• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate changes of the alveolar bone and interdental bone septum of the mandibular incisors through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) after orthodontic treatment of mandibular dental crowding without dental extraction. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 64 CBCT images(32 pre-treatment and 32 post-treatment) from 32 adult patients with class I malocclusion and an average age of 23.0±3.9 years. The width and height of the alveolar bone and interdental septum, the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the facial and lingual bone crests, and the inclination of the mandibular incisors were measured. Results: The distance between the CEJ and the marginal bone crest on the facial side increased significantly (P<0.05). An increased distance between the CEJ and the bone crest on the facial and lingual sides showed a correlation with the irregularity index (P<0.05); however, no significant association was observed with increasing mandibular incisor inclination (P>0.05). The change in the distance between the CEJ and the marginal bone crest on the facial side was correlated significantly with bone septum height(P<0.05). Conclusion: Bone dehiscence developed during the treatment of crowding without extraction only on the incisors' facial side. Increasing proclination of the mandibular incisor was not correlated with bone dehiscence. The degree of dental crowding assessed through the irregularity index was associated with the risk of developing bone dehiscence. The interdental septum reflected facial marginal bone loss in the mandibular incisors.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) status of breastfed infants less than six months old and their mothers, and factors affecting the status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on breastfed, term, Filipino infants less than six months old who were seen at local health centers and clinics in an urban area. The serum 25(OH)D levels of these infants and their mothers were determined, and their demographic data, nutritional status, sun exposure behavior, and maternal vitamin D intake were analyzed for correlation using regression models. Results: Among the 131 infants, 101 (77%) had vitamin D deficiency (VDD), which was defined as having 25(OH)D levels <37.5 nmol/L, and 13 (10%) had vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), with levels >37.5-50 nmol/L. Conversely, maternal VDD with levels <50 nmol/L was seen in 31 (24%) mothers and maternal VDI with levels 50-75 nmol/L, in 63 (48%) mothers. Infant age and maternal 25(OH)D status were independent predictors of infant VDD. Infants less than three months old were found to have a six-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.004). Infants who had mothers with VDD had a six-time increased risk, whereas those with maternal VDI had a four-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.049 and p=0.020, respectively). Conclusion: Both infant and maternal VDD and VDI were seen to be highly prevalent in this tropical, urban community. Young infants and maternal VDD/VDI independently increased the risk of infant VDD, whereas lack of sun exposure of the mothers increased the risk for maternal VDI.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.975-988
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that play important roles in starvation stress, analyze their functions, and discover potential molecular targets to alleviate starvation stress to provide a theoretical reference for subsequent in-depth research. Methods: We generated a piglet starvation stress animal model. Nine Yorkshire weaned piglets were randomly divided into a long-term starvation stress group (starved for 72 h), short-term starvation stress group (starved for 48 h), and the control group. LncRNA libraries were constructed using high-throughput sequencing of piglet ileums. Results: We obtained 11,792 lncRNAs, among which, 2,500 lncRNAs were novel. In total, 509 differentially expressed (DE)lncRNAs were identified in this study. Target genes of DElncRNAs were predicted via cis and trans interactions, and functional and pathway analyses were performed. Gene ontology functions and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis revealed that lncRNA-targeted genes mainly participated in metabolic pathways, cellular processes, immune system processes, digestive systems, and transport activities. To reveal the mechanism underlying starvation stress, the interaction network between lncRNAs and their targets was constructed based on 26 DElncRNAs and 72 DEmRNAs. We performed an interaction network analysis of 121 DElncRNA-DEmRNA pairs with a Pearson correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. Conclusion: We found that MSTRG.19894.13, MSTRG.16726.3, and MSTRG.12176.1 might play important roles in starvation stress. This study not only generated a library of enriched lncRNAs in piglets, but its outcomes also provide a strong foundation to screen key lncRNAs involved in starvation stress and a reference for subsequent in-depth research.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.40.1-40.11
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• 2021

Mutation signatures represent unique sequence footprints of somatic mutations resulting from specific DNA mutagenic and repair processes. However, their causal associations and the potential utility for genome research remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed PanCancer-scale correlative analyses to identify the genomic features associated with tumor mutation burdens (TMB) and individual mutation signatures. We observed that TMB was correlated with tumor purity, ploidy, and the level of aneuploidy, as well as with the expression of cell proliferation-related genes representing genomic covariates in evaluating TMB. Correlative analyses of mutation signature levels with genes belonging to specific DNA damage-repair processes revealed that deficiencies of NHEJ1 and ALKBH3 may contribute to mutations in the settings of APOBEC cytidine deaminase activation and DNA mismatch repair deficiency, respectively. We further employed a strategy to identify feature-driven, de novo mutation signatures and demonstrated that mutation signatures can be reconstructed using known causal features. Using the strategy, we further identified tumor hypoxia-related mutation signatures similar to the APOBEC-related mutation signatures, suggesting that APOBEC activity mediates hypoxia-related mutational consequences in cancer genomes. Our study advances the mechanistic insights into the TMB and signature-based DNA mutagenic and repair processes in cancer genomes. We also propose that feature-driven mutation signature analysis can further extend the categories of cancer-relevant mutation signatures and their causal relationships.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.521-532
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• 2021

Present paper focuses on the modeling of size effect on the compressive strength of normal concrete with the application of Discrete Element Method (DEM). Test specimens with different size and shape were cast and uniaxial compressive strength test was performed on each sample. Five different concrete mixes were used, all belonging to a different normal strength concrete class (C20/25, C30/37, C35/45, C45/55, and C50/60). The numerical simulations were carried out by using the PFC 5 software, which applies rigid spheres and contacts between them to model the material. DEM modeling of size effect could be advantageous because the development of micro-cracks in the material can be observed and the failure mode can be visualized. The series of experiments were repeated with the model after calibration. The relationship of the parallel bond strength of the contacts and the laboratory compressive strength test was analyzed by aiming to determine a relation between the compressive strength and the bond strength of different sized models. An equation was derived based on Bazant's size effect law to estimate the parallel bond strength of differently sized specimens. The parameters of the equation were optimized based on measurement data using nonlinear least-squares method with SSE (sum of squared errors) objective function. The laboratory test results showed a good agreement with the literature data (compressive strength is decreasing with the increase of the size of the specimen regardless of the shape). The derived estimation models showed strong correlation with the measurement data. The results indicated that the size effect is stronger on concretes with lower strength class due to the higher level of inhomogeneity of the material. It was observed that size effect is more significant on cube specimens than on cylinder samples, which can be caused by the side ratios of the specimens and the size of the purely compressed zone. A limit value for the minimum size of DE model for cubes and cylinder was determined, above which the size effect on compressive strength can be neglected within the investigated size range. The relationship of model size (particle number) and computational time was analyzed and a method to decrease the computational time (number of iterations) of material genesis is proposed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.262-266
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• 1983

Influence of fungi living on the endocarp surface of depulped seeds of Panax ginseng on the dehiscence was investigated with a fungicidal treatment of the seeds and sterilization of the sand at the beginning of stratification. 1. Isolation frequency of the fungi living on the endocarp surface of de-pulped seed was reduced and hardness of the endocarp did not change significantly in seed treated with a fungicide Captan wp. 50%. A significant negative correlation $(r=-0.984^**)$ was found between the frequency of fungi isolation and the hardness of the endocarp. 2. Increase of water content in the seed treated with the fungicide was delayed 20days compared to the untreated. 3. Growth of the embryo and dehiscence of the seed was suppressed by the fungicide treatment. The length of the embryo was inversely proportional to the hardness of the seed. It is suggested that the fungi facilitate the softening of the endocarp thereby enhancing the supply of oxygen and water necessary for the embryo development, therefore, accelerate the growing of embryo and cause the dehiscence.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.11
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• 2021

Objectives: This study assessed the reliability of digital color measurements using images of resin composite specimens captured with a cellphone. Materials and Methods: The reference color of cylindrical specimens built-up with the use of resin composite (shades A1, A2, A3, and A4) was measured with a portable spectrophotometer (CIELab). Images of the specimens were obtained individually or pairwise (compared shades in the same photograph) under standardized parameters. The color of the specimens was measured in the images using RGB system and converted to CIELab system using image processing software. Whiteness index (WI_D) and color differences (ΔE₀₀) were calculated for each color measurement method. For the cellphone, the ΔE₀₀ was calculated between the pairs of shades in separate images and in the same image. Data were analyzed using 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Linear regression models were used to predict the reference ΔE₀₀ values of those calculated using color measured in the images. Results: Images captured with the cellphone resulted in different WI_D values from the spectrophotometer only for shades A3 and A4. No difference to the reference ΔE₀₀ was observed when individual images were used. In general, a similar ranking of ΔE₀₀ among resin composite shades was observed for all methods. Stronger correlation coefficients with the reference ΔE₀₀ were observed using individual than pairwise images. Conclusions: This study showed that the use of cellphone images to measure the color difference seems to be a feasible alternative providing outcomes similar to those obtained with the spectrophotometer.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.264-275
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the effects of maxillary orthodontic expansion on the alveolar bone tissue in adult patients treated with aligners by using cone-beam computed tomography. Methods: Thirty patients (22 females and 8 males; mean age: 36.3 years) were treated with Invisalign^® aligners. Cone-beam computed tomography and digital models were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) upper arch expansion. The bone thicknesses in the cervical, middle, and apical areas of the incisors, canines, premolar, and first molars were buccally and palatally measured, totaling 96 areas and 2,880 measurements. The buccolingual inclinations and transverse measurements of the teeth were obtained from digital models to correlate them with the bone changes. The statistical tests used were Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation tests (p < 0.05). Results: From the 96 areas evaluated, 84 revealed an increase or stability in the alveolar bone thickness and twelve displayed significant bone loss. Bone changes did not correlate with the tooth inclination and transverse measurements. Conclusions: Within the limitation of the present study, mild levels of upper arch expansion obtained with Invisalign^® aligners in adult patients did not result in any clinically significant loss of alveolar bone thickness.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.430-438
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• 2024

Background/Aims: A poor prognostic factor for Crohn's disease (CD) includes perianal fistulizing disease, including perianal fistula and/or perianal abscess. Currently, a tool to assess perianal symptoms in patients with CD remains nonexistent. This study aimed to develop a perianal fistulizing disease self-screening questionnaire for patients with CD. Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted at three tertiary referral centers between January 2019 and May 2020. We formulated questions on perianal symptoms, including tenesmus, anal discharge, bleeding, pain, and heat. A 4-point Likert scale was used to rate each question. Patients with CD completed a questionnaire and underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Overall, 93 patients were enrolled, with 51 (54.8%) diagnosed with perianal fistulizing disease, as determined by pelvic MRI. The Spearman correlation findings demonstrated that anal pain (p = 0.450, p < 0.001) and anal discharge (p = 0.556, p < 0.001) were the symptoms that most significantly correlated with perianal disease. For anal pain and discharge, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the scores was significantly higher than that of the combined score for all five symptoms (0.855 vs. 0.794, DeLong's test p = 0.04). For the two symptoms combined, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values were 88.2, 73.8, 80.4, and 83.8%, respectively, with 81.7% accuracy for detecting perianal fistulizing disease. Conclusions: This study indicates that simple questions regarding anal pain and discharge can help accurately identify the presence of perianal fistulizing disease in patients with CD.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.247-253
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• 2024

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations frequently co-occur with intra-articular glenohumeral pathologies. Few comprehensive studies have focused on labral tears specifically associated with AC joint trauma. This systematic review will address this gap. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) spanning from 1976 to May 19, 2023. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, consisting of three retrospective studies and four case series. These studies collectively involved 1,044 patients, of whom 282 had concomitant labral lesions. The pooled prevalence of intra-articular labral injuries associated with acute AC joint dislocation was 27%. The prevalence of these labral lesions varied significantly between studies, ranging from 13.9% to 84.0% of patients, depending on the study and the grade of AC joint dislocation. Various types of labral tears were reported, with superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions being the most common. The prevalence of SLAP lesions ranged from 7.2% to 77.4%, with higher grades of AC joint dislocations often associated with a higher prevalence of SLAP tears. Moreover, grade V dislocations exhibited a complete correlation with SLAP tears. The studies yielded contradictory findings regarding older age and higher grades of AC joint dislocation as risk factors for concurrent labral lesions. This review underscores the frequent association between labral lesions and AC joint dislocations, particularly in cases of lower-grade injuries. Notably, SLAP lesions emerged as the predominant type of labral tear.