A bibliometric analysis of bladder cancer and microRNA research: Trends and advances from 2008 to 2022.

Bladder cancer (BC) is a significant global health issue with high incidence and mortality rates. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and have been found to be dysregulated in BC. Understanding the role of miRNAs in BC development could lead to targeted therapies and improved patient management. Our study presents a thorough examination of the correlation between BC and miRNA research from 2008 to 2022. With the help of 3 powerful methods, including VOSviewer, Biblioshiny, and CiteSpace software, we analyzed the retrieved documents from "Core Collection databases online" on the Web of Science. In total, 798 articles were extracted from the Web of Science, and the number of published papers showed an upward trend from 2008 to 2019. The total number of citations was 21,233, of which the highest paper was a review article written by Chan Jiajia et al in 2018 with 752 citations. Based on the result of the coauthor analysis, Seki Naohiko was the most productive writer and China had the highest volume of published articles. Co-citation analysis was used to reveal the knowledge structure of the research field. In addition to the keywords "Bladder cancer" and "miRNA," "Proliferation," "Biomarkers," and "Apoptosis" were the high-frequency used keywords. Recently, increasingly researchers have paid more attention to the field about BC and miRNA around the worldwide. Through in-depth communication and close collaboration, the veil of miRNA in BC has gradually been unveiled. Bibliometric analysis helps to identify hotspots in research and areas for future investigation.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with type 2 Long QT syndrome due to variant of KCNH2 gene].

OBJETIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic etiology of a Chinese pedigree affected with type 2 Long QT syndrome (LQTS). METHODS: A pedigree with type 2 LQTS presented at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital on August 23, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the proband, and candidate variant was screened through functional annotation and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Sanger sequencing was conducted to verify the pathogenicity of candidate variant. This study was approved by the Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital (Ethics No. 2019-15). RESULTS: WES revealed that the proband has harbored a missense variant of the KCNH2 gene, namely c.1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing to have inherited from her father. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_supporting+PM5+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION: The KCNH2 gene c.1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys) variant probably underlay the type 2 LQTS in this pedigree.

Does it stable? Intracranial aneurysm wall enhancement might be the warning signals: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) is an emerging imaging technology used to assess the progressive risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Unlike the standard evaluation model, MR-VWI is still debatable. This study aims to further define the potential relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) and aneurysm stability. Using "intracranial aneurysm", "magnetic resonance", and "enhancement" as keywords, relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, and the qualified studies were enrolled for further analysis. There were 13 case-control studies, 4 cohort studies, and 2,678 cases of intracranial aneurysms included in the meta-analysis. It was shown that AWE was correlated with intracranial aneurysm rupture (OR = 35.90, 95% CI: 15.58 to 82.75, p < 0.001), growth (OR = 6.69, 95% CI: 2.69 to 16.63, p < 0.001), and presence of symptoms (OR = 14.46, 95% CI: 9.07 to 23.05, p < 0.001). This finding had a high diagnostic value, but the correlation was probably not independent of aneurysm size. The pooled relative risks of the follow-up studies revealed that the risk of UIA progression was approximately 3.33 times higher with AWE than without AWE (RR = 3.33, 95% CI: 2.33 to 4.78, p < 0.001). In addition, the pooled results demonstrated that quantitative indices of VWI enhancement were equally linked with aneurysm stability (OR = 19.61, 95% CI: 10.63 to 36.17, p < 0.001). AWE is an effective imaging method to assess the stability of UIAs, and it can be a marker for the prophylactic treatment of small unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the future, which remains to be validated by prospective studies with large samples.

Association between meeting 24-hour movement behavior guidelines and quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Meeting the 24-hour movement behavior (24-HMB) guideline helps enhance quality of life (QOL) of adolescents. This study aimed to assess the associations between the 24-HMB (physical activity, screen time, sleep) and QOL among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021 and September 2023. 24-HMB, QOL and demographic variables were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression models and stratified analyses were used to explore statistical associations between the 24-HMB and QOL. RESULTS: A total of 1073 participants aged 10-18 years with a spinal Cobb angle between 10° and 40° were included. Overall, 20 participants (1.9%) met all three behavioral guidelines, and 272 participants (25.3%) met none. Compared to those who did not meet any of the guidelines, adolescents meeting both screen time and sleep duration (ß = 4.10, 95% CI: 2.02-6.18, P < 0.001) and all 3 guidelines (ß = 4.39, 95% CI: 0.27-8.51, P = 0.037) had higher QOL scores. Stratified analyses showed that the above associations were more pronounced in adolescents without back pain or with good self-image. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy behavioral habits in order to improve QOL among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, especially in those without back pain or with good self-image.

A New Species of Scymnus (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Pakistan with Mitochondrial Genome and Its Phylogenetic Implications.

In this study, a new species of the subgenus Pullus belonging to the Scymnus genus from Pakistan, Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov., was described and illustrated, with information on its distribution, host plants, and prey. Additionally, the completed mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new species using high-throughput sequencing technology was obtained. The genome contains the typical 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a non-coding control region, and is arranged in the same order as that of the putative ancestor of beetles. The AT content of the mitogenome is approximately 85.1%, with AT skew and GC skew of 0.05 and -0.43, respectively. The calculated values of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) determine that the codon UUA (L) has the highest frequency. Furthermore, we explored the phylogenetic relationship among 59 representatives of the Coccinellidae using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, the results of which strongly support the monophyly of Coccinellinae. The phylogenetic results positioned Scymnus (Pullus) cardi in a well-supported clade with Scymnus (Pullus) loewii and Scymnus (Pullus) rubricaudus within the genus Scymnus and the tribe Scymnini. The mitochondrial sequence of S. (P.) cardi will contribute to the mitochondrial genome database and provide helpful information for the identification and phylogeny of Coccinellidae.

Association between incorrect postures and curve magnitude of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in china.

BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in school scoliosis screening (SSS), there are still no effective indicators to estimate the severity of spinal curvature. We aim to investigate the association between incorrect postures and curve magnitude of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) among Chinese adolescents. METHODS: In this SSS program, we examined the incorrect posture, Adam's forward bending test (FBT) results, and angle of trunk rotation (ATR) in adolescents. Those with suspected scoliosis were referred for a standing anteroposterior whole-spine radiography as outpatients. The radiographic data of 426 students with lateral Cobb angles were collected from 2016 to 2022 and the associations were studied using logistic regression (LR) models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Univariate LR revealed that female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67-5.09, P < 0.001], age 16-19y (OR = 2.83, 95%CI 1.10-7.28, P = 0.031), right shoulder height (OR = 2.15, 95%CI 1.23-3.75, P = 0.007), right scapula tilt (OR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.18-3.50, P = 0.010), right rib hump (OR = 1.88, 95%CI 1.23-2.85, P = 0.003), right thoracic rotation ≥ 5° (OR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.43-3.20, P < 0.001), and left thoracolumbar kyphosis (OR = 3.79, 95%CI 1.06-13.56, P = 0.041) were all significantly associated with the severity of the curve magnitude. Multivariate LR showed that female gender [adjusted OR (AOR) = 3.23, 95%CI 1.81-5.73, P < 0.001], those aged 16-19y (AOR = 5.08, 95%CI 1.86-13.91, P = 0.002), and with a right rib hump (AOR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.11-2.64, P = 0.015) presented with a higher risk of severe curve magnitude than men, those aged 7-12y, and without a rib hump, respectively. ROC curves further proved that sex, age, shoulder-height difference, scapula tilt, flat back, rib hump, angle of thoracic rotation were the risk predictors for curve magnitude. CONCLUSION: Incorrect posture and ATR, especially the right rib hump, were significantly associated with the curve magnitude of AIS. Early screening for incorrect postures and ATR could be an effective and economical strategy to predict the severity of AIS through SSS in Chinese adolescents.

Brain-Heart Axis and the Inflammatory Response: Connecting Stroke and Cardiac Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the mechanistic interaction between the brain and heart has been explored in detail, which explains the effects of brain injuries on the heart and those of cardiac dysfunction on the brain. Brain injuries are the predominant cause of post-stroke deaths, and cardiac dysfunction is the second leading cause of mortality after stroke onset. SUMMARY: Several studies have reported the association between brain injuries and cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influence on the heart post-stroke to understand the underlying mechanisms of stroke and cardiac dysfunction. This review focuses on the mechanisms and the effects of cardiac dysfunction after the onset of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke). KEY MESSAGES: The role of the site of stroke and the underlying mechanisms of the brain-heart axis after stroke onset, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory and immune responses, brain-multi-organ axis, are discussed.

Effect of instructions on the microstructure of human schedule performance.

Three experiments examined the effect of instructions on human free-operant performance on random ratio (RR) and random interval (RI) schedules. Both rates of responding, and the microstructure of behavior, were explored to determine whether bout-initiation and within-bout responding may be controlled by different processes. The results demonstrated that responding in acquisition (Experiments 1 and 2) and extinction (Experiment 3) was impacted in line with given instructions. During acquisition, rates were higher on RR compared to RI for accurate and minimal instructions. During extinction, rates decreased when there were minimal instructions. However, instructions had a greater impact on within-bout responding, than they did on bout-initiation responding. Overall rates of responding, and within-bout rates, varied in line with the nature of the instructions, but bout-initiation responding did not (Experiments 1 and 2). Resistance to extinction was increased by instructions in terms of overall responding and within-bout rates, but not in terms of bout-initiation rates (Experiment 3). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that bout-initiation responding may be less impacted by instructions than within-bout responding, speculatively, the former is stimulus-driven, automatic/habitual, and less accessible to conscious processing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Characteristics and time points to inhibit ferroptosis in human osteoarthritis.

Ferroptosis is a form of cell death that is triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and is closely associated with osteoarthritis. The primary interventions for inhibiting ferroptosis in osteoarthritis are anti-lipid peroxidation and iron chelation. The objective of our study is to investigate the characteristics of ferroptosis in osteoarthritis and identify the optimal time points for inhibiting ferroptosis to alleviate disease progression. Ferroptosis-related alterations and markers of OA were analyzed in paired intact and damaged cartilages from OA patients by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, mitochondrial membrane potential and immunohistochemistry. We also compared Ferroptosis-related alterations in cartilage of mild, moderate, and severe OA (according to the modified Mankin score). In addition, we compared the effect of Fer-1 on ferroptosis and the protection of chondrocytes by detecting markers of both ferroptosis and OA by immunofluorescence, CCK8 and qRT-PCR. Ferroptosis-related alterations (GPX4 downregulation, ACSL4 upregulation, MDA, LPO accumulation, Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased) in the damaged area cartilage were more severe than those in the intact area and increased with the progression of OA. Compared with mild OA group, the activity of chondrocytes treated with Fer-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor) was increased, mitochondrial function was improved, and ferroptosis was reduced (GPX4 upregulation, SLC7A11 upregulation, ACSL4 downregulation,), and promoted the expression of COL2A1 and inhibited the expression of MMP13. However, these changes were not observed in moderate and severe OA chondrocytes. Ferroptosis occurs in a region-specific manner and is exacerbated with the progression of human OA cartilage degeneration. Inhibition of ferroptosis might had a therapeutic effect on chondrocytes with mild OA but had no significant therapeutic effect on chondrocytes with moderate to severe OA.

First report of Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Diomini) predating on papaya mealybug Paracoccusmarginatus from China.

Background: Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994, an adventive species, is recorded from Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), China for the first time. Larvae of D.guilavoguii were collected in association with an invasive mealybug, Paracoccusmarginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992, infesting papayas, cassava and several ornamental plants. However, little has been known about the biology of D.guilavoguii, especially the morphology of their larvae since their original descriptions. New information: Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994, native to Conakry, Guinea (Africa), is recorded as established in Guangdong Province for the first time. However, it is unclear when and how D.guilavoguii spread from Africa to Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Both the adult and larva feed on the invasive mealybug Paracoccusmarginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) that infests papaya and ornamental plants. In this paper, the external morphology and male genitalia of adults are re-described. The detailed descriptions of larva and pupa are also provided for the first time. The status of D.guilavoguii and D.hennessyi Fürsch, 1987 are discussed.

Associations of physical activity and screen time with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of idiopathic scoliosis, affecting approximately 0.61%-6.15% adolescents worldwide. To date, the results on the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and AIS were inconsistent, and the association between screen time (ST) and AIS remained unclear. This study aimed to describe MVPA and ST among adolescents, and to explore the independent and joint associations between PA, ST, and AIS. METHODS: A frequency-matched case-control study based on the 2021 Chinese School-based Scoliosis Screening Program in Shenzhen city, south China, was conducted. The research involved 494 AIS patients (aged 9-17 years) and 994 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. MVPA and ST were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression models estimated associations between PA, ST, and AIS. RESULTS: Compared to subjects meeting the recommended 60-min daily of MVPA, adolescents reporting daily MVPA time less than 60 min had 1.76 times higher odds of experiencing AIS (95% CI: 1.32-2.35) and adolescents reporting daily MVPA in inactive status had 2.14 times higher odds of experiencing AIS (95% CI: 1.51-3.03). Moreover, participants reporting ST for 2 hours or more had 3.40 times higher odds of AIS compared with those reporting ST less than 2 hours (95% CI: 2.35-4.93). When compared with the adolescents reporting both ST and MVPA meeting the guidelines recommended times (ST < 2 h and MVPA ≥ 60 min/day), those reporting both ST ≥ 2 h and MVPA in inactive status are 8.84 times more likely to develop AIS (95% CI: 3.99-19.61). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported that the insufficient MVPA, especially MVPA in inactive status, and excessive ST were risk factors for AIS. Additionally, the joint effects of insufficient MVPA and excessive ST probably increase the risk of AIS.

Analysis of risk factors and short-term prognostic factors of arrhythmia in patients infected with mild/moderate SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Background: Complications, including arrhythmia, following severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection continue to be of concern. Omicron is the mainstream SARS-CoV-2 mutant circulating in mainland China. At present, there are few epidemiological studies concerning the relationship between arrhythmia and Omicron variant infection in mainland China. Objectives: To investigate the risk factors of arrhythmia in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and the factors influencing prognosis. Methods: Data from 192 Omicron infected patients with symptoms of arrhythmia (AH group) and 100 Omicron infected patients without arrhythmia (Control group) were collected. Patients in the AH group were divided into the good and poor prognosis groups, according to the follow-up results 4-6 weeks after infection. The general and clinical data between the AH and Control groups, and between the good and poor prognosis groups were compared. The variables with differences between the groups were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the quantitative variables were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve to obtain their cut-off values. Results: Compared with the control group, the body mass index (BMI), proportion of patients with a history of arrhythmia, proportion of antibiotics taken, heart rate, moderate disease severity, white blood cell (WBC) count, and the aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase (CK), CK isoenzyme (CK-MB), myoglobin (Mb), high-sensitive troponin I (hs-cTnI), lymphocyte ratio and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in the AH group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). In addition, obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2), fast heart rate (≥100 times/min), moderate disease severity, and WBC, CK-MB and hs-cTnI levels were independent risk factors of arrhythmia for patients with Omicron infection (p < 0.05), and hs-CRP was a protective factor (p < 0.05). Compared with the good prognosis group, the age, proportion of patients with a history of arrhythmia, heart rate, proportion of moderate disease severity, and hs-CRP, CK, Mb and hs-cTnI levels were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group, while the proportion of vaccination was lower in the poor prognosis group (p < 0.05). Advanced age (≥65 years old), proportion of history of arrhythmia, moderate disease severity, vaccination, and hs-CRP, Mb and cTnI levels were independent factors for poor prognosis of patients with arrhythmia (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The factors that affect arrhythmia and the prognosis of patients infected with Omicron include obesity, high heart rate, severity of the disease, age. history of arrhythmia, WBC, hs-CRP, and myocardial injury indexes, which could be used to evaluate and prevent arrhythmia complications in patients in the future.

Academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most prevalent spinal deformity, which may have long-term negative consequences on adolescents. The research on the etiology is of great importance for identifying high-risk population and formulate tailored prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the association between academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits and AIS. METHODS: In this population-based case-control study, 491 AIS cases and 1,346 healthy controls that frequency-matched by age and sex were recruited in Shenzhen, Southern China. AIS was diagnosed as a Cobb angle ≥ 10° on standing posteroanterior radiographs of the whole spine. The academic-related factors (e.g., reading and writing posture) and daily lifestyle habits (e.g., intake of milk and dairy products) were collected by a self-reported questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that academic-related factors were associated with AIS. Individuals with poor reading and writing posture were more likely to have AIS (AOR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.58-2.68). Moreover, there was a significant association between heavy school bags and AIS (AOR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.50-3.31). Additionally, adolescents who reported daily screen time on weekdays over 2 hours were more likely to develop AIS (P < 0.001). Regarding daily lifestyle habits, individuals without the habit of taking milk and dairy products had a higher risk of developing AIS (AOR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.29-2.71). CONCLUSIONS: Academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits were associated with AIS among Chinese adolescents. Schools, families, and related facilities are recommended to take actions on developing effective prevention and management strategies that integrates "Student-Family-School-Education-Health-Sports" for AIS.

Self-paced Multi-view Learning for CT-based severity assessment of COVID-19.

Prior studies for the task of severity assessment of COVID-19 (SA-COVID) usually suffer from domain-specific cognitive deficits. They mainly focus on visual cues based on single cognitive functions but fail to reconcile the valuable information from other alternative views. Inspired by the cognitive process of radiologists, this paper shifts naturally from single-symptom measurements to a multi-view analysis, and proposes a novel Self-paced Multi-view Learning (SPML) framework for automated SA-COVID. Specifically, the proposed SPML framework first comprehensively aggregates multi-view contexts in lung infection with different measure paradigms, i.e., Global Feature Branch, Texture Feature Branch, and Volume Feature Branch. In this way, multiple-perspective clues are taken into account to reflect the most essential pathological manifestation on CT images. To alleviate small-sample learning problems, we also introduce an optimization with self-paced learning strategy to cognitively increase the characterization capabilities of training samples by learning from simple to complex. In contrast to traditional batch-wise learning, a pure self-paced way can further guarantee the efficiency and accuracy of SPML when dealing with small and biased samples. Furthermore, we construct a well-established SA-COVID dataset that contains 300 CT images with fine annotations. Extensive experiments on this dataset demonstrate that SPML consistently outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines. The SA-COVID dataset is publicly released at https://github.com/YishuLiu/SA-COVID.

The effect of brief mindfulness training on the micro-structure of human free-operant responding: Mindfulness affects stimulus-driven responding.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The current study examines the extent to which mindfulness impacts on operant conditioning processes, and explores the suggestion that mindfulness training serves to make humans more sensitive to the current reinforcement contingencies with which they are presented. In particular, the effect of mindfulness on the micro-structure of human schedule performance was explored. It was expected that mindfulness might impact bout-initiation responding to a greater degree than within-bout responding, premised on the assumption that bout-initiation responses are habitual and not under conscious control, but within-bout responses are goal-directed and conscious. METHODS: Nonclinical participants experienced one of three brief (15min) interventions: focused attention breathing exercise (mindfulness), an unfocused attention breathing exercises, or no intervention. They then responded on a multiple random ratio (RR) random interval (RI) schedule. RESULTS: In the no intervention and unfocused attention groups, overall and within-bout response rates were higher on the RR than the RI schedule, but bout-initiation rates were the same on the two schedules. However, for the mindfulness groups all forms of responding were higher for the RR than the RI schedule. Previous work has noted that habitual, and/or unconscious or fringe-conscious events, are impacted by mindfulness training. LIMITATIONS: A nonclinical sample may limit generality. CONCLUSIONS: The current pattern of results suggests that this is also true in schedule-controlled performance, and offers an insight into the manner in which mindfulness alongside conditioning-based interventions, to bring all responses under conscious control.

Slipinskiscymnus gen. nov., a new ladybird genus of Scymnini (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) and notes on the taxonomic status of Keiscymnus Sasaji.

Slipinskiscymnus gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is proposed to accommodate two anomalous species of Scymnini, namely, Scymnus pallidicollis Mulsant, 1853 (= Slipinskiscymnus pallidicollis (Mulsant), comb. nov.) and Scymnus saciformis Motschulsky, 1858 (=Slipinskiscymnus saciformis (Motschulsky), comb. nov.) and five new species, Slipinskiscymnus confertus Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. siculiformis Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. spiculatus Peng et Chen sp. nov., S. interstricus Peng et Chen sp. nov. and S. keralensis Poorani sp. nov., described from China and India. A lectotype is designated for Scymnus saciformis Motschulsky, 1858 (lectotype designation). Descriptive accounts of these species with illustrations of adult habitus, male genitalia and other diagnostic characters are given with a key to species. Notes on the status of the genus Keiscymnus Sasaji, 1971, are also provided.

Three new species of the genus Sulcolotis Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Sticholotidini) from the Philippines.

The genus Sulcolotis Miyatake, 1994 is reviewed. Three new species (S. threadis sp. n., S. ovalis sp. n., and S. xanthomarginalis sp. n.) from the Philippines are described and illustrated in the present paper. A key to species of the genus Sulcolotis is also provided.

Panax notoginseng saponin reduces IL-1ß-stimulated apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress of nucleus pulposus cells by suppressing miR-222-3p.

Background: It is well documented that the malignant biological behaviors of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) could trigger intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that inhibits osteoclastogenesis. However, its effects on the phenotypes of NPCs in IDD remains largely unknown. This study sought to examine the role of PNS in IDD and its regulatory mechanism. Methods: First, human NPCs (hNPCs) were treated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) to induce an IDD cell model. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were estimated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Western blot was employed to examine the levels of proteins related to apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to test inflammatory factors levels. Immunofluorescence (IF) assays were used to determine the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB) p65. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)was used to detect miR-222-3p expression. Results: We discovered that PNS enhanced the viability but reduced the apoptosis, inflammation, and ER stress response of IL-1ß-induced hNPCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, PNS significantly reduced miR-222-3p expression in the IL-1ß-induced hNPCs. Notably, these PNS effects were reversed by the upregulation of miR-222-3p. Conclusions: In summary, PNS appears to facilitate the proliferation and attenuate the apoptosis, inflammatory response, and ER stress response of IL-1ß-induced hNPCs by inhibiting miR-222-3p expression. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for a novel drug application in IDD research.

Correlation between Pain Scores and Disc Height Changes after Discectomy in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Surgery can reduce and improve lumbar disc herniation, but some patients still have pain after surgery, and the relationship between lumbar disc height and pain after surgery is still unclear. Objective: The main objective is to investigate the relationship between lumbar disc height and postoperative pain. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, the Cochrane library, and Embase online for cohort studies or RCT studies on discectomy and assessed the quality of the included articles using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS scale), with disc height (DH) and postoperative back pain as the main clinical outcome indicators, and the correlation coefficient between DH and back pain as the statistic to assess the pooled effect size. Results: 10 kinds of literature were included in this study for quantitative analysis. A total of 589 patients participated in the study. The follow-up time was between 1 and 2.3 years. Meta-analysis showed that after surgery, the relief of back pain was statistically significant (MD = -2.57, 95% CI (-3.10,-2.04), Z = -9.570, P < 0.0001), the reduction of disc height was statistically significant (MD = -0.82, 95% CI (-1.11, -0.52), Z = -5.477, P < 0.0001), the combined value of correlation coefficient Fisher's Z value was 0.33, 95% CI (0.25,0.42), with statistical significance (P < 0.00001), suggesting that the degree of back pain after surgery showed a moderate positive correlation with disc height in the short term. Discussion. After discectomy, the degree of pain is relieved, the disc height is reduced, and low back pain in the short term and disc height showed a moderate positive correlation, but the long-term correlation remains to be studied in depth.

First complete mitochondrial genome from the genus Coptodryas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and its phylogenetic implications.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Coptodryas elegans was determined, which represents the first sequenced mitogenome from Coptodryas. This mitogenome is 15,959 bp in size and comprises 36 typical coding genes and a control region, the tRNAIle was not detected in this mitogenome, as observed in other species of Curculionidae. The monophyly of the family Scolytinae and the sister relationship between C. elegans and Cyclorhipidion bodoanus is supported by maximum likelihood analysis derived from the protein-coding gene sequences.