Prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index in critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture: evidence from MIMIC (2008-2019).

Background: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) showed an extensive link between immunological dysfunction and the activation of systemic inflammation. Several studies have confirmed the application of SII to orthopedic diseases. However, the significance of SII in critically ill elderly individuals with hip fracture who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission is not yet known. This study centered on exploring the relationship between SII and clinical outcomes among critically ill elderly hip fracture individuals. Methods: The study centered around elderly patients experiencing severe illness following hip fractures and requiring admission to the ICU. These patients from the MIMIC-IV database formed the basis of this study's cohort. We stratified them into quartiles according to their SII levels. The results involved the mortality at 30 days and 1 year post-admission. Then we employ Cox proportional hazards regression analysis as well as restricted cubic splines to explore the association between the SII and clinical results in critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture. Results: The study encompassed 991 participants, among whom 63.98% identified as females. Notably, the mortality rates attributed to any cause within 30 days and 1 year after hospitalization stood at 19.68 and 33.40%, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model disclosed a significant correlation between an elevated SII and all-cause mortality. Following adjustments for confounding variables, individuals with a high SII showed a notable correlation with 30-day mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.065; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.044-1.087; p < 0.001] and 1-year mortality (adjusted HR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.029-1.074; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis of restricted cubic splines demonstrated a progressive increase in the risk of all-cause death as the SII value rose. Conclusion: Among critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture, the SII exhibits a non-linear association that positively correlates with both 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates. The revelation indicates that the SII may play a vital role in identifying patients with hip fractures who face an escalated risk of mortality due to any cause.

Effectiveness of opportunistic osteoporosis screening on chest CT using the DCNN model.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a deep learning model based on chest CT that achieves favorable performance on opportunistic osteoporosis screening using the lumbar 1 + lumbar 2 vertebral bodies fusion feature images, and explore the feasibility and effectiveness of the model based on the lumbar 1 vertebral body alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chest CT images of 1048 health check subjects from January 2021 to June were retrospectively collected as the internal dataset (the segmentation model: 548 for training, 100 for tuning and 400 for test. The classification model: 530 for training, 100 for validation and 418 for test set). The subjects were divided into three categories according to the quantitative CT measurements, namely, normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. First, a deep learning-based segmentation model was constructed, and the dice similarity coefficient(DSC) was used to compare the consistency between the model and manual labelling. Then, two classification models were established, namely, (i) model 1 (fusion feature construction of lumbar vertebral bodies 1 and 2) and (ii) model 2 (feature construction of lumbar 1 alone). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the models, and the Delong test was used to compare the areas under the curve. RESULTS: When the number of images in the training set was 300, the DSC value was 0.951 ± 0.030 in the test set. The results showed that the model 1 diagnosing normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis achieved an AUC of 0.990, 0.952 and 0.980; the model 2 diagnosing normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis achieved an AUC of 0.983, 0.940 and 0.978. The Delong test showed that there was no significant difference in area under the curve (AUC) values between the osteopenia group and osteoporosis group (P = 0.210, 0.546), while the AUC value of normal model 2 was higher than that of model 1 (0.990 vs. 0.983, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: This study proposed a chest CT deep learning model that achieves favorable performance on opportunistic osteoporosis screening using the lumbar 1 + lumbar 2 vertebral bodies fusion feature images. We further constructed the comparable model based on the lumbar 1 vertebra alone which can shorten the scan length, reduce the radiation dose received by patients, and reduce the training cost of technologists.

Targeting Ferroptosis-Elicited Inflammation Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis and Enhances Sorafenib Efficacy.

Triggering ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, has recently emerged as an approach for treating cancer. A better understanding of the role and regulation of ferroptosis is needed to realize the potential of this therapeutic strategy. Here, we observed extensive activation of ferroptosis in hepatoma cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Patients with low to moderate activation of ferroptosis in tumors had the highest risk of recurrence compared to patients with no or high ferroptosis. Upon encountering ferroptotic liver cancer cells, aggregated macrophages efficiently secreted proinflammatory IL1ß to trigger neutrophil-mediated sinusoidal vascular remodeling, thereby creating favorable conditions for aggressive tumor growth and lung metastasis. Mechanistically, hyaluronan fragments released by cancer cells acted via an NF-κB-dependent pathway to upregulate IL1ß precursors and the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages, and oxidized phospholipids secreted by ferroptotic cells activated the NLRP3 inflammasome to release functional IL1ß. Depleting either macrophages or neutrophils or neutralizing IL1ß in vivo effectively abrogated ferroptosis-mediated liver cancer growth and lung metastasis. More importantly, the ferroptosis-elicited inflammatory cellular network served as a negative feedback mechanism that led to therapeutic resistance to sorafenib in HCC. Targeting the ferroptosis-induced inflammatory axis significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in vivo. Together, this study identified a role for ferroptosis in promoting HCC by triggering a macrophage/IL1ß/neutrophil/vasculature axis. SIGNIFICANCE: Ferroptosis induces a favorable tumor microenvironment and supports liver cancer progression by stimulating an inflammatory cellular network that can be targeted to suppress metastasis and improve the efficacy of sorafenib.

