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This article examines the regulation of labor in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) in Eastern and Southern Africa, with a focus on South Africa and Kenya. It identifies two main concerns: the regulation of labor for African workers engaged in low-end AI work and the sharing of information in authoritarian states and its impact on organized labor and civil society. The article also discusses the lack of regulation for low-end AI work, such as data janitorial work, and the potential biases and negative effects of AI on women in sectors like fintech. It provides country-specific examples, including the use of AI in South Africa's healthcare and transportation systems, as well as the limited attention given to AI by established unions. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of responsible AI practices and addressing regulatory concerns while harnessing the economic potential of AI. In South Africa, the call center industry is at risk of job loss due to AI, and the lack of AI policy and regulation exacerbates this issue. In Kenya, the development of a strong Fintech sector based on AI technologies has led to financial inclusion but also raises concerns about data privacy and protection. The article also highlights the emergence of union-like organizations in Kenya to represent workers in the digital platform economy. Overall, AI regulation in Africa is incomplete, and progress towards informal regulation has been uneven. [Extracted from the article]

This research studies the impact of articles appearing in the top four journals for consumer research— JCR , JMR , JM , and JCP— by examining factors that influence scholarly, public, and practical impact. This conceptually distinguishes between "incongruent novelty" (novelty arising from incongruity between an article and other existing articles) and "recombinant novelty" (novelty based on drawing from more disparate references). Incongruent novelty is decomposed into two components: (1) topic incongruity—incongruity between an article's topic and other existing topics at the time and (2) article incongruity—incongruity between an article and other existing articles on the same primary topic. By integrating topic modeling and word embedding to measure these constructs, we demonstrate varying impacts of types of novelty on three types of impact. Overall, our findings illustrate that topic and article incongruity have effects above and beyond recombinant novelty. For both scholarly and public impact, our results suggest that moderately high topic incongruity has the largest influence, suggesting that researchers should address novel topics. Additionally, scholarly citations are positively affected by lower and higher (vs. moderate) levels of article incongruity, suggesting that researchers either engage in programmatic research or add a new approach to the existing research on a topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a minority of Americans adequately engage in activities experts recommend to curb preventable diseases, such as the consumption of healthful foods and regular physical exercise. This poses a challenge for policy makers and social marketers alike, given the substantial impact descriptive norms have on behaviors in the health domain. The authors propose a new way to address this challenge by identifying what they call the "uptrend effect." This effect encourages descriptively nonnormative, healthy behaviors through uptrend messaging that makes salient actual increased engagement in those behaviors over time without referencing an objective descriptive norm. Across seven experimental studies, including studies conducted in the field and measuring real behaviors, this research demonstrates that uptrend messaging leads recipients to infer greater descriptive normativity for the target behavior, which subsequently improves engagement. The authors identify theoretically and practically relevant boundary conditions, showing that the uptrend effect is attenuated when the growth in a behavior is driven by a dissimilar group or when the message explicitly states a descriptive norm. They also demonstrate that uptrend messaging outperforms other norm-based approaches. The theory and findings of this research inform scholars, policy makers, and marketers by providing actionable and easy-to-implement techniques to encourage behaviors that improve consumer quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Primary thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions encountered by hand surgeons. Of the vast number of operations that have been proposed, none have demonstrated results significantly superior to trapeziectomy alone. AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine why surgeons opt for their technique in treating CMC arthritis. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of active members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand was conducted to evaluate the reasons behind their preferred technique in the treatment of isolated thumb CMC arthritis. Surgeons were contacted by e-mail once and provided with a link to a de-identified survey consisting of 5 treatment questions and 5 demographic questions. RESULTS: Of 950 responses were received. 40.5% of surgeons preferred trapeziectomy + ligament reconstruction tendon interposition (LRTI), followed by trapeziectomy + suspensionplasty (28.2%), suture button suspension (5.9 %), trapeziectomy alone (4.6%), prosthetic arthroplasty (3.2%), arthrodesis (1.1%), and other (6.6%). Proponents of trapeziectomy + LRTI cited familiarity (73.2%), exposure during fellowship (48.8%) and less proximal migration (60%) to be the main reasons affecting their decision. Surgeons who preferred trapeziectomy + suspensionplasty most reported simplicity (74.9%), fewer complications (45.3%), less proximal migration (43.8%), and avoidance of autogenous tissue harvest (42.7%). Advocates of suture button suspension cited avoidance of autogenous tissue harvest (80.4%), shorter immobilization (76.8%), and quicker recovery (73.2%) with their technique. Advocates of trapeziectomy alone cited simplicity (97.7%), fewer complications (86.4%), and avoidance of autogenous tissue harvest (59.1%). In their comments, 45% of surgeons choosing trapeziectomy alone cited evidence as an additional rationale. Advocates of prosthetic arthroplasty cited improved pinch strength (83.3%) and improved range of motion (63.3%), while those preferring arthrodesis cited better pinch strength (90%) and frequently in their comments, durability. Of the surgeons who preferred a technique other than LRTI, 41.8% reported they had tried LRTI in the past, citing complexity of the procedure, flexor carpi radialis harvest, and longer operative time as reasons for moving on. CONCLUSION: Our study provides an update on current treatment trends and offers new insight into the reasons behind surgeons decision making in the management of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. Despite strong Level 1 evidence supporting the use of trapeziectomy alone, our findings demonstrate that most surgeons continue to supplement trapeziectomy with other techniques such as LRTI or suspensionplasty. Several factors including familiarity, personal experience (Level 4 evidence), and comfort may be more influential than Level 1 evidence in determining the techniques in a surgeons armamentarium. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal technique for surgical management of Eaton stages II-IV CMC arthritis and how these studies will affect surgeons choice.

BACKGROUND: With the growing opioid epidemic across the US, in-hospital utilization of opioids has garnered increasing attention. Using a national cohort, this study sought to characterize trends, outcomes, and factors associated with in-hospital opioid overdose (OD) following major elective operations. METHODS: We identified all adult (≥18 years) hospitalizations entailing select elective procedures in the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample. Patients who experienced in-hospital opioid overdose were characterized as OD (others: Non-OD). The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital OD. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were developed to evaluate the association between in-hospital OD and mortality, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, and non-home discharge. RESULTS: Of an estimated 11,096,064 hospitalizations meeting study criteria, 5375 (0.05 %) experienced a perioperative OD. Compared to others, OD were older (66 [57-73] vs 64 [54-72] years, p

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to cardiovascular complications. We aimed to understand the trends in admission for COVID-19 and the incidence of various cardiovascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 2020 and 2021 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was studied for cases of COVID-19 between April 2020 and December 2021 in the United States. Linear-by-linear association helped us understand the trends of various events. RESULTS: The number of cases of COVID-19 was highest in January 2021 (261,469 patients). The incidence of acute pulmonary embolism rose from 2.08% in April 2020 to 4.82% in November 2021, while deep vein thrombosis cases rose from 1.74% in April 2020 to 2.63% in December 2021. The incidence of cardiac arrest varied, with a maximum of 3.00% in August 2021. Similarly, acute ischemic stroke cases experienced their highest incidence in January 2021 (0.91%). The incidence of myocarditis was highest in April and May 2020 (0.42% each). Peak takotsubo cases were seen between October and December 2021. The highest overall all-cause mortality among COVID-19 cases was seen in April 2020 (16.74%). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout the 21 months of our analysis, various trends in COVID-19 cases and incidence of cardiac events were noticed. This could relate to the different variants of COVID-19, their direct and indirect impact on coagulation pathways and the myocardial tissues, and the protective roles of the vaccines.

