Geographic Variation Research Articles

Abundant geographical divergence of Clostridioides difficile infection in China: a prospective multicenter cross-sectional study

Clostridioides difficile is the predominant pathogen in hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Dedicated networks and annual reports for C. difficile surveillance have been established in Europe and North America, however the extensive investigation on the prevalence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in China is limited. In this study, 1528 patients with diarrhea were recruited from seven geographically representative regions of China between July 2021 and July 2022. The positivity rate of toxigenic C. difficile using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR test of feces was 10.2% (156/1528), and 125 (8.2%, 125/1528) strains were successfully isolated. The isolates from different geographical areas had divergent characteristics after multilocus sequence typing, toxin gene profiling, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. No isolate from clade 2 were found, and clade 1 was still the main clade for these clinical isolates. Interestingly, clade 4, especially ST37, previously known as the characteristic type of China, showed a strong geographical divergence. Clade 3, although rare in China, has been detected in Hainan and Sichuan provinces. Most C. difficile isolates (76.8%, 96/125) were toxigenic. Clindamycin, erythromycin, and moxifloxacin were the top three antibiotics to which resistance was observed, with resistance rates of 81.3%, 63.6%, and 24.0%, respectively. Furthermore, 34 (27.2%, 34/125) multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were identified. All the strains were sensitive to metronidazole, vancomycin, and meropenem. The genotype of C. difficile varies greatly among the different geographical regions in China, and new types are constantly emerging. Therefore, comprehensive, longitudinal, and standardized surveillance of C. difficile infections is needed in China, covering typical geographical areas.

Quantifying Impact of Geographical Variables on Climate Change Patterns over Spain by Time Series Clustering

Quantifying Impact of Geographical Variables on Climate Change Patterns over Spain by Time Series Clustering

Geography and Environment Shape Spatial Genetic Variation and Predict Climate Maladaptation Across Isolated and Disjunct Populations of Pinus muricata.

Assessing the evolutionary potential of rare species with limited migration amidst ongoing climate change requires an understanding of patterns of genetic variation and local adaptation. In contrast to the large distributions and population sizes of most pines, Pinus muricata (bishop pine) occurs in a few isolated populations along coastal western North America and is listed as threatened by the IUCN. To quantify how current genetic variation is influenced by distribution and environment, we generated reduced representation DNA sequencing data for most extant populations of P. muricata (12 locations, 7828 loci). We assessed geographic variation in differentiation and diversity and used genetic-environment association (GEA) analyses to characterise the contribution of environmental variables to local adaptation and genetic structure. Based on these inferences, we quantified genomic offset as a relative estimate of potential maladaptation under mild (SSP1-2.6) and severe (SSP5-8.5) climate change scenarios across 2041-2060 and 2081-2100. Despite occurring in small, isolated populations, genetic diversity was not low in P. muricata. Population differentiation was, however, defined across a hierarchy of spatial scales, with stands generally forming genetically identifiable groups across latitude and environments. GEA analyses implicated temperature- and soil-related variables as most strongly contributing to local adaptation. Estimates of maladaptation to future climate varied non-linearly with latitude, increased with severity of projections and over time, and were predicted by increases in annual temperature. Our results suggest that isolation and local adaptation have shaped genetic variation among disjunct populations and that these factors may shape maladaptation risk under projected climate change.

Modelling extensions for multi-location studies in environmental epidemiology.

Multi-location studies are increasingly used in environmental epidemiology. Their application is supported by designs and statistical techniques developed in the last decades, which however have known limitations. In this contribution, we propose an improved modelling framework that addresses these issues. Specifically, this flexible framework allows the direct modelling of demographic differences across locations, defining geographical variations linked to multiple vulnerability factors, capturing spatial heterogeneity and predicting risks to new locations, and improving the assessment of uncertainty. We illustrate these new developments in an analysis of temperature-mortality associations in Italian cities, providing fully reproducible R code and data.

The geographical variation in grassland forage quality on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is driven mainly by climate

BackgroundForage quality is a fundamental determinant for livestock productivity in natural grasslands, and is sensitive to the variations in climate, soil, and plant community composition. However, the contributions of those factors to the regional variation of forage quality largely remain unclear. We examined forage quality of 45 alpine meadow communities over a 23.6 × 104 km2 area on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. We also examined the variations and drivers of multiple forage quality indicators across regional scale.ResultsThe results showed that the natural grasslands in this region had high crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates content, and relative feed value, but low-fat content. Forage quality of forb-dominated grasslands was higher than grass- and sedge-dominated ones. There were substantial geographical variations of forage quality, which decreased with increasing longitude, and increased with increasing latitude and altitude. Climate and plant community composition directly controlled the geographical patterns of forage quality. Climate had larger contribution to forage quality than soil and plant community composition. Less sedge and more forb in community resulted in higher forage quality. Forage quality was higher in sites with colder, drier and more variable climate. Soil conditions indirectly affected forage quality by mediating the plant community composition.ConclusionsThis study highlights the role of climate in driving the variation of forage quality in the alpine grasslands. The findings could provide scientific supports for grassland management and sustainable development on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Redefining Recidivism Prediction: The Impact of Race and Geographic Location in Machine Learning Models

This study explores the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in predicting recidivism, focusing on the impact of race and geographic location variables. Leveraging a dataset from the prisons in Georgia, we assess six algorithms’ forecasting performance, both with and without these key variables. Our findings indicate that geographic location generally enhances predictive accuracy more consistently than race across models. This research highlights the importance of methodological diversity and the complex, model-dependent impact of demographic factors on recidivism prediction. It underscores the potential of machine learning in criminology and criminal justice to provide nuanced insights into criminal behavior, challenging traditional assumptions, and informing evidence-based policy development.

Integrative hydrologic modelling of soil and water conservation strategies: a SWAT-based evaluation of environmental resilience in the Merguellil watershed, Tunisia

IntroductionAnalyzing the hydrological dynamics and assessing the impact of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) techniques provides crucial insights for developing region-specific conservation strategies and advancing effective watershed management.MethodsA multi-objective calibration concept was applied to the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, where simultaneous calibration across the watershed andits sub-watersheds was performed using multiple objective criteria. This study investigates the impact of SWC measures on the hydrological dynamics of the Merguellil watershed, Central Tunisia. The research includes a sensitivity analysis, as well as the calibration and validation of the SWAT model, revealing seven sensitive parameters.Results and discussionDuring calibration (2000-2012), NSE was 0.82 and R2 was 0.9, RSR was 0.19 and PBIAS was 11.62%. In validation (2013–2020), NSE was 0.81 and R2 remained 0.9, RSR was 0.22 and PBIAS was 10.96%, indicating a strong correlation. Results of multi-watershed calibration were analyzed in two representative sub-watersheds (SW 8 and SW 16) and present good agreement between simulated and observed values. Simulating the SWAT model with and without SWC techniques reveals a consistent reduction in surface runoff, notably in central subbasins with values exceeding 15%. The observed decrease is attributed to vegetation cover, indicating the effectiveness of SWC practices. In contrast, subbasins lacking SWC interventions exhibit minimal runoff changes. The study further assesses the impact of SWC techniques on soil erosion, revealing negative percentage differences that indicate a reduction in erosion of over 30% following the implementation of these techniques. The central subbasins, marked by olive trees and strategic conservation, demonstrate substantial decreases, emphasizing successful erosion control efforts. Groundwater recharge analysis shows that SWC practices, along with favorable conditions, significantly enhance percolation and groundwater recharge, highlighting their beneficial impact. Variations in recharge percentages across subbasins reflect the nuanced responses influenced by anthropogenic and natural factors. Erosion hotspots were identified using sediment yield (SY) data. Six sub-watersheds were categorized from moderate to severe sediment severity classes and pinpointed as soil erosion hotspots, requiring immediate intervention. Finally, the study underscores the vital role of SWC techniques in mitigating surface runoff, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing groundwater recharge in the semi-arid Merguellil watershed. The findings emphasize the need for tailored conservation strategies considering geographical variations for effective watershed management and sustainability.

Patterns of co-occurrent skills in UK job adverts

A job usually involves the application of complementary or synergistic skills to perform the required tasks. Such relationships are implicitly recognised by employers in the skills they demand when recruiting new employees. Here we construct a skills network based on their co-occurrence in a national level data set of 65 million job postings from the UK spanning 2016 to 2022. We then apply multiscale graph-based community detection to obtain data-driven clusters of skills at different levels of resolution that reveal modular groupings of skills across scales. The obtained skill clusters occupy different roles within the skills network: some have broad reach across the network (high closeness centrality) while others have higher levels of within-cluster containment. Yet there is high interconnection across clusters and no skill silos. Furthermore, the skill clusters display varying levels of within-cluster semantic similarity, highlighting the difference between co-occurrence in adverts and intrinsic thematic consistency. The skill clusters are characterised by diverse levels of demand, with clear geographic variation across the UK, broadly reflecting the industrial characteristics of each region, e.g., London is an outlier as an international hub for finance, education and business. Comparison of data from 2016 and 2022 reveals increasing employer demand for a broader range of skills over time, with more adverts featuring skills spanning different clusters. Our analysis also shows that data-driven clusters differ from expert-authored categorisations, suggesting they may capture relationships between skills not immediately apparent in expert assessments.

Global and Temporal Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Over the past decades, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has become a contemporary treatable disease. However, limited data exist on the global trends of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) utilization and its impact on mortality/morbidity burden reduction. Electronic databases were systematically searched up to March 2024 for studies reporting on ICD utilization rates in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A random effects model was used to pool study estimates across time-era, geographic region, and age group. Primary outcome was global trends in ICD utilization. Secondary outcomes included trends of sudden cardiac death, appropriate/inappropriate shocks, and ICD-related complications. In total, 234 studies (N=92 500, 514 748 patient-years) met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 46.2 (12.4) years and 37.49% were women. A total of 12 139 patients (16.43%) received an ICD over 429 766 person-years of follow-up, with an ICD implantation rate of 2.79%/y ([95% CI, 2.35%-3.32%] I²=97.80%). Rates of ICD implantation steadily increased over time from 1990 (1.09%) to 2021 (4.01%; P=0.002), with noticeable geographic variation (P=0.008). The overall rate of appropriate ICD discharges and ICD-related complications was 3.44%/y ([95% CI, 3.08%-3.84%] I²=88.40%) and 1.98%/y ([95% CI, 1.52%-2.59%] I²=90.44%), respectively, with no significant trend over time. The overall rate of inappropriate discharges was 3.58%/y ([95% CI, 3.08%-4.16%] I2=88.03%), and declined significantly over time (P=0.044). There was a significant decline in the rates of sudden cardiac death from 1990 (0.84%/y) to 2020 (0.31%/y). Dramatic increases in ICD utilization have occurred, representing a 3.7-fold increase, with appropriate therapies occurring in 3.44%/y. Dramatic increases in ICD utilization have occurred, representing a 3.7-fold increase, with appropriate therapies occurring in 3.44%/y, In parallel a significant reduction in sudden cardiac death was observed, but there are insufficient data to demonstrate that a causative relationship exists. Geographic disparities in ICD utilization were evident, highlighting the need to improve access to specialized care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Geographic disparities in ICD utilization were evident, highlighting the need to improve access to specialized care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42023407126.

Preliminary assessment of heavy metal contamination in children's cereal bars: implications for consumer safety on the Polish market.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the content of heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, zinc, arsenic, copper and nickel, in cereal bars intended for consumption by children and adolescents. The study also aims to identify factors that differentiate the content of these products. The study material comprised 50 cereal bars, which were consumed by a population group of children and adolescents. The determination of zinc, arsenic, copper and nickel was accomplished through the utilisation of optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma excitation on a spectrometer, while cadmium and lead were ascertained by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization (ET-AAS) on an atomic absorption spectrometer. In the heavy metal analysis of the cereal bars, lead was not detected in contents above the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.10mg/kg. However, three samples exceeded the maximum permissible levels of cadmium, with contents of 0.046mg/kg in two cases and 0.043mg/kg in one case, while the minimum determined cadmium content was 0.011mg/kg. The arsenic content of the samples oscillated between 0.56 and 4.16mg/kg. Although there are no established standards for nickel, zinc and copper, their contents are of potential health significance in the context of chronic exposure, requiring detailed assessment. The results of the statistical analysis showed significant differences in copper and zinc depending on product composition (p ≤ 0.0001), suggesting higher contents of these metals in oatmeal-dominant products, possibly due to specific raw material sources or variation in the production process. The homogeneity of nickel, cadmium and arsenic contents regardless of product composition was confirmed by the absence of significant statistical differences (p > 0.05). The analysis of geographical variation showed that products of Polish origin were characterised by higher copper and cadmium contents compared to products from Germany, suggesting a potential influence of local environmental and technological conditions. Hazard quotient (HQ and HI) calculations for the analysed scenarios showed that the limits were exceeded, especially for products with a predominance of oatmeal and Polish production, highlighting the need for further research into the sources of these contaminants and their health implications.

Can We Constrain Geographical Variability in the Biological Carbon Pump's Transfer Efficiency From Observations?

AbstractThe biological carbon pump (BCP) transfers large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere into the ocean's interior, contributing to carbon sequestration. Studies on latitudinal variability in organic carbon transfer to depth have yielded inconsistent results, likely due to methodological differences. To address this, we compiled particulate organic carbon (POC) flux data and BCP metrics from time‐series locations across biogeographically distinct ocean regions. We integrated multiple BCP observational techniques, including diverse collection and processing protocols, capturing diverse facets of POC flux at varying spatio‐temporal resolutions. To ensure comparability, we harmonized errors and used Monte Carlo error propagation to calculate uncertainties consistently. Our analysis reveals large local uncertainties that obscure expected latitudinal variations in BCP metrics. While such variations may exist, they remain difficult to identify with current observational data. Our findings underscore the need for sustained POC flux observations, standardization of protocols, and intercalibration of technologies to identify geographic BCP patterns.

An intraspecific structure of Сicindela (s. str.) coerulea Pallas, 1773 (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae)

An intraspecific structure of a widely distributed Asian species of tiger beetle, Сicindela coerulea Pallas, 1773, is revised and discussed. The neotype of Cicindela coerulea Pallas, 1773 as well as the lectotypes and paralectotypes of Cicindela optata Fischer von Waldheim, 1828, Cicindela przewalskii Dokhtouroff, 1887, Cicindela przewalskii var. grumi Tschitschérine, 1902 and Cicindela przewalskii var. kozlovi Tschitschérine, 1902 are designated. The new synonymy is established: Cicindela coerulea coerulea Pallas, 1773 = Cicindela coerulea lucifera Mandl, 1970, syn. nov. Cicindela coerulea selengensis Mandl, 1936 is considered a synonym of Cicindela coerulea nitida Lichtenstein, 1796, and Cicindela coerulea kozlovi Tschitschérine, 1903 is considered a synonym of Cicindela coerulea grumi Tschitschérine, 1903. The distribution map and an identification key are provided. The geographic variability of the basic colour and the white elytral pattern is discussed as well.

Statistical exploration of factors associated with birth of children having sickle cell traits among reproductive-age women in Nigeria

BackgroundDespite the relatively high prevalence of Sickle cell trait (SCT) in Nigeria, there has been little research into the correlates of having children with SCT among Nigerian mothers, particularly in terms of socio-demographic differentials. This study aims to investigate the maternal socio-demographic correlates of having under-five children with SCT in Nigeria.MethodData from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (Household Person Recode and Children Recode) were merged. Mothers with at least one under-five child whose genotype was known (n = 7,493) served as the unit of analysis. Three forms of outcome variable were explored. First was the number of children with SCT by each mother. Second, the number of children with SCT was categorized as zero, one, two or more. Lastly, each mother was categorized as either having no child(ren) with SCT or having at least one child with SCT. Subsequently, we assessed multilevel Poisson, ordinal and binary logit models to identify the best fitting model using Akaike and Bayesian Information Criterion. Multilevel binary logistic regression model was identified as best fit used to identify factors associated with having children with SCT. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported as measures of association.ResultNearly 62% of the mothers lived in rural areas, 38.2% had no formal education and 37.4% had ever given birth to at least five children. About 26.1% (95% CI = 25.2–26.9) of the mothers had children with SCT. By geographical variation, the Northwest region had the highest proportion of mothers of under-five children with SCT. Results from the multilevel binary logistic regression revealed that women who were traditionalists (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.04–3.02) were more likely of having children with SCT.ConclusionThough SCT is a genetic outcome, findings from this study suggest that important socio-demographic factors such as religion, and region of residence are significantly associated with having children with SCT in Nigeria. Sustained efforts on awareness campaigns on SCT are recommended.

Weak monsoon signals detected in growth chronologies of lake fish on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Understanding the variation in fish growth responses to climate change across regions is essential for predicting fish population dynamics and relevant ecological consequences on a large scale. Despite the demonstrated sensitivity of fish growth responses to climate change on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the geographical variations in these responses remain unclear. This study analyzed the growth responses of schizothoracine fish to environmental variables in four geographically distinct QTP lakes (Qinghai Lake, Yamdrok Lake, Pangong Tso, and Co Nag) using otolith biochronologies and hierarchical mixed-effects modeling and quantified the relative contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to fish growth variations. Overall, we found that the optimal model accounted for 82% of the annual growth variability. Age variables were the intrinsic factors primarily influencing fish growth (significant and negative, accounting for 92% of the explained variability), followed by the influence of extrinsic environmental factors at the local (i.e., air temperature and precipitation, significant and positive, 5%), global (i.e., sea surface temperature [SST], significant and negative, 2%), and regional (i.e., monsoon intensity, nonsignificant and negative, 0.4%) scales. At the lake level, the influences of environmental factors on fish growth aligned with overall results but showed varied contributions. Therefore, local factors primarily influence fish growth responses, emphasizing that geographical variations in fish responses to climate change should be accounted for in relevant population predictions. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between fish growth and multi-scale environmental changes and offers scientific support for ecosystem management under climate change on the QTP.

Re-Engagement in Physical Activity Slows the Decline in Older Adults' Well-Being - A Longitudinal Study.

Physical activity is recommended for older adults; however, the benefits of previous active engagement in physical activity that can be sustained after one becomes inactive remain to be determined. This study investigated the longitudinal associations between physical activity engagement patterns and older adults' well-being. This population-based cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study between 2015 and 2020. People aged 60 years and above were included, and they were categorized as active engagers if they reported engaging in at least 10 min of moderate and/or vigorous exercise consecutively per week in each survey year. Older adults' well-being was evaluated using the healthy aging score, and geographical variations were visualized. The generalized estimating equations model was adopted to examine the differences between various physical activity engagement patterns and older adults' well-being. Among the 3300 older adults (50.5% men; age 66.9 ± 5.7 years) during the five years of follow-up, engagement in physical activity increased from 31.7% to 59.6%. However, their well-being decreased gradually, especially among those who were inactive engagers (beta = -0.20 to -0.21). Physical activity engagement patterns appeared to slow decline in well-being. Geographical variations were noted, with more favorable healthy aging scores observed in northern China than in southern China. As older adults age, well-being deteriorates, and disengagement of physical activity accelerates the rate of decline. Re-engagement in physical activity can slow the rate of decline in well-being. Early identification of and intervention in inactive engagement in physical activity reduce the detrimental effects on older adult's well-being. A national health initiative is an effective strategy to create a supportive environment for older adults to continue and engage in physical activity. The participation of healthcare professionals and community parties is important to encourage and engage older adults in physical activity.

Estimated worldwide variation and trends in incidence of lung cancer by histological subtype in 2022 and over time: a population-based study.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, yet the current epidemiological profile of lung-cancer incidence by histological subtype is only partly understood. We aimed to assess geographical variation in incidence of lung cancer by subtype worldwide in 2022, geographical variation in adenocarcinoma incidence attributable to ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution worldwide in 2022, temporal trends in lung-cancer incidence by subtype from 1988 to 2017 in 19 countries, and generational changes. For this population-based study, we used data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volumes VII-XII, and members of the African Cancer Registry Network. To obtain national estimates of lung cancer in 2022 for the four main histological subtypes (ie, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], small-cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma) by year, sex, and age group, we combined national estimates with representative, subsite-specific incidence proportions of lung cancer on the basis of recorded incidence data compiled in Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volume XII and from members of the African Cancer Registry Network. We calculated country-specific, sex-specific, and age-specific proportions of and sex-specific and age-specific incidence rates per 100 000 people for all four histological subtypes. To account for differences in age composition between populations by country, we calculated age-standardised incidence rates (ASRs) per 100 000 people for lung cancer by subtype and sex at national and regional levels. We also quantified the burden of adenocarcinoma incidence attributable to ambient PM pollution for 179 countries in 2022. We conducted joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort analysis to assess temporal trends in ASRs in 19 countries by sex. In 2022, we estimated that there were 1 572 045 new cases of lung cancer worldwide among male individuals, of which 717 211 (45·6%) were adenocarcinoma, 461 171 (29·4%) were SCC, 180 063 (11·5%) were small-cell carcinoma, and 101 861 (6·5%) were large-cell carcinoma. In 2022, we estimated that there were 908 630 new cases of lung cancer worldwide among female individuals, of which 541 971 (59·7%) were adenocarcinoma, 155 598 (17·1%) were SCC, 87 902 (9·7%) were small-cell carcinoma, and 59 271 (6·5%) were large-cell carcinoma. Among male individuals, the highest ASRs were in east Asia for adenocarcinoma (27·12 [95% CI 27·04-27·21] per 100 000 people), east Europe for SCC (21·70 [21·51-21·89] per 100 000 people) and small-cell carcinoma (9·85 [9·72-9·98] per 100 000 people), and north Africa for large-cell carcinoma (4·33 [4·20-4·45] per 100 000 people). Among female individuals, the highest ASRs were in east Asia for adenocarcinoma (19·04 [18·97-19·11] per 100 000 people), north America for SCC (5·28 [5·21-5·35] per 100 000 people) and small-cell carcinoma (4·28 [4·21-4·35] per 100 000 people), and north Europe for large-cell carcinoma (2·87 [2·78-2·96] per 100 000 people). We estimated that 114 486 adenocarcinoma cases among male individuals and 80 378 adenocarcinoma cases among female individuals were attributable to ambient PM pollution worldwide in 2022, with ASRs of 2·35 (95% CI 2·33-2·36) per 100 000 male individuals and 1·46 (1·45-1·47) per 100 000 female individuals. Temporal trends in lung-cancer incidence by subtype and sex during 1988-2017 varied considerably across the 19 countries. Estimated geographical and temporal distribution of lung-cancer incidence varied across the four main subtypes worldwide. Our study highlights the need for future studies that identify possible causal factors that contribute to the changing risk patterns of lung cancer. Natural Science Foundation of China Young Scientist Fund, Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province in China, and Young Innovative Talents Project of General Universities in Guangdong Province in China.

Distribution and composition of seafloor macrolitter in the trawlable fishing areas along the Algerian coast (Western Mediterranean).

A total of 254 fishing hauls were sampled with a GOC73 bottom trawl during the four demersal resource assessment research cruises, respectively, in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022, carried out on board the BELKACEM GRINE research vessel (R/V). We performed the hauls between 22 and 660m of depth, after which we counted and weighed each piece of marine litter separately to the nearest 0.5g. The results show that marine litter densities varied between 1350 and 5813 item/km2. Thus, plastic is the most abundant litter, it represents a mean rate of 76% of the whole marine litter. Among this plastic, 3.8% was identified as fishing gears or fishing related objects. Therefore, the average loss in catch was estimated at 7% over the study period. However, the highest density of marine litter was found in the region of Bejaia located in the Center part of the Algerian coast. Moreover, the bathymetric and geographical variability had a significant impact on both density and weight of marine litter. A marine litter monitoring program is necessary for offering a more effective solutions.

Global demographic and etiological variations of retinal vasculitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis: International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG) Retinal Vasculitis Study (ReViSe) Report 1.

This systematic review with meta-analysis explores the global demographic and etiological variations of retinal vasculitis (RV), focusing on differences in frequency, age, sex, and etiology across diverse geographic populations. RV is an inflammatory condition that can lead to visual impairment, making understanding its variations essential for targeted screening and management. Systematic searches were conducted in multiple databases up to February, 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. We included studies with at least 10 RV, such that a frequency measurement can be estimated, without restrictions on publication date or language. RV was categorized as Idiopathic RV in the absence of additional ocular or systemic disease, Syndromic RV for ocular involvement without systemic disease, and Secondary RV with systemic disease. The risk of bias was evaluated using standardized tools. A total of 95 studies, including 23,180 patients, were analyzed. The overall RV frequency among uveitis cohorts was 17%, with European populations showing the highest frequency at 25%. Idiopathic RV accounted for 1% of uveitis cohorts and 38% of RV cohorts, with significant differences across continents. Behçet disease had the highest RV frequency at 56%. The median age of diagnosis was 33.5 years, and RV was more frequent in males (57%). The overall RV frequency among uveitis cohorts was 17%, while Idiopathic RV represented 1% of uveitis cohorts and 38% of RV cohorts. Our findings underscore the considerable geographic and demographic variability in RV, particularly in Idiopathic RV, tuberculosis-related RV, and Behçet disease, highlighting the need for tailored, region-specific, and gender-specific approaches to RV diagnosis and treatment.

Geographical Disparities of Uncertainty Stress and Life Stress Among University Students: A Study Across All Provinces in Mainland China.

The study objective was to investigate geographical variation of uncertainty stress and life stress among university students in China. Respondents comprised 11,954 students from 50 universities and 31 provinces in China's mainland. Respondents completed the extended version of Global Health Professional Student Survey (GHPSS) on Tobacco Control in China, which added additional health, mental stress, and behavioural items on original version, and regional variables were retrieved from the National Bureau of Statistics database. Both unadjusted and adjusted methods were used in the logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of high uncertainty stress was 19.60% (95% CI: 15.90%, 23.30%), while the prevalence of life stress was 8.60% (95% CI: 7.20%, 10.70%). The prevalence rates varied significantly across the 31 provinces. The random parameters for uncertainty stress and life stress were statistically significant at the 0.01 level, with values of 0.2593 and 0.3971, respectively. The geographical distribution revealed two high uncertainty stress zones between the east coast and the middle area, as well as in the west area from south to north. High life stress, on the other hand, was concentrated in the central area. Multilevel logistic regression showed province level per capita disposal income of households partly contributed to uncertainty stress (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.94) and life stress (OR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.89). These findings underscore the importance of environmental contribution to mental stress among university students. Given that college students' mental stress is high, there is a need for environmental measurements to prevent and address multiple perceived stress in students.

International benchmarking of stage at diagnosis for six childhood solid tumours (the BENCHISTA project): a population-based, retrospective cohort study.

International variation in childhood cancer survival might be explained by differences in stage at diagnosis, among other factors. As part of the BENCHISTA project, we aimed to assess geographical variation in tumour stage at diagnosis through the application, by population-based cancer registries working with clinicians, of the international consensus Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines. This population-based, retrospective cohort study involved 67 cancer registries from 23 European countries, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Canada. Participating cancer registries applied the Toronto Guidelines to stage all incident cases of six childhood solid tumours-neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and Wilms tumour (age 0-14 years) and Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma (age ≤19 years)-diagnosed between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2017. Eligible cancer registries were those able to assign stage according to the Toronto Guidelines; information on the staging investigations conducted was collected where available. European countries were grouped by geographical area and non-European countries were considered individually. We used χ2 tests to compare stage distribution across these geographical areas and multivariable logistic models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for metastatic stage at diagnosis, using central Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland) as the comparison. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to overcome potential bias from non-random missing stage information for some geographical areas and cancer types. Data from 10 937 patients with cancer (6031 [55·1%] male and 4906 [44·9%] female) were analysed. Tumour staging was complete for 93·1% (10 180 of 10 937) of patients, ranging from 88·7% (1347 of 1518 patients) with medulloblastoma to 96·5% (1083 of 1122 patients) with Ewing sarcoma. Stage distribution differed statistically by geographical area for neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, but not for Ewing sarcoma or medulloblastoma. After excluding patients with missing stage information and, for the sarcomas, patients aged 18-19 years, the proportions of patients with metastases detected at diagnosis were 50·3% with neuroblastoma (1435 of 2852 patients; including 1159 [40·6%] stage M and 276 [9·7%] stage MS), 35·1% with medulloblastoma (473 of 1347 patients; stages M1-M4), 32·6% with Ewing sarcoma (335 of 1028 patients), 29·0% with rhabdomyosarcoma (368 of 1267 patients), 25·5% with osteosarcoma (345 of 1353 patients), and 18·2% with Wilms tumour (384 of 2114 patients). After adjusting by age group, significant differences in the proportions of patients with metastases detected at diagnosis were found between geographical areas for neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Assessed at a population level, the stage at diagnosis shows significant variation between geographical areas for several childhood tumours. This finding highlights the need for earlier diagnosis and standardisation of investigations for distant metastases. To enable ongoing comparisons, further cooperation efforts are required between cancer registries and clinicians regarding the sustainable and standardised use of the Toronto Guidelines at diagnosis. Children with Cancer UK and Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro.