Objective:To evaluate the screw placement guided by C-arm computer navigation in the fixation and fusion of instability of the atlantoaxial joint using atlantoaxial pedicle screws.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 30 patients who had been treated for atlantoaxial instability by pedicle screw fixation and fusion at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2020 to November 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether the C-arm computer navigation system had been used to assist their screw placement. In the observation group, there were 12 patients [9 males and 3 females with an age of (55.6±7.3) years] whose screw placement was assisted by C-arm computer navigation; in the control group, there were 18 patients [13 males and 5 females with an age of (52.4±8.1) years] whose screw placement was assisted by conventional X-ray fluoroscopy. The 2 groups were compared in terms of surgery time, intraoperative bleeding volume, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, incidence of postoperative complications, and neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 months after surgery.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences in the preoperative general data between them ( P>0.05). All the 30 patients were followed up for (23.8±6.1) months after surgery. The surgery time, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, and intraoperative bleeding volume in the observation group were significantly shorter or smaller, respectively, than those in the control group [(109.5±19.3) min versus (135.6±23.2) min; (43.5±11.7) s versus (68.8±24.5) s; (240.6±65.8) mL versus (320.4±95.6) mL)] ( P<0.05). No vascular or neural injuries or other complications occurred in any of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the observation group and the control group in the NDI or VAS pain score at 3 months after surgery [(18.6±7.3) points versus (20.4±9.3) points; (1.6±0.6) points versus (1.4±0.5) points] ( P>0.05). Follow-ups observed no loosening or breakage of implants, no recurrence of instability of the atlantoaxial joint, or no nonunion of the bone grafts. Conclusion:In the treatment of atlantoaxial instability with atlantoaxial pedicle screw fixation and fusion, compared with conventional X-ray fluoroscopy guidance, the screw placement guided by C-arm computer navigation can result in the same therapeutic efficacy but shorter surgery time, less intraoperative blood loss and less radiation exposure.

Objective:To evaluate the screw placement guided by C-arm computer navigation in the fixation and fusion of instability of the atlantoaxial joint using atlantoaxial pedicle screws.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 30 patients who had been treated for atlantoaxial instability by pedicle screw fixation and fusion at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2020 to November 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether the C-arm computer navigation system had been used to assist their screw placement. In the observation group, there were 12 patients [9 males and 3 females with an age of (55.6±7.3) years] whose screw placement was assisted by C-arm computer navigation; in the control group, there were 18 patients [13 males and 5 females with an age of (52.4±8.1) years] whose screw placement was assisted by conventional X-ray fluoroscopy. The 2 groups were compared in terms of surgery time, intraoperative bleeding volume, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, incidence of postoperative complications, and neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 months after surgery.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences in the preoperative general data between them ( P>0.05). All the 30 patients were followed up for (23.8±6.1) months after surgery. The surgery time, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, and intraoperative bleeding volume in the observation group were significantly shorter or smaller, respectively, than those in the control group [(109.5±19.3) min versus (135.6±23.2) min; (43.5±11.7) s versus (68.8±24.5) s; (240.6±65.8) mL versus (320.4±95.6) mL)] ( P<0.05). No vascular or neural injuries or other complications occurred in any of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the observation group and the control group in the NDI or VAS pain score at 3 months after surgery [(18.6±7.3) points versus (20.4±9.3) points; (1.6±0.6) points versus (1.4±0.5) points] ( P>0.05). Follow-ups observed no loosening or breakage of implants, no recurrence of instability of the atlantoaxial joint, or no nonunion of the bone grafts. Conclusion:In the treatment of atlantoaxial instability with atlantoaxial pedicle screw fixation and fusion, compared with conventional X-ray fluoroscopy guidance, the screw placement guided by C-arm computer navigation can result in the same therapeutic efficacy but shorter surgery time, less intraoperative blood loss and less radiation exposure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of oblique intervertebral fusion in the treatment of failed internal fixation of thoracolumbar fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 14 patients who had undergone revision surgery for failed internal fixation of thoracolumbar fracture at Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2021. There were 6 men and 8 women with a mean age of 47.5 (42.0, 54.3) years. Fracture segments: T 12 in 2 cases, L 1 in 3 cases, L 2 in 4 cases, L 3 in 3 cases, and L 4 in 2 cases; AO classification: type A in 1 case, type B in 7 cases, and type C in 6 cases. Their prior surgical method was posterior internal fixation with pedicle screws. The revision surgery consisted of subtotal vertebral resection through the oblique lateral approach, bone column reconstruction and lateral screw-rod internal fixation for intervertebral fusion after posterior internal fixation reset. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded. Compared were visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores for low back pain at preoperation, 3 days and 3 months postoperation, and the last follow-up, fusion at the last follow-up, and Frankel grading for neurological function at preoperation and postoperation. Results:All the 14 patients underwent surgery successfully and were followed up for 23 (18, 24) months. The operation time was (175.1±28.2) min, the intraoperative bleeding (300.4±122.6) mL, and the postoperative hospital stay 6 (6, 7) d. One case developed postoperative transient hip flexion weakness but was discharged after restoration of normal muscle strength by conservative treatment. Both VAS and ODI scores for low back pain at all postoperative time points were significantly improved compared with the preoperative values ( P<0.05), with a significant trend of 3 days postoperation >3 months postoperation > the last follow-up ( P<0.05). In the 12 patients with preoperative neurological damage, the Frankel grading rose by at least 1 level postoperatively ( Z=-3.110, P=0.002). The last follow-up revealed no loosening or fracture of the internal fixation. Complete bony fusion was visible in all CT sagittal reconstructions. Conclusion:For patients with thoracolumbar fracture undergoing failed internal fixation, oblique intervertebral fusion is an alternative minimally invasive surgical treatment due to its satisfactory overall outcomes.

