bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Converting rangelands to reserves: Small mammal and reptile responses 24 years after domestic livestock grazing removal
Authors: Neilly Heather , Ward Michelle , Cale Peter 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWith one million species threatened with extinction and more than a third of terrestrial Earth now devoted to crop or livestock production, many conservation organisations are acquiring land, destocking and converting them to national parks or conservation reserves. When pastoral properties are acquired, destocking is often the first management action. Species responses to destocking are varied and largely associated with changes in ground vegetation complexity. However, studies over short timeframes may fail to capture the often slow and episodic recovery post‐destocking, particularly in arid and semi‐arid ecosystems. In this study, we examined the response of small mammals and reptiles between 6 and 24 years since destocking in mallee (Eucalytpussp.) andCasuarinavegetation communities in semi‐arid Australia. As casuarina sites were closer to water than mallee, they were subject to higher domestic livestock grazing intensity, and higher grazing pressure from invasive goats and native kangaroos after livestock were removed. We related faunal abundance and diversity to time‐since‐destocking, fractional cover, rainfall and temperature and described compositional dynamics. We found that the vegetation types had distinct fauna communities and unique recovery trajectories. In mallee, reptile abundance and diversity increased with time‐since‐destocking but did not change in casuarina. Small mammal response to time‐since‐destocking was non‐linear and strongly influenced by rainfall. Overall, the mallee community showed signs of recovery, but recovery was less evident in the more degraded casuarina. We highlight that destocking ex‐pastoral properties is rarely a restoration ‘quick‐fix’ and land managers must deal with a complex legacy of impacts, when converting pastoral land to conservation reserves.
Potential biomarkers of infertility associated with microbiome imbalances
Authors: Azpiroz Maria Agustina , Orguilia Lucila , Palacio Maria Ines , Malpartida Alejandro , Mayol Soledad , Mor Gil , Gutiérrez Gabriela 
Published: May 2021

AbstractProblemThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between vaginal/rectal microbiome disbalances and miRNA expression with infertility.Method of studyObservational, exploratory, preliminary study. A total of 287 multiple IVF failure infertile patients were recruited. Twenty fertile women, not IVF failure, were recruited as the control group. Swab samples were collected from the vagina and rectum. Microbial composition by NGS and miRNA expression by real‐time PCR of vaginal and rectal samples was measured. Immunometabolic markers from blood (insulin, vitamin D, LDL‐cholesterol, ANA, TPO, Tg, and ASCA antibodies) and saliva (sIgA) were analyzed.Result(s)Infertile patients showed a lower bacterial richness and increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio at rectal level and an increased Lactobacillus brevis/Lactobacillus iners ratio in vaginal samples regarding the fertile group. In the same rectal swab samples, we found that miR‐21‐5p, which is associated with tight junction disruption and yeast overgrowth, is upregulated and that miR‐155‐5p, which is associated with inflammation, is overexpressed in the unexplained infertile group (*p < .05). These deregulated miRNAs were also upregulated in the vaginal samples from the same patients (*p < .05).ConclusionmiRNAs could be potential biomarkers of the inflammatory impact of microbiome disbalances in unexplained infertile women.
