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The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favour of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panellists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms "nonalcoholic" and "fatty" were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140-350 g/wk and 210-420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and non-stigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favor of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panelists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms nonalcoholic and fatty were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140-350 g/wk and 210-420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and nonstigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

BackgroundThe project of scaling up noncommunicable disease (NCD) interventions in Southeast Asia aimed to strengthen the prevention and control of hypertension and diabetes, focusing on primary health care and community levels. In Vietnam, health volunteers who were members of the Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs (ISHCs) implemented community-based NCD screening and health promotion activities in communities. The ISHC health volunteers used an app based on District Health Information Software, version 2 (DHIS2) tracker (Society for Health Information Systems Programmes, India) to record details of participants during screening and other health activities. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the strengths, barriers, and limitations of the NCD screening app used by the ISHC health volunteers on tablets and to provide recommendations for further scaling up. MethodsA mixed methods observational study with a convergent parallel design was performed. For the quantitative data analysis, 2 rounds of screening data collected from all 59 ISHCs were analyzed on completeness and quality. For the qualitative analysis, 2 rounds of evaluation of the screening app were completed. Focus group discussions with ISHC health volunteers and club management boards and in-depth interviews with members of the Association of the Elderly and Commune Health Station staff were performed. ResultsIn the quantitative analysis, data completeness of all 6704 screenings (n=3485 individuals) was very high. For anthropomorphic measurements, such as blood pressure, body weight, and abdominal circumference, less than 1% errors were found. The data on NCD risk factors were not adequately recorded in 1908 (29.5%) of the screenings. From the qualitative analysis, the NCD screening app was appreciated by ISHC health volunteers and supervisors, as an easier and more efficient way to report to higher levels, secure data, and strengthen relationships with relevant stakeholders, using tablets to connect to the internet and internet-based platforms to access information for self-learning and sharing to promote a healthy lifestyle as the strengths. The barriers and limitations reported by the respondents were a non–age-friendly app, incomplete translation of parts of the app into Vietnamese, some issues with the tablet’s display, lack of sharing of responsibilities among the health volunteers, and suboptimal involvement of the health sector; limited digital literacy among ISHC health volunteers. Recommendations are continuous capacity building, improving app issues, improving tablet issues, and involving relevant stakeholders or younger members in technology adoption to support older people. ConclusionsThe implementation of the NCD screening app by ISHC volunteers can be an effective way to improve community-led NCD screening and increase the uptake of NCD prevention and management services at the primary health care level. However, our study has shown that some barriers need to be addressed to maximize the efficient use of the app by ISHC health volunteers to record, report, and manage the screening data.

Abstract Background Knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer has been found to promote uptake of screening of cervical cancer. Most interventions targeted women without much involvement of men (husbands/decision makers) who are often decision makers in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed at assessing baseline knowledge and intended behavior of both women and men to enable design specific targeted messages to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening and promote early detection of women with symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts in Western Uganda using the modified African Women Awareness of CANcer (AWACAN) questionnaire. Women aged 30—49 years and their husbands/decision makers were interviewed. Knowledge on risk factors and symptoms, intended behavior and barriers towards participation in cervical cancer screening and treatment were assessed. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were done to establish the association between knowledge levels and other factors comparing women to men. Results A total of 724 women and 692 men were enrolled. Of these, 71.0% women and 67.2% men had ever heard of cervical cancer and 8.8% women had ever been screened. Knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer was high and similar for both women and men. Lack of decision making by women was associated with low knowledge of risk factors (X2 = 14.542; p = 0.01), low education (X2 = 36.05, p

Abstract Rewarewa (Knightia excelsa, Proteaceae) is a tree species endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, with a natural distribution spanning Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island) and the top of Te Waipounamu (South Island). We used the pseudo-chromosome genome assembly of rewarewa as a reference and whole genome pooled sequencing from 35 populations sampled across Aotearoa New Zealand, including trees growing on Māori-owned land, to identify 1,443,255 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Four genetic clusters located in the northern North Island (NNI), eastern North Island (NIE), western and southern North Island (NIWS), and the South Island (SI) were identified. Gene flow was revealed between the SI and NIE genetic clusters, plus bottleneck and contraction events within the genetic clusters since the mid-late Pleistocene, with divergence between North and South Island clusters estimated to have occurred ~115,000–230,000 years ago. Genotype environment analysis (GEA) was used to identify loci and genes linked with altitude, soil pH, soil carbon, slope, soil size, annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, annual precipitation, and precipitation seasonality. The location of the SNPs associated with these environmental variables was compared with the position of 52,192 gene-coding sequences that were predicted in the rewarewa genome using RNA sequencing. This new understanding of the genetic variation present in rewarewa and insights into the genetic control of adaptive traits will inform efforts to incorporate the species in restoration plantings and for marketing rewarewa honey based on provenance.