Objective:To systematically review the qualitative research on dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes.Methods:Qualitative research on the dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes was retrieved by computer in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 31, 2021. The quality of the article was assessed using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center.Results:A total of 10 articles were included, and 30 research results were extracted. The research results were grouped into 8 categories, and 4 integrated results were synthesized, namely, the elderly's cognition of dignity, the impact of impaired dignity on the elderly, the factors affecting the maintenance of dignity, and the elderly's dignity maintenance strategies.Conclusions:Nursing homes should attach importance to the dignity of the elderly, provide dignity care, protect the autonomy of the elderly, and strengthen the social support system to promote the realization of the elderly with dignity.

Since its birth in the early 1990s, metabolic engineering technology has gone 30 years rapid development. As one of the preferred chassis for metabolic engineering, S. cerevisiae cells have been engineered into microbial cell factories for the production of a variety of bulk chemicals and novel high value-added bioactive compounds. In recent years, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, machine learning and other technologies have also greatly contributed to the technological development and applications of metabolic engineering. This review summarizes the important technological development for metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae in the past 30 years. Firstly, classical metabolic engineering tools and strategies were reviewed, followed by reviewing systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology driven metabolic engineering approaches. The review is concluded with discussing future perspectives for metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae in the light of state-of-the-art technological development.
Computational Biology ; Metabolic Engineering ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics* ; Synthetic Biology

