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Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of implant supported dental restorations in patients with chronic periodontal diseases at various stages within 2years of completing treatment. 30 patients with periodontal diseases and 30 patients without periodontal diseases were studied. Total counts of 276 implant bodies were divided into group A (patients with periodontal diseases; a total of 149 implants) and group B (patients with healthy periodontium; a total of 127 implants). In group A subjects, periodontitis was treated prior to implant placement. The study focused on patients’ modified sulcus bleeding index, modified plaque index, implant mobility index, periodontal probing depth and implant success rate 12 and 24months after the completion of the treatment. The result show: there were no significant differences in implant success rate between groups A and B; modified sulcus bleeding index scores showed differences between the groups 24months after treatment; there were no significant differences in other clinical indexes during the study between the groups; there were no significant differences in periodontal probing depth between the groups; modified plaque index and modified sulcus bleeding index were positively correlated in implant supported dental restoration patients with chronic periodontal diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of B, C and N adatoms on the electronic structures and transport properties of H-passivated zigzag graphene nanoribbons are investigated by first principles calculations. It is found that the adsorption of a single B, N or C atom can induce a net magnetic moment of 1, 1 or , respectively. All such adatoms can induce both acceptor-like and donor-like quasilocalized states which backscatter the electrons and thus block the transmission. This is reflected in the transmission function by a transmission dip both above and below the Fermi level, which is completely different from the cases with B or N substitution where only one valley appears either above or below the Fermi level. Especially, we find that a single adatom can even break the edge states, and consequently completely suppress the transmission channel contributed by the related edge states. Meanwhile, the transmission is highly spin polarized, but the spin polarization in current at low bias is negligible in all the B, N and C adsorption cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum visfatin and insulin resistance (IR) in non-diabetic essential hypertensive (EH) patients with and without IR, and to evaluate the effect of antihypertensive treatment on serum visfatin and IR in these patients. METHODS: A total of 81 non-diabetic EH patients, including 54 with IR and 27 without IR, were enrolled. After two weeks wash-out, patients with IR were randomly assigned to telmisartan (group T) or amlodipine (group A) for 6 months. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment for measurement of routine biochemical parameters, visfatin and insulin resistance (measured by HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Visfatin was independently correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.845, P=0.000). After 6 months of treatment, both drugs lowered HOMA-IR, more significantly so in group T than group A (P=0.010). Serum visfatin levels increased in group T but decreased in group A. CONCLUSION: Serum visfatin levels were higher in non-diabetic EH patients with IR compared with those without IR. Visfatin is independently correlated with HOMA-IR. Telmisartan lowers HOMA-IR to a greater extent than amlodipine. Interestingly, serum visfatin increased with telmisartan yet decreased with amlodipine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The healing period for bone–implant osseointegration lasts 3–6 months or even longer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether osseointegration can be enhanced by the use of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). In the femurs of 8 Japanese white rabbits, 16 implants were applied with 1.0mg recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) as group A, and the other 16 implants without rhBMP-2 as group B. Calcein green 20mg/kg and alizarin red 20mg/kg were injected 4 and 8 weeks after implantation, respectively. At 12 weeks, the animals were killed. In 16 implant–bone blocks, binding strength was measured by pull-out test, and the extracted implants were observed under a scanning electronic microscope. The other blocks were analysed for percentage of marked bone adjacent to the implant surface by confocal laser scanning microscope. The pull-out strengths of group A were greater than that of group B (P <0.05). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) showed more calcified substances on the surface of the implants of group A than B. There was more marked bone around group A than B implants at 4 weeks (P <0.05) and 8 weeks (P <0.05). rhBMP-2 improves the quantity and quality of implant–bone osseointegration. Biomechanical testing and histomorphometric analysis are reliable methods to use in researching the implant–bone interface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Definitions of child maltreatment vary between studies, and few are informed by research in non-Western countries. We examined attitudes about child maltreatment in China and the Netherlands. The sample consisted of 304 participants from three groups (mothers, fathers, and teachers) and two countries (China and the Netherlands). Participants completed the Maltreatment Q-sort in which 90 items reflecting four types of child maltreatment (physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect) are divided in 9 stacks of 10 cards from least (1) to most (9) damaging to the child. The average within-country (r =.57) and within-group (r =.58) agreement about the order of harmfulness of the behaviors did not differ from the average between-country (r =.49) and between-group (r =.53) agreement. Physical abuse was seen as the most harmful form of child maltreatment and emotional neglect as the least harmful form (pƞ2 =.88). Higher thresholds were found for labeling the behaviors as child maltreatment, and the perceived need for intervention by a professional than for the need for intervention by a non-professional (pƞ2 =.67). These thresholds were higher for Chinese than for Dutch participants (pƞ2 =.31). The areas of agreement found are promising because successful collaboration within and between countries and groups could lead to more successful prevention and intervention of child maltreatment. The difference between China and the Netherlands however, stresses the importance of cultural sensitivity when implementing child maltreatment prevention and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in immunology support the understanding that precise structural epitopes on the antibody-accessible region of the HLA molecule determine antigenicity and challenge the need for identity across the full HLA molecule to minimize graft immunogenicity. Retrospective studies confirm that quantitative measurement of epitope-level mismatching between donor and recipient is an informative marker of graft rejection and survival and suggest that prospective allocation of donor organs based on this principle may improve graft survival. Here we describe the process for rigorous prospective evaluation of this hypothesis in a formal national proof-of-concept program for epitope-based matching. This encompasses broad societal consultation to engage the public, patients and providers; the development of clear allocation policies with strategies to support candidates who may be difficult to match; molecular and sequencing methods and web-based calculators enabling rapid epitope typing and recipient selection; precise immunological monitoring of the graft response; information systems permitting real-time monitoring of clinical outcomes; and assessment of health benefit and economic cost. The results of this objective evaluation can then be provided to payers and policy-makers for review, and adoption if of proven benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not a rare disease among the Chinese and the incidence is higher in the female population. Lupus nephritis (LN) often develops in patients with SLE and may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although there are studies that suggest postponement of the scheduling of kidney transplantation (KT) for these patients, there are still some other studies with conflicting results. Our study aimed to analyze the outcome of patients with LN after progression to ESRD and to try to elucidate whether deferral of KT is necessary in the Chinese population. Methods: We used the National Health Insurance Research Database to perform this cohort study. The study cohort was observed between 1998 and 2009 after being diagnosed as having SLE. The cases of SLE and ESRD were identified according to the catastrophic illness database. Results: In total, 1998 SLE patients with ESRD were identified. They received hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or KT with the proportion of 82.1%, 9.8%, and 8.1%, respectively. The 1-year, 5-year, 10-year patient survival rates were best for those who underwent KT (100%, 98.1%, and 94.4%, respectively), followed by peritoneal dialysis (88.3%, 79.1%, and 76%, respectively), and hemodialysis (53.6%, 46.0%, and 41.6%, respectively). For those who underwent KT within 1 year after ESRD, no significant worse patient survival and graft survival were observed than those who underwent KT 1 year later. Conclusion: KT provides a better survival benefit for SLE patients with ESRD than hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. No obvious clinical benefit of KT deferral was observed in our study and the deferral may not be necessary for our population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poster: Physics track: Basic dosimetry and phantom and detector development PO-1306: Pilot study: Characteristics of N-isopropyl acrylamide polymer gel dosimetry with proton beam E. Huang, K. Juan, J. Lan, Y. Juan, P. Juang, C. Yao, Y. Chang. [Extracted from the article]

Parenting skills, such as Autonomy Support (AS), have been proposed as a potential mechanism explaining the intergenerational contiguity of Executive Function (EF). However, few studies have focused on mothers and fathers among non-Western families. The current study investigated the role of maternal and paternal AS in the relation between parental EF and infant EF at 14 months of age among 123 Dutch and 63 Chinese first-time mothers and fathers and their infants. Multiple-group structural equation models were built for mothers and fathers separately with country as a grouping variable. Results showed that parental AS did not mediate the relation between parent EF and infant EF at 14 months. Mean-level differences were found in parental AS, maternal EF, and infant inhibition across countries, while no country differences were found in the relation between parent EF, AS and infant EF. Our findings suggested that individual differences in early EF may not be stable enough to be reliably predicted from parental factors across the Netherlands and China. • Parental autonomy support did not mediate the relation between parent executive function and 14-month executive function. • The mediation model was similar across the Netherlands and China. • Mean-level differences were found in parental autonomy support, maternal executive function, and infant inhibition across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We study the tuning effects of carbon dopants on the electronic structures and magnetic properties of zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons. [•] The electronic structures and magnetism can be greatly altered by changing the dopant positions and concentration. [•] With careful control of the carbon dopant distributions, half-metallic zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons can be achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to express major epitopes of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein G (hnRNP G) for detecting anti-hnRNP G antibodies in dogs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). HnRNP G cDNA clone was isolated from HEp-2 cells, and a DNA fragment encoding immunodominant region (residues 189-272) of hnRNP G (hnRNP Gi) was subcloned into pET32 vector to construct a prokaryotic expression plasmid named pEThnRNPGi. After induction. Escherichut coli carrying pEThnRNPGi expressed a recombinant protein of 28 kDa, comprising recombinant hnRNP Gi and fusion tag. Purified recombinant hnRNP Gi protein was further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and its identity was confirmed. Western blot analysis showed that recombinant hnRNP Gi was specifically recognized by anti-hnRNP G positive sera of SLE dogs, and not by negative control sera. In conclusion, recombinant hnRNP Gi protein expressed in this study may serve as a useful reagent to assist in the immunological diagnosis of canine SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The solubility of urea in supercritical CO2 and CO2 +ethanol was measured over the pressure and temperature ranges 100–300bar and 313–373K, respectively, and ethanol concentrations of 0–25mass% (urea free basis). The solubility in CO2 was measured by a once-through packed bed gravimetric method at a laboratory and pilot scale. The solubility in CO2 +ethanol was measured using two different methods: antisolvent precipitation and a gravimetric packed bed method. The solubility of urea in pure CO2 is very low, ranging from 1.1×10−6 mol fraction at 100bar, 333K to 3.1×10−5 at 300bar, 353K. The solubility increases exponentially with a linear increase in ethanol content. The highest solubility measured was ∼1×10−2 mol fraction at 333K, 150bar and 26% ethanol. At high ethanol contents, the solubility was almost independent of pressure at a fixed temperature. The solubility was correlated by the Peng–Robinson equation of state with standard mixing rules for the repulsive and attractive parameters; and mixing rules that incorporated the formation of a complex between urea and ethanol. The solubility of urea in ethanol, and ethanol in CO2 was also modelled to obtain interaction parameters for the model. It was not possible to find pairs of interaction parameters that modelled both the solubility in pure CO2, and CO2 +ethanol using the standard Peng–Robinson mixing rules. However, the solubility of urea in pure CO2, and CO2 +ethanol, was well modelled using the Peng–Robinson EOS that incorporated complex formation between urea and ethanol. Assuming an ethanol/urea complex stoichiometry of 2:1 gave a good fit between model predictions and experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to investigate heterosis on a molecular basis, suppression subtractive hybridization was used to analyze the differences in gene expression between porcine F1 hybrids Landrace × Yorkshire and their female parents Yorkshire. From two specific subtractive cDNA libraries, the clones screened out by reverse Northern high-density blots screening were chosen to clone full-length cDNA by RACE. An expression-upregulated gene for Yorkshire skeletal muscle, designated as HUMMLC2B, was identified. Porcine HUMMLC2B contains an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 169 amino acids residues with 59 and 115 nucleotides in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs), respectively. In the porcine genome, it contains seven exons separated by six introns. High allelic variations and four SINEs were detected in it. Comparison of derived amino acid sequence of HUMMLC2B with database sequences revealed highly conserved 12 amino acid residues in a putative calcium-binding region. RT-PCR analysis showed a tissue-specific pattern of expression in skeletal muscle and a similar level of expression during skeletal muscle development. The possible role of HUMMLC2B and its relation to porcine heterosis are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) has better outcome compared with dialysis in lupus patients. The duration lupus patients need to wait before KT remains debatable, especially in patients with lupus activity. We analyzed a renal transplantation database to elucidate if pretransplantation dialysis (PTD) time and lupus activity affected outcome. Methods: From 1984 to 2012, 31 Chinese lupus nephritis patients underwent KT at our hospital. The lupus activity was defined as nonrenal systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLE-DAI) score. Biopsy-proven acute rejection/recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN) were recorded. Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) was defined as doubling of serum creatinine level. Graft failure was defined as return to dialysis. We calculated relative hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) from Cox proportional-hazards regression models. Results: In total, 31 lupus patients with KT (7 men and 24 women), with a mean age of 35.3 years at transplantation, were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up duration was 8.2 years. The mean PTD time was 3.3 years. Both PTD time and lupus activity before transplantation had no effect on CAD and graft failure. Longer PTD time was associated with more acute rejection (HR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02–1.41). Also, maximal lupus activity after transplantation was associated with more CAD (HR = 6.44; 95% CI, 1.36–30.57). Conclusion: For Chinese lupus patients with KT, longer PTD time was associated with worse outcome. Patients should undergo KT immediately if a kidney is available for donation, even with active lupus disease. It is necessary to monitor lupus activity after transplantation due to its effect on outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Memantine attenuated E. coli K1-induced tight junction injuries through inhibition of 7 nAChR-dependent pathway in vitro In our study, we aim to determine the effects of MEM on tight junction injury in blood-brain barrier (BBB) induced by E. coli K1 in vitro. B Conclusion: b Our study suggests that MEM enhances the expression of the tight junction- associated proteins (Occludin and ZO-1) and alleviates the tight junction damage through inhibiting 7 nAChR signaling way. [Extracted from the article]

Arid Central Asia (ACA), with its diverse landscapes of high mountains, oases, and deserts, hosted the central routes of the Silk Roads that linked trade centers from East Asia to the eastern Mediterranean. Ecological pockets and ecoclines in ACA are largely determined by local precipitation. However, little research has gone into the effects of hydroclimatic changes on trans-Eurasian cultural exchange. Here, we reconstruct precipitation changes in ACA, covering the mid-late Holocene with a U-Th dated, ~3 a resolution, multi-proxy time series of replicated stalagmites from the southeastern Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan. Our data reveal a 640-a megadrought between 5820 and 5180 a BP, which likely impacted cultural development in ACA and impeded the expansion of cultural traits along oasis routes. Instead, it may have diverted the earliest transcontinental exchange along the Eurasian steppe during the 5th millennium BP. With gradually increasing precipitation after the megadrought, settlement of peoples in the oases and river valleys may have facilitated the opening of the oasis routes, "prehistoric Silk Roads", of trans-Eurasian exchange. By the 4th millennium BP, this process may have reshaped cultures across the two continents, laying the foundation for the organized Silk Roads., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) sensitized fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes (TSF-OLEDs) have shown great potential for the realization of high efficiency with low efficiency roll-off and good color purity. However, the superior examples of TSF-OLEDs are still limited up to now. Herein, a trade-off strategy is presented for designing efficient TADF materials and achieving high-performance TSF-OLEDs via the construction of a new type of triazolotriazine (TAZTRZ) acceptor. The enhanced electron-withdrawing ability of TAZTRZ acceptor, fused by triazine (TRZ) and triazole (TAZ) together, enables TADF luminogens with small singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔE ST ) values. Meanwhile, the increased planarity from the TRZ-phenyl linkage (6:6 system) to the TAZ-phenyl linkage (5:6 system) can compensate the decrease of oscillator strength (f) while lowing ΔE ST , thus achieving a trade-off between small ΔE ST and high f. As a result, the related TSF-OLED achieved an extremely low turn-on voltage of 2.1 V, an outstanding maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE max ) of 23.7% with small efficiency roll-off (EQE 1000 of 23.2%; EQE 5000 of 20.6%) and an impressively high maximum power efficiency of 82.1 lm W -1 , which represents the state-of-the-art performance for yellow TSF-OLEDs., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)