bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross‐ecosystem effects of coastal urbanisation on vertebrate assemblages and ecological function
Authors: Gilby B. L. , Henderson C. J. , Olds A. D. , Ballantyne J. A. , Cooper T. K. A. , Schlacher T. A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe effects of urbanisation are increasingly pervasive across landscapes, and this has implications for animals and the ecological functions they support. Differences in ecological attributes and assemblages between ecosystems means we cannot assume that different ecosystems within the same landscapes are affected by urbanisation in the same trajectory or over the same spatial scales. We test whether and how ecosystem type can modify ecological responses to urbanisation, contrasting beaches, estuaries, rocky headlands and coastal lagoons impacted by a range of urbanisation intensities on the Sunshine Coast in eastern Australia. We sampled coastal vertebrates and measured carrion scavenging, a key ecological function in all ecosystems, using baited camera traps at 85 sites distributed among five beaches (25 sites at five sites per beach), three estuaries (15 sites at five sites per estuary), four coastal lagoons (20 sites at five sites per lagoon) and five headlands (25 sites at five sites per headland). Coastal vertebrate assemblages were best predicted by the additive effects of ecosystem type and the extent of urbanisation within 5 km of each site, and this was typically characterised by increases in synanthropic species abundance at sites with high to intermediate extents of urbanisation nearby. However, two key indicator species had opposing relationships with the extent of urbanisation, and four varied only between ecosystems and not with urbanisation. Urbanisation substantially depressed rates of carrion scavenging, with some variation in species‐specific consumption rates among ecosystems. While native crows, raptors and water rats accounted for 2/3 of carrion consumed, invasive black rats and free‐ranging domestic dogs were significant consumers of carrion. Our results not only stress the pervasive effects of urbanisation on species distributions and abundance across multiple ecosystems in landscapes, but highlight that pivotal ecological functions can be compromised across multiple ecosystems embedded within the same landscape.
Compulsive‐like eating of high‐fat high‐sugar food is associated with ‘addiction‐like’ glutamatergic dysfunction in obesity prone rats
Authors: Sketriene Diana , Battista Damien , Lalert Laddawan , Kraiwattanapirom Natcharee , Thai Han Ngoc , Leeboonngam Tanawan , Knackstedt Lori A. , Nithianantharajah Jess , Sumithran Priya , Lawrence Andrew J. , Brown Robyn M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractChronic overeating is a core feature of diet‐induced obesity. There is increasing evidence that in vulnerable individuals, such overeating could become compulsive, resembling an addictive disorder. The transition to compulsive substance use has been linked with changes at glutamatergic synapses in the nucleus accumbens. In this study, we investigated a potential link between such glutamatergic dysregulation and compulsive‐like eating using a rat model of diet‐induced obesity. A conditioned suppression task demonstrated that diet‐induced obese rats display eating despite negative consequences, as their consumption was insensitive to an aversive cue. Moreover, nucleus accumbens expression of GluA1 and xCT proteins was upregulated in diet‐induced obese animals. Lastly, both a computed ‘addiction score’ (based on performance across three criteria) and weight gain were positively correlated with changes in GluA1 and xCT expression in the nucleus accumbens. These data demonstrate that the propensity for diet‐induced obesity is associated with compulsive‐like eating of highly palatable food and is accompanied by ‘addiction‐like’ glutamatergic dysregulation in the nucleus accumbens, thus providing neurobiological evidence of addiction‐like pathology in this model of obesity.
Cone‐beam computed tomography—Predictors and characteristics of usage in Australia and New Zealand, a multifactorial analysis
Authors: Mathew Abhishek Isaac , Lee Silvia C. , Ha William Nguyen , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero , Doğramacı Esma J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an increasingly used imaging modality. This study aimed to identify the factors that predict its usage amongst endodontists in Australia and New Zealand and describe usage characteristics. Data were collected via an online questionnaire, with analysis including descriptive statistics, cross‐tabulation and multifactorial modelling. Ninety‐four endodontists completed the questionnaire who were using CBCT for 7 years (median), over half had a CBCT unit in practice, with most prescribing up to 10 scans/month and 55 using a small field of view. Sixty‐eight participated in >5 h of CBCT education/year and a third received a specialist‐prepared report. The number of prescriptions/month was significantly associated with on‐site CBCT units (Exp B: 8.53; 95% CI: 1.46–49.86, p < 0.05) and the number of years of CBCT usage by participants (Exp B: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17–1.84, p = 0.001). CBCT imaging in endodontics is a useful diagnostic aid to decision making and treatment planning, with widespread acceptance and usage.
Food systems transformation in Asia – A brief economic history
Authors: Pingali Prabhu , Abraham Mathew 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAsia's food systems have undergone rapid economic and socio‐cultural transformations in the past 60 years. During the period, almost all the countries in the region eradicated famines and achieved food self‐sufficiency and heterogeneous levels of poverty reduction. Food system transformation in Asian countries has had similarities and differences and has been closely tied to structural transformation, political processes, and integration with the global economy. This article conducts a historical assessment of food systems transformations in seven Asian countries between 1960 and 2020 and their main economic, social, and demographic drivers. Food systems transformations are presented in terms of four phases. In the first phase, between 1960 and 1980, when most Asian countries were low‐income and low‐middle‐income, the central focus was on hunger reduction. We explore the policies and the politics of the green revolution as various Asian countries tried to achieve self‐sufficiency in food grains. In the second phase (1980–2000), agricultural productivity growth led to structural transformation, income growth, and the divergence of lower‐middle‐income and middle‐income economies, directly impacting demand for food quantity, quality, and diversity in various countries. The third phase (2000 onwards) marked a quantum change in food systems as globalization, trade integration, and changes in consumer tastes were significant drivers of food systems. We assess the changing trends in organized retail expansion, increased consumption of processed foods, and rising incidence of obesity in lower and upper‐middle‐income countries. In the final phase (beyond 2020), we highlight how the digital revolution has changed consumer behavior, and is further transforming food systems. Future food systems challenges of hunger, malnutrition, rising non‐communicable diseases, and climate change are discussed and multisectoral and multicountry policy interventions for addressing them are presented.
The association of potentially inappropriate medications, polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden with readmission and emergency room revisit after discharge: A hospital‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Chih‐Kuang , Chou Ming‐Yueh , Hsu Ying‐Hsin , Wang Yu‐Chun , Liao Mei‐Chen , Chen Miao‐Ting , Hsiao Pei‐Yu , Chen Liang‐Kung , Lin Yu‐Te 
Published: July 2022

AimsWhile certain drug‐use indicators are known to be associated with clinical outcomes, the relationship is unclear for some highly prevalent conditions in in patients aged ≥65 years. We examine correlations between 3 drug‐use indicators and postdischarge healthcare services use by older patients according to the presence of dementia, advanced age and frailty.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analysed data collected from hospital electronic health records between April and December 2017. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and anticholinergic burden were assessed using the 2015 Beers Criteria and anticholinergic cognitive burden scale (ACBS) score. Minor and major polypharmacy were defined as the use of 5–9 and ≥10 drugs, respectively. Outcomes were set as emergency room revisits and readmissions at 1, 3 and 6 months postdischarge. The correlation between drug‐use indicators and outcomes was analysed by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe final cohort included 3061 patients for the analysis, and 2930, 2671 and 2560 patients were followed up to 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge. After controlling for confounders, all 3 drug‐use indicators were significantly associated with readmission and emergency room revisits except for the relationship between PIMs and readmission within 6 months. These associations were significantly observed among patients without dementia, aged >80 years and with frailty.ConclusionPIMs, polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden are common at discharge and correlate with future use of healthcare services. In older patients, the absence of dementia, advanced age and frailty should be given extra consideration with regard to medication safety.
How does consumer pressure affect green innovation of manufacturing SMEs in the presence of green human resource management and green values? A moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Al‐Swidi Abdullah Kaid , Al‐Hakimi Mohammed A. , Gelaidan Hamid Mahmood , Al‐Temimi Saheim Khalaf A. J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAlthough consumer pressure has been recognized as an essential driver of green innovation, the question remains as to how consumer pressure could lead to green innovation. Drawing on the stakeholder theory and Supplies‐values Fit Theory, this study explored the mediating role of green HRM practices on the relationship between consumer pressure and green innovation under the moderating effect of individual green values. By using the quantitative research design, the data for the study were gathered from 257 manufacturing SMEs in India and analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis (PROCESS Macro) in SPSS. Empirical findings show that consumer pressure is positively associated with green innovation through green HRM practices which increase when the firm's employees have stronger individual green values. Thus, this study expands our understanding of consumer pressure toward green innovation and its underlying mechanism and conditional effect. Toward the end, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Antithrombin‐III mitigates thrombin‐mediated endothelial cell contraction and sickle red blood cell adhesion in microscale flow
Authors: Wulftange William J. , Kucukal Erdem , Man Yuncheng , An Ran , Monchamp Karamoja , Sevrain Charlotte D. , Dashora Himanshu R. , Owusu‐Ansah Amma T. , Bode Allison , Ilich Anton , Little Jane A. , Key Nigel S. , Gurkan Umut A. 
Published: July 2022

SummaryIndividuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have persistently elevated thrombin generation that results in a state of systemic hypercoagulability. Antithrombin‐III (ATIII), an endogenous serine protease inhibitor, inhibits several enzymes in the coagulation cascade, including thrombin. Here, we utilize a biomimetic microfluidic device to model the morphology and adhesive properties of endothelial cells (ECs) activated by thrombin and examine the efficacy of ATIII in mitigating the adhesion of SCD patient‐derived red blood cells (RBCs) and EC retraction. Microfluidic devices were fabricated, seeded with ECs, and incubated under physiological shear stress. Cells were then activated with thrombin with or without an ATIII pretreatment. Blood samples from subjects with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) and subjects with homozygous SCD (HbSS) were used to examine RBC adhesion to ECs. Endothelial cell surface adhesion molecule expression and confluency in response to thrombin and ATIII treatments were also evaluated. We found that ATIII pretreatment of ECs reduced HbSS RBC adhesion to thrombin‐activated endothelium. Furthermore, ATIII mitigated cellular contraction and reduced surface expression of von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) mediated by thrombin. Our findings suggest that, by attenuating thrombin‐mediated EC damage and RBC adhesion to endothelium, ATIII may alleviate the thromboinflammatory manifestations of SCD.
Suppression of myeloid PFKFB3‐driven glycolysis protects mice from choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Liu Zhiping , Mao Xiaoxiao , Yang Qiuhua , Zhang Xiaoyu , Xu Jiean , Ma Qian , Zhou Yaqi , Da Qingen , Cai Yongfeng , Sopeyin Anu , Dong Zheng , Hong Mei , Caldwell Ruth B. , Sodhi Akrit , Huo Yuqing 
Published: July 2022

Background and PurposePathological angiogenesis is a major cause of irreversible blindness in individuals with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD). Macrophages and microglia (MΦ) contribute to aberrant ocular angiogenesis. However, the role of glucose metabolism of MΦ in nAMD is still undefined. Here, we have investigated the involvement of glycolysis, driven by the kinase/phosphatase PFKFB3, in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Experimental ApproachCNV was induced in mice with laser photocoagulation. Choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complexes and MΦ were isolated for analysis by qRT‐PCR, western blot, flow cytometry, immunostaining, metabolic measurements and angiogenesis assays.Key ResultsMΦ accumulated within the CNV of murine nAMD models and expressed high levels of glycolysis‐related enzymes and M1/M2 polarization markers. This phenotype of hyper‐glycolytic and activated MΦ was replicated in bone marrow‐derived macrophages stimulated by necrotic RPE in vitro. Myeloid cell‐specific knockout of PFKFB3, a key glycolytic activator, attenuated pathological neovascularization in laser‐induced CNV, which was associated with decreased expression of MΦ polarization markers and pro‐angiogenic factors, along with decreased sprouting of vessels in choroid/RPE complexes. Mechanistically, necrotic RPE increased PFKFB3‐driven glycolysis in macrophages, leading to activation of HIF‐1α/HIF‐2α and NF‐κB, and subsequent induction of M1/M2 markers and pro‐angiogenic cytokines, finally promoting macrophage reprogramming towards an angiogenic phenotype to facilitate development of CNV. The PFKFB3 inhibitor AZ67 also inhibited activation of HIF‐1α/HIF‐2α and NF‐κB signalling and almost completely prevented laser‐induced CNV in mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsModulation of PFKFB3‐mediated macrophage glycolysis and activation is a promising strategy for the treatment of nAMD.
Direct comparisons of logging and agroforestry influence on tropical mammals in Sarawak, Borneo
Authors: Yi Melynda Cheok Ka , Kaicheen Sally Soo , Brodie Jedediah F. , Mohd‐Azlan Jayasilan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTropical regions are undergoing rapid land use change, with major implications for global biodiversity. Selective logging and agroforestry are particularly widespread across tropical forests, often occurring in close proximity. But while a number of studies have addressed their impacts separately, few have directly compared how they influence forest vertebrates. Here, we assessed the occurrence of medium‐ to large‐bodied mammals in logged forest, unlogged forest, and agroforestry areas in three study areas in interior Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. We detected 34 species across 99 camera trap locations and used multi‐species occupancy models to estimate species‐specific occurrence while accounting for imperfect detectability, spatial autocorrelation, natural habitat heterogeneity, and metrics of site accessibility (distance to human infrastructure) as proxies for potential hunting pressure. We found that species occurrences were unaffected by the distance to the nearest road or village and only responded to elevation and the distance to the nearest river in a single species each. Detection rates tended to vary with micro‐habitat characteristics such as the size of tree stumps and the prevalence of trees and rattan palms, which are often not considered in camera‐based occupancy studies. Occurrence rates of five species varied across habitat types but were not detectably lower in agroforestry sites than in unlogged forest for any species. Our results indicate that without unsustainable hunting, agroforestry and logged forest provide usable habitat for some, though not all, rainforest mammals. We also suggest that camera trap studies may benefit from the incorporation of fine‐scale habitat information into detectability estimation.Abstract in Malaysian is available with online material.
DNA intercalators as anticancer agents
Authors: Venugopal Sneha , Sharma Vikas , Mehra Anuradha , Singh Iqubal , Singh Gurdeep 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCancer is one of the most prevailing disease conditions, which occurs due to uncontrolled cell division either due to natural mutation to the genes or due to changes induced by physical, chemical, or biological carcinogens. According to WHO, it is the second leading cause of death worldwide and has reported 10 million deaths in 2020. Hence, there arises the need for better chemotherapies and DNA intercalators are one such emerging therapy for cancer. DNA intercalating agents reversibly intercalate with the double‐helical structure of DNA by interacting with adjacent base pairs and disrupting the structure of DNA and thereby causing cell death. Here, we discuss the different classes of organo‐intercalators used in cancer therapy describing their anticancer and intercalation ability by different methods along with their structure–activity relationship and mechanism of action.
Genetic spectrum of NOTCH3 and clinical phenotype of CADASIL patients in different populations
Authors: Ni Wang , Zhang Yi , Zhang Liang , Xie Juan‐Juan , Li Hong‐Fu , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIntroductionCerebral autosomal‐dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a relatively common cerebral small vessel disease. NOTCH3 has been identified as the causative gene of CADASIL. Clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity were observed in CADASIL patients and need to be further clarified.AimsThe aim of the study was to clarify genetic spectrum of NOTCH3 and clinical phenotype of CADASIL patients.MethodsSuspected CADASIL patients were collected by our center between 2016 and 2021. Whole exome sequencing was performed to screen NOTCH3 mutations of these patients. Genetic and clinical data of CADASIL patients from previous studies were also analyzed. Studies between 1998 and 2021 that reported more than 9 pedigrees with detailed genetic data or clinical data were included. After excluding patients carrying cysteine‐sparing mutations, genetic data of 855 Asian pedigrees (433 Chinese; 226 Japanese, and 196 Korean) and 546 Caucasian pedigrees, in a total of 1401 CADASIL pedigrees were involved in mapping mutation spectrum. Clinical data of 901 Asian patients (476 Chinese patients, 217 Japanese patients, and 208 Korean patients) and 720 Caucasian patients, in a total of 1621 patients were analyzed and compared between different populations.ResultsTwo novel mutations (c.400T>C, p.Cys134Arg; c.1511G>A, p.Cys504Tyr) and 24 known cysteine‐affecting variants were identified in 36 pedigrees. Genetic spectrums of Asians (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) and Caucasians were clarified, p.R544C and p.R607C were the most common mutations in Asians while p.R1006C and p.R141C in Caucasians. For clinical features, Asians were more likely to develop symptoms of TIA or ischemic stroke (p < 0.0001) and cognitive impairment (p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, Caucasians had a higher tendency to present migraine (p < 0.0001) and psychiatric disturbance (p < 0.0001). The involvement of temporal pole was more likely to happen in Caucasians (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe findings help to better understand the clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity of CADASIL.
Retracted: Denoising and segmentation of brain image by proficient blended threshold and conserve edge scrutinize technique
Authors: Veerabatheran Nehru , Venkatesan Prabhu , Mahendran Rakesh Kumar 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUnusual collection of mass tissue in human body is commonly refereed as tumor. The tumor when it is found in brain. These tumor cells have tendency to multiply and grow in rapid speed. The growth of tumors is generally uncontrollable in nature. Tumor in brain develops along the skull and it evolves to contact with the functioning of the brain. Brain tumor (BT) can be detected at the earlier stages with the help of MRI or CT scan techniques. These scanning techniques are proved to be efficient in detecting the tumor irrespective of its size. Brain tumor being a life‐threatening disease has to be diagnosed at the earliest before it turns to be malignant. The current research work focuses in proposing an efficient image processing techniques by processing the MRI images of human brain which is affected by brain tumor. This process is carried out in two stages as image denoising and image segmentation which are helpful in detecting and localizing the tumor affected region in human brain. Initially, the MRI image is read and preprocessed by converting the input image into a grayscale image and noise removed by involving the proposed method. Later, the proposed image is segmented using sobel edge detection method and the image is enhanced using the image enhancement techniques. It is achieved by using the proficient blended thresholding (PBT) Segmentation method. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated using PSNR (peak signal noise ratio) and RMSE (root mean square error). The proposed conserve edge scrutinize (CES) filter achieved highest PSNR value. Then segmentation is evaluated by five metrices: Sensitivity, Specificity, Dice, Jaccard, and Accuracy.
Dental pulp stem cells‐based therapy for the oviduct injury via immunomodulation and angiogenesis in vivo
Authors: Luo Lihua , Xing Zhenjie , Liao Xiangyan , Li Yejian , Luo Yu , Ai Yilong , He Yan , Ye Qingsong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectivesAs a result of the current limitation of therapeutic strategies, the repair and regeneration of oviduct injuries required an alternative treatment. We present a novel approach to treat oviduct injuries through a dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)‐based therapy.Materials and MethodsIn vitro and in vivo models have been established. Immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis were used to investigate the features and angiogenic properties of DPSCs, as well as their impact on macrophages, in vitro. For the in vivo experiment with female SD rat model, immunohistochemical staining and ELISA analysis were used to assess the effects of DPSCs on the repair and regeneration of damaged oviducts.ResultsThe present data showed that intraperitoneal injection of DPSCs reduced the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α to inhibit the immunoreaction in injured sites, as well as increased the expression of VEGF to promote the in situ formation of vessel‐like structures, thus the repair and recovery process could be initiated.ConclusionsWe concluded that DPSCs‐based therapy could be a novel potential technique for restoring the structure and function of damaged oviduct by enhancing immuno‐regulated effect and promoting angiogenic property.