Konjac glucomannan attenuate high-fat diet-fed obesity through enhancing ß-adrenergic-mediated thermogenesis in inguinal white adipose tissue in mice.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) has been reported to prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity, and we study investigated whether dietary supplementation with KGM can prevent obesity by increasing energy expenditure in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of high-fat diet (HF) -fed mice. Weaned mice fed the control diet (Con), HF, or HF plus KGM (8%, w/w, HFK) were divided into three groups. The results showed that 10-week supplementation with KGM significantly reduced partial adipose tissue weight and body weight, and improved glucose tolerance. Compared to the HF group, plasma lipid concentrations in the HFK group were greatly decreased to the control level. Moreover, transcriptomic research has shown that genes that are mainly associated with energy and lipid metabolism are significantly altered in iWAT. Mechanistically, KGM stimulated thermogenesis by promoting the expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) and the ß3-adrenergic receptor (ADR3ß). Taken together, our results suggest that dietary supplementation with konjac glucomannan can effectively alleviate obesity induced by a high-fat diet by activating ADR3ß-mediated iWAT thermogenesis. Dietary supplementation with KGM can effectively alleviate high fat diet- induced obesity mice by via activating ADR3ß-mediated thermogenesis of iWAT.

The impact of early-life antibiotics and probiotics on gut microbial ecology and infant health outcomes: a Pregnancy and Birth Cohort in Northwest China (PBCC) study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Unreasonable use of antibiotics and probiotics can alter the gut ecology, leading to antibiotic resistance and suboptimal health outcomes during early life. Our study aims are to clarify the association among antibiotic and probiotic exposure in early life, the microecology of the gut microbiota, and the development of antibiotic resistance; to investigate the long-term impact of antibiotics and probiotics on the health outcomes of infants and young children; and to provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of antibiotics and probiotics from a life course perspective. METHODS: The study is a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort study conducted in Shaanxi Province, China from 2018 to 2024. A total of 3,000 eligible mother-child pairs will be enrolled from rural, suburban, and urban areas. The recruitment of the participants begins at pregnancy, and the newborns will be followed up for 2 years at successive timepoints: within 3 days after birth, 42 days after birth, and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Sociodemographic data, environmental exposures, dietary patterns, psychological conditions, and medical and drug histories are collected. Cognitive and behavioural development among infants and young children and questionnaires on antibiotic knowledge and behaviour among caregivers will be collected at 12 and 24 months of age. The faecal samples are collected and analysed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for antibiotic resistance genes. DISCUSSION: The findings will inform antibiotic and probiotic use for pregnant women and infants and contribute to establishing rational use strategies of antibiotics and probiotics for paediatricians, health practitioners, and drug administration policy-makers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) platform, http://www.chictr.org.cn (Record ID: ChiCTR2100047531, June 20, 2021).

Polo Like Kinase 4 (PLK4) impairs human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) viability and osteogenic differentiation.

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) viability and osteogenic differentiation play a critical role in bone disorders such as osteoporosis. In the present study, we identified the aberrant PLK4 upregulation in osteoporosis and downregulation in BMSCs during osteogenic differentiation. In isolated hBMSCs, PLK4 overexpression significantly inhibited, whereas PLK4 knockdown promoted cell viability and hBMSC osteogenic differentiation. For molecular mechanism, PLK4 overexpression decreased, whereas PLK4 knockdown increased WNT1 and ß-catenin protein levels and the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8. The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling antagonist Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) or the BMP-Smads antagonist LDN193189 dramatically suppressed hBMSC osteoblast differentiation, and partially attenuated the promotive effects of PLK4 knockdown on hBMSC osteogenic differentiation. Altogether, PLK4 overexpression impairs hBMSC viability and osteogenic differentiation potential, possibly through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and BMP/Smads signaling.

Silencing Proteasome 26S Subunit ATPase 2 (PSMC2) Protects the Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro and Osteogenesis In Vivo.

