bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural strategies for creating non-equilibrium morphology with self-repairing capability towards rapid growth of excellent YBa2Cu3O7−δ crystals
Authors: Zhu Yanhan , Yang Yi , Gu Xiafan , Gao Qiang , Diko Pavel , Yao Xin
Published: January 2023

Self-repair, as a natural phenomenon, has been vastly observed and investigated in a variety of fields. With such an ability, living species self-heal their wounds to restore physiological functions while non-biological materials return to their original states, for example, thin surface layer growth occurs in the regeneration of incomplete KH2PO4 crystals. Here, two seeding strategies are developed for creating incomplete crystallographic shapes (i.e. right-angled concave corners) of YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) superconducting crystals with self-repairing capability in top-seeded melt growth. One involves in situ self-assembly seeding, by which the ability to self-repair promotes YBCO growth; the other is vertically connected seeding, by which self-repair triggers YBCO nucleation. Consequently, rapid surface crystallization originated at concave corners and swiftly generated initial growth morphology approaching equilibrium. Furthermore, these rapid-growth regions including the concave crystal or seed innately functioned as sizable effective seeding regions, enabling the enlargement of the c-oriented growth sector and the enhancement of properties for YBCO crystals. This work demonstrates experimentally that biaxial-in-plane-aligned crystals and precisely perpendicular-arranged seeds are important self-repairing activators for the rapid growth of YBCO crystals. This nature-inspired self-repairing work offers insights into the design of seeding architecture with non-equilibrium morphology for inducing sizable high-performance crystals in the YBCO family and other functional materials.
Relationships between leadership and culture, human resources and process improvement in lean healthcare
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This research aims to examine the relationships among leadership and culture, human resources and process improvement in lean hospitals from the socio-technical perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey instrument was developed from literature reviews, verified by experts and confirmatory factor analysis. Multiple responses were used to collect data from 473 care providers in 220 outpatient departments of Thai hospitals to improve reliability of the obtained data. Path analysis of structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the hypotheses.

Findings

It was found that human resources has a significant positive direct effect on process improvement. Leadership and culture not only has significant direct positive impacts on human resources and process improvement but also has a significant indirect positive impact on process improvement through human resources.

Originality/value

This is one of the first examples of research to present insights into the links between soft and hard factors of lean hospitals at strategic and operational levels.
Robotic life of casino employees: exploring well-being dimensions in the gambling industry in Malaysia
Authors: Chaichi Kamelia , Trupp Alexander , Ranjanthran Mageswari , Thirumaran K.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Employee well-being in a casino work environment is crucial for the quality of work-life and employees' performance. This study examines the dimensions of well-being at a casino in Malaysia to gain deeper insights into employee challenges and motivational factors to arrive at practical mitigation efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach involving 14 semi-structured interviews with casino employees in Malaysia. Interviews lasted 30 min to 2 h at a time when Covid-19 was raging in 2021. Responses were analysed via a data-driven approach and coded using NVivo software to delineate the contents into analytical categories of well-being dimensions.

Findings

The findings suggest that employees at the casino face challenges in achieving work-life balance. Employee's well-being suffers from insufficient break time, irregular working hours affecting family time, managing customer temper tantrums and lack of emotional support systems and remunerations altered by the pandemic. Women employees were particularly vulnerable.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest a need to create better working conditions and address well-being with counselling support for stress management, a balanced approach by employers to the “customer is always right” mantra, creating promising career pathways and supervisors to have better oversight of workaholics. The research focused only on one casino and there was limited access to management departments for an organizational perspective.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of knowledge on employee well-being in the context of a casino. It suggests hospitality and tourism organizations review their human resource practices that would ease the stresses at the workplace and create support systems to promote employee well-being. Crucially, in a pandemic crisis, well-being dimensions must be accommodating and integrative to employee sentiments, sensitivity and self-actualization.
Sociomaterial influence on social media: exploring sexualised practices of influencers on Instagram
Authors: Bussy-Socrate Hélène , Sokolova Karina
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Relying on social influence and sociomateriality theories, this research provides new insights about the social and material drivers relating to the sexualisation of online behaviour of social media influencers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a netnographic approach, observation data were gathered from the Instagram accounts of 20 influencers dedicated to beauty and fashion. In addition, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with women adopting sexualisation practices online. The data were analysed using an abductive strategy; all materials were coded according to thematic analysis principles.

Findings

The authors observe that sexualisation is a result of a complex system of social interactions encouraged and reinforced by multiple factors and actors. In particular, the authors outline the major influence of technology that has become a non-human authority defining implicit norms and shaping the beliefs and behaviours of women influencers.

