Induction of Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Rabbits Through a Transabdominal Approach.

Lower back pain is an extremely common medical issue in populations worldwide. One of the main contributors to lower back pain is intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. An ideal animal model of IVD degeneration is essential to study the pathophysiology of lower back pain and investigate potential therapeutic strategies. Rabbit models are reliable, economical, and easily established animal models. The retroperitoneal approach has been widely used to induce IVD degeneration in rabbit models. However, there are reported complications associated with this technique, such as the avulsion of segmental arteries and nerve root injury. In this paper, we aim to show a surgical protocol using needle puncture to establish rabbit lumbar disc degeneration via a transabdominal approach. Consequently, radiological checks and histological analyses indicated that lumbar disc degeneration was successfully established in rabbits. This surgical protocol presents the precise location of target discs and high reproducibility of IVD degeneration models with fewer complications.

Construction of a Delivery Platform for Vaccine Based on Modified Nanotubes: Sustainable Prevention against Plant Viral Disease, Simplified Preparation Method, and Protection of Plasmid.

Control of plant viral diseases through cross-protection conferred by an attenuated vaccine is an important strategy for plant protection. However, the mutated site of an attenuated vaccine may not be stably inherited, while viruses have evolved efficient repair mechanisms for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Here, the wide host range and broad selection of mutation sites in cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) enabled construction of an attenuated vaccine through insertional mutation of the CMV 2b protein. CMV-R2E was stably inherited in tobacco for more than 10 generations and had a high relative control efficacy of CMV. Then, the use of polyetherimide (PEI)-modified functionalized carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (PSWNTs) was investigated for vaccine delivery to address the problems of poor stability, complex procedure on field application, and exacting storage conditions with Agrobacterium inoculation. After co-incubating at a 1:300 ratio for 30 min, the vaccine and PSWNTs combined to form pCMV-R2E@PSWNTs, which resulted in a significant increase in the average height of the nanoparticles from 6.56 to 72.34 nm. The relative control efficacy of pCMV-R2E@PSWNTs to CMV was found to be 90.37%. Furthermore, the protective effect of PSWNTs on plasmids was investigated under various environmental conditions and the potential plant toxicity of pCMV-R2E@PSWNTs was assessed, providing a theoretical basis for field application of the vaccine nano-delivery system. A highly effective, stable viral vaccine for plants was thus developed and combined with nanocarriers to address the problems of field application. This approach has the potential to enable wider use of attenuated vaccines for sustainable prevention against plant viral disease in the field.

Effects of different botanical oil meal mixed with cow manure organic fertilizers on soil microbial community and function and tobacco yield and quality.

Introduction: The continuous application of cow manure in soil for many years leads to the accumulation of heavy metals, pathogenic microorganisms, and antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, in recent years, cow manure has often been mixed with botanical oil meal as organic fertilizer applied to farmland to improve soil and crop quality. However, the effects of various botanical oil meal and cow manure mixed organic fertilizers on soil microbial composition, community structure, and function, tobacco yield, and quality remain unclear. Methods: Therefore, we prepared organic manure via solid fermentation by mixing cow manure with different oil meals (soybean meal, rape meal, peanut bran, sesame meal). Then, we studied its effects on soil microbial community structure and function, physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, tobacco yield and quality; then we analyzed the correlations between these factors. Results and discussion: Compared with cow manure alone, the four kinds of mixed botanical oil meal and cow manure improved the yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco to different degrees. Peanut bran, which significantly improved the soil available phosphorus, available potassium, and NO3--N, was the best addition. Compared with cow manure alone, soil fungal diversity was significantly decreased when rape meal or peanut bran was combined with cow manure, while soil bacterial and fungal abundance was significantly increased when rape meal was added compared with soybean meal or peanut bran. The addition of different botanical oil meals significantly enriched the subgroup_7 and Spingomonas bacteria and Chaetomium and Penicillium fungi in the soil. The relative abundances of functional genes of xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, soil endophytic fungi, and wood saprotroph functional groups increased. In addition, alkaline phosphatase had the greatest effect on soil microorganisms, while NO3--N had the least effect on soil microorganisms. In conclusion, the mixed application of cow manure and botanical oil meal increased the available phosphorus and potassium contents in soil; enriched beneficial microorganisms; promoted the metabolic function of soil microorganisms; increased the yield and quality of tobacco; and improved the soil microecology.

