BCAS2 is essential for Drosophila viability and functions in pre-mRNA splicing.

Here, we show that dBCAS2 (CG4980, human Breast Carcinoma Amplified Sequence 2 ortholog) is essential for the viability of Drosophila melanogaster. We find that ubiquitous or tissue-specific depletion of dBCAS2 leads to larval lethality, wing deformities, impaired splicing, and apoptosis. More importantly, overexpression of hBCAS2 rescues these defects. Furthermore, the C-terminal coiled-coil domain of hBCAS2 binds directly to CDC5L and recruits hPrp19/PLRG1 to form a core complex for splicing in mammalian cells and can partially restore wing damage induced by knocking down dBCAS2 in flies. In summary, Drosophila and human BCAS2 share a similar function in RNA splicing, which affects cell viability.

A retrospective study of echocardiographic cardiac function and structure in adolescents with congenital scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital scoliosis often also have intraspinal abnormalities and other organ defects, and few studies of the effects of congenital scoliosis on cardiac function and structure have been published. METHODS: A total of 215 adolescent patients with congenital scoliosis (average age, 13.58 years) underwent preoperative echocardiography and were then assigned to subgroups according to apex vertebral rotation, side of convexity, curvature severity in the coronal and sagittal planes, type of deformity, and sex. Differences between the subgroups were compared by independent-samples t test or a one-factor analysis of variance. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant differences between patients with right-sided scoliosis curvature and those with left-sided scoliosis curvature, respectively, in left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole ((39.39 +/- 4.66) mm vs (41.74 +/- 4.90) mm), left ventricular inner diameter at end-systole ((24.80 +/- 3.45) mm vs (25.92 +/- 3.07) mm), interventricular septum thickness at end-diastole ((5.66 +/- 0.98) mm vs (5.98 +/- 1.03) mm), and posterior wall of left ventricle at end-diastole ((5.61 +/- 0.98) mm vs (6.06 +/- 1.20) mm). When the patients were evaluated by coronal plane Cobb angle, significant differences were found between those with Cobb angle of 40 degrees - 80 degrees and of > 80 degrees in left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole ((40.97 +/- 5.06) mm vs (38.98 +/- 4.45) mm) and left ventricular inner diameter at end-systole ((25.53 +/- 3.39) mm vs (24.36 +/- 3.14) mm), respectively. When the patients were evaluated by sagittal plane Cobb angle (< 20 degrees, group 1; 20 degrees - 40 degrees, group 2; > 40 degrees, group 3), significant differences were found in right ventricular diameter between those with Cobb angle of < 20 degrees and of 20 degrees - 40 degrees ((18.27 +/- 3.66) mm vs (16.54 +/- 3.57) mm) and in diameter of aortic root between those with Cobb angle of 20 degrees - 40 degrees and of > 40 degrees ((23.83 +/- 3.39) mm vs (24.90 +/- 3.30) mm), respectively. No significant differences were found in ejection fraction and fractional shortening between patients according to apex vertebral rotation, side of convexity, coronal plane and sagittal plane Cobb angles, type of deformity, or sex. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital scoliosis influences cardiac structure, but not function.

Comparison of reliability between the PUMC and Lenke classification systems for classifying adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparison of 2 radiographic scoliosis classification systems by multiple surgeons. OBJECTIVE: Compare the reliability of Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Lenke scoliosis classification systems and analyze their differences. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The PUMC classification is a newly reported system based on radiographic measurements with recent popularity, while the Lenke classification is widely accepted worldwide in surgical design. Both these classification systems have their own individual characteristics, hence it is necessary to compare their reliability. METHODS: Five scoliosis surgeons independently evaluated and classified presurgical radiographs of 62 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients based on the PUMC and Lenke classification systems on 2 separate occasions. Radiographs were cleaned before each evaluation. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities were quantified using Kappa statistics. Data were compared using chi2 analysis. RESULTS: The PUMC classification's inter- and intraobserver percentage of agreement averaged to 91.0% (Kappa coefficient 0.896) and 90.2% (Kappa coefficient 0.892), respectively. While those of the Lenke curve type classification were 86.5% (Kappa coefficient 0.808) and 87.4% (Kappa coefficient 0.826). The PUMC classification from 10 individual measurements had 17 cases (27.4%) of disagreements, while in the Lenke curve type classification, 24 cases (38.7%) had disagreements. PUMC classification normally has discrepancies between type IIb, IIc, and IId, while Lenke classification has discrepancies in curve types 1 and 2. Out of 17 inconsistent PUMC curve type cases, 7 did not affect surgical fusion levels, while in the Lenke's only 2 out of 24 cases with discrepancies did not affect fusion range selection, with an obvious statistical difference. CONCLUSION: The reliability of both PUMC classification and Lenke curve type classification were categorized as good-to-excellent. PUMC classification is relatively simple, with less confusion among inter- and intraobservers, with corresponding surgical fusion guidance and planning. The mismatch of curve classification had less influence on PUMC's fusion range selection than Lenke's.

