bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvements from a small‐group multidisciplinary pain self‐management intervention for women living with pelvic pain maintained at 12 months
Authors: Joseph Karen , Mills Jessica
Published: April 2024

Background

A small‐group multidisciplinary pain self‐management program for women living with pelvic pain, with or without endometriosis, was developed to address identified unmet treatment needs. Following completion, over 80% of participants demonstrated clinically significant improvement across a number of domains. There was no clinically significant deterioration on any measure and benefits continued at three months follow‐up.

Aims

This study examines patient‐reported outcomes at 12 months following program completion to ascertain maintenance of these improvements.

Materials and methods

Self‐report measures assessed quality of life across the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials domains prior to, at completion and 12 months following participation.

Results

At 12 months follow‐up, improvement was seen in mean group scores for all baseline measures for 57% of participants who returned valid 12‐month follow‐up data, with clinically significant improvement seen for within‐subject scores for 50% of these participants for pain severity and also for pain‐related activity interference. Improvements were also reported in key predictors of long‐term outcomes, pain self‐efficacy and catastrophic worry, with 92% reporting improvement in each of these two constructs. There were 83% of respondents who reported feeling both improvement in overall sense of wellbeing and improvement in their physical ability compared to before the program.

Conclusions

Results suggest that a six‐week multidisciplinary small‐group intervention increases participants' abilities to self‐manage pain and improves quality of life with lasting clinically significant improvements.
AM‐301, a barrier‐forming nasal spray, versus saline spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Becker Sven , Deshmukh Sachin , De Looze Ferdinandus , Francardo Veronica , Lee Jessie , McGirr Anthony , Nathan Zachary , Rook Christopher , Meyer Thomas
Published: April 2024

Rationale

Saline nasal sprays are frequently used in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) for the cleansing and clearing of aeroallergens from the nasal cavity. Also using a drug‐free approach, AM‐301 nasal spray is forming a thin film barrier on the nasal mucosa to prevent contact with allergens, trap them, and facilitate their discharge. A clinical trial compared the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of AM‐301 and saline spray in SAR.

Methods

A total of 100 patients were randomized 1:1 to self‐administer AM‐301 or saline 3 × daily for 2 weeks. Primary efficacy endpoint: reduction in mean daily reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS). Secondary efficacy endpoints: reduction in mean instantaneous TNSS and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), global impression of efficacy. Safety and tolerability: adverse events, relief medication use, symptom‐free days, global impression of tolerability.

Results

AM‐301‐treated patients achieved a significantly lower rTNSS than the saline group (LS square means difference −1.1, 95% CI −1.959 to −0.241, p = .013) with improvement observed across all individual nasal symptoms. Likewise, all secondary endpoints showed statistical significance in favor of AM‐301; for example, quality of life was significantly improved overall (p < .001) as well as for each individual RQLQ domain. Both treatments showed similarly good safety and tolerability. With AM‐301, fewer patients used relief medication and more enjoyed symptom‐free days compared to saline treatment.

Conclusions

AM‐301 was more effective than saline in improving SAR nasal symptoms and related quality of life while offering similar tolerability, demonstrating the benefits of a barrier approach.
Egoistic value is positively associated with pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour when the environmental problems are psychologically close
Authors: Lou Xiaobin , Li Liman Man Wai , Ito Kenichi
Published: April 2024

Egoistic value is conceptualized as anti‐environmental in many environmental value theories, yet contradictory evidence exists for its relation with pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour. To provide insights into these inconsistent findings, this research examined the moderating role of the psychological distance of environmental problems on their relationship. Across one cross‐sectional survey study (1008 community participants from the United States) and one World Values Survey study (66,704 nationally representative participants from 46 countries/regions), results converged in showing that psychological distance of environmental problems (i.e. climate change and local pollution) moderated the relationship between egoistic value and pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour. Their association became more positive as that psychological distance got closer. Different patterns were observed for altruistic and biospheric values. These findings highlight the potential pro‐environmental utility of egoistic value and the importance of paying attention to contexts when theorizing its relation with pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour.
A new tandem repeat‐enriched lncRNA XLOC_008672 promotes gastric carcinogenesis by regulating G3BP1 expression
Authors: Li Li , Yu Shijun , Dou Ning , Wang Xiao , Gao Yong , Li Yandong
Published: April 2024

Aberrant expression of forkhead box transcription factor 1 (FOXM1) plays critical roles in a variety of human malignancies and predicts poor prognosis. However, little is known about the crosstalk between FOXM1 and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis. The present study identifies a previously uncharacterized lncRNA XLOC_008672 in gastric cancer (GC), which is regulated by FOXM1 and possesses multiple copies of tandem repetitive sequences. LncRNA microarrays are used to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs in FOXM1 knockdown GC cells, and then the highest fold downregulation lncRNA XLOC_008672 is screened out. Sequence analysis reveals that the new lncRNA contains 62 copies of 37‐bp tandem repeats. It is transcriptionally activated by FOXM1 and functions as a downstream effector of FOXM1 in GC cells through in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Elevated expression of XLOC_008672 is found in GC tissues and indicates worse prognosis. Mechanistically, XLOC_008672 can bind to small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide A (SNRPA), thereby enhancing mRNA stability of Ras‐GTPase‐activating protein SH3 domain‐binding protein 1 (G3BP1) and, consequently, facilitating GC cell proliferation and migration. Our study discovers a new uncharacterized lncRNA XLOC_008672 involved in GC carcinogenesis and progression. Targeting FOXM1/XLOC_008672/SNRPA/G3BP1 signaling axis might be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC.
Contact allergy to topical ophthalmic medications: A retrospective single‐centre study of three decades
Authors: Svendsen Sebastian Vigand , Mortz Charlotte G. , Mose Kristian Fredløv
Published: April 2024

Background

The prevalence of contact allergy to various ophthalmic medications appears to be rare; however, data on culprits, clinical relevance of sensitizations, and changes in frequency within recent decades are limited.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance, risk factors, and prevalence of contact allergy to topical ophthalmic medications in patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis to ophthalmic medication.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patch test results and clinical data for 754 patients patch‐tested with an ophthalmic medication series at our tertiary referral centre between January 1992 and December 2022.

Results

In total, 37.5% (283/754) of patch‐tested patients had a contact allergy to at least one ophthalmic allergen, with 87.3% (247) being clinically relevant sensitization. Phenylephrine (31.8%, 192/604), povidone‐iodine (29%, 27/93), and tobramycin (23%, 46/200) were the most important sensitizers. The incidence of contact allergies increased significantly in a linear manner (p = 0.008) from 20% to 44.1% within the study period. Male sex and age above 40 were risk factors for contact allergy to ophthalmic medication.

Conclusions

One third of patch tested patients had allergic contact dermatitis to ophthalmic medication, particularly phenylephrine. Male sex and age above 40 years were independent risk factors and drove the linear increase in contact allergy to ophthalmic medications within the past 31 years.
Quantified trends in provider reimbursement and utilization volume in colorectal cancer screenings: analysis of Medicare claims from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Bommineni Vishal M. , Bommineni Vikas L. , Gupta Rohan
Published: April 2024

Aim

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates in the United States remain persistently below guideline targets, partly due to suboptimal patient utilization and provider reimbursement. To guide long‐term national utilization estimates and set reasonable screening adherence targets, this study aimed to quantify trends in utilization of and reimbursement for CRC screenings using Medicare claims.

Method

Inflation‐adjusted reimbursements and utilization volume associated with each CRC screening code were abstracted from Medicare claims between 2000 and 2019. Screenings, screenings/100 000 enrolees and reimbursement/screening were analysed with linear regression and compared with the equality of slopes tests. Average reimbursement per screening was compared using analysis of variance with Dunnett's T3 multiple comparisons test.

Results

The growth rate of multitarget stool DNA tests (mt‐sDNA)/100 000 was the highest at 170.4 screenings/year (R2 = 0.99, p ≤ 0.001), while that of faecal occult blood tests/100 000 was the lowest at −446.4 screenings/year (R2 = 0.90, p ≤ 0.001) (p ≤ 0.001). Provider reimbursements averaged $546.95 (95% CI $520.12–$573.78) per mt‐sDNA screening, significantly higher than reimbursements for all invasive screenings. Only FOBTs significantly increased in reimbursement per screening at $0.62/year (R2 = 0.91, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

We derived forecastable trend numbers for utilization and provider reimbursement. Faecal immunochemical tests/100 000 and mt‐sDNA screenings/100 000 increased most rapidly during the entire study period. The number of nearly all invasive screenings/100 000 decreased rapidly; the number of colonoscopies/100 000 increased slightly, probably due to superior diagnostic strength. These trends indicate the that replacement of other invasive modalities with accessible noninvasive screenings will account for much of future screening behaviour and thus reductions in CRC incidence and mortality, especially given providers' reimbursement incentive to screen average‐risk patients with stool‐based tests.
Supply of mental health practices after prescriptive authority expansion for psychologists
Authors: Shoulders Angela , Plemmons Alicia
Published: April 2024

The prescription‐privileges movement has advocated for state laws enabling trained psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medication. We examine the impact of these laws on healthcare access and outcomes. Using staggered difference‐in‐differences analysis and Data Axle data, we estimate the number of new mental health establishments per 100,000 people after policy implementation. Using CDC data, we analyze the policy's impact on suicide rates. We find the policy increased the number of psychology and counseling practices without decreasing the number of psychiatric practices, implying that these practices are complements rather than substitutes. Quality held steady, with no notable change in the suicide rate.
Morphology quiz: Large inguinal lymphadenopathy in a young man
Authors: Maffei Elisabetta , Donatiello Iginio , Zeppa Pio , Caputo Alessandro
Published: April 2024

