bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient isolation of human gingival stem cells in a new serum-free medium supplemented with platelet lysate and growth hormone for osteogenic differentiation enhancement
Authors: Taihi Ihsène , Pilon Caroline , Cohen José , Berdal Ariane , Gogly Bruno , Nassif Ali , Fournier Benjamin Philippe 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The use of distant autografts to restore maxillary bone defects is clinically challenging and has unpredictable outcomes. This variation may be explained by the embryonic origin of long bone donor sites, which are derived from mesoderm, whereas maxillary bones derive from neural crest. Gingival stem cells share the same embryonic origin as maxillary bones. Their stemness potential and ease of access have been repeatedly shown. One limitation in human cell therapy is the use of foetal calf serum during cell isolation and culture. To overcome this problem, a new serum-free medium enriched with an alternative to foetal calf serum, i.e., platelet lysate, needs to be adapted to clinical grade protocols.

Methods
Different serum-free media enriched with platelet lysate at various concentrations and supplemented with different growth factors were developed and compared to media containing foetal calf serum. Phenotypic markers, spontaneous DNA damage, and stem cell properties of gingival stem cells isolated in platelet lysate or in foetal calf serum were also compared, as were the immunomodulatory properties of the cells by co-culturing them with activated peripheral blood monocellular cells. T-cell proliferation and phenotype were also assessed by flow cytometry using cell proliferation dye and specific surface markers. Data were analysed with t-test for two-group comparisons, one-way ANOVA for multigroup comparisons and two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and multigroup comparisons.

Results
Serum-free medium enriched with 10% platelet lysate and growth hormone yielded the highest expansion rate. Gingival stem cell isolation and thawing under these conditions were successful, and no significant DNA lesions were detected. Phenotypic markers of mesenchymal stem cells and differentiation capacities were conserved. Gingival stem cells isolated in this new serum-free medium showed higher osteogenic differentiation potential compared to cells isolated in foetal calf serum. The proportion of regulatory T cells obtained by co-culturing gingival stem cells with activated peripheral blood monocellular cells was similar between the two types of media.

Conclusions
This new serum-free medium is well suited for gingival stem cell isolation and proliferation, enhances osteogenic capacity and maintains immunomodulatory properties. It may allow the use of gingival stem cells in human cell therapy for bone regeneration in accordance with good manufacturing practice guidelines.
Human placenta-derived amniotic epithelial cells as a new therapeutic hope for COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic inflammation
Authors: Babajani Amirhesam , Moeinabadi-Bidgoli Kasra , Niknejad Farnaz , Rismanchi Hamidreza , Shafiee Sepehr , Shariatzadeh Siavash , Jamshidi Elham , Farjoo Mohammad Hadi , Niknejad Hassan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become in the spotlight regarding the serious early and late complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure and death. Although many preventive and therapeutic approaches have been suggested for ameliorating complications of COVID-19, emerging new resistant viral variants has called the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches into question. Besides, recent reports on the late and chronic complications of COVID-19, including organ fibrosis, emphasize a need for a multi-aspect therapeutic method that could control various COVID-19 consequences. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), a group of placenta-derived amniotic membrane resident stem cells, possess considerable therapeutic features that bring them up as a proposed therapeutic option for COVID-19. These cells display immunomodulatory effects in different organs that could reduce the adverse consequences of immune system hyper-reaction against SARS-CoV-2. Besides, hAECs would participate in alveolar fluid clearance, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system regulation, and regeneration of damaged organs. hAECs could also prevent thrombotic events, which is a serious complication of COVID-19. This review focuses on the proposed early and late therapeutic mechanisms of hAECs and their exosomes to the injured organs. It also discusses the possible application of preconditioned and genetically modified hAECs as well as their promising role as a drug delivery system in COVID-19. Moreover, the recent advances in the pre-clinical and clinical application of hAECs and their exosomes as an optimistic therapeutic hope in COVID-19 have been reviewed.

Graphical abstract
Comparison of the treatment efficacy of umbilical mesenchymal stem cell transplantation via renal subcapsular and parenchymal routes in AKI-CKD mice
Authors: Huang Mengjie , Li Duo , Chen Jianwen , Ji Yuwei , Su Tingyu , Chen Yulan , Zhang Yingjie , Wang Yuanda , Li Fei , Chen Shang , Dong Yu , Li Qinggang , Wu Lingling , Feng Zhe , Wu Jie , Zhang Li , Li Zongjin , Cai Guangyan , Chen Xiangmei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising cell-based therapy for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the optimal route of MSC transplantation remains controversial, and there have been no comparisons of the therapeutic benefits of MSC administration through different delivery routes.

Methods
In this study, we encapsulated MSCs into a collagen matrix to help achieve local MSC retention in the kidney and assessed the survival of MSCs in vitro and in vivo. After transplanting collagen matrix-encapsulated-MSCs (Col-MSCs) under the renal capsule or into the parenchyma using the same cell dose and suspension volume in an ischemia/reperfusion injury model, we evaluated the treatment efficacy of two local transplantation routes at different stages of AKI.

Results
We found that Col-MSCs could be retained in the kidney for at least 14 days. Both local MSC therapies could reduce tubular injury, promote the proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells on Day 3 and alleviate renal fibrosis on Day 14 and 28. MSC transplantation via the subcapsular route exerts better therapeutic effects for renal functional and structural recovery after AKI than MSC administration via the parenchymal route.

Conclusions
Subcapsular MSC transplantation may be an ideal route of MSC delivery for AKI treatment, and collagen I can provide a superior microenvironment for cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions to stabilize the retention rate of MSCs in the kidney.
Shedding light on biological sex differences and microbiota–gut–brain axis: a comprehensive review of its roles in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Shobeiri Parnian , Kalantari Amirali , Teixeira Antônio L. , Rezaei Nima 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWomen and men are suggested to have differences in vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), schizophrenia, eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease. Genetic factors and sex hormones are apparently the main mediators of these differences. Recent evidence uncovers that reciprocal interactions between sex-related features (e.g., sex hormones and sex differences in the brain) and gut microbiota could play a role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders via influencing the gut–brain axis. It is increasingly evident that sex–microbiota–brain interactions take part in the occurrence of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Accordingly, integrating the existing evidence might help to enlighten the fundamental roles of these interactions in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, an increased understanding of the biological sex differences on the microbiota–brain may lead to advances in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and increase the potential for precision medicine. This review discusses the effects of sex differences on the brain and gut microbiota and the putative underlying mechanisms of action. Additionally, we discuss the consequences of interactions between sex differences and gut microbiota on the emergence of particular neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway involved in polyhydroxyvalerate synthesis in Candidatus Contendobacter
Authors: Zhao Chen , Zhang Chunchun , Shen Zhiqiang , Yang Yanping , Qiu Zhigang , Li Chenyu , Xue Bin , Zhang Xi , Yang Xiaobo , Wang Shang , Wang Jingfeng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHere a stable glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) system was operated by anaerobic–aerobic mode in the sequencing batch reactor. We focused on the metabolic mechanisms of PHAs storage from GAOs. Our system showed the classic characteristic of glycogen accumulating metabolism (GAM). Glycogen consumption was followed by acetic acid uptake to synthesize poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) during the anaerobic period, and glycogen was synthesized by PHAs degradation in the aerobic stage. Microbial community structure indicated that Candidatus Contendobacter was the most prevalent GAOs. We found that the ethylmalonyl-CoA (EMC) pathway was the crucial pathway supplying the core substance propionyl-CoA for poly-β-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) synthesis in Candidatus Contendobacter. All genes in EMC pathway were mainly located in Candidatus Contendobacter by gene source analysis. The key genes expression of EMC pathway increased with Candidatus Contendobacter enrichment, further validating that propionyl-CoA was synthesized by Candidatus Contendobacter predominantly via EMC pathway. Our work revealed the novel mechanisms underlying PHV synthesis through EMC pathway and further improved the intercellular storage metabolism of GAOs.
Robust watermarking algorithm for medical images based on log-polar transform
Authors: Li Tianfu , Li Jingbing , Liu Jing , Huang Mengxing , Chen Yen-Wei , Bhatti Uzair Aslam 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn the information age, network security has gradually become a potentially huge problem, especially in the medical field, it is essential to ensure the accuracy and safety of images, and patient information needs to be included with minimal change. Combined log-polar transform (LPT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT), a novel robust watermarking algorithm for medical images, is proposed. It realized the lossless embedding of patient information into medical images. In the process of feature extraction and watermark embedding, the proposed algorithm reflects the characteristics of LPT, scale invariance and rotation invariance, and retains the advantages of DCT's ability to resist conventional attacks and robustness. As it adopts zero-watermarking embedding technology, it solves the defects caused by the traditional watermark embedding technology to modify the original image data and guaranteed the quality of medical images. The good experimental results show the effectiveness of this algorithm.
Racial and ethnic disparities of sudden unexpected infant death in large US cities: a descriptive epidemiological study
Authors: Boyer Brett T. , Lowell Gina S. , Roehler Douglas R. , Quinlan Kyran P. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) accounts for ~ 3400 deaths per year in the USA, and minimal progress has been made in reducing SUID over the past two decades. SUID is the sudden death of an infant that has occurred as a result of accidental suffocation in a sleeping environment, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), or from an unknown cause of death. Nationally, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) infants have twice the risk of SUID compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) infants. In Chicago, this disparity is greatly magnified. To explore whether this disparity is similarly seen in other large cities, we analyzed SUIDs by race and ethnicity for a seven-year period from the 10 most populous US cities. SUID case counts by race and ethnicity were obtained for 2011–2017 from the 10 most populous US cities based on 2010 census data. For each city, we calculated average annual SUID rates (per 1000 live births) by race and ethnicity, allowing calculation of disparity rate ratios.

Findings
Nationally, from 2011 through 2017, there were 0.891 SUIDs per 1000 live births, with a rate of 0.847 for NHWs, 1.795 for NHBs, and 0.522 for Hispanics. In most study cities, the NHB and Hispanic SUID rates were higher than the corresponding national rate. Hispanic SUID rates were higher than NHW rates in 9 of the 10 largest cities. In every study city, the NHW SUID rate was lower than the national NHW rate. In Chicago, NHB infants had a SUID rate 12.735 times that of NHW infants.

Conclusion
With few exceptions, the 10 largest US cities had higher NHB and Hispanic SUID rates, but lower NHW SUID rates, compared to the corresponding rates at the national level. Unlike the national pattern, Hispanic SUID rates were higher than NHW rates in 9 of the 10 largest cities. Prevention is currently hampered by the lack of detailed, accurate, and timely information regarding the circumstances of these tragic deaths. A national SUID surveillance system would allow greater understanding of the factors that lead to this disproportionately distributed and enduring cause of infant death.
Faculty perceptions, awareness and use of open educational resources for teaching and learning in higher education: a cross-comparative analysis
Authors: Marín Victoria I. , Zawacki-Richter Olaf , Aydin Cengiz H. , Bedenlier Svenja , Bond Melissa , Bozkurt Aras , Conrad Dianne , Jung Insung , Kondakci Yasar , Prinsloo Paul , Roberts Jennifer , Veletsianos George , Xiao Junhong , Zhang Jingjing 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper explores faculty’s perspectives and use of open educational resources (OER) and their repositories across different countries by conducting a multiple case study to find similarities and differences between academics’ awareness, perceptions and use of OER, as well as examining related aspects of institutional policy and quality that may influence individual views. Data were collected through nine expert reports on each country studied (Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain and Turkey) and were analyzed through qualitative content analysis using thematic coding. Findings show the impact on individual OER adoption with regard to the individual control of diverse factors by faculty members; of institutional policies and quality measures on the externally determined factors (by the institution); and of institutional professional development and provision of incentives in more internally determined factors (by the faculty members themselves). These findings carry implications for higher education institutions around the world in their attempt to boost OER adoption by faculty members.
Pneumonia, influenza, and dengue cases decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Prasertbun Rapeepun , Mori Hirotake , Mahittikorn Aongart , Siri Sukhontha , Naito Toshio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all healthcare systems worldwide. Effective COVID-19 preventive measures, including wearing a mask, hand washing, avoiding the “Three Cs”, and city lockdowns, could decrease other infectious diseases. The case numbers of the major infectious diseases in Thailand were investigated (pneumonia, influenza, and dengue fever) during the COVID-19 pandemic using Thailand government national data sources from 2018 to August 2021. Pneumonia, influenza, and dengue fever cases decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to respiratory tract infections, COVID-19 preventive measures could decrease dengue fever cases.
Population Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Eflornithine-Based Treatments Against Late-Stage Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis and Efficacy Predictions of L-eflornithine-Based Therapy
Authors: Amilon Carl , Boberg Mikael , Tarning Joel , Äbelö Angela , Ashton Michael , Jansson-Löfmark Rasmus 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEflornithine is a recommended treatment against late-stage gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease. Standard dosing of eflornithine consists of repeated intravenous infusions of a racemic mixture of L- and D-eflornithine. Data from three clinical studies, (i) eflornithine intravenous monotherapy, (ii) nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy, and (iii) eflornithine oral monotherapy, were pooled and analyzed using a time-to-event pharmacodynamic modeling approach, supported by in vitro activity data of the individual enantiomers. Our aim was to assess (i) the efficacy of the eflornithine regimens in a time-to-event analysis and (ii) the feasibility of an L-eflornithine-based therapy integrating clinical and preclinical data. A pharmacodynamic time-to-event model was used to estimate the total dose of eflornithine, associated with 50% reduction in baseline hazard, when administered as monotherapy or in the nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy. The estimated total doses were 159, 60 and 291 g for intravenous eflornithine monotherapy, nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy and oral eflornithine monotherapy, respectively. Simulations suggested that L-eflornithine achieves a higher predicted median survival, compared to when racemate is administered, as treatment against late-stage gambiense human African trypanosomiasis. Our findings showed that oral L-eflornithine-based monotherapy would not result in adequate efficacy, even at high dose, and warrants further investigations to assess the potential of oral L-eflornithine-based treatment in combination with other treatments such as nifurtimox. An all-oral eflornithine-based regimen would provide easier access to treatment and reduce burden on patients and healthcare systems in gambiense human African trypanosomiasis endemic areas.
Lenvatinib as a Therapeutic Option in Unresectable Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paragangliomas
Authors: Hassan Nelson Lauren , Fuentes-Bayne Harry , Yin Jun , Asmus Erik , Ryder Mabel , Morris John C , Hilger Crystal R , Bible Keith C , Chintakuntlawar Ashish V , Rao Sarika N 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Context
Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (mPPGL) are rare vascular neuroendocrine tumors that highly express vascular growth factors. Systemic treatment options in cases of unresectable multisite disease are limited. Multikinase inhibitors that inhibit angiogenesis, such as lenvatinib, have proven effective in several other malignancies, and may be a viable option for mPPGL.

Objective
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lenvatinib as salvage therapy in mPPGLs.

Methods
This was a retrospective analysis of mPPGL patients ≥ 18 years of age who received lenvatinib from 2015 to 2020 at a tertiary referral center. Patients were started on lenvatinib 20 mg daily and dose was adjusted according to tolerance or disease progression.

Results
Eleven patients were included. Median treatment duration was 14.7 months (95% CI, 2.3-NE). Treatment was discontinued due to disease progression, adverse events, or death. Overall survival at 12 months was 80.8% (95% CI, 42.3-94.9%) but its median was not reached. Median progression-free survival was 14.7 months (95% CI, 1.7-NE). Among the 8 patients with measurable disease, overall response rate was 63%, as 5/8 experienced a partial response and 3/8 had stable disease. Worsening hypertension and anemia were the most common adverse events.

Conclusion
Lenvatinib may be a viable treatment option for mPPGL, although at the potential risk of worsening hypertension. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to better characterize treatment efficacy.
“Your Life Is One-Hundred-Percent at Risk”
Authors: Vázquez Eric 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This essay examines the cultural politics of migrant caravans through video testimonies produced by Honduras's Association of Returned Migrants with Disabilities (AMIREDIS). While the stated aim of the 2015 association-sponsored Caravan of the Mutilated involved raising transnational public awareness of the plight of Central American migrants, this essay argues that AMIREDIS's testimonies and embodiments conjoin the savage risk confronting migrants with histories of imperialist expropriation and transnational financial processes in which migrants find themselves increasingly incorporated. In effect, their testimonies and embodiments invert the reparative logic of worker remittances — cash transfers often thought to be the objective of migration. Against the cruel economies of risk that decapacitated AMIREDIS members as laborers, their testimonies offer an internationalism of the vulnerable. This ethic of mutual vulnerability works against financial markets’ “pooled risks” and capitalism's predilections to explain away its crippling eventualities with terms like “negative externalities” or “spillover effects.”
The Checkpoint State
Authors: Agbiboa Daniel E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis essay is about everyday encounters with the checkpoint state in a locus of enduring counterinsurgency. Specifically, the essay examines how road-transport workers in northeast Nigeria experience and negotiate the omnipresent threat of the checkpoint state in their workaday world. Further, the essay underscores the spatial practices and social imaginaries through which the checkpoint state is constituted as simultaneously an apparatus of predation and as a space of negotiation. For mobile subjects in extremis, the threat of the checkpoint state is not episodic, but a feature of the landscape itself — a permanent, radical sense of immobility and insecurity. The daily pursuit of survival under the shadow of the “war on terror” compels road-transport workers to participate in the corrupt, coercive, and humiliating system they denounce.