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X-chromosomal genetic variants are understudied but can yield valuable insights into sexually dimorphic human traits and diseases. We performed a sex-stratified cross-ancestry X-chromosome-wide association meta-analysis of seven kidney-related traits (n = 908,697), identifying 23 loci genome-wide significantly associated with two of the traits: 7 for uric acid and 16 for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), including four novel eGFR loci containing the functionally plausible prioritized genes ACSL4, CLDN2, TSPAN6 and the female-specific DRP2. Further, we identified five novel sex-interactions, comprising male-specific effects at FAM9B and AR/EDA2R, and three sex-differential findings with larger genetic effect sizes in males at DCAF12L1 and MST4 and larger effect sizes in females at HPRT1. All prioritized genes in loci showing significant sex-interactions were located next to androgen response elements (ARE). Five ARE genes showed sex-differential expressions. This study contributes new insights into sex-dimorphisms of kidney traits along with new prioritized gene targets for further molecular research.

Abstract Osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases and increases the risk of severe cardiovascular disease, like heart attack and stroke. In some individuals, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease will co-occur. This co-occurrence might be due to shared risk factors, for example high age, lifestyle factors and/or a shared genetic liability for the two diseases. Here, we show that the correlation between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease can be explained by shared genetic factors, independent of high age and body weight, and also likely independent of lifestyle factors, like smoking and physical activity level. Findings suggest that genetic factors that are shared for osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease may contribute to both diseases. Thus, the prevailing idea that osteoarthritis is predominantly a risk factor for cardiovascular disease is challenged. Our findings imply that the current diagnostic boundaries between these diseases may need to be re-evaluated.

Abstract Background Suicidal ideation may be a warning sign for suicide and previous work has indicated a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Job loss and job insecurity are potential risk factors for suicidal ideation, but their importance during the pandemic, and the role of organizational changes for suicidal ideation, is unclear. This study examined the association between various experiences associated with job loss and job insecurity during the pandemic and thoughts of suicide/self-harm in Sweden. Methods The study sample was drawn from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH). Auxiliary data collections in February 2021 and 2022 assessed exposure to job loss/unemployment, furlough, workplace downsizing, or increased job insecurity versus stable employment and thoughts of suicide or self-harm (PHQ-9) during the pandemic. The analyses were based on 1558 individuals (2 349 observations) participating in either or both waves and who had been working before the pandemic. Logistic regression models with cluster-robust standard errors were fitted, including sociodemographic factors and prior mental health problems to control for potential confounding. Measures of personality based on a brief version of the Big-Five personality inventory were also added. Results The results indicated an association between all experiences, except furlough, and thoughts of suicide/self-harm, when adjusting for sex, age, civil status, socioeconomic status and prior mental health (job loss odds ratio (OR) = 3.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.79–7.63, downsizing OR = 2.41, CI 1.24–4.70, job insecurity OR = 2.77, CI 1.15–6.67). The associations for job loss and insecurity were attenuated by adjustment for personality, although it remained statistically significant for downsizing. Conclusions The results suggested a higher risk of suicidal ideation connected with loss of employment and survival of a downsizing, but not a forced reduction in working times/pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. The association for subjective job insecurity was less robust and may be partly explained by personality.

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested an increasing prevalence of intellectual disability diagnoses in some countries. Our aim was to describe the trend in the prevalence of intellectual disability diagnoses in Sweden and explore whether associated sociodemographic and perinatal factors can explain changes in the prevalence. Methods We used a register-based nationwide cohort of residents in Sweden born between 2001 and 2011. We calculated the prevalence of intellectual disability diagnoses by age 10 for each birth cohort and the prevalence ratios in relation to the baseline year 2011, overall and by severity of intellectual disability, and comorbidity of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The prevalence ratios were stratified and adjusted for associated sociodemographic and perinatal factors. Results Among 1,096,800 individuals, 8,577 were diagnosed with intellectual disability by age 10. Among these, 3,949 (46%) and 2,768 (32%) were also diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, respectively, and 4% were diagnosed with profound, 8% severe, 20% moderate, 52% mild, and 16% other/unspecific intellectual disability. The recorded age-10 prevalence of intellectual disability diagnoses increased from 0.64% (95% confidence interval 0.59–0.69%) in 2011 to 1.00% (0.94–1.06%) in 2021, corresponding to an annual prevalence ratio of 1.04 (1.04–1.05). The increase was, however, restricted to mild, moderate, and other/unspecific intellectual disability diagnoses, while the trends for profound and severe intellectual disability diagnoses were stable. The increasing trend was perhaps less pronounced among females and children with diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but independent of the co-occurrence of autism. The prevalence ratios did not change with stratification or adjustment for other associated demographic and perinatal factors. Conclusion The recorded prevalence of diagnosed mild and moderate intellectual disability among 10-year-olds in Sweden has increased over the recent decade. This increase could not be explained by changes in associated sociodemographic or perinatal factors, including birth weight, gestational age, and parental age, migration status, and education at the child’s birth. The increase instead may be due to changes in diagnostic practices in Sweden over time.

Abstract We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions. A broader-scale view of species turnover was obtained by interpolating the relative tree species abundances over Amazonia into 47,441 0.1-degree grid cells. Two main dimensions of spatial change in tree species composition were identified. The first was a gradient between western Amazonia at the Andean forelands (with young geology and relatively nutrient-rich soils) and central–eastern Amazonia associated with the Guiana and Brazilian Shields (with more ancient geology and poor soils). The second gradient was between the wet forests of the northwest and the drier forests in southern Amazonia. Isolines linking cells of similar composition crossed major Amazonian rivers, suggesting that tree species distributions are not limited by rivers. Even though some areas of relatively sharp species turnover were identified, mostly the tree species composition changed gradually over large extents, which does not support delimiting clear discrete biogeographic regions within Amazonia.

Abstract Amplification of the MDM2 and CDK4 genes on chromosome 12 is commonly associated with low-grade osteosarcomas. In this study, we conducted high-resolution genomic and transcriptomic analyses on 33 samples from 25 osteosarcomas, encompassing both high- and low-grade cases with MDM2 and/or CDK4 amplification. We discerned four major subgroups, ranging from nearly intact genomes to heavily rearranged ones, each harbouring CDK4 and MDM2 amplification or CDK4 amplification with TP53 structural alterations. While amplicons involving MDM2 exhibited signs of an initial chromothripsis event, no evidence of chromothripsis was found in TP53-rearranged cases. Instead, the initial disruption of the TP53 locus led to co-amplification of the CDK4 locus. Additionally, we observed recurring promoter swapping events involving the regulatory regions of the FRS2, PLEKHA5, and TP53 genes. These events resulted in ectopic expression of partner genes, with the ELF1 gene being upregulated by the FRS2 and TP53 promoter regions in two distinct cases.

Abstract Background Stretching exercises are widely used for pain relief and show positive effects on musculoskeletal, nociplastic and neuropathic pain; the magnitude of altered pain sensitivity responses following regular stretching is currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of regular stretching exercise on regional and widespread pain sensitivity and range of motion and the effect of stretching cessation on regional and widespread pain sensitivity and range of motion. Methods An experimental single-blind longitudinal repeated measures study. Twenty-six healthy adults were recruited. Regional and distant pressure pain thresholds and passive knee extension range of motion were measured at three points: before (baseline) and after six weeks (post-stretch) of daily bilateral hamstring stretching exercises and following four weeks of cessation (post-cessation) from stretching exercises. Results Participants had a mean ± standard deviation (range) age of 23.8 ± 2.1 (21–30) years. There was a 36.7% increase in regional (p = 0.003), an 18.7% increase in distant pressure pain thresholds (p = 0.042) and a 3.6% increase in range of motion (p = 0.002) between baseline and post-stretch measures. No statistically significant differences were found for regional (p = 1.000) or distant pressure pain thresholds (p = 1.000), or range of motion (p = 1.000) between post-stretch and post-cessation. A 41.2% increase in distant pressure pain thresholds (p = 0.001), a 15.4% increase in regional pressure pain thresholds from baseline to post-cessation (p = 0.127) and a 3.6% increase in passive knee extension range of motion (p = 0.005) were found from baseline to post-cessation. Conclusions Six weeks of regular stretching exercises significantly decreased regional and widespread pain sensitivity. Moreover, the results showed that the hypoalgesic effect of stretching on regional and widespread pain sensitivity persisted following four weeks of cessation. The results further support the rationale of adding stretching exercises to rehabilitation efforts for patients experiencing nociceptive, nociplastic, and neuropathic pain. However, further research is needed to investigate how the long-term effects of stretching exercises compare with no treatment in clinical populations. Trial registration The trial was registered June 1st, 2021 at ClinicalTrials.gov (Trial registration number NCT04919681).

Abstract Background Despite the detrimental impact of abnormal glucose metabolism on cardiovascular prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes is both underdiagnosed and undertreated. We investigated associations between structured diabetes care routines in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and detection and treatment of diabetes at one-year post-MI. Methods Center-level data was derived from the Perfect-CR survey, which evaluated work routines applied at Swedish CR centers (n = 76). Work routines involving diabetes care included: (1) routine assessment of fasting glucose and/or HbA1c, (2) routine use of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), (3) having regular case rounds with diabetologists, and (4) whether glucose-lowering medication was adjusted by CR physicians. Patient-level data was obtained from the national MI registry SWEDEHEART (n = 7601, 76% male, mean age 62.6 years) and included all post-MI patients irrespective of diabetes diagnosis. Using mixed-effects regression we estimated differences between patients exposed versus. not exposed to the four above-mentioned diabetes care routines. Outcomes were newly detected diabetes and the proportion of patients receiving oral glucose-lowering medication at one-year post-MI. Results Routine assessment of fasting glucose/HbA1c was performed at 63.2% (n = 48) of the centers, while 38.2% (n = 29) reported using OGTT for detecting glucose abnormalities. Glucose-lowering medication adjusted by CR physicians (n = 13, 17.1%) or regular case rounds with diabetologists (n = 7, 9.2%) were less frequently reported. In total, 4.0% of all patients (n = 304) were diagnosed with diabetes during follow-up and 17.9% (n = 1361) were on oral glucose-lowering treatment one-year post-MI. Routine use of OGTT was associated with a higher rate of newly detected diabetes at one-year (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.62 [1.26, 1.98], p = 0.0007). At one-year a higher proportion of patients were receiving oral glucose-lowering medication at centers using OGTT (1.22 [1.07, 1.37], p = 0.0046) and where such medication was adjusted by CR physicians (1.31 [1.06, 1.56], p = 0.0155). Compared to having none of the structured diabetes care routines, the more routines implemented the higher the rate of newly detected diabetes (from 0 routines: 2.7% to 4 routines: 6.3%; p for trend = 0.0014). Conclusions Having structured routines for diabetes care implemented within CR can improve detection and treatment of diabetes post-MI. A cluster-randomized trial is warranted to ascertain causality.

The ever-increasing complexity and data volumes of numerical weather prediction demand innovations in the analysis and synthesis of operational forecast data. Here we show how dynamical thinking can offer directly applicable forecast information, taking as a case study the extreme northern Italy flooding of May 2023. We compare this event with long-lasting historical northern Italy rainfall events in order to determine (a) why it was so extreme, (b) how well it was predicted, and (c) how we may improve our predictions of such extremes. Lagrangian analysis shows, in line with previous work, that 48-hourly extreme rainfall in Italy can be caused by moist air masses originating from the North Atlantic; North Africa; and, to a lesser extent, eastern Europe, with compounding moisture contributions from all three regions driving the May 2023 event. We identify the large-scale precursors of typical northern Italy rainfall extremes based on geopotential height and integrated vapour transport fields. We show in European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational forecasts that a precursor perspective was able to identify the growing possibility of the Emilia-Romagna extreme event 8 d beforehand – 4 d earlier than the direct precipitation forecast. Such dynamical precursors prove to be well suited for identifying and interpreting predictability barriers and could help build forecasters' understanding of unfolding extreme scenarios in the medium range. We conclude by discussing the broader implications and operational potential of dynamically rooted metrics for understanding and predicting extreme events, both in retrospect and in real time.