A 25‐year‐old male with fever, joint pain and inguinal masses. Lab tests reveal polyadenopathy. Negative serology. Ultrasound shows a 42 mm hypoechoic node. FNAC and core‐needle biopsy show… what? Read the article to find out.
Elementos de datos comunes para la artrogriposis múltiple congénita: Un marco internacional
Authors: Nematollahi Shahrzad , Dieterich Klaus , Filges Isabel , De Vries Johanna I. P. , Van Bosse Harold , Natera de Benito Daniel , Hall Judith G. , Sawatzky Bonita , Bedard Tanya , Sanchez Victoria Castillo , Navalon‐Martinez Carolina , Pan Tony , Hilton Coleman , Dahan‐Oliel Noémi
Published: April 2024

Objetivo

Para facilitar los estudios multicéntricos y la investigación clínica internacional, este estudio pretende identificar de forma consensuada los elementos de datos estandarizados para la artrogriposis múltiple congénita (AMC).

Método

Estudio de métodos mixtos de grupos de discusión y tres rondas de encuestas Delphi modificadas para llegar a un consenso utilizando dos escalas de clasificación por niveles.

Resultados

En total, 45 expertos clínicos y adultos con experiencia vivida (incluidos 12 miembros de un consorcio de AMC) participaron en este estudio procedentes de 11 países: Norteamérica, Europa y Australia. Los CDEs incluyen 321 elementos de datos y 19 medidas estandarizadas en varios dominios desde el desarrollo fetal hasta la edad adulta. Los elementos de datos relativos a los rasgos fenotípicos del CDEs se mapearon de acuerdo con la Ontología de Fenotipos Humanos. Se identificaron como principales facilitadores la estructura de gobernanza universal, protocolos operados de forma local y los planes de sostenibilidad, mientras que los principales obstáculos observados son la capacidad limitada para compartir datos y la necesidad de una infraestructura informática federada.

Interpretación

La recopilación de datos sistemáticos sobre la AMC mediante CDEs permitirá investigar las vías etiológicas, describir el perfil epidemiológico y establecer correlaciones genotipo‐fenotipo de forma estandarizada. Los CDEs propuestos facilitarán las colaboraciones multidisciplinares internacionales mejorando los estudios a gran escala y las oportunidades para compartir datos, translación de conocimiento y difusión.
Feasibility and prognostic value of tissue motion annular displacement in patients with heart transplantation
Authors: Ji Xiang , Zhang Yiwei , Xie Yuji , Zhao Ruohan , Li Yuman , Xie Mingxing , Zhang Li
Published: April 2024

Background

Tissue motion of mitral annular displacement (TMAD) assessment has proved to be an effective method for several cardiovascular diseases including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, etc. However, there are no studies exploring the feasibility of TMAD in heart transplantation (HT) recipients, and the predictive value of this parameter for adverse outcomes in these patients remains unknown. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of TMAD in the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in clinically well adult HT patients, and further investigate the prognostic value of TMAD.

Methods

Echocardiography was performed in 155 adult HT patients and 49 healthy subjects. All the subjects were examined by conventional transthoracic two‐dimensional echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE) with evaluation of the LV end‐diastolic diameter, LV end‐diastolic volume index, LV end‐systolic volume index, interventricular septal thickness, left atrial diameter, mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), TMAD and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). The end point was defined as all‐causes mortality or posttransplant related hospitalization during follow up. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of the parameters for predicting poor outcomes in HT patients.

Results

A significant positive correlation was found between the measurements of TMAD and LVGLS (r = .714, p < .001). TMAD obtained by 2D‐STE had good reproducibility. The LVGLS and TMAD were significantly lower in HT group than in control group (both p < .001). In HT patients, compared with event free group, adverse outcome group displayed reduced TMAD and LVGLS, and elevated age (p < .001, < .001, = .017, respectively). Patients with higher TMAD (> 9.1 mm) had comparatively better survival when stratified by cutoff value (log‐rank p < .001). LVGLS and TMAD were independently associated with adverse outcomes in multivariable analysis (both p < .001).

Conclusion

Assessment of TMAD is effective for evaluating LV longitudinal systolic function and predicting adverse outcomes in clinically well adult HT patients.
Hurdles to financing micro‐entrepreneurs in MENA countries prior and during COVID‐19
Authors: Berguiga Imène , Adair Philippe
Published: April 2024

Factors detrimental to funding females or micro‐entrepreneurs arise both from the demand side of businesses, such as the absence of funding need versus self‐selection despite account holding, and from the supply side of financial institutions, such as deficient financial infrastructure and discrimination towards loan applicants. A sequential model addresses both the demand and the supply sides, prior and during the COVID‐19 pandemic, upon four MENA countries, namely Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. Probit regressions use two distinct though comparable sub‐samples of micro‐enterprises from the 2020 World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) and the Economic Research Forum (ERF) COVID‐19 Monitor in 2021. Prior the pandemic, micro‐enterprises are prone to self‐selection vis‐à‐vis loan application in Tunisia (ERF) and in all North African countries (WBES). During the pandemic, no self‐selection vis‐à‐vis government support affects either female or micro‐entrepreneurs. Prior the pandemic, females or micro‐entrepreneurs face no loan discrimination (WBES). During the pandemic, females face no discrimination regarding government support, whereas Moroccan micro‐entrepreneurs do (ERF). Prior the pandemic, financial inclusion runs opposite to both self‐selection and discrimination (WBES), but not for self‐selection (ERF), whereas it proves insignificant during the pandemic with respect to self‐selection or discrimination, whatever the sub‐sample.
Behavioral responses of the lady beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Tenuisvalvae notata to specific mealybug prey
Authors: De La Pava Nataly , da Silva Torres Christian Sherley Araújo , Bento José Maurício S.
Published: April 2024

Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important biocontrol agents that are considered generalist predators, although some tribes, such as Scymnini, are specialized in predation of sucking pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. However, prey preference or pre‐imaginal conditioning may occur as coccinellids are subjected to large‐scale rearing. Thus, predator–prey interaction may be an outcome of conditioning to prey stimuli. To evaluate possible pre‐imaginal conditioning, population lines were created for the lady beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant), each fed for at least eight generations the mealybugs Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockrell) or Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Next, the behavioral response of these coccinellids was measured in arenas treated with prey volatiles or footprints, regarding walking time, walking speed, walking distance, and residence time. Finally, food preference between prey species was measured in laboratory and semi‐field conditions on infested cotton plants. Conditioned coccinellids responded similarly to volatiles released by either prey species offered. Furthermore, there were no changes in predator behavior towards footprints of either prey species. Both predator species consumed more P. citri in all tests, regardless of rearing prey indicating no pre‐imaginal conditioning. These results suggest that rearing prey may not affect the predator behavior, and both coccinellid species are effective in the biological control of mealybugs.
Undergraduate dental students' perceptions of dental pain in children – A grounded theory study
Authors: Roxner Rikard , Hallberg Ulrika , Berlin Henrik , Klingberg Gunilla
Published: April 2024

Introduction

There is an underuse of pain management strategies in dental care for children, possibly owing to perceived stress and discomfort when treating children, which has also been reported by dental students. The aim of this study was to explore how undergraduate dental students experience and understand pain related to dental treatment in children.

Materials and Methods

Interviews were held with 21 Swedish dental students, from 3 dental schools, all in their final 2 years of education. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to Grounded Theory.

Results

A core category, seeking guidance to avoid pain, was identified and related to 6 conceptual categories. The students used different strategies to manage pain prevention in child dentistry and to become skilled dentists. They described high levels of stress, as well as having high expectations on themselves when treating children. The stress led to a surface learning approach, something the students were not fully aware of.

Conclusion

All children should have the right to be ensured optimal pain prevention in dental care. The basis for this is laid during undergraduate education. Thus, pain management in child dentistry is an area in need of special attention in this respect. The academic staff has an important role in supporting their students in their process to gain an identity as professional dentists. To ensure that students incorporate an understanding of the importance of pain prevention when treating children there is a need to create more integration between theory and clinical training in undergraduate education.
New stimulation procedures for language mapping in stereo‐EEG
Authors: Abarrategui Belén , Pelliccia Veronica , Giovannelli Ginevra , Nichelatti Michele , Valenzano Serena , Mikulan Ezequiel , Pigorini Andrea , Revay Martina , Scarpa Pina , Tassi Laura
Published: April 2024

Objective

Cortical intracerebral electrical stimulation is an important tool for language mapping in the presurgical work‐up of patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. Language mapping with stereo–electroencephalography (EEG) is usually performed by high‐frequency stimulations (HFS: 50 Hz), whereas low‐frequency stimulations (LFS: 1 Hz) are usually considered useful for primary cortices mapping. Little is known in literature about “intermediate” frequencies (IFS: 6–15 Hz). Our objective is to explore the clinical usefulness of IFS in language mapping and identify factors, beyond the electrical parameters, that impact the mapping.

Methods

We studied 23 patients submitted to stereo‐EEG for presurgical evaluation. Language mapping was performed in the anterior, posterior and/or basal language region of the dominant hemisphere for language. We included all contact positions within these regions stimulated by HFS (50 Hz, 5 s, 1–3 mA) and IFS (6‐15 Hz, 15 s, 5 mA). We compared the capability of both stimulation methods to induce a language deficit without afterdischarges (ADs), and we analyzed factors related to clinical examination, region, and stimulation technique by multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 211 stimulations (98 HFS, 113 IFS) in 70 cortical sites within the anterior (84 stimulations), posterior (137), and basal language region (60) were included. IFS induced more frequently language deficits not associated to AD compared to HFS (37.1% vs 25.7%, p = .0043), whereas HFS provoked more diffuse AD (34.7% vs 15.0%, p = .001). Investigating multiple language functions increased the probability of revealing a deficit (odds ratio [OR] 3.16, p = .0016), independently of the stimulation method.

