bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A conserved motif in the immune-subdominant RAP-1 related antigen of Babesia bovis contains a B-cell epitope recognized by antibodies from protected cattle
Authors: Rojas Manuel J. , Bastos Reginaldo G. , Navas Jinna , Laughery Jacob M. , Lacy Paul A. , Suarez Carlos E. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionBabesia bovis, a tick-borne apicomplexan parasite causing bovine babesiosis, remains a significant threat worldwide, and improved and practical vaccines are needed. Previous studies defined the members of the rhoptry associated protein-1 (RAP-1), and the neutralization-sensitive rhoptry associated protein-1 related antigen (RRA) superfamily in B. bovis, as strong candidates for the development of subunit vaccines. Both RAP-1 and RRA share conservation of a group of 4 cysteines and amino acids motifs at the amino terminal end (NT) of these proteins.Methods and resultsSequence comparisons among the RRA sequences of several B. bovis strains and other Babesia spp parasites indicate a high level of conservation of a 15-amino acid (15-mer) motif located at the NT of the protein. BlastP searches indicate that the 15-mer motif is also present in adenylate cyclase, dynein, and other ATP binding proteins. AlphaFold2 structure predictions suggest partial exposure of the 15-mer on the surface of RRA of three distinct Babesia species. Antibodies in protected cattle recognize a synthetic peptide representing the 15-mer motif sequence in iELISA, and rabbit antibodies against the 15-mer react with the surface of free merozoites in immunofluorescence.Discussion and conclusionThe presence of the 15-mer-like regions in dynein and ATP-binding proteins provides a rationale for investigating possible functional roles for RRA. The demonstrated presence of a surface exposed B-cell epitope in the 15-mer motif of the B. bovis RRA, which is recognized by sera from protected bovines, supports its inclusion in future subunit epitope-based vaccines against B. bovis.
Performance experiment of ultra high temperature cementing slurry system
Authors: Zou Qiang , Chen Xu , Zhong Shiming , Yi Dan , Liu Liankai 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: The escalating pursuit of oil and gas reserves in China has led to increasingly deep and ultra-deep well drilling, encountering extreme temperatures that challenge the heat resistance capabilities of cement slurries. This study addresses the critical need for high-performance cement slurries capable of withstanding ultra-high temperatures during drilling and completion operations.Methods: A novel ultrahigh temperature conventional density (UHTE) cement slurry was formulated by incorporating high-temperature-resistant additives, namely DRF-1S and DRH-2L. An indoor testing framework was established to assess the slurry’s performance across various parameters: Evaluating the slurry’s ability to maintain uniform consistency over time. Measuring the amount of free water separated from the slurry under simulated downhole conditions. Assessing the slurry’s transition from fluid to solid state over time. Determining the compressive strength and other mechanical attributes after curing at elevated temperatures.Results: The experimental findings revealed the following: An optimal silica sand dosage of 50% was found to enhance the overall performance of the UHTE cement slurry. The developed UHTE cement system, fortified with DRF-1S and DRH-2L, demonstrated effective functionality within a temperature range of 180°C to 210°C, representing a significant advancement in high-temperature resistance. The slurry maintained API water loss below 100 mL, ensuring minimal fluid loss during placement. Adjusted thickening time allowed for adequate pumping and placement without premature setting. Settlement stability was maintained below 0.04 g/cm3, indicating excellent homogeneity and stability. Incorporation of the anti-decay material DRB-3S ensured a 28-day compressive strength exceeding 50 MPa at 210°C, signifying robust structural integrity under extreme thermal conditions.Discussion: This research provides a robust foundation for the practical application of UHTE cementing technology in ultra-high temperature environments. The successful development of the UHTE cement slurry system, characterized by its superior temperature resistance, controlled water loss, optimized thickening behavior, and exceptional mechanical properties, paves the way for field trials and further enhancements. Future work will involve testing the effectiveness of the new additive combination under actual downhole conditions and refining the formulation to develop an even more advanced UHTE cementing additive. These advancements will contribute to enhanced wellbore integrity, improved drilling efficiency, and increased safety in deep and ultra-deep oil and gas exploration endeavors in China.