Abstract Background The burden of non-communicable diseases is becoming unmanageable by primary healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries. Community-based approaches are promising for supporting healthcare facilities. In Vietnam, community health volunteers are trained in providing health promotion and screening in a culturally adapted training. This study aims to assess the change in knowledge, attitude and practice regarding NCD prevention and management after a culturally adapted training, and the potential mechanisms leading to this change. Methods The Knowledge Attitude and Practice survey was assessed before and after an initial training, and before and after a refresher training (n = 37). We used a focus group discussion with community health volunteers (n = 8) to map potential mechanisms of the training and applying learned knowledge in practice. Data were collected in the districts Le Chan and An Duong of Hai Phong, Vietnam, in November 2021 and May 2022. Results We found that knowledge increased after training (mean = 5.54, 95%-confidence interval = 4.35 to 6.74), whereas attitude and practice did not improve. Next, knowledge decreased over time (m=-12.27;-14.40 to -10.11) and did not fully recover after a refresher training (m=-1.78;-3.22 to -0.35). As potential mechanisms for change, we identified the use of varying learning methods, enough breaks, efficient coordination of time located for theory and practice, handout materials, large group size and difficulty in applying a digital application for screening results. Conclusion Culturally adapted trainings can improve knowledge among community health volunteers which is important for the support of primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Using a digital screening application can be a barrier for the improvement of knowledge, attitude and practice and we suggest using an intergenerational or age-friendly approach, with the supervision of primary healthcare professionals. Future research on behavioral change should include additional components such as self-efficacy and interrelationships between individuals.

Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have surpassed infectious diseases as the leading global cause of death, with the Southeast Asian region experiencing a significant rise in NCD prevalence over the past decades. Despite the escalating burden, screening for NCDs remains at very low levels, resulting in undetected cases, premature mortality and high public healthcare costs. We investigate whether community-based NCD prevention and management programmes are an effective solution.Methods In Indonesia, we compare participants in the community-based NCD screening and management programme Pos Pembinaan Terpadu-Penyakit Tidak Menular with matched non-participants with respect to their uptake of screening activities, health-related behaviour and knowledge and metabolic risk factors. We use statistical matching to redress a possible selection bias (n=1669). In Viet Nam, we compare members of Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs, which were offered similar NCD health services, with members of other community groups, where such services were not offered. We can rely on two waves of data and use a double-difference approach to redress a possible selection bias and to measure the impacts of participation (n=1710). We discuss strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches in Indonesia and Viet Nam.Results In Indonesia, participants have significantly higher uptake of screening for hypertension and diabetes (+13% from a control mean of 88% (95% CI 9% to 17%); +93% from a control mean of 48% (95% CI 79% to 108%)). In both countries, participants show a higher knowledge about risk factors, symptoms and complications of NCDs (Indonesia: +0.29 SD (0.13–0.45), Viet Nam: +0.17 SD (0.03–0.30)). Yet, the improved knowledge is only partly reflected in improved health behaviour (Viet Nam: fruit consumption +0.33 SD (0.15–0.51), vegetable consumption +0.27 SD (0.04–0.50)), body mass index (BMI) (Viet Nam: BMI −0.07 SD (−0.13 to −0.00)) or metabolic risk factors (Indonesia: systolic blood pressure: −0.13 SD (−0.26 to −0.00)).Conclusion Community-based NCD programmes are well suited to increase screening and to transmit health knowledge. Due to their extensive outreach within the community, they can serve as a valuable complement to the screening services provided at the primary healthcare level. Yet, limited coverage, insufficient resources and a high staff turnover remain a problem.Trial registration number NCT05239572.

