Roadmap of electrons from donor side to the reaction center of photosynthetic purple bacteria with mutated cytochromes.

In photosynthetic bacteria, the absorbed light drives the canonical cyclic electron transfer between the reaction center and the cytochrome bc1 complexes via the pools of mobile electron carriers. If kinetic or structural barriers hinder the participation of the bc1 complex in the cyclic flow of electrons, then the pools of mobile redox agents must supply the electrons for the multiple turnovers of the reaction center. These conditions were achieved by continuous high light excitation of intact cells of bacterial strains Rba. sphaeroides and Rvx. gelatinosus with depleted donor side cytochromes c2 (cycA) and tetraheme cytochrome subunit (pufC), respectively. The gradual oxidation by ferricyanide further reduced the availability of electron donors to pufC. Electron transfer through the reaction center was tracked by absorption change and by induction and relaxation of the fluorescence of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer. The rate constants of the electron transfer (~ 3 × 103 s‒1) from the mobile donors of Rvx. gelatinosus bound either to the RC (pufC) or to the tetraheme subunit (wild type) were similar. The electrons transferred through the reaction center dimer were supplied entirely by the donor pool; their number amounted to about 5 in wild type Rvx. gelatinosus and decreased to 1 in pufC oxidized by ferricyanide. Fluorescence yield was measured as a function of the oxidized fraction of the dimer and its complex shape reveals the contribution of two competing processes: the migration of the excitation energy among the photosynthetic units and the availability of electron donors to the oxidized dimer. The experimental results were simulated and rationalized by a simple kinetic model of the two-electron cycling of the acceptor side combined with aperiodic one-electron redox function of the donor side.

Enterobacteriaceae in food safety with an emphasis on raw milk and meat.

There has been a growing interest in traditional dairy (such as raw milk cheeses) and meat products, in recent years. However, these products are suitable and nutrient medium and may be easily contaminated by microorganisms such as Enterobacteriaceae. Enterobacteriaceae are considered to be the indicator bacteria for microbiological quality of food and hygiene status of a production process. Additionally, the food contaminated by Enterobacteriaceae poses a microbiological risk for consumers. In fact, the contamination of raw milk and meat by Enterobacteriaceae amid manufacturing may easily occur from various environmental sources, and this group of bacteria is frequently detected in dairy and meat products. Therefore, monitoring the microbiological quality of the used raw material and maintaining high standards of hygiene in the production process are mandatory for a high quality of traditional products and the safety of the potential consumers. The goal of this review is to present the most recent survey on Enterobacteriaceae growth, number, and distribution in raw milk cheeses and meat, as well as to discuss the sources of contamination and methods of control. KEY POINTS: • Enterobacteriaceae: role and importance in milk and meat products, EU legal regulations • Dynamics, distribution, and survival of Enterobacteriaceae in milk and meat • Mechanisms of control of Enterobacteriaceae in dairy products.

Assembly of photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodobacter sphaeroides as revealed by functional assessments at different growth phases and in synchronized and greening cells.

The development of photosynthetic membranes of intact cells of Rhodobacter sphaeroides was tracked by light-induced absorption spectroscopy and induction and relaxation of the bacteriochlorophyll fluorescence. Changes in membrane structure were induced by three methods: synchronization of cell growth, adjustment of different growth phases and transfer from aerobic to anaerobic conditions (greening) of the bacteria. While the production of the bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and the activation of light harvesting and reaction center complexes showed cell-cycle independent and continuous increase with characteristic lag phases, the accumulation of phospholipids and membrane potential (electrochromism) exhibited stepwise increase controlled by cell division. Cells in the stationary phase of growth demonstrated closer packing and tighter energetic coupling of the photosynthetic units (PSU) than in their early logarithmic stage. The greening resulted in rapid (within 0-4 h) induction of BChl synthesis accompanied with a dominating role for the peripheral light harvesting system (up to LH2/LH1 ~2.5), significantly increased rate (~7·10(4) s(-1)) and yield (F v/F max ~0.7) of photochemistry and modest (~2.5-fold) decrease of the rate of electron transfer (~1.5·10(4) s(-1)). The results are discussed in frame of a model of sequential assembly of the PSU with emphasis on crowding the LH2 complexes resulting in an increase of the connectivity and yield of light capture on the one hand and increase of hindrance to diffusion of mobile redox agents on the other hand.

Probing ligands to reaction centers to limit the photocycle in photosynthetic bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus.

Light-induced electron flow between reaction center and cytochrome bc1 complexes is mediated by quinones and electron donors in purple photosynthetic bacteria. Upon high-intensity excitation, the contribution of the cytochrome bc1 complex is limited kinetically and the electron supply should be provided by the pool of reduced electron donors. The kinetic limitation of electron shuttle between reaction center and cytochrome bc1 complex and its consequences on the photocycle were studied by tracking the redox changes of the primary electron donor (BChl dimer) via absorption change and the opening of the closed reaction center via relaxation of the bacteriochlorophyll fluorescence in intact cells of wild type and pufC mutant strains of Rubrivivax gelatinosus. The results were simulated by a minimum model of reversible binding of different ligands (internal and external electron donors and inhibitors) to donor and acceptor sides of the reaction center. The calculated binding and kinetic parameters revealed that control of the rate of the photocycle is primarily due to 1) the light intensity, 2) the size and redox state of the donor pool, and 3) the unbinding rates of the oxidized donor and inhibitor from the reaction center. The similar kinetics of strains WT and pufC lacking the tetraheme cytochrome subunit attached to the reaction center raise the issue of the physiological importance of this subunit discussed from different points of view. SIGNIFICANCE: A crucial factor for the efficacy of electron donors in photosynthetic photocycle is not just the substantial size of the pool and large binding affinity (small dissociation constant KD = koff/kon) to the RC, but also the mean residence time (koff)-1 in the binding pocket. This is an important parameter that regulates the time of re-activation of the RC during multiple turnovers. The determination of koff has proven challenging and was performed by simulation of widespread experimental data on the kinetics of P+ and relaxation of fluorescence. This work is a step towards better understanding the complex pathways of electron transfer in proteins and simulation-based design of more effective electron transfer components in natural and artificial systems.

Bioconjugation of COL1 protein on liquid-like solid surfaces to study tumor invasion dynamics.

Tumor invasion is likely driven by the product of intrinsic and extrinsic stresses, reduced intercellular adhesion, and reciprocal interactions between the cancer cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a dynamic material system that is continuously evolving with the tumor microenvironment. Although it is widely reported that cancer cells degrade the ECM to create paths for migration using membrane-bound and soluble enzymes, other nonenzymatic mechanisms of invasion are less studied and not clearly understood. To explore tumor invasion that is independent of enzymatic degradation, we have created an open three-dimensional (3D) microchannel network using a novel bioconjugated liquid-like solid (LLS) medium to mimic both the tortuosity and the permeability of a loose capillary-like network. The LLS is made from an ensemble of soft granular microgels, which provides an accessible platform to investigate the 3D invasion of glioblastoma (GBM) tumor spheroids using in situ scanning confocal microscopy. The surface conjugation of the LLS microgels with type 1 collagen (COL1-LLS) enables cell adhesion and migration. In this model, invasive fronts of the GBM microtumor protruded into the proximal interstitial space and may have locally reorganized the surrounding COL1-LLS. Characterization of the invasive paths revealed a super-diffusive behavior of these fronts. Numerical simulations suggest that the interstitial space guided tumor invasion by restricting available paths, and this physical restriction is responsible for the super-diffusive behavior. This study also presents evidence that cancer cells utilize anchorage-dependent migration to explore their surroundings, and geometrical cues guide 3D tumor invasion along the accessible paths independent of proteolytic ability.

Chemical-vapor deposited ultra-fast diamond detectors for temporal measurements of ion bunches.

This article reports on the development of thin diamond detectors and their characterization for their application in temporal profile measurements of subnanosecond ion bunches. Two types of diamonds were used: a 20 µm thin polycrystalline chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond and a membrane with a thickness of (5 ± 1) µm etched out of a single crystal (sc) CVD diamond. The combination of a small detector electrode and an impedance matched signal outlet leads to excellent time response properties with a signal pulse resolution (FWHM) of τ = (113 ± 11) ps. Such a fast diamond detector is a perfect device for the time of flight measurements of MeV ions with bunch durations in the subnanosecond regime. The scCVD diamond membrane detector was successfully implemented within the framework of the laser ion generation handling and transport project, in which ion beams are accelerated via a laser-driven source and shaped with conventional accelerator technology. The detector was used to measure subnanosecond proton bunches with an intensity of 108 protons per bunch.

Telomere dynamics and genome stability in the human pancreatic tumor cell line MIAPaCa-2.

Telomeres are specialized structures found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes serving as guardians of genome stability. In normal cells telomeres shorten with each cell division, but immortal cells undergoing multiple divisions constantly have to maintain telomere lengths above a critical level. This is accomplished either through expression of telomerase or the alternative recombination pathway (ALT). In the present study, we analyzed telomere dynamics of the telomerase positive human pancreatic tumor cell line MIAPaCa-2. The cells demonstrated genomic instability with a high frequency of chromosomal aberrations resulting in differences between individual karyotypes within the same cell population. The telomeres were short when compared with normal human fibroblasts, and about 39% of the chromosome ends did not have detectable telomere repeats as demonstrated by PNA-FISH. In many cases telomere signals were missing even when sister chromatids were strongly labeled. In addition, we used an internal PNA probe specific for the X chromosome, present in a single copy in these cells, in order to follow telomere dynamics on individual chromatids. High heterogeneity in telomere signals among individual X chromosomes as well as between their sister chromatids suggested sudden and stochastic loss or gain of telomere repeats. Such constant genomic instability often results in apoptosis and death of a fraction of cells present in the culture at all times. We discuss possible molecular mechanisms that may explain this observed telomere heterogeneity and possible adaptive repair mechanisms by which these cells maintain their chromosomes in order to survive such extreme and permanent genomic instability.

Molecular characterization at the RNA and gene levels of U3 snoRNA from a unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

A U3 snoRNA gene isolated from a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CRE:) genomic library contains putative pol III-specific transcription signals similar to those of RNA polymerase III-specific small nuclear (sn)RNA genes of higher plants. The 222 nt long CRE: U3 snoRNA was immunoprecipitated by anti-gamma-mpppN antisera, but not by anti-m(2,2,7)G antibodies, supporting the notion that it is a RNA polymerase III transcript. Tagged CRE: U3 snoRNA gene constructs were expressed in CRE: cells. Results of chemical and enzymatic structure probing of CRE: U3 snoRNA in solution and of DMS modification of CRE: U3 snoRNA under in vivo conditions revealed that the two-hairpin structure of the 5'-domain that is found in solution is no longer detected under in vivo conditions. The observed differences can be explained by the formation of several base pair interactions with the 18S and 5'-ETS parts of the pre-rRNA. A model that involves five intermolecular helices is proposed.

Chlamydomonas U2, U4 and U6 snRNAs. An evolutionary conserved putative third interaction between U4 and U6 snRNAs which has a counterpart in the U4atac-U6atac snRNA duplex.

The spliceosomal UsnRNAs U2, U4 and U6 from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cre) were sequenced using a combination of RNA and cDNA sequencing methods and were compared to other sequenced UsnRNAs. The lengths of Cre U6 and Cre U2 RNAs are similar to those of their higher plant equivalents. Cre U4 RNA is shorter (139 nt) than its counterpart from higher plants (150-154 nt), and contains stem IV and loop D which are absent, with the exception of the Tetrahymena U4 RNA, from the U4 RNAs of other unicellular organisms studied to date. Base-pairing interactions between U6 and U4 RNAs and between U6 and U2 RNAs, identical to those described for mammalian and yeast systems, are structurally feasible in the Cre system. In addition, based on comparative analyses of the predicted U4/U6 RNA duplex from various species, an evolutionary conserved third putative U6-U4 interaction was found. Interestingly, it can also be formed with the recently discovered U6atac and U4atac RNAs. This is a strong support in favor of the possible biological significance of this third putative interaction. Based on comparative analysis, an extension of the earlier described U6-U2 interaction patterns is also proposed.

Short- and long-term redox regulation of photosynthetic light energy distribution and photosystem stoichiometry by acetate metabolism in the green alga, Chlamydobotrys stellata.

The effect of acetate metabolism on the light energy distribution between the two photosystems, on the PS II/PS I stoichiometry and on the expression of psbA and psbB and psaA genes was investigated in the green alga, Chlamydobotrys stellata during autotrophic (CO(2)), mixotrophic (CO(2) plus acetate) and photoheterotrophic (only acetate) cultivation. It was observed that acetate assimilation in the glyoxylate cycle resulted in a large drop in the ATP content and a concomitant increase in the NADPH content of the cells. The combined effect of high NADPH concentration and linear electron transport brought about an over-reduction of the inter-photosystem electron transport components. The reduced state of the inter-photosystem components initiated a state 1/state 2 transition of LHC II and a decrease in the PS II/PS I ratio. The PS II/ PS I ratio was reduced because the synthesis of PS II reaction centers was repressed and that of the PS I reaction centers was slightly enhanced by acetate cultivation. The amount of PsbA and PsbB proteins of PS II and the abundance of psbA mRNA decreased. The abundance of PS I PsaA protein and psaAmRNA were only slightly increased. All of the acetate-induced effects were reversible when the cells were transferred back to an acetate-free medium. Our observations demonstrate that the expression of the PS II psbA and psbB and PS I psaA genes is regulated by the redox state of the inter-photosystem components at the transcriptional level. Experiments carried out in the presence of DBMIB which facilitates the reduction of plastoquinone pool indicate that the expression of genes encoding the components of PS II and PS I are controlled by the redox state of a component (cytochrome b/f complex) located behind the plastoquinone pool.

Total removal of craniopharyngiomas. Approaches and long-term results in 144 patients.

The clinical features, perioperative course, and postoperative outcomes of 144 patients who underwent microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma were reviewed. Overall, 90% of the tumors were completely resected and 7% recurred. Evaluation of those patients who underwent primary resection revealed much better results. The operative techniques and approaches are reviewed in detail. The results of this series suggest that primary total removal of craniopharyngiomas yields the best long-term outcome for the patient. Experience has shown that the larger the tumor the greater will be the damage, both preoperatively and intraoperatively, to vital intracranial structures. Consequently, early diagnosis, at a stage when the tumor is still small, improves the chances of accomplishing complete removal and of achieving good operative results. The early diagnosis of craniopharyngioma, before it can produce devastating neurological defects, continues to be the principal goal of our medical and pediatric colleagues.

Rotational acceleration measurements--evaluating helmet protection.

PURPOSE: Current helmet testing standards do not address the rotational components of an impact to the head. We describe a new testing paradigm used to measure the rotational acceleration of a headform and a protective helmet following an impact to the head in the horizontal plane. This impact simulation allows for the testing of currently available head protection devices in conditions thought to be important for the generation of cerebral concussion. The degree to which a particular helmet dampens rotational acceleration, and thus protects against concussion, can be assessed. METHODS: Our testing device consists of a pneumatic piston that provides a measured impact to a standard headform. Four different helmets were tested using the described paradigm. RESULTS: Acceleration curves for each helmet and the corresponding headform are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Clear differences in rotational acceleration were demonstrated. Possible avenues of further investigation are discussed.

Epidemiological, clinical and radiological aspects of osteopoikilosis.

Osteopoikilosis is a rare condition showing characteristic sclerotic lesions on radiographic examination, which are diagnostic for the trait. We report four patients presenting with various complaints and 49 members of their families who later were found to have osteopoikilosis. The mean age of all 53 was 27.5 years and the male:female ratio was 33:20. Most had lesions in the small tubular bones. We studied the epidemiological, clinical and radiological features of these patients and from the pedigrees conclude that the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant.

The results of anterior radical debridement and anterior instrumentation in Pott's disease and comparison with other surgical techniques.

Classic procedure in the treatment of vertebral tuberculosis is drainage of the abscess, curettage of the devitalized vertebra and application of antituberculous chemotherapy regimen. Posterior instrumentation results are encouraging in the prevention or treatment of late kyphosis; however, a second stage operation is needed. Recently, posterolateral or transpedicular drainage without anterior drainage or posterior instrumentation following anterior drainage in the same session is preferred to avoid kyphotic deformity. Seventy-six patients with spinal tuberculosis were operated in the 1st Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ankara Social Security Hospital, between January 1987 and January 1997. There were four children in our series. Average follow-up period was 36.1 +/- 14.5 months and the average age at the time of operation was 40.8 +/- 15.2 years. This study reports the surgical results of 45 patients with Pott's disease who had anterior radical debridement with anterior fusion and anterior instrumentation [14 patients with Z-plate and 31 patients with Cotrel-Dubousset-Hopf (CDH system)]. The results are compared with those of 8 patients who had posterolateral drainage and posterior fusion, 12 patients who had only anterior drainage and anterior strut grafting and, 11 patients who had posterior instrumentation following anterior radical debridement in the same session in terms of fusion rates, correction of kyphotic deformity, recurrence rate and clinical results. All patients had one year consecutive triple drug therapy. Preoperative 23.2 degrees +/- 12.5 degrees local kyphosis angle was lowered to 6.1 degrees +/- 6.9 degrees with a correction rate of 77.4 +/- 22.3%. When the other three groups which had been instrumented were compared, the correction rates in the local kyphosis angle values were not statistically different and the variation in loss of correction at the last follow-up was also statistically insignificant. The sagittal contour of the involved vertebra's region did not change in the uninstrumented group, while it did so in instrumented groups which had normal range values postoperatively. Overall, 27 patients had neurologic deficits preoperatively. Twenty of these (74.1%) had complete, and 5 (18.5%) had partial recovery with a combined 92.6% neurologic improvement. All the patients had a solid fusion mass at the last controls. Reactivation was not seen. Additionally, contrary to the common belief, anterior instrumentation which anterior autologous strut grafting following anterior radical debridement can be a good treatment option with low complication rate, high correction rate in acute local kyphosis, and high fusion rate.

Frontal and sagittal balance analysis of late onset idiopathic scoliosis treated with third generation instrumentation.

As scoliotic curve is a rotational deformity, derotation maneuvre was used as the corrective factor, but recent studies demonstrated spinal imbalance and decompensation problems in patients treated with this method. This study evaluates 217 late onset idiopathic scoliosis patients surgically treated with third generation instrumentation (Texas Scotish Rite Hospital System - TSRH) from September 1991 to November 1996 with a minimum 2 years follow up. Preoperative and postoperative Cobb angles in the frontal plane and thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles in the sagittal plane are measured. The balance was analyzed clinically and radiologically by measurement of the lateral trunk shift (LT), shift of head (SH) and shift of stable vertebra (SS) in vertebral unit (VU). At final follow - up correction loss, infection and other complications were documented. Mean age of the patients was 14.8 +/- 2.3 and mean follow up period 55.8 +/- 29.5 months. When all the patients were included, preoperative mean Cobb angles of major curves in the frontal plane was 59.1 +/- 20.7 degrees. Major curves that were corrected by 34.8 +/- 20.5 % in the bending radiograms were achieved by 58.9 +/- 19.5 % correction postoperatively. At the last control, 7.3 degrees +/- 6.4 degrees of correction loss was recorded in major curves in the frontal plane. Also postoperative kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angles were 31.4 degrees +/- 11.6 degrees and 30.6 degrees +/- 10.9 degrees respectively. Postoperatively, a statistically significant correction was obtained in LT, SH and SS values. None of the patients had complete balance (SH: 0 VU, SS: 0 VU) preoperatively. Only 39.2 % of the patients had clinically balanced curves (0 VU < SH < 0.5 VU and 0 VU < SS < 0.5 VU). Postoperatively, 47.9 % of the patients were found to be completely balanced, while 43.8 % had a balanced curve. Overall 91.7 % of the patients had a trunk balance after surgical intervention. The remaining 8.3 % imbalanced curve rate raised up to 16.6 % at final follow up, but the loss of correction rates in S S and SH values were found to be insignificant. The postoperative "imbalance" problem was mostly seen in Type II and Type IV curves. However, at final follow up, the imbalance problem due to overcorrection which became evident especially by "shift of head" to opposite side was seen in all types of curves. It is established that high correction rates can be obtained in scoliotic curves with third - generation instrumentation. No undue effects were observed in the uninstrumented lumbar curves. Thoracic sagittal contours of the hypokyphotic patients were improved. Use of this instrumentation system causes minimal imbalance problems and with proper preoperative planning high correction rates can be achieved.

Data on the contamination of maize with fumonisin B1 and other fusariotoxins in Hungary.

The fumonisin B1, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin content of maize samples collected in the period of storage and harvesting was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Of the mouldy maize samples collected in the period of storage, 70.8% contained fumonisin B1 (0.05-19.8 mg/kg; average concentration: 2.6 mg/kg), 87.5% contained zearalenone (0.01-11.8 mg/kg, average concentration: 1.26 mg/kg), 70% contained deoxynivalenol (0.07-21.2, average concentration: 4.33 mg/kg), and 41.7% contained T-2 toxin (0.06-0.39, average concentration: 0.2 mg/kg). These mycotoxins often occurred together in the samples. In the non-mouldy samples, both the positivity rate and the mycotoxin concentration were markedly lower. In the harvesting period, the mycotoxin content of maize ears more or less affected by moulds (so-called "affected sample") and of the average sample was determined separately for each maize-field involved in the study. Of the affected samples, 70% contained fumonisin B1 (0.095-52.4 mg/kg; average: 6.64 mg/kg), 17% contained zearalenone (0.006-0.079 mg/kg; average: 0.03 mg/kg), 13% contained deoxynivalenol (0.05-0.118 mg/kg; average: 0.09 mg/kg), and 39% contained T-2 toxin (0.05-0.551 mg/kg; average: 0.165 mg/kg). Fumonisin B1 and T-2 toxin often occurred together in the affected maize samples. Of the "average samples", 30% were contaminated with fumonisin B1 (0.06-5.1 mg/kg; average: 1.52 mg/kg) and 9% with T-2 toxin (min.-max.-average: 0.05 mg/kg). The results call attention to the fact that maize cultivated in Hungary is often contaminated with fumonisin B1. High concentrations of fumonisin B1 were found primarily in the mouldy or affected maize ears; therefore, the development of diseases caused by fumonisin B1 should be reckoned with primarily if such maize is fed. Besides fumonisin B1, mouldy or affected maize usually contains also other fusariotoxins, which raises the possibility of mycotoxin interactions. Because of the high prevalence of fumonisin B1 in maize grown in Hungary, the authors suggest that samples of maize used for feeding horses and pigs should be checked for fumonisin B1 content.

The results of intraoperative autotransfusion in orthopaedic surgery.

Perioperative hemorrhage associated with major orthopaedic surgery can become life threatening. Homologous bank blood transfusion can replace the volume of blood lost but it has serious disadvantages such as the transmission of viral agents, it has an insufficient platelet count, and transfusion reactions are possible. Hypotensive anesthesia, predeposited autologous blood transfusion and intraoperative autotransfusion are used to reduce these disadvantages. This study evaluates the results of 700 patients who underwent major orthopaedic intervention in our clinic between June 1991 and April 1998. Ninety-nine patients had hip surgery while 601 patients had spinal surgery. The autotransfusion unit saved an average of 858.9 +/- 136.8 cc of blood and an average of 1.9 +/- 1.2 units of saved blood was transfused. None of these patients needed homologous blood transfusion. One hundred patients who had spinal surgery during the same period were used as a control group. The control group required an average of 3.2 +/- 2.1 units of bank blood. Preoperative and postoperative hematocrit values revealed a statistically significant difference between the autotransfusion group and the homologous transfusion group (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that intraoperative autotransfusion prevents the decrease in hematocrit values while reducing the need for bank blood transfusion and hence avoiding the risk of transmission of viral infections.

Z-plate instrumentation in thoracolumbar spinal fractures.

Anterior decompression enables direct access and good canal clearance of the injury level in thoracolumbar spinal fractures, and decompressing the neural elements is shown to be an important factor for neurologic improvement and pain relief in many cases. In this study, results with anterior decompression and Z-plate instrumentation in thoracolumbar spinal fractures are reviewed. Nineteen patients with old spinal fracture (average: 3 years) and neural compression, and 15 patients with fresh thoracolumbar fractures with neurologic deficit and/or major anterior spinal canal obstruction had anterior decompression and Z-plate instrumentation with anterior fusion. Stabilization was protected with thoracolumbar thermoplastic braces for six months. Preoperative kyphotic deformity averaged 20.9 degrees (range: 7 degrees to 64 degrees), while it was an average of 8.0 degrees (range: -12 degrees to 35 degrees) postoperatively. Medullary canal compromise was 41% an average (range: 13% to 67%) and postoperatively it had an average value of 6% (range: 0% to 18%). Patients were followed up an average of 30 months (range: 25 to 36 months). The unchanged positions of bone grafts and statistically insignificant loss of correction in the sagittal plane are accepted as evidence for bony fusion in all patients. Z-plate instrumentation provides stable fixation. Additionally, the technique can be performed easily and has the added benefit of being MRI-compatible.