bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of steatotic liver disease, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis among community-dwelling overweight and obese individuals in the USA
Authors: Yang Alexander H , Tincopa Monica A , Tavaglione Federica , Ajmera Veeral H , Richards Lisa M , Amangurbanova Maral , Butcher Christian , Hernandez Christie , Madamba Egbert , Singh Seema , Bettencourt Ricki , Schnabl Bernd , Sirlin Claude B , Loomba Rohit 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundThere are limited prospective data among overweight and obese individuals on the prevalence of advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis using advanced MRI-based methods in the USA. The aim of this study was to fill that gap in knowledge by prospectively determining the MRI-based prevalence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) and its subcategories, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis among overweight and obese individuals residing in the USA.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of prospectively enrolled overweight or obese adults aged 40–75 years from primary care and community-based settings in Southern California. Participants were classified as having SLD if MRI proton density fat fraction ≥5%, and subclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) consistently with the new nomenclature guidance per AASLD–EASL–ALEH. Advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were defined as magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) ≥3.63 kPa and MRE ≥4.67 kPa, respectively.ResultsThe cohort included 539 participants with mean (±SD) age of 51.5 (±13.1) years and body mass index of 32.6 (±6.2) kg/m2, respectively. The prevalence of SLD, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis was 75%, 10.8% and 4.5%, respectively. The prevalence of MASLD, MetALD and ALD was 67.3%, 4.8% and 2.6%, respectively. There was no difference in prevalence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis among subcategories.ConclusionsUsing advanced MRI methods among community-dwelling overweight and obese adults, the prevalence of cirrhosis was 4.5%. Most common SLD subcategory was MASLD with 67% of individuals, whereas MetALD and ALD were less common. Systematic screening for advanced fibrosis among overweight/obese adults may be considered.
Sexually transmitted infections among at-risk women in Ecuador: implications for global prevalence and testing practices for STIs detected only at the anorectum in female sex workers
Authors: Llangarí-Arizo Luz Marina , Broad Claire Elizabeth , Zhou Liqing , Martin Mateo Miguel , Moreno Cristina Izquierdo , Moreno Cevallos Marcelo , Cooper Philip J , Romero-Sandoval Natalia , Sadiq Syed Tariq 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesAnorectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such asChlamydia trachomatis(CT) andNeisseria gonorrhoeae(NG), present treatment challenges, potentially increase antibiotic resistance selection and if undetected may facilitate onward transmission. However, there are limited global prevalence data for anorectal STIs. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and risk factors of non-viral genital and extragenital STIs in female sex workers (FSW) and female non-sex workers (NSW) in Ecuador.Methods250 adult street and brothel FSWs and 250 NSWs, recruited from settlements in north-west Ecuador provided oropharyngeal and vulvo-vaginal swabs (VVS) as well as socio-demographic data. FSWs also provided anorectal swabs. PCR was used to detect CT, NG,Mycoplasma genitalium(MG) from all swabs and additionallyTrichomonas vaginalis(TV) from VVS. Risk factors were analysed using logistic regression.ResultsPrevalence of FSW vaginal, anorectal and oropharyngeal infection was 32.0% (95% CI 26.5% to 38.0%), 19.7% (95% CI 15.1% to 25.2%) and 3.2% (95% CI 1.6% to 6.2%), respectively, with most vaginal infections being TV (23.4%; 95% CI 18.5% to 29.2%). Overall FSW STI prevalence, at any anatomical site was 39.7% (95% CI 33.8% to 46.1%), with 12.1% (95% CI 8.5% to 16.9%) of infections detected only at the anorectum. Of all the CT and/or NG infections, 64.4% (95% CI 50.4% to 78.4%) were detected only at the anorectum. STI prevalence in NSWs in the vagina and oropharynx were 5.6% (95% CI 3.4% to 9.2%) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.2% to 2.9%), respectively, with most vaginal infections being MG (3.2%; 95% CI 1.6% to 6.2%). In multivariable analysis, risk factors among brothel-based FSWs for having an anorectal STI were vaginal CT, NG or MG (p<0.001), vaginal TV (p=0.029) and being ‘in a relationship’ (p=0.038).ConclusionsHigh prevalence of CT and NG detected only at the anorectum in these FSWs indicate the possibility of missing significant infections if providing only genital testing and calls for greater research into the potential impact on global STI estimates if extragenital infections among at-risk women are not identified.
Analyzing user ideologies and shared news during the 2019 argentinian elections
Authors: del Pozo Sofía M. , Pinto Sebastián , Serafino Matteo , Garcia Lucio , Makse Hernán A. , Balenzuela Pablo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe extensive data generated on social media platforms allow us to gain insights over trending topics and public opinions. Additionally, it offers a window into user behavior, including their content engagement and news sharing habits. In this study, we analyze the relationship between users’ political ideologies and the news they share during Argentina’s 2019 election period. Our findings reveal that users predominantly share news that aligns with their political beliefs, despite accessing media outlets with diverse political leanings. Moreover, we observe a consistent pattern of users sharing articles related to topics biased to their preferred candidates, highlighting a deeper level of political alignment in online discussions. We believe that this systematic analysis framework can be applied to similar scenarios in different countries, especially those marked by significant political polarization, akin to Argentina.
Tumor-Secreted Extracellular Vesicles Counteract Therapy Response by Triggering Inflammatory Mesenchymal Stem Cell Development
Authors: Massaro Crescenzo , Sensoy Hilal N. , Mulders Manon , De Schrijver Celine , Gómez-Martín Cristina , Simon Nieto Juan , Lagerweij Tonny , Atmopawiro Alisha , Pérez-Boza Jennifer , Bebelman Maarten , Bosch Leontien , Foderaro Simone , Neves Ferreira Mafalda , van Eijndhoven Monique A.J. , van Weering Jan R.T. , Dell’Aversana Carmela , Altucci Lucia , Savci-Heijink Cemile Dilara , van de Donk Niels W.C.J. , Giorgio Cristina , Brandolini Laura , Allegretti Marcello , Pegtel Dirk Michiel , Baglio Serena Rubina 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
Therapy resistance is a major clinical hurdle in bone cancer treatment and seems to be largely driven by poorly understood microenvironmental factors. Recent evidence suggests a critical role for a unique subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells with inflammatory features (iMSC), though their origin and function remained unexplored. We demonstrate that cancer-secreted extracellular vesicles (EV) trigger the development of iMSCs, which hinder therapy response in vivo, and set out to identify strategies to counteract their function.

Experimental Design:
The role of iMSCs in therapy resistance was evaluated in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of osteosarcoma. EV-induced alterations of the MSC transcriptome were analyzed and compared with single-cell RNA sequencing data of biopsies from patients with osteosarcoma and multiple myeloma. Functional assays identified EV components driving iMSC development. We assessed the efficacy of clinical drugs in blocking iMSC-induced resistance in vivo.

Results:
We found that iMSCs are induced by interaction with cancer EVs and completely abrogate the antimetastatic effect of TGFβ signaling inhibition. Importantly, EV-induced iMSCs faithfully recapitulate the inflammatory single-cell RNA signature of stromal cells enriched in biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma and osteosarcoma. Mechanistically, cancer EVs act through two distinct mechanisms. EV-associated TGFβ induces IL6 production, whereas the EV-RNA cargo enhances TLR3-mediated chemokine production. We reveal that simultaneous blockade of downstream EV-activated pathways with ladarixin and tocilizumab disrupts metastasis formation and overcomes iMSC-induced resistance.

Conclusions:
Our observations establish iMSCs as major contributors to drug resistance, reveal EVs as triggers of iMSC development, and highlight a promising combination strategy to improve therapy response in patients with bone cancer.
Inferring Characteristics of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Patients with HNSCC from Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Peripheral Blood
Authors: Cao Yingying , Chang Tiangen , Schischlik Fiorella , Wang Kun , Sinha Sanju , Hannenhalli Sridhar , Jiang Peng , Ruppin Eytan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In this study, we explore the possibility of inferring characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment from the blood. Specifically, we investigate two datasets of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with matched single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor tissues. Our analysis shows that the immune cell fractions and gene expression profiles of various immune cells within the tumor microenvironment can be inferred from the matched PBMC scRNA-seq data. We find that the established exhausted T-cell signature can be predicted from the blood and serve as a valuable prognostic blood biomarker of immunotherapy response. Additionally, our study reveals that the inferred ratio between tumor memory B- and regulatory T-cell fractions is predictive of immunotherapy response and is superior to the well-established cytolytic and exhausted T-cell signatures. These results highlight the promising potential of PBMC scRNA-seq in cancer immunotherapy and warrant, and will hopefully facilitate, further investigations on a larger scale. The code for predicting tumor immune microenvironment from PBMC scRNA-seq, TIMEP, is provided, offering other researchers the opportunity to investigate its prospective applications in various other indications.

Significance:
Our work offers a new and promising paradigm in liquid biopsies to unlock the power of blood single-cell transcriptomics in cancer immunotherapy.
Genome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Study Reveals Druggable Genes for Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Yang Xin-Zhuang , Huang Mei-Ying , Han Fei , Ni Jun , Zhou Li-Xin , Yao Ming , Zhang Ding-Ding , Zhu Yi-Cheng 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a group of neurological disorders that affect the small blood vessels within the brain, for which no effective treatments are currently available. We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to identify candidate therapeutic genes for CSVD.

METHODS:
We retrieved genome-wide association study data from 6 recently conducted, extensive investigations focusing on CSVD magnetic resonance imaging markers and performed a 2-sample MR analysis to assess the potential causal effects of gene expression and protein level within druggable genes on CSVD in blood and brain tissues. Colocalization analyses and repeat studies were undertaken to verify the relationship. Additionally, mediation analysis was conducted to explore the potential mechanisms involving druggable genes and known risk factors for CSVD. Finally, phenome-wide MR analyses were applied to evaluate the potential adverse effects related to the identified druggable genes for CSVD treatment.

RESULTS:

Overall, 5 druggable genes consistently showed associations with CSVD in MR analyses across both the discovery and validation cohorts. Notably, the
ALDH2
and
KLHL24
genes were identified as associated with CSVD in both blood and brain tissues, whereas the genes
ADRB1
,
BTN3A2
, and
EFEMP1
were exclusively detected in brain tissue. Moreover, mediation analysis elucidated the proportion of the total effects mediated by CSVD risk factors through candidate druggable genes, which ranged from 5.5% to 18.5%, and offered potential explanations for the observed results. A comprehensive phenome-wide MR analysis further emphasized both the therapeutic benefits and potential side effects of targeting these candidate druggable genes.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study provides genetic evidence supporting the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting druggable genes for treating CSVD, which will be useful for prioritizing CSVD drug development.
Prognostication Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Modified Hunt and Hess Grading Scale
Authors: Al‐Mufti Fawaz , Dicpinigaitis Alis J. , Bowers Christian A. , Claassen Jan , Park Soojin , Agarwal Sachin , Khandelwal Priyank , Qureshi Adnan I. , Majidi Shahram , Fifi Johanna T. , Lee Seon‐Kyu , Jadhav Ashutosh P. , Yaghi Shadi , Raz Eytan , Satti Sudhakar , Kamel Hooman , Merkler Alexander , Dangayach Neha S. , Siddiqui Adnan , Izzy Saef , Elijovich Lucas , Yavagal Dileep , Connolly E. Sander , Gandhi Chirag D. , MacDonald R. Loch , Mayer Stephan A. 
Published: August 2024

Background
This study proposes a modification to the traditional Hunt and Hess (tHH) grading scale for prognostication in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), which differentiates the most severe‐grade patients based on the presence or absence of brainstem dysfunction [determined by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores 3‐5].

Methods
Weighted aSAH hospitalizations were retrospectively identified in the National Inpatient Sample from 2015 to 2019 and were stratified by tHH and modified HH (mHH) grades. mHH grade 5 was defined as tHH grade 5 with GCS score 3–5, while mHH grade 4 comprised tHH grade 5 with GCS score 6–8 and tHH grade 4. HH grades 1–3 do not differ between the traditional and modified scales. Measures of diagnostic performance were compared for the primary study end point [poor outcome as determined by the previously validated NIS‐SAH Outcome Measure (NIS‐SOM), shown to have high concordance with modified Rankin Scale scores > 2]. External validation of the mHH was performed using data from a prospectively maintained aSAH registry.

Results
Among 6130 aSAH hospitalizations, 2245 (36%) were tHH grade 5. Seven hundred and eighty‐five (35%) of these had a GCS 3–5 and were designated as mHH grade 5. Poor outcomes were identified in 78% and 77% of grade 4 tHH and mHH, respectively, and in 83% and 95% of grade 5 tHH and mHH, respectively. In comparison with the tHH, the mHH achieved superior discrimination [c‐statistic 0.793 (95% CI 0.768, 0.818) versus 0.780 (95% CI 0.750, 0.807); DeLong p < 0.001] for poor outcome, as well as improved specificity (0.929 versus 0.304) and positive predictive value (PPV) (0.949 versus 0.827). External registry validation of the mHH demonstrated excellent discrimination [c‐statistic 0.835 (95% CI 0.801, 0.870)], with a specificity of 0.950 and PPV of 0.905.

Conclusion
The mHH achieved a favorable diagnostic performance profile using retrospective data and may aid in the prognostication of high‐severity patients with aSAH.
Exploring the Role of Businesses in Polycentric Climate Governance with Large-N Data Sets
Authors: Tobin Paul , Duit Andreas , Kelly Niall , Kelly Ciara 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Much existing empirical research on polycentric climate governance (PCG) systems examines small-N examples. In response, we aim to advance studies of PCG by exploring, and reflecting on, the use of large-N data sets for analyzing PCG. We use Python (a programming language) to create a novel data set from the United Nations’ Global Climate Action Portal. This method allows us to quantify key variables for 12,568 businesses located in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries: the number of businesses’ climate commitments, their progress toward meeting those commitments, and businesses’ memberships in “more polycentric” networks via transnational climate initiatives (TCIs). Our analysis of these data reveals that greater interconnectedness may strengthen climate policy performance, since businesses with memberships in TCIs more commonly achieved their commitments. Additional research using these data, and/or similar methods, could be conducted on climate governance and on other areas of international environmental governance, such as mining and oil production.
The Weight of Beastly Traits: Biopolitics and Imaginations around Wild Boar Hunting in Uruguay
Authors: Dabezies Juan Martin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This article explores the concept of wild boars as beasts of the Anthropocene by examining their physicality and the policies focused on controlling their populations. Considering the labeling and perception of the species as a beast, the study investigates the sociopolitical implications of such categorization. Specifically, it examines how wild boars have been described and portrayed as intimidating, dangerous, and threatening within Uruguay’s hunting and conservation communities. By analyzing the processes that frame the lives of wild boars and render them legitimate targets of eradication, this article sheds light on the semiotics and naming of wild boars’ changing corporeality throughout history. It reveals how the hunting community motivates their practices by portraying themselves as guardians of biodiversity and agricultural production rather than mere leisure hunters. I argue that the notion of beastliness is instrumental in wildlife management strategies employed for wild boars.
Historical A Priori as Form of Life: The Rationality of Social Practices in Foucault’s Archaeology in terms of Wittgensteinian Criteria
Authors: Gürsoy Özgür 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The concept of rule permeates Foucault’s methodological formulations concerning the object of his investigation, but he offers few explicit discussions of the epistemological status of such rules. My claim is that the explication of Foucauldian rules in terms of Wittgensteinian criteria clarifies their epistemological status, and thereby enables one to formulate a novel conception of the historical a priori, one that is defensible against recurrent objections which charge that Foucault’s theoretical reflections confuse concepts that are distinct. Foucault and Wittgenstein are best seen as articulating a sense of intelligibility in which forms are integral to content and meaning is not abstracted from social practices. ‘Form of life’ increases the conceptual cogency of ‘historical a priori,’ whereas the latter delineates what it would be like to take the former’s historicity seriously.
Nutritional and antioxidant properties of two species of edible scarab beetles (Cetonia aurata and Oryctes rhinoceros)
Authors: Mwanza S.S. , Mudalungu C.M. , Kimani N.M. , Mokaya H.O. , Ochieng B.O. , Juma S. , Tanga C.M. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Edible scarab beetles are important repositories for nutritive and bioactive compounds, but this information remains largely unexplored. This study explored the nutritional and therapeutic properties of two edible scarab beetles from three different locations (Embu, Murang’a and Nairobi Counties) in Kenya. Morphological and molecular characterization of the wild collected larvae revealed two important edible beetle species (Cetonia aurata L. and Oryctes rhinoceros L.). The larvae of both species are excellent source of crude proteins (44% for O. rhinoceros and 63% for C. aurata). The larvae of O. rhinoceros were rich in minerals, particularly calcium (15.75-22.65 mg/g) and potassium (13.62-22.88 mg/g). The anti-radical activity of C. aurata larvae ranged between 91% and 92% across the various target sites. Lysine was the most important and abundant amino acid in both larvae (>5 mg/g). The larvae of C. aurata and O. rhinoceros are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids like Methyl-8Z, 11Z, 14Z-eicosatrienoate (32 mg/g) and Methyl-9Z-octadecenoate (9.47-120.84 mg/g). The entomochemicals of phenolic nature derived from the beetle larvae portray a unique opportunity to supply and improve high quality nutritious food with enhanced ability to get-rid of free radicals, thus promoting good health and well-being of the consumers. Future development of foods supplemented with scarab beetle larvae derived products must consider the preservation of potential benefits of not only nutrients, but also nutraceuticals. However, in-depth research is still needed to guarantee the bioactivity in processed foods and ensure quality control test before the release of these products to the market.
3. Globality
Authors: Tumino Stephen 
Published: August 2024

Chapter Three ("Globality") contests the discourse of neoliberal globalization that has been endlessly repeated across the political spectrum over the past 40 years from the left as much as the right, in the academy as much as in the mainstream media: the claim that the world has entered a "post- class" moment in which class struggle is over because of the new "knowledge" economy and all that is left is to make do with capitalism. In this familiar story, cultural changes like the Internet and the new eco-friendly lifestyle politics are supposed to have empowered the people against totalitarian power by decentering and deregulating their lives so that they can find freedom in the local and everyday, the sphere of consumption, rather than, as in the past, through class struggle over the socio-economic conditions of production. I argue that what recent changes in global media and culture did in fact produce was a "cyber" imaginary that hides from view the class conflict in global capitalism so as to normalize the exploitation of wage-labor by capital that is at the center of capitalism. To support my claim I consider the social uprisings in Argentina, Venezuela and Peru in 2001 and argue that what they showed is that the only alternative to the extreme social inequality and instability of global capitalism is revolutionary class struggle. I then lay bare how this basic truth of Marxism is covered up by a thick layer of mystification by the corporate media through a variety of relays and mediations. Central to the ideological work of giving global capitalism the face of freedom by covering up its basic class inequality and what it makes necessary is Hardt and Negri's manifesto of the new capitalism (Empire), which for this reason was made an academic "best seller" and celebrated by such official organs of finance capital as The New York Times and Charlie Rose as "the next big thing." Calling the book "the next big thing" simply affirms the central premise of Empire that "imperialism is over" (Hardt and Negri 2000, xiv). It has been displaced by "empire": a "new form of sovereignty" (xi), where cyber-labor "creates the very world it inhabits" (xv).
Keywords: Negri; affective labor; Empire; Lenin; imperialism; globalization; Argentina; Latin America.