Alpine viper in changing climate: thermal ecology and prospects of a cold-adapted reptile in the warming Mediterranean.

In a rapidly changing thermal environment, reptiles are primarily dependent on in situ adaptation because of their limited ability to disperse and the restricted opportunity to shift their ranges. However, the rapid pace of climate change may surpass these adaptation capabilities or elevate energy expenditures. Therefore, understanding the variability in thermal traits at both individual and population scales is crucial, offering insights into reptiles' vulnerability to climate change.

A Qualitative Analysis of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Management Program to Reduce Stress and Burnout for Health Care Staff.

Occupational stress in the work setting can lead to burnout. Health care workers are at a higher risk of experiencing stress and burnout. Mindfulness has gained momentum as a coping mechanism for stress and feelings of burnout, although it is unknown which mindfulness practices are the most effective for reducing feelings of occupational stress.

Integrating behavioural thermoregulatory strategy into the animal personality framework using the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara as a model.

The study of consistent between-individual behavioural variation in single (animal personality) and across two or more behavioural traits (behavioural syndrome) is a central topic of behavioural ecology. Besides behavioural type (individual mean behaviour), behavioural predictability (environment-independent within-individual behavioural variation) is now also seen as an important component of individual behavioural strategy. Research focus is still on the 'Big Five' traits (activity, exploration, risk-taking, sociability and aggression), but another prime candidate to integrate to the personality framework is behavioural thermoregulation in small-bodied poikilotherms.

Comparison of Mindfulness Practices for Effectiveness of Stress and Burnout Reduction in Healthcare Staff.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of various mindfulness practices for reducing feelings of stress and burnout among healthcare staff. This article contains the quantitative portion of a mixed-methods study. Healthcare workers (= 48) were randomly assigned to one of three practices.

Unravelling the origin of the common wall lizards () in south-eastern Europe using mitochondrial evidence.

The origin of the common wall lizards () populations in south-eastern Europe (namely in Bulgaria and Romania), representing the north-eastern range border of this species, was addressed using mitochondrial DNA. We compared sequences from Bulgaria and Romania with those from the contiguous range in Central Europe that are available from previous studies. We recorded five main haplogroups in Bulgaria and Romania, belonging to the Central Balkan clade.

Incorporating Mindfulness Into Occupational Stress Management Programming for Nursing Staff.

Nurses are often at risk of burnout due to the effects of occupational stress. Implementing mindfulness wellness programming, that is easy to access and incorporate into the workday, can be effective in reducing occupational stress.

Percutaneous Orthotopic IVC Construction in a Pediatric Patient with Symptomatic IVC Agenesis.

Inferior vena cava agenesis is an uncommon condition usually attributed to embryologic dysgenesis. When symptomatic, unprovoked deep venous thrombosis and/or lower extremity venous congestion are the most frequent manifestations. Its rarity has precluded consensus regarding appropriate management.

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in the post-CORAL era part 2: new directions in Transcatheter Nephron Salvage following flawed revascularization trials.

Unlike endovascular therapeutic studies for atherosclerosis in many other vascular beds, major trials regarding endovascular renovascular revascularization have resulted in a stagnating equipoise. However, every major trial completed for this topic thus far has suffered from major methodological flaws that limit the validity and external generalizability of their results. Furthermore, certain patient populations who are known to benefit from renovascular revascularization may never be studied because they cannot be ethically withheld from life-saving treatment.

Transjugular liver access cannula as a guiding instrument for the recanalization of chronic venous occlusions.

Background: Chronic venous occlusions can result in debilitating symptoms and can be refractory to standard methods of venous recanalization because of the formation of dense fibrous tissue. A transjugular liver access cannula can be incorporated into recanalization efforts to treat such refractory cases. This report describes our experience using the transjugular liver access cannula technique in nine patients.

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in the post-CORAL era part 1: the renal penumbra concept and next-generation functional diagnostic imaging.

After three neutral trials in which renal artery stenting failed to improve renal function or reduce cardiovascular and renal events, the controversy surrounding diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and renovascular hypertension has led to paradigm shifts in the diagnostic algorithm. Noninvasive determination of earlier events (cortex hypoxia and renal artery hemodynamic changes) will supersede late sequelae (calcific stenosis, renal cortical thinning). Therefore, this review proposes the concept of renal penumbra in defining at-risk ischemic renal parenchyma.

Brachial Artery Access.

Low brachial artery access is a safe alternative approach for the interventionalist when the femoral artery approach is not feasible or desirable. One important advantage of upper extremity access is the favorable route of entry from above into the caudally oriented visceral arteries. Although the risk of complications is low for experienced operators, meticulous attention to technique and knowledge of local anatomy are imperative to safely use brachial artery access.

Identification and characterization of major histocompatibility complex class IIB alleles from three species of European ranid frogs.

Immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are among the most polymorphic genes in the vertebrate genome. Due to their polymorphic nature, they are often used to assess the adaptive genetic variability of natural populations. This study describes the first molecular characterization of 13 partial MHC class IIB sequences from three European ranid frogs.

Upper extremity access for renal artery stenting: radial, brachial and axillary access: how to do them safely and pitfalls to avoid.

This manuscript traces the history of changes in preferred upper extremity puncture sites for renal artery stenting as our understanding of anatomy, techniques, technology and pharmacology, each separately and their confluence, has improved. A very detailed description of each technique is beyond the scope of this review; the references should allow the reader to readily access this information.

Renal artery stenosis: imaging options, pitfalls, and concerns.

Renal artery stenosis can be diagnosed with multiple imaging modalities, each one having different risk vs accuracy tradeoffs. Catheter angiography with pressure gradient measurements is the definitive gold standard but also the most invasive and thus reserved primarily for imaging at the time of renal revascularization. Ultrasonography is the safest and least expensive but also the least accurate and most operator-dependent.

Diagnostic pathways in acute pulmonary embolism: recommendations of the PIOPED II investigators.

Purpose: To formulate comprehensive recommendations for the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, based on randomized trials.

Methods: Diagnostic management recommendations were formulated based on results of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis II (PIOPED II) and outcome studies.

Results: The PIOPED II investigators recommend stratification of all patients with suspected pulmonary embolism according to an objective clinical probability assessment.

Multidetector computed tomography for acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: The accuracy of multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism has not been determined conclusively.

Methods: The Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis II trial was a prospective, multicenter investigation of the accuracy of multidetector CTA alone and combined with venous-phase imaging (CTA-CTV) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. We used a composite reference test to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Three-dimensional MR angiography in imaging platinum alloy stents.

Purpose: To evaluate visualization inside platinum stents with three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA).

Materials And Methods: Breath-hold three-dimensional gadolinium (Gd) MRA was performed on 18 patients with 22 platinum stents in the renal (n = 18), celiac (n = 1), superior mesenteric (n = 1), and iliac (n = 2) arteries. Electronic calibers were used to measure the lumen diameter within the stent and just distal to the stent to calculate percent stenosis.