bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exotic and native species used by traditional populations of the Patagonian steppe: An approach based on redundancy and versatility
Authors: Santoro Flávia Rosa , Arias Toledo Bárbara , Richeri Marina , Ladio Ana Haydeé 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe utilitarian redundancy model has been used to indirectly verify the resilience of useful plant knowledge systems used by local populations. From the bases of this model and the hypothesis of diversification, we can think that exotic species can enter socio‐ecological systems to fill gaps and reduce the use pressure on native species. In this study, we want to draw a picture of the redundancy of plant species used by three traditional populations of the Patagonian steppe for medicinal, fuel, and edible purposes. We also compare the use of pressure and the degree of uniqueness of native and exotic species, using redundancy and versatility as proxies. Our results show that, according to utilitarian redundancy, the plant knowledge systems of the three communities seem to have similar adaptive capacity to provide options for responding to change; for example, by allowing certain elements to compensate/substitute for the loss of others. We found that native species are the most unique and may be under greater use pressure than exotic ones. Thus, our results point to the importance of conserving the steppe Patagonian native environment for the survival of traditional populations. Our study can be used to establish priority botanical species for conservation in the Patagonian steppe.
Stable condition: Traumatic injury, coma, and vital traffic in a Mumbai hospital ward
Authors: Solomon Harris 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBased on five years of research in a public‐hospital trauma ward in Mumbai, this article examines the fraught case study of comatose states that result from traffic‐accident injuries. It focuses on a relationship between two brothers, one injured in a motorcycle accident and in a coma, and the other caring for him. The article asks: How do people navigate life‐and‐death situations through both stillness and motion? Addressing this question requires recasting traumatic injury from a wound that lodges in a single body to an intersubjective problem of discontinuous and relational traffic. In moments of transfer to the hospital, prognosis about vital signs, and reflections on death, the embodiment of and care for traumatic injury materializes through uneven relationships of intermittent motion. The article develops the analytic ofvital trafficto describe these relationships and analyzes the temporal and spatial discontinuities that shape and undermine stability after injury occurs. Differences in vital traffic matter to patients, families, providers, and to the very possibility of survival. The implication of this finding is a better understanding of the sociality of injury and its care. Beyond the case of medicine, attention to vital traffic can illuminate the flux of ethnography itself.
Analysis of exhaled breath to identify critically ill patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Felton T. W. , Ahmed W. , White I. R. , van Oort P. , Rattray N. J. W. , Docherty C. , Bannard‐Smith J. , Morton B. , Welters I. , McMullan R. , Roberts S. A. , Goodacre R. , Dark P. M. , Fowler S. J. 
Published: April 2023

SummaryVentilator‐associated pneumonia commonly occurs in critically ill patients. Clinical suspicion results in overuse of antibiotics, which in turn promotes antimicrobial resistance. Detection of volatile organic compounds in the exhaled breath of critically ill patients might allow earlier detection of pneumonia and avoid unnecessary antibiotic prescription. We report a proof of concept study for non‐invasive diagnosis of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in intensive care (the BRAVo study). Mechanically ventilated critically ill patients commenced on antibiotics for clinical suspicion of ventilator‐associated pneumonia were recruited within the first 24 h of treatment. Paired exhaled breath and respiratory tract samples were collected. Exhaled breath was captured on sorbent tubes and then analysed using thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to detect volatile organic compounds. Microbiological culture of a pathogenic bacteria in respiratory tract samples provided confirmation of ventilator‐associated pneumonia. Univariable and multivariable analyses of volatile organic compounds were performed to identify potential biomarkers for a ‘rule‐out’ test. Ninety‐six participants were enrolled in the trial, with exhaled breath available from 92. Of all compounds tested, the four highest performing candidate biomarkers were benzene, cyclohexanone, pentanol and undecanal with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranging from 0.67 to 0.77 and negative predictive values from 85% to 88%. Identified volatile organic compounds in the exhaled breath of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients show promise as a useful non‐invasive ‘rule‐out’ test for ventilator‐associated pneumonia.
Decision biases and environmental attitudes among conservation professionals
Authors: Filewod Ben , Kant Shashi , MacDonald Heather , McKenney Daniel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe importance of human behavior in biodiversity conservation is widely recognized, but there is little published evidence about how conservation professionals make decisions when conservation values are at stake. We take a behavioral economics approach, administering simplified decision problems (“choice experiments”), questions about choice‐relevant preferences and views (“elicitation questions”), and a psychometric scale (the New Ecological Paradigm scale) to a difficult‐to‐recruit sample (n = 100) of Canadian professionals involved in managing Rangifer tarandus caribou (Woodland Caribou). Our choice experiments reveal the importance of several decision biases (risk aversion, commission bias, and a bias towards fairness) in this influential group of conservation stakeholders. We then examine in‐sample differences between categories of professional affiliation (e.g., resource industry, environmental nongovernmental organization, or federal/provincial government), finding significant variation in responses to one elicitation question (reference points) and in psychometric scores. We discuss the implications of our findings for choice in conservation practice and for multistakeholder conservation policy. Comparing our findings to prior work on choice under uncertainty in nonconservation contexts suggests a possible replication problem in applying behavioral science insights to conservation problems, pointing to the need for a systematic research program. Results from development testing with a convenience sample of university students are presented for comparison throughout the study.
