bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FSH induces apoptosis in follicular granulosa cells of Tianzhu white yak and regulates the expression of Fas/FasL mRNA
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Guyue , Yu Sijiu , Pan Yangyang , Fan Jiangfeng , Cui Yan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Tianzhu white yak, a globally rare species, holds immense value as a source for yak materials. While the Fas/FasL pathway is pivotal in granulosa cells apoptosis, its precise molecular workings remain enigmatic. This study endeavours to decipher the role of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) in suppressing ovarian granulosa cells (GC) apoptosis in the Tianzhu white yak. Utilizing advanced cell culture techniques, we employed the MTT method, flow cytometry, fluorescence labelling and RT‐PCR to investigate the apoptotic effects of FSH on yak GCs. Our results reveal that FSH's inhibitory effect on GC apoptosis follows a normal distribution pattern, peaking at an FSH concentration of 100 ng/mL with an apoptosis inhibition rate of 89.31%. When serum was withdrawn, an FSH concentration of 2 × 106 ng/mL reduced apoptosis by 72.84%. Annexin V‐FITC staining revealed membrane invaginations, bubble and protrusion formation on the cell surface, and alterations in membrane structure and cell morphology. Flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated that FSH administration prior to early granulosa cell apoptosis had a more profound effect than during gradual apoptosis, both showing a suppressive effect on early follicular granulosa cell apoptosis. A transcription‐level analysis conducted 3 h prior to serum withdrawal, with the addition of 100 ng/mL FSH, revealed intricate regulations in the expression of Fas/FasL. Notably, we observed a gradual increase in FasL expression over time, yet the presence of FSH effectively down‐regulated FasL expression to baseline levels, without notable changes in Fas expression. Immunocytochemical analysis further confirmed the presence of both Fas and FasL on the cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm, with varying intensities depending on the duration of FSH treatment. Our findings suggest that FSH may suppress the apoptotic pathway in follicular primarily by down‐regulating FasL expression, indicating that Fas‐regulated mitochondrial pathways play a more prominent role compared to death receptor pathways. This study offers a fresh perspective on the mechanism underlying follicular atresia in Tianzhu white yaks and lays a solid theoretical foundation for the expansion of this endangered species' population.
Sperm‐borne miR‐34c‐5p and miR‐191‐3p as markers for sperm motility and embryo developmental competence
Authors: Pinto Soraia , Pereira Sara C. , Rocha António , Barros Alberto , Alves Marco G. , Oliveira Pedro F. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundSperm‐borne microRNAs play a pivotal role in influencing essential cellular processes during fertilization, impacting the quality of embryo development. Dysregulated microRNA profiles have been associated with compromised embryonic development and increased incidences of pregnancy loss.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the potential associations between the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p and miR‐191‐3p in human spermatozoa with sperm quality, as well as with embryo quality and metabolic performance during in vitro development.Materials and methodsThirteen couples who underwent a total of 13 cycles participated in this study. The sperm quality was assessed using conventional methods following World Health Organization guidelines. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure microRNA abundance in spermatozoa. Embryos were categorized as good, lagging, or bad based on morphokinetic evaluation. Evaluation of embryo metabolic performance involved tracking changes in specific metabolites within the cultured media using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between microRNA abundance in human spermatozoa and all other collected data.ResultsOur findings revealed a negative correlation between the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p (but not miR‐191‐3p) and total sperm motility, potentially mediated by the modulation of key signaling pathways. Additionally, higher levels of miR‐34c‐5p in spermatozoa were strongly associated with the consumption or release of key metabolites by developing embryos, particularly those linked with lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting enhanced metabolic performance, while miR‐191‐3p was mostly associated with glucose consumption. Concurrently, only miR‐34c‐5p content in spermatozoa correlated with higher embryo quality.Discussion and conclusionThis study provides evidence suggesting that the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p in spermatozoa is correlated not only with total sperm motility but also with markers of embryo developmental competence, highlighting the potential significance of this sperm microRNA content as a biomarker in assisted reproduction.
Associations between fetal position at delivery and duration of active phase of labor: A historical cohort study
Authors: Eide Birgitte , Sande Ragnar Kvie , Von Brandis Phillip , Kessler Jørg , Tappert Christian , Eggebø Torbjørn Moe 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionIn clinical experience, occiput posterior (OP) position is associated with longer labor duration than occiput anterior (OA) position, but few studies have investigated the association between labor duration and fetal position. We aimed to compare duration of the active phase of labor in OP deliveries with OA deliveries in a contemporary population using survival methods. Secondary aims were to compare the frequencies of operative interventions, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), postpartum hemorrhage, and newborn outcomes in OP with OA deliveries.Material and MethodsWe did a historical cohort study in three university hospitals in Norway from 2012 to 2022. Women with a single fetus in cephalic presentation, no previous cesarean section and gestational age ≥37 weeks were eligible and stratified into the first four groups of the Robson ten‐group classification system (TGCS). We estimated the mean duration and calculated the hazard ratio (HR) for delivery using survival analyses. Cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries were censored.ResultsThe study population comprised 112 019 women, 105 571 (94.2%) were delivered in OA and 6448 (5.8%) in OP position. The estimated mean duration of the active phase of labor was longer in women with the fetus in OP position in all four TGCS groups. The estimated duration was longer in the OP groups in analyses stratified with respect to epidural analgesia and oxytocin augmentation. The graphical abstract illustrates the probability of delivery in OP compared with OA position in merged TGCS groups 1 and 2a, as a function of time. The unadjusted HR was 0.33 (95% CI 0.31–0.36) for fetuses delivered in OP position compared with OA position in TGCS group 1, 0.25 (95% CI 0.21–0.27) in group 2a, 0.70 (95% CI 0.67–0.73) in group 3, and 0.61 (95% CI 0.55–0.67) in group 4a, respectively. Neither maternal age, gestational age, BMI nor birthweight had confounding effect. Operative delivery rates and OASIS rates were higher in OP position in all four groups.ConclusionsWe found longer duration of the active phase of labor in women with the fetus delivered in OP position in all four TGCS groups.
How to study psychological mechanisms of mania? A systematic review on the methodology of experimental studies on manic mood dysregulation of leading theories on bipolar disorder
Authors: Glas V. F. J. , Koenders M. A. , Kupka R. W. , Regeer E. J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionAlthough there are several psychological theories on bipolar disorders (BD), the empirical evidence on these theories through experimental studies is still limited. The current study systematically reviews experimental methods used in studies on the main theories of BD: Reward Hypersensitivity Theory (RST) or Behavioral Activation System (BAS), Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM), Positive Emotion Persistence (PEP), Manic Defense theory (MD), and Mental Imagery (MI). The primary aim is to provide an overview of the used methods and to identify limitations and suggest areas of improvement.MethodsA systematic search of six databases until October 2023 was conducted. Study selection involved two independent reviewers extracting data on experimental study design and methodology.ResultsA total of 84 experimental studies were reviewed. BAS and RST were the most frequently studied theories. The majority of these experimental studies focus on mechanisms of reward sensitivity. Other important elements of the reviewed theories, such as goal setting and—attainment, situation selection (avoidance or approach), activation, affective/emotional reactivity, and regulatory strategies, are understudied. Self‐report and neuropsychological tasks are most often used, while mood induction and physiological measures are rarely used.ConclusionThere is a need for more consensus on the operationalization of psychological theories of mania. Standardization of test batteries could improve comparability among studies and foster a more systematic approach to experimental research. Research on affective (activated) states is still underrepresented in comparison with studies on trait vulnerabilities.
Fungal infection frequency in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with venetoclax plus azacitidine with or without antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Weinbergerová Barbora , Mayer Jiří , Kabut Tomáš , Sperr Wolfgang R. , Števková Jana , Jonášová Anna , Čerňan Martin , Herndlhofer Susanne , Oravcová Iveta , Šrámek Jiří , Novák Jan , Štěpánová Radka , Szotkowski Tomáš , Drgoňa Luboš , Žák Pavel , Valent Peter 
Published: July 2024

SummaryOur observational study analysed fungal infection frequency within cohorts with versus without antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) among newly diagnosed first‐line venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA)‐treated acute myeloid leukaemias in Czech, Austrian and Slovak haematology centres. Among 186 patients, 85 (46%) received antifungal prophylaxis, while 101 (54%) received no prophylaxis. Fungal infections occurred in 1/85 patients with prophylaxis (1%) and 5/101 patients without prophylaxis (5%) (p = 0.222). No significant difference was recorded between cohorts with and without AFP in terms of death rate (p = 0.296) and overall survival (p = 0.844). In conclusion, most infections were not severe, developing during the first treatment‐cycle and did not affect patients' overall outcome.
Non‐Orthogonal Reduction for Rendering Fluorescent Materials in Non‐Spectral Engines
Authors: Fichet A. , Belcour L. , Barla P. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe propose a method to accurately handle fluorescence in a non‐spectral (e.g., tristimulus) rendering engine, showcasing color‐shifting and increased luminance effects. Core to our method is a principled reduction technique that encodes the reradiation into a low‐dimensional matrix working in the space of the renderer's Color Matching Functions (CMFs). Our process is independent of a specific CMF set and allows for the addition of a non‐visible ultraviolet band during light transport. Our representation visually matches full spectral light transport for measured fluorescent materials even for challenging illuminants.
Residual path integrals for re‐rendering
Authors: Xu Bing , Li Tzu‐Mao , Georgiev Iliyan , Hedstrom Trevor , Ramamoorthi Ravi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractConventional rendering techniques are primarily designed and optimized for single‐frame rendering. In practical applications, such as scene editing and animation rendering, users frequently encounter scenes where only a small portion is modified between consecutive frames. In this paper, we develop a novel approach to incremental re‐rendering of scenes with dynamic objects, where only a small part of a scene moves from one frame to the next. We formulate the difference (or residual) in the image between two frames as a (correlated) light‐transport integral which we call the residual path integral. Efficient numerical solution of this integral then involves (1) devising importance sampling strategies to focus on paths with non‐zero residual‐transport contributions and (2) choosing appropriate mappings between the native path spaces of the two frames. We introduce a set of path importance sampling strategies that trace from the moving object(s) which are the sources of residual energy. We explore path mapping strategies that generalize those from gradient‐domain path tracing to our importance sampling techniques specially for dynamic scenes. Additionally, our formulation can be applied to material editing as a simpler special case. We demonstrate speed‐ups over previous correlated sampling of path differences and over rendering the new frame independently. Our formulation brings new insights into the re‐rendering problem and paves the way for devising new types of sampling techniques and path mappings with different trade‐offs.
Scaling Painting Style Transfer
Authors: Galerne Bruno , Raad Lara , Lezama José , Morel Jean‐Michel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNeural style transfer (NST) is a deep learning technique that produces an unprecedentedly rich style transfer from a style image to a content image. It is particularly impressive when it comes to transferring style from a painting to an image. NST was originally achieved by solving an optimization problem to match the global statistics of the style image while preserving the local geometric features of the content image. The two main drawbacks of this original approach is that it is computationally expensive and that the resolution of the output images is limited by high GPU memory requirements. Many solutions have been proposed to both accelerate NST and produce images with larger size. However, our investigation shows that these accelerated methods all compromise the quality of the produced images in the context of painting style transfer. Indeed, transferring the style of a painting is a complex task involving features at different scales, from the color palette and compositional style to the fine brushstrokes and texture of the canvas. This paper provides a solution to solve the original global optimization for ultra‐high resolution (UHR) images, enabling multiscale NST at unprecedented image sizes. This is achieved by spatially localizing the computation of each forward and backward passes through the VGG network. Extensive qualitative and quantitative comparisons, as well as a perceptual study, show that our method produces style transfer of unmatched quality for such high‐resolution painting styles. By a careful comparison, we show that state‐of‐the‐art fast methods are still prone to artifacts, thus suggesting that fast painting style transfer remains an open problem.
Neural Appearance Model for Cloth Rendering
Authors: Soh G. Y. , Montazeri Z. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe realistic rendering of woven and knitted fabrics has posed significant challenges throughout many years. Previously, fiber‐based micro‐appearance models have achieved considerable success in attaining high levels of realism. However, rendering such models remains complex due to the intricate internal scatterings of hundreds of fibers within a yarn, requiring vast amounts of memory and time to render. In this paper, we introduce a new framework to capture aggregated appearance by tracing many light paths through the underlying fiber geometry. We then employ lightweight neural networks to accurately model the aggregated BSDF, which allows for the precise modeling of a diverse array of materials while offering substantial improvements in speed and reductions in memory. Furthermore, we introduce a novel importance sampling scheme to further speed up the rate of convergence. We validate the efficacy and versatility of our framework through comparisons with preceding fiber‐based shading models as well as the most recent yarn‐based model.
Changes in wild meat hunting and use by rural communities during the COVID‐19 socio‐economic shock
Authors: Emogor Charles A. , Coad Lauren , Balmford Ben , Ingram Daniel J. , Detoeuf Diane , Fletcher Robert J. , Imong Inaoyom , Dunn Andrew , Balmford Andrew 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThere is limited quantitative evidence of the effects of socio‐economic shocks on biological resource use. Focusing on wild meat hunting, a substantial livelihood and food source in tropical regions, we evaluated the impacts of the shock from Nigeria's coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) lockdown on species exploitation around a global biodiversity hotspot. Using a 3‐year quantitative dataset collected during and after the lockdown (covering 1008 hunter‐months) and matching by time of year, we found that successful hunting trip rates were more frequent during the lockdown, with a corresponding increase in the monthly number, mass, and value of animals caught. Moreover, hunters consumed a larger proportion of wild meat and sold less during lockdown, compared to non‐lockdown periods. These results suggest that local communities relied on wild meat to supplement reduced food and income during the lockdown, buffering the COVID‐19's socio‐economic shock. Our findings also indicate that wild species may be especially vulnerable to increased hunting pressure during socio‐economic shocks.
A multilevel perspective to understanding enablers and barriers to success in threatened species recovery planning
Authors: Guerrero Angela M. , Sporne Ilva , Wilson Kerrie A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRecovery planning is considered an important policy instrument for the management of threatened species. While recovery planning has led to improvements in the conservation status of some species, the degree of success can vary substantially across different contexts and is dependent on multiple factors. Institutional and organizational factors such as insufficient funding, weak policies, underspecified goals, and lack of knowledge impact the success of recovery planning. But recovery planning can be fall short in achieving desired outcomes even in the absence of these constraints. Recovery planning is also highly reliant on collaboration efforts between local agencies, community organizations, and research institutions—yet studies examining the diversity of factors influencing the success of recovery planning are rare. To address this gap, we take a multilevel perspective that situates recovery planning inside nested layers of institutional, organizational, team, and action‐level processes. We apply this framework and utilize in‐depth interviews and thematic analysis to analyze barriers and enablers in the recovery of two threatened Australian species. Our analysis reveals how team‐level processes interact with their organizational and institutional contexts to influence outcomes. Key findings emphasize the indispensable role of committed individuals, collaboration, and strategic utilization of specialist knowledge in fostering effective teamwork. Furthermore, our findings also emphasize the critical importance of a shared purpose within the team and the need for equilibrium between personal agendas and team objectives. We highlight the need for more studies to deliver a nuanced understanding of how team‐level processes drive successful recovery planning, even when institutional factors, such as appropriate funding and knowledge, are present.
Projecting the long‐term effects of large‐scale human influence on the spatial and functional persistence of extant longleaf pine ecosystems in the Florida Flatwoods Pyrome
Authors: Hutchens Lilian , Kupfer John A. , Gao Peng , Sanchez Georgina M. , Meentemeyer Ross K. , Terando Adam J. , Kevin Hiers J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDecades of human activities and fire suppression have adversely affected longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems, which are home to high levels of diversity and endemism. These iconic ecosystems also now face challenges from urbanization and climate change, which will alter conservation outcomes over the remainder of the 21st century. To explore how long‐term, large‐scale human influences could affect the spatial and functional persistence of extant longleaf pine ecosystems in the Florida Flatwoods Pyrome, we extracted a set of 2400 longleaf pine patches ≥40 ha in size from the Florida Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Geodatabase. Projections from the FUTURES urban growth model and the Florida 2070 project indicate that development will lead to losses of existing longleaf pine habitat, reductions in longleaf pine patch size, and patches that are predominantly located in close proximity to developed areas. Finer‐scale patterns of longleaf pine loss in three focal landscapes highlighted differences in land protection, ecological setting, and development pressure and the value of using of multiple urbanization iterations. The occurrence of suitable conditions to conduct prescribed fires, a crucial tool for maintaining, improving, and restoring longleaf pine ecosystems, is projected to decrease seasonally throughout the study area. As a result, the functional persistence of ecosystems is at risk due to climate changes that increase barriers to the safe and reliable application of intentional fire. The long‐term viability of this critical ecosystem will warrant the evaluation of adaptive strategies that explicitly account for the individual and compounding effects of urban development and changing fire management conditions when considering options for ecosystem protection, management, and restoration.
Topical menthol, a pharmacological cold mimic, induces cold sensitivity, adaptive thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue activation in mice
Authors: Sankina Polina , Lal Roshan , Khare Pragyanshu , von Hörsten Stephan , Fester Lars , Aggarwal Vaishali , Zimmermann Katharina , Bishnoi Mahendra 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimBrown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis has profound energy‐expanding potential, which makes it an attractive target tissue to combat ever‐increasing obesity and its other associated metabolic complications. Although it is fairly accepted that cold is a potent inducer of BAT activation and function, there are limited studies on the mechanisms of pharmacological cold‐mimicking agents, such as the TRPM8 agonist, menthol, on BAT thermogenesis and activation.MethodsHerein, we sought to determine the effect of topical application of menthol (10% w/v [4 g/kg] cream formulation/day for 15 days) on temperature sensitivity behaviour (thermal gradient assay, nesting behaviour), adaptive thermogenesis (infrared thermography, core body temperature), BAT sympathetic innervation (tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry) and activation (18F‐FDG PET‐CT analysis, Uncoupling Protein 1 immunohistochemistry and BAT gene expression), whole‐body energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) and other metabolic variables in male C57BL/6N mice.ResultsWe show that male C57BL/6N mice: (a) develop a warm‐seeking and cold‐avoiding thermal preference phenotype; (b) display increased locomotor activity and adaptive thermogenesis; (c) show augmented sympathetic innervation in BAT and its activation; (d) exhibit enhanced gluconeogenic capacity (increased glucose excursion in response to pyruvate) and insulin sensitivity; and (e) show enhanced whole‐body energy expenditure and induced lipid‐utilizing phenotype after topical menthol application. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings highlight that pharmacological cold mimicking using topical menthol application presents a potential therapeutic strategy to counter weight gain and related complications.