bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss of functional diversity rather than species diversity of pollinators decreases community‐wide trait matching and pollination function
Authors: Hiraiwa Masayoshi K. , Ushimaru Atushi
Published: February 2024

Loss of animal species and functional diversity can degrade ecosystem functions and services in plant–animal mutualistic networks, but their relative effects have rarely been previously examined in natural communities. Contrary to previously published theoretical results, under natural conditions, changes in pollinator functional niches caused by species and functional diversity losses are dynamic and often unpredictable. The lack of studies on natural networks limits our ability to predict future effects of decreasing pollinator diversity on wild and cultivated plants.

We quantitatively evaluated the relative effects of pollinator species and functional diversity loss on plant–pollinator trait matching and pollination success across 40 spatiotemporally variable coastal networks.

We found that low pollinator functional diversity (low abundance of long‐tongued pollinators) reduced community‐level plant functional specialization and trait matching between flowers and pollinators by reducing functional floral‐niche partitioning among pollinators. In contrast, pollinator species diversity did not influence community‐level trait matching. Furthermore, decreasing community‐level trait matching had a negative effect on community‐level plant pollination success, regardless of flower morphology.

The present study demonstrated that pollinator functional diversity loss, rather than species diversity loss, was the main factor contributing to pollination functional loss in the plant–pollinator networks studied. We also demonstrated the importance of assessing functional aspects of plant–pollinator networks to evaluate community‐level pollination functional loss under global pollinator decline.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Adaptive resource management: Achieving functional eradication of invasive snakes to benefit avian conservation
Authors: Nafus Melia G. , Reyes Amanda , Fies Thomas , Goetz Scott M.
Published: February 2024

Natural resource management often co‐occurs with considerable uncertainty. One approach to mitigating uncertainty is through adaptive resource management (ARM), a specialized form of structured decision‐making that modifies management decisions or actions through monitoring and implementation.

Here, we present a case study on the attempted eradication of an invasive brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in a 5‐ha enclosure on Guam with uncertainty in approach. We applied an ARM process across three field phases of snake removal and evaluated whether (1) eradication was achievable and (2) eradication was necessary to achieve an avian response. Field phases included the application of aerial toxic baits, toxicant baiting large mouse and birds, trapping with live mouse and bird lures and hand capture.

We found that each removal technique improved control by either removing many individuals or targeting a subset of individuals that resisted prior control approaches. Although the effort did not result in eradication, the evaluation of identified indicators allowed for timely adjustments to removal using the ARM process.

The snake removal efforts yielded an avian response in the treatment area after integrating live birds as snake lures, suggesting functional eradication of snakes may be possible. We also, however, observed a release of invasive rodents following snake control, with birds being more sensitive to the presence of snakes than rodents.

Synthesis and applications. We suggest that using adaptive resource management to evaluate each phase of action in relation to established goals allowed us to measure outcomes and was successful in eliminating uncertainty in the application of control tools for wildlife conservation. We were able to create a documented and successful approach towards removing snakes inside a snake‐exclusion barrier by following the ARM process.
Soil microenvironmental variation drives below‐ground trait variation and interacts with macroclimate to structure above‐ground trait variation of arctic shrubs
Authors: Fraterrigo Jennifer M. , Chen Weile , Loyal Joshua , Euskirchen Eugénie S.
Published: February 2024

Intraspecific trait variation can influence plant performance in different environments and may thereby determine the ability of individual plants to respond to climate change. However, our understanding of its patterns and environmental drivers across different spatial scales is incomplete, especially in understudied regions like the Arctic.

To fill this knowledge gap, we examined above‐ground and below‐ground traits from three shrub taxa expanding across the tundra biome and evaluated their relationships with multiple microenvironmental and macroclimatic factors. The traits reflected plant size and structure (plant height, leaf area and root to shoot ratio), leaf economics (specific leaf area, nitrogen content), and root economics and collaboration with mycorrhizal fungi (specific root length, root tissue density, nitrogen content, and ectomycorrhizal colonisation intensity). We also measured leaf and root δ15N and leaf δ13C to characterise nitrogen source and acquisition pathways and plant water stress. Traits were measured in replicated plots (N = 135) varying in soil microclimate, thaw depth and organic layer thickness established across five sites spanning a macroclimate gradient in northern Alaska. This hierarchical design allowed us to disentangle the independent and combined effects of fine‐scale and broad‐scale factors on intraspecific trait variation.

We found substantial intraspecific variation at fine spatial scales for most traits and less variation along the macroclimate gradient and between shrub taxa. Consistent with these patterns, microenvironmental factors, mainly soil moisture and thaw depth, interacted with macroclimate, mainly climatic water deficit, to structure size‐structural and leaf trait variation. In contrast, most root traits responded additively to thaw depth and macroclimate.

