Epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly people in Wuhan in 2016-2020 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly people in Wuhan during 2016-2020, and to provide a basis for formulating effective prevention and control strategies and measures. Methods Using the National Tuberculosis Information Management System, a descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the medical records of elderly (≥60 years old) pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered in Wuhan from 2016 to 2020. Results A total of 9 427 elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients were registered in Wuhan during 2016-2020, accounting for 32.07% of the total number of registrations in the whole population. The reported incidence rate of tuberculosis in the elderly was significantly higher than that in the total population, and the reported incidence rates in both the elderly and the general population showed declining trends (whole population χ2trend=216.97, P2trend=153.57, P<0.05). The time distribution showed that more cases occurred from April to November (70.90%). The top three districts with the largest number of registered cases were far urban areas, namely Huangpi District (13.81%), Xinzhou District (11.55%), and Jiangxia District (9.82%). The ratio of male to female with pulmonary tuberculosis in elderly patients was 2.85:1. Among the elderly pulmonary tuberculosis, the most registered cases were in the age group of 60 ~ years old, followed by 65 ~ years old. The proportion of smear-positive in elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis retreatment was 16.83%. Conclusion From 2016 to 2020, the epidemic situation of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis showed a downward trend in Wuhan. However, the elderly population with tuberculosis registrations still accounted for a relatively high proportion of the total population. According to the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly, the city should carry out tuberculosis prevention and control work in a timely, appropriate and focused manner.

Extracellular Expression and Purification of Spider Neurotoxin Hainantoxin-IV in Escherichia coli / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

The spider neurotoxin hainantoxin-IV(HNTX-IV), which is isolated from the crude venom of the spider Selenocosia hainana, can specifically inhibit the tetrodotoxin-sensitive(TTX-S) sodium channel, and can selectively inhibit Voltage-gated sodium channel(VGSC) Na

Formative mechanism of intracanal fracture fragments in thoracolumbar burst fractures: a finite element study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Thoracolumbar burst fracture is a common clinical injury, and the fracture mechanism is still controversial. The aim of this research was to study the formation of intracanal fracture fragments in thoracolumbar burst fractures and to provide information for the prevention of thoracolumbar bursts fractures and reduction of damage to the nervous system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of T11-3 segments was established, and the injury processes of thoracolumbar bursts were simulated. The intact finite element model and the finite element model after the superior articular were impacted by 100 J of energy in different directions. The distribution and variation of stress in the superior posterior region of the L1 vertebral body were analyzed. Abaqus 6.9 explicit dynamic solver was used as finite element software in calculations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of the thoracolumbar spine was created. In the intact model, stress was concentrated in the superior posterior region of the L1 vertebral body. The stress peak was a maximum for the extension impact load and a minimum for the flexion impact load. The stress peak and contact force in the facet joint had close correlation with time. The stress peak disappeared after excision of the superior articular process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model was suitable for dynamic analysis. The contact force in the facet joint, which can be transferred to the superior posterior vertebral body, may explain the spinal canal fragment in thoracolumbar burst fractures.</p>

Unilateral pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra in combination with the short segment of pedicle screw in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture of mild to moderate instability / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of unilateral pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra in combination with the short segment of pedicle screw in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture of mild to moderate instability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients with single segment thoracolumbar fracture received unilateral pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra in combination with the short segment of pedicle screw from January 2008 to December 2009. There were 16 patients were male and 10 were female with an average age of 47.3 years (range from 39 to 60 years). Fracture severity score was constructed by using the load-sharing classification (4 points for 2 cases, 5 points for 14 cases, 6 points for 10 cases). By Frankel assessment system, 2 cases were in grade C, 3 in grade D, 21 in grade E. The assessment included anterior vertebral body height, the sagittal Cobb angle, the restoration of nervous function, visual analogue score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The follow-up after the surgery was 13 - 26 months, with an average of 18.6 months. There were no fixation failure, defined as implant failure or ≥ 10° correction loss. The neurological status of 4 patients, who had an associated neurologic deficit preoperatively, was completely recovered. The Frankel grade of another case was re-rated D from the original C. The mean anterior vertebral body height increased from 57.0% ± 6.3% before the surgery to 93.1% ± 1.7% at the last follow-up(F = 455.276, P < 0.05). The sagittal Cobb angle decreased from 15.6° ± 4.7° before the surgery to 2.6° ± 5.2° at the last follow-up (F = 34.623, P < 0.05). VAS and ODI were 1.0 ± 0.7 and 17.0 ± 5.9 at the last follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Unilateral pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra combined with the short segment of pedicle screw is effective for thoracolumbar fracture with mild to moderate instability.</p>