Vaginal stenosis and dilator use after pelvic brachytherapy

Introduction: To prevent vaginal stenosis, the use of a vaginal dilator is recommended. Objective: To analyze sociodemographic data, gynecological conditions and the use of vaginal dilator after pelvic brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study, period 2016-2020, collected between October/2020 and February /2021, from records of women with gynecological cancer treated with brachytherapy at the Centro de Pesquisa Oncológicas (Brazil). The variables included sociodemographic data and gynecological conditions in following the treatment. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-squaretest, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test were applied. Results: 519 patients records were included in the investigation; the analyzes showed significant associations between the topography and staging (p<0.001), education (p=0.004) and age (p<0.001); the comparison between the distribution of the ionizing radiation dose showed a difference with the continued sexual relationship category (p=0.006); the comparison between the proportions of continued sexual relationship and using a vaginal dilator was significant (p<0.001); 49.10% (131) adhered to the use of vaginal dilator; 24.50% (127) are not sexually active and do not adhere to the use of the dilator. Discussion: It is evident that social and gynecological conditions interfere with the presence of vaginal stenosis and the use of a vaginal dilator after pelvic brachytherapy. Conclusions: The adherence found in the use of dilator affirms the contributions and the need for health education by nurses and physicaltherapists during and following the treatment.

Criterios broncoscópicos, laboratoriales y anatomopatológicos de enfermedad de la vía aérea en pacientes diagnosticados con granulomatosis con poliangitis / Bronchoscopic, laboratory and anatomopathological criteria for airway disease in patients diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Introducción: los pacientes con granulomatosis con poliangitis (GPA) pueden presentar compromiso de la vía aérea superior (VAS) o inferior (VAI). Objetivos: describimos las manifestaciones endoscópicas de las vías respiratorias, los hallazgos histológicos y los anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (ANCA) en un grupo de pacientes con GPA. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo de historias clínicas de pacientes con GPA sometidos a broncoscopia entre 2012 y 2019. Se analizaron hallazgos de la vía aérea, biopsias y ANCA. Resultados: se incluyeron 40 pacientes, con una edad media de 46,92±17,61 años, predominantemente del sexo femenino (67,5%). Se observó afectación de la vía aérea en el 90% (n=36). El C-ANCA fue reactivo en el 63,9%, P-ANCA en el 25%, ANCA doblemente reactivo en el 8,33% y no reactivo en el 20%. Los hallazgos comunes en la vía aérea superior (VS) fueron sinusitis crónica (41,7%), destrucción del tabique nasal (16,7%); y en la vía aérea inferior (AI): estenosis traqueobronquial (38,9%), traqueobronquitis (25%). Los hallazgos más frecuentes de las biopsias broncoscópicas fueron proceso inflamatorio polimorfonuclear (61,9%) y necrosis geográfica (47,6%). Conclusión: la vía aérea está comprometida hasta en un 90% de los pacientes con GPA. ANCA no reactivos no descartan esta posibilidad. La sinusitis crónica y los procesos fibroestenóticos traqueobronquiales fueron los hallazgos endoscópicos más comunes. La vasculitis en biopsias se encontró en una minoría de casos.

Introduction: patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) may present upper airway (UA) and lower airway (LA) involvement. Objectives: we describe the endoscopic manifestations of the airways, histological findings from biopsied tissue and antineutrophilic cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) in a group of patients with GPA. Methods: retrospective study of medical records of patients with GPA undergoing bronchoscopy between 2012 and 2019. Airway findings, results of biopsies performed and ANCA results were analyzed. Results: 40 patients were included, with a mean age of 46.92±17.61 years and predominantly female (67.5%). Airway involvement was observed in 90% (n=36). The C-ANCA was reactive in 63.9%, P-ANCA in 25%, doubly reactive ANCA in 8.33% and non-reactive in 20%. The findings in upper airway (UA) were: chronic sinusitis (41.7%), destruction of the nasal septum (16.7%); and in lower airway (LA) were: tracheobronchial stenosis (38.9%) and tracheobronchitis (25%). The pathological findings most common of bronchoscopic biopsies were: polymorphonuclear inflammatory process (61.9%) and geographic necrosis (47.6%). Conclusion: the airway is involved in up to 90% of patients with GPA. Non-reactive ANCA does not rule out this possibility. Chronic sinusitis and tracheobronchial fibrostenotic processes were the most common endoscopic findings. Vasculitis in biopsies was found in a minority of cases.

Tratamiento de la hipertensión endocraneana idiopática con angioplastía de seno transverso / Transverse Sinus Stenting: A Treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Technical Note

Introducción: La hipertensión endocraneana idiopática (HEI) o pseudotumor cerebri es una enfermedad de origen y fisiopatología desconocida que puede generar graves consecuencias. El abordaje terapéutico clásico inicial es la dieta hipocalórica y la acetazolamida. La fenestración de la vaina del nervio óptico y la colocación de un sistema de derivación de LCR constituyen procedimientos quirúrgicos clásicos aceptados para esta entidad en los casos sin respuesta al manejo farmacológico. En 1995 se describió la asociación de la HEI y la estenosis de senos transversos y en 2002 se publicó el primer caso de angioplastía de seno transverso como tratamiento exitoso de la HEI en un paciente. En los últimos 20 años se han reportado múltiples casos y series de casos con excelentes resultados pasando a formar parte de las herramientas válidas para el tratamiento de esta entidad. Objetivo: Describir la técnica de angioplastía e implantación de stent en el seno transverso como tratamiento de la hipertensión endocraneana idiopática. Material y métodos: Descripción de la técnica quirúrgica y los dispositivos utilizados para la angioplastía del seno transverso en un paciente con HEI asociado a estenosis del mismo. Conclusiones: Se describe la técnica de angioplastía e implantación de un stent en el seno transverso en una paciente con diagnóstico de HEI asociado a estenosis de seno trasverso con buena evolución(AU)

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease of unknown etiology and physiopathology that can generate serious consequences. The initial classical treatment is weight loss and acetazolamide. Optic nerve fenestration surgery and CSF diversion are accepted as surgical procedures for the treatment of this entity. In 1995, the association of IIH and dural sinus stenosis by venography was described and in 2002 the first case of stent implantation in transverse sinus as a successful treatment of IIH in a patient was published. In the last 20 years have been published multiple case reports and case series with excellent results, becoming part of the valid tools for the treatment of this disease. Objective: To describe surgical technique of stenting the transverse sinus in a patient with IIH diagnosis. Material and methods: Description of diagnosis steps and stenting technique of transverse sinus in a patient with IIH associated to transverse sinus stenosis. Conclusions: We describe stenting technique of transverse sinus in a patient with IIH diagnosis(AU)

Uso de stent en estenosis colorrectal benigna / Stent utilization in benign colorectal stenosis

Introducción. La estenosis colorrectal benigna hace referencia a una condición anatómica caracterizada por una disminución del diámetro de la luz intestinal distal a la válvula ileocecal, ocasionando una serie de signos y síntomas de tipo obstructivo. Es una entidad poco frecuente, secundaria en la gran mayoría de veces a la realización de anastomosis intestinales al nivel descrito. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la utilidad del stentcolónico en estenosis secundaria a patología colorrectal no neoplásica. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes que desarrolló estenosis colorrectal de origen benigna confirmada por colonoscopía, en 3 hospitales de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, entre los años 2007 y 2021. Resultados. Se incluyeron 34 pacientes con diagnóstico de estenosis colorrectal de origen benigno, manejados con stents metálicos autoexpandibles. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 19 meses y se obtuvo éxito clínico en el 73,5 % de los casos. La tasa de complicación fue del 41,2 %, dada principalmente por reobstrucción y migración del stent, y en menor medida por perforación secundaria a la colocación del dispositivo. Conclusión. Los stents metálicos autoexpandibles representan una opción terapéutica en pacientes con obstrucción colorrectal, con altas tasas de mejoría clínica en pacientes con patología estenosante no maligna. Cuando la derivación por medio de estoma no es una opción, este tipo de dispositivos están asociados a altas tasas de éxito clínico y mejoría de la calidad de vida de los pacientes

Introduction. Benign colorectal stenosis refers to an anatomical condition characterized by a decrease in the diameter of the intestinal lumen distal to the ileocecal valve, which might cause a series of obstructive signs and symptoms. It is a rare entity, caused in the vast majority of cases due to intestinal anastomosis at the described level. The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of colonic stents in the management of non-malignant colorectal strictures. Methods. Descriptive study of a cohort of patients who developed a benign colorectal stenosis confirmed by colonoscopy in three high-complexity hospitals in the city of Medellín, Colombia, between 2007 and 2021. Results. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with benign colorectal stenosis managed with self-expanding metal stents were included in the study. Median follow-up was 19 months, obtaining clinical success in 73.5% of cases, with a complication rate of 41.2%, mainly due to reobstruction and migration of the stent, and to a lesser extent due to perforation secondary to device placement.Conclusion. Self-expanding metallic stents represent a therapeutic option in patients with colorectal obstruction caused by non-malignant stenosing pathology. When diversion through a stoma is not an option, this type of device is associated with high rates of clinical success and improvement in the patients' quality of life