Synthesis. Our results demonstrate that above‐ground and below‐ground tundra shrub traits respond differently to microenvironmental and macroclimatic variation. These differing responses contribute to substantial trait variation at fine spatial scales and may decouple above‐ground and below‐ground trait responses to climate change.
It's trade, stupid! How changes in trade competitiveness affect incumbents' electoral success
Authors: DÜR ANDREAS , HUBER ROBERT A. , STILLER YANNICK
Published: February 2024

The consequences of economic globalization on electoral outcomes have recently become a prominent topic of research. We complement the emerging literature on this topic by studying whether changes in a subnational region's trade competitiveness affect the incumbent's vote share in that region. Using a novel dataset that relates subnational trade competitiveness to election results in 29 countries over a 20‐year period, we show that this is indeed the case. We also show that this effect is most pronounced for elections where the clarity of responsibility is high. Finally, we find mixed evidence for a moderating effect of incumbents' economic ideology as a moderator. These findings also contribute to the broader economic voting literature.
Do climate change, access to electricity and renewable energy consumption matter in aquaculture production in Africa?
Authors: Munonye Jane Onuabuchi , Onyeneke Robert Ugochukwu , Ankrah Daniel Adu , Agyarko Fred Fosu , Onyeneke Chinenye Judith , Nejad Jalil Ghassemi , Chikezie Comfort
Published: February 2024

The contribution of aquaculture to economic development cannot be overemphasized. Several factors affect aquaculture production. However, few studies document the impact of climate change, electricity and other macroeconomic covariates on aquaculture production in Africa. The present research's objective is to examine the impact of rainfall, temperature, access to electricity, per capita national income, renewable energy consumption, employment in agriculture, and carbon emissions on aquaculture production in 32 African countries. We rely on panel data using rigorous estimation techniques involving the fixed effects and method of moment quantile regression approaches. Our fixed effects model result indicates that an increase in temperature reduces aquaculture production, while renewable energy consumption, net per capita income, employment in agriculture, and carbon emissions increase aquaculture production. Similarly, the 75th and 90th quantiles of the method of moment quantile regression results indicated that both rainfall and temperature decrease aquaculture production, while renewable energy consumption, employment in agriculture, and carbon emissions increase aquaculture production. The study provides useful insight into the climate, economic, and technological factors that might increase or decrease aquaculture production in Africa and similar contexts. Overall, our findings are important for improving aquaculture production in Africa, particularly with the current low production relative to the global north. The results have implications on the current and future climate action that calls for increased reliance on renewable energy and targeting improvements in agricultural employment, and net national income. Additional efforts are needed to achieve carbon neutrality while ensuring sustainable aquaculture production in Africa.
Probiotic characterization of Bacillus smithii: Research advances, concerns, and prospective trends
Authors: Zhao Nan , Huang Xuedi , Liu Zhongyang , Gao Yufang , Teng Jialuo , Yu Ting , Yan Fujie
Published: February 2024

Bacillus smithii is a thermophilic Bacillus that can be isolated from white wine, hot spring soil, high‐temperature compost, and coffee grounds, with various biofunctions and wide applications. It is resistant to both gastric acid and high temperature, which makes it easier to perform probiotic effects than traditional commercial probiotics, so it can maintain good vitality during food processing and has great application prospects. This paper starts with the taxonomy and genetics and focuses on aspects, including genetic transformation, functional enzyme production, waste utilization, and application in the field of food science as a potential probiotic. According to available studies during the past 30 years, we considered that B. smithii is a novel class of microorganisms with a wide range of functional enzymes such as hydrolytic enzymes and hydrolases, as well as resistance to pathogenic bacteria. It is available in waste degradation, organic fertilizer production, the feed and chemical industries, the pharmaceutical sector, and food fortification. Moreover, B. smithii has great potentials for applications in the food industry, as it presents high resistance to the technological processes that guarantee its health benefits. It is also necessary to systematically evaluate the safety, flavor, and texture of B. smithii and explore its biological mechanism of action, which is of great value for further application in multiple fields, especially in food and medicine.
Upcycling Romaine lettuce outer leaves by infrared blanching and hot air drying
Authors: Avena‐Bustillos Roberto J. , Klausner Noah , Milczarek Rebecca , Alemán‐Hidalgo David M. , Terán‐Cabanillas Eli , Wang Hongye , Wang Luxin , McHugh Tara H. , Haff Ronald P.
Published: February 2024

