OsPEX1, an extensin-like protein, negatively regulates root growth in a gibberellin-mediated manner in rice.

Leucine-rich repeat extensins (LRXs) are required for plant growth and development through affecting cell growth and cell wall formation. LRX gene family can be classified into two categories: predominantly vegetative-expressed LRX and reproductive-expressed PEX. In contrast to the tissue specificity of Arabidopsis PEX genes in reproductive organs, rice OsPEX1 is also highly expressed in roots in addition to reproductive tissue. However, whether and how OsPEX1 affects root growth is unclear. Here, we found that overexpression of OsPEX1 retarded root growth by reducing cell elongation likely caused by an increase of lignin deposition, whereas knockdown of OsPEX1 had an opposite effect on root growth, indicating that OsPEX1 negatively regulated root growth in rice. Further investigation uncovered the existence of a feedback loop between OsPEX1 expression level and GA biosynthesis for proper root growth. This was supported by the facts that exogenous GA3 application downregulated transcript levels of OsPEX1 and lignin-related genes and rescued the root developmental defects of the OsPEX1 overexpression mutant, whereas OsPEX1 overexpression reduced GA level and the expression of GA biosynthesis genes. Moreover, OsPEX1 and GA showed antagonistic action on the lignin biosynthesis in root. OsPEX1 overexpression upregulated transcript levels of lignin-related genes, whereas exogenous GA3 application downregulated their expression. Taken together, this study reveals a possible molecular pathway of OsPEX1mediated regulation of root growth through coordinate modulation of lignin deposition via a negative feedback regulation between OsPEX1 expression and GA biosynthesis.

Preparation of Inert Polystyrene Latex Particles as MicroRNA Delivery Vectors by Surfactant-Free RAFT Emulsion Polymerization.

We present the preparation of 11 nm polyacrylamide-stabilized polystyrene latex particles for conjugation to a microRNA model by surfactant-free RAFT emulsion polymerization. Our synthetic strategy involved the preparation of amphiphilic polyacrylamide-block-polystyrene copolymers, which were able to self-assemble into polymeric micelles and "grow" into polystyrene latex particles. The surface of these sterically stabilized particles was postmodified with a disulfide-bearing linker for the attachment of the microRNA model, which can be released from the latex particles under reducing conditions. These nanoparticles offer the advantage of ease of preparation via a scaleable process, and the versatility of their synthesis makes them adaptable to a range of applications.

Endosomal trafficking of nanoformulated antiretroviral therapy facilitates drug particle carriage and HIV clearance.

UNLABELLED: Limitations of antiretroviral therapy (ART) include poor patient adherence, drug toxicities, viral resistance, and failure to penetrate viral reservoirs. Recent developments in nanoformulated ART (nanoART) could overcome such limitations. To this end, we now report a novel effect of nanoART that facilitates drug depots within intracellular compartments at or adjacent to the sites of the viral replication cycle. Poloxamer 407-coated nanocrystals containing the protease inhibitor atazanavir (ATV) were prepared by high-pressure homogenization. These drug particles readily accumulated in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). NanoATV concentrations were ∼1,000 times higher in cells than those that could be achieved by the native drug. ATV particles in late and recycling endosome compartments were seen following pulldown by immunoaffinity chromatography with Rab-specific antibodies conjugated to magnetic beads. Confocal microscopy provided cross validation by immunofluorescent staining of the compartments. Mathematical modeling validated drug-endosomal interactions. Measures of reverse transcriptase activity and HIV-1 p24 levels in culture media and cells showed that such endosomal drug concentrations enhanced antiviral responses up to 1,000-fold. We conclude that late and recycling endosomes can serve as depots for nanoATV. The colocalization of nanoATV at endosomal sites of viral assembly and its slow release sped antiretroviral activities. Long-acting nanoART can serve as a drug carrier in both cells and subcellular compartments and, as such, can facilitate viral clearance. IMPORTANCE: The need for long-acting ART is significant and highlighted by limitations in drug access, toxicity, adherence, and reservoir penetrance. We propose that targeting nanoformulated drugs to infected tissues, cells, and subcellular sites of viral replication may improve clinical outcomes. Endosomes are sites for human immunodeficiency virus assembly, and increasing ART concentrations in such sites enhances viral clearance. The current work uncovers a new mechanism by which nanoART can enhance viral clearance over native drug formulations.

Resveratrol ameliorates experimental periodontitis in diabetic mice through negative regulation of TLR4 signaling.

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RSV) on periodontitis in diabetic mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: Experimental periodontitis was induced in db/db mice by ligature application of porphyromonas gingivalis. The mice were treated with RSV (20 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 4 weeks. Alveolar bone loss, proinflammatory cytokines and TLR4 expression in the gingival tissue were measured. Cultured gingival epithelial cells (GECs) were used for in vitro studies. The transcriptional activity of TLR4 downstream signaling was analyzed using Western blotting. RESULTS: RSV administration significantly decreased the blood glucose levels, and ameliorated alveolar bone loss in db/db mice with experimental periodontitis. RSV administration also suppressed the high levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TLR4 in gingival tissue of the mice. In the GECs incubated in high glucose medium, TLR4 expression was substantially upregulated, which was partly blocked in the presence of RSV. Lipopolysaccharides markedly increased the expression and secretion of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the GECs cultured in high glucose medium, which was also partly blocked in the presence of RSV. Furthermore, RSV significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of TLR4 downstream factors NF-κB p65, p38MAPK, and STAT3. CONCLUSION: RSV exerts protective effects against experimental periodontitis in db/db mice via negative regulation of TLR4 signaling.

Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and toxicity of folic acid-coated antiretroviral nanoformulations.

The drug delivery platform for folic acid (FA)-coated nanoformulated ritonavir (RTV)-boosted atazanavir (FA-nanoATV/r) using poloxamer 407 was developed to enhance cell and tissue targeting for a range of antiretroviral drugs. Such formulations would serve to extend the drug half-life while improving the pharmacokinetic profile and biodistribution to reservoirs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To this end, we now report enhanced pharmacokinetics and drug biodistribution with limited local and systemic toxicities of this novel nanoformulation. The use of FA as a targeting ligand for nanoATV/r resulted in plasma and tissue drug concentrations up to 200-fold higher compared to equimolar doses of native drug. In addition, ATV and RTV concentrations in plasma from mice on a folate-deficient diet were up to 23-fold higher for mice administered FA-nanoATV/r than for mice on a normal diet. Compared to earlier nanoATV/r formulations, FA-nanoATV/r resulted in enhanced and sustained plasma and tissue ATV concentrations. In a drug interaction study, ATV plasma and tissue concentrations were up to 5-fold higher in mice treated with FA-nanoATV/r than in mice treated with FA-nanoATV alone. As observed in mice, enhanced and sustained plasma concentrations of ATV were observed in monkeys. NanoATV/r was associated with transient local inflammation at the site of injection. There were no systemic adverse reactions associated with up to 10 weeks of chronic exposure of mice or monkeys to FA-nanoATV/r.

Spatiotemporal variations and the ecological risks of organophosphate esters in Laizhou Bay waters between 2019 and 2021: Implying the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in numerous consumer products such as plastics and furniture. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly slowed anthropogenic activities and reduced the emissions of pollutants. Meanwhile, the mismanagement of large quantities of disposable plastic facemasks intensified the problems of plastic pollution and leachable pollutants in coastal waters. In this study, the joint effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the occurrence of 12 targeted OPEs in the waters of Laizhou Bay (LZB) were investigated. The results showed that the median total OPE concentrations were 725, 363, and 109 ng L-1 in the sewage treatment plant effluent, river water, and bay water in 2021, decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 67%, 68%, and 70%, respectively, compared with those before the COVID-19 outbreak. The release potential of targeted OPEs from disposable surgical masks in the LZB area was ∼0.24 kg yr-1, which was insufficient to increase the OPE concentration in the LZB waters. The concentrations of most individual OPEs significantly decreased in LZB waters from 2019 to 2021, except for TBOEP and TNBP. Spatially, a lower concentration of OPEs was found in the Yellow River estuary area in 2021 compared with that before the COVID-19 pandemic due to the high content of suspended particulate matter in the YR. A higher total OPE concentration was observed along the northeastern coast of LZB, mainly owing to the construction of an artificial island since 2020. The ecological risks of the OPE mixture in LZB waters were lower than those before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, TCEP, TNBP, and BDP should receive continuous attention because of their potential ecological risks to aquatic organisms.

Prevention of orthopedic device-associated osteomyelitis using oxacillin-containing biomineral-binding liposomes.

PURPOSE: To develop novel biomineral-binding liposomes (BBL) for the prevention of orthopedic implant associated osteomyelitis. METHODS: A biomineral-binding lipid, alendronate-tri(ethyleneglycol)-cholesterol conjugate (ALN-TEG-Chol), was synthesized through Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (a versatile click reaction). Mixing with other excipients, the new lipid was used to develop BBL. Thermodynamic behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro biomineral-binding potential and kinetics were evaluated on hydroxyapatite (HA, a widely used material for orthopedic implant devices) particles. Oxacillin was encapsulated into BBL and used for in vitro evaluation in preventing Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. RESULTS: DSC analysis showed that ALN-TEG-Chol could inhibit the phase transition of liposomes by reducing its cooperativity, yielding liposomes with thermodynamic stability similar to liposomes containing regular cholesterol. BBL showed fast and strong binding ability to HA. Oxacillin-loading BBL demonstrated significantly better preventive efficacy against bacteria colonization when challenged with S. aureus isolate, implying its potential in preventing orthopedic implant associated osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof of concept study, novel BBL has been successfully developed and validated for reducing the frequency of implantable device-related infections.

Phosphorus distribution in the water and sediment of Laizhou Bay and sediment phosphorus release potential.

Phosphorus is an integral component of marine biogeochemistry. This research investigated the environmental behavior of P in Laizhou Bay using high-resolution sampling, P fractionation, and isotherm adsorption. The total dissolved P (TDP) concentration ranged from 8.4 to 61.0 µg/L in the bay water, while total P (TP) concentration ranged from 311.6 to 654.5 mg/kg in the sediment. The TDP concentration in the water was high in the estuarine area of the Yellow River and the southwestern bay under the combined effects of riverine inputs, direct wastewater discharge, and limited water exchange ability. High TP concentrations in the sediment were observed near the mouth of the Yellow River and central bay, mainly due to the movement and settlement of fine suspended particles under the influence of ocean currents. The P in the bay sediment was predominantly in the calcium-bound fraction and was associated with small particles such as silt and clay. The equilibrium P concentration (EPC0) ranged from 1.6 to 131.4 µg/L, and P partition coefficient or buffer intensity (Kd) ranged from 104 L/kg to 880 L/kg. The EPC0 decreased from the northeastern to southwestern area, while Kd showed an inverse distribution; therefore, the southwestern bay sediment had high buffer intensity for external P loads. Additionally, ECP0 increased linearly, and Kd decreased with exchangeable P (Exc-P) and Fe-bound P (Fe-P) concentrations in the sediment, demonstrating that P sediment-water exchange in LZB was dominated by contributions from Exc-P and Fe-P. These results can aid the understanding of the P sources and geochemistry of coastal ecosystems, particularly sediment P release potential.

Treatment of recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery: carotid reconstruction with ePTFE graft.

The aim of our study is to investigate the feasibility of reconstructing the carotid artery using expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) in patients with recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery. Ten patients, who had recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery, received carotid artery resection and reconstruction with ePTFE, tissue defects were repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Results show that eight patients did not present any vascular and neurologic complications. One patient presented slight hemiparesis, another patient developed wound infection and pharyngocutaneous fistula. The mean follow-up period was 33.1 ± 16.0 months. The 2-year survival rate was 50% (5/10), and there was one patient who survived for 60 months without locoreginal recurrence or distant metastasis. En bloc resection of tumor and involved carotid-associated ePTFE reconstruction provide effective improvement in the locoregional control of the recurrent head and neck carcinoma. The pedicle pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can provide not only wound bed with affluent blood supply for the vascular grafts, but also reparation of skin or the tissue defects of oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Pollution status, influencing factors and environmental risks of neonicotinoids, fipronil and its metabolites in a typical semi-closed bay in China.

The occurrence, spatiotemporal variations, influence factors and environmental risks of eight common neonicotinoids (NEOs), fipronil, and three fipronil metabolites (fipronil and its metabolites are collectively referred to as FIPs) in different seasons from the estuary to the inner area of Jiaozhou Bay, China were comprehensively investigated. First- and second-generation NEOs were found to be the predominant pesticides in this area. The average contents of ∑NEOs and ∑FIPs from the estuary to the inner bay decreased from 12.99 ng/L to 0.82 ng/L and from 1.10 ng/L to 0.17 ng/L, respectively. NEO and FIP concentrations were higher in summer and autumn. High ∑NEO content is distributed in main inflow rivers, such as Dagu River and Licun River, which are influenced by pesticide application. NEO concentrations in all rivers were high upstream and low downstream because of the influence of heavy rainfall and seawater dilution in summer. NEO concentrations were high along the coast and low at the mouth and center of Jiaozhou Bay in summer and autumn and evenly distributed in winter and spring. Temperature has a great influence on most NEOs and FIPs owing to its effect on their degradation. Nitrogen-containing nutrients have an important influence on the distribution of fipronil and acetamiprid, which may be due to the activity of nitrogen-containing functional groups in their structure. Only Licun River, Dagu River and Haibo river sewage treatment plant in summer posed a certain risk of chronic toxicity for NEOs using the new threshold established by the species sensitive distribution (SSD) method for Chinese native aquatic lives. These findings should arouse people's attention.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease With Episodic Rhabdomyolysis Due to Two Novel Mutations in the ß Subunit of Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein and Effective Response to Modified Diet Therapy.

