Vasorin promotes endothelial differentiation of glioma stem cells via stimulating the transcription of VEGFR2.

Gliomas are highly vascularized malignancies, but current anti-angiogenic treatments have not demonstrated practical improvements in patient survival. Studies have suggested that glioma-derived endothelial cell (GdEC) formed by glioma stem cell (GSC) differentiation may contribute to the failure of this treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in GSC endothelial differentiation remain poorly understood. We previously reported that vasorin (VASN) is highly expressed in glioma and promotes angiogenesis. Here, we show that VASN expression positively correlates with GdEC signatures in glioma patients. VASN promotes the endothelial differentiation capacity of GSC in vitro and participates in the formation of GSC-derived vessels in vivo. Mechanistically, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is a critical factor that mediates the regulation of VASN on GSC endothelial differentiation. Separation of cell chromatin fractionation and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analysis show that VASN interacts with Notch1 and co-translocates into the cell nuclei, where VASN binds to the VEGFR2 gene promoter to stimulate its transcription during the progression of GSC differentiation into GdEC. Together, these findings elucidate the role and mechanisms of VASN in promoting the endothelial differentiation of GSC and suggest VASN as a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy based on intervention in GdEC formation in gliomas.

Efficient method for modeling large-scale arrays of optical nanoresonators based on the coupling theory of quasinormal mode.

We propose an efficient method for calculating the electromagnetic field of a large-scale array of optical nanoresonators based on the coupling theory of quasinormal mode (QNM). In this method, two approaches of the scattered-field reconstruction and stationary-phase-principle calculated plane-wave expansion are developed to obtain the regularized QNM (RQNM) in different regions. This accurate and efficient calculation of RQNM resolves the far-field divergence issue of QNMs in the QNM-coupling theory, thus enabling a rapid computation of the electromagnetic field of a large-scale array of optical nanoresonators, which is a challenging task for full-wave numerical methods. Using this method, we consider the numerical example of the radiation problem of a single point source in a large-scale periodic array of optical nanoantennas. In comparison to full-wave numerical methods, this method significantly reduces the computation time by 1∼2 orders of magnitude while maintaining accuracy. The high computational efficiency and physical intuitiveness of the method enables to clarify the impact of array size (exceeding 50 × 50 wavelengths), period and field-coupling range (far beyond the tight-binding approximation) on the optical response. The proposed method and results can provide an efficient tool and guidance for the design of large-scale arrays of optical nanoresonators.

Ts2O Promoted Deoxygenative C-H Dithiocarbonation of Quinoline N-Oxides with Potassium O-Alkyl Xanthates.

A simple, efficient, and practical method for the synthesis of S-quinolyl xanthates was developed via Ts2O-promoted deoxygenative C-H dithiocarbonation of quinoline N-oxides with various potassium O-alkyl xanthates. The reaction performed well under transition-metal-free, base-free, and room-temperature conditions with wide substrate tolerance. Employing potassium O-tert-butyl xanthate (tBuOCS2K) as a nucleophile, some valuable quinoline-2-thiones were unexpectedly obtained in a one-pot reaction without any additional base.

TsCl promoted deoxygenative phosphorothiolation of quinoline N-oxides towards S-quinolyl phosphorothioates.

A convenient, efficient and practical approach for the synthesis of S-quinolyl phosphorothioates via cheap TsCl promoted deoxygenative C2-H phosphorothiolation of quinoline N-oxides with readily available triethylammonium O,O-dialkylphosphorothioates was developed. The reaction performed well under transition-metal-free conditions at room temperature with a very short reaction time (10-20 min). Preliminary studies showed that the current transformation underwent a nucleophilic substitution process.

Efficient synthesis of SCF3-containing 3-alkenylquinoxalinones via three-component radical cascade reaction.

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of 3-alkenylquinoxalinones containing the SCF3 group has been readily developed through a three-component radical cascade reaction involving quinoxalinones, alkynes and AgSCF3. The reaction was found to be compatible with a variety of substrates and exhibited a high functional group tolerance and complete E-selectivity. The preliminary study suggests the involvement of a SCF3 radical in the transformation.

Exploring efficient strategies for air quality improvement in China based on its regional characteristics and interannual evolution of PM2.5 pollution.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) harms human health and hinders normal human life. Considering the serious complexity and obvious regional characteristics of PM2.5 pollution, it is urgent to fill in the comprehensive overview of regional characteristics and interannual evolution of PM2.5. This review studied the PM2.5 pollution in six typical areas between 2014 and 2022 based on the data published by the Chinese government and nearly 120 relevant literature. We analyzed and compared the characteristics of interannual and quarterly changes of PM2.5 concentration. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD) made remarkable progress in improving PM2.5 pollution, while Fenwei Plain (FWP), Sichuan Basin (SCB) and Northeast Plain (NEP) were slightly inferior mainly due to the relatively lower level of economic development. It was found that the annual average PM2.5 concentration change versus year curves in the three areas with better pollution control conditions can be merged into a smooth curve. Importantly, this can be fitted for the accurate evaluation of each area and provide reliable prediction of its future evolution. In addition, we analyzed the factors affecting the PM2.5 in each area and summarize the causes of air pollution in China. They included primary emission, secondary generation, regional transmission, as well as unfavorable air dispersion conditions. We also suggested that the PM2.5 pollution control should target specific industries and periods, and further research need to be carried out on the process of secondary production. The results provided useful assistance such as effect prediction and strategy guidance for PM2.5 pollution control in Chinese backward areas.

Modified osteochondral autograft transplantation for steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report and literature.

Osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT) has been commonly applied in the knee and ankle while the technique has not yet been a popularity in the femoral head. In this article, we present a 28-year-old female patient, who has a history of 1-year-use of glucocorticoid in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). She underwent surgical hip dislocation, osteochondroplasty, OAT, and internal fixation. Her Harris Hip Score improved from 64 to 82 in 36 months to follow-up. The case is valuable considering that a single, instead of several, 1.5 cm autograft was harvested from the non-bearing part of the same femoral head. This modification dispensed with the need of surgery for harvesting autograft from knee or ankle and reduced the structural vulnerability brought by the multihole donor part of the femoral head.

The Impact of Comprehensive Nursing and Warming Measures on Emergence Agitation and Maternal-Neonatal Safety in Women Undergoing General Anesthesia for Cesarean Section.

Objective: To explore the effects of comprehensive nursing combined with thermal insulation measures on the awakening agitation (EA) of cesarean section parturient under general anesthesia and maternal and infant safety. Methods: A total of 136 cesarean section parturients under general anesthesia admitted in our hospital from May 2020 to November 2023 were picked as the research objects following the random, double-blind method. All patients have no mental illness and can clearly reflect their physical state. The subjects were randomized into the study group and the control group in accordance with the random number table method, with 68 cases in each group. The control group was intervened with thermal insulation measures, while the study group was intervened with comprehensive nursing combined with thermal insulation measures. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) at different time points were compared. The Ramsay score (RASS), the incidence of EA, and the incidence of shivering were compared. The influence of comprehensive nursing combined with thermal insulation measures on maternal and infant safety and their recovery after the operation was analyzed. The adverse psychological status and postoperative satisfaction of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results: SBP, DBP, and MAP in the study group were much higher than those in the control group at the time of skin incision, fetal delivery, and the end of operation (P < .05). Compared with the control group, the study group had much higher RASS, and sharply reduced incidence of EA and shivering (P < .05). The incidence of fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal asphyxia, etc., was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group P < .05). Parturient of the study group had a shorter duration of hospitalization, shorter detention time in the anesthesia monitoring room, and awakening time than the parturient in the control group (P < .05). The SAS and SDS scores of parturient were significantly decreased in the two groups at discharge than before the operation, and a more obvious decrease was found in the study group (P < .01). Postoperative satisfaction of the study group and the control group was 98.53% and 80.88%, respectively, which was markedly higher in the study group than in the control group (P < .05). Conclusion: Comprehensive nursing combined with thermal insulation measures vastly improved the sedation degree of parturient, reduced the incidence of EA and chills, ensured maternal and infant safety, reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes, promoted early recovery of parturient, and enhanced maternal satisfaction. This conclusion provides important guidance for improving clinical practice, emphasizing the key role of comprehensive care in improving surgical outcomes and patient comfort, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of medical services.

Can serum progesterone concentration direct a fresh or freeze-all transfer strategy in the first in vitro fertilisation cycle?

PURPOSE: To examine the interaction between serum progesterone concentration on the trigger day and choice of freeze-all and fresh transfer strategies on live birth in an unselected population as well as in patients over 35 years old. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 26,661 patients commencing their first IVF cycle in a large fertility centre between 2015 and 2019, including 4687 patients over 35 years old. We performed a multivariable fractional polynomial interaction analysis within a logistic regression model to investigate the interaction between serum progesterone concentration and the choice of freeze-all or fresh transfer strategy following the first transfer. RESULTS: 15,539 patients underwent a fresh embryo transfer and 11,122 underwent a freeze-all strategy in their first IVF cycle. The freeze-all group had a higher live birth rate compared to the fresh group (43.9% vs 40.3%). After adjusting for confounding factors, there was a positive interaction between serum progesterone concentrations and the choice of a freeze-all versus fresh embryo transfer on live birth (p for interaction 0.0001), with a larger magnitude of effect when progesterone concentration was higher. Such an interaction was also observed in patients over 35 years old (p for interaction 0.01), but the treatment effect curve over progesterone concentrations was almost flat. CONCLUSIONS: In an unselected population, frozen transfer is associated with greater chances of live birth, especially in patients with higher serum progesterone concentration. In patients over 35 years old, the benefit of a freeze-all policy appears small across all serum progesterone concentrations.

An Unexpected Synthesis of 2-Sulfonylquinolines via Deoxygenative C2-Sulfonylation of Quinoline N-Oxides with Sulfonyl Chlorides.

A mild, efficient and practical protocol for the preparation of 2-sulfonylquinolines through CS2/Et2NH-induced deoxygenative C2-H sulfonylation of quinoline N-oxides with readily available RSO2Cl was developed. The reaction proceeded well under transition-metal-free conditions and exhibited a wide substrate scope and functional group tolerance. The preliminary studies suggested that the nucleophilic sulfonyl sources were generated in situ via the reaction of CS2, Et2NH and sulfonyl chlorides.

Effect of glutamine on the systemic innate immune response in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella pullorum.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of glutamine on the growth performance and systemic innate immune response in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella pullorum. A total of 600 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were assigned randomly to 6 dietary treatments with 10 replicates for a 21-day feeding experiment. The experimental treatments were as follows: the control treatment (birds fed the basal diet), the Gln1 treatment, and the Gln 2 treatment (birds fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5%, and 1.0% Glutamine, respectively). At 3 d of age, half of the birds from each treatment were challenged oral gavage with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. pullorum suspension (1.0 mL per bird) or an equivalent amount of sterile saline alone, which served as a control. RESULTS: The results showed that S. pullorum infection had adverse effects on the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens compared with those of the CON treatment on d 7, decreased the spleen and bursa of fabricius relative weights (except on d 21), serum immunoglobulin A (IgA),immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations, and spleen melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and laboratory of genetics and physiology gene 2 (LGP2) mRNA expression levels, and increased the mRNA expression levels of spleen Nodinitib-1 (NOD1), Toll-like receptors 2,4 (TLR2, TLR4), DNA-dependent activator of IFN-regulatory factors (DAI), mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), P50, P65, and RelB on d 4, 7, 14, and 21. Supplementation with Gln improved the relative weights of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius (except on d 21), increased the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations and the mRNA expression levels of spleen MDA5 and LGP2, and decreased the mRNA expression levels of spleen NOD1, TLR2, TLR4, DAI, MAVS, P50, P65, and RelB of S. pullorum-challenged broiler chickens. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Gln might stimulate the systemic innate immune responses of the spleen in broiler chickens challenged with S. pullorum.

Impact of frailty on pneumonia outcomes in older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The ideal method for identifying frailty remains unclear, but the condition is associated with poor prognoses in many illnesses. Despite the availability of studies, the prognostic implications of frailty on older patients with pneumonia remains unexplored. To determine the burden and effect of frailty on selected clinical outcomes among older patients with pneumonia. METHODS: We searched Medline, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases for articles published in English following the PRISMA framework to guide our review. We included studies conducted on patients (> 60 years) with frailty and pneumonia, and reporting the effect of frailty on mortality, hospital stay, length readmission, and ICU admission. We performed a meta-analysis using STATA 14.2, calculating pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: We analysed data from 16 studies and calculated a pooled frailty prevalence of 49% (95% CI 37-60%) in older patients with pneumonia. Unadjusted analyses revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 2.50 (95% CI 1.88-3.32) for the intermediate risk group, and an OR of 3.51 (95% CI 3.05-4.05) for the high risk group regarding mortality. The high risk frailty group also exhibited significant elevations in the risk of readmissions and extended hospital stay lengths. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in both adjusted and unadjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis results show that one in every two older individuals with pneumonia present frailty, a condition that significantly influences their rates of mortality and readmission, and their hospital stay length.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection vs transanal endoscopic surgery for rectal tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and transanal endoscopic submucosal dissection (TES) are widely employed surgical techniques. However, the comparative efficacy and safety of both remain inconclusive. AIM: To comprehensively analyze and discern differences in surgical outcomes between ESD and TES. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception till August 2023. We analyzed outcomes including recurrence rate, en bloc resection, R0 resection rate, perforation rate, procedure length, and hospital stay length applying a random-effects inverse-variance model. We assessed publication bias by conducting an Egger's regression test and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: We pooled data from 11 studies involving 1013 participants. We found similar recurrence rates, with a pooled odds ratio of 0.545 (95%CI: 0.176-1.687). En bloc resection, R0 resection, and perforation rate values were also similar for both ESD and TES. The pooled analysis for procedure length indicated a mean difference of -4.19 min (95%CI: -22.73 to 14.35), and the hospital stay was on average shorter for ESDs by about 0.789 days (95%CI: -1.671 to 0.093). CONCLUSION: Both ESD and TES displayed similar efficacy and safety profiles across multiple outcomes. Our findings show that individualized patient and surgeon preferences, alongside specific clinical contexts, can be considered when selecting between these two techniques.

Vasorin Exocytosed from Glioma Cells Facilitates Angiogenesis via VEGFR2/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Glioma is a highly vascularized tumor of the central nervous system. Angiogenesis plays a predominant role in glioma progression and is considered an important therapeutic target. Our previous study showed that vasorin (VASN), a transmembrane protein, is overexpressed in glioma and promotes angiogenesis; however, the potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that human vascular endothelial cells (hEC) co-cultured with VASN-overexpressing glioma cells exhibited accelerated migration ability and increased expression of VASN originated from glioma cells. VASN was found in exosomes secreted by glioma cells and could be taken up by hECs. hECs showed more edge filopodia and significantly upregulated expression of endothelial tip cell marker gene and protein levels after co-culture with VASN-overexpressing glioma cells. In clinical glioma tissue and orthotopic transplantation glioma tissue, the vascular density and the number of vascular endothelial cells with a tip cell phenotype in VASN-overexpressed tissues were significantly higher than in tissues with low expression. At the molecular level, VASN interacted with VEGFR2 and caused internalization and autophosphorylation of VEGFR2 protein, and then activated the AKT signaling pathway. Our study collectively reveals the function and mechanism of VASN in facilitating angiogenesis in glioma, providing a new therapeutic target for glioma. IMPLICATIONS: These findings demonstrate that VASN exocytosed from glioma cells enhanced the migration of vascular endothelial cells by VEGFR2/AKT signaling pathway.

A comprehensive review of bupleuri radix and its bioactive components： with a major focus on treating chronic liver diseases.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided compelling evidence of its pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulation, and anticancer properties, positioning it as a promising treatment option for various liver diseases. Hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are among the prevalent and impactful liver diseases worldwide. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews that explore the prescription, bio-active components, and underlying mechanisms of BR in treating liver diseases. AIM OF THE REVIEW: To summarize the BR classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients in treating liver diseases and their mechanisms to inform reference for further development and research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature in the last three decades of BR and its classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients were collated and summarized by searching PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. RESULTS: BR and its classical prescriptions, such as Xiao Chai Hu decoction, Da Chai Hu decoction, Si Ni San, and Chai Hu Shu Gan San, have been utilized for centuries as effective therapies for liver diseases, including hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. BR is a rich source of active ingredients, such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and so on. These bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid metabolism regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge that BR and its constituents can also possess hepatotoxicity, which is associated with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and oxidative stress. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using BR in therapeutic applications to ensure the safe and appropriate utilization of its potential benefits while minimizing any potential risks. CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, BR, its compounds, and its based traditional Chinese medicine are effective in liver diseases through multiple targets, multiple pathways, and multiple effects. Advances in pharmacological and toxicological investigations of BR and its bio-active components in the future will provide further contributions to the discovery of novel therapeutics for liver diseases.

A semi-mechanistic aging model of Pb added to soil by a modified stable isotope dilution technique.

The aging of Pb added to soils has not been studied by the isotopic technology because of difficulties in determination of isotopically exchangeable Pb in soil, so that a set of 10 typical agricultural soils in China and a one-year aging experiment with the addition of water-soluble Pb to the soils were carried out. A modified stable isotope dilution technique to determine isotopically exchangeable Pb in soil was developed where 0.2 mM EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as the extractant. When water-soluble Pb was added to soil, the isotopically exchangeable Pb (Eadd%, the percentage of isotopically exchangeable Pb to total Pb added to soil) initially decreased rapidly and gradually slowly. A semi-mechanistic aging model of Pb added to soils, including precipitation/nucleation (Y1), micropore diffusion (Y2), and organic matter encapsulation processes (Y3) was developed with the root mean square error 8.3% where Y1, Y2, and Y3 accounted for 0.02~26.9%, 1.4~21.8% and 3.8~11.3%, respectively, when the pH 4.0~8.0 and organic matter 2.0~6.0%. Soil pH was a vital factor affecting the aging rate. When the pH increased by 1 unit, the Eadd value decreased by approximately 9%. The model could be used to scale ecotoxicological data of Pb in soil generated in different aging times.

Etiology, pathology, and treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in adolescents: A comprehensive review.

Femoral head necrosis is a common refractory disease in orthopedics, and shows a trend of getting younger. The occurrence of femoral head necrosis in adolescents is related to the use of glucocorticoids, autoimmune diseases, trauma, and other factors. Because adolescent patients are in the period of physical development, high activity requirements, and have fertility needs in the future, treatment is relatively difficult. Early artificial joint replacement may have problems such as wear and loosening, so total hip replacement is not the preferred treatment for adolescent patients with femoral head necrosis. This article will elaborate the research progress of femoral head necrosis in adolescents from 3 aspects, and summarize the benefits and side effects of core decompression combined with autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of early femoral head necrosis, so as to provide clinical ideas for the treatment of femoral head necrosis in adolescents.

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic impact of median nerve stimulation on cognitive dysfunction post-traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: Ferroptosis represents a form of regulated cellular death dependent upon iron and lipid peroxidation derivatives, holding considerable implications for cerebral and neurologic pathologies. In the present study, we endeavored to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing ferroptosis and appraise the therapeutic value of electrical stimulation of median nerve in addressing cognitive impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI), employing a rodent model. METHODS: In this study, we established a rat model to investigate the cognitive impairments resulting from TBI, followed by the application of median nerve stimulation (MNS). Initially, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of Erastin (2 mg/kg) prior to undergoing MNS. After 24 h of MNS treatment, the rats were subjected to an open field test to evaluate their cognitive and motor functions. Subsequently, we conducted biochemical assays to measure the serum levels of GSH, MDA and SOD. The structural integrity and cellular morphology of hippocampal tissue were examined through H&E staining, Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we assessed the expression levels of proteins crucial for neuronal health and function in the hippocampus, including VEGF, SLC7A11, GPX4, Nrf2, α-syn, NEUN and PSD95. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats in the stimulation group demonstrated enhanced mobility, reduced levels of tissue damage, a decrease in MDA concentration, and increased levels of GSH and SOD. Additionally, there was a significant upregulation in the expression of proteins critical for cellular defense and neuronal health, including GPX4, SLC7A11, Nrf2, VEGF, α-syn, NEUN, and PSD95 proteins. Conversely, rats in the Erastin group demonstrated decreased mobility, exacerbated pathological tissue damage, elevated MDA concentration, and decreased levels of GSH and SOD. There was also a notable decrease in the expression of GPX4, SLC7CA11, Nrf2, and VEGF proteins. The expression levels of α-syn, NEUN, and PSD95 were similarly diminished in the Erastin group. Each of these findings was statistically significant, indicating that MNS exerts neuroprotective effect in the hippocampal tissue of rats with TBI by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway. CONCLUSION: (1) MNS may enhance the cognitive and behavioral performance of rats after TBI; (2) MNS can play a neuroprotective role by promoting the expression of nerve injury-related proteins, alleviating oxidative stress and ferroptosis process; (3) MNS may inhibit ferroptosis of neuronal cells by activating Nrf2/ GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby improving cognitive impairment in TBI rats.

A new ant species of the genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with a key to Chinese species.

A new Chinese ant species Carebaralaevicepssp. nov. is described based on the major and minor workers. This species is most similar to C.lusciosa (Wheeler, 1928) due to a spineless propodeum, the absence of horns, and a smooth head capsule. It is distinguished by the following features: (1) antenna 10-segmented; (2) katepisternum rugose-reticulate; (3) in major workers, lateral sides of head in full-face view parallel; (4) metanotal groove distinct, anterodorsal corner forming an acute tooth behind metanotal groove. Moreover, an updated key to Chinese Carebara species is presented based on major workers, with a checklist comprising a total of 36 Chinese Carebara species and subspecies. Morphological structures and scanning electron micrographs of the newly discovered species' minor and major workers are provided.

Exposure to anti-seizure medication during pregnancy and the risk of autism and ADHD in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Evidence of an association between maternal use of anti-seizure medication (ASM) during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the relationship between fetal exposure to ASM and the development of ASD or ADHD in offspring. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and other databases to identify relevant epidemiological studies published from inception until 1 March 2024. Results: Seven cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that maternal exposure to ASMs during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of ASD [odds ratio (OR): 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63-2.71; p < 0.001] in the general population. This association became weaker (ASD: OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.11-1.73; p = 0.004) when the reference group was mothers with a psychiatric disorder or epilepsy not treated during pregnancy. Furthermore, an increased risk of ADHD was observed when the study data adjusted for drug indications were pooled (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07-1.92; p = 0.015). In subgroup analyses based on individual ASM use, only exposure to valproate preconception was significantly associated with an increased risk of ASD or ADHD. Conclusion: The significant association between maternal ASM use during pregnancy and ASD or ADHD in offspring may be partially explained by the drug indication or driven by valproate.