Three new species and new faunistic data on Ancistria Erichson (Coleoptera: Passandridae) from southern China.

Ancistria Erichson, 1845 is poorly known from China, with only five species recorded. Three new species and one newly recorded species for China were discovered from the Nanling Mountain Range and Lingnan area, i.e.

Characterization of tumor microbiome and associations with prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The tumor microbiome has been characterized in several malignancies; however, no previous studies have investigated its role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Hence, we explored the tumor microbiome and its association with prognosis in ICC.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-one ICC tumor samples and 89 adjacent normal tissues were profiled by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Efficacy and Safety of Aspirin for Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Updated Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Previous meta-analyses have shown that aspirin use may reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the optimal dose, frequency, and duration of aspirin use or the safety and efficacy of aspirin in target populations for HCC prevention remain unclear. The study aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of aspirin for prevention of HCC.

Advances and trends in microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates and their building blocks.

With the rapid development of synthetic biology, a variety of biopolymers can be obtained by recombinant microorganisms. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is one of the most popular one with promising material properties, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility against the petrol-based plastics. This study reviews the recent studies focusing on the microbial synthesis of PHA, including chassis engineering, pathways engineering for various substrates utilization and PHA monomer synthesis, and PHA synthase modification.

Sex and regional disparities in incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in autoimmune hepatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recent studies have identified an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Sex and regional disparities in incidence of HCC in AIH continue to be reported worldwide. Nevertheless, the magnitude of this gap remains unknown.

RECK expression is associated with angiogenesis and immunogenic Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and is a prognostic factor for better survival.

Angiogenesis and immunosuppression have been described as closely related processes that can occur in parallel. As an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, whether the level of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reflects a link between angiogenesis and immunosuppression is still unknown. We analyzed RNA expression, immune infiltration and survival of HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas databases.

Clinical Benefit of Antiviral Agents for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients With Low Preoperative HBV-DNA Loads Undergoing Curative Resection: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: The clinical benefit of adjuvant antiviral therapy after curative therapy for HCC in patients with high preoperative HBV-DNA loads has been studied widely but that in patients with low preoperative HBV-DNA loads remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of antiviral treatment prophylaxis on HBV reactivation, overall survival (OS), and postoperative liver function in patients with low preoperative HBV-DNA levels undergoing curative resection.

Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted by searching Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library until May 2020.

Effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α overexpression on hepatocellular carcinoma survival: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: The role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) has been implicated in the clinical prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the results remain controversial. We aim to investigate the association of HIF-1α and HIF-2α overexpression with the prognosis and clinicopathological features of HCC.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until June 20, 2020.

Can the Novel LumboIliac Triangle Technique Based on Biplane Oblique Fluoroscopy Facilitate Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Patients with L5-S1 Disc Herniation Combined with High Iliac Crest? Case-Control Study of 100 Patients.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the transforaminal approach is difficult at L5-S1 in patients presenting with high iliac crests (HIC). The conventional wisdom is that measurement using lumbar radiography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to introduce a lumbo-iliac triangular (LI-Tri) technique based on biplane oblique fluoroscopy and verify whether it facilitated transforaminal PELD for patients with L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH) combined with HIC.

[Clinical study of single-level cervical disc herniation treated by full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach].

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of full-endoscopic decompression for the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation via anterior transcorporeal approach.

Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 patients with cervical disc herniation who received full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach between September 2014 and March 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females with an age ranged from 32 to 65 years, with an average of 48.

Cocktail Treatment with a Gelatin Sponge Impregnated with Ropivacaine, Dexamethasone, and Vitamin B12 Promotes Early Postoperative Recovery after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Retrospective, Case-Controlled Study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) can only relieve mechanical compression but cannot directly reduce the inflammatory reaction of the adjacent nerve root, which contributes to persistent pain and physical disabilities postoperatively. Numerous studies have explored the application of epidural steroids after an open lumbar discectomy in relieving pain by reducing local inflammatory reactions and further peridural scar formation.

Objectives: To explore that whether "cocktail treatment" in which a gelatin sponge was impregnated with ropivacaine, dexamethasone, and vitamin B12 promoted early postoperative recovery after PELD.

The effect of non-structural components and lignin on hemicellulose extraction.

As the important structural component of corn stover, hemicellulose could be converted into a variety of high value-added products. However, high quality hemicellulose extraction is not an easy issue. The present study aims to investigate the effects of non-structural components (NSCs) and lignin removal on alkaline extraction of hemicellulose.

Endoscopic transforaminal thoracic foraminotomy and discectomy for the treatment of thoracic disc herniation.

Thoracic disc herniation is a relatively rare yet challenging-to-diagnose condition. Currently there is no universally accepted optimal surgical treatment for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Previously reported surgical approaches are often associated with high complication rates.

A simple technique of accessing the L5-S1 disc space for transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery.

Transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery is increasingly used to treat a range of spinal conditions. The success of the surgery requires an accurate insertion of the guide needle and a precise placement of the working cannula and endoscope. However, such a precise placement is challenging for many surgeons to achieve when the pathology is located at the L5-S1 level.

Endoscopic anterior cervical discectomy under epidurogram guidance.

Cervical discectomy is commonly required for spinal cord and nerve compression disorders. Currently, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the standard procedure for the treatment of cervical disc herniations and cervical degenerative disorders, whereas endoscopic cervical discectomy is considered an important alternative. Despite the advancement in surgical technology, endoscopically removing hard pathological tissues remains challenging.

Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar procedure for disc herniations: a "between" technique.

Despite the advancement of surgical techniques in endoscopic spine surgeries, treatment of central and paracentral disc herniations, especially disc extrusions and disc sequestrations, remains challenging. On the basis of our experience with treating disc tears, disc herniations, and other spinal diseases, we have developed a new technique we call the "between" technique. This technique involves positioning the opening of the endoscope access cannula at the edge of the targeted disc with half of the opening being positioned inside the disc and the other half positioned in the epidural space.