Periodic limb movements in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea without comorbid conditions
Authors: Seifen Christopher , Herrmann Moritz , Pordzik Johannes , Matthias Christoph , Gouveris Haralampos 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundPeriodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are overlapping clinical syndromes with common risk factors. However, current literature has failed to establish a clear pathophysiological link between them. Thus, little is known about periodic limb movements (PLM) in otherwise healthy patients with suspected OSA.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 112 patients (age: 44.5 ± 12.0 years, 14.3% female) with suspected OSA who underwent full night polysomnography for the first time. Patients with chronic diseases of any kind, recent infections, malignancies, or daily or regular use of any type of medication were excluded. Group comparisons were made based on the severity of OSA (using the apnea hypopnea index, AHI) or the periodic limb movement index (PLMI).ResultsBoth, PLMI and the total number of periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), showed a significant increase in patients with severe OSA. In addition, AHI and apnea index (AI) were significantly higher in patients with PLMI &gt;15/h, with a similar trend for hypopnea index (HI) (p &lt; 0.001, p &lt; 0.001, and p &gt; 0.05, respectively). PLMI was significantly positive correlated with AHI, AI, and HI (r = 0.392, p &lt; 0.001; r = 0.361, p &lt; 0.001; and r = 0.212, p &lt; 0.05, respectively). Patients with PLMI &gt;15/h were significantly older (p &lt; 0.001). There was no significant association between body mass index (BMI) and PLMI &gt;15/h.ConclusionWe found a significant association between the severity of OSA and PLM in our study population with suspected OSA but without other comorbidities. PLMI and PLMS were significantly increased in patients with severe OSA. Future prospective studies with larger collectives should verify the presented results and should include mechanistic aspects in their evaluation.
The characteristics of intratumoral microbial community reflect the development of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Su Yanfang , Li Shiyu , Sang Die , Zhang Yurong 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionAn increasing number of studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of microbiota changes in the onset, progression, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, a comprehensive analysis of intratumoral microbiome variation across distinct LUAD stages has not been performed. The aim of this study was to identify the microbial markers that significantly vary during tumor stage of LUAD.MethodsHere, we used the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database to comprehensively compare and analyze the differences in microbial composition between 267 patients with early and 224 patients with advanced LUAD. In order to determine the best biomarkers, we used the random forest (RF) model and found that the microbial markers have a certain ability in predicting the stage of LUAD.ResultsWe found that there were certain differences in the microbiome of patients with LUAD at different stages, especially in the tumor tissues of patients with advanced LUAD, whose co-abundance network was significantly more complex. We also found that five bacterial biomarkers (Pseudoalteromonas, Luteibacter, Caldicellulosiruptor, Loktanella, and Serratia) were correlated with LUAD stage, among which Pseudoalteromonas, Luteibacter, Caldicellulosiruptor, and Serratia were significantly overexpressed in patients with advanced LUAD. In particular, after integrating the biomarkers of mRNA, we achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70.DiscussionOur study revealed the microbial profile of patients with LUAD and the intrinsic pathogenic mechanism between the microbiome and the disease, and established a multi-omics model to determine LUAD tumor stage.
Unraveling the dynamic transcriptomic changes during the dimorphic transition of Talaromyces marneffei through time-course analysis
Authors: Du Minghao , Tao Changyu , Hu Xueyan , Zhang Yun , Kan Jun , Wang Juan , Yang Ence 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionSystemic dimorphic fungi pose a significant public health challenge, causing over one million new infections annually. The dimorphic transition between saprophytic mycelia and pathogenic yeasts is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of dimorphic fungi. However, despite the dynamic nature of dimorphic transition, the current omics studies focused on dimorphic transition primarily employ static strategies, partly due to the lack of suitable dynamic analytical methods.MethodsWe conducted time-course transcriptional profiling during the dimorphic transition of Talaromyces marneffei, a model organism for thermally dimorphic fungi. To capture non-uniform and nonlinear transcriptional changes, we developed DyGAM-NS (dynamic optimized generalized additive model with natural cubic smoothing). The performance of DyGAM-NS was evaluated by comparison with seven other commonly used time-course analysis methods. Based on dimorphic transition induced genes (DTIGs) identified by DyGAM-NS, cluster analysis was utilized to discern distinct gene expression patterns throughout dimorphic transitions of T. marneffei. Simultaneously, a gene expression regulatory network was constructed to probe pivotal regulatory elements governing the dimorphic transitions.ResultsBy using DyGAM-NS, model, we identified 5,223 DTIGs of T. marneffei. Notably, the DyGAM-NS model showcases performance on par with or superior to other commonly used models, achieving the highest F1 score in our assessment. Moreover, the DyGAM-NS model also demonstrates potential in predicting gene expression levels throughout temporal processes. The cluster analysis of DTIGs suggests divergent gene expression patterns between mycelium-to-yeast and yeast-to-mycelium transitions, indicating the asymmetrical nature of two transition directions. Additionally, leveraging the identified DTIGs, we constructed a regulatory network for the dimorphic transition and identified two zinc finger-containing transcription factors that potentially regulate dimorphic transition in T. marneffei.DiscussionOur study elucidates the dynamic transcriptional profile changes during the dimorphic transition of T. marneffei. Furthermore, it offers a novel perspective for unraveling the underlying mechanisms of fungal dimorphism, emphasizing the importance of dynamic analytical methods in understanding complex biological processes.
Characterization and potential lipid-lowering effects of lactic acid bacteria isolated from cats
Authors: Liang Shukun , Kang Yanhua , Zhao Ya , Sun Jintao , Wang Xiumin , Tao Hui , Wang Zhenlong , Wang Jinquan , Zhong Yougang , Han Bing 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThis study aimed to study the characterization and the potential lipid-lowering effects of new isolated lactic acid bacteria from the feces of healthy adult cats.MethodsWe collected 85 cat fecal samples, isolated, screening lactic acid bacteria strains from samples, and investigated their in vitro and in vivo biological properties.ResultsA total of 221 lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from 85 cat fecal samples. Sixteen strains with calcium dissolution rings greater than 1 mm were identified and selected for further characterization. Three lactic acid bacteria strains, Lactobacillus plantarum L-27-2, Pediococcus lactis L-14-1, and Enterococcus faecium, were identified as showing the most promising rates of cholesterol degradation (greater than 20%) and bacteriostatic radius (over 15 mm). These three strains exhibited robust growth and adherence to epithelial cells, along with adaptability to low pH (greater than 70%) and high bile salt conditions (greater than 60%), and remarkable cholesterol degradation and anti-pathogen activity. Sixteen mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) from 4 to 8 weeks of age, while a control group of the same size received a normal diet (ND). At 8 weeks of age, serum, feces and adipose tissue were collected. The results showed that, compared with mice fed an HFD diet alone, all mice fed an HFD diet plus lactic acid bacteria could decrease weight gain. P &lt; 0.05 and the pathological changes of adipose tissue were alleviated. In addition, mice fed L-14-1 and F203 showed abdominal fat accumulation decreased (P &lt; 0.05). Mice fed L-27-2 showed serum and liver triglyceride (TG) decreased (P &lt; 0.05) and mice fed F203 showed serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (P &lt; 0.01). mice fed L-27-2 and L-14-1 showed inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) was decreased (P &lt; 0.01) Analysis of the fecal microbiota of mice fed these three lactic acid bacteria strains revealed alterations in the gut microbial community. There were common changes in intestinal microbes in mice fed these three lactic acid bacteria: (1) Bacteroides decreased; (2) Myxococcus increased; (3) Lachnoclostridium decreased. The microbes mentioned are all part of the core intestinal flora.DiscussionThis study provided three potential lactic acid bacteria for alleviating animal obesity and inflammation.
Integrated transcriptome and metabolome profiling reveals mechanisms underlying the infection of Cytospora mali in “Jin Hong” branches
Authors: Zhao Jing , Guo Yuan , Li Zhengnan , Shi Yajun , Sun Pingping 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionValsa canker, caused by Cytospora mali, is a destructive disease in apple production. However, the mechanism by which apple defend against C. mali infection remains unclear.MethodsIn this study, the integrative transcriptional and metabolic analysis were used to investigate the responses of the ‘Jin Hong’ apple branches to the invasion of C. mali.Results and DiscussionResults showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the pathways of carbon metabolism, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, and biosynthesis of amino acids pathways. Additionally, the differentially accumulated metabolites were significantly enriched in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, fructose and mannose metabolism, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways. Conjoint analysis revealed that C. mali infection significantly altered 5 metabolic pathways, 8 highly relevant metabolites and 15 genes of apples. Among which the transcription factors WRKY and basic domain leucine zipper transcription family were induced, the α-linolenic acid and betaine were significantly accumulated in C. mali infected apple stems. This work presents an overview of the changes in gene expression and metabolic profiles in apple under the inoculation of C. mali, which may help to further screen out the mechanism of plant-pathogen interaction at the molecular level.
Exploration of the causal associations between circulating inflammatory proteins, immune cells, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study and mediation analysis
Authors: Chen Zhiqing , Guo Yujin , Sun Huaiyu , Zhang Wuqiong , Hou Shuai , Guo Yu , Ma Xiaohui , Meng Hongmei 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundAn increasing body of research has demonstrated a robust correlation between circulating inflammatory proteins and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). However, whether this association is causal or whether immune cells act as mediators currently remains unclear.MethodsWe employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis to examine the potential causal association between circulating inflammatory proteins, immune cells, and NMOSD using data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Five different methods for Mendelian randomization analyses were applied, with the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method being the primary approach. Sensitivity analyses were further performed to assess the presence of horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity in the results. Finally, a two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) design was employed to examine the potential mediating effects of immune cells.ResultsA notable causal relationship was observed between three circulating inflammatory proteins (CSF-1, IL-24, and TNFRSF9) and genetically predicted NMOSD. Furthermore, two immune cell phenotypes, genetically predicted CD8 on naive CD8+ T cells, and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Absolute Count were negatively and positively associated with genetically predicted NMOSD, respectively, although they did not appear to function as mediators.ConclusionCirculating inflammatory proteins and immune cells are causally associated with NMOSD. Immune cells do not appear to mediate the pathway linking circulating inflammatory proteins to NMOSD.
Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound unilateral thalamotomy for medically refractory essential tremor: 3-year follow-up data
Authors: Tamburin Stefano , Paio Fabio , Bovi Tommaso , Bulgarelli Giorgia , Longhi Michele , Foroni Roberto , Mantovani Elisa , Polloniato Paolo Maria , Tagliamonte Micaela , Zivelonghi Emanuele , Zucchella Chiara , Cavedon Carlo , Nicolato Antonio , Petralia Benedetto , Sala Francesco , Bonetti Bruno , Tinazzi Michele , Montemezzi Stefania , Ricciardi Giuseppe Kenneth 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionMagnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy of the ventralis intermediate (Vim) nucleus is an “incisionless” treatment for medically refractory essential tremor (ET). We present data on 49 consecutive cases of MRgFUS Vim thalamotomy followed-up for 3 years and review the literature on studies with longer follow-up data.MethodsA retrospective chart review of patients who underwent MRgFUS thalamotomy (January 2018–December 2020) at our institution was performed. Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST) scores were obtained pre-operatively and at each follow-up with an assessment of side effects. Patients had post-operative magnetic resonance imaging within 24 h and at 1 month to figure out lesion location, size, and extent. The results of studies with follow-up ≥3 years were summarized through a literature review.ResultsThe CRST total (baseline: 58.6 ± 17.1, 3-year: 40.8 ± 18.0) and subscale scores (A + B, baseline: 23.5 ± 6.3, 3-year: 12.8 ± 7.9; C, baseline: 12.7 ± 4.3, 3-year: 5.8 ± 3.9) and the QUEST score (baseline: 38.0 ± 14.8, 3-year: 18.7 ± 13.3) showed significant improvement that was stable during the 3-year follow-up. Three patients reported tremor recurrence and two were satisfactorily retreated. Side effects were reported by 44% of patients (severe: 4%, mild and transient: 40%). The improvement in tremor and quality of life in our cohort was consistent with the literature.ConclusionWe confirmed the effectiveness and safety of MRgFUS Vim thalamotomy in medically refractory ET up to 3 years.
Patients with chronic ankle instability exhibit increased sensorimotor cortex activation and correlation with poorer lateral balance control ability during single-leg stance: a FNIRS study
Authors: Liu Na , Yang Chen , Song Qipeng , Yang Fengying , Chen Yan 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionChronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a musculoskeletal condition that evolves from acute ankle sprains, and its underlying mechanisms have yet to reach a consensus. Mounting evidence suggests that neuroplastic changes in the brain following ankle injuries play a pivotal role in the development of CAI. Balance deficits are a significant risk factor associated with CAI, yet there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the sensorimotor cortical plasticity related to balance control in affected individuals. This study aims to evaluate the differences in cortical activity and balance abilities between patients with CAI and uninjured individuals during a single-leg stance, as well as the correlation between these factors, in order to elucidate the neurophysiological alterations in balance control among patients with CAI.MethodsThe study enrolled 24 patients with CAI and 24 uninjured participants. During single-leg stance, cortical activity was measured using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system, which included assessments of the pre-motor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), primary motor cortex (M1), and primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Concurrently, balance parameters were tested utilizing a three-dimensional force platform.ResultsIndependent sample t-tests revealed that, compared with the uninjured individuals, the patients with CAI exhibited a significant increase in the changes of oxyhemoglobin concentration (ΔHbO) during single-leg stance within the left S1 at Channel 5 (t = 2.101, p = 0.041, Cohen’s d = 0.607), left M1 at Channel 6 (t = 2.363, p = 0.022, Cohen’s d = 0.682), right M1 at Channel 15 (t = 2.273, p = 0.029, Cohen’s d = 0.656), and right PMC/SMA at Channel 11 (t = 2.467, p = 0.018, Cohen’s d = 0.712). Additionally, the center of pressure root mean square (COP-RMS) in the mediolateral (ML) direction was significantly greater (t = 2.630, p = 0.012, Cohen’s d = 0.759) in the patients with CAI. Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation was found between ML direction COP-RMS and ΔHbO2 in the M1 (r = 0.436; p = 0.033) and PMC/SMA (r = 0.488, p = 0.016), as well as between anteroposterior (AP) direction COP-RMS and ΔHbO in the M1 (r = 0.483, p = 0.017).ConclusionPatients with CAI demonstrate increased cortical activation in the bilateral M1, ipsilateral PMC/SMA, and contralateral S1. This suggests that patients with CAI may require additional brain resources to maintain balance during single-leg stance, representing a compensatory mechanism to uphold task performance amidst diminished lateral balance ability in the ankle joint.