Lymph node dissection in small-sized pulmonary metastasectomy: Impact on the long-term survival.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary metastasectomy has been clarified in improving long-term survival in most primary malignancies with pulmonary metastasis, while the role of additional lymph node dissection remained controversial. We aimed to investigate the prognosis of lymph node involvement and identify the role of lymph node dissection during pulmonary metastasectomy in a real-world cohort. METHODS: We identified patients diagnosed with pulmonary metastases with ≤3 cm in size and received pulmonary metastasectomy between 2004 and 2017 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. We compared the survival via Kaplan-Meier analysis and propensity score matching method, and the multivariable analysis was conducted by cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3452 patients were included, of which 2268(65.7%) received lymph node dissection, and the incidence of node-positive was 11.3%(256/2268). In total, the median overall survival was 62.8 months(interquartile range, 28.6-118.9 months), and the lymph node involvement was referred to an impaired survival compared to node-negative diseases(5-year overall survival rate, 58.0% versus 38.6%), with comparable survival between N1 and N2 diseases(P = 0.774). Lymph node dissection was associated with improved survival(HR = 0.80; 95%CI, 0.71-0.90; P < 0.001), and the survival benefits remained regardless of age, sex, the number of metastases, and surgical procedures, even in those with node-negative diseases. At least eight LNDs might lead to a significant improvement in survival, and additional survival benefits might be limited with additional dissected lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node involvement was associated with impaired survival, and lymph node dissection during pulmonary metastasectomy could improve long-term survival and more accurate staging.

Effect of a prior thyroid cancer on the survival of lung cancer patients: a retrospective study based on SEER database.

PURPOSE: The effect of a history of thyroid cancer on the prognosis of lung cancer patients has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate this effect based on a large cohort. METHODS: Data of 154844 lung cancer patients, of whom 406 had prior thyroid cancer, were collected from SEER database. Primary survival analysis was conducted between patients with and without prior thyroid cancer using Kaplan-Meier method. Secondary survival analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of the stage and histological subtype of the prior thyroid cancer on the survival of lung cancer patients. Propensity adjustment was used to reduce confounding effect. RESULTS: Compared to patients without prior malignancy, patients with prior thyroid cancer were predominantly female (72.4% vs. 48.7%, p < 0.001), had lower stage (proportion of localized tumor: 40.4% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.001), and larger proportion of surgery (52.2% vs. 29.4%, p < 0.001), and had better survival (5-year survival rate: 55.53% vs. 33.16%, p < 0.001). After propensity adjustment, the survival was similar between the groups (5-year survival rate: 55.53% vs. 51.78%, p = 0.24). The survival of patients with different stages (localized tumor vs. regional tumor: p = 0.88) or different histological subtypes (p = 0.46) of prior thyroid cancer were comparable. CONCLUSION: Survival of lung cancer patients with or without prior thyroid cancer was similar after propensity adjustment, and the stage or histological subtype of the prior thyroid cancer had no significant effect on the survival of lung cancer patients.

Temperature-Dependent Biology and Population Performances of the Coffee Berry Borer Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on Artificial Diet.

At different observation intervals of 1, 5, and 10 days during a trial period of 30 days, the mortality rates of Hypothenemus hampei were 100, 95, and 55%, and the fecundity rates were 0.55, 8.45, and 19.35 eggs/female, respectively. At temperatures of 18, 21, 24, and 27 °C, the development time of the immature stage of H. hampei was significantly shortened with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the lower developmental threshold (T0) and thermal summation (K) of the immature stage were 8.91 °C and 485.44 degree-days, respectively. The greatest longevity of female and male adults reached 115.77 and 26.50 days, respectively, at 18 °C. The highest fecundity was 29.00 eggs/female at 24 °C. The population parameters of H. hampei were analyzed on the basis of the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. According to the data, the parameters were significantly affected by temperature. The highest net reproductive rate (R0) was 13.32 eggs/individual at 24 °C. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were calculated as 0.0401 and 1.0409 day-1, respectively, at a temperature of 27 °C. The shortest mean generation time (T) was 51.34 days at 27 °C. Overall, we provide a discussion on comprehensive biological information regarding H. hampei, thus providing basic knowledge for further research on this pest.

