bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E‐cigarette use and conventional cigarette smoking among European students: findings from the 2019 ESPAD survey
Authors: Cerrai Sonia , Benedetti Elisa , Colasante Emanuela , Scalese Marco , Gorini Giuseppe , Gallus Silvano , Molinaro Sabrina
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims

Representative data on e‐cigarette use among European adolescents are scant. This study reports current vaping and tobacco smoking individual and country‐specific correlates among European students.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey: 2019 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) collecting data on risk behaviours on a representative sample of 16‐year‐old students.

Setting

A total of 35 European countries, 25–30 with Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) and TCS components

Participants

A total of 99 648 students (49.1% males) turning 16 years in the survey year.

Measurements

Data on current cigarette and e‐cigarette use were gathered through a self‐administered questionnaire which also collected socio‐demographics and individual and family characteristics. ESPAD data were integrated with country‐level data on TCS and selected TCS parameters to assess their association with the prevalence of current cigarette and e‐cigarette use.

Findings

Of the 99 648 participating students, 12.4% were current e‐cigarette users, from 5.5% in Serbia to 41.4% in Monaco; 19.3% current smokers, from 5.1% in Iceland to 32.4% in Italy. Compared with non‐users, current e‐cigarette users less frequently came from an average well‐off family [odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80–0.90] and lived in countries with higher cigarette prices (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.50–0.99), restrictive measures on tobacco advertising and promotion (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.63–0.99) and intermediate implementation of tobacco control measures (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.38–0.85). Current vapers were more frequently life ever smokers (OR = 7.31, 95% CI = 6.47–8.25), were early smokers (OR = 4.35, 95% CI = 3.66–5.17), males (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.55–1.67), from non‐traditional families (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.34–1.53), with relatively low parental education (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10–1.20). Compared with non‐smokers, current smokers had similar family characteristics to vapers, and were less likely to live in countries with higher cigarette prices (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.49–0.99) and higher spending on public anti‐tobacco media campaigns (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.10–0.50).

Conclusions

E‐cigarette use among European adolescents is associated with weaker tobacco control measures, particularly on tobacco price, advertising and promotion. Besides preventing tobacco smoking, the adoption of governmental tobacco control policies in European countries also seems to contribute to the prevention of vaping among adolescents.
Inferior alveolar nerve injury due to the extrusion of calcium hydroxide during endodontic treatment: A case report
Authors: Kasapoğlu Metin Berk , Doğancalı Gülce Ecem
Published: June 2022

Although many materials are used for root canal fillings in endodontic treatment, calcium hydroxide has been preferred for many years due to its bactericidal effect and biocompatibility. Calcium hydroxide can be applied in more than one form. In this case study, calcium hydroxide in viscous form, applied into the root canal during endodontic treatment, overflowed from the apical part of the tooth to the inferior alveolar nerve canal. Postoperative paraesthesia was observed in the patient. Dental volumetric tomography was performed to study the extent of sealer in the inferior alveolar nerve canal. Considering the short resorption time of the calcium hydroxide paste, no surgical intervention was performed on the patient. After 6 months, the root canal material was completely resorbed, and paraesthesia decreased. At the 3‐year follow‐up, the patient's paraesthesia had completely disappeared.
Working length determination in primary teeth pulpectomy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Paradiso Daniele , Tullio Antonio , Bensi Caterina
Published: June 2022

The present meta‐analysis aimed to describe the methods to determine the working length in primary teeth pulpectomy, also evaluating and comparing their reliability. A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA Statement. The electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. After the screening protocol, a number of 14 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, while seven were included in the quantitative one. The mean working length determined by the electronic apex locator was 11.8 mm (9.0–15.55), while 12.42 mm (11.0–13.52) and 12.3 mm (9.73–15.93) were the mean working length observed with the conventional radiography and the digital radiography, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected in quantitative analysis between the investigated methods. The present meta‐analysis showed that electronic apex locator, conventional radiography and digital radiography are similar in determining working length in primary teeth.
ICTs to address information inefficiencies in food supply chains
Authors: Van Campenhout Bjorn
Published: June 2022

In developing countries, incomplete and/or asymmetric information contributes to inefficiencies in food supply chains. Various products and services have emerged that rely on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to facilitate information flows between agro‐input providers, farmers, traders, and consumers. However, not all initiatives are equally effective and many struggle to reach scale. In this article, I review some of the earlier services that generally targeted farmers with price information to reduce search costs and increase their bargaining power vis‐a‐vis traders. I reflect on the reasons why these initiatives often led to disappointing results and provide examples of (complementary) interventions that look more promising. Furthermore, I highlight some of the dangers of relying too much on ICT‐mediated information, such as exclusionary networks, bias in crowdsourced data, and “fake news.” Finally, I explore why ICT applications that address information inefficiencies seem to be less successful than innovations that address other barriers to efficient and inclusive food supply chain development, such as risk or credit constraints.
Undocumented invasive exotic woody plants of Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
Authors: Kalema James , Bukenya Ahmad , Sande Eric , Olupot William
Published: June 2022

