bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case Report: A novel EPAS1 mutation in a case of paraganglioma complicated with polycythemia and atrial septal defect
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Chen Yue , Liu Kai , Zhao Liming 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundParaganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor and is highly associated with hereditary susceptibility genes, often occurring as part of a genetic syndrome. The genetic heterogeneity of paraganglioma poses challenges in diagnosis, counseling, and clinical management.Case summaryWe present the case of a 60-year-old woman with hypertension, atrial septal defect, and polycythemia, who experienced paroxysmal palpitations, sweating, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Her blood pressure was severely unstable. Blood laboratory tests revealed elevated catecholamine levels, contrast-enhanced CT of her whole abdomen showed a round retroperitoneal mass with soft tissue density, and somatostatin receptor imaging (68Ga PET-CT) indicated a retroperitoneal mass with abnormally increased expression of somatostatin receptor. It is interesting to note that whole exome sequencing (WES) analyses on both blood and tumor samples revealed a novel EPAS1 mutation, specifically the c.2501A &gt; G; p.Tyr834Cys variant, which has never been reported. The patient was diagnosed with paraganglioma and underwent successful Da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic resection of the retroperitoneal tumor. During a 3-month follow-up period, her blood pressure stabilized, and her symptoms significantly improved.ConclusionThis case reveals that the EPSA1 mutation may be the primary driver of paraganglioma complicated by atrial septal defect and polycythemia. Additionally, the utilization of Da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery contributed to a favorable prognosis for the patient.
Predicting metabolic syndrome by obesity- and lipid-related indices in mid-aged and elderly Chinese: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Yuqing , Gui Jiaofeng , Liu Haiyang , Guo Lei-lei , Li Jinlong , Lei Yunxiao , Li Xiaoping , Sun Lu , Yang Liu , Yuan Ting , Wang Congzhi , Zhang Dongmei , Wei Huanhuan , Li Jing , Liu Mingming , Hua Ying , Zhang Lin 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveTo predict the optimal cut-off values for screening and predicting metabolic syndrome(MetS) in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population using 13 obesity and lipid-related indicators, and to identify the most suitable predictors.MethodsThe data for this cross-sectional investigation came from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including 9457 middle-aged and elderly people aged 45-98 years old. We examined 13 indicators, including waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-height ratio (WHtR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), lipid accumulation product index (LAP), conicity index (CI), Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG-index) and their combined indices (TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the usefulness of indicators for screening for MetS in the elderly and to determine their cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC). Association analysis of 13 obesity-related indicators with MetS was performed using binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 9457 middle-aged and elderly Chinese were included in this study, and the overall prevalence of the study population was 41.87% according to the diagnostic criteria of NCEP ATP III. According to age and gender, the percentage of males diagnosed with MetS was 30.67% (45-54 years old: 30.95%, 55-64 years old: 41.02%, 65-74 years old: 21.19%, ≥ 75 years old: 6.84%). The percentage of females diagnosed with MetS was 51.38% (45-54 years old: 31.95%, 55-64 years old: 39.52%, 65-74 years old: 20.43%, ≥ 75 years old: 8.10%). The predictive power of Tyg-related parameters was more prominent in both sexes. In addition, LAP and CVAI are also good at predicting MetS. ABSI had a poor prediction ability.ConclusionsAmong the middle-aged and elderly population in China, after adjusting for confounding factors, all the indicators except ABSI had good predictive power. The predictive power of Tyg-related parameters was more prominent in both sexes. In addition, LAP and CVAI are also good at predicting MetS.
Projected effects of climate change and urban expansion on species-level biodiversity of plants in main city clusters of Northern China
Authors: Ma Tianxiao , Liang Yu , Li Zhouyuan , Liu Bo , Wu Mia M. , Lau Matthew K. , Feng Yue 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionNorthern China is considered a global hotspot of biodiversity loss due to dramatic climate and land use change characterized by rapid urban expansion. However, little is known that the impacts of these two drivers in shaping the future availability of habitat for plants in urban areas of Northern China, especially at a high spatial resolution.MethodsHere, we modelled the habitat suitability of 2,587 plant species from the flora of Northern China and estimated how future climate and urban expansion may affect species-level plant biodiversity across three shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios for the year 2050 in main city clusters.ResultsThe results suggested that climate and urban expansion combined could cause a decline of up to 6.5% in plant biodiversity of Northern China, while urban expansion alone may cause 4.7–6.2% and climate change cause 0.0–0.3% by 2050. The contribution of urban expansion was higher in urban areas, while the contribution of climate change was higher in natural areas. Species may lose an average of 8.2–10.0% of their original environmentally suitable area. Our results verified that the process of urban expansion would necessarily result in large-scale biodiversity loss.DiscussionThe plant biodiversity loss in city clusters of Northern China was mainly determined by urban expansion rather than climatic change. The impact of climate change should not be ignored, since climate change will likely cause a higher reduction of area for some species. Based on these findings, we proposed that plant biodiversity loss in Northern China will accelerate in the future unless both urban expansion change and climate change are minimized.
Variations in climate drive behavior and survival of small desert tortoises
Authors: Berry Kristin H. , Mack Jeremy S. , Anderson Kemp M. 
Published: July 2023

In the Mojave Desert, timing and amounts of precipitation profoundly affect the availability of water and annual plant foods necessary for the threatened Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) to survive, especially during prolonged droughts. As part of recovery actions to increase declining populations, we translocated 83 juvenile and young desert tortoises raised in head-start pens for 4–10 years to a new location 15 km away during the fall of 2013 and 2014. We tracked them for 9 years during a megadrought, during multiple years of low rainfall, and a few years when precipitation neared or exceeded long-term norms. We evaluated behaviors and how precipitation and forage availability affected survival. At the end of the study, 21.6% of tortoises were alive, and six had grown to adulthood. Annual models of survival indicated that tortoise size was the driving variable in most years, followed by the number of repeatedly used burrows during periods of temperature extremes. Other variables affecting survival in ≥1 year were vegetation, movements during the first 2 years post-translocation, and condition index, a measure of health. Tortoises moved more, expanded home ranges, and grew rapidly in years when winter rainfall approached or exceeded long-term norms and annual plants were available to eat. During dry years, movements and growth were limited. Exceptions to this pattern occurred in the last year of study, a dry year: tortoises grew and moved more, and home ranges increased. The increase in size and approaching adulthood may have stimulated greater traveling. Some left the study area, indicating a need for large release areas. We may have aided survival by offering water twice yearly when handling because some tortoises drank and increased in mass up to 40%. Prolonged droughts and hotter temperatures can limit the recovery of populations, reduce the survival of young tortoises, and increase the time to maturity.
Potentially differential impacts on niche overlap between Chinese endangered Zelkova schneideriana and its associated tree species under climate change
Authors: Zhou Yanrong , Lu Xin , Zhang Guangfu 
Published: July 2023

Climate change has a significant impact on the potential distribution for endangered trees. However, to date, little is known about how the endangered trees and main associated ones in different types of subtropical forests respond to climate change. Here, we first selected the endangered Zelkova schneideriana endemic to China and its associated trees as focus species from two subtropical forest communities (i.e. deciduous broad-leaf forest, bamboo and broad-leaf mixed forest) in China, and divided them into two species pairs: Z. schneideriana vs. Celtis sinensis, and Z. schneideriana vs. Phyllostachys edulis. Then, we simulated the three species’ suitable areas under current and future climate scenarios using Maxent based on the occurrence records and environmental variables, and further measured niche overlap between each species pair over time. Our Maxent showed: (1) Temperature-related factors have greater influence on Z. schneideriana than the other factors. The most important factor influencing its population distribution was Min temperature of coldest month (Bio6), followed by Mean diurnal range (Bio2), with the total contribution of 78.9%. (2) Currently, the suitable area of Z. schneideriana was predicted to be 106.50 × 104 km2, mostly located in the subtropical region of China, especially in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. (3) Its suitable area would decrease and its average migration distance was 19.72 km under 16 future climate scenarios, with the core distribution migrating northeast. (4) There is an asynchrony of potential niche overlap between species pairs. One species pair with C. sinensis will rise in terms of Schoener’s D and I values whereas the other one with P. edulis will decline in the future. This asynchrony can be ascribed to the different future suitable ranges of these focus species as well as their ecological characteristics. Our study provides a new perspective on the conservation for endangered trees and surrounding neighbors in Chinese subtropical forests.
