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Increased levels of proinflammatory markers have been reported in tissues of individuals with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We hypothesize that inflamed dental pulp tissues of individuals with previous history of COVID-19 may present a differential inflammatory gene expression profile in comparison with individuals who never had COVID-19. Dental pulp tissues were collected from 27 individuals referred for endodontic treatment due to symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Of these, 16 individuals had a history of COVID-19 (6 months to 1 year post infection) and 11 individuals had no previous history of COVID-19 (controls). Total RNA from pulp tissue samples was extracted and subjected to RNA sequencing for comparison of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among groups. DEGs showing log2(fold change) > 1 or < −1, and P <.05 were considered significantly dysregulated. RNA sequencing identified 1461 genes as differentially expressed among the groups. Of these, 311 were protein coding genes, 252 (81%) that were upregulated and 59 (19%) that were downregulated in the COVID group compared with controls. The top upregulated genes in the COVID group were HSFX1 (4.12-fold change) and LINGO3 (2.06-fold change); significantly downregulated genes were LYZ (−1.52-fold change), CCL15 and IL8 (−1.45-fold change). Differential gene expression in dental pulp tissues of COVID and non-COVID groups suggests potential contribution of COVID-19 on dysregulating inflammatory gene expression in the inflamed dental pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine dredged sediment was immobilized using ground granulated blast furnace slag as a new binder for supplementary cementitious materials in a 3.5% NaOH solution to study its solidification/stabilization (S/S) and uses in various industrial applications. The aim of this study is to compare effect of mixing conditions of the saturated-surface-dry of dredged sediment to determine the proper mixing method in the S/S process. Measurements of mechanical strength, heavy metal leachability, and microstructural characterization of the dredged sediment treated with alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste were carried out. The maximum value of the mechanical strength was obtained when the same amount of the NaOH solution as the saturated-surface-dry of the dredged sediment was added. The leaching experiment results showed that heavy metals were immobilized in the AAS paste, and that Cr, Cd, and Pb were not detected. The results of the analysis indicate the relationship between mechanical strength and (Ca + Na)/(Si + Al) ratio. This study demonstrates the possibility of successfully using fine dredged sediment as a base aggregate or a sub-base material for concrete production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of O2 concentration on metal–insulator transition (MIT) of vanadium oxide (VO x ) thin films was studied in terms of structural and electrical properties. The VO x films were prepared by varying O2 concentration using reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering with a vanadium target. As the O2 concentration in O2/Ar gas increased from 1% to 7%, the deposition rate of VO x films abruptly decreased and the crystalline phases of the films were transformed from V2O3 to V2O5. The VO x films deposited at 2% O2 mainly consisted of the VO2 phase and showed better crystallinity than those deposited at other O2 concentrations. From the current–voltage measurements of Pt/VO x /Pt capacitors, the VO x films deposited at 2% O2 showed excellent MIT properties which can be applied to memory devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]