bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses' Perceptions and Behaviours Regarding Climate Change and Health: A Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: Park Min Kyung , Baek Seoyoung , Jeong Da Woon , Kim Gwang Suk
Published: October 2024

Aims

The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with nurses' perceptions and behaviours related to climate change and health (PBCH) according to their PBCH levels.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was used.

Methods

This study included a sample of 499 Korean nurses and adhered to the STROBE checklist. Data were collected from March 23 to May 10, 2023. Quantile regression analysis was performed, and PBCH levels were measured using the Korean version of the Climate Health and Nursing Tool.

Results

Across all quantile groups, the experience of extreme weather events and awareness of climate change‐coping facilitators were associated with PBCH. Differences were observed in factors associated with PBCH levels. Significant associations with PBCH were observed within the 75th percentile group, for having a religion, household income, and workplace climate friendliness. In the 25th percentile group, having a child, the number of sources for climate change–health‐related information, and experience in setting climate change–health goals and strategies significantly influenced PBCH.

Conclusion

We propose a differentiated strategy by elucidating the factors associated with high and low quantiles of PBCH levels.

Implications

By verifying specific factors associated with PBCH levels, nurses can enhance their preparedness to respond to the health risks posed by climate change in their clients.

Impact

Identifying common factors associated with all quantiles of nurses is important for establishing universal PBCH characteristics. Recognising the distinctions between high and low PBCH levels can aid in developing tailored nursing strategies to enhance PBCH among nurses.

Reporting Method

This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Contact allergic dermatitis to skin adhesive after CIED upgrade procedure
Authors: Raja Kishore Raja , Bigliardi Paul , Dugas Brenda , White Michael , Jimenez Erick , Clark Bradley C.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The utilization of skin adhesives for closure is typically secondary to its noninvasive application and aesthetic benefits. Allergic reactions to Dermabond™ can occur, though there are no reported cases in pediatric patients following cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. The allergic reaction to skin glues is typically to cyanoacrylates, the primary component of Dermabond™.

Methods and Results

This report describes severe allergic contact dermatitis due to sensitization to cyanoacrylate in an 18‐year‐old with repaired congenital heart disease and postoperative atrioventricular block following CIED upgrade procedure.

Conclusion

This demonstrates the importance of prompt diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, which can be confused with local infections.
Kui‐Jie‐Ling capsule inhibits ulcerative colitis by modulating inflammation and gut microbiota
Authors: Li Kun , Guo Lengqiu , Yu Jinghua , Yang Yun , Wei Lan , Min Chunyan , Xu Xinkang , Li Fang , Liu Jiangyun , Zhou Guangquan , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2024

Background and Aim

Kui‐Jie‐Ling capsule (Kui‐Jie‐Ling) is a hospital preparation for ulcerative colitis (UC) in China. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects and mechanisms of Kui‐Jie‐Ling and Kui‐Jie‐Ling combined with adalimumab on UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).

Methods

Network pharmacology was combined with an animal experiment to reveal the targets of Kui‐Jie‐Ling alleviating UC. The UC model was established by drinking 2.5% DSS solution for 7 days. On the second day, the mice in the Kui‐Jie‐Ling group were orally administered with Kui‐Jie‐Ling (1.5 and 3.0 g/kg) daily for seven consecutive days, and the mice in the combination group were orally administered with Kui‐Jie‐Ling (3.0 g/kg) once a day for seven consecutive days and received one subcutaneous injection of adalimumab. The disease activity index, the colon length, the spleen index, the cytokines, the colon, the short‐chain fatty acid content, and the gut microbiota in the colon were analyzed. The role of gut microbiota against UC was verified by fecal microbiota transplantation experiments.

Results

The animal study's results were consistent with the network pharmacology analysis, which reflected that Kui‐Jie‐Ling alleviated UC via multi‐pathway. Kui‐Jie‐Ling ameliorated UC by inhibiting the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), regulating inflammatory factors through the lipopolysaccharide–toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B and interleukin‐23–Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway, and restoring intestinal homeostasis.

Conclusion

These studies provided the experimental basis for the clinical administration of Kui‐Jie‐Ling and Kui‐Jie‐Ling combined with adalimumab against UC.
HOS1 ubiquitinates SPL9 for degradation to modulate salinity‐delayed flowering
Authors: Jiao Zhixin , Shi Xiaoning , Xu Rui , Zhang Mingxia , Chong Leelyn , Zhu Yingfang
Published: October 2024

Soil salinity is a serious environmental threat to plant growth and flowering. Flowering in the right place, at the right time, ensures maximal reproductive success for plants. Salinity‐delayed flowering is considered a stress coping/survival strategy and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process require further studies to enhance the crop's salt tolerance ability. A nuclear pore complex (NPC) component, HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE 1 (HOS1), has been recognized as a negative regulator of plant cold responses and flowering. Here, we challenged the role of HOS1 in regulating flowering in response to salinity stress. Interestingly, we discovered that HOS1 can directly interact with and ubiquitinate transcription factor SPL9 (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE 9) to promote its protein degradation in response to salinity stress. Moreover, we demonstrated that HOS1 and SPL9 antagonistically regulate plant flowering under both normal and salt stress conditions. HOS1 was further shown to negatively regulate the expression of SPLs and several key flowering genes in response to salinity stress. These results jointly revealed that HOS1 is an important integrator in the process of modulating salinity‐delayed flowering, thus offering new perspectives on a salinity stress coping strategy of plants.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Probiotic Supplementation in Combination With Doxycycline for the Treatment of Moderate Acne: A Randomized Double‐Blind Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Atefi Najmolsadat , Mohammadi Masoumeh , Bodaghabadi Mohammad , Mehrali Marjan , Behrangi Elham , Ghassemi Mohammadreza , Jafarzadeh Alireza , Goodarzi Azadeh
Published: October 2024

Background

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that negatively affects patients' quality of life. Increasing antibiotic resistance is making acne less responsive to treatment. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits by fighting pathogens and maintaining intestinal homeostasis and skin microbiome balance. This study investigates the effects of probiotics in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Methods

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 80 patients with moderate acne were divided into two groups of 40. All patients received the same topical treatment, which consisted of a daily antibacterial face wash and Adapalene gel every other night. The control group received one capsule of doxycycline (100 mg) daily, whereas the intervention group received one probiotic capsule daily in addition to doxycycline. Patients underwent photography of facial acne lesions, and treatment response was assessed using the global acne grading system (GAGS) and acne grading method at baseline, as well as during follow‐up visits at 1, 2, and 3 months.

Results

The global acne grading system indicated that both groups showed improvement. However, analyses revealed that outcomes were significantly better in the doxycycline plus probiotics group for the forehead (p = 0.018), chin (p = 0.021), and nose (p = 0.021). No significant differences were observed for the left and right cheeks, back, and chest areas, with the mean GAGS score reduction between the two groups differing by only 2%. Treatment with probiotics significantly reduced the severity of lesions compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The acne grading method also indicated that the intervention group had a significantly better treatment response than the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, treatment with probiotics did not result in any side effects.

Conclusion

Probiotics can serve as an effective and safe treatment option, enhancing the outcomes of routine acne treatments, particularly for patients with acne on the forehead, chin, and nose.
Melasma Revisited: National Survey Reveals How Dermatologists Diagnose and Treat This Complex Skin Condition
Authors: Hizli Pelin , Kiliç Fatma Arzu , İçöz Aytaç Seyma
Published: October 2024

Background

Melasma is a chronic condition characterized by dark patches on the facial skin. It has a known female gender dominancy, and women usually think of melasma as being a serious cosmetic problem. Treatment of melasma can be seriously challenging, thus, dermatologists may employ different approaches for melasma. This study aimed to investigate how dermatologists diagnose and treat patients with melasma and to present the general characteristics of patients with melasma.

Methods

A survey was conducted using Google Forms targeting dermatologists in Turkiye. A total of 199 dermatologists (142 females/57 males) participated in the study.

Results

Most of the participants (52.3%) were residents. Majority gender of the patients was female and most common age range of patients with melasma was 30–40 years. Mixed melasma was the most common type (57.4%). Malar region was the most frequent location (58.6%). Wood's lamp examination was used by 25.6% of the participants. Topical treatment was the first‐line choice for melasma therapy (95%), with Kligman's formula being the most used topical agent (69.8%). Oral therapy was not used by 70.8% of the participants. Tranexamic acid was the first choice for oral treatment (23.4%). Only 24.9% of the dermatologists used laser/light therapy, and Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser was the most preferred device (58%). The most common recurrence rate was 41%–60% (45.9%).

Conclusions

The findings of the current study investigating the melasma management in Turkiye revealed a female predominance and peak prevalence in the 30–40 years age group. Kligman's formula is the preferred topical treatment, whereas oral tranexamic acid remains underutilized. Recurrence rates are high, highlighting the need for preventative strategies. This study emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches and ongoing research for effective melasma management.
Oral Health Related Factors Predicting Severe COVID‐19 Disease in Elderly Swedes
Authors: Johansson Ann‐Katrin , Omar Ridwaan , Lehmann Sverre , Sannevik Josefin , Mastrovito Berit , Johansson Anders
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To analyse different background factors that may serve as predictors for acquiring symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease.