Originality/value

In contrast to existing literature which mainly focuses on the negative consequences of sexualisation, this work sheds some light on social constructs in social media. The authors contribute to the growing literature on social media influencers. Although many works focus on their persuasiveness, this work helps to better understand the social setting, motivations and pressures that are contained in social and technological contexts.
The role of synergistic interplay among LMX, leader creativity expectations and job characteristics in stimulating creative process engagement
Authors: Liu He , Xu Feng , Wu Chong
Published: January 2023

Purpose

As a typical creative behavior, creative process engagement (CPE) has received increased attention in recent years. Leadership behaviors such as leader–member exchange (LMX) and leader creativity expectations (LCE) have been found as two key predictive factors of CPE. However, the mechanism underlying this relationship is not well understood. This study aims to clarify how LMX influences follower CPE by considering the interplay among LCE, decision autonomy and task interdependence from an interactionist perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 371 leader–employee dyads from eight enterprises in mainland China, this study conducts a hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses for the proposed model.

Findings

Results reveal that the significant two- and three-way interactions where LCE, decision autonomy and task interdependence moderate the relationship between LMX and follower CPE. The relationship between LMX and follower CPE is not significant as expected, but the moderating role of LCE is positive and significant, and the relationship is strongest when conducted with either low task interdependence or high decision autonomy.

Originality/value

Different from previous research that only investigated one certain leadership factor’ effect on employees' innovative behaviors, this study comprehensively considered the combined influence of two related but significantly different connotation leadership factors on follower CPE and found the contingency effect of LCE on the relationship between LMX and follower CPE. Furthermore, the authors found the regional effectiveness of the leadership factor. The effect of leadership factors on follower CPE varies under the influence of different job characteristics, and is conducive to enrich the interactionist view on follower CPE.
Introduction of an emergency medicine pharmacist‐led sepsis alert response system in the emergency department: A cohort study
Authors: Roman Cristina Petronela , Dooley Michael , Nevill Alexandra , Szmidel Matthew , McGloughlin Steven , Luckhoff Carl , Mitra Biswadev
Published: January 2023

Objective

To determine effects of implementing a sepsis alert response system in the ED that included early intervention by emergency medicine (EM) pharmacists.

Methods

A prospective cohort (8 February 2016 to 28 February 2018) of patients after implementation of a sepsis alert response system in an Australian ED was compared to a retrospective cohort (3 January 2015 to 7 February 2016) of patients with sepsis who presented during EM pharmacist working hours and were admitted to the ICU.

Results

There were 184 patients, including 80 patients pre‐ and 104 patients post‐implementation. The post‐intervention cohort was triaged at a higher acuity, had higher quick Sepsis‐related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) scores and higher initial lactate measurements. After the intervention, antimicrobial agents were administered to patients within 60 min of presentation more often (21 [26.3%] to 85 [81.7%], P < 0.001). After adjusting for presenting triage category, admission lactate and presenting qSOFA scores, this association remained significant (adjusted odds ratio 9.99; 95% confidence interval 4.7–21.3). Significant improvements were observed for proportion of patients who had intravenous fluids initiated within 60 min (47.5% vs 72.1%); proportion of patients who had serum lactate measured within 60 min (50.0% vs 77.9%) and proportion of patients who had blood cultures performed within 60 min (52.5% vs 85.6%).

Conclusion

Implementation of a sepsis alert response that included early involvement of the EM pharmacist was associated with improvement in time to antimicrobials and other components of the sepsis bundle. An upfront, multidisciplinary approach to patients presenting to the ED with suspected sepsis should be considered more broadly.
Early infancy dysbiosis in food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Su Kuan‐Wen , Cetinbas Murat , Martin Victoria M. , Virkud Yamini V. , Seay Hannah , Ndahayo Renata , Rosow Rachael , Elkort Michael , Gupta Brinda , Kramer Eileen , Pronchick Tetiana , Reuter Susan , Sadreyev Ruslan I. , Huang Jing‐Long , Shreffler Wayne G. , Yuan Qian
Published: January 2023

Background

The microbiome associations of food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) are understudied. We sought to prospectively define the clinical features of FPIES in a birth cohort, and investigate for the evidence of gut dysbiosis.

Methods

We identified children diagnosed with FPIES in the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Allergic Proctocolitis Study, a healthy infant cohort. Children were assessed and stools were collected at each well child visit. The clinical features of the children with FPIES were summarized. Stool microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing comparing children with and without FPIES.

Results

Of the 874 children followed up for 3 years, 8 FPIES cases (4 male) were identified, yielding a cumulative incidence of 0.92%. The most common triggers were oat and rice (n = 3, each) followed by milk (n = 2). The children with FPIES were more likely to have family history of food allergy (50% vs. 15.9% among unaffected, p = .03). The average age of disease presentation was 6 months old. During the first 6 months of life, stool from children with FPIES contained significantly less Bifidobacterium adolescentis, but more pathobionts, including Bacteroides spp. (especially Bacteroides fragilis), Holdemania spp., Lachnobacterium spp., and Acinetobacter lwoffii. The short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA)‐producing Bifidobacterium shunt was expressed significantly less in the stool from FPIES children.

Conclusions

In this cohort, the cumulative incidence over the 3‐year study period was 0.92%. During the first 6 months of life, children with FPIES had evidence of dysbiosis and SCFA production pathway was expressed less in their stool, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of FPIES.
Reversible pigs
Authors: Arregui Aníbal G.
Published: January 2023

The idea of “species” is the main unit for representing ecological relations. But what would an ecology look like if we started by tracing its relations from below the species threshold? By deploying an infraspecies ethnography, I show how, in suburban Barcelona, human and wild boar individuals relate in personal, creative ways, and how in doing so, they also reshape their quotidian ecologies from the bottom up. Departing from species‐level imaginaries of wildlife managers, suburban residents cope with wild boars not only as idiosyncratic specimens but also as reversible beings: pigs that are simultaneously “wild” and “tame,” “rural” and “urban,” “pest” and “neighbor.” Shifting the attention from relations between coherent species to the situated encounters between singular specimens unveils how individuals weave reversible relations, remake ecologies, and navigate the uncertainty of emerging human‐animal intimacies.
Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with relatively short stature among adolescents
Authors: Namimi‐Halevi Chen , Dor Chen , Dichtiar Rita , Bromberg Michal , Sinai Tali
Published: January 2023

Aim

To estimate the association between attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and relatively short stature (RSS) among adolescents.

Methods

Participants in the Israeli Youth Health and Nutrition Survey (2015–2016), a cross‐sectional school‐based study, completed self‐administered questionnaires and underwent anthropometric measurements. Height z‐score < −0.7 (<25th percentile) was defined as RSS. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed the relation between ADHD and RSS, controlling for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic status (Basic Model), and also for lifestyle factors such as physical activity, sleep duration, dietary patterns and intakes.

Results

Of 4173 participants (11–18 years, 50.2% males), 654 self‐reported ever being diagnosed with ADHD; 3519 participants were controls. Overweight (BMI z‐score ≥1) and pubertal status were not different among groups. According to the Basic Model, ADHD was significantly associated with RSS (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.50), and even after adjustments for lifestyle factors and dietary intake (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.03–1.58). Stimulant‐treated ADHD adolescents had similar height z‐scores and lifestyles as those not treated with stimulants.

Conclusion

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder was associated with RSS. Height deficit may be intrinsic to ADHD or its pharmacotherapy, rather than a consequence of lifestyle alone. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between ADHD and short stature.
Impact of malnutrition and nutrition support in hospitalised patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Dua Anoushka , Corson Melissa , Sauk Jenny S. , Jaffe Nancee , Limketkai Berkeley N.
Published: January 2023

Background

Malnutrition is prevalent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has been associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Aims

This observational study examines trends in protein‐calorie malnutrition (PCM) amongst hospitalised IBD and non‐IBD patients, and the association between (1) malnutrition and (2) nutrition support and hospitalisation outcomes.

Methods

We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2018 for hospitalisations with and without IBD. Amongst patients with IBD and concurrent PCM, we identified those who received nutrition support. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan‐Meier analyses evaluated the associations between PCM and nutrition support and readmission and mortality. Multiple linear regression described the association between compared variables and length of stay (LOS) and total hospitalisation costs.

Results

This study included 1,216,033 patients (1,820,023 hospitalisations) with Crohn's disease (CD), 832,931 patients (1,089,853 hospitalizations) with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 240,488,656 patients (321,220,427 hospitalisations) without IBD. Admitted IBD patients were 2.9–3.1 times more likely to have PCM than non‐IBD patients. IBD patients with PCM had a higher risk of readmission and mortality, as well as longer LOS and higher hospitalisation costs. Nutrition support (parenteral and enteral) was associated with a reduced risk of readmission, but higher mortality increased LOS and higher total hospitalisation costs.

