[Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined expandable tubular retractor in the treatment of spinal metastases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined expandable tubular retractor in the treatment of patients with spinal metastases. METHODS: In the study, 12 patients of spinal metastases treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined expandable tubular retractor in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed between June 2017 and October 2019. Among the 12 patients, 9 were males and 3 were females; the median age was 62.5 years [(65.1±2.9) years]. The decompression segment of 7 patients was located at the lower thoracic spine (including 1 patient with incomplete paraplegia) and the decompression segment of 5 patients was located at the lumbar spine; Tomita score was 6.0±0.6. Perioperative data of the patients were reviewed. Visual analog scale (VAS score), Karnofsky score, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score were compared before and after surgery. The patient's survival, adjuvant treatment, and internal fixation failure were observed in the follow-up period. RESULTS: All the 12 patients had a successful operation with percuta-neous pedicle screw fixation combined expandable tubular retractor. The average operative time, blood loss, and blood transfused of the patients were (247.0±14.6) min, (804.2±222.3) mL and (500.0±100.0) mL, respectively. The average amount of drainage was (240.8±79.3) mL. Drainage tubes were pulled out early postoperative [(3.2±0.3) d], allowing early mobilization. The patients discharged (7.8±0.8) d postoperative. All the patients were followed up for 6-30 months, and the average overall survival time was (13.6±2.4) months. During the follow-up period, 2 patients experienced screw displacement, the internal fixation was stable after conservative treatment and no revision surgery was performed. The VAS of the patients was 7.1±0.2 before surgery, which decreased to 2.3±0.1 and 2.8±0.4 at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). The Karnofsky score of the patients was 59.2±1.9 before surgery, which increased to 75.0±1.9 and 74.2±3.1 at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). The ECOG of the patients was 2.3±0.2 before surgery, which decreased to 1.7±0.1 and 1.7±0.2 at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For selected patients with spinal metastases, minimally invasive surgical treatment of spinal metastases (percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation combined with expandable tubular retractor) can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life, with satisfactory clinical outcome.

[Sex Characteristics and Distribution of External Ear in Uygur Population of Xinjiang].

ABSTRACT: Objective To analyze the characteristics of the bilateral external ears of Uygur adults by directly observing the morphological characteristics of the external ears of Uygur adults and classifying each feature. The frequency distribution of the characteristics was calculated to provide reference for forensic identification. Methods The 210 cases （75 males and 135 females） of bilateral external ear photos of Uygur adults in Xinjiang that met the inclusion criteria were collected. The frequencies of the features of the external ear were recorded and distinguished between the two sexes and the different sides. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Results The shapes of the external ears of males and females were commonly oblique or rectangular （34.67% of the left external ear of males and 41.33% of the right were oblique; 30.37% of the left and right external ear of females were rectangular）, while triangular ears were the rare variants and the least common. Sex and bilateral differences were observed as regards the form of the helix in the subjects. Normally rolled helix was the most common （58.67% males and 61.48% females for the left ear; 60.00% males and 72.59% females for the right ear）. Wide covering scapha helix was the most rare for the male left ear and flat helix was the most rare for the female right ear. Square and free earlobes were the most common （49.33% males and 62.96% females for the left ear; 40.00% males and 54.81% females for the right ear）, whereas triangular earlobes were rarely seen. Single knob tragus （40.00% males and 37.78% females for the left ear; 37.33% males and 33.33% females for the right ear） and projection type of Darwin's tubercle （50.67% males and 40.00% females for the left ear; 48.00% males and 39.26% females for the right ear） were found to be common. Conclusion The characteristics of the bilateral external ears of male and female Uygur adults have differences, which can be used for forensic identification.

Application Status and Prospect of Bite Mark Evidence in Forensic Odontology.

ABSTRACT: Bite marks are increasingly common in violent cases such as child abuse and sex crimes. Bite marks are often the result of a suspect's attack or a victim's self-defense. Because human teeth vary in size, shape and arrangement, bite marks on objects such as skin and food are characteristic. By using this principle, forensic odontology can identify or exclude suspects by comparing actual bite marks with the teeth marks in the mouth. In this paper, the practical application of bite mark evidence, the research status and problems of bite mark analysis are briefly reviewed, and the prospect of bite mark analysis is also discussed.

Experimental Demonstration of Hadron Beam Cooling Using Radio-Frequency Accelerated Electron Bunches.

Cooling of beams of gold ions using electron bunches accelerated with radio-frequency systems was recently experimentally demonstrated in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Such an approach is new and opens the possibility of using this technique at higher energies than possible with electrostatic acceleration of electron beams. The challenges of this approach include generation of electron beams suitable for cooling, delivery of electron bunches of the required quality to the cooling sections without degradation of beam angular divergence and energy spread, achieving the required small angles between electron and ion trajectories in the cooling sections, precise velocity matching between the two beams, high-current operation of the electron accelerator, as well as several physics effects related to bunched-beam cooling. Here we report on the first demonstration of cooling hadron beams using this new approach.

Periprosthetic Fluid Analysis in the Diagnosis of Breast Implant Infections Using Cell Count and Differential.

BACKGROUND: One of the most devastating complications following implant-based breast reconstruction is periprosthetic infection. Making a prompt and accurate diagnosis has been a challenge as plastic surgeons are limited by nonspecific systemic markers of infection, clinical examination findings, or imaging modalities. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of periprosthetic fluid using cell count and differential as an aid in the diagnosis of infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review. The authors selected patients who underwent breast reconstruction and had periprosthetic fluid analysis during the previous 10 years based on CPT 89051 (cell count and differential, body fluid). Only patients with clinical concerns for infection were included (cellulitis, fever, etc.); all others were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 54 samples were included in the study. Twenty-seven samples were associated with periprosthetic breast infections based on positive cultures or intraoperative findings consistent with infection. On fluid analysis, those with infection had a significantly higher neutrophil percentage (84.2% vs 19.3%, P < 0.0001). A cutoff value of 77% neutrophils had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 93% in diagnosing infection. Delayed treatment in patients with high neutrophil percentage was associated with poorer outcomes. Lastly, there was a strong correlation between higher neutrophil percentage and increased rate of capsular contracture. CONCLUSIONS: Early and accurate diagnosis of periprosthetic breast infections can lead to earlier treatment and potentially improved the outcomes. Aspiration and analysis of periprosthetic fluid for neutrophil percentage can be a reliable method to guide clinical decision making.

[Analysis of influencing factors for pathogen culture result in patients with pyogenic spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of clinical factors on the pathogen culture results in the patients with pyogenic spondylitis, and to find out clinical controllable factors which could increase the positive rate of the pathogen culture. METHODS: A retrospective study reviewed 40 patients who were diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis in Peking University First Hospital from January 2011 to July 2017. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the culture results, culture negative or culture positive. The influence of clinical uncontrollable factors [the patient's age, gender, predisposing factors, infection site except spine, visual analogue score (VAS), course of disease, spinal segment, white blood cell (WBC), (neutrophilic granulocyte)% (NE%), the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), the incidence of paravertebral abscess] and controllable factors (prior antibiotics exposure within 2 weeks, tissue homogenate, surgical approach) on pathogen culture results were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 18 patients were female and 22 patients were male. Causative germ was identified in 24/40 patients (60.00%) and dominant by gram positive cocci (68.00%). For clinical uncontrollable factors, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the patient's age, gender, predisposing factors, infection site except spine, VAS, course of disease, spinal segment, WBC, NE% and the incidence of SIRS. ESR [(94.38±6.91) mm/h, P=0.023)], CRP [(64.74±13.51) mg/L, P=0.040], and the incidence of paravertebral abscess (75%, P=0.018) in culture negative group were lower in contrast to culture positive group. For clinical controllable factors, prior antibiotics exposure within 2 weeks (P=0.058, OR=4.030, 95%CI: 0.956-16.993) and tissue homogenate (P=0.014, OR=0.171, 95%CI: 0.042-0.695) were significantly associated with the pathogen culture result. Surgical approach was not significantly associated with pathogen culture result. CONCLUSION: Patients with high level of ESR, CRP, and paravertebral abscess, would have high positive rate of pathogenic culture. Prior antibiotics exposure was associated with lower positive pathogen culture rate. Culture with tissue homogenate was more likely to find the causative germ, especially for patients without paravertebral abscess who had low level of ESR, CRP and prior antibiotics exposure.

