bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathways of Exposure toVibrio Choleraein an Urban Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Kering Kelvin , Wang Yuke , Mbae Cecilia , Mugo Michael , Ongadi Beatrice , Odityo Georgina , Muturi Peter , Yakubu Habib , Liu Pengbo , Durry Sarah , Deshpande Aniruddha , Gebreyes Wondwossen , Moe Christine , Kariuki Samuel
Published: January 2024

Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by the toxigenicVibrio cholerae(V. cholerae) bacterium.V. choleraecan contaminate drinking water sources and food through poor sanitation and hygiene, especially in informal settlements and refugee camps where cholera outbreaks have been reported in Kenya.

This study aimed to identify environmental transmission routes ofV. choleraewithin Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi. We collected nine types of environmental samples (drinking water, flood water, open drains, surface water, shaved ice, raw produce, street food, soil, and public latrine swabs) over 12 months. All samples were analysed forV. choleraeby culture and qPCR, then qPCR-positive samples were quantified using aV. choleraeDNA standard. Behavioural data was collected to determine the frequency of contact with the environment among adults and children.

Of the 803 samples collected, 20.4% were positive forV. choleraeby qPCR. However, none were positive forV. choleraeby culture.V. choleraegenes were detected in the majority of the environmental water samples (79.3%), including open drains, flood water, and surface water, but were only detected in small proportions of other sample types. Vibrio-positive environmental water samples had higher meanV. choleraeconcentrations [2490–3469 genome copies (gc) per millilitre (mL)] compared to drinking water samples (25.6 gc/mL). Combined with the behavioural data, exposure assessment showed that contact with surface water had the highest contribution to the totalV. choleraeexposure among children while ingestion of municipal drinking water and street food and contact with surface water made substantial contributions to the totalV. choleraeexposure for adults.

Detection ofV. choleraein street food and drinking water indicates risk of both endemic and epidemic cholera. Exposure toV. choleraethrough multiple pathways highlights the need to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, strengthen food hygiene practices, and roll out cholera vaccination.
Impact of emerging SARS-CoV-2 on total and cause-specific maternal mortality: A natural experiment in Chile during the peak of the outbreak
Authors: Enriquez Yordanis , Critto María Elena , Weinberg Ruth , de Janon Quevedo Lenin , Galleguillos Aliro , Koch Elard
Published: January 2024

Background

This study estimated the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on maternal death causes in Chile during the outbreak peak between 2020 and 2021.

Materials and Methods

A natural experiment was conducted using official data on maternal deaths and live births (LBs) between 1997 and 2021. Trend changes in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) were assessed using segmented regression. The effects of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak were evaluated using interrupted time series (ITS) and an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to forecast the expected rates on MMR and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Findings

ITS analysis revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak impacted the MMR due to indirect causes, with a greater increase in indirect nonrespiratory causes than respiratory causes. The ARIMA forecast was consistent with ITS, showing that the expected MMR for indirect causes was substantially lower than the observed rates (9.65 in 2020 and 7.46/100,000 LBs in 2021). The expected MMR was 3.44 in 2020 and 1.55 in 2021. For nonrespiratory causes, the observed values of the MMR for 2020 (8.77/100.000 LBs) and 2021 (7.46/100.000 LBs) doubled the prediction 4.02 (95% CI: 0.44-7.61) and 3.83 (95% CI: -0.12-7.79). No significant effect was found on direct obstetrical deaths.

Interpretation

During 2020-2021, there was a rise in the MMR in Chile attributable to SARS-CoV-2. The pandemic contributed to an escalation in the MMR due to indirect causes, particularly nonrespiratory and infectious causes, suggesting that the risk of pregnant women to SARS-CoV-2 was increased from previous comorbidities.
A genome-wide investigation into the underlying genetic architecture of personality traits and overlap with psychopathology
Authors: Gupta Priya , Galimberti Marco , Liu Yue , Beck Sarah , Wingo Aliza , Wingo Thomas , Adhikari Keyrun ,   VA Million Veteran Program, Stein Murray B. , Gelernter Joel , Levey Daniel F.
Published: January 2024

