Analysis of Pathogenic Bacterial Spectrum, Drug Resistance and Risk Factors for Mortality of Bloodstream Infection in Patients with Hematologic Diseases / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the pathogenic bacterial spectrum, drug resistance, and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant bacterial infection and mortality in patients with hematologic diseases complicated by bloodstream infections, so as to provide reference for rational drug use and improving prognosis.@*METHODS@#Positive blood culture specimens of patients with hematologic diseases in two Class A tertiary hospitals of Shanxi province from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Pathogen distribution, drug resistance and outcomes of patients with bloodstream infection were investigated, then the multivariate logistic analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection and factors affecting prognosis.@*RESULTS@#203 strains of pathogens were identified, mainly Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (69.46%, 141/203), of which Escherichia coli (E.coli) had the highest incidence (41.13%, 58/141), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.57%, 29/141) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.77%, 18/141). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 46.55% (27/58) and 37.93% (11/29), respectively. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 10.64% (15/141). And Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 27.59% (56/203), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated pathogen among Gram-positive bacteria (14.29%, 12.50% and 10.71%, respectively), of which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 33.33% (2/6), coagulase-negative staphylococci accounted for 87.50% (7/8), without vancomycin- or linezolid-resistant strain. Additionally, fungi accounted for 2.95% (6/203), all of which were Candida. Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) accounted for 53.90% (76/141). Duration of neutropenia >14 days was a risk factor for developing MDR-GNB infection. The 30-day all-cause mortality was 10.84%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the significant independent risk factors for mortality were age≥60 years (P <0.01, OR =5.85, 95% CI: 1.80-19.07) and use of vasopressor drugs (P <0.01, OR =5.89, 95% CI: 1.83-18.94).@*CONCLUSION@#The pathogenic bacteria of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological diseases are widely distributed, and the detection rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria is high. The clinicians should choose suitable antibiotics according to the results of bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility test.

Paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate ameliorates progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis by inhibiting interaction between Ahr and GRK2 of fibroblast-like synoviocytes / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is thought to be a crucial factor that regulates immune responses, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results of our group in recent years have shown that CP-25, a novel ester derivative of paeoniflorin, has a good effect on improving RA animal models. However, whether the anti-arthritis effect of CP-25 is related to Ahr remains unclear. METHODS CP-25 treatment ameliorated adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), a mouse model of RA, by inhibiting Ahr-related activities in fibroblasts like synoviocytes (FLS). AA rats were treated with CP-25 or paroxetine from day 17 to 33 after immunization. RESULTS CP-25 alleviated arthritis symptoms and the pathological changes, decreased the expression of Ahr in the synovium and FLS of AA rats. Besides, treatment with CP-25 reduced the proliferation and migration of MH7A caused by Ahr activation. In addition, we also demonstrated that CP-25 down-regulated the co-expres?sion and co-localization of Ahr and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in MH7A. CONCLUSION The data pre?sented here demonstrated that CP-25 suppressed FLS dysfunction in rats with AA, which were associated with reduced Ahr activation and the interaction between Ahr and GRK2.

Inactivation of Poliovirus by Ozone and the Impact of Ozone on the Viral Genome / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanisms underlying ozone-induced inactivation of poliovirus type 1 (PV1).@*METHODS@#We used cell culture, long-overlapping RT-PCR, and spot hybridization assays to verify and accurately locate the sites of action of ozone that cause PV1 inactivation. We also employed recombinant viral genome RNA infection models to confirm our observations.@*RESULTS@#Our results indicated that ozone inactivated PV1 primarily by disrupting the 5'-non-coding region (5'-NCR) of the PV1 genome. Further study revealed that ozone specifically damaged the 80-124 nucleotide (nt) region in the 5'-NCR. Recombinant viral genome RNA infection models confirmed that PV1 lacking this region was non-infectious.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, we not only elucidated the mechanisms by which ozone induces PV1 inactivation but also determined that the 80-124 nt region in the 5'-NCR is targeted by ozone to achieve this inactivation.

Mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps and research progress of its role in various diseases / 心血管康复医学杂志

Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)is another form of neutrophil playing biological role.In addition to its strong anti-infective effect,NETs has direct or indirect injury on body,which can be compared to those of in-flammatory factors.In recent years,studies suggested that NETs has involved in anti-inflammation,thrombosis and autoantibody production etc.The present article made a review on basic composition and structure of NETs and its role in occurrence and development of various diseases.

Dynamic distribution of the avian infectious bronchitis virus isolate strain Jin-13 in SPF chickens / 病毒学报

This study aimed to understand the dynamic distribution of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) Jin-13 strain in SPF chickens. Ninety-day-old SPF chickens were inoculated with Jin-13, a virulent strain, and dissected at day 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 or 35 post-inoculation (dpi). Samples of heart, liver, spleen, lung, trachea, kidney and duodenum were collected and the N gene was detected by Sybr Green I real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays. The established method had a good linear correlation from 7.77 x 10(8) to 10(0) copies/microL. SPF chickens developed typical clinical signs of IBV at the 4th dpi, and the IBV viral concentration of tissues and organs gradually increased with a peak of up to 7.13 x 10(4) copies/microL. The viral concentration of most organs decreased by the 10th dpi, but those of the kidney, trachea and lung remained positive for IBV at 28 dpi and the heart was still positive for IBV at > 35 dpi. The results of this study, showed that the Jin-13 strain can cause prolonged virus excertion in chickens with severe renal damage.

Isolation, identification and full-length genome sequence analysis of encephalomyocarditis virus from local aardvarks / 病毒学报

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a natural epidemic zoonotic pathogen. However, no reports have been published regarding the isolation, identification and full-length genome of EMCV from a local aardvark population. In present study, an EMCV isolate HNXX13 was isolated from aardvarks named Huainan-pig in Henan Province. The systematic identification, full-length genome sequencing and molecular characteristic analysis of the isolate HNXX13 were conducted. The result showed that the isolate was spherical with a diameter of 24-30 nm, neither heat- nor acid-resistant, sensitive to trypsin, insensitive to chloroform, not protected by bivalent cationic, and the specific fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm of BHK-21 cells infected with the isolate by using indirect fluorescence assay. The full-length genome of EMCV HNXX13 generated a 7 725bp sequence (GenBank: F771002), with 81.0%-99.9% nucleotide identity to reference strains from different animals, and 99.5% with a Chinese reference strain isolated earlier from a commercial pig herd. The phylogenetic tree based on the full-length genome and ORF sequences identified that all EMCV strains were divided into three groups G1, G2 and G3, and strain HNXX13 belonging to the G1 group with other Chinese reference strains. The result also identified that this EMCV infection could cause severe clinical signs in a local aardvark population, and enriches the molecular epidemiological data of EMCV in China. Regional differences exist in EMCV genome and transmission is limited within a certain area. However, the cross-infection and transmission of EMCV between aardvark and mice appears most likely. Mutations have occurred in some amino acids of EMCV strain HNXX13 during the transmission in local aardvark herd and these mutations might make the virus easier to infect the aardvark.

Investigation of etiology of massive infection with porcine pseudorabies virus in Henan and neighboring Provinces / 病毒学报

In early 2011, the serious outbreak of porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection suddenly recurred in Henan and neighboring Provinces. To investigate the etiology of massive infection with PRV, 16 800 serum samples, 905 porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) back-feeding tissues, and 56 PR gene deleted live vaccines were colleted from January 2011 to May 2013 to detect PRV field infection using a PRV gE antibody test kit. The gE and TK genes of 11 new epidemic PRV strains were sequenced by PCR, and their molecular characteristics were analyzed. Moreover, virus titer determination, protective test against PRV, and vaccine potency testing were performed. The results showed that the detection rate of PRV field infection-positive pig farms was 68.06%, and the overall positive rate of PRV field infection in serum was 38.47%; the positive rates in breeding sows, breeding boars, reserve pigs, and commercial pigs were 40.12%, 30.88%, 54.67%, and 26.52%, respectively. The new epidemic strains were in the same evolutionary branch and belonged to the virulent strain group. Compared with the classical PRV strain, the virulence of new epidemic strains changed a little. The length of gE gene was 1 787 bp, and the length of TK gene was 963 bp. The nucleotide homologies of gE and TK genes to Chinese reference strains were 98.2%-99.8% and 98.90%-99.6%, respectively, and the amino acid homologies were 97.1%-99.8% and 97.5%-99.4%, respectively. Commercial vaccine had a 100% protective effect against the new epidemic strains. The positive rate of PRV field infection was 0% in vaccine and 40.44% in back-feeding tissues. The results confirmed that PRV field infection rates were rising sharply among pigs in Henan and neighboring Provinces after 2011. The main virulence genes of new epidemic PRV strains did not change significantly over the years. PR gene deleted live vaccines had no PRV field infection and could completely resist the attack of new strains. The virus carriage of breeding boars and reserve pigs and the serious PRV field infection in PEDV back-feeding tissues were the main causative factors for massive infection with PRV and epidemic outbreak in Henan and neighboring Provinces from 2011 to 2013.

Enhancing mucosal immunity in mice by recombinant adenovirus expressing major epitopes of porcine circovirus-2 capsid protein delivered with cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides

A recombinant replication-defective adenovirus expressing the major epitopes of porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) capsid protein (rAd/Cap/518) was previously constructed and shown to induce mucosal immunity in mice following intranasal delivery. In the present study, immune responses induced by intranasal immunization with a combination of rAd/Cap/518 and cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) were evaluated in mice. The levels of PCV-2-specific IgG in serum and IgA in saliva, lung, and intestinal fluids were significantly higher in the group immunized with rAd/Cap/518 and CpG ODN than animals immunized with rAd/Cap/518 alone. The frequencies of IL-2-secreting CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in the combined immunization group than mice immunized with rAd/Cap/518 alone. The frequencies of CD3+, CD3+CD4+CD8-, and CD3+CD4-CD8+ T cells in the combined immunization group were similar to that treated with CpG ODN alone, but significantly higher than mice that did not receive CpG ODN. PCV-2 load after challenge in the combined immunization group was significantly lower than that in the phosphate-buffered saline placebo group and approximately 7-fold lower in the group treated with CpG ODN alone. These results indicate that rAd/Cap/518 combined with CpG ODN can enhance systemic and local mucosal immunity in mice, and represent a promising synergetic mucosal vaccine against PCV-2.

Overview of current researches on Tibetan medicine "zuotai" / 中国中药杂志

"Zuotai" is one of the main raw material of many rare Tibetan medicine, and it plays a important role in the system of Tibetan medicine. There are some toxic heavy metals in "Zuotai", such as Hg, Au, Pb and so on. As a result, it's urgent to study the safety and effectiveness of "Zuotai" in depth. This paper will analyze and induce the resent progress of the study about "Zuotai". With constipation, "Zuotai" and "Zuotai" as key words, CNKI, CHINAINFO, CQVIP were retrieved, Springer were retrieved besides. Relevant 86 references were obtained. Twenty-two for reference were adopted through screening. The paper reviewed the resent progress of the study about "Zuotai" in chemical composition, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, toxicology and clinical application. This will establish the basis for further study.

The development and application of a SYBR Green I real-time PCR assay for detection of infectious bursal disease virus / 病毒学报

To meet the needs of detection of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) under high efficient culture, a SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was developed using a pair of primers specific to the conserved region of VP4 gene of IBDV and compared with TCID50 method by monitoring the proliferation dynamics of IBDV in DF-1 cell line adherent to micro carrier in tubular reactor. The results showed that the RT-PCRassay was linear in the range of 4. 03 X 10(1)-10(9) copies/microL. The IBDV RNA detection limit was 40 copies/microL, which was 1 000 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. No cross-reactions with other viruses was observed. The intra-assay coefficient of variation was less than 0.05%. There was a parallel correlation of IBDV proliferation dynamics in DF-1 cell under Micro carrier suspension and static adherent culture by the qRT-PCR assay and TCID50 method. The detection results of the IBDV samples from tubular and flask culture showed the differences of the micro carrier and adherent culture by both methods. In conclusion, the qRT-PCR assay is more rapid and sensitive than the TCID50 method, which is more appropriate for the real time detection of IBDV.