Berberine-containing natural-medicine with boiled peanut-OIT induces sustained peanut-tolerance associated with distinct microbiota signature
Authors: Srivastava Kamal , Cao Mingzhuo , Fidan Ozkan , Shi Yanmei , Yang Nan , Nowak-Wegrzyn Anna , Miao Mingsan , Zhan Jixun , Sampson Hugh A. , Li Xiu-Min 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundGut microbiota influence food allergy. We showed that the natural compound berberine reduces IgE and others reported that BBR alters gut microbiota implying a potential role for microbiota changes in BBR function.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate an oral Berberine-containing natural medicine with a boiled peanut oral immunotherapy (BNP) regimen as a treatment for food allergy using a murine model and to explore the correlation of treatment-induced changes in gut microbiota with therapeutic outcomes.MethodsPeanut-allergic (PA) mice, orally sensitized with roasted peanut and cholera toxin, received oral BNP or control treatments. PA mice received periodic post-therapy roasted peanut exposures. Anaphylaxis was assessed by visualization of symptoms and measurement of body temperature. Histamine and serum peanut-specific IgE levels were measured by ELISA. Splenic IgE+B cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Fecal pellets were used for sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA by Illumina MiSeq. Sequencing data were analyzed using built-in analysis platforms.ResultsBNP treatment regimen induced long-term tolerance to peanut accompanied by profound and sustained reduction of IgE, symptom scores, plasma histamine, body temperature, and number of IgE+ B cells (p &lt;0.001 vs Sham for all). Significant differences were observed for Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio across treatment groups. Bacterial genera positively correlated with post-challenge histamine and PN-IgE included Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Hydrogenanaerobacterium (all Firmicutes) while Verrucromicrobiacea. Caproiciproducens, Enterobacteriaceae, and Bacteroidales were negatively correlated.ConclusionsBNP is a promising regimen for food allergy treatment and its benefits in a murine model are associated with a distinct microbiota signature.
NFκB1 inhibits memory formation and supports effector function of ILC2s in memory-driven asthma
Authors: Verma Mukesh , Verma Divya , Sripada Anand Santosh , Sirohi Kapil , Varma Rangati , Sahu Anita , Alam Rafeul 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundILC2s are capable of generating memory. The mechanism of memory induction and memory-driven effector function (trained immunity) in ILC2s is unknown.ObjectiveNFκB1 is preferentially expressed at a high level in ILC2s. We examined the role of NFkB1 in memory induction and memory-driven effector function in a mouse model of asthma.MethodsIntranasal administration of Alternaria, flexivent, ELISA, histology, real-time PCR, western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsNFκB1 was essential for the effector phase of memory-driven asthma. NFκB1 was critical for IL33 production, ILC2 generation, and production of type-2 cytokines, which resulted in eosinophilic inflammation and other features of asthma. NFκB1 induction of type-2 cytokines in ILC2s was independent of GATA3. NFκB1 was important for allergen induction of ILC3s and FoxP3+ Tregs. NFκB1 did not affect Th2 cells or their cytokine production. In contrast to its protagonistic role in the effector phase, NFκB1 had an antagonistic role in the memory phase. NFκB1 inhibited allergen-induced upregulation of memory-associated repressor and preparedness genes in ILC2s. NFκB1 upregulated RUNX1. NFκB1 formed a heterodimer with RUNX1 in ILC2s.ConclusionsNFκB1 positively regulated the effector phase but inhibited the induction phase of memory. The foregoing pointed to an interdependent antagonism between the memory induction and the memory effector processes. The NFκB1-RUNX1 heterodimer represented a non-canonical transcriptional activator of type-2 cytokines in ILC2s.
Prey and habitat characteristics contribute to hotspots of distribution for an endangered coastal dolphin
Authors: Brough Tom E. , Rayment William J. , Slooten Liz , Dawson Steve 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionUnderstanding the characteristics of hotspots of species distribution provides opportunities for habitat-based management; a vital and often missing component in the conservation of mobile marine species. Correlates of species distribution derived from species distribution models (SDMs) are assumed to represent the characteristics of important habitat, which often include physical and biological (i.e., prey) components. In this study, we integrate surveys of Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) with in-situ data on environmental characteristics and prey to identify the statistical correlates of distribution and to assess ‘what makes hotspots unique’.MethodsBetween 2014 and 2017, ca. 300 surveys were carried out at hotspots and areas not routinely used by dolphins at Banks Peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. A broad range of prey and environmental variables were explored as drivers of dolphin distribution using generalized additive models, and principal component analysis was employed to determine a key environmental signature for hotspots.ResultsThe relative abundance of dolphins was strongly correlated with prey abundance and a range of environmental variables representing habitat type and oceanographic conditions. The combination of high prey abundance and sandy, shallow, high current and low turbidity habitat was strongly represented at hotspots.DiscussionThese characteristics are also likely attributes of habitat with high ecological value generally, being related to high biodiversity, productivity, naturalness and ecosystem function. This study showcases the importance of targeted investigations into the characteristics of species hotspots to better guide the management of important areas for the conservation of both species and ecosystems.
Augmenting the double pipe heat exchanger efficiency using varied molar Ag ornamented graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles aqueous hybrid nanofluids
Authors: Armstrong Michael , Mahadevan Sivasubramanian , Selvapalam Narayanan , Santulli Carlo , Palanisamy Sivasubramanian , Fragassa Cristiano 
Published: July 2023

The optimization of heat transfer in heat exchanging equipment is paramount for the efficient management of energy resources in both industrial and residential settings. In pursuit of this goal, this empirical study embarked on enhancing the heat transfer performance of a double pipe heat exchanger (DPHX) by introducing silver (Ag)-graphene oxide (GO) hybrid nanofluids into the annulus of the heat exchanger. To achieve this, three distinct molar concentrations of Ag ornamented GO hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized by blending GO nanoparticles with silver nitrate at molarities of 0.03 M, 0.06 M, and 0.09 M. These Ag-GO hybrid nanoparticles were then dispersed in the base fluid, resulting in the formation of three distinct hybrid nanofluids, each with a consistent weight percentage of 0.05 wt%. Thorough characterization and evaluation of thermophysical properties were performed on the resulting hybrid nanomaterials and nanofluids, respectively. Remarkably, the most significant enhancement in heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, and thermal performance index (62.9%, 33.55%, and 1.29, respectively) was observed with the 0.09 M Ag-GO hybrid nanofluid, operating at a Reynolds number of 1,451 and a flow rate of 47 g/s. These findings highlight the substantial improvement in thermophysical properties of the base fluid and the intensification of heat transfer in the DPHX with increasing Ag molarity over GO. In summary, this study emphasizes the vital importance of optimizing the molarity of the material, which also plays a significant role in nanoparticle synthesis to achieve the optimal amplification of heat transfer.
Emergence delirium and postoperative delirium associated with high plasma NfL and GFAP: an observational study
Authors: Liu Xingyang , Wang Yanfeng , Wu Jinghan , Ye Chunyan , Ma Daqing , Wang E. 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundNeuroinflammation and neuronal injury have been reported to be associated with the development of postoperative delirium in both preclinical and clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between biomarkers of neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein and emergence and postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing surgery.MethodsPatients who developed emergence delirium (n = 30) and postoperative delirium (n = 32), along with their matched controls, were enrolled after obtaining ethics approval and written informed consent. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit or Confusion Assessment Method scale, and blood samples were collected before and after surgery for plasma neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein measurements using a single-molecule array.ResultsThe study found that in patients with emergence delirium, the increase in plasma neurofilament light chain protein levels during surgery was significantly higher than in non-delirium patients (P = 0.002). Additionally, in patients with postoperative delirium, both the increase in plasma neurofilament light chain protein levels (P &lt; 0.001) and the increase in plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein levels during surgery (P = 0.008) were significantly higher than in non-delirium patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in plasma neurofilament light chain protein was associated with emergence delirium (adjusted OR = 1.872, P = 0.005), and the increase in plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein was associated with postoperative delirium (adjusted OR = 1.419, P = 0.016). Moreover, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification and surgical duration were also found to be associated with delirium in elderly patients.ConclusionOur findings suggest that emergence delirium is linked to elevated levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of axonal injury, during surgery. Furthermore, in addition to axonal injury, postoperative delirium was also associated with an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker of astrocyte activation.
Effects of Bacillus velezensis GUAL210 control on edible rose black spot disease and soil fungal community structure
Authors: Dong Wanpeng , Long Ting , Ma Jinghua , Wu Nan , Mo Weidi , Zhou Zhicheng , Jin Jing , Zhou Hongying , Ding Haixia 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionRose black spot is an economically important disease that significantly decreases flower yield. Fungicide and biological control are effective approaches for controlling rose black spot. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of application of biological and chemical control agents, including Bacillus velezensis (GUAL210), Bacillus sp. (LKW) and fungicide (CP) on the black spot disease and rhizosphere fungal community structure of edible rose.MethodsIn this study, the R. chinensis ‘Crimson Glory' was taken as the research object, and the field experiment was designed by randomized block design. The experiment contained 3 treatments (CP, GUAL210, LKW) and 1 control. The control effect and growth promoting effect of fungicide and biological control on rose black spot were compared. The composition and diversity of rhizosphere soil fungal community of different treatments of rose were studied by high-throughput sequencing method. The fungal community composition, correlation of environmental factors and differences in metabolic pathways related to rose disease were analyzed, and the correlation between rhizosphere soil fungal community of rose and biological control of disease was explored.Results and discussionBoth disease incidence and disease index differed significantly among groups (LKW &lt; GUAL210 &lt; CP &lt; CK), and disease control effect exhibited no significant difference between GUAL210 and LKW (60.96% and 63.86%, respectively). Biological control was superior to chemical control in terms of disease prevention effects and duration, and it significantly increased the number of branches and flowers of rose plants. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota accounted for more than 74% of the total fungal abundance, and the abundance of Ascomycota was highest in CK, followed by GUAL210, CP and LKW, which was consistent with the disease occurrence in each group. The analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the HSERMETANA-PWY in each experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group. The Shannon index in each experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group. PCoA analysis showed that the rhizosphere fungal community structure in each experimental group was significantly different from that in control group. Trichoderma, Paraphaeosphaeria, Suillus, Umbelopsis in GUAL210, and Galerina in LKW replaced Mortierella, Pestalotiopsis, Ustilaginoidea, Paraconiothyrium, Fusarium, and Alternaria as dominant flora, and played a nonneglectable role in reducing disease occurrence. The difference in rhizosphere fungal community structure had an important impact on the incidence of rose black spot disease. Biological control is crucial for establishing environment-friendly ecological agriculture. GUAL210 has promising prospects for application and development, and may be a good substitute for chemical control agents.