Romaine lettuce outer leaves, as opposed to the more commonly marketed heart, are typically discarded and present an opportunity for upcycling as dried powders. Duquesne Romaine lettuce was evaluated to quantify and compare quality attributes of fresh outer and heart leaves, dried powders following hot air drying, and dried powders following an infrared (IR) blanching pretreatment before drying. Attributes measured for fresh leaves included moisture, water activity (Aw), color, total soluble phenolics (TSP), and antioxidant capacity (AC). Drying kinetics and time/energy saving through IR blanching were evaluated. Attributes measured for dried powders included moisture, Aw, color, true density, water vapor isotherms, TSP, AC, cadmium (Cd) content, and pesticide residues. TSP, AC, Cd, and pesticide residues were higher, whereas moisture content and Aw were lower in fresh outer versus heart leaves. Hot air drying reduced TSP and AC to 63.6% and 35.2% of fresh values, respectively, whereas IR blanching further reduced TSP and AC to 37.3% and 25.4% in outer leave powders. On the other hand, TSP and AC increased 237% and 151%, respectively, for unblanched heart powders. Higher increase of TSP than AC in heart leaf powder may indicate synthesis of phenolic compounds activated by abiotic stresses such as cutting and high temperatures at the initial drying stage. IR blanching resulted in significant time/energy savings for drying of outer leaves. Microbial loads were substantially reduced during drying, although microbial population on outer leaves were more resistant. Safe to eat outer leaf Romaine lettuce powders can be produced, assuming appropriate agricultural practices.
One size fits all? The value of standardized retail chains
Authors: Klopack Ben
Published: February 2024

Multi‐outlet firms, or chains, account for most US retail spending. This article quantifies the welfare and profit effects of standardized chains in the restaurant industry: chains face higher demand than independents, but are less flexible in customizing product selection or prices across locations. I find that on average chains could earn 19% higher variable profits if they could customize their product optimally, but they would lose 28% of their variable profits if they were to lose their demand advantages. Local policies that ban chains would decrease consumer welfare by 1.5% to 5.4% of restaurant spending and disproportionately impact lower income consumers.
Green Accolades and Oil‐Soaked Mermaids: A Sociology of Worth Perspective on BP's Sustainability Reporting and the Deepwater Horizon Disaster*
Authors: Popoola Oluwasegun , Maier Esther R.
Published: February 2024

Sustainability reporting was originally intended to improve accountability by providing more transparency around the ecological impact of organizational action. However, as sustainability reports are increasingly used as a tool for legitimacy and a source of information by financial stakeholders, environmental concerns are being framed in economic terms. This paper draws on Boltanski and Thévenot's (2006, On Justification: Economies of Worth, Princeton University Press) sociology of worth framework to explore how the prioritization of market values facilitates the disconnect between sustainability reporting and the environment. We use the Deepwater Horizon disaster as an extreme case to illustrate how the one‐sided “compromises” with market values subjugate the values associated with social and environmental stewardship. We suggest that the integration of different conceptions of the common good can provide a more nuanced understanding of the relations between economic and environmental values.
Spatially resolved transcriptome of the aging mouse brain
Authors: Wu Cheng , Tu Tianxiang , Xie Mingzhe , Wang Yiting , Yan Biao , Gong Yajun , Zhang Jiayi , Zhou Xiaolai , Xie Zhi
Published: February 2024

Brain aging is associated with cognitive decline, memory loss and many neurodegenerative disorders. The mammalian brain has distinct structural regions that perform specific functions. However, our understanding in gene expression and cell types within the context of the spatial organization of the mammalian aging brain is limited. Here we generated spatial transcriptomic maps of young and old mouse brains. We identified 27 distinguished brain spatial domains, including layer‐specific subregions that are difficult to dissect individually. We comprehensively characterized spatial‐specific changes in gene expression in the aging brain, particularly for isocortex, the hippocampal formation, brainstem and fiber tracts, and validated some gene expression differences by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. We identified aging‐related genes and pathways that vary in a coordinated manner across spatial regions and parsed the spatial features of aging‐related signals, providing important clues to understand genes with specific functions in different brain regions during aging. Combined with single‐cell transcriptomics data, we characterized the spatial distribution of brain cell types. The proportion of immature neurons decreased in the DG region with aging, indicating that the formation of new neurons is blocked. Finally, we detected changes in information interactions between regions and found specific pathways were deregulated with aging, including classic signaling WNT and layer‐specific signaling COLLAGEN. In summary, we established a spatial molecular atlas of the aging mouse brain (http://sysbio.gzzoc.com/Mouse‐Brain‐Aging/), which provides important resources and novel insights into the molecular mechanism of brain aging.
Systematic development and validation of a predictive model for major postoperative complications in the Peri‐operative Quality Improvement Project (PQIP) dataset
Authors: Oliver C. M. , Wagstaff D. , Bedford J. , Moonesinghe S. R. ,   the Peri‐operative Quality Improvement Project delivery team and collaborative
Published: February 2024

