First Study of Antihyperon-Nucleon Scattering Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p and Measurement of Λp→Λp Cross Section.

Using (10.087±0.044)×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, the processes Λp→Λp and Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p are studied, where the Λ/Λ[over ¯] baryons are produced in the process J/ψ→ΛΛ[over ¯] and the protons are the hydrogen nuclei in the cooling oil of the beam pipe. Clear signals are observed for the two reactions. The cross sections in -0.9≤cosθ_{Λ/Λ[over ¯]}≤0.9 are measured to be σ(Λp→Λp)=(12.2±1.6_{stat}±1.1_{syst}) and σ(Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p)=(17.5±2.1_{stat}±1.6_{syst}) mb at the Λ/Λ[over ¯] momentum of 1.074 GeV/c within a range of ±0.017 GeV/c, where the θ_{Λ/Λ[over ¯]} are the scattering angles of the Λ/Λ[over ¯] in the Λp/Λ[over ¯]p rest frames. Furthermore, the differential cross sections of the two reactions are also measured, where there is a slight tendency of forward scattering for Λp→Λp, and a strong forward peak for Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p. We present an approach to extract the total elastic cross sections by extrapolation. The study of Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p represents the first study of antihyperon-nucleon scattering, and these new measurements will serve as important inputs for the theoretical understanding of the (anti)hyperon-nucleon interaction.

Observation of Structures in the Processes e

We present measurements of the Born cross sections for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s] from 4.308 to 4.951 GeV. The measurements are performed with data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.0 fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider storage ring. Assuming the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c2} signals come from a single resonance, the mass and width are determined to be M=(4413.6±9.0±0.8) MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(110.5±15.0±2.9) MeV, respectively, which is consistent with the parameters of the well-established resonance ψ(4415). In addition, we also use one single resonance to describe the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} line shape and determine the mass and width to be M=(4544.2±18.7±1.7) MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(116.1±33.5±1.7) MeV, respectively. The structure of this line shape, observed for the first time, requires further understanding.

Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst) MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst) MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12

We present cross sections for the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0} at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5 fb^{-1}. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12

Observation of D

We perform for the first time an amplitude analysis of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η and report the observation of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} using 2.93 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. As the only W-annihilation-free decay among D to a_{0}(980) pseudoscalar, D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} is the ideal decay in extracting the contributions of the W-emission amplitudes involving a_{0}(980) and to study the final-state interactions. The absolute branching fraction of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η is measured to be (1.27±0.04_{stat}±0.03_{syst})%. The branching fractions of intermediate processes D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} with a_{0}(980)^{+}→π^{+}η and D^{+}→π^{+}K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0} with K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0}→K_{S}^{0}η are measured to be (1.33±0.05_{stat}±0.04_{syst})% and (0.14±0.03_{stat}±0.01_{syst})%, respectively.

A20 restricts ubiquitination of pro-interleukin-1ß protein complexes and suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activity.

Inappropriate inflammasome activation contributes to multiple human diseases, but the mechanisms by which inflammasomes are suppressed are poorly understood. The NF-κB inhibitor A20 is a ubiquitin-modifying enzyme that might be critical in preventing human inflammatory diseases. Here, we report that A20-deficient macrophages, unlike normal cells, exhibit spontaneous NLRP3 inflammasome activity to LPS alone. The kinase RIPK3, but not the adaptor MyD88, is required for this response. In normal cells, A20 constitutively associates with caspase-1 and pro-IL-1ß, and NLRP3 activation further promotes A20 recruitment to the inflammasome. Pro-IL-1ß also co-immunoprecipitates with RIPK1, RIPK3, caspase-1, and caspase-8 in a complex that is modified with K63-linked and unanchored polyubiquitin. In A20-deficient macrophages, this pro-IL-1ß-associated ubiquitination is markedly increased in a RIPK3-dependent manner. Mass spectrometric and mutational analyses reveal that K133 of pro-IL-1ß is a physiological ubiquitination site that supports processing. Our study reveals a mechanism by which A20 prevents inflammatory diseases.

[Clinical study of the Cobb+1 to Cobb fusion strategy for Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with the lower lumbar apex].

Objective: To investigate the indications and surgical outcome of Cobb+1 to Cobb fusion strategy in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with the lower lumbar apex. Methods: The clinical data of Lenke 5C AIS patients treated in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from August 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were followed-up for at least 2 years after surgery and treated with selective Cobb+1 to Cobb fusion strategy. The patients were divided into the normal lumbar apex group (apex location of the main curve was between T12 and L1) and the lower lumbar apex group (apex location of the main curve was below the disc of L1/L2). The occurrence of proximal decompensation in the two groups was compared. In addition, according to whether the patients had proximal decompensation at the last follow-up, the patients in the lower lumbar apex group were further divided into proximal decompensation group and non-decompensation group. The radiographic parameters and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scores of the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 52 patients (19 cases in the normal lumbar apex group and 33 cases in the lower lumbar apex group), aged (15.3±1.6) years, were followed up for 2-5 (3.2±1.2) years. Six patients (6/19) in the normal lumbar apex group and 5 cases (15.2%) in the lower lumbar apex group showed proximal decompensation during follow-up, and the incidence was significantly higher in the normal lumbar apex group (P=0.034). Within the lower lumbar apex group, the patients with proximal decompensation (n=5) showed similar Risser grade, baseline thoracic Cobb angle, and main Cobb angle as those without proximal decompensation(n=28), and the differences were all not statistically significant (all P>0.05). However, the baseline thoracic/lumbar apical vertebra translation (AVT) ratio was significantly larger in patients with proximal decompensation (0.6±0.2 vs 0.4±0.2, P=0.042), but the postoperative upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) tilt angle was similar (4.5°±2.3° vs 6.2°±3.4°, P=0.312). Conclusion: Cobb+1 to Cobb fusion strategy, selecting UIV at 1 level above upper end vertebra (UEV), could be performed in Lenke 5C patients with the lower lumbar apex location. In addition, UIV could be selected at UEV+1 in patients with small baseline thoracic curve.

[Role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in adhesion and migration of mesenchymal stem cells in ankylosing spondylitis and its mechanisms].

Objective: To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the adhesion and migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: Bone marrow and ligament tissues were collected during surgery from patients with AS and thoracolumbar fractures (as controls, HC) treated from October 2021 to October 2022 at Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. MSCs were isolated and cultured from the bone marrow using the Ficoll separation method. Cell morphology was observed under high-resolution microscopy, and differences in the cytoskeletal features between AS-and HC-MSCs were analyzed through immunofluorescence staining. The expression of ICAM-1 was quantified in both groups using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and flow cytometry. Transwell migration assays and wound healing experiments were conducted to evaluate the differences in migration rates between the two groups of MSCs. Results: The interspinous ligament and bone marrow was acquired in AS (2 males and 1 female; 33, 37, 32 years old, respectively) and no-AS patients (2 males and 1 female; 35, 32, 38 years old, respectively). AS-MSCs exhibited broader cell morphology compared to HC-MSCs under bright field and fluorescence microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining of the interspinous ligament showed higher expression of ICAM-1 (68.38±3.42 vs 48.31±2.43) and CD105 (37.97±2.16 vs 23.36±2.06) in AS patients (both P<0.001). Western blot and RT-qPCR analysis revealed significantly stronger protein expression and transcription levels of ICAM-1 in AS-MSCs when compared to those in HC-MSCs (both P<0.001). Flow cytometry confirmed greater mean fluorescence intensity of ICAM-1 in AS-MSCs than in that in HC-MSCs (924.30±54.99 vs 636.47±40.03, P=0.002). Regarding cell adhesion efficiency, it showed no significant difference between AS-MSCs and HC-MSCs in the early stage of adhesion (0.5 h: 1 496±213 vs 1 205±163, P=0.133), but they were all significantly higher in AS-MSCs in the later stage (1 h: 2 894±172 vs 1 908±155, P=0.002; 2 h: 4 540±286 vs 3 334±188, P=0.004; 3 h: 5 212±281 vs 4 208±303, P=0.014). Finally, cell migration experiments demonstrated a stronger migration capability of AS-MSCs compared to HC-MSCs (5 449±172 vs 4 016±155, P<0.001), and the inhibition efficiency of A-205804 on the migration rate of AS-MSCs was stronger than that on HC-MSCs (2 145±239 vs 3 539±316, P=0.004). Conclusions: The aberrant expression of ICAM-1 markedly influences the adhesion and migration dynamics of MSCs. Elevated ICAM-1 levels in MSCs derives from patients with AS significantly enhance their migratory capabilities.

Hippo-Yap Signaling Maintains Sinoatrial Node Homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: The sinoatrial node (SAN) functions as the pacemaker of the heart, initiating rhythmic heartbeats. Despite its importance, the SAN is one of the most poorly understood cardiac entities because of its small size and complex composition and function. The Hippo signaling pathway is a molecular signaling pathway fundamental to heart development and regeneration. Although abnormalities of the Hippo pathway are associated with cardiac arrhythmias in human patients, the role of this pathway in the SAN is unknown. METHODS: We investigated key regulators of the Hippo pathway in SAN pacemaker cells by conditionally inactivating the Hippo signaling kinases Lats1 and Lats2 using the tamoxifen-inducible, cardiac conduction system-specific Cre driver Hcn4CreERT2 with Lats1 and Lats2 conditional knockout alleles. In addition, the Hippo-signaling effectors Yap and Taz were conditionally inactivated in the SAN. To determine the function of Hippo signaling in the SAN and other cardiac conduction system components, we conducted a series of physiological and molecular experiments, including telemetry ECG recording, echocardiography, Masson Trichrome staining, calcium imaging, immunostaining, RNAscope, cleavage under targets and tagmentation sequencing using antibodies against Yap1 or H3K4me3, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. We also performed comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of various datasets. RESULTS: We found that Lats1/2 inactivation caused severe sinus node dysfunction. Compared with the controls, Lats1/2 conditional knockout mutants exhibited dysregulated calcium handling and increased fibrosis in the SAN, indicating that Lats1/2 function through both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. It is notable that the Lats1/2 conditional knockout phenotype was rescued by genetic deletion of Yap and Taz in the cardiac conduction system. These rescued mice had normal sinus rhythm and reduced fibrosis of the SAN, indicating that Lats1/2 function through Yap and Taz. Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation sequencing data showed that Yap potentially regulates genes critical for calcium homeostasis such as Ryr2 and genes encoding paracrine factors important in intercellular communication and fibrosis induction such as Tgfb1 and Tgfb3. Consistent with this, Lats1/2 conditional knockout mutants had decreased Ryr2 expression and increased Tgfb1 and Tgfb3 expression compared with control mice. CONCLUSIONS: We reveal, for the first time to our knowledge, that the canonical Hippo-Yap pathway plays a pivotal role in maintaining SAN homeostasis.

Observation of a Vector Charmoniumlike State at 4.7 GeV/c

Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 5.85 fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.61 to 4.95 GeV with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we measure the cross section for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ. A new resonance with a mass of M=4708_{-15}^{+17}±21 MeV/c^{2} and a width of Γ=126_{-23}^{+27}±30 MeV is observed in the energy-dependent line shape of the e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ cross section with a significance over 5σ. The K^{+}J/ψ system is also investigated to search for charged charmoniumlike states, but no significant Z_{cs}^{+} states are observed. Upper limits on the Born cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→K^{-}Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}/K^{-}Z_{cs}(4000)^{+}+c.c. with Z_{cs}(3985)^{±}/Z_{cs}(4000)^{±}→K^{±}J/ψ are reported at 90% confidence levels. The ratio of branching fractions {[B(Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}→K^{+}J/ψ)]/B[Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}→(D[over ¯]^{0}D_{s}^{*+}+D[over ¯]^{*0}D_{s}^{+})]} is measured to be less than 0.03 at 90% confidence level.

A spectral CT-based nomogram for predicting the response to induction chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM: To establish a spectral computed tomography (CT)-based nomogram for predicting the response to induction chemotherapy (ICT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with NPC who underwent spectral CT examination before ICT were enrolled prospectively. Patients were assigned to response and non-response groups according to response evaluation. The predictive indicators were spectral CT parameters of venous phase, including iodine concentration (IC), normalised IC (NIC), slope of the spectral attenuation curve in Hounsfield units (λHU), effective atomic number (Eff-Z), and water concentration. Multivariate logistic regression was used to construct a predictive model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves were used to evaluate the robustness of model, while the bootstrap method was used for internal validation. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to test the goodness of fit of the discriminant model. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NIC, λHU, and Eff-Z were the potential predictors, and the three indicators were further used to establish a predictive model. The nomogram was evaluated to have good predictive performance, the area under the ROC curve was 0.909 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.799-0.970), and the model was well calibrated (χ2 = 8.149, p=0.419). CONCLUSIONS: The spectral CT nomogram has potential clinical value in predicting response to ICT in NPC and may help guide individualised treatment decisions.

Two-step aggregation of gold nanoparticles based on charge neutralization for detection of melamine by colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform.

A colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal amplification platform based on 2-step aggregation of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was constructed for the sensitive detection of melamine. In this study, the positively charged SYBR Green I was used for the first step of aggregation of AuNP, via charge neutralization, to obtain small-sized AuNP aggregates. The positively charged SYBR Green I decreased the negative charges of the surface of AuNP, which was beneficial to the aggregation of AuNP. In addition, the melamine could aggregate AuNP by decreasing the negative charges of the surface of AuNP and self-assemble with each other on the surface of AuNP by hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the second efficient aggregation of small-sized AuNP aggregates could be achieved with melamine at low concentration, resulting in significant signal changes of color and SERS. The sensitivity of a colorimetric (0.60 mg/L) and SERS (0.089 mg/L) platform, based on 2-step aggregation of AuNP, was 15 and 2.2 times higher than that based on 1-step aggregation of AuNP for detecting melamine.

Adaptive synapse-based neuron model with heterogeneous multistability and riddled basins.

Biological neurons can exhibit complex coexisting multiple firing patterns dependent on initial conditions. To this end, this paper presents a novel adaptive synapse-based neuron (ASN) model with sine activation function. The ASN model has time-varying equilibria with the variation of externally applied current and its equilibrium stability involves transitions between stable and unstable points through fold and Hopf bifurcations, resulting in complex distributions of attractive regions with heterogeneous multi-stability. Globally coexisting heterogeneous behaviors are studied by bifurcation diagram, phase portrait, dynamical distribution, and basin of attraction. The results show that the number of coexisting heterogeneous attractors can be up to 12, but for a simple neuron model, such a large number of coexisting heterogeneous attractors has not been reported in the relevant literature. Most interestingly, the ASN model also has riddled-like complex basins of attraction and four illustrative examples are depicted by the phase portraits with small changes of the initial conditions. Besides, the ASN model is implemented using a simple microcontroller platform, and various heterogeneous coexisting attractors are acquired experimentally to validate the numerical results.

Automating Scoliosis Measurements in Radiographic Studies with Machine Learning: Comparing Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Reports.

Scoliosis is a condition of abnormal lateral spinal curvature affecting an estimated 2 to 3% of the US population, or seven million people. The Cobb angle is the standard measurement of spinal curvature in scoliosis but is known to have high interobserver and intraobserver variability. Thus, the objective of this study was to build and validate a system for automatic quantitative evaluation of the Cobb angle and to compare AI generated and human reports in the clinical setting. After IRB was obtained, we retrospectively collected 2150 frontal view scoliosis radiographs at a tertiary referral center (January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2021, ≥ 16 years old, no hardware). The dataset was partitioned into 1505 train (70%), 215 validation (10%), and 430 test images (20%). All thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies were segmented with bounding boxes, generating approximately 36,550 object annotations that were used to train a Faster R-CNN Resnet-101 object detection model. A controller algorithm was written to localize vertebral centroid coordinates and derive the Cobb properties (angle and endplate) of dominant and secondary curves. AI-derived Cobb angle measurements were compared to the clinical report measurements, and the Spearman rank-order demonstrated significant correlation (0.89, p < 0.001). Mean difference between AI and clinical report angle measurements was 7.34° (95% CI: 5.90-8.78°), which is similar to published literature (up to 10°). We demonstrate the feasibility of an AI system to automate measurement of level-by-level spinal angulation with performance comparable to radiologists.

[Impact of C2-femoral heads center and sacroiliac fixation on the occurrence of post-operative proximal junctional kyphosis in adults with spinal deformity].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between post-operative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and C2-femoral heads center (C2-FH), pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, so as to provide a reference for the preoperative decision-making and the postoperative intervention timely. Methods: It was a retrospective study that analyzed 34 cases of ASD patients who underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2017 and May 2017. ASD patients were divided into two groups according to fixation options: the sacroiliac fixation group and the non-sacroiliac fixation group. The spine-pelvis parameters were evaluated on full-length X ray films of spine at preoperatively, 2 weeks postoperatively and the last follow-up, and the incidence of PJK was recorded. Results: A total of 34 ASD patients (3 males and 31 females) were included in this study, with an average age of (58±6) years. The mean follow-up period was (2.9±1.0) years (2.0-4.0 years). The age, follow-up time and various spine-pelvis parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). The immediate postoperative C2-FH in the sacroiliac fixation group was significantly lower than that in the non-sacroiliac fixation group [(-69.46±30.85) mm vs (-31.62±15.31) mm, P<0.001]. The incidence of PJK was as high as 50.0% (8/16) in patients with sacroiliac fixation, but it was only 22% (4/18) in patients without sacroiliac fixation (P=0.016). At the last follow-up, the C2-FH of both groups were both higher than -20 mm (both were approximately -15 mm, P=0.976), indicating that the C2-FH was compensated in both groups. Due to the loss of the distal compensation ability, the incidence of PJK in the sacroiliac fixation group was higher than that in the non-sacroiliac fixation group. Due to the fixation of pelvis and most of lumbar spine, no significant differences were found in lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS) at the last follow-up in both groups when compared with those after the operation (all P>0.05); while the thoracic kyphosis (TK) and cervical lordosis (CL) increased significantly (both P<0.05) to compensate C2-FH at the last follow-up. Conclusion: It's demonstrated that C2-FH< -2 cm and pelvic fixation are high risk factors of PJK in ASD patients. It is suggested that both global sagittal balance and pelvic fixation should be considered in decision-making and corrective surgery, rather than only focusing on spine-pelvic parameters.

BMI modifies the association between serum HDL cholesterol and stroke in a hypertensive population without atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and body mass index (BMI) have an impact on the prevalence of stroke. However, it is unclear whether BMI can modify the relationship between HDL-C and stroke. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of the BMI on the association between HDL-C and stroke in a hypertensive population without atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: We analyzed data of 10,925 hypertensive patients without AF from the Chinese Hypertension Registry Study. BMI was categorized as < 24 and ≥ 24 kg/m2. Multivariate logistic regression and smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) were used to analyze the association between HDL-C and stroke in different BMI groups. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were used to explore the effect of other variables on this relationship. RESULTS: The results showed a negative association between HDL-C and stroke in the BMI < 24 kg/m2 group, but HDL-C was not associated with stroke in the BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 group. In the BMI < 24 kg/m2 group, each 1 mmol/L increase in HDL-C was associated with a 50% decreased risk of stroke [odds ratio (OR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.66]. No significant relationship between HDL-C and stroke was observed in the BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 group (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.49-1.10). There was a significant interaction between BMI and HDL-C in regard to the prevalence of stroke in the hypertensive population without AF (PInteraction = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: We found an inverse association between HDL-C and stroke only in the BMI < 24 kg/m2 group. The finding suggested that BMI could modify the association between HDL-C and stroke in hypertensive populations without AF.

Identification of candidate genes associated with slaughter traits in F2 chicken population using genome-wide association study.

Slaughter traits are crucial economic traits of chickens. We performed a GWAS to discover critical loci and candidate genes for 21 slaughter traits in an F2 chicken population resulting from crossing Luxi gamecocks and recessive white feather broilers. We found some SNPs and genes which were significantly associated with keel length, head length, body slope length, bilateral leg weight without shin, bilateral foot weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, heart weight, muscular stomach weight and glandular stomach weight. This study provides references for further investigation of slaughter traits and molecular breeding in chicken.

An in-vitro study on a novel six-phage cocktail against multi-drug resistant-ESBL Shigella in aquatic environment.

Shigella spp. are water-borne pathogens responsible for mild to severe cases bacilli dysentery all around the world known as Shigellosis. The progressively increasing of antibiotic resistance among Shigella calls for developing and establishing novel alternative therapeutic methods. The present study aimed to evaluate a novel phage cocktail of lytic phages against extended spectrum beta lactamase isolates of Shigella species in an aquatic environment. The phage cocktail containing six novel Shigella specific phages showed a broad host spectrum. The cocktail was very stable in aquatic environment. The cocktail resulted in about 99% decrease in the bacterial counts in the contaminated water by several species and strains of Shigella such as Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and Shigella dysenteriae. Achieving such a high efficiency in this in-vitro study demonstrates a high potential for in-vivo and in-situ application of this phage cocktail as a bio-controlling agent against Shigella spp. contamination and infections.

[Occurrence of rod fracture and salvage methods after primary surgery of the congenital lumbosacral deformity associated with sacral agenesis].

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of rod fracture after surgery for lumbosacral deformity associated sacral agenesis and discuss the relevant salvage methods. Methods: The clinical records of 19 patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral deformity associated sacral agenesis from January 2001 to January 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, including 11 boys and 8 girls. The average age was (9.6±5.2) years. The outcomes of surgical correction and internal fixation were evaluated by postoperative regular follow-up. We also recorded the time and position of rod fracture occurrence. The Cobb angle, coronal balance and sagittal balance were measured and compared to analyze the corresponding salvage methods and revision outcomes. Results: Three patients encountered rod fracture during follow-up, so the incidence of rod fracture after surgery for lumbosacral deformity associated sacral agenesis was 15.8%(3/19). Based on their own conditions, we formulated the individualized strategy and performed the revision surgery through the posterior-only approach. The most critical step was abundant bone-grafting and fusion in the defected sacroiliac joint. After revision, the scoliotic Cobb angle improved in two patients (91.5° vs 47.5°, 49.0° vs 28.0°) and coronal balance improved in one patient (40.3 mm vs 24.3 mm). No complication reoccurred during follow-up. Conclusion: The rod fracture after surgery for lumbosacral deformity associated sacral agenesis is quite common, which is probably correlated with its unique deformed structure and biomechanical characteristics. The individualized salvage methods and adequate bone-grafting and fusion for the defected sacroiliac joint will guarantee the reconstruction and maintenance of spine balance after revision.

[Clinical study of selection of the upper instrumented vertebra at one level caudal to upper end vertebra in patients with Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis].

Objective: To investigate whether the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) can be selected at one level caudal to upper end vertebra (UEV) in Lenke type 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. Methods: Total of 28 Lenke 5C AIS patients who underwent selective posterior fusion in Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from September 2013 to September 2015 were included. There were 4 males and 24 females, with an age of (15.0±2.0) years, the Risser sign was graded 2-5. The following imaging parameters were measured on standing full spine X-ray before, immediately after the surgery and at the last follow-up: thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) Cobb angle, coronal balance, UIV translation, lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) translation, UIV tilt, LIV tilt, and thoracic apical vertebral translation (T-AVT), lumbar apical vertebral translation (L-AVT). The patients were divided into two groups: decompensation group (n=6) and non-decompensation group (n=22). Radiographic parameters and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 scores were compared between the two groups. Results: Six cases (21.4%) had proximal decompensation at the last follow-up. There were no significant differences in Risser grade(3.8±1.0 vs 3.6±1.6), baseline thoracic Cobb angle(25.8°±2.2° vs 26.3°±6.4°) and TL/L Cobb angle(43.7°±3.4° vs 45.2°±6.5°) between the two groups (all P>0.05). However, the baseline lumbar/thoracic apical vertebra translation (L-T AVT ratio) was significantly higher in patients with proximal decompensation (6.3±1.3 vs 4.0±2.0, P=0.048). Conclusion: Selecting UIV at one level caudal to UEV, would not increase the incidence of proximal decompensation in Lenke 5C AIS patients with Risser higher than grade 2, the smaller baseline L-T AVT ratio, and with thoracic compensatory curve over 15°, and can obtain satisfactory clinical results.