Polygalaqii, a new species of Polygalaceae from limestone landform in Southern Hunan, China.

Polygalaqii, a new species, is described and illustrated from limestone landform in southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles P.fallax and P.arillata in flower structure of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2-1cm VS 10-15cm VS 7-10cm), and fewer flowers (1-5 flowers VS 10-30 flowers VS 10-20 flowers), and the latter two have a later flowering period (late March to mid-April VS May to August VS May to October). And it is an extremely unique new species that will hibernate in the hot summer of July and August. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P.qii is assessed as 'Data Deficient (DD)'.

Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii (Pteridaceae), two new diploid species from China, based on morphological, cytological, and molecular data.

Understanding how natural hybridization and polyploidizations originate in plants requires identifying potential diploid ancestors. However, cryptic plant species are widespread, particularly in Ceratopteris (Pteridaceae). Identifying Ceratopteris cryptic species with different polyploidy levels is a challenge because Ceratopteris spp. exhibit high degrees of phenotypic plasticity. Here, two new cryptic species of Ceratopteris, Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that each of the new species form a well-supported clade. C. chunii and C. chingii are similar to Ceratopteris gaudichaudii var. vulgaris and C. pteridoides, respectively, but distinct from their relatives in the stipe, basal pinna of the sterile leaf or subelliptic shape of the fertile leaf, as well as the spore surface. In addition, chromosome studies indicate that C. chunii and C. chingii are both diploid. These findings will help us further understand the origin of Ceratopteris polyploids in Asia.

Cyborg Moth Flight Control Based on Fuzzy Deep Learning.

Cyborg insect control methods can be divided into invasive methods and noninvasive methods. Compared to invasive methods, noninvasive methods are much easier to implement, but they are sensitive to complex and highly uncertain environments, for which classical control methods often have low control accuracy. In this paper, we present a noninvasive approach for cyborg moths stimulated by noninvasive ultraviolet (UV) rays. We propose a fuzzy deep learning method for cyborg moth flight control, which consists of a Behavior Learner and a Control Learner. The Behavior Learner is further divided into three hierarchies for learning the species' common behaviors, group-specific behaviors, and individual-specific behaviors step by step to produce the expected flight parameters. The Control Learner learns how to set UV ray stimulation to make a moth exhibit the expected flight behaviors. Both the Control Learner and Behavior Learner (including its sub-learners) are constructed using a Pythagorean fuzzy denoising autoencoder model. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves significant performance advantages over the state-of-the-art approaches and obtains a high control success rate of over 83% for flight parameter control.

A preliminary phylogenetic study of Paraphlomis (Lamiaceae) based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Paraphlomis is a genus of Lamiaceae with about 30 species distributed mainly in subtropical China. In this study, we carried out the first molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the relationships within the genus based on two nuclear and four plastid DNA regions. Our results, which recovered a species of Matsumurella within Paraphlomis, indicate that the genus is not monophyletic. The two sections and most of the series previously described within the genus are also shown to be polyphyletic. Combining with morphological evidence, our study indicates that nutlet morphology rather than calyx morphology is of phylogenetic value for the infrageneric classification of Paraphlomis. Moreover, P. jiangyongensis, a new species from southern China, is here described, and P . coronata, formerly treated as a variety of P . javanica, is here resurrected as a distinct species within the genus.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Civilian-Military Scheduling of Medical Supplies for Epidemic Prevention and Control.

In a large-scale epidemic, such as the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), there is huge demand for a variety of medical supplies, such as medical masks, ventilators, and sickbeds. Resources from civilian medical services are often not sufficient for fully satisfying all of these demands. Resources from military medical services, which are normally reserved for military use, can be an effective supplement to these demands. In this paper, we formulate a problem of integrated civilian-military scheduling of medical supplies for epidemic prevention and control, the aim of which is to simultaneously maximize the overall satisfaction rate of the medical supplies and minimize the total scheduling cost, while keeping a minimum ratio of medical supplies reservation for military use. We propose a multi-objective water wave optimization (WWO) algorithm in order to efficiently solve this problem. Computational results on a set of problem instances constructed based on real COVID-19 data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Spiradiclis tubiflora (Rubiaceae), a new cave-dwelling species from southern China.

