Recent advances in virulence of a broad host range plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: a mini-review.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a typical necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus, which has a wide host range and can cause a variety of diseases, leading to serious loss of agricultural production around the world. It is difficult to control and completely eliminate the characteristics, chemical control methods is not ideal. Therefore, it is very important to know the pathogenic mechanism of S. sclerotiorum for improving host living environment, relieving agricultural pressure and promoting economic development. In this paper, the life cycle of S. sclerotiorum is introduced to understand the whole process of S. sclerotiorum infection. Through the analysis of the pathogenic mechanism, this paper summarized the reported content, mainly focused on the oxalic acid, cell wall degrading enzyme and effector protein in the process of infection and its mechanism. Besides, recent studies reported virulence-related genes in S. sclerotiorum have been summarized in the paper. According to analysis, those genes were related to the growth and development of the hypha and appressorium, the signaling and regulatory factors of S. sclerotiorum and so on, to further influence the ability to infect the host critically. The application of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS)is considered as a potential effective tool to control various fungi in crops, which provides an important reference for the study of pathogenesis and green control of S. sclerotiorum.

Genome-wide survey of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases (CPKs) in five Brassica species and identification of CPKs induced by Plasmodiophora brassicae in B. rapa, B. oleracea, and B. napus.

Calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) is a class of Ser/Thr protein kinase that exists in plants and some protozoa, possessing Ca2+ sensing functions and kinase activity. To better reveal the roles that Brassica CPKs played during plant response to stresses, five Brassica species, namely Brassica rapa (B. rapa), Brassica nigra (B. nigra), Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea), Brassica juncea (B. juncea), and Brassica napus (B. napus) were selected and analyzed. In total, 51 BraCPK, 56 BniCPK, 56 BolCPK, 88 BjuCPK, and 107 BnaCPK genes were identified genome wide and phylogenetics, chromosomal mapping, collinearity, promoter analysis, and biological stress analysis were conducted. The results showed that a typical CPK gene was constituted by a long exon and tandem short exons. They were unevenly distributed on most chromosomes except chromosome A08 in B. napus and B. rapa, and almost all CPK genes were located on regions of high gene density as non-tandem form. The promoter regions of BraCPKs, BolCPKs, and BnaCPKs possessed at least three types of cis-elements, among which the abscisic acid responsive-related accounted for the largest proportion. In the phylogenetic tree, CPKs were clustered into four primary groups, among which group I contained the most CPK genes while group IV contained the fewest. Some clades, like AT5G23580.1(CPK12) and AT2G31500.1 (CPK24) contained much more gene members than others, indicating a possibility that gene expansion occurred during evolution. Furthermore, 4 BraCPKs, 14 BolCPKs, and 31 BnaCPKs involved in the Plasmodiophora brassicae (P. brassicae) defense response in resistant (R) or susceptible (S) materials were derived from online databases, leading to the discovery that some R-specific induced CPKs, such as BnaC02g08720D, BnaA03g03800D, and BolC04g018270.2J.m1 might be ideal candidate genes for P. brassicae resistant research. Overall, these results provide valuable information for research on the function and evolution of CDK genes.

Ultrawide Sensing Range and Highly Sensitive Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on a Percolative Thin Film with a Knoll-like Microstructured Surface.

Flexible pressure sensors have attracted considerable research interest and efforts owing to their broad application prospects in wearable devices, health monitoring, and human-machine interfacing. High-sensitivity, wide-workable-range, and low-cost pressure sensors are the primary requirement in practical application. In this work, flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity in a wide pressure range are constructed by introducing a knoll-like microstructured surface into a percolative thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon black sensitive film, using a facile, efficient, and cost-effective screen-printing route. The prepared pressure sensors exhibit an ultrawide sensing pressure range of 0-1500 kPa, high sensitivity (5.205 kPa-1 in the range of 0-100 kPa and 0.63 kPa-1 over 1200 kPa), fast response, and excellent durability for more than 30 000 cycles. We demonstrated the applications of our pressure sensors in health monitoring, such as detection of wrist radial artery pulse waves, phonation, and vibrations. In addition, the proposed sensors showed the potential in object manipulation and human-machine interfacing, capable of detecting spatial pressure distribution, measuring grip forces, and monitoring gas pressures.

