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The Farm animal Genotype-Tissue Expression (FarmGTEx, https://www.farmgtex.org/) project has been established to develop a comprehensive public resource of genetic regulatory variants in domestic animal species, which is essential for linking genetic polymorphisms to variation in phenotypes, helping fundamental biology discovery and exploitation in animal breeding and human biomedicine. Here we present results from the pilot phase of PigGTEx (http://piggtex.farmgtex.org/), where we processed 9,530 RNA-sequencing and 1,602 whole-genome sequencing samples from pigs. We build a pig genotype imputation panel, characterize the transcriptional landscape across over 100 tissues, and associate millions of genetic variants with five types of transcriptomic phenotypes in 34 tissues. We study interactions between genotype and breed/cell type, evaluate tissue specificity of regulatory effects, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of their action using multi-omics data. Leveraging this resource, we decipher regulatory mechanisms underlying about 80% of the genetic associations for 207 pig complex phenotypes, and demonstrate the similarity of pigs to humans in gene expression and the genetic regulation behind complex phenotypes, corroborating the importance of pigs as a human biomedical model.

Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with kyphosis via unilateral versus bilateral approach. Methods All patients suffered OVCF with kyphosis were retrospectively reviewed. Of those, performed unilateral PKP or underwent bilateral PKP with random. The clinical and radiological data such as the correction of deformity, sagittal profle and record of the perioperative morbidity of the patients were analyzed. Results All patients (76 ± 3.6 years) were enrolled in this investigation, including 41 in the unilateral and 45 in the bilateral group. No significant difference in general data was detected between the two groups (p > 0.05). Howere, the operation time and cement amount 28.2 ± 3.4 min, 3.8 ± 0.6 ml in the unilateral group, while 50.1 ± 4.6 min, 5.4 ± 0.5 ml in the bilateral group, respectively (P 0.05). Conclusions Both bilateral and unilateral PKP are relatively safe and provide effective treatment for patients with painful thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with mild kyphotic deformity. However, unilateral PKP need less operation time and volume of cement.

The adaptation and diversity of animals to the extreme environments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are typical materials to study adaptive evolution. The recently discovered Jinchuan yak population has many individuals with multiple ribs. However, little is known about this yak's origin, evolution, and the genetic mechanisms that formed its unique multirib trait. Here, we report a valuable population genome resource of the Jinchuan yak by resequencing the whole genome of 150 individuals. Population genetic polymorphism and structure analysis reveal that Jinchuan yak can be differentiated as a unique and original yak population among the domestic yak. Combined with geological change, the Jinchuan yak's evolutionary origin is speculated to be about 6290 years ago, which may be related to the unique geographical environment of the eastern edge of the QTP during this period. Compared with other domestic yaks, this new population has 280 positively selected genes. The genes related to skeletal function hold a considerable and remarkable proportion, suggesting that the specific skeletal characteristics have been enhanced in the adaptive evolution of Jinchuan yak in the extreme plateau environment. The genome-wide association study has revealed that TUBA8 and TUBA4A, the genes that regulate the cytoskeleton, are potential genes associated with the multirib trait. Our findings provide a basis to further understand the generation mechanism of the adaptive evolution of this new population in high-altitude extreme environments and the multivertebrate trait of domestic animals.

Background: Infection, including mixed infection, is not uncommon in orthopedic surgical incision. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and drug resistance of mixed infections after orthopedic surgical procedures. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 533 orthopedic surgical site infections (SSIs) in a university hospital from 2012 to 2017. Eighty-six patients (218 strains) with bacterial culture results showing more than one strain were screened to explore their epidemiology and drug resistance. Results: Of 218 bacterial strains, 2-7 bacterial infections were noted in each wound. Most infections were caused by two kinds of bacteria (65.1%). The number of infections decreased with increased number of strains. The combinations of pathogenic micro-organisms were all gram-negative, 55.81%; gram-positive and gram-negative, 30.23%; all gram-positive, 12.79%; and gram-positive and fungi, 1.16%. Their resistance is consistent with the bacterial resistance of 447 cases of single bacterial SSI during the same period. Hospitalization duration was longer (9.8-20.6 d). Conclusion: Our study shows no significant changes in epidemiology and drug resistance caused by mixed infections in the orthopedic surgical site because of coordination and competition among micro-organisms. These bacteria are difficult to control, leading to extended hospitalization. Antibiotic agents should be chosen strictly according to drug sensitivity, and ineffective antibiotic agents must be avoided.

