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Rhododendron is the largest genus in Ericaceae and is well known for its diversity and beauty of flowers present in different species, making it a much‐revered lineage of ornamental plants. Many species of Rhododendron are intolerant of high temperatures, which are becoming more common and intense in urban areas under global climate change. Therefore, the discovery and description of genes from heat‐tolerant Rhododendron lineages are essential in the development of new climate‐resilient cultivars. One such species known to be heat tolerant is Rhododendron × pulchrum Sweet. To better understand the genomics of heat tolerance in this species, we assembled a haplotype‐resolved and chromosome‐scale genome for R. × pulchrum, which had a genome size of 509 Mb; a scaffold N50 of 37 251 370 bp; and contained 35 610 genes. In addition, based on the same reannotation pipeline, we conducted pan‐genomic analyses for all seven available chromosome‐scale Rhododendron genomes and found 14 415 gene groups shared across all species and 18 018 gene groups distributed in the other species, including 1879 gene groups found in only a single species. Finally, we analyzed the transcriptomic data from heat‐treated and non‐heat‐treated R. × pulchrum plants to quantify the genes that are most important during heat stress in an effort to inform the development of climate‐resilient cultivars. This study provides insight into the genome diversity in Rhododendron and targets several genes related to agronomic traits that may help in further analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living fossils are evidence of long-term sustained ecological success. However, whether living fossils have little molecular changes remains poorly known, particularly in plants. Here, we have introduced a novel method that integrates phylogenomic, comparative genomic, and ecological niche modeling analyses to investigate the rate of molecular evolution of Eupteleaceae, a Cretaceous relict angiosperm family endemic to East Asia. We assembled a high-quality chromosome-level nuclear genome, and the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of a member of Eupteleaceae (Euptelea pleiosperma). Our results show that Eupteleaceae is most basal in Ranunculales, the earliest-diverging order in eudicots, and shares an ancient whole-genome duplication event with the other Ranunculales. We document that Eupteleaceae has the slowest rate of molecular changes in the observed angiosperms. The unusually low rate of molecular evolution of Eupteleaceae across all three independent inherited genomes and genes within each of the three genomes is in association with its conserved genome architecture, ancestral woody habit, and conserved niche requirements. Our findings reveal the evolution and adaptation of living fossil plants through large-scale environmental change and also provide new insights into early eudicot diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven learning of the fractional discrete-time unified system is studied in this paper. A neural network method is suggested in the parameter estimation of fractional discrete-time chaotic systems. An optimization problem is obtained and the famous Adam algorithm is employed to train the neural network's weights and parameters. The parameter estimation result is compared with that of the stepwise response sensitivity approach (SRSA). This paper provides a high accuracy method for parameter inverse problems. The method also can be applied to data-driven learning of other fractional chaotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehmannia chingii is an important medicinal plant with immense value in scientific research. However, its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has not yet been characterized. Herein, based on whole-genome Illumina short reads and PacBio HiFi reads, we obtained the complete mitogenome of R. chingii through a de novo assembly strategy. We carried out comparative genomic analyses and found that, in comparison with the plastid genome (plastome) showing a high degree of structural conservation, the R. chingii mitogenome structure is relatively complex, showing an intricate ring structure with 16 connections, owing to five repetitive sequences. The R. chingii mitogenome was 783,161 bp with a GC content of 44.8% and contained 77 genes, comprising 47 protein-coding genes (CDS), 27 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. We counted 579 RNA editing events in 47 CDS and 12,828 codons in all CDSs of the R. chingii mitogenome. Furthermore, 24 unique sequence transfer fragments were found between the mitogenome and plastome, comprising 8 mitogenome CDS genes and 16 plastome CDS genes, corresponding to 2.39% of the R. chingii mitogenome. Mitogenomes had shorter but more collinear regions, evidenced by a comparison of the organelles of non-parasitic R. chingii, hemiparasitic Pedicularis chinensis, and holoparasitic Aeginetia indica in the Orobanchaceae family. Moreover, from non-parasitic to holoparasitic species, the genome size in the mitogenomes of Orobanchaceae species did not decrease gradually. Instead, the smallest mitogenome was found in the hemiparasitic species P. chinensis, with a size of 225,612 bp. The findings fill the gap in the mitogenome research of the medicinal plant R. chingii, promote the progress of the organelle genome research of the Orobanchaceae family, and provide clues for molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A highly active and stable composite photocatalyst which can be used in practical environmental remediation was developed. Methods: g‐C3N4/SnO2/BiPO4 ternary composites (CN/SO/BPO) were synthesised via simple impregnation, and their texture structure, morphology, and surface composition were deeply characterized. Results: In just 25 min under visible‐light radiation, CN/SO/BPO almost eliminated rhodamine B, and the observed rate constant for the reaction was almost 36 and 3 times higher in comparison to that of CN/BPO and SO/BPO, respectively. Conclusions: On the basis of experimental outcomes and DFT calculation, the direct Z‐type structure of CN/SO/BPO lead to the improved photogenerated charge separation efficiency, as confirmed by surface photovoltage spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and transient photocurrent responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the factors that cause reproductive isolation and their relative importance in species divergence is crucial to our understanding of speciation processes. In most species, natural selection is commonly considered to play a large role in driving speciation. Based on whole genome re‐sequencing data from 27 Populus alba and 28 Populus adenopoda individuals, we explored the factors related to reproductive isolation of these two closely related species. The results showed that the two species diverged ~5–10 million years ago (Ma), when the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau reached a certain height and the inland climate of the Asian continent became arid. In highly differentiated genomic regions, the relative divergence (FST) and absolute divergence (dxy) were significantly higher than the genomic background, θπ and shared polymorphisms decreased whereas fixed differences increased, which indicated that natural selection played a key role in the reproductive isolation of the two species. In addition, we found several genes that were related to reproduction that may be involved in explaining the reproductive isolation. Using phylogenetic trees resolved from haplotype data of Populus tomentosa and P. adenopoda, the maternal origin of P. tomentosa from P. adenopoda was likely to be located in Hubei and Chongqing Provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic transition behavior of tri-stable states in a fractional-order generalized Van der Pol (VDP) system under multiplicative Gaussian white noise (GWN) excitation is investigated. First, according to the minimal mean square error (MMSE) concept, the fractional derivative can be equivalent to a linear combination of damping and restoring forces, and the original system can be simplified into an equivalent integer-order system. Secondly, the stationary Probability Density Function (PDF) of system amplitude is obtained by stochastic averaging, and based on singularity theory, the critical parameters for stochastic P -bifurcation of the system are found. Finally, the properties of stationary PDF curves of the system amplitude are qualitatively analyzed by choosing the corresponding parameters in each sub-region divided by the transition set curves. The consistency between numerical results obtained by Monte-Carlo simulation and analytical solutions verified the accuracy of the theoretical analysis process and the method used in this paper has a direct guidance in the design of fractional-order controller to adjust the system behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of genomic structural evolution associated with accelerated evolutionary rates that result in avoidance of meltdown and increase biodiversity is becoming ever more possible as the number of available plastomes increases. To more comprehensively analyze rate heterogeneity among monocots and within Poaceae, we sequenced plastomes from four Poaceae species, combined them with publicly available data from ~200 plastomes, and conducted comparative analyses to quantify the pattern of rate heterogeneity between different lineages, functional groups, and periods of evolutionary time. We compared structural differences across the Poaceae to quantify how changes in plastome size correspond to different genomic subunits and the evolution of IR–SC junction boundaries. The substitution rates among ancestral Poaceae were inferred to be exceptionally rapid compared to other monocots but slowed after divergence into extant lineages, which could not be sufficiently explained by positive selection. As such, rapid rates in the ancestral lineage leading to Poaceae might be more closely linked to large‐scale structural changes like the loss of ycf1 and ycf2. The total increase in plastome size across Poaceae was positively correlated with the total length of intergenic spacers, tandem repeats, and dispersed repeats as well as large single copy, and inverted repeats (IRs). The continuous evolution of IR–SC junction boundaries was asynchronous with sizes of total genome and subunits across Poaceae. Future work is needed to better understand what factors in ancestral Poaceae evolved to harness such rapid rates of plastome evolution, avoid a mutational meltdown, and escape the stagnation of strong purifying selection as well as if these factors could be utilized to synthetically control rates. Highlights: Extensive sampling covering all monocotyledonous orders and subfamilies of Poaceae to compare different levels of plastome evolutionary rates heterogeneity.Comprehensively revealed the clade‐specific patterns of plastomes size variations among Poaceae subfamilies.Confirmed the distances of genes to IR–SC boundaries were effective for phylogeny, species identification, and maternal tracing of Poaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective detection and removal of Cr(VI) from various waters still remains a severe challenge. Given the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET) effect, a few MOFs perform dual-functional fluorescence sensing and photochemical reduction towards Cr(VI). Nevertheless, how to enhance photoluminescence ability and photocatalytic reduction efficiency simultaneously has been rarely studied and reported. Here, a novel dual-emissive platform of Tb@Zr-MOF with high water stability was ingeniously designed by anchoring lanthanide Tb3+ ions in a Zr(IV)-bipyridine framework. Owing to the greatly promoted PET effect, Tb@Zr-MOF exhibits a unique double-enhancement feature compared to the pristine Zr-MOF. After Tb3+ ions were immobilized by carboxyl O atoms, Tb@Zr-MOF emits a typical bright green fluorescence signal of lanthanide metal Tb3+ through the "antenna effect". Notably, Tb@Zr-MOF can be deployed as a self-calibrating photochemical sensor for high-precision fluorescence quenching detection of Cr2O72− ions, showing a rather high Ksv value of 8.093 × 104 M−1 and ultra-low detection limit of 4.03 ppb (17.6 ppb for pristine Zr-MOF). Moreover, the highly efficient PET process combined with an appropriate energy band structure, i.e., the rather negative CB potential confers Tb@Zr-MOF excellent ability to photochemically reduce high-oxidation-state Cr(VI) ions under UV light, with rather a high reduction efficiency of up to 97.5% (1.46 times of pristine Zr-MOF) just within 60 min. Prominently, the highly efficient PET effect from organic modules of Zr-MOF to anchored Tb3+ ions was confirmed by modeling the ground state and excited states of Tb@Zr-MOF using DFT and TD-DFT. This study innovatively combines porous MOFs and the lanthanide metal ion anchoring technique to provide a feasible strategy for improving the existing dual-functional MOF-based fluorescence sensing and photocatalytic platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to fewer conduction devices in operating condition, the bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) converter is more efficient than the traditional PFC circuit. However, to achieve a low output voltage ripple on the DC side, a large electrolytic capacitor must be connected in parallel to the output end. To reduce the value of capacitance, this paper proposes a dual-boost bridgeless PFC converter with a bidirectional buck/boost power decoupling converter in the latter stage. The bidirectional converter absorbs double-line-frequency ripple, lowering the power pulsation at the output end while realizing power decoupling. The one-cycle control is adopted in bridgeless PFC converter, so that the input current can follow the input voltage to achieve power factor correction and decrease harmonic pollution. The power decoupling circuit is designed with a voltage outer loop using PI control and a current inner loop using model predictive current control, which alleviates the output voltage fluctuation caused by the reduction of the capacitance value of the filter capacitor, for the purpose of realizing non-electrolytic capacitor. Finally, the topology and control strategy involved in this paper are simulated and experimented to verify the validity and superiority of the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malalignment is a common event during the intramedullary nailing (IMN) of distal tibia fractures (DTFs). Although it is reported that the semi-extended IMN techniques such as suprapatellar (SP) and parapatellar (PP) approaches may be superior in preventing malalignment, the application of these techniques is concerning owing to the intra-articular involvement. We thus developed an extra-articular semi-extended infrapatellar (SEIP) approach which utilizes the infrapatellar (IP) space while maintaining the knee in a semi-extended position. However, there are no studies on the safety and efficacy of SEIP in treating DTFs. Therefore, in this study, the SEIP technique was examined, particularly in terms of the potential alignment improvement of DTFs, and this technique was compared with the traditional hyperflexed infrapatellar (HFIP) procedure.Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) compared IMN malalignment while correcting extraarticular and nondisplaced intra-articular DTFs between April 2018 and June 2021 using the HFIP and SEIP techniques at a level I trauma center in China. The study participants were clinically and radiographically examined for at least 12 months of follow-ups. Intraoperative fluoroscopy time, operation time, blood loss, hospitalization duration, functional ankle score, and complications were assessed as well.Results: Among the 88 recruited participants, 45 (51%) underwent traditional HFIP IMN and 43 (49%) underwent SEIP IMN. Malalignment occurred in 9 patients (20.0%) from the HFIP cohort and in 2 patients (4.7%) from the SEIP cohort (P value = 0.030). In addition, the SEIP IMN technique significantly reduced the intraoperative fluoroscopy time, operation time, and improved the postoperative ankle function compared to the HFIP IMN technique. However, the intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization duration, infection, delay union, and nonunion remained the same between the two cohorts.Conclusions: In summary, we demonstrated that the SEIP IMN provides markedly enhanced alignment of extraarticular and nondisplaced intra-articular DTFs compared to the traditional HFIP IMN procedure. The described technique represents an effective option for IMN of DTFs.Level Of Evidence: Level 2. Trial registration The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100043673. Registered 26 February 2021, retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=122263. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the feasibility of producing high‐value products from biomass, the copper‐supported off‐Al H‐Beta zeolite was prepared and used as a catalyst. The 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol was chosen as a catalyst, a model molecule of biomass, the reaction mechanism and reaction path of the oxidative cleavage were studied. The variation of concentration for different components and products distribution were obtained under different temperatures. Based on these experimental results, a kinetic model of the reaction system was established, and the kinetic parameters were developed through optimization algorithms. Results show that Brønsted acid and Lewis acid have a synergistic role in the oxidative cleavage of 1,2‐diol. The adding of Cu species can regulate the acidity and acid amount of the catalyst and can effectively improve the C─C bond breaking ability of the catalyst. 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol firstly underwent oxidative cleavage to produce benzaldehyde, which further underwent parallel tandem reactions to get benzyl alcohol (BP), methyl benzoate (MB), and benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (BDA), respectively. The highest activation energy is required for the oxidative cleavage reaction in the reaction system, and a higher temperature thus will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-frequency signal injection-type maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) algorithm is usually employed to control the operation of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs). The MTPA algorithm exhibits good dynamic performance and anti-interference ability. However, due to the injection of a high-frequency current signal, problems such as torque ripple and additional loss are encountered. Therefore, in this paper, a virtual signal injection control (VSIC) method that does not require actual injection is proposed for solving the aforementioned problems while yielding good performance. However, in the control process of the proposed method, the d-axis inductance parameter affects the accuracy of the torque information, resulting in errors in the system. To solve this problem, an online identification algorithm of model reference adaptive systems (MRAS) based on the Popov super stability theory as the basis for the design of the adaptive law is proposed in this paper. The d-axis inductance parameter of the motor is obtained in real-time and then introduced into the control system by using the VSIC method. Finally, VSIC-type MTPA control based on inductance identification is realized. The proposed algorithm does not depend on the design parameters of the motor and exhibits good dynamic response and anti-interference performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalictrum is a phylogenetically and economically important genus in the family Ranunculaceae, but is also regarded as one of the most challengingly difficult in plants for resolving the taxonomical and phylogenetical relationships of constituent taxa within this genus. Here, we sequenced the complete plastid genomes of two Thalictrum species using Illumina sequencing technology via de novo assembly. The two Thalictrum plastomes exhibited circular and typical quadripartite structure that was rather conserved in overall structure and the synteny of gene order. By updating the previously reported plastome annotation of other nine Thalictrum species, we found that the expansion or contraction of the inverted repeat region affect the boundary of the single-copy regions in Thalictrum plastome. We identified eight highly variable noncoding regions— infA-rps8 , ccsA-ndhD , trnSUGA-psbZ , trnHGUG-psbA , rpl16-rps3 , ndhG-ndhI , ndhD-psaC , and ndhJ-ndhK —that can be further used for molecular identification, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic in different species. Selective pressure and codon usage bias of all the plastid coding genes were also analyzed for the 11 species. Phylogenetic relationships showed Thalictrum is monophyly and divided into two major clades based on 11 Thalictrum plastomes. The availability of these plastomes offers valuable genetic information for accurate identification of species and taxonomy, phylogenetic resolution, and evolutionary studies of Thalictrum , and should assist with exploration and utilization of Thalictrum plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last 20 years, suprapatellar (SP) intramedullary nailing has gained considerable attention for treating tibia fractures and is believed to improve fracture alignments, decrease anterior knee pain, and facilitate intraoperative fluoroscopy. However, it is associated with various concerns, including the need to make another infrapatellar (IP) incision to remove the nail. Aims: This study was aimed at developing a new technique for the removal of SP tibial nails through an SP approach using a cannulated extraction system. The efficiency of the novel SP approach was compared to that of the traditional IP approach for the removal of SP tibial nails. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study from a prospectively collected clinical registry. The data for 69 consecutive patients who received surgery to remove a previous SP intramedullary nail using an SP approach (n = 30, SP cohort) or an IP approach (n = 39, IP cohort) were analyzed. Intra-operative evaluations included intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and changes in the surgical procedures. At six months follow-up, post-operative Lysholm knee score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the active range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee and complications were assessed. Results: Patients in the SP cohort exhibited an increased post-operative Lysholm knee score (β, 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6 to 4.6; P = 0.012), decreased post-operative VAS score (β, − 0.7; 95% CI, − 1.1 to − 0.2; P = 0.004), and increased operation time (β, 9.8 minutes; 95% CI, 5.7 to 14.0 minutes; P < 0.001) compared with those treated with the IP approach after adjustment for baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences in blood loss, post-operative ROM, or complications between the two cohorts. Conclusions: Compared with the IP technique, the SP approach for the removal of an SP tibial nail was independently associated with an increased post-operative Lysholm knee score and decreased VAS score, although the surgery was longer in duration. The novel technique offers a reliable and minimally invasive option for the removal of an SP tibial nail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroplasts are critical to plant survival and adaptive evolution. The comparison of chloroplast genomes could provide insight into the adaptive evolution of closely related species. To identify potential adaptive evolution in the chloroplast genomes of four montane Zingiberaceae taxa (Cautleya , Roscoea , Rhynchanthus , and Pommereschea) that inhabit distinct habitats in the mountains of Yunnan, China, the nucleotide sequences of 13 complete chloroplast genomes, including five newly sequenced species, were characterized and compared. The five newly sequenced chloroplast genomes (162,878–163,831 bp) possessed typical quadripartite structures, which included a large single copy (LSC) region, a small single copy (SSC) region, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), and even though the structure was highly conserved among the 13 taxa, one of the rps19 genes was absent in Cautleya , possibly due to expansion of the LSC region. Positive selection of rpoA and ycf2 suggests that these montane species have experienced adaptive evolution to habitats with different sunlight intensities and that adaptation related to the chloroplast genome has played an important role in the evolution of Zingiberaceae taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the endosymbiont origin from α‐Proteobacteria, mitochondrial genomes have undergone extremely divergent evolutionary trajectories among eukaryotic lineages. Compared with the relatively compact and conserved animal mitochondrial genomes, plant mitochondrial genomes have many unique features, especially their large and complex genomic arrangements. The sizes of fully sequenced plant mitochondrial genomes span over a 100‐fold range from 66 kb in Viscum scurruloideum to 11 000 kb in Silene conica. In addition to the typical circular structure, some species of plants also possess linear, and even multichromosomal, architectures. In contrast with the thousands of fully sequenced animal mitochondrial genomes and plant plastid genomes, only around 200 fully sequenced land plant mitochondrial genomes have been published, with many being only draft assemblies. In this review, we summarize some of the known novel characteristics found in plant mitochondrial genomes, with special emphasis on multichromosomal structures described in recent publications. Finally, we discuss the future prospects for studying the inheritance patterns of multichromosomal plant mitochondria and examining architectural variation at different levels of taxonomic organization—including at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The semi-extended tibial intramedullary nailing method would enable easier and improved reductions for tibial fractures as well as facilitate fluoroscopic imaging; however, its in-articular nature remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of the semi-extended infrapatellar (SEIP) approach and hyper-flexed infrapatellar (HFIP) approach for intramedullary nailing to treat tibial shaft fractures. Methods: This study involved the retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with tibial shaft fractures that were fixed through either the SEIP approach or the HFIP approach of intramedullary nailing and who were admitted to a level 1 trauma centre. The minimum patient follow-up period was 12 months and the clinical and functional outcomes were estimated at the 12-month visit. Results: Of the 80 patients whose medical records were analyzed, 40 (50%) underwent SEIP nailing and the remaining 40 (50%) underwent the traditional HFIP nailing. Compared with the HFIP group, patients in the SEIP group had a higher Lysholm knee score (median, 92 [interquartile range, 88–95] vs median, 88 [interquartile range, 81–92]; p =.01), a shorter intra-operative fluoroscopy time (median, 93 [interquartile range, 78–105] s, vs median, 136 [interquartile range, 110–157] s; p <.001), and operation time (mean, 88.1 [SD, 17.8] min vs mean, 98.7 [SD, 19.3] min; p =.01). The VAS score was significantly lower in the SEIP group (median, 0; interquartile range, 0–0) than in the HFIP group (median, 0; interquartile range, 0–2) (p =.03). There were two cases (5%) in the SEIP group and 10 cases (25%) in the HFIP group of moderate AKP (p =.03). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in malalignment, nonunion, delayed union, infection, and other complications, as well as SF-36 physical and mental scores. Conclusion: We found that the SEIP approach to tibia intramedullary nailing was superior to the HFIP approach based on the intra-operative and post-operative outcomes. Thus, this novel technique provides an infrapatellar option for semi-extended tibial nailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Asymmetrical cortical vein sign (ACVS) shown on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) can reflect regional hypoperfusion. We investigated if ACVS could predict the cerebral collateral circulation (CC) as assessed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in acute ischemic stroke patients with ipsilateral severe stenosis/occlusion of the anterior circulation. Methods: Clinical data and imaging data of 62 acute ischemic stroke patients with ipsilateral severe stenosis or occlusion of the anterior circulation confirmed by DSA were collected retrospectively. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, including an SWI sequence. ACVS was defined as more and/or larger venous signals in the cerebral cortex of one side of SWI than that in the contralateral side. ACVS was measured using the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography score based on SWI. The grading of the cerebral CC was judged using DSA. Results: Of the 62 patients, 30 patients (48.4%) had moderate-to-severe ACVS. According to DSA assessment, 19 patients (30.6%) had a good CC (grade 3–4), and 43 (69.4%) patients had a poor-to-moderate CC (grade 0–2). Among the 30 patients with moderate-to-severe ACVS, only three (10%) patients had a good CC, and 27 (90%) patients had a poor-to-moderate CC; among the 32 patients with none or mild ACVS, 16 (50%) of them had a good CC, and the other 50% had a moderate-to-severe CC. We constructed two logistic regression models with ACVS grading and none or mild ACVS entered into the models, respectively, together with age and large-artery occlusion. In model 1, no ACVS (compared with severe ACVS; OR = 40.329, 95%CI = 2.817–577.422, P = 0.006), mild ACVS (compared with severe ACVS; OR = 17.186, 1.735–170.224, 0.015) and large-artery occlusion (OR = 45.645, 4.603–452.592, 0.001) correlated with a good CC. In model 2, none or mild ACVS (OR = 36.848, 95%CI = 5.516–246.171, P < 0.001) was significantly associated with a good CC as judged by DSA, adjusted by age and large-artery occlusion. Conclusions: Cortical venous changes in SWI may be a useful indicator for the cerebral CC as confirmed by DSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otolith microstructural features and morphological development of larval and juvenile fish are important for studying the early life history of fish. In this study, the analysis of otolith features was performed on Squalidus argentatus laboratory-reared larvae and juveniles (0 to 40 days post-hatching or dph) collected as eggs in the Laibin section of the Pearl River (South China) from April to August 2020. According to the otolith development analysis, there was a corresponding relationship between the development of otoliths and the ontogenesis of fish, in which the shape of otoliths had a greater change in the post-flexion larval stage corresponding to the formation period of each fin. Observations of the microstructural features suggested that lapilli were the most suitable otoliths for age determination and increment deposition rate validation among the three pairs of otoliths. The result of a regression analysis of the number of lapilli increments on age indicated that otolith growth increments were deposited daily and the first increment was deposited at 3 dph. Our results support the usage of otolith increment deposition rate when assessing hatching dates and daily growth for wild S. argentatus at 40 dph when environmental conditions are comparable to those described in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Impairment of cortical cholinergic pathways (CCP) is an important risk factor for chronic vascular cognitive impairment. However, this phenomenon has rarely been studied in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). We investigated the relationship between PSCI and CCP lesions assessed by structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients and methods: We prospectively enrolled 103 patients within 7 days of ischemic stroke onset. CCP was measured by the cholinergic pathways hyperintensities scale (CHIPS), which semiquantitatively grades MR lesions strategically located on the CCP identified in human brains. We also measured other MRI parameters, including the location and volumes of acute infarcts, cerebral microbleeds, medial temporal lobe atrophy, and white matter lesions. Neuropsychological assessments were performed using the 60-min modified vascular dementia battery (VDB) at 3 months after the index stroke, and PSCI was defined according to VDB as well as ADL. Results: Of all 103 patients, 69 men (67.0%) and 34 women (33.0%) with a mean age of 57.22 ± 12.95 years, 55 patients (53.4%) were judged to have PSCI at 3 months, including 43 (41.7%) patients with PSCI-no dementia and 12 (11.7%) patients with poststroke dementia. According to the VBD assessment, the most commonly impaired cognitive domain was visuomotor speed (27.2%) followed by verbal memory (25.2%). Univariate analysis showed that patients with PSCI were older; had higher informant questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly (IQCODE) scores; had more frequent previous stroke history and atrial fibrillation; and had higher CHIPS scores, more severe white matter lesions, and medial temporal lobe atrophy. PSCI patients also had higher depression scores at 3 months. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, IQCODE score, CHIPS score, and Hamilton depression rating scale score were independent predictors of PSCI. Ordinal regression analysis for risk factors of poor functional outcomes revealed that IQCODE scores and cognitive function status were related to mRS score at 3 months after stroke. Conclusion: In patients with early subacute ischemic stroke, the severity of lesions involving the CCP may be associated with cognitive impairment at 3 months. Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier: ChiCTR1800014982. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus is one of the largest beetle species in the world and is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Ten subspecies of T. dichotomus and a related Trypoxylus species (T. kanamorii) have been described throughout Asia, but their taxonomic delimitations remain problematic. To clarify issues such as taxonomy, and the degree of genetic differentiation of Trypoxylus populations, we investigated the genetic structure, genetic variability, and phylogeography of 53 specimens of Trypoxylus species from 44 locations in five Asian countries (China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar). Using specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF‐seq) techniques, we developed 330,799 SLAFs over 114.16M reads, in turn yielding 46,939 high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for genotyping. Phylogenetic analysis of SNPs indicated the presence of three distinct genetic groups, suggesting that the various subspecies could be treated as three groups of populations. PCA and ADMIXTURE analysis also identified three genetic clusters (North, South, West), which corresponded to their locations, suggesting that geographic factors were important in maintaining within population homogeneity and between population divergence. Analyses of SNP data confirmed the monophyly of certain subspecies on islands, while other subspecies (e.g., T. d. septentrionalis) were found to be polyphyletic and nested in more than one lineage. AMOVA demonstrated high level of differentiation among populations/groups. Also, pairwise FST values revealed high differentiation, particularly between South and West, as well as between North and South. Despite the differentiation, measurable gene flow was inferred between genetic clusters but at varying rates and directions. Our study demonstrated that SLAF‐seq derived markers outperformed 16S and COII sequences and provided improved resolution of the genetic differentiation of rhinoceros beetle populations from a large part of the species' range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphisms in arsenic (+ 3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) have been shown to be related to interindividual variations in arsenic metabolism and to influence adverse health effects in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients treated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3). The occurrence of hyperleukocytosis with As2O3 treatment seriously affects the early survival rate of APL patients, but no definite explanation for such a complication has been clearly established. To clarify the causes of this situation, AS3MT polymorphisms 14215 (rs3740390), 14458 (rs11191439), 27215 (rs11191446), and 35991 (rs10748835) and profiles of plasma arsenic metabolites were evaluated in a group of 54 newly diagnosed APL patients treated with single-agent As2O3. High-performance liquid chromatography–hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC–HG-AFS) was used to determine the concentrations of plasma arsenic metabolites. Plasma arsenic methylation metabolism capacity was evaluated by the percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), primary methylation index (PMI, MMA/iAs), and secondary methylation index (SMI, DMA/MMA). The results showed that APL patients who developed hyperleukocytosis had a higher plasma iAs%, but a lower MMA% and PMI than those who did not develop hyperleukocytosis during As2O3 treatment. In addition, patients with the AS3MT 14215 (rs3740390) CC genotype had significantly higher plasma iAs% and incidence of hyperleukocytosis, but lower PMI than patients with the CT + TT genotype. Conversely, we did not observe statistically significant associations between the occurrence of hyperleukocytosis and AS3MT 14458 (rs11191439), 27215 (rs11191446), and 35991 (rs10748835) polymorphisms in our study subjects. These results indicated that AS3MT 14215 (rs3740390) might be used as an indicator for predicting the occurrence of hyperleukocytosis in APL patients treated with As2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new loach Oreonectes guilinensis sp. nov. is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It is the second surface‐dwelling fish identified in the genus Oreonectes after the type species Oreonectes platycephalus. This new species can be distinguished from other species within the genus by the combination of the following features: a round caudal fin, 13–14 branched rays, an incomplete lateral line with 4–6 pores, a short pelvic fin located some distance from the anus, a scale‐covered body, a stout build (body width 14.0%–16.7% of standard length), a posterior chamber of well‐developed airbladder and a yellowish‐brown body with a lateral dark brown strip. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on cytb gene recovered this new species in a well‐supported clade with the type species O. platycephalus, sister to the Lefua clade. Morphological comparisons as well as our phylogenetic tree support Oreonectes shuilongensis, Oreonectes daqikongensis, Oreonectes jiarongensis as species of Troglonectes. Based on our results there are 6 valid species in the genus Oreonectes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. The most common cause of WE is alcoholism. However, there is a significant paucity of information in the existing literature relating to nonalcoholic WE. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics and neuroimaging findings of nine patients with nonalcoholic WE. Patients and methods: We retrospectively collated clinical data from nine patients who had been diagnosed with WE in accordance with established criteria including age, gender, risk factors and clinical manifestations. We also collated initial hematological and neuroimaging findings. Results: The mean age of the nine patients was 54.0±17.1 years; four of these patients (44.4%) were male. All nine patients had a history of fasting (range, 5–47 days) prior to WE. Four of the nine patients (44.4%) exhibited the classical triad, and eight (88.9%) showed alterations in mental status. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed that all nine patients had symmetric lesions of the medial thalamus. MRI also revealed other WE-related lesions in mammillary bodies (22.2%), the periaqueductal region (55.6%), the tectal plate of the midbrain (77.8%), cranial nerve nuclei (77.8%) and in the symmetric subcortical white matter (11.1%). Conclusion: Our analysis showed that fasting is a common cause of WE in nonalcoholic patients and that MRI is a useful tool for the diagnosis of WE. The most common MRI findings were symmetrical lesions of the medial thalamus lesions, followed by the tectal plate of the midbrain and cranial nerve nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 50% of Chinese mangroves were lost between 1950 and 2000 to habitat destruction, prompting an urge for conservation. To assess the importance of the protected Maowei Gulf mangrove estuary for fish population assemblage in the Beibu Gulf (China), we studied species composition and abundance of juvenile fish (including larvae) from July 2012 to June 2013. A total of 11 691 specimens were collected, which belonged to 24 species and 15 families. Six perciform species constituted 93% of the total sample. Pseudogobius javanicus (53.29%) was the dominant species from August to November, Omobranchus elegans (28.49%) from April to July, non-identified species in December and January, and Liza carinata in February and March. A number of commercially important fish species were also identified. Abundance was the highest in summer/early autumn (max 162.4 in Sep), and lowest in winter/early spring (Mar = 4.5). Diversity (H’) and richness (Dma) indices (both max. in May: 1.67 and 1.95 respectively) were generally positively correlated with tide and temperature, and negatively with salinity. Seasonal variations play a more important role in the fish assemblage structure than tidal rhythm, with differences particularly pronounced between colder and warmer months. Despite the prominent seasonal differences in abiotic factors, this study indicates that Maowei mangroves provide habitat and food for juvenile fish throughout the year and thus are indispensable for the fish diversity in the Beibu Gulf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome ( PSIS) is a rare type of hypopituitarism manifesting various degrees of pituitary hormone deficiency. Although mutations have been identified in some familial cases, the underpinning mechanisms of sporadic patients with PSIS who are in a vast majority remain elusive, necessitating a comprehensive study using systemic approaches. We postulate that other genetic mechanisms may be responsible for the sporadic PSIS. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a study in 24 patients with PSIS of Han Chinese with no family history using whole-exome sequencing ( WES) and bioinformatic analysis. We identified a group of heterozygous mutations in 92% (22 of 24) of the patients, and these genes are mostly associated with Notch, Shh, Wnt signalling pathways. Importantly, 83% (20 of 24) of the patients had more than one mutation in those pathways suggesting synergy of compound mutations underpin the pathogenesis of sporadic PSIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To pool reliable evidences for the optimum anterior transposition technique in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome by comparing the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous and submuscular anterior ulnar nerve transposition. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, OVID AMED, EBSCO and potentially relevant surgical archives. Risk of bias of each included studies was evaluated according to Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the clinical improvement in function compared to baseline. Heterogeneity was assessed across studies, and subgroup analysis was also performed based on the study type and follow-up duration. Results: Three studies with a total of 352 participants were identified, and the clinically relevant improvement was used as the primary outcomes. Our meta-analysis revealed that no significant difference was observed between two comparison groups in terms of postoperative clinical improvement in those studies (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.25, P = 0.72). Meanwhile, subgroup analyses by study type and follow-up duration revealed the consistent results with the overall estimate. Additionally, the pre- and postoperative motor nerve conduction velocities were reported in two studies with a total of 326 patients, but we could not perform a meta-analysis because of the lack of concrete numerical value in one study. The quality of evidence for clinical improvement was ‘low’ or ‘moderate’ on the basis of GRADE approach. Conclusions: Based on small numbers of studies with relatively poor methodological quality, the limited evidence is insufficient to identify the optimum anterior transposition technique in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. The results of the present study suggest that anterior subcutaneous and submuscular transposition might be equally effective in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Therefore, more high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized clinical improvement metrics are required to further clarify this topic and to provide reproducible pre- and postoperative objective outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Some studies have attempted to correlate mutations at codon 1309 with classic FAP (≥100 colorectal polyps). We report two Chinese FAP pedigrees with new frameshift mutations at codon 1309, in which affected individuals manifest phenotypic variations. Comprehensive physical examinations were performed for all living individuals and the medical data of deceased patients were collected. Screening of the APC and human mutY homolog (MUTYH) genes for germline mutations was conducted by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing. In two pedigrees, a heterozygous deletion in exon 16 of the APC gene was present in all FAP patients but absent in the unaffected individuals. There were no changes to the MUTYH gene. The first pedigree, with a new frameshift mutation at c.3926_3930 del AAAAG (p. Glu1309Asp fs X4), exhibited obvious differences in the polyp number such that the proband manifested only three colorectal polyps, whereas another patients showed the symptoms of classic FAP. The second pedigree, also traced a new mutation at c.3922_3925 del AAAG (p. Glu1309Arg fs X11). Although all of the patients presented with classic polyposis, one of them exhibited a delayed onset of colorectal cancer in his 50s. Two novel mutations at codon 1309 in two Chinese families suffering from FAP could enrich the germline mutation spectrum of the APC gene. Families of individuals might manifest different phenotypes, even with an identical codon 1309 mutation, unlike in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSOH) with different viscosities and hydroxyl contents were used to improve the toughness of polycarbonate (PC) through reactive melt blending. A largely improved toughness of PC has been achieved, and the low temperature toughness of PC/PDMSOH blends could overtake that of PC homopolymer in much higher temperatures ( e.g. −10 °C versus 23 °C). Moreover, it was found that the more the hydroxyl content, the less the PDMSOH was needed to reach the highest toughness, suggesting that equivalent molar ratio between the carbonyl group content of PC and the hydroxyl group content of PDMSOH was required for the toughening of PC. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry was used to analyze the possible reaction between PC and PDMSOH. Contact angle was measured to assess the change of interfacial interaction between PC and PDMSOH as change of viscosity and hydroxyl content. The formation of PC- co-PDMSOH copolymer was believed to be the key for the toughening effect. This work gives a profound recommendation of the optimum kind and dosage of PDMSOH which should be used to improve the toughness of PC and will find immediate industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lagerstroemia villosa is a kind of ornamental tree with surprising potential for applying in the landscape. We characterized the complete chloroplast genome of this scarce species and analyzed its phylogeny within Lythraceae. The result showed that the genome possessed a typical quadripartite structure, in more detail, a lager single-copy region (LSC, 88,702bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 18,255bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb, 26,906 bp). 78 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on maximum likelihood (ML) supported the closest relationship between L. villosa and Lagerstroemia limii plus Lagerstroemia subcostata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuphea hyssopifolia is a small evergreen shrub of great economic and medicinal values. However, there are few studies on the ecological and genetic characteristics of this species. Chloroplast genomic analysis has been shown to resolve phylogenetic relationships. Here, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. hyssopifolia, which is the first complete cp genome reported in the genus Cuphea. The size of the whole cp genome is 158,821 bp, exhibiting the large (LSC, 89,064 bp) and small (SSC, 18,373 bp) single-copy regions and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 25,692 bp). The genome contained 111 unique genes, including 78 protein coding genes, 29 transfer RNAs (tRNA), and four ribosomal RNAs (rRNA). Neighbour-joining (NJ) phylogenetic analysis based on 43 genomes showed that C. hyssopifolia was closer to Heimia myrtifolia than Lagerstroemia species in the Lythraceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To optimize somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) procedures in mini-pigs, the present study was designed to examine the effects of donor cell types and aphidicolin (APC) treatment on in vitro development of reconstructed embryos. Oviduct epithelial cells (OEC), ear fibroblast cells (EFC) and cumulus cells (CC) derived from mini-pigs were treated with serum starvation only or serum starvation followed by treatment of 0.1 µg/mL APC. The reconstructed embryos were cultured for 7 days to evaluate their developmental competency. Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates of reconstructed embryos derived from the OEC by APC treatment were significantly higher than the serum starvation (61.82% vs. 56.25%, 24.55% vs. 17.86%; P < 0.05). The cleavage rate from the EFC was significantly increased by APC treatment compared to serum starvation only (63.36% vs. 57.01%; P < 0.05). In the ooctyes with the CC, the reconstructed embryos could yield high blastocyst formation rate by APC treatment (29.63%; P < 0.05). In the presence of APC, CC gave rise to the highest cleavage and blastocyst formation rates among the three cell types. Therefore, our results suggest that treatment of CC with serum starvation plus APC prior to nuclear transfer is more suitable in SCNT of mini-pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and its southern and southeastern mountain ranges, Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains (HHM), are one of the most extensive habitats for alpine plants in the world. How ferns occurring in QTP and HHM changed their distribution ranges in response to Quaternary climatic oscillations remains almost unknown. Methodology and Results: We employed sequences of two chloroplast DNA regions, rps4-trnS and trnL-trnF, to reconstruct phylogeography of the Sino-Himalayan fern Lepisorus clathratus, occurring mainly in the QTP and HHM. Individuals of this species have either dehiscent or indehiscent sporangia with the latter evolved from the plesiomorphic dehiscent forms. Based on a range-wide sampling, we detected 27 cpDNA haplotypes that were divided into five groups by network analyses. Populations in the Hengduan Mountains possess the highest genetic diversity, while a single haplogroup is detected across the north-central region. A distinct phylogeographical subdivision was detected between the Hengduan Mountains and north-central region by AMOVA analysis. The haplogroup distribution pattern, coalescence and AMOVA analysis suggest that a long term survival area (refugia) of the species was located in the Hengduan Mountains during glaciations, with probable range expansions into north-central regions during interglacial periods. Populations with indehiscent sporangium can carry private haplotypes and are inclined to maintain genetic homogeneity. One group with indehiscent sporangia most likely survived in situ on the QTP during glaciations. Conclusions/Significance: This study for the first time sheds light on the response of alpine ferns in the QTP and HHM to the Quaternary climatic oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifurcations with constraints are open problems appeared in research on periodic bifurcations of nonlinear dynamical systems, but the present singularity theory doesn't contain any analytical methods and results about it. As the complement to singularity theory and the first step to study on constrained bifurcations, here are given the transition sets and persistent perturbed bifurcation diagrams of 10 elementary bifurcation of codimension no more than three. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1:2 internal resonance of coupled dynamic system with quadratic and cubic nonlinearities is studied. The normal forms of this system in 1:2 internal resonance were derived by using the direct method of normal form. In the normal forms, quadratic and cubic nonlinearities were remained. Based on a new convenient transformation technique, the 4- dimension bifurcation equations were reduced to 3- dimension. A bifurcation equation with one-dimension was obtained. Then the bifurcation behaviors of a universal unfolding were studied by using the singularity theory. The method of this paper can be applied to analyze the bifurcation behavior in strong internal resonance on 4- dimension center manifolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which described the process developed by First Pharmaceutical Factory in Shijiazhuang City, China, for treating vitamin C wastewater. Fermentation technology used at the factory; How the system operates; Conclusion.

Polypropylene random co-polymer (PPR)/styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SBS) block copolymer blends with high toughness and favorable tensile properties were successfully obtained by blending with traces of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and β-nucleating agents (β-NAs). β-NAs can effectively induce the ductile β-form crystal in the PPR matrix. Although the addition of MWCNTs was reported to be only benefit for the tensile strength of PPR and relatively disadvantageous for the toughness, the obviously synergistic toughening effect in PPR/SBS blends was found when MWCNTs and β-NAs coexisted. The notched izod impact strength of PPR/30 wt % SBS blend with MWCNTs and β-NAs increased from 11.3 to 58.9 kJ/m2; more than 5-fold increment compared with pure PPR. Meanwhile, the tensile strength retention of this PPR blend is still above 72.2%. The micro-morphology indicated that the MWCNTs can act as bridges between SBS particle and PPR matrix, effectively transferring the stress and absorbing impact energy among SBS particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of the suprapatellar approach for intramedullary nailing has recently become popular for the treatment of tibial fractures. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the Chinese Aircraft-shaped Sleeve (CASS) system on the clinical outcomes of tibial intermedullary nailing using a suprapatellar approach for the treatment of tibial fractures in a cohort of adult Chinese patients. Methods: Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the knee joints of 212 healthy adults with normal lower limb function from May 2011 to May 2015 were obtained from a level I Chinese regional trauma centre. Sixty inpatients at the same trauma centre who underwent treatment for tibial shaft fractures from June 2015 to June 2018 were enrolled. Tibial intramedullary nailing fixation of tibial shaft fractures via the suprapatellar approach was performed with either a CASS system or a conventional sleeve. The measurements of patellofemoral joint anatomy, the surgical time, the assessments of the patellofemoral joint cartilage conditions, and information of residual debris based on arthroscopic analysis were subsequently collected. Results: The mean patellar angle (PA), sulcus angle (SA), sulcus width (SW) and sulcus depth (SD) were 135.40 ± 6.20°, 142.37 ± 5.33°, 33.37 ± 2.73 mm, and 4.29 ± 0.63 mm, respectively. The surgical time until entry reaming commencement and the irrigation time were significantly lower in the CASS group (P < 0.001). The difference in cartilage damage rate between groups was statistically significant (P = 0.031); the difference in residual debris conditions was not statistically significant (P = 0.1967). Conclusion: The use of the CASS system could improve clinical outcomes of intramedullary nailing via suprapatellar approach for patients with a small patellofemoral joint space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]