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and laboratory diagnostic methods of infant botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum type B. Methods:Clinical data of 3 infants with type B botulism who were admitted to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from May to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Botulinum toxin was detected in fecal samples or fecal enrichment solution of the patients, and Clostridium botulinum was cultured and isolated from fecal samples. Results:The age of onset of the patients (two boys and one girl) was 3, 3 and 8 months old, respectively. Two cases had the onset in May and one case had the onset in November. There were two cases with mixed feeding and one case with breast feeding. One case′s family members engaged in meat processing. All of them were previously healthy. All the children presented with acute flaccid paralysis, cranial nerve involvement and difficult defecation. Two cases had secondary urinary tract infection. Electromyograms of two cases showed that action potential amplitude of the motor nerve were lower than those of their peers. After treatments including intravenous human immunoglobulin, respiratory tract management, urethral catheterization, nasal feeding, etc., three cases recovered completely 2 to 4 months later. Type B botulinum toxin was detected in the fecal diluent of one patient, and the TPGYT enrichment solution and cooked meet medium of the feces of 3 patients, respectively. Clostridium botulinum B was identified from the feces of 3 infants after culture, isolation and purification. Conclusions:Combined with typical clinical manifestations including acute flaccid paralysis, cranial nerve involvement symptoms and difficult defecation examination, infant botulism can be clinically diagnosed. The detection of fecal botulinum toxin and the culture and isolation of Clostridium botulinum are helpful for the diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the role of cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) analysis in evaluating the sleep quality of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),and explore its correlation with subjective complaints in patients with PD.Methods Sixty patients with PD,admitted to our hospital from October 2015 to December 2017,and 45 healthy controls accepted physical examinations were enrolled.The sleep qualities of all subjects were assessed using CPC and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI).Independent-sample t test was used to compare the CPC variables and PSQI results,and the correlations between CPC variables and PSQI results were analyzed.Results (1) High-frequency coupling (HFC) and sleep efficiency of PD patients were significantly lower than those of healthy controls (P＜0.05);very low-frequency coupling and sleep latency of PD patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (P＜0.05).(2) Results of PSQI in the PD patients were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (P＜0.05);there was a negative correlation between PSQI results and HFC ratio in the PD group (r=-0.391,P=0.002).Conclusion CPC analysis is effective in reflecting the subjective sleep quality of PD patients and can be used as a new technology in sleep monitoring.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic treatment with reteplase in patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism who received thrombolytic treatment with reteplase at Thrombosis and Vascular Medicine Center, Fuwai Hospital from March to November in 2016 were included.Vital signs, right ventricular diameter, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and biochemical markers were assessed before and after thrombolytic therapy with reteplase, and bleeding complications were also observed during 3 months follow up. Results: (1) For the efficacy outcomes: at 48 hours after thrombolytic treatment with reteplase, echocardiography-derived diameter of right ventricular was significant reduced from (27.9±3.8) mm to (24.8±2.6) mm (P=0.03), systolic pulmonary artery pressure decreased from (63.9±21.6) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (34.4±19.8) mmHg (P=0.02). Heart rate and breathing rate were also decreased significantly (both P<0.05), blood pressure remained unchanged post therapy.Hypoxemia was quickly corrected with an significant elevation of PaO₂ and SaO₂ ((65.2±14.3) mmHg vs. (80.0±9.6) mmHg, P=0.006; (90.8±3.5)% vs. (95.2 ±1.6)%, P=0.002 respectively). PaCO₂ was also increased significantly (P<0.05). Serum NT-proBNP and cTnI were decreased significantly (both P<0.05). There was no recurrent pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis during the 3 months follow-up. (2) For the safety outcomes: a thrombolytic relevant hemoptysis (about 70 ml) occurred in 1 patient, and was controlled by PCC therapy.No other clinically relevant events were observed during thrombolytic treatment. Eight patients were followed more than 3 months, there was no major bleeding complication or death during the follow up period. Conclusion Treatment of intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism with reteplase is effective and safe and there are no obvious side effects.

Objective To study the impact of laparoscopic radical resection and open radical resection on immune function in patients with colon cancer. Methods 110 cases received complete mesocolic excision surgery of the right colon cancer patients, according to the different surgical methods divided into observation group and control group, the observation group adopted laparoscopic surgery while the control group treated with open surgery, then compared the inflammatory stress response and related immunology index changes before and after operation. Results After op-eration, inflammatory stress indicators such as MCP-1, HMGB-1, Glucagon, BG in observation group were signifi-cantly better than that in control group. After operation, WBC, CRP, IL-6 index in the two groups were significantly improved. CRP, IL-6, CD4+, CD8+, NK cell index in observation group was significantly better than that in control group. There were significant differences between the two groups, < 0.05. Conclusion Laparoscopic CME surgery can help to relieve inflammatory stress response, and the immune function is less affected, it is worthy of promoting clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nuclear factor I-C (NFI-C) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced up-regulation of TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) in dermal fibroblasts.

METHODSA lentiviral vector containing NFI-C sequence (Lenti-GFP-NFI-C) was transfected into a human foreskin fibroblast cell line (HFF-1). Cultured HFF-1 cells, cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C, and cells transfected with a negative virus were stimulated with PDGF-BB, and Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression levels of TβRII in the treated cells.

RESULTSPDGF treatment significantly increased the expression level of TβRII in HFF-1 cells (P<0.05). The cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C expressed a significantly lower level of TβRII than non-transfected cells in response to PDGF stimulation (P<0.05), but the negative virus showed no such inhibitory effect (P>0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression level of TβRII protein between cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C-transfection before PDGF stimulation and the blank control cells.

CONCLUSIONNFI-C can inhibit PDGF-induced up-regulation of TβRII and thus reduce the sensitivity of the dermal fibroblasts to TGF-β.

Cell Line ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; NFI Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation