bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of the entomofauna associated with decaying cacti in New World deserts
Authors: Martínez-Falcón Ana Paola , Yáñez-Espinosa Laura , Flores Joel , Morales-Jiménez Jesús Israel , Ramírez-Hernández Alfredo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cactus species are well represented in arid and semiarid environments, where they sometimes even dominate the landscape, forming true cactus forests. In this review, we summarize for the first time the importance of cactus species as a wood resource for a neglected saproxylic (dead wood-dependent) entomofauna associated with decomposing and decomposed tissues in arid and semiarid environments. The complex decomposition process of cactus species is discussed in depth. We provide a checklist of the entomofauna living in decaying and decayed cacti, in which insects represented 93% of the species recorded. In particular, Coleoptera (41.5%) and Diptera (43.8%) orders together represented 85% of the insect species recorded. The family Drosophilidae made up 50% of studied Diptera species because the drosophilid–cactus–yeast complex has been widely studied during recent decades. However, we found that during the last 2 decades, there has been increasing interest in investigating the diversity of arthropods in this saproxylic habitat in Mexico, with a special focus on Syrphidae (Diptera) and Coleoptera, the former for their role in the decomposition process. Disentangling the role of the insects associated with decaying cactus is a challenge when it comes to understanding the function of xeric saprophagous insects in this environment. One frontier in this research area is to find whether decomposed stems in xeric soils would act as “islands” of fertility due to the amount of nitrogen which could be recuperated from these microecosystems. Further research is needed to understand the ecological succession of the entomofauna playing a role in the decomposition process of cactus species in semiarid environments.
Sex-Specific Associations Between Glycated Hemoglobin and Hypertension in Non-diabetic Chinese Adults
Authors: Huang Shuna , Jiang Renquan , Lin Xinru , Lin Fuxin , Wu Siying , Kang Dezhi , Chen Henggui 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the sex-specific associations between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and hypertension in Chinese non-diabetic adults.

Methods
Based on the data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 2009 to 2015, a total of 7,391 non-diabetic adults who had complete basic data and collected blood samples in 2009 were selected, and the data in 2011 and 2015 were used as follow-up data. High HbA1c was defined as HbA1c ≥5.7%. The association between HbA1c and hypertension was assessed by logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses. Stratified analysis was performed by sex and age.

Results
At baseline in 2009, 2,032 of 7,391 residents suffered from hypertension (prevalence 27.5%). In univariable logistic analysis, it was shown that there was a positive association between high HbA1c and risk of hypertension with an OR (95% CI) of 1.871 (1.682–2.08), which was weakened and not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (such as age, sex, and body mass index) with an OR (95% CI) of 1.114 (0.988–1.257). The linear positive relationship between HbA1c and the risk of hypertension was further confirmed in the restricted cubic spline plot. In the stratified analysis, the association was found only in the women after adjusting for confounders (OR = 1.191, 95% CI 1.003–1.414; P &lt; 0.05). A total of 539 (incidence 12.8%) and 831 (incidence 24.1%) participants developed hypertension after 2 and 6 years among those who were without hypertension at baseline in 2009, respectively. Positive associations between high HbA1c and the incidence of hypertension were also found only in the women after adjusting for confounders (OR = 1.365, 95% CI 1.031–1.807 after 2 years; OR = 1.319, 95% CI 1.037–1.678 after 6 years; all P &lt; 0.05). The association between high HbA1c and hypertension was statistically significant in the women ≥50 years of age [OR 1.238 (95% CI 1.017–1.506), P = 0.033], whereas it was not statistically significant in the women &lt;50 years of age and in men across multiple age groups (all P &gt; 0.05).

Conclusions
The association between HbA1c and hypertension in non-diabetic Chinese adults is susceptible to other confounding factors such as sex, age, and body mass index. High HbA1c is associated with an increased risk of hypertension among women.
NanopoReaTA: a user-friendly tool for nanopore-seq real-time transcriptional analysis
Authors: Wierczeiko Anna , Pastore Stefan , Mündnich Stefan , Busch Anne M , Dietrich Vincent , Helm Mark , Butto Tamer , Gerber Susanne 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Summary
Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ (ONT) sequencing platform offers an excellent opportunity to perform real-time analysis during sequencing. This feature allows for early insights into experimental data and accelerates a potential decision-making process for further analysis, which can be particularly relevant in the clinical context. Although some tools for the real-time analysis of DNA-sequencing data already exist, there is currently no application available for differential transcriptome data analysis designed for scientists or physicians with limited bioinformatics knowledge. Here, we introduce NanopoReaTA, a user-friendly real-time analysis toolbox for RNA-sequencing data from ONT. Sequencing results from a running or finished experiment are processed through an R Shiny-based graphical user interface with an integrated Nextflow pipeline for whole transcriptome or gene-specific analyses. NanopoReaTA provides visual snapshots of a sequencing run in progress, thus enabling interactive sequencing and rapid decision making that could also be applied to clinical cases.

Availability and implementation
Github https://github.com/AnWiercze/NanopoReaTA; Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8099825.
Breaking the cliché: sex reversal in size dimorphism and mobility in South American Allocosinae (Lycosidae) spiders
Authors: Aisenberg Anita , Bollatti Fedra , Oviedo-Diego Mariela , Albín Andrea , Alves Días Marcelo , Arnedo Miquel A , Brescovit Antonio D , Casacuberta Marcelo , Cavassa Diego , Gonnet Verónica , Izquierdo Matías , Laborda Álvaro , Piacentini Luis N , Pliscoff Patricio , Postiglioni Rodrigo , Simó Miguel , Texeira Renato A , Bidegaray-Batista Leticia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Typically, females and males are expected to have characteristic sexual strategies and patterns of size dimorphism, but these generalizations are subject to exceptions. The occurrence of atypical cases has been related to species or populations from environments under strong physical, ecological and/or social constraints. Allocosa marindia and Allocosa senex are two coastal spiders (Lycosidae: Allocosinae) with reversal in sex roles and sexual size dimorphism. Males are larger than females, and females are the mobile sex that initiates courtship. It is unclear whether the occurrence of non-typical sexual traits in Allocosinae spiders is correlated with coastal habitats. Our aim was to study sexual size dimorphism and surface mobility in Allocosinae spiders from different habitats throughout South America. We revised specimens from scientific collections and performed 3-day samplings to collect individuals and determine nocturnal surface mobility. We analysed a total of 1071 Allocosinae adult individuals from 18 species and/or morphotypes. Our results revealed new species inhabiting coastal habitats with reversal in sexual size dimorphism and higher nocturnal surface activity in females; however, not all coastal species shared those characteristics. Future studies will focus on studying other ecological, physiological and/or phylogenetic factors that could be shaping the origin and maintenance of sex role reversal in Allocosinae.
Are we there yet? Inter- and intraspecific approaches to evaluating phenotypic optima in a range expanding East African fish, Enteromius apleurogramma (Cyprinidae)
Authors: Hunt David A G A , Hendry Andrew P , Chapman Lauren J 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
We explored how range expansion of freshwater fishes coincident with climate warming is affected by, and then in turn affects, responses to a second environmental gradient; dissolved oxygen. Traits related to hypoxia tolerance, specifically various metrics of gill size and geometric morphometric proxies of gill size were quantified for a range-expanding cyprinid fish (Enteromius apleurogramma) in both its historical and novel ranges in the Mpanga River drainage of Uganda, East Africa. We found that E. apleurogramma followed patterns previously established in the congener E. neumayeri. Gill filament length and some other metrics were strongly divergent in long-established populations of both E. apleurogramma and E. neumayeri, with larger gills in hypoxic populations compared to normoxic ones. Range-expanding populations were intermediate to the two long-established populations, but divergent between themselves. Other gill traits such as filament number were weakly or not divergent. Furthermore, we show that grosser morphological traits such as opercular area can be successfully used as a proxy for gill size, both by direct measurement as well as using geometric morphometric techniques. Finally, we show that both parapatric conspecific populations and sympatric heterospecific populations can be used as reference points to approximate the ‘target’ of adaptation to hypoxic conditions.
Identifying predictors of resilience to stressors in single-arm studies of pre–post change
Authors: Varadhan Ravi , Zhu Jiafeng , Bandeen-Roche Karen 
Published: August 2023

SUMMARY
Many older adults experience a major stressor at some point in their lives. The ability to recover well after a major stressor is known as resilience. An important goal of geriatric research is to identify factors that influence resilience to stressors. Studies of resilience in older adults are typically conducted with a single-arm where everyone experiences the stressor. The simplistic approach of regressing change versus baseline yields biased estimates due to mathematical coupling and regression to the mean (RTM). We develop a method to correct the bias. We extend the method to include covariates. Our approach considers a counterfactual control group and involves sensitivity analyses to evaluate different settings of control group parameters. Only minimal distributional assumptions are required. Simulation studies demonstrate the validity of the method. We illustrate the method using a large, registry of older adults (N =7239) who underwent total knee replacement (TKR). We demonstrate how external data can be utilized to constrain the sensitivity analysis. Naive analyses implicated several treatment effect modifiers including baseline function, age, body-mass index (BMI), gender, number of comorbidities, income, and race. Corrected analysis revealed that baseline (pre-stressor) function was not strongly linked to recovery after TKR and among the covariates, only age and number of comorbidities were consistently and negatively associated with post-stressor recovery in all functional domains. Correction of mathematical coupling and RTM is necessary for drawing valid inferences regarding the effect of covariates and baseline status on pre–post change. Our method provides a simple estimator to this end.
Bariatric surgery, novel glucose-lowering agents, and insulin for type 2 diabetes and obesity: Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wu Tingting , Wong Carlos K H , Lui David T W , Wong Simon K H , Lam Cindy L K , Chung Matthew S H , McAllister David A , Welbourn Richard , Dixon John B 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of bariatric surgery, novel glucose-lowering agents (SGLT2i, GLP1RA, DPP4i), and insulin for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.

