bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in patients with advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: A single‐institution experience and review of the literature
Authors: Tang Charlene Yu Lin , Chua Wei Ming , Huang Hian Liang , Lam Winnie Wing‐Chuen , Loh Lih Ming , Tai David , Ong Simon Yew Kuang , Yan Sean Xuexian , Loke Kelvin S. H. , Ng David Chee‐Eng , Tham Wei Ying
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Despite advances in diagnosis and management, patients with advanced pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) face limited treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in patients with advanced PPGL, based on a single‐institution experience and provide a comprehensive review of the literature. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma who received PRRT at a single institution from April 2012 to March 2022. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, adverse events, and survival outcomes were assessed. A systematic literature review was also performed. Results: A total of 15 patients with advanced PPGL were included, the majority of whom had both metastatic and functional disease. Most patients received four infusions of 177Lu‐DOTATATE (73%). The median therapeutic 177Lu‐DOTATATE radioactivity for each infusion was 7.4 GBq. Only one patient was treated with one infusion of 90Y‐DOTATATE (4.2 GBq) in addition to three infusions of Lu‐177 DOTATATE. Overall, PRRT suggests a promising efficacy with disease control rate of 63.6% by RECIST v1.1. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached and the median progression free survival (PFS) was 25.9 months. In terms of safety, PRRT was well tolerated. Review of the literature revealed consistent findings, supporting the efficacy and safety of PRRT in PPGL. Conclusion: This study suggests that PRRT is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with PPGL. Our findings align with the existing literature, providing additional evidence to support the use of PRRT in this challenging patient population.
Software‐based interventions for low back pain management: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hong Se Jin , Park Jinkyung , Park Soyeon , Eze Bright , Dorsey Susan G. , Starkweather Angela , Kim Kyounghae
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Using software for self‐management interventions can improve health outcomes for individuals with low back pain, but there is a dearth of research to confirm its effectiveness. Additionally, no known research has evaluated the effective elements of software‐based interventions for low back pain self‐management components. This study aimed to synthesize the effectiveness of software‐based interventions to promote self‐management health outcomes among individuals with low back pain.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Statement, relevant studies up to July 2022 were searched via four electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science.

Results

4908 adults with low back pain who participated in 23 studies were included. Software‐based interventions were effective in reducing fear avoidance (mean difference [MD] = −0.95, 95% CI: −1.45 to −0.44), pain catastrophizing (MD = −1.31, 95% CI: −1.84 to −0.78), disability (MD = −8.21, 95% CI: −13.02 to −3.39), and pain intensity (MD = −0.86, 95% CI: −1.17 to −0.55). Specifically, interventions that included an exercise component were more effective in reducing pain and disability. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention significantly reduced fear avoidance and pain catastrophizing but had no noticeable impact on disability and pain compared to standard treatment. The certainty of the evidence in this review varied from very low to high across outcomes. The heterogeneity of the study results was significant, suggesting that future studies in this area could optimize the design, time points, measures, and outcomes to strengthen the evidence.

Conclusions

Low back pain self‐management interventions delivered through software‐based programs effectively reduce pain intensity, disability, fear avoidance, and pain catastrophizing.

Clinical Relevance

Low back pain is among the most common reasons for seeking healthcare visits. Combining exercise and counseling through soft‐based programs may effectively address this issue and its associated suffering and disability.
Revisiting the anatomy of the right ventricle in the light of knowledge of its development
Authors: Crucean Adrian , Spicer Diane E. , Tretter Justin T. , Mohun Timothy J. , Anderson Robert H.
Published: October 2023

Controversies continue regarding several aspects of the anatomy of the morphologically right ventricle. There is disagreement as to whether the ventricle should be assessed in bipartite or tripartite fashion, and the number of leaflets to be found in the tricuspid valve. In particular, there is no agreement as to whether a muscular outlet septum is present in the normally constructed heart, nor how many septal components are to be found during normal development. Resolving these issues is of potential significance to those investigating and treating children with congenitally malformed hearts. With all these issues in mind, we have revisited our own experience in investigating the development and morphology of the normal right ventricle. To assess development, we have examined a large number of datasets, prepared by both standard and episcopic microscopy, from human and murine embryos. In terms of gross anatomy, we have compared dissections of normal autopsied hearts with virtual dissections of datasets prepared using computed tomography. Our developmental and postnatal studies, taken together, confirm that the ventricle is best assessed in tripartite fashion, with the three parts representing its inlet, apical trabecular, and outlet components. The ventricular septum, however, has only muscular and membranous components. The muscular part incorporates a small component derived from the muscularised fused proximal outflow cushions, but this part cannot be distinguished from the much larger part that is incorporated within the free‐standing muscular infundibular sleeve. We confirm that the tricuspid valve itself has three components, which are located inferiorly, septally, and antero‐superiorly.
Low‐molecular‐weight collagen peptides supplement promotes a healthy skin: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Seong Seol Hwa , Lee Young In , Lee Joohee , Choi Sooyeon , Kim In Ah , Suk Jangmi , Jung Inhee , Baeg Chaemin , Kim Jinhak , Oh Dongchan , Lee Ju Hee
Published: October 2023

Background

Oral collagen peptides supplementation was reported to improve skin integrity and counteract skin aging.

