bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Freshwater Protected Areas on Survival of a Critically Endangered Cetacean
Authors: Han Yi , Xu Wenjing , Wang Kexiong , Wang Ding , Mei Zhigang
Published: December 2024

Evaluating the effectiveness of freshwater protected areas (FPAs) is crucial for improving their performance, yet evidence remains limited. Using remote sensing and field surveys from 2001 to 2017, we examined FPA coverage, their efficacy in preventing species decline and habitat deterioration, and strategies to enhance FPA effectiveness for the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis). FPAs failed to cover nearly half of high‐abundance regions and two thirds of medium‐abundance areas. Despite initially better conditions, FPAs experienced similar or greater species declines and habitat deterioration. Porpoise distribution closely correlated to habitat conditions, with abundance declining most in severely degraded floodplains while remaining stable or increasing in less disturbed areas. To improve FPA performance, we recommend expanding protection to medium‐ and high‐abundance areas to better cover key porpoise habitats and enhancing existing FPAs through stricter law enforcement, proactive management, and targeted restoration. These strategies are reinforced by China's new legal and policy framework for Yangtze River protection, providing a foundation for long‐term conservation.
Detecting Monkeypox Virus by Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Ng Spencer , Stephan Carla , Do Mytrang , Frosina Denise , Jungbluth Achim , Busam Klaus J. , Ma Linglei
Published: December 2024

Background

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), a zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus (MPXV), has become an international outbreak since May 2022. Mpox often presents with a mild systemic illness and a characteristic vesiculopustular skin eruption. In addition to molecular testing, histopathology of cutaneous lesions usually shows distinctive findings, such as epidermal necrosis, balloon degeneration, papillary dermal edema, and focal dermal necrosis, which have proven helpful in the diagnosis of mpox. Viral cytopathic changes with areas of multinucleation, smudging of the nuclei, and intracytoplasmic inclusions have also been described. Although useful, these features are relatively nonspecific. The use of a monoclonal antibody for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of MPXV may be a useful tool in confirming mpox infection.

Methods

Three cases of PCR‐confirmed mpox were biopsied and subjected to IHC staining with a monoclonal MPXV‐specific antibody targeting viral envelope protein A29. As controls, cell lines transduced to express other MPXV viral antigens and samples of cutaneous viral infections involving Molluscum contagiosum, Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster, or Cytomegalovirus were also subjected to IHC staining with this antibody.

Results

All three mpox patient biopsies performed on lesional skin subjected to MPXV IHC staining reliably detected viral infection in lesional skin with a diffuse cytoplasmic and focally nuclear staining pattern. No staining was seen in transduced cell lines expressing off‐target MPXV viral antigens and in lesional skin of other common viral infections listed above.

Conclusions

The monoclonal MPXV‐specific antibody may be used as an adjunct tool to confirm mpox infection.
Type 2 diabetes genetic risk and incident diabetes across diabetes risk enhancers
Authors: Moura Filipe A. , Kamanu Frederick K. , Wiviott Stephen D. , Giugliano Robert P. , Udler Miriam S. , Florez Jose C. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Sabatine Marc S. , Ruff Christian T. , Marston Nicholas A.
Published: December 2024

Aims

To evaluate the predictive value of a contemporary type 2 diabetes (T2D) polygenic score (PGS) in detecting incident diabetes across a range of diabetes risk factors.

Materials and Methods

We analysed participants in the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT0176463), which compared the efficacy of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor evolocumab versus placebo in lowering cardiovascular outcomes in participants with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and LDL cholesterol levels of 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) or higher who were receiving statin therapy. Genetic risk was characterized using a previously validated T2D PGS based on ~1.2 million single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. PGS was analysed continuously and categorically as high (top 20% of the PGS) and low to intermediate (lower 80% of the PGS). The effect of evolocumab on incident diabetes in patients without diabetes at baseline was also assessed. HbA1c was measured at baseline and every 24 weeks thereafter, while FPG was measured at baseline, week 12, week 24 and every 24 weeks thereafter. Potential cases of incident diabetes were adjudicated centrally. Hazards ratios (HRs) for incident diabetes were adjusted for baseline characteristics and ancestry.

Results

Among 9388 participants, the mean age was 63 ± 9 years and 22.7% were women, with median HbA1c 39 mmol/mol (36 mmol/mol – 41 mmol/mol; 5.7% [5.4%–5.9%]) and mean body mass index (BMI) 28.7 ± 5 kg/m2. Diabetes developed in 690 participants (7.3%) during 2.3 years of median follow‐up. T2D PGS predicted incident T2D (HR per 1‐SD 1.22, 95% CI 1.14–1.32, p < 0.001). The rates of incident T2D in the high and low to intermediate genetic risk categories were 12.1% versus 6.8%, respectively (HR 1.43 95% CI 1.20–1.70, p < 0.001). Notably, high T2D genetic risk had greater predictive strength among individuals with lower HbA1c (P‐int = 0.0499) and lower BMI (P‐int = 0.004).

