bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiometabolic profile of women with a history of overt diabetes compared to gestational diabetes and normoglycemia in index pregnancy: Results from CHIP‐F study
Authors: Gupta Yashdeep , Goyal Alpesh , Ambekar Samita , Kalaivani Mani , Bhatla Neerja , Tandon Nikhil
Published: August 2023

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of postpartum diabetes among women with a history of overt diabetes in pregnancy (ODiP) and compare with women having a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normoglycemia in pregnancy.

Methods

We have an established longitudinal cohort of postpartum women with a history of hyperglycemia (preexisting diabetes [PED] [n = 101], ODiP [n = 92], GDM [n = 643]), and normoglycemia (n = 183) in pregnancy. For this study, we excluded women with PED and invited other eligible women in a fasting state for clinical and biochemical evaluation.

Results

We evaluated 918 women with a mean (SD) age of 33.6 (5.0) years and at a median (interquartile range) postpartum interval of 31 (20–45) months. Diabetes was diagnosed in 65 (70.7%) women in ODiP compared to 99 (15.4%) in GDM (p < .001) and 4 (2.2%) in normoglycemia group (p < .001). In the ODiP group, the prevalence of diabetes was 47.4% among women tested in the first year postpartum, increasing to 86.8% among women tested at >3 years postpartum. Diabetes was more common when ODiP was diagnosed in the first (27/29, 93.1%) compared to the second trimester of pregnancy (35/57, 61.4%). The adjusted odds ratio for diabetes in ODiP was 14.82 (95% confidence interval, 8.49–25.87; p < .001; reference category: GDM).

Conclusions

The prevalence of postpartum diabetes was significantly higher in women with ODiP compared to GDM. Nearly 50% of women with ODiP did not develop diabetes in the first year of follow‐up, especially when ODiP was diagnosed after the first trimester of pregnancy and on the basis of a 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test value. Such women are amenable to prevention strategies.

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Current stewardship practices in invasion biology limit the value and secondary use of genomic data
Authors: Vaughan Amy L. , Parvizi Elahe , Matheson Paige , McGaughran Angela , Dhami Manpreet K.
Published: August 2023

Invasive species threaten native biota, putting fragile ecosystems at risk and having a large‐scale impact on primary industries. Growing trade networks and the popularity of personal travel make incursions a more frequent risk, one only compounded by global climate change. With increasing publication of whole‐genome sequences lies an opportunity for cross‐species assessment of invasive potential. However, the degree to which published sequences are accompanied by satisfactory spatiotemporal data is unclear. We assessed the metadata associated with 199 whole‐genome assemblies of 89 invasive terrestrial invertebrate species and found that only 38% of these were derived from field‐collected samples. Seventy‐six assemblies (38%) reported an ‘undescribed’ sample origin and, while further examination of associated literature closed this gap to 23.6%, an absence of spatial data remained for 47 of the total assemblies. Of the 76 assemblies that were ultimately determined to be field‐collected, associated metadata relevant for invasion studies was predominantly lacking: only 35% (27 assemblies) provided granular location data, and 33% (n = 25) lacked sufficient collection date information. Our results support recent calls for standardized metadata in genome sequencing data submissions, highlighting the impact of missing metadata on current research in invasion biology (and likely other fields). Notably, large‐scale consortia tended to provide the most complete metadata submissions in our analysis—such cross‐institutional collaborations can foster a culture of increased adherence to improved metadata submission standards and a standard of metadata stewardship that enables reuse of genomes in invasion science.
Changes in self‐reported suicidal ideation during treatment with electroconvulsive therapy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Luccarelli James , Humphrey Daniel , McCoy Thomas H. , Henry Michael E. , Mueller Martina , Seiner Stephen J.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Suicidal ideation (SI) is common in patients with depressive symptoms, who are the most common recipients of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We sought to quantify changes in self‐reported SI occurring during treatment with ECT, and to identify factors associated with persistence of SI in patients beginning treatment with SI.

Method

Retrospective, single‐center cohort study of patients receiving ECT and who self‐reported symptoms using Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) prior to ECT and after treatment #5 or #10. Changes in QIDS‐reported SI over the course of ECT were calculated, and logistic regression models were performed to assess factors associated with reporting SI at the end of treatment.

Results

2554 provided baseline and follow‐up SI scores, of whom, 1931 (75.6%) endorsed SI at baseline. There was a reduction in SI with ECT treatment (McNemar's test; df = 1, Χ2 = 803.7; p < 0.001), and in adjusted models 64.0% of individuals with baseline SI reported resolution of SI with ECT treatment, while 3.3% without baseline SI reported SI at the end of treatment. Higher baseline SI severity and outpatient treatment were associated with a higher odds of persistent SI among individuals beginning treatment with SI.

