South Germany Research Articles

Changes in breast cancer incidence and surgical treatment in Baden–Württemberg (Germany) during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer. Numerous studies reported an early decline in breast cancer (BC) incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Less evidence is available on changes in medical care. Reports from individual patients have provided anecdotal evidence for a shift from breast-conserving surgery to mastectomy to reduce the number of visits to radiation units during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore changes in BC incidence and surgical treatment in the south of Germany. Using data from the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Registry, the age-standardized incidence of BC (ICD-10 C50 and D05) (women) in 2018–2021 was investigated overall and by age and stage using standardized incidence ratios. Among pre-operative stage I/IIA BC patients, differences in the time to surgery and type of surgery were investigated using negative binomial and logistic regression models. The incidence of invasive BC decreased significantly from 170.9 per 100,000 women in 2018/2019 to 159.7 in 2020 and increased to 169.2 in 2021. This decrease resulted from a lower incidence around April 2020 and was also observed for non-invasive BC. In 2021, incidence of invasive BC was still decreased by 8% in women aged 80 + years. Surgical treatment was analyzed in 22,708 BC patients with a pre-operative stage ≤ IIA. The median time to surgery was 33 days in 2018/2019, 32 days in 2020 and 36 days in 2021. The proportion of mastectomies increased from 16.1% in 2018/2019 to 17.1% in 2020 and 17.3% in 2021 (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (2021 vs. 2018/2019): 1.13 (1.03–1.24)). The adjusted increase was strongest for patients aged 50–59 years (1.34 (1.09–1.64)) and those with high-grade tumors (1.27 (1.07–1.51)). While the early return to pre-pandemic age-standardized BC incidence rates is promising, missed cases have not been caught up until 2021. Furthermore, the decreased incidence in elderly women in 2021 warrants further attention. In early-stage BC, a slightly greater rate of mastectomies was observed, although such a change was not recommended. This result underlines the importance of good communication of adapted treatment guidelines in such exceptional circumstances.

Nitrogen excretion and utilisation of dairy cows grazing temperate semi-natural grasslands

Diets reliant on grazed, temperate herbage are prone to greater nitrogen (N) losses via urine than balanced stall-fed diets which poses a greater risk for N emissions. Measures for improving the N utilisation in grazing-based dairy cattle systems are predominantly investigated on homogenous clover-ryegrass pastures with high herbage yields and nutritional quality. In contrast, grazing-based systems reliant on less external inputs (e.g., synthetic fertilisers or concentrates) using semi-natural grassland as main feed source, such as in large parts of Central Europe, received less attention. The N utilisation and excretion of grazing cows in low-input dairy farms was, thus, investigated on nine commercial organic dairy farms in South Germany across one to four periods per farm. The dataset captured a diverse set of dairy production systems comprising 323 individual animal observations. A mean (± one standard deviation) milk production, DM intake (DMI), and pasture DMI of 23.9 kg (± 5.35), 21.0 kg (± 3.21), and 11.3 kg/d (± 4.83), respectively, was determined using titanium dioxide and faecal crude protein concentration as markers of faecal excretion and diet digestibility, respectively. Milk N use efficiency (MNE; i.e., milk N secretion as share of N intake) averaged 24.7 g/100 g N intake (± 5.91), which is greater than observations in temperate, high-input grazing systems but lower than in cows receiving balanced diets in the barn. The MNE and another seven indicators of N utilisation and excretion displayed a wide range of values. The grazing management factors explaining this variation were, thus, identified via backward elimination. The supplementation strategy had the greatest potential for manipulating N utilisation and excretion of dairy cows. Increasing shares of fresh forages (i.e., meadow grass or clover-grass leys) as well as of hay in supplement DMI increased N utilisation (e.g., MNE) and decreased urinary N excretion (e.g., urinary N to creatinine ratio), while increasing shares of concentrates in supplement DMI are related to lower N losses via urine. At the same time, increases in total supplement DMI reduced N utilisation and increased urinary N excretion. Hence, full-time grazing combined with supplementation of fresh forage and hay in the barn is a viable option for low-input, grazing-based dairy operations with moderate levels of N losses.

A Study on the User Perception of CMF Design in South Korea, China, and Germany -Focused on Decorative Paper in Wooden Surface Material-

A Study on the User Perception of CMF Design in South Korea, China, and Germany -Focused on Decorative Paper in Wooden Surface Material-

Seasonality Disrupted: Post-Pandemic Trends in Otorhinolaryngological Infections.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has notably affected the epidemiology of various infectious diseases. The imposed public health measures and disruptions in vaccination programs have potentially altered the patterns of these diseases post pandemic. Objective: To investigate the change in epidemiology of otorhinolaryngological infectious diseases in adult and pediatric patients after the COVID-19 pandemic and the relaxation of public health measures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large tertiary university otolaryngology department in the south of Germany, examining admissions with specific ICD-10 diagnoses from 2019 to 2023. Data were seasonally categorized and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 1728 inpatient cases were analyzed. There was a significant increase in otorhinolaryngological infections in the post-pandemic winter of 2022, particularly of peritonsillar abscesses, acute tonsillitis and acute mastoiditis. No significant post-pandemic spike in mononucleosis was observed. The duration of hospitalization was shorter in 2022, and the median age of patients did not change significantly pre- versus post-pandemic. Conclusions: The study indicates a significant post-pandemic rise in otorhinolaryngological infections. Remarkably, the typical "dip" in infections during the summer months was not observed in the post pandemic years, possibly reflecting the impact of the termination of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Mononucleosis was the only infection not following this pattern.

Was the German fuel discount passed on to consumers?

In this article, I analyze whether German gasoline stations passed on the gasoline tax reduction to consumers. I use a difference-in-differences approach with France as the control group, as well as data for all countries in the European Union. The German fuel discount was in effect from June to August 2022. As I am the first to use complete French and German high-frequency data for the entire treatment period, I can examine how the pass-through of the tax cut evolved over time, varied for different brands, and in various geographic regions. I find a substantial variance in pass-through rates over time and space. On average, the pass-through of the fuel discount was very high but remained incomplete for all fuel types. The pass-through rates were systematically lower in rural regions and in the south of Germany.

Monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood samples collected in three regions with known PFAS releases in the environment and three control regions in South Germany.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals. The present paper describes the analysis of 969 human blood samples collected in South Germany aiming to determine whether there are statistic significant differences in internal PFAS burden between three regions with known PFAS releases in the environment (study regions) and three regions without known PFAS releases in the environment (control regions). Nine environmental relevant PFAS were analyzed, including the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) substitute 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxy-propoxy)propanoic acid] ammonium salt (ADONA). We found that concentrations of PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were higher than for all other PFAS in all of the six regions, but all medians of PFOA (between 0.8 and 0.9ng/ml for the study and control regions) and PFOS (between 1.3 and 1.5ng/ml for the study regions and between 1.4 and 1.5ng/ml for the control regions) were below the human biomonitoring values (HBM) I for PFOA (2ng/ml) und for PFOS (5ng/ml) derived by the German HBM Commission. Concentrations of ADONA were below the limit of quantification in all samples. Minor differences were observed in PFAS blood levels between study and control regions. Especially for PFOS and PFOA the medians for women are slightly lower compared to men. In summary, individuals living in regions with known environmental PFAS contaminations show no higher internal PFAS exposure to controls and in comparison to other studies in the literature.

The impact of a digital guideline version on schizophrenia guideline knowledge: results from a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundClinical practice guidelines are crucial for enhancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Yet, their implementation remains inconsistent across various professions and disciplines. Previous findings on the implementation of the German guideline for schizophrenia (2019) revealed low adherence rates among healthcare professionals. Barriers to guideline adherence are multifaceted, influenced by individual, contextual, and guideline-related factors. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a digital guideline version compared to print/PDF formats in enhancing guideline adherence.MethodsA multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in South Bavaria, Germany, involving psychologists and physicians. Participants were divided into two groups: implementation of the guideline using a digital online version via the MAGICapp platform and the other using the traditional print/PDF version. The study included a baseline assessment and a post-intervention assessment following a 6-month intervention phase. The primary outcome was guideline knowledge, which was assessed using a guideline knowledge questionnaire.ResultsThe study included 217 participants at baseline and 120 at post-intervention. Both groups showed significant improvements in guideline knowledge; however, no notable difference was found between both study groups regarding guideline knowledge at either time points. At baseline, 43.6% in the control group (CG) and 52.5% of the interventional group (IG) met the criterion. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups at either time point (T0: Chi2(1) = 1.65, p = 0.199, T1: Chi2(1) = 0.34, p = 0.561). At post-intervention, both groups improved, with 58.2% in the CG and 63.5% in the IG meeting this criterion.ConclusionsWhile the study did not include a control group without any implementation strategy, the overall improvement in guideline knowledge following an implementation strategy, independent of the format, was confirmed. The digital guideline version, while not superior in enhancing knowledge, showed potential benefits in shared decision-making skills. However, familiarity with traditional formats and various barriers to digital application may have influenced these results. The study highlights the importance of tailored implementation strategies, especially for younger healthcare providers.Trial registrationhttps://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00028895

Elucidation of the life cycle of a saprotrophic inoperculate discomycete that is associated with pinesap using a polyphasic taxonomic approach

This study deals with the elucidation of the life cycle of an inoperculate discomycete that was eventually collected from conifer wood in South Germany and has become famous for the extraordinary diversity of its secondary metabolites when it was studied extensively during the 1990s. It had then been identified as Lachnum papyraceum (Lachnaceae, Helotiales) based on morphological traits, and extracts from its mycelial cultures were found to possess extraordinary nematicidal and antibiotic activities. Over 60 different secondary metabolites were finally identified from this fungus after extensive variation of culture media and scale-up of production up to 100-L scale. Among the main active principles were mycorrhizin A and chloromycorrhizin A, which had first been reported in 1977 from an unnamed “mycorrhizal” fungus of the hemiparasitic plant, Monotropa hypopitys (pinesap), that was isolated in Sweden. We noted that both the Lachnum strain and the original mycorrhizin producer were still available in the public domain and decided to study them for comparison using a multilocus phylogeny and also generated secondary metabolite profiles of both strains using analytical high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC–DAD/MS). Surprisingly, the sequence data as well as the secondary metabolite profiles of both strains were highly similar, and it was also confirmed by phylogenetic methods that the strains are indeed nested within the genus Lachnum by comparison of their ITS, LSU, and RPB2 sequences. The specimen called L. papyraceum in the old publications was tentatively re-identified by Hans-Otto Baral as L. cf. subvirgineum, but substantial further work on the taxonomy of the genus remains to be done, anyway. We conclude that some Lachnum species have a highly complex but all the more interesting life cycle, and the mycorrhizal symbiont partner may invade the host plant, where it may persist as an endophyte and finally turn saprotrophic on the wood of the senescent pine tree. The taxonomy of these fungi should also be further resolved in the future, using a polythetic concept that includes chemotaxonomic data and a multi-locus genealogy.

Understanding cross-cultural differences in pedagogical beliefs: A comparison among South Korean, Spanish, and German early childhood teachers

This study aimed to elucidate how cultural values and the ECE context in three distinct countries —South Korea, Spain, and Germany— shape teachers' perspectives on their pedagogy. This study unveiled three key findings. First, the study identified partial strong invariance for the pedagogical beliefs measure. Second, Korean ECE teachers showed significantly stronger constructivistic beliefs than Spanish teachers. Third, instructivistic beliefs were significantly higher among Korean teachers than German teachers. The findings emphasize the notable differences in teachers' pedagogical beliefs among the three countries, underscoring the substantial impact of cultural values and ECE background on the development of the teachers’ beliefs.

The Impact of Mega Sports Events on the Strength of the National Soft Power: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract This article examines the strategic use of mega sports events as a means to enhance national soft power, exploring the complex interplay between international sports diplomacy and geopolitical influence. The study will examine how these events serve as means of economic and cultural diplomacy and also as platforms for global interaction through a comparative analysis of countries that include South Africa, Brazil, Russia, Germany, and Qatar. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research synthesizes the existing literature and case studies to provide information on the objectives, strategies, and outcomes associated with hosting such events. This study aims to contribute to the larger discussion on soft power and its effectiveness in the modern international arena by analyzing the complex effects of these mega events on national branding. It does this by providing a nuanced understanding of how major international sporting events can affect geopolitical dynamics and shape international perceptions.

Enhancing Dementia Nursing Homes in South Korea: Lessons from German Building Standards

South Korea is an aging society with a rapidly increasing number of people with dementia. In that context, this study aimed to compare dementia nursing home building standards in South Korea and Germany, based on the minimum physical and architectural requirements specified by both countries’ relevant laws, to gain insights into improving South Korean building standards. I examined South Korea’s Welfare of Senior Citizens Act and its Enforcement Regulations, and Germany’s Federal Nursing Home Act (HeimG), Regulation on Minimum Standards for Nursing Homes (HeimMindBauV), and the corresponding state regulations. The analysis revealed differences regarding the basic requirements, facility sizes, composition of necessary rooms, and detailed regulations pertaining to these rooms. South Korea emphasized autonomy, including barrier-free and compensatory environments, as well as safety and security. Meanwhile, Germany enhanced similar aspects of autonomy to those in South Korea, including the barrier-free standard DIN 18040-2. Additionally, Germany incorporated features such as familiarity, sensory stimulation, legibility, and social interaction, reflecting aspects that offer orientational cues for autonomy. Improving South Korean building standards requires stronger regulations on the autonomy of individuals with dementia. Further, additional regulations on familiarity, sensory stimulation, legibility, and social interactions should be considered. The results provide foundational data for cross-national comparisons to establish building standards for dementia-friendly built spaces in dementia nursing homes in South Korea. Further surveys on spatial utilization, discussions, and the application of proposed improvements in Korea would contribute to enhancing the dementia-friendly nursing home design in the country.

The Toarcian Posidonia Shale at Salem (North Alpine Foreland Basin; South Germany): hydrocarbon potential and paleogeography

AbstractThe Posidonia Shale in the basement of the North Alpine Foreland Basin of southwestern Germany represents an important archive for environmental changes during the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event and the associated carbon isotope excursion (T-CIE). It is also an important hydrocarbon source rock. In the Salem borehole, the Posidonia Shale is ~ 10 m thick. The lower 7.5 m (1763.5–1756.0 m) of the Posidonian Shale and the uppermost part of the underlying Amaltheenton Formation were cored and studied using a total of 62 samples. Rock–Eval, palynological, maceral, biomarker and carbon isotope data were collected to assess variations in environmental conditions and to quantify the source rock potential. In contrast to most other Toarcian sections in southwest Germany, TOC contents are high in sediments deposited during the T-CIE, but reach a peak in post-CIE sediments. Biomarker ratios suggest that this reflects strong oxygen-depletion during the T-CIE (elegantulum to lower elegans subzones), but also during the falciferum Subzone, which is also reflected by a prolonged dinoflagellate cyst blackout. While sediments of the tenuicostatum Zone to the elegans Subzone are thinner than in neighbouring sections (e.g., Dotternhausen), sediments of the falciferum Subzone are unusually thick, suggesting that increased subsidence might have contributed to anoxia. The T-CIE interval is very thin (0.75 m). δ13C values of n-alkanes show that the maximum negative isotope shift predates the strongest basin restriction during the T-CIE and that the carbon isotope shift is recorded earlier for aquatic than for terrigenous organisms. In Salem, the Posidonia Shale is thermally mature and highly oil-prone. The residual source petroleum potential is about 0.8 tHC/m2. Graphical Abstract

Cracking the code: unveiling the nexus between atopic dermatitis and addictive behavior: a cross-sectional exploration of risk factors

Atopic dermatitis (AD) stands as a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a global reach. Beyond its cutaneous manifestations, AD is accompanied by comorbidities and psychological issues, significantly compromising the overall quality of life for individuals who suffer from AD. Previous research has evidenced a heightened prevalence of addictive disorders among dermatological patients when compared to the general population. Considering these findings, this study endeavors to examine the prevalence of addictive disorders among AD patients and, furthermore, to discern potential risk factors associated with this comorbidity. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with AD diagnosed by dermatologists within a large university hospital in Munich, South Germany, between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients received an anonymous paper-based questionnaire comprising standardized and reliable assessment tools concerning disease severity, quality of life, sexual dysfunction, well-being, and anxiety disorder as well as screening tools for various addictive disorders (compulsive internet use, drug abuse, pathological alcohol consumption, and smoking). Data were analyzed descriptively, and a multivariate logistic regression model was conducted. A total of 208 patients participated in the study, comprising 38% males and 62% females with a mean age of 44.8 ± standard deviation:17.9 years. Females showed a higher mean POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure) score compared to males (female 14.6 ± 7.8; male 12.5 ± 7.7), as well as a higher DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) (female 8.5 ± 6; male 6.5 ± 6.5). Positive addictions were found in 14.9% for daily smoking, 15.4% for critical alcohol consumption, 16.8% for compulsive internet use, and 5.8% for drug abuse. Younger patients were more likely to be affected by one or multiple addictions than older patients. Patients with at least one addiction showed significantly impaired well-being and increased severe anxiety symptoms. Given the notable prevalence of addictive disorders among individuals with AD, it could be useful to implement systematic screening for such conditions as part of patient-centered care, especially focusing on young AD patients or those displaying concurrent indications of depression or anxiety.

University Attendance and the Development of a Correspondence Network: The Case of Basel, ca. 1500–1550

This essay presents a prosopographical analysis of the social network revealed by the surviving correspondence of two dozen humanists and reformers in southern Germany and Switzerland between 1510 and 1555. Over half of the members of this correspondence network obtained a master’s degree or higher, placing them among Germany’s learned elite. As students, these men formed connections with future colleagues, employers, and patrons, and so their decisions about where to study were significant. The largest number of future network members matriculated in Basel’s university, although it was the smallest university in German-speaking Europe. Many Basel students also studied at one of the other universities in southern Germany or continued their studies in France or Italy. Basel’s small size and the mobility of its students were two factors that encouraged network formation. The university of Basel attracted students through the early sixteenth century, but it was particularly important for the generation born after 1510 as one of the few places where Protestants could obtain a degree. Basel’s influence was largely limited to south Germany and Switzerland, but it played a role in shaping the learned elite of this region that was analogous to that of Wittenberg in central and northern Germany.

Transition conflicts: A Gramscian political ecology perspective on the contested nature of sustainability transitions

Despite a broad consensus on sustainability, conflicts are increasingly prevalent in sustainability transitions. Although these conflicts significantly influence transition dynamics and socio-ecological futures, the role of conflicts in sustainability transitions remains insufficiently addressed. This paper aims to elucidate the contested dynamics of sustainability transitions by merging political ecology's emphasis on conflicts, nature, power, and justice with Gramscian hegemony theory. The integrated framework of Gramscian political ecology enables the analysis of transition conflicts as struggles for hegemony on the terrain of society-nature relations amid ecological crises. A brief comparative study of coal transitions in South Africa and Germany serves to illustrate the key insights that Gramscian political ecology offers into the contested nature of sustainability transitions, including conflict dynamics, power strategies, and barriers and potentials for radical transformative change.

Identifying exurbs: A multi-criteria approach for Germany

The debate about exurbanites and exurbs has ever been an Anglo-American phenomenon. Due to the limitless space for growth and the individual preferences of living in single-family homes, the exurban census tracts were the fastest growing urban type in the USA for several decades. The increase in highway infrastructure lead to an auto-centric development of land and an ongoing urban sprawl in search for natural amenities and affordable housing. This was not the case in Europe for a long time as Europeans preferred to live closer to the place of work and the historically grown structures of the urban development. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the restructuring of a new office culture with remote work as the new condition and growing preferences for more living space and green amenities, exurbs could also evolve in the European context. In this investigation, the authors try to identify exurbs in the German context based on a multi-criteria analysis. We find that they are mostly located in the east and north of Germany around Hamburg and Berlin, and to a minor extent to the west and south of Germany. While there has not been a significant increase of exurbs in the past years, the question remains whether the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the exurbanisation and the related issues to a sustainable urban development according to SDG 11. Further research on the characteristics of exurbs is needed to provide additional policy recommendations and monitor the development of potential exurbs in the future.

Effectiveness of a coordinated ambulatory care program for patients with mental disorders or multiple sclerosis: results of a prospective non-randomized controlled trial in South Germany.

The Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (PNP) program of the German statutory health insurance AOK BW promotes coordinated and evidence-based specialist care with the aim of providing individualized, guideline-based outpatient care, strengthening the collaboration between health care providers, as well as reducing care costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness regarding patient-reported outcomes compared to the less specialized general practitioner program (GP) and usual care (UC). AOK insured patients, who were on sick leave due to a mental disorder (affective disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, somatoform disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, schizophrenia) or multiple sclerosis were included in the prospective non-randomized controlled study. All patients either participated in the PNP program (intervention group, IG-PNP), the general practitioner program (control group, CG-GP) or usual care (control group, CG-UC). Entropy balancing was used to adjust for baseline imbalance between groups. Primary outcome was health-related quality of life, assessed by the Short-form health survey (SF-36) 12 months after diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included symptom severity, functional health, and treatment satisfaction. Of the 14,483 insured patients who were contacted, 1,104 patients participated at baseline and 725 at follow-up. The adjusted mean differences of SF-36 sum score did not significantly differ between groups: -1.89 (95%-CI = -4.60; 0.81, p = 0.170) between IG-PNP and CG-GP, and -1.42 (95%-CI = -4.05; 1.22, p = 0.293) between PNP and CG-UC. The adjusted mean differences of secondary outcomes did not differ between groups, except for a slightly higher increase of functional health in CG-UC. We found no evidence that the PNP program is superior to the GP program or to usual care in terms of patient-reported outcomes or treatment satisfaction. The results are limited by the low response rate. Accordingly, future studies should strive for more representative samples. To improve the program, an integration of further collaborative care elements and guideline recommendations might be useful. DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register https://drks.de/search/en); identifier (DRKS00013114).

Acceptance of E-Motorcycles: A Longitudinal Survey at Loewensteiner Platte, South Germany

The acceptance of e-motorcycles among German motorcyclists is the focus of this quantitative longitudinal study. By comparing survey results from 2017 and 2022, questions about changes in perception of e-motorcycles over time as well as possible stimulating factors are analyzed. The research design is built upon literature research, a secondary literature analysis, and a survey of motorcyclists. Statistical procedures are used for data analysis and interpretation. The literature analysis enables the present study to be integrated into the current state of research. The findings show that the willingness to consider an e-motorcycle as the next purchase was low in 2017 and dropped from 20% to 5% in 2022, which contrasts with the rising sales figures of e-motorcycles in the German market. Based on these findings, conclusions are drawn about the market potential of e-motorcycles in Germany and an overview of the general assessments and concerns of motorcyclists is provided.

Towards a functional understanding of rehabilitated urban road verge grasslands: Effects of planting year, site conditions, and landscape factors

Urbanization causes ecosystem degradation and losses of biodiversity. Still, urban landscapes favor organisms, depending on how well they fit the anthropogenic conditions. Creating urban green spaces of high ecological quality, such as pollinator-friendly road verges, promotes biodiversity in cities. We sowed a seed mixture consisting of 26 native plant species with diverse functional traits in 46 road verge patches along four urban roads in Munich (South Germany) in 2019/20 and monitored in 2020/21. Control were pre-existing turfgrass patches with conventional management. We assessed species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou's evenness, whereas functional composition was evaluated via functional richness, evenness, and divergence, based on 13 plant traits. To study urbanization effects on species and functional composition, we analyzed soil characteristics and tree shading at the local level, as well as distance to city center, imperviousness, and edge density at the landscape level. We used linear models and ordination analysis to assess treatment, local and landscape effects, and the influence of planting year on taxonomic and functional composition. Rehabilitation treatment explained most differences in species and functional composition. Species richness was lower in the city center and at sites with high soil organic matter; Pielou's evenness increased with soil pH. Trait composition differed between rehabilitated and control patches, and varied according to planting year. Soil bulk density negatively affected functional richness for all traits combined, and edge density reduced functional evenness of establishment traits. We conclude that urban filtering, in combination with planting year, shapes species and trait composition of rehabilitated road verges. Hence, local and landscape-level trait–environment interactions affect the assembly of road verge grasslands. Finally, our findings suggest that establishment traits have a pivotal role in the development of rehabilitated road verges, while the predictability of rehabilitation outcomes may be hindered even when seeding specifically designed seed mixtures.

Cutaneous apocrine gland neoplasia in 16 captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)

This retrospective study documents the occurrence of single and multiple cutaneous apocrine gland tumours (CATs) on the dorsal midline of 16 captive African wild dogs (AWDs, Lycaon pictus) derived from 161 submissions to diagnostic laboratories in South Africa, France and Germany between 1997 and 2022. Animals included in the study came from zoological institutions in South Africa (n = 2), France (n = 5) and Germany (n = 1) and ranged from 5 to 14 years of age. Fifteen affected animals were female (94%) and one was male. CATs presented as raised, hairless, multilobular, grey firm masses, consistently located along the dorsal midline. Apart from a single cutaneous apocrine adenoma and a cystadenoma occurring concurrently with two non-cystic adenocarcinomas, neoplasms were consistent with malignant cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinomas with lymphatic spread and visceral metastases. Advanced age and female sex were identified as risk factors. A genetic component or association with the increasing use of GnRH agonist contraceptives was suspected but could not be established. This study highlights the need for close clinical monitoring of AWDs over the age of 5 years for the development of CATs along the dorsal midline and supports early surgical intervention. More research is needed to determine the role of inbreeding, endocrine changes and husbandry factors that may play a role in the development of CATs on the dorsal midline of AWDs.