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Conspecific density dependence (CDD) in plant populations is widespread, most likely caused by local‐scale biotic interactions, and has potentially important implications for biodiversity, community composition, and ecosystem processes. However, progress in this important area of ecology has been hindered by differing viewpoints on CDD across subfields in ecology, lack of synthesis across CDD‐related frameworks, and misunderstandings about how empirical measurements of local CDD fit within the context of broader ecological theories on community assembly and diversity maintenance. Here, we propose a conceptual synthesis of local‐scale CDD and its causes, including species‐specific antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. First, we compare and clarify different uses of CDD and related concepts across subfields within ecology. We suggest the use of local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD to refer to the scenario where local conspecific density effects are more negative/positive than heterospecific effects. Second, we discuss different mechanisms for local stabilizing and destabilizing CDD, how those mechanisms are interrelated, and how they cut across several fields of study within ecology. Third, we place local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD within the context of broader ecological theories and discuss implications and challenges related to scaling up the effects of local CDD on populations, communities, and metacommunities. The ultimate goal of this synthesis is to provide a conceptual roadmap for researchers studying local CDD and its implications for population and community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of robust evidence to recommend the use of perioperative ureteric catheterisation or stenting in complex gynaecological surgery. Objectives: To evaluate the evidence on the benefits and risks of perioperative ureteric catheterisation or stenting in complex gynaecological surgery. Search strategy: A literature search was performed in CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase and MEDLINE, from 1946 to January 2024, using a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terminology. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included. Data collection and analysis: Meta‐analysis of the RCTs and observational studies were performed separately. Cochrane RevMan 6.5.1 was used to undertake meta‐analysis. Risk ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for the outcome measures. Main results: Ten studies were included: three RCTs and seven observational studies, comprising 8661 patients. The three RCTs, comprising a total of 3277 patients, showed no difference in the risk of immediate complications in the form of ureteric injury between the ureteric stent and the control groups (RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.49–1.65). The observational studies included 5384 patients. Four studies that explored the ureteric injury as an outcome did not show any difference between the two groups (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.27–2.16). One case–control study with 862 participants found that the rate of ureteric injury was higher in the non‐stented group, although this was observed in only three patients. The risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) was increased in the stent group, although not with statistical significance (RR 1.84, 95% CI 0.47–7.17). There was no significant difference in the risk of ureteric fistulae (RR 1.91, 95% CI 0.62–5.83), although the number of studies was limited. Conclusions: Prophylactic ureteric catheterisation or stenting for complex gynaecological surgery is not associated with a lower risk of ureteric injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a humanitarian crisis due to prolonged conflicts, human rights abuses, and gender‐based violence. This perspective article aims to discuss the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the DRC, including the impact of interventions and broader humanitarian strategies. Methods: A search on Google Scholar was carried out to identify relevant journal articles. Additionally, relevant reports and data on the DR Congo crisis were sourced from the websites of international and humanitarian organizations including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Health Organization, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Results: The crisis has led to 6.1 million displaced individuals and 1 million seeking asylum in neighboring countries. Insecurity and displacement further exacerbate the crisis, exacerbating health issues and malnutrition, particularly among women and children. The deterioration of water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in the region facilitates the spread of infectious diseases. The UN has appealed for $8.3 billion in humanitarian assistance in West and Central Africa, including DRC. However, more attention and efforts are needed to curb the menace of the conflict. Conclusions: Addressing root causes like political volatility, economic disparity, and social unrest is crucial for sustained health protection. Tailoring humanitarian assistance to the context of conflict is essential, prioritizing mental health support and psychosocial services. Improving access to healthcare is crucial. Addressing food insecurity is essential, involving targeted food assistance programs, improving agricultural practices, and establishing income‐generating activities. Sustaining international assistance and investments are needed to address the health needs of the most vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disability is often an essentialised and oversimplified concept. We propose refining this while incorporating the multidimensional nature of disability by increasing the use of existing survey questions and their corresponding data to enrich, broaden and inform understandings of disability. Methods: We combined patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) with focus groups and concept mapping to collaboratively map disability survey questions into conceptual models of disability with six members of the public with lived experiences of disability. Results: Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three qualitative themes and eight subthemes through a series of four PPIE activities: (1) understanding concepts of disability based on individual experience, subthemes: 1.1—preference for the biopsychosocial model, 1.2—'Reviewing' instead of mapping survey questions and 1.3—comparing questions to real life; (2) consistency between understanding needs and implementing adjustments, subthemes: 2.1—connecting preparation and operation, 2.2—inclusivity and adjustments in activities and 2.3—feedback for improving activities and (3) real‐world applications—targeted awareness raising, subthemes: 3.1—who, where, what and how to share activity findings and results, 3.2—sharing with human resource and equality, diversity and inclusion professionals. Conclusion: Members of the public who collaborated in these activities felt empowered, engaged and supported throughout this study. This approach offers a model for other researchers to cede power to the public over the research aspects typically reserved for researchers. Patient or Public Contribution: We involved members of the public with lived experience throughout this study—co‐design, co‐facilitation, collaboratively mapping the disability or disability‐related survey questions into conceptual models of disability, evaluation of the activities, co‐analysis and co‐authorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytological features of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in a child are described in this report. It is important to be aware of this entity and its cytological features in order to avoid misdiagnosis with more common entities such as the hepatoblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient with woolly hair