bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and quality of care for women and their babies after caesarean section in Nigeria
Authors: Adeniran Abiodun S. , Nwachukwu Duum C. , Ocheke Amaka N. , Mohammed Salisu O , Musa Abdulkarim O. , Ochejele Silas , Ibraheem Rais S. , Pam Samuel , Mairami Amsa B. , Gobir Aishatu A. , Olateju Eyinade K. , Baba Fatimah J. , Medupin Patricia F. , Ahmed Grace , Ango Sarah , Akaba Godwin , Ogunkunle Taofik O. , Agada Egwu , Gibbons Luz , Oladapo Olufemi T. , Lavin Tina , Tukur Jamilu , Aboyeji Abiodun P. ,   Maternal and Perinatal Database for Quality, Equity and Dignity Collaborators
Published: April 2024

Objective

To describe the outcomes and quality of care for women and their babies after caesarean section (CS) in Nigerian referral‐level hospitals.

Design

Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Fifty‐four referral‐level hospitals.

Population

All women giving birth in the participating facilities between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020.

Methods

Data for the women were extracted, including sociodemographic data, clinical information, mode of birth, and maternal and perinatal outcomes. A conceptual hierarchical framework was employed to explore the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with maternal and perinatal death in women who had an emergency CS.

Main Outcome Measures

Overall CS rate, outcomes for women who had CS, and factors associated with maternal and perinatal mortality.

Results

The overall CS rate was 33.3% (22 838/68 640). The majority of CS deliveries were emergency cases (62.8%) and 8.1% of CS deliveries had complications after delivery, which were more common after an emergency CS. There were 179 (0.8%) maternal deaths in women who had a CS and 29.6% resulted from complications of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The overall maternal mortality rate in women who delivered by CS was 778 per 100 000 live births, whereas the perinatal mortality at birth was 51 per 1000 live births. Factors associated with maternal mortality in women who had an emergency CS were being <20 or >35 years of age, having a lower level of education and being referred from another facility or informal setting.

Conclusions

One‐third of births were delivered via CS (mostly emergency), with almost one in ten women experiencing a complication after a CS. To improve outcomes, hospitals should invest in care and remove obstacles to accessible quality CS services.
Accessory gland protein regulates pairing process and oviposition in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis after swarming
Authors: Liu Yutong , Zhang Fei , Hassan Ali , Zhou Xuguo , Huang Qiuying
Published: April 2024

Swarming and pairing behaviors are significant to population dispersal of termites. Tandem running is a key process in pairing behavior of dealates to find a mate. Succinylation can lead to significant changes in protein structure and function, which is widely involved in metabolism and behavior regulation in many organisms. However, whether succinylation modification regulates termites’ tandem running is currently unknown. In this research, we performed quantitative modified proteomics of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder before and after alate swarming. The succinylation levels of accessory gland protein (ACP) were significantly altered after alate swarming. We found that ACP is enriched in male accessory gland and female oocytes of termites. The acetylation and succinylation sites of ACP affected tandem running of dealates. The transcriptome and metabolome analyses of alates injected with ACP and its mutant proteins showed that β‐alanine metabolism pathway was the major downstream pathway of ACP. Silencing the significantly differentially expressed genes in the β‐alanine metabolic pathway (acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, enoyl‐CoA hydratase, 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase, methylmalonate‐semialdehyde dehydrogenase) suppressed tandem running and altered oviposition of paired dealates. These findings demonstrate that protein translation modification is an important regulator of tandem running behavior of termites, which implies that the succinylation and acetylation modification sites of ACP could be potential targets for insecticide action. Our research offers a potential approach for developing novel dispersal inhibitors against social insect pests.
Routine biomarker profile for the prediction of clinical phenotypes of adult‐onset Still's disease using unsupervised clustering algorithm
Authors: Gallardo‐Pizarro Antonio , Campos‐Rodríguez Valerio , Martín‐Iglesias Daniel , Ruiz‐Irastorza Guillermo
Published: April 2024

Aim

This study addresses the challenge of predicting the course of Adult‐onset Still's disease (AoSD), a rare systemic autoinflammatory disorder of unknown origin. Precise prediction is crucial for effective clinical management, especially in the absence of specific laboratory indicators.

Methods

We assessed the effectiveness of combining traditional biomarkers with the k‐medoids unsupervised clustering algorithm in forecasting the various clinical courses of AoSD—monocyclic, polycyclic, or chronic articular. This approach represents an innovative strategy in predicting the disease's course.