A 29-year-old female experienced chronic progressive peripheral neuropathy since childhood and was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) at age 15. She developed recurrent, fever-induced rhabdomyolysis (RM) at age 24. EMG studies showed decreased amplitude of compound muscle action potential, declined motor conductive velocity, and absence of sensor nerve action potential. Acylcarnitine analysis revealed elevated C16-OH, C18-OH, and C18:1-OH. Muscle biopsy showed scattered foci of necrotic myofibers invaded by macrophages, occasional regenerating fibers, and remarkable muscle fiber type grouping. Whole-exome sequencing identified two novel heterozygous mutations: c.490G>A (p.G164S) and c.686G>A (p.R229Q) in HADHB gene encoding the ß-subunit of mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP). Reduction of long-chain fatty acid via dietary restrictions alleviated symptoms effectively. Our study indicates that the defect of the MTP ß-subunit accounts for both CMT and RM in the same patient and expands the clinical spectrum of disorders caused by the HADHB mutations. Our systematic review of all MTPD patients with dietary treatment indicates that the effect of dietary treatment is related to the age of onset and the severity of symptoms.

Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer-dexamethasone conjugates in adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model.

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer has been found to be arthrotropic (joint-targeting) in the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rat model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this manuscript, we report the quantitative pharmacokinetics and biodistribution (PK/BD) of (125)I-labeled HPMA copolymer-dexamethasone conjugate (P-Dex) in AA rats. Structural parameters of the prodrug such as the molecular weight (MW) and Dex content were found to have strong impact on the PK/BD profiles of P-Dex. The increase of MW (14,000, 24,000, and 42,000 g/mol) and Dex content (0, 151, and 313 micromol/g) enhances the arthrotropism of P-Dex. For the conjugate with highest MW and Dex content (P-H-M(W)/Dex), the percentage of injected doses per gram (ID/g) of ankle synovial tissue at day seventh postadministration is 1% g(-1), which confirms P-Dex as an arthrotropic macromolecular prodrug. For liver and spleen, the ID/g values are 0.51 and 3.64% g(-1), respectively. As an antigen-presenting organ, the sequestration of the prodrug by spleen may be explained by its abnormal enlargement associated with the systemic inflammatory disease model. Gradual reduction of spleen weight due to the inflammation resolution effect of P-Dex may also contribute to the high ID/g values. Increase of Dex content and reduction of MW would increase P-Dex distribution to kidney. The highest ID/g value for kidney at day seventh postadministration (0.91% g(-1)) was found with P-L-M(w) (MW = 14,000 g/mol, Dex content =288 micromol/g), which may suggest kidney tubuli reabsorption of the conjugates. The P-Dex's distribution to heart and lung is minimum.

Syntheses of click PEG-dexamethasone conjugates for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

A novel linear multifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dexamethasone (Dex) conjugate (click PEG-Dex) was synthesized using facile Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (a click reaction). Dex was conjugated to the click PEG via an acid-labile hydrazone bond to allow the drug release in a pathophysiological environment. To evaluate click PEG's potential as a versatile drug delivery platform, the click PEG-Dex conjugates were tested in an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rat model. In vivo optical imaging data confirmed the arthrotropism of the conjugates in the arthritic rats. A long-term treatment study revealed that a single click PEG-Dex conjugate administration provided sustained (>15 days) amelioration of ankle joint inflammation to the AA rats. Treatment with an equivalent dose of dexamethasone phosphate sodium (free Dex) only provided temporal resolution of the arthritis, which recurred upon treatment withdrawal. Further histological and bone mineral density comparison between the ankle joints from both click PEG-Dex and free Dex treatment groups confirmed the superior anti-inflammatory and disease modifying effects of the novel polymer-drug conjugates.

Triclosan-loaded tooth-binding micelles for prevention and treatment of dental biofilm.

PURPOSE: To develop tooth-binding micelle formulations of triclosan for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. METHODS: Alendronate (ALN) was conjugated to the chain termini of different Pluronic copolymers to confer tooth-binding ability to the micelles. Using 3 different formulation methods, Pluronics and ALN-modified Pluronics were used to prepare triclosan-loaded tooth-binding micelles. The formulation parameters were optimized for triclosan solubility, particle size, hydroxyapatite (HA) binding capability and in vitro drug release profile. The optimized formulation was tested on an in vitro biofilm model. RESULTS: Direct dissolution was selected as the best formulation method. Triclosan-loaded tooth-binding micelles were able to inhibit initial biofilm growth of Streptococcus mutans UA159 by 6-log CFU/HA disc compared to the untreated control. These tooth-binding micelles were also able to reduce the viability of preformed biofilm by 4-log CFU/HA disc compared to the untreated control. CONCLUSIONS: Triclosan-loaded tooth-binding micelle formulations have been successfully developed and optimized in this study. These micelle formulations demonstrated promising anti-cariogenic bacteria capabilities and may find applications in the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Occurrence, distribution, source, and influencing factors of lipophilic marine algal toxins in Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea, China.

The composition, distribution, origin, and influencing factors of lipophilic marine algal toxins (LMATs) in surface seawater and phytoplankton in Laizhou Bay, China, were comprehensively investigated for the first time. Okadaic acid (OA), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX2), and pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (PTX2 SA) were discovered in surface seawater, whereas PTX2, OA, 7-epi-PTX-2 SA, DTX1, PTX2 SA, PTX11, and DTX2 were found in phytoplankton in a decreasing concentration order. ∑LMAT concentrations in seawater and phytoplankton were 1.08-35.66 ng/L (mean: 7.31 ng/L) and 0-3609.75 ng/L (mean: 191.38 ng/L), respectively. LMAT contents in seawater and phytoplankton exhibited the highest levels in the southeastern mouth of Laizhou Bay and decreased toward the inner and outer bays. Dinophysis fortii, D. acuminata, D. rotundata, Procentrum lima, and P. minimum were identified as the potential origins of LMATs in Laizhou Bay. Moreover, increased nutrient level and decreased pH in seawater could increase LMAT content.

Tooth-binding micelles for dental caries prevention.

Maintenance of the effective local concentration of antimicrobials on the tooth surface is critical for the management of cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. We report on the design of a simple tooth-binding micellar drug delivery platform that would effectively bind to tooth surfaces. To achieve tooth-binding ability, the chain termini of biocompatible Pluronic copolymers were modified with a biomineral-binding moiety (i.e., alendronate). The micelles formulated with this polymer were shown to be able to swiftly (<1 min) bind to hydroxyapatite (HA; a model tooth surface) and gradually release the encapsulated model antimicrobial (farnesol). These tooth-binding micelles were negatively charged and had an average effective hydrodynamic diameter of less than 100 nm. In vitro biofilm inhibition studies demonstrated that the farnesol-containing tooth-binding micelles were able to provide significantly stronger inhibition of Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilm formation on HA discs than the untreated blank control micelles (P < 0.0001). Upon further optimization, this delivery platform could provide an effective tool for caries prevention and treatment.

Benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws: a study of 127 Chinese patients and review of the literature.

The aim of this study is to analyze all the cases of benign fibro-osseous lesions treated at School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, to compare the results obtained in this study with those previously documented by other authors. The 127 cases diagnosed as a fibro-osseous lesion were retrieved, and information about these lesions was documented. In all, 127 cases of benign fibro-osseous lesions were surgically treated. Of these, 55 were cemento-ossifying fibroma, 43 ossifying fibroma, and 29 fibrous dysplasia. Cemento-ossifying fibromas mostly occur in men of the second decades, mostly in the mandible. Ossifying fibromas had almost equal sex predilection and age distribution peaked in the second decades, mostly in the mandible. Fibrous dysplasia also had equal sex predilection, and age distribution peaked in the second and third decades, with equal occurrence in both jaws. The tumors needed to have a regular follow-up after the surgery.

The effect of screw length and bone cement augmentation on the fixation strength of iliac screws: a biomechanical study.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparison of the biomechanical fixation strengths offered by 3 iliac screw fixation techniques: short screw, short screw augmented with cement, and long screw. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of screw length and bone cement augmentation on the fixation strength of iliac screw upon fatigue loading. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Iliac screws have been used in treating spinal disorders such as spinal deformity, spondylolisthesis, and sacral tumor. In clinical practices, both short screws and long screws are being used. It has been reported that short iliac screws have a higher rate of loosening. Therefore, short iliac screws are being used with bone cement augmentation to improve fixation. To date, no biomechanical study has compared the strengths of these 3 different iliac screw fixation techniques. METHOD: Fresh, frozen human cadaveric pelvis specimens (n = 18, 12 males, 6 females, average age 61 y) were used. Bone density was measured to characterize bone quality. The specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups. In group 1 (n = 8), short screws of 7.0-mm diameter and 70 + or - 4 mm length (as the length of exceeding over ischial notch) and long screw of 7.0-mm diameter and 120 + or - 4 mm length were placed on either side of the pelvis (left and right). In group 2 (n = 10), short iliac screws were placed after augmentation with polymethyl methacrylate bone cement on 1 side of the pelvis and long iliac screw were placed on the other side (left and right). Cyclic loading ranging from 20 to 200 N was applied to each screw at a frequency of 2 Hz up to 5000 cycles. Pullout tests were then conducted at the rate of 5 mm/min after the fatigue test, and the maximum pullout strength for each screw was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The maximum pullout strength of the long screw and short screw groups after fatigue conditioning were 2386 + or - 1470 and 833 + or - 681 N respectively. Significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). The short iliac screw had a higher loosening rate. The pullout force of the short screw fixation with augmentation and the long screw fixation after cyclic loading were 2436 + or - 915 and 2529 + or - 1055 N, respectively. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Short iliac screws are susceptible to loosening after cyclic loading. Bone cement augmentation of short screws has demonstrated a significant increase in the fixation strength of short screws to an extent similar to that of long iliac screws. Thus, short iliac screw fixation after augmentation with bone cement will be a viable clinical option for spino-pelvic reconstruction.

Occurrence, transportation, and distribution difference of typical herbicides from estuary to bay.

In several watersheds, agricultural activities are the cause of pollution, mainly due to the discharge of herbicides. Often, these herbicide plumes are transported to the surrounding bays. Samples of water, suspended particulate sediments (SPSs), and sediments from 37 sites in the Jiaozhou Bay in the western Pacific Ocean were collected in April 2018. The total concentrations of atrazine and acetochlor in these samples were analyzed, that showed different patterns in each sampled area. Atrazine had 2-3 times higher concentrations in coastal areas and bays compared to the estuary, indicating that it had a higher residence time in the marine environment. In contrast, acetochlor concentration decreased with an increase in the depth of seawater. Both the spatial distributions and the vertical concentrations in water, SPS, and sediment proved that these two herbicides had different responses during transportation from the estuary to the bay. Despite the significant difference in concentration of the two herbicides in the water and sediment, their spatially averaged value in SPS was very close, indicating that the particles had saturated sorption capability. The organic carbon normalized partition coefficient (LogKoc) was used to explain the partitioning of the herbicides between water and sediment. The LogKoc difference between herbicides demonstrated that acetochlor was strongly phase partitioned in the coastal and the bay areas, thereby causing similar distributions of acetochlor in the three matrices. Atrazine had a higher LogKoc value in the estuary, which explained its higher concentration in the estuary SPS. The correlation and redundancy analyses both demonstrated that the concentrations of the herbicides in water were sensitive to dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen. The current tides and bathymetry were the critical factors in determining the spatial distribution of herbicides in the water and sediment, resulting in a low herbicide load in the river mouth area.

Clinical analysis of percutaneous computed tomography-guided injection of cyanoacrylate for localization of 115 small pulmonary lesions in 113 asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the clinical feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a computed tomography (CT)-guided cyanoacrylate injection system and investigate the relationship between clinical features and pathologic characteristics of diminutive pulmonary lesions. METHODS: In total, 115 pulmonary nodules from 113 patients (63 female, 50 male) with a diameter of <20 mm were percutaneously localized with a CT-guided cyanoacrylate injection system and then resected. RESULTS: Of the pure ground-glass opacities (GGOs), 16.0% were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), 18.7% were adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 49.3% were lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), and 16.0% were benign inflammatory fibrosis/fibrotic scars. Of the mixed GGOs, 18.2% were AAH, 22.7% were AIS, 22.7% were ADC, and 36.4% were benign lesions. Lesions of >10 mm and those located in relation to vessels were significantly more likely to be malignant. The success rate of both the cyanoacrylate injection system and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was 100% with no severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative localization of small pulmonary nodules using a cyanoacrylate injection system is a safe, simple, and useful technique.