bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐pressure Granulite‐facies Metamorphism and Anatexis in Continental Collision Orogen: Evidence from the Mafic Granulite and Leucosomes in South Altun, Northwestern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: GUO Jing , LI Yunshuai , ZHANG Jianxin
Published: February 2025

Deciphering high‐pressure granulite‐facies metamorphism and anatexis within a collisional orogeny can provide crucial constraints on geodynamic evolution and melt activity during subduction and exhumation. Combining petrographic observations, mineral chemistry, REE in Grt‐Cpx thermobarometry, and previous work, at least four stages are suggested for the metamorphic evolution of the mafic granulites in the South Altun, including the protolith stage, the high‐pressure granulite‐facies stage (909–1037°C and 17.3–30 kbar), medium‐pressure granulite‐facies overprint (9.1–11.9 kbar and 753–816°C), and subsequent late amphibolite‐greenschist‐facies metamorphism. Zircon U‐Pb dating shows that the mafic granulites underwent high‐pressure granulite‐facies metamorphism at 497.2 ± 3.7 Ma, while the leucosome formed at 498.2 ± 2.9 Ma. Thus, the leucosomes from the host mafic granulite may have been formed at the high‐pressure granulite‐facies metamorphic event. The characteristics of zircon morphology, mineral inclusions, low Th/U values, HREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies indicate that these zircons from the leucosome were formed from the metamorphic melts. The characteristics of whole‐rock major and trace elements as well as Hf isotopic features of zircons between the leucosomes and the host mafic granulite indicate that the melt may have been generated by the partial melting of the host mafic granulite.
Rockburst Intensity Prediction based on Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (KELM)
Authors: XIAO Yidong , QI Shengwen , GUO Songfeng , ZHANG Shishu , WANG Zan , GONG Fengqiang
Published: February 2025

As one of the most serious geological disasters in deep underground engineering, rockburst has caused a large number of casualties. However, because of the complex relationship between the inducing factors and rockburst intensity, the problem of rockburst intensity prediction has not been well solved until now. In this study, we collect 292 sets of rockburst data including eight parameters, such as the maximum tangential stress of the surrounding rock σθ, the uniaxial compressive strength of the rock σc, the uniaxial tensile strength of the rock σt, and the strain energy storage index Wet, etc. from more than 20 underground projects as training sets and establish two new rockburst prediction models based on the kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) combined with the genetic algorithm (KELM‐GA) and cross‐entropy method (KELM‐CEM). To further verify the effect of the two models, ten sets of rockburst data from Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station are selected for analysis and the results show that new models are more accurate compared with five traditional empirical criteria, especially the model based on KELM‐CEM which has the accuracy rate of 90%. Meanwhile, the results of 10 consecutive runs of the model based on KELM‐CEM are almost the same, meaning that the model has good stability and reliability for engineering applications.
A New Antiarch, Bothriolepis zhujiangyuanensis sp. nov., from the Eifelian (Middle Devonian) of Qujing, Yunnan, SW China
Authors: XIAN Zumin , PAN Zhaohui , WANG Jianhua , JIA Liantao , ZHAO Yingtian , LUO Yanchao , ZHU Min
Published: February 2025

A new species of Bothriolepis (Placodermi, Antiarcha), B. zhujiangyuanensis sp. nov., is described from the Eifelian (Middle Devonian) Shangshuanghe Formation at the Pearl River Source Scenic Area, Qujing, Yunnan Province, southwestern China and is characterized by a broad postpineal plate bearing a straight anterior margin, a premedian plate wider than long, and a weakly developed dorsal median ridge of the trunk shield. As the eighth Bothriolepis taxon in China, B. zhujiangyuanensis sp. nov. provides a wealth of morphological data to clarify the intrageneric interrelationships. Maximum parsimony analysis, using a revised data set of the genus with 76 ingroup taxa and 72 characters, yields a well‐resolved consensus tree for Bothriolepis. The phylogenetic result shows a sister‐group relationship between B. zhujiangyuanensis and B. babichevi from Kazakhstan, corroborating the biogeographic proximity between the South China and Kazakhstania blocks during the Middle Devonian.
Tectonic Evolution of the Ailao Shan–Red River Fault since the Middle Miocene from Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology and its Implications for Tibetan Plateau Growth
Authors: GONG Wei , LI Chaoyang , JIANG Liang , WANG Yuyan , LI Hongyu , ZHAO Lihong , ZHAO Faqiang
Published: February 2025