Results

The analysis led to the identification of distinct patient profiles based on accessible biomarkers. Specifically, patients with elevated ferritin levels at diagnosis were more likely to experience a monocyclic disease course, while those with lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate could present with any of the clinical courses, monocyclic, polycyclic, or chronic articular, during follow‐up.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the potential of integrating traditional biomarkers with unsupervised clustering algorithms in understanding the heterogeneity of AoSD. These findings suggest new avenues for developing personalized treatment strategies, though further validation in larger, prospective studies is necessary.
The impact of frailty and rapid response team activation on patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A case‐control matched, observational, single‐centre cohort study
Authors: Dugan Christopher , Weightman Suzanne , Palmer Vanessa , Schulz Luis , Aneman Anders
Published: April 2024

Background

Frailty is a multi‐dimensional syndrome associated with mortality and adverse outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Further investigation is warranted to explore the interplay among factors such as frailty, clinical deterioration triggering a medical emergency team (MET) review, and outcomes following admission to the ICU.

Methods

Single‐centre, retrospective observational case‐control study of adult patients (>18 years) admitted to a medical‐surgical ICU with (cases) or without (controls) a preceding MET review between 4 h and 14 days prior. Matching was performed for age, ICU admission diagnosis, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III (APACHE III) score and the 8‐point Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Cox proportional hazard regression modelling was performed to determine associations with 30‐day mortality after admission to ICU.

Results

A total of 2314 matched admissions were analysed. Compared to non‐frail patients (CFS 1–4), mortality was higher in all frail patients (CFS 5–8), at 31% vs. 13%, and in frail patients admitted after MET review at 33%. After adjusting for age, APACHE, antecedent MET review and CFS in the Cox regression, mortality hazard ratio increased by 26% per CFS point and by 3% per APACHE III point, while a MET review was not an independent predictor. Limitations of medical treatment occurred in 30% of frail patients, either with or without a MET antecedent, and this was five times higher compared to non‐frail patients.

Conclusion

Frail patients admitted to ICU have a high short‐term mortality. An antecedent MET event was associated with increased mortality but did not independently predict short‐term survival when adjusting for confounding factors. The intrinsic significance of frailty should be primarily considered during MET review of frail patients. This study suggests that routine frailty assessment of hospitalised patients would be helpful to set goals of care when admission to ICU could be considered.
Progeria‐based vascular model identifies networks associated with cardiovascular aging and disease
Authors: Ngubo Mzwanele , Chen Zhaoyi , McDonald Darin , Karimpour Rana , Shrestha Amit , Yockell‐Lelièvre Julien , Laurent Aurélie , Besong Ojong Tabi Ojong , Tsai Eve C. , Dilworth F. Jeffrey , Hendzel Michael J. , Stanford William L.
Published: April 2024

Hutchinson‐Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a lethal premature aging disorder caused by a de novo heterozygous mutation that leads to the accumulation of a splicing isoform of Lamin A termed progerin. Progerin expression deregulates the organization of the nuclear lamina and the epigenetic landscape. Progerin has also been observed to accumulate at low levels during normal aging in cardiovascular cells of adults that do not carry genetic mutations linked with HGPS. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms that lead to vascular dysfunction in HGPS may also play a role in vascular aging‐associated diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Here, we show that HGPS patient‐derived vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) recapitulate HGPS molecular hallmarks. Transcriptional profiling revealed cardiovascular disease remodeling and reactive oxidative stress response activation in HGPS VSMCs. Proteomic analyses identified abnormal acetylation programs in HGPS VSMC replication fork complexes, resulting in reduced H4K16 acetylation. Analysis of acetylation kinetics revealed both upregulation of K16 deacetylation and downregulation of K16 acetylation. This correlates with abnormal accumulation of error‐prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) repair proteins on newly replicated chromatin. The knockdown of the histone acetyltransferase MOF recapitulates preferential engagement of NHEJ repair activity in control VSMCs. Additionally, we find that primary donor‐derived coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells from aged individuals show similar defects to HGPS VSMCs, including loss of H4K16 acetylation. Altogether, we provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular complications associated with HGPS patients and normative aging.
A novel exosome‐related prognostic risk model for thyroid cancer
Authors: Qi Junfeng , Cheng Hanshan , Su Long , Li Jun , Cheng Fei
Published: April 2024

Aim

The aim was to build an exosome‐related gene (ERG) risk model for thyroid cancer (TC) patients.

Methods

Note that, 510 TC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 121 ERGs from the ExoBCD database were obtained. Differential gene expression analysis was performed to get ERGs in TC (TERGs). Functional enrichment analyses including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were conducted on the TERGs. Then we constructed a model based on LASSO Cox regression analysis. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was applied and a Nomogram model was also built. The immune landscape was evaluated by CIBERSORT.

Results

Thirty‐eight TERGs were identified and their functions were enriched on 591 GO terms and 30 KEGG pathways. We built a Risk Score model based on FGFR3, ADRA1B, and POSTN. Risk Scores were significantly higher in T4 than in other stages, meanwhile, it didn't significantly differ in genders and TNM N or M classifications. The nomogram model could reliably predict the overall survival of TC patients. The mutation rate of BRAF and expression of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 were significantly higher in the high‐risk group than in the low‐risk group. The risk score was significantly correlated to the immune landscape.

