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Offering the ideal product that individuals will systematically repurchase (intensification) and satisfying their need for variety in order to make them cross-purchase within a brand-line’s products (diversification) instead of switching toward competitors are two fundamental functions of brand-lines. Both rely on product variety, organized along breadth (complementary products) and depth (substitutes). We analyze the differing impacts that breadth and depth have on brand-line repurchasing behavior. Repurchasing is broken down into four components based on its motivation, intensification (repurchasing the same product) vs. diversification (cross-purchasing), and its temporal perspective, inter-trip (over shopping trips) vs. intra-trip (during purchasing trips). Whereas breadth demonstrates only positive effects on the repurchasing components, it has no protective effect against brand-switching. Conversely, depth has a negative impact on inter-trip product repurchasing, the most frequent repurchasing component, but offers a protective negative impact against brand-switching. We examine the moderating impacts of brand-line quality, brand-line alignability, and household size.

In April, 2009, the first cases of influenza A H1N1 were registered in Mexico and associated with an unexpected number of deaths. We report the timing and spread of H1N1 in cases, and explore protective and risk factors for infection, severe disease, and death. We analysed information gathered by the influenza surveillance system from April 28 to July 31, 2009, for patients with influenza-like illness who attended clinics that were part of the Mexican Institute for Social Security network. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) to compare risks of testing positive for H1N1 in those with influenza-like illness at clinic visits, the risk of admission for laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1, and of death for inpatients according to demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, seasonal influenza vaccine status, and elapsed time from symptom onset to admission. By July 31, 63 479 cases of influenza-like illness were reported; 6945 (11%) cases of H1N1 were confirmed, 6407 (92%) were outpatients, 475 (7%) were admitted and survived, and 63 (<1%) died. Those aged 10–39 years were most affected (3922 [56%]). Mortality rates showed a J-shaped curve, with greatest risk in those aged 70 years and older (10·3%). Risk of infection was lowered in those who had been vaccinated for seasonal influenza (OR 0·65 [95% CI 0·55–0·77]). Delayed admission (1·19 [1·11–1·28] per day) and presence of chronic diseases (6·1 [2·37–15·99]) were associated with increased risk of dying. Risk communication and hospital preparedness are key factors to reduce mortality from H1N1 infection. Protective effects of seasonal influenza vaccination for the virus need to be investigated. None.

Progress in the acquisition of massive sets of molecular data and in the bioinformatic capabilities for their processing have revolutionised species identification, filling gaps in crucial areas such as taxonomy, phylogenetic inference, biogeography, and even biodiversity conservation. Advanced DNA sequencing and metabarcoding have uncovered previously hidden diversity, although their effectiveness is highly dependent on the accuracy of reference DNA databases at local and regional scales. The compilation of information on freshwater fishes from the Magdalena River basin is an important milestone in improving our knowledge of the genetic and taxonomic diversity of a highly endemic region in the Neotropical context. Here, we share DNA data from 1,270 specimens representing 183 species, cross-referenced with complete collecting and catalogue information, along with high resolution photographs of voucher specimens when alive. This collection of multiple sources of information based on fish specimen records not only contributes to future research on Neotropical fish systematics and ecology, but also to conservation decisions in one of the South American rivers with a highest level of endemism.

The competitive exclusion principle establishes that the coexistence of closely related species requires a certain degree of resource partitioning. However, populations have individuals with different morphological or behavioral traits ( e.g ., maturity stages, sexes, temporal or spatial segregation). This interaction often results in a multi-level differentiation in food preferences and habits. We explored such resource partitioning between and within three batoid species: Hypanus dipterurus , Narcine entemedor , and Rhinoptera steindachneri in the southern Gulf of California, Mexico, using a combination of stomach content (excluding R. steindachneri ) and stable isotope analyses. We found a clear differentiation between H. dipterurus and N. entemedor , where the latter exhibited more benthic habitats, supported by a greater association to infaunal prey and higher δ 13 C values. Though the degree and patterns of intra-specific segregation varied among species, there was a notable differentiation in both sex and stage of maturity, corresponding to changes in specialization ( i.e ., isotopic niche breadth) or trophic spectrum (varying prey importance and isotopic values per group). This work is a promising step towards understanding the dietary niche dynamics of these species in a potentially important feeding area within the southern Gulf of California, as well as the biological and ecological mechanisms that facilitate their coexistence.

The herpetofauna of the insular systems of Mexico is composed of 226 species, of which 14 are anurans, two are salamanders, and 210 are reptiles, comprised of two crocodilians, 195 squamates, and 13 turtles. Although the surface of the Mexican islands is only 0.26% of the Mexican territorial extension, these 226 species constitute 16.1% of Mexico’s documented herpetofauna of 1405 species. We classified the Mexican islands into five physiographic regions: the islands of Pacific Baja California; the islands of the Gulf of California; the islands of the Tropical Pacific; the islands of the Gulf of Mexico; and the islands of the Mexican Caribbean. The highest species richness among these regions is in the Gulf of California, with 108 species, and the lowest richness is 40 for the islands of the Pacific Baja California and 46 for those of the Gulf of Mexico. We identified introduced species, risk of wildfires, climate change, and urban/tourist development as the main environmental threats impinging on these species. In addition, we assessed the conservation status of the native species by comparing the SEMARNAT (NOM-059), IUCN Red List, and the Environmental Vulnerability Score (EVS) systems. The comparison of these systems showed that the NOM-059 and the IUCN systems seriously underestimate the degree of threat for insular endemics, being particularly concerning for those insular species that are known only from their respective type localities. The EVS system proved to be practical and indicated that 94 species have a high vulnerability status, 62 a medium status, and 56 a low status. The Relative Herpetofaunal Priority system, which contrasts the number of endemic and threatened species among different physiographic areas, indicates that the regions with the highest priority are the Islands of the Gulf of California, followed by the islands of the Tropical Pacific. Finally, we discussed the completeness of the Mexican Natural Protected Areas on the insular systems of the country; the result is outstanding since Mexico is already close to achieving the goal of having all their islands under some degree of federal protection.

Predictive theory on how plant diversity promotes herbivore suppression through movement patterns, host associations, and predation promises a potential alternative to pesticide-intensive monoculture crop production. We used meta-analysis on 552 experiments in 45 articles published over the last 10 years to test if plant diversification schemes reduce herbivores and/or increase the natural enemies of herbivores as predicted by associational resistance hypotheses, the enemies hypothesis, and attraction and repellency model applications in agriculture. We found extensive support for these models with intercropping schemes, inclusion of flowering plants, and use of plants that repel herbivores or attract them away from the crop. Overall, herbivore suppression, enemy enhancement, and crop damage suppression effects were significantly stronger on diversified crops than on crops with none or fewer associated plant species. However, a relatively small, but significantly negative, mean effect size for crop yield indicated that pest-suppressive diversification schemes interfered with production, in part because of reducing densities of the main crop by replacing it with intercrops or non-crop plants. This first use of meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of diversification schemes, a potentially more powerful tool than tallies of significant positive and negative outcomes (vote-counting), revealed stronger overall effects on all parameters measured compared to previous reviews. Our analysis of the same articles used in a recent review facilitates comparisons of vote-counting and meta-analysis, and shows that pronounced results of the meta-analysis are not well explained by a reduction in articles that met its stricter criteria. Rather, compared to outcome counts, effect sizes were rarely neutral (equal to zero), and a mean effect size value for mixed outcomes could be calculated. Problematic statistical properties of vote-counting were avoided with meta-analysis, thus providing a more precise test of the hypotheses. The unambiguous and encouraging results from this meta-analysis of previous research should motivate ecologists to conduct more mechanistic experiments to improve the odds of designing effective crop diversification schemes for improved pest regulation and enhanced crop yield.

Species extinctions in the tropics are accelerating, outpacing documentation efforts. Meanwhile, DNA barcoding is flourishing in the Global North, backed by extensive infrastructure, allowing non-taxonomic experts to identify species from nonlethal, minimally invasive, and environmental samples. However, hyper-diverse regions like Peru make up only 0.52% (n = 93,246) of the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). To address this, we established three decentralized laboratories with low-cost, portable nanopore sequencers. From 2018–2023, we generated 1,858 barcodes in situ using six genetic markers for 1,097 vertebrates and 76 plants from existing and new biobanks. We present the first genetic barcodes for 30 mammal and 196 bird species from Peruvian specimens, increasing the number of Peruvian mammal and bird species in BOLD by 110% and 36.5% respectively. We also report the first records of the marsupial Marmosops ocellatus and the bat Sturnira lilium for Peru. This dataset represents an effort to go from fresh or museum-preserved samples to barcodes entirely in situ , avoiding the export of samples outside the country, and facilitating local capacity in molecular biodiversity research.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, the Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology collaboratively developed evidence-based guidelines and a comprehensive contouring atlas for neck target volume delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These guidelines address five key challenges in modern radiotherapy practice: margin design of clinical target volume; nodal target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; delineation of equivocal nodes evident on imaging; low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on regional stepwise extension patterns; and modifications for anatomical boundaries of lymphatic areas. Developed through a rigorous systematic review and expert appraisal process by a panel of 50 international, multidisciplinary members from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines incorporate the latest advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment. They reflect contemporary therapeutic concepts and elaborate on current practice variations. These guidelines aim to standardise global practice, substantially improving consistency and reducing variability in nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy target delineation.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology jointly developed evidence-based guidelines and a contouring atlas for primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The guidelines systematically address three crucial challenges: margin design of clinical target volumes; target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; and low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on local stepwise extension patterns. Based on a comprehensive systematic review and critical appraisal by an international multidisciplinary panel of 50 nasopharyngeal carcinoma specialists from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines are in keeping with advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment, embodying contemporary treatment concepts, and elaborating on the differences in practice. These guidelines aim to support global clinical practice in radiotherapy target volume delineation, substantially enhancing homogeneity and reducing variability in nasopharyngeal carcinoma target delineation.

 Ankle sprains (AS) are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, with physical rehabilitation being a cornerstone of treatment. Telerehabilitation has emerged as an effective alternative for managing various musculoskeletal conditions; however, evidence supporting its use specifically for AS remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of structured telerehabilitation to usual care (UC) improves functional recovery in patients with grade I-II AS more effectively than UC alone in a primary care setting. Eighty-two participants were randomized into two groups (41 each): 1) Intervention group (IG): UC (standard primary care management) plus a four-week telerehabilitation program (30-minute daily exercises, five days/week) delivered via a digital platform with pre-recorded videos; Control group (CG): UC only. The primary outcome was ankle functionality measured using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), including subscales for activities of daily living (FAAM-ADL) and sports (FAAM-Sports). Secondary outcomes included pain perception and work disability days. At four weeks, the IG demonstrated superior outcomes; at functionality, mean between-group differences favored the IG (FAAM-ADL: +8.3 points [95% CI 3.8-12.7]; FAAM-Sports: +13.4 points (6.7-20)). Pain: Significant reduction in VAS scores for grade II AS only (-0.9 points (-1.5 to -0.4)). Subgroup analysis: Clinically meaningful improvements in functionality were observed for both grades, but pain reduction was significant only in grade II AS. Grade I AS showed improvement limited to FAAM-Sports. Telerehabilitation, as an adjunct to UC, significantly enhances functional recovery in AS, with particularly pronounced effects in grade II (moderate) sprains. However, pain reduction exhibits grade-dependent variability. These findings support incorporating telerehabilitation into primary care management protocols for AS.