Conclusions

The T2D polygenic score serves as an independent predictor of incident diabetes, particularly among individuals with lower distribution of traditional risk factors.
“Magic concepts” and USAID: Framing food systems reform to support the status quo
Authors: Kelinsky‐Jones Lia R. , Niewolny Kim L. , Stephenson Max O.
Published: December 2024

Motivation

International development policy is increasingly a contested site of agricultural politics. Many civil society organizations actively engage with alternative frameworks including sustainability, sovereignty, and self‐reliance to challenge the prevailing neoliberal construct of food systems. Recently, development policy actors have used the term “self‐reliance” in international development policy discourse, but its meaning, purpose, and underlying political ideology vary. Understanding how development actors define self‐reliance is critical for understanding whether the term is being used to maintain the neoliberal status quo or to support food systems change.

Purpose

In 2018 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released its “The Journey to Self‐Reliance” policy framework. This article explores how USAID represented self‐reliance by examining the vocabularies, discourses, and ideologies the agency drew upon to conceptualize self‐reliance.

Approach and methods

We analysed a corpus of USAID policy documents published between 2018 and 2020, using critical discourse analysis (CDA), and triangulated CDA findings with corpus linguistics. We then presented our analysis to focus groups of US university scholar‐practitioners funded by USAID who responded to the findings.

Findings

We found that USAID's construction of self‐reliance simultaneously sought to reproduce neoliberal ideological outcomes while, at least formally, embracing localization in terms of community self‐reliance. We also found that USAID placed market actors as active leaders and presented local governments in passive roles. Focus group respondents agreed on the importance of localization but differed as to the primacy USAID afforded market organizations.

Policy implications

We identified three major policy implications. First, the primacy of the neoliberal conception of self‐reliance limits self‐directed development among the targeted countries. Second, framing self‐reliance as market driven is likely to deepen consolidated power in agricultural development. Third, at a global policy level, we observe a lack of solidarity with civil society organizations addressing agricultural development efforts, which seek greater representation in development policy deliberations.
Community‐based epilepsy care in an onchocerciasis‐endemic area: A 3‐year cohort study in Mahenge, Tanzania
Authors: Bhwana Dan , Amaral Luís‐Jorge , Kamoen Olivia , Mhina Athanas , Mushi Vivian , Makunde William , Matuja William , Mpogole Meshack , Mmbando Bruno P. , Colebunders Robert
Published: December 2024

Objective

In onchocerciasis‐endemic areas, limited access to antiseizure medications (ASMs) contributes to a high epilepsy burden. This study evaluated the impact of a community‐based epilepsy care program in Mahenge, Tanzania, an onchocerciasis‐endemic area with high epilepsy prevalence.

Methods

A baseline survey (2017–2018) identified persons with epilepsy (PWE) in four rural villages. Subsequently, PWE were invited to enroll in the epilepsy treatment program (2019–2022), where trained community health workers (CHWs) screened for epilepsy, promoted ivermectin intake to treat onchocerciasis, distributed ASMs, and monitored seizure frequency and ASM adherence monthly under supervision from the project clinician trained in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. A concluding survey (2022) collected sociodemographic data and participants' status as alive, deceased, or lost to follow‐up. Mixed‐effects negative binomial regression analyzed risk factors for weekly seizure incidence rate.

Results

Of 206 participants, 77.7% reported bilateral tonic–clonic seizures, and 32.0% reported focal seizures. More than one third (38.5%) were suspected of having nodding syndrome. Weekly seizure frequency decreased significantly from a mean of 1.9 seizures (interquartile range [IQR] = 0–2) at enrollment to .4 seizures (IQR = 0–0) at the last follow‐up (Wilcoxon test p < .0001), with significantly improved ASM adherence (57.5%–94.7%, McNemar test p < .0001). Factors associated with lower weekly seizure incidence included longer program participation, ASM adherence, carbamazepine use compared to phenobarbital, and ivermectin intake in 2022. ASM adverse events were associated with increased seizure frequency. The mortality rate was 32.7 deaths per 1000 person‐years, with most deceased not fully adhering to ASM (88%) and having epilepsy‐related causes of death (60%).

Significance

The community‐based program using CHWs was associated with a significant reduction in seizure frequency and improved ASM adherence. In onchocerciasis‐endemic areas, it should be investigated whether carbamazepine should be a preferred ASM in PWE. Ivermectin's impact on seizure frequency merits further investigation in onchocerciasis‐endemic areas. Community‐based epilepsy care is a promising strategy for scaling up epilepsy care in rural areas in Africa.
Reduced Representation and Whole‐Genome Sequencing Approaches Highlight Beluga Whale Populations Associated to Eastern Canada Summer Aggregations
Authors: Montana Luca , Bringloe Trevor T. , Bourret Audrey , Sauvé Caroline , Mosnier Arnaud , Ferguson Steven H. , Postma Lianne , Lesage Véronique , Watt Cortney A. , Hammill Mike O. , Parent Geneviève J.
Published: December 2024