[Orthopedic effects of internal fixation of cervical pedicle screw on cervical spondylotic myelopathy with cervical kyphosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the orthopedic effects of internal fixation of cervical pedicle screw on cervical spondylotic myelopathy with cervical kyphosis. METHODS: Seventeen patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy with cervical kyphosis with the Cobb's angle >10 degrees underwent internal fixation of cervical pedicle screw. The patients were followed up for 13. 8 months. The Cobb's angle of cervical kyphosis was measured before operation, one week after-operation, and upon the final follow up. The neural function and cervical spine stability were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system. RESULTS: The average preoperative Cobb's angle of cervical kyphosis was -16.1 degrees before operation, was -3.3 degrees one week after operation, and was -3.8 degrees at the final follow-up. Follow-up 6 months after operation and at the final follow up showed that the fused segments were stable. The JOA score improved by 5.2 +/- 1.6 (P < 0.05) with a mean JOA score improvement rate of 64. 3%. No neurovascular and instrumentation-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of cervical pedicle screw is effective and safe in treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy with cervical kyphosis.

Anterior spinal fusion versus posterior spinal fusion for moderate lumbar/thoracolumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective study.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVE: Comparison study of radiologic and clinical outcomes, efficiency, and cost between anterior spinal fusion (ASF) and posterior spine fusion (PSF) in surgical treatment of moderate lumbar/thoracolumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ASF and PSF indicated for lumbar and thoracolumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgical treatment have respective advantages and disadvantages. However, up until today, a related prospective AIS comparative study has rarely been reported. METHODS: Thirty-two cases in this prospective study with patients enrolled in either method A or B alternately in a sequence were divided into 2 groups. Group A underwent ASF with single solid rod and single screw constructs, and group B underwent PSF with segmental total pedicle screw system. Inclusion criteria were: (1) AIS diagnosis; (2) diagnosis classification as Lenke5CN type; (3) Cobb angles 35 degrees-60 degrees on anteroposterior view radiographs. Exclusion criteria were: (1) a history of spinal surgery; (2) age younger than 10 years; (3) Risser sign 0 degree; (4) lumbar/thoracolumbar kyphosis. All patients were observed with 2-year minimum follow-up (24-46 months). Clinical and radiologic outcomes of both groups A and B were analyzed. RESULTS: Statistical t test or Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated no significant difference in preoperative age (P = 0.380), Risser sign (P = 0.733), magnitude (P = 0.936), flexibility (P = 0.815), apical vertebra rotation (AVR, P = 0.756), and apical vertebra translation (AVT, P = 0.355) of the lumbar/thoracolumbar curves, trunk shift (TS, P = 0.448), sagittal kyphosis from T5-T12 (P = 0.792) and sagittal lordosis from L1-L5 (P = 0.299). Average coronal correction of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 83% after surgery and 77% at follow-up in group A and 87% after surgery and 82% at follow-up in group B (P = 0.236 and P = 0.138). No significant differences were observed regarding correction of sagittal alignment, TS, AVT, AVR and hospitalization days on last follow-up between both groups (P > 0.05). No pseudarthrosis, reoperation, neurologic complications, infection, and no other problems were observed. Excellent clinical fusion results were present in all patients on their last follow-up. However, significant differences were evident in group A in regards to reduced operative time (P = 0.046), reduced estimated blood loss (P = 0.003), decreased blood transfusion (P = 0.006), reduced implants cost and hospitalization expenses (P = 0.000). Additionally, group A had shorter fusion levels than group B (p50 = 4 vs. p50 = 5, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: ASF versus PSF comparison in treating moderate lumbar/thoracolumbar AIS did not show significant differences in regards to safety or efficacy but demonstrated shorter fusion levels, reduced surgical trauma and costs in ASF.

