Enantio- and Diastereodivergent Synthesis of Fused Indolizines Enabled by Synergistic Cu/Ir Catalysis

Highly diastereo-/enantioselective assembly of 2,3-fused indolizine derivatives could be easily available through a cascade allylation/Friedel-Crafts type reaction enabled by a synergistic Cu/Ir catalysis. This designed protocol provides an unprecedented and...

Clinical characteristic and surgical treatment of traumatic lumbar spondylolisthesis: A series of 28 patients

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical characteristics and the short-term efficacy of posterior operation for traumatic lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

All 28 patients (between January 2013 and June 2018) were treated with lumbar pedicle screw fixation combined with posterior intervertebral fusion. The clinical data and imaging materials of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 24.3 months (12-36 months). The average VAS score and JOA score were significantly improved after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The last follow-up X-ray showed that 16 cases were degree 0 and 12 cases were degree I according to Meyerding grading, which were statistically improved compared with preoperative. Postoperative CT indicated lumbar internal fixation well, and the lumbar fusion rate was 100%. The Frankel grading of neurological function was significantly improved compared with preoperative.

CONCLUSION

Acute traumatic lumbar spondylolisthesis is caused by severe trauma and mostly occurred at L4/L5 and L5/S1 level. Early posterior reduction, decompression and intervertebral fusion can achieve satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome.

[Identification and functional study of the Schistosoma japonicum epidermal growth factor receptor gene]

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in Schistosoma japonicum (SjEGFR gene) and investigate the role of the EGFR gene in regulating the growth, reproductive system, maturation and fecundity of S. japonicum.

METHODS

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was performed to obtain the full length of the SjEGFR gene, and the SjEGFR gene expression was quantified in different developmental stages of S. japonicum using a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. The tissue localization of the SjEGFR gene was detected in 22-day parasite using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH). Following RNA interference (RNAi)-induced knockdown of the SjEGFR gene, the worm length, pairing rate and worm burden of S. japonicum were measured, and the worm morphology was observed using optical microscopy and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

The SjEGFR gene was identified with a conserved tyrosine-kinase active site, and the SjEGFR gene expression was detected at various developmental stages in male and female parasites. WISH showed that the transcript of the SjEGFR gene was localized on the tegument and in the digestive organs of S. japonicum. RNAi-induced SjEGFR knockdown resulted in marked suppression of the worm growth, smaller size of male testicles that contained more immature spermatocytes, and apparent impairment of ovary and vitelline gland development. In addition, no eggs were found in the uterus of SjEGFR knocked-down female parasites, indicating the interruption of egg production.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of SjEGFR expression may remarkably suppress the growth and maturation of S. japonicum, and interrupt the egg production.

Anatomic study of the lumbar lamina for safe and effective placement of lumbar translaminar facet screws

Objective

To evaluate the anatomic characteristics of the lumbar lamina and suggest a safe and effective strategy for setting lumbar translaminar facet screws.

Methods

The width and length of the lumbar lamina, screw path, lateral angle of the lamina, and maximum and minimum caudal angles of the lamina from L3 to L5 were measured with Mimics software using 32 patients’ computed tomographic data.

Results

The optimal screw entry point was located at the median of the spinous process base or slightly lower. The ideal screw trajectory was from the entry point to the base of the transverse process and across the center of the facet joint. A length of 35 to 45 mm was suitable for L3 to L4 in most cases, and a length of 45 to 50 mm was safe for L5 in most cases. The screw should be inserted at an angle of 49.4° to 59.29° laterally and 43.68° to 57.58° caudally at L3 to L5. For the ideal caudal angle, error of <3° was considered safe.

Conclusion

The optimal entry point, ideal screw trajectory, ideal screw-setting angles, and safest range of the angle and length of the lumbar lamina were identified in this anatomical study.

A Comparison Study of Three Posterior Fixation Strategies in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Lumbar for the Treatment of Degenerative Diseases

BACKGROUND

There are various posterior fixations utilized with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Previous studies have focused on the comparison of two fixation techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty five patients with single-level lumbar disease were included in this retrospective study. Group A was treated by TLIF with bilateral pedicle screw (BPS), Group B treated by TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw (UPS), and Group C treated by TLIF with UPS plus contralateral translaminar facet screw (UPSFS). The operative time, blood loss, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and visual analog scores (VAS) were recorded. Radiographic examination was used to assess fusion rates and incidence of screw failure.

RESULTS

The blood loss and operative times were 188.69 ± 37.69 ml and 132.96.5 ± 8.69 min in BPS group, 117.27 ± 27.11 ml and 99.32 ± 12.94 min in UPS group, and 121.50 ± 22.54 ml and 112.55 ± 9.42 min in UPSFS group; UPS and UPSFS were better than BPS (P < 0.05). The mean followup time was 38.2 months. Fusion rates were - BPS group: 95.6%, UPS group: 90%, UPSFS: 95% (P > 0.05). Screw and/or rod failures were found in three groups (BPS group: 1, UPS group: 2 and UPSFS: 1, P > 0.05). The average postoperative VAS, ODI, and JOA scores of BPS, UPS, and UPSFS were improved significantly in each group compared to preoperative scores (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences between any two groups at each followup time point (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

UPSFS with TLIF is a viable treatment option that provides satisfactory clinical results; the clinical outcome and the complication rate were comparable to BPS. In addition, the invasive of UPSFS cases was comparable to UPS and better than BPS cases. For UPS, it could be used in suitable patients.

[Biomechanical study of different kinds of internal fixation for the typeⅠ Hangman fracture, type Ⅱ odontoid fracture and the C(2/3) disc injury: a finite-element analysis]

Objectives: To analyze the biomechanical stability of four kinds of internal fixation for the type Ⅰ Hangman fracture, type Ⅱ odontoid fracture and the C(2/3) disc injury by finite element (FE) analysis. Methods: Thin-section spiral computed tomography (0.5 mm) was performed on C(1) to C(3) region of cervical vertebra in healthy male volunteers.A three-dimensional hexahedral FE model of upper cervical spine was established by software (Mimics, GEOMAGICS, Pro/E and Ansys). Then the weakening of the strength of grid was performed to simulate the FE model of the type Ⅰ Hangman fracture, type Ⅱ odontoid fracture and the C(2/3) disc injury (FE/Fracture), the four internal fixation models: anterior cervical plate+ odontoid screw+ cage (FE/ACP+ OS+ cage), affixing rods from pedicle screws in C(2) to lateral mass screws in C(3)+ odontoid screw + cage (FE/C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS+ OS+ cage), affixing rods from pedicle screws in C(1) to pedicle screws in C(2) and lateral mass screws in C(3) (FE/C(1)PS+ C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS), anterior odontoid screw plate fixation system (FE/AOSP) were simulated on the FE/Fracture model.Flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation were imposed on the FE/Intact, FE/Fracture and the four fixation models respectively. Results: The intact model of upper cervical spine (C(1)-C(3)) was established successfully, consisting of 259 641 nodes and 403 674 units.There was no significant difference among the FE/ACP+ OS+ cage, the FE/ C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS+ OS+ cage and the FE/AOSP of ROMC(1/2).During flexion, extension, left axial rotation and right axial rotation of ROMC(2)-C(3), the FE/AOSP decreased 70.7%, 74.4%, 38.9%, 41.1% respectively compared with the FE/C(1)PS+ C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS.The ROMC(2)-C(3) during flexion, extension, left lateral bending, right lateral bending, left axial rotation and right axial rotation in the FE/AOSP decreased for 82.2%, 82.8%, 73.2%, 64.8%, 72.2%, 81.5% respectively when compared with those in FE/ACP+ OS+ cage.The ROMC(2)-C(3) during flexion, extension, left lateral bending, right lateral bending, left axial rotation and right axial rotation in the FE/AOSP decreased 88.2%, 81.2%, 47.6%, 41.2%, 38.9%, 39.0% respectively when compared with those in FE/C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS+ OS+ cage.The stress concentrated on the connection between plate and screw in the FE/ACP+ OS+ cage, the FE/C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS+ OS+ cage and the FE/C(1)PS+ C(2)PS+ C(3)LMS, while it distributed evenly in the FE/AOSP. Conclusion: Anterior odontoid screw plate fixation system can be used to treat the type Ⅰ Hangman fracture, type Ⅱ odontoid fracture, and the C(2/3) disc injury and can reserve the function of atlanto-axial joint.

The LIM domain protein FHL1C interacts with tight junction protein ZO-1 contributing to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of a breast adenocarcinoma cell line

FHL1C is a LIM domain protein that has been implied in transcription regulation through interacting with other proteins, such as RBP-J, the critical transcription factor of the Notch signaling pathway. The LIM domain is a protein-protein interaction interface, suggesting that FHL1C could bind other proteins to enable its functions. In order to explore the interacting proteins with FHL1C, in this study we screened FHL1C-interacting proteins by using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric analysis. ZO-1, a member of the Zonula occludens proteins that constitute tight junctions, was sorted out as one candidate by using these techniques. Furthermore, we confirmed the interaction between FHL1C and ZO-1 in cells by using the mammalian two-hybrid assay and the co-immunoprecipitation assay, and verified that ZO-1 could interact with FHL1C through the PDZ domains of ZO-1. Moreover, with immunofluorescence staining, we found that FHL1C could induce ZO-1 translocating into nucleus. With a breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF7, we showed that the interaction between FHL1C and ZO-1 could contribute to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our study might provide new insight into the function of FHL1C on the regulation of EMT in cancer cells.

Characterization of two C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD)-containing proteins from the cDNA library of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis is one of the most important aquaculture crustacean species in China. A cDNA library was constructed from mixed tissues of E. sinensis challenged with LPS. Eight genes involved in immune response were identified from 319 single colonies. Among them, two different C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD)-containing proteins were firstly identified in Chinese mitten crab. The full-length cDNA sequences of two C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD)-containing proteins named EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 were cloned by 5' RACE. The deduced amino acid sequences of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 possessed several conserved features of C-type lectin subfamily. The tissue distribution of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 was examined by Real-time PCR. In the normal Chinese mitten crab, the expression of EsCTLDcp-2 was detected in all tested tissues such as haemolymph, muscle, intestine, gill, heart, gonad and hepatopancreas, whereas in muscle, intestine, gill, heart and hepatopancreas for EsCTLDcp-1. The highest expressions of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 were both observed in hepatopancreas. LPS significantly induced the expression of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 in the hepatopancreas at the different time points. The induced fold change of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 increased significantly from 2 h for EsCTLDcp-1 and 4 h for EsCTLDcp-2, and reached a maximum at 12 h, then dropped at 24 h. A differential pattern was found in Chinese mitten crab challenged with Chinese mitten crab pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila. The expression of EsCTLDcp-1 increased significantly at 2 h post-challenge crabs with A. hydrophila, then decreased at 4 h and 8 h, after that increased at 12 h and 24 h. The expression of EsCTLDcp-2 was decreased at the all time points. All these data suggest a differential role of EsCTLDcp-1 and EsCTLDcp-2 in the crab innate immune response to bacterial infection.