Effective conservation strategies inherently depend on preserving populations, which in turn requires accurate tools for their detection. Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) inhabit the circumpolar Arctic and form discrete summer aggregations. Previous genetic studies using mitochondrial and microsatellite loci have delineated distinct populations associated to summer aggregations but the extent of dispersal and interbreeding among these populations remains largely unknown. Such information is essential for the conservation of populations in Canada as some are endangered and harvested for subsistence by Inuit communities. Here, we used reduced representation and whole‐genome sequencing approaches to characterize population structure of beluga whales in eastern Canada and examine admixture between populations. A total of 905 beluga whales sampled between 1989 and 2021 were genotyped. Six main genomic clusters, with potential subclusters, were identified using multiple proxies for population structure. Most of the six main genomic clusters were consistent with previously identified populations, except in southeast Hudson Bay where two clusters were identified. Beluga summer aggregations may consequently be comprised of more than one distinct population. A low number of dispersers were identified between summer aggregations and limited interbreeding was detected between the six genomic clusters. Our work highlights the value of genomic approaches to improve our understanding of population structure and reproductive behavior in beluga whales, offering insights applicable to other cetacean species of conservation concern. An expansion of the geographical scope and increase in number of genotyped individuals will, however, be needed to improve the characterization of the finer scale structure and of the extent of admixture between populations.
The case against a US sovereign wealth fund
Authors: Megginson William L. , Zhou Xin Yue , Gholson Robert L.
Published: December 2024

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), with assets under management reaching over $12.9 trillion in 2024, remain prominent global investors. The idea of creating a US national SWF gained attention during the 2024 US national elections, prompting debates about its merits. This paper reviews the latest academic research on SWFs and examines whether the United States should establish its own national SWF. We argue against this proposition for three key reasons: a US SWF is unnecessary due to the efficiency of existing capital markets, politically infeasible given deep partisan divides, and fiscally imprudent given the nation's significant debt and budgetary constraints.
Converting Biochar Into Biochar‐Based Urea Promotes Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Rice‐Wheat Rotation System
Authors: Gong Xueliu , Shi Wei , Wu Jiarong , Qin Jingsong , Huang Wang , Feng Yanfang , Sun Haijun , Zheng Jufeng , Cheng Kun , Joseph Stephen , Chen Junhui , Bian Rongjun , Li Lianqing , Pan Genxing
Published: December 2024

Biochar amendments in rice‐wheat systems are sustainable for reducing GHGs (greenhouse gases) and improving soil health but the widespread adoption of biochar faces economic challenges. To address limitation, a novel biochar‐based urea was formulated for environmental and cost advantages. A pot experiment within a rice‐wheat rotation was conducted to evaluate comparative effects of biochar‐based urea (CKBU), biochar + urea (BCU), and biochar‐based urea + biochar (BCBU) over conventional mineral fertilizer (CKU) on soil ammonia (NH3) volatilization, GHG emissions, soil structure, and crop productivity. Furthermore, fertilizer N fate was tracked using the 15N isotope during wheat season. The results indicated that compared to CKU, CKBU, BCU, and BCBU treatments significantly mitigated NH3 volatilization by 22%–31% during the rice season, and a 19% reduction was observed under the BCBU treatment during the wheat season due to the response of N‐cycling microorganisms. Regarding GHG emissions, the CKBU, BCU, and BCBU treatments significantly decreased the global warming potential (GWP) value by 49%–55% during the rice season and by 26%–45% during the wheat season, compared to CKU. Additionally, CKBU enhanced 15N use efficiency by 29% during wheat season, without affecting the rice season. The economic performance indicated that applying BU alone offered a net economic benefit, whereas biochar amendment led to a net economic loss. However, biochar amendment improved SOC and aggregation structure, with a significant increase in macroaggregate distribution over 50% compared to CKU and CKBU. Therefore, BU with small portions of biochar can be as effective in reducing NH3 emissions and mitigating GHG emissions as the use of a large quantity of biochar. Additionally, the BCBU did not show additional synergistic benefits regarding emission reduction or yield enhancement. Therefore, shifting biochar to BU could be a cost‐effective approach to achieving sustainable productivity in rice‐wheat crop rotation systems.
Impact of Subjective Masticatory Difficulty on Malnutrition and Frailty in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Won Chang Won , Shin Seung‐Yun , Kim Miji , Ko Min Jung , Seo Seongwoo , So Jong Seob , Jung Hoi‐In , Kho Hong‐Seop , Kang Kyung Lhi , Ha Seung‐Ryong , Kim Nam‐Hee , Linton Jina Lee , Kang Jeong‐Hyun
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study evaluated the impact of masticatory difficulty on the development and progression of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, and disability in community‐dwelling adults, using data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

Methods

Participants were categorised by presence of masticatory difficulty. The Fried frailty phenotype, mini‐nutritional assessments, and diagnostic criteria proposed by Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia were adopted to diagnose frailty, malnutrition, and sarcopenia respectively. Physical disabilities were measured using the Korean activities of daily living (ADL) and Korean instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales.