The temporal and spatial evolution of the Ailao Shan–Red River (ASRR) fault zone, which serves as an important accommodation zone for the extrusion and escape of the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, is crucial for analyzing the uplift and growth of the plateau. Based on the petrology and apatite fission track analysis, the tectonic history and active pattern of the ASRR fault zone since the middle Miocene are determined in this study. The ASRR fault zone exhibits 12–8 Ma and 8–4 Ma rapid cooling phases since the middle Miocene. The 12–8 Ma and 8–4 Ma cooling may imply that the dextral movement of the ASRR fault zone presents a migration trend from northwest to southeast, accompanied by the weakening of the activity intensity, which is directly related to deformation processes, including extrusion boundary migration and active tectonic movements of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, since the middle–late Miocene.
Investigating the Influence of Parent Rock and Sedimentation on the Diagenesis of Tuffaceous Clastic Rock: An Example from the Lower Cretaceous Junggar Basin, China
Authors: CHEN Sirui , XIAN Benzhong , JI Youliang , LI Jiaqi
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on tuffaceous clastic rocks of the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin. It aims to explore the influence of sedimentation and parent rock on this kind of reservoir development. The results show that the tuffaceous components formed by the denudation of ultramafic and mafic rocks can transform into chlorite coating or hematite, while those from intermediate rock denudation can be dissolved or transformed into illite. Sedimentary facies and lithofacies are essential in controlling the evolutionary result of tuffaceous components. Matrix‐supported medium conglomerate and grain‐supported medium‐fine conglomerate that developed in the fan delta plain, with a closed original geochemical systems, have been in the oxidizing environment for a long time. The tuffaceous matrices mainly transforms into hematite or illite. These minerals occupy the primary pores and are difficult to dissolve by felsic fluids, which inhibits the development of high‐quality reservoirs. The grain‐supported sandy fine conglomerate developed in the fan delta front was in the underwater reductive environment with an open original geochemical system. The tuffaceous matrices not only can transform into chlorite coating to strengthen the particle's compaction resistance, but also can be fully dissolved, which promotes the formation of high‐quality reservoirs.
Soil microbial diversity, functionality, and community structure are differently affected by diverse types of biochar
Authors: Dominchin Maria Florencia , Barbero Florencia Magalí , Verdenelli Romina Aylén , Paolinelli Marcos , Aoki Antonio , Faggioli Valeria Soledad , Meriles José Manuel
Published: February 2025

Using organic wastes for biochar production represents an innovative approach to waste management, facilitating safe residue disposal while producing a soil amendment by‐product. The characteristics of biochar strongly depend on the chemical composition of the feedstock utilised in its production. Consequently, even within the same agroecosystem, different types of biochar may produce varying effects on soil chemistry and biology. In a greenhouse experiment, we assessed the impact of poultry manure and peanut shell biochars on soil chemical properties and their effects on microbial community structure, abundance, diversity and functions analysed through biochemical and molecular approaches. Thus, a two‐factor experimental design was established, considering biochar type (poultry manure and peanut shell biochars) and rate (0%, 1%, and 3% w/w). Our findings highlighted that the intrinsic properties of biochar significantly influenced its ability to induce changes in the analysed variables. Poultry manure biochar exhibited greater efficacy in increasing soil pH and EC, simultaneously enhancing fungal and total biomasses. Meanwhile, peanut shell biochar increased N content and decreased C/N, slightly impacting fungal and total biomasses. The effects of biochars on FAMEs and chemical variables were dose‐dependent; the higher the application rate, the greater the observed effect. Interestingly, different biochar types affected distinct bacterial taxa abundances. Among the dominant Phyla, while poultry manure biochar increased the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and decreased that of Proteobacteria, peanut shell biochar increased Acidobacteria and reduced Firmicutes phyla. The biochar rate did not affect bacterial abundance. Notably, only peanut shell biochar increased bacterial richness. Poultry manure biochar positively impacted functions related to metabolism, whereas the effect of peanut shell biochar was less evident. Our study revealed that the intrinsic characteristics of biochar significantly modulate the structure and functionality of the soil microbial community. Therefore, understanding the inherent characteristics of biochar is crucial to promoting the development of specific groups of soil microorganisms, thus optimising the cycling of essential nutrients.
Role of Ancillary Techniques in the Differential Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Carcinomas
Authors: Paiva‐Correia António , Hellquist Henrik , Apolónio Joana , Castelo‐Branco Pedro
Published: February 2025

Paiva‐Correia A, Hellquist H, Apolónio J, Castelo‐Branco P. Role of ancillary techniques in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland carcinomas. The diagnosis of salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) rests mainly on histology, but immunohistochemical and molecular investigations are often necessary for differential diagnosis. This review is primarily aimed as a tool for pathologists in non‐specialised head and neck hospitals who encounter a limited number of SGC annually. The use of testing an initial antibody panel, which may comprise both positive and negative expression for a suspected entity, and examples of different panels are outlined. We also focused on acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), which is positive for DOG1 and negative for mammaglobin, whilst secretory carcinoma (SC) is positive for mammaglobin and negative for DOG1. In addition, the exclusive expression of androgen and HER2 in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) and its use for differential diagnosis are also addressed. This review also highlights the particularities of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and its negativity for S100 and SOX10, which distinguishes it from some of its mimics. In laboratories with limited access to antibodies for SGC, we recommend inclusion of mammaglobin. The use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of MEC (MAML2), SC (ETV6), adenoid cystic carcinoma (MYB), and AcCC (NR4A3) is discussed. We highlight the role of commonly available antibodies for the histological classification of SGC.
Service users' experiences of, and engagement with, a nationally implemented digital diabetes prevention programme
Authors: Moussas‐Alvarez Davide , Hawkes Rhiannon E. , Miles Lisa M. , Dack Charlotte , French David P.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may be prevented by promoting weight loss through adopting healthier behaviours (e.g., improved diet and increased physical activity). In 2016, the National Health Service (NHS) in England introduced a 9‐month face‐to‐face T2DM prevention intervention, delivered by four independent providers. Since 2019, the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS‐DDPP) was offered to increase accessibility of the programme. This research aimed to understand how service users engaged with, and experienced using the NHS‐DDPP.