Aims

A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study was conducted to clinically evaluate the impact of low‐molecular‐weight collagen peptides on the human skin.

Patients/Methods

Healthy adult participants (n = 100) were randomly assigned to receive a test product containing low‐molecular‐weight collagen peptides or a placebo. Parameters of skin wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, and whitening (melanin and erythema indexes) were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, the average skin roughness, maximum of all peak‐to‐valley values, maximum peak height of the wrinkle, and average maximum height of the wrinkle were significantly improved in the test group. Parameters of skin elasticity, including overall elasticity, net elasticity, and biological elasticity, were also significantly improved in the test group at Week 12 as compared with the placebo group. Moreover, skin hydration and whitening parameters changed more significantly in the test group than in the placebo group. None of the participants experienced adverse events related to the test product.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings suggest that low‐molecular‐weight collagen peptides supplementation can safely ehance human skin wrinkling, hydration, elasticity, and whitening properties.
Impact of caregiver relationship on self‐care in patients with Parkinson's disease: A cross‐sectional study using Riegel's theory of self‐care of chronic illness
Authors: Lee JuHee , Chung Misook Lee , Kim Eunyoung , Yoo Jee‐Hye
Published: October 2023

Aims

To explore how the characteristics of patients and caregivers affect self‐care in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Design

A multicentre cross‐sectional study.

Method

We followed the STROBE checklist. Parkinson's disease patients aged 50 years and older and their caregivers were recruited from two tertiary hospitals and the Korean Parkinson's Disease Association website. Patient characteristics, including social support, relationship quality with caregivers, self‐care efficacy and self‐care, were analysed. Caregiver characteristics were also evaluated, including caregiving duration, social support, relationship quality with patients, contribution to patients' self‐care efficacy and contribution to patients' self‐care.

Results

The characteristics of patients and caregivers (103 pairs) were hierarchically regressed into patient self‐care domains (maintenance, monitoring and management). Most patients and caregivers gave a self‐care efficacy and self‐care management rating of moderate. In three regression models, patient self‐care efficacy was positively related to three domains of patient self‐care. Self‐care maintenance decreased as patients' disease duration increased. Self‐care monitoring was positively related to the education level of patients and caregiving duration. Self‐care management showed an inverse relationship with caregiving duration and a positive relationship with caregiver contribution.

Conclusion

Self‐care efficacy was important in promoting PD patients' self‐care maintenance, monitoring and management. The contributions of caregivers were also critical in increasing PD patients' self‐care management.

Implications for the profession and patient care

To increase patients' self‐care efficacy and self‐care, educational interventions containing information about the disease, symptom management, and problem‐solving should be implemented. Since caregivers are deeply involved in patients' self‐care, educational interventions for caregivers should also be provided.

Impact

This study closed the literature gap by examining the self‐care efficacy and self‐care of Korean PD patients. Findings demonstrated the importance of caregiver roles on patients' self‐care and health.

Patient or public contribution

Two tertiary hospitals and the Korean Parkinson's Disease Association assisted during the recruitment process.
Patients' and caregivers' perceptions of the quality of hospital‐at‐home service: A scoping review
Authors: Wang Xiyi , Stewart Carolyne , Lee Geraldine
Published: October 2023

Aim

This scoping review aims to provide an overview of patients and caregivers perceptions of hospital‐at‐home (HaH) services.

Background

HaH services provide patients with hospital‐level care at home and are central to integrated healthcare systems. Despite favourable data from individual studies in the literature, in‐depth analysis from patient and caregivers perspectives is lacking. This understanding is essential for the dissemination and scaling of HaH services.

Design

The scoping review was performed using the PRISMA‐ScR checklist and PAGER framework for the findings report and research recommendations.

Method

Literature from PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane and Mednar databases were searched. Relevant studies published between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2022 were identified. The conceptual model of the development of patient perceptions of quality was used for data extraction and tabulation.

Results

The review included 24 articles. Expectation attributions were identified as needs, types of service, hospitalisation experiences, family care preferences, social‐demographics and coping skills. From patient's and caregiver's perspectives, HaH was safe, effective and viewed positively. Perceived concerns/barriers and enablers/facilitators were associated with individual, caregiver and system factors, but demonstrated an overall satisfaction in the HaH service.

