Fluoride removal in batch and column systems using bonechar produced in a top-lit updraft drum gasifier and furnace.

Hundreds of millions of people are exposed to excessive levels of fluoride in drinking water, predominately in low-resource communities. Activated alumina is recognized as the best available technology for fluoride removal from drinking water by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, but it has substantial economic and environmental costs. Bonechar is a more environmentally friendly and potentially lower cost alternative adsorbent.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-activated Cxcr2 signaling in myeloid cells promotes TGFβ-dependent squamous cell carcinoma lung metastasis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) activity is linked to metastasis in many cancer types, but whether TGFβ activity is necessary for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lung metastasis has not been studied. Here we used a lung metastatic SCC model derived from keratin 15 (K15). Kras.

Pericyte heterogeneity identified by 3D ultrastructural analysis of the microvessel wall.

Confident identification of pericytes (PCs) remains an obstacle in the field, as a single molecular marker for these unique perivascular cells remains elusive. Adding to this challenge is the recent appreciation that PC populations may be heterogeneous, displaying a range of morphologies within capillary networks. We found additional support on the ultrastructural level for the classification of these PC subtypes-"thin-strand" (TSP), mesh (MP), and ensheathing (EP)-based on distinct morphological characteristics.

Development of syngeneic murine cell lines for use in immunocompetent orthotopic lung cancer models.

Background: Immunocompetent animal models are required to study tumor-host interactions, immunotherapy, and immunotherapeutic combinations, however the currently available immunocompetent lung cancer models have substantial limitations. While orthotopic models potentially help fill this gap, the utility of these models has been limited by the very small number of murine lung cancer cell lines capable of forming orthotopic tumors in immunocompetent C57BL/6 hosts.

Methods: Primary lung tumors with specific genetic alterations were created in C57BL/6 background mice.

PARP Inhibition Enhances Radiotherapy of SMAD4-Deficient Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Experimental Models.

Purpose: loss causes genomic instability and the initiation/progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we study whether loss sensitizes HNSCCs to olaparib (PARP inhibitor) in combination with radiotherapy (RT).

Experimental Design: We analyzed HNSCC The Cancer Genome Atlas data for expression in association with family gene expression.

Adenoviral vectors transduce alveolar macrophages in lung cancer models.

Adenoviral vectors expressing Cre recombinase are commonly used to initiate tumor formation in murine lung cancer models. While these vectors are designed to target genetic recombination to lung epithelial cells, adenoviruses can infect additional cell types that potentially influence tumor development. Our goal was to explore the consequences of adenoviral-mediated alveolar macrophage (AM) transduction in a Kras-initiated lung tumor model.

Hydrothermal Preparation, Crystal Chemistry, and Redox Properties of Iron Muscovite Clay.

The development of functional materials based on Earth-abundant, environmentally benign compositions is critical for ensuring their commercial viability and sustainable production. Here we present an investigation into the crystal chemistry and electrochemical properties of the muscovite clay KFeSiO(OH). We first report a low-temperature hydrothermal reaction that allows for a significant degree of control over sample crystallinity, particle morphology, and cation distribution through the lattice.

Reduced Smad4 expression and DNA topoisomerase inhibitor chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Smad4 is a tumor suppressor that transduces transforming growth factor beta signaling and regulates genomic stability. We previously found that Smad4 knockdown in vitro inhibited DNA repair and increased sensitivity to DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. In this study, we assessed the association between reduced Smad4 expression and DNA topoisomerase inhibitor sensitivity in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and evaluated the relationship between genomic alterations of Smad4 and molecular alterations in DNA repair molecules.