bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in home range size of evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in an urban environment
Authors: Hall Ellen M , Bennett Victoria J 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Despite the negative impacts of urbanization on bats, green spaces in urban environments, such as parks, cemeteries, and golf courses, have the potential to provide resources necessary for these animals. Water resources in these areas include natural or semi-natural ponds, streams, and drainage ditches. Such water resources, however, are frequently ephemeral when subject to prolonged periods of high temperatures and low precipitation. We hypothesized that home ranges of evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) would increase in size or shift from urban green spaces into surrounding neighborhoods to access alternative resources, such as residential swimming pools, when water resources in green spaces are scarce. To explore whether seasonal variations in bat home ranges occurred, we radio-tracked resident evening bats in a local park system during their summer activity period 2017–2019 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. We used Local Convex Hulls created by associating point locations with their nearest neighbor to estimate home range size, location, and the percentage area that fell within the surrounding neighborhood. We compared these variables to temperature and precipitation using various regression models. We successfully tracked 30 bats over the 3-year period and found a positive correlation between home range size and temperature. Home range sizes increased 6-fold when temperatures exceeded 30°C. Our study indicates the importance of urban neighborhoods surrounding green spaces in providing alternative resources, such as water, for bats. If managed appropriately, these urban areas have the potential to act as oases for bat populations.
Climatic dissimilarity associated with phylogenetic breaks
Authors: Cab-Sulub Leticia , Álvarez-Castañeda Sergio Ticul 
Published: September 2021

AbstractShared phylogenetic breaks often are associated with clear geographic barriers but some common phylogeographic breaks may lack obvious underlying mechanisms. A phylogenetic break involving multiple taxa was found in the Baja California Peninsula that was associated with a past sea barrier. However, geological evidence is lacking for this barrier’s past existence, and despite its current absence, the genetic breaks have persisted. This work explores the relationships between the current climatic niches for matrilineages of 11 vertebrate species as a possible explanation for the current geographic partitioning of matrilineages. We evaluated the climatic occupancy of each matrilineage through ecological niche models, background similarity, niche overlap, niche divergence, and Mantel tests. We found disparities in the climatic occupancy between north and south matrilineage of each taxon. Northern matrilineages are associated with lower temperatures and winter rains, while southern matrilineages reside in areas with higher temperatures and summer rains.
Factors predicting habitat use by leopards in human-altered landscapes
Authors: McManus Jeannine , Marshal Jason P , Keith Mark , Tshabalala Thulani , Smuts Bool , Treves Adrian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Transformed landscapes caused by human activity leave remnant patches of natural habitat for wildlife. The persistence of species in the face of such transformation depends on individuals’ ability to adapt to novel habitat, and to secure resources and reproductive opportunities despite habitat alterations. The leopard, Panthera pardus, is the last free-roaming top carnivore in South Africa whose high trophic status and wide-ranging movements make them an effective focal species in conservation planning. Using location data from leopards, we investigated key correlates of habitat selection in human-altered landscapes at two spatial scales. We compared sex-related differences and predicted how conspecific home range locations influenced habitat selection. Leopards avoided human-altered landscapes more strongly at the large spatial scale, where both sexes selected core areas near formally protected areas. Conspecific home range locations had a strong positive effect at both spatial scales for males, while for females, conspecifics explained fine-scale habitat selection by selecting areas near neighboring females. Spatial scale, sex-related differences, and conspecific location play roles in habitat selection for solitary felids and have implications for conservation planning and management. Excluding these factors may result in inappropriate species management policies.
How Should the Precautionary Principle Apply to Pregnant Women in Clinical Research?
Authors: van der Zande Indira S E , van der Graaf Rieke , Oudijk Martijin A , van Delden Johannes J M 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe precautionary principle is often invoked in relation to pregnant women and may be one of the underlying reasons for their continuous underrepresentation in clinical research. The principle is appealing, because potential fetal harm as a result of research participation is considered to be serious and irreversible. In our paper, we explore through conceptual analysis whether and if so how the precautionary principle should apply to pregnant women. We argue that the principle is a decision-making strategy underlying risk-benefit decisions in clinical research, which can be applied to pregnant women. However, the current application is a strong one, leading to the promotion of absolute exclusion or, less often, absolute inclusion of pregnant women. In order to change this paralyzing situation, a shift toward weak precautionary thinking is necessary. Instead of automatic extreme precaution, a balance will be found between harms and potential benefits of including pregnant women in clinical research.
Theory Without Theories: Well-Being, Ethics, and Medicine
Authors: Hawkins Jennifer 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMedical ethics would be better if people were taught to think more clearly about well-being or (what I take to be the same thing) the concept of what is good for a person. Yet for a variety of reasons, bioethicists have generally paid little attention to this concept. Here, I argue, first, that focusing on general theories of welfare is not useful for practical medical ethics. I argue, second, for what I call the “theory-without-theories approach” to welfare in practical contexts. The first element of this approach is a focus on examining important and relatively uncontroversial constituents of welfare as opposed to general theories. The second key element is a framework for thinking about choice in relation to welfare, a framework I refer to as “the mild objectivity framework.” I conclude with illustrations of the way in which the “theory without theories approach” can improve thinking in medicine.
Cancer Incidence in World Trade Center Rescue and Recovery Workers: 14 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Li Jiehui , Yung Janette , Qiao Baozhen , Takemoto Erin , Goldfarb David G , Zeig-Owens Rachel , Cone James E , Brackbill Robert M , Farfel Mark R , Kahn Amy R , Schymura Maria J , Shapiro Moshe Z , Dasaro Christopher R , Todd Andrew C , Kristjansson Dana , Prezant David J , Boffetta Paolo , Hall Charles B 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundStatistically significantly increased cancer incidence has been reported from 3 cohorts of World Trade Center (WTC) disaster rescue and recovery workers. We pooled data across these cohorts to address ongoing public concerns regarding cancer risk 14 years after WTC exposure.MethodsFrom a combined deduplicated cohort of 69 102 WTC rescue and recovery workers, a sample of 57 402 workers enrolled before 2009 and followed through 2015 was studied. Invasive cancers diagnosed in 2002-2015 were identified from 13 state cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to assess cancer incidence. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated from Cox regression to examine associations between WTC exposures and cancer risk.ResultsOf the 3611 incident cancers identified, 3236 were reported as first-time primary (FP) cancers, with an accumulated 649 724 and 624 620 person-years of follow-up, respectively. Incidence for combined FP cancers was below expectation (SIR = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93 to 0.99). Statistically significantly elevated SIRs were observed for melanoma-skin (SIR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.24 to 1.64), prostate (SIR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.26), thyroid (SIR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.09), and tonsil (SIR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.91) cancer. Those arriving on September 11 had statistically significantly higher aHRs than those arriving after September 17, 2001, for prostate (aHR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.33 to 1.95) and thyroid (aHR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.11 to 2.81) cancers, with a statistically significant exposure-response trend for both.ConclusionsIn the largest cohort of 9/11 rescue and recovery workers ever studied, overall cancer incidence was lower than expected, and intensity of WTC exposure was associated with increased risk for specific cancer sites, demonstrating the value of long-term follow-up studies after environmental disasters.
Impact of Blinding on Patient-Reported Outcome Differences Between Treatment Arms in Cancer Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Efficace Fabio , Cella David , Aaronson Neil K , Calvert Melanie , Cottone Francesco , Di Maio Massimo , Perrone Francesco , Sparano Francesco , Gamper Eva-Maria , Vignetti Marco , Giesinger Johannes M 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Some concerns have been raised about potential bias in patient-reported outcome (PRO) results from open-label cancer randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We investigated if open-label trials favor the experimental treatment over the standard treatment more frequently than blinded trials. We also examined if the effect of blinding differs for distal vs more proximal PROs. We assessed 538 RCTs with a PRO endpoint conducted in the most prevalent cancers, of which 366 (68.0%) were open-label, 148 (27.5%) were blinded, and 24 (4.5%) were categorized as unclear. In our multivariable logistic regression model, we did not observe a statistically significant association of the independent variable treatment concealment (blinded vs open-label) on the dependent variable measuring the proportion of trials favoring the experimental treatment (adjusted odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 0.79 to 1.79; 2-sided P = .40). This was also the case when comparing distal and proximal PROs. Our findings provide novel evidence-based data that support the validity of PRO results from open-label cancer RCTs.
SRGN-Triggered Aggressive and Immunosuppressive Phenotype in a Subset of TTF-1–Negative Lung Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Tanaka Ichidai , Dayde Delphine , Tai Mei Chee , Mori Haruki , Solis Luisa M , Tripathi Satyendra C , Fahrmann Johannes F , Unver Nese , Parhy Gargy , Jain Rekha , Parra Edwin R , Murakami Yoshiko , Aguilar-Bonavides Clemente , Mino Barbara , Celiktas Muge , Dhillon Dilsher , Casabar Julian Phillip , Nakatochi Masahiro , Stingo Francesco , Baladandayuthapani Veera , Wang Hong , Katayama Hiroyuki , Dennison Jennifer B , Lorenzi Philip L , Do Kim-Anh , Fujimoto Junya , Behrens Carmen , Ostrin Edwin J , Rodriguez-Canales Jaime , Hase Tetsunari , Fukui Takayuki , Kajino Taisuke , Kato Seiichi , Yatabe Yasushi , Hosoda Waki , Kawaguchi Koji , Yokoi Kohei , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi F , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Gazdar Adi F , Wistuba Ignacio I , Hanash Samir , Taguchi Ayumu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Approximately 20% of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is negative for the lineage-specific oncogene Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and exhibits worse clinical outcome with a low frequency of actionable genomic alterations. To identify molecular features associated with TTF-1–negative LUAD, we compared the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of LUAD cell lines. SRGN , a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan Serglycin, was identified as a markedly overexpressed gene in TTF-1–negative LUAD. We therefore investigated the roles and regulation of SRGN in TTF-1–negative LUAD.

Methods
Proteomic and metabolomic analyses of 41 LUAD cell lines were done using mass spectrometry. The function of SRGN was investigated in 3 TTF-1–negative and 4 TTF-1–positive LUAD cell lines and in a syngeneic mouse model (n = 5 to 8 mice per group). Expression of SRGN was evaluated in 94 and 105 surgically resected LUAD tumor specimens using immunohistochemistry. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results
SRGN was markedly overexpressed at mRNA and protein levels in TTF-1–negative LUAD cell lines (P &lt; .001 for both mRNA and protein levels). Expression of SRGN in LUAD tumor tissue was associated with poor outcome (hazard ratio = 4.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.12 to 15.86, likelihood ratio test, P = .03), and with higher expression of Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumor cells and higher infiltration of Programmed cell death protein 1–positive lymphocytes. SRGN regulated expression of PD-L1 as well as proinflammatory cytokines, including Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, and C-X-C motif chemokine 1 in LUAD cell lines; increased migratory and invasive properties of LUAD cells and fibroblasts; and enhanced angiogenesis. SRGN was induced by DNA demethylation resulting from Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase–mediated impairment of methionine metabolism.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that SRGN plays a pivotal role in tumor–stromal interaction and reprogramming into an aggressive and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in TTF-1–negative LUAD.
Challenges for Clinical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in the United States
Authors: Cooper Ziva D , Abrams Donald I , Gust Steven , Salicrup Alejandro , Throckmorton Douglas C 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Significant changes have occurred in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use around the globe and across the United States. With widespread availability of novel cannabis and cannabis-based products, there is an urgent need to understand their safety and effectiveness for medical indications. Three primary barriers contribute to the difficulty in initiating research geared toward answering the most pressing public health questions: the US regulatory status of cannabis and cannabinoids, sources for cannabis and cannabinoid study medications, and limited funding and resources to support studies. Despite these hurdles, research is rapidly increasing, and recent changes in the United States have paved the way for exciting new work. Here, challenges and barriers to cannabis and cannabinoid research are described from the perspectives of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health; the US Food and Drug Administration; and 2 clinical researchers. Barriers specifically to studying cannabis, cannabinoids, and cancer are emphasized.
On the Risks of Using the Sequential Product-Level SSNIP Approach to Identify Relevant Antitrust Markets‡
Authors: Padilla Jorge , Piccolo Salvatore , Sääskilahti Pekka 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In a recent influential paper Coate et al. (2021) have criticized the sequential product-level approach to market definition in merger review. They argue that a simultaneous market-level approach to critical loss is more appropriate than a product-level critical loss analysis, because under certain plausible demand scenarios (nonlinear demand functions) the latter could yield the wrong answer on market definition—i.e., excessively broad or narrow markets. We extend their analysis by showing that a sequential product-level approach actually leads to an excessively narrow market definition when the typical nonlinear demand functions used in merger analysis are employed.
Compromising Aid to Protect International Staff: The Politics of Humanitarian Threat Perception after the Arab Uprisings
Authors: Scott Emily K M 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Scholars expect operational compromises by humanitarian organizations to follow attacks on aid workers. However, in response to the War in Syria, organizations compromised aid and adopted clandestine, cross-border, remote management, and conflict-actor aligned approaches, which best protected international aid workers. This was despite declining rates of attack against them, relative to their national staff counterparts. This article asks why international aid workers were withdrawn and aid was compromised in the wake of the Arab Uprisings by traditional risk-taking organizations: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Drawing on political ethnography and interviews with aid workers, I show that shocking violent events, everyday insecurity, and changes in the nature of threat have significant effect on threat perception and explain compromises where rates of attack do not. This paper offers a picture of the micro- and field-level foundations of organizational threat perception and decisions about whose security matters.
Potential therapeutic efficacy of pachymic acid in chronic kidney disease induced in rats: role of Wnt/β-catenin/renin–angiotensin axis
Authors: Younis Nahla N , Mohamed Hoda E , Shaheen Mohamed A , Abdelghafour Asmaa M , Hammad Sally K 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem associated with high mortality. The therapeutic effects of pachymic in CKD management and its underlying mechanisms have not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible inhibitory effect of PA on renal Wnt/β-catenin signalling in CKD.

Methods
CKD was induced in rats by doxorubicin (DOX; 3.5 mg/kg i.p., twice weekly for 3 weeks). Rats were treated orally with PA (10 mg/kg/day), LOS (10 mg/kg/day) or their combination (PA + LOS) for 4 weeks starting after the last dose of DOX.

Key findings
DOX-induced renal injury was characterized by high serum cystatin-C, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio, renal content of podocin and klotho were decreased. Tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, Wnt1, active β-catenin/total β-catenin ratio and fibronectin along with mRNA expression of RENIN, ACE and AT1 were increased in renal tissues. Treatment with either PA or LOS ameliorated all DOX-induced changes. The combined treatment was more effective in improving all changes than monotherapy.

Conclusions
These results suggest a new therapeutic benefit of PA in ameliorating CKD in rats through its up-regulatory effect on renal klotho thereby preventing Wnt/β-catenin reactivation and RAS gene expression. PA/LOS combination provided an additional inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling and its downstream targets.
Angiotensin II upregulates endothelin receptors through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/sirtuin 1 pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Hongmei , Yang Xinpu , Qin Qiaohong , Sun Xia , Hou Ying , Chen Di , Jia Min , Su Xingli , Chen Yulong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Objectives
This study was designed to test our hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II) upregulates endothelin (ET) receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods
Rat superior mesenteric artery (SMA) without endothelium was cultured in serum-free medium for 24 h in the presence of Ang II with or without metformin or nicotinamide. In vivo, rats were implanted subcutaneously with a mini-osmotic pump infusing AngII (500 ng/kg/min) for 4 weeks. The level of protein expression was determined using Western blotting. The contractile response to ET receptor agonists was studied using sensitive myography. Caudal artery blood pressure (BP) was measured using non-invasive tail-cuff plethysmography.

Key findings
The results showed that Ang II significantly increased ET receptors and decreased phosphorylated-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α (p-AMPKα) in SMA. Furthermore, metformin significantly inhibited Ang II-upregulated ET receptors and upregulated Ang II-decreased sirtuin 1 (Sirt1). However, this effect was reversed by nicotinamide. Moreover, the in-vivo results showed that metformin not only inhibited Ang II-induced upregulation of ET receptors but also recovered Ang II-decreased p-AMPKα and Sirt1. In addition, metformin significantly inhibited Ang II-elevated BP. However, the effect was reversed by nicotinamide, except for p-AMPKα.

Conclusions
Ang II upregulated ET receptors in VSMCs to elevate BP by inhibiting AMPK, thereby inhibiting Sirt1.
Three-dimensional printed dosage forms based on disease-focussed perspectives
Authors: Gültekin Hazal Ezgi , Tuğcu Demiröz Fatmanur , Tort Serdar , Acartürk Füsun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has gained importance worldwide recently as a novel drug manufacturing technology. 3DP technologies are suitable in the pharmaceutical field because of having the potential in personalized medicine. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the use of 3DP technologies in pharmaceutical area, their working principles and critical process parameters. In addition, this review presents an innovative approach that evaluates the use of 3DP technologies on disease to disease.

Key findings
This review covers the potential use of 3DP technologies in different diseases by evaluating them on a research basis. These diseases can be summarized as cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, oncological, inflammatory, vaginal, dermatological and other diseases. It has been focussed on manuscripts that published after 2015. Studies on the use of 3DP in each disease group have been systematically reviewed by considering the methods, types of printers used and the prepared dosage forms. Oral formulations (tablets and films), implants, topical systems and vaccines are some of the examples of the mentioned dosage forms.

Summary
This review presented a systematic and novel overview of the use of 3DP in the treatment of different clinical disorders.
Fructus arctii: an overview on its traditional uses, pharmacology and phytochemistry
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Qi , Wei Hao-Cheng , Liang Yi-Yu , Niu Feng-Jv , Li Kun-Wei , Zhou Sheng-Jun , Zhou Chang-Zheng 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Fructus arctii (F. arctii) is the dried ripe fruit of Arctium lappa Willd (Asteraceae). It is being used as a traditional medicine in China, Japan, Iran, Europe, Afghanistan, India, etc. for cough, inflammation, clearing the heat, detoxification, cancer and diabetes. This review summarized the botanical description, distribution, ethnopharmacology, bioactive constituents and pharmacological actions of F. arctii including methods to assess its quality. In addition, this review also provides insights into future research directions on F. arctii to further explore its bioactive constituents, mechanism involved in pharmacological activity, and clinical use including the development of new analytical methods for assessing the quality.

Key findings
The comprehensive analysis of the literature revealed that F. arctii contains lignans, volatile oil, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenes, phenolic acids, etc. Experimental studies on various extracts and drug formulations showed that it has antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypoglycaemic, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, anti-tumour activity, etc.

Summary
The pharmacological activity of a few major constituents in F. arctii have been identified. However, there are still need more studies and more new technologies to prove the pharmacological activity and the effective mechanism of the other constituents that undergoing uncertain. Except for the animal experiments, clinical studies should be carried out to provide the evidence for clinical application.