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This study examines the effect of online reviews on new product sales for consumer electronics and video games. Analyses of panel data of 332 new products from Amazon.com over nine months reveal that the valence of reviews and the volume of page views have a stronger effect on search products, whereas the volume of reviews is more important for experience products. The results also show that the volume of reviews has a significant effect on new product sales in the early period and such effect decreases over time. Moreover, the percentage of negative reviews has a greater effect than that of positive reviews, confirming the negativity bias. Thus, marketers need to consider the distinctive influences of various aspects of online reviews when launching new products and devising e-marketing strategies. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Objective To investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS) in non-diabetic patients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed 968 nondiabetic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients admitted between January 2022 and December 2024. Intergroup differences between the sICAS group and the non-sICAS group were analyzed. The TyG index was calculated, and stratified into TyG tertiles (T1–T3). Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol use, hypertension status, BMI, and lipid profiles were used to assess associations with sICAS, stenosis severity, and plaque vulnerability. Restricted cubic splines explore nonlinear relationships. Results Among the 968 included patients, the median age was 58 (IQR 50–66) years, and 43.39% were male. The median TyG index was 8.96 (IQR 8.77, 9.13). Patients with sICAS presented significantly higher total cholesterol (TC) levels and TyG index values, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. The high-TyG group presented a significantly greater prevalence of male, sex, a history of smoking and hypertension, an elevated body mass index (BMI), and lower HDL levels. An elevated TyG index was significantly associated with sICAS, moderate and severe stenosis and vulnerable plaques. This association was maintained after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, BMI, TC, HDL, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Multivariable-adjusted spline regression models revealed that a progressively increasing risk of sICAS, moderate and severe stenosis and vulnerable plaques was related to an elevated TyG index. Conclusion An elevated TyG index is significantly associated with sICAS and independently associated with severe intracranial arterial stenosis and vulnerable plaques in nondiabetic AIS patients.

RNA splicing is a fundamental step of gene expression. While constitutive splicing removes introns and joins exons unbiasedly, alternative splicing (AS) selectively determines the assembly of exons and introns to generate RNA variants corresponding to the same transcript. The biogenesis of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is inextricably associated with AS. Back-splicing, the biogenic process of circRNA, is a special form of AS. In cancer, both AS and circRNA deviate from the original track. In the present review, we delve into the intricate interplay between AS and circRNAs in the context of cancer. The relationship between AS and circRNAs is intricate, where AS modulates the biogenesis of circRNAs and circRNAs in return regulate AS events. Beyond that, epigenetic and posttranscriptional modifications concurrently regulate AS and circRNAs. On the basis of this modality, we summarize current knowledge on how splicing factors and other RNA binding proteins regulate circRNA biogenesis, and how circRNAs interact with splicing factors to influence AS events. Specifically, the feedback loop regulation between circRNAs and AS events contributes greatly to oncogenesis and cancer progression. In summary, resolving the crosstalk between AS and circRNA will not only provide better insight into cancer biology but also provoke novel strategies to combat cancer. Graphical Abstract

Background: Noninvasive and cost-effective markers are needed to replace esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the screening for severe esophagogastric varices (EGVs) and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). Objective: This study evaluated the performances of several commonly used fibrosis markers in assessing EGVs and PHG in cirrhosis patients. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A series of 323 patients with cirrhosis were consecutively enrolled and endoscopically followed up until variceal eradication was achieved. The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR), and Lok score were calculated for each patient upon first admission. The performances of these markers in assessing EGVs and PHG were determined. Results: In the screening for clinically relevant esophageal varices (CREVs), none of the markers showed a significant ability to differentiate CREVs from non-CREVs (P > .05). The AAR (area under the curve (AUC): 0.581, sensitivity: 52.0%, specificity: 66.1%, P = .033) and the GPR (AUC = 0.596, sensitivity: 64.0%, specificity: 50.0%, P = .033) fairly differentiated clinically relevant gastric varices (CRGVs) from non-CRGVs patients. Moreover, no correlation was noted between PHG and CREVs (r = .016, P = .778) or between PHG and CRGVs (r = −.024, P = .666). Furthermore, no difference in the severity of PHG before and after variceal eradication was detected (P = .224). Conclusion: The studied markers revealed poor to no ability to assess EGVs or PHG. Hence, they cannot be used to substitute EGD in the screening for EGVs. Furthermore, endoscopic eradication of EGVs did not affect the severity of PHG.

Organizational and technological transformations characterized Late Neolithic China within and beyond the Central Plains region. Evidence of the adoption of new ceramics technologies such as the fast wheel provides insight into social dynamics during the Late Longshan period in the Wei River Valley. A case study of the Kangjia site indicates the limited application of the wheel-throwing technique for manufacturing local styles of pottery. This suggests that potters elected to integrate the new technology within pre-existing local production practices. Cultural preferences for a local style, a stable learning framework for transmitting potting knowledge, and modest ceramic needs would have restricted large-scale production of wheel-thrown vessels. A similar technological style of fast wheel production in nearby settlements indicates the presence of a shared community of practice, especially in the eastern Wei River Valley. This network was likely part of a broader system of long-distance regional connections with communities in the Central Plains. Keywords: ceramics, wheel-throwing technique, local production practices, social networks, Late Longshan, Keshengzhuang Culture, Wei River Valley.

Background: Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone metabolism disease characterized by a reduction in bone density, leading to several complications that significantly affect patients’ quality of life. The Achyranthes bidentata–Dipsacus asper (AB–DA) herb pair is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic compounds and potential mechanisms of AB–DA using network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and experimental verification. Methods: Identified compounds of AB–DA were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database (TCM-ID), TCM@Taiwan Database, BATMAN-TCM, and relevant literature. The main bioactive ingredients were screened based on the criteria of “OB (oral bioavailability) ≥ 30, DL (drug-likeness) ≥ 0.18.” Potential targets were predicted using the PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction websites, while disease (osteoporosis)-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM databases. The PPI network and KEGG/GO enrichment analysis were utilized for core targets and pathway screening in the STRING and Metascape databases, respectively. A drug–compound–target–pathway–disease network was constructed using Cytoscape software to display core regulatory mechanisms. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation techniques explored the binding reliability and stability between core compounds and targets. In vitro and in vivo validation experiments were utilized to explore the anti-osteoporosis efficiency and mechanism of sitogluside. Results: A total of 31 compounds with 83 potential targets for AB–DA against osteoporosis were obtained. The PPI analysis revealed several hub targets, including AKT1, CASP3, EGFR, IGF1, MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. GO/KEGG analysis indicated that the MAPK cascade (ERK/JNK/p38) is the main pathway involved in treating osteoporosis. The D–C–T–P–T network demonstrated therapeutic compounds that mainly consisted of iridoids, steroids, and flavonoids, such as sitogluside, loganic acid, and β-ecdysterone. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation analyses confirmed strong binding affinity and stability between core compounds and targets. Additionally, the validation experiments showed preliminary evidence of antiosteoporosis effects. Conclusion: This study identified iridoids, steroids, and flavonoids as the main therapeutic compounds of AB–DA in treating osteoporosis. The underlying mechanisms may involve targeting core MAPK cascade (ERK/JNK/p38) targets, such as MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. In vivo experiments preliminarily validated the anti-osteoporosis effect of sitogluside. Further in-depth experimental studies are required to validate the therapeutic value of AB–DA for treating osteoporosis in clinical practice.

Background Limb salvage surgery is an important method for treating malignant tumors of the bone involving the adjacent parts of the major joints in children. This technique allows for preservation of limb function, especially in the lower limb. However, the reconstruction of the proximal end of the tibia after removing the tumor mass with a rational scale to preserve the total knee joint and reduce limb length discrepancy presents a challenge. Case presentation We present a case of osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia. After being treated with an extended tumor resection, the proximal tibia of the child was restructured using endoprosthetic replacement with epiphyseal preservation. This procedure preserves the entire articular surface and growth plate of the knee joint of the affected limb and provides a feasible alternative protocol for retaining the function and growth potential of the affected limb. The patient remained disease-free and normal limb motor function was observed during the 3.5 year follow-up since the initial surgery. Conclusions Preservation of the epiphysis enabled our patient to perform better limb function after limb-saving surgery as a result of his undamaged knee joint and minimized limb-length discrepancy. We believe that endoprosthetic replacement with preservation of the epiphysis can provide the best strategy for reconstruction after resection of focal malignant tumors in long bones without epiphytic involvement.

Background Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is a rare benign bone tumor, it is also called “Nora’s lesion”. The lesion is characterized by heterotopic ossification of the normal bone cortex or parosteal bone. The etiology of BPOP is unclear and may be related to trauma. In most BPOPs, the lesion is not connected to the medullary cavity. Here we report an atypical case, characterized by reversed features compared to the typical BPOP, which demonstrated continuity of the lesion with the cavity. Case presentation An 11-year-old female child had a slow-growing mass on her right wrist for 8 months with forearm rotation dysfunction. Plain X-rays showed an irregular calcified mass on the right distal ulna, and computed tomography (CT) showed a pedunculated mass resembling a mushroom protruding into the soft tissue at the distal ulna. The medulla of this lesion is continuous with the medulla of the ulna. A surgical resection of the lesion, together with a portion of the ulnar bone cortex below the tumor was performed, and the final pathology confirmed BPOP. After the surgery, the child’s forearm rotation function improved significantly, and there was no sign of a recurrence at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion It is scarce for BPOP lesions to communicate with the medullary cavity. However, under-recognition of these rare cases may result in misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment thereby increasing the risk of recurrence. Therefore, special cases where BPOP lesions are continuous with the medulla are even more important to be studied to understand better and master these lesions. Although BPOP is a benign tumor with no evidence of malignant transformation, the recurrence rate of surgical resection is high. We considered the possibility of this particular disease prior to surgery and performed a surgical resection with adequate safety margins. Regular postoperative follow-up is of utmost importance, without a doubt.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.789552.].