Osteoporosis is a commonly seen degenerative bone disorder in the elderly and postmenopausal women, with a low bone mineral density as a major risk factor. The osteogenic potential of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) showed to be impaired during osteoporosis. We established a postmenopausal osteoporosis model in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and found the upregulation of proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 2 (PSMC2) in OVX mice. PSMC2 silencing improved OVX-impaired biomechanical properties of mice femur, OVX-decreased BMD, and OVX-destroyed bone structure. Histopathological analysis indicated that PSMC2 silencing improved bone trabecular structure and increased the contents of collagen fibers and newly formed bone or cartilage in OVX mice. In the meantime, PSMC2 silencing increased Runx2, PI3K, Wnt3a, and ß-catenin protein contents while reduced CTSK protein. Within BMSCs isolated from OVX mice, PSMC2 silencing promoted BMSC osteogenic differentiation and elevated osteogenic markers' protein contents, including HOXA10, Runx2, OCN, OPN, and COL1A2. In conclusion, PSMC2 expression is upregulated in the postmenopausal osteoporosis model in OVX mice. PSMC2 silencing promotes the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro, promotes bone formation, and inhibits bone resorption in vivo.

Association of antenatal vitamin B complex supplementation with neonatal vitamin B12 status: evidence from a cluster randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Evidence about the effect of maternal vitamin B12 supplementation on offspring's vitamin B12 status is limited. The present interventional study sought to evaluate the association of antenatal vitamin B complex supplementation with neonatal vitamin B12 status. METHODS: In an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in three rural counties in northwest China, pregnant women < 20 weeks of gestation were randomized to three treatment groups: blank control, iron supplements, or vitamin B complex supplements. All women were administered folic acid supplements during the periconceptional period. In a sub-study, we collected cord blood samples of 331 participants from the control or vitamin B complex groups in the Xunyi county from January 2017 to December 2017. Plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine were measured. Linear mixed models with a random intercept for cluster were used to compare biochemical indexes between groups after controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Compared with newborns whose mothers were in the control group, newborns of the vitamin B complex-supplemented women had significantly higher cord plasma vitamin B12 (P = 0.001) and lower homocysteine concentrations (P = 0.043). The association of antenatal vitamin B complex supplementation with cord blood vitamin B12 concentrations appeared to be more pronounced among newborns with high folate status than those with low folate status (Pinteraction = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vitamin B complex supplementation during pregnancy was associated with better neonatal vitamin B12 status in rural northwest China.

Fetal bovine serum-derived exosomes regulate the adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in a cross-species manner.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) contains a large number of exosomes which may disturb the analysis of exosomes derived from cultured cells. We investigated the effect of FBS-derived exosomes (FBS-Exos) on the adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) and the underlying molecular mechanism. The uptake of FBS-Exos by hBM-MSCs could be detected by the laser confocal microscopy, and the treatment of exosomes resulted in the decreased lipid droplet formation and reduced expression of genes associated with adipogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs. miR-1246 was identified as an abundant microRNA in FBS-Exos by public sequencing data identification and RT-qPCR validation. Moreover, miR-1246 overexpression in hBM-MSCs led to decreased adipogenic differentiation level, while miR-1246 knockdown in FBS-Exos attenuated the inhibitory effect on the adipogenic differentiation. Our results indicate that FBS-Exos inhibit the adipogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs in a cross-species manner and miR-1246 transferred by FBS-Exos partly contributes to this effect.

The bacterial community structures in response to the gut passage of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) feeding on cow dung and domestic sludge: Illumina high-throughput sequencing-based data analysis.

Diets are shown to be capable of shaping the gut microbiota of earthworm, while the effects of distinct foods on bacterial communities of different digestive tracts of earthworm are unknown. For this purpose, cow dung (CD) and domestic sludge (DS) were chosen as diets for earthworms (Eisenia fetida), and different gut contents, namely gizzard + foregut area, hindgut, and mature vermi-compost were sampled for Illumina sequencing analysis. We found that there existed significant reductions in bacterial diversity and abundance in the gizzard + foregut area, where there were stable bacteria with the ability of biodegradation of xenobiotics, such as Amycolatopsis, Methylobacterium, Ralstonia, Ochrobactrum, and Sphingomonas. The decreases could be recovered in the hindgut and mature vermi-compost to different extents, suggesting that a bottleneck effect on the bacterial community occurred in the gizzard + foregut area. Beta-Proteobacteria was the most abundant subclass regardless of the different diets, and bacteria affiliated with gamma-, delta- and epsilon-subclasses were taken as food by the earthworms. Vermi-composts based on the various diets should be used differently according to different aims.

Tetracycline resistance genes are more prevalent in wet soils than in dry soils.

This study aimed to reveal the effects of water content on the spread of tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) in the soil. Amendments of four samples with different soil water contents, namely 16% (dry soil) and 25% (wet soil), and with or without pig manures (PM) were conducted under laboratory conditions. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) results showed that the relative abundance of TRGs (tetB, tetC, tetM, tetO, tetT, and tetZ) in the wet soils was significantly higher than that in the dry soils whether under fertilization or non-fertilization conditions. Moreover, PM application enhanced the relative abundance of TRGs. The absolute copies of TRGs did not decline with the decrease in 16S rRNA genes in wet soils, implying that most TRGs were probably located in facultative anaerobic bacteria. However, cultivable tetracycline-resistant bacteria (TRB) in the wet soils were not in line with the q-PCR results, further indicating that aerobes might not account for the increases in the relative abundance of TRGs. Diversities of aerobic TRB were significantly higher in the wet soils than in the dry soils, especially on days 14 and 28. The patterns of community structures of aerobic TRB in the wet soils or dry soils containing PM were different from those in the dry soils. Together, this study showed that the variations in bacterial communities between the wet and dry soils, especially reflected in the diversity of aerobic TRB and/or community structure of facultative anaerobic TRB, might be an important reason behind the changes in the abundance of TRGs.

Multi-micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of maternal anaemia and adverse birth outcomes in a high-altitude area: a prospective cohort study in rural Tibet of China.

Anaemia during pregnancy, characterised by Hb <110 g/l, is a specific risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of daily antenatal supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MMN) compared with folic acid (FA) on the occurrence of anaemia among pregnant women and their infants' health in a high-altitude area. A prospective cohort study was carried out in two rural counties in Tibet from 2007 to 2012. A total of 1149 eligible pregnant women were allocated daily supplementation with FA in one county and MMN containing a recommended allowance of twenty-three vitamins and minerals in another county starting ≤24 weeks of gestation and continuing until delivery. Compared with the FA group, prenatal supplementation with MMN was significantly associated with reduced odds of anaemia in the third trimester. This was demonstrated in the primary outcome, with an adjusted OR (AOR) of 0·63; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·88 and P=0·007 and also reduced odds of preterm delivery (AOR: 0·31; 95 % CI 0·15, 0·61; P=0·001). There was no difference between MMN and FA groups in mean birth weight (adjusted mean difference: 36·78; 95 % CI -19·42, 92·98 g; P=0·200), whereas MMN supplementation significantly reduced the odds of low-birth weight (LBW) babies (AOR: 0·58; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·91; P=0·019). In conclusion, the antenatal MMN supplementation in rural Tibet is associated with a reduction of maternal anaemia in the third trimester, and may potentially decrease the risk of preterm delivery and LBW babies.

Maternal iron intake during pregnancy and birth outcomes: a cross-sectional study in Northwest China.

