bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supports that help me to live well in the community: experiences of people living with schizophrenia
Authors: Stewart Kylie , Hancock Nicola , Chapparo Christine , Stancliffe Emeritus Roger J.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

People with schizophrenia are more likely to be hospitalised than any other psychiatric diagnosis. Occupational therapists working in mental health are often required to assess and recommend supports that will assist people with schizophrenia to live successfully in the community. There is little research exploring consumer perspectives regarding the support they find useful to stay out of the hospital. The aim of this study was to explore what supports people living with schizophrenia identify as helping them to live in the community and stay out of the hospital.

Method

Qualitative data were collected via semi‐structured interviews with adult consumers (N = 18) diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data were thematically analysed using constant comparative analysis methods. Inductive analysis was followed by a deductive phase of analysis.

Findings

Participants highlighted personal‐, occupational‐ and environmental‐focused supports. Person‐focused supports addressed cognitive and psychological needs. Occupation‐focused supports included assisting people to manage daily life with a mental illness; engage in social activities; and engage in meaningful activities. Environment‐focused supports included access to financial security; accommodation security; and community of choice. In addition to types of support, participants highlighted the importance of quality of support including the need for flexible; timely; and non‐judgemental support.

Conclusion

These results emphasise the multifaceted nature of support required by people living with schizophrenia to stay out of the hospital. Both type and quality of support are important. People in this study were able to clearly articulate the types and qualities of support that were important to them. Occupational therapists may benefit from greater collaboration with consumers during assessments of support needs and the development of recommendations. Further exploration of how occupational therapists identify people's multifaceted support needs is required.
Not all parents are the same: Diverse strategies of symbiont transmission in seaweeds
Authors: Syukur Syukur , Richmond Joanna , Majzoub Marwan E. , Nappi Jadranka , Egan Suhelen , Thomas Torsten
Published: December 2023

Different marine seaweed species have been shown to harbour specific bacterial communities, however, the extent to which vertical symbiont transmission from parents to offspring contributes to host‐specificity is unclear. Here we use fluorescence and electron microscopy as well as 16S rRNA gene‐based community analysis to investigate symbiont transmission in members of the three major seaweed groups (green Chlorophyta, red Rhodophyta and brown Phaeophyceae). We found seaweeds employ diverse strategies to transfer symbionts to their progeny. For instance, the green Ulva australis does not appear to have the capacity for vertical transmission. In contrast, the brown Phyllospora comosa adopts a non‐selective vertical transmission. The red Delisea pulchra demonstrates weak selectivity in symbiont transmission, while the brown Hormosira banksii exhibits a strongly selective symbiont transfer. Mucilage on the gametes appears to facilitate vertical transmission and transferred bacteria have predicted properties that could support early development of the seaweeds. Previous meta‐analysis has indicated that vertical transmission is rare in aquatic compared to terrestrial environments, however, our results contribute to the growing evidence that this might not be the case and that instead vertical transmission with various degrees of symbiont selection occurs in the ecologically important group of seaweeds.
For better or worse: Governing healthcare organisations in times of financial distress
Authors: van Dijk Tessa S. , Felder Martijn , Janssen Richard T. J. M. , van der Scheer Wilma K.
Published: December 2023

Due to processes of financialisation, financial parties increasingly penetrate the healthcare domain and determine under which conditions care is delivered. Their influence becomes especially visible when healthcare organisations face financial distress. By zooming‐in on two of such cases, we come to know more about the considerations, motives and actions of financial parties in healthcare. In this research, we were able to examine the social dynamics between healthcare executives, banks and health insurers involved in a Dutch hospital and mental healthcare organisation on the verge of bankruptcy. Informed by interviews, document analysis and translation theory, we reconstructed the motives and strategies of executives, banks and health insurers and show how they play a crucial role in decision‐making processes surrounding the survival or downfall of healthcare organisations. While parties are bound by legislation and company procedures, the outcome of financial distress can still be influenced. Much depends on how executives are perceived by financial stakeholders and how they deal with threats of destabilisation of the network. We further draw attention to the consequences of financialisation processes on the practices of healthcare organisations in financial distress.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of the kiang (Equus kiang) illuminates genomic basis for its high‐altitude adaptation
Authors: ZHOU Chuang , ZHENG Xiaofeng , PENG Kexin , FENG Kaize , YUE Bisong , WU Yongjie
Published: December 2023