Surgical options and clinical outcomes of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the options and clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2006 to December 2010, 63 patients of cervical OPLL treated surgically by same team were retrospectively analyzed. There were 49 males, 14 females, with a mean age of 56.2 years (from 38 to 76 years). The duration of symptoms ranged from 2 months to 20 years (mean 3.2 years). The ossified ligament was classified via sagittal and coronal images on CT scan. The cervical curvature was measured. Choice of surgical methods was determined according to the type of ossified ligament and cervical curvature. All complications occurred was recorded. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system was used to evaluate the neurological status. The severity of cervical pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) method. The results of preoperative, postoperative and follow-up were statistically compared with student t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The JOA scores of 35 patients performed with anterior approach improved from 9.8 ± 2.3 preoperatively to 11.7 ± 2.1 at final follow-up (t = 3.28, P < 0.05). The VAS sore was significantly decreased at final follow-up compared with preoperative (t = 3.15, P < 0.05). While the JOA scores improved from 10.4 ± 2.7 preoperatively to 12.5 ± 2.3 at final follow-up (t = 3.81, P < 0.05) in 12 patients with laminectomy and from 9.7 ± 2.5 to 11.6 ± 2.6 in 14 patients with laminoplasty (t = 3.56, P < 0.05). The VAS score either in laminectomy or in laminoplasty has not significantly difference between preoperative, 3 month postoperative and final follow-up (P > 0.05). Two patients underwent a combined anterior-posterior approach procedure. Complications in patients included 1 patient of postoperative neurologic deterioration and 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in patients with anterior approach, and 2 cases of C(5) nerve palsy in patients with laminectomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical options of cervical OPLL should be determined by detailed study of type and range of ossified ligament, as well as the cervical curvature of patients. Good neurological function can be expected in case of appropriate choosing the method for treating the cervical OPLL.</p>

Antiviral effects of aqueous extract from Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. against coxsackievirus B3 in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antiviral effects of the aqueous extract of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. (A.E.), a Chinese medicinal herb, against coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antiviral effects of A.E. against CVB3 in vitro (primarily cultured myocardial cells) and in vivo (BALB/c mice) were determined. Serum pharmacological method was also adopted by in vitro experiments. The effects of A.E. inhibiting the CVB3 mRNA expression were compared by RT-PCR in mice in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A.E. exhibited obvious antiviral: effects in vivo, and serum samples obtained from the rats with oral administration of A.E. (10 μg/mL, 5 μg/mL), reduced the virus titers in the infected myocardial cells (3.00±0.70, 3.55±0.52, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the viral myocarditis induced by CVB3 was inhibited significantly by A.E., and the 15-day mortality was reduced to 40% and 45% (P<0.01) in mice treated with A.E. at doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively, while the 30-day mortality was decreased to 45% and 50%, respectively (P<0.01). Moreover, the mRNA expression of Coxsackie virus B3 was significantly inhibited by A.E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aqueous extract of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. (A.E.) has inhibitory effect on CVB3 both in vitro and in vivo.</p>

Relationship of Modic changes in endplates of cervical vertebral body with axial pain / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of Modic changes in endplates of cervical vertebral body in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM). Methods: The T1-weight and T2-weight sagittal MRI scans of 136 CSM patients undergoing anterior operation were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' age, gender, prevalence, precise vertebral levels and specific type of Modic changes were recorded, and the association of axial pain with Modic changes was analyzed. Results: Modic changes were observed in 23 patients (16.9%), including 17(17.7%) male and 6(15%) female. The most frequent cervical spinal levels of Modic changes was C5-6. Of all the patients, 4.4% had type I Modic change, 7.4% had type II, and 5.1% had type III. The incidence of axial pain was 56.5% in Modic change groups and 20.4% in non-Modic change groups; there was significant difference between the two groups (P0.05). The pre-operation incidences of axial pain in patients with type I, type II and type III Modic change were 83.3%, 60% and 28.6%, respectively; and the post-operation pain-relieving rates were 100%, 66.7% and 50%, respectively. Conclusion: The most common Modic change is type II in the cervical spine, with the C5-6 level being the most frequently involved. The incidence of axial pain is high in patients with Modic change, especially those with type I.

