Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis treated with arthroscopic total synovial peel.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is prone to recurrence after surgery, and it is difficult to achieve a long-term complete cure. OBJECTIVE: To reduce the recurrence rate of PVNS, the author pioneered the arthroscopic total synovial peel (ATSP). METHODS: From March 2014 to July 2020, a total of 19 patients (6 males and 13 females) with diffuse PVNS of the knee were treated in our department and underwent ATSP. It's 'peel' rather than simple excision. This method is similar to peeling bark. Relapse rates and functional scores were determined, with follow-ups ranging from 12 to 72 months, on average 36 months. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was assessed by imaging and functional scores. Imaging results indicated a recurrence rate of 10.5%. In patients without recurrence, the visual analog score (VAS) decreased from 4.76 ± 2.02 preoperatively to 1.56 ± 1.15 postoperatively. The Tegner-Lysholm knee function score (TLS) score increased from 67.76 ± 15.64 preoperatively to 90.32 ± 8.32 postoperatively. Compared with the literature, ATSP significantly reduces the postoperative recurrence rate of diffuse PVNS. The preliminarily findings suggest that this approach could greatly reduce the recurrence rate of postoperative PVNS in follow-up studies. CONCLUSION: This approach may be a viable option for treating diffuse PVNS via arthroscopy and is worthy of clinical consideration.

[Risk Assessment of Snail Output Via the Mud Balls of Transplanted Seedlings in a Nursery Stock Park in Middle Region of Zhejiang Province].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of snails in a nursery stock park in the middle region of Zhejiang Province and assess the risk of snail output via the mud balls of transplanted seedlings, to provide scientific data for making strategies for snail control. Methods: We selected three species of seedlings including Osmanthus fragrans (a large tree), Camellia sasanqua (a small tree), and Purpus privet (a type of shrub) in a nursery stock park in a snail-positive middle region of Zhejiang Province during 2014-2016 to calculate the areas of regions with snails and the density of living snails. In 30 trees of each species, the distribution of snails within the seedlings ground diameter (radius of investigation, 100 cm for Osmanthus fragrans; 30 cm for Camellia Sasanqua and Purpus Privet) and in different soil layers (surface and superficial layers, 0-3 cm; deep layer, 3-10 cm) was assessed. In addition, the presence of snails in mud balls of 50 trees of Photinia fraseri (a small tree with high density of snails) was investigated to assess the risk of snail output. Results: In the planting areas of Osmanthus fragrans（3 930 m2）, Camellia sasanqua（2 000 m2）, and Purpus privet （1 700 m2）, the areas of snail-positive regions were 200, 900 and 800 m2, respectively, with the density of living snails being 0.08, 0.56 and 0.55/0.1 m2. For Osmanthus fragrans, Camellia sasanqua and Purpus privet, 238, 654 and 645 snails were detected respectively within their seedlings ground diameter, including 159（66.8%）, 461（70.5%） and 376 （58.3%） snails in the surface layer, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the superficial and deep layers（P＜0.01）. Snails were found in all the 50 trees of Photinia fraseri（3 726 snails, 706 adult snails and 3 020 immature snails, 75 snails/tree on average）. Conclusion: There is a high density of snails in the nursery stock park in the middle region of Zhejiang Province. The snails are distributed mainly in the surface layer, suggesting a risk of snail output through mud balls.

Community integration and its predictors in people with stroke: a multicenter longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the community integration of patients following stroke and determine the predictors of their level of community integration at 1-year follow-up. DESIGN: A multicenter, longitudinal, and observational study. SUBJECTS: Sixty-five inpatients (41 men) with a mean age of 56.9 (standard deviation = 17.0) years, who had their first stroke at least 1 month prior to this study were recruited from 4 rehabilitation inpatient wards in China. METHODS: In the initial assessment, the participants were evaluated using the Community Integration Questionnaire, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Berg Balance Scale, the Modified Barthel Index, the Mini Mental State Examination, and the Modified Ashworth Scale. In the follow-up assessments, which were conducted via telephone no less than 1 year after discharge, the participants were evaluated using the Community Integration Questionnaire and also assessed for other disease-related conditions. RESULTS: The participants' scores on the Community Integration Questionnaire in the follow-up assessment were significantly greater than those at the initial assessment (p < 0.05). In addition, the participants' Community Integration Questionnaire scores in the follow-up assessment were significantly correlated with their ages, numbers of years of education, and Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Mini Mental State Examination scores in the initial assessment (p < 0.05), and marginally significantly correlated with their scores on Fugl-Meyer Assessment in the initial assessment (p = 0.058). The participants' ages, numbers of years of education, and Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Mini Mental State Examination, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower extremity, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores in the initial assessment were predictive of their Community Integration Questionnaire scores at follow-up, with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.254 to 0.056 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of community integration of the participants was generally low, but it was greater at 1-year follow-up than it was initially. Balance function and daily living ability may be key predictors of community integration of patients following stroke.

Microstructure Analysis and Reconstruction of a Meniscus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of menicus microstructure and to reconstruct a microstructure-mimicing 3D model of the menicus. METHODS: Human and sheep meniscus were collected and prepared for this study. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and Masson staining were conducted for histological analysis of the meniscus. For submicroscopic structure analysis, the meniscus was first freeze-dried and then scanned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The porosity of the meniscus was determined according to SEM images. A micro-MRI was used to scan each meniscus, immersed in distilled water, and a 3D digital model was reconstructed afterwards. A three-dimensional (3D) resin model was printed out based on the digital model. Before high-resolution micro-CT scanning, each meniscus was freeze-dried. Then, micro-scale two-dimensional (2D) CT projection images were obtained. The porosity of the meniscus was calculated according to micro-CT images. With micro-CT, multiple 2D projection images were collected. A 3D digital model based on 2D CT pictures was also reconstructed. The 3D digital model was exported as STL format. A 3D resin model was printed by 3D printer based on the 3D digital model. RESULTS: As revealed in the HE and Masson images, a meniscus is mostly composed of collagen, with a few cells disseminated between the collagen fiber bundles at the micro-scale. The SEM image clearly shows the path of highly cross-linked collagen fibers, and massive pores exist between the fibers. According to the SEM images, the porosity of the meniscus was 34.1% (34.1% ± 0.032%) and the diameters of the collagen fibers were varied. In addition, the cross-linking pattern of the fibers was irregular. The scanning accuracy of micro-MRI was 50 µm. The micro-MRI demonstrated the outline of the meniscus, but the microstructure was obscure. The micro-CT clearly displayed microfibers in the meniscus with a voxel size of 11.4 µm. The surface layer, lamellar layer, circumferential fibers, and radial fibers could be identified. The mean porosity of the meniscus according to micro-CT images was 33.92% (33.92% ± 0.03%). Moreover, a 3D model of the microstructure based on the micro-CT images was built. The microscale fibers could be displayed in the micro-CT image and the reconstructed 3D digital model. In addition, a 3D resin model was printed out based on the 3D digital model. CONCLUSION: It is extremely difficult to artificially simulate the microstructure of the meniscus because of the irregularity of the diameter and cross-linking pattern of fibers. The micro-MRI images failed to demonstrate the meniscus microstructure. Freeze-drying and micro-CT scanning are effective methods for 3D microstructure reconstruction of the meniscus, which is an important step towards mechanically functional 3D-printed meniscus grafts.

