bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland 2015–2020: A multi‐parameter estimation of prevalence (MPEP) study
Authors: Markoulidakis Andreas , Hickman Matthew , McAuley Andrew , Barnsdale Lee R. , Welton Nicky J. , Glancy Megan , Shivaji Tara , Collins Craig , Lang Jaroslaw , de Wit Femke , Hunt Gordon , Wilkinson Levin , Fraser Rosalyn , Yeung Alan , Horsburgh Kirsten , Priyadarshi Saket , Hutchinson Sharon J. , Jones Hayley E. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and aimsDrug‐related deaths in Scotland more than doubled between 2011 and 2020. To inform policymakers and understand drivers of this increase, we estimated the number of people with opioid dependence aged 15–64 from 2014/15 to 2019/20.DesignWe fitted a Bayesian multi‐parameter estimation of prevalence (MPEP) model, using adverse event rates to estimate prevalence of opioid dependence jointly from Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), opioid‐related mortality and hospital admissions data. Estimates are stratified by age group, sex and year.SettingScotland, 2014/15 to 2019/20.ParticipantsPeople with opioid dependence and potential to benefit from OAT, whether ever treated or not. Using data from the Scottish Public Health Drug Linkage Programme, we identified a baseline cohort of individuals who had received OAT within the last 5 years, and all opioid‐related deaths and hospital admissions (whether among or outside of this cohort).MeasurementsRates of each adverse event type and (unobserved) prevalence were jointly modelled.FindingsThe estimated number and prevalence of people with opioid dependence in Scotland in 2019/20 was 47 100 (95% Credible Interval [CrI] 45 700 to 48 600) and 1.32% (95% CrI 1.28% to 1.37%). Of these, 61% received OAT during 2019/20. Prevalence in Greater Glasgow and Clyde was estimated as 1.77% (95% CrI 1.69% to 1.85%). There was weak evidence that overall prevalence fell slightly from 2014/15 (change −0.07%, 95% CrI ‐0.14% to 0.00%). The population of people with opioid dependence is ageing, with the estimated number of people aged 15–34 reducing by 5100 (95% CrI 3800 to 6400) and number aged 50–64 increasing by 2800 (95% CrI 2100 to 3500) between 2014/15 and 2019/20.ConclusionsThe prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland remained high but was relatively stable, with only weak evidence of a small reduction, between 2014/15 and 2019/20. Increased numbers of opioid‐related deaths can be attributed to increased risk among people with opioid dependence, rather than increasing prevalence.
Giraffe productivity and calf survival in a savannah area outside an east African protected area: Implications for conservation
Authors: Becker C. Dustin , Campbell Petra Elisabeth , Kadane Leslie Ann , Nagut Reuben Kilutori , Kinata David Limpaso , Stevens Henry C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProtection of nursery areas where newborn survival is successful is critical to recovery of endangered mammals. In Kenya, 2014 to 2022, we surveyed Endangered Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) on the Siria Plateau at Oloirien Group Ranch (OGR) and Oloisukut Conservancy (OC), and in the Rift Valley's Mara Triangle Conservancy (MTC). MTC and OC have high lion densities while OGR does not. Using counts and photographic mark‐recapture (PMR), we estimated percentages of newborn (<3 months) and juvenile giraffe calves (<1 year) per adult female and per total giraffes sampled. Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber models were used to estimate annual survival of giraffes at OGR. The mean percentage of newborn calves: adult female at OGR (~18%) was significantly higher than at OC (3.3%) and MTC (0%). The mean juvenile: adult female percentage at the Siria Plateau sites was 62 ± 12.8% versus 12% in MTC. Total juvenile calves averaged 22% on the plateau, four times higher than MTC (5.3%). At OGR, giraffe survival for all ages and sexes was 0.86, higher than protected areas with lions. Only one female giraffe in 229 used both plateau sites, suggesting independent matrilines. Human‐populated savannah next to reserves contributes to giraffe recovery, but nursery areas like OGR need robust protection.