Invasive exotic species are problematic to biodiversity conservation. However, the knowledge of exotic invaders in tropical forests remains limited. Lessons from sites elsewhere suggest that the problem could be worse than is known. To increase our understanding of this problem, we surveyed exotic woody plants in Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. The site has a long history of anthropogenic disturbance. Seven woody exotic species were encountered, three of which had population structures indicative of invasiveness and distributions suggestive of the early stages of invasion. One of these species Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby was localised to an 8.6 ha site north of the reserve. Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels occurred mainly in an 8.7 ha patch south of the reserve, while Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. was more widely distributed. T. superba has been reported to be invasive in two other countries, but it is not yet clear whether or not the reported invasions are occurring in protected forests. A. heterophyllus is reported to be invasive in various countries, yet rarely quantitatively demonstrated outside the Brazilian Atlantic forests. S. spectabilis is a common invasive in forests throughout the tropics, and this is the first report of its invasiveness in this reserve.
The behaviour and fate of translocated bull African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) into a novel environment
Authors: Tiller Lydia N. , King Lucy E. , Okita‐Ouma Benson , Lala Fredrick , Pope Frank , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain , Thouless Chris R.
Published: June 2022

Translocation of elephants is used to mitigate human‐elephant conflict in Asia and Africa. However, few studies investigate how translocations affect the movements and social behaviour of individuals following their release, which may have important implications for whether translocated animals survive and succeed. Using GPS‐tracking data, we explored movements of five translocated bull elephants (Loxodonta africana) moved to Tsavo, Kenya, and compared them with five resident bull elephants. Position data was collected hourly for 1 year (March 2018–March 2019), and analysed to investigate home range, displacement rates, problematic behaviour and group size. Of the five translocated elephants, three were illegally killed and one continued to break fences and raid crops. Only one elephant stayed away from human settlement. We found group size and composition to be significantly different, with translocated elephants observed in smaller groups with no female elephant interactions. All elephants showed variation in home ranges and displacement rates, but differences were not significant between resident and translocated elephant groups. For future translocations, we recommend careful consideration of elephant social systems, elephant age, timing, release site and proximity to human settlements that might create human‐elephant conflict. This will improve chance for success of such high‐stake and expensive translocations.
Dysregulated serum and seminal plasma levels of surfactant protein D and MCP‐1 in men with genital tract infection/inflammation
Authors: Subedi Rambhadur , Rokade Sushama , Surve Suchitra , Patil Anushree , Kulkarni Vijay , Gajbhiye Rahul K. , Madan Taruna
Published: June 2022

Problem

Surfactant protein D (SP‐D), a multimeric collectin expressed by testicular mucosal epithelia and is positively regulated by testosterone. It exerts antimicrobial effects, modulates inflammation and rescued spermatogenesis in a murine model. Various cytokines and chemokines, including MCP‐1, play a key role in regulating the inflammation in rat and human testis. The study aimed to investigate the role of SP‐D and involvement of chemokines and cytokines in the male infertility associated with urogenital infections or inflammation.

Method of study

The cross‐sectional study evaluated levels of SP‐D, testosterone, estradiol and the cytokines/chemokines including MCP‐1 in the serum and semen samples of fertile and infertile Indian men with and without urogenital infections/inflammation (n = 76).

Results

Both fertile and infertile males with urogenital infection/inflammation had significantly lower levels of SP‐D and higher levels of the chemokine, Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) in the serum and seminal plasma. Seminal plasma of these males exhibited significantly higher proportion of proteolytically degraded forms of SP‐D. The serum SP‐D levels positively correlated with testosterone/estradiol (TE) ratio. There was no significant correlation between the SP‐D levels in seminal plasma and sperm count/motility. With a significant area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, the serum and seminal plasma SP‐D levels exhibited significant potential to predict infertility with high sensitivity and specificity in men with genital infections/inflammation.

Conclusions

The circulating and seminal plasma SP‐D levels were decreased in men with urogenital infection and inflammation. This could be due to their engagement at the site of infection, dysregulated expression owing to the altered hormonal profile and increased proteolytic degradation.
Significant familial clustering of Peyronie's disease in close and distant relatives
Authors: Allen‐Brady Kristina L. , Christensen Michael B. , Sandberg Ashlynn D. , Pastuszak Alexander W.
Published: June 2022

Background

Peyronie's disease (PD) has previously been observed to co‐aggregate in a small number of first‐degree relative pairs (e.g., father–son). However, the familial aggregation of PD in more distant relatives, as well as the aggregation of Dupuytren's disease (DD) in probands and relatives, has not been thoroughly investigated.

Objective

This study explored the evidence for familial clustering of PD and DD in close and distant relatives.

Materials and methods

The Utah Population Database, which includes genealogy information linked to electronic medical records (available since 1995), was used to identify men and their relatives with PD and DD based on ICD9/10 codes. All cases were required to have high‐quality genealogy data. We estimated relative risk (RR) of PD and DD in first‐ through fifth‐degree relatives compared to matched population rates of disease. We also investigated the average relatedness of cases compared to the average relatedness of sets of matched controls. Outcome measures include estimation of relative risk and excessive relatedness as measured by a Genealogical Index of Familiality (GIF) analysis.

Results

We analyzed 307 individuals with PD, and their first‐ through fifth‐degree relatives. Approximately 0.12% of the population had PD, 95% of these were diagnosed over the age of 30 years (age range: 10–92 years), and 1.3% of PD probands had a comorbid diagnosis of DD. RR estimates for PD were significant for first‐ and fifth‐degree relatives. RR estimates for DD were significant only for probands. The average relatedness of cases was significantly greater than matched controls, even after removing first‐ and second‐degree relatives. We also found that 74.9% of identified PD probands belonged to pedigrees with a statistical excess of PD.

Conclusion

Despite the low prevalence of PD in our healthcare records, the results provide evidence that support a genetic contribution to at least a subset of PD cases.
Pathological predictors of 18F‐DCFPyL prostate‐specific membrane antigen‐positive recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Perry Elisa , Talwar Arpit , Taubman Kim , Ng Michael , Wong Lih‐Ming , Sutherland Tom R.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To assess the correlation of pathological radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen features and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) characteristics to imaging findings on subsequent 18F‐DCFPyL positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with biochemical failure (BF).

Patients and Methods

Retrospective analysis of combined 18F‐DCFPyL PET/CT database of patients from centres in Australia and New Zealand was performed. A total of 205 patients presenting with BF after RP were included in this study. Imaging findings on 18F‐DCFPyL PET/CT were recorded and correlated with the PSA characteristics at BF and pathological features of the original tumour.

Results

Of the 205 patients, 120 (58.5%) had evidence of abnormal prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression compatible with recurrent prostate cancer. Increasing PSA velocity (P = 0.01), International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade Group (P = 0.02), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.05) and nodal positivity (P = 0.02) at the time of RP were more likely to demonstrate PSMA positivity. Multivariable logistic regression revealed a higher PSA level prior to PSMA PET/CT (P < 0.01), adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.09), Gleason score ≥8 (P < 0.01) and nodal positivity (P = 0.05) were all predictive of PSMA positivity.

Conclusion

18F‐DCFPyL PET/CT positivity, both generally and site specific, correlates with PSA and RP pathological factors. Our results echo cohorts focussing on post‐RP patients, those imaged with 68Ga‐PSMA and those concerning biochemical persistence. Nomograms that include risk factors for ‘PSMA‐positive recurrence’ in the BF population may increase the catchment of patients with disease confined to the prostate bed or pelvis who have a greater probability of prolonged disease‐free survival.
Purifying Suffrage: The Conservative Attack on Voter Registration in Pre‐Violencia Colombia
Authors: Cronshaw Francine
Published: June 2022

This article aims to contribute to the new electoral history by examining a specific practice of democracy, the voter registration card, known in Colombia as the citizenship card (cédula). After pursuing the themes of electoral reform and universal suffrage in a broader sense, the article outlines the card's history from its inception in 1929 to its role in the polemics over electoral corruption by the Conservative Party, which ranged over the period before the Violencia. While national‐level politics are emphasised, the impact of the card at the municipal level also is suggested, as the critical link between the national and the local.
Scutellarein attenuates atopic dermatitis by selectively inhibiting transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 channels
Authors: Wang Yujing , Tan Liaoxi , Jiao Kejun , Xue Chu , Tang Qinglian , Jiang Shan , Ren Younan , Chen Hao , El‐Aziz Tarek Mohamed Abd , Abdelazeem Khalid N. M. , Yu Ye , Zhao Fang , Zhu Michael X. , Cao Zhengyu
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory cutaneous diseases with unmet clinical needs. As a common ingredient found in several medicinal herbs with efficacy on cutaneous inflammatory diseases, Scutellarein (Scu) has been shown to possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proliferative activities. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Scu against AD and its underlying molecular mechanism.

Experimental Approach

Efficacy of Scu on AD was evaluated in 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and carvacrol‐induced dermatitis mouse models. Cytokine mRNA and serum IgE levels were examined using qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Voltage clamp recordings were used to measure currents mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. In silico docking, site‐direct mutagenesis, and covalent modification were used to explore the binding pocket of Scu on TRPV3.

Key Results

Subcutaneous administration of Scu efficaciously suppresses DNFB and carvacrol‐induced pruritus, epidermal hyperplasia and skin inflammation in wild type mice but has no additional benefit in Trpv3 knockout mice in the carvacrol model. Scu is a potent and selective TRPV3 channel allosteric negative modulator with an apparent affinity of 1.18 μM. Molecular docking coupled with site‐direct mutagenesis and covalent modification of incorporated cysteine residues demonstrate that Scu targets the cavity formed between the pore helix and transmembrane helix S6. Moreover, Scu attenuates endogenous TRPV3 activity in human keratinocytes and inhibits carvacrol‐induced proliferative and proinflammatory responses.

