bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Localized hydrogel delivery of dendritic cells for attenuation of multiple sclerosis in a murine model
Authors: Thomas Aline M. , Beskid Nicholas M. , Blanchfield Jennifer L. , Rosado Aaron M. , García Andrés J. , Evavold Brian D. , Babensee Julia E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn multiple sclerosis (MS), abnormally activated immune cells responsive to myelin proteins result in widespread damage throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and ultimately irreversible disability. Immunomodulation by delivering dendritic cells (DCs) utilizes a potent and rapid MS disease progression driver therapeutically. Here, we investigated delivering DCs for disease severity attenuation using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis preclinical MS model. DCs treated with interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) (DC10s) were transplanted using in situ gelling poly(ethylene glycol)‐based hydrogel for target site localization. DC delivery increased hydrogel longevity and altered the injection site recruited, endogenous immune cell profile within 2 days postinjection. Furthermore, hydrogel‐mediated DC transplantation efficacy depended on the injection‐site. DCs delivered to the neck local to MS‐associated CNS‐draining cervical lymph nodes attenuated paralysis, compared to untreated controls, while delivery to the flank did not alter paralysis severity. This study demonstrates that local delivery of DC10s modulates immune cell recruitment and attenuates disease progression in a preclinical model of MS.
Making power explicit: Using values and power mapping to guide power‐diverse Participatory Action Research processes
Authors: Littman Danielle M. , Bender Kimberly , Mollica Meredith , Erangey James , Lucas Tom , Marvin Connor 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimsParticipatory action research (PAR) is a research methodology that uses collective and endemic knowledge to inform action and address social concerns. The aim of this study was to understand how one PAR team (comprised of university and community researchers) navigated power dynamics, especially considering the team's power differentials.MethodsDrawing upon phenomenological and case study methodologies, this qualitative study used loosely structured interviews and journaling with all members of the PAR team (N = 5) to explore explored how the team navigated power throughout the PAR process.FindingsThis study found that PAR team members navigated the PAR process using values as a constant guide, especially in negotiating power and resource realities and when distinguishing equity from equality.ConclusionThis paper offers a set of power and values mapping practices which may guide power‐diverse PAR teams by addressing power and values realities in their own unique and contextually bound PAR processes.
Towards an innovative combined process coupling biodegradation and photo‐oxidation for the removal of pharmaceutical residues
Authors: Joannis‐Cassan Claire , Rodriguez Castillo Alfredo S , Dezani Chloé , Gómez‐Canela Cristian , Reoyo‐Prats Brice , Calas‐Blanchard Carole , Barata Carlos , Lacorte Silvia , Plantard Gaël 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater has become a major concern for human health and the environment. Therefore, it is an important challenge to improve conventional wastewater treatment to remove these compounds. Coupling biological treatment with advanced oxidation technology has been widely studied in the literature, but only sequential associations of the two processes have been used. This study proposes an innovative concept based on a real integration of the photocatalytic oxidation process in a continuous recycling loop on a membrane bioreactor. The role of the oxidation here is not to completely degrade pharmaceuticals, but instead to oxidize them moderately to increase their biodegradability so that they can be eliminated by the biological process.RESULTSPreliminary experiments on the oxidation process indicated that a flux density of 5 W m−2 was sufficient to increase biodegradability and decrease the toxicity of a cocktail of three pharmaceuticals. Then the performance of a 20‐L continuous membrane bioreactor treating wastewater with seven pharmaceuticals, without and with pre‐oxidation at 5 W m−2, were compared. Pre‐oxidation increased the global removal for some recalcitrant pharmaceuticals (from 3% to 47% for diclofenac and from 1% to 44% for furosemide) without affecting either the removal of carbon, nitrogen or phosphorous by activated sludge, or of already highly removed pharmaceuticals.CONCLUSIONThis work proves the feasibility of an innovative concept of a continuous hybrid process coupling a photocatalytic oxidation process and a membrane bioreactor for the treatment of pharmaceuticals in wastewater, with low cost and size. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on bone mineral density among Thai youth using daily HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Pornpaisalsakul Krittaporn , Songtaweesin Wipaporn Natalie , Tepmongkol Supatporn , Wongharn Prissana , Kawichai Surinda , Suponsilchai Vichit , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Puthanakit Thanyawee ,   the CE‐PID – IHRI Adolescent Study Team
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionTenofovir disoproxil fumarate with emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is used for HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). TDF may affect bone mineral density (BMD), particularly in youth who are at a stage of peak bone mass accrual. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on BMD among Thai youth receiving daily oral PrEP.MethodsThis open‐label randomized trial was conducted in male youth aged between 15 and 24 years. Participants were randomized to Arm A who received once‐daily TDF/FTC plus vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation with meals twice daily (400 units of vitamin D3 and 1200 mg of elemental calcium/day) or Arm B who received once‐daily TDF/FTC only. PrEP users were defined as taking at least two tablets/week (tenofovir‐diphosphate level of >350 fmol/punch). Adherence to vitamin D/calcium supplementation was defined as self‐reported adherence of >50%. Lumbar spine (L2‐L4) BMD (LSBMD) was evaluated by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan zero and six months after PrEP initiation.ResultsFrom March 2019 to March 2020, 100 youth were enrolled. Baseline characteristics between the two arms were similar. Median (IQR) age was 18 (17 to 20) years. At entry, median (IQR) LSBMD z‐score was −0.8 (−1.5 to −0.3), 17% had low LSBMD (Z‐score < −2). The median amount of calcium intake from nutritional three‐day recall was 167 (IQR 94 to 272) mg/day, 39% of participants had vitamin D deficiency, defined as 25(OH)D levels <20 IU/mL. At six months, 79 participants were evaluated. Of these, 42 (52%) were PrEP takers and 25 of 38 (66%) of arm A participants had good adherence to vitamin D/calcium supplementation. Significantly higher proportions of youth in arm A compared to arm B had >3% increase in LSBMD at month 6 compared to baseline (67.6% vs. 42.9% respectively; p = 0.03). There were significantly higher increases in LSBMD among youth with vitamin D deficiency who were supplemented; arm A + 0.05 (0 to 0.05) compared to arm B + 0.03 (−0.1 to 0.03), p = 0.04.ConclusionsIncreases in LSBMD over six months among youth using PrEP who received vitamin D/calcium supplementation was greater than those not supplemented. Long‐term follow‐up should be considered to explore long‐term outcomes.
Functional selective FPR1 signaling in favor of an activation of the neutrophil superoxide generating NOX2 complex
Authors: Lind Simon , Dahlgren Claes , Holmdahl Rikard , Olofsson Peter , Forsman Huamei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The formyl peptide receptors FPR1 and FPR2 are abundantly expressed by neutrophils, in which they regulate proinflammatory tissue recruitment of inflammatory cells, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and resolution of inflammatory reactions. The unique dual functionality of the FPRs makes them attractive targets to develop FPR-based therapeutics as novel anti-inflammatory treatments. The small compound RE-04-001 has earlier been identified as an inducer of ROS in differentiated HL60 cells but the precise target and the mechanism of action of the compound was has until now not been elucidated. In this study, we reveal that RE-04-001 specifically targets and activates FPR1, and the concentrations needed to activate the neutrophil NADPH-oxidase was very low (EC50 ∼1 nM). RE-04-001 was also found to be a neutrophil chemoattractant, but when compared to the prototype FPR1 agonist N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF), the concentrations required were comparably high, suggesting that signaling downstream of the RE-04-001-activated-FPR1 is functionally selective. In addition, the RE-04-001-induced response was strongly biased toward the PLC-PIP2-Ca2+ pathway and ERK1/2 activation but away from β-arrestin recruitment. Compared to the peptide agonist fMLF, RE-04-001 is more resistant to inactivation by the MPO-H2O2-halide system. In summary, this study describes RE-04-001 as a novel small molecule agonist specific for FPR1, which displays a biased signaling profile that leads to a functional selective activating of human neutrophils. RE-04-001 is, therefore, a useful tool, not only for further mechanistic studies of the regulatory role of FPR1 in inflammation in vitro and in vivo, but also for developing FPR1-specific drug therapeutics.
Mycobacterium lepraeinduces a tolerogenic profile in monocyte-derived dendritic cells via TLR2 induction of IDO
Authors: Oliveira Jéssica A P , Gandini Mariana , Sales Jorgenilce S , Fujimori Sérgio K , Barbosa Mayara G M , Frutuoso Valber S , Moraes Milton O , Sarno Euzenir N , Pessolani Maria C V , Pinheiro Roberta O 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe enzyme IDO-1 is involved in the first stage of tryptophan catabolism and has been described in both microbicidal and tolerogenic microenvironments. Previous data from our group have shown that IDO-1 is differentially regulated in the distinctive clinical forms of leprosy. The present study aims to investigate the mechanisms associated with IDO-1 expression and activity in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mDCs) after stimulation with irradiated Mycobacterium leprae and its fractions. M. leprae and its fractions induced the expression and activity of IDO-1 in human mDCs. Among the stimuli studied, irradiated M. leprae and its membrane fraction (MLMA) induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 whereas irradiated M. leprae and its cytosol fraction (MLSA) induced an increase in IL-10. We investigated if TLR2 activation was necessary for IDO-1 induction in mDCs. We observed that in cultures treated with a neutralizing anti-TLR2 antibody, there was a decrease in IDO-1 activity and expression induced by M. leprae and MLMA. The same effect was observed when we used a MyD88 inhibitor. Our data demonstrate that coculture of mDCs with autologous lymphocytes induced an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cell frequency in MLSA-stimulated cultures, showing that M. leprae constituents may play opposite roles that may possibly be related to the dubious effect of IDO-1 in the different clinical forms of disease. Our data show that M. leprae and its fractions are able to differentially modulate the activity and functionality of IDO-1 in mDCs by a pathway that involves TLR2, suggesting that this enzyme may play an important role in leprosy immunopathogenesis.
C‐reactive protein levels are associated with periodontitis and periodontal inflamed surface area in adults with end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Schöffer Caroline , Oliveira Leandro Machado , Santi Samantha Simoni , Antoniazzi Raquel Pippi , Zanatta Fabricio Batistin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have shown the relationship between periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease, but there is little evidence to assess the impact of the amount of inflamed periodontal tissue on the levels of systemic inflammatory markers. So the aim of this study is determine the association between high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and both periodontitis and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) in adults with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD).MethodsCross‐sectional study was conducted with 176 adults with ESRD on regular hemodialysis. The participants were submitted to a full‐mouth periodontal examination to determine the occurrence of periodontitis and PISA. Regression analysis was performed to test the independent association between periodontal conditions and serum hsCRP levels.ResultsA total of 98.9% of the participants had periodontitis, with stages III and IV found in 26.1% and 52.9%, respectively. Mean hsCRP and PISA was 6.57 (SD: 6.03) mg/L and 217.15 (SD: 271.50), respectively. In the adjusted analysis, mean serum hsCRP levels were significantly higher in patients with stage III and IV generalized periodontitis compared with no/localized/generalized stages I‐II (7.67 mg/L versus 5.72 mg/L, P = 0.028). After adjustments for confounding variables, individuals with PISA >490.56 mm2 (85th percentile) had a 3.26‐fold greater chance of having hsCRP above 5 mg/L than their counterparts (OR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.25 to 8.49).ConclusionThe inflammatory burden imposed by periodontitis can increase serum hsCRP levels in adults with end‐stage renal disease.
The role of PHF8 and TLR4 in osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells in inflammatory environment
Authors: Liu Zhao , He Yiheng , Xu Chenrong , Li Jianjia , Zeng Shuguang , Yang Xi , Han Qianqian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundHistone methylation is considered to play an important role in the occurrence and development of periodontitis. Plant homeodomain finger protein 8 (PHF8), a histone demethylase, has been shown to regulate inflammation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). This study aimed to detect the functions of PHF8 and TLR4 in osteogenic differentiation in an inflammatory environment induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg‐LPS)MethodsA periodontitis mouse model was established, and the mice were treated with TAK‐242. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of PHF8 in periodontal tissue. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) were treated with mineralization induction medium supplemented with Pg‐LPS and/or TAK‐242, and a Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of PDLCs. Real‐time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively, of PHF8, toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the other osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), Special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 2 (Satb2) and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2)ResultsPeriodontitis reduced PHF8 expression in periodontal tissue, and TAK‐242 partially reversed this downregulation. An in vitro experiment revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of PHF8 were significantly upregulated during the osteogenic differentiation of PDLCs. Alizarin red staining showed that the mineralized nodules of PDLCs in osteogenic induction group were more than those in control group. Real‐time PCR and western blot results indicated that Pg‐LPS inhibited PHF8 expression and upregulated TLR4 expression in PDLCs. TAK‐242 inhibited TLR4 and partially reversed the inhibition of PHF8 expression and osteogenic differentiation induced by Pg‐LPS in PDLCsConclusionPHF8 and TLR4 play important roles in periodontitis. Pg‐LPS inhibits the expression of PHF8 via upregulation of TLR4 and might further inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of PDLCs. However, the specific mechanisms involved remain to be explored.
Actualistic taphonomy of barn owl pellet‐derived small mammal bone accumulations in arid environments of South America
Authors: LÓPEZ JOSÉ Manuel 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTThe avian family of barn owls (Tytonidae, Strigiformes) is the most geographically widespread group of owls in the world and one of the most common accumulators of small mammal bone and tooth remains recovered from archaeological and palaeontological sites. The present study analyses the taphonomic characteristics of modern barn owl pellet‐derived small mammal bone and tooth accumulations at three roosting sites from the central Monte Desert, one of the most arid regions of South America. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic structure, relative abundance of skeletal elements, bone and teeth breakage patterns, and digestion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate the barn owl in modification category 1 (light modifier). Although the general taphonomic results obtained in the present study were similar to a common barn owl pattern, the three samples showed variability both among them and with other samples previously reported in different regions of the world. Very light digestion was detected on incisors, whereas the proportion of digestion on incisors was close to 20%. Cricetid and murid rodents as well as marsupials were detected. Salinomys delicatus, a scarcely known and endangered cricetid species, was recovered.
Design, fabrication, and performance analysis of corporate feed filtenna array using complementary split ring resonators
Authors: Munirathinam Sathish , Natarajan Gunasekaran 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the design of a unique “corporate feed‐microstrip filtenna array” to be used as “radiating antenna” of a wireless system. The filtenna is a basic patch antenna fed by 50 Ohms microstrip line, loaded with complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs). When the basic patch antenna is made to resonate at 1.8 GHz, it also introduces unwanted spurious radiations appear at 2.82 and 3.46 GHz. Hence, the array of CSRR consisting of five non‐identical CSRRs are loaded, offers the required wideband rejection characteristic, solving the problem of the basic patch antenna. The five CSRRs resonate at 1.97, 2.43, 2.9, 3.28, and 3.72 GHz, offering an overall rejection band from 2 to 4 GHz is obtained. Incidentally there is a signal attenuation introduced by the passive CSRR filter. To compensate the attenuation, an array of filtenna is designed, using corporate feed configuration. The patch antenna, CSRR filter and filtenna are designed and fabricated on an epoxy flame retardant glass substrate (FR4) having a thickness 'h' of 1.6 mm, dielectric constant 'εr' of 4.4 and loss tangent (tan δ) of 0.02. The simulations are carried out using the HFSS software. The performance of the overall receiving filtenna system, having the size of 13.37 cm × 11.94 cm, is satisfactory. Experiments are carried out using vector network analyzer, verifying the software results. This unique radiating antenna exhibits acceptable gain and noise free reception, much required by upcoming 4G/5G wireless applications, rectenna and medical sensor applications.
Technical Note: Performance of CyberKnife® tracking using low‐dose CT and kV imaging
Authors: Nano Tomi F. , Capaldi Dante P. I. , Yeung Timothy , Chuang Cynthia F. , Wang Lei , Descovich Martina 
Published: October 2020

PurposeTo investigate the effects of CT protocol and in‐room x‐ray technique on CyberKnife® (Accuray Inc.) tracking accuracy by evaluating end‐to‐end tests.MethodsEnd‐to‐end (E2E) tests were performed for the different tracking methods (6D skull, fiducial, spine, and lung) using an anthropomorphic head phantom (Accuray Inc.) and thorax phantom (CIRS Inc.). Bolus was added to the thorax phantom to simulate a large patient and to evaluate the performance of lung tracking in a more realistic condition. The phantoms were scanned with a Siemens Sensation Open 24 slice CT at low dose (120 kV, 70 mAs, 1.5 mm slice thickness) and high dose (120 kV, 700 mAs, 1.5 mm slice thickness) to generate low‐dose and high‐dose digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). The difference in initial phantom alignment, Δ(Align), and in total targeting accuracy, E2E, were obtained for all tracking methods with low‐ and high‐dose DRRs. Additionally, Δ(Align) was determined for different in‐room x‐ray imaging techniques (0.5 to 50 mAs and 100 to 140 kV) using a low‐dose lung tracking plan.ResultsLow‐dose CT scans produced images with high noise; however, for these phantoms the targets could be easily delineated on all scans. End‐to‐end results were less than 0.95 mm for all tracking methods and all plans. The greatest difference in initial alignment Δ(Align) and E2E results between low‐ and high‐dose CT protocols was 0.32 and 0.24 mm, respectively. Similar results were observed with a large thorax phantom. Tracking using different in‐room x‐ray imaging techniques (mAs) corresponding to low exposures (resulting in high image noise) or high exposure (resulting in image saturation) had alignment accuracy Δ(Align) greater than 1 mm.ConclusionsEnd‐to‐end targeting accuracy within tolerance (<0.95 mm) was obtained for all tracking methods using low‐dose CT protocols, suggesting that CT protocol should be set by target contouring needs. Additionally, high tracking accuracy was achieved for in‐room x‐ray imaging techniques that produce high‐quality images.
BISON: Brain tissue segmentation pipeline using T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images and a random forest classifier
Authors: Dadar Mahsa , Collins D. Louis 
Published: October 2020

PurposeTissue segmentation from T1‐weighted (T1W) MRI is a critical requirement in many neuroscience and clinical applications. However, accurate tissue segmentation is challenging because of the variabilities in tissue intensity profiles caused by differences in scanner models, acquisition protocols, and age. In addition, many methods assume healthy anatomy and fail in the presence of pathology such as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). We present BISON (Brain tISsue segmentatiON), a new pipeline for tissue segmentation using a random forest classifier and a set of intensity and location priors based on T1W MRI.MethodsBISON was developed and cross‐validated using multiscanner manual labels of 72 subjects aged 5 to 96 years. We also assessed the test–retest reliability of BISON on two data sets: 20 subjects with scan/rescan MR images and manual segmentations and 90 scans from a single individual. The results were compared against Atropos, a state‐of‐the‐art commonly used tissue classification method from advanced normalization tools (ANTs).ResultsBISON cross‐validation dice kappa values against manual segmentations of 72 MRI volumes yielded κGM = 0.88, κWM = 0.85, κCSF = 0.77, outperforming Atropos (κGM = 0.79, κWM = 0.84, κCSF = 0.64), test–retest values on 20 subjects of κGM = 0.94, κWM = 0.92, κCSF = 0.77 outperforming both manual (κGM = 0.92, κWM = 0.91, κCSF =0.74) and Atropos (κGM = 0.87, κWM = 0.92, κCSF = 0.79). Finally, BISON outperformed Atropos, FAST (fast automated segmentation tool) from the FMRIB (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain) Software Library, and SPM12 (statistical parametric mapping 12) in the presence of WMHs.ConclusionBISON can provide accurate and robust segmentations in data from various age ranges and scanner models, making it ideal for performing tissue classification in large multicenter and multiscanner databases.