bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond the kill: The allometry of predation behaviours among large carnivores
Authors: Ritwika V. P. S. , Gopinathan Ajay , Yeakel Justin D. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The costs of foraging can be high while also carrying significant risks, especially for consumers feeding at the top of the food chain.

To mitigate these risks, many predators supplement active hunting with scavenging and kleptoparasitic behaviours, in some cases specializing in these alternative modes of predation.

The factors that drive differential utilization of these tactics from species to species are not well understood.

Here, we use an energetics approach to investigate the survival advantages of hunting, scavenging and kleptoparasitism as a function of predator, prey and potential competitor body sizes for terrestrial mammalian carnivores.

The results of our framework reveal that predator tactics become more diverse closer to starvation, while the deployment of scavenging and kleptoparasitism is strongly constrained by the ratio of predator to prey body size.

Our model accurately predicts a behavioural transition away from hunting towards alternative modes of predation with increasing prey size for predators spanning an order of magnitude in body size, closely matching observational data across a range of species.

We then show that this behavioural boundary follows an allometric power‐law scaling relationship where the predator size scales with an exponent nearing 3/4 with prey size, meaning that this behavioural switch occurs at relatively larger threshold prey body size for larger carnivores.

We suggest that our approach may provide a holistic framework for guiding future observational efforts exploring the diverse array of predator foraging behaviours.
Environmental drivers of global variation in home range size of terrestrial and marine mammals
Authors: Broekman Maarten J. E. , Hilbers Jelle P. , Hoeks Selwyn , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Schipper Aafke M. , Tucker Marlee A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

As animal home range size (HRS) provides valuable information for species conservation, it is important to understand the driving factors of HRS variation. It is widely known that differences in species traits (e.g. body mass) are major contributors to variation in mammal HRS. However, most studies examining how environmental variation explains mammal HRS variation have been limited to a few species, or only included a single (mean) HRS estimate for the majority of species, neglecting intraspecific HRS variation. Additionally, most studies examining environmental drivers of HRS variation included only terrestrial species, neglecting marine species.

Using a novel dataset of 2800 HRS estimates from 586 terrestrial and 27 marine mammal species, we quantified the relationships between HRS and environmental variables, accounting for species traits.

Our results indicate that terrestrial mammal HRS was on average 5.3 times larger in areas with low human disturbance (human footprint index [HFI] = 0), compared to areas with maximum human disturbance (HFI = 50). Similarly, HRS was on average 5.4 times larger in areas with low annual mean productivity (NDVI = 0), compared to areas with high productivity (NDVI = 1). In addition, HRS increased by a factor of 1.9 on average from low to high seasonality in productivity (standard deviation (SD) of monthly NDVI from 0 to 0.36). Of these environmental variables, human disturbance and annual mean productivity explained a larger proportion of HRS variance than seasonality in productivity. Marine mammal HRS decreased, on average, by a factor of 3.7 per 10°C decline in annual mean sea surface temperature (SST), and increased by a factor of 1.5 per 1°C increase in SST seasonality (SD of monthly values). Annual mean SST explained more variance in HRS than SST seasonality. Due to the small sample size, caution should be taken when interpreting the marine mammal results.

Our results indicate that environmental variation is relevant for HRS and that future environmental changes might alter the HRS of individuals, with potential consequences for ecosystem functioning and the effectiveness of conservation actions.
Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Rooney Donna , Aplin Tammy , Bennett Sally , Gui Dorcas Simin , Scott Theresa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionOccupational therapy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) can enhance residents' occupational engagement and wellbeing. However, industry reports suggest that occupational therapists in Australian RACFs have mostly provided physical therapies such as pain management via massage and not addressed residents' occupations. There is limited literature on what constitutes occupational therapists' practice in RACFs to inform policy and practice. The aim of this cross‐sectional survey was to explore practice patterns of occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs and influences on their practice.MethodsOccupational therapists working in Australian RACFs were invited from July 2019 to March 2020 to complete a self‐report online questionnaire via email and advertisements on industry websites, newsletters, and social media. The questionnaire asked therapists about their caseload, referrals, assessments, and interventions. Data were analysed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages.ResultsA total of 214 occupational therapists completed the survey. Occupational therapists' daily practice largely focussed on pain management; other areas of practice included falls prevention, pressure care, and mobility. The Aged Care Funding Instrument in place at the time of the survey was identified as the leading factor influencing therapists' choice of assessments and interventions. Organisational policies and procedures were also perceived as key factors influencing occupational therapy practice.ConclusionThis paper highlights the influence of government funding and organisational policies in limiting occupational therapists' scope of practice and their ability to fully address the occupational needs of residents. Occupational therapists and the profession in general should be aware of factors in aged care funding models, and their application, that restrict occupational therapy practice and inhibit residents' function and advocate for change where needed. With the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification funding model replacing Aged Care Funding Instrument, future research should explore potential changes to therapists practice following the implementation of the new funding model.
Pre‐loved home: Egg clutches of the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii, detected in water‐filled burrows created by the hunter hairy crayfish, Cherax setosus
Authors: Gould John , Beranek Chad 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMany animals create their own microhabitats that are not naturally present in the environment, such as nests and burrows, which are extended phenotypes that perform tasks related to survival and reproduction. Animals may be able to avoid the costs of implementing their own extended phenotypes by exploiting those already created by other species, including structures that are not actively in use or abandoned. Herein, we report on the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii, from Australia utilizing crayfish burrows for depositing their egg clutches. Field observations revealed large numbers of recently hatched L. peronii tadpoles in two flooded burrows likely created by the hunter hairy crayfish, Cherax setosus, near an ephemeral wetland pond on Kooragang Island, Australia that had partially dried. Our observations indicate that L. peronii may opportunistically exploit crayfish burrows which, when flooded, become suitable aquatic sites for breeding. These small waterbodies may provide fitness benefits to offspring, reducing exposure to aquatic predators found in naturally occurring aquatic systems but at the expense of increasing competition and cannibalism among confined siblings. These burrows may provide suitable microhabitat refuge during droughts, and breeding habitat for amphibians when other typical breeding habitats may not exist due to wetland drying. This is an example of an amphibian using an extended phenotype of a crustacean for the purposes of reproduction, revealing a unique interaction between these species that has not been reported.
HeartMate 3 implantation with an emphasis on the biventricular configuration
Authors: Marasco Silvana F. , McLean Janelle , Kure Christina E. , Rix Julia , Lake Tanieka , Linton Ashlee , Farag James , Zhu Michael Z. L. , Doi Atsuo , Bergin Peter J. , Leet Angeline S. , Taylor Andrew J. , Hare James L. , Patel Hitesh C. , Kaye David , McGiffin David C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesRight ventricular failure following implantation of a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a major driver of mortality. Reported survival following biventricular (BiVAD) or total artificial heart (TAH) implantation remains substantially inferior to LVAD alone. We report our outcomes with LVAD and BiVAD HeartMate 3 (HM3).MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing implantation of an HM3 LVAD between November 2014 and December 2021, at The Alfred, Australia were included in the study. Comparison was made between the BiVAD and LVAD alone groups.ResultsA total of 86 patients, 65 patients with LVAD alone and 21 in a BiVAD configuration underwent implantation. The median age of the LVAD and BiVAD groups was 56 years (Interquartile range 46–62) and 49 years (Interquartile range 37–55), respectively. By 4 years after implantation, 54% of LVAD patients and 43% of BiVAD patients had undergone cardiac transplantation. The incidence of stroke in the entire experience was 3.5% and pump thrombosis 5% (all in the RVAD). There were 14 deaths in the LVAD group and 1 in the BiVAD group. The actuarial survival for LVAD patients at 1 year was 85% and BiVAD patients at 1 year was 95%.ConclusionsThe application of HM 3 BiVAD support in selected patients appears to offer a satisfactory solution to patients requiring biventricular support.
Dementia and depression: Biological connections with amyloid β protein
Authors: dos Santos Helamã Moraes , Bertollo Amanda Gollo , Mingoti Maiqueli Eduarda Dama , Grolli Roberta Eduarda , Kreuz Kelli Maria , Ignácio Zuleide Maria 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDementia is an umbrella term for a broad group of age‐associated neurodegenerative diseases. It is estimated that dementia affects 50 million people worldwide and that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is responsible for up to 75% of cases. Small extracellular senile plaques composed of filamentous aggregates of amyloid β (Aβ) protein tend to bind to neuronal receptors, affecting cholinergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission, leading to neuroinflammation, among other pathophysiologic processes and subsequent neuronal death, followed by dementia. The amyloid cascade hypothesis points to a pathological process in the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in pathological Aβ. There is a close relationship between the pathologies that lead to dementia and depression. It is estimated that depression is prevalent in up to 90% of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, with varying severity, and in 20 to 30% of cases of Alzheimer's disease. The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is the great intermediary between the pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases and depression. This review discusses the role of Aβ protein in the pathophysiological mechanisms of dementia and depression, considering the HPA axis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, signalling pathways and neurotransmission.
Brucine alleviates fibroblast‐like synoviocytes dysfunction and inflammation by regulating YY1 during rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Gaodan , Xu Bin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBrucine is a weak alkaline indole alkaloid with wide pharmacological activities and has been identified to protect against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) process. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are also reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Here, we aimed to probe the role and mechanism of Brucine and circ_0139658 in RA progression. The fibroblast‐like synoviocytes of RA (RA‐FLSs) were isolated for functional analysis. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, as well as inflammatory response were evaluated by CCK‐8 assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and ELISA analysis, respectively. qRT‐PCR and western blotting analyses were utilized to measure the levels of genes and proteins. The binding between miR‐653‐5p and circ_0139658 or Yin Yang 1 (YY1), was verified using dual‐luciferase reporter and RNA pull‐down assays. Brucine suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RA‐FLSs, and alleviated inflammation by reducing the release of pro‐inflammatory factors and macrophage M1 polarization. RA‐FLSs showed increased circ_0139658 and YY1 levels and decreased miR‐653‐5p levels. Circ_0139658 is directly bound to miR‐653‐5p to regulate YY1 expression. Brucine treatment suppressed circ_0139658 and YY1 expression but increased YY1 expression in RA‐FLSs. Functionally, circ_0139658 overexpression reversed the suppressing effects of Brucine on RA‐FLS dysfunction and inflammation. Moreover, circ_0139658 silencing alleviated the dysfunction and inflammation in RA‐FLSs, which were reverted by YY1 overexpression. Brucine suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation in RA‐FLSs by decreasing YY1 via circ_0139658/miR‐653‐5p axis.
Traumatic dental injuries: Knowledge assessment of dentists in the Norwegian Public Dental Service of Vestland
Authors: Cvijic Andjelka , Åstrøm Anne , Kvernenes Monika , Tsilingaridis Georgios , Bletsa Athanasia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground/AimMost children and adolescents in Norway attend the Public Dental Service (PDS) where they are treated free‐of‐charge until the age of 19 years. Thus, general dentists employed in the PDS are the primary care providers for traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in young patients. This cross‐sectional study assessed the knowledge of PDS general dentists on the acute management and follow‐up of TDI and its socio‐demographic and attitudinal covariates.Materials and MethodsAll general dentists employed in the Vestland County PDS, Western Norway, (N = 170) received an online questionnaire. Socio‐demographic and professional profiles of respondents as well as attitudinal indicators were queried. Clinical case scenarios on emergency treatment and further follow‐ups of TDI were used to calculate a dental trauma knowledge score (DTKS; range: 0–21). Mann–Whitney U tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests determined differences between the demographic subgroups. Logistic regressions determined the potential of single factors in explaining the variability in dental trauma knowledge.ResultsThe response rate was 46%. Most participants (60.5%) had not participated in a TDI course after graduation but would like such a course (84.2%). Mean DTKS was 13.82 (±2.6). Knowledge scores differed significantly between age groups (p = .014) and years since graduation (p = .0018). Younger dentists and recently graduated dentists scored highest. Dentists under the age of 30 years scored higher than 30–39‐ and 40–49‐year‐old dentists in these areas: emergency treatment of crown fractures with pulp exposure, identification of complications after avulsion, and management of severe intrusive luxation injury.ConclusionYounger dentists had a higher theoretical knowledge of TDI. Continuing professional development among dentists in the Norwegian PDS is needed for emergency treatment and complication management after TDI.
Stop codon readthrough as a treatment option for epidermolysis bullosa—Where we are and where we are going
Authors: Zandanell Johanna , Wießner Michael , Bauer Johann W. , Wagner Roland N. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the context of rare genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations, the concept of induced stop codon readthrough (SCR) represents an attractive avenue in the ongoing search for improved treatment options. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB)—exemplary for this group of diseases—describes a diverse group of rare, blistering genodermatoses. Characterized by extreme skin fragility upon minor mechanical trauma, the most severe forms often result from nonsense mutations that lead to premature translation termination and loss of function of essential proteins at the dermo‐epidermal junction. Since no curative interventions are currently available, medical care is mainly limited to alleviating symptoms and preventing complications. Complementary to attempts of gene, cell and protein therapy in EB, SCR represents a promising medical alternative. While gentamicin has already been examined in several clinical trials involving EB, other potent SCR inducers, such as ataluren, may also show promise in treating the hitherto non‐curative disease. In addition to the extensively studied aminoglycosides and their derivatives, several other substance classes—non‐aminoglycoside antibiotics and non‐aminoglycoside compounds—are currently under investigation. The extensive data gathered in numerous in vitro experiments and the perspectives they reveal in the clinical setting will be discussed in this review.
Healthy couple, better sleep: Exploring connections and changes in couple relationship education participants
Authors: Wei Menglin , Adler‐Baeder Francesca , McGill Julianne M. , Novak Josh R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractConsiderable evidence suggests couple relationship education (CRE) programs are effective in improving couples' relationship functioning, yet few studies have examined the implications of CRE programs on indicators of physical health despite substantial research supporting links between relational and physical health. This study utilized a sample of 308 couples randomly assigned to a CRE curriculum to explore the dyadic links between conflict management and self‐care skills (emphasized in CRE), stress, and sleep dysfunction concurrently. We prospectively tested whether changes in skills drove changes in sleep dysfunction or vice versa, for both self and partner. Results from a series of structural equation models indicated indirect links for men and women between conflict management and self‐care skills and sleep dysfunction through lower stress level at program start. Dyadically, men's and women's better conflict management skills were associated with partners' lower stress, which was in turn associated with partners' lower sleep dysfunction. Men's better self‐care skills were linked with partners' lower stress levels, which were linked with partners' lower sleep dysfunction. Tests of dyadic prospective cross‐lagged effects among changes in sleep and changes in skills indicated that initial improvements in both partners' sleep predicted improvements in their own conflict management skills 1 year later. Initial improvements in women's conflict management skills predicted reduced sleep dysfunction for themselves. Additionally, for both partners, early changes in self‐care predicted later reductions in sleep dysfunction. Dyadically, immediate improvements in men's self‐care predicted reduced sleep dysfunction for their partner a year later. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Groundwater microbial communities reflect geothermal activity on volcanic island
Authors: Watson Sheree J. , Arisdakessian Cédric , Petelo Maria , Keliipuleole Kekuʻiapōiula , Tachera Diamond K. , Okuhata Brytne K. , Frank Kiana L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractStudies of the effects of volcanic activity on the Hawaiian Islands are extremely relevant due to the past and current co‐eruptions at both Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. The Big Island of Hawaiʻi is one of the most seismically monitored volcanic systems in the world, and recent investigations of the Big Island suggest a widespread subsurface connectivity between volcanoes. Volcanic activity has the potential to add mineral contaminants into groundwater ecosystems, thus affecting water quality, and making inhabitants of volcanic islands particularly vulnerable due to dependence on groundwater aquifers. As part of an interdisciplinary study on groundwater aquifers in Kona, Hawaiʻi, over 40 groundwater wells were sampled quarterly from August 2017 through March 2019, before and after the destructive eruption of the Kīlauea East Rift Zone in May 2018. Sample sites occurred at great distance (~80 km) from Kīlauea, allowing us to pose questions of how volcanic groundwater aquifers might be influenced by volcanic subsurface activity. Approximately 400 water samples were analyzed and temporally split by pre‐eruption and post‐eruption for biogeochemical analysis. While most geochemical constituents did not differ across quarterly sampling, microbial communities varied temporally (pre‐ and post‐eruption). When a salinity threshold amongst samples was set, the greatest microbial community differences were observed in the freshest groundwater samples. Differential analysis indicated bacterial families with sulfur (S) metabolisms (sulfate reducers, sulfide oxidation, and disproportionation of S‐intermediates) were enriched post‐eruption. The diversity in S‐cyclers without a corresponding change in sulfate geochemistry suggests cryptic cycling may occur in groundwater aquifers as a result of distant volcanic subsurface activity. Microbial communities, including taxa that cycle S, may be superior tracers to changes in groundwater quality, especially from direct inputs of subsurface volcanic activity.
Genomic analysis of an aggressive hepatic leiomyosarcoma case following treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Numata Yuto , Akutsu Noriyuki , Idogawa Masashi , Wagatsuma Kohei , Numata Yasunao , Ishigami Keisuike , Nakamura Tomoya , Hirano Takehiro , Kawakami Yujiro , Masaki Yoshiharu , Murota Ayako , Sasaki Shigeru , Nakase Hiroshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA 70‐year‐old man undergoing treatment for immunoglobulin G4‐related disease developed a liver mass on computed tomography during routine imaging examination. The tumor was located in the hepatic S1/4 region, was 38 mm in size, and showed arterial enhancement on dynamic contrast‐enhanced computed tomography. We performed a liver biopsy and diagnosed moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient underwent proton beam therapy. The tumor remained unchanged but enlarged after 4 years. The patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and received hepatic arterial chemoembolization. However, 1 year later, the patient developed jaundice, and the liver tumor grew in size. Unfortunately, the patient passed away. Autopsy revealed that the tumor consisted of spindle‐shaped cells exhibiting nuclear atypia and a fission pattern and tested positive for α‐smooth muscle actin and vimentin. No hepatocellular carcinoma components were observed, and the patient was pathologically diagnosed with hepatic leiomyosarcoma. Next‐generation sequencing revealed somatic mutations in CACNA2D4, CTNNB1, DOCK5, IPO8, MTMR1, PABPC5, SEMA6D, and ZFP36L1. Based on the genetic mutation, sarcomatoid hepatocarcinoma was the most likely pathogenesis in this case. This mutation is indicative of the transition from sarcomatoid hepatocarcinoma to hepatic leiomyosarcoma.