Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of benzofuran-2(3H)-ones from 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohols using formic acid as the CO source.

A palladium-catalyzed carbonylative intramolecular synthesis of benzofuran-2(3H)-ones from 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohols has been developed. In this procedure, formic acid was utilized as the CO source, and various benzofuran-2(3H)-one derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields.

A Convenient Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Suzuki Coupling of Aryl Halides with Formic Acid as the Carbon Monoxide Source.

A practical palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Suzuki coupling of aryl halides under carbon monoxide gas-free conditions has been developed. Here, formic acid was utilized as the carbon monoxide source for the first time with acetic anhydride as the additive. A variety of diarylketones were produced in moderate to excellent yields from the corresponding aryl halides and arylboronic acids.

Association of serum albumin with heart failure mortality with NYHA class IV in Chinese patients: Insights from PhysioNet database (version 1.3).

BACKGROUND: Studies have proved that low albumin level is associated with increased mortality in most diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and hepatic cirrhosis. However, the relationship between albumin and all-cause death in heart failure patients in China is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between albumin level and 28-day mortality in Chinese hospitalized patients with NYHA IV heart failure. METHODS: A total of 2008 Chinese patients were included. The correlation between serum albumin level and mortality was tested using a cox proportional hazards regression model. The smooth curve fitting was used to identify non-linear relationships between serum albumin and mortality. The Forest plot analysis was used to assess the association between albumin and 28-day mortality in different groups. RESULTS: Compared with patients with NYHA II-III, patients with NYHA IV had lower albumin level and higher mortality within 28 days. The albumin on admission was independently and inversely associated with the endpoint risk, which remained significant (hazard ratio: 0.80; 95 % confidence interval: 0.66 to 0.96; p = 0.0196) after multivariable adjustment. The smooth curve fitting showed with the increase of albumin, the mortality within 28 days would decrease. A subgroup analysis found that the inverse association between the albumin level and risk of the mortality was consistent across the subgroup stratified by possible influence factors. CONCLUSION: Serum albumin level is negatively associated with 28-day mortality in hospitalized heart failure patients within NYHA IV in China, which can be used as an independent predictor.

Mussel inspired sequential protein delivery based on self-healing injectable nanocomposite hydrogel.

Polysaccharide based self-healing and injectable hydrogels with reversible characteristics have widespread potential in protein drug delivery. However, it is a challenge to design the dynamic hydrogel for sequential release of protein drugs. Herein, we developed a novel mussel inspired sequential protein delivery dynamic polysaccharide hydrogel. The nanocomposite hydrogel can be fabricated through doping polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) into reversible covalent bond (imine bonds) crosslinked polymer networks of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CEC), named PDA NPs@OHA-l-CEC. Besides multiple capabilities (i.e., injection, self-healing, and biodegradability), the nanocomposite hydrogel can achieve sustained and sequential protein delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). PDA NPs doped in hydrogel matrix serve dual roles, acting as secondary protein release structures and form dynamic non-covalent interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonds) with polysaccharides. Moreover, by adjusting the oxidation degree of OHA, the hydrogels with different crosslinking density could control overall protein release rate. Analysis of different release kinetic models revealed that Fickian diffusion drove rapid VEGF release, while the slower BSA release followed a Super Case II transport mechanism. The novel biocompatible system achieved sequential release of protein drugs has potentials in multi-stage synergistic drug deliver based on dynamic hydrogel.

N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2A functionalized stationary phase: A reliable method for pursuing potential ligands against Alzheimer's disease from natural products.