Conclusions

Malnutrition in hospitalised IBD patients remains an important contributor to readmission, mortality, LOS and healthcare costs. Providing nutrition support to IBD patients may reduce the risk of readmission. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of nutrition support amongst hospitalised IBD patients to optimise disease and healthcare outcomes.
PRMT3 regulates the progression of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Zhi Renyong , Wu Kailiang , Zhang Jingyue , Liu Hanjiao , Niu Chen , Li Shuai , Fu Li
Published: January 2023

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a special histopathological subtype of breast cancer. Clinically, IMPC exhibits a higher incidence of lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis compared with that of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), the most common type. However, the metabolic characteristics and related mechanisms underlying malignant IMPC biological behaviors are unknown. We performed large‐scale targeted metabolomics analysis on resected tumors obtained from chemotherapy‐naïve IMPC (n = 25) and IDC (n = 26) patients to investigate metabolic alterations, and we integrated mass spectrometry analysis, RNA sequencing, and ChIP‐sequencing data to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms. The metabolomics revealed distinct metabolic profiles between IMPC and IDC. For IMPC patients, the metabolomic profile was characterized by significantly high levels of arginine methylation marks, and protein arginine methyltransferase 3 (PRMT3) was identified as a critical regulator that catalyzed the formation of these arginine methylation marks. Notably, overexpression of PRMT3 was an independent risk factor for poor IMPC prognosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PRMT3 was a key regulator of breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, and treatment with a preclinical PRMT3 inhibitor decreased the xenograft tumorigenic capacity. Mechanistically, PRMT3 regulated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathway by facilitating histone H4 arginine 3 asymmetric dimethylation (H4R3me2a), which may endow breast cancer cells with great proliferative and metastatic capacity. Our findings highlight PRMT3 importance in regulating the malignant biological behavior of IMPC and suggest that small‐molecule inhibitors of PRMT3 activity might be promising breast cancer treatments.
Targeting soluble epoxide hydrolase promotes osteogenic–angiogenic coupling via activating SLIT3/HIF‐1α signalling pathway
Authors: Gao Lu , Chen Weixian , Li Lijun , Li Juanjuan , Kongling Wenyao , Zhang Yaoyang , Yang Xueping , Zhao Yanrong , Bai Jie , Wang Fu
Published: January 2023

Type H vessels have recently been identified to modulate osteogenesis. Epoxyeicostrioleic acids (EETs) have an essential contribution to vascular homeostasis. However, whether increased EETs with soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor TPPU enhance the coupling of angiogenesis and osteogenesis remains largely unknown. The effects of TPPU on cross‐talk between co‐cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), and on long bone growth and calvarial defect repair in mice were investigated in vitro and in vivo. TPPU enhanced osteogenic differentiation of co‐cultured HUVECs and hDPSCs in vitro and increased type H vessels, and long bone growth and bone repair of calvarial defect. Mechanistically, TPPU promoted cell proliferation and angiogenesis, reclined cell apoptosis, and significantly increased CD31hiEMCNhi endothelial cells (ECs) and SLIT3 and HIF‐1α expression levels in co‐cultured HUVECs and hDPSCs. Knockdown of Slit3 in hDPSCs or Hif‐1α in HUVECs impaired the formation of CD31hiEMCNhi ECs and reversed TPPU‐induced osteogenesis. We defined a previously unidentified effect of TPPU coupling angiogenesis and osteogenesis. TPPU induced type H vessels by upregulating the expression of hDPSCs‐derived SLIT3, which resulted in the activation of ROBO1/YAP1/HIF‐1α signalling pathway in ECs. Targeting metabolic pathways of EETs represents a new strategy to couple osteogenesis and angiogenesis, sEH is a promising therapeutic target for bone regeneration and repair.
Root elongation test on seeds of Sinapis alba reveals toxicity of extracts from thirteen colour forms of the Asian multi‐coloured ladybird, Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Sakaki Samane , Nedvěd Oldřich
Published: January 2023

Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) use toxic compounds such as alkaloids in their hemolymph to defend against predators and pathogens. Direct measurement of their toxicity to predators is unavailable as predators show various avoidance reactions without eating the beetles. Because inhibition by harmonine – the alkaloid of the alien invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) – was observed in many organisms, its toxicity can also be tested on various non‐target organisms. This is the first study examining ladybird alkaloid toxicity to plants. We used a quick, inexpensive, and easy‐to‐perform method to quantify the phytotoxicity of 13 strains of H. axyridis, representing natural colour forms and spontaneous laboratory mutations. We used the seed germination rate and root elongation of seedlings of Sinapis alba L. (Brassicaceae). Following a logistic curve, root length decreased with increasing concentration of the extract from adult beetles. The effect of extracts from the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (negative control) did not differ from the control (water). Extract from the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera:
Tenebrionidae) (positive control) decreased the root length to about half of that of the negative control. Extract from young ladybirds (1 week old) decreased the root length to about one‐third of the control and the extract from 3‐month‐old ladybirds to one‐10th. Differences in toxicity among all 13 strains were minor and not consistent for the two age cohorts.
Converting carbon dioxide to high value‐added products: Microalgae‐based green biomanufacturing
Authors: Sun Zhongliang , Chen Hui , Sun Liqin , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2023