“Captains of the Sands”: Urban Illicit Ecologies and Sandscapes in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Müller Frank I. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractUrban Political Ecology (UPE) has explored human–soil relations, emphasising the political dimensions of environmental degradation in and through urbanisation. However, UPE lacks critical reflection on governance collusions with illicit actors. Bridging this gap, my paper combines UPE with literature on criminal urban governance, focusing on how urban sand shapes illicit urbanisation. To address UPE's oversight of criminal governance, I explore Rio de Janeiro's militias expanding their illegal portfolio through terrain modification, linking illicit activities to territorial control. Integrating criminal governance with UPE, I argue for the concept of Urban Illicit Ecologies (UIE). Urban sandscapes become multi‐sited, illicit geographies revealing imbrications of formal state and criminal actors, political dimensions, and inequalities in resource extraction and environmental processes. By understanding urban illicit ecology, we gain insights into the contested claims of political authority and territorial control between militias and the state.
Pride and prejudice: What influences Australians’ attitudes toward changing the date of Australia Day?
Authors: Mortimer‐Royle Eliza , Webb Steph , McLinton Sarven , Clark Yvonne L. , Watkins Michael 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAustralia Day, celebrated on January 26, is rooted in Australia's colonial history and causes pain for many of Australia's First Peoples. This study was the first to investigate predictors of Australians’ attitudes toward the date, while exploring whether intervention may improve attitudes toward a date‐change. An Australian community sample (N = 559) were recruited through social media for an anonymous survey. Participants indicated their support for date‐change, and responded to a variety of demographic (e.g., Age) and sociodemographic (e.g., Racism) questions, then being randomly allocated to an intervention statement, indicating their final attitudes post‐intervention. Findings suggest sociodemographic factors were more important predictors than demographics, with Racism (b*** = .50), Traditionalism (b** = .18), Patriotism (b* = .13), and Age (b* = .10) significantly predicting participants’ date‐change resistance. Racism demonstrated the most predictive strength, underscoring the importance of a date‐change, with those open to change often identifying any alternative date should not offend First Peoples. In addition, intervention produced significant improvement in participants’ date‐change attitudes, among those who were able to become more open to a date‐change; however, differences were not present between intervention conditions. This illuminates the factors predicting Australians’ attitudes toward Australia Day, while demonstrating a potential path toward date‐change through intervention.
The contribution of the labour practices to organizational performance: The mediating role of social sustainability
Authors: Nogueira Elisabete , Gomes Sofia , Lopes João M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the fiercely competitive global business environment, the attainment of excellence is contingent upon the efficient management of human resources and their alignment with sustainable development goals. This study examines the interplay between labour practices, social sustainability and organizational performance, with a focus on the often‐ignored perspectives of employees. Employees, often neglected as critical stakeholders, shape corporate values and strategy. The study uses a quantitative approach, having applied the partial least square method for the proposed research model. Questionnaire responses from 574 Portuguese employees reveal that labour practices (employee development, employee participation and equal opportunity) positively influence perceived social sustainability. Perceived social sustainability positively influences perceived organizational performance. The examined labour practices only exhibit a positive influence on perceived organizational performance when perceived social sustainability acts as a mediator. Companies must place a high priority on the perceptions of their employees to achieve social sustainability. This involves incorporating inclusive, participative and proactive policies regarding human resources policies, thereby leveraging the mutual advantages derived from labour practices. This demonstrates the pivotal role of social sustainability in companies' decision‐making processes, as it substantially contributes to enhancing organizational performance. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating social sustainability to maximize organizational performance, providing valuable insights for business leaders. The original model, social sustainability‐driven organizational performance, which is based on employees' perceptions, identifies labour practices as antecedents of social sustainability, and the influence of social sustainability, both directly and as a mediator, on organizational performance, is presented.