Conclusion

Electroconvulsive therapy treatment was associated with reductions in self‐reported SI. These results support the use of ECT in the treatment of patients with SI, but further research is needed to determine the effects of ECT on suicidal behavior.
Primate extinction, the legacy of 40 years' road expansion in Colombia
Authors: Ceia‐Hasse A. , Thomson M. A. , Noguera‐Urbano E. A. , Carrillo‐Restrepo J. C. , Cruz‐Rodríguez C. A. , Correa‐Ayram C. A. , Ochoa‐Quintero J. M. , Rosa I. M. D.
Published: August 2023

Primates are declining worldwide and rapid infrastructure expansion, particularly roads, threatens their habitat. New roads fragment habitats allowing anthropogenic activities to occur in once pristine ecosystems; this is particularly impactful in tropical areas with high endemic biodiversity, as is occurring with primates in Colombia. However, temporal assessments of how roads impact local biodiversity are rare. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of the exposure of Colombian primates to roads from 1970 to 2015. Using a spatially explicit and species‐specific approach, we estimated the critical road density and the critical patch size primate species can withstand before going locally extinct. Then, overlapping 15 primate species (~40% of the primate species present in Colombia) ranges with Colombia's road networks over time, we determined the road expansion scope within each habitat and consequent fragmentation. Comparing the species critical road density and patch size, we determined the degree of road exposure of each species over time and its vulnerability to local extinction. Our results show that between 1970 and 2015, there were nearly 40 000 km2 where at least one species was at risk of local extinction, due to road expansion, principally in the Andean and Caribbean regions. Primates in these regions faced the greatest exposure to road impacts, with an average 16% increase in the amount of affected habitat during this period. Species in most need of conservation based on road exposure rankings are: Cebus versicolor, Aotus griseimembra, Ateles hybridus, Saguinus leucopus and Saguinus oedipus. Our study contributes to understanding road impacts on local biodiversity in one of the biodiversity hotspots across the tropics and highlights the need of infrastructure accounting for the necessary mitigation and conservation actions.
New aspects of activin biology in epididymal function and immunopathology
Authors: Wijayarathna Rukmali , Hedger Mark P.
Published: August 2023

The activins (A and B) and their binding protein, follistatin, play crucial roles in development, immunoregulation and inflammation throughout the body. In the male reproductive tract of the mouse, activin A and B production is largely confined to the initial segment and proximal caput of the epididymis and the efferent ducts, under normal conditions, with very low expression in the corpus, cauda and vas deferens. However, activin A protein is present throughout the epididymis and vas deferens and is largely associated with the epithelium and interstitial macrophages. Conversely, the activin‐binding protein follistatin is produced in the distal epididymis, with very high expression in the vas deferens. Activin activity in the distal tract is inhibited by follistatin, and the activin–follistatin balance is important for regulating coiling of the duct during epididymal development. In further experiments, as described in this report, in situ hybridisation was used to localise activin A mRNA principally to cells in the periductal zone and interstitium in the efferent ducts and proximal caput. Activin B mRNA, on the other hand, was localised to periductal cells in the efferent ducts and proximal epididymis and, most notably, to epithelial cells in the initial segment. Activin A is implicated in the regulation of mononuclear phagocyte function and immune responses in the caput and stimulates the expression of the key immunoregulatory protein, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in this region. Activin A production in the corpus and cauda increases dramatically during bacterial epididymitis in mice, promoting inflammation and fibrosis and causing damage to the epithelium and obstruction of the epididymal duct. Consequently, it appears that the activin–follistatin axis is crucial for maintaining normal epididymal structure and function, but disruption of this balance during inflammation has deleterious effects on male fertility. Follistatin has therapeutic potential in ameliorating the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of activins.
Autonomic cardiovascular control is altered by intermittent hypoxia in preterm infants
Authors: Yee Alicia K. , Shetty Marisha , Siriwardhana Leon S. , Wong Flora Y. , Walter Lisa M. , Horne Rosemary S. C.
Published: August 2023

Aim

Preterm infants frequently experience short apnoeas and periodic breathing. Animal studies have shown that repetitive hypoxia associated with periodic breathing can alter autonomic control. We aimed to elucidate if apnoea and periodic breathing were associated with changes in autonomic control assessed using heart rate variability, thus exacerbating the consequences of respiratory disturbance.

Methods

Forty very preterm infants (15 M/25 F) were studied at 34.3 weeks post‐menstrual age with daytime polysomnography. Total power, low frequency (LF, sympathetic+parasympathetic activity) high frequency (HF, parasympathetic activity) and LF/HF (sympathovagal balance) were calculated.

Results

Infants were divided into those with above and below the median total sleep time spent with respiratory events: Active sleep (AS) 13%, Quiet sleep (QS) 10%. In AS, including respiratory events, Total power (p < 0.05) and HF power (p < 0.05) were higher in the above median group. During AS excluding respiratory events, Total power (p < 0.05) and HF power (p = 0.061) were higher and LF power (p < 0.01) and LF/HF (p < 0.05) were lower in the above median group. There were no differences in HRV parameters in QS.

