Clonal Propagation and Assessment of Biomass Production and Saponin Content of Elite Accessions of Wild Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is an endangered medicinal plant endemic to China with great economic importance for the pharmaceutical industry. Two significant barriers to its commercial development are the long duration of its seed germination and the frequency of interspecific hybridization. We developed a method for clonal propagation of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and successfully applied it to selected elite wild plants, which could become cultivar candidates based on their biomass production and saponin content. In comparison to the traditional method, somatic embryogenesis produced an average of 63 somatic embryos per gram of callus in just six weeks, saving 12 to 15 months in plantlet production. The produced in vitro plantlets were strong and healthy and 94% survived transplanting to soil. Using this method, four candidate cultivars with diverse morphologies and geographic origins were clonally reproduced from selected elite wild accessions. In comparison to those obtained with the traditional P. polyphylla propagation technique, they accumulated higher biomass and polyphyllin levels in rhizomes plus adventitious roots during a five-year period. In conclusion, somatic embryogenesis-based methods offer an alternate approach for the rapid and scaled-up production of P. polyphylla, as well as opening up species conservation options.

Population analysis reveals the roles of DNA methylation in tomato domestication and metabolic diversity.

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic marker, yet its diversity and consequences in tomato breeding at the population level are largely unknown. We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), RNA sequencing, and metabolic profiling on a population comprising wild tomatoes, landraces, and cultivars. A total of 8,375 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified, with methylation levels progressively decreasing from domestication to improvement. We found that over 20% of DMRs overlapped with selective sweeps. Moreover, more than 80% of DMRs in tomato were not significantly associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and DMRs had strong linkages with adjacent SNPs. We additionally profiled 339 metabolites from 364 diverse accessions and further performed a metabolic association study based on SNPs and DMRs. We detected 971 and 711 large-effect loci via SNP and DMR markers, respectively. Combined with multi-omics, we identified 13 candidate genes and updated the polyphenol biosynthetic pathway. Our results showed that DNA methylation variants could complement SNP profiling of metabolite diversity. Our study thus provides a DNA methylome map across diverse accessions and suggests that DNA methylation variation can be the genetic basis of metabolic diversity in plants.

Targeted approaches to improve tomato fruit taste.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the most valuable fruit and horticultural crop species worldwide. Compared with the fruits of their progenitors, those of modern tomato cultivars are, however, often described as having unsatisfactory taste or lacking flavor. The flavor of a tomato fruit arises from a complex mix of tastes and volatile metabolites, including sugars, acids, amino acids, and various volatiles. However, considerable differences in fruit flavor occur among tomato varieties, resulting in mixed consumer experiences. While tomato breeding has traditionally been driven by the desire for continual increases in yield and the introduction of traits that provide a long shelf-life, consumers are prepared to pay a reasonable premium for taste. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize preferences of tomato flavor and to define its underlying genetic basis. Here, we review recent conceptual and technological advances that have rendered this more feasible, including multi-omics-based QTL and association analyses, along with the use of trained testing panels, and machine learning approaches. This review proposes how the comprehensive datasets compiled to date could allow a precise rational design of tomato germplasm resources with improved organoleptic quality for the future.

Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal the Metabolic Differences and Molecular Basis of Nutritional Quality in Landraces and Cultivated Rice.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most globally important crops, nutritionally and economically. Therefore, analyzing the genetic basis of its nutritional quality is a paramount prerequisite for cultivating new varieties with increased nutritional health. To systematically compare the nutritional quality differences between landraces and cultivated rice, and to mine key genes that determine the specific nutritional traits of landraces, a seed metabolome database of 985 nutritional metabolites covering amino acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and vitamins by a widely targeted metabolomic approach with 114 rice varieties (35 landraces and 79 cultivars) was established. To further reveal the molecular mechanism of the metabolic differences in landrace and cultivated rice seeds, four cultivars and six landrace seeds were selected for transcriptome and metabolome analysis during germination, respectively. The integrated analysis compared the metabolic profiles and transcriptomes of different types of rice, identifying 358 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 1982 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), establishing a metabolite-gene correlation network. A PCA revealed anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lipids as the central differential nutritional metabolites between landraces and cultivated rice. The metabolite-gene correlation network was used to screen out 20 candidate genes postulated to be involved in the structural modification of anthocyanins. Five glycosyltransferases were verified to catalyze the glycosylation of anthocyanins by in vitro enzyme activity experiments. At the same time, the different mechanisms of the anthocyanin synthesis pathway and structural diversity in landrace and cultivated rice were systematically analyzed, providing new insights for the improvement and utilization of the nutritional quality of rice landrace varieties.