Anatomic research on the transposition of accessory nerve to phrenic nerve / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To comprehend the anatomic characteristics and correlations between the accessory nerve and the phrenic nerve in the adult corpses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The bilateral accessory nerves, phrenic nerves, and their branches of 20 adult corpses (38 sides) were underwent exposure. The morphologic data of the accessory nerves and the phrenic nerves above clavicle were measured. In addition, the minimal and maximal distances from several points on the accessory nerve to the full length of the phrenic nerve above clavicle were measured. Then, the number of motor nerve fibers on different locations of the nerves utilizing the method of immunohistochemistry were counted and compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The accessory nerves after sending out the sternocleido-mastoid muscular branches were similar in the morphologic data with the phrenic nerves. Meanwhile, the accessory nerve had a coiled appearance within this geometrical area. The possibly minimal distance between the accessory nerve and phrenic nerve was (3.19 ± 1.23) cm, and the possibly maximal distance between the starting point of accessory nerve and the end of the phrenic nerve above clavicle was (8.71 ± 0.75) cm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The accessory nerve and the phrenic nerve are similar in the anatomic evidences and the number of motor nerve fibers. And the length of accessory nerve is sufficiently long to connect with phrenic nerve as needed. It is possible to suture them without strain directly.</p>

Anterior decompression for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the technique and effect of anterior decompression for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty-one patients (42 male and 19 female, 45 - 74 years with mean age of 57 years old) underwent anterior decompression for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with OPLL. Among them, OPLL was definitely diagnosed in 49 patients preoperatively, and was found during the operation in the other 12 patients. The occupying rate of OPLL ranged 32%-70% with an average of 52%. The preoperative JOA scores ranged 4 - 14 points with an average of 9.6 points. In additional to conventional decompression, the ossification was removed completely after discectomy and corpectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Corpectomy was performed in 41 cases, discectomy in 6 cases and combination of corpectomy and discectomy in 14 cases. The follow-up of all patients ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean 16 months). The postoperative JOA scores ranged 8-16 points with an average of 12.8 points. The neurological improvement rate ranged from 25.0% to 87.5% with an average of 65.2%. The transient leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) occurred in 5 cases, and stopped after conservational treatment. No neurological deterioration developed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The difficulty and risk of anterior decompression are significantly increased in the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with OPLL. Remove of ossification after corpectomy and discectomy could provide complete decompression and better results.</p>

Impacts of passive smoking on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings and intervention by antioxidants / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation (LTP). Nitric oxide (NO), content, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), acetylcholinesteras (Ache) activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum were determined. The latency period (the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position) and errors (the number of mice entering the blind end) in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke (TS), and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups (P<0.05). LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras (Ache) activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group (P<0.05). Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants (especially vitamin E) partially improve the learning and memory ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy.</p>

Treatment and mechanism of cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the role of anterior decompression with resection of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) on the cervical degenerative disease with sympathetic symptoms and to primarily validate our speculation on the mechanism of this entity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-seven cases suffered from cervical spondylosis from 2002 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusive criteria were: (1) cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy or both secondary to cervical degenerative disease; (2) complaining of unexplainable and irrelievable sympathetic symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, etc; (3) performed with anterior cervical decompression with PLL resection and internal fixation. The JOA scores were recorded and evaluated. The sympathetic symptoms were evaluated by both 20 points evaluation system and patient's satisfaction evaluation. The posterior longitudinal ligaments of 8 rabbits were harvested and stained by Sucrose-Phosphate-glyoxylic acid (SPG) to distinguish the sympathetic nerve fibers. The results were observed and evaluated by fluorescent microscope and Image-pro plus 5.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up for 10 to 48 months. The JOA scores before operation were 12.6 and increased to 15.2 at the final follow up. The sympathetic symptoms evaluation was 6.0 before operation and 2.8 after. The satisfactory evaluation was excellent in 19 cases, good in 16, fair in 8 and poor in 4. The effective rate was 87.5%. The SPG stain showed that there were plenty of sympathetic post-ganglia fibers in the cervical PLL, which were distributed like a web, and there were more fibers distributed at the interspaced zone than at the vertebral body zone. The density of the sympathetic nerve fibers in the C(2/3), C(3/4) and C(4/5) were greater than those in C(5/6) and C(6/7); while the density in the shallow layer were greater than those in the deep layer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The sympathetic nerve fibers distributed in the cervical PLL maybe another one significant factor causing sympathetic symptom of cervical spondylosis. The anterior cervical decompression with resection of PLL can relieve the sympathetic symptoms of the patients.</p>

Anterior radical decompression for severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the outcome of anterior radical decompression for the treatment of severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with an average occupying ratio exceeding 50% in the cervical spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2002 to February 2006, 26 patients with cervical OPLL occupying ratio of the spinal cord exceeding 50% underwent anterior decompression and fusion. There were 18 males and 8 females. The average age was 59 years (ranged from 43 to 73 years) and the mean occupying ratio was (65 +/- 20)%; Before operation, the JOA score was 8.7 +/- 2.8, and the sagittal diameter of spinal cord was (25 +/- 7)%. The ossified ligament was classified into two groups, the base-open group and the base-closed group. The occupying ratio was measured on 3-D CT scans, and the sagittal diameter of the deformed spinal cord was measured at the narrowest level on sagittal T2-weighted MRI. All patients received anterior decompression with the ossified ligament removed completely. Among them, 10 cases underwent one level corpectomy combined with one level diskectomy, 3 cases underwent 2 level corpectomy, and the other 13 patients underwent one level corpectomy. The decompressed segments were reconstructed either with a iliac crest strut or a titanium cage, and an anterior locking plate was implanted to prevent graft extrusion in every patient. All patients were monitored with ECP during decompression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The occupying ratio decreased to (10 +/- 5)%, the sagittal diameter of spinal cord increased to (75 +/- 15)%, and the average diameter of spinal cord at the narrowest site increased 3 times after operation. The JOA score was 14.2 +/- 2.5, with an average improvement ratio of (61 +/- 24)%. Three patients accompanied with diabetes presented with temporarily neurological deterioration. There were two cases complicated with cerebrospinal fluid leaks but cured within 2 weeks after surgery. One case accompanied with diabetes underwent a second emergency reexploration for hematoma in the spinal canal which caused a dyspnea.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Anterior radical decompression is an optimal method for the management of severe OPLL in the cervical spine. Higher rate of neuro-function recovery can be anticipated.</p>

Directed molecular evolution of nitrite oxido-reductase by DNA-shuffling / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop directly molecular evolution of nitrite oxido-reductase using DNA-shuffling technique because nitrobacteria grow extremely slow and are unable to nitrify effectively inorganic nitrogen in wastewater treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The norB gene coding the ndtrite oxido-reductase in nitrobacteria was cloned and sequenced. Then, directed molecular evolution of nitrite oxido-reductase was developed by DNA-shuffling of 15 norB genes from different nitrobacteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After DNA-shuffling with sexual PCR and staggered extension process PCR, the sequence was different from its parental DNA fragments and the homology ranged from 98% to 99%. The maximum nitrification rate of the modified bacterium of X16 by DNA-shuffling was up to 42.9 mg/L x d, which was almost 10 times higher than that of its parental bacteria. Furthermore, the modified bacterium had the same characteristics of its parental bacteria of E. coli and could grow rapidly in normal cultures.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DNA-shuffling was successfully used to engineer E. coli, which had norB gene and could degrade inorganic nitrogen effectively.</p>

Clinical characteristics and results of cervical spinal cord injury in the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics and results of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen patients with cervical SCI associated with OPLL were retrospectively analyzed. Data collection included: pre- and postoperative neurological function, OPLL-type, MRI signal changes and surgical approaches.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spinal cord associated with OPLL was injured severely by mild trauma. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate was used within 8 h after trauma in 12 cases. Two of them died of complications. The neurological functions were markedly improved in the other 10 cases. Seventeen cases had surgical treatment. The neurological functions (Frankel grade) were improved significantly in the operated patients except for one, who died 27 d after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The patients with OPLL are prone to have severe SCI, which directly associates with the preexisting OPLL-type and hyper-intensity signal change in the spinal cord on MRI. Both of using methylprednisolone sodium succinate administration within 8 h after trauma and surgical decompression may improve the neurological outcomes.</p>