Background: HbA1c test is the most-ordered laboratory test in public primary care clinics, accounting for 17% of laboratory services. In recent years, there has been growing adoption of self-service technology in taking clinical measurements. However, there are currently no on-site self-testing HbA1c facilities. This study assessed patients’ acceptability and ability to perform self-testing of HbA1c levels and the feasibility of implementation in primary care setting. Methods: A total of 30 eligible diabetic patients were recruited in Tampines Polyclinic. Participants were shown a demonstration video before self-testing with a Point-of-Care HbA1c analyzer and completed a questionnaire after self-testing. The usability of the system was assessed using System Usability Scale (SUS). Acceptance and ability were assessed using either a five or six point-Likert Scale for the 7-step procedure. Fisher’s exact test was used to test for association with SUS score. Results: The study population comprises mainly males (60.0%), Chinese (50.0%), had highest qualification of secondary education and beyond (80.0%), with a mean age of 61.4 ± 8.3 years. The mean SUS score was 66.5 ± 13.3 and the average time taken to complete the HbA1c self-testing was 11.8 ± 4.5 min. No significant association was observed between demographics and SUS score. Although 40.0% of participants experienced some difficulty in inserting the cartridge into the analyzer, all were able to understand and follow the video and were willing to perform self-testing in the future. Conclusion: There is high level of acceptance and ability among diabetic patients to adopt HbA1c self-testing. It is feasible for use in primary care.

The association between relational victimization and risk-taking development in children is understudied. Also, it is not clear how the social classroom norm may affect this link. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the link between relational victimization and risk-taking behavior in elementary schoolchildren, and the potential moderating role of the classroom norm salience toward risk-taking. We expected that relationally victimized children would show an increase in risk-taking behavior in classrooms that are unfavorable toward risk-taking as a way to provoke and act against the classroom norm. However, alternatively, relationally victimized children could show an increase in risk-taking behavior in classrooms that are favorable toward risk-taking as a way to fortify the feeling of belonging to the classroom. Participants were 1,009 children (50% boys) in 69 classrooms of 13 mainstream elementary schools, followed annually across ages 7-11 (Grade 1-5). Risk-taking was assessed using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Relational victimization was assessed using teacher reports. The classroom norm salience toward risk-taking was based on the within-classroom correlation of risk-taking with children's social preference score among peers. Results from multilevel modeling showed that there was no significant main effect of relational victimization on risk-taking behavior. However, the classroom norm salience toward risk-taking significantly moderated the effect of relational victimization on risk-taking. Relational victimization was related to relative increases in risk-taking when classroom norms were unfavorable toward risk-taking. In classrooms where risk-taking was favored, relational victimization was related to relative decreases in risk-taking. These findings suggest that children who are relationally victimized may engage in norm-defying behavior in their classroom. Implications for further research are discussed.

Introduction Scaling up interventions targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global health priority, and implementation research can contribute to that effort. In 2019, the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funded 27 implementation research studies to improve evidence for scaling up interventions targeting prevention and/or control of hypertension and/or diabetes in low-resource settings. We examined these studies to improve the understanding of the implementation factors, including challenges and facilitators, that influence the early implementation phase of scale-up research projects targeting NCDs.Methods This qualitative study was undertaken between August 2020 and July 2021. 43 semi-structured interviews were conducted with project investigators, implementers and policymakers, across 19 diverse scale-up projects, being implemented in 20 countries. The transcripts were inductively, open-coded using thematic analysis. Generated themes were mapped systematically to four out of five domain categorisations of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); the innovation domain fell outside the scope of this study.Results Highlighted findings using CFIR are: (i) outer setting: influence of politics, lack of coordination between government departments and differing agendas towards NCDs hindered implementation while reliable and trustworthy government connections proved useful; (ii) inner setting: commitment of resources for implementation was a challenge while research capacity, work culture and trustworthy networks facilitated implementation; (iii) individuals: high-level stakeholder support and leadership was essential; (iv) process: extensive time and efforts required for stakeholder engagement towards local contextualisation was challenging, while collaborating, joint reflection, effective communication and adaptation facilitated. COVID-19 provided both challenges and opportunities and these varied depending on the intervention characteristics and study objectives.Conclusion Researchers supporting the scale-up of complex interventions targeting NCDs need to leverage on existing trusting relationships and foster equitable stakeholder partnerships through research. Interpersonal skills and good communication are essential complements to research expertise and must be considered during capacity building.

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Indonesia is increasing, as evidenced by the latest Indonesian National Health Research, which shows an increase in diabetes prevalence, from 6.9% in 2013 to 10.9% in 2018, and hypertension, from 25.8% in 2013 to 34.1% in 2018. Hence, effective actions in community and primary health care (PHC) facility settings are necessary to tackle the burden of diabetes and hypertension, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The Indonesian government has issued numerous guidelines regarding NCDs. However, not all these guidelines can be applied to communities or PHCs. This study aimed to identify priority guidelines to support the community and PHC for NCD management using the Delphi survey method. These prioritized guidelines will serve as valuable resources for developing relevant, operational and comprehensive modules for community cadres and PHC staff involved in NCD management. The Delphi survey involved 25 experts and comprised three rounds using a questionnaire: 1) identification and assessment of guidelines, 2) assessment of the importance of guidelines, and 3) nomination of the three main priority guidelines. The results revealed three priority guidelines: NCD management guidelines, technical guidelines for Pos Pembinaan Terpadu (POSBINDU) NCDs, and integrated services for NCDs in PHC facilities. Additionally, priority guidelines were used to develop operational modules for community cadres and PHC staff in NCDs management. In conclusion, utilizing the Delphi method serves as a scientific approach to identify priority guidelines crucial for supporting the community and PHC in managing NCDs, particularly in countries with contexts similar to Indonesia.

IntroductionIn Bangladesh, the uptake of cervical cancer screening is low. Lack of knowledge and understanding of symptoms and risk factors contributes to low screening uptake. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms and to measure the association with socio-demographic characteristics among women and household decisionmakers living in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in five districts in Bangladesh among women aged between 30 and 60 years, their husbands, and their mothers-in-law from April to September 2022. Data were collected using a modified version of the validated AWACAN questionnaire tool. The significance level was considered at p-value ResultsNearly 50% of participating women in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh and their family decisionmakers had low levels of knowledge of the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. Only 20% of respondents in our survey knew about HPV, the most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Most respondents were familiar with the terminology of cervical cancer as a disease; however, approximately 40% of respondents did not know that not adhering to cervical cancer screening could be seen as a risk factor. Women do not make decisions about participation in cervical cancer screening on their own. Knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms among decisionmakers was significantly associated with higher education and higher household monthly expenditure.ConclusionWomen, their husbands, and mothers-in-law in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh had limited knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms. Engaging these key decision-makers in targeted health education is vital to improve screening uptake. Conduction of future research to identify and address screening barriers is also essential for effective prevention efforts.

BackgroundA high prevalence of hypertension is found in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) including in Indonesia. However, hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are relativity poor. A community-based program to screen and educate people on non-communicable disease prevention (POSBINDU) was launched by the Indonesian government. However, the association between participation in the POSBINDU program with increasing knowledge, attitude, and practice of hypertension has not been widely assessed. In this study, we compared the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among people who accessed the POSBINDU and those who did not access the POSBINDU program. Subsequently, factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among people who accessed the POSBINDU and those who did not access the POSBINDU were explored.MethodsThis was an observational study with a cross-sectional design measuring the knowledge, attitudes, and practices for hypertension control in four districts in Indonesia from October 2019 to January 2020. A total of 1,988 respondents were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of hypertension. Simple logistic regression was used to investigate the correlation between the characteristics of respondents and knowledge, attitudes, and practice status. Multiple logistic regression tests were conducted to investigate factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practice status.ResultsWe found that people who accessed POSBINDU had higher odds of having better knowledge (aOR:1.4; 95%CI:1.2-1.8), however, accessed to POSBINDU was associated with lower attitudes (aOR:0.6; 85%CI: 0.5-0.7) and had no association with hypertension-related practice.ConclusionPeople who accessed POSBINDU have an association with good knowledge, but the association with good attitude and practice was less clear. Therefore, an improvement in the POSBINDU program is needed to increase the attitudes and practices of hypertension.

IntroductionDiabetes and hypertension are prevalent and costly to the health system. We have developed a mobile app (EMPOWER app) which enables remote monitoring and education through personalised nudges. We aim to study the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention comprising the EMPOWER mobile app with health coaching and shared decision-making for diabetes and hypertension.MethodsWe will conduct a two-arm, open-label, pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants with comorbid diabetes and hypertension enrolled from public primary care clinics will be randomised to either intervention or control in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group participants will have access to health coaching with shared decision-making interventions in addition to the EMPOWER app and their usual primary care. The control group participants will continue to receive usual primary care and will neither receive the EMPOWER app nor health coaching and shared decision-making interventions. Our primary outcome is change in HbA1c level over 9 months. Secondary outcomes include change in systolic blood pressure, quality of life, patient activation, medication adherence, physical activity level, diet, and healthcare cost (direct and indirect) over 9 months.DiscussionOur trial will provide key insights into clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a multi-component intervention comprising EMPOWER mobile app, health coaching and shared decision-making in diabetes and hypertension management. This trial will also offer evidence on cost-effective and sustainable methods for promoting behavioural changes among patients with comorbid diabetes and hypertension.Trial registrationThis study was registered on clintrials.gov on August 3, 2022, with the trial registration number: NCT05486390.

Background Risky behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables are known contributing factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which account for 74% of global mortality. Such behavioural risk factors co-occur frequently resulting in synergistic action for developing NCD related morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess the existence of multiple risk behaviours and determine the socio-economic and demographic factors associated with co-occurrence of behavioural risks among Myanmar adult population. Method Data were collected, in the context of the SUNI-SEA project (Scaling Up NCD interventions in Southeast Asia), from 660 community members aged 40 years and above of both sexes, residing in selected urban and rural areas from Ayeyawaddy, Yangon and Mandalay regions of Myanmar. The co-occurrence of behavioural risk factors was presented as percentage with 95% CI and its determinants were identified by multinomial logistic regression. Results The co-occurrence of two risk behaviours and three or four risk behaviours were found in 40% (95% CI: 36.2%, 43.9%) and 10.8% (95% CI: 8.5%, 13.4%) respectively. Urban residents, men, participants without formal schooling and unemployed persons were more likely to exhibit co-occurrence of two risk behaviors and three or four risk behaviours. Conclusion The current study shows high prevalence of co-occurrence of behavioural risk factors among Myanmar adults in the study area. NCD prevention and control programs emphasizing management of behavioural risks should be intensively promoted, particularly directed towards multiple behavioural risk factors, and not focused on individual factors only.

The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favor of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panelists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms “nonalcoholic” and “fatty” were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140–350 g/wk and 210–420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and nonstigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

(1) Background: Originally described as a single taxon, Peripatoides novaezealandiae (Hutton, 1876) are distributed across both main islands of New Zealand; the existence of multiple distinct lineages of live-bearing Onychophora across this spatial range has gradually emerged. Morphological conservatism obscured the true endemic diversity, and the inclusion of molecular tools has been instrumental in revealing these cryptic taxa. (2) Methods: Here, we review the diversity of the ovoviviparous Onychophora of New Zealand through a re-analysis of allozyme genotype data, mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences, geographic information and morphology. (3) Results: New analysis of the multilocus biallelic nuclear data using methods that do not require a priori assumptions of population assignment support at least six lineages of ovoviviparous Peripatoides in northern New Zealand, and mtDNA sequence variation is consistent with these divisions. Expansion of mitochondrial DNA sequence data, including representation of all existing taxa and additional populations extends our knowledge of the scale of sympatry among taxa and shows that three other lineages from southern South Island can be added to the Peripatoides list, and names are proposed here. In total, 10 species of Peripatoides can be recognised with current data.

Peatlands have become a focal point in climate mitigation strategies as these ecosystems have significant carbon sequestration capacities when healthy but release CO2 and other greenhouse gases when damaged. However, as drought episodes become more frequent and prolonged, organisms key to the functioning of some peatlands are increasingly under pressure from desiccation. The Sphagnum mosses, which tend to keep their ecosystem waterlogged and many of whom promote peat formation, are only mildly desiccation-tolerant in comparison to other mosses. The role of Sphagnum anatomy and colony structure is poorly understood in the context of desiccation resilience. Using four different Sphagnum species belonging to four different subgenera and positions along the gradient of the water table, we show that plant morphological traits and colony density are important determinants of water storage capacity. Our results show that, as previously postulated, the majority of the water is stored in an easily exchangeable form, probably extracellularly, and that plant morphological traits, specifically the type and presence of branches, are major contributors to water storage and can explain some of the interspecies variation. We also show that plant density is another important determinant for water storage capacity as higher densities hold larger quantities of water per unit of biomass for all four species, which increases resilience to desiccation. The results presented here suggest that species choice and planting density should receive more attention when considering peatland restoration strategies.

Background: Given the estimated high rate of unintended pregnancies, it is important to investigate long-term effects on psychological distress in women carrying an unintended pregnancy to term. However, research into associations between unintended pregnancies carried to term and psychological distress postpartum is mixed, and especially, evidence on long-term associations is scarce. Objective: To examine whether carrying an unintended pregnancy to term is associated with maternal psychological distress later in life, up to 12 years postpartum. Design: This study is based on the population-based birth cohort study ‘Amsterdam Born Children and their Development’ study, which included pregnant people in 2003 ( n = 7784) and followed them up until 12 years postpartum. Methods: Unintended pregnancy was measured as a multidimensional construct, based on self-reported data around 16 weeks gestation on pregnancy mistiming, unwantedness and unhappiness. Symptoms of maternal psychological distress were assessed around 3 months, 5 years and 12 years postpartum using multiple questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Multiple structural equation modelling models were analysed, examining the associations between dimensions of unintended pregnancy and maternal psychological distress per time point, while controlling for important co-occurring risks. Results: Pregnancy mistiming and unhappiness were significant predictors of more maternal psychological distress around 3 months postpartum. Around 5 years postpartum, only pregnancy mistiming was positively associated with maternal psychological distress. Dimensions of unintended pregnancy were no longer associated with maternal psychological distress around 12 years postpartum. Strikingly, antenatal psychological distress was a much stronger predictor of maternal psychological distress than pregnancy intention dimensions. Conclusion: Those who carried a more unintended pregnancy to term reported more symptoms of psychological distress at 3 months and 5 years postpartum. People carrying an unintended pregnancy to term may benefit from extra support, not because of the pregnancy intentions per se, but because they may be related to antenatal psychological distress.

Recent decades have shown the increased popularity of market-based instruments (MBIs) for conservation despite mixed social and ecological outcomes. This paper explores the extent to which two crucial MBIs, namely, ecotourism and sport hunting, are compatible with 'convivial conservation', a novel, integrated approach that explores conservation beyond capitalism. We developed an analytical framework of five key features for transformative change that can potentially contribute to conviviality: access and property rights, benefit-sharing, value operationalisation, institutional arrangements, and decision-making processes. We analysed the use of ecotourism and sport hunting in southern and eastern Africa in relation to the five features. Based on 'radical incremental transformation', we applied these features to analyse if, and if so how, incremental changes to these MBIs can be supportive in transitioning conservation towards (further) conviviality. With insights from our extensive research experiences in eastern and southern Africa, we highlight that the institutional design and contextual factors determining power relations are often more important than the choice of instrument in influencing its social and ecological outcomes. In conclusion, we propose a shift in the dialogue on conservation beyond its infatuation with commodification by integrating convivial elements into the design of conservation policies.

Background In the case of critically sick patients, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be life-threatening and necessitates the need for ICU admission. Continuous monitoring is required for mechanical ventilation and recruitment movements as necessary. In this research, the goal is to investigate the use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of positive end exhalatory pressure-induced lung recruitment in ARDS patients. Patients and methods A total of 25 ARDS patients were included in this research, which was done in the hospital’s respiratory care unit. All of the patients were seen by a doctor, had a chest radiograph, and had laboratory tests. Mechanical ventilation was used in the care of all patients. Using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) values of 5 and 15, we measured pressure–volume (PV) and lung ultrasound tracings. The PV curve approach was used to assess PEEP-induced lung recruitment. Between PEEP 5 and PEEP 15, there was an extremely strong positive connection between reaeration score and the change in lung volume (r=0.737, P=0.001). Results Between PEEP 5 and PEEP 15, there was a substantial (r=0.577, P=0.003) positive association between the reaeration score and the decrease in PaO2. There was a substantial negative association between reaeration score and mortality (rpb=-0.842, P=0.001), in which mortality reduces as the score increases. Conclusion For quantitative evaluation of PEEP-induced lung recruitment, bedside lung ultrasound is equal to the PV curve approach. In patients with ARDS, PEEP-induced lung recruitment may be assessed using ultrasonography.

