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ABSTRACT Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion “Liver clots” are an uncommon complication following periodontal surgery, characterized by their distinctive gelatinous consistency and color resembling 'liver' tissue. Despite anecdotal reports, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence in the literature regarding its incidence, etiopathogenesis and optimal management strategies. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by retrospectively analyzing cases to provide insights into this unusual post‐operative complication.In this retrospective descriptive study, data spanning a decade (June 2013–June 2024) were collected from various dental centres. The data included patient demographics, medical history, surgical procedures performed, occurrence of “liver clot” formation, management measures and treatment outcomes.The 10‐year retrospective data revealed a 2.03% incidence of “liver clots” among various periodontal procedures. The highest occurrence was observed following dental extractions, followed by periodontal surgical procedures. The observations also indicated a higher frequency in systemically healthy individuals.“Liver clot” formation is a rare, but specific complication after periodontal surgery. Minimally invasive management approaches are effective, highlighting the importance of vigilance and prompt intervention for optimal patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact etiopathogenesis and to establish evidence‐based management protocols for this unusual complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a leading contributor to mortality in low‐middle income countries including Haiti, yet only 13% achieve blood pressure (BP) control. We evaluated the effectiveness of a community‐based hypertension management program delivered by community health workers (CHWs) and physicians among 100 adults with uncontrolled hypertension from the Haiti Cardiovascular Disease Cohort. The 12‐month intervention included: community follow‐up visits with CHWs (1 month if BP uncontrolled ≥140/90, 3 months otherwise) for BP measurement, lifestyle counseling, medication delivery, and dose adjustments. Primary outcome was mean change in systolic BP from enrollment to 12 months. Secondary outcomes were mean change in diastolic BP, BP control, acceptability, feasibility, and adverse events. We compared outcomes to 100 age, sex, and baseline BP matched controls with standard of care: clinic follow‐up visits with physicians every 3 months. We also conducted qualitative interviews with participants and providers. Among 200 adults, median age was 59 years, 59% were female. Baseline mean BP was 154/89 mmHg intervention versus 153/88 mmHg control. At 12 months, the difference in SBP change between groups was −12.8 mmHg (95%CI −6.9, −18.7) and for DBP −7.1 mmHg (95%CI −3.3, −11.0). BP control increased from 0% to 58.1% in intervention, and 28.4% in control group. Four participants reported mild adverse events. In mixed methods analysis, we found community‐based delivery addressed multiple participant barriers to care, and task‐shifting with strong teamwork enhanced medication adherence. Community‐based hypertension management using task‐shifting with CHWs and community‐based care was acceptable, and effective in reducing SBP, DBP, and increasing BP control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) is common after pelvic exenteration (PE), causing fluid collections, bowel obstruction, perineal sinuses, and fistulas. The best approach to fill the pelvis to mitigate this remains controversial, and the impact of EPS on health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) is unknown. This study is the first to begin to explore lived‐experiences of EPS complications. Methods: Unstructured EPS virtual focus group meetings were conducted with a convenience sample of patients who underwent PE, as an extension of a modified‐Delphi study. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on verbatim transcripts to generate group experiential themes. Results: Twelve patients (eight UK, one Dutch, and three Belgian) participated in four focus groups. Eight EPS complications were reported, (two pelvic collections, five chronic perineal sinuses, and one bowel obstruction). Group experiential themes were 'Out of Options', depicting patients forced to accept complications or limited survival; 'The New Normal', with EPS potentially delaying adaptation to post‐PE HrQoL; 'Information Influencing Adaptation,' emphasising the significance of patients understanding EPS to cope with its effects; and 'Symptoms,' reporting manifestations of EPS, the resultant physical limitations, and an intangible feeling that patients lost part of themselves. Conclusions: EPS may influence patient decision‐making, regret, adaptation, and information‐seeking. It can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms and physical limitations, which may include phantom phenomenon. This work supports ongoing purposeful HrQoL research to better define these themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral tissue morphogenesis is innately determined and genetically controlled by underlying connective tissue. The connective tissue graft (CTG) harvested from palatal donor sites originally retains "regional specificity" and is considered to be responsible for epithelial keratinization. Methods: This case study presents histological and genomic outcomes of coronally advanced flap (CAF) with CTG for the management of marginal tissue recession (MTR). The tissue samples harvested at 12‐month postoperative period, during the debulking procedure of the treated site were subjected to Masson's trichrome staining (MTS) and whole‐genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Clinically, the mean root coverage as compared to baseline at 6 months (90%), 12 months (95%), and 24 months (95%) postoperatively was achieved. Overbulking of treated site was evident even after 12 months. Nevertheless, clinically discernible alterations in epithelial keratinization were not present. Although MTS revealed areas of non‐keratinization and para‐keratinization, WGS revealed a significant expression of keratinization genes, neural crest, and positional marker genes. Conclusions: CAF with CTG is still considered the "gold standard" in treatment of MTR. The keratinization of overlying epithelium at sites hitherto where non‐keratinized mucosa is advanced over CTG may not be complete even after 12 months. It is evident from the analysis of the reported case that clinically such sites may appear non‐keratinized despite the expression of genes for keratinization. The complex interplay between genomic and phenotypic expressions serves as a foundation of biological concepts. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that the phenotype of an organism is not solely determined by genetic expression and is often influenced by a complex interaction between genetic background and environmental factors. Key Summary: The connective tissue serves as a medium for transmitting the genetic code and exerting an influence on the properties of the overlying epithelial tissue. Concrete evidence implies connective tissue plays a significant role in influencing the keratinization process of the overlying epithelium.Epithelial keratinization following a coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft is also governed by environmental factors in addition to inherent potential within the graft.Differences in gene expression profiles may vary from individuals, teeth and among sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio‐inspired by natural species and previous research works, nanotubes are prepared by soft‐template electropolymerization in micellar solution. Various thiophene‐based and carbazole‐based monomers are designed from a triphenylamine core. With one of the carbazole‐based monomers, which is fully conjugated and with a star‐like structure, gecko‐like surface structures are obtained even if the structure is not perfectly planar. Extremely long and densely packed‐microtubes are reached especially at constant potential. However, the surfaces are not both highly hydrophobic and with strong water adhesion, but are superhydrophilic. These wetting properties can be explained by a high surface energy (γSV)=41.9 mN m−1 compared to gecko foot even if the natural gecko feet are also chemically inhomogeneous, or by differences in the arrangement of the surface structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Materials and methods Results Conclusion Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumour among young men in the reproductive phase. After completing cancer treatment, up to 77% of cancer survivors report an interest in paternity after completing cancer treatment. To preserve fertility, most guidelines recommend that physicians should counsel their patients about sperm cryopreservation before initiating gonadotoxic therapy. However, few studies have assessed fertility parameters after testicular cancer therapies over the last 20 years.To close the gap of data regarding gonadotoxicity of testicular cancer therapies to enable more accurate counselling regarding fertility preservation.A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase and Cochrane until December 2022. The systematic review included studies of men who had undergone all types of unilateral testicular cancer treatment, whereas the meta‐analysis excluded studies with unspecified treatments, less than 10 patients for outcome evaluation or rare tumours. Infertility (i.e. azoospermia, failure to achieve paternity or the usage of cryosperm) was defined as outcome.The qualitative analysis included 30 studies with a total of 13,718 men after unilateral testicular cancer. Treatment comprised active surveillance after unilateral orchidectomy (32.7%), radiotherapy (23.1%), standard‐ or low‐dose chemotherapy (33.7%) and high‐dose chemotherapy (1.4%). Post‐treatment spermiograms were analysed in 17 studies. The quantitative synthesis included 23 studies, revealing an overall pooled prevalence of infertility (95% CI) of 14% (9%–21%). Azoospermia occurred in 8% (6%–12%). For good‐prognosis patients who received standard therapy, the overall prevalence of infertility was only 4% (2%–10%).So far, this very first meta‐analysis of overall infertility prevalence provides the best approximation of fertility prognosis for men who have undergone testicular cancer therapy. Despite the low prevalence of infertility, it is still recommended to undergo sperm cryopreservation because of the uncertainty of the subsequent therapy and the lack of large longitudinal data on individual treatment effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To deal with the upcoming challenges and complexity of the nursing profession, it is deemed important to reflect on our current organization of care. However, before starting to rethink the organization of nursing care, an overview of important elements concerning nursing care organization, more specifically nursing models, is necessary. The aim of this study was to conduct a mapping review, accompanied by an evidence map to map the existing literature, to map the field of knowledge on a meta‐level and to identify current research gaps concerning nursing models in a hospital setting. Next to nursing models, two other organizational correlates seem to be of importance when looking at the organization of nursing care: nurse staffing and skill mix. Although it seems that in recent research, the theoretical focus on the organization of nursing care has been left behind, the increasingly complex healthcare environment might gain from the use of nursing theory, or in this case, care delivery models. As almost no fundamental studies have been done toward the combination of care delivery models, nurse staffing, and skill mix, those elements should be taken into account to fully capture the organization of nursing care in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean‐alpine plants are exposed to harsh conditions, forcing them to perform with well‐adapted physiological strategies to withstand the dual stressors that arise from winter cold and summer drought. Such growth strategies are not yet fully understood, although they gain importance with regard to the resilience of species in the face of ongoing climate variability.Here, we aimed at understanding shrub growth in a widespread Mediterranean‐alpine species, Cytisus galianoi Talavera & Gibbs. Using long‐term time series of stem diameter change obtained from dendrometer measurements across the species´ range, we were able to characterise its spatiotemporal growth plasticity. Furthermore, separating water‐related fluctuations in stem diameter from irreversible stem increment allowed us to disentangle the species´ seasonal growth patterns. Using fine‐scale measurements of on‐site environmental conditions, we were then able to identify micro‐ecological drivers controlling the species´ growth processes by applying correlation analysis and partial least squares regressions.We show the species´ adaptation to the spatial heterogeneity across its range for the first time. Our findings highlight that the combination of bimodality and overall high growth plasticity likely allows the species to cover a wide geographical range across alpine areas and over a wide range of weather conditions. We show the environmental control of bimodal growth in C. galianoi, and the importance of pre‐growth environmental control, leading to pronounced carry‐over effects. These lead to a major advantage in resisting adverse growth conditions and adapting to changing conditions.Synthesis: Overall, our findings improve the understanding of the species´ ecological niche and show that preceding photosynthetic activity helps C. galianoi to perform even under unfavourable conditions in winter and during the active growth phase, challenging the general assumption on the coupling of growth to specific seasons and suggesting that the species is capable of adapting to future climate variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Beta‐lactam antibiotics are reported for some of them to be subject to a rapid degradation in infusion solutions and in human blood samples. However, the current data of stability available in blood samples are limited to a few number of beta‐lactam antibiotics, and the methodology of the corresponding studies may be discussed. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the stability of 10 beta‐lactam antibiotics in human plasma samples. Methods: Stability of amoxicillin, cefazolin, cefepime, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem, meropenem, and piperacillin was evaluated at low and high concentrations at 20°C, 4°C, −20°C, and −80°C for 1, 7, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Results: Amoxicillin, cefepime, meropenem, and piperacillin were the least stable antibiotics. The maximum durations allowing the stability for all the evaluated beta‐lactams at both tested concentrations were estimated at 3 h, 23 h, 10 days, and 35 days at 20°C, 4°C, −20°C, and −80°C, respectively. Conclusion: We recommend to transport antibiotic plasma samples in ice at 4°C and even at −20°C if these samples come from external hospitals. Ideally, plasma samples should be stored at −80°C if possible; if not, the analysis of the samples should be performed as soon as possible in the limit of 10 days after a storage at −20°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluations of interventions to promote fathers' involvement in family life typically focus on whether or not the intervention has a positive impact. Some evaluations also attempt to describe mediators that explain how the intervention is linked to specific outcomes. An evaluation of TRUE Dads, a Randomized Clinical Trial of a couples‐based fatherhood intervention for low‐income families, reported results that addressed these two issues. Reporting new analyses, the present study addresses a question asked in only a very few fatherhood intervention studies: Are there moderator variables that define characteristics of participants who benefit most or least from the intervention? A total of 46 potential moderators of 2 significant intervention outcomes – reductions in personal distress and in negative evaluations of the parents' relationship with each other – were selected from a 5‐domain risk/protective model of family functioning (Cowan & Cowan, 2018. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 92, 111) and from a set of demographic variables associated with these outcomes. An additional 24 potential moderators were tested on 4 outcomes that did not have direct intervention effects. Only 6 of the 70 moderator tests were statistically significant. The intervention provided greater reductions in parents' personal distress when fathers had more economic resources, co‐parents had higher levels of education, and the parents were living in the same household on entering the study. There were greater reductions in negative aspects of their couple or co‐parenting relationship when the parents at enrollment described more difficulties in the parent–child relationship, fathers were more involved in the children's daily care and were living in the household with their child. No other moderators were found. The results support the conclusion that TRUE Dads was equally effective for a relatively wide range of participants. This search for potential moderators of TRUE Dads outcomes is presented as an example of a needed direction in the evaluation of fatherhood interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant attention has been given to how artificial intelligence (AI) can be utilized by society and in scientific fields in recent years. This article explores how AI tools utilized in various fields have been and can be applied to ecological restoration projects, their affiliated benefits and drawbacks, and what those tools depend on. While restoration efforts can benefit from such tools, individual and institutional values primarily drive project goals. As such, AI tools are constrained in their usefulness in restoration because they can only factor in value‐oriented variables to a certain degree. In fact, certain restoration practices may be so value‐laden that the use of AI may bias a restoration project in a manner which could lead to undesired outcomes. This article posits that AI can be integrated into ecological restoration projects, but that practitioners (and academics) should recognize the complexity of what AI tools are before they use them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal and estuarine habitats are essential for both growth and survival at juvenile stages for a large proportion of marine fish but are exposed to a variety of threats. However, the quantitative impacts of anthropic‐mediated nursery degradation on exploited population dynamics and productivity are rarely addressed. We developed a comprehensive steepness‐based parameterization of the stock–recruitment relationship that directly depends upon juvenile habitat quality and surface area and used a generic age‐ and stage‐structured model to simulate exploited population dynamics under nursery degradation/restoration scenarios. Population responses to juvenile habitat modification were estimated for three species with contrasting life histories. Modifying the surface area of nursery habitat has a predictable direct scaling effect on population size and affects biomass and fishing yield, with identical responses observed for various life histories. Modification of habitat quality affects both the population size and the shape of the productivity curve, leading to more complex responses of biomass and fishing yields that depend upon combinations of life history traits. Populations with low steepness and hence lower resiliency to fishing are the most sensitive to the degradation of habitat quality. Our study emphasizes the critical impact of juvenile habitat modification on population dynamics and productivity and the need to integrate habitat consideration into the management of exploited marine species. Our modelling framework is generalizable and can be extended to handle many diverse life histories and case studies to quantify the consequences of coastal habitat degradation/restoration for the dynamics of exploited marine fish populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex interelement trends among magmatic IIIF iron meteorites are difficult to explain by fractional crystallization and have raised uncertainty about their genetic relationships. Nucleosynthetic Mo isotope anomalies provide a powerful tool to assess if individual IIIF irons are related to each other. However, while trace element data are available for all nine IIIF irons, Mo isotopic data are limited to three samples. We present Mo isotopic data for all but one IIIF irons that help assess the genetic relationships among these irons, together with new Mo and W isotopic data for Fitzwater Pass (classified IIIF), and the Zinder pallasite (for which a cogenetic link with IIIF irons has been proposed). After correction for cosmic‐ray exposure, the Mo isotopic compositions of the IIIF irons are identical within uncertainty and confirm their belonging to carbonaceous chondrite (CC)‐type meteorites. The mean Mo isotopic composition of group IIIF overlaps those groups IIF and IID, but a common parent body for these groups is ruled out based on distinct trace element systematics. The new Mo isotopic data do not argue against a single parent body for the IIIF irons, and suggest a close genetic link among these samples. In contrast, Fitzwater Pass has distinct Mo and W isotopic compositions, identical to those of some non‐magmatic IAB irons. The Mo and W isotope data for Zinder indicate that this meteorite is not related to IIIF irons, but belongs to the non‐carbonaceous (NC) type and has the same Mo and W isotopic composition as main‐group pallasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The associations between the aetiology of preterm birth and later neurodevelopmental outcomes are unclear. A systematic review and meta‐analysis examined the existing evidence. Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for papers published in English from inception to 16 December 2020. We included original papers on the causes of preterm birth and the risks of cerebral palsy (CP) and suboptimal cognitive development. Two reviewers independently evaluated the studies and extracted the data. Results: The literature search yielded 5472 papers and 13 were selected. The aetiology of preterm birth was classified under spontaneous or medically indicated delivery. A meta‐analysis was performed, comprising 104 902 preterm infants from 11 papers on CP. Preterm infants born after a medically indicated delivery had a lower CP risk than infants born after spontaneous delivery, with a pooled odds ratio of 0.59 (95% confidence interval 0.40–0.86). This result was robust in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Cognitive development was reported in three papers, which suggested that worse outcomes were associated with medically indicated deliveries. Conclusion: The aetiology of preterm delivery may contribute to the risk of CP and cognitive delay. Further research is needed, using individual‐level meta‐analyses to adjust for possible confounders, notably gestational age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to investigate incidence, risk factors and treatment of synchronous or metachronous peritoneal metastases (PM) from gastric cancer and to estimate survival of these patients using population‐based data. Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2015 to 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The incidence of synchronous and metachronous PM were calculated. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the occurrence of PM. Treatment and survival were compared between patients with synchronous and metachronous PM. Of 2206 patients with gastric cancer, 741 (34%) were diagnosed with PM. Of these, 498 (23%) had synchronous PM. The cumulative incidence of metachronous PM in patients who underwent potentially curative treatment (n = 675) was 22.8% at 3 years. A factor associated with synchronous and metachronous PM was diffuse type histology. Patients diagnosed with synchronous PM more often received systemic treatment than patients with metachronous PM (35% vs 18%, respectively, P <.001). Median overall survival was comparable between synchronous and metachronous PM (3.2 vs 2.3 months, respectively, P =.731). Approximately one third of all patients with gastric cancer are diagnosed with PM, either at primary diagnosis or during 3‐year follow‐up after potentially curative treatment. Patients with metachronous PM less often received systemic treatment than those with synchronous PM but survival was comparable between both groups. Future trials are warranted to detect gastric cancer at an earlier stage and to examine strategies that lower the risk of peritoneal dissemination. Also, specific treatment options for patients with gastric PM should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Supported self‐management interventions for individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are needed. We examined the effects of a 12‐week resilience‐building energy management program (called RENEW) for fatigue and other patient‐reported outcomes. Methods: Participants, who had physician‐diagnosed SSc, moderate to severe fatigue, and were ≥18 years old, were randomly assigned to RENEW or waitlist control in a 2:1 ratio. The RENEW intervention included an educational website/application plus nine virtual peer‐led health coaching sessions. The primary outcome was change in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Fatigue scale. Secondary outcomes were change in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures of pain interference and depressive symptoms and Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Multiple imputation was conducted; linear mixed models were used to assess group differences. A three‐way interaction with group, time, and SSc duration was examined in each model. Results: Among 173 participants (mean ± SD age 54.5 ± 11.7 years; 93% female, 85% White), 47% had diffuse cutaneous SSc; 57% were ≤5 years from diagnosis. At 12 weeks, compared to controls, RENEW participants had a clinically meaningful fatigue improvement (β = −4.7; 95% confidence interval −6.7 to −2.7; P < 0.001) and improvement in all secondary outcomes. Among RENEW participants, individuals with shorter disease duration had greater improvements in fatigue at 12 weeks. Conclusion: An mHealth supported self‐management intervention improved fatigue and other outcomes, particularly in newly diagnosed patients. This program may be broadly scalable for SSc symptom management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the subtle risk factors for periodontitis, specifically focusing on the impact of third-hand smoke. Topics discussed include the correlation between third-hand smoke and periodontal disease, potential mechanisms through which third-hand smoke exacerbates oral health issues, and recommendations for mitigating exposure in at-risk populations.

Background Methods Results Conclusions Key points Gingival clefts, once known as “Stillman's Cleft”, now considered an obsolete phenomenon, cannot be neglected in clinical practice, especially when it is persistent and epithelialized. The attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa are composed of epithelial layers with subjacent connective tissue. Gingival clefts, notwithstanding their intrinsic differences, may exhibit keratinized or non‐keratinized tissue. Coupled with additional risk factors, it can result in progressive attachment loss and gingival recession.Two cases with three distinct types of gingival clefts were described. Case 1 was identified as having a 2 mm white cleft coupled with lack of attached gingiva, while Case 2 was described as having a 3 mm white and red cleft which were treated with gingival cleft approximation subsequent to connective tissue grafting, non‐surgical periodontal therapy and cleft approximation, respectively. The diagnostic confirmation was verified using an operating microscope set at a magnification of 5×, while the subsequent surgical stages were carried out with a magnification of 8×. These treatments yielded complete elimination and closure of the gingival clefts in addition to increased width of attached gingiva and soft tissue phenotype in Case 1 where bilaminar approach was utilized. The three clefts were effectively addressed using an operating microscope for both non‐surgical and surgical interventions in the cleft management.All the three clefts exhibited complete elimination and closure of the gingival cleft. At 3 years follow up, there was reduction of the probing depth (1 mm) and attachment gain (1 mm) in all the three clefts. There was increase in width of attached gingiva to 3 mm and increase in soft tissue thickness in Case 1, where connective tissue graft was utilized. As microsurgical treatment approach was employed, the patients did not manifest with any intra‐operative or postoperative complications. The first case showed the presence of soft tissue bulk at the treated site warranting debulking at 12 months postoperatively. The stability of the width of attached gingiva was maintained over the course of the 3‐year follow‐up period. The use of a microsurgical method in these settings enhances the predictability of outcomes than a macrosurgical approach.The utilization of microsurgical techniques for the closure of gingival clefts allows for the accurate and meticulous insertion and placement of grafts, resulting in improved outcomes and enhanced aesthetic results. These techniques also minimize tissue trauma and postoperative discomfort. The treatment technique should be personalized to the individual's specific needs, considering factors such as type and extent of cleft, etiology and amount of attached gingiva. Nonetheless, microsurgical approaches for such cases are no more a discretion but an obligation.Identification of gingival cleft should not be overlooked during routine periodontal examination. Diagnosed gingival clefts should be observed for clinical changes after completion of Phase I therapy. Only “white” gingival clefts require definitive surgical treatment. Untreated clefts can lead to root sensitivity, root caries and marginal tissue recession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Miltogramminae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) includes ~600 species across >40 genera, which constitute ~20% of global Sarcophagidae. While molecular phylogenetic hypotheses have been produced for this group, critical problems persist, including the presence of paraphyletic genera, uncertain relationships between genera, a bias of sampling towards Palaearctic taxa, and low support for many branches. The present study remedies these issues through the application of Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) to a sample including ~60% of the currently recognised genera (16% of known species) representing all biogeographic regions except the Neotropical. An alignment of 1,281 concatenated loci was analysed with maximum likelihood (RAxML, IQ‐TREE), Bayesian inference (ExaBayes) and coalescent‐based approaches (ASTRAL, SVDquartets), which resulted in highly supported and concordant topologies, providing unprecedented insight into the relationships of this subfamily of flesh flies, allowing a major update to miltogrammine classification. The AHE phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyly of a large proportion of genera. The monophyly of Metopia Meigen is restored by synonymy with Aenigmetopia Malloch, syn.n. To achieve monophyly of Miltogramma Meigen, eight species are transferred from Pterella Robineau‐Desvoidy. The genus Pterella is shown to be paraphyletic in its current circumscription, and to restore generic monophyly Pterella is restricted to contain only Pt. grisea (Meigen). Erioprocta Enderlein, stat.rev., is resurrected. The genus Senotainia Macquart is reconstructed as paraphyletic. The monotypic genus Metopodia Brauer & Bergenstamm is synonymised with Taxigramma Macquart, syn.n. In light of our phylogenetic hypotheses, a new Miltogramminae tribal classification is proposed, composed of six tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Mediterranean alpine is one of the most vulnerable ecosystems under future environmental change. Yet, patterns, timing and environmental controls of plant growth are poorly investigated. We aimed at an improved understanding of growth processes, as well as stem swelling and shrinking patterns, by examining two common coexisting green‐stemmed shrub species.Using dendrometers to measure daily stem diameter changes, we separated these changes into water‐related shrinking and swelling and irreversible growth. Implementing correlation analysis, linear mixed effects models, and partial least squares regression on time series of stem diameter changes, with corresponding soil temperature and moisture data as environmental predictors, we found species‐specific growth patterns related to different drought‐adaptive strategies.We show that the winter‐cold‐adapted species Cytisus galianoi uses a drought tolerance strategy combined with a high ecological plasticity, and is, thus, able to gain competitive advantages under future climate warming. In contrast, Genista versicolor is restricted to a narrower ecological niche using a winter‐cold escape and drought avoidance strategy, which might be of disadvantage in a changing climate.Pregrowth environmental conditions were more relevant than conditions during growth, controlling the species' resource availability. Thus, studies focusing on current driver constellations of growth may fail to predict a species' ecological niche and its potential future performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reduced gastric motility in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been reported, but hardly any study exists in subjects with isolated rapid‐eye‐movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), a specific prodrome of α‐synucleinopathies. Objectives: We compared the gastric motility of 17 iRBD subjects with that of 18 PD subjects (15 drug naive, 3 early treated in defined off) and 15 healthy controls (HC) with real‐time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI). Methods: After overnight fasting, participants consumed a standardized breakfast and underwent a 3‐T rtMRI of the stomach. Amplitude and velocity of the peristaltic waves were analyzed under blinded conditions. Gastric motility index (GMI) was calculated. The procedure was repeated in 12 of 17 iRBD subjects ~2.5 years later. Nine of these 12 iRBD subjects were hyposmic. Results: In iRBD and PD subjects the amplitude of the peristaltic waves was significantly reduced compared with HCs (iRBD vs. HC: 8.7 ± 3.7 vs. 11.9 ± 4.1 mm, P = 0.0097; PD vs. HC: 6.8 ± 2.2 vs. 11.9 ± 4.1 mm, P = 0.0001). The amplitude in iRBD and PD subjects was decreased to the same extent. The GMI was reduced in only PD subjects (PD vs. HC: P = 0.0027; PD vs. iRBD: P = 0.0203). After ~2.5 years the amplitude in iRBD subjects did not significantly decrease further. Conclusion: The amplitude of the peristaltic waves was markedly reduced in iRBD, a prodrome of α‐synucleinopathies. This reduction was similar to the extent observed already in manifest early PD. This finding implies that the α‐synuclein pathology affects the innervation of the stomach already in the prodromal stage. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proximal tibial osteotomy (PTO) is an effective procedure for active and young adult patients with symptomatic unicompartmental osteoarthritis and malalignment. They were considered technically demanding and prone to various complications related to the surgical technique, biomechanical or biological origin. Among the most important are hinge fractures and delayed or non-healing, neurovascular complications, loss of correction, implant-related problems, patellofemoral complaints, biological complications and changes in limb length. Being aware of these problems can help minimizing their prevalence and improve the results of the procedure. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the potential complications that may occur during and after proximal tibial osteotomies, their origin and ways to prevent them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A proper case selection and decision making is essential for management of multiple marginal tissue recessions (MTR) using a conventional or bilaminar approach. Coronally advanced flap (CAF) is one of the commonly used methods for management of MTR. CAF has been advocated in combination with soft tissue grafts as bilaminar technique, which had showed significant success in terms of root coverage. Methods and Results: Aim of this case series was to retrospectively evaluate Zucchelli's modification of envelope CAF (eCAF) and site‐specific bilaminar methods using Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) and Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) for management of MTR. A total of 15 subjects (five subjects/25 sites per technique, total number of sites = 75) who were managed by three different techniques with 12 months postoperative records were retrospectively evaluated. All patients showed significant clinical improvement in root coverage outcomes when compared to baseline. Mean root coverage achieved at 3 months (90%), 6 months (95%) and 12 months (95%) postoperatively did not reveal significant difference between three methods. Complete root coverage was observed in 86.6% of eCAF cases and in 86.6% and 95% of ADM/CTG with eCAF, respectively. There was an increase in width of keratinised tissue, both individually and collectively across all of the groups. Conclusion: Clinical outcomes suggested that bilaminar techniques should be used only in specific cases. Predictable results can be obtained without the use of a soft tissue graft or substitute if a careful treatment plan for technique selection is developed on an individual case‐by‐case basis. Key points: Why is this case new information?Comparison of site‐specific bilaminar modalities with modified coronally advanced flap alone What are the keys to successful management of such cases?Flap advancement and mobilisationFlap passivity What are the primary limitations to success in such cases?Case selectionFlap tensionSoft tissue phenotypeThickness of graftOperator skills [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries of the posterior pelvic ring are predominantly associated with osteoporosis. Percutaneously placed screws transfixing the sacroiliac joint have become the gold standard for their treatment. However, screw cut‐out, backing‐out, and loosening are common complications. One promising option could be cerclage reinforcement of cannulated screw fixations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical feasibility of posterior pelvic ring injuries fixed with S1 and S2 transsacral screws augmented with cerclage. Twenty‐four composite osteoporotic pelvises with posterior sacroiliac joint dislocation were stratified into four groups for S1–S2 transsacral fixation using either (1) fully threaded screws, (2) fully threaded screws with cable cerclage, (3) fully threaded screws with wire cerclage, or (4) partially threaded screws with wire cerclage. All specimens were biomechanically tested under progressively increasing cyclic loading until failure. Intersegmental movements were monitored by motion tracking. The transsacral partially threaded screw fixation with wire cerclage augmentation resulted in significantly less combined angular intersegmental movement in the transverse and coronal plane versus its fully threaded counterpart (p = 0.032), as well as in significantly less flexion versus all other fixations (p ≤ 0.029). Additional cerclage augmentation could be performed intraoperatively to improve the stability of posterior pelvic ring injuries treated with S1–S2 transsacral screw fixation. Further investigations should follow to consolidate the current results on real bones and possibly consider execution of a clinical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinspired by the strong water‐adhesive forces of gecko foot or rose petals, here, nanotubular structures are prepared by soft‐template electropolymerization. Water is mixed to a solvent of low water‐solubility to form a micellar solution in the presence of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as the electrolyte and surfactant. As the monomer, a benzene is trifunctionalized with various thiophene and carbazole moieties. The monomers are fully conjugated to favor the deposition compared to polymerization, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry experiments. The surface nanostructures (nanotubes, nano‐ribbons, coral‐like structures) are highly dependent on the monomer and the water content but less on the deposition method. The maximum water contact angle is 158.1° accompanied with strong water adhesive force. These surfaces are highly interesting for applications in water‐harvesting systems or in sensing platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at ultra‐high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by poor episodic memory and semantic fluency in the preclinical phase in the general population. We explored semantic fluency performance in DS and its relationship to age, AD, and blood biomarkers. Methods: A total of 302 adults with DS at baseline and 87 at follow‐up from the London Down Syndrome Consortium cohort completed neuropsychological assessments. Blood biomarkers were measured with the single molecule array technique in a subset of 94 participants. Results: Poorer verbal fluency performance was observed as age increases. Number of correct words declined in those with AD compared to those without over 2 years and was negatively correlated with neurofilament light (r = –0.37, P =.001) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (r = –0.31, P =.012). Discussion: Semantic fluency may be useful as an early indicator of cognitive decline and provide additional information on AD‐related change, showing associations with biomarkers in DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the ramifications of the COVID‐19 pandemic for households' welfare in regions subject to fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) is important to inform programs and policies in this context. Harmonized data from high‐frequency phone surveys indicates that, at the onset of the pandemic, a higher fraction of respondents in FCV regions relative to non‐FCV ones faced adverse household income changes and reported to have stopped working since the outbreak of the crisis. On top of that, households in FCV regions were far less likely to have received government assistance than those in non‐FCV regions. These findings suggest that, at the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, there was a widening of the preexisting economic gap between FCV and non‐FCV regions, raising the recovery bar for the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐harming behavior is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder. Self‐report studies show a correlation between a lack of self‐reported negative feelings toward self‐cutting cues and the likelihood of future self‐destructive behavior. Despite these findings, there has so far been insufficient investigation into the implicit emotional processes evoked by this stimulus type. Forty patients with borderline personality disorder and 35 healthy controls between 20 and 50 years of age were confronted with pictures of self‐cutting cues and affective reference pictures. A startle reflex paradigm was used for measuring implicit emotional responses, and the Self‐Assessment Manikin was used for subjective responses. In line with previous studies, the patients rated the self‐cutting pictures significantly less negatively than healthy individuals. On the physiological level, a significant startle inhibition was observed, indicating an activation of the behavioral approach system. A more detailed analysis showed that this startle inhibition effect was specific to scary pictures, whereas no such effect was observed for bloody wounds and self‐cutting instruments. For pleasant standard pictures, in contrast, no startle reflex inhibition and no increase in emotional arousal parameters were found. The data replicate the findings of previous studies, demonstrating a generally diminished emotional reactivity to pleasant stimuli in patients with borderline personality disorder. In addition, a physiological approach reaction to self‐cutting pictures was found, especially for the scary pictures. These results might indicate a positive identification with the long‐lasting consequences of self‐cutting behavior in the patients. Implications for therapy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are rare and heterogeneous epithelial tumors, occurring throughout the body. For gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)‐NEN, rising incidence rates were reported for the last decades, with underlying causes remaining largely unexplained. We evaluated NEN trends stratifying by their histologic subtypes. Methods: Incident cases of GEP‐NEN diagnosed between 2005 and 2019 were retrieved from the prospective, population‐based Bavarian Cancer Registry. GEP‐NEN were divided in their histologic subtypes, that is, neuroendocrine tumors (NET) G1, NET G2/G3, other NET versus small‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), large‐cell NEC, and other NEC. We calculated annual age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100,000 persons for the total of GEP‐NEN, NEN histologic subtypes, and tumor sites. We used an annual percentage change (APC) approach including a joinpoint analysis to investigate NEN incidence trends. Results: ASIR of GEP‐NEN rose from 2.2 in 2005 to 4.8 in 2019, characterized by a significant increase until 2012 (APC 2005–2012: 10.1%), followed by modest rise (APC 2012–2019: 1.5%). In the last decade, this increase was mainly driven by the rise of NET G1 and G2/G3, while incidence for NEC declined. Over the study period, ASIR increased significantly for all GEP‐sites except the colon. APCs were largest for the stomach, the appendix, the pancreas, and the rectum. Conclusions: This study found a significant increase in the incidence of GEP‐NET. Though this development may partially be attributable to the increased use of advanced detection techniques and changes in NEN classification, further research should also focus on the identification of NEN risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of methane origins remains a challenging work as current diagnostic signals are often not sufficient to resolve individual formation and post‐formation processes. To address such a knowledge gap in a tectonically active and fragmented terrain, samples from mud volcanoes, gas seeps, and springs distributed along structural features onshore and offshore of Taiwan were analyzed for their isotopic compositions of methane, nitrogen, helium, dissolved inorganic carbon, CO2, and water. Our analyses yielded Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 values ranging between +1.9‰ and +7.8‰ and between +3.0‰ and +19.9‰, respectively. A portion of the samples were characterized by values that represent the thermodynamic equilibrium at temperatures of 99°–260°C. These temperature estimates, together with the bulk isotopic compositions and local geothermal gradients (25°–30°C/km), suggest that methane was formed by thermal maturation of organic matter at depths of 2–9 km below the land surface and channeled upward along faults. Other samples were found to deviate from equilibrium by varying degrees. Considering the geological background, helium isotopic ratios, and nitrogen isotopologue compositions, and methanogens detected at some sites, these gases are either abiotic in origin or a mixture of microbial and thermogenic sources. Regardless of whether the equilibrium of methane isotopologues was reached, few sites hosted by sedimentary formations were characterized by mantle‐like helium signatures, indicating decoupled origins and potential degassing of helium from the relic igneous source. Overall, these results suggest the extraction of methane and other gases from multiple depths from strata fragmented by fault displacement in an active orogenic belt. Plain Language Summary: Mud volcanoes and gas seeps are distributed primarily in active tectonic regimes and represent the surface expression of subsurface fracture networks. They provide rapid access to probing subsurface characteristics for the generations of methane, other gases, and water. Identifying the exact mechanisms of methane formation remains a challenging work due to the lack of diagnostic signals with sufficient resolving power. This study employed a wide range of isotopic tools to constrain the origins of gases and water from mud volcanoes and seeps in Taiwan, where dual subductions and associated arc‐continent collision between the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plates have enabled the plumbing of gases and water in accordance with structure development and stratum deformation. Our results reveal a spectrum of geochemical characteristics that point to diverse formation mechanisms and conditions. In particular, deeply sourced thermogenic methane (from depths of 2–9 km) appears to constitute a major gas component at most sites, and is mixed by various degrees with abiotic methane pertinent to igneous bodies emplaced during subduction/collision, or microbial methane generated at shallow depths. Overall, the results address the temporal and spatial variations in gas origins prone to terrain fragmentation and dynamic structural control associated with mountain building. Key Points: Mud volcanoes and gas seeps provide rapid access to probing subsurface fluid characteristics in tectonically active regionsThermogenic methane constitutes a major component of hydrocarbons and forms at temperatures of 99°–260°CA wide spectrum of geochemical characteristics indicates diverse formation mechanisms and conditions that constrain gas and water origins [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The fear of weight gain is one of the main reasons for women not to initiate or to early discontinue hormonal contraception or menopausal hormone therapy. Resting energy expenditure is by far the largest component and the most important determinant of total energy expenditure. Given that low resting energy expenditure is a confirmed predictive factor for weight gain and consecutively for the development of obesity, research into the influence of sex steroids on resting energy expenditure is a particularly exciting area. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of medication with natural and synthetic estrogens on resting energy expenditure in healthy normal weight and overweight women. Through complex systematic literature searches, a total of 10 studies were identified that investigated the effects of medication with estrogens on resting energy expenditure. Our results demonstrate that estrogen administration increases resting energy expenditure by up to +208 kcal per day in the context of contraception and by up to +222 kcal per day in the context of menopausal hormone therapy, suggesting a preventive effect of circulating estrogen levels and estrogen administration on weight gain and obesity development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanin is a common pigment in birds, and several studies have shown that melanin‐based plumage coloration could signal individual body condition, social status and personality traits. However, most of these studies have focused on males, and little is known about the role of plumage coloration in females. Here, we investigated whether body condition and personality traits (activity and exploratory behaviour) were associated with plumage coloration in wild populations of the Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus, an apparently monochromatic species. We also tested whether the signals of plumage colour traits differed between sexes. In this study, we found that females had better body condition compared with males. Females with lower chroma and brightness of their black wings had better body condition, but no plumage colour measures reflected male body condition. Males with a lower red chroma of their brown back plumage were less active, and females with lower red chroma of the back plumage were more active. However, plumage coloration did not explain variation in exploratory behaviour. Our findings suggest that plumage colour traits may act as sex‐specific signals in Chestnut Thrushes and these traits may play important roles in sexual or conspecific communication in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present guidance paper is to update the previous ENETS guidelines on well differentiated appendiceal neuroendocrine tumours (NET), providing practical guidance for the diagnosis and management of appendiceal NET (aNET); poorly differentiated neoplasms are dealt with in a separate guidance paper. This paper is structured on a question‐answer format in order to also address controversial issues and areas where uncertainty regarding the management and follow‐up of aNET exists. All recommendations are offered on the basis of the best available evidence, along with the authors' experiences in managing these neoplasms. Each recommendation for treatment will provide a level of evidence and grade of recommendation as per the GRADE system (adapted in Infectious Disease Society of United States Public Health Service grading system). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have found that avian bill and tarsus morphology may have evolved in response to climatic conditions, and these organs play important roles in thermoregulation and water retention in extreme environments. Here, we examined whether bill surface area and tarsus length were associated with climatic conditions in the plain laughingthrush, Garrulax davidi, which mainly occurs in north China and occupies several climatic zones from east to west. We measured bill surface area and tarsus length in 321 adults from 11 populations, almost encompassing all habitat types of the species. We analyzed the relationships among these morphological traits and local climatic factors. Bill surface area was positively correlated with maximum temperature, indicating that bill surface area tended to be larger in hotter environments. Furthermore, we found a negative relationship among bill surface area and winter precipitation, indicating that bill surface area tended to be larger in arid areas. However, we did not find any relationships between tarsus length and climatic factors. These results suggest that local climates may shape the evolution of bill morphology divergence, and summer seems to be the critical season for thermoregulation in this temperate zone passerine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monkeypox is an infection caused by viruses that can be transmitted between animals and humans. It has spread to over 100 countries and can result in distinct skin lesions, including in the oral cavity. These lesions can cause discomfort and difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing. Managing the oral manifestations of monkeypox is crucial for relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Supportive care, pain management, proper hydration, and good oral hygiene are recommended. Dental treatment for monkeypox patients should be delayed unless necessary, as it can cause additional harm and increase the risk of viral transmission. Rigorous infection control protocols and personal protective equipment should be used to mitigate this risk. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent among people with HIV. Integrating mental healthcare into HIV care may improve mental health and HIV treatment outcomes. We describe the reported availability of screening and treatment for depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at global HIV treatment centres participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Consortium in 2020 and changes in availability at sites in low‐ or middle‐income countries (LMICs) between 2016/2017 and 2020. Methods: In 2020, 238 sites contributing individual‐level data to the IeDEA Consortium and in 2016/2017 a stratified random sample of IeDEA sites in LMICs were eligible to participate in site surveys on the availability of screening and treatment for CMDs. We assessed trends over time for 68 sites across 27 LMICs that participated in both surveys. Results: Among the 238 sites eligible to participate in the 2020 site survey, 227 (95%) participated, and mental health screening and treatment data were available for 223 (98%) sites across 41 countries. A total of 95 sites across 29 LMICs completed the 2016/2017 survey. In 2020, 68% of sites were in urban settings, and 77% were in LMICs. Overall, 50%, 14% and 12% of sites reported screening with a validated instrument for depression, anxiety and PTSD, respectively. Screening plus treatment in the form of counselling was available for depression, anxiety and PTSD at 46%, 13% and 11% of sites, respectively. Screening plus treatment in the form of medication was available for depression, anxiety and PTSD at 36%, 11% and 8% of sites, respectively. Among sites that participated in both surveys, screening for depression was more commonly available in 2020 than 2016/2017 (75% vs. 59%, respectively, p = 0.048). Conclusions: Reported availability of screening for depression increased among this group of IeDEA sites in LMICs between 2016/2017 and 2020. However, substantial gaps persist in the availability of mental healthcare at HIV treatment sites across global settings, particularly in resource‐constrained settings. Implementation of sustainable strategies to integrate mental health services into HIV care is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertebrate brain has an exceptionally high energy need. During ischemia, intracellular ATP concentrations decline rapidly, resulting in the breakdown of ion gradients and cellular damage. Here, we employed the nanosensor ATeam1.03YEMK to analyse the pathways driving the loss of ATP upon transient metabolic inhibition in neurons and astrocytes of the mouse neocortex. We demonstrate that brief chemical ischemia, induced by combined inhibition of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, results in a transient decrease in intracellular ATP. Neurons experienced a larger relative decline and showed less ability to recover from prolonged (>5 min) metabolic inhibition than astrocytes. Blocking voltage‐gated Na+ channels or NMDA receptors ameliorated the ATP decline in neurons and astrocytes, while blocking glutamate uptake aggravated the overall reduction in neuronal ATP, confirming the central role of excitatory neuronal activity in the cellular energy loss. Unexpectedly, pharmacological inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels significantly reduced the ischemia‐induced decline in ATP in both cell types. Imaging with Na+‐sensitive indicator dye ING‐2 furthermore showed that TRPV4 inhibition also reduced ischemia‐induced increases in intracellular Na+. Altogether, our results demonstrate that neurons exhibit a higher vulnerability to brief metabolic inhibition than astrocytes. Moreover, they reveal an unexpected strong contribution of TRPV4 channels to the loss of cellular ATP and suggest that the demonstrated TRPV4‐related ATP consumption is most likely a direct consequence of Na+ influx. Activation of TRPV4 channels thus provides a hitherto unacknowledged contribution to the cellular energy loss during energy failure, generating a significant metabolic cost in ischemic conditions. Key points: In the ischemic brain, cellular ATP concentrations decline rapidly, which results in the collapse of ion gradients and promotes cellular damage and death.We analysed the pathways driving the loss of ATP upon transient metabolic inhibition in neurons and astrocytes of the mouse neocortex.Our results confirm the central role of excitatory neuronal activity in the cellular energy loss and demonstrate that neurons experience a larger decline in ATP and are more vulnerable to brief metabolic stress than astrocytes.Our study also reveals a new, previously unknown involvement of osmotically activated transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels to the reduction in cellular ATP in both cell types and indicates that this is a consequence of TRPV4‐mediated Na+ influx.We conclude that activation of TRPV4 channels provides a considerable contribution to the cellular energy loss, thereby generating a significant metabolic cost in ischemic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New treatment options and centralization of surgery have improved survival for patients with non‐metastatic esophageal or gastric cancer. It is unknown, however, which patients benefitted the most from treatment advances. The aim of this study was to identify best‐case, typical and worst‐case scenarios in terms of survival time, and to assess if survival associated with these scenarios changed over time. Patients with non‐metastatic potentially resectable esophageal or gastric cancer diagnosed between 2006 and 2020 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Best‐case (20th percentile), upper‐typical (40th percentile), typical (median), lower‐typical (60th percentile) and worst‐case (80th percentile) survival scenarios were defined, and regression analysis was used to investigate the change in survival time for each scenario across years. For patients with esophageal cancer (N = 24 352) survival time improved on average 12.0 (until 2011), 1.5 (until 2018), 0.7, 0.4 and 0.2 months per year for the best‐case, upper‐typical, median, lower‐typical and worst‐case scenario, respectively. For patients with gastric cancer (N = 9993) survival time of the best‐case scenario remained constant, whereas the upper‐typical, median, lower‐typical and worst‐case scenario improved on average with 1.0 (until 2018), 0.5, 0.2 and 0.2 months per year, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that, survival scenarios improved for nearly all patients across treatment groups and for patients with squamous cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. Survival improved for almost all patients suggesting that in clinical practice the vast majority of patients benefitted from treatment advances. The clinically most meaningful survival advantage was observed for the best‐case scenario of esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the wear behavior of additively welded cladding layers on less wear‐resistant base materials using plasma‐transferred arc welding and laser hot‐wire cladding. The cladding layers are made from atomized AISI 52100, AISI 5140, and a stainless steel with (0.52 wt% C, 0.9 wt% Si, 14 wt% Cr, 0.4 wt% Mo, 1.8 wt% Ni, 1.2 wt% V, bal. Fe) on unalloyed steel AISI 1022M as the base material. The specimens' microstructure and surface hardness are comparable with conventional specimens of monolithic AISI 52100 and AISI 4140, which is used as a reference. Tribometer tests are carried out in ball‐on‐disk configuration to investigate the wear resistance of the specimen. The multimaterial specimens show comparable wear behavior to their monolithic counterparts, and a good performance of the stainless specimen in pure sliding is proven. These findings suggest that additive manufacturing processes can be used to clad less wear‐resistant base materials and achieve high wear resistance, making it possible to exploit the advantages of surface coatings under severe wear conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Personality traits are associated with pain‐related beliefs and coping strategies, and different chronic conditions are linked through specific personality profiles. This highlights the importance of having valid and reliable measures of personality traits for use in clinical and research settings when assessing patients in chronic pain. Purpose: To translate and cross‐culturally adapt the 10‐item Big Five Inventory (BFI‐10) into Danish. Methods: A bilingual expert panel (N = 4) and a panel of laymen (N = 8) translated and culturally adapted the questionnaire into Danish. Face validity was evaluated in a group of persons suffering from recurring or ongoing painful conditions (N = 9). Data were collected to evaluate the internal consistency, test–retest reliability and factor structure (N = 96). Results: Some of the participants in the lay panel considered the questionnaire too short, considering its aim of assessing personality. Acceptable internal consistency was found for two out of five subscales (0.78 for both Extraversion and Neuroticism), while the internal consistency was non‐acceptable for the remaining subscales (0.17–0.45). Test–retest reliability was acceptable for three subscales (0.80 for Neuroticism, 0.84 for Conscientiousness, and 0.85 for Extraversion). Assumptions for determining the factor structure were not met and therefore was this analysis omitted. Discussion: Although face valid, only two out of five subscales had acceptable internal consistency and only three subscales had acceptable test–retest reliability. These findings indicate that interpreting findings regarding personality using the Danish BFI‐10 should be done with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conditional relative survival (CRS) is useful for communicating prognosis to patients as it provides an estimate of the life expectancy after having survived a certain time after treatment. Our study estimates the 3‐year relative survival conditional on having survived a certain period for patients with esophageal or gastric cancer. Patients with nonmetastatic esophageal or gastric cancer diagnosed between 2006 and 2020 treated with curative intent (resection with or without [neo]adjuvant therapy, or chemoradiotherapy) were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. CRS was calculated since resection or last day of chemoradiotherapy. The probability of surviving an additional 3 years (ie, 3‐year CRS), if the patients survived 1, 3 and 5 years after diagnosis was 62%, 79%, 87% and 69%, 84%, 90% for esophageal and gastric cancer, respectively. The 3‐year CRS after having survived 3 years for patients with esophageal cancer who underwent a resection (n = 12 204) was 91%, 88%, 77% and 60% for pathological Stage 0, I, II and III, and for patients with esophageal cancer who received chemoradiotherapy (n = 4158) was 51% and 66% for clinical Stage II and III, respectively. The 3‐year CRS after having survived 3 years for patients with gastric cancer who underwent a resection (n = 6531) was 99%, 90%, 73% and 59% for pathological Stage 0, I, II and III, respectively. Despite poor prognosis of patients with esophageal or gastric cancer, life expectancy increases substantially after patients have survived several years after treatment. Our study provides valuable information for communication of prognosis to patients during follow‐up after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The abyssal Clarion‐Clipperton Zone (CCZ), Pacific Ocean, is an area of commercial importance owing to the growing interest in mining high‐grade polymetallic nodules at the seafloor for battery metals. Research into the spatial patterns of faunal diversity, composition, and population connectivity is needed to better understand the ecological impacts of potential resource extraction. Here, a DNA taxonomy approach is used to investigate regional‐scale patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity, and genetic connectivity, of the dominant macrofaunal group (annelids) across a 6 million km2 region of the abyssal seafloor. Location: The abyssal seafloor (3932–5055 m depth) of the Clarion‐Clipperton Zone, equatorial Pacific Ocean. Methods: We used a combination of new and published barcode data to study 1866 polychaete specimens using molecular species delimitation. Both phylogenetic and taxonomic alpha and beta diversity metrics were used to analyse spatial patterns of biodiversity. Connectivity analyses were based on haplotype distributions for a subset of the studied taxa. Results: DNA taxonomy identified 291–314 polychaete species from the COI and 16S datasets respectively. Taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity between sites were relatively high and mostly explained by lineage turnover. Over half of pairwise comparisons were more phylogenetically distinct than expected based on their taxonomic diversity. Connectivity analyses in abundant, broadly distributed taxa suggest an absence of genetic structuring driven by geographical location. Main Conclusions: Species diversity in abyssal Pacific polychaetes is high relative to other deep‐sea regions. Results suggest that environmental filtering, where the environment selects against certain species, may play a significant role in regulating spatial patterns of biodiversity in the CCZ. A core group of widespread species have diverse haplotypes but are well connected over broad distances. Our data suggest that the high environmental and faunal heterogeneity of the CCZ should be considered in future policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]