Complications are common following major surgery and are associated with increased use of healthcare resources, disability and mortality. Continued reliance on mortality estimates risks harming patients and health systems, but existing tools for predicting complications are unwieldy and inaccurate. We aimed to systematically construct an accurate pre‐operative model for predicting major postoperative complications; compare its performance against existing tools; and identify sources of inaccuracy in predictive models more generally. Complete patient records from the UK Peri‐operative Quality Improvement Programme dataset were analysed. Major complications were defined as Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ 2 for novel models. In a 75% train:25% test split cohort, we developed a pipeline of increasingly complex models, prioritising pre‐operative predictors using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operators (LASSO). We defined the best model in the training cohort by the lowest Akaike's information criterion, balancing accuracy and simplicity. Of the 24,983 included cases, 6389 (25.6%) patients developed major complications. Potentially modifiable risk factors (pain, reduced mobility and smoking) were retained. The best‐performing model was highly complex, specifying individual hospital complication rates and 11 patient covariates. This novel model showed substantially superior performance over generic and specific prediction models and scores. We have developed a novel complications model with good internal accuracy, re‐prioritised predictor variables and identified hospital‐level variation as an important, but overlooked, source of inaccuracy in existing tools. The complexity of the best‐performing model does, however, highlight the need for a step‐change in clinical risk prediction to automate the delivery of informative risk estimates in clinical systems.
Peri‐operative cardiac arrest in children as reported to the 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
Authors: Oglesby F. C. , Scholefield B. R. , Cook T. M. , Smith J. H. , Pappachan V. J. , Kane A. D. , Armstrong R. A. , Kursumovic E. , Soar J.
Published: February 2024

The 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists studied peri‐operative cardiac arrest. An activity survey estimated UK paediatric anaesthesia annual caseload as 390,000 cases, 14% of the UK total. Paediatric peri‐operative cardiac arrests accounted for 104 (12%) reports giving an incidence of 3 in 10,000 anaesthetics (95%CI 2.2–3.3 per 10,000). The incidence of peri‐operative cardiac arrest was highest in neonates (27, 26%), infants (36, 35%) and children with congenital heart disease (44, 42%) and most reports were from tertiary centres (88, 85%). Frequent precipitants of cardiac arrest in non‐cardiac surgery included: severe hypoxaemia (20, 22%); bradycardia (10, 11%); and major haemorrhage (9, 8%). Cardiac tamponade and isolated severe hypotension featured prominently as causes of cardiac arrest in children undergoing cardiac surgery or cardiological procedures. Themes identified at review included: inappropriate choices and doses of anaesthetic drugs for intravenous induction; bradycardias associated with high concentrations of volatile anaesthetic agent or airway manipulation; use of atropine in the place of adrenaline; and inadequate monitoring. Overall quality of care was judged by the panel to be good in 64 (62%) cases, which compares favourably with adults (371, 52%). The study provides insight into paediatric anaesthetic practice, complications and peri‐operative cardiac arrest.
Rhinovirus‐induced wheeze was associated with asthma development in predisposed children
Authors: Holmdahl Idun , Lüning Sofia , Gerdin Sabina Wärnberg , Asarnoj Anna , Hoyer Angela , Filiou Anastasia , Sjölander Anders , James Anna , Borres Magnus P. , Hedlin Gunilla , van Hage Marianne , Söderhäll Cilla , Konradsen Jon R.
Published: February 2024

Aim

This study explored whether early‐life factors, such as rhinovirus‐induced wheeze and allergic sensitisation, were related to asthma at 11 years of age.

Methods

We focused on 107 children aged 6–48 months, who attended the paediatric emergency department at Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, with acute wheeze in 2008–2012. They also attended follow‐up visits at 11 years of age and were compared with 46 age‐matched healthy controls. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with logistic regression.

Results

We found that 62.6% of the acute wheeze cases had asthma at 11 years of age. Rhinoviruses at inclusion were the only common airway viruses associated with an increased asthma risk (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.02–5.6). Other increased risks were parental heredity for asthma and/or allergies (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–9.9) and allergic sensitisation at 2 years of age (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.02–8.7). The highest prevalence of asthma was when children had both rhinovirus‐induced wheeze at inclusion and allergic sensitisation at 7 years of age.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of hereditary factors and allergic sensitisation on the development of asthma and suggest that rhinoviruses are associated with asthma development in predisposed children.
Meta‐analysis: Risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zamani Mohammad , Alizadeh‐Tabari Shaghayegh , Murad Mohammad Hassan , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N. , Malekzadeh Reza , Talley Nicholas J.
Published: February 2024

Background

Studies exploring the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pancreatic cancer have reported inconsistent results.

Aims

To provide a comprehensive overview of the risk of pancreatic cancer development in patients with IBD.

Methods

We searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest from inception to 31 October 2023. We included population‐based cohort studies examining the risk of incident pancreatic cancer in adult patients with IBD compared to the non‐IBD population. We also retrieved Mendelian randomisation (MR) studies investigating the relationship of IBD with pancreatic cancer risk. We conducted random‐effects meta‐analyses and provided pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We included 13 studies. Among 11 cohort studies, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer increased by 79% in patients with IBD (RR = 1.79 [95% CI: 1.16–2.75]; I2 = 95.7%). Patients either with Crohn's disease (RR = 1.42 [95% CI: 1.24–1.63]) or ulcerative colitis (RR = 1.50 [95% CI: 1.17–1.92]) had increased risk (p for interaction = 0.72). The annual incidence of pancreatic cancer potentially attributable to IBD increased by 55 cases (95% CI: 17–103) per million. Two MR studies demonstrated that genetic liability to IBD was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a moderate increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with IBD, which may be further heightened by genetic predisposition to IBD. The increased risk of pancreatic cancer is probably similar in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Methodological development of the CBPR conceptual model in promoting partnership in a multidisciplinary paediatric care project in western China
Authors: He Longtao
Published: February 2024

The community‐based participatory research (CBPR) conceptual model has emerged as a popular methodological approach to facilitate collaboration between health professionals and community members to achieve project goals and improve health outcomes. Most existing literature has either introduced or explored the direct application of the CBPR conceptual model to paediatric care projects. Few have studied the mechanisms by which partnerships are built following this model. For the study described in this article, interviews were conducted with the health professionals and community participants on a research team about their application of the CBPR conceptual model to promote partnership in a project serving families of children with cancer in western China. Twenty themes identified from the results validated and expanded existing constructs and added new ones (challenges from COVID‐19, enhanced stigma, researcher–practitioner divide, misunderstanding in the process and validity and research integrity issues) to the model. The findings presented can be used to enlighten those engaging in partnerships and the framework created can be directly applied to guide participants to identify critical issues at the beginning of a project as well as to reflect on the sustainability of the partnership both during and after the project.
Retrospective assessment of ophthalmic disease development in domestic dogs and cats when hospitalised with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus
Authors: Reynolds BD , Perry E , Nagel HG , Whittaker CJ , Caruso KA , Annear MJ , Irving WM , McCarthy PM , Dion A , Yi JM‐S , Hall E , Smith JS
Published: February 2024

Objective

To investigate the incidence and predisposing factors leading to the development of corneal ulcers and the loss of a palpebral reflex in hospitalised canine and feline patients with tick paralysis (TP).

Animals studied

A total of 102 dogs and 100 cats retrospectively were assessed from previously hospitalised patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on 102 different canine and 100 different feline patients who were hospitalised for TP from October 2020–January 2022. Patient data were collected, and logistic regression was conducted to determine factors affecting the palpebral reflex and the development of corneal ulcers.

Results

Corneal ulcers occurred in 23/102 (22.5%) dogs during hospitalisation and were strongly associated with an incomplete palpebral reflex ipsilaterally during hospitalisation (P < 0.001), hospitalisation ≥3 days (P = 0.004), mechanical ventilation ≥3 days (P = 0.015) or a tick location cranial to C1 (P = 0.003). An incomplete palpebral reflex during hospitalisation was observed in 29/102 (28.4%) dogs and was significantly associated with decreasing patient weight (P = 0.018), increasing days hospitalised (P = 0.001), having a tick found cranial to C1 (P = 0.004), highest recorded GP grade (P = 0.01), highest recorded RP grade (P = 0.005), use of amoxycillin‐clavulanic acid during hospitalisation (P = 0.002) and use of piperacillin/tazobactam during hospitalisation (P = 0.003). There was a significant association between the loss of a complete palpebral reflex and mortality during hospitalisation in dogs (OR = 4.5, P = 0.029).

Corneal ulcers occurred in 10/100 (10.0%) cats during hospitalisation, and was significantly more likely to occur to an eye if an incomplete palpebral reflex was observed ipsilaterally during hospitalisation (OR = 20.1, P < 0.0001) and with increasing patient age (P = 0.019). The absence of a complete palpebral reflex during hospitalisation was observed in 18/10 (18.0%) cats and was significantly associated with increasing days hospitalised (P = 0.034). There was no significant association between the loss of a complete palpebral reflex and mortality during hospitalisation in cats.

Conclusions

The frequency of corneal ulcers and loss of palpebral reflexes were significant in dogs and cats hospitalised by TP, with many factors contributing to the risk of these developing.
Historic deforestation and non‐native plant invasions determine vegetation trajectories across an oceanic archipelago
Authors: Ohashi Haruka , Kato Hitoshi , Murao Mina , Kato Hidetoshi , Kawakami Kazuto , Kurokawa Hiroko , Oguro Michio , Kimura Fuku , Niiyama Kaoru , Matsui Tetsuya , Shibata Mitsue
Published: February 2024

Questions

Oceanic islands are global hotspots of endemism and evolutionary radiations but many have been severely degraded by human activities and biological invasions. We evaluated the pace and direction of the natural recovery of ecosystems over 77 years across a subtropical oceanic archipelago including islands of various size, elevation, histories of human settlement and deforestation, and invasions by non‐native plants and mammals. This information is essential to guide the ecological restoration of the archipelago.

Location

Forest vegetation on nine of the Ogasawara Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Methods

We first digitized historical vegetation data of the Ogasawara Islands collected during field surveys in 1935. Then, after checking their species compositions, we integrated past and present plant community types. Finally, we identified the landscape‐scale changes in forest vegetation by comparing vegetation maps from 1935, 1979 and 2012.

Results

Over 77 years, the vegetation trajectories of each island varied depending on the introduction of invasive alien species and the remaining proportion of native forest, the latter of which had a strong influence on the recoverability of native forest.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of the history of invasive species introductions and the remaining proportion of native forest—both of which reflect the intensity of anthropogenic disturbance—in determining the degree of human intervention needed for restoration on oceanic islands.
Quality indicators for appropriate in‐hospital pharmacotherapeutic stewardship: An international modified Delphi study
Authors: Mahomedradja Rashudy F. , Tichelaar Jelle , Mokkink Lidwine B. , Sigaloff Kim C. E. , van Agtmael Michiel A.
Published: February 2024

Aims

In‐hospital prescribing errors may result in patient harm, such as prolonged hospitalisation and hospital (re)admission, and may be an emotional burden for the prescribers and healthcare professionals involved. Despite efforts, in‐hospital prescribing errors and related harm still occur, necessitating an innovative approach. We therefore propose a novel approach, in‐hospital pharmacotherapeutic stewardship (IPS). The aim of this study was to reach consensus on a set of quality indicators (QIs) as a basis for IPS.

Methods

A three‐round modified Delphi procedure was performed. Potential QIs were retrieved from two systematic searches of the literature, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) statement. In two written questionnaires and a focus meeting (held between the written questionnaire rounds), potential QIs were appraised by an international, multidisciplinary expert panel composed of members of the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (EACPT).

Results

The expert panel rated 59 QIs and four general statements, of which 35 QIs were accepted with consensus rates ranging between 79% and 97%. These QIs describe the activities of an IPS programme, the team delivering IPS, the patients eligible for the programme and the outcome measures that should be used to evaluate the care delivered.

Conclusions

A framework of 35 QIs for an IPS programme was systematically developed. These QIs can guide hospitals in setting up a pharmacotherapeutic stewardship programme to reduce in‐hospital prescribing errors and improve in‐hospital medication safety.
Monetary wisdom: Can yoking religiosity (God) and the love of money (mammon) in performance and humane contexts inspire honesty? The Matthew Effect in Religion
Authors: Chen Yuh‐Jia , Lee Velma , Tang Thomas Li‐Ping
Published: February 2024

Religion inspires honesty. The love of money incites dishonesty. Religious and monetary values apply to all religions. We develop a formative theoretical model of monetary wisdom, treat religiosity (God) and the love of money (mammon), as two yoked antecedents—competing moral issues (Time 1), and frame the latent construct in good barrels (performance or humane contexts, Time 2), which leads to (dis)honesty (Time 3). We explore the direct and indirect paths and the model across genders. Our three‐wave panel data (411 participants) show that religious and monetary values are negatively correlated. Directly, religiosity consistently curbs dishonesty; surprisingly, the love of money has no impact on dishonesty. In the performance context, the two mediation effects reduce dishonesty. Across genders, this mediation effect is nonsignificant for males but significantly excites females' honesty. In the humane context, the two mediation effects are nonsignificant. Across genders, for the love of money, males passively curb dishonesty by omission, and females actively engage in honesty by commission. Decision‐makers must challenge people's moral issues, frame them in good barrels, and help people become good apples, choice architects, and moral and ethical decision‐makers, promoting the Matthew effect in religion. We offer practical implications to individuals and organizations.
Adolescence, migration, music and psychoanalytic tools into play
Authors: Carnevali Cinzia , Ravaioli Laura , Vandi Gabriella
Published: February 2024

In this article, the authors aim to exemplify how psychoanalysis can apply to the community partially modifying its external setting, such as opening to group settings and including arts and music, while remaining firm in some structural tools, such as psychoanalytical observation and listening, play and attention to the intrapsychic dynamics of participants, including the psychoanalysts and their countertransference. They illustrate the experience of some projects, in particular one carried out for 3 years and ongoing, where young migrants, hosted in Refugee Shelters, meet Italian students in Secondary Schools. This article also describes the value of Music as an element of ‘psychoanalytic play’, establishing intrapsychic and interpersonal links.
It is More Crowded Than That: Exploring the Impact of Sibling Experience on the Work of Psychodynamic Practitioners
Authors: Tickell Sophia
Published: February 2024

This article presents the results of a Master's research study into the impact of sibling experiences on psychodynamic practitioners. Interpretative phenomenological analysis offered participating therapists an opportunity to make sense of how their own sibling experiences may have shaped their lives and work and sought to generate wider insights about sibling influence should they emerge. Data was obtained from semi‐structured interviews with six psychodynamic practitioners. The research produced three major findings: that siblings do have a significant and enduring impact on the development of the self; that sibling theory and training could do more to explain this; and that the sibling legacy of both therapist and client is present in the consulting room. The article identifies important theoretical insights on how siblings shape our internal worlds and contribute to development. It argues that without understanding their own sibling material, therapists risk missing the importance of siblings in clinical work. To avoid this, training and continuing professional development bodies could give higher priority to sibling theory and clinical understanding, and supervisors and therapists could undertake to increase their own awareness of their own sibling impacts as well as those of their clients.
Cross‐individual cancer transmission to children during the gestational and perinatal periods
Authors: Arakawa Ayumu , Tao Kayoko , Kohno Takashi , Ogawa Chitose
Published: February 2024

Cancer transmission may rarely occur between individuals. Besides through allogenic transplantation, cancer transmission via the hemochorial placenta, which is permissive for cell traffic, has been described in a few reports. Three etiologies of transplacental cancer transmission include (1) maternofetal transmission of maternal cancer cells, (2) transmission of gestational choriocarcinoma to the fetus, and (3) transfer of preleukemic cells from one monozygotic twin to the other. Additionally, we recently reported two pediatric cases of lung tumors in which the lung‐only distribution of tumors and genomic profiling of both the child's and mother's tumor samples suggested the airway/transbronchial transmission of maternal cervical cancer cells to the child by aspiration at birth. The immune system coordinates the hemostatic balance between effector and regulatory immunity, especially during fetal development. The immunoregulatory properties are shared in both physiological pregnancy‐related and pathological cancer‐related conditions. Mechanistically, the survival and colonization of transmitted cancer cells within a child are likely attributed to a combination of the child's immune tolerance and the cancer's immune escape. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of gestational/perinatal cancer transmission and discuss the possible mechanism‐based immunotherapy for this rare form of pediatric cancer.
Successful treatment of multiple sclerosis with refractory rheumatoid arthritis using ofatumumab: A case report
Authors: Hara Kenju , Togashi Masaru
Published: February 2024

Background

Ofatumumab is an anti‐CD20 human monoclonal antibody that is approved in several countries worldwide for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies have shown promising results of ofatumumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a case with both MS and refractory RA that was successfully treated with ofatumumab.

Case Presentation

A 44‐year‐old woman with a history of RA since the age of 40, and prior treatment with methotrexate, prednisolone, and several disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including salazosulfapyridine, iguratimod, tacrolimus, presented with a recent onset of visual acuity loss in the left eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed a decreased central flicker frequency (CFF) and central scotoma. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed periventricular multiple lesions and contrast enhancement of the left optic nerve. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevation of protein, and oligoclonal bands. Serum anti‐aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) antibodies, anti‐myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies, and other serological tests for optic neuritis were unremarkable. She was diagnosed with relapsing and remitting MS at 10 months after development of optic neuritis when she experienced a relapse, accompanied by new asymptomatic lesions detected on brain MRI. After ofatumumab administration, we discontinued all DMARDs and maintained remission over a 12‐month period.

Conclusion

There is growing evidence of significant involvement of B‐cells in the pathogenesis of RA and the effectiveness of B‐cell depletion therapy in managing RA. Ofatumumab is an effective treatment for patients with MS and refractory RA.
Hard and soft tissue alterations using dual‐zone concept versus connective tissue graft at maxillary immediate implant placement: A 1‐year randomized clinical and volumetric trial
Authors: Fettouh Ahmed Ibrahim Aboul , Ghallab Noha A. , Mina Nael Adel , Abdelmalak Mariam Samy , Abdelrahman Abdelrahman Ali Gamaleldin , Shalaby Ahmed Fouad , Shemais Nesma
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the esthetic outcome, as well as clinical, radiographic, and volumetric tissue alterations 1 year after immediate implant placement (IIP) with connective tissue grafting (CTG) versus dual‐zone concept (DZ) at sites with thin labial bone in the esthetic zone.

Materials and Methods

This randomized clinical trial included 30 patients treated with IIP simultaneous with either CTG or DZ (n = 15 each). Pink esthetic score (PES) was assessed 6 months after crown placement as the primary outcome. Amount of bone labial to the implant, labio‐palatal ridge reduction, and crestal bone changes were measured via CBCT after 1 year. Volumetric analysis of linear labial soft tissue contour, interdental, and mid‐facial soft tissue level changes, and total volume loss (mm3) were measured after 1 year.

Results

Similar PES was observed in the CTG (12.53 ± 1.13) and DZ (12.13 ± 1.55) groups, with no significant difference (p = 0.42). Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences found between the two groups in labio‐palatal bone reduction (mm&%), interdental papillae, and mid‐facial gingival levels (p > 0.05). However, the mean vertical crestal bone changes in the CTG and DZ groups were −1.1 ± 0.6 mm and 0.2 ± 1.0 mm, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0002). Moreover, CTG revealed less linear and total volume (mm3) loss in the labial soft tissue which was statistically significant compared to DZ (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Both groups demonstrated the same PES, nevertheless, volumetric analysis revealed twice total labial volume loss in DZ compared to CTG. It might be concluded that the use of CTG with IIP caused less horizontal reduction in the supra‐implant complex compared to the DZ.
Autonomic dysfunction and treatment strategies in intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Kang Kaijiang , Shi Kaibin , Liu Jiexin , Li Na , Wu Jianwei , Zhao Xingquan
Published: February 2024

Aims

Autonomic dysfunction with central autonomic network (CAN) damage occurs frequently after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and contributes to a series of adverse outcomes. This review aims to provide insight and convenience for future clinical practice and research on autonomic dysfunction in ICH patients.

