the BARI Gom 26 background yielded similarly to their recurrent parent at these same sites. The contrast in the differential phenotypic expression of the Nax genes evident in the two recurrent parents represented in this study highlights the importance of crossing salt tolerance Nax genes into a range of locally adapted high‐yielding genetic backgrounds to identify the greatest potential for improvement in salt tolerance.
Species distribution modelling supports the study of past, present and future biogeographies
Authors: Franklin Janet
Published: April 2023

Species distribution modelling (SDM), also called environmental or ecological niche modelling, has developed over the last 30 years as a widely used tool used in core areas of biogeography including historical biogeography, studies of diversity patterns, studies of species ranges, ecoregional classification, conservation assessment and projecting future global change impacts. In the 50th anniversary year of Journal of Biogeography, I reflect on developments in species distribution modelling, illustrate how embedded the methodology has become in all areas of biogeography and speculate on future directions in the field. Challenges to species distribution modelling raised in this journal in 2006 have been addressed to a significant degree. Those challenges are clarification of the niche concept; improved sample design for species occurrence data; model parameterization; predictor selection; assessing model performance and transferability; and integrating correlative and process models of species distributions. SDM is used, often in conjunction with other evidence, to understand past species range dynamics, identify patterns and drivers of biological diversity, identify drivers of species range limits, define and delineate ecoregions, estimate the distributions of biodiversity elements in relation to protected status and to prioritize conservation action, and to forecast species range shifts in response to climate change and other global change scenarios. Areas of progress in SDM that may become more widely accessible and useful tools in biogeography include genetically informed models and community distribution models.
Experimental test of the influence of light availability on the evolution of eye size and behaviour in Daphnia
Authors: Howell Kaitlyn , Muh Sarah , Parajuli Bibek , Walsh Matthew R.
Published: April 2023

There exists extensive variation in eye size. Much work has provided a connection between light availability and differences in eye size across taxa. Experimental tests of the role of the light environment on the evolution of eye size are lacking. Here, we performed a selection experiment that examined the influence of light availability on shifts in eye size and the connection between eye size and phototactic (anti-predator) behaviour in Daphnia. We set-up replicate experimental populations of Daphnia, repeatedly evaluated phenotypic shifts in eye size during the ~50-day experiment, and performed a common garden experiment at the end of the experiment to test for evolutionary shifts in eye size and behaviour. Our phenotypic analyses showed that eye size rapidly diverged between the light treatments; relative eye size was consistently larger in the low versus high light treatments. Selection on eye size was also modified by variation in density as increases in Daphnia density favoured a larger eye. However, we did not observe differences in eye size between the light treatments following two generations of common garden rearing at the end of the experiment. We instead observed strong shifts in anti-predator behaviour. Daphnia from the low light treatment exhibited decreased phototactic responses to light. Our results show that decreased light relaxes selection on anti-predator behaviour. Such trends provide new insights into selection on eye size and behaviour.

Abstract

Declines in light availability favors shifts in phototaxis behavior but not eye size in experimental populations of Daphnia.
Can you trust your lawyer's call? Legal advisers exhibit myside bias resistant to debiasing interventions
Authors: Jeklic Mihael A.
Published: April 2023

In a vast majority of disputes, settlement is superior to litigation, which involves uncertainty, legal fees, and opportunity cost. Unnecessary litigation also causes judicial backlog, wastes resources, and increases societal conflict. Major contributors to the lack of settlement are intransigent litigants who harbor overoptimistic predictions of litigation outcomes, even though they are looking at identical facts and applicable law. A study (N = 166) found significant myside bias in the participants' predictions of a judicial award (claimants' advisers expected awards that were 69% higher than defendants' advisers) and in their evaluation of arguments (both sides thought the arguments supporting their side were 30% more convincing than the arguments supporting their counterparty). Debiasing interventions—alerting to the myside bias, considering the perspective of the counterparty and dialectical bootstrapping—reduced the bias but did not eliminate it. Exploratory investigation indicated that a large proportion of advisers exhibited naïve realism and bias blind spot, and that cognitive reflection provided a limited measure of resistance to myside bias.
Nurses' coping strategies caring for patients during severe viral pandemics: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Temeng Eunice , Hewitt Rachael , Pattinson Rachael , Sydor Anna , Whybrow Dean , Watts Tessa , Bundy Chris
Published: April 2023

Background

Nurses play an essential role in responding to severe viral disease which bring considerable challenges to their personal and professional well‐being. This subsequently can affect the delivery of care and healthcare systems' organisational capacity to respond. Understanding nurses' experiences of these challenges will help inform healthcare policies.

Aim

To explore the experiences and coping strategies of nurses caring for patients during severe viral disease pandemics.

Design

A mixed‐methods systematic review informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.

Methods

A mixed‐methods systematic review. Five electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, ASSIA and Scopus were searched on 4th April 2021. Results were reported in accordance with PRISMA. The findings were analysed and reported in the context of the Self‐Regulatory Common‐Sense Model.

Results

In total, 71 peer‐review primary research articles describing nurses' experiences of caring for patients during SARS, MERS, Swine flu H1N1, Avian influenza or SARS‐CoV‐2 / COVID‐19 published in English from 2003 to 2021 were included. We found links between nurses' perception of the health threats, their emotional reactions, and coping strategies. Perceived health threats were influenced by organisational factors including frequent changes in clinical guidelines and workplace protocols, onerous workloads and working hours, unavailability of PPE, and lack of knowledge and training in pandemic management. These impacted nurses' physical, psychological and social well‐being. Nurses also reported helpful and unhelpful coping strategies to manage the health threats.

Conclusions

It is vital for stakeholders, policymakers, government and healthcare institutions to recognise and monitor the wider impact on healthcare workers from health emergencies. In addition, support to develop and implement effective systems and individual mechanisms to offset the anticipated impact pre and post pandemics/epidemics is needed. Our findings can inform those strategies for similar future health emergencies.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses are often the first point of contact in providing direct care to patients, hence they are at high risk of being infected. The findings from this review can help managers and policymakers in developing programmes to enhance resilience in the nursing workforce.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This was a literature review study.
Impact of different types of temporomandibular disorders on jaw functional limitation and psychological distress in orthodontic patients
Authors: Dan Ruichen , Li Jiaheng , Xie Tian , Luo Min , Lau Ruihan Sophie , Hu Shoushan , Wang Jun , Xiong Xin
Published: April 2023

Background

Some orthodontic patients are associated with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), and the differences between jaw function and psychological states in orthodontic patients with different types of TMDs remain unknown.

Objective

This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different types of TMDs in orthodontic patients and to evaluate the relationship between different types of TMDs and jaw functional limitation and psychological distress in orthodontic patients.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to patients willing to participate in this survey, which included questions about the demographic characteristics of the participants, the five TMD symptoms (5Ts) of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs, the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale‐8 (JFLS‐8) and the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ‐4). The subjects were divided into three groups: painful TMDs (PT), non‐painful TMDs (NPT), and TMD‐free according to whether they had TMDs and its subtypes.

Results

A total of 670 valid questionnaires were collected from 182 males and 488 females. The prevalence of TMDs was 35.4%, of which the prevalence of PT was 11.8% and the prevalence of NPT was 23.6%. The median JLFS‐8 score of TMD patients was significantly higher than TMD‐free, and PT patients were significantly higher than NPT (p = .026). After adjusting for confounding factors, the jaw function and psychological states of PT patients and NPT patients were worse than those of the TMD‐free group.

Conclusions

Among the orthodontic patients surveyed, more than one‐third had TMDs and the prevalence of PT was lower than NPT. Having TMDs is associated with more severe jaw functional limitation, and PT patients were more serious than NPT patients. At the same time, the psychological states of TMDs patients were also worse.
Reality of clonidine poisoning in children and adolescents
Authors: Duong Chi , Lovett Caitlyn , Downes MIchael A , Isbister Geoffrey K
Published: April 2023

Aim

We aimed to describe the severity of clonidine poisonings in a paediatric population referred to a tertiary toxicology service.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective review of all presentations of clonidine poisoning in children or adolescents reported to a tertiary toxicology service from March 2014 to February 2020. Cases were divided into young children (0–6 years), older children (7–11 years) and adolescents (12–17 years). We report clinical effects: bradycardia, hypotension and abnormal Glasgow coma score (GCS), based on standard paediatric observation charts, interventions, length of emergency department stay, proportion admitted to a medical ward or paediatric intensive care unit.

Results

We identified 111 clonidine poisonings, 41 young children, 9 older children and 61 adolescents. There were more females in the adolescent group and slightly more males in the younger age groups. The median dose ingested was 13 mcg/kg (interquartile range: 7–38 mcg/kg), which varied across ages. Clonidine alone was ingested in 78 cases (70%) and co‐ingestion was more common in adolescents (24/61; 39%). Thirty‐seven patients (33%) were admitted and 23 (21%) were admitted to paediatric intensive care unit. Median length of emergency department stay was 16.4 h, longer for adolescents. At least one abnormal observation occurred in 101 of 111 (91%) cases: 76 of 106 (72%) bradycardia, 76 of 110 (69%) hypotension and 4 of 99 (4%) GCS < 9. Thirteen (12%) had severe bradycardia, more common in young children and 23 (21%) had severe hypotension, more common in adolescents. For 27 children (0–11 years) ingesting 5–10 mcg/kg, 3 (11%) had severe bradycardia or severe hypotension and 1 received naloxone (4%). No cases ingesting <5 mcg/kg developed moderate/severe bradycardia or hypotension. Four cases received naloxone with no significant change, two patients got atropine with a transient response. One patient was intubated to facilitate safe inter‐hospital transfer.

Conclusion

Paediatric clonidine poisoning commonly results in bradycardia, hypotension and decreased GCS, but rarely severe or requiring major interventions. Children ingesting <5 mcg/kg do not require admission.
Therapeutics of managing reduced red cell mass associated with chronic kidney disease – Is there a case for earlier intervention?
Authors: Elliott Jonathan
Published: April 2023

Reduced red cell mass is a poor prognostic indicator in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Whilst overt anaemia impacts on the quality of life of patients with CKD, lowered red cell mass may also compromise oxygen delivery to proximal tubular cells and contribute to progressive kidney injury. Epidemiological data from cats with CKD support this hypothesis although controlled interventional studies involving drugs that raise red cell mass in trials designed to test this hypothesis are lacking in both human and veterinary medicine. Recombinant analogues of erythropoietin (EPO) are currently standard of care for human CKD patients where low red cell mass impacts on their quality of life. Resistance to EPO is encountered in 20% to 40% of patients treated, probably due to functional iron deficiency, reflecting the difficulties of managing iron deficiency associated with the chronic inflammation of CKD. Similar issues are likely faced in managing anaemia in feline CKD although published data on the use of human EPO analogues are limited as such treatment in cats risks antibody formation resulting in red cell aplasia and transfusion dependency and so is reserved for late stage cases only. This article reviews the recent alternative therapeutic approach to increase red cell mass using HIF‐prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors and explains their mode of action and theoretical advantages over EPO analogues in the context of iron metabolism. The results of human clinical trials and the potential benefit of adopting this approach in feline CKD patients are discussed.
Research gaps and opportunities in autoimmune hepatitis—Results of the international autoimmune hepatitis group research workshop 2022
Authors: Snijders Romée J. A. L. M. , Assis David N. , Oo Ye H. , Sebode Marcial , Taubert Richard , Willemse José , Tomsin Bert , Lohse Ansgar W. , Drenth Joost P. H. , Gevers Tom J. G. ,   the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) collaborators and the European Reference Network for Rare Liver Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER)
Published: April 2023

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare autoimmune liver disease that is characterised by a chronic inflammatory immune reaction directed against hepatocytes. The disease results in a substantial reduction in quality of life and potentially leads to liver‐related complications or death. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) initiated a series of research workshops to uncover the scientific gaps and opportunities in AIH. This review summarises the results of the latest workshop in Maastricht in 2022 and reviews the current challenges in adult AIH, particularly in relation to four important aspects of AIH: diagnostics; new immunomodulatory therapies; clinical trial design; and unmet clinical needs. This review also summarises the progress made since the AIH workshop in 2017. Patients and patient representatives were actively involved in the parallel working groups alongside clinicians and researchers. Despite 40 years of experience with diagnosing and treating AIH, false diagnoses occur and treatment is still based on nonselective immunosuppression. In addition to the need for more specific diagnostic tests, prognostic markers and tailor‐based treatments, a major unmet clinical need was identified in areas of care delivery and health‐related quality of life.
Some like it hot: Temperature and hydrodynamic factors influence Xenobalanus globicipitis attachment to cetaceans
Authors: Dolezal Milan M. , Foroughirad Vivienne , Fish Frank E. , Jacoby Ann‐Marie , Collier Melissa A. , Murphy Colin J. , Rittmaster Keith A. , Mann Janet
Published: April 2023

Barnacles can reveal much about the physiology, health, and spatial ecology of their cetacean hosts. Here, we examine how temperature and hydrodynamic factors impact presence of Xenobalanus globicipitis, a pseudo‐stalked barnacle that attaches exclusively to cetaceans. We hypothesized that temperature is a key environmental factor (i.e., water temperature) and physiological factor, in that X. globicipitis prefers the warmest skin temperature for attachment, possibly as a mechanism for survival in colder waters. First, we demonstrate a global relationship between spatial ecology of host species and presence of X. globicipitis. Notably, X. globicipitis is absent in the four species occupying waters with the lowest sea surface temperature (SST) year‐round, but present in migratory species that likely acquire the barnacle in waters with higher SST. Second, barnacle attachment location on common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) dorsal fins corresponds with fin temperature and hydrodynamics. Although body temperature may influence attachment location on the body of the animal, hydrodynamic forces, as previously proposed, determine how well barnacles can remain attached during the adult stage. X. globicipitis prevalence likely provides important bioindicator, ecological, and physiological information about its host. As parasitic infestation has some cost, these results have implications for cetacean health in warming seas.
What are key characteristics of adults with advanced heart failure discharged from ICU?
Authors: Edmiston Elizabeth A. , Hardin Heather K. , Dolansky Mary A.
Published: April 2023

Background

As the number of people with heart failure and treatment complexity increases, many hospitals are implementing Advanced Heart Failure Intensive Care Units (AHFICU). However, little evidence concerning the clinical characteristics of people admitted to AHFICUs exists. Understanding the clinical characteristics of people admitted to the AHFICU will assist nurses with implementing tailored interventions to ensure high‐quality care delivery.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of people who are admitted to and discharged from an AHFICU.

Study Design

Baseline data from a longitudinal descriptive study were collected on adults (N = 43) admitted to an AHFICU. Heart failure severity, self‐management ability, cognition, sleep quality, and other clinical characteristics were assessed.

Results

Most study participants were New York Heart Association functional class IV (n = 24) or class III (n = 14), indicating poor functional capacity. Over half had mild cognitive impairment and poor sleep quality was prevalent (92.7%). Participants had adequate levels of heart failure knowledge, but low levels of heart failure self‐management decision‐making and ability.

Conclusions

Interventions to address the unique clinical characteristics of AHFICU patients include sleep hygiene, integration of cognitive, sleep, and self‐management assessments into the electronic medical record. Addressing the unique clinical needs of people with heart failure will lead to patient‐centered, evidence‐based, and safe care.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Understanding characteristics of this population addresses this evidence gap and targeted clinical interventions to address unique discharge needs of this population are proposed. Sleep quality education should be done throughout hospitalization on sleep strategies and self‐management coaching to facilitate adoption of new sleep routines. Healthcare providers should ensure each patient has care support upon discharge and take cognitive status into consideration during teaching. Addressing self‐management readiness should include providing scenarios as part of discharge preparation. Providers must include addressing comorbidities and how they may affect heart failure self‐management, such as teaching about sleep apnea device use and encouraging compliance.
Four new and two resurrected species of Bacidina from Sweden, with notes and a preliminary key to the known Scandinavian species
Authors: Ekman Stefan
Published: April 2023

Four species of Bacidina (Ramalinaceae, Lecanorales, Ascomycota) are described as new to science from northern Europe (mainly Swedish material): Bacidina ferax S.Ekman, Bacidina lignicola S.Ekman, Bacidina maculans S.Ekman and Bacidina populnea S.Ekman. Another two species are resurrected from synonymy: Bacidina caerulea (Körb.) S.Ekman (based on Bacidia caerulea Körb.) and Bacidina circumpallens (Nyl.) S.Ekman (based on Lecidea circumpallens Nyl.). An additional four combinations are made: Bacidina friesiana (Hepp) S.Ekman (based on Biatora friesiana Hepp), Bacidina subfuscula (Nyl.) S.Ekman (based on Lecidea subfuscula Nyl.), Bacidina tarandina (Nyl.) S.Ekman (based on Lecidea tarandina Nyl.) and Bacidina tenella (Kullh.) S.Ekman (based on Bacidia tenella Kullh.). The morphology, distribution and nomenclature of all 28 species of Bacidina currently known from Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) are treated and an identification key is provided. In addition, Bacidina friesiana is discussed (for comparison with B. caerulea) even if it is not currently known from Scandinavia. Two of the treated species (B. epithallina ined., B. parasitica ined.) are parasites on cyanolichens but are not formally introduced here because of the scarcity of available material. Bilimbia arceutinoides Anzi is reduced to synonymy with Bilimbia sabuletorum (Schreb.) Arnold and Lecidea luteola var. chlorotica Ach. is reduced to synonymy with Bacidia rubella (Hoffm.) A.Massal. It is concluded that despite the present work, the diversity of the genus Bacidina remains insufficiently understood, at least in Scandinavia.