The MAPK-Alfin-like 7 module negatively regulates ROS scavenging genes to promote NLR-mediated immunity.

Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptor-mediated immunity includes rapid production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and transcriptional reprogramming, which is controlled by transcription factors (TFs). Although some TFs have been reported to participate in NLR-mediated immune response, most TFs are transcriptional activators, and whether and how transcriptional repressors regulate NLR-mediated plant defenses remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the Alfin-like 7 (AL7) interacts with N NLR and functions as a transcriptional repressor. Knockdown and knockout of AL7 compromise N NLR-mediated resistance against tobacco mosaic virus, whereas AL7 overexpression enhances defense, indicating a positive regulatory role for AL7 in immunity. AL7 binds to the promoters of ROS scavenging genes to inhibit their transcription during immune responses. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), salicylic acid-induced protein kinase (SIPK), and wound-induced protein kinase (WIPK) directly interact with and phosphorylate AL7, which impairs the AL7-N interaction and enhances its DNA binding activity, which promotes ROS accumulation and enables immune activation. In addition to N, AL7 is also required for the function of other Toll interleukin 1 receptor/nucleotide-binding/leucine-rich repeats (TNLs) including Roq1 and RRS1-R/RPS4. Our findings reveal a hitherto unknown MAPK-AL7 module that negatively regulates ROS scavenging genes to promote NLR-mediated immunity.

Posterior fixation, anterior debridement and bone grafting in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis in children younger than 3 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting in treating children younger than 3 years of age with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 16 young children with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis. Surgical data were recorded. Frankel Grade was used to assess neurological function. The regional kyphosis angle was measured to evaluate the deformity correction. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected to assess the activity of tuberculosis. Bony fusion and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 204.4 ± 41.8 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 126.3 ± 94.4 ml. Preoperative Frankel Grade results indicated five patients with Grade C, six with Grade D, and five with Grade E. At the final follow-up, all patients were in Grade E. Twelve patients were brought back to normal spinal alignment and the rest four patients remained kyphotic. There was an improvement of 29.3° ± 18.3° in regional kyphotic angle postoperatively. And the deformity correction was 27.4° ± 19.1° at the final follow-up. ESR and CRP decreased to a normal range at three months follow-up. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients. None of the cases developed fixation failure, pseudoarthrosis, or tuberculosis recurrence. CONCLUSION: Posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting, is a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating young children with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

