Clinical Characteristics of 1378 Inpatients with Spinal Tuberculosis in General Hospitals in South-Central China.

In this retrospective study, charts of inpatients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) treated in large-scale general hospitals in Changsha, Hunan, China, between 2007 and 2016 were reviewed to investigate their clinical characteristics. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical features, imaging findings, treatment methods, and prognosis were summarized and analyzed. There were 1378 patients, 805 males and 573 females, with a mean age of 43.7 years. The mean interval between symptom onset and diagnosis was 16.0 months (range 15 days-240 months). The incidence of back pain, radicular pain and symptoms of systemic toxicity was 92.5%, 40.1%, and 32.1%, respectively. The rate of neurological impairment was 49.9 %. STB was present in two or more vertebrae in 91.1% of patients, with two adjacent vertebrae being involved in 67.9% of them. The lumbar segment (38.2%) was the most frequently affected, followed by the thoracic spine (35.7%). The sacrococcygeal area was the least frequently involved (0.8%). Abscesses were detected in 65.5% of patients. One thousand patients (72.6%) were managed with surgery and 378 (27.4%) with anti-TB drugs only. Cure was achieved in 1215 patients (88.2%), whereas 49 (3.5 %) had relapses. Concomitant pulmonary TB (PTB) was diagnosed in 366 patients (26.6%) and 63 (4.6%) had concomitant diabetes. Compared with the previous five years, the number of older patients, urban patients, and medical staff with STB had increased by 6.1%, 5.2%, and 1.3%, respectively in the five years studied. STB remains a severe public health problem that cannot be ignored. Most of the patients ignored early symptoms and therefore received untimely treatment. Thus, surveillance for and treatment of STB in South-central China requires strengthening. In addition to the current China-wide database of patients with PTB, a China-wide database of patients with STB should also be set up.

Preparation and Application of Conductive Polyaniline-Coated Thermally Expandable Microspheres.

The thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) were prepared through suspension polymerization with acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA) as the main monomers. Simultaneously, iso-pentane, n-hexane, iso-octane and other low-boiling hydrocarbons were prepared as blowing agents under two conditions, including high-pressure nitrogen and atmospheric conditions. The above physical foaming microspheres have a core-shell structure and excellent foaming effects. A layer of polyaniline (PANI) was deposited on the surface of the prepared TEMs by emulsion polymerization to obtain conductive and heat-expandable microspheres. Afterwards, the foaming ink was prepared by mixing the conductive TEMs and water-based ink. Finally, a conductive three-dimensional picture was obtained by screen-printing technology. This paper specifically focuses on the effects of particle size, morphology and the thermal expansion properties of the microspheres. The present research methods expect to obtain microspheres with a high foaming ratio, uniform particle size and antistatic properties, which may be applied to physical foaming ink.

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Facilitate Vesicle Endocytosis by Increasing Presynaptic Calcium Channel Expression at a Central Synapse.

Accumulating evidence suggests significant biological effects caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF). Although exo-endocytosis plays crucial physical and biological roles in neuronal communication, studies on how ELF-EMF regulates this process are scarce. By directly measuring calcium currents and membrane capacitance at a large mammalian central nervous synapse, the calyx of Held, we report for the first time that ELF-EMF critically affects synaptic transmission and plasticity. Exposure to ELF-EMF for 8 to 10 days dramatically increases the calcium influx upon stimulation and facilitates all forms of vesicle endocytosis, including slow and rapid endocytosis, endocytosis overshoot and bulk endocytosis, but does not affect the RRP size and exocytosis. Exposure to ELF-EMF also potentiates PTP, a form of short-term plasticity, increasing its peak amplitude without impacting its time course. We further investigated the underlying mechanisms and found that calcium channel expression, including the P/Q, N, and R subtypes, at the presynaptic nerve terminal was enhanced, accounting for the increased calcium influx upon stimulation. Thus, we conclude that exposure to ELF-EMF facilitates vesicle endocytosis and synaptic plasticity in a calcium-dependent manner by increasing calcium channel expression at the nerve terminal.

A Monte Carlo simulation dissecting quantal release at the calyx of Held.

Although quantal release provides a basic control of synaptic strength, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report a refined realistic 3D vesicle fusion model at calyx-type synapses. By refining the micro ultrastructure and combining updated parameters, our model is appropriate for simulating quantal release. First, we confirmed the existence of kiss-and-run fusion and gave a justified estimation of its percentage in spontaneous and stimulated release. Second, we found the location of AMPA receptors caused the huge variation in the mEPSC rise time. Third, glutamate spillover only slightly contributed to the mEPSC decay time in small vesicles but caused a dual-peak event in large vesicles. Fourth, mEPSC rise time increased with amplitude, suggesting the contribution of vesicle size, not glutamate concentration. We also applied our model to the analysis of KCl, CaCl2 and synaptotagmin-2 triggered exocytosis. KCl globally accelerated the mEPSCs, whereas mEPSCs were slowed down in high calcium treatments and synaptotagmin-2 knock-out mice, indicating more kiss-and-run release. In summary, our model provides a convenient method for exploring the detailed mechanism of vesicle fusion.

A three-pool model dissecting readily releasable pool replenishment at the calyx of held.

Although vesicle replenishment is critical in maintaining exo-endocytosis recycling, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Previous studies have shown that both rapid and slow endocytosis recycle into a very large recycling pool instead of within the readily releasable pool (RRP), and the time course of RRP replenishment is slowed down by more intense stimulation. This finding contradicts the calcium/calmodulin-dependence of RRP replenishment. Here we address this issue and report a three-pool model for RRP replenishment at a central synapse. Both rapid and slow endocytosis provide vesicles to a large reserve pool (RP) ~42.3 times the RRP size. When moving from the RP to the RRP, vesicles entered an intermediate pool (IP) ~2.7 times the RRP size with slow RP-IP kinetics and fast IP-RRP kinetics, which was responsible for the well-established slow and rapid components of RRP replenishment. Depletion of the IP caused the slower RRP replenishment observed after intense stimulation. These results establish, for the first time, a realistic cycling model with all parameters measured, revealing the contribution of each cycling step in synaptic transmission. The results call for modification of the current view of the vesicle recycling steps and their roles.

Synthesis, characterization and spectral properties of substituted tetraphenylporphyrin iron chloride complexes.

A series of substituted tetraphenylporphyrin iron chloride complexes [RTPPFe(III)Cl, R=o/p-NO2, o/p-Cl, H, o/p-CH3, o/p-OCH3] were synthesized by a novel universal mixed-solvent method and the spectral properties of free base porphyrins and iron porphyrin compounds were compared with each other. The experimental results showed that the one-pot mixed solvent method was superior to the two-step method in the yields, reaction time and workup of reaction mixtures for the synthesis of iron porphyrin compounds. The highest yields (28.7%-40.4%) of RTPPFe(III)Cl were obtained in the mixed solvents propionic acid, glacial acetic acid and m-nitrotoluene under reflux for 2 h. A detailed analysis of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), infrared (IR) and far-infrared (FIR) spectra suggested the transformation from free base porphyrins to iron porphyrins. The red shift of the Soret band in ultraviolet-visible spectra due to the presence of p-nitrophenyl substituents and the blue shift of Fe-Cl bond of TPPFeCl in far-infrared spectra were further explained by the electron transfer and molecular planarity in the porphyrin ring.

[Significance of the secreted frizzled-related protein 2 expression in earlobe keloid].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and the role of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) in the earlobe keloid and find a valid way to treat the keloid with gene therapy. METHODS: The expression of SFRP2 mRNA and protein was tested with in situ hybridization and Western Blot Analysis method in the different period of earlobe keloid. RESULTS: The SFRP2 mRNA and protein expression at the keloid edge was significantly high in 12 month group than in 3 or 6 month groups (P < 0.01), but not than in 24 month group. The SFRP2 expression started to decrease in the keloid center 12 month later (P < 0.01). The SFRP2 expression was always higher in edge than in center during all the period (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that SFRP2 may play an important role in the development of keloid, especially at the keloid edge. The high SFRP2 expression in endothelial cells and surrounding tissue is also important. It may be a new way for gene therapy of keloid by decreasing the SFRP2 expression.

[Study on the prevalence of reproductive tract infections and influencing factors on women in rural areas of the Middle and Western regions in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence on reproductive tract infections (RTIs) status and influencing factors of women living in the rural areas of the middle and western regions in China and to develop the control strategy for RTIs. METHODS: Questionnaire interview and gynecological examination were carried out to collect the related information. SPSS 16.0 was used to carry on the statistical analysis. RESULTS: 768 subjects (52.8%) had heard of RTIs, but 112 of them (14.6%) did not know the symptoms of it, 244 people (31.8%) do not know the infects of RTIs, 132 women (17.2%) did not know how to prevent RTIs. Gynecological examination revealed that 1111 subjects (76.4%) had at least one kind of RTIs, where the highest prevalence was chronic cervicitis, 621 women (42.7%) suffered from this, followed by bacterial vaginosis with 423 women suffered, accounted for 29.1%. Data from influencing factors analysis showed that region, educational level, occupation, whether having healthy check-up or not in the past 1 year and the habits of the reproductive women all contributed to the prevalence of the RTIs. Multiple regression analysis for influencing factors showed that reproductive aged women, living in western region, sharing the basin of washing genitals with others, not drying the cleaned underwear, not cleaning the pudendum before sexual intercourse and at 25 - 40 of age, having high prevalence of RTIs. CONCLUSION: RTIs is prevalent among women in the rural areas. Intervention programs should be done according to the influencing factors while knowledge on RTIs among women needs to be improved, including promotion on healthy behavior, quality of medical institutions and male participation.

[Effect of staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection on post liposuction seroma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of treatment of post liposuction seroma with Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection. METHODS: 64 cases with post liposuction seroma were treated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection or routine procedures. The exudate of those patients was collected to analyze the ratio, pH value, cell species and numbers, and the value of TP, ALP, LDH, AST, ALT, gamma-GT, ADA, ApoB, TC. RESULTS: The ratio, numbers of lymphocyte and mesothelial cells and TP, LDH, ADA, TC value in exudate in Staphylococcal enterotoxin C group were significantly higher than those in control group. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection on the exudate of seroma may be related to the non-inflammation reaction.

[Effect of combined application of external cyclosporine A and CTLA4Ig on the survival of rat auricle allograft].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of combined application of external cyclosporine A (CsA) and CTLA4Ig in inhibiting rejection and inducing immune tolerance in composite tissue allograft. METHODS: The auricles with vessel pedicle were transplanted from Lewis rats to BN rats under microsurgery. CsA was spreaded on the surface of grafts in combination with administration of CTLA4Ig intraperitoneally after transplantation. The rejection response and survival time of grafts were observed, and the IL-2 level in serum was measured. RESULTS: The mean survival time was (7.8 +/- 1.7) days in control group. It was (15.2 +/- 1.9) days when recipients treated by CsA and (16.6 +/- 2.1) days by CTLA4Ig. Under the combination of CsA and CTLA4Ig, the mean survival time was significantly prolonged to (28.8 +/- 3.5) days (P < 0.05) with the lowest level of IL-2 in serum of recipients. CONCLUSION: The combined application of external CsA and CTLA4Ig inhibits rejection of allograft effectively, which can be a favorable therapy on composite tissue allo-transplantation.