The kiang (Equus kiang) can only be observed in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). The kiang displayed excellent athletic performance in the high‐altitude environment, which attracted wide interest in the investigation of the potential adaptive mechanisms to the extreme environment. Here, we assembled a chromosome‐level genome of the kiang based on Hi‐C sequencing technology. A total of 324.14 Gb clean data were generated, and the chromosome‐level genome with 26 chromosomes (25 + X) and scaffold N50 of 101.77 Mb was obtained for the kiang. The genomic synteny analysis revealed large‐scale chromosomal rearrangement during the evolution process of Equus species. Phylogenetic and divergence analyses revealed that the kiang was the sister branch to the ass and diverged from a common ancestor at approximately 13.5 Mya. The expanded gene families were mainly related to the hypoxia response, metabolism, and immunity. The kiang suffered a significant loss of olfaction‐related genes, which might indicate decreased olfactory sensibility. Positively selected genes (PSGs) detected in the kiang were mainly associated with hypoxia response. Especially, there were two species‐specific missense amino acid mutations in the PSG STAT3 annotated in the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 signal pathway, which may play an important role in the high‐altitude adaptation of the kiang. Moreover, structure variations in the kiang genome were also identified, which possibly contributed to the high‐altitude adaptation of the kiang. Comparative analysis revealed a lot of species‐specific insertions and deletions in the kiang genome, such as PIK3CB and AKT with 3258 and 189 bp insertions in the intron region, respectively, possibly affecting the expression and regulation of hypoxia‐related downstream pathways. This study provided valuable genomic resources, and our findings help a better understanding of the underlying adaptive strategies to the high‐altitude environment in the kiang.
A case of tracheal stenosis due to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma treated using the stent‐in‐stent method
Authors: Sakaguchi Tadashi , Ohi Maki , Nishii Yoichi , Hataji Osamu
Published: December 2023

Tracheal AERO stent collapse is a rare complication compared to bronchial AERO stent collapse due to differences in the nitinol framework thickness. A 58‐year‐old man with a bulky anaplastic thyroid carcinoma was referred to our hospital due to exacerbation of tracheal stenosis despite the administration of lenvatinib. His tracheal stenosis exhibited a severe extrinsic compression pattern with a length of 8 cm. Because tracheotomy was inappropriate, we placed an 18 × 80 mm AERO stent. Five months later, he was readmitted with severe dyspnea due to collapse of the distal portion of the stent caused by tumor growth. Because stent removal was difficult, we placed an additional AERO stent (18 × 60 mm) to cover the collapsed portion. The additional stent successfully expanded the collapse and improved his dyspnea. To our knowledge, this is the first case where a tracheal AERO stent collapse due to a poor prognosis tumor was treated with the stent‐in‐stent method.
Ethnographic thinking
Authors: Moss Emanuel
Published: December 2023

Anthropology and its marquee method, ethnography, have recently been promoted as an analytical key for unlocking problems faced in other domains. This review addresses two books that argue for the value of this anthropological lens:Anthro‐Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life, by Gillian Tett, andHow to Think like an Anthropologist, by Matthew Engelke. The differences between these works highlight the risk of deploying anthropology as a means to other ends, without subjecting those ends to the same theorization and scrutiny as one's topic or methods. While these authors demonstrate that there is significant value that the anthropological toolkit can provide, both in life and in business, there remains a fine line to be drawn between the instrumentalization of the discipline and the broader pursuit for knowledge and meaning.
What good is anthropology?
Authors: Mkhwanazi Nolwazi
Published: December 2023

Different forms of care work are essential for the practice of anthropology in South Africa. In this biographical commentary, I describe how I enacted care work in my anthropological practice. I suggest that what is good about anthropology is its potential to be attentive to the multiple ways in which care work is enacted by us as anthropologists, as teachers of the discipline, as well as by our interlocutors.
Successful pneumovaginoscopic surgery for recurrent abscess of OHVIRA syndrome, preventing further recurrence and subsequent pregnancy
Authors: Kita Masato , Shiraga Hiroshi , Fukuda Hisato , Hisamatsu Yoji , Mizokami Tomomi , Okada Hidetaka
Published: December 2023

Introduction

OHVIRA syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly of Müllerian duct development characterized by uterine didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The primary treatment is surgical excision of the obstructed hemivaginal septum and hematometrial drainage. In recent years, minimally invasive approaches such as hysteroscopic or vaginoscopic septum resection have been reported. Furthermore, we originally developed some novel pneumovaginoscopic gynecologic surgeries for years using a device that consists of a cylinder that fits into the vagina and a lid that mounts multiple ports, allowing the vagina to be dilated with carbon dioxide gas, similar to a single‐port laparoscope.

Materials and Surgical Technique

We report a successful pneumovaginoscopic surgery for a complicated recurrent abscess in a patient with OHVIRA syndrome. Conventional surgery was performed with a single forceps in a liquid, as in cystoscopy or hysteroscopy. However, this new surgery allowed multiple forceps in a gas, as in laparoscopy. So pus and blood were aspirated and washed away without leaking into the abdominal cavity via fallopian tubes. The surgical smoke generated by thermal coagulation also aspirated to clean the field of vision immediately. And thick, complicated abscesses were drained successfully. The patient conceived through IVF with ICSI and delivered safely at full term.

Discussion

Pneumovaginoscopy could benefit complex vaginal surgery cases, such as abscess formation in patients with OHVIRA syndrome.
New pyrrolidine‐carboxamide derivatives as dual antiproliferative EGFR/CDK2 inhibitors
Authors: Frejat Frias Obaid Arhema , Zhao Bingbing , Furaijit Nooruldeen , Wang Lihong , Abou‐Zied Hesham A. , Fathy Hazem M. , Mohamed Fatma A. M. , Youssif Bahaa G. M. , Wu Chunli
Published: December 2023

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, making it a public health concern. A novel series of pyrrolidine‐carboxamide derivatives 7a‐q were developed and examined in a cell viability assay utilizing a human mammary gland epithelial cell line (MCF‐10A), where all the compounds exhibited no cytotoxic effects and more than 85% cell viability at a concentration of 50 μM. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated in vitro against four panels of cancer cell lines A‐549, MCF‐7, Panc‐1, and HT‐29. Compounds 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o were the most active as antiproliferative agents capable of triggering apoptosis. Compound 7g was the most potent of all the derivatives, with a mean IC50 of 0.90 μM compared to IC50 of 1.10 μM for doxorubicin. Compound 7g inhibited A‐549 (epithelial cancer cell line), MCF‐7 (breast cancer cell line), and HT‐29 (colon cancer cell line) more efficiently than doxorubicin. EGFR inhibitory assay results of 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o demonstrated that the tested compounds inhibited EGFR with IC50 values ranging from 87 to 107 nM in comparison with the reference drug erlotinib (IC50 = 80 nM). 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o inhibited CDK2 efficiently in comparison to the reference dinaciclib (IC50 = 20 nM), with IC50 values ranging from 15 to 31 nM. The results of inhibitory activity assay against different CDK isoforms revealed that the tested compounds had preferential inhibitory activity against the CDK2 isoform.
Glycated haemoglobin, HOMA2‐B, C‐peptide to glucose ratio and type 2 diabetes clusters as predictors for therapy failure in individuals with type 2 diabetes without insulin therapy: A registry analysis
Authors: Aziz Faisal , Sternad Christoph , Sourij Caren , Knoll Lisa , Kojzar Harald , Schranz Anna , Bürger Alexandra , Sourij Harald , Aberer Felix
Published: December 2023

Aim

Some people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and declining β‐cell function do require insulin over time. Various laboratory parameters, indices of glucose metabolism or phenotypes of T2D (clusters) have been suggested, which might predict future therapy failure (TF), indicating the need for insulin therapy initiation. This analysis evaluated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)2‐B, C‐peptide to glucose ratio (CGR) and diabetes clusters as predictive parameters for the occurrence of glycaemic TF in individuals diagnosed with T2D without previous insulin therapy.

Materials and Methods

In total, 159 individuals with T2D [41% female, median age 50 (IQR: 53‐69) years, diabetes duration 9 (5‐15) years], without insulin therapy were prospectively evaluated for the occurrence of a composite primary endpoint, including HbA1c increasing or remaining >8.0% (64 mmol/mol) 3 months after baseline on non‐insulin glucose‐lowering agents, insulin initiation or hospital admissions because of acute hyperglycaemic events. Diabetes clusters were formed according to previously described characteristics. Only severe autoimmune diabetes clusters were excluded because of a small amount of glutamate decarboxylase antibody‐positive participants. The other clusters were distributed as mild age‐related diabetes 33%; severe insulin‐deficient diabetes 31%; mild obesity‐related diabetes 20%; and severe insulin‐resistant diabetes 15%.

Results

During a median observation of 57 months, higher tertiles of HbA1c at baseline, HOMA2‐B, as well as a lower CGR were significantly predictive for the occurrence of the primary endpoint. The probability of meeting the primary endpoint was the highest for mild obesity‐related diabetes [hazard ratio 3.28 (95% confidence interval 1.75‐6.2)], followed by severe insulin‐deficient diabetes [hazard ratio 2.03 (95% confidence interval 1.1‐3.7)], mild age‐related diabetes and the lowest for severe insulin‐resistant diabetes. The best performance to predict TF with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 was HbA1c at baseline, followed by HOMA2‐B (AUC 0.69) and CGR (AUC 0.64).

Conclusion

HbA1c, indices of insulin secretion capacity (HOMA2‐B and CGR) and T2D clusters might be applicable tools to guide practitioners in the decision of whether insulin is required in people already diagnosed with T2D. These findings need to be validated in prospective studies.
Successful caudal vena cava and pulmonary vein isolation in healthy horses using 3D electro‐anatomical mapping and a contact force‐guided ablation system
Authors: Buschmann Eva , Van Steenkiste Glenn , Duytschaever Mattias , Boussy Tim , Vernemmen Ingrid , Ibrahim Lara , Schauvliege Stijn , Decloedt Annelies , van Loon Gunther
Published: December 2023

Background

Recently, treatment of equine atrial tachycardia by three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping (3D EAM) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been described. Myocardial sleeves in the caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins are a potential trigger for initiation and perpetuation of atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the horse. Isolation of these myocardial sleeves by RFCA may be an effective treatment for these arrhythmias.

Objectives

To describe the feasibility of 3D EAM and RFCA to isolate caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins in adult horses using 3D mapping and a contact force (CF)‐guided ablation system.

Study design

In vivo experiments.

Methods

3D EAM and RFCA was performed in five horses without cardiovascular disease under general anaesthesia, using the CF‐guided system CARTO®3. Point‐by‐point RFCA aimed for isolation of caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins. Radiofrequency energy was delivered in power‐controlled mode with a target power of 45 W, CF between 10 and 15 g and 30 mL/min irrigation rate, until an ablation‐index of 450–500 was reached.

Results

In the right atrium, myocardial sleeves of the caudal vena cava were isolated (n = 5). In the left atrium, isolation of ostium II (n = 3), ostium III (n = 1) and ostium I, II and III en bloc (n = 1) was performed. Successful isolation was confirmed by entrance and exit block.

Main limitations

Horses were euthanised at the end of the procedure, so long term effects such as potential reconnection of isolated veins could not be studied.

Conclusions

This is the first description of 3D EAM and RFCA with CARTO®3 in horses, thereby showing the technical feasibility and successful caudal vena cava and pulmonary vein isolation. CF measurement allowed monitoring of catheter‐tissue contact, resulting in efficient acute lesion creation as confirmed by entrance and exit block. This is a promising treatment for cardiac arrhythmias in horses.
A new computer‐aided diagnostic method for classifying anaemia disease: Hybrid use of Tree Bagger and metaheuristics
Authors: Yagmur Nagihan , Dag Idiris , Temurtas Hasan
Published: December 2023

Anaemia occurs when the haemoglobin (Hgb) value falls below a certain reference range. It requires many blood tests, radiological images, and tests for diagnosis and treatment. By processing medical data from patients with artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, disease predictions can be made for newly ill individuals and decision‐support mechanisms can be created for physicians with these predictions. Thanks to these methods, which are very important in reducing the margin of error in the diagnoses made by doctors, the evaluation of data records in health institutions is also important for patients and hospitals. In this study, six hybrid models are proposed to classify non‐anaemia records, Hgb‐anaemia, folate deficiency anaemia (FDA), iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), and B12 deficiency anaemia by combining artificial intelligence and machine learning methods TreeBagger, Crow Search Algorithm (CSA), Chicken Swarm Optimization Algorithm (CSO) and JAYA methods. The proposed hybrid models are analysed with two different approaches, with/without applying the SMOTE technique to achieve high performance by better emphasizing the importance of parameters. To solve the multiclass anaemia classification problem, fuzzy logic‐based parameter optimization is applied to improve the class‐based accuracy as well as the overall accuracy in the dataset. The proposed methods are evaluated using ROC criteria to build a prediction model to determine the anaemia type of anaemic patients. As a result of the study on the dataset taken from the Kaggle database, it is observed that the six proposed hybrid methods outperformed other studies using the same dataset and similar studies in the literature.
Exploring the associations between being single, romantic importance, and positive well‐being in young adulthood
Authors: Watkins Nicole K. , Beckmeyer Jonathon J. , Jamison Tyler B.
Published: December 2023

Objective

The goal was to explore if perceived romantic relationship importance moderated associations between single status and young adults' positive well‐being.

Background

Singlehood is often framed within a deficit framework, with the expectation that being single during young adulthood may be costly for well‐being. That approach, however, does not account for young adults' romantic goals, which may shape how being single is connected to well‐being.

Method

Participants were 909 American young adults, ages 18–35 (M = 26.6, 51% female, 81% heterosexual, 58% White, non‐Hispanic), who completed an online survey in December 2019.

Results

Being single, compared to having a romantic partner, was associated with lower love life satisfaction, general life satisfaction, and flourishing. However, the associations with general life and love life satisfaction were attenuated by relationship dismissal.

Conclusion

Although single young adults reported lower general and love life satisfaction and flourishing, when perceptions of relationship importance were taken into account, relationship dismissal ameliorated the effect of being single on love life satisfaction and general life satisfaction. Placing less importance on romantic relationships may be a promotive factor for single young adults' positive well‐being.

Implications

These findings have implications for supporting young adults' positive well‐being, particularly by framing singlehood as normative and, in some cases, preferable to romantic involvement.
Foreign language education in Louisiana: A cluster analysis
Authors: Fell Erin
Published: December 2023

Louisiana is currently the only state in the United States that requires foreign language (FL) study for some, but not all of their high school students, and these requirements are undergoing seismic changes. Considering that geographic, economic, and integration factors contribute to whether a school can provide FL at all—and biased counseling dissuades minoritized students from taking FL—this study asks: has FL education been equitably accessible to all Louisiana high school students who want to pursue it, regardless of race or economic background? To address this question, this paper presents results from two analyses. First, program‐internal equity variables (e.g., [dis]similarity between school‐wide and FL student demographics) were clustered to produce “profiles” of FL programs. Next, a multinomial logistic regression using program‐external factors (e.g., federal funding status, desegregation orders) was conducted to isolate the factors impacting equity. Federal funding and rurality were both found to be significant, with schools receiving federal Title I funds and rural schools being much more likely to exhibit inequitable access to FL courses. In (a) identifying schools with enrollment inequities and (b) the outside factors associated with greater inequity, this paper aims to provide policymakers with empirically based tools to address (in)equity in Louisiana high school FL education. These findings can be especially helpful in light of the state's recent (2023‐2024 school year) expansion of FL requirements to accept computer science courses.
Atmospheric drying and soil drying: Differential effects on grass community composition
Authors: Huynh A. , Aguirre B. A. , English J. , Guzman D. , Wright A. J.
Published: December 2023

Global surface temperatures are projected to increase in the future; this will modify regional precipitation regimes and increase global atmospheric drying. Despite many drought studies examining the consequences of reduced precipitation, there are few experimental studies exploring plant responses to atmospheric drying via relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). We examined eight native California perennial grass species grown in pots in a greenhouse in Los Angeles, California for 34 weeks. All pots were well‐watered for 21 weeks, at which point we reduced watering to zero and recorded daily growth and dormancy for 3 weeks. We used this information to better understand the drought tolerance of our species in a larger soil drying × atmospheric drying experiment. In this larger experiment, we grew all eight species together in outdoor mesocosms and measured changes in community composition after 4 years of growth. Soil drying in our small pot experiment mirrored compositional shifts in the larger experiment. Namely, our most drought‐tolerant species in our pot experiment was Poa secunda, due to a summer dormancy strategy. Similarly, the grass community shifted toward P. secunda in the driest soils as P. secunda was mostly unaffected by either soil drying or atmospheric drying. We found that some species responded strongly to soil drying (Elymus glaucus, Festuca idahoensis, and Hordeum b. californicum), while others responded strongly to atmospheric drying (Bromus carinatus and Stipa cernua). As result, community composition shifted in different and interacting ways in response to soil drying, atmospheric drying, and their combination. Further study of community responses to increasing atmospheric aridity is an essential next step to predicting the future consequences of climate change.
Divergent rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil microbial structure and function in long‐term warmed steppe due to altered root exudation
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhou Yong , Janssens Ivan A. , Deng Ye , He Xiaojia , Liu Lingli , Yi Yin , Xiao Nengwen , Wang Xiaodong , Li Chao , Xiao Chunwang
Published: December 2023

While there is an extensive body of research on the influence of climate warming on total soil microbial communities, our understanding of how rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil microorganisms respond to warming remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the impact of 4 years of soil warming on the diversity and composition of microbial communities in the rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil of a temperate steppe, focusing on changes in root exudation rates and exudate compositions. We used open top chambers to simulate warming conditions, resulting in an average soil temperature increase of 1.1°C over a span of 4 years. Our results showed that, in the non‐rhizosphere soil, warming had no significant impact on dissolved organic carbon concentrations, compositions, or the abundance of soil microbial functional genes related to carbon and nitrogen cycling. Moreover, soil microbial diversity and community composition remained largely unaffected, although warming resulted in increased complexity of soil bacteria and fungi in the non‐rhizosphere soil. In contrast, warming resulted in a substantial decrease in root exudate carbon (by 19%) and nitrogen (by 12%) concentrations and induced changes in root exudate compositions, primarily characterized by a reduction in the abundance in alcohols, coenzymes and vitamins, and phenylpropanoids and polyketides. These changes in root exudation rates and exudate compositions resulted in significant shifts in rhizosphere soil microbial diversity and community composition, ultimately leading to a reduction in the complexity of rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community networks. Altered root exudation and rhizosphere microbial community composition therefore decreased the expression of functional genes related to soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Interestingly, we found that changes in soil carbon‐related genes were primarily driven by the fungal communities and their responses to warming, both in the rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil. The study of soil microbial structure and function in rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil provides an ideal setting for understanding mechanisms for governing rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. Our results highlight the distinctly varied responses of soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil to climate warming. This suggests the need for models to address these processes individually, enabling more accurate predictions of the impacts of climate change on terrestrial carbon cycling.
Human activity and climate change accelerate the extinction risk to non‐human primates in China
Authors: Li Wen‐Bo , Teng Yang , Zhang Ming‐Yi , Shen Ying , Liu Jia‐Wen , Qi Ji‐Wei , Wang Xiao‐Chen , Wu Rui‐Feng , Li Jin‐Hua , Garber Paul A. , Li Ming
Published: December 2023

Human activity and climate change affect biodiversity and cause species range shifts, contractions, and expansions. Globally, human activities and climate change have emerged as persistent threats to biodiversity, leading to approximately 68% of the ~522 primate species being threatened with extinction. Here, we used habitat suitability models and integrated data on human population density, gross domestic product (GDP), road construction, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the location of protected areas (PAs), and climate change to predict potential changes in the distributional range and richness of 26 China's primate species. Our results indicate that both PAs and NDVI have a positive impact on primate distributions. With increasing anthropogenic pressure, species' ranges were restricted to areas of high vegetation cover and in PAs surrounded by buffer zones of 2.7–4.5 km and a core area of PAs at least 0.1–0.5 km from the closest edge of the PA. Areas with a GDP below the Chinese national average of 100,000 yuan were found to be ecologically vulnerable, and this had a negative impact on primate distributions. Changes in temperature and precipitation were also significant contributors to a reduction in the range of primate species. Under the expected influence of climate change over the next 30–50 years, we found that highly suitable habitat for primates will continue to decrease and species will be restricted to smaller and more peripheral parts of their current range. Areas of high primate diversity are expected to lose from 3 to 7 species. We recommend that immediate action be taken, including expanding China's National Park Program, the Ecological Conservation Redline Program, and the Natural Forest Protection Program, along with a stronger national policy promoting alternative/sustainable livelihoods for people in the local communities adjacent to primate ranges, to offset the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change on primate survivorship.
The impact of paravertebral nerve blockade on postoperative surgical site wound pain management in patients undergoing video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary carcinoma resection
Authors: Zhang Liyun , Shen Jie , Luo Yan
Published: December 2023

Management of postoperative pain is of vital importance for patients undergoing Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for Pulmonary Carcinoma Resection. The study evaluates the impact of Paravertebral Nerve Blockade (PNB) in conjunction with general anaesthesia on postoperative pain relief, as compared with general anaesthesia alone. A retrospective analysis was carried out from May 2020 to May 2023, involving 100 patients with pathologically confirmed pulmonary carcinoma. The patients were divided into two groups: a control group that received general anaesthesia and an observation group that received a combination of general anaesthesia and PNB. The intensity of postoperative pain was assessed at various time intervals using the visual analogue scale (VAS), while the effectiveness of patient‐controlled analgesia was also evaluated. Additionally, the study examined the incidence rates of chronic pain in the postoperative period. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Significant reductions in VAS scores for both resting and cough‐induced pain were observed in the observation group at 2 and 6 h post‐operation (p < 0.01). However, the difference diminished over time. The observation group had fewer patient‐controlled analgesia activations and required lower dosages of hydromorphone at both 24‐ and 48‐h post‐operation. The incidence of chronic pain was also significantly lower in the observation group (24.00%) compared with the control group (54.00%) (p < 0.01). PNB, when administered in combination with general anaesthesia, significantly reduces immediate postoperative pain and the requirement for additional analgesics in patients undergoing VATS for pulmonary carcinoma resection. The effect diminishes over time but has a lasting impact on reducing the incidence of chronic postoperative pain.
Effect of comprehensive nursing intervention on wound pain and wound complications in patients with tonsillectomy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Jian‐Li , Zhang Qin , Zhang Li‐Hua , Li Jun‐Yi
Published: December 2023

To systematically evaluate the effects of comprehensive nursing interventions on wound pain and complications in patients after tonsillectomy, with a view to providing a reference basis for future post‐tonsillectomy care. According to the developed literature search strategy, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database were systematically searched, from database inception to October 2023, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of the application of comprehensive nursing interventions in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Two researchers independently screened the literature, evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies and extracted data in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RevMan 5.4 software was applied for data analysis. Overall, 18 RCTs involving 1954 patients were included, including 967 in the comprehensive nursing group and 987 in the conventional nursing group. The analyses revealed that compared with conventional nursing, patients who received comprehensive nursing interventions had lower postoperative wound pain scores (standardised mean difference [SMD]: −2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.19 to −1.70, p < 0.00001), shorter hospital stays (SMD: ‐1.95, 95% CI: −2.39 to −1.51, p < 0.00001), incidence of postoperative haemorrhage (1.60% vs. 6.41%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12–0.70, p = 0.006) and complication rates (4.21% vs. 19.01%, OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.11–0.32, p < 0.00001) was lower. This study concludes as follows: comprehensive nursing intervention applied to tonsillectomy can significantly reduce patients' postoperative wound pain, shorten hospital stay, reduce postoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, which is worthy of being promoted and applied in the clinic.
Genome‐wide association studies for diarrhoea outcomes identified genomic regions affecting resistance to a severe enteropathy in suckling rabbits
Authors: Bovo Samuele , Ribani Anisa , Schiavo Giuseppina , Taurisano Valeria , Bertolini Francesca , Fornasini Daniela , Frabetti Andrea , Fontanesi Luca
Published: December 2023