Conclusion

This study provides new evidence that short apnoeas, particularly periodic breathing, which is currently not detected or treated in the neonatal unit can affect autonomic cardiovascular control.
When and why creative performance influences job self‐efficacy: Pride as a mediator and workaholism as a moderator
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Moughan Caroline Jordan , Peng Yisheng , Ma Jie , Zhang Wenqin
Published: August 2023

We respond to calls to examine the implications of creative performance by exploring the mediating role of pride in the relationship between self‐rated creative performance and job self‐efficacy and the moderating role of workaholism in these relationships. We collected data from a sample of 405 employees in China with a three‐wave time‐lagged design in Study 1 and a sample of 352 employees in the United States with a three‐wave panel design in Study 2. Study 1 and Study 2 provided convergent evidence that self‐rated creative performance at Time 1 positively is related to pride at Time 2, which, in turn, positively related to job self‐efficacy at Time 3. Extending Study 1, Study 2 indicated that the indirect effect of self‐rated creative performance on job self‐efficacy via pride was only significant for employees with low workaholism. Our study contributes to the literature by taking the first attempt to explore how, why, and when self‐rated creative performance is related to job self‐efficacy and by highlighting the critical roles of pride and workaholism. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Anxiety and depression in patients with hand eczema: A population‐based study among 853 middle‐aged subjects
Authors: Koskelo Marjut , Sinikumpu Suvi‐Päivikki , Jokelainen Jari , Huilaja Laura
Published: August 2023

Background

Hand eczema (HE) is a common dermatological disorder with considerable effect on the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The data on mental comorbidities of HE is sparse and mostly studied among selected patient groups.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with HE in general population.

Methods

Study subjects (n = 6695) belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study (NFBC1966) responded to an extensive health questionnaire including questions about HE. Depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated according to the Hopkins Symptom Checklist‐25 (HSCL‐25).

Results

Having ever suffered from HE was reported by 853 (12.8%) study subjects. Symptoms scores of depression were significantly higher among (n = 172, 20.3%) HE subjects compared with (n = 884, 15.4%) subjects without HE (Odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.68, P < 0.001). Correspondingly, symptoms scores of anxiety were also more common among (n = 90, 10.6%) HE subjects than among (n = 448, 7.8%) subjects without HE (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.10–1.78, P = 0.007). In an adjusted model, the associations remained statistically significant (OR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.08–1.57, P = 0.007 and OR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.04–1.72, P = 0.021, respectively).

Conclusions

Symptoms associated with mental health should be taken into account when managing patients with HE.
Single center experience and literature review of kidney transplantation from non‐ideal donors with acute kidney injury: Risk and reward
Authors: Webb Christopher J. , McCracken Emily , Jay Colleen L. , Sharda Berjesh , Garner Matthew , Farney Alan C. , Orlando Giuseppe , Reeves‐Daniel Amber , Mena‐Gutierrez Alejandra , Sakhovskaya Natalia , Stratta Bobby , Stratta Robert J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

There is limited experience transplanting kidneys from either expanded criteria donors (ECD) or donation after circulatory death (DCD) deceased donors with terminal acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods

AKI kidneys were defined by a donor terminal serum creatinine level >2.0 mg/dL whereas non‐ideal deceased donor (NIDD) kidneys were defined as AKI/DCD or AKI/ECDs.

Results

From February 2007 to March 2023, we transplanted 266 single AKI donor kidneys including 29 from ECDs, 29 from DCDs (n = 58 NIDDs), and 208 from brain‐dead standard criteria donors (SCDs). Mean donor age (43.7 NIDD vs. 33.5 years SCD), KDPI (66% NIDD vs. 45% SCD), and recipient age (57 NIDD vs. 51 years SCD) were higher in the NIDD group (all p < .01). Mean waiting times (17.8 NIDD vs. 24.2 months SCD) and dialysis duration (34 NIDD vs. 47 months SCD) were shorter in the NIDD group (p < .05). Delayed graft function (DGF, 48%) and 1‐year graft survival (92.7% NIDD vs. 95.9% SCD) was similar in both groups. Five‐year patient and kidney graft survival rates were 82.1% versus 89.9% and 82.1% versus 75.2% (both p = NS) in the NIDD versus SCD groups, respectively.

Conclusions

The use of kidneys from AKI donors can be safely liberalized to include selected ECD and DCD donors.
Artificial intelligence in rare disease diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Wojtara Magda , Rana Emaan , Rahman Taibia , Khanna Palak , Singh Heshwin
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) utilization in health care has grown over the past few years. It also has demonstrated potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment. Some types of AI, such as machine learning, allow for the efficient analysis of vast datasets, identifying patterns, and generating key insights. Predictions can then be made for medical diagnosis and personalized treatment recommendations. The use of AI can bypass some conventional limitations associated with rare diseases. Namely, it can optimize traditional randomized control trials, and may eventually reduce costs for drug research and development. Recent advancements have enabled researchers to train models based on large datasets and then fine‐tune these models on smaller datasets typically associated with rare diseases. In this mini‐review, we discuss recent advancements in AI and how AI can be applied to streamline rare disease diagnosis and optimize treatment.
Urothelial bladder carcinoma recurrence in the uterine cervix: Cytological findings on a cervical cytology test
Authors: Spanò Bascio Ludovica , Chiappa Valentina , Paolini Biagio , Chiarello Giulia , Leone Roberti Maggiore Umberto , Bogani Giorgio , Raspagliesi Francesco
Published: August 2023