Background Posterior pedicle screw fixation had been applied to maintain spinal stability and avoid further nerve damage in thoracolumbar fracture. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial pedicle screws versus polyaxial pedicle screws in treating thoracolumbar fracture. Methods A total of 75 patients with thoracolumbar fracture who underwent short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial pedicle screw (group A) or polyaxial pedicle screw (group B) were retrospectively enrolled. The patient demographic and radiological data were analyzed between the two groups. Results A total of 63 patients with an average age of 44.7±11.5 years were finally recruited in this study. There were no significant differences in age, gender, fracture level, thoracolumbar injury classification and severity scale (TLISS) score, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification, and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the prevertebral height ratio and normal-to-injured vertebral height ratio were significantly decreased in group A compared to group B (P=0.027 and P=0.007, respectively). Conclusions Short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial or polyaxial pedicle screw for fractured thoracolumbar vertebra can restore injured vertebral height. Compared with polyaxial pedicle screw, monoaxial pedicle screw endows stronger leverage which is more beneficial for restoring injured vertebral height and recovery of the damaged endplate in thoracolumbar short-segment posterior fixation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with kyphosis via unilateral versus bilateral approach.Methods: All patients suffered OVCF with kyphosis were retrospectively reviewed. Of those, performed unilateral PKP or underwent bilateral PKP with random. The clinical and radiological data such as the correction of deformity, sagittal profle and record of the perioperative morbidity of the patients were analyzed.Results: All patients (76±3.6 years) were enrolled in this investigation, including 47 in the unilateral and 39 in the bilateral group. No significant difference in general data was detected between the two groups (p >0.05). Howere, the operation time and cement amount 28.2±3.4 min, 3.8±0.6 ml in the unilateral group, while 50.1±4.6 min, 5.4±0.5 ml in the bilateral group, respectively (P 0.05).Conclusion: Both bilateral and unilateral PKP are relatively safe and provide effective treatment for patients with painful thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with mild kyphotic deformity. However, unilateral PKP need less operation time and volume of cement.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial pedicle screw or polyaxial pedicle screw via injured vertebra on thoracolumbar fracture.Methods: All patients who underwent short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial pedicle screws or polyaxial pedicle screws in the injured vertebra of a thoracolumbar fracture (T12-L2). The clinical and radiological data such as the correction of deformity, sagittal profle and record of the perioperative morbidity of the patients were analyzed.Results: There were 63 patients (21 males and 42 females) with an average age of 44.7 years and were categorised into two groups: monoaxial pedicle screws group (group A) and polyaxial pedicle screws group (group B). There were no significant differences in age, gender, fracture site, TLISS Score, ASIA Score, AO Classification, hospital stay, Injury-to-operation intereval, and associated injury between the two groups (P>0.05). Howere, compared with group B, the injury vertebral endplate centre ratio significantly increased postoperatively and at the final follow-up (PConclusion: Short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial or polyaxial pedicle screws via the fracture level for thoracolumbar fracture can achieve kyphosis correction, reduce sagittal alignment correction failure, and maintain anterior vertebral height. The insertion of monoaxial pedicle screws at the fracture level after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture has a flick up ffect on the central vertebral body of the injured vertebrae, which is beneficial to the recovery of the vertebral endplate.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) via unilateral versus bilateral approach. Methods All patients who underwent PKP surgery for OVCFs in our hospital between June 2016 and December 2018 were included in this study. The pedicles were divided into two groups according to the manner of vertebral body puncture, which were as follows: unilateral pedicle puncture group (unilateral group, n=47) and bilateral pedicle puncture group (bilateral group, n=39).The operative time, amount of cement perfusion, correction angle of kyphosis, pain score before and after surgery, and leakage rate of bone cement were evaluated in all patients. The average follow-up was 19 months (range 13-34 months). Results The average age of patients who met the inclusion criteria, but not the exclusion criteria, was 76 years, and a total of 121 vertebral bodies were studied. There were 7 cases of postoperative bone cement leakage (unilateral group, 14.9%) and 6 cases of postoperative bone cement leakage (bilateral groups, 15.4%). There were differences in operative time and amount of cement perfusion between the two groups were statistically significant (P0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in sex and bone cement leakage rate between the two groups by Pearson x 2 test (P>0.05). Conclusion Patients with OVCFs could obtain similar satisfactory clinical results via both unilateral and bilateral PKP approaches. However, the unilateral PKP approach is more advantageous as it has a shorter operative time, requires lesser cement volume, causes minimal trauma, is less costly, and results in lesser complications than the bilateral approach.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screws in thoracolumbar fractures Methods: All patients who underwent short-segment posterior fixation with monoaxial pedicle screws or polyaxial pedicle screws in the injured vertebra of a thoracolumbar fracture (T12-L2) in our hospital between June 2012 and December 2018 were categorised into two groups: monoaxial pedicle screws group (group A) and polyaxial pedicle screws group (group B). We compared the Thoracolumbar Injury Severity Score (TLISS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, the fracture level, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification, hospital stay, injury-to-operation interval, and associated injuries between the two groups. In addition, the prevertebral height ratio, the injured vertebra Cobb angle, and the injured vertebral endplate centre ratio were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Results: There were 63 patients (21 males and 42 females) with an average age of 44.7 years. Compared with group B, the injury vertebral endplate centre ratio significantly increased postoperatively and at the final follow-up (P