bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of organic farming on the nitrogen balance in agricultural land of OECD countries: Evidence from panel ARDL approach
Authors: Kim GwanSeon , Jeong Hoyeon , Manlove Jacob , Seok Jun Ho 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe growing concern for health and the environment among individuals is anticipated to boost the demand for organic foods. However, there is a research gap in expanding field experiment results for the impact of organic farming to the real world. This study examines the causal relationship between nitrogen balance, organic farming area, agricultural land, and Gross Domestic Product per capita in 18 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development countries from 2000 to 2019. By employing panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag, we found that a 1% increase in organic farming areas is associated with a 0.054% decrease in nitrogen balance in the long run. However, we found that the nitrogen balance increased by 0.392% and 0.487% with 1% expansion of agricultural farmland and economic development in the long run, respectively. Our findings will help policymakers develop or implement soil health management practices to reduce and maintain the amount of nitrogen in the environment. In addition, environmentally friendly raising livestock practices might be another consideration to improve nitrogen balance in livestock‐intensive countries. Finally, expanding agricultural land may not be an appropriate way to solve the problems of soil and underground water contamination.
Detection of cocaine 24 h after administration before nasotracheal intubation
Authors: Larsen Mo H. , Rosenkrantz Oscar , Rasmussen Brian S. , Nielsen Marie K. K. , Linnet Kristian , Rasmussen Lars S. , Isbye Dan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundCocaine may be applied to decongest the nasal mucosa before nasotracheal intubation, but patients risk a criminal offence if cocaine is detected when patients drive a car shortly after surgery. We aimed to evaluate whether benzoylecgonine levels in saliva exceeded the cut‐off point 24 h after administration in patients undergoing nasotracheal intubation and whether cocaine would be detectable above the Danish legal fixed limit in blood samples 1 and 24 h after surgery.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study following approval from the local research ethics committee and the national medicine agency. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. We included patients scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia with nasotracheal intubation. They received 80 mg cocaine as a nasal spray 5 min before induction and nasotracheal intubation. The primary outcome was a dichotomous assessment of benzoylecgonine levels in saliva samples measured 24 h after administration of nasal cocaine with a cut‐off limit of 200 ng/mL. Secondary outcomes were dichotomous assessments of cocaine in whole blood samples measured 1 and 24 h after administration of nasal cocaine with a cut‐off limit of 0.01 mg/kg.ResultsOverall, 70 patients had valid saliva samples and 75 had valid blood samples 24 h after cocaine administration. Benzoylecgonine in saliva was traceable above the cut‐off in 9/70 patients (13%; CI95%: 6% to 23%), and cocaine in blood was detected above the cut‐off in 2/75 patients (3%; CI95%: 0.3% to 9%).ConclusionWe found benzoylecgonine traceable in saliva in 13% of patients and cocaine traceable in blood in 3% of patients 24 h after administration of 80 mg nasal cocaine. Patients should be informed when receiving cocaine and advised not to drive for at least 24 h.
The use of prone position ventilation in Danish patients with COVID‐19‐induced severe acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A nationwide cohort study with focus on pulmonary effects
Authors: Jørgensen Vibeke Lind , Adelsten Janne , Christensen Steffen , Nielsen Dorthe Viemose , Eschen Camilla Tofte , Sørensen Hasse Møller , Sørensen Marc , Madsen Søren Aalbæk , Gjedsted Jakob , Pedersen Finn Møller , Nielsen Jonas , Grønlykke Lars 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundProne position ventilation (PPV) is recommended for patients with COVID‐19 induced severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and is used for patients supported with V‐V ECMO as well. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of PPV in these patients focusing on physiological effects with the hypothesis that PPV could reduce oxygen need and improve dynamic compliance.MethodsThis study was a nationwide retrospective analysis of all COVID‐19 patients in Denmark from March 2020 – December 2021 with severe ARDS and need of V‐V ECMO support. Data on the number of patients treated with PPV, number of PPV sessions, timing, the time spent in prone position, pulmonary physiological response types with analysis of variables affecting the response are reported.ResultsOut of 68 patients 44 were treated with 220 PPV sessions and a positive clinical response was observed in 80% of patients but only in 45% of sessions. On a single session level, increased compliance was observed in 38% and increased oxygenation in only 15% of 220 sessions, with within‐patient heterogeneity. Higher dynamic compliance at the beginning of a PPV session was associated with a lower delta change in dynamic compliance during PPV. The response to a PPV session could not be predicted by the response in the prior session. Dynamic compliance did not change during the ECMO course.ConclusionEighty percent of patients responded positively during a PPV session, but this was not associated with overall pulmonary improvement. On a single patient level, responses were heterogenous and only 45% of sessions resulted in clinical improvement. Response in dynamic compliance was associated with starting values of compliance.