Results

A total of, 3010 participants were initially enrolled, 2864 participants remained in the study after 2 years, reflecting a 95.1% retention compliance. At baseline, the prevalence of frailty (28.0% vs. 18.1%), malnutrition (1.5% vs. 0.8%), IADL disability (10.1% vs. 7.7%), and ADL disability (10.8% vs. 8.0%) was higher among those experiencing masticatory difficulty than in those without. After 2 years, baseline masticatory difficulty was associated with the incidence of malnutrition (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 0.99–6.90; p = 0.042) after full adjustment for confounders. However, no associations were found between baseline masticatory difficulty and the incidence of frailty, sarcopenia or physical disability over 2 years after adjustment. Additionally, masticatory difficulty did not affect the persistence or remission of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, IADL disability, and ADL disability in individuals who already had these conditions at baseline.

Conclusion

Restoring chewing function and masticatory satisfaction improves not only oral health but also contributes to overall health and promotes healthy aging in older individuals.
Rapamycin Abrogates Aggregation of Human α‐Synuclein Expressed in Fission Yeast via an Autophagy‐Independent Mechanism
Authors: Sugimoto Yoshitaka , Takasaki Teruaki , Yamada Ryuga , Kurosaki Ryo , Yamane Tomonari , Sugiura Reiko
Published: December 2024

Aggregation of alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies, collectively termed synucleinopathies. Thus, tremendous efforts are being made to develop strategies to prevent or inhibit α‐Syn aggregation. Here, we genetically engineered fission yeast to express human α‐Syn C‐terminally fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) at low and high levels. α‐Syn was localized at the cell tips and septa at low‐level expression. At high‐level expression, α‐Syn was observed to form cytoplasmic aggregates. Notably, rapamycin, a natural product that allosterically inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by forming a complex with FKBP12, and Torin1, a synthetic mTOR inhibitor that blocks ATP binding to mTOR, markedly reduced the number of cells harboring α‐Syn aggregates. These mTOR inhibitors abrogate α‐Syn aggregation without affecting α‐Syn expression levels. Rapamycin, but not Torin1, failed to reduce α‐Syn aggregation in the deletion cells of fkh1+, encoding FKBP12, indicating the requirement of FKBP12 for rapamycin‐mediated inhibition of α‐Syn aggregation. Importantly, the effect of rapamycin was also observed in the cells lacking atg1+, a key regulator of autophagy. Collectively, rapamycin abrogates human α‐Syn aggregation expressed in fission yeast via an autophagy‐independent mechanism mediated by FKBP12.
Gender‐Specific Time Poverty: Examining the Impact of Teleworking in the Austrian Context
Authors: Hermann Anett , Clar‐Novak Maria , Claes Marie‐Thérèse
Published: December 2024

This study examines the effects of teleworking as a human resources policy measure on gender‐specific time poverty. The focus is on the experiences of women with care tasks in Austria. Differences in the design of teleworking models before, during, and after the COVID‐19 pandemic with the introduction of a company policy as well as the resulting group dynamic effects and their connection to time pressure are analyzed. The questions are examined as to what significance the specific context has on the implementation of the teleworking policy and what effects arise from universal HR policy thinking on inclusion in the company. The study shows that women's time poverty worsens in all forms of teleworking due to the context, although positive effects are also visible. The importance of human resource management derives from this in designing telework policies and practices that not only support business objectives but also address the specific challenges faced by employees, particularly women with caregiving responsibilities.
Global Groundwater Carbon Mass Flux and the Myth of Atmospheric Weathering
Authors: Wood Warren W. , Sanford Ward E. , Cherry John A. , Wood Warren T.
Published: December 2024

Our recent steady‐state mass‐balance modeling suggests that most global carbonic‐acid weathering of silicate rocks occurs in the vadose zone of aquifer systems not on the surface by atmospheric CO2. That is, the weathering solute flux is nearly equal to the total global continental riverine carbon flux, signifying little atmospheric weathering by carbonic acid. This finding challenges previous carbon models that utilize silicate weathering as a control of atmospheric CO2 levels. A robust analysis utilizing global estimates of groundwater carbon concentration generated by a geospatial machine learning algorithm was coupled with recharge flux in a geographic information system environment to yield a total global groundwater carbon flux of between 0.87 and 0.96 Pg C/year to the surface environment. On discharging to the surface, the carbon is speciated between 0.01 and 0.11 Pg C/year as CaCO3; 0.35 and 0.38 Pg C/year as CO2 gas; and 0.49 and 0.51 Pg C/year as dissolved HCO3−. This total weathering carbon flux was calculated for direct ocean discharge (0.030 Pg C/year); endorheic basins (0.046 Pg C/year); cold‐wet exorheic basins (0.058 Pg C/year); warm‐dry exorheic basins (0.072 Pg C/year); cold‐dry exorheic basins (0.115 Pg C/year); and warm‐wet exorheic basins (0.448 Pg C/year).
COVID‐19‐related lockdowns and changes in overweight and obesity, movement behaviours, diet quality, and health‐related quality of life among regional Australian primary school children: A repeat cross‐sectional study
Authors: Strugnell Claudia , Gaskin Cadeyrn J. , Becker Denise , Orellana Liliana , Jackson Michelle , Hillenaar Monique , Whelan Jillian , Brown Andrew D. , Brown Vicki , Bell Colin , Hayward Josh , Stephens Lena D. , Jensen Hayley , Gribben Izzy , Coller Lee , Tatlock Diana , Lehman Elizabeth , Allender Steven
Published: December 2024

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the Australian state of Victoria (in particular, its capital, Melbourne) experienced some of the longest lockdowns in the world.

