Accurate spinal tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is of utmost importance for adequately treating and managing the disease. Given the need for additional diagnostic tools, this study aimed to investigate the utility of host serum miRNA biomarkers for diagnosing and distinguishing spinal tuberculosis (STB) from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and other spinal diseases of different origins (SDD). For a case-controlled investigation, a total of 423 subjects were voluntarily recruited, with 157 cases of STB, 83 cases of SDD, 30 cases of active PTB, and 153 cases of healthy controls (CONT) in 4 clinical centers. To discover the STB-specific miRNA biosignature, a high-throughput miRNA profiling study was performed in the pilot study with 12 cases of STB and 8 cases of CONT using the Exiqon miRNA PCR array platform. A bioinformatics study identified that the 3-plasma miRNA combination (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) might serve as a candidate biomarker for STB. The subsequent training study developed the diagnostic model using multivariate logistic regression in training data sets, including CONT(n=100) and STB (n=100). Youden’s J index determined the optimal classification threshold. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signatures have an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87, sensitivity = 80.5%, and specificity = 80.0%. To explore the possible potential to distinguish spinal TB from PDB and other SDD, the diagnostic model with the same classification threshold was applied to the analysis of the independent validation data set, including CONT(n=45), STB(n=45), brucellosis spondylitis (BS, n=30), PTB (n=30), spinal tumor (ST, n=30) and pyogenic spondylitis (PS, n=23). The results showed diagnostic model based on three miRNA signatures could discriminate the STB from other SDD groups with sensitivity=80%, specificity=96%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV)=84%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV)=94%, the total accuracy rate of 92%. These results indicate that this 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature could effectively discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study shows that the diagnostic model based on 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) may be used for medical guidance to discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive disease and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has been widely used to treat vertebral pathological fractures in recent decades, and the modified PVP instrument is very suitable for percutaneous biopsy of diseases promoting vertebral bone destruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the clinical application of the modified PVP instrument in computed tomography-guided (CT-guided) biopsies of the vertebral body. Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data obtained by percutaneous biopsy using a modified PVP outer shell of a bone filler device (OSBF) from 161 patients presenting vertebral body destruction was conducted. The rate of correctly performed biopsy diagnosis was evaluated from three aspects: imaging performance, histological type, and vertebral segment. Results The results of 149 biopsy cases were consistent with the final clinical diagnosis. From those cases, 92 were diagnosed as vertebral body metastasis, 45 cases presented primary spinal tumors and tumor-like changes, 7 cases presented vertebral body infections, and 5 cases displayed normal bones or fractures. From the remaining 12 patients, whose biopsy results were inconsistent with the final clinical diagnosis, 4 presented vertebral metastases, 4 displayed primary vertebral tumors, and 4 presented vertebral infections. The diagnostic rate of the modified PVP OSBF biopsy was 92.5%. The rate of correct biopsy diagnosis for vertebral metastases was 95.8%. The rate of correct diagnosis of primary vertebral tumors and tumor-like biopsy was 91.8%, and the rate of correct diagnosis for vertebral infectious diseases was 63.6%. Conclusion The modified PVP OSBF allows obtaining more lesion tissue, in multiple directions and multiple angles, during the biopsy of vertebral bones presenting destructive lesions. The technique displays appropriate safety and high diagnostic accuracy and presents a desirable reference value for the preoperative diagnosis of diseases that yield vertebral bone destruction, especially for vertebral tumor lesions.