Spiradiclis tubiflora, a new Rubiaceae species, is described from a limestone area of southern China. It is similar to Spiradiclis glandulosa and S. umbelliformis, but differs from the latter two in its linear stipule, short peduncle and tubular-funnelform corolla with a distinctively enlarged tube. The colour photograph, illustrations, detailed descriptions and conservation status of the new species are provided.

Optimal medial transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion approach with five extensive options: A simulated study on three-dimensional digital reconstructed images.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to use 3D digital lumbar models to investigate and simulate the optimal posterior operative approach for safe decompression and insertion of an interbody cage. METHODS: Thirty lumbar spine (L3-S1) computed tomography data are collected for 3D reconstruction. We cut medial half part of the superior facet and define the distance between the margin of the operative side of the spinous process and the medial margin of the cut superior facet as "medial distance (MD)". Then, we cut the total superior facet and define the distance between the margin of the operative side of the spinous process and the lateral side of the junction of the pedicle and the vertebral body as "extend distance (ED)". The feasible insertion of the current standard width size (10 mm and 12 mm) interbody cages was assessed by the two aforementioned MD and ED approaches. Besides the ED, we also simulate four other extensive options of lateral upper, lateral lower, vertical upper and lower and transmedian contralateral decompression on 3D digital lumbar model. RESULTS: The MD increased from 13.48 ± 1.28 mm at L3/4 to 18.05 ± 1.43 mm at L5/S1, and the ED increased from 16.64 ± 1.34 mm at L3/4 to 21.12 ± 1.62 mm at L5/S1. To insert a 10-mm-wide cage, 16.7% (left) and 13.3% (right) of MD for L3/4 is not enough, 60.0% (left) and 46.7% (right) of MD for L3/4 is subsafe, 13.3% (left) and 16.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is subsafe and all others are safe. To insert a 12-mm-wide cage, 76.7% (left) and 60.0% (right) of MD for L3/4 is not enough, 20.0% (left) and 30.0% (right) of MD for L3/4 is subsafe, 13.3%% (left) and 16.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is not enough, 63.3% (left) and 56.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is subsafe and 6.7% (left) and 10.0% (right) of MD for L5/S1 is subsafe, whereas 33.3%% (left) and 30.0% (right) of ED for L3/4 is subsafe, 3.3% (left) and 3.3% (right) of ED for L4/5 is subsafe and all others are safe. Besides the ED, on 3D models, four other extensive options could be simulated too and may need to be performed for different special individuals. CONCLUSION: Our 3D digital image study provides a feasible optimal medial transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion approach with five extensive options on lower lumbar region. It can provide safe lumbar decompression and interbody fusion in most population. In addition, surgeons can choose the different extensive options for special individual conditions. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: Transforminal lumbar interbody fusion is very common used for lumbar degenerative diseases. The optimal medial transforminal lumbar interbody fusion with five options provide a safe and precise approach for surgeons in treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Loureirin B inhibits the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by regulating miR-148-3p.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the activity of loureirin B against liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different concentrations of loureirin B. We used the MTT assay to determine HSC proliferation, flow cytometry to analyze apoptosis, and western blot to determine the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt1 and ß-catenin. Real-time PCR was used to determine the expressions of Wnt1 and miR-148-3p. RESULTS: The MTT assay showed that loureirin B treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSCs in time- and dose-dependent manners. Loureirin B significantly promoted the apoptosis of HSCs, increased the expression of Bax and decreased the Bcl-2 level. Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of Wnt1 and ß-catenin were obviously lower in the loureirin B treatment group than in the control group. We also found that loureirin B could decrease the Wnt1 mRNA level and increase miR-148-3p expression. Knockdown of miR-148-3p using inhibitor could reverse the effects of loureirin B on the proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt1 and ß-catenin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that loureirin B inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of HSCs, and suppressed the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway via regulation of miR-148-3p.