AIMS: N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors play subunit-specific role in central neuronal development. However, insights into the pharmacological modulation of NMDA receptors were mainly lack of subunit and synaptic selectivity. The purpose of the present study was to develop a novel strategy to rapidly recognize NMDA subunit 2A (NMDA-2A) ligands from natural products and provide subunit-selective drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: The recombinant NMDA-2A containing a tag of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells and immobilized on ibrutinib-modified microspheres based on the specific reaction between EGFR and its inhibitor ibrutinib. A novel affinity stationary phase was synthesized to screen NMDA-2A ligands from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. RESULTS: The immobilized receptor column exhibited excellent receptor selectivity and ligand-binding activity. Crocetin was screened by using this method. In a cellular model of AD, the protein level of NMDA-2A was significantly decreased compared with the control group, while treatment with crocetin significantly increased NMDA-2A level in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming that crocetin could bind to NMDA-2A in vitro. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we developed a reliable method for the rapid identification of NMDA-2A ligands from natural products, which may be used as a platform for new drug discovery to generate high-quality drug candidates.

Lithium promotes recovery after spinal cord injury.

Lithium is associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis, but the mechanism by which lithium protects against spinal cord injury remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that intraperitoneal administration of lithium chloride (LiCl) in a rat model of spinal cord injury alleviated pathological spinal cord injury and inhibited expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, and interleukin 1 ß. Lithium inhibited pyroptosis and reduced inflammation by inhibiting Caspase-1 expression, reducing the oxidative stress response, and inhibiting activation of the Nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome. We also investigated the neuroprotective effects of lithium intervention on oxygen/glucose-deprived PC12 cells. We found that lithium reduced inflammation, oxidative damage, apoptosis, and necrosis and up-regulated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 in PC12 cells. All-trans retinoic acid, an Nrf2 inhibitor, reversed the effects of lithium. These results suggest that lithium exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-pyroptotic effects through the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway to promote recovery after spinal cord injury. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University (approval No. 2018-2053) on October 23, 2018.

Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation alters the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and promotes axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Cell transplantation is a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) play an active role in the repair of spinal cord injury as a result of the dual characteristics of astrocytes and Schwann cells. However, the specific mechanisms of repair remain poorly understood. In the present study, a rat model of spinal cord injury was established by transection of T10. OECs were injected into the site, 1 mm from the spinal cord stump. To a certain extent, OEC transplantation restored locomotor function in the hindlimbs of rats with spinal cord injury, but had no effect on the formation or volume of glial scars. In addition, OEC transplantation reduced the immunopositivity of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (neural/glial antigen 2 and neurocan) and glial fibrillary acidic protein at the injury site, and increased the immunopositivity of growth-associated protein 43 and neurofilament. These findings suggest that OEC transplantation can regulate the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the spinal cord, inhibit scar formation caused by the excessive proliferation of glial cells, and increase the numbers of regenerated nerve fibers, thus promoting axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China (approval No. 2018-2048) on September 9, 2018.

[Expression of Semaphorin 3A after spinal cord injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of Semaphorin 3A in rats after spinal cord injury and explore possible mechanism of inhibiting of axonal regeneration after SCI. METHODS: Forty healthy female SD rats, 8 weeks old, weighing (210.00±9.88) g, were randomly divided into control group(20 rats in group A) and model group(20 rats in group B). In control group, removal of T10 lamina and partial removal of T9 and T11 lamina were performed, and no further operation was performed on spinal cord (pseudo operation). In model group, the total T10 and partial T9, T11 partial lamina were incised and the spinal cord transection was performed to create animal models of spinal cord injury. The rats were perfused and spinal cord tissue obtained at 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42 days after surgery (4 rats in each group at each time point), respectively, and then HE staining was performed. Meanwhile, the expression of Semaphoring 3A was detected in accordance with the protocol of SP kit. RESULTS: After a simple spinal cord transection injury, hemorrhagic necrosis, localized edema, neurodegeneration, necrosis, and cyst formation occurred in the injured area, and glial scar formation occurred in glial cells. Semaphorin 3A expression levels in control group was low in the gray matter area. There was no expression of Semaphorin 3A in the injured area of spinal cord injury in model group 3 days after operation. On the 14th day, the expression of Semaphorin 3A in the injured area of spinal cord injury increased significantly and was at a high level. On the 28th day, the expression of Semaphorin 3A was moderate. On the 42th day, the positive expression of Semaphorin 3A returned to normal level. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of Semaphorin 3A after spinal cord injury may be one of the mechanisms that inhibit axonal regeneration.

Prognosis of C4 dislocation with spinal cord injury following psychological intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of psychological intervention on the prognosis of patients with C4 dislocation and spinal cord injury. METHODS: We investigated target patients admitted between 2010 and 2018. Patients' mental state, quality of life and neurological function at different time points were evaluated to examine the relationship between psychological intervention and recovery and prognosis of acute and critical spinal cord injury. RESULTS: All patients showed improvements in clinical symptoms, neurological function and quality of life. Psychological intervention significantly improved Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale score and SF-36 Mental Component Summary score within 3 months. Japanese Orthopaedic Association neurological function score and SF-36 Physical Component Summary score were significantly improved after 1-year follow-up. Psychological intervention did not improve 2-year survival. CONCLUSION: Timely and professional psychological intervention can eliminate the psychological disorders of C4 dislocation patients with spinal cord injury. This has a positive effect on their quality of life and prognosis.

[A case-control study of cervical spine Key-hole technique and anterior cervical Zero-P system in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term clinical efficacy of single-stage cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) between the minimally invasive Key-hole technique and anterior cervical Zero profile intervertebral fusion system (Zero-P). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 45 patients who underwent surgical treatment for CSR from January 2017 to January 2020, including 21 in Key hole group (12 males and 9 females), followed up for 10-22(13.2±2.3) months;24 cases in Zero-P group (14 males and 10 females), and the follow up period was 10 to 23(12.7±1.9) months. Perioperative conditions (incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, length of hospital stay, and complications) were compared between two groups, and X-rays of cervical spine before and after surgery and at the final follow-up were taken to analyzed curvature of the cervical spine, visual analogue scale(VAS) of pain before and after surgery, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of cervical spine were recorded to evaluate clinical efficacy. RESULTS: In Key-hole group and Zero-P group, the surgical incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, final follow-up Cobb angle and immediate postoperative VAS score respectively were (1.2±0.2) cm, (5.3±0.3) cm;(35.3±9.7) ml, (120.2±13.5) ml;(56.4±11.3) min, (90.6±12.6) min;(3.2±3.9)°, (7.3±3.8)°;(2.8±1.2)points, (3.8±1.1) points;the Zero-P group was larger than the Key hole group, with statistical significance(P<0.05) . There were no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, ODI and JOA scores between two groups (P>0.05). After the follow-up, 1 case of neurostimulation symptoms in Key-hole group was relieved by conservative treatment, 2 cases improved after reoperation due to recurrence of cervical disc herniation;2 cases of neurostimulation symptoms in Zero-P group, 2 cases of throat discomfort, and 1 case dural tears were all relieved by conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: The cervical spine Key-hole technology is similar to the anterior cervical Zero-P system in the treatment of CSR. The Key-hole technique has certain advantages in incision length, intraoperative blood loss, and operation time. It is a safe, effective and can be widely used cervical spine surgery method.

Increased expression of collagens, transforming growth factor-beta1, and -beta3 in gluteal muscle contracture.

BACKGROUND: Gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) is a multi-factor human chronic fibrotic disease of the gluteal muscle. Fibrotic tissue is characterized by excessive accumulation of collagen in the muscle's extracellular matrix. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and -beta2 are thought to play an important role in fibrogenesis, while TGF-beta3 is believed to have an anti-fibrotic function. We hypothesize that the expression of collagen and TGF-betas would be up-regulated in GMC patients. METHODS: The expression of collagen type I, type III and TGF-betas were studied in 23 fibrotic samples and 23 normal/control samples in GMC patients using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western bolt analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the unaffected adjacent muscle, increased expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta3 was associated with deposition of collagen type I and type III in the fibrotic muscle of the GMC patients at the mRNA level. Strong up-regulation of these proteins in fibrotic muscle was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. TGF-beta2 was not up-regulated in relation to GMC. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed our hypothesis that collagen types I, III, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 were up-regulated in biopsy specimens obtained from patients with GMC. Complex interaction of TGF-beta1 with profibrotic function and TGF-beta3 with antifibrotic function may increase synthesis of collagens and thereby significantly contribute to the process of gluteal muscle scarring in patients with GMC.

