bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qiviut Trace and Macro Element Profile Reflects Muskox Population Trends
Authors: Dickinson Eleanor R. , Mosbacher Jesper Bruun , Arnison Colleen , Beckmen Kimberlee , Côté Steeve D. , Di Francesco Juliette , Hansson Sophia V. , Jahromi Elham Z. , Kinniburgh David W. , Le Roux Gäel , Leclerc Lisa‐Marie , Mavrot Fabien , Schmidt Niels M. , Suitor Michael J. , Taillon Joëlle , Tomaselli Matilde , Kutz Susan J.
Published: February 2025

Understanding the drivers influencing ungulate population dynamics is crucial for developing conservation and management strategies to support wildlife health. Trace and macro elements are vital for ungulate growth, reproduction and survival. Thus, the trajectory of wildlife populations may be associated with element imbalances. Element concentrations can be measured in hair, an increasingly recognised bio‐monitoring tool. However, a better understanding of the relevance for wild ungulate population dynamics is needed. This study aimed to assess if element profiles in hair reflected the population trajectory of a keystone Arctic ungulate, muskox Ovibos moschatus, and whether benchmarks could be defined for element concentrations to assess population status. We measured qiviut (hair) element concentrations of 11 muskox populations ranging across northern America, including Greenland, and evaluated the association between element concentrations and different population trajectories. Seven trace and macro elements differentiated increasing populations from declining and stable populations using linear discriminant analysis. In general, copper, selenium, iron, manganese and cobalt tended to be at higher concentrations in increasing populations, whereas zinc and calcium were generally at lower concentrations in these populations, though variations were observed among populations. Benchmarks were defined for copper, selenium and iron, indicating populations were more likely to decline below a threshold concentration of these elements (‘limit’) and increase above a threshold concentration (‘target’). ‘Limit’ benchmarks were defined for zinc and calcium where populations were more likely to be increasing below this threshold value. Hair element profiles are a useful indicator of population trajectory in wild ungulate populations. Identified benchmarks can be used to assess population status, complementing ongoing but irregular and expensive monitoring efforts like population surveys, while trace element concentrations can provide insights into the mechanisms driving population change. Hair samples can easily be collected non‐invasively or alongside other monitoring activities, enhancing proactive wildlife management and conservation.
Beat the heat: Movements of a cold‐adapted ungulate during a record‐breaking heat wave
Authors: Sheppard Aidan C. , Hollik Emily Z. , Hecker Lee J. , Jung Thomas S. , Edwards Mark A. , Nielsen Scott E.
Published: February 2025

The frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as heat waves are increasing globally, revealing ecological responses that provide valuable insights toward the conservation of species in a changing climate. In this study, we utilized data from two populations of GPS‐collared female wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in the boreal forest of northwestern Canada to investigate their movement behaviors in response to the 2021 Western North American Heat Wave. Using generalized additive mixed‐effect models and a model selection framework, we identified a behavioral temperature threshold for wood bison at 21°C. Above this threshold, movement rates decreased from ~100 m/h at 21°C to a low of ~25 m/h at 39°C (150% decrease; −9%/°C). Extreme heat also contributed to changes in diurnal movement patterns, reducing wood bison movement rates and shifting the timing of peak activity from midday to early morning. These findings highlight the behavioral adaptations of female wood bison and underscore the need to understand the behavioral and physiological responses of cold‐adapted mammals to extreme weather events. Subsequent effects of thermoregulatory behavior may impact individual fitness and population viability, particularly at high latitudes where cold‐adapted species are increasingly exposed to severe weather resulting from anthropogenic climate change.
Uncovering the mechanisms underpinning divergent environmental change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Cadotte Marc W. , Tatsumi Shinichi
Published: February 2025

Environmental change drivers (ECDs) impact ecological communities in various ways, from enrichment that increases species' performance and abundance, to stressors that reduce their reproduction and growth. These effects can affect species coexistence as well as impact ecosystem functioning and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function (BEF). Predicting the impact of ECDs on communities and BEF relationships requires understanding how ECDs affect fundamental population parameters, including intrinsic rate of increase (r), carrying capacity (K), and interspecific interactions (). Here, we use numerical simulations based on theoretical models to show the explicit links between these parameters and the nature of BEF relationships. Depending on the mean and variance of the effects of ECDs on community members, BEF relationships increase or decrease in both their intercept and slope. We further derive hypotheses about how BEF relationships will be affected by multiple ECDs or when we consider multiple ecosystem functions. Our simple approach to understanding how ECDs affect BEF relationships provides a robust framework to explain why disparate studies and meta‐analyses come to opposing conclusions about resilience or sensitivity of BEF relationships to anthropogenic influences. We show that modeling approaches offer a generalized and predictive understanding to guide biodiversity conservation, restoration, and green infrastructure design under environmental change.
Tracing the Path of Knowledge on “Environmental Governance Processes” for Theory‐Building
Authors: Wood Liza , Vantaggiato Francesca Pia , Scott Tyler
Published: February 2025

The vast range of environmental governance case studies makes one thing clear: social processes are at the heart of environmental problems—and solutions. But fragmentation in how different contributions define and study environmental governance processes prevents us from drawing lessons from the field. What is the extent of knowledge cumulation in the field, and what gaps remain unfilled in this literature? We address these questions by analyzing the bibliometric citation network of English language academic research focused on environmental governance processes. We identify eight clusters of research, where four highly cited “poles” stand out: (1) social‐ecological systems, (2) collaborative governance, (3) global environmental governance, and (4) political ecology. We identify four organizing concepts that are common to all clusters (scale, the importance of social outcomes, consideration of the environment, and the role of government), but with limited shared understandings of them. The field is wider than it is deep, limiting our ability to narrow down on a few overarching theoretical statements. We argue that environmental governance needs to link up with the environmental politics literature to be able address two important roadblocks in environmental governance processes: power asymmetries and trade‐offs of environmental decisions.
Institutional Design of Collaborative Water Governance: The River Chief System in China
Authors: Zhou Xiaomeng , Lin Yanliu , Hooimeijer Pieter , Monstadt Jochen
Published: February 2025

Collaborative governance has been increasingly applied in the field of water governance. However, this approach is often criticized for overlooking the political nature of water governance and the necessity of collaboration across multiple dimensions. The river chief system (RCS) in China represents a collaborative water governance approach designed to address collaboration challenges in Chinese water governance sector and ultimately combat its severe river pollution. This study develops a conceptual framework to analyze the institutional design of the RCS and examine its effectiveness in structuring vertical, horizontal, and territorial collaborations in local water governance. Taking the RCS in Xiamen as a case study, we find that public entities predominantly engage in collaborative initiatives mandated by higher‐level authorities, while collaborations between state and nonstate actors mainly focus on information collection and public environmental education. The collaborative processes under the RCS are characterized by the unchallenged authority of political leaders, exclusive decision‐making mechanisms, restricted information flows, implicit pay‐off structures, and limited involvement of nonstate actors. Consequently, the institutional design of the RCS falls short in fostering effective multidimensional collaboration among diverse actors. This study contributes to the literature on collaborative governance by offering insights into the institutional design of collaborative water governance within an authoritarian context and sheds lights on China's recent reforms of environmental governance.
Photoreduction Oxidation of Selenides with Isocyanides and Carboxylic Compounds: Access to Selenium‐Containing Imides
Authors: Guo Ding-Yi , Deng Yan , Qin Xuan-Lin , Pan Yan , Liu Yu-Xuan , Xu Chong-Hui , Shang Yan-Xue , Gui Qing-Wen
Published: February 2025

A visible light‐driven photo oxidation‐reduction selenium amidation of selenides with isocyanides and carboxylic compounds for the synthesis of polysubstituted selenium‐containing imides is reported. The reaction involves the functionalization of Se‐Se bonds under mild conditions by visible light photoredox catalysis with good tolerance of various functionalized group. A possible mechanism has been proposed.
Open Science Practices Among Evaluators: A Survey of AEA Members
Authors: Linnell Dana J. , Tilton Zach
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the extent to which evaluators are aware of, understand, and use open science practices in their evaluation work. Members of the American Evaluation Association were surveyed to gather insights on their open science practices, including the sharing of evaluation plans, materials, data, and reports. The study also explored the facilitators and barriers to adopting open science, the alignment of these practices with professional evaluation standards, and the relevance of the replication crisis to evaluation. While some evaluators are sharing evaluation products—primarily reports—many report limited knowledge of and perceived importance of open science. Significant barriers hinder the sharing of evaluation products, such as concerns about confidentiality, contractual and funder restrictions, and fears of reputational harm or criticism. Additionally, evaluators’ understanding of open science may differ from that of established open science practitioners, highlighting opportunities for the evaluation field to further explore the potential benefits of open science practices. The survey, data, and preprint for this project can be found on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/r2sh7/.
Analysis of the Thermal Decomposition and Flammability of Polyurethane Materials Used in Building Insulation and in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Mizera Kamila , Sałasińska Kamila , Borucka Monika , Przybysz Jan , Gajek Agnieszka
Published: February 2025