Today's world faces the dual pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction and an energy crisis. Microalgae, which can use solar energy to convert CO2 to organic matter, have emerged as a promising and renewable cell factory for producing nutrients, biofuels, and various high value‐added compounds (HVACs). They possess numerous advantages, such as high photosynthetic efficiency, fast growth rate, and use of agro‐industrial waste and nonagricultural land for cultivation. Microalgae can also effectively remove eutrophic elements (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) from wastewater and atmospheric pollutants (e.g., SOx and NOx) from flue gas, thus providing great environmental benefits. However, microalgae‐based production often faces low productivity, limiting applicability in industrial settings. Genetic and metabolic modifications of certain microalgal strains have proven effective in improving productivity. Here, we review the latest developments regarding the microalgae‐based production of platform compounds, biofuels, and other HVACs. Although still in the early exploration stage, the rapid development of gene editing tools, a deeper understanding of the metabolic pathways of microalgae and their regulatory mechanisms, and further optimization of cultivation procedures and photosynthetic efficiency can eventually enable the launch of microalgae‐based biomanufacturing for green industrial production. Therefore, this technology is strategically important for solving the current energy crisis problems of excessive CO2 emissions and environmental pollution. This review provides information about the advancement and development of microalgae‐based production over the past two decades and discusses possible future directions in the field.
The efficacy of bone reconstructive therapies in the management of peri‐implantitis. A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Donos Nikos , Calciolari Elena , Ghuman Mandeep , Baccini Michela , Sousa Vanessa , Nibali Luigi
Published: January 2023

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of bone reconstructive procedures for the reduction of probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and suppuration in peri‐implantitis‐related bone defects at ≥12‐month follow‐up.

Materials and Methods

Three databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that compared bone reconstructive therapies to access flap surgery (AFS) (Focused Question—FQ 1), and RCTs, CCTs, and prospective case series that assessed the efficacy of reconstructive therapies (FQ 2). Meta‐analysis was performed for FQ1 when more than three studies were identified, while for FQ2 a network was drawn based on RCTs with common treatment arms.

Results

Seven RCTs were identified for FQ1 while five RCTs and six prospective case series for FQ2. There was no significant difference in PPD change between AFS and reconstructive surgery (−0.387; p = .325) at 12 months. Furthermore, no clear differences in terms of PPD and BOP changes resulted from the different reconstructive therapies included in the network. Only a small percentage of treated cases with any modality achieved peri‐implantitis resolution, as defined by different composite outcomes.

Conclusions

Reconstructive surgery does not offer significant improvements in peri‐implant clinical parameters as compared to AFS at 12 months. It was not possible to establish a hierarchy of efficacy among the different biomaterials employed for reconstructive surgery.
Editorial: Therapies for mental health difficulties: finding the sweet spot between standardization and personalization
Authors: Gregory Alice M. , Rutter Martin K. , Madrid‐Valero Juan J. , Bennett Sophie D. , Shafran Roz , Buysse Daniel J.
Published: January 2023

There are strong arguments for standardizing therapies for mental health difficulties in young people and for the development of digital therapies. At the same time, the importance of personalized treatments is also increasingly apparent. In this editorial, we discuss challenges and the continued need to find the sweet spot between standardization and personalization when it comes to therapies for mental health difficulties. We illustrate our discussion with reference to insomnia in adolescents/young adults as well as the chronic health condition type 1 diabetes.
Scientometric analysis and literature synthesis of 60 years of science on the Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara)
Authors: Locatelli Anna C. P. , Bastos Rodrigo F. , Oliveira Matheus A. , Ferreira Beatrice P.
Published: January 2023

Here, the authors investigate the evolution of scientific literature on the Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), the largest grouper species in the Atlantic. This species was considered threatened according to the IUCN for nearly three decades due to overfishing and has been protected from fishing in a large part of its range. For the purpose of evaluating the scientific production on an endangered species banned from fishing, the authors present a scientometry and synthesis review analysing the literature produced in the timeline and the content of their studies. To this end, they set up an almost 60‐year literary database through the Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar platforms. They analyse the publication and knowledge area patterns over the time in the world and in Brazil. They also feature the main areas, locations, ecosystems and types of those research studies and briefly describe the main records found in each decade. An increase in the number of publications was observed from the 1990s onwards worldwide, and particularly in Brazil from the 2000s, coinciding with the pioneering legislations for species protection. Most of the studies were classified within ecology and conservation and took place in countries that implemented moratoriums and had extensive areas of mangroves. Thus, fishing moratorium, classification as endangered, mangroves distribution and conservation all play a role in the studies distribution and contribute positively to the knowledge, as well as support conservation strategies for the species and its ecosystems of occurrence.
Risk of colorectal cancer after appendectomy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Zhuhui , Ma Xinyue , Zhu Chunqi , Fang Jing‐Yuan
Published: January 2023

Background and Aim

Appendectomy is associated with various diseases, but whether it increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed at investigating the suggested correlation between appendectomy and CRC.