Optical power degradation mechanisms in 271†nm AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.

The degradation of AlGaN-based UVC LEDs under constant temperature and constant current stress for up to 500 hrs was analyzed in this work. During each degradation stage, the two-dimensional (2D) thermal distributions, I-V curves, optical powers, combining with focused ion beam and scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM), were thoroughly tested and analyzed the properties and failure mechanisms of UVC LEDs. The results show that: 1) the opto-electrical characteristics measured before/during stress indicate that the increased leakage current and the generation of stress-induced defects increase the non-radiative recombination in the early stress stage, resulting in a decrease in optical power; 2) the increase of temperature caused by the deterioration of the Cr/Al layer of p-metal after 48 hrs of stress aggravates the optical power in UVC LEDs. The 2D thermal distribution in conjunction with FIB/SEM provide a fast and visual way to precisely locate and analyze the failure mechanisms of UVC LEDs.

First Report of Tomato spotted wilt virus infecting Helichrysum bracteatum in China.

Strawflower (Helichrysum bracteatum, Asteraceae) , an annual or biennial herb, is one of the most popular flowers in the world because of the colorful flowers and the long flowering period. However, the ornamental plants belonging to Asteraceae are susceptible to numerous viruses such as cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) (Cucumovirus, Bromoviridae) , potato virus Y (Potyvirus, Potyviridae), tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) (Tobamovirus, Virgaviridae), tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) (Tobamovirus, Virgaviridae), chrysanthemum virus B (CVB) (Carlavirus, Betaflexiviridae), tomato aspermy virus (TAV) (Cucumovirus, Bromoviridae), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) (Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae, Tospoviridae), and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) (Orthotospovirus impatiensnecromaculae, Orthotospovirus) resulting in severe yield loss (Verma et al. 2003; Raj et al. 2007; Kondo et al. 2011; Liu et al. 2014; Marys et al. 2014; Min et al. 2020; Gautam et al. 2021; Read et al. 2022; Supakitthanakorn et al. 2022). Among these viruses, the TSWV, a thrips-transmitted negative-stranded RNA virus, is well known to cause viral disease in several plant species while is less reported in Helichrysum, especially in China. In April 2021, viral attack symptoms were detected on the leaves of H. bracteatum during our routine checks in the greenhouse located at Shunyi District, Beijing, China, such as wilting, shrinking, chlorotic blotches, chlorotic ring spots. To investigate the virus infecting H. bracteatum, in total of 25 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic leaves were sampled and tested by the effective double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) using antisera against CMV, PVY/PVX, ToMV, TMV, CVB, TAV, TSWV, INSV, separately (Agdia, USA). Only the TSWV showed positive in symptomatic samples, and asymptomatic samples were all negative, which implied TSWV infection. To further confirm the virus type of TSWV isolated from H. bracteatum samples, the genomic RNA of the virus was isolated using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then was cloned, sequenced and analyzed. Total RNA of five symptomatic leaves (ELISA-positive) were extracted using the FastPure Plant Total RNA Isolation Kit (Vazyme, China), and then were reverse transcribed by HiScript II Reverse Transcriptase (Vazyme, China). Each genome segments were amplified using Phanta Max Super-Fidelity DNA Polymerase (Vazyme, China) with TSWV-specific primers newly designed and listed in Table S1. The PCR setup was as follow: 95°C for 30 s, followed by 35 cycles at 95°C for 30 s, 55°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 1.5 min, with a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. All PCR products were cloned into the TA/Blunt-Zero vector (Vazyme, China) and sequenced (GENEWIZ, Inc.). We assembled and then analyzed the evolutionary relationship of three genomic fragments, that is, TSWV-BJFC-Hb S (2923 bp), M (4785 bp) and L (8971 bp) using the BLAST tools. The results showed high similarity with TSWV-henan isolated from pepper in China (99.6% to TSWV-S (MT799179.1), 99.8 % to TSWV-M (MT799178.1) and 99.8 % TSWV-L (MT799177.1)). These sequences have been submitted to the GenBank (OM982910, OM982911 and OM937131). Taking all of these evidences together, the viral disease observed in H. bracteatum was closely associated with TSWV. TSWV is currently widespread in China, infecting Nasturtium, Chrysanthemum and cowpea (Xiao et al. 2015; Hu et al. 2018; Yu et al. 2021). Epidemics of TSWV have also been reported in several other countries such as Korea, North Carolina, Turkey and India (Renukadevi et al. 2015; Koehler et al. 2016; Kwak et al. 2021; Erilmez, S. 2022). This is the first report of TSWV infection on H. bracteatum in China. Due to the fast spread and serious economic losses of TSWV, the rapid detection may be the essential way to prevent this viral disease among crops (Macharia et al. 2014).

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated genomic knock out of tyrosine hydroxylase and yellow genes in cricket Gryllus bimaculatus.

Gryllus bimaculatus is an emerging model organism in various fields of biology such as behavior, neurology, physiology and genetics. Recently, application of reverse genetics provides an opportunity of understanding the functional genomics and manipulating gene regulation networks with specific physiological response in G. bimaculatus. By using CRISPR/Cas9 system in G. bimaculatus, we present an efficient knockdown of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and yellow-y, which are involved in insect melanin and catecholamine-biosynthesis pathway. As an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, TH confines the first step reaction in the pathway. Yellow protein (dopachrome conversion enzyme, DCE) is also involved in the melanin biosynthetic pathway. The regulation system and molecular mechanism of melanin biogenesis in the pigmentation and their physiological functions in G. bimaculatus hasn't been well defined by far for lacking of in vivo models. Deletion and insertion of nucleotides in target sites of both TH and Yellow are detected in both F0 individuals and the inheritable F1 progenies. We confirm that TH and yellow-y are down-regulated in mutants by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Compared with the control group, mutations of TH and yellow-y genes result in defects in pigmentation. Most F0 nymphs with mutations of TH gene die by the first instar, and the only adult had significant defects in the wings and legs. However, we could not get any homozygotes of TH mutants for all the F2 die by the first instar. Therefore, TH gene is very important for the growth and development of G. bimaculatus. When the yellow-y gene is knocked out, 71.43% of G. bimaculatus are light brown, with a slight mosaic on the abdomen. The yellow-y gene can be inherited stably through hybridization experiment with no obvious phenotype except lighter cuticular color. The present loss of function study indicates the essential roles of TH and yellow in pigmentation, and TH possesses profound and extensive effects of dopamine synthesis in embryonic development in G. bimaculatus.

Comparative Study of Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Mitomycin versus Lobaplatin for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy after Radical Surgery in Colorectal Cancer with High-Risk Factors for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The drug selection of radical surgery (RS), with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), in pT4 colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. METHODS: Adverse events after HIPEC were estimated by common terminology criteria for adverse events version 5.0. The efficacy was evaluated using overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free rate (RFR). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the influence of confounders between Mitomycin and Lobaplatin groups. RESULTS: Of the 146 patients, from April 2020 to March 2021, 47 were managed with mitomycin and 99 with lobaplatin. There was no significant difference in the incidence of all adverse events between the two groups after PSM. OS and RFR were not significantly different between the two groups at 22 months (p = 0.410; p = 0.310). OS and RFR of the two groups also showed no significant difference for patients with T4a or T4b stage, tumor size < or ≥ 5 cm. Among patients with colon cancer, RFR at 22 months of the two groups was significantly different (100.0% vs. 63.2%, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the safety of mitomycin and lobaplatin for HIPEC was not different. Compared with lobaplatin, mitomycin for HIPEC after RS could benefit patients with colon cancer in RFR.

Comparative Study of Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Radical Surgery with or without Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer with T4 Stage: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in T4 colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. The study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of radical surgery (RS) with HIPEC in T4 CRC. METHODS: Adverse events after HIPEC were estimated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The efficacy was evaluated using recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the effects of confounders between groups. RESULTS: Of the 417 patients (263 men and 154 women), 165 patients were treated with RS + HIPEC and 252 patients with RS alone. There was no significant difference in the incidence of all adverse events after PSM. Overall RFS and OS were not significantly different at 24 months (p = 0.580 and p = 0.072, respectively). However, in patients with T4b stage CRC (92.1% vs. 77.3%, p = 0.048) and tumor size ≥ 5 cm (93.0% vs. 80.9%, p = 0.029), RFS in the two groups showed a significant difference at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the safety of HIPEC in T4 CRC was confirmed. Compared with RS, though RS + HIPEC did not benefit the overall cohort at 24 months, RS + HIPEC could benefit patients with T4b stage CRC and tumor size ≥ 5 cm in RFS.

Comparative Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Radical Surgery With or Without Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness and safety of preventive hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for gastric cancer (GC) remain controversial. This study aimed to describe the safety and efficacy of radical surgery (RS) with or without HIPEC for patients with locally advanced GC (LAGC). METHODS: The study identified 394 patients with LAGC who underwent RS with or without HIPEC in China. RESULTS: Of the 394 patients, 146 received RS+HIPEC, and 248 received RS alone. The RS-HIPEC procedure improved the relapse-free survival (RFS) of the GC patients (2-year RFS, 62.9 % vs 37.8 %; χ2 = 4.468; P = 0.035) compared with those who received RS alone. The incidence of postoperative myelosuppression (Z = 4.077; P = 0.043) was higher in the RS+HIPEC group, whereas the incidence of wound complications was lower (Z = 4.077; P = 0.043). In the subgroup analysis, HIPEC improved the OS (2-year OS, 69.9 % vs 40.8 %; χ2 = 5.537; P =0.019) and RFS (2-year RFS, 65.6 % vs 33.3 %; χ2 = 7.380, P = 0.007) of the patients with nerve invasion and the RFS of the patients with vascular invasion (2-year RFS, 60.7 % vs 31.6 %; χ2 = 3.891; P = 0.049). In addition, the prognosis of the patients who underwent HIPEC was better when the tumor diameter was smaller than 5 cm (2-year RFS, 68.6 % vs 37.9 %; χ2 = 3.957; P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The RS + HIPEC procedure improved the RFS of the patients with LAGC compared with RS alone, especially the patients with nerve or vascular invasion and the patients with tumor smaller than 5 cm. Moreover, it reduced the incidence of wound complications and did not induce more perioperative complications in addition to myelosuppression.

Measurement of myocardial extracellular volume fraction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction using dual-energy computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) using dual-energy computed tomography with late iodine enhancement (LIE-DECT) and to evaluate the relationship between ECV and risk of HFpEF and cardiac structure and function. METHODS: A total of 112 consecutive patients with HFpEF and 80 consecutive subjects without heart disease (control group) who underwent LIE-DECT were included. All patients were divided into ischaemic and non-ischaemic groups according to the LIE patterns detected using iodine maps. The ischaemic scar burden was calculated in the ischaemic HFpEF group. Iodine maps and haematocrit were used to measure ECV in the non-ischaemic HFpEF group and remote ECV of the non-scarred myocardium in the ischaemic HFpEF group, respectively. Cardiac structural and functional variables were collected. RESULTS: ECV in patients with non-ischaemic HFpEF (n = 77) and remote ECV in patients with ischaemic HFpEF (n = 35) were significantly higher than those in control subjects (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and drinking, a higher ECV/remote ECV was still associated with non-ischaemic HFpEF and ischaemic HFpEF (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was established between ECV and cardiac structural and functional variables (p < 0.05) in all participants. Subgroup analysis showed that ECV/remote ECV and ischaemic scar burden positively correlated with heart failure classification in the HFpEF subgroup (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ECV/remote ECV elevation was significantly associated with non-ischaemic and ischaemic HFpEF. Remote ECV and LIE may have synergistic effects in the risk assessment of ischaemic HFpEF. KEY POINTS: • ECV/remote ECV elevation is associated not only with non-ischaemic HFpEF but also with ischaemic HFpEF. • ECV/remote ECV and ischaemic scar burden are correlated with cardiac structure and function.

Clarifying Recent Adaptive Diversification of the Chrysanthemum-Group on the Basis of an Updated Multilocus Phylogeny of Subtribe Artemisiinae (Asteraceae: Anthemideae).

Understanding the roles played by geography and ecology in driving species diversification and in the maintenance of species cohesion is the central objective of evolutionary and ecological studies. The multi-phased orogenesis of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and global climate changes over late-Miocene has profoundly influenced the environments and evolution of organisms in this region and the vast areas of Asia. In this study, we investigate the lineage diversification of Chrysanthemum-group in subtribe Artemisiinae (tribe Anthemideae, Asteraceae) likely under the effects of climate changes during this period. Using DNA sequences of seven low-copy nuclear loci and nrITS and the coalescent analytical methods, a time-calibrated phylogeny of subtribe Artemisiinae was reconstructed with emphasis on Chrysanthemum-group. The monophyletic Chrysanthemum-group was well resolved into two major clades corresponding to Chrysanthemum and Ajania, two genera which can be well identified by capitulum morphology but have been intermingled in previous plastid and ITS trees. Within Chrysanthemum, a later divergence between Ch. indicum-complex and Ch. zawadskii-complex can be recognized. The time frames of these sequential divergences coincide with the late Cenozoic uplift of the Northern QTP and the concomitant climatic heterogeneity between eastern and inland Asia. Reconstruction of historical biogeography suggested the origin of Chrysanthemum-group in Central Asia, followed by eastward migration of Chrysanthemum and in situ diversification of Ajania. Within Chrysanthemum, Ch. indicum-complex and Ch. zawadskii-complex exhibited contemporary distributional division, the former in more southern and the latter in more northern regions. The geographic structure of the three lineages in Chrysanthemum-group have been associated with the niche differentiation, and environmental heterogenization in Asia interior.

A new species of Parapteronemobius from Zhejiang, China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Nemobiinae).

Parapteronemobius contains 7 species or subspecies distributed in East Asia with only one species recorded from China. In this study, we reported the second species, P. chenggong He sp. nov., from Zhejiang. The new species differs from P. dibrachiatus in body size, male genitalia and COI gene. The phylogeny of this genus in subfamily Nemobiinae are discussed based on COI, 18S and 28S genes. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

A new species of genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 from Taiwan (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae).

There are 29 species or subspecies in genus Hexacentrus occurring in Asia, Africa and Australia. Because of its similar appearance, it is not easy to distinguish them by traditional methods. In this study, we collected samples and sequenced COI genes from wide range. By reconstructing the gene tree, we found one new species, H. formosanus Chen et He sp. nov., from Taiwan. The new species is similar to H. expansus or H. inflatissimus, but differs from the former in male Cu2 vein of left tegmina curved and slender, and spectrum of male left tegmina slender and subsquare; differs from the later by body size smaller and female tegmina narrow and short. The type specimens are deposited in National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan (NMNS). H. japonicus hareyamai is treated as species level, H. hareyamai stat. nov.

A new species of genus Homoeoxipha Saussure, 1874 from China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Trigonidiinae).

The genus Homoeoxipha contains 11 species worldwide with 4 recorded from China. In this study, we reconstructed the gene tree based on COI gene, and reported one new species, H. oscillantenna He sp. nov. The new species is similar to H. eurylobus Ma, Liu Zhang, but differs in the color of fore femur and the structure of male genitalia. Calling songs and nymph morphology are also provided. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Dysfunction of CYC2g is responsible for the evolutionary shift from radiate to disciform flowerheads in the Chrysanthemum group (Asteraceae: Anthemideae).

Evolutionary shifts among radiate, disciform and discoid flowerheads have occurred repeatedly in a number of major lineages across the Asteraceae phylogeny; such transitions may also appear within evolutionarily young groups. Although several studies have demonstrated that CYC2 genes partake in regulating floral morphogenesis in Asteraceae, the evolution of capitulum forms within a recently diverging lineage has remained poorly understood. Here, we study the molecular regulation of the shift from a radiate to a disciform capitulum within the Chrysanthemum group. This is a recently radiating group mainly comprising two genera, Chrysanthemum and Ajania, that are phylogenetically intermingled but distinct in flowerhead morphology: Chrysanthemum spp. with radiate capitula and Ajania spp. with disciform capitula. We found that the morphogenesis of zygomorphy in the marginal floret in Ajania was disrupted soon after floral primordium emergence; CYC2g, one of the CYC2 copies that was expressed prominently in the ray floret of Chrysanthemum was not expressed in flowerheads of Ajania. Weakening the expression of ClCYC2g in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium led to the gradual transition of a ray flower toward the disc-like form. Molecular evolutionary analyses indicated that the disciform capitulum might have evolved only once, approximately 8 Mya, arising from dysfunction of the CYC2g orthologs. A 20-nt deletion, including a putative TATA-box of the Ajania-type CYC2g promoter, appeared to inhibit the expression of the gene. Considering the divergent habitats of Chrysanthemum and Ajania, we propose that the shift from radiate to disciform capitulum must have been related to changes in pollination strategies under selective pressure.

Repeated exposure to propofol in the neonatal period impairs hippocampal synaptic plasticity and the recognition function of rats in adulthood.

Anesthesia of neonates with propofol induces persistent behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. Although propofol-triggered apoptosis of neurons in the developing brain may contribute to the development of cognitive deficits, the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by neonatal exposure to propofol remains unclear. In this study, the effects of neonatal propofol anesthesia on synaptic plasticity and neurocognitive function were investigated. Postnatal day 7 (PND-7) Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with fat emulsion or 20, 40 or 60 mg/kg propofol for three consecutive days. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in the rat hippocampus at PND-10 and PND-12 was measured by Western blotting. The number of dendritic branches, total dendritic length and dendritic spine density were observed by Golgi-Cox staining 24 h and 72 h after the last propofol administration. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was measured electrophysiologically in hippocampus of PND-60 rats to evaluate the synaptic function. The learning and memory abilities of rats were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) experiments, Novel object recognition test (NORT) and Object location test (OLT) at PND-60. Our results showed that neonatal exposure to propofol significantly inhibited the expression of BDNF, TrkB and PSD-95 in the rat hippocampus. The number of dendritic branches, total dendritic length and dendritic spine density of neurons in the rat hippocampus were markedly reduced after neonatal propofol anesthesia. LTP was significantly diminished in hippocampus of PND-60 rats after repeated exposure to propofol in the neonatal period. Morris water maze experiments showed that repeated neonatal exposure to propofol significantly prolonged the escape latency and decreased the time spent in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings. NORT and OLT showed that repeated neonatal exposure to propofol markedly reduced the Investigation Time for novel object or location. All of the results above indicate that repeated exposure to propofol in the neonatal period can impair hippocampal synaptic plasticity and the recognition function of rats in adulthood.

The first phylogenetic study of sword-tail crickets from China inferred from COI, 18S and 28S genes, with the establishment of two new genera and description of one new species (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Trigonidiidae).

The phylogenetic tree of Chinese Trigonidiinae species was reconstructed based on one mitochondrial fragment (COI) and two nuclear ribosomal loci (18S and 28S). According to the concatenated trees, we define four genus groups with high nodal supports. The subgenus Paratrigonidium should be upgraded to genus status. A new genus Abstrigonidium He gen. nov. is established and Paratrigonidium chloropodum is selected as type species (A. chloropodum comb. nov.). Amusurgus (Paranaxipha) fujianensis is moved to genus Sectus as S. fujianensis comb. nov. A new species named as Emerasoma curvicerca He gen. et sp. nov. is reported. It differs from other genera by asymmetric genitalia, and lacking stridulatory files and mirror. The type specimens are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Report of a new genus Mirigryllus belonging to tribe Modicogryllini, with a new species M. nigrus from Zhejiang, China (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae: Modicogryllini).

A new genus (Mirigryllus He gen. nov.) with a new species (M. nigrus He sp. nov.) is reported from Zhejiang, China. The morphology and calling songs of the new species are provided. The features that different from tribe Modicogryllini spp. include long and thin posterior epiphallic lobes, ectoparameron transparent. Two genes, COI and 18S, of 11 Modicogryllini species were sequenced, and phylogenetic tree was reconstructed. The results support the validation of the new species. The type specimens are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

A new species of Goniurosaurus from Hainan Island, China based on molecular and morphological data (Squamata: Sauria: Eublepharidae).

Three species of geckos in the genus Goniurosaurus have been recorded from Hainan Island in China. We describe a new species, Goniurosaurus kwanghua sp. nov. Zhu He, bringing the number of this genus in Hainan Island to four. We conducted phylogenetic analyses with two mitochondrial genes (16S Cytb) and two nuclear genes (RAG1 C-MOS) to validate this new species. The new species is similar to G. hainanensis, but differs in the following characters: (1) middle section of the nuchal loop wide and posteriorly protracted, (2) wider body bands with dark markings, (3) yellow stripes on posterior side of humerus and femur, linked to the first and third body bands, respectively. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).