Conclusion

We built a Risk Score model using FGFR3, ADRA1B, and POSTN which could reliably predict the prognosis of TC patients.
Power or opportunity? Perceived inequality on life satisfaction explained by reduced trust in South Korea
Authors: Park Joonha , Joshanloo Mohsen
Published: April 2024

This paper presents new evidence linking different aspects of perceived inequality (education, employment, law enforcement, income and wealth, power, and gender) to life satisfaction. Using large‐scale national survey data, we examined the relationships between the six aspects of perceived inequality, life satisfaction, and generalized trust among South Koreans (N = 17,357). Exploratory structural equation modelling identified a two‐factor structure of perceived inequality: Opportunity Inequality (inequalities in education and employment) and Power Inequality (inequalities in income and wealth, law enforcement, power, and gender). Results from mediation analysis suggested that both aspects of inequality negatively predicted life satisfaction via reduced generalized trust. Those processes were consistent regardless of household income. The study underscores the critical impact that public perceptions of (in)equality in various opportunity and power aspects have on well‐being and trust and emphasizes the urgency of government and policy action to address the growing problem of inequality in South Korean society. The findings highlight the urgent need to address disparities and promote social harmony and well‐being in countries facing similar challenges.
Higher incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease by increasing latitude in Norway, but stable incidence by age
Authors: Larsen Johanne Hartwedt , Andersen Svend , Perminow Gøri , Mundal Håkon Stangeland , Mårild Karl , Stabell Niklas , Størdal Ketil
Published: April 2024

Aim

To examine possible geographical and temporal differences in the incidence of childhood‐onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Norway, motivated by previous research indicating relevant environmental factors explaining changing epidemiology.

Methods

We analysed data from children born in Norway from 2004 to 2012 (n = 541 036) in a registry‐based nationwide study. After validating registry diagnoses against medical records, we defined IBD as ≥2 entries of International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD‐10) codes K50, K51 and K52.3 in the Norwegian Patient registry. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) for IBD across four geographical regions with a south‐to‐north gradient and the incidence by period of birth.

Results

By the end of follow‐up on 31 December 2020, 799 IBD diagnoses were identified (Crohn's disease: n = 465; ulcerative colitis, n = 293, IBD: unclassified, n = 41). Compared to children in the southernmost region, there was almost a two‐fold HR for IBD in children in the most Northern region (HR = 1.94, 95% Cl = 1.47–2.57; Mid region: HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.29–2.19, ptrend <0.001). These estimates remained largely unchanged after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The cohorts born in 2004–2006 and 2010–2012 had comparable cumulative incidences, with a slightly higher incidence for those born in 2007–2009.

Conclusion

We observed an increase in the risk of IBD by increasing latitude which may suggest that environmental factors influence the development of IBD, although non‐causal explanations cannot be ruled out.
Communicating CSR relationships in COVID‐19: The evolution of cross‐sector communication networks on social media
Authors: Sun Jingyi , Shin Jieun , Li Yiqi , Qu Yan , Zhen Lichen , Kim Hye Min , Yang Aimei , Liu Wenlin , Saffer Adam J.
Published: April 2024

Cross‐sector relationship building is an important strategy in corporate social responsibility initiatives, and communicating cross‐sector relationships on social media can help raise the visibility of collaborative relationships. A noticeable gap in the literature is how social media enables and constrains the formation patterns of cross‐sector connections. To understand how businesses communicate their relationships with government agencies and nonprofits about social issues on social media, we propose a theoretical framework that centers public attention as a critical resource and considers different sectors' interests in the COVID‐19 issue. We tested this framework with a nationally representative sample of 1,980 organizations on Twitter. The analysis reveals that the increase in public attention to the COVID‐19 issue was accompanied by a greater likelihood of cross‐sector ties. Specifically, firms severely affected by COVID‐19 were more likely to build ties with government agencies, and the increase in public attention also drove firms to build more ties with nonprofits, especially advocacy nonprofits. Our findings suggest managers of social media communication should observe the volatile public attention and design communicative strategies accordingly.
Advances and current research in primary thromboprophylaxis to prevent hospital‐associated venous thromboembolism
Authors: Roberts Lara N. , Arya Roopen , Hunt Beverley J.
Published: April 2024

Hospital‐associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is defined as any case of VTE occurring during hospital admission and for up to 90 days post discharge. It accounts for over 50% of all cases of VTE internationally; indeed, there are an estimated 10 million cases of hospital‐associated VTE annually. Over the last decade, there has been increasing interest in improving VTE risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis. This review summarises all the recent and ongoing major research studies and future challenges in the different areas, including medical, surgical and obstetric patients, as well as special areas such as lower limb immobilisation. We include sections on both pharmacological and mechanical thromboprophylaxis.
“This might be cliché, but it was a sense of family”: Gang involvement among Indigenous young adults and their search for attachment, community, and hope
Authors: Foster Seeley , Grekul Jana
Published: April 2024