Methods

Systematic retrieval was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to May 4, 2022, for studies reported the influence of appendectomy on CRC, colon cancer (CC) or rectal cancer (RC). Odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CRC after appendectomy were pooled using the random effects model. Subgroup analyses were carried on by region, sex, and tumor location.

Results

Our search identified 1743 articles, of which 22 studies from three continents published between 1964 and 2022 were eligible for inclusion. Overall, people with appendectomy had a higher risk of CRC (OR = 1.31; 95% CI [1.05, 1.62]). But the risk for Europeans was not significant (OR = 0.94; 95% CI [0.87, 1.02]; I2 = 0%), while for Americans and Asians, appendectomy would increase the risk of CRC (OR = 1.68; 95% CI [1.15, 2.44]; I2 = 65% and OR = 1.46; 95% CI [1.04, 2.05]; I2 = 98%), especially in females and in developing countries. It is worth noting that appendectomy might be a protective factor for CC in European women (OR = 0.87; 95% CI [0.77, 0.98]; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Appendectomy may be a risk factor for CRC, with varying degrees in different populations. More high‐quality cross‐regional studies are needed for better clinical decision making.
COVID‐19 hospitalization and mortality in community‐dwelling racially and ethnically diverse persons living with dementia
Authors: Thunell Johanna A. , Ferido Patricia , Zissimopoulos Julie M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Community‐dwelling persons living with dementia (PLWD) are vulnerable to COVID‐19 infection, severity, and mortality due to the high prevalence of comorbidities, reliance on caregivers, and potential inability to employ risk reduction measures, among other factors.

Methods

We used a retrospective cohort of Medicare Fee‐For‐Service beneficiaries enrolled from January 2018 to September 2020 (n = 13,068,583), a comparison cohort from January 2019 to April 2021 (n = 13,250,297), and logistic regression to estimate the effect of dementia on COVID‐19 hospitalization and mortality in community‐dwelling older persons.

Results

COVID‐19 diagnoses were higher among persons living with dementia (PLWD) than those without dementia. Conditional on COVID‐19 in the 2020 cohort, White PLWD were at higher risk of hospitalization compared to White persons without dementia (aOR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.26–1.36) and marginal for Black PLWD (aOR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20), no significant differences were found within other racial/ethnic groups. PLWD were 1.8 times (aOR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.72–1.84) more likely to die within 30 days of COVID‐19 on average. Within racial/ethnic groups, the estimate for White PLWD, compared with White persons without dementia, was highest (aOR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.92–2.10), followed by Black PLWD (aOR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.41–1.70), and smallest among Hispanic PLWD (aOR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24–1.50). PLWD hospitalized with COVID‐19 were 1.6 times (aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.52–1.67) more likely to die within 30 days than similar persons without dementia. Estimates from the 2021 cohort, when vaccines were available to older persons, were similar to those in 2020.

Conclusions

Community‐dwelling PLWD experienced worse outcomes after a COVID‐19 diagnosis than their counterparts without dementia. Results demonstrating higher mortality, but not hospitalization rates, for all races/ethnicities except White PLWD suggest there may have been differential care/treatment that point to potential health care system inequities that persisted into 2021. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences may improve ongoing care for community‐dwelling PLWD.
Reference intervals for plasma, urinary, and salivary concentrations of free metanephrines in dogs: Relevance to the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma
Authors: van den Berg Marit F. , Kooistra Hans S. , Grinwis Guy C. M. , van Nimwegen Sebastiaan A. , van Faassen Martijn , Kema Ido P. , Teske Erik , Galac Sara
Published: January 2023

Background

Measurement of free metanephrines is recommended for screening of pheochromocytoma (PCC) but requires appropriate reference intervals (RIs).

Hypothesis/Objectives

To report RIs for plasma, urinary and salivary concentrations of free metanephrines and to determine the diagnostic performance of plasma free normetanephrine (pNMN) and metanephrine (pMN) concentrations in dogs with PCC, hypercortisolism (HC), and nonadrenal illness (NAI).

Animals

Eighty healthy dogs, 11 PCC dogs, 25 HC dogs, 6 NAI dogs.

Methods

Plasma, urine, and saliva were collected prospectively from healthy dogs, and free metanephrine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). In addition, medical records of dogs that had plasma free metanephrine concentrations measured by LC‐MS/MS between 2018‐2021 were studied retrospectively.

Results

The RIs for free metanephrines in plasma, urine and saliva are reported. Dogs with PCC had significantly higher pNMN than dogs with HC (P < .001) and NAI (P = .002). The PCC dogs had significantly higher pMN than HC dogs (P < .001), but not higher than NAI dogs (P = .29). Using the upper reference limit, pNMN (>3.56 nmol/L) showed high sensitivity (100%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 72‐100) and specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99) for diagnosis of PCC, whereas pMN (>2.49 nmol/L) showed moderate sensitivity (73%, 95% CI: 39‐94) and high specificity (94%, 95% CI: 79‐99).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

With establishment of these RIs, biochemical testing for PCC in dogs can be substantially improved. Measurement of pNMN is superior to pMN in dogs with PCC.
Testing materials to mitigate terrestrial organic contamination of meteorites: Implications for collection, curation, and handling of astromaterials
Authors: Tunney Libby D. , Hill Patrick J. A. , Herd Christopher D. K. , Hilts Robert W.
Published: January 2023

Organic matter in astromaterials can provide important information for understanding the chemistry of our solar system and the prebiotic conditions of the early Earth. However, once astromaterials reach the Earth's surface, they can be readily contaminated through contact with the Earth's surface as well as during processing and curation. Here, we investigate how typical handling and curation materials interact with meteorite specimens by documenting hydrophobic organic compound contamination in the laboratory environment and on materials that might be used for their collection and storage. We use gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of soluble organic compounds in dichloromethane extracts of these materials to gain insights into what materials and methods are best for the collection and curation of astromaterials. Our results have implications for how extraterrestrial samples—especially those containing significant intrinsic organic matter—are handled and curated to preserve them in their most pristine states. Following recommendations of other researchers in the area of returned sample curation, we advocate for a thorough investigation into the materials used in handling and curation of meteorites to create a contamination baseline to inform soluble organic analyses on astromaterials and enable the discrimination of terrestrial and extraterrestrial compounds.
Spatiotemporal process of long‐distance seed dispersal in a pantropically distributed sea hibiscus group
Authors: Yamazaki Yuri , Kajita Tadashi , Takayama Koji
Published: January 2023

Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of seeds plays an essential role in the migration of plants to a new habitat and maintaining gene flow among geographically isolated populations. Pantropical plants with sea‐drifted seeds, which have one of the largest distributions in all flowering plants, have achieved their global distribution by LDD. However, the spatiotemporal processes to achieve the wide distribution and the role of LDD in it have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we conducted phylogenomic analyses on the plastome, genome‐wide nuclear SNP, and low‐copy gene data of Hibiscus tiliaceus and its relatives. The dated phylogeny suggested that global expansion started approximately 4 million years ago (Ma), and species diversification occurred 1 Ma. Plastome phylogeny confirmed the nonmonophyly of the haplotypes in the two widely distributed coastal species, H. tiliaceus and H. pernambucensis. In contrast, genome‐wide nuclear SNP phylogenies demonstrated clear genetic segregation among species and/or geographical regions. Ancestral polymorphisms in chloroplast genomes shared among widely distributed species have remained below the range of rapid expansion and speciation of marginal populations. This study demonstrated that the LDD of sea‐drifted seeds contributed to the rapid expansion and pantropical distribution of sea hibiscus in the last few million years, and adaptation to local environment or isolation by regional effect after LDD promoted speciation, suppressing gene flow.
Mental and Physical Health Trajectories of Norwegian Parents and Children before and after Union Dissolution
Authors: Kravdal Øystein , Wörn Jonathan
Published: January 2023

The aim was to examine the mental and physical health trajectories of mothers, fathers, and children before and after union dissolution. Register data covering the entire Norwegian population, and including information on consultations with general practitioners in 2006–2018, were used. Constant unobserved characteristics were controlled for with individual fixed effects. As judged by the number of consultations, mothers’ and fathers’ mental health deteriorates before the dissolution but improves immediately afterwards. In contrast, a worsening mental health among children before the dissolution is followed by an even more adverse development afterwards. There is only modest evidence of predissolution increases in noninfectious physical diseases, but more clearly rising numbers afterwards especially for mothers and daughters. Less adverse trends are seen for infections, although mothers experience a sharp temporary increase at the breakup time. On the whole, mothers’ health is more adversely affected by dissolution than that of fathers. Daughters may have a disadvantage compared to sons, but results vary across model specifications. The results suggest that effects on children's health do not operate through parents’ health. With respect to union type, the health changes before and after dissolution of a consensual union are not very different from those before and after marital separation.
Terrestrial lichen caribou forage transplant success: year 5 and 6 results
Authors: Rapai Sean B. , McColl Duncan , Collis Brianna , Henry Thomas , Coxson Darwyn
Published: January 2023

The southern mountain caribou—a subpopulation of caribou found in British Columbia—is listed on Schedule 1 of the Federal Species at Risk Act as Threatened. Woodland caribou are diet specialists, relying on Cladonia subgenus Cladina lichen as a primary food source during winter months. Lichens are burned along with trees and other vegetation during stand‐replacing wildfire events, a natural disturbance in caribou ranges. In an attempt to accelerate the return of post‐fire forests to productive caribou winter terrestrial lichen habitat, this study examined the survival and cover of three species of transplanted lichens in a post‐wildfire environment in north central British Columbia, Canada, both with and without forest litter amendments. Chlorophyll fluorescence was used to evaluate lichen survival by measuring potential photosynthetic activity. The results of this study demonstrate that transplanted fragments and mats of Cladonia subgenus Cladina had survived 5 and 6 years after being transplanted within a post‐wildfire environment, and had significantly greater percent cover when compared to the controls. The Fv/Fm results indicated that transplanted lichens survived, regardless of species, propagule type, or whether amendments were applied.
Understanding movement and habitat‐use to guide reintroductions and habitat rehabilitation for a nonmigratory freshwater fish
Authors: O'Connor Justin , Morrongiello John , Ayres Renae , Amtstaetter Frank , Koster Wayne , Kitchingman Adrian , Cowell Tanya , Bowler Matt , Hale Robin
Published: January 2023

Outcomes from restoration and reintroduction programs can be enhanced by understanding the habitat use of animals, and how likely they are to move and why? River blackfish are native to southeastern Australia where their range and abundance have declined. We reintroduced 27 river blackfish into two sites, one where rehabilitation had been undertaken (with more vegetation, instream woody habitat, and undercut banks) and an unmanipulated control site. We monitored fish for 9 months after release to assess site occupancy, habitat use, and drivers of movement. We modeled the likelihood of fish remaining at either site, their habitat use, and predictors of movement (site type, habitat, time, and river discharge). While more fish remained at the treatment site, this difference was not statistically significant. Future trials incorporating increased numbers of fish and replicate treatment and control release sites would allow a more detailed test of whether fish are more likely to remain at restored sites. Fish spent more time in deeper areas with more riparian vegetation. Habitat, flow, and time since release were significant predictors of fish movement, with fish more likely to move from release sites with less suitable habitat, during rainfall events, and during the initial stages of our study. Our results illustrate that blackfish are a suitable candidate for translocations, retaining their largely sedentary behavior and should be easily measurable if restoration has provided suitable habitat and their presence is an indicator of success. Our work is also a useful case study for translocation of other nonmigratory fish worldwide.
Care for Transactions
Authors: Bailey Adrian J. , Breines Markus , Emmerson Phil , Esson James , Halvorsen Sam , Hope Jessica Chloe , Joronen Mikko , Koh Sin Yee , Krishnan Sneha , Lai Karen , McFarlane Colin , McLean Jessica , Reid Louise , Sparke Matthew
Published: January 2023

In this editorial we ask key questions about what it means to publish ‘a journal’ in a world of publishing which is driven by individual article metrics and online access. Seeing the value of journals as venues for intellectual debate, we therefore set out a renewed vision as to how the Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers can provide space for more collective and collaborative approaches to geographical debate. This approach revolves around the idea of ‘transactions’ itself and creating spaces in the journal for more commentary, debate and dialogue, alongside continuing to publish landmark papers.
Alternatives to blood donor deferral of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: Acceptability of screening the sexual risk behavior of all blood donors
Authors: Fisher William A. , Kohut Taylor , Woo Hyunjin , Haw Jennie
Published: January 2023

Background

Blood operators screen donors to reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted infections (TTIs). Many are evolving screening procedures from those that defer all who have had a sexual interaction with gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) to an approach that assesses individual donors' recent sexual risk behavior with any partner.

Study Design and Methods

A representative sample of current blood donors (N = 1194) was recruited online and randomized to complete either the existing (at the time of the study) Canadian Blood Services' donor questionnaire (DQ) that screens out those with recent gbMSM sexual experience, a modified donor questionnaire (MDQ) that assesses individuals' recent sexual behavior with any partner, or an MDQ that assesses individual sexual behavior with any partner and explains why these questions are asked. Respondents were asked for their perceptions concerning difficulty, comfort, and acceptability of these screening questionnaires.

Results

Across experimental conditions, current donors regarded screening questionnaire difficulty to be low; discomfort in responding was minimal; screening questionnaires were perceived to be relatively inoffensive and justified, and very few donors would cease donating if the screening questionnaire they responded to became the one in general use. Some minor sex differences were observed, and in some cases, perceptions of the MDQ with explanation were somewhat more positive than those of the DQ and MDQ without explanation.

Discussion

An individual risk behavior screening approach appears to be acceptable to current blood donors as an alternative to screening out all who have recently engaged in gbMSM sexual interactions.