Sensitivity of Venturia carpophila from China to Five Fungicides and Characterization of Carbendazim-Resistant Isolates.

Peach scab is a fungal disease caused by Venturia carpophila that can significantly reduce peach yield and quality. Fungicide application is the main control measure for peach scab worldwide. To better understand the fungicide-resistance status and devise suitable management strategies, the sensitivity of 135 single-spore V. carpophila isolates to the commonly used fungicides carbendazim, iprodione, propiconazole, azoxystrobin, and boscalid were determined using a microtiter plate test method. Results showed that the mean effective concentrations to cause inhibitions by 50% (EC50) of tested isolates to iprodione, propiconazole, azoxystrobin, and boscalid were 16.287, 0.165, 0.570, and 0.136 µg/ml, respectively. The EC50 values of V. carpophila isolates to four fungicides displayed unimodal frequency distributions, indicating no resistance occurred to these fungicides. On the contrary, bimodal frequency distribution was observed for carbendazim, indicating that V. carpophila developed resistance to carbendazim. Resistance was widely detected from all 14 provinces studied. Molecular analysis showed that the point mutation E198K of the TUB2 gene determined high resistance, whereas E198G conferred moderate resistance. Moderate and high resistances were stable, and the resistant isolates did not show significant fitness penalties. On the contrary, some resistant isolates showed better competitiveness under certain stresses. This is the first report to detect the sensitivity of V. carpophila to fungicides, which enables future monitoring of fungicide resistance and provides basic information to allow the design of suitable peach scab management strategies.

Anterior versus posterior approach for the therapy of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this meta-analysis is to explore the overall efficacy as well as the safety of anterior versus posterior approach for the therapy of patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy based on qualified studies. METHODS: Three electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase were searched updated to January 2018 to identify all relevant and qualified studies using the index words. The qualified studies were including prospective or retrospective comparative studies. Relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) along with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the main outcomes. RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, there were a total of 24 studies with 959 patients in the anterior approach group and 1072 patients in the posterior approach group. The final results showed, in comparison of the posterior approach group, the anterior approach group significantly increased the JOA score (SMD: 0.36, 95% CI 0.10-0.62), the operation time (WMD: 49.87, 95% CI 17.67-82.08), and the neurological recovery rate (WMD: 10.55, 95% CI 3.99-17.11) with higher complication rate (RR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.24-1.89). Besides, there was no significant difference of the blood loss (SMD: - 0.40, 95% CI - 1.12 to 0.32) and ROM (SMD: - 0.28, 95% CI - 0.78 to - 0.22) between posterior approach group and anterior approach group. CONCLUSIONS: Studies found a significant increase of JOA score as well as neurological recovery rate by the anterior approach treatment when compared with posterior approach treatment. However, increased operation time and complications could also occur through the anterior approach treatment. More high-quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample size, multi-centric and longer follow-ups are needed to support our current conclusions.

Accuracy of MRI diagnosis of early osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall diagnostic value related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with early osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: By searching multiple databases and sources, including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase database, by the index words updated in December 2017, qualified studies were identified and relevant literature sources were also searched. The qualified studies included prospective cohort studies and cross-sectional studies. Heterogeneity of the included studies were reviewed to select proper effect model for pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) analyses were performed for meniscal tears. RESULTS: Forty-three studies related to diagnostic accuracy of MRI to detect early osteonecrosis of the femoral head were involved in the meta-analysis. The global sensitivity and specificity of MRI in early osteonecrosis of the femoral head were 93.0% (95% CI 92.0-94.0%) and 91.0% (95% CI 89.0%-93.0%), respectively. The global positive likelihood ratio and global negative likelihood ratio of MRI in early osteonecrosis of the femoral head were 2.74 (95% CI 1.98-3.79) and 0.18 (95% CI 0.14-0.23), respectively. The global DOR was 27.27 (95% CI 17.02-43.67), and the area under the SROC was 93.38% (95% CI 90.87%-95.89%). CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in early osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Moderate to strong evidence indicated that MRI appears to be significantly associated with higher diagnostic accuracy for early osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

[Treatment of complex calcaneal fractures under computer navigation: report of 130 feet].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of computer navigation in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. METHODS: 130 feet in 110 patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures, 57 calcanei with fracture of Sander's type II, 45 of type III, and 28 cases of type IV, were treated with internal fixation under computer navigation, and were followed up for 16.3 months (6 - 24 months). RESULTS: According to the Maryland Foot Score system, excellent result was noted in 63 feet, good result in 57 feet, and fair result in 10 feet, with the excellent and good rates being 92.31% together. CONCLUSION: Using computer navigation to treat intra-articular calcaneal fractures is one of the best ways for treatment of calcaneal fractures.

[Relationship between hippocampal long term potentiation induction and activity of 26S proteasome].