Personality is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors and is associated with other psychiatric traits such as anxiety and depression. The “Big Five” personality traits, which include neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness, are a widely accepted and influential framework for understanding and describing human personality. Of the big five personality traits, neuroticism has most often been the focus of genetic studies and is linked to various mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Our knowledge of the genetic architecture of the other four personality traits is more limited. Utilizing the Million Veteran Program (MVP) cohort we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in individuals of European and African ancestry. Adding other published data, we performed GWAS meta-analysis for each of the five personality traits with sample sizes ranging from 237,390 to 682,688. We identified 158, 14, 3, 2, and 7 independent genome-wide significant (GWS) loci associated with neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness, respectively. These findings represent 55 novel loci for neuroticism, as well as the first GWS loci discovered for extraversion and agreeableness. Gene-based association testing revealed 254 genes showing significant association with at least one of the five personality traits. Transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide analysis identified altered expression of genes and proteins such asCRHR1, SLC12A5, MAPT, andSTX4. Pathway enrichment and drug perturbation analyses identified complex biology underlying human personality traits. We also studied the inter-relationship of personality traits with 1,437 other traits in a phenome-wide genetic correlation analysis, identifying new associations. Mendelian randomization showed positive bidirectional effects between neuroticism and depression and anxiety while a negative bidirectional effect was observed for agreeableness and these psychiatric traits. This study improves our comprehensive understanding of the genetic architecture underlying personality traits and their relationship to other complex human traits.
Cross-ancestry genetic investigation of schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, and tobacco smoking
Authors: Johnson Emma C , Austin-Zimmerman Isabelle , Thorpe Hayley HA , Levey Daniel F , Baranger David AA , Colbert Sarah MC , Demontis Ditte , Khokhar Jibran Y , Davis Lea K , Edenberg Howard J , Di Forti Marta , Sanchez-Roige Sandra , Gelernter Joel , Agrawal Arpana
Published: January 2024

Individuals with schizophrenia frequently experience co-occurring substance use, including tobacco smoking and heavy cannabis use, and substance use disorders. There is interest in understanding the extent to which these relationships are causal, and to what extent shared genetic factors play a role. We explored the relationships between schizophrenia (Scz), cannabis use disorder (CanUD), and ever-regular tobacco smoking (Smk) using the largest available genome-wide studies of these phenotypes in individuals of African and European ancestries. All three phenotypes were positively genetically correlated (rgs = 0.17 – 0.62).Causal inference analyses suggested the presence of horizontal pleiotropy, but evidence for bidirectional causal relationships was also found between all three phenotypes even after correcting for horizontal pleiotropy. We identified 439 pleiotropic loci in the European ancestry data, 150 of which were novel (i.e., not genome-wide significant in the original studies). Of these pleiotropic loci, 202 had lead variants which showed convergent effects (i.e., same direction of effect) on Scz, CanUD, and Smk. Genetic variants convergent across all three phenotypes showed strong genetic correlations with risk-taking, executive function, and several mental health conditions. Our results suggest that both horizontal pleiotropy and causal mechanisms may play a role in the relationship between CanUD, Smk, and Scz, but longitudinal, prospective studies are needed to confirm a causal relationship.
Intracranial pressure-flow relationships in traumatic brain injury patients expose gaps in the tenets of models and pressure-oriented management
Authors: Stroh JN , Foreman Brandon , Bennett Tellen D , Briggs Jennifer K , Park Soojin , Albers David J
Published: January 2024

Background

The protocols and therapeutic guidance established for treating traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in neurointensive care focus on managing cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain tissue oxygenation based on pressure signals. The decision support process relies on assumed relationships between cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and blood flow, pressure-flow relationships (PFRs), and shares this framework of assumptions with mathematical intracranial hemodynamic models. These foundational assumptions are difficult to verify, and their violation can impact clinical decision-making and model validity.

Method

A hypothesis– and model-driven method for verifying and understanding the foundational intracranial hemodynamic PFRs is developed and applied to a novel multi-modality monitoring dataset.

Results

Model analysis of joint observations of CPP and CBF validates the standard PFR when autoregulatory processes are impaired as well as unmodelable cases dominated by autoregulation. However, it also identifies a dynamical regime-or behavior pattern-where the PFR assumptions are wrong in a precise, data-inferable way due to negative CPP-CBF coordination over long timescales. This regime is of both clinical and research interest: its dynamics are modelable under modified assumptions while its causal direction and mechanistic pathway remain unclear.

Conclusions

Motivated by the understanding of mathematical physiology, the validity of the standard PFR can be assesseda)directly by analyzing pressure reactivity and mean flow indices (PRx and Mx) orb)indirectly through the relationship between CBF and other clinical observables. This approach could potentially help personalize TBI care by considering intracranial pressure and CPP in relation to other data, particularly CBF. The analysis suggests a threshold using clinical indices of autoregulation jointly generalizes independently set indicators to assess CA functionality. These results support the use of increasingly data-rich environments to develop more robust hybrid physiological-machine learning models.

Author Summary

The current understanding of pressure-flow relationships used in neurocritical decision making are incomplete, and a novel dataset begins to illuminate what is missing.
Risk Factors for Pediatric Critical COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Aparicio Camila , Willis Zachary I. , Nakamura Mari M. , Wolf Joshua , Little Cordell , Maron Gabriela M. , Sue Paul K. , Anosike Brenda I. , Miller Christine , Bio Laura L. , Singh Prachi , James Scott H. , Oliveira Carlos R.
Published: January 2024

Background

Risk stratification is a cornerstone of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society COVID-19 treatment guidance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to define the clinical characteristics and comorbidities associated with critical COVID-19 in children and adolescents.