The compression of L5 nerve root, single or double sites?-radiographic graded signs, intra-operative detect technique and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The L5 nerve root could be compressed at both L4-5 and L5-S1 regions. If L5 nerve root has confirmed compression at L4-5 level and questionable compression at L5-S1 foramina, performing both surgeries at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels may induce unnecessary extra surgery on L5-S1; however, ignoring foraminal stenosis of L5/S1 may require re-exploration. METHODS: Two hundred seventeen patients with L5 nerve root compressed at L4-5 lateral access were performed with L4-5 decompression and interbody fusion. Lee et al. grade classification was used to assess the foraminal stenosis of L5-S1 preoperatively. Nerve root probe was designed and used to detect if there were foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 level that compressing the exiting L5 nerve root. Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain, leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess clinical outcomes. RESULTS: For all of 217 patients who underwent L4-5 surgery, L5-S1 foramina were preoperatively assessed as: grade 0: 125 cases, grade 1: 58 cases, grade 2: 23 cases, and grade 3: 11 cases. After intra-operative L5 nerve root detection, 11/11 patients with grade 3 radiographic foraminal stenosis, 6/23 (26.1%) with grade 2 and 2/58 (3.4%) who had grade 1 underwent L4-5 and L5-S1 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), the others received only L4-5 TLIF. Compared to pre-operative baseline data, both L4-5 TLIF and L4-5 and L5-S1 TLIF groups had significant decreased VAS of low back pain and leg pain, and ODI at 3 and 24 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggested that our novel nerve root probe combined with pre-operative radiographic grade may be helpful to surgeons to identify the single or double compression of L5 nerve root and make a more precise surgical strategy to improve surgical outcome than the method depended on pre-operative radiographic grade alone.

The outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty in treatment of the secondary osteoporotic vertebral compression factures: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the outcomes of using percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of the secondary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: Eighty-one patients had the secondary single segmental osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures after the initial fractures and treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty were reviewed, 74 of them had minimum 2 years follow-up were included in this study. The 74 patients with primary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty at the same time period were matched as control group in 1:1 ratio. Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the back pain and functional outcomes. The kyphotic angulation (KA) and compression ratio (CR) of the fractured vertebra was measured too. RESULTS: Both the secondary fracture group and control group had significantly relieved back pain, improved functional outcomes, corrected KA and restored CR after operation, but no difference was found between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that percutaneous kyphoplasty is an effective and safe procedure for patients with secondary single segmental osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures; it can achieve similar clinical outcomes to the primary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is caused by dysbiosis of gut microbiota, particularly the ammonia-producing bacteria. Given the efficacy of certain treatments on MHE and the connection between alcoholism and MHE, a thorough understanding of how these strategies affect the gut microbiota in patients (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) will facilitate the assessment of their efficacy in the reshaping of gut microbiota. In the present study, a metagenomics approach was adopted to reveal alterations in gut microbiota of 14 MHE patients following treatment with rifaximin alone or rifaximin plus probiotics. Patients were grouped into the alcoholic and non-alcoholic groups to examine differences in terms of their response to treatment. Treatment reduced the overall microbiota diversity and decreased the abundance of certain ammonia-producing bacteria, such as Clostridium, with the treatment of rifaximin plus probiotics presenting a more apparent effect. Non-alcoholic MHE patients responded better to the treatment, as they presented greater reduction in microbiota diversity and a more consistent decline in certain ammonia-producing bacteria genera (such as Clostridium and Streptococcus) belonging to the Firmicutes phylum. In conclusion, treatment with rifaximin alone and rifaximin plus probiotics exhibited a different effect in different MHE patients, decreasing the overall gut microbiota diversity to various extents and reshaping microbiota in different ways. Furthermore, non-alcoholic MHE patients responded better to treatment in microbiota alterations.

Validation of the chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 in patients with colorectal cancer.

AIM: To assess the validity and reliability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Colorectal Cancer 29 (EORTC QLQ-CR29) in Chinese patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: From March 2014 to January 2015, 356 patients with CRC from four different hospitals in China were enrolled in the study, and all patients self-administered the EORTC QLQ-CR29 and the quality of life core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Evaluation of the scores was based on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient, the Spearman correlation test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The EORTC QLQ-CR29 showed satisfactory reliability (α > 0.7), although the urinary frequency and blood and mucus in stool dimensions had only moderate reliability (α = 0.608). The multitrait scaling analyses showed good convergent (r > 0.4) and discriminant validity. Significant differences were obtained for each item in the different KPS subgroups (KPS ≤ 80; KPS > 80). Body image and most single-item dimensions showed statistically significant differences in patients with a stoma compared with the rest of the patients. CONCLUSION: The EORTC QLQ-CR29 exhibits high validity and reliability in Chinese patients with CRC, and can therefore be recommended as a valuable tool for the assessment of quality of life in these patients.

Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetic Data Reveal a New Species of Primula (Primulaceae) from Hunan, China.

A new species of Primulaceae, Primula undulifolia, is described from the hilly area of Hunan province in south-central China. Its morphology and distributional range suggest that it is allied to P. kwangtungensis, both adapted to subtropical climate, having contiguous distribution and similar habitat, growing on shady and moist cliffs. Petioles, scapes and pedicels of them are densely covered with rusty multicellular hairs, but the new species can be easily distinguished by its smaller flowers and narrowly oblong leaves with undulate margins. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on four DNA markers (ITS, matK, trnL-F and rps16) confirmed the new species as an independent lineage and constitutes a main clade together with P. kwangtungensis, P. kweichouensis, P. wangii and P. hunanensis of Primula sect. Carolinella.

Lysimachia huangsangensis (Primulaceae), a New Species from Hunan, China.

A new species, Lysimachia huangsangensis (Primulaceae), from Hunan, China is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to L. carinata because of the crested calyx, but differs in the leaf blades that are ovate to elliptic and (3-)4.5-9 × 2-3.4 cm, 2-5-flowered racemes, and the calyx lobes that are ovate-lanceolate and 5-6 × 3-4 mm. The systematic placement and conservation status are also discussed.

Circulating Hepatocellular Cells are a Bad Prognostic Factor for HCC Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells (CHCCs) may be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We investigated the relationship between CHCCs and hepatoma patients' survival period after different managements. METHODOLOGY: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were obtained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B, 14 with chronic hepatitis B, 10 with healthy people) between January 1st, 2009 and December 31, 2012. To detect CHCCs in peripheral blood, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA (mRNA) was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by RT-PCR. RESULTS: AFPmRNA was detected in 49 blood samples from the HCC patients (49/93, 53.0%). In contrast, there were no clinical control subjects whose samples showed detectable AFPmRNA. The presence of AFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with the tumor stage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFP value, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AFP mRNA in peripheral blood may be an indicator of CHCCs, which might predict hematogenous spreading metastasis in patients with HCC and may be as a bad prognostic factor for HCC patients.

[Gut flora and gut-derived endotoxin in minimal hepatic encephalopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of gut flora and gut-derived endotoxin with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). METHODS: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) were screened for MHE using the number connect test-A (NCT-A) and digital symbol test (DST) and divided into the following groups: HBV-LC with (+) MHE (n = 26) and HBV-liver cirrhosis without (-) MHE (n = 25); in addition, one healthy immediate family member of each patient in the HBV-LC + MHE group was enrolled as a control. Each participant provided fecal and blood samples. PCR amplification and 454 pyrosequencing were used to detect bacterial 16S rRNA in feces. Turbidimetric Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to detect level of endotoxin in serum. The significance of inter-group differences was assessed by one-way ANOVA or Student's t-test. RESULTS: The three groups showed different distributions of gut flora. The differences in the microbial communities' members and distributions were related to disease or health status, but not to the patient's genetic makeup or diet. In particular, the HBV-LC + MHE patients showed significantly lower amounts of different bacterial species and abundance of these species than the other two (non-MHE) groups (P less than 0.05). The healthy control family members had a richer diversity of gut flora than their counterparts with HBV-LC + MHE (P less than 0.05). The HBV-LV + MHE patients also had higher serum levels of endotoxin. CONCLUSION: Development of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HBV-LC may be related to a gut flora disorder or higher levels of endotoxin in serum.

Walnuts improve semen quality in men consuming a Western-style diet: randomized control dietary intervention trial.

We tested the hypothesis that 75 g of whole-shelled walnuts/day added to the Western-style diet of healthy young men would beneficially affect semen quality. A randomized, parallel two-group dietary intervention trial with single-blind masking of outcome assessors was conducted with 117 healthy men, age 21-35 yr old, who routinely consumed a Western-style diet. The primary outcome was improvement in conventional semen parameters and sperm aneuploidy from baseline to 12 wk. Secondary endpoints included blood serum and sperm fatty acid (FA) profiles, sex hormones, and serum folate. The group consuming walnuts (n = 59) experienced improvement in sperm vitality, motility, and morphology, but no change was seen in the group continuing their usual diet but avoiding tree nuts (n = 58). Comparing differences between the groups from baseline, significance was found for vitality (P = 0.003), motility (P = 0.009), and morphology (normal forms; P = 0.04). Serum FA profiles improved in the walnut group with increases in omega-6 (P = 0.0004) and omega-3 (P = 0.0007) but not in the control group. The plant source of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) increased (P = 0.0001). Sperm aneuploidy was inversely correlated with sperm ALA, particularly sex chromosome nullisomy (Spearman correlation, -0.41, P = 0.002). Findings demonstrated that walnuts added to a Western-style diet improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology.

Reproductive hormones and interleukin-6 in serious leisure male athletes.

Lifestyles associated with different types and intensities of exercise result in improved health including positive changes in chronic low-grade inflammatory biomarkers. Alternatively, some forms of exercise adversely affect reproductive health of men, including changes in circulating reproductive hormones. To explore the associations between exercise intensity and circulating levels of reproductive hormones, and inflammatory analytes in serious leisure athletes (triathletes and cyclists) and recreational athletes. Male athletes 18-60 years old, 16 triathletes, 46 cyclists and 45 recreational athletes, were recruited to provide plasma for the measurement of total testosterone, estradiol, follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels, and calculation of free androgen index (FAI) and the estradiol:SHBG ratio (ESR). Plasma estradiol concentrations were more than two times higher in cyclists than in triathletes and recreational athletes (p < 0.01). Testosterone levels were also higher in cyclists than recreational athletes (p < 0.01), but not significantly different from triathletes. SHBG levels were higher in triathletes and cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.01). LH levels were lower in cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.05). IL-6 and IL-1ß levels were each two times lower in triathletes than in cyclists (p < 0.05) and IL-6 levels were lower in cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.01). IL-1ß levels were two times lower in triathletes than in cyclists (p < 0.05). Circulating estradiol and testosterone levels were elevated in serious leisure male cyclists. This effect is discussed in light in the absence of a substantial concomitant change in gonadotropin levels and other variables.

Stabilization for sampled-data neural-network-based control systems.

This paper studies the problem of stabilization for sampled-data neural-network-based control systems with an optimal guaranteed cost. Unlike previous works, the resulting closed-loop system with variable uncertain sampling cannot simply be regarded as an ordinary continuous-time system with a fast-varying delay in the state. By defining a novel piecewise Lyapunov functional and using a convex combination technique, the characteristic of sampled-data systems is captured. A new delay-dependent stabilization criterion is established in terms of linear matrix inequalities such that the maximal sampling interval and the minimal guaranteed cost control performance can be obtained. It is shown that the newly proposed approach can lead to less conservative and less complex results than the existing ones. Application examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and the benefits of the proposed method.

Chronic boron exposure and human semen parameters.

Boron found as borates in soil, food, and water has important industrial and medical applications. A panel reviewing NTP reproductive toxicants identified boric acid as high priority for occupational studies to determine safe versus adverse reproductive effects. To address this, we collected boron exposure/dose measures in workplace inhalable dust, dietary food/fluids, blood, semen, and urine from boron workers and two comparison worker groups (n=192) over three months and determined correlations between boron and semen parameters (total sperm count, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA breakage, apoptosis and aneuploidy). Blood boron averaged 499.2 ppb for boron workers, 96.1 and 47.9 ppb for workers from high and low environmental boron areas (p<0.0001). Boron concentrated in seminal fluid. No significant correlations were found between blood or urine boron and adverse semen parameters. Exposures did not reach those causing adverse effects published in animal toxicology work but exceeded those previously published for boron occupational groups.