The dilemma of analytical method changes for soil organic carbon in long‐term experiments
Authors: Grahmann Kathrin , Zwink Mariam , Barkusky Dietmar , Verch Gernot , Sommer Michael 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLong‐term experiments (LTEs) have provided data to modellers and agronomists to investigate changes and dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) under different cropping systems. As treatment changes have occurred due to agricultural advancements, so too have analytical soil methods. This may lead to method bias over time, which could affect the robust interpretation of data and conclusions drawn. This study aims to quantify differences in SOC due to changes in dry combustion methods over time, using soil samples of a LTE established in 1963 that focuses on mineral and organic fertilizer management in the temperate zone of Northeast Germany. For this purpose, 1059 soil samples, collected between 1976 and 2008, have been analysed twice, once with their historical laboratory method right after sampling, and a second time in 2016 when all samples were analysed using the same elementary analyser. In 9 of 11 soil sampling campaigns, a pairedt‐test provided evidence for significant differences in the historical SOC values when compared with the re‐analysed concentrations of the same LTE sample. In the sampling years 1988 and 2004, the historical analysis obtained about 0.9 g kg−1lower SOC compared with the re‐analysed one. For 1990 and 1998, this difference was about 0.4 g kg−1. Correction factors, an approach often used to correct for different analytical techniques, could only be applied for 5 of 11 sampling campaigns to account for constant and proportional systematic method error. For this particular LTE, the interpretation of SOC changes due to agronomic management (here fertilization) deviates depending on the analytical method used, which may weaken the explanatory power of the historical data. We demonstrate that analytical method changes over time present one of many challenges in the interpretation of time series data of SOC dynamics. Therefore, LTE site managers need to ensure providing all necessary protocols and data in order to retrace method changes and if necessary recalculate SOC.HighlightsA total of 1059 LTE soil samples taken between 1976 and 2008 were re‐analysed for SOC in 2016Several methodological changes for SOC determination led to significant different SOC concentration in the same sampleInterpretation and time series of LTE soil data suffer from consideration of analytical method changes and poor documentation of the sameSoil archive establishment, thorough method protocols and diligent proficiency testing after soil method changes ameliorate the dilemma
Neurological and (neuro)psychological sequelae in intensive care and general ward COVID‐19 survivors
Authors: Klinkhammer Simona , Horn Janneke , Duits Annelien A. , Visser‐Meily Johanna M. A. , Verwijk Esmée , Slooter Arjen J. C. , Postma Alida A. , van Heugten Caroline M. ,   NeNeSCo Study Group
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground and purposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) affects the brain, leading to long‐term complaints. Studies combining brain abnormalities with objective and subjective consequences are lacking. Long‐term structural brain abnormalities, neurological and (neuro)psychological consequences in COVID‐19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or general ward were investigated. The aim was to create a multidisciplinary view on the impact of severe COVID‐19 on functioning and to compare long‐term consequences between ICU and general ward patients.MethodsThis multicentre prospective cohort study assessed brain abnormalities (3 T magnetic resonance imaging), cognitive dysfunction (neuropsychological test battery), neurological symptoms, cognitive complaints, emotional distress and wellbeing (self‐report questionnaires) in ICU and general ward (non‐ICU) survivors.ResultsIn al, 101 ICU and 104 non‐ICU patients participated 8–10 months post‐hospital discharge. Significantly more ICU patients exhibited cerebral microbleeds (61% vs. 32%, p < 0.001) and had higher numbers of microbleeds (p < 0.001). No group differences were found in cognitive dysfunction, neurological symptoms, cognitive complaints, emotional distress or wellbeing. The number of microbleeds did not predict cognitive dysfunction. In the complete sample, cognitive screening suggested cognitive dysfunction in 41%, and standard neuropsychological testing showed cognitive dysfunction in 12%; 62% reported ≥3 cognitive complaints. Clinically relevant scores of depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress were found in 15%, 19% and 12%, respectively; 28% experienced insomnia and 51% severe fatigue.ConclusionCoronavirus disease 2019 ICU survivors had a higher prevalence for microbleeds but not for cognitive dysfunction compared to general ward survivors. Self‐reported symptoms exceeded cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive complaints, neurological symptoms and severe fatigue were frequently reported in both groups, fitting the post‐COVID‐19 syndrome.