Trends in the coupled stratosphere‐troposphere system during the 1979–2022 period are investigated in the Northern Hemisphere using reanalysis datasets. More upward planetary wave propagation in December is shown to precede the deceleration of the stratospheric polar vortex in January. This deceleration prevents the waves from continuing to propagate upward in February and favors an acceleration of the stratospheric polar vortex in March. This is associated with an increased Northern Hemisphere annular mode in March in the stratosphere and the troposphere. Trends show a moderate significance level because of strong interannual variability. Recent seasons whose anomalies project onto the trends are those for which wave‐1 anomaly constructively interferes with wave‐1 climatology in December, which occurs when there is warming in an area extending from Eastern Canada to Greenland and slight cooling over Eurasia. It shows the potential for predicting the springtime stratospheric polar vortex from wintertime wave‐1 anomalies. Plain Language Summary: In winter the stratosphere hosts strong westerly winds forming the stratospheric polar vortex. Variations in the vortex strength can affect weather patterns in the underlying troposphere. Vice‐versa, the stratospheric vortex can also be disrupted by tropospheric waves that propagate upwards into the stratosphere. Sea‐ice loss from Arctic warming is amongst the forcings that have been proposed to produce tropospheric waves leading to a weakening of the polar vortex. However, there is a strong dependence of the stratospheric signal on the region of sea ice loss. In the present study, we show that mid‐winter to early spring stratospheric trends during the 1979–2022 period are linked to large‐scale surface temperature trends in December. Specifically, strong warming from Eastern Canada to Greenland and relative cooling over Eurasia in December are associated with enhanced upward wave propagation and a deceleration of the stratospheric polar vortex in January. In mid‐winter a weaker than usual vortex inhibits wave propagation to the stratosphere, allowing for a recovery in vortex strength by March. In conclusion, our work shows how the opposite mid‐winter and early spring trends in the stratosphere can be connected with stronger wave propagation from the surface in December and with its time‐evolving effects on troposphere–stratosphere coupling. Key Points: January and March exhibit opposite trends in the stratospheric Northern Annular Mode (NAM) during 1979–2022The negative (positive) trend in the NAM in January (March) is explained by more (less) upward wave propagation in December (February)More upward wave propagation in December is linked to warming over Eastern Canada and cooling over Siberia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow is particularly impacted by climate change and therefore there is an urgent need to understand the temporal and spatial variability of depth of snowfall (HN) trends. However, the analysis of historical HN observations on large‐scale areas is often impeded by lack of continuous long‐term time series availability. This study investigates HN trends using observed time series spanning the period 1920–2020 from 46 sites in the Alps at different elevations. To discern patterns and variations in HN over the years, our analysis focuses also on key parameters such as precipitation (P), mean air temperature (TMEAN), and large‐scale synoptic descriptors, that is, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) indices. Our findings reveal that in the last 100 years and below 2000 m a.s.l., despite a slight increase in winter precipitation, there was a decrease in HN over the Alps, especially for southern and low‐elevation sites. The South‐West and South‐East regions experienced an average loss of 4.9 and 3.8%/decade, respectively. A smaller relative loss was found in the Northern region (2.3%/decade). The negative HN trends can be mainly explained by an increase of TMEAN by 0.15°C/decade. Most of the decrease in HN occurred mainly between 1980 and 2020, as a result of a more pronounced increase in TMEAN. This is also confirmed by the change of the running correlation between HN and TMEAN, NAO, AO over time, which until 1980 were not correlated at all, while the correlation increased in later years. This suggests that in more recent years favourable combinations of temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric pattern have become more crucial for snowfall to occur. On the other hand, no correlation was found with the AMO index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), a crucial area influencing global climatic patterns and water resources, is experiencing a unique climatic paradox, particularly evident in the Three Rivers Source Region (TRSR). A striking summer asymmetry in the increases of near-surface temperature and precipitation is observed from 1989 to 2018: the rate of daily minimum temperature (0.64°C decade−1) surpasses the daily maximum temperature (0.52°C decade−1), while the daytime precipitation intensity (0.40 mm day−1 decade−1) increases at a faster rate compared to nighttime (0.30 mm day−1 decade−1). Despite these trends, the summer mean nighttime precipitation intensity consistently remains higher than the daytime average. Notably, this pattern is accompanied by an increasing trend of moisture transport during both daytime and nighttime in TRSR. This paper deciphers the thermodynamic and dynamic processes behind this trend. The daytime warmth not only alters the stability of atmosphere but also modulates convective inhibition (CIN), thereby reshaping precipitation mechanics and potentially dampening or delaying daytime convection. Thermodynamically, a shift from unstable to stable anomalies in the summer troposphere suppresses precipitation development. The combination of increased CIN during those period leads to fewer but more intense rainy days. Dynamically, the shift from a consistent downward motion anomaly throughout troposphere to an upward motion anomaly becomes dominant during nighttime, exhibiting a similar transition but only below 500 hPa during daytime. These findings reveal the complex interplay between thermodynamics, dynamics, and precipitation, highlighting the need for refined climatic models that can accurately simulate these summer diurnal processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: With an aging population and higher prevalence of dementia, there is a paucity of data regarding dementia patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. We examined the nationwide trends and outcomes of cardiovascular surgery patients with dementia to determine its effect on morbidity, mortality, and discharge disposition. Methods: From 2002 to 2014, 11,414 (0.27%) of the 4,201,697 cardiac surgery patients from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample had a preoperative diagnosis of dementia. Propensity-score matching was used to balance dementia and non-dementia groups. Primary outcomes included postoperative morbidity, mortality, and discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF). Results: Dementia patients were more often male (67%) and 65–84 years old (84%). Postoperative mortality among patients with dementia was lower compared to patients without dementia (3.4% vs. 4.6%, p < 0.05). In dementia patients, there were more complications (65% vs. 60%, p < 0.01), more blood transfusions [OR 1.3, 95%CI (1.1, 1.5), p < 0.01] and delirium [OR 3.6, 95%CI (2.9, 4.5), p < 0.0001). Dementia patients (n = 5,623, 49.8%) were twice as likely to be discharged to SNF [OR 2.1, 95%CI (1.9, 2.4), p < 0.0001]. Dementia patients discharged to SNF more often had delirium (18.2% vs. 12%, p < 0.01), renal complications (17% vs. 8%, p < 0.01), and prolonged mechanical ventilation (15% vs. 8%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Despite an aging population with increasing prevalence of dementia, patients with dementia can undergo cardiovascular surgery with a lower in-hospital mortality and similar hospitalization costs compared to their non-dementia counterparts. Dementia patients are more likely to experience complications and require discharge to skilled nursing facility. Careful patient selection and targeted physical therapy may help mitigate some dementia associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global change, reviewing the relationships between marine fish traits and their range shifts is required to (1) identify ecological generalizations regarding the influence of traits on range shifts at a global scale and (2) investigate the rationale behind trait inclusion in models describing those relationships. We systematically searched for studies on marine fish assemblages that identified distributional shifts and analyzed the relationship between fish traits and these shifts. We reviewed 29 papers and identified 11 shift type characterizations and 41 traits, noting significant variation in measurement methods and model types used to describe their relationships. We identified global trait redundancies in the relationship between fish traits and latitudinal range shifts. These trends are related to the fishes' latitudinal range, trophic level, water column habitat, body size, size‐at‐settlement, growth rate, and larval swimming ability. The first four traits, along with fish bottom habitat, biogeographic affinity, diet, and thermal affinity, also showed significant relationships across four ways to characterize horizontal range shifts of fish species. The significance of these traits suggests their relevance in range shifting, regardless of the analyses conducted, biogeographic realm, and range shift type. However, trait redundancies require further consideration, mainly because some traits show opposing relationships in different studies, and important biogeographic research gaps limit global generalizations about the trait–range shift relationship. Half of the studies analyzed provided a rationale for 23 out of 41 traits. We also provide guidelines for future work to better understand the influence of traits on fish range shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to analyze the historical trends of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) burden in the elderly from 1990 to 2021 and forecast future trends up to 2051. Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were utilized. Age-standardized rates (ASR) for incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were computed to quantify temporal trends. A Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model was employed to project future trends. Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global number of elderly IBD increased from 573,500 to 1,278,190. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) rose from 8.01 to 8.77 per 100,000, while the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) slightly decreased from 118.14 to 117.29 per 100,000. Death number increased from 14,400 to 33,490, but the age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 3.21 to 2.84 per 100,000. DALYs increased from 324,100 to 683,750, with the age-standardized DALYs rate declining from 68.78 to 60.88 per 100,000. Significant geographical variations were observed, with high Socio-demographic Index regions showing the highest burden. Projections suggest that by 2051, elderly IBD prevalence number may reach 2,316,000, with ASIR and ASPR potentially rising after 2035 and 2042, respectively. Deaths and DALYs are projected to increase to 75,000 and 1,401,000 respectively, despite continued declines in ASRs. Conclusion: The absolute burden of IBD in the elderly population is projected to increase substantially by 2051, despite decreasing ASRs. These findings underscore the need for tailored healthcare strategies and resource allocation to address the growing challenge of elderly IBD globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CDK7 has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of malignancy. Therefore, targeting CDK7, which regulates the transcription process, has emerged as a new promising approach for treating cancer. Research on CDK7 inhibitors has significantly increased over the past 2 decades, with almost 600 related papers in the Web of Science Core Collection database. To effectively identify future research hotspots and potential future directions, it is crucial to systematically review and visually present the research on this topic from a comprehensive viewpoint, ensuring scientific reliability. Methods: This study performed bibliometric analysis via CiteSpace and VOSviewer scientometrics analysis software to examine data on the publication of articles on CDK7 inhibitors over the past 2 decades; the data included country of publication, author names, institution names, scientific categories, cited journals, and keywords related to the field of CDK7 inhibitors. Results: This bibliometric analysis included 426 publications from 41 different nations, referencing a total of 15,892 sources. Research associated with CDK7 inhibitors has rapidly expanded since 2016, and the US and China are the two countries with the highest publication output among the countries and institutes that produce literature on CDK7 inhibitors. Furthermore, the US is the country that most frequently engages in international cooperation. The evolution of keywords identifying antitumor strategies related to CDK7-mediated cellular transcription processes has been the research focus in recent years. Conclusion: In this study, we identified research efforts and their evolving patterns and predicted advances in the CDK7 inhibitor field. The knowledge structure of CDK7 inhibitors encompasses pharmacological mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and cancer treatment strategies. The primary objectives of contemporary research are to discover the processes underlying cancer progression, identify specific signaling pathways, and develop effective clinical medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Design Setting Participants Measurements Findings Conclusions To provide data on prevalence and trends in the use of different types of e‐cigarettes (disposable, pod, tank) in Germany (a country with high smoking prevalence of approximately 30%) from 2016 to 2023, and to analyse the characteristics and smoking behaviours of users of these types.A series of nationally representative cross‐sectional face‐to‐face household surveys.General population of Germany, 2016–2023.A total of 92 327 people (aged ≥14 years) of which 1398 reported current use of e‐cigarettes.Type of e‐cigarette usually used (single choice: disposable, pod, or tank), person characteristics, and smoking/vaping behaviour.E‐cigarette use in the population of Germany has increased from 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1,2.2) in 2016 to 2.2% (95% CI = 1.6,3.0) at the end of 2023. Disposable e‐cigarette use has increased in this period from 0.1% (95% CI = 0.0,0.3) to 0.8% (95% CI = 0.4,1.8). Pod type use exhibited the most stable trend, with a steady rise to 0.6% (95% CI = 0.4,0.9) in 2023. Tank e‐cigarette use peaked at 1.6% (95% CI = 1.3,1.9) in November 2017, declined to 0.7% (95% CI = 0.6,0.9) in December 2020, and has since remained constant at 0.8% (95% CI = 0.6,1.0). Disposable e‐cigarette users were on average 3.5 and 4.1 years younger than tank and pod users, respectively. They were more likely than tank users to be female, non‐daily users, and dual users of tobacco. In the subgroup of dual users, there were no significant differences with regard to urges to smoke, cigarettes smoked per day, motivation to stop, and attempts to stop smoking between users of disposables and other types.The use of e‐cigarettes has increased in Germany from 2016 to 2023, especially that of disposable e‐cigarettes, which are now the most commonly used type with a prevalence rate of 0.8%. However, the use of e‐cigarettes is still much lower compared with tobacco smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Single-country studies document varying time trends in memory function and impairment. Comparative analyses are limited. Methods We used self-respondent data on adults aged 50+ years in 13 countries from 3 surveys (United States: Health and Retirement Study, 1998–2018; England: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, 2002–2018; 11 European countries: Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, 2004–2019). Memory is measured with tests of immediate and delayed word recall. Unweighted age- and gender-adjusted mixed effects regression models as well as models with adjustments for additional sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors were examined. Heterogeneity in trends by gender, age group, and educational attainment was measured. Results The age-adjusted 10-year improvement in average test score is 0.04 standard deviations (SD s) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03, 0.05) in the United States, 0.17 SD s (95% CI: 0.15, 0.19) in England, and 0.24 SD s (95% CI: 0.23, 0.25) in SHARE countries. Trends are largely similar across gender, age groups, and educational attainment. Regional differences in trends remain after adjustment for potential mechanisms. The difference between the United States and other countries is particularly large under 75 years of age compared to 75 years and older. Conclusions Pace of improvement in memory function varies strongly across countries. On average, the 11 European countries studied had the fastest improvement, followed by England. The trend in the United States indicates improvement, but at a much slower pace compared to that in England and other European countries. Uncovering the causes for the cross-country heterogeneity in time trends, and in particular the reasons for the comparatively poor performance of the United States, should be both a research and public health priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Anal cancer, despite its rarity, is a matter of serious concern in the United States, with an uptrend in recent years and marked racial disparities in mortality rates. The aim of this work was to investigate anal cancer mortality trends and sex race disparities in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Method: This is a retrospective study using data from the CDC WONDER database (1999–2020). We investigated deaths attributed to anal cancer, identified by the ICD‐10 code C21.1, and excluded individuals aged 14 years and under. The Mann–Kendall trend test was used to investigate temporal trends and a t‐test was used to compare continuous variables. Results: Both male and female age‐adjusted mortality attributed to anal cancer increased significantly during the study period across all subgroups, including race (Black and White), US Census region (Northeast, Midwest, South and West) and age (15–64 and ≥65 years) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). For each subgroup, women demonstrated significantly higher rates of mortality than men, except in the Black population, where Black men had higher rates than Black women (0.40 vs. 0.29, p < 0.001). Additionally, Black men had significantly higher mean mortality rates than White men (0.40 vs. 0.27, p < 0.001). The highest rates of anal cancer mortality were among geriatric individuals, especially women aged ≥65 years, at 1.18 per 100 000. Conclusion: The rise in anal cancer mortality and racial and sex disparities present a significant challenge for healthcare providers and policy makers. Further studies are required to devise evidence‐based strategies to effectively tackle this challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the number and clinical characteristics of hospital admissions in Spain between 2016 and 2022 in which alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) was coded; to describe and analyze differences in these parameters between men and women; and to identify variables associated with a worse prognosis. Methods: We used a nationwide discharge database to select all admissions featuring an AATD diagnostic code (ICD-10 code E88.01) in any position. Results: We found 5142 hospital admissions with a diagnosis of AATD and detected a significant increase in their number from 2016 to 2022 (p = 0.034 for trend). Males accounted for 58.21% of the hospitalizations and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index than women (1.86 vs. 1.33; p < 0.001), were hospitalized more frequently (21.18% of men were hospitalized more than once vs. 17.76% of women, p < 0.001), and had a higher probability of severe disease (OR 1.39; 95%CI 1.10–1.75). Crude in-hospital mortality (IHM) was 6.85% in men and 4.8% in women (p = 0.007). The variables associated with IHM in both sexes were older age, more hospital admissions, and liver disease or lung cancer. Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation and admission to the ICU were also associated with IHM in men and women. Multivariable adjustment revealed no association between sex and IHM. Conclusions: The number of hospitalizations for AATD increased in Spain from 2016 to 2022. Men represented almost 60% of hospitalizations, were admitted more frequently and with more comorbidities, and had a higher probability of severe disease than women. There was no association between sex and IHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional patterns of the seasonal weather and atmospheric moisture origins can impact the seasonal activities of extreme precipitation in the eastern United States (eUS). At many locations, tracks of atmospheric moisture can have different influence on timing of extreme precipitation based on the moisture origin source. In this study, we evaluate the contribution of atmospheric rivers (ARs) and their moisture origin sources to the distribution and seasonal effectivity of annual maximum precipitation (AMP) across the eUS during 1950–2021. Our results suggest that AR is a dominant mechanism of AMP in the eUS as it contributes to 75% (31 438 out of 41 976) of total AMP events recorded between 1950 and 2021. The seasonal analysis based on the circular density approach shows that spring, summer, and fall seasons display strong signals of seasonality of AMP-AR events. The spatial patterns of AMP associated with the four major moisture sources (the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the combined source of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and the local source of moisture) reinforce the key role ARs play in transporting water vapor to the eUS from both oceanic and inland originated moisture. The results additionally highlight the importance of moisture subsources (major source subregions) in modulating the seasonality of extreme precipitation in the eUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children who do not consume enough iron have decreased growth, reduced immunity, and poor cognitive development. This study aimed to assess the pooled iron-rich food consumption, trends, and predictors among children aged 6–59 months old in Ethiopia. This study used Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS-2005–2016) data with a total weighted sample size of 26,773 among children aged 6–59 months old. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of good iron-rich food consumption. The pooled proportion of iron-rich food consumed among children aged 6–59 months in Ethiopia was 11.77% (10.71, 12.92%). In Ethiopia, the proportion of iron-rich food intake by children aged 6–59 months was slightly increased from 9.25% (8.04, 10.62%) in EDHS 2005 to 10.86% (9.06, 12.95%) in EDHS 2011, and sharply increased to 17.49% (15.04, 20.24%) in EDHS 2016. The findings indicated that being children born to mothers aged 20 to 34 years old [AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.89], mothers aged ≥ 35 years old [AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.82], married parents [AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.48], completed primary education [AOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.73], secondary education [AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.53, 4.59], a higher education status of mother [AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.92, 8.23], medium family [AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.89], rich family [AOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.95], media exposure [AOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.72], residents of the Tigray [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.51, 4.79], Oromia [AOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.02], Benishangul [AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.88], Gambela [AOR = 5.85, 95% CI: 2.97, 11.50], and Dire Dawa region [AOR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.76, 6.47], were significantly associated with good iron-rich food consumption among children aged 6–59 months old. The findings revealed that iron-rich food intake was considerably low among Ethiopian children aged 6–59 months. Increasing women's literacy and economic empowerment improves iron-rich food consumption among children aged 6–59 months old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess the prevalence of mild and moderate hearing loss spanning three decades, from 1990 to 2019, and to project the anticipated trends from 2020 to 2030 among adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and age-standardised groups in Malaysia. Methods: This study involved secondary data analysis of mild and moderate hearing loss prevalence over 30 years among the Malaysian population aged 15–19, 25–29, 35–39, 45–49, and age-standardised groups. Subsequently, three time-series models were evaluated and the best models with the minimal Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were selected for projecting the prevalence of hearing loss until 2030. Results: A relatively stable trend of mild hearing loss prevalence and gradual decline of moderate hearing loss were observed across all age groups throughout the study period. The prevalence of mild hearing loss was consistently higher than moderate hearing loss across all age groups, with its prevalence increasing with age. The projected prevalence of hearing loss exhibits a gradual declining trend in the future for all age groups, except for mild hearing loss for the 15-19-year-old group. Conclusion: Over the past 30 years, there has been a relatively stable and slightly declining trend in the prevalence of mild and moderate hearing loss among the Malaysian population, respectively with projections showing a slow reduction in the future. These findings highlighted the need for identifying the best intervention and vulnerable age groups, directing increased resources and prioritization towards them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This work aims to determine the effect on nerve fiber layer (NFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness trends in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) treated with Vision Protection Therapy™ (VPT). Methods: A retrospective analysis of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) measured NFL and GCC thickness trends was performed, excluding eyes with poor-quality scans and principal diagnoses other than OAG. This study compares eyes with OAG managed conventionally with IOP control alone (controls) to eyes managed with the addition of VPT (VPT eyes). The direction (+ or −) and magnitude (microns/year) of the OCT trends were the study endpoints. Results: Seventy-eight control eyes of 40 patients and 61 VPT-treated eyes of 39 patients were included in the study. Positive NFL trends were noted in 5% of control eyes vs. 71% of VPT eyes (p < 0.0001). Positive GCC trends were noted in 8% of control eyes vs. 43% of VPT eyes (p < 0.0001). Mean NFL trends (µm/year) were − 0.692 for controls vs. 0.347 for VPT (p < 0.0001). Mean GCC trends (µm/year) were − 0.554 for controls vs. − 0.148 for VPT (p = 0.0175). Conclusions: The addition of VPT to the conventional management of OAG resulted in highly significant improvements in NFL and GCC trends, indicating a reversal of key indicators of glaucoma severity and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong winds have evident impacts on the environment and the society. It can affect the dispersion of air pollutants, land erosion, and damage buildings, representing a severe hazard to people and properties. However, the changes and variabilities of extreme winds are still largely unknown, especially in global high-elevation regions, e.g., the Tibetan Plateau. This study analyses for the first-time changes in extreme wind speed over the Tibetan Plateau using homogenized near-surface daily maximum wind speed observations for 1973–2020. Results show that the daily maximum wind speed has significantly decreased in most stations during 1973–2020, with the largest decline in magnitude observed in spring. The frequency of daily maximum wind speed exceeding the 95% percentile shows a similar slowdown pattern. The detected decline is linked to large-scale atmospheric circulation, particularly to changes in the patterns of westerly and monsoon, which explain 35%~57% of daily maximum wind speed anomaly variations. Furthermore, this study reveals that changes in (a) geostrophic wind, (b) the instability of atmospheric thermal stratification, (c) vertical wind shear, and (d) Tibetan Plateau low vortex also contributes to the observed decreasing trends of daily maximum wind speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hip fractures are a serious health concern and a major contributor to healthcare resource utilisation. We aimed to investigate nationwide trends in the USA in patient characteristics and outcomes in patients after hip fracture repair surgery. From the Premier Healthcare dataset, we extracted patient encounters for surgical hip fracture repair from 2016 to 2021. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, complications, and anaesthetic and surgical details were analysed. Cochran–Armitage trend tests and simple linear regression were used to determine trends. We included 347 086 hip fracture repair encounters. Notable trends included the following: median patient age declined from 82 yr [interquartile range: 73–88 yr] to 81 yr [interquartile range: 73–88 yr], (P -value=0.002), the proportion of female patients decreased from 68% to 66.2% (P -value=0.019); internal fixation was the most common intervention initially, but with a declining percentage from 49.9% to 43.8% (P -value <0.001); in general, patients carried a greater comorbidity burden, with the proportion with three or more Elixhauser comorbidities increasing from 56.4% to 58.6% (P -value=0.006); general anaesthesia remained the most common anaesthetic technique, from 68.90% to 56.80% without a significant trend; per 1000 inpatient days, the most common complication remained acute renal failure; despite a higher comorbidity burden, no complication showed a statistically significant upward trend, and many showed downward trends. Over the 6-yr period from 2016 to 2021, a majority of hip fracture repairs continued to be performed under general anaesthesia but with that percentage declining over time. Notable trends included a lower percentage of female patients, an increase in femoral neck fractures, a higher comorbidity burden among patients, and a decrease in complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers insights into the evolving health and fitness industry, emphasizing how the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) annual survey helps identify key trends that shape the sector.

The article discusses the ongoing growth of the health and fitness industry in the U.S., highlighting how trends are adapting in response to post-Covid-19 pandemic shifts and changing consumer behaviors.

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Pädagogik is the property of Julius Beltz GmbH & Co. KG Beltz Juventa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the present study is to elucidate prognostic impact of temporal trends of non-surgical patients requiring intensive care over a 10-year period. A total of 4276 non-surgical patients requiring intensive care from 2012 to 2021 were enrolled. Patients' backgrounds, in-hospital management, and prognoses were compared between five groups [2012–2013 (n = 825), 2014–2015 (n = 784), 2016–2017 (n = 864), 2018–2019 (n = 939), and 2020–2021 (n = 867)]. During the study period, mean age significantly increased from 69 years in 2012–2013 to 72 years in 2020–2021. Mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores significantly increased from 10 points in 2012–2013 to 12 points in 2020–2021. The median duration of intensive care unit stays increased from 3 to 4 days. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that survival rates during 30- and 365-days were significantly lower in 2020–2021 than in 2012–2013, but it was not significantly different by a Cox proportional hazards regression model in 30 days. A Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that the risks of 365-day all-cause death were significantly higher in patients enrolled in 2016–2017 (HR: 1.324, 95 % CI: 1.042–1.680, p = 0.021), in 2018–2019 (HR: 1.329, 95 % CI: 1.044–1.691, p = 0.021), and in 2020–2021 (HR: 1.409, 95 % CI: 1.115–1.779, p = 0.004). The condition of patients requiring intensive care is becoming more critical year by year, leading to poorer long-term prognoses despite improvements in treatment strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of additional care management after admission into non-surgical intensive care units, particularly for the aging society of Japan. [Display omitted] • Goal is to show prognostic impact of patients requiring intensive care over a decade. • 2020–2021 admission was a predictor of 365-day mortality, but not 30-day. • The condition of patients requiring intensive care is becoming more critical. • These findings emphasize the importance of management after discharge from the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have focused on the safety and efficacy of performing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in an outpatient setting. Despite being associated with greater costs, much less is known about the accompanying impact on revision TKA (rTKA). The purpose of this study was to describe the trends in costs and outcomes of patients undergoing inpatient and outpatient rTKA. An observational cohort study was conducted using commercial claims databases. Patients who underwent 1-component and 2-component rTKA in an inpatient setting, hospital outpatient department (HOPD), or ambulatory surgery center (ASC) from 2018 to 2020 were included. The primary outcome was the 30-day episode-of-care costs following rTKA. Secondary outcomes included surgical cost, 90-day readmission rate, and emergency department visit rate. Covariates for analyses included patient demographics, surgery type, and indication for revision. There were 6,515 patients who were identified, with 17.0% of rTKAs taking place in an outpatient setting. On adjusted analysis, patients in the highest quartile of 30-day postoperative costs were more likely to be those whose rTKA was performed in an inpatient setting. One-component revisions were more common in an outpatient setting (HOPD, 50.7%; ASC, 62.0%) compared to an inpatient setting (39.6%). The 90-day readmission rates were higher (P =.003) for rTKAs performed in inpatient (+9.2%) and HOPD (+8.6%) settings compared to those in an ASC. The ASC may be a suitable setting for simpler revisions performed for less severe indications and is associated with lower costs and 90-day readmission and emergency department visit rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding emerging trends in the hospitality industry is essential to provide exceptional guest experiences, as guest preferences and needs are constantly evolving. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these trends and how experts perceive and observe them in the post-pandemic era remain relatively underexplored. This study employed a webinar analysis to examine expert insights on post-COVID-19 trends in the hospitality industry. Findings show that the pandemic has reshaped guest decision-making, with conscious business travel becoming a prominent consideration. Guests now prioritise informed choices and seek high-touch experiences. To remain relevant, hospitality operators must comprehend the evolving landscape and adapt to these changes. Through a new approach of webinar analysis, four publicly available webinars featuring industry experts were screened and analysed. This research contributes to the industry by identifying emerging trends and their implications for customer satisfaction. By understanding these trends, hospitality operators can enhance their services and foster resilient customer-focused strategies to withstand future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Nekor Watershed, situated in the northwest corner of Africa, experiences significant climatic variability, posing challenges for water management. This study assesses hydrological drought in the Nekor Watershed from 1945 to 2016 and analyzes its socio-economic impacts on agriculture and population distribution. The purpose of this research is to understand the extent and trends of hydrological drought in the Nekor Watershed and its socio-economic consequences, particularly on agriculture and population dynamics. The study employs the Standardized Runoff Efficiency Index (SDI), drought duration, severity (S), magnitude (M), and relative frequency (RF) metrics, along with the Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's Slope analysis to evaluate hydrological drought. It integrates statistically representative data on cereal crop yields, livestock populations, and results from the General Population and Housing Census to understand the socioeconomic impacts. Analysis reveals substantial climatic variability with pronounced dry and wet periods. Notably, the autumn season exhibits a weak positive trend in hydrological drought, indicating a slight increase in severity over the years. Conversely, the spring season shows a negative trend in hydrological drought, indicating a decrease in severity over the years, especially in the month of May. A broader trend towards increasing hydrological drought emerges, particularly since the 1980s. These dry decades pose significant challenges for the region's socio-economic sectors, including agriculture and population distribution. The study is limited by the availability and quality of historical hydrological and socioeconomic data, which may affect the precision of trend analyses and impact assessments. Future research could benefit from more granular and continuous data sets. Understanding the trends and impacts of hydrological drought in the Nekor Watershed provides critical insights for water management policies and strategies, helping to mitigate socio-economic risks associated with drought. This study is novel in its comprehensive analysis of long-term hydrological drought trends in the Nekor Watershed and their socio-economic impacts. The integration of diverse data sets and advanced statistical methods enhances the robustness of the findings, contributing significantly to the scientific understanding of drought dynamics in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective cohort analysis Objective: To characterize the impact of COVID-19 on utilization of the ten most common spine procedures and percentages of outpatient procedures. Methods: The PearlDiver national database was queried from January 2010 to April 2021 for short (<6 segments) and long segment posterior instrumented fusion (≥6 segments), posterior cervical fusion, anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), cervical laminectomy, laminoplasty, and disc arthroplasty, lumbar laminectomy, microdiscectomy, and interbody fusion. Annual procedure utilization between January 2010 through April 2021 was recorded and compared. Monthly trends were compared to January 2020. Outpatient trends were compared between 2010-2019 and 2019-2021 using segmented linear regression. Results: Overall, all ten procedures decreased 4.3% in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased 6.3% in 2021 compared to 2019. March and April of 2020 had the largest decreases, with March 2020 decreasing 18.2% and April 2020 decreasing 51.6% compared to January 2020. Despite increasing COVID cases in January 2021, overall procedure utilization decreased only 1.8% compared to January 2020, and increased later in 2021 with April 2021 case volumes increasing by 138% compared to January 2020. Outpatient utilization of short segment posterior lumbar fusion and lumbar interbody fusion significantly increased during this time (P <.001). Conclusion: The greatest impact on spine surgery volume from the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in March and April 2020. Spine procedure utilization was otherwise similar or increased compared to January 2020. Additionally, the volume of outpatient short segment posterior fusion and lumbar interbody fusions increased during this time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are essential for the survival of all living organisms in trace amounts. Industrializations and urbanisation are the two major rationale behind the massive rise in the contamination of land and water bodies including marine and freshwater. The major sources of heavy metal are coal burning, smelting operations, tanneries, waste incineration, pesticides, fungicides, metallurgy, etc. Due to the toxicity of heavy metals when living beings encounter contaminated water of sediment laden with heavy metal endure health hazards. Heavy metals and metalloids such as chromium, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, and cobalt are poisonous and carcinogenic even in minute amounts, posing a major threat to human life. The most sustainable approach towards remediating these heavy metals is bioremediation. It involves bacterial bioremediation, fungal, biofilms and phytoremediation, which is not only sustainable but also efficient and cost effective. This review delivers a comprehensive overview of the recent trends in bioremediation of heavy metals, their sources, toxicity, and alternative approach of using marine microbes and their pottential for remediation of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to use visual mapping and bibliometric analysis to summarize valuable information on the tumor microenvironment (TME)-related research on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the past 20 years and to identify the research hotspots and trends in this field. Methods: We screened all of the relevant literature on the TME of HCC in the Web of Science database from 2003 to 2023 and analysed the research hotspots and trends in this field via VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Results: A total of 2,157 English studies were collected. According to the prediction, the number of papers that were published in the past three years will be approximately 1,394, accounting for 64.63%. China published the most papers (n=1,525) and had the highest total number of citations (n=32,253). Frontiers In Immunology published the most articles on the TME of HCC (n=75), whereas, Hepatology was the journal with the highest total number of citations (n=4,104) and average number of citations (n=91). The four clusters containing keywords such as “cancer-associated fibroblasts”, “hepatic stellate cells”, “immune cells”, “immunotherapy”, “combination therapy”, “landscape”, “immune infiltration”, and “heterogeneity” are currently hot research topics in this field. The keywords “cell death”, “ferroptosis”, “biomarkers”, and “prognostic features” have emerged relatively recently, and these research directions are becoming increasingly popular. Conclusions: We identified four key areas of focus in the study of the TME in HCC: the main components and roles in the TME, immunotherapy, combination therapy, and the microenvironmental landscape. Moreover, the result of our study indicate that effect of ferroptosis on the TME in HCC may become a future research trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can lead to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis, which is one of the important risk factors for ischemic stroke (IS). However, details regarding the evolution of the IS burden attributable to high LDL-C in China has not been available. The objective of this study was to examine the changes over time, from 1990 to 2019, in the burden of IS attributed to high levels of LDL-C in China and to estimate the individual impacts of age, period, and cohort on the burden of IS associated with high LDL-C. Methods: Detailed data on IS burden attributable to high LDL-C from 1990 to 2019 in China were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. The numbers and age-standardized rates of IS-related mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high LDL-C were assessed by age and sex. The annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the burden of IS due to high LDL-C were analyzed using Joinpoint regression model. The age-period-cohort analysis was carried out to assess the individual impacts of age, period, and cohort on the trends over time of mortality and DALY rate. Results: The number of IS-related deaths and DALYs due to high LDL-C in China were 182.7 thousand and 4.43 million in 2019, respectively, both more than double the corresponding numbers reported in 1990. However, despite these increased, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) remained unchanged. In 2019, men under 84 years of age had higher death and under 79 years of age had higher DALYs than women. However, above these ages, the gender disparities were reversed. Furthermore, age-specific rates of death, as well as DALY of IS attributable to high LDL-C in 2019 increased with age for both women and men, except for death in adults over 95 years old; and were greater in men than in women. From 1990 to 2019, males consistently had a higher ASMR and ASDR than females in China. During 1990–2019, the ASMR in women slightly decreased before 1997, sharply increased from 1997 to 2004, and then continuously decreased from 2004 to 2019, with an overall AAPC value of -0.4% (95% CI -0.8%, -0.0%). However, for the ASMR of men in China, the overall trend is upward and the AAPC is 0.5%(95% CI 0.1%, 0.8%). The ASDR in women and men had the similar trend as the ASMR over the time, with an AAPC of -0.4% (95% CI -0.7%, -0.1%) and 0.3% (95% CI 0.1%, 0.5%), respectively. The age-period-cohort analysis indicated a rise in period effects and a decline in cohort effects on mortality and DALY rate associated with IS caused by high LDL-C in both genders. Age effect on mortality rates from IS due to high LDL-C showed an exponential increased with age in all women and men except for the 60–69 age group and over 95 age group. The age relative risk of IS DALY rate due to high LDL-C increased with age in both genders except for 65–74 age group and over 95 age group. Conclusions: From 1990 to 2019, the burden of IS caused by high LDL-C in China significantly increased among both sexes combined and among men, while significantly decreased among women. Elderly have a substantial burden of IS attributable to high LDL-C. Therefore, effective and tailored strategies based on gender and age for IS primary prevention and management of IS and high LDL-C are urgently needed in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications disproportionally affect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples. Prescribing decisions for anti‐diabetic medications are complicated and require balancing medication benefits, costs and side effects. Little is known about trends in anti‐diabetic medication use as well as acute diabetes complications among AI/AN adults. Here, we examined patterns and trends in anti‐diabetic medication use and rates of hospital admissions or emergency department (ED) visits due to severe hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia among AI/AN adults with T2D.We conducted a retrospective analysis of Indian Health Service (IHS) Improving Health Care Delivery Data Project. A total of 39 183 AI/AN adults aged ≥18 years with T2D who used IHS or Tribal health services during any of the fiscal years (FYs) 2009–2013 were included. Utilization rates of each class of anti‐diabetic medications and rates of severe hypoglycaemia and severe hyperglycaemia in emergency room and/or inpatient discharge diagnoses were calculated for each year. Longitudinal statistical models were fitted to examine time trends of anti‐diabetic medication use and complications.During 2009–2013, use of metformin (56.0%–60.5%), insulin (31.4%–35.9%) and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (1.4%–9.0%) increased, whereas the use of sulfonylureas (40.3%–32.9%) and thiazolidinediones (TZDs, 31.6%–8.8%) decreased significantly. Trends in severe hypoglycaemia (1.6%–0.8%) and severe hyperglycaemia (2.0%–1.6%) declined gradually.There were significant changes in the utilization of different anti‐diabetic medication classes during 2009–2013 among AI/AN adults with T2D. Concurrently, there were significant reductions in severe hypoglycaemia and severe hyperglycaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To summarize and analyze the research trends and frontiers in maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer over the past 20 years. Methods: Relevant articles were identified in Web of Science, and analyzed using CiteSpace and Excel. Results: 1204 articles from 61 countries led by the USA and England were included. 6821 authors, 2345 institutions and 292 journals have participated in the publication of papers, but the collaboration between them was not very close. The annual publication volume has increased significantly since 2015. Drug combination therapy, genetic testing, management of adverse reaction and prognostic factors are research trends and frontiers of this field. Conclusion: This is the first bibliometric research in this field, which can provide some references for researchers. Article highlights This is the first bibliometric research about maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. A total of 1204 articles were collected in this study from January 2000 to September 2022, with 728 articles and 476 reviews. Since 2015, the number of articles has rapidly increased, and will continue to grow, indicating that maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer is receiving increasing attention from scholars. The top two most cited publications focused on Niraparib and Olaparib Maintenance Therapy in Platinum-Sensitive, Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. The USA and England were the top two ranked countries with the most publications. However, less cooperation was observed among institutions from these countries. The USA and Univ Texas MD Anderson Canc Ctr were the most impact country and institution, respectively. Chemotherapy drugs alone, PARP inhibitors alone, or antiangiogenesis drugs alone were used for 1st-line, 2rd-line, or late-line maintenance therapy are the research foundation. Drug combination maintenance therapy based on effective monotherapy, as well as genetic testing, management of adverse reaction and prognostic factors are research trends and frontiers of maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate indications and surgical procedures of keratoplasty in a tertiary comprehensive hospital in northern part of China over a 20-year period. Methods: All patients undergoing keratoplasty between January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2021 in a tertiary comprehensive hospital in northern part of China were retrospectively reviewed. The annual proportion of keratoplasty indications and surgical procedures was recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 8266 keratoplasty procedures were included. Leading indications were keratoleukoma (n = 2108, 25.50%), followed by regraft (n = 1453 ,17.58%), corneal endothelial dysfunction (n = 1085, 13.13%), and keratoconus (n = 922,11.15%). A decreasing trend was observed for keratoleukoma (P < 0.01) and an increasing trend for corneal endothelial dysfunction (P < 0.01), regraft (P = 0.012), corneal limbal dermoids (P < 0.01) and congenital corneal opacity (P < 0.01). From 2002 to 2021, the proportion of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) had decreased from 73.95% (2002 to 2006) to 53.49% (2017 to 2021). On contrary, anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) (459–705, 26.05-31.96%, P = 0.034) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK) (0-321, 0.00-14.55%, P < 0.01) became more prevalent from 2002 to 2021. For cases with corneal endothelial dysfunction, EK became the preferred technique (74.72%) in the recent 5 years. Conclusion: Over the past 20 years, keratoleukoma and regraft have been the leading indications for keratoplasty. A noticeable shift in surgical preference from PK to DSAEK and ALK is evident, with key indications for keratoplasty including keratoleukoma, regraft, limbal dermoids, endothelial dysfunction, and keratoconus, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amid the national opioid epidemic, it is important to assess trends in opioid prescriptions. Long-acting opioids (LAOs) are of particular interest as they are among the most intensely misused prescription opioids. Moreover, understanding geographic trends in opioid prescriptions may help identify state-level variations, illustrating state-specific disparities.Objectives: The study aims to determine geographic trends in overall and LAO prescriptions under Medicaid and Medicare Part D from 2013 to 2021.Methods: We used data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on opioid prescriptions from 2013 to 2021. The opioid prescribing proportion was calculated as the number of opioid claims divided by the total number of overall drug claims. The LAO prescribing proportion was calculated as number of LAO claims divided by total opioid claims.Results: Despite a general decrease nationwide, Medicaid opioid prescribing proportions increased in Iowa, Montana, and Virginia. There was an increasing trend in the national-level Medicaid LAO prescribing proportion from 2017 to 2021, with a 14.1% point increase (p for the annual percent change [APC]<0.05). For Medicare Part D, the overall prescribing proportions fell by 1.7% points from 2013 to 2021, while the LAO prescribing proportion fell by 3% points from 2016 to 2021 (p for APC < .05).Conclusions: The increasing trends in national-level Medicaid LAO prescribing and Medicaid opioid prescribing in Iowa, Montana, and Virginia are concerning, and have implications for clinical opioid prescribing. The decreasing trends in Medicare Part D may reflect ongoing efforts in opioid prescription management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the observations and the phase 6 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) multimodel simulations, we conducted a detection and attribution analysis for the observed changes in intensity and frequency indices of extreme precipitation during 1961–2014 over the whole of China and within distinct climate regions across the country. A space–time analysis is simultaneously applied in detection so that spatial structure on the signals is considered. Results show that the CMIP6 models can simulate the observed general increases of extreme precipitation indices during the historical period except for the drying trends from southwestern to northeastern China. The anthropogenic (ANT) signal is detectable and attributable to the observed increase of extreme precipitation over China, with human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) increases being the dominant contributor. Additionally, we also detected the ANT and GHG signals in China's temperate continental, subtropical–tropical monsoon, and plateau mountain climate zones, demonstrating the role of human activity in historical extreme precipitation changes on much smaller spatial scales. Significance Statement: The observed intensification of extreme precipitation globally has been attributed to human influences. Here, we demonstrate that anthropogenic forcing has discernably intensified extreme precipitation over the period 1961–2014, over China and in three of its four climate zones, with human-induced greenhouse gas increases being the dominant contributor. Our results strengthen the body of evidence that greenhouse gas increases are intensifying extreme precipitation by quantifying their role in observed changes at smaller regional scales than previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CDK7 has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of malignancy. Therefore, targeting CDK7, which regulates the transcription process, has emerged as a new promising approach for treating cancer. Research on CDK7 inhibitors has significantly increased over the past 2 decades, with almost 600 related papers in the Web of Science Core Collection database. To effectively identify future research hotspots and potential future directions, it is crucial to systematically review and visually present the research on this topic from a comprehensive viewpoint, ensuring scientific reliability. Methods: This study performed bibliometric analysis via CiteSpace and VOSviewer scientometrics analysis software to examine data on the publication of articles on CDK7 inhibitors over the past 2 decades; the data included country of publication, author names, institution names, scientific categories, cited journals, and keywords related to the field of CDK7 inhibitors. Results: This bibliometric analysis included 426 publications from 41 different nations, referencing a total of 15,892 sources. Research associated with CDK7 inhibitors has rapidly expanded since 2016, and the US and China are the two countries with the highest publication output among the countries and institutes that produce literature on CDK7 inhibitors. Furthermore, the US is the country that most frequently engages in international cooperation. The evolution of keywords identifying antitumor strategies related to CDK7-mediated cellular transcription processes has been the research focus in recent years. Conclusion: In this study, we identified research efforts and their evolving patterns and predicted advances in the CDK7 inhibitor field. The knowledge structure of CDK7 inhibitors encompasses pharmacological mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and cancer treatment strategies. The primary objectives of contemporary research are to discover the processes underlying cancer progression, identify specific signaling pathways, and develop effective clinical medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the spatiotemporal and statistical characteristics of the daily ultraviolet index (UVI) over the Johor state of Malaysia. The datasets utilized in this study are the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)/Aura satellite's daily UVI observations between October 2004 and March 2023. The innovative trend analysis (ITA) method is employed to identify the statistical trend of daily UVI. Basic statistics of daily, monthly, and seasonal UVI are also carried out to better characterize UVI in the study area. The daily UVI data collected for the analysis exhibit wide variability, with more than 80% of the daily UVI data falling above UVI 8, indicating the severity of UV radiation (UVR) reaching the study area. The monthly and seasonal UVI also display highly varying characteristics, as observed in the daily data. The pixel-based analysis of ITA results indicates a significant increasing and decreasing trend of daily UVI in the region, with values varying between − 9.42 × 10−6 and 3.79 × 10−5. However, for the study area as a whole, UVI shows a significant increasing trend of 4.50 × 10−5. The influence of parameters such as cloud optical thickness (COT), solar zenith angle (SZA), and O3 column on the strength of UVR reaching the study area is also investigated. Based on the results, the study area is characterized by low thickness, broken clouds, and sometimes cloudless conditions. Overall, the results show that UVI in the study area is increasing, and therefore, proper health guidelines and direct UVR exposure regulations need to be implemented to reduce serious health risks associated with UVR exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]