Indian monsoon drove the dispersal of the thoracica group of Scytodes spitting spiders.

We examined the global biogeography of the Scytodes thoracica group of spitting spiders based on 23 years of sampling at the species level (61 species in the thoracica group and 84 species of Scytodes) using DNA data from six loci. Our results indicated that the thoracica group initially dispersed from Southeast Asia to East Africa between 46.5 and 33.0 million years ago, and dispersal events intensified between Southeast/South Asia and East/South Africa from the early to late Miocene. The timing of these events indicates that Asian-African faunal exchange of the thoracica group was driven by the Indian monsoon, and the pattern of dispersal suggests that colonialization took root when the Indian monsoon shifted from a North-South direction to an East-West direction from the middle Eocene.

Diversity of Pholcus Spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae) in China's Lüliang Mountains: An Integrated Morphological and Molecular Approach.

Spiders of the genus Pholcus were collected for the first time during an expedition to the Lüliang Mountains in Shanxi Province, North China. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from COI, H3, wnt, and 28S genes allowed us to group them into nine well-supported clades. We used morphology and four methods of molecular species delimitation, namely Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP), to investigate species boundaries. These integrative taxonomic analyses identified the nine clades as nine distinct species, comprising Pholcus luya Peng & Zhang, 2013 and eight other species new to science: Pholcus jiaocheng sp. nov., Pholcus linfen sp. nov., Pholcus lishi sp. nov., Pholcus luliang sp. nov., Pholcus wenshui sp. nov., Pholcus xiangfen sp. nov., Pholcus xuanzhong sp. nov., and Pholcus zhongyang sp. nov. The species occur in geographic proximity and show many morphological similarities. All of them belong to the P. phungiformes species group. The records from the Lüliang Mountains represent the westernmost distribution limit of this species group.

Cenozoic Tethyan changes dominated Eurasian animal evolution and diversity patterns.

Cenozoic tectonic evolution in the Tethyan region has greatly changed the landforms and environment of Eurasia, driving the evolution of animals and greatly affecting the diversity patterns of Eurasian animals. By combining the latest Tethyan paleogeographic models and some recently published Eurasian zoological studies, we systematically summarize how tectonic evolution in the Tethyan region has influenced the evolution and diversity patterns of Eurasian animals. The convergence of continental plates, closure of Tethys Sea, and Tethyan sea-level changes have directly affected the composition and spatial distribution of Eurasian animal diversity. The topographic and environmental changes caused by Tethyan tectonics have determined regional animal diversity in Eurasia by influencing animal origin, dispersal, preservation, diversification, and extinction. The ecological transformations resulted in the emergence of new habitats and niches, which promoted animal adaptive evolution, specialization, speciation, and expansion. We highlight that the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Tethyan region has been responsible for much of the alteration in Eurasian animal distribution and has been an essential force in shaping organic evolution. Furthermore, we generalize a general pattern that Tethyan geological events are linked with Eurasian animal evolution and diversity dynamics.

Correcting Wide Alar Base and Flare With Combined Sill and Alar Excision in Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Obvious scar and deformities are commonly observed with incision anterior to the alar-facial groove in alar excision surgery. The authors explored modified sill and alar excision to correct wide alar base and flare synchronously and decreased incident of unacceptable scar and deformities in Asian patients. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study including 52 consecutive patients undergoing this surgery. Contrary to previous studies, the incision for alar excision was located in the alar-facial groove and was closed by intracutaneous suture. Scars were assessed with visual analog scale and the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale. Ratio of the interalar distance to intercanthal distance, nostril shape, and nostril symmetry was recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 18 months. Visual analog scale results showed 50 patients (96.2%) reported unnoticeable scar and 2 noticeable but acceptable scar. Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale results indicated 49 patients (94.2%) with good scar outcomes and 3 (5.8%) with moderate scar outcomes. The mean ratio of interalar distance to intercanthal distance reduced significantly from preoperative 1.10 to postoperative 1.02. The frequency of horizon-shaped nostrils changed from preoperative 16 cases (30.8%) to postoperative 2 cases (3.8%). The frequency of the pear-shaped (preferred shape) nostrils improved from preoperative 15 cases (28.8%) to postoperative 26 cases (50.0%). The frequency of symmetrical nostril shape improved from preoperative 36 patients (69.2%) to 42 (80.8%). There were no patients with complications like alar deformities, and patients' dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: When performing sill and alar excision in Asian patients, the authors recommended a modified approach with the incision for alar excision being placed in the alar-facial groove and closed by intracutaneous suture, which can avoid obvious scar and deformities in Asian patients.Level of evidence: Level 4.

[Significance of spinal sagittal balance for guiding acetabular prosthesis positioning].

Since the concept of "safe area" put forward by Lewinnek, it has been widely recognized. While in recent years, many scholars have found that even if the acetabular prosthesis was placed on the "safe area", there were still many unexplained dislocation after total hip arthroplasty. And scholars began to question whether the "safe area" is really suitable for all patients. Spinal degeneration, deformity, lumbar fusion, etc. will lead to spine sagittal imbalance and changes in pelvic activity, which could lead to changes in acetabular orientation, and ultimately lead to edge loading, wear, impact, and even dislocation after total hip replacement. From the perspective of wear, impact and dislocation, it is determined by the functional positioning of the acetabular cup, not the anatomical positioning. The anatomical positioning and functional positioning of the neutral pelvic acetabular cup in the standing position can be considered equivalent. For pelvic rotation more than 20°, functional placement needs to be considered. In recent years, as the understanding of the internal relationship between the spine-pelvis-hip joint has become more and more profound, some scholars further classify the hip-spine relationship according to whether the spine is stiff or deformed, and propose corresponding acetabulums according to different types of hip-spine relationships The function of placement, so as to achieve a stable artificial hip joint. Therefore, it is of great significance to fully assess whether the patient's sagittal plane is balanced before surgery to guide artificial hip replacement surgery.

Tip of the iceberg: species diversity of Pholcus spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) in the Changbai Mountains, Northeast China.

Despite 250 years of taxonomic classification and over 1.2 million species already catalogued, known species diversity is only a small part of true species diversity on Earth, and thus, the known species are only the tip of iceberg. Here, we investigated the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 of the family Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850 in the Changbai Mountains, Northeast China, which provides an excellent case of high species diversity. Previously, only 14 endemic Pholcus spiders, all belonging to the P. phungiformes species group, and two introduced species P. manueli Gertsch, 1937 and P. zichyi Kulczynski, 1901 from the P. crypticolens species group, have been recorded from this area. Our study confirmed 11 new species of the P. phungiformes species group based on morphology and three methods of molecular species delimitation: P. gaizhou Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. guanshui Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. jiguanshan Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. longxigu Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. luoquanbei Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. shenshi Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. tianmenshan Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. wangjiang Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. xingqi Yao & Li, sp. nov., P. yaoshan Yao & Li, sp. nov., and P. yuhuangshan Yao & Li, sp. nov. This study brings the fauna of the P. phungiformes species group from the Changbai Mountains to 25 species, approximately two times more than previously known, which could indicate that species diversity in the area is underestimated for all arthropod fauna.

Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders.

Although widely thought to be aggressive, solitary, and potentially cannibalistic, some spider species have evolved group-living behaviors. The distinct transition provides the framework to uncover group-living evolution. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic study and examined patterns of molecular evolution in two independently evolved group-living spiders and twelve solitary species. We report that positively selected genes among group-living spider lineages are significantly enriched in nutrient metabolism and autophagy pathways. We also show that nutrient-related genes of group-living spiders convergently experience amino acid substitutions and accelerated relative evolutionary rates. These results indicate adaptive convergence of nutrient metabolism that may ensure energy supply in group-living spiders. The decelerated evolutionary rate of autophagy-related genes in group-living lineages is consistent with an increased constraint on energy homeostasis as would be required in a group-living environment. Together, the results show that energy metabolic pathways play an important role in the transition to group-living in spiders.

Oxidation of isoprene by titanium oxide cluster cations in the gas phase.

The heterogeneous oxidation of isoprene (C5H8) by metal-oxide particles, such as the typical mineral aerosols TiO2, plays an important role in the isoprene atmospheric chemistry. However, the underlying mechanism of C5H8 oxidation remains elusive owing to the complexities of aerosol surfaces and reaction channels. Herein, we report the gas-phase reactions of TixOy+ (x = 1-7, y = 1-14) cations with isoprene by using mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Five types of reaction channels were observed: association, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), C-C bond cleavage, combined oxygen atom transfer (OAT) and HAT and combined OAT and C-C bond cleavage. It is noteworthy that formaldehyde is known as the major oxidation product of isoprene/hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere. In addition, CO has not been observed in the reactions of isoprene with gas-phase ions. Therefore, the reaction mechanisms of CH2O and CO generation observed in Ti2O5+/C5H8 and Ti4O8+/C5H8 systems were further investigated by DFT calculations, and the calculated results are in agreement with the experimental observations. In these two reactions, both Ti and O atoms can be the adsorption sites for C5H8. The reaction channels and mechanistic information gained in these gas-phase model reactions may offer fundamental insights relevant to the corresponding oxidation processes over titanium oxide aerosols in the atmosphere.

Taxonomic notes on Leptonetidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from China, with descriptions of one new genus and eight new species.

Species of the spider family Leptonetidae Simon, 1890 from China are revised based on molecular and morphological data analyses. A new genus, Jingneta Wang & Li gen. nov., is erected, with Leptoneta cornea Tong & Li, 2008 as the type species. Twenty-two Chinese species previously assigned to the genus Leptoneta Simon, 1872 are revised, with eight transferred to Falcileptoneta Komatsu, 1970, seven transferred to Jingneta gen. nov., five transferred to Leptonetela Kratochvíl, 1978, and one species each transferred to Longileptoneta Seo, 2015 and Masirana Kishida, 1942. Eight new species are described: i.e., Falcileptoneta shuanglong Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂), Jingneta caoxian Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀), J. jingdong Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀), Longileptoneta gutan Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀), L. huangshan Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀), L. shenxian Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀), L. yeren Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂), and L. zhuxian Wang & Li sp. nov. (♂♀). In total, 127 leptonetid species from six genera are documented from China: nine species of Falcileptoneta, nine species of Jingneta gen. nov., 101 species of Leptonetela, six species of Longileptoneta, one species of Masirana, and one species of Rhyssoleptoneta Tong & Li, 2007.

Elevated synovial fluid IL-33 and IL-6 levels and cartilage degeneration in stage III osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated interleukin (IL)-33 as a potential proinflammtory cytokine in the joint cavity following subchondral fracture occurring during osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IL-33 and other proinflammtory cytokines, in addition to cartilage degeneration, were elevated in the joint cavity following subchondral fracture. METHODS: IL-33 levels were analyzed in the plasma, synovial fluid, and bone marrow aspirate, and the levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-13, and carboxy-terminal telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II) in synovial fluid were also quantitated to compare the levels of these proteins between stages II and III. Macro- and microscopic articular cartilage were evaluated and compared between stages II and III in the same patient. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of MMP-13 and Col-II were examined. RESULTS: Of the 33 patients enrolled in the present study, 15 had hips in stage II and 18 had hips in stage III. IL-33 levels in all three sample types were significantly higher in stage III. Synovial fluid IL-6 and CTX-II levels were significantly higher in stage III. A clear step-off region in the weight-bearing area was macroscopically observed in the stage III femoral head. Microscopic evaluation showed symmetrical cartilage matrix deposition around the chondrocytes in the stage II articular cartilage, unlike that in stage III. Immunohistochemical staining of the stage III articular cartilage samples revealed positive MMP-13 staining in chondrocytes and decreased Col-II deposition in the matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed elevated IL-33 and IL-6 levels and cartilage degeneration in stage III ONFH.

Livin Regulates H2A.XY142 Phosphorylation and Promotes Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells via a Novel Kinase Activity.

Objective: To investigate Livin-mediated regulation of H2A.XY142 phosphorylation via a novel kinase activity and its effect on autophagy in colon cancer cells. Methods: The interaction between Livin and H2A.X was tested by immunoprecipitation. H2A.X-/- HCT116 cells were transfected with human influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged WT or Y142F phospho-dead mutantH2A.X plasmids. GST-tagged recombinant Livin protein was used to perform in vitro pull-down experiment and kinase assay. H2A.X-/-Livin+/+ SW480 cells were co-transfected with H2A.XWT/H2A.XY142F plasmid and LC3 EGFP-tagged plasmid to explore whether H2A.XY142F was involved in Livin-mediated autophagy induced by starvation in colon cancer cells. Results: Co-immunoprecipitation studies confirmed that Livin interacted with H2A.X and that it was phosphorylation dependent. In vitro kinase assay confirmed that Livin could phosphorylate H2A.X. Knockdown of Livin (Livin-/-) in SW480 cells or HCT116 cells canceled the starvation-induced autophagy in colon cancer cells; H2A.X-/-Livin+/+ SW480 cells transfected with H2A.XWT activated autophagy induced by starvation while cells transfected with H2A.XY142F had no significant difference; Livin-H2A.XY142F axis activated autophagy in colon cancer cells through transcriptionally regulating ATG5 and ATG7. Conclusion: Livin promotes autophagy in colon cancer cells via regulating the phosphorylation of H2A.XY142.

Livin promotes colon cancer progression by regulation of H2A.XY39ph via JMJD6.

Livin is an important member of the human inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family. IAPs are proteins with antiapoptotic abilities, and their functions are different from the Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) family proteins. However, the precise role of Livin in colon cancer progression remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of overexpression Livin in colon cancer cells and to examine its molecular mechanism. We demonstrated that Livin induced a colon cancer phenotype, including proliferation and migration, by regulating H2A.XY39ph (histone family 2A variant (H2AX) phosphorylated on the 39th serine site). We elucidated that Livin degraded Jumonji-C domain-containing 6 protein (JMJD6), which was mediated by the proteasome murine double minute 2 (MDM2), thereby regulating H2A.XY39ph. Above all, the overexpression of JMJD6 recovered H2A.XY39ph in colon cancer cells with a high level of Livin, thus inhibiting colon cancer malignancy progression. These results reveal a previously unrecognized role for Livin in regulating the tumor-initiating capacity in colon cancer and provide a novel treatment strategy in cancer via the interruption of H2A.XY39ph function and the interaction between H2A.XY39ph and JMJD6.

[Phase I total hip replacement for severe hip osteoarthritis with proximal femoral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and prognosis of stage I total hip replacement in the treatment of severe hip osteoarthritis with proximal femoral fracture. METHODS: From July 2014 to October 2017, 8 patients with severe end-stage hip disease and proximal femoral fracture were treated with stage I total hip replacement including 6 males and 2 females, aged 59 to 72 years old with an average age of 65 years old, involving 4 femoral head necrosis with proximal femoral fracture in the right side, 3 femoral head necrosis with proximal femoral fracture in the left side, and 1 left acetabular dysplasia with proximal femoral fracture in the left side. The average time from injury to operation was 7 days. Eight patients were treated with biologically elongated hip prosthesis. RESULTS: Eight patients with stage I total hip arthroplasty were followed up for 12 to 48 months with an average of 31 months. During the follow-up period, there was no loosening or subsidence of the prosthesis. Harris score increased from 33 points (22 to 42 points) preoperatively to 87 points(82 to 90 points) at the last follow-up. Among them, 3 cases were excellent and 5 cases were good. Abandoned abduction and walked 3 months after operation. X-ray films during 3-6 months after operation showed that fracture healing was good, hip pain and function were improved significantly, and the quality of life was greatly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Phase I total hip arthroplasty for severe hip osteoarthritis patients with proximal femoral fracture has the advantages of shortening the treatment time, alleviating patients'pain, reducing hospitalization costs and good prognosis.

Differential expression of adipokines in knee osteoarthritis patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare adipokines levels in plasma and synovial fluid (SF) between knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to evaluate the associations between adipokines levels and clinical severity of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Eighty female patients with knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in the study. These patients were divided into two groups: patients with and without MetS. Clinical severity was evaluated according to visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. Adipokines and soluble leptin receptor levels in plasma and SF were determined by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Forty-three (54%) osteoarthritis patients with MetS and 37 (46%) osteoarthritis patients without MetS were enrolled as MetS-OA group and nMetS-OA group, respectively. VAS pain and WOMAC scores were higher in MetS-OA group compared with those in nMets-OA group (p < 0.01). The leptin and free leptin levels in plasma and SF were significantly higher in MetS-OA group than those in nMetS-OA group, while the adiponectin levels were lower (All p < 0.01). Significant differences existed even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05). There were no significant associations between adipokines levels and the clinical severity of OA in MetS-OA group and nMetS-OA group respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin was higher and adiponectin was lower in knee osteoarthritis patients with MetS compared to those without MetS, independent of BMI. The higher SF and plasma levels of leptin in MetS-OA patients may need further studies to delineate their pathophysiological relationships.

Determinants of satisfaction following total hip arthroplasty in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to explore the factors contributing to a high degree of satisfaction following total hip arthroplasty in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and hip joint fusion. METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2015, 43 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were treated with total hip arthroplasty. The patients were divided into two groups, including 20 patients in non-fusion groups, with 25 cases of hip non-fusion, and 23 patients in fusion groups, with 40 cases of hip fusion. Patients were followed for an average of 27 months. Harris hip scores (HHSs) and Barthel scores were recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively. The improvement rates of both groups were calculated, and the data were compared and analyzed. The Self-Administered Patient Satisfaction Scale (SAPS) was used to assess the degree of satisfaction in each group. RESULTS: The post-operative HHS and Barthel scores of two groups both significantly improved. In non-fusion groups compared with fusion groups, there were significant differences in the pre-operative HHSs, the improvement of the HHSs, the pre-operative Barthel score, the improvement of the Barthel score, and the satisfaction score. However, there were no significant differences in the post-operative HHSs and Barthel scores. CONCLUSION: Patients in the hip fusion group had higher satisfaction scores. The improvements in joint function and self-care ability after total hip arthroplasty are the decisive factors in determining patient satisfaction for patients with ankylosing spondylitis combined with hip fusion.