Microcell‐Net: A deep neural network for multi‐class classification of microscopic blood cell images
Authors: Dwivedi Karnika , Dutta Malay Kishore 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBlood‐related diseases are one of the major concerns in the biomedical domain and most of the disease symptoms are reflected through the analysis of blood cells. The diagnosis by experts in laboratories is very costly and time‐consuming, thus artificial intelligence‐based systems can help in the automatic diagnosis and monitoring of an individual's health. In this study, a CNN‐based architecture Microcell‐Net is proposed which is trained on a microscopic image dataset of peripheral blood cells in eight different classes. The images have several inter‐class and intra‐class diversity with different magnification levels and the noise present in the images makes the classification task significantly challenging. Experimental results indicated that the proposed model can efficiently classify various types of microscopic blood cells with good accuracy. The experimental findings accomplished 98.76% validation accuracy and 97.65% test accuracy in complex background conditions. The performance of the model is compared with other state‐of‐the‐art models and the proposed deep neural network performs significantly better than others. The proposed model can be utilized in a real‐time diagnosis system because it is fast, automatic and efficient, which can assist in taking clinical decisions and early diagnosis of haematological disorders.
Association of vitamin D metabolites with arteriovenous fistula function in hemodialysis patients: A single center study
Authors: Chen Hong , Song Na , Li Ai‐mei , Dai Qin , Liu Yu‐ting , Yang Shi‐kun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionArteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a primary dialysis vascular access commonly used for maintaining hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Vitamin D (VD) is a fat‐soluble steroid hormone that is closely related to vascular endothelial function. This study aimed to investigate the association between VD metabolites and AVF failure in patients undergoing HD.MethodsThis study included 443 HD patients using AVF between January 2010 and January 2020. The AVF operations in these patients were newly created by the same physician. We analyzed the AVF patency rates using the chi‐square test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore risk factors for AVF failure. Survival analysis was performed to explore AVF survival at different serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.ResultsLogistic regression analyses showed that male sex; age; BMI; serum albumin, triglyceride, phosphorus, 25(OH)D, iPTH and hemoglobin levels, history of hypertension, CHD, diabetes, stroke, and antiplatelet drug use; and smoking habits were not risk factors for AVF failure. The failure incidence rates of AVF in subjects in the VD deficiency and non VD deficiency group were not statistically significant (25.0% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.344). The AVF failure incidence rates at 1, 3, and 5 years in the patients with 25(OH)D levels more than 20 ng/mL were 26%, 29%, and 37%, respectively, and the one‐year AVF failure incidence rates were 27% in the patients with 25(OH)D levels less than 20 ng/mL. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier analysis suggested that the no significant differences were noted when calculating the cumulative survival rates of AVF between the two groups within 50 months of AVF using.ConclusionOur findings suggest that 25(OH)D deficiency is not associated with AVF failure incidence rates, and that 25(OH)D deficiency has no significant impact on long‐term cumulative AVF survival rate.
The use of ultrasound to detect enthesitis as a potential guide for intervention in patients with psoriasis at risk of psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Norden Alexandra , Oulee Aislyn , Ivanic Mirjana , Javadi Sogol Stephanie , Han George , Wu Jashin J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionPsoriatic arthritis is estimated to develop in 2% of patients with psoriasis per year and can result in significant morbidity. Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are imperative to prevent irreversible arthritic joint damage. Dermatologists play a key role in identifying patients who are at risk for or with early signs of psoriatic arthritis. Subclinical enthesopathy may be a risk factor for psoriatic arthritis or an early sign of the disease and can be detected using ultrasound.MethodsIn this systematic review, we determined the prevalence of ultrasound‐diagnosed enthesitis in psoriasis patients, as well as their risk of subsequent progression to psoriatic arthritis.ResultsWe determined that the detection of enthesitis on ultrasound was associated with higher risk of future psoriatic arthritis. Systemic therapy was associated with improvement in enthesitis findings in patients with psoriasis but not in those with chronic structural damage or established psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, one study showed that ustekinumab treatment resulted in a significantly lower rate of psoriatic arthritis development.ConclusionsThese studies support the value of early detection and treatment in the prevention of progression to psoriatic arthritis, as well as the use of ultrasound for screening for risk factors in psoriasis patients. Future studies are needed to further evaluate when preventative therapy can be useful among patients with psoriasis with risk factors for psoriatic arthritis.
Parent–child communication about weight: Priorities for parental education and support
Authors: Puhl Rebecca M. , Lessard Leah M. , Foster Gary D. , Cardel Michelle I. 