Risk-based screening for second primary extrapulmonary malignancies in stage I lung cancer patients: A study based on SEER database.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to identify the risk for second primary malignancy (SPM), especially for second primary extrapulmonary malignancy (SPEM), in resected stage I lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resected stage I lung cancer patients were retrospectively enrolled from the SEER database (2008-2017). Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was used to evaluate the relative risk of SPM of patients as compared to general population. Competing risk model was utilized to identify the risk factors for SPEM of increased risk (rSPEM). A simplified nomogram based on the factors was developed to stratify patients at different risks of rSPEM. RESULTS: A total of 14,495 patients were enrolled, and 1779 (12.27%) patients developed SPM during follow-up, of which 896 (50.37%) were SPEM. Enrolled patients had higher risk of SPM than general population (SIR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.83 - 2.01). The yearly morbidity of SPM was about 3% - 4% over time. The three most frequent SPEM were prostate cancer, breast cancer, and urinary bladder cancer. The competing-risk multivariable analysis showed that increasing age, male, and white race were independent risk factors for rSPEM. The simplified nomogram showed favorable performance in stratifying patients at different risks of rSPEM (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The risk of SPM in stage I lung cancer patients was high. Risk factors for rSPEM were identified and the corresponding simplified nomogram based on the risk factors could discriminate patients at different risks well. The nomogram might help physicians to make more appropriate screening strategy for the SPEM.

A Competing Risk Model Nomogram to Predict the Long-Term Prognosis of Lung Carcinoid.

BACKGROUND: The prediction of long-term, cancer-specific survival of lung carcinoid remains controversial. We aimed to build a prognostic model by using competing-risk analysis to predict the long-term, cancer-specific survival of lung carcinoid patients. METHODS: Patients were retrospectively enrolled from the SEER database, and clinicopathological data were collected. Univariable and multivariable competing-risk analyses were conducted to identify prognostic factors. A competing-risk model and a nomogram were developed by using independent prognostic factors. The model was assessed by using concordance index and calibration curves. RESULTS: A total of 2496 patients were enrolled, of which 267 (10.7%) died of diagnosed carcinoma; 316 (12.7%) died because of other reasons. The 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year cancer-specific survival of carcinoid patients were 91.35%, 86.60%, and 84.39%, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that increasing age, male, larger tumor size, higher N stage, M1, atypical carcinoid, and undergoing no surgery were independent risk factors. A competing-risk model based on the risk factors and a corresponding nomogram were developed. Concordance index of the developed model for 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year were 0.891, 0.856, 0.836 respectively in the training cohort and 0.876, 0.841, 0.819 respectively in the validation cohort after bootstrap adjustment. The calibration curves of 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year showed good agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age, male, larger tumor size, higher N stage, M1, atypical carcinoid, and undergoing no surgery were independent risk factors. A competing risk model of excellent performance in predicting long-term survival was developed, and a nomogram was established.

Surgical resection versus radiotherapy for clinical stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: With the increasing incidence of stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size, the optimal primary treatment remains to be controversial, and thus, we compared the survival of these patients treated with radiotherapy, wedge resection, segmentectomy, or lobectomy in a large population. METHODS: We identified patients with stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size between 2004 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We compared the overall survival (OS) via Kaplan-Meier analysis and conducted Cox regression analysis via propensity score matching (PSM) method to identify the relative hazard ratio (HR) and difference of OS among these treatments in the subgroup stratified by four variables (age, total number of tumors, pathological grade, and histology). RESULTS: A total of 5435 patients were included with a median age of 68 years (range, 6-94 years), of which 2131 (39.2%) were male, and 3510 (64.6%) were adenocarcinoma. The 5-year OS rate was 67.1%, 34.5%, 61.6%, 72.1%, and 75.0% for the entire study population, radiotherapy, wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy, respectively. In PSM analysis, wedge resection and segmentectomy were all superior to radiotherapy (P < 0.001), and segmentectomy was superior to wedge resection (P = 0.043), while segmentectomy was comparable with lobectomy (P = 0.058). In patients with multiple tumors, radiotherapy brought similar survival to surgery (wedge resection versus radiotherapy, P = 0.323; segmentectomy versus radiotherapy, P = 0.170; lobectomy versus radiotherapy, P = 0.796). CONCLUSIONS: Among stage IA lung cancer with ≤1 cm, segmentectomy and lobectomy were identified as the potential effective treatments, with segmentectomy more preferred, while radiotherapy would be recommended in those with multiple tumors, which requires further verification.

A Clinical Prediction Model for Postoperative Pneumonia After Lung Cancer Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pneumonia (POP) is a common complication following lung cancer surgery and is associated with increased hospitalization costs and mortalities. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with POP and to develop a reliable predictive model. METHODS: Patients who underwent lung cancer surgery between January 2015 and December 2021 in our hospital were enrolled. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was used to select predictors of POP. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to construct the nomogram. Bootstrap resampling was conducted for internal validation. The performance of the model was evaluated by discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: A total of 5269 consecutive patients were enrolled. POP occurred in 1.7% of patients (92/5269). Five independent predictors were identified: age, predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s, predicted diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, tuberculosis history, and surgery duration. The multivariable regression model showed good discrimination (C-index: 0.821, 95% confidence interval, 0.783-0.859), which was well validated by internal validation. The calibration curve illustrated good agreement between the predicted probability and observed probability of POP. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the easily available risk factors, our nomogram could predict the risk of POP with good discrimination and calibration. The model has good clinical practicability, enabling precise and targeted interventions to reduce the incidence of POP in high-risk patients.

Do tumours located in basal segments have better survival than superior segments in lung cancer?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was in patients with lower lobe lung cancer undergone pulmonary resection, are the tumours located in superior segments superior to the tumours in basal segments in terms of survival? We concluded that there were no statistically significant differences in survival and recurrence between superior and basal segments for lung cancer patients, but overall survival and relapse-free survival were worse in superior segment for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the right lower lobe, and remained unclear about other stages of lung cancer. In consideration of operation procedure, we speculate that the superior segments had a relatively worse survival in patients with early-stage NSCLC who underwent segmentectomy; likewise, in patients underwent at least lobectomy, survival of the superior segments was not better than that of the basal segments.

miR-145-5p affects autophagy by targeting CaMKIIδ in atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease involving many cells. miR-145-5p mediates the biological phenotypes of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs) and influences the progression of AS, but the potential mechanism needs further study. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from patient plasma and arteries to determine the expression of miR-145-5p. The CaMKIIδ pathway and genes were predicted as the target of miR-145-5p by bioinformatics approaches. The interaction between miR-145-5p and CaMKIIδ was confirmed by RT-qPCR and Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay System. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and protein tracing on HAVSMCs transduced with mCherry-GFP-LC3 lentiviral vectors to determine the mechanism by which miR-145-5p affects the atherosclerotic disease process. RESULTS: The expression of miR-145-5p was downregulated in blood and arteries specimens of patients with coronary stenosis. Correspondingly, CaMKIIδ was upregulated and miR-145-5p was downregulated in hypoxic HAVSMCs. CaMKIIδ was predicted and confirmed as a downstream target of miR-145-5p. In addition, CaMKIIδ induced the upregulation of autophagy-related proteins by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signalling pathway. Moreover, we confirmed that miR-145-5p inhibits CaMKIIδ expression by binding to a specific sequence in the CaMKIIδ 3' UTR and affects autophagy. Crucially, CaMKIIδ was promoted by the downregulation of miR-145-5p and then activating autophagy in HAVSMCs through the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signalling pathway to affect the AS progress. CONCLUSIONS: miR-145-5p regulates CaMKIIδ, leading to altered autophagy in HAVSMCs. This alteration plays an important role in AS progression.

Initial treatment of early-stage small-sized non-small cell lung cancer for octogenarians: a population-based study.

The objectives of this study is to figure out the appropriate initial treatment and criteria for clinical decision for early-stage small-sized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among octogenarians. Elderly patients (≥80 years) with stage I NSCLC (<3 cm) were identified between 2004 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Patients were divided into four cohorts regarding treatment modalities, and overall survival and cancer-specific survival were evaluated via Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model. The propensity score matching method was introduced in the subgroup analysis stratified by four clinical characteristics to identify the preferable treatment. A total of 7861 patients were included with a median overall survival of 43 months (range 1-155 months). In younger patients (80-85 years), lobectomy was superior in improving the survival (versus segmentectomy, HR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.55-0.84; versus wedge resection, HR = 0.77; 95%CI 0.67-0.88). While in those over 85 years, lobectomy was superior to wedge resection (HR = 0.72; 95%CI 0.53-0.98), and all other treatments were comparable. As stratified by T stage in those over 85 years, lobectomy was superior to wedge resection (P = 0.023) for T1 disease, and the four treatments were all comparable in overall survival for T2 disease. In conclusions, the favored treatment of early stage NSCLC for octogenarians may be evaluated by age and T stage. Lobectomy might be preferred in patients between 80 and 85 years whenever possible. Among those over 85 years, radiotherapy might lead to a comparable prognosis and could be recommended as the prior treatment, while should surgery be recommended, lobectomy might be preferred for T1 disease and wedge resection for T2 disease.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Philus pallescens Bates, 1866 (Coleoptera: Vesperidae) and its phylogenetic implications.