Significance

IFS are valuable for language mapping, thereby improving the probability of inducing a clinical deficit not accompanied by an AD. The completeness of the clinical examination independently affects the sensitivity of the mapping. IFS are a new tool with potential usefulness for the cortical mapping of other associative cortical regions.
Epilepsy surgery in adults older than 50 years: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vary O’Neal Arielle , Tamani Ishak , Mendo Christian W. , Josephson Colin B. , Burneo Jorge G. , Steven David A. , Keezer Mark R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Despite the general safety and efficacy of epilepsy surgery, there is evidence that epilepsy surgery remains underutilized. Although there are an increasing number of studies reporting epilepsy surgery in older adults, there is no consensus on whether epilepsy surgery is efficacious or safe for this population. Our objective was to systematically assess the efficacy as well as safety of resective surgery in people aged 50 years or older with drug‐resistant epilepsy.

Methods

We considered studies that examine the efficacy and safety of epilepsy surgery in adults aged 50 years and older. Study eligibility was limited to studies carried out after 1990, with a minimum of 10 participants and 6 months of follow‐up. We searched the following databases for published studies: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsychInfo, and Web of Science Conference Proceedings Citation Index ‐ Science. The risk of bias of each included study was independently assessed by two reviewers using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non‐Randomized Studies) instrument.

Results

Eleven case series and 14 cohort studies met the criteria for inclusion, for a total of 1111 older adults who underwent epilepsy surgery along with 4111 adults younger than 50 years as control groups. The pooled cumulative incidence of older adults achieving seizure freedom after resective surgery was 70.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 65.3–74.7). There was no evident difference in the incidence of seizure freedom among older adults as compared to younger adults (risk ratio [RR] = 1.05, 95% CI = .97–1.14) in cohort studies. The pooled cumulative incidence of perioperative complications in older adults was 26.2% (95% CI = 21.3–31.7). Among them, 7.5% (95% CI = 5.8–9.5) experienced major complications. Older adults were significantly more at risk of experiencing any complication than younger adults (RR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.5–5.4).

Significance

Despite important considerations, epilepsy surgery may be considered appropriate among carefully selected individuals older than 50 years.
Replicated whole‐lake experiment reveals the ineffectiveness of stocking five example fish species in small lakes
Authors: Matern Sven , Radinger Johannes , Klefoth Thomas , Wolter Christian , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: April 2024

Fish stocking is common practice in fisheries management, but its effectiveness to support or increase stock size or catches is debated. In Lower Saxony, Germany, a controlled, replicated stocking experiment of five native fish species in eight gravel pit lakes <20 ha was conducted to examine the potential additive effects of fish releases on abundance, indexed by catch per unit effort (CPUE) in electrofishing and gillnet samples. Fish were stocked twice in four study lakes, while the remaining four control lakes were not subjected to any stocking over a 6‐year study period. Recapture rates of individually marked fishes were extremely low in all five species. Consequently, stocking did not increase species‐specific and total fish community abundance. In additional control experiments in separate ponds all stocked fish species, except bream (Abramis brama), showed high survival in at least one study year, indicating general survival of the stocking material. Fish marking with passive integrated transponders did not affect fish survival, except for roach (Rutilus rutilus), and can thus be ruled out as an explanation for the high post‐stocking mortality. We conclude that stocking failed to enhance stocks of five native fish species in small gravel pit lakes.
Life goes on: Spatial heterogeneity promotes biodiversity in an urbanized coastal marine ecosystem
Authors: McIlroy Shelby E. , Guibert Isis , Archana Anand , Chung Wing Yi Haze , Duffy J. Emmett , Gotama Rinaldi , Hui Jerome , Knowlton Nancy , Leray Matthieu , Meyer Chris , Panagiotou Gianni , Paulay Gustav , Russell Bayden , Thompson Philip D. , Baker David M.
Published: April 2024