Methods
Four databases were searched from inception to April 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing bariatric surgery, SGLT2i, GLP1RA, DPP4i, insulin, and/or placebo/usual care among patients with T2DM and obesity in the achievement of HbA1c &lt; 7.0 per cent within one year, and 12-month changes in HbA1c and body weight.

Results
A total of 376 eligible RCTs (149 824 patients) were analysed. Bariatric surgery had significantly higher rates of achieving HbA1c &lt; 7.0 per cent than SGLT2i (RR = 2.46, 95 per cent c.i. = 1.28, 4.92), DPP4i (RR = 2.59, 95 per cent c.i. = 1.36, 5.13), insulin (RR = 2.27, 95 per cent c.i. = 1.18, 4.58) and placebo/usual care (RR = 4.02, 95 per cent c.i. = 2.13, 7.93), but had no statistically significant difference from GLP1RA (RR = 1.73, 95 per cent c.i. = 0.91, 3.44), regardless of oral (RR = 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. = 0.66, 2.79) or injectable (RR = 1.75, 95 per cent c.i. = 0.92, 3.45) administration. Significantly more GLP1RA patients achieved HbA1c &lt; 7.0 per cent than other non-surgical treatments. Bariatric surgery had the greatest reductions in HbA1c (∼1 per cent more) and body weight (∼15 kg more) at 12 months. Among novel glucose-lowering medications, GLP1RA was associated with greater reductions in HbA1c than SGLT2i (−0.39 per cent, 95 per cent c.i. = −0.55, −0.22) and DPP4i (−0.51 per cent, 95 per cent c.i. = −0.64, −0.39) at 12 months, while GLP1RA (−1.74 kg, 95 per cent c.i. = −2.48, −1.01) and SGLT2i (−2.23 kg, 95 per cent c.i. = −3.07, −1.39) showed greater reductions in body weight than DPP4i at 12 months.

Conclusion
Bariatric surgery showed superiority in glycaemic control and weight management compared to non-surgical approaches. GLP1RA administered by oral or injectable form demonstrated reduced HbA1c and body weight at 12 months, and was preferable over other non-surgical treatments among patients with T2DM and obesity.

PROSPERO registration no
CRD42020201507
‘If I Count Everything That Is against Me. It Is My Colour. It Is That I Am a Woman’: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Racialised Older Migrant Women in Finland
Authors: KC Smarika , Clarke Kris , Seppänen Marjaana 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Critical race scholars in social work have underlined the importance of race. However, research in social work with older people have often bypassed analysis of the significance of race and racialisation as barriers that marginalised groups encounter due to their complex identities. The lived experiences of older racialised women in Finland are not sufficiently explored to understand how racialisation has an impact in their ageing. This article aims to address the gap in scholarship on how accumulated experiences of racism from the personal to structural levels throughout the life-course contribute to inequalities in ageing of migrant women. It investigates how older women from non-European migrant background narrate their experiences of racialisation in their everyday lives in Finland. It utilises the theoretical concepts of race, racism and racialisation to interpret the research findings. The article presents empirical findings from semi-structured interviews with twenty older women, which were analysed using a thematic analysis. The article concludes that it is key to recognise racism and its ramifications for ageing migrants in structures beyond the personal level. This study sheds light on the need to better understand the structural inequalities, intersecting identities and the lived experiences of older racialised women to promote social justice.
Applying Logotherapy in Teaching Meaning in Life in Professional Training and Social Work Education
Authors: Chan Wallace Chi Ho 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Meaning in life is an important topic for professional training and social work education. This article aims to illustrate how Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy could be applied as the framework in teaching meaning in life to social work students and helping professionals. It critically examines the experience of teaching meaning in life and integrating it with various training and education components, such as human behaviours, end-of-life and bereavement care, and self-care of helping professionals. Reflections on these teaching experiences suggest that the significance of teaching meaning in life is recognised by helping professionals and students, especially its dual influence on both personal and professional aspects. Lack of systematic and continuous training and education of meaning in life may be a hindrance for more in-depth understanding and learning. More case examples and discussion may help advance helping professionals’ practice to facilitate service users’ meaning searching. Reflecting on meaning in life may also facilitate helping professionals’ coping with existential challenges in work, but such self-care training should be offered regularly to provide continuous support. This article suggests that teaching meaning in life may have great implications for the psychological health of helping professionals and the service users who receive their professional services.
Public Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Screening for Active Tuberculosis Disease or Infection Among Children in South Africa
Authors: Brough Joseph , Martinez Leonardo , Hatherill Mark , Zar Heather J , Lo Nathan C , Andrews Jason R 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Although tuberculosis disease is a leading cause of global childhood mortality, there remain major gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in children because tuberculosis control programs rely predominantly on presentation of symptomatic children or contact tracing. We assessed the public health impact and cost-effectiveness of age-based routine screening and contact tracing in children in South Africa.

Methods
We used a deterministic mathematical model to evaluate age-based routine screening in 1-year increments from ages 0 to 5 years, with and without contact tracing and preventive treatment. Screening incorporated symptom history and tuberculin skin testing, with chest x-ray and GeneXpert Ultra for confirmatory testing. We projected tuberculosis cases, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and costs (in 2021 U.S. dollars) and evaluated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios comparing each intervention.

Results
Routine screening at age 2 years with contact tracing and preventive treatment averted 11 900 tuberculosis cases (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6160–15 730), 1360 deaths (95% CI: 260–3800), and 40 000 DALYs (95% CI: 13 000–100 000) in the South Africa pediatric population over 1 year compared with the status quo. This combined strategy was cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio $9050 per DALY; 95% CI: 2890–22 920) and remained cost-effective above an annual risk of infection of 1.6%. For annual risk of infection between 0.8% and 1.6%, routine screening at age 2 years was the dominant strategy.

Conclusions
Routine screening for tuberculosis among young children combined with contact tracing and preventive treatment would have a large public health impact and be cost-effective in preventing pediatric tuberculosis deaths in high-incidence settings such as South Africa.
Integrating evolutionary, developmental and physiological mismatch
Authors: Griffiths Paul E , Bourrat Pierrick 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Contemporary evolutionary medicine has unified the idea of ‘evolutionary mismatch’, derived from the older idea of ‘adaptive lag’ in evolution, with ideas about the mismatch in development and physiology derived from the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm. A number of publications in evolutionary medicine have tried to make this theoretical framework explicit. The integrative theory of mismatch captures how organisms track environments across space and time on multiple scales in order to maintain an adaptive match to the environment, and how failures of adaptive tracking lead to disease. In this review, we try to present this complex body of theory as clearly and simply as possible with the aim of facilitating its application in new domains. We introduce terminology, which is as far as possible consistent with earlier usage, to distinguish the different forms of mismatch. Mismatch in its modern form is a productive organizing concept that can help researchers articulate how physiology, development and evolution interact with one another and with environmental change to explain health outcomes.
Alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention in Swedish municipalities — impact from the COVID-19 pandemic considering socio-demographic context
Authors: Owen Ulrika , Månsdotter Anna , Guldbrandsson Karin , Lindström Emma 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and measures to prevent the spread of the virus challenged public health practice at the local level in Sweden. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of the pandemic on the prevention of alcohol, drugs and tobacco (ADT) in Sweden during 2020–21 considering socio-demographic context.

Methods
Data were collected through the Public Health Agency’s survey on ADT prevention in Swedish municipalities (N = 290). This study used data from 2020 and 2021, with a response rate of 90% and 88%, respectively. Survey data were analyzed in logistic regression models (odds ratios, P &lt; 0.05, 95% confidence intervals) against variables of education level, income level and population size from national registers.

Results
A majority (n = 198, 76%) of the municipalities reported a decrease in ADT prevention during the pandemic. No correlation between the decrease in ADT prevention and socio-demographic conditions was detected. A majority (2020: n = 165, 63%; 2021: n = 174, 68%) of the municipalities also reported that ADT prevention was adapted, however less common in smaller municipalities and municipalities where residents had lower levels of education and lower incomes.

Conclusion
ADT prevention carried out by municipalities in Sweden was initially (2020) deeply affected by the preventive strategies against COVID-19. Adaptation of activities was less common in municipalities with more vulnerable socio-demographic situation. In policy, practice and research, the findings are important not only for continued progress on the national goal of equity in health but also for preparedness for future crises.