The characteristics of stem cells in human degenerative intervertebral disc.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to identify which possessed the best stem-cell-like characteristics in 3 kinds of cell in human degenerative intervertebral disc: NPSCs (nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells), AFSCs (annulus fibrosus-derived stem cells), or CESCs (cartilage endplate-derived stem cells). METHODS: We separated the disc samples obtained from 15 surgically treated patients with disc degenerative diseases into nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilage endplate. After cultivating, we used the cell counting kit-8 to analysis the cell activity of 3 kinds of disc tissue-derived stem cell separately; different stem cells were defined with multilineage (osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic) differentiation. We extracted the total RNA and detected the expression of different lineage differentiation-related genes with the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Cell morphology of NPSCs, AFSCs, and CESCs did not show significant difference. Cell proliferation capacity of NPSCs and AFSCs was stronger than that of CESCs. The differentiation outcomes showed that osteocyte-like cells were stained red by Alizarin red S, chondrocyte-like cells blue by toluidine blue, and adipocyte-like red by oil red O. The RT-PCR reflected that the expression of different lineage differentiation-related genes of AFSCs was stronger than NPSCs and CESCs. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we found that the cell morphology was not significantly different among NPSCs, AFSCs, and CESCs. Both differentiation and RT-PCR tests demonstrated that AFSCs had the best stem-cell-like characteristics in the human degenerative intervertebral disc.

Balloon kyphoplasty or percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Both kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) are effective for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), but which approach might be more effective remains unclear, so we decided to update earlier systematic reviews. OBJECTIVE: Review and analyze studies published as of August 2015 that compared clinical outcomes and complications of KP versus VP. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SEARCH METHOD: Published reports up to August 2015 were found in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective and retrospective cohort stud.ies comparing KP and VP in patients with OVCF. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed the studies and extracted data. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies involving 3274 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were significant differences between the two groups in short- and long-term postoperative changes in measures of pain intensity and dysfunction (P < .01), in anterior and middle height (P < .01), kyphotic angle (P < .01), and time to injury, but not in posterior height (P=.178). There were no significant differences in the rate of postoperative fractures including adjacent and total fractures, but cement leakage to the intraspinal space was greater in the VP group (P=.035). KP surgery took longer and required a greater volume of injected cement. CONCLUSIONS: KR resulted in better pain relief, improvements in Oswestry dysfunction and radiographic outcomes with less cement leakage, but further RCTs are needed to verify this conclusion. LIMITATIONS: Only four RCTs with a certain of risk of bias. Most studies were observational.

Association of polymorphisms in WWOX gene with risk and outcome of osteosarcoma in a sample of the young Chinese population.

The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene is a tumor suppressor gene, the abnormal expression of which will lead to osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. Polymorphisms of the WWOX gene are associated with the risk of several malignancies. We hypothesized that genetic variations in the WWOX gene were related to osteosarcoma risk and outcome. In this case-control study, we recruited 276 young osteosarcoma patients and 286 controls from the East Chinese population and genotyped seven tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the WWOX gene (rs10220974C>T, rs12918952G>A, rs3764340C>G, rs1074963C>G, rs383362G>T, rs1424110A>G, and rs12828A>G). We discovered that two SNPs (rs3764340C>G and rs383362G>T) were associated with osteosarcoma risk. The CG genotype and dominant model of rs3764340 indicated elevated risk of osteosarcoma, and similar results were found for rs383362. Furthermore, rs3754340C>G was also related to grade and metastasis risk of osteosarcoma. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that WWOX gene polymorphisms have the potential to be predictive factors for assessing risk and outcome of osteosarcoma.

[Treatment of talus neck fracture with mini-plate internal fixation through dual-incision approaches].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical outcomes of talus neck fracture treated with mini-plate internal fixation through dual-incision approaches. METHODS: From August 2010 to February 2013,18 patients with closed talus neck fractures were treated (10 males and 8 females, aged from 31 to 66 years old with an average of 38.2 years old) with mini-plate internal fixation through dual-incision approaches. According to Hawkins classification, 12 cases were type II and 6 cases were type III. All cases were evaluated with X-ray and 3D CT scan preoperatively to define type and comminuted degree of fractures. Mini-plate fixation with dual-incision approaches was performed after swelling was resolved. X-ray films were taken during following up regularly. Functional evaluation was carried out according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the ankle and hind-foot score of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were followed up with an average time of 22.6 months (ranged, 17 to 46 months). No wound infection, skin and flap necrosis or implant failure were found. Traumatic arthritis in subtalarjoint was found in 1 patient. Preoperative VAS (5.94±1.12) was decreased to postoperative (1.06±1.06) (t=27.13, P<0.05). The average AOFAS score was 88.7510.19 at the latest following up; and 11 cases obtained excellent results, 3 good and 2 moderate. CONCLUSION: Mini-plate fixation with dual-incision approaches for talus neck fracture especially for talus neck comminuted fracture, an effective method, could obtain stable fixation, decrease complications.