Design

Qualitative interviews.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with service users (n = 45) who took part in one of the four NHS‐DDPP providers' programmes and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were thematically analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Two overarching themes were produced: ‘Personalized Guidance’ and ‘Path to Success’. Service users valued having health coach support, which provided personalized guidance throughout the programme, alongside access to different app features to suit their needs (e.g., educational content, tracking health behaviours, group support). Service users described self‐monitoring, feedback from their health coach and support from their social circle as helpful towards changing their health behaviours. This enabled them to visualize their progress and provided accountability.

Conclusion

Service users emphasized how human contact alongside this digital behaviour change programme improved their experiences and engagement with the programme. Digital health interventions could consider how to better incorporate support from health coaches, friends and family to help users in making behavioural changes. Future digital health interventions should consider how best to harness non‐digital elements to promote behaviour change.
Outcomes of BCG vs upfront radical cystectomy for high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Scilipoti Pietro , Longoni Mattia , de Angelis Mario , Zaurito Paolo , Ślusarczyk Aleksander , Soria Francesco , Pradere Benjamin , Krajewski Wojciech , D'Andrea David , Mari Andrea , Del Giudice Francesco , Pichler Renate , Subiela José Daniel , Marcq Gautier , Gallioli Andrea , Afferi Luca , Mastroianni Riccardo , Simone Giuseppe , Albisinni Simone , Mertens Laura S. , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Oberneder Katharina , Rodríguez Elena José Luis , Aranda Javier , Puentedura Alfonso Lafuente , Caño Velasco Jorge , Contieri Roberto , Hurle Rodolfo , Mori Keiichiro , Radziszewski Piotr , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Gontero Paolo , Necchi Andrea , Rouprêt Morgan , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea , Briganti Alberto , Moschini Marco ,   the European Association of Urology – Young Academic Urologists (EAU‐YAU), Urothelial carcinoma working group
Published: February 2025

Objective

To assess the oncological outcomes of patients with high‐risk (HR) and very high‐risk (VHR) non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with upfront radical cystectomy (RC) vs Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillations from a contemporary European multicentre cohort.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1491 patients diagnosed with HR‐ or VHR‐NMIBC from a European multicentre database between 2015 and 2024. Patients were included if they received either upfront RC or at least five doses of BCG. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) according to clinically relevant variables was applied. Progression was defined as muscle‐invasive or metastatic disease. Cumulative incidence plots and multivariable competing risk regression models addressing cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) were fitted.

Results

Among the 1221 patients with HR‐ (n = 1221 [90%]) or VHR‐NMIBC (n = 121 [10%]), 87 (7.1%) underwent upfront RC. The median follow‐up was 2.6 years. After PSM (87 vs 87 patients), the 5‐year CSM rate was similar in patients treated with BCG (13%) vs their upfront RC counterparts (16%) (hazard ratio: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–4.73; P = 0.3). Of the 1134 patients who initially received BCG, 73 (6.6%) eventually required delayed RC, with 34 (47%) progressing to muscle‐invasive bladder cancer before delayed RC. The 3‐year CSM rate was comparable in upfront RC (13%) vs delayed RC (11%) among non‐progressing patients (P = 0.3). However, patients who progressed before delayed RC had worse 3‐year CSM relative to those who did not (13% vs 31%, hazard ratio: 0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.83; P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Within a European cohort of patients with HR‐ and VHR‐NMIBC, upfront RC was rarely performed. Patients treated with BCG did not exhibit a CSM disadvantage relative to their upfront RC counterparts. After matching, long‐term CSM was similar between BCG therapy and upfront RC. Delayed RC, led to worse outcomes if performed after progression, but matched upfront RC when performed before progression, underscoring importance of timely surgery.
Evaluating interactions of patients with large language models for medical information
Authors: Carl Nicolas , Haggenmüller Sarah , Wies Christoph , Nguyen Lisa , Winterstein Jana Theres , Hetz Martin Joachim , Mangold Maurin Helen , Hartung Friedrich Otto , Grüne Britta , Holland‐Letz Tim , Michel Maurice Stephan , Brinker Titus Josef , Wessels Frederik
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To explore the interaction of real‐world patients with a chatbot in a clinical setting, investigating key aspects of medical information provided by large language models (LLMs).

