Quadruple-band synglisis enables high thermoelectric efficiency in earth-abundant tin sulfide crystals.

Thermoelectrics have been limited by the scarcity of their constituent elements, especially telluride. The earth-abundant, wide-bandgap ( ≈ 46 ) tin sulfide (SnS) has shown promising performance in its crystal form. We improved the thermoelectric efficiency in SnS crystals by promoting the convergence of energy and momentum of four valance bands, termed quadruple-band synglisis.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Valve Surgery Under Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: The effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative renal function was investigated in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University teaching, grade A tertiary hospital.

lncRNA HHIP-AS1/HHIP modulates osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs by regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Background: lncRNA, a type of non-coding RNA, plays an important role in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). In this study, lncRNA and mRNA microarrays were performed to study the change of gene expression during osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs. We focused on Hedgehog interacting protein (HHIP), because HHIP mRNA and lncRNA HHIP-AS1 were gradually down-regulated on days 0, 7, and 14 during osteogenic differentiation.

RP11-867G2.8 promotes EMT and chordoma malignant phenotypes by enhancing FUT4 mRNA stability and translation.

Chordoma is a rare bone tumor, and the recurrence rate of chordoma is high, the treatment is difficult, and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, it is of great significance to find key target genes for the treatment of chordoma. Microarray was used to analyze the significant gene associated with chordoma.

Posterolateral decompression, bone graft fusion, posterior instrumentation, and local continuous chemotherapy in the surgical treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis with kyphosis deformity via posterolateral debridement, fusion, posterior instrumentation and local continuous chemotherapy. A total of 25 patients with thoracic tuberculosis received surgery by posterolateral decompression, fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage with local continuous chemotherapy between June 2009 and October 2011. The clinical outcomes was evaluated using statistical analysis about deformity correction, bone fusion, neurologic status, and the visual analog score (VAS) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

The reasons and clinical treatments of postoperative relapse of Pott's disease.

Literature about postoperative relapse of Pott's disease is rare. Accordingly, the risk factors and clinical treatments for postoperative relapse of Pott's disease remain controversial. In order to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of postoperative Pott's disease relapse, and to investigate its optimal therapeutic procedures with respect to focal characteristics, we performed a retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data that were prospectively collected between July 2008 and May 2014 from 753 consecutive spinal tubercular patients including 67 patients who were diagnosed and treated as postoperative relapse of Pott's disease in our hospital.

Posterior surgical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with spinal tuberculosis: A case series and long-term follow-up.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of posterior surgical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with spinal tuberculosis (STB). This was a retrospective study including 12 patients treated between January 2004 and April 2014 for AS with STB at our department. All patients underwent 1-stage posterior internal fixation, debridement, and bone fusion.

One-stage surgical management for lumber brucella spondylitis with anterior debridement, autogenous graft, and instrumentation.

Literature reporting on lumber brucella spondylitis (LBS) is rare, therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of one-stage surgical management for lumber brucella spondylitis by anterior debridement, autogenous grafts, and instrumentation. This was a retrospective cohort study including 16 patients with lumber brucella spondylitis by treated from January 2009 to October 2011 in our department. All cases underwent one-stage anterior internal fixation, debridement, and bone fusion; clinical and radiographic results were analyzed and compared.

The clinical outcomes and surgical strategy for cervical spine tuberculosis: A retrospective study in 78 cases.

Literature on the treatment of cervical spinal tuberculosis (CSTB) is uncommon, the surgical approaches to cervical spinal tuberculosis were controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 3 surgical techniques in CSTB patients, and to determine the most appropriate approach for CSTB patients. Between April 2006 and June 2012, we performed a retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data that were collected from 850 consecutive spinal tubercular patients, including 87 patients who were diagnosed and treated for CSTB in our hospital.

Decreased spinal endomorphin-2 contributes to mechanical allodynia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) plays a major role in decreased life quality of diabetes patients, however, the neural mechanisms underlying DNP remain unclear. Endomorphins are the endogenous ligands for mu-opioid receptor. There is increasing evidence implicating the involvement of spinal endomorphin-2 (EM2) in neuropathic pain.

Erratum to: Investigation of one-lung ventilation postoperative cognitive dysfunction and regional cerebral oxygen saturation relations.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. In "Abstract" and the 1st para-graph of Section 2.1, the full name of the abbreviation "ASA" was incorrect in "American Standards Association (ASA)".

Investigation of one-lung ventilation postoperative cognitive dysfunction and regional cerebral oxygen saturation relations.

Objective: To explore the relationship of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in one-lung ventilation (OLV) patients and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2).

Methods: Twenty-nine male and twenty-one female cases of OLV received thoracic surgery, with American Standards Association (ASA) physical status being at Grades I-III. Neuropsychological tests were performed on the day before operation and 7 d after operation, and there was an intraoperative continuous monitoring of rSO2.

The impact of posterior temporary internal distraction on stepwise corrective surgery for extremely severe and rigid scoliosis greater than 130°.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of temporary internal distraction corrective surgery for extremely severe scoliosis.

Methods: Eleven scoliosis patients (3 males and 8 females) with curves ≥130° (mean 148.8°; range 130°-157°) who underwent a two-stage surgery, including a posterior temporary internal distraction correction and definitive posterior spinal correction with posterior pedicle screw instrumentation from 2008 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed.

The beneficial effect of Batroxobin on blood loss reduction in spinal fusion surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Batroxobin on blood loss during spinal operations.

Methods: After obtaining approval from the ethics committee at the hospital along with informed written consent, we performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with 100 patients who were randomized equally into 2 groups (Batroxobin and placebo). Patients received either 2 ku IV 15 min before surgery and followed 1 ku IM of Batroxobin following surgery, or an equivalent volume of placebo (normal saline).