Background: To study the protective effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on the spinal cord nerve cells (SCN) of SD rats and to explore the protective mechanism of TUDCA against mechanical injury of the SCN. Material and methods: The SCN of SD rats were cultured in vitro, and a mechanical injury models of 1 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm SCN were established. The cell survival rate was determined using the MTT assay to determine the optimal degree and time of injury. Different concentrations (0.5, to 20 mmol/L) of TUDCA were used to detect SCN cell survival rate after mechanical injury. MTT assay was used to determine the optimal TUDCA intervention dose. SCN autophagy in different experimental groups were observed by electron microscopy after the best degree of mechanical injury, time of injury, and TUDCA concentration. Beclin-1 and LC3 II/I expressions were detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: Survival rate of SCN was close to 50% when the injury interval was 3 mm and the injury time was 24 h, significantly different from those of each group (P < 0.05). At 3 mm injury interval and 24 h injury time, SCN survival rate was approximately 80% when TUDCA concentration was 4 mmol/L, which was significantly different from those of each group (P < 0.05). Cell morphology of the normal control group was complete, with few autophagy lysosomes. Compared with the normal control group, the number of autophagic lysosomes in the mechanical injury group increased, and cell damage was more severe. Compared with the mechanical injury group, the number of autophagy lysosomes in the mechanical injury + TUDCA intervention group increased significantly, and cell damage was less severe. Further, compared with the normal control group, beclin-1 and lc3ii / I expressions in the mechanical injury group were significantly higher (P < 0.05); compared with the mechanical injury group, beclin-1 and lc3ii / I expressions in the mechanical injury + TUDCA intervention group were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Conclusion: TUDCA can protect SCN from mechanical injury in vitro, which may be related to the enhancement of the expression of autophagy-related protein beclin-1 and LC3 II/I.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultra-short-course chemotherapy (<4 months) in treating spinal tuberculosis following complete debridement. Methods Clinical data of patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, who underwent surgery with postoperative chemotherapy for < 4 months at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between January 2005 and March 2015, were retrospectively analysed. Clinical manifestations, American Spinal Injury Association grades, states of bone fusion and lesion healing, deformity correction, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and adverse drug reactions, observed before and after surgery and at the final follow-up, were assessed. Results Sixty patients were included, comprising 26 male and 34 female patients aged 16–78 years (mean, 40.85 years). Patients received postoperative chemotherapy for 3–4 months (mean, 3.61 months) and were followed for 25–129 months (mean, 70.61 months). Spinal tuberculosis recurred after surgery in one patient, who was cured by subsequent surgery. At the final follow-up, no symptoms of tuberculosis, local pain, abscess or sinus were observed. Daily life and working abilities were almost recovered in all patients. ESR and CRP levels were restored to normal, bone grafts fused, lesions healed and neurological functions were recovered. Postoperative chemotherapy-induced complications occurred in 10 patients (16.67%). Conclusions Complete debridement plus ultra-short-course chemotherapy for 3–4 months may be safe and efficacious in treating spinal tuberculosis, and requires further investigation.

目的:分析经皮椎体后凸成形术(PKP)治疗老年骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折(OVCF)的临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析2017年9月—2018年6月行PKP治疗的60例OVCF患者,分别在术前、术后第1天、末次随访时对患者进行视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分,并且测量Cobb角及伤椎椎体前缘、椎体中线高度,末次随访时观察了解伤椎邻近椎体骨折情况.结果:患者随访时间为(10.0±1.5)个月.术前与术后第1天及末次随访VAS评分、椎体前缘、椎体中线高度、Cobb角相比,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).术后第1天与末次随访VAS评分、伤椎椎体前缘、椎体中线高度、Cobb角相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).2例出现骨水泥渗漏,3例邻近椎体骨折.结论:PKP治疗OVCF为一种可靠有效的治疗方法.

目的 对比不同植骨融合方式的颈椎前路手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效.方法 收集于2010年3月—2014年3月因脊髓型颈椎病就诊于滨州医学院附属医院脊柱外科的患者60例,按植骨融合方式不同分为髂骨块组(31例)和Cage组(29例),髂骨块组采用颈椎前路减压+椎体间自体髂骨植骨融合内固定术,Cage组采用颈椎前路减压+Cage植骨融合内固定术.比较两组患者手术前后围手术期、JOA评分、Odom's临床疗效优良率及融合率、并发症发生率情况.结果 60例患者随访8～15个月(平均12月)随访,未出现失访及漏访现象.Cage组患者的手术时间比髂骨块组短(P<0.05),Cage组患者术中出血量比髂骨块组少(P<0.05),两组患者住院天数比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).两组患者术后3和12个月JOA评分均较术前改善(P均<0.05),术后3和12个月两组间JOA评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).Cage组术后临床疗效优良率高于髂骨块组(P<0.05).术后3个月髂骨块组较Cage组植骨融合率高(P<0.05),术后12个月两组植骨融合率和并发症发生率差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 Cage组手术操作相对简单,出血量较少,不存在供骨区疼痛的问题,临床疗效满意,是治疗脊髓型颈椎病的较好方法.

