Genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic analysis of a medicinal snake, Bungarus multicinctus, to provides insights into the origin of Elapidae neurotoxins

The many-banded krait, Bungarus multicinctus, has been recorded as the animal resource of JinQianBaiHuaShe in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Characterization of its venoms classified chief phyla of modern animal neurotoxins. However, the evolutionary origin and diversification of its neurotoxins as well as biosynthesis of its active compounds remain largely unknown due to the lack of its high-quality genome. Here, we present the 1.58 Gbp genome of B. multicinctus assembled into 18 chromosomes with contig/scaffold N50 of 7.53 Mbp/149.8 Mbp. Major bungarotoxin-coding genes were clustered within genome by family and found to be associated with ancient local duplications. The truncation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor in the 3'-terminal of a LY6E paralog released modern three-finger toxins (3FTxs) from membrane tethering before the Colubroidea divergence. Subsequent expansion and mutations diversified and recruited these 3FTxs. After the cobra/krait divergence, the modern unit-B of β-bungarotoxin emerged with an extra cysteine residue. A subsequent point substitution in unit-A enabled the β-bungarotoxin covalent linkage. The B. multicinctus gene expression, chromatin topological organization, and histone modification characteristics were featured by transcriptome, proteome, chromatin conformation capture sequencing, and ChIP-seq. The results highlighted that venom production was under a sophisticated regulation. Our findings provide new insights into snake neurotoxin research, meanwhile will facilitate antivenom development, toxin-driven drug discovery and the quality control of JinQianBaiHuaShe.

A comparative study on the short- and medium-term effects of Leonardo da Vinci robot-assisted and traditional mitral valvuloplasty / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare short- and medium-term effects of Leonardo da Vinci robot-assisted and traditional mitral valvuloplasty. Methods    We conducted a retrospective analysis of 74 patients who underwent mitral valvuloplasty in our hospital from January 2015 to March 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the mode of operation: a da Vinci group (n=29, 13 males, 16 females at an average age of 52 years) and a routine group (n=45, 18 males, 27 females at an average age of 53 years). The perioperative data of patients in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results    There was no significant difference in sex, age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), cardiac function (NYHA), hypertension, diabetes, postoperative blood transfusion and postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The tracheal intubation time, ICU retention time, hospital stay time, blood loss and postoperative drainage in the da Vinci group were shorter or less than those in the routine group (P<0.05). The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic clamping time in the da Vinci group were longer than those in the routine group (P<0.05). Different surgical procedures had no significant effect on left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral regurgitation (MR) 3 years after operation. There was no interaction between the mode of operation and the time of follow-up. There was no significant difference in echocardiographic evaluation in the same period (P>0.05). Conclusion    Da Vinci operation shortens the rehabilitation process of patients compared with traditional surgery. For short- and medium-term follow-up results, there is no difference between Leonardo da Vinci and traditional mitral valve surgeries, and the clinical effect of da Vinci robot-assisted mitral valvuloplasty is satisfactory, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.

Application of 3D visualization and 3D printing in individualized precision surgery for Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅲ and Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application of 3D visualization and 3D printing in individualized precision surgical treatment of Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅲ and Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the data of 10 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma undergoing surgeries under the guidance of 3D visualization and 3D printing in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital from May 2016 to March 2019. Thin-section CT data of the patients were collected for 3D reconstruction and 3D printing, and the 3D printed models were used for observing the 3D relationship of tumor with the intrahepatic bile duct, hepatic artery, portal vein and hepatic vein system and for performing preoperative simulated surgery and surgical planning. The 3D printed models were subsequently used for real-time intraoperative navigation to guide surgeries in the operating room.@*RESULTS@#3D visualization models were successfully reconstructed for all the 10 patients and printed into 3D models. The 3D visualization types in Bismuth-Corlette classification included type Ⅲa (4 cases), type Ⅲb (4 cases), and type Ⅳ (2 cases); 4 patients showed portal vein variation, 3 had hepatic artery variation, and 2 had both portal vein and hepatic artery variations. Two patients were found to have trifurcation type of portal vein variation, one had "I-shaped" variation, and one showed the absence of the right anterior branch of the portal vein; 3 patients had hepatic artery variations with the left hepatic artery originating from the left gastric artery (1 case) and the right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery (2 cases). Four patients with type Ⅲb underwent left hepatectomy; 4 with type Ⅲa received right hepatectomy; 1 patient with of type Ⅳ received peripheral hepatic resection and another underwent left hepatectomy. The results of preoperative 3D reconstruction, 3D printed model and preoperative planning were consistent with the intraoperative findings. The operative time was 452±75.12 min with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 356±62.35 mL and a mean hospital stay of 15 ± 4.61 days in these cases. One patient had bile leakage and 3 patients had pleural effusion postoperatively, and they were discharged after drainage and medications. No liver failure or death occurred in these cases perioperatively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#3D visualization and 3D printing can facilitate accurate preoperative assessment, surgical planning and surgical procedure optimization for Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅲ and Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma to improve surgical safety and reduce surgical risks especially in cases of intrahepatic vascular variations.

