Gender and socioeconomic disparities in global burden of chronic kidney disease due to glomerulonephritis: A global analysis.

AIM: To investigate the gender and socioeconomic disparities in the global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to glomerulonephritis from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Data were extracted from the global burden of diseases (GBD) 2019 study, including incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify the temporal trends in age-standardized rate (ASR) of CKD due to glomerulonephritis. Paired t-test, paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman correlation were performed to analyse the association and gender disparity in CKD due to glomerulonephritis. RESULTS: Globally, incident cases of CKD due to glomerulonephritis increased 81% from 9 557 397 in 1990 to 17 308 071 in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate increased by 1.47 compared with 1990 and DALYs increased by 1.35 compared with 1990 (per 100 000). The number of patients with CKD due to glomerulonephritis in low-middle SDI (3829917) and middle SDI (6268817) regions accounts for more than 55% of the total cases. CKD due to glomerulonephritis caused a higher burden including the incidence rate (p < .0001) and DALY rate (p < .0001) in men compared to women. The age-standardized DALY rate was negatively correlated with SDI (ρ = -0.64, p < .001). In the analysis of risk factors for DALYs, male individuals had a larger burden of hypertension, high BMI and high sodium diet in the DALY rates than female subjects. CONCLUSION: The burden of CKD due to glomerulonephritis was more skewed towards developing and less developed economies and differed by gender, so certain nations should implement far more focused and targeted policies.

Progress of artificial intelligence in diabetic retinopathy screening.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and the limited availability of qualified ophthalmologists restricts its early diagnosis. For the past few years, artificial intelligence technology has developed rapidly and has been applied in DR screening. The upcoming technology provides support on DR screening and improves the identification of DR lesions with a high sensitivity and specificity. This review aims to summarize the progress on automatic detection and classification models for the diagnosis of DR.

The Origin and Population History of the Endangered Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana).

The origin and population history of the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) remain largely unavailable and/or controversial. We here integrate analyses of multiple genomic markers, including mitochondrial (mt) genomes, Y-chromosomes, and autosomes of 54 golden monkey individuals from all three geographic populations (SG, QL, and SNJ). Our results reveal contrasting population structures. Mt analyses suggest a division of golden monkeys into five lineages: one in SNJ, two in SG, and two in QL. One of the SG lineages (a mixed SG/QL lineage) is basal to all other lineages. In contrast, autosomal analyses place SNJ as the most basal lineage and identify one QL and three SG lineages. Notably, Y-chromosome analyses bear features similar to mt analyses in placing the SG/QL-mixed lineage as the first diverging lineage and dividing SG into two lineages, while resembling autosomal analyses in identifying one QL lineage. We further find bidirectional gene flow among all three populations at autosomal loci, while asymmetric gene flow is suggested at mt genomes and Y-chromosomes. We propose that different population structures and gene flow scenarios are the result of sex-linked differences in the dispersal pattern of R. roxellana. Moreover, our demographic simulation analyses support an origin hypothesis suggesting that the ancestral R. roxellana population was once widespread and then divided into SNJ and non-SNJ (SG and QL) populations. This differs from previous mt-based "mono-origin (SG is the source population)" and "multiorigin (SG is a fusion of QL and SNJ)" hypotheses. We provide a detailed and refined scenario for the origin and population history of this endangered primate species, which has a broader significance for Chinese biogeography. In addition, this study highlights the importance to investigate multiple genomic markers with different modes of inheritance to trace the complete evolutionary history of a species, especially for those exhibiting differential or mixed patterns of sex dispersal.

Human influence on the population decline and loss of genetic diversity in a small and isolated population of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana).

Human activities have caused worldwide loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, resulting in the decline and isolation of wild populations, consequently increasing their risks of extinctions. We investigated the genetic consequences of anthropogenic effects on the Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve (SNR), which is a small and isolated distribution of R. roxellana in China and would continue to be threatened by habitat degradation and loss, using extensive sampling and 16 microsatellite loci. High level of genetic variation was observed from 202 individuals collected from three R. roxellana populations (SNR population, Sichuan-Gansu population and Shaanxi population). However, R. roxellana in SNR showed the lowest genetic diversity. The likelihood analysis of migration/drift equilibrium indicated that the SNR population suffered much stronger effect of drift than the other two populations, indicating that small populations are prone to be affected by drift. The STRUCTURE analysis identified two clusters, separating the SNR population from the other two populations, suggesting an increasing drift-induced differentiation between SNR and the other two populations. Bottleneck tests revealed that R. roxellana in SNR experienced a severe population decline (37-fold) during the past 500 years as a consequence of human population expansion. The current effective population size (Ne) in SNR is less than 100 and the ratio of Ne to the census population size is approximately 0.08. Based on our findings, we suggest that the SNR population should be monitored systematically and considered as an important conservation and management unit.

