bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular expression pattern and intercellular interactions in glial scar responding to spinal cord injury
Authors: Gong Leilei , Gu Yun , Han Xiaoxiao , Luan Chengcheng , Wang Xinghui , Sun Yufeng , Fang Mengya , Yang Shuhai , Xu Lai , Sun Hualin , Yu Bin , Gu Xiaosong , Zhou Songlin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAdult regeneration in spinal cord is poor in mammalian but remarkable in the neonatal mammals and some vertebrates, including fish and salamanders. Increasing evidences basis of this interspecies and ontogeny highlighted the pivotal roles of neuron extrinsic factors-the glial scar, which exert confusing inhibiting or promoting regeneration function, but the spatiotemporal ordering of cellular and molecular events that drive repair processes in scar formation remains poorly understood. Here, we firstly constructed tissue-wide gene expression measurements of mouse spinal cords over the course of scar formation using the spatial transcriptomics (ST) technology in Spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. We analyzed the transcriptomes of nearly 15449 spots from 32 samples and distinguished normal and damage response regions. Compared to histological changes, spatial mapping of differentiation transitions in spinal cord injury site delineated the possible trajectory between subpopulations of fibroblast, glia and immune cell more comprehensively and defined the extent of scar boundary and core more accurately. Locally, we identified gene expression gradients from leading edge to the core of scar areas that allow for re-understanding of the scar microenvironment and found some regulators in special cell types, such as Thbs1 and Col1a2 in macrophage, CD36 and Postn in fibroblast, Plxnb2 and Nxpe3 in microglia, Clu in astrocyte and CD74 in oligodendrocyte. Last, we profiled the bidirectional ligand-receptor interactions at the neighbor cluster boundary, contributing to maintain scar architecture during gliosis and fibrosis, and found GPR37L1_PSAP and GPR37_PSAP were top 2 enriched gene-pairs between microglia and fibroblast or microglia and astrocyte. Together, the establishment of these profiles firstly uncovered scar spatial heterogeneity and lineage trajectory, provide an unbiased view of scar and served as a valuable resource for CNS injury treatment.HighlightsSpatial illustration of gene expression pattern after T10 right lateral hemisection.Spatial atlas of scar formation by 21 cell types around damaged area.The origin, trajectory reconstruction and functional diversity of cell types in different stages of scar formation.Novel insights for glial scar boundary and potential benefits for recovery intervention after SCI.
Effect of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Freund’s adjuvant-induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Sanghavi Satyen , Kedage Vinayak , Singh Rajesh Pratap , Chandran Parvathi , Jadhav Vidya , Shinde Sujata 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionMesenchymal stem cells (MSC) therapy is a new approach to treat RA. Studies evaluating anti-inflammatory effects of MSCs per RA severity are scarce. Our primary objective was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects, change in cytokine levels and cartilage regeneration of two different MSC preparations delivered through two different routes of administration in three RA stages: mild, moderate and severe.MethodsHuman-derived umbilical cord tissue MSCs (hUCT-MSCs) and human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) delivered via intra-plantar and intravenous routes were tested in Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis severity was based on the arthritis score (<3=mild, 3=moderate and 4=severe). Assessments included changes in arthritis scoring, paw swelling, haematology parameters, biomarkers (TNFα and IL-10) and histopathology analysis.ResultsMSC treatment significantly reduced arthritis scores in all treatment groups. IL-10 levels increased 30 days after treatment with (IP)hUCT-MSCs (P=0.0241), (IV)hUCT-MSCs (P=0.0095) and (IP)hBM-MSCs (P=0.0002). TNF-α levels reduced compared to positive control at 30 days: (IP)hUCT-MSCs (P=0.0060), (IV)hUCT-MSCs (P=0.0003), (IP)hBM-MSCs (P=0.0005), (IV)hBM-MSCs (P<0.0001) and continued through 30-60 days. Microscopic examination showed regenerative changes in animal joints treated with both intra-plantar or intravenous MSCs. Arthritis scores reduced in all RA severity groups while benefits (changes in IL-10 and TNF-alpha) were more pronounced in moderate and severe RA. Haematology parameters remained similar among all animal groups at baseline, 30 days and 60 days indicating safety of MSCs.ConclusionTreatment with hUCT MSCs and hBM MSCs were safe, well-tolerated and effectively reduced joint inflammation, synovial cellularity and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in CFA-induced RA rat model.
Endothelial Rbpj is essential for the education of tumour-associated macrophages
Authors: Mülfarth Ronja , Alsina-Sanchis Elisenda , Moll Iris , Böhn Sarah , Wiedmann Lena , Jordana Lorea , Ziegelbauer Tara , Taylor Jacqueline , De Angelis Rigotti Francesca , Stögbauer Adrian , Giaimo Benedetto Daniele , Cerwenka Adelheid , Borggrefe Tilman , Fischer Andreas , Rodriguez-Vita Juan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers worldwide. EOC cells educate tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) through CD44-mediated cholesterol depletion to generate an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). In addition, tumour cells frequently activate Notch1 receptors on endothelial cells (ECs) to facilitate metastasis. However, little is known whether the endothelium would also influence the education of recruited monocytes. Here, we report that canonical Notch signalling through RBPJ in ECs is an important player in the education of TAMs and EOC progression. Deletion of Rbpj in the endothelium of adult mice reduced infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages into the TME of EOC and prevented the acquisition of a typical TAM gene signature. This was associated with stronger cytotoxic activity of T cells and decreased tumour burden. Mechanistically, we identified CXCL2 as a novel Notch/RBPJ target gene. This angiocrine factor regulates the expression of CD44 on monocytes and subsequent cholesterol depletion of TAMs. Bioinformatic analysis of ovarian cancer patient data showed that increased CXCL2 expression is accompanied by higher expression of CD44 and TAM education. As such, EOC cells employ the tumour endothelium to secrete CXCL2 in order to facilitate an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals micro-evolution of the stickleback immune system
Authors: Fuess Lauren E. , Bolnick Daniel I. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPathogenic infection is an important driver of many ecological processes. Furthermore, variability in immune function is an important driver of differential infection outcomes. New evidence would suggest that immune variation extends to broad cellular structure of immune systems. However, variability at such broad levels is traditionally difficult to detect in non-model systems. Here we leverage single cell transcriptomic approaches to document signatures of microevolution of immune system structure in a natural system, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We sampled nine adult fish from three populations with variability in resistance to a cestode parasite,Schistocephalus solidus, to create the first comprehensive immune cell atlas forG. aculeatus. Eight major immune cell types, corresponding to major vertebrate immune cells, were identified. We were also able to document significant variation in both abundance and expression profiles of the individual immune cell types, among the three populations of fish. This variability may contribute to observed variability in parasite susceptibility. Finally, we demonstrate that identified cell type markers can be used to reinterpret traditional transcriptomic data. Combined our study demonstrates the power of single cell sequencing to not only document evolutionary phenomena (i.e. microevolution of immune cells), but also increase the power of traditional transcriptomic datasets.
DNA replication dynamics during erythrocytic schizogony in the malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi
Authors: McDonald Jennifer , Merrick Catherine J. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTMalaria parasites are unusual, early-diverging protozoans with non-canonical cell cycles. They do not undergo binary fission, but divide primarily by schizogony. This is a syncytial mode of replication involving asynchronous production of multiple nuclei within the same cytoplasm, culminating in a single mass cytokinesis event. The rate and efficiency of parasite replication is fundamentally important to malarial disease, which tends to be severe in hosts with high parasite loads. Here, we have studied for the first time the dynamics of schizogony in two human malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi. These differ in their cell-cycle length, the number of progeny produced and the genome composition, among other factors. Comparing them could therefore yield new information about the parameters and limitations of schizogony. We report that the dynamics of schizogony differ significantly between these two species, most strikingly in the gap phases between successive nuclear replications, which are longer in P. falciparum and shorter, but more heterogenous, in P. knowlesi. In both species, gaps become longer as schizogony progresses, whereas each period of active replication grows shorter. In both species there is also extreme variability between individual cells, with some schizonts producing many more nuclei than others, and some individual nuclei arresting their replication for many hours while adjacent nuclei continue to replicate. The efficiency of schizogony is probably influenced by a complex set of factors in both the parasite and its host cell.
