Heel bone mineral density and various oral diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies demonstrated that the relationship between bone mineral density and oral diseases is mixed. To access the association between heel bone mineral density and various oral diseases, we conducted the Mendelian randomization analysis to explore the association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian analysis was used to explore the relationship between heel bone mineral density and various oral diseases. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) was used as the primary effect estimate, and various methods were applied to test the reliability and stability of the results, namely MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. RESULTS: This study showed that there was a negative relationship between heel BMD and periodontitis when heel BMD was used as an exposure factor and periodontitis as an outcome factor (IVW OR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.95; p = 0.005). Bidirectional Mendelian randomization showed that there was no statistically significant association between periodontitis and heel bone mineral density when chronic periodontitis was the exposure factor (p > 0.05). And there was no significant relationship between heel bone mineral density and other oral diseases (dental caries, diseases of pulp and periapical tissues, impacted teeth, cleft lip, and cleft palate, oral and oropharyngeal cancer) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that there was a negative relationship between heel bone density and periodontitis, and the decrease in heel bone density could promote the occurrence of periodontitis. In addition, there was no statistically significant relationship between heel bone density and other oral diseases.

High-order moment closure models with random batch method for efficient computation of multiscale turbulent systems.

We propose a high-order stochastic-statistical moment closure model for efficient ensemble prediction of leading-order statistical moments and probability density functions in multiscale complex turbulent systems. The statistical moment equations are closed by a precise calibration of the high-order feedbacks using ensemble solutions of the consistent stochastic equations, suitable for modeling complex phenomena including non-Gaussian statistics and extreme events. To address challenges associated with closely coupled spatiotemporal scales in turbulent states and expensive large ensemble simulation for high-dimensional systems, we introduce efficient computational strategies using the random batch method (RBM). This approach significantly reduces the required ensemble size while accurately capturing essential high-order structures. Only a small batch of small-scale fluctuation modes is used for each time update of the samples, and exact convergence to the full model statistics is ensured through frequent resampling of the batches during time evolution. Furthermore, we develop a reduced-order model to handle systems with really high dimensions by linking the large number of small-scale fluctuation modes to ensemble samples of dominant leading modes. The effectiveness of the proposed models is validated by numerical experiments on the one-layer and two-layer Lorenz '96 systems, which exhibit representative chaotic features and various statistical regimes. The full and reduced-order RBM models demonstrate uniformly high skill in capturing the time evolution of crucial leading-order statistics, non-Gaussian probability distributions, while achieving significantly lower computational cost compared to direct Monte-Carlo approaches. The models provide effective tools for a wide range of real-world applications in prediction, uncertainty quantification, and data assimilation.

A random batch method for efficient ensemble forecasts of multiscale turbulent systems.

A new efficient ensemble prediction strategy is developed for a multiscale turbulent model framework with emphasis on the nonlinear interactions between large and small-scale variables. The high computational cost in running large ensemble simulations of high-dimensional equations is effectively avoided by adopting a random batch decomposition of the wide spectrum of the fluctuation states, which is a characteristic feature of the multiscale turbulent systems. The time update of each ensemble sample is then only subject to a small portion of the small-scale fluctuation modes in one batch, while the true model dynamics with multiscale coupling is respected by frequent random resampling of the batches at each time updating step. We investigate both theoretical and numerical properties of the proposed method. First, the convergence of statistical errors in the random batch model approximation is shown rigorously independent of the sample size and full dimension of the system. Next, the forecast skill of the computational algorithm is tested on two representative models of turbulent flows exhibiting many key statistical phenomena with a direct link to realistic turbulent systems. The random batch method displays robust performance in capturing a series of crucial statistical features with general interests, including highly non-Gaussian fat-tailed probability distributions and intermittent bursts of instability, while requires a much lower computational cost than the direct ensemble approach. The efficient random batch method also facilitates the development of new strategies in uncertainty quantification and data assimilation for a wide variety of general complex turbulent systems in science and engineering.

Reconstructing community structure of online social network via user opinions.

User opinion affects the performance of network reconstruction greatly since it plays a crucial role in the network structure. In this paper, we present a novel model for reconstructing the social network with community structure by taking into account the Hegselmann-Krause bounded confidence model of opinion dynamic and compressive sensing method of network reconstruction. Three types of user opinion, including the random opinion, the polarity opinion, and the overlap opinion, are constructed. First, in Zachary's karate club network, the reconstruction accuracies are compared among three types of opinions. Second, the synthetic networks, generated by the Stochastic Block Model, are further examined. The experimental results show that the user opinions play a more important role than the community structure for the network reconstruction. Moreover, the polarity of opinions can increase the accuracy of inter-community and the overlap of opinions can improve the reconstruction accuracy of intra-community. This work helps reveal the mechanism between information propagation and social relation prediction.

Prediction of clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy for Artemisia sieversiana pollen allergic rhinitis by serum metabolomics.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Specific immunotherapy is the only effective etiological treatment for allergic rhinitis, but subcutaneous immunotherapy has a slow onset and poor compliance. Predicting the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy in advance can reduce unnecessary medical costs and resource waste. This study aimed to identify metabolites that could predict the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy on seasonal allergic rhinitis by serum metabolomics. METHODS: Patients (n = 43) with Artemisia sieversiana pollen allergic rhinitis were enrolled and treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy for one year. Patients were divided into the ineffective group (n = 10) and effective group (n = 33) according to the therapeutic index. Serum samples were collected before treatment. Metabolomics was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and analyzed differential compounds and related metabolic pathways. RESULTS: A total of 129 differential metabolites (P < 0.05) were identified and 4 metabolic pathways, namely taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, pentose phosphate pathway, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, were involved. CONCLUSION: Some metabolites, such as hypotaurine, taurine, and l-alanine, have the potential to become predictive biomarkers for effective subcutaneous immunotherapy.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Enantioenriched 2,3-Disubstituted Dihydrobenzofurans via a One-Pot C-H Functionalization/Oxa-Michael Addition Cascade.

A one-pot rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization/organocatalyzed oxa-Michael addition cascade reaction has been developed. This methodology enables the stereodivergent synthesis of diverse 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans with broad functional group compatibility in good yields with high levels of stereoselectivity under exceptionally mild conditions. The full complement of stereoisomers of chiral 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans and 3,4-disubstituted isochromans could be accessed at will by appropriate permutations of the two chiral catalysts. The current work provides a rare example of two chiral catalysts independently controlling two contiguous stereogenic centers subsequently via a two-step reaction in a single operation.

Regiospecific and Enantioselective Arylvinylcarbene Insertion of a C-H Bond of Aniline Derivatives Enabled by a Rh(I)-Diene Catalyst.

Asymmetric insertion of an arylvinylcarbenoid into the C-H bond for direct enantioselective C(sp2)-H functionalization of aniline derivatives catalyzed by a rhodium(I)-diene complex was developed for the first time. The reaction occurred exclusively at the uncommon vinyl terminus site with excellent E selectivity and enantioselectivities, providing various chiral γ,γ-gem-diarylsubstituted α,ß-unsaturated esters with broad functional group compatibility under simple and mild conditions. It provides a rare example of the asymmetric C-H insertion of arenes with selective vinylogous reactivity. Synthesis applications of this protocol were featured by several versatile product transformations. Systematic DFT calculations were also performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism and origin of the uncommon enantio- and regioselectivity of the Rh(I)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H functionalization reaction. The measured and computed inverse deuterium kinetic isotope effect supports the C-C bond-formation step as the rate-determining step. Attractive interactions between the chiral ligand and substrates were also proposed to control the enantioselectivity.

Pharmacological characterization of MT-1207, a novel multitarget antihypertensive agent.

Hypertension is a serious public health problem worldwide. MT-1207, chemically named 3-(4-(4-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)butyl)piperazine-1-yl) benzisothiazole hydrochloride, is a new chemical entity that has entered into clinical trial as antihypertensive agent in China. In this paper we report the pharmacological profile of MT-1207 regarding its acute, subacute, and long-term effects on hypertensive animal models, and its actions on isolated organs in vitro as well as its molecular targets. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in conscious animals; amlodipine was taken as a positive control drug. We showed that both single dose of MT-1207 (1.25-20 mg/kg, ig) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and MT-1207 (0.25-6 mg/kg, ig) in two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) dogs dose-dependently decreased BP. MT-1207 quickly decreased BP within 5 min after administration; the hypotensive effect lasted for 8 and 12 h, respectively, in SHR and 2K1C dogs without reflex increase in heart rate. Multiple doses of MT-1207 (5 mg · kg-1 · d-1 in SHR; 2 mg · kg-1 · d-1 in 2K1C dogs, for 7 days) significantly decreased BP, slightly reduced heart rate, and both of them recovered after withdrawal. Long-term administration of MT-1207 (10 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for 4 months or more time) produced a stable BP reduction, improved baroreflex sensitivity, reduced renal and cardiovascular damage in SHR, and delayed stroke occurrence and death in stroke-prone SHR. In isolated rat aortic rings precontracted by adrenaline, KCl, noradrenaline or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), MT-1207 (10-9-10-4 M) caused concentration-dependent relaxation. In a panel of enzyme activity or radioligand binding assays of 87 molecular targets, MT-1207 potently inhibited adrenergic α1A, α1B, α1D, and 5-HT2A receptors with Ki < 1 nM. The antagonism of MT-1207 against these receptors was confirmed in isolated rabbit arteries. We conclude that MT-1207 is a novel and promising single-molecule multitarget agent for hypertension treatment to reduce hypertensive organ damage and stroke mortality.

Allisartan isoproxil reduces mortality of stroke-prone rats and protects against cerebrovascular, cardiac, and aortic damage.

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability. Allisartan isoproxil (ALL) is a new angiotensin II receptor blocker and a new antihypertensive drug discovered and developed in China. In the present study we investigated the therapeutic effects of ALL in stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR-SP) and the underlying mechanisms. The model rats were generated via two-kidney two-clip (2K2C) surgery, which led to 100% of hypertension, 100% of cerebrovascular damage as well as 100% of mortality 1 year after the surgery. Administration of ALL (30 mg · kg-1 · d-1 in diet, for 55 weeks) significantly decreased stroke-related death and prolonged lifespan in RHR-SP, but the survival ALL-treated RHR-SP remained of hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy compared with sham-operated normal controls. In addition to cardiac, and aortic protection, ALL treatment for 10 or 12 weeks significantly reduced cerebrovascular damage incidence and scoring, along with a steady reduction of blood pressure (BP) in RHR-SP. Meanwhile, it significantly decreased serum aldosterone and malondialdehyde levels and cerebral NAD(P)H oxidase expressions in RHR-SP. We conducted 24 h continuous BP recording in conscious freely moving RHR-SP, and found that a single intragastric administration of ALL produced a long hypotensive effect lasting for at least 12 h on systolic BP. Taken together, our results in RHR-SP demonstrate that ALL can be used for stroke prevention via BP reduction and organ protection, with the molecular mechanisms related to inhibition of angiotensin-aldosterone system and oxidative stress. This study also provides a valuable scoring for evaluation of cerebrovascular damage and drug efficacy.

Network reconstruction of social networks based on the public information.

The structure of a social network plays a crucial role for dynamic analysis, which is invisible in most scenes. In this paper, we present a model for reconstructing the social network by taking into account the public opinion diffusion dynamic model for specific agenda. First, the initial polarity attitude of users i for the agenda, oi, is set in the range [-1,1], where negative and positive attitudes are set as -1 and 1, respectively, while 0 means that user i's attitude is uncertain. Second, we present an optimization model for detecting the relationship among each pair of users based on the generated public observable information. The experimental results for four synthetic networks and three real-world social networks show that the reconstruction accuracy depends on the uncertainty of the initial attitudes greatly. This work is helpful for revealing the structure of social networks in terms of public information.