An Intraoperative Trajectory-Determined Strategy of Patient-Specific Drill Template for C2 Transoral Pedicle Insertion in Incomplete Reduction of Atlantoaxial Dislocation: An In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore a novel intraoperative trajectory-determined strategy of grouped patient-specific drill templates (PDTs) for transoral C2 pedicle screw insertion (C2 TOPI) for atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with incomplete reduction and to evaluate its efficiency and accuracy. METHODS: Ten cadaveric C2 specimens were scanned by computed tomography (CT) and randomly divided into two groups (the PDT and freehand groups). A novel intraoperative trajectory-determined strategy of grouped PDTs was created for AAD with incomplete reduction. C2 TOPI was performed by use of the PDT technique and the fluoroscopy-guided freehand technique. After surgery, the screw deviations from the centroid of the cross-section at the midpoint of the pedicle and screw position grades were assessed in both groups. RESULTS: Compared to the freehand group, the PDT group had a significantly shorter surgery time than the freehand group (47.7 vs 61.9 min, P < 0.001). The absolute deviations from the centroids between the preoperative designs and postoperative measurements on the axial plane of the pedicle were 1.19 ± 0.25 mm in the PDT group and 1.82 ± 0.51 mm in the freehand group. On the sagittal plane of the pedicle, the corresponding values were 1.10 ± 0.33 mm in the PDT group and 1.70 ± 0.49 mm in the freehand group. The absolute deviations of the free-hand group on both the axial and sagittal planes were higher than that of the freehand group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). For the grade of screw insertion position, nine (90%) were observed in type I and one (10%) in type II in the PDT group, whereas five (50%) were in type I, three (30%) were in type II, and two (20%) in type III in the freehand group. Statistical differences could not be found between the groups in terms of the screw positions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The novel intraoperative trajectory-determined strategy of grouped PDTs can be used as an accurate and feasible method for C2 TOPI for AAD with incomplete reduction.

Protein post-translational modifications after spinal cord injury.

Deficits in intrinsic neuronal capacities in the spinal cord, a lack of growth support, and suppression of axonal outgrowth by inhibitory molecules mean that spinal cord injury almost always has devastating consequences. As such, one of the primary targets for the treatment of spinal cord injury is to develop strategies to antagonize extrinsic or intrinsic axonal growth-inhibitory factors or enhance the factors that support axonal growth. Among these factors, a series of individual protein level disorders have been identified during the generation of axons following spinal cord injury. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have indicated that post-translational modifications of these proteins have important implications for axonal growth. Some researchers have discovered a variety of post-translational modifications after spinal cord injury, such as tyrosination, acetylation, and phosphorylation. In this review, we reviewed the post-translational modifications for axonal growth, functional recovery, and neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury, a better understanding of which may elucidate the dynamic change of spinal cord injury-related molecules and facilitate the development of a new therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury.

Congenital syphilis: refining newborn evaluation and management in Shenzhen, southern China.

INTRODUCTION: Consistent definitions of congenital syphilis are critical for determining true incidences and setting up targets of elimination. This study aimed to assess the evaluation and management of infants at high risk of congenital syphilis with an antenatal syphilis-screening programme in the Shenzhen SEZ and to develop feasible definitions for the detection of congenital syphilis in China. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all standardised records of pregnant women with positive syphilis between 2003 and 2007. Infants at high risk of congenital syphilis were evaluated by laboratory tests at birth and longitudinal follow-up. A screening test-positive congenital syphilis case was defined based on a positive 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS result at birth. Assuming that 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS was the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the ascertainment methods were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period, 1010 live infants were born to women with active syphilis during pregnancy. 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS detected 42 screening-positive congenital syphilis cases and another nine cases were identified by longitudinal follow-up only. Using 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS as the gold standard, 'fourfold rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres' had the highest sensitivity and specificity compared with the other two follow-up methods. DISCUSSION: 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS makes congenital syphilis case classification simpler and faster for newborns. In areas where 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS is not available, comparing newborn RPR titres with maternal titres can be an alternative method. Meanwhile, positive follow-up results act as treatment indicators for older infants. As congenital syphilis definitions vary over the country, the Shenzhen programme suggested a practical model for surveillance and treatment in areas with or without available 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS testing.

