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Study design Retrospective cohort study. Purpose 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). Overview of literature 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.

Background Nonfusion fixation is an effective way to treat lumbar degeneration. In the present study, we analyzed the clinical effects and radiographic outcomes of the Isobar TTL system used to treat two-segment lumbar degenerative disease. Method Forty-one patients diagnosed with two-segment lumbar degenerative disease underwent surgical implantation of the Isobar TTL dynamic stabilization system (n = 20) or a rigid system (n = 21) from January 2013 to June 2017. The mean follow-up time was 23.6 (range 15–37) months. Clinical results were evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Macnab criteria, and the visual analog score (VAS). Radiographic evaluations included the height of the intervertebral space and the range of motion (ROM) of the treated and adjacent segments. The intervertebral disc signal was classified using the modified Pfirrmann grading system and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) system. Results The clinical results, including the ODI and VAS, showed that there was significant improvement in the two groups after implantation and that the difference between the two groups was not significant. In addition, the clinical efficacy indicated by the modified Macnab criteria for the two groups was similar. Radiological outcomes included the height of the intervertebral space, lumbar mobility, and intervertebral disc signal. The height of the intervertebral space of the upper adjacent segment L2/3 in the rigid group was significantly lower than that in the Isobar TTL group at the last follow-up. Furthermore, the number of ROMs of the fixed-segment L3/4 in the Isobar TTL group was significantly less than that before implantation, suggesting that the fixed-segment ROMs in the Isobar TTL group were limited. In addition, the ROM of the upper adjacent segment L2/3 in the last follow-up of the rigid group increased significantly, while that of the Isobar TTL group did not change after implantation. Finally, the incidence of adjacent-segment degeneration (ASD) was significantly greater in the rigid group than in the Isobar TTL group according to the UCLA system. Conclusion The Isobar TTL system can be clinically effective for treating two-segment lumbar degenerative disease. Compared with rigid fixation, the Isobar TTL system yielded better radiographic outcomes and maintained the mobility of the treated segments with less impact on the proximal adjacent segment.

BACKGROUND The present study explored the expression of coiled-coil domain-containing 34 (CCDC34) in cervical cancer (CC) and its prognostic value. MATERIAL AND METHODS GEPIA and Oncomine cancer databases were mined to predict the CCDC34 differential expression level between a CC group and a normal group. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the CCDC34 expression in 67 CC and corresponding adjacent tissues. CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were stained to reflect tumor angiogenesis in 67 CC tissues. Kaplan-Meier univariate and Cox multivariate survival analysis were done to evaluate the correlation between CCDC34 expression and prognosis of CC patients. RESULTS Both GEPIA and Oncomine cancer databases mining results revealed that CCDC34 was more highly expressed in the CC group than in the normal group (all P

At present, the surface modification of perovskites by solvent treatment has become the most effective way to improve the performance of planar perovskite solar cells. Here, phthalocyanine nickel as an additive was introduced into the anti-solvent chlorobenzene to form a mixed anti-solvent. Prior to completion of the perovskite crystals, a mixed anti-solvent was infiltrated into the perovskite surface to improve the interfacial contact of the perovskite with the hole-transporting layer. This method improved the crystal quality of the perovskite film, thus enhanced the charge transfer efficiency, and suppressed the recombination of carriers effectively. The perovskite solar cell constructed with this perovskite films treated by the optimal concentration of nickel phthalocyanine in the anti-solvent solution yielded a power conversion efficiency of 19.18% and the filling factor of 74.38% under 100 mW cm−2 illuminations.

Background: Non-fusion fixation is an effective way to treat lumbar degeneration. The present study evaluated the clinical effect analysis and radiographic outcomes of Isobar TTL system for two-segmental lumbar degenerative disease. Method: Forty-one patients with two-segmental lumbar degenerative disease who underwent surgical treatment by Isobar TTL dynamic stabilization system (n=20) and rigid system (n=21) from January 2013 to June 2017. The mean follow-up period was 23.6 (range 15–37) months. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), visual analogue score (VAS) and modified Macnab. Radiographic evaluations included the height of intervertebral space and range of motion (ROM) of the operative segments and proximal adjacent segment. The intervertebral disc signal change was classified by the modified Pfirrmann grade and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) system. Results: The clinical outcomes including the ODI and VAS were significantly improved in two groups after operation, but the difference between two groups was not significant. In addition, the clinical efficacy of modified Macnab in two groups was similar too. Radiologic outcomes include height of intervertebral space, lumbar mobility and intervertebral disc signal. The height of intervertebral space of upper adjacent segments of L2/3 in the rigid group were significantly lower than those in the Isobar TTL group at the last follow-up. Furthermore, the number of fixed segment ROM of L3/4 in Isobar TTL group was significantly lower than pre-operation, suggesting that fixed segment ROMs in Isobar TTL group were limited. And, the ROM of upper adjacent segments of L2/3 in the last follow-up of rigid group increased significantly, while the ROM of L2/3 in Isobar TTL group haven’t changed after operation. At last, the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration was significantly greater in the rigid group than the Isobar TTL group according to modified Pfirrmann grading system and the UCLA system. Conclusion: Isobar TTL system could get a good clinical effect for treatment of two-segmental lumbar degenerative disease. Compared with rigid fixation, Isobar TTL system can get better radiographic outcomes and maintain the mobility of the stabilized segments with less influence on the proximal adjacent segment.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of coronary CTA calcification score (CACS) with serum inflammatory factors and plaque stability-related indexes in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 228 patients with possible coronary heart disease who were examined in this hospital between November 2014 and March 2017 were selected, and the CACS levels as well as the serum contents of inflammatory factors and plaque stability indexes in patients with different lesions were determined. Pearson test was used to assess the correlation between CACS level and disease severity in patients with coronary heart disease. Results: The CACS level of triple vessel disease group was higher than that of double vessel disease group and single vessel disease group, and the CACS level of double vessel disease group was higher than that of single vessel disease group; serum sICAM-1, IL-6, IL-18, CRP, PTX3, Lp-PLA2 and Cat K contents were higher than those of double vessel disease group and single vessel disease group; serum sICAM-1, IL-6, IL-18, CRP, PTX3, Lp-PLA2 and Cat K contents of double vessel disease group were higher than those of single vessel disease group; serum Cys C content of triple vessel disease group was lower than that of double vessel disease group and single vessel disease group, and serum Cys C content of double vessel disease group was lower than that of single vessel disease group. Pearson test showed that the CACS level in patients with coronary heart disease was directly correlated with serum contents of inflammatory factors and plaque stability indexes. Conclusion: The CACS levels in patients with coronary heart disease increase with the aggravation of disease, and the specific CACS level is directly correlated with the degree of inflammatory response and the stability of the plaques.

A novel idea has been developed to realize the formation of heteroatoms doped carbon materials by exploiting a precursor of a single compound, polyphosphazene, for supercapacitor applications. Heteroatoms (N, P, O) containing polymer, poly(diaryloxyphosphazene) (PDPP) was synthesized by the substitution reaction of linear polydichlorophosphazene (PDCP) with sodium phenolate. After carbonization of PDPP, a nanoporous carbon materials doped with N, P and O were obtained. The BET studies had shown that the surface area of this activated carbon material reached up to 1798 m2 g−1 with pore volume up to 0.91 cm3 g−1. When applied as supercapacitor electrodes, this heteroatoms doped carbon material exhibited a specific capacitance of 105 F g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 in a two-electrode cell (up to 329 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in a three-electrode cell) and better rate performance with 55.2% of maintenance from 0.3 to 10 A g−1 in a two-electrode cell (63.8% of maintenance from 0.5 to 50 A g−1 in a three-electrode cell). Owing to the large surface area, adequate pore volume, stable cycling performance and good rate capabilities of our synthesized material, it has potential application as supercapacitor electrodes.

A uniform perovskite layer with full coverage, smooth top surface and enough thickness is essential for the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, a solar cell with high-quality perovskite films as light absorbers is fabricated through a novel facile dual-flash method: first low pressure flash evaporation (LPFE), then high temperature flash annealing (HTFA) process. The high-quality perovskite films can be conducive not only to the separation and transmission of the electron and hole, but also to the absorption and utilization of sunlight. As a result, a high performance PSC with a solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiency of 19.15% is obtained. The entire perovskite films preparation can be achieved in low humidity air, showing a very promising prospect for industrial applications.