bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different phenotype of left atrial function impairment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertension: comparison of healthy controls
Authors: Li Hongwen , Wang Haibao , Wang Tingting , Jin Chaolong , Lu Minjie , Liu Bin 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe impairment of atrial function and atrial-ventricular coupling in diseases with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been increasingly recognized. This study compares left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) function, as well as LA-LV coupling, in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertension (HTN) with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF), using cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT).MethodsFifty-eight HCM patients, 44 HTN patients, and 25 healthy controls were retrospectively enrolled. LA and RA functions were compared among the three groups. LA-LV correlations were evaluated in the HCM and HTN groups.ResultsLA reservoir (LA total EF, ɛs, and SRs), conduit (LA passive EF, ɛe, SRe), and booster pump (LA booster EF, ɛa, SRa) functions were significantly impaired in HCM and HTN patients compared to healthy controls (HCM vs. HTN vs. healthy controls: ɛs, 24.8 ± 9.8% vs. 31.3 ± 9.3% vs. 25.2 ± 7.2%; ɛe, 11.7 ± 6.7% vs. 16.8 ± 6.9% vs. 25.5 ± 7.5%; ɛa, 13.1 ± 5.8% vs. 14.6 ± 5.5% vs. 16.5 ± 4.5%, p &lt; 0.05). Reservoir and conduit functions were more impaired in HCM patients compared to HTN patients (p &lt; 0.05). LA strains demonstrated significant correlations with LV EF, LV mass index, LV MWT, global longitudinal strain parameters, and native T1 in HCM patients (p &lt; 0.05). The only correlations in HTN were observed between LA reservoir strain (ɛs) and booster pump strain (ɛa) with LV GLS (p &lt; 0.05). RA reservoir function (RA ɛs, SRs) and conduit function (RA ɛe, SRe) were significantly impaired in HCM and HTN patients (p &lt; 0.05), while RA booster pump function (RA ɛa, SRa) was preserved.ConclusionsLA functions were impaired in HCM and HTN patients with preserved LV EF, with reservoir and conduit functions more affected in HCM patients. Moreover, different LA-LV couplings were apparent in two different diseases, and abnormal LA-LV coupling was emphasized in HTN. Decreased RA reservoir and conduit strains were evident in both HCM and HTN, while booster pump strain was preserved.
Apatite geochemistry as a proxy for porphyry-skarn Cu genesis: a case study from the Sanjiang region of SW China
Authors: Liu Qian , Pan Li-Chuan , Wang Xin-Song , Yan Jun , Xing Lang-Zhang 
Published: May 2023

In view of the importance of the magmatic oxidation state and volatile composition (H2O-S-Cl) in porphyry Cu mineralization, identification of magmatic information has become the basis for the evaluation of the Cu-mineralization potential of porphyries. Apatite, as a common accessory mineral in porphyry, is recognized as an effective petrogenetic and metallogenic indicator. In this study, we analyze the in situ major and trace elements and Nd isotope content of apatite from four granitic plutons in the Yidun Terrane, SW China, in order to provide new insights into the identification of the magmatic features of Cu-mineralized plutons. The plutons investigated in this study are a Cu-mineralized pluton (Hongshan) and three non-mineralized plutons (Cilincuo, Rongyicuo, and Hagela). Chemical composition and textural analysis indicate that the apatites are all of magmatic origin and have not been altered. Our results show that apatite δCe values rather than δEu and Ga values are more valid indicators of the magma oxidation state of the four plutons. Based on apatite δCe values and zircon compositions, the parental magma of the Hongshan pluton is identified as having been more oxidized than those of the other three plutons. Moreover, the higher Cl content (0.06–0.23 wt%) in the Hongshan apatite compared to that in apatite from the other three plutons (0.01–0.09 wt%), indicates that the parental magma of the former pluton was more enriched in Cl. Apatite from the Hongshan pluton contains more SO3 (average 0.05 wt%) than that from the other three plutons (SO3 content mostly lower than the detection limit of electron probe micro-analysis), which may be related to higher magmatic oxygen fugacity of the Hongshan pluton. In addition, the Nd isotopic composition of apatite [εNd(t): −13.6−5.9] demonstrates that the Cu-mineralized and non-mineralized plutons were derived from the melting of ancient lower crust. Furthermore, based on the geochemical signature of adakite revealed by apatite Sr/Y and δEu values, the Hongshan pluton can be considered to have been produced as the result of partial melting of the thickened lower crust. Finally, an index system consisting of apatite δCe, Sr/Y, and F/Cl values is established to distinguish between the Cu-mineralized and non-mineralized plutons.
Weight cycling and risk of clinical adverse events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a post-hoc analysis of TOPCAT
Authors: Tan Yi , Guo Hang , Zhang Ning , Zheng Keyang , Liu Guifang 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundPrevious studies hardly evaluated the association of variability of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference with clinical adverse events and investigated whether weight cycling had an effect on the prognosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).MethodsThis study was a post-hoc analysis of TOPCAT. Three outcomes were evaluated: the primary endpoint, cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, and heart failure hospitalization. Among them, CVD death and hospitalization were outcomes of heart failure. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to describe the cumulative risk of outcome and were tested using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95%CIs for outcomes. We also performed a subgroup analysis, and several subgroups were compared.ResultsA total of 3,146 patients were included. In the Kaplan–Meier curves, the coefficients of variation of both BMI and waist circumference were grouped according to quartiles, with the Q4 group having the highest cumulative risk (log-rank P &lt; 0.001). In the coefficient of BMI variation and the outcomes, the HRs for group Q4 of coefficient of variation of BMI were 2.35 (95%CI: 1.82, 3.03) for the primary endpoint, 2.40 (95%CI: 1.69, 3.40) for death, and 2.33 (95%CI: 1.68, 3.22) for HF hospitalization in model 3 (fully adjusted model) compared with group Q1. In the coefficient of waist circumference variation and the outcomes, group Q4 had increased hazard of the primary endpoint [HR: 2.39 (95%CI: 1.84, 3.12)], CVD death [HR: 3.29 (95%CI: 2.28, 4.77)], and HF hospitalization [HR: 1.98 (95%CI 1.43, 2.75)] in model 3 (fully adjusted model) compared with group Q1. In the subgroup analysis, there was a significant interaction in the diabetes mellitus subgroup (P for interaction = 0.0234).ConclusionWeight cycling had a negative effect on the prognosis of patients with HFpEF. The presence of comorbid diabetes weakened the relationship between waist circumference variability and clinical adverse events.
Post deposition annealing effect on properties of CdS films and its impact on CdS/Sb2Se3 solar cells performance
Authors: Vadakkedath Gopi Sajeesh , Spalatu Nicolae , Basnayaka Madhawa , Krautmann Robert , Katerski Atanas , Josepson Raavo , Grzibovskis Raitis , Vembris Aivars , Krunks Malle , Oja Acik Ilona 
Published: May 2023

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is one of the emerging photovoltaic absorber materials possessing abundance and non-toxicity as the main attributes. Following CdTe technology, CdS is a widely used partner layer for Sb2Se3 solar cells. Related to CdS/Sb2Se3 device configuration, a number of studies reported findings and challenges regarding the intermixing phenomenon at the main interface and suitability of various annealing for CdS (and related interface) and still, significant room remains in developing strategies for interface optimization and understanding of the physiochemistry behind. In this perspective, this work provides a systematic investigation of the effect of vacuum and air annealing at temperatures between 200 and 400°C on the properties of CdS deposited by chemical bath deposition and combined with Sb2Se3 absorber obtained by close-spaced sublimation the direct impact of the CdS annealing on the device performance is illustrated. It is found that by varying the annealing temperature from 200 to 400°C in both, vacuum and air ambient, the morphology of CdS changes from highly dispersed small grain structure to sintered dense grains, the band gap decreases from 2.43 to 2.35 eV and the electron density drops from ∼1018 to ∼1011 cm−3. These changes were correlated with the changes in the CdS lattice and connected with the mobility of the OH group and the presence of secondary phases in CdS layers. 200°C air annealing of CdS was found as an optimal treatment resulting in 2.8% Sb2Se3/CdS cell efficiency - a 60% boost compared to the 1.8% performance of the device with as-deposited CdS. Material and device characterization analysis is performed, providing complementary insights on the interrelation between the physicochemical mechanism of the CdS annealing processes and device functionality.
Half of a forest bird community infected with haemosporidian parasites
Authors: Strehmann Finja , Becker Marcel , Lindner Kim , Masello Juan F. , Quillfeldt Petra , Schumm Yvonne R. , Farwig Nina , Schabo Dana G. , Rösner Sascha 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionParasites play important roles in ecosystems. Through their interactions with host and vector species, they are capable of changing the behavior and population dynamics of their host species, and the shape of entire communities. Over the past years, many studies have acknowledged the role of parasitism for host populations and communities and discovered their important regulatory functions for many vertebrate populations. Although birds are a well-studied group of vertebrates, the infection patterns of endoparasites at the community level are not fully understood. Some bird species and families are known to have a higher susceptibility to certain endoparasites than others, which may be driven by their abundance in the community.MethodsOver the course of four consecutive breeding seasons (2019–2022), we monitored the patterns of endoparasite infections in a bird community of a temperate forest ecosystem. We sampled 483 birds belonging to 29 Palearctic species and investigated the prevalence of blood parasites (haemosporidian parasites) andTrichomonasspp. using molecular methods.ResultsWe found an overall prevalence of 48.1% of haemosporidians belonging to 53 genetic lineages of the three generaHaemoproteus,Leucocytozoon, andPlasmodiumspp. While the bird families Turdidae (94%) and Paridae (76%) showed a high prevalence of haemosporidians, Certhiidae, and Picidae were not infected (0%). Host–parasite network analysis detected high variability in interactions. Infections withTrichomonasspp. were not observed in the forest bird community.DiscussionWe found that the prevalence and lineage diversity of haemosporidian parasites differed between avian families and that the parasite prevalence of a family could not serve as a predictor of lineage diversity. To further assess the consequences of these host–parasite interactions for bird communities, future research should aim to disentangle the infection pathways in different ecosystems while also considering the vector community and environmental factors.
Identification and validation of hub genes and pathways associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum
Authors: Gu Yifei , Yu Wenchao , Qi Min , Hu Jinquan , Jin Qianmei , Wang Xinwei , Wang Chen , Chen Yu , Yuan Wen 
Published: May 2023

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis which can lead to irreversible neurologic damage and functional disability, is characterized by hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum (HLF). Recent studies have indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the development of HLF. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear.Methods: The dataset GSE113212 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and the differentially expressed genes were identified. The intersection of DEGs and mitochondrial dysfunction-related genes were identified as mitochondrial dysfunction-related DEGs. Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were performed. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and miRNAs and transcriptional factors of the hub genes were predicted via the miRNet database. Small molecule drugs targeted to these hub genes were predicted via PubChem. Immune infiltration analysis was performed to evaluate the infiltration level of immune cells and their correlation with the hub genes. In final, we measured the mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in vitro and verified the expression of hub genes by qPCR experiments.Results: In total, 43 genes were identified as MDRDEGs. These genes were mainly involved in cellular oxidation, catabolic processes, and the integrity of mitochondrial structure and function. The top hub genes were screened, including LONP1, TK2, SCO2, DBT, TFAM, MFN2. The most significant enriched pathways include cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, focal adhesion, etc. Besides, SP1, PPARGC1A, YY1, MYC, PPARG, and STAT1 were predicted transcriptional factors of these hub genes. Additionally, increased immune infiltration was demonstrated in HLF, with a close correlation between hub genes and immune cells found. The mitochondrial dysfunction and the expression of hub genes were validated by evaluation of mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress markers and quantitative real-time PCR.Conclusion: This study applied the integrative bioinformatics analysis and revealed the mitochondrial dysfunction-related key genes, regulatory pathways, TFs, miRNAs, and small molecules underlying the development of HLF, which improved the understanding of molecular mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic targets for HLF.
Genomic study of TEX15 variants: prevalence and allelic heterogeneity in men with spermatogenic failure
Authors: Qureshi Sidra , Hardy Jimmaline J. , Pombar Christopher , Berman Andrea J. , Malcher Agnieszka , Gingrich Tara , Hvasta Rachel , Kuong Jannah , Munyoki Sarah , Hwang Kathleen , Orwig Kyle E. , Ahmed Jawad , Olszewska Marta , Kurpisz Maciej , Conrad Donald F. , Jaseem Khan Muhammad , Yatsenko Alexander N. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Human spermatogenesis is a highly intricate process that requires the input of thousands of testis-specific genes. Defects in any of them at any stage of the process can have detrimental effects on sperm production and/or viability. In particular, the function of many meiotic proteins encoded by germ cell specific genes is critical for maturation of haploid spermatids and viable spermatozoa, necessary for fertilization, and is also extremely sensitive to even the slightest change in coding DNA.Methods: Here, using whole exome and genome approaches, we identified and reported novel, clinically significant variants in testis-expressed gene 15 (TEX15), in unrelated men with spermatogenic failure (SPGF).Results: TEX15 mediates double strand break repair during meiosis. Recessive loss-of-function (LOF) TEX15 mutations are associated with SPGF in humans and knockout male mice are infertile. We expand earlier reports documenting heterogeneous allelic pathogenic TEX15 variants that cause a range of SPGF phenotypes from oligozoospermia (low sperm) to nonobstructive azoospermia (no sperm) with meiotic arrest and report the prevalence of 0.6% of TEX15 variants in our patient cohort. Among identified possible LOF variants, one homozygous missense substitution c.6835G&gt;A (p.Ala2279Thr) co-segregated with cryptozoospermia in a family with SPGF. Additionally, we observed numerous cases of inferred in trans compound heterozygous variants in TEX15 among unrelated individuals with varying degrees of SPGF. Variants included splice site, insertions/deletions (indels), and missense substitutions, many of which resulted in LOF effects (i.e., frameshift, premature stop, alternative splicing, or potentially altered posttranslational modification sites).Conclusion: In conclusion, we performed an extensive genomic study of familial and sporadic SPGF and identified potentially damaging TEX15 variants in 7 of 1097 individuals of our combined cohorts. We hypothesize that SPGF phenotype severity is dictated by individual TEX15 variant’s impact on structure and function. Resultant LOFs likely have deleterious effects on crossover/recombination in meiosis. Our findings support the notion of increased gene variant frequency in SPGF and its genetic and allelic heterogeneity as it relates to complex disease such as male infertility.