Risk factors for multiple debridements of the patients with deep incisional surgical site infection after spinal surgery / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the risk factors that contribute to multiple debridements in patients suffering from deep incisional surgical site infection after spinal surgery and advise medical personnel to pay special attention to these risk factors.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively enrolled 84 patients who got deep incisional surgical site infection after spinal surgery from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2017. The infections occurred within 30 days after the surgery, and the identification met the criteria of deep incisional surgical site infection of Centers of Disease Control (CDC). Early debridement with first stage closure of the wound and a continuous inflow-outflow irrigation system was used, and reasonable antibiotics were chosen according to the bacterial culture results. During the treatment, the vital signs, clinical manifestations, blood test results, drainage fluid colour and bacterial culture results were acquired. If the infection failed to be controlled or relapsed, a second debridement was performed. Of the 84 cases, 60 undergwent single debridement which included 36 male cases and 24 female cases, and the age ranged from 36 to 77 years, with a mean of 57.2 years. Twenty four had multiple debridements (twice in 14 cases, three times in 6 cases, four times in 1 case, five times in 2 cases, six times in 1 cases) which included 17 male cases and 7 female cases, and the age ranged from 21 to 70 years, with a mean of 49.5 years. Risk factors that predispose patients to multiple debridements were identified using univariate analysis. Risk factors with P values less than 0.05 in univariate analysis were included together in a multivariate Logistic regression model using back-forward method.@*RESULTS@#Multiple debridements were performed in 28.6% of all cases. The hospital stay of multiple debridements group was (82.4±46.3) days compared with (40.4±31.5) days in single debridement group (P=0.018). Instrumentation was removed in 6 cases in multiple debridements group and 4 cases in single debridement group (P=0.049). Flap transplantation was performed in 7 cased in multiple debridements group while none in single debridement group (P < 0.001). Diabetes, primary operation duration longer than 3 hours, primary operation blood loss more than 400 mL, bacteriology examination results, distant site infection were significantly different between the two groups in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, primary operation duration longer than 3 hours (OR=3.60, 95%CI: 1.12-11.62), diabetes (OR=3.74, 95%CI: 1.06-13.22), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected (OR=16.87, 95%CI: 2.59-109.73) were the most important risk factors related to multiple debridements in the patients with deep incisional surgical site infection after spinal surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#Diabetes, primary operation duration more than 3 hours, MRSA infected are independent risk factors for multiple debridements in patients suffering from deep incisional surgical site infection after spinal surgery. Special caution and prophylaxis interventions are suggested for these factors.

Monodispersed silver-palladium nanoparticles for ethanol oxidation reaction achieved by controllable electrochemical synthesis from ionic liquid microemulsions.

