Identification of distant co-evolving residues in antigen 85C from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using statistical coupling analysis of the esterase family proteins

A fundamental goal in cellular signaling is to understand allosteric communication, the process by which sig-nals originating at one site in a protein propagate reliably to affect distant functional sites. The general principles of protein structure that underlie this process remain unknown. Statistical coupling analysis (SCA) is a statistical technique that uses evolutionary data of a protein family to measure correlation between distant functional sites and suggests allosteric communication. In proteins, very distant and small interactions between collections of amino acids provide the communication which can be important for signaling process. In this paper, we present the SCA of protein alignment of the esterase family (pfam ID: PF00756) containing the sequence of antigen 85C secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis to identify a subset of interacting residues. Clustering analysis of the pairwise correlation highlighted seven important residue positions in the esterase family alignments. These resi-dues were then mapped on the crystal structure of antigen 85C (PDB ID: 1DQZ). The mapping revealed corre-lation between 3 distant residues (Asp38, Leu123 and Met125) and suggests allosteric communication between them. This information can be used for a new drug against this fatal disease.     

Comparison of stability of mandibular segments following the sagittal split ramus osteotomy with poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) screws and titanium screws fixation

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the stability of the mandible following the surgical orthodontic treatment by sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and orthodontic multi-bracket treatment using fixation methods with poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) or titanium screws. The sample examined was 23 subjects with PLLA screws (PLLA group) and 22 subjects with titanium screws (Titan group). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were reviewed before surgery (T0), 2–3 days after surgery (T1), 1 month after surgery (T2), and after postoperative orthodontic treatment (T3) and changes in the position of bony segments were examined by cephalometric linear and angular measurements. A similar movement of the mandible following setback surgery was indicated, and statistical analysis showed no significant differences in skeletal changes between the two groups during whole postoperative periods. However, a relapse following surgical counterclockwise rotation of the distal segment in PLLA group tended to be slightly greater during T1–T2 compared with Titan group. These results suggest that a use of the PLLA screw fixation may not influence on the stability of bony segments after mandibular setback surgery by SSRO during the postoperative period, although a slight tendency for clockwise rotation of the distal segment was indicated in patients with PLLA screws. It is suggested that fixation of bony segments with PLLA screws after SSRO may be effective in properly selected cases.     

应用超长扫描深度谱域OCT测量人眼角膜和巩膜弧矢高度及角巩膜缘形态

目的使用超长扫描深度谱域OCT（UL-OCT）研究人眼的角膜和巩膜的弧矢高度和角巩膜缘的形态。方法横断面研究。本研究共纳入40例被检者（80眼）,其中男17例,女23例,平均年龄（25.8±2.8）岁。UL-OCT分别拍摄被检者的双眼,应用自行编写的程序量化分析及使用配对t检验比较距离角膜中央各个位置垂直及水平子午线上的角膜及巩膜的弧矢高度,测量角巩膜缘参数并使用重复测量数据方差分析比较各象限参数值的差异。结果被检者左右眼的同侧的角膜中央旁开1.5、3、5、7 mm处的角膜或巩膜的弧矢高度以及角巩膜缘转折点的X、Y轴坐标和该点距离角膜中央3 mm平均切向曲率的差异值之间的差异均无统计学意义。水平子午线上,除X轴坐标之外,其余参数在鼻侧和颞侧的差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。垂直子午线上,所有参数在上侧和下侧的差异均无统计学意义。角巩膜缘的转折点的X轴坐标在垂直子午线上较水平子午线上更靠近角膜顶点,Y轴坐标在鼻侧离角膜顶点最远。转折点距离角膜中央3 mm平均切向曲率的差异值在鼻侧最大（P<0.05）,其他3个位置之间差异没有统计学意义。结论左右眼同侧的弧矢高度参数无明显差异。角巩膜缘在鼻侧较其他位置表现出更大的转折     

Sagittal spinopelvic alignment predicts hip function after total hip arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between preoperative sagittal spinopelvic alignment and postoperative clinical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This retrospective study included 92 patients with hip osteoarthritis who underwent primary THA between May 2013 and October 2015. Patients’ characteristics, radiographic sagittal spinopelvic parameters and modified Harris Hip Scores, including function scores (gait scores and functional activities scores), were investigated. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between each preoperative sagittal spinopelvic parameter and postoperative hip function The preoperative sagittal spinopelvic parameters that were associated with postoperative gait scores were sagittal vertical axis (adjusted β-coefficient = − 0.28, P = 0.02), lumbar lordosis angle (adjusted β-coefficient = 0.29, P = 0.0089), pelvic tilt (adjusted β-coefficient = − 0.25, P = 0.045), sacral slope (adjusted β-coefficient = 0.27, P = 0.017) and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis angle (adjusted β-coefficient = − 0.31, P = 0.01). The preoperative sagittal spinopelvic parameters that were related to the postoperative functional activities scores were sagittal vertical axis (adjusted β-coefficient = − 0.38, P = 0.0051) and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis angle (adjusted β-coefficient = − 0.39, P = 0.0033). Patients with preoperative imbalanced sagittal alignment such as larger sagittal vertical axis, larger pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis and retroversion of pelvis had poorer clinical outcomes than others after THA. While, those preoperative imbalanced patients with anteversion of pelvis may have a compensatory ability which could correct the abnormal sagittal alignment after THA. Preoperative sagittal spinopelvic alignment affected postoperative clinical outcomes after THA.     

两种角膜前表面Q值计算方法的实验研究

目的比较正切图公式和弧矢图公式在非球面测试小珠前表面非球面系数（Q值）计算中的差别和准确性。方法自身配对设计。利用莫尔金刚石车削机床加工制作不同前表面形态的非球面测试小珠共24个,用TalySurf粗糙度轮廓仪对其Q值和顶点曲率半径（r0）进行拟合。对24个非球面测试小珠进行Orbscan Ⅱ角膜地形图仪检查。采用配对t检验和Bland-Altman图一致性评价法,比较2种计算方法的准确性和稳定性。结果①用正切曲率半径和弧矢曲率半径计算所得24个非球面测试小珠0°半子午线的r0均值分别为（7.73±0.09）mm、（7.72±0.09）mm,数值上与拟合值[（7.70±0.08）mm]比较接近,但两者与拟合值的差异均有统计学意义（弧矢图：t=2.95,P<0.01;正切图：t=4.45,P<0.01）。②用正切曲率半径和弧矢曲率半径计算所得24个非球面测试小珠0°半子午线的Q值与拟合值的差异均无统计学意义（弧矢图：t=1.61,P＞0.05;正切图：t=-0.87,P＞0.05）。③用正切曲率半径计算所得24个非球面测试小珠的0°半子午线Q值与拟合值之差的均值较弧矢曲率半径更接近0,且95%一致性界限的上下限范围更小。结论用正切曲率半径和弧矢曲率半径计算非球面系数均比较准确,但是用正切曲率半径计算角膜前表面非球面系数较弧矢曲率半径更为稳定。     

成人颈椎X线与CT重建图像中矢状面参数的差异及相关性研究

目的分析研究成人颈椎X线与CT重建图像中矢状面参数的差异及相关性。方法收集我院2013年1月至2015年12月间就诊的58例患者为研究对象,所有患者均在同期行颈椎侧位X线及颈椎CT检查。测量参数包括C2-7 Cobb角、C2-7 Gore角、CCI。结果对不同检查方法间参数比较及相关性分析,结果显示,颈椎X线测量的Cobb角、Gore角均大于CT检查结果,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两种方式的CCI结果相当,组间比较未见显著性差异(P0.05);两种检查方法Cobb角、Gore角及CCI间的相关系数分别为0.013、0.009、0.015,差异具有显著性(P0.05)。结论颈椎CT重建图像中矢状面参数与常规X线比较具有显著性差异,但两种测量结果间存在较强的相关性,颈椎CT可做为疾病诊断和术前评估的重要方式。     

双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨术治疗下颌前突畸形

目的探讨口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨后退小钛板内固定治疗重度下颌前突畸形的临床疗效。方法9例上颌骨发育正常、下颌骨真性前突、严重反He关系的患者，行术前牙齿正畸治疗后，采用口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨后退小钛板内固定，术后正畸治疗，恢复尖窝咬He关系。结果所有病例均取得满意的疗效，获得协调的上下颌骨关系，术后随访1年，未见下颌前突复发。结论重度下颌前突畸形采用口内进路双侧下颌骨升支矢状劈开截骨术及正畸治疗是有效的，值得临床推广应用。     

A Surgical Option for Multilevel Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Ponte Osteotomy to Achieve Optimal Lumbar Lordosis and Sagittal Balance

Objective

To document lumbar lordosis (LL) of the spine and its change during surgeries with the different height but the same angle setting of the anterior cage. Additionally, we attempted to determine if sufficient LL is achieved at different cage heights and to quantify the change in LL during multi-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Methods

The medical records and radiographs of 42 patients who underwent more than 2 level ALIFs between 2008 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated 3 parameters seen on lateral whole spine radiographs : LL, pelvic incidence (PI), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). The mean follow-up time was 28.1 months and the final follow-up radiographs of all patients were reviewed at least 2 years after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-tests.

Results

Lumbar lordosis had changed up to 30 degrees immediately and 2 years after surgery (preoperative mean LL, SVA : 22.45 degrees, 112.31 mm; immediate postoperative mean LL, SVA : 54.45 degrees, 37.36 mm; final follow-up mean LL, SVA : 49.56 degrees, 26.95 mm). Our goal of LL is to obtain as much PI as possible, preoperative mean PI value was 55.38±3.35. The pre-operative and two year post-surgery follow-up mean of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score were 9.2±0.6 and 13.2±0.6 (favorable outcome rate : 95%), respectively. In addition, we were able to obtain good clinical outcomes and sagittal balance with a subsidence rate of 22.7%.

Conclusion

We were able to achieve sufficient LL, such that it was similar to the PI, utilizing multi-level ALIF with the use of a tall cage with the same angle setting of the cage. We have found out that achieving sufficient lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance require an anterior lumbar cage with high angle and height.     

非侵袭性鼻窦曲菌病45例临床分析

目的探讨非侵袭性鼻窦曲菌病的病因、诊断及治疗方法,提高首诊准确率。方法回顾性分析本科2001—2008年采用鼻内窥镜手术治疗的非侵袭性鼻窦曲菌病45例患者。结果45例临床症状均消失,鼻内窥镜检查见窦口开放良好,无脓性分泌物,术腔均已上皮化。随访6个月～2年,无一例复发。结论非侵袭性鼻窦曲菌病症状无特异性,CT或MRI检查能提高术前诊断率,内镜鼻窦手术是治疗的首选术式。