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Stem cell therapy for periodontal defects has shown good promise in preclinical studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of stem cell support on the regeneration of both soft and hard tissues in periodontal treatment. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched and patients with periodontal defects who received stem cell therapy were included in this study. The quality of the included articles was assessed using Cochrane's tool for evaluating bias, and heterogeneity was analyzed using the I2 method. An Mendelian randomization investigation was conducted using abstract data from the IEU public databases obtained through GWAS. Nine articles were included for the meta-analysis. Stem cell therapy effectively rebuilds periodontal tissues in patients with periodontal defects, as evidenced by a reduction in probing depth, clinical attachment level and bone defect depth. And delta-like homolog 1 is a protective factor against periodontal defects alternative indicator of tooth loosening. The findings of this research endorse the utilization of stem cell treatment for repairing periodontal defects in individuals suffering from periodontitis. It is recommended that additional extensive clinical investigations be carried out to validate the efficacy of stem cell therapy and encourage its widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer/testis antigen-45A1 (CT45A1) is overexpressed in various types of cancer but is not expressed in healthy women. The role of CT45A1 in cervical cancer has not yet been described in the literature. Purpose: The aim of this research was to study the role of CT45A1 in cervical cancer progression and drug resistance, elucidate the mechanisms underlying CT45A1-mediated tumorigenesis and investigate CT45A1 as a biomarker for cervical cancer diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and targeted therapy. Methods: The CT45A1 levels in the tumors from cervical cancer patients were measured using immunohistochemical staining. The role and mechanisms underlying CT45A1-mediated cervical cancer cell tumor growth, invasion, and drug resistance were studied using xenograft mice, cervical cancer cells, immunohistochemistry, RNA-seq, real-time qPCR, Chromatin immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Results: CT45A1 levels were notably high in the tumor tissues of human cervical cancer patients compared to the paracancerous tissues (p < 0.001). Overexpression of CT45A1 was closely associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients. CT45A1 promoted cervical cancer cell tumor growth, invasion, neovascularization, and drug resistance. Mechanistically, CT45A1 promoted the expression of 128 pro-tumorigenic genes and concurrently activated key signaling pathways, including the oncogenic SRC, ERK, CREB, and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways. Furthermore, CT45A1-mediated tumorigenesis and drug resistance were markedly inhibited by the small molecule lycorine. Conclusion: CT45A1 promotes cervical cancer cell tumorigenesis, neovascularization, and drug resistance by activating oncogenic SRC and downstream tumorigenic signaling pathways. These findings provide new insight into the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and offer a new platform for the development of novel therapeutics against cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The current research on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation sites at different positions of the FAM83H gene and their phenotypic changes leading to amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is inconsistent. We identified a previously reported heterozygous nonsense mutation c.1192C>T (p.Q398*) in the FAM83H gene and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the dental ultrastructure and chemical composition changes induced by this mutation. Additionally, we predicted the protein feature affected by this mutation site. The aim was to further deepen our understanding of the diversity of AI caused by different mutation sites in the FAM83H gene. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the mutation sites. Physical features of the patient's teeth were investigated using various methods including cone beam computer tomography (CBCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact profilometry (roughness measurement), and a nanomechanical tester (nanoindentation measurement). The protein features of wild-type and mutant FAM83H were predicted using bioinformatics methods. Results: One previously discovered FAM83H heterozygous nonsense mutation c.1192C>T (p.Q398*) was detected in the patient. SEM revealed inconsistent dentinal tubules, and EDS showed that calcium and phosphorus were lower in the patient's dentin but higher in the enamel compared to the control tooth. Roughness measurements showed that AI patients' teeth had rougher occlusal surfaces than those of the control tooth. Nanoindentation measurements showed that the enamel and dentin hardness values of the AI patients' teeth were both significantly reduced compared to those of the control tooth. Compared to the wild-type FAM83H protein, the mutant FAM83H protein shows alterations in stability, hydrophobicity, secondary structure, and tertiary structure. These changes could underlie functional differences and AI phenotype variations caused by this mutation site. Conclusions: This study expands the understanding of the effects of FAM83H mutations on tooth structure. Clinical relevance: Our study enhances our understanding of the genetic basis of AI and may contribute to improved diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies for patients with FAM83H-related AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree lycopsids prospered in the Late Devonian and constituted a major part of the Late Paleozoic forest ecosystem that deeply impacted the Earth's climate. However, the fertile organs of these early tree lycopsids display low morphological disparity, which has hampered further knowledge about their ecological habit. Here, we report Omprelostrobus gigas gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Wutong Formation at Changxing, Zhejiang, China. The collection includes aerial axes, strobili and associated roots. The strobili are the largest among coeval lycopsids to our knowledge, and are divided into proximal and distal portions by dimorphic sporophylls with differentiated laminae and probable strong photosynthetic capacity. The associated but not attached roots displaying multiple isotomous branches lack rootlets and typical rootlet scars. The varied strobili sizes of early tree lycopsids were relatively independent of their body plan, but the large strobili could suggest increased reproductive investment to overcome the disadvantages of the disturbed flooded habitat. A new species of Late Devonian fossil lycopsid with large strobili and differentiated sporophylls provides insight into reproductive investment of early tree lycopsids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiaquilegiae Radix has been extensively investigated for its cytotoxic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of the study was to develop a simple and rapid method for Semiaquilegiae Radix quality control and explore chemical variation within the species using a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) metabolomics. Thirty-eight samples were collected from eleven provinces in China. Two HPTLC methods of different polarities were optimized to resolve the major compounds from the sample components. ImageJ software was used to determine and analyze the images of the sample extracts. Chemometric models, including principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to discriminate samples based on the gray value of common bands identified in HPTLC fingerprints. PCA and HCA revealed that samples from the same region have different in chemical compositions. Seven potential chemical markers were screened by variable importance in projection (VIP values > 1.0) of OPLS-DA model and three of them were identified as ferulic acid, griffonilide, and lithospermoside. The HPTLC fingerprint combined with multivariate statistical analyses revealed the differences in chemical components, which enriched the basic studies on the quality control of Semiaquilegiae Radix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the KF/γ-Al2O3 catalyst obtained by the sol–gel method has a greater activity in the process of transesterification of methanol and rapeseed oil to biodiesel compared to KF/γ-Al2O3 prepared by impregnation. The highest yield of biodiesel (96.5%) is achieved with use of KF/γ-Al2O3, prepared at molar ratio KF to γ-Al2O3 1.3:1. High conversion of rapeseed oil to biodiesel is explained by the relatively high basicity and specific surface of KF/γ-Al2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shipyard hoisting process is a project type manufacturing process which entails more sophisticated elements and relationships than other kinds of processes, this feature brings particular challenges when constructing a structured description of the process, called enterprise model, to introduce various Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) technologies. However, most of the modelling methods devised so far do not consider the individual demand of project type manufacturing process. Therefore, we envisage the necessity to expand, extend, and refactor current methodologies in order to exploit this remaining dimension. In this line, we present a dedicated method aiming at appropriately modelling the project type manufacturing process, it employs seven collaborative views and task-centric idea to emphasize work flow abstraction without sticking to the material flow abstraction as current methods do, which is the key factor to successfully achieve horizontal functions/organizations integration and vertical management hierarchies integration for this special process. The proposed method adopts semi-formal meta model to interpret its framework, building blocks and constraints graphically and rigorously. All these works are performed taking shipyard hoisting process as example. According to the modelling method, a two-stage Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) method is also initiated to demonstrate how the process model can serve as the bridge to converge manufacturing technology and information technology. Furthermore, a CAPP prototype is developed to carry out case study with an actual shipyard hoisting process. The study reveals promising contributions to not only enhancing the industrial competitiveness but also enriching the enterprise modelling research on project type manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular profiling of breast cancer has enabled the development of more robust molecular prognostic signatures and therapeutic options for breast cancer patients. However, non-Caucasian populations remain understudied. Here, we present the mutational, transcriptional, and copy number profiles of 560 Malaysian breast tumours and a comparative analysis of breast cancers arising in Asian and Caucasian women. Compared to breast tumours in Caucasian women, we show an increased prevalence of HER2-enriched molecular subtypes and higher prevalence of TP53 somatic mutations in ER+ Asian breast tumours. We also observe elevated immune scores in Asian breast tumours, suggesting potential clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Whilst HER2-subtype and enriched immune score are associated with improved survival, presence of TP53 somatic mutations is associated with poorer survival in ER+ tumours. Taken together, these population differences unveil opportunities to improve the understanding of this disease and lay the foundation for precision medicine in different populations. Molecular profiling of breast cancer in non-Caucasian populations remains underexplored. Here the authors report a high prevalence of HER2-subtypes and enriched immune score with improved survival and higher rates of TP53 somatic mutations with poorer survival in ER+ tumours in a Malaysian cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monomethylmercury (MMHg) is a potent toxin that bioaccumulates and magnifies in marine food webs. Recent studies show abundant methylated Hg in deep oceans (>1000 m), yet its origin remains uncertain. Here we measured Hg isotope compositions in fauna and surface sediments from the Mariana Trench. The trench fauna at 7000–11000 m depth all have substantially positive mass-independent fractionation of odd Hg isotopes (odd-MIF), which can be generated only in the photic zone via MMHg photo-degradation. Given the identical odd-MIF in trench fauna and North Pacific upper ocean (<1000 m) biota MMHg, we suggest that the accumulated Hg in trench fauna originates exclusively from MMHg produced in upper oceans, which penetrates to depth by sorption to sinking particles. Our findings reveal little in-situ MMHg production in deep oceans and imply that anthropogenic Hg released at the Earth's surface is much more pervasive across deep oceans than was previously thought. Monomethylmercury is a toxin that humans can be exposed to after consumption of seafood in which it has bioaccumulated. Here the authors show that amphipods in the deepest point of the global ocean contain monomethylmercury with surface origins, suggesting rapid sinking of this toxin on particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of mercury and other heavy metals were measured in soils surrounding the Wuda Coalfield, Inner Mongolia where underground coal fires are regarded as an important contamination source. Soil samples at the downwind direction were nearly all enriched mercury in surface layers, with their concentrations ~ 10 times higher than those from upwind soils. Mercury concentrations generally increased along soil profiles upward, indicative of increasing atmospheric mercury deposition in recent decades. We suggest that underground coal fire emissions were the potential mercury contamination source and the key factor controlling mercury enrichment in soils. Other heavy metals showed no clear spatial and vertical trends, suggesting that underground coal fire emissions may not the main factor for their enrichment in soils. Antimony showed the highest enrichment followed by tin, while chromium, mercury and cadmium only exhibited slight enrichment. Risk evaluation indicated that heavy metals in the studied soils pose no ecological threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the conversion efficiency (CE) of a core/shell quantum dot (QD) with type-II structure is studied by the detailed balance model. In particular, a size dependent strain effect caused by the lattice mismatch is considered since the CE under the detailed balance model is strongly dependent on the band gap of materials. The results show that the strain effect has a very important influence on the CE, and the multiple exction generation (MEG) can significantly increase the CE, so it must be considered in such a low-dimensional system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore more efficient catalytic oxidation of commonly used polymer catalysts, cysteine as ligand and transition metal ions were used to prepare series complexes for hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Cysteine-Fe(III) was selected to serve as a catalyst for the oxidation degradation of common polymer hydroxypropyl guar gum under different pH, temperature, dosage of catalyst, hydrogen peroxide, ratio of cysteine and Fe(III), amount of H2O2. The final results showed that the temperature was 45°C, pH of 7, H2O2 added amount of hydroxypropyl guar gum was 10.0%, catalyst cysteine-Fe(III) dosage was 10% of the amount of H2O2 material, cysteine-Fe(III) the ratio was 1: 2, cysteine-Fe(III) H2O2 oxidation degradation of hydroxypropyl guar gum have good catalytic effect. After continuous degradation of 40 min, the relative viscosity of hydroxypropyl guar gum can be reduced to 81.6%, and the elimination rate of COD can reach to 97% after increasing the amount of hydrogen peroxide for 4 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of complex was synthesized using phenyl hydroxamic acid and metallic chloride, and used for catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy oil at low temperatures for the first time. The effects of water content and catalyst concentration on aquathermolysis were investigated. And then a tri-component coupling aquathermolysis of water-heavy oil-methanol was designed and the reaction conditions were investigated. With the catalyst and methanol, the reaction occurred at temperatures as low as 180°C. The viscosity of the product was also substantially reduced by the decomposition of the large hydrocarbon molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most limiting nutrients for rice yield. There is mounting evidence that the endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambari B3 can establish a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with rice, enhancing N uptake and metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L.). To examine the mechanism underlying the effect of B3 on nitrogen accumulation and metabolism in rice plants, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the N and phytohormone levels in response to endophyte infection at four whole growth durations during exposure to different N levels. Our results showed that the contents of auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene in rice were significantly enhanced by B3 under low N levels at different growth durations; B3 symbiosis increased N accumulation and rice yield and induced the expression of some genes related to N uptake and metabolism. To further verify that B3 symbiosis enhances N use in rice by regulating phytohormones, we performed a hydroponic experiment in which exogenous phytohormones and their specific inhibitors were applied. The results showed that the application of exogenous auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene increased the rice content of nitrogen, and their inhibitors decreased the amount of nitrogen absorbed in rice. As expected, B3 infection alleviated the negative effect caused by inhibitors slightly. In summary, we conclude that P. liquidambari symbiosis may regulate the content of auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene to improve N use in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Zn(II) coordination complex was synthesized, characterized, and used for catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy oil at low temperatures for the first time. The effects of water content and catalyst concentration on aquathermolysis were investigated. And then a tri-component coupling aquathermolysis of waterheavy oil-methanol was designed and the reaction conditions were investigated. With the catalyst and methanol, the reaction occurred at temperatures as low as 180°C. The viscosity of the product was also substantially reduced from around 24 400 to 6420 mPa s by the decomposition of the large hydrocarbon molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TSCH is one of the access behavior modes defined in the IEEE 802.15.4e standard. It combines time slotted access with multi-channel and channel hopping capabilities. TSCH is a trend used as the underlying architecture of the Internet of Things. However, IEEE 802.15.4e defines when the MAC executes a schedule but it does not specify how the schedule is built. This paper focuses on the problem of data transmission scheduling for TSCH network which uses the IEEE802.15.4e TSCH as the MAC protocol. We adopt matching rule to resolve conflicts in the TSH network and matching scheduling algorithm(MSA) to solve the problem of communication resources allocation in tree topology. The scheduling algorithm MSA can avoid conflict, reduce the delay and energy consumption. OSA is proposed by further optimization of MSA. Through simulation experiments, the proposed method can effectively shorten the time delay, reduce the energy consumption and reduce the utilization rate of the channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heterosporous lycopsid plant is described from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Wutong Formation, Changxing County, northern Zhejiang Province, China. The plant is known for its terminal and many detached megasporangiate strobili, most of which do not have sporophylls preserved. Some megasporangiate strobili are closely associated with a vegetative axis bearing leaf cushions and with a mass of microspores. Because of the monosporangiate strobili, the present lycopsid belongs to the Dichostrobiles of the Isoёtales sensu lato. This lycopsid conforms to Changxingia in the vegetative leaves, leaf cushions (including leaf scar and ligule pit), some parts of the megasporophyll (pedicel, heel and lamina), the megasporangium and the megaspores, although the branching pattern of axes, the arrangement and other parts of megasporophyll are still unknown. The fossils are described as Changxingia sp., and this genus is expanded with character of microspore. Hence, the previous and present data indicate that the earliest lycopsids with monosporangiate strobili from the Upper Devonian of China are consistent in Lagenicula megaspores with gula and Lycospora microspores with equatorial cingulum. In contrast, the Carboniferous lycopsids with monosporangiate strobili in Euramerica and Cathaysia show great diversification of both megaspores and microspores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Fe(III) coordination complex was synthesized, characterized, and then used in aquathermolysis of heavy oil as catalyst at relatively low temperature, 180°C. The effects of water amount, catalyst concentration on aquat hermolysis were investigated in this work. The crude oil before and after aquathermolysis was fully characterized, and the mechanism of viscosity reduction was discussed in detail. The results show that heavy oil can undergo aquathermolysis in the present of water and citric-F e(III) complex at low temperature. Besides, the catalytic aquathermolysis could not only decrease the viscosity of heavy oil, but also remove some heteroatoms, finally make the flow properties better and the quality upgraded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Mercury (Hg) pollution in paddy fields and rice has aroused great concern in recent years. This study investigated the dynamic changes of radial oxygen loss (ROL) and Fe plaque formation on roots, and their effects on Hg accumulation in rice plants. Methods: A rhizobag experiment was conducted to study temporal variations and correlations between ROL (amounts and rates), Fe plaque formation, total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in plant tissues and in plaque of four rice cultivars during six growth stages. Results: ROL amounts and Fe plaque formation increased from tillering to reproductive stages, then ROL amounts gradually decreased until maturation stage, whereas Fe plaque remained relatively stable. ROL rates continued to decline during the entire growth period. Both ROL amounts and Fe concentrations in plaque were positively correlated with THg concentrations in the plaque, whereas negatively correlated with THg in straw and brown rice. However, there were no significant relationships between ROL, Fe in plaque and MeHg in plaque and in plant tissues. Conclusions: ROL has great effects on THg but not MeHg accumulation in rice plants. Rice cultivars with higher ROLs tend to have a greater ability to reduce THg accumulation in brown rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial CaO was modified simply with benzyl bromide. The modified CaO had good water resistance, and characterization by FTIR and TG revealed the modifier was chemically bonded to the CaO surface. Commercial CaO and CaO modified with benzyl bromide were investigated as catalysts for the Henry reaction between benzaldehyde and nitromethane. It was found that the catalytic activity of the modified CaO was greatly improved, with high conversion of benzaldehyde to the ( E)-phenyl nitroolefin and 1-phenyl-2-nitroethanol, and with different selectivity from commercial CaO. The effect of modification and reaction conditions on yield, selectivity, and mechanism were studied thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research study proposes to examine a three-dimensional visualization program, emphasizing on improving genetic algorithms through the optimization of a layout design-based standard and discrete shipbuilding workshop. By utilizing a steel processing workshop as an example, the principle of minimum logistic costs will be implemented to obtain an ideological equipment layout, and a mathematical model. The objectiveness is to minimize the total necessary distance traveled between machines. An improved control operator is implemented to improve the iterative efficiency of the genetic algorithm, and yield relevant parameters. The Computer Aided Tri-Dimensional Interface Application (CATIA) software is applied to establish the manufacturing resource base and parametric model of the steel processing workshop. Based on the results of optimized planar logistics, a visual parametric model of the steel processing workshop is constructed, and qualitative and quantitative adjustments then are applied to the model. The method for evaluating the results of the layout is subsequently established through the utilization of AHP. In order to provide a mode of reference to the optimization and layout of the digitalized production workshop, the optimized discrete production workshop will possess a certain level of practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations and distributions of mercury (Hg) in topsoil from four provinces and one municipality in China were investigated. A total of 1,254 samples were collected and analyzed. The average concentrations of Hg were 0.064 mg kg for Liaoning Province, 0.100 mg kg for Jiangsu Province, 0.110 mg kg for Zhejiang Province, 0.154 mg kg for Sichuan Province, and 0.098 mg kg for Chongqing Municipality. Although differences were found among the ranges of Hg concentrations, the average values for each region were similar with other published data. The concentrations of Hg in topsoil varied largely upon the sampling locations. More than 80 % of the soil samples from Liaoning Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Chongqing Municipality, were ranked Grade I by the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soils, which can be considered as not contaminated by Hg. The concentrations of Hg in 0.3-0.4 % of soils collected from Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Chongqing Municipality exceeded the limitation for Grade III, indicating the contamination of Hg in these sites. The sources and potential risks of Hg in these sites should be brought to attention and further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the freshness indices and extractive components in the foot muscle of live small abalone Haliotis diversicolor during storage at 5°C, 15°C, and 25°C were investigated. The pH values declined with storage time. Volatile basic nitrogen and the K-value increased gradually with storage time at 15°C and 25°C, but changes were small at 5°C. The onset of initial decomposition of samples was observed after 3.5 days at 5°C, after 2.5 days at 15°C, and after one day at 25°C. Adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate degraded rapidly within the early days of storage. In contrast, levels of adenosine monophosphate increased and exhibited prolonged accumulation throughout the storage period. The total amount of free amino acids increased markedly during storage. The dominant free amino acids, such as taurine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and arginine, also increased after storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in taste preference and the levels of extractive components and glycogen were compared between cooked meats of small abalone Haliotis diversicolor fed either gracilar (G-small abalone) or an artificial diet (A-small abalone). Using sensory tests, taste preference of cooked meats was significantly higher for A-small abalone than for G-small abalone. Results of clustering analysis and principal component analysis of chemical data also revealed that the two cooked meats differed from each other in terms of their measured constituent compositions irrespective of sampling periods. Compared with G-small abalone, A-small abalone meats were lower in taurine and arginine, but higher in glycine (Gly), glutamic acid (Glu), alanine, serine, proline, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and glycogen. It is concluded that the discrepancy in the levels of taste-active components of abalone, such as Gly, Glu, and AMP, is likely to be responsible for the differences in taste preference between G- and A-small abalone cooked meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the seasonal changes of chemical constituents in the muscle and viscera of small abalone fed with different diets. Proximate composition; Measurement of glycogen; Determination of adenosine triphosphate-related compounds.