Conclusion

HaH provides an excellent service according to patients' and caregivers' perceptions. However, gaps in care were identified such as prioritising patient‐centred care, along with improved multidisciplinary continuity of care and future studies should incorporate these into their research of HaH.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Patients' and caregivers' HaH needs should be embedded in the design, development and implementation of HaH services.

Patient and Public Contribution

Not applicable for the study design of this scoping review.
A model for predicting low progesterone levels on the day of embryo transfer in hormonally prepared vitrified‐warmed embryo transfer cycles: A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Olgan Safak , Dirican Enver Kerem , Ozsipahi Arif Can , Sakinci Mehmet , Humaidan Peter
Published: October 2023

Aim

To develop a model that predicts low progesterone (P) levels on the day of embryo transfer (ET) based on patient and cycle characteristics, including serum estradiol (E2) concentration after vaginal administration of micronized E2 for endometrial preparation.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 193 patients scheduled for cryopreserved blastocyst transfer during an artificial endometrial preparation cycle, using micronized E2 vaginally for first 4 days (4 mg/day), followed by oral administration (6 mg/day). Blood sampling for E2 was performed prospectively on day‐5 of vaginal administration and analysis was performed retrospectively. On sixth day of P treatment (daily 300 mg of vaginal micronized P tablets), P levels were measured on ET day. Primary outcome measure was serum P levels after vaginal E2 administration.

Results

Patients with low P levels on the day of ET (<7.8 ng/mL, 25th percentile) were heavier (p < 0.001) and exhibited lower day 5 serum E2 levels (p < 0.001) compared with patients with adequate P levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that weight (p = 0.003) and day 5 E2 levels (p < 0.001) were independently associated with the P levels. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (%) were 71.4, 55.6, 35.4, and 85.1 for weight ≥ 65 kg; 71.4, 61.8, 38.9, and 86.4 for day 5 E2 ≤ 1615 pg/mL; 59.2, 83.3, 54.7, and 85.7 for the combination of these two variables; and 82.9, 62.5, 54.7, and 87.0 for the sequential inclusion of these variables, respectively.

Conclusions

Low day 5 E2 levels following vaginal administration and high weight are independently associated with low P levels on the day of ET. Predictive performance is enhanced when these variables are considered sequentially or in combination.
Experts, Information, Reviews, and Coordination: Evidence on How Prizes Affect Sales*
Authors: Lagios Nicolas , Méon Pierre‐Guillaume
Published: October 2023

Exploiting the award process, we implement a regression discontinuity design to estimate the effect of winning France's main literary prize, the Goncourt. It increases sales, especially for books that sold fewer copies before the announcement, the number of reviews on Amazon, and the probability of them being negative. The effect is partly driven by an increase in word of mouth. Those findings are consistent with a model where the prize provides information on the existence of a book and acts as a quality signal and a coordination device but prompts consumers to read books that are far from their tastes.
Opting out or left out? The gendered determinants of marriage in South Korea
Authors: Chang Paul Y. , Oh Jihye , Kim Young‐Mi
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study examines the determinants of marriage decline in South Korea, a representative case of the “demographic crisis” sweeping East Asia.

Background

The major theories accounting for marriage and family trends are for the most part based on Western cases. A complementing focus on non‐Western societies is likely to identify a more diverse range of processes governing marriage patterns in advanced capitalist societies.

Method

The study draws on the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) to analyze a sample of 4201 unmarried individuals whose longitudinal data were organized into 55,989 person‐year records. Discrete‐time hazard models incorporating 23 waves of KLIPS data (1998–2020) identify the gendered determinants of marriage.

Results

Socioeconomic resources continue to positively impact men's marriage chances although income, relative to employment status and educational attainment, has become paramount for members of the younger 1980s cohort. Parental wealth, an important precondition for home purchases, also positively impacts the likelihood of marriage for men. Income and parental wealth have become important for women as well but unlike the documented “educational crossover” that has occurred elsewhere, high educational attainment remains negatively associated with marriage probability for Korean women.

Conclusion

This study clarifies the scope conditions for arguments about the “shifting economic foundations of marriage,” while foregrounding the enduring legacy of extended‐family resources in strong familism societies. The results also lend empirical leverage to past studies highlighting the clear disincentives for marriage among highly educated women and provide a more comprehensive picture of why underprivileged men are being left out of Korea's marriage market.
Decreased inflammatory profile in oral leukoplakia tissue exposed to cold physical plasma ex vivo
Authors: Seebauer Christian , Freund Eric , Dieke Tobias , Hasse Sybille , Segebarth Maria , Rautenberg Christoph , Metelmann Hans‐Robert , Bekeschus Sander
Published: October 2023

Background

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is an unfavorable oral disease often resistant to therapy. To this end, cold physical plasma technology was explored as a novel therapeutic agent in an experimental setup.