Unsupervised functional neurocartography of the Aplysia buccal ganglion
Authors: Costa Renan M. , Dharmaraj Vijay A. , Homma Ryota , Neveu Curtis L. , Kristan William B. , Byrne John H. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTA major limitation of large-scale neuronal recordings is the difficulty in locating homologous neurons in different subjects, referred to as the “correspondence” issue. This issue stems, at least in part, from the lack of a unique feature that unequivocally identifies each neuron. One promising approach to this problem is the functional neurocartography framework developed by Frady et al. (2016), in which neurons are identified by a semisupervised machine learning algorithm using a combination of multiple selected features. Here, the framework was adapted to the buccal ganglia of Aplysia. Multiple features were derived from neuronal activity during motor pattern generation, responses to peripheral nerve stimulation, and the spatial properties of each cell. The feature set was optimized based on its potential usefulness in discriminating neurons from each other, and then used to match putatively homologous neurons across subjects with the functional neurocartography software. An alternative matching method based on a cyclic matching algorithm was also developed, which allows for unsupervised extraction of groups of neurons and automated selection of high-quality matches. This improvement enabled unsupervised implementation of the machine learning algorithm, thereby enhancing scalability of the analysis. This study paves the way for investigating the roles of both well-characterized and previously uncharacterized neurons in Aplysia, and helps to adapt the neurocartography framework to other systems.
Prenatal thyroid hormones accelerate postnatal growth and telomere shortening in wild great tits
Authors: Hsu Bin-Yan , Cossin-Sevrin Nina , Stier Antoine , Ruuskanen Suvi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEarly-life environment is known to affect later-life health and disease, which could be mediated by the early-life programming of telomere length, a key hallmark of ageing. According to thefetal programming of telomere biology hypothesis, variation in prenatal exposure to hormones is likely to influence telomere length. Yet the contribution of key metabolic hormones,i.e. thyroid hormones (THs), has been largely ignored. We recently showed that in contrast to predictions, exposure to elevated prenatal THs increased postnatal telomere length in wild collared flycatchers, but the generality of such effect, its underlying proximate mechanisms and consequences on survival have not been investigated. We therefore conducted a comprehensive study evaluating the impact of THs on potential drivers of telomere dynamics (growth, post-natal THs, mitochondria and oxidative stress), telomere length and medium-term survival using wild great tits as a model system. While prenatal THs did not significantly affect telomere length a week after hatching (i.e. day 7), they influenced postnatal telomere shortening (i.e. shorter telomeres at day 14 and the following winter) but not apparent survival. Circulating THs, mitochondrial density or oxidative stress biomarkers were not significantly influenced, whereas TH-supplemented group showed accelerated growth, which may explain the observed delayed effect on telomeres. We discuss several alternative hypotheses that may explain the contrast with our previous findings in flycatchers. Given that shorter telomeres in early life tend to be carried until adulthood and are often associated with decreased survival prospects, the effects of prenatal THs on telomeres may have long-lasting effects on senescence.
Light-weight wideband antenna array with low sidelobes for SAR applications
Authors: Kazemi Reza , Fallah Mohsen , Abbasi Bijan , MohseniArmaki Seyyed Hossein 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to achieve the low-cost, light-weight and compact antenna array with wide bandwidth and low side lobe levels for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications in Ku frequency band.

Design/methodology/approach
A compact design of a rectangular microstrip patch antenna array using multilayered dielectric structure is presented in Ku-band for advanced broadband SAR systems. In this design, stepped pins are used to connect the microstrip feed lines to the radiating patches.

Findings
The simulation and fabrication results of the multilayered antenna and a 1×16-element linear array of the antenna with Taylor amplitude distribution in the feeding network are presented. The antenna element has a 10-dB impedance bandwidth of more than 26%, and the linear array shows reduction in bandwidth percentage (about 15.4%). Thanks to Taylor amplitude tapering, the side lobe level (SLL) of the array is lower than −24 dB. The maximum measured gains of the antenna element and the linear array are 7 and 19.2 dBi at the center frequency, respectively.

Originality/value
In the communication systems, a high gain narrow beamwidth radiation pattern achieved by an array of multiple antenna elements with optimized spacing is a solution to overcome the path loss, atmospheric loss, polarization loss, etc. Also, wideband characteristics and compact size are desirable in satellite and SAR systems. This paper provides the combination of these features by microstrip structures.
Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to street-food consumption: testing the effect of food neophobia among Indian consumers
Authors: Khanna Suvidha , Nagar Komal , Chauhan Vinay , Bhagat Sheetal 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to find out how food neophobia, perceived risk and perceived value affect their consumers' attitude and consumption intention toward street-food, when researching tourists' food consumption.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is tested using primary data collected from 445 tourists drawn from a main urban center of Jammu situated in northern India. Structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to analyze data using partial least squares (PLS) method.FindingsFindings of the study provide evidence that perceived value of the street-food vendor through word of mouth (WoM) positively influenced tourists 2019 attitudes and intention to consumer street-food, while food neophobia lead to negative attitude and intention to consume. The findings further indicate that a significant negative relationship exists between perceived risk and intention to consume street-food.Originality/valueAlthough several studies have been conducted in the past related to the food experiences of tourists at various destinations, the current study is the first attempt to offer an Asian perspective on and fresh insights into factors affecting tourists' street-food selection in unfamiliar environments. The paper is useful for both practitioners and academicians interested in tourist consumption behavior and food tourism, as it would help in developing effective marketing and operational strategies to develop tourism through street-vending management.
Influence of socioemotional wealth on non-family managers’ risk taking and product innovation in family businesses
Authors: Ng Poh Yen , Dayan Mumin , Makri Marianna 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThere is a growing interest in understanding family firms’ strategic behavior using the socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective. This study explores how family SEW dimensions influence non-family managers’ attitudes toward risk in the context of product innovation. This study also examines whether managerial risk-taking mediates the relationship between SEW and product innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a sample of 150 family firms in the United Arab Emirates and collects data from family owners and non-family managers via self-administered questionnaires. The study uses SmartPLS structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model and the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that multidimensional SEW influences non-family managers’ risk-taking behavior in different magnitudes and directions, thus impacting firms’ product innovation. Moreover, risk-taking partially mediates the relationship between SEW dimensions and product innovation.Originality/valueWhile product innovation could be seen as a loss scenario for family firms due to the potential loss of SEW, growth, continuity and reputation outweighed the desire to maintain control for the firms in this sample. Thus, these firms encourage non-family managers to take risks in product innovation.
Influencing factors and paths of upgrading consumer goods industry in Shanghai: a FsQCA approach
Authors: Shen Lei , Sun Cong , Ali Muhammad 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThis study examines the factors that influence the improvement of the consumer goods sector in three dimensions (technology, internal factors and external environment) for exploring the upgrading paths of Shanghai's consumer goods industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper targeted eight sub-industries of consumer goods as case studies, including food processing, and investigated from qualitative and quantitative perspectives using the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework.FindingsThe study confirms the diversity of paths to promote the upgrading of the consumer goods industry in Shanghai, and three paths are summarized in this paper. The “human–environment” linkage upgrade path is to bring sufficient economic contribution to help industrial upgrading by expanding market share, and this path is suitable for large enterprises in the industry to adopt; the “internal factor aggregation” upgrading path is to strengthen the aggregation effect of resources, form industrial clusters and link high human aggregation with industrial aggregation to exert leverage to transform and upgrade the consumer goods industry, and this path is suitable for SMEs in the industry to adopt; the “technology–environment” linkage upgrade path is to use technological factors for product innovation to occupy a favorable market position, to obtain high economic returns and realize industrial upgrading under the joint action of technology and external environment, and this path is suitable for high-tech enterprises to adopt.Originality/valueShanghai still has a large area for growth toward foreign metropolises, under the backdrop of the strong development of new manufacturing. Also, to diversify their investment portfolio, the consumer goods industry should focus on population, job density and industrial growth while looking into industrial aggregation.
Development of empirically based customer-derived positioning taxonomy for consumer electronics sector in the Indian emerging market
Authors: Saqib Natasha , Satar Mir Shahid 
Published: December 2021

PurposeAn Indian emerging market positioning taxonomy has been developed in response to the literature review's findings that existing positioning typologies/taxonomies are based on managerial perspectives rather than consumer/customer perceptions and are only developed for advanced countries.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a three-step process for developing and validating a scale in order to conduct its research. In the first phase, items are generated and selected based on a literature review, focus groups and expert opinion. Exploratory factor analysis is used to fine-tune the scale in the second phase. Phase 3 uses CFA to establish convergent, discriminant and nomological validity through the use of CFA.FindingsA consumer-based taxonomy of positioning strategies were developed as a result of the research. Six distinct positioning strategies emerged that was named (1) Value for Money, (2) Functional (3) Premiumisation, (4) Promotional Campaign, (5) Brand Name (6) Visual Aesthetics.Research limitations/implicationsDeveloping and validating measurement scales will be made easier with the help of this paper. Target populations, industry and geography selection and a cross-sectional time horizon are just a few of the study's drawbacks.Practical implicationsThe study's practical implications include six factors/strategies that managers, advertising executives and marketing experts of consumer electronics companies in the Indian emerging market could use to position their products, resulting in the overall success of their organisations.Originality/valueThis study adds to the marketing literature by providing a solid theoretical foundation and a validated instrument for operationalising positioning strategies.