Role of Preoperative Albumin Quotient in Surgical Planning for Posttraumatic Syringomyelia: A Comparative Cohort Study

Pingchuan Xia,Houyuan Lv,Chenghua Yuan,Wanru Duan,Jiachen Wang,Jian Guan,Yueqi Du,Can Zhang,Zhenlei Liu,Kai Wang,Zuowei Wang,Xingwen Wang,Hao Wu,Zan Chen,Fengzeng Jian 대한척추신경외과학회 2024 Neurospine Vol.21 No.1

Objective: Surgical procedures for patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) remain controversial. Until now, there have been no effective quantitative evaluation methods to assist in selecting appropriate surgical plans before surgery. Methods: We consecutively enrolled PTS patients (arachnoid lysis group, n = 42; shunting group, n = 14) from 2003 to 2023. Additionally, 19 intrathecal anesthesia patients were included in the control group. All patients with PTS underwent physical and neurological examinations and spinal magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively, 3–12 months postoperatively and during the last follow-up. Preoperative lumbar puncture was performed and blood-spinal cord barrier disruption was detected by quotient of albumin (Qalb, cerebrospinal fluid/serum). Results: The ages (p = 0.324) and sex (p = 0.065) of the PTS and control groups did not differ significantly. There were also no significant differences in age (p = 0.216), routine blood data and prognosis (p = 0.399) between the arachnoid lysis and shunting groups. But the QAlb level of PTS patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.001), and the shunting group had a significantly higher QAlb (p < 0.001) than the arachnoid lysis group. A high preoperative QAlb (odds ratio, 1.091; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1.187; p = 0.041) was identified as the predictive factor for the shunting procedure, with the receiver operating characteristic curve showing 100% specificity and 80.95% sensitivity for patients with a QAlb > 12.67. Conclusion: Preoperative QAlb is a significant predictive factor for the types of surgery. For PTS patients with a QAlb > 12.67, shunting represents the final recourse, necessitating the exploration and development of novel treatments for these patients.

Reinforcement Learning for Input Constrained Sub-optimal Tracking Control in Discrete-time Two-time-scale Systems

Xuejie Que,Zhenlei Wang,Xin Wang 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.9

Two-time-scale (TTS) systems were proposed to describe accurately complex systems that include multiple variables running on two-time scales. Different response speeds of variables and incomplete model information affect the tracking performance of TTS systems. For tracking control of an unknown model, the practicability of reinforcement learning (RL) has been subject to criticism, as the method requires a stable initial policy. Based on singular perturbation theory (SPT), a composite sub-optimal tracking policy is investigated combining model information with measured data. Besides, a selection criterion for the initial stabilizing policy is presented by considering the policy as an input constraint. The proposed method integrating RL technique with convex optimization improves the tracking performance and practicability effectively. Finally, an emulation experiment in F-8 aircraft is given to demonstrate the validity of the developed method.

Thermal balance performance simulation and optimization of full-ground crane cabins

Yongkang Shi,Zhenlei Chen,Haitao He,Fan Shi,Penyong Liu,Yong Wang 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.2

To solve the excessive thermal load problem of the crane engine and engine compartment, a combined 1-D and 3-D thermal simulation method is developed to numerically simulate the heat flow field inside and outside the engine compartment, the engine thermal system and the cooling system. Simultaneously, to ensure the accuracy of the numerical calculation boundary and the feasibility of the combined thermal simulation method, the trailer heat balance test is conducted under the rated conditions and the maximum torque conditions. By reasonably sealing the heat dissipation assembly at the front of the nacelle, bottom guards under the engine are added and other improvement measures are taken. It is found that the engine outlet’s coolant temperature is decreased by 15.9 °C under rated conditions when the improved crane is in the 36 °C environment. While the outlet’s coolant temperature is decreased by 20 °C under maximum torque conditions.

Robust Composite Observer Based State Estimation and Simultaneous Fault Reconstruction for One-sided Lipschitz Nonlinear Systems

Guanghao Su,Zhenlei Wang 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.10

With the increasing demands on system performance and reliability in engineering practice, fault tolerant control and disturbance rejection control are widely concerned by researchers, in which state and unknown input observation is the fundamental segment. Extended state observer (ESO) and disturbance observer (DO) are two mainstream tools in this field. However, lower triangle system structure is required in ESO design, and the application of DO relies on state measurement. In this paper, a robust composite observer is proposed to estimate states and faults simultaneously for one-sided Lipschitz uncertain nonlinear systems. At first, fault signal is split to matched and mismatched parts. Secondly, extended nonlinear unknown input observer (ENUIO) is designed to estimate system states and mismatched faults. Based on above estimated information, nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is utilized to reconstruct the matched faults. Then, synthesis condition derivation and rigorous stability analysis are conducted with the help of one-sided Lipschitz and quadratically inner-bounded conditions. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.

circSPG21 protects against intervertebral disc disease by targeting miR-1197/ATP1B3

Huang Yizhen,Zhang Zhenlei,Wang Jianle,Shen Shuying,Yao Teng,Xu Yining,Chen Zizheng,Fang Bin,Ma Jianjun 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

The abnormal expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is associated with numerous human diseases. This study investigated the mechanism by which circRNA acts as competitive endogenous RNA in the regulation of degenerative intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Decreased expression of circSPG21 was detected in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), the function of circSPG21 in NPCs was explored and verified, and the downstream target of circSPG21 was investigated. The interaction between circSPG21 and miR-1197 and its target gene ( ATP1B3 ) was studied by online database prediction and molecular biological verification. Finally, the circSPG21/miR-1197/ATP1B3 axis was verified in the mouse tail-looping model. The expression of circSPG21 in the nucleus pulposus in IVDD was directly related to an imbalance of anabolic and catabolic factors, which affected cell senescence. circSPG21 was found to play a role in human NPCs by acting as a sponge of miR-1197 and thereby affecting ATP1B3 . The regulation of circSPG21 provides a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for IVDD.

Relationship Between Syrinx Resolution and Cervical Sagittal Realignment Following Decompression Surgery for Chiari I Malformation Related Syringomyelia Based on Configuration Phenotypes

Chunli Lu,Longbing Ma,Jian Guan,Zhenlei Liu,Kai Wang,Wanru Duan,Zan Chen,Hao Wu,Fengzeng Jian 대한척추신경외과학회 2022 Neurospine Vol.19 No.4

Objective: Combined with different configuration types of syringomyelia, to analyze the correlation between syrinx resolution and changes in cervical sagittal alignment following Foramen magnum and Magendie dredging (FMMD) for syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation (CM-I), and to further explore the respective relationship with clinical outcome. Methods: A consecutive series of 127 patients with CM-I and syringomyelia who underwent FMMD in our center met the inclusion criteria of this study. Their clinical records and radiologic data were retrospectively reviewed. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) were used to evaluate the surgical efficacy. The phenotypes of syringomyelia and the clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed according to grouping by cervical curvature at baseline. Results: The preoperative straight or kyphotic cervical alignment is more common in the moniliform syrinx. After surgery, the syrinx resolution and cervical sagittal realignment in the moniliform group are more obvious, and the corresponding prognosis is relatively better. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the ΔS/C ratio (the change ratio of syrinx/cord) was positively correlated with the CCOS (p = 0.001, r = 0.897) and ΔC2–7A (the change of lower cervical angle) (p = 0.002, r = 0.560). There was also a correlation between the ΔJOA score (the change rate of the JOA score) and ΔC2–7A (p = 0.012, r = 0.467). Conclusion: After decompression surgery, syrinx resolution may coexist with the changes in the subaxial lordosis angle, especially for syrinx in moniliform type, and the relationship between syrinx resolution and cervical sagittal realignment might be valuable for evaluating the surgical outcome.

Quantitative Reduction of Basilar Invagination With Atlantoaxial Dislocation by a Posterior Approach

Jian Guan,Fengzeng Jian,Qingyu Yao,Chenghua Yuan,Can Zhang,Longbing Ma,Zhenlei Liu,Wanru Duan,Xingwen Wang,Xuefeng Bo,Zan Chen 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.3

Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of quantitative reduction and fixation to treat basilar invagination (BI) with atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). Methods: Posterior occipitocervical angle (POCA), occiput–C2 angle (Oc–C2A), clivusaxial angle (CAA), and C2–7 angle (C2–7A) were considered for quantitative reduction. Twelve patients with BI complicated with AAD received posterior interarticular release and individualized cage implantation to restore vertical dislocation. The POCA was adjusted using cantilever technology to further reduce the horizontal dislocation and adjust lower cervical vertebral angle. All patients received a radiological follow-up for ≥12 months. Improvements in spinal cord function were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results: All the patients received successful quantitative reduction for BI-AAD, and bony fusion was achieved without spinal cord injury after surgery for 12 months. The JOA score was improved significantly to 15.2 ± 0.9 twelve months after surgery (p < 0.01). Radiological follow-up revealed that individualized cage and POCA play vital roles in quantitative correction: (1) distance of the dens above McRae’s line and atlantodens interval were restored to normal level, respectively; (2) changes in Oc–C2 angle (ΔOc–C2A), C2–7 angle (ΔC2–7A), clivus-axial angle (ΔCAA), and POCA (ΔPOCA) were all caused by changes in axis tilt. Based on the changes of radiological parameter we deduced the formula for quantitative reduction by linear regression analysis: -ΔPOCA = ΔOc–C2A = -ΔC2–7A = ΔCAA. Conclusion: Quantitative posterior reduction by individualized cage and adjusting ΔPOCA is feasible for treating BI with AAD.

Positive effects of porcine IL-2 and IL-4 on virus-specific immune responses induced by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) ORF5 DNA vaccine in swine

Deyuan Tang,Jian Liu,Chunyan Li,Hua Zhang,Ping Ma,Xianfeng Luo,Zhiyong Zeng,Nining Hong,Xia Liu,Bin Wang,Feng Wang,Zhenlei Gan,Fei Hao 대한수의학회 2014 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.15 No.1

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects ofporcine interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 genes on enhancing theimmunogenicity of a porcine reproductive and respiratorysyndrome virus ORF5 DNA vaccine in piglets. Eukaryoticexpression plasmids pcDNA-ORF5, pcDNA-IL-2, andpcDNA-IL-4 were constructed and then expressed in Marc-145cells. The effects of these genes were detected using an indirectimmunofluorescent assay and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Characteristicfluorescence was observed at different times after pcDNAORF5was expressed in the Marc-145 cells, and PCR productscorresponding to ORF5, IL-2, and IL-4 genes were detected at48 h. Based on these data, healthy piglets were injectedintramuscularly with different combinations of the purifiedplasmids: pcDNA-ORF5 alone, pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNA-IL-2,pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNA-IL-4, and pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNAIL-4 + pcDNA-IL-2. The ensuing humoral immune responses,percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, proliferationindices, and interferon-γ expression were analyzed. Resultsrevealed that the piglets co-immunized with pcDNA-ORF5 +pcDNA-IL-4 + pcDNA-IL-2 plasmids developed significantlyhigher antibody titers and neutralizing antibody levels, hadsignificantly increased levels of specific T lymphocyteproliferation, elevated percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ Tlymphocytes, and significantly higher IFN-γ production thanthe other inoculated pigs (p < 0.05).