Distinction between peanut allergy and tolerance by characterization of B cell receptor repertoires
Authors: Ehlers Anna M. , den Hartog Jager Constance F. , Knulst André C. , Otten Henny G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSpecific IgE against a peanut 2S albumin (Ara h 2 or 6) is the best predictor of clinically relevant peanut sensitization. However, sIgE levels of peanut allergic and those of peanut sensitized but tolerant patients partly overlap, highlighting the need for improved diagnostics to prevent incorrect diagnosis and consequently unnecessary food restrictions. Thus, we sought to explore differences in V(D)J gene transcripts coding for peanut 2S albumin‐specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from allergic and sensitized but tolerant donors.Methods2S albumin‐binding B‐cells were single‐cell sorted from peripheral blood of peanut allergic (n=6) and tolerant (n=6) donors sensitized to Ara h2 and/or 6 (≥ 0.1 kU/l) and non‐atopic controls (n=5). h 2 and/or 6 (≥ 0.1 kU/l). Corresponding h heavy and light chain gene transcripts were heterologously expressed as mAbs and tested for specificity to native Ara h2 and 6. HCDR3 sequence motifs were identified by Levenshtein distances and hierarchically clustering.ResultsThe frequency of 2S albumin‐binding B cells was increased in allergic (median: 0.01%) compared to tolerant (median: 0.006%) and non‐atopic donors (median: 0.0015%, p = 0.008). The majority of mAbs (74%, 29/39) bound specifically to Ara h 2 and/or 6. Non‐specific mAbs (9/10) were mainly derived from non‐atopic controls. In allergic donors, 89% of heavy chain gene transcripts consisted of VH3 family genes, compared with only 54% in sensitized but tolerant and 63% of non‐atopic donors. Additionally, certain HCDR3 sequence motifs were associated with allergy (n = 4) or tolerance (n = 3) upon hierarchical clustering of their Levenshtein distances.ConclusionsPeanut allergy is associated with dominant VH3 family gene usage and certain public antibody sequences (HCDR3 motifs).
Requirement of mental health referral letters for staged and revision genital gender‐affirming surgeries: An unsanctioned barrier to care
Authors: Yuan Nance , Chung Theodore , Ray Edward C. , Sioni Caitlin , Jimenez‐Eichelberger Alma , Garcia Maurice M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommends referral letters from two mental health providers within one year of gender‐affirming genital surgery (gGAS) to ensure patient readiness before primary surgeries. Many U.S. health insurance plans will not authorize second‐ and third‐stage surgeries or revision surgeries without two referral letters. Such requirements are not supported by WPATH guidelines.ObjectivesThis study investigates insurance requirements for referral letters and their negative impact on care.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all gGAS cases over a 4‐year period at our tertiary care medical center. Referral letter requirements for insurance authorization were documented. The nation's largest insurance companies, including commercial, state‐, and federally funded plans, were contacted to confirm requirements. We prospectively recorded time needed to complete insurance authorization for a patient subset. WPATH publications were reviewed.ResultsNearly all reviewed U.S. health insurance plans required annually updated referral letters for each gGAS procedure, including staged and revision surgeries. No updated letters changed clinical management. Referral letter requirements delayed care. WPATH states that letters should not be needed for staged surgeries. Some plans required letters even for initial surgical consultation, a practice not supported by WPATH.Discussion and ConclusionInsurance companies’ requirements for referral letters impede care and contradict WPATH guidelines. We advocate that, at minimum, referral letters should not be required for surgical consultations or for staged or revision surgeries after a patient has already had first‐stage primary gGAS. Universal referral letter requirements provide minimal clinical value, delay care, increase costs, and exacerbate gender dysphoria by invalidating gender transition. As with all procedures, surgeons themselves should be responsible for assessing patients’ surgical readiness. Significant changes in mental health status or social situation should prompt surgeons to seek reassessment. WPATH recommendations regarding referral letters should be clarified and consolidated into a single document.
Histopathology of myopic cobblestones
Authors: Jonas Shefali B. , Jonas Rahul A. , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra , Jonas Jost B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeTo search for the histological correlate of peripheral ‘cobblestones’ in highly myopic eyes.MethodsThe histomorphometric investigation included histologic sections of enucleated eyes of Caucasian patients. Using light microscopy, we measured the thickness of the retina, Bruch’s membrane (BM) and choriocapillaris.ResultsThe study included 50 eyes (mean age:60.6 ± 18.7 years;axial length:26.5 ± 3.8 mm), with cobblestone regions detected in 7 eyes. BM thickness and choriocapillaris thickness in the cobblestone region were thinner (1.1 ± 0.2 µm versus 2.4 ± 0.8 µm; p < 0.001 and 1.6 ± 0.5 µm versus 2.6 ± 1.9 µm; p = 0.02, respectively), and just outside of the cobblestone region they were thicker (3.3 ± 0.6 µm versus 2.4 ± 0.8 µm; p = 0.005 and 5.7 ± 1.6 µm versus 2.6 ± 1.9 µm; p = 0.002, respectively) than in corresponding regions of eyes without cobblestones. Within the group of eyes with cobblestones, BM thickness (1.1 ± 0.2 mm versus 3.3 ± 0.6 mm; p < 0.001), choriocapillaris thickness (1.6 ± 0.5 mm versus 5.7 ± 1.6 mm; p < 0.001) and choriocapillaris density (48±15 µm/300 µm versus 159 ± 66 µm/300 µm;PP=0.002) were significantly lower in the cobblestone region than just outside of the cobblestone region. The cobblestone regions were characterized by firm adhesion of disorganized retina with thinned BM, few retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) islands within cobblestone regions, and absence of regional scleral or overall choroidal thinning. BM was mono‐layered within, and double‐layered outside of cobblestone regions, with the inner layer missing within the cobblestone region (except for the RPE islands).ConclusionsPeripheral cobblestone regions in highly myopic eyes are characterized by marked BM thinning with absence of an inner BM layer, almost complete RPE absence, choriocapillaris thinning and firm connection of a disorganized retina to BM. These findings may help elucidating the process of axial elongation in myopic eyes.
The investigation and provenance of glass vessel fragments attributed to the Tomb of Amenhotep II, KV35, Valley of the Kings
Authors: Kemp Victoria , Brownscombe Will , Shortland Andrew 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFour polychrome glass fragments, excavated from tomb KV35 in the Valley of the Kings, attributed to Amenhotep II, were analysed to further investigate the composition and provenance of early Late Bronze Age (LBA) glasses. An additional fragment, EA64163, cited by the British Museum as being stylistically analogous to the fragments from KV35, although with a findspot simply recorded as ‘Thebes’, was also analysed. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis was used to analyse multiple colours on the fragments to determine the major element composition, the colouring strategies and to establish provenance using trace element analysis. The resulting data obtained were compared with four polychrome fragments of standard LBA Egyptian composition, excavated from the palace of Amenhotep III at Malkata, previously analysed by scanning electron microscopy with wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐WDS). Analysis showed that the glasses excavated from KV35 are standard LBA glass of Egyptian composition and were most likely produced in Egypt during the 18th Dynasty. The fragment EA64163 is a low magnesia, low potash glass comparable with Iron Age composition and therefore should be reconsidered as a later glass. The analysis of glasses excavated from a reliable, early Egyptian context supports the proposition that glass technology for multiple colours was established in Egypt at least as early as 1400 bce.
Impact investments, evil investments, and something in between: Comparing social banks' investment criteria and strategies with depositors' investment preferences
Authors: Höhnke Nikolas , Homölle Susanne 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSince the global financial crisis in 2007, social banks have been flooded with deposits. Previous studies have indicated that customers hold deposits with social banks due to social banks' special placement of assets. However, to date it has been far from clear how social banks select their investments, and consequently to what extent the placement of assets meets depositors' preferences. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate whether the characteristics of social banks’ placement of assets are relevant to depositors’ choice of social banks. A two‐stage study is conducted, using data collected via a document analysis of social banks' investment criteria, a survey of social banks, and an online survey of 609 depositors. The results imply that the characteristics of social banks' placement of assets are indeed relevant to depositors' choice of social banks, but do not explain customer behaviour entirely. Furthermore, the findings indicate that a relevant proportion of customers hold deposits with social banks to avoid “evil” rather than necessarily creating “good.” Based on the findings, a theoretical framework of depositors' choice of social banks is presented that goes far beyond previous explanations by considering various types of social depositors, banks, and borrowers.
A phase I open label dose‐escalation study to evaluate the tolerability, safety and immunological efficacy of sub‐urothelial durvalumab injection in adults with muscle‐invasive or high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (SUBDUE‐1, SUB‐urothelial DUrvalumab injection‐1 study): clinical trial protocol
Authors: Moe Andrew , Liow Elizabeth , Redfern Andrew , Swarbrick Nicole , Ferguson Tom , Davis Ian D. , Hayne Dickon 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesThis article presents the clinical trial protocol for a phase I open label dose‐escalation study to evaluate the tolerability, safety and immunological efficacy of sub‐urothelial durvalumab injection in adults with muscle‐invasive or high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the SUB‐urothelial DUrvalumab injection‐1 study (SUBDUE‐1). The primary objectives of this study are to assess the safety of sub‐urothelial injection of durvalumab using patient reported outcome measures and observed local or systemic adverse events. The secondary objectives are to examine the local immunological efficacy of sub‐urothelial administration of durvalumab.Patients and MethodsThe SUBDUE‐1 trial will include adult patients with either high‐risk NMIBC or MIBC, who are scheduled for radical cystectomy or who have refused or are unsuitable for systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three fixed total dose levels of durvalumab (25, 75, 150 mg) will be studied to identify a dose suitable to be taken forward into phase II trials. The primary endpoint is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the trial intervention in terms of the incidence and severity of adverse events and the potential establishment of dose‐limiting toxicities. The secondary efficacy endpoints include rates of pT0 status at resection, lymph node status, as well as the change in distribution of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes and tumour‐activated macrophages between pre‐ and post‐injection bladder biopsies. Translational studies will focus on bladder tumour molecular sub‐typing, immune infiltrate characterisation, and immune checkpoint protein expression relative to efficacy end‐points.Outcome and SignificanceIf proven safe and effective, this novel strategy comprising sub‐urothelial durvalumab injections aimed at promoting an anti‐tumour immune reaction, will provide additional treatment options for reducing tumour recurrence and progression in treatment‐naïve patients with high‐risk NMIBC or in patients with bacille Calmette–Guérin‐refractory NMIBC. Local administration of durvalumab may be associated with a reduced rate of immunological side‐effects and lower costs when compared to systemic delivery.
A review of developments in industrial hair colorant actives for oxidative dyes
Authors: Towns Andrew 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper reviews developments in industrial colorants as active ingredients of commercial products that rely on oxidative chemistry for the coloration of human hair. After outlining the regulatory challenges faced by the industry, which are shaping the landscape of colorant usage, the most commercially important actives utilised in oxidative hair colorant formulations are surveyed from the perspective of their chemistry and economics. Some developments in the form of recently introduced actives are also described.
TrendPowerTool: A lookup tool for estimating the statistical power of a monitoring program to detect population trends
Authors: Weiser Emily L. , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Lopez‐Hoffman Laura , Semmens Darius , Thogmartin Wayne E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA simulation‐based power analysis can be used to estimate the sample sizes needed for a successful monitoring program, but requires technical expertise and sometimes extensive computing resources. We developed a web‐based lookup app, called TrendPowerTool (https://www.usgs.gov/apps/TrendPowerTool/), to provide guidance for ecological monitoring programs when resources are not available for a simulation‐based power analysis. TrendPowerTool is implemented through the shiny package in R, but is accessible through a webpage without the need for users to install any software. By drawing on results of 1.4 million scenarios that we simulated on a supercomputer, TrendPowerTool quickly and easily provides an estimate of the statistical power to detect a population trend of a particular magnitude with a planned monitoring program, based on user‐specified parameters for the monitoring design and population of interest. TrendPowerTool provides a user‐friendly interface that retrieves results instantaneously, facilitating the important step of conducting a power analysis when designing monitoring programs.
Prevalence of iron deficiency in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Brautaset Englund Kristine V , Østby Charlotte M , Tjønnås Gry , Gude Einar , Andreassen Arne K , Gullestad Lars , Broch Kaspar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundOptimal iron management is crucial to marginal patients such as heart transplant recipients. As inflammatory mechanisms are present in transplant recipients, the definition of iron deficiency used in the general population might not be appropriate.ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence and determinants of iron deficiency in Norwegian heart transplant recipients.MethodsWe consecutively assessed iron parameters in all Norwegian heart transplant recipients at their annual follow‐up. Several definitions of iron deficiency suggested in the literature were assessed: ferritin <100 µg/L, or ferritin 100‐300 µg/L combined with transferrin saturation of <20% (IDHF); ferritin <100 µg/L (IDF100); transferrin saturation of <20% (IDTsat), and ferritin <30 µg/L (IDF30).Results179 of 378 heart transplant recipients (47%) had iron deficiency defined as IDHF. 152 patients (40%) had IDF100, and 103 patients (27%) had IDTsat. 17 patients (5%) had IDF30. 88 patients (23%) had a C‐reactive protein (CRP) >5.0 µg/L.ConclusionIron deficiency defined as IDHF, IDF100, or IDTsat is prevalent in the heart transplant population, while IDF30 is not. Further research is required to identify the mechanisms of iron homeostasis in heart transplant recipients and to establish a definition of iron deficiency suitable for this population.
Epiphytic macrolichen communities take decades to recover after high‐severity wildfire in chaparral shrublands
Authors: Miller Jesse E. D. , Weill Alexandra M. , Villella John 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimFire regimes are shifting globally due to climate change, land management practices and population growth, putting species at risk if they are unable to adapt to more frequent or severe wildfires. While many fire‐adapted species may be able to accommodate some amount of change in fire regimes, fire‐sensitive or late‐successional species that colonize fire‐prone ecosystems between wildfires may be especially vulnerable to more frequent or severe fires. Here, we seek to understand the rate of lichen recolonization after high‐severity fires in an ecosystem that is experiencing increasing fire frequency.LocationThe Inner North Coast Range of California, USA.MethodsUsing a chronosequence of wildfires in a Northern California chaparral shrubland, we compare lichen communities among sites that burned 3, 13, 22, 30 and 65 years previously, as well as old‐growth chaparral sites without a recorded fire over the past century.ResultsWe find that lichen richness increases consistently with time since fire but begins to level off 20–30 years following fire, roughly corresponding to the closure of the shrub canopy. Some taxa and guilds were found only in old‐growth chaparral.ConclusionsOur findings highlight that fire‐intolerant organisms may be relatively slow to recolonize landscapes after high‐severity fire and that the majority of chaparral lichen taxa may be lost where fire intervals shorten to <20 years, which has already occurred in some parts of California.
Reproductive traits explain occupancy of predicted distributions in a genus of eastern North American understory herbs
Authors: Miller Chelsea N. , Papeş Monica , Schilling Edward E. , Kwit Charles 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimAbiotic, biotic and dispersal factors interact to shape species distributions. At broad geographic extents, abiotic factors are thought to exert the greatest influence on the distribution, while biotic and dispersal factors strongly influence the distribution regionally and locally. We test whether reproductive traits relating to biotic and dispersal factors explain differences between estimated potential and occupied geographic distributions for 21 species of Trillium.LocationEastern North America.MethodsFundamental niches and associated predicted suitable distributions were estimated using climate‐calibrated ecological niche models. We defined occupied distributions as the intersection between known ranges and predicted suitable areas (PSAs). Proportional occupancy of the predicted suitable distribution (PO) was calculated by dividing the area of the occupied distribution by the PSA. We related reproductive traits (ovule number, seed set, number of seeds/plant, seed mass, adult biomass, flower type: sessile/pedicellate) to PO using beta regression models. AICc was used to assess model fit.ResultsThere was considerable variation in PO across species (1.1%–96%, mean = 51%). Eighty‐five percent of species with PO < 60% were sessile; 88% of species with PO > 60% were pedicellate. The best‐fit beta regression (pseudo R2 = .70) yielded significantly lower PO for sessile‐flowered species; ovule number and seed mass were also significant predictors of PO.Main conclusionsVariation in PO among study species can be explained by flower type, ovule number and seed mass—biotic traits related to dispersal ability. We posit that variation in dispersal potential stemming from primary and long‐distance dispersers is related to occupancy of the predicted suitable distribution in Trillium. We exemplify a scenario in which life history traits explain why some species are range‐restricted when their close relatives are widespread. Our methodology constitutes a powerful comparative framework that can be applied to diverse biological systems to inform conservation of rare species.