Lumbar Intradural Disc Herniation Caused by Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Intradural disc herniation(IDH) caused by trauma is a rare type of disease，which is difficult to diagnose clinically and is easily misdiagnosed. We received a patient with the disease, reported the case to share the process of diagnosis and treatment and put forward our own opinions, so as to increase the probability of correct diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 48-year-old male who fell from a scaffold at a height of 2 m. Later, he developed low back pain, restricted movement, numbness and hyperalgesia of the lower left limb, and decreased left muscle strength. He was diagnosed with IDH. Treatment with posterior decompression and intramedullary decompression with pedicle screw internal fixation was performed. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he underwent regular follow up for 1 year. Good neurologic symptom improvement was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: IDH is rare, and comprehensive consideration and film reading can improve the correct diagnosis rate. Accurate diagnosis and early decompression of laminae and intramedullary decompression can lead to good recovery after neurologic impingement.

Clinical Efficacy Analysis of the New PRUNUS Spine Plate System for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Although the role of anterior cervical titanium plate system in stabilizing the spine sequence and promoting bone graft fusion has been widely recognized, more and more attention has been paid to the design of the plate itself and the complications caused by it. In order to solve the problems of poor stability of internal fixation, plate displacement and screw looseness, we designed the new PRUNUS spine plate system. Hence, the present study was conducted to describe observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new type of three-leaf reinforced cervical anterior screw plate system (PRUNUS nailing system) developed for anterior cervical surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 56 patients from June 2018 to October 2019 was used. Twenty-seven patients with cervical spine disease treated with new PRUNUS nail plate internal fixation were selected as the observation group, and 29 patients with cervical spine disease treated with conventional cervical anterior screw fixation were selected as the control group. Postoperative follow-up was performed. Cervical stability, internal fixation position and bone graft fusion were evaluated according to imaging data. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, cervical Cobb angle, pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) were compared between the two groups. Spinal function scores and neurological improvement rates were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the new PRUNUS spine plate. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for 5-18 months, with an average of 7.33 months. The average operative time of the observation group was 98.4 ± 9.2 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 65.3 ± 10.6 ml, which were significant different from the control group's 109.7 ± 9.4 minutes (P < 0.05), 72.9 ± 15.6 ml (P < 0.05). Comparison between the two groups in postoperative and final follow-up of cervical Cobb angle, JOA score and improvement rate, VAS score and preoperative comparison showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new PRUNUS spine plate system can be applied to the anterior cervical spine surgery, and its clinical efficacy was similar to the traditional cervical anterior plate. But PRUNUS simplified the operation process, especially suitable for the surgical treatment of anterior cervical revision and osteoporosis patients.

Impacts of climate change on species distribution patterns of Polyspora sweet in China.

Climate change is an important driver of species distribution and biodiversity. Understanding the response of plants to climate change is helpful to understand species differentiation and formulate conservation strategies. The genus Polyspora (Theaceae) has an ancient origin and is widely distributed in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. Studies on the impacts of climate change on species geographical distribution of Chinese Polyspora can provide an important reference for exploring the responses of plant groups in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests with geological events and climate change in China. Based on the environmental variables, distribution records, and chloroplast genomes, we modeled the potential distribution of Chinese Polyspora in the Last Glacial Maximum, middle Holocene, current, and future by using MaxEnt-ArcGIS model and molecular phylogenetic method. The changes in the species distribution area, centroid shift, and ecological niche in each periods were analyzed to speculate the response modes of Chinese Polyspora to climate change in different periods. The most important environmental factor affecting the distribution of Polyspora was the precipitation of the driest month, ranging from 13 to 25 mm for the highly suitable habitats. At present, highly suitable distribution areas of Polyspora were mainly located in the south of 25°N, and had species-specificity. The main glacial refugia of the Chinese Polyspora might be located in the Ailao, Gaoligong, and Dawei Mountains of Yunnan Province. Jinping County, Pingbian County, and the Maguan County at the border of China and Vietnam might be the species differentiation center of the Chinese Polyspora. Moderate climate warming in the future would be beneficial to the survival of P. axillaris, P. chrysandra, and P. speciosa. However, climate warming under different shared socio-economic pathways would reduce the suitable habitats of P. hainanensis and P. longicarpa.

Comparative chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analyses of Chinese Polyspora.

Polyspora Sweet (Theaceae) are winter ornamental landscape plants native to southern and southeastern Asia, some of which have medicinal value. The chloroplast (cp) genome data of Polyspora are scarce, and the gene evolution and interspecific relationship are still unclear. In this study, we sequenced and annotated Polyspora chrysandra cp genome and combined it with previously published genomes for other Chinese Polyspora species. The results showed that cp genomes of six Chinese Polyspora varied in length between 156,452 bp (P. chrysandra) and 157,066 bp (P. speciosa), but all contained 132 genes, with GC content of 37.3%, and highly similar genes distribution and codon usage. A total of eleven intergenic spacer regions were found having the highest levels of divergence, and eight divergence hotspots were identified as molecular markers for Phylogeography and genetic diversity studies in Polyspora. Gene selection pressure suggested that five genes were subjected to positive selection. Phylogenetic relationships among Polyspora species based on the complete cp genomes were supported strongly, indicating that the cp genomes have the potential to be used as super barcodes for further analysis of the phylogeny of the entire genus. The cp genomes of Chinese Polyspora species will provide valuable information for species identification, molecular breeding and evolutionary analysis of genus Polyspora.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Epigynum auritum in high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Epigynum auritum is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has been used as a "dai" folk medicine with promising Besides, the leaves and barks of E. auritum have detoxifying, analgesic and relieving swelling effects. Previous studies evidenced that E. auritum was rich in pregnanes and their glycosides. However, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract from E. auritum (EAE) and its molecular mechanism are still not studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of EAE on high-fat diet and streptozocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-fat diet and streptozocin induced type 2 diabetic model was established. The diabetic rats were treated with 70% ethanol extract of E. auritum (100 and 300 mg/kg/d) or metformin (DMBG, 100 mg/kg/d) every day for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose was recorded weekly. The phenotypic changes were evaluated by the measurement of biochemical indexes and immunohistochemical. The expressions of signaling-related proteins were explored by western blotting. RESULTS: EAE could effectively regulate the metabolism of glucose and lipids in diabetic rats by increasing insulin sensitivity. In addition, EAE ameliorated the oxidative stress damage and further mitigated the liver, kidney, and pancreatic damage. Mechanism research results show that EAE treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK and GSK-3ß, up-regulated the expression of GLUT-2, GLUT-4 and PPAR-α, and reduced PPAR-γ and FAS expressions. CONCLUSION: EAE exhibited significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in HFD/STZ-induced diabetes rats. The mechanism may be related to the effective upregulation of AMPK/Akt/GSK-3ß pathway and the decreased expression of PPAR-γ and FAS. It could be a promising natural product with potential value for the development of drugs to prevent or treat type 2 diabetic.

LINC00937 suppresses keloid fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition by targeting the miR-28-5p/MC1R axis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the most recently discovered class of noncoding RNAs. LncRNAs play a crucial role in multiple disorders. However, the role and mechanism of action of lncRNAs in keloids remain unclear. Here, qRT-PCR and western blotting assays were performed to determine the expression of genes and proteins, respectively. MTT assays were carried out to measure the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts. In addition, a luciferase activity assay was conducted to investigate the relationships between LINC00937 and miR-28-5p and between miR-28-5p and MC1R. The results showed that LINC00937 and MC1R were decreased, whereas miR-28-5p was increased in keloid tissues. LINC00937 overexpression in keloid fibroblasts could repress the extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cell proliferation and promote MC1R expression. Moreover, high expression of miR-28-5p and low expression of LINC00937 were detected in keloid fibroblasts. We further showed that LINC00937 promoted MC1R expression by sponging miR-28-5p. Finally, our data indicated that LINC00937 inhibited the ECM deposition and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts by inhibiting miR-28-5p and facilitating MC1R expression. Overall, LINC00937 suppressed the ECM deposition and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts by acting as an miR-28-5p sponge and promoting MC1R expression. Our data suggested that LINC00937 is a potential target for keloid treatment.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Phalaenopsis wilsonii Rolfe, a vulnerable wild moth orchid species (Orchidaceae).