Selection and breeding strategies to improve resistance to enteropathies are essential to reaching the sustainability of the rabbit production systems. However, disease heterogeneity (having only as major visible symptom diarrhoea) and low disease heritability are two barriers for the implementation of these strategies. Diarrhoea condition can affect rabbits at different life stages, starting from the suckling period, with large negative economic impacts. In this study, from a commercial population of suckling rabbits (derived from 133 litters) that experienced an outbreak of enteropathy, we first selected a few animals that died with severe symptoms of diarrhoea and characterized their microbiota, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Clostridium genus was consistently present in all affected specimens. In addition, with the aim to identify genetic markers in the rabbit genome that could be used as selection tools, we performed genome‐wide association studies for symptoms of diarrhoea in the same commercial rabbit population. These studies were also complemented with FST analyses between the same groups of rabbits. A total of 332 suckling rabbits (151 with severe symptoms of diarrhoea, 42 with mild symptoms and 129 without any symptoms till the weaning period), derived from 45 different litters (a subset of the 133 litters) were genotyped with the Affymetrix Axiom OrcunSNP Array. In both genomic approaches, rabbits within litters were paired to constitute two groups (susceptible and resistant, including the mildly affected in one or the other group) and run case and control genome‐wide association analyses. Genomic heritability estimated in the designed experimental structure integrated in a commercial breeding scheme was 0.19–0.21 (s.e. 0.09–0.10). A total of eight genomic regions on rabbit chromosome 2 (OCU2), OCU3, OCU7, OCU12, OCU13, OCU16 and in an unassembled scaffold had significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or markers that trespassed the FST percentile distribution. Among these regions, three main peaks of SNPs were identified on OCU12, OCU13 and OCU16. The QTL region on OCU13 encompasses several genes that encode members of a family of immunoglobulin Fc receptors (FCER1G, FCRLA, FCRLB and FCGR2A) involved in the immune innate system, which might be important candidate genes for this pathogenic condition. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that resistance to an enteropathy occurring in suckling rabbits is in part genetically determined and can be dissected at the genomic level, providing DNA markers that could be used in breeding programmes to increase resistance to enteropathies in meat rabbits.
Manufacturing of emulsion type garlic paste: Characterization of rheological properties as affected by lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil using steady, dynamic, and three interval thixotropy tests
Authors: Kutlu Gozde , Baslar Mehmet , Yilmaz Mustafa Tahsin , Karaman Safa , Vardar Umay‐Sevgi , Poyraz‐Yildirim Ecem , Sagdic Osman
Published: December 2023

The objective of this work was to investigate the steady, dynamic mechanical properties, and 3 interval thixotropy test (3 ITT) characterization of emulsion type garlic paste prepared with different concentrations of lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil. A three factor and three level Box Behnken design of response surface methodology was used to specify the physicochemical, steady shear, viscoelastic and deformation and recovery properties (applying 3 ITT) of paste. Garlic paste samples showed non‐Newtonian shear thinning behavior and Herchel–Bulkley model was fitted to the data satisfactorily (R2 > 0.85). Dry matter contents were in the range of 37.13%–41.14% depending on the processing variables. Dynamic mechanical spectrum showed that the garlic paste was weak gel having dominant viscous behavior compared to elastic behavior. Three interval thixrotropy test showed that the samples showed partial recovery after deformation due to the weak gel like character. Optimization showed that the maximum consistency (114.6 Pa sn) would be at 2.11 g lecithin, 0.11 g guar gum and 14.96 mL olive oil while the minimum value (49.16 Pa sn) would be at 1.02 g lecithin, 0.11 g guar gum, and 5.81 mL olive oil. Overall, the findings of this investigation revealed that the physicochemical and rheological characteristics of garlic paste can be significantly influenced by the concentrations of lecithin, guar gum, and olive oil. It is crucial to carefully select the appropriate concentration levels to achieve the desired quality of garlic paste.

Practical applications

Garlic is one the most popular vegetables consumed by the people due to its characteristic taste and aroma. Because of its functional properties, garlic is also used as an additive for food formulation. In this study, garlic is used for the production of garlic paste which could be used for food formulations as a taste enhancer or salad aromatizer. Accurate and dependable rheological data play a crucial role in designing flow processes, assessing the deformation and recovery rates of substances during various engineering operations and preparation of new food formulations. In this context, we developed a predictive model by response surface methodology which estimates physico‐chemical and rheological properties of garlic paste samples. Therefore, this study holds significant importance in terms of estimating the physicochemical and rheological properties of garlic paste for food manufacturers.
Prevalence of cognitive impairment in home health physical therapy
Authors: Miller Matthew J. , Cenzer Irena , Barnes Deborah E. , Ankuda Claire K. , Covinsky Kenneth E.
Published: December 2023

Background

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in home health physical therapy (HHPT) is unknown. We sought to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment, including cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) and dementia, among older adults who used HHPT, and if cognitive impairment prevalence was higher among those with HHPT‐relevant characteristics.

Methods

For our cross‐sectional analysis, we identified 963 fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with HHPT claims (>85 years old: 28.8%, women: 63.7%, non‐Hispanic White: 82.1%) in the 2014 and 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and used a validated algorithm to categorize cognitive status as normal, CIND, or dementia. We estimated the population prevalence and calculated age, gender, race/ethnicity adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of CIND and dementia for characteristics relevant to HHPT service delivery including depression, walking difficulty, fall history, incontinence, moderate‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) ≤1x/week, and community‐initiated HHPT using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

The population prevalence of cognitive impairment was 46.4% (CIND: 27.3%, dementia: 19.1%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was greater among those with depression (46.7% vs. 39.5%), difficulty walking across the room (58.9% vs. 41.8%), fall history (49.1% vs. 42.9%), MVPA ≤1x/week (50.0% vs. 38.0%), and community‐initiated HHPT (55.2% vs. 40.2%). Compared to normal cognitive status, the odds of cognitive impairment were greater for those with MVPA≤1x/week (CIND: aOR = 1.57 [95% CI: 1.05–2.33], dementia: aOR = 2.55 [95% CI: 1.54–4.22]), depression (dementia: aOR = 1.99 [95% CI: 1.19–3.30]), difficulty walking across the room (dementia: aOR = 2.54 [95% CI: 1.40–4.60]), fall history (dementia: aOR = 1.85 [95% CI: 1.20–2.83]), and community‐initiated HHPT (dementia: aOR = 1.72 (95% CI: 1.13–2.61]).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of CIND and dementia in HHPT, and no characteristics had a low prevalence of cognitive impairment. Physical therapists should be ready to identify cognitive impairment and adapt home health service delivery for this vulnerable population of older adults.
Phenotypic plasticity for improved light harvesting, in tandem with methylome repatterning in reef‐building corals
Authors: Gomez‐Campo Kelly , Sanchez Robersy , Martinez‐Rugerio Isabel , Yang Xiaodong , Maher Tom , Osborne C. Cornelia , Enriquez Susana , Baums Iliana B. , Mackenzie Sally A. , Iglesias‐Prieto Roberto
Published: December 2023

Acclimatization through phenotypic plasticity represents a more rapid response to environmental change than adaptation and is vital to optimize organisms' performance in different conditions. Generally, animals are less phenotypically plastic than plants, but reef‐building corals exhibit plant‐like properties. They are light dependent with a sessile and modular construction that facilitates rapid morphological changes within their lifetime. We induced phenotypic changes by altering light exposure in a reciprocal transplant experiment and found that coral plasticity is a colony trait emerging from comprehensive morphological and physiological changes within the colony. Plasticity in skeletal features optimized coral light harvesting and utilization and paralleled significant methylome and transcriptome modifications. Network‐associated responses resulted in the identification of hub genes and clusters associated to the change in phenotype: inter‐partner recognition and phagocytosis, soft tissue growth and biomineralization. Furthermore, we identified hub genes putatively involved in animal photoreception–phototransduction. These findings fundamentally advance our understanding of how reef‐building corals repattern the methylome and adjust a phenotype, revealing an important role of light sensing by the coral animal to optimize photosynthetic performance of the symbionts.
The LysR‐type transcriptional regulator LelA co‐regulates various effectors in different Legionella species
Authors: Shapira Naomi , Zusman Tal , Segal Gil
Published: December 2023

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila translocates more than 300 effector proteins into its host cells. The expression levels of the genes encoding these effectors are orchestrated by an intricate regulatory network. Here, we introduce LelA, the first L. pneumophila LysR‐type transcriptional regulator of effectors. Through bioinformatic and experimental analyses, we identified the LelA target regulatory element and demonstrated that it directly activates the expression of three L. pneumophila effectors (legL7, legL6, and legU1). We further found that the gene encoding LelA is positively regulated by the RpoS sigma factor, thus linking it to the known effector regulatory network. Examination of other species throughout the Legionella genus revealed that this regulatory element is found upstream of 34 genes encoding validated effectors, putative effectors, and hypothetical proteins. Moreover, ten of these genes were examined and found to be activated by the L. pneumophila LelA as well as by their orthologs in the corresponding species. LelA represents a novel type of Legionella effector regulator, which coordinates the expression of both adjacently and distantly located effector‐encoding genes, thus forming small groups of co‐regulated effectors.
Local sales tax exportation: The impact of commuters, tourists, and college students on the tax base
Authors: Afonso Whitney B. , Moulton Jeremy G.
Published: December 2023

Local sales tax bases are determined by factors including businesses, residential populations, and nonresidential visitors. This paper capitalizes on the COVID‐19 pandemic, using the sudden absence of in‐commuters, tourists, and college students to estimate the contributions these populations have on the sales tax base in North Carolina's 100 counties. The findings suggest that losing one in‐commuter results in a loss of roughly $1000 a month in taxable sales. Similarly, the loss of one hotel night booking results in a loss in taxable sales of approximately $525. This translates, for the median county, to exporting 17% to in‐commuters and 12% to tourists. The impact on the loss of a residential college student is less clear.
Improvement of severe alopecia areata in an adolescent patient on upadacitinib
Authors: Ha Gi Ung , Kim Jin Ho , Jang Yong Hyun
Published: December 2023

Recently, alopecia areata (AA) treatment via the Janus kinase (JAK)‐signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway has been reported. However, as baricitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor is only approved for adult patients, children, and adolescent patients still lack treatment options. We present a case that showed improvement of severe AA in an adolescent patient on upadacitinib, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in patients with rheumatoid disease or atopic dermatitis (AD) in children aged 12 years or older and weighing 40 kg or more. Herein, we suggest that upadacitinib can be a good alternative for adolescent patients with AA, particularly those who may also have AD.