Antioxidant activation, cell wall reinforcement, and reactive oxygen species regulation promote resistance to waterlogging stress in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

BACKGROUND: Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the world's oldest domesticated crops. It has poor waterlogging tolerance, and flooding frequently results in plant death and yield reduction. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with pepper waterlogging tolerance is essential to grow new varieties with stronger tolerance. RESULTS: In this study, we discovered that after 5 days of flooding, the growth rate of waterlogging-tolerant pepper cultivars did not reduce to a large extent. Physiological data revealed that chlorophyll concentration was not significantly affected by flooding; however, stomatal conductance was altered considerably 0-5 days after flooding, and the net photosynthesis rate changed substantially 5-10 days after flooding. In addition, the root activity of waterlogging-tolerant varieties was substantially higher after flooding for 10 days than that of the control. This implies that the effect of flooding is associated with changes in the root environment, which ultimately affects photosynthesis. We evaluated changes in gene expression levels between two pepper types at the same time point and the same pepper variety at different time points after flooding stress treatment and performed a screening for multiple potential genes. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further analyzed for functional enrichment, and the results revealed that antioxidase genes, cell wall synthesis pathway genes, and calcium ion regulation pathway genes might be associated with waterlogging tolerance. Other genes identified in peppers with waterlogging tolerance included those associated with lignin synthesis regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation pathways, and others associated with stress resistance. Considerable changes in the expression levels of these genes were recorded 5 days after waterlogging, which was consistent with a considerable increase in oxidase content that was also noted on the fifth day after flooding. The quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) findings revealed that among the 20 selected DEGs, including genes such as mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MPK3) and calcium-binding protein 4 (CML4), approximately 80% of the gene expression patterns were consistent with our RNA-seq dataset. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that ROS modulation, increased antioxidase activity, lignin formation, and the expression of stress resistance genes help peppers with waterlogging tolerance resist flooding stress in the early stages. These findings provide a basis for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms responsible for waterlogging tolerance in pepper and may be a critical reference for the breeding of hot pepper.

Effects of Oxathiapiprolin on the Structure, Diversity and Function of Soil Fungal Community.

Pesticides can affect non-target microorganisms in the soil and are directly related to soil microecological health and environmental safety. Oxathiapiprolin is a piperidinyl thiazole isoxazoline fungicide that shows excellent control effect against oomycete fungal diseases, including late blight, downy mildew, root rot, stem rot, and blight. Though it can exist stably in the soil for a long time, its effects on soil microbial structure and diversity are not well investigated. In the present study, the effects of oxathiapiprolin on the abundance and diversity of soil fungal communities in typical farmland were studied. The results show that the abundance and diversity of soil fungi were increased by oxathiapiprolin treatment with differences not significant on the 30th day. Oxathiapiprolin was found to change the structure of soil fungal communities, among which Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota were the most affected. Undefined saprophytic fungi increased in the treatment groups, and the colonization of saprophytic fungi can act as a major contributor to the function of soil microbial communities. This study lays a solid foundation regarding environmental behavior with the use of oxathiapiprolin in soil and details its scientific and rational use.

Analysis of lumbar vertebrae fractures among inpatients in a primary hospital: A 10-year epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of lumbar fractures in Xingtai Orthopedic Hospital in the past 10 years, and to improve the prevention and treatment of lumbar fractures. METHODS: Using the hospital information system, data on patients with lumbar fractures in our hospital from 2009 to 2018 were collected regarding their age, gender, fracture time, injury mechanism, and the type of fracture. The epidemiological characteristics and trends of lumbar fractures for the period were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: The age of male patients with a high incidence of lumbar fractures was 61 to 70 years, followed by 51 to 60 years. The age of female patients with the highest incidence rate was 61 to 70 years, followed by 51 to 60 years (19.22%). Lumbar fractures in group A were predominantly of men. The majority of lumbar fractures in group B were of women. In group A, the incidence rate was higher in young men (21-50 years) than in women and higher in women >51 years. Most of the affected individuals were women. In group B, there were more middle-aged and young men (21-50 years) than women; however, there were more women than men aged ≥51 years. Car accident injury was the main cause of fractures, but in group B women, low-energy injuries were the main cause of fractures. The periods of high incidence in groups A and B were 4 to 6 years and 7 to 9 years, respectively. The number of injuries in group A was the highest and burst fracture was the main fracture type. In group B, the number of fall injuries was the highest, followed by car accident injuries, and compression fracture was the main fracture type. CONCLUSION: The number of lumbar fractures in women caused by low-energy injuries showed an increasing trend. The type of compression fracture increased, which might be related to osteoporosis caused by the decrease in the estrogen level after menopause.

Comparisons between needle puncture and chondroitinase ABC to induce intervertebral disc degeneration in rabbits.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effect of needle puncture and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) injection on inducing intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) in rabbits. METHODS: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Briefly, the rabbits were divided into four groups. In the annulus fibrosis (AF) needle puncture group, a 16-G needle was used to puncture the L5-6 and L6-7 IVDs, while in the sham group, these IVDs were not punctured. In the ChABC group, 30 µL 0.5 Unit/mL ChABC was injected into L5-6 and L6-7 IVDs using a 26-G needle, while in the vehicle group, these IVDs were injected with 30 µL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). X-ray and MRI scans were performed at the 4th, 12th and 16th weeks postoperatively. Histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses were performed at the 16th week postoperatively. RESULTS: Both needle puncture and ChABC successfully established IVDD in rabbits at 4th, 12th and 16th weeks, confirmed by X-ray and MRI scan. The progression of IVDD went in a time-dependent manner. The IVDD in the ChABC group was less severe than in the needle puncture group throughout the study. Aggrecan and type II collagen significantly decreased, while tumor necrosis factor-α and superoxide dismutase 2 increased in the needle puncture and ChABC groups, compared with the sham and PBS groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both AF needle puncture and ChABC injection can successfully induce IVDD in rabbits. Compared with ChABC injection, AF needle puncture can induce more severe IVDD.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Blockade of the Greater Occipital Nerve in Cadavers: A Comparison of Spread and Nerve Involvement for Different Injectate Volumes.

Background: Fluoroscopy-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve (GON) is an accepted method for treating the symptoms of cervicogenic headaches (CGHs). However, the spread patterns among different injectate volumes of fluoroscopy-guided GON blocks are not well defined. Objective: A cadaveric study was established to determine the spread patterns of different volumes of dye injectate within a fluoroscopic GON block. Study Design. Cadaveric study. Setting. Xingtai Institute of Orthopaedics; Orthopaedic Hospital of Xingtai. Methods: 15 formalin-fixed cadavers with intact cervical spines were randomized in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio to receive a fluoroscopy-guided GON injection of a 2, 3.5, or 5 ml volume of methylene blue. The suboccipital regions were dissected to investigate nerve involvement. Results: The suboccipital triangle regions, including the suboccipital nerves and GONs, were deeply stained in all cadavers. The third occipital nerve (TON) was stained in 7 of 10 administered 2 ml injections and in all the 3.5 ml and 5 ml injections. Compared to the 3 ml injectate group, the 5 mL cohort consistently saw injectate spreading to both superficial and distant muscles. Limitations. Given that cadavers were used in this study, cadaveric soft tissue composition and architecture can potentially become distorted and consequently affect injectate diffusion. Conclusions: A 3.5 or 5 mL fluoroscopy-guided GON injection of methylene blue successfully stains the GON, TON, and suboccipital nerves. This suggests that such an injection would generate blockade of all three nerve groups, which may contribute to the efficacy of the block for CGH. A volume of 3.5 ml may be enough for the performance of a fluoroscopy-guided GON block for therapeutic purposes.

Minimally invasive injectable lumbar interbody fusion with mineralized collagen-modified PMMA bone cement: A new animal model.

