Review of the mathematical foundations of data fusion techniques in surface metrology

The recent proliferation of engineered surfaces, including freeform and structured surfaces, is challenging current metrology techniques. Measurement using multiple sensors has been proposed to achieve enhanced benefits, mainly in terms of spatial frequency bandwidth, which a single sensor cannot provide. When using data from different sensors, a process of data fusion is required and there is much active research in this area. In this paper, current data fusion methods and applications are reviewed, with a focus on the mathematical foundations of the subject. Common research questions in the fusion of surface metrology data are raised and potential fusion algorithms are discussed

Detection of simulated vertical root fractures; which is better multi-detector computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography?

Objectives: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were compared regarding their ability to detect vertical root fractures. Methods: Sixty four extracted posterior teeth were included in this study. Using a diamond disc, thirty six teeth were cut vertically to simulate a VRF. Twenty eight teeth were used as control. Fractured and non-fractured teeth were randomly positioned in 4 skulls and mandibles. Scanning was performed first on a 16 slice Siemens MDCT, then by i-CAT Next Generation CBCT. Two observers assessed the multiplanar images for vertical root fractures using a 3-point scale. The first observer repeated the assessment after 1 week. Later, the 2 observers re-assessed the images together to reach a consensus score. Results: CBCT showed higher sensitivity, accuracy as well as negative predictive value compared to MDCT. The mean area under the curve was 0.917 for MDCT and 0.972 for CBCT. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the 2 modalities was statistically significant P = .036. Inter-observer agreement was 0.971 for MDCT and 0.994 for CBCT, whereas intra-observer agreement was 0.981 for MDCT and 0.985 for CBCT. Conclusion: Using the specified scanners at the specified exposure parameters, the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT in detecting vertical root fractures was significantly higher than MDCT. Keywords: Multi-detector computed tomography, Cone-beam computed tomography, Root fractur

Association of MicroRNA-196a2 Variant with Response to Short-Acting β2-Agonist in COPD: An Egyptian Pilot Study

<div><p>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial chronic respiratory disease, characterized by an obstructive pattern. Understanding the genetic predisposition of COPD is essential to develop personalized treatment regimens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, non-coding RNAs that modulate the expression levels of specific proteins based on sequence complementarity with their target mRNA molecules. Emerging evidences demonstrated the potential use of miRNAs as a disease biomarker. This pilot study aimed to investigate the association of the MIR-196a2 rs11614913 (C/T) polymorphism with COPD susceptibility, the clinical outcome and bronchodilator response to short-acting β₂-agonist. Genotyping of rs11614913 polymorphism was determined in 108 COPD male patients and 116 unrelated controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. <i>In silico</i> target prediction and network core analysis were performed. COPD patients did not show significant differences in the genotype distribution (<i>p</i> = 0.415) and allele frequencies (<i>p</i> = 0.306) of the studied miRNA when compared with controls. There were also no associations with GOLD stage, dyspnea grade, disease exacerbations, COPD assessment test for estimating impact on health status score, or the frequency of intensive care unit admission. However, COPD patients with CC genotype corresponded to the smallest bronchodilator response after Salbutamol inhalation, the heterozygotes (CT) had an intermediate response, while those with the TT genotype showed the highest response (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In conclusion MIR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism is associated with the bronchodilator response of COPD in our sample of the Egyptian population, generating hypothesis of the potential use of MIR-196a2 variant as a pharmacogenetic marker for COPD.</p></div

Mapping MIR196A2 gene variations.

<p>(a) Human hsa-miR-196a2 gene has 2 mature miRNA variants located within the sequence of the mature miRNA and 6 non-coding transcript variants. Chromosomal location and coordinates in base pair are derived from human genome assembly GRCh38. Eight gene variations were retrieved from Ensembl. Variant ID, alternative nucleotides, and minor allele frequency (MAF) are shown. All polymorphisms were very rare (MAF<0.1), except the studied variant. (b) Mature miR and miR* sequences are underlined. Green highlighted nucleotides are non-coding transcript variants in pre-miR-196a2. Yellow highlighted nucleotides are mature miRNA variants at 5p arm. Red arrow indicates the studied common variant.</p

Workflow of <i>in silico</i> data analysis.

<p>Gene and microRNA sequence and structure were retrieved from miRBase database (<a href="http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/targets/v3/" target="_blank">http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/targets/v3/</a>). Multiple computational prediction tools were employed to identify miR-196a2 target genes (in 3'URT, 5'UTR, and CDS) as miRDB, miRNAMap, TargetScanHuman v6.2, miRTarBase v18 and DIANA-microT-CDS v5.0 databases. Result intersection, statistical validation, and filtration of the putative miRNA targets were applied to reduce the false positive prediction rate. The predicted miRNA target genes were analyzed for gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG enrichment pathway analysis using DIANA-miRPath v2.0 web-server (<a href="http://diana.imis.athenainnovation.gr/DianaTools/index.php?r=mirpath/index" target="_blank">http://diana.imis.athenainnovation.gr/DianaTools/index.php?r=mirpath/index</a>) and miRTar Human tool (<a href="http://miRTar.mbc.nctu.edu.tw/" target="_blank">http://miRTar.mbc.nctu.edu.tw/</a>). MiRNA-196a2-disease association was explored using a miRPub server (<a href="http://www.microrna.gr/mirpub/" target="_blank">http://www.microrna.gr/mirpub/</a>). Gene variations and frequencies in various populations were obtained from Ensembl (<a href="http://www.ensembl.org/" target="_blank">http://www.ensembl.org/</a>) and miRdSNP databases (<a href="http://mirdsnp.ccr.buffalo.edu/" target="_blank">http://mirdsnp.ccr.buffalo.edu/</a>). The Impact of the SNP on secondary structure was predicted based on the minimum free energy using miRNAMap 2.0 and RNAfold server. Comparative functional analysis between predicted target gene sets in wild and mutant variants were performed using miRmut2Go. SNP identification in the study groups aimed to assess its association with disease risk, severity and pulmonary function.</p