Indigenous communities in Canada continue to feel the ongoing impacts of colonialism, including socio‐economic disadvantage, high rates of violent victimization, systemic racism and discrimination, overrepresentation in the criminal justice system, and intergenerational trauma. Based on in‐depth interviews with 10 gang‐involved Indigenous young adults, using attachment theory as a guiding framework, we explore how colonialism continues to negatively impact the attachment these young people have to their families, communities, and social institutions, and leads to their gang involvement which perpetuates violence and trauma. Yet, they exhibit hope for a better future. Drawing on participant experiences we suggest key points at which provision of supports and resources can assist with increasing attachments and facilitating gang desistance. We share these insights while acknowledging the continued structural, embedded violence many Indigenous youth experience today that necessitates a commitment to decolonization at all levels of Canadian society.
Genotypic and phenotypic features of 39 Chinese patients with glycogen storage diseases type I, VI, and IX
Authors: Yu Jindan , Ling Xiuxin , Chen Lingli , Fang Youhong , Lin Haihua , Lou Jingan , Ren Yanqi , Chen Jie
Published: April 2024

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are abnormally inherited glycogen metabolism mainly affecting the liver, muscles, and heart. Deficiency of proteins involved in glycogen metabolism caused by genetic mutations are responsible for different subtype of GSDs. However, there are still some challenges in diagnosing GSD. This study includes 39 suspected GSDs patients from unrelated families in China. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was used to investigate the reason for their diseases at the genetic level. Finally, all 39 patients were diagnosed with GSDs, including 20 GSD‐Ia, 4 GSD‐VI, and 15 GSD IX (12 GSD‐IXa patients and 3 GSD‐IXb patients). Thirty‐two mutations in G6PC1, PYGL, PHKA2, and PHKB genes were identified, with 14 of them being novel variants. The pathogenicity of novel variants was classified according to ACMG guildlines and predicted by in slico algorithms. Mutations p.L216L and p.R83H in G6PC1 gene may be the hot spot mutation in Chinese. Hearing impairment is a rare clinical feature of GSD Ia, which has also been observed in our cohort. The severity of GSD VI and IX was indicated by our patients. Close follow‐up should be applied to GSD VI and IX patients. Our findings provided evidence for building the phenotype–genotype of GSDs and expanded the mutation spectrum of related genes.
The role of self‐referential and social processing in the relationship between pubertal status and difficulties in mental health and emotion regulation in adolescent girls in the UK
Authors: Ahmed Saz P. , Piera Pi‐Sunyer Blanca , Moses‐Payne Madeleine E. , Goddings Anne‐Lise , Speyer Lydia G. , Kuyken Willem , Dalgleish Tim , Blakemore Sarah‐Jayne
Published: April 2024

Adolescence is marked by the onset of puberty, which is associated with an increase in mental health difficulties, particularly in girls. Social and self‐referential processes also develop during this period: adolescents become more aware of others’ perspectives, and judgements about themselves become less favourable. In the current study, data from 119 girls (from London, UK) aged 9–16 years were collected at two‐time points (between 2019 and 2021) to investigate the relationship between puberty and difficulties in mental health and emotion regulation, as well as the role of self‐referential and social processing in this relationship. Structural equation modelling showed that advanced pubertal status predicted greater mental health and emotion regulation difficulties, including depression and anxiety, rumination and overall difficulties in emotion regulation, and in mental health and behaviour. Advanced pubertal status also predicted greater perspective‐taking abilities and negative self‐schemas. Exploratory analyses showed that negative self‐schemas mediated the relationships between puberty and rumination, overall emotion regulation difficulties, and depression (although these effects were small and would not survive correction for multiple comparisons). The results suggest that advanced pubertal status is associated with higher mental health and emotion regulation problems during adolescence and that negative self‐schemas may play a role in this association.

Research Highlights

This study investigates the relationship between puberty, mental health, emotion regulation difficulties, and social and self‐referential processing in girls aged 9–16 years.

Advanced pubertal status was associated with worse mental health and greater emotion regulation difficulties, better perspective‐taking abilities and negative self‐schemas.

Negative self‐schemas may play a role in the relationships between advanced pubertal status and depression, and advanced pubertal status and emotion regulation difficulties, including rumination.
The relation between number line performance and mathematics outcomes: Two meta‐analyses
Authors: Ünal Zehra E. , Terzi Züleyha , Yalvaç Beyzanur , Geary David C.
Published: April 2024

Understanding the magnitudes represented by numerals is a core component of early mathematical development and is often assessed by accuracy in situating numerals and fractions on a number line. Performance on these measures is consistently related to performance in other mathematics domains, but the strength of these relations may be overestimated because general cognitive ability has not been fully controlled in prior studies. The first of two meta‐analyses (162 studies, 33,101 participants) confirmed a relation between performance on whole number (r = 0.33) and fractions number (r = 0.41) lines and overall mathematics performance. These relations were generally consistent across content domains (e.g., algebra and computation) and other moderators. The second (71 studies, 14,543 participants) used meta‐analytic structural equation modeling to confirm these relations while controlling general cognitive ability (defined by IQ and working memory measures) and, in one analysis, general mathematics competence. The relation between number line performance and general mathematics competence remained significant but reduced (β = 0.13). Controlling general cognitive ability, whole number line performance consistently predicted competence with fractions but not performance on numeracy or computations measures. The results suggest an understanding of the magnitudes represented by whole numbers might be particularly important for students’ fractions learning.

