Morphogenesis and alpha-tubulin gene of plasmodium in Didymium megalosporum.

The morphogenesis of plasmodium in Didymium megalosporum was observed for the first time by hanging drop culture and 3 % oat-agar culture under controlled conditions. The development of plasmodium was characteristic formation process of phaneroplasmodium. The mature plasmodium was white yellow or yellow green in color, and had an extending fan-like sheet at the front, followed by a network of veins. It could be easy to fuse into a bigger plasmodium during the formation and die at high temperature or starvation. In view of the important role of alpha-tubulin during the morphogenesis of plasmodium, we sequenced partial sequence of alpha-tubulin gene, a total length of 1,159 bp, in this plasmodium. It had an intron area from 177 to 235 bp, and the exon area had a similarity of 91 % relative to altA locus of alpha-tubulin gene in Physarum polycephalum, the translated amino acid sequence was identical (100 % match) between the two.

Surgical management of Hawkins type III talar neck fracture through the approach of medial malleolar osteotomy and mini-plate for fixation.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the talar neck are relatively uncommon yet current interventions suffer from a high incidence of complications and poor functional outcomes. In the present study, we report a surgical treatment of Hawkins type III talar neck fracture through the approach of medial malleolar osteotomy and mini-plate for fixation and discuss the therapeutic effects after long-term follow-up. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2015, 21 patients with 22 fractures were treated using this approach within days of sustaining the injury. Clinical and radiographic data were collected during regular post-operative follow-ups. Health-related quality of life factors were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS). Functional outcomes were determined according the Hawkins score and the Ankle-Hind foot Scale of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Present of complications such as arthritis, avascular necrosis (AVN), and malunion were evaluated using radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Anatomical parameters of injured and corresponding uninjured talus were measured and compared using digital three-dimensional (3D) computer model. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 65.6 ± 9.7 min. The average blood loss volume of the patients was 29.1 ± 5.7 ml. All the patients except 1 were followed up 18 to 41 months (average 29.6 months). The average VAS score for these patients was 3.2 ± 1.1, and the mean Hawkins score was 11.4 ± 3.4 at the final follow-up visit. The average AOFAS score was 72.8 ± 17.3. Nine patients outcomes were rated as "excellent", 4 as "good", 4 as "fair," and 4 as "poor". No malunion, screw loosening, plate breakage, or other internal fixation failures were found at final follow-up. Long-term complications included: 1 case of malunion, 5 cases of complete AVN, 8 cases of partial AVN, 13 cases of talocrural arthritis, 14 cases of subtalar arthritis, and 3 cases of talonavicular arthritis. Secondary surgery was performed in 4 cases. The relevant average anatomical data of injured and uninjured talus show no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical treatment we used here resulted in decreased soft tissue trauma, adequate exposure of talar neck, satisfactory performance of daily life activities, and quality of life following surgery and restoration of anatomy of injured talus. However, long-term complications such as arthritis and AVN are still commonly seen.