bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-cell characterization of macrophages in glioblastoma reveals MARCO as a mesenchymal pro-tumor marker
Authors: Chen Andrew X. , Gartrell Robyn D. , Zhao Junfei , Upadhyayula Pavan S. , Zhao Wenting , Yuan Jinzhou , Minns Hanna E. , Dovas Athanassios , Bruce Jeffrey N. , Lasorella Anna , Iavarone Antonio , Canoll Peter , Sims Peter A. , Rabadan Raul 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Macrophages are the most common infiltrating immune cells in gliomas and play a wide variety of pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles. However, the different subpopulations of macrophages and their effects on the tumor microenvironment remain poorly understood.

Methods
We combined new and previously published single-cell RNA-seq data from 98,015 single cells from a total of 66 gliomas to profile 19,331 individual macrophages.

Results
Unsupervised clustering revealed a pro-tumor subpopulation of bone marrow-derived macrophages characterized by the scavenger receptor MARCO, which is almost exclusively found in IDH1-wild-type glioblastomas. Previous studies have implicated MARCO as an unfavorable marker in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer; here, we find that bulk MARCO expression is associated with worse prognosis and mesenchymal subtype. Furthermore, MARCO expression is significantly altered over the course of treatment with anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors in a response-dependent manner, which we validate with immunofluorescence imaging.

Conclusions
These findings illustrate a novel macrophage subpopulation that drives tumor progression in glioblastomas and suggest potential therapeutic targets to prevent their recruitment.
Liver development is restored by blastocyst complementation of HHEX knockout in mice and pigs
Authors: Ruiz-Estevez M. , Crane A. T. , Rodriguez-Villamil P. , Ongaratto F. L. , You Yun , Steevens A. R. , Hill C. , Goldsmith T. , Webster D. A. , Sherry L. , Lim S. , Denman N. , Low W. C. , Carlson D. F. , Dutton J. R. , Steer C. J. , Gafni O. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
There are over 17,000 patients in the US waiting to receive liver transplants, and these numbers are increasing dramatically. Significant effort is being made to obtain functional hepatocytes and liver tissue that can for therapeutic use in patients. Blastocyst complementation is a challenging, innovative technology that could fundamentally change the future of organ transplantation. It requires the knockout (KO) of genes essential for cell or organ development in early stage host embryos followed by injection of donor pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into host blastocysts to generate chimeric offspring in which progeny of the donor cells populate the open niche to develop functional tissues and organs.

Methods
The HHEX gene is necessary for proper liver development. We engineered loss of HHEX gene expression in early mouse and pig embryos and performed intraspecies blastocyst complementation of HHEX KO embryos with eGFP-labeled PSCs in order to rescue the loss of liver development.

Results
Loss of HHEX gene expression resulted in embryonic lethality at day 10.5 in mice and produced characteristics of lethality at day 18 in pigs, with absence of liver tissue in both species. Analyses of mouse and pig HHEX KO fetuses confirmed significant loss of liver-specific gene and protein expression. Intraspecies blastocyst complementation restored liver formation and liver-specific proteins in both mouse and pig. Livers in complemented chimeric fetuses in both species were comprised of eGFP-labeled donor-derived cells and survived beyond the previously observed time of HHEX KO embryonic lethality.

Conclusions
This work demonstrates that loss of liver development in the HHEX KO can be rescued via blastocyst complementation in both mice and pigs. This complementation strategy is the first step towards generating interspecies chimeras for the goal of producing human liver cells, tissues, and potentially complete organs for clinical transplantation.
Linking changes of forage production and digestibility with grassland community assembly under nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Lü Xiao-Tao , Liu Zhuo-Yi , Sistla Seeta , Yang Guo-Jiao , Hu Yan-Yu , Zhang Zhi-Wei , Hou Shuang-Li , Ding Cong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Forage production is the fundamental ecosystem service of grasslands. Although forage consumption occurs at community level, most studies focused on species-level changes of forage quality. The quantitative and qualitative changes of forage production are driven by species-specific trait, intra-specific plasticity, and species turnover. We examined the changes in forage production and digestibility after 5-year factorial treatments of nitrogen (N) addition and mowing in a temperate steppe and linked such changes to community assembly under the Price equation framework.

Results
Nitrogen addition significantly reduced species richness, increased forage production, but did not change forage digestibility (indicated by the total Ca+Mg concentrations). Mowing did not affect forage production and digestibility. The positive effects of N addition on forage production were driven by the enhancement of abundance of the remaining species following N enrichment, rather than by species loss or species gain. The species identity effects could offset the effects of species richness loss or gain on forage production and digestibility.

Conclusions
Our results highlight the importance of a community perspective in addressing the quantitative and qualitative changes of forage production under global change pressure of N enrichment. Species identity is important in determining the contribution of different processes of community assembly to ecosystem services.
The Compendium of U.S. jails: creating and conducting research with the first comprehensive contact database of U.S. jails
Authors: Foudray Chelsea M. A. , Kramer Camille , Rudes Danielle S. , Sufrin Carolyn , Burr Eliza , Parayil Trisha 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Millions of people pass through U.S. jails annually. Conducting research about these public institutions is critical to understanding on-the-ground policies and practices, especially health care services, affecting millions of people. However, there is no existing database of the number, location, or contact information of jails. We created the National Jails Compendium to address this gap. In this paper, we detail our comprehensive methodology for identifying jail locations and contact information. We then describe the first research project to use the Compendium, a survey assessing jails’ treatment practices for incarcerated pregnant people with opioid use disorder.

Results
This study sent surveys electronically or in paper form to all 2986 jails in the Compendium, with 1139 surveys returned. We outline the process for using the Compendium, highlighting challenges in reaching contacts through case examples, cataloging responses and non-responses, and defining what counts as a jail.

Conclusion
We aim to provide tools for future researchers to use the Compendium as well as a pathway for keeping it current. The Compendium provides transparency that aids in understanding jail policies and practices. Such information may help devise interventions to ensure humane, evidence-based treatment of incarcerated people.
The fermentation characteristics of Sparassis crispa polysaccharides and their effects on the intestinal microbes in mice
Authors: Liu Meng-yang , Yun Shao-jun , Cao Jin-ling , Cheng Feier , Chang Ming-chang , Meng Jun-long , Liu Jing-yu , Cheng Yan-fen , Xu Li-jing , Geng Xue-ran , Feng Cui-ping 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Sparassis crispa polysaccharides (SCPs) have multiple pharmacological activities. Fermentation characteristics of SCPs and its effects on the intestinal microbes in mice remain inconclusive.

Results
In this study, SCPs were fermented by the human feces and used to administer the Kunming mice to explore the fermentation characteristics of SCPs in the intestinal tract and the effects on the intestinal microbes in mice. Results from in vitro experiments revealed that SCPs were utilized by intestinal microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The specific monosaccharide composition of SCPs determines which SCFAs are produced. Furthermore, the colon index and villi length of the SCPs-treated mice were significantly higher compared with the control group. In addition, SCPs exhibited beneficial effect on the relative abundance and diversity of dominant bacteria in the intestinal tract, such as increasing Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and up-regulating SCFA-producing bacteria, including Bacteroidales_S24-7_group, Alloprevotella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Butyricimonas, Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Oscillibacter. SCPs increased the abundance of genes in carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism.

Conclusion
Our results indicate SCPs can improve the physiological indices of the colon in mice, which is likely to be associated with the increase in the relative abundance and diversity of SCFA-producing bacteria and SCFAs level produced by intestinal microbiota.

Graphic abstract
Use of triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) as a treatment for recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS in poor candidates for revision surgery
Authors: ElSheikh Mohamed M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps recurs frequently after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), with resultant poor quality of life with persistence of nasal obstruction, sinus aches, and discharge as well anosmia and dysgysia; revision FESS is usually the treatment of choice referred to relief patients’ suffering, yet it is not always the case, patients preference as well as fitness for general hypotensive anesthesia, patients age, cardiopulmonary status, and concurrent bronchial asthma might render unfit for an elective procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) as a treatment for recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS in poor candidates for revision surgery.

Results
Thirty patients suffering from recurrent sinonasal polyposis after single or multiple FESS procedures were selected; all patients were subjected to intranasal application of gelfoam soaked with triamcinolone as a conservative medical office procedure using triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) weekly for a period of 8 weeks followed by intranasal steroid nasal spray for maintenance and as anti-recurrence measure. Patients were followed up for 4 months post-intervention; Meltzer Clinical Scoring System was used to analyze the patients’ pre- and post-intervention via office endoscopy (0° 4-mm Hopkins endoscope). All patients tolerated the procedure well. The study group showed no statistical significance pre-intervention which comprised 17 (56.7%) patients with grade 4 sinonasal polyposis extent and 13 (43.3%) patients with grade 3 sinonasal polyposis extent (P=0.795), denoting no difference between patients pending treatment option. Post-treatment, both groups showed a significant reduction in the extent of polyposis (P<0.001) where post-treatment showed 21 (70%) patients with grades 0 no polyps and 9 (30%) patients with grade 1 sinonasal polyposis extent.

Conclusion
Triamcinolone-soaked gelfoam packing is an effective and safe method for managing recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS. Intervention contributed to a successful result, decreased the need for surgery in poor candidates for hypotensive anesthesia, and could be used as a sole treatment of recurrent sinonasal polypsis in elderly patients whose general condition could not tolerate invasive procedures.
Survival in Cervical Cancer and Its Predictors at Ocean Road Cancer Institute From January to December 2012
Authors: Khamis Salama Iddy , Mrema Alita S. , Katanga Johnson , Lugina Emmanuel L. 
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE In Tanzania, cancer of cervix is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. There are very little data about survival of patients with cervical cancer after treatment in Tanzania. The aims of this study were to determine 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and its predictors among patients with cervical cancer treated at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from January to December 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was retrospective study done at ORCI by reviewing medical charts of 202 patients with cervical cancer treated at ORCI from January to December 2012. A structured questionnaire was used to extract information about characteristics of the respondents. Survival curves were estimated by using Kaplan-Meir analysis and were compared by using log-rank test. RESULTS The 5-year OS rate was 26%. The mean and median survival times were 33.9 and 19 months, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with 5-year OS rate include the hemoglobin level more than 9 g/dL at presentation, early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage at presentation, high dose of radiotherapy, and use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Histology type and HIV status were not associated with survival. CONCLUSION The 5-year overall survival rate was 26%. Predictors of OS were hemoglobin level, stage at presentation, radiotherapy dose, and the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Utilization of Systemic Therapy in Patients With Cancer Near the End of Life in the Pre- Versus Postimmune Checkpoint Inhibitor Eras
Authors: Khaki Ali Raza , Chennupati Shasank , Fedorenko Catherine , Li Li , Sun Qin , Grivas Petros , Ramsey Scott D. , Schwartz Stephen M. , Shankaran Veena 
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE: Systemic therapy use in the last 30 days of life (DOL) for patients with advanced cancer is a low-value medical practice. We hypothesized that systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL increased after approval of antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and has contributed to increased health care utilization and spending. METHODS: We investigated the change in prevalence of any systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL among patients with advanced solid tumors in the 4 years before and after antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 ICI approval in 2014. We used cases from the Western Washington Cancer Surveillance System linked to commercial and Medicare insurance. We calculated the difference in prevalence between the pre- and post-ICI periods. We also calculated the annual prevalence of any systemic therapy and ICI use in the last 30 DOL and measured health care utilization (emergency department visits and hospitalizations) and costs during the last 30 DOL. RESULTS: Eight thousand eight hundred seventy-one patients (median age 73 years) were included; 34% and 66% in the pre-and post-ICI period, respectively. Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL was lower in the post-ICI versus pre-ICI period (12.4% v 14.4%; difference −2.0% [95% CI, −3.5 to −0.5]). The annual prevalence of systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL also declined, although ICI use rose. Patients treated with ICIs in last 30 DOL had more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and higher costs. CONCLUSION: Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL was lower in the period after ICI approval. However, ICI use rose over time and had higher utilization and costs in the last 30 DOL. Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL warrants monitoring, especially as more ICI indications are approved.
Normal Adrenal and Thyroid Function in Patients Who Survive COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Clarke Sophie A , Phylactou Maria , Patel Bijal , Mills Edouard G , Muzi Beatrice , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Choudhury Sirazum , Khoo Bernard , Meeran Karim , Comninos Alexander N , Abbara Ali , Tan Tricia , Dhillo Waljit S 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Context
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exert an immense burden on global health services. Moreover, up to 63% of patients experience persistent symptoms, including fatigue, after acute illness. Endocrine systems are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 as many glands express the ACE2 receptor, used by the SARS-CoV-2 virion for cellular access. However, the effects of COVID-19 on adrenal and thyroid gland function after acute COVID-19 remain unknown.

Objective
Our objectives were to evaluate adrenal and thyroid gland function in COVID-19 survivors.

Methods
A prospective, observational study was undertaken at the Clinical Research Facility, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, including 70 patients ≥18 years of age, at least 3 months after diagnosis of COVID-19. Participants attended a research study visit (8:00-9:30 am), during which a short Synacthen test (250 µg IV bolus) and thyroid function assessments were performed.

Results
All patients had a peak cortisol ≥450 nmol/L after Synacthen, consistent with adequate adrenal reserve. Basal and peak serum cortisol did not differ according to disease severity or history of dexamethasone treatment during COVID-19. There was no difference in baseline or peak cortisol after Synacthen or in thyroid function tests, or thyroid status, in patients with fatigue (n = 44) compared to those without (n = 26).

Conclusion
Adrenal and thyroid function ≥3 months after presentation with COVID-19 was preserved. While a significant proportion of patients experienced persistent fatigue, their symptoms were not accounted for by alterations in adrenal or thyroid function. These findings have important implications for the clinical care of patients after COVID-19.
A hub-and-spoke nuclear lamina architecture in trypanosomes
Authors: Padilla-Mejia Norma E. , Koreny Ludek , Holden Jennifer , Vancová Marie , Lukeš Julius , Zoltner Martin , Field Mark C. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
The nuclear lamina supports many functions, including maintaining nuclear structure and gene expression control, and correct spatio-temporal assembly is vital to meet these activities. Recently, multiple lamina systems have been described that, despite independent evolutionary origins, share analogous functions. In trypanosomatids the two known lamina proteins, NUP-1 and NUP-2, have molecular masses of 450 and 170 kDa, respectively, which demands a distinct architecture from the ∼60 kDa lamin-based system of metazoa and other lineages. To uncover organizational principles for the trypanosome lamina we generated NUP-1 deletion mutants to identify domains and their arrangements responsible for oligomerization. We found that both the N- and C-termini act as interaction hubs, and that perturbation of these interactions impacts additional components of the lamina and nuclear envelope. Furthermore, the assembly of NUP-1 terminal domains suggests intrinsic organizational capacity. Remarkably, there is little impact on silencing of telomeric variant surface glycoprotein genes. We suggest that both terminal domains of NUP-1 have roles in assembling the trypanosome lamina and propose a novel architecture based on a hub-and-spoke configuration.
ANALYSIS OF MARKETING STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE HOME FURNITURE INDUSTRY BY APPLYING ANP: A CASE STUDY OF THE IRANIAN HOME FURNITURE INDUSTRY
Authors: Azizi Majid , Mansouri Hamzehali 
Published: May 2021

This study was carried out because of the lack of research on strategic planning in Iran's home furniture market. Accordingly, in this study, we developed a decision-making model to select the best solution for strategic planning in the industry. After determining the strategic criteria or factors affecting the developed model, the control criteria of four merits or subsets of competencies were identified. To determine all the effective factors in the model, the sub-criteria of four control criteria and their connections were identified. The following four possibilities were considered as potential solutions: entrance to a foreign market (S1), increase portfolio (S2), emphasis on scientific management of mixing elements of marketing (S3), and generate research and development units (S4). The Analytic Network Process (ANP) and the Super Decisions software were used to synthesize and analyze the model. It was found that all calculated decisions were influenced by the strategic criteria. A value-weighted competency model was calculated in the first stage with the influence of strategic criteria on the competency model. Hierarchical design decisions were made for each of the competencies and their subsets (144 sub-criteria and 22 middle indices). Paired comparison matrices associated with the degree of the importance of each of the competencies were achieved in the second stage. In the final stage, subsets of the competency weights and their sub-options were identified with the combination of the competencies and the best solution was obtained.
Iron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Mantey Afua Afreh , Annan Reginald Adjetey , Lutterodt Herman Erick , Twumasi Peter 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundGood nutritional status of school-aged children is crucial in achieving improved cognition. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between nutritional status and cognition of school-aged children in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.Methods389 children were selected from ten government-owned schools. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients levels. Dietary intakes were assessed using food frequency questionnaire and previous day’s nutrients intake. Cognition test was performed using the Ravens Colored Progressive Matrix (RCPM).ResultsMean age of participants was 8.9±1.4 years, mean RCPM score was 17.9±5.4. More girls scored RCPM below the 40thpercentile (45.5%) than boys (33.7%), while mother’s level of education significantly associated with RCPM percentiles of the children (p = 0.037). Four dietary patterns were generated from food frequency data, and scores of the second pattern, depicting vegetables, non-fruits, bread and cereals, showed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.132, p = 0.026) with previous day’s dietary zinc intake. Cognitive status did not vary by anthropometric and dietary patterns. More anemic (54.4%) than non-anemic (33.3%) children were below the 40thRCPM percentile. Mean previous day’s intake for folate (p<0.001), vitamin B6(p = 0.018), iron (p<0.001), and zinc (p = 0.001) differed significantly between the cognitive test score percentiles of the children. Spearman rank correlation showed weak positive associations between RCPM score and hemoglobin (r = 0.246, p = 0.003) and serum ferritin (r = 0.176, p = 0.036). Binary regression analysis showed anemic children (aOR = 0.4; 95%CI = 0.2–0.8, p = 0.014), compared with non-anemic had decreased odds, while boys, compared with girls had increased odds (aOR = 2.0 95%CI = 1.0–4.0, p = 0.035) for scoring above the 50thRCPM percentile.ConclusionsIron status, especially hemoglobin levels, correlated with the cognitive performance of school-aged children in the metropolis. Thus nutritional strategies aimed at reducing iron deficiency anemia are needed.