[Perioperative clinical characteristics of patients with pathological fracture of proximal femur].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perioperative clinical characteristics of patients with pathological fracture of proximal femur. METHODS: A retrospective study reviewed 28 patients who received proximal resection and tumor hemiarthroplasty for malignant proximal femoral tumor in Peking University First Hospital from January 2011 to February 2017. According to the fracture, the patients were divided into two groups: pathological fracture group and non-pathological fracture group. We investigated the clinical characteristics during perioperative period between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, 14 (50.0%) patients suffered pathological fracture, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the patient's age, gender, limb involvement, and tumor source (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (Hct), and lower extremity thrombosis. The albumin (ALB) of pathological fracture group were lower in contrast to non-pathological fracture group (P=0.031). There was no significant difference between the two groups in decline of HGB and Hct on postoperation day 1, operative time, bleeding during operation, time for walking with help of ambulation aid postoperative, and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). On post-operation day 7, HGB (P=0.025) and Hct (P=0.039) of pathological fracture group were significant lower in contrast to non-pathological fracture group. Whereas, the total blood loss calculated by Gross equation of pathological fracture group was significant higher in contrast to non-pathological fracture group [(2 066.3±419.8) mL vs. (786.0±152.6) mL, P=0.039]. The patient needed blood transfusion during operation (7/14 vs. 1/14, P=0.033) and postoperative (8/14 vs. 1/14, P=0.013) in pathological fracture group were more than in non-pathological fracture group. At last, Barthel daily life ability score (P=0.009) of pathological fracture group was lower in contrast to non-pathological fracture group, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was higher (P<0.001). They were almost equal when the patients were discharged (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with pathological fracture had lower ALB during perioperative period. Pathological fracture had no effect on operative time, bleeding during operation and function outcomes. However, the patients with pathological fracture had more total blood loss and lower HGB, Hct in contrast to the patients without pathological fracture. Blood transfusion was more needed in pathological fracture patients.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to identify therapeutics for alcohol use disorders.

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) cause serious problems in society and few effective treatments are available. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an excellent invertebrate model to study the neurobiological basis of human behavior with a conserved, fully tractable genome, and a short generation time for fast generation of data at a fraction of the cost of other organisms. C. elegans demonstrate movement toward, and concentration-dependent self-exposure to various psychoactive drugs. The discovery of opioid receptors in C. elegans provided the impetus to test the hypothesis that C. elegans may be used as a medications screen to identify new AUD treatments. We tested the effects of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist and effective treatment for AUDs, on EtOH preference in C. elegans. Six-well agar test plates were prepared with EtOH placed in a target zone on one side and water in the opposite target zone of each well. Worms were treated with naltrexone before EtOH preference testing and then placed in the center of each well. Wild-type worms exhibited a concentration-dependent preference for 50, 70 and 95% EtOH. Naltrexone blocked acute EtOH preference, but had no effect on attraction to food or benzaldehyde in wild-type worms. Npr-17 opioid receptor knockout mutants did not display a preference for EtOH. In contrast, npr-17 opioid receptor rescue mutants exhibited significant EtOH preference behavior, which was attenuated by naltrexone. Chronic EtOH exposure induced treatment resistance and compulsive-like behavior. These data indicate that C. elegans can serve as a model system to identify compounds to treat AUDs.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of cultured negative pyogenic spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data describing the clinical characteristics and prognosis of culture negative pyogenic spondylitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment, prognosis and clinical characteristics of culture negative pyogenic spondylitis. METHODS: A retrospective study reviewed 74 patients who were diagnosed with spondylitis in Peking University First Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015. A total of 27 patients suffered from pyogenic spondylitis. According to the pathogenic culture results, the patients were divided into two groups: culture negative group and culture positive group. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The elder were more vulnerable to pyogenic spondylitis, and of the 27 patients, 12 patients were female and 15 male. All patients had no history of administration of antibiotics prior to obtaining culture samples. A causative germ was identified in 14/27 patients (51.9%) with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common pathogen. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the patient's age, gender, visual analogue score (VAS), predisposing factor, clinical symptom, sign and spinal segment (P>0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P=0.056) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P=0.040) of culture negative group were lower in contrast to culture positive group. The incidence of vertebral abscess in culture negative group was higher than in culture positive group (P=0.046). After treatment, ESR dropped almost equally in both groups, and CRP dropped faster in the culture positive group (P=0.192). At last, there was no significant difference between the two groups in hospital stay, pain relief, open debridement operation rate, and recurrence rate of infection. CONCLUSION: ESR and CRP of the culture negative patient were lower than those of the culture positive patient, and the incidence rate of paravertebral abscess was higher than that of the culture positive patient. After administration of antibiotics, there was no significant difference between the two groups in duration of antibiotics, open debridement operation rate and recurrence rate of infection. So, culture negative may not necessarily be a negative prognostic factor for pyogenic spondylitis. However, we should watch out for the drug resistant bacteria or double infection, due to the long term use of wide-spectrum antibiotic in culture negative patients.

Mutation screening of TSC1 and TSC2 genes in Chinese Han children with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes and is frequently associated with hamartoma formation in multiple organ systems. Here, we report two novel mutations in the TSC2 gene, including a splicing mutation (IVS 29 +1G>C) in intron 29 and a deletion/insertion mutation (C.5090-5092delCCA- inAG) in exon 39 in two Chinese Han children with TSC whose first clinical manifestation was seizure. The identification of these two mutations confirmed the diagnosis of TSC and expands the spectrum of TSC2 mutations causing TSC.

The microstructure and electrochemical characteristics of LiFePO4/carbon-network composite.

LiFePO4/carbon-network composite was synthesized by a high temperature solid-state method using the natural sawdust as carbon precursor. The microstructure of the as-synthesized sample was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), respectively. The results revealed that the LiFePO4 particles with diameters ranging from 30 to 150 nm were well connected by carbon networks. The electrochemical performance of the composite was characterized using galvanostatic charge-discharge technique. The initial discharge capacity of LiFePO4/carbon-network cathode reached 126 mAh x g(-1) with 0.2 C rate.

Identification of marneral synthase, which is critical for growth and development in Arabidopsis.

Plants produce structurally diverse triterpenoids, which are important for their life and survival. Most triterpenoids and sterols share a common biosynthetic intermediate, 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS), which is cyclized by 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). To investigate the role of an OSC, marneral synthase 1 (MRN1), in planta, we characterized a Arabidopsis mrn1 knock-out mutant displaying round-shaped leaves, late flowering, and delayed embryogenesis. Reduced growth of mrn1 was caused by inhibition of cell expansion and elongation. Marnerol, a reduced form of marneral, was detected in Arabidopsis overexpressing MRN1, but not in the wild type or mrn1. Alterations in the levels of sterols and triterpenols and defects in membrane integrity and permeability were observed in the mrn1. In addition, GUS expression, under the control of the MRN1 gene promoter, was specifically detected in shoot and root apical meristems, which are responsible for primary growth, and the mRNA expression of Arabidopsis clade II OSCs was preferentially observed in roots and siliques containing developing seeds. The eGFP:MRN1 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in tobacco protoplasts. Taken together, this report provides evidence that the unusual triterpenoid pathway via marneral synthase is important for the growth and development of Arabidopsis.

[Separation and identification of thellungianin G from the root of Pimpinella thellungiana Wolff].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effective components in the root of Pimpinella thellungiana METHOD: Column chromatography with silica gel and ODS was employed for the isolation and purification of ingredients. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. RESULT: Three compounds were obtained and identified as 2-(1',2'-epoxy)-4-methoxy pheryl-2-methyl-butyrate(I),4-(1'-propenyl) phenol(II) and 2-methyl butyric acid(III). CONCLUSION: Compound I is a new compound and named thellungianin G. Compounds II and III were separated from P. Thellungiana for the first time.

Sequence analysis and expression of Met-rich storage protein SP-1 of Hyphantria cunea.

We isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone corresponding to the 2.5 kb storage protein (SP-1) from fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The SP-1 gene encoded a pre-protein of 753 amino acids, including a signal peptide of 15 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of SP-1 contained one potential N-glycosylation site, and the calculated isoelectric point and molecular weight of secreted SP-1 were pI = 8.38 and 86.8 kDa, respectively. A Northern blot of mRNA from various developmental stages revealed that the SP-1 mRNA in fat body appears in early last instar larvae and accumulates to a maximum level at the end of last instar larvae. The persistence of SP-1 transcript through the early pupal stage suggests that its mRNA might be stable or expressed during the pupal stage. SP-1 transcription was also found in the ovary as well as testis. This local expression of SP-1 in both reproductive organs seems to allow the insect to keep its reproductive activity under a nutritional stress.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of the root of Pimpinella thellungiana].

Four compounds were isolated from the roots of Pimpinella thellungiana Wolff., their structures were identified as palmitic acid(I), 4-propenylphenol(II), pinoresinol(III), 2-methyl-2-hydroxy-5-methoxy berzo(d) hydrofuran-3-one(IV) by physicochemical constants and spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, 13C-1HCOSY, DEPT), IV of them is a new compound, Pharmacological tests showed IV has a hypotensive effect.

[Chemical constituents of the root of Pimpinella thellungiana Wolff].

OBJECTIVE: To search for new effective hypotensive components from the Chinese folk drug, the root of Pimpinella thellungiana. METHOD: A new compound was isolated from etheral extract of the drug by chromatographic method and identified by physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods. RESULT: The compound has been identified as 2-(1',2'-dihydroxy)propyl-4-methoxy phenol. CONCLUSION: The compound was obtained from the root of P. thellungiana for the first time.

[Separation and identification of the llungianin A and B from the root of Pimpinella thellungiana Wolff].

Two compounds were isolated from the roots of Pimpinella thellungiana wolff. On the basis of spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR, 1H-1H COSY, 13CNMR, 1H-13C COSY, DEPT), they were identified as 2-(1-ethoxy-2-hydroxy) propyl-4-methoxyphenol(I); 2-(1-ethoxy-2-hydroxy) propyl-4-methoxyphenyl-2-methyl-butyrate (II). They are new compounds named the llungianin A and B. Pharmacological tests showed that they have some hypotensive effects.

[Effect of ribavirin on NK activities of murine spleen cells in vitro].

The effects of ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide, RTC) on natural killer (NK) activities of murine spleen cells in vitro were studied by 125I-UdR isotope release assay. The results showed that RTC at the concentration of 5 mumol.L-1 significantly suppressed NK activities (P < 0.01), and a negative correlation between NK activities and RTC dosage was obtained. It also indicated that there was additive effect between the actions of RTC and dexamethasone (Dex, 1 mumol.L-1), and antagonism between the actions of RTC and interferon-gamma (100 U.ml-1). In addition, RTC at the concentration of 0.5 mumol.L-1 was found to be enough to reduce the product of interferon (P < 0.01) and interleukin-2 (P < 0.05) induced by Con A in murine spleen cells, and a negative dose-effect relationship was observed. Thus, one of the mechanisms of RTC in inhibiting NK activities seems to suppress the production of these lymphokines.

[An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of 20 chordomas].

Altogether 20 chordomas were reported. The site distribution included 9 cases at the sacrococcygeal region, another 9 cases at the spheno-occipital region, 1 at the cervical vertebra, and another 1 at the lumbar vertebra. Histologic examination revealed that characteristic "physaliphorous cells" were easily identified in all the 19 cases. Tissue for immunohistochemistry study was available in 18 cases. Among them, tumor cells were found strongly positive to EMA, but negative for CEA. 16/18 cases also showed positive for keratin and S-100 protein. Totally, 2 cases were studied ultrastructurally and there were abundant RER and microfilaments seen in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells but only few surface microvilli detected. The epithelial nature of chordoma is strongly supported by the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings of these 20 cases.