Minimizing enzyme mass to decompose flux distribution for identifying biologically relevant elementary flux modes.

The flux distribution in metabolic network can be decomposed as non-negative linear combinations of elementary flux modes (EFMs). Identifying biologically relevant EFM combination by decomposing flux distribution in metabolic network is a useful method to study metabolisms in systems biology. However, the occurrence of biologically irrelevant EFMs hinders the application of such methods.

Ligature induced periodontitis in rats causes gut dysbiosis leading to hepatic injury through SCD1/AMPK signalling pathway.

Aims: Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic periodontitis (CP) is closely associated with the occurrence and development of a variety of systemic diseases. In this study, we successfully constructed a rat CP model through dental silk ligation, and the corresponding inflammatory reactions and fatty lesions were observed in the liver.

Main Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) underwent tooth ligation at the bilateral first molars with silk thread to induce CP and were sacrificed 8 weeks later and compared to non-ligated rats (n = 6).

Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative fetal fibronectin to predict spontaneous preterm birth: A meta-analysis.

Background: Use of quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing to predict spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is gaining attention owing to its absolute measurement of fFN concentration and increased positive predictive value compared with qualitative testing.

Objective: To assess the predictive values of quantitative fFN for sPTB in different predefined thresholds using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Search Strategy: Five major databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library) were searched for eligible studies.

Experimental Study on the Explosion Characteristics of CH/O/N Mixtures with Different Oxygen Enrichment Coefficients and Ignition Positions.

In this paper, the flame propagation characteristics and overpressure oscillation characteristics of CH explosion were studied under different ignition positions (IPs) and oxygen enrichment conditions in a half-open tube. The distances between the IP and the closed end of the tube are 0, 250, 500, and 750 mm. The oxygen enrichment coefficient (φ) values used in the experiment are 0.

Evaluation of tracheobronchial branching abnormalities in patients with microtia using chest computed tomography.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics and incidence of Tracheobronchial branching abnormalities in patients with microtia and to evaluate the risk of anesthesia.

Methods: A total of 204 consecutive microtia patients and 465 nose cosmetic patients without microtia received a preoperative chest computed tomography. A retrospective study was performed with the clinical and imaging data from July 2016 to April 2017.

A new strategy for total auricular reconstruction using prelamination of an extended retroauricular flap with tissue expansion.

Background And Aim: To accomplish total ear reconstruction with aesthetic appearance is a great challenge for plastic surgeons worldwide due to insufficient skin coverage. A retroauricular fascial flap and skin graft technique are commonly used, but the results obtained are not satisfactory due to color mismatch, severe edema, and donor-site morbidity. Here, we describe a novel strategy for total ear reconstruction, utilizing an extended retroauricular flap prelaminated with tissue expansion to obtain enough skin for ear reconstruction.