Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for rapid molecular identification in spinal infection diagnosis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for detecting pathogens in spinal infections and to identify the differences in the diagnostic performance between mNGS and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS).

Methods: A total of 76 consecutive patients with suspected spinal infections who underwent mNGS, culture, and histopathological examinations were retrospectively studied. The final diagnosis of the patient was determined by combining the clinical treatment results, pathological examinations, imaging changes and laboratory indicators.

Delayed postoperative neurological deficits from scoliosis correction: a case series and systematic review on clinical characteristics, treatment, prognosis, and recovery.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the clinical features, treatment modalities, and risk factors influencing neurological recovery in patients who underwent scoliosis correction with delayed postoperative neurological deficit (DPND).

Methods: Three patients with DPND were identified from 2 central databases for descriptive analysis. Furthermore, all DPND cases were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases.

Simultaneous Single-Position Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery and Unilateral Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation for Spondylolisthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of a combine of lateral single screw-rod and unilateral percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (LSUP) for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) in the treatment of spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive (MIS)-TLIF with bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) or LLIF-LSUP were retrospectively studied. Segmental lordosis angle (SLA), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), disc height (DH), slipping percentage, the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the thecal sac, screw placement accuracy, fusion rate and foraminal height (FH) were used to evaluate radiographic changes postoperatively.

Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection of the Spine in a Patient Without Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 52-year-old patient misdiagnosed with spinal tuberculosis was successfully diagnosed with Mycobacterium avium infection using metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cured with four-drug combination protocol chemotherapy (amikacin, rifampicin, clarithromycin, ethambutol) and spinal fixation.

[Interaction of olfaction and feeding behavior and its neural mechanism].

Olfaction and food intake are interrelated and regulated. In the process of feeding, the metabolic signals in the body and the feeding signals produced by food stimulation are first sensed by the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and the nucleus tractus solitarius of brain stem, and then these neurons project to the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus. The paraventricular nucleus transmits the signals to other brain regions related to feeding and regulates feeding behavior.

Changes in the Mitochondria-Related Nuclear Gene Expression Profile during Human Oocyte Maturation by the IVM Technique.

To address which mitochondria-related nuclear differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and related pathways are altered during human oocyte maturation, single-cell analysis was performed in three oocyte states: in vivo matured (M-IVO), in vitro matured (M-IVT), and failed to mature in vitro (IM-IVT). There were 691 DEGs and 16 mitochondria-related DEGs in the comparison of M-IVT vs. IM-IVT oocytes, and 2281 DEGs and 160 mitochondria-related DEGs in the comparison of M-IVT vs.

[Comparison of 127° small and 135° large stem angle prostheses in total hip arthroplasty].

Objective: To investigate the effect of total hip arthroplasty(THA) with the prosthesis of 127° small neck stem angle and 135° large neck stem angle.

Methods: From January 2014 to June 2016, 84 patients with THA were selected, including 44 males and 40 females, aged 45 to 72(53.4±8.

Single-cell multiomic analysis of in vivo and in vitro matured human oocytes.

Study Question: Are there any differences between in vivo (IVV) and in vitro (IVT) matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes at the molecular level?

Summary Answer: Between IVV and IVT oocytes, 507 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified; the non-CpG methylomes were significantly different, but the CpG methylomes and genomic copy number variations (CNVs) were similar.

What Is Known Already: A previous study using microarray and single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that numerous genes were differentially expressed between IVV and IVT oocytes. Independent studies of DNA methylation profiling in human oocytes have revealed negative correlations between gene transcription and the DNA methylation level at gene promoter regions.

A comparison of the use of adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration in vitro and in vivo.

Background: To date, it has repeatedly been demonstrated that infusing bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) into acellular nerve scaffolds can promote and support axon regeneration through a peripheral nerve defect. However, harvesting BMSCs is an invasive and painful process fraught with a low cellular yield.

Methods: In pursuit of alternative stem cell sources, we isolated stem cells from the inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (adipose-derived stem cells, ADSCs).

Single shot versus continuous technique adductor canal block for analgesia following total knee arthroplasty: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

Background: An adductor canal block (ACB) provides recognized analgesia following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This meta-analysis compared the single-injection ACB (SACB) with the continuous-injection ACB (CACB).

Method: Relevant studies were searched from PubMed (1996-October 2018), Embase (1980-October 2018), and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL, October 2018).

Time course of global gene expression alterations in Candida albicans during infection of HeLa cells.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungus that quickly adapts to various microniches. It causes candidiasis, a common fungal infection for which the pathogenic mechanism has not been elucidated yet.

Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Case Series.

Objective: To survey effective treatment strategies for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Methods: The clinical data of 78 patients diagnosed with CSP from January 2010 to December 2013 were reviewed.

Results: Among these patients, 17 patients were first treated at our hospital; of them, 2 were misdiagnosed.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Induces Postmenopausal Dyslipidemia Through Inhibiting Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism.

Context: The elevated low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in menopausal women is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence and mechanism by which high postmenopausal FSH levels affect lipid profiles.

Methods: The serum FSH and lipid levels were examined in 400 Chinese postmenopausal women.

XingNaoJing, prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, prevents autophagy in experimental stroke by repressing p53-DRAM pathway.

Background: Xingnaojing (XNJ), a well known prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for treatment of stroke in China. However, the effects and mechanisms of XNJ on autophagy are not clear. Here, we used the cell models of autophagy induced by serum-free condition and ischemia stroke in rats to further investigate whether the p53-DRAM pathway is involved in the effects of XNJ on autophagy.

MicroRNA-574 is involved in cognitive impairment in 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice through regulation of neuritin.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. The recent evidence in AD research suggests that alterations in the microRNA (miRNA) could contribute to risk for the disease. However, little is understood about the roles of miRNAs in cognitive impairment of early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Correlation analysis for follicle-stimulating hormone and C-terminal cross-linked telopetides of type i collagen in menopausal transition women with osteoporosis.

The sudden drop in estrogen in post-menopausal women can lead to osteoporosis. About one in three women aged more than 50 years experienced an osteoporotic fracture. The aim of this study is to explore function of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in bone metabolism and osteoporosis in menopausal transition women.

[Correlation between follicle-stimulating hormone and total procollagen I N-terminal propeptide in perimenopausal women].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and total procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (TP1NP) in perimenopausal women.

Methods: Total 274 women aged 33~60 y with perimenopausal period were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of FSH and TP1NP were detected by electrochemiluminescence.

No effect of energy intake overall on risk of endometrial cancers: a meta-analysis.

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies on the association between energy intake and endometrial cancer risk have only generated contradictory results. The role of energy intake in endometrial carcinogenesis thus remains unclear. To quantitatively assess the potential association between energy intake and endometrial cancer, a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies was here conducted.

[Effects of water table manipulation on leaf photosynthesis, morphology and growth of Phragmites australis and Imperata cylindrica in the reclaimed tidal wetland at Dongtan of Chongming Island, China].

During the growing season of 2011, the leaf photosynthesis, morphological and growth traits of Phragmites australis and Imperata cylindrica were investigated along a gradient of water table (low, medium and high) in the reclaimed tidal wetland at the Dongtan of Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary of China. A series of soil factors, i. e.

β-Asarone prevents autophagy and synaptic loss by reducing ROCK expression in asenescence-accelerated prone 8 mice.

β-Asarone is an active component of the Acori graminei rhizome that is a traditional Chinese medicine clinically used in treating dementia in China. However, the cognitive effect of β-asarone and its mechanism has remained elusive. Here, we used asenescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, which mimic many of the salient features of Alzheimer׳s disease (AD), to further investigate whether modulation of the ROCK signaling pathway and/or autophagy, synaptic loss is involved in the effects of β-asarone on learning and memory.

A preauricular long-corniform approach for open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condylar fractures.

Introduction: We report functional and clinical outcomes following use of a preauricular long-corniform incision for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of mandibular condylar fractures.

Materials And Methods: Patients with mandibular condylar fractures who underwent ORIF via a 120° preauricular long-corniform incision were included in the study. A total of 78 patients (100 condyles) were included.

β-Asarone inhibits neuronal apoptosis via the CaMKII/CREB/Bcl-2 signaling pathway in an in vitro model and AβPP/PS1 mice.

β-Asarone, an active component of the Acori graminei rhizome that has been used as traditional Chinese herb, has been reported to be capable of inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. However, the signaling mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of β-asarone has remained elusive. This study was aimed to investigate whether the CaMKII signaling pathway is involved in the β-asarone mediated neuroprotection.

Muscone exerts neuroprotection in an experimental model of stroke via inhibition of the fas pathway.

Identifying small molecules that are neuroprotective against stroke injury will be highly beneficial for treatment therapies. A cell viability assay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to identify active small molecules in XingNaoJing, which is a well known Chinese medicine prescribed for the effective treatment of stroke. Studies have found that muscone is the active compound that prevents PC12 cell and cortical neuron damage following various injuries.