Clinical efficacy of three-dimensional visualization technique combined with enhanced recovery after surgery in the treatment of hepatolithiasis / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional visualization technique (3DVT) combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in the treatment of hepatolithiasis.Methods The retrospective cohort study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 64 patients with hepatolithiasis who were admitted to Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from November 2015 to August 2018 were collected.There were 17 males and 47 females,aged from 30 to 82 years,with a median age of 55 years.Of the 64 patients,23 who completed preoperative assessment and planning using 3DVT,and furthermore received ERAS for perioperative management were divided into 3DVT + ERAS group,and 41 who received preoperative assessment merely under the guidance of 3DVT,combined with conventional perioperative management were divided into 3DVT + conventional group.Observation indicators:(1) preoperative CT and 3DVT assessment;(2) perioperative conditions;(3) follow-up.The follow-up was conducted by outpatient service,e-mail or telephone interview to detect the postoperative recurrence of hepatolithiasis up to March 2019.The measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD,and the t test was used for comparison between groups.The measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M (P25,P75),and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups.The count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages,and the comparison between groups was pedormed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability.Results (1) Preoperative CT and 3DVT assessment:23 patients in the 3DVT + ERAS group underwent preoperative CT examination and 3DVT assessment,the consistency between CT results and intraoperative findings was 91.3％ (21/23),and the consistency between 3DVT results and intraoperative findings was 95.7％(22/23).Fourty-one patients in the 3DVT + conventional group underwent preoperative CT examination and 3DVT assessment,the consistency between CT results and intraoperative findings was 90.2％ (37/41),and the consistency between 3DVT results and intraoperative findings was 95.1％ (39/41).(2) Perioperative conditions:the volume of intraoperative blood loss,duration of postoperative hospital stay,postoperative total bilirubin,postoperative direct bilirubin,postoperative albumin,postoperative alanine aminotransferase,postoperative aspartate aminotransferase and postoperative hemoglobin were 50 mL (10 mL,100 mL),8 days (7 days,9 days),12 μmol/L (9 μmol/L,16 μmoL/L),6 μmol/L (4 μmoL/L,8 μmol/L),(37±4)g/L,44 U/L (18 U/L,85 U/L),32 U/L (20 U/L,65 U/L),(117±18)g/L in the 3DVT + ERAS group,and 100 mL (50 mL,300 mL),13 days (10 days,16 days),17 μmol/L (12 μmoL/L,33 μmoL/L),11 μmoL/L (7 μmoL/L,21 μmol/L),(29±6)g/L,78 U/L (43 U/L,122 U/L),121 U/L (72 U/L,176 U/L),(106±13)g/L in the 3DVT + conventional group,respectively;there were significant differences between two groups (Z =-3.084,-4.827,-2.953,-3.632,t =5.261,Z=-2.960,-4.625,t =2.773,P＜0.05).Two patients had pulmonary infection and 2 had pleural effusion in the 3DVT + ERAS group,and all the 4 patients were cured after treatment.One case of biliary fistula,4 cases of pulmonary infection and 5 cases of pleural effusion occurred in the 3DVT + conventional group,and these patients were cured by adequate abdominal drainage,antibiotic therapy and thoracocentesis,respectively.There was no perioperative death in either group.(3) Follow-up:64 patients were followed up for 6-36 months,with a median time of 23 months.During the follow-up,no recurrent hepatolithiasis in the 3DVT + ERAS group,and 1 case of recurrent hepatolithiasis was confirmed by ultrasound in the 3DVT + conventional group.No cholangiocarcinoma occurred in either group.Conclusion The combination of 3DVT and ERAS is effective,safe and feasible in the management of hepatolithiasis,which can accelerate the postoperative recovery of liver function,thus enhancing perioperative recovery and improving the prognosis of patients simultaneously.

Application of augmented-reality surgical navigation technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic hepatectomy / 中华外科杂志

Objective@#To study the application value of augmented-reality (AR) surgical navigation technology combined with indocyanine green (ICG) molecular fluorescence imaging in three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic hepatectomy.@*Methods@#The clinical data of forty-eight patients who had undergone 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma at First Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2018 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups: the group of 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy navigated by augment reality technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging (Group A) , and group of conventional 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy (Group B) . Patients in Group A (n=23) underwent 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy using augmented-reality technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging. In this group, the self-developed three-dimensional laparoscopic augmented-reality surgical navigation system (No. 2018SR840555) was operated to project the preoperative three-dimensional model to the surgical field, and the use of this system in combination with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging navigated laparoscopic hepatectomy. No surgical navigation technology was applied in Group B (n=25) . All patients signed the informed consent, which were in accordance with the requirements of medical ethics (Ethics No.: 2018-GDYK-003) . The preoperative data, surgical indicators and postoperative complications between the two groups were compared and analyzed.@*Results@#The median amount of intraoperative blood loss of Group A was 250 (200) ml (M (QR) ) , which was significantly lower than that of Group B (300 (150) ml) (Z=-2.307, P=0.021) .The transfusion rate of Group A was 13.0% (3/23) , which was significantly lower than that of Group B (40.0%, 10/25) (χ2=4.408, P=0.036) .The median postoperative hospitalization time of Group A was 8 (2) d, which was significantly shorter than that of Group B (11 (6.5) d) (Z=-2.694, P=0.007) . There were no serious complications and perioperative death in both groups.The incidence of postoperative complications in Group A was 17.4% (4/23) , which was not significantly different from that in group B (28%, 7/25) (χ2=0.763, P=0.382) .@*Conclusion@#Augmented-reality surgical navigation technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging has better effect in 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy.

Effects of Age and Gender on Lumbar Proprioception / 中国康复理论与实践

@# Objective To explore the difference in lumbar proprioception between the youth and the elderly, and the male and the female. Methods From September to November, 2017, 58 elderly aged 65 to 80 years and 56 youth aged 20 to 30 years were randomly picked up from the community. Their lumbar proprioceptions were measured by Con-Trex isokinetic dynamometer. The absolute error angles of lumbar flexion and extension in passive replication test was used to assess lumbar proprioceptive function. Results The absolute error angles of passive replication test were less on youth proprioception than on elderly ones (t > 4.218, P < 0.001), either in men or women (t > 2.844, P < 0.001), and was not different between men and women neither in the elderly group nor in the youth group (t < 1.473, P > 0.05). Conclusion The lumbar proprioception in the elderly was obviously inferior to that of the youth, both men and women. There was no gender difference between men and women in lumbar proprioception, both elderly and youth.

Research Progress of Low Back Pain Disability Assessment Scale (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common types of disability affecting individuals in Western countries, and the as-sessment of LBP-related disabilities represents a significant challenge. The disability assessment scales in LBP are commonly used in clini-cal diagnosis and treatment as well as evaluation system for clinical research, such as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland Morris Dis-ability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS). This article focused on the clinical applications, reliability and validity, strength and limitations of these scales, to help the clinical application and scientific research for the LBP disability scale.

Effect of Leech Powder on Prognosis of Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage of Early and Middle Stage / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the effect of leech powder on mortality and disability of acute intracerebral hemorrhage at 30 days and 1 year. Methods In a Case-control study,we analyzed the 30-day and 1-year mortality and disability with respect to leech powder treatment status in 59 patients consecutively admitted within one week of intracerebral hemorrhage onset. Confounding factors were compared between treated and nontreated patients. Results About two thirds of the patients received oral leech powder as part of their routine treatment,mean dosage was (2.22?0.42)g/d and mean duration was (10.12?3.39)d. The mortality was 2.4% versus 16.7% (P =0.08) at 30 days and 17.1% versus 44.4% (P=0.03) at 1 year in the leech powder treated and nontreated groups,respectively. Modified Rankin score 5-6 was 43.9% (61.1% in nontreated groups,P =0.45) at 30 days and 17.1% (50% in nontreated groups,P =0.03) at 1 year in treated groups,respectively. Leech powder treatment effect was adjusted for Glasgow Coma Scale,hyperglycemia,creatinine and smoker in logistic regression models. Depending on the factors entered into the model,either no effect or harm could be attributed to leech powder. Conclusions Based on the results of this study,no recommendations can be made on the use of leech powder in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. And properly randomized,controlled trials should be performed to come to a final conclusion.