A new species of Sinopoda from China, with first description of the male of S.wuyiensis Liu, 2021 (Araneae, Sparassidae).

One new species of the genus Sinopoda Jäger, 1999, S.muyuensis sp. nov. (♂, ♀), is described and figured from the Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province, China. In addition, the male of Sinopodawuyiensis Liu, 2021 is described for the first time from the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China.

Levels of Peripheral Th17 Cells and Th17-Related Cytokines in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Several proinflammatory cytokines produced by T helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of AS. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the levels of Th17 cells and serum Th17-associated cytokines in patients with AS. METHODS: We determined the levels of Th17 cells and Th17 cytokines in patients with AS using data extracted from published articles retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Clinical Trials.gov, and FDA.gov. DATABASES: The effect estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. The review protocols were registered on PROSPERO (reference: CRD42021255741) and followed the PRISMA guideline. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 138 studies. Compared to healthy controls (HCs), patients with AS had a higher proportion of Th17 cells (standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78-2.68; p < 0.001) and levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17 (SMD 2.04, 95% CI 1.70-2.38; p < 0.001), IL-21 (SMD 1.77, 95% CI 0.95-2.59; p < 0.001), and IL-23 (SMD 1.11, 95% CI 0.78-1.44; p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis showed higher levels of IL-17+ Th17 cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+ T cells in patients with AS compared to HCs (SMD 2.26, 95% CI 1.58-2.94 [p < 0.001] and SMD 1.61, 95% CI 0.55-2.67 [p = 0.003], respectively). Patients with AS had higher levels of CD4+IL-17+IFN-γ- Th17 in PBMCs and of CD4+CCR6+CCR4+Th17 in CD4+ T cells compared to HCs (SMD 1.85, 95% CI 1.06-2.64 [p < 0.001] and SMD 7.72, 95% CI 6.55-8.89 [p < 0.001], respectively). No significant differences were observed in the proportions of CD4+IL-17+IFN-γ- Th17 in CD4+ T cells and CD4+CCR6+CCR4+ Th17 in PBMCs (SMD - 0.11, 95% CI - 0.61 to 0.38 [p = 0.650] and SMD 1.32, 95% CI - 0.54 to 3.19 [p = 0.165], respectively). In addition, compared to stable AS, the levels of Th17 cells and IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in active AS (SMD 1.58, 95% CI 0.30-2.85 [p = 0.016], SMD 3.52, 95% CI 0.72-6.33 [p = 0.014], and SMD 5.10, 95% CI 1.83-8.36 [p = 0.002], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of Th17 cells and serum IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23 were higher in patients with AS than in HCs and, compared with stable AS, they increased more significantly in active AS. These results suggest that Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines play major roles in AS pathogenesis and are an important target for treatment.

Primula sunhangii (Primulaceae): a new species from Hubei, Central China.

This report provides a description of Primula sunhangii from the Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province in Central China, which is categorized as a new species of the primrose family. Primula sunhangii is morphologically similar to P. involucrata Wall. ex Duby in terms of its simple umbel, efarinose, and prolonged bracts. However, P. sunhangii is distinguished by its glabrous sepal, short petiole (compare with blade) and cylindrical calyx and capsule. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and cpDNA genes demonstrates that P. sunhangii and P. involucrata are closely related. Combining genetic and morphological data, the recognition of P. sunhangii as a unique new species is supported.

Comparison of OCT and OCTA manifestations among untreated PCV, neovascular AMD, and CSC in Chinese population.

