Search

Objective: To investigate the age‐standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and temporal trends for hip, knee, hand, and other osteoarthritis (OA) at a global, continental, and national level. Design: The estimates and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for case number and ASPR of OA were derived from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2019. The joinpoint regression analysis was utilized to examine the temporal trends from 1990 to 2019. Results: In 2019, the global ASPR of hip, knee, hand, and other OA was 400.95 (95% UI: 312.77–499.41), 4375.95 (95% UI: 3793.04–5004.9), 1726.38 (95% UI: 1319.91–2254.85), and 745.62 (95% UI: 570.16–939.8). As for the ASPR of hip OA, hand OA, and other OA, Europe and America had higher rates than Asia and Africa, and Asia was second only to America in knee OA ASPRs. The period 1990–2019, the ASPR at global level dropped significantly for hand OA (AAPC = −0.4%, 95% CI: −0.47 to −0.34) and increased significantly for hip OA (AAPC = 0.43%, 95% CI: 0.39–0.46), knee OA (AAPC = 0.17%, 95% CI: 0.09–0.24) and other OA (AAPC = 0.16%, 95% CI: 0.15–0.17). Different continents, countries, and periods demonstrated significant changes. Conclusions: Globally, America has the highest OA burden and Asia has a higher knee OA burden. Appropriate prevention and control measures to reduce modifiable risk factors are needed to reduce the burden of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new pairs of γ-pyrone polypropionate enantiomers with an unusual peroxyl bridge at the side chain, namely (±)-ocellatuperoxides A–F (1–6), were isolated and characterized from the South China Sea photosynthetic mollusk Placobranchus ocellatus. Extensive spectroscopic analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, ECD- (electronic circular dichroism) comparison, and TDDFT (time-dependent density functional theory) ECD computation were used to determine the structures and absolute configurations of new compounds. In a cell viability assay, several compounds showed considerable anti-tumoral effects on human non-small cell lung cancer cells A549 with Gefitinib (7.4 μM) and Erlotinib (2.1 μM) as positive controls. Further RNA-sequencing analysis and gene expression evaluation indicated that the anti-tumoral activity of the most effective compound 3 was associated with the regulation of several important genes, such as FGFR1 and HDAC5.

Small RNAs (sRNAs), including microRNAs and endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs), regulate most important biologic processes in eukaryotes, such as cell division and differentiation. Although sRNAs have been extensively studied in various eukaryotes, the role of sRNAs in the early emergence of eukaryotes is unclear. To address these questions, we deep sequenced the sRNA transcriptome of four different stages in the differentiation of Giardia lamblia, one of the most primitive eukaryotes. We identified a large number of endo-siRNAs in this fascinating parasitic protozoan and found that they were produced from live telomeric retrotransposons and three genomic regions (i.e., endo-siRNA generating regions [eSGRs]). eSGR-derived endo-siRNAs were proven to target mRNAs in trans. Gradual up-regulation of endo-siRNAs in the differentiation of Giardia suggested that they might be involved in the regulation of this process. This hypothesis was supported by the impairment of the differentiation ability of Giardia when GLDICER, essential for the biogenesis of endo-siRNAs, was knocked down. Endo-siRNAs are not the only sRNA regulators in Giardia differentiation, because a great number of tRNAs-derived sRNAs showed more dramatic expression changes than endo-siRNAs in this process. We totally identified five novel kinds of tRNAs-derived sRNAs and found that the biogenesis in four of them might be correlated with that of stress-induced tRNA-derived RNA (sitRNA), which was discovered in our previous studies. Our studies reveal an unexpected complex panorama of sRNA in G. lamblia and shed light on the origin and functional evolution of eukaryotic sRNAs.

A detailed chemical investigation of the South China Sea soft corals Clavularia viridis and Lemnalia flava yielded four new halogenated laurane-type sesquiterpenoids, namely, isobromolaurenisol (1), clalaurenol A (2), ent-laurenisol (3), clalaurenol B (4), and the new aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenoid claaromadendrene (6), together with three known sesquiterpenoids (5, 7, and 8). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with the previously reported analogues. In a bioassay, compounds 1, 2 and 4 exhibited interesting inhibitory activities in vitro against PTP1B and NF-κB.

Two new cladiellin-type diterpenoids (1 and 2) and four known related compounds 3–6, were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Cladiella krempfi. Compound 2 is the third example of cladiellins of an unusual peroxy group in the C-6 position in C. krempfi. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction, and/or chemical correlation. In bioassay, all the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitory activity. A molecular docking experiment was conducted to study the structure–activity relationship of cladiellin-type diterpenoids on EGFR inhibitory activity.

