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Postoperative ileus (POI) is a relatively common complication after spinal fusion surgery, which can lead to delayed recovery, prolonged length of stay and increased medical costs. However, little is known about the incidence and risk factors of POI after corrective surgery for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study was performed to report the incidence of POI and identify the independent risk factors for POI after postoperative corrective surgery.In this retrospective cohort study, A total of 318 patients with AIS who underwent corrective surgery from April 2015 to February 2021 were enrolled and divided into two groups: those with POI and those without POI. The Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson's chi-square test were used to compare the two groups regarding patient demographics and preoperative characteristics (age, sex and the major curve type), intraoperative and postoperative parameters (lowest instrumented vertebra [LIV], number of screws, and length of stay), radiographic parameters (T5-12 thoracic kyphosis [TK], T10-L2 thoracolumbar kyphosis and height [TLK and T10-L2 height], L1-S1 lumbar lordosis [LL], and L1-5 height). Then, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for POI, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to assess the predictive values of these risk factors.Forty-two (13.2%) of 318 patients who developed POI following corrective surgery were identified. The group with POI had a significantly longer length of stay, more lumbar screws, higher proportions of a major lumbar curve and lumbar anterior screw breech, and a lower LIV. Among radiographic parameters, the mean lumbar Cobb angle at baseline, the changes in the lumbar Cobb angle, and T10-L2 and L1-5 height from before to after surgery were significantly larger in the group with POI than in the group without POI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that large changes in T10-L2 (odds ratio [OR] =2.846, P = 0.007) and L1-5 height (OR = 31.294, p = 0.000) and lumbar anterior screw breech (OR = 5.561, P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for POI. The cutoff values for the changes in T10-L2 and L1-5 height were 1.885 cm and 1.195 cm, respectively.In this study, we identified that large changes in T10-L2 and L1-5 height and lumbar anterior screw breech were independent risk factors for POI after corrective surgery. Improving the accuracy of pedicle screw placement might reduce the incidence of POI, and greater attention should be given to patients who are likely to have large changes in T10-L2 and L1-5 height after corrective surgery.

A poor seal of the titanium implant-soft tissue interface provokes bacterial invasion, aggravates inflammation and ultimately results in implant failure. To ensure the long-term success of titanium implants, lactoferrin-derived amyloid was coated on the titanium surface to increase the expression of cell integrins and hemidesmosomes, with the goal of promoting soft tissue seal and imparting antibacterial activity to the implants. The lactoferrin-derived amyloid coated titanium (LAT) structures contained a large number of amino and carboxyl groups on their surfaces, and promoted proliferation and adhesion of epithelial cells and fibroblasts via the PI3K/AKT pathway. The amyloid coating also had a strong positive charge and possessed potent antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis. In a rat immediate implantation model, the amyloid-coated titanium implants formed gingival junctional epithelium at the transmucosal region that resembled the junctional epithelium in natural teeth. This provides a strong soft tissue seal to wall off infection. Taken together, lactoferrin-derived amyloid is a dual-function transparent coating that promotes soft tissue seal and possesses antibacterial activity. These unique properties enable the synthesized amyloid to be used as potential biological implant coatings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway where cellular components are dynamically degraded and re-processed to maintain physical homeostasis. However, the physiological effect of autophagy appears to be multifaced. On the one hand, autophagy functions as a cytoprotective mechanism, protecting against multiple diseases, especially tumor, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative and infectious disease. Conversely, autophagy may also play a detrimental role via pro-survival effects on cancer cells or cell-killing effects on normal body cells. During disorder onset and progression, the expression levels of autophagy-related regulators and proteins encoded by autophagy-related genes (ATGs) are abnormally regulated, giving rise to imbalanced autophagy flux. However, the detailed mechanisms and molecular events of this process are quite complex. Epigenetic, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNAs, and post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation and acetylation, precisely manipulate gene expression and protein function, and are strongly correlated with the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. There is substantial evidence that autophagy-relevant regulators and machineries are subjected to epigenetic and post-translational modulation, resulting in alterations in autophagy levels, which subsequently induces disease or affects the therapeutic effectiveness to agents. In this review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms mediated by epigenetic and post-translational modifications in disease-related autophagy to unveil potential therapeutic targets. In addition, the effect of autophagy on the therapeutic effectiveness of epigenetic drugs or drugs targeting post-translational modification have also been discussed, providing insights into the combination with autophagy activators or inhibitors in the treatment of clinical diseases.

Inflammation is related to cancer. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been linked to the prognosis of many types of cancer. The present study aimed to determine the prognostic value of the SII in glioblastoma (GBM) patients based on meta-analysis and single-center retrospective analysis. Relevant publications published before 1 October 2022 were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and Web of Science. Moreover, 208 GBM patients from Zhongnan Hospital were incorporated. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses determined the prognostic significance of inflammatory markers. By combining these indicators, we developed scoring systems. Nomograms were also built by incorporating independent variables. The accuracies of nomograms were evaluated by Harrell’s concordance index (c-index) and the calibration curve. According to meta-analysis, an elevated SII predicted the worst overall survival (OS) (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.87, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a higher SII (>510.8) (HR = 1.782, p = 0.007) also predicted a poorer outcome in a retrospective cohort. The scoring systems of SII-NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) showed the best predictive power for OS. The nomogram without MGMT (c-index = 0.843) exhibited a similar accuracy to that with MGMT (c-index = 0.848). A pre-treatment SII is independently associated with OS in GBM. A nomogram integrating the SII-NLR score may facilitate a comprehensive survival evaluation independent of molecular tests in GBM.