Alloyed nanoparticles are promising electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. However, syntheses of alloyed nanoparticles with controllable size and stoichiometry remain challenging. In this study, continuous, uniform and monodispersed bimetallic AgPd nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters ∼10 nm are achieved by electrochemical synthesis from quaternary ionic liquid microemulsion (ILM) for use as electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). It is found that the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), acts not only as a soft template and co-surfactant for the formation of micro-reactors, but also as an electrolyte for enhancing conductivity. The stoichiometry (AgxPdy), size and size distribution of AgPd NPs can be accurately tuned by varying electrolyte composition, electrodeposition conditions, and ionic liquids concentrations. Attributed to the high surface area, optimal stoichiometric ratio, and strong attachment onto substrates without using organic binders, the as-deposited AgxPdy NPs exhibit extraordinary electrocatalytic activity and stability for EOR. It is found that the mass activity of Ag49Pd51 NPs/Pt electrode reaches 3360 mA mg-1 for EOR in 1.0 M ethanol and 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution, which is much higher than commercial Pd/C catalyst (210.5 mA mg-1) and also the highest among state-of-the-art AgPd NPs electrocatalysts reported to date for EOR in alkaline media.

Robust Conductive Micropatterns on PTFE Achieved via Selective UV-Induced Graft Copolymerization for Flexible Electronic Applications.

Fabrication of stable and functional patterns on the surface of PTFE remains a great technical challenge owing to its inertness and high hydrophobicity. Here, we report for the first time the fabrication of functional micropatterns on the PTFE surface by selectively irradiating plasma-treated PTFE coated with the monomer solution. A series of uniform highly dense poly(dopamine methacrylamide) (denoted as PDMA) line patterns with line/pitch widths of 20/20 and 50/50 µm are fabricated on the surface of PTFE (denoted as PDMA-p/PTFE) using dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) as the monomer. Surface graft copolymerization occurs and is attributed to the universal adsorption of DMA and the low grafting energy barrier, compared with the polymerization energy barrier, which is also demonstrated by the DFT calculations. Further, robust well-defined metal Ag or Cu patterns with strong adhesion strength are fabricated on the surface of the PTFE film by electroless deposition and are demonstrated for applications in flexible electronics. The approach is demonstrated to be versatile for fabrication of PDMA micropatterns onto a wide range of polymeric substrates, including polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Research progress of odontoid fracture in children / 中华外科杂志

The majority of cervical spine injuries in children occur in the upper cervical spine, of which odontoid fracture is the most common. Odontoid fracture in children is a very insidious injury. Due to the unclear language and incompatible physical examination, the disease is often missed diagnosis. Because the child axis is still in the developmental segment, including 4 synchondrosis and 6 ossification centers, there are obvious anatomical and biological differences between the child odontoid fracture and the adult. Therefore, the choice of treatment is different from that of adults. This article will introduce the development of odontoid in children, and summarize the injury characteristics, clinical classification and treatment of odontoid fracture in children.

Posterior approach laminectomy combined with localized resection of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament and dekyphosis for multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the thoracic spine / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of posterior approach laminectomy combined with localized resection of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament and dekyphosis for multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine.Methods Thirty-one cases of thoracic multilevel OPLL was treated with this new technique between August of 2012 and August of 2016.Twenty-nine among the 31 cases were successfully followed up more than two years.Among these 29 cases,9 were male and the other 20 were female,with an average age of 48.5±7.1 years.The average segment number of OPLLwas 6.5±2.2 (range,3-11).The average segment number of laminectomy was 7.9±2.5 (range,4-13).There were 26 cases combined with ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF).Posterior approach laminectomy combined with localized resection of OPLL and dekyphosis for multilevel OPLL in the thoracic spine was applied to all cases.Firstly,en-bloc laminectomy was performed to all the segments of OPLL.Then the nearest segment of ossification to the kyphotic apex and the most stenotie level was selected and limitedly resected.Finally,wedge-shaped osteotomy was conducted to decrease the kyphosis.The outcomes including recovery rate of myelopathy and the radiological changes were recorded during the post-operative follow-up.Single group pre and post analysis was conducted by using paired t-test.Results Twenty-seven cases underwent one-level circumferential decompression,and the other two case underwent two-level localized resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament.The average operation time was 245.2±75.1 min (range,131-423 min).The average blood loss was 1 307.9±1 457.7 ml(range,300-6 000 ml).The average follow-up time was 40.2± 14.9 months (range,25-69 months).The kyphotic angle of the stenotic segments decreased 11.4°±3.5° averagely after the surgery,from pre-operative 28.7°±9.6° to post-operative 17.3°±8.6°.The decreased kyphotic angle was 7.4°±3.1 ° at the final follow-up with an average kyphotic angel of 22.3°± 10.3°.The average length of the resected ossified posterior longitudinal ligament was 11.3±3.9 mm,and the average shortening length of the spinal column was 5.0±3.0 mm (range,0.4-13.8 mm).The pre-operative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 4.3±2.2 averagely (range,1-9),and the final JOA score increased to 9.3±2.3 (rang,3-11).The average recover rate was 85.7％ (range,-100％ to 100％),and the rate of excellent or good was 89.7％.Among the 29 cases,6 cases occurred post-operative transient deterioration and regained a satisfactory recovery eventually;one case occurred post-operative paraplegia and never recovered;19 cases occurred post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and healed under conservative treatment.Conclusion For the thoracic multilevel OPLL,one-stage posterior approach laminectomy combined with localized resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament and dekyphosis can significantly improve the outcomes of the myelopathy with low rate of post-operative paraplegia.Therefore,this new surgery technique is a safe and effective treatment for multilevel OPLL in thoracic spine.