Methods

Biopsies with a diameter of 3 mm were obtained from non‐diseased and OL tissues. Subsequently, cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) exposure was performed ex vivo in the laboratory. After 20 h of incubation, biopsies were cryo‐conserved, and tissue sections were quantified for lymphocyte infiltrates, discriminating between naïve and memory cytotoxic and T‐helper cells. In addition, the secretion pattern related to inflammation was investigated in the tissue culture supernatants by quantifying 10 chemokines and cytokines.

Results

In CAP‐treated OL tissue, significantly decreased overall lymphocyte numbers were observed. In addition, reduced levels were observed when discriminating for the T‐cell subpopulations but did not reach statistical significance. Moreover, CAP treatment significantly reduced levels of C‐X‐C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor in the OL biopsies' supernatants. In idiopathically inflamed tissues, ex vivo CAP exposure reduced T‐cells and CXCL10 as well but also led to markedly increased interleukin‐1β secretion.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest CAP to have immuno‐modulatory properties, which could be of therapeutic significance in the therapy of OL. Future studies should investigate the efficacy of CAP therapy in vivo in a larger cohort.
Promoting positive development among refugee adolescents
Authors: Abdi Saida , Akinsulure‐Smith Adeyinka M. , Sarkadi Anna , Fazel Mina , Ellis B. Heidi , Gillespie Sarah , Juang Linda P. , Betancourt Theresa S.
Published: October 2023

Of the estimated 35.3 million refugees around the world (UNHCR, Figures at a Glance, 2022), approximately 50% are children under the age of 18. Refugee adolescents represent a unique group as they navigate developmental tasks in an unstable and often threatening environment or in resettlement contexts in which they often face marginalization. In addition to physiological, social, and psychological changes that mark adolescence, refugee youth often face traumatic experiences, acculturative stress, discrimination, and a lack of basic resources. In this consensus statement, we examine research on refugee adolescents' developmental tasks, acculturative tasks, and psychological adjustment using Suárez‐Orozco and colleague's integrative risk and resilience model for immigrant‐origin children and youth proposed by Suárez‐Orozco et al. Finally, we discuss recommendations—moving from proximal to more distal contexts.
Converting inventions into innovations to address cancer grand challenges: The role of scientific and digital search intensity
Authors: Ardito Lorenzo , Natalicchio Angelo , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Del Giudice Manlio
Published: October 2023

The present study seeks to shed further light on what favors the conversion of inventions into innovations in for‐profit firms and to advance our understanding of how to tackle cancer grand challenges (CGCs). Specifically, following the literature on knowledge search and recombination, we analyze whether and how cancer‐related inventions developed through an intense adoption of scientific knowledge (scientific search intensity) result in (i) a higher number of approved drugs and (ii) a shorter approval time for new drugs. Notably, while the role of science with regard to technological development has been widely studied, the extent to which science‐based solutions relate to new product introduction, especially in terms of coping with grand challenges such as approved cancer drugs, is less known. Furthermore, considering the digitization of (health) R&D and the role of information and communication technologies (i.e., digital technologies) to address grand challenges, we examine whether and how cancer‐related inventions developed through an intense adoption of digital knowledge (digital search intensity) directly affect the extent and speed of cancer drug approval, as well as whether interaction effects between scientific and digital search intensity exist. We develop hypotheses that we test on a sample of 65,861 cancer‐related patents owned by 139 for‐profit firms, collected from the USPTO Cancer Moonshot Patent Data. These have a priority date between 1990 and 2010, and have led to 1035 approved drugs. Results reveal that scientific search intensity is not associated with the number of different drugs developed from a single cancer‐related invention but is associated with the speed at which the invention leads to a newly approved drug. Digital search intensity appears not to directly affect cancer drug approval, but it lessens the effects of scientific search intensity, thus pointing to a limit of digitization in cancer R&D and innovation processes.
Rural/urban differences in receipt of governmental rental assistance: Relationship to health and disability
Authors: Henning‐Smith Carrie , Swendener Alexis , Rydberg Katie , Lahr Megan , Yam Hawking
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Housing is essential to health. Governmental rental assistance is one way to increase access to affordable housing, but little is known about how it varies by rural/urban location. This paper seeks to address that gap by examining rural/urban and within‐rural differences in receipt of rental assistance, with particular attention differences by health and disability.

Methods

We used data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (n = 28,254) to conduct bivariate analyses to identify significant differences in receipt of rental assistance by rural/urban location. We then conducted logistic regression analyses to generate odds ratios of receiving rental assistance, adjusting for self‐rated health, disability, sociodemographic characteristics, and the US Census region.

Findings

When limiting the sample to those who rent (20.6% of rural residents and 29.6% of urban residents), rural residents were nearly 5 percentage points more likely to receive rental assistance (13.1% vs 8.2%, P<.001). Rural recipients of rental assistance were more likely to have a disability than urban residents (27.9% vs 20.3%, P<.05) and were more likely to report fair/poor health (41.6% vs 31.4%, P<.05).

