Changing surface ocean circulation caused the local demise of echinoid Scaphechinus mirabilis in Taiwan during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition.

Abundant fossil specimens of Scaphechinus mirabilis, now occurring mostly in temperate waters, have been found in the Toukoshan Formation (Pleistocene) in Miaoli County, Taiwan. Environmental changes leading to its extirpation (local extinction) have thus far been elusive. Here, we reconstruct past environmental and oceanic conditions off northwest Taiwan by analyzing clumped isotopes, as well as stable oxygen isotopes, of well-preserved fossil echinoid tests collected from the Toukoshan Formation. Radiocarbon dates suggest that these samples are from Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3). Paleotemperature estimates based on clumped isotopes indicate that fossil echinoids were living in oceanic conditions that range from 9 to 14 °C on average, comparable with the estimate derived for a modern sample from Mutsu Bay, Japan. Notably, this temperature range is ~ 10 °C colder than today's conditions off northwest Taiwan. The substantially lower temperatures during ~ 30 ka (MIS 3) compared to the modern conditions might be due to the rerouting of surface currents off northwest Taiwan when the sea level was ~ 60 m lower than today, in addition to the cooling caused by a lower atmospheric CO2 level during the Last Glacial Period. Colder waters brought here by the China Coastal Current (CCC) and the existence of shallow subtidal zones termed "Miaoli Bay" (mainly located in the present-day Miaoli county) during MIS 3 plausibly sustained generations of S. mirabilis, yielding tens of thousands of fossil specimens in the well-preserved fossil beds. The likely extirpation driver is the drastic change from a temperate climate to much warmer conditions in the shallow sea during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition.

Short-course versus long-course antibiotics in prosthetic joint infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of one randomized controlled trial plus nine observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) often require long-course antibiotic therapy. However, recent studies argue against the current practice and raise concerns such as the development of antibiotic resistance, side effects of medications and medical costs. OBJECTIVES: To review and compare the outcomes of short-course and long-course antibiotics in PJIs. METHODS: We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis using a predefined search term in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria from inception to June 2018 were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 10 articles and 856 patients were analysed, comprising 9 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial. Our meta-analysis showed no significant difference between short-course and long-course antibiotics (relative risk = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.62-1.22). Additionally, the older the studied group was, the more short-course antibiotics were favoured. CONCLUSIONS: When treating PJI patients following debridement, antibiotics and implant retention, an 8 week course of antibiotic therapy for total hip arthroplasty and a 75 day course for total knee arthroplasty may be a safe approach. For two-stage exchange, a shorter duration of antibiotic treatment during implant-free periods is also generally safe with the usage of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers.

NMR studies on effects of tetraalkylammonium bromides on micellization of sodium dodecylsulfate.

The effects of tetraalkylammonium bromides (TAABs) on the micellization of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) are studied using pyrene solubilization and several nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D NOESY) experiments confirm that tetraalkylammonium (TAA(+)) ions associate with SDS to form mixed micelles. TAA(+) ions attach to the surface of the mixed micelles and become inserted into the hydrophobic core of the mixed micelles. Because TAA(+) ions appear in the hydrophobic interior of the TAA-SDS mixed micelles, the micropolarity inside the mixed micelles sensed by pyrene might not reflect the true hydrophobicity of the micellar core. Using proton chemical shift analysis, the degree of hydration on the surface of the mixed micelles is determined from the chemical shift change of SDS α-CH2 protons. The self-diffusion coefficients of SDS and TAA(+) ions in the TAAB/SDS/D2O solutions are measured by using pulse-field gradient NMR, and the fraction of TAA(+) ions associated with the SDS to form the mixed micelles is calculated from the self-diffusion data. Moreover, secondary micelle formation for SDS and TAA(+) ions is observed on the basis of (1)H chemical shift analysis and the self-diffusion data. The 2D NOESY experiments also reveal unusual tumbling behavior of SDS alkyl protons. For Pr4NBr/SDS and Bu4NBr/SDS solutions, positive and negative nuclear Overhauser effects are simultaneously observed among the SDS alkyl protons.

Biological characterization of oxidized hyaluronic acid/resveratrol hydrogel for cartilage tissue engineering.

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by breakdown of cartilage, with eventual loss of the cartilage of the joints. The ability of self-repair in damaged cartilage tissue is limited; the aim of this work is to fabricate and characterize an oxidized hyaluronic acid/resveratrol (Oxi-HA/Res) hydrogel for future applications in cartilage tissue engineering. Under physiological conditions, the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel was prepared by chemical crosslinking of Oxi-HA with resveratrol solution and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry assay; the biocompatibility and gene expression of chondrocytes within the Oxi-HA-Res hydrogel then analyzed. The cell viability and cytotoxicity assays showed that the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel has good biocompatibility. Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel can upregulate expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and Sox-9 genes; while down-regulating IL-1ß, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP13 gene expression. It can also reduce LPS-induced inflammation and chondrocyte damage. The results of this study showed that the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel is biocompatible with chondrocytes, allows for extracellular matrix synthesis, and also reduce LPS-induced inflammation and damage. These results suggest that Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel may be a potential suitable cell carrier for chondrocyte cells in the treatment of cartilage defect. However, further in vivo study is mandatory for future possible clinical applications.

Supervised aerobic exercise is more effective than home aerobic exercise in female chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of supervised aerobic exercise and home aerobic exercise in female Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Thirty female Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis were assigned to either supervised aerobic exercise or home aerobic exercise groups. METHODS: The supervised aerobic exercise programme was supervised by a physical therapist, while the home aerobic exercise programme was performed at home after one session of exercise instruction. Each programme consisted of 1 h of aerobic exercise conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Aerobic capacity and disease-related variables, including pain intensity, functional ability, psychological status and joint function, were measured. RESULTS: Significant difference in changed score between pre- and post-exercise data was observed between the supervised aerobic exercise and home aerobic exercise groups regarding aerobic capacity (p < 0.0001). Pre- and post-exercise within-group comparisons showed significant improvement (20%) in aerobic capacity only in the supervised aerobic exercise group. Pre- and post-exercise within-group comparison showed significant improvement in 5 and 3 items of disease-related variables in supervised aerobic exercise and home aerobic exercise groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: An 8-week supervised aerobic exercise programme induced significant improvement in the aerobic capacity of female Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and was superior to a home aerobic exercise programme. Both programmes of aerobic exercise were safe for female Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

[Multifactorial analysis of the risk factors of chronic prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: An epidemiological survey of 1,168 patients with chronic prostatitis was conducted and both single factor and multifactorial logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Many risk factors were identified, including urethritis, uncontrolled sexual activity, frequent masturbation, urinary system injury, fixed body posture (especially long-time riding), excessive drinking, long-time holding urine. The findings may provide reference for the prevention, treatment and measures for coping with recurrence of chronic prostatitis.