Patients and methods

The study enrolled 300 patients seeking urological counselling between February and July 2024. First, participants voluntarily conversed with a Generative Pre‐trained Transformer 4 (GPT‐4) powered chatbot to ask questions related to their medical situation. In the following survey, patients rated the perceived utility, completeness, and understandability of the information provided during the simulated conversation as well as user‐friendliness. Finally, patients were asked which, in their experience, best answered their questions: LLMs, urologists, or search engines.

Results

A total of 292 patients completed the study. The majority of patients perceived the chatbot as providing useful, complete, and understandable information, as well as being user‐friendly. However, the ability of human urologists to answer medical questions in an understandable way was rated higher than of LLMs. Interestingly, 53% of participants rated the question‐answering ability of LLMs higher than search engines. Age was not associated with preferences. Limitations include social desirability and sampling biases.

Discussion

This study highlights the potential of LLMs to enhance patient education and communication in clinical settings, with patients valuing their user‐friendliness and comprehensiveness for medical information. By addressing preliminary questions, LLMs could potentially relieve time constraints on healthcare providers, enabling medical personnel to focus on complex inquiries and patient care.
Subglacial processes at the fringe of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet in central Poland derived from macro‐ and micro‐sedimentological proxies
Authors: Hermanowski Piotr , Piotrowski Jan A.
Published: February 2025

Geological information contained in tills is important for deciphering processes that operated under past ice sheets and helps to constrain the fundamentals of glacial erosion, transport and deposition. Despite the progress in understanding glacial systems, interpretation of ancient tills and related deposits remains fragmentary, mostly because of the inaccessibility of ice–beds under present glaciers as modern analogues of the ancient systems. Here we report on the properties of a glacial sediment succession including various till facies and subglacial meltwater deposits from a site in central Poland close to the outermost extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the last glaciation. We use outcrop‐scale and micromorphological proxies to interpret the processes of till formation and deformation, and to infer the ice movement mechanisms. A combination of macro‐scale sedimentological and micromorphological data (till fabric signatures, grain‐size patterns, glaciotectonic structures, features of channelized and distributed subglacial drainage) indicates time‐transgressive succession of ice‐marginal deposition, subglacial deposition and deformation, pressurized meltwater flows at the ice–bed interface, and material release from stagnant ice. The investigated tills are to a large extent hybrid products of multiple superposed processes involving lodgement, deformation, and material cannibalization that mostly fall into the category of subglacial traction tills. Ample field and micromorphological evidence of basal decoupling suggests that the basal water pressure fluctuated around the ice flotation point. Ice movement was by a combination of enhanced basal sliding and very shallow (millimetre‐thick) bed deformation. Drainage of basal meltwater was facilitated by channelized flows in conduits subsequently filled by glacifluvial outwash. Our data indicate a mosaic of (sub)glacial processes that generated a complex deposit bearing evidence of overlapping accretion and deformation modulated by hydrological conditions at the ice–bed interface.
Imatinib aggravates pressure‐overload‐induced right ventricle failure via JNK/Runx2 pathway
Authors: Zeng Xiaohui , Ma Zhuoji , Wen Shanshan , Zhou Liang , Hong Wanxian , Wu Zhixiong , Cen Chunxian , Bai Qianwen , Ding Shangwei , Chen Xin , Wang Jian , Chen Lingdan , Lu Wenju , Wang Tao
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Right ventricular (RV) function is the key prognostic determinant of pulmonary hypertension (PH). In PH patients, imatinib treatment decreases pulmonary vascular resistance and improves exercise capacity, but does not change mortality or duration to clinical worsening. Imatinib has been reported to be cardiotoxic in the left heart. We hypothesise that imatinib damages the pressure overloaded RV via its direct effects within the heart, which may counteract its therapeutic effects in haemodynamic improvement of PH.

Experimental Approach

A pulmonary arterial banding (PAB) rat model with fixed pulmonary artery narrowing was performed to avoid changes in RV afterload.

Key Results

In PAB rats, imatinib treatment decreased the survival rate and exacerbated RV dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis and fibrosis. In vitro, imatinib increased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and did not change cardiac fibroblasts activation; however, imatinib‐treated conditioned medium from cardiomyocytes promoted fibroblast activation. Mechanistically, imatinib increased the phosphorylation of c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and the expression of RUNX family transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and subsequently promoted the transcription of thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in RV cardiomyocytes. Finally, SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, significantly alleviated imatinib‐induced RV failure in PAB rats and enhanced the effects of imatinib on RV function improvement in SU5416 + hypoxia‐induced PH rats without affecting pulmonary artery narrowing.

Conclusion and Implications

We demonstrate for the first time that imatinib aggravates RV failure under pressure overload through JNK/Runx2 pathway, and JNK inhibition improves the therapeutic effects of imatinib on RV function in PH.
Psychosocial Functioning for Preschool‐Aged Siblings of Children With Chronic Disorders: A Scoping Review
Authors: Prentice Caitlin M. , Fjermestad Krister , Haukeland Yngvild Bjartveit , Vatne Torun M.
Published: February 2025

Background

School‐aged siblings of children with chronic disorders, including somatic, neurodevelopmental and psychological diagnoses, are at a small but significant risk of experiencing psychosocial difficulties. It is unclear whether this is the case for such siblings when they are preschool age.

Objective

This scoping review examined research describing psychosocial challenges and adaptation among preschool‐aged children who have a sibling with a chronic disorder, and interventions aimed to serve this population.

Design

We searched online databases for peer‐reviewed studies published between 1998 and 2024 and identified 18 studies that reported psychosocial functioning such as psychological states, mental health variables and descriptions of experiences for 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds who were siblings of children with a neurodevelopmental disorder, somatic illness, mental illness or rare genetic disorder.

Results

Of the 18 studies included, 15 were related to siblings of autistic children, and 12 of these aimed to study the development of autism in infants. Only two intervention studies were identified, and these had very small samples with maximum three participants in the 3‐ to 6‐year‐old age range.

Conclusions

Results across the included studies suggest that preschool‐aged siblings may be at an increased risk of psychosocial difficulties, but it was difficult to draw definitive conclusions due to the large proportion of included studies related to the development of autism and the heterogeneity of study types represented. Future research should focus on the psychosocial functioning of preschool‐aged siblings and target preschool‐aged siblings of children with chronic disorders beyond autism.
Bridging Gaps in Oncology: Comparative Analysis of Development and Approval Pathways for Anticancer Drugs and Companion Diagnostic in the United States and Japan
Authors: Saito Kaku , Narukawa Mamoru
Published: February 2025

Companion diagnostics (CDxs) are essential in personalized medicine for oncology, where specific genetic mutations drive treatment decisions. Some differences remain in the regulatory frameworks and approval processes for CDx between the United States (U.S.) and Japan. Data were collected from public databases for CDxs and anticancer drugs approved between January 1, 2014, and August 15, 2024, in both countries. The analysis included both initial drug approvals and supplemental approvals to examine the characteristics of approved CDxs and anticancer drugs, identify regional differences, compare development and approval timelines of CDxs and associated anticancer drugs in both countries, and assess the factors influencing approval timelines. CDx approval has increased significantly in both countries since 2014, driven by next‐generation sequencing technologies, with 96 anticancer drug indications approved with CDx in the U.S. and 61 in Japan. In the U.S., drug approvals often preceded CDx approvals, influenced by post‐marketing commitments (PMCs), whereas Japan tended to approve CDxs and drugs almost simultaneously. The median gap between CDx and drug approvals in the U.S. was 0 days (interquartile range (IQR): 0–391), indicating a broader range and often longer delay compared to 18 days (IQR: −52 to 0) in Japan, with a statistically significant difference between the two countries (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed orphan drug designation was significantly associated with CDx‐related PMC in the U.S. (p = 0.042). These results highlight the need for greater regulatory harmonization between the U.S. and Japan to streamline approval processes and improve patient access to personalized treatments.
The risk of epilepsy after neonatal seizures
Authors: Tinggaard Jeanette , Pedersen Signe V. , Larsen Mads L. , Jensen Andreas K. , Greisen Gorm , Hansen Bo M. , Hoei‐Hansen Christina E.
Published: February 2025

Aim

To estimate the cumulative risk of epilepsy after neonatal seizures and identify subpopulations at increased risk.

Method

This was a nationwide register‐based cohort study including all children born in Denmark between 1997 and 2018. The cumulative risk of epilepsy in children with and without neonatal seizures was compared. Furthermore, neonatal seizures were stratified according to aetiology.

Results

We followed 1 294 377 children and identified 1998 neonatal survivors with neonatal seizures. The cumulative risk of epilepsy was 20.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 18.5–22.3) among children with neonatal seizures, compared to 1.15% (95% CI = 1.12–1.18) among children without. Epilepsy was diagnosed before 1 year of age in 11.4% of children with neonatal seizures, in an additional 4.5% between 1 year and 5 years, 3.1% between 5 years and 10 years, and 1.4% between 10 years and 22 years. The aetiologies of neonatal cerebral infarction, haemorrhage, or malformations (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.98–3.14) and low Apgar score (1.49, 95% CI = 1.12–1.98) were associated with the highest risk of epilepsy, compared to children with seizures of unknown aetiology.

