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Building on the construction of social problems and the civic epistemologies approaches, we look at public participation in the regulation of pesticides as occasions where the public articulates not only different problems or ways to assess knowledge claims on pesticides but also raises ontological interrogations. The case under study is the public hearing on the use of pesticides that took place in New Brunswick in 2021. In this hybrid forum, some of the participants went beyond a single and deterministic view of nature to enact and propose to live in an indeterminate world where pesticides are experienced as relational entities. Such an approach to knowledge and the world promotes environmental policies that, while not consensual, allow for the conservation (rather than elimination) of diverse ontological positions. • Public hearings are situations where ontological positions are debated. • Knowledge-producing practices are ways of enacting, not describing, pesticides. • Some publics add to the deterministic view inherent in canonical science. • An indeterminate ontology accommodates diverse knowledge-producing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) pollution poses a significant threat to the environment, particularly in the form of methylmercury (MeHg). However, little is known about the distribution and influencing factors of Hg in deep-sea (>200m) fish, which is crucial for assessing potential health risks to fish and humans. In Canada, the deepwater redfish (Sebastes mentella) has been designated as an endangered species. After a 25-year fishing moratorium, the redfish population in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf is recovering, and resuming of commercial fishing and human consumption are expected. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of MeHg and total Hg (THg) in the muscle of redfish, as well as the factors influencing its distribution, and to assess the potential human health risks associated with redfish consumption. The redfish samples (n = 123) were collected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2019. The concentrations of THg and MeHg in redfish muscle were determined to be 93.3 ± 183 ng/g (mean ± SD, wet weight) and 78.2 ± 149 ng/g, respectively. Large redfish (>30 cm) accumulated 20 to 30 times more Hg than small redfish (17–30 cm). Small redfish from the Estuary-Western Gulf had higher levels of MeHg and THg than those from the Laurentian Channel and the Northeast Gulf, but the Hg availability to redfish among the three areas were similar. Significant predictors of MeHg concentrations in redfish muscle were determined to be fish length, muscle moisture, δ 15N, and N%. MeHg consumption by the general population with an average fish consumption rate is not anticipated to have adverse effects. This study establishes a baseline for future Hg monitoring in the deep water environments in this region. Further research is required to elucidate the cause-effect relationships between various environmental/biological parameters and Hg accumulation in deep-sea biota. [Display omitted] • Large redfish (>30 cm) showed 20–30 times higher levels of Hg than small individuals. • Spatial variations of Hg levels were observed in small but not in large redfish. • Hg levels in redfish can be predicted by fish size, muscle moisture, δ 15N, and N%. • No health risk is expected from consuming redfish for the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the distribution and reproductive behavior of marine species can inform ocean spatial management to address conservation needs and reduce risks of conflicts among various marine and coastal industries. Combining spatial data on species behavior with fish harvesters' knowledge can be particularly effective for identifying spatiotemporal overlaps between human activities and critical events at various life stages of marine species. In the present study, the migratory behavior of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), a flatfish of great economic importance in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was characterized using electronic tags, and potential ocean industry impacts to the halibut population were identified using fish harvesters' knowledge reported at public meetings and during semi-structured interviews. Results from electronic tagging analyses, including potential seasonal migration paths and presumed spawning locations, were presented to halibut harvesters who responded by identifying industries that could impact the halibut population. Harvesters identified the potential for halibut bycatch in the developing redfish trawl fishery as the main risk to the current high halibut abundance levels, which they attributed to the reduction of Gulf trawling and halibut bycatch since the 1990s. Other potential impacts to halibut identified by harvesters included offshore oil and gas drilling, and effluent discharge from a paper mill transformation project. The present study demonstrates that utilizing complementary data from both fish tracking devices and fish harvesters' knowledge can help identify and anticipate potential conflicts between fisheries and other ocean industries, and ultimately inform the ecosystem-based marine spatial management of large marine ecosystems. • Fish tracking devices combined with fish harvesters' knowledge revealed spatial overlaps of fisheries and other ocean uses. • Atlantic halibut presumed spawning habitats overlap with potential trawling areas of a re-emerging redfish fishery. • Halibut may also be impacted by oil drilling and paper pulp effluent in locations that overlap with halibut migrations. • Using complementary data sources can identify ocean use conflicts and inform ecosystem-based marine spatial management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined the relative importance of growth-related processes operating during the larval and early juvenile stage in explaining variability in year class success of Japanese flounder off the Pacific coast of northern Japan. Early growth trajectory of larvae and juveniles sampled in 2005 (strong year class) and in 2006 (weak year class) was estimated from the analysis of the lapillar otolith. The larval pelagic stage was characterized by lower growth and developmental rates, as well as high selection for fast growth in the metamorphosis/settlement period, during the strong recruitment event of 2005 relative to 2006. Growth appeared higher in 2005 only after settlement despite high density in the nursery, which likely reflected superior productivity during that year combined with an increased probability of cannibalism from early settlers on late settlers. This implies that larval growth dynamics did not play an important role in determining recruitment strength in the two years considered. The decreasing distance from the nursery areas of pelagic larvae through ontogeny in 2005, combined with low age at settlement, suggest that larvae benefited from positive transport conditions during the dominant year class. To the contrary, unfavorable hydrographic conditions likely prevailed in 2006 as distance from the nurseries increased with ontogeny and settlement occurred later than in 2005 despite faster growth potential and developmental rate. We conclude that transport conditions to the nursery grounds, rather than larval growth potential, represented the most important determinant of year class success in the two years considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To compare risk factors of early- (E) and late-onset (L) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: An epidemiological survey based on a nosocomial infection surveillance program of 11 intensive care units (ICUs) of university teaching hospitals in Lyon, France, was conducted. A total of 7236 consecutive ventilated patients, older than 18 years and hospitalized in ICUs for at least 48 hours, were studied between 1996 and 2002. Data during ICU stay, patient-dependent risk factors, device exposure, nosocomial infections occurrence, and outcome were collected. The cutoff point definition between E-VAP (≤6 days) and L-VAP (>six days) was based on the daily hazard rate of VAP. Results: The VAP incidence rate was 13.1%, 356 (37.6%) E-VAP (within 6 days of admission) and 590 (62.4%) L-VAP were reported. Independent risk factor for E-VAP vs L-VAP was surgical diagnostic category (odds ratio [OR], 1.49 [95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.07]), whereas independent risk factors for L-VAP vs E-VAP were older age (OR, 1.01 [1.01-1.02]), high Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (OR, 1.01 [1.00-1.02]), infection on admission (OR=2.22 [1.61-3.03]), another nosocomial infection before VAP (OR, 5.88 [3.33-11.11]), and exposure to central venous catheter before VAP (OR, 4.76 [1.04-20.00]). Conclusions: E-VAP and L-VAP have different risk factors, highlighting the need for developing specific preventive measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare dP/dtmax estimated from a femoral artery pressure tracing to left ventricular (LV) dP/dtmax during various alterations in myocardial loading and contractile function. Participants: Seventy patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: All patients were instrumented with a high-fidelity LV catheter, a pulmonary artery catheter, and a femoral arterial catheter. In 40 patients, hemodynamic measurements were performed before and after passive leg raising and before and after calcium administration (5 mg/kg); and in 30 other patients, hemodynamic measurements were performed before and after dobutamine infusion (5 μg/kg/min over 10 minutes). Results: LV and femoral dP/dtmax were significantly correlated (r = 0.82, p < 0.001), but femoral dP/dtmax systematically underestimated LV dP/dtmax (bias = −361 ± 96 mmHg/s). Passive leg raising induced significant increases in central venous pressure and LV end-diastolic pressure, but femoral dP/dtmax, stroke volume, and LV dP/dtmax remained unaltered. Calcium administration induced significant and marked increases in LV dP/dtmax (23% ± 9%) and femoral dP/dtmax (37% ± 14%) associated with a significant increase in stroke volume (9% ± 2%). Dobutamine infusion also induced significant and marked increases in LV dP/dtmax (25% ± 8%) and femoral dP/dtmax (35% ± 12%) associated with a significant increase in stroke volume (14% ± 3%). Overall, a very close linear relationship (r = 0.93) and a good agreement (bias = −5 ± 17 mmHg/s) were found between changes in LV dP/dtmax and changes in femoral dP/dtmax. A very close relationship was also observed between changes in LV dP/dtmax and changes in femoral dP/dtmax during each intervention (leg raising, calcium administration, and dobutamine infusion). Conclusion: Femoral dP/dtmax underestimated LV dP/dtmax, but changes in femoral dP/dtmax accurately reflected changes in LV dP/dtmax during various interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The centralisation of care for trauma patients in trauma centres, alongside the creation of inclusive trauma networks, has proven to reduce mortality. In Europe, such structured trauma programs and trauma networks are in development. To describe the aetiology and evolution of in-hospital mortality in a developing European level 1 trauma centre, to determine the early effect of trauma care reorganisation on mortality and to identify the areas for future investments in trauma care. This retrospective analysis included the calculation of the standardised mortality ratio (SMR), the time to in-hospital death and the cause of in-hospital death of all primary major trauma admissions to the Antwerp University Hospital from 2016 to 2023. A total of 1470 patients was included with a crude mortality of 16.4 %, a median Revised Injury Severity Classification II (RISC II) adjusted mortality of 1.47 %, and a SMR of 1.12. A limitation of care directive was registered for 18.1 % of the patients. The causes of in-hospital death were traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 60 %, haemorrhagic shock in 15 %, organ failure in 10 %, miscellaneous in 14 % and unknown in 1 %. Sixty percent died in the first 48 h of hospital admission (mainly due to TBI and haemorrhagic shock) and 27 % died after more than seven days (mainly due to organ failure and TBI). In 24 % of the deceased patients with severe TBI, a non-TBI related cause of death was found. Overall, the SMR showed a nonsignificant decreasing trend, with a significant decrease of the SMR in the highest risk group (RISCII > 75 %) and a nonsignificant increase in the lowest risk group (RISC II <15 %). The standardised mortality ratio declined over a period of 8 years, even though the SMR increased nonsignificantly in the lowest risk-adjusted mortality group. Future analysis of this subgroup could clarify whether this trend is due to an increase of limitation of care directives and if these deaths could have been prevented with improved trauma care. There might be opportunities to increase the survival of patients with severe TBI who have a non-TBI cause of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although pain is a frequent feature in patients with cancer, its etiology is still poorly understood. In recent years, endothelin-1 (ET-1) has become a major target molecule in the etiology of cancer pain. In this randomised, double-blind study the effects of intradermal injection of ET-1 on spontaneous pain, temperature perception and sensation of punctate stimulation were evaluated. Thirty-five subjects were randomised to receive either placebo or one of four concentrations of ET-1 (ranging from 10−10 to 10−6 M). Besides assessment of spontaneous pain, three neurosensory testings were performed: (1) cold and warm sensation, (2) cold and heat pain, and (3) punctate stimulation using a von Frey monofilament. ET-1 produced a dose-dependent flare zone that was absent after placebo injection. Subjects reported a short-lasting spontaneous pain upon administration of the highest concentrations of ET-1. Injection of ET-1 induced a long-lasting and dose-dependent punctate hyperalgesia in an area around the injection site (secondary hyperalgesia). Thermal testing revealed a short period of hypoesthesia to non-noxious warm and cold stimuli after some doses of ET-1. In addition to the mechanical hyperalgesia, intradermal injection of ET-1 almost instantaneously induced a state of cold hyperalgesia outlasting the study period (120min). No development of heat hyperalgesia was observed. The observed psychophysical characteristics of this new model of ET-1 induced nociception indicate its potential as a human experimental model for cancer pain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]