bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hirsutella sinensis intensifies testicular function and spermatogenesis in male mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity
Authors: Liu Chin-Yu , Chen Chin-Chu , Chiang Lynn-Huey , Yang Bi-Hua , Chang Ting-Chia , Tsao Chih-Wei 
Published: July 2024

Background:

Hirsutella sinensis (HS) is a mycelium isolated from the fruiting body of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps sinensis. This study explored whether HS treatment affects reproductive dysfunction in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model and regulates various mechanisms, focusing on oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy.

Methods:
Twenty-four C57BL/6J (B6) mice were randomly divided into a standard chow diet (NCD)- or HFD-fed group for 24 weeks. During the final 8 weeks, half of the HFD-fed mice were orally administered HS (HFD + HS). Biochemical markers, including glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, were assessed, and hormones, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), were analyzed. Liver and testicular histology, as well as sperm quality markers such as sperm motility, sperm count, and percentage of sperm with normal morphology, were observed. The activities of the testicular antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the products of lipid peroxidation, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. The protein expression levels of apoptosis-, autophagy- and inflammation-related markers were measured.

Results:
The HFD-fed mice had abnormal sex hormone levels, poor sperm quality, and a destroyed testicular structure, with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testis. HS supplementation in HFD-fed mice attenuated testicular apoptosis by suppressing the Bax/Bcl-xl ratio and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression. The HS-treated mice exhibited improved reproductive function, possibly due to reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis, suggesting that HS has a protective effect against HFD-induced testicular damage.

Conclusion:
Male mice supplemented with HS exhibited attenuated poor semen quality and reduced testosterone levels brought about by HFD-induced obesity by reducing oxidative stress.
WGCNA reveals a biomarker for cancer-associated fibroblasts to predict prognosis in cervical cancer
Authors: Liu Zao-Ling , Chen Nan , Li Rong , Ma Ying-Jie , Qiayimaerdan Aerna , Ma Cai-Ling 
Published: July 2024

Background:
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial components of the cervical cancer tumor microenvironment, playing a significant role in cervical cancer progression, treatment resistance, and immune evasion, but whether the expression of CAF-related genes can predict clinical outcomes in cervical cancer is still unknown. In this study, we sought to analyze genes associated with CAFs through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and to create a predictive model for CAFs in cervical cancer.

Methods:
We acquired transcriptome sequencing data and clinical information on cervical cancer patients from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases. WGCNA was conducted to identify genes related to CAFs. We developed a prognostic model based on CAF genes in cervical cancer using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. Single-cell sequencing data analysis and in vivo experiments for validation of hub genes in CAFs.

Results:
A prognostic model for cervical cancer was developed based on CAF genes including COL4A1, LAMC1, RAMP3, POSTN, and SERPINF1. Cervical cancer patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups based on the optimal cutoff value. Patients in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that hub genes in the CAFs risk model were expressed mainly in fibroblasts. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results revealed a significant difference in the expression levels of COL4A1, LAMC1, POSTN, and SERPINF1 between the cancer group and the normal group (p < 0.05). Consistently, the results of the immunohistochemical tests exhibited notable variations in COL4A1, LAMC1, RAMP3, POSTN, and SERPINF1 expression between the cancer and normal groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The CAF risk model for cervical cancer constructed in this study can be used to predict prognosis, while the CAF hub genes can be utilized as crucial markers for cervical cancer prognosis.
The Effect of Gastrointestinal Mucositis Care Training Given to Pediatric Leukemic Patients and Caregivers on Mucosal Barrier Injury
Authors: Ardahan Sevgili Seda , Şenol Selmin 
Published: July 2024

Background
Management of chemotherapy-induced mucosal barrier damage and oral/anal mucositis in leukemia is challenging.

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mucositis care training given to children receiving leukemia treatment and their caregivers on caregiver knowledge and skills, the development of gastrointestinal mucositis in children, the mean oral mucositis area in children, and the mucosal barrier injury laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection in the clinic.

Methods
A stepped-wedge, quasi-experimental, unpaired control group design was used. The participants in the control group were given routine training, and the intervention group members were given mucositis care training in accordance with the guideline recommendations.

Results
No significant difference was found between groups in developing anal mucositis, but a significant difference in developing oral mucositis was documented, with the mean mucositis area of children being 8.36 ± 3.97 cm2 in the control group and 4.66 ± 2.90 cm2 in the intervention group. The mucosal barrier injury laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection ratio was 4 per 1000 catheter days in the control group and 3 per 1000 catheter days in the intervention group.

Conclusion
Mucositis care training had a significant positive effect on caregivers’ knowledge and skills, the development of oral mucositis, and the mean oral mucositis area in children. However, the training had no effect on the development of anal mucositis or the infection rate in the clinic.

