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- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(author)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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In: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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- Lind, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Key Characteristics of Cardiovascular Toxicants
- 2021
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In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : US DEPT HEALTH HUMAN SCIENCES PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCE. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 129:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The concept of chemical agents having properties that confer potential hazard called key characteristics (KCs) was first developed to identify carcinogenic hazards. Identification of KCs of cardiovascular (CV) toxicants could facilitate the systematic assessment of CV hazards and understanding of assay and data gaps associated with current approaches. OBJECTIVES: We sought to develop a consensus-based synthesis of scientific evidence on the KCs of chemical and nonchemical agents known to cause CV toxicity along with methods to measure them. METHODS: An expert working group was convened to discuss mechanisms associated with CV toxicity. RESULTS: The group identified 12 KCs of CV toxicants, defined as exogenous agents that adversely interfere with function of the CV system. The KCs were organized into those primarily affecting cardiac tissue (numbers 1-4 below), the vascular system (5-7), or both (8-12), as follows: 1) impairs regulation of cardiac excitability, 2) impairs cardiac contractility and relaxation, 3) induces cardiomyocyte injury and death, 4) induces proliferation of valve stroma, 5) impacts endothelial and vascular function, 6) alters hemostasis, 7) causes dyslipidemia, 8) impairs mitochondrial function, 9) modifies autonomic nervous system activity, 10) induces oxidative stress, 11) causes inflammation, and 12) alters hormone signaling. DISCUSSION: These 12 KCs can be used to help identify pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants as CV toxicants, as well as to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of their toxicity. For example, evidence exists that fine particulate matter [PM <= 2.5 mu m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] air pollution, arsenic, anthracycline drugs, and other exogenous chemicals possess one or more of the described KCs. In conclusion, the KCs could be used to identify potential CV toxicants and to define a set of test methods to evaluate CV toxicity in a more comprehensive and standardized manner than current approaches.
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- Voskuil, Jan L. A., et al.
(author)
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The Antibody Society's antibody validation webinar series
- 2020
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In: mAbs. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1942-0862 .- 1942-0870. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the wake of the reproducibility crisis and numerous discussions on how commercially available antibodies as research tool contribute to it, The Antibody Society developed a series of 10 webinars to address the issues involved. The webinars were delivered by speakers with both academic and commercial backgrounds. This report highlights the problems, and offers solutions to help the scientific community appropriately identify the right antibodies and to validate them for their research and development projects. Despite the various solutions proposed here, they must be applied on a case-by-case basis. Each antibody must be verified based on the content of the product sheet, and subsequently through experimentation to confirm integrity, specificity and selectivity. Verification needs to focus on the precise application and tissue/cell type for which the antibody will be used, and all verification data must be reported openly. The various approaches discussed here all have caveats, so a combination of solutions must be considered.
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