BACKGROUND:Thoracolumbar fracture often accompanies with the injury of adjacent intervertebral disc. Traditional posterior short-segment fixation does not deal with the injured intervertebral disc, which may be the main reason for kyphosis in patients after surgery.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of injured intervertebral disc on kyphosis angle in patients with single vertebral thoracolumbar fracture after treated with posterior short-segment fixation alone.
METHODS:From January 2009 to June 2014, 40 cases of thoracolumbar fractures were treated in Jinan Central Hospital. They were folowed-up at preoperation, 2 and 12 months after operation and 6 months after internal fixation removal. Data were obtained from X-ray and MRI scanning. According to the preoperative MRI images, cases were assigned to observation group (17 cases) and control group (23 cases) according to injury and non-injury intervertebral disc. Data of vertebral wedge angle, sagittal plane kyphosis, proximal intervertebral disc angle, sagittal index and degeneration classification of proximal intervertebral disc angle from two different groups were analyzed at each folow-up time point (18-30 months, averagely 23.6 months).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Imaging parameters: sagittal plane kyphosis was significantly severer at 6 months than that at 2 months in both groups (P < 0.05). Sagittal plane kyphosis, proximal intervertebral disc angle and sagittal index were greater in the observation group than in the control group at 12 months after surgery and 6 months after fixator removal (P < 0.05). (2) Degeneration classification of proximal intervertebral disc angle: Pearce degeneration grade of proximal intervertebral disc was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 2 months after surgery and 6 months after internal fixation removal (P < 0.05). (3) Results suggested that kyphosis may appear in the patients with thoracolumbar fracture after a posterior short-segment fixation alone, and the injured disc may lead to more severe kyphosis.

The condition of birth defects in our country is very serious,which impose an enormous burdenon the families and society.Under the vision of care ethics,this paper emphasizes understanding and caring,analyzes the ethical dilemma in the prevention of birth defects and puts forward the prevention measures in line with the codes of ethics,aiming at strengthening the practical effect of birth defects prevention work,caring about the physical and mental health of child-bearing female,and promoting social development.

Objective Objective In order to better keep up with the development of transplantation immunobiology.we established and compared two types of mouse heterotopic heart transplantation,and hope to help further organ transplantation studies.Methods According to the surgical procedures of Ono's type and Chen's type of mouse model of heterotopic heart transplantation with some modification,we performed celiac and cervical heteropotic heart transplantation between iso-strains and hetero-strains,and compared the operation suecess rate,operation time,allografi survival time,and histopathology of those establishment methods.Results The success rates of mouse celiac and cervical heterotopic heart transplantation were 86.7% and 83.3%,respectively,with a non-significant difference(P>0.05) between the two methods of operation regarding the total operation time,survival time of the allografts,and histopathological findings.Conclusions Based on the mastery of microsurgical techniques,the two models of heterotopic mouse heart transplantation can be established equally,and either of them can be considered depending on the particular requirements of studies.

Objective To investigate if improving or slowing the progression of glucose intolerance might be linked with the reduction of cardiovascular disease(CVD)events and mortality in a Da Qing population with prediabetes.Methods In 1986,577 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in 33 clinics in Daqing city were randomly assigned to either the control group or one of three lifestyle intervention groups(diet,exercise,or diet plus exercise)to receive a 6 year lifestyle intervention.All the participants were followed for 14 years(1993-2006)after completion of the 6 year active interventions to assess the long-term effect of the interventions.In this post-hoc analysis,the participants were stratified into four subgroups(quartiles)based on their 2 h plasma glucose(2hPG)level after glucose loading at the end of the active intervention,in order to analyze the impact of plasma glucose level on CVD events and mortality.Results During the 20-year follow-up,there were a total of 142 deaths(68 of which were attributed to CVD)and 211 first CVD events(145 strokes and 66 myocardial infarctions).From the highest to the lowest levels of 2hPG in the 4 quartiles,the all-cause mortality(17.8,12.7,10.9,and 9.7/1 000 personyears),CVD mortality(9.1,5.9,6.1,and 4.9/1 1300 person-years)and the incidence of first CVD events(30.4.24.0,18.8,and 19.7/1 000 person-years)showed a clear trend of decline.In multivariate analyses,controlled for age,sex,body mass index,smoking habit,blood pressure,and intervention methods at baseline,the results showed that the 5 mmol/L elevation of 2hPG level after glucose loading in 1992 significantly increased the all-cause mortality(HR 1.335.P=0.005),the incidences offirst CVD events(HR 1.227,P=0.012)and stroke(HR 1.213,P=0.026).Conclusion In pre-diabetes population.if the lifestyle intenrentions are substantially efficacious in improving glucose intolerance,the CVD risk and mortality will be reduced.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of apoptosis stimulating protein 2 of p53 (ASPP2) phosphorylation status in the regulation of ASPP2-p53 apoptotic pathway activity.