Interpretation

Epilepsy after neonatal seizures is common and remains a substantial risk throughout childhood. Aetiological risk factors are identifiable and relevant when planning appropriate information for parents and follow‐up.
Take a Look: Naturalistic Composition of the Maternal Nest in the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Contributes to Offspring Growth and Survival
Authors: Barrios‐Montiel Rodrigo , Arteaga Lourdes , Zepeda José Alfredo , Bautista Amando , Hudson Robyn
Published: February 2025

Sometimes we should take a closer look at the natural behaviour of even the most familiar domestic mammals. An example is the nesting behaviour of the female European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and her offspring. After giving birth in a nest of dry grass and fur, mothers return to briefly nurse once a day and deposit faecal pellets there. In domestic rabbits, we examined the temporal pattern of mothers' defecation in the nest, the response of pups to these faeces and the effect of these and nest hay on pups' pre‐ and postweaning growth and survival. In Experiment 1, we tested primiparous and multiparous mothers given a nest box and hay and allowed access to their pups once a day to nurse. We recorded daily the number of faecal pellets deposited in the nest and the number nibbled by the pups until weaning on postnatal day 30. Mothers defecated in the nest until around postnatal day 12. The pellets and hay then started to be nibbled by the pups, and histological analysis showed that pups ingested plant material. We found no difference in maternal behaviour between primiparous and multiparous females. In Experiment 2, we investigated the growth and survival of pups before and after weaning: (1) with hay and mother's faeces present in the nest; (2) without hay; (3) without mother's faeces; and (4) without hay or mother's faeces. In condition 1, pups transitioned to solid food with little sign of digestive pathology, whereas in conditions 2 and 3, and particularly in condition 4, pups developed diarrhoea and several died. Thus, the presence of nest hay and mother's faeces appear to contribute to pups' transition to solid food. We conclude that rabbits show a well‐coordinated pattern of behaviour between mothers and their preweaning offspring, likely relevant to the appropriate management of domestic rabbits.
Mixed‐Mode Timoshenko‐Based Peridynamics for Dynamic Crack Propagation in Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Bautista Victor , Shahbazian Behnam , Mirsayar Mirmilad
Published: February 2025

A recently developed Timoshenko‐based peridynamic model with a variable micropolar shear influence factor is extended to study the behavior of dynamic crack propagation in functionally graded materials (FGMs). To this end, first, the proposed model is validated against two experimental three‐point bending benchmark problems with different material functions as well as varying loading rates and durations. Then, numerous additional cases with different boundary conditions and material distribution are studied to predict crack initiation and propagation in such mediums. The examples consist of three‐point bending and Kalthoff–Winkler specimens with various material functions under dynamic loads. Finally, the effects of material anisotropy induced by functionally varying material properties on crack propagation path are addressed. It is shown that this new model is advantageous because of its capability to account for shear deformation effects in the bonds previously ignored by the original bond‐based peridynamic models. Moreover, comparing the proposed modified bond‐based model to more complex methods, such as state‐based peridynamics, reveals that the simplicity of the current approach results in lower computational costs while still achieving comparable results.
Continent‐Wide Patterns of Climate and Mast Seeding Entrain Boreal Bird Irruptions
Authors: Widick Ivy V. , Strong Courtenay , LaMontagne Jalene M. , Young Matthew A. , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: February 2025

Avian irruptions are facultative, often periodic, migrations of thousands of birds outside of their resident range. Irruptive movements produce regional anomalies of abundance that oscillate over time, forming ecological dipoles (geographically disjunct regions of low and high abundance) at continental scales. Potential drivers of irruptions include climate and food variability, but these relationships are rarely tested over broad geographic scales. We used community science data on winter bird abundance (1989–2021) to identify spatiotemporal patterns of irruption for nine boreal birds across the United States and Canada and compared them to time series of winter climate and annual tree seed production. We hypothesized that, during irruption, bird abundance would decrease in regions experiencing colder winter climates (climate variability hypothesis) or low seed production resulting from the boom‐and‐bust of widespread mast‐seeding patterns (resource variability hypothesis). Across all species, we detected latitudinal or longitudinal irruption modes, or both, demonstrating north–south and east–west migration dynamics across the northern United States and southern Canada. Seven of nine species displayed associations consistent with the climate variability hypothesis and six with the resource variability hypothesis. While irruption dynamics are likely entrained by multiple environmental drivers, future climate change could alter the spatial and temporal characteristics of avian irruption.
From Clinics to Communities: Understanding Public Perceptions of Dental Services in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Kamran , Zahra Daniel , Bashir Ulfat , Raja Hina Zafar , Alkhtib Asmaa , Younas Minahil Arujj , Manzoor Ummara , Shakoor Asma , Khalid Mariya , Mansoor Amna , Hakeem Saman , Mumtaz Maryam , Raja Mahwish
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Access to dental services is a core component of public healthcare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceptions and experiences of the public regarding access, quality and affordability of dental services in Pakistan.

Methods

It was an analytical cross‐sectional study based on an online survey. The data collection instrument was based on eight items related to participant perceptions and experiences of dental services in public and private sectors. Pretesting of the survey questionnaire was done, and the target participants were approached through social media, and dental service providers.