Correlation between neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and acute cerebral infarction / 医学研究生学报

Objective Cerebral infarction is characterized by high morbidity, high mortality and high disability. The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and acute cerebral infarction(ACI), providing references for the prevention and treatment of ACI.Methods In this study, 111 patients with ACI admitted to the Department of Neurology of Jiangsu Provincial People′s Hospital from April 2017 to October 2017 were enrolled in the retrospective analysis and divided into 3 subgroups according to the infarct size: small area ACI group (diameter3.0 cm, n=31). A number of 107 healthy subjects were included as control group. Baseline data and blood test indicators were collected and compared between groups.Results Compared with the control group, the level of sex, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, white blood cells, neutrophils and NLR in patients with acute cerebral infarction were higher（all P<0.05）. The white blood cell count and NLR of large area group were higher than those of small area and medium area group. The white blood cell count and NLR of large area group were higher than those of small area and middle area group, and the difference was statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (OR=3.468, P=0.003), hypertension (OR=8.764, P=0.000), hyperlipidemia (OR=2.867, P=0.020), and NLR (OR=3.016, P=0.000) were risk factors for acute cerebral infarction. The area under the ROC curve of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was 0.773, and the best diagnostic value was 2.13.Conclusion NLR is a risk factor for ACI, and has a predictive effect on the occurrence of ACI.

Polymicrobial and Monomicrobial Infections after Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Study to Determine which Infection is more Severe

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical review. PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in clinical manifestations and severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections after spinal surgery. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Surgical site infections (SSIs) after spinal surgery are a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for spinal surgeons. Polymicrobial infections after spinal surgery seem to result in poorer outcomes than monomicrobial infections because of complementary resistance to antibiotics. However, comparison of the clinical manifestations and severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections are limited. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with SSIs after spinal surgery were studied: 20 patients with polymicrobial infections and 47 with monomicrobial infections. Pathogenic bacteria identified were counted and classified. Age, sex, and body mass index were compared between the two groups to identify homogeneity. The groups were compared for clinical manifestations by surgical site, postoperative time to infection, infection site, incisional drainage, incisional swelling, incisional pain, neurological signs, temperature, white blood cell count, and the percentage of neutrophils. Finally, the groups were compared for severity by hospital stay, number of rehospitalizations, number of debridements, duration of antibiotics administration, number of antibiotics administered, and implant removal. RESULTS: Polymicrobial infections comprised 29.9% of SSIs after spinal surgery, and most polymicrobial infections (70.0%) were caused by two species of bacteria only. There was no difference between the groups in terms of clinical manifestations and severity. In total, 96 bacterial strains were isolated from the spinal wounds: 60 strains were gram-positive and 36 were gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae were cultured in order of the frequency of appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Most polymicrobial infections were caused by two bacterial species after spinal surgery. There was no difference in clinical manifestations or severity between polymicrobial and monomicrobial infections.