Methods

Two independent reviewers screened the literature (Medline and EMBASE) for studies published through August 2023 that reported outcome data on patients aged≤21 years with COVID-19. Critical disease was defined as an invasive mechanical ventilation requirement, intensive care unit admission, or death. Random effects models were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity was explored through subgroup analyses.

Results

Among 10,178 articles, 136 studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Data from 70 studies, which collectively examined 172,165 children and adolescents with COVID-19, were pooled for meta-analysis. In previously healthy children, the absolute risk of critical disease from COVID-19 was 4% (95% CI, 1%–10%). Compared with no comorbidities, the pooled OR for critical disease was 3.95 (95% CI, 2.78–5.63) for presence of one comorbidity and 9.51 (95% CI, 5.62–16.06) for≥2 comorbidities. Key risk factors included cardiovascular and neurological disorders, chronic pulmonary conditions (excluding asthma), diabetes, obesity, and immunocompromise, all with statistically significant ORs >2.00.

Conclusions

While the absolute risk for critical COVID-19 in children and adolescents without underlying health conditions is relatively low, the presence of one or more comorbidities was associated with markedly increased risk. These findings support the importance of risk stratification in tailoring pediatric COVID-19 management.

This systematic review with meta-analysis integrated data from 136 studies (172,165 patients) and identified diabetes; obesity; immunocompromise; and cardiovascular, neurological, and pulmonary disease as predictors of severe pediatric COVID-19. The presence of multiple comorbidities increases the risk of critical outcomes.
Low humidity enhances Zika virus infection and dissemination inAedes aegyptimosquitoes
Authors: Abu Angel Elma I. , Becker Margaret , Accoti Anastasia , Sylla Massamba , Dickson Laura B.
Published: January 2024

As climate change alters Earth’s biomes, it is expected the transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne viruses will change. While the effects of temperature changes on mosquito-virus interactions and spread of the pathogens have been elucidated over the last decade, the effects of relative humidity changes are still relatively unknown. To overcome this knowledge gap, we exposedAe. aegyptifemales to various low humidity conditions and measured different components of vectorial capacity such as survival, blood-feeding rates, and changes in infection and dissemination of Zika virus. Survival decreased as the humidity level decreased, while infection rates increased as the humidity level decreased. Alternatively, blood feeding rates and dissemination rates peaked at the intermediate humidity level, but returned to the levels of the control at the lowest humidity treatment. These results provide empirical evidence thatAe. aegyptiexposure to low humidity can enhance Zika virus infection in the mosquito, which has important implications in predicting how climate change will impact mosquito-borne viruses.
How macroscopic limits on neutron-star baryon loss yield microscopic limits on non-standard-model baryon decay
Authors: Berryman Jeffrey M. , Gardner Susan , Zakeri Mohammadreza
Published: January 2024

We investigate how our baryon-loss limits from anomalous binary-pulsar period lengthening can be interpreted microscopically to yield specific constraints on the particle physics of baryon number violation within a neutron star. We focus on the possibility of anomalous baryon disappearance via dark baryon processes and on scenarios in which the produced dark-sector particles do not survive to influence the response of the star to baryon-number-violating effects. We flesh out the conditions for which this may occur, as well as other key assumptions. We then turn to the analysis of particle processes in the dense nuclear medium found at the core of a neutron star, employing the techniques of relativistic mean-field theory. Using our study of in-medium effects and limits on macroscopic baryon number violation, we extract limits on in-vacuum baryon-number-violating processes, and we determine them for various equations of state. We conclude by noting the implications of our results for models of dark-sector-enabled baryogenesis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects and mechanisms of board faultlines on decision quality
Authors: Zhang Yaowei , Cao Tiantian , Liu Siqi , Chen Shuqi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The inconsistent results shown in previous group faultline research have created a need for investigating the underlying mechanisms of the faultline's effects. This study focuses on clarifying the competing mediating roles of information diversity and team conflict in the nonlinear relationship between board faultlines (BF) and decision quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is empirically tested with the questionnaire data from 105 Chinese listed companies.

Findings

This study finds: (1) an inverted U-shaped curve relationship between BF and board decision quality and (2) that the joint mediating effect of team conflict and information diversity leads to the inverted U-shaped curve relationship between BF and decision quality. Specifically, BF shows a U-shaped curve relationship with team conflict and an inverted U-shaped curve relationship with information diversity. Either too weak or too strong faultlines will inhibit the positive effects of information diversity and amplify the negative effects of team conflicts, leading to low-quality decisions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research on: (1) board governance as it clarifies the effect of BF on the board decision-making process and its quality, which helps to open the black box of board decision-making and (2) group faultlines as it reveals how information diversity and team conflict can play a joint mediating role in the functioning of team faultlines.
Assessing monofloral bee pollens from Türkiye: Palynological verification, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity
Authors: Çobanoğlu Duygu Nur
Published: January 2024

Honey bee pollen (HBP) is a hive product produced by worker bees from floral pollen grains agglutination. It is characterized by its excellent nutritional and bioactive composition, making it a superior source of human nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the monofloral bee pollen samples, including Cistus, Crataegus monogyna, Cyanus, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Papaver somniferum, Quercus, Salix, Sinapis, and Silybum from Türkiye according to palynological analysis, antioxidant activity, phenolic profiles, and color. The phenolic profiles were detected using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Bee pollens were categorized into monofloral, bifloral, and multifloral, underscoring the significance of confirming the botanical source of them depending on palynological analyses. Total phenolic content (TPC) of bee pollens ranged from 4.5 to 14.4 mg gallic acid/g HBP. The samples exhibited antioxidant activity for 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS •+) ranging from 94.9 to 233.5 µmol trolox/g HBP, whereas lower values were seen for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) ranging from 25.86 to 70.81 µmol trolox/g HBP. A yellowish‐red tint color was also displayed for whole samples, whereas only E. angustifolia bee pollen indicated a darker color (L* = 31.6). Among the phenolic compounds, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, rutin, and genistein were the most abundant, and their profiles varied across the samples. It was also observed that TPC, antioxidant activities, and polyphenol composition were higher in samples containing pollen grains of P. somniferum, Quercus, Plantago, and E. angustifolia species.

Practical Application

The increasing number of new findings on honey bee pollen is crucial to food science and technology. In this sense, this study offers a robust method for verifying the authenticity and quality of 11 monofloral bee pollens, which is crucial for the food industry. It also identifies potential sources of high‐quality pollen, benefiting producers, and consumers seeking superior bee pollen products.
Glioblastoma and its treatment are associated with extensive accelerated brain aging
Authors: Ainslie Anna P. , Klaver Myrthe , Voshart Daniëlle C. , Gerrits Emma , den Dunnen Wilfred F. A. , Eggen Bart J. L. , Bergink Steven , Barazzuol Lara
Published: January 2024

Progressive neurocognitive dysfunction is the leading cause of a reduced quality of life in patients with primary brain tumors. Understanding how the human brain responds to cancer and its treatment is essential to improve the associated cognitive sequelae. In this study, we performed integrated transcriptomic and tissue analysis on postmortem normal‐appearing non‐tumor brain tissue from glioblastoma (GBM) patients that had received cancer treatments, region‐matched brain tissue from unaffected control individuals and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We show that normal‐appearing non‐tumor brain regions of patients with GBM display hallmarks of accelerated aging, in particular mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and proteostasis deregulation. The extent and spatial pattern of this response decreased with distance from the tumor. Gene set enrichment analyses and a direct comparative analysis with an independent cohort of brain tissue samples from AD patients revealed a significant overlap in differentially expressed genes and a similar biological aging trajectory. Additionally, these responses were validated at the protein level showing the presence of increased lysosomal lipofuscin, phosphorylated microtubule‐associated protein Tau, and oxidative DNA damage in normal‐appearing brain areas of GBM patients. Overall, our data show that the brain of GBM patients undergoes accelerated aging and shared AD‐like features, providing the basis for novel or repurposed therapeutic targets for managing brain tumor‐related side effects.
L‐arginine metabolism ameliorates age‐related cognitive impairment by Amuc_1100‐mediated gut homeostasis maintaining
Authors: He Jiamin , Hou Tongyao , Wang Qiwen , Wang Qingyi , Jiang Yao , Chen Luyi , Xu Jilei , Qi Yadong , Jia Dingjiacheng , Gu Yanrou , Gao Lidan , Yu Yingcong , Wang Lan , Kang Lijun , Si Jianmin , Wang Liangjing , Chen Shujie
Published: January 2024

Aging‐induced cognitive impairment is associated with a loss of metabolic homeostasis and plasticity. An emerging idea is that targeting key metabolites is sufficient to impact the function of other organisms. Therefore, more metabolism‐targeted therapeutic intervention is needed to improve cognitive impairment. We first conducted untargeted metabolomic analyses and 16S rRNA to identify the aging‐associated metabolic adaption and intestinal microbiome change. Untargeted metabolomic analyses of plasma revealed L‐arginine metabolic homeostasis was altered during the aging process. Impaired L‐arginine metabolic homeostasis was associated with low abundance of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) colonization in mice. Long‐term supplementation of AKK outer membranes protein‐Amuc_1100, rescued the L‐arginine level and restored cognitive impairment in aging mice. Mechanically, Amuc_1100 acted directly as a source of L‐arginine and enriched the L‐arginine‐producing bacteria. In aged brain, Amuc_1100 promoted the superoxide dismutase to alleviated oxidation stress, and increased nitric oxide, derivatives of L‐arginine, to improve synaptic plasticity. Meanwhile, L‐arginine repaired lipopolysaccharide‐induced intestinal barrier damage and promoted growth of colon organoid. Our findings indicated that aging‐related cognitive impairment was closely associated with the disorders of L‐arginine metabolism. AKK‐derived Amuc_1100, as a potential postbiotic, targeting the L‐arginine metabolism, might provide a promising therapeutic strategy to maintain the intestinal homeostasis and cognitive function in aging.
Care as tyranny: Miscellaneous observations
Authors: van der Geest Sjaak , Platenkamp Coleta
Published: January 2024

This article focuses on undesired care transgressions that violate the intimacy, autonomy, and humanity of patients, pregnant women, and older people. Undesired care that hurts patients is referred to as “violence,” “abuse,” and “dehumanization.” This can take different forms: physical, verbal, and emotional, as well as deliberate negligence. We have dubbed this type of transgressive care “tyranny.” The data for this article are derived from a wide variety of sources: research articles, personal documents sharing care experiences, ethnographic observations, novels, a celebrated movie, and a TV series. Five conceptual clarifications of the occurrence of tyrannical care are proposed in the concluding discussion.
Acta Ophthalmologica 100 years—Overview of selected articles during Acta Ophthalmologica history
Authors: Kaarniranta Kai , Pawlikowska‐Łagód Katarzyna , Jääskeläinen Juha E. , Grzybowski Andrzej E.
Published: January 2024

We selected and discussed 10 articles in Acta Ophthalmologica since 1923 that changed clinical ophthalmology and treatment protocols, or provided novel findings and perspectives. We are aware that the selection of articles may be debatable and we invite readers to suggest other significant Acta articles. For historians, the article archive of Acta Ophthalmologica is located in Copenhagen.
Statistical inference for agreement between multiple raters on a binary scale
Authors: Vanbelle Sophie
Published: January 2024

Agreement studies often involve more than two raters or repeated measurements. In the presence of two raters, the proportion of agreement and of positive agreement are simple and popular agreement measures for binary scales. These measures were generalized to agreement studies involving more than two raters with statistical inference procedures proposed on an empirical basis. We present two alternatives. The first is a Wald confidence interval using standard errors obtained by the delta method. The second involves Bayesian statistical inference not requiring any specific Bayesian software. These new procedures show better statistical behaviour than the confidence intervals initially proposed. In addition, we provide analytical formulas to determine the minimum number of persons needed for a given number of raters when planning an agreement study. All methods are implemented in the R package simpleagree and the Shiny app simpleagree.
Foreign aid and bilateral relations: The Israel−East Africa case
Authors: Salman Yaron
Published: January 2024

International relations literature generally tells us that donor countries see foreign aid as a key instrument of foreign policy to promote political interests. According to research, donor countries usually hope to get favorable voting at the United Nations (UN) arena in return, meaning that the motivation for foreign aid is not so altruistic. This article examines these claims and discusses the link between foreign aid, bilateral relations, and voting patterns in the UN General Assembly while focusing on Israeli foreign aid to five East African countries, using data on Israel's foreign aid and data on voting patterns from 2012 to 2021. The results testify that Israel foreign aid has helped to promote ties with Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania, but has not helped to promote voting patterns in favor of Israel. The results reveal a duality according to which the bilateral relations between Israel and East African countries have improved, but there has been no improvement in their voting patterns in a way that raises questions about the success level of using foreign aid as a tool to promote a favorable UN voting.
Brain state‐dependent responses of midbrain dopaminergic neurons to footshock under urethane anaesthesia
Authors: Izowit Gabriela , Walczak Magdalena , Drwięga Gniewosz , Solecki Wojciech , Błasiak Tomasz
Published: January 2024

For a long time, it has been assumed that dopaminergic (DA) neurons in both the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) uniformly respond to rewarding and aversive stimuli by either increasing or decreasing their activity, respectively. This response was believed to signal information about the perceived stimuli's values. The identification of VTA&SNc DA neurons that are excited by both rewarding and aversive stimuli has led to the categorisation of VTA&SNc DA neurons into two subpopulations: one signalling the value and the other signalling the salience of the stimuli. It has been shown that the general state of the brain can modulate the electrical activity of VTA&SNc DA neurons, but it remains unknown whether this factor may also influence responses to aversive stimuli, such as a footshock (FS). To address this question, we have recorded the responses of VTA&SNc DA neurons to FSs across cortical activation and slow wave activity brain states in urethane‐anaesthetised rats. Adding to the knowledge of aversion signalling by midbrain DA neurons, we report that significant proportion of VTA&SNc DA neurons can change their responses to an aversive stimulus in a brain state‐dependent manner. The majority of these neurons decreased their activity in response to FS during cortical activation but switched to increasing it during slow wave activity. It can be hypothesised that this subpopulation of DA neurons may be involved in the ‘dual signalling’ of both the value and the salience of the stimuli, depending on the general state of the brain.
Climate and human stressors on global penguin hotspots: Current assessments for future conservation
Authors: Gimeno Míriam , Giménez Joan , Chiaradia Andre , Davis Lloyd S. , Seddon Philip J. , Ropert‐Coudert Yan , Reisinger Ryan R. , Coll Marta , Ramírez Francisco
Published: January 2024

As charismatic and iconic species, penguins can act as “ambassadors” or flagship species to promote the conservation of marine habitats in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, there is a lack of reliable, comprehensive, and systematic analysis aimed at compiling spatially explicit assessments of the multiple impacts that the world's 18 species of penguin are facing. We provide such an assessment by combining the available penguin occurrence information from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (>800,000 occurrences) with three main stressors: climate‐driven environmental changes at sea, industrial fisheries, and human disturbances on land. Our analyses provide a quantitative assessment of how these impacts are unevenly distributed spatially within species' distribution ranges. Consequently, contrasting pressures are expected among species, and populations within species. The areas coinciding with the greatest impacts for penguins are the coast of Perú, the Patagonian Shelf, the Benguela upwelling region, and the Australian and New Zealand coasts. When weighting these potential stressors with species‐specific vulnerabilities, Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti), African (Spheniscus demersus), and Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) emerge as the species under the most pressure. Our approach explicitly differentiates between climate and human stressors, since the more achievable management of local anthropogenic stressors (e.g., fisheries and land‐based threats) may provide a suitable means for facilitating cumulative impacts on penguins, especially where they may remain resilient to global processes such as climate change. Moreover, our study highlights some poorly represented species such as the Northern Rockhopper (Eudyptes moseleyi), Snares (Eudyptes robustus), and Erect‐crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) that need internationally coordinated efforts for data acquisition and data sharing to understand their spatial distribution properly.
Spatially heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology induced by climate change threaten the integrity of the avian migration network
Authors: Wei Jie , Xu Fei , Cole Ella F. , Sheldon Ben C. , de Boer Willem F. , Wielstra Ben , Fu Haohuan , Gong Peng , Si Yali
Published: January 2024

Phenological responses to climate change frequently vary among trophic levels, which can result in increasing asynchrony between the peak energy requirements of consumers and the availability of resources. Migratory birds use multiple habitats with seasonal food resources along migration flyways. Spatially heterogeneous climate change could cause the phenology of food availability along the migration flyway to become desynchronized. Such heterogeneous shifts in food phenology could pose a challenge to migratory birds by reducing their opportunity for food availability along the migration path and consequently influencing their survival and reproduction. We develop a novel graph‐based approach to quantify this problem and deploy it to evaluate the condition of the heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology for 16 migratory herbivorous waterfowl species in Asia. We show that climate change‐induced heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology could cause a 12% loss of migration network integrity on average across all study species. Species that winter at relatively lower latitudes are subjected to a higher loss of integrity in their migration network. These findings highlight the susceptibility of migratory species to climate change. Our proposed methodological framework could be applied to migratory species in general to yield an accurate assessment of the exposure under climate change and help to identify actions for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate‐related risks.
Greenwashing: Appearance, illusion and the future of ‘green’ capitalism
Authors: Williams Joe
Published: January 2024

Greenwashing is a well‐understood concept, describing the use of false or misleading claims and symbolism to give an impression of a company or organisation's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. While many environmental groups use the concept widely to criticise the ‘optics’ strategies of organisations wanting to improve their image while maintaining a business‐as‐usual approach, it has largely been ignored in Geography and related disciplines. This paper argues that we need to take greenwashing seriously. It develops a broad concept of greenwashing, suggesting that the processes of obscuring social and ecological relations via greenwashing are central to the (dis)functioning of contemporary capitalism. A critical theory of greenwashing, therefore, is not simply about challenging ‘bad actors’, but is an essential part of a wider critique of ‘green’ capitalism and Sustainable Development.
Metaphorical use of “headache” and “migraine” in media: A longitudinal study of 1.3 million articles in major publications
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Ventrapragada Advika , Shapiro Robert E. , Do Thien Phu
Published: January 2024

Background

Stigmatization and trivialization of headache confront individuals with headache disorders, but the degree to which media may contribute is incompletely understood.

Objective

The objective of this study was to quantify the frequency of disparaging metaphorical use of the words “headache” and “migraine” in articles and summaries of major publications.

Methods

This longitudinal study analyzed a dataset of 1.3 million articles and summaries written by authors and editors of 38 major publications. Data cover written publications from 1998 up to 2017. The use of the words “headache” or “migraine” in articles and summaries by major publications was rated by two authors (P.Z. and A.V.) as either “metaphorical” or “medical” based on their contextual application. Pearson's chi‐squared test was applied to assess differences in the frequency of metaphorical use of “headache” in comparison to “migraine.” Secondary outcomes were the source of publication and time of publication.

Results

A total of 6195 and 740 articles included the words “headache” or “migraine,” respectively; 7100 sentences contained the word “headache” and 1652 sentences contained the word “migraine.” Among a random sample of 1000 sentences with the word “headache,” there was a metaphorical use in 492 (49.2% [95% CI, 46.1–52.3]) sentences. Among a random sample of 1000 sentences with the word “migraine,” there was a metaphorical use in 45 (4.5% [95% CI, 3.2–5.8]) sentences. The five most prevalent sources were CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. There was an overall increase in the number of articles containing the words “headache” or “migraine” from database inception until analysis (1998 up to 2017). The database included no articles containing either “headache” or “migraine” in 1998; in 2016, this number was 1480 articles.

Conclusions

In this longitudinal study, major publications applied a metaphorical use of “headache” about half of the time. The metaphorical use of “headache” is 11‐fold greater than the metaphorical use of “migraine” in the same media sample. These depictions may contribute to the trivialization of headache and the stigmatization of individuals with headache disorders. Studies with individuals affected by headache disorders are needed to clarify potential influences.
The effect of phototherapy on Demodex density: a case–control study
Authors: Aksoy Hasan , Aslan Kayıran Melek , Dede Yeşim , Altıntaş Kakşi Sümeyye , Erdemir Vefa A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Human Demodex mites,Demodex folliculorumandDemodex brevis, are microorganisms that reside in the pilosebaceous units, usually without causing symptoms. Phototherapy has been linked to demodicosis in previous studies. We aimed to determine whether there was an increase in the frequency of demodicosis and Demodex density after 20 phototherapy sessions.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted with 32 participants who received narrowband ultraviolet B or ultraviolet A‐1 therapy for various dermatological indications. Standardized skin surface biopsies were performed before and after phototherapy to assess Demodex density. The presence of Demodex‐related skin conditions was assessed before phototherapy. A statistical analysis was performed to compare the Demodex densities and prevalence of demodicosis between the baseline and 20th session of phototherapy.

Results

No significant change was observed in Demodex density after 20 sessions of phototherapy. The average Demodex density before treatment was 2.75 ± 4.48 (/cm2), and after treatment, it was 2.85 ± 4.81 (/cm2), indicating no significant difference (P = 0.879). The percentage of patients with demodicosis in at least one region of the face was 28.1% (9/32) before treatment, and after treatment, it was 31.3% (10/32), with no significant difference (P = 1.00).

Conclusions

Our findings contradict previous studies that suggested an increased Demodex density and demodicosis prevalence after phototherapy. The data from previous studies are open to debate due to their selected samples, designs, and interpretations regarding the phototherapy–immunosuppression–Demodex relationship. Larger‐scale longitudinal studies conducted on a homogeneous sample are warranted to better understand the relationship between phototherapy and demodicosis.
Gene regulation in inborn errors of immunity: Implications for gene therapy design and efficacy
Authors: Ghanim Hana Y. , Porteus Matthew H.
Published: January 2024

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) present a unique paradigm in the realm of gene therapy, emphasizing the need for precision in therapeutic design. As gene therapy transitions from broad‐spectrum gene addition to careful modification of specific genes, the enduring safety and effectiveness of these therapies in clinical settings have become crucial. This review discusses the significance of IEIs as foundational models for pioneering and refining precision medicine. We explore the capabilities of gene addition and gene correction platforms in modifying the DNA sequence of primary cells tailored for IEIs. The review uses four specific IEIs to highlight key issues in gene therapy strategies: X‐linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), X‐linked chronic granulomatous disease (X‐CGD), X‐linked hyper IgM syndrome (XHIGM), and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X‐linked (IPEX). We detail the regulatory intricacies and therapeutic innovations for each disorder, incorporating insights from relevant clinical trials. For most IEIs, regulated expression is a vital aspect of the underlying biology, and we discuss the importance of endogenous regulation in developing gene therapy strategies.
Ambulatory arterial stiffness index, mortality, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes; Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Boos Christopher J. , Hein Aung , Khattab Ahmed
Published: January 2024

The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) is a novel measure of both blood pressure (BP) variability and arterial stiffness. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was designed to evaluate the strength of the association between AASI and mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar. and the Cochrane library were searched for relevant studies to July 31, 2023. Two investigators independently extracted data. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of all included articles. The relationship between baseline AASI and outcomes were examined using relative risk (RR) ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with RevMan web. Thirteen studies were included and representing 28 855 adult patients who were followed up from 2.2 to 15.2 years. A 1‐standard deviation (1‐SD) increase in AASI was associated with a significant increase in all‐cause death (RR 1.12; 95% CI: 0.95‐1.32), stroke (RR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.09‐1.44), and MACE (RR 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.13; [I2 = 32%]). Higher dichotomized AASI (above vs. below researcher defined cut‐offs) was associated with a significant increase in all‐cause mortality (RR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.32), cardiovascular death (RR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.14‐1.46), stroke (RR 1.57; 95% CI: 1.33‐1.85), and MACE (RR1.29; 95% CI: 1.16‐1.44). There was a significant risk of bias in more than 50% of studies with no evidence of significant publication bias. Higher AASI is associated with an increased risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular death, stroke, and MACE. Further high‐quality studies are warranted to determine reproducible AASI cut‐offs to enhance its clinical risk precision.
Forecasting the future prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in Korea through 2048: an epidemiologic study employing autoregressive integrated moving average models
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Oh Shin Ju , Lee Chang Kyun ,   The Big Data Research Group of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim

The global inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) escalation has precipitated an increased disease burden and economic impact, particularly in Asia. This study primarily aimed to predict the future prevalence of IBD in Korea and elucidate its evolution pattern.

Methods

Using a validated diagnostic algorithm, we analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2004 and 2017 to identify patients with IBD. We predicted the number and prevalence of patients with IBD from 2018 to 2048 with the autoregressive integrated moving average method. A generalized linear model (GLM) was also employed to identify factors contributing to the observed trend in IBD prevalence.

Results

Our prediction model validation demonstrated an acceptable error range for IBD prevalence, with a 2.45% error rate and a mean absolute difference of 2.61. We foresee a sustained average annual increase of 4.51 IBD cases per 100 000, culminating in a prevalence of 239.73 per 100 000 by 2048. The forecasted average annual percent change was 6.17% for males and 2.75% for females over the next 30 years. The GLM analysis revealed that age, gender and time significantly impact the prevalence of IBD, with notable disparities observed between genders in specific age groups for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (all interaction P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study forecasts a notable increase in Korean IBD prevalence by 2048, particularly among males and the 20–39 age group, highlighting the need to focus on these high‐risk groups to mitigate the future disease burden.
Assessment of prevalence of sunscreen use and related practices among people living in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional survey‐based study
Authors: Hafez Salwa Y. , Alraddadi Eman A. , Ramadan Majed , Alsalamah Faris , Alghumuy Raghad , Aljuhani Faisal F.
Published: January 2024

Background

The use of sunscreen significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer and helps maintain skin health; however, improper use can decrease its effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sunscreen use in Saudi Arabia as well as identifying areas of weakness in sunscreen practices.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey‐based study was conducted with a diverse population sample in Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked about their sunscreen usage habits, motivations, and knowledge of proper application techniques. Demographic information, including age, gender, and skin type, were also collected.

Results

A total of 2321 individuals participated in the study. More than two‐thirds of the participants reported using sunscreen either always, regularly, or often, primarily to maintain a light skin color and prevent skin cancer. Factors associated with sunscreen use included younger age (18–40 years old), female gender, history of sunburn, and fair skin. Despite the majority reporting healthy sun exposure habits, several shortcomings were identified in sunscreen practices, including incorrect application and suboptimal reapplication frequency.

Conclusion

While sunscreen use is common among the study population, there is a need for improved education on proper application techniques. National awareness campaigns, especially those utilizing popular social media and digital platforms in Saudi Arabia, should focus on disseminating accurate sunscreen use guidelines to maximize sun protection and skin health.
Escaping iatrogenic harm: A journey into mental health service avoidance
Authors: Aves Wren
Published: January 2024

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Little is known about how mental health services can cause harm in ways other than medication, talking therapies, diagnosis and detention under the Mental Health Act.

The outcomes of people who avoid seeking help from mental health services due to previous experiences of harm are not well known.

What this article adds to existing knowledge?

I provide a first‐person perspective of experiences of harm within mental health services, how this impacted my care, the long‐term effects of the harm on my well‐being and my ongoing experiences of avoiding mental health services.

What are the implications for mental health nursing?

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the multitude of ways service provision can harm patients, and how, unknown to professionals, patients may create an internal understanding of how to best navigate harmful service environments.

Healthcare professionals should have a deeper understanding of the reasons why people may choose not to engage with mental health services, and what impact this may have on them.

The recent announcement of the first ever statutory public inquiry into a UK mental health service indicates a growing recognition of iatrogenic harm in mental healthcare. Despite the potential for harm across all services and practices, restrictive practices, psychotherapy, diagnosis and psychiatric medications are often the only areas of mental healthcare given significant attention. While the topic is widely discussed in survivor communities, accounts of harm caused by the everyday workings of services, including team cultures, administrative processes and staff–patient interactions, are missing from academic literature. In this article, I describe my 10‐year journey through mental health services, and how everyday practices, cultures and staff behaviour deeply impacted my ability to receive appropriate care, replicated previously traumatic environments, and damaged my mental health. Taking steps to protect myself from further harm, I self‐discharged and am currently living as a ‘service‐avoider’. The ongoing implications of this decision and the long‐term impacts of harm are discussed.