An update on the association between metabolic syndrome and osteoarthritis and on the potential role of leptin in osteoarthritis.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Leptin, which is one of the markers of MetS, has been associated with OA pathophysiology. This study aimed to provide an update on the association between MetS and OA and on the potential role of leptin in OA. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge of the association between MetS and OA and updated the evidence on the potential role of leptin in OA. Clinical studies have investigated the epidemiologic association between MetS or its components and OA. Results suggested strong epidemiologic associations between MetS and OA, especially in the Asian population. Animal studies also indicated that metabolic dysregulation may lead to OA pathogenesis. The systemic role of MetS in OA pathophysiology is associated with obesity-related inflammation, the beneficial role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and deleterious role of cholesterol, physical inactivity, hypertension-induced subchondral ischemia, dyslipidemia-induced ectopic lipid deposition in chondrocytes, hyperglycemia-induced local effects of oxidative stress and advanced glycation end-products, low-grade systemic inflammation, and obesity-related adipokines by inducing the expression of proinflammtory factors. Leptin levels in serum/plasma and synovial fluid were associated with joint pain, radiographic progression, bone formation biomarkers, cartilage volume, knee OA incidence, and total joint arthroplasty in OA patients. Elevated leptin expression and increased effect of leptin on infrapatellar fat pad, synovium, articular cartilage, and bone were also involved in the pathogenesis of OA. Current knowledge indicates a convincing epidemiologic association between MetS and OA, especially in the Asian population. Animal studies have also shown that metabolic dysregulation may lead to OA pathogenesis. Accumulating evidence suggests that leptin may play a potential role in OA pathogenesis. Therefore, leptin and its receptor may be an emerging target for intervention in metabolic-associated OA.

Pseudomonas phragmitis sp. nov., isolated from petroleum polluted river sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, designated S-6-2T, was isolated from petroleum polluted river sediment in Huangdao, Shandong Province, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that S-6-2T represented a member of the genus Pseudomonas, sharing the highest sequence similarities with Pseudomonas parafulva (97.5 %) and Pseudomonas fulva (97.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene, concatenated 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD genes and genome core-genes indicated that S-6-2T was affiliated with the members of the Pseudomonas pertucinogena group. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and genome-to-genome distance between the whole genome sequences of S-6-2T and closely related species of the genus Pseudomonas within the P. pertucinogena group were less than 77.94 % and 20.5 %, respectively. Differences in phenotypic characteristics were also found between S-6-2T and the closely related species. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ C18  : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C17 : 0cyclo and C12 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 9. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), one unidentified lipid (L1), two unidentified phospholipids (PL1 and PL2) and an aminophospholipid (APL). The DNA G+C content of the genome of S-6-2T was 60.1 mol%. On the basis of the evidence from the polyphasic taxonomic study, strain S-6-2T can be classified as representative of a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas phragmitis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-6-2T (=CGMCC 1.15798T=KCTC 52539T).

Identification of novel key lncRNAs involved in periodontitis by weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease that can lead to the progressive destruction of dental support tissue. However, the detailed mechanisms and specific biomarkers involved in periodontitis remain to be further studied. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play a more important role than other types of RNAs. In our study, we analysed the expression of lncRNAs in periodontitis by analysing GSE16134. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified highly correlated genes by analysing GSE16134 with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and identified 50 hub lncRNAs that were dysregulated. Then, we used the Linear Models for Microarray Data (Limma) package to identify the hub lncRNAs that were differentially expressed (DElncRNAs). The ceRNA co-expression network data were obtained from several sites, including miRcode, and were used to assess the potential WGCNA function of hub DElncRNAs in periodontitis. Besides, we divided the samples into LBX2-AS1 high and low expression group by the expression level of LBX2-AS1 and calculated DEG by Limma package. Furthermore, we performed GO function, KEGG pathway and GSEA enrichment of DEGs. RESULTS: In the analysis, we identified 50 hub lncRNAs that may play important roles in periodontitis. Then, we used the Limma package to identify 3 hub DElncRNAs (LINC00687, LBX2-AS1 and LINC01566). We elucidated the potential function of the hub DElncRNA LBX2-AS1 in periodontitis by constructing a co-expression network of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions. Totally, 573 DEGs (354 up- and 219 downregulated) in periodontitis samples were identified. DEGs were enriched in different GO terms and pathways, such as neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil activation, neutrophil activation involved in immune response, neutrophil-mediated immunity, antigen processing and presentation, JAK-STAT signalling pathway, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, phosphatidylinositol signalling system and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signalling pathway. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that 3 hub DElncRNAs (LINC00687, LBX2-AS1 and LINC01566) may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis based on WGCNA and Limma analysis. Our study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in periodontitis at the genetic and epigenetic levels by constructing a ceRNA network associated with lncRNA. Besides, identification DEGs of differential LBX2-AS1 and functional annotation showed that LBX2-AS1 might be associated with periodontitis.

Influence of femoral implant design modification on anterior knee pain and patellar crepitus in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty without patella resurfacing.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of patient dissatisfaction due to anterior knee pain (AKP) and patellar crepitus after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a concern. However, it has been shown that improvements in the femoral component of traditional prostheses could reduce these instances of pain in the case of TKA performed with patellar resurfacing. This study aims to investigate whether TKA without patellar resurfacing can also benefit from the aforementioned femoral component modification in reducing AKP and patellar crepitus post-TKA. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (85 knees) who underwent TKA using the modern prosthesis and 62 age- and sex-matched patients (90 knees) fitted with the traditional prosthesis were enrolled in this study. The occurrence of AKP and patellar crepitus as well as the Knee Society Score (KSS) were consequently recorded, and the data was analyzed in order to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of AKP was significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group at the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups (4.7% vs. 13.3% [p = 0.048] and 3.5% vs. 13.3% [p = 0.021], respectively). In addition, the incidence of patellar crepitus was also significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group at the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups (15.3% vs. 34.4% [p = 0.004] and 10.6% vs. 28.9% [p = 0.002], respectively). There was no significant difference in the KSS between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that TKA without patellar resurfacing will indeed benefit from the modified femoral implant design in reducing AKP and patellar crepitus, a finding that may be beneficial to surgeons who select implants for their patients when patellar resurfacing is not planned or not possible due to other reasons.

[Bushen Huoxue Recipe reduces cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) on cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells in mice and its possible action mechanisms. METHODS: Fifty male Babl/c mice aged 8－9 weeks were randomly divided into five groups of an equal number: blank control, model control, low-dose BHR, medium-dose BHR and high-dose BHR. The animals in the blank control group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, while those in the other four groups with cyclophosphamide at 50 mg/kg/d, all for 7 days. After modeling, the mice in the blank and model control groups were given distilled water via gavage once a day, and those in the low-, medium- and high-dose BHR groups treated intragastrically with BHR at 7.5, 15 and 30 g/kg/d qd for 30 successive days. Then, the apoptosis index of the testicular spermatogenic cells was obtained by TUNEL and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the mice in the blank control group, the BHR model controls showed dramatically increased apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells and up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the testis tissue (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the mice in the BHR treatment groups exhibited significantly reduced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells and down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the testis tissue (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Bushen Huoxue Recipe can reduce cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells in mice, which may be associated with its ability of regulating the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins in the testis tissue.

Differential expression of adipokines in the synovium and infrapatellar fat pad of osteoarthritis patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the expression levels of adipokines in the synovium and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: 120 female patients with OA were enrolled, and 60 healthy women matched body mass index, age, and sex, served as controls. Adipokines levels were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the serum of all participants and synovial fluid (SF) of OA patients. Local expression levels of adipokines in the synovium and IPFP were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. The amount of adipokine proteins was analyzed using Western blot, and adipokine mRNA expressions were determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the non-MetS-OA group than those in controls (7.97 vs. 4.24 ng/ml, p< 0.001), and even higher leptin levels were found in the MetS-OA group (19.05 ng/ml; p< 0.001 for both). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the MetS-OA group than those in controls (8.09 vs. 10.07 µg/ml, respectively; p= 0.001). The synovium and IPFP in the MetS-OA group secreted more leptin and less adiponectin than those in the non-MetS-OA group (Leptin: 5.32 vs. 1.28 in synovium, respectively; p= 0.028; 6.44 vs. 0.88 in IPFP, respectively; p= 0.017. Adiponectin: 1.12 vs. 0.12 in synovium, respectively; p= 0.042; 1.07 vs. 0.09 in IPFP, respectively; p= 0.027). Resistin expression levels in the serum, SF, and articular tissues were similar among the groups. Conclusions: Expressions of adipokines were different in the synovium and IPFP of OA patients with and without MetS.

Mesorhizobium carbonis sp. nov., isolated from coal bed water.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated as B2.3T, was isolated from coal bed water collected from Jincheng, Shanxi Province, China. The strain was able to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C), pH 4.0-10.0 (optimum 7.0), and in the presence of 0-5.0% NaCl (optimum 3.0%, w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA and concatenated housekeeping gene recA, atpD and glnA sequences showed strain B2.3T belongs to the genus Mesorhizobium, with Mesorhizobium oceanicum B7T as the closely related type strain. Strain B2.3T exhibited ANI value of 77.5% and GGDC value of 21.5% to M. oceanicum B7T. The major fatty acids were identified as summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c) and 11-methyl C18:1ω7c. The major polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as Quinone 10. Phenotypic and biochemical analysis results indicated that strain B2.3T can be distinguished from closely related type strains. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain B2.3T is concluded to represent a novel species in the genus Mesorhizobium, for which the name Mesorhizobium carbonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B2.3T (=CGMCC 1.15730T = KCTC 52461T).

A "Green" Homogenate Extraction Coupled with UHPLC-MS for the Rapid Determination of Diterpenoids in Croton Crassifolius.

Clerodane diterpenoids are the main bioactive constituents of Croton crassifolius and are proved to have multiple biological activities. However, quality control (QC) research on the constituents are rare. Thus, the major research purpose of the current study was to establish an efficient homogenate extraction (HGE) process combined with a sensitive and specific ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC⁻MS) technique together for the rapid extraction and determination of clerodane diterpenoids in C. crassifolius. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.9943) within the test ranges and the intra- and inter-day precisions and repeatability were all within required limits. This modified HGE⁻UHPLC⁻MS method only took 5 min to extract nine clerodane diterpenoids in C. crassifolius and another 12 min to quantify these components. The results indicated that the quantitative analysis based on UHPLC⁻MS was a feasible method for QC of clerodane diterpenoids in C. crassifolius, and the findings outlined in the current study also inferred the potential of the method in the QC of clerodane diterpenoids in other complex species of plants.

Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Bone Stock in Patients With Crowe Type III Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Implications for Guiding Acetabular Component Placement Using the High Hip Center Technique.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated acetabular cup coverage (CC) and rim contact (RC) to evaluate the bone stock above the acetabulum for guiding acetabular component placement using the high hip center technique in patients with Crowe type III developmental dysplasia of the hip. METHODS: Using hip computed tomography and image processing software, pelvises were reconstructed digitally in 20 hips with Crowe type III developmental dysplasia of the hip. Mimicked cup was placed with anteversion angles of 0° (group I), 5° (group II), and 10° (group III) respectively. In each group, the cup was placed at the anatomical hip center at first, and then the cup was moved up to 40 mm vertically about the native rotation center with an increment of 2.5 mm at each step. CC and RC were calculated and documented with each movement. RESULTS: CC was 65.87%, 67.77%, and 68.98% for group I, group II, and group III at the native rotation center, and increased progressively to 86.45%, 85.85%, and 84.71% at 25 mm above. RC was 49.17%, 50.25%, and 51.92% for group I, group II, and group III at the native rotation center, and increased progressively to 86.87%, 86.39%, and 84.94% at 22.5 mm above. CC and RC were positively correlated, despite the different anteversion angles (r = 0.687 at 0°, 0.683 at 5°, and 0.645 at 10°; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography analysis and computer stimulation demonstrate that it is feasible to use high hip center technique in Crowe type III hips.

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.