[Flexor hallucis tendon transfer combined with an interference screw reconstruction for chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Kuwada IV].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of interference screw and flexor hallucis longus tendon as augmentation material in repair of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: From September 2010 to June 2012,26 patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture were treated, including 18 males and 8 females with an average age of 44.2 years old (20 to 66 years old). All patients were unilateral damage. MRI showed the Achilles tendon.ends' distance was 6.0 to 9.0 cm. The postoperative complications were observed. The curative effect was assessed by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and Leppilahti score. RESULTS: All the 26 patients were followed up for 18 to 68 months (means 30.4 months). No neurological injury and infection of incision occurred, all patients were stage I incision healing. The shape and function of the ankle were recovered well. The average AOFAS score increased from 52.27±12.30 preoperatively to 90.92±6.36 postoperatively. Leppilahti Achilles Tendon Repair score increased from 34.23±12.86 preoperatively to 90.00±5.10 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The flexor hallucis tendon transfer with an interference screw technique for repairing the chronic Achilles tendon rupture of type IV of Kuwada had advantages of simple operation, quick recovery, firm tendon fixation, and less complications.

[Interlocking intramedullary nailling and micro-invasive internal fixation with plate for multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures: a case-control study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of interlocking intramedullary nail and micro-invasive internal fixation with plate for the treatment of multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 39 patients with multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures received treatment from January 2010 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. In the 39 patients, 18 cases were treated by the interlocking intramedullary nail (intramedullary nail group), there were 12 males and 6 females with the mean age of (40.6 ± 9.7) years old (ranged, 24 to 60 years);7 cases were type C2.1, 11 were type C2.2 according to the AO classification. The other 21 cases were treated by micro-invasive internal fixation with plate(plate group), there were 13 males and 8 females with the mean age of (41.7 ± 8.1) years old (ranged, 22 to 52 years), 7 cases were type C2.1, 13 were type C2.2, 1 was type C2.3. Preoperative preparation time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, fracture healing time were compared between two groups. Johner-Wruhs evaluation criteria was used to evaluate the clinical effect at last follow-up. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up from 10 to 28 months with an average of 15.2 months. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss in intramedullary nail group were (62.1 ± 5.8) min, (70.9 ± 7.1) ml, respectively; in plate group were (64.3 ± 7.7) min, (74.1 ± 8.5) ml,respectively. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between two groups (P > 0.05). However, preoperative preparation time, fracture healing time in intramedullary nail group were (5.3 ± 0.7) days, (11.1 ± 1.9) months, in plate group were (7.1 ± 0.8) days, (14.1 ± 2.2) months, respectively. No postoperative complications were found in intramedullary nail group, and five cases developed with complications in plate group. There was significant difference in preoperative preparation time, postoperative complications and fracture healing time between two groups (P < 0.05). According to Johner-Wruhs criteria at last follow-up, 11 cases got excellent results, 4 good, 3 fair in intramedullary nail group; 11 excellent, 5 good, 2 poor in plate group. CONCLUSION: Interlocking intramedullary nail has advantages of shorter preoperative preparation time, less postoperative complications and faster fracture healing time in treating multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures. But the application scope of interlocking intramedullary nail was inferior to micro-invasive internal fixation with plate , and its indications should be strictly controlled.

[Treatment of terrible triad of elbow with open reduction and internal fixation through anteromedial approach combined with lateral approach].

OBJECTIVE: To study therapeutic effects of anteromedial approach combined with lateral approach for the treatment of terrible triad of elbow. METHODS: From November 2009 to March 2013,17 patients with terrible triad of elbow were treated through anteromedial approach combined with lateral approach. There were 11 males and 6 females, with an average age of 36.6 years old, ranging from 22 to 68 years old. Ten patients had fractures in the left side and 7 patients had fractures in the right side. All of which were close fractures. Coronoid process fractures were reduced and treated with internal fixation through the anteromedial approach, and the incision was located between radiocarpus and cubitalis grailis. In order to expose the lateral collateral ligament joint capsule and capitulum radii, Kocher approach was used with the incision between triceps brachii muscle and brachioradialis muscle along condylus lateralis humeri, down to posterior side between anconeus muscle and extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. Then capitulum radii fractures were treated with internal fixation using miniature plates and screws, and lateral collateral ligament complexes were repaired using fasciole rivets. Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was used to evaluate clinical effects at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 13 to 24 months,with a mean of 12.4 months. At the latest follow-up, the average flexion angle of all patients was (134.0 ± 8.8) degrees; the average extension angle was (6.4 ± 2.3) degrees. According to the Mayo criteria system, the average total score was 91.8 ± 7.9, including pain score 42.4 ± 5.9, range of motion score 17.6 ± 2.6, joint stability score 9.7 ± 1.2, and functional score 22.1 ± 2.5; 13 patients got an excellent result and 4 good. Two patients had transient ulnar nerve palsy, and 1 patient had heterotopic ossification. There were no complications such as infection, nonunion, elbow residual instability, dislocation and elbow stiffness. CONCLUSION: The operation through anteromedial approach combined with lateral approach for the treatment of terrible triad of elbow has advantages of providing both bone and soft-tissue stability simultaneously, allowing early exercise and improving early functional recovery.

