bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An alteration in the expression of cell wall structural proteins increases cell surface exposure of adhesins to promote virulence in
Candida glabrata
Authors: Zhang Yaling , Gong Shengwei , Xiong Kang , Yu Xiangtai , Mo Xinreng , Su Chang , Lu Yang 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Candida glabrata
is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that causes superficial mucosal and life-threatening bloodstream infections in immunocompromised individuals. Remodeling in cell wall components has been extensively exploited by fungal pathogens to adapt to host-derived stresses, as well as immune evasion. How this process contributes to
C. glabrata
pathogenicity is less understood. Here, we applied RNA sequencing and an
in vivo
invasive infection model to elucidate the prompt response of
C. glabrata
during infection. Fungal transcriptomes show a dramatic alteration in the expression of Srp1/Tip1-family cell wall structural proteins during systemic infection. Deletion of all six genes in this family (
TIR2-5
and
AWP6-7
) that are upregulated during infection leads to a significantly lower fungal burden in organs, as well as an attenuated virulence in the dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model. The
tir2-5 awp6-7
sextuple mutant does not display any defect in response to host-derived stresses. Rather, deletion of all these six genes results in a lower cell surface exposure of an adhesin Epa1, which could contribute to its reduced adhesion to epithelial cells and cytotoxicity, as well as attenuated virulence. Our study reveals that cell wall remodeling triggered by the alteration in the expression of structural proteins is a key virulence attribute in
C. glabrata
that facilitates this fungus adhering to host cells and persisting in organs.

IMPORTANCE

Candida glabrata
is one of the most frequent causes of candidiasis after
Candida albicans
. While
C. albicans
has been extensively studied, the mechanisms of infection and invasion of
C. glabrata
have not been fully elucidated. Using an infection model of systemic candidiasis and RNA sequencing, we show that there is a dramatic change in the expression of Srp1/Tip1-family genes during infection. Deletion of all six Srp1/Tip1-family genes that are upregulated during infection decreases the amount of cell wall-localized Epa1, probably reflecting the reduced adherence to epithelial cells and attenuated virulence in the sextuple mutant. These data suggest that alterations in the expression of Srp1/Tip1-family structural proteins trigger cell wall remodeling that increases the cell surface exposure of adhesins, such as Epa1, to promote virulence. Our study provides a pathogenic mechanism associated with
C. glabrata
in ensuring its sustenance and survival during infection.
Influence of the Metal Structure and Plastic Deformation on the Nonlinear Acoustic Parameter
Authors: Vanyagin A. V. , Ilyakhinskii A. V. , Rodyushkin V. M. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
A practical task of testing samples of various metals using the principles of nonlinear acoustics is being solved. A surface acoustic wave (surfactant), whose propagation process, due to nonlinear effects, is accompanied by generation of a wave of doubled frequency, was used for testing. An experimental device is used to monitor the structural state of a metal sample by recording a change in the nonlinear acoustic parameter (NAP). To excite surfactants, a wedge transducer with a resonance frequency of 1 MHz was used. The transmitted wave was recorded with a wedge transducer with a resonance frequency of 2 MHz. It has been shown that the NAP for the tested materials in the initial state has different values not only for materials belonging to different classes, but also for materials belonging to the same structural class and having different chemical compositions (12Kh17G9AN4 and 12Kh18N10Т). A plastic deformation by 2% does not lead to a NAP change for the AMg6 alloy and 12Kh17G9AN4, 20Kh13N4G9, and 10KhSND steels. The NAP change by 2% as a result of a plastic deformation for the 12Kh18N10T and 08Kh17N4M3 stainless steels is caused by a change in their phase compositions associated with the martensitic transformation. The presented data on the change in the NAP from early stages of the elastoplastic deformation to a predestruction for AMg6 and 10KhSND steels demonstrate the possibility of using it as a prognostic criterion for the limiting state of the material.
Independent Set, Chromatic Number, Non-Uniform Coloring of 2-Connected Outerplanar Graphs and Beyond
Authors: Zhai Hong , Deng Xingchao , Cai Junqing 
Published: November 2024