Both human populations and marine biodiversity are concentrated along coastlines, with growing conservation interest in how these ecosystems can survive intense anthropogenic impacts. Tropical urban centres provide valuable research opportunities because these megacities are often adjacent to mega‐diverse coral reef systems. The Pearl River Delta is a prime exemplar, as it encompasses one of the most densely populated and impacted regions in the world and is located just northwest of the Coral Triangle. However, the spatial and taxonomic complexity of this biodiversity, most of which is small, cryptic in habitat and poorly known, make comparative analyses challenging. We deployed standardized settlement structures at seven sites differing in the intensity of human impacts and used COI metabarcoding to characterize benthic biodiversity, with a focus on metazoans. We found a total of 7184 OTUs, with an average of 665 OTUs per sampling unit; these numbers exceed those observed in many previous studies using comparable methods, despite the location of our study in an urbanized environment. Beta diversity was also high, with 52% of the OTUs found at just one site. As expected, we found that the sites close to point sources of pollution had substantially lower diversity (44% less) relative to sites bathed in less polluted oceanic waters. However, the polluted sites contributed substantially to the total animal diversity of the region, with 25% of all OTUs occurring only within polluted sites. Further analysis of Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca showed that phylogenetic clustering within a site was common, suggesting that environmental filtering reduced biodiversity to a subset of lineages present within the region, a pattern that was most pronounced in polluted sites and for the Arthropoda. The water quality gradients surrounding the PRD highlight the unique role of in situ studies for understanding the impacts of complex urbanization pressures on biodiversity.
Coherent response of zoo‐ and phytoplankton assemblages to global warming since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Strack T. , Jonkers L. , C. Rillo M. , Baumann K.‐H. , Hillebrand H. , Kucera M.
Published: April 2024

Aim

We are using the fossil record of different marine plankton groups to determine how their biodiversity has changed during past climate warming comparable to projected future warming.

Location

North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Time series cover a latitudinal range from 75° N to 6° S.

Time period

Past 24,000 years, from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the current warm period covering the last deglaciation.

Major taxa studied

Planktonic foraminifera, dinoflagellates and coccolithophores.

Methods

We analyse time series of fossil plankton communities using principal component analysis and generalized additive models to estimate the overall trend of temporal compositional change in each plankton group and to identify periods of significant change. We further analyse local biodiversity change by analysing species richness, species gains and losses, and the effective number of species in each sample, and compare alpha diversity to the LGM mean.

Results

All plankton groups show remarkably similar trends in the rates and spatio‐temporal dynamics of local biodiversity change and a pronounced non‐linearity with climate change in the current warm period. Assemblages of planktonic foraminifera and dinoflagellates started to change significantly with the onset of global warming around 15,500 to 17,000 years ago and continued to change at the same rate during the current warm period until at least 5000 years ago, while coccolithophore assemblages changed at a constant rate throughout the past 24,000 years, seemingly irrespective of the prevailing temperature change.

Main conclusions

Climate change during the transition from the LGM to the current warm period led to a long‐lasting reshuffling of zoo‐ and phytoplankton assemblages, likely associated with the emergence of new ecological interactions and possibly a shift in the dominant drivers of plankton assemblage change from more abiotic‐dominated causes during the last deglaciation to more biotic‐dominated causes with the onset of the Holocene.
Anxiety and depressive symptoms and migraine‐related outcomes in children and adolescents
Authors: Rizvi Bilal Ahmed , Kuziek Jonathan , Cho Lydia Y. , Ronksley Paul E. , Noel Melanie N. , Orr Serena Laura
Published: April 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the longitudinal relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms and migraine outcomes in children and adolescents.

Background

Children and adolescents with migraine experience more anxiety and depressive symptoms than their peers without migraine, but it is unknown if these symptoms are associated with differential migraine outcomes.

Methods

In this prospective clinical cohort study, children and adolescents aged 8.0–18.0 years with migraine completed headache questionnaires and validated measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) at an initial consultation and at their first follow‐up visit with a neurologist. Changes in monthly headache frequency and changes in migraine‐related disability (Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment) were tracked at each time point. The relationships between these migraine outcomes and anxiety and depressive symptoms were estimated using models controlling for sex, age, headache frequency, and treatment type.

Results

There were 123 consenting participants. In models adjusted for age, sex, baseline disability score, and treatment type, baseline anxiety and depressive symptom levels were not significantly associated with change in headache frequency (for anxiety symptoms: β = −0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.268 to 0.166, p = 0.639; for depressive symptoms: β = 0.14, 95% CI = −0.079 to 0.359, p = 0.209). Similarly, in models adjusted for age, sex, baseline headache frequency, and treatment type, the change in disability was not associated with baseline anxiety (β = −0.45, 95% CI = −1.69 to 0.78, p = 0.470), nor with baseline depressive symptom scores (β = 0.16, 95% CI = −1.07 to 1.40, p = 0.796). In post hoc exploratory analyses (N = 84 with anxiety and N = 82 with depressive symptom data at both visits), there were also no significant associations between change in mental health symptoms and change in headache frequency (for anxiety symptoms: β = −0.084, 95% CI = −0.246 to 0.078, p = 0.306; for depressive symptoms: β = −0.013, 95% CI = −0.164 to 0.138, p = 0.865). Similarly, the change in disability scores between visits was not related to the change in anxiety (β = 0.85, 95% CI = −0.095 to 1.78, p = 0.077) nor depressive symptom scores (β = 0.32, 95% CI = −0.51 to 1.15, p = 0.446).

Conclusion

Baseline anxiety and depressive symptom levels were not associated with longitudinal migraine outcomes and neither were longitudinal changes in anxiety and depressive symptom levels; this contradicts popular clinical belief that mental health symptoms predict or consistently change in tandem with migraine outcomes.
Pain medication beliefs in individuals with headache
Authors: Turner Dana P. , Bertsch Julia , Caplis Emily , Houle Timothy T.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To evaluate pain medication beliefs in a community sample of individuals with headache.

Background

Previous studies of medication adherence for individuals with headache have identified a high rate of prescription nonfulfillment, frequent medication discontinuation, and widely varying levels of medication‐related satisfaction. Still, there is a limited understanding of how these individuals view their medications and their relationships with health‐care providers. Insight into these perceptions could prove useful in explaining medication adherence behaviors.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study, data from N = 215 adults with headache were analyzed. Participants completed the Pain Medication Attitudes Questionnaire (PMAQ), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y‐2, Weekly Stress Inventory Short Form, and Migraine Disability Scale. These participants also provided a list of their current pain medications.

Results

Using the PMAQ, participants could be characterized as having medication beliefs that were “trusting and unconcerned” (n = 83/215 [38.6%]), “skeptical and somewhat worried” (n = 99/215 [46.0%]), or “skeptical and concerned” (n = 33/215 [15.3%]). Individuals with skeptical and concerned beliefs expressed elevated concerns (z > 1.15) about side effects, scrutiny, perceived need, tolerance, withdrawal, and addiction. Individuals who were trusting and unconcerned expressed low levels (z < −0.40) of these beliefs. Increasing levels of mistrust and medication concerns were correlated with higher depression scores on the CES‐D, with values ranging from r = 0.23 to r = 0.38.

Conclusions

Subgroups of pain medication beliefs were identified, including two groups of patients with at least some concerns about their medical providers. Beliefs ranged from a lack of concern about using pain medications to worries about scrutiny and harm. It is unclear if poor experiences with pain medications cause these beliefs or if they prevent individuals from effectively utilizing medications. Additionally, more negative beliefs about pain medications were associated with more depressive symptoms.
‘You don't have to be educated to help your child’: Parental involvement among first generation of higher education Druze students in Israel
Authors: Shams Duaa , Grinshtain Yael , Dror Yuval
Published: April 2024

First‐generation students cope with challenges deriving from a lack of knowledge regarding higher education. This lack of knowledge is particularly relevant for minorities groups. In this context, parental involvement can be regarded as a meaningful pathway for enrolment and advancement in higher education. The study examined the perceptions of Druze students from the Golan Heights in Israel, who are considered to be a minority group and are first‐generation students, regarding their parents' involvement in their higher education studies. 15 Druze were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, it was found that parents' support is reflected in a high appreciation of education, due to the absence of opportunities during their own childhood, alongside moral and indirect academic support. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of being part of the Druze minority with being first‐generation students, highlighting these students' ways of overcoming barriers in the context of national and ethnic challenges.
Synthesis, microstructure, properties of nonstoichiometry high entropy carbide (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5
Authors: Hai Wanxiu , Zhang Shubo , Gong Maoyuan , Feng Min , Liu Meiling , Chen Yuhong
Published: April 2024

A dense, fine‐grained, and toughened nonstoichiometry high entropy carbide (HEC) (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5 was synthesized via a two‐step way of carbothermal reduction‐solid solution using metal oxides and carbon. The effects of carbothermal reduction temperature, sintering temperature, and carbon content on the phase, microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties of (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5 were studied. The results showed dense and single phase (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5 were synthesized through reduction of metal oxides at 1600°C and sintered at and above 1950°C by spark plasma sintering. Reduced carbon content and higher solid solution temperature were beneficial to obtain dense HECs with better mechanical properties. With a carbon content of 90%, a reduction temperature of 1600°C, a holding time of 20 min, and a sintering temperature of 1950°C, the as‐synthesized (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5 showed a higher fracture toughness (5.2 MPa·m1/2). Besides, the (MoNbTaTiW)C4.5 showed a low thermal conductivity (5.9 W/m·K, at room temperature).
Editor's Highlights — May 2024
Authors: Kemény Lajos
Published: April 2024

Dermatological research and education have predominantly focused on lighter skin types in the past, leading to a significant gap in knowledge and understanding of conditions in darker skin types. This has contributed to disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in patients with skin of color. In the current issue of the Journal, we highlight four papers on the epidemiology and clinics of skin of color patients but also emphasize the importance of education and research in the dermatopathology of SOC patients.
Identification of potential markers, key aroma compounds, and hazardous compounds in different types of smoked meat products
Authors: Gao Rongmei , Shi Haonan , Nie Ruotong , Liu Huan , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Dequan , Zhang Chunjiang
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to characterise the volatile aroma and hazardous compounds presented in smoked meat from various regions and types. The analysis was conducted using chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques. In six types of smoked meat, 15 of the 40 key aroma compounds were found to be co‐occurring. The highest contributor among them was 2‐methoxy‐phenol. Compared to other smoked meat, Norharman was more abundant in smoked pork with a range of 4.97~81.04 ng g−1, and Nε‐carboxymethyl lysine (CML) and Nε‐carboxyethyl lysine (CEL) were higher in smoked pork and chicken with a range of 9.32~138.91 μg g−1 and 6.35~141.74 μg g−1, respectively. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) content did not exceed 5 μg kg−1 in any of the samples. Concerning aroma compounds, phenolics were higher in smoked pork and mutton, aldehydes in smoked duck and goose and nitrogenous compounds mainly in smoked chicken. Additionally, 12 key potential markers were identified for distinguishing between different regions and types of smoked meat. In comparison, southwest smoked meat showed higher levels of key phenolics such as 2‐methoxy‐phenol. This result contributed to a comprehensive understanding of smoked meat while being valuable in both retaining key aroma and reducing hazardous compounds in later stages of new product development.
Unveiling the organic acids with auxiliary functional groups effect on α‐hemihydrate gypsum: Ab initio calculations
Authors: Wang Zhiting , Wan Jieshuo , Zhi Xiao , Ye Jiayuan , Li Changcheng , Wang Fazhou , Li Neng
Published: April 2024

Regulating the crystal morphology of low aspect ratio, short columnar α‐hemihydrate gypsum (α‐HH) is crucial due to its distinctive physical and chemical properties, which make it widely applicable. In this work, succinic acid, malic acid, and maleic acid were selected as the research objects, among which the number and spacing of carboxyl groups were the same, while the auxiliary functional groups were different. The adsorption energy, Mulliken charge population, electronic state density, and charge density difference of the three organic acids on the surfaces of α‐HH were calculated by well‐defined ab initio calculations. The results showed that the synergistic effect of ‐COOH groups is necessary for the effective crystallization of α‐HH. Organic acids interact with the Ca atoms on the crystal surface, as evidenced by their preferential adsorption on the top surface of α‐HH crystals (002). This interaction occurs through a double‐dentate chelation between the carboxyl oxygen atoms at both ends of the organic acid and the Ca atoms on the crystal surface, resulting in the formation of a six‐membered cyclic organic acid calcium complex. This complex hinders ion diffusion and the stacking of crystal surfaces, leading to a decrease in the growth rate along the c‐axis and promoting more extensive crystal development and larger crystal sizes. The work provides insight into the preparation of short prismatic α‐HH using organic acid crystallizing agents.
Speaking with one voice? Individual preferences and managers’ personal communication style
Authors: Sextroh Christoph J. , Wutzler Juliane
Published: April 2024

We examine whether and to what extent the personal communication of corporate information by individual managers is affected by their personal preferences for impression management. Using earnings conference calls as a setting in which to observe individual managers’ personal communication and controlling for firm‐specific and manager‐specific factors, we document that the communication style of managers who sell corporate stock shortly after the call is significantly more optimistic than that of the nonselling manager who participates in the same call. The effect is more pronounced in the less scripted and more flexible question and answer section and is more likely to emerge from Chief Financial Officer (CFO) than from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) communications. Taken together, our findings suggest that differences in individual communication styles are not only affected by personality and career backgrounds of individual managers but rather can also emerge from managers’ conscious or unconscious preferences for impression management.
Classifications of cutaneous lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders: An update from the EORTC cutaneous lymphoma histopathology group
Authors: Kempf W. , Mitteldorf C. , Cerroni L. , Willemze R. , Berti E. , Guenova E. , Scarisbrick J. J. , Battistella M.
Published: April 2024

The classification of primary cutaneous lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) is continuously evolving by integrating novel clinical, pathological and molecular data. Recently two new classifications for haematological malignancies including entities of cutaneous lymphomas were proposed: the 5th edition of the WHO classification of haematolymphoid tumours and the International Consensus Classification (ICC) of mature lymphoid neoplasms. This article provides an overview of the changes introduced in these two classifications compared to the previous WHO classification. The main changes shared by both classifications include the downgrading of CD8+ acral T‐cell lymphoma to CD8+ acral T‐cell LPD, and the recognition of entities that were previously categorized as provisional and have now been designated as definite types including primary cutaneous small or medium CD4+ T‐cell LPD, primary cutaneous gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T‐cell lymphoma, Epstein–Barr virus‐positive mucocutaneous ulcer. Both classifications consider primary cutaneous marginal zone B‐cell clonal neoplasm as an indolent disease but use a different terminology: primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (WHO) and primary cutaneous marginal zone LPD (ICC). The 5th WHO classification further introduces and provides essential and desirable diagnostic criteria for each disease type and includes chapters on reactive B‐ or T‐cell rich lymphoid proliferations formerly referred as cutaneous pseudolymphomas, as well as histiocyte and CD8 T‐cell rich LPD in patients with inborn error of immunity. As already emphasized in previous lymphoma classifications, the importance of integrating clinical, histological, phenotypic and molecular features remains the crucial conceptual base for defining cutaneous (and extracutaneous) lymphomas.