bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Niche shifts over spread of a biological invasion: Unveiling the role of changing habitat preference and density‐dependence
Authors: Núñez‐Tobajas Zulema , Senar Juan Carlos , Rodríguez‐Pastor Ruth , Carrillo‐Ortiz José G. , Cardador Laura
Published: November 2023

Aim

Anticipating the ultimate fraction of a landscape that might be susceptible to invasion is challenging as several species are able to expand the range of environmental conditions used over invasion. Despite its relevance, the more proximate processes underlying observed shifts are not sufficiently understood. Habitat selection theory predicts that as population density increases, individuals start using sub‐optimal resources to compensate for the limitation of the preferred ones. However, niche shifts might also occur as result of changes in habitat preferences over time. Here, we tested these alternative hypotheses by investigating nesting resource use and selection over a biological invasion and the relative effect of density‐dependence on such patterns.

Location

Barcelona, Spain.

Methods

We take advantage of a large dataset recording the occurrence of the invasive monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus in Barcelona in the period 1975–2015. We apply generalized linear models to analyse changes in nesting habitat preferences and its interactive effect with conspecific presence.

Results

Temporal changes in nesting habitat use occurred. Palm species were the most commonly used nesting substrate since the beginning of the invasion but the diversity and frequency of use of other nesting substrates increased over time. Changes in nesting substrate use were consistent with a change in habitat selection, when accounting for habitat availability. Although a general role of conspecific aggregation on occupation patterns was found, it was mostly additive. That is, shifts in nesting substrate did not structure in relation to conspecific distribution.

Conclusions

Shifts in nesting resource selection can occur during the spread stage of biological invasions, probably related to innovation and learning, rather than to optimal habitat selection. These shifts present a significant challenge for forecasting efforts and management. However, changes do not happen rapidly over time, highlighting that there is a management opportunity window before significant shifts occur.
Satisfaction with diabetes involvement: Exploring parent and adolescent perspectives
Authors: Wong Jessie J. , Hanes Sarah J. , Flores Haley , Ngo Jessica , Hood Korey K.
Published: November 2023

Aims

Both parent and adolescent involvement in type 1 diabetes management are critical during adolescence. The current study sought to understand the factors associated with parent and adolescent satisfaction with their own and one another's involvement in diabetes management.

Methods

Cross‐sectional baseline data from 157 parent‐adolescent dyads enrolled in an RCT were used. Adolescent ages ranged from 12 to 19 (Mage = 14.7, SD = 1.89) and were balanced by gender (50.3% male). Paired t‐tests examined concordance between parent and adolescent satisfaction, bivariate correlations identified correlates, and regressions examined unique associations.

Results

Roughly, 43% of adolescents and 29% of parents were very satisfied with adolescent involvement in diabetes management, whereas 71% of adolescents and 26.1% of parents were very satisfied with parent involvement. Indicators of better glycaemic health (via higher percent time‐in‐range and lower HbA1c and percent time in hyperglycaemia) and psychosocial functioning (less diabetes distress and depression) were correlated with higher satisfaction. Parent satisfaction with adolescent involvement was higher among older adolescents (R = 0.198, p = 0.013). Non‐Hispanic white youth were more satisfied with their own involvement than youth of colour (t(149) = −2.783, p = 0.003). Both percent time‐in‐range and one's own diabetes distress uniquely related to parent and adolescent satisfaction with adolescent involvement. Conversely, parent satisfaction with their own involvement was only uniquely associated with parent diabetes distress.

Conclusion

Both adolescent and parents' satisfaction with adolescents' involvement in self‐management are indicators of both glycaemic control and psychosocial well‐being, whereas parents' self‐evaluations are more closely tied to diabetes‐specific distress.
Lipidomics of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins derived from hyperlipidemic patients on inflammation
Authors: Moreno‐Vedia Juan , Llop Dídac , Rodríguez‐Calvo Ricardo , Plana Núria , Amigó Núria , Rosales Roser , Esteban Yaiza , Masana Lluís , Ibarretxe Daiana , Girona Josefa
Published: November 2023

Background and aim

Triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs) can have an important role in atherosclerosis development due to their size and ability to penetrate the endothelium. While high plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and chronic inflammation are relevant in metabolic diseases, it remains unclear whether TGs are atherogenic or which TRL‐TG‐derived metabolites are responsible for inflammation. Here, we aimed to study the lipidome modifications of TRL particles enriched in TG in patients with hyperlipidemia and their associations with a proinflammatory status both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), we analysed the plasma levels of glycoprotein acetyls and the TRL lipidomic profile of 307 patients with dyslipidemia. THP‐1‐derived macrophages were used as an in vitro model to explore the molecular inflammatory effects mediated by TRL.

Results

In vivo, higher TRL‐TG levels were associated with higher circulating levels of NMR‐measured glycoproteins (Glyc‐A, Glyc‐B and Glyc‐F; p < .001). Lipidomic analysis showed that TRL‐TG enrichment led to decreased cholesterol and phospholipid content (p < .01), an increase in omega‐9, and a decrease in saturated fatty acids (p < .001). THP‐1 macrophages exposed to increasing TRL particle concentrations augmented the secretion of IL‐1β and TNF‐α, which varied based on particle composition. Particles with higher cholesterol and phospholipid contents exerted higher cytokine secretion. The activation of MAPK, Akt/NFκB, and caspase‐1 was concurrent with this proinflammatory response.

Conclusions

High TRL‐TG levels are associated with a higher systemic inflammatory status and increased particle concentrations. In vitro, higher particle numbers increase proinflammatory cytokine secretion, with cholesterol and phospholipid‐rich TRL being more proinflammatory.
Atrial fibrosis heterogeneity is a risk for atrial fibrillation in pigs with ischaemic heart failure
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Vlcek Julia , Pauly Valerie , Hesse Nora , Bauer Julia , Chataut Kavi Raj , Maderspacher Florian , Volz Lina Sophie , Buchberger Katharina , Xia Ruibing , Hildebrand Bianca , Kääb Stefan , Schüttler Dominik , Tomsits Philipp , Clauss Sebastian
Published: November 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Ischaemic heart failure (IHF) remains one of the most common causes of AF in clinical practice. However, ischaemia‐mediated mechanisms leading to AF are still incompletely understood, and thus, current treatment approaches are limited. To improve our understanding of the pathophysiology, we studied a porcine IHF model.

Methods

In pigs, IHF was induced by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 90 min. After 30 days of reperfusion, invasive haemodynamic measurements and electrophysiological studies were performed. Masson trichrome and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to assess interstitial fibrosis and myofibroblast activation in different heart regions.

Results

After 30 days of reperfusion, heart failure with significantly reduced ejection fraction (left anterior obique 30°, 34.78 ± 3.29% [IHF] vs. 62.03 ± 2.36% [control], p < .001; anterior–posterior 0°, 29.16 ± 3.61% vs. 59.54 ± 1.09%, p < .01) was observed. These pigs showed a significantly higher susceptibility to AF (33.90% [IHF] vs. 12.98% [control], p < .05). Histological assessment revealed aggravated fibrosis in atrial appendages but not in atrial free walls in IHF pigs (11.13 ± 1.44% vs. 5.99 ± .86%, p < .01 [LAA], 8.28 ± .56% vs. 6.01 ± .35%, p < .01 [RAA]), which was paralleled by enhanced myofibroblast activation (12.09 ± .65% vs. 9.00 ± .94%, p < .05 [LAA], 14.37 ± .60% vs. 10.30 ± 1.41%, p < .05 [RAA]). Correlation analysis indicated that not fibrosis per se but its cross‐regional heterogeneous distribution across the left atrium was associated with AF susceptibility (r = .6344, p < .01).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that left atrial cross‐regional fibrosis difference rather than overall fibrosis level is associated with IHF‐related AF susceptibility, presumably by establishing local conduction disturbances and heterogeneity.
What shapes galling insect–parasitoid interaction networks on closely related host plants?
Authors: Prauchner Carolina , de Souza Mendonça Milton
Published: November 2023

Ecological networks describe community structure by focusing on how nodes are connected by links (interactions). Related species have higher probabilities of sharing links if interactions depending on phylogeny and/or species are functionally similar; however, if and how this modularity impacts higher trophic levels is still an open question.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of different structuring factors on an observed bipartite network of galling insects and associated parasitoids on a system with two closely related and recently diverged plants, where host‐tracking could be underway. We hypothesized that gall structure, galler taxonomy and host plant identity could contribute, from a higher to a lower degree respectively, to network modularity by generating a selective pressure on parasitoids.

Samples were collected between May 2015 and June 2017 in the forest areas of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Overall, we found 4629 galls of three monophagous and four oligophagous galling species; 664 parasitoid individuals were obtained and classified into 37 morphospecies.

We constructed four networks with the collected data by organising nodes according to the tested factors, that is, gall structure, galler taxonomy, host plant identity and gall–plant interaction. All networks were significantly modular, and for three out of four analysed factors (gall structure, galler taxonomy and gall–plant interaction), modularity levels were at least intermediate (at aboutQ = 0.4).

Barriers to or preferences for certain interactions appear to be responses to multiple concomitant factors. However, galler taxonomy and host plant identity are somehow stronger determinants for the parasitoids in terms of attacked hosts.
Income inequality and export‐oriented commercialization in colonial Africa: Evidence from six countries
Authors: Hillbom Ellen , Bolt Jutta , de Haas Michiel , Tadei Federico
Published: November 2023

Limited knowledge of African historical inequality trajectories hampers our understanding of inequality outcomes today and leads to a major omission in debates about global inequality. Economies in colonial Africa were characterized by a process of export‐oriented commercialization. We hypothesize that this process itself, the capital intensity of the commodities produced, and the relative importance of European and Asian expatriates and settlers in the economy shaped heterogeneous inequality outcomes. We evaluate these hypotheses using 33 social tables from six predominately agricultural countries between 1914 and 1969. Social tables capture income across the full distribution, aggregated in classes. We assess and improve the commensurability of the different social tables. We then apply different inequality metrics, and find that Gini and Theil coefficients and Inequality Extraction Ratios rose over time. Gini coefficients moved in conjunction with the real value of commodity exports per capita. Using Theil decompositions, we observe a trade‐off between inequality among African classes on the one hand, and among non‐Africans and between races on the other. Whenever present, non‐Africans captured a large share of the export profits. Inequality patterns towards the end of the period suggest that capital‐intensive commodities were associated with higher levels of inequality in the agricultural sector.
Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe
Authors: Thorsøe Martin Hvarregaard , Keesstra Saskia , De Boever Maarten , Buchová Kristina , Bøe Frederik , Castanheira Nádia L. , Chenu Claire , Cornu Sophie , Don Axel , Fohrafellner Julia , Farina Roberta , Fornara Dario , da Conceição Gonçalves Maria , Graversgaard Morten , Heller Olivier , Inselsbacher Erich , Jacobs Anna , Mavsar Sara , Meurer Katharina H. E. , Mihelič Rok , O'Sullivan Lilian , Pulido‐Moncada Mansonia , Ruysschaert Greet , Sviček Michal , Tähtikarhu Mika , Vanino Silvia , Vervuurt Wieke , Zechmeister‐Boltenstern Sophie , Munkholm Lars Juhl
Published: November 2023

Soils are the foundation of agricultural production, ecosystem functioning and human well‐being. Bridging soil knowledge gaps and improving the knowledge system is crucial to meet the growing EU soil policy ambitions in the face of climate change and the ongoing trend in soil degradation. The objective of this article is to assess the current state of knowledge, knowledge use and knowledge gaps concerning sustainable soil management in Europe. This study is based on interviews with 791 stakeholders and 254 researchers and on a comprehensive review of >1800 documents carried out under the European Joint Programme on agricultural soils. Despite differences in stakeholder groups, the conclusions are rather consistent and complementary. We identified major knowledge gaps with respect to (1) soil carbon stocks, (2) soil degradation and fertility and (3) strategies for improved soil management. Transcending these three areas, particularly the loss of soil organic carbon, peatland degradation and soil compaction, are most critical, thus, we stress the urgency of developing more models and monitoring programmes on soils. Stakeholders further report that insufficient transfer of existing soil research findings to practitioners is a hindrance to the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. In addition to knowledge production, soil knowledge gaps may be addressed by considering seven recommendations from the stakeholders: (1) raising awareness, (2) strengthening knowledge brokers, (3) improving relevance of research activities and resource allocation for land users, (4) peer‐to‐peer communication, (5) targeting advice and information, (6) improving knowledge access, and (7) providing incentives. We argue that filling and bridging knowledge gaps should be a priority for policymakers and the insights provided in the article may help prioritise research and dissemination needs enabling a transition to more sustainable soil management in Europe.
A novel risk score predicting 30‐day hospital re‐admission of patients with acute stroke by machine learning model
Authors: Mercurio Giovanna , Gottardelli Benedetta , Lenkowicz Jacopo , Patarnello Stefano , Bellavia Simone , Scala Irene , Rizzo Pierandrea , de Belvis Antonio Giulio , Del Signore Anna Benedetta , Maviglia Riccardo , Bocci Maria Grazia , Olivi Alessandro , Franceschi Francesco , Urbani Andrea , Calabresi Paolo , Valentini Vincenzo , Antonelli Massimo , Frisullo Giovanni
Published: November 2023

Background

The 30‐day hospital re‐admission rate is a quality measure of hospital care to monitor the efficiency of the healthcare system. The hospital re‐admission of acute stroke (AS) patients is often associated with higher mortality rates, greater levels of disability and increased healthcare costs. The aim of our study was to identify predictors of unplanned 30‐day hospital re‐admissions after discharge of AS patients and define an early re‐admission risk score (RRS).

Methods

This observational, retrospective study was performed on AS patients who were discharged between 2014 and 2019. Early re‐admission predictors were identified by machine learning models. The performances of these models were assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

Of 7599 patients with AS, 3699 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 304 patients (8.22%) were re‐admitted within 30 days from discharge. After identifying the predictors of early re‐admission by logistic regression analysis, RRS was obtained and consisted of seven variables: hemoglobin level, atrial fibrillation, brain hemorrhage, discharge home, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one and more than one hospitalization in the previous year. The cohort of patients was then stratified into three risk categories: low (RRS = 0–1), medium (RRS = 2–3) and high (RRS >3) with re‐admission rates of 5%, 8% and 14%, respectively.

Conclusions

The identification of risk factors for early re‐admission after AS and the elaboration of a score to stratify at discharge time the risk of re‐admission can provide a tool for clinicians to plan a personalized follow‐up and contain healthcare costs.
Non‐discontinuation of antiseizure medication in seizure‐free epilepsy patients
Authors: Doerrfuss Jakob I. , Hüsing Thea , Graf Luise , Ilyas‐Feldmann Maria , Holtkamp Martin
Published: November 2023

Background and purpose

In patients with epilepsy and sustained seizure freedom, guidelines recommend considering discontinuation of antiseizure medication (ASM) based on shared decision‐making. This study aims to identify factors associated with non‐discontinuation of ASM in seizure‐free patients.

Methods

Retrospective data from three sites of an academic outpatient clinic were analyzed. Adult patients with epilepsy who have been seizure‐free for ≥24 months on ASM monotherapy were included. The primary end‐point was non‐discontinuation of ASM, defined as no discontinuation or no dose reduction of ≥25% at the last outpatient clinic visit in the ultimate seizure‐free interval. Secondary end‐points included frequency of discussion on discontinuation attempts between patients and physicians, adherence to ASM discontinuation decisions, and post‐discontinuation seizure outcomes.

Results

Out of 338 included patients, 81.7% did not discontinue ASM and did not reduce its dose, 11.5% discontinued ASM and 6.8% had a significant dose reduction. Factors independently associated with non‐discontinuation of ASM were history of focal to bilateral or generalized tonic–clonic seizures (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–5.06), history of breakthrough seizures (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.10–10.04), history of failed attempts to discontinue or reduce the ASM dose (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.03–21.11) and higher ASM load at the index visit (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.09–17.78). Discontinuation attempts were made during the entire period of seizure freedom and were most commonly undertaken ≥10 years after the last seizure.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into factors associated with the shared decision‐making process regarding ASM discontinuation in seizure‐free patients and highlights the importance of considering individual patient characteristics and seizure history.
Artificial Intelligence Web Application Firewall for advanced detection of web injection attacks
Authors: Román‐Gallego Jesús‐Ángel , Pérez‐Delgado María‐Luisa , Viñuela Marcos Luengo , Vega‐Hernández María‐Concepción
Published: November 2023

Currently, web services‐based applications have an important presence in public and private organizations. The vulnerabilities that these types of applications may have pose an inherent potential risk to the business model of these organizations. These applications have the inherent risk of being used by organizations in such a way that their activity is affected and they become the main entry point for attackers who want to breach their security. The main barrier to this type of attack are web application firewalls (WAF), which are responsible for processing Hypertext Transfer Protocol requests between clients and web servers, classifying them and rejecting malicious requests. This type of (WAF) applications, for the most part, have regular expressions that correspond to general rules and allow detecting malicious requests that follow a pattern contained in them. However, due to the knowledge of these rules by attackers, it is easy to circumvent security and to impersonate a malicious request by an innocuous request. Therefore, in this article, we present a study of different models based on artificial intelligence techniques as Naïve Bayes, k‐nearest neighbors, support vector machines, and linear regression to test their effectiveness in detecting malicious requests from a synthetic dataset containing more than 100,000 requests. The results obtained show that the implementation of these methods optimize the detection of malicious requests obtaining results between 92% and 99% of success in their classification.
Optimal deep transfer learning driven computer‐aided breast cancer classification using ultrasound images
Authors: Ragab Mahmoud , Khadidos Alaa O. , Alshareef Abdulrhman M. , Khadidos Adil O. , Altwijri Mohammed , Alhebaishi Nawaf
Published: November 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is regarded as the second leading type of cancer among women globally. Ultrasound images are typically used for the identification and classification of abnormalities that exist in the breast. To enhance diagnosis performance, the computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) model finds it effective for identifying and classifying BC. Generally, the CAD technique contains distinct procedures like feature extraction, preprocessing, segmentation, and classification. The recent developments of deep learning (DL) algorithms in the form of CAD system helps to minimize the cost and enhance the ability of radiologists to interpret medical images. Therefore, this study develops an optimal deep transfer learning driven computer aided BC classification (ODTLD‐CABCC) technique on ultrasound images. The presented ODTLD‐CABCC algorithm undergoes pre‐processing in two levels such as median filtering based noise removal and graph cut segmentation. Furthermore, the residual network (ResNet101) model can be used as a feature extractor. Finally, the sailfish optimizer (SFO) with a labelled weighted extreme learning machine (LWELM) algorithm is used for the classification process. The SFO technique is employed to choose optimal parameters involved in the LWELM algorithm. A comprehensive set of simulations are conducted on the benchmark data and the experimental outcomes are examined under numerous aspects. The comparative examination represents the supremacy of the ODTLD‐CABCC technique over the other approaches.
Being a parent, but not: A grounded theory of home‐based care
Authors: Cooper Kimberlea , Sadowski Christina , Townsend Rob
Published: November 2023

Objective

This constructivist‐grounded‐theory study explored how foster and kinship carers conceptualize and experience their role.

Background

Internationally, amid growing emphasis on home‐based care for children and young people living outside parental care, issues such as carer shortages, dissatisfied carers, and placement instability present significant challenges.

Method

Sixteen carers (seven foster carers and nine kinship carers) from a regional area in Victoria, Australia, participated in in‐depth interviews following constructivist‐grounded‐theory protocols.

Results

Six categories reveal the central ways carers go about caring for children and young people and the main challenges they face in doing so. The core category of “being a parent, but not” demonstrates tensions that carers experience in trying to establish a sense of belonging and connectedness with a child, within the limits of the Victorian home‐based care system.

Conclusion

Home‐based carers view their role through a parental lens, but with various limitations that restrict their sense of being a parent.

Implications

The current research acknowledges the role tensions inherent within the Victorian home‐based care system and emphasizes the importance of raising the status of foster and kinship carers to provide more recognition of the expertise they hold in the care of children and young people within this complex context.
Sensitivity of step‐stress accelerated fatigue‐life tests on type I censored data—An engineering perspective
Authors: Klemenc Jernej , Nagode Marko
Published: November 2023

Step‐stress accelerated life testing is often used to estimate the fatigue life or reliability of structural components. Various methods exist for designing the optimal accelerated life test and estimating the parameters of the fatigue‐life or reliability models. Although they are based on rigorous mathematical formulations, they sometimes result in inappropriate estimates of the model parameters if the experimental data consists of censored data. This article presents a robust engineering procedure for estimating the parameters of the fatigue‐life curve and its scatter, which combines an inverse power law and the two‐parametric Weibull distribution. The presented methodology is tested on use cases that stem from the experimental fatigue‐life data. The results show that the proposed approach can yield a good estimate of the fatigue‐life model. Moreover, it can be further concluded that the sensitivity of the fatigue‐life model to the type I censored data strongly depends on the data scatter.
Mammal communities of primeval forests as sentinels of global change
Authors: Selva Nuria , Hobson Keith A. , Zalewski Andrzej , Cortés‐Avizanda Ainara , Donázar José Antonio
Published: November 2023

Understanding the drivers and consequences of global environmental change is crucial to inform predictions of effects on ecosystems. We used the mammal community of Białowieża Forest, the last lowland near‐primeval forest in temperate Europe, as a sentinel of global change. We analyzed changes in stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of hair in 687 specimens from 50 mammal species across seven decades (1946–2011). We classified mammals into four taxonomic‐dietary groups (herbivores, carnivores, insectivores, and bats). We found a significant negative trend in hair δ15N for the mammal community, particularly strong for herbivores. This trend is consistent with temporal patterns in nitrogen deposition from (15N depleted) industrial fertilizers and fossil fuel emissions. It is also in line with global‐scale declines in δ15N reported in forests and other unfertilized, non‐urban terrestrial ecosystems and with local decreases in N foliar concentrations. The global depletion of 13C content in atmospheric CO2 due to fossil fuel burning (Suess effect) was detected in all groups. After correcting for this effect, the hair δ13C trend became non‐significant for both community and groups, except for bats, which showed a strong decline in δ13C. This could be related to an increase in the relative abundance of freshwater insects taken by bats or increased use of methane‐derived carbon in food webs used by bats. This work is the first broad‐scale and long‐term mammal isotope ecology study in a near‐primeval forest in temperate Europe. Mammal communities from natural forests represent a unique benchmark in global change research; investigating their isotopic temporal variation can help identify patterns and early detections of ecosystem changes and provide more comprehensive and integrative assessments than single species approaches.
Shrinking body size of European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Taboada Fernando G. , Chust Guillem , Santos Mocoroa María , Aldanondo Naroa , Fontán Almudena , Cotano Unai , Álvarez Paula , Erauskin‐Extramiana Maite , Irigoien Xabier , Fernandes‐Salvador Jose A. , Boyra Guillermo , Uriarte Andrés , Ibaibarriaga Leire
Published: November 2023

Decreased body size is often cited as a major response to ocean warming. Available evidence, however, questions the actual emergence of shrinking trends and the prevalence of temperature‐driven changes in size over alternative drivers. In marine fish, changes in food availability or fluctuations in abundance, including those due to size‐selective fishing, provide compelling mechanisms to explain changes in body size. Here, based on three decades of scientific survey data (1990–2021), we report a decline in the average body size—length and weight—of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus L., in the Bay of Biscay. Shrinking was evident in all age classes, from juveniles to adults. Allometric adjustment indicated slightly more pronounced declines in weight than in total length, which is consistent with a change toward a slender body shape. Trends in adult weight were nonlinear, with rates accelerating to an average decline of up to 25% decade−1 during the last two decades. We found a strong association between higher anchovy abundance and reduced juvenile size. The effect of density dependence was less clear later in life, and temperature became the best predictor of declines in adult size. Theoretical analyses based on a strategic model further suggested that observed patterns are consistent with a simultaneous, opposing effect of rising temperatures on accelerating early growth and decreasing adult size as predicted by the temperature‐size rule. Macroecological assessment of ecogeographical—Bergmann's and James'—rules in anchovy size suggested that the observed decline largely exceeds intraspecific variation and might be the result of selection. Limitations inherent in the observational nature of the study recommend caution and a continued assessment and exploration of alternative drivers. Additional evidence of a climate‐driven regime shift in the region suggests, however, that shrinking anchovy sizes may signal a long‐lasting change in the structure and functioning of the Bay of Biscay ecosystem.
Effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on adenine‐induced chronic kidney disease model rats
Authors: Kanome Yuki , Gao Jiaqi , Hashimoto Akiko , Ogawa Yukihiro , Nakatsu Masaharu , Kohno Masahiro , Fukui Koji
Published: November 2023

Aim

Cerium oxide, particularly in nanoparticle form (nanoceria), has been investigated for biomedical applications as a promising new agent for treating several pathologies. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacologic effects of nanoceria in an animal model of chronic kidney disease.

Methods

We created the chronic kidney disease animal model by feeding rats a 0.25% adenine diet. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal diet, 0.25% adenine diet, or adenine diet containing three different doses or durations of nanoceria treatment. Blood was collected weekly from the tail veins of each rat and analyzed for renal function markers. After 5 weeks, various biochemical markers in serum, plasma, and urine were also analyzed.

Results

In the adenine‐treated group, body weight was significantly decreased, and the kidneys lost much of their healthy reddish color and became lumpy and white in appearance. In addition, levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and plasma uremic toxins were significantly increased in adenine‐treated rats compared with controls. Renal functional and structural damage in adenine diet model rats tended to be ameliorated by nanoceria ingestion. The high‐dose cerium‐treated group maintained reddish areas in the kidneys, and the increases in biomarker levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and inorganic phosphorus were markedly reduced, regardless of treatment duration.

Conclusions

Ingestion of nanoceria may be effective for improving or preventing renal damage caused by adenine. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 88–95.
What do parents think about the quality and safety of care provided by hospitals to children and young people with an intellectual disability? A qualitative study using thematic analysis
Authors: Ong Natalie , Lucien Abbie , Long Janet , Weise Janelle , Burgess Annette , Walton Merrilyn
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Children with intellectual disability experience patient safety issues resulting in poor care experiences and health outcomes. This study sought to identify patient safety issues that pertain to children aged 0–16 years with intellectual disability admitted to two tertiary state‐wide children's hospitals and a children's palliative care centre; to describe and understand these factors to modify the Australian Patient Safety Education Framework to meet the particular needs for children and young people with intellectual disability.

Design, Setting and Participants

Parents of children with intellectual disability from two paediatric hospitals and a palliative care unit participated in semi‐structured interviews to elicit their experiences of their child's care in the context of patient safety. Thirteen interviews were conducted with parents from various backgrounds with children with intellectual, developmental and medical diagnoses.

Results

Eight themes about safety in hospital care for children and young people with intellectual disability emerged from thematic analyses: Safety is not only being safe but feeling safe; Negative dismissive attitudes compromise safety, quality and care experience; Parental roles as safety advocates involve being heard, included and empowered; Need for purposeful and planned communication and care coordination to build trust and improve care; Systems, processes and environments require adjustments to prevent patient safety events; Inequity in care due to lack of resources and skills, Need for training in disability‐specific safety and quality issues and Core staff attributes: Kindness, Patience, Flexibility and Responsiveness. Parents highlighted the dilemma of being dismissed when raising concerns with staff and being required to provide care with little support. Parents also reported a lack of comprehensive care coordination services. They noted limitations within the healthcare system in accommodating reasonable adjustments for a family and child‐centred context.

Conclusions

The development of an adapted Patient Safety Education Framework for children with intellectual disability should consider ways for staff to transform attitudes and reduce bias which leads to adaptations for safer and better care. In addition, issues that apply to quality and safety for these children can be generalised to all children in the hospital.

Patient and Public Contribution

Parent advocates in the project advisory team were shown the questions to determine their appropriateness for the interviews.
Development and validation of search filters to retrieve medication discontinuation articles in Medline and Embase
Authors: Morel Thomas , Nguyen‐Soenen Jérôme , Thompson Wade , Fournier Jean‐Pascal
Published: November 2023

Background

Medication discontinuation studies explore the outcomes of stopping a medication compared to continuing it. Comprehensively identifying medication discontinuation articles in bibliographic databases remains challenging due to variability in terminology.

Objectives

To develop and validate search filters to retrieve medication discontinuation articles in Medline and Embase.

Methods

We identified medication discontinuation articles in a convenience sample of systematic reviews. We used primary articles to create two reference sets for Medline and Embase, respectively. The reference sets were equally divided by randomization in development sets and validation sets. Terms relevant for discontinuation were identified by term frequency analysis in development sets and combined to develop two search filters that maximized relative recalls. The filters were validated against validation sets. Relative recalls were calculated with their 95% confidences intervals (95% CI).

Results

We included 316 articles for Medline and 407 articles for Embase, from 15 systematic reviews. The Medline optimized search filter combined 7 terms. The Embase optimized search filter combined 8 terms. The relative recalls were respectively 92% (95% CI: 87–96) and 91% (95% CI: 86–94).

Conclusions

We developed two search filters for retrieving medication discontinuation articles in Medline and Embase. Further research is needed to estimate precision and specificity of the filters.
Large cribriform glands (> 0.25 mm diameter) as a predictor of adverse pathology in men with Grade Group 2 prostate cancer
Authors: Greenland Nancy Y , Cowan Janet E , Stohr Bradley A , Simko Jeffry P , Carroll Peter R , Chan Emily
Published: November 2023

Aims

A recent outcome‐based, radical prostatectomy study defined > 0.25 mm diameter to distinguish large versus small cribriform glands, with > 0.25 mm associated with worse recurrence‐free survival. This study evaluates whether identification of > 0.25 mm cribriform glands in Grade Group 2 patients at biopsy is associated with adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy.

Methods and results

Tumours containing biopsy slides for 133 patients with Grade Group 2 prostate cancer with subsequent radical prostatectomy were re‐reviewed for large cribriform glands (diameter > 0.25 mm). The primary outcome was adverse pathology (Grade Groups 3–5; stage pT3a or greater, or pN1). The secondary outcome was recurrence‐free survival. Cribriform pattern was present in 52 of 133 (39%) patients; of these, 16 of 52 (31%) had large cribriform glands and 36 of 52 (69%) had only small cribriform glands. Patients with large cribriform glands had significantly more adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy compared to patients with small cribriform glands and no cribriform glands (large = 11 of 16, 69%; small = 12 of 36, 33%; no cribriform = 25 of 81, 31%; χ2 P‐value 0.01). On multivariate analysis, large cribriform glands were also associated with adverse pathology, independent of age, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)/PSA density at diagnosis, year of diagnosis and biopsy cores percentage positive (global P‐value 0.02). Large cribriform glands were also associated with increased CAPRA‐S surgical risk score (Kruskal–Wallis P‐value 0.02).

Conclusions

Large cribriform glands using a diameter > 0.25 mm definition in Grade Group 2 patients on biopsy are associated with increased risk of adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy. The presence of large cribriform histology should be considered when offering active surveillance for those with Grade Group 2 disease.
Honey therapies for dermatological disorders: more than just a sweet elixir
Authors: Jodidio Maya , Schwartz Robert A.
Published: November 2023

Honey possesses antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and healing properties that benefit wound healing and tissue regeneration. For centuries, honey has been utilized in traditional medicine as a binder or vehicle for creams and lotions and also for therapeutic purposes. The overuse of antibiotics and antimicrobial agents leading to drug resistance has emphasized the resurgence of honey's application in wound care. For many dermatological disorders, there is an interest in developing therapeutics with fewer side effects than traditional therapies and enhanced wound healing abilities to expedite tissue regeneration. This paper reviews the properties and components of honey that contribute to its wound‐healing‐based applications, the types of honey employed in medicine, and its dermatological applications. Based on the evidence from case reports, clinical trials, andin vitrostudies, honey has been characterized as a safe, cost‐effective, and readily available treatment option for many skin conditions, including microbial infections, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, necrotizing fasciitis, ulcers, as well as thermal and other types of wounds.
Differences in overall survival of penile cancer patients versus population‐based controls
Authors: Scheipner Lukas , Tappero Stefano , Piccinelli Mattia Luca , Barletta Francesco , Garcia Cristina Cano , Incesu Reha‐Baris , Morra Simone , Tian Zhe , Saad Fred , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Terrone Carlo , De Cobelli Ottavio , Briganti Alberto , Chun Felix K. H. , Tilki Derya , Longo Nicola , Seles Maximilian , Ahyai Sascha , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To assess whether 5‐year overall survival (OS) of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) patients differs from age‐matched male population‐based controls.

Methods

We relied on the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (2004–2018) to identify newly diagnosed (2004–2013) SCCP patients. For each case, we simulated an age‐matched control (Monte Carlo simulation), relying on the Social Security Administration (SSA) Life Tables with 5 years of follow‐up. We compared OS between SCCP patients and population‐based controls in a stage‐specific fashion. Smoothed cumulative incidence plots displayed cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) versus other‐cause mortality (OCM).

Results

Of 2282 SCCP patients, the stage distribution was as follows: stage I 976 (43%) versus stage II 826 (36%) versus stage III 302 (13%) versus stage IV 178 (8%). At 5 years, OS of SCCP patients versus age‐matched population‐based controls was as follows: stage I 63% versus 80% (Δ = 17%), stage II 50% versus 80% (Δ = 30%), stage III 39% versus 84% (Δ = 45%), stage IV 26% versus 87% (Δ = 61%). At 5 years, CSM versus OCM in SCCP patients according to stage was as follows: stage I 12% versus 24%, stage II 22% versus 28%, stage III 47% versus 14%, and stage IV 60% versus 14%.

