Application of nZnO supported with nanoclay for improving shrimp immunity.

This study discloses the nanoscale silicate platelet-supported nZnO (ZnONSP) applied as novel feed additives in aquaculture. The preparation of the nanohybrid (ZnO/NSP = 15/85, w/w) was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The effects of ZnONSP on growth, zinc accumulation, stress response, immunity and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) were \demonstrated. To evaluate the safety of ZnONSP, shrimps (2.0 ± 0.3 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) for 56 days. Dietary ZnONSP did not affect the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, zinc accumulation, and the expression of heat shock protein 70 in tested shrimps. To examine the immunomodulatory effect of ZnONSP, shrimps (16.6 ± 2.4 g) were fed with the same experimental diets for 28 days. Dietary ZnONSP improved the immune responses of haemocyte in tested shrimps, including phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, respiratory burst, and phenoloxidase activity, and upregulated the expression of several genes, including lipopolysaccharide, ß-1,3-glucan binding protein, peroxinectin, penaeidin 2/3/4, lysozyme, crustin, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, clotting protein and α-2-macroglobulin. In the challenge experiment, shrimps (17.2 ± 1.8 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (400 and 800 mg/kg) for 7 days and then infected with Vibrio alginolyticus. Notably, white shrimps that received ZnONSP (800 mg/kg) showed significantly improved Vibrio resistance, with a survival rate of 71.4 % at the end of 7-day observation. In conclusion, this study discovers that ZnONSP is a new type of immunomodulatory supplement that are effective on enhancing innate cellular and humoral immunities, and disease resistance in white shrimp.

Heat inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto regulate Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intestine microbiota and metabolites involved in the intestine phagosome response.

In this study, we evaluated the intestinal microbiota, intestinal and fecal metabolites production and the intestinal RNA-seq analysis of the Nile tilapia intestine after feeding with 105and 107 of the inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto. First, we assessed the influence of heat inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto on the growth performance, biochemical blood analysis, and evaluated the liver/body, spleen/body and intestine/body ratio. This evidence was known feeding with inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto was able to improve the growth performance after 4 weeks, but not to affect the inflammatory biochemical blood parametres total protein (T-pro), albumin (Alb), Alb/T-pro ratio, creatine-phospho-kinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Further, in the intestine microbiota, the Lactobacillaceae, Firmicutes, Chromatiales, and Rhodobacteria, was significantly higher than the control and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B), which was indicated with a significantly increased. The intestine tissue metabolites OPLS-DA analysis indicated that the prominent bioactive metabolites changed. The peonidin-3-glucoside, l-Tyrosine, 1-Deoxy-1-(N6-lysino)-d-fructose was significantly increased. The feces metabolite OPLS-DA analysis indicated that the palmitelaidic acid, 5-KETE, tangeritin was significantly increased. In the transcriptome, the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was found to enhance the intestine intestinal immune network. Combine of these evidence, feeding of the heat inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto exactly improved the O. niloticus growth performance and regulation of the microbiota to promote the metabolites. In the transcriptome analysis, it was found to involve in the intestine immune phagosome response. Summarized of this study, the heat inactive Bacillus subtilis var. natto was reported to affect Nile tilapia intestine microbiota, and could positively regulate the intestine and fecal metabolites production to improve the intestine immune network.

Effects of dietary Lactobacillus reuteri and Pediococcus acidilactici on the cultured water qualities, the growth and non-specific immune responses of Penaeus vannamei.

This study discussed the effects of two types of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici), on the growth and nonspecific immunity of Penaeus vannamei (P. vannamei) and developed probiotic applications for shrimp cultivation. This study incorporated two types of lactic acid bacteria in shrimp feed through spraying. The shrimps were grouped according to the type and concentration of effective bacteria incorporated into their feed. This research was separated into 3 individual feeding treatment as control, L. reuteri (Lr groups) and P. acidilactici (Pa groups). The shrimp was feeding with 103, 105, and 107 cfu/feed (g) L. reuteri namely as Lr3, Lr5, and Lr7. The shrimp was feeding with 103, 105, and 107 cfu/feed (g) P. acidilactici were named Pa3, Pa5, and Pa7, respectively. Through 8 weeks of feeding, the results revealed that the use of shrimp feed incorporated with lactic acid bacteria did not cause negative effects on water quality. The testing items include ammonia-nitrogen concentration, nitrite-nitrogen concentration, and total vibrio count in the water. In addition, the lactic acid bacteria concentration in the water were in the range of 1.33 ± 0.58 × 101 to 9.77 ± 1.34 × 102 cfu/mL. Observations of the growth performance of the white shrimps after 8 weeks of feeding revealed that both bacteria were beneficial to shrimp growth. In particular, group Lr7 had the highest percentage weight gain (107.99 ± 3.92%), special growth rate (1.93 ± 0.07%), feed conversion ratio (3.34 ± 0.05), and survival rate (97.22 ± 4.81%). Furthermore, observations of the nonspecific immunity reactions of the white shrimps after 4 weeks of feeding indicated that on day 4, the total number of haemocyte in shrimps in groups Lr5, Lr7, Pa3, and Pa5 significantly increased. On days 1 and 4, the phenoloxidase activity and superoxide axion production rates of the Lr group and Ls group increased. This phenomenon was the most significant in group Lr7, and the effect continued until day 28. After day 7, the phagocytic rate of groups Lr5 and Lr7 significantly increased. In addition, Lr and Pa groups exhibited significant increases in the phagocytic index after days 4 and 14, respectively. This phenomenon was also the most significant in group Lr7.

Synergistic effects of dietary oxolinic acid combined with oxytetracycline on nonspecific immune responses and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

This study investigated the synergistic effects of oxolinic acid (OA) combined with oxytetracycline (OTC) on white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Disk diffusion susceptibility testing was performed to analyze the sensitivity of Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus to different concentrations of OA and OTC. The results revealed that 50 mg OA/L combined with 50 mg OTC/L exhibited stronger antibacterial effects on V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus. The results of in vitro tests indicated that cotreatment with OA and OTC significantly reduced superoxide anion production and phenoloxidase activity, but not phagocytic activity. Subsequently, feeding trials were performed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects and bioaccumulation of dietary OA combined with OTC on shrimp. The healthy shrimp (15.13 ± 1.02 g) were divided into four groups: control, 100 mg OA/kg combined with 50 mg OTC/kg, 50 mg OA/kg combined with 100 mg OTC/kg, and 50 mg OA/kg combined with 50 mg OTC/kg. The shrimp were sampled to determine innate immunity parameters and residual OA and OTC levels in the muscle during a 28-day feeding regimen; the shrimp were fed the experimental diet from day 1 to day 5 and a commercial diet from day 6 to day 28. Residual OA levels were considerably higher in the group fed 100 mg OA/kg combined with 50 mg OTC/kg compared with the other groups and peaked on day 4. The residual OA levels of all the groups were below the detection limit after without providing OA. The residual OTC levels of the group fed 50 mg OA/kg combined with 100 mg OTC/kg were considerably higher from day 1 to day 4. The residual OTC levels in all the groups decreased rapidly and could not be detected on day 28. The administration of 50 mg OA/kg combined with 100 mg OTC/kg exerted the least effect on the white shrimp. Moreover, the survival rates of the treatment groups after the V. parahaemolyticus challenge were higher than those of the control group, especially the group fed 50 mg OA/kg combined with 100 mg OTC/kg. This result indicated that the synergistic effects of dietary OA and OTC are safe and effective. Combination therapy is a new method of antibiotic use in aquaculture.

Dietary of Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum improve nonspecific immune responses, growth performance, and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Penaeus vannamei.

This study investigated the effects of two probiotics, namely Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum, as feed additives on growth performance, nonspecific immunity, immune-related gene expression, and disease resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Penaeus vannamei. The experimental diets were prepared using L. paracasei and B. longum at concentrations of 105 and 107 CFU/g; these diets were referred to as P5, P7, B5, and B7. After 8 weeks of the diets, regarding growth performance, the B7 group showed the highest weight gain rate (890.34 ± 103.65%), special growth rate (4.08 ± 0.19%), and feed conversion rate (1.52 ± 0.19%) compared with the other groups. Moreover, the total hemocyte counts were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the P7 groups on day 14 during the 28-day feeding trial. The phagocytosis rate in all experimental groups was increased on day 14 and was persistently significantly activated to day 21, especially in the P7 and B5 group. The phagocytic index of the P7 group showed a significant increase on day 14 and persistent activation to day 21. In the analysis of respiratory burst activity and phenoloxidase activity, the P7 and B5 groups showed a significant increase on day 7 and persistent activation to day 21. The expression level of the immune-related genes of superoxide dismutase, clotting protein, Penaeidin2, Penaeidin3, Penaeidin4, anti-LPS factor, crustin, and lysozyme was significantly increased in the experimental groups, especially in the P7 group. Furthermore, the optimum conditions of feed additives were determined in challenge trials conducted using P7 and B5. Shrimps fed P7 and B5 showed an increased survival rate (72.73% and 66.67%) after the V. parahaemolyticus challenge. In sum, the results revealed that B. longum, as a feed additive at 107 CFU/g, enhanced growth performance. L. paracasei at 107 CFU/g and B. longum at 105 CFU/g can enhance nonspecific immune responses and immune-related gene expression, and 107 CFU/g L. paracasei has the highest resistance ability for V. parahaemolyticus. Thus, dietary supplementation with L. paracasei and B. longum may be a valuable approach in white shrimp aquaculture.

Effects of medicinal herbs "Plantago asiatica", "Houttuynia cordata" and "Mentha haplocalyx" on non-specific immune responses of cobia (Rachycentron canadum).

This study investigated the effects of orally administered Plantago asiatica, Houttuynia cordata, and Mentha haplocalyx on the growth and nonspecific immune responses of cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The nonspecific immune parameters assessed were weight gain, feed conversion ratio, superoxide anion (O2-) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, lysozyme activity, serum albumin and globulin, and albumin:globulin (A/G) ratio. The growth experiment indicated that 6-week dietary treatments did not significantly affect on the growth of cobia. Nonspecific immune responses showed that O2- production, SOD and lysozyme activity, and phagocytosis were significantly increased after the oral administration of P. asiatica and H. cordata, and the serum albumin:globulin ratio (A/G) gradually decreased. In this study, treatment of the Mentha haplocalyx on the cobia didn't present with the inducing of the phagocytosis ability compared with the treatment of P. asiatica and H. cordata. We suggest that oral administration of the 10 g/kg or 20 g/kg of the P. asiatica and H. cordata is exactly inducing the phagocytosis, ROS production, lysozyme activity and SOD production in the cobia.

Tai Chi pedicle screw placement for severe scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical safety and accuracy of the Tai Chi ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) technique for placing pedicle screws, without intraoperative radiographic imaging, in severe scoliotic spines. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The current techniques for pedicle screw placement have a number of drawbacks in cases of severe scoliosis, including difficulty or impossibility to use, delayed operative time, requiring the presence of trained personnel for the duration of the surgery, high cost issues, increased radiation exposure, and technical challenges. No previous report has described the application of the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique for severe scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2008, the cases of 39 consecutive patients with severe scoliosis (Cobb angle >100 degrees) who underwent posterior correction and stabilization (from T1 to L5) using 992 transpedicular screws were examined. The mean patient age was 25.7 (range, 11 to 63) years at the time of surgery. Pedicle screws were inserted by the Tai Chi technique using anatomic landmarks and preoperative radiographs as a guide. Tai Chi drilling fully utilizes the natural anatomic and physical characteristics of pedicles and unconstrained circular force. By nature, a drill bit driven by unconstrained circular force would migrate within the pedicle along a path of least resistance, advancing along the central cancellous bone tunnel spontaneously. Accurate drilling was achieved by following the nature and sticking to the hand sensation when the drill bit broke through the cancellous bone. The total time for inserting all pedicle screws in each case was recorded. Postoperative computed tomography scans were performed to evaluate the position of the inserted pedicle screws. The screw position was classified as "in" or "out." The distance of perforation was measured. RESULT: The average Cobb angle was 127 degrees (range, 100 to 153 degrees). The number of screws inserted at each level were as follows: T1 (n=10), T2 (n=34), T3 (n=46), T4 (n=53), T5 (n=61), T6 (n=69), T7 (n=75), T8 (n=76), T9 (n=76), T10 (n=77), T11 (n=76), T12 (n=78), L1 (n=77), L2 (n=68), L3 (n=56), L4 (n=38), and L5 (n=22). There were 923 (93%) "in" screws and 69 (7%) "out" screws. The overall accuracy of screw placement was 93%. There were no neurological, vascular, or visceral complications. No screws required postoperative repositioning. The average time for pedicle screw placement was 73 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique, which does not require intraoperative radiographic imaging, is an accurate, reliable, safe, and time-saving method of placing pedicle screws in severe scoliotic spines.

Transdermal Composite Microneedle Composed of Mesoporous Iron Oxide Nanoraspberry and PVA for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment.

The transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents amplifying a local concentration of active molecules have received considerable attention in wide biomedical applications, especially in vaccine development and medical beauty. Unlike oral or subcutaneous injections, this approach can not only avoid the loss of efficacy of oral drugs due to the liver's first-pass effect but also reduce the risk of infection by subcutaneous injection. In this study, a magneto-responsive transdermal composite microneedle (MNs) with a mesoporous iron oxide nanoraspberry (MIO), that can improve the drug delivery efficiency, was fabricated by using a 3D printing-molding method. With loading of Minoxidil (Mx, a medication commonly used to slow the progression of hair loss and speed the process of hair regrowth), MNs can break the barrier of the stratum corneum through the puncture ability, and control the delivery dose for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). By 3D printing process, the sizes and morphologies of MNs is able to be, easily, architected. The MIOs were embedded into the tip of MNs which can deliver Mx as well as generate mild heating for hair growth, which is potentially attributed by the expansion of hair follicle and drug penetration. Compared to the mice without any treatments, the hair density of mice exhibited an 800% improvement after being treated by MNs with MF at 10-days post-treatment.

Could structural and noncompensatory Lenke 3 and 4C lumbar curves be nonstructural and compensatory? Lenke 1, 2, 3, and 4 curve types were similar and could be considered collectively as a single indication for selective thoracic fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographical review. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the structural and noncompensatory Lenke 3 and 4C lumbar curves could be nonstructural and compensatory. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Historically, Lenke 3 and 4C curves were not recommended for selective thoracic fusion (STF) because the lumbar curve was considered structural and noncompensatory. However, consecutive series of Lenke 3 and 4C curves suggest successful treatment with STF. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2004, 2005 and 2008, and 2010 and 2012, 3 consecutive series of 108, 134, and 78 surgically treated Lenke 1, 2, 3, and 4C curves were reviewed, respectively. The coronal curve criteria for the curves treated with STF during each period were lumbar side bending Cobb angle less than 25° and meeting the Lenke ratio criteria, lumbar side bending Cobb angle 35° or less, and lumbar side bending Cobb angle 45° or less, respectively. The sagittal curve criteria for STF during each period was absence of junctional thoracolumbar kyphosis 20° or more between T10 and L2. The technique used for STF was the Guan-Din method. Radiographs of all the curves treated with STF were analyzed before and after surgery. RESULTS: Optimal instrumented thoracic and compensatory lumbar correction was obtained for all Lenke 1, 2, 3, and 4C curves treated with STF in each period. As the coronal criteria for STF were broadened, the extent of feasibility of STF was expanded and the rate of STF increased. Although Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation, and apical vertebral rotation magnitudes of Lenke 3 and 4C curves were larger and more severe than those of Lenke 1 and 2C curves, optimal compensatory correction could still be obtained for Lenke 3 and 4C curves. CONCLUSION: The structural and noncompensatory Lenke 3 and 4C lumbar curves were proven to be nonstructural and compensatory. Lenke 1, 2, 3, and 4C curves have similar natures and similar responses to the same technique (Guan-Din method) used for STF and could be considered collectively as a single indication for STF. The extent of feasibility of STF could be expanded from Lenke 1 and 2 curves to Lenke 1, 2, 3, and 4 curves. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Guan-Din method: a novel surgical technique for selective thoracic fusion to maximize the rate of selective thoracic fusion and compensatory correction.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographical review. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of selective thoracic fusion (STF) by using the Guan-Din method for the treatment of major thoracic compensatory lumbar (MTCL) curves. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Performing STF for MTCL curves is to minimize the loss of lumbar motion and the risk of lumbar degeneration or pain. Surgical treatment of MTCL curves aims to maximize the rate of STF for MTCL curves while optimizing instrumental thoracic and compensatory lumbar correction. The Guan-Din method has been demonstrated to be able to enhance the lumbar curve's capacity for spontaneous correction and broaden the current curve criteria of MTCL curves for STF. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 510 consecutive surgically treated MTCL curves were reviewed. Of these MTCL curves, who met the criteria of lumbar side bending Cobb 35° or less and without global thoracic hyperkyphosis and/or thoracolumbar kyphosis (T10-L2 ≤20°), were treated with STF using the Guan-Din method. Radiographs were analyzed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the most recent follow-up (range, 2-8 yr). RESULTS: Curve types of 510 MTCL curves according to Lenke system were as follows: 1A (n = 91), 2A (n = 74), 3A (n = 6), 4A (n = 2), 1B (n = 93), 2B (n = 34), 3B (n = 8), 4B (n = 5), 1C (n = 84), 2C (n = 26), 3C (n = 72), and 4C (n = 15). Of the 510 MTCL curves, 458 (90%) curves were treated with STF. A mean 73% thoracic correction and 63% lumbar correction was obtained at the most recent follow-up. Of the 197 surgically treated MTCL curves with a lumbar C modifier, 148 (75%) curves that contained 57 Lenke 1C and 2C curves and 40 Lenke 3C and 4C curves that did not meet Lenke curve criteria for STF, were successfully treated with STF. A mean 67% thoracic correction and 57% lumbar correction was obtained at the most recent follow-up. The rate of STF and the magnitude of correction of MTCL curves in this study were significantly greater than those in all other reports. No significant change in global coronal and sagittal imbalance was observed. CONCLUSION: The rate of STF and the compensatory correction of MTCL curves could be maximized by using the Guan-Din method as the method for STF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Broader curve criteria for selective thoracic fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographic review. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of selective thoracic fusion (STF) by using cantilever bending technique (CBT) and the direct vertebral rotation (DVR) technique for major thoracic-compensatory lumbar (MTCL) curves selected by new curve criteria, which are broader than Lenke curve criteria for STF. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical treatment of MTCL curves aims to maximize the number of MTCL curves that can be treated with STF and optimize instrumented thoracic and spontaneous lumbar correction. Comparing current guidelines for STF shows that the surgical technique utilized for STF may affect the curve criteria for MTCL curves for successful STF and thoracic and lumbar correction. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive idiopathic scoliosis patients with major thoracic-compensatory "C" modifier lumbar curves who met the following three criteria: (1) main thoracic curve (MT) to compensatory lumbar curve (CL) ratios of Cobb magnitude and apical vertebral translation (AVT) greater than one; (2) MT/CL ratio of flexibility less than one; (3) Cobb magnitude of lumbar curve less than 35° on side bending, were treated with STF by using CBT and DVR. Radiographs were analyzed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the most recent follow-up (range, 2-5 years). RESULTS: All 78 MTCL curves were successfully treated with STF by using CBT and DVR. A mean 61% thoracic correction was matched by 55% lumbar correction at the most recent follow-up. Spontaneous correction of lumbar AVT occurred in all patients. Global coronal imbalance was common before surgery (mean, 14 mm) and remained so after surgery (mean, 12 mm). There were 49 MTCL curves that did not meet Lenke curve criteria for STF. All were successfully treated with STF by using CBT and DVR. Among these 49 MTCL curves, there were 14 Lenke 1C and 18 Lenke 2C curves with one or two, or all of MT/CL ratios of Cobb magnitude, AVT, and apical vertebral rotation of 1.2 or less, and 6 Lenke 3C and 11 Lenke 4C curves with the Cobb magnitude of residual lumbar curve on side bending between 25° and 35°. CONCLUSION: CBT and DVR can broaden the current curve criteria of MTCL curves for STF to have more MTCL curves treatable with STF and optimize instrumented thoracic and spontaneous lumbar correction. A more effective surgical technique can not only improve instrumented thoracic and spontaneous lumbar correction but also can broaden the MTCL curve criteria for STF to have more MTCL curves treatable with STF.

Quality control of reconstructed sagittal balance for sagittal imbalance.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective radiographic study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of controlling quality of reconstructed sagittal balance for sagittal imbalance. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with sagittal imbalance cannot walk or stand erect without overwork of musculature because of compromised biomechanical advantage. The result is muscle fatigue and activity-related pain. During reconstructive surgery, restoration of optimal sagittal balance is crucial for obtaining satisfactory clinical results. However, there is no way to control quality of reconstructed sagittal balance before or during surgery. METHODS: A method was developed to determine the lumbosacral curve in a way that theoretically would bring sagittal balance to an ideal state by calculation and simulation for each patient before surgery and then template rods of the curve and a blueprint were made accordingly for operative procedures. Ninety-four consecutive patients with sagittal imbalance due to lumbar kyphosis were treated for intractable pain and then followed up for a mean of 4.3 years. Radiographs were analyzed before surgery, 2 months after surgery, and at most recent follow-up. RESULTS: The mean estimated values of L1-S1 lordosis, sacral inclination angle, sacrofemoral distance, and distribution of L1-S1 lordosis at the closing-opening wedge osteotomy site and L4-S1 segments were 30.8°, 24.6°, 0 mm, 16.1% (-5°), and 62% (-19°), respectively. The mean reconstructed values were 41.1°, 23.3°, 3.9 mm, 41% (-17°), and 46% (-19°), respectively. There were significant differences between estimated and reconstructed values of L1-S1 lordosis and the percentage of distributions; however, there was no significant difference between the estimated and reconstructed magnitude of L4-S1 lordosis, sacral inclination angle, and sacrofemoral distance. A properly oriented pelvis can be brought nearly directly above the hip axis. The mean sagittal global balance, represented by the distance between the vertical line through the hip axis and sacral promontory, improved from 61.4 mm before surgery to 3.9 mm 2 months after surgery, and 1.3 mm at final follow-up. Normal sagittal global balance was reconstructed and maintained. The mean sagittal spinal balance measured as the horizontal distance between the C7 sagittal plumb line and the posterior superior corner of S1 improved from 97.4 mm before surgery to 11 mm 2 months after surgery. However, there was significant loss of sagittal spinal balance to 25.4 mm at the fi nal visit. Normal sagittal spinal balance was reconstructed and appeared to be maintained. The magnitude of T1-T12 kyphosis compensated from 13° before surgery to 25.2° 2 months after surgery and 34.5° at fi nal follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Quality control of the reconstructed sagittal balance for sagittal imbalance is possible. Correctly orienting the pelvis, reconstructed by the restoration of enough L1-S1 lordosis with adequate distribution at L4-S1 segments, is a matter of critical importance for optimizing reconstructed sagittal balance. The correctly oriented pelvis can be determined before surgery. Preventing junctional fracture and persistent rehabilitation of surgically injured lumbar extensor musculature are crucial for maintaining the reconstructed sagittal balance.

[Establishment and application of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for rapid diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for rapid diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae. METHODS: Based on the ompW nucleic sequence of Vibrio cholerae, a pair of primers was designed for LAMP. The reaction conditions were optimized, and the specificity, sensitivity, and practicability of LAMP were tested using 47 bacterial strains and simulated contaminated sites. RESULTS: The results of viable bacterium count showed that LAMP was capable of detecting Vibrio cholerae at a level as low as 1.6x10(2) cfu/ml. The minimal detectable concentration was 1.6+10(3) cfu/ml for simulated contaminated samples such as feces and seawater, and 1.6+10(4) cfu/ml for contaminated milk. All the 21 strains of Vibrio cholerae yielded positive results in LAMP, and the 26 strains of other bacteria all showed negative results, with a detection specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: The established LAMP method has high specificity and sensitivity for detecting Vibrio cholerae and is applicable in field monitoring and epidemiological study of Vibrio cholerae.