nevus syndrome, presented with epidermal facial nevi by the age of 12 years. Despite transient improvement with topical 1% sirolimus cream, the facial nevus grew larger. The patient was then treated with topical 1% everolimus cream resulting in a reduction in the size of the nevus. This case highlights a novel use of topical 1% everolimus cream, which previously has not been used to treat epidermal nevi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type III interferons (IFN), also called as lambda IFNs (IFN‐λs), are antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokines that are evolutionarily important in humans. Given their central roles in innate immunity, they could be influencing other aspects of human biology. This study aimed to examine the association of genetic variants that control the expression and/or activity of IFN‐λ3 and IFN‐λ4 with multiple phenotypes in blood profiles of healthy individuals. Methods: In a cohort of about 550 self‐declared healthy individuals, after applying several exclusion criteria to determine their health status, we measured 30 blood parameters, including cellular, biochemical, and metabolic profiles. We genotyped them at rs12979860 and rs28416813 using competitive allele‐specific PCR assays and tested their association with the blood profiles under dominant and recessive models for the minor allele. IFN‐λ4 variants rs368234815 and rs117648444 were also genotyped or inferred. Results: We saw no association in the combined cohort under either of the models for any of the phenotypes. When we stratified the cohort based on gender, we saw a significant association only in males with monocyte (p = 1 × 10−3) and SGOT (p = 7 × 10−3) levels under the dominant model and with uric acid levels (p = 0.01) under the recessive model. When we tested the IFN‐λ4 activity modifying variant within groupings based on absence or presence of one or two copies of IFN‐λ4 and on different activity levels of IFN‐λ4, we found significant (p < 0.05) association with several phenotypes like monocyte, triglyceride, VLDL, ALP, and uric acid levels, only in males. All the above significant associations did not show any confounding when we tested for the same with up to ten different demographic and lifestyle variables. Conclusions: These results show that lambda interferons can have pleiotropic effects. However, gender seems to be an effect modifier, with males being more sensitive than females to the effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Dermatomyositis is an uncommon autoimmune disease with only few cases reported from Nepal. Presence of anti TIF‐1 gamma antibodies in DM are the strongest predictor of malignancy. Timely screening of malignancies for early detection and management remains the mainstay of this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature suggests that remittances can help households in developing countries cope with post‐shock consumption. Focusing on Nigeria, where remittance receipts reached $25B in 2018 with increasing incidences of shocks, this study puts this claim to the test by categorising households into two: the group that suffered the most severe shock types and the group that suffered less severe shock types. Data is sourced from the World Bank and linearised regression results indicate that remittances benefit households that experienced less severe shocks than households that experienced the most severe shocks in their post‐shock consumption. Establishing a discriminatory financial market in favours of shock‐affected households is desirable to aid them in coping with post‐shock consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No doubt, the use of biomedical implants in the world has been of tremendous benefit to humans (animals as well), still gaining much relevance today, and commands greater prospects in the future. Developments in this field have been from the progression of the use of materials like wood, iron and gold as external limb support and indental applications, to more sophisticated materials today like biodegradable metal alloys, polymers, ceramics and composites materials capable of replacing damaged or worn‐out organs (eye, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, etc.), mimicking the bone, or for boosting other physiological features as in cosmetology. Appropriate applications of these implants in the human body still remain a challenge today due to several post‐surgical issues like cytotoxicity, thrombogenicity, allergenicity, carcinogenicity and inflammations all of which could be attributed to factors like biocompatibility, osseointegration, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of these biomedical implants during service. The aspect of implants' corrosion is of much concern in the biomedical industry of which there have been several methods used to tackle it viz ‐use of corrosion resistant materials and inhibitors, metal plating, environmental and design considerations and protective coating techniques. This paper reviews five different surface coating techniques for preventing corrosion in biomedical implants, their descriptions and working principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization often increases surface runoff and land surface temperature due to loss of land cover. However, the effect of urbanization on local atmospheric humidity remains understudied despite the disastrous effects it can have on human health and water‐food‐energy‐ecosystem nexus. Here, we examined changes in atmospheric humidity in the West Africa (WA) region between 1985 and 2018. There was an increase in vapour pressure and decrease in atmospheric humidity in urban areas suggesting intensified urban drying island (UDI) effects. Rapid urban expansion has aggravated UDI effect in recent years, particularly during the hot, wet summer but mild during the cold, and dry winter. In future climate, the impacts of the UDI effect in the region may be enormous considering the increasing rate of urbanization in the region. To achieve a sustainable future, city planners and policymakers should consider the UDI effect by promoting developments that increase green land cover. Overall, this study provides a detailed understanding of the urban ecosystem's environmental change, which is helpful for local climate change adaptation and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A systematic review was conducted to assess scientific knowledge concerning the effect of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on the occurrence of caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss, and to evaluate the prevalence of these diseases in adult HSCT survivors (PROSPERO 152906). Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for papers, published from January 2000 until November 2020 without language restriction, assessing prevalence, incidence or parameters of caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss in HSCT recipients (≥80% transplanted in adulthood). Bias risk was assessed with checklists from Joanna Briggs Institute, and data synthesis was performed by narrative summary. Results: Eighteen papers were included (1618 subjects). Half were considered at high risk of bias. Longitudinal studies did not show caries progression, decline in periodontal health or tooth loss after HSCT. The prevalence in HSCT survivors ranged from 19% to 43% for caries, 11% to 67% for periodontitis, and 2% to 5% for edentulism. Certainty in the body of evidence was very low. Conclusions: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, on the short term, may have little to no effect on caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss. Caries and periodontitis may be more common in HSCT survivors compared with the general population, whereas edentulism may be comparable. However, the evidence for all conclusions is very uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function can develop LV thrombus, a potentially life‐threatening condition due to risk of stroke and embolization. Conventional treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs; e.g., warfarin) puts patients at risk of bleeding, and the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) appears promising, although data are scant. We searched the published English language literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DOACs with VKAs in LV thrombus. End points were failure to resolve, thromboembolic events (stroke, embolism), bleeding, or any adverse event (composite of thromboembolism or bleeding), or all‐cause death. Data were pooled and analyzed in hierarchical Bayesian models. In three eligible RCTs, 141 patients were studied during an average of 4.6 months (53.8 patient‐years; n = 71 assigned to DOAC, n = 70 assigned to VKA). A similar number of patients in each treatment arm demonstrated failure to resolve (DOAC: 14/71 vs. VKA: 15/70) and death events (3/71 vs. 4/70). However, patients on DOACs suffered fewer strokes/thromboembolic events (1/71 vs. 7/70; log odds ratio [OR], −2.02 [95% credible interval (CI95), −4.53 to −0.31]) and fewer bleeding events (2/71 vs. 9/70; log OR, −1.62 [CI95, −3.43 to −0.26]), leading to fewer patients on DOACs with any adverse event versus VKAs (3/71 vs. 16/70; log OR, −1.93 [CI95, −3.33 to −0.75]). In conclusion, pooled analysis of RCT data favors DOACs over VKAs in patients with LV thrombus in terms of both efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broadcast nature of radio propagation in wireless communication has been suspected as the loopholes of passive or active attacks by unauthorized users (eavesdroppers). The physical layer security techniques operate at the lowest stack of OSI layer against conventional cryptographic approaches, operating at the upper layer. However, techniques such as channel coding, power (directional antenna and artificial noise), and spread spectrum have been (and continuously) deployed to safeguard against sophisticated attacks. Most of these deployments are theoretical, and a few are enhanced for efficient security against an intruder. In this article, a boundary technique approach is proposed and applied to the physical layer to improve its secrecy‐capacity and subdue adversary effects at the legitimate receiver. Hybrid performance metrics were adopted, and a Monte Carlo simulation was performed. The result obtained using secrecy outage probability, secrecy‐capacity, and intercept‐probability show that our proposed techniques enhance the secret transmission between the main transmitter and legitimate receiver. The simulation results were compared with the analytical methods. It was found that the channel between the transmitter and the main receiver has a better signal‐to‐noise ratio than the corresponding eavesdropper's channel. Conclusively, performance of the proposed technique is validated for applications in emerging wireless communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The primary objective was to assess pain catastrophizing and functional disability in pediatric patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and their parents/guardians. Secondary objectives included examining relationships between pain catastrophizing, functional disability, and correlations with other factors (e.g., age, disease severity, and percent of body surface area (BSA) involved). Methods: Patients with EB ages 8–16 and their parents/guardians who were English or Spanish speaking completed a one-time online survey. Parent measures included: demographics questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parent (PCS), and Parent Functional Disability Inventory (FDI). Child measures included: PCS child and child FDI. Higher scores on both scales indicate higher levels of catastrophizing and functional disability. Results: Of 31 children, the mean age was 11.47 years and the majority (70.97%) had dystrophic EB. Mean scores were: 35.84 = PCS parent; 34.58 = PCS child; 30.87 = parent FDI; 29.77 = child FDI. Total scores for PCS parent, parent FDI, and child FDI increased significantly with disease severity and percentage of involved BSA (p < .01 for all). Total scores for PCS child increased significantly with percent of EB skin involvement (p = .04) but not disease severity. Older children reported more functional disability than their parents and younger children (p = .02). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate significant positive correlations between negative thoughts related to pain and the experience of functional difficulties in patients with EB and their caregivers. Psychological, psychiatric, and/or behavioral interventions to help managing chronic pain may be effective for patients with EB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: To describe the prevalence, severity, and management of anemia in a cohort of children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) and to highlight the use of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) to diagnose iron deficiency in this chronic inflammatory state. Methods: We studied a cohort of 114 patients with RDEB followed at a pediatric hospital‐based Epidermolysis Bullosa Center from 2010 to 2020; data were prospectively tracked in a comprehensive clinical database that captured all visits, laboratory tests, iron infusions, and transfusions. The primary outcome was occurrence of anemia, which was assessed by age and sex, with and without transfusion support. Secondary outcomes included iron status using a combination of ferritin and sTfR levels, the cumulative incidence of parenteral iron therapy and transfusions, and survival. Results: In RDEB, anemia begins in the first year of life and becomes more frequent and severe with age. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) estimated by ferritin was 33.6% (37/110), but the sTfR/log10‐ferritin ratio indicated a 1.5‐fold higher true prevalence of IDA of 50.6% (41/81). 53.5% (61/114) received parenteral iron infusions, transfusions, or both. Higher ferritin was associated with earlier mortality. Conclusions: Individuals with RDEB have a high burden of anemia (IDA and anemia of inflammation) that requires frequent medical interventions. The sTfR/log10‐ferritin ratio improves the detection of iron deficiency in the context of inflammation and guides therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common bacteria isolated from wound cultures in patients recorded in the Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinical Characterization and Outcomes Database (EBCCOD) are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Given the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in this patient population and prior research implicating P. aeruginosa's potential role in carcinogenesis, we sought to further analyze patients with recorded wound cultures positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the EBCCOD. We provide a descriptive analysis of this subset of patients and highlight potential avenues for future longitudinal studies that may have significant implications in our wound care management for patients with epidermolysis bullosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a method for obtaining wound cultures from wound dressings rather than directly swabbing the wound itself. This approach is particularly beneficial for patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), who have painful wounds and high levels of anxiety. The researchers found that sampling from removed dressings provides a reliable and less painful method for obtaining samples for bacterial culture. The article recommends incorporating this technique into routine practice for children with painful, draining wounds. However, further studies are needed to compare this method with other swabbing techniques. [Extracted from the article]

The rapid progress of flexible electronics tremendously stimulates the urgent demands for the matching power supply systems. Flexible transparent electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices (FT–EECSDs), with endurable mechanical flexibility, outstanding optical transmittance, excellent electrochemical performance, and additional intelligent functions, are considered as preferable energy supplies for future self‐powered flexible electronic systems. A comprehensive review of the reasonable design of flexible transparent electrode and recent progress on the FT–EECSDs is presented herein. The manufacturing techniques of generally classified three types of flexible transparent electrodes are systematically summarized. Emphasis is given to the recent developments in the transparent solid‐state electrolyte, flexible transparent energy conversion, and storage devices. The standard evaluation methods and reasonable evaluation parameters to evaluate the flexibility and transparency of FT–EECSDs are highlighted. Additionally, the typical integrated applications of FT–EECSDs are also described. Finally, the current challenges and a future perspective on the research and development direction are further outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic skin conditions that result in skin fragility. EB can be quite severe with chronic inflammation and malnutrition impairing growth and pubertal development. These factors have potential consequences for skeletal health. We aimed to determine the prevalence of delayed puberty and low bone mineral density (BMD) for age in children and young adults with EB. Methods: Electronic medical records (EMR) of patients with confirmed EB <30 years of age at time of initial encounter at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2020 were reviewed. Natural language processing software was used to categorize pubertal status of patients with EB as early, normal or delayed. BMD was measured by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry and categorized as low if height adjusted Z‐score was <−2.0 using age, sex and race specific reference ranges. Results: 29% of individuals with EB had low BMD with most cases occurring prior to 10 years of age. Of patients who reached adolescence, 23% failed to develop any signs of puberty in the normal range (before age 13 in females or 14 in males) and BMD Z‐scores further declined in these individuals. Conclusion: Delayed puberty is an under‐recognized comorbidity of individuals with EB, especially in those with recessive dystrophic EB, and can have a significant impact on BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the efficacy of different semen extenders and in vitro storage periods on the Windsnyer boar sperm quality equilibrated at 18°C. Ejaculates (n = 18) from three Windsnyer boars of known fertility were evaluated for macroscopic traits, pooled, and then allocated for extension in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) and Kobidil+ extender. Diluted semen was stored at 18°C and evaluated at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post collection for sperm microscopic traits. Semen diluted with BTS extender maintained the highest live normal sperm percentage at 4 (63.0 ± 10), 8 (49.6 ± 8.7), 12 (38.0 ± 12.6), 24 (22.6 ± 10.7) and 48 (12.0 ± 10.7) hours, when stored at 18°C (p <.05). The BTS extender maintained the sperm total motility greater than 40% up to 24 h at 18°C as compared to the other semen Kobidil+ extender treatments (p <.05). Average <5% of sperm abnormalities were recorded over 48 h of in vitro boars semen storage irrespective of the semen extenders. Windsnyer boars sperm quality was maintained over 48 h when the semen was diluted with BTS and stored at 18°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To produce a best practice consensus guideline for the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion using formal consensus methodology. Materials and Methods: A panel of 16 expert urologists, representing adult, paediatric, general and andrological urology used the RAND Corporation / University of California, Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) Appropriateness Consensus Methodology to score a 184‐statement pre‐meeting questionnaire on the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. The collated responses were presented at a face‐to‐face online meeting and each item was rescored anonymously after a group discussion, facilitated by an independent chair with expertise in consensus methodology. Items were scored for agreement and consensus and the items scored with consensus were used to derive a set of best practice guidelines. Results: Statements scored with consensus increased from Round 1 (122/184, 66.3%) to Round 2 (149/200, 74.5%). Recommendations were generated in 10 categories: consent; assessment under anaesthetic; initial incision; intra‐operative decision making; fixation; medical photography; closure; operation note; logistics; and follow‐up after scrotal exploration. Our statements assume that the decision to operate has already been made. Key recommendations in the consent process included discussion of the possibility of orchidectomy and the possibility of subsequent infection of the affected testis or wound requiring antibiotic therapy. If after the examination under anaesthesia, the index of suspicion of testicular torsion is lower than previously thought, then the surgeon should still proceed to scrotal exploration as planned. A flow chart guiding decision making dependent on intra‐operative findings has been designed. If no torsion is present on exploration and bell clapper deformity is absent, the testis should not be fixed. When fixing a testis using sutures, a three‐ or four‐point method is acceptable and non‐absorbable sutures are preferred. Conclusions: We have produced consensus recommendations to inform best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destruction of all poliovirus containing materials, safe and secure handling of retained polioviruses for vaccine production, and research will be obligatory to eliminate facility‐associated risks. Polioviruses and poliovirus potentially infectious materials (PIM) including fecal or respiratory samples requiring containment have been defined in World Health Organization‐Global Action Plan (GAP III) documents. Non‐polio laboratories culturing viruses from PIM are most affected as cell cultures of human and monkey origin are also poliovirus permissive. CRISPR gene‐editing technology was used to knockout the poliovirus receptor (PVR/CD155) gene in the rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell line. PVR knockout RD cell susceptibility was tested using known non‐polio enterovirus (NPEV) types. A selected clone (RD‐SJ40) was field evaluated for virus isolation from 626 stool samples of acute flaccid paralysis cases. Poliovirus nonpermissive cells derived from the RD cell line did not show CD155‐specific cell‐surface immunofluorescence. CD155 gene sequencing confirmed nucleotide base pair deletions within exon2 and exon3. The CD155 knockout RD‐SJ40 cells did not support the growth of poliovirus from positive stool samples. All NPEV types were isolated in RD and RD‐SJ40 cells. CRISPR correctly edited the CD155 gene of RD cells to render them poliovirus nonpermissive while susceptibility to NPEV remained unchanged. RD‐SJ40 cells are safe for NPEV isolation from poliovirus PIM without derogating GAP III containment requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attaining Industry 4.0 for manufacturing operations requires advanced monitoring systems and real‐time data analytics of plant data, among other topics. We propose a probabilistic bidirectional recurrent network (PBRN) for industrial process monitoring for the early detection of faults. The model is based on a gated recurrent unit (GRU) neural network that allows the model to retain long‐term dependencies between sensor data along a time horizon, hence learning the dynamic behavior of the process. To reduce the false‐positive detection rate of the model, we compel the model to learn from a highly noisy sensor reading while outputting noise‐free sensor outputs. The performance of the proposed model is compared with other data‐driven statistical process monitoring schemes using real plant data from an industrial air separations unit (ASU) containing noisy sensor readings. We show that the model can learn from noisy data without reducing its performance. Using two different fault cases, we demonstrate the model's ability to carry out early fault detection with average false‐positive rates of 2.9% and 4.9% for both fault cases. The missed detection rates are 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial Air Separations Unit (ASU) is a complicated and tightly operated process. The use of dynamic process analytics is also a key element of safe and economic operation of these processes, with increasing focus on predictive analytics to take preemptive actions. With the availability of real‐time data from hundreds of sensors, the data analysis process should also consider the topology of the data, as seen in sensor networks. In this paper, a novel tool is presented that considers the complex connectivity patterns in the sensor network and uses local adaptive disturbance estimations to predict global network‐scale trends. The paper introduces the emerging field of Graph Signal Processing (GSP) and presents a rigorous derivation of the tool starting from the extraction of the sensor‐network (in a graph theoretical sense) from the data. This network, which is in the form of a matrix, is then used to derive a Kalman‐filter type of state‐space model driven by input disturbances. Multiple disturbance models (e.g., step, ramp, periodic) are included to allow the model to have different kinds of disturbance propagation. Each graph node (representing the sensors used) dynamically adapts to the most recent detected disturbance individually. These estimated disturbances are propagated to the global network using the graph. Modifications to ensure stability are also discussed. The fidelity of the tool is tested on certain downtime events and the paper concludes by discussing the advantages of the method and planned future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As species arise, evolve and diverge, they are shaped by forces that unfold across short and long timescales and at both local and vast geographical scales. It is rare, however, to be able document this history across broad sweeps of time and space in a single species. Here, we report the results of a continental‐scale phylogenomic analysis across the entire range of a widespread species. We analysed sequences of 1402 orthologous ultraconserved element (UCE) loci from 75 individuals to identify population genetic structure and historical demographic patterns across the continent‐wide range of a cold‐adapted ant, the winter ant, Prenolepis imparis. We recovered five well‐supported, genetically isolated clades representing lineages that diverged from 8.2–2.2 million years ago. These include: (i) an early diverging lineage located in Florida, (ii) a lineage that spans the southern United States, (iii) populations that extend across the midwestern and northeastern United States, (iv) populations from the western United States and (v) populations in southwestern Arizona and Mexico. Population genetic analyses revealed little or no gene flow among these lineages, but patterns consistent with more recent gene flow among populations within lineages, and localized structure with migration in the western United States. High support for five major geographical lineages and lack of evidence of contemporary gene flow indicate in situ diversification across the species' range, producing relatively ancient lineages that persisted through subsequent climate change and glaciation during the Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Decades of genetic studies on people with many different epilepsies, and on many nonhuman species, using many different technologies, have generated a huge body of literature about the genes associated with seizures/epilepsy. Collating these data can help uncover epilepsy genes, pathways, and treatments that would otherwise be overlooked. We aimed to collate and structure these data into a database, and use the database to identify novel epilepsy genes and pathways, and to prioritize promising treatments. Methods: We collated all the genes associated with all types of seizures/epilepsy in all species, and quantified the supporting evidence for each gene, by manually screening ~10 000 publications, and by extracting data from existing databases. Results: The largest published dataset of epilepsy genes includes only 977 genes, whereas our database (www.sagas.ac) includes 2876 genes, which demonstrates that the number of genes that can potentially contribute to seizures/epilepsy is much higher than previously envisaged. We use our database to identify 12 hitherto unreported polygenic epilepsy genes, 479 high‐confidence monogenic epilepsy genes, and 394 more biological pathways than identified using the previously largest epilepsy gene dataset. We use a unique feature of Seizure‐Associated Genes Across Species—the number of citations for each gene—to demonstrate that a drug is more likely to affect seizures if there is more evidence that the genes it affects are associated with seizures, and we use these data to identify promising candidate antiseizure drugs. Significance: This database offers insights into the causes of epilepsy and its treatments, and can accelerate future epilepsy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic species diversity is a major challenge regarding the species‐rich community of parasitoids attacking oak gall wasps due to a high degree of sexual dimorphism, morphological plasticity, small size and poorly known biology. As such, we know very little about the number of species present, nor the evolutionary forces responsible for generating this diversity. One hypothesis is that trait diversity in the gall wasps, including the morphology of the galls they induce, has evolved in response to selection imposed by the parasitoid community, with reciprocal selection driving diversification of the parasitoids. Using a rare, continental‐scale data set of Sycophila parasitoid wasps reared from 44 species of cynipid galls from 18 species of oak across the USA, we combined mitochondrial DNA barcodes, ultraconserved elements (UCEs), morphological and natural history data to delimit putative species. Using these results, we generate the first large‐scale assessment of ecological specialization and host association in this species‐rich group, with implications for evolutionary ecology and biocontrol. We find most Sycophila target specific subsets of available cynipid host galls with similar morphologies, and generally attack larger galls. Our results suggest that parasitoid wasps such as Sycophila have adaptations allowing them to exploit particular host trait combinations, while hosts with contrasting traits are resistant to attack. These findings support the tritrophic niche concept for the structuring of plant–herbivore–parasitoid communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Objective assessment of grit and its association with burnout in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) training is underexplored. Aim: This study utilises the Short Grit Scale and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory to investigate the association of grit with burnout, thriving and career progression among O&G trainees and Fellows in Australia/New Zealand. Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of the RANZCOG (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) members was conducted. Participants were categorised by seniority level (core trainees, advanced trainees and Fellows). Mean grit and burnout scores were compared with one‐way analyses of variance. Correlation between grit and burnout was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with high vs low burnout. Grit was categorised as low/medium/high for regression models. Results: A total of 751 (26%) participants completed the survey. Fellows reported higher mean grit than core (P = 0.02) and advanced trainees (P = 0.03), and lower mean burnout than core trainees (P < 0.001). Moderate negative correlation was demonstrated between grit and burnout scores (r = −0.34). In the multivariable model, only seniority (adjusted adds ratio (OR): 0.40 for Fellows vs core trainees, P = 0.008) and grit levels (adjusted OR:4.52 for low versus high, P < 0.001; 2.32 for low vs medium, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with burnout. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the protective role of grit in combating burnout among RANZCOG trainees and Fellows. While further well‐designed studies are warranted, findings from our study are expected to help the College in developing targeted interventions and subsequently minimise burnout‐related adverse outcomes in high‐risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

K‐edge anomalous SAXS intensity was measured from a small, dimeric, partly unstructured protein segment of myosin X by using cupric ions bound to its C‐terminal polyhistidine tags. Energy‐dependent anomalous SAXS can provide key location‐specific information about metal‐labeled protein structures in solution that cannot be obtained from routine SAXS analysis. However, anomalous SAXS is seldom used for protein research due to practical difficulties, such as a lack of generic multivalent metal‐binding tags and the challenges of measuring weak anomalous signal at the metal absorption edge. This pilot feasibility study suggests that weak K‐edge anomalous SAXS signal can be obtained from transition metals bound to terminally located histidine tags of small proteins. The measured anomalous signal can provide information about the distribution of all metal–protein distances in the complex. Such an anomalous SAXS signal can assist in the modeling and validation of structured or unstructured proteins in solution and may potentially become a new addition to the repertoire of techniques in integrative structural biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The positive relationship between species richness and area—the species–area relationship (SAR)—is a key principle in ecology. Previous studies show large variation in the SAR across taxa collectively indicating the necessity of a taxon‐focused approach to accurately evaluate biodiversity scaling patterns. Ants are ideal for this given their global distribution and role in ecosystem functioning. Using data from insular ant communities, this study quantified and investigated various attributes of ant SARs and reviewed the SAR literature for ant faunas, world‐wide, to identify specific areas for improvement. Location: Islands around the world. Taxon: Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Methods: We aggregated data on species richness and island characteristics from previous studies on ant SARs to evaluate effects of climate, biogeographic realm, and latitude on slope values from these studies. A multimodel inference approach was used to determine the form of the different SARs, and whether there were any differences between mainland and insular SARs. We also assessed differences between mainland and insular SAR slopes and intercepts. To seek a general slope coefficient for ants, we used a mixed‐effect model. Finally, we tested for potential thresholds in the global insular SAR using piecewise regression models. Results: There was a negative relationship between SAR slopes and precipitation in both mainland and insular SARs, while SAR slopes and intercept values were higher in mainland compared to insular systems. Strong evidence of thresholds emerged in the global insular SAR. Finally, a general slope of 0.16 was observed for insular systems, which is lower than found in previous studies. Main Conclusions: A taxon‐focused approach proves to showcase unexpected patterns in the SAR. Ant diversity increases faster across area in mainland areas compared to true islands. The influences of climate and biogeographic realms on the ant SAR warrant deeper study. Our review highlights knowledge gaps in the ant SAR that also extend to other taxa, such as the effects of nonnative species on the SAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Forest composition and distribution are determined by a myriad of factors, including climate. As models of tropical rain forest, palms are often used as indicator taxa, particularly the Mauritiinae. We question, what characterizes the Mauritiinae pollen in the global fossil record? And when did the Mauritiinae become endemic to South America? Location: Global tropics. Taxon: Mauritiinae palms (Arecaceae: Lepidocaryeae). Methods: Pollen trait data from extinct and extant Mauritiinae pollen were generated from light‐, scanning‐, and transmission electron microscopy. Statistical morphometric analysis was used to define species and their relationships to other Mauritiinae. We also compiled a comprehensive pollen database for extinct and extant Mauritiinae and mapped their global geographical distribution from Late Cretaceous to present, using GBIF and fossil data. Results: Our morphometric analysis identified 18 species (11 extinct and seven extant), all exhibiting exine indentations, a synapomorphy of the subtribe. The fossil taxa and early divergent extant Lepidocaryum are all monosulcate, whereas the extant Mauritia and Mauritiella species are all monoulcerate. Paleobiogeographical maps of fossil Mauritiinae pollen occurrences suggest the taxon originated in equatorial Africa during the Cretaceous, and expanded their range to South America, and to India in the Paleocene. Range retraction started in the early Eocene with extirpation from India, and reduction in diversity in Africa culminating at the Eocene–Oligocene Transition (EOT). In contrast, in South America, the distribution is maintained, and since the Neogene Mauritiinae palms are mostly restricted to swampy, lowland habitats. Main conclusions: Morphometric analysis shows that since their origin Mauritiinae pollen are relatively species poor, and Mauritiidites resembles Lepidocaryum. We also conclude that the biogeographical history of the Mauriitinae and, by extension, tropical forests was strongly affected by global climatic cooling events. In particular, the climate change at the EOT was a fundamental determinant of current tropical forest distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Existing data on safety of non‐obstetric surgery during pregnancy appear limited and conflicting. This study aimed to assess perinatal outcomes and complications in pregnant women undergoing non‐obstetric surgeries. Methods: A single‐site Australian study was performed utilizing a 10‐year data (2009–2018) collected retrospectively. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study population. Statistical analyses between groups were conducted by independent t‐test or Mann–Whitney (for means between groups) and by chi‐squared/Fisher's exact test (for categorical variables). Results: A total of 108 pregnant women underwent non‐obstetric surgery, with an increasing trend in annual numbers since 2014. The majority of women (91%) underwent surgeries as an emergency procedure, and under general anaesthesia (69.8%). Procedures during the first trimester comprised 45%, making it the most common trimester for non‐obstetric surgeries. The most common cause for surgery arose in the gastrointestinal/digestive tract (39%). Overall perinatal complication rate was 19% with the rate of miscarriage/foetal loss, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction/small for gestational age being 4.7%, 10.4% and 3.8%, respectively. A total of 46 patients underwent intra‐abdominal surgery. The most common surgery in the laparoscopy group was appendicectomy (56%), whereas adnexal pathology (54%) contributed to the majority of laparotomies. Subgroup comparison showed no significant difference in perinatal outcomes except for caesarean delivery rate (24% versus 67% for laparoscopy versus open, respectively (P = 0.04)). Conclusion: With an overall perinatal complication rate of 19%, the rate of adverse perinatal outcomes following non‐obstetric surgery during pregnancy in our study was low and comparable to those of the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This communication reports the beneficial effects of co‐gasification of biomass and residual oil to produce syngas. In this regard, various blends of glucose (a biomass surrogate) to vacuum gas oil (VGO) have been employed to investigate the synergic effects on the gasification process. The non‐isothermal co‐gasification experiments were conducted in a thermogravimetric analyzer at different heating rates and gasifying agents. The analysis showed that the co‐gasification rate increased with the increase of glucose content in the feedstock. The presence of the oxygen in the biomass molecules helped the overall gasification process. The maximum gasification rate of 42.70 wt/min (DTGmax) was observed with 25 wt% glucose containing sample. The use of gasifying agents appeared to have some influence, especially during high temperature gasification of the glucose‐VGO blends. At a same gasification temperature, the co‐gasification rate of glucose‐VGO blends were found to be 125.7 wt/min and 98.59 wt%/min for N2 and CO2, respectively. The kinetics of the co‐gasification of glucose‐VGO blends was conducted based on modified random pore model using TGA experimental data and implemented in MATLAB. The estimated activation energy and rate constants were found to be consistent to the observed co‐gasification rates. The apparent activation energies of co‐gasification of VGO/biomass blends with different weight percentages shows values ranging 60.56–48.25 kJ/mol. The kinetics analysis suggested that the addition of biomass helped to increase the reaction rate by lowering the activation energy required for accomplishing the reactions compared with petroleum carbonaceous feedstocks. The reaction rate constants isotherms are plotted to show that the k‐values are exhibiting similar trends at moderate heating rates between 20 and 60 °C/min. This remark arises due to the nature of the reactions involved which are considered to be inherently similar in this range of heating rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) require care of wounds that are colonized or infected with bacteria. A subset of EB patients are at risk for squamous cell carcinoma, and bacterial‐host interactions have been considered in this risk. The EB Clinical Characterization and Outcomes Database serves as a repository of information from EB patients at multiple centers in the United States and Canada. Access to this resource enabled broad‐scale analysis of wound cultures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 739 wound cultures from 158 patients from 13 centers between 2001 and 2018. Results: Of 152 patients with a positive culture, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) was recovered from 131 patients (86%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) from 56 (37%), and Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) from 34 (22%). Sixty‐eight percent of patients had cultures positive for methicillin‐sensitive SA, and 47%, methicillin‐resistant SA (18 patients had cultures that grew both methicillin‐susceptible and methicillin‐resistant SA at different points in time). Of 15 patients with SA‐positive cultures with recorded mupirocin susceptibility testing, 11 had mupirocin‐susceptible SA and 6 patients mupirocin‐resistant SA (2 patients grew both mupirocin‐susceptible and mupirocin‐resistant SA). SCC was reported in 23 patients in the entire database, of whom 10 had documented wound cultures positive for SA, PA, and Proteus species in 90%, 50%, and 20% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: SA and PA were the most commonly isolated bacteria from wounds. Methicillin resistance and mupirocin resistance were reported in 47% and 40% of patients tested, respectively, highlighting the importance of ongoing antimicrobial strategies to limit antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical and systemic retinoids have long been used in the treatment of ichthyoses and other disorders of cornification. Due to the need for long‐term use of retinoids for these disorders, often beginning in childhood, numerous clinical concerns must be considered. Systemic retinoids have known side effects involving bone and eye. Additionally, potential psychiatric and cardiovascular effects need to be considered. Contraceptive concerns, as well as the additive cardiovascular and bone effects of systemic retinoid use with hormonal contraception must also be deliberated for patients of childbearing potential. The Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) Use of Retinoids in Ichthyosis Work Group was formed to address these issues and to establish best practices regarding the use of retinoids in ichthyoses based on available evidence and expert opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features.Aims: To provide (a) a complete review of the oral manifestations in those living with each type of inherited EB, (b) the current best practices for managing oral health care of people living with EB, (c) the current best practices on dental implant-based oral rehabilitation for patients with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), and (d) the current best practice for managing local anesthesia, principles of sedation, and general anesthesia for children and adults with EB undergoing dental treatment.Methods: Systematic literature search, panel discussion including clinical experts and patient representatives from different centers around the world, external review, and guideline piloting.Results: This article has been divided into five chapters: (i) general information on EB for the oral health care professional, (ii) systematic literature review on the oral manifestations of EB, (iii) oral health care and dental treatment for children and adults living with EB-clinical practice guidelines, (iv) dental implants in patients with RDEB-clinical practice guidelines, and (v) sedation and anesthesia for adults and children with EB undergoing dental treatment-clinical practice guidelines. Each chapter provides recommendations on the management of the different clinical procedures within dental practice, highlighting the importance of patient-clinician partnership, impact on quality of life, and the importance of follow-up appointments. Guidance on the use on nonadhesive wound care products and emollients to reduce friction during patient care is provided.Conclusions: Oral soft and hard tissue manifestations of inherited EB have unique patterns of involvement associated with each subtype of the condition. Understanding each subtype individually will help the professionals plan long-term treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichodysplasia spinulosa is a rare disorder caused by the ubiquitous trichodysplasia spinulosa‐associated polyomavirus (TSPyV) and characterized clinically by predominately centrofacial, but often generalized, folliculocentric papules with protuberant keratinaceous spines. Although seroprevalence reaches up to 70% in adult populations, TSPyV causes clinical manifestations in a small percentage of patients who are immunosuppressed. Diagnosis can be made using typical clinical and histologic features, SV40T antibody immunostaining, and PCR of various tissues including the keratinaceous spine, skin, serum, urine, and CSF. Various topical and systemic medications have demonstrated variable success. Decreasing or discontinuing immunosuppression has also been shown to improve or alleviate clinical manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of what skin conditions are most commonly diagnosed in different pediatric racial and ethnic groups in outpatient dermatology clinics could help guide the development of pediatric dermatology educational initiatives for primary care providers and general dermatologists who have limited access to pediatric dermatologists. Using a nationally representative dataset, we evaluated the most common diagnoses in patients younger than 15 years of age (children) and 15‐24 years of age (youth) who present to outpatient dermatology clinics, stratified by race and ethnicity. While acne and dermatitis were among the top ten most common diagnoses in all racial and ethnic groups studied, Black children were also commonly diagnosed with dermatophytosis and impetigo, and Black and Hispanic children were often diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis; pigmentary disorders were among the top three most common diagnoses in Black, Asian, and Hispanic youth. Training more physicians how to evaluate and treat common skin conditions in children and youth of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds may improve access to care for skin disease in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of methods to accurately estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence rate remains a challenge. Ideally, one would follow a random sample of HIV‐negative individuals under a longitudinal study design and identify incident cases as they arise. Such designs can be prohibitively resource intensive and therefore alternative designs may be preferable. We propose such a simple, less resource‐intensive study design and develop a weighted log likelihood approach which simultaneously accounts for selection bias and outcome misclassification error. The design is based on a cross‐sectional survey which queries individuals' time since last HIV‐negative test, validates their test results with formal documentation whenever possible, and tests all persons who do not have documentation of being HIV‐positive. To gain efficiency, we update the weighted log likelihood function with potentially misclassified self‐reports from individuals who could not produce documentation of a prior HIV‐negative test and investigate large sample properties of validated sub‐sample only versus pooled sample estimators through extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We illustrate our method by estimating incidence rate for individuals who tested HIV‐negative within 1.5 and 5 years prior to Botswana Combination Prevention Project enrolment. This article establishes that accurate estimates of HIV incidence rate can be obtained from individuals' history of testing in a cross‐sectional cohort study design by appropriately accounting for selection bias and misclassification error. Moreover, this approach is notably less resource‐intensive compared to longitudinal and laboratory‐based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nylanderia (Emery) is one of the world's most diverse ant genera, with 123 described species worldwide and hundreds more undescribed. Fifteen globetrotting or invasive species have widespread distributions and are often encountered outside their native ranges. A molecular approach to understanding the evolutionary history and to revision of Nylanderia taxonomy is needed because historical efforts based on morphology have proven insufficient to define major lineages and delimit species boundaries, especially where adventive species are concerned. To address these problems, we generated the first genus‐wide genomic dataset of Nylanderia using ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to resolve the phylogeny of major lineages, determine the age and origin of the genus, and describe global biogeographical patterns. Sampling from seven biogeographical regions revealed a Southeast Asian origin of Nylanderia in the mid‐Eocene and four distinct biogeographical clades in the Nearctic, the Neotropics, the Afrotropics/Malagasy region, and Australasia. The Nearctic and Neotropical clades are distantly related, indicating two separate dispersal events to the Americas between the late Oligocene and early Miocene. We also addressed the problem of misidentification that has characterized species‐level taxonomy in Nylanderia as a result of limited morphological variation in the worker caste by evaluating the integrity of species boundaries in six of the most widespread Nylanderia species. We sampled across ranges of species in the N. bourbonica complex (N. bourbonica (Forel) + N. vaga (Forel)), the N. fulva complex (N. fulva (Mayr) + N. pubens (Forel)), and the N. guatemalensis complex (N. guatemalensis (Forel) + N. steinheili (Forel)) to clarify their phylogenetic placement. Deep splits within these complexes suggest that some species names – specifically N. bourbonica and N. guatemalensis – each are applied to multiple cryptic species. In exhaustively sampling Nylanderia diversity in the West Indies, a 'hot spot' for invasive taxa, we found five adventive species among 22 in the region; many remain morphologically indistinguishable from one another, despite being distantly related. We stress that overcoming the taxonomic impediment through the use of molecular phylogeny and revisionary study is essential for conservation and invasive species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: To determine whether iron was being enterally absorbed in anemic patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Methods: Anemic patients with RDEB who were refractory or had poor adherence to oral or gastrostomy‐given iron underwent enteral iron absorption challenges. Subjects were given 2 mg/kg of elemental iron. Successful iron absorption was defined as a two‐ to threefold increase of serum iron or a rise to above 100 µg/dL. Results: Nine of 12 iron challenges did not show increased iron absorption. Only three of the ten subjects demonstrated elevated iron absorption. All patients had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C‐reactive protein (CRP), low serum albumin, and hemoglobin levels. Eight challenges were in patients with elevated soluble transferrin receptor (STFR)/log ferritin levels, indicating iron deficiency. The three challenges with elevated iron absorption also had elevated STFR/log ferritin as well as elevated ESR and CRP, but these inflammatory markers were, in general, less elevated than those in non‐absorbers. Conclusions: Enteral iron is routinely prescribed for anemic patients with RDEB assuming a component of iron deficiency. Adherence to enteral iron tends to be unreliable due to unpalatable taste and gastrointestinal complaints. Enteral iron absorption tests are relatively noninvasive and appear to be well tolerated. Poor gastrointestinal iron absorption may be an important factor in failure to improve anemia in RDEB enterally. It may be prudent to test patients with RDEB who are anemic and not responding well to conventional iron supplements with iron absorption tests and to consider replacement with intravenous iron in iron‐deficient patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the impact of cowpea market participation on household food security and income in northern Nigeria. Using household survey data from a representative sample of over 1,500 farm households and applying a combination of instrumental variable techniques and dose–response functions, we found that cowpea market participation had a statistically significant positive impact on household food security and income. Cowpea market participation increased food expenditure by 1.6% and household income by 0.7% with a 10 unit increase in the quantity of cowpea sold. These results underscore the importance of cowpea market participation for household food security and income improvement. We also found that selling cowpea to rural and urban traders significantly increased household income, food expenditure, and food security. Results show that selling cowpea to rural and urban traders increased household income by 17% and 13%, respectively. The results point to the need for an enabling policy environment and public infrastructure to enhance market participation of farmers and traders. Public infrastructure investments in the form of feeder road construction and maintenance in the distant villages are encouraged, which in the long run can translate into improved cowpea productivity and welfare of smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]