Prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among professional drivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: A growing body of research indicates a correlation between occupational exposure, particularly among individuals in driving-related occupations, and the incidence of low back pain (LBP). METHODS: Databases were systematically searched, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed, from their inception through December 2023 for relevant studies of the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among professional drivers. Subsequent meta-analyses were performed utilizing Stata 17.0 and RevMan 5.4 software, while risk factor indicators were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation evidence quality grading system. RESULTS: A systematic review and meta-analysis comprising 19 studies involving 7,723 patients indicated that the incidence of LBP among drivers was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.57) in the past 7 days and 53% (95% CI 0.43-0.63) in the past 12 months. A subgroup analysis revealed a prevalence of 48% (95% CI 0.33-0.64) in 2005-2015 and 56% (95% CI 0.42-0.70) in 2016-2023. Among the identified factors, robust evidence highlighted age ≥ 41 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10; 95% CI 1.36-3.24; P = 0.0008), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.31-2.34; P = 0.0001), sleeping < 6 h/night (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.13-2.24; P = 0.007), uncomfortable seating (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.23-2.36; P = 0.001), improper driving posture (OR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.91-2.94; P < 0.00001), and manual handling (OR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.72-2.88; P < 0.00001) as significant risk factors for LBP. There was moderate evidence of a lack of exercise (OR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.37-2.31; P < 0.0001), working > 10 h/day (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.89-3.28; P < 0.00001), > 5 years' driving experience (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.66-2.69; P < 0.00001), a lack of back support (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.25-2.62; P = 0.002), high work-related pressure (OR = 2.04; 95% CI 1.59-2.61; P < 0.00001), and job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.23-2.01; P = 0.0003) as moderate risk factors. There was no evidence of body mass index or smoking as risk factors for LBP among professional drivers. CONCLUSION: The current evidence indicates an increasing annual trend in the prevalence of LBP among professional drivers. Factors including age ≥ 41 years, alcohol consumption, and sleeping < 6 h/night were among the 12 influential factors contributing to LBP in professional drivers. Enhancing awareness of these factors and formulating targeted preventive strategies may be beneficial.

Additive-Controlled Divergent Synthesis of Fluorenone-4-carboxylic Acids and Diphenic Anhydrides via Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative Dimeric Cyclization of Aromatic Acids.

A rhodium-catalyzed one-pot access to valuable polycyclic frameworks of fluorenone-4-carboxylic acids and diphenic anhydrides via the oxidative dimeric cyclization of aromatic acids has been developed. This transformation proceeded via carboxyl-assisted 2-fold C-H activation followed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts or dehydration reactions. The silver salt additive plays a vital role in the chemoselectivity of the products. Diphenic anhydride 3l exhibits a maximum fluorescence quantum yield of up to 59%.

The Different Influence of Cutibacterium Acnes and Staphylococcus Epidermidis in the Lumbar Disc: An in Vivo Study in Rabbits.

STUDY DESIGN: Animal laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of C. acnes and S. epidermidis on the lumbar discs of rabbits, as well as the outcomes of combined infection. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many studies have indicated that bacterial infections are associated with lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). The most commonly cultured bacteria from disc tissues are Cutibacterium acne (C. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits (n=40) were randomly divided into control, C. acnes, S. epidermidis, and C. acnes plus S. epidermidis (i.e., combined) groups. All groups except the control were injected with 25 µL of saline at L4-L5 and 25 µL of bacteria (1×107 CFU/mL) at L5-L6. All injections were performed under X-ray guidance. Weight measurements, haematological evaluations, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Histological examination and gene expression detection were performed 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Inflammatory factors in the blood and weight did not differ among the groups after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (P >0.05). However, after 4 weeks, LDD occurred in the C. acnes group, and discitis occurred in the S. epidermidis and combined groups, all of which worsened after 8 weeks. After 12 weeks, the nucleus pulposus (NP) protruded and compressed the spinal cord in the C. acnes group, and tissue staining showed decreased NP tissue and cartilaginous endplate fracture. In the S. epidermidis and combined groups, the discitis was more confined, but tissue staining revealed a significant decrease in NP tissue, and loss of the normal disc structure. CONCLUSIONS: In the early stage of infection in rabbits, C. acnes caused LDD, and S. epidermidis caused discitis. Co-infection with C. acnes and S. epidermidis caused discitis but was more limited in scope than infection with S. epidermidis alone.

The rabbit model for spinal tuberculosis: An overview.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has emerged as a global public health issue, predominantly manifesting as pulmonary tuberculosis. Bone and joint tuberculosis, with spinal tuberculosis accounting for approximately 50%, represents a significant form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Over the past years, there has been a rise in the incidence of spinal tuberculosis, and research concerning this area has gained significant attention. At present, animal models provide a means to investigate the pathogenesis, drug resistance, and novel treatment approaches for spinal tuberculosis. New Zealand rabbits, possessing a comparable anatomical structure to humans and capable of reproducing typical pathological features of human tuberculosis, are extensively employed in spinal tuberculosis research using animal models. This article comprehensively evaluates the strengths, considerations in strain selection, various modelling approaches, and practical applications of the rabbit model in studying spinal tuberculosis based on pertinent literature to guide fundamental research in this field by providing valuable insights into appropriate animal model selection.

Oxidative Tandem Cyclization of Aromatic Acids with (Benzo)thiophenes: One-Pot Access to Planar Sulfur-Containing Polycyclic Heteroarenes for Lipid-Droplet-Targeted Probes.

The efficient construction of π-conjugated polycyclic heteroarenes represents a significant task in the field of functional materials. A one-step oxidative tandem cyclization of aromatic acids with (benzo)thiophenes was developed to access planar sulfur-containing polycyclic heteroarenes. This protocol undergoes intermolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling followed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation and provides a facile pathway to planar polycyclic compounds from inexpensive reactants. The synthesized heteroarenes serving as lipid-droplet-targeted probes exhibit outstanding performance with favorable biocompatibility and photostability.

Risk factors associated with low-grade virulent infection in intervertebral disc degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of research indicates an association between low-grade bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, no previous meta-analysis has systematically assessed the risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections that cause IDD. PURPOSE: This study reviewed the literature to evaluate the risk factors associated with low-grade bacterial infection in patients with IDD. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Eligible articles explicitly identified the risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections in IDD patients. Patient demographics and total bacterial infection rates were extracted from each study. Meta-analysis was performed using random- or fixed-effects models, with statistical analyses conducted using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 software.aut. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies involving 4,109 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled low-grade bacterial infection rate was 30% (range, 24%-37%), with P. acnes accounting for 25% (range, 19%-31%). P. acnes constituted 66.7% of bacteria-positive discs. Fourteen risk factors were identified, of which 8 were quantitatively explored. Strong evidence supported male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.65-2.79; p<.00001) and Modic changes (MCs) (OR=3.59; 95% CI=1.68-7.76; p=.0009); moderate evidence of sciatica (OR=2.31; 95% CI=1.33-4.00; p=.003) and younger age (OR=-3.47; 95% CI=-6.42 to -0.53; p=.02). No evidence supported previous disc surgery, MC type, Pfirrmann grade, smoking, or diabetes being risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections in patients with IDD. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence highlights a significant association between IDD and low-grade bacterial infections, predominantly P. acnes being the most common causative agent. Risk factors associated with low-grade bacterial infections in IDD include male sex, MCs, sciatica, and younger age.

Notochordal cells: A potential therapeutic option for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a prevalent musculoskeletal degenerative disorder worldwide, and ~40% of chronic low back pain cases are associated with IDD. Although the pathogenesis of IDD remains unclear, the reduction in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical factors contributing to IDD. Notochordal cells (NCs), derived from the notochord, which rapidly degrades after birth and is eventually replaced by NPCs, play a crucial role in maintaining ECM homeostasis and preventing NPCs apoptosis. Current treatments for IDD only provide symptomatic relief, while lacking the ability to inhibit or reverse its progression. However, NCs and their secretions possess anti-inflammatory properties and promote NPCs proliferation, leading to ECM formation. Therefore, in recent years, NCs therapy targeting the underlying cause of IDD has emerged as a novel treatment strategy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest research progress on NCs for IDD, covering their biological characteristics, specific markers, possible mechanisms involved in IDD and therapeutic effects. It also highlights significant future directions in this field to facilitate further exploration of the pathogenesis of IDD and the development of new therapies based on NCs strategies.

Trends and prospects in spinal tuberculosis research: a future-oriented approach.

PURPOSE: Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases in human history, and spinal tuberculosis (STB) is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. A large number of research has been conducted in this field. However, there has been no bibliometric analysis performed in recent years in STB. The aim of this study was to analyze trends and hotspots in research on STB. METHODS: Publications regarding STB between 1980 and 2022 were extracted from the Web of Science database. CiteSpace (V5.7.R2) and VOSviewer (1.6.10) were used to perform global analyses of the number of publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and cited references. RESULTS: A total of 1262 articles were published between 1980 and 2022. We observed rapid growth in the number of publications since 2010. Spine had the highest number of publications (47, 3.7%). Zhang HQ and Wang XY were key researchers. The Central South University published the most papers (90, 7.1%). China was the leading contributor in this field with 459 publications and 29 H-index. National partnerships are dominated by the USA, and there is a lack of active cooperation between other countries and authors. CONCLUSION: research on STB has achieved great progress, with an increasing number of publications since 2010. Surgical treatment and debridement are current research hots pots, and diagnosis, drug resistance, and kyphosis are likely research frontiers. Cooperation between countries and authors needs to be further strengthened.

p-Methoxybenzyl-Radical-Promoted Chemoselective Protection of sec-Alkylamides.

The hitherto difficult site-selective p-methoxybenzylation of secondary amides using p-methoxybenzylated alkylsilyl peroxides as a novel p-methoxybenzylation agent under copper catalysis is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions in a highly chemoselective manner. This approach was successfully applied to the site-selective p-methoxybenzylation of peptides.

Why do master's students of humanities and social sciences publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals? A qualitative study based on Grounded Theory.

In China, master's students in humanities and social sciences (HSS) are becoming the main target of Chinese-language predatory journals. Existing research has not paid enough attention to why these students publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals. This research interviewed 30 HSS master's students with different majors using semi-structured interviews and Grounded Theory to analyze the data; it found that research discrimination, research context, self-awareness, and individual demand are the main reasons why students publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals. This study provides the following suggestions in an effort to solve the problem of Chinese-language predatory journals. First, the Chinese government should draw up a blacklist of Chinese-language predatory journals. Second, the research evaluation departments of Chinese universities and research institutions should evaluate the research results of HSS master's students based on this list. Third, Chinese universities or scientific research institutions should strengthen the training of HSS master tutors and increase their awareness of Chinese-language predatory journals. And finally, Chinese HSS master's students should be taught about the hazards of Chinese-language predatory journals in research integrity and ethics courses, and refuse to publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals.

Magnetic solid-phase extraction based on GO/Fe3O4 coupled with UPLC-MS/MS for determining nitroimidazoles and their metabolites in honey.

A magnetic graphene oxide (GO/Fe3O4) nanocomposite was synthesized in one step by a chemical coprecipitation method, which was further used for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE). This study aimed to combine GO/Fe3O4 with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to detect the nitroimidazoles (NDZs) and their three major metabolites in honey samples. GO/Fe3O4 was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and magnetic property measurement system (MPMS), and the influencing parameters such as adsorbent amount, pH of the dissolved sample solution, sample volume, type and volume of the eluent, shaking speed, and adsorption and desorption time were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of the method were 0.003-0.08 µg kg-1 and 0.009-0.3 µg kg-1, respectively, with good linearity reported in the range of 0.5-20 µg kg-1 (R2 ≥ 0.9991). The average recoveries of 10 analytes were in the range of 66.0%-90.8% with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 6.9% (n = 6). The preparation of GO/Fe3O4 and the extraction process were convenient and rapid, and consumed small amounts of organic solvents. The optimized method was successfully applied for extracting NDZs and their three major metabolites from honey samples with good accuracy.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in cord serum of newborns and their potential factors.

The demonstrated developmental and reproductive toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), coupled with the increasing production and use of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has resulted in progressively higher human exposure levels. This has raised concerns about PFAS exposure levels in the fetus, which is highly susceptible to the potential effects of hazardous environmental chemicals. However, in utero exposure to PFASs and health implications have not been fully characterized in China. To fill this gap, we analyzed 19 PFASs in umbilical cord serum samples (n = 66). Information about the mothers and newborns was obtained through questionnaires. Associations between maternal characteristics and neonatal birth weight and PFAS concentrations were analyzed using nonparametric tests. As results, PFOA was detected in all serum samples. The highest median concentration of PFOS in umbilical serum was 1.092 ng·mL-1, followed by perfluoropentanoic acid (median: 0.633 ng·mL-1). Trifluroacetic acid and perfluoropropanoic acid were detected in cord serum for the first time, and their median concentrations were 0.229 and 0.266 ng·mL-1, respectively. Neonatal birth weight was negatively correlated with long-chain PFOS (r = -0.319, P < 0.05), and the concentrations of perfluoroundecanoic acid and perfluorododecanoic acid were significantly different between the birth weight groups. Maternal age, maternal education, diet, and nutritional supplementation during pregnancy can all affect umbilical serum exposure to PFASs. These results demonstrate that legacy PFASs remain major contributors to the composition of human PFASs, while the concentration levels of emerging short-chain alternatives have increased significantly. Modifying the mother's diet may reduce the risk of intrauterine PFAS exposure. Special attention to exposure to highly novel PFASs and confirmation of potential determinants should be taken as a priority in the plan for risk management and actions in this area.

RAB21 controls autophagy and cellular energy homeostasis by regulating retromer-mediated recycling of SLC2A1/GLUT1.

The endosomal system maintains cellular homeostasis by coordinating multiple vesicular trafficking events, and the retromer complex plays a critical role in endosomal cargo recognition and sorting. Here, we demonstrate an essential role for the small GTPase RAB21 in regulating retromer-mediated recycling of the glucose transporter SLC2A1/GLUT1 and macroautophagy/autophagy. RAB21 depletion mis-sorts SLC2A1 to lysosomes and affects glucose uptake, thereby activating the AMPK-ULK1 pathway to increase autophagic flux. RAB21 depletion also increases lysosome function. Notably, RAB21 depletion does not overtly affect retrograde transport of IGF2R/CI-M6PR or WLS from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. We speculate that RAB21 regulates fission of retromer-decorated endosomal tubules, as RAB21 depletion causes accumulation of the SNX27-containing retromer complex on enlarged endosomes at the perinuclear region. Functionally, RAB21 depletion sensitizes cancer cells to energy stress and inhibits tumor growth in vivo, suggesting an oncogenic role for RAB21. Overall, our study illuminates the role of RAB21 in regulating endosomal dynamics and maintaining cellular energy homeostasis and suggests RAB21 as a potential metabolic target for cancer therapy.

Status bias in Chinese scholarly publishing: an exploratory study based on mixed methods.

The academic community requires not only responsible research but also responsible academic journals. An exploratory study of Chinese-language academic journals that used mixed methods found Chinese-language academic journals on the humanities and social sciences exhibiting a widespread status bias. Most of them summarily rejected submissions from junior researchers and students without paying due attention to the quality of the research itself. The main reasons for this problem are editorial department resources, the scientific research evaluation system, the editorial department culture, and the wider academic environment. This study recommends that Chinese-language academic journals join the Committee on Publication Ethics, other publishing ethics organizations, and the "Responsible Journals" program as soon as possible.

Characteristics of blacklisted journals: Evidence from Chinese-language academic journals.

Some institutions have issued blacklists of academic journals in China and use them as a basis for research evaluation. However, due to a lack of transparent formulation criteria, the characteristics of blacklisted journals remain unclear. Using blacklisted academic journals of the East China University of Political Science and Law, this study analyzed differences in characteristics between blacklisted and non-blacklisted journals via web surveys and statistical analyses. Statistically significant differences were detected for article review time, article processing charges (APCs), the number of editorial board members, and the journal impact factor. There was no significant difference in the number of editors. While there is scientific merit in creating and publishing a blacklist of academic journals, the list development process requires more rigorous evaluation and a public process of development.

Photodissociation of the Product from a Transition-Metal Center Allows the Catalytic Cycle to Proceed: The Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed [2+2+1] Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Diynes.

We describe the effective rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2+2+1] carbonylative cycloaddition of diynes, yielding cyclopentadienes (CPDs), under photoirradiation. The catalysis involves the promotion of the photodissociation of the product CPD, with the simultaneous production of an essential vacant coordination site on the rhodium for an unreacted substrate. The combined use of cationic [Rh(cod)2]BF4 as a catalyst and photoirradiation was also found to give various CPDs in high yields (≤96%).

γ-Carboline synthesis enabled by Rh(iii)-catalysed regioselective C-H annulation.

A redox-neutral Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H annulation of indolyl oximes was developed. Relying on the use of various alkynyl silanes as the terminal alkyne surrogates, the reaction exhibited a reverse regioselectivity, thus giving an exclusive and easy way for the synthesis of a wide range of substituent free γ-carbolines at C3 position with high efficiency. Deuterium-labelling experiments and kinetic analysis have preliminarily shed light on the working mode of this catalytic system.

New ferrocenyl-containing organic hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells in regular (n-i-p) and inverted (p-i-n) architectures.

Three triphenylamine derivatives containing ferrocenyl groups (JW6, JW7 and JW8) were synthesized by facile syntheses. Their HOMO levels match the valence band energy of CH3NH3PbI3. The introduction of ferrocenyl was aimed to obtain hole transporting materials with high mobility for perovskite solar cells. JW7 shows higher hole mobility (4.2 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1) than JW6 (1.3 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1) and JW8 (1.5 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1). Their film-forming properties are affected by their molecule structures. The methoxyl and N,N-dimethyl terminal substituents of JW7 and JW8 are beneficial for having better solubility than JW6. The regular mesoporous TiO2-based perovskite solar cells (n-i-p) and the inverted planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells (p-i-n) fabricated using JW7 show the highest power conversion efficiency of 9.36% and 11.43% under 100 mW cm-2 AM1.5G solar illumination. For p-i-n cells, the standard HTM PEDOT-based cell reaches an efficiency of 12.86% under the same conditions.