Conclusion and Implications

Collectively, these data demonstrate that Scu ameliorates carvacrol‐induced skin inflammation by directly inhibiting TRPV3, and TRPV3 represents a viable therapeutic target for AD treatment.
A global synthesis of ecosystem services provided and disrupted by freshwater bivalve molluscs
Authors: Zieritz Alexandra , Sousa Ronaldo , Aldridge David C. , Douda Karel , Esteves Eduardo , Ferreira‐Rodríguez Noé , Mageroy Jon H. , Nizzoli Daniele , Osterling Martin , Reis Joaquim , Riccardi Nicoletta , Daill Daniel , Gumpinger Clemens , Vaz Ana Sofia
Published: June 2022

Identification of ecosystem services, i.e. the contributions that ecosystems make to human well‐being, has proven instrumental in galvanising public and political support for safeguarding biodiversity and its benefits to people. Here we synthesise the global evidence on ecosystem services provided and disrupted by freshwater bivalves, a heterogenous group of >1200 species, including some of the most threatened (in Unionida) and invasive (e.g. Dreissena polymorpha) taxa globally. Our systematic literature review resulted in a data set of 904 records from 69 countries relating to 24 classes of provisioning (N = 189), cultural (N = 491) and regulating (N = 224) services following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). Prominent ecosystem services included (i) the provisioning of food, materials and medicinal products, (ii) knowledge acquisition (e.g. on water quality, past environments and historical societies), ornamental and other cultural contributions, and (iii) the filtration, sequestration, storage and/or transformation of biological and physico‐chemical water properties. About 9% of records provided evidence for the disruption rather than provision of ecosystem services. Synergies and trade‐offs of ecosystem services were observed. For instance, water filtration by freshwater bivalves can be beneficial for the cultural service ‘biomonitoring’, while negatively or positively affecting food consumption or human recreation. Our evidence base spanned a total of 91 genera and 191 species, dominated by Unionida (55% of records, 76% of species), Veneroida (21 and 9%, respectively; mainly Corbicula spp.) and Myoida (20 and 4%, respectively; mainly Dreissena spp.). About one third of records, predominantly from Europe and the Americas, related to species that were non‐native to the country of study. The majority of records originated from Asia (35%), with available evidence for 23 CICES classes, as well as Europe (29%) and North America (23%), where research was largely focused on ‘biomonitoring’. Whilst the earliest record (from 1949) originated from North America, since 2000, annual output of records has increased rapidly in Asia and Europe. Future research should focus on filling gaps in knowledge in lesser‐studied regions, including Africa and South America, and should look to provide a quantitative valuation of the socio‐economic costs and benefits of ecosystem services shaped by freshwater bivalves.
Pakistani orphanage caregivers' perspectives regarding their caregiving abilities, personal and orphan children's psychological wellbeing
Authors: Khalid Amina , Morawska Alina , Turner Karen M. T.
Published: June 2022

Background

Pakistan is home to 4.6 million children who have been orphaned. Limited data on caregiving in orphanages suggests that caregivers do not have specialized training and experience heavy workloads and high‐stress levels. Supporting these caregivers to provide responsive and consistent caregiving can improve their well‐being along with the psychological and physical development of children who have been orphaned. This research explored the main caregiving‐related challenges faced by caregivers in orphanage settings, their professional and personal needs and perceived emotional and behavioural problems manifesting in children under their care.

Method

This research adopted a qualitative research design with a thematic analysis approach. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 caregivers who were currently caring for four to 12‐year‐old children in Pakistani orphanages.

Results

Five main themes: (1) religiosity, (2) economic relief, (3) caregivers' needs and well‐being, (4) caring for children who have been orphaned and (5) need for context specific training, emerged from the data, which included several subthemes. Findings revealed the presence of positive religious views regarding the upbringing and care of children who have been orphaned. Work‐provided accommodation was an important economic relief. Caregivers' psychological, physiological and personal lives were affected by job‐related stress and demands. Many helpful and unhelpful parenting practices were documented, and challenges such as children's verbal and physical aggression, stealing, non‐cooperation and poor social skills were reported. The main professional issues included low salary, high numbers of children in care and lack of context specific professional caregiving training provided.

Conclusion

This study established the need for a tailored programme that suits the context specific caregiving needs in Pakistani orphanages to support the training and professional growth of caregivers and promote their wellbeing along with positive developmental outcomes in the children under their care.
Ileo‐rectal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis—Long‐term outcome, failure and risk of cancer at a tertiary centre
Authors: Berghog John , Hermanson Maria , de la Croix Hanna , Bengtson Jonas , Block Mattias
Published: June 2022

Aim

Ileo‐rectal anastomosis (IRA) is an option to restore bowel continuity after colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Concerns that the remaining rectum may serve as a site for continuing proctitis with subsequent poor function and IRA failure and the fear of development of dysplasia and cancer have led to the abandonment of IRA in large parts of the world. This study investigated the outcome of IRA in a large patient cohort with UC and IRA with regard to failure of IRA and development of dysplasia and cancer.

Methods

This was a retrospective data gathering of patients with UC and IRA enrolled at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Surgical Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, 1972–2019. End‐points were IRA failure, rectal dysplasia and cancer. IRA survival analysis and the cumulative probability of rectal cancer were calculated.

Results

In total, 183 patients (121 men) were included in the study. The IRA failure rate was 34% and the estimated cumulative IRA failure rates were 25% and 35% at 5 and 10 years respectively. Four patients developed rectal cancer and the estimated cumulative probability of rectal cancer was 3% and 6% at 10 and 15 years respectively.

Conclusion

Ileo‐rectal anastomosis remains a restorative option after colectomy for UC, even if the failure rate raises some concern. Further knowledge is needed for optimal patient selection to avoid early IRA failures. With increasing probability of rectal cancer over time a vigilant surveillance protocol is mandatory.
How can the European Common Agricultural Policy help halt biodiversity loss? Recommendations by over 300 experts
Authors: Pe'er Guy , Finn John A. , Díaz Mario , Birkenstock Maren , Lakner Sebastian , Röder Norbert , Kazakova Yanka , Šumrada Tanja , Bezák Peter , Concepción Elena D. , Dänhardt Juliana , Morales Manuel B. , Rac Ilona , Špulerová Jana , Schindler Stefan , Stavrinides Menelaos , Targetti Stefano , Viaggi Davide , Vogiatzakis Ioannis N. , Guyomard Hervé
Published: June 2022

The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has not halted farmland biodiversity loss. The CAP post‐2023 has a new ‘‘Green Architecture,’’ including the new ‘‘Eco‐scheme’’ instrument. How can this new Green Architecture help tackle the biodiversity crisis? Through 13 workshops and an online survey, over 300 experts from 23 European Member States addressed this question.

From experts’ contributions, key principles for success include preserving and restoring (semi)natural elements and extensive grasslands; improving spatial planning and landscape‐scale implementation, including through collective actions; implementing result‐based approaches; and improved knowledge exchange. To maximize the effectiveness of Eco‐scheme for biodiversity, experts highlighted the need to prioritize evidence‐based actions, allocate a sufficient budget for biodiversity, and incentivize management improvements through higher payment levels. Additionally, stronger coherence is needed among CAP instruments.

For effective CAP implementation, the European Commission and the Member States should expand investments in biodiversity monitoring, knowledge transfer, and capacity‐building within relevant institutions. The remaining risks in the CAP's ability to reverse the loss of farmland biodiversity still require better design, closer monitoring, greater transparency, and better engagement with farmers. Additionally, greater involvement of scientists is needed to guide the CAP toward restoring farmland biodiversity while accounting for synergies and trade‐offs with other objectives.
Self‐reported marijuana use and its effects on overall approval in potential living kidney donors
Authors: Cholin Liza K. , Delvalle Christina L. , Fatica Richard A. , Huml Anne M. , Augustine Joshua J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Past and present substance use is an important part of the psychosocial evaluation of potential living kidney donors (LKDs). Increasing state legalizations and social acceptance of marijuana (MJ) use can create challenges for transplant centers.

Methods

We investigated the frequency of reporting MJ use, and its effect on the LKD evaluation. A retrospective chart review was performed on all living donor candidates from December 2016 to December 2019 for reports of MJ use, both on an electronic intake form and during clinical evaluation with a licensed social worker (SW). Active MJ use was defined as current use or use within 1 year of evaluation. Baseline characteristics between MJ users and non‐users were compared at each step of donor evaluation. We explored variables associated with MJ use including additional consults and testing during the donor evaluation. Overall approval and donation rates for living donors with active MJ use were compared to non‐users. Additionally, 1‐year donor follow‐up was compared between the two groups. Results of 1818 living donor candidates who completed the intake form, 132 admitted to active MJ use. Compared to non‐users, MJ users were more likely to be younger, male, single, renting a home, and with a lower level of education. Thirty three out of 338 candidates who completed a social work evaluation reported MJ use. Compared to non‐users, MJ users were more frequently classified as moderate or high risk on SW evaluation, and often required a toxicology screen or psychiatry visit for clearance to donate. Altogether 24.2% of MJ users versus 9.5% of non‐users discontinued their evaluation (p < .01). Altogether 42.4% of MJ users versus 56.1% of non‐users donated their kidney (p = .13). For those who donated, MJ users were less likely than non‐users to follow up at 1 year (57.1% vs. 83.0, p‐value .02).

Conclusion

MJ users were often asked to complete additional steps in their evaluation before an approval decision was made, which may have led to the higher rate of donor drop out observed in this group. Further research is needed to assess the effects of MJ use on living donor candidacy, as well as any effects of MJ use on long‐term donor outcomes.
Strategic sourcing of multicomponent software systems: The case of electronic medical records
Authors: Wowak Kaitlin D. , Handley Sean , Kelley Ken , Angst Corey M.
Published: June 2022

The significance of information technology (IT) to organizational performance is increasingly acknowledged by senior executives and scholars alike. However, an important aspect that is underdeveloped in the extant literature is whether and how an organization's IT sourcing strategy affects performance. We examine this dimension in the context of hospitals’ sourcing strategy for electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Leveraging the organization‐IT alignment principle grounded in contingency theory, we argue that the sourcing strategy chosen by hospitals impacts the quality of patient care rendered and that the nature of this relationship has changed over time. Using data on US hospitals that operated continuously from 2006 to 2013 and employing a multilevel longitudinal modeling framework to analyze change over time, we examine how a key dimension of the sourcing strategy for EMR systems—change in closeness to single‐sourcing—impacts conformance quality, a critical measure of hospital performance that assesses how frequently hospitals comply with evidence‐based practices. We find that a change closer to single‐sourcing is positively associated with conformance quality, but this positive effect is reduced over time, meaning that the benefits realized by hospitals using a single‐sourcing approach diminish toward the end of our observation period. As explicated in our discussion of results, findings from our research reveal critical insights about how sourcing decisions impact performance, and how these effects evolve over time due to changes in regulations, technology, and competition.
Tracking transitional probabilities and segmenting auditory sequences are dissociable processes in adults and neonates
Authors: Benjamin Lucas , Fló Ana , Palu Marie , Naik Shruti , Melloni Lucia , Dehaene‐Lambertz Ghislaine
Published: June 2022

Since speech is a continuous stream with no systematic boundaries between words, how do pre‐verbal infants manage to discover words? A proposed solution is that they might use the transitional probability between adjacent syllables, which drops at word boundaries. Here, we tested the limits of this mechanism by increasing the size of the word‐unit to four syllables, and its automaticity by testing asleep neonates. Using markers of statistical learning in neonates’ EEG, compared to adult behavioral performances in the same task, we confirmed that statistical learning is automatic enough to be efficient even in sleeping neonates. We also revealed that: (1) Successfully tracking transition probabilities (TP) in a sequence is not sufficient to segment it. (2) Prosodic cues, as subtle as subliminal pauses, enable to recover words segmenting capacities. (3) Adults’ and neonates’ capacities to segment streams seem remarkably similar despite the difference of maturation and expertise. Finally, we observed that learning increased the overall similarity of neural responses across infants during exposure to the stream, providing a novel neural marker to monitor learning. Thus, from birth, infants are equipped with adult‐like tools, allowing them to extract small coherent word‐like units from auditory streams, based on the combination of statistical analyses and auditory parsing cues.

Research Highlights

Successfully tracking transitional probabilities in a sequence is not always sufficient to segment it.

Word segmentation solely based on transitional probability is limited to bi‐ or tri‐syllabic elements.

Prosodic cues, as subtle as subliminal pauses, enable to recover chunking capacities in sleeping neonates and awake adults for quadriplets.
Prevalence and temporal trends of cerebral palsy in children born from 2002 to 2017 in Ontario, Canada: Population‐based cohort study
Authors: Ahmed Asma , Rosella Laura C. , Oskoui Maryam , Watson Tristan , Yang Seungmi
Published: June 2022

Aim

To examine the prevalence and temporal trends of cerebral palsy (CP) overall and by population characteristics.

Method

We identified 2 110 177 live births born in the province of Ontario, Canada, between 2002 and 2017 using administrative health data and estimated CP prevalence in children aged 0 to 16 years overall and by specific population characteristics. We also examined temporal trends in CP rates – overall and by characteristics – in young children (0–4 years) by their year of birth between 2002 and 2013 (n=1 587 087 live births) to allow for an equal follow‐up time (4 years and 364 days) for all children.

Results

Overall CP prevalence among children aged 0 to 16 years was 2.52 (95% confidence interval 2.45–2.59) per 1000 live births. CP rates in ages 0 to 4 years peaked at 2.86 in 2007 births, but steadily declined afterwards to 1.94 per 1000 live births in 2013. CP rates were higher in children born preterm, small for gestational age, males, multiples, children with congenital malformations, and in children of young (<20 years), old (≥40 years), primiparous, or grand multiparous (≥4) mothers; differences by these characteristics decreased over time. We observed socioeconomic disparities in CP rates that persisted over time.

Interpretation

Despite the decreasing trend of CP rates overall, CP rates varied by the child and maternal characteristics over time.

What this paper adds

Overall cerebral palsy (CP) prevalence was 2.5 per 1000 live births among children born from 2002 to 2017.

CP prevalence peaked in children born in 2007 then steadily decreased between 2007 and 2013.

Changes in CP rates varied over time by child and maternal characteristics.

Socioeconomic inequalities in CP persisted and remained stable over the study period.
Gender differences in bicuspid aortic valve Sievers types, valvulopathy, aortopathy, and outcome of aortic valve replacement
Authors: Li Yijia , Chen Xiongwen , Qi Yue , Qu Yichen , Kumar Akshay , Dong Songbo , Yang Yan , Zhao Qiong
Published: June 2022

Background

The gender difference of the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is not well understood.

Objectives

We evaluated the impact of gender on the Sievers types, valvulopathy, aortopathy, and outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) of BAV patients in a cohort of Chinese patients.

Methods

Among 992 BAV patients without aortic dissection nor congenital heart disease, 658 underwent AVR. The demography, Sievers types, valvulopathy, aortopathy, and outcomes of AVR were compared between genders.

Results

Aortic regurgitation (AR ≥ 2+) (39.0% vs. 12.8%, p < .001), aortic root dilation only (3.8% vs. .8%, p = .014), and diffuse dilation (25.3% vs. 4.3%, p < .001) were more common in men, while moderate to severe aortic stenosis (AS) (21.3% vs. 45.7%, p < .001) and ascending dilation only (46.2% vs. 61.2%, p < .001) were more common in women. Men were more prone to develop preoperative AR ≥ 2+ (OR = 5.15, p < .001), moderate to severe AS + AR ≥ 2 + (OR = 2.95, p = .001), and Diffuse aortic dilation (OR = 3.91, p < .001). Sievers types did not have a significant effect on valvular dysfunction. Gender didn't predict early adverse events after AVR (n = 90) (HR = 1.21, p = .44), but male gender predicted a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% after AVR (OR = 3.07, p = .03).

Conclusions

In this BAV series of Chinese patients, gender didn't differ significantly in Sievers types of BAV but showed significant differences in valvulopathy, aortopathy, and LV function after AVR. In addition, the male patients developed more severe conditions at a younger age.
Efficacy and safety of regimens used for the treatment of multicentric Castleman disease: A systematic review
Authors: Rehman Mohammad Ebad Ur , Chattaraj Asmi , Neupane Karun , Rafae Abdul , Saeed Sajeel , Basit Jawad , Ibrahim Atif , Khouri Jack , Mukherjee Sudipto , Anwer Faiz
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Treatment options for multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) remain limited. The only FDA‐approved drug is siltuximab for idiopathic MCD (iMCD), but the response rate with siltuximab is less than 50%. We performed a systematic review to examine the efficacy and safety of various regimens used for the treatment of MCD.

Methods

A database search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Clinicaltrials.gov using the terms “Castleman disease,” “treatment outcome,” and “patient safety” was done.

Results and Conclusions

Results from a randomized controlled trial and an extension study highlighted the efficacy and long‐term safety of siltuximab for iMCD; other trials showed tocilizumab to be a suitable alternative. A recent trial reported high response rates with thalidomide in iMCD patients. Promising results were reported for bortezomib in relapsed/ refractory MCD. For human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV8)‐associated MCD, rituximab along with doxorubicin therapy followed by maintenance with zidovudine and valganciclovir is the most effective therapy. A single‐arm trial has highlighted the potential role of tocilizumab in HHV8‐MCD. Data for these regimens are limited and mostly comprise nonrandomized trials. Further research on emerging agents could have a major impact on the treatment of this rare disease.
Effects of soil internal forces on splash detachment and transport of aggregate fragments in Mollisols of Northeast China
Authors: Ma Ren‐tian , Guo Weizhen , Hu Fei‐Nan , Xu Chen‐Yang , Liu Gang , Zhao Shi‐wei , Zheng Fen‐li
Published: June 2022

Soil internal forces can affect aggregate breakdown, and then impact splash detachment and transport of aggregate fragments. However, currently, the processes of soil splash detachment and transport under different soil internal forces are still not fully understood. Thus, to determine the effects of soil internal forces on the splash transport process, two soils (Binxian soil and Keshan soil) in the Mollisols (black soil) of Northeast China were selected to analyse the detachment and transport characteristics of aggregate fragments under different splash distances (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm) through simulated rainfall experiments. Different concentrations of KCl electrolyte (from 1 to 10−5 mol L−1) were employed as rainfall materials to regulate soil internal forces. The results revealed that the net pressure of soil internal forces and splash amount presented the same trend with decreasing electrolyte concentration, that is, increased initially (from 1 to 10−2 mol L−1), followed by levelling off (from 10−2 to 10−5 mol L−1). The splash amount and net pressure had an exponential relationship (p < 0.01). Under the same electrolyte concentration, Binxian soil had a higher net pressure and splash amount than Keshan soil. The splash amount for the two soils was mostly distributed at a splash distance of 0–20 cm, and it exponentially decreased with increasing splash distance (p < 0.01). An empirical expression in our study was developed to predict the splash amount (M) based on the net pressure (N) and splash distance (S). The size distribution of splashed aggregates could be affected by the net pressure of soil internal forces, the greater the net pressure, the smaller size aggregates splashed. At each splash distance, the highest mass percentage was observed for the fragments <0.053 mm and accounted for 35.5% to 82.1% of the total splash amount. This study provides valuable information to better understand the processes and mechanisms of rainfall splash erosion in the Chinese Mollisol region.

Highlights

The distribution characteristics of aggregate fragments under different soil internal forces were tested.

Relations between soil internal forces and soil aggregate detachment were determined.

The distribution of splashed aggregates size was greatly affected by soil internal forces.

Soil internal forces had important effects on splash erosion in the Mollisols of Northeast China.
Host‐use ability of a population of the herbivorous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata depending on Solanum megacarpum in northern Honshu, Japan
Authors: Fujiyama Naoyuki
Published: June 2022

Investigating the well‐established relationships between insects and novel host plants will shed light on numerous aspects of evolution and ecology of phytophagous insects. However, in these systems, it is not always clear which plants were originally used as insect hosts, and how the focal insects adapted to the original host(s), before establishing the novel insect–host relationships. Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a well‐known pest of the potato Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae), however its original host in Honshu, the main island of Japan, before the potato introduction is uncertain. A wild solanaceous weed, So. megacarpum, is the most likely candidate for the original host, although the use of this plant by H. vigintioctomaculata has never been recorded in Honshu. This study reports the occurrence of a H. vigintioctomaculata population depending almost solely on So. megacarpum at Yamagata, northern Honshu. Additionally, the host‐use ability of this population was compared to that of a pest population under laboratory conditions. Based on the results obtained, it is discussed how the properties of beetles on So. megacarpum facilitated the use of the potato, assuming that So. megacarpum was the original host of H. vigintioctomaculata in Honshu.
Subspecies differentiation and range‐wide genetic structure are driven by climate in the California gnatcatcher, a flagship species for coastal sage scrub conservation
Authors: Vandergast Amy G. , Kus Barbara E. , Wood Dustin A. , Milano Elizabeth R. , Preston Kristine L.
Published: June 2022

Understanding genetic structure and diversity within species can uncover associations with environmental and geographic attributes that highlight adaptive potential and inform conservation and management. The California gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica, is a small songbird found in desert and coastal scrub habitats from the southern end of Baja California Sur to Ventura County, California. Lack of congruence among morphological subspecies hypotheses and lack of measurable genetic structure found in a few genetic markers led to questions about the validity of subspecies within P. californica and the listing status of the coastal California gnatcatcher, P. c. californica. As a U.S. federally threatened subspecies, P. c. californica is recognized as a flagship for coastal sage scrub conservation throughout southern California. We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing to develop a genomic dataset for the California gnatcatcher. We sampled throughout the species' range, examined genetic structure, gene–environment associations, and demographic history, and tested for concordance between genetic structure and morphological subspecies groups. Our data support two distinct genetic groups with evidence of restricted movement and gene flow near the U.S.‐ Mexico international border. We found that climate‐associated outlier loci were more strongly differentiated than climate neutral loci, suggesting that local climate adaptation may have helped to drive differentiation after Holocene range expansions. Patterns of habitat loss and fragmentation are also concordant with genetic substructure throughout the southern California portion of the range. Finally, our genetic data supported the morphologically defined P. c. californica as a distinct group, but there was little evidence of genetic differentiation among other previously hypothesized subspecies in Baja California. Our data suggest that retaining and restoring connectivity, and protecting populations, particularly at the northern range edge, could help preserve existing adaptive potential to allow for future range expansion and long‐term persistence of the California gnatcatcher.
Urban affinity and its associated traits: A global analysis of bats
Authors: Wolf Janis M. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Voigt Christian C. , Itescu Yuval
Published: June 2022

Urbanization is a major contributor to the loss of biodiversity. Its rapid progress is mostly at the expense of natural ecosystems and the species inhabiting them. While some species can adjust quickly and thrive in cities, many others cannot. To support biodiversity conservation and guide management decisions in urban areas, it is important to find robust methods to estimate the urban affinity of species (i.e. their tendency to live in urban areas) and understand how it is associated with their traits. Since previous studies mainly relied on discrete classifications of species' urban affinity, often involving inconsistent assessments or variable parameters, their results were difficult to compare. To address this issue, we developed and evaluated a set of continuous indices that quantify species' urban affinity based on publicly available occurrence data. We investigated the extent to which a species' position along the urban affinity gradient depends on the chosen index and how this choice affects inferences about the relationship between urban affinity and a set of morphological, sensory and functional traits. While these indices are applicable to a wide range of taxonomic groups, we examined their performance using a global set of 356 bat species. As bats vary in sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbances, they provide an interesting case study. We found that different types of indices resulted in different rankings of species on the urban affinity spectrum, but this had little effect on the association of traits with urban affinity. Our results suggest that bat species predisposed to urban life are characterized by low echolocation call frequencies, relatively long call durations, small body size and flexibility in the selection of the roost type. We conclude that simple indices are appropriate and practical, and propose to apply them to more taxa to improve our understanding of how urbanization favours or filters species with particular traits.