bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The basic leucine zipper transcription factor MeaB is critical for biofilm formation, cell wall integrity, and virulence in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Chen Yuan , Gao Fei , Chen Xiaojin , Tao Siyuan , Chen Peiying , Lin Wei 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

The regulation of fungal cell wall biosynthesis is crucial for cell wall integrity maintenance and directly impacts fungal pathogen virulence. Although numerous genes are involved in fungal cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis through multiple pathways, the underlying regulatory mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a direct downstream target of SomA, the basic-region leucine zipper transcription factor MeaB, playing a certain role in
Aspergillus fumigatus
cell wall integrity. Loss of
meaB
reduces hyphal growth, causes severe defects in galactosaminogalactan-mediated biofilm formation, and attenuates virulence in a
Galleria mellonella
infection model. Furthermore, the
meaB
null mutant strain exhibited hypersensitivity to cell wall-perturbing agents and significantly alters the cell wall structure. Transcriptional profile analysis revealed that MeaB positively regulates the expression of the galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis and β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase genes
uge3
,
agd3
, and
sph3
and
gel1
,
gel5,
and
gel7
, respectively, as well as genes involved in amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Further study demonstrated that MeaB could respond to cell wall stress and contribute to the proper expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase genes
mpkA
and
mpkC
in the presence of different concentrations of congo red. In conclusion,
A. fumigatus
MeaB plays a critical role in cell wall integrity by governing the expression of genes encoding cell wall-related proteins, thus impacting the virulence of this fungus.

IMPORTANCE

Aspergillus fumigatus
is a common opportunistic mold that causes life-threatening infections in immunosuppressed patients. The fungal cell wall is a complex and dynamic organelle essential for the development of pathogenic fungi. Genes involved in cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis and remodeling are crucial for fungal pathogen virulence. However, the potential regulatory mechanism for cell wall integrity remains to be fully defined in
A. fumigatus
. In the present study, we identify basic-region leucine zipper transcription factor MeaB as an important regulator of cell wall galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis and β-1,3-glucan remodeling that consequently impacts stress response and virulence of fungal pathogens. Thus, we illuminate a mechanism of transcriptional control fungal cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis and stress response. As these cell wall components are promising therapeutic targets for fungal infections, understanding the regulatory mechanism of such polysaccharides will provide new therapeutic opportunities.
Quality of life in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors treated at a non-ECMO centre from 1998 to 2015: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Larsen Ulla Lei , Christensen Steven Aagaard , Herskind Anne Maria , Strøm Thomas , Toft Palle , Halken Susanne 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundSurvival of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has increased and more insight is warranted on the long-term issues of this condition.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on consecutively born infants with CDH treated at a non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centre (ECMO) from 1998 to 2015. Quality of life was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scale 4.0 (PedsQL(4.0)) Questionnaire and an interview was conducted to assess for CDH-related morbidity.Results71 eligible CDH survivors were identified and 51 consented to participate: aged 5–21 years, 28 (54.9%) male, 42 (82.4%) with left-sided hernias, 10 (19.6%) needed patch repair, median length of stay in hospital was 27.96 days (IQR 18.54–61.56). Forty-nine completed the questionnaire with a median PedsQL total score for participants of 82.6 vs 83.7 of the total proxy parent score (p=0.04). Total score was significantly lower for participants aged 5–12 years compared with participants aged 13–21 years (p=0.04); however, when reported by domains, only the physical score remained significantly lower (p=0.048). Two (4.1%) participants’ and 8 (16.7%) proxy parents’ scores were below 70 and considered at risk of impaired quality of life. We identified the presence of CDH-related morbidity in our population, and confirmed an association between respiratory morbidity and lower PedsQL scores (p=0.04).ConclusionWe report an overall good quality of life in our population with CDH. However, a lower physical score was noted when compared with a national Danish cohort and individuals at risk of reduced quality of life were recognised. Structured follow-up programmes to identify and ensure early management of CDH-related issues may prevent a negative impact on quality of life.
Cardiovascular risk burden, dementia risk and brain structural imaging markers: a study from UK Biobank
Authors: Cao Yaying , Zhu Gaohong , Feng Chengwu , Chen Jing , Gan Wei , Ma Yuan , Hu Yonghua , Dhana Klodian , Voortman Trudy , Shen Jie , Li Ting , Zheng Yan , Yuan Changzheng , Zong Geng 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundCardiovascular risk burden is associated with dementia risk and neurodegeneration-related brain structure, while the role of genetics and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear.AimsTo examine the association of overall cardiovascular risk burden with the risk of major dementia subtypes and volumes of related brain regions in a large sample, and to explore the role of genetics and CVD onset.MethodsA prospective study among 354 654 participants free of CVD and dementia (2006–2010, mean age 56.4 years) was conducted within the UK Biobank, with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement available for 15 104 participants since 2014. CVD risk burden was evaluated by the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FGCRS). Dementia diagnosis was ascertained from inpatient and death register data.ResultsOver a median 12.0-year follow-up, 3998 all-cause dementia cases were identified. Higher FGCRS was associated with increased all-cause dementia risk after adjusting for demographic, major lifestyle, clinical factors and the polygenic risk score (PRS) of Alzheimer’s disease. Comparing the high versus low tertile of FGCRS, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.26 (1.12 to 1.41) for all-cause dementia, 1.67 (1.33 to 2.09) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.53 (1.07 to 2.16) for vascular dementia (all ptrend<0.05). Incident stroke and coronary heart disease accounted for 14% (95% CI: 9% to 21%) of the association between FGCRS and all-cause dementia. Interactions were not detected for FGCRS and PRS on the risk of any dementia subtype. We observed an 83% (95% CI: 47% to 128%) higher all-cause dementia risk comparing the high–high versus low–low FGCRS–PRS category. For brain volumes, higher FGCRS was associated with greater log-transformed white matter hyperintensities, smaller cortical volume and smaller grey matter volume.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the positive association of cardiovascular risk burden with dementia risk also applies to major dementia subtypes. The association of cardiovascular risk burden with all-cause dementia is largely independent of CVD onset and genetic predisposition to dementia.
Percutaneous coronary intervention versus medical therapy in stable angina: a matched cohort study
Authors: Jo Sang-Ho , Kim Hoseob , Kim Hyun-Jin , Lee Min-Ho , Seo Won-Woo , Kim Mina , Kim Hack-Lyoung 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveIt is uncertain whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in addition to optimal medical therapy (OMT) can reduce adverse clinical events in the long term as compared with OMT alone in patients with pure stable angina.MethodsWe enrolled patients from 2006 to 2010 using the Korean national insurance data. 58 742 patients with pure stable angina with no history of myocardial infarction (MI) nor PCI were candidate, and finally, 5673 patients in the PCI plus OMT group and 5673 in the OMT alone group were selected with 1:1 propensity matching. They were followed up for 9.3 years.ResultsPrimary endpoint, a composite of MI, stroke and cardiac death rate was significantly higher in the PCI group than in the OMT group, 13.5/1000 vs 11.5/1000 person-year with HR of 1.18 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.32, p=0.003). Individual event rate of MI and cardiac death rate was higher in the PCI group than in the OMT group at 9.3 years, 2.9 vs 2.1 (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.7, p=0.009) and 4.8 vs 3.4/1000 person-year (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.69, p=0.001), respectively. Revascularisation and total death occurred more in the PCI group as compared with the OMT group, 30.3 vs 8.2 (HR 3.64, 95% CI 3.27 to 4.05, p<0.001) and 13.5 vs 10.6/1000 person-year (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.40, p<0.001), respectively. In subgroup analysis, the same trend of more event in the PCI group was detected.ConclusionsPCI plus OMT was associated with higher rate of primary endpoint of MI, stroke, cardiac death as compared with OMT alone in patients with pure stable angina at 9.3-year follow-up in large population.
Outpatient care of adults with congenital heart disease in the UK: a qualitative appraisal of the clinician perspective
Authors: Chaudhry Isobel , Ghassani Anisa , Wray Jo , Chaudhry Bill , Coats Louise 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore clinicians’ perspectives of ambulatory care in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).MethodsSemistructured interviews were carried out remotely (Zoom) with a range of physicians providing ambulatory care to patients with ACHD across the UK. The chronic care model, thrive and candidacy frameworks were used to design prompt guides and subsequently develop themes. A framework approach was used to code and analyse transcripts, which were managed in NVivo.Results21 clinicians (43% females, 38% specialists) from 10/12 ACHD networks in the UK participated. Shared themes included the purpose of the clinic appointment, problems in the ‘hub-and-spoke’ care system, role of the general practitioner and ACHD specialist nurse, communication with patients, burden of ambulatory care and patient self-management. Reflecting on these themes, participants identified resources, what care and how and by it is delivered alongside the role of the patient as key areas for future research.ConclusionsThe present structure of ACHD ambulatory care is neither patient-centred nor equitable. The concerned clinicians raise the question whether increasing resource alone without changing structure will lead to better outcomes for patients.
Efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy in the elderly for stroke prevention: a subgroup analysis of the CHANCE-2 trial
Authors: Zhang Xinmiao , Jing Jing , Wang Anxin , Xie Xuewei , Johnston S Claiborne , Li Hao , Bath Philip M , Xu Qin , Lin Jinxi , Wang Yilong , Zhao Xingquan , Li Zixiao , Jiang Yong , Liu Liping , Chen Weifeng , Gong Xuhai , Li Jianhua , Han Xinsheng , Meng Xia , Wang Yongjun 
Published: January 2024

Objectives
Evidence of the optimal antiplatelet therapy for elderly patients who had a stroke is limited, especially those elder than 80 years. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in old-old patients compared with younger patients in the ticagrelor or Clopidogrel with aspirin in High-risk patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events-II (CHANCE-2) trial.

Methods
CHANCE-2 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in China involving patients with high-risk transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke with CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles. In our substudy, all enrolled patients were stratified by age: old-old (≥80 years), young-old (65–80 years) and younger (<65 years). The primary outcomes were stroke recurrence and moderate to severe bleeding within 90 days, respectively.

Results
Of all the 6412 patients, 406 (6.3%) were old-old, 2755 (43.0%) were young-old and 3251 (50.7%) were younger. Old-old patients were associated with higher composite vascular events (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.98, p=0.048), disabling stroke (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.88, p=0.0002), severe or moderate bleeding (HR 8.40, 95% CI 1.95 to 36.21, p=0.004) and mortality (HR 7.56, 95% CI 2.23 to 25.70, p=0.001) within 90 days. Ticagrelor-aspirin group was associated with lower risks of stroke recurrence within 90 days in younger patients (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.91, p=0.008), which was no differences in old-old patients.

Conclusion
Elderly patients aged over 80 in CHANCE-2 trial had higher risks of composite vascular events, disabling stroke, severe or moderate bleeding and mortality within 90 days. Genotype-guided DAPT might not be as effective in old-old patients as in younger ones.

Trial registration number

NCT04078737
.
Combination pharmacological therapy targeting multiple mechanisms of sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled cross-over trial
Authors: Sands Scott A , Collet Jinny , Gell Laura K , Calianese Nicole , Hess Lauren B , Vena Daniel , Azarbarzin Ali , Bertisch Suzanne M , Landry Shane , Thomson Luke , Joosten Simon A , Hamilton Garun S , Edwards Bradley A 
Published: January 2024

RationaleAcetazolamide and atomoxetine-plus-oxybutynin (‘AtoOxy’) can improve obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by stabilising ventilatory control and improving dilator muscle responsiveness respectively. Given the different pathophysiological mechanisms targeted by each intervention, we tested whether AtoOxy-plus-acetazolamide would be more efficacious than AtoOxy alone.MethodsIn a multicentre randomised crossover trial, 19 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA received AtoOxy (80/5 mg), acetazolamide (500 mg), combined AtoOxy-plus-acetazolamide or placebo at bedtime for three nights (half doses on first night) with a 4-day washout between conditions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and night 3 of each treatment period. Mixed model analysis compared the reduction in Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) from baseline between AtoOxy-plus-acetazolamide and AtoOxy (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes included hypoxic burden and arousal index.ResultsAlthough AtoOxy lowered AHI by 49 (33, 62)%baseline(estimate (95% CI)) vs placebo, and acetazolamide lowered AHI by+34 (14, 50)%baselinevs placebo, AtoOxy-plus-acetazolamide was not superior to AtoOxy alone (difference: −2 (−18, 11)%baseline, primary outcome p=0.8). Likewise, the hypoxic burden was lowered with AtoOxy (+58 (37, 71)%baseline) and acetazolamide (+37 (5, 58)%baseline), but no added benefit versus AtoOxy occurred when combined (difference: −13 (−5, 39)%baseline). Arousal index was also modestly reduced with each intervention (11%baseline–16%baseline). Mechanistic analyses revealed that similar traits (ie, higher baseline compensation, lower loop gain) were associated with both AtoOxy and acetazolamide efficacy.ConclusionsWhile AtoOxy halved AHI, and acetazolamide lowered AHI by a third, the combination of these leading experimental interventions provided no greater efficacy than AtoOxy alone. Failure of acetazolamide to further increase efficacy suggests overlapping physiological mechanisms.Trial registration numberNCT03892772.
Genetic evaluation for piglet crushing behaviour in primiparous sows
Authors: Jafarikia Mohsen , Karimi Zahra , DeVries Brent , Schenkel Flavio , Sullivan Brian , Lu Ray 
Published: January 2024

Stress in farrowing sows is associated with the number of piglets crushed or attacked. Sow’s behaviour is variable and heritable, therefore genetic selection can be a viable approach for improving pig’s welfare. In this report, we used first parity litter records of Yorkshire sows to test a genetic evaluation model for piglet crushing. The data were split into training and validation to check the prediction accuracy of piglet crushing estimated breeding values (EBVs) for young sows. We found that the estimated heritability of piglet crushing was 0.07 ± 0.03. The difference in the EBVs in the validation set was equivalent to 0.15 more piglets crushed in the top 10% group than in the bottom group of sows. These results indicate that the genetic selection may be used to reduce piglet crushing which will improve the welfare of pigs as well as production efficiency. The average reliability of the estimated EBVs across all animals in the pedigree was (0.07; 0.0 to 0.72). More research on evaluation models and the genetics underlying sow stress and behaviour is warranted to improve the reliabilities of modeling and to identify robust genetic markers for animal breeding for the implementation.
Spatial-temporal characteristics of ambient isoprene and monoterpene and their ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation potential in China
Authors: Jia Yanqi , Qiao Lili , Xie Wenxia , Li Lingyu 
Published: January 2024

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are important precursors of forming ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), which have important impacts on air quality and climate change. Using a literature search, this review analyzed the concentration levels and spatial-temporal distributions of isoprene and monoterpene in the atmosphere in China, mainly from biogenic emissions, and estimated their impact on O3 and SOA generation. The existing observations were mainly in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the Pearl River Delta region, central China, and in remote mountainous areas. The results showed that isoprene is the dominant component of BVOCs in the atmosphere, and its ambient concentration is much higher than monoterpene. The site-average concentrations of isoprene and monoterpene were 0.004–3.80 and 0.0003–6.31 ppb, respectively. At vegetation sites, the concentrations of isoprene and monoterpene were 0.006–3.80 and 0.007–6.31 ppb, respectively, whereas they were 0.004–2.70 and 0.0003–1.10 ppb at urban sites. For urban sites, the higher concentrations of annual isoprene occurred mainly in several central megacities, in the Sichuan–Chongqing region, and in southern regions. For vegetation sites, higher concentrations mainly occurred in southern regions. Ambient concentrations of BVOCs in the western region were the lowest for both urban and vegetation sites. Both isoprene and monoterpene showed higher concentrations in summer. The potential of isoprene and monoterpene to form O3 was 0.05–57.21 and 0.003–72.35 ppb, while that which form SOA was 0.0002–0.21 and 0.0006–10.46 µg/m3, respectively. For urban sites, the average annual O3 formation potential (OFP) by isoprene and monoterpene was 8.70 and 2.58 ppb, respectively, and their SOA formation potential (SOAP) was 0.03 and 0.37 µg/m3, respectively. For vegetation sites, it was 7.95 and 5.31 ppb and 0.03 and 0.75 µg/m3, respectively. The annual average contributions of isoprene and monoterpene to O3 and SOA formation were higher in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, Pearl River Delta region, and central China, which experience severe air pollution in China.
Synchronize your chrono-brane: testing a variable brane tension model with strong gravitational lensing
Authors: Verdugo Tomás , Amante Mario H. , Magaña Juan , García-Aspeitia Miguel A. , Hernández-Almada Alberto , Motta Verónica 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBrane world models have shown to be promising to understand the late cosmic acceleration, in particular because such acceleration can be naturally derived, mimicking the dark energy behaviour just with a five dimensional geometry. In this paper we present a strong lensing joint analysis using a compilation of early-type galaxies acting as a lenses, united with the power of the well studied strong lensing galaxy cluster Abell 1689. We use the strong lensing constraints to investigate a brane model with variable brane tension as a function of the redshift. In our joint analysis we found a value $$n = 7.8^{+0.9}_{-0.5}$$

n
=
7
.

8

-
0.5

+
0.9

, for the exponent related to the brane tension, showing that n deviates from a Cosmological Constant (CC) scenario (n=6). We obtain a value for the deceleration parameter, q(z) today, $$q(0)=-1.2^{+0.6}_{-0.8}$$

q

(
0
)

=
-
1
.

2

-
0.8

+
0.6

, and a transition redshift, $$z_t=0.60\pm 0.06$$

z
t

=
0.60
±
0.06

(when the Universe change from an decelerated phase to an accelerated one). These results are in contrast with previous work that favors CC scenario, nevertheless our lensing analysis is in agreement with a formerly reported conclusion suggesting that the variable brane tension model is able to source a late cosmic acceleration without an extra fluid as in the standard one.
Viable anisotropic inflation and reheating in the tachyon model
Authors: Rashidi Narges 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe study the intermediate tachyon inflation in an anisotropic background. By using the Friedmann equations obtained in the anisotropic geometry, we obtain the slow-roll parameters in the tachyon model. The presence of the anisotropic effects in the slow-roll parameters changes the perturbation parameters in our setup which may change its observational viability. To check this, we perform a numerical analysis and test the results with Planck2018 TT, TE, EE +lowE+lensing+BK14(18)+BAO data. We show that the intermediate anisotropic inflation in some ranges of the anisotropic and intermediate parameters is observationally viable. We also show that the equilateral amplitude of the non-gaussianity in our model is of the order of $$10^{-2}-10^{-1}$$

10

-
2

-

10

-
1

. By studying the reheating process in our setup, we find that it is possible to have instantaneous reheating in this model. We also find that the temperature during the reheating in our setup is consistent with Big-Bang nucleosynthesis.
Stability analysis of nonlinear convective boundary layer flow on a shrinking surface in the presence of viscous dissipation
Authors: Rehman Ali , Zeb Muhammad , Waheed Asif , Inc Mustafa , Yagoob Budur , Jan Rashid 
Published: January 2024

This study investigates analytically the stability analysis of a nonlinear convective boundary layer (BL) flow of the nanofluids GO-EG and GO-W on a shrinking surface in the presence of a magnetic field and viscous dissipation. We provide a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation (NODE) for temperature distribution (TD) and a third-order NODE for velocity profile (VP) coupling based on the thermophysical characteristics of the base fluid and nanofluid as well as similarity transformations (STs) in the fundamental governing equations of momentum and energy. The analytical method HAM is used to answer the equations that have been gathered. In many different industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, microelectronics, and defense, cooling of various types of equipment and devices has very important challenges. To fulfill the demands of the engineering and industrial industries, it is hoped that this issue would significantly improve the heat transformation ratio.