[Case-control study on double screws system and compressed three canulated screws in treating femoral neck fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of double screws system and compressed three canulated screws in treating femoral neck fractures. METHODS: From January 2007 to June 2009, the clinical data of 67 patients with femoral neck fractures underwent operation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 38 males and 29 females,aged from 31 to 71 years with an average of 50.6 years, left was in 41 cases and right was in 26 cases. The patients were divided into two groups (group A and B) based on the different fixation method. Of them, 30 cases (group A,19 males and 11 females) were treated with double screws system and 37 cases (group B, 19 males and 18 females) with compressed three canulated screws. In group A, Pauwells angle was more than or equal 50 degrees in 16 cases and Pauwells angle less 50 degrees in 14 cases; in group B, Pauwells angle was more than or equal 50 degrees in 22 cases and Pauwells angle less 50 degrees in 15 cases. Duration of hospitalization, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time in bed, infection of incision, postoperative complication, quality of fracture reduction, position of internal fixation, incidence of non-union and femoral head necrosis, incidence of failure fixation, joint function (Harris score) were compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 30 to 59 months with an average of 42 months. There was no significant differences in aspect of duration of hospitalization, infection of incision, intraoperative blood loss, walking time, postoperative complications between two groups(P>0.05). Operative time of group A [(31.1 +/- 9.7) min]was less than that of group B [(40.4 +/- 12.7) min] (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in quality of fracture reduction, position of internal fixation, incidence of non-union and femoral head necrosis between two groups (P>0.05). In the patients with Pauwells angle more than or equal 50 degrees in group A, there was no retreated screws, broken screws, screw cut-off from the femoral head;a head;and in group B, retreated screws occurred in 2 cases, screw cut-off from the femoral head occurred in 2 cases, screws not completely getting in femoral head occurred in 2 cases; there was significant differences between two groups (P<0.05). The patients with Pauwells angle less 50 degrees in group A, screw loosening occurred in one case; and in group B, screw retreating occurred in one cases; there was no significant differences between two groups (P>0.05). All patients who suffered from screw loosening, retreating or cut-off from the femoral head were more than 65 years old. There was no significant differences in the joint function between two groups at 6 and 30 months after operations (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Double screws system has advantages of minimal invasion, easy operation, reliable fixation in treatment of femoral neck fractures. Compared with the traditional compressed three canulated screws,double screws system has less fixation failure rate and higher hip function scoring. It has a good clinical effect especially for the patients with Pauwells angle more than or equal 50 degrees.

[Medial plus anterolateral approaches for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving three columns].

OBJECTIVE: To study surgical outcomes of medial plus anterolateral approaches for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving three columns. METHODS: From March 2010 to March 2012,20 patients with tibial plateau fractures involving three columns were treated with internal fixation by using T-shape, L-shape plate, or distal radius T-plate through medial plus anterolateral approaches. Among the patients, 13 patietns were male and 7 patients were female,ranging in age from 29 to 52 years old with an average of 39.4 years old. The intervals between injury and operation ranged from 8 to 12 days, with a mean of 9 days. At the latest follow-up,the American Hospital for Special Surgery score (HSS) was used to evaluate clinical effect,and the average loateau angle,posterior slope angle and femorotibial angle of tibia were measured on the X-ray films. RESULTS: The average operation time was 2.11 hours; average intraoperative blood loss was 452 ml and average hospital stay was 22.3 days. All the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 12 to 20 months,averaged 14.6 months. The fracture healing time ranged from 3 to 8 months, with a mean of 6.1 months. The average loateau angle, posterior slope angle and femorotibial angle of tibia at 3 days after operation were (86.1 +/- 2.7) degrees, (10.7 +/- 1.6) degrees and (168.0 +/- 4.7) degrees respectively; and (84.1 +/- 3.2) degrees, (13.7 +/- 1.9) degrees, (170.0 +/- 5.8) degrees respectively at 1 year after operation (P > 0.05). According to HSS, 11 patietns got an excellent result, 6 good, 2 poor and 1 bad. There were no postoperaive neural and vascular injuries, no plate lossening or broken. One patient had local infection. One patient had skin flap partial necrosis and was cured by conservative treatment. Four patients had postoperative numbness below the inside leg. CONCLUSION: Medial plus anterolateral approaches for the treatment of fractures involving three columns are effective to get good anatomic reduction and stable fixation without changing body position, which is helpful to early functional rehabilition of knee joint.