The present study examined the changes in 26S proteasome activity and the signal molecule mechanism regulating 26S proteasome activity in long term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices. The results are as follows: 26S proteasome activity was 190+/-14.3 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) before tetanus, a significant increase in 26S proteasome activity (273+/-18.3 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) was found 10 min after tetanus, when the slope of fEPSP was markedly increased. Interestingly, 26S proteasome activity returned to baseline level (210+/-12.8 cpm/(100 microg.2 h) 60 min after tetanus. Moreover, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor AP-5, which blocked LTP, prevented the increase in the 26S proteasome activity. The results suggest that NMDA receptors contribute to the transient increase in 26S proteasome activity during induction of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region.

[Changes in neural cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression and protein level in the CA1 region of the hippocampus during long term potentiation induction and maintenance].

It has been demonstrated that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is critical for the induction and maintenance of long term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated the changes in NCAM mRNA expression and NCAM protein level after the induction of LTP in vitro using the techniques of in situ hybridization and Western blot. The results showed that the number of NCAM mRNA positive labelled neurons significantly increased (76.6+/-11.5 neurons) 10 min after tetanus when the slope of fEPSP markedly increased. The level of NCAM protein also increased significantly (7.190+/-0.64 arbitrary unit/50 microg protein) 10 min after tetanus. The number of NCAM mRNA positive labelled neurons no longer changed (73.3+/-14.0) 1 h after tetanus, however, the NCAM protein level (9.031+/-0.71) at 1 h after tetanus was higher than that at 10 min after tetanus. Moreover, the NMDA receptor inhibitor AP-5, which blocked LTP, prevented the increase in NCAM mRNA expression and NCAM protein level. The results demonstrate that NCAM mRNA expression maintains a high level, whereas NCAM protein changes from a low level to a high level during induction and maintenance of LTP.

[Surgery for multiple myeloma of the bone].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the indication, approach and results of the surgical treatment of multiple myeloma. METHODS: The authors reported 29 surgically-treated patients with solitary or multiple myeloma of the bone between January 1997 and January 2002. There are 17 males and 12 females with average age of 59.5 years (range 38 - 76 years). The primary tumour localizations were: vertebral column in 9, rib in1, humerus in 2, proximal femur in 2, femur shaft in 3, pelvis in 6, sacrum in 6. The 29 patients had undergone the following surgical procedures: vertebral tumours were excited through the anterior or posterior approach, combined with a stabilizing procedure in 7 cases. Tumors on thoracic spine were resected using anterior approach. 4 endoprotheses of replacement were performed, indnding two on proximal femur, one on humerus, and one on pelvis. The pathologic fracture was fixated by internal fixation. Neurological impairment was evaluated according to Frankel system. The study evaluated the complications, neurologic function improvement, life quality, and survival after the surgical treatment. RESULTS: The pain was relieved in all cases and the neurological function was improved after the surgery. Local recurrence were found in three cases during the follow-up time. CONCLUSION: The symptom of the patients can be relieved by the surgery. Our experience suggests that surgical interruption on multiple myeloma in some cases may be rewarding.

[Biomechanical study on the calcaneal fracture fixed by the self-designed calcaneal anatomical plate and pre-cut gudgeon].

OBJECTIVE: To study the biomechanical properties of self-designed calcaneal anatomical plate and pre-cut gudgeon system and its efficacy for calcaneal fracture fixation. METHODS: Sixteen fresh foot specimens were randomly divided into experimental group and the control group. Axial compressive load were applied to all specimens in order to create a calcaneal fracture model, and the maximum load and the maximum arch displacement of experimental group were recorded. In experimental group, self-designed intenal fixation system were utilized, while the AO plate internal fixation system were utilized in the control group. Axial compressive test were applied again to both groups, and the maximum load, the foot arch displacement and calcanus broadens were measured and recorded. RESULTS: Comparison between before and after fixing the calcaneus fracture by self-designed internal fixation system in experimental group, the difference of the maximum load was significant (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference (P>0.05) of the maximum arch displacement. All parameters were significantly different (P<0.01) between the experimental group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The fractured calcaneus will be able to regain normal foot biomechanical function after treated by self-designed internal fixation system, and able to support foot arch to bear great load. The self-designed internal fixation and pre-cut gudgeon system is considered to outperform the conventional AO internal fixation system with its better effectiveness and outcome in treating calcaneus fractures.

[Effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on spatial learning, memory and its relationship with orphanin FQ of hippocampus in rats].

AIM: To study the relationship between changes of learning, memory and orphanin FQ (OFQ) in hippocampus of rats in acute hypobaric hypoxia at two different altitude levels of 4 500 m(moderate) and 7 500 m(serious). METHODS: Hypobaric chamber, Morris water maze training method and RT-PCR technique were used in the experiment. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the control, the OFQ mRNA expression of hippocampus increased significantly after exposure to acute serious hypobaric hypoxia (8 h/d for 6 d in succession), but obviously decreased after Morris water maze training (6 times/d for 6 d in succession, the latency of place navigation was shortened). (2) After exposure to acute hypobaric hypoxia, the latency of place navigation was markedly elongated, but the OFQ mRNA of hippocampus was significantly higher than that of learning and memory group. CONCLUSION: The hippocampal OFQ was involved in the mechanism of decrease in spatial learning and memory induced by acute hypobaric hypoxia.