The development of technology and newer requirements for materials leads to an increase in their production and storage. In the past, serious fires have occurred in public buildings, residential buildings, industrial halls, and warehouses where plastics were used or produced, resulting in disastrous consequences for the environment and human health. For this reason, it is important to examine the risks to people and the environment that arise during a fire in places where these materials are located and stored. Polyurethane foams (PUF) used in building insulation and the automotive industry have been analyzed to determine their flammability and smoke emission during combustion. The thermal stability of PUFs was assessed using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). Released gases were identified using STA combined with FT‐IR (STA/FT‐IR). Fire resistance and smoke emission during combustion were evaluated using cone calorimetry and a smoke chamber. Differences in thermal decomposition and combustion characteristics, including smoke release, were observed. The combustion of semi‐rigid foam was accompanied by the lowest total smoke release and the lowest total heat release. However, the combustion of flexible foam was characterized by the highest amount of smoke and a high rate of heat release, despite only a 5% weight loss at the highest temperature. In the case of rigid foam, a large residue in the form of a carbonized layer was observed.
Attitudes and Preferences Towards Screening for Dementia From the Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals: An Updated Systematic Review
Authors: Mc Ardle Ríona , Dsouza Abigail , Hagan Alexander , Al‐Oraibi Amani , Hanjari Matilda , Stephan Blossom C. M. , Brayne Carol , Lafortune Louise , Bains Manpreet , Qureshi Nadeem , Robinson Louise
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Approximately 55 million people are living with dementia globally. Global policies have suggested that screening for dementia in asymptomatic populations may support risk‐reduction approaches to stem the rising numbers of people with the condition. A previous systematic review of literature up to 2012 indicated that healthcare professionals negatively view dementia screening; however, the research and clinical landscape has made significant advances in the last decade. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to re‐examine the attitudes and preferences of healthcare professionals since 2012 regarding primary and community care‐based dementia screening.

Methods

This review was pre‐registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024531455) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Key terms relevant to the aim were input into six databases, and articles between 2012 and 2024 were considered. Titles, abstracts and full texts were independently screened by two reviewers. Articles were eligible for inclusion if peer‐reviewed, written in English, considered primary or community care‐based dementia screening and included healthcare perspectives from either quantitative or qualitative methods.

Results

From 18,732 identified titles, 19 articles were included in this review. Seventeen studies presented perspectives from primary care practitioners. Key findings suggest that healthcare professionals have mixed views regarding their willingness to conduct dementia screening, although limited studies suggest an interest in engaging in dementia risk reduction. Common influences on perspectives included knowledge, skills and training; resource provision; access to a dedicated screening service and referral pathways; and stigma.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that healthcare professionals' perspectives and resource are not aligned with international policies promoting dementia screening. When considering implementing evidence‐based dementia screening in the future, a dedicated screening service is recommended.
The Psychosis MRIShared Data Resource (Psy‐ShareD)
Authors: Allen Paul , Zurita Mariana , Easmin Rubaida , Bucci Sara , Kempton Matthew J. , Rogers Jack , Mehta Urvakhsh M. , McGuire Philip K. , Lawrie Stephen M. , Whalley Heather , Gadelha Ary , Murray Graham K. , Garrison Jane R. , Frangou Sophia , Upthegrove Rachel , Evans Simon L. , Kumari Veena ,   the Psy‐ShareD Partnership
Published: February 2025

Neuroimaging research in the field of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders has sought to investigate neuroanatomical markers, relative to healthy control groups. In recent decades, a large number of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have been funded and undertaken, but their small sample sizes and heterogeneous methods have led to inconsistencies across findings. To tackle this, efforts have been made to combine datasets across studies and sites. While notable recent multicentre initiatives and the resulting meta‐ and mega‐analytical outputs have progressed the field, efforts have generally been restricted to MRI scans in one or two illness stages, often overlook patient heterogeneity, and study populations have rarely been globally representative of the diversity of patients who experience psychosis. Furthermore, access to these datasets is often restricted to consortia members who can contribute data, likely from research institutions located in high‐income countries. The Psychosis MRI Shared Data Resource (Psy‐ShareD) is a new open access structural MRI data sharing partnership that will host pre‐existing structural T1‐weighted MRI data collected across multiple sites worldwide, including the Global South. MRI T1 data included in Psy‐ShareD will be available in image and feature‐level formats, having been harmonised using state‐of‐the‐art approaches. All T1 data will be linked to demographic and illness‐related (diagnosis, symptoms, medication status) measures, and in a number of datasets, IQ and cognitive data, and medication history will also be available, allowing subgroup and dimensional analyses. Psy‐ShareD will be free‐to‐access for all researchers. Importantly, comprehensive data catalogues, scientific support and training resources will be available to facilitate use by early career researchers and build capacity in the field. We are actively seeking new collaborators to contribute further T1 data. Collaborators will benefit in terms of authorships, as all publications arising from Psy‐ShareD will include data contributors as authors.
Erector spinae plane block with liposomal bupivacaine for post‐cesarean analgesia
Authors: Feldman Sara , Holmes Romel J. , Fuller Matthew , Habib Ashraf S.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The aim of the current study was to assess the analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block with liposomal bupivacaine in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal or combined spinal epidural anesthesia. At the end of surgery, a bilateral ESPB was performed. All patients received a standardized intraoperative and postoperative multimodal analgesic regimen. Prospectively enrolled patients were matched with historical controls who received the same multimodal analgesic regimen but no truncal blocks. The primary outcome was postoperative oxycodone consumption 0–48 h. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption through 24 h, time to first opioid rescue, area under the curve of visual analog scale pain intensity scores through 48 h, need for treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting and pruritus, and proportion of opioid‐free patients.

Results

Thirty prospectively enrolled patients were matched with 120 historical controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in 48‐h oxycodone consumption (median, 12.5 [interquartile range (IQR), 5.0–40.0] vs. 25.0 [IQR, 3.8–50.0 mg], P = 0.38). There were also no significant differences between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes, but the area under the curve for pain scores 0–48 h was significantly lower in the ESPB group compared with the historical controls (median, 115 [IQR, 26–151] vs. 140 [IQR, 86–180], P = 0.007).

Conclusion

ESPB with liposomal bupivacaine did not reduce postoperative opioid consumption but was associated with reduced pain scores compared with historical controls not receiving a truncal block. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to further assess whether ESPB provides clinically significant benefit in this patient population.

Trial Registration: The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov on 12/09/2022 (NCT05664958, principal investigator Ashraf S. Habib https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05664958).
Diagnosis of Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer After Subcapsular Renal Hematoma
Authors: Soya Kazuma , Fujimoto Takeru , Takahashi Daisuke , Kohashiguchi Kana , Takei Yusuke , Sugino Yoshio , Iwamura Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder. We report a case diagnosed with HLRCC following a subcapsular renal hematoma caused by a tumor.

Case Presentation

A 28‐year‐old woman with a history of uterine myomas presented with left back pain. Computed tomography revealed a renal mass with a subcapsular hematoma, and coil embolization was performed. The tumor had enlarged rapidly, and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed significant 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, suggesting malignancy. Subsequently, robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed papillary renal carcinoma (Stage pT2aN0M0). Fumarate hydratase immunostaining was negative, and a fumarate hydratase gene pathogenic germline variant confirmed the HLRCC diagnosis. No recurrence has been reported for 2 years since the surgery.

Conclusion

A combination of imaging tests using multiple modalities and close follow‐ups contributed to establishing an accurate diagnosis and providing early definitive treatment.
Gut microbiome and metabolome characteristics of patients with cholesterol gallstones suggest the preventive potential of prebiotics
Authors: Liu Ye , Li Hexin , Sun Tianhan , Sun Gaoyuan , Jiang Boyue , Liu Meilan , Wang Qing , Li Tong , Cao Jianfu , Zhao Li , Xiao Fei , Zhao Fangqing , Cui Hongyuan
Published: February 2025

Cholesterol gallstones (CGS) still lack effective noninvasive treatment. The etiology of experimentally proven cholesterol stones remains underexplored. This cross‐sectional study aims to comprehensively evaluate potential biomarkers in patients with gallstones and assess the effects of microbiome‐targeted interventions in mice. Microbiome taxonomic profiling was conducted on 191 samples via V3−V4 16S rRNA sequencing. Next, 60 samples (30 age‐ and sex‐matched CGS patients and 30 controls) were selected for metagenomic sequencing and fecal metabolite profiling via liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Microbiome and metabolite characterizations were performed to identify potential biomarkers for CGS. Eight‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were given a lithogenic diet for 8 weeks to promote gallstone development. The causal relationship was examined through monocolonization in antibiotics‐treated mice. The effects of short‐chain fatty acids such as sodium butyrate, sodium acetate (NaA), sodium propionate, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on lithogenic diet‐induced gallstones were investigated in mice. Gut microbiota and metabolites exhibited distinct characteristics, and selected biomarkers demonstrated good diagnostic performance in distinguishing CGS patients from healthy controls. Multi‐omics data indicated associations between CGS and pathways involving butanoate and propanoate metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and degradation pathways, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. The incidence of gallstones was significantly higher in the Clostridium glycyrrhizinilyticum group compared to the control group in mice. The grade of experimental gallstones in control mice was significantly higher than in mice treated with NaA and FOS. FOS could completely inhibit the formation of gallstones in mice. This study characterized gut microbiome and metabolome alterations in CGS. C. glycyrrhizinilyticum contributed to gallstone formation in mice. Supplementing with FOS could serve as a potential approach for managing CGS by altering the composition and functionality of gut microbiota.
Adverse fetal and neonatal impact of war conflicts during pregnancy: A systematic review
Authors: Riquelme‐Gallego Blanca , Ramos‐Soberbio Lucía , Leno‐Duran Ester , Martínez‐Vázquez Sergio , Caparros‐Gonzalez Rafael A.
Published: February 2025

The aim of the present study was to establish the fetal and neonatal impact of war conflicts during pregnancy. A systematic review was conducted according to The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and relevant publications available in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases. Primary and quantitative studies were eligible for inclusion. To be included, studies had to be redacted in Spanish or English and evaluate maternal exposure to a war or terrorist attack during pregnancy, with consideration being given of the consequences of this for fetal and/or neonatal development. Systematic, narrative and exploratory literature reviews were excluded, as were meta‐analyses and studies in which the sample differed from the sample of interest, the focus was on other stressful factors that differed from a war conflict and the consequences examined did not comprise the impact of a war during pregnancy on the fetus or neonate. The methodological quality of included articles was assessed using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool. A total of 28 articles were included, with an included sample of n = 664,980 mother‐infant dyads, exposed to war conflicts. The adverse impact of prenatal stress suffered by mothers during periods of war revealed that, (1) in the short‐term, babies were at greater risk of having a low birth weight and impinged length and being born prematurely, whilst mothers were more likely to suffer a miscarriage. (2) In the long‐term, babies exposed to war during the prenatal period had a higher risk of experiencing alterations to their neurodevelopment, mental disorders and pathophysiological diseases. The stress suffered by mothers during the prenatal period can bring about a number of negative consequences over both the short‐ and long‐term in babies, especially, in terms of their physical and neurological development. It is important to conduct further research on the topic with the aim of detecting and treating the early stages of maternal psychological illnesses experienced during pregnancy due to war conflict and, in this way, achieve benefits for pregnant women and future generations.
Intestinal Bacterial Dysbiosis and Liver Fibrosis in Mice Through Gut‐Liver Axis and NLRP3 Inflammatory Pathway Caused by Fine Particulate Matter
Authors: Fu Pengfei , Zhang Mei , Bai Lirong , Chen Shanshan , Chen Wenqi , Li Zhiping , Yue Jianwei , Dong Chuan , Li Ruijin
Published: February 2025

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with risks of liver diseases and intestinal bacterial dysbiosis, in which the gut‐liver axis regulation mechanisms induced by PM2.5 exposure are still limited so far. In this study, after 12 weeks of exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 (64 μg/m3) and clean air in winter in Taiyuan, China, we collected liver and intestinal tissues and serum in male mice to perform toxicology experiments. The results showed that PM2.5 significantly exacerbated the pathological injury in the liver and intestine and liver fibrosis in mice, along with elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels in the serum. PM2.5 caused abnormal liver function and activated TLR4/NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway in mouse liver. PM2.5 also significantly inhibited the expression of intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins such as ZO‐1 and occludin. Besides, from 16S rRNA gene sequencing results in intestinal and fecal samples, we found that PM2.5 decreased the diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria, along with reducing Shannon, Chao1 and Ace indices and increasing Simpson indices. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that mice's intestinal bacterial composition and β‐diversity in the PM2.5‐exposed group significantly differed from the control group. KEGG pathway analyzed key functional genes and metabolic pathways in important mouse bacterial communities in the PM2.5‐exposed group. It suggested that PM2.5 exposure exacerbates liver fibrosis in mice via the NLRP3 pathway. PM2.5 caused intestinal mucosal injury, intestinal bacterial disorders and increased LPS levels, leading to the activation of inflammatory pathways, which can exacerbate liver fibrosis via the gut‐liver axis.
Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor‐Gamma Activation by an Active Compound in Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino
Authors: Miyata Ryo , Suzuki Masanobu , Okazaki Yuka , Abe Daigo , Nakajima Yoshihiro
Published: February 2025

Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino (Japanese common name: “Misohagi”) is an edible plant belonging to the Lythraceae family. It is mainly distributed in Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe. Plants of the genus Lythrum exhibit a broad range of biological activities including anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Because of this, the plants are used in traditional medicine to treat hemorrhage, infected wounds, and dysentery. The activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARγ) is an effective target for improving insulin resistance and anti‐inflammatory activity. However, PPARγ activation by the genus Lythrum remains unclear. Aiming to evaluate PPARγ activation by L. anceps, we generated a reporter cell line using an artificial chromosome vector that stably expresses dual‐color beetle luciferases. Dual‐color real‐time bioluminescence monitoring revealed marked PPARγ activation in L. anceps extracts. Moreover, ellagic acid was identified as a PPARγ activator present in L. anceps by a bioassay‐guided fractionation approach.
Analysis of Superb Microvascular Imaging Blood Flow Scoring, Disease Duration, and Laboratory Indicators Involved in Gout
Authors: Lu Jianming , Zhang Qian , Yang Guangfei , Gu Zhile , Wu Yating
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To investigate the correlation among semi‐quantitative scoring of blood flow by superb microvascular imaging (SMI), hypersensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in different gout duration.

Methods

103 patients (total 157 affected joints) with clinically confirmed acute gout attack from January 2021 to May 2022 were performed with laboratory tests (hs‐CRP, ESR, SUA), routine joint ultrasound scanning, along with semi‐quantitative scoring of SMI, and correlations between which were analyzed.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found in semi‐quantitative scoring of SMI in the affected joints between different disease duration. The differences between SMI scoring in gouty tophi, synovial hyperplasia, and the levels of different hs‐CRP and ESR subgroups of the affected joints were statistically significant (p < 0.05). R values between SMI scoring in synovial hyperplasia as well as gouty tophi and hs‐CRP levels were 0.711 and 0.579, respectively, and those of ESR were 0.430 and 0.418, respectively, while those of SUA levels were −0.227 and 0.120, respectively.

Conclusion

With a prolonged progression of gout, hs‐CRP and ESR levels amplify, along with a concurrent intensification in the SMI scorings of blood flow signals in the affected joints (grades 2 and 3). In the acute gout attack, SMI blood flow scoring showed a moderate correlation to hs‐CRP, a low correlation to ESR, and no correlation to SUA, among which the best correlation was found between SMI scoring and hs‐CRP levels in the synovial hyperplasia.
Clinical and Analytical Evaluation of the Abbott Alinity m HR HPV Assay in a New Generation First‐Void Urine Collector
Authors: Van Keer Severien , Téblick Laura , Donders Gilbert , Weyers Steven , Doyen Jean , Cornelis Ann , Van de Vijver Koen , Delbecque Katty , De Smet Annemie , Van Damme Pierre , Vorsters Alex
Published: February 2025

Urine‐based self‐sampling approaches can simplify cervical screening programs whilst increasing response. This study reports on the performance of Abbott Alinity m HR HPV on urine, self‐collected at home using a new generation first‐void urination device that is suitable for postal delivery (Novosanis Colli‐Pee Small Volumes). First‐void urine and paired cervical samples from 297 females attending colposcopy (age 25–65, NCT04530201) were analysed for the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. Cervical disease was confirmed by colposcopy and/or histology. HPV testing on first‐void urine was less sensitive for high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 +; ratio 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83–0.99), though equally specific (< CIN2; ratio 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92–1.19) compared to cervical samples at the manufacturer established cut‐off for cervical samples. Adjusting the cut‐off for first‐void urine improved sensitivity for CIN2+ (ratio 0.96; 95% CI: 0.90–1.03), whilst maintaining equal specificity compared to cervical samples (ratio 1.00; 95% CI: 0.88–1.14). Cohen's kappa agreements of HPV outcomes between sample pairs were good to excellent at both cut‐offs (range: 0.64–0.85). Using the HPV test's adjusted cutoff for first‐void urine, no difference in clinical sensitivity or specificity was observed between first‐void urine and cervical samples. These data highlight the importance of evaluating self‐sample‐specific cut‐offs for HPV assays, previously validated on cervical samples.
Promoting Fun or Competition? Testing Interventions on Ludic and Agonistic Work Design
Authors: Walsken Jan E. , Gerpott Fabiola H. , Wallenburg Carl Marcus
Published: February 2025

Research highlights the benefits of play‐at‐work, yet little is known about training employees to self‐initiate it. We tested two programs to train employees on designing work with elements of fun (ludic work design [LWD]) or competition (agonistic work design [AWD]). Based on self‐determination theory, we propose that enhancing LWD or AWD will positively impact work motivation. Considering literature suggesting that employees engage in mental distancing to protect resources, we further propose that employees' pretraining mental distancing limits the training's effectiveness. Using an intervention design (N = 228 employees) with two training groups (LWD and AWD) and an active control group, we found that the AWD group reported higher AWD 4 weeks after the training and that the training related to autonomous work motivation 8 weeks later through posttraining AWD. The LWD training did not increase LWD. Instead, LWD decreased after 4 weeks among employees with high pretraining mental distancing. Qualitative follow‐up analysis on these differential intervention effects indicated that AWD training participants predominantly engaged in work‐embedded and independent play, whereas LWD training participants engaged equally in work‐embedded and diversionary as well as independent and social play.
Increasingly Seasonal Jet Stream Raises Risk of Co‐Occurring Flooding and Extreme Wind in Great Britain
Authors: Hillier John K. , Bloomfield Hannah C. , Manning Colin , Garry Freya , Shaffrey Len , Bates Paul , Kumar Dhirendra
Published: February 2025

Insurers and risk managers for critical infrastructure such as transport or power networks typically do not account for flooding and extreme winds happening at the same time in their quantitative risk assessments. We explore this potentially critical underestimation of risk from these co‐occurring hazards through studying events using the regional 12 km resolution UK Climate Projections for a 1981–1999 baseline and projections of 2061–2079 (RCP8.5). We create a new wintertime (October–March) set of 3427 wind events to match an existing set of fluvial flow extremes and design innovative multi‐event episodes (Δt of 1–180 days long) that reflect how periods of adverse weather affect society (e.g., through damage). We show that the probability of co‐occurring wind‐flow episodes in Great Britain (GB) is underestimated 2–4 times if events are assumed independent. Significantly, this underestimation is greater both as severity increases and episode length reduces, highlighting the importance of considering risk from closely consecutive storms (Δt ~ 3 days) and the most severe storms. In the future (2061–2079), joint wind‐flow extremes are twice as likely as during 1981–1999. Statistical modelling demonstrates that changes may significantly exceed thermodynamic expectations of higher river flows in a wetter future climate. The largest co‐occurrence increases happen in mid‐winter (DJF) with changes in the North Atlantic jet stream an important driver; we find the jet is strengthened and squeezed into a southward‐shifted latitude window (45°–50° N) giving typical future conditions that match instances of high flows and joint extremes impacting GB today. This strongly implies that the large‐scale driving conditions (e.g., jet stream state) for a multi‐impact ‘perfect storm’ will vary by country; understanding regional drivers of weather hazards over climate timescales is vital to inform risk mitigation and planning (e.g., diversification and mutual aid across Europe).
Factors Associated With Inadequate Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Adults in Bangladesh: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Dey Rakhi , Kundu Satyajit , Khan Md. Salauddin
Published: February 2025

Background

Understanding the variables that contribute to low fruit and vegetable (FAV) intake is necessary to create effective strategies to enhance FAV consumption. However, there is a paucity of literature on this issue in Bangladesh. Therefore, we aimed to determine the factors associated with low FAV intake among adults in Bangladesh.

Methods

The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2018 STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey dataset was used that covered participants aged 18–69 years. The low FAV intake was the outcome of interest and a daily average consumption of <5 servings of FAVs (nearly 400 grams) was regarded as low FAV intake. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with low FAV consumption among Bangladeshi adults.

Results

The prevalence of low FAV intake among Bangladeshi adults was 67.75%. In the regression analysis, factors that were found to be associated with higher odds of having low FAV were as follows: having no knowledge of recommended FAV servings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 6.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.54–8.38), no intake of daily snacks (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.19–1.85) or only once a day (AOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.18–1.81), absence of abdominal obesity (AOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09–1.70), being from urban areas (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.07–1.69), and Chittagong and Rangpur division. Conversely, younger individuals showed lower odds of low FAV intake than those aged 60–69.

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the importance of increasing knowledge and awareness to have daily recommended servings to promote overall FAV intake.
Boosting X‐Ray‐Activated Persistent Luminescence in Nanoparticles Toward Highly Accurate Flexible X‐Ray Imaging and Information Security
Authors: Wei Guohui , Wang Chao , Huang Jinshu , Wei Haopeng , Zhou Bo
Published: February 2025

The X‐ray activated persistent luminescence (PersL) observed in lanthanide‐doped nanoparticles has recently attracted widespread interest in both basic research and cutting‐edge applications. However, how to realize intense, rich, and color‐tunable PersL in nanoparticles has remained a challenge. Here a conceptual strategy is reported to enhance the X‐ray‐activated PersL of nanoparticles by minimizing the hydroxyl impurities inside the host lattice. This study shows that the anhydrides/acids treatment during synthetic procedures is able to reduce the hydroxyl impurities inside fluoride nanocrystal lattice markedly, and promote the formation of Frenkel defects by moving more F− ions from their lattice sites into interstitial sites under X‐ray irradiation. A mechanism is proposed to illustrate the enhancement of PersL in hydroxyl‐minimized nanoparticles. The radioluminescence is also enhanced, and the multimode luminescence in a single nanoparticle is further obtained by the core‐shell nanostructure design with temporally tunable multi‐colors output. These findings facilitate the development of small‐size X‐ray‐activated PersL nanomaterials and provide more opportunities for their frontier applications in optical storage, information identification, and flexible optical imaging.
Protein palmitoylation: biological functions, disease, and therapeutic targets
Authors: Qian Yan‐Ran , Zhao Yu‐Jia , Zhang Feng
Published: February 2025

Protein palmitoylation, a reversible post‐translational lipid modification, is catalyzed by the ZDHHC family of palmitoyltransferases and reversed by several acyl protein thioesterases, regulating protein localization, accumulation, secretion, and function. Neurological disorders encompass a spectrum of diseases that affect both the central and peripheral nervous system. Recently, accumulating studies have revealed that pathological protein associated with neurological diseases, such as β‐amyloid, α‐synuclein, and Huntingtin, could undergo palmitoylation, highlighting the crucial roles of protein palmitoylation in the onset and development of neurological diseases. However, few preclinical studies and clinical trials focus on the interventional strategies that target protein palmitoylation. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the emerging evidence on the role of protein palmitoylation in various neurological diseases and summarized the classification, processes, and functions of protein palmitoylation, highlighting its impact on protein stability, membrane localization, protein–protein interaction, as well as signal transduction. Furthermore, we also discussed the potential interventional strategies targeting ZDHHC proteins and elucidated their underlying pathogenic mechanisms in neurological diseases. Overall, an in‐depth understanding of the functions and significances of protein palmitoylation provide new avenues for investigating the mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders.
Global Attractivity of Neoclassical Models With Sublinear Ricker‐Gamma Growth Rates and Variable Time‐Lags
Authors: Hien Le Van
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the problem of global attractivity of a neoclassical model with sublinear Ricker‐type Cobb‐Douglas growth function and variable time‐lag in the production function is investigated. By novel comparison techniques based on the fluctuation lemma and differential inequalities, the permanence property of positive solutions and global convergence to a unique positive equilibrium are established. The obtained results encompass existing ones in the literature as some special cases.
Does deciding not to participate in a lifestyle intervention for children with obesity affect the long‐term weight change?
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus M. , Østergaard Jane N. , Fogh Mette , Taylor Rachael W. , Støvring Henrik , Bruun Jens M.
Published: February 2025

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate whether long‐term weight change in children with obesity is affected after deciding not to participate in a lifestyle intervention.

Methods

This observational study included 713 children (aged 5–8 years) with obesity living in Aarhus, Denmark, of whom 157 decided not to participate in a community‐based lifestyle intervention between 2010 and 2020, and 556 were never invited to participate (i.e., no‐intervention group). Height and weight measurements were combined with socioeconomic information from national registers. A mixed‐effects model with splines was used to model changes in BMI z score and stratification to investigate effect modifications.

Results

We observed a median follow‐up of 3.6 years (quartile [Q]1;Q3: 0.4;5.1) for the decided‐not‐to‐participate group. No difference was observed in annual change in BMI z score between the decided‐not‐to‐participate and no‐intervention groups (0.00 per year, 95% CI: −0.03 to 0.03; p = 0.90). No effect modifications were observed between the two groups concerning highest completed household education (p = 0.59), household income (p = 0.72), or immigration status (p = 0.17).

Conclusions

Children deciding not to participate in an intervention did not increase their weight compared with children who were never invited, indicating that treatment could be briefly postponed until families are able to participate. Additionally, socioeconomic status or immigration background did not modify the weight change.
PI3 expression predicts recurrence after chemotherapy with DNA‐damaging drugs in gastric cancer
Authors: Harada Kenji , Sakamoto Naoya , Kitaoka Takumi , Nakamura Yuka , Kondo Ryotaro , Morisue Ryo , Hashimoto Hiroko , Yamamoto Yusuke , Ukai Shoichi , Maruyama Ryota , Sakashita Shingo , Kojima Motohiro , Tanabe Kazuaki , Ohdan Hideki , Shitara Kohei , Kinoshita Takahiro , Ishii Genichiro , Yasui Wataru , Ochiai Atsushi , Ishikawa Shumpei
Published: February 2025

Despite recent advances in gastric cancer therapy, chemotherapy resistance and lack of methods for selecting combination regimens remain major problems. Organoids, which provide a culture system that more closely resembles tumor cell organization than traditional cell lines, can be established from surgical specimens with a high success rate and are widely used for drug sensitivity assays. In this study, we aimed to identify a novel biomarker for predicting multidrug resistance using gastric cancer organoids (GCOs). We evaluated 5‐fluorouracil or oxaliplatin‐resistant GCOs to find novel biomarkers that reflect multidrug resistance in gastric cancer. To examine the resistance mechanisms, RNA‐sequencing analysis and ex vivo drug sensitivity testing were performed. The association of biomarkers with patient prognosis and chemotherapy efficacy was evaluated using three original cohorts with a total of 230 cases. The results were also validated with two independent public cohorts and single‐cell RNA sequence data. Increased expression of peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3) was detected in all 5‐fluorouracil or oxaliplatin‐resistant GCOs. Our findings suggest a potential association of PI3 expression with ribosome biosynthesis and RNA metabolism under organoid conditions. We also found that PI3 overexpression promoted 5‐fluorouracil/oxaliplatin/cisplatin resistance but not paclitaxel resistance. Immunohistochemical evaluation of PI3 expression revealed that the PI3‐positive gastric cancer group had a poorer outcome, especially in terms of time to recurrence. PI3 positivity was also an independent predictor of relapse after chemotherapy with DNA‐damaging agents. PI3 promotes DNA‐damaging drug resistance through multiple downstream regulations related to RNA and ribosomal metabolism. PI3 may be useful as a biomarker for the therapeutic selection of non‐DNA‐damaging agents. © 2025 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.