Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; diagnosis ; Radiography ; Syndrome

*Abnormalities, Multiple/radiography ; Basilar Artery/*abnormalities ; Basilar Artery/radiography ; Carotid Artery, Internal/radiography ; Intracranial Aneurysm/*complications ; Intracranial Aneurysm/radiography ; Vertebral Artery/radiography

Anemia ; complications ; Hematologic Diseases ; complications ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; etiology

Retrospective cohort study.

This study aims to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) subjective patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

The prevalence of cervical spondylosis and ACDF in expected to continue rising among the aging population of Asia. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is also increasing. However, limited information is available about the mechanism by which BMI affects PRO after ACDF.

Total 878 patients underwent ACDF between 2000 and 2015. After excluding patients with previous cervical instrumentation, >2 levels fused, missing BMI measurement, or neoplastic/trauma indication for surgery, 535 patients were included. The PRO measures of the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Neck Pain, NPRS for Limb Pain, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons–Neurogenic Symptom Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score were used. Patients were grouped based on their preoperative BMI, as per the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations. PRO scores were collected preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship of BMI category with the individual score, accounting for several factors that are likely to affect the outcomes.

Total 19 (3.4%) were underweight, 155 (28.0%) were normal weight, 112 (20.3%) were overweight, and 267 (48.3%) were obese. Patients across all BMI categories experienced significant and similar improvements in their postoperative PRO scores. There were no significant differences in the preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 2-year postoperative PRO scores of the groups. Rate of reoperation was highest in patients with grade II obesity at 8.07%; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Irrespective of the BMI, all patients exhibited similar satisfactory outcomes following ACDF. The results support surgery in all subgroups of patients with symptomatic nerve compression in the cervical spine.

Retrospective cohort study.

This study aims to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) subjective patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

The prevalence of cervical spondylosis and ACDF in expected to continue rising among the aging population of Asia. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is also increasing. However, limited information is available about the mechanism by which BMI affects PRO after ACDF.

Total 878 patients underwent ACDF between 2000 and 2015. After excluding patients with previous cervical instrumentation, >2 levels fused, missing BMI measurement, or neoplastic/trauma indication for surgery, 535 patients were included. The PRO measures of the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Neck Pain, NPRS for Limb Pain, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons–Neurogenic Symptom Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score were used. Patients were grouped based on their preoperative BMI, as per the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations. PRO scores were collected preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship of BMI category with the individual score, accounting for several factors that are likely to affect the outcomes.

Total 19 (3.4%) were underweight, 155 (28.0%) were normal weight, 112 (20.3%) were overweight, and 267 (48.3%) were obese. Patients across all BMI categories experienced significant and similar improvements in their postoperative PRO scores. There were no significant differences in the preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 2-year postoperative PRO scores of the groups. Rate of reoperation was highest in patients with grade II obesity at 8.07%; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Irrespective of the BMI, all patients exhibited similar satisfactory outcomes following ACDF. The results support surgery in all subgroups of patients with symptomatic nerve compression in the cervical spine.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M .hyopneumoniae) and Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M .hyorhinis) infections are common in China .To investigate the prevalence of M .hyorhinis and M .hyopneumoniae in Jiangsu Province of China ,a mo-lecular epidemiological survey was conducted from 399 nasal swab samples of unvaccinated pigs using nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) .Nasal swab samples were collected from Jiangquhai porcine lean (JQHPL) strain pigs and other West-ern breeds .Clinical samples were taken from each pig and divided into different groups based on ages of pigs (7 ,14 ,21 ,28 , and 35 days) .Results indicated that the prevalence of M .hyorhinis was 70 .9% from different herds in Jiangsu Province in China ,while the prevalence of M .hyopneumoniae was 13 .5% .M .hyorhinis infection was more common in pigs for less than 5 weeks of age compared to M .hyopneumoniae infection .Co-infection was also observed in 30 samples (7 .5% ) in which both M .hyorhinis and M .hyopneumoniae were detected .The M .hyorhinis infection increased as the animals grew from 7 to 35 days .The M .hyopneumoniae infection did not change significantly as the pigs grew older .Significant difference of M .hyorhi-nis infection was observed between other Western breeds and JQHPL pigs (P<0 .001) .JQHPL pigs appear to be more sensi-tive to the M .hyorhinis infection as compared to the other Western breeds .However ,there is no obvious relationship between the breed type and M .hyopneumoniae infection (P>0 .05) .

Objective To evaluate a fast-hardening strontium-calcium phosphate scaffold using a two-step reaction in room temperature.Methods The original powder phase consisted of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP),dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) and strontium hydrogen phosphate (DSPA).The liquid phase consisted of 20wt％ citric acid and 12wt％ polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30.Groups were designed as Sr-0,Sr-5,Sr-10,and Sr-20,according to the molar ratios of Sr/(Sr + Ca) being 0,5％,10％,and 20％ in the powder phase,respectively.The ratio 0.5 mL/g in the liquid to solid phase was used for mixing.After the scaffold was prepared,its setting time,compression strength,phase composition and structural morphology,ions release and pH value of the substrates were analyzed.Results Addition of citric acid accelerated the setting reaction.Acceptable setting time was achieved by optimizing composition of the original powder and liquid phases.On the other hand,the compression strength,phase composition and structural morphology were not affected by addition of strontium.In addition,calcium and strontium ions were detected in the substrates,without any significant change in the pH value.Conclusion This two-step reaction can be used to prepare a fast hardening strontium-calcium phosphate scaffold in room temperature.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnostic imaging ; Basilar Artery ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Vertebral Artery ; diagnostic imaging

BACKGROUNDVascular rings are uncommon anomalies in which preferred strategies for diagnosis and management may vary among institutions. In this study, we reported our approach and a review of our 5-year experience.

METHODSFrom May 2006 to April 2011, 45 children (31 boys) with vascular rings underwent surgical repair at Beijing Children's Hospital. Nineteen patients (26%) had associated heart anomalies.

RESULTSThere were two hospital deaths. At follow-up, 11 patients still had intermittent respiratory symptoms, but these symptoms had no effect on growth or physical activities. No patients required reoperation.

CONCLUSIONSThe rates of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of vascular rings are higher than those of other congenital heart diseases. A high index of clinical suspicion coupled with the use of computed tomography enables early diagnosis. Surgical repair can be performed successfully, although a number of patients will have persistent symptoms.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Tracheal Stenosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Vascular Malformations ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) is a relatively minor component of sunlight, but can induce stress-related physiological processes or UV-B-specific photomorphogenic responses in plants. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the UV-B photomorphogenic pathway, including identification of the key components in the pathway, molecular characterization of UV-B photoreceptor and perception mechanism, and elucidation of the signal transduction mechanisms from the photoactivated UV-B receptor to downstream gene expression. This review summarizes the key players identified to date in the UV-B photomorphogenic pathway and their roles in mediating UV-B signal transduction.
Arabidopsis ; cytology ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Plant Development ; radiation effects ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; radiation effects ; Ultraviolet Rays