Two case reports of right atrial aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Right atrial aneurysm (RAA) is a rare congenital heart disease (CHD) that usually shows no symptom and is discovered occasionally. This paper introduces the clinical and imaging data obtained in 2 RAA patients and presents a related literature review with the aim of increasing understanding of this disease. PATIENT FOCUS: One case showed chest distress, while the other showed symptoms on physical examination and positive signs. DIAGNOSIS: Both of these 2 cases were diagnosed with RAA based on ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography (CTA), and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. INTERVENTIONS: One patient was orally administered warfarin anticoagulant therapy, while the other was given amiodarone to control arrhythmia as well as warfarin anticoagulant therapy. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms of both cases were not aggravated. CONCLUSIONS: RAA is a rare cardiac anomaly that can induce severe complications, and it is mainly diagnosed based on imaging examinations. Conservative treatment and regular imaging monitoring are recommended for asymptomatic patients with no high-risk factors, while surgical treatment should be performed in symptomatic patients with high-risk factors.

Novel ring-type measurement system of shear yield stress for magnetorheological fluid under high temperature.

In order to investigate the shear yield stress of magnetorheological (MR) fluid at different temperatures, shear gaps, and shear rates, a ring measurement system is designed based on the MR characteristics. The magnetic field and temperature field of the system are simulated and analyzed, which proves that the design of the measurement system is reasonable. On this basis, the measurement system is manufactured and experiments are carried out to verify its performance. The results show that the system can provide a uniform and strong enough magnetic field to make MR effects occur. Meanwhile, the temperature of the shear gap can reach 100 °C in 610 s, and it can increase up to 240 °C when heating continues, which can provide stable measurement conditions at different temperatures, especially at high temperatures. All the results of the experiments show that the measurement system meets the requirements of measuring the shear yield stress of MR fluid. To test the accuracy of the measurement system, repeated experiments are carried out as well. The shear yield stress by the system is almost the same as that provided by the manufacturer, showing excellent measuring precision. The repeatability error of the measurement system is less than 4.02%, indicating that the measurement system is of high accuracy.

Artificial atlanto-odontoid joint replacement through a transoral approach.

Resection of the odontoid process and anterior arch of the atlas results in atlantoaxial instability, which if left uncorrected may lead to severe neurological complications. Currently, such atlantoaxial instability is corrected by anterior and/or posterior C1-C2 fusion. However, this results in considerable loss of rotation function of the atlantoaxial complex. From the viewpoint of retaining the rotation function and providing stability, we designed an artificial atlanto-odontoid joint based on anatomical measurements of 50 pairs of dry atlantoaxial specimens by digital calipers and 10 fresh cadaveric specimens by microsurgical techniques. The metal-on-metal titanium alloy joint has an arc-shaped atlas component, and a hollow cylindrical bushing into which fits a rotation axle of an inverted v-shaped axis component and is implanted through a transoral approach. After the joint was implanted onto specimens with anterior decompression, biomechanical tests were performed to compare the stability parameters in the intact state, after decompression, after artificial joint replacement, and after fatigue test. Compared to the intact state, artificial joint replacement resulted in a significant decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion, extension, and lateral bending (P < 0.001); however, with regard to axial rotation, there was no significant difference in ROM (P = 0.405), a significant increase in NZ (P = 0.008), and a significant decrease in stiffness (P = 0.003). Compared to the decompressed state, artificial joint replacement resulted in a significantly decreased ROM (P B 0.021) and NZ (P B 0.002) and a significantly increased stiffness (P \ 0.001) in all directions. Following artificial joint replacement, there was no significant difference in ROM (P C 0.719), NZ (P C 0.580), and stiffness (P C 0.602) in all directions before and after the fatigue test. The artificial joint showed no signs of wear and tear after the fatigue test. This artificial atlanto-odontoid joint may be useful in cases of odontoid resection due to malunion or nonunion of odontoid fracture, atraumatic odontoid fracture, irreducible atlas dislocation, posterior atlantoaxial subluxation, or congenital skull base abnormalities.

Classification of gluteal muscle contracture in children and outcome of different treatments.

BACKGROUND: Gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) is a clinical syndrome due to multiple etiologies in which hip movements may be severely limited. The aim of this study was to propose a detailed classification of GMC and evaluate the statistical association between outcomes of different management and patient conditions. METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight patients, who were treated between January 1995 and December 2004, were reviewed at a mean duration of follow-up of 4.8 years. Statistical analyses were performed using X2 and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Non-operative management (NOM), as a primary treatment, was effective in 19 of 49 patients (38.8%), while operative management was effective in all 129 patients, with an excellence rating of 83.7% (108/129). The outcome of NOM in level I patients was significantly higher than in level II and III patients (P < 0.05). The results of NOM and operative management in the child group were better than the adolescent group (P < 0.05). Complications in level III were more than in level II. CONCLUSION: NOM was more effective in level I patients than in level II and III patients. Operative management was effective in patients at all levels, with no statistical differences between levels or types. We recommend NOM as primary treatment for level I patients and operative management for level II and III patients. Either NOM or operative management should be carried out as early as possible.

[Effects of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae medicated serum on proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis of osteoblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae medicated serum on cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis of rats' osteoblasts cultured in vitro. METHODS: The osteoblasts from cranium of newborn SD rats were cultured by collagenase method. MTT, PNPP, PI and Annexin V/PI methods were used to observe the proliferation, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), every stage cells in the cell cycle, and the ratio of apoptosis cells by different concentrations of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae medicated serum at different time points. RESULTS: Different concentrations of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae medicated serum could significantly enhance the cell proliferation rate and ALP activity (P < 0.05), more cells in S stage and less cells apoptosised than that of the untreated osteoblasts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae medicated serum could promote the proliferation, differentiation, increase S stage cells, and reduce the ratio of apoptosis cells, which reveals that they have anti-osteoporosis activity.

[Diagnosis value of serum infection index for early infection of patients undergoing posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis value of white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum procalcitonin (PCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels for early infection after posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty. Discover, prevent, and treat postoperative infections promptly. METHODS: The clinical data of 120 patients with early fever after posterior cervical laminoplasty from January 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of bacteriological culture of wound exudate, the patients were divided into infected group(53 cases) and non-infected group(67 cases). In infection group, there were 32 males and 21 females, aged from 48 to 63 years old, with an average of(52.28±6.36) years. In non-infected group, there were 37 males and 30 females, aged from 46 to 62 years old, with an average of(51.63±5.82) years. According to the postoperative infection types, the patients in infection group were divided into 30 cases of deep surgical site infection group and 23 cases of superficial surgical site infection group. In deep surgical site infection group, there were 19 males and 11 females, aged from 50 to 63 years old with an average of (53.16±5.62) years. In superficial surgical site infection group, there were 13 males and 10 females, aged from 48 to 61 years old with an average of (52.15±5.68) years. WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes were compared between groups and within groups before and after surgery. The serum infective index data of 120 patients were collected and the sensitivity and specificity of the serum infectious index were used to diagnose the infection. Accuracy assessment of early infection diagnosis of WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes by plotting the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve with 1-specificity as the abscissa and sensitivity as the ordinate. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes between infected group and non-infected group before operation(P>0.05). Postoperative WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR infection indexes in infection group were higher than in non-infected group(P<0.05). Among patients with postoperative infection, WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection index levels were significantly different in the different postoperative infection types (P<0.05). In non-infected group, WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes showed an overall trend of rising first and then falling. The area under curve (AUC) of WBC count infection index was 0.637(P<0.05). The AUC of CRP infection index was 0.792 (P<0.05). The AUC of PCT infection index was 0.774 (P<0.05). The AUC of ESR infection index was 0.783(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: WBC count, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes can be used for the diagnosis of early infection after posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty. In addition, the comprehensive analysis of the changes of the four infection indexes can be used for the identification of different postoperative infection types. WBC count index is less accurate for early infection diagnosis, and CRP, PCT, and ESR indexes are more accurate for early infection diagnosis. In general, CRP, PCT and ESR serum infection indexes have important clinical significance for the diagnosis of early infection after posterior cervical open-door laminoplasty, which helps clinicians to detect early postoperative infection as early as possible to facilitate subsequent treatment.

Establishment and verification of a surgical prognostic model for cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality.

Some studies have suggested that early surgical treatment can effectively improve the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality, but no research has focused on the development of a prognostic model of cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality. This retrospective analysis included 43 patients with cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality. Seven potential factors were assessed: age, sex, external force strength causing damage, duration of disease, degree of cervical spinal stenosis, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and physiological cervical curvature. A model was established using multiple binary logistic regression analysis. The model was evaluated by concordant profiling and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. The prognostic model was as follows: logit(P) = -25.4545 + 21.2576VALUE + 1.2160SCORE - 3.4224TIME, where VALUE refers to the Pavlov ratio indicating the extent of cervical spinal stenosis, SCORE refers to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (0-17) after the operation, and TIME refers to the disease duration (from injury to operation). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for all patients was 0.8941 (95% confidence interval, 0.7930-0.9952). Three factors assessed in the predictive model were associated with patient outcomes: a great extent of cervical stenosis, a poor preoperative neurological status, and a long disease duration. These three factors could worsen patient outcomes. Moreover, the disease prognosis was considered good when logit(P) ≥ -2.5105. Overall, the model displayed a certain clinical value. This study was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China (approval number: 2018063) on May 8, 2018.

[Culture and purification of human fetal OB olfactory ensheathing cells in vitro with different methods].

OBJECTIVE: To explore simple and useful methods for primary culture of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which could harvest human fetal OB olfactory ensheathing cells (OB-hOECs) with high purity in vitro. METHODS: OB-hOECs were cultured and purified with different methods. The basic method was dependent on the differing rates of cell attachment, the other methods were combined the basic method with cytarabine method, starvation method without serum, and NT3, method without serum respectively. The growth of OECs was observed and the purity of cultured cells was identified with immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: OB-hOECs appears dipolar and tripolar shape, and have slender mess evection forming network. The purity of OECs reached 88% with the basic method in 6 div, then reduced quickly due to fibroblast proliferation. With the starvation method, the OECs reached a higher purity of 91% at 6 div and 86% at 9 div, but cell condition was not very well. For the method of NT3 without serum, the purity could touch the highest score 95% at 9 div, and 83% at 12 div with a good cell condition. The purity of OECs cultured by the method of NT, without serum is statistical significantly higher than that of other methods (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Associated with the basic method of different cell attachment rate, the NT3 without serum method could obtain OECs with higher purity and better cell condition.

[Validity study of Coda Motion Analysis System for measuring cervical lateral flexion in normal adults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of Coda Motion Analysis System for measuring cervical lateral flexion in normal adults in order to explore a new measuring tool for clinical and research practice. METHODS: A total of 43 participants were involved in the study. Cervical range of lateral flexion were measured with Coda Motion Analysis System and "gold standard" X-ray simultaneously. The validity and agreement were assessed using the scatter diagram, the Pearson correlation coefficient and limits of agreement. RESULTS: Cervical range of lateral flexion measured by Coda Motion Analysis System had no statistical differences with those measured by X-ray(P>0.05). The Coda Motion Analysis System demonstrated a very good linear relation with the X-ray measurements in cervical range of right lateral flexion, left flexion and total lateral flexion, and the Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.72, 0.85 and 0.90 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Coda Motion Analysis System showed good validity for measuring cervical lateral flexion in normal adults. Because the reliability of Coda Motion Analysis System was established previously, the results of this study suggest that the system has the potential to be used to measure cervical lateral flexion in clinical and research practice.