Perioperative stroke effectively treated by an acute stroke team including anesthesia department: a case report / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Perioperative stroke is cerebral infarction occurring in the perioperative period.The incidence of perioperative stroke in non-cardiac,and non-neurologic surgery is about 0.7％,but the mortality can be as high as 26％ to 40％.The outcome of the patients with perioperative stroke can be disastrous.Here we report a case of perioperative ischemic stroke that occurred after surgery of lumbar decompression and pedical screw fixation.A 76-year-old female admitted to our hospital because of lumbar spinal stenosis.Her medical history included hypertension and diabetes for ten years.Her personal history included a smoking history of 60 years by 2 cigarettes per day,not quitting.Her carotid artery ultrasound showed multiple low echo plaques on the right side and multiple high echo plaques on the left side of the carotid artery,but without distinct stenosis.Other examinations and tests showed no distinct abnormality.She went on a lumbar decompression and pedical screw fixation uneventfully.The blood loss was 400 mL and autologous blood transfusion 150 mL.The arterial blood pressure (ABP) maintained during 100-130 mmHg/60-80 mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa).Sixty minutes after she recovered from general anesthesia,the patient developed symptoms of slurred speech and right limbs weakness.The anesthesiologist evaluated the patient immediately with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).The NIHSS score was 11 and a stroke was highly suspected.The acute stroke team was therefore initiated and fast responded.Within 4 h,digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was proceeded,which showed the M1 segment of the left middle cerebral artery was occluded and the local stenosis of her right middle cerebral artery was up to 80％.After the successful embolectomy by Solitaire stent,the left middle cerebral artery reflowed and the forward blood flow was thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3.The patient was discharged after 33 days after the surgery with a NIHSS of 9.Our case provides an example that an acute stroke team that included the department of anesthesiology can be beneficial to the patients' perioperative strokes.During the perioperative period,anesthesiologists should be included into the acute stroke team,because anesthesiologists and anesthesia nurses might be first observers of those early onset strokes.Our case also put forward this thought that a standard peri-operative stroke evaluation tool,like NIHSS,should be discussed and applied to facilitate and accelerate the initiation of perioperative acute stroke team.

Clinical Efficacy of Folic Acid Intervene in Hyper-homocysteinemia Patients Combining Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To observe clinical efficacy of oral folic acid (FA) intervene in hyper-homocysteinemia (HHcy) patients combining coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF), to study the effect of blood level of Hcy on cardiac function. Methods: A total of 126 relevant patients with blood level of Hcy>15 μmol/L were randomly divided into 2 groups:Routine group, the patients received anti-platelet therapy, statins, beta-blockers, diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor antagonist and FA group, in addition to above mentioned therapies, the patients also received FA 5 mg/day. n=63 in each group and all patients were treated for 3 months. Fasting blood levels of Hcy, BNP and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were compared between 2 groups at pre- and 3 months post-treatment. Results: ① Based on NYHA classification, the patients with cardiac function at II, III, IV had accordingly increased blood levels of Hcy, BNP and LVEDD, while decreased LVEF and 6MWT, all P<0.05. ② Blood levels of Hcy were positively related to BNP (r=0.733, P<0.001) and LVEDD (r=0.511, P<0.001), negatively related to LVEF (r=-0.382, P<0.001) and 6MWT (r=-0.410, P<0.001). ③ With 3 months treatment, FA group and Routine group showed decreased Hcy level as (8.43 ± 1.87) μmol/L vs (3.29 ±1.68) μmol/L and BNP (891.84 ± 456.10) pg/ml vs (682.24 ± 463.79) pg/ml, reduced LVEDD (4.33 ± 1.231) mm vs (2.06 ± 1.73) mm, while elevated LVEF (6.59 ± 2.28) % vs (2.52 ± 2.37) % and 6MWT (142.97 ± 55.15) m vs (86.35 ± 59.06) m, all P<0.05. Conclusion: Increased blood level of Hcy is risky for HF occurrence, FA may treat HHcy and further improve the cardiac structure and function in HF patients.

Analysis of risk factors for deep surgical site infection after posterior thoracic and lumbar surgery / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the risk factors for deep surgical site infection after posterior thoracic and lumbar surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The medical data of the patients with deep surgical site infection after posterior thoracic and lumbar surgery from January 2008 to December 2013 were reviewed.For each case patient, 3 non-infected controls were randomly selected from the same database of all patients who underwent posterior thoracic and lumbar surgery.Patients who had diagnosis of spinal fractures, infection, tuberculosis, and tumor were excluded. The microbiology and related factors were collected and analyzed. T-test, χ2 test and Logistic analysis were used to analyze the data, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ninety-nine cases were identified (infection group), 57 men and 42 women, average 54.5 years old, average body mass index 26.4 kg/m2. Fifty-five (55.6%) patients were identified with organisms, and the most common identified organism was Staphylococcus Aureus. Compared with the cases in the control group (44.4 g/L), the cases in the infection group (43.1 g/L) had a significant low albumin preoperatively (P=0.001). Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that obesity (OR=2.102, 95% CI=1.259-3.508), diabetes (OR=1.926, 95% CI=1.041-3.563), number of surgical levels≥3 (OR=1.985, 95% CI=1.130-3.486) were risk factors for this complication (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For deep surgical site infection after posterior thoracic and lumbar surgery, obesity, diabetes, preoperative low albumin and number of surgical levels≥3 are risk factors.</p>

Thoracic laminectomy with dekyphosis for thoracic myelopathy secondary to multi-segmental ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and efficiency of thoracic laminectomy with dekyphosis for thoracic myelopathy due to multi-segmental ossification of the posterior ligaments.Methods The clinical data of five cases of thoracic myelopathy due to multi-segmental ossification of longitudinal ligaments who were surgically treated in our hospital between August 2012 and March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed,among which two were male and the other three were female,with an average age of 52 (range,45-56) years old.The pre-operative duration ranged from 2 months to 6 years.All five cases were suffering from progressive bilateral partial paraplegia with an average preoperative JOA score 3.8 (range,3-6),an average segment-number of ossification of the posterior ligaments 7.6 (range,5-10),and also an average segment-number of 5.0 (range,2-10) ossification of the ligamentum flavum.All the five cases showed different kyphosis at the stenotic area of thoracic spine,with an average kyphotic angle (Cobb) of 35.8° (range,22°-56°).Their pre-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA) was 3.8 averagely (range,3-6).Clinical features,operation time,blood loss,perioperative complications and postoperative outcome were recorded.Results The segment number of laminectomy of these five cases was 8.2 averagely.The segment number of dekyphosis was 2 for 2 cases and 1 for the other 3 cases,with a average dekyphotic degree of 7.8° (range,2°-15°).The average operation time was 6.3 hours (range,5.5-7.0 hours) and the average blood loss was 3900 ml.The perioperative complications included cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 4 cases who were treated conservatively,and epidural hematoma in 1 case who underwent reoperation for removing the hematoma.All cases were followed up for 21 to 27 months,and their average final JOA score was 10,with an average recovery rate of 85.6％,and a rate of excellent or good was 100％ by the modified Epstein standard.Conclusion The result of thoracic laminectomy combined with dekyphosis for thoracic myelopathy due to multi-segmental ossification of longitudinal ligaments is quite satisfying,however this procedure is demanding with a long operation time,a huge blood loss and a high complication rate.