Background and aims Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which mainly involves inflammatory responses and apoptosis, is a common cause of organ dysfunction in liver transplantation (LT). As a critical mediator of inflammation and apoptosis in various cell types, the role of tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) 27 in hepatic I/R injury remains worthy of study. Approach and results This study systemically evaluated the putative role of TRIM27/transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)/p38 signaling in hepatic I/R injury. TRIM27 expression was significantly down-regulated in liver tissue from LT patients, mice subjected to hepatic I/R surgery, and hepatocytes challenged by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. Subsequently, using global Trim27 knockout mice (Trim27-KO mice) and hepatocyte-specific Trim27 transgenic mice (Trim27-HTG mice), TRIM27 functions to ameliorate liver damage, reduce the inflammatory response, and prevent cell apoptosis. In parallel in vitro studies, activating TRIM27 also prevented H/R-induced hepatocyte inflammation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, TRIM27 constitutively interacted with the critical components, TAK1 and TAK1 binding protein 2/3 (TAB2/3), and promoted the degradation of TAB2/3, leading to inactivation of TAK1 and the subsequent suppression of downstream JNK/p38 signaling. Conclusions TRIM27 is a key regulator of hepatic I/R injury by mediating the degradation of TAB2/3 and suppression of downstream TAK1-JNK/p38 signaling. TRIM27 may be a promising approach to protect the liver against I/R-mediated hepatocellular damage in transplant recipients.

Background: Both the anterior and combined anterior and posterior approaches have been used to treat lumbosacral tuberculosis. However, long-term follow-up studies of each approach have not been conducted. We aimed to compare the long-term clinical and radiographical outcomes between the two approaches.Methods: We included 49 patients with a minimum 6-year follow up between January 2008 to March 2012. Twenty-four patients underwent the anterior approach (group A) and 25 underwent the combined anterior and posterior approach (group B). We collected clinical data, such as visual analogue scale scores, Oswestry disability index scores and neurological status, and radiographical data, such as lumbosacral angle and lumbar lordosis. Furthermore, operative time, length of stay, and intraoperative and postoperative blood loss (IBL, PBL) were recorded.Results: Both groups had satisfactory clinical and radiographical outcomes until follow up. All patients achieved bony fusion, and no group differences were found in any of the clinical indices. Both groups corrected and maintained lumbosacral angle and lumbar lordosis. However, operative time, length of stay, maximum Hb drop, IBL, and PBL of group A (140.63 ± 24.73 min, 12.58 ± 2.45 d, 28.33 ± 9.70 g/L, 257.08 ± 110.47 mL, and 430.60 ± 158.27 mL, respectively) was significantly lower than those of group B (423.60 ± 82.81 min, p < 0.001; 21.32 ± 3.40 d, p < 0.001; 38.48 ± 8.03 g/L, p < 0.001; 571.60 ± 111.04 mL, p < 0.001; and 907.01 ± 231.99 mL, p < 0.001).Conclusions: This retrospective study demonstrated long-term efficacy of the anterior approach, which was as effective as that of the combined anterior and posterior approach, with the advantage of less trauma.

Clinically used intervertebral cages have several bottleneck problems, such as lack of osteogenic properties and high subsidence rate. This research aims to design a novel biomimetic titanium alloy cage through three improvements: cross-sectional shape mimics, Young's modulus matches and osteogenic property enhances. Two inner porous structures (1450–200 μm and 800–200 μm) were selected, and the Young's modulus were 540.7 MPa (similar to cancellous bone) and 1139.2 MPa, respectively. Shape of the cages was designed by radiographic images and assistant softwares to make the dense border contact the peripheral cortical bone of the vertebrae. Hydroxyapatite (HA) biocoating was performed through the slurry foaming and impregnation method, and the average thickness was approximately 40 μm. The biocoated and nonbiocoated cages were then implanted in goats’ intervertebral space. During the 6-month follow-up, the lordosis angle and disc space height maintained well in all groups. Histological results showed a significant increase in bone ingrowth area between the nonbiocoating and biocoating groups, meaning a great enhancement of osteogenic properties by HA biocoating. The osseointegration also improved greatly. Additionally, the fusion condition of Young's modulus matching cages, before or after biocoating, was superior to that of unmatched cages. The results demonstrated that biomimetic designs could help avoid subsidence and promote fusion.

Background The compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP), which is a mixture of extracts from Radix Salviae and Panax notoginseng, is a patented traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used in multiple countries for relieving coronary heart disease (CHD), but its pharmacological mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we screened the key pharmacological pathways and targets of CDDP that act on CHD using a network pharmacology-based strategy, and the angiogenic activity of CDDP was directly visually investigated in zebrafish embryos in vivo. Methods The potential therapeutic targets and pathways were predicted through a bioinformatics analysis. The proangiogenic effects of CDDP were examined using vascular sprouting assays on subintestinal vessels (SIVs) and optic arteries (OAs) as well as injury assays on intersegmental vessels (ISVs). Pharmacological experiments were applied to confirm the pathway involved. Results Sixty-five potential therapeutic targets of CDDP on CHD were identified and enriched in the PI3K/AKT and VEGF/VEGFR pathways. An in vivo study revealed that CDDP promoted angiogenesis in SIVs and OAs in a dose-dependent manner and relieved the impairments in ISVs induced by lenvatinib, a VEGF receptor kinase inhibitor (VRI). In addition, Vegfaa and Kdrl expression were significantly upregulated after CDDP treatment. Furthermore, the proangiogenic effect of CDDP could be abolished by PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors. Conclusions CDDP has a proangiogenic effect, the mechanism of which involves the VEGF/VEGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. These results suggest a new insight into the cardiovascular protective effect of CDDP.

