bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comments on “Spatial Utilization and Microhabitat Selection of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) under Different Livestock Grazing Intensities”
Authors: Luxom Nisam Mang , Sharma Rishi Kumar 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Large expanses of snow leopard habitat overlap with extensively used areas for livestock grazing. A fundamental question for conservationists is to determine whether livestock production can be reconciled with the conservation of rare and threatened large carnivores. Therefore, numerous studies focus on the relationship between carnivore densities and space use and environmental, anthropogenic, and topographic variables. Using snow leopard sign surveys in areas with high and low grazing disturbance, Hong et al. posit that livestock grazing directly impacts fine-scale habitat selection by snow leopards. The authors recommend controlling livestock grazing to help restore habitat complexity and alpine environment diversity. However, the approach by which Hong et al. have reached this conclusion is inadequate and is based on a methodology that fails to address the research question appropriately. We argue that 1) identification of a biologically relevant scale of study is the first essential step toward inferring carnivore–habitat relationships, 2) the authors draw inconsistent conclusions from their data on sign densities in high and low grazing disturbance areas, 3) ideally, the snow leopard–livestock relationship needs to be examined across a gradient of livestock grazing intensities and at multiple spatial scales, and 4) it is inappropriate to draw conclusions for landscape/regional scales from a study conducted at a finer and undefined scale. We suggest that future studies should clearly define the scale of the study, identify appropriate habitat variables of interest, and use meaningful measurement instruments to serve as proxies for variables of interest.
Reply to “Comments on ‘Spatial Utilization and Microhabitat Selection of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) under Different Livestock Grazing Intensities’”
Authors: Hong Yang , Connor Thomas , Luo Huan , Bian Xiaoxing , Duan Zhaogang , Tang Zhuo , Zhang Jindong 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
We thank Luxom and Sharma for their attention to and comments on our study. In recent years, livestock have been expanding into snow leopard habitat, and we conducted this study to examine the effects of that encroachment on snow leopard habitat within Wolong Nature Reserve. Specific responses to Luxom and Sharma’s comments include the following: 1) Many habitat factors influence carnivore–habitat relationships at varying spatial scales, and it is difficult for any single study to address the full suite of factors acting across all scales of selection. Given this fact and the limited spatial scale of our snow leopard sign survey, we mainly focused on snow leopard space use and microhabitat selection. 2) Our results are not necessarily conflicting, but more research is required to further explain how high sign densities, concentrated space use, and weak habitat selection behaviors might relate to each other. 3) We agree that examining a gradient of grazing intensities would be preferable, but because of the difficulty in collecting sufficient field data and the nature of livestock grazing patterns in our study area, we think that dividing our survey area into high- and low-grazing-disturbance areas was appropriate. 4) The original intent of this study was to examine habitat factors and response to livestock within our study area in Wolong Nature Reserve, and we did not intend for our specific results to be used for management recommendations beyond Wolong but instead encourage similar studies to be conducted in other areas.
Impact of Droughts on Farms’ Financing Choices: Empirical Evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Kamal Shabana , Noy Ilan 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The interaction between climate change, agriculture, and financial markets is a topic that has been researched relatively little thus far. This paper intends to extend the literature by empirically testing the relationships between droughts and farms’ financing choices (measured in terms of real debt and equity) in New Zealand. Using microeconomic farm-level financial records available from the tax authorities, we quantify how past droughts (measured by the New Zealand pasture growth index) impact farms’ financing choices. We show a statistically significant positive impact of droughts on short-term and long-term debts, equity for dairy farms, and short-term debt for sheep and beef farms.
Lipopolysaccharide from Yoshino cedar trees (Cryptomeria japonica) induces high levels of human macrophage polarization
Authors: Ouji-Sageshima Noriko , Kitabatake Masahiro , Fushimi Satoki , Suzuki Satoshi , Fukui Yuzu , Furukawa Ryutaro , Ito Toshihiro 
Published: December 2022

AbstractJapanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica, is an evergreen conifer native to Japan and is often used as a building material. The humidity control properties of wood are known, but there have been few detailed analyses of its effects on living organisms. Therefore, we investigated the effects of cedar water-soluble components on human macrophages, which are essential for maintaining biological homeostasis and innate immunity. In this study, we prepared aqueous extracts from Cryptomeria japonica in Yoshino, Nara prefecture (called as Yoshino cedar). Yoshino cedar aqueous extracts stimulated macrophages toward the classically activated phenotype and inhibited the macrophage phenotype thought to mediate allergic responses. Next, we measured the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in the Yoshino cedar aqueous extract and found it was present at a high concentration. The major receptor of LPS is Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). To confirm whether LPS in Yoshino cedar aqueous extracts activate macrophages through the LPS/TLR4 pathway, we analyzed its effects on TLR4-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and wild-type (WT) MEF. TLR4-deficient MEF did not produce the proinflammatory cytokines seen in WT MEF. This result showed that LPS in the Yoshino cedar aqueous extracts activate macrophages via TLR4. This information will help us better understand the benefits of cedar for human health, including allergies.
The transition from HIF-1 to HIF-2 during prolonged hypoxia results from reactivation of PHDs and HIF1A mRNA instability
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Maciej , Moszyńska Adrianna , Króliczewski Jarosław , Cabaj Aleksandra , Bartoszewska Sylwia , Charzyńska Agata , Gebert Magda , Dąbrowski Michał , Collawn James F. , Bartoszewski Rafal 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) are transcription factors that activate the adaptive hypoxic response when oxygen levels are low. The HIF transcriptional program increases oxygen delivery by inducing angiogenesis and by promoting metabolic reprograming that favors glycolysis. The two major HIFs, HIF-1 and HIF-2, mediate this response during prolonged hypoxia in an overlapping and sequential fashion that is referred to as the HIF switch. Both HIF proteins consist of an unstable alpha chain and a stable beta chain. The instability of the alpha chains is mediated by prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) activity during normoxic conditions, which leads to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the alpha chains. During normoxic conditions, very little HIF-1 or HIF-2 alpha–beta dimers are present because of PHD activity. During hypoxia, however, PHD activity is suppressed, and HIF dimers are stable. Here we demonstrate that HIF-1 expression is maximal after 4 h of hypoxia in primary endothelial cells and then is dramatically reduced by 8 h. In contrast, HIF-2 is maximal at 8 h and remains elevated up to 24 h. There are differences in the HIF-1 and HIF-2 transcriptional profiles, and therefore understanding how the transition between them occurs is important and not clearly understood. Here we demonstrate that the HIF-1 to HIF-2 transition during prolonged hypoxia is mediated by two mechanisms: (1) the HIF-1 driven increase in the glycolytic pathways that reactivates PHD activity and (2) the much less stable mRNA levels of HIF-1α (HIF1A) compared to HIF-2α (EPAS1) mRNA. We also demonstrate that the alpha mRNA levels directly correlate to the relative alpha protein levels, and therefore to the more stable HIF-2 expression during prolonged hypoxia.
Identification of a novel secreted metabolite cyclo(phenylalanyl-prolyl) from Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and its effect on Galleria mellonella
Authors: Starr Amanda M. , Zabet-Moghaddam Masoud , San Francisco Michael 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is the causative agent of chytridiomycosis and a leading cause of global decline in amphibian populations. The first stages of chytridiomycosis include: inflammation, hyperkeratosis, lethargy, loss of righting reflex, and disruption of internal electrolyte levels leading to eventual death of the host. Previous work indicates that B. dendrobatidis can produce immunomodulatory compounds and other secreted molecules that regulate the growth of the fungus. In this study, filtrates of the fungus grown in media and water were subjected to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and analyzed using Compound Discoverer 3.0.

Results
Identification of cyclo(phenylalanyl-prolyl), chitobiose, and S-adenosylmethionine were verified by their retention times and fragmentation patterns from B. dendrobatidis supernatants. Previous studies have analyzed the effects of B. dendrobatidis on amphibian models, in vitro, or in cell culture. We studied the effects of live B. dendrobatidis cells, spent culture filtrates containing secreted metabolites, and cyclo(pheylalanyl-prolyl) on wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella). Concentrated filtrates caused melanization within 24 h, while live B. dendrobatidis caused melanization within 48 h.

Conclusions
Here we show B. dendrobatidis produces secreted metabolites previously unreported. The impacts of these chemicals were tested on an alternate non-amphibian model system that has been used for other fungi to study pathogenicity traits in this fungus.
Tissue microarrey: a potential cost-effective approach for mismatch repair testing in colorectal cancer
Authors: Farkash Shai , Schwartz Naama , Edison Natalia , Greenberg Sophia , Peled Hila Belhanes , Sindiany Wail , Krausz Judit 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Deficiencies in Mismatch Repair (MMR) proteins are one of the major pathways in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). MMR status evaluation is recommended in every new CRC patient. However, this is not fully implemented due to high costs. Tissue microarray (TMA) enables allocating tissue cores from few specimens to a single paraffin block. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of TMA MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC) compared to whole slide. The secondary objective was to evaluate and validate automatic digital image analysis software in differentiating pathological and normal TMA cores.

Methods
Pathological cores were defined if at least one MMR protein was unstained. Tumoral and normal tissue of 11 CRC patients with known MMR status was used to obtain 623 TMA cores. The MMR staining of each core was evaluated by a pathologist and compared to the whole slide result. Digital analysis software by 3DHistech Ltd. was used to identify cell nucleus and quantify nuclear staining in 323 tissue cores. To identifying pathological tissue, cores the cohort was divided into a test (N = 146 cores) and validation sets (N = 177 cores). A staining intensity score (SIS) was developed, and its performance compared to the pathologist review of each core and to the whole slide result.

Results
Compared to the whole slide, the pathologist’s assessment had 100% sensitivity (n/N = 112/112) and 100% specificity (n/N = 278/278) with 95% lower limit of 97 and 99% respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of SIS was 77%. A cutoff of 55 was obtained from the ROC curve. By implementing the cutoff in the validation dataset, the SIS had sensitivity and specificity of 98.2% [90.1–100%] and 58.5% [49.3–67.4%] respectively.

Conclusions
The MMR status of CRC can be evaluated in TMA tissue cores thus potentially reducing MMR testing costs. The SIS can be used as triage indicator during pathologic review.

Trial registration
Institutional ethical approval was granted for the performance of this study (Emek Medical Center Ethics ID: EMC-19-0179).
Process of inner change in advanced age: a qualitative study of older adults in their early 90 s
Authors: Komatsu Hiroko , Niimura Hidehito , Yagasaki Kaori 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
The number of nonagenarians is growing globally. The promotion of mental wellbeing is increasingly important. The aim of this study was to explore mental wellbeing and psychological experiences of older adults in their early 90 s who were living at home.

Methods
We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 20 older adults in their early 90 s. A thematic analysis, according to Braun and Clarke, was used to analyze data.

Results
An inner process of older adults in their early 90 s was revealed; its three themes were the “reality of aging,” “seeking emptiness of the mind,” and “still moving on.” Older adults in this study experienced functional decline, regret, and loneliness. They were tired of life and nearly gave up. Emptying their minds helped them reset their attitudes and find a way to move on. After realizing that negative thinking did not help anything, they focused on what they could do and their daily routines. Perceived social usefulness validated participants’ self-worth. However, a few were consistently active without negative perceptions of aging.

Conclusion
Understanding the psychological process and mental wellbeing in later life aids in the development of practical healthcare policies to assist the growing oldest-old population in cope with age-related challenges and improve their mental wellbeing.
The role of computerized tomography angiography in the management of cases undergoing penile revascularization due to erectile dysfunction: prospective cohort study
Authors: Akdemίr Fatih , Kayıgίl Önder , Algın Oktay , İpek Ali 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
In this study, the role and efficiency of computerized tomography angiography (CTA) in the postoperative management of patients with penile revascularization were evaluated.

Methods
Between 2014 and 2018, penile revascularization surgery was performed in 78 patients who presented with the complaint of erectile dysfunction (ED). The mean age of the patients was 47.17 ± 13.26 (23–69) years. Patients with a regular sexual partner and relationship, who hadn’t benefitted from medical treatment and who had ED complaints for at least three months were included in the study. The cases were divided into three groups according to their age (20–40, 41–60, and > 61 years). All the cases were evaluated preoperatively using the five and 15-item International Index of Erectile Dsysfunction (IIEF-5 and IIEF-15) questionnaire, cavernosometry, corpus cavernosum electromyography, and penil color doppler ultrasonography. At the postoperative third month, IIEF 5–15 questionnaire was repeated and anastomotic patency was evaluated by performing CTA scanning.

Results
CTA performed at the postoperative third month revealed anastomosis patency in 56. In 22 cases, the anastomosis area could not be observed. Among the patients with anastomosis patency, the rate of the IIEF-5 increase in the postoperative period was between 35.0 and 80.8%, while in those patients without anostomotic patency, the increase rate of IIEF-5 were between 12.5 and 23.3%. Increases in the IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 questionnaire scores were found to be significantly higher in the group in which anastomotic patency was observed on CTA compared to remaining patients.

Conclusion
The CTA results and changes in the IIEF rates after penile revascularization had a high correlation. Anastomotic patency with CTA can guide the timing of more invasive procedures such as penile prosthesis implantation.
Treatment with aripiprazole once-monthly injectable formulation is effective in improving symptoms and global functioning in schizophrenia with and without comorbid substance use – a post hoc analysis of the ReLiAM study
Authors: Margolese Howard C. , Boucher Matthieu , Therrien Francois , Clerzius Guerline 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
ReLiAM, Real-Life Assessment of Abilify Maintena, was the first reported long-term prospective non-interventional study for patients with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole once-monthly injectable formulation (AOM) under real-life conditions. ReLiAM’s primary aim was to evaluate the evolution of global functional status in patients treated with AOM for 12 months in Canada.

Methods
The objective of this post hoc analysis of the ReLiAM study is to investigate the treatment effects of real-life use of AOM over a 1-year period in the subgroup of patients with reported substance use compared with patients without substance use.

Results
The results of this post hoc analysis demonstrate that treatment with AOM for 12 months in patients with schizophrenia was comparably effective in improving global functioning in subgroups of patients with and without concomitant substance use.

Conclusions
These results support the use of AOM for the treatment of schizophrenia in patients with or without concomitant substance use.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02131415, first posted on May 6, 2014. Overall trial status: Terminated.
Degenerative characteristics of multifidus at different vertebral levels of scoliosis in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis and relationship of these degenerative characteristics with surface electromyography activity
Authors: Xie Hongru , Zhang Qin , Liu Jianan , He Yinchuan , Zhang Zepei , Meng Lin , Miao Jun 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have investigated the imaging changes of the paravertebral muscles (PVM) in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS); however, most of these studies focused on the apical vertebra (AV) level or compared with the average of the whole-segment measurement. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to analyze the degenerative characteristics of the multifidus (MF) in patients with DLS at three levels of scoliosis (upper end vertebra [UEV], AV, and lower end vertebra [LEV]).

Methods
This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Forty patients with DLS (DLS group) and 40 healthy individuals without lumbar scoliosis (control group) were evaluated. The percentage of fat infiltration area (%FIA) and muscle relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) of the MF at the three levels of scoliosis were measured on MRI, whereas the sEMG activity of the participants in both groups was recorded during action tasks. The imaging parameters, sEMG activity, and relationship between them were analyzed.

Results
In the control group, there were no significant differences in the %FIA, rCSA, or sEMG activation of the MF between the bilateral sides at the three measured levels. In the DLS group, measurement of the MF at the UEV and AV levels showed that the %FIA was larger on the concave than convex side and that the rCSA was smaller on the concave than convex side, but there was no difference between the two parameters at the LEV level. In the standing flexion and extension tasks, the sEMG activation of the MF was higher on the concave than convex side. The coronal Cobb angle was correlated with the difference in the measurement data of the MF at the UEV and AV levels, but not with the difference at the LEV level.

Conclusion
The MF in patients with DLS has the same degenerative features at the UEV and AV levels, with the concave side showing greater degeneration; however, there are different degenerative manifestations at the LEV level. The MF degeneration at the UEV and AV levels is the result of spinal deformity, while the muscle changes at the LEV level are more consistent with natural degeneration.
Iontophoresis effects of two-step self-etch and total-etch systems on dentin permeability and sealing of composite restoration under simulated pulpal pressure
Authors: Ajcharanukul Orapin , Santikulluk Peeraya , Sasingha Palat , Sabpawat Sirithorn , Sukyanan Kanokporn 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Studies demonstrated the bond strength enhancement and the decrease in degradation of the adhesive interface after applying either self-etch adhesives or two-step, etch-and-rinse adhesives under an electric field. However, the presence of dentinal fluid driven by the pulpal pressure in vivo is a profounding factor affecting both the sealing ability and bond strength of adhesives. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three-step etch-and-rinse and two-step self-etch adhesives when applied with iontophoresis under simulated pulpal pressure on the permeability of dentin, resin infiltration, and the sealing ability of resin composite.

Methods
The experiments were done on 32 recently extracted premolars, randomly assigned into four groups (n = 8) according to two adhesive systems (SBMP and SE), applied following the manufacturer’s instructions (control) for two groups or with iontophoresis for the others (SBMPi and SEi). For the iontophoresis, the anodal current was applied at 75 μA for 20 s through the cavity electrode during the bond. The fluid flow rate of dentin was recorded after cavity preparation (smear-layer-covered dentin; T1), bonding (T2), and composite restoration (T3) during the maintained pulpal pressure of 20 mm Hg. The flow rates were expressed as a percentage relative to the initial smear-layer-covered value for each specimen. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to observe the resin/dentin interface.

Results
There were no significant increases in the mean flow rates from T1 to T3 in the SBMP (P = 0.355), while these changes in the SE were significant between T1 (100%) and T2 (166.77%) and T1 and T3 (221.16%) (P = 0.002; one-way RM ANOVA; Holm-Sidak test). For the iontophoresis groups, the mean flow rates decreased significantly from T1 to T2 and T1 to T3 of both SBMPi (T2 = 86.43, and T3 = 79.53; P < 0.001) and SEi groups (T2 = 87.96, and T3 = 81.48; P = 0.004). The iontophoresis of both adhesives produced the optimal resin infiltration with improved quality of the hybrid layer and resin tags.

Conclusions
SBMP bonded with or without iontophoresis performed better sealing ability than SE under the same condition. Both adhesives applied with anodal iontophoresis significantly decreased the dentin permeability, contributing to the improved resin infiltration.