Conclusion

SCCP patients exhibit worse OS across all stages. The difference in OS at 5 years between SCCP and age‐matched male population‐based controls ranged from 17% to 61%. At 5 years, CSM accounted for 12% to 60% of all deaths, across all stages.
Roles of S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 in infection, inflammation and immunity
Authors: Xia Pengpeng , Ji Xingduo , Yan Li , Lian Siqi , Chen Ziyue , Luo Yi
Published: November 2023

S100 proteins are small proteins that are only expressed in vertebrates. They are widely expressed in many different cell types and are involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and tumorigenesis. As members of the S100 protein subfamily of myeloid‐related proteins, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 play a crucial role in resisting microbial infection and maintaining immune homeostasis. These proteins chelate the necessary metal nutrients of pathogens invading the host by means of ‘nutritional immunity’ and directly inhibit the growth of pathogens in the host. They interact with receptors on the cell surface to initiate inflammatory signal transduction, induce cytokine expression and participate in the inflammatory response and immune regulation. Furthermore, the increased content of these proteins during the pathological process makes them useful as disease markers for screening and detecting related diseases. This article summarizes the structure and function of the proteins S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 and lays the foundation for further understanding their roles in infection, immunity and inflammation, as well as their potential applications in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Comprehensive analysis of risk factors for surgical site infections following thoracoscopic radical resection in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Tao Tao , Li Qicai , Yang Yifan , Wang Guowen
Published: November 2023

Surgical site infections (SSIs) post‐thoracoscopic radical resection in lung cancer patients pose significant clinical challenges. This study aims to comprehensively identify the independent risk factors that influence the occurrence of SSIs following thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer. The study employed a retrospective analysis of 130 patients who underwent thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly defined, and ethical approvals were obtained. Patients were monitored for SSIs via clinical and biochemical markers, with data comprehensively gathered from electronic health records. Statistical analysis was rigorously conducted using SPSS v27.0, with methodologies including t‐tests, Chi‐square tests and logistic regression. The study aimed to identify independent risk factors for SSIs and incorporated a multidimensional assessment approach to provide robust, clinically relevant findings. Univariate analysis revealed surgical duration ≥3 h, non‐usage of antibiotics, presence of diabetes and elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as significant correlates for SSIs. Multivariate analysis substantiated these factors as independent risk variables: surgery duration (odds ratio [OR] = 9.698, p < 0.05), presence of diabetes (OR = 6.89, p < 0.05), elevated CRP (OR = 7.306, p < 0.05) and elevated PCT (OR = 6.838, p < 0.05). Conversely, antibiotic administration served as a protective factor (OR = 0.572, p < 0.05). Surgical duration of 3 h or more, diabetes and elevated levels of CRP and PCT significantly heighten the risk for SSIs after thoracoscopic radical resection in lung cancer patients. Perioperative antibiotic administration acts as a protective factor. Clinicians should implement tailored preventative strategies to mitigate these identified risks.
Nurses' perspectives on challenges and facilitators when implementing a self‐management support intervention as an everyday healthcare practice: A qualitative study
Authors: Fredens Mia , Palmhøj Nielsen Camilla , Grønkjær Mette , Kjærside Nielsen Berit , Konstantin Nissen Nina , Benthien Kirstine Skov , Toft Ulla , Rasmussen Knud , Kidholm Kristian , Deleuran Terkildsen Morten
Published: November 2023

Aim

To explore registered nurses' perspectives on challenges and facilitators to implementing a telephone‐based self‐management support (SMS) intervention (Proactive Health Support) as an everyday healthcare practice, during the early stages of implementation.

Design

Data were collected using a qualitative research design involving focus‐group interviews and participant observations.

Methods

We conducted participant observation following nine nurses and four focus group interviews with 14 nurses. Data were analysed using thematic analyses.

Results

Proactive Health Support was implemented in units organized independently of the existing organizational units within healthcare services. This independent organization, along with the intervention's generic (non‐disease specific) design, empowered nurses to become autonomous practitioners capable of prioritizing the operationalization of SMS as an everyday healthcare practice. However, unlearning already embedded medical practices and establishing new nursing roles necessary to accommodate the intervention in practice was experienced a challenge. Education and supervision were identified as valuable tools for successful implementation.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the significance of organizational context and autonomy in successful SMS implementation. Balancing external factors like organizational context, priority and time is vital, but navigating the internal shift in professional practice is equally crucial. Role transition processes can constitute challenges demanding accommodation.

Implications for the Profession

From a nursing perspective, this study highlights that practising SMS requires substantial training and education. Generic SMS interventions can introduce higher levels of contingency due to their versatile nature. Thus, equipping nurses with competencies that enable them to navigate this unpredictability flexibly is crucial.

Impact

Policymakers and administrators should allocate resources and support implementation processes in ways that accommodate both internal and external conditions to facilitate nurses in delivering effective SMS.

Reporting Method

This study adheres to the SRQR guideline.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.