Results

A total of 1007 participants representing all provinces of the country responded to the study questionnaire including 54.32% (n = 547) females and 45.68% (n = 460) males. Education and financial status showed the largest effect on perceptions. Although all groups agreed that dental professionals contribute positively to improving public health, those in the ‘No Education’ or ‘Poor’ groups showed fewer positive perceptions about the accessibility, quality, and affordability of dental services. Perceptions of dental services between genders showed minimal differences. Chi‐squared tests of association showed significant (p < 0.001) relationships between personal awareness of oral health and respondent characteristics such as education, employment, financial status and location.

Conclusions

This study provides useful insights into the public perceptions and experiences of dental health services in Pakistan. The findings reveal disparities in access, quality, and affordability of dental services among disadvantaged groups, particularly within the public sector. Oral health awareness was also reported to be low amongst people with low educational and financial status. Given the limitations of the current study, further research using qualitative methods may provide a more in‐depth understanding of the facilitators and barriers to dental services to inform a major reform to improve public dental services in the country.

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)

Members of the public with previous experience of using dental services were involved in pretesting of the study questionnaire Pretesting of the survey questionnaire was done in two phases: In the first phase, cognitive interviews were conducted with eight members of the public including four participants each with proficiency in English and Urdu. The purpose of the cognitive interviews was to determine that the participants were able to comprehend all items of the questionnaire accurately. In the second phase the questionnaire was piloted with 15 members of the public who were given a choice to answer the questionnaire in English or Urdu based on their individual preference.
Annual Research Review: What processes are dysregulated among emotionally dysregulated youth? – a systematic review
Authors: Blader Joseph C. , Garrett Amy S. , Pliszka Steven R.
Published: February 2025

Proliferation of the term “emotion dysregulation” in child psychopathology parallels the growing interest in processes that influence negative emotional reactivity. While it commonly refers to a clinical phenotype where intense anger leads to behavioral dyscontrol, the term implies etiology because anything that is dysregulated requires an impaired regulatory mechanism. Many cognitive, affective, behavioral, neural, and social processes have been studied to improve understanding of emotion dysregulation. Nevertheless, the defective regulatory mechanism that might underlie it remains unclear. This systematic review of research on processes that affect emotion dysregulation endeavors to develop an integrative framework for the wide variety of factors investigated. It seeks to ascertain which, if any, constitutes an impaired regulatory mechanism. Based on this review, we propose a framework organizing emotion‐relevant processes into categories pertaining to stimulus processing, response selection and control, emotion generation, closed‐ or open‐loop feedback‐based regulation, and experiential influences. Our review finds scant evidence for closed‐loop (automatic) mechanisms to downregulate anger arousal rapidly. Open‐loop (deliberate) regulatory strategies seem effective for low‐to‐moderate arousal. More extensive evidence supports roles for aspects of stimulus processing (sensory sensitivity, salience, appraisal, threat processing, and reward expectancy). Response control functions, such as inhibitory control, show robust associations with emotion dysregulation. Processes relating to emotion generation highlight aberrant features in autonomic, endocrine, reward functioning, and tonic mood states. A large literature on adverse childhood experiences and family interactions shows the unique and joint effects of interpersonal with child‐level risks. We conclude that the defective closed‐loop regulatory mechanisms that emotion dysregulation implies require further specification. Integrating research on emotion‐relevant mechanisms along an axis from input factors through emotion generation to corrective feedback may promote research on (a) heterogeneity in pathogenesis, (b) interrelationships between these factors, and (c) the derivation of better‐targeted treatments that address specific pathogenic processes of affected youth.
Association Between Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers and Oral Biodiversity: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhao Lin , Xie Hongyu , Kang Lunwei , Liao Ga
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) and dysbiosis of the oral microbiota.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across several databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Scopus, CBM, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP, to identify relevant studies from the inception of the library until September 20, 2024. All included studies were evaluated for quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. These studies assessed the diversity and abundance of oral microorganisms in patients with RAU in comparison to healthy individuals. Results were synthesized via random‐effects meta‐analysis (I2 statistic for heterogeneity). Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were applied to evaluate the pooled effects of outcomes. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024615516).

Results

A total of 10 studies involving 343 patients and 348 controls were included in this study, 7 of these were utilized for meta‐analysis to conduct a quantitative assessment. The meta‐analysis showed that in terms of alpha diversity, saliva samples collected from patients with RAU exhibited a significantly lower Chao 1 index of alpha diversity (MD = –41.22, 95% CI –64.34 to –18.09, p < 0.01), and that patients with ulcerated sites in the oral mucosa demonstrated a higher Chao 1 index when compared to healthy sites within the oral mucosa (MD = 27.48, 95% CI 2.98 to 51.97, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Significant differences in the Chao 1 index between patients and healthy controls, along with variations in beta diversity and the relative abundance of taxa, indicate that microbial dysbiosis may play a crucial role in the development of RAU.
Sexual Health Literacy Among Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review
Authors: McGrath Margaret , Chong Lok Yan Cheryl , Collings Susan , Pebdani Roxanna
Published: February 2025

Background

Although sexual health literacy is recognised as critical to sexual health and well‐being, little is known about how people with intellectual disabilities acquire or use sexual health literacy skills. This scoping review examined research to explore what is known about sexual health literacy among adults with intellectual disability.

