Long-term Data Research Articles

Midterm Outcomes in a Pooled Cohort of Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Recipients

BACKGROUND: The Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) is designed to treat severe pulmonary regurgitation in the native or surgically repaired right ventricular (RV) outflow tract. Early outcomes after TPV replacement with the Harmony valve have been positive, but longer-term data are limited. METHODS: The study included patients who received a commercially available TPV22 or TPV25 device as part of the nonrandomized, prospective Native Outflow Tract Early Feasibility Study, Harmony Pivotal Trial, and Continued Access Study. Patients completed at least 3 years of follow-up, and outcomes to 5 years were reported when available. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were catheterized, and 86 were successfully implanted with a Harmony TPV. Median duration of follow-up was 5 (range 0–6) years in the TPV22 group and 3 (1–4) years in the TPV25 group. At 3 years, all patients with a TPV22 and 96% of those with a TPV25 had ≤mild pulmonary regurgitation. By magnetic resonance imaging, significant improvements from preimplant to 2 years were observed in RV end-diastolic volume index, RV to left ventricular end-diastolic volume ratio, and effective RV stroke volume (all P <0.001). SF-36 quality-of-life scores improved after Harmony implantation and were sustained over 3 years. Early cases of ventricular tachycardia resolved, and there were no new arrhythmias. Adverse events up to 5 years included 3 deaths unrelated to the device or procedure, 2 cases of endocarditis that were treated (1 medically, 1 transcatheter debulking of a vegetation) and resolved, 6 patients with RV outflow tract obstruction and thrombosis resulting in valve-in valve procedures, and 1 major stent fracture resulting in surgical explant. CONCLUSIONS: At 3 to 5 years, Harmony TPV replacement resulted in sustained valve competence, beneficial cardiac remodeling, and improved quality of life. Continued monitoring is needed to assess long-term outcomes and valve performance. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01762124; NCT02979587.

Comparison of laparoscopic and open total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: a propensity score matched study.

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) is increasingly performed for gastric cancer, yet concerns remain regarding its oncologic adequacy compared to open total gastrectomy (OTG), especially outside of randomized clinical trials. Real-world data comparing both techniques are still limited. This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer between January 2016 and December 2021 at a single tertiary center. Patients were grouped as LTG or OTG. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to adjust for baseline variables. Long-term clinical outcomes and survival data were compared. Complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). After propensity score matching (24 LTG vs. 24 OTG), the LTG group demonstrated a significantly shorter hospital stay (6.79 ± 0.66 vs. 7.33 ± 0.64 days; p = 0.006), with comparable operative times (3.5 ± 0.42 vs. 3.5 ± 0.49h; p = 1.000) and complication rates (16.7% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.71), all classified as Clavien-Dindo Grade I-II. Oncologic outcomes showed equivalent lymph node yield. Oncologic outcomes were equivalent, including lymph node yield (35.12 ± 9.32 vs. 36.46 ± 10.19; p = 0.639). Survival analysis revealed no significant differences: median overall survival was 6 years (95% CI: 3.87-8.12) for LTG vs. 4 years (2.16-5.83) for OTG (p = 0.541), and disease-free survival was 6 years (4.53-7.46) vs. 4 years (1.72-6.27) (p = 0.443), with a median follow-up of 28.4 months. Laparoscopic total gastrectomy is a safe and effective alternative to open surgery when performed by experienced surgeons. These findings support the feasibility of LTG in real-life clinical settings and complement existing evidence from randomized trials. retrospectively registered.

Heart transplantation in congenital heart disease: long-term outcomes and complications.

Heart transplantation referrals in congenital heart disease patients are increasing as this population grows in number, complexity, and disease severity. We examine short-term and long-term outcomes data with special attention to single-ventricle patients and multiorgan transplantation, including recent advances in combined heart and liver transplantation. Given the limited supply of available organs for transplantation, it is necessary to examine heart transplantation outcomes in congenital heart disease patients to better optimize outcomes and ensure equity with noncongenital heart disease patients.

Long-term outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for refractory hepatic encephalopathy.

To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for the treatment of medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Fifty-eight patients with cirrhosis who presented with one or more types of large portosystemic shunt (PSS) between April 2009 and March 2023 and had a history of at least two episodes of recurrent HE in the preceding 6 months were included in this retrospective study. Clinical follow-up included venous ammonia and West Haven (WH) score assessment. Technical and long-term outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. The technical success rate was 98.3% (57 of 58 patients). The mean procedure time was 29 min (range, 9-114 min). The immediate clinical success rate was 98.3%. The median WH score improved significantly from 2 (range, 1-3) pre-PARTO to 0 (range, 0-1) post-PARTO (p < 0.001). The mean serum ammonia level, which was 82.4 µmol/dL ± 46 before PARTO, decreased significantly to 23.7 µmol/dL ± 17 within 1 week after PARTO (p < 0.001). Long-term follow-up data were available for only 48 patients because of early death (n = 2), follow-up loss (n = 2), or liver transplantation (n = 5). The obliteration rate of PSS was 100%. Nine (18.8%) patients experienced recurrence of HE at a mean of 19.6 months (range 1.5-32.8 months). The cumulative 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year recurrence rates of HE were 6.4%, 14.9%, 27.5%, 27.5%, and 27.5%, respectively. The median transplantation-free survival time was 45.7 months (95% confidence interval, 25-66.5 months). High clinical success rate and low recurrence rate of HE during the long-term follow-up period suggest that PARTO is an effective treatment for refractory HE due to PSS in patients with liver cirrhosis. Question The efficacy and long-term outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration for patients with hepatic encephalopathy have not yet been strictly determined. Findings The clinical symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy completely resolved in 57 (98.3%) of 58 patients within 2 days after plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration. Clinical relevance Long-term outcomes suggest that plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration is an effective treatment for refractory hepatic encephalopathy due to portosystemic shunt in patients with liver cirrhosis.

A Possible Common Physics Picture Reflected by the Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Center

Abstract Long-term observations of the Galactic center by Fermi and HESS have revealed a novel phenomenon: the high-energy gamma-ray spectrum from the gamma-ray source HESS J1745-290 exhibits a double power-law structure. In this study, we propose a new explanation for this phenomenon. We suggest that the low-energy (GeV) power-law spectrum originates from interactions between trapped background “sea” cosmic ray particles and the dense gaseous environment near the Galactic center. In contrast, the bubble-like structure in the high-energy (TeV) spectrum is produced by protons accelerated during active phases of the Galactic center, through the same physical process. Based on this framework, we first calculate the gamma-ray emission generated by cosmic ray protons accelerated in the Galactic center. Then, using a spatially dependent cosmic ray propagation model, we compute the energy spectrum of background “sea” cosmic ray protons and their associated diffuse gamma-ray emission in the Galactic center region. The results closely reproduce the observations from Fermi-LAT and HESS, suggesting that their long-term data support this picture: high-energy cosmic rays in the local region originate from nearby cosmic ray sources, while low-energy cosmic rays are a unified contribution from distant cosmic ray sources. We anticipate that this double power-law structure may be widely present in the halo of a Galactic cosmic-ray source or a slow-diffusion region. We hope that future observations will detect more such sources, allowing us to further test and validate our model.

Paediatric idiopathic syringomyelia - a follow-up of radiological and clinical outcomes into adulthood.

Idiopathic syringomyelia (IS) is defined by the presence of a spinal syrinx without identifiable primary pathology. The natural history, clinical implications, and radiological management of IS in the paediatric patient remain poorly understood, with existing literature providing limited long-term data. This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of paediatric patients with IS, focusing on understanding predictive factors of clinical or radiological progression, and the correlation between clinical and radiological evolution. This retrospective study included 28 paediatric patients diagnosed with IS, all with a minimum of three years of radiological follow-up. Cases of secondary syrinx caused by upstream pathology were excluded. Clinical and imaging data were analysed to assess the radiological change of the syrinx and change in symptoms. Correlations between radiological and clinical features were explored. The median radiological and clinical follow-up durations were 6.84years and 7.66years, respectively. A reduction in syrinx size (≥ 1mm in width or anterior-posterior diameter) was observed in 53.6% of patients, with no significant association with gender, age at diagnosis, initial syrinx size, or scoliosis. Back pain occurred in 25% of patients; other modes of presentation include urological disturbance and neurological deficits. All patients remained clinically asymptomatic, stable or improved during follow-up. Radiological changes did not correlate with clinical outcomes. No predictors were found for radiological or clinical outcomes. IS in paediatric patients follow a predominantly benign course, with radiological changes showing little clinical relevance. Repeated interval imaging appears unnecessary in stable cases, and management should prioritise clinical symptoms. This study provides the largest long-term dataset to date, supporting a conservative approach to IS management.

Integrated population model reveals human- and environment-driven changes in Baltic ringed seal Pusa hispida botnica demography and behavior

Integrated population models (IPMs) are a promising approach to test ecological theories and assess wildlife populations in dynamic and uncertain conditions. By combining multiple data sources into a unified model, they enable the parametrization of versatile, mechanistic models that can predict population dynamics in novel circumstances. Here, we present a Bayesian IPM for the ringed seal Pusa hispida botnica population inhabiting the Bothnian Bay in the Baltic Sea. Despite the availability of long-term monitoring data, traditional assessment methods have faltered due to dynamic environmental conditions, varying reproductive rates, and recently re-introduced hunting, thus limiting the quality of information available to managers. We fit our model to census and various demographic, reproductive, and harvest data from 1988 to 2023 to provide a comprehensive assessment of past population trends, and predict population response to alternative hunting scenarios. We estimated that 20000-36000 ringed seals inhabited the Bothnian Bay in 2024, increasing at a rate of 3-6% yr-1. Reproductive rates have increased since 1988, leading to a substantial increase in the growth rate up until 2015. However, the re-introduction of hunting has since reduced the growth rate, and even minor quota increases are likely to reduce it further. Our results also support the hypothesis that a greater proportion of the population hauls out under lower ice cover circumstances, leading to higher aerial survey results in such years. In general, our study demonstrates the value of IPMs for monitoring wildlife populations under changing environments and for supporting science-based management decisions.

Porphyrin/metalloporphyrin and their conjugates: a promising platform for drug delivery.

Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins are emerging as versatile platforms for advanced drug delivery due to their unique structural, photophysical, and coordination properties. These macrocyclic compounds, known for their chemical stability and capacity to chelate various metal ions, address critical challenges in drug delivery, including poor solubility, non-specific toxicity, and limited control over drug release. This review explores synthetic strategies for porphyrins and their metal complexes, including classical and green methods, and highlights their therapeutic applications through diverse nanocarrier systems, such as gold nanoparticles, cyclodextrin conjugates, mesoporous silica, liposomes, and metal-organic frameworks. These systems offer stimuli-responsive, targeted, and synergistic therapeutic functionalities-especially in cancer therapy-by combining chemotherapy with photodynamic or sonodynamic modalities. Despite their promise, limitations persist, including scalability issues, potential metal toxicity, and insufficient long-term biocompatibility data. The review outlines future directions, advocating for AI-driven design, sustainable synthesis, and expanded applications beyond oncology, emphasizing the need for systematic comparative studies and clinical translation efforts.

Long-term population dynamics of western tent caterpillars: History, trends and causes of cycles.

This is a story of unique long-term studies of the population ecology of a gregarious, cyclic forest insect, the western tent caterpillar (WTC), Malacosoma californicum pluviale. Early work by W.G. Wellington proposed that variation in the 'quality' and activity of larvae and moths influenced their population ecology. Our subsequent studies monitored six WTC populations over 29-50 years in south-western BC to determine the consistent characteristics of cyclic population dynamics. The six studied populations fluctuated more or less in synchrony with an eight to 11-year periodicity. Fecundity and tent size (an indication of early larval survival) increased with population increase and declined several years before the population peak. Fecundity and tent size were positively related to the population growth rate and declined before the population peak. Mortality from a baculovirus was high at peak densities, and the rate of population growth was negatively related to infection levels. Resistance to the virus varied among families and was higher following the epizootic at peak host density. Factors that might influence changes in fecundity were explored. Viral resistance was not related to moth fecundity, but sublethal effects as a result of surviving virus exposure could reduce fecundity. Declines in fecundity and tent size prior to the peak density could be a result of reduced foliage availability and quality from induced effects of larval feeding. Introduction and cropping experiments were unsuccessful at creating out-of-phase populations, and introduced insects appeared to carry the 'quality' of the source populations and declined synchronously with them. Warming temperatures influence the phenology of egg hatch and leaf development, but field experiments show that WTC larvae are resilient to this variation. No signal of an influence of a warming climate was apparent in long-term data. Longterm field observations indicate that changes in fecundity and viral infection can drive population cycles and inform the theory of cyclic dynamics. The early focus on variation among individuals was a prelude to the eco-evo thinking that has become accepted today but should include both genetic and phenotypic change as being relevant.

Progression of cortical hypertrophy, subsidence and thigh pain after short curved fitmore femoral hip stem over 10 years.

Short femoral stems were introduced for total hip arthroplasty (THA) to preserve bone stock, increase proximal load transfer, and enable minimal invasive approaches. However, after implanting the short curved Fitmore hip stem, an increased occurrence of cortical hypertrophy (CH), cortical thinning (CT) and radiolucency (RL) was observed. There are few long-term data on the progression of CH with the Fitmore hip stem, and no data on other radiological parameters. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of these radiological parameters (e.g. for thigh pain) has not yet been investigated. 80 Fitmore hip stems were evaluated prospectively over 10-years. The main radiographic parameters were CH, CT, RL and subsidence. The clinical parameters were thigh pain, Oxford Hip Score and Harris Hip Score. The rate of CH was 69% after 1 year, and 74% after 10 years. CH mainly appeared in Gruen Zones 2, 3, 5, and 6. CT was 65% after 1 year, and 80% after 10 years, mainly in Gruen Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13. RL was found in 58% of cases after 1 year and in 18% of cases after 10 years, primarily in Gruen Zones 1 and 8. Subsidence was 1.6 ± 1.6mm after 1 year and 5.0 ± 3.1mm after 10 years. The Oxford Hip Score increased from 22 to 43, the Harris Hip Score from 59 to 94. The prevalence of preoperative of thigh pain was 96%, dropping to 16% after 10 years. Over 10 years, the radiological parameters did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters. Over 10 years, the short curved Fitmore hip stem did not prevent proximal stress shielding and exhibited CH and CT. However, this had no clinical consequences and was not correlated with symptoms. Despite its primary press-fit fixation, we observed that, unlike other stems, the Fitmore hip stem did not settle to its final position after one year, but continued to subside over 10 years by a maximum of 5mm.

The intensification of the strongest nor’easters

Nor'easters are coastal extratropical cyclones that feed upon both thermal contrasts (meridional and land-ocean) and oceanic latent heat release, causing them to intensify along the U.S. East Coast. With central pressures that sometimes rival those of tropical cyclones, they represent a significant coastal hazard and are often associated with strong winds, heavy snowfall, disruption, and damage. While interest in studying the impacts of climate change on storm behavior is growing, nor'easters have historically received far less attention than tropical cyclones, largely due to challenges in documenting and categorizing these storms combined with the relatively short observational record. Here, we address these challenges by employing a cyclone tracking approach in concurrence with long-term reanalysis data to create a reliable historical database of these storms. We find a significant increasing trend in the maximum wind speeds of the most intense (>66th percentile) nor'easters. We also observe an increasing trend in hourly precipitation rates associated with these storms. Such changes have profound implications for coastal cities and shorelines, increasing the risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Immunomodulatory therapy of chikungunya arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection can lead to chronic musculoskeletal complications, including persistent arthritis that resembles autoimmune inflammatory conditions. These symptoms have been reported both in endemic populations and in international travellers, with substantial functional and economic consequences. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of immunomodulatory therapies in chikungunya-related arthritis. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 for randomized trials, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies, and the JBI Checklist for case series. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed due to significant heterogeneity (I2 &amp;gt; 97%). Results Eleven studies comprising 742 patients met the inclusion criteria. Methotrexate (MTX) was the most studied immunomodulator. The meta-analysis showed a mean reduction in DAS28 (disease Activity score) of 2.67 (95% CI, 1.84 - 3.49, p &amp;lt; 0.001, I2 = 97.0%) and a decrease in VAS (visual analogue scale) pain scores of 4.31 (95% CI, 2.56 - 6.06, p &amp;lt; 0.001, I2 = 99.1%). Subgroup analysis suggested greater pain reduction in short-term studies. No severe adverse events were reported, but long-term safety data are limited. Conclusions Immunomodulatory therapy, particularly methotrexate, may provide symptom relief in chikungunya arthritis. These findings are relevant not only for endemic settings but also for travel medicine, as chikungunya-related arthritis has been increasingly reported in travellers. However, high study heterogeneity and the lack of randomized trials limit definitive conclusions. Future research should focus on standardizing outcome measures, biomarker-driven patient selection, and long-term safety assessments. Clinicians treating returning travellers with chronic joint symptoms should consider post-CHIKV arthritis as part of the differential diagnosis and be aware of potential treatment options

Impact of CFTR Modulators on Longitudinal Cystic Fibrosis Survival and Mortality: Review and Secondary Analysis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator modulators (CFTRm) have transformed CF care, shifting treatment from only managing symptoms to also addressing the underlying defects that cause CF. CFTRm first entered clinical practice in 2012 and was followed by additional CFTRm combinations-including the approval of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) in 2019-which treats most CF genotypes. We identified peer-reviewed literature for a narrative review (January 1990 to January 2025) describing longitudinal trends in CF survival and age of death and assessing the influence of CFTRm, particularly ELX/TEZ/IVA. To supplement the existing literature, a secondary analysis of historical, longitudinal trends in the United States CF Foundation Patient Registry (U.S. CFFPR, 1990-2023) was conducted using recent available data. Quantitative data from published studies show that the median age of survival and death increased over time but with varying magnitudes across regions. Most cohort and registry-based studies were conducted in settings where CFTRm were not yet widely available, limiting the evaluation of CFTRm effects on survival trends over time. In the secondary U.S. CFFPR analysis, the median survival age increased from 29.0years in 1990 to 38.6years in 2012 prior to the introduction of CFTRm and to 68.0years in 2023, demonstrating substantial improvement following the introduction of CFTRm. Linear regression analyses showed gains in median survival age increased from 0.48years per year prior to CFTRm to 4.79years per year after approval of ELX/TEZ/IVA in 2019. Study results provide initial evidence of the impact of CFTRm to meaningfully improve survival. Longer-term follow-up data across geographies will provide a deeper understanding of the full impact of CFTRm on predicted CF survival and mortality.

Continuity of Visiting Pharmacist Services and Factors Related to Service Discontinuation Among Older Adults in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study describes the continuity of visiting pharmacist services and investigates factors associated with service discontinuation in a homebound older population in Japan. This retrospective cohort study used medical and long-term care claims data from older adults aged ≥ 65 years in a city in Tokyo, Japan, who began to receive visiting pharmacist services between April 2014 and March 2019. Participants were followed until service cessation (defined as the absence of service claims for 2 consecutive months) or 12 months from initiation. Reasons for cessation were categorized into death, relocation, hospitalization/institutionalization, or discontinuation based on claims data. Multivariable competing-risk Cox regression analysis determined factors associated with discontinuation. Death and hospitalization/institutionalization were considered competing risks, and relocation was considered non-informative censoring. The study included 3952 older adults, with 353 (8.9%) having terminal cancer. The median time to any-cause cessation was 11 and 2 months for all participants and those with terminal cancer, respectively. Death was the most common reason for cessation, with a 12-month cumulative incidence of 0.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.24-0.27). Factors associated with a lower likelihood of discontinuation included higher long-term care need levels, polypharmacy of more than five medications, recent hospitalization, and cancer diagnosis. Conversely, living at home compared to residential facilities, ischemic heart disease, and receiving services from pharmacies providing 24-h support were linked to a higher discontinuation risk. This study enhances the current understanding of continuity in visiting pharmacist services for older adults. Care should be tailored, considering factors influencing service duration and potential discontinuation.

From motion to meaning: understanding students’ seating preferences in libraries through PIR-enabled machine learning and explainable AI

This study presents a comprehensive, data-driven investigation into students’ seating preferences within academic library environments, aiming to inform user-centered spatial design. Drawing on over 1.3 million ten-minute passive infrared (PIR) sensor observations collected throughout 2023 at the UCL Bartlett Library, we modeled seat-level occupancy using 24 spatial, environmental, and temporal features through advanced machine learning algorithms. Among the models tested, Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) demonstrated the highest predictive performance, achieving a classification accuracy of 72.5%, with interpretability enhanced through SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations) analysis. Findings reveal that seating behavior is shaped not by individual factors but by two dominant dimensions: (1) environmental controllability, including access to personal lighting and fresh air, and (2) distraction management, characterized by quiet surroundings, visual privacy, and low-stimulation workspace finishes. In contrast, features commonly presumed to be influential, such as desk width, fixed computer availability, or daylight alone, had minimal impact on seat choice. Despite extensive modeling and optimization, prediction accuracy plateaued at approximately 72%, reflecting the complexity and variability of human behavior in shared learning environments. By integrating long-term behavioral data with explainable machine learning, this study advances the evidence base for academic library design and offers actionable insights. These findings support design strategies that prioritize individual environmental control, as well as acoustic and visual privacy, offering actionable, evidence-based guidance for creating academic library environments that better support student comfort, focus, and engagement.

Objective, long-term mobility data in patients with chronic pain after lumbar spine surgery treated with spinal cord stimulation-a prospective, multicenter trial.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment option for chronic neuropathic pain conditions when conventional therapies have failed. However, objective and measurable long-term data on the effects of SCS are lacking. This study evaluates changes in objectively recorded mobility and the correlation with patient-reported outcomes in SCS-treated patients with intractable back and/or leg pain following lumbar spine surgery. Fifty patients were enrolled. Baseline mobility was recorded over 4 weeks using an external neurostimulator with a built-in accelerometer. Patients achieving ≥50% pain relief during a subsequent SCS test trial received a permanently implanted stimulator at the same site. Mobility data were extracted at 3, 6, and 12 months and compared with baseline alongside work status, medication usage, and patient-reported outcome measures. Thirty-seven patients received a permanent stimulator, and 32 completed the 12 month follow-up of activity data. Time spent in mobility episodes lasting at least 30 s was 34±27 min/24 hours for SCS-patients at baseline compared with 92±51 min for healthy controls (p=0.009). Mobility increased gradually after SCS, reaching statistical significance at 12 months (p=0.045). The increase was significant in patients with predominant leg pain (35±27 to 54±32 min, p=0.011) but not in those with predominant back pain. Significant improvements were observed in working ability, medication reduction, and self-reported outcomes. Increased mobility correlated significantly with reduction in self-reported disability (p=0.044) and leg pain (p=0.046). The new objective data indicate that SCS has beneficial, long-term effects on mobility in patients with intractable leg pain after spine surgery. NCT04710355.

Distinct ionospheric long-term trends in Antarctica due to the Weddell Sea Anomaly

Abstract. The Weddell Sea Anomaly (WSA), a summer ionospheric anomaly over the eastern Antarctic Peninsula, was first observed in 1958 and is characterized by a nighttime peak in electron concentration instead of a the typical daytime peak. There are some works that examine long-term trends at ionospheric stations in the WSA region, but they do not do a seasonal and diurnal analysis that is vital for differentiating the periods of the anomaly. This study investigates the seasonal and diurnal variation in the long-term trend in the F2-layer critical frequency (foF2) at ionospheric stations located within the WSA region: Vernadsky (Argentine Island; 65.1° S, 64.2° W) and Port Stanley (51.6° S, 57.9° W), both with long-term foF2 data. Data from Vernadsky (1960–2023) and Port Stanley (1960–2019) were analyzed alongside data from Syowa (69.0° S; 39.6° E) and Mawson (67.6° S, 62.9° E), two stations outside the WSA influence. The analysis reveals distinct seasonal and diurnal trends. For Vernadsky, negative foF2 trends (−0.02 MHz yr−1) are observed during summer nights, coinciding with the WSA's presence. Port Stanley shows similar trends but with a secondary nighttime maximum. The WSA's influence on Vernadsky is more pronounced, with Port Stanley exhibiting a weaker mid-latitude summer evening anomaly. In contrast, Syowa and Mawson show different trends, with Syowa not having a clear trend pattern, and Mawson showing negative trends throughout the year. The study concludes that the WSA significantly affects Vernadsky and, to a lesser extent, Port Stanley. The findings highlight regional variations in ionospheric behavior and contribute to the ongoing discussion on global ionospheric trends, suggesting that local phenomena like the WSA can modulate these trends.

Systematic review of global historical marine ecology reveals geographical and taxonomic research gaps and biases.

The field of historical marine ecology (HME) developed two decades ago to address a lack of knowledge about long-term declines in the ocean. Here, we conduct, to our knowledge, the first global systematic review of HME, analysing 543 peer-reviewed articles to ask: what has been learnt and what gaps remain? The diversity of sources used in HME-from Roman texts to twentieth-century catch records-illustrates the methodological richness of the field. Most articles used documentary sources (68%) and produced quantitative outputs (54%), reflective of HME's origins in marine science. Research focused on economically and culturally valuable taxa like fishes, which account for 41% of articles. Most research found decline (85%), while articles finding increase relied on significantly more recent data, underscoring the need for long-term data to assess decline. Strikingly, we identify geographical gaps and biases that suggest a need for targeted initiatives to support HME in the Global South. For instance, nearly as much research focused on the California Current as the entire Indian Ocean, and 74% of first authors worked in North America and Europe. Understanding the colonial legacy of marine resource extraction and the history of artefact theft that disadvantages Global South researchers should guide the future of HME.This article is part of the theme issue 'Shifting seas: understanding deep-time human impacts on marine ecosystems'.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in National Football League Players from 2012 to 2022: A Descriptive Epidemiology Study.

There is a high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in National Football League (NFL) players. There is a relative paucity of long-term data characterizing the effects of artificial versus natural playing surfaces on ACL tear incidence. A comprehensive search of publicly available data identified any NFL player who sustained an ACL injury from 2012 to 2022. The publicly available databases allowed for characterization of playing surface, player position, timing of injury in season, mechanism of injury, and player age. Incidence of ACL injuries by playing surface, player position, and position group relative to all other positions or position groups were compared by chi squared test. Correlates of in-game ACL injury were determined by stepwise multivariate logistic regression. There were 520 NFL players who experienced an ACL tear between seasons 2012-13 and 2022-23. There was no significant difference in incidence of ACL tears on artificial turf versus natural playing surfaces (265 versus 255, p=0.670). Wide receivers (p=0.027) were associated with a significantly higher incidence of ACL tears compared to other positions. Receivers (wide receivers and tight ends) (p=0.007) were associated with significantly higher incidence of ACL tears compared to other position groups, while specialists (punters, kickers, and long snappers) (p<0.001) were associated with significantly lower incidence of ACL tears compared to other position groups. No significant difference between mechanism of injury between playing surfaces was found (p=0.765). More ACL tears occurred before week 9 than on or after week 9 in-season, and the proportion of ACL tears occurring during a game (67%) was significantly higher than those occurring during practice. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of ACL tears in NFL players from the 2012-13 to 2022-23 seasons based on playing surface (artificial versus natural). Wide receivers had a significantly higher incidence of ACL tears compared to other positions and tears were more common during games and before week 9 in-season.

Identifying temperature cues driving increased voltinism in a geometrid moth

Identifying the environmental cues that determine the timing of developmental processes is vital to understanding the effects of climate change on populations. However, as developmental processes are inherently difficult to measure directly at the population level, the drivers and potential consequences of change in their timings remain unknown in most species. Here we explore the use of long-term monitoring data for assessments of change in the number of generations per year and its impact on abundance, demonstrating new applications for a rapidly growing data source. Data derived from a light trap in west-central Scotland operated over 56 years (1968 to 2023) showed that the small phoenix moth, Ecliptopera silaceata, switched from a univoltine to bivoltine generation pattern. This voltinism change was predicted by an increased minimum temperature in a critical time window towards the later part of the first generation’s flight period. The population shows positive density dependence and the change in voltinism has no significant negative effect on population size, indicating no evidence of a developmental trap that has been postulated for other species. These results identify some of the proximate mechanisms of developmental responses to climate change in general and in voltinism in particular, specifically highlighting the importance of sustained temperature above minimum thresholds for development. These results could also help to make predictions about future changes in population sizes under climate change and increasing voltinism, in addition to how these changes may differ between species.