Fusion Criteria for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Intervertebral Cages : The Significance of Traction Spur

Kim, Kyung-Hoon,Park, Jeong-Yoon,Chin, Dong-Kyu The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2009 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.46 No.4

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish new fusion criteria to complement existing Brantigan-Steffee fusion criteria. The primary purpose of intervertebral cage placement is to create a proper biomechanical environment through successful fusion. The existence of a traction spur is an essential predictable radiologic factor which shows that there is instability of a fusion segment. We studied the relationship between the existence of a traction spur and fusion after a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure. Methods : This study was conducted using retrospective radiological findings from patients who underwent a PLIF procedure with the use of a cage without posterior fixation between 1993 and 1997 at a single institution. We enrolled 183 patients who were followed for a minimum of five years after the procedure, and used the Brantigan-Steffee classification to confirm the fusion. These criteria include a denser and more mature bone fusion area than originally achieved during surgery, no interspace between the cage and the vertebral body, and mature bony trabeculae bridging the fusion area. We also confirmed the existence of traction spurs on fusion segments and non-fusion segments. Results : The PLIF procedure was done on a total of 251 segments in 183 patients (71 men and 112 women). The average follow-up period was $80.4{\pm}12.7$ months. The mean age at the time of surgery was $48.3{\pm}11.3$ years (range, 25 to 84 years). Among the 251 segments, 213 segments (84.9%) were fused after five years. The remaining 38 segments (15.1%) were not fused. An analysis of the 38 segments that were not fused found traction spur formation in 20 of those segments (52.6%). No segments had traction spur formation with fusion. Conclusion : A new parameter should be added to the fusion criteria. These criteria should be referred to as 'no traction spur formation' and should be used to confirm fusion after a PLIF procedure.

Fusion Length Requiring Spinopelvic Fixation in Lumbosacral Fusion with Anterior Column Support at L5–S1: Assessment of Fusion Status Using Computed Tomography

Sung Cheol Park,Sangjun Park,Do-Hyung Lee,Jinew Seo,Jae Hyuk Yang,Min-Seok Kang,Yunjin Nam,Seung Woo Suh 대한정형외과학회 2024 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.16 No.1

Background: The lumbosacral (LS) junction has a higher nonunion rate than other lumbar segments, especially in long-level fusion. Nonunion at L5–S1 would result in low back pain, spinal imbalance, and poor surgical outcomes. Although anterior column support at L5–S1 has been recommended to prevent nonunion in long-level LS fusion, fusion length requiring additional spinopelvic fixation (SPF) in LS fusion with anterior column support at L5–S1 has not been evaluated thoroughly. This study aimed to determine the number of fused levels requiring SPF in LS fusion with anterior column support at L5–S1 by assessing the interbody fusion status using computed tomography (CT) depending on the fusion length. Methods: Patients who underwent instrumented LS fusion with L5–S1 interbody fusion without additional augmentation and CT > 1 year postoperatively were included. The fusion rates were assessed based on the number of fused segments. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the L5–S1 interbody fusion status: those with union vs. those with nonunion. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for LS junctional nonunion. Results: Fusion rates of L5–S1 interbody fusion were 94.9%, 90.3%, 80.0%, 50.0%, 52.6%, and 43.5% for fusion of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥ 6 levels, respectively. The number of spinal levels fused ≥ 4 (p < 0.001), low preoperative bone mineral density (BMD; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.667; p = 0.035), and postoperative pelvic incidence (PI) – lumbar lordosis (LL) mismatch (aOR, 1.034; p = 0.040) were identified as significant risk factors for nonunion of L5–S1 interbody fusion according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Exhibiting ≥ 4 fused spinal levels, low preoperative BMD, and large postoperative PI–LL mismatch were identified as independent risk factors for nonunion of anterior column support at L5–S1 in LS fusion without additional fixation. Therefore, SPF should be considered in LS fusion extending to or above L2 to prevent LS junctional nonunion.

The economic benefits of big science R&D: With a focus on fusion R&D program in Korea

Choi, Wonjae,Tho, Hyunsoo,Kim, Youbean,Hwang, Sungha,Kang, Dongyup North-Holland 2017 Fusion engineering and design Vol.124 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This paper is focused on the analysis of spillover benefits of the ongoing R&D program on nuclear fusion in Korea. An empirical analysis was conducted on the economic spillover effects of nuclear fusion research and development (R&D) program by investigating cases of actual participating enterprises. The 24 representative enterprises were selected from about 250 enterprises that participated in the KSTAR and ITER projects. The analysis showed that the effect of increasing sales was a total of 1,538,600MKRW in the 24 enterprises that participated in the KSTAR and ITER projects; about 527 human resources have been fostered in industrial enterprises. Additionally, network analysis results show some cases in which the participating enterprises have extended their businesses into international and domestic fields of nuclear fusion and particle accelerators as well as into private markets.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Recently, many studies have been conducted in advanced countries to analyze the spillover effects of big science equipment that has already been constructed, particularly for partnerships with industrial enterprises that have participated in the construction process as well as in terms of relevant technological innovation. However, there has been no systematic study conducted in South Korea on the effect of constructing a big scientific research facility on the participating industrial enterprises. </LI> <LI> The purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical analysis of the spillover effects of a nuclear fusion research and development (R&D) program by investigating cases of actual participating enterprises and identifying implications for relevant policies. </LI> <LI> The Nuclear Fusion Energy Development Plan was begun with the KSTAR construction project under the National Nuclear Fusion R&D Program, established in 1995. Currently, the Program has been divided into the KSTAR project, the ITER project, the DEMO project, and basic research and human resources fostering projects. In addition, about 250 companies are participating in the KSTAR and ITER projects. </LI> <LI> In this article, to verify the presence of theory-based spillover effects in South Korea and to identify relevant implications, the South Korean case of nuclear fusion research was analyzed with respect to the three types of R&D spillover effect described in previous studies, which are market spillover effect, network spillover effect, and knowledge spillover effect. </LI> <LI> In-depth interviews were performed with 24 enterprises (10%) out of about 250 enterprises that have participated in nuclear fusion R&D program (69 enterprises in the KSTAR project and 180 enterprises in the ITER projects). Analytical results show that the economic spillover effect of nuclear fusion R&D program was significant. Spillover effects of each type are shown below. First, with regard to the market spillover effect, the contribution ratio of nuclear fusion R&D program to the increase of the sales of the 24 enterprises that participated in the KSTAR and ITER projects was 19.1% on average; the total amount of sales increase was estimated to be 1,538,600MKRW. The analysis showed that the 24 participating enterprises have created a sales-increasing effect greater than the financial input to the KSTAR and ITER projects (762,600MKRW). Second, with regard to the knowledge spillover effect, 238 new jobs were created in the 24 participating enterprises through participation in the KSTAR and ITER projects; a total of 527 human resources in the industrial enterprises have experienced nuclear fusion. Finally, analysis of the network spillover effect showed that 15 enterprises (62%) out of the 24 enterprises participating in the nuclear fusion R&D program have extended their businesses to other relevant technological fields. </LI> </UL> </P>

Fusion Rates of Instrumented Lumbar Spinal Arthrodesis according to Surgical Approach: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

Choon Sung Lee,Chang Ju Hwang,Dong-Ho Lee,Yung-Tae Kim,Hee Sang Lee 대한정형외과학회 2011 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.3 No.1

Background: Lumbar spine fusion rates can vary according to the surgical technique. Although many studies on spinal fusionhave been conducted and reported, the heterogeneity of the study designs and data handling make it diffi cult to identify whichapproach yields the highest fusion rate. This paper reviews studies that compared the lumbosacral fusion rates achieved with differentsurgical techniques. Methods: Relevant randomized trials comparing the fusion rates of different surgical approaches for instrumented lumbosacralspinal fusion surgery were identifi ed through highly sensitive and targeted keyword search strategies. A methodological qualityassessment was performed according to the checklist suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group. Qualitativeanalysis was performed. Results: A literature search identifi ed six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the fusion rates of different surgical approaches. One trial compared anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) plus adjunctive posterior transpedicular instrumentation withcircumferential fusion and posterolateral fusion (PLF) with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Three studies compared PLFwith circumferential fusion. One study compared three fusion approaches: PLF, PLIF and circumferential fusion. Conclusions: One low quality RCT reported no difference in fusion rate between ALIF with posterior transpedicular instrumentationand circumferential fusion, and PLIF and circumferential fusion. There is moderate evidence suggesting no difference in fusionrate between PLF and PLIF. The evidence on the fusion rate of circumferential fusion compared to PLF from qualitative analysiswas confl icting. However, no general conclusion could be made due to the scarcity of data, heterogeneity of the trials included,and some methodological defects of the six studies reviewed.

상관계수를 이용하여 인식률을 향상시킨 rank-level fusion 방법

안정호,정재열,정익래 한국정보보호학회 2019 정보보호학회논문지 Vol.29 No.5

Currently, most biometrics system authenticates users by using single biometric information. This method has many problemssuch as noise problem, sensitivity to data, spoofing, a limitation of recognition rate. One method to solve this problems is to usemulti biometric information. The multi biometric authentication system performs information fusion for each biometric informationto generate new information, and then uses the new information to authenticate the user. Among information fusion methods, ascore-level fusion method is widely used. However, there is a problem that a normalization operation is required, and even ifdata is same, the recognition rate varies depending on the normalization method. A rank-level fusion method that does not requirenormalization is proposed. However, a existing rank-level fusion methods have lower recognition rate than score-level fusionmethods. To solve this problem, we propose a rank-level fusion method with higher recognition rate than a score-level fusionmethod using correlation coefficient. The experiment compares recognition rate of a existing rank-level fusion methods with therecognition rate of proposed method using iris information(CASIA V3) and face information(FERET V1). We also compare withscore-level fusion methods. As a result, the recognition rate improve from about 0.3% to 3.3%. 현재 대부분의 생체인증 시스템은 단일 생체정보를 이용하여 사용자를 인증하고 있는데, 이러한 방식은 노이즈로 인한문제, 데이터에 대한 민감성 문제, 스푸핑, 인식률의 한계 등 많은 문제점들을 가지고 있다. 이를 해결하기 위한 방법 중하나로 다중 생체정보를 이용하는 방법이 제시되고 있다. 다중 생체인증 시스템은 각각의 생체정보에 대해서 informationfusion을 수행하여 새로운 정보를 생성한 뒤, 그 정보를 활용하여 사용자를 인증하는 방식이다. Information fusion방법들 중에서 score-level fusion 방법을 보편적으로 많이 사용한다. 하지만 정규화 작업이 필요하다는 문제점을 갖고있고, 데이터가 같아도 정규화 방법에 따라 인식률이 달라진다는 문제점을 갖고 있다. 이에 대한 대안으로 정규화 작업이필요 없는 rank-level fusion 방법이 제시되고 있다. 하지만 기존의 rank-level fusion 방법들은 score-level fusion방법보다 인식률이 낮다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위해 상관계수를 이용하여 score-level fusion 방법보다 인식률이높은 rank-level fusion 방법을 제안한다. 실험은 홍채정보(CASIA V3)와 얼굴정보(FERET V1)를 이용하여 기존의존재하는 rank-level fusion 방법들의 인식률과 본 논문에서 제안하는 fusion 방법의 인식률을 비교하였다. 또한score-level fusion 방법들과도 인식률을 비교하였다. 그 결과로 인식률이 약 0.3%에서 3.3%까지 향상되었다.

[문학 · 문화학] 구전설화를 활용한 ‘창의 융합적’ 말하기 듣기 교육

권복순(Kwon, Bok-soon) 국제언어문학회 2019 國際言語文學 Vol.- No.42

이 연구는 대학 교육에서 ‘구전설화를 활용한 말하기 듣기 교수·학습 모형 발표 수업’을 통해 2015년 개정 교육과정의 핵심과제인 창의융합형 인재를 기를 수 있는 예비교사의 수업 역량을 함양할 수 있도록 하는 데에 있다. 먼저 소재적인 측면에서 구전설화인 바리데기를 적용하고 둘째 형식적 측면에서 문학과 말하기 듣기 영역 간의 융합을 꾀하여, 이 두 가지를 통합할 수 있는 발표 수업을 통해 기대하는 연구 성과에 이르고자 하였다. 본고의 핵심어인 ‘창의’와 ‘융합’은 분리된 것이 아니라 상보적인 관계에 놓여 있다고 할 수 있다. 발표 수업의 분석 결과에 의하면 학생들은 융합적인 측면에서 문학과 말하기 듣기 간의 상위 융합을 통해 다층적인 융합을 꾀하고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 즉 상위 융합에서 하위 융합으로의 확산, 매체 간의 융합, 갈래 간의 융합이 이루어졌다. 둘째 창의성은 정의적 특성을 기반으로 창의력의 인지적 능력인 유창성, 융통성, 독창성, 그리고 정교성을 발휘함으로써 예비교사로서 역량을 다질 수 있는 계기가 되었다. 창의융합적 사고력은 단시간 내에 기를 수 있는 것이 아니라 지속적인 노력이 뒤따라야 할 것이다. 또한 공간적으로 대학 교육에서만 이루어질 것이 아니라 교생 실습 현장과 연계하여 그 성과를 입증받아야 할 과제를 안고 있다. 이에 대한 후속 연구는 다음 기회로 미루고자 한다. The purpose of this study is to develop the teaching ability of preservice teachers who can develop creative fusion-type talent, which is a core task of the revised education process in 2015, through ‘Speaking and Listening Teaching and Learning Using Oral Fables Model Presentation Class’. In the methodological view, we first applied the Korean oral fable about Princess Bari in terms of materials. In the formal aspect, we attempted to create fusion between literature, speaking and listening and achieve the expected research results through the presentation class which can integrate these two by converging literature, speaking and listening. The keywords ‘creative’ and ‘convergence’ in this article are not separate but complementary. First, in the fusion aspect, a multi-layered fusion phenomenon occurred based on upper fusion between literature, speaking and listening. In upper fusion, expansion by lower fusion, fusion between media, and fusion of branches were achieved. Creativity can be said to have been the basis for enhancing the competence of pre-service teachers as they demonstrated fluency, flexibility, originality and sophistication, which are cognitive abilities of creativity based on positive characteristics. Creative convergence-type thinking ability not something that can be developed in a short time and can only come from continuous effort. In addition, in terms of space, it won’t just be applied in college education but will have to be connected with actual student teacher practice in the field and the results thereof will have to be proven. We will postpone the subsequent study on this to the next opportunity. 이 연구는 대학 교육에서 ‘구전설화를 활용한 말하기 듣기 교수·학습 모형 발표 수업’을 통해 2015년 개정 교육과정의 핵심과제인 창의융합형 인재를 기를 수 있는 예비교사의 수업 역량을 함양할 수 있도록 하는 데에 있다. 먼저 소재적인 측면에서 구전설화인 바리데기를 적용하고 둘째 형식적 측면에서 문학과 말하기 듣기 영역 간의 융합을 꾀하여, 이 두 가지를 통합할 수 있는 발표 수업을 통해 기대하는 연구 성과에 이르고자 하였다. 본고의 핵심어인 ‘창의’와 ‘융합’은 분리된 것이 아니라 상보적인 관계에 놓여 있다고 할 수 있다. 발표 수업의 분석 결과에 의하면 학생들은 융합적인 측면에서 문학과 말하기 듣기 간의 상위 융합을 통해 다층적인 융합을 꾀하고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 즉 상위 융합에서 하위 융합으로의 확산, 매체 간의 융합, 갈래 간의 융합이 이루어졌다. 둘째 창의성은 정의적 특성을 기반으로 창의력의 인지적 능력인 유창성, 융통성, 독창성, 그리고 정교성을 발휘함으로써 예비교사로서 역량을 다질 수 있는 계기가 되었다. 창의융합적 사고력은 단시간 내에 기를 수 있는 것이 아니라 지속적인 노력이 뒤따라야 할 것이다. 또한 공간적으로 대학 교육에서만 이루어질 것이 아니라 교생 실습 현장과 연계하여 그 성과를 입증받아야 할 과제를 안고 있다. 이에 대한 후속 연구는 다음 기회로 미루고자 한다. The purpose of this study is to develop the teaching ability of preservice teachers who can develop creative fusion-type talent, which is a core task of the revised education process in 2015, through ‘Speaking and Listening Teaching and Learning Using Oral Fables Model Presentation Class’. In the methodological view, we first applied the Korean oral fable about Princess Bari in terms of materials. In the formal aspect, we attempted to create fusion between literature, speaking and listening and achieve the expected research results through the presentation class which can integrate these two by converging literature, speaking and listening. The keywords ‘creative’ and ‘convergence’ in this article are not separate but complementary. First, in the fusion aspect, a multi-layered fusion phenomenon occurred based on upper fusion between literature, speaking and listening. In upper fusion, expansion by lower fusion, fusion between media, and fusion of branches were achieved. Creativity can be said to have been the basis for enhancing the competence of pre-service teachers as they demonstrated fluency, flexibility, originality and sophistication, which are cognitive abilities of creativity based on positive characteristics. Creative convergence-type thinking ability not something that can be developed in a short time and can only come from continuous effort. In addition, in terms of space, it won’t just be applied in college education but will have to be connected with actual student teacher practice in the field and the results thereof will have to be proven. We will postpone the subsequent study on this to the next opportunity.

The Effect of Zoledronic Acid on the Volume of the Fusion-Mass in Lumbar Spinal Fusion

박예수,김홍식,Seung-Wook Baek,Dong-Yi Kong,류정아 대한정형외과학회 2013 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.5 No.4

Background: Few studies have explored the effects of bisphosphonates on bony healing in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Most previous studies used animal models and found that bisphosphonate shows negative effects on spinal fusion consolidation. We intended to evaluate the effect of a single-dose of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion. Methods: A retrospective review was carried out on 44 patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent one or two-level posterolateral fusion from January 2008 and January 2011. They were divided into 4 groups: group 1, autograft and zoledronic acid; group 2, allograft and zoledronic acid; group 3, autograft alone; and group 4, allograft alone. Functional radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and quantify the volume of the fusion-mass. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the short form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Results: The mean volume of the fusion-mass per level was 8,814 mm3, 8,035 mm3, 8,383 mm3, and 7,550 mm3 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.829). There were no significant decreases in the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.533) in the zoledronic acid groups (groups 1 and 2). The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 at the 6-month follow-up after surgery were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the 4 groups. The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 were not correlated with the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.120, 0.609, 0.642). Conclusions: A single dose of zoledronic acid does not decrease the volume of the fusion-mass in patients undergoing spinal fusion with osteoporosis. Therefore, we recommend that zoledronic acid may be used after spinal fusion in osteoporotic patients.

Comparison of Fusion Rate between Demineralized Bone Matrix versus Autograft in Lumbar Fusion : Meta-Analysis

Han, Sanghyun,Park, Bumsoo,Lim, Jeong-Wook,Youm, Jin-Young,Choi, Seoung-Won,Kim, Dae Hwan,Ahn, Dong Ki The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2020 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.63 No.6

The demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as the bone graft material to increase the fusion rate was widely used in spinal fusion. The current study aimed to compare the fusion rate of DBM to the fusion rate of autograft in lumbar spine fusion via meta-analysis of published literature. After systematic search, comparative studies were selected according to eligibility criteria. Checklist (risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized study) was used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included nonrandomized controlled studies. The corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. We also used subgroup analysis to analyze the fusion rate of posterolateral lumbar fusion and lumbar interbody fusion. Eight studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. These eight studies included 581 patients. Among them, 337 patients underwent spinal fusion surgery using DBM (DBM group) and 204 patients underwent spinal fusion surgery with mainly autologous bone and without using DBM (control group). There was no significant differences of fusion rate between the two groups in posterolateral fusion analysis (risk ratio [RR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90-1.17; p=0.66) and interbody fusion analysis (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.91-1.39; p=0.27). Based on the available evidence, the use of DBM with autograft in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion and lumbar interbody fusion showed a slightly higher fusion rate than that of autograft alone; however, there was no statistically different between two groups.

Multi-Sensor Information Fusion Predictive Control Algorithm

Ming Zhao,Yun Li,Gang Hao 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.11 No.4

The multi-sensor information fusion predictive control algorithm for discrete-time linear time-invariant stochastic control system is presented in this paper. This algorithm combines the fusion steady-state Kalman filter with the predictive control. It avoids the complex Diophantine equation and it can obviously reduce the computational burden. The algorithm can deal with the multi-sensor discrete-time linear time-invariant stochastic controllable system based on the linear minimum variance optimal information fusion criterion. The fusion method includes the centralized fusion, matrices weighted and the covariance intersection fusion. Under the linear minimum variance optimal information fusion criterion, the calculation formula of optimal weighting coefficients have be given in order to realize matrices weighted. To avoid the calculation of cross-covariance matrices, another distributed fusion filter is also presented by using the covariance intersection fusion algorithm, which can reduce the computational burden. And the relationship between the accuracy and the computation complexities among the three fusion algorithm are analyzed. Compared with the single sensor case, the accuracy of the fused filter is greatly improved. A simulation example of the target tracking controllable system with two sensors shows its effectiveness and correctness.

Green fluorescence protein-based content-mixing assay of SNARE-driven membrane fusion

Heo, Paul,Kong, Byoungjae,Jung, Young-Hun,Park, Joon-Bum,Shin, Jonghyeok,Park, Myungseo,Kweon, Dae-Hyuk Academic Press 2017 Biochemical and biophysical research communication Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Soluble <I>N</I>-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins mediate intracellular membrane fusion by forming a ternary SNARE complex. A minimalist approach utilizing proteoliposomes with reconstituted SNARE proteins yielded a wealth of information pinpointing the molecular mechanism of SNARE-mediated fusion and its regulation by accessory proteins. Two important attributes of a membrane fusion are lipid-mixing and the formation of an aqueous passage between apposing membranes. These two attributes are typically observed by using various fluorescent dyes. Currently available <I>in vitro</I> assay systems for observing fusion pore opening have several weaknesses such as cargo-bleeding, incomplete removal of unencapsulated dyes, and inadequate information regarding the size of the fusion pore, limiting measurements of the final stage of membrane fusion. In the present study, we used a biotinylated green fluorescence protein and streptavidin conjugated with Dylight 594 (DyStrp) as a Föster resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor and acceptor, respectively. This FRET pair encapsulated in each v-vesicle containing synaptobrevin and t-vesicle containing a binary acceptor complex of syntaxin 1a and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 revealed the opening of a large fusion pore of more than 5 nm, without the unwanted signals from unencapsulated dyes or leakage. This system enabled determination of the stoichiometry of the merging vesicles because the FRET efficiency of the FRET pair depended on the molar ratio between dyes. Here, we report a robust and informative assay for SNARE-mediated fusion pore opening.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> SNARE proteins drive membrane fusion and open a pore for cargo release. </LI> <LI> Biotinylated GFP and DyStrp was used as the reporter pair of fusion pore opening. </LI> <LI> Procedure for efficient SNARE reconstitution and reporter encapsulation was established. </LI> <LI> The FRET pair reported opening of a large fusion pore bigger than 5 nm. </LI> <LI> The assay was robust and provided information of stoichiometry of vesicle fusion. </LI> </UL> </P>