Objective

This repeated cross‐sectional study examined changes between March to June 2019 (pre‐pandemic) and April to August 2022 (6 to 11 months following pandemic‐related lockdowns) in overweight and obesity prevalence, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, diet quality, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among primary school children in north‐east Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Height and weight were measured for Grade 2, 4, and 6 students in 2019 (3889 children) and 2022 (1816 children). Grade 4 and 6 students self‐reported on their movement behaviours, diet quality, and HRQoL.

Results

Participation declined among schools (2019:56%, 2022:34%) and students (2019:87%, 2022:75%). Compared to children in 2019, children in 2022 had a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity; were less likely to have met guidelines for moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity, recreational screen time, and vegetable consumption; had higher intakes of takeaway food, energy‐dense nutrient‐poor snacks, and sugar‐sweetened beverages; and had lower HRQoL.

Conclusion

Children's health‐related behaviours and outcomes seemed not to have returned to pre‐pandemic levels 6 to 11 months after the final lockdowns lifted for their communities. Continued monitoring and interventions targeting the drivers of childhood obesity are urgently needed.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on hospital presentations in adults with gastrointestinal infections at a tertiary centre in Australia
Authors: Gottlieb Max , Jakanovski Philip , Harding‐Forrester Sam , Mitchell Alexander , Liu Sue , Zhang Eva , Al‐Ani Aysha , Segal Jonathan , Christensen Britt
Published: December 2024

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in the enactment of substantial public health measures aimed at reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses. The impact of these measures on gastrointestinal (GI) infections remains unexplored.

Aims

To determine whether there was a change in the number of patients presenting to The Royal Melbourne Hospital with GI infections during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the year prior.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, single‐centre case–control study comparing the incidence and characteristics of hospitalisations with GI infections from March to August 2019 and across the same months in 2020, corresponding to periods immediately prior to and during the COVID pandemic.

Results

Of 430 presentations with GI infections across both time periods, there was a 51.9% decrease in hospitalisations with GI infections during the pandemic. Patients admitted during the pandemic were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (0.71% vs 3.4%, P < 0.04) and to be prescribed antibiotics (21.9% vs 36.1%, P < 0.01). Length of stay and mortality were unchanged. There was a decline in the number and proportion of patients with positive faecal cultures in 2020, primarily attributed to a significant reduction in Norovirus cases (28% vs 4%) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.093, P < 0.01). Conversely, the proportion of patients presenting with Clostridioides difficile was higher in 2020 (22% vs 44%) (OR = 2.4, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

There was a substantial decrease in hospital admissions with GI infections, particularly Norovirus, during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Admissions because of Clostridioides increased. Stringent public health measures reducing interpersonal contact and increased antibiotic prescribing respectively may explain these changes, while an increased reluctance to seek medical care may also have contributed to the sharp overall decrease in hospitalisations.
The Patient's Role Development in the Process of Participating in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings: From Passive Attendees to Active Members or Dropouts
Authors: Berben Kevin , Walgrave Emily , Bergs Jochen , Van Hecke Ann , Dierckx Eva , Verhaeghe Sofie
Published: December 2024

Mental health patients are increasingly invited to participate in multidisciplinary team meetings during their admission to inpatient mental health units. To participate effectively, patients must adopt a role that enables them to actively engage and take their place as contributing member of the team. This study aims to understand how mental health patients experience the development of their roles when participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and to identify which dynamics are meaningful to them. A qualitative interview approach, using principles of grounded theory, was employed. Twelve mental health patients in Belgium were recruited for semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method. The conceptual framework which emerged reveals that mental health patients strive to assume a partnership role within the team. To effectively take on this role, they identify three key components as essential: being informed and prepared, being seen and heard and being able to understand. Based on their reflections on these components and the perceived value of their contributions and efforts, mental health patients decide whether to become and remain active members, revert to passive attendance or disengage entirely. These insights can encourage organisations to create an environment where mental health patients can grow into their role as partners in multidisciplinary team meetings. Such an environment would enable collaborative efforts between patients and the treatment team, recognising each patient as a unique individual capable of making their own choices. By focusing on what is personally meaningful to the patient and addressing their specific needs, this approach ensures that care is tailored to what is crucial for patients' recovery.
How Do People With Schizophrenia Manage Their Daily Life? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Braeckman Jolien , Wyckaert Mariotte , De Vriendt Patricia , Costa Ursula , Lemmens Gilbert , Van Hecke Ann , Satink Ton , Van de Velde Dominique
Published: December 2024

