bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TLR9 regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the NF-kB signaling pathway in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Shen Jinfeng , Dai Zaiyou , Li Yunsheng , Zhu Huiping , Zhao Lijin 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical sensors for the conservation of bacterial molecules and play a key role in host defense against pathogens. The effect of TLRs on the maintenance of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and resistance to infection has been investigated; however, the detailed effects of TLR9 on DN development remain elusive.

Methods
We performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting to detect TLR9 expression levels in the kidneys of experimental mice (db/db) and high-glucose-treated mouse mesangial cell strains (MCs).

Results
TLR9 expression was found to be remarkably upregulated in the kidneys of experimental mice (db/db) and MCs cultivated under hyperglycemic conditions. Moreover, knockdown of TLR9 could restrain NF-kB viability and downregulate the NLRP3 inflammasome in high glucose-treated MCs. TLR9 inhibition also alleviated inflammation and apoptosis, which was reversed by the addition of the NF-κB activator, betulinic acid. Furthermore, depleted TLR9 levels restrained NF-κB viability and NLRP3 expression and reduced kidney inflammation, microalbuminuria discharge, blood sugar level, and glomerular damage in experimental mice (db/db) kidneys.
Conclusions
These findings offer novel insights into the regulation of TLR9 via the nuclear factor-kB/NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 inflammasome inflammation pathways in DN progression.
Post-treatment three-dimensional voxel-based dosimetry after Yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization in HCC
Authors: Veenstra Emile B. , Ruiter Simeon J. S. , de Haas Robbert J. , Bokkers Reinoud P. H. , de Jong Koert P. , Noordzij Walter 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Post-therapy [90Y] PET/CT-based dosimetry is currently recommended to validate treatment planning as [99mTc] MAA SPECT/CT is often a poor predictor of subsequent actual [90Y] absorbed dose. Treatment planning software became available allowing 3D voxel dosimetry offering tumour-absorbed dose distributions and dose-volume histograms (DVH). We aim to assess dose–response effects in post-therapy [90Y] PET/CT dosimetry in SIRT-treated HCC patients for predicting overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS) and four-month follow-up tumour response (mRECIST). Tumour-absorbed dose and mean percentage of the tumour volume (V) receiving ≥ 100, 150, 200, or 250 Gy and mean minimum absorbed dose (D) delivered to 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% of tumour volume were calculated from DVH’s. Depending on the mean tumour -absorbed dose, treated lesions were assigned to a < 120 Gy or ≥ 120 Gy group.

Results
Thirty patients received 36 SIRT treatments, totalling 43 lesions. Median tumour-absorbed dose was significantly different between the ≥ 120 Gy (n = 28, 207 Gy, IQR 154–311 Gy) and < 120 Gy group (n = 15, 62 Gy, IQR 49–97 Gy, p <0 .01). Disease control (DC) was found more frequently in the ≥ 120 Gy group (79%) compared to < 120 Gy (53%). Mean tumour-absorbed dose optimal cut-off predicting DC was 131 Gy. Tumour control probability was 54% (95% CI 52–54%) for a mean tumour-absorbed dose of 120 Gy and 90% (95% CI 87–92%) for 284 Gy. Only D30 was significantly different between DC and progressive disease (p = 0.04). For the ≥ 120 Gy group, median OS and PFS were longer (median OS 33 months, [range 8–33 months] and median PFS 23 months [range 4–33 months]) than the < 120 Gy group (median OS 17 months, [range 5–33 months] and median PFS 13 months [range 1–33 months]) (p < 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions
Higher 3D voxel-based tumour-absorbed dose in patients with HCC is associated with four-month DC and longer OS and PFS. DVHs in [90Y] SIRT could play a role in evaluative dosimetry.
A case study of student development across project-based learning units in middle school chemistry
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Wang Lei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNumerous theoretical and empirical studies have claimed that project-based learning (PBL) exerts a positive impact on student development. This study explores the development and changes of students across project-based learning units by qualitative research methods. We followed a student group (1 boy and 3 girls) from one class in grade 9 over 3 time points within 1 school year. Classroom observation, focus group student interviews and artifact collection were used to collect data at the end of three units over time.Qualitative research methods were employed for data analysis to determine what competencies students demonstrate and how these competencies changed during 3 units. The results revealed that this student group demonstrated both cognitive (e.g., understanding of core ideas, use of scientific practices, problem solving and creativity) and non-cognitive competencies (e.g., motivation to learn chemistry, collaboration, environmental awareness and perseverance). Three competencies (understanding of core ideas, motivation to learn chemistry, and collaboration) were shown in all three units, and these three competencies gradually improved as the units progressed. The across project-based learning units showed a promising effect on student development. This study concludes with a discussion of challenges and promises for using across project-based learning units to support student development.
Sex Differences in Risk of Severe Adverse Events in Patients Receiving Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, or Chemotherapy in Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Unger Joseph M. , Vaidya Riha , Albain Kathy S. , LeBlanc Michael , Minasian Lori M. , Gotay Carolyn C. , Henry N. Lynn , Fisch Michael J. , Lee Shing M. , Blanke Charles D. , Hershman Dawn L. 
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE Women have more adverse events (AEs) from chemotherapy than men, but few studies have investigated sex differences in immune or targeted therapies. We examined AEs by sex across different treatment domains. METHODS We analyzed treatment-related AEs by sex in SWOG phase II and III clinical trials conducted between 1980 and 2019, excluding sex-specific cancers. AE codes and grade were categorized using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Symptomatic AEs were defined as those aligned with the National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcome–Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; laboratory-based or observable/measurable AEs were designated as objective (hematologic v nonhematologic). Multivariable logistic regression was used, adjusting for age, race, and disease prognosis. Thirteen symptomatic and 14 objective AE categories were examined. RESULTS In total, N = 23,296 patients (women, 8,838 [37.9%]; men, 14,458 [62.1%]) from 202 trials experiencing 274,688 AEs were analyzed; 17,417 received chemotherapy, 2,319 received immunotherapy, and 3,560 received targeted therapy. Overall, 64.6% (n = 15,051) experienced one or more severe (grade ≥ 3) AEs. Women had a 34% increased risk of severe AEs compared with men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.42; P < .001), including a 49% increased risk among those receiving immunotherapy (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.78; P < .001). Women experienced an increased risk of severe symptomatic AEs among all treatments, especially immunotherapy (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.37 to 2.01; P < .001). Women receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy experienced increased severe hematologic AE. No statistically significant sex differences in risk of nonhematologic AEs were found. CONCLUSION The greater severity of both symptomatic AEs and hematologic AEs in women across multiple treatment modalities indicates that broad-based sex differences exist. This could be due to differences in AE reported, pharmacogenomics of drug metabolism/disposition, total dose received, and/or adherence to therapy. Particularly large sex differences were observed for patients receiving immunotherapy, suggesting that studying AEs from these agents is a priority.
Unaccompanied Minors and Fraudulent Fathers: Civil Law in the Unmaking of Immigrant Family in Buenos Aires, 1869–1920
Authors: Bates Juandrea M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article examines how legal concepts of age and family shaped the status of immigrants in Argentina from 1869 to 1920. While historians have long explored the effects that immigration had on Argentina's culture, economic development, and political stability, they often overlook a fundamental aspect of this migration: approximately one-third of those who arrived to Argentina by 1909 were under the age of 22. They were, therefore, legal minors. Evidence from 300 suits filed in Buenos Aires civil tribunals indicates that these young people faced significant challenges obtaining the protections and rights of citizens promised foreign residents in Argentina's 1853 constitution. Immigrant parents also faced frequent challenges to their parental rights. The sociolegal construction of minorities and families fundamentally shaped the status of immigrants in Argentina.
Epithelial plasticity in COPD results in cellular unjamming due to an increase in polymerized actin
Authors: Ghosh Baishakhi , Nishida Kristine , Chandrala Lakshmana , Mahmud Saborny , Thapa Shreeti , Swaby Carter , Chen Si , Khosla Atulya Aman , Katz Joseph , Sidhaye Venkataramana K. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
The airway epithelium is subjected to insults such as cigarette smoke (CS), a primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and serves as an excellent model to study cell plasticity. Here, we show that both CS-exposed and COPD-patient derived epithelia (CHBE) display quantitative evidence of cellular plasticity, with loss of specialized apical features and a transcriptional profile suggestive of partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (pEMT), albeit with distinct cell motion indicative of cellular unjamming. These injured/diseased cells have an increased fraction of polymerized actin, due to loss of the actin-severing protein cofilin-1. We observed that decreasing polymerized actin restores the jammed state in both CHBE and CS-exposed epithelia, indicating that the fraction of polymerized actin is critical in unjamming the epithelia. Our kinetic energy spectral analysis suggests that loss of cofilin-1 results in unjamming, similar to that seen with both CS exposure and in CHBE cells. The findings suggest that in response to chronic injury, although epithelial cells display evidence of pEMT, their movement is more consistent with cellular unjamming. Inhibitors of actin polymerization rectify the unjamming features of the monolayer.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Compression Garments for Recovery from Muscle Damage: Evidence and Implications of Dose Responses
Authors: Brown Freddy C.W. , Hill Jessica A. , Pedlar Charles R. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The use of compression garments (CG) has been associated with improved recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage. The mechanisms responsible are not well established, and no consensus exists regarding the effects of compression pressure (i.e., the “dose”), which until recently was seldom reported. With the increasing prevalence of studies reporting directly measured pressures, the present review aims to consolidate current evidence on optimal pressures for recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In addition, recent findings suggesting that custom-fitted garments provide greater precision and experimental control are discussed. Finally, biochemical data from human trials are presented to support a theoretical mechanism by which CG enhance recovery, with recommendations for future research. The effects of compression on adaptation remain unexplored. More studies are required to investigate the relationship between compression pressure and the recovery of performance and physiological outcomes. Furthermore, improved mechanistic understanding may help elucidate the optimal conditions by which CG enhance recovery.
Evaluation of a Vitamin D Screening and Treatment Protocol Using a Seasonal Calculator in Athletes
Authors: Hollabaugh William L. , Meirick Paul J. , Matarazzo Chris P. , Burston Alda M. , Camery Megan E. , Ferrill-Moseley Kimberly A. , Bley Jordan A. , Pennings Jacquelyn S. , Fitch Robert W. , Tanner S. Bobo , Karpinos Ashley R. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Vitamin D is important in musculoskeletal health, and low serum vitamin D concentration is common in athletes. This study implemented a vitamin D screening and supplementation protocol in a cohort of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes using summer 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and a seasonal variation calculator to achieve sufficient vitamin D concentration year-round. After implementation of the Vitamin D Protocol, there was a nonsignificant difference in athletes with sufficient winter vitamin D concentrations (72.6%) compared with summer vitamin D concentrations (66.1%) (P = 0.40). The Seasonal Variation Calculator predicted winter vitamin D concentrations (8 ± 18 ng·mL−1) higher than actual winter vitamin D concentrations (P < 0.01). While most athletes (78%) believed vitamin D was important for athletic performance, athlete compliance to the Vitamin D Protocol was inconsistent. In the future, adjustment of vitamin D screening and supplementation protocols may help athletes achieve sufficient vitamin D status year-round.
Uma cosmopolítica afroindígena da performance no culto aos Caboclos
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Fábio Alex 
Published: February 2022

Caboclos, entidades espirituais com características indígenas e regionais, inserem-se no Candomblé em uma perspectiva liminar. Suas presenças evocam formas de comportamento sociorrituais nas fronteiras de tradições reterritorializadas. Por um lado, o termo foi utilizado para denominar um resultado da mistura entre indígenas e brancos, operando uma diluição da identidade e apagamento étnico através da mestiçagem. Por outro, as expressões de espiritualidades indígenas nas religiões afro-brasileiras foram pensadas sob a formulação teórica do sincretismo. No entanto, articulando uma contramestiçagem, as ações das entidades operam um engajamento na transformação do significado da categoria Caboclo, antes utilizada para denominá-las em campos teóricos da mistura. Ao abordá-los na perspectiva dos estudos da performance, com ênfase no “aqui e agora”, enfatizamos as possiblidades de uma composição que estabelece relações entre suas ações e poderes a um conjunto de articulações de um imaginário social. A performance possibilita um devir da experiência, um material em movimento. No culto aos caboclos, agenciam-se poderes a partir da função integradora do ritual, estabelecendo um acesso a domínios e ancestralidades indígenas. Mais do que representações, nos terreiros são mobilizados modos de relação com uma possibilidade de cultura indígena viva na ação das entidades. Suas manifestações são o encontro entre mundos – um encontro “afroindígena” – experiências narradas e atualizadas nas práticas rituais. Contrabalanceando formulações teóricas dos campos de estudos da performance e estudos das religiões afro-brasileiras, buscamos analisar o repertório utilizado na restauração de comportamentos dos caboclos, considerando sua manifestação como um ato cosmopolítico. A manifestação das entidades, afirmando uma identidade indígena, apresenta homologias com processos de etnogênese de povos indígenas do Nordeste. Partindo da premissa de que na performance o “como se” não se diferencia do “é”, utilizamos a categoria “performados” para designar e propor uma possível leitura da apresentação dos Caboclos nos candomblés.
Constructing and validating a transferable epidemic risk index in data scarce environments using open data: A case study for dengue in the Philippines
Authors: Hierink Fleur , Margutti Jacopo , van den Homberg Marc , Ray Nicolas 
Published: February 2022

Epidemics are among the most costly and destructive natural hazards globally. To reduce the impacts of infectious disease outbreaks, the development of a risk index for infectious diseases can be effective, by shifting infectious disease control from emergency response to early detection and prevention.In this study, we introduce a methodology to construct and validate an epidemic risk index using only open data, with a specific focus on scalability. The external validation of our risk index makes use of distance sampling to correct for underreporting of infections, which is often a major source of biases, based on geographical accessibility to health facilities. We apply this methodology to assess the risk of dengue in the Philippines.The results show that the computed dengue risk correlates well with standard epidemiological metrics, i.e. dengue incidence (p = 0.002). Here, dengue risk constitutes of the two dimensions susceptibility and exposure. Susceptibility was particularly associated with dengue incidence (p = 0.048) and dengue case fatality rate (CFR) (p = 0.029). Exposure had lower correlations to dengue incidence (p = 0.193) and CFR (p = 0.162). Highest risk indices were seen in the south of the country, mainly among regions with relatively high susceptibility to dengue outbreaks.Our findings reflect that the modelled epidemic risk index is a strong indication of sub-national dengue disease patterns and has therefore proven suitability for disease risk assessments in the absence of timely epidemiological data. The presented methodology enables the construction of a practical, evidence-based tool to support public health and humanitarian decision-making processes with simple, understandable metrics. The index overcomes the main limitations of existing indices in terms of construction and actionability.
Changes in corneal densitometry after long-term orthokeratology for myopia and short-term discontinuation
Authors: Zhao Lianghui , Jing Lili , Li Jie , Du Xianli 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
To quantify changes in corneal densitometry after long-term orthokeratology treatment in myopic children and to analyze the reversibility one month after discontinuation.

Methods
Seventy-four myopic subjects aged 8–16 years, who wore orthokeratology lenses for two years, were divided into relatively steep- (lens movement within 1.0–1.5 mm, thirty-six participants) and flat-fitting groups (lens movement within 1.5–2.0 mm, thirty-eight participants). Based on refractive errors, they were divided into low and moderate myopia groups (thirty-seven participants in each group). Corneal densitometry was performed using Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) at each follow-up timepoint. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the parameters before and after orthokeratology.

Results
The corneal densitometry values over the 0–10 mm diameter area increased from 12.84±1.38 grayscale units (GSU) at baseline to 13.59±1.42 GSU after three-month orthokeratology (P = .001) and reached 14.92±1.45 GSU at two years (P < .001). An increase in densitometry began at one month (P = .001) over the 0–2 mm annulus compared with that at three months over the 2–6 mm and 6–10 mm zones (P = .002,.014). The densitometry values significantly increased at three months in the relatively steep-fitting group (P = .003) and at one year in the relatively flat-fitting group (P = .001). After discontinuation of orthokeratology for one month, the values showed no significant decrease.

Conclusions
Long-term orthokeratology treatment causes a small but statistically significant increase in corneal densitometry values. During the first year, the onset of these changes was related to the fitting mode. Corneal densitometry values showed no significant reduction after one-month discontinuation.
Interventions for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli gastroenteritis and risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome: A population-based matched case control study
Authors: Myojin Shota , Pak Kyongsun , Sako Mayumi , Kobayashi Tohru , Takahashi Takuri , Sunagawa Tomimasa , Tsuboi Norihiko , Ishikura Kenji , Kubota Masaya , Kubota Mitsuru , Igarashi Takashi , Morioka Ichiro , Miyairi Isao 
Published: February 2022

Background
The role of antibiotics in the treatment of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection is controversial.

Objectives
To evaluate the association between treatment (antibiotics, antidiarrheal agents, and probiotics) for STEC infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) development.

Patients and methods
We performed a population-based matched case-control study using the data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (NESID) between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. We identified all patients with STEC infection and HUS as cases and matched patients with STEC infection without HUS as controls, with a case-control a ratio of 1:5. Further medical information was obtained by a standardized questionnaire. Multivariable conditional logistic regression model was used.

Results
7760 patients with STEC infection were registered in the NESID. 182 patients with HUS and 910 matched controls without HUS were selected. 90 patients with HUS (68 children and 22 adults) and 371 patients without HUS (266 children and 105 adults) were included in the main analysis. The matched ORs of any antibiotics and fosfomycin for HUS in children were 0.56 (95% CI 0.32–0.98), 0.58 (0.34–1.01). The matched ORs for HUS were 2.07 (1.07–4.03), 0.86 (0.46−1.61) in all ages treated with antidiarrheal agent and probiotics.

Conclusions
Antibiotics, especially fosfomycin, may prevent the development of HUS in children, while use of antidiarrheal agents should be avoided.