We sequenced and assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of Philus pallescens from Madou, Tainan County, Taiwan. The complete mitogenome of P. pallescens is 15,750 bp long, and contains 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA and two rDNA genes. Nucleotide compositions of the mitogenome of P. pallescens are A: 38.08%, T: 32.25%, C: 18.67%, and G: 11.00%. The AT and GC skewness of the mitogenome sequence were 0.0828 and -0.25845 respectively, showing the genome composition skewed toward adenine and cytosine. The phylogenetic position of Chrysomelidae is sister to all the other families in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea. The results indicate that Chrysomeloidea Cerambycidae is not a monophyletic group. Philus is phylogenetically close to Spiniphilus. Vesperidae is monophyletic and sister to Disteniidae. Mitogenomic data from this study will provide useful information for further studies on the population genetics, speciation, and pest management of P. pallescens.

Treatment Modality for Stage IB Peripheral Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Visceral Pleural Invasion and ≤3 cm in Size.

Purpose: To compare the survival difference among lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection and investigate the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage small-sized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with visceral pleural invasion (VPI). Methods: Patients diagnosed with stage IB peripheral NSCLC with VPI and ≤3 cm in size in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2015 were included, and the pleural layer (PL) invasion status was identified to recognize the tumors with VPI, including PL1 and PL2. We conducted Cox proportional hazards model in multivariable analysis and subgroup analysis via propensity score matching (PSM) method and Cox regression method to figure out the optimal therapy for these patients. Results: A total of 1,993 patients were included, all of whom received surgery, and the median follow-up was 33 months (range, 1-83 months). In multivariable analysis, age, gender, histology, pathological grade, lymph node examination, surgical approaches, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Lobectomy was superior to sublobar resection [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.08-1.83], and wedge resection was associated with impaired survival compared to lobectomy (HR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.22-2.20) in PSM analyses. In subgroup analysis, lobectomy was superior to sublobar resection among those aged <70 years (HR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.13-2.90), female (HR = 1.75; 95% CI, 1.21-2.53), and 1-20 mm in size (HR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.11-2.33). No survival benefit was observed for adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions: Lobectomy was superior to wedge resection and comparable with segmentectomy for stage IB NSCLC (≤3 cm) with VPI, and adjuvant chemotherapy could not benefit these patients, even in those with sublobar resection. The preferred surgical procedure remains to be studied in prospective controlled trials.

LncRNA HOTAIR promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis by sponging miR-214-3p in HPV16 positive cervical cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynaecological malignancies all around the world. The mechanisms of cervical carcinoma formation remain under close scrutiny. The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in controlling gene expression and promoting the development and progression of cervical cancer by acting as competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA). However, the roles of lncRNA associated with ceRNAs in cervical carcinogenesis remains unknown. In this study, the expression of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR was investigated in HPV16 positive cervical cancer cells, the candidate miRNAs and target genes were identified to clarify putative ceRNAs of HOTAIR/miRNA in cervical cancer cells. METHODS: The proliferation ability of cells was measured by CCK8 and EdU incorporation assays and cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of HOTAIR, miR-214-3p, HPV16 E7 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. As for searching for the interaction between miR-214-3p and HOTAIR, the binding sites for miR-214-3p on HOTAIR was predicted by starbase v2.0 database, then dual-luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites. In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of target genes of miR-214-3p were performed with bioinformatics analysis. The potential signal pathway regulated by HOTAIR/miR-214-3p was predicted by KEGG enrichment analysis and confirmed by qPCR and WB analysis in cervical cancer cells. RESULTS: Our results showed that expression of HOTAIR was up-regulated, while that of miR-214-3p was down-regulated in HPV16-positive cervical cancer cells. The expression status of HPV16 E7 played an important role in regulating expression of HOTAIR or miR-214-3p in cervical cancer cells. HOTAIR knockdown could significantly inhibited cell proliferate ability and promote cellular apoptosis, whereas the inhibition of miR-214-3p expression partially reversed such results. Bioinformatics analysis identified 1451 genes as target genes of miR-214-3p. The Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly related to regulation of cell communication, protein binding, enzyme binding and transferase activity, and Wnt ligand biogenesis. Pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the predicted target genes were significantly enriched in Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Finally, our results confirmed that miR-214-3p could significantly inhibit ß-catenin expression in HPV16 positive cancer cells by qPCR and WB analysis. CONCLUSION: HOTAIR could act as a ceRNA through binding to miR-214-3p, promote cell proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of HPV16 positive cervical cancer. HOTAIR/miR-214-3p/Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway might played important regulated roles in HPV16 positive cervical cancer. Our results provided new insight into defining novel biomarkers for cervical cancer.

Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio serve as a predictor for coronary collateral circulation in chronic total occlusive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the potential correlation between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (non-HDL-C/HDL) and the formation of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in coronary artery disease cases with chronic total occlusive (CTO) lesions. METHODS: Two experienced cardiologists identified and selected patients with CTO lesions for retrospective analysis. The 353 patients were divided into a CCC poor formation group (Rentrop 0-1 grade, n = 209) and a CCC good formation group (Rentrop 2-3 grade, n = 144) based on the Cohen-Rentrop standard. A comparison of non-HDL-C/HDL ratios between the two groups was performed. The Spearman test was used to obtain the correlation between the cholesterol ratio and Rentrop grade. Independent predictors of CCC were analyzed using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to quantify the predictive value of research indicator. RESULTS: The non-HDL-C/HDL ratio in the CCC poor formation group was elevated markedly compared to the CCC good formation group [( 3.86 ± 1.40) vs ( 3.31 ± 1.22), P = 0.000]. The Spearman test results indicated that non-HDL-C/HDL negatively correlated with Rentrop grade (r = - 0.115, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-HDL-C/HDL ratio was an independent predictor of CCC formation (OR = 1.195, 95%CI = 1.020-1.400, P = 0.027). The area under the curve of ROC for detecting CCC poor formation was 0.611 (95% CI: 0.551-0.671, P = 0.000) with an optimal cut-off value of 2.77. CONCLUSION: Non-HDL-C/HDL negatively correlated with the formation of CCC and served as an independent predictor of CCC formation, which may be used as a biomarker for the evaluation of CCC.

Morphine enhances LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism.

Morphine has been widely used for the treatment of pain and extensive studies have revealed a regulatory role for morphine in cell apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying morphine-mediated apoptosis remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of morphine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) apoptosis and to determine the role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ signaling pathway in this process. BMDMs were isolated from BALB/c mice and stimulated with LPS. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometric analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of morphine on LPS-induced apoptosis of BMDMs. Caspase activity assays were used to determine the involvement of the apoptosis pathway. The expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and PPARγ were analyzed using western blotting. Finally, GW9662, a specific PPARγ antagonist, was used to determine whether the regulatory effects of morphine on LPS-induced BMDM apoptosis were PPARγ-dependent. The results of the present study revealed that morphine increased the apoptosis of LPS-stimulated BMDMs. Morphine upregulated the expression levels and activity of caspase-3 in LPS-stimulated BMDMs, but downregulated the expression levels and activity of caspase-8. Morphine treatment also upregulated LPS-induced PPARγ expression levels in BMDMs. Finally, the stimulatory effects of morphine on LPS-induced apoptosis and caspase-3/9 activation were markedly reduced by GW9662. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that morphine significantly promoted LPS-induced BMDM apoptosis and caspase-3/9 activation. These results suggested that the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis may be involved in the proapoptotic effects of morphine on LPS-stimulated BMDMs, which may be dependent, at least partially, on PPARγ activation.

Relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and degree of coronary artery stenosis proven by coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 1867 patients were enrolled into this study and analyzed retrospectively. Three hundred eighty-five non-coronary artery disease hospitalized patients were selected as control group, 1482 patients diagnosed as coronary artery disease were classified into three subgroups according to the tertiles of their SYNTAX score. We compared the level of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio among the three subgroups. The Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and SYNTAX, logistic regression was used for analyzing independent predictors of coronary artery disease. RESULTS: The level of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was higher in coronary artery disease group compared with non-coronary artery disease group (P < 0.01). The Spearman correlation analysis showed that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were significantly correlated with SYNTAX score (r = 0.081, P < 0.001; r = 0.216, P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were independent predictors of coronary artery disease (odds ratio = 3.645, 95% confidence interval, 1.267-10.486; OR = 2.096, 95% confidence interval, 1.438-3.054). CONCLUSION: Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were associated with the severity of coronary artery lesions, which can be used as a biomarker for the evaluation of severity of coronary artery disease.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff, 1868) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and its phylogenetic implications.

In the present report, we described the complete mitochondrial genome of Euwallacea fornicatus from Sindien, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The length of the complete mitogenome of E. fornicatus is 15,743 bp and the mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA and two rDNA genes. Nucleotide compositions of the whole mitogenome are 39.41% for A, 33.84% for T, 16.64% for C, and 10.11% for G. The AT and GC skewness of mitogenome sequence was 0.076 and -0.244, showing the A-skew and C-skew. The reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of 33 Curculionid species based on 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes received absolute support (100%). Euwallacea fornicates is sister to the rest species in Xyleborini. The phylogenetic position of Scolytinae is sister to the clade including Cucurlioninae, Molytinae and Cryptorhynchinae. Mitogenomic data from this study will provide useful information for further studies for the population genetics, invasive history and pest control of E. fornicatus in the future.

[Effects of the combined therapy of the auricular-point pressure at the free position and the unprotected perineal delivery technique during the second stage of labor in the primiparas].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the combined therapy of the auricular-point pressure at the free position and the unprotected perineal delivery technique during the 2nd stage of labor in the primiparas so as to improve the clinical delivery quality. METHODS: A total of 146 primiparas who accepted the natural delivery willingly were collected. According to the visit sequence, they were divided into an observation group (72 cases) and a control group (74 cases). The free position and the unprotected perineal delivery were adopted in combination during the labor in both of the two groups. Additionally, in the observation group, the auricular-point pressure with semen vaccariae was intervened when entering the active phase. The points were pengqiang (TF5), zigong (uterus), neishengzhiqi (TF2), pizhixia (AT4), shenmen (TF4), jiaogan (AH6a), pi (CO13) and wei (CO4). Each point was pressed for 1 to 2 min each time, repeated once every 10 to 20 min until the end of the 2nd stage of labor. The episiotomy rate, perineal laceration degree, perineal pain degree, the duration of the 2nd labor stage, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum urine retention and neonatal asphyxia rate were recorded and compared in the primiparas between the two groups. RESULTS: The perineal laceration of the degree Ⅲ and Ⅳ did not occur in the two groups. Compared with the control group, the effect on the perineal laceration was better in the observation group (P<0.05). The episiotomy rate was 5.6% (4/72) in the observation group, lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total perineal laceration rate was 68.1% (48/72) in the observation group, similar to the control group (P>0.05). In the observation group, the neonatal asphyxia rate was 1.4% (1/72), the postpartum hemorrhage 6.9% (5/72) and the incidence of urine retention 5.6% (4/72), all lower than 10.8% (8/74), 18.9% (14/74) and 17.6% (13/74) in the control group respectively (all P<0.05). In the observation group, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after labor, the perineal pain degree and the duration of the 2nd stage of labor were superior to the control group (all P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of the auricular-point pressure intervention at the free position and the unprotected perineal delivery technique effectively reduces the episiotomy rate and perineal laceration degree, relieves the perineal pain, reduces the neonatal asphyxia rate and improves the delivery quality during the 2nd stage of labor in the primiparas.

Temperature-dependent life history of Oligonychus mangiferus (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Mangifera indica.

The mango red spider mite, Oligonychus mangiferus (Rhaman and Sapra), is a major mango pest in Taiwan. This mite damages the leaves of the mango tree and affects the quality of the fruit. This study investigates the life history of the mango red spider mite on Mangifera indica L. cv. Irwin at five constant temperatures (17, 21, 25, 29, and 33 °C), under 80 ± 5 % RH and L12:D12 photoperiod conditions. An increase in temperature significantly decreased the developmental times for each stage and the overall immature period in females and males. The lower developmental thresholds of the immature stage were 12.5 and 12.4 °C for females and males, respectively. The thermal summations for the development of the immature stage were 185.9 and 175.7 degree-days for females and males, respectively. Based on the annual field temperature, an estimated 26 generations can reproduce in a mango orchard annually. The longevity of adults of both sexes decreased as temperature increased, and adult males lived longer than females. The preoviposition periods were shorter than 1 day when the temperature exceeded 25 °C. The development period and the oviposition period were shortest at 29 °C. At this point, daily fecundity was highest, and fecundity was second highest, resulting in the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), 0.182 day(-1). These life history traits are applied to improve the management of O. mangiferus.