Background and aims Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury remains a major challenge affecting the morbidity and mortality of liver transplantation. Effective strategies to improve liver function after hepatic I/R injury are limited. Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 3 (Steap3), a key regulator of iron uptake, was reported to be involved in immunity and apoptotic processes in various cell types. However, the role of Steap3 in hepatic I/R-induced liver damage remains largely unclear. Approach and results In the present study, we found that Steap3 expression was significantly up-regulated in liver tissue from mice subjected to hepatic I/R surgery and primary hepatocytes challenged with hypoxia/reoxygenation insult. Subsequently, global Steap3 knockout (Steap3-KO) mice, hepatocyte-specific Steap3 transgenic (Steap3-HTG) mice, and their corresponding controls were subjected to partial hepatic warm I/R injury. Hepatic histology, the inflammatory response, and apoptosis were monitored to assess liver damage. The molecular mechanisms of Steap3 function were explored in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that, compared with control mice, Steap3-KO mice exhibited alleviated liver damage after hepatic I/R injury, as shown by smaller necrotic areas, lower serum transaminase levels, decreased apoptosis rates, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, whereas Steap3-HTG mice had the opposite phenotype. Further molecular experiments showed that Steap3 deficiency could inhibit transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) activation and downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 signaling during hepatic I/R injury. Conclusions Steap3 is a mediator of hepatic I/R injury that functions by regulating inflammatory responses as well as apoptosis through TAK1-dependent activation of the JNK/p38 pathways. Targeting hepatocytes, Steap3 may be a promising approach to protect the liver against I/R injury.

Two novel isomorphous 2D NiII/CoII-NiII Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with tetrazole-1-acetate ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized. And then they were calcined in air to obtain Ni/Co3O4-doped NiO electrodes. Compared to the homometallic MOF-derived oxide, the heterometallic MOF-derived bimetal oxides presented higher coulombic efficiency, better cycle performance, larger specific capacity as lithium-ion batteries anodes.

Hepatocyte apoptosis is a crucial factor affecting liver quality in brain-dead donors. The identification of key molecular proteins involved in brain-death (BD)-induced hepatocyte apoptosis may help determine an effective method for improving the quality of livers from brain-dead donors. In this study, we used in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the role of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in promoting liver cell apoptosis after BD. Chitin was used to inhibit CHI3L1 in a rat model of BD. Macrophage polarization of THP-1 cells and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) of LO-2 cells were used to mimic BD-induced cell stress in liver. We found that CHI3L1 played a vital role in promoting liver cell apoptosis. Six hours after BD, CHI3L1 expression was significantly upregulated in liver macrophages and was associated with BD-induced M1 polarization of these cells. In liver cells cultured under H/R conditions, recombinant CHI3L1 activated the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)/c-June N-terminal kinase (JNK) apoptotic pathway and aggravated apoptosis. Compared with the control group, chitin particles inhibited the expression of CHI3L1 in the liver of brain dead rats, thereby reducing activation of the hepatocyte surface receptor, PAR2, and its downstream JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway, ultimately reducing hepatocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, our results indicate that CHI3L1 relies on a PAR2/JNK-mediated mechanism to promote BD-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.

International audience; Solid solution of Hydrogen bonded networks of formula ((1-2H +)3x(2-2H +)3(1-x)([Fe(CN)6] 3-2)). nH2O, where (1-2H +) and (1-2H +) are bisamidinium H bond donor entities, have been synthetized and structurally analysed. The H bonded systems display a honeycomb-like structure, and depending on the x value, three different pavages of the (6,3) system are observed, leading to three different phases. The precise location of the H bond donor cations (2-2H +) have been performed, evidencing H bonding between adjacent cations. Thermal properties of the solid solutions have been performed.

There are many different systems recommending upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), several of which suggest that all Lenke type 2 AIS patients should be fused to the second thoracic vertebra (T2). However, all previously proposed UIV selecting systems do not accurately predict postoperative shoulder balance. We investigated whether fusing to T2 could prevent postoperative shoulder imbalance and identified circumstances under which to fuse up to T2.We retrospectively collected all patients with typical Lenke type 2 AIS who received surgery by one spine surgeon in our hospital from 2010 to 2014. Lateral shoulder balance was assessed utilizing radiographic shoulder height difference (RSH), coracoid height difference (CHD), clavicle-rib intersection difference (CRID), and clavicle angle (CA). Medial shoulder balance was assessed by T1 tilt angle and first rib angle (FRA). Lateral shoulders were considered to be level if the absolute value of RSH was less than 10 millimeters. All patients were divided into two groups as follows: 1) T2 group: UIV of T2 (n=49); and 2) below-T2 group: UIV of T3 (n=24) or T4 (n=6). Patients were assessed before surgery and at final follow-up with a minimum follow-up duration of 24 months.Seventy-nine typical Lenke type 2 AIS patients were identified. Preoperative CHD and CA were significantly associated with postoperative lateral shoulder imbalance (both p=0.045), whereas the UIV level was not significantly associated with it. Both fusing to T2 and to below T2 could improve RSH (p0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). Fusing to T2 slightly worsened CHD, CRID, and CA at last follow-up (all p0.001), while fusing to below T2 improved these lateral shoulder balance parameters (p=0.042, p0.001, and p=0.007, respectively). For medial shoulder balance, fusing to below T2 worsened T1 tilt angle and FRA at last follow-up (p=0.025 and p0.001, respectively), while fusing to T2 effectively kept these medial shoulder parameters in balance. In addition, for patients with an elevated left border of T1, the T2 group had worse preoperative T1 tilt angle but gained better postoperative T1 tilt angle than the below-T2 group (p0.001 and p=0.040, respectively).Preoperative lateral shoulder balance, more so than the UIV level, can strongly influence postoperative lateral shoulder balance. Fusing to T2 can only effectively improve medial shoulder balance, not lateral shoulder balance (CHD, CRID, and CA). Moreover, a positive T1 tilt angle is an indicator for fusing to T2 to improve medial shoulder balance.