The authors discuss a rare case of cervical asymptomatic metastasis of a primary high‐grade poorly differentiated urothelial bladder carcinoma, diagnosed by cervical cytology test.
Beta‐cell death and dysfunction drives hyperglycaemia in organ donors
Authors: Shapey Iestyn M. , Summers Angela , O'Sullivan James , Fullwood Catherine , Hanley Neil A. , Casey John , Forbes Shareen , Rosenthal Miranda , Johnson Paul R. V. , Choudhary Pratik , Bushnell James , Shaw James A. M. , Neiman Daniel , Shemer Ruth , Glaser Benjamin , Dor Yuval , Augustine Titus , Rutter Martin K. , van Dellen David
Published: August 2023

Background

Donor hyperglycaemia following brain death has been attributed to reversible insulin resistance. However, our islet and pancreas transplant data suggest that other mechanisms may be predominant. We aimed to determine the relationships between donor insulin use and markers of beta‐cell death and beta‐cell function in pancreas donors after brain death.

Methods

In pancreas donors after brain death, we compared clinical and biochemical data in ‘insulin‐treated’ and ‘not insulin‐treated donors’ (IT vs. not‐IT). We measured plasma glucose, C‐peptide and levels of circulating unmethylated insulin gene promoter cell‐free DNA (INS‐cfDNA) and microRNA‐375 (miR‐375), as measures of beta‐cell death. Relationships between markers of beta‐cell death and islet isolation outcomes and post‐transplant function were also evaluated.

Results

Of 92 pancreas donors, 40 (43%) required insulin. Glycaemic control and beta‐cell function were significantly poorer in IT donors versus not‐IT donors [median (IQR) peak glucose: 8 (7‐11) vs. 6 (6‐8) mmol/L, p = .016; C‐peptide: 3280 (3159‐3386) vs. 3195 (2868‐3386) pmol/L, p = .046]. IT donors had significantly higher levels of INS‐cfDNA [35 (18‐52) vs. 30 (8‐51) copies/ml, p = .035] and miR‐375 [1.050 (0.19‐1.95) vs. 0.73 (0.32‐1.10) copies/nl, p = .05]. Circulating donor miR‐375 was highly predictive of recipient islet graft failure at 3 months [adjusted receiver operator curve (SE) = 0.813 (0.149)].

Conclusions

In pancreas donors, hyperglycaemia requiring IT is strongly associated with beta‐cell death. This provides an explanation for the relationship of donor IT with post‐transplant beta‐cell dysfunction in transplant recipients.
3D TEE imaging in a patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation with dextrocardia and tricuspid commissural prolapse
Authors: Demirtola Ayşe İrem , İnan Duygu , Pamuk Özlem , Tugrul Sevil , Mammadli Anar , Kılıçgedik Alev
Published: August 2023

Although dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly, it may be accompanied by numerous pathologies. Tricuspid valve prolapse is an extremely uncommon cause of primary tricuspid valve disease, as is its association with dextrocardia. In this instance, we wished to share our knowledge of tricuspid commissural prolapse together with dextrocardia, which we augmented with 3D images.
Left atrial mitral valve chordae: An important congenital abnormality mimicking endocarditis on transthoracic echocardiography—Case report
Authors: Shirwaiker Anita , Goh Ian Hong Siang , Cieslik Luke Kristofer , Appelbe Alan
Published: August 2023

A 59‐year‐old male was incidentally diagnosed with a left atrial mitral valve chordae involving the junction of the A1 and A2 mitral valve leaflets and resulting in moderate mitral regurgitation. The recognition of this extremely rare congenital malformation prevented over diagnosis and overtreatment.
Tooth intentional replantation from 1964 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Huang Jin‐wei , Gan Ye‐na , Xu He , Han Sheng , Zhu He , Jia Lu , Li Nan , Li Duo‐duo , Cai Zhi‐gang
Published: August 2023

Background/Aim

There is no thorough overview of intentional tooth replantation techniques. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the development of intentional tooth replantation.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive search of the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases was conducted in February 2023. Original articles and reviews of human studies with “intentional replantation” or synonyms in the titles, abstracts, or keywords were included. A descriptive analysis of bibliographic data, co‐occurrence analysis, and coupling of publications was performed. Multivariate analysis was used to explore the bibliometric parameters associated with the citation counts.

Results

The study included 171 papers, which were co‐authored by 500 individuals affiliated with 217 institutions from 28 countries/regions. The USA contributed the greatest number of publications, followed by China, and Japan. The USA had 694 citations, followed by Japan (210), and Turkey (210). The Journal of Endodontics and Dental Traumatology contributed the most citations. Five directions for future research were identified based on the coupling relationships of publications, including “managing vertical root fractures with adhesive resin using the intentional replantation technique,” “intentional replantation for periodontally hopeless or endodontically compromised teeth,” “intentional replantation for treating abnormalities of morphological development,” “outcomes and prognosis factors of intentional replantation,” and “treating root replacement resorption by intentional replantation.” Multivariate analysis showed that the publication year, Journal Citation Reports ranking of journals, study design, and disease type were predictors of citation counts.

