Short-term Impact Research Articles

Fundamentals of leadership development: a randomized pilot study to evaluate implementation of a leadership curriculum for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum was created to increase integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in leadership skills. The pilot FLD course was utilized 1) evaluate short-term impact of the curriculum, and 2) evaluate optimal delivery methods of curricular interventions on diversity in a leadership context in a randomized fashion. After IRB approval, the pilot FLD course was opened to all SAGES Committee members for enrollment. All participants had access to the same online modules and discussion forum, but were randomized either to a 4-week longitudinal or 2-day intensive didactic session. Participants were asked to assess the curricular content after each online module and provide overall course feedback on all sessions. This data was collected along with leadership experience, course participation, and course completion data. A total of 79 participants registered for the FLD course, with 55 (69.7%) of participants completing the course. Of those that registered, 46 (58.2%) self-identified as underrepresented in medicine, 32 (40.5%) self-identified with she/her/hers pronouns, and 45 (57.0%) held an institutional leadership position. Fifty-nine (74.6%) participants were willing to be randomized. Course engagement was higher in the intensive course with 64.1% and 48.7% participation over days 1 and 2, respectively. In the longitudinal course, participation dropped off every week from 70%, 47.5%, 35%, and 27.5%, throughout the 4-week course. Participants who accessed the online modules spent a median time of 3h and 34min.User confidence after completion of each individual module were "somewhat confident" and "completely confident" for almost all survey respondents on a 5-tier Likert scale. The pilot FLD course appealed to SAGES members in leadership roles and who identified as. URiM. Course engagement was higher in the intensive course. Long-term behavior changes after course completion will need to be assessed with additional qualitative interviews. (300/300 words).

PP517 Topic: AS23–Rehabilitation: Early Mobilization/Interdisciplinary Care/Developmental Care/Other: FEASIBILITY AND SHORT-TERM IMPACT OF NURSE-DRIVEN EARLY MOBILIZATION PROTOCOL IN A PICU OF A LOW MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY

PP517 Topic: AS23–Rehabilitation: Early Mobilization/Interdisciplinary Care/Developmental Care/Other: FEASIBILITY AND SHORT-TERM IMPACT OF NURSE-DRIVEN EARLY MOBILIZATION PROTOCOL IN A PICU OF A LOW MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY

Case-Time Series Study on the Short-term Impact of Meteorological Factors on West Nile Virus Incidence in Italy at the Local Administrative Unit Level, 2012 to 2021.

IntroductionWest Nile Virus (WNV) is a significant public health concern in southern Europe, with meteorological, climatic, and environmental factors playing a critical role in its transmission dynamics. This study aims to assess the short-term effects of meteorological variables on the incidence of WNV in five Italian regions in Northern Italy from 2012 to 2021. MethodsLinking epidemiological data from the national surveillance system and local meteorological data, we conducted a Case-Time Series analysis to examine the association between WNV incident cases and temperature, humidity, and precipitation recorded up to ten weeks before case occurrence at the local administrative unit level. We employed conditional quasi-Poisson regression and distributed lag non-linear models to explore delayed effects. ResultsOur study analyzed 1,110 autochthonous human cases of WNV. We found a positive association between WNV incidence and weekly mean temperature recorded between one to nine weeks before the diagnosis, with the highest effect at one week lag (IRR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.11-1.21). An increase in weekly precipitations between the sixth and ninth weeks before diagnosis was also positively associated with WNV incidence. Variations in minimum weekly humidity did not show a consistent impact. ConclusionsOur findings underscore the influence of temperature and, to a lesser extent, precipitation on WNV incidence in Northern Italy, highlighting the potential of climatic data in developing early warning systems for WNV surveillance and public health interventions.

Measuring the long-term impact of business school research on academia, teaching, society and decision makers

Research shapes, in one way or another, the activities of nearly every business school. It is a cornerstone that defines institutional prestige, faculty recruitment, and student demand. However, despite the billions invested annually, much of this research receives limited attention beyond academia. This article introduces a comprehensive conceptual framework that distinguishes between four types of impact, depending on the primary stakeholder group the research addresses. We separate academic, teaching, societal, and managerial impact through its influence on the behavior of fellow academics, consumers/ public policymakers, students, and managers. By proposing a set of short-term impact signals and medium-term impact measures, we map the path from research publication to long-term impact. Our framework offers actionable insights for business school deans, journal editors, and faculty. We identify current challenges in measuring research impact, including output variety, attribution, and data availability. We hope our framework can guide decision-makers seeking to enhance the visibility and real-world influence of business school research.

Short-Term Outcomes of a Healthy Relationship Intervention for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the US Military: Pilot Pretest-Postest Study.

Sexual harassment (SH) and sexual assault (SA) are serious public health problems among US service members. Few SH and SA prevention interventions have been developed exclusively for the military. Code of Respect (X-CoRe) is an innovative web-based, multilevel, SA and SH intervention designed exclusively for the active-duty Air Force. The program's goal is to increase Airmen's knowledge and skills to build and maintain respectful relationships, ultimately reducing SH and SA and enhancing Airmen's overall well-being and mission readiness. This pilot study aimed to assess the short-term psychosocial impact (eg, knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy) of the web-based component of X-CoRe on a sample of junior enlisted and midlevel Airmen. Airmen from a military installation located in the Northeastern United States were recruited to complete the 10 web-based modules in X-CoRe (9/15, 60% male; 7/15, 54% aged 30-35 years). Participants were given pretests and posttests to measure short-term psychosocial outcomes associated with SH and SA. Descriptive statistics and paired 2-tailed t tests were conducted to assess differences from preintervention to postintervention time points. After completing X-CoRe, participants had a significantly greater understanding of active consent (P=.04), confidence in their healthy relationship skills (P=.045), and confidence to intervene as bystanders (P=.01). Although not statistically significant (P>.05), mean scores in attitudes about SH, couple violence, and cyberbullying; perceptions of sexual misconduct as part of military life; and relationship skills self-efficacy with a romantic partner and friend also improved. The findings from this study demonstrate X-CoRe's effectiveness in improving critical determinants of SH and SA, making it a promising intervention for SH and SA prevention. More rigorous research is needed to determine X-CoRe's impact on SH and SA victimization and the long-term impact on associated psychosocial determinants.

Research on the Correlation Between Carbon Emission Rights and Energy Market: A Case Study of EUA and Oil Market

This study focuses on the importance of the relationship between carbon and oil in the context of global climate change and energy transition. In particular, this paper explores the link between fluctuations in the price of Brent crude oil in the United Kingdom and changes in the European Union Emission Allowances (EUA), which has significant implications for insight into energy market dynamics and policy making. This study uses an autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the dynamic relationship between the European Union Emission allowances (EUA) market and the oil market from 2018 to 2024. Through Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) stability test, the VAR model is established, the optimal lag order is determined, and the impulse response and Variance decomposition are analyzed. The results show that the EUA market has a short-term positive impact on the response of the oil market. But this effect has diminished over time, indicating the market's ability to self-regulate and stabilize. These findings provide new perspectives for understanding the interaction between global energy markets and environmental policy tools. The findings highlight the importance of considering these market dynamics when developing market strategies and environmental policies.

Asymmetric impact of climate change on banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies

This study is an empirical examination of the asymmetric impact of climate change on banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies. The study leverages a quantitative research approach through a panel non-linear ARDL framework and data from 29 selected economies, which spans 1996-2017. Findings from the study reveal that in the long term, partial sums of temperature have an insignificant relationship with banking system stability. Further, partial sums of precipitation are negatively related to banking system stability in the long term. The finding indicates that both positive and negative precipitation do harm banking system stability in the selected sub-Saharan economies. Moreover, we find that partial sums of greenhouse gas emissions had an insignificant relationship with banking system stability. In addition, we conclude that greenhouse gases (positive and negative) do not impair banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies in the long term. We surmise from the findings that both positive and negative climate change indexes are harmful to banking system stability. On the short-term asymmetric impact, we discover that partial sums of temperature, precipitation, and climate change index do not harm banking system stability. However, negative greenhouse gas emissions are pernicious to the banking system’s stability in the short term. Conversely, positive greenhouse gas levels were statistically insignificant. The study recommends that central banks and monetary authorities in Sub-Saharan Africa design green banking policies to push the climate change agenda in the banking sector.

Biodiversity measures of a grassland plant-pollinator community are resilient to the introduction of honey bees (Apis mellifera).

The prairies of Canada support a diversity of insect pollinators that contribute pollination services to flowering crops and wild plants. Habitat loss and use of managed pollinators has increased conservation concerns for wild pollinators, as mounting evidence suggests that honey bees (Apis mellifera) may reduce their diversity and abundance. Plant-pollinator community analyses often omit non-bee pollinators, which can be valuable contributors to pollination services. Here, we experimentally introduced honey bees to examine how their abundance affects the species richness, diversity, abundance, species composition, interaction richness, and interaction diversity of all wild pollinators, and of four higher taxa separately. We identified all insect pollinators and analyzed how honey bee abundance affected the above biodiversity metrics, controlling for flower abundance and flower species richness. Even with high honey bee densities, there was no change to any of these variables, except that beetle species diversity increased. All other taxa had no significant relationship to honey bee abundance. Considering the widespread use of managed honey bees, the effect they have on wild pollinators should be firmly established. Our results suggest that honey bees have little to no short-term impact on the wild pollinator community or its interactions with plants in this native grassland.

Assessing the impact of micro-credential training in higher education: A pilot study supporting BA dissertations

Introduction: Micro-credentials, endorsed by the European Union for enhancing lifelong learning and employability, offer targeted, flexible learning experiences. This pilot study investigates the impact of integrating micro-credential training into the BA dissertation process for English Studies students at the University of Extremadura. Methodology: The study involved a two-week, in-person micro-credential course, divided into modules on time management, research techniques, and writing skills, supplemented by pre- and post-training surveys to assess students’ needs and the training’s short-term and long-term impact. Seven fourth-year students participated in the study, providing feedback through surveys. Results: The training improved students’ preparedness, confidence, and motivation. Key areas of development included time management, research skills, and emotional resilience. Students reported sustained benefits, applying the skills and strategies learned throughout their dissertation process. Discussion: Findings highlight the training’s positive short-term and long-term impacts, including increased motivation and practical skill application. However, it identifies areas for improvement, such as more training in citation techniques and writing clarity. Conclusions: Micro-credential training effectively addresses gaps in traditional curricula, enhancing students’ readiness for their BA dissertations. Further research with larger cohorts and diverse disciplines is recommended to generalise the findings and refine the microlearning approach.

Exploring El Nino effects on agricultural area using Landsat images analysis: A case study in Bondowoso Regency, Indonesia

El Nino, which hit Indonesia in 2023, poses severe food security threats due to the high dry season with no rainfall and minimal cloud cover and can trigger serious drought problems if it happen for a long time. This study aimed to explore the impact on agricultural land in Bondowoso Regency during El Nino events. The analysis in this study primarily uses land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) map distribution. The Landsat data from USGS are collected and processed to become LST and NDVI distribution maps. Data analysis focused on the agricultural area layers based on data from the Indonesia geospatial portal. Referring to the LST and NDVI map distribution, the notable rise of LST starts in August 2023, and the peak is in October 2023. Around 46% of areas in the Bondowoso regency are detected as hotspot areas, which had LST above 30<sup>o</sup>C in October 2023. El Nino affects the irrigated lands and rain-fed fields more than the plantations. The NDVI alteration data does not show that the Bondowoso Regency is experiencing extraordinary drought due to the short-term impact of El Nino. However, the emergence of numerous areas in the moderate NDVI category warns that stress affecting vegetation is starting to occur. Mitigation plans should be prepared for the long-term impact of El Nino, particularly in the hotspot areas. This study could be a comprehension tool for the government and farmers to prepare mitigation plans.

Efficacy and tolerance of intravenous methylprednisolone pulses in children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia requiring respiratory support.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that affects premature babies and contributes to their morbidity. French BPD guidelines suggest the use of intravenous methylprednisolone pulses (IVMP) for those who require respiratory support (RS) following 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). However, there is scant data on the efficacy and tolerance for this indication. Our objectives were to assess the efficacy and tolerance of IVMP in patients with severe BPD requiring RS. This retrospective observational study included preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age) treated by IVMP between January 2016 and March 2021, in a single tertiary care hospital. The primary endpoint was signified by changes in the Pulmonary Severity Score (PSS). Our secondary endpoints were changes in RS and the tolerance of IVMP. Data of 14 children with BPD under RS were reviewed. Their median [IQR] gestational age at birth was (26[26-29.5] weeks). After IVMP administration, the PSS did not improve significantly from baseline day 0 (D0) (0.85[0.55-1.15]) to D7 (0.74 [0.48-1.00]) or Month 1 (1.02 [0.57-1.48]). Three children (21%) experienced a decrease in RS in the following month of IVMP. There was no negative short-term impact on growth. Five infants presented infectious complications. The development quotient was measured in 5 children at 2 years of age. In our study, IVMP did not improve PSS and it was associated with a high number of infections. Other studies are needed to better define the place of IVMP in these infants.

The Hopes and Fears Lab: enabling dialogue on discovery science

In this Practice Insight, we consider challenges associated with dialogue-based public engagement with discovery science, related to a focus on application, the need for short-term policy impact, and the lack of conceptual attention to dialogue. We consider potential responses to these through our initial evaluation of The Hopes and Fears Lab engagement project. We suggest the potential value of foregrounding emotional connections with science for both researchers and members of the public, and the need for as much attention to be paid to the preparatory work and settings for dialogue as to the dialogue itself.

Impact of Syringe and Needle Reuse on the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial.

To evaluate the clinical and laboratory outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes by comparing the no reuse or reuse of syringes and needles for insulin injection. Adults with type 2 diabetes who had reused syringes and needles at least three times were randomly instructed either to not reuse or to reuse insulin syringes and needles five times. The primary outcomes assessed were glycemic control, pain scores, and skin complications (ecchymosis, lipohypertrophy, nodules, infection) at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included treatment adherence, quality of life, microbiological contamination of syringes and needles, needle quality, and insulin injection technique. Among the 71 participants (mean ± SD age 59.7 ± 8.8 years), 59% were women with a median duration of diabetes of 18 years (interquartile range 10-25 years) and a mean BMI of 31.7 ± 6.7 kg/m2. The group that reused syringes and needles experienced an increase in lipohypertrophy/nodules (0.16 ± 0.08, P = 0.040) but did not experience worsening pain or glycemic control, even when the syringes and needles were inserted into the skin with great effort. There was no difference in the total number of skin complications, quality of life, or microbiological contamination. Both groups improved treatment adherence, with a greater increase in the reuse group. The reuse of syringes and needles is associated with a modest increase in lipohypertrophy/nodules but does not have a short-term impact on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Short and long-term impact of the frequency of social media influencers’ sponsored posts on attitudinal and behavioral brand outcomes

ABSTRACT The importance of Social Media Influencers (SMIs) as persuasive agents for companies has long been established. However, we need more research on the long-term (compared to the short-term) impact of the frequency of SMI’s advertising messages. We examine the effects of different frequency levels of SMI’s sponsored posts on brand outcomes, precisely brand attitude and purchase intention. Based on the concept of attitudinal persuasion knowledge, we examine the mediating role of skepticism. Moreover, we examine how brand outcomes change over time based on the Sleeper Effect. We conducted a 2 (between-subject factor: low vs. high frequency of sponsored-pots) by 2 (within-subject factor: short vs. long-term effect) experiment with N = 190 U.S. participants. The results show that the frequency of sponsored posts had no direct or indirect influence on brand outcomes in the short term, nor was skepticism activated. Brand attitudes did not change significantly in the long term, but purchase intention increased.

The impact of foreign direct investment inflows on unemployment and economic growth in West Africa

Purpose: This study explores the short- and long-run effects of foreign direct investment inflows (FDI) on both the unemployment rate and economic growth in West Africa utilizing a panel dataset spanning from 1991 to 2022. The precise impact of FDI on these variables and the underlying factors shaping this relationship in West Africa has not been definitively delineated. Previous literature has not exclusively delved into the impact of FDI on the unemployment rate in this region. Consequently, our paper endeavors to address this particular gap in knowledge concentrating on the individual countries within West Africa. Design/Methodology/Approach: We employ Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimators and fixed effects models for our analyses. Findings: Our findings based on the PMG models unveil that FDI exhibits an insignificant positive long-term effect and a highly significant negative short-term impact on economic growth in West Africa. Similarly, we observe that the impact of FDI on the unemployment rate is negative both in the long- and short-term. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that various factors contribute to how FDI influences the unemployment rate and economic growth rate in West Africa. Research Limitation: The results of these models analyses are subject to the considered economic variables. Other economic variables could give different results. Practical Implication: The research findings imply that FDI cannot be relied upon as a comprehensive strategy to either stimulate economic growth or alleviate unemployment in the Western Africa region.

The Impact of ESG Performance on the Financial Performance of Chinese High-Tech and Internet Industry Firms

This study aims to explore the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on the financial performance of firms in China’s high-tech and internet industries. Using annual data from 100 companies spanning from 2015 to 2022, a fixed effects model is applied for empirical analysis. The study finds that overall ESG performance has a significant positive impact on firms' return on assets (ROA) and net profit margin (NPM), with the governance (G) and social (S) dimensions showing particularly strong effects. While the environmental (E) dimension has a weaker short-term impact on financial performance, its long-term benefits are undeniable. Firm size and market share also have significant positive effects on financial performance. The results suggest that optimizing governance structures and actively fulfilling social responsibilities can enhance financial performance, while long-term investments in environmental responsibility should be integrated into corporate strategies. Overall, the findings provide empirical evidence for companies in formulating ESG strategies and offer specific policy recommendations for the sustainable development of China’s high-tech and internet industries.

Enhancing the biodegradation of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds: A study on microbial consortia adaptation and the role of surfactants

The emission of hydrophobic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is a serious environmental issue. Typically, biofilters (BFs) are employed for their treatment, with the potential enhancement of mass transfer through the addition of surfactants. However, disparate results in previous studies have been observed, attributed to uncontrolled conditions during the introduction of surfactants to BFs. Additionally, there has been limited exploration of microbial consortium adaptation to surfactants. To address these gaps, this study followed two approaches. First, the long-term (247 days) removal of cyclohexane was studied in a stirred tank bioreactor (STBR) inoculated with Rhodococcus erythropolys E1 and using Tween 80 at three times the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Second, the short-term (9 days) impact of two (bio)surfactants [Tween 80 (1 × CMC) and Quillaja Saponin (QS, 1 × CMC)] on the removal of cyclohexane, hexane and toluene was investigated in batch tests using three types of inocula: a pure culture of Rhodococcus erythropolys E1 (X0), a microbial consortium adapted to cyclohexane (X1), and a microbial consortium adapted to cyclohexane with Tween 80 (X2). For long-term operation, the addition of Tween 80 at 3 × CMC improved cyclohexane removal efficiency (RE) to 87 ± 1% (elimination capacity, EC = 145 ± 25 mg m−3 h−1, gas residence time, GRT = 20 min, inlet concentration, Cin = 14.9 ± 2.5 ppmv), compared to a RE of 32 ± 9% (EC = 44 ± 8 mg m−3 h−1, GRT = 20 min, Cin = 15.1 ± 0.7 ppmv) under similar conditions without surfactants. For short-term operation, the addition of QS at 1 × CMC significantly increased biomass growth, resulting in lower maximum specific consumption rates for X1 and X2 compared to scenarios without surfactants or 1 × CMC Tween 80. The most abundant genera in X1 and X2 were Paludisphaera (26-23%), 67-14 genus (17–23%), and Rhodococcus (9–18%), respectively.

Short-Term Multicomponent Exercise Impact on Muscle Function and Structure in Hospitalized Older at Risk of Acute Sarcopenia.

Hospitalization exacerbates sarcopenia and physical dysfunction in older adults. Whether tailored inpatient exercise prevents acute sarcopenia is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of a multicomponent exercise programme on muscle and physical function in hospitalized older adults. We hypothesized that participation in a brief tailored exercise regimen (i.e., 3-5 days) would attenuate muscle function and structure changes compared with usual hospital care alone. This randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment was conducted from May 2018 to April 2021 at Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Spain. Participants were 130 patients aged 75 years and older admitted to an acute care geriatric unit. Patients were randomized to a tailored 3- to 5-day exercise programme (n = 64) or usual hospital care (control, n = 66) consisting of physical therapy if needed. The coprimary endpoints were between-group differences in changes in short physical performance battery (SPPB) score and usual gait velocity from hospital admission to discharge. Secondary endpoints included changes in rectus femoris echo intensity, cross-sectional area, thickness and subcutaneous and intramuscular fat by ultrasound. Among 130 randomized patients (mean [SD] age, 87.7 [4.6] years; 57 [44%] women), the exercise group increased their mean SPPB score by 0.98 points (95% CI, 0.28-1.69 points) and gait velocity by 0.09 m/s (95% CI, 0.03-0.15 m/s) more than controls (both p < 0.01). No between-group differences were observed in any ultrasound muscle outcomes. There were no study-related adverse events. Three to 5 days of tailored multicomponent exercise provided functional benefits but did not alter muscle or fat architecture compared with usual hospital care alone among vulnerable older patients. Brief exercise may help prevent acute sarcopenia during hospitalization. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04600453.

Short-term impact of bariatric surgery on the dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity and an unhealthy diet and lifestyle are the key causes of rising diabetes burden in India. Bariatric surgery is gaining popularity in India as a favored approach to manage obesity and its accompanying comorbidities. Despite this, there is a scarcity of Indian studies evaluating dietary intake. Our goal was to analyse the dietary intake of Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or duodeno-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (DJB-SG) or surgeries. The longitudinal observational study included 64 T2DM patients (32 in each procedure) enrolled through purposive sampling. The patients underwent surgery (LSG or DJB-SG procedure) between January 2017 and July 2019. Dietary data was collected at baseline and postsurgery (12 months) using a 24-h dietary recall method for 2 days (one working and one holiday). The total sample consisted of 27 (42.2%) females and 37 (57.8%) males. The mean age was 46.8 years. At 12 months, the follow-up for the LSG and DJB-SG procedures was 100% and 78%, respectively. In the short term, a significant reduction was seen in weight, body mass index and haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in both surgical groups. The two procedures were comparable with respect to weight loss but improvement in glycaemia was higher in the DJB-SG group. The dietary intake (food groups and nutrients) was similar in the two surgical groups at baseline and 12 months postsurgery. Dietary intake assessment showed significant reduction in calorie dense foods (cereals, roots and tubers, fats and oils, table sugar, and biscuits) in both surgical groups. Among nutrients, intake of energy, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and iron were reduced significantly in both procedures. Vitamin D (84.4% patients in LSG group and 81.3% patients in DJB-SG) and iron (62.5% patients in LSG group and 68.8% patients in DJB-SG) were commonly prevalent nutritional deficiencies at baseline and were significantly reduced at 12 months. In the short term, bariatric surgery resulted in weight loss and improvement in glycaemia. Bariatric surgery does significantly affect dietary intake leading to nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, patients should be recommended vitamin and mineral supplements and regular patient education and counselling by a trained bariatric dietitian to prevent nutritional deficiencies and maintain nutritional status.

Tracing troubles: Unveiling the hidden impact of inorganic contamination on juvenile green sea turtle

Human activities and climate change have negatively affected the world's oceans, leading to a decline of 30 to 60 % in coastal ecosystems' biodiversity and habitats. The projected increase in the human population to 9.7 billion by 2050 raises concerns about the sustainability of marine ecosystem conservation and exploitation. Marine turtles, as sentinel species, accumulate contaminants, including trace elements, due to their extensive migration and long-life span. However, there is a lack of data on the degree of contamination and their effects on marine turtles' health. This study focuses on assessing in-situ inorganic contamination in juvenile green sea turtles from La Réunion Island and its short-term impact on individual health, using conventional biomarkers and proteomics. The goals include examining contamination patterns in different tissues and identifying potential new biomarkers for long-term monitoring and conservation efforts. The study identified differential metal contamination between blood and scute samples, which could help illuminate temporal exposure to trace elements in turtle individuals. We also found that some conventional biomarkers were related to trace element exposure, while the proteome responded differently to various contaminant mixtures. Immune processes, cellular organization, and metabolism were impacted, indicating that contaminant mixtures in the wild would have an effect on turtle's health. Fifteen biomarker candidates associated with strong molecular responses of sea turtle to trace element contamination are proposed for future long-term monitoring. The findings emphasize the importance of using proteomic approaches to detect subtle physiological responses to contaminants in the wild and support the need for non-targeted analysis of trace elements in the biomonitoring of sea turtle health.