This paper reports a highly effective method for replicating large-area micropattern devices through hybrid extrusion rolling embossing using a roller mold, wherein a thin stainless steel mold with a large-area micropattern is wrapped onto a metallic roll to form a roller mold. During the hybrid extrusion rolling embossing period, the molten polymer film is extruded and immediately pressed against the embossing roller and roller mold, which results in the molten polymer completely filling the micropattern on the surface of the roller mold. Next, the molten polymer film is cooled and wound using a conveying system equipped with highly polished rollers. Thus, a continuous polymer film with many large-area micropattern devices can be fabricated. In this study, a new hybrid extrusion rolling embossing system was designed, constructed, and tested; the basic film extrusion and rolling embossing conditions were investigated; and the thickness uniformity of the polymer films and the replication quality of the micropattern devices were measured and analyzed. The results indicate that the hybrid extrusion rolling embossing can potentially be used for continuous mass production of large-area micropattern devices.

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of silodosin in medical expulsive therapy (MET) for ureteral stones. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of silodosin in MET for ureteral calculi. We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Central (the Cochrane Library, Issue 1,2013), Google Scholar from the inception to March 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing silodosin with tamsulosin or control on ureteral stone passage. Eight RCTs with a total of 1145 ureteral stone patients (300 patients in the control group, 287 patients in the tamsulosin group, 558 patients in the silodosin group) were included in this meta-analysis. When compared with control, silodosin significantly improved expulsion rate of distal ureteral stones (RR: 1.42; 95% CI, 1.21–1.67; P

Background To evaluate the mid- to long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and dynamic cervical implant (DCI) arthroplasty for degenerative cervical disc disease. Methods From April 2010 to October 2010, 38 patients with single- or double-level cervical disc herniation underwent anterior cervical discectomy and DCI arthroplasty. The clinical results and radiographic outcomes of these 38 patients (42 levels) were retrospectively evaluated. The clinical results included the visual analogue scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Neck Disability Index score, 36-item short form health survey questionnaire, and incidences of complications and neurological deterioration. Radiographic results including cervical alignment, intervertebral height, cervical range of motion (ROM), ROM of the functional spinal unit, adjacent intervertebral ROM, migration, subsidence, and heterotopic ossification (HO) were assessed on plain radiography, three-dimensional computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Results The mean follow-up period was 72.3 months (range 68–78 months). During follow-up, all patients showed significant improvements in the visual analogue scale score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Neck Disability Index score, 36-item short form health survey physical component summary score and mental component summary score. The ROM of the functional spinal unit was partly reduced. The DCI migrated forward in 10 of 42 (23.8%) cases, and HO was detected in 24 of the 42 (57.1%) DCI segments. Subsidence was observed in 14 of 42 (33.3%) DCI segments. Two patients experienced symptom recurrence, and were treated conservatively. Conclusions The clinical efficacy of DCI arthroplasty was maintained during mid- to long-term follow-up. HO formation is a common phenomenon, leading to a substantial decrease in ROM at the index level and recurrence of neurological symptoms. The incidence of implant subsidence and migration is relatively high, leaving a potential risk of symptoms at the index level and adjacent segment degeneration. We consider that the first choice for patients with degenerative cervical disc disease should still be total disc replacement or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, rather than DCI arthroplasty.

Two new coordination complexes with tetrazole heterocycle ligands bearing acetate groups, [Co(L)2]n (1) and [Co3(L)4(N3)2·2MeOH]n (2) (L=tetrazole-1-acetate) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal structure analysis shows that the cobalt-complex 1 has the 3D 3,6-connected (42.6)2(44.62.88.10)-ant topology. By introducing azide in this system, complex 2 forms the 2D network containing the [Co3] units. And the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been studied.

A novel open thermosyphon-type thermal storage unit is presented to improve design and performance of heat pipe type thermal storage unit. In the present study, tubular canisters filled with a solid–liquid phase change material are vertically placed in the middle of the thermal storage unit. The phase change material melts at 100 °C. Water is presented as the phase-change heat transfer medium of the thermal storage unit. The tubular canister is wrapped tightly with a layer of stainless steel mesh to increase the surface wettability. The heat transfer mechanism of charging/discharging is similar to that of the thermosyphon. Heat transfer between the heat resource or cold resource and the phase change material in this device occurs in the form of a cyclic phase change of the heat-transfer medium, which occurs on the surface of the copper tubes and has an extremely high heat-transfer coefficient. A series of experiments and theoretical analyses are carried out to investigate the properties of the thermal storage unit, including power distribution, start-up performance, and temperature difference between the phase change material and the surrounding vapor. The results show that the whole system has excellent heat-storage/heat-release performance.

In this study, a novel gravity-assisted heat pipe type thermal storage unit (GAHP-TSU) has been presented for the potential application in solar air conditioning and refrigeration systems, in which composite granular solid–liquid PCMs compounded by RT100 and high-density polyethylene with phase change temperature of 100 °C are piled up as a porous PCMs medium layer. Water is used as heat transfer fluid in the GAHP-TSU. The heat transfer mechanism of heat storage/release in the GAHP-TSU is similar to that of the gravity-assisted heat pipe, which is superior to traditional direct-contact or indirect-contact thermal storage units. The properties of start-up, heat transfer characteristics on the stages of heat absorption and release of the GAHP-TSU are studied in detailed, including necessary calculations based on heat transfer theory. The results show that the whole system is almost isothermal at the temperature over 70 °C and the heat transfer properties are excellent both for heat absorption and release stages. The GAHP-TSU device with low thermal conductivity of the PCMs is promising in potential industry applications.

Background Osteoblastoma is a rare and benign tumor which requires early diagnosis and surgical excision. Scoliosis is a common presentation following osteoblastoma. It is considered due to pain-provoked muscle spasm on the side of the lesion. Few researches about osteoblastoma combined with severe scoliosis have been reported. Case presentation A 14-year-old girl presents with progressive scoliosis deformity for 3 years, with gradually appeared low back pain and numbness of left leg. Radiographic results showed osteoblastic mass at the left side of L3-L4 with severe scoliosis deformity, pelvic obliquity and spinal imbalance. The patient underwent posterior tumor excision, spinal decompression, scoliosis correction, spinal fusion with auto-graft and instrumentation from T8-S1. The mass was found to be osteoblastoma. The patient had a full neurological recovery with no aggravate of scoliosis or spinal imbalance during the follow-up. Conclusions This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and surgical treatment of osteoblastoma. Early surgical excision will not only prevent neurological deficit but also the progression of scoliosis. Atypical scoliosis presence without pain requires carefully examination of whether a tumor exists.

With the change of topology structure of gas pipeline network, dynamic characteristics of gas in the pipeline will change in a very complicated way. A dynamic simulation experimental system of gas pipeline will be introduced in this paper to indicate gas flow dynamic characteristic. Numerous of experiments of several kinds of typical gas topology network structure will be conducts under different working conditions. Experimental results will be analyzed as well to achieve the main influence factors of gas flow dynamic characteristic.

We investigated the effect of red light and plant growth regulators on somatic embryogenesis in China Rose (Rosa chinensis Jacq.). Embryogenic calli that had been induced by combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and thidiazuron in darkness were exposed to dark, red, and white light treatments. Cultures subjected to red light treatment generated the greatest number of embryos, with one (SE1 embryos) or two (SE2 embryos) expanded cotyledons. The largest numbers of shoot-like embryos without cotyledons (SE0 embryos) were produced in cultures subjected to dark treatment. The effects of different concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) on the proliferation and germination of different types of somatic embryos were also evaluated. A concentration of 9.45 μM was found to be the most effective in promoting the proliferation and germination of SE2 embryos. The higher the concentration of ABA (from 0 to 18.90 μM), the higher the percentage of abnormal polycotyledonary embryos produced. The highest percentage of regenerated plants was obtained from SE2 embryos.

Three isomorphic coordination complexes constructed by flexible 1,2,4-triazole-1-acetate with the assistance of halogen or pseudohalogen anions, and [Mn( L )Cl] n ( 1 ), [Co( L )(N 3 )] n ( 2 ) and [Ni( L )(N 3 )] n ( 3 ) ( L = 1,2,4-triazole-1-acetate) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. It is interesting that the linkages of the halogen anions in 1 are the same as those of the pseudohalogen anions in 2 and 3 . Single crystal structure analysis indicated a novel 4,6-connected binodal net with Schlafli {3;4 2 ;5 3 }{3 2 ;4 3 ;5 5 ;6 3 ;7 2 } was formed in these complexes. Dominating antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions were detected in these complexes, furthermore evident spin canting presented in 1 and 3 for Dzyaloshinski–Moriya (D–M) interactions.

Different ways of anions introduction were applied to construct cluster-based frameworks, owning to the versatile coordination ability of the formate anion and its sensitivity to the pH value of the reaction system. Three tetra-, penta-, and hexanuclear cluster-based cobalt-organic frameworks, [Co2(L)3(HCO2)·MeOH]n (1), [Co5(L)6(OH)2(NO3)2·2H2O]n (2), and [CoL(HCO2)]n (3) [L = (E)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)acrylate], have been successfully synthesized. In these complexes, each CoII cluster is linked by twelve L ligands with different connectivities to generate unique topological nets. In 1, two formate anions link four CoII ions forming a tetranuclear cluster, and each of the tetranuclear clusters is connected to eight neighbors by L ligands, giving an 8-connected 36418536 net. In 2, the pentanuclear cluster is formed by five CoII ions linked through two OH– and six carboxylate groups, which are further connected by L ligands to afford a pcu (primitive cubic lattice) net. Different from 1 and 2, complex 3 is a 2-fo...

The assembly of CuII, MII (CoII or NiII), azido, and isonicotinate acid N-oxide under hydrothermal conditions straightforwardly gives two isomorphic heterometallic 3d–3d azido complexes formulated [Cu2M(N3)4(INO)2(H2O)4]∞ (INO = isonicotinate N-oxide; M = Co for 1 and Ni for 2). In the structure of the complexes, CuII ions have a trigonal-bipyramidal-coordinated configuration, whereas the MII ions have octahedral geometry with two water molecules in the apical positions. The structure of the complexes is based on azido-carboxylate mixed-coordination Cu–M–Cu trimers, which are further linked by double end-on (EO) azido anions through the CuII ions to form a chain structure, and the 1D structure can be described as EO azido/syn–syn carboxylates and double EO azido mixed-bridge spin-sequence chains with –1/2–J1–3/2–J1–1/2–J2–1/2– for 1 and –1/2–J1–1–J1–1/2–J2–1/2– for 2. Magnetic studies indicated that 1 and 2 are both metamagnets for the weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the ferromagnetic chains.

We study microscopic spacetime convexity properties of fully nonlinear parabolic partial differential equations. Under certain general structure condition, we establish a constant rank theorem for the spacetime convex solutions of fully nonlinear parabolic equations. At last, we consider the parabolic convexity of solutions to parabolic equations and the convexity of the spacetime second fundamental form of geometric flows.

In order to achieve the digital design of solid rocket motors, the MFC module of Visual Studio2010 is used for interface software programming in this paper. Beginning with the initial performance parameters, the software receives the input parameters and gives the results of grain design and its interior ballistic calculation. Given all the results, we can evaluate the performance of grain. The design cases show that the design results of the software are correct and reliable.

Three new CoII–azido complexes, [Co3(L)2(o-BDC)2(N3)2]n (1), [Co3(L)2(m-BDC)2(N3)2]n·nH2O (2), and [Co2(L)2(p-BDC)(N3)2]n·2nMeOH (3) [o-BDC = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate, m-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate, p-BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, and L = di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methane], have been constructed from di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methane, azido, and different aromatic dicarboxylates under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 takes a dia topology with the Co3 units as connecting nodes, and complex 2 is a two-dimensional sql layer that further extends to a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network via π···π interaction between m-BDC ligands, while complex 3 forms a 3D pcu network based on Co2 units as nodes. The investigaton of magnetic properties of complexes 1–3 demonstrates that they all display ferromagnetic coupling between CoII ions but antiferromagnetic interaction between Co3 or Co2 units.

The reactions of Mn(II) ions with azido ligands in the presence of nicotinic/isonicotinic acids gave two manganese(II) azido coordination polymers, [Mn(3)(L(1))(2)(N(3))(4)](n).nH(2)O (1) and [Mn(2)(L(2))(N(3))(3)](n) (2), where L(1) = nicotinate and L(2) = isonicotinate, with different topological structures. Complex 1 consists of 2D azido-Mn(II) planes, which is further linked by L(1) to form a 3D framework with unprecedented 3,6-connected 4-nodal net topology, and complex 2 presents an unprecedented 3,4,6-connected 6-nodal 3D azido-Mn(II) structure with L(2) as the coligand. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal dominant antiferromagnetic coupling existing in 1 and 2. Complex 1 is a spin-competitive system and enters into a weak ferromagnetic-to-magnetic phase transition at the critical temperature of 6 K due to spin canting. Complex 2 is an antiferromagnet and exhibits field-induced spin-flop behavior.

Using two structurally related benzoates bearing different H-bond acceptors as co-ligands, three new azido-CuII compounds, [Cu(L1)(N3)(H2O)]n (1), [Cu(L1)(N3)(MeOH)]n (2), and [CuL2HL2(N3)3(H2O)]n (3) (HL1 = 4-nitrobenzoic acid; HL2 = 2-phenyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 is a carboxylate/EO-azido bridged copper chain, forming 3D structure by H-bonds, and 2 has a similar chain structure as 1 but forming a 2D structure by H-bonds, while 3 is a 3D supramolecular network with ternary center H-bonds. Magnetic study indicates that domain ferromagnetic coupling interactions were found to exist in complexes 1 and 3.

Four new coordination complexes with azole heterocycle ligands bearing acetic acid groups, [Co(L1)2]n (1), [CuL1N3]n (2), [Cu(L2)2·0.5C2H5OH·H2O]n (3) and [Co(L2)2]n (4) (here, HL1=1H-imidazole-1-yl-acetic acid, HL2=1H-benzimidazole-1-yl-acetic acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal structure analysis shows that 3 and 4 are 2D complexes with 44-sql topologies, while another 2D complex 1 has a (43)2(46)-kgd topology. And 2 is a 3D complex composed dinuclear μ1,1-bridging azido CuII entities with distorted rutile topology. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been studied.

This paper reports two new coordination polymers formed by carboxylate-substituted benzoimidazole and formate ligands: [Mn(L)·(HCO2)] n (1) and [Co(L)·(HCO2)] n (2) (L = benzoimidazol-1-yl-acetate). Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous and adopt a new 3,6-connected three-nodal topology showing interesting magnetic properties: spin canted antiferromagnetism for MnII complex 1, but simple antiferromagnetic coupling for CoII complex 2.

The investigation of magnetic materials with fascinating structures and unusual magnetic behavior has witnessed flourishing development. Transition-metal hydroxides are of particular significance because of their potential application in magnetic devices (as substitutes for traditional ferrite or nanometric magnetic memory units), and have been extensively explored. Even so, it is still a tremendous challenge for researchers to rationally design, precisely control, artfully modulate, and effectively re-assemble new transition-metal/hydroxide species (hydroxide-bridged clusters, chains, and layers). In the hydroxyl inorganic layers (such as Cu(OH)2, FeO(OH), Mg(OH)2, etc.), the hydroxide groups are present in m2 and m3 modes. To replace some of the hydroxide ligands with other bridging groups in order to alter the magnetic properties is still a challenge to chemists today. As we know, azide is one of the most studied ligands in magnetochemistry, and its complexes display exciting magnetic properties ranging from long-range ordering to SMM (single-molecule magnet) and SCM (single-chain magnet) behavior. Additionally, the magnetic interaction through an azide bridge can be easily predicted based on its bridging mode and the M-N-M angles. The most typical bridging modes are end-to-end (EE, m2-1,3) and end-on (EO, m2-1,1), usually resulting in antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic coupling, respectively, but this greatly depends on the Cu-N-Cu angle for end-on azides. Azides can also bridge more than two ions in their EO mode; for instance, it can bridge three metal ions in a pyramidal fashion analogous to that of a m3-OH group. In view of azides being able to take both m2-1,1 and m3-1,1,1 bridging modes, it may replace some OH positions in the 2D inorganic layer, which could lead to different magnetic behavior. To avoid the inorganic layer collapsing or aggregating into a 3D solid, a second ligand is usually introduced into the system. Herein, phthalic acid (H2-pta) is our second ligand of choice. A Cu / N3 /OH /pta network could have a high negative charge and counterion will then be needed. Herein we report the synthesis of an unusual 2D N3-Cu -OH complex, [CuACHTUNGTRENNUNG(H2O)6]ACHTUNGTRENNUNG[{Cu2(N3)4/3-(OH) ACHTUNGTRENNUNG(pta)}6] (1). Indeed, our results show that the [Cu ACHTUNGTRENNUNG(H2O)6] 2+ complex ion from the CuACHTUNGTRENNUNG(NO3)2 aqueous solution may serve as a template for the [Cu24] macrocycles. The crystal structure of complex 1 (Figure 1) consists of a new anionic 2D layer network containing two Cu ions, one phthalic anion (in m4-O,O’,O’’,O’’’ bridging mode), one m3 hydroxyl anion, and =3 azide anions, which take m2-1,1 and m3-1,1,1 bridging modes (Figure S1). As can be seen in Figure 1 (top), Cu1 is five-coordinate with a distorted square-based pyramid CuN2O3 geometry formed by the coordination of two nitrogen atoms, from the m2-1,1and m31,1,1-azide anions (apical position) (Cu1 N1=2.000(5), Cu1 N4=2.287(3) ;), and three oxygen atoms, one from the m3 hydroxyl anion and two from phthalic anions (Cu1 O5=1.969(4), Cu1 O1=1.983(4), Cu1 O4=2.018(4) ;). The square-based pyramidal coordination sphere of Cu2 is CuNO4, in which the N atom is from a m2-1,1 azide anion (Cu2 N1A=1.972(5) ;), and the four oxygen atoms are from two m3 hydroxyl anions and two phthalic anions (one occupied the apical position) (Cu2 O5=1.954(4), Cu2 O5A=1.979(4), Cu2 O2=2.646, Cu2 O3=1.934(4) ;). Two hydroxyl anions in the m3 mode (Cu1-O5-Cu2=100.74, Cu1-O5-Cu2A=118.24, Cu2-O5-Cu2A=100.308) bridge [a] Y.-F. Zeng, X. Hu, J.-P. Zhao, B.-W. Hu, Dr. F.-C. Liu, Prof. X.-H. Bu Department of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 (China) Fax: (+86)22-2350-2458 E-mail : buxh@nankai.edu.cn [b] Dr. E. C. SaCudo Departament de QuJmica InorgKnica Universitat de Barcelona Diagonal, 647, Barcelona (Spain) Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.200800068.

The X-ray crystal structures, magnetic susceptibilities from 2 to 300 K, and theoretical analyses of the magnetism for 1D and trinuclear azido Cu(II) carboxylate complexes [Cu(1.5)(hnta)(N(3))(2)(H(2)O)](n) (1) and [Cu(3)(hnta)(4)(N(3))(2)(H(2)O)(3)] (2), respectively, where hnta is 6-hydroxynicotinate, are described. Although both exhibit strong ferromagnetic coupling, discrete complex 2 exhibits long-range ferromagnetic ordering, while the very similar 1D system 1 does not. Density functional calculations provided accurate J values and allowed rationalization of the ferromagnetic coupling in terms of the magnetic orbitals and spin densities.

A new 3-D mixed valence copper-azido coordination polymer, [Cu I · Cu II (N 3 )(pzc) 2 (H 2 O)] n 1 , has been synthesized and characterized, and its magnetic properties studied. In this compound, the azide acts as rare asymmetric μ 1,1,3 bridging mode. The azide ligands and the Cu(2) ions act as 3-connecting nodes, and the Cu(1) ions act as 4-connecting nodes. The overall net takes rare topology with the Schlafli symbol of (6.8 2 )(6.8 2 )(6.8 5 ).

A new azido-NiII complex constructed from nicotinate has been obtained by cation−anion pairs as templates under hydrothermal conditions, which exhibits three-dimensional Kagome topology and ferromagnetic coupling.