Objective: Previous research suggests that both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and current life experiences are associated with emotional wellbeing and mental health. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of these life experience and coping processes on college student emotional and mental health. Participants: College students (N = 555) were recruited from a large western university. Methods: Participants completed an online cross-sectional survey measuring early and current life experiences, cognitive and emotional coping efforts, and emotional and mental health outcomes. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: There was an indirect effect of PCEs on emotional and mental health through cognitive and emotional coping efforts. No association was observed between ACEs and mental health. Conclusions: Increases in PCEs are protective, enhance coping efforts, and strengthen emotional and mental health outcomes among college students.

Preschool teachers' read-aloud and writing practices were investigated using a questionnaire about how activities were planned and organized, and what their purpose was. The results indicate that early literacy practices were not planned systematically. Most of the preschool teachers (77%) reported having storybook read-alouds at least three times per week. A large minority (45.5%) reported never or seldom using writing activities, and rarely in play. The main aims of read-alouds were to promote learning and development, create a sense of community, and regulate group activities. The main aims of writing practices were to learn about letters, understand the function of print, and arouse interest in writing. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to a need for a didactic approach, where play is the core of early literacy practices.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a quantitative pest risk assessment to assess whether the import of cut roses provides a pathway for the introduction of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) into the EU. The assessment was limited to the entry and establishment steps. A pathway model was used to assess how many T. leucotreta individuals would survive and emerge as adults from commercial or household wastes in an EU NUTS2 region climatically suitable in a specific season. This pathway model for entry consisted of three components: a cut roses distribution model, a T. leucotreta developmental model and a waste model. Four scenarios of timing from initial disposal of the cut roses until waste treatment (3, 7, 14 and 28 days) were considered. The estimated median number of adults escaping per year from imported cut roses in all the climatically suitable NUTS2 regions of the EU varied from 49,867 (90% uncertainty between 5,298 and 234,393) up to 143,689 (90% uncertainty between 21,126 and 401,458) for the 3- and 28-day scenarios. Assuming that, on average, a successful mating will happen for every 435 escaping moths, the estimated median number of T. leucotreta mated females per year from imported cut roses in all the climatically suitable NUTS2 regions of the EU would vary from 115 (90% uncertainty between 12 and 538) up to 330 (90% uncertainty between 49 and 923) for the 3- and 28-day scenarios. Due to the extreme polyphagia of T. leucotreta, host availability will not be a limiting factor for establishment. Climatic suitability assessment, using a physiologically based demographic modelling approach, identified the coastline extending from the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula through the Mediterranean as area suitable for establishment of T. leucotreta. This assessment indicates that cut roses provide a pathway for the introduction of T. leucotreta into the EU.

Abstract: The tropical forest carbon sink is known to be drought sensitive, but it is unclear which forests are the most vulnerable to extreme events. Forests with hotter and drier baseline conditions may be protected by prior adaptation, or more vulnerable because they operate closer to physiological limits. Here we report that forests in drier South American climates experienced the greatest impacts of the 2015–2016 El Niño, indicating greater vulnerability to extreme temperatures and drought. The long-term, ground-measured tree-by-tree responses of 123 forest plots across tropical South America show that the biomass carbon sink ceased during the event with carbon balance becoming indistinguishable from zero (−0.02 ± 0.37 Mg C ha−1 per year). However, intact tropical South American forests overall were no more sensitive to the extreme 2015–2016 El Niño than to previous less intense events, remaining a key defence against climate change as long as they are protected.

University staff play an important role in the development of a more sustainable world. Their attitudes towards pro-environmental behavior and environmental values likely have an influence on ethics, the current society and future generations. Therefore, this study aims to measure and interpret the ecological world-view among university staff using the validated New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) survey. The mean NEP-score was 3.68. This overall value is of the same magnitude as many samples from diverse geographical areas with representatives and students, but it is considerably lower than for environmentalists. The facet Balance of nature reported the highest score whereas Limits to growth the lowest score. Women had higher mean score, mainly explained by the higher score in the facet Human domination over nature. There is a potential for improving the ecological world-view scores of University staff, who are an unstudied and important group. Values in higher education may influence sustainable development, environmental ethics and society., 1. INTRODUCTION There is an increased awareness of the fast and vast environmental changes that face human living conditions. Human action and interaction in a more pro-environmental direction is needed [...]