To observe the regional anatomy of the lumbar artery (LA) associated with the extrapedicular approach applied during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), we collected 78 samples of abdominal computed tomography angiography imaging data. We measured the nearest distance from the center of the vertebral body puncture point to the LA (distance VBPP-LA, DVBPP-LA). According to the DVBPP-LA, four zones, Zone I, Zone II, Zone III and Zone IV, were identified. LAs that passed through these zones were called Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV LAs, respectively. A portion of the lumbar vertebrae had an intersegmental branch that originated from the upper segmental LA and extended longitudinally across the lateral wall of the pedicle; it was called Type V LA. Compared with the DVBPP-LA in L1, L2, L3 and L4, the overall difference and between-group differences were significant (P < 0.05). In L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5, there were 8, 4, 4, 0 and 1 Type I LAs, respectively. There were no Type V LAs in L1 and L2, but there were 2, 16 and 26 Type V LAs in L3, L4 and L5, respectively. In L1-L5, the numbers of Type I LA plus Type V LA were 8, 4, 6, 16 and 27, and the presence ratios were 5.1%, 2.6%, 5.6%, 10.3% and 17.3%, respectively. In L4 and L5, the male presence ratios of Type I LA plus Type V LA were 7.1% and 10.7%, respectively, and the female presence ratios were 13.9% and 25.0%, respectively. Thus, extrapedicular PVP (PKP) in lumbar vertebrae had a risk of LA injury and was not suggested for use in L4 and L5, especially in female patients.

目的 探讨同种异体骨行脊柱后外侧植骨融合后发生排异反应的临床诊断及治疗方案.方法 回顾性分析我院2008年1月至2016年12月因外伤、退变、侧凸等采用同种异体骨行脊柱后外侧植骨融合后出现排异反应(观察组)和同期未发生排异反应患者(对照组)的临床资料,观察发生排异反应的时间、主要临床表现及临床处理后的愈后情况,比较两组患者术后体温、 白细胞数、 中性粒细胞比值、 血沉及C反应蛋白(CRP)值.结果 术后(4.2±2.2)d发生排异反应,观察组患者术后体温、白细胞、中性粒细胞比值、血沉及CRP值均高于对照组(P均<0.01).17例发生排异反应的患者,给予抗菌药物预防感染、切口换药、加压包扎等临床处理,11例患者切口愈合;6例患者因切口周围组织失活,行清创缝合术,4例切口终获愈合;另2例患者经上述处理无效,最后行原手术切口植骨取出病灶清除术,取出全部植骨,切口愈合.结论 发生同种异体骨植骨排异反应时,患者血沉及C反应蛋白明显升高,术区有大量淡黄色无菌性液渗出.经抗生素治疗、切口换药、加压包扎甚至"原切口植骨取出病灶清除术"等临床处理后,可促进切口可愈合.

OBJECTIVE: To observe anatomic relationships between lumbar bicortical pedicle screws (BPSs) at 2 sagittal section angles (SSAs) and lumbar artery (LA). METHODS: We observed 2 SSAs, vertical angle and cephalic angle, of the BPS. The positions at which the BPS breaks through the anterior vertebral cortex were defined as point A and point B. Distances from point A and point B to LAs were measured. The percentage of risk of injury to LAs was calculated according to these distances. RESULTS: At the same transverse section angle on the left and right side in L1 and L2, distance from point A to LA was significantly greater than distance from point B to LA (P < 0.001) except at a transverse section angle of 0 degrees on the right side in L2 (P > 0.05). At the same transverse section angle on the left in L3 and L4, distance from point B to LA was significantly greater than distance from point A to LA (P < 0.001). The percentages of high risk of injury to the LA resulting from BPSs at the vertical angle in L1 and L2were 0% -6.2%. The percentages of high risk of injury to the LA resulting from BPSs at the cephalic angle on the left side in L3 and L4 were 0% -18.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar BPSs present a risk of injury to the LA. The vertical angle is the recommended SSA for BPSs in L1 and L2, and the cephalic angle is the recommended SSA in L3 and L4.