Phalaenopsis wilsonii Rolfe is a vulnerable wild moth orchid species with important horticultural value. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of P. wilsonii was generated by de novo assembly using whole genome next-generation sequencing to provide genomic data for further conservation genetics, phylogeny and molecular breeding in Phalaenopsis. The complete plastome of P. wilsonii is 145,096 bp in length, containing two inverted repeats (IR) regions (24,787 bp), a large single-copy (LSC) region (84,688 bp), and a small single-copy (SSC) region (10,834 bp). The chloroplast genome encoded 119 unique genes, including 73 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the whole genome is 36.9%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated P. wilsonii was closely related to P. lowii.

Correlation Analysis for Selection of Microtitanium Plates with Different Specifications for Use in a Cervical Vertebral Dome Expansion Laminoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze correlations between the selection of microtitanium plates with different specifications for use in a cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty. METHODS: Sixteen patients that underwent the cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty with a cervical spinal stenosis angioplasty procedure for treatment of their cervical spinal cords were recruited at our hospital. From February 2017 to September 2018, medical records confirmed that all patients underwent cervical CT and MRI tests pre- and postsurgery. The anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal, changes in the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal, and the pre- and postsurgery distance of the cervical spinal cord after applying microtitanium plates with different lengths were measured by Mimics version 17.0 software (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). A statistical regression and correlation analysis of relevant specification parameters of the microtitanium plate was then studied. RESULTS: As the size of the microtitanium plate increased, we found that the cross-sectional area of cervical spinal canal and distance between the descendants of the lamina and the distance of cervical spinal cord concordantly increased, and these data changes linearly. The regression equation associated with sagittal diameter, cross-sectional area, and posterior movement distance of the cervical spinal cord was obtained. CONCLUSION: According to the correlation analysis of imaging data changes, the regression equation was obtained to guide the selection of microtitanium plates with appropriate specifications in a cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty.

The complete chloroplast genome of Hydrangea strigosa Rehder (Hydrangeaceae).

Hydrangea strigosa Rehder is a wild flowering shrub with high ornamental value. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. strigosa was characterized from Hiseq (Illumina Co., San Diego, CA) sequencing data. The chloroplast genome of H. strigosa is 157,905 bp in length with a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (26,127 bp) which are separated by a large single-copy (LSC) (86,897 bp) and a small single-copy regions (SSC) (18,754 bp). It contains 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs genes, and 8 rRNAs genes. The overall GC content of the whole genome is 37.80%. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis with the complete chloroplast genomes sequence of 22 species of Hydrangeaceae showed that H. strigosa is closely related to H. davidii.

Comparison of Imaging Parameters between a New Cervical Full Lamina Back Shift Spinal Canal Enlargement Technique and Single Open-Door Laminoplasty for Multisegment Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

PURPOSE: To provide imaging evidence of the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with multisegment cervical spondylotic myelopathy caused by cervical stenosis. Of these, 32 patients underwent the new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique (as observation group) and 32 patients underwent single open-door miniature titanium plate internal fixation (as control group). The computed tomography (CT) data of both groups were imported into Mimics 17.0 software to measure the median sagittal diameter and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal. Photoshop CS5 was employed to measure the drift distance of the spinal cord on MR images to perform a comparative study of the imaging parameters from the two groups. RESULTS: The T2-weighted MR images in both groups showed continuous recovery of the cerebrospinal fluid signal in the C3 -C7 range. The enlarged spinal canal cross-sectional area (mm2 ) of each segment after the new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique was 130.90 ± 20.52 (C3 ), 180.81 ± 18.86 (C4 ), 240.48 ± 35.43 (C5 ), 145.93 ± 36.94 (C6 ), and 153.16 ± 36.28 (C7 ), and the enlarged median sagittal diameter (mm) was 5.31 ± 1.13 (C3 ), 8.8 ± 1.28 (C4 ), 10.28 ± 1.68 (C5 ), 9.46 ± 1.48 (C6 ), and 9.22 ± 1.12 (C7 ). Both parameters were significantly superior to single open-door miniature titanium plate internal fixation (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in the drift distance of the spinal cord between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique achieved a thorough spinal canal decompression effect on imaging while ensuring a reasonable spinal drift distance and few surgical complications. The clinical curative effect of the new technique was precise.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Polyspora tiantangensis (Theaceae), an endemic and endangered species in southwestern China.

Polyspora tiantangensis (Theaceae) is an endangered woody plant in southwestern China. In this study, we assembled complete chloroplast (cp) genome of P. tiantangensis based on the Illumina reads. The cp genome of P. tiantangensis is 157,057 bp in length, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,593 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,284 bp, separated by two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,090 bp each. The cp genome encoded 132 genes including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The GC content of cp genome of P. tiantangensis is 37.3%. A total of 68 SSRs were discovered. Phylogenetic analysis of cp genomes from 26 species of Theaceae revealed that all species of Polyspora formed one monophyletic clade and P. tiantangensis was closely related with its congeneric species P. longicarpa with 100% bootstrap value.

Deoxyarbutin Possesses a Potent Skin-Lightening Capacity with No Discernible Cytotoxicity against Melanosomes.

Safe and effective ingredients capable of removing undesired hyperpigmentation from facial skin are urgently needed for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. Deoxyarbutin (4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl) oxy] phenol, D-Arb) is a glucoside derivative of hydroquinone. Here, we investigated the toxicity and efficacy of D-Arb at the sub-cellular level (directly on melanosomes) and skin pigmentation using in vivo and in vitro models to compare with its parent compound hydroquinone (1,4-benzenediol, HQ). At first, we examined the ultrastructural changes of melanosomes in hyperpigmented guinea pig skin induced by 308-nm monochromatic excimer lightand/or treated with HQ and D-Arb using transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that prominent changes in the melanosomal membrane, such as bulb-like structure and even complete rupture of the outer membranes, were found in the skin after topical application of 5% HQ for 10 days. These changes were barely observed in the skin treated with D-Arb. To further clarify whether membrane toxicity of HQ was a direct result of the compound treatment, we also examinedultrastructural changes of individual melanosomes purified from MNT1 human melanoma cells. Similar observations were obtained from the naked melanosome model in vitro. Finally, we determined the effects of melanosomal fractions exposed to HQ or D-Arb on hydroxyl radical generation in the Fenton reaction utilizing an electron spin resonance assay. D-Arb-treated melanosomesexhibit a moderate hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, whereas HQ-treated melanosomessignificantly generate more hydroxyl free radicals. This study suggests that D-Arb possesses a potent ability in skin lightening and antioxidation with less melanosome cytotoxicity.

[Dynamic of phytoplankton abundance and the relationship with environmental factors in Dianshan Lake, Shanghai].

During January 2004 to December 2006, the abundance of phytoplankton and environmental factors such as the water temperature, wind speed, transparency of water (SD), TN, TP, pH, and permanganate index were monitored monthly in Dianshan Lake. The water quality of Dianshan Lake was in the mid-eutrophication state. The correlation analysis between phytoplankton community and environmental factors were performed. It indicated that the phytoplankton abundance, cyanobacteria abundance in Dianshan Lake were positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.487, r = 0.497), pH (r = 0.415, r = 0.379) and permanganate index (r = 0.460, r = 0.436), and negatively correlated with SD (r = -0.382, r = -0.394). Chlorophyta abundance in Dianshan Lake was positively correlated with PO4(3-) -P (r = 0.466). There was also a significant positive correlation between phytoplankton abundance and cyanobacteria abundance (r = 0.970). According to (CCA) ordination analysis, temperature, DO, SD and PO4(3-) -P were main factors affecting dynamic characteristics of phytoplankton community. The meteorological and hydrological factors were more important than nutrition concentration related to the water bloom in Dianshan Lake.