bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of NF-κB signaling by dense granule protein GRA15 of a newly discovered type 1 Toxoplasma gondii strain
Authors: Guo Guanghao , Cui Jianmin , Song Lindong , Tang Lvqing , Fan Sijie , Shen Bang , Fang Rui , Hu Min , Zhao Junlong , Zhou Yanqin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: It has been reported that the NF-κB pathway, an important component of host defense system against pathogens infections, can be modulated by GRA15 of type 2 Toxoplasma gondii strains. A newly reported Toxoplasma strain (T.gHB1) belonging to type 1 showed polymorphic phenotypes comparable to the classic type 1 parasite, such as virulence determinant mechanisms. Therefore, it is worth investigating whether the novel type 1 Toxoplasma strain (T.gHB1) has an effect on host NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods: The effects of T.gHB1 on host NF-κB pathway was investigated in HEK293T cells. The GRA15 gene product was analysed by bioinformatics method and its effect on NF-κB was examined by detection of the levels of phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 by Western blotting (WB) and indirect fluorescence assay (IFA). Functional domain of GRA15 was mapped by using the luciferase reporter assay and its effects on p65 nuclear translocation and IκBα phosphorylation were examined by IFA and WB, respectively. Results: We demonstrated that the NF-κB pathway signaling can be activated by the newly identified type 1 T.gHB1 strain of Toxoplasma, while other known type 1 RH parasites exerted an inhibitory effect. T.gHB1 GRA15 possesses only one transmembrane region with an extended C terminal region, which is distinct from other known GRA15 from type 2 parasites. T.gHB1 GRA15 could clearly induce IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. Dual luciferase assays in HEK293T cells revealed a requirement for 194-518 aa of T.gHB1 GRA15 to effectively activate NF-κB. Conclusions: The overall results indicated that the newly discovered type 1 isolate T.gHB1 and its GRA15 gene product can activate NF-κB through a classical pathway in mammalian cells. These results provide new sights for our understanding of the interaction between Toxoplasma parasites and its host.
Mapping the planet’s critical natural assets
Authors: Chaplin-Kramer Rebecca , Neugarten Rachel , Sharp Richard , Collins Pamela , Polasky Stephen , Hole David , Schuster Richard , Strimas-Mackey Matthew , Mulligan Mark , Brandon Carter , Diaz Sandra , Fluet-Chouinard Etienne , Gorenflo LJ , Johnson Justin , Kennedy Christina , Keys Patrick , Longley-Wood Kate , McIntyre Peter , Noon Monica , Pascual Unai , Liermann Catherine Reidy , Roehrdanz Patrick , Schmidt-Traub Guido , Shaw M. , Spalding Mark , Turner Will , Soesbergen Arnout van , Watson Reg 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Sustaining the organisms, ecosystems, and processes that underpin human well-being is necessary to achieve sustainable development. Here we identify critical natural assets, natural and semi-natural ecosystems that provide 90% of the total current magnitude of 14 types of nature’s contributions to people (NCP). Critical natural assets for maintaining local-scale NCP (12 of the 14 NCP mapped) comprise 30% of total global land area and 24% of national territorial waters, while 44% of land area is required for maintaining all NCP (including those that accrue at the global scale, carbon storage and moisture recycling). At least 87% of the world’s population lives in the areas benefiting from critical natural assets for local-scale NCP, while only 16% lives on the lands containing these assets. Critical natural assets also overlap substantially with areas important for biodiversity (covering area requirements for 73% of birds and 66% of mammals) and cultural diversity (representing 96% of global Indigenous and non-migrant languages). Many of the NCP mapped here are left out of international agreements focused on conserving species or mitigating climate change, yet this analysis shows that explicitly prioritizing critical natural assets for NCP could simultaneously advance development, climate, and conservation goals. Crafting policy and investment strategies that protect critical natural assets is essential for sustaining human well-being and securing Earth’s life support systems.
Environmental Lead Exposure is Associated with Higher Predicted 10-year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Chinese Middle-aged and Older Adults
Authors: Fan Cuihua , Mo Lifen , Song Jia , Huang Haibin , Wan Yu , Xiong Lili , Chen Linquan , Luo Shenghui , Wu Yongning , Yang Xingfen 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Environmental lead exposure has been connected with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, little is known about its impact on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Methods
To investigate the relationship between environmental lead exposure and the 10-year ASCVD risk in Chinese middle-aged and older adults, we conducted a cross-sectional study in rural areas of southern China in 2019–2020. We used the face-to-face questionnaire survey and physical examination to collect data and measured blood lead by ICP-MS. The 10-year ASCVD risk score was calculated through the Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China (China-PAR) equation model, and classified into low-risk (< 5.0%), intermediate-risk (5.0-9.9%), and high-risk (≥ 10%) categories. Generalized linear model (GLM) and logistic regression model were applied to estimate associations between quartiles (Q) of blood lead and the 10-year ASCVD risk categories in overall and subgroup populations.
Results
We found that the blood lead of all subjects was 1.79 µg/L with an interquartile range (IQR) of 1.14–44.91 µg/L, and the predicted 10-year ASCVD risk score was 3.20% (IQR: 1.70–5.90%). The predicted 10-year ASCVD risk score increased with the quartiles of blood lead (P < 0.001). The higher lead exposure levels, the more subjects in the intermediate- and high-risk of ASCVD. After full adjustment for potential confounders, subjects in Q3 of blood lead had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.64 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.05–6.61 (P = 0.038) for the grade of 10-year ASCVD risk, compared with subjects in Q1. Subgroup analyses showed that the OR was higher in subjects those were males, below 60 years old, current smokers, and with hypertension.
Conclusions
Our study pointed out a nonlinear relationship between environmental lead exposure and 10-year ASCVD risk categories, highlighting the importance of controlling environmental lead exposure to prevent ASCVD, especially in susceptible populations.
Neutralizing anti-diphtheria toxin scFv produced by phage display
Authors: Khalili Ehsan , Lakzaei Mostafa , Shirvan Ali Nazari , Amminian Mahdi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Diphtheria Administration of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) produced from hyperimmunized animals is the most common treatment for Diphtheria. Recombinant human antibody fragments such as single-chain variable fragments (scFv) produced by phage display library may introduce an interesting approach to overcome the limitations of the traditional antibody therapy. This study describes the prosperous construction and isolation of scFv from the immune library, which specifically neutralizes diphtheria toxin.
Materials and Methods
The library was constructed with the maximum combination of heavy and light chains. As an antigen, Diphtheria toxoid (DTd) was used in four-round phage bio-panning to select phage clones that display DTd bound Huscfv from the library. Toxin neutralization test was performed on Vero cells. The reactivity of the soluble scFv with diphtheria toxin were done and affinity calculation based on Beatty method was calculated.
Results
The size of the constructed scFv library was calculated to be 1.3 106 members. Following four rounds of selection, 40 antibody clones were isolated which showed positive reactivity with DTd in an ELISA assay. Five clones were able to neutralize DTd in Vero cell assay. These neutralizing clones were used for soluble expression and purification of scFv fragments. Some of these soluble scFv fragments show neutralizing activity ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 µg against 2-fold cytotoxic dose of diphtheria toxin. The affinity constant of the selected scFv antibody was determined almost 107 M− 1.
Conclusion
The HuscFv produced in this study can be a potential candidate to substitute the animal antibody for treating diphtheria and detecting toxins.
Characterization of transport kinetics on retinol in human immortalized keratinocyte cells
Authors: Shim Soon-Mi , Kim Jeong-Eun , Kim Woo-Hyun , Kim Sehyun , Na Yongjoo , Hong Yong-deok , Park Won-seok 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The current study aimed to characterize the transport kinetics of retinol in fully differentiated human immortalized keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) cultured in trans-well with high-calcium media by measuring the cell integrity of skin barriers, time and concentration dependent transport of retinol, and its metabolites. 25 to 200 µg/mL retinol treatment did not show any significant cytotoxicity in HaCaT. The expression of epidermal differentiation related genes including Keratin 1 (KRT1), Keratin 10 (KRT10), and Involucrin (IVL) significantly increased in HaCaT cells cultured with high-calcium media (2.8 mM) compared to low calcium (0.03 mM). There was no significant decrease in TEER value after incubating retinol (10 to 100 µg/mL) compared to control (p > 0.05), indicating that retinol tends to maintain strength and integrity of the epidermal barrier. The maximum epidermal migration of retinol from apical to basal media occurred from incubation of 75 µg/mL retinol, indicating that it was not concentration dependent. The area under the curve (AUC) of mAU*min for the unknown peak found in basal media for 600 min increased in a concentration dependent pattern, showing 10.23 ± 0.16 and 72.73 ± 30.86 at 10 and 100 µg/mL of retinol treated in apical, respectively. The metabolite having a precursor ion (m/z 325.83 [M + H + Na]+) in the spectrum was identified as a retinoic acid (m/z 301.3 [M + H]+) with sodium adduct. Results from the current study suggest that optimal concentration of retinol and treatment time in human keratinocytes could enhance the conversion of retinol to retinoic acid, promoting dermatological use of retinol.
Highly sensitive human Y-specific fluorescent PCR-assay to detect extremely low and degraded male DNA in sexual assault
Authors: Poriswanish Nitikorn , Umprecha Kritin , Numnoi Parwana 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

To determine presence of male cells in trace evidence is one of the critical parts in conviction of a crime especially in a sexual assault. A confirmatory test of semen is relied upon identification of sperm. Several approaches such as cytology, proteins, Y-DNA, RNAs and epigenetics have been developed. Among those, the most stable biological components are cells and DNA. In sparseness or absence of cell, DNA is a popular method-of-choice at present. The purposes for Y-DNA analysis are either for personal identification or detection of male cells, however, low copy number of DNA may likely produce a partial profile that is unable to identify a perpetrator. Thus, the concept of this study is to develop a simple PCR assay to detect male DNA with highly sensitivity and specificity and is applicable to a sample with degraded DNA condition. The assay can detect Y-DNA in as low as ten haploid or five diploid cells and in female DNA mixture of at least 1:100. It also effective in a sperm-negative casework.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal stem cells Promote Uterine Scar Repair Through Regulating Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Deng Kaixian 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (Mesenchymal Stem Cells, MSCs) treatment can reduce inflammation during uterine scar repair. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

A rat model of uterine injury was surgically established, and 5×10 5 hUC-MSCs were transplanted to each side of the uterus immediately after surgery. On days 14 and 30 following transplantation, uterine injury recovery were assessed by Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining, and subtypes of macrophages were visualized by immunohistochemical staining performed for M1 (iNOS) and M2 (IL10、CD163 and CD206) macrophage marker. In addition, to further investigate the influence of hUC-MSCs on macrophage polarization, hUC-MSCs culture supernatant (hUC-MSC-CS) was co-cultured with M0 macrophages and polarized M1 and M2 macrophages; qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of anti-inflammatory (IL10 and Arg-1) and pro-inflammatory (iNOS and TNF-α) factors, and western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of CD163.

Results

MSCs transplantation promotes uterine injury healing and tissue regeneration, and inhibits tissue fibrosis. After MSCs transplantation, the infiltration of CD163 + and CD206 + cells in the local scar tissue increased, and the infiltration of iNOS + cells decreased, which were closely associated with increased expression levels of the anti-inflammatory factor IL10. In addition, in vitro coculture experiments demonstrated that hUC-MSC-CS upregulated the mRNA expression of IL-10 in M0, M1 and M2 macrophages, and downregulated TNF-α, iNOS expression in M0 and M1 macrophages. Western blotting results showed hUC-MSC-CS upregulated the protein expression of CD163 in M0, M1 and M2 macrophages.

Conclusions

MSCs contribute to the healing of uterine injuries by skewing the macrophage polarization towards M2 phenotype and increasing anti-inflammatory factors through paracrine action.
SHy-Cam: a Single-shot Hyperspectral Phasor Camera for fast, multi-color fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Wang Pu , Kitano Masahiro , Keomanee-Dizon Kevin , Truong Thai V. , Fraser Scott E. , Cutrale Francesco 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging improves multiplexed observations of biological samples by utilizing multiple color channels across the spectral range to compensate for spectral overlap between labels. Typically, spectral resolution comes at a cost of decreased detection efficiency, which both hampers imaging speed and increases photo-toxicity to the samples. Here, we present a high-speed, high-efficiency snapshot spectral acquisition method, based on optical compression of the fluorescence spectra via Fourier transform, that overcomes the challenges of discrete spectral sampling: Singleshot Hyperspectral Phasor Camera (SHy-Cam). SHy-Cam captures fluorescence spatial and spectral information in a single exposure with a standard scientific CMOS camera, with photon efficiency of over 80%, easily and acquisition rates exceeding 30 datasets per second, making it a powerful tool for multi-color in-vivo imaging. Its simple design, using readily available optical components, and its easy integration, provide a low-cost solution for multi-color fluorescence imaging with increased efficiency and speed.
Removing negative impacts from inevitable non-reproducible and non-specific antibody-probe interactions in viral serology
Authors: Xu Wenwen , Chen Hao , Li Yiting , Cheng Hu , Deng Yi , Zheng Peiyan , Li Jingzhi , Yang Lan , He Shiping , Ma Dongli , Zhu Qiang , Gu Dayong , Han Jun , Sun Baoqing , Ma Hongwei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Serological assays are indispensable tools in public health. Presently deployed serological assays, however, largely overlook research progress made in the last two decades that jeopardize the conceptual foundation of these assays, i.e., antibody (Ab) specificity. Challenges to traditional understanding of Ab specificity include Ab poly-specificity, and most recently non-reproducible Ab-probe interactions (NRIs). Here, using SARS-CoV-2 and 4 common livestock viruses as a test bed, we developed a new serological platform that integrates recent understanding about Ab specificity. We first demonstrate that the response rate (RR) from a large sized serum pool (~100) is not affected by NRIs or by non-specific Ab-probe interactions (NSIs), so RR can be incorporated into the diagnostic probe selection process. We subsequently used multiple probes (configured as a “protein peptide hybrid microarray”, PPHM) to generate a digital microarray index (DMI), and finally demonstrate that DMI-based analysis yields an extremely robust probabilistic trend that enables accurate diagnosis of viral infection that overcomes multiple negative impacts exerted by NSI/NRI. Thus, our study with SARS-CoV-2 confirms that the PPHM-RR-DMI platform enables very rapid development of serological assays that outperform traditional assays (for both sensitivity and specificity) and supports that the platform is extendable to other viruses.
The normalized activity index – an alternative transformation to logarithmic calculus of the activity index
Authors: Fuchs Joel Emanuel 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The Activity Index (AI) is a well-known index for comparing the contribution of different entities on various fields, for example scientific articles with authorships from different countries structured into various subjects as arts, engineering, economics and so on. This index lacks important properties; the most demonstrative one is its characteristic to be lower but not upper bounded. Further, we will show that the AI is a log-normal distribution and that it is common in literature to transform the AI by the logarithm to a normal distribution. Last, we will present an alternative transformation special for longitudinal data, that transforms the AI to a normal distribution, too, without the negative properties of the logarithm like the loss of data if the logarithm is applied. This newly introduced index called Normalized AI (NAI) will be calculated by expansion the relation of the AI in dividend as in divisor. It will not converge to the logarithm of the AI, but to the logarithm of the AI if z-standardized by each entity-field combination.
„Exklusion noch und nöcher, obwohl es sich doch um Inklusion handeln soll.“ Analyse von Praxismaterialien als Qualifizierungsmaßnahme in der Lehrer*innenbildung
Authors: Bohlmann Nina , Dexel Timo 
Published: April 2022

Die Gestaltung eines inklusiven Mathematikunterrichts, der allen Schüler*innen Zugänge zur Mathematik eröffnet, wirft Fragen hinsichtlich einer fachbezogenen Aus- und Weiterbildung von Lehrpersonen auf. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird eine Qualifizierungsmaßnahme vorgestellt, die darauf zielt, angehende Lehrkräfte für die Anforderungen und Herausforderungen eines inklusiven Mathematikunterrichts zu sensibilisieren sowie diesbezügliche Kritik- und Analysefähigkeiten zu entwickeln. Es wird untersucht, welche Potenziale die Analyse von Praxismaterialien in Bezug auf ihre Eignung für inklusiven Mathematikunterricht bietet. Die Datengrundlage bilden offene Fragebögen, in denen Studierende einen auf Inklusion bezogenen Praxisbeitrag reflektieren. Die Auswertung der Fragebögen erfolgt anhand einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring (2010). Auf Basis einer theoretischen Konzeptionalisierung wird somit eine empirisch erprobte Möglichkeit der Qualifizierung in der ersten Phase der Lehramtsausbildung vor- und zur Diskussion gestellt.Abstract
Teaching mathematics inclusively, that is, offering every student access to mathematics, raises the issue of an adequate and specialized teacher education. This contribution presents a qualification measure aiming to make pre-service teachers aware of the needs and challenges of inclusive mathematics classroom activities. Moreover, critical faculties and reflectivity ought to be developed. We investigate the potentials of analysing teaching materials in terms of their suitability for teaching mathematics inclusively. Questionnaires with reflections of student teachers about the teaching material serve as data basis. These reflections are analysed by means of a qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (2010). Doing so, we present and discuss a possibility to qualify pre-service teachers based on a theoretical conceptualization and an empirical testing.
Zwischen De/Kategorisierung und De/Professionalisierung – Komplexe Spannungen professionellen Handelns in der schulischen Inklusion.
Authors: Blasse Nina , Budde Jürgen , Demmer Christine , Gasterstädt Julia , Heinrich Martin , Lübeck Anika , Rißler Georg , Rohrmann Albrecht , Strecker Alica , Urban Michael , Weinbach Hanna 
Published: April 2022

Ausgangspunkt ist die Beobachtung, dass sich empirisch eine inklusive Schule oftmals als eine differenzierte und differenzierende Schule darstellt. Dies bezieht sich etwa auf die Ausdifferenzierung der ‚heterogenen Lehrgruppe‘. Im zeitgemäßen inklusiven Unterricht sind allgemein- und sonderpädagogische Lehrkräfte ebenso wie Schulbegleitungen anwesend. Auch Sozialpädagog*innen und Therapeut*innen gehören vermehrt zum Schulalltag.
Vorliegende Studien dokumentieren, dass die Gestaltung inklusiver Schulen bzw. von inklusivem Unterricht von nicht intendierten Effekten und Widerständigkeiten der Akteur*innen begleitet ist. Im Beitrag werden – basierend auf der ProFiS-Studie – zwei Herausforderungen von inklusiven Schulen in den Mittelpunkt gerückt. Zum einen wird auf das Spannungsfeld von Professionalisierung und Deprofessionalisierung eingegangen. Zum anderen stellt das Verhältnis von Kategorisierung und Dekategorisierung eine Herausforderung dar. Beide Relationen sind als Spannungsverhältnisse untereinander und zueinander zu denken, die sich nicht ‚einfach‘ in eine Richtung auflösen lassen, sondern die in ihrer Widersprüchlichkeit gerade konstitutiv für die Praxis ‚inklusiver Schulen‘ wirken. Zentrale Frage des Beitrags ist, wie dieses komplexe Spannungsverhältnis der wechselseitigen Bezogenheit de/kategorisierender und de/professionalisierender Prozesse in professionellen Aktivitäten hervorgebracht wird.Abstract
Starting point is the observation that empirically an inclusive school often presents itself as a differentiated and differentiating school. This refers for example to the differentiation of the 'heterogeneous teaching group'. In contemporary inclusive classes, general and special needs teachers as well as paraprofessionals are present. Moreover, social pedagogues and therapists are increasingly part of everyday school life.
Existing studies document implementation difficulties, unintended effects and resistance on the part of the agents generally accompany creating and shaping the inclusive school. Based on the ProFiS study, the article focuses on two challenges of inclusive schools. On the one hand, the interplay between professionalisation and deprofessionalisation is discussed. On the other hand, the relationship between categorisation and decategorisation poses a challenge upon inclusion and will be examined. Both relations are to be thought of as tense relations among themselves and to each other, which cannot be 'simply' dissolved in one direction, but which in their contradictoriness are precisely constitutive for the practice of 'inclusive schools'. Central to the article is the question of how this tense relation is produced in professional activities.