Method

We used Arksey and O′Malley's scoping framework to guide our review. We searched five electronic databases and reference lists of full‐text articles. Inclusion criteria included (i) original research in peer reviewed journals; (ii) published in English; (iii) addressed perspectives or experiences of people with intellectual disabilities regarding sexual health literacy or related topics. Findings were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA‐Scr). All text labelled ‘results’, ‘findings’ or ‘discussion’ was subjected to interpretive content analysis.

Results

The search strategy identified 5447 records, 102 met all eligibility criteria and were included for review. A conceptual framework to understand factors shaping sexual health literacy was developed. In this framework, sexual health literacy is underpinned by two fundamental pillars: sexual knowledge and sexual autonomy. The availability of sexual knowledge and sexual autonomy is threatened by several factors in the social environment: presumed sexual vulnerability and sexual incompetence, and expectations of heteronormativity and asexuality. Combined these factors reduce opportunities for acquisition of sexual knowledge and enactment of sexual autonomy and ultimately appear to limit sexual literacy among people with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusion

Sexual health literacy is critical for people with intellectual disabilities to enjoy full sexual citizenship. Despite this limited attention has been paid to supporting people with intellectual disabilities to acquire and use sexual health literacy skills. Comprehensive education programs are needed to address this gap and ensure the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to engage in safe, pleasurable sexual experiences and enjoy good sexual health are upheld.
Attitudes Towards Sexuality and Sexual Orientation in People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Armas Junco Laura , Posada Corrales Juan Antonio , Alonso Martínez Laura
Published: February 2025

Over time, sexuality has become a crucial aspect in people's lives, regardless of physical, intellectual or social conditions, ranging from sex and sexually transmitted diseases to gender identity and sexual orientation. The aim of this study was to carry out a review of the scientific literature on sexual orientation in people with intellectual disabilities from the Education and Health Sciences and to analyse how sex education is addressed in this group. To this end, a systematic review of research on sexual orientation in people with intellectual disabilities was carried out. The results obtained reveal that there is hardly any scientific corpus on this subject, so emphasis should be placed on the attitudes towards LGTBIQA+ people with intellectual disabilities, as well as on the training and understanding of the different sexual orientations they may have. It is essential to face the obstacles, stigmas and prejudices established in society to normalise the sexual needs of these people, improving, consequently, their quality of life.
Association of opportunistic bacterial pathogens with female infertility: A case–control study
Authors: Hasan Zahid , Begum Nurjahan , Ahmed Sangita , Yasmin Mahmuda
Published: February 2025

Aim

Infertility affects a significant proportion of women worldwide, and the colonization of certain vaginal pathogens has been suggested as a possible contributing factor. To explore the relationship between bacterial pathogens and female infertility, a case–control study was conducted involving 55 infertile women as cases and 5 fertile women as controls.

Method

Conventional culture‐based techniques and biochemical assays followed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis were employed for the identification of vaginal isolates from the two groups. The strength of association between the isolated bacterium and infecundity was derived by odds ratio calculation.

Results

The investigation revealed the presence of bacteria including Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp., Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas spp., Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus in the vaginal swabs of infertile women. Of these, the odds ratios for Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. faecalis, and E. coli were 5.43 (95% CI = 0.28, 103.49), 4.59 (95% CI = 0.24, 87.93), 2.25 (95% CI = 0.11, 44.16), and 1.70 (95% CI = 0.09, 34.01), respectively, displaying an association with infertility. Moreover, vaginal colonization of these four bacterial species was also dominant in cases that were diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease and idiopathic infertility by laparoscopic examination.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings of this study indicate a probable association between specific pathogenic microorganisms and women's barrenness, emphasizing the significant role of these disease‐causing agents in hindering conception. This highlights the significance of a complete understanding of the vaginal microbiome and emphasizes further research in this area.
The Role of Social Signaling and Ethnic Norms in Charitable Giving: A Field Experiment in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Quang , Kim Huong Trang , Trinh Minh , Chang Shing‐Wan
Published: February 2025

In this field experiment involving ethnic and income groups in Vietnam, we explore the role of social signaling—a construct encompassing both status‐seeking and public recognition—in charitable giving. We find that individuals from the Hoa (Chinese) ethnicity and those in higher income brackets are more prone to engage in social signaling by donating more. Conversely, the Khmer, influenced by their ethnic norms, are less likely to use donations as a form of social signaling. Our findings align with a multifaceted theoretical model that integrates social signaling and ethnic norms to explain the complexities of charitable giving behavior. This study not only enriches our understanding of why people donate but also underscores the nuanced interplay of social signaling and cultural norms.