Better clinical outcomes and return to sport rates with additional medial meniscus root tear repair in high tibial osteotomy for medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether the repair of medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) is effective for improving clinical outcomes and return to sports rates in young patients (50 years old or younger) with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and MMPRTs. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, 153 patients with KOA and MMPRTs who underwent open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into OWHTO combined with MMPRT repair (n = 73) and isolated OWHTO (n = 80) groups. Lysholm scores, Hospital for Special Surgery (HHS) scores, Tegner scores, flexion contracture, range of knee flexion, return to sports rates and postoperative complications were compared. Radiological outcomes, including hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), joint line convergence angle (JLCA) and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 30.1 ± 3.0 months, the OWHTO + Repair group observed better clinical outcomes compared with the OWHTO group (Lysholm score: 86.7 ± 7.4 vs. 81.6 ± 6.9, p = 0.023. HHS score: 85.4 ± 8.20 vs. 80.5 ± 7.1, p = 0.039). The OWHTO + Repair group had higher Tegner scores and return to sports rates than the OWHTO group (Tegner score: 6 vs. 5, p = 0.020; return to sports rates: 38% vs. 15%, p = 0.001). No fracture or major complications occurred. Radiological outcomes showed no significant differences between the two groups (HKA: 181.1 ± 2.7 vs. 180.1 ± 1.5 n.s; MPTA: 90.1 ± 1.8 vs. 89.2 ± 1.4, n.s; JLCA:1.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.7, n.s). CONCLUSIONS: Additional MMPRT repair during OWHTO was associated with better clinical outcomes and higher rates of return to sports in young patients with medial compartment KOA and MMPRTs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for single and double segment lumbar disc herniation with sciatic scoliosis in adults: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Sciatic scoliosis can be seen in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a common surgical method for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. The difference between single-segment lumbar disc herniation and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic Scoliosis in adults after PELD needs further study. The aim of this study was to compare the imaging features of single-segment and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic Scoliosis in adults and to further explore the clinical outcomes of functional improvement and scoliosis imaging parameters of the two groups after PELD. METHODS: Adult patients with lumbar disc herniation with sciatic scoliosis who received PELD from January 2019 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the number of operative segments, the patients were divided into a single-segment group and a double-segment group. Perioperative parameters were observed and compared between the two groups. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) and imaging parameters of the two groups were recorded and compared before the operation and during the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients with single segments and 21 patients with double segments were included in this study. During the follow-up, the VAS score, ODI index and JOA score of the two groups were significantly improved as compared with those before the operation(P < 0. 05). Ninety-two point five percent of single-segment patients and 90.5% of double segment patients returned to normal scoliosis within 12 months after the operation. The operation time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy times and the amount of intraoperative blood loss in single-segment patients were better than those in double-segment group(P < 0. 05). At the last follow-up, the AVT, CBD and SVA in the double-segment group were 5.2 ± 2.3, 5.1 ± 1.0 and 12.2 ± 3.0 mm, respectively, which were higher than those in the single-segment group (1.9 ± 0.4, 1.1 ± 1.6 and 3.9 ± 2.1 mm) (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: PELD is an effective treatment for single-segment and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic scoliosis. Double-segment patients can enjoy similar clinical efficacy to single-segment patients, avoiding complications caused by decompression, fusion, and internal fixation. Scoliosis was corrected spontaneously within 12 months after operation, and the sagittal curve was significantly improved in both groups. The improvement of coronal and sagittal balance in double -segment patients may take longer.

Biomechanical evaluation of the hybrid pedicle screw-cortical bone trajectory technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to adjacent segment degeneration-finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is an effective surgical treatment of intervertebral disk herniation. However, its clinical efficacy for adjacent segment disk degeneration (ASDD) after hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw (pedicle screw at L4 and cortical bone trajectory screw at L5) and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw (bilateral cortical screw at L4 and bilateral pedicle screw at L5) remains undiscovered. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw on the adjacent segment via a 3-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: Four human cadaveric lumbar spine specimens were provided by the anatomy teaching and research department of Xinjiang Medical University. Four finite element models of L1-S1 lumbar spine segment were generated. For each of these, four lumbar transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion models at L4-L5 segment with the following instruments were created: hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw, bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw (bilateral cortical screw at both L4 and L5 segments), bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw (bilateral pedicle screw at both L4 and L5 segments), and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw. A 400-N compressive load with 7.5 Nm moments was applied for the simulation of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. The range of motion of L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc at the adjacent segment were compared. RESULTS: Hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw has the lowest range of motion at L3-L4 segment in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and the highest disc stress in all motions, while the range of motion at L5-S1 segment and disc stress was lower than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and higher than bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw in all motions. The range of motion of hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw at L3-L4 segment was lower than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw and higher than bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and the range of motion at L5-S1 segment was higher than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The disc stress at L3-L4 segment was lowest and more dispersed in all motions, and the disc stress at L5-S1 segment was higher than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in lateral bending and axial rotation, but more dispersed. CONCLUSION: Hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw decreases the impact on adjacent segments after spinal fusion, reduces the iatrogenic injury to the paravertebral tissues, and provides throughout decompression of the lateral recess.

