Optimizing peripheral blood chromosome analysis: effects of refrigeration time and blood volume.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the impact of refrigeration time and blood volume on the success rate of peripheral blood chromosomal analysis using response surface methodology (RSM). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 30 volunteers were subjected to chromosomal analysis under different refrigeration duration periods (≤7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days) along with different blood volumes (0.2 mL, 0.3 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.5 mL, 0.6 mL, 0.7 mL, and 0.8 mL). The effects of refrigeration time and blood volume on the success rate of peripheral blood chromosomal analysis were determined using the Chi-square test for trend, followed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and RSM analysis to identify the optimal combination of refrigeration time and blood volume. RESULTS: The refrigeration time within 10 days had a minor impact on the success rate, while refrigeration time more than 11 days significantly decreased the success rate. An increase in blood volume slightly improved the success rate. The success rate showed both linear and nonlinear changes with refrigeration time, while the effect of blood volume was primarily linear. The highest success rate was observed at a refrigeration time of ≤7 days and a blood volume of 0.8 mL. The interaction between refrigeration time and blood volume had a significant impact on the success rate. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to keep the refrigeration time of blood samples within 7 days and control the blood volume at 0.8 mL to maximize the success rate of chromosomal analysis.

Integrating Physiological Features and Proteomic Analyses Provides New Insights in Blue/Red Light-Treated Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis).

Bamboo is one of the most important nontimber forestry products in the world. Light is not only the most critical source of energy for plant photosynthesis but also involved in regulating the biological processes of plants. However, there are few reports on how blue/red light affects Moso bamboo. This study investigated the growth status and physiological responses of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) to blue/red light treatments. The growth status of the bamboo plants was evaluated, revealing that both blue- and red-light treatments promoted plant height and overall growth. Gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, and enzyme activity were measured to assess the photosystem response of Moso bamboo to light treatments. Additionally, the blue light treatment led to a higher chlorophyll content and enzyme activities compared to the red light treatment. A tandem mass tag quantitative proteomics approach identified significant changes in protein abundance under different light conditions with specific response proteins associated with distinct pathways, such as photosynthesis and starch metabolism. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the physiological and proteomic responses of Moso bamboo to blue/red light treatments, highlighting their potential impact on growth and development.

Influence of moderate-to-high intensity physical activity on depression levels: a study based on a health survey of Chinese university students.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) affects the severity of depression symptoms among Chinese college students. Additionally, it seeks to analyze the mediating mechanisms involving self-rated health and general self-efficacy. METHODS: The study utilized data from the 2023 Chinese College Health Tracking Survey and employed multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling techniques to investigate the impacts of MVPA on depression levels and its underlying mediating mechanisms among college students. The primary cohort comprised 49,717 enrolled college students from 106 universities in China. RESULTS: A total of 41,620 valid questionnaires were collected (response rate: 83.7%), with females accounting for 58.6%. In the past month, approximately 30.2% of college students engaged in MVPA. Self-rated health (B = - 0.282, P < 0.001) and general self-efficacy (B = - 0.133, P < 0.001) significantly influenced college students' depression scores. Even after controlling for other variables, participating in MVPA remained significantly associated with reduced depression scores (B = - 0.062, P = 0.002). The results of the structural equation model showed that MVPA not only directly decreased college students' depression scores but also indirectly reduced the likelihood of depression occurrence by improving their physical health status and general self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: The lack of physical activity among Chinese college students is evident. Engaging in MVPA can reduce the likelihood of depression among college students. MVPA achieves this reduction by enhancing college students' general self-efficacy and improving their physical health. The factors influencing depression levels among college students are multifaceted. For future interventions targeting college students' mental health, comprehensive approaches that incorporate behavioral and psychological factors should be emphasized.

