Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes and correction effects of kyphosis between Zero-profile device (Zero-p) and plate/cage structures (PCC) in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients with cervical kyphosis.Methods:From August 2016 to July 2018, a total of 54 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients with cervical kyphosis were analyzed retrospectively, including 26 cases treated with Zero-p and 28 cases treated with PCC system. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and operative segment. The operation duration and the blood loss were recorded. The clinical outcomes of the patients were measured by visual analogue score (VAS) for neck pain and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score for neurological function. Moreover, JOA recovery rate was obtained to assess the surgical results. The cervical lordosis (C 2-C 7 Cobb angle), the Cobb angle of the operation segment, the C 2-C 7 vertical axis (C 2 SVA) and the cervical range of motion (ROM) were measured on the lateral and dynamic radiographs of the cervical spine, respectively. Results:In the Zero-p group, the operation duration was 83.0±14.9 (range 60-120) min, intraoperative blood loss was 70.5±27.3 (range 30-150) ml. In PCC group, the operation duration was 100.0±23.9 (range 65-145) min, intraoperative blood loss was 104.2±38.8 (range 30-250) ml. There were significant difference in above parameters between two groups ( t=3.40, 2.06; P=0.00, 0.04). The follow-up duration in Zero-p group was 30.4±5.8 (range 24-36) months and 31.2±4.9 (range 24-36) months in PCC group without significant difference ( t=1.061, P=0.291). The VAS/JOA score of the Zero-p group was improved from (5.9±1.0)/(9.2±1.7) preoperatively to (2.1±0.8)/(14.9±1.0) at 1 month postoperatively, and to (3.4±1.0)/(15.1±0.9) at the last follow-up. The difference between them was statistically significant ( F=130.96, 221.40, P=0.00). The VAS/JOA score of the PCC group was improved from (5.9±1.1)/(8.7±1.6) preoperatively to (2.3±0.9)/(14.9±1.0) at 1 month after surgery, and to (2.6±0.9)/(15.6±1.1) at the last follow-up. The difference between them was statistically significant ( F=303.35, 126.64, P=0.00). However, the VAS score of neck pain in the Zero-p group at the last follow-up was significantly deteriorated, which was significantly higher than that in PCC group ( P<0.05). The cervical lordosis/operative segment Cobb angle in the Zero-p group was improved from preoperative (-6.7°±2.7°)/(-6.5°±3.2°) preoperatively to (14.2°±4.9°)/(12.9°±4.9°) at 1 month postoperatively, and to (5.9°±4.7°)/(5.0°±4.0°) at the last follow-up with statistical significance ( F=196.98, 179.97, P=0.00). The cervical lordosis/operative segment Cobb angle in the PCC group was improved from (-5.7°±3.5°)/(-6.1°±4.0°) preoperatively to (13.9°±6.9°)/(13.0°±6.4°) 1 month after surgery, and to (11.0°±5.5°)/(10.4°±5.6°) at the last follow-up with statistical significance ( F=127.27, 119.98, P=0.00). However, the cervical lordosis and operative segment Cobb angle at the last follow-up in the Zero-p group were significantly lost compared with those at 1 month after surgery, which were significantly smaller than those in the PCC group ( P<0.05). The incidence of dysphagia after operation was 7.7% (2/26) in the Zero-p group and 28.6% (8/28) in the PCC group (χ 2=5.11, P=0.02). Conclusion:For CSM patients with cervical kyphosis, PCC could achieve much better mid-term kyphotic correction and clinical outcomes. However, Zero-p should be avoided as much as possible.

Single-cell or low-input multi-omics techniques have revolutionized the study of pre-implantation embryo development.However,the single-cell or low-input proteomic research in this field is rela-tively underdeveloped because of the higher threshold of the starting material for mammalian embryo samples and the lack of hypersensitive proteome technology.In this study,a comprehensive solution of ultrasensitive proteome technology(CS-UPT)was developed for single-cell or low-input mouse oocyte/embryo samples.The deep coverage and high-throughput routes significantly reduced the starting material and were selected by investigators based on their demands.Using the deep coverage route,we provided the first large-scale snapshot of the very early stage of mouse maternal-to-zygotic transition,including almost 5,500 protein groups from 20 mouse oocytes or zygotes for each sample.Moreover,significant protein regulatory networks centered on transcription factors and kinases between the MII oocyte and 1-cell embryo provided rich insights into minor zygotic genome activation.

BACKGROUNDA positive association between the ABO blood types and survival has been suggested in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the ABO blood types in predicting the prognosis of Chinese patients with curatively resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 1601 consecutive Chinese patients who underwent curative surgery for NSCLC between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. The relationship between the ABO blood types and survival was investigated. In addition, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTSGroup 1 (patients with the blood type O or B) had significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with group 2 (patients with the blood type A or AB), with a median OS of 74.9 months versus 61.5 months [hazard ratio (HR) 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.96; P = 0.015]. Additionally, group 1 had significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS; HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.76-0.98; P = 0.022) and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS; HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.64-0.98; P = 0.024) than group 2. The association was not significantly modified by other risk factors for NSCLC, including smoking status, pathologic tumor-node-metastasis stage, pT category, pN category, and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThere is an association between the ABO blood types and the survival of Chinese patients with resected NSCLC. Patients with the blood type O or B had significantly prolonged OS, DFS, and LRFS compared with those with the blood type A or AB.

ABO Blood-Group System ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) commonly infects the general population and has been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which has a high incidence in certain regions. This study aimed to address how EBV variations contribute to the risk of NPC.

METHODSUsing logistic regression analysis and based on the sequence variations at EBV-encoded RPMS1, a multi-stage association study was conducted to identify EBV variations associated with NPC risk. A protein degradation assay was performed to characterize the functional relevance of the RPMS1 variations.

RESULTSBased on EBV-encoded RPMS1 variations, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the EBV genome (locus 155391: G>A, named G155391A) was associated with NPC in 157 cases and 319 healthy controls from an NPC endemic region in South China [P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 4.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.71-7.37]. The results were further validated in three independent cohorts from the NPC endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 5.20, 95% CI 3.18-8.50 in 168 cases vs. 241 controls, and P < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.06-6.85 in 726 cases vs. 880 controls) and a non-endemic region (P < 0.001, OR = 7.52, 95% CI 3.69-15.32 in 58 cases vs. 612 controls). The combined analysis in 1109 cases and 2052 controls revealed that the SNP G155391A was strongly associated with NPC (P(combined) < 0.001, OR = 5.27, 95% CI 4.31-6.44). Moreover, the frequency of the SNP G155391A was associated with NPC incidence but was not associated with the incidences of other EBV-related malignancies. Furthermore, the protein degradation assay showed that this SNP decreased the degradation of the oncogenic RPMS1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSOur study identified an EBV variation specifically and significantly associated with a high risk of NPC. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of NPC and strategies for prevention.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genome, Viral ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; virology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Pilot Projects ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Proteins ; genetics