Implications for Practice
Nurses might increase the knowledge and skill levels of caregivers with training on mucositis care, prevent the development of mucositis, and reduce the mean mucositis area. Training might also contribute to the reduction in the infection rate of the clinic.
Patients Journey Before Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Contributes to disease's Activity Level
Authors: Guaracha-Basáñez Guillermo A. , Contreras-Yáñez Irazú , Ortiz Haro Ana B. , Pascual-Ramos Virginia 
Published: July 2024

Introduction
The help-seeking process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is challenging, and its study is limited in Latin America. The study describes the real-life journey before patients' incorporation into an early arthritis clinic (EAC) and its impact on baseline and 1-year cumulative disease activity levels.

Patients and Methods
The patient's journey was assessed through a questionnaire that captured the patient's path from the first disease-related symptom to the initial assessment in the EAC. A disease activity (28 joints evaluated)–erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) score >5.1 defined a high-disease activity level. The mean of individual consecutive DAS28-ESR scores summarized cumulative DAS28-ESR. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with a DAS28-ESR score >5.1 at the first assessment. Linear regression analysis assessed the impact of general practitioner (GP)–first consultant and time on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on baseline and cumulative DAS28-ESR scores.

Results
Through January 2023, the EAC had 241 RA patients, among whom 209 (86.7%) completed the patients' journey questionnaire (PJQ) and 176 (84.2%) at least 1 year of follow-up. A GP was the first consultant in 76.6% of the patients, and only 12.4% were prescribed DMARDs. Patients had additional evaluations with either rheumatologists (38.6%) or other specialists (31.6%), and half of them were initiated DMARDs. GP-first consultant (adjusted odds ratio: 2.314, 95% confidence interval: 1.190–4.500, p = 0.013) and time on DMARDs (adjusted odds ratio: 0.738, 95% confidence interval: 0.585–0.929, p = 0.010) were associated with baseline DAS28-ESR score >5.1. The B coefficient magnitudes for GP-first consultant and time on DMARDs to predict cumulative DAS28 progressively decreased during the first year of follow-up.

Conclusions
Patients' journey before recent-onset RA diagnosis predicts first-year disease activity levels.
Detectability of Breast Cancer in Dedicated Breast CT Compared With Mammography Dependent on Breast Density
Authors: Wetzl Matthias , Heilingbrunner Theresa , Heindl Felix , Wenkel Evelyn , Uder Michael , Ohlmeyer Sabine 
Published: July 2024

Objectives
To evaluate the detectability of non–contrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced spiral breast computed tomography ([non]–CE-SBCT) compared with mammography. Secondary objectives are to determine detectability depending on breast density and to evaluate appearance of breast malignancies according to BI-RADS descriptors.

Methods
This retrospective institutional review board–approved study included 90 women with 105 biopsy-proven malignant breast lesions. Breast density, BI-RADS descriptors, and detectability were evaluated by 2 independent readers. Diagnostic confidence was rated on a 4-point Likert scale.

Results
For readers 1 and 2, detectability was 83.8% and 80.0% for mammography, 99.1% and 99.1% for CE-SBCT (P < 0.05), and 66.7% and 61.9% for non–CE-SBCT (P < 0.05). With both readers, detectability in CE-SBCT was high for density A/B/C/D (both 100%/100%/100%/87.5%). Detectability of readers declined with increasing density for mammography (density A = 100%, B = 89.1% and 95.1%, C = 73.1%, D = 50.0% and 71.4%; P < 0.05) and for non–CE-SBCT (density A = 87.5% and 90.7%, B = 65.5% and 69.1%, C = 54.8% and 60.0%, D = 37.5%; P < 0.05). Mass lesions were detected with CT as often as with mammography, whereas architectural distortions and microcalcifications were detected less often with SBCT. Diagnostic confidence was very high or high in 97.2% for CE-SBCT, in 74.1% for non–CE-SBCT, and in 81.4% for mammography.

Conclusions
Detectability and diagnostic confidence were very high in CE-SBCT, regardless of breast density. The detectability of non–CE-SBCT was lower than that of mammography and declined with increasing breast density.
Comparative study of tamsulosin, tadalafil, and combination of tamsulosin with tadalafil in the treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Mondal Soumya , Agarwal Neeraj , Pal Dilip Kumar 
Published: July 2024

Purpose:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly coexist in aging men. Tamsulosin and tadalafil are widely used for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and ED, respectively. A combination of these 2 drugs might be useful to design new management strategies, as treatment of LUTS might affect ED. Furthermore, the effect of tadalafil alone or in combination with tamsulosin on LUTS has not been widely studied, especially in our country. We conducted a study to compare the effects of tamsulosin, tadalafil, and a combination of tamsulosin and tadalafil in patients with LUTS with or without ED.

Materials and methods:
In this observational study, 81 men with LUTS due to BPH were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 27 patients each. Group A received tamsulosin 0.4 mg/d alone, group B tadalafil 5 mg/d alone, and group C combination therapy (tamsulosin and tadalafil both). All patients were evaluated for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the International Index of Erectile Function 5 score, the maximum urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine volume.

Results:
IPSS improvement was seen in all groups (−50.90%, P < 0.05; −28.57%, P < 0.05; and −54.83%, P < 0.05, respectively). An improvement in International Index of Erectile Function 5 was also seen in all 3 groups (+39.28%, P < 0.05; +45.9%, P < 0.05; and +55.4%, P < 0.05, respectively). Maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual also showed improvement in all 3 groups (33.9%, P < 0.05; 29.92%, P < 0.05; and 39.71%, P < 0.05 and −60.60%, P < 0.05; −48.51%, P < 0.05; and −62.18%, P < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion:
In patients with LUTS due to BPH, tadalafil and tamsulosin, either alone or in combination, significantly reduce LUTS. In addition, these drugs significantly enhance erectile function in males with LUTS, whether taken alone or in combination. We found no statistically significant improvement in either the IPSS or the ED scores when comparing the combination group to the tamsulosin-alone and the tadalafil-alone groups.
Sharing Data from the Human Tumor Atlas Network through Standards, Infrastructure, and Community Engagement
Authors: de Bruijn Ino , Nikolov Milen , Lau Clarisse , Clayton Ashley , Gibbs David L , Mitraka Elvira , Pozhidayeva Dar’ya , Lash Alex , Sumer Selcuk Onur , Altreuter Jennifer , Anton Kristen , DeFelice Mialy , Li Xiang , Lisman Aaron , R Longabaugh William J , Muhlich Jeremy , Santagata Sandro , Nandakumar Subhiksha , Sorger Peter K , Suver Christine , Schultz Nikolaus , Taylor Adam J , Thorsson Vésteinn , Cerami Ethan , Eddy James A 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Data Coordinating Center (DCC) of the Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN) has played a crucial role in enabling the broad sharing and effective utilization of HTAN data within the scientiﬁc community. Data from the ﬁrst phase of HTAN are now available publicly. We describe the diverse datasets and modalities shared, multiple access routes to HTAN assay data and metadata, data standards, technical infrastructure and governance approaches, as well as our approach to sustained community engagement. HTAN data can be accessed via the HTAN Portal, explored in visualization tools—including CellxGene, Minerva, and cBioPortal—and analyzed in the cloud through the NCI Cancer Research Data Commons nodes. We have developed a streamlined infrastructure to ingest and disseminate data by leveraging the Synapse platform. Taken together, the HTAN DCC’s approach demonstrates a successful model for coordinating, standardizing, and disseminating complex cancer research data via multiple resources in the cancer data ecosystem, offering valuable insights for similar consortia, and researchers looking to leverage HTAN data.
Essential Tremor Disrupts Rhythmic Brain Networks During Naturalistic Movement
Authors: West Timothy O. , Steidel Kenan , Flessner Tjalda , Calvano Alexander , Kucukahmetler Deniz , Stam Marielle J. , Spedden Meaghan E. , Wahl Benedikt , Jousmäki Veikko , Eraifej John , Oswal Ashwini , Saifee Tabish A. , Barnes Gareth , Farmer Simon F. , Pedrosa David J. , Cagnan Hayriye 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEssential Tremor (ET) is a very common neurological disorder characterised by involuntary rhythmic movements attributable to pathological synchronization within corticothalamic circuits. Previous work has focused on tremor in isolation, overlooking broader disturbances to motor control during naturalistic movements such as reaching. We hypothesised that ET disrupts the sequential engagement of large-scale rhythmic brain networks, leading to both tremor and deficits in motor planning and execution. To test this, we performed whole-head neuroimaging during an upper-limb reaching task using high-density electroencephalography in ET patients and healthy controls, alongside optically pumped magnetoencephalography in a smaller cohort. Key motor regions—including the supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex, and motor cerebellum—were synchronized to tremor rhythms. Patients exhibited a 15% increase in low beta (14-21 Hz) desynchronization over the supplementary motor area during movement, which strongly correlating with tremor severity (R2= 0.85). A novel dimensionality reduction technique revealed four distinct networks accounting for 97% of the variance in motor-related brain-wide oscillations, with ET altering their sequential engagement. Consistent with our hypothesis, the frontoparietal beta network- normally involved in motor planning-exhibited additional desynchronization during movement execution in ET patients. This altered engagement correlated with slower movement velocities, suggesting an adaptation towards feedback-driven motor control. These findings reveal fundamental disruptions in distributed motor control networks in ET and identify novel biomarkers as targets for next-generation brain stimulation therapies.
Laminar CBV and BOLD response-characteristics over time and space in the human primary somatosensory cortex at 7T
Authors: Dresbach Sebastian , Gulban Omer Faruk , Steinbach Till , Eck Judith , Kashyap Sriranga , Kaas Amanda , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Goebel Rainer , Huber Renzo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractUncovering the cortical representation of the body has been at the core of human brain mapping for decades, with special attention given to the digits. In the last decade, advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technologies have opened the possibility of noninvasively unraveling the 3rd dimension of digit representations in humans along cortical layers. In laminar fMRI it is common to combine the use of the highly sensitive blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast with cerebral blood volume sensitive measurements, like vascular space occupancy (VASO), that are more specific to the underlying neuronal populations. However, the spatial and temporal VASO response characteristics across cortical depth to passive stimulation of the digits are still unknown. Therefore, we characterized haemodynamic responses to vibrotactile stimulation of individual digit-tips across cortical depth at 0.75 mm in-plane spatial resolution using BOLD and VASO fMRI at 7T. We could identify digit-specific regions of interest (ROIs) in putative Brodmann area 3b, following the known anatomical organization. In the ROIs, the BOLD response increased towards the cortical surface due to the draining vein effect, while the VASO response was more shifted towards middle cortical layers, likely reflecting bottom-up input from the thalamus, as expected. Interestingly, we also found slightly negative BOLD and VASO responses for non-preferred digits in the ROIs, potentially indicating neuronal surround inhibition. Finally, we explored the temporal signal dynamics for BOLD and VASO as a function of distance from activation peaks resulting from stimulation of contralateral digits. With this analysis, we showed a triphasic response consisting of an initial peak and a subsequent negative deflection during stimulation, followed by a positive post-stimulus response in BOLD and to some extent in VASO. While similar responses were reported with invasive methods in animal models, here we demonstrate a potential neuronal excitation-inhibition mechanism in a center-surround architecture across layers in the human somatosensory cortex. Given that, unlike in animals, human experiments do not rely on anesthesia and can readily implement extensive behavioral testing, obtaining this effect in humans is an important step towards further uncovering the functional significance of the different aspects of the triphasic response.
Whole Tissue Imaging of Cellular Boundaries at Sub-Micron Resolutions for Automatic Cell Segmentation: Applications in Epithelial Bending of Ectodermal Appendages
Authors: Norris Sam , Hu Jimmy K. , Shubin Neil H 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFor decades, biologists have relied on confocal microscopy to understand cellular morphology and fine details of tissue structure. However, traditional confocal microscopy of tissues faces limited light penetration, typically less than 100 µm, due to tissue opacity. To address this challenge, researchers have developed tissue clearing protocols compatible with confocal microscopy. Unfortunately, these protocols often struggle to retain cell boundary markers, especially at high resolutions necessary for precise cell segmentation. In this work, we introduce a method that preserves cell boundary markers and matches the refractive index of tissues with water. This technique enables the use of high-magnification, long working distance water-dipping objectives. The sub-micron resolutions achieved with this approach allows us to automatically segment each individual cell using a trained neural network segmentation model. These segmented images facilitate the quantification of cell properties and morphology of the entire three-dimensional tissue. As a demonstration of this methodology, we first examine mandibles of transgenic mice that express fluorescent proteins in their cell membranes. We then extend this technique to a non-model animal, the catshark, investigating the cellular properties of its dental lamina and dermal denticles – invaginating and evaginating ectodermal structures, respectively. Our technique thus provides a powerful tool to quantify in high throughput the 3D structures of cells and tissues during organ morphogenesis.
Fodder oats as catch crop: potential to reduce nitrogen losses from soil
Authors: Kidson Michael , Hernandez-Soriano Maria C. , Mndzebele Buhlebelive , Ndaba Busiswa , Adeleke Rasheed , Nciizah Adornis D. , Roopnarain Ashira 
Published: July 2024

AbstractReducing nitrogen (N) losses and associated nitrate (NO3-) leaching and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural land is a critical target worldwide. This is particularly urgent in areas with low fertility soils and a climate that increases the risk of N loss, such as the arid and temperate regions of South Africa. Here, we assessed the potential of fodder oats (Avena sativa) as a winter catch crop to deplete residual N in a field laid fallow for the previous four years, where vetch had proliferated. The soil presented a high clay content (34-44%), with the main exchangeable bases being calcium and magnesium hence, ammonium (NH4+) deposited by the vetch was expected to be rapidly adsorbed and slowly released. A significant decrease in the concentrations of NO3-(49%) and NH4+(30%) throughout the soil profile (0-90 cm) was observed following harvest of the oats compared to the concentrations measured before sowing. The effectiveness of the oats to uptake both forms of N from top and deep soil layers enhances their potential to reduce N losses. Our results are useful to fill current knowledge gaps on N dynamics in understudied, vulnerable soils such as agricultural land in South Africa, and to advance crop rotation strategies that reduce risk of N leaching.