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Abstract The rapid growth of cage aquaculture of introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Victoria has raised urgent environmental concerns. This study aims to compare local environmental conditions, fish species abundance and diversity between paired cage and control stations at four locations over 9 months (n = 72) in Lake Victoria, Kenya. The study sites were arrayed along a limnological gradient from eutrophic waters within Winam Gulf, to more oligotrophic waters off Mfangano Island. It was hypothesized that nutrient loading, fish biomass, and species diversity would be higher at the cages than within control areas. Water quality variables were measured at 1 m depth and fish sampled using replicate sets of monofilament gillnets. A principal components analysis reduced our dataset into two significant PCs; PC1, which accounts for eutrophication and PC2, which reflects seasonal variability. Two‐way analysis of variance tests on PC1 and PC2 scores found no significant differences between paired cage‐control stations at any site. Significant differences between sites confirmed a strong gradient in eutrophication and variability, decreasing from the inner gulf to the open lake (PC1, FSite = 139.426, p

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is challenging to manage and substantially affects quality of life. This US, non-interventional qualitative study examined patients’ clinical journeys and emotional burden from symptom onset through disease management. Chronic spontaneous urticaria patients participated in interviews and completed diaries focusing on disease and treatment history/perspectives, impact on personal/family life, and relationships with physicians/other healthcare providers. Physicians were interviewed about their views on disease management and patient care. Twenty-five patients, previously or currently receiving chronic spontaneous urticaria treatment(s), and 12 physicians participated. Key stages following symptom onset were identified: Crisis (associated with feelings of torment/disorientation/shock); Searching for answers (puzzlement/frustration/anxiety); Diagnosis (relief/satisfaction/fear/isolation); and Disease management (frustration/hope/powerlessness). Findings revealed patients’ perceptions and experiences of chronic spontaneous urticaria, including living with a ‘skinemy’, experiencing their ‘own personal hell’ and feeling ‘like an experiment’. Awareness of unmet needs in patient care/management identified in this study may ultimately improve patient support and enhance physicians’ understanding of disease burden.