AIM: To compare the qualitative and quantitative features among untreated polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nv-AMD) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 16 eyes with thin-choroid PCV, 18 eyes with thick-choroid PCV, 16 eyes with nv-AMD and 17 eyes with CSC, respectively. The indicators were obtained by OCT and OCTA. RESULTS: Sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in CSC was thicker compared to other groups (all P<0.05). SFCT in nv-AMD was thicker compared to thin-choroid PCV, but thinner compared with thick-choroid PCV (both P<0.05). As the ratio of thickness of Haller's layer to thickness of SFCT, which of thin-choroid PCV was significantly higher than CSC (P<0.001). Likewise, thick-choroid PCV had significantly higher ratio than nv-AMD (P=0.016) or CSC (P<0.001). There were differences among them in pigment epithelium detachment (PED). The whole-superficial retinal vessel density (RVD), deep RVD and choroidal capillary vessel density (CCVD) in CSC were significantly higher compared to other three groups, respectively (all P<0.05). The whole CCVD in nv-AMD was higher compared to thick-choroid PCV (P=0.032). Cross-sectional local angiographic form was 87.50%, 83.33%, 0 and 35.29% in thin-choroid PCV, thick-choroid PCV, nv-AMD and CSC, respectively. Cross-sectional diffuse angiographic form was 12.50%, 16.67%, 100% and 5.88% in thin-choroid PCV, thick-choroid PCV, nv-AMD and CSC, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination of OCT and OCTA can effectively observe the significant alterations existed in PCV, CSC and nv-AMD, and there are distinctive differences among them. The pathogenesis is not exactly the same between PCV and nv-AMD, or PCV and CSC.

Geum sunhangii (Rosaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China.

Geum sunhangii - first discovered in Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Hubei Province, China - is described as a new species of Rosaceae. Compared to all known Chinese Geum species, the new species differs by possessing jointed styles, imbricate petals and a reniform radical leaf terminal leaflet. Most significantly, the jointed style is curved at an obtuse or a right angle. In addition, the inclusion of this species within the genus Geum was supported by phylogenetic analysis using the sequence data of a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and a chloroplast trnL-trnF intergenic spacer. The new species was found to be closely related to G. rivale and G. aleppicum.

Oxytropis shennongjiaensis (Fabaceae), a new species from Hubei, Central China.

Here we describe Oxytropis shennongjiaensis, a new species of Fabaceae from Central China (Hubei Province). Morphologically, O. shennongjiaensis is closely similar to O. sitaipaiensis, O. melanocalyx and O. kansuensis, but differs in stem characters, with less conspicuous internodes; persistent herbaceous stipules; pale yellow to white corolla; and stipitate legumes, 3-5 mm with a long beak. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and two chloroplast markers (trnL-F and psbA-trnH), also identified O. shennongjiaensis as a new species, which is consistent with our morphological analyses. Considering the morphological data and phylogenetic data presented here, we believe that this evidence satisfies the required diagnostic criteria to identify O. shennongjiaensis as a new species.

Silene sunhangii (Caryophyllaceae), a new species from China.

Silene sunhangii, a new species of Caryophyllaceae known from only three populations in Hubei and Hunan provinces of central China, is described. Both morphological and molecular data were used to assess the taxonomic status and relationships of this species. Morphologically, S. sunhangii is most similar to S. platyphylla Franch. from which it differs most readily in having 3-veined elliptical leaves without pubescence, tasseled catacorolla, pale purple to red petals without a linear lobe or narrow tooth and lanceolate, bifid to one third. A phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ITS region identified the new species as a well-supported, independent lineage. Our new species is nested within a grade that encompasses species representing a polyphyletic Silene sect. Physolychnis (Benth.) Bocquet. Both the genetic and morphological data support the recognition of Silene sunhangii as a distinct species, although there is inconsistency between these two datasets as to the relationships of the new species.

Awareness of Age-related Macular Degeneration and Its Risk Factors among Beijing Residents in China.

BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of irreversible blindness, and awareness of this disease is important in the prevention of blindness. However, lack of public awareness of AMD was shown in previous studies, and there was no report of AMD awareness in the Mainland of China. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the awareness of AMD and its risk factors among Beijing residents in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional, computer-assisted, telephone investigation was conducted to measure the awareness of AMD among Beijing residents. All the contacts of potential respondents were randomly generated by computer. Only those above 18 years of age and willing to participate in the study were included. The questionnaire for the study was modified from the AMD Alliance International Global Report. Pearson's Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors that affected the knowledge of AMD. RESULTS: Among 385 Beijing residents who agreed to participate, the awareness of AMD was 6.8%, far below than that of cataract and glaucoma. Participants who were above 30 years of age (odds ratio [OR] 6.17, confidence interval [CI] 1.44-26.57), with experience of health-related work (OR 8.11, CI 3.25-20.27), and whose relatives/friends or themselves suffering from AMD (OR 32.18, CI 11.29-91.68) had better AMD awareness. Among those familiar with AMD, only 35% of them identified smoking as a risk factor, and only 23.1% of the residents believed that smoking could lead to blindness. CONCLUSIONS: The sample of Chinese population had limited knowledge of AMD. Educational programs need to be carried out to raise public awareness of AMD.

[Comparison of the shear bond strength by using nano silica sol to zirconia basement and veneer porcelain].

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of using sol gel technique to produce thin layer nano silicon dioxide on zirconia ceramic surface and the effect of improving shear bond strength between zirconia and veneer porcelain. METHODS: The presintered zirconia specimen was cut into a rectangle block piece (15 mm×10 mm×2.5 mm), a total of 40 pieces were obtained and divided into 4 groups, each group had 10 pieces. Four different treatments were used in each group respectively. Pieces in group A (control group) were only sintered at 1450°C to crystallization; pieces in group B underwent 30% nano silica sol infiltration first and then were sintered at 1450°C to crystallization; piece in group C underwent crystallization first at 1450°C, then 30% nano silica sol infiltration and were sintered at 1450°C again; pieces in group D was coated by nano silica sol and then sintered at 1450°C to crystallization; ten rectangle block pieces (12 mm×8 mm×2 mm) in group E were made. Cylinder veneers 5 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height were produced in each group and the shear bond strength was tested. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS: The shear bond strength of the 5 group specimens were: (28.12±2.95) MPa in group A, (31.09±3.94) MPa in group B, (25.60±2.45) MPa in group C, (31.75±4.90) MPa in group D, (28.67±3.95) MPa in group E, respectively. Significant differences existed between the 5 groups, and group C had significant difference compared with group B and D. CONCLUSIONS：① Use of nano silicon sol gel on presintered zirconia surface to make thin layer of nano silicon dioxide can improve the shear bond strength between zirconia and veneer; ②Using nano silicon sol gel on crystallization zirconia surface to make thin layer of nano silicon dioxide will decrease the shear bond strength between zirconia and veneer; ③ Zirconia veneer bilayer ceramic has the same shear bond strength with porcelain fused to Ni Cr alloy; ④Use of sol gel technique to produce thin layer nano silicon dioxide on zirconia ceramic surface is feasible and can improve shear bond strength between zirconia and veneer porcelain.

Genomic analysis of snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus) identifies genes and processes related to high-altitude adaptation.

The snub-nosed monkey genus Rhinopithecus includes five closely related species distributed across altitudinal gradients from 800 to 4,500 m. Rhinopithecus bieti, Rhinopithecus roxellana, and Rhinopithecus strykeri inhabit high-altitude habitats, whereas Rhinopithecus brelichi and Rhinopithecus avunculus inhabit lowland regions. We report the de novo whole-genome sequence of R. bieti and genomic sequences for the four other species. Eight shared substitutions were found in six genes related to lung function, DNA repair, and angiogenesis in the high-altitude snub-nosed monkeys. Functional assays showed that the high-altitude variant of CDT1 (Ala537Val) renders cells more resistant to UV irradiation, and the high-altitude variants of RNASE4 (Asn89Lys and Thr128Ile) confer enhanced ability to induce endothelial tube formation in vitro. Genomic scans in the R. bieti and R. roxellana populations identified signatures of selection between and within populations at genes involved in functions relevant to high-altitude adaptation. These results provide valuable insights into the adaptation to high altitude in the snub-nosed monkeys.

[Influence of different types of posts and cores on color of IPS-Empress 2 crown].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of different types of posts and cores on the final color of the IPS-Emperss 2 crown. METHODS: Five types of posts and cores (Cerapost with Empress cosmo, Cerapost with composite resin, gilded Ni-Cr alloy, gold alloy and Ni-Cr alloy) were made. The shifts in color of three points of IPS-Empress 2 crown surface (cervical, middle and incisal) with different posts and cores was measured with a spectroradiometer (PR-650). RESULTS: The L* a* b* values of zirconium oxide and gilded Ni-Cr alloy posts and cores with ceramic crown were the highest. The L* a* values of zirconium oxide posts composite cores were higher while the b* values were lower. The L* a* b* values of Ni-Cr alloy were lower than that of gold alloy and were the lowest. CONCLUSION: In combination with IPS-Empress 2 crown, zirconium oxide posts are suitable for routine use in the anterior dentition, and gilded Ni-Cr alloy and gold alloy posts and cores can be recommended for clinical practice. Ni-Cr alloy posts and cores can not be recommended for clinical practice.