Objective:To analyze the genetic sequence characteristics of amomum viosum and establish a rapid identification meth-od for amomum viosum by fluorescent quantitative PCR based on DNA analysis. Methods:Amomum viosum and the other samples be-longing to the same genera were collected and identified by experts in the domain. DNA was isolated using commercial kits. The prim-ers and probe were designed according to the conserved region of ITS in amomum viosum. The reaction conditions were optimized to es-tablish the fluorescent quantitative PCR method for the rapid detection of amomum viosum. Results:The fluorescent quantitative PCR method for the rapid detection of amomum viosum was set up. The method could identify amomum viosum successfully, while those samples in the same genera were without amplification curves. Conclusion: Amomum viosum can be identified rapidly by fluorescent quantitative PCR besides the traditional identification by experts.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive internal fixation combined with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures in the elderly.Methods Twenty-one cases of neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by PKP between January 2007 and December 2008 were included in this study.There were 8 males and 13 females at age of 65-78 years (means,70.6 years).Mean period from injury to operation was (3.7 ± 1.1) days (range,3-7 days).The injured segments included Ti1 in two cases,T12 in six,L1 in eight and L2 in five.Kphosis Cobb' s angle,correction degree of kyphosis angle,correction loss of kyphosis,perioperative indicators,visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated after operation.Results All the cases were followed up for a period of 26-56 months (mean 34.2 months).Operation averaged 98.7 minutes (range,80-120 minutes) and showed mean blood loss of 32.8 ml (range,30-85 ml).Ambulation started at mean 18.2 hours after operation (range,8-19 hours).VAS averaged (0.9 ± 0.6) points at postoperative one week.Postoperative X-ray films revealed mean 10.4° correction of kyphotic Cobb angle,followed by mean 1.8 °of loss in the follow-up longer than 24 months.According to hyperextension and hyperflexion radiographies,there was no abnormal activity of fixed segments,implant loosening and breakage or adjacent vertebral fractures.Conclusion Minimally invasive internal fixation combined with PKP can relieve pain and restore function in a short time and is thought to be a preferable treatment option for thoracolumbar burst fractures in the elderly.

Objective To study a case series of thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures combined with compression of anterior and central columns to analyze the causes of its occult symptoms and explore the injury mechanism,imaging diagnosis and operative reduction of the fractures.Methods A retrospective study was carried out on data of 39 patients with thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures admitted into our hospital from May 2003 to December 2006.Of all,there were 17 patients with compression of anterior and central columns.The diagnostic value of imaging examinations such as X-ray,CT and MRI was evaluated.All patients were treated with posterior operation,in which simple distraction of the anterior and central columns was followed by compression and reduction of the posterior column from the rear axial direction.The clinical efficacy and safety of operation were assessed.Results The patients with compression of anterior and central columns accounted for 43.6% of all thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures.Before operation,six patients were misdiagnosed as simple compression fracture.Various kinds of imaging examinations detected the bone injury and/or ligaments complex injury of the posterior column at different degrees.The positive results on X-ray,CT,spiral CT multi-planar reconstruction (MPR)and MRI were in 8,7,11 and 17 patients respectively.After simple posterior distraction in 17 patients,there occurred over distraction in eight patients who were cured with posterior recompression plus reduction.Conclusions The posterior column injury of thoracolumbar flexion-distraction fractures combined with compression of anterior and central columns is relatively occult and easy to be misdiagnosed as simple compression fracture,when MPR CT and MRI are helpful for diagnosis.The operation with twostep reduction of axial distraction followed by compression can attain satisfactory and safe results.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of interspinous H-shaped bone grafting and bilateral facet interbody fusion in treatment of thoracolumbar fracture with severe disc injury and posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injury after posterior pedicle screw fixation and its role in prevention of delayed kyphosis.Methods The study involved 19 cases of thoracolumbar fractures with severe disc injury and PLC injury,including 11 males and 8 females,at age of 23-59 years (mean 43.8 years.All cases were treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation (including 11 cases treated with unilateral laminectomy decompression) and C-arm X-ray showed favorable fracture reduction.For prevention of postoperative delayed kyphosis,the interspinous H-shaped bone grafting plus bilateral facet interbody fusion by using the iliac autografts was done.Neurologic recovery was assayed by using Frankel scale and lumbar and iliac pain by visual analogue scale (VAS).Cobb angle was detected as well.Results All cases were followed up for 24-64 months.At final follow-up,all cases showed neurological improvement for at least 1 to 2 Frankel grades except for two cases with Frankel Grade A,with mean Cobb angle of (2.0 ± 3.7) ° (range,-4.9°-8.1 °),mean VAS of lower back pain of (1.1 ± 1.2) points (range,0-4 points) and insignificant angle loss or kyphosis.The thin layer CT scan indicated complete integration of the transplanted bone grafts,with no complications like implant loosening or breakage.Conclusion Interspinous H-shaped bone grafting and bilateral facet interbody fusion is a good choice for prevention of delayed kyphosis after posterior pedicle screw fixation of thoracolumbar fracture with severe disc injury and PLC injury.

To analyze the molecular basis of the variation of the pathogenicity of the influenza B virus, we rescued a recombinant virus with a deletion in the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein using reverse genetics based on the parental virus B-S9 of B/Yamagata/16/88. A mutant strain with a deletion of 171 amino acids in the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein was named "B-L5". BALB/c mice were inoculated with 3 X 105 EID50 of B-L5 and the parental virus B-S9, respectively. Then, weight changes, survival, and viral titers were documented. During 3 days post-inoculation (dpi) to 7 dpi, the weight of mice infected with B-S9 decreased. However, the weight of mice infected with B-L5 showed weight decreases only at 2 dpi, and quickly recovered at 3 dpi. B-S9 and B-L5 could replicate in the lungs of BALB/c mice. However, viral titers in the lungs of mice infected with B-L5 were 7900-times lower than those of mice infected with B-S9 at 3 dpi. Viral titers in the lungs of mice infected with B-L5 were not detected at 6 dpi. These results showed that, compared with the parent virus B-S9, the mutant virus B-L5 showed lower pathogenicity in BALB/c mice. Our study suggests that deletion of the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein decreases the pathogenicity of the influenza B virus. Establishment of a reverse-genetics system for the B influenza virus will provide a platform for studying its pathogenesis, and mechanism of transmission, and for developing live-attenuated influenza B virus vaccines.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Dogs ; Female ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Influenza B virus ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; physiology ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Sequence Deletion ; Survival Analysis ; Viral Load ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Virulence

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of absolute ethanol and foam hardening agent in the treatment of large venous malformations(VM)in child patients.Methods The clinical data of a total of 60 child patients with solitary large VM were retrospectively analyzed.The child patients were divided into group A(n=30)and group B(n=30).Patients in group A received absolute ethanol injection followed by foam hardening agent injection,while patients in group B received foam hardening agent injection followed by absolute ethanol injection.The clinical efficacy,complications,mean number of injections and mean dosage of absolute ethanol were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in both group A and group B was 100%.The markedly effective rate in group A and group B was 63.33%(19/30)and 90%(27/30)respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).In group A and group B,the mean dosage of absolute ethanol was(10.30±3.19)mL and(6.73±2.06)mL respectively,the mean number of injection was(3.57±1.01)times and(2.63±0.61)times respectively,and the differences in the above two indexes were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).No serious complications occurred in either group.The incidence of blisters in group A and group B was 30%(9/30)and 6.67%(2/30)respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion For large VM in child patients,combination use of absolute ethanol and foam hardening agent can improve the curative efficacy,reduce the dosage of absolute ethanol,and lower the incidence of complications.In addition,the therapeutic mode of foam hardening agent injection followed by absolute ethanol injection can achieve better efficacy.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:28-32)

Objective:To investigate the short-term clinical outcomes of posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for treating Kümmell's disease with intravertebral instability.Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on 18 patients with Kümmell's disease with intravertebral instability treated at Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University from January 2012 to February 2016. There were 4 males and 14 females, aged 65-86 years [(76.0±5.5)years]. Segment of injury was T 7 in 1 patient, T 10 in 2, T 11 in 3, T 12 in 4, L 1 in 6, and L 2 in 2. All patients underwent posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with PVP. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, amount of cement injected into the vertebra, and length of postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Cobb angle, and wedge angle of the operative segment were recorded and compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the latest follow-up. Meanwhile, the complications were recorded. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-28 months [(17.7±4.4)months]. The operation time was 110-175 minutes [(137.9±21.9)minutes] and the blood loss was 50-165 ml [(110.7±35.6)ml]. The amount of cement injected into the vertebra was 2.5-6.0 ml [(4.7±0.9)ml]. The length of hospital stay was 7-14 days [(9.4±2.3)days]. The VAS was (7.8±1.2) points preoperatively, (3.3±0.7) points at 1 week postoperatively and (2.4±0.7)points at the latest follow-up. The ODI was (67.3±7.3)% preoperatively, (30.5±7.5)% at 1 week postoperatively and (21.8±8.3)% at the latest follow-up. The Cobb angle was (26.2±9.5)° preoperatively, (12.6±7.2)° at 1 week postoperatively and (16.7±6.2)°at the latest follow-up. The wedge angle was (21.1±6.1)° preoperatively, (8.4±4.6)° at 1 week postoperatively, and (13.2±4.1)° at the latest follow-up. The above clinical and radiological parameters were significantly improved after operation ( P<0.05), and showed no significant differences at the latest follow-up when compared to that at 1 week postoperatively ( P>0.05). Five patients showed slight screw loosening, but there was no obvious dislocation of internal fixation. One case developed distal vertebral compression fracture at 6 months postoperatively and cured after a second PVP. Conclusion:For Kümmell's disease with intravertebral instability, posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with PVP can effectively restore and maintain the spinal sequence, rapidly relieve the pain and improve clinical function. However, the long-term efficacy needs further study.

Objective:To investigate the preliminary clinical and radiographic outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) combined with oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) for the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine instability or lumbar spinal stenosis with ruptured disc herniation.Methods:Data of 11 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine instability or lumbar spinal stenosis with ruptured disc herniation who had undergone PELD combined with OLIF between March 2017 to July 2018 in our spine surgery center were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 6 females with an average age of 61.2±6.8 years old. All the patients were diagnosed with degenerative lumbar diseases including lumbar spondylolisthesis (7 cases), lumbar spinal stenosis (3 cases) and segmental instability (1 case). The patients were treated with PELD combined with OLIF. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and lower limb pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) of lumbar function, spinal canal anteroposterior diameter, intervertebral disc height, vertical diameter of intervertebral foramen, segmental angle and the whole lumbar lordotic angle were collected.Results:All patients received PELD with local anesthesia before OLIF with general anesthesia. The mean operation time was 52.3±13.2 min and the mean blood loss was 10.9±4.7 ml for PELD. The mean operation time was 56.8±18.0 min and the mean blood loss was 65.5±24.6 ml for OLIF. All patients were followed up for an average of 11.2 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean VAS score for back pain was 1.3±0.8, the mean VAS score for leg pain 1.1±0.5, the mean ODI 14.6%±5.3%, thus all of those were improved significantly compared to those of pre-operation ( t=10.37, 16.49, 8.73; P< 0.05). The radiographic results showed the mean pre-operative intervertebral disc height, vertical diameter of intervertebral foramen, spinal canal anteroposterior diameter, segmental angle, and lumbar lordosis angle was 7.1±1.2 mm, 15.3±2.2 mm, 6.2±1.3 mm, 10.2°±3.5°, 16.2°±6.2°, and thus all of those were increased significantly to the latest follow-up 11.5±1.8 mm, 19.2±2.6 mm, 10.4±2.5 mm, 19.3°±7.8°, 27.4°±8.3°, respectively ( t=5.83, 4.21, 6.59, 10.32, 7.65; P< 0.05). One of the patients had weakness of flexor hip strength and one had a transient paresthesia immediately post-operation. All symptoms were relieved within 1 month. Another one case had cage subsidence and encountered serious back pain after 1 month, and alleviated after percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Conclusion:PELD combined with OLIF can overcome the limitations of OLIF with indirect decompression effects, resulting in successful direct neural decompression without posterior decompressive procedures and providing a satisfactory outcome for the patients with degenerative lumbar diseases with ruptured disc herniation.

AIM:To explore the impact of Delta-like ligand 3(DLL3)on the progression of prostate cancer(Pca)and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Overexpression and interference plasmids of DLL3 gene were constructed,and the effects of DLL3 on the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells were as-sessed.Tumorigenesis assay was employed to determine whether DLL3 influenced the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vivo.The impact of DLL3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling was investigated through Western blotting.RESULTS:Overexpression of DLL3 significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT processes of Pca cells compared with empty vector group and blank control group(P＜0.05).Conversely,knockdown of DLL3 expression yielded opposite effects(P＜0.05).Moreover,up-regulation of DLL3 promoted tumor growth in the nude mouse xenograft model(P＜0.05).Further investigation demonstrated that DLL3 up-regulation led to increases in the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins.Interestingly,MAPK inhibitor effec-tively reduced the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells caused by DLL3 overexpression(P＜0.05).CON-CLUSION:DLL3 promotes the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca through the MAPK pathway.