Research Highlights

Two meta‐analyses examined the link between the number line and mathematics performance.

The first revealed significant relations across domains (e.g., algebra and computation).

The second controlled for general cognitive ability and resulted in reduced but still significant relations.

The relation between number line and fractions performance was stronger than relations to other domains.
ArcheD, a residual neural network for prediction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid‐beta from amyloid PET images
Authors: Tagmazian Arina A. , Schwarz Claudia , Lange Catharina , Pitkänen Esa , Vuoksimaa Eero ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2024

Detection and measurement of amyloid‐beta (Aβ) in the brain is a key factor for early identification and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to develop a deep learning model to predict Aβ cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration directly from amyloid PET images, independent of tracers, brain reference regions or preselected regions of interest. We used 1870 Aβ PET images and CSF measurements to train and validate a convolutional neural network (“ArcheD”). We evaluated the ArcheD performance in relation to episodic memory and the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) of cortical Aβ. We also compared the brain region's relevance for the model's CSF prediction within clinical‐based and biological‐based classifications. ArcheD‐predicted Aβ CSF values correlated with measured Aβ CSF values (r = 0.92; q < 0.01), SUVR (rAV45 = −0.64, rFBB = −0.69; q < 0.01) and episodic memory measures (0.33 < r < 0.44; q < 0.01). For both classifications, cerebral white matter significantly contributed to CSF prediction (q < 0.01), specifically in non‐symptomatic and early stages of AD. However, in late‐stage disease, the brain stem, subcortical areas, cortical lobes, limbic lobe and basal forebrain made more significant contributions (q < 0.01). Considering cortical grey matter separately, the parietal lobe was the strongest predictor of CSF amyloid levels in those with prodromal or early AD, while the temporal lobe played a more crucial role for those with AD. In summary, ArcheD reliably predicted Aβ CSF concentration from Aβ PET scans, offering potential clinical utility for Aβ level determination.
Cholinergic interneurons in the dorsal striatum play an important role in the acquisition of duration memory
Authors: Nishioka Masahiko , Hata Toshimichi
Published: April 2024

The present study aimed to examine the effect of cholinergic interneuron lesions in the dorsal striatum on duration‐memory formation. Cholinergic interneurons in the dorsal striatum may be involved in the formation of duration memory since they are among the main inputs to the dorsal striatal muscarinic acetylcholine‐1 receptors, which play a role in the consolidation of duration memory. Rats were sufficiently trained using a peak‐interval 20 s procedure and then infused with anti‐choline acetyltransferase–saporin into the dorsal striatum to cause selective ablation of cholinergic interneurons. To make the rats acquire new duration‐memories, we trained them with a peak interval 40 s after lesion. Before lesion, the peak times (an index of duration memory) for sham‐lesioned and lesioned groups were similar at approximately 20 s. In the peak interval 40 s session, the peak times for the sham‐lesioned and lesioned groups were approximately 30 and 20 s, respectively. After additional peak interval 40 s sessions, the peak times of both groups were shifted to approximately 40 s. Those results suggest that the cholinergic interneuron lesion delayed new duration‐memory acquisition. Subsequent experiments showed that cholinergic interneuron lesions did not retard the shift of peak time to the original target time (20 s). Following experiment without changing the target time after lesion showed that cholinergic interneuron lesions did not change their peak times. Our findings suggest that cholinergic interneurons in the dorsal striatum are involved in new duration‐memory acquisition but not in the utilization of already acquired duration memory and interval timing.
Database for marine and coastal restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Purandare Jemma , de Sousa de Saboya Roquelina , Bayraktarov Elisa , Boström‐Einarsson Lisa , Carnell Paul E. , Eger Aaron M. , Le Port Agnes , Macreadie Peter I. , Reeves Simon E. , van Kampen Peter , Waltham Nathan J. , Wartman Melissa , McLeod Ian M.
Published: April 2024

The United Nations has declared 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. These declarations emphasise the importance of restoring degraded marine and coastal ecosystems and supporting research and knowledge. The number and scale of marine and coastal restoration projects have been increasing in Australia and New Zealand over the past 40 years. However, the lack of a central repository of projects and their results limits opportunities to share knowledge to improve effectiveness. To address this gap, we developed the Australian and New Zealand Marine and Coastal Restoration Database. Information for this database was gathered from publicly available documents (peer‐reviewed journal articles and technical reports) and discussions with key organisations that lead projects in Australia and New Zealand. For each project, we recorded the start date, duration, spatial scale, location, details on monitoring, and success criteria. The database includes information up until 1 June 2020. It is available online via the Australian Coastal Restoration Network website.
Structural and functional indicators in freshwater ecosystem monitoring programs
Authors: Cheung Wing Chun Derek , Burrows Ryan M.
Published: April 2024

Ecosystem function is a foundational part of ecosystem health, but it is often neglected in the practice of ecosystem monitoring. We conducted a review of freshwater ecosystem management literature, analysing 60 documents across multiple organisations to understand the prevalence of function in conceptualisations and measures of ecosystem health. Only 28% (n = 13) of analysed documents included definitions of waterway health that included function, and only 30% (n = 18) integrated function into their conceptualisations of waterway health. More generally, we observed noticeable deviation in analysed documents from management best practices advocated for by contemporary ecosystem science – including unclear rationales, vague language, and imprecise metrics for assessing waterway health. We discuss these findings in broader ecosystem management contexts. Our findings support previous observations of a strong structural bias in current ecosystem health monitoring and suggest the need for closer examinations into the processes and rationales by which such an important factor could be absent from monitoring programs.
Phenological similarity and distinctiveness facilitate plant invasions
Authors: Park Daniel S. , Huynh Kimberly M. , Feng Xiao
Published: April 2024

Aim

Darwin posited that invaders similar to native species are less likely to be successful due to competitive exclusion. A key axis across which such competition occurs across angiosperms is the timing of flowering, or reproductive phenology. It has been hypothesized that temporal isolation facilitates the establishment of introduced species. However, our knowledge of how the timing of flowering may influence invasion success is lacking at broader geographic and larger taxonomic scales. To address this impasse, we investigated: (i) how flowering phenology differs between native and non‐native species; (ii) whether the flowering phenology of successful invaders is distinct from native taxa; and (iii) whether invasive species tend to be more closely related to natives than other less successful, non‐invasive introduced species are.

Location

California, USA.

Time Period

Present.

Major Taxa Studied

Angiosperms.

Methods

We compiled phenological data for over 6000 angiosperm species across California, a highly invaded biodiversity hotspot, from published flora. Using these data, we assessed the degree of phenological and phylogenetic similarity among native, non‐invasive introduced, and invasive species. We also examined how this similarity varies with climate.

Results

Both non‐invasive introduced and invasive species were more phenologically and phylogenetically distant from natives than natives were from each other. However, invasive plants tend to be more similar to native species in terms of flowering phenology and phylogenetic relationships than non‐invasive introduced species. Further, the degree of similarity between native and non‐native species was mediated by climate, where phenological and phylogenetic similarities were greater in cooler regions.

Main Conclusions

Together, our results demonstrate that both similarity and distinctiveness can facilitate plant invasions and that invaders just similar enough to the native flora are more likely to be successful.
Is uniform pricing by competing retailers perceived as fair?
Authors: Wong Phoebe , Vanharanta Markus , Ng Peggy M. L. , Wong Tony
Published: April 2024

Despite the enormous negative economic influence on consumer well‐being, price‐fixing remains a largely unexplored area in consumer research. Previous research showed that consumers perceive different prices for the same product as unfair. However, our findings counterintuitively indicate that consumers may also perceive uniform prices as unfair. Two experimental studies examined the effect of price uniformity (uniform/nonuniform) and price patterns over time (increase/no change) on the perception of price unfairness and third‐party complaint intention. The findings show that consumers perceive prices as unfair when retailers increase a uniform price simultaneously. This pricing strategy by retailers increases consumers' intention to report suspected price‐fixing activities to authorities, that is, third‐party reporting. Based on the findings, implications for marketing practices and tactics to enhance public policy are discussed.
Effect of probiotics and synbiotics on complications of wound infection after colorectal surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Junqiu , Ren Feng
Published: April 2024

Wound infection is a serious complication that impacts the prognosis of patients after colorectal surgery (CS). Probiotics and synbiotics (Pro and Syn) are live bacteria that produce bacteriostatic agents in the intestinal system and have a positive effect on postoperative wound infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pro and Syn on complications of wound infection after CS. In November 2023, we searched relevant clinical trial reports from Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases and screened the retrieved reports, extracted data, and finally analysed the data by using RevMan 5.3. A total of 12 studies with 1567 patients were included in the study. Pro and Syn significantly reduced total infection (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.35, 0.56; p < 0.00001), surgical incision site infection (SSI) (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45, 0.81; p = 0.002), pneumonia (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25, 0.72; p = 0.001), urinary tract infection (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.14, 0.56; p = 0.0003), and Pro and Syn did not reduce anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.50, 1.41; p = 0.51). Pro and Syn can reduce postoperative wound infections in patients with colorectal cancer, which benefits patients' postoperative recovery.
Synergy between Ca2+ and high ionic field‐strength cations during the corrosion of alkali aluminoborosilicate glasses in hyper‐alkaline media
Authors: Qin Qianhui , Stone‐Weiss Nicholas , Shi Nian , Mukherjee Pinaki , Ren Jinjun , Goel Ashutosh
Published: April 2024

One major factor impeding the design of nuclear waste glasses with enhanced waste loadings is our insufficient understanding of their composition–structure–durability relationships, specifically in the environments the waste form is expected to encounter in a geological repository. In particular, the high field‐strength cations (HFSCs) are an integral component of most waste streams. However, their impact on the long‐term performance of the glassy waste form remains mostly undeciphered. In this context, the present study aims to understand the impact of some HFSCs (i.e., Nb5+, Zr4+, Ti4+, and La3+) on the dissolution behavior of alkali/alkaline‐earth aluminoborosilicate‐based model nuclear waste glasses in hyper‐alkaline media. At pH = 13, the studied glasses dissolve through the dissolution–reprecipitation mechanism, with Ca precipitation being the most vital step to passivation. In Ca‐free glasses, although the HFSCs slow down the forward rate, they do not seem to impact the residual rate behavior of glasses. The presence of Ca2+, however, initiates the rapid precipitation of network polymerizing HFSCs (i.e., Nb5+, Zr4+, and Ti4+) into a Ca2+/HFSCs‐based passivating layer, thus suggesting a synergy between Ca2+ and HFSCs that contributes to the enhanced long‐term durability of the glasses. Such synergy is not strongly evident for La3+, but instead, a potential La/Si affinity is observed upon the formation of the alteration layer.
Climate true‐cost analysis of industrial goods and its regulatory implications on value chains and global competition
Authors: Schlipf Matthias , Striegl Bastian , Gaugler Tobias
Published: April 2024

Climate change and its damaging consequences for ecology and humanity is advancing. Industry and its metals sector are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. Current costs of industrial goods do not reflect the true costs caused by the externalized climate damages of its production and thus offer no competitive incentive to decarbonize. Additionally, regional climate regulation can lead to competitive distortion. We therefore aim to investigate the impact of climate cost internalization on the metals industry. Using true‐cost analysis for an exemplary and widely used metal product, the effects of climate true costs depending on production region, technology, and energy mix, CO2e taxation and value chain are examined. Based hereon, the impact of internalizing climate true costs together with the introduction of a carbon‐border tax on the carbon leakage problem, climate protection, and the cost situation for companies in global competition are investigated. The results of the study show that steel and wire production is responsible for most CO2e emissions showing significant decarbonization effects by steel recycling whereas production location and logistics play a minor role. On a competitive level, cost internalization has hardly any effect on the product costs because of the currently low CO2e‐taxation rates. Thus, almost no incentive to produce or consume in a climate‐protective way is generated, incentivizing production in pollution havens versus highly climate regulated regions. Instead, to realize emission efficiency gains and innovations leading to a competitive advantage of decarbonized products and value chains, a significant increase of CO2e‐taxation rates together with a carbon‐border tax is necessary.
Substitution modeling can coherently be used in attributional life cycle assessments
Authors: Provost‐Savard Arianne , Majeau‐Bettez Guillaume
Published: April 2024

Most life cycle assessment (LCA) studies use the attributional methodology. This approach attributes a share of global environmental impacts to one or multiple functions provided by a normatively circumscribed system. Multifunctional systems that are not technologically subdivisible between co‐functions are frequently encountered in LCA studies. It then becomes necessary to resort to co‐production modeling techniques, like the substitution approach. The use of substitution modeling in attributional LCA (ALCA) is, however, discouraged amongst practitioners, due to the alleged violation of central requirements of the attributional methodology. The objective of this research is to shed light on common misconceptions about the compatibility of substitution with ALCA. The first misconception is that the use of substitution in ALCA violates the conservation of total environmental impacts. We find that this idea arises from a confusion regarding the attribution of impacts to the secondary product(s). The second misconception stipulates that substitution is not coherent with the state‐descriptive characteristic of ALCA. We conclude that we can describe a given system as resulting from an inferred (substitution) change, rather than as disrupted by this change. Finally, we discuss the choice of the substituted technology, and argue there is a logic to marginal substitution in ALCA. We therefore recommend accepting substitution modeling in ALCA.
The miR159a‐DUO1 module regulates pollen development by modulating auxin biosynthesis and starch metabolism in citrus
Authors: Xu Yanhui , Tian Wenxiu , Yin Minqiang , Cai Zhenmei , Zhang Li , Yuan Deyi , Yi Hualin , Wu Juxun
Published: April 2024

Achieving seedlessness in citrus varieties is one of the important objectives of citrus breeding. Male sterility associated with abnormal pollen development is an important factor in seedlessness. However, our understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying the seedlessness phenotype in citrus is still limited. Here, we determined that the miR159a‐DUO1 module played an important role in regulating pollen development in citrus, which further indirectly modulated seed development and fruit size. Both the overexpression of csi‐miR159a and the knocking out of DUO1 in Hong Kong kumquat (Fortunella hindsii) resulted in small and seedless fruit phenotypes. Moreover, pollen was severely aborted in both transgenic lines, with arrested pollen mitotic I and abnormal pollen starch metabolism. Through additional cross‐pollination experiments, DUO1 was proven to be the key target gene for miR159a to regulate male sterility in citrus. Based on DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP‐seq), RNA‐seq, and verified interaction assays, YUC2/YUC6, SS4 and STP8 were identified as downstream target genes of DUO1, those were all positively regulated by DUO1. In transgenic F. hindsii lines, the miR159a‐DUO1 module down‐regulated the expression of YUC2/YUC6, which decreased indoleacetic acid (IAA) levels and modulated auxin signaling to repress pollen mitotic I. The miR159a‐DUO1 module reduced the expression of the starch synthesis gene SS4 and sugar transport gene STP8 to disrupt starch metabolism in pollen. Overall, this work reveals a new mechanism by which the miR159a‐DUO1 module regulates pollen development and elucidates the molecular regulatory network underlying male sterility in citrus.
Embodiment for Spatial Metaphors of Abstract Concepts Differs Across Languages in Chinese–English Bilinguals
Authors: Wei Yu Fen , Yang Wen Wen , Oppenheim Gary , Hu Jie Hui , Thierry Guillaume
Published: April 2024

Embodied cognition posits that processing concepts requires sensorimotor activation. Previous research has shown that perceived power is spatially embodied along the vertical axis. However, it is unclear whether such mapping applies equally in the two languages of bilinguals. Using event‐related potentials, we compared spatial embodiment correlates in participants reporting the source of auditory words as being presented from above or below their sitting position. English bilinguals responded faster for congruent presentations of high‐power words (presented above) but not for congruent presentations of low‐power words (presented below) in both languages. Low‐power words together also failed to modulate N400 amplitude or interact with language. However, follow‐up analyses on high‐power words showed congruency effects on N400 amplitude in Chinese but not in English. Finally, English controls showed no effect. This suggests that spatial embodiment differs across languages in bilinguals, but the roles of culture and proficiency require further research.
Trajectory of gestational weight gain is related to birthweight: The TAWS cohort study in China
Authors: Wang Jie , Li Jun , Yang Zhenyu , Duan Yifan , Li Fang , Zhou Pinjiao , Lai Jianqiang
Published: April 2024

Few studies have reported the timing and amount of gestational weight gain (GWG) to prevent large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA) or small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA). This study aimed to evaluate the association of GWG velocity in each trimester with LGA or SGA based on data from the Taicang and Wuqiang cohort study (TAWS, n = 2008). We used a linear mixed model to evaluate the association of trimester‐specific GWG velocity with birthweight categories and stratified by prepregnancy body mass index category and parity. For normal‐weight pregnant women, mothers with LGA births had higher GWG velocities than mothers with appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) births in the first trimester (0.108 vs. 0.031 kg/week, p < 0.01), second trimester (0.755 vs. 0.631 kg/week, p < 0.01) and third trimester (0.664 vs. 0.594 kg/week, p < 0.01); in contrast, mothers with SGA births had lower GWG velocities than mothers with AGA births in the second trimester (0.528 vs. 0.631 kg/week, p < 0.01) and third trimester (0.541 vs. 0.594 kg/week, p < 0.01). For normal‐weight pregnant women with AGA births, multiparous women had lower GWG velocities than primiparous women in the second (0.602 vs. 0.643 kg/week, p < 0.01) and third trimesters (0.553 vs. 0.606 kg/week, p < 0.01). Therefore, for normal‐weight women, LGA prevention would begin in early pregnancy and continue until delivery and the second and third trimesters may be critical periods for preventing SGA; in addition, among normal‐weight pregnant women with AGA births, multiparous women tend to have lower weight gain velocities than primiparous women.
Molecular characterization of hypermucoviscous carbapenemase‐encoding Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from an Egyptian hospital
Authors: Ragheb Suzan Mohammed , Osei Sekyere John
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to screen antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in carbapenem‐resistant hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from an Egyptian hospital. Among 38 previously confirmed carbapenem‐nonsusceptible K. pneumoniae isolates, a string test identified three isolates as positive for hypermucoviscosity. Phenotypic characterization and molecular detection of carbapenemase‐ and virulence‐encoding genes were performed. PCR‐based multilocus sequence typing and phylogenetics were used to determine the clonality and global epidemiology of the strains. The coexistence of virulence and resistance genes in the isolates was analyzed statistically using a chi‐square test. Three isolates showed the presence of carbapenemase‐encoding genes (blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaIMP), adhesion genes (fim‐H‐1 and mrkD), and siderophore genes (entB); the isolates belonged to sequence types (STs) 101, 1310, and 1626. The relatedness between these sequence types and the sequence types of globally detected hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae that also harbor carbapenemases was determined. Our analysis showed that the resistance and virulence profiles were not homogenous. Phylogenetically, different clones clustered together. There was no significant association between the presence of resistance and virulence genes in the isolates. There is a need for periodic surveillance of the healthcare settings in Egypt and globally to understand the true epidemiology of carbapenem‐resistant, hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae.