Are temporomandibular disorders associated with facial asymmetry? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess scientific evidence of the association between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and facial asymmetry (FA). METHODS: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA checklist. A search strategy was developed in electronic databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library and Cochrane Library until January 2020. Eligibility criteria included observational studies that investigated the occurrence of FA among patients with and without signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders. Risk of bias of individual studies was analysed after study selection and data collection processes according to Fowkes and Fulton guidelines. Four meta-analyses (MA) were performed to evaluate the association between TMJ disorders and linear/angular menton deviation, subgrouping the studies into unilateral and bilateral cases. The evidence was certainty-tested using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: The search retrieved 2371 studies, 31 of which were eligible for full-text reading. Seven cross-sectional clinical studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, comprising a total of 621 subjects (345 with TMJ disease and 276 in control group), four of which were classified as being methodologically sound. Five studies were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Linear and angular menton deviation was greater in individuals with unilateral TMJ disorders than controls (MD = 2.41 [0.33, 4.50] P = .02; I2  = 86% and MD = 2.68 [0.99, 4.38] P = .002; I2  = 0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low certainty in evidence, the present study indicated that unilateral TMJ disorders are associated with FA. However, longitudinal studies with greater certainty of evidence should be conducted to achieve a stronger estimate of this association.

Time-Resolved Observation of Competing Attractive and Repulsive Short-Range Correlations in Strongly Interacting Fermi Gases.

We exploit a time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopic technique to study the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of an ultracold two-component Fermi gas, selectively quenched to strong repulsion along the upper branch of a broad Feshbach resonance. For critical interactions, we find the rapid growth of short-range anticorrelations between repulsive fermions to initially overcome concurrent pairing processes. At longer evolution times, these two competing mechanisms appear to macroscopically coexist in a short-range correlated state of fermions and pairs, unforeseen thus far. Our work provides fundamental insights into the fate of a repulsive Fermi gas, and offers new perspectives towards the exploration of complex dynamical regimes of fermionic matter.

Novel multiferroic state and ME enhancement by breaking the AFM frustration in LuMn1-xO3.

This study provides a comprehensive insight into the effects of controlled off-stoichiometry on the structural and multiferroic properties of the hexagonal manganite LuMn1-xO3+δ (x = 0.02; δ ∼ 0), supported by neutron powder diffraction measurements confirming single phase P63cm symmetry and evidencing a relevant ferromagnetic component, below TN ∼ 90 K, which breaks the archetypal geometrically frustrated antiferromagnetic state typically ascribed to LuMnO3. The perturbations in the triangular disposition of spins prompt an additional electric polarization contribution and a clear enhancement of the magnetoelectric coupling which are in good agreement with the results of first principles calculations. In addition, Raman spectroscopy, dielectric permittivity, pyroelectric current and magnetic measurements as a function of temperature point out the precursor effects of the magnetic phase transitions involving a strong coupling between spins, lattice and electric order, even above the Néel temperature.

Breaking the geometric magnetic frustration in controlled off-stoichiometric LuMn1+zO3+δ compounds.

This study explores controlled off-stoichiometric LuMn1+zO3+δ (|z| < 0.1) compounds, intended to retain the utter LuMnO3 intrinsic hexagonal symmetry and ferroelectric properties. X-ray powder diffraction measurements evidenced a single phase P63cm structure. Thermo-gravimetric experiments show a narrow impact of oxygen vacancies while a distinguishable gas exchange at ∼700 K, a surprisingly lower temperature when compared to perovskite systems. A comparison of different nominal ceramics revealed pertinent structural and magnetic property variations owing to subtle self-doping effects. Deviations from the archetypal antiferromagnetic state were detected below ∼90 K suggesting local rearrangements of the nominal Mn(3+) ions matrix, breaking the ideal geometrical spin frustration, leading to a non-compensated magnetic structure.

Tuning the Stoichiometry of Ag2S Thin Films for Resistive Switching Applications.

In this work silver-rich and sulfur-rich silver sulfide (Ag2S) thin films were fabricated using a diversified set of experimental methods, namely ion beam deposition and atmosphere- and solution-based sulfurizations. The composition of the Ag2S thin films was studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We found that it strongly depends on the fabrication conditions, such as sulfurization time and temperature. These conditions, in turn, affect the electrical characteristics of the thin films, namely the resistivity and resistive switching. We were able to control the Ag2S stoichiometry and infer its dependence on the fabrication parameters for all the followed methods.

A far-red-emitting ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 phosphor for plant growth LED applications.

ZnAl2-xCrxO4 (x = 0 and 0.05) samples were synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The structure, photoluminescence properties, EPR measurements, thermal stability, and chromaticity diagram of the far-red phosphor ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 were investigated. These measurements have enabled us to study the Cr3+ transitions and the site symmetry of Cr3+ in the ZnAl2O4 host lattice and examine the suitability of ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 for plant growth application. According to optical and EPR measurements, Cr3+ ions substitute Al3+ ions with D3d symmetry in the ZnAl2O4 host. PLE measurement indicates that upon excitation at 390 nm and 530 nm, the far-red phosphor ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 exhibited bright far-red emission around 687 nm. Photoluminescence phenomena show a sharp R line origin from the sublevels of the 2Eg(2G) → 4A2(4F) transition in Cr3+ ions. The 2Eg level was split into 2Eg (Eg) and 2Eg (2Ag) levels in the distorted crystal field environment, and the sharp R line in the ZnAl2O4 matrix was split into R1 and R2 lines. In this paper, the temperature-dependent luminescence characteristics of ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 have been investigated. As the temperature increased from 300 K to 440 K, a slight decrease in the intensity of the R1 and R2 lines was observed under excitation at 390 nm. The experimental results show that the ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 phosphors exhibit a nearly zero-thermal-quenching behavior. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 phosphor were located at the boundary of the chromaticity diagram, signifying that the phosphors possessed high color purity. The emissions of the ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 phosphor match well with the PFR absorption of phytochromes in plants. The investigation indicates that ZnAl1.95Cr0.05O4 is a potential far-red phosphor matching ultraviolet (UV) LED chips for plant growth applications.

The rs5743836 polymorphism in TLR9 confers a population-based increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been associated with immunological defects, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Given the link between immune dysfunction and NHL, genetic variants in toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been regarded as potential predictive factors of susceptibility to NHL. Adequate anti-tumoral responses are known to depend on TLR9 function, such that the use of its synthetic ligand is being targeted as a therapeutic strategy. We investigated the association between the functional rs5743836 polymorphism in the TLR9 promoter and risk for B-cell NHL and its major subtypes in three independent case-control association studies from Portugal (1160 controls, 797 patients), Italy (468 controls, 494 patients) and the US (972 controls, 868 patients). We found that the rs5743836 polymorphism was significantly overtransmitted in both Portuguese (odds ratio (OR), 1.85; P=7.3E-9) and Italian (OR, 1.84; P=6.0E-5) and not in the US cohort of NHL patients. Moreover, the increased transcriptional activity of TLR9 in mononuclear cells from patients harboring rs5743836 further supports a functional effect of this polymorphism on NHL susceptibility in a population-dependent manner.

IL1 gene polymorphisms and unsuccessful dental implants.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the association between polymorphisms in the IL1 gene cluster and failure of dental implants in a Portuguese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 155 Caucasian Portuguese subjects were divided into two groups: 100 with successful dental implants and 55 with unsuccessful dental implants. DNA was obtained through an oral mucosa scraping. PCR was used to identify the polymorphisms: single nucleotide changes in positions -889 of IL1A gene and +3953 of IL1B gene. RESULTS: The prevalence of the polymorphisms -889IL1A gene and +3953IL1B gene, determined by the positive result of TGP (Genetic Test for Periodontitis; CGC, Genetics, Portugal), in the studied population rehabilitated with dental implants was of 33.50%. Allele 1 of the IL1B gene was the most prevalent (62.20%), followed by allele 1 of the IL1A gene (54.80%) and the least frequent was allele 2 of IL1B gene (37.40%). Success of dental implants was mainly associated with a negative TGP result, whereas no success was found to be related to a positive result. There were no statistically significant differences between the alleles 1 and 2 of the genes IL1A and IL1B and the tobacco and alcohol consumption for the success or no success of the dental implants. CONCLUSIONS: The alleles 1 and 2 of IL1A gene and the alleles 1 and 2 of IL1B gene were statistically associated with the success or no success of the dental implants. Tobacco habit and alcohol consumption showed no statistically significant association with success or no success of the dental implants.

Magnetostructural coupling in RFeO3 (R = Nd, Tb, Eu and Gd).

We investigate the interplay of magnetization and lattice vibrations in rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3, with a specific focus on non-symmetry-breaking anomalies. To do so, we study the magnetization, magnon excitations and lattice dynamics as a function of temperature in NdFeO3, TbFeO3, EuFeO3 and GdFeO3. The magnetization shows distinct temperature anomalous behavior for all investigated rare-earth orthoferrites, even in the compounds with no phase transitions occurring at those temperatures. Through spin-phonon coupling, these magnetic changes are mirrored by the FeO6 rotation mode for all the studied RFeO3, revealing a common magnetostructural effect associated with the octahedra rotations. The R3+ oscillation modes evidence a Fe3+/R3+ spins cross-talk for the NdFeO3 and TbFeO3 cases. Our work sheds light into the common magnetostructural coupling in rare-earth orthoferrites, and the important role of magnetic anisotropy and spin-orbit coupling strength of the R-Fe interactions on the spin-reorientation transition at high temperatures.

Photocatalytic activity and UV-protection of TiO2 nanocoatings on poly(lactic acid) fibres deposited by pulsed magnetron sputtering.

The application of nanocoatings in the textile finishing is increasingly being explored because they open a whole new vista of value-addition possibilities in the textile sector. In the present work, low temperature pulsed DC magnetron sputtering method was used to create functional TiO2 nanocoatings on poly(lactic acid) textile fibres surfaces. In this study, the principal objectives in the application of TiO2 nanocoatings to textile materials are to impart UV protection functions and self-cleaning properties to the textile substrates. The TiO2 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. The Photocatalytic activity of the films was tested by measuring the photodegradation rates of rhodamine-B dye aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. The ultraviolet protection function was tested according to the Australian/New Zealand standards. It was observed that the TiO2 nanocoatings on poly(lactic acid) fibres showed an excellent ultraviolet protection (> 40) function and the photocatalytic efficiency was maintained even after a strong washing treatment.

Short communication: effect of kefir grains on proteolysis of major milk proteins.

The effect of kefir grains on the proteolysis of major milk proteins in milk kefir and in a culture of kefir grains in pasteurized cheese whey was followed by reverse phase-HPLC analysis. The reduction of kappa-, alpha-, and beta-caseins (CN), alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA), and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) contents during 48 and 90 h of incubation of pasteurized milk (100mL) and respective cheese whey with kefir grains (6 and 12 g) at 20 degrees C was monitored. Significant proteolysis of alpha-LA and kappa-, alpha-, and beta-caseins was observed. The effect of kefir amount (6 and 12 g/100mL) was significant for alpha-LA and alpha- and beta-CN. alpha-Lactalbumin and beta-CN were more easily hydrolyzed than alpha-CN. No significant reduction was observed with respect to beta-LG concentration for 6 and 12 g of kefir in 100mL of milk over 48 h, indicating that no significant proteolysis was carried out. Similar results were observed when the experiment was conducted over 90 h. Regarding the cheese whey kefir samples, similar behavior was observed for the proteolysis of alpha-LA and beta-LG: alpha-LA was hydrolyzed between 60 and 90% after 12h (for 6 and 12 g of kefir) and no significant beta-LG proteolysis occurred. The proteolytic activity of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in kefir community was evaluated. Kefir milk prepared under normal conditions contained peptides from proteolysis of alpha-LA and kappa-, alpha-, and beta-caseins. Hydrolysis is dependent on the kefir:milk ratio and incubation time. beta-Lactoglobulin is not hydrolyzed even when higher hydrolysis time is used. Kefir grains are not appropriate as adjunct cultures to increase beta-LG digestibility in whey-based or whey-containing foods.

Are great tits (Parus major) inhabiting the vicinity of a pulp mill healthy? Impacts on physiology and breeding performance.

The evaluation of pollution effects on wildlife provides biologically meaningful information concerning environmental quality and possible impacts on populations and can be used as an early warning of environmental change. We aimed to assess the potential effects of exposure to atmospheric pollution from pulp mill emissions on the morphology, physiology, and reproductive performance of the great tit (Parus major). Great tits from a population inhabiting the vicinity of a pulp mill had significantly higher feather mercury levels and were physiologically distinct from other birds not under the direct influence of the pollution source. This distinction, due to significantly higher levels of red blood cell-glutathione peroxidase antioxidant activity, in birds from the vicinity of the pulp mill, was observed both in autumn and winter and was repeatable between years. No detectable effects were observed on breeding performance or nestling morphology and physiology. The effects of pollution in this study seem to be related to increased levels of oxidative stress.

Strain-Engineered Tetragonal Phase and Ferroelectricity in GdMnO3 Thin Films Grown on SrTiO3 (001).

A previously unreported tetragonal phase has been discovered in a epitaxially strained GdMnO3 thin films deposited on (001)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The tetragonal axis of the films grown up to a 35 nm thickness is perpendicular to the film surface and the basal lattice parameters are imposed by the cubic structure of the substrate. Furthermore, the emergence of a spontaneous electric polarization below ~32 K points to the stabilization of an improper ferroelectric phase at low temperatures, which is not observed in bulk GdMnO3. This work shows how strain engineering can be used to tailor the structure and properties of strongly correlated oxides.

Laparoscopic pediatric pyeloplasty using the Flexdex® articulating needle driver: step-by-step video.

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stenosis is the most common cause of pathological neonatal hydronephrosis. UPJ obstruction may be treated conservatively in some cases, but surgery is indicated if symptoms occur or renal function deteriorates. Pyeloplasty is the procedure of choice for UPJ stenosis. Pyeloplasty can be performed by open laparoscopic or robotic technique. The laparoscopic technique is safe and may be associated with shorter length of hospital stay and reduced complications. Lately, robotic pyeloplasty has been performed with similar results, adding the benefits of easier suturing maneuverability, but with increased costs. Flexdex® is a laparoscopic articulating needle driver that improves maneuverability and ergonomics. In this video, a laparoscopic pyeloplasty with the Flexdex® needle drive is described. The case was treated without any intraoperative complications and with no significant blood loss, and the patient was discharged the day after the procedure. After 90 days of follow-up, there were no complications reported.

Experimental designs for optimizing the purification of immunoglobulin G by mixed-mode chromatography.

The main aim of this study was to define the optimal adsorption and elution conditions for the purification of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) by mixed-mode chromatography using the multimodal resin Capto MMC. To this end, Central Composite Experimental Design (ED) was performed for both the adsorption and desorption stages. In the first case, the conditions were systematically studied in batch mode while in the latter case, these were performed in column. For both studies, the experimental design was conducted using high-purity human IgG samples. Buffer pH and concentration as well as the salt concentration were the parameters under study in the ED. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium experiments were performed under the best conditions defined in the ED (phosphate buffer 60 mmol/L, pH 6.75, no salt). The equilibrium experimental data were fit to the Langmuir equation, with maximum uptake qmax equal to 549.2 mg/g. The qmax value found for IgG in Capto MMC was quite high as compared to other chromatographic techniques that employ single modes of interaction. Regarding elution, the best conditions were obtained with acetate buffer (56.40 mmol/L), pH 5.2 and 0.2 mol/L NaCl. An ultimate recovery of 46.96% for high-purity IgG was achieved. Thus, the effectiveness of Capto MMC for IgG adsorption and recovery could be confirmed. Moreover, electrophoretic runs in the human serum indicated that although co-elution of HSA and IgG proteins occurs, substantial HSA removal and a high IgG recovery were achieved in the elution step.

Metalloenzymes of the denitrification pathway.

Denitrification, or dissimilative nitrate reduction, is an anaerobic process used by some bacteria for energy generation. This process is important in many aspects, but its environmental implications have been given particular relevance. Nitrate accumulation and release of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere due to excess use of fertilizers in agriculture are examples of two environmental problems where denitrification plays a central role. The reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas is accomplished by four different types of metalloenzymes in four simple steps: nitrate is reduced to nitrite, then to nitric oxide, followed by the reduction to nitrous oxide and by a final reduction to dinitrogen. In this manuscript we present a concise updated review of the bioinorganic aspects of denitrification.

In vitro packaging of DNA of the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1.

In vitro packaging of bacteriophage SPP1 DNA into procapsids is described and the requirements of this process were determined. Combination of proheads with an extract supplying terminase, DNA and phage tails yielded up to 10(7 )viable phages per milliliter of in vitro reaction under optimized conditions. The presence of neutral polymers and polyamines had a concentration and type dependent effect in the packaging reaction. The terminase donor extract lost rapidly activity at 30 degrees C in contrast to the stability of the prohead donor extract. Maturation to infective virions was observed using both procapsids assembled in SPP1 infected cells and procapsid-like structures assembled in Escherichia coli that overexpressed the SPP1 prohead gene clusters. Neither a majority of aberrant capsid-related structures present in the latter material nor procapsids lacking the portal protein inhibited DNA packaging. Addition of purified portal protein reduced DNA packaging activity in vitro only at concentrations 20-fold higher than those found in the SPP1 infected cell. The SPP1 DNA packaged in vitro originated exclusively from the terminase donor extract. This packaging selectivity was not observed in vivo during mixed infections. The data are compatible with a model for processive headful DNA packaging in which terminase and DNA co-produced in the same cell are tightly associated and can effectively discriminate the portal vertex of DNA packaging-proficient proheads from aberrant structures, from portal-less procapsids, and from isolated portal protein.

Sequential headful packaging and fate of the cleaved DNA ends in bacteriophage SPP1.

The virulent Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1 packages its DNA from a precursor concatemer by a headful mechanism. Following disruption of mature virions with chelating agents the chromosome end produced by the headful cut remains stably bound to the phage tail. Cleavage of this tail-chromosome complex with restriction endonucleases that recognize single asymmetric positions within the SPP1 genome yields several distinct classes of DNA molecules whose size reflects the packaging cycle they were generated from. A continuous decrease in the number of molecules within each class derived from successive encapsidation rounds indicates that there are several packaging series which end after each headful packaging cycle. The frequency of molecules in each packaging class follows the distribution expected for a sequential mechanism initiated unidirectionally at a defined position in the genome (pac). The heterogeneity of the DNA fragment sizes within each class reveals an imprecision in headful cleavage of approximately 2.5 kb (5.6% of the genome size). The number of encapsidation events in a packaging series (processivity) was observed to increase with time during the infection process. DNA ejection through the tail can be induced in vitro by a variety of mild denaturing conditions. The first DNA extremity to exit the virion is invariably the same that was observed to be bound to the tail, implying that the viral chromosome is ejected with a specific polarity to penetrate the host. In mature virions a short segment of this chromosome end (55 to 67 bp equivalent to 187 to 288 A) is fixed to the tail area proximal to the head (connector). Upon ejection this extremity is the first to move along the tail tube to exit from the virion through the region where the tail spike was attached.