Conclusions

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive description of the intentional replantation technique. The USA published the greatest volume of papers and generated the most citations. The Journal of Endodontics and Dental Traumatology are considered the most influential. The Journal Citation Reports journal ranking (Q1, Q2), study design (case reports, cohort studies), and disease type (crown root fractures) were associated with the citation counts.
Phylogenomic analysis provides diagnostic tools for the identification of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) species complex
Authors: Congrains Carlos , Dupuis Julian R. , Rodriguez Erick J. , Norrbom Allen L. , Steck Gary , Sutton Bruce , Nolazco Norma , de Brito Reinaldo A. , Geib Scott M.
Published: August 2023

Insect pests cause tremendous impact to agriculture worldwide. Species identification is crucial for implementing appropriate measures of pest control but can be challenging in closely related species. True fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) include some of the most serious agricultural pests in the Americas, with the Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) complex being one of the most important due to its extreme polyphagy and wide distribution across most of the New World tropics and subtropics. The eight morphotypes described for this complex as well as other closely related species are classified in the fraterculus species group, whose evolutionary relationships are unresolved due to incomplete lineage sorting and introgression. We performed multifaceted phylogenomic approaches using thousands of genes to unravel the evolutionary relationships within the A. fraterculus complex to provide a baseline for molecular diagnosis of these pests. We used a methodology that accommodates variable sources of data (transcriptome, genome, and whole‐genome shotgun sequencing) and developed a tool to align and filter orthologs, generating reliable datasets for phylogenetic studies. We inferred 3031 gene trees that displayed high levels of discordance. Nevertheless, the topologies of the inferred coalescent species trees were consistent across methods and datasets, except for one lineage in the A. fraterculus complex. Furthermore, network analysis indicated introgression across lineages in the fraterculus group. We present a robust phylogeny of the group that provides insights into the intricate patterns of evolution of the A. fraterculus complex supporting the hypothesis that this complex is an assemblage of closely related cryptic lineages that have evolved under interspecific gene flow. Despite this complex evolutionary scenario, our subsampling analysis revealed that a set of as few as 80 loci has a similar phylogenetic resolution as the genome‐scale dataset, offering a foundation to develop more efficient diagnostic tools in this species group.
Parent‐adolescent coping with prolonged geopolitical conflict: A qualitative analysis focusing on distress and resilience
Authors: Albala Dafna , Shapira Stav
Published: August 2023

Adolescents who were raised in conflict‐ridden areas may face unique challenges that may also impact their transition to adulthood. We explored coping processes, distress symptoms, and resilience resources of late adolescents and their parents residing in Israeli communities bordering Gaza and exposed to ongoing conflict‐related violence. We conducted in‐depth interviews with late adolescents and one of their parents (n = 8 dyads, 16 individual interviews). Four main themes emerged: (a) dynamic adaptation – complex movement between coping styles; (b) distress symptoms; (c) siblingship – the central role of siblings in shaping adolescent resilience; and (d) community impacts – the ways in which social and physical environment can foster resilience. The findings broaden existing coping theories and offer practical implications for practitioners providing support to populations exposed to prolonged conflicts.
Short‐chain fatty acids stimulate dendrite elongation in dendritic cells by inhibiting histone deacetylase
Authors: Inamoto Takuho , Furuta Kazuyuki , Han Cheng , Uneme Mio , Kano Tomonori , Ishikawa Kazuya , Kaito Chikara
Published: August 2023

Dendritic cells activate immune responses by presenting pathogen‐derived molecules. The dendrites of dendritic cells contribute to the incorporation of foreign antigens or presenting antigens to T cells. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids, have many effects on immune responses by activating specific receptors or inhibiting a histone deacetylase (HDAC), although their effect on dendrite formation in dendritic cells is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of SCFAs on dendrite elongation using a dendritic cell line (DC2.4 cells) and mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells. We found that SCFAs induced dendrite elongation. The elongation was reduced by inhibitors of Src family kinase (SFK), phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K), Rho family GTPases (Cdc42, Rac1) or actin polymerization, indicating that SCFAs promote dendrite elongation by activating actin polymerization via the SFK/PI3K/Rho family GTPase signaling pathway. We showed that agonists for SCFA receptors GPR43 and GPR109a did not promote dendrite elongation. By contrast, HDAC inhibitors, including trichostatin A, promoted dendrite elongation in DC2.4 cells, and the promoting activity of trichostatin A was decreased by inhibiting the SFK/PI3K/Rho family GTPase signaling pathway or actin polymerization. Furthermore, DC2.4 cells treated with valeric acid showed enhanced uptake of soluble proteins, insoluble beads and Staphylococcus aureus. We also found that treatment with valeric acid enhanced major histocompatibility complex class II‐mediated antigen presentation in bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells. These results suggest that SCFAs promote dendrite elongation by inhibiting HDAC, stimulating the SFK/PI3K/Rho family pathway and activating actin polymerization, resulting in increased antigen uptake and presentation in dendritic cells.
Ecosystem feedbacks constrain the effect of day‐to‐day weather variability on land–atmosphere carbon exchange
Authors: Rastetter Edward B. , Griffin Kevin L. , Kwiatkowski Bonnie L. , Kling George W.
Published: August 2023

Whole‐ecosystem interactions and feedbacks constrain ecosystem responses to environmental change. The effects of these constraints on responses to climate trends and extreme weather events have been well studied. Here we examine how these constraints respond to changes in day‐to‐day weather variability without changing the long‐term mean weather. Although environmental variability is recognized as a critical factor affecting ecological function, the effects of climate change on day‐to‐day weather variability and the resultant impacts on ecosystem function are still poorly understood. Changes in weather variability can alter the mean rates of individual ecological processes because many processes respond non‐linearly to environmental drivers. We assessed how these individual‐process responses to changes in day‐to‐day weather variability interact with one another at an ecosystem level. We examine responses of arctic tundra to changes in weather variability using stochastic simulations of daily temperature, precipitation, and light to drive a biogeochemical model. Changes in weather variability altered ecosystem carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stocks and cycling rates in our model. However, responses of some processes (e.g., respiration) were inconsistent with expectations because ecosystem feedbacks can moderate, or even reverse, direct process responses to weather variability. More weather variability led to greater carbon losses from land to atmosphere; less variability led to higher carbon sequestration on land. The magnitude of modeled ecosystem response to weather variability was comparable to that predicted for the effects of climate mean trends by the end of the century.
Politicization, bureaucratic closedness in personnel policy, and turnover intention
Authors: Suzuki Kohei , Hur Hyunkang
Published: August 2023

Previous studies have identified individual and organizational factors that influence the turnover intentions of bureaucrats. However, they have overlooked how the type of national bureaucracy influences turnover intention. Combining data sets on macro‐level bureaucratic structures and individual civil servants, we examine how bureaucratic politicization and closedness are associated with the turnover intentions of bureaucrats in 36 countries. Our analysis indicates that there is large cross‐national variation in turnover intention, and that bureaucratic structures matter as one of the predictors of turnover intention. Public servants working in more closed and regulated bureaucracies exhibit lower turnover intention. We also find that public servants working in more politicized bureaucracies (in which personnel decisions are made via political connections) have lower turnover intention than those working in more merit‐based systems. Such low turnover intention in politicized bureaucracies may be explained by the characteristics of patronage appointments in which public jobs are distributed based on personal or political loyalty.
A Novel Semi‐Analytical Solution of Over‐Damped Slug Test in a Three‐Layered Aquifer System
Authors: Cao Mengxiong , Wen Zhang , Chen Gang , Hu Cheng , Zhu Qi , Jakada Hamza
Published: August 2023

The slug test has been commonly used to estimate aquifer parameters. Previous studies on the slug test mainly focused on a single‐layer aquifer. However, understanding the interaction between layers is particularly important when assessing aquifer parameters under certain circumstances. In this study, a new semi‐analytical model on transient flow in a three‐layered aquifer system with a partially penetrating well was developed for the slug test. The proposed model was solved using the Laplace transform method and the Goldstein‐Weber transform method, where the semi‐analytical solution for the model was obtained. The drawdowns of the proposed model were analyzed to understand the impacts of the different parameters on the drawdowns in a three‐layered aquifer system. The results indicated that groundwater interactions between the layers have a significant impact on the slug test. In addition, a shorter and deeper well screen as well as a greater permeability ratio between the layers creates a greater interface flow between them, leading to a higher drawdown in the slug test. Finally, a slug test in a three‐layered aquifer system was conducted in our laboratory to validate the new model, which indicated that the proposed model performed better in the interpretation of the experimental data than a previous model proposed by Hyder et al. (1994). We also proposed an empirical relationship to qualitatively identify the errors in the application of single‐layer model for the analysis of response data in a three‐layered aquifer system.
Building a haemophilia‐specific navigator in Epic® Electronic Health Records: Single‐centre preliminary experience
Authors: Krumb Evelien , Vanlangendonck Nicolas , Lambert Catherine , Lobet Sébastien , Van Damme An , Hermans Cédric
Published: August 2023

Introduction

With the increasing complexity of haemophilia care and the advent of numerous therapeutic innovations, there is an unmet need for documentation and data collection tools tailored to people with haemophilia (PwH). To date, no fully integrated haemophilia‐specific electronic health record (EHR) has been described in the literature.

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility of integrating a haemophilia‐specific navigator into the Epic EHR.

Methods

Based on clinical experience and registry datasets, we identified key variables describing both PwH and carriers of haemophilia. These were then incorporated into a REDCap database, which served as a starting point for the development of a comprehensive haemophilia flowsheet. We built a dedicated haemophilia navigator within Epic that includes a flowsheet featuring up to 212 variables, as well as customised note templates and patient lists integrating data from the haemophilia flowsheet.