Background: The purpose of this study is to perform a meta-analysis to compare outcomes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) vs other anticoagulants in patients who received total knee (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until June 30, 2017 for eligible randomized controlled studies. Results: Thirty-two randomized controlled studies were included. LMWH provided better protection against VTE than placebo. In both TKA and THA patients, the rates of VTE were lower with factor Xa inhibitors than LMWH. In THA patients, the rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was lower with factor Xa inhibitors than LMWH. In TKA patients, the rates of VTE and DVT were similar between LMWH and direct thrombin inhibitors. In THA patients, the rate of VTE was lower with direct thrombin inhibitors than with LMWH, while the DVT rates were similar. The pulmonary embolism rates were similar between all 3 classes of drugs in TKA and THR patients, as were the major bleeding rates. Nonmajor and minor bleeding rates were also similar between the 3 drug classes. Conclusion: LMWH is associated with a higher rate of VTE than factor Xa inhibitors in TKA and THA patients. Direct thrombin inhibitors are associated with a lower rate of VTE in THA patients, but their effectiveness with respect to DVT and pulmonary embolism prophylaxis is similar to that of LMWH in TKA and THA patients. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Abstract During the operation of treating lumbar tuberculosis in children, a long-segment or short-segment fixation, and fusion method were usually applied, which would adversely affect the function of normal motion unit. And so, we have been focusing on how we can shorten the range of fixation and fusion using intervertebral surgery. The objective of this retrospective study is to investigate the clinical outcome of intervertebral surgery, in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis in children. From June 2003 to June 2013, 18 children with lumbar tuberculosis underwent intervertebral surgery, using a combined posterior and anterior approach, in our hospital. The surgical treatments included posterior pedicle screw fixation of affected vertebrae and posterolateral bone grafting, anterior debridement, compression, and strut bone grafting. Indicators such as preoperative and postoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, neurological function, visual analog scale (VAS) score, kyphotic Cobb angle, complications, healing of lesions, bone graft healing, and recurrence were statistically analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 86.5 months (range, 62–120 months). Three months after the operation, all patients’ ESR and CRP levels decreased to normal, and both the American Spinal Injury Association neurological function scores and VAS scores improved. Successful bone graft healing was achieved, with lesions completely healed at 6 months after surgery, and no recurrence occurred. The preoperative kyphotic was 24.00° ± 13.15° (range −10°–39°), which decreased to −4.61° ± 7.31° (range −19°–10°) postoperative (Z = −4.34, P < .01); the mean deformity correction angle was 28.61° ± 8.43° (range 9°–43°). There was no significant difference between the kyphotic angle measured immediately after surgery at (−4.61° ± 7.31°) and the kyphotic angle measured at 5-year follow-up at (−3.11° ± 7.56°). The mean loss of correction was 1.50° ± 0.90°. Intervertebral surgery using a combined posterior and anterior approach is an effective and safe method for the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis in children. It can also preserve the function of normal motor segments to the maximum extent.

Objective To explore the physical properties of bone cements loaded with atituberculosis drugs.Methods We mixed ten drugs with four bone cements by 1.5 g∶40.0 g and 2.5 g∶40.0 g,400 modules of 80 groups were maded according to the ISO.The control group mixed bone cements with their liquid monomer,20 modules of 4 groups were maded.The physical properties were measured respectively.Results Group 1.5 g and 2.5 g of E,Z,S,C,A,M mixed with Palacos R,Palacos MV,Simplex P,the average dough time,solidification time,maximum temperature and mechanical strength were all meet ISO,and hardened in 20 minutes after mixing.Group 1.5 g and 2.5 g of R,H,Rt,and P mixed with the bone cements above,the average dough time,solidification time were all ＞ ISO,the average maximum temperature was ＜ the control group,the mechanical strength was ＜ ISO,and the hardening time was significantly prolonged.The ten kinds of drugs mixed with CEMEX XL,the physical and mechanical strength were ＜ ISO.There was no difference in compressive strength (F =3.470,P ＞ 0.05) between the four kinds of bone cements.The flexural strength and flexural modulus (P ＜ 0.01) were different.The physical properties of Palacos R and Simplex P bone cements meet ISO.The flexural strength and flexural modulus of CEMEX XL bone cement were ＜ ISO,and Palacos MV bone cement flexural modulus ＜ ISO.Conclusion (1) Antituberculosis drugs Z,E,S,C,M,and A were suitable for preparing bone cements.(2) Antituberculosis drugs R,H,Rt,and P were not suitable for preparing bone cements.(3) CEMEX XL were not suitable for drug loading.

[Objective] To explore the factors impacting the ultra-short-course chemotherapy of spinal tuberculosis after operation.[Methods] From January 2004 to December 2013,211 patients with spinal tuberculosis were surgically treated in Department of Spinal Surgery,General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University.Of them,120 patients got the ultra-short-course chemotherapy,whereas the remaining 91 patients received the non-short-course chemotherapy.A logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare the relative intensity of the variables between the two groups,including therapy for primary or recurrent lesion,age,with or without accompanied diseases before operation,with or without active tuberculosis in other sites,anemia,segment involved,abscess,surgical staging,material of graft used,extent of debridement,bone grafting approach,extent of drug resistance and so on,to probe the factors that might affect the outcome of the ultra-short-course chemotherapy.[Results] The one-way logistic regression analysis revealed that significant correlations between the ultra-short course chemotherapy and the factors,including the extent of debridement,bone grafting approach and segment involved (P＜0.05).In addition,the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) ranked as the following order:the extent of debridement (116.091),bone grafting approach (5.252),and segment involved (0.241).It implied that the radical debridement and strut bone grafting would be the favorable factors for the ultra-short course chemotherapy,while the more segments involved would be an unfavorable factor for the ultra-short course chemotherapy.[Conclusion] For the ultra-short-course chemotherapy of spinal tuberculosis,the segments involved by the lesions should be uncontrollable factors,whereas the extent of debridement and whether or not strut bone grafting should be controllable factors.Properly handling the controllable factors,the ultrashort-course chemotherapy would be achieved.

脊柱结核的外科治疗是困扰脊柱外科医生工作的一个难点,在本期的几篇文章中[1-4],作者对脊柱结核病灶清除方法和内固定方法做出了创新性的探索,并取得了较为理想的临床疗效,但存在样本量较小、随访时间较短的缺点,仍需大样本的前瞻性临床试验来进一步验证.关于脊柱结核内固定手术中内固定范围问题,目前还没有统一共识或指南,在临床上应用较为混乱.

目的:通过对不同感染复数结核分枝杆菌侵染的正常人成骨细胞表面CD40分子差异表达的实验研究,探讨CD40作为脊柱结核分子靶向治疗的靶标分子的可行性.方法:将冷冻保存的正常人成骨细胞按照美国模式菌种收集中心(American Type Culture Collection,ATCC)的说明进行复苏和培养,传代至3代冻存备用;之后选择Middlebrooke7H9液体培养基对荧光结核分枝杆菌(H37Ra-GFP)进行培养,培养至对数中期备用.把传代后的人成骨细胞随机分为A、B、C、D四组,A组为对照组,是未被结核分枝杆菌侵染的人成骨细胞组;B、C、D三组均为实验组,分别是被感染复数(multiplicity of infection,MOI)为1:1000、1:100、1:10浓度的结核分枝杆菌侵染的人成骨细胞组.然后采用实时定量PCR与蛋白免疫印迹(Western Blot,WB)的方法,分别检测不同感染复数结核分枝杆菌诱导人成骨细胞中CD40 mRNA的表达变化及成骨细胞表面CD40分子的表达变化.结果:传代后的人成骨细胞经荧光结核分枝杆菌侵染后,观察发现各组细胞感染程度良好.A组实时定量PCR反应结果表现为人成骨细胞中存在CD40 mRNA的表达;A (1.0337±0.0715)、B(1.4083±0.1145)、C(1.7172±0.1294)、D(2.0378±0.1573)四组之间的表达存在差异(F=74.005,P＜0.05);B、C、D三组分别与A组相比时,均存在差异(P＜0.05),表现为结核分枝杆菌侵染组B、C、D三组成骨细胞中CD40 mRNA的表达均高于未侵染组A组;B、C、D三组,两两比较时,均存在差异(P＜0.05),表现为从B组到D组成骨细胞中CD40mRNA的表达依次上调.而通过蛋白免疫印迹法分析成骨细胞表面CD40分子的表达结果发现与上述mRNA表达上调的结果完全吻合.结论:结核分枝杆菌侵染人成骨细胞后可诱导成骨细胞中CD40 mRNA以及成骨细胞表面CD40分子的表达增多,并且感染复数越高,细胞表面CD40分子的表达越多.而CD40分子可与其所对应的核酸适体特异结合,这就为使用CD40分子作为靶标分子,对脊柱结核进行靶向治疗提供了理论基础.

BACKGROUND:Posterior instrumentation after deformity correction is an important method for reconstruction of spinal stability in the management of lumbar tuberculosis (TB). However, the commonly used methods include both long- and short-segment fixation of normal motor units. There has been no report regarding affected-vertebrae fixation of lumbar TB. METHODS:Data from 135 patients with lumbar TB who underwent posterior instrumentation and either affected-vertebrae fixation or short-segment fixation using a combined posterior and anterior approach were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, 71 cases were treated with affected-vertebrae fixation, and 64 cases were treated with short-segment fixation. Debridement, bone grafting, deformity correction, and decompression were performed within all affected segments. Operative times, intra-operative blood loss, TB cure rates, bone graft fusion rates, degree of deformity correction, neurological function, pain recovery, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS:Comparing affected-vertebrae fixation vs. short-segment fixation groups, respectively, the number of the affected segments was 107 vs. 98; average number of affected segments was 1.51 vs. 1.53; total number of fixed segments was 107 vs. 226; average number of fixed segments was 1.51 vs. 3.53; average blood loss was 726.2 ml vs. 948.5 ml; average operative time was 210.4 min vs. 270.3 min; and average hospitalization costs were 29,000 RMB vs. 42,000 RMB (all p values < 0.05). In the affected-vertebrae fixation vs. short-segment fixation groups, respectively, TB cure rates were 82.61% vs. 84.62% at 6 months after operation and 97.83% vs. 97.44% at 5 years after operation; bone fusion rates were 86.96% vs. 87.18% at 6 months after operation and 97.83% vs. 97.66% at 5 years after operation; average number of degrees of Cobb's angle correction were 13.1° vs. 13.7°; average correction losses were 1.9° vs. 1.4°; and complication rates were 12.04% vs. 12.97% (all p values > 0.05). CONCLUSION:Under strict surgical indications, posterior instrumentation on affected-vertebrae is a safe, effective, and feasible fixation method in the treatment of lumber TB.

OBJECTIVE: To observe coronal imaging changes associated with recollapse of injured vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty or percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture (OTLF). METHODS: Fifty-four cases were retrospectively divided into 2 groups according to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification of thoracolumbar fracture: group A, type A1 fracture (n = 26); group B, type A3.1 fracture (n = 28). Visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, local scoliotic Cobb angle, and coronal wedge angle of the injured vertebrae were observed preoperatively, on postoperative day 3, and at final follow-up. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 19.17 +/- 6.30 months. At final follow-up, the visual analog scale score and the Oswestry Disability Index score were significantly greater in group B than in group A (both P < 0.05). At final follow-up, loss of correction of scoliotic Cobb angle and coronal wedge angle was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty or percutaneous kyphoplasty was effective in both type A1 and type A3.1 OTLF. However, coronal imaging changes after percutaneous vertebroplasty or percutaneous kyphoplasty were more obvious in type A3.1 OTLF than in type A1. Moreover, clinical outcomes in type A3.1 OTLF were slightly inferior to those in type A1.

The spent copper chromium oxide catalyst of furfural hydrogenation was recycled.by ammonia leaching method. This method not only has the characteristics of simple process, low cost, quick effect, but also avoids the use of various oxidants increasing the security of the experimental operation and the generation of carcinogen hexavalent chromium.The experimental results show that the optimum process conditions of ammonia leaching is: the concentration of ammonia 15mol / L, the leaching temperature is at 180 °C, leaching time for 4h, the optimal dosage of (NH4)2SO40.6g/10g. The copper leaching rate can reach more than 80% of the maximum.

The chitosan with the deacetylated degree 95%was mixed with the diatomite in the mass ratio of one chitosan to one point two diatomite to prepare the solid adsorbent for the sorption of the copper wastewater, which was based on the abilities of diatomite to adsorb cations and chitosan to chelate with metal ions. The absorbance of copper ions that were adsorbed before or after the adsorption can be measured at wavelength of 600nm by using spectrophotometer model 722, and both of the adsorption efficiency and capacity can be calculated then. The parameters to influence the adsorption of copper were studied under such conditions as different pH, concentrations, sizes, the sorption temperature and the sorption time. The results show that the adsorption efficiency can reach to 84.3% for 1L copper solution of concentration 0.8mol/L when 1g adsorbents are used at 27°C ,the value of the pH 6 and the sorption time for 1 hour. The cost of the adsorbent is low and it not only could be used to control the pollution of industrial copper wastewater but also provides references to the treatment of other heavy metal wastewater.

A solid adsorbent was made from bentonite and chitosan which can be used to clarification of apple juices.Chitosan loading rate on bentonite was up to 31.6% at 400 °C. Effects of important variables, such as the amount of adsorbents, pH value of juice, reaction time and temperature, etc., were investigated for analyzing the clarification effects. The optimum condition is as follows: the amount of absorbents 10 g · L-1, a duration period of 4 mins at temperature 25 °C, and transmittance of more than 80%.