Conclusions

Rural residents are less likely to rent their homes, but, among those who rent, they are more likely to receive governmental rental assistance. This may be reflective of the greater need for rental assistance among rural residents, who were in poorer health and of lower socioeconomic status than urban renters. As housing is essential to good health, policy attention must prioritize addressing a persistent and growing need for affordable housing in rural and urban areas alike.
New insights into infrageneric relationships of Lonicera (Caprifoliaceae) as revealed by nuclear ribosomal DNA cistron data and plastid phylogenomics
Authors: Yang Xu‐Long , Sun Qing‐Hui , Morales‐Briones Diego F. , Landis Jacob B. , Chen Da‐Juan , Wang Hong‐Xin , Wen Jun , Wang Hua‐Feng
Published: October 2023

The discontinuous geographic distribution pattern of plants in the north temperate zone has been a focus of biogeographic research, especially concerning the mechanisms behind the formation of such a pattern and the spatial and temporal evolution of this intermittent distribution pattern. Hypotheses of boreotropical origin, land bridge migration, and out‐of‐Tibet have been proposed to explain the formation of the discontinuous distribution pattern. The distribution of Lonicera shows a typical Europe–Asia–North America discontinuous distribution, which makes for a good case study to investigate the above three hypotheses. In this study, we inferred the phylogeny based on plastid genomes and a nuclear data set with broad taxon sampling, covering 83 species representing two subgenera and four sections. Both nuclear and plastid phylogenetic analyses found section Isika polyphyletic, while sections Nintooa, Isoxylosteum, and Coelxylosteum were monophyletic in subgenus Chamaecerasus. Based on the nuclear and chloroplast phylogeny, we suggest transferring Lonicera maximowiczii and Lonicera tangutica into section Nintooa. Reconstruction of ancestral areas suggests that Lonicera originated in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and/or Asia, and subsequently dispersed to other regions. The aridification of the Asian interior may have facilitated the rapid radiation of Lonicera in the region. At the same time, the uplifts of the Tibetan Plateau appear to have triggered the spread and recent rapid diversification of the genus on the QTP and adjacent areas. Overall, our results deepen the understanding of the evolutionary diversification history of Lonicera.
The role of cardiovascular health and vascular events in the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and dementia risk
Authors: Cavaillès Clémence , Letellier Noémie , Berr Claudine , Samieri Cecilia , Empana Jean‐Philippe , Tzourio Christophe , Dartigues Jean‐François , Benmarhnia Tarik , Dauvilliers Yves , Jaussent Isabelle
Published: October 2023

Many studies suggest a relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and dementia incidence, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. The study aimed to investigate the role of cardiovascular burden in the relationship between EDS and dementia incidence over a 12‐year follow‐up in community‐dwelling older adults. We performed analyses on 6171 subjects (aged ≥65 years) free of dementia and vascular disease at baseline. Participants self‐reported EDS at baseline and an expert committee validated both prevalent and incident dementia. We defined cardiovascular burden by a low Cardiovascular Health score, constructed using the American Heart Association metrics, and incident vascular events. To explore the potential role of the cardiovascular burden in the relationship between EDS and dementia, we conducted mediation analyses with inverse odds ratio‐weighted estimation, using multivariable‐adjusted proportional hazard Cox and logistic regression models. Subjects with EDS had a higher risk of all‐cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–1.69) and dementia with vascular component (DVC) (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.30–3.51), but not Alzheimer's disease (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.93–1.51). Cardiovascular burden explained 5% (95% CI 4.1–5.2) and 11% (95% CI 9.7–11.3) of the relationship between EDS and all‐cause dementia and DVC, respectively. These findings confirm that EDS may be implicated in the development of dementia and indicate a weaker than expected role of cardiovascular burden in the relationship between EDS and DVC.
Urinary cystatin B differentiates progressive versus stable IRIS Stage 1 chronic kidney disease in dogs
Authors: Segev Gilad , Vaden Shelly , Ross Sheri , Dufayet Cedric , Cohn Leah A. , Farace Giosi , Szlosek Donald , Ouyang Zenhwa , Peterson Sarah , Beall Melissa , Yerramilli Murthy , Polzin David , Cowgill Larry D.
Published: October 2023

Background

Early identification of dogs with progressive vs stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) might afford opportunity for interventions that would slow progression. However, currently no surrogate biomarker reliably predicts CKD progression.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Urinary cystatin B (uCysB), a novel kidney injury biomarker, predicts progressive disease in International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) CKD Stage 1.

Animals

Seventy‐two dogs, including 20 dogs from 4 university centers with IRIS CKD Stage 1, with IDEXX symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentration up to 17 μg/dL and no systemic comorbidities, and 52 clinically healthy staff‐owned dogs from a fifth university center.

