Effectiveness of Kinesio tape in the treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the Kinesio tape in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) by meta-analysis. METHODS: Two investigators independently conducted an electronic literature search to assess the outcomes of intramuscular patches for PFPS. Electronic databases included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, Chinese Journal Full Text Database (CNKI), and Wipo Database from November 2023. Extracted inclusion indicators included pain score VAS or NRS, knee function assessment knee pain syndrome (Kujala) score, and knee symptom score Lysholm knee score scale. Data were extracted and then meta-analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software and Stata 17.0 software. RESULT: Fourteen studies were included, all of which were randomized controlled studies. The results showed that short-term pain relief was superior in the Kinesio tape (KT) group compared with the control group, with a statistically significant difference in the results (MD = -1.54, 95% CI [-2.32, -0.76], P = .0001); medium-term pain relief was superior in the KT group compared with the control group, with a statistically significant difference in the results (MD = -0.84, 95% CI [-1.50, -0.18], P = .01); long-term pain relief in the KT group was better than the control group, with statistically different results (MD = -0.56, 95% CI [-0.98, -0.13], P < .00001). In contrast, there was no significant difference between the KT group and the control group in the assessment of knee function (MD = -0.98, 95% CI [-4.03, 2.06], P = .03), and there was no significant difference between the KT group and the control group in the Lysholm knee score scale score of knee symptoms (MD = 4.18, 95% CI [-6.70, 15.05], P = .45). CONCLUSION: Kinesio taping can effectively relieve the pain of PFPS, but has no significant effect on the improvement of knee joint function and symptoms.

Is human herpesvirus 8 infection more common in men than in women? an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, most patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are male, and several direct and indirect mechanisms may underlie this increased susceptibility in men, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), is considered to be the primary etiological agent responsible for KS. Thus, we propose the hypothesis that men are more susceptible to HHV-8 infection, leading to a higher incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma among males. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between gender and HHV-8 seropositivity in the general population. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using 6 online databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Studies published before March 15, 2023, were included. RESULTS: In all, 33 articles including 41 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the included adult population. men had a higher risk of HHV-8 infection than did women in adult populations from all over the world (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.15), but no differences were found in child population from all over the world (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.79-1.01). There was a significant difference in HHV-8 seroprevalence between men and women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) adult population (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.26). However, no significant differences were observed in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) child population (OR: 0.90, 95%CI 0.78-1.03). As for other continents, the results showed no significant difference, such as the Asian population (OR: 1.03, 95%CI: 0.92-1.16). or the European and American populations (OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.87-1.17). CONCLUSION: There was a slight gender disparity for HHV-8 infection in the adult population. Among the adult populations from SSA and globally, men were more likely to be infected with HHV-8 than were women. However, no statistical significance was observed in the child populations from SSA and globally. In the future, the inclusion of more standardized studies may strengthen the results of this study.

The strengthened impact of water availability at interannual and decadal time scales on vegetation GPP.

Water availability (WA) is a key factor influencing the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems under climate warming, but its effects on gross primary production (EWA-GPP ) at multiple time scales are poorly understood. We used ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and partial correlation analysis to assess the WA-GPP relationship (RWA-GPP ) at different time scales, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to analyze their temporal dynamics from 1982 to 2018 with multiple GPP datasets, including near-infrared radiance of vegetation GPP, FLUXCOM GPP, and eddy covariance-light-use efficiency GPP. We found that the 3- and 7-year time scales dominated global WA variability (61.18% and 11.95%), followed by the 17- and 40-year time scales (7.28% and 8.23%). The long-term trend also influenced 10.83% of the regions, mainly in humid areas. We found consistent spatiotemporal patterns of the EWA-GPP and RWA-GPP with different source products: In high-latitude regions, RWA-GPP changed from negative to positive as the time scale increased, while the opposite occurred in mid-low latitudes. Forests had weak RWA-GPP at all time scales, shrublands showed negative RWA-GPP at long time scales, and grassland (GL) showed a positive RWA-GPP at short time scales. Globally, the EWA-GPP , whether positive or negative, enhanced significantly at 3-, 7-, and 17-year time scales. For arid and humid zones, the semi-arid and sub-humid zones experienced a faster increase in the positive EWA-GPP , whereas the humid zones experienced a faster increase in the negative EWA-GPP . At the ecosystem types, the positive EWA-GPP at a 3-year time scale increased faster in GL, deciduous broadleaf forest, and savanna (SA), whereas the negative EWA-GPP at other time scales increased faster in evergreen needleleaf forest, woody savannas, and SA. Our study reveals the complex and dynamic EWA-GPP at multiple time scales, which provides a new perspective for understanding the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change.

The impact of culture systems on the gut microbiota and gut metabolome of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis).

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota of fish confers various effects on the host, including health, nutrition, metabolism, feeding behaviour, and immune response. Environment significantly impacts the community structure of fish gut microbiota. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the gut microbiota of bighead carp in culture systems. To demonstrate the impact of culture systems on the gut microbiome and metabolome in bighead carp and investigate a potential relationship between fish muscle quality and gut microbiota, we conducted a study using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques on bighead carp in three culture systems. RESULTS: Our study revealed significant differences in gut microbial communities and metabolic profiles among the three culture systems. We also observed conspicuous changes in muscle structure. The reservoir had higher gut microbiota diversity indices than the pond and lake. We detected significant differences in phyla and genera, such as Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria at the phylum level, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Macellibacteroides, Blvii28 wastewater sludge group at the genus level. Multivariate statistical models, including principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis, indicated significant differences in the metabolic profiles. Key metabolites were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways involved in "arginine biosynthesis" and "glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism". Variation partitioning analysis revealed that environmental factors, such as pH, ammonium nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen, were the primary drivers of differences in microbial communities. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the culture system significantly impacted the gut microbiota of bighead carp, resulting in differences in community structure, abundance, and potential metabolic functions, and altered the host's gut metabolism, especially in pathways related to amino acid metabolism. These differences were influenced substantially by environmental factors. Based on our study, we discussed the potential mechanisms by which gut microbes affect muscle quality. Overall, our study contributes to our understanding of the gut microbiota of bighead carp under different culture systems.

[Expression of HSP27 and BAX/BCL-2 apoptosis factor in silicosis rat model of fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of heat shock protein 27(HSP27), BAX and BCL-2 apoptosis in silicosis rat model, and to explore the correlation between HSP27 and BAX and BCL-2 apoptosis. METHODS: Silicosis model was established by the oropharyngeal and endotracheal intubation. Forty SPF healthy adult Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 10 rats in each group. Silicosis group for 6 weeks(feeding for 6 weeks), silicosis group for 8 weeks(feeding for 8 weeks): oropharyngeal and tracheal perfusion of 50 mg/mL SiO_2 suspension 1.0 mL/mouse; Model control group for 6 weeks and model control group for 8 weeks: 1.0 mL saline was infused into the oropharynx and trachea. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of HSP27, BAX and BCL-2 in the right lower lung of silicosis model group at 6 and 8 weeks and model control group at 6 and 8 weeks. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of HSP27, BAX and BCL-2 in the left lower lobe lung tissue of silicosis model group at 6 and 8 weeks and model control group at 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the colocalization of HSP27 with pro-apoptotic factor BAX and HSP27 with anti-apoptotic factor BCL-2. RESULTS: Compared with the model control group at 6 weeks and 8 weeks, the expression of HSP27 and pro-apoptotic factor BAX in fibrotic region increased, and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor BCL-2 decreased in silicosis model group at 6 weeks and 8 weeks(P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that there was colocalization of HSP27 and pro-apoptotic factor BAX in the fibrotic region. Correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between HSP27 and pro-apoptotic factor BAX was r=0.94, indicating a positive correlation between them, while the correlation coefficient between HSP27 and anti-apoptotic factor BCL-2 was r=-0.81, indicating a negative correlation between them. CONCLUSION: High expression of HSP27 and pro-apoptotic factor BAX and low expression of anti-apoptotic factor BCL-2 exist in silicosis rats, and their expression is correlated.

Ecological engineering induced carbon sinks shifting from decreasing to increasing during 1981-2019 in China.

Substantial evidence shows that most of China's terrestrial ecosystems are important carbon sinks. However, the nonlinear trend of the carbon sinks and their nonlinear response to driving factors are unclear. Taking the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) as a proxy for the ecosystem carbon sink, the nonlinear relationships between the monotonically increasing trends and decreasing to increasing shifts in the carbon sink to climate change and ecological engineering were investigated based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and machine learning algorithm (boosted regression tree model, BRT). The results suggest that 16.75 % of the carbon sinks in China experienced a monotonic increase. Additionally, 20.55 % of the carbon sinks shifted from decreasing to increasing trends, primarily after 1995, and these carbon sinks were located in the key ecological engineering areas, such as the middle reaches of the Yellow River shelterbelt program area, the Liaohe shelterbelt program area, the Grain to Green program area, and the Three-North Forest shelterbelt program area. Moreover, carbon sinks exhibited strong spatial autocorrelation with low-low clustering in the north and high-high clustering in the south. The increase in CO2 (slope of CO2 < 1.8 g/m2/s/y) and solar radiation (slope of radiation >1 w/m2/y) promoted the monotonic increase in the carbon sinks in the center of China. The increase in the areas of forest and grassland shifted the carbon sink trend from decreasing to increasing in the key ecological engineering program areas, and economic development reversed the carbon sink reduction in the Pearl River shelterbelt program area. These findings highlight the positive effect of ecological engineering on carbon sinks and provide adaptation strategies and guidance for China to achieve the "carbon neutrality" target.

5G-Assisted Remote Guidance in Laparoscopic Simulation Training Based on 3D Printed Dry Lab Models.

This is a pilot study to assess the utility of applying 5G-assisted remote guidance in laparoscopic simulation training. A single trainee of a junior surgeon was recruited to complete three steps of tasks including basic task 1, basic task 2, and model task, and the performance was recorded and evaluated. The operator completed each task three times. Except for basic task 1, all tasks were remotely guided by a more experienced surgeon using 5G technology. Tasks completion time and a 30-point objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) score were utilized to assess the results of simulation training. All remote guidance processes were successfully completed without significant network latency. Through basic task 1, the operator quickly became familiar with the trained laparoscopic instruments. For basic task 2, OSATS scores increased from 16 to 24 points, and completion time decreased from 1500 to 986 s after training under 5G-assisted remote guidance. For model tasks, OSATS scores increased from 15 to 26 points, and completion time decreased from 1734 to 1142 s. This is a novel mode of laparoscopic simulation training to increase the convenience of training. Perhaps in the near future, surgeons can simulate difficult operations at home or in the office, and accurately grasp the possible situations that may occur in actual operations in advance. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12262-022-03590-2.

Innovative Application of Three-Dimensional-Printed Breast Model-Aided Reduction Mammaplasty.

Symptomatic macromastia places a severe physical and psychological burden on patients. Reduction mammaplasty is the primary treatment; however, conventional surgery may lead to postoperative nipple-areolar complex necrosis due to damage to the dominant supplying arteries. In this study, we designed and fabricated an innovative, three-dimensional-printed breast vascular model to provide surgical guidance for reduction mammaplasty. Preoperative computed tomography angiography scanning data of patients were collected. The data were then processed and reconstructed using the E3D digital medical modeling software (version 17.06); the reconstructions were then printed into a personalized model using stereolithography. The three-dimensional-printed breast vascular model was thus developed for individualized preoperative surgical design. This individualized model could be used to intuitively visualize the dominant supplying arteries' spatial location in the breasts, thereby allowing effective surgical planning for reduction mammaplasty. The three-dimensional-printed breast vascular model can therefore provide an individualized preoperative design and patient education, avoid necrosis of the nipple-areolar complex, shorten operation duration, and ensure safe and effective surgery in patients.

Persistence of increasing vegetation gross primary production under the interactions of climate change and land use changes in Northwest China.

Substantial evidence suggests a widespread increase in global vegetation gross primary production (GPP) since the 1980s. If the increasing trend of GPP remains unchanged in the future, it is considered to be the persistence of increasing GPP. However, it is still unknown whether the vegetation increasing GPP is persistent under the interactive effects of climate change and land use changes in Northwest China. Using the Mann-Kendall and boosted regression tree models, we constructed the relationship between the increasing GPP and environmental variables, and further explored its persistence under the interactions between climate change and land use changes under SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. The results indicated that: (1) Land use change (8.01%) was the most important variable for the increasing GPP. The surface net solar radiation (6.79%), and maximum temperature of the warmest month (6.78%) were also very important. Moreover, mean temperature of the warmest quarter had strong interactions with mean precipitation of the warmest quarter (9.82%) and land use change (8.24%). (2) Under the SSP245 scenario, the persistence of increasing GPP accounted for 65.06% of the area in 2100, mainly located in Qinghai, Ningxia, and Shaanxi, while it only accounted for 19.50% under the SSP585 scenario. (3) The SSP245 scenario moderate warming leads to a slight ecosystem benefit, with more areas developing an increase in GPP due to climate and land use change factors. On the other hand, under SSP585 scenario, there are widespread losses of increasing GPP, driven largely by climate change, while ecological engineering is conducive to the persistence of increasing GPP in southern Qinghai. The results highlight the importance of the interactive effects of climate change and land use changes for predicting the persistence of vegetation change.

Validation of a three-dimensional printed dry lab pancreaticojejunostomy model in surgical assessment: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Until now, there have been few tools to evaluate whether a surgeon was technically ready to perform a safe pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). In the current study, we aimed to evaluate whether a three-dimensional model could mimic a real surgical situation and distinguish between surgeons of different levels of experiences. DESIGN: A three-dimensional PJ dry laboratory model was printed. Eight experienced pancreatic surgeons were tasked to evaluate the appearance and tactile sensation of the model. Proficiency was scored based on 15 surgeons with various levels of pancreatic experience performing a PJ on the three-dimensional model. Additionally, the time of manipulation and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) scores were recorded for each operation. SETTING: Our study was conducted in multimedical centre in China. RESULTS: Compared with real surgical situations, this model had similar appearance (3.96±0.55 out of five points) and tactile sensation (3.85±0.46 out of five points) according to the expert evaluation. Additionally, the chief surgeon group scored the best in proficiency (based on NASA-TLX scores and operative time), and there were statistical differences for performances among surgeons of various levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional PJ model could mimic a real surgical situation and can distinguish between surgeons of different levels of experiences.

Nonlinear relationship of greening and shifts from greening to browning in vegetation with nature and human factors along the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Understanding the trends in vegetation evolution and their driving factors is critical to revealing changes in ecosystem's structure and function. However, less is known about the nonlinear relationship between greening trends and greening to browning shifts in vegetation and its driving factors. Based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) methods, we investigated the nonlinear relationships of the greening trends and greening to browning shifts in vegetation to climate change, elevation, and human activities along the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). Results indicated that: (1) For vegetation with greening trends, although the total importance of climate-related variables was greater than human activities (59.57% and 35.33%, respectively), Land use changes (14.91%) and CO2 (9.41%) were more important than the other nature-related variables. In addition, volumetric soil moisture (8.72%), precipitation of warmest quarter (6.50%), and daily snow water equivalent (5.75%) were also very important. For vegetation with greening to browning shifts, the total contributions of climate-related variables were also larger than human activities (69.10% and 19.36%, respectively). Moreover, elevation (11.54%), vapor pressure deficit (9.85%), annual mean temperature (6.84%), min temperature of the coldest month (5.98%), soil moisture (5.16%), and annual precipitation (5.11%) might be the main reasons. (2) Increased cropland and grassland, along with the land conversions from shrub land/sparse vegetated to forest could promote vegetation greening. Increased rates of CO2, volumetric soil moisture, warmest quarter precipitation, and daily snow water equivalent could also promote it. For vegetation with greening to browning shifts, low-altitude areas, increased vapor pressure deficit, decreased cold temperature, and drought could promote vegetation shift greening to browning. The nonlinear analysis can correctly reveal the actual trends in vegetation and its responses to driving factors, which will further provide adaptation strategies to protect ecology.

Association of rs610604 in TNFAIP3 and rs17728338 in TNIP1 gene polymorphisms with psoriasis susceptibility: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: To date, the fundamental pathophysiology underlying the occurrence and progression of psoriasis are still unanswered questions. Genome-wide association surveys have revealed that TNFAIP3 and TNIP1 were key biomarkers for psoriasis. Here, we intended to conduct a survey on the association between TNFAIP3 and TNIP1 gene polymorphisms and psoriasis risk. METHODS: A comprehensive search of four online databases-China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was undertaken up to August 25, 2019. We chose allele genetic model to deal with the original data. Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the risk bias of each study. The RevMan 5.3 software was used to calculate the combined odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In total, we included 13 case-control studies consist of 13,908 psoriasis patients and 20,051 controls in this work. Our results demonstrated that rs610604 in TNFAIP3 polymorphism was significantly associated with psoriasis risk using random-effect model (G vs. T, OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.09-1.31, P = 0.0002), and a significant association between rs17728338 in TNIP1 polymorphism and psoriasis vulnerability using fixed-effect model (A vs. G, OR = 1.69, 95% CI:1.58-1.80, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that rs610604 in TNFAIP3 and rs17728338 in TNIP1 gene polymorphisms were associated with psoriasis susceptibility.

Association of Interleukin-23R Gene Polymorphisms with Behcet's Disease Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis of Case-control Studies.

BACKGROUND: The pathological mechanisms associated with the occurrence and development of Behcet's disease (BD) are not yet known. Two large genome-wide association surveys revealed an association between interleukin (IL)-23R single nucleotide polymorphism and BD. This study aimed to investigate the association between IL-23R gene polymorphisms and BD susceptibility. METHODS: Comprehensive literature search was performed across four online databases - PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of science. The included studies had to be published before May 15, 2019. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of every included study, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using the allele model of inheritance to evaluate the potential associations between IL-23R gene polymorphisms and BD risk. RESULTS: In all, 12 case-control studies comprising 6,926 BD patients and 10,211 controls were identified and included in this meta-analysis, in which 5 loci of IL-23R gene polymorphisms were investigated. Of these 5 loci, 2 were found to be significantly associated with BD susceptibility: rs17375018 (G vs. A, OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.34-1.68, P < .00001) and rs924080 (T vs. C, OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.29-1.43, P < .00001). Only a systematic review was conducted for rs12119179, rs11209032, and rs12141431, owing to the lack of sufficient data. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicated that rs17375018 (G/A) and rs924080 (T/C) were associated with BD susceptibility. However, association of the other IL-23R polymorphisms could not be estimated owing to the lack of studies. ABBREVIATIONS: BD: Behcet's disease; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; IL: interleukin; OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; HWE: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; UK: United Kingdom; NOS: Newcastle-Ottawa scale; GWAS: genome-wide association study; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α.

Bioinformatics analysis of key biomarkers and pathways in KSHV infected endothelial cells.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an endothelial tumor etiologically related to Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. The aim of our study was to screen out candidate genes of KSHV infected endothelial cells and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by bioinformatics methods. Microarray datasets GSE16354 and GSE22522 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between endothelial cells and KSHV infected endothelial cells were identified. And then, functional enrichment analyses of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. After that, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) was used to investigate the potential protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between DEGs, Cytoscape software was used to visualize the interaction network of DEGs and to screen out the hub genes. A total of 113 DEGs and 11 hub genes were identified from the 2 datasets. GO enrichment analysis revealed that most of the DEGs were enrichen in regulation of cell proliferation, extracellular region part and sequence-specific DNA binding; KEGG pathway enrichments analysis displayed that DEGs were mostly enrichen in cell cycle, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, pathways in cancer, and Insulin signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study identified a host of DEGs and hub genes in KSHV infected endothelial cells which may serve as potential key biomarkers and therapeutic targets, helping us to have a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of KS.

Pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise on the future distribution of Spartina alterniflora along the Chinese coast.

AIM: Global change seriously threatens the salt marsh ecosystem, while it remains unclear how S. will respond to climate change and sea level rise. Here, we investigated interactions among variables and identified the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and their interactions on the distribution of Spartina alterniflora. LOCATION: Northern Chinese coast and Southern Chinese coast. TAXON: Spartina alterniflora Loisel. METHODS: With global sensitivity analysis, we determined interactions among variables and their relative importance to the distribution of S. alterniflora. Integrating the Venn's four-set diagram, we built ecological niche models under current and three future scenarios to identify pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise on the distribution of S. alterniflora. RESULTS: Mean diurnal range (Bio02) and Elevation were the two most critical variables controlling the distribution of S. alterniflora on the Chinese coast, and interactions among variables of the northern coast were much greater than that of the southern coast. Habitats change was mainly caused by pure effects of climate change, except habitats reduction on the southern coast. Pure effects of sea level rise were low, but it can influence habitats change through shared and coupling effects from complex interactions with climate change. Interactions of climate change and sea level rise can drive habitats change, and the changed habitats caused by shared and coupling effects were mainly distributed the areas near the landward side. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests paying attention to interactions among variables when calculating the relative importance of explanatory variables. Identifying pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise for the distribution of S. alterniflora will provide scientific references for assessing the risk of similar coastal species.

Association of rs2910164 polymorphism in MiR-146a gene with psoriasis susceptibility: A meta-analysis.

The rs2910164 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in miR-146a has been implicated in the etiology of psoriasis in different relevant studies with contradictory conclusions and limited sample size. Therefore, the aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the association between rs2910164 SNP and psoriasis. We searched the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, WanFang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to identify relevant literatures published before July 15, 2018. Four case-control studies including 2212 cases and 2274 healthy controls from 4 different countries met the predetermined criteria. The effect size was pooled by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Recessive model (CC vs CG+GG) was confirmed to be the optimal model. The results indicated that rs2910164 SNP was significantly associated with psoriasis (OR = 0.74, 95%CI 0.60-0.91, P = .004), and individuals with CC-genotype were predisposed to have decreased risk of psoriasis.

Special Biodegradable Fixation Device for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction-Safety and Efficacy in a Beagle Model.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the special WE43 magnesium alloy stretch plates (SPs) used as fixation device for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a beagle model. Eleven beagle dogs underwent ACL reconstruction using WE43 SPs to fix the ligament grafts with the femoral ends, whereas titanium interferences were employed in the tibia ends. Load-to-failure tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties. A comprehensive set of histological observations was performed to observe the local tissue response and assess the status of the attachment between the bone tissue and ligament grafts. Microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy spectrum analysis were conducted to evaluate the degradation rate in vivo and investigate the morphology of the cross-section of the SPs and the element distribution in vivo. Immersion tests were employed to investigate the corrosion properties in vitro. The special WE43 SPs showed not only good mechanical strength but also a suitable degradation rate in vivo. The results indicated the special WE43 SP could be considered as a novel fixation device for ACL reconstruction.

Fabrication, biodegradation behavior and cytotoxicity of Mg-nanodiamond composites for implant application.

Mg-based biodegradable implants offer several advantages over their non-degradable or degradable polymeric counterparts used today. However, the low corrosion resistance of Mg in physiologic environment remained as concerns. In this research, nanodiamond (ND) was uniformly dispersed in Mg matrix to induce a protective layer on Mg surface during corrosion. Compared with pure Mg, fabricated Mg-ND nanocomposites had lower corrosion rates, higher corrosion potential, and higher corrosion resistance. Specifically, the corrosion rate of Mg was reduced by 4.5 times by adding 5 wt% of ND particles. Corrosion inhibition effect of ND was thus validated. The chemical interaction and physical adsorption of the ions from simulated body fluid on ND might be the main reason for enhanced corrosion resistance. In vitro biocompatibility test results indicated that Mg-ND nanocomposites were biocompatible since cells growing in contact with corrosion products of Mg-ND maintained high cell viability and healthy morphology. Therefore, Mg-ND nanocomposites with homogenous ND dispersion, enhanced corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility might be an excellent candidate material for biodegradable implant application.

In vitro biodegradation behavior, mechanical properties, and cytotoxicity of biodegradable Zn-Mg alloy.

Zinc-Magnesium (Zn-Mg) alloy as a novel biodegradable metal holds great potential in biodegradable implant applications as it is more corrosion resistant than Magnesium (Mg). However, the mechanical properties, biodegradation uniformity, and cytotoxicity of Zn-Mg alloy remained as concerns. In this study, hot extrusion process was applied to Zn-1 wt % Mg (Zn-1Mg) to refine its microstructure. Effects of hot extrusion on biodegradation behavior and mechanical properties of Zn-1Mg were investigated in comparison with Mg rare earth element alloy WE43. Metallurgical analysis revealed significant grain size reduction, and immersion test found that corrosion rates of WE43 and Zn-1Mg were reduced by 35% and 57%, respectively after extrusion. Moreover, hot extrusion resulted in a much more uniform biodegradation in extruded Zn-1Mg alloy and WE43. In vitro cytotoxicity test results indicated that Zn-1Mg alloy was biocompatible. Therefore, hot extruded Zn-1Mg with homogenous microstructure, uniform as well as slow degradation, improved mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility was believed to be an excellent candidate material for load-bearing biodegradable implant application.