A risk model for congenital syphilis in infants born to mothers with syphilis treated in gestation: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors underlying congenital syphilis (CS) and to build a hazards model to assess the risk of CS in offspring born to mothers with syphilis treated in gestation. METHODS: This prospective study observed 554 pregnant women with syphilis and their offspring recruited from August 2002 to May 2007 in Shenzhen Centre for Chronic Disease Control and Prevention. After treatment, all the women were followed up until the diagnosis of CS in their offspring was confirmed or denied. Comparisons were made between women bearing infants with CS and women bearing infants without CS to reveal the risk factors for CS. ORs and their 95% CI were calculated for each risk factor by using logistical regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (5.2%) infants were diagnosed with CS. Univariable analyses showed that the reciprocal logarithm of the titre of non-treponemal antibodies in mothers (log (1/T); OR=11.18, p<0.001), gestational week (GW) at treatment (OR=1.10, p<0.001) and the interaction between these two variates (OR=1.09, p<0.001) was associated with CS. Multivariable analysis showed that only the interaction was significantly associated with CS (OR=1.09, p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of CS could be predicted by the interaction between GW x log (1/T). Early treatment given to women with syphilis during antenatal care may be the only effective method to decrease the risk of CS.

[Evaluation of complex diet dry matter digestibility of sheep using spectra difference].

The present study aimed to predict the dry matter digestibility (DMD) of animals fed complex diet using the spectra difference between diets and feces by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Four indoor experiments were carried out with artificial mixed complex diets in the state field observatory stations located at Hebei province. The sheep were used as tested animals. One hundred and four parts of "diet-feces" were obtained and divided into a calibration sample set (70 samples) and a validation sample set (34 samples). The spectra difference between diets and feces, and the partial least square (PLS) were used to calibrate the models of DMD of sheep. The results indicated that the optimum range of spectrum was 8 656-4 310 cm(-1). The optimum proceeding method was multivariate scattering correction + first derivative + Norris smoothing. The optimum number of factors was 7. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 2.46%, and the RPD value of validation was above 2.5. The coefficient of correlation between the actual and predicted DMD using the NIRS was 0.8339, indicating that the NIRS could be used to evaluate dry matter digestibility of sheep fed complex diets.

[Recent investigation and treatment of 1 060 advanced schistosomiasis cases in Zhejiang Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current status of advanced schistosomiasis patients, deliver medical treatment, and improve the case management in Zhejiang Province. METHODS: The cases previously diagnosed or suspected as advanced schistosomiasis in the province were the subjects of the investigation. Questionnairing (demographical information, disease history, etc.), clinical examination (ascites syndrome, abdominal palpation), laboratory examination (blood biochemistry, anti-Schistosoma japonicum antibody, eggs), and ultrasonography of the abdomen were used confirming the diagnosis. Treatment was given to the patients. RESULTS: There were 1 060 advanced schistosomiasis patients in 32 counties of 7 prefectures in the province. Majority of them distributed in water network regions, and lived with poor economic conditions. The average age of the patients was (66.3 +/- 9.3), with 89.3% ranged from 50 to 80 years old. Clinically 71.3% of the cases were with splenomegaly, 27.6% with ascites, 0.9% cases of multiple granuloma in the colon and 0.2% cases with dwarfism. 1 023 patients (96.5%) had received medical treatments. 69.4% of the cases had serious complications with advanced schistosomiasis and 52.5% had concurrently disorders in other systems. 71.1% of the patients had subjective symptoms and 65.2% had hepatosplenomegaly with hepatic fibrosis and dysfunction. The serum positive rate of anti-S. japonicum antibody was 15.7%. Stool hatching test and microscopy revealed no eggs in fecal samples, but 24 out of 38 cases were found metamorphic eggs by rectal biopsy. Three years' medical treatment improved the clinical conditions in 74.3% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Situation of the advanced schistosomiasis patients is quite critical. Treatment and care are urgently needed especially for those aged 50 to 80 years old. [

Efficiency of Zoledronic Acid in Inhibiting Accelerated Periprosthetic Bone Loss After Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Osteoporotic Patients: A Prospective, Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of preoperative osteopenia/osteoporosis on periprosthetic bone loss after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the efficiency of zoledronate (ZOL) treatment in periprosthetic bone preservation. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in four centers between April 2015 and October 2017. Patients were assigned to Normal BMD, Osteopenia, and Osteoporosis+ZOL groups. Patients with osteopenia received daily oral calcium (600 mg/d) and vitamin D (0.5 µg/d), while patients in the Osteoporosis+ZOL group received additional ZOL annually (5 mg/year). Periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) in seven Gruen zones, radiographic parameters, Harris hip score, EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) score, and BMD in hip and spine were measured within 7 days, 3 months, 12 months postoperation and annually thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients were enrolled, while 81 patients that completed the first year follow-up were involved in the statistical analysis. The mean follow-up time was 1.3 years. There were significant decreases of mean BMD in total Gruen zones (-4.55%, P < 0.05) and Gruen zone 1 (-10.22%, P < 0.01) in patients with osteopenia during the first postoperative year. Patients in the Osteoporosis+ZOL group experienced a marked increase in BMD in Gruen zone 1 (+16%) at the first postoperative year, which had a significant difference when compared with the Normal BMD group (P < 0.05) and the Osteopenia Group (P < 0.001). Low preoperative BMD in hip and spine was predictive of bone loss in Gruen zone 1 at 12 months after THA in patients with normal BMD (R2 = 0.40, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with osteopenia are prone to higher bone loss in the proximal femur after cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). ZOL, not solely calcium and vitamin D, could prevent the accelerated periprosthetic bone loss after THA in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

[Clinical observation of bushen er'xian decoction in treating premature ovarian failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect and immune regulatory mechanism of Bushen Er'xian Decoction (BED) on patients with premature ovarian failure (POF). METHODS: Sixty patients with POF were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio of 2:1, the 40 in the treatment group were treated with BED and the 20 in the control group were treated with artificial menstrual cycle therapy. The clinical efficacy was observed and the changes of serum reproductive hormone and T lymphocytes before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the treatment group was 72.5% (29/40 cases), which was higher than that in the control group, 45.0% (9/20 cases, P < 0.05). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased and estradiol (E2) increased in both groups after treatment (P <0.05), but the level of FSH was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (22.57 +/- 12.49 IU/L vs 31.10 +/- 14.50 IU/L, P <0.05). CD4 and CD4/CD8 increased, CD8 decreased in the treatment group after treatment, showing significant difference as compared with those before treatment and with those in the control group after treatment (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: BED is favourable for improving POF, being a good remedy with better clinical efficacy.

[Clinical observation on treatment of infertile patients with severe endometriosis by Kangyi Zhongyu Decoction combined with gonadotropin releasing hormone-a].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Kangyi Zhongyu Decoction (KZD) combined with gonadotropin releasing hormone-a (GnRH-a) on infertile patients with severe endometriosis. METHODS: Seventy-five infertile patients with the diagnosis of endometriosis confirmed by laparoscope who were scheduled to receive in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomly assigned to three groups, they were treated respectively with KZD (A), GnRH-a (B) alone and combined of both (C), and IVF-ET were applied in the patients after 3 months of treatment. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions in the three groups were observed and the changes of serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and endometrial antibody (EMAb) levels before and after treatment were tested. RESULTS: Score of dyspareunia in Group A and C was obvioushy lower than that in Group B after treatment (P <0.01). Pregnancy rate in Group C was higher than that in Group A and B (P <0.05), with the adverse reactions less than in Group B (P <0.01). The positive rate of plasma EMAb was reduced obviously after treatment in Group C with the level lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined use of KZD and GnRH-a is a new method in treating infertile patients with severe endometriosis with ideal effectiveness and fewer adverse reactions, and it could advance the successful rate of reproductive assistant technique.

Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of synchronous gastric adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Synchronous gastric tumors that consist of both gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and adenocarcinoma are rare. We studied the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of six cases containing both gastric adenocarcinoma and GIST. By means of immunohistochemical analysis, all GIST cells expressed CD117, CD34 and Dog1 in all six synchronous gastric adenocarcinomas with GIST, and in GIST alone. Sequencing analysis demonstrated that exon 11 c-kit mutations were present in two of six synchronous tumors and four of five GISTs. One of the two exon 11 c-kit mutations in synchronous adenocarcinomas with GISTs was an uncommon mutation of CTT > CCA at amino acid 576, and the other was a GTT deletion at amino acid 560. The mutation was a homozygous A > G mutation in exon 12 (amino acid 567) of PDGFR-α. We concluded that the exon 11 mutations were the most important in both cases of synchronous gastric adenocarcinoma with GIST and GIST alone. The mutation rate was higher in GIST alone than in synchronous adenocarcinoma with GIST.

Kinase domain insert containing receptor promoter controlled suicide gene system selectively kills human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

AIM: To study the selective killing of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by a double suicide gene under the regulation of a kinase domain insert containing receptor (KDR) promoter and mediated by an adenoviral gene vector. METHODS: Human KDR promoter was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and two recombinant adenoviral plasmids pAdKDR-CdglyTK, pAdCMV-CDglyTK were constructed according to a two-step transformation protocol. These two newly constructed plasmids were then transfected into 293 packaging cells to grow adenovirus, which were further multiplied and purified. HUVECs and LoVo cells were infected with either of the two resultant recombinant adenoviruses (AdKDR-CDglyTK and AdCMV-CDglyTK) respectively, and the infection rates were estimated by detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Infected cells were cultured in culture media containing different concentrations of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and ganciclovir (GCV), and the killing effects were measured. RESULTS: The two recombinant adenoviral plasmids pAdKDR-CdglyTK, pAdCMV-CDglyTK were successfully constructed and transfected into 293 cells. The resultant recombinant adenoviruses infected cells caused similar infection rates; and the infected cells exhibited different sensitivity to the prodrugs: HUVECs infected with AdCMV-CDglyTK and LoVo cells infected with AdCMV-CDglyTK were highly sensitive to the prodrugs, and HUVECs infected with AdKDR-CDglyTK were similarly sensitive but significantly more sensitive than the LoVo cells infected with AdKDR-CdglyTK (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Selective killing of HUVECs may be achieved by gene transfer of double suicide gene under the regulation of the KDR promoter. This finding may provide an optional way to target gene therapy of malignant tumors by abrogation of tumor blood vessels.

Effects of the substitution positions of Br group in intercalative ligand on the DNA-binding behaviors of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes.

Two new polypyridyl ligands containing substituent Br at different positions in the phenyl ring, PBIP [PBIP=2-(4-bromophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline], OBIP [OBIP=2-(2-bromophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline] and their Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(phen)2PBIP]2+ 1, [Ru(phen)2OBIP]2+ 2 (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized. The binding strength of the two complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) was investigated with spectrophotometric methods, viscosity measurements, as well as equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The theoretical calculations for these two complexes were also carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method. The experimental results show that the Br group substituting H at different positions of the phenyl ring in the intercalated ligand has significant effects on the spectral properties and the DNA-binding behaviors of Ru(II) complexes. Both the complexes can bind to CT DNA in intercalative mode and interact with CT DNA enantioselectively. Moreover, complex 1 can bind to CT DNA more strongly than complex 2, and complex 2 can become a much better candidate as an enantioselective binder to CT DNA than complex 1. The theoretical calculations show that both intercalative ligands, PBIP and OBIP, in these two complexes are essentially planar, and the obtained electronic structures of the complexes can be used to explain reasonably some of their experimental regularities or trends. Such experimental and theoretical information will be useful in design of novel probes of nucleic acid structures.

Role of the biomechanical property of the endplate in anterior cervical fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of the biomechanical properties in the cervical vertebrae with or without the endplate, so as to evaluate the importance of the endplate in cervical anterior fusion. METHODS: Indentation tests were performed at 20 standardized testing points chosen on each surface of the endplate with the impact adjusted perpendicular to the endplate surface using a hemispherical indenter 2 mm in diameter. The failure load and rigidity at each test site were determined from the load-displacement curves. Independent sample t test and factorial analyses were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: On either superior or inferior endplate surface, both the failure load and rigidity differed significantly between the endplate-intact and endplate-removed groups (P < 0.001). The posterior region of the superior endplate and the lateral regions of the inferior endplate were stronger and more rigid than any other region across the endplate surface in the endplate-intact group, while for enplate-removed group, the posterior region of the superior endplate and the posterolateral regions of the inferior endplate were the stronger and more rigid. CONCLUSION: The endplate plays an important role in deciding the success of anterior cervical fusion, and due attention should be paid to the endplate in the intervertebral implant device designing and the surgical approach modification.

[The effect of disc degeneration on the structural property distributions in the cervical vertebral endplates].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of disc degeneration on the structural property distributions in the cervical vertebral endplates. METHODS: A 2 mm-diameter hemispherical indenter was used to perform indentation tests at 0.03 mm/s to the depth of 2 mm at 20 normalized locations in 50 bony endplates of intact human cervical vertebrae (C2 approximately C7). The resulting load-displacement curves were used to extract the failure load and stiffness of each test site. Grade of disc degeneration was determined using Nachemson's grading scale. One-way ANOVA, factorial analyses, SNK tests and correlate analyses were used to analyze the result data. RESULTS: Both the failure load and stiffness decreased with disc degeneration in the cervical endplates (P <0.001, both), and correlated significantly with the disc degeneration (rs=-0.429 and rs=-0.244, respectively). Only the distribution of superior cervical endplate changed with disc degeneration, but that of inferior cervical endplate changed little. CONCLUSIONS: The structural property distributions in the cervical vertebral endplates change significantly in the degenerated discs. It suggests that disc degeneration is an important factor to evaluate the intervertebral implant subsidence in anterior cervical fusion.

[A sampling survey on the distribution of Oncomelania snails in Zhejiang Province].

OBJECTIVE: To find out current distribution of Oncomelania snails and Schistosoma infection in snails in Zhejiang Province, so as to improve the project of schistosomiasis control. METHODS: Investigation spots were selected by stratified cluster sampling method, 100 villages of 34 counties were selected from 7106 villages of 55 counties as survey spots. Synchronously systematic and environmental samplings were used for the survey. Snails were dissected to determine the infection status and spots with sham snails were set to assess the quality of the survey. RESULTS: The result showed that snails were found in 223 strips, 1572 frames and 73,300 m2 area in 32 villages of 21 counties. Snails were found in an area covering 72,640 m2 in 29 villages of 18 counties in hilly region, which accounted for 99.1% of total snail habitats. The significantly larger area with snails was revealed in hilly region than that in water network region (t = 3.04, P < 0.01). 1st, 2nd strata occupied 71,680 m2 snail area, which accounted for 97.8% of total snail area, much higher than that in the 3rd stratum (t = 3.71 , P < 0.01). Snail habitats in the irrigation ditches and canals accounted for 62.6% of total snail area, significantly higher than that of farmland (t = 3.02, P < 0.01). No snails were found infected among 7892 living snails by dissection. The theory value of snail area in Zhejiang Province was 1,361,940 m2. CONCLUSION: It is estimated that the snail-ridden area is about 1,500,000-2,000,000 m2 in the Province, mostly found in the villages of hilly region with a record of snail habitats during the recent 4 years and the primary environment of the snail areas were ditches and canals. No infected snails were found from the survey.

[Role of Oncomelania hupensis in transmission of schistosomiasis japonica].

Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosomajaponicum, and its ecological characteristics and compatibility with Schistosoma which have a great significance to the schistosomiasis control, play a very important role in the transmission of schistosomiasis. This paper reviews the researches on the ecological factors which effect the survive of Oncomelania snails such as temperature, humidity, vegetation, and soil, as well as the snail density, the development and breeding of snails in the foreign habitats, and its compatibility with Schistosoma.