Results

It was feasible to develop a haemophilia navigator within Epic over the course of 12 months. The navigator's flowsheet enables systematic and comprehensive clinical assessment of PwH and carriers, while customised patient lists provide a quick summary of each patient's profile to the haemophilia treatment centre staff and highlight issues that require an intervention. In our clinical practice, patients actively participated in the new documentation process and responded positively to the navigator.

Conclusion

Adapting EHRs to the needs of PwH and carriers promotes holistic care for this population and provides an opportunity for patient empowerment. Such haemophilia‐specific EHRs are expected to promote standardisation of care and facilitate the collection of registry data on a national and international level.
Does early spring arrival lead to early nesting in a migratory shorebird? Insights from remote tracking
Authors: Nightingale Josh , Gill Jennifer A. , Gunnarsson Tómas G. , Rocha Afonso D. , Howison Ruth A. , Hooijmeijer Jos C. E. W. , Piersma Theunis , Alves José A.
Published: August 2023

Advancing breeding phenology is a commonly observed response to climate warming among bird species, potentially in response to shifts in the phenology of key resources. However, for migratory birds breeding at high latitudes, their capacity to breed earlier may be constrained by the time available between arrival on the breeding grounds and nesting, especially for later‐arriving individuals. This may have consequences for productivity, as early laying is often linked to higher breeding success, particularly in such seasonal environments. We investigated how migratory arrival timing influences subsequent timing of breeding, in particular whether the time between arrival and laying (arrival–laying gap) varies with arrival date, and if later‐arriving individuals are able to catch up with early‐arriving conspecifics. We tracked individual Icelandic Black‐tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica with GPS and PTT tags for one to two complete breeding seasons between 2013 and 2022. After arrival in Iceland, most Godwits visited their breeding territory within 5 days, though this interval was longer for earlier‐arriving birds. The total gap between arrival and laying was also longer for earlier‐arriving birds, such that laying date did not vary significantly with arrival date. These results suggest that, despite individual consistency in migratory phenology, subsequent timing of nesting is probably influenced by other factors, such as mate arrival timing and/or annual variation in environmental conditions. Regular pre‐nesting visits to the breeding territory may indicate that Godwits are able to monitor such factors closely and to nest early when conditions allow, but a larger sample of individuals and years is needed to assess whether early‐arriving individuals contribute disproportionately to population‐level advances in breeding phenology. Widespread tracking with high temporal and spatial resolution helps improve our understanding of phenological variation during the breeding season and its consequences for productivity and variation in juvenile phenology.
Effect of fine silicon powders addition on improving nitridation of coarse silicon powders
Authors: Yang Jinguang , Wu Ping , Wang Li , Zhang Shiping
Published: August 2023

The fabrication of large silicon nitride particles via direct nitride is time‐consuming. In this work, the effect of adding fine silicon powders (5 μm) on improving the nitridation of coarse silicon powders (50, 150 μm) at 1450°C in a thermogravimetric analyzer was investigated. The addition of fine silicon particles prevents the coalescence of the melted coarse silicon particles, due to them converting to silicon nitride particles more quickly. Less time is required to complete the nitridation of coarse silicon as the amount of fine silicon increases. The nitridation of coarse silicon (150 μm) is completed in less than 23 min at 1450°C with adding 50% fine silicon. The nitridation products consist of particles similar in size to the raw silicon particles.
The role of blood inflammatory markers in the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Authors: Adir Alper , Braester Andrei , Natalia Perelstein , Najib Dally , Akria Luiza , Suriu Celia , Masad Barhoum , Igor Waksman
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Acute appendicitis (AA) requires a prompt diagnosis. According to postoperative pathological results, a significant number of appendectomies are performed on a normal appendix (NA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of preoperative inflammatory markers in supporting and improving the clinical diagnosis of AA, extracting more information from CBC parameters.

Methods

The study is a retrospective one. The histopathological results of operated appendix from 102 patients, who underwent appendectomy for clinically suspected AA, were extracted from the Galilee Medical Center systems. Two patient groups (NA and true AA) were compared for neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV). The obtained data were statistically analyzed, using the independent sample t test and Mann–Whitney test. Category data have been compared among groups with the chi‐squared test. The primary endpoint of our research was to assess the predictive power of blood biomarkers.

Results

Patients with suspected AA, based on clinical picture and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT), and with MLR‐value ≥0.3357 were 5.25 times more likely than normal to have AA. Patients with NLR‐value ≥3.2223 were 7 times more likely than normal to have AA. The differences in PLR and MPV values were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The NLR and MLR biomarkers can assist in diagnosis of AA. This can be particularly helpful in cases where CECT is contraindicated, as in pregnant women or children.
Knockdown of the ecdysone receptor disrupts development and causes mortality in the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae
Authors: Ahmad Shakil , Jamil Momana , Jaworski Coline C. , Wu Yuejie , Palma‐Onetto Valeria , Lyu Baoqian , Luo Yanping
Published: August 2023

Cucurbits are important economic plants that are attacked by numerous pests, among which the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae is extremely problematic. New sustainable pest control strategies are necessary to replace chemical insecticides that are harmful to the environment, human health and nontarget species. The RNA interference (RNAi) technology is one of the most promising tools due to high efficiency and species specificity. We developed an RNAi strategy targeting the ecdysone receptor (ECR) of Z. cucurbitae, which plays an important role in moulting and reproduction. We identified, described and isolated the ECR gene of Z. cucurbitae and measured its expression pattern across developmental stages and tissues. ZcECR knockdown via dsZcECR ingestion caused a significant larval mortality and abnormal phenotypes in pupae and adults. About 68% of larvae fed with a dsZcECR‐treated diet failed to enter the pupal stage and died. In addition, ZcECR knockdown dramatically reduced pupal weight (by 3.24 mg on average) and fecundity (by about 23%). RNAi targeting the ECR gene is therefore a promising method to control Z. cucurbitae, paving the way for the development of novel sustainable and highly specific control strategies.
Verbal violence and missed nursing care: A phenomenological study
Authors: Bayram Aysun , Özsaban Aysel , Torun Kiliç Çiğdem
Published: August 2023

Aim

To define the missed care experiences of nurses exposed to verbal violence from patients.

Background

Verbal violence takes the first place among the types of violence that nurses face in healthcare settings. This can cause negative emotional and physical responses in nurses and issues in patient and nurse interaction. As a result, it may lead to missed nursing care, defined as skipped, postponed or incomplete care during the patient's care.

Methods

This is a phenomenological study. The study sample included 16 nurses working in inpatient clinics who reported experiencing verbal violence at least once in Turkey. The study was conducted between January and February 2022 with institutional permission and ethics committee approval (09/12/2021‐2021/357). A semi‐structured interview method was used to collect data. The information gathered from the interviews underwent thematic analysis using an inductive approach. The ‘Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ)’ was used to report this qualitative study based on a comprehensive protocol.

Results

The types of verbal violence most frequently faced by nurses were determined as swearing, insulting, shouting and threats. Study findings were classified into three main themes: (i) response to verbal violence, (ii) missed nursing care experiences and (iii) suggestions to cope with verbal violence. The most felt emotions in the face of verbal violence were feeling sad, unsafe and worthless. Nurses common behaviours, in response to verbal abuse were ignoring, getting used to, and wishing to get away. The examples of missed care included using non‐therapeutic communication, postponing care or withdrawing from care.

Conclusion

Verbal violence caused negative emotional and behavioural responses in nurses, which, in turn, negatively affected the nurse–patient interaction. These findings mean that verbal violence may pave the way for missed nursing care.

Implications for nursing policy

According to these findings, an uninterrupted nursing care process needs to focus on preventive measures against verbal violence and increase the administrative and legal support offered to nurses.
The mediating role of psychological empowerment in perceptions of decent work and work immersion among Chinese nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yu Ran , Gan Qingwen , Bian Jia , Chen Ruibin , Sun Xiaoxuan , Ling Hua
Published: August 2023

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among perceptions of decent work, psychological empowerment, and work immersion among nurses, hypothesizing that psychological empowerment mediates the relationship between perceptions of decent work and work immersion.

Background

At present, there are many studies on nurses’ perceptions of decent labor and work immersion in China, but the relationship between them has not been discussed from a psychological perspective.

Methods

The sample consisted of clinical nurses in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Guangdong provinces, China, and the nurses’ general information, decent labor perception, psychological empowerment, and work immersion scores were assessed using the General Information Scale, Decent Labor Perception Scale, Psychological Empowerment Scale, and Work Immersion Scale, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data.

Results

The total scores of nurses’ perceptions of decent work, psychological empowerment, and work immersion were at a moderate level. The total nurse work immersion score and each dimension score were positively correlated with the total nurse decent work perception score and the total psychological empowerment score. Decent work perception and psychological empowerment directly and positively predicted work immersion; decent work perception also indirectly acted on work immersion through psychological empowerment.

Conclusions and implications for nursing and health policy

Nurses’ work immersion was moderate, and this study explored the mechanisms by which perceptions of decent work affect nurses’ work immersion from a psychological perspective, validating the mediating role of psychological empowerment. This study emphasizes that nursing managers should fully understand the importance of nurses’ work immersion, continuously improve nurses’ decent labor perceptions, enhance their psychological empowerment level, improve their work immersion, and enhance the quality of nursing services.
Multi‐ion diffusion model and application to solid dissolution in CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 melts
Authors: Kwon Sun Yong , Hill Reghan J. , Jung In‐Ho
Published: August 2023

A general multi‐ion diffusion model for liquid slag is developed for silicate melts by combining the tracer diffusivities of ions and chemical potentials from the CALculation of PHAse Diagrams thermodynamic database. For the demonstration of the model, the tracer diffusivities of Ca, Al, Si, and O ions in CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 melts were optimized as functions of temperature and composition using available isotope experimental data. The present model successfully simulates liquid‐junction diffusion in the CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 system and the dissolution of solid SiO2 and Al2O3 particles in CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 melts. Furthermore, the model can be readily expanded to multicomponent systems, making it potentially applicable to refractory dissolution in liquid slag and various other diffusion‐controlled high temperature processes involving liquid oxide melts.