bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal movements and habitat use of African buffalo in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Roug Annette , Muse Epaphras A. , Clifford Deana L. , Larsen Randy , Paul Goodluck , Mathayo Daniel , Mpanduji Donald , Mazet Jonna A. K. , Kazwala Rudovick , Kiwango Halima , Smith Woutrina 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Assessing wildlife movements and habitat use is important for species conservation and management and can be informative for understanding population dynamics. The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) population of Ruaha National Park, Tanzania has been declining, and little was known about the movement, habitat selection, and space use of the population, which is important for understanding possible reasons behind the decline. A total of 12 African buffalo cows from four different herds were collared with satellite transmitters. Movements were assessed over 2 years from 11 animals.

Results
The space use of the individual collared buffaloes as an approximation of the 95% home range size estimated using Brownian bridge models, ranged from 73 to 601 km2. The estimated home ranges were larger in the wet season than in the dry season. With the exception of one buffalo all collared animals completed a wet season migration of varying distances. A consistent pattern of seasonal movement was observed with one herd, whereas the other herds did not behave the same way in the two wet seasons that they were tracked. Herd splitting and herd switching occurred on multiple occasions. Buffaloes strongly associated with habitats near the Great Ruaha River in the dry season and had little association to permanent water sources in the wet season. Daily movements averaged 4.6 km (standard deviation, SD = 2.6 km), with the longest distances traveled during November (mean 6.9 km, SD = 3.6 km) at the end of the dry season and beginning of the wet season. The shortest daily distances traveled occurred in the wet season in April–June (mean 3.6 km, SD = 1.6–1.8 km).

Conclusion
The Great Ruaha River has experienced significant drying in the last decades due to water diversions upstream, which likely has reduced the suitable range for buffaloes. The loss of dry season habitat due to water scarcity has likely contributed to the population decline of the Ruaha buffaloes.
Comparison of dental plaque reduction after use of electric toothbrushes with and without QLF-D-applied plaque visualization: a 1-week randomized controlled trial
Authors: Akifusa Sumio , Isobe Ayaka , Kibata Kanako , Oyama Akinori , Oyama Hiroko , Ariyoshi Wataru , Nishihara Tatsuji 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed electric toothbrush in reducing dental plaque via a quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D)-applied visualisation system in the brush head.

Methods
Participants included 20 adults aged 19 to 28 years. Participants were randomly assigned either (i) an electric toothbrush with a monitor to visualise red-fluorescent dental plaque via a camera built into the brush head (monitor usage group, n = 10) or (ii) an electric toothbrush without a monitor (monitor-non-use group, n = 10). The amount of dental plaque was assessed by personal hygiene performance (PHP) at baseline and 1 week later.

Results
In the monitor-usage group, PHP score was significantly lower at the 1-week follow-up than at baseline (6 vs 16; range, 0–12 vs 13–21; P = 0.029). This change was not observed in the monitor-non-use group (14 vs 13; range, 6–21 vs 2–26; P = 0.778). After 1 week, the change in PHP scores in the monitor usage group was significantly greater than that in the monitor non-use group (− 10 vs 0; range, − 21 to 9 vs − 8 to 16; P = 0.021).

Conclusions
Our results clearly demonstrate that brushing teeth while looking at a monitor that depicts red-autofluorescent dental plaque via application of QLF-D improved the efficacy of dental-plaque removal relative to brushing teeth without a monitor.

Trial registration
Trial registration number: UMIN000033699.
Name of registry: Study on effect of new devise for oral care on dental plaque clearance.
Date of registration: 8th September 2018.
Status of registration: Completed.
Spectrophotometric analysis evaluating apical microleakage in retrograde filling using GIC, MTA and biodentine: an in-vitro study
Authors: Nepal Manisha , Shubham Snigdha , Tripathi Rupam , Khadka Jwolan , Kunwar Deepa , Gautam Vanita , Gautam Narayan 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The present study compares the apical microleakage of three different root-end filling materials in which the retrograde cavity is prepared by two different burs.

Methods
Eighty extracted single rooted maxillary and mandibular premolars were taken. Root canal treatment was completed. Apical 3 mm of all the teeth were resected with diamond disk. The tooth were divided into four groups with two subgroups for each group containing 10 tooth (N = 10) as: Group IA (Negative Control and IB (Positive Control); Group IIA and IIB: Prepared with round carbide bur and round diamond bur respectively, filled with GIC; Group IIIA and IIIB: Prepared with round carbide bur and round diamond bur respectively, filled with MTA; Group IVA and IVB: Prepared with round carbide bur and round diamond bur, filled with Biodentine. After applying two coats of nail varnish leaving apical 3 mm (except for negative control group) all teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue for 3 days and again in 65% nitric acid for next 3 days for extraction of dye. The obtained solution was then transferred to eppendorf tube and centrifuged in microcentrifuges at 14,000 revolution per minutes (RPM) for 5 min. Optical density or absorbance of the supernatant solution was measured with UV spectrophotometer at 550 nm.

Results
The absorbance of the supernatant solution after dye extraction is decreasing in the order of positive control> GIC > MTA > Biodentine> negative control group. The significant difference was observed between GIC and MTA (p = 0.0001) and GIC and Biodentine (p = 0.0001) with two different burs but statistically non-significant difference was observed between MTA and Biodentine with Carbide bur (p = 0.127) and Diamond bur (p = 0.496) respectively.

Conclusions
Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that Biodentine and MTA showed less microleakage as compared to GIC. There is no significant difference between mean microleakage of MTA and Biodentine. However, the mean OD of the Biodentine was least of all evaluated materials. Preparation of the root-end using round carbide bur as well as round diamond burs showed comparable microleakage for all three filling materials.
A full Brazilian or all natural: understanding the influences on young women’s decision to remove their pubic hair
Authors: Obst Patricia , White Katherine , Matthews Ebony 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Research indicates that young women are being exposed to increasing pressures to remove pubic hair from their bodies, which has the potential for both negative physical and psychological consequences. Women’s personal choice and reasoning for partaking in pubic hair removal is influenced by broader social influences; however, there is little theory-based research drawing from established decision-making models investigating the underlying processes that lead young women to engage in pubic hair removal practices. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, it was hypothesised that 1) attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control would predict intention to remove pubic hair; 2) additional variables (prototype similarity and favourability) from the Prototype Willingness Model would significantly predict intention to remove pubic hair; 3) feminist values would significantly predict decreased intention to remove pubic hair; and 4) intention and perceived behavioural control would predict future self-reported removal of pubic hair.

Method
The current study included a sample of 270 young women (17–25 years old), who completed an online survey and a follow up survey 4 weeks later (N = 96).

Results
Attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and similarity to prototypical pubic hair removers were significant predictors of intention to remove pubic hair. Intention was significantly positively associated and feminist values were significantly negatively associated with actual pubic hair removal.

Conclusions
These findings align with Theory of Planned Behaviour propositions. Furthermore, the expansion of the model highlights how broader social images impact on young women when deciding whether to engage in a behaviour that is intimately associated with their body image.
Evaluation of peptide-rich root extracts of Calliandria portoriscensis (Jacq.) Benth (Mimosaceae) for in vitro antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality
Authors: Ogbole Omonike O. , Ndabai Nkiruka C. , Akinleye Toluwanimi E. , Attah Alfred F. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral Host defence peptides (HDPs) are low molecular weight (< 50 amino acids residues) peptides detected in several ethnomedicinal plants and have particularly gained research interest in recent times. Due to their wide range of bioactivity, occurrence, abundance and ability to induce very little resistance, they hold promising potentials in drug development. This study investigated the presence of bioactive peptides in the roots ofCalliandra portoricensis(CPr) (Mimosaceae) and evaluated its antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.MethodsThe crude peptide extract was obtained and pre-purified on pre-loaded tube of RP-C18solid phase cartridges (strata giga tube C18-E; 5 g, 20 mL, Phenomenex, Germany). Peptide enriched fraction was chemically analysed for arginine-rich/aromatic amino acid-rich peptides using a modified G-250 analytical stain and ninhydrin on thin layer chromatography (TLC) for a preliminary screening. Furthermore, MALDI TOF/TOF peptidomics was used to detect the presence and masses of the peptides. Extracts from CPr were used to test the ability to inhibit microbial growth using p-INT (Para-iodonitrotetrazolium violet) dye, with 0.1% gentamycin as positive control. The concentration that inhibits the growth of microorganisms by 50% (IC50) were determined. Toxicity of the two extracts was accessed using freshly hatched nauplii ofArtemia salina.Data analysis were evaluated using Microsoft excel and GraphPad Prism5.ResultsLow molecular weight (LMW) peptides were detected in CPr using TLC and MALDI-TOF MS. Generally, the extracts exhibited good inhibition (70–95%) against the gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, except MRSA6 typed strain. Enhanced activity was observed in the pre-purified peptide fraction than in the methanol crude, except on MRSA6. The greatest antimicrobial inhibition by pre-purified peptide fraction was against MRSA22 (IC50 = 0.69 ± 0.33 μg/mL). The crude methanol extract (LC50 = 5.13 μg/mL) was slightly more toxic than the peptide extract (LC50 = 6.12 μg/mL).ConclusionsThis is the first report on detection of bioactive LMW peptides in Mimosaceae family. These peptides appear to be rich in arginine and aromatic amino acids. The peptide extract, in its pre-purified form showed a lower Brine shrimp cytotoxicity and an enhanced antimicrobial activity against the tested gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
Data Access Committees
Authors: Cheah Phaik Yeong , Piasecki Jan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundSharing de-identified individual-level health research data is widely promoted and has many potential benefits. However there are also some potential harms, such as misuse of data and breach of participant confidentiality. One way to promote the benefits of sharing while ameliorating its potential harms is through the adoption of a managed access approach where data requests are channeled through a Data Access Committee (DAC), rather than making data openly available without restrictions. A DAC, whether a formal or informal group of individuals, has the responsibility of reviewing and assessing data access requests. Many individual groups, consortiums, institutional and independent DACs have been established but there is currently no widely accepted framework for their organization and function.Main textWe propose that DACs, should have the role of both promotion of data sharing and protection of data subjects, their communities, data producers, their institutions and the scientific enterprise. We suggest that data access should be granted by DACs as long as the data reuse has potential social value and provided there is low risk of foreseeable harms. To promote data sharing and to motivate data producers, DACs should encourage secondary uses that are consistent with the interests of data producers and their own institutions. Given the suggested roles of DACs, there should be transparent, simple and clear application procedures for data access. The approach to review of applications should be proportionate to the potential risks involved. DACs should be established within institutional and legal frameworks with clear lines of accountability, terms of reference and membership. We suggest that DACs should not be modelled after research ethics committees (RECs) because their functions and goals of review are different from those of RECs. DAC reviews should be guided by the principles of public health ethics instead of research ethics.ConclusionsIn this paper we have suggested a framework under which DACs should operate, how they should be organised, and how to constitute them.
Reasons for allowing and refusing generic substitution and factors determining the choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine: a survey among pharmacy customers in Finland
Authors: Nokelainen Henriikka , Lämsä Elina , Ahonen Riitta , Timonen Johanna 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Generic substitution (GS) was introduced in Finland in 2003 and supplemented with a reference price system (RPS) in 2009. Patients play a vital role in the acceptance of GS and the use of less expensive generic medicines. The objective of this study was to explore Finnish pharmacy customers’ experience with allowing and refusing GS. Specific aims were to investigate the reasons for (1) allowing and (2) refusing GS and (3) to determine the prescription medicine-related factors influencing the customer’s choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine.

Methods
A questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2018. Questionnaires were handed out from 18 community pharmacies across Finland to customers ≥18 years who purchased for themselves a prescription medicine included in the RPS. A descriptive approach was used in the analysis using frequencies, the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results
The final study material consisted of 1043 questionnaires (response rate 40.0%). Of the customers, 47.9% had both allowed and refused GS, 41.2% had only allowed GS and 6.0% had only refused GS. Customers had allowed GS because they wanted to lower their medicine expenses (75.5%), or because the prescribed medicine (30.8%) or medicine they had used before (27.4%) was unavailable at the pharmacy. The main reasons for refusing GS were an insignificant price difference between interchangeable medicines (63.3%) and satisfaction with the medicine used before (60.2%). The main factors influencing customers’ choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine were price (81.1%), familiarity (38.4%) and availability (32.8%). Customers who had allowed GS chose the medicine based on price. Customers who had only refused GS appreciated familiarity more than the price of the medicine.

Conclusions
GS is a common practice in Finnish community pharmacies. The price of the medicine was the most important factor affecting customers’ decision to allow or refuse GS and the choice of an interchangeable prescription medicine. Thus, customers should receive information about medicine prices at the pharmacy in order to help them make their decision. However, individual needs should also be taken into account in counselling because customers regard several factors as important in their choice of an interchangeable medicine.
The cost of the training and supervision of community health workers to improve exclusive breastfeeding amongst mothers in a cluster randomised controlled trial in South Africa
Authors: George Gavin , Mudzingwa Takunda , Horwood Christiane 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Interventions targeting community health workers (CHWs) aim to optimise the delivery of health services to underserved rural areas. Whilst interventions are evaluated against their objectives, there remains limited evidence on the economic costs of these interventions, and the practicality and value of scale up. The aim of this paper is to undertake a cost analysis on a CHW training and supervision intervention using exclusive breastfeeding rates amongst mothers as an outcome measure.

Methods
This is a retrospective cost analysis, from an implementer’s perspective, of a cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) intervention aimed at CHWs providing care and support to pregnant women and women with babies aged < 1 year in South Africa.

Results
One of the outcomes of the RCT revealed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) significantly improved, with the cost per mother EBF in the control and intervention arm calculated at US$760,13 and US$1705,28 respectively. The cost per additional mother practicing EBF was calculated to be US$7647, 88, with the supervision component of the intervention constituting 64% of the trial costs. In addition, women served by the intervention CHWs were more likely to have received a CHW visit and had significantly better knowledge of childcare practices.

Conclusion
Whilst the cost of this intervention is high, adapted interventions could potentially offer an economical alternative for achieving selected maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. The results of this study should inform future programmes aimed at providing adapted training and supervision to CHWs with the objective of improving community-level health outcomes.
Mode of action of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a novel therapy for stroke in a mouse model
Authors: Modi Jigar , Menzie-Suderam Janet , Xu Hongyuan , Trujillo Paola , Medley Kristen , Marshall Michael L. , Tao Rui , Prentice Howard , Wu Jang-Yen 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe FDA approved drug granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) displays anti-apoptotic and immunomodulatory properties with neurogenesis and angiogenic functions. It is known to demonstrate neuroprotective mechanisms against ischemic global stroke. Autophagy is a method for the degradation of intracellular components and in particular, unrestrained autophagy may lead to uncontrolled digestion of affected neurons as well as neuronal death in cerebral ischemia. Mitochondrial dynamics is vital for the regulation of cell survival and death after cerebral ischemia and an early upstream event in neuronal death is mitochondrial fission. We examined the pro-survival mechanisms of G-CSF against apoptosis resulting from autophagy, mitochondrial stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.MethodsMale Swiss Webster mice (20 weeks of age) were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) for 30 min. After occlusion, mice were injected with G-CSF (50 μg/kg) subcutaneously for 4 days. Behavioral analysis was carried out using the corner test and locomotor activity test before animals were sacrificed on day 4 or day 7. Key proteins in ER stress, autophagy and mitochondrial stress induced apoptosis were analyzed by immunoblotting.ResultsG-CSF improved neurological deficits and improved behavioral performance on corner and locomotor test. G-CSF binds to G-CSF receptors and its activation leads to upregulation of Akt phosphorylation (P-Akt) which in turn decreases levels of the ER stress sensor, GRP 78 and expression of proteins involved in ER stress apoptosis pathway; ATF6, ATF4, eIF2α, XBP1, Caspase 12 and CHOP. G-CSF treatment significantly decreased Beclin-1, an autophagy marker, and decreased mitochondrial stress biomarkers DRP1 and P53. G-CSF also up-regulated the mitochondrial fusion protein, OPA1 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 while down-regulating the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bak and PUMA.ConclusionsG-CSF is an endogenous ligand in the CNS that has a dual activity that is beneficial both in reducing acute neuronal degeneration and adding to long-term plasticity after cerebral ischemia. G-CSF treatment exerts neuroprotective effects on damaged neurons through the suppression of the ER stress and mitochondrial stress and maintains cellular homeostasis by decreasing pro-apoptotic proteins and increasing of anti-apoptotic proteins.
m6A demethylase ALKBH5 inhibits pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis by decreasing WIF-1 RNA methylation and mediating Wnt signaling
Authors: Tang Bo , Yang Yihua , Kang Min , Wang Yunshan , Wang Yan , Bi Yin , He Songqing , Shimamoto Fumio 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer with extremely poor diagnosis and prognosis, and chemo-resistance remains a major challenge. The dynamic and reversible N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification has emerged as a new layer of epigenetic gene regulation.MethodsqRT-PCR and IHC were applied to examine ALKBH5 levels in normal and pancreatic cancer tissues. Cancer cell proliferation and chemo-resistance were evaluated by clonogenic formation, chemosensitivity detection, and Western blotting assays. m6A-seq was performed to identify target genes. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of ALKBH5 in both in vivo and in vitro models.ResultsHere, we show that m6A demethylase ALKBH5 is downregulated in gemcitabine-treated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model and its overexpression sensitized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to chemotherapy. DecreasedALKBH5levels predicts poor clinical outcome in PDAC and multiple other cancers. Furthermore, silencing ALKBH5 remarkably increases PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo, whereas its overexpression causes the opposite effects. Global m6A profile revealed altered expression of certain ALKBH5 target genes, including Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF-1), which is correlated with WIF-1 transactivation and mediation of the Wnt pathway.ConclusionsOur work uncovers the tumor suppressive and chemo-sensitizing function for ALKBH5, which provides insight into critical roles of m6A methylation in PDAC.