An innovative broken pedicle screw retrieval instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new broken pedicle screw fragment retrieval instrument, and evaluate its clinical viability and effectiveness. METHODS: Following basic retrieval contrivance of broken pedicle screws described in literature, a new retrieval instrument was designed and developed; introducing its mechanism, technical components, and use. This innovative apparatus proved successful not only in saw bone and cadaver trials but in 10 clinical cases as well. RESULTS: This particular unique instrument successfully retrieves broken pedicle screw fragments through original passage backing out the screw with preservation of pedicle integrity while maintaining pedicle biomechanics. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: With solid scientific theoretical planning and experimentation, the new retrieval instrument design proved clinical practicality and efficacy.

Utilization of water clarifier sludge for copper removal in a liquid fluidized-bed reactor.

A method was used to investigate the potential for using water clarifier sludge to remove copper in a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR). This study was conducted to evaluate the removal of copper in an aquatic system without prior treatment. Chemical analyses of water clarifier sludge through inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry indicated that silicon, aluminum and iron oxides made up more than 84% of this average composition, similar to the composition of clay. The experimental results indicated that the copper removal efficiency was highly dependent on the pH. pH values also influence the character of the water clarifier sludge. After the copper was adsorbed by the water clarifier sludge, the pH of the solution was slightly increased. In the FBR, the copper removal efficiency reached 90% when the initial copper concentration was 20 mg/L, the pH was 4 and the operating time was 60 min. In addition, copper precipitation occured on the surface of clarifier sludge when the initial copper concentration was 20 mg/L and the pH was 7.0. The kinetics of copper ion adsorption at pH 5 showed that 94% copper ion was removed in 60 min and the adsorption equilibrium was attained in 5 h. The mechanisms of adsorption of copper ions on water clarifier sludge including the formation of surface complexation and surface precipitate.

Removal of copper (II) by manganese-coated sand in a liquid fluidized-bed reactor.

This study was performed in a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) filled with manganese-coated sand (MCS) to treat copper-contaminated wastewater. The adsorption characteristics of MCS, the adsorption equilibrium of MCS, and the copper removal capacity by MCS in FBR were investigated. In terms of the adsorption characteristics of MCS, the surface of MCS was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy dispersive analysis (EDS) of X-rays indicated the composition of MCS, and the quantity of manganese on MCS was determined by means of acid digestion analysis. The experimental results indicated that copper was removed by both sorption (ion exchange and adsorption) and coprecipitation on the surface of MCS in FBR. Copper removal efficiency was highly dependent on the pH and increased with increasing pH from pH 2 to 8. After the copper adsorption by MCS, the pH in solution was decreased. When the MCS concentration was greater than 10 g/l, the copper adsorptivities obtained by FBR were almost the same as that from the shaker and when the MCS concentration reached 40 g/l, the copper adsorptivity in FBR was greater than that from the shaker. The adsorption sites of MCS could be used efficiently by the FBR. A Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation fit the measured adsorption data from the batch equilibrium adsorption test better than the Freundlich adsorption isotherm equation did. In addition, the adsorption rate increased when the influent wastewater was aerated.

Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution in a fluidized-bed reactor.

In this study, a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) was employed to treat copper-containing wastewater by mean of copper precipitation on the surface of sand grains. The conditions for optimum copper removal efficiency were also investigated. This technology was controlled so as to keep supersaturation low to induce the nucleated precipitation of copper coating on the sand surface in an FBR. The effects of relevant parameters, such as the pH value, the molar ratio of [C(T)] to [Cu(2+)], hydraulic loading and the types of chemical reagents used, were examined. The experimental results indicated that 96% copper removal efficiency could be achieved when the influent copper concentration was 10mg l(-1). The optimum chemical reagent was Na(2)CO(3); the molar ratio of [C(T)]/[Cu(2+)] was 2, and the optimal hydraulic loading was not be more than 25m h(-1). In addition, preventing homogeneous nucleation in the FBR was an important operation parameter. Homogeneous nucleation and molecular growth would lead to undesirable microparticle formation in the effluent. A good mixture of carbonate and copper in the presence of sand grains could reduce the level of homogeneous nucleation in the bottom of the reactor. Energy dispersive analysis (EDS) of X-rays provided insight into the copper coating on the sand surface, and element analysis indicated the weight percentages of CuCO(3) and Cu(OH)(2) in precipitate.

Diagnosis and treatment of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumour.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumour. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 36 cases of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumours in our hospital from July 1987 to April 2002, and summarized its clinical features. RESULTS: Liver metastasis was the main malignant manifestation of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumours (incidence rate 72.2%). Removals of primary lesion and isolated hepatic metastatic lesion were means of curative therapy. Interventional chemotherapy was an important adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive therapy plays an important role in improving the prognosis of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumour.