Search

Objective Glioma is a devastating disease lacking effective treatment. Tumor electric field therapy is emerging as a novel non‐invasive therapy. The current study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a self‐designed tumor electric field therapy system (TEFTS ASCLU‐300) in a rat orthotopic transplantation model of glioma. Methods A model of intracranial orthotopic transplantation was established in rats using glioma C6 cells. For electric field therapy, glioma‐bearing rats were exposed to alternating electric fields generated by a self‐developed TEFTS starting on either 1st (Group 2) or 3rd (Group 3) day after transplantation, while other conditions were maintained the same as non‐treated rats (Group 1). Glioma size, body weight, and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to access tumor cell death and microvessel density within the tumor. In addition, the systemic effects of TEFTS on blood cells, vital organs, and hepatorenal functions were evaluated. Results TEFTS treatment significantly elongated the OS of tumor‐bearing rats compared with non‐treated rats (non‐treated vs treated: 24.77 ± 7.08 days vs 40.31 ± 19.11 days, P = .0031). Continuous TEFTS treatment starting on 1st or 3rd day significantly reduced glioma size at 2 and 3 weeks after tumor cell inoculation (Week 2: Group 1:289.95 ± 101.69 mm3; Group 2:70.45 ± 17.79 mm3; Group 3:73.88 ± 33.21 mm3, P .05). No remarkable differences were observed in hepatorenal function, blood cell counts, or other vital organs between non‐treated and treated groups. Conclusion The TEFTS developed by our research team was proved to be effective and safe to inhibit tumor growth and improve general outcomes in a rat model of brain glioma., The self‐designed TEFTS was proved to be effective and safe to inhibit tumor growth and improve general outcomes of Glioma.The instrument with random sequential electric field direction and adjustable intensity and frequency can apply electric field to the rapidly proliferating tumor cells from all directions in order to achieve the best curative effects.

BackgroundPatient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) is a popular animal model for translational cancer research. Immunotherapy is a promising therapy against glioblastoma (GBM). However, the PDOX model is limited to evaluating immune-related events. Our study aims to establish GBM humanized PDOX (HPDOX) mice models to study the mechanism of anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy and immune-related adverse events (IRAEs).MethodsHPDOX models were established by culturing GBM tissues and intracranially implanting them in NSG mice. Meanwhile, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from peripheral blood and of GBM patients and administrated in corresponding mice. The population of CD45+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and regulatory T (Treg) cells was estimated in the peripheral blood or tumor.ResultsT cells derived from GBM patients were detected in HPDOX mice models. The application of anti-CTLA4 antibodies (ipilimumab and tremelimumab) significantly inhibited the growth of GBM xenografts in mice. Moreover, residual patient T cells were detected in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of HPDOX mice and were significantly elevated by ipilimumab and tremelimumab. Additionally, Treg cells were decreased in mice with IRAEs. Lastly, the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ T cells dramatically increased after the administration of ipilimumab. And the degree of IRAEs may be related to CD56+ expression in HPDOX.ConclusionsOur study established HPDOX mice models for investigating the mechanism and IRAEs of immunotherapies in GBM, which would offer a promising platform for evaluating the efficacy and IRAEs of novel therapies and exploring personalized therapeutic strategies.

Background. Gene therapy shows considerable clinical benefit in cancer therapy, in which single-stranded ribonucleic acid (siRNA) is a promising strategy in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is critical in tumorigenesis and development, which lays a foundation for an ideal target for tumor therapy. However, the practical application of free siRNA is limited. It is urgent to develop novel strategies to deliver TBK1 siRNA to activate apoptosis and cGAS-STING pathway as a therapeutic strategy for GBM. Methods. The expression and prognostic value of TBK1 were evaluated in the TCGA, CGGA, and GTEx databases. A novel gene delivery system was designed here via PEGylated reduced graphene oxide (rGO-PEG) to targeted delivery of anti-TBK1 siRNA efficiently. The efficacy of TBK1si/rGO-PEG was evaluated in GBM cells. The underlying pathways were explored by Western blot. Results. TBK1 was highly expressed in glioma samples, and its high expression indicated poor prognoses in glioma patients. The rGO-PEG presented great efficiency in targeted delivery of TBK1si RNA into GBM cells with up to 97.1% transfection efficiency. TBK1si/rGO-PEG exhibited anti-GBM activities by inhibiting TBK1 and autophagy, as well as activating apoptosis and cGAS-STING pathway. Conclusion. The rGO-PEG could be an efficient system facilitating the delivery of specific siRNA. TBK1si/rGO-PEG could be a novel strategy for the treatment of GBM.

Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation and tumor immune microenvironment played crucial roles in cancer development. However, their association in gliomas remains to be fully elucidated. Methods A total of 2144 glioma patients from CGGA, TCGA, and Rembrandt databases were extracted in our study, in which 325 were set as the training cohort and 1819 were defined as the validation cohort. Survival differences evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis between groups. Patients were clustered into subgroups by consensus clustering. ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to calculate immune and stroma scores. The infiltration of immune cells was characterized by TIMER algorithm. The risk signature was constructed by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results Nineteen m6A regulators were highly expressed in glioma tissues. The expression of m6A regulators was associated with prognoses, grade, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, and 1p19q status of gliomas. Two subgroups were identified by consensus clustering, in which cluster 1 was associated with favorable prognosis, high stroma and immune scores, and high immune infiltration. When the patients were divided into high risk and low risk groups based on their risk scores, we found that patients in the high risk group had poor prognoses. Besides, patients in the high risk group had a higher stroma and immune scores, and higher abundance of immune infiltration. These results were further verified in the validation cohort, which contained three independent datasets. Moreover, patients in the low risk group enjoyed better prognoses without chemoradiotherapy or single chemotherapy. Conclusion Our study revealed that m6A regulators could predict the prognosis and therapeutic efficacy, and were also associated with the immune microenvironment in gliomas.

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors in the brain with poor prognosis. Previous studies have detected high expression of Cyclophilin A (CyPA) and CD147, respectively, in glioma. However, the correlation between their expressions and glioma prognosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression of CyPA and CD147 in different types of glioma and characterized their relationships with clinical features, prognosis, and cell proliferation. Results showed that CyPA and CD147 expressions were elevated in higher grade gliomas. Moreover, the knockdown of CyPA and CD147 by RNA interference significantly induced cell express apoptosis biomarkers such as Annexin V and inhibited proliferation biomarkers like EdU in glioma cells. In summary, our findings revealed that high expression of CyPA and CD147 correlated with glioma grades. Moreover, downregulation of the Cyclophilin A/CD147 axis induces cell apoptosis and inhibits glioma aggressiveness. Those indicating CyPA and CD147 could be used as both potential predictive biomarkers and a potential therapeutic target.

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common malignant intracranial tumors with poor prognosis. Current treatments have not yielded optimal remission rates; there are no standard treatments for recurrent and drug-resistant gliomas. Tumor treating fields, which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), could significantly improve progression free survival and the overall survival of glioma patients. In this review, we elaborate on the mechanism of tumor treating fields in tumor cells and detail various preclinical and clinical studies on gliomas. Tumor treating fields could be a promising option for patients with malignant tumors for which there are no standard treatment plans. Moreover, we identify several potential problems for the practical application of tumor treating fields and predict future directions for further studies. Tumor treating fields may be a potential therapy with high efficacy, fewer adverse effects, and high cost-effectiveness.

Additional file 3: Table S3. The detailed information of r value between CTLA-4 and each immune cell type.

Background CTLA-4 is a well-studied immune checkpoint protein that negatively regulates T cell-mediated immune responses. However, the expression of CTLA-4 in glioma and the effects of CTLA-4 on prognosis in patients with glioma have not yet been examined. Methods We investigated the protein level of CTLA-4 in human glioma samples, extracted genetic and clinical data from 1024 glioma patients to characterize CTLA-4 expression and its relationship with immune functions in gliomas. R language was used for statistical analysis. Results Higher CTLA-4 expression was found in patients with higher grade, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type, and mesenchymal-molecular subtype gliomas than in patients with lower grade, IDH-mutant, and other molecular subtype gliomas. Further analysis showed that there was a strong positive correlation between CTLA-4 and the specific marker gene expression of immune cells, including CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells, and macrophages in both databases, suggesting that higher CTLA-4 expression in the glioma microenvironment induced greater immune cell infiltration compared with that in gliomas with lower CTLA-4 expression. We further explored the associations between CTLA-4 and other immune-related molecules. Pearson correlation analysis showed that CTLA-4 was associated with PD-1, CD40, ICOS, CXCR3, CXCR6, CXCL12 and TIGIT. Patients with glioma with lower CTLA-4 expression exhibited significantly longer overall survival. Thus, these findings suggested that increased CTLA-4 expression conferred a worse outcome in glioma. Conclusions In summary, our findings revealed the expression patterns and clinical characteristics of CTLA-4 in glioma and may be helpful for expanding our understanding of antitumor immunotherapy in gliomas.

Sperm cells can be isolated from the mature pollen grains of medicinal wild rice (Oryza officinalis) using an osmotic shock method, and the viable egg cells can be isolated by enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissection steps. Favorable alleles for rice breeding have been identified in natural cultivars and wild rice by association analysis of known functional genes with target trait performance. Transferring these genes from wild rice into cultivated rice varieties is one of the important objectives for rice breeders. The isolation of the sperm and egg cells of wild and cultivated rice is a prerequisite for the in vitro hybridization of distantly related cultivated rice and wild rice lines. Here, we provide a technical approach for isolating the sperm and egg cells of wild rice (Oryza officinalis). In this method, sperm cells were isolated from the mature pollen grains of medicinal wild rice (O. officinalis) according to an osmotic shock method. Additionally, viable O. officinalis egg cells were isolated following enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissection steps. Specifically, ovules were digested in an enzymatic solution containing pectinase and cellulase for 30 min, after which the ovule was cut into two halves. Three egg apparatus cells were released by gently applying pressure to the micropylar end. Generally, six or seven egg cells could be isolated from 20 ovules in 60 min. The same method was used to isolate zygotes from flowers at 24 h after pollination. This technology solved the difficulty of isolating sperm and egg cells in O. officinalis and allowed the isolated sperm and egg cells to be combined by in vitro hybridization of distantly related wild and cultivated rice lines.

Primary vascular tumors of the bone are rare and comprise a variety of neoplasms characterized by varying degrees of vasoformation. Most vascular tumors involving the spine are hemangiomas, which are benign in nature and generally do not need treatment. The concept of hemangioendothelioma (HE), including various benign, intermediate, and malignant vascular lesions, has been a controversial topic in the past. According to the 2002 WHO classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone, HE falls into the category of intermediate vascular tumors with biological characteristics of being locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing [1]. HE can occur at any age, but is more frequently seen in adults. The male:female incidence ratio is 2:1 [2]. These lesions predominantly affect the long bones, with more than half located in the tibia or femur; less than 10 % are seen in the vertebral column [3]. HE of the cervical spine is especially rare. Here, we report a unique case of primary hemangioendothelioma of the cervical spine.

The funding section of the original publication gave a wrong funding number.

Many studies have reported that increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition broadens N:phosphorus (P) in both soils and plant leaves and potentially intensifies P limitation for plants. However, few studies have tested whether P addition alleviates N-induced P limitation for plant belowground growth. It is also less known how changed N:P in soils and leaves affect plant belowground stoichiometry, which is significant for maintaining key belowground ecological processes. We conducted a multi-level N:P supply experiment (varied P levels combined with constant N amount) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis (a N fixing species) and Pennisetum centrasiaticum (a grass) from a desert steppe in Northwest China during 2011–2013. Results showed that increasing P addition increased the belowground biomass and P concentrations of both species, resulting in the decreases in belowground carbon (C):P and N:P. These results indicate that P inputs alleviated N-induced P limitation and hence stimulated belowground growth. Belowground C:N:P stoichiometry of both species, especially P. centrasiaticum, tightly linked to soil and green leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. Thus, the decoupling of C:N:P ratios in both soils and leaves under a changing climate could directly alter plant belowground stoichiometry, which will in turn have important feedbacks to primary productivity and C sequestration.

Domain of unknown function 1644 (DUF1644) is a highly conserved amino acid sequence motif present only in plants. Analysis of expression data of the family of DUF1644-containing genes indicated that they may regulate responses to abiotic stress in rice. Here we present our discovery of the role of OsSIDP366, a member of the DUF1644 gene family, in response to drought and salinity stresses in rice. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsSIDP366 showed enhanced drought and salinity tolerance and reduced water loss as compared to that in the control, whereas plants with downregulated OsSIDP366 expression levels using RNA interference (RNAi) were more sensitive to salinity and drought treatments. The sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment was not changed in OsSIDP366-overexpressing plants, and OsSIDP366 expression was not affected in ABA-deficient mutants. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that OsSIDP366 is presented in the cytoplasmic foci that colocalized with protein markers for both processing bodies (PBs) and stress granules (SGs) in rice protoplasts. Digital gene expression (DGE) profile analysis indicated that stress-related genes such as SNAC1, OsHAK5 and PRs were upregulated in OsSIDP366-overexpressing plants. These results suggest that OsSIDP366 may function as a regulator of the PBs/SGs and positively regulate salt and drought resistance in rice.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of single-stage posterior debridement, compact bone grafting and posterior single-segment fixation for the treatment of mono-segmental lumbar tuberculosis. Methods We enrolled 32 patients with mono-segmental lumbar tuberculosis from January 2005 to April 2011. The severity of damage to the vertebral bodies is not more than 2/3 height. All the patients were treated by single-stage posterior debridement, compact bone grafting and posterior single-segment fixation. Results Patients were followed 21–63 months (43.5 ± 9.5 months). The average Cobb angle decreased to 5.3 ± 3.0° postoperatively from 22.1 ± 6.1° preoperatively. Meanwhile, average 1.8 ± 1.0° loss was observed at last visit. Fusion occurred at 3–9 months (mean 5.1 months). All patients with preoperative neurologic deficit recovered in different degree. 1 with grade B recovered to grade D; 2 with grade C recovered to grade E; 18 with grade D recovered to grade E. No mortality occurred. One patient experienced anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver dysfunction which was managed successfully with modified anti-TB treatment and hepato-protective treatment. The Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 40.1 ± 4.0 preoperatively to 13.7 ± 3.1 postoperatively. Conclusions Single-stage posterior debridement, compact bone grafting and posterior single-segment fixation is an effective method for the treatment of mono-segmental lumbar tuberculosis.

The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of two surgical treatments for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. A total of 73 patients with monosegmental thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis were enrolled from January 2006 to April 2011. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group A (n=34) underwent one-stage posterior debridement, limited decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation combined with lamina reconstruction, while those in group B (n=39) underwent one-stage posterior debridement, decompression, bone grafting and posterior instrumentation. Clinical and radiographic results were analyzed and compared between the groups. Patients were followed for a mean 31.3 months (range, 21-42 months). Fusion occurred at 4-12 months (mean, 7.7 months). Surgical complications affected one and five patients in groups A and B, respectively. There was extraction of internal fixation in two group B patients. Postoperatively, there was significant Cobb angle correction in the two groups. By the last follow-up, the Cobb angle and correction loss in group A were significantly better than that in group B; the group A Oswestry Disability Index and Frankel grade were better than that in group B. In conclusion, one-stage posterior limited decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation combined with lamina reconstruction enables rapid management of monosegmental thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis with fewer complications and minimal invasion.

BACKGROUND The aim of this paper was to retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy and feasibility of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis treated by single-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with titanium mesh cages (TMC), and combined short-segment instrumentation. METHODS Fifteen patients with no more than two vertebral bodies involving thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis were collected from January 2006 to January 2010, performed by single-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with TMC and posterior short-segment fixation. The clinical efficacy was evaluated based on the data of the 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), neurological status, kyphosis angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein, which were collected at a certain time. RESULTS The average duration of surgery was 135 minutes. All the patients were followed up for a period ranging from 18 to 48 months (mean 28.9±6.44 months). The VAS score was improved from 8.47±1.13 (range 7-10) before surgery to 2.1±1.7 (range 0-2) after surgery. Correction of segmental kyphotic deformity was 24.2±6.59°. Neither the postoperative change of the position of titanium mesh cage nor any posterior instrumentation failure was recorded. The situation of 13 patients with incomplete neurologic lesions before surgery was improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis can be successfully treated by posterior debridement, interbody fusion with TMC combining short-segment instrumentation. The presence of the TMC anteriorly at the site of tubercular spondylitis has no negative influence on the course of infection healing, and additionally they stabilize the affected segment maintaining sufficient sagittal profile.

The finding of HER2 overexpression in osteosarcoma (OS) makes HER2 a potential therapeutic target. However, studies indicate OS cells are nonresponsive to anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (TRA) therapy. We established stable, non-covalent association of TRA with nanomaterial graphene oxide (GO) to generated multivalent TRA/GO complexes that demonstrated markedly enhanced HER2-binding activity and capacity to rapidly kill OS cells. TRA/GO simultaneously induced oxidative stress and HER2 signaling in the target cells, leading to rapid depletion of the cellular inhibitors of apoptosis protein (cIAP) and caspase-8, formation of RIP1/RIPK3/MLKL necroptosome and necroptosis of the OS cells. Intravenous administration of TRA/GO eradicated established xenograft the OS in immunodeficient mice, resulting in indefinite survival of the animals, whereas TRA in its original form failed to do so. No appreciable side effects were observed with TRA/GO therapy. The results demonstrate a novel, nontoxic, curative therapy for a HER2pos cancer in a preclinical animal model.

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is an important disease of rice, which is responsible for the economic losses worldwide. Functional investigation of differentially expressed protein genes (DEPGs) from rice (Oryza sativa L.) upon Xoc infection provides insight into the molecular mechanism of rice-Xoc interactions. Here, we show that one of DEPGs designated NRRB plays a role in rice-Xoc interactions. NRRB, a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene was preferentially expressed in leaf blades and leaf sheaths where the pathogen colonized. Its transcription was depressed by two defense-signal compounds salicylic acid and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic-acid, but was activated by wounding and abscisic acid. Additionally, a plenty of cis-elements associated with stress responses were discovered in the promoter region of NRRB. These data suggest that NRRB is involved in stress responses. More importantly, the NRRB-suppressing rice plants exhibited enhanced resistance against BLS, with the markedly shorter average lesion length than that of the wild type. Furthermore, transcription of some salicylic acid synthesis-related and pathogenesis-related genes including PAD4, PR1a and WRKY13 in transgenic plants was activated, implying that enhanced resistance to BLS might be mediated by the activation of the SA signaling pathway. In conclusion, NRRB gene is involved in various stress responses and regulating resistance to BLS, therefore it might be one of useful genes for rice improvement in future.

The aim of this retrospective clinical study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes for single-stage transpedicular debridement, posterior instrumentation and fusion in the management of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis in adults.Fifty-nine adult patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis underwent single-stage transpedicular debridement, posterior instrumentation and fusion. These patients were followed for a minimum of 5 years. Patients were assigned to one of two groups according to the infected anatomic segment. In the thoracic spinal tuberculosis group, there were 28 cases (17 males, 11 females) with a mean age of 38.9 years; in the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis group, there were 31 cases (19 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 40.3 years. All cases were evaluated clinically using the visual analog scale (VAS), Kirkaldy-Willis criteria and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Radiographs were performed for measuring the angle of kyphosis and scoliosis. Complications related to surgery were recorded.All patients successfully resolved their infections, experienced one or more ASIA grades of improvement, and improved in their VAS pain scores at final follow-up. In both groups, patient-reported outcomes reached over 90% excellent or good results using Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. The loss of kyphotic angle correction was 2.6° in the thoracic spinal tuberculosis group and 3.2° in the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis group. No scoliosis was observed in either group. Fifty-eight (98.3%) cases achieved solid bony fusion. In the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis group, one patient experienced screw loosening, and another patient with nonunion and rod breakage underwent revision surgery.The technique of single-stage transpedicular debridement, posterior instrumentation and fusion is an effective method for the treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis in adults. Long-term postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes were satisfactory.

Domain of Unknown Function 966 (DUF966) gene family was found in the protein family database, which consisted of seven genes in rice. The proteins encoded by these genes contained one or two highly conserved DUF966 domains. The available data of public microarray databases implied that these genes might play crucial roles in plant response to abiotic stresses. In this study, a member of the DUF966 gene family, DUF966-stress repressive gene 2 in Oryza sativa (OsDSR2, Loc_Os01g62200), was cloned and its role in rice responding to salt and simulated drought stresses was functionally characterized. OsDSR2 was expressed mainly in nodes of stems and leaf blades from rice. Expression profile analysis of adversity showed that OsDSR2 had different transcriptional responses to salt, drought, cold, heat and oxidative (H2O2) stresses, as well as abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, gibberellin acid and auxin treatments. Transient expression demonstrated that OsDSR2 was localized in the membrane and nucleus. Overexpression of OsDSR2 could increase salt and simulated drought (polyethyleneglycol)-stress sensitivities in rice by downregulating the expression of ABA- and stress-responsive genes including OsNCED4, SNAC1, OsbZIP23, P5CS, Oslea3 and rab16C. Furthermore, OsDSR2-overexpressing plants showed reduced ABA sensitivity during the post-germination stage. These results suggested that OsDSR2 negatively regulated rice response to salt and simulated drought stresses as well as ABA signaling, which provided some useful data for understanding the functional roles of DUF966 family genes in abiotic stress responses in plants.

The study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of posterior-only approach combining with puncture drainage under CT-guide in staged treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis with flow injection abscess. We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients (came from 72 cases with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis) with flow injection abscesses underwent surgery from January 2007 to February 2009, and evaluated the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scoring system of nerve function, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), abscess absorption time and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), preoperatively and postoperatively. 15 patients were followed up for 13-37 months, no recurrence of tuberculosis, no fixation loosening and neurologic symptoms aggravated. The flow injection abscesses are absorbed within 3-6 months postoperative operation. In final follow-up, ESR went down to 5.2±2.1 mm/h from preoperative 79.6±14.8 mm/h, CRP decreased from preoperative 49.3±7.5 mg/L to 1.8±0.7 mg/L, ODI changed from 75.13±20.15 to 16.72±8.62, all of them changed significantly (P

Study design This is a retrospective case–control study. Objectives The surgical approaches to cervicothoracic spinal tuberculosis (CTSTB) were controversial. The aim of this research is to retrospectively compare the efficacy and feasibility of anterior-only (AO) approach, combined anterior and posterior (AP) surgeries, and posterior-only (PO) approach for the treatment of CTSTB. Methods AO approach was undertaken in 20 patients (group A), AP fusion was carried out in 18 patients (group B), and PO surgery was performed in 21 patients (group C). Surgery duration, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospitalization, neurological status, kyphosis angle correction, loss of correction, and complications of the three groups were compared. Results Three surgical approaches all improved the kyphosis deformity and neurological function significantly (P 0.05). The mean operation time, blood loss, and hospitalization days in group B were greater than in groups A and C. Complications were most prevalent in group A, more in group B, and the least in group C. Conclusion The AO approach surgery should be limitedly used for severe CTSTB. The AP approach had got satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes, but with larger trauma and more complications, which should be reservedly performed for mild CTSTB. Compared to traditional surgery, PO surgery can significantly improve clinical results and obviously relieve postoperative complications.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of twenty patients with cervical tubercular spondylitis with kyphosis (CTSK) treated by halo traction, single-segment circumferential instrumented fusion combined anterior debridement, decompression and bone grafting. Methods Retrospective review of data on twenty patients who suffered from CTSK admitted to our hospital between January 2007 and December 2012. All of them were performed by halo traction, single-segment circumferential instrumented fusion (anterior titanium plate and posterior pedicle or lateral mass fixation) combined anterior debridement, decompression and titanium mesh cage (TMC) filled with allograft bone particles. X-ray and computed tomographic (CT) images were used to determined sagittal balance and bone fusion. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using statistical analysis about the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain, neurological status according to the Frankel classification and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which were collected at certain time. Results The average follow-up period was 34.1 ± 7.0months (24–48 months). In the 20 cases, no obvious postoperative complications related to instrumentation and bone grafting and neurologic function was improved in various degrees. The average pretreatment ESR was 46.4 ± 21.7 mm/h, which got normal within 3 months in all patients. The average VAS on admission was 6.7 ± 1.7, which decreased to 1.6 ± 1.1 postoperatively. All patients got bony fusion within 3.4–5.5 months after surgery. The Cobb angle of 30.8 ± 10.5° on admission reduced to 2.9 ± 3.9° performed by preoperative halo traction, became to −5.1 ± 4.0° after operation and remained at −4.3 ± 3.8°, with 0.9 ± 0.7° of correction loss. Conclusions Halo traction, single-segment circumferential instrumented fusion combined anterior debridement, decompression and TMC can be an effective and safe treatment method for the treatment of cervical tubercular spondylitis with kyphosis and the preoperative halo traction should be laid on much emphasis.

To introduce a modified method, namely coaxial electrohydrodynamic atomization for the fabrication of distinct core/shell structured microspheres of four first-line ant-tuberculosis drugs with different characteristics in hydrophilic properties in one single step. In group B, we prepared microspheres in which the core and the shell contain hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs, respectively. In contrast, in group C, the opposite is prepared. The detection of encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release test were performed to confirm the feasibility of the drug-loaded core/shell structured microspheres. Moreover, cell culture experiments and animal experiments have been carried out to evaluate the biological safety of different microspheres in cell growth, cell viability, osteogenesis and migration of BMSCs in vitro and the bone fusion in a bone deficits model in SD rat. Meanwhile, the distribution of drugs and liver and kidney toxicity were monitored. The release patterns of the two groups are significantly different. The release of drugs from Group B microspheres is rather sequential, whereas group C microspheres release drugs in a parallel (co-release) manner. And various concentrations of carrier materials produces core/shell structured microspheres with different appearance. Moreover, the biological safety of core/shell structured microspheres was testified to be satisfactory. These findings present the advantages and possible application of this kind of multi-drug release system in treating skeletal tuberculosis. Moreover, the characteristic sequential release of multi-drugs can be controlled and adjusted based on treatment need and used in treating other disorders.

Domain of unknown function 1644 (DUF1644) is a highly conserved amino acid sequence motif present only in plants. Analysis of expression data of the family of DUF1644-containing genes indicated that they may regulate responses to abiotic stress in rice. Here we present our discovery of the role of OsSIDP366, a member of the DUF1644 gene family, in response to drought and salinity stresses in rice. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsSIDP366 showed enhanced drought and salinity tolerance and reduced water loss as compared to that in the control, whereas plants with downregulated OsSIDP366 expression levels using RNA interference (RNAi) were more sensitive to salinity and drought treatments. The sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment was not changed in OsSIDP366-overexpressing plants, and OsSIDP366 expression was not affected in ABA-deficient mutants. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that OsSIDP366 is presented in the cytoplasmic foci that colocalized with protein markers for both processing bodies (PBs) and stress granules (SGs) in rice protoplasts. Digital gene expression (DGE) profile analysis indicated that stress-related genes such as SNAC1, OsHAK5 and PRs were upregulated in OsSIDP366-overexpressing plants. These results suggest that OsSIDP366 may function as a regulator of the PBs/SGs and positively regulate salt and drought resistance in rice.

To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of surgical treatment for lumbosacral junction tuberculosis by one-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion, lumbopelvic fixation, and postural drainage. A total of 15 cases with lumbosacral junction tuberculosis treated by one-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion, lumbopelvic fixation, and postural drainage in our center from January 2005 to October 2011 were studied. Lumbosacral angle, visual analog scale (VAS), and neurological performance were assessed before and after surgery. All patients were followed for 28–56 months post-operation (average, 40.7 ± 7.7 months). No severe complications occurred. Bone fusion occurred in all patients at a mean of 8.4 months (range 6–12 months) after surgery. The mean lumbosacral angle was significantly increased from the mean preoperative angle (20.9° ± 1.8°) both post-operatively (26.5° ± 1.6°) and at final follow-up (25.3° ± 1.4°) (both P

The correction of severe post-tubercular kyphosis (PTK) is complex and has the disadvantage of being multistaged with a high morbidity. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of children who underwent single-stage closing–opening wedge osteotomy as a surgical treatment of PTK of the thoracolumbar spine. Our study group included 12 children with thoracolumbar PTK (seven boys and five girls) with an average age of 9.4 years (range 6–12 years), who were treated at our institution from January 2004 to October 2009. The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale and visual analog scale score were used to classify neurologic function. All patients underwent halo-pelvic traction before surgery and were treated with single-stage closing–opening wedge osteotomy. The duration of surgery averaged 99 min (range 70–150 min). Average blood loss was 782 ml (range 560–1,200 ml), and the average length of hospital stay was 12 days (range 8–16 days). The neurological function of all patients improved significantly after the procedure. The mean preoperative kyphotic angle was 83.3° (range 59–118°), which had reduced to 27.6° (range 20–38°) at the final follow-up visit. All patients had solid fusion, and no major complications were observed through the final follow-up visit. Single-stage closing–opening wedge osteotomy is an effective method to correct severe thoracolumbar PTK. A main advantage of the procedure is that it is a posterior-only, single-staged surgery, allowing for significant correction with minimal complications.

Cervical tuberculosis (CTB) is a relatively rare entity, even in endemic countries. Currently, management ranges from conservative to radical surgical approaches. We report our experience in diagnosing and treating 66 cases of CTB in the past eight years using our CTB therapeutic protocol. All patients diagnosed with CTB were followed up over a 3.5-year period. Patients were divided into three grades using clinicoradiological criteria designed to evaluate the initial severity of the disease. Overall performance status was assessed based on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale. Neurological recovery was evaluated with the ASIA scale as well as using X-rays and computed tomography every four weeks for the initial three months and every three months thereafter. The mean follow-up duration was 38.2 ± 6.2 months. No mortality occurred. One case of recurrence due to irregular antitubercular treatment (ATT) was cured by abscess clearing and regular ATT. All other patients had good clinicoradiological outcomes, regardless of grading. The use of our proposed scoring system and management protocol allowed speedy management of CTB.