Tracking genetic diversity in amur tigers: a long-term study using microsatellites in Southwest Primorye, Russia.

Background: The tiger population in Southwest Primorye is small and predominantly isolated from the main Sikhote-Alin population, which constitutes approximately 90% of the wild Amur tiger population. By 1996, this population declined to fewer than 10 individuals, but it has since grown and expanded into nearby habitats, now numbering over 50 individuals. Therefore, the regular genetic monitoring of this population is essential, as it has grown from a few founding members and remained geographically isolated.

Strategic Sampling of Eurasian Otter Spraints for Genetic Research in South Korea: Enhancing PCR Success and Data Accuracy.

Non-invasive genetic approaches, particularly using fecal samples, are commonly used to study endangered and elusive species, as they are easy to collect with minimal permission and cause little disturbance to the subject population. However, such studies face limitations due to poor DNA yield, which affects the overall utilization of collected samples and increases data errors. Here, we evaluated the impact of sample age and collection season on the performance of DNA extracted from feces (spraints) of the Eurasian otter (), a semi-aquatic apex predator in South Korean freshwater ecosystems.

High-risk plaque features and perivascular inflammation.

Background: The association between high-risk plaque (HRP) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and the level of perivascular inflammation has not been fully investigated.

Methods: Patients who underwent both CTA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were included. The level of perivascular inflammation was assessed by pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation at two levels: lesion-specific and the proximal segment of the culprit vessel.

Metabolic Adaptation and Its Determinants in Adolescents Two Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Weight loss is associated with reductions in resting energy expenditure (REE), which are impacted by changes in body composition following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Current data regarding changes in measured REE (mREE) and metabolic adaptation in adolescents after SG are limited. We evaluated changes in mREE, metabolic adaptation, and body composition in youths after SG vs.

Survival benefit associated with liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma based on tumor burden scores at listing.

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) provides significant survival benefits to patients with unresectable HCC. In the United States, organ allocation policies for HCCs within the United Network for Organ Sharing criteria do not prioritize patients based on their differences in oncological characteristics. This study assessed whether transplant-associated survival benefits (TASBs) vary among patients with different tumor burden scores (TBS) measured at the time of listing.

Gut-derived appetite regulating hormones across the anorexia nervosa spectrum.

Background: Appetite-regulating hormones are implicated in anorexia nervosa (AN) pathophysiology, however, data are limited for appetite-regulating hormones across the AN weight spectrum. We aimed to investigate fasting and post-prandial concentrations of appetite-regulating hormones - peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and ghrelin - among adolescent and young adult females across the AN weight spectrum, specifically those with AN and Atypical AN, and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Participants (N = 95; ages 11-22 years) included 33 with AN, 25 with Atypical AN, and 37 HC.

Efficacy and safety of rebamipide/nizatidine in patients with erosive gastritis: A randomized, multicenter, phase 4 study.

Background: For the treatment of gastritis, rebamipide, a mucoprotective agent, and nizatidine, a gastric acid suppressant, are commonly employed individually.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of Mucotra SR (rebamipide 150 mg) and Axid (nizatidine 150 mg) combination therapy with the sole administration of Axid in managing erosive gastritis.

Methods: A total of 260 patients diagnosed with endoscopically confirmed erosive gastritis were enrolled in this open-label, multicenter, randomized, phase 4 clinical trial, allocating them into two groups: Rebamipide/nizatidine combination twice daily nizatidine twice daily for 2 weeks.

Relationship Between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Vulnerability of Culprit Plaque Assessed by OCT in Patients With Established Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is widely used for risk stratification. However, in patients with established coronary artery disease, its clinical implication and relationship with plaque vulnerability are unclear. We sought to correlate the CACS and plaque vulnerability assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Behavioral and cardiac responses to a model startle test to assess retired Thoroughbred racehorses for equestrians.

Importance: Equine behavioral traits are important criteria to assess the suitability of retired Thoroughbred racehorses for equestrian sports.

Objective: This study aims to develop a practical procedure to assess retired Thoroughbreds for their suitability for equestrian sports or leisure purposes and to assess if horses identified as having reactive temperaments in response to a standardized startle test, will have improved test results following a period of transition training.

Methods: Behavioral reactivity data and cardiac autonomic responses to a startle test (comprising of a plastic bag applied to the neck area) were collected from twelve retired Thoroughbred racehorses (6 males and 6 females; average age: 4.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of IN FOCUS: A Mind-Body Resiliency Intervention for Fear of Cancer Recurrence.

Introduction: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is prevalent and distressing among survivors of cancer. Evidence-based mind-body and cognitive-behavioral skills lack integration and testing in scalable formats.

Objective: This pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT04876599) tested a synchronous, virtual mind-body group resiliency intervention for FCR (IN FOCUS).

An antimicrobial blue light prototype device controls infected wounds in a preclinical porcine model.

We developed a translational prototype antimicrobial blue light (ABL) device for treating skin wounds with ABL. Partial-thickness surgical wounds were created in live swine, an animal whose skin is considered the most like human skin, then heavily contaminated and left untreated for 24 hours with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ABL treatment stabilized and reduced MRSA infection by greater than four orders of magnitude (>99.

Career duration and later-life health conditions among former professional American-style football players.

Objectives: Career duration is often used as a metric of neurotrauma exposure in studies of elite athletes. However, as a proxy metric, career length may not accurately represent causal factors, and associations with health outcomes may be susceptible to selection effects. To date, relationships between professional American-style football (ASF) career length and postcareer health remain incompletely characterised.

Changes in pancreatic steatosis by computed tomography 24 months after sleeve gastrectomy in youth with severe obesity.

Background: Pancreatic steatosis has been associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Studies in adults have demonstrated improvement in pancreatic steatosis following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with concomitant improvement in glucose homeostasis.

Objectives: To examine changes in pancreatic steatosis in youth with severe obesity 24 months following SG.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes in adolescents: a single center's seven-year update.

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is gaining traction as a treatment option for adolescents with severe obesity. Since our weight center last published results in 2014, trends have shown increasingly diverse patient populations undergoing MBS and a shift from laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) to sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We assessed outcomes including follow-up, weight loss, comorbidity resolution, and complications among our recent adolescent and young adult MBS patients.

Relationship between plaque burden and plaque vulnerability: Acute coronary syndromes versus chronic coronary syndrome.

Background: The relationship between plaque burden and microscopic characterization of plaque features as it pertains to clinical presentation has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between plaque burden and plaque vulnerability in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) versus chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

Methods: Patients who underwent both coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before coronary intervention were enrolled.

Relationship Between Calcified Plaque Burden, Vascular Inflammation, and Plaque Vulnerability in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Background: Coronary artery calcification is an integral part of atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that early coronary artery calcification is associated with active inflammation, and advanced calcification forms as inflammation subsides. Inflammation is also an important factor in plaque vulnerability.

One versus 2 years of alendronate following denosumab: the CARD extension.

Unlabelled: When denosumab is discontinued, antiresorptive therapy is critical to reduce high-turnover bone loss. The ideal duration of antiresorptive therapy after denosumab is uncertain. This study demonstrates that both 1 and 2 years of alendronate maintained bone density gains achieved with 1 year of denosumab.

Efficacy of fexuprazan compared with rebamipide in Korean patients with gastritis: A matching-adjusted indirect comparison.

Background: Gastritis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases requiring medical treatment in South Korea. Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, has been approved for treating gastritis and erosive esophagitis. Meanwhile, rebamipide is the most commonly used mucoprotective agent for acute and chronic gastritis in real-world settings in South Korea.