The treatment of severe lumbar dysplastic spondylolisthesis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical characteristics of severe lumbar dysplastic spondylolisthesis, and to investigate the effectiveness of the posterior surgery including decompression, partial reduction with instrumentations and interbody fusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients of severe lumbar dysplastic spondylolisthesis treated between March 2007 and February 2012 were studied retrospectively. Twelve patients include 10 female and 2 male patients with an average age of 10.7 years (9-17 years). All of their spondylolisthetic level was L5 vertebrae. None of them were effective after regular conservative treatment. Eleven of 12 patients were treated surgically through a posterior decompression and instrumented reduction. One case was treated by L5 vertebrectomy and reduction of L4 onto sacrum. Their levels of instrumentations were L4-S1 in 8 patients and L5-S1 in 4 patients. All of 12 patients were fused via interbody fusion. The visual analog scale(VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) score, slip angle, percentage slip, lumbar lordosis, sagittal balance were used as outcome measures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of these patients were followed up regularly with an average follow-up of 32 months (6-64 months). Five of these 12 patients suffered postoperative nerve root impairment, including impairment of unilateral and bilateral L5 nerve roots. At the latest follow-up, only 1 case was still suffering from the weakness of unilateral peroneal long and short muscles, the other 4 patients recovered totally. The degree of their spondylolisthesis was reduced II degrees or more, and their slip angles decreased from 35.6 degree preoperatively to 9.8 degree postoperatively. The VAS, ODI , JOA, lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance were improved postoperatively. No instrumentation loosening or rupture was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In patients with severe lumbar dysplastic spondylolisthesis, isolated posterior decompression, reduction with internal fixation may lead to a satisfactory clinical outcomes. Surgical reduction is helpful to improve the interbody contact area, thus possibly improve the fusion rate. At the same time, reduction may reduce or correct the lumbar-sacral kyphosis, recover the normal lumbar lordosis and normal sagittal alignment with an excellent cosmetic result. The incidence of the postoperative nerve impairment is high because of the stretching of L5 nerve roots secondary to the reduction, but most of the patients with postoperative nerve impairment may recover gradually.</p>

Effects of Different Magnitudes of Mechanical Stretch on Human Intervertebral Disc Cells / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the effects of different magnitudes of mechanical stress on human interverte-bral disc degeneration. Methods The human intervertebral disc cells were subjected to different magnitudes of mechanical stress (0, 6%, 12%, or 18%elongation) for 24 h using a Flexercell Strain Unit. The mRNA expressions of anabolic genes (col-lagen-1A1, collagen-2A1, aggrecan and versican) and catabolic genes (MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5) were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot methods. Results The expression levels of collagen-1A1 and collagen-2A1 were increased at 12%of mechanical stress, and collagen-2A1 was decreased at 18%of mechanical stress compared with those of control. The mRNA expressions of catabolic genes, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5, were increased at 12%and 18%of mechanical stress than those of control. The mechanical stretch induced a magnitude-dependent increase in ADAMTS-4 synthesis, which was finely tuned by stretching-triggered activation of distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. Specifically, an ERK1/2 specific inhibitor, U0126, significantly inhibited the stretching-induced ADAMTS-4 expression, whereas the inhibitors of p38 and JNK, SP6000125 and SB203580, showed only slightly effect on the stretching-induced ADAMTS-4 expression. Conclusion The different magnitudes of mechanical stretch exhibited different effects on the bio-logical behavior of intervertebral disc cells, which profoundly affects the intervertebral disc degeneration.

Comparison between two types of "Scheuermann disease-like people": thoracolumbar disc herniation patients and healthy volunteers with radiological signs of Scheuermann's disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Scheuermann's disease (SD) is a spinal disorder and includes both a classic form and an atypical form. Interestingly, its existence among the general population as well as the disc disease patients is common. One of our previous studies showed that about 18% of the hospital staff members meet the SD criteria. On the other hand, another study has demonstrated that 95.2% of the symptomatic thoracolumbar disc herniation (STLDH) patients meet the SD criteria, which suggests that STLDH is very likely a special form of SD. The purpose of this study was to discriminate the factors contributing to the development of STLDH by comparing STLDH patients with the healthy SD-like hospital staff members.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This is a retrospective study including 33 STLDH patients who met the SD criteria and 30 SD-like hospital staff members. The STLDH group was chosen from a group of patients who underwent surgery after a diagnosis of STLDH (T10/11-L1/2) at our hospital between June 2007 and June 2010. SD-like hospital staff members were chosen from a database created in 2007, which contained a lumbar MR and low back pain (LBP) questionnaire of 188 hospital staff members. The demographic and radiologic characteristics were compared between groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no statistical difference in sex, age, and height between the two groups. The STLDH patients had higher body weight, boby mass index, and thoracolumbar kyphotic angle than SD-like hospital staff members. In addition, STLDH patients had more levels of Schmorl's nodes (3.5±1.7 vs. 2.0±1.9, t = 3.364, P = 0.001) and irregular endplateson (4.0±1.9 vs. 2.7±1.9, t = 2.667, P = 0.010) compared to the SD-like hospital staff members.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Higher body weight, higher body mass index, larger thoracolumbar kyphosis, and more Schmorl's nodes and irregular endplates on MR may be associated with the development of STLDH in "SD-like people."</p>

Decompression alone versus decompression with instrumented fusion for young patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation: a short-term prospective comparative study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>For young patients, the surgical method for lumbar disc herniation remains controversial. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the short-term clinical outcome after surgery for young patients with lumbar disc herniation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective comparative study between April 2010 and August 2011, a total of 80 patients underwent primary surgery at a single level for lumbar disc herniation. The patients were divided into two groups: decompression alone and decompression with instrumented fusion. An independent examiner clinically evaluated the patients at preoperation and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The patients filled out the instruments for back and leg pain using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. The differences between the two groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of all the patients at the time of surgery was 33.7 years. Of the 80 patients, 38 patients underwent decompression alone and 42 patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Increasing complexity of surgery was associated with a longer surgery time, greater blood loss, and a longer hospital stay after surgery. Both methods of surgery independently improved outcomes compared with baseline status based on VAS, ODI, and JOA scores (P < 0.05), and no significant differences were found between the two groups at most of the measuring points in time, although patients with decompression alone had a higher JOA score (P = 0.016) and higher JOA recovery rate (P = 0.010) at the 3-month follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The short-term results of our study showed that both methods of surgery obtained effective clinical outcomes, but decompression alone had some advantages (shorter surgery time, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and lower cost) compared with decompression with instrumented fusion. Young patients with decompression alone could achieve great physical function earlier.</p>

Clinical characteristics and survival analysis of 22 cases of pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma is a rare and highly malignant tumor. In this study, our purpose was to analyze the clinical features, treatment method and prognostic factors, so to explore the approach for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 22 patients with histopathologically confirmed pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma and treated at Tianjin Cancer Hospital from 1974 to 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Survival rate was calculated by life tables. Kaplan-Meier unvariate analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the survival rates. Multivariate factors for survival were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median age of the 22 cases of pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma was 52.5 years. Among them 20 cases went to see a doctor for painless mass, and two cases shown as skin inflammation. Clarifying a diagnosis was difficult before operation so that its diagnosis mainly depended on postoperative histopathologic examination. Twelve cases had axillary lymph node metastasis, 7 cases distant metastasis, and the lung was the most common metastatic organ. The 5-year survival rate was 55.6%, with a median follow-up of 46 months. It was found by Kaplan-Meier unvariate analysis that the age (P = 0.044), number of positive axillary lymph nodes (P = 0.011) and therapeutic schedule (P = 0,003) significantly influenced the outcome of the patients, but tumor size (P = 0.194) was not. Cox multivariate analysis results showed that number of positive axillary lymph nodes was independent prognostic factor for pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma (P = 0.038).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pure epithelial breast metaplastic carcinoma is seldom seen. It is easy to cause distant metastasis and has a poor prognosis. ER, PR and HER-2 expressions in most samples are negative. The more axillary lymph nodes have metastasis, the poorer is the prognosis. A reasonable and comprehensive treatment can improve the prognosis obviously.</p>