Published: April 2023

SummaryBackgroundApproximately 2/3 of parents talk about body weight with their children, which can include negative comments that have adverse health implications for youth.ObjectivesTo identify ways to improve supportive parent–child communication about weight, we assessed parent and youth perspectives of barriers to weight communication, preferences for educational resources and support, and whether perspectives differ across demographic groups and weight status.MethodsIn Fall 2021, online surveys were completed by two independent, unrelated samples of parents (N = 1936) and youth (N = 2032). Participants were asked about their perceived barriers to talking about weight, and what kinds of information and support would be most useful to them in fostering supportive communication.ResultsParent and youth‐reported barriers to weight communication included discomfort and lack of knowledge about weight, and views that weight does not need to be discussed. Most parents wanted guidance on how to navigate multiple weight‐related topics with their children, including promoting positive body image and healthy behaviours, reducing weight criticism, focusing more on health and addressing weight‐based bullying. Youth preferences for how their parents can be more supportive of their weight included avoiding weight‐related criticism and pressures, increasing sensitivity and encouragement, and emphasizing healthy behaviours rather than weight. Few differences emerged based on sex and race/ethnicity, although several differences emerged for youth engaged in weight management.ConclusionParent and youth perspectives indicate a need for education to help parents engage in supportive conversations about body weight. Findings can inform efforts to reduce barriers and increase supportive weight‐related communication in families.
Efficacy of orofacial myofunctional therapy combined with myofascial release in patients with mild obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Paolucci Teresa , Ferrillo Martina , Pezzi Letizia , Agostini Francesco , Di Matteo Andrea , Prosperi Pierpaolo , Mangone Massimiliano , Bernetti Andrea , Spacone Antonella , de Sire Alessandro 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive narrowing and collapse of pharyngeal airway during sleep, leading to apnoea or hypopnoea. In this context, myofunctional therapy and myofascial release might be effective, despite the literature on the combination of these approaches is still scarce.ObjectivesThis randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of oro‐facial myofunctional therapy combined with myofascial release in terms of functioning in patients with mild OSA.MethodsPatients aged from 40 to 80 years with diagnosis of mild OSA were randomly allocated into intervention group (oro‐facial myofunctional therapy plus myofascial release) and control group (only oro‐facial myofunctional therapy). At the baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1), and after 8 weeks (T2), the following outcomes were assessed: apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI), average oxygen saturation (SpO2), sleep time spent with oxygen saturation < 90% (T90), snoring index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).ResultsOut of the 60 patients enrolled, 28 (aged 61.46 ± 8.74 years) complete the treatment in the intervention group and 24 (aged 60.42 ± 6.61 years) in the control group. There were no significant differences in AHI between groups. A significant difference was reported for ΔT0–T1 SpO2 (p = .01), T90 (p = .030), ΔT0–T1 and ΔT0–T2 snoring index (p = .026 and <.001 respectively), and ΔT0–T1 and ΔT0–T2 Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p = .003 and <.001 respectively).ConclusionTaken together, a combination of oro‐facial myofunctional therapy and myofascial release showed a potential treatment for sleep quality in patients with mild OSA. Future studies are necessary to better investigate the role of these interventions in OSA patients.
Rural‐urban trends in health care utilization, treatment, and mortality among US veterans with congestive heart failure: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Aboumrad Maya , Peritz David , Friedman Scott , Zwain Gabrielle , Watts Bradley V. , Taub Cynthia 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurposeTo compare longitudinal rates of health care utilization, evidence‐based treatment, and mortality between rural and urban‐dwelling patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).MethodsWe used electronic medical record data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to identify adult patients with CHF from 2012 through 2017. We stratified our cohort using left ventricular ejection fraction percentage at diagnosis (<40% = reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]; 40%‐50% = midrange ejection fraction [HFmrEF]; >50% = preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]). Within each ejection fraction cohort, we stratified patients into rural or urban groups. We used Poisson regression to estimate annual rates of health care utilization and CHF treatment. We used Fine and Gray regression to estimate annual hazards of CHF and non‐CHF mortality.FindingsOne‐third of patients with HFrEF (N = 37,928/109,110), HFmrEF (N = 24,447/68,398), and HFpEF (N = 39,298/109,283) resided in a rural area. Rural compared to urban patients used VHA facilities at similar or lower annual rates for outpatient specialty care across all ejection fraction cohorts. Rural patients used VHA facilities at similar or higher rates for primary care and telemedicine‐delivered specialty care. They also had lower and declining rates of VHA inpatient and urgent care use over time. There were no meaningful rural‐urban differences in treatment receipt among patients with HFrEF. On multivariable analysis, the rate of CHF and non‐CHF mortality was similar between rural and urban patients in each ejection fraction cohort.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the VHA may have mitigated access and health outcome disparities typically observed for rural patients with CHF.