Neutrophil N1 and N2 Subsets and Their Possible Association with Periodontitis: A Scoping Review

Periodontitis is a chronic non-communicable disease caused by dysbiotic changes that affect the subgingival microbiota. During periodontitis, neutrophils play a central role in the initial recognition of bacteria, and their number increases with the appearance of the first signs of periodontal inflammation. Recent evidence has led to the proposition that neutrophils can also functionally polarize, determining selective activity patterns related to different diseases. Two well-defined neutrophil phenotypes have been described, the pro-inflammatory N1 subset and the suppressor N2 subset. To date, it has not been established whether these different neutrophil subtypes play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Thus, this scoping review aimed to determine whether there was evidence to suggest that the neutrophils present in periodontal tissues can be associated with certain phenotypes. The research question, population, concept, and context sought to identify original articles, in humans, that detected the presence of neutrophils in the periodontal tissues of people affected by periodontitis. Based on the search strategy, we found 3658 studies. After removing the papers with abstracts not related to the outcome measures and eligibility criteria, 16 articles were included for qualitative analysis. Several studies identified the presence of different neutrophil subsets, specifically, the naive, pro- and para-inflammatory, hyper-reactive and hyper-active, and high- and low-responder phenotypes. The existing evidence demonstrates the presence of pro-inflammatory, hyper-reactive and high-responder neutrophils in periodontal tissues affected with periodontitis. There is no evidence demonstrating the presence of the N1 or N2 phenotypes in periodontal tissues during periodontitis. However, the existence of pro-inflammatory phenotypes, which increase NETosis and degranulation, and increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, could be suggestive of the N1 phenotypes.     

Mobile sink based data collection for energy efficient coordination in wireless sensor network using cooperative game model

Telecommunication Systems - Multi-hop communication in a wireless sensor network leads to unbalanced energy consumption, creating “hot spots” around the sensor nodes. Selection of paths...     

Influence of active steering with adaptive control law on a metro rail vehicle wheel wear and dynamic performance

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - An active steering bogie is designed to for yaw control of the wheel-sets to align the wheels with the track direction during curve negotiation....     

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial efficacy of the D-tagatose and lactobacilli-based synbiotic preparations against the pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

The study aimed to investigate the utilisation of prebiotic D-tagatose by probiotic lactobacilli (L. rhamnosus GG, L. casei, L. acidophilus and L. fermentum) and enteric pathogens (E. coli and S. typhimurium) to determine synbiotic potential of D-tagatose and lactobacilli combination. The antimicrobial efficacy of the synbiotic preparations (D-tagatose with lactobacillus) was assessed against selected pathogens in co-culture assays. Evidently, D-tagatose supported growth of selected lactobacilli, especially the L. rhamnosus GG and L. casei, but not the enteric pathogens. The tested synbiotic preparations completely inhibited growth of both the pathogens, even in the presence of D-glucose in co-cultures. The well-diffusion assay demonstrated the presence of antimicrobial activity as recorded by drop of culture pH. The study substantiated that D-tagatose could be an effective prebiotic component for formulation of potential synbiotic combinations with L. rhamnosus GG or L. casei that can be used as an alternative to antibiotics against enteric pathogens.     

Distance-based weighted sparse representation to classify motor imagery EEG signals for BCI applications

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Motor imagery (MI) based brain-computer interface systems (BCIs) are highly in need for a large number of real-time applications such as hands and touch-free...     

RGO/MgO hybrid nanocomposites with high specific capacitance

A scalable, cost effective synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-magnesium oxide (MgO) hybrid nanocomposite (RGOMOHNC) is reported in the present work. The process involves an in-situ sonication method in aqueous medium at room temperature e.g., 30 °C. The as synthesized graphene oxide (GO) and RGOMOHNC powders are characterized by the XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR, RS and XPS techniques. The results indicate that in-situ growth of 20–30 nm MgO nanoparticles effectively increases the graphitic nature of the layered RGO microstructure. The experimentally measured cyclic voltammetry (CV) plots show that the specific capacitance of the RGOMOHNC powders is three orders of magnitude higher than that of the GO powders. A mechanism of RGOMOHNC formation has been proposed.     

In support and extension of the mechanism of densification,strengthening and deformation behaviour of YBa2Cu3O7−x -Ag2O superconducting composites prepared by the powder metallurgy route

In the evolution of potential shape-forming processes for high-temperature superconducting ceramics, the powder metallurgy route, using YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x and Ag₂O powders to fabricate flexible superconducting composite wires by extrusion, occupies a unique status. The processing route is novel, particularly with respect to the strength and deformability of the product at various stages. The extruded wires display a sharp resistive transition upon oxygen annealing. A phenomenological model of the mechanism explaining the microstructural behaviour of this composite had been proposed earlier by the authors. In this communication a processing-microstructure-property correlative approach has been adopted with a view to establishing experimental support for, as well as to effect an extension of, the mechanism of strengthening, densification and deformation behaviour of YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x-Ag₂O superconducting composites prepared by the powder metallurgy route. The results of mechanical testing and microscopic investigation are used in conjunction to complete the understanding of the mechanism.     

Understanding the Effect of Tamarind Gum Proportion on the Properties of Tamarind Gum-Based Hydroethanolic Physical Hydrogels

The present study reports the analysis of properties of tamarind gum-based hydroethanolic physical hydrogels. The extent of hydrogen bonding in hydrogels decreased with an increase in tamarind gum content. The hydrogel with the highest tamarind gum content was found to be highly stable in terms of mechanical properties. There was a decrease in the resistive component of the hydrogels with an increase in tamarind gum content. The drug release from the hydrogels increased with an increase in the tamarind gum content. The antimicrobial activity of the drug-loaded hydrogels against Escherichia coli was excellent.