This study was to develop a feasible and safe animal model for minimally invasive injectable lumbar interbody fusion using a novel biomaterial, mineralized collagen-polymethylmethacrylate bone cement (MC-PMMA), with unilateral pedicle screw fixation in an in vivo goat model. Eight goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) were divided into three groups: MC-PMMA, unmodified commercial-polymethylmethacrylate bone cement (UC-PMMA), and a control group (titanium cage filled with autogenous bone, TC-AB). Each group of goats was treated with minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion at the L3/L4 and L5/L6 disc spaces (injected for MC-PMMA and UC-PMMA, implanted for TC-AB). The pedicle screws were inserted at the L3, L4, L5, and L6 vertebrae, respectively, and fixed on the left side. The characteristics of osteogenesis and bone growth were assessed at the third and the sixth month, respectively. The methods of evaluation included the survival of each animal, X-ray imaging, and 256-layer spiral computed tomography (256-CT) scanning, imaged with three-dimensional microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT), and histological analysis. The results showed that PMMA bone cement can be extruded smoothly after doping MC, the MC-PMMA integrates better with bone than the UC-PMMA, and all goats recovered after surgery without nerve damage. After 3 and 6 months, the implants were stable. New trabecular bone was observed in the TC-AB group. In the UC-PMMA group a thick fibrous capsule had formed around the implants. The MC-PMMA was observed to have perfect osteogenesis and bone ingrowth to adjacent bone surface. Minimally invasive injectable lumbar interbody fusion using MC-PMMA bone cement was shown to have profound clinical value, and the MC-PMMA showed potential application prospects.

Anatomical study of the communicating branches of cords of the brachial plexus and their clinical implications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and patterns of the communicating branches of cords of the brachial plexus (BPs). This study was performed with 50 fixed adult cadavers (all 100 sides). The BPs were exposed, the presence of the communicating branches of BPs were determined, measured, and photographed. The communicating branches were identified in 27 sides of the BPs. According to enthesis, the communicating branches between the medial and lateral cords (25 sides) were divided into five types. The most common branches connected the lateral cord with the medial root of the median nerve (16 sides). All the communicating branches between the lateral and medial cords obliquely crossed anterior to the axillary artery and passed below the thoracoacromial artery trunk. The distance of the communicating branch with the origin of thoracoacromial artery trunk was 1.60 ± 0.64 cm. The length, transverse diameter, and anteroposterior diameter of communicating branch were 1.67 ± 0.62 cm, 1.77 ± 0.63 mm, and 1.91 ± 0.34 mm, respectively. These anatomical data about the communicating branches will be helpful for surgeons who perform surgical procedures in the cervical and axillary regions.

Anatomical study and clinical significance of the rami communicantes between cervicothoracic ganglion and brachial plexus.

The aim of this study was to provide a detailed characterization of the rami communicantes between the stellate (or cervicothoraic) ganglion (CTG) and brachial plexus (BP). Rami communicantes of 33 fixed adult cadavers were macroscopically observed, and connection between CTG and spinal nerves and branching was investigated. In all cases, except one, the hibateral medial rami communicantes was found to be positioned symmetrically between the CTG and C7, C8 spinal nerves. Gray rami communicantes arising from the CTG joined C8, C7, C6 nerve roots on 66, 63, and 6 sides, respectively, and branched from the rami communicantes to C7, C6, C5 nerve roots lying on 51, 41, and 2 sides, respectively. Forty-five sides of the branches from rami communicantes derived from CTG to C8 were observed to ascend through the transverse foramina of the C7 nerve. The branches from rami communicantes derived from CTG to C7 to the C6 nerve were observed ascending through the foramen transversarium of the six cervical vertebrae along with the vertebral artery and joining the C6 spinal nerve in 41 sides. Knowledge about the general distribution and individual variations of the rami communicantes between CTG and BP will be useful toward studies involving the inference of sympathetic nerve stimulation of the upper limbs and could be important for surgeons who perform surgical procedures in the cervical region or medical blockade of nerve fibers.