Hybrid pedicle screw and modified cortical bone trajectory technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 segment: finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Investigate the biomechanical properties of the hybrid fixation technique with bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) and bilateral modified cortical bone trajectory screw (BMCS) in L4-L5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). METHODS:  Three finite element (FE) models of the L1-S1 lumbar spine were established according to the three human cadaveric lumbar specimens. BPS-BMCS (BPS at L4 and BMCS at L5), BMCS-BPS (BMCS at L4 and BPS at L5), BPS-BPS (BPS at L4 and L5), and BMCS-BMCS (BMCS at L4 and L5) were implanted into the L4-L5 segment of each FE model. The range of motion (ROM) of the L4-L5 segment, von Mises stress of the fixation, intervertebral cage, and rod were compared under a 400-N compressive load with 7.5 Nm moments in flexion, extension, bending, and rotation. RESULTS:  BPS-BMCS technique has the lowest ROM in extension and rotation, and BMCS-BMCS technique has the lowest ROM in flexion and lateral bending. The BMCS-BMCS technique showed maximal cage stress in flexion and lateral bending, and the BPS-BPS technique in extension and rotation. Compared to the BPS-BPS and BMCS-BMCS technique, BPS-BMCS technique presented a lower risk of screw breakage and BMCS-BPS technique presented a lower risk of rod breakage. CONCLUSION:  The results of this study support that the use of the BPS-BMCS and BMCS-BPS techniques in TLIF surgery for offering the superior stability and a lower risk of cage subsidence and instrument-related complication.

Induced proximity of a TIR signaling domain on a plant-mammalian NLR chimera activates defense in plants.

Plant and animal intracellular nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors detect pathogen-derived molecules and activate defense. Plant NLRs can be divided into several classes based upon their N-terminal signaling domains, including TIR (Toll-like, Interleukin-1 receptor, Resistance protein)- and CC (coiled-coil)-NLRs. Upon ligand detection, mammalian NAIP and NLRC4 NLRs oligomerize, forming an inflammasome that induces proximity of its N-terminal signaling domains. Recently, a plant CC-NLR was revealed to form an inflammasome-like hetero-oligomer. To further investigate plant NLR signaling mechanisms, we fused the N-terminal TIR domain of several plant NLRs to the N terminus of NLRC4. Inflammasome-dependent induced proximity of the TIR domain in planta initiated defense signaling. Thus, induced proximity of a plant TIR domain imposed by oligomerization of a mammalian inflammasome is sufficient to activate authentic plant defense. Ligand detection and inflammasome formation is maintained when the known components of the NLRC4 inflammasome is transferred across kingdoms, indicating that NLRC4 complex can robustly function without any additional mammalian proteins. Additionally, we found NADase activity of a plant TIR domain is necessary for plant defense activation, but NADase activity of a mammalian or a bacterial TIR is not sufficient to activate defense in plants.

Derotational distal femur osteotomy combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction yields satisfactory results in recurrent patellar dislocation with excessive femoral anteversion angle and trochlear dysplasia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with derotational distal femur osteotomy in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who had excessive femoral anteversion angle and trochlear dysplasia. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2020, 64 patients (64 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation, who had excessive femoral anteversion angle (≥ 25°) and trochlear dysplasia and were surgically treated using derotational distal femur osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction, were eligible for this retrospective study. These patients were assigned to two groups according to the grade of trochlear dysplasia. Group A (type A trochlear dysplasia, n = 33) and Group B (type B, C, D trochlear dysplasia, n = 31). Preoperative and postoperative patellar tilt angle (PTA), Caton-Deschamps index (CD-I), tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance and femoral anteversion angle were evaluated. Patient outcomes were assessed using the preoperative and postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Kujala score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (64 knees) were evaluated in this study, with a mean follow-up period of 28.4 ± 3.6 months. There were no cases of wound infection, osteotomy site fractures, deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities, or re-dislocation in the two groups during the postoperative follow-up period. All patients returned to full extension and flexion. The postoperative Tegner score, Lysholm score, Kujala score, IKDC score, VAS score, PTA, CD-I, TT-TG distance, and femoral anteversion angle were significantly improved compared with the preoperative status (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (n.s.). CONCLUSION: MPFL reconstruction combined with derotational distal femur osteotomy showed satisfactory clinical outcomes during follow-up in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who had excessive femoral anteversion angle and trochlear dysplasia. Even patients with high-grade trochlear dysplasia showed satisfactory results. For those patients, additional surgery is not necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

SilkDB 3.0: visualizing and exploring multiple levels of data for silkworm.

SilkDB is an open-accessibility database and powerful platform that provides comprehensive information on the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome. Since SilkDB 2.0 was released 10 years ago, vast quantities of data about multiple aspects of the silkworm have been generated, including genome, transcriptome, Hi-C and pangenome. To visualize data at these different biological levels, we present SilkDB 3.0 (https://silkdb.bioinfotoolkits.net), a visual analytic tool for exploring silkworm data through an interactive user interface. The database contains a high-quality chromosome-level assembly of the silkworm genome, and its coding sequences and gene sets are more accurate than those in the previous version. SilkDB 3.0 provides a view of the information for each gene at the levels of sequence, protein structure, gene family, orthology, synteny, genome organization and gives access to gene expression information, genetic variation and genome interaction map. A set of visualization tools are available to display the abundant information in the above datasets. With an improved interactive user interface for the integration of large data sets, the updated SilkDB 3.0 database will be a valuable resource for the silkworm and insect research community.

Pedicle subtraction osteotomy for the corrective surgery of ankylosing spondylitis with thoracolumbar kyphosis: experience with 38 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sagittal parameters and clinical outcome of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with thoracolumbar kyphosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients with AS combined with thoracolumbar kyphosis who underwent PSO were enrolled and divided into the lumbar lordosis group and the lumbar kyphosis group according to the preoperative sagittal morphology. They were subdivided into the lumbar lordosis T12 group, lordosis L1 group, kyphosis L2 group, and kyphosis L3 group. The spine sagittal parameters were compared between the preoperative and the postoperative. Outcome evaluation was performed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: A total of 38 patients with AS combined with thoracolumbar kyphosis were successfully treated by PSO, with a mean follow-up time of 26.9 ± 11.9 months. There were 30 males and 8 females with a mean age of 41.6 ± 7.1 years. Twenty patients consisted in the lumbar lordosis group and 18 patients in the lumbar kyphosis group. GK, SVA, and CBVA were improved significantly (P < 0.05) at the final follow-up between the lumbar lordosis T12 group and the L1 group. Patients in the lumbar kyphosis L2 group and L3 group all received satisfactory, including LL, GK, and SVA (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative TK, GK, SVA, PT, and PI between the lumbar lordosis and lumbar kyphosis groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative complications occurred in three cases. CONCLUSION: PSO was a practical method for the treatment of patients with AS combined with thoracolumbar kyphosis. PSO at L3 was recommended to be selected for the lumbar kyphosis to obtain greater SVA correction. CBVA of single-segment PSO may be significantly lower than the two-segment PSO in the management of patients with kyphosis of lower CBVA.

One-stage posterior surgery combined with anti-Brucella therapy in the management of lumbosacral brucellosis spondylitis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of one-stage posterior surgery combined with anti-Brucella therapy in the treatment of lumbosacral brucellosis spondylitis (LBS). METHODS: From June 2010 to June 2020, the clinical and radiographic data of patients with LBS treated by one-stage posterior surgery combined with anti-Brucella therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry Disability Index scores (ODI) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Frankel's classification system was employed to access the initial and final neurologic function. Fusion of the bone grafting was classified by Bridwell's grading system. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included in this study with a mean postoperative follow-up time of 2.6 ± 0.8 years (range, 2 to 5). There were 40 males and 15 females with a mean age of 39.8 ± 14.7 years (range, 27 to 57). The Brucella agglutination test was ≥ 1:160 in all patients, but the blood culture was positive in 43 patients (78.1%). A statistical difference was observed in ESR, CRP, VAS, ODI, and JOA between preoperative and final follow-up (P < 0.05). Neurological function was significantly improved in 20 patients with preoperative neurological dysfunction after surgery. According to Bridwell's grading system, the fusion of bone grafting in 48 cases (87.2%) was defined as grade I, and grade II in 7 cases (12.7%). None of the infestation recurrences was observed. CONCLUSION: One-stage posterior surgery combined with anti-Brucella therapy was a practical method in the treatment of LBS with severe neurological compression and spinal sagittal imbalance.