Methods

A multicenter prospective longitudinal study was conducted between 2016 and 2021 to assess uCysB concentration in IRIS CKD Stage 1 and control dogs. Dogs were followed to a maximum of 3 years (control) or 25 months (CKD). Stage 1 IRIS CKD was classified as stable or progressive using the slope of 1/SDMA, calculated from 3 timepoints during the initial 90‐day period. Dogs with slope above or below −0.0007 week × dL/μg were classified as stable or progressive, respectively. Mixed effects modeling was used to assess the association between uCysB and progression rate.

Results

Estimates of first visit uCysB results predictive of active ongoing kidney injury based on the mixed effects models were 17 ng/mL for control, 24 ng/mL for stable CKD, and 212 ng/mL for progressive CKD (P < .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Urinary cystatin B differentiated stable vs progressive IRIS CKD Stage 1. Identification of dogs with progressive CKD may provide an opportunity for clinicians to intervene early and slow progression rate.
Plasma pharmacokinetics of clorsulon following administration of a single subcutaneous or intravenous injection to cattle
Authors: Rehbein Steffen , Kvaternick Valerie , Kellermann Michael , Hamel Dietmar , Antretter Andrea , Johnson Christopher
Published: October 2023

The benzenedisulfonamide derivative clorsulon is a potent fasciolicide which is marketed in fixed combination injectables, typically combined with the macrocyclic lactone ivermectin. In the presented pharmacokinetic study, the plasma profile of clorsulon in 32 healthy, young Brown Swiss cattle was administered a single intravenous dose at 3 mg/kg body weight or subcutaneously at 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg body weight (4 intact male and 4 female animals per treatment) as a 30% w/v clorsulon injection formulation. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 days after administration to establish the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and dose proportionality of clorsulon. Following a single intravenous injection of clorsulon at 3 mg/kg body weight, the area under the concentration versus time curve from the start of dose administration to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) was 4830 ± 941 day*ng/mL, and half‐live was 2.37 ± 0.98 days. The back extrapolated concentration at time 0 was 38,500 ± 6070 ng/mL. The volume of distribution at steady state and clearance were 685 ± 107 mL/kg and 664 ± 127 mL/day/kg, respectively. In the groups dosed at 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous injection, clorsulon plasma concentrations rose to maximum within 0.5 day and decreased to the last sample point. For these groups, the maximum plasma clorsulon concentrations were 3100 ± 838, 5250 ± 1220 and 10,800 ± 1730 ng/mL, respectively, and the AUClast was 5330 ± 925, 9630 ± 1300 and 21,500 ± 3320 day*ng/mL, respectively. Half‐lives, 2.01 ± 0.62, 3.84 ± 1.42 and 5.36 ± 0.60 days, respectively, increased significantly with dose, likely related to increasing dose volume. Clorsulon was well absorbed and fully bioavailable (103%–114%) after subcutaneous injection. No gender‐related difference in systemic exposure was observed. Assessment of Cmax and AUClast demonstrated a proportional increase in systemic exposure to the clorsulon subcutaneous doses over the range of 3–12 mg/kg body weight.
Loss of native herbivores triggers diversity decline of ephemeral plant communities
Authors: Fernández‐Murillo María del Pilar , Alfaro Fernando Daniel , Craven Dylan , Gutiérrez Julio Roberto , Kelt Douglas A. , Meserve Peter L. , Troncoso Alejandra J.
Published: October 2023

Aim

Evaluate the temporal changes in species diversity, composition, and structure of ephemeral plant communities and the seed bank in response to long‐term herbivore exclusion over 11 years in plots with and without herbivores.

Location

North‐central Chile.

Methods

We obtained information on ephemeral vegetation cover in August and September using the intercept point method and recorded seed abundance in April. The Bosque Fray Jorge National Park Long‐Term Socio‐Ecological Research (LTSER) provided these records covering 11 years (2009–2019). From the original experiment of 20 plots, we used eight plots divided into two treatments: four plots allowed free access to all herbivores (with herbivores), while the other four plots excluded herbivores (without herbivores).

Results

We found that Hill–Shannon diversity increased in plant communities with herbivores and a temporal increase in the cover of the dominant species, Plantago hispidula, under herbivore exclusion. In wet years, species richness and temporal turnover of plant communities increased independently of treatment. Although seed abundance differed among treatments and years, population structure remained constant over time and among treatments, suggesting that the seed bank acts as a buffer against shocks that modify plant community dynamics. Structural equation modeling revealed that precipitation, via its positive effects on Plantago hispidula, increases native plant richness to a greater extent than herbivores. However, in the absence of herbivores, precipitation directly affects native species richness. Moreover, we found that precipitation also influences the native species richness of the seed bank, both directly and indirectly, although its impacts exhibit a time lag.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that the temporal dynamics of ephemeral plant communities and seed banks in semi‐arid ecosystems are strongly coupled to climate variability, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities to biodiversity loss and climate change.
Do chromosome rearrangements fix by genetic drift or natural selection? Insights from Brenthis butterflies
Authors: Mackintosh Alexander , Vila Roger , Martin Simon H. , Setter Derek , Lohse Konrad
Published: October 2023

Large‐scale chromosome rearrangements, such as fissions and fusions, are a common feature of eukaryote evolution. They can have considerable influence on the evolution of populations, yet it remains unclear exactly how rearrangements become established and eventually fix. Rearrangements could fix by genetic drift if they are weakly deleterious or neutral, or they may instead be favoured by positive natural selection. Here, we compare genome assemblies of three closely related Brenthis butterfly species and characterize a complex history of fission and fusion rearrangements. An inferred demographic history of these species suggests that rearrangements became fixed in populations with large long‐term effective size (N
e), consistent with rearrangements being selectively neutral or only very weakly underdominant. Using a recently developed analytic framework for characterizing hard selective sweeps, we find that chromosome fusions are not enriched for evidence of past sweeps compared to other regions of the genome. Nonetheless, we do infer a strong and recent selective sweep around one chromosome fusion in the B. daphne genome. Our results suggest that rearrangements in these species likely have weak absolute fitness effects and fix by genetic drift. However, one putative selective sweep raises the possibility that natural selection may sometimes play a role in the fixation of chromosome fusions.
Vascular polycystin proteins in health and disease
Authors: Mbiakop Ulrich C. , Jaggar Jonathan H.
Published: October 2023

PKD1 (polycystin 1) and PKD2 (polycystin 2) are expressed in a variety of different cell types, including arterial smooth muscle and endothelial cells. PKD1 is a transmembrane domain protein with a large extracellular N‐terminus that is proposed to act as a mechanosensor and receptor. PKD2 is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily which is also termed TRPP1. Mutations in the genes which encode PKD1 and PKD2 lead to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is one of the most prevalent monogenic disorders in humans and is associated with extrarenal and vascular complications, including hypertension. Recent studies have uncovered mechanisms of activation and physiological functions of PKD1 and PKD2 in arterial smooth muscle and endothelial cells. It has also been found that PKD function is altered in the vasculature during ADPKD and hypertension. We will summarize this work and discuss future possibilities for this area of research.
Intelligent recognition of defects in high‐speed railway slab track with limited dataset
Authors: Cai Xiaopei , Tang Xueyang , Pan Shuo , Wang Yi , Yan Hai , Ren Yuheng , Chen Ning , Hou Yue
Published: October 2023

During the regular service life of high‐speed railway (HSR), there might be serious defects in the concrete slabs of the infrastructure systems, which may further significantly affect public transportation safety. To address these serious issues and fulfill the regular functions of HSR, the traditional methods for railway engineers involve carrying out regular on‐site inspections manually or by semi‐automatic inspection vehicles, and conducting timely corresponding repairing approaches and maintenance, where these methods are time‐consuming and dangerous. In recent years, machine learning methods have been widely applied to the intelligent and automatic detection of severe defects in HSR. Currently, one of the most serious problems is the lack of sufficient high‐quality data for model training, resulting in low recognition accuracy in HSR defects. To solve this problem, this paper proposed an intelligent recognition of defects in concrete slabs of HSR based on a few‐shot learning model, that is, an artificial intelligence model based on limited data size, which recognizes three service conditions of concrete slabs in HSR: cracks, track board gaps, and unbroken state. Lightweight few‐shot learning models specifically designed for HSR detection were proposed. Experiments were conducted to compare the performances of different lightweight‐designed models, including accuracy, parameter quantity, and testing time. Results showed that the optimum model can fast and satisfactorily recognize the defects in HSR with a very limited data size of 10 samples for each training category, with a satisfactory accuracy of 73.9% in the test dataset with 20 samples for each category, parameter amounts of 2.8 million, and a testing time of 2.2 s per image. This study provides a reference for the automatic recognition of defects in HSR by railway engineers with insufficient samples.
The missing link between core knowledge and language: Review of Elizabeth Spelke's What babies know, volume 1 (2022)
Authors: Revencu Barbu , Csibra Gergely
Published: October 2023

Spelke's book defends two hypotheses about human cognition. First, humans and other species are endowed with core knowledge systems—innate computational structures that use abstract concepts to represent various aspects of the environment. Second, humans, and only humans, acquire natural languages, whose syntax and compositional semantics allow them to construct new concepts by combining the outputs of core systems. We endorse the first hypothesis but doubt that language acquisition alone explains the productivity of human cognition. In particular, we argue against the claim that infants use aspects of language to develop a new conception of other people.
Conflict occurrence and preferred management styles among ICU nurses during the first wave of COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alkorashy Hanan A. , Alosaimi Ashwaq A. , Alruwaili Nawal F. , Alshahrani Shuruq N.
Published: October 2023

Background

Intensive care units (ICUs) have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases, causing psychological burdens, stress, and various types of conflict among nurses.