Development and validation of an immune infiltration/tumor proliferation-related Notch3 nomogram for predicting survival in patients with primary glioblastoma
Authors: Zheng Zong-Qing , Zhang Guo-Guo , Yuan Gui-Qiang , Hao Jia-Hui , Nie Qian-Qian , Zheng Ming-Cheng , Wang Zhong 
Published: May 2023

Background: Notch receptors (Notch 1/2/3/4), the critical effectors of the Notch pathway, participate in the tumorigenesis and progression of many malignancies. However, the clinical roles of Notch receptors in primary glioblastoma (GBM) have not been fully elucidated.Methods: The genetic alteration-related prognostic values of Notch receptors were determined in the GBM dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Two GBM datasets from TCGA and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) were used to explore the differential expression between Notch receptors and IDH mutation status, and GBM subtypes. The biological functions of Notch Receptors were explored by Gene Ontology and KEGG analysis. The expression and prognostic significance of Notch receptors were determined in the TCGA and CGGA datasets and further validated in a clinical GBM cohort by immunostaining. A Notch3-based nomogram/predictive risk model was constructed in the TCGA dataset and validated in the CGGA dataset. The model performance was evaluated by receiver operating curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses. The Notch3-related phenotypes were analyzed via CancerSEA and TIMER. The proliferative role of Notch3 in GBM was validated in U251/U87 glioma cells by Western blot and immunostaining.Results: Notch receptors with genetic alterations were associated with poor survival of GBM patients. Notch receptors were all upregulated in GBM of TCGA and CGGA databases and closely related to the regulation of transcription, protein-lysine N-methyltransferase activity, lysine N-methyltransferase activity, and focal adhesion. Notch receptors were associated with Classical, Mesenchymal, and Proneural subtypes. Notch1 and Notch3 were closely correlated with IDH mutation status and G-CIMP subtype. Notch receptors displayed the differential expression at the protein level and Notch3 showed a prognostic significance in a clinical GBM cohort. Notch3 presented an independent prognostic role for primary GBM (IDH1 mutant/wildtype). A Notch3-based predictive risk model presented favorable accuracy, reliability, and net benefits for predicting the survival of GBM patients (IDH1 mutant/wildtype and IDH1 wildtype). Notch3 was closely related to immune infiltration (macrophages, CD4+ T cells, and dendritic cells) and tumor proliferation.Conclusion: Notch3-based nomogram served as a practical tool for anticipating the survival of GBM patients, which was related to immune-cell infiltration and tumor proliferation.
Response of some mango-infesting fruit flies to aqueous solutions of the basil plant Ocimum tenuiflorum L
Authors: Niassy Saliou , Mohamed Samira Abuelgasim , Cheseto Xavier , Omuse Evanson Rigan , Ochola John Bwire , Khamis Fathiya Mbarak , Badji Boubacar , Ndlela Sheppard , Ombura Levi , Okun Noelah Leah , Kupesa David Mfuti , Dubois Thomas , Belayneh Yeneneh Taye , Subramanian Sevgan , Ekesi Sunday 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionHorticulture is an important sub-sector for many African countries. Tephritid fruit flies continue to cause serious direct and indirect damage to the sub-sector. The male annihilation technique (MAT) using methyl eugenol (ME) is among the most revered techniques in fruit fly management. However, ME-based lures are only available to some farmers in Africa. Several basils of the genus Ocimum produce ME.MethodsIn laboratory experiments, we used a dual choice olfactometer to assess the attraction of adult oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis to intact plants, 100 µL commercial methyl eugenol (ME) (positive control), 10 mg/mL of O. tenuiflorum aqueous extract (Otae), and a negative control (blank). Large arena experiments were conducted to compare the responses of four fruit fly species of economic importance in Africa to Otae-baited traps.ResultsIn dual choice olfactometer assay, more B. dorsalis males (78.6%) than females (23.8%) were attracted to Otae. Most B. dorsalis males were attracted to the positive control (90.5%) and 10 mg/mL Otae (88.5%) compared to the whole plant (84.0%). In large arena experiments, Otae attracted the most B. dorsalis males (47.7%), followed by Zeugodacus cucurbitae males (25.1%), while males of Ceratitis species were the least attracted. The analysis of headspace volatiles from aerial plants, Otae and essential oil using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected 97 compounds. The intact plant without flowers, intact plant with flowers, Otae, and the O. tenuiflorum essential oil contributed 76, 62, 33 and 28 compounds, respectively. ME comprised the top three most abundant compounds, especially in the essential oil.DiscussionOur study confirms the potential of O. tenuiflorum as a source of ME for tephritid fruit fly integrated management in Africa. Otae, a readily available alternative to commercial ME, can be used to develop fruit fly-baited traps, particularly for smallholder farmers.