METHODSCells were individually transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding vector, constitutively non-phosphorylatable ASPP2 mutant-ASPP2 (Am)-encoding vector, and wild type ASPP2 (Aw)-encoding vector) plasmids, respectively, to make them overexpressing phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ASPP2 proteins, respectively. Cell apoptosis was induced by oxaliplatin. The apoptosis rate of cells was determined by flow cytometry after staining with FITC-conjugated annexin V and PI. ASPP2 protein level and its phosphorylation status were observed by Western blot. The interaction between ASPP2 and p53 was observed by immunoprecipitation assay.

RESULTSOxaliplatin induced cell apoptosis and caused phosphorylation of ASPP2 at ser92/ser361 in the HCT116 cells. The apoptosis rate of Aw and Am plasmids-transfected cells were (3.8 ± 1.0)% and (3.9 ± 1.2)% respectively, statistically with a non-significant difference (P > 0.05) in comparison with that of the GFP plasmid-transfected cells [(4.0 ± 0.8)%]. After oxaliplatin treatment, the apoptosis rate of Aw plasmid-transfected cells was (46.7 ± 3.9)%, significantly higher than that of the Am and GFP plasmid-transfected cells [(40.1 ± 10.2)% and (37.1 ± 6.9)%, respectively, P < 0.05], however, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between Am and GFP plasmid-transfected cells. These results indicate that phosphorylated ASPP2 promoted the oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells through a p53-dependent pathway. Phosphorylation status of ASPP2 influenced its binding activity to p53.

CONCLUSIONPhosphorylation status of ASPP2 modulates p53 apoptotic function in oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.

Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To develop a grading prediction model of traumatic hemorrhage volume based on deep learning and assist in predicting traumatic hemorrhage volume.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted based on the experimental data of pig gunshot wounds in the time-effect assessment database for experiments on war-traumatized animals constructed by the General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The hemorrhage volume data of the study population were extracted, and the animals were divided into 0-300 mL, 301-600 mL, and > 600 mL groups according to the hemorrhage volume. Using vital signs indexes as the predictive variables and hemorrhage volume grading as the outcome variable, trauma hemorrhage volume grading prediction models were developed based on four traditional machine learning and ten deep learning methods. Using laboratory test indexes as predictive variables and hemorrhage volume grading as outcome variables, trauma hemorrhage volume grading prediction models were developed based on the above fourteen methods. The effect of the two groups of models was evaluated by accuracy and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC), and the optimal models in the two groups were mixed to obtain hybrid model 1. Feature selection was conducted according to the genetic algorithm, and hybrid model 2 was constructed according to the best feature combination. Finally, hybrid model 2 was deployed in the animal experiment database system.Results:Ninety-six traumatic animals in the database were enrolled, including 27 pigs in the 0-300 mL group, 40 in the 301-600 mL group, and 29 in the > 600 mL group. Among the fourteen models based on vital signs indexes, fully convolutional network (FCN) model was the best [accuracy: 60.0%, AUC and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.699 (0.671-0.727)]. Among the fourteen models based on laboratory test indexes, recurrent neural network (RNN) model was the best [accuracy: 68.9%, AUC (95% CI) was 0.845 (0.829-0.860)]. After mixing the FCN and RNN models, the hybrid model 1, namely RNN-FCN model was obtained, and the performance of the model was improved [accuracy: 74.2%, AUC (95% CI) was 0.847 (0.833-0.862)]. Feature selection was carried out by genetic algorithm, and the hybrid model 2, namely RNN-FCN* model, was constructed according to the selected feature combination, which further improved the model performance [accuracy: 80.5%, AUC (95% CI) was 0.880 (0.868-0.893)]. The hybrid model 2 contained ten indexes, including mean arterial pressure (MAP), hematocrit (HCT), platelet count (PLT), lactic acid, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), Total CO 2, blood sodium, anion gap (AG), fibrinogen (FIB), international normalized ratio (INR). Finally, the RNN-FCN* model was deployed in the database system, which realized automatic, continuous, efficient, intelligent, and grading prediction of hemorrhage volume in traumatic animals. Conclusion:Based on deep learning, a grading prediction model of traumatic hemorrhage volume was developed and deployed in the information system to realize the intelligent grading prediction of traumatic animal hemorrhage volume.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a serious, life-threatening motility disorder that is often related to bacterial overgrowth. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) results in restoration of the normal intestinal microbial community structure. We investigated the efficacy of FMT in the treatment of CIPO patients. METHODS: Nine patients (age 18–53 years) with CIPO were enrolled in this prospective, open-label study. Patients received FMT for 6 consecutive days through nasojejunal (NJ) tubes and were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment. We evaluated the rate of clinical improvement and remission, feeding tolerance of enteral nutrition, and CT imaging scores of intestinal obstructions. Lactulose hydrogen breath tests were performed before FMT and 8 weeks after FMT to evaluate for the presence small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). RESULTS: FMT significantly alleviated bloating symptoms, and symptoms of pain were relieved 2 weeks after FMT. Enteral nutrition administered through a NJ tube after FMT was well-tolerated by 66.7% (6/9) of patients. CT scores of intestinal obstructions were significantly reduced after FMT (P = 0.014). SIBO was eliminated in 71.0% (5/7) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated the safety of using FMT. FMT may relieve symptoms in selected patients with CIPO. FMT may also improve patient tolerance of enteral nutrition delivered via a NJ tube.
Breath Tests ; Enteral Nutrition ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation* ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Lactulose ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) combined with soluble dietary fiber and probiotics for slow transit constipation(STC).

METHODSTwenty-three patients with STC from Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University were prospectively enrolled between April 2015 and January 2016. STC patients received FMT combined with soluble dietary fiber and probiotics. Fresh stool(100 g) was immediately mixed in a blender with 500 ml of 0.9% sterile saline for several seconds, which was then filtered through a gauze pad and a decreasing number of gauze screen (2.0 to 0.5 mm). The fecal bacteria suspension was stored frozen at -20centi-degree. The preparation time of FMT material was less than 1 hour. Total time of treatment was 9 days. An initial oral antibiotics(vancomycin 500 mg orally twice per day) was given for 3 consecutive days. Then the fecal microbiota(100 ml) was infused slowly(5 min) through nasojejunal tube for 6 consecutive days. After FMT, patients were recommended to receive soluble dietary fiber (pectin, 8 g/d) and probiotics (bifid triple viable capsules, twice per day) for 4 weeks. Rates of clinical improvement and remission, adverse events, constipation-related symptoms (PAC-SYM scores), bowel movements per week and gastrointestinal quality-of-life index (GIQLI) were recorded during the 12-week follow-up. This study was registered in the Clinical Trials.gov (NCT02016469).

RESULTSAmong 23 patients, 7 were male, 16 were female, the mean age was (49.6±14.7) years, the body mass index was (21.2±2.2) kg/m, the duration of constipation was (8.3±5.9) years, and the defecation frequency was 1.8±0.7 per week. Compared with pre-treatment, PAC-SYM scores decreased significantly from 2.3±0.5 to 1.3±0.4 at week 12 (P<0.01), defecation frequency increased from 1.8±0.7 per week to 4.8±2.0 per week at week 12 (P<0.01), and patients felt satisfied with improved GIQLI score (from 78.5±15.5 to 120.8±21.3, P<0.01). During the follow-up, the clinical improvement and remission of STC patients reached 69.6%(16/23) and 52.2%(12/23), respectively. No serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONFMT combined with soluble dietary fiber and probiotics is safe and effective in treating slow transit constipation, which can improve the symptom and quality of life significantly.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of zoledronic acid in improving the prognosis of osteoporotic hip fracture and preventing its sequential contralateral hip fracture.Methods:A retrospective study of 206 patients diagnosed with hip fragile fractures in China Medical University Affiliated Shengjing Hospital and treated with anti-osteoporotic drugs after surgery was conducted. The prognosis of patients with hip fracture using survival rate analysis and the risk factors of acute febrile complications with multivariate analysis after zoledronic acid treatment were evaluated. Furthermore, chi-square test and multivariate analysis was used to explore whether zoledronic acid decreases the occurrence of the contralateral sequential fracture.Results:The 3-year survival rate of patients with overall hip fracture was higher in zoledronic acid treatment group compared with control group( P=0.026), with the incidence of fever at 53.3%. The age [ OR=0.786, P=0.027, the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.724] and cardiopulmonary complications ( OR=0.043, P=0.025, the area under ROC curve was 0.628) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of acute febrile response. The incidence of sequential contralateral fractures in zoledronic acid treatment group was significantly lower than that in control group ( χ2=4.356, P=0.037). The application of zoledronic acid ( OR=0.160, P=0.007, the area under ROC curve is 0.586) and the type of femoral neck fracture ( OR=0.196, P=0.001, the area under ROC curve is 0.607) were statistically associated with the occurrence of sequential fractures. Conclusion:Zoledronic acid treatment improves the outcome of patients with osteoporotic hip fracture and reduces the incidence of sequential hip fractures, especially femoral neck fracture. Senile age and cardiopulmonary complications might be associated with lower risk of acute febrile reactions after zoledronic acid treatment.