Associations of toll-like receptor 4 and 2 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The published evidences on the correlations of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR9 gene polymorphisms and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were conflicting. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether TLR4 and TLR9 gene polymorphisms conferred susceptibility to AS through a meta-analysis approach. METHODS: Databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang were retrieved for relevant publications up to 20 June 2020. Study quality was assessed based on Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to judge the associations. RESULTS: Totally, 13 articles with 3,055 AS cases and 4,238 controls were incorporated into this meta-analysis, and four most widely reported polymorphisms (TLR4-rs4986790, TLR4-rs4986791, TLR9-rs55704465 and TLR9-rs187084) were analysed. All included studies were in high quality. The pooled data did not support any significant association between the four studied polymorphisms and AS susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests there is no significant association between TLR4-rs4986790, TLR4-rs4986791, TLR9-rs55704465 and TLR9-rs187084 polymorphisms and AS.

OrthoVenn2: a web server for whole-genome comparison and annotation of orthologous clusters across multiple species.

OrthoVenn is a powerful web platform for the comparison and analysis of whole-genome orthologous clusters. Here we present an updated version, OrthoVenn2, which provides new features that facilitate the comparative analysis of orthologous clusters among up to 12 species. Additionally, this update offers improvements to data visualization and interpretation, including an occurrence pattern table for interrogating the overlap of each orthologous group for the queried species. Within the occurrence table, the functional annotations and summaries of the disjunctions and intersections of clusters between the chosen species can be displayed through an interactive Venn diagram. To facilitate a broader range of comparisons, a larger number of species, including vertebrates, metazoa, protists, fungi, plants and bacteria, have been added in OrthoVenn2. Finally, a stand-alone version is available to perform large dataset comparisons and to visualize results locally without limitation of species number. In summary, OrthoVenn2 is an efficient and user-friendly web server freely accessible at https://orthovenn2.bioinfotoolkits.net.

Distinct modes of derepression of an Arabidopsis immune receptor complex by two different bacterial effectors.

Plant intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors often function in pairs to detect pathogen effectors and activate defense. The Arabidopsis RRS1-R-RPS4 NLR pair recognizes the bacterial effectors AvrRps4 and PopP2 via an integrated WRKY transcription factor domain in RRS1-R that mimics the effector's authentic targets. How the complex activates defense upon effector recognition is unknown. Deletion of the WRKY domain results in an RRS1 allele that triggers constitutive RPS4-dependent defense activation, suggesting that in the absence of effector, the WRKY domain contributes to maintaining the complex in an inactive state. We show the WRKY domain interacts with the adjacent domain 4, and that the inactive state of RRS1 is maintained by WRKY-domain 4 interactions before ligand detection. AvrRps4 interaction with the WRKY domain disrupts WRKY-domain 4 association, thus derepressing the complex. PopP2-triggered activation is less easily explained by such disruption and involves the longer C-terminal extension of RRS1-R. Furthermore, some mutations in RPS4 and RRS1 compromise PopP2 but not AvrRps4 recognition, suggesting that AvrRps4 and PopP2 derepress the complex differently. Consistent with this, a "reversibly closed" conformation of RRS1-R, engineered in a method exploiting the high affinity of colicin E9 and Im9 domains, reversibly loses AvrRps4, but not PopP2 responsiveness. Following RRS1 derepression, interactions between domain 4 and the RPS4 C-terminal domain likely contribute to activation. Simultaneous relief of autoinhibition and activation may contribute to defense activation in many immune receptors.

Release, reduction, and fixation of one-stage posterior approach for basilar invagination with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the efficacy, safety and indications of single stage posterior release, reduction, and fixation of basilar invagination (BI) with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with BI and IAAD consecutively underwent one-stage release, reduction, and fixation by a posterior approach from July 2000 to June 2015 were followed up for at least 12 months. There were 8 males. Mean age was 56 35.2 ± 13.8 years (range 12-56). The clinical symptoms and signs of the patients were recorded. Pre- and postoperative imaging examinations were performed. Neurological function was assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Ranawat scores. RESULTS: Average follow-up time was 47.4 months (12-97 months). The JOA score increased from preoperative 4-10 (8.06 ± 2.52) to postoperative 13-16 (15.20 ± 0.62). The preoperative Chamberlain line, McRae line, Wackenheim line, atlantodens interval, and cervico medullary angle were 12.52 ± 5.17 mm, 6.59 ± 3.04 mm, 6.96 ± 4.32 mm, 9.88 ± 1.93 mm, and 115.35 ± 12.40°, respectively. The postoperative values were 2.0 ± 3.67 mm, -3.06 ± 1.85 mm, -1.76 ± 2.88 mm, 1.17 ± 1.18 mm, and 136.76 ± 11.44°, respectively. CONCLUSION: One-stage release, reduction, and fixation for patients with BI and IAAD through a posterior approach is safe and efficient.

TET1 suppresses colon cancer proliferation by impairing ß-catenin signal pathway.

The function of ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET1) in cancer is background dependent and may be involved in the initial step of active DNA demethylation, while there is little research to decipher the role of TET1 in DNA methylation-sensitive colon cancer. Downregulated TET1 expression assayed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was observed in both colon cancer samples and cancer cell lines of HT29, HCT116, and SW48. Such downregulation could promote colon cancer cells proliferation as indicated by the fact that shTET1 could increase the viability of HT29 and HCT116 cells determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and cell count assay accompanied with upregulation of ß-catenin (CTNNB1) and WNT luciferase activity, which was further confirmed as shTET1 could increase the tumor volume and tumor weight, and decrease the body weight in HT29 cells inoculated BALB/C nude mice. The CTNNB1 transfection could rescue the cell growth diminished by normal expression of TET1. shTET1 could promote axis inhibition protein1 (AXIN1) expression and the cell proliferation effect induced by TET1 short hairpin RNA was attenuated by co-inhibition of AXIN1. All of these indicate that TET1 can suppress colon cancer proliferation and the inhibition of the ß-catenin pathway is AXIN1 dependent.

Imaging of Endogenous Hydrogen Peroxide during the Process of Cell Mitosis and Mouse Brain Development with a Near-Infrared Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is emerging as a new second messenger, which plays vital roles in intracellular signaling, thereby triggering physiological variations in terms of proliferation, differentiation, and migration. As known, cell mitosis has close association to the intracellular level of H2O2, which contribute to the significant effects on brain development, especially during the critical period of immaturity. Unfortunately, imaging H2O2 in a mammalian brain is still challenging. Herein, to further investigate the biological roles of endogenous H2O2 in cell mitosis, we develop a near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe Cy-PFS for specifically imaging endogenous H2O2 in cells and in vivo. Employing the probe Cy-PFS, we examine the critical effects of endogenous H2O2 on proliferation of cells in live hippocampal neurons cells, and our results provide strong evidence for H2O2 signaling in cell mitosis through growth factor signaling. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate the close association of endogenous H2O2 level changes with the brain development at various stages. We envision that this present probe has potential as a promising useful chemical imaging tool for exploring the roles of H2O2 in cell mitosis.

Chloroplast retrograde signal regulates flowering.

Light is a major environmental factor regulating flowering time, thus ensuring reproductive success of higher plants. In contrast to our detailed understanding of light quality and photoperiod mechanisms involved, the molecular basis underlying high light-promoted flowering remains elusive. Here we show that, in Arabidopsis, a chloroplast-derived signal is critical for high light-regulated flowering mediated by the FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). We also demonstrate that PTM, a PHD transcription factor involved in chloroplast retrograde signaling, perceives such a signal and mediates transcriptional repression of FLC through recruitment of FVE, a component of the histone deacetylase complex. Thus, our data suggest that chloroplasts function as essential sensors of high light to regulate flowering and adaptive responses by triggering nuclear transcriptional changes at the chromatin level.