Previous studies have yielded conflicting results on the associations of maternal Fe intake with birth outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the associations between maternal Fe intake (total Fe from diet and supplements, dietary total Fe, haeme Fe, non-haeme Fe and Fe supplements use) and adverse birth outcomes in Shaanxi Province of Northwest China. In all, 7375 women were recruited using a stratified multistage random sampling method at 0-12 months (median 3; 10th-90th percentile 0-7) after delivery. Diets were collected by a validated FFQ and maternal characteristics were obtained via a standard questionnaire. The highest tertile of haeme Fe intake compared with the lowest tertile was negatively associated with low birth weight (LBW) (OR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·49, 0·94), small for gestational age (SGA) (OR 0·76; 95 % CI 0·62, 0·94) and birth defects (OR 0·55; 95 % CI 0·32, 0·89). Maternal haeme Fe intake was associated with a lower risk of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) (medium tertile v. lowest tertile: OR 0·78; 95 % CI 0·61, 0·95; highest tertile v. lowest tertile: OR 0·76; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·93; P trend=0·045). The OR of LBW associated with Fe supplements use were as follows: during pregnancy: 0·72 (95 % CI 0·50, 0·95); in the second trimester: 0·67 (95 % CI 0·42, 0·98); in the third trimester: 0·47 (95 % CI 0·24, 0·93). We observed no associations of total Fe, dietary total Fe or non-haeme Fe intake with birth outcomes. The results suggest that maternal haeme Fe intake is associated with a reduced risk of LBW, SGA, IUGR and birth defects, and Fe supplements use during pregnancy reduces LBW risk.

Dietary intakes and dietary patterns among pregnant women in Northwest China.

OBJECTIVE: To describe nutrient intakes, characterize dietary patterns and analyse their associations with sociodemographic characteristics among pregnant women in Shaanxi, China. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Twenty counties and ten districts in Shaanxi Province of Northwest China, 2013. SUBJECTS: Women (n 7462) were recruited using a stratified multistage random sampling method to report diets during pregnancy, at 0-12 months (median 3 months; 10th-90th percentile, 0-7 months) after delivery. RESULTS: Pregnant women had higher intakes of fat, niacin and vitamin E than the nutrient reference values, while most micronutrients such as vitamin A, folate, Ca and Zn were reportedly low. Women in the highest education, occupation and household income groups had higher nutrient intakes than those in the lowest groups. Nutrient intake differences also existed by geographic area, residence and maternal age at delivery. Three dietary patterns were identified: balanced pattern, vegetarian pattern and snacks pattern. Participants with high balanced pattern scores tended to be better educated, wealthier, 25-29 years old at delivery, working outside and living in urban areas and central Shaanxi. Women with high scores on the vegetarian pattern and snacks pattern tended to be in low balanced pattern score groups, and had lower nutrient intakes than those in the high balanced pattern score groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that pregnant women in Shaanxi, China had low intakes of most nutrients such as vitamin A, folate and Ca. Dietary patterns and most nutrient intakes varied by sociodemographic characteristics. Targeted programmes are needed to improve dietary intakes and dietary patterns among sociodemographically disadvantaged groups.

The effects of pig manure application on the spread of tetracycline resistance in bulk and cucumber rhizosphere soils: a greenhouse experiment.

It is important to understand the dynamics of tetracycline-resistant bacteria (TRB) and tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) in bulk and rhizosphere soils for evaluating the spread of TRGs from pig manure to human. In this work, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the difference in abundance of TRB, tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli (TRE), tetracycline-resistant Pseudomonas spp. (TRP), and TRGs between bulk and cucumber rhizosphere soils. The application of pig manure resulted in the long-term persistence of TRB, TRE, TRP, and TRGs in bulk soil and rhizosphere of cucumber for at least 65 days. Pig manure application dose was the major driving force in altering the abundances of TRB and TRE, whereas TRP was disturbed mainly by compartment (bulk soil or rhizosphere). Both TRE and the percentage of TRE in bulk and rhizosphere soils increased linearly with an increase in dose of pig manure. The exponential relationships between pig manure dose and TRP along with TRP percentage were also noted. There were significant differences in the relative abundances of TRGs between bulk and cucumber rhizosphere soils, suggesting the use of pig manure exerted a more lasting impact on the spread of TRGs in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil.

Prevalence and risk factors of congenital heart defects among live births: a population-based cross-sectional survey in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Nearly half of the population of Northwest China live in Shaanxi province, but population-based data on the epidemiologic characteristics of congenital heart defects (CHD) in this population is limited. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of the CHD among infants born between 2010 and 2013 in Shaanxi province. METHODS: Infants born between 2010 and 2013 in Shaanxi province were surveyed using a stratified multi-stage sampling method. Participant characteristics were recorded by questionnaire, medical records were reviewed and CHD was diagnosed using a specialized neonatal echocardiography. A Poisson regression model was applied to assess the association between any CHD and possible risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 29098 live infants were surveyed with an overall prevalence of 76.0 (95% CI: 66.3, 86.7) per 10000 live infants. The prevalence of major and minor CHD were 26.1 and 49.8 per 10000 live infants, respectively, in surveyed areas. Poisson regression analysis indicated that, compared with singleton infants, the prevalence rate ratio of CHD was higher in twin and multi-fetal infants (PRR:3.1, 95% CI:1.6, 6.1). Using southern Shaanxi as a reference, the PRR of CHD were lower in northern (PRR:0.4, 95% CI:0.3, 0.6) and central Shaanxi province (PRR:0.5, 95% CI:0.4, 0.7). PRR was higher in mothers over 30 years of age than in those under 25 years (PRR:1.6, 95% CI:1.0, 2.5), and in mothers with ≥3 parity than that in mothers with only one parity (PRR:2.2, 95% CI:1.2, 4.2). The risk for CHD among live infants was positively associated with family history of CHD (PRR: 9.8, 95% CI: 5.3, 18.1). Additionally, CHD was less common in the floating population than the permanent population (PRR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9). CONCLUSION: The CHD among live infants seemed to be a serious health problem in Shaanxi province as well as in Northwestern China. Our research have important policy implications for recommendations on CHD intervention in Northwest China.

[Treatment of lumbar sagittal split fracture with combined anterior and posterior short segment fixation and fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined anterior and posterior short segment fixation and fusion for lumbar sagittal split fracture.
 Methods: From March, 2005 to May, 2013, 13 patients of lumbar sagittal split fracture underwent short segment posterior fixation and anterior fusion. Preoperative and postoperative kyphotic Cobb's angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of back pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), as well as the incidence of complication were accessed.
 Results: Mean follow-up duration was 42 months (24-60 months). Average operative time was 248 min (185-300 min) and average bleeding was 950 mL (600-1 500 mL). All patients were significantly improved in function and self-image. In the Cobb angle evaluation, there was significant improvement in 2 days or 12 months after the operation (P<0.05). In terms of average VAS pain score and ODI score, the difference was significant (P<0.05) between before and after surgery; the results of 12 months and the final follow-up after operation were significantly better than those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at the 12 months and the final follow-up (P>0.05). According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard, in the last follow-up, 6 patients with grade D recovered to grade E, 3 patients had no further recovery. All patients achieved bony fusion in 4.5 months (3-6) months. There were 3 cases with dural tear and it was repaired during operation. There was no neurologic deterioration and vascular injury.
 Conclusion: The short construct with pedicle screws in the fractured vertebrae and disc space fusion may be a better therapeutic option for the highly lumbar unstable fracture of C1.2.1.

Sex differences in the intellectual functioning of early school-aged children in rural China.

BACKGROUND: Gender disparities in China are concentrated in poor rural areas and among poor households. The difference in intelligence between boys and girls is less clear in rural China. The purpose of this paper was to assess sex differences in the intellectual function of early school-aged children in rural China. METHODS: One thousand seven hundred forty four early school-aged offspring of women who had participated in a prenatal supplementation trial with different combinations of micronutrients and continued to reside in two rural counties in China were followed. We measured their Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Working Memory Index (WMI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) and Processing Speed Index (PSI) using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). Multilevel analyses were used to assess sex differences in intellectual functioning in 7-10-year-old children in rural China. RESULTS: Boys' adjusted mean FSIQ score was 0.97 points higher (95% CI: -2.22 - 0.28) than that of girls. Girls obtained higher mean WMI and PSI scores, with 1.32 points (95% CI: 0.14 - 2.51) and 3.10 points (95% CI: 1.82-4.38) higher adjusted means, respectively. Boys' adjusted mean VCI and PRI scores were significantly higher than those of girls, and the mean differences were 2.44 points (95% CI: 0.95 - 3.94) and 3.68 points (95% CI: 2.36 - 5.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to suggest sex differences in the general intelligence of early school-aged children in rural China. However, a difference in general intelligence between 10-year-old boys and girls was evident. Girls and boys in rural China tended to show different specific cognitive abilities.

Cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in an-11-year old girl: case report and review of literature.

UNLABELLED: To present the clinical feature, radiographic characteristic, treatment and prognosis of an 11 years old girl with cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL). BACKGROUND: Calcification is the degeneration of intervertebral disc, mostly occurs in the cervical segment. The pediatric cervical intervertebral disc calcification associated with OPLL is very rare. The etiology and treatment guidelines of this complex are poorly known. METHOD: An 11 years old girl experienced neck pain for 3 months,aggravated for half a month. Neurological examination revealed the limitation of cervical spine motion and numbness of the upper left extremity. The spine radiograph, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc calcification accompanied with OPLL. Conservative intervention was performed, followed up with an observation for 6 months. RESULT: On admission, the spine radiograph and computed tomography found the calcified intervertebral disc of C5/6 and ossified posterior longitudinal ligament at C5/6,C6 level, leading to spinal canal stenosis and spine cord compression. After a two-week in-hospital conservative treatment, the patient's neurologic symptoms were relieved. Two months later, the computed tomography confirmed the calcification of C5/6 intervertebral disc and ossified mass decreased significantly, spinal stenosis subsided. Six months later, the patient felt no discomfort, the computed tomography showed the ossified mass completely disappeared, only a small calcification remained at C5/6 intervertebral disc. CONCLUSION: Intervertebral disc calcification associated with OPLL is extremely rare in children. In this case, OPLL is a temporary condition highly related to the disease process of Intervertebral disc calcification. The patient has a satisfactory recovery after non-surgical intervention. Conservative treatment is a prospective choice.

Impacts of supplementing chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers manufactured using pig manure as a substrate on the spread of tetracycline resistance genes in soil.

Using pig manure (PM) compost as a partial substitute for the conventional chemical fertilizers (CFs) is considered an effective approach in sustainable agricultural systems. This study aimed to analyze the impacts of supplementing CF with organic fertilizers (OFs) manufactured using pig manure as a substrate on the spread of tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) as well as the community structures and diversities of tetracycline-resistant bacteria (TRB) in bulk and cucumber rhizosphere soils. In this study, three organic fertilizers manufactured using the PM as a substrate, namely fresh PM, common OF, and bio-organic fertilizer (BF), were supplemented with a CF. Composted manures combined with a CF did not significantly increase TRB compared with the CF alone, but PM treatment resulted in the long-term survival of TRB in soil. The use of CF+PM also increased the risk of spreading TRGs in soil. As beneficial microorganisms in BF may function as reservoirs for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, care should be taken when adding them to the OF matrix. The PM treatment significantly altered the community structures and increased the species diversity of TRB, especially in the rhizosphere soil. BF treatment caused insignificant changes in the community structure of TRB compared with CF treatment, yet it reduced the species diversities of TRB in soil. Thus, the partial use of fresh PM as a substitute for CF could increase the risk of spread of TRGs. Apart from plant growth promotion, BF was a promising fertilizer owing to its potential ability to control TRGs.

[Correction of posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis with modified pedicle subtraction osteotomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified pedicle subtraction osteotomy for treatment of thoracolumbar old fracture with kyphosis.
 Methods: From January 2003 to January 2013, 58 patients of thoracolumbar kyphosis, who underwent modified pedicle subtraction osteotomy, were reviewed. Among them, 45 cases underwent initial operation and 13 cases underwent revision surgery. Preoperative and postoperative kyphotic Cobb's angle, score of back pain, as well as the incidence of complication were accessed by using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI).
 Results: Mean follow-up duration was 42 months (range, 24-60 months). Average operative time was 258 min (range, 190-430 min), while average bleeding was 950 mL (range, 600-1 600 mL). All the patients were significantly improved in function and self-image, and achieved kyphosis correction with 17.9°± 4.3°. VAS of low back pain was decreased by 3.1±0.6; ODI was dropped by 25.3%±5.5%. 3 patients (5.2%) suffered anterior thigh numbness and got recovery after 3 months of follow-up. Complications happened in 19 patients, including 12 with cerebrospinal fluid leak, 4 with superficial wound infection, and 3 with urinary tract infection. All these complications were managed properly and none of them underwent reoperation.
 Conclusion: Modified pedicle subtraction osteotomy is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of old fracture with kyphosis.

Association of obesity with socioeconomic status among adults of ages 18 to 80 years in rural Northwest China.

BACKGROUND: Understanding social disparities in obesity are presently an essential element in establishing public health priorities. However, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity has not been assessed in rural Northwest China. This study aims to explore the effect of SES on overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity by gender and age in rural Northwest China. METHODS: A total of 3030 participants between the ages of 18 to 80 years from rural Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, Northwest China were enrolled in our study using a two-level stratified random cluster sampling technique. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were used to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity after controlling for confounding factors using logistic regression. RESULTS: Our results indicated that the prevalence of abdominal obesity (38.8%) was the highest in rural Northwest China when compared with overweight (27.8%) and obesity (5.7%). When adjusting for possible risk factors, there were significant gender disparities in SES-obesity association. In men, the likelihoods of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity were higher in the high SES groups when compared to the low SES groups. However, women with a high level of education were less likely to have overweight/obesity (AOR:0.78, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.98) than their counterparts with a low level of education. After the inclusion of multiple lifestyle factors, we still observed a strong positive association between age and obesity in the population. CONCLUSIONS: Both gender and age differences in SES-obesity association were clearly observed in our study. Therefore, interventional measures should be employed in rural Northwest China to reduce the obesity epidemic that specifically takes into account gender and age differences.

Bacteria detected after instrumentation surgery for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis in a canine model.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify the presence, type and origin of bacteria adjacent to the metal implant in the infected region in a canine model of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis treated with single-stage anterior autogenous bone grafting and instrumentation. METHODS: Dogs with pyogenic spondylodiscitis underwent one-stage debridement, autogenous bone grafting and titanium plate instrumentation and perioperative antibiotic therapy. The implants and adjacent vertebral bones were removed surgically at various postoperative time points (4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks) for bacteria detection. Bacteria were detected from retrieved spinal implants as well as surrounding bones by culture and/or pyrosequencing methods in 17 (85%) of all 20 animals. The positive rate for bacteria presence was 45% by culture and 80% by pyrosequencing method. RESULTS: Radiological or macroscopic examination showed no signs for infection recurrence in any animal regardless of bacteria presence at the surgical site. However, organism identical with the causative bacterium for spinal infection was found in only two of nine culture-positive animals. CONCLUSION: Within the confines of the study, the use of metallic implants in an infected area did not lead to a clinically relevant infection although bacteria may exist at the surgical site. The use of metallic implants in an infected area of the spine is safe. The metallic implants may not be the "culprit" for the persistence or recurrence of infection.