Determining the Mechanism of Banxia Xiexin Decoction for Gastric Cancer Treatment through Network Analysis and Experimental Validation.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a widespread malignancy. Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) has been used for GC treatment, but the specific mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain controversial. This study used a comprehensive approach to network pharmacology combined with experimental validation to elucidate the mechanism of BXD's anti-GC effects. Initially, we used the UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS technology to identify the main chemical constituents of BXD, as well as potential targets associated with these constituents. Then, we employed the Genecard and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) to determine the targets specifically related to GC. We employed a combination of Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and protein-protein interaction analysis to predict the crucial targets of BXD and uncover the pathways involved in its therapeutic effects against GC. The results were subsequently verified through cell experiments. The analysis revealed 174 common targets shared by BXD and GC. GO enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as autophagy, protein kinase activity, and apoptosis. Moreover, the enrichment analysis revealed several significant pathways that serve as the primary mechanisms by which BXD exerts its effects. Notably, these pathways include PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, and Pathways in cancer. Subsequent in vitro experiments demonstrated that BXD effectively hindered GC cell proliferation, stimulated autophagy, and facilitated apoptosis by PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway regulation. These findings reveal the effectiveness of BXD against GC through diverse components, targets, and pathways, indicating that BXD holds potential therapeutic value in GC treatment. This study uncovers the intricate biological mechanisms that underlie BXD's efficacy in treating GC through the integration of network pharmacology analysis and rigorous in vitro experiments.

[Role of Piezo mechanosensitive ion channels in the osteoarticular system].

Objective: To summarize the role of Piezo mechanosensitive ion channels in the osteoarticular system, in order to provide reference for subsequent research. Methods: Extensive literature review was conducted to summarize the structural characteristics, gating mechanisms, activators and blockers of Piezo ion channels, as well as their roles in the osteoarticular systems. Results: The osteoarticular system is the main load-bearing and motor tissue of the body, and its ability to perceive and respond to mechanical stimuli is one of the guarantees for maintaining normal physiological functions of bones and joints. The occurrence and development of many osteoarticular diseases are closely related to abnormal mechanical loads. At present, research shows that Piezo mechanosensitive ion channels differentiate towards osteogenesis by responding to stretching stimuli and regulating cellular Ca 2+ influx signals; and it affects the proliferation and migration of osteoblasts, maintaining bone homeostasis through cellular communication between osteoblasts-osteoclasts. Meanwhile, Piezo1 protein can indirectly participate in regulating the formation and activity of osteoclasts through its host cells, thereby regulating the process of bone remodeling. During mechanical stimulation, the Piezo1 ion channel maintains bone homeostasis by regulating the expressions of Akt and Wnt1 signaling pathways. The sensitivity of Piezo1/2 ion channels to high strain mechanical signals, as well as the increased sensitivity of Piezo1 ion channels to mechanical transduction mediated by Ca 2+ influx and inflammatory signals in chondrocytes, is expected to become a new entry point for targeted prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. But the specific way mechanical stimuli regulate the physiological/pathological processes of bones and joints still needs to be clarified. Conclusion: Piezo mechanosensitive ion channels give the osteoarticular system with important abilities to perceive and respond to mechanical stress, playing a crucial mechanical sensing role in its cellular fate, bone development, and maintenance of bone and cartilage homeostasis.

Establishment and comparison of different procedures for modeling intrauterine adhesion in rats: A preliminary study.

The establishment of a stable animal model for intrauterine adhesion (IUA) can significantly enhance research on the pathogenesis and pathological changes of this disease, as well as on the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. In this study, three different modeling methods, including phenol mucilage combined mechanical scraping, ethanol combined mechanical scraping and ethanol modeling alone were designed. The morphological characteristics of the models were evaluated. The underlying mechanisms and fertility capacity of the ethanol modeling group were analyzed and compared to those of the sham surgery group. All three methods resulted in severe intrauterine adhesions, with ethanol being identified as a reliable modeling agent and was subsequently subjected to further evaluation. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR results indicated that the ethanol modeling group exhibited an increase in the degree of fibrosis and inflammation, as well as a significant reduction in endometrial thickness, gland number, vascularization, and endometrial receptivity, ultimately resulting in the loss of fertility capacity. The aforementioned findings indicate that the intrauterine perfusion of 95 % ethanol is efficacious in inducing the development of intrauterine adhesions in rats. Given its cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and stability in IUA formation, the use of 95 % ethanol intrauterine perfusion may serve as a novel platform for evaluating innovative anti-adhesion materials and bioengineered therapies.

Analysis of railway accessibility in Fujian Province and the influence of economic development on its spatial differentiation.

Understanding railway accessibility supports railway regulation and development, but few studies consider different perspectives. We study the spatial distribution of accessibility indicators at the county (city) scale in Fujian Province by spatiotemporal syntax and weighted average travel time using railway timetable data. Export trade, rich commercial activities, and high-speed rail had a significant positive effect on objective accessibility. Fuzhou, Sanming, and Longyan were main transfer centers. The most accessible nodes based on weighted average travel time formed a "U"-shaped corridor along the coast. The county-wide average accessibility was 1.72 h. According to spatiotemporal syntax, local general public budget expenditure (0.758993) and export volume of goods-total retail sales of consumer goods (0.956257) had the most interactive impact, while according to weighted average accessibility, import volume of goods (0.618447) and per capita gross regional product-import volume of goods (0.878573) did. These results provide reference for transportation planning and regional development in Fujian Province.

miR-214-5p increases the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer by targeting ROCK1 expression.

BACKGROUND: The tolerance of cervical cancer to radiotherapy is a major factor affecting treatment outcomes. The miR-214-5p is involved in the regulation of biological processes such as tumor proliferation and metastasis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the role of miR-214-5p and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) in cervical cancer and their response to radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-three cervical cancer tissue samples were collected to analyze the level of miR-214-5p in patients with different responses to radiotherapy. Cervical cancer cell lines with radiation resistance were selected to explore the role of miR-214-5p in radiosensitivity. The wound healing, transwell migration, clone formation assay, and in vivo analysis were utilized to evaluate the effect of miR-214-5p on the radiation sensitivity of cervical cancer cells. RESULTS: Patients with poor radiotherapy responses demonstrated low levels of miR-214-5p. The upregulation of miR-214-5p decreased migration and invasion ability of radiotherapy-resistant cells. The bioinformatic analysis showed that ROCK1 is a candidate target gene of miR-214-5p, and this was confirmed with dual luciferase reporter assay showing that miR-214-5p directly interacts with the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of ROCK1. Decreased ROCK1 improved the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo, and the overexpression of ROCK1 decreased the radiosensitivity effect of miR-214-5p in cervical cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The miR-214-5p can regulate the radiation sensitivity of cervical cancer cells by targeting the mRNA of ROCK1 and regulating its expression.

Osteoperiosteal Iliac Autograft Transplantation for Unreconstructable Tibial Plafond After Malunions of Pilon Fractures in Young Patients.

BACKGROUND: Malunion of tibial pilon fracture, especially with a large cartilage loss of the tibial plafond, is a tough clinical conundrum. This study describes a joint-preserving technique that mainly involves corrective intraarticular osteotomy and osteoperiosteal iliac autograft transplantation for treating these generally considered unreconstructable tibial plafond. METHODS: Sixteen patients with an average age of 33.6 years who were treated with this joint-preserving method between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Ankle distraction was applied in all patients. Additional osteochondral autograft transplantation for talus was performed in 4 patients and supramalleolar osteotomy in 2 patients. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, and the ankle range of motion (ROM) were used for outcome analysis. Radiographic assessment was conducted, and the complications were recorded. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 41.1 months, the mean VAS, AOFAS, and SF-36 scores improved from 6.3, 47.6, and 38.0 to 1.7, 84.4, and 70.8, respectively (P < .001 for each). The ankle ROM improved from 27.5 to 32.2 degrees (P = .023). The mean area of ilium blocks was 3.5 cm2, and the mean external fixation time was 94.1 days. Radiographs showed that good osteointegration was found in all patients and no significant progression of osteoarthritis in 15 patients. The major complications included poor incision healing in 2 patients and severe ankle stiffness in 2 patients, with one of them developing considerable varus-type osteoarthritis but reporting no pain. No deep infection, nonunion, or malunion occurred, and no secondary arthrodesis was performed during the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Osteoperiosteal iliac autograft transplantation might be an alternative surgical option for reconstructing unreconstructable malunited pilon fractures with a large cartilage loss of the tibial plafond in young patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

A Self-Assembly Pro-Coagulant Powder Capable of Rapid Gelling Transformation and Wet Adhesion for the Efficient Control of Non-Compressible Hemorrhage.

Rapid and effective control of non-compressible massive hemorrhage poses a great challenge in first-aid and clinical settings. Herein, a biopolymer-based powder is developed for the control of non-compressible hemorrhage. The powder is designed to facilitate rapid hemostasis by its excellent hydrophilicity, great specific surface area, and adaptability to the shape of wound, enabling it to rapidly absorb fluid from the wound. Specifically, the powder can undergo sequential cross-linking based on "click" chemistry and Schiff base reaction upon contact with the blood, leading to rapid self-gelling. It also exhibits robust tissue adhesion through covalent/non-covalent interactions with the tissues (adhesive strength: 89.57 ± 6.62 KPa, which is 3.75 times that of fibrin glue). Collectively, this material leverages the fortes of powder and hydrogel. Experiments with animal models for severe bleeding have shown that it can reduce the blood loss by 48.9%. Studies on the hemostatic mechanism also revealed that, apart from its physical sealing effect, the powder can enhance blood cell adhesion, capture fibrinogen, and synergistically induce the formation of fibrin networks. Taken together, this hemostatic powder has the advantages for convenient preparation, sprayable use, and reliable hemostatic effect, conferring it with a great potential for the control of non-compressible hemorrhage.

Optimization of the spatial layout of animal husbandry based on comprehensive competitive advantage evaluation and nutrient balance: a case study of Heilongjiang province.

The optimization of the spatial layout of animal husbandry has great significance for the sustainable development of animal husbandry. However, limited research has focused on the optimization of the spatial layout of animal husbandry based on comprehensive competitive advantage evaluation and nutrient balance between planting and breeding. This study established a comprehensive competitive advantage evaluation model of animal husbandry. Based on this model, we performed comprehensive competitive advantage evaluation of animal husbandry. We further calculated the land-carrying capacity index of animal manure and potential land-carrying capacity of animal according to the principle of nutrient balance. Finally, the spatial layout of animal husbandry was optimized using Geographic Information System spatial analysis. Results showed that Harbin had obvious comprehensive competitive advantage in pig, cattle, sheep, and poultry breeding. Daqing had obvious comprehensive competitive advantage in cattle and sheep breeding. The land-carrying capacity index of animal manure of Daxing'anling constantly exceeded 1. The potential land-carrying capacity of animal in Heilongjiang province was uneven, and most regions in Heilongjiang province had development potential of animal husbandry. The optimized target regions of the spatial layout of pig, cattle, sheep, and poultry breeding were all Harbin. A total of 77 956.03 pig equivalent in Daxing'anling was recommended to be transferred to Harbin. Our results are useful for the spatial layout of animal husbandry, environmental pollution prevention from animal husbandry, and optimization of animal products structure.

Promotion of uterine reconstruction by a tissue-engineered uterus with biomimetic structure and extracellular matrix microenvironment.

The recurrence rate for severe intrauterine adhesions is as high as 60%, and there is still lack of effective prevention and treatment. Inspired by the nature of uterus, we have developed a bilayer scaffold (ECM-SPS) with biomimetic heterogeneous features and extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment of the uterus. As proved by subtotal uterine reconstruction experiments, the mechanical and antiadhesion properties of the bilayer scaffold could meet the requirement for uterine repair. With the modification with tissue-specific cell-derived ECM, the ECM-SPS had the ECM microenvironment signatures of both the endometrium and myometrium and exhibited the property of inducing stem cell-directed differentiation. Furthermore, the ECM-SPS has recruited more endogenous stem cells to promote endometrial regeneration at the initial stage of repair, which was accompanied by more smooth muscle regeneration and a higher pregnancy rate. The reconstructed uterus could also sustain normal pregnancy and live birth. The ECM-SPS may thereby provide a potential treatment for women with severe intrauterine adhesions.

Spatiotemporal evolution and characteristics of worldwide life expectancy.

Exploring global differences in life expectancy can facilitate the development of strategies to narrow regional disparities. However, few researchers have systematically examined patterns in the evolution of worldwide life expectancy over a long time period. Spatial differences among 181 countries in 4 types of worldwide life expectancy patterns from 1990 to 2019 were investigated via geographic information system (GIS) analysis. The aggregation characteristics of the spatiotemporal evolution of life expectancy were revealed by local indicators of spatial association. The analysis employed spatiotemporal sequence-based kernel density estimation and explored the differences in life expectancy among regions with the Theil index. We found that the global life expectancy progress rate shows upward then downward patterns over the last 30 years. Female have higher rates of spatiotemporal progression in life expectancy than male, with less internal variation and a wider spatial aggregation. The global spatial and temporal autocorrelation of life expectancy shows a weakening trend. The difference in life expectancy between male and female is reflected in both intrinsic causes of biological differences and extrinsic causes such as environment and lifestyle habits. Investment in education pulls apart differences in life expectancy over long time series. These results provide scientific guidelines for obtaining the highest possible level of health in countries around the world.

A chromosome-scale genome and proteome draft of Tremella fuciformis.

In this study, we first reported a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of Tremella fuciformis using Pacbio HiFi sequencing combining Hi-C technology. According to 21.6 Gb PacBio HiFi reads and 18.1 Gb Hi-C valid reads, we drafted a T. fuciformis genome of 27.38 Mb assigned to 10 chromosomes, with the contig N50 of 2.28 Mb, GC content of 56.51 %, BUSCOs completeness of 93.1 % and consensus quality value of 33.7. The following annotation of genomic components predicted 5,171 repeat sequences, 283 RNAs, and 10,150 protein-coding genes. Next, the intracellular proteins at three differential life stages of T. fuciformis (conidium, hyphal and fruiting body) were identified by the shot-gun proteomics. 6,823 canonical proteins (68.1 % of predicted proteome) have been identified with protein FDR cut-off of 0.01, establishing the first proteome draft of predicted protein-coding genes of T. fuciformis. Finally, 24 T. fuciformis polysaccharides (TPS) biosynthesis-related genes in mycelia were identified by comparative transcriptomics and proteomics, which may be more active than in conidium and revealed the TPS biosynthesis process in mycelia. This present study elucidated T. fuciformis genome composition and organization, drafted its associated proteome, and provided a genome-view of TPS biosynthesis, which will be a powerful platform for biological and genetic studies in T. fuciformis.

[Ankle arthritis: joint-preserving surgery and total ankle arthroplasty].

Ankle arthritis affects approximately 1% of the adult population worldwide and represents a serious global disease burden. However, compared with hip arthritis and knee arthritis, the clinical understanding and treatment of ankle arthritis are still in their infancy. For end-stage ankle arthritis, ankle arthrodesis was considered as the "gold standard" in the past. However, ankle arthrodesis will result in loss of joint mobility, altered gait, limited daily activities, and accelerated degeneration of adjacent joints. Therefore, how to preserve the range of motion of the ankle joint while relieving pain is the key to the treatment of ankle arthritis. Currently, the surgical treatment of ankle arthritis includes arthroscopic debridement, periarticular osteotomies, osteochondral transplantation, ankle distraction arthroplasty, ankle arthrodesis, and total ankle arthroplasty. The choice of treatment should be individualized and based on various factors such as the patient's symptoms, signs, imaging performance, complaints, and financial situation. However, there are no guidelines that give clear treatment recommendations. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct extensive and in-depth discussions on the diagnosis and treatment of ankle arthritis.

Potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from pig production in China on the basis of households' pork consumption.

In the past decades, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from pig production in China have been increasing rapidly, which has become a huge challenge in fulfilling China's "carbon neutral" commitment. However, few studies have focused on reducing the GHG emissions from pig production in view of households' pork consumption. This study analyzed the temporal and spatial pattern of the GHG emissions from pig production in China in 2001-2020 through geographical information system, optimized the pig production in China, and estimated thepotentialGHG emissions reduction from pig production in China in 2020 through spatial analysis based on pork surplus or deficit. Results show that the temporal and spatial pattern of the GHG emissions from pig production and its proportion in the total GHG emissions from livestock production in China in 2001-2020 varied differently at the province level and conformed to the "Hu Huanyong Line" mode. The largest and smallest GHG emissions from pig production were 108.93 million tons (MT) in 2014 and 78.10 MT in 2020, respectively. The largest and smallest proportions of GHG emissions from pig production in the total GHG emissions from livestock production were 77.52% in Zhejiang in 2013 and 0.13% in Tibet in 2009, respectively. Moreover, a potential optimization scheme of pig production in China in 2020 was provided and a method of GHG emissions reduction from pig production is proposed. The results indicate that the total potentialGHG emissions reduction from pig production on the basis of households' pork consumption could reach 35.21 MT, accounting for 45.09% of the total GHG emissions from pig production and 10.27% of the total GHG emissions from livestock production in China in 2020. These findings areusefulin the spatial layout planning of pig production, agricultural GHG reduction, and global warming mitigation.

Multifunctional two-component in-situ hydrogel for esophageal submucosal dissection for mucosa uplift, postoperative wound closure and rapid healing.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastrointestinal tumors and premalignant lesions needs submucosal fluid cushion (SFC) for mucosal uplift before dissection, and wound care including wound closure and rapid healing postoperatively. Current SFC materials as well as materials and/or methods for post-ESD wound care have single treatment effect and hold corresponding drawbacks, such as easy dispersion, short duration, weak hemostasis and insufficient repair function. Thus, designing materials that can serve as both SFC materials and wound care is highly desired, and remains a challenge. Herein, we report a two-component in-situ hydrogel prepared from maleimide-based oxidized sodium alginate and sulfhydryl carboxymethyl-chitosan, which gelated mainly based on "click" chemistry and Schiff base reaction. The hydrogels showed short gelation time, outstanding tissue adhesion, favorable hemostatic properties, and good biocompatibility. A rat subcutaneous ultrasound model confirmed the ability of suitable mucosal uplift height and durable maintenance time of AM solution. The in vivo/in vitro rabbit liver hemorrhage model demonstrated the effects of hydrogel in rapid hemostasis and prevention of delayed bleeding. The canine esophageal ESD model corroborated that the in-situ hydrogel provided good mucosal uplift and wound closure effects, and significantly accelerated wound healing with accelerating re-epithelization and ECM remodeling post-ESD. The two-component in-situ hydrogels exhibited great potential in gastrointestinal tract ESD.

Is Kidner procedure necessary during subtalar arthroereisis for pediatric flexible flatfoot that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular? A retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Kidner procedure is thought to be able to eliminate the medial foot pain and contribute to restoring the medial longitudinal foot arch, making it particularly suitable for surgical treatment of pes planus that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular (AN). However, controversy remains, and the clinical evidence is still lacking. The aim of the current study is to verify the necessity of Kidner procedure during subtalar arthroereisis (STA) for pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) that combined with symptomatic type 2 AN. METHODS: Forty pediatric patients (72 feet) who had undergone STA for flexible flatfoot and were also diagnosed with symptomatic type 2 AN concomitantly were reviewed retrospectively and divided into two groups (STA + Kidner vs STA alone). The visual analog scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire for children (OAFQC), and the radiographic parameters that quantifying pes planus were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of complications. RESULTS: There were 35 feet in the STA + Kidner group and 37 feet in the STA alone group, with mean follow-up periods of 2.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively. The VAS, AOFAS, OAFQC scores and radiographic parameters presented no significant difference between the two groups both preoperatively and at final follow-up (P > 0.05 for each). The complications of STA surgery occurred equally in both groups, and Kidner procedure could lead to more incision problems (22.9% vs. 2.7%) and a longer time to return to activity. CONCLUSION: Kidner procedure may be unnecessary during surgical treatment of PFF that combined with painful type 2 AN. Correcting the PFF while leaving the AN alone has a high possibility of relieving the pain in the AN region, and tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) rerouting hardly aids in reconstruction of the medial foot arch. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Biogas potential from agricultural waste and its CO2 emission reduction: a case study of Hubei Province, China.

Biogas produced from agricultural waste can have potential benefits, such as offer clean renewable energy, protect the ecological environment, and reduce CO2 emission. However, few studies have been conducted on the biogas potential from agricultural waste and its CO2 emission reduction at the county level. Herein, the biogas potential from agricultural waste was calculated, and its spatial distribution in Hubei Province in 2017 was determined using a geographic information system. Then, an evaluation model for the competitive advantage of the biogas potential from agricultural waste was established using entropy weight and linear weighting methods. Moreover, the space partition of the biogas potential from agricultural waste was obtained through hot spot analysis. Lastly, the standard coal equivalent of biogas, the equivalent of coal consumption of biogas, and the CO2 emission reduction based on the space partition result were estimated. Results showed that the total and average biogas potentials from agricultural waste in Hubei Province were 18,498,317,558.54 and 222,871,295.89 m3, respectively. Qianjiang City, Jianli County, Xiantao City, and Zaoyang City had a high competitive advantage in the biogas potential from agricultural waste. The CO2 emission reduction of the biogas potential from agricultural waste was mainly in classes I and II.