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Background: A large number (n = 460) of A(H7N9) human infections have been reported in China from March 2013 through December 2014, and H7N9 outbreaks in humans became an emerging issue for China health, which have caused numerous disease outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild bird populations, and threatened human health severely. The aims of this study were to investigate the directional trend of the epidemic and to identify the significant presence of spatial-temporal clustering of influenza A(H7N9) human cases between March 2013 and December 2014.Methods: Three distinct epidemic phases of A(H7N9) human infections were identified in this study. In each phase, standard deviational ellipse analysis was conducted to examine the directional trend of disease spreading, and retrospective space-time permutation scan statistic was then used to identify the spatio-temporal cluster patterns of H7N9 outbreaks in humans.Results: The ever-changing location and the increasing size of the three identified standard deviational ellipses showed that the epidemic moved from east to southeast coast, and hence to some central regions, with a future epidemiological trend of continue dispersing to more central regions of China, and a few new human cases might also appear in parts of the western China. Furthermore, A(H7N9) human infections were clustering in space and time in the first two phases with five significant spatio-temporal clusters (p < 0.05), but there was no significant cluster identified in phase III.Conclusions: There was a new epidemiologic pattern that the decrease in significant spatio-temporal cluster of A(H7N9) human infections was accompanied with an obvious spatial expansion of the outbreaks during the study period, and identification of the spatio-temporal patterns of the epidemic can provide valuable insights for better understanding the spreading dynamics of the disease in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior laminectomy with instrumented fusion is a standard procedure for treating degenerative cervical kyphosis with stenosis (DCKS). Two major disadvantages of the surgery are adhesion of the dural membrane with significant disfiguring of cervical spine and a small fusion bed around the lateral mass. One of the advantages of laminoplasty over laminectomy is the protection of the dural membrane from adhesion through preservation of posterior bony elements. This study presents the surgical outcomes of laminoplasty, instead of laminectomy, as a decompression method applied in posterior instrumented fusion for DCKS. Methods: A consecutive single center series of twenty cases between 2008 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. They were diagnosed as DCKS and received anterior cervical fusion followed by expansive open door laminoplasty and lateral mass or pedicle screw instrumented fusion. We collected the functional scores and changes of cervical curvature on the basis of dynamic lateral films preoperatively and postoperatively. We used computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the status of fusion and decompression. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 67.6 ± 15.2 years. Half of the patients were older than 75 years. All functional scores and cervical lordotic curvatures markedly improved. No recurrence of spinal cord compression was caused by closure of opened laminae, according to MRI study that was conducted 12 months postoperatively. No pseudarthrosis or hardware loosening was observed 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion: The surgical aims for DCKS are adequate decompression, correction of kyphosis, and solid instrumented fusion. Laminoplasty applied in cervical fusion as a decompression method seems to lead to a favorable functional recovery and reduces the complications of perineural adhesion that typically occur after laminectomy. In addition, laminoplasty affords an additional fusion bed at the hinge side and this advantage benefits solid fusion mass formation for the patients who suffered from DCKS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To characterize prognostic and risk factors of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of Xijing Hospital electronic medical records was conducted to identify patients with pathologically confirmed EOC and CNS metastases. In addition to patient demographics, tumor pathology, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes, we compared putative cancer stem cell marker CD133 expression patterns in primary and metastatic lesions as well as in recurrent EOC with and without CNS metastases. Results: Among 1366 patients with EOC, metastatic CNS lesions were present in 29 (2.1%) cases. CD133 expression in primary tumor was the only independent risk factor for CNS metastases; whilst the extent of surgical resection of primary EOC and platinum resistance were two independent factors significantly associated with time to CNS metastases. Absence of CD133 expression in primary tumors was significantly associated with high platinum sensitivity in both patient groups with and without CNS metastases. Platinum resistance and CD133 cluster formation in CNS metastases were associated with decreased survival, while multimodal therapy including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for CNS metastases was associated with increased survival following the diagnosis of CNS metastases. Conclusions: These data suggest that there exist a positive association between CD133 expression in primary EOC, platinum resistance and the increased risk of CNS metastases, as well as a less favorable prognosis of EOC. The absence of CD133 clusters and use of multimodal therapy including SRS could improve the outcome of metastatic lesions. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the true nature of the association between platinum sensitivity, CD133 expression, and the risk and prognosis of CNS metastases from EOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Laminoplasty is an effective procedure for treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Little information is available regarding the surgical outcomes of expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) when securing with titanium miniplates without bone grafting. This study is aimed to elucidate the efficacy of and problems associated with EOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone grafting, thereby enhancing future surgical outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective study. The study participants comprised 104 patients who underwent cervical EOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone graft for CSM treatment between August 2005 and March 2011. The clinical results were evaluated based on the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Nurick scores. The radiographic outcomes were determined based on plain film and magnetic resonance imaging findings, which were assessed and compared. Results Lateral cervical spine X-rays exhibited improvement in the Pavlov ratio of the spinal canal at 1 day postoperation, and this ratio did not change at 1 year postoperation. The mean cervical curvature from C2 to C7 decreased 0.21° ± 10.09° and the mean cervical range of motion was deteriorated by 35% at 12 months (P < 0.05). The Nurick score improved from 3.19 ± 1.06 to 0.92 ± 1.32 (P < 0.05). The mean JOA recovery rate was 75% ± 21.1% at 1 year. The mean level of postoperative neck pain at 3 months was 3.09 ± 2.31, as determined using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Increased age, concomitant thoracolumbar stenosis, depression disorder, and preexisting myelomalacia negatively affected the JOA recovery rate (P < 0.05). A decreased preoperative Nurick score and superior sensory function in the upper extremities were powerful predictors of an enhanced JOA recovery rate. The postoperative complications involved hematoma formation 0.9%, reversible C5 nerve palsy 2.8%, and moderate to severe neck pain (VAS ≥ 4) 42%. No cases of lamina closure or collapse were observed. Conclusion EOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone grafting is a safe and effective surgical method for treating most patients with CSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]