PurposeTo investigate, in adolescents referred for psychiatric services, the associations of initial self-esteem and family functioning with level and change of quality of life (QoL) over a 3-year period, over and above the effect of their emotional problems.MethodsOf 1648 eligible 13-18 years old patients attending the child and adolescent psychiatric clinic (CAP) at least once, 717 (54.8% females) were enrolled at baseline (a response rate of 43.5%). Self- and parent reports on the McMaster Family Assessment Device were obtained. Adolescents reported self-esteem on the Rosenberg Scale, and emotional problems on the Symptom Check List-5. Adolescents completed the Inventory of Life Quality in Children and Adolescents (ILC). After 3 years, 570 adolescents again completed the ILC, and for 418 adolescents parent information was available. The longitudinal analysis sample of 418 adolescents was representative of the baseline sample for age, gender, emotional problems, and QoL. We used modified growth-model analysis, adjusted for SES, age, gender and time of contact with CAP, where residual variances for ILC at baseline and follow-up were fixed to 0.ResultsA poorer family functioning at baseline, reported by parents, was significantly associated with worsening QoL during the 3 years follow-up period (p = 0.001).ConclusionsParents have important knowledge about their families that may reflect long-term influences on QoL development in adolescent psychiatric patients. Health care providers and policy makers should optimize treatment outcomes by addressing family functioning in adolescents with emotional problems.

Abstract Genome‐wide association studies in adults have identified variants in hydroxysteroid 17‐beta dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 1 (MTARC1) as protective against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to test their association with pediatric NAFLD liver histology and investigate their function using metabolomics. A total of 1450 children (729 with NAFLD, 399 with liver histology) were genotyped for rs72613567T>TA in HSD17B13, rs2642438G>A in MTARC1, and rs738409C>G in patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing protein 3 (PNPLA3). Genotype–histology associations were tested using ordinal regression. Untargeted hepatic proteomics and plasma lipidomics were performed in a subset of children. We found rs72613567T>TA in HSD17B13 to be associated with lower odds of NAFLD diagnosis (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.6–0.9) and a lower grade of portal inflammation (p A in MTARC1 was associated with a lower grade of hepatic steatosis (p = 0.02). Proteomics found reduced expression of HSD17B13 in carriers of the protective ‐TA allele. MTARC1 levels were unaffected by genotype. Both variants were associated with down‐regulation of fibrogenic pathways. HSD17B13 perturbs plasma phosphatidylcholines and triglycerides. In silico modeling suggested p.Ala165Thr disrupts the stability and metal binding of MTARC1. Conclusion: Both HSD17B13 and MTARC1 variants are associated with less severe pediatric NAFLD. These results provide further evidence for shared genetic mechanisms between pediatric and adult NAFLD.

Abstract Background High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the primary screening test in cervical screening programs. The option of self-sampling for this screening method can potentially increase women’s participation. Designing screening programs to implement this method among underscreened populations will require contextualized evidence. Methods PREvention and SCReening Innovation Project Toward Elimination of Cervical Cancer (PRESCRIP-TEC) will use a multi-method approach to investigate the feasibility of implementing a cervical cancer screening strategy with hrHPV self-testing as the primary screening test in Bangladesh, India, Slovak Republic and Uganda. The primary outcomes of study include uptake and coverage of the screening program and adherence to follow-up. These outcomes will be evaluated through a pre-post quasi-experimental study design. Secondary objectives of the study include the analysis of client-related factors and health system factors related to cervical cancer screening, a validation study of an artificial intelligence decision support system and an economic evaluation of the screening strategy. Discussion PRESCRIP-TEC aims to provide evidence regarding hrHPV self-testing and the World Health Organization’s recommendations for cervical cancer screening in a variety of settings, targeting vulnerable groups. The main quantitative findings of the project related to the impact on uptake and coverage of screening will be complemented by qualitative analyses of various determinants of successful implementation of screening. The study will also provide decision-makers with insights into economic aspects of implementing hrHPV self-testing, as well as evaluate the feasibility of using artificial intelligence for task-shifting in visual inspection with acetic acid. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05234112 . Registered 10 February 2022