Correlation Between Coronal Position Sequence of Lumbar and WOMAC Score in Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) in Standard Standing Position.

INTRODUCTION: Sagittal sequences of the spine have been shown to correlate with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), but coronal sequences and KOA have never been studied before. The study required patients to use a standard standing posture and aimed to explore the relationship between coronal position of lumbar spine and WOMAC score in KOA. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Data on a total of 268 patients with KOA were collected. Patients were photographed in a standard standing position and lumbar-sacrum offset distance (L-SOD) and lumbar-knee offset distance (ΔL-KOD) were calculated. Patients were then divided into different groups according to different critical values and differences were compared. RESULTS: In the L-SOD of L1-3, WOMAC function (P = 0.021, P = 0.032, P = 0.001) and total score (P = 0.039, P = 0.034, P < 0.001) were different. In the L-SOD of L3-4, WOMAC pain score were different (P = 0.001, P = 0.032). At a cutoff of 13 mm, ΔL-KOD of L1-2 showed significant differences in pain part (P = 0.025, P = 0.039) and total score (P = 0.036, P = 0.050). There were significant differences in pain (P = 0.023, P = 0.027, P = 0.022), function (P = 0.048, P = 0.038, P = 0.047), and total score (P = 0.030, P = 0.027, P = 0.029) of L3-5. In the 18-mm cutoff group, only L1 and L2 have differences in the pain part (P = 0.050, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Coronal balance of the lumbar spine is associated with knee pain and function. The pelvis plays an important role in maintaining the coronal balance. Both the lumbar spine and the knee joint should be considered when developing the surgical strategy.

As a result of population aging, the number of patients suffering from both knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine is increasing. It has been reported that patients with KOA have less symptomatic recovery after lumbar surgery, and that patients with lumbar degenerative disease have less symptomatic improvement after knee surgery than those without lumbar disease. So the knee and lumbar must be interacting in some way. Previous studies have confirmed the correlation between lumbar sagittal position sequence and KOA. However, no studies have been conducted on coronal sequences and KOA of the lumbar spine. We believe that it is because patients are required to stand naturally when taking coronal x-rays, and natural standing will lead to individual differences in the distance between the feet of patients, thereby preventing analysis. In our study, for the first time, we used a uniform stance to avoid this effect. The advantage of uniform stance is that individual differences can be excluded, and the same patient can be compared before and after treatment (because the natural stance of the patient's feet will be different before and after treatment), which is greatly conducive to the study. Our research found that the offset of the lumbar spine in the coronal position and the distance between the central vertical line of the lumbar spine and the bilateral knee joint are significantly correlated with knee pain and function. This may have some guiding significance for lumbar and knee surgery. For lumbar surgery (such as degenerative scoliosis), previous studies have suggested that short segment fixation is sufficient for patients with small Cobb angle. However, according to our conclusion, this may cause accelerated knee joint degeneration in the patient's later stages, which requires the surgeon to comprehensively evaluate the condition of the patient's knee and lumbar spine, and then formulate surgical strategies. The same is true for knee surgery: previous studies have shown no significant correlation between knee deformity and pain. Therefore, for patients with knee deformity and accompanying pain, knee surgery may not be the best choice, and it is more important to correct the deviation of the spine.

Regulatory mechanism and molecular genetic dissection of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain size.

With the sharp increase of the global population, adequate food supply is a great challenge. Grain size is an essential determinant of rice yield and quality. It is a typical quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes. In this paper, we summarized the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that have been molecularly characterized and provided a comprehensive summary of the regulation mechanism and genetic pathways of rice grain size. These pathways include the ubiquitin-proteasome system, G-protein, mitogen-activated protein kinase, phytohormone, transcriptional factors, abiotic stress. In addition, we discuss the possible application of advanced molecular biology methods and reasonable breeding strategies, and prospective on the development of high-yielding and high-quality rice varieties using molecular biology techniques.

Preparation of Fe3O4@CSAC catalyst and its degradation performance and heat release mechanisms in sewage degradation.

To investigate the exothermic characteristics of a heterogeneous Fenton system during the degradation of organic sewage and provide technical support for energy recovery in sewage treatment, the catalyst Fe3O4@CSAC (coconut shell-activated carbon) was prepared. Subsequently, both the degradation performance and exothermic behaviour of the (Fe3O4@CSAC)-H2O2 heterogeneous Fenton-like system in the degradation of sewage were studied. The results demonstrated that the (Fe3O4@CSAC)-H2O2 heterogeneous Fenton-like system exhibited a high degradation rate for sewage and released a significant amount of heat during the degradation process, making it suitable for energy recovery through a sewage-source heat pump. These findings showed that the concentration of added Fe3O4@CSAC and H2O2 significantly influenced the heat release in the reaction system, underscoring its potential for sustainable and adaptable applications in sewage treatment processes.

Rice Seed Protrusion Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping through Genome-Wide Association Study.

The germination of seeds is a prerequisite for crop production. Protrusion is important for seed germination, and visible radicle protrusion through seed covering layers is the second phase of the process of seed germination. Analyzing the mechanism of protrusion is important for the cultivation of rice varieties. In this study, 302 microcore germplasm populations were used for the GWAS of the protrusion percentage (PP). The frequency distribution of the PP at 48 h and 72 h is continuous, and six PP-associated QTLs were identified, but only qPP2 was detected repeatedly two times. The candidate gene analysis showed that LOC_Os02g57530 (ETR3), LOC_Os01g57610 (GH3.1) and LOC_Os04g0425 (CTB2) were the candidate genes for qPP2, qPP1 and qPP4, respectively. The haplotype (Hap) analysis revealed that Hap1 of ETR3, Hap1 and 3 of GH3.1 and Hap2 and 5 of CTB2 are elite alleles for the PP. Further validation of the germination phenotype of these candidate genes showed that Hap1 of ETR3 is a favorable allele for the germination percentage; Hap3 of GH3.1 is an elite allele for seed germination; and Hap5 of CTB2 is an elite allele for the PP, the germination percentage and the vigor index. The results of this study identified three putative candidate genes that provide valuable information for understanding the genetic control of seed protrusion in rice.

Paravertebral Muscle Morphology in L4-L5 Disc Herniation: Insights from the Michigan State University Classification.

BACKGROUND Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) at L4-L5 impacts paravertebral muscle morphology. Intervertebral disc degeneration is linked to paravertebral muscle changes, affecting LDH treatment outcomes. This study explored L4-L5 LDH paravertebral muscle alterations, specifically in the erector spinae, multifidus, and psoas major, using Michigan State University's classification to guide LDH treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study enrolled 160 patients, including 39 normal patients and 121 L4-L5 LDH patients. Patients with LDH were grouped according to MSU classification and compared to the normal group according to demographics and imaging changes. RESULTS In patients with L4-L5 herniation in Zone B, the FI of the ES muscle at L3-L4 level, L4-L5 level, and L5-S1 level was higher than that of normal people (P=0.018, P=0.043, P=0.010, respectively), and there was no difference between FI of MF and normal people. The Zone B patients also had a smaller CSA of the ES muscle at L4-L5 level than that in the normal group (P=0.049). Patients in the Zone C group were older than those in the normal group (P=0.014). The CSA of the PM of patients with Grade 3 herniation differed from that of the normal group at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 level. They were higher than in normal people at L4-L5 level (P=0.011) and lower at L5-S1 level (P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS In patients with L4-L5 herniation in Zone B, the FI of ES at L3-S1 level was higher than in normal people, and the CSA at L4-L5 level was smaller than in normal people. In patients with Grade3 herniation, PM CSA was larger at L4-L5 level and smaller at L5-S1 level than in normal people.

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Dehydration Rate of Mature Rice (Oryza sativa) Seeds.

In this study, a transcriptomic analysis of the dehydration rate of mature rice seeds was conducted to explore candidate genes related to the dehydration rate and provide a theoretical basis for breeding and utilization. We selected two rice cultivars for testing (Baghlani Nangarhar, an extremely rapid dehydration genotype, and Saturn, a slow dehydration genotype) based on the results determined by previous studies conducted on the screening of 165 germplasm materials for dehydration rate phenotypes. A rapid dehydration experiment performed on these two types of seeds was conducted. Four comparative groups were set up under control and dehydration conditions. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were quantified via transcriptome sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). GO (Gene ontology) and KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses were also conducted. In Baghlani Nangarhar, 53 DEGs were screened, of which 33 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated. In Saturn, 25 DEGs were screened, of which 19 were up-regulated and 6 were down-regulated. The results of the GO analysis show that the sites of action of the differentially expressed genes enriched in the rapid dehydration modes are concentrated in the cytoplasm, internal components of the membrane, and nucleosomes. They play regulatory roles in the processes of catalysis, binding, translocation, transcription, protein folding, degradation, and replication. They are also involved in adaptive responses to adverse external environments, such as reactive oxygen species and high temperature. The KEGG analysis showed that protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, amino acid biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation were the main metabolic pathways that were enriched. The key differentially expressed genes and the most important metabolic pathways identified in the rapidly and slowly dehydrated genotypes were protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative phosphorylation metabolism. They were presumed to have important regulatory roles in the mechanisms of stress/defense, energy metabolism, protein synthesis/folding, and signal transduction during the dehydration and drying of mature seeds. The results of this study can potentially provide valuable information for further research on the genes and metabolic pathways related to the dehydration rate of mature rice seeds, and provide theoretical guidance for the selection and breeding of new rice germplasm that can be rapidly dehydrated at the mature stage.

Effectiveness of Longji Daoyin exercise on adolescents of mild idiopathic scoliosis / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effectiveness of spinal guidance exercise on adolescents of mild idiopathic scoliosis, so as to provide an experimental reference and method for promoting adolescents spinal health.@*Methods@#From the scoliosis screening, 96 children who met the diagnostic criteria were selected in June 2021, and were divided into the experimental group and the control group, with 48 cases in each group. The experimental group received a 12 week Longji Daoyin exercise training, and the control group received health education, observation and monitoring. Before and after the experiment, the axial trunk rotation (ATR) and scoliosis Cobb angle of the two groups were tested respectively, and the subjective sensation of the patients was measured by Scoliosis Research Society-22(SRS-22) questionnaire.@*Results@#After 12 weeks, the ATR and Cobb angles of the experimental group decreased [( 5.02± 2.85，7.59±3.94)°]，compared to (7.08±2.84)° and (15.84±2.00)° before intervention( t =14.02, 17.09, P < 0.01 ). Scores of functional activity, self image and mental health in the SRS-22 score increased from (4.65±0.14)(3.49±0.21) and (3.99±0.17) to(4.77±0.14)(4.62±0.13)(4.42±0.13)( t =-4.86,-39.12,-13.92, P <0.01 ). The ATR and Cobb angles of the control group increased from (6.94±2.15)° and (15.82±1.76)° to (8.25±2.49)° and (18.63±3.12)°( t =7.44,8.99, P <0.01), and the scores of self image and mental health in the SRS-22 score decreased from (3.49±0.19) and (4.00±0.15) to (3.44±0.18) and (3.94±0.14)( t =-3.74,-4.39, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Early adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is easy to aggravate during the observation period. Longji Daoyin exercise is of preventive and therapeutic significance.

Assessment of the efficacy of acupuncture and chiropractic on treating Cervical spondylosis radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylosis radiculopathy (CSR) is often described as neck pain accompanied with radiating pain and neurologic symptoms, such as numbness, muscle weakness, and diminished reflexes, in 1 or both upper extremities. As people's lifestyle changes and the population ages, the incidence of CSR continues to increase. Many clinical trials have proven that acupuncture and chiropractic has a significant effect in the treatment of CSR. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and chiropractic for CSR. METHODS: We will search PubMed, Cochrane Library, AMED, EMbase, WorldSciNet; Nature, Science online and China Journal Full-text Database, China Biomedical Literature CD-ROM Database, and related randomized controlled trials included in the ChinaResources Database. The time is limited from the construction of the library to February, 2019. We will use the criteria provided by Cochrane 5.1.0 for quality assessment and risk assessment of the included studies, and use the Revman 5.3 and Stata13.0 software for meta-analysis of the effectiveness, recurrence rate, and symptom scores of CSR. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019119941.

Temperature characteristics of a BGO fiber-optic voltage transformer.

The temperature stability of the optical fiber voltage transformer (OVT) has always been the key factor restricting its practical application. There are many factors affecting temperature characteristics, including residual birefringence during Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) processing, the thermo-optic effect, the thermal expansion effect, and temperature change of the second-order nonlinear polarization coefficient. These complex effects interact with each other and affect the temperature characteristics of the OVT. Therefore, for a long time, the research of various literatures has not been comprehensive enough, and even has certain contradictions. In this paper, the mechanism between the five influencing factors and the OVT temperature characteristics was investigated. The experimental results show that the temperature characteristics of OVT can be divided into two aspects: the starting point and the conversion coefficient. The starting point is affected by the residual birefringence of the BGO crystal, crystal alignment, the thermal expansion of the crystal, and the thermo-optic effect. The conversion coefficient is affected by the starting point, the thermo-optic effect and the second-order nonlinear polarization coefficient.

Exothermic laws applicable to the degradation of o-phenylenediamine in wastewater via a Fe3+/H2O2 homogeneous quasi-Fenton system.

We studied the exothermic laws of Fe3+/H2O2 homogeneous quasi-Fenton degradation of o-phenylenediamine in waste water, and analyzed the effects of [H2O2] and [Fe3+], initial reaction temperature, and other factors on the solution temperature elevation (Δt), temperature elevation duration (T), and chemical oxygen demand degradation rate (η) during the degradation of the target pollutant. Our study found that [H2O2] is a major factor affecting Δt, while [Fe3+] and t 0 are the main factors influencing the exothermic reaction rate. For the conditions wherein [H2O2] is 0.2 mol L-1, [Fe3+] is 10 mmol L-1, pH = 7.8, initial reaction temperature is 30 °C, and reaction duration is 30 min, Δt of 200 mL of 0.04 mol L-1 o-phenylenediamine is 7.2 °C and η is 93.45%. The exothermic reaction between the free radicals (·OH and ) and o-phenylenediamine and the exothermic reaction due to auto-consumption of free radicals are the main reasons for the increased temperature of the solution.