Variation in parental investment preferences for nestlings of the Gray-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) in alpine environments.

In the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Gray-backed Shrike, a shrubland bird species of the plateau, confronts harsh living conditions. The impact of such an environment on their reproductive strategies has long intrigued us. This study reveals significant environmental effects on the investment of the Gray-backed Shrike during their nestling-rearing and egg-laying stages. (1) Based on measurements of 215 shrike eggs from 2017 to 2021, we found that under the cold alpine climate, Gray-backed Shrikes opt for a strategy of larger clutches and bigger eggs as average rainfall decreases. Concurrently, parents display a decreasing hatching order strategy, resulting in significant weight differences among newly hatched nestlings. (2) Marginal and core offspring exhibited no significant differences in fledging conditions. Core offspring generally have a slightly larger physique than marginal ones. However, marginal offspring exhibit the highest growth rate, with similar survival rates across different offspring categories. Parental rearing adopts a nest survival strategy. (3) The food provisioning rate by parents correlates strongly with the number of nestlings, the age of the nestling, and the nest's sex ratio. Differences exist between female and male provisioning rates based on begging intensity and average temperature; higher average temperatures lead to more food, with males providing more food. (4) Factors like nest sex ratio, offspring category, nestling age, and nestling sex influence the feeding preferences of parents. When overall nestling ratios skew towards either male or female, parental feeding preferences align with the actual nest sex ratio. Male and female parental feeding preferences differ based on average temperature and nestling sex. Males consistently exhibit a stronger preference for feeding male nestlings, regardless of the nest's sex ratio. In contrast, females don't show a clear preference, leading to differences in survival rates for different nestling sex under male feeding preferences.

Prosthetic spacers in two-stage revision for knee periprosthetic joint infection achieve better function and similar infection control.

Aims: To explore the clinical efficacy of using two different types of articulating spacers in two-stage revision for chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection (kPJI). Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 50 chronic kPJI patients treated with two types of articulating spacers between January 2014 and March 2022 was conducted. The clinical outcomes and functional status of the different articulating spacers were compared. Overall, 17 patients were treated with prosthetic spacers (prosthetic group (PG)), and 33 patients were treated with cement spacers (cement group (CG)). The CG had a longer mean follow-up period (46.67 months (SD 26.61)) than the PG (24.82 months (SD 16.46); p = 0.001). Results: Infection was eradicated in 45 patients overall (90%). The PG had a better knee range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society Score (KSS) after the first-stage revision (p = 0.004; p = 0.002), while both groups had similar ROMs and KSSs at the last follow-up (p = 0.136; p = 0.895). The KSS in the CG was significantly better at the last follow-up (p = 0.013), while a larger percentage (10 in 17, 58.82%) of patients in the PG chose to retain the spacer (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Prosthetic spacers and cement spacers are both effective at treating chronic kPJI because they encourage infection control, and the former improved knee function status between stages. For some patients, prosthetic spacers may not require reimplantation.

De novo Phased Genome Assembly, Annotation and Population Genotyping of Alectoris Chukar.

The Alectoris Chukar (chukar) is the most geographically widespread partridge species in the world, demonstrating exceptional adaptability to diverse ecological environments. However, the scarcity of genetic resources for chukar has hindered research into its adaptive evolution and molecular breeding. In this study, we have sequenced and assembled a high-quality, phased chukar genome that consists of 31 pairs of relatively complete diploid chromosomes. Our BUSCO analysis reported a high completeness score of 96.8% and 96.5%, with respect to universal single-copy orthologs and a low duplication rate (0.3% and 0.5%) for two assemblies. Through resequencing and population genomic analyses of six subspecies, we have curated invaluable genotype data that underscores the adaptive evolution of chukar in response to both arid and high-altitude environments. These data will significantly contribute to research on how chukars adaptively evolve to cope with desertification and alpine climates.

High expression of ACKR1 predicts a good prognosis and suppresses sarcoma cell progression via regulating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Sarcoma is a malignant tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue with a poor prognosis. Atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1) is found closely related to cancer progression. However, the effects of ACKR1 in soft tissue sarcoma have not been well investigated. Therefore, our present study is devoted to analyze the functions of ACKR1 in sarcoma progression and its potential mechanism. We detected the expression of ACKR1 in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-pan-cancer database, TCGA-Sarcoma from TCGA databases, and GSE21122 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The relationships between ACKR1 expression, clinicopathological data, and survival status were evaluated in the TCGA-Sarcoma database. Moreover, overexpression negative control (OE-NC) and overexpression ACKR1 (OE-ACKR1) were used to further verify the effects of ACKR1 overexpression in the progression of sarcoma cells by using Reverse Transcription-Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethyny-2'-Deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing, transwell assay, and flow cytometry assays. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analyses were carried out to explore the potential enriched biological process of ACKR1 expression in sarcoma. Furthermore, tumor-immune system interactions databases (TISIDB) were applied to further confirm the relations between ACKR1 and tumor immune microenvironment in sarcoma. Our study found that ACKR1 is downregulated in multiple cancers (including sarcoma), and low expression of ACKR1 is related to poor survival status in sarcoma. The biological experiments found that promoting expression of ACKR1 can suppress sarcoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, promote cell apoptosis, and arrest cell cycle. The GO-KEGG, GSEA, and TISIDB analysis showed that ACKR1 is related to the tumor immune microenvironment. In conclusion, low expression of ACKR1 presented as an independent prognostic biomarker in sarcoma. Overexpression of ACKR1 can significantly suppress cell progression ability in sarcoma by regulating the immune microenvironment.

Breeding Behavior, Nestling Growth, and Begging Behavior in the Plain Laughingthrush (Garrulax davidi): Implications for Parent-Offspring Conflict.

Investigation on food allocation among nestlings of altricial birds is crucial in understanding parent-offspring conflicts within avian families. However, there is no consensus in empirical studies regarding whether parents or offspring determine the food allocation pattern within a brood. In the Plain Laughingthrush (Garrulax davidi), we examine the relationship between parental feeding strategies and nestling begging behaviors. Due to hatching asynchrony, larger nestlings have a competitive advantage in food acquisition over their smaller brood-mates; nevertheless, if the initial food-receivers were already satiated and did not immediately consume the food, parents would retrieve the food and re-allocate it to another nestling. This re-feeding tactic employed by parents reduced the likelihood of early-hatched nestlings monopolizing the food solely due to their larger body size. Our findings indicate that parents primarily allocated food based on nestling begging intensity, while their re-feeding tactic is determined by whether the first food-receivers have consumed the food. To date, our research demonstrates that while parental food allocation primarily hinges on the begging intensity of the nestlings, the decision to re-feed is contingent upon whether the initial recipients of the food ingest it immediately.

Effects of Climate Change on the Habitat of the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve of China.

Climate change affects animal populations by affecting their habitats. The leopard population has significantly decreased due to climate change and human disturbance. We studied the impact of climate change on leopard habitats using infrared camera technology in the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve of Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, from July 2017 to October 2019. We captured 25 leopard distribution points over 47,460 camera working days. We used the MAXENT model to predict and analyze the habitat. We studied the leopard's suitable habitat area and distribution area under different geographical scales in the reserve. Changes in habitat area of leopards under the rcp2.6, rcp4.5, and rcp8.5 climate models in Guyuan in 2050 were also studied. We conclude that the current main factors affecting suitable leopard habitat area were vegetation cover and human disturbance. The most critical factor affecting future suitable habitat area is rainfall. Under the three climate models, the habitat area of the leopard decreased gradually because of an increase in carbon dioxide concentration. Through the prediction of the leopard's distribution area in the Liupanshan Nature Reserve, we evaluated the scientific nature of the reserve, which is helpful for the restoration and protection of the wild leopard population.

Adjacent two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus one-level corpectomy and fusion in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Analysis of perioperative parameters and sagittal balance.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal surgical strategy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) remains controversial; thus, the current study was designed to compare the outcomes of two different anterior approach surgeries for two-level CSM, namely, adjacent two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and one-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients who underwent adjacent two-level ACDF and 68 patients who underwent one-level ACCF in the Spinal Surgery Department from January 2010 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Independent sample t tests and chi-square tests were used to compare perioperative parameters (hospital stays, bleeding amounts and operation times), clinical parameters (Neck Disability Index scores and Visual Analog Scale scores for neck and arm pain), and radiologic parameters (difference in segmental height, T1 slope, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis, C2-7 lordosis, segmental angle, and fusion rate). RESULTS: The length of hospital stay (p < 0.01), bleeding amount (p < 0.01), operation time (p < 0.001) and difference in segmental height (p < 0.001) were significantly greater in the ACCF group than in the ACDF group, whereas C2-7 lordosis (p < 0.05) and the segmental angle (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the ACCF group than in the ACDF group. Other parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both ACDF and ACCF provided satisfactory clinical outcomes and fusion rates for CSM. However, adjacent two-level ACDF was associated with shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, shorter operative times, fewer differences in segmental height and greater improvement in segmental lordotic curvature. On most occasions, when either surgical method could be selected, adjacent two-level ACDF as a surgical treatment for CSM may be a worthwhile alternative method to one-level ACCF.

[Effect of screw blade position on proximal femoral nail anti-rotation internal fixation for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the screw blade position on the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) internal fixation for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. METHODS: A clinical data of 131 elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures who were treated with PFNA internal fixation between January 2010 and January 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. According to the anteroposterior X-ray films, the screw blades were placed in the middle of the femoral neck in 72 patients (group A) and at one-third of the femoral neck in 59 patients (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in the gender, age, bone density, classification of fractures, other medical diseases, and the time between injury and operation. Multiple treatment indexes were analyzed, including complications, hip Harris score, the healing status of fracture, tip-apex distance (TAD), and the height of the tail nail. RESULTS: All patients were followed up 11-14 months, with an average of 12.1 months. All incisions healed by first intention with no complications. All fractures healed and no significant difference in bone healing time between the two groups ( Z=-0.190, P=0.849). At 6 months after operation, TAD was (2.23±0.07) cm in group A and (2.85±0.12) cm in group B, showing significant difference ( t=-47.643, P=0.000); and the height of the tail nail was (1.72±0.14) cm in group A and (0.53±0.26) cm in group B, showing significant difference ( t=31.031, P=0.000). According to the Harris score, the hip functions were rated as excellent in 48 cases, good in 15 cases, and poor in 9 cases in group A, while as excellent in 38 cases, good in 16 cases, and poor in 5 cases in group B, with no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-0.075, P=0.941). CONCLUSION: For the unstable intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly, the PFNA internal fixation with appropriated TAD and the screw blades placed in the middle or at one-third of the femoral neck can obtain good effectiveness.

[Effectiveness analysis of distal radius microplate locking plate for treatment of displaced fracture of medial clavicle].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of the distal radius microplate locking plate for the treatment of displaced fracture of medial clavicle. METHODS: Between January 2013 and June 2017, 18 cases of obvious displaced fracture of medial clavicle were treated with distal radius microlocking plate. There were 10 males and 8 females, with an average age of 51.4 years (range, 18-88 years). Causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object injury in 3 cases; all of them were closed injury. According to Edinburgh classification, 15 cases were ⅠB1 type and 3 cases were ⅠB2 type. Fracture displacement was 12-21 mm (mean, 16.3 mm). The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.3 days). After operation, the clinical healing and complications of fracture were observed, and shoulder function was evaluated according to Rockwood's scoring criteria. RESULTS: No incisional infection, neurovascular injury, or other early complications occurred. All 18 patients were followed up 8-15 months (mean, 12 months). All fractures reached clinical osseous union, and the healing time was 8-24 weeks (mean, 16.6 weeks). Postoperative plate loosening occurred in 1 case, which was removed surgically, while other patients did not suffer from complications such as bone nonunion, displacement, internal fixator loosening, and loss of reduction. At last follow-up, according to Rockwood's scoring criteria, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: The distal radius microplate locking plate is effective for the treatment of displaced medial clavicle fracture, which has few complications, and is feasible for early functional exercise, and is helpful for the recovery of shoulder joint function.

[Role of socio-economy and management in sustainable transmission control of schistosomiasis in Taoyuan County, Hunan Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of socio-economy and management in the sustainable schistosomiasis-control in Taoyuan County, an endemic area in hilly region, Hunan Province, China. METHODS: From 1996 to 2011, the data of socio-economy, the management of schistosomiasis control organizations, environment, and the changes in schistosomiasis prevalence were collected in Taoyuan County where schistosomiasis transmission had been controlled since 2008. A sampling survey of schistosomiasis prevalence of human and bovine was performed in 2011 to verify the current status of schistosomiasis transmission. All the data were analyzed statistically to evaluate the role of socio-economy and management in the sustainable schistosomiasis control. RESULTS: During the period from 1998 to 2012, the socio-economy including the residents' productive mode and daily life in Taoyuan County improved dramatically, but the recurrence risk of schistosomiasis endemic still existed due to the retuning of out-going workers and the migrating population. Moreover, the introduction of exotic species of plants and animals may increase the risk. The low running cost of schistosomiasis control organization as well as the efficient and adequate resource allocation in the county was in line with the national requirement to strengthen the rural grass-roots public health system. CONCLUSION: The harmonious development of socio-economy and the scientific and efficient health system in Taoyuan County are the key factors for the sustainable transmission control of schistosomiasis.