Phytoplankton-derived polysaccharides and microbial peptidoglycans are key nutrients for deep-sea microbes in the Mariana Trench.

Background: The deep sea represents the largest marine ecosystem, driving global-scale biogeochemical cycles. Microorganisms are the most abundant biological entities and play a vital role in the cycling of organic matter in such ecosystems. The primary food source for abyssal biota is the sedimentation of particulate organic polymers.

sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench.

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated MT13 and MT32, were isolated from sediment samples collected from the Mariana Trench at a depth of 8300 m. The two strains grew at -2-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 5.5-10.

Genome sequencing and comparative genomics analysis of Halomonas sp. MT13 reveal genetic adaptation to deep-sea environment.

Halomonas sp. MT13, a moderately psychrotolerant, piezotolerant and exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium, was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench at the depth of 8300 m. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain MT13 and its genomic characteristics related to deep-sea environmental adaptation by comparing with its three closely related Halomonas species.

[Three dimensional finite element analysis of optimal distribution model of fillers in vertebroplasty].

Objective: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of osteoporosis and to study the stiffness recovery of injured vertebrae and stress analysis of adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty under different perfusion and distribution conditions by simulating fluid flow into the vertebral body.

Methods: A male healthy volunteer was selected. CT scans were performed from T to L.

[Application of Gemstone Spectrum Imaging for anterior spinal artery in patients with cervical spinal injury].

Objective: To discuss the value of Gemstone Spectrum Imaging (GSI) CT anterior spinal artery angiography in the patients with cervical spinal cord injury, and to evaluate the correlation between the change of the blood flow of the anterior spinal artery and the postoperative recovery of nerve function.

Methods: From January 2014 to June 2016, thirty patients who underwent cervical open door laminoplasty for spinal cord injury were retrospective analyzed and included 21 males and 9 females with an average age of (46.4±9.

Leptin-induced inflammation by activating IL-6 expression contributes to the fibrosis and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

The ongoing chronic inflammation and subsequent fibrosis play an important role in ligamentum flavum (LF) fibrosis and hypertrophy in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Leptin is a chronic inflammatory mediator and involved in the fibrotic process in multiple organ systems. The present study aimed to investigate the role of leptin in LF fibrosis and its related regulatory mechanisms.

Bioinformatics analysis of the gene expression profiles in human intervertebral disc degeneration associated with inflammatory cytokines.

Background: To investigate the microarray data on the gene expression profiles of intervertebral disc degeneration related to cytokine exposure. The purpose of the study was to identify the key genes that were differentially expressed in these disc cells compared to cells without inflammatory cytokine treatment, using bioinformatics analyses, and to explore the related signaling pathways and interaction networks, providing clues to the molecular mechanisms of disc degeneration for future experimental studies.

Methods: The gene expression profiles data were obtained using the same microarray platform for two groups of patients suffering from degenerative disc diseases: GSE41883 (Human annulus disc cells exposed to TNF-a; 4 samples) and GSE27494 (Human annulus disc cells exposed to IL-1β; 4 samples).

Timing of surgical decompression for traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.

Purpose: Although there have been numerous studies aimed at determining the effects and safety of early vs. late surgical decompression for traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, controversies still exist regarding the optimal timing of surgery for this serious spinal trauma. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early vs.

Outcomes of surgery for unstable odontoid fractures combined with instability of adjacent segments.

Background: At present, traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation or C2-3 instability complicating odontoid fractures remains rarely reported. The aim of this study was to further investigate the surgical treatment strategies and curative effects for odontoid fractures combined with instability of adjacent segments.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 12 patients (5 females and 7 males; age, 21-65 years) who underwent internal fixation for odontoid fractures (type II and shallow type III) and atlantoaxial instability in 6 cases, C2-3 instability in 4 cases, simultaneous C1-2 and C2-3 instability in 2 cases between January 2005 and June 2012.

Early clinical effects of the Dynesys system plus transfacet decompression through the Wiltse approach for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Background: This study investigated early clinical effects of Dynesys system plus transfacet decompression through the Wiltse approach in treating lumbar degenerative diseases.

Material And Methods: 37 patients with lumbar degenerative disease were treated with the Dynesys system plus transfacet decompression through the Wiltse approach.

Results: Results showed that all patients healed from surgery without severe complications.

Classification and surgical management for the axis fracture complicated with adjacent segment instability.

This study was to classify the axis fracture complicated with adjacent segment instability and to explore its significance to surgical management. 42 patients (25 males and 17 females) with axis fractures with an average age of 44.14 years (range, 23 to 65) who received surgery between January 2006 and June 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.

[Combination of bone marrow concentrate and PGA scaffolds enhancing bone marrow stimulation in the repair of rabbit articular cartilage].

Objective: To observe the effects of bone marrow concentrate (BMC)-PGA scaffolds for bone marrow stimulation enhancement and repairing rabbit articular cartilage.

Methods: A rabbit model of articular cartilage defect was established for BMC-PGA stent implantation. After 8 weeks, the experimental animals were sacrificed.

[Surgical treatment strategies of odontoid fractures].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of both odontoid fractures and adjacent section instability so as to devise proper surgical strategies and achieve better curative effect.

Methods: A total of 37 patients (including 26 males and 11 females) with odontoid fractures treated from January 2005 to June 2012 with a mean age of (21-65) 36 years were analyzed retrospectively. Among 25 cases of simple odontoid fractures, there were type II (n = 20) and low type III (n = 5).

[Short-segment fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures using pedicle fixation at the level of fracture in patients with osteoporosis].

Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of short-segment transpedicular fixation plus vertebra fracture fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

Methods: The clinical data of thoracolumbar burst fractures in 46 patients with osteoporosis, single segment fracture and neurological intactness were analyzed retrospectively from January 2008 to January 2012. There were 20 males and 26 females with a mean age of 64.

[Treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis with selective segmental transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion].

Objective: To explore the treatment outcomes of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) with selective segmental transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods: The clinical data were analyzed for a total of 42 cases with degenerative scoliosis from November 2008 to March 2011.There were 14 males and 28 females with a mean age of 62.

PPARγ forms a bridge between DNA methylation and histone acetylation at the C/EBPα gene promoter to regulate the balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells.

The balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells is impaired in many human diseases. Knowledge of how to fine-tune this balance is of medical importance. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) has been shown to regulate the balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis of C3H10T1/2 cells, with epigenetic modifications of the C/EBPα promoter playing an important role.

[Selection of suitable procedure in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis based upon imaging studies].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacies of two different procedures in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Methods: From August 2008 to August 2011, 28 patients of lumbar degenerative scoliosis were divided into one group (n = 14) undergoing modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) instrumented surgery and another group (n = 14) undergoing posterolateral fusion (PLF) instrumented surgery. There were 12 males and 16 females with a mean age of 66.

Non-spinal-associated injuries with lumbar transverse process fractures: influence of segments, amount, and concomitant vertebral fractures.

Background: Lumbar transverse process fractures (LTPFs) are often with concomitant non-spinal-associated injuries (NSAIs). The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between the NSAIs and the LTPFs of different segments, amount, and concomitant thoracolumbar/lumbar vertebral fractures.

Methods: A total of 1,181 patients with LTPFs or thoracolumbar/lumbar vertebral fractures were chosen between September 2006 and June 2010.

[Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with lumbar instability].

Objective: To explore the surgical efficacy of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) technique in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with lumbar instability.

Methods: From November 2008 to August 2011, 47 patients of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation underwent TLIF. There were 25 males and 22 females with an average age of 52 years (range: 30 - 68).

[Short fusion and long fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis with lumbar stenosis].

Objective: To explore the indications, surgical techniques and prognostic factors of short fusion versus long fusion for elder patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients undergoing different kinds of surgical procedures for lumbar spinal scoliosis between June 2005 and October 2010 were recruited for this retrospective study. The mean patient age at surgery was 64.

[Biomechanical study of atlantoaxial fixation for transverse ligament injury leading to atlantoaxial instability].

Objective: To explore the three-dimensional movement of atlantoaxial joint, complete transverse ligament and cracked transverse ligament after posterior atlantoaxial fixation.

Methods: The fresh upper cervical cadaveric specimens were collected from 6 males dead from active craniocerebral injury. The average age was 39.

[Posterior interbody fusion versus improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in segmental spinal fixation for aged spondylolisthesis with lumbar spinal canal stenosis].

Objective: To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior lumbar fixation and posterior interbody fusion or improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for Meyerding grade II/III spondylolisthesis so as to address the suitability of a dynamic stabilization.

Methods: A total of 28 consecutive patients underwent posterior lumbar fixation and posterior interbody fusion or improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for Meyerding grade II/III spondylolisthesis. Among them, 13 patients underwent posterior interface fusion (PLIF) and pedicle screw fixation.

[Application of C1-C2 pedicle screw fixation in atlantoaxial complex fracture].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of posterior transpedicular screw internal fixation in atlantoaxial complex fracture patients.

Methods: Among 17 patients, there were Anderson II type of odontoid plus atlas fracture (n = 10) and Hangman plus atlas fracture (n = 7). They were categorized by their preoperative spinal cord scores according to the Frankel classification: C-class (n = 2), D-class (n = 6) and E-class (n = 5).

Combined single-level subtotal corpectomy and decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy treatment.

Background: The purpose of this study was to summarize outcomes of patients with refractory multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who were treated by combined single-level subtotal corpectomy and decompression of the intervertebral space using the anterior approach.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients with multisegmental CSM were included; their ages ranged from 37 to 72 years. Seventeen (37.