Chemical investigation of the Hainan soft coral Sinularia hirta resulted in the isolation and identification of a library of sixteen structurally diverse terpenoids, including a dinorditerpenoid with an uncommon 17,19-dinorxeniaphyllane skeleton, namely sinuhirtone A (7), six new xeniaphyllane-type diterpenoids (1–6), one new norxeniaphyllanoid (8), two new norcaryophyllene-type sesquiterpenoids (9 and 10), together with six known related compounds (11–16). Compounds 1–3 are three new furanone-containing xeniaphyllane-type diterpenoids. The structures of the new compounds, including their absolute configurations, were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and a series of quantum chemical calculations, including quantum mechanical-nuclear magnetic resonance (QM–NMR), time-dependent density functional theory–electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT–ECD), and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) methods. A plausible biosynthetic connection between new compounds 1–9 was also proposed. New compounds 2–4, 7, and 8 were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines.

Three complex polyoxygenated diterpenoids possessing uncommon tetradecahydro-2,13:6,9-diepoxybenzo[10]annulene scaffold, namely ximaoornatins A–C (1–3), one new eunicellin-type diterpene, litophynin K (4), and a related known compound, litophynol B (5) were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia ornata. The structures and absolute configurations of 1–4 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and/or modified Mosher’s method. A plausible biosynthetic relationship of 1 and its potential precursor 4 was proposed. In a bioassay, none of the isolated compounds showed obvious anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-induced TNF-α release in RAW264.7 macrophages and PTP1B inhibitory effects.

This study assessed the effect of admissions qualifications on the subsequent academic performances of BSc nutrition students at a UK university. Entrance qualifications for three groups (Grp01, Grp02, Grp03) reading for a BSc(Hons) degree in, Dietetics, Food & Nutrition or Human Nutrition (n = 105) were determined from their UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) points. Academic performances were derived from coursework and examinations marks over four years (Year 1 to Year 4) for three nutrition-focussed courses. The results show that the average entrance qualifications for "Dietetics" students (357 plus or minus 72 points) was significantly higher than those for "Food & Nutrition" (252 plus or minus 49 points) and "Human Nutrition" (277 plus or minus 88 points) students. For the cohort as a whole, entrance qualifications were significantly correlated with academic performance in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 4 but not in Year 3 of study with effect sizes of 11.7%, 12.1%, 9.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The final degree mark for all courses differed by approximately 5% with 9.8% of variation in final marks explained by differences in entrance qualifications. It may be concluded that, entrance qualifications affect academic performances of nutrition students at university. However, the evidence suggests that student's academic experiences at university had significant influences on their final degree scores. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of their relevance to teaching practices. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Since the adoption of some ambiguous and quantitative characters in Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae 3(1), species identifications of the series Gravesiana have been in disarray, requiring clarification. Two hundred and fifty-nine individuals from 47 different populations were collected for the estimation of morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses. Spores of 26 populations were observed through scanning electron microscope. Our results were different from those of previous research: (1) six identifiable species, rather than five species observed previously, were confirmed in the series Gravesiana, they are A. gravesii, A. juxtapositum, A. mariesii, A. dentatum, A. longzhouensis and A. obovatum, of which the latter three are newly recognized species. (2) Thirteen characters were measured and estimated through the program Mesquite v. 2.71. The character whether the pinna stalks were 1/3-1/2 times longer than the pinna was used to distinguish A. gravesii and A. lianxianense previously and was found to be unreliable here, whereas such characters as the height of the plant (H), pinna aligned forms (FP), number of pinna (NP), pinna margin (M), number of veins flabellate at base (NV), sori number and shape per pinna (NSS), pinna texture (T), and powder-covered or not on the abaxial surface of the pinna (P) are estimated to be stable and reliable characters useful for identification. Descriptions of new species and their retrieve keys are also listed. (3) Surface ornamentations and spore sizes are helpful for us to distinguish species in series Gravesiana.

A detailed chemical investigation of two South China Sea nudibranchs Phyllidiella pustulosa and Phyllidia coelestis, as well as their possible sponge-prey Acanthella cavernosa, led to the isolation of one new nitrogenous cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid xidaoisocyanate A (1), one new naturally occurring nitrogen-containing kalihinane-type diterpenoid bisformamidokalihinol A (16), along with 17 known nitrogenous terpenoids (2–15, 17–19). The structures of all the isolates were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and by the comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the previously reported axiriabiline A (5) was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In a bioassay, the bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids 8, 10, and 11 exhibited cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines.