Pylorus-Preserving versus Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy for Surgical Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) compared with distal subtotal gastrectomy (DSG) with Billroth I anastomosis for early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODOLOGY: A systematic literature search was performed to identify all eligible studies comparing PPG with DSG. Data on perioperative parameters, postgastrectomy complications and postprandial symptoms, nutritional status, as well as long-term oncological outcomes were extracted from all included studies for metaanalysis. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (1213 patients) met eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in perioperative parameters between PPG and DSG. However, PPG was associated with lower incidence of dumping syndrome, bile reflux, remnant gastritis, cholecystolithiasis and postprandial symptoms, as well as better postoperative nutritional status compared with DSG. Although delayed gastric emptying was more common after PPG, the symptoms related to delayed emptying reduced over time. Long-term oncological outcomes were similar with regard to 5-year survival rate, as well as recurrence and metastasis rate. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidences, PPG and DSG have similar surgical and oncological safety, however PPG can provide better postoperative quality of life. Therefore, PPG can be considered as a better surgical option than DSG for carefully selected patients with EGC.

Physiological and Environmental Influences on Wingbeat Frequency of Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker, 1865) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious global migratory insect pest of grain crops. Although its migratory biology has been studied for a long history, the factors affecting wingbeat frequency (WBF), which is closely related to the flight activity of the insect, remain unclear. In this study, the WBFs of both cultured and migrating moths were tested under different conditions in the laboratory using a stroboscope. The results indicated that age and mating status significantly influenced WBF. One day old adults had the lowest WBF, and unmated females had a significantly higher WBF than that of mated females. In general, the WBF of males was significantly higher than that of female individuals. The WBF decreased gradually with increasing environmental humidity, and WBF had a significant negative binomial regression relationship with temperature change. The WBF of moths that fed on hydromel was much higher than those of the controls that fed on water or without diet. However, wind speed and air pressure had no significant effects on the moth WBF in the test environments. These findings provide a deeper understanding of factors that affect flight ability in M. separata, which will be helpful for developing a regional migratory monitoring and warning system of the pest, such as identifying target insect species based on the WBF from radar observation.

Unraveling the macroevolution of horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus).

Unraveling the diversification mechanisms of organisms is a fundamental and important macroevolutionary question regarding the diversity, ecological niche, and morphological divergence of life. However, many studies have only explored diversification mechanisms via isolated factors. Here, based on comparative phylogenetic analysis, we performed a macroevolutionary examination of horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus), to reveal the inter-relationships among diversification, intrinsic/extrinsic factors, and climatic ecological niche characteristics. Results showed a general slowing trajectory during diversification, with two dispersal events from Asia into Southeast Asia and Africa playing key roles in shaping regional heterogeneous diversity. Morphospace expansions of the investigated traits (e.g., body size, echolocation, and climate niche) revealed a decoupled pattern between diversification trajectory and trait divergence, suggesting that other factors (e.g., biotic interactions) potentially played a key role in recent diversification. Based on ancestral traits and pathway analyses, most Rhinolophus lineages belonging to the same region overlapped with each other geographically and were positively associated with the diversification rate, implying a competitive prelude to speciation. Overall, our study showed that multiple approaches need to be integrated to address diversification history. Rather than a single factor, the joint effects of multiple factors (biogeography, environmental drivers, and competition) are responsible for the current diversity patterns in horseshoe bats, and a corresponding multifaceted strategy is recommended to study these patterns in the future.

Ginkgolide B reduces neuronal cell apoptosis in the traumatic rat brain: possible involvement of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor kappa B pathway.

Ginkgolide B (GB) has been demonstrated to have a variety of pharmacological actions. Accumulating evidence indicates that GB may exert a protective effect on brain injury. The study was designed to investigate the influence of GB on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-dependent inflammatory responses and neuronal cell apoptosis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Wistar rats were subjected to 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg GB daily for 5 days, intraperitoneally, following TBI. Rats were sacrificed at hour 2, 6 and 12, as well as day 1, 2, 3 and 5 after TBI. The administration of 10 and 20 mg/kg GB could significantly (least-significant difference test: p < 0.05) suppress gene expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB, lessen concentrations of tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6, as well as reduce the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in traumatic rat brain tissues, but the administration of 5 mg/kg GB did not (p > 0.05). However, a clear concentration-response relationship was not found. Thus, GB may inhibit TLR-4 and NF-κB-dependent inflammatory responses, and furthermore lessen neuronal cell apoptosis after TBI, which may support the use of GB for the treatment of TBI.

First representative complete mitochondrial genome of the Taphozous melanopogon Temminck, 1841 (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) from China.

In this study, we present the first representative complete Taphozous melanopogon mitochondrial genome from China. Its mitochondrial genome was assembled and annotated using MitoZ. The genome is a circular molecule of 16,566 bp in length, including 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a control region. Although maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic trees indicate that the super family Emballonuridea forms a sister taxon with Noctilionidea instead of Vespertilionidea, mitochondrial genes provide only part of the phylogenetic information, and phylogenetic inferences utilizing nuclear genes are needed in future toward resolving phylogenetic relationship among Vespertilionidea, Noctilionidea, and Emballonuridea.

CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of the extracranial cranial nerve for the treatment of Meige's syndrome.

Background: Meige' s syndrome, a rare form of dystonia, lacks effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of CT-guided percutaneous extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the facial and/or trigeminal nerves in the treatment of Meige's syndrome. Methods: A total of 10 patients were enrolled in this study, with the numbers of blepharospasm dystonia syndrome (BDS), oromandibular dystonia syndrome (ODS), and blepharospasm combined with oromandibular dystonia syndrome (B-ODS) being 7, 1, and 2, respectively. BDS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve; ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch, and B-ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch. The therapeutic effects and complications were observed. Results: All 10 patients in this series experienced improved Meige's syndrome-related symptoms after extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the cranial and/or mandibular branches of the extracranial trigeminal nerve. Adverse events included class II-III facial paralysis and/or mandibular skin numbness. Two patients had recurrences at the 18th and 22nd months postoperatively, respectively; the other patients were being followed up. Conclusion: These results shown that CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and/or oval foramen trigeminal mandibular branch can effectively treat the corresponding types of Meige's syndrome. According to preliminary observations, the therapeutic effect may last more than 18 months.

Plasma SIRT3 as a Biomarker of Severity and Prognosis After Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: SIRT3 may act as a brain-protective factor. We measured the plasma SIRT3 levels of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and further determined the relationship between plasma SIRT3 and clinical outcome plus severity of ICH. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we quantified plasma SIRT3 levels in 105 ICH patients and 72 healthy controls. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and hematoma volume were used to assess severity. Poor prognosis was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 1-3 at 90 days after ICH. Results: Plasma SIRT3 levels were markedly lower in patients than in controls (median, 10.19 versus 13.17 ng/mL; P<0.001). Among all patients, plasma SIRT3 levels were independently correlated with hematoma volume (beta, -0.098; 95% confidence interval, -0.158--0.039; t, -3.282; P=0.001) and GCS score (beta, 0.465; 95% confidence interval, 0.107-0.823; t, 2.576; P=0.011). A total of 46 cases had a poor prognosis at post-stroke 90 days. The plasma levels of SIRT3 significantly decreased in patients with a poor prognosis, compared with those with a good prognosis (median, 6.1 versus 11.2 ng/mL; P<0.001). Plasma SIRT3 was an independent predictor for 90-day poor prognosis of patients (odds ratio, 0.837; 95% confidence interval, 0.708-0.990; P=0.038). Plasma SIRT3 levels distinguished the development of poor prognosis with area under receiver operating characteristic curve at 0.801 (95% confidence interval, 0.711-0.872) and plasma SIRT3 levels ≤7.38 ng/mL predicted poor prognosis with 63.04% sensitivity and 93.22% specificity. Conclusion: Declined plasma SIRT3 levels are highly associated with hemorrhagic severity and poor 90-day outcome, thus suggesting that plasma SIRT3 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for ICH.

Oxymatrine reduces neuronal cell apoptosis by inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B-dependent inflammatory responses in traumatic rat brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of oxymatrine (OMT) on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-dependent inflammatory responses and neuronal cell apoptosis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 60 or 120 mg/kg OMT after TBI once a day till day 5. Rats were killed by decapitation at hours 2, 6 and 12, and days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after TBI. Gene expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in traumatic rat brain tissues were determined. RESULTS: The administration of 120 mg/kg OMT could significantly suppress gene expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB, lessen concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6, and reduce the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in traumatic rat brain tissues by the Mann-Whitney U test (P < 0.05), but the administration of 60 mg/kg OMT could not (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: OMT may inhibit TLR4/NF-κB-dependent inflammatory responses, and furthermore lessen neuronal cell apoptosis after TBI.

Cloning and expression profiling of the VLDLR gene associated with egg performance in duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

BACKGROUND: The very low density lipoprotein receptor gene (VLDLR), a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene family, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of yolk protein precursors in oviparous species. Differential splicing of this gene has been reported in human, rabbit and rat. In chicken, studies showed that the VLDLR protein on the oocyte surface mediates the uptake of yolk protein precursors into growing oocytes. However, information on the VLDLR gene in duck is still scarce. METHODS: Full-length duck VLDLR cDNA was obtained by comparative cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Tissue expression patterns were analysed by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Association between the different genotypes and egg performance traits was investigated with the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the SAS® software package. RESULTS: In duck, two VLDLR transcripts were identified, one transcript (variant-a) containing an O-linked sugar domain and the other (variant-b) not containing this sugar domain. These transcripts share ~70 to 90% identity with their counterparts in other species. A phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences showed that duck VLDLR proteins were closely related with those of chicken and zebra finch. The two duck VLDLR transcripts are differentially expressed i.e. VLDLR-a is mainly expressed in muscle tissue and VLDLR-b in reproductive organs. We have localized the duck VLDLR gene on chromosome Z. An association analysis using two completely linked SNP sites (T/C at position 2025 bp of the ORF and G/A in intron 13) and records from two generations demonstrated that the duck VLDLR gene was significantly associated with egg production (P < 0.01), age of first egg (P < 0.01) and body weight of first egg (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Duck and chicken VLDLR genes probably perform similar function in the development of growing oocytes and deposition of yolk lipoprotein. Therefore, VLDLR could be a candidate gene for duck egg performance and be used as a genetic marker to improve egg performance in ducks.

Copeptin is associated with mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: High serum copeptin levels are associated with injury severity after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, not much is known regarding its relation with mortality. Thus, we sought to evaluate its relation with disease mortality. METHODS: Fifty healthy controls and 94 patients with acute severe TBI were included. Plasma samples were obtained on admission and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Its concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (27.7%) died from TBI in a month. After brain injury, plasma copeptin level in patients increased during the 6-hour period immediately, peaked in 24 hours, plateaued at day 2, decreased gradually thereafter, and was substantially higher than that in healthy controls during the 7-day period. A forward stepwise logistic regression selected plasma copeptin level (odds ratio, 1.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.014; p = 0.010) as an independent predictor for 1-month mortality of patients. A multivariate linear regression showed that plasma copeptin level was negatively associated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (t = -7.161; p < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve identified plasma copeptin cutoff level (451.8 pg/mL) that predicted 1-month mortality with the optimal sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (75.0%) values (area under curve, 0.874; 95% confidence interval, 0.789-0.933; p < 0.001). The area under curve of plasma copeptin level was similar to that of GCS score (p = 0.299). However, copeptin did not statistically significantly improve the area under curve of GCS score (p = 0.413). CONCLUSIONS: Increased plasma copeptin levels are associated with mortality after TBI.

Serum glucose and potassium ratio as a predictive factor for prognosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The serum glucose/potassium ratio (GPR) is a potential prognostic predictor for acute brain injury-related diseases. We calculated the serum GPR in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and explored its prognostic value for long-term prognoses and ICH severity. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study consecutively included 92 patients with ICH and 92 healthy controls. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and hematoma volume were used to assess severity. A modified Rankin Scale score > 2 at 90 days post-stroke was defined as a poor outcome. RESULTS: The serum GPR was significantly higher in patients than controls. The serum GPR was weakly correlated with the NIHSS score, GCS score, and hematoma volume. The serum GPR, GCS score, and hematoma volume were independently associated with poor outcomes. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the serum GPR remarkably discriminated patients at risk of poor outcomes at 90 days. The serum GPR significantly improved the prognostic predictive capability of hematoma volume and tended to increase that of the GCS score. CONCLUSION: Serum GPR is an easily obtained clinical variable for predicting clinical outcomes after ICH.

First record of disk-footed bat Eudiscopus denticulus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from China and resolution of phylogenetic position of the genus.

The disk-footed bat Eudiscopus denticulus(Osgood, 1932) is a rare species in Southeast Asia. During two chiropteran surveys in the summer of 1981 and 2019, eight and three small Myotis-like bats with distinct disk-like hindfeet were collected from Yunnan Province, China, respectively. External, craniodental, and phylogenetic evidence confirmed these specimens as E. denticulus, representing a new genus in China. The complete mitochondrial genome consistently showed robust support for E. denticulus as a basal lineage within Myotinae. The coding patterns and characteristics of its mitochondrial genome were similar to that of other published genomes from Myotis. The echolocation signals of the newly collected individuals were analyzed. The potential distribution range of Eudiscopus in Southeast Asia inferred using the MaxEnt model indicated its potential occurrence along the southern border region of Yunnan, China.

Serum Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1alpha Levels Correlate with Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Serum hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1α) is a key regulator in hypoxic and ischemic brain injury. We determined the relationship between serum HIF-1α levels and long-term prognosis plus severity of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: A total of 97 ICH cases and 97 healthy controls were enrolled. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and hematoma volume were used to assess hemorrhagic severity. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 1-3 at post-stroke 90 days was defined as a poor outcome. RESULTS: Serum HIF-1α levels of ICH patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (median, 218.8 vs 105.4 pg/mL; P<0.001) and were substantially correlated with GCS score (r=-0.485, P<0.001), hematoma volume (r=0.357, P<0.001) and GOS score (r=-0.436, P<0.001). Serum HIF-1α levels >239.4 pg/mL discriminated patients at risk of 90-day poor outcome with sensitivity of 65.9% and specificity of 79.3% (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.725; 95% confidence interval, 0.625-0.811; P<0.001). Moreover, serum HIF-1α levels >239.4 pg/mL were independently associated with a poor 90-day outcome (odds ratio, 5.133; 95% confidence interval, 1.117-23.593; P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Serum HIF-1α, in close correlation with hemorrhagic severity and poor 90-day outcome, may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for ICH.

[Application of Lund concept in treating brain edema after severe head injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore if the new treatment with Lund concept could reduce the mortality of patients after severe brain injury. METHODS: This study included 68 severe brain injury patients in whom Gloasgow coma score (GCS) was 3-8, and in 30 of them Lund concept was adopted, and the other 38 patients were taken care of by the conventional treatment in controlling intracranial pressure (ICP). Furthermore, in patients of the Lund group and control group ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were monitored continuously for 5 days. RESULTS: The amount of mannitol (g) used was markedly smaller in Lund group than that in the control group (139.6±25.0 vs. 587.5±31.8, P<0.01). The 28-day mortality of Lund group was significantly lower than that in control group (30.0% vs. 57.9%, P<0.05). In Lund group, the incidence of ICP exceeding 25 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) or 35 mm Hg or lowering of CPP by 50 mm Hg observed in the non-survivors (n=9) was greater than that observed in the survivors [n=21, (45.0±23.2)% vs. (7.2±3.6)%, (40.2±18.6)% vs. (2.2±1.6)%, (35.9±12.9)% vs. (3.1±2.4)%, all P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: By adopting the Lund concept, it is possible to reduce postoperative mortality after severe head injury.

Tube-nosed variations-a new species of the genus Murina (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from China.

During a survey in 2014, several tube-nosed bats (Vespertilionidae: Murininae: Murina) were collected in Sichuan Province. Based on morphological characters, these bats did not match any species previously recorded from China. Morphometric analyses and phylogenetic inference based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences indicated that they represented a new species, named here as Murina jinchui sp. nov. Although the new species is presently known only from Wolong National Nature Reserve, it is unlikely to be a rare species in the area based on our capture frequencies.

Prognostic significance of serum translocator protein in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Translocator protein (TP) is related to inflammation and is involved in brain injury. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether serum TP concentrations are associated with the severity and prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We quantified the serum concentrations of TP in 106 healthy controls and 106 patients with severe TBI. Recorded prognostic variables included acute lung injury, acute traumatic coagulopathy, progressive hemorrhagic injury, posttraumatic cerebral infarction, 6-month mortality and 6-month poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-3). Trauma severity was assessed by Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score. Extent of inflammatory response was indicated by serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. RESULTS: Patients had significantly higher serum TP concentrations than controls. Among patients, serum TP concentrations strongly and independently correlated with GCS score and serum IL-6, TNF-a and CRP concentrations. Serum TP was identified as an independent predictor for the preceding prognostic variables, its prognostic predictive ability was similar to that of GCS score and it also significantly improved prognostic predictive ability of GCS score. CONCLUSION: Serum TP may be intimately linked with in inflammation, disease progression and poor prognosis in TBI patients.

Fertilizer application in rural cropland drives cadmium enrichment in bats dwelling in an urban area.

The transfer of pollutants from chemical fertilizers through food webs within cropland is well documented; however, its impacts on the wild animals that forage on croplands but roost in other locations remain poorly understood. The potential for this cross-ecosystem 'spillover' of pollutants is greatest for bats, some of which exploit urban settlements as roosting niches but must travel long distances to reach croplands as foraging niches. Here, we used hairs from a colony of insectivorous bats, Chinese Noctule (Nyctalus plancyi), from an urban area in Southwest China to assess whether exposure to heavy metals/metalloids by the bats varied from 1975 to 2016. Historical changes occurred in hair cadmium (Cd) concentrations in adult females, which was exclusively explained by the regional fertilizer application intensity (FAI), even considering the potential impacts of Cd emissions in urban areas, as indicated by camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora) near the bats' roosting niche, and the potential impacts of Cd in industrial wastewater, as documented in authorized databases. Therefore, the data from this bat colony, as urban dwellers, indicates Cd accumulation and cross-ecosystem transfer from rural croplands to an urban area.

Prospective Comparison of Redo Microvascular Decompression and Percutaneous Balloon Compression as Primary Surgery for Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare facial pain outcomes for patients having either a repeat microvascular decompression (MVD) or percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) as their surgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) recurrence. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 110 patients with TN recurrence who had either redo MVD (n=68) or PBC (n=42) from July 2010 until September 2016. The mean follow-up was 45.6 months. RESULTS: After redo MVD, 65 patients (95.6%) experienced immediate relief of pain. After PBC, 34 patients (81%) were immediately relieved of their neuralgia. After 1 month, the clinical effect of redo MVD was better than PBC (p<0.01). Patients who had redo MVD more commonly were pain free off medications (93.4% at 1 year, 78.2% at 4 years) compared with the PBC patients (85.1% at 1 year, 59.3% at 4 years). However, mean length of stay was longer (p>0.05). Patients after PBC who occurred developed herpes simplex (35.7%), facial numbness (76.2%), annoying dysesthesia (21.4%) more frequently compared with patients after redo MVD who occurred developed herpes simplex (14.7%), facial numbness (8.8%), hypoesthesia (5.9%) (p<0.05). The symptoms recurred respectively in 15 patients (22.1%) and 19 patients (45.2%) after redo MVD and PBC within the entire 6-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: For the patients with TN recurrence, redo MVD was a more effective procedure than PBC. The cure rate and immediate relief of pain were better, and the incidence of complications was lower.

Serum ST2 as a potential prognostic biomarker for traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: ST2, a receptor of interleukin-33, is involved in inflammation. We discerned the relationship between serum soluble ST2 (sST2) concentrations, inflammation, severity and prognosis following traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We measured serum sST2, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, myelin basic protein, glial fibrillary astrocyte protein, S100B, neuron-specific enolase, phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H, Tau and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 concentrations in 106 healthy controls and 106 severe TBI patients. We recorded long-term prognosis (i.e., 6-month mortality and functional outcome) and in-hospital major adverse events, including in-hospital mortality, acute lung injury, acute traumatic coagulopathy, progressive hemorrhagic injury and posttraumatic cerebral infarction. RESULTS: sST2 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls and were significantly correlated with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and the preceding biomarkers concentrations. Serum sST2 was an independent prognostic predictor and its predictive ability significantly exceeded those of serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein concentrations and was similar to those of GCS scores and serum concentrations of other remaining biomarkers. Moreover, sST2 concentrations significantly improved predictive ability of GCS score. CONCLUSION: Increased serum sST2 concentrations are significantly related to inflammation, severity and prognosis, substantialized ST2 as a potential prognostic biomarker for TBI.

A revision of Kerivoula hardwickii and occurrence of K. furva (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in China.

Although increased survey efforts using improved capture methods (particularly harp traps) have greatly expanded the quantity of Kerivoula specimens available in China, the understanding of the genus has been long constrained. After the recently published revision of the hardwickii-complex with the description of K. furva and re-evaluation of occurrence of K. titania in Taiwan, the critical overview of the previous data of Chinese Kerivoula (with the exception of K. picta, a strikingly colored and unmistakable species) is imperative. To clarify the taxonomy and distribution of the hardwickii-complex in China, 40 additional specimens collected from South China were studied through detailed morphological comparisons, multivariate statistical methods and phylogenetic inference. Our results evidently classified these specimens as K. furva instead of K. titania or K. hardwickii sensu stricto and together with the critical review of literature data indicate that all previous Chinese records of the two latter species were based on either misidentifications or outdated taxonomy. K. furva have so far been recorded in the Chinese provinces of Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan and Taiwan, but more field surveys are needed to confirm whether it could be found in other nearby provinces.