Due to the rising number of long‐term mental health conditions, there has been a shift in therapeutic focus from curing these conditions, to living a meaningful life with them. Self‐management is described as the ability to live with the emotional, life role and medical consequences of long‐term conditions such as schizophrenia. However, the perspective of people with schizophrenia on self‐management in current literature is missing. A lack of understanding of strategies used by people with schizophrenia to self‐manage, could adversely affect the use of self‐management interventions. Therefore, this study aims to identify how people with schizophrenia manage their daily life. Semi‐structured interviews (n = 9) were conducted in a qualitative descriptive design. The study is reported by using the COREQ checklist. All participants, recruited through purposive sampling, have been stabilised after a schizophrenic episode and have been reintegrated into their community. The data were analysed through thematic analysis. Self‐management for people with schizophrenia is an individualised process that revolves around performing day‐to‐day activities according to the participant's wishes. In addition, participants tried to prevent relapse by self‐managing daily life. Personal‐, social‐ and schizophrenia‐related factors were seen as barriers and/or facilitators in their self‐management. These barriers and/or facilitators were self‐managed using daily activities. Current self‐management interventions for this population often aim at improving medication adherence. Self‐management interventions facilitated by health care professionals should (i) focus more on supporting patients in finding their daily structure through meaningful activities and (ii) be mindful of the duality contained within self‐management of people with stabilised schizophrenia.
Waterlogging Effects on Root Morphology, Yield, and Stress Tolerance in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Grown on Semi‐Arid Vertisols
Authors: Senthamil E. , Halli Hanamant M. , Basavaraj P. S. , Angadi S. S. , Gangana Gowdra Vinay M. , Harisha C. B. , Boraiah K. M. , Sandeep Adavi B. , Salakinkoppa S. R. , Mohite Ganesh , Reddy K. Sammi
Published: December 2024

Waterlogging, a global environmental stress, jeopardises food security, causing an economic loss of US$ 74 billion. This could intensify by 14%–35% due to climate change, particularly affecting leguminous crops by altering root morphology and yields. Therefore, studies on the crops root systems and yield reduction to waterlogging stress are required to ensure global food security (sustainable development goals; SDG 2) and an adaptation strategy against climate threats (SDG 13). Hence, studies were conducted for 2 years (2022 and 2023) to understand the effect of varied durations of waterlogging (1–25 days) at three growth stages (15 DAE; Days After Emergence, 25 DAE and at 50% flowering) of cowpea. Results revealed that the highest reduction in root length density (17.97%), surface density (17.31%), weight density (17.63%) and volume density (19.60%) was observed at early growth stages of cowpea (15 DAE) over control. As a result, the maximum reduction in crop growth and grain yield (62.90%) with the lowest yield stability index (YSI ~0.62) and stress tolerance index (STI ~0.78) were recorded. Waterlogging for 17 to 25 days significantly reduced root morphological features and growth, resulting in highest reduction in grain yield (71.32%–81.64%), and the lowest YSI and STI. Notably, plants at early growth stages produced a greater number of lengthier aerial roots with increasing waterlogging durations after 7 days. Whereas, the interaction of 1 day waterlogging at 25 DAE reported minimal yield reduction (~0.36%) with greater YSI (~0.99) and STI (~1.52). Therefore, the sensitivity of cowpea roots to waterlogging explained the reduction in grain yield and stress tolerance. In conclusion, cowpea was found to be highly sensitive at early growth stages (15 DAE) after 3 days of waterlogging stress on vertisols of semi‐arid tropics.
The mechanical properties of irradiated concrete aggregates: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Fujimura Takayoshi , Hakozaki Yuji , Sakuragi Shunsuke , Nakajima Yuu , Murakami Kenta , Suzuki Kiyoteru , Maruyama Ippei , Ohkubo Takahiro
Published: December 2024

The concrete in nuclear power plant reactor buildings is exposed to neutron radiation, making it critical to evaluate and predict its deterioration under irradiation. The observed expansion of irradiated concrete is believed to be caused by the expansion of aggregate minerals, but the mechanisms behind this process are not well understood. This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the mechanical properties and mechanical fracture phenomena of a range of silicate minerals that are popular as concrete aggregates. Ten silicate minerals are targeted: ‐quartz, orthoclase, microcline, albite, oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, augite, diopside, and forsterite. The mechanical properties (Young's modulus, maximum stress, and Poisson's ratio) of the minerals are determined through neutron irradiation and tensile simulations. The irradiation simulations reveal a decrease in mineral density, an expansion process involving amorphousization, and a change from anisotropic to isotropic mechanical properties. The isotropic Young's modulus and maximum stress significantly decrease with irradiation, and this effect is reproduced well in experimental results. The origin and process of mechanical fracturing are estimated by finding atoms with large displacements in tensile simulations, and the behavior of the stress–strain curve on the atomic scale is explained. In irradiated minerals, local stress relaxation occurs due to local atomic displacement, and large‐scale mechanical fractures are suppressed. The factors involved in the mechanical fracturing and local stress relaxation of Na‐feldspar are identified and discussed in terms of chemical bonding theory.
Application of Single‐Cell Genomics to Animal Models of Periodontitis and Peri‐Implantitis
Authors: Hasuike Akira , Easter Quinn T. , Clark Daniel , Byrd Kevin M.
Published: December 2024

Aims

This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on integrating single‐cell genomics technologies with animal models of periodontitis and peri‐implantitis.

Review

Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) reveals cellular heterogeneity and specific cell roles in periodontitis and peri‐implantitis, overcoming the limitations of bulk RNA sequencing. Under controlled conditions and genetic manipulation, animal models facilitate studying disease progression, gene functions and systemic disease links, aiding targeted therapy development. Knockout models have started to elucidate the impact of genetic mutations on periodontal disease and host responses. scRNAseq in animal models has been used to examine connections between periodontitis and systemic diseases, revealing altered immune environments and cellular interactions. Emerging studies are now applying these methods to animal models of peri‐implantitis. Integrating these datasets into single‐cell and spatially resolved atlases will enable future meta‐analyses, providing deeper insights into disease mechanisms considering factors such as sex, strain, and age.

Conclusions

Integrating scRNAseq with animal models advances the understanding of periodontitis and peri‐implantitis pathogenesis and precision therapies. The combined use of single‐cell and spatial genomics and scRNAseq will further enhance data insights significantly for drug discovery and preclinical testing, making these technologies pivotal in validating animal models and translating findings into clinical practice.
Rising mortality rates linked to type‐2 diabetes and obesity in the United States: An observational analysis from 1999 to 2022
Authors: Ahmed Mushood , Nofal Abdullah , Shafiq Aimen , Javaid Hira , Ahsan Areeba , Nadeem Zain Ali , Ahmed Raheel , Alam Mahboob , Mamas Mamas A. , Fudim Marat , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: December 2024

Background

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are increasing in the United States. However, population‐level data for mortality trends due to T2D and obesity are limited. This study aims to assess these death trends among adults in the United States categorized by sex, race, and geographical location.

Methods

We queried the CDC‐WONDER database for multiple cause of death data of adults aged ≥25 years. The crude mortality rates (CMR), age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), annual percent change (APC), and the average APC (AAPC) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed.

Results

From 1999 to 2022, a total of 88,597 T2DM and obesity‐related deaths were recorded in the United States. The AAMR consistently increased from 1999 to 2017 (APC: 7.64; 95% CI: 1.91–9.96), followed by a marked rise from 2017 to 2022 (APC: 20.13; 95% CI: 12.88–38.57). The AAMR was approximately 3.58 times higher during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the period from 1999 to 2019. The AAMR for males was consistently greater than that for females. The highest AAMR was observed in non‐Hispanic (NH) Blacks or African Americans, followed by NH White, Hispanic or Latino, and other NH populations. Rural areas (AAMR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.83–1.89) exhibited a greater AAMR than urban regions 1.26 (95% CI: 1.25–1.27).

Conclusions

Our results indicate a substantial increasing trend of T2D and obesity‐related deaths in the United States especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Nutrition Interventions in the Treatment of Endometriosis: A Scoping Review
Authors: De Araugo Samantha C. , Varney Jane E. , McGuinness Amelia J. , Naude Colette , Evans Subhadra , Mikocka‐Walus Antonina , Staudacher Heidi M.
Published: December 2024

Background

Pain, poor quality of life (QOL) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are commonly experienced by individuals with endometriosis. Although diet and nutrition supplements are frequently used to manage endometriosis‐related symptoms, there is limited understanding of the breadth and quality of research in this field. Our aim was to undertake a scoping review of diet and nutrition supplement intervention studies in people with endometriosis, diagnosed by ultrasound or surgery.

Methods

MEDLINE Complete, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published in English from database inception to November 2024. Quality was assessed by two reviewers independently using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. In total, 5130 publications were screened and 13 were included.

Results

Among these, five evaluated the effect of diet intervention, one evaluated the effect of a combined diet–supplement intervention and seven evaluated the effect of a nutrition supplement in endometriosis. Overall, there were seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 1 diet intervention, n = 6 nutrition supplement), two nonrandomised controlled studies (n = 1 diet intervention, n = 1 combined diet–supplement) and four uncontrolled studies (n = 3 diet intervention, n = 1 nutrition supplement). On the basis of evidence from the RCTs, the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet improved QOL and GI symptoms, whereas garlic supplements and combination trace element supplements may be beneficial for improving reduced pain symptoms related to endometriosis. The quality of most included studies was poor. Adherence to the interventions was only measured in five studies and only one diet study measured baseline diet.

Conclusions

High‐quality RCTs of diet and nutrition supplement interventions are needed to progress the understanding of whether they should be integrated into the clinical management of endometriosis.
Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: Lipids across microglial states
Authors: Traetta Marianela E. , Vecchiarelli Haley A. , Tremblay Marie‐Ève
Published: December 2024

The capacity of immune cells to alter their function based on their metabolism is the basis of the emerging field of immunometabolism. Microglia are the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system, and it is a current focus of the field to investigate how alterations in their metabolism impact these cells. Microglia have the ability to utilize lipids, such as fatty acids, as energy sources, but also alterations in lipids can impact microglial form and function. Recent studies highlighting different microglial states and transcriptional signatures have highlighted modifications in lipid processing as defining these states. This review highlights these recent studies and uses these altered pathways to discuss the current understanding of lipid biology in microglia. The studies highlighted here review how lipids may alter microglial phagocytic functioning or alter their pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory balance. These studies provide a foundation by which lipid supplementation or diet alterations could influence microglial states and function. Furthermore, targets modulating microglial lipid metabolism may provide new treatment avenues.

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Both Feed Restriction and Transition Period Suppressed Adipose Tissue MRNA Abundance of Genes Involved in Lipogenesis and Lipolysis in Fat‐Tailed Ewes
Authors: Mokhtari Sara , Zarrin Mousa , Samadian Farhad , Ahmadpour Amir
Published: December 2024

This study sought to investigate the consequences of the induced feed restriction during the transition period on the mRNA abundance of genes entangled in lipogenesis and lipolysis in the tail adipose of fat‐tailed sheep. Twenty fat‐tailed ewes were randomised into the control (Control; n = 10) and restriction (Restriction; n = 10) groups. Control animals were fed 100% of the balanced diet pre‐(Week −5 to parturition) and post‐partum (parturition to Week 5). Restriction ewes received equivalent 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the balanced ration at Weeks −5, −4, −3, −2, and −1 relative to parturition, respectively. After parturition, the latter group received the equivalent of 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the diet recommendation at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. At the end of weeks −3 and 3, tail adipose were sampled under local anesthesia. Fatty acid synthase, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II, and acyl‐CoA synthase long‐chain family member‐1 mRNA abundances were measured using the TaqMan quantity real‐time PCR. A mixed model procedure of SAS software was used to evaluate the results. Feed restriction downregulated target genes' mRNA abundance during both pre‐ and post‐partum. Parturition suppressed the mRNA abundance of measured genes in both groups. Established on the outcomes, lipogenesis, and lipolysis of the adipose tissue would be influenced by metabolite and hormone instability during the transition period and feed restriction. The lessening of adipose tissue lipogenesis and lipolysis might be a hemostatic response to cope with the energy insufficiency for fetal growth and the onset of lactation and also prevent the induction of inflammation, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases during feed restriction or transition period.
“Ground truth” occurrence of Pink Spinel Anorthosite (PSA) as clasts in lunar meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 15500: Chemical evidence for a genetic relationship with lunar highlands Mg‐suite and formation by magma–wallrock interactions
Authors: Sheikh Daniel , Ruzicka Alex M. , Hutson Melinda L.
Published: December 2024

Pink spinel anorthosite (PSA), a distinctive plagioclase and spinel‐rich lithology (spinel >20%) observed on the lunar surface by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) imaging spectrometer, has sparked considerable interest in understanding magmatic processes on the Moon that cannot be explained by the well‐established lunar magma ocean paradigm. Competing ideas on the PSA‐forming mechanisms have invoked either (1) impact melting of troctolitic source rocks on the lunar surface or (2) magma–wallrock interactions between anorthositic crust and Mg‐suite parental melts, but have been difficult to evaluate given the lack of ground truth samples. Here, we investigate the textures and mineral compositions of seven PSA clasts in lunar meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 15500, and the bulk trace element compositions of a PSA clast separate and NWA 15500 host lithologies A and B. Our findings suggest derivation of PSA from an incompatible‐element‐poor source and are consistent with PSA representing an Mg‐suite lithology genetically related to pink spinel troctolites that reflects increased degrees of crustal assimilation during magma–wallrock interactions, and a sourcing of PSA far from the Procellarum KREEP Terrane. Excavation of PSA material was followed by multiple, subsequent localized impact events, resulting in the formation of Lithologies A and B.
Population Dynamics and the Microbiome in a Wild Boreal Mammal: The Snowshoe Hare Cycle and Impacts of Diet, Season and Predation Risk
Authors: Stothart Mason R. , Lavergne Sophia , McCaw Laura , Singh Hardeep , de Vega Wilfred , Amato Katherine , Poissant Jocelyn , Boonstra Rudy
Published: December 2024

The North American boreal forest is a massive ecosystem, and its keystone herbivore is the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Hares are exposed to considerable environmental extremes in diet and weather, food availability, and predation risk. Gut microbiomes have been suggested to facilitate adaptive animal responses to environmental change, but severe environmental challenges to homeostasis can also disrupt host‐microbiome relationships. To better understand gut microbiome contributions to animal acclimation, we studied the faecal bacterial microbiome of wild hares across two types of extreme environmental change that are integral to their natural history: (1) seasonal transitions between summer and winter, and (2) changes over the ~10 year ‘boom‐bust’ population cycles that are characterised by shifting food resource availability and predation pressure. When compared to summer, hares in winter had lower bacterial richness and were depleted in 20 families (including Oxalobacteraceae and Christensenellaceae) but enriched for Ruminococcaceae (a family which contains plant fibre degrading bacteria) alongside nine other bacterial groups. Marked bacterial microbiome differences also occurred across phases of the population cycle. Bacterial microbiomes were lower in richness and compositionally distinct in the peak compared to the increase or decline phases of the population cycle. Direct measures of host physiology and diet quality (faecal fibre contents) most strongly supported food resource availability as a mechanism underlying phase‐based differences in bacterial communities, but faecal fibre contents could not fully account for bacterial microbiome variation across phases.