Discussion

We summarize the autonomic dysfunction in ICH from the aspects of potential mechanisms, clinical significance, assessment, and treatment strategies. The CAN structures mainly include insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus, nucleus of the solitary tract, ventrolateral medulla, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, nucleus ambiguus, parabrachial nucleus, and periaqueductal gray. Autonomic dysfunction after ICH is closely associated with neurological functional outcomes, cardiac complications, blood pressure fluctuation, immunosuppression and infection, thermoregulatory dysfunction, hyperglycemia, digestive dysfunction, and urogenital disturbances. Heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, skin sympathetic nerve activity, sympathetic skin response, and plasma catecholamine concentration can be used to assess the autonomic functional activities after ICH. Risk stratification of patients according to autonomic functional activities, and development of intervention approaches based on the restoration of sympathetic‐parasympathetic balance, would potentially improve clinical outcomes in ICH patients.

Conclusion

The review systematically summarizes the evidence of autonomic dysfunction and its association with clinical outcomes in ICH patients, proposing that targeting autonomic dysfunction could be potentially investigated to improve the clinical outcomes.
Colorectal eversion technique combined with modified single‐stapled double‐purse‐string low colorectal anastomosis
Authors: Francesco Crafa , Serafino Vanella
Published: February 2024

Aim

Total mesorectal excision with adequate free margins is the gold standard for rectal surgery. Applying a linear stapler in a narrow pelvis can be challenging and the proper distal margin difficult to assess. In selected cases the colorectal eversion technique combined with single‐stapled double‐purse‐string anastomosis (SSDP) can be a practical solution.

Method

Eleven patients, six men and five women, mean body mass index 27 ± 1.3 kg/m2, underwent total mesorectal excision with the colorectal eversion technique combined with modified SSDP between September 2022 and January 2023.

Results

The mean operative time was 190 min. The mean hospital stay was 4 days. There were no postoperative complications. The final histology showed complete mesorectal resection, circumferential resection margin negative, free distal resection margin, anastomotic doughnuts negative. At 7 ± 3 months follow‐up there was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Conclusion

The colorectal eversion technique combined with modified SSDP is a reproducible and safe technique in selected patients. Prospective randomized trials with large patient series are needed to confirm our preliminary results.
Using HCV‐viremic organs for lung transplantation does not confer higher rejection rates compared to HCV‐negative organs
Authors: Afshar Kamyar , Schonhoft Elizabeth , Kozuch Jade , Kafi Aarya , Yung Gordon , Pollema Travis , Golts Eugene , Aslam Saima
Published: February 2024

Background

National data demonstrate that hepatitis C virus (HCV)—infected organ donors are increasingly being used in the US, including for lung transplantation. We aimed to assess whether there were any differences in the acute or chronic rejection rates at 1 year following lung transplantation from HCV‐viremic versus uninfected donors.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all lung transplant recipients at our institution from April 1, 2017 to October 1, 2020 and then assessed various outcomes between those who received a transplant from HCV‐viremic donors versus HCV‐negative donors. Primary outcome was to determine if there was a higher incidence of acute and/or chronic allograft rejection when using HCV NAT+ lung donation. We carried out univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

We transplanted 135 patients during the study period, including 18 from HCV‐viremic donors. Standard induction therapy with basiliximab and maintenance triple drug immunosuppression was utilized per UC San Diego protocol. All 17 patients receiving HCV‐viremic organs developed acute HCV infection and were treated in the postoperative period with 12 weeks of direct acting antivirals (DAA). HCV genotypes included 1, 2, and 3. DAA used included glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (12), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (1), and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (2) with drug choice determined by patient's medical insurance coverage. Sustained virological response at 12 weeks after end of DAA therapy (SVR12), indicative of a cure, was achieved in all (100%) recipients. No recipient had a serious adverse event related to HCV infection. The lung transplant recipient (LTR) HCV‐viremic donors had lower rates of clinically significant rejection (5.9% vs. 11% LTR HCV‐nonviremic donors), and no chronic lung allograft dysfunction at 1 year (vs. 5.9% LTR HCV‐nonviremic donors). One‐year survival was 100% in the LTR HCV‐viremic donors compared to 95.8% in the LTR HCV‐nonviremic donors.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the feasibility and success of using HCV NAT + donors with excellent results and without a higher incidence of rejection. Longer term follow‐up and a larger sample size are needed to allow this to be a more widely accepted practice for lung transplant programs and payors.
Shaping Cultural Evolution: The Role of Craft Excellence, Design Intelligence, and Acceleration
Authors: Rand Alison
Published: February 2024

The triumvirate model… offers a lens through which we can view the potential synthesis of these ideas, crafting a pathway for cultural transformation in an age where adaptability and innovation are paramount.

These turbulent times call for a new era of design thinking—a time for design to become a way of thinking that helps craft a culture that is not only adaptable and innovative but also one that incorporates the human experience.