A new 3D Mn(II) coordination polymer, [Mn(2)(HCO(2))(L)(2)(N(3)) x MeOH](infinity) (1) (L = nicotinate N-oxide), was synthesized by a solvothermal reaction and characterized magnetically. Complex 1 is a typical antiferromagnet with alternating azide/azide/formate/formate bridges, exhibiting a new -J(1)J(1)J(2)J(2)- coupling sequence. This is the first complex to contain an azide, formate and another type of carboxylate ligand.

Two new 3D copper(II) azido isomers, [Cu(N3)(nic)]infinity (1 and 2) (nic = nicotinate), have been synthesized and characterized. To the best of our knowledge, 1 is the first metal azido complex showing rutile-type topology, while 2 is a chiral compound obtained by spontaneous resolution upon crystallization.

Two M(II) tetranuclear complexes bridged only by azido, Mn4(N3)(7.3)Cl(0.7)L4 (1) and Co4(N3)8L4 (2) in which the four M(II) ions are precisely coplanar bridged only by six azido anions, were obtained by using 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (L) as a corner ligand. Magnetic studies indicate that ferromagnetic coupling was conducted by the azido anions between M(II) ions. At low temperature, 1 exhibits a large magnetocaloric effect and 2 shows field-induced multiple magnetic relaxations.

A magnetic isolated chain-based substituted cobalt-formate framework was obtained with isonicotine as a spacer. In the chain, canted antiferromagnetic interactions exist in between the Co(II) ions, and slow magnetic relaxation is detected at low temperature. For the block effects of the isonicotine ligands, the complex could be considered as a peculiar example of a weak ferromagnetic single-chain-magnet.

We describe a new application of megaprimer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for constructing a tandemly repeated DNA sequence using the drought responsive element (DRE) from Arabidopsis thaliana as an example. The key feature in the procedure was PCR primers with partial complementarity but differing melting temperatures (T(m)). The reverse primer had a higher T(m), a 3' end complementary to the DRE sequence and a 5' region complementary to the forward primer. The initial cycles of the PCR were conducted at a lower primer annealing temperature to generate products that served as megaprimers in the later cycles conducted at a higher temperature to prevent annealing of the forward primer. The region of overlap between the megaprimers was extended for generating products with a variable copy number (one to four copies) of tandem DRE sequence repeats (71 bp). The PCR product with four tandem repeats (4× DRE) was used as a template to generate tandem repeats with higher copies (copy number large than four) or demonstrated to bind DRE-binding protein in an yeast one-hybrid assay using promotorless reporter genes (HIS and lacZ). This PCR protocol has numerous applications for generating DNA fragments of repeated sequences.

Five new isomorphic three-dimensional (3D) heterometallic 3d-3d azide complexes, [CuNi(1-x)Co(x)(N(3))(2)(isonic)(2)](∞) (x = 0 for 1, x = 0.3 for 2, x = 0.5 for 3, x = 0.6 for 4, and x = 1 for 5), were obtained by assembling Cu(II), M(II) (Ni(II) and Co(II)), azide, and pyridyl carboxylate in hydrothermal condition. The 3D structure can be described as end on (EO) azide and syn,syn carboxylates mixed bridged alternate Cu-M chains linked by the pyridyl groups. Dominant ferromagnetic interactions were observed between the Cu(II) and M(II) ions in the chains. At low temperature diverse magnetic phenomena were presented in those complexes. As the Ni(II) ions were replaced by Co(II) ions with large anisotropy, the magnetism of the complexes change gradually from metamagnet to single-chain magnet (SCM)-like behaviors.

Two new azido-Co(II) complexes with pyrazine carboxylato ligands, [Co(N(3))(L)·H(2)O](n) (L = pyrazine-2-carboxylato) (1) and [CoNa(N(3))(2)(L)](n) (2), have been obtained by carefully tuning the Co(II):N(3)(-) ratio. Here we present the structural and magnetic characterization of these new species. Modulation of the coordination environment of Co(II) leads to a variation of the magnetic properties of the obtained compounds. Complex 1 exhibits ferromagnetically coupled [Co(2)] units that form the rungs of the ladder with a nearly negligible coupling between these units, while complex 2 is a 2D arrangement of 1D Co(II) single-chain magnets.

By changing template cation but introducing trivalent iron ions in the known niccolite structural metal formate frameworks, three complexes formulated [NH(2)(CH(3))(2)][Fe(III)M(II)(HCOO)(6)] (M = Fe for 1, Mn for 2, and Co for 3) were synthesized and magnetically characterized. The variation in the compositions of the complexes leads to three different complexes: mixed-valent complex 1, heterometallic but with the same spin state complex 2, and heterometallic heterospin complex 3. The magnetic behaviors are closely related to the divalent metal ions used. Complex 1 exhibits negative magnetization assigned as Neel N-Type ferrimagnet, with an asymmetric magnetization reversal in the hysteresis loop, and complex 2 is an antiferromagnet with small spin canting (α(canting) ≈ 0.06° and T(canting) = 35 K), while complex 3 is a ferrimagnet with T(N) = 32 K.

The hydrothermal reaction of Ni(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O, NaN(3) phenanthroline and nicotinic acid yielded a one-dimensional (1D) complex, [Ni(1.5)(N(3))(2)(phen)(nic)](n) (1) (phen = phenanthroline, nic = nicotinate), which is a new example of the named orbital countercomplementarity-like complex. In 1, the nicotinate shows mu(3)-nic-N,O,O coordination mode, and the azide groups adopt mu(1,1) bridging mode linking Ni(II) ions to form a rare trinuclear Ni(II) unit bridged by a double mu(1,1) azido.