Intra/inter‐observer reliability of cystoscopic sphincter evaluation in men undergoing sling surgery
Authors: Tutolo Manuela , Laenen Annouschka , Rosiello Giuseppe , De Ridder Dirk , Bruyneel Luk , Cornelissen Jan , Van der Aa Frank 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the intra/inter‐observer reliability of cystoscopic sphincter evaluation (CSE) in men undergoing sling surgery for urinary incontinence and if possible to evaluate its correlation with the final clinical decision.Patients and methodsTwo expert urologists prospectively filmed and recorded, incontinent patient's cystoscopies according to a standard scenario. Anonymised recordings where randomly offered to the same observer twice. The observers (medical students, urology residents and full urologist with 0–5, 5–10, >10 years of practice, respectively) were asked to assess and score the recordings without knowing any of the patients’ characteristics.ResultsIn total, 37 recordings were scored twice by the 26 observers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for intra‐observer reliability of the CSE was 0.54 (moderate), 0.58 (moderate) and 0.60 (substantial) for medical students, residents, and urologists, respectively. However, when stratifying observers according to their experience, the lowest agreement values were found between experts with >10 years of experience. The inter‐observer reliability for the CSE ICCs ranged between 0.31and 0.53, with the lowest ICC value observed between urologists (0.31).ConclusionsThe study demonstrates poor intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability of the CSE. According to these results, a CSE does not add valuable information to the clinical evaluation. In this scenario, it should not be considered in isolation from the patient's characteristics.
Calcium‐sensing receptor regulates Kv7 channels via Gi/o protein signalling and modulates excitability of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons
Authors: Chuinsiri Nontawat , Siraboriphantakul Nannapat , Kendall Luke , Yarova Polina , Nile Christopher J. , Song Bing , Obara Ilona , Durham Justin , Telezhkin Vsevolod 
Published: April 2024

Background and PurposeNeuropathic pain, a debilitating condition with unmet medical needs, can be characterised as hyperexcitability of nociceptive neurons caused by dysfunction of ion channels. Voltage‐gated potassium channels type 7 (Kv7), responsible for maintaining neuronal resting membrane potential and thus excitability, reside under tight control of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). Calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) is a GPCR that regulates the activity of numerous ion channels, but whether CaSR can control Kv7 channel function has been unexplored until now.Experimental ApproachExperiments were conducted in recombinant cell models, mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons using patch‐clamp electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques.Key ResultsOur results demonstrate that CaSR is expressed in recombinant cell models, hiPSC‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons and mouse DRG neurons, and its activation induced depolarisation via Kv7.2/7.3 channel inhibition. The CaSR‐Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink was mediated via the Gi/o protein‐adenylate cyclase‐cyclicAMP‐protein kinase A signalling cascade. Suppression of CaSR function demonstrated a potential to rescue hiPSC‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons from algogenic cocktail‐induced hyperexcitability.Conclusion and ImplicationsThis study demonstrates that the CaSR‐Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink, via a Gi/o protein signalling pathway, effectively regulates neuronal excitability, providing a feasible pharmacological target for neuronal hyperexcitability management in neuropathic pain.
A conceptual framework on the role of magnetic cues in songbird migration ecology
Authors: Karwinkel Thiemo , Peter Annika , Holland Richard A. , Thorup Kasper , Bairlein Franz , Schmaljohann Heiko 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTMigrating animals perform astonishing seasonal movements by orienting and navigating over thousands of kilometres with great precision. Many migratory species use cues from the sun, stars, landmarks, olfaction and the Earth's magnetic field for this task. Among vertebrates, songbirds are the most studied taxon in magnetic‐cue‐related research. Despite multiple studies, we still lack a clear understanding of when, where and how magnetic cues affect the decision‐making process of birds and hence, their realised migratory behaviour in the wild. This understanding is especially important to interpret the results of laboratory experiments in an ecologically appropriate way. In this review, we summarise the current findings about the role of magnetic cues for migratory decisions in songbirds. First, we review the methodological principles for orientation and navigation research, specifically by comparing experiments on caged birds with experiments on free‐flying birds. While cage experiments can show the sensory abilities of birds, studies with free‐flying birds can characterise the ecological roles of magnetic cues. Second, we review the migratory stages, from stopover to endurance flight, in which songbirds use magnetic cues for their migratory decisions and incorporate this into a novel conceptual framework. While we lack studies examining whether and when magnetic cues affect orientation or navigation decisions during flight, the role of magnetic cues during stopover is relatively well studied, but mostly in the laboratory. Notably, many such studies have produced contradictory results so that understanding the biological importance of magnetic cues for decisions in free‐flying songbirds is not straightforward. One potential explanation is that reproducibility of magnetic‐cue experiments is low, probably because variability in the behavioural responses of birds among experiments is high. We are convinced that parts of this variability can be explained by species‐specific and context‐dependent reactions of birds to the study conditions and by the bird's high flexibility in whether they include magnetic cues in a decision or not. Ultimately, this review should help researchers in the challenging field of magnetoreception to design experiments meticulously and interpret results of such studies carefully by considering the migration ecology of their focal species.
Evaluation and discovery of novel benzothiazole derivatives as promising hits against Leishmania infantum
Authors: Lapierre Thibault Joseph William Jacques Dit , Farago Danilo Nascimento , de Moura Lodi Cruz Mariza Gabriela Faleiro , de Melo Resende Daniela , de Oliveira Adriane Cristina Rosa , dos Santos Brenda Rosa Macedo , de Oliveira Souza Felipe , Michelan‐Duarte Simone , Chelucci Rafael C. , Andricopulo Adriano D. , Ferreira Leonardo L. G. , Pilau Eduardo Jorge , Murta Silvane Maria Fonseca , de Oliveira Rezende Júnior Celso 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAn early exploration of the benzothiazole class against two kinetoplastid parasites, Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi, has been performed after the identification of a benzothiazole derivative as a suitable antileishmanial initial hit. The first series of derivatives focused on the acyl fragment of its class, evaluating diverse linear and cyclic, alkyl and aromatic substituents, and identified two other potent compounds, the phenyl and cyclohexyl derivatives. Subsequently, new compounds were designed to assess the impact of the presence of diverse substituents on the benzothiazole ring or the replacement of the endocyclic sulfur by other heteroatoms. All compounds showed relatively low cytotoxicity, resulting in decent selectivity indexes for the most active compounds. Ultimately, the in vitro ADME properties of these compounds were assessed, revealing a satisfying water solubility, gastrointestinal permeability, despite their low metabolic stability and high lipophilicity. Consequently, compounds 5 and 6 were identified as promising hits for further hit‐to‐lead exploration within this benzothiazole class against L. infantum, thus providing promising starting points for the development of antileishmanial candidates.
Preventing extinction in an age of species migration and planetary change
Authors: Lundgren Erick J. , Wallach Arian D. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Schlaepfer Martin A. , Andersson Astrid L. A. , Ramp Daniel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInternational and national conservation policies almost exclusively focus on conserving species in their historic native ranges, thus excluding species that have been introduced by people and some of those that have extended their ranges on their own accord. Given that many of such migrants are threatened in their native ranges, conservation goals that explicitly exclude these populations may overlook opportunities to prevent extinctions and respond dynamically to rapidly changing environmental and climatic conditions. Focusing on terrestrial mammals, we quantified the number of threatened mammals that have established new populations through assisted migration (i.e., introduction). We devised 4 alternative scenarios for the inclusion of assisted‐migrant populations in mainstream conservation policy with the aim of preventing global species extinctions. We then used spatial prioritization algorithms to simulate how these scenarios could change global spatial conservation priorities. We found that 22% (70 species out of 265) of all identified assisted‐migrant mammals were threatened in their native ranges, mirroring the 25% of all mammals that are threatened. Reassessing global threat statuses by combining native and migrant ranges reduced the threat status of 23 species (∼33% of threatened assisted migrants). Thus, including migrant populations in threat assessments provides a more accurate assessment of actual global extinction risk among species. Spatial prioritization simulations showed that reimagining the role of assisted‐migrant populations in preventing species extinction could increase the importance of overlooked landscapes, particularly in central Australia, Europe, and the southwestern United States. Our results indicated that these various and nonexhaustive ways to consider assisted‐migrant populations, with due consideration of potential conservation conflicts with resident taxa, may provide unprecedented opportunities to prevent species extinctions.
Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of isoniazid affected by NAT2 polymorphisms in patients with tuberculosis: A systematic review
Authors: Surarak Thanakorn , Chumnumwat Supatat , Nosoongnoen Wichit , Tragulpiankit Pramote 
Published: April 2024

AbstractN‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genetic polymorphisms might alter isoniazid metabolism leading to toxicity. We reviewed the impact of NAT2 genotype status on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of isoniazid, a treatment for tuberculosis (TB). A systematic search for research articles published in Scopus, PubMed, and Embase until August 31, 2023, was conducted without filters or limits on the following search terms and Boolean operators: “isoniazid” AND “NAT2.” Studies were selected if NAT2 phenotypes with pharmacokinetics or efficacy or safety of isoniazid in patients with TB were reported. Patient characteristics, NAT2 status, isoniazid pharmacokinetic parameters, early treatment failure, and the prevalence of drug‐induced liver injury were extracted. If the data were given as a median, these values were standardized to the mean. Forty‐one pharmacokinetics and 53 safety studies were included, but only one efficacy study was identified. The average maximum concentrations of isoniazid were expressed as supratherapeutic concentrations in adults (7.16 ± 4.85 μg/mL) and children (6.43 ± 3.87 μg/mL) in slow acetylators. The mean prevalence of drug‐induced liver injury was 36.23 ± 19.84 in slow acetylators, which was significantly different from the intermediate (19.49 ± 18.20) and rapid (20.47 ± 20.68) acetylators. Subgroup analysis by continent showed that the highest mean drug‐induced liver injury prevalence was in Asian slow acetylators (42.83 ± 27.61). The incidence of early treatment failure was decreased by genotype‐guided isoniazid dosing in one study. Traditional weight‐based dosing of isoniazid in most children and adults yielded therapeutic isoniazid levels (except for slow acetylators). Drug‐induced liver injury was more commonly observed in slow acetylators. Genotype‐guided dosing may prevent early treatment failure.
Needle and syringe sharing among people who have recently injected drugs in Australia: The ETHOS Engage Study
Authors: Farooq Abdullah , Valerio Heather , Wheeler Alice , Martinello Marianne , Henderson Charles , Silk David , Degenhardt Louisa , Read Phillip , Dore Gregory J. , Grebely Jason , Cunningham Evan B. ,   the ETHOS Engage Study Group
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionUnderstanding needle/syringe sharing is crucial for reducing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and reinfection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with needle/syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Australia, including those previously receiving HCV treatment.MethodsThe ETHOS Engage study was an observational cohort study which collected self‐reported survey data on demographic and drug use information from people who inject drugs attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs over two waves between May 2018 and June 2021. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with needle/syringe sharing.ResultsOverall, 1555/2395 people enrolled in ETHOS Engage (65%) injected drugs in the past month. Among these, 432 (28%) reported needle/syringe sharing in the past month and 276 (18%) reported receptive sharing. Factors associated with receptive sharing included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.30), recent incarceration (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.40–2.94), more frequent injecting (≥daily vs. less than weekly; aOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.75–3.84) and unstable housing (aOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.26–2.52). Among 560 participants with prior HCV treatment, 87 (16%) reported receptive sharing with younger age (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.45–4.05) and daily or greater injection frequency (aOR 2.51; 95% CI 1.31–4.83) associated with receptive sharing.Discussion and ConclusionsNeedle/syringe sharing was common among this population accessing harm reduction services. This study identifies high‐risk populations with needle/syringe sharing. Research is needed to optimise HCV treatment to ensure people with ongoing risk behaviours receive adequate harm reduction following treatment to prevent reinfection.