bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observations from the emergency management of dialysis patients evacuated from the US Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico following hurricane Irma
Authors: Avilés Mendoza Guillermo J. , Finne Kristen P. , Torre Leon Francisco , Burke Lisandro Montalvo , Cabrera-Marquez Jessica , Mercado Casillas Ana M. , Malave Grasiela , Brown Christopher , Kelman Jeffrey , Kopp Jeffrey B. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTwo category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, arrived in the Caribbean in September 2017 in rapid succession. On September 6, Irma devastated the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, in the Virgin Islands of the United States (USVI). Most medical infrastructure was damaged, including hemodialysis facilities, paralyzing dialysis operations. After Irma’s landfall, Puerto Rico served as a safehaven for thousands of displaced and repatriated persons from the impacted islands. These included a cohort of 129 hemodialysis patients evacuated from St. Thomas, USVI to San Juan, Puerto Rico from September 9−11, 2017. The hemodialysis patients arrived first at hotels in San Juan and were then transferred to a Special Needs Shelter, run by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and located in the Puerto Rico Convention Center. With the imminent arrival of Hurricane Maria, most patients were evacuated on September 19 to a special needs shelter on the campus of the Florida International University, in Miami, Florida. While in San Juan, hemodialysis treatments were provided by local nephrologists working with local hemodialysis centers. Here, we describe the challenges and the emergency management actions taken to ensure continuity of care, including providing dialysis, general medical care, shelter, food and transportation for USVI dialysis patients during their stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We describe here the experiences of federal and host state/territorial officials in the special needs shelter, in the context of the state/territorial and federal response to disasters, in order to provide ideas about challenges, solutions, and approaches to coordinating care for dialysis patients evacuated from a disaster.
Functional apoptosis profiling identifies MCL-1 and BCL-xL as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in advanced thymomas and thymic carcinomas
Authors: Müller Denise , Mazzeo Paolo , Koch Raphael , Bösherz Mark-Sebastian , Welter Stefan , von Hammerstein-Equord Alexander , Hinterthaner Marc , Cordes Lucia , Belharazem Djeda , Marx Alexander , Ströbel Philipp , Küffer Stefan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Multi-omics studies have shown a high and lack of common driver mutations in most thymomas (TH) and thymic carcinomas (TC) that hamper the development of novel treatment approaches. However, deregulation of apoptosis has been proposed as a common hallmark of TH and TC. BH3 profiling can be utilized to study the readiness of living cancer cells to undergo apoptosis and their dependency on pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins.

Methods
We screened a cohort of 62 TH and TC patient samples for expression of BCL-2 family proteins and used the TC cell line 1889c and native TH for dynamic BH3 profiling and treatment with BH3 mimetics.

Results
Immunohistochemical overexpression of MCL-1 and BCL-xL was a strong prognostic marker of TH and TC, and BH3 profiling indicated a strong dependency on MCL-1 and BCL-xL in TH. Single inhibition of MCL-1 resulted in increased binding of BIM to BCL-xL as an escape mechanism that the combined inhibition of both factors could overcome. Indeed, the inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-xL in combination induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner in untreated and MCL-1-resistant 1889c cells.

Conclusion
TH and TC are exquisitely dependent on the pro-survival factors MCL-1 and BCL-xL, making them ideal candidates for co-inhibition by BH3 mimetics. Since TH show a heterogeneous dependency on BCL-2 family proteins, upfront BH3 profiling could select patients and tailor the optimal therapy with the least possible toxicity.
COVID-19 and risk of subsequent life-threatening secondary infections: a matched cohort study in UK Biobank
Authors: Hou Can , Hu Yihan , Yang Huazhen , Chen Wenwen , Zeng Yu , Ying Zhiye , Hu Yao , Sun Yajing , Qu Yuanyuan , Gottfreðsson Magnús , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A. , Song Huan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
With the increasing number of people infected with and recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the extent of major health consequences of COVID-19 is unclear, including risks of severe secondary infections.

Methods
Based on 445,845 UK Biobank participants registered in England, we conducted a matched cohort study where 5151 individuals with a positive test result or hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the exposed group. We then randomly selected up to 10 matched individuals without COVID-19 diagnosis for each exposed individual (n = 51,402). The life-threatening secondary infections were defined as diagnoses of severe secondary infections with high mortality rates (i.e., sepsis, endocarditis, and central nervous system infections) from the UK Biobank inpatient hospital data, or deaths from these infections from mortality data. The follow-up period was limited to 3 months after the initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Using a similar study design, we additionally constructed a matched cohort where exposed individuals were diagnosed with seasonal influenza from either inpatient hospital or primary care data between 2010 and 2019 (6169 exposed and 61,555 unexposed individuals). After controlling for multiple confounders, Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of life-threatening secondary infections after COVID-19 or seasonal influenza.

Results
In the matched cohort for COVID-19, 50.22% of participants were male, and the median age at the index date was 66 years. During a median follow-up of 12.71 weeks, the incidence rate of life-threatening secondary infections was 2.23 (123/55.15) and 0.25 (151/600.55) per 1000 person-weeks for all patients with COVID-19 and their matched individuals, respectively, which corresponded to a fully adjusted HR of 8.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.33–10.59). The corresponding HR of life-threatening secondary infections among all patients with seasonal influenza diagnosis was 4.50, 95% CI 3.34–6.08 (p for difference < 0.01). Also, elevated HRs were observed among hospitalized individuals for life-threatening secondary infections following hospital discharge, both in the COVID-19 (HR = 6.28 [95% CI 4.05–9.75]) and seasonal influenza (6.01 [95% CI 3.53–10.26], p for difference = 0.902) cohorts.

Conclusion
COVID-19 patients have increased subsequent risks of life-threatening secondary infections, to an equal extent or beyond risk elevations observed for patients with seasonal influenza.
Engineered microbial consortia: strategies and applications
Authors: Duncker Katherine E. , Holmes Zachary A. , You Lingchong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMany applications of microbial synthetic biology, such as metabolic engineering and biocomputing, are increasing in design complexity. Implementing complex tasks in single populations can be a challenge because large genetic circuits can be burdensome and difficult to optimize. To overcome these limitations, microbial consortia can be engineered to distribute complex tasks among multiple populations. Recent studies have made substantial progress in programming microbial consortia for both basic understanding and potential applications. Microbial consortia have been designed through diverse strategies, including programming mutualistic interactions, using programmed population control to prevent overgrowth of individual populations, and spatial segregation to reduce competition. Here, we highlight the role of microbial consortia in the advances of metabolic engineering, biofilm production for engineered living materials, biocomputing, and biosensing. Additionally, we discuss the challenges for future research in microbial consortia.
The possible role of SRMS in colorectal cancer by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Weidong , Feng Sisi , Zhong Baiyun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSrc-related kinase lacking C-terminal regulatory tyrosine and N-terminal myristoylation sites (SRMS) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been found to be overexpressed in various tumors. However, the role of SRMS in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been well established.MethodsWe evaluated the expression levels of SRMS in CRC using GEPIA, Oncomine, and HPA datasets. Survival information and gene expression data of CRC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Then, the association between SRMS and clinicopathological features was analyzed using UALCAN dataset. LinkedOmics was used to determine co-expression and functional networks associated with SRMS. Besides, we used TISIDB to assess the correlation between SRMS and immune signatures, including tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immunomodulators. Lastly, protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was established and the function enrichment analysis of the SRMS-associated immunomodulators and immune cell marker genes were performed using the STRING portal.ResultsCompared to normal colorectal tissues, SRMS was found to be overexpressed in CRC tissues, which was correlated with a poor prognosis. In colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), the expression levels of SRMS are significantly correlated with pathological stages and nodal metastasis status. Functional network analysis suggested that SRMS regulates intermediate filament-based processes, protein autophosphorylation, translational initiation, and elongation signaling through pathways involving ribosomes, proteasomes, oxidative phosphorylation, and DNA replication. In addition, SRMS expression was correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cells, CD56dim, MEM B, Neutrophils, Th2, Th17, and Act DC. The gene ontology (GO) analysis of SRMS-associated immunomodulators and immune cell marker genes showed that they were mainly enriched in the immune microenvironment molecule-related signals. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of these genes indicated that they are involved in multiple cancer-related pathways.ConclusionsSRMS is a promising prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for CRC patients. In particular, SRMS regulates CRC progression by modulating cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokines, IL-17, and intestinal immune networks for IgA production signaling pathways among others. However, more studies are needed to validate these findings.
Knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City, Malawi: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Munthali Mtondera , Chiumia Isabel Kazanga , Mandiwa Chrispin , Mwale Saul 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Preconception care is one of the preventive strategies in maternal and new-born health as recommended by WHO. However, in sub-Saharan Africa there is poor preconception care practices. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age group in Mzuzu City, Malawi.

Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Selection of respondents was done through a multistage and purposive sampling techniques respectively. A total of 253 women of reproductive age from nine townships of Mzuzu City responded to the questionnaire and 20 health workers were interviewed.

Results
A total of 136 (54%) respondents had heard of preconception care. About 57.7% (n = 146) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of preconception care while 42.3% (n = 107) had poor knowledge. About 72% (n = 105) of those with good of knowledge of preconception care, lacked awareness on possibilities of talking to a health care provider on intentions of getting pregnant. About 74.7% (n = 189) of women had a positive perception towards preconception care. Knowledge of preconception care was a good predictor of positive perception (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.0), however its predictability was influenced by the academic level attained. Those with secondary (AOR = 10.2; 95% CI 3.2–26.2) and tertiary (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–4.9) were more likely to have good knowledge of preconception care than those with primary school education level. About 95% (n = 19) of health workers lacked details about preconception care but they admitted their role in preconception care.

Conclusion
Preconception care practice among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City was low. However there was positive perception towards preconception care in both parties. There is an opportunity in existing platforms for implementation of interventions targeting identified predictors for increased knowledge and uptake of preconception care.
Omitting surgery in esophageal cancer patients with complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Park Jaehyeon , Yea Ji Woon , Oh Se An , Park Jae Won 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery is a standard treatment modality for locally-advanced esophageal cancer. However, patients who achieve clinical complete response (cCR) after nCRT have been reported to have better prognosis. Further, the role of surgery in these patients is controversial. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether surgery is still useful in patients with cCR after nCRT.

Methods
We systematically reviewed the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases for studies on surgical efficacy in complete responders after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. The publication date was set to January 1, 2010–January 31, 2020. The hazard ratio (HR) and risk ratio were used to compare the 2-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), incidence of locoregional failure, distant metastasis, and treatment mortality between the nCRT and nCRT plus surgery groups.

Results
Six articles involving 609 patients were included. There was a significant benefit of nCRT for OS (HR = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.99, p = 0.04), but not for DFS (HR = 1.55, 95% CI 0.35–6.86, p = 0.56). The nCRT group tended to have lower mortality than the nCRT plus surgery group (risk ratio = 0.15, 95% CI 0.02–1.18, p = 0.07).

Conclusion
Omitting surgery provides better OS in complete responders after nCRT. Adding surgery could increase the morbidity and mortality and decrease the quality of life. Thus, nCRT alone could be a feasible approach for patients with cCR.
NMD abnormalities during brain development in the Fmr1-knockout mouse model of fragile X syndrome
Authors: Kurosaki Tatsuaki , Sakano Hitomi , Pröschel Christoph , Wheeler Jason , Hewko Alexander , Maquat Lynne E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundFragile X syndrome (FXS) is an intellectual disability attributable to loss of fragile X protein (FMRP). We previously demonstrated that FMRP binds mRNAs targeted for nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) and that FMRP loss results in hyperactivated NMD and inhibition of neuronal differentiation in human stem cells.ResultsWe show here that NMD is hyperactivated during the development of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum in theFmr1-knockout (KO) mouse during embryonic and early postnatal periods. Our findings demonstrate that NMD regulates many neuronal mRNAs that are important for mouse brain development.ConclusionsWe reveal the abnormal regulation of these mRNAs in theFmr1-KO mouse, a model of FXS, and highlight the importance of early intervention.
A community approach of pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in dogs of African Sub-Sahara
Authors: Heylen Dieter , Day Michael , Schunack Bettina , Fourie Josephus , Labuschange Michel , Johnson Sherry , Githigia Samuel Maina , Akande Foluke Adedayo , Nzalawahe Jahashi Saidi , Tayebwa Dickson Stuart , Aschenborn Ortwin , Marcondes Mary , Madder Maxime 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well-studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly in companion animals. Given the socio-economic importance of companion animals, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study.

Methods
Macro-geographic variation in ectoparasite (ticks and fleas) and pathogen communities in dogs was assessed through molecular screening of approximately 100 infested dogs in each of six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia), both in rural and urban settings. The most important intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors within the subpopulation of infested dogs were evaluated.

Results
Despite the large macro-geographic variation in the dogs screened, there was no consistent difference between East and West Africa in terms of the diversity and numbers of ticks. The highest and lowest numbers of ticks were found in Nigeria and Namibia, respectively. Most often, there was a higher diversity of ticks in rural habitats than in urban habitats, although the highest diversity was observed in an urban Uganda setting. With the exception of Namibia, more fleas were collected in rural areas. We identified tick species (including Haemaphysalis spinulosa) as well as zoonotic pathogens (Coxiella burnetti, Trypanosoma spp.) that are not classically associated with companion animals. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most abundant tick, with a preference for urban areas. Exophilic ticks, such as Haemaphysalis spp., were more often found in rural areas. Several multi-host ticks occurred in urban areas. For R. sanguineus, housing conditions and additional pets were relevant factors in terms of infestation, while for a rural tick species (Haemaphysalis elliptica), free-roaming dogs were more often infested. Tick occurrence was associated to the use of endoparasiticide, but not to the use of ectoparasiticide. The most prevalent tick-borne pathogen was Hepatozoon canis followed by Ehrlichia canis. High levels of co-parasitism were observed in all countries and habitats.

Conclusions
As dogs share a common environment with people, they have the potential to extend the network of pathogen transmission to humans. Our study will help epidemiologists to provide recommendations for surveillance and prevention of pathogens in dogs and humans.

Graphical abstract
Expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells contributes to metabolic osteoarthritis through subchondral bone remodeling
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Kirkwood Cameron L. , Sohn Jiho , Lau Ashley , Bayers-Thering Mary , Bali Supinder Kour , Rachala Sridhar , Marzo John M. , Anders Mark J. , Beier Frank , Kirkwood Keith L. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) subsequent to acute joint injury accounts for a significant proportion of all arthropathies. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of myeloid progenitor cells classically known for potent immune-suppressive activity; however, MDSCs can also differentiate into osteoclasts. In addition, this population is known to be expanded during metabolic disease. The objective of this study was to determine the role of MDSCs in the context of OA pathophysiology.

Methods
In this study, we examined the differentiation and functional capacity of MDSCs to become osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo using mouse models of OA and in MDSC quantitation in humans with OA pathology relative to obesity status.

Results
We observed that MDSCs are expanded in mice and humans during obesity. MDSCs were expanded in peripheral blood of OA subjects relative to body mass index and in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to mice fed a low-fat diet (LFD). In mice, monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) was expanded in diet-induced obesity (DIO) with a further expansion after destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce post-traumatic OA (PTOA) (compared to sham-operated controls). M-MDSCs from DIO mice had a greater capacity to form osteoclasts in culture with increased subchondral bone osteoclast number. In humans, we observed an expansion of M-MDSCs in peripheral blood and synovial fluid of obese subjects compared to lean subjects with OA.

Conclusion
These data suggest that MDSCs are reprogrammed in metabolic disease, with the potential to contribute towards OA progression and severity.
Insights from patients screened but not randomised in the HYPERION trial
Authors: Lascarrou J. B. , Muller Gregoire , Quenot Jean-Pierre , Massart Nicolas , Landais Mickael , Asfar Pierre , Frat Jean-Pierre , Chakarian Jean-Charles , Sirodot Michel , Francois Bruno , Grillet Guillaume , Vimeux Sylvie , Delahaye Arnaud , Legriel Stéphane , Thevenin Didier , Reignier Jean , Colin Gwenhael ,   for the AfterROSC Network
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Few data are available about outcomes of patients screened for, but not enrolled in, randomised clinical trials.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients who had non-inclusion criteria for the HYPERION trial comparing 33 °C to 37 °C in patients comatose after cardiac arrest in non-shockable rhythm, due to any cause. A good neurological outcome was defined as a day-90 Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2.

Results
Of the 1144 patients with non-inclusion criteria, 1130 had day-90 information and, among these, 158 (14%) had good functional outcomes, compared to 7.9% overall in the HYPERION trial (10.2% with and 5.7% without hypothermia). Considerable centre-to-centre variability was found in the proportion of non-included patients who received hypothermia (0% to 83.8%) and who had good day-90 functional outcomes (0% to 31.3%). The proportion of patients with a good day-90 functional outcome was significantly higher with than without hypothermia (18.5% vs. 11.9%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion
Our finding of better functional outcomes without than with inclusion in the HYPERION trial, despite most non-inclusion criteria being of adverse prognostic significance (e.g., long no-flow and low-flow times and haemodynamic instability), raises important questions about the choice of patient selection criteria and the applicability of trial results to everyday practice. At present, reserving hypothermia for patients without predictors of poor prognosis seems open to criticism.
Spectral line extraction based on ant-colony algorithm
Authors: Cheng Yusheng , Ma Kai , Li Haitao , Sun Shilin , Wang Yichuan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA spectral-line-extraction algorithm based on the ant-colony algorithm is proposed to address the difficulty of extracting spectral lines in low signal-to-noise ratio conditions, and the problem that results from the optimal path algorithm falls into local optimization. The algorithm applies the ant-colony path-optimization strategy to detect a spectral line and constructs a corresponding mathematical model using the grid method. A new cost function is proposed to replace path length as the optimization standard in the conventional ant-colony algorithm. At the same time, the roulette rule is used to determine the direction of the next step. This algorithm improves the traditional heuristic function, increases the attraction of the target spectral line to the route search, and improves the convergence rate. Sea-trial data show that the algorithm performs better in extracting spectral lines with a low signal-to-noise ratio than the optimal path algorithm.