Bioinformatics-Guided Reconstitution of Biosynthetic Machineries of Fungal Eremophilane Sesquiterpenes.

Eremophilanes exhibit diverse biological activities and chemical structures. This study reports the bioinformatics-guided reconstitution of the biosynthetic machinery of fungal eremophilanes, eremofortin C and sporogen-AO1, to elucidate their biosynthetic pathways. Their biosyntheses include P450-catalyzed multistep oxidation and enzyme-catalyzed isomerization by the DUF3237 family protein. Successful characterization of six P450s enabled us to discuss the functions of eremophilane P450s in putative eremophilane biosynthetic gene clusters, providing opportunities to understand the oxidative modification pathways of fungal eremophilanes.

Clinical Application and Curative Effect Analysis of Postural Awareness Surgical Tool Assisted Nail Placement in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: The pedicle screw technique has been widely used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis orthopedic surgery, but misplacement of screws may damage important structures such as blood vessels and nerves around the pedicle, resulting in serious consequences. Therefore, our research team has independently developed a surgical tool to assist in the placement of pedicle screws. This study aims to investigate the safety and accuracy of postural awareness tool assisted nail placement in orthopedic surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis admitted to our hospital from July 2019 to July 2022, including 10 males and 14 females, with an average age of 14.88 ± 2.36 years (10-19 years). The mean follow-up was 15.67 ± 2.20 months (12-20 months). We divided the patients into postural awareness group (n = 12) and C-arm group (n = 12) according to whether the postural awareness surgical tool was used during the operation. All patients were treated with posterior spinal orthopedic surgery. The postural awareness group was assisted by pedicle screw placement with a postural awareness surgical tool, while the C-arm group was given a pedicle screw placement with freehand technique. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, nail placement related complications, nail placement accuracy, and scoliosis correction rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operative time, intraoperative blood loss and fluoroscopy times in the postural awareness group were significantly lower than those in the C-arm group, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The postural awareness group implanted 163 screws with an accuracy rate of 91.41%, while the C-arm group implanted 159 screws with an accuracy rate of 83.02%. The accuracy rate of screw placement in the postural awareness group was higher than that in the C-arm group, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.024). According to the imaging of the patients, there was no significant difference between the Cobb Angle of the main bend measured at three time points before surgery, 1 week after surgery and the last follow-up between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the rate of lateral curvature correction between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The application of postural awareness surgical tool in posterior orthopedic surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can improve screw placement accuracy, shorten screw placement time, and make auxiliary screw placement safer and more accurate.

Research Progress of Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a new infectious disease first discovered in Ta-pieh Mountains in central China in 2009. It is caused by a novel bunyavirus infection (SFTSV). Since the first discovery of SFTSV, there have been case reports and epidemiological studies on SFTS in several East Asian countries, such as South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and so on. With the rising incidence of SFTS and the rapid spread of the novel bunyavirus around the world, it is clear that the virus has a pandemic potential and may pose a threat to global public health in the future. Early studies have suggested that ticks are an important medium for the transmission of SFTSV to humans; in recent years, it has been reported that there is also human-to-human transmission. In endemic areas, potential hosts include a variety of livestock and wildlife. When people are infected with SFTV, the main clinical manifestations are high fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, liver and kidney function damage, and even MODS, with a mortality rate of about 10-30%. This article reviews the latest progress of novel bunyavirus, including virus transmission vector, virus genotypic diversity and epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation and treatment.

Systematic Review of Published Cases of Primary Epithelioid Sarcoma of the Spine.

BACKGROUND Epithelioid sarcoma is rare, represents less than 1% of all sarcomas, usually occurs in the extremities, and rarely presents as a primary sarcoma of the spine. Publications are usually single reports or case series. We aimed to undertake a systematic review of publications of cases of primary epithelioid sarcoma of the spine to evaluate clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and patient outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched studies on spinal epithelioid sarcoma in the PubMed database. Only studies with secondary epithelioid sarcoma or without effective data for analysis were excluded. Cases in which epithelioid sarcoma first invaded other sites and then affected the spine were also excluded. RESULTS Twenty-three patients from 13 studies were included in the study, aged between 14 and 65 years, and the sex ratio of female to male was 1: 2.29. The survival time was 18.7±13.8 months. The survival time of males was longer than that of females (22.9±14.4 vs 9.0±4.6, P=0.027). The onset age was linearly correlated with the size of the lesion (size=-0.161*age+11.841).The lesions located in lumbar vertebra had the worst prognosis. Postoperative radiotherapy had a statistically significant effect on survival time (P=0.040). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review identified 23 published cases of primary epithelioid sarcoma of the spine. Pain was the main presenting symptom, and tumor size increased with patient age. Female sex and primary location in the lumbar spine were associated with poor survival. Although surgery was the first-line treatment, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy may improve clinical outcomes.

Does the Microflora of Surgery Site Infection Change After Prophylactic Use of Vancomycin Powder in the Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of microflora in patients with deep spinal surgical site infection (SSI) after prophylactic use of vancomycin powder (VP). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients after spinal surgery. Patients were grouped according to whether VP use and only patients with deep SSI were included in this study. General information of the patients, the dose of vancomycin, bacterial culture results, drug sensitivity test results, and SSI treatment methods were recorded. The differences of microflora between the two groups were analyzed, and the sensitivity of bacteria in the +VP group to antibiotics was analyzed. Results: The infection rate in the +VP group was 4.9% (56/1124) vs 6.3% (93/1476) in the No-VP group (P < 0.05). The proportion of Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) in the +VP SSIs was 55.4% vs.74.1% in the No-VP group (P < 0.05). The percentage of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in the +VP SSIs was 46.4% vs.30.1% in the No-VP group (P < 0.05). More dose of VP cannot decrease the SSI, but the proportion of GNB in VP >1g SSIs was higher (59.0% vs 32.4%, P < 0.05). In the +VP SSIs, all of the GNB cultured were sensitive to meropenem, and linezolid covered most of the GPB cultured. Conclusion: Local use of vancomycin powder can reduce the incidence of SSI, but this may lead to changes in the bacterial flora. Once the SSI occurs, the case of GNB infection may be increased. The more dose of VP cannot decrease SSI but may increase the rate of GNB in the +VP SSIs. Once infections still occur after VP use, antibiotics covering GNB may be added. These findings may help guide choice of empiric antibiotics while awaiting culture data.

Deformation modeling based on mechanical properties of liver tissue for virtuanormal vectors of trianglesl surgical simulation.

PURPOSE: In this paper, a method for rapidly constructing a virtual surgical simulation system is proposed. A deformation model based on the mechanical properties of the liver and a rapid collision detection between the surgical micro-instruments and the liver tissue are included in this method. The purpose of this work is to improve the accuracy and real time of particle model deformation interaction in virtual surgery system. METHODS: Firstly, a finite element model is established based on the constitutive model parameters of liver tissue. According to the simulation results, a mathematical model of node displacement is established. Secondly, the virtual liver is established based on the fast model reconstruction method, and the virtual manipulator is controlled by Geomagic Touch manipulator. Based on the hybrid bounding box, a rapid collision detection process between the instrument and liver is realized and the proposed deformation method is used to simulate the deformation of liver tissue. RESULTS: The simulation and experiment results show that the proposed deformation model can achieve high deformation interaction accuracy. The collision detection algorithm based on the hybrid bounding boxes can realize the collision between the liver and the instrument, and the established virtual surgical simulation system can simulate the liver tissue deformation in the case of small loading displacement. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the collision detection algorithm and deformation model was verified by an established virtual surgery simulation system. The proposed rapid construction method of virtual surgical simulation is feasible.

Effect of Preoperative Zoledronic Acid Administration on Pain Intensity after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare and analyze the effect of preoperative zoledronic acid (ZOL) administration on pain intensity after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods: The study included 242 patients with OVCFs who underwent PVP in our hospital between January 2015 and June 2018. The patients were randomly assigned to either a ZOL group (n = 121) or a control group (n = 121). The patients in the ZOL group were treated preoperatively with intravenous infusion of 5 mg ZOL. Those in the control group were treated without ZOL. All the patients were followed up for 1 year. Results: No statistically significant differences in age, sex, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were found between the two groups. During the follow-up period, the visual analog scale score and Oswestry dysfunction index score in the ZOL group were lower than those in the control group. The bone mineral density at 6 or 12 months after treatment was significantly higher and the levels of the bone metabolism markers were significantly lower in the ZOL group than in the control group (P < 0.05 for both). Two patients in the treatment group had new vertebral fractures, whereas 13 patients in the control group had new vertebral fractures, which translate to recompression vertebral fracture incidence rates of 1.7% and 10.7%, respectively. The incidence rate of mild adverse reactions was significantly higher in the ZOL group than in the control group, but all the cases were endurable. Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of ZOL before PVP can effectively reduce postoperative pain intensity, reduce bone loss, increase bone density, reduce the risk of refracture, and improve patient quality of life.

Peripheral perfusion index predicting prolonged ICU stay earlier and better than lactate in surgical patients: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral perfusion index (PPI) is an indicator reflecting perfusion. Patients undergoing long time surgeries are more prone to hypoperfusion and increased lactate. Few studies focusing on investigating the association between PPI and surgical patients' prognoses. We performed this study to find it out. METHODS: From January 2019 to September 2019, we retrospected all surgical patients who were transferred to ICU, Xinyang Central hospital, Henan province, China. Inclusive criteria: age ≥ 18 years old; surgical length ≥ 120 min. Exclusive criteria: died in ICU; discharging against medical advice; existing diseases affecting blood flow of upper limbs, for example, vascular thrombus in arms; severe liver dysfunction. We defined "prolonged ICU stay" as patients with their length of ICU stay longer than 48 h. According to the definition, patients were divided into two groups: "prolonged group" (PG) and "non-prolong group" (nPG). Baseline characteristics, surgical and therapeutic information, ICU LOS, SOFA and APACHE II were collected. Besides we gathered data of following parameters at 3 time points (T0: ICU admission; T1: 6 h after admission; T2: 12 h after admission): mean artery pressure (MAP), lactate, heart rate (HR), PPI and body temperature. Data were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariable binary logistic regression and ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves were performed to find the association between perfusion indictors and ICU LOS. RESULTS: Eventually, 168 patients were included, 65 in PG and 103 in nPG. Compared to nPG, patients in PG had higher blood lactate and lower PPI. PPI showed significant difference between two groups earlier than lactate (T0 vs T1). The value of PPI at two time points was lower in PG than nPG(T0: 1.09 ± 0.33 vs 1.41 ± 0.45, p = 0.001; T1: 1.08 ± 0.37 vs 1.49 ± 0.41, p < 0.001). Increased lactateT1(OR 3.216; 95% CI 1.253-8.254, P = 0.015) and decreased PPIT1 (OR 0.070; 95% CI 0.016-0.307, P < 0.001) were independently associated with prolonged ICU stay. The area under ROC of the PPIT1 for predicting ICU stay> 48 h was 0.772, and the cutoff value for PPIT1 was 1.35, with 83.3% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: PPI and blood lactate at T1(6 h after ICU admission) are associated with ICU LOS in surgical patient. Compared to lactate, PPI indicates hypoperfusion earlier and more accurate in predicting prolonged ICU stay.

Specific inhibition of PI3Kδ/γ enhances the efficacy of anti-PD1 against osteosarcoma cancer.

Impressive responses have been observed in patients with cancer treated with checkpoint inhibitory anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibodies through disinhibiting the immune system. However, tumors possess complex immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to present therapeutic obstacles and the response rates to immune checkpoint inhibition remain low. One significant barrier to the efficacy of anti-PD1 treatment is the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) into the tumor. MDSCs dramatically increased in peripheral blood of patients with osteosarcoma and prohibited both T-cell activation and infiltration. Here we demonstrated functional inhibition of G-MDSCs with (S)-(-)-N-[2-(3-Hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-methyl]-acetamide (SNA), a specific inhibitor of PI3Kδ/γ, could prime tumor microenvironment, resultantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD1 treatment in a syngeneic osteosarcoma tumor model. Combining SNA with anti-PD1 dramatically slowed osteosarcoma tumor growth and prolonged survival time of tumor-bearing mice, at least in part mediated through CD8+ T cells. Our results demonstrated that addition of SNA to anti-PD1 significantly altered infiltration and function of innate immune cells, providing the rationale for combination therapy in patients with osteosarcoma through inhibiting the function of MDSCs with a selective PI3Kδ/γ inhibitor to enhance responses to immune checkpoint blockade.

Effect of microRNA-370 on coronary atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanism.

As a global health problem, cardiovascular disease threatens the lives of human beings. It has been reported that microRNAs (miRs) are important in regulating coronary atherosclerosis. In the present study, the expression levels of miR-370 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with coronary atherosclerosis were significantly increased compared with healthy patients, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Additionally, the target of miR-370 was predicted as Forkhead Box 1 (FOXO1) with bioinformatics, and was confirmed by a dual luciferase assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXO1 were inhibited by miR-370. Furthermore, the invasion and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were promoted by miR-370 via inhibiting the expression of FOXO1. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that miR-370 served an important role in regulating coronary atherosclerosis via targeting FOXO1. The present data also indicated that miR-370 may be a promising molecular target for treating coronary atherosclerosis.

The involvement and possible mechanism of NR4A1 in chondrocyte apoptosis during osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone, and places great burdens to daily life of patients. Nuclear orphan receptor nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1 (NR4A1) is vital for cell apoptosis, but little is known about its role in OA. This study aims to reveal the expression and function of NR4A1 during OA chondrocyte apoptosis. NR4A1 expression by qRT-PCR and western blot, and chondrocyte apoptosis by TUNEL assay were detected in normal and OA joint cartilage. NR4A1 was located in cartilage sections by immunohistofluorescence. Chondrocytes from normal joint cartilage were cultured in vitro for interleukin 6 (IL6) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment and si-NR4A1 transfection, after which the possible mechanism involving NR4A1 was analyzed. Results showed that NR4A1 expression and chondrocyte apoptosis were significantly elevated in OA cartilage (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). NR4A1 was located in nuclei of normal cartilage chondrocytes, but was translocated to mitochondria and co-located with B-cell lymphoma 2 in OA chondrocytes. NR4A1 expression in cultured chondrocytes could be promoted by both IL6 and TNF treatment. si-NR4A1 partly reduced TNF-induced cell apoptosis. Inhibiting p38 by SB203580 could decrease TNF-induced NR4A1 to some extent, while inhibiting JNK could not. So NR4A1 is likely to facilitate OA chondrocyte apoptosis, which is associated with p38 MAPK and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. This study provides a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment and offers information for regulatory mechanisms in OA.

miR-218 suppresses cardiac myxoma proliferation by targeting myocyte enhancer factor 2D.

Cardiac myxoma is the most common type of human heart tumor, yet the molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. In the present study, we found that the level of myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a key regulatory protein for cardiac development, was elevated in specimens of cardiac myxoma, and was positively associated with the proliferation of myxoma cells. MEF2D suppression reduced the proliferation of myxoma cells and its tumorigenicity. Cell cycle progression was also inhibited by MEF2D suppression. miR-218, which is downregulated in myxoma, suppressed MEF2D expression by targeting its mRNA 3'UTR. Altogether, we found that miR-218/MEF2D may be an effective target for myxoma treatment.

[Preliminary application of intraoperative CT in treatment of severe scoliosis with posterior total pedicle screws].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects and application value of intraoperative CT in treatment of severe scoliosis with posterior total pedicle screws. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of severe scoliosis were retrospectively analysed in our hospital from June 2009 to June 2011,which were treated by posterior total pedicle screws with intraoperative CT including 12 males and 20 females with an average age of 16.8 years ranging from 10 to 38 years. There were 19 cases combined with thoracic kyphosis among 32 cases. Multiple planar reconstruction technology of intraoperative CT was applied to assess screw position. The numbers (rates) of pedicle screws were calculated and evaluated as different grades in upper thoracic vertebra (T1-T4) ,middle thoracic vertebra (T5-T8), lower thoracic vertebra (T9-T12) and lumbar vertebra. The pedicle screws of 2 grade and 3 grade were defined as malpositioned screws. Times of applicating intraoperative CT were calculated. Cobb angle of all cases and kyphosis angle of the cases combined with thoracic kyphosis were measured before and after surgery. Scoliosis correction rates and kyphosis correction rates were calculated. RESULTS: There were 686 pedicle screws placed in thoracolumbar of 32 patients (including 544 thoracic pedicle screws,142 lumbar pedicle screws) and 14 patients underwent osteotomy. The rate of malpositioned screws in thoracolumbar was 7.3% by evaluating with intraoperative CT,and it respectively was 5.6%,11.1%, 6.7% and 4.3% in upper thoracic vertebra, middle thoracic vertebra,lower thoracic vertebra and lumbar vertebra. The malpositioned screws were amended in surgery. The mean times of intraoperative CT was 2.6 times (ranged from 2 times to 4 times). The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 95 degrees (ranged from 78 degrees to 123 degrees) and the mean postoperative Cobb angle was 340 (ranged from 19 degrees to 53 degrees). The mean correction rate of Cobb angle was 64%. The mean preoperative kyphosis angle of the patients combined with thoracic kyphosis was 69 degrees (ranged from 46 degrees to 82 degrees) and the mean postoperative kyphosis angle was 32 degrees (ranged from 22 degrees to 45 degrees). The mean correction rate of kyphosis angle was 54%. Four patients suffered cerebrospinal fluid leak after surgery. No infection, vascular lesion and nervous lesion were found. All patients had an average 18-month follow-up (ranged from 12 to 26 months). No broken nails, broken rods and pseudarthrosis were founded. CONCLUSION: Application of in traoperative CT in severe scoliosis with posterior total pedicle screws can detect and amend malpositioned screws timely in surgery, to avoid secondary surgery for malpositioned screws and protect the safety of surgery. The effects of surgery is satisfactory.

[Analysis on arthroscopic debridement and visco supplement for the treatment of degenerative osteoarthropathy of ankle].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of arthroscopic debridement and visco supplement for the treatment of degenerative osteoarthropathy of ankle. METHODS: From October 2008 to May 2012, 30 patients with degenerative osteoarthropathy of ankle were treated with arthroscopy after ineffective treatment with conservative methods. Two patients lost follow-up. Among the patients, 19 patients were male and 9 patients were female, ranging in age from 28 to 56 years old, with a mean of (40.0+ 5.9)years old. Patients who had inflammatory or postinfectious arthritis,rheumatoid,gout,tuberculosis were excluded. Other exclusion criteria included previous arthroscopic treatment for ankle osteoarthropathy, intraarticular corticosteroid injection within the previous 6 months, a major neurologic deficit, serious medical illness and pregnancy. Articular cartilage iijuries were classified according to Outerbridge by the same doctor. Follow procedures were involved in the surgery: synovectomy,debridement or excision of fragments of articular cartilage or chondral flaps and osteophytes that prevented full extension. Microfracture of chondral defects was not performed. Ogilvie-Harris criteria was used to evaluate therapeutic effects. RESULTS: According to Ogilvie-Harris criteria, 10 patients got an excellent results, 14 good, 3 poor and 1 bad. The mean VAS score of pain decreased from preoperative 7.5+/-1.3 to postoperative 2.4+/-2.3. The score of dorsiflexion range (ROM-D) had no obvious change after operation [preoperative(27.0+/-7.3)degree and postoperative(29.0+/-5.6)degree]. The mean Tegner score increased from preoperative 2.7+/-1.3 to postoperative 5.6+/-2.2. CONCLUSION: Synovectomy, debridement or excision of chondral flaps and osteophytes under arthroscopy, as well as scheduled intraarticular sodium hyaluronate injection should be recommened to treat ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy.

[Effectiveness comparison between arthroscopic and nonsurgical treatments for ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment and nonsurgical treatment on ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy. METHODS: Between July 2009 and June 2011, 58 patients (58 ankles) suffering from ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy underwent arthroscopic treatment (arthroscopic group, n=28) and routine treatment (control group, n=30). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, and degree of ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Mazur score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Tegner activity scale were used to evaluate the effectiveness. RESULTS: Incision healed primarily in arthroscopic group. The patients of 2 groups were followed up 1-2 years, averaged 1.5 years in arthroscopic group and 1.6 years in control group. At last follow-up, Mazur, VAS, and Tegner scores were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found at last follow-up between 2 groups (P > 0.05). According to Mazur scoring, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 14 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 79% in arthroscopic group; the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 70% in control group; and no significant difference was observed between 2 groups (u=0.98, P=0.77). Moreover, there was no correlation between Outerbridge classification and Mazur score in patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment (r=0.18, P= 0.34). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic and nonsurgical treatments of ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy can both achieve good effectiveness.

[Application of intraoperative CT navigation in posterior thoracic pedicle screw placement for scoliosis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of intraoperative CT navigation in posterior thoracic pedicle screw placement for scoliosis patients. METHODS: Between October 2009 and December 2011, 46 patients with scoliosis were treated with thoracic pedicle screw placement under intraoperative CT navigation in 21 cases (group A) or under C-arm fluoroscopy in 25 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, type of scoliosis, involved segment, and Cobb angle of main thoracic curve between 2 groups (P > 0.05). A total of 273 thoracic pedicle screws were placed in group A and 308 screws in group B. The pedicle screw position evaluated and classified by intraoperative CT images according to the Modi et al. method; and the accurate rate, the safe rate, and the potential risk rate of pedicle screws were calculated on the upper thoracic spine (T1-4), the middle thoracic spine (T5-8), the lower thoracic spine (T9-12), and the entire thoracic spine (T1-2). The accuracy and security of thoracic pedicle screw placement were compared between 2 groups. RESULTS: On the entire thoracic spine, the accurate rate of group A (93.4%) was significantly higher than that of group B (83.8%), the safe rate of group A (98.9%) was significantly higher than that of group B (92.5%), showing significant differences between 2 groups (P < 0.05). However, the potential risk rate of group B (7.5%) was significantly higher than that of group A (1.1%) (P < 0.05). On the upper, the middle, and the lower thoracic spines, there was no significant difference in the accurate rate, the safe rate, and the potential risk rate of pedicle screws between 2 groups (P > 0.05). According to CT evaluation results, the potential risk pedicle screws were revised or removed during operation. The patients of 2 groups had no neurological deficits through physical examination of nervous system at 3 days after operation. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative CT navigation can improve the accuracy and security of posterior thoracic pedicle screw placement and it can ensure the safety of operation by finding and promptly removing or revising the potential risk pedicle screws.

A series of lanthanide-organic polymers incorporating nitrogen-heterocyclic and aliphatic carboxylate mixed-ligands: structures, luminescent and magnetic properties.

Seven new lanthanide-organic coordination polymers incorporating both nitrogen heterocyclic dicarboxylate and various auxiliary ligands, {[Ln(3)(Hpimda)(4)(mu(2)-HCOO).5H(2)O].H(2)O}(n)} Ln = Sm (1), Ln = Eu (2), Ln = Gd (3), Ln = Dy (4), Ln = Ho (5), {[Ce(2)(Hpimda)(2)(mu(4)-C(2)O(4)).8H(2)O].2H(2)O}(n) (6), {[Yb(2)(pyda)(mu(4)-C(2)O(4))(2).4H(2)O].3H(2)O}(n) (7) (H(3)pimda = 1H-2-propyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid, H(2)pyda = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) have been fabricated successfully and characterized systematically. Complexes 1-5 are isomorphous and isostructural, and are built from two-dimensional (2-D) double-decker networks based on the tetranuclear basic carboxylate as a secondary building unit (SBU). Both polymers 6 and 7 feature a (3,4)-connected 3-D framework consisting of 2-D lanthanide-organic hexagonal grids, which are further interlinked via the mu(4)-oxalate ligand. The results of magnetic determination show the same end-to-end bridging fashion of formate group results in different magnetic properties occurring between lanthanide centers. The luminescence emission spectra of the complexes vary depending on the lanthanide ion present.