High-dimensional nonlinear wave transitions and their mechanisms.

In this paper, the dynamics of transformed nonlinear waves in the (2+1)-dimensional Ito equation are studied by virtue of the analysis of characteristic line and phase shift. First, the N-soliton solution is obtained via the Hirota bilinear method, from which the breath-wave solution is derived by changing values of wave numbers into complex forms. Then, the transition condition for the breath waves is obtained analytically. We show that the breath waves can be transformed into various nonlinear wave structures including the multi-peak soliton, M-shaped soliton, quasi-anti-dark soliton, three types of quasi-periodic waves, and W-shaped soliton. The correspondence of the phase diagram for such nonlinear waves on the wave number plane is presented. The gradient property of the transformed solution is discussed through the wave number ratio. We study the mechanism of wave formation by analyzing the nonlinear superposition between a solitary wave component and a periodic wave component with different phases. The locality and oscillation of transformed waves can also be explained by the superposition mechanism. Furthermore, the time-varying characteristics of high-dimensional transformed waves are investigated by analyzing the geometric properties (angle and distance) of two characteristic lines of waves, which do not exist in (1+1)-dimensional systems. Based on the high-order breath-wave solutions, the interactions between those transformed nonlinear waves are investigated, such as the completely elastic mode, semi-elastic mode, inelastic mode, and collision-free mode. We reveal that the diversity of transformed waves, time-varying property, and shape-changed collision mainly appear as a result of the difference of phase shifts of the solitary wave and periodic wave components. Such phase shifts come from the time evolution as well as the collisions. Finally, the dynamics of the double shape-changed collisions are presented.

Postoperative shoulder imbalance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: risk factors and predictive index.

PURPOSE: Postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) is a common complication of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, results regarding risk factors for PSI are contradictory. This study was performed to explore the risk factors associated with PSI in AIS and determine whether PSI could be predicted. METHODS: Medical records of AIS patients receiving correction surgery from January 2012 to January 2015 were reviewed. Anteroposterior films were evaluated before and after the surgery and at the 2-year follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether PSI was observed at 2-year follow-up. Risk factors for PSI were analyzed, and a PSI index was proposed and verified. RESULTS: A total of 114 AIS patients (PSI/non-PSI: 60/54) were included. The univariate analysis showed that PTC (proximal thoracic curve), preoperative PTC-to-MTC (main thoracic curve) ratio, preoperative bending Cobb angle of PTC, preoperative bending Cobb angle of the lumbar curve, postoperative PTC, postoperative AVT (apical vertebral translation) of PTC, AVT of PTC at follow-up, and adding-on angle were significantly different between two groups. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative AVT of PTC and adding-on angle were the primary contributors to PSI in patients with AIS. The PSI index was defined as 1.2 × postoperative AVT of PTC + 1.1 × adding-on angle. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cutoff point for the PSI index in predicting the development of PSI was 15. The positive and negative predictive values were 80% and 87%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent PSI, we recommend sufficient correction of AVT of PTC and prevention of adding-on. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Identification of Salt Tolerance-related microRNAs and Their Targets in Maize (Zea mays L.) Using High-throughput Sequencing and Degradome Analysis.

To identify the known and novel microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets that are involved in the response and adaptation of maize (Zea mays) to salt stress, miRNAs and their targets were identified by a combined analysis of the deep sequencing of small RNAs (sRNA) and degradome libraries. The identities were confirmed by a quantitative expression analysis with over 100 million raw reads of sRNA and degradome sequences. A total of 1040 previously known miRNAs were identified from four maize libraries, with 762 and 726 miRNAs derived from leaves and roots, respectively, and 448 miRNAs that were common between the leaves and roots. A total of 37 potential new miRNAs were selected based on the same criteria in response to salt stress. In addition to known miR167 and miR164 species, novel putative miR167 and miR164 species were also identified. Deep sequencing of miRNAs and the degradome [with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses of their targets] showed that more than one species of novel miRNA may play key roles in the response to salinity in maize. Furthermore, the interaction between miRNAs and their targets may play various roles in different parts of maize in response to salinity.

Gene sequence analysis and screening of feature genes in spinal cord injury.

The aim of the present study was to screen for feature genes associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), in order to identify the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Differentially expressed genes were screened for using pre­processing data. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was performed to analyze and identify the genes involved in pathways associated with SCI. Subsequently, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Uniprot tissue analysis were used to screen out genes specifically expressed in spinal cord tissue. In addition, a protein­protein interaction network was used to demonstrate possible associations among SCI­associated feature genes. Finally, a link was identified between feature genes and SCI by analyzing protein domains in coding areas of the three feature genes. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex, α subunit 1 and cardiac muscle and mitochondrial ß­F1­ATPase may be downregulated in SCI, resulting in destruction of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and membrane­bound enzyme complexes/ion transporters, thus, affecting the normal function of nerves. The three screened feature genes have the potential to become candidate target molecules to monitor, diagnose and treat SCI and may be beneficial for the early diagnosis and therapeutic control of the condition.

Reliability and validity of simplified Chinese version of Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical validation study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted simplified Chinese version of Swiss Spinal Stenosis (SC-SSS) Questionnaire. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The SSS Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the perception of function and pain for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. However, there is no culturally adapted SSS Questionnaire for use in mainland China. METHODS: This was a prospective clinical validation study. The adaption was conducted according to International Quality of Life Assessment Project guidelines. To examine the psychometric properties of the adapted SC-SSS Questionnaire, a sample of 105 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were included. Thirty-two patients were randomly selected to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Reliability assessment of the SC-SSS Questionnaire was determined by calculating Cronbach α and intraclass coefficient values. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating SC-SSS Questionnaire scores with relevant domains of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: Cronbach α of the symptom severity scale, physical function scale, patients, and satisfaction scale of SC-SSS Questionnaire are 0.89, 0.86, 0.91, respectively, which revealed very good internal consistency. The test-retest reproducibility was found to be excellent with the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93, 0.91, and 0.95. In terms of concurrent validity, SC-SSS Questionnaire had good correlation with physical functioning and bodily pain of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (r = 0.663, 0.653) and low correlation with mental health (r = 0.289). The physical function scale had good correlation with physical functioning of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (r = 0.637), whereas the rest had moderate correlation. The satisfaction scale score was highly correlated with the change in the symptom severity (r = 0.71) and physical function (r = 0.68) scale score. CONCLUSION: The SC-SSS Questionnaire showed satisfactory reliability and validity in the evaluation of functionality in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who are experiencing neurogenic claudication. It is simple and easy to use and can be recommended in clinical and research practice in mainland China. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.