Aim

To examine the occurrence, type, and intensity of conflict and preferred management styles among ICU nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Study Design

This cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted in a government hospital in Saudi Arabia using a convenience sample of 95 nurses from three ICUs. Data were collected using an e‐questionnaire comprising the Nursing Conflict Scale, Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory‐II, and sociodemographic variables.

Results

Most participants reported exposure to moderately (64.2%) or highly (34.79%) intense conflict during the pandemic. The competitive (2.23 ± .472) and intragroup (2.23 ± .385) types of conflict were the most frequently reported. The preferred conflict management style was collaborating (21.85 ± 5.49), followed by accommodating (18.39 ± 4.03). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that age, years of experience, and education were significantly associated with conflict type and management style. Preparedness to care for suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 cases was associated with interpersonal conflict (r = .20, p = .04).

Conclusions

The participants experienced moderate‐ to high‐intensity conflict; however, they employed constructive rather than destructive management styles.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurse leaders, policymakers, and educators must initiate transformational intervention programmes to enhance and sustain nurses' competencies in constructive conflict management strategies. Interpersonal communication and crisis management training programmes should be formulated to raise nurses' awareness and enhance their competencies vis‐à‐vis taking a positive approach to overcoming various conflict types and levels, particularly during crises.
Curcuma kakchingense (Zingiberaceae), a new species from northeast India
Authors: Laishram Bidyaleima , Rajkumar Kishor , Sharma Gurumayum J.
Published: October 2023

Curcuma kakchingense Bidyaleima, Kishor & Sharma, a new species of Curcuma subg. Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) from Manipur, northeast India is described and illustrated. The species has close resemblance to C. phrayawan and C. longa but is distinguished by having lemon‐yellow coloured rhizomes with a very bitter taste, glabrous dark reddish‐brown bladeless sheaths, reddish‐brown petiole fading towards the edges, densely pubescent coma and upper fertile bracts on both surfaces with mucronate tip, broadly ovate bracteole, elongated and revolute apex of the middle lobe of the labellum and stigma protruding through the anther lobes. The chromosome number is established as 2n = 3x = 63.
High tolerance to zinc but no evidence for local adaptation in the aquatic plant Lemna minor
Authors: Vámos Sofia , Li Cheng , Moradi Aboubakr , van Moorsel Sofia J.
Published: October 2023

Duckweeds are a widely distributed and economically important aquatic plant family that have high potential for phytoremediation of polluted water bodies. We collected four ecotypes of the common duckweed Lemna minor from the four corners of Switzerland and assessed how their home versus away environments influenced their growth. Additionally, we investigated their response to a metal pollutant (zinc, Zn) in both their home and away environments. Zn is found in freshwater systems and can become harmful to plants at elevated concentrations. We hypothesized that growing in their home environment would help the plants buffer the negative effect of the metal pollutant. To test this, we measured Lemna growth in a common garden experiment in a glasshouse where the four ecotypes were grown in each of the water environments, as well as in three different concentrations of Zn. To investigate whether interactions between Lemna and its microbial community can enhance or reduce tolerance to heavy metal pollution, we sampled chlorophyll‐a as a proxy for algal biomass. Finally, we measured total nitrogen and total organic carbon to describe the abiotic environment in more detail.

The four Lemna ecotypes exhibited significantly different growth rates across the water treatments. This difference in fitness was matched with DNA sequencing revealing genetic differentiation between the four ecotypes. However, the effect of the water and Zn treatment on Lemna growth was the same for all ecotypes. We did not find evidence for local adaptation; instead, we observed strong plastic responses. Lemna growth rates were higher under higher Zn concentrations. This positive effect of Zn on Lemna growth could be in part due to reduced competition with algae. We conclude that L. minor ecotypes may exhibit large differences in growth rate, but that the species overall has a high Zn tolerance and strong plastic adaptive potential in novel environments.
Three new species, two new records and additional taxonomic notes of Piper (Piperaceae) from Thailand
Authors: Suwanphakdee Chalermpol , Karapan Sunate , Banchong Yuthana , Hodkinson Trevor R.
Published: October 2023

We revised the genus Piper (Piperaceae) for the forthcoming volume of the Flora of Thailand. Three new species, namely P. kerrii, P. phangngaense and P. rugocarpum are described and illustrated. In addition, two records of species new to Thailand, P. laosanum and P. obtusissimum, are presented. New complete taxonomic descriptions of P. crassipes and P. obtusissimum are provided. We also designate lectotypes and epitypes of P. laosanum and P. obtusissimum, respectively. An emended key to species including the new species, new records for Thai Piper species and additional taxonomic notes are provided.