Grötzsch proved that every triangle-free planar graph has a proper 3-coloring in 1958. One of the generalizations of it is the one that Steinberg and Tovey obtained: Every triangle-free planar graph has a non-uniform [Formula: see text]-coloring [Planar Ramsey numbers, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 59(2)(1993), 288–296]. Moreover, they proposed the following conjecture: Every planar graph on[Formula: see text] vertices with at most one triangle has a non-uniform [Formula: see text]-coloring[Formula: see text] Here, we affirm the conjecture in the situation that every 2-connected outerplanar graph on [Formula: see text] vertices with at most one triangle has a non-uniform [Formula: see text]-coloring by Kempe change.
Efficacy of COVID‐19 Treatments in Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Alwakeel Mahmoud , Abi Fadel Francois , Nanah Abdelrahman , Wang Yan , Awad Mohamed K. A. , Abdeljaleel Fatima , Obeidat Mohammed , Saleem Talha , Afzal Saira , Alayan Dina , Harnegie Mary Pat , Wang Xiaofeng , Duggal Abhijit , Zhang Peng 
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Examining the cumulative evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating the use of pharmacological agents for the treatment of COVID‐19 infections in patients with critical illness.Data Sources: Databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane.Study Selection: Inclusion criteria were RCTs that enrolled patients with confirmed or suspected COVID‐19 infection who are critically ill. Only RCTs that examined therapeutic agents against one another or no intervention, placebo, or standard of care, were included.Data Extraction: Pairs of reviewers extracted data independently. Outcomes of interest included the overall reported mortality defined as either the ICU mortality, hospital mortality, mortality within 28 days or mortality within 90 days.Data Synthesis: A total of 40 studies (11,613 patients) evaluated 50 therapeutic intervention arms divided into five main therapy categories; steroids, antiviral medications, immunomodulators, plasma therapies [intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), convalescent plasma and/or, therapeutic plasma exchange], and therapeutic anticoagulation. Immunomodulators was the only group with possible mortality benefit, risk ratio (RR) 0.83 (95% CI 0.73; 0.95), with nonsignificant heterogeneity (I2 = 8%, p = 0.36). In contrast, the other therapy groups showed no significant impact on mortality, as indicated by their respective pooled RRs: steroids [RR 0.91 (95% CI 0.82; 1.01), I2 = 31%], antiviral medications [RR 1.11 (95% CI 0.82; 1.49), I2 = 57%], plasma therapies [RR 0.77 (95% CI 0.58; 1.01), I2 = 36%], and anticoagulation [RR 1.06 (95% CI 0.95; 1.18), I2 = 0%].Conclusions: This meta‐analysis highlights both the heterogeneity and a lack of benefit from therapies evaluated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many of the RCTs were developed based on limited observational data. Future RCTs investigating pharmaceutical interventions in critically ill patients during pandemics need to be designed based on better evidence.
Mucosal Hub Bacteria as Potential Targets for Improving High‐Fat Diet‐Related Intestinal Barrier Injury
Authors: Shao Li , Zhang Binbin , Song Yu , Lyu Zhe , Zhang Weishi , Yang Wenjun , Fu Jinlong , Li Jie , Shi Junping 
Published: November 2024

Background: Intestinal barrier injury contributes to multiple diseases such as obesity and diabetes, whereas no treatment options are available.Methods: Due to close interactions between mucosal microbiome and intestinal barrier, we evaluated the potential of mucosal bacteria in providing targets for high‐fat diet (HFD)–related intestinal barrier injury. Whole‐genome metagenomics was used to evaluate mucosal microbiome, while intestinal barrier injury was estimated using serum LPS, FITC‐dextran intensity, and ZO‐1 protein.Results: We found that HFD induced significant fat accumulation in epididymal tissue at weeks 4 and 12, while ALT, LDL, and TC increased at week 12. Intestinal barrier injury was confirmed by elevated serum LPS at both weeks, upregulated FITC‐dextran intensity, and decreased ZO‐1 protein at week 12. Fourteen species such as Phocaeicola vulgatus differed in HFD‐fed mice. The co‐occurrence network of mucosal microbiome shifted from scale‐free graph in controls to nearly random graph in HFD‐fed mice. Besides, 10 hub bacteria especially Bacteroides ovatus decreased drastically in both mucosal and fecal samples of HFD‐fed mice, correlated with intestinal permeability, ALT, and KEGG pathways such as “Mitochondrial biogenesis” and “metabolism”. Moreover, Bacteroides ovatus has been confirmed to improve intestinal barrier function in a recent study.Conclusion: Mucosal hub bacteria can provide potential targets for improving HFD‐related intestinal barrier function.
Ancestral Differences in Anticancer Treatment Efficacy and Their Underlying Genomic and Molecular Alterations
Authors: Luo Mei , Yang Jingwen , Schäffer Alejandro A. , Chen Chengxuan , Liu Yuan , Chen Yamei , Lin Chunru , Diao Lixia , Zang Yong , Lou Yanyan , Salman Huda , Mills Gordon B. , Ruppin Eytan , Han Leng 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Systematic multiomic analysis has revealed ancestry-dependent molecular alterations, but their impact on the efficacy of anticancer treatment is yet largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed clinical trials from ClinicalTrials.gov and found that only 8,779/102,721 (8.5%) oncology clinical trials posted information on enrollment by race/ethnicity. The underrepresentation of non-White populations suggests that it remains challenging to determine differences in the efficacy of antitumor treatments among different racial groups. Through a comprehensive analysis of clinically actionable genes, imputed drug responses, and immune features, we identified potential differences in treatment responses to targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy between different ancestral populations. Further analysis of multiple independent cohorts confirmed some of our key findings. Such potential ancestral effects are also identified in response to emerging new treatments like chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and proteolysis-targeting chimeras. These findings are made publicly available in a comprehensive web portal, Ancestral Differences of Efficacy in Cancers (https://hanlaboratory.com/ADEC), to facilitate their further investigation.

Significance:
Our study charts a global landscape of ancestry-associated differences in therapeutic efficacy, highlighting the importance of considering ancestry in anticancer therapies.
Beyond the ʿUthmānic Codex: the Role of Self-Similarity in Preserving the Textual Integrity of the Qurʾān
Authors: Dawood Jawhar M. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Self-similarity is the most pervasive feature of the Qurʾān and demands an explanation. Western scholarship generally maintains that self-similarity indicates the Qurʾān’s oral origins. In contrast, this article argues that self-similarity is evidence of an initial written origin of the Qurʾān that played a crucial role in giving the text its distinct identity and safeguarding it from corruption. The article is divided into three sections. The first introduces the concept of self-similarity, briefly defining it and reviewing Western scholarship that has dealt with self-similarity. The second section examines how self-similarity functions within the Qurʾān by analyzing eleven samples of parallel passages, thereby substantiating the study’s central claim. The third section concludes that the Qurʾān was not subject to later editing and that the ʿUthmānic Codex was copied from an earlier written exemplar.
Automated High-Throughput Live Cell Monitoring of Scratch Wound Closure
Authors: Schmidt Kevin , Lerm Dominik , Schmidt Arne , Dickel Nicholas , Fiedler Jan , Thum Thomas , Kunz Meik 
Published: November 2024

Background: Angiogenesis and regenerative wound healing rely on the promotion of distinct endothelial cell phenotypes exhibiting increased migratory capacity. Monitoring of these hallmark events in vitro is invaluable for discovering novel therapeutics. However, respective methods often lack a high-throughput character or accurate analysis tools, which are essential for effective screening suitability. Methods and results: We stained nuclei of confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells with Hoechst33342 prior to induction of an artificial scratch wound. Treatments with various growth factors and several concentrations of nintedanib were performed to microscopically evaluate impacts on wound closure. We developed 2 tools for automated analysis of wound closure image sets. Utilizing cell-free area measuring or cellular density evaluation, respectively, migration behavior was assessed well-wise for each time point. We identified pro-migratory effects of interleukin 1β as well as inhibitory actions of nintedanib. Hoechst33342 staining allowed for cell counting which was excluded as a contributing factor to wound closure in our assay. Conclusion: We developed a cost-effective, high-throughput pipeline for monitoring cell migration in vitro. We believe that our protocol will accelerate pre-clinical screenings not only for medications targeting endothelial wound closure but also drug discovery research in a broad range of diseases involving cellular migration.
The updated prevalence and risk factors of dementia in old adults in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Gan Jinghuan , Zeng Yan , Huang Guowei , Wang Xiao-Dan , Lü Yang , Niu Jianping , Meng Xinling , Cai Pan , Li Xia , Li Yang , Shen Lu , You Yong , Gang Baozhi , Tang Yanqing , Lv Yan , Ren Zhihong , Liu Shuai , Ji Yong 
Published: November 2024

Background The continuously increasing aging population and life expectancy have led to an inconsistent and underestimated dementia prevalence in China. An updated epidemiologic study is urgently needed. Objective To update the prevalence rate and risk factors of dementia in China. Methods For this national cross-sectional study, 20,438 participants aged ≥65 from 28 communities and 56 villages from 14 centers were recruited using a multistage cluster sampling design between May 2019 and December 2019. Participants were assessed with a series of clinical and neuropsychological measurements. The prevalence rates of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD), as well as the risk factors, were calculated using multivariate-adjusted models. Results The crude prevalence rates were 9.1% (95% CI, 8.7%–9.5%) for dementia, 6.0% (95% CI, 5.7%–6.3%) for AD, 1.4% (95% CI, 1.2%–1.5%) for VaD, and 1.8% (95% CI, 1.6%–2.0%) for other dementias in a population aged ≥65 years. The overall sex- and age-standardized prevalence was 8.8%. Apart from VaD, the prevalence rates of dementia and AD were higher in females than males (10.3% versus 7.7%, respectively). Moreover, the prevalence rates of dementia and AD increased significantly with age. Being unmarried and having fewer social activities increased the risks of dementia and main subtypes. Risk factors were not exactly the same for participants with AD and VaD. Conclusions The prevalence of dementia is increased and almost comparable with that of developed countries for individuals aged ≥65 years. These findings may serve as new evidence for government interventions in aging.
False Lumen Patency After Occlusion With Physician-Modified Candy-Plug in Aortic Dissections: A 2-Center Experience
Authors: Karaolanis Georgios I. , Kotelis Drosos , Jungi Silvan , D’Amico Rosalinda , Mujagic Edin , Makaloski Vladimir 
Published: November 2024

Objective: To evaluate the early and mid-term results of physician-modified candy-plug (pmCP) in patients with type-B or residual type-A aortic dissection (TBRAD). Methods: All patients with TBRAD who received false lumen (FL) occlusion with pmCP between September 2018 and May 2024 were analyzed. Primary outcomes were technical and clinical success, and overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative aortic remodeling and aortic reintervention. Results: Seventeen patients (88% male; mean age 69±12 years) underwent FL occlusion with a pmCP. Nine patients (53%) were emergently treated. The technical and clinical successes were 100% and 82%, respectively. One patient (6%) died postoperatively. Early complete FL occlusion was observed in 82% of the patients. One patient (6%) required an early pmCP-related reintervention. During a mean follow-up of 15±5 months, 75% of the patients had complete thoracic FL thrombosis while 13% of them aortic remodeling in the last computed tomography (CT) scan. Aneurysm size remained stable in 69% of the cases. There were no aortic-related re-interventions during follow-up. Conclusions: The pmCP technique is a feasible and promising alternative technique, with high primary technical and clinical success rate. Stable aortic diameters can be expected during follow-up, thus reducing the need for further aortic reintervention. Clinical Impact: Persistence of false lumen (FL) patency after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for thoracic aortic dissection (TBAD) remains a significant challenge for physicians. Various strategies have been developed to address retrograde FL patency, including the candy-plug technique. This technique involves modifying thoracic stent grafts and placing an additional plug to occlude the reduced stent graft waist.Since its introduction, three generations of custom-made candy-plug devices (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) have been developed. However, delivery times vary across countries and vascular surgery services, complicating procedural planning, particularly in symptomatic patients or cases of rapid FL diameter progression.In this study, we provide a step-by-step description of the physician-modified candy-plug technique and present our preliminary results.
Endovascular Management of Aortic Rupture Secondary to Thoracolumbar Spine Fracture From a Domestic Fall: A Case Report and Clinical Challenges
Authors: Pakeliani David , Ferrante Liborio , Indelicato Giuseppe , Tumbiolo Silvana , Finocchiaro Maurizio 
Published: November 2024

Purpose: Instances of aortic lesions combined with thoracolumbar spine fractures have been rarely described, primarily occurring in high-speed motor vehicle collisions and falls from heights. Case Report: We present a unique case of a 71-year-old woman with a thoracic aortic rupture caused by a thoracolumbar spine fracture during an accidental domestic fall. She experienced an injury at the level of the celiac trunk on the posterior aspect of the aorta. Hemorrhagic shock and profound hemodynamic instability prompted the swift initiation of a percutaneous endovascular approach, involving the use of REBOA (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta) followed by the parallel graft technique in a sandwich configuration. Subsequently, thoracolumbar spinal fixation was carefully scheduled and performed 20 days after achieving clinical stabilization. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex aortic and spinal injuries. The combined use of REBOA and the sandwich graft technique can be life-saving in managing acute thoracic aortic injuries, allowing for the staged stabilization and repair of associated spinal fractures. Clinical Impact This case highlights a novel approach to managing a rare thoracic aortic rupture caused by an accidental domestic fall. The application of REBOA for immediate hemodynamic stabilization, combined with the use of a sandwich graft configuration, underscores the adaptability of advanced endovascular techniques in complex, life-threatening situations. These interventions demonstrate the importance of tailoring treatment strategies to individual patient needs, especially in cases involving atypical mechanisms of injury. The findings emphasize the value of early multidisciplinary collaboration and dynamic procedural planning, paving the way for improved outcomes and the refinement of clinical protocols in the management of similar trauma cases.
Direct and Gradual Electrical Testicular Shocks Stimulate Spermatogenesis and Activate Sperms in Infertile Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hashim Hashim Talib , Varney Joseph , Qais Zanyar , Reda Abdallah , Qaderi Shohra , Chowdhury Nazmus Sakib , Murry Kimberly , Shah Jaffer , Alhaideri Adil , Ahmad Shoaib , Hashim Ali Talib , Rehman Rehana , Ahmed Naseer , Al-Jorani May Saad , Skuk Moatamn , Abdalhusain Mahdi , Khalafalla Kareim 
Published: November 2024

Infertility was reported in approximately 15% of all heterozygous couples, with the male factor accounting for nearly half of the cases. This typically occurs due to low sperm production, sperm dysfunction, and sperm delivery obstruction. In this randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial, 90 infertile male subjects diagnosed with oligospermia, hypospermia, asthenozoospermia, or necrozoospermia were recruited. Semen samples were obtained with the masturbation method and an assessment of semen volume, sperm count, and motility was performed. Five milliamps of electrical shock was delivered to the participants through the fertility improvement device. Semen analysis was collected 4 months post-intervention from all subjects. Data were collected and an analysis of pre- and post-intervention results was performed. There was an improvement in the count, volume, and motility of the patient’s sperm after electrical shock treatment compared with the control group. By using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, there were statistically significant differences between the first and the second seminal analysis results (<.05). All other results were found to be independently correlated. This study demonstrated that using a painless, convenient at-home device, which is designed to contain all the testis tissue as a cup and then extend to include the scrotal roots reaching the penile root to include the epididymis, could significantly improve sperm motility and count. This device can be utilized to tackle the significant issue of infertility in a cost-effective, safe, and efficacious manner. An ultrasound was done before and after using the device as well as years after with no changes noted. Clinical Trial’s Registration Number: NCT04173052