Methods

A postal questionnaire was sent to the total population of individuals born between 1942 (80 years, n = 6299) and 1932 (90 years, n = 1904) living in the Örebro and Östergötland counties, Sweden, in 2017 and repeated in 2022. Tentative predictive factors for self‐reported severe COVID‐19 disease were based on the responses from the 2017 questionnaire related to general and oral health and prior to the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

Response rate to the main questionnaire in 2022 was 66% (5375/8203), and 577 reported having been sick with COVID‐19 out of which 359 agreed to answer a separate questionnaire on COVID‐19. This questionnaire was returned by 278/359 of the participants corresponding to a response rate of 77%. Information gleaned from the 2017 pre‐COVID‐19 survey revealed a relatively large number of associations between severity of subsequently self‐reported COVID‐19 disease and several diverse tentative related factors found in unadjusted regression analyses. Based on statistically significant correlations in the adjusted regression analysis, significant predictive factors (based on self‐reports from 2017) for contracting severe COVID‐19 were in decreasing order of odds ratios (OR): reported removable partial or complete denture usage (OR 6.2, CI 2.2–17.2); reported periodontal problems in the past year (OR 3.4, CI 1.1–10.4); and reported daytime dry mouth (OR 2.5, CI 1.2–5.2).

Conclusion

Removable dentures, periodontal problems and daytime dry mouth were predictors for developing symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease.
Unleashing Leaders' Innovative Work Behavior in Energy Company: The Role of Business Acumen and Innovative Self‐Efficacy
Authors: Iswahyudi Didik , Etikariena Arum
Published: October 2024

Innovation is crucial for the sustainability of a company, hence innovative work behavior among its members, including leaders, is key. It is posited that an individual's comprehension of the various business dimensions of their job can lead them to exhibit innovative work behavior. Previous research indicates that innovative self‐efficacy is a strong predictor of such behavior. This study aims to examine the role of innovative self‐efficacy in mediating the effect of business acumen on innovative work behavior. Participants in this study were leaders at PT A, the company in the energy sector that is also tasked with overseeing the energy transition in Indonesia (n = 244). The result shows that innovative self‐efficacy partially mediates the effect of business acumen on innovative work behavior. These findings can provide alternative directions for developing more precise innovation‐oriented leadership preparation programs.
Unveiling interactions mediated by B vitamins between diatoms and their associated bacteria from cocultures
Authors: Costas‐Selas Cecilia , Martínez‐García Sandra , Pinhassi Jarone , Fernández Emilio , Teira Eva
Published: October 2024

Unveiling the interactions among phytoplankton and bacteria at the level of species requires axenic isolates to experimentally demonstrate their mutual effects. In this study, we describe the interactions among the diatoms Pseudo‐nitzschia granii and Chaetoceros tenuissimus and their associated bacterial species, isolated from surface water of a coastal upwelling system using coculture experiments. Microalgae growth was assessed in axenic monocultures or in coculture with each of their co‐isolated bacteria in the presence or absence of B vitamins. Pseudo‐nitzschia granii growth was limited by B‐vitamin supply, except when cultured with the bacteria Jannaschia cystaugens, which seemed to provide adequate levels of B vitamins to the diatom. Chaetoceros tenuissimus growth was reduced in the absence of B vitamins. Moreover, the growth of C. tenuissimus was stimulated by Alteromonas sp. and Celeribacter baekdonensis during the exponential growth. These results show a diversity of specific interactions between the diatoms and co‐isolated bacteria, ranging from allelopathy to commensalism. Understanding how interactions between phytoplankton and bacteria modulate the structure and function of marine microbial plankton communities will contribute to a greater knowledge of plankton ecology and improve our ability to predict nutrient fluxes in marine ecosystems or the formation of blooms in a context of global change.
Impact of PNPLA3 I148M on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With MASLD
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Armandi Angelo , Bugianesi Elisabetta
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a heterogenous clinical and histopathological entity, where multiple metabolic co‐factors are intertwined with high interindividual variability. The impact and severity of each factor (including obesity and type 2 diabetes) define a systemic dysmetabolism that can lead to either advanced liver disease and its complication (including hepatocellular carcinoma and clinical events related to portal hypertension) or extrahepatic events: incident cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and extrahepatic cancers. The balance between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility has unique implications in MASLD: the intermittent injury of metabolic co‐factors, their fluctuation over time and their specific management, are counterbalanced by the presence of gene variants that can significantly impact the disease at multiple levels. The I148M variant in the PNPLA3 gene is the most investigated genetic susceptibility that induces a more severe steatohepatitis, enhanced fibrogenesis and can shape the incidence of long‐term clinical events regardless of, or worsened by, other metabolic risk factors.

Methods and Results

In this review, we will summarise the updated evidence on the natural history of MASLD accounting for classical metabolic risk factors, the role of PNPLA3 in clinical sub‐phenotyping (e.g., ‘lean MASLD’), impact on disease severity and fibrosis progression, as well as its role for prognostication, alone or in combination with non‐invasive tools into polygenic risk scores.
Tackling nonlinear price impact with linear strategies
Authors: Brokmann Xavier , Itkin David , Muhle‐Karbe Johannes , Schmidt Peter
Published: October 2024

Empirical studies in various contexts find that the price impact of large trades approximately follows a power law with exponent between 0.4 and 0.7. Yet, tractable formulas for the portfolios that trade off predictive trading signals, risk, and trading costs in an optimal manner are only available for quadratic costs corresponding to linear price impact. In this paper, we show that the resulting linear strategies allow to achieve virtually optimal performance also for realistic nonlinear price impact, if the “effective” quadratic cost parameter is chosen appropriately. To wit, for a wide range of risk levels, this leads to performance losses below 2% compared to a numerical algorithm proposed by Kolm and Ritter, run at very high accuracy. The effective quadratic cost depends on the portfolio risk and concavity of the impact function, but can be computed without any sophisticated numerics by simply maximizing an explicit scalar function.
DNA methylation‐array interlaboratory comparison trial demonstrates highly reproducible paediatric CNS tumour classification across 13 international centres
Authors: Chirica Mihaela , Jurmeister Philipp , Teichmann Daniel , Koch Arend , Perez Eilís , Schmid Simone , Simon Michèle , Driever Pablo Hernáiz , Bodden Carina , van Tilburg Cornelis M. , Hardin Emily C. , Lavarino Cinzia , Hench Jürgen , Scheie David , Cryan Jane , Vicha Ales , Buttarelli Francesca R. , Michiels An , Haberler Christine , Barahona Paulette , Tops Bastiaan B. J. , Jacques Tom , Stokland Tore , Witt Olaf , Jones David T. W. , Capper David
Published: October 2024

Aims

DNA methylation profiling, recently endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pivotal diagnostic tool for brain tumours, most commonly relies on bead arrays. Despite its widespread use, limited data exist on the technical reproducibility and potential cross‐institutional differences. The LOGGIC Core BioClinical Data Bank registry conducted a prospective laboratory comparison trial with 12 international laboratories to enhance diagnostic accuracy for paediatric low‐grade gliomas, focusing on technical aspects of DNA methylation data generation and profile interpretation under clinical real‐time conditions.

Methods

Four representative low‐grade gliomas of distinct histologies were centrally selected, and DNA extraction was performed. Participating laboratories received a DNA aliquot and performed the DNA methylation‐based classification and result interpretation without knowledge of tumour histology. Additionally, participants were required to interpret the copy number profile derived from DNA methylation data and conduct DNA sequencing of the BRAF hotspot p.V600 due to its relevance for low‐grade gliomas. Results had to be returned within 30 days.

Results

High technical reproducibility was observed, with a median pairwise correlation of 0.99 (range 0.94–0.99) between coordinating laboratory and participants. DNA methylation‐based tumour classification and copy number profile interpretation were consistent across all centres, and BRAF mutation status was accurately reported for all cases. Eleven out of 12 centres successfully reported their analysis within the 30‐day timeframe.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates remarkable concordance in DNA methylation profiling and profile interpretation across 12 international centres. These findings underscore the potential contribution of DNA methylation analysis to the harmonisation of brain tumour diagnostics.
The state of the bats in North America
Authors: Adams Amanda M. , Trujillo Luis A. , Campbell C. J. , Akre Karin L. , Arroyo‐Cabrales Joaquin , Burns Leanne , Coleman Jeremy T. H. , Dixon Rita D. , Francis Charles M. , Gamba‐Rios Melquisedec , Kuczynska Vona , McIntire Angie , Medellín Rodrigo A. , Morris Katrina M. , Ortega Jorge , Reichard Jonathan D. , Reichert Brian , Segers Jordi L. , Whitby Michael D. , Frick Winifred F.
Published: October 2024

The world's rich diversity of bats supports healthy ecosystems and important ecosystem services. Maintaining healthy biological systems requires prompt identification of threats to biodiversity and immediate action to protect species, which for wide‐ranging bat species that span geopolitical boundaries warrants international coordination. Anthropogenic forces drive the threats to bats throughout North America and the world. We conducted an international expert elicitation to assess the status of 153 bat species in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. We used expert assessment to determine the conservation status, highest impact threats, and recent population trends for these species. We found that 53% of North American bat species have moderate to very high risk of extinction in the next 15 years. The highest impact threats varied with species and country, and four IUCN threat categories had the greatest overall impacts: Climate Change, Problematic Species (including disease), Agriculture, and Energy Production. Experts estimated that 90% of species assessed had decreasing population trends over the past 15 years, demonstrating the need for conservation action. Although the state of North American bats is concerning, we identify threats that can be addressed through internationally collaborative, proactive, and protective actions to support the recovery and resilience of North American bat species.
Change in the prevalence of anemia in children aged 6–59 months using the new World Health Organization 2024 criteria
Authors: Hernández‐Vásquez Akram , Vargas‐Fernández Rodrigo , Guerra Valencia Jamee
Published: October 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published new hemoglobin cutoff points for defining anemia and its measurement. This change could impact the prevalence of anemia, particularly in countries with populations living in high‐altitude areas. This study estimates the national prevalences of anemia in children aged 6–59 months using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1989 and WHO 2024 criteria. Data from 406,106 children in 48 countries (45 Demographic and Health Surveys [DHS Program] and 3 Andean [Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru]) were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of anemia was 61.4% according to the WHO 2024 criteria. Three countries showed changes in anemia prevalence, with shifts of 10 or more percentage points (Uganda, Rwanda, and Jordan). Across all the studied countries, the prevalence of anemia was higher at greater altitudes, rural areas, and children from households of low wealth quintiles, regardless of the criteria used. Moreover, changes in anemia prevalence were identified when stratified by altitude of residence, showing differences in the levels of public health significance across various political–administrative regions in Andean countries. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the epidemiology of anemia and highlight the need for continued surveillance and targeted interventions to effectively address this global health challenge.
Preparing Graduate Registered Nurses for Independence in Aged Care
Authors: Piper Diane , Carr Sandra E. , Jacob Elisabeth Ruth
Published: October 2024

Background

Graduate registered nurses (RNs) start their careers working in a variety of clinical areas including aged care. However, they may not be fully prepared to work in aged care settings that often require them to work independently as the only RN on the premises. A list of essential clinical skills is crucial for supporting the development and effective transition of graduate nurses into aged care.

Aims

To identify and rank a list of essential clinical skills for graduate RNs working in aged care settings on commencement of practice.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed‐methods design was applied and included a modified Delphi Study and semi‐structured interviews. Five expert aged care RNs engaged in the three iterative Delphi rounds and five graduate aged care RNs were interviewed to confirm the clinical skills and ranking from their perspective. Quantitative data were presented through descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty‐six essential clinical skills for graduate RNs working in aged care settings were identified and ranked by the experienced aged care RNs. Graduate RNs supported this list of essential clinical skills on commencement and identified palliative care as an additional skill required by graduate RNs working in aged care.

Conclusion

The derived essential skills offer aged care a guided approach to ensure that graduate RNs are work‐ready, safe practitioners and supported to work independently.

Implications for Practice

The study recommends the essential clinical skills for graduate nurses transitioning in their role as RNs in aged care that will support safe, quality clinical care.
Overloaded Vertebral Body Following Consecutive Three‐Level Hybrid Surgery Comparing with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Chen Shi‐hao , Li Ya‐ling , Liu Hao , Wu Ting‐kui , Huang Kang‐kang , Yao Ming‐he , Wang Bei‐yu
Published: October 2024

Objective

Based on the varying number and relative positions of cervical disc replacement (CDR) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures, three‐segment hybrid surgery (HS) presents a diverse structural approach. Currently, the potential differential effects of HS with different segment combinations and surgical procedures on overloaded vertebral body (OVB) occurrence remain unexplored. The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of HS and ACDF in treating cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD), aiming to provide further insights into OVB.

Methods

This study included patients with three‐level CDDD who underwent ACDF or HS at our institution. Eligible patients were divided into three groups: Type I (one‐level CDR and two‐level ACDF), Type II (two‐level CDR and one‐level ACDF), and ACDF (three‐level ACDF). For radiographic analysis, patients were further divided into the Replacement Segment Group and the Nonreplacement Segment Group based on the presence of replacement segments above and below the OVB. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and neck disability index (NDI) scores. The cervical radiological parameters assessed included (1) vertebral cross‐sectional area (CSA), (2) wedge angle (WA), (3) anterior vertebral height (AH), (4) posterior vertebral height (PH), and (5) Hounsfield unit (HU) values. Statistical methods included paired t‐test, ANOVA test, and chi‐square test. Independent samples t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used to compare the differences between two groups according to the results of normal distribution test.

Results

A total of 123 patients, evenly distributed among three groups, were included and were well matched in terms of demographic characteristics. The likelihood of vertebral body collapse (VBC) was notably higher in the ACDF group (41.5%) compared with the Type I (17.9%) and Type II (8.9%) groups (p < 0.01). Following surgery, both at 3 and 6 months, the ACDF group demonstrated higher VAS neck scores and NDI scores compared with the Type I and Type II groups (p < 0.01). Additionally, the WA and AH values of the upper and lower adjacent OVB were consistently lower in the ACDF group than in the Type I and Type II groups at 6 and 12 months and at the final follow‐up (p < 0.01). Notably, in the Nonreplacement Segment Group, WA significantly decreased at 12 months postoperatively and at the final follow‐up compared with the Replacement Segment Group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Three levels of HS appear to reduce stress concentrations and alleviate morphological changes in OVB. The occurrence of more VBC patients with OVB was associated with the use of Zero‐P or Zero‐P VA implants.
Perspectives on the Dementia Public Health Exposome
Authors: Flaherty Christine Noelle , O'Neal Pam V. , Carter Patricia A. , Smith Lenora , Lerner Nancy , Hooper Gwendolyn , Bail Jennifer R.
Published: October 2024

Dementia is a public health concern in the aging population with an estimated 55 million people impacted globally. Public health initiatives that focus on minimizing dementia risk factors may support efforts to reduce the incidence of dementia in at‐risk populations. Exposomics considers both modifiable and non‐modifiable risk factors for disease, including genetic changes with age and lifetime exposures to environmental, social, and behavioral risk factors. Dementia precursors may remain undetected for up to 20 years. An understanding and application of the dementia exposome may promote healthy brain interventions, screening, and risk mitigation. The proposed dementia public health exposome (DPHE) provides a framework for understanding and addressing the complex interactions between genetics, health behavior, and environment (natural, built, and social) linked to modifiable and non‐modifiable risk factors for dementia. The DPHE may be used to inform public health strategies and advancements in healthy brain initiatives.
Palaeogeographical and eodiagenetic settings of host‐replacing phreatic calcrete intervals developed in mud deposits of the Famennian Kinnesswood Formation in the Pennyseorach Subbasin of south‐west Scotland
Authors: Jutras Pierre
Published: October 2024

In the Pennyseorach Subbasin of south‐west Scotland, the Famennian Kinnesswood Formation of the Inverclyde Group includes several, ca 1 to 3 m thick erosional remnants of host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpans developed in mud deposits. The latter are most unusual hosts for such calcretes due to their relative impermeability, which would normally prevent them from sufficiently accommodating the circulation of an aquifer. In previously documented phreatic calcretes, mud deposits clearly acted as aquicludes that sharply constrained calcrete development. In the Kinnesswood Formation at Pennyseorach, tall desiccation fissures allowed groundwater to circulate in thick, semi‐consolidated mud deposits. Because of the inferred development of an adjacent evaporitic basin, the mixing of fresh and evaporitic groundwaters raised the pH enough for the replacement of phyllosilicates by calcite to occur along the fissure walls, forming ‘fissure calcretes’. The latter gradually expanded and eventually coalesced into mature, ‘columnar host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpans’ in which 90 to 100% of the muddy host material was replaced by calcrete. At Pennyseorach, host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpan formation not only affected the transition zone between the Doughend Sandstone and Foul Port Members of the Kinnesswood Formation (the Dunagoil Calcrete interval), as in other localities of south‐west Scotland, but also affected the uppermost part of the formation, which is marked by several erosion surfaces downcutting into columnar host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpan intervals in association with the episodic rise and fall of base‐level. These newly recorded host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpan intervals from the upper part of the Kinnesswood Formation have a tightly constrained stable isotopic signature that is distinct from that of both the Dunagoil Calcrete and the successive host‐replacing phreatic calcrete hardpans of the Visean Clyde Sandstone Formation within the same group, underlining their potential as stratigraphic markers and palaeoenvironmental indicators.
What Kind of Cognitive Technology Is the “Memory House”?
Authors: Riggsby Andrew M.
Published: October 2024

Ancient Roman “technical memory” is not (as much of the modern specialist literature would have it) a generative technology of association. Rather it is (as a literal reading of the texts would suggest) a specialized tool for precise serial recall. Modern experimental evidence both confirms the fitness for the purpose of the technique and shows why that purpose is not trivial, as some have suggested. While the mechanism(s) by which the technique operates are not fully understood, a review of the current literature suggests that it would have had the advantage over other mnemonic techniques by virtue of recruiting a variety of cognitive capacities. These likely include spatial/navigational mechanisms and possibly visual/imagery‐based ones as well. Finally, small differences between the method as recorded in the ancient texts and similar methods that have been the subject of laboratory experiments are used to suggest possible directions for further experimentation.
Geography and climate vulnerabilities
Authors: Liverman Diana
Published: October 2024

Geography and geographers have a long and influential history of research on climate change, with a significant impact on scholarship, international assessments and public policy. In this commentary, I focus on geographic work on climate vulnerability, arguing that geographers have been fundamental to our understanding of the impacts of climate variability and climate hazards and to the assessments of Working Group 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Geographic work on climate vulnerability is traced to pioneering work in hazards and cultural ecology and to the rise of critical perspectives on the political economy and political ecology of hazards and then climate change. I discuss the role of geographers in the IPCC from 1990 to present and the importance of concepts originating in geography such as vulnerability mapping, double exposure, borderless climate risks, discourses, intersectionality, climate‐resilient development, labour vulnerabilities and maladaptation.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN: HISTORY AND PREVENTION STRATEGY
Authors: Myrzakhmetova B. , Kutumbetov L. , Zhapparova G. , Tlenchiyeva T. , Tussipova A. , Bissenbayeva K.
Published: October 2024

The global foot-and-mouth disease epidemic remains an extremely tense situation, and due to the spread of the SAT-2 pathogen beyond the African continent, a serious biological threat has arisen, threatening large economic losses to the livestock industry of all countries of the Eurasian continent, including the Republic of Kazakhstan. The territory of exotic danger of this type of foot-and-mouth disease is Iraq, Jordan and Turkey. The latter is an area of active visitation by the population of many countries of the world, forming the risk of transfer of the pathogen beyond this country. This article discusses current epidemiological knowledge and achievements, as well as strategies for preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Correct application of these strategies can successfully control and maintain a favorable epizootic situation for the disease in different parts of the country.
How mariculture expansion is dewilding the ocean and its inhabitants
Authors: Sellars Laurie , Franks Becca
Published: October 2024

The world’s oceans are largely free from intensive farming, but momentum to intensify and expand mariculture—the cultivation of aquatic organisms in the ocean—is growing. Despite optimism that mariculture will create economic and nutritional benefits for humans, it can also generate a host of risks, including environmental degradation, harms to wildlife integrity and welfare, captivity effects, and shifts in how humans view the nonhuman world. Collectively, we refer to these four types of risks as “dewilding.” In this systematic review, we searched Scopus and Web of Science for recent literature documenting mariculture’s dewilding impacts to organize and collate this evidence under one unified framework. We find that mariculture’s dewilding impacts are consistently documented, though often in isolation, and that captivity and conceptual dewilding impacts are recognized as potential harms far less than impacts on the environment and wildlife. Future work examining mariculture’s dewilding impacts will be paramount to guiding human decision-making and activity going forward.
The e-Flower: A hydrogel-actuated 3D MEA for brain spheroid electrophysiology
Authors: Martinelli Eleonora , Akouissi Outman , Liebi Luca , Furfaro Ivan , Maulà Desirée , Savoia Nathan , Remy Antoine , Nikles Laetitia , Roux Adrien , Stoppini Luc , Lacour Stéphanie P.
Published: October 2024

Traditional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are limited to measuring electrophysiological activity in two dimensions, failing to capture the complexity of three-dimensional (3D) tissues such as neural organoids and spheroids. Here, we introduce a flower-shaped MEA (e-Flower) that can envelop submillimeter brain spheroids following actuation by the sole addition of the cell culture medium. Inspired by soft microgrippers, its actuation mechanism leverages the swelling properties of a polyacrylic acid hydrogel grafted to a polyimide substrate hosting the electrical interconnects. Compatible with standard electrophysiology recording systems, the e-Flower does not require additional equipment or solvents and is ready to use with preformed 3D tissues. We designed an e-Flower achieving a curvature as low as 300 micrometers within minutes, a value tunable by the choice of reswelling media and hydrogel cross-linker concentration. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of the e-Flower to detect spontaneous neural activity across the spheroid surface, demonstrating its potential for comprehensive neural signal recording.
Autonomous tracking of honey bee behaviors over long-term periods with cooperating robots
Authors: Ulrich Jiří , Stefanec Martin , Rekabi-Bana Fatemeh , Fedotoff Laurenz Alexander , Rouček Tomáš , Gündeğer Bilal Yağız , Saadat Mahmood , Blaha Jan , Janota Jiří , Hofstadler Daniel Nicolas , Žampachů Kristina , Keyvan Erhan Ege , Erdem Babür , Şahin Erol , Alemdar Hande , Turgut Ali Emre , Arvin Farshad , Schmickl Thomas , Krajník Tomáš
Published: October 2024

Digital and mechatronic methods, paired with artificial intelligence and machine learning, are transformative technologies in behavioral science and biology. The central element of the most important pollinator species—honey bees—is the colony’s queen. Because honey bee self-regulation is complex and studying queens in their natural colony context is difficult, the behavioral strategies of these organisms have not been widely studied. We created an autonomous robotic observation and behavioral analysis system aimed at continuous observation of the queen and her interactions with worker bees and comb cells, generating behavioral datasets of exceptional length and quality. Key behavioral metrics of the queen and her social embedding within the colony were gathered using our robotic system. Data were collected continuously for 24 hours a day over a period of 30 days, demonstrating our system’s capability to extract key behavioral metrics at microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic system levels. Additionally, interactions among the queen, worker bees, and brood were observed and quantified. Long-term continuous observations performed by the robot yielded large amounts of high-definition video data that are beyond the observation capabilities of humans or stationary cameras. Our robotic system can enable a deeper understanding of the innermost mechanisms of honey bees’ swarm-intelligent self-regulation. Moreover, it offers the possibility to study other social insect colonies, biocoenoses, and ecosystems in an automated manner. Social insects are keystone species in all terrestrial ecosystems; thus, developing a better understanding of their behaviors will be invaluable for the protection and even the restoration of our fragile ecosystems globally.
Intraoperative evaluation of tumor margins using a TROP2 near-infrared imaging probe to enable human breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Chen Weiling , Zhang Yongqu , Zhang Lixin , Luo Xiangjie , Yang Xia , Zhu Yuanyuan , Wang Guimei , Huang Wenhe , Zhang Deliang , Zeng Yunzhu , Li Ronghui , Guo Cuiping , Wang Jiazheng , Wu Zhao , Liu Na , Zhang Guojun
Published: October 2024

Intraoperative surgical margin assessment remains a challenge during breast-conserving surgery. Here, we report a combined strategy of immuno–positron emission tomography (PET) for preoperative detection of breast cancer and guided assessment of margins in breast-conserving surgery through second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging of trophoblastic cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2). We demonstrated that the intensity of PET signals in the tumors was nearly five times higher than in normal breast tissue with a zirconium-89 tracer conjugated to sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in a mouse spontaneous breast cancer model, enabling the identification of tumors. We further generated a NIR-II probe of indocyanine green conjugated to SG (ICG-SG) and developed a rapid incubation imaging method for intraoperative margin assessment in a relevant time window for the operation workflow. The ICG-SG NIR-II fluorescence image guidance was first verified to remove tumors completely and accurately in mouse breast cancer models. Moreover, the rapid incubation imaging method was applied to distinguish benign and malignant breast lesions in samples from 26 patients with breast cancer. Therefore, we have developed both nuclide and optical probes targeting TROP2 for rapid and precise identification of tumor margins during breast-conserving surgery in humans.
Evaluation of biofilm assembly and microbial diversity on a freshwater, ferrous-hulled shipwreck
Authors: Shostak Maggie O. , Cox Meredith A. , Richards Nathan , Field Erin K.
Published: October 2024

Abandoned shipwrecks are sitting at the bottom of oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world. Over time, microbial-comprised biofilms can help protect wrecks against chemical corrosion or contribute to their deterioration through microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) by organisms including iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Assessing the community assembly of these biofilms will give us a better understanding of the role these microbes play in MIC and the factors that influence it. Here, we determine if microbial community composition differs across a shallow freshwater ferrous-hulled shipwreck environment. Results suggest that there was a statistically significant difference among the sample types indicating the wreck environments around
Accomac
influenced the community composition. This is consistent with previous observations within an estuarine, shallow-water wreck environment.
Bacteroidota
,
Chloroflexota
, and
Cyanobacteriota
were the primary taxa responsible for differences among these wreck environments. Interestingly, port-side biofilm communities were significantly different than those on the starboard side suggesting physical factors of the environment drove niche partitioning on each side of the wreck. Similarly, FeOB enrichments and known FeOB taxa were found across the entire wreck but were primarily found in samples associated with the port side of the wreck. Amplicon sequencing identified both known FeOB and SRB taxa with a higher proportion of FeOB than SRB. Overall, these results indicate that there is niche partitioning of the microbial communities as well as with corrosion-causing taxa within a shallow freshwater wreck site which may lead to variation in how microbes may contribute to the protection or deterioration of these ferrous-hulled wrecks.

IMPORTANCE

The overall structure, abundance, and diversity of microbial communities on shipwrecks have recently been studied in marine aquatic environments. While previous studies have looked at the microbial communities associated with shallow-water ferrous-hulled wrecks in marine environments, studies focusing on freshwater wreck systems are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine microbial community diversity and composition trends across the
Accomac
shipwreck environment. Furthermore, shipwrecks are colonized by corrosion-causing taxa, such as iron-oxidizing bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria which have been shown to influence the biocorrosion of ferrous-hulled structures. Identification of various microbes in biofilms, as well as corrosion-causing microbes, can help researchers identify the role they play in aquatic ecosystem development and persistence as well as artificial reef integrity. Understanding how microbes assemble on wrecks will provide insight into preservation strategies to prevent deterioration of these wrecks over time, as well as limiting biocorrosion of similar structures.
The State of Gonads of Spawners of Whitespotted Char Salvelinus leucomaenis, Northern Dolly Varden S. malma, and Whitespotted Char × Dolly Warden Hybrids from the Utkholok River in the Light of the Problem of Interspecific Hybridization in Chars of the Genus Salvelinus (Salmonidae)
Authors: Kuzishchin K. V. , Emel’yanova N. G. , Gruzdeva M. A.
Published: October 2024

Macro- and microscopic studies of the state of the gonads of spawners of whitespotted char Salvelinus leucomaenis, Dolly Varden S. malma, and whitespotted char × Dolly Varden hybrids from the Utkholok River (northwestern Kamchatka) in the post-spawning period have revealed no anomalies in the structure of the gonads and their cytological state. The generative tissue of the testes and ovaries contained germ cells of subsequent generations, which indicates the capability of post-spawned individuals for repeated maturation and reproduction in the next year. The state of the gonads of hybrid individuals fully corresponds to that of polycyclic salmon fishes (Salmonidae) and does not differ from the parental species, whitespotted char and Dolly Varden; their gametogenesis has no visible deviations. This indicates the potential capacity of the hybrids from the Utkholok River for reproduction and maintaining their own population, in contrast to many other cases of interspecific hybridization in salmonids described in the literature. The resulting data on the state of the gonads and the results of the previous genetic analysis of hybrids indicate an important feature of the “Utkholok River” hybrid zone for chars of the genus Salvelinus, such as the transition of the entire system to the state of the so-called “hybrid swarm.” This may lead to a scenario when hybrids can move to the next stage of microevolutionary processes, which will lead to their isolation from the parental species.