Digital Commons Network^™

What Is Known About The Fish Intake Of People Living In Disadvantaged Communities In The Uk? A Scoping Review, Sarah Gale, Roseline Aboluwade, Louise Hunt, Clare Pettinger

School of Health Professions

Fish provides essential nutrients, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish) and other micronutrients, and may be seen to have a prominent role in protecting against non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Recent UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey analysis suggests people are not meeting their weekly fish intake recommendation of at least two portions per week, of which one should be oily. Lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to eat poor-quality diets, with low fish intake, resulting in poor health outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the factors influencing fish consumption in people living within ‘disadvantaged …

When The Eyes Break The (Naturalistic) Scene: Investigation On The Eye-Gaze Following Mechanisms In Complex Scenarios, Bianca Monachesi, Anna Pecchinenda, Gustav Kuhn

School of Psychology

Processing eye-gaze and aligning one’s own attention with the gaze direction of others (gaze following) is a crucial ability and it underpins several cognitive and affective mechanisms. However, we know little about how this gaze following operates in realistic scenarios in adults. The present study addresses this gap by presenting naturalistic scenes, in which models were portrayed centrally or peripherally (7°), with their eye gaze directed straight ahead, averted towards an object (valid cue) or away from it (invalid cue), while maintaining a straight head position. Eye movements were recorded while participants (N = 60) performed two tasks: a free …

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Large (1–5 Mm) Microplastics On The Strandline Of A Macrotidal Sandy Beach (Polzeath, Southwest England) And Their Association With Beach-Cast Seaweed, Catherine Beale, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and persistent contaminants of the marine environment, but a clear understanding of their cycling, fate, and impacts in coastal zones is lacking. In this study, large MPs (1–5 mm) were sampled spatially and temporally from the strandline of a macrotidal, sandy beach (Polzeath) in southwest England. MPs encompassing a diversity of sources were categorised by morphology (foams, nurdles, biobeads, fragments, fibres, films) and quantified by number and mass, with a selection analysed for polymer type. A total of about 17,600 particles of around 350 g in mass were retrieved from 30 samples over a period of …

Identification Of Critical Brain Regions For Autism Diagnosis From Fmri Data Using Explainable Ai: An Observational Analysis Of The Abide Dataset, Suryansh Vidya, Kush Gupta, Amir Aly, Andy Wills, Emmanuel Ifeachor, Rohit Shankar

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) significantly improves quality of life, yet current diagnostic practices rely on subjective behavioural assessments. While machine learning models using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) show promise for objective diagnosis, existing approaches have critical limitations. High-accuracy models often neglect interpretability, increasing clinical distrust, while interpretable approaches frequently suffer from low accuracy and lack neuroscientific validation of identified biomarkers. Furthermore, no studies have systematically benchmarked which interpretability methods are most effective for fMRI data, hindering the translation of Artificial intelligence (AI) findings into clinical practice.

METHODS: In this observational study, we used the Autism Brain …

Addressing Food System Determinants Of Health Inequalities In Urban Environments:: Learnings From The Foodsequal And Foodsequal-Health Projects, Carol Wagstaff, Clare Pettinger

School of Health Professions

Diet is just one social determinant of health, with obesity and diet-related illness as leading causes of premature deaths and disability in the UK. People living in deprived areas of the UK are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, linked to many social determinants of health such as diet, housing, employment, education, power and discrimination and psycho-social factors such as isolation, quality of social network and perceived level of control. While socio-economic deprivation is a key risk for health inequalities, protected characteristics, vulnerable groups and geographical factors also indicate populations at risk of experiencing health inequalities. In this ‘opinion …

A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Valproate And Infertility In Men With Epilepsy Or Bipolar Disorder Using International Health Data, Lance Watkins

Peninsula Medical School

Valproate is highly effective at treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It faces prescribing restrictions in men due to concerns it causes testicular dysfunction and infertility. These mostly stem from animal models – the human evidence is limited and conflicting. We report the largest ever retrospective cohort study of infertility in men with epilepsy or bipolar disorder, using real-world healthcare data from TriNetX. 91,917 of the men are exposed to valproate, and 535,803 unexposed. Cohorts are propensity score matched for a comprehensive set of baseline covariates, and survival analysis is undertaken using Cox-proportional hazards models. No significant difference is seen between …

Young People’S Experiences Of Living With Endocrine Conditions., Hannah Godfrey, Alyson Norman, Susan Jackson, Yasmin Steven

School of Psychology

Background: The management of endocrine conditions can beproblematic and have a detrimental impact on mental wellbeing. Despitethe large number of young people with a range of endocrine conditions,research is limited on the psychological and physical impact of theconditions on their daily lives.Aim: To explore the lived experiences of young people aged 10 to 25 withendocrine conditions regarding condition management and psychosocialsymptoms.Methods: Nine young people aged 11 to 25 years (all female) took part insemi-structured interviews about the impact of their condition. Data wereexplored using thematic analysis.Findings: Three themes were identified: impact on daily life (includingcondition management, organisation, impact on work …

British Academic Psychiatry At A Crossroads: Lessons From The Past 20years And Priorities For The Next 20 Years, Rohit Shankar, Laura Bowater, Richard Laugharne, Derek K. Tracy, Hugo Critchley, Allan H. Young, John R. Terry, Dinesh Bhugra, Regi Alexander

Peninsula Medical School

The past twenty years, British academic psychiatry has made significant scientific advances in neurosciences, psychopharmacology, imaging and genetics with patients increasingly being involved as research partners. However, this progress has coincided with marked structural deterioration. Despite a 50% expansion in medical school places and rising mental health needs, full-time academic psychiatrists numbers fell from 330 in 2004 to 206 in 2023. This reduction has constrained research capacity, limited educational opportunities, and exacerbated regional disparities. The current academic landscape is precarious. While research-active services deliver demonstrably better patient outcomes and service outcomes (productivity/efficiency), the research workforce remains small and unevenly distributed. …

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words: Understanding How People Conceptualise Autism Through Images, Gray Atherton, Emily Dawson, Andrea Piovesan, Lauren Hawksworth-Quill, Liam Cross

School of Psychology

Conceptions of autism and neurodiversity vary widely, with differing views on how they are portrayed in contemporary culture. Although autism scholars have long advocated for greater involvement of autistic individuals in knowledge creation, meaningful co-production between autistic stakeholders, researchers, and the broader community remains limited. To explore differences in autism knowledge between autistic and non-autistic people, we used a qualitative method called visual elicitation. We invited the public to upload an image they felt represented autism and explain their choice. Through thematic analysis of these images and their accompanying descriptions, we identified three key themes highlighting how autism is currently …

Investigating Temperature Influences On Shell Growth And Microstructural Variations In Bay Scallops: Insights From Multiscale Microscopy, Benazir Khurshid, Arnaud Benchetrite, Lise Guichaoua, Nicolas Brodusch, Bryce D. Stewart, Roland Kröger, Raynald Gauvin, Martin Mallet, Réjean Tremblay, Natalie Reznikov

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Scallops (order Pectinida) are well-known for their robust and beautiful calcitic shells that protect them from external impacts and predators. Scallops respond to environmental conditions, including water temperature, salinity, and food supply, which are reflected in the shell growth rates and patterning. The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) is a species of high ecological and aquacultural value in North America, and its habitat may expand towards higher latitudes with inevitable global warming. To investigate the effect of water temperature on the accretion rate and the polycrystalline microstructure of the Bay scallop shell, we conducted a controlled growth experiment on juveniles, 4 …

Combined Crystallographic Study Of King Scallop (Pecten Maximus) Shells Using Sem, Ebsd And Raman Spectroscopy, Lise Guichaoua, Natalie Reznikov, Bryce D. Stewart, Roland Kröger, Raynald Gauvin

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The shells of Pecten maximus (king scallop) are composed primarily of polycrystalline calcitic calcium carbonate, with a crucial aragonitic prismatic myostracum layer that facilitates soft tissue attachment and contributes to mechanical strength. Despite its importance, the impact of environmental stressors, such as metal contamination, on the myostracum remains underexplored. Hence, this study's main goal was to shed light on the microstructure and crystallography of king scallop shells, particularly the myostracum region, using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. This approach was chosen to develop new protocols that integrate imaging techniques for …

Smart Aquaculture Technology: Building Climate Resilience And Food Security In The Agrifood Supply Chain, Ikape Simon I., Goma Ruth P., Lise Hunter, Ed-Idoko John O., Christiana O. N.

Plymouth Business School

This paper examines the impacts of climate change on fish production within the agrifood supply chain and its implications for food security. It reviews smart aquaculture technologies as key adaptation and mitigation strategies for sustainable fish production and resilient food security. Adaptation measures include data-driven tools for site and species selection, as well as automated monitoring systems and predictive models that enable proactive risk management under climate variability. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing the sector’s carbon footprint through optimized feed utilization, waste reduction, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Findings suggest that smart aquaculture not only strengthens production efficiency …

O5-02 How And Why Preconception Health Among People Living With Obesity Could Be Improved By Including Obesity As A Health Condition In: Abstracts From The 10th Meeting Of The Association For The Study Of Obesity: Uk Congress On Obesity 2025, Heather Hopper, Kerryn Husk, Kate Maslin, Jill Shawe

School of Nursing and Midwifery

University Of Plymouth, Plymouth, UKPeople living with obesity have a greater chance of developingcomplications during pregnancy and are over-represented inmaternal mortality data relating to both direct and indirect causesduring pregnancy and up to a year after the birth of their child. Inaddition, epigenetic influences result in metabolic changes inoffspring of people living with obesity leading to a greater chanceof them experiencing long-term health consequences. In view ofthese health concerns, people living with obesity are advised to loseweight in the preconception period, before becoming pregnant.Sustained weight loss, however, can be difficult to achieve, andpeople do not always seek preconception advice. The …

Challenges And Opportunities In Reducing Risk Of Diabetes-Related Cardiovascular Disease: Making Every Contact Count, Michelle Clapham

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Despite recent Government initiatives to reduce rates, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes isexpected to continue rising to almost 10% of the population by 2035. Complications of type 2diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), contribute to approximately 22 000 deathsannually in England, indicating a need for population health management through preventativehealthcare. The Making Every Contact Count (MECC) initiative recommends the building ofpreventative strategies into routine primary care appointments to reduce modifiable risk factorsassociated with both type 2 diabetes and CVD. This article explores the unique opportunitiesgeneral practice nurses have to promote primary and secondary prevention of CVD.

The Immeasurable Value Of Plankton To Humanity, Maria Grigoratou, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Abigail Mcquatters-Gollop, George Arhonditsis, Luis Felipe Artigas, Sakina-Dorothée Ayata, Dalida Bedikoğlu, Beatrix E Beisner, Bingzhang Chen, Claire Davies, Lillian Diarra, Owoyemi W Elegbeleye, Jason D Everett, Tatiane M Garcia, Wendy C Gentleman, Rodrigo Javier Gonçalves, Tamar Guy-Haim, Svenja Halfter, Jana Hinners, Richard R Horaeb, Jenny A Huggett, Catherine L Johnson, Maria T Kavanaugh, Ana Lara-Lopez, Christian Lindemann, Celeste López-Abbate, Monique Messié, Klas Ove Möller, Enrique Montes, Frank E Muller-Karger

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Plankton, a diverse group of aquatic organisms, make Earth livable, regulate aquatic life, and provide benefits to human societies such as access to clean water, food security, and well-being. They also support economies and inspire biotechnological innovations. This article aims to raise awareness of the value of plankton to humanity and serves as an informative guide for aquatic professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in plankton. We present the value of plankton across six themes of human interest: biogeochemistry; ecology; climate; the evolution of science; economy; and culture, recreation, and well-being. Guided by the 2022 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and …

Advancing Statistical Literacy In Eye Care: A Series For Enhanced Clinical Decision-Making: Part 2: Statistical Testing In Eye And Vision Research – Principles And Practices, Daniela Oehring

School of Health Professions

Purpose: To enhance statistical literacy in eye and vision Research through practical guidance on hypothesis testing, test selection, and interpreting inferential statistics. The goal is to reduce common analytical errors and support more clinically meaningful conclusions in ophthalmic studies.Material and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify best practices in hypothesis testing, error control, and test selection relevant to clinical research in ophthalmologyand optometry. Simulated datasets, based on real-world clinical scenarios, were generated in Python to illustrate core concepts. Worked examples demonstrate the Impact of sample size, data distribution, and error …

Targeting Fear Of Cancer Recurrence With Internet-Based Emotional Freedom Techniques (Ieft) And Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (Immi) (Bgog-Gyn1b/Remote), Laura Tack, Lore Mertens, Marte Vandeweyer, Fien Florin, Emma Pauwels, Thaïs Baert, Tom Boterberg, Christel Fontaine, Kurt Geldhof, Caroline Lamot, Christine Langenaeken, Jeroen Mebis, Laure-Anne Teuwen, Katherine Vandenborre, Heidi Van Den Bulck, Florence Van Ryckeghem, Mohammad Najlah, Patricia Schofield, Philip R. Debruyne

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Approximately one-third of cancer survivors report a need for professional help to cope with Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR). In the REMOTE trial, we aim to investigate the efficacy of two internet-based mind-body techniques to address this currently unmet medical need. Cancer survivors, screened using the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), are randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: (1) internet-based emotional freedom techniques (iEFT) (n = 113), (2) an active control condition internet-based mindfulness meditation intervention (iMMI) (n = 113), or (3) a wait-list control group (WLC) (n = 113). The interventions iEFT and iMMI are conducted remotely …

Modeling The Effects Of Cyclical Masticatory Forces In A 3d Oral Mucosal Model In Vitro, Samantha Robins, Vehid Salih, Alastair Lomax, Sian Crow, Zoe Brookes, Andrew Foey, Simon A. Whawell

Peninsula Dental School

This study describes the development of a three-dimensional (3D) oral mucosal model (OMM) to investigate how oral tissues respond to masticatory forces. The OMMs replicated key features of human oral mucosa, such as stratified keratinocyte telomerase-immortalized gingival keratinocytes (TIGK) layers and fibroblast-populated collagen matrices. Cyclical mechanical forces (0-10 N) for 2 h applied to the model caused force-dependent changes in the histological structure, including thinning of the epithelium and collagen matrix and cell displacement at higher forces. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays revealed that 10 N forces led to significant cell damage (about 50% cell death) in TIGK monolayers, whereas …

A Fluorescence Lifetime-Based Flim-Timer For Measuring The Protein Turnover Of Transcription Factor Nrf2 In Live Cells, Dina Dikovskaya, Claudia Bento-Pereira, Kanade Shiga, Andrea Corno, Maureen Higgins, Rachel Toth, Adrian T. Saurin, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova

Peninsula Medical School

Measuring protein turnover in cells has been greatly assisted by fluorescent timers (FT). However, FT quantification requires relatively high fluorescence intensity samples, prohibiting their use for proteins with low or non-uniform expression like transcription factor Nrf2, the master regulator of redox homeostasis. To visualise changes in stability/turnover of Nrf2, we constructed a genetically encoded tag combining sfGFP and mCherry and used intensity-independent Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) to measure Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) within the tag (named FLIM-timer). We show that the ability of mCherry to act as a FRET-acceptor develops as the protein matures, allowing the use of FLIM-FRET …

Ai-Driven Biomedical Perspectives On Mental Fatigue In The Post-Covid-19 Era: Trends, Research Gaps, And Future Directions, Saba Parveen, Md Belal Bin Heyat, Umair Tariq, Faijan Akhtar, Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan, Seth Christopher Yaw Appiah, Shang-Ming Zhou, Huang Lei

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Mental fatigue is a complex condition arising from various neurological processes and influenced by external factors such as stress and cognitive demands. This comprehensive review elucidates the primary neurological mechanisms underlying mental fatigue, particularly emphasizing how it was elevated or otherwise affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore the intricate relationship between prolonged cognitive tasks, chronic stress, and the development of mental fatigue, emphasizing the impacts that mental fatigue has on mental health across diverse populations. Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence techniques, including machine learning and deep learning, this study identifies and quantifies the patterns of mental fatigue. The innovative approach …

An Assessment Model For Linking Changes In Pelagic Habitat State To Impacts On Human Wellbeing, Matthew P. Faith, Siân E. Rees, Angus Atkinson, Mike Best, Eileen Bresnan, Michelle J. Devlin, Matthew M. Holland, Holly J. Niner, Clare Ostle, Paul Tett, Abigail Mcquatters-Gollop

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Plankton monitoring datasets help inform indicators for marine biodiversity assessments under the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive and United Kingdom Marine Strategy. These indicators are used to assess long-term changes in the state of the pelagic habitats of the Northeast Atlantic which then guide policy formation and implementation to achieve Good Environmental Status. Across all ecosystems, environmental change has the potential to impact upon human wellbeing by changing the quantity and quality of ecosystem services. Here, we develop a socio-ecological assessment model that can describe how variations in pelagic habitat state, evidenced by plankton indicators, can impact human wellbeing. …

A Comprehensive Review Of Frugal Artificial Intelligence: Challenges, Applications, And The Road To Sustainable Ai, Nancy Girdhar, Aditya Raj, Deepak Sharma, Vinay Singh, Antoine Doucet, Matthias Renz

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its transformative impact in creating learning models, processing extensive datasets, and executing intricate calculations rapidly. Nevertheless, achieving optimal performance with AI models demands substantial investment in powerful and expensive high-end hardware. The learning models running on the hardware are complex, requiring massive data and huge training time. However, the race to achieve higher accuracy and computational limitations of AI further poses a threat to the environment and thus provides motivation to develop AI technology that is cost-effective, scalable, and suitable for resource-constrained environments, Frugal Artificial Intelligence, or Frugal AI. The objective of this paper is …

Genetic Overlap Between Functional Impairment And Depression And Anxiety Symptom Severity: Evidence From The Glad Study, Megan Skelton, Jessica Mundy, Abigail Ter Kuile, Brett Adey, Cherie Armour, Joshua Buckman, Jonathan Coleman, Molly Davies, Colette R. Hirsch, Matthew Hotopf, Ian Jones, Gursharan Kalsi, Georgina Krebs, Sang Hyuck Lee, Yuhao Lin, Andrew M. Mcintosh, Alicia J. Peel, Christopher Rayner, Katharine Rimes, Daniel J. Smith, Katherine N. Thompson, David Veale, James T.R. Walters, Christopher Hübel, Gerome Breen, Thalia C. Eley

School of Psychology

BACKGROUND: Functional impairment in daily activities, such as work and socializing, is part of the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and most anxiety disorders. Despite evidence that symptom severity and functional impairment are partially distinct, functional impairment is often overlooked. To assess whether functional impairment captures diagnostically relevant genetic liability beyond that of symptoms, we aimed to estimate the heritability of, and genetic correlations between, key measures of current depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and functional impairment.

METHODS: In 17,130 individuals with lifetime depression or anxiety from the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study, we analyzed total scores …

Contrasting Responses To Riverine Barrier Modification And Fish Pass Provision In Two Anadromous Non-Salmonid Species During Their Spawning Migrations, Mark I.A. Yeldham, J. Robert Britton, Charles Crundwell, Peter Davies, Jamie R. Dodd, Chris Grzesiok, Andrew D. Nunn, Randolph Velterop, Jonathan D. Bolland

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Anthropogenic in-river structures represent barriers to migrating fishes. Fish pass designs usually focus on passing anadromous salmonids, and fish pass studies usually focus on site-scale metrics, failing to consider the wider effects. Weir passage metrics and spawning distributions of anadromous iteroparous twaite shad Alosa fallax and semelparous sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus were assessed using acoustic telemetry between 2018 and 2023, within a catchment-scale reconnection programme on the River Severn (‘Unlocking the Severn’ [UtS]). Reconnection was by fish pass installation (Severn mainstem; 3 deep-vertical slot (DVS), 1 column bypass) and weir modification (Teme tributary; 1 partial removal/reduced head height, 1 reduced …

Nemvaleukin Alfa Monotherapy In Patients With Advanced Melanoma And Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From The Phase 1/2 Non-Randomized Artistry-1 Trial, Emiliano Calvo, Valentina Boni, Olivier Dumas, Sang Joon Shin, Seth D Rosen, Arvind Chaudhry, Philip R Debruyne, Xiaomin He, Ulka N Vaishampayan, David F Mcdermott

School of Nursing and Midwifery

BACKGROUND: Despite improved outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and their combinations in advanced solid tumors, a subset of patients remains unresponsive or progresses, highlighting an unmet need for novel treatments with durable benefit. Nemvaleukin alfa (nemvaleukin, ALKS 4230) demonstrated manageable safety and antitumor activity, alone and in combination with pembrolizumab, across heavily pretreated advanced solid tumors in the ARTISTRY-1 study. We report in-depth antitumor activity, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of nemvaleukin monotherapy at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) in advanced melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cohorts from ARTISTRY-1.

METHODS: ARTISTRY-1 was a three-part (A, B, and C), …

Microplastics And Other Plastic-Like Microdebris In Sediments From The Dart River And Estuary, Southwest England, Maia Killian, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Surficial sediment samples (n = 10) collected from a transect of a river-estuary (Dart) in southwest England have been analysed for geochemical characteristics, anthropogenic metals (Cr, Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn), and microplastics (∼50 μm–5 mm) and other microplastic-like debris. Results indicated the finest grains towards the lower river and upper estuary, a seaward increase in sedimentary Ca, and loss on ignition ranging from about 0.7 to 4 %. Anthropogenic metals were heterogeneously distributed throughout the catchment with maximum concentrations in the river or lower estuary. Microplastics were dominated by fibres, with concentrations ranging from 110 to 1800 kg−1 and composition …

Counteracting Cascades Challenge The Heterogeneity-Stability Relationship, Jordi Sola, Tom P. Fairchild, Matthew J. Perkins, James C. Bull, John N. Griffin

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Spatial environmental heterogeneity is widely assumed to enhance ecological stability by promoting refugia, biodiversity and asynchrony. Yet, we lack field experiments testing this fundamental relationship and its underlying mechanisms in naturally assembled multitrophic systems. To address this gap, we monitored experimental substrates replicating topographic heterogeneity on a rocky shore over 3 years. Contrary to theory, heterogeneity showed no net effect on community stability due to four counteracting pathways. Heterogeneity increased stability by (i) providing refugia that enhanced population stability and (ii) boosting species richness, which promoted asynchrony. At the same time, it decreased stability by (iii) reducing a dominant non-native …

Exploring Tricine As A Novel Red Cell Cryopreservative: Lessons And Future Directions, Thomas Bailey-Schmidt, Christine V Saunders, Chloë E George, Thomas G Scorer, Lynn M R Mccallum, Tracey E Madgett

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cryopreservation allows for storage of red blood cells (RBCs) beyond the standard 35-day period. Current glycerol-based methods are labour-intensive and scale-limited in application. Tricine has been identified as a potential alternative cryoprotectant (CPA), demonstrating efficacy in sheep RBC. This study aims to evaluate the biocompatibility and efficacy of tricine in human RBC cryopreservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human and sheep RBCs were exposed to varying concentrations of tricine (2.0-20.0% w/v) or glycerol (20.0-40.0% w/v). Biocompatibility was assessed via 24-h incubation at 4°C, while cryoprotective efficacy was evaluated following freezing in liquid nitrogen, storage at -80°C and thawing at …

Husbandry And Management Interventions For The Conservation And Welfare Of Captive Animals – A Systematic Evidence Map, Anaelle Lemasson Lemasson

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Zoos and aquariums are poised to play increasingly important roles in mitigating the global biodiversity crisis. However, the ultimate success of ex-situ conservation depends on animal welfare and effective husbandry and management practices. As such, an empirical understanding of ‘what works’ in zoo management is crucial for guiding success and embedding cost-effective practices. Here, we present the first systematic evidence map for husbandry and management interventions used in zoos and aquariums. We identified and extracted 1,070 articles spread across 45 journals, and examined patterns within taxonomic, spatial, temporal, and thematic categories. Studies originated from 516 institutions in 69 countries, and …

Protective Multi-Stressor Interactions In The Anthropocene: Key Considerations For Investigating Cross-Tolerance In A Conservation Context, Essie M Rodgers, Simone Baldanzi, Michael Collins, W Wesley Dowd, Lauric Feugere, Giovanna Mottola, Fanny Vermandele, Daniel F Gomez Isaza

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

In the Anthropocene, species are increasingly faced with multiple stressors that are more severe and less predictable than before. While multiple stressors often interact to affect organisms negatively, sometimes these interactions can be beneficial, enhancing resilience through cross-protection. Cross-protection interactions occur when exposure to one stressor, such as elevated temperature, enhances an organism’s tolerance to a different stressor, like hypoxia, through shared protective mechanisms or signaling pathways. Understanding the potential for cross-protection to combat rapid and diverse environmental change is crucial for conservation, as it potentially alters the predicted consequences of such change. Here, we outline 10 key considerations for …