Quinolone antibiotics stimulate bacterial mercury methylation by Geobacter metallireducens GS-15.

Bacterial mercury (Hg) methylation is critical for bioremediating Hg pollution, but the impact of emerging antibiotics on this process has rarely been reported. This study innovatively investigated the interactions between Hg-methylating bacteria of Geobacter metallireducens GS-15 and two quinolone antibiotics: lomefloxacin (LOM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) at 5 μg/L. Short-term LOM exposure increased methylmercury (MeHg) yield by 36 % compared to antibiotic-free conditions, caused by hormesis to alter bioactivities of single GS-15 cells.

Bacterial mercury methylation modulated by vitamin B9: An overlooked pathway leads to increased environmental risks.

There has been a serious health and environmental concern in conversion of inorganic mercury (Hg) to the neurotoxin, methylmercury (MeHg) by anaerobic microbes, while very little is known about the potential role of vitamin B9 (VB9) regulator in the biochemical generation of MeHg. This study innovatively investigated bacterial Hg methylation by Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA in the presence of VB9 under two existing scenarios. In the low-complexing scenario, the bacterial MeHg yield reached 68 % higher than that without VB9 within 72 h, which was attributed to free VB9-protected PCA cells relieving oxidative stress, as manifested by the increased expression of Hg methylation gene (hgcAB cluster by 19-48 %).

Radiomics Based on Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging for the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Objectives: Recent studies have indicated that radiomics may have excellent performance and clinical application prospects in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). However, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics model is rarely used in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant VCFs, and is limited to lumbar. Herein, this study intends to develop and validate MRI radiomics models for differential diagnoses of benign and malignant VCFs in patients.

A memory-based spatial evolutionary game with the dynamic interaction between learners and profiteers.

Spatial evolutionary games provide a valuable framework for elucidating the emergence and maintenance of cooperative behaviors. However, most previous studies assume that individuals are profiteers and neglect to consider the effects of memory. To bridge this gap, in this paper, we propose a memory-based spatial evolutionary game with dynamic interaction between learners and profiteers.

Inhibition and activation of interactions in networked weak prisoner's dilemma.

In the framework of the coevolution dynamics of the weak prisoner's dilemma, inspired by prior empirical research, we present a coevolutionary model with local network dynamics in a static network framework. Viewing the edges of the network as social interactions between individuals, when individuals play the weak prisoner's dilemma game, they accumulate both payoffs and social interaction willingness based on a payoff matrix of the social interaction willingness we constructed. The edges are then inhibiting or activating based on the social interaction willingness of the two individuals, and individuals only interact with others through activated edges, resulting in local network dynamics in a static network framework.

Limited resource network modeling and its opinion diffusion dynamics.

The preferential attachment of the Barabási-Albert model has been playing an important role in modeling practical complex networks. The preferential attachment mechanism describes the role of many real systems, which follows the characteristic "the rich get richer." However, there are some situations that are ignored by the preferential attachment mechanism, one of which is the existence of the limited resource.

Phillygenin Protects the Intestinal Barrier from Dysfunction via let-7b Signaling Pathway and Regulation of Intestinal Microbiota.

The study investigates the positive effects of phillygenin on intestinal tight junction via the let-7b signaling pathway and the regulation of intestinal microbiota. The expression levels of tight junction proteins are determined through PCR and Western blot. DSS-induced mice colitis is used to verify the protective effects of phillygenin on intestinal barrier and tight junction.

Evolutionary multigame with conformists and profiteers based on dynamic complex networks.

Evolutionary game on complex networks provides a new research framework for analyzing and predicting group decision-making behavior in an interactive environment, in which most researchers assumed players as profiteers. However, current studies have shown that players are sometimes conformists rather than profit-seeking in society, but most research has been discussed on a simple game without considering the impact of multiple games. In this paper, we study the influence of conformists and profiteers on the evolution of cooperation in multiple games and illustrate two different strategy-updating rules based on these conformists and profiteers.

Analysis of Spinopelvic Sagittal Balance and Persistent Low Back Pain (PLBP) for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (DS) following Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF).

Objective: To investigate the change of spinopelvic sagittal balance and clinical outcomes after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), especially the relationship between sagittal spinopelvic parameters and persistent low back pain (PLBP).

Methods: 107 patients who were diagnosed with DS and underwent PLIF in our department were enrolled retrospectively in the present study. Sagittal spinopelvic parameters including lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lordosis (SL), height of the disc (HOD), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), and pelvic tilt (PT) were recorded pre- and postoperatively.

Comparison of cervical disc arthroplasty and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical disc degenerative diseases on the basis of more than 60 months of follow-up: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was designed to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety between cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in treating cervical disc degenerative diseases (CDDDs).

Methods: Literature search was performed on Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science before Jan 2019. Surgical details, clinical outcomes, range of motion (ROM), complications, and reoperation rates between CDA and ACDF groups were compared and analyzed.

Influence Of Narrative Medicine-Based Health Education Combined With An Online Patient Mutual Assistance Group On The Health Of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Arthritis.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease arthritis (IBDA) threatens patients' physical and mental health. Therefore, patients need not only physical therapy, but also adequate health education and psychological support. This study was designed to explore the effect of health education based on narrative medicine combined with an online patient mutual assistance group that was based on the physical and mental health of patients with IBDA.

Sleep Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Sleep Quality in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Peripheral Arthritis.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease-peripheral arthritis (IBD-PA) often accompany by sleep problems, but few studies have used polysomnography to investigate the objective sleep characteristics of IBD-PA. Patients in IBD-PA group, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) group, healthy control (HC) group were examined by polysomnography (PSG) and the sleep characteristics were compared. PSG and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI) indices were compared between active and remission IBD-PA patients.

Melatonin Prevents Osteoarthritis-Induced Cartilage Degradation via Targeting MicroRNA-140.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the progressive destruction of articular cartilage, which is involved in the imbalance between extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation. MicroRNA-140-5p (miR-140) is specifically expressed in cartilage and plays an important role in OA-induced matrix degradation. The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether intra-articular injection of melatonin could ameliorate surgically induced OA in mice and (2) whether melatonin could regulate matrix-degrading enzymes at the posttranscriptional level by targeting miR-140.

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty assisted with O-arm navigation for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures at T6 to T9 vertebrae.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PKP under O-arm navigation system guidance for treating middle thoracic OVCF (T6~T9).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 44 consecutive T6~T9 OVCF patients who received PKP assisted with O-arm navigation (n = 20) or fluoroscopy (n = 24) from January 2016 to December 2017. Demographic data, radiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed at pre-operative, post-operative, and final follow-up period.

Cystine dimethyl ester cross-linked PEG-poly(urethane-urea)/nano-hydroxyapatite composited biomimetic scaffold for bone defect repair.

Polyurethane (PU) and polyurea (PUA) materials have shown significant potential for application in tissue repair. Herein, we design a glycerol ethoxylate (PEG)-based poly(urethane-urea) for bone tissue repair. The polymer precursor was prepared from the reaction of PEG and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI).

Osteogenesis enhancement of silk fibroin/ α-TCP cement by N-acetyl cysteine through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and vitro.

High brittleness and lack osteogenesis are two major limitations of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) in application in bone defect reconstruction. Here we prepared a composite calcium phosphate cement by mixing N-acetyl cysteine loaded silk fibroin solution with α-tricalcium phosphate. In vitro cytology experiment revealed that SF-NAC/α-TCP could significantly increase the activity of exocrine ALP and up-regulated expression of bone-related genes.

Meta-analysis of FOXP3 gene rs3761548 and rs2232365 polymorphism and multiple sclerosis susceptibility.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), and is associated with genetic factors. FOXP3 gene polymorphism has been reported as the risk factor for MS, however, previous studies have showed conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between FOXP3 gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to MS.

Association between sagittal balance and adjacent segment degeneration in anterior cervical surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: ASD is a relatively common degenerative alteration after cervical surgery which occurs above or below the fused segment. In addition, some patients may need reoperation to treat severe ASD after the primary surgery. It was considered that sagittal balance is correlated with postoperative clinical outcomes; however, few studies have reported the influence of sagittal balance on ASD.

Impact of obesity on restoration of sagittal balance and clinical efficacy after posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

To investigate the impact of obesity on the restoration of sagittal balance after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). To examine the correlation between obesity and sagittal balance and their influence on clinical efficacy. A total of 183 patients who underwent PLIF for degenerative lumbar diseases between Jan 2015 and Dec 2015 were enrolled in this study.

Influence of -acetyl cysteine (NAC) and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) on the properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement.

The properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement make it a popular bone filling material. However, its disadvantages, such as lack of biodegradability and osteogenesis, restrict its clinical application. Studies have indicated the osteogenic properties of -acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the biodegradability of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane/methyl methacrylate-based (MDO/MMA) copolymers.

Relationship Between Sagittal Balance and Axial Symptoms in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Treated with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sagittal balance of the cervical spine and the clinical outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to explore whether sagittal balance is related to the incidence of postoperative axial symptoms. Sixty-seven consecutive patients who underwent ACDF for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy from January 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled in our study. Sagittal balance parameters (global lordotic angle, segmented lordotic angle, T1 slope, and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis [C2-7 SVA] were recorded in the preoperative period and at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively.

Does Tranexamic Acid Improve Bleeding, Transfusion, and Hemoglobin Level in Patients Undergoing Multilevel Spine Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To investigate the influence of tranexamic acid (TXA) on blood loss and blood transfusion in multiple-level spine surgery and evaluate whether hemoglobin and platelet levels are altered as a result.

Method: This meta-analysis conducted an exhaustive search of literature from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. Stata 11.

Comparison of posterolateral fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis: Analysis of spino-pelvic sagittal balance and postoperative chronic low back pain.

Objective: This study aims to compare the spino-pelvic sagittal balance and clinical outcomes of patients treated with posterolateral fusion (PLF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Patients And Methods: A total of 72 patients (28 patients treated with PLF and 44 patients treated with PLIF) were studied. The spino-pelvic sagittal balance, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of the PLF and PLIF groups were compared.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion versus discectomy and fusion for the treatment of two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy: analysis of sagittal balance and axial symptoms.

Purpose: To compare the postoperative sagittal balance and occurrence of axial symptoms between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: A total of 71 consecutive patients who underwent ACCF or ACDF for two-level CSM in our institution from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 30 (17 males, 13 females) were subjected to ACCF, and 41 (20 males, 21 females) were treated with ACDF.