What are the experiences of non‐invasive ventilation for sleep‐disordered breathing in children and young people and what outcomes matter? Perspectives of children and young people, their parents and the staff who care for them
Authors: Russell Jessica , Barber Victoria , Chan Elaine , Khair Kate , Rendle Garry , Wray Jo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundNon‐invasive ventilation (NIV) for sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in children and young people (CYP) can result in multiple health outcomes; however, adherence to NIV can be challenging. Suboptimally treated SDB may increase the risk of adverse consequences. Placing children's and parents' goals at the core of their SDB treatment may support adherence to NIV. To identify these health outcomes, it is necessary to gain a greater understanding of CYP's experiences of using NIV, whether they perceive any benefits from NIV use, as well as the outcomes that their parents and NIV staff identify as important.MethodsSemi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted with nine CYP (aged 4–16 + years), 13 parents and nine healthcare professionals (HCPs); verbatim transcripts were analysed using Framework Analysis.ResultsCYP predominantly reported an improvement in levels of energy, focus and ability to concentrate whereas parents also identified outcomes of mood and behaviour. The majority of children showed understanding of the reasons for being prescribed NIV. A subset of children did not notice their SDB. The health outcomes identified by HCPs and parents that could result from improved overnight gas exchange are subjective measures that rely on parent and child report. Measuring these health outcomes focussed on the impact of improved sleep rather than measuring improved sleep itself.ConclusionsIt is important for HCPs administering NIV to ascertain whether CYP have noticed any of their sleep‐disordered breathing symptoms and any improvements from using NIV, including the relationship between benefits and side effects. Focussing on promoting understanding for CYP who are unable to link their wellbeing to their previous night's sleep may be futile and HCP strategies should concentrate on the process of tolerating the device. Parents, CYP and HCPs should collaborate to identify treatment goals specifically tailored for the child and monitor any progress against these goals.
Beyond symptomatology: A comparative analysis of unilateral and bilateral macronodular mild autonomous cortisol secretion
Authors: Barlas Tugba , Gultekin Isil Imge , Altintop Sabri Engin , Cindil Emetullah , Yalcin Mehmet Muhittin , Cerit Ethem Turgay , Sozen Tevfik Sinan , Poyraz Aylar , Altinova Alev Eroglu , Toruner Fusun Balos , Karakoc Mehmet Ayhan , Akturk Mujde 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the clinical, laboratory findings and signal intensity index (SII) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with bilateral and unilateral macronodular mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS).Patients and MeasurementsClinical and laboratory findings of 81 patients with MACS were examined from retrospective records. SII of adenomas and internodular areas were evaluated by MRI. The unilateral group included patients with an adrenal macronodule (≥1 cm) in a single adrenal gland, while the bilateral group included patients with at least one macronodule in both adrenal glands.ResultsIn total, 46 patients were in the unilateral (57%), while 35 (43%) patients were in the bilateral groups. The dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S) level was lower in the unilateral than in the bilateral group (p < .001). The presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were higher in the bilateral group (p < .05). However, no significant difference was detected in terms of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) between the two groups (p > .05). There was no difference in SII between adenomas within the same patient, as well as between the unilateral and bilateral groups (p > .05). Logistic regression analysis based on the differentiation between unilateral and bilateral macronodular MACS demonstrated that DHEA‐S, HbA1c and LDL concentrations were associated factors.ConclusionDHEA‐S levels may not be as suppressed in patients with bilateral macronodular MACS as compared to those with unilateral adenoma. T2DM and hypercholesterolaemia have a higher frequency in bilateral patients. However, ACTH, overnight 1 mg DST and SII may not provide additional information for differentiation of bilaterality and unilaterality.
ADGRL1 variants: From developmental and epileptic encephalopathy to genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus
Authors: Lei Wenting , Xiong Yurong , Shi Yongyuan , Song Lingling , Xiang Jing , Yang Fan , Wu Xi , Wang Huifeng , Tian Maoqiang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimTo expand the phenotypic spectrum of ADGRL1 and explore the correlation between epilepsy and the ADGRL1 genotype.MethodWe performed whole‐exome sequencing in a cohort of 115 families (including 195 males and 150 females) with familial febrile seizure or epilepsy with unexplained aetiology. The damaging effects of variants was predicted using protein modelling and multiple in silico tools. All reported patients with ADGRL1 pathogenic variants were analysed.ResultsOne new ADGRL1 variant (p.Pro753Leu) was identified in one family with genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures. Further analysis of 12 ADGRL1 variants in 16 patients revealed that six patients had epilepsy. Epilepsy types ranged from early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy to genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). All four variants associated with epilepsy were located in the non‐helix or sheet region of ADGRL1. Three of the four epilepsy‐associated variants were missense variants. Thus, all three variants located in the G‐protein‐coupled receptor autoproteolytic‐inducing domain exhibited epilepsy.InterpretationWe found one new missense variant of ADGRL1 in one family with GEFS+. ADGRL1 may be a potential candidate or susceptibility gene for epilepsy. ADGRL1‐associated epilepsy ranged from benign GEFS+ to severe epileptic encephalopathy; the genotypes and variant locations may help explain the phenotypic heterogeneity of patients with the ADGRL1 variant.
Innovative solution or cause for concern? The use of continuous glucose monitors in people not living with diabetes: A narrative review
Authors: Oganesova Zhanna , Pemberton John , Brown Adrian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimsContinuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have expanded their scope beyond indicated uses for diabetes management and are gaining traction among people not living with diabetes (PNLD). CGMs track in time glucose levels and are proposed as tools for the early detection of abnormal glucose and a potential solution for its normalisation through behavioural change, particularly, diet personalisation and motivation of physical activity. This becomes relevance given the growing incidence of metabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Clinical guidelines, however, do not recommend CGMs in contexts outside type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or insulin‐treated T2DM. Therefore, there is a visible disconnect between the indicated and real‐world usage of these medical devices. While the commercial market for CGMs in PNLD is expanding rapidly, a comprehensive and evidence‐based evaluation of the devices' utility in this population has not been done. Therefore, this review aims to formulate a working model for CGM utility in PNLD as proposed by the ‘health and wellness’ market that advertises and distributes it to these individuals.MethodsWe aim to critically analyse the available research addressing components of the working model, that is (1) detection of abnormal glucose; (2) behavioural change, and (3) metabolic health improvement.ResultsWe find a lack of consistent and high‐quality evidence to support the utility of CGMs for these purposes. We identify significantly under‐reserved areas including clinical benchmarks and scoring procedures for CGM measures, device acceptability, and potential adverse effects of CGMs on eating habits in PNLD. We also raise concerns about the robustness of available CGM research.ConclusionIn the face of these research gaps, we urge for the commercial claims suggesting the utility of the device in PNLD to be labelled as misleading. We argue that there is a regulatory inadequacy that fuels ‘off‐label’ CGM distribution and calls for the strengthening of post‐market clinical follow‐up oversight for CGMs. We hope this will help to avert the continued misinformation risk to PNLD and ‘off‐label’ exacerbation of health disparities.
Power and competition in the transitions toward postrentierism: The cases of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Mason Robert 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe imperatives of economic diversification mean that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scrambling to secure international markets and investments amid a series of domestic changes taking place, including centralized decision making, the marginalization of other traditional modes of governance, and rising nationalism. While there is some evidence of formal security‐related cooperation in the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as an informal security alliance operationalized by Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the onset of the Arab uprisings, these two states have gone on to pursue competing economic policies. This article assesses the economic and political interactions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, arguing that contrary to Rosecrance's concept of “virtual states” with an emphasis on services, expertise, and creativity, connected to visions strategies in these cases, their primary power remains rooted in territorial aspects. It also finds that there are other factors such as leadership style, political and economic role conceptions, the regional and international balance of power, threat perception, and alliance formation that will continue to determine the shape and form of their cooperation or competition.
The development of extremely large male genitalia under spatial limitation
Authors: Terada Karen , Furumoto Chinami , Nishimura Taira , Hirayama Akihiro , Takami Yasuoki 
Published: June 2024

AbstractExtensive research in evolutionary biology has focused on the exaggeration of sexual traits; however, the developmental basis of exaggerated sexual traits has only been determined in a few cases. The evolution of exaggerated sexual traits may involve the relaxation of constraints or developmental processes mitigating constraints. Ground beetles in the subgenus Ohomopterus (genus Carabus) have species‐specific genitalia that show coevolutionary divergence between the sexes. Here, we examined the morphogenesis of the remarkably enlarged male and female genitalia of Carabus uenoi by X‐ray microcomputed tomography. The morphogenetic processes generating the male and female genitalia at the pupal stage were qualitatively similar to those in closely related species with standard genital sizes. Higher growth rates contributed to the exaggeration of both the male and female genital parts of C. uenoi, possibly related to a gene network commonly upregulated in both sexes. Additionally, the length of the copulatory piece (CP), the enlarged male genital part stored in the aedeagus (AD), reached close to that of the AD at the later developmental stages and thereafter decelerated to grow in parallel with the AD, suggesting a structural constraint on the CP by the outer AD. Then, unlike related species, the lengths of the CP and AD increased at eclosion, suggesting a mechanism leading to further elongation of the male genitalia. These observations suggest that a developmental process allows continuous growth of the male genitalia even under the spatial limitation. These results revealed the spatio‐temporal dynamics of the development of exaggerated genital structures under structural constraints.
Ganoderma butt rot of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) caused by Ganoderma adspersum in Türkiye
Authors: Türkkan Muharrem , Derviş Sibel , Özgümüş Özlem , Özer Göksel 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn September 2022, hazelnut trees in six orchards in the Çarşamba district of Samsun province, a major hazelnut production area in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, showed symptoms of leaf yellowing, shoot dieback, decline, basal stem rot and the presence of brown bracket‐like sessile basidiocarps. Approximately 5%–10% of hazelnut trees were affected, highlighting the significant impact of the disease. A comprehensive morphological analysis was conducted to characterize fungal isolates obtained from symptomatic tissues as G. adspersum. This analysis incorporated features observed in basidiomata from declining trees and those reproduced after isolates were cultivated on wheat grain for spawn production and grown on an oak sawdust‐based substrate. Confirmation of identification was achieved through the utilization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU) loci, along with sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. The G. adspersum isolates generally exhibited no significant growth differences at similar temperatures but demonstrated enhanced growth at 30°C, while growth was completely inhibited at 40°C. Incompatible reactions between isolates confirmed that distinct genotypes were present, highlighting genetic diversity within the species. In the pathogenicity trials, employing a single infested wheat grain per inoculation at the wounded site, hazelnut suckers exhibited distinct brown discolouration surrounding the inoculation site following a 2.5‐month incubation period. Significantly, lesions exceeding 3 cm in length were observed, providing clear evidence of vigorous pathogenic activity by G. adspersum. This study is the first report of G. adspersum causing butt rot in hazelnuts, underscoring the significance of this finding for hazelnut cultivation and providing a foundation for future research and disease management strategies.
Biosecurity perceptions among Ontario horse owners during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Germann Juliet A. , O'Sullivan Terri L. , Greer Amy L. , Spence Kelsey L. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundDisease outbreaks present a significant challenge to horse health and welfare and the economic stability of horse industries internationally. This is a particular concern in Ontario, Canada, where there have been frequent outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases among horses. Despite these risks, there has been limited research on whether Ontario horse owners engage in biosecurity measures sufficient to mitigate risk of equine diseases, and whether current events such as the COVID‐19 pandemic influence attitudes towards equine biosecurity practices.ObjectiveTo explore Ontario horse owners' perceptions, attitudes and experiences relating to on‐farm biosecurity during the COVID‐19 pandemic.Study designQualitative study using virtual semi‐structured interviews.MethodsParticipants (horse owners, frequent horse riders and part boarders) were recruited using social media snowball sampling where advertisements were shared by equine and veterinary organisations. Interviews were conducted virtually between June and September 2022 and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThree key themes relating to biosecurity perceptions among the 14 participants were identified. Participants relied on minimal preventative measures (such as vaccines) where perceived risk of disease was low, but implemented additional measures including quarantine and handwashing when perceived risk of disease was high. Participants' choice of biosecurity practices often mirrored those recommended by the barn manager. Moreover, participants felt that responsibility for biosecurity was not shared equally across horse owners, with more emphasis placed on those engaging in high‐risk situations for disease spread. Despite experiencing biosecurity during the COVID‐19 pandemic, horse owners were not consistently applying these practices to their horse care routines.Main limitationsThe perspectives reported here are from a small sample of horse owners and may not be generalisable to all populations.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that horse owners need improved access to and engagement with educational initiatives that emphasise the importance and purpose of all biosecurity measures.