Recent progress in the treatment of intractable sialolithiasis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Sialolithiasis occurs in approximately 0.45% to 1.20% of the general population. The typical clinical symptom manifests as a painful swelling of the affected glands after a meal or upon salivary stimulation, which extremely affects the life quality of the patients. With the development of sialendoscopy and lithotripsy, most sialoliths can be successfully removed with preservation of the gland. However, sialoliths in the deep hilar-parenchymal submandibular ducts and impacted parotid stones located in the proximal ducts continue to pose great challenges. Our research center for salivary gland diseases (in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology) has used sialendoscopy for 17 years and treated >2 000 patients with salivary gland calculi. The success rate was approximately 92% for submandibular gland calculi and 95% for parotid calculi. A variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques have been applied and developed, which add substantial improvements in the treatment of refractory sialolithiasis. Further, the radiographic positioning criteria and treatment strategy are proposed for these intractable stones. Most of the hilar-parenchymal submandibular stones are successfully removed by a transoral approach, including transoral duct slitting and intraductal basket grasping, while a small portion of superficial stones can be removed by a mini-incision in submandibular area. Impacted stones located in the distal third of parotid gland ducts are removed via "peri-ostium incision", which is applied to avoid a cicatricial stenosis from a direct ostium incision. Impacted parotid stones located in the middle and proximal third of the Stensen's duct are removed via a direct mini-incision or a peri-auricular flap. A direct transcutaneous mini-incision is commonly performed under local anesthesia with an imperceptible scar, and is indicated for most of impacted stones located in the middle third, hilum and intraglandular ducts. By contrast, a peri-auricular flap is performed under general anesthesia with relatively larger operational injury of the gland parenchyma, and should be best reserved for deeper intraglandular stones. Laser lithotripsy has been applied in the treatment of sialolithiasis in the past decade, and holmium ∶YAG laser is reported to have the best therapeutic effects. During the past 3 years, our research group has performed laser lithotripsy for a few cases with intractable salivary stones. From our experiences, withdrawal of the endoscopic tip 0.5-1.0 cm away from the extremity of the laser fiber, consistent saline irrigation, and careful monitoring of gland swelling are of vital importance for avoidance of injuries of the ductal wall and the vulnerable endoscope lens during lithotripsy. Larger calculi require multiple treatment procedures. The risk of ductal stenosis can be alleviated by endoscopic dilation. In summary, appropriate use of various endoscopy-assisted lithotomy helps preserve the gland function in most of the patients with refractory sialolithiasis. Further studies are needed in the following aspects: Transcervical removal of intraglandular submandibular stones, intraductal laser lithotripsy of impacted parotid stones and deep submandibular stones, evaluation of long-term postoperative function of the affected gland, et al.

A prospective study on the safety and efficacy of excimer laser coronary angioplasty for the treatment of degenerated great saphenous vein graft / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) for the treatment of degenerated great saphenous vein graft (SVG). Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm study. Patients, who were admitted to the Geriatric Cardiovascular Center of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022, were consecutively enrolled. Inclusion criteria were recurrent chest pain after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), and coronary angiography confirmed that the SVG stenosis was more than 70% but not completely occluded, and interventional treatment for SVG lesions was planned. Before balloon dilation and stent placement, ELCA was used to pretreat the lesions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination was performed and postoperative index of microcirculation resistance (IMR) were assessed after stent implantation. The technique success rate and operation success rate were calculated. The technique success was defined as the successful passage of the ELCA system through the lesion. Operation success was defined as the successful placement of a stent at the lesion. The primary evaluation index of the study was IMR immediately after PCI. Secondary evaluation indexes included thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade, corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), minimal stent area and stent expansion measured by OCT after PCI, and procedural complications (Ⅳa myocardial infarction, no reflow, perforation). Results: A total of 19 patients aged (66.0±5.6) years were enrolled, including 18 males (94.7%). The age of SVG was 8 (6, 11) years. The length of the lesions was greater than 20 mm, and they were all SVG body lesions. The median stenosis degree was 95% (80%, 99%), and the length of the implanted stent was (41.7±16.3)mm. The operation time was 119 (101, 166) minutes, and the cumulative dose was 2 089 (1 378, 3 011)mGy. The diameter of the laser catheter was 1.4 mm, the maximum energy was 60 mJ, and the maximum frequency was 40 Hz. The technique success and the operation success rate were both 100% (19/19). The IMR after stent implantation was 29.22±5.95. The TIMI flow grade of patients after ELCA and stent implantation was significantly improved (all P>0.05), and the TIMI flow grade of all patients after stent implantation was Grade Ⅲ. The cTFC decreased significantly after ELCA (33.2±7.8) and after stent placement (22.8±7.1) than preoperative level (49.7±13.0) (both P<0.001). The minimum stent area was (5.53±1.36)mm2, and the stent expansion rate was (90.0±4.3)%. Perforation, no reflow, type Ⅳa myocardial infarction and other complications were not observed. However, postoperative high-sensitivity troponin level was significantly increased ((67.937±33.839)ng/L vs. (5.316±3.105)ng/L, P<0.001). Conclusion: ELCA is safe and effective in the treatment of SVG lesions and could improve microcirculation and ensure full expansion of stent.

Application of Rotarex catheter system in femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Rotarex catheter system in treating femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis.@*METHODS@#From Jun. 2017 to Dec. 2019, the clinical data of 32 femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis cases treated with Rotarex catheter system were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 males and 9 females aged from 50 to 89 years and the mean age was (70.7±10.3) years. Six cases had acute course of disease (≤2 weeks), 17 cases had subacute course of disease (>2 weeks, ≤3 months), and 9 cases had chronic course of disease (>3 months). Mean lesion length was (23.4±13.7) cm, mean occlusion length was (19.9±13.3) cm, and in-stent occlusion 7 cases. The superficial femoral artery (SFA) was involved in 13 cases, the popliteal artery (PA) was involved in 8 cases, and both SFA and PA were involved in the other 11 cases. All the cases were treated with Rotarex catheter system. When necessary, suction with large lumen catheter was enabled. Residual stenosis was treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Drug-coated balloon (DCB) was only used in patients with financial status, and stent was used only when it was necessary. Heparin was used for 24 h after procedures, and after that, antiplatelet agents were used. Doppler ultrasonography was taken during the followed-up.@*RESULTS@#Technical success was 100%, and mean procedure time was (107.4±21.5) min. 8F (1F≈0.33 mm) and 6F Rotarex catheter were used in 27 and 5 cases respectively. In 27 cases, forward flow was obtained immediately after debulking with Rotarex catheter, and in the other 5 cases, suction with large lumen catheters were used. PTA was used in all 32 cases. DCB were used in 8 cases, of which 4 were used in in-stent stenosis. Twelve cases were implanted stents. There were no perioperative deaths. The only one procedure related complication was distal embolism. We took out the thrombus with guiding catheter. In all cases, mean hospital stay were (4.6±1.5) d. The ankle brachial index increased from 0.32±0.15 to 0.86±0.10 after treatment (t=-16.847, P < 0.001). The Rutherford stages decreased significantly (Z=-4.518, P < 0.001). All the patients were followed up for 6.0-36.0 months, and the median time was 16.0 months. 2 cases stopped antiplatelet agents, which resulted in acute thrombosis. Another percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and PTA were taken in one of them. Two cases died of cardiovascular disease during the follow-up, and no amputation was observed. Target lesion restenosis occurred in 7 cases during the follow-up, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) was taken in two of them.@*CONCLUSION@#In treating femoropopliteal artery stenosis accompanied with thrombosis, Rotarex catheter can remove thrombus effectively, and that can expose underlying lesions and reduce stent use and complications rates. It is a safe and effective method.

Outcomes of laryngotracheal reconstruction with anterior and posterior costal cartilage grafts in severe pediatric subglottic stenosis or laryngeal web / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate outcomes of laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR)with anterior and posterior costal cartilage grafts in severe pediatric subglottic stenosis (SGS) or laryngeal web (LW). Methods: A review of patients with severe subglottic stenosis or laryngeal web between January 2020 and January 2022 was performed. Demographic features including gender, age at diagnosis, age at surgery, etiology, airway support, and other comorbidities were collected preoperatively. Patients were evaluated in surgical site, breathing, swallowing, phonation and complications postoperatively.Descriptive analysis was used in this research. Results: Eight patients were included: six with grade Ⅲ SGS following Cotton-Myer grading scale, and two with type Ⅲ LW following Cohen's classification. All patients underwent LTR with anterior and posterior costal cartilage grafts. Five patients underwent single-stage LTR (ssLTR), and three patients underwent double-stage LTR (dsLTR). Seven out of eight patients were able to successfully extubate or decannulate with normal swallowing function; four patients had mild hoarseness, and three had moderate hoarseness. One patient failed in extubation, and underwent tracheotomy. Conclusions: LTR with anterior and posterior costal cartilage grafts is an effective and safe treatment for severe SGS or LW. Careful preoperative assessment of disease severity and overall medical status will help selection between ssLTR and dsLTR, thereby maximizing patient outcomes for both modalities.

Research progress on image-based calculation of coronary artery fractional flow reserve / 生物医学工程学杂志

Coronary artery fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a critical physiological indicator for assessment of impaired blood flow caused by coronary artery stenosis. The wire-based invasive measurement of blood flow pressure gradient across stenosis is the gold standard for clinical measurement of FFR. However, it has the risk of vascular injury and requires the use of vasodilators, increasing the time and overall cost of interventional examination. Coronary imaging is playing an important role in clinical diagnosis of stenotic lesions, evaluation of severity of lesions, and planning of therapies. In recent years, the computation of FFR based on the physiological information of blood flow obtained from routinely collected coronary image data has become a research focus in this field. This technique reduces the cost of physiological assessment of coronary lesions and the use of pressure wires. It is beneficial to strengthen the physiological guidance in interventional therapy. In order to better understand this emerging technique, this paper highlights its implementation principle and diagnostic performance, analyzes practical problems and current challenges in clinical applications, and discusses possible future development.

Treatment of degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis with full endoscopic lamina fenestration discectomy / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy of full endoscopic lamina fenestration discectomy (Endo-LOVE) with full endoscopic transforaminal approach discectomy in the treatment of degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis of 48 patients with degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis between March 2018 and March 2019 was performed. There were 32 males and 16 females, aged from 60 to 83 years old with an average of (72.9±6.5) years, course of disease ranged from 5 to 16 years with an average of (8.0±2.8) years. The patients were divided into observation group and control group according to surgical approaches. There were 28 cases in observation group, underwent Endo-LOVE surgery;and 20 cases in control group, underwent full endoscopic foraminal approach discectomy. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization day and complications were observed between two groups. Visual analgue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), lateral crypt angle were compared between two groups. And clinical effects were evaluated by modified Macnab standard.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in follow-up and operation time between two groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was from 5 to 15 ml with an average of (8.4±3.6) ml in observation group and 5 to 25 ml with an average of (11.5±5.4) ml in control group. The hospitalization day was from 5 to 8 days with an average of (6.0±1.0) days in observation group and 6 to 9 days with an average (7.2±1.1) days in control group. Intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization day were significantly lower in observation group(P<0.05). There were no serious complications in both groups. The VAS, JOA scores, and ODI at 3-month and final follow-up were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05), and observation group was significantly better than control group (P<0.05). The skeletal lateral crypt angle and soft lateral crypt angle were significantly greater than the preoperative angle at 3 days postoperatively(P<0.05), and observation group was significantly better than control group(P<0.05). At the final follow-up, the modified Macnab criteria was used to assess clinical efficacy, in observation group, 22 patients obtained excellent results, 5 good and 1 fair;while 11 excellent, 4 good and 5 fair in control group;the clinical efficacy of observation group was significantly better than that of control group(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Both surgical methods are performed under direct vision, with high safety and good clinical efficacy. However, Endo-LOVE enlarged the lateral crypt more fully.

Percutaneous foraminal endoscopy for the treatment of lumbar lateral recess stenosis in elderly / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of percutaneous foraminal endoscopy in the treatment of lumbar lateral recess stenosis in elderly.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 31 elderly patients with lumbar lateral recess stenosis treated by percutaneous foraminal endoscopic decompression from March 2018 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Including 16 males and 15 females, aged from 65 to 81 years with an average of (71.13±5.20) years, the course of disease ranged from 3 months to 7 years with an average of (14.36±6.52) months. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to assess clinical symptom and functional status before operation and 1, 6, 12 months after operation. At the final follow-up, the modified Macnab standard was used to evaluate clinical efficacy.@*RESULTS@#All patients were completed the operation successfully. The operation time was from 75 to 120 min with an average of (97.84±11.22 ) min. All 31 patients were followed up from 12 to 28 months with an average of (17.29±5.56) months. Postoperative lumbago-leg pain VAS and ODI were significantly improved at 1, 6, and 12 months(P<0.01). At the final follow-up, according to the modified Macnab standard to evaluate the effect, 23 got excellent results, 5 good, 3 fair. One patient had severe adhesions between peripheral tissues and nerve root, and postoperative sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities were treated conservatively with traditional Chinese medicine and neurotrophic drugs, which recovered at 2 weeks after surgery. No complications such as nerve root injury and infection occurred.@*CONCLUSION@#The intervertebral foraminal endoscopy technique, which is performed under local anesthesia for a short period of operation, ensures adequate decompression while minimizing complications, and is a safe and effective surgical procedure for elderly patients with lumbar lateral recess stenosis.

Effect mechanism of acupuncture for anti-asthmatic airway remodeling based on TGF-β1 / Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) and "Kongzui" (LU 6) + "Yuji" (LU 10) for the airway remodeling in asthma rats based on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/ Smad family member 3 (Smad3) signaling pathway; and explore the efficacy difference between the two acupoint combinations.@*METHODS@#Forty SPF male SD rats, aged 4 weeks, were randomly divided into a blank group (n = 10) and a modeling group (n = 30). The ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization method was used to establish asthma model in the modeling group. After successful model preparation, the rats of the modeling group were randomized into a model group, an acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) (AAF) group, and acupuncture at "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) (AAK) group, with 10 rats in each one. Starting from day 15 of the experiment, 5 min after motivating, acupuncture was applied to "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) and "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) in the AAF group and the AAK group respectively. The intervention was delivered for 30 min each time, once daily, lasting 3 weeks consecutively. Using lung function detector, the airway resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) of the lungs were detected. The histomorphology of lung tissues was detected with HE staining and Masson staining, and the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in lung tissues was detected with the real-time PCR and Western blot methods.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, RL was increased and Cdyn was decreased in the rats of the model group (P<0.01); and RL was reduced and Cdyn was increased in the AAF group and the AAK group when compared with those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The rats of the model group had bronchial lumen stenosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fibre hyperplasia and thickened smooth muscle in the lung tissues when compared with those in the blank group; and in comparison with the model group, all of the above morphological changes were attenuated in the AAF group and the AAK group. Besides, these morphological changes of the lung tissues were more alleviated in the AAF group when compared with those in the AAK group. In comparison with the blank group, the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 of the lung tissues was increased in the model group (P<0.01), and it was reduced in the AAF group and the AAK group when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 was lower in the AAF group when compared with that in the AAK group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at either "Feishu" (BL 13)+"Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) or "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) reduces the airway remodeling in the rats with asthma, which may be related to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3. The better efficacy is obtained with acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13)+"Dingchuan" (EX-B 1).

Three-dimensional printed 316L stainless steel cardiovascular stent's electrolytic polishing and its mechanical properties / 生物医学工程学杂志

The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0-10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.

Early-effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopic laminectomy in treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) laminectomy in the treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 98 patients with two-level LSS treated with UBE between September 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 53 males and 45 females with an average age of 59.9 years (range, 32-79 years). Among them, there were 56 cases of mixed spinal stenosis, 23 cases of central spinal canal stenosis, and 19 cases of nerve root canal stenosis. The duration of symptoms was 1.5- 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. The operative segments were L 2, 3 and L 3, 4 in 2 cases, L 3, 4 and L 4, 5 in 29 cases, L 4, 5 and L 5, S 1 in 67 cases. All patients had different degrees of low back pain, among of which 76 cases were with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and 22 cases were with bilateral lower extremity symptoms. There were 29 cases of bilateral decompression in both segments, 63 cases of unilateral decompression in both segments, and 6 cases of unilateral decompression and bilateral decompression of each segment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total incision length, hospitalization stay, ambulation time, and related complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the low back and leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of lumbar spine before operation and at 3 months and last follow-up after operation. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate clinical outcomes at last follow-up. Imaging examinations were performed before and after operation to measure the preservation rate of articular process, modified Pfirrmann scale, disc height (DH), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and cross-sectional area of the canal (CAC), and the CAC improvement rate was calculated.@*RESULTS@#All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was (106.7±25.1) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (67.7±14.2) mL, and the total incision length was (3.2±0.4) cm. The hospitalization stay was 8 (7, 9) days, and the ambulation time was 3 (3, 4) days. All the wounds healed by first intention. Dural tear occurred in 1 case during operation, and mild headache occurred in 1 case after operation. All patients were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 19.3 months, and there was no recurrence or reoperation during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the preservation rate of articular process was 84.7%±7.3%. The modified Pfirrmann scale and DH were significantly different from those before operation ( P<0.05), while the LLA was not significantly different from that before operation ( P=0.050). The CAC significantly improved ( P<0.05), and the CAC improvement rate was 108.1%±17.8%. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the differences between each time points were significant ( P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 63 cases were excellent, 25 cases were good, and 10 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.8%.@*CONCLUSION@#UBE laminectomy is a safe and effective technique with little trauma and fast recovery for two-level LSS and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.

Clinical and bronchoscopy features of tracheobronchial tuberculosis in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical and bronchoscopic characteristics of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB) in children and to identify factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of children with TBTB were retrospectively collected. The children were divided into two groups based on the last bronchoscopic result within one year of follow-up: a group with residual airway obstruction or stenosis (n=34) and a group without residual airway obstruction or stenosis (n=58). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the predictive value of the factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB.@*RESULTS@#A total of 92 children with TBTB were included, and the main symptoms were cough (90%) and fever (68%). In children under 1 year old, the incidence rates of dyspnea and wheezing were significantly higher than in other age groups (P<0.008). Chest CT findings included mediastinal or hilar lymph node enlargement (90%) and tracheobronchial stenosis or obstruction (61%). The lymphatic fistula type was the main type of TBTB observed bronchoscopically (77%). All children received interventional treatment, and the effective rate was 84%. During one year of follow-up, 34 children had residual airway obstruction or stenosis. The TBTB diagnostic time and the initiation of interventional treatment were significantly delayed in the group with residual airway obstruction or stenosis compared with the group without residual airway obstruction or stenosis (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the TBTB diagnostic time was closely related to residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that at the cut-off value of 92 days of TBTB diagnostic time, the area under the curve for predicting residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB was 0.707, with a sensitivity of 58.8% and a specificity of 75.9%.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The clinical manifestations of TBTB are nonspecific, and symptoms are more severe in children under 1 year old. TBTB should be suspected in children with tuberculosis and chest imaging indicating airway involvement. Delayed diagnosis of TBTB is associated with the development of residual airway obstruction or stenosis.

The role of bronchoscopy in slide tracheoplasty in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the role of bronchoscopy in slide tracheoplasty.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on the diagnosis and treatment of four children with tracheal stenosis admitted to Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from 2017 to 2020. The role of bronchoscopy was summarized in the preoperative evaluation, intraoperative positioning and measurement, and postoperative wound evaluation and treatment during slide tracheoplasty.@*RESULTS@#Bronchoscopy evaluation before slide tracheoplasty showed that 3 of the 4 children had complete trachea rings, 2 had pulmonary artery sling, and 2 had multiple stenosis. Slide tracheoplasty was performed in the hospital on 3 children, and the midpoint of the stenosis segment was judged under bronchoscopy, and the length of the stenosis segment was measured, which assisted in the resection of the stenosis segment of the trachea. The pathogens were identified by lavage after the surgery. One child who developed scar traction 9 months after slide tracheoplasty in another hospital was improved by interventional treatment under bronchoscopy. Mucosal changes were found under bronchoscopy in 2 children 4 days after surgery, and the treatment plan was adjusted. One month after surgery, 2 children had granulation hyperplasia, which was improved by cryotherapy under bronchoscopy. One child abandoned treatment due to anastomotic necrosis and died. Three survivors were followed up for over 6 months with good prognosis, but all had tracheobronchial malacia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Bronchoscopy can be used for the management of slide tracheoplasty in children with tracheal stenosis, which is helpful to postoperative rehabilitation and follow-up.

Clinical characteristics and long -term prognosis of elderly onset Crohn 's disease / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#With the increase in aging population in China, elderly Crohn's disease (CD) patients need to receive more attention. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics and disease process of elderly onset CD (EOCD) patients in a single center.@*METHODS@#From January 2002 to January 2022, a total of 221 patients with CD from the Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were enrolled. According to the Montreal CD classification standard, the patients were further divided into 4 groups: an EOCD group (≥60 years old, n=25), a middle age onset CD (MOCD) group (40-59 years old, n=46), a young onset CD (YOCD) group (17-40 years old, n=131), and a childhood onset CD (COCD) group (6-16 years old, n=19). We compared the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis among them.@*RESULTS@#Females were predominant in the EOCD group (15/25, 60%). The number of people without smoking in the EOCD group (80%) was lower than that in COCD group (100%), higher than that in the YOCD group (70.2%) and the MOCD group (69.6%) (all P<0.05). Patients with perianal diseases at diagnosis were rare in the EOCD group (0%), lower than that in the COCD group (21.1%) and the YOVD group (19.8%) (all P<0.05). Stenosis was the most common disease behavior in the EOCD group (63.0%), significantly higher than that in the COCD group (15.8%), the YOCD group (36.6%) and the MOCD group (43.5%) (all P<0.05). The EOCD group was easier to be misdiagnosed as tumor (24%), higher than that in the COCD group (0%), the YOCD group (6.9%) and the MOCD group (19.6%) (all P<0.05). The EOCD group was prone to comorbidities (52%), and 20% of them were complicated with multiple comorbidities (P<0.05). During the follow-up, the all-cause mortality of EOCD was 12%, and the CD-related mortality was 8%, which was significantly higher than the other groups (all P<0.05). The use of immunosuppressants in the EOCD group (4.8%) was lower than that in the COCD group (12.8%), the YOCD group (16.8%) and the MOCD group (16.1%), but there was no statistical significance among the 4 groups (P=0.467). In addition, there was no significant difference in the rate of intestinal resection among the 4 groups (P=0.062).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In EOCD patients, females were predominant, smoking was less common, and they were prone to comorbidity. At the initial stage of diagnosis, it is easy to be misdiagnosed as tumor, and the disease behavior mainly showed stricture type, less complicated with perianal diseases. During the follow-up, all-cause mortality and CD-related mortality of EOCD patients were significantly higher than those of the non-elderly onset CD patients.

Excerpt from the 2022 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases clinical practice guideline: management of primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

What are the new contents of the guideline since 2010?A.Patients with primary and non-primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are included in these guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma.B.Define "related stricture" as any biliary or hepatic duct stricture accompanied by the signs or symptoms of obstructive cholestasis and/or bacterial cholangitis.C.Patients who have had an inconclusive report from MRI and cholangiopancreatography should be reexamined by high-quality MRI/cholangiopancreatography for diagnostic purposes. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be avoided for the diagnosis of PSC.D. Patients with PSC and unknown inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should undergo diagnostic colonoscopic histological sampling, with follow-up examination every five years until IBD is detected.E. PSC patients with IBD should begin colon cancer monitoring at 15 years of age.F. Individual incidence rates should be interpreted with caution when using the new clinical risk tool for PSC for risk stratification.G. All patients with PSC should be considered for clinical trials; however, if ursodeoxycholic acid (13-23 mg/kg/day) is well tolerated and after 12 months of treatment, alkaline phosphatase (γ- Glutamyltransferase in children) and/or symptoms are significantly improved, it can be considered to continue to be used.H. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with cholangiocytology brushing and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis should be performed on all patients suspected of having hilar or distal cholangiocarcinoma.I.Patients with PSC and recurrent cholangitis are now included in the new unified network organ sharing policy for the end-stage liver disease model standard.J. Liver transplantation is recommended after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma with diameter < 3 cm or combined with PSC and no intrahepatic (extrahepatic) metastases.

Effect of arteriosclerotic intracranial arterial vessel wall enhancement on downstream collateral flow / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The effect of arteriosclerotic intracranial arterial vessel wall enhancement (IAVWE) on downstream collateral flow found in vessel wall imaging (VWI) is not clear. Regardless of the mechanism underlying IAVWE on VWI, damage to the patient's nervous system caused by IAVWE is likely achieved by affecting downstream cerebral blood flow. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of arteriosclerotic IAVWE on downstream collateral flow.@*METHODS@#The present study recruited 63 consecutive patients at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to November 2021 with underlying atherosclerotic diseases and unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1-segment stenosis who underwent an magnetic resonance scan within 3 days of symptom onset. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to IAVWE and the stenosis ratio (Group 1, n = 17; Group 2, n = 19; Group 3, n = 13; Group 4, n = 14), and downstream collateral flow was analyzed using three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) and RAPID software. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of the patients were also recorded. Two-factor multivariate analysis of variance using Pillai's trace was used as the main statistical method.@*RESULTS@#No statistically significant difference was found in baseline demographic characteristics among the groups. IAVWE, but not the stenosis ratio, had a statistically significant significance on the late-arriving retrograde flow proportion (LARFP), hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), and NIHSS scores ( F = 20.941, P <0.001, Pillai's trace statistic = 0.567). The between-subject effects test showed that IAVWE had a significant effect on the three dependent variables: LARFP ( R2 = 0.088, F = 10.899, P = 0.002), HIR ( R2 = 0.234, F = 29.354, P <0.001), and NIHSS ( R2 = 114.339, F = 33.338, P <0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Arteriosclerotic IAVWE significantly reduced downstream collateral flow and affected relevant neurological deficits. It was an independent factor affecting downstream collateral flow and NIHSS scores, which should be a focus of future studies.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2100053661.

Value of fractional flow reserve derived from coronary computed tomographic angiography and plaque quantitative analysis in predicting adverse outcomes of non-obstructive coronary heart disease / 中华危重病急救医学

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA)-based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) and plaque quantitative analysis in predicting adverse outcomes in patients with non-obstructive coronary heart disease (CAD).@*METHODS@#Clinical data of patients with non-obstructive CAD who underwent CCTA at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from March 2014 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was recorded. The patients were divided into MACE and non-MACE groups according to the occurrence of MACE. The clinical data, CCTA plaque characteristics including plaque length, stenosis degree, minimum lumen area, total plaque volume, non-calcified plaque volume, calcified plaque volume, plaque burden (PB) and remodelling index (RI), and CT-FFR were compared between the two groups. Multivaritate Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between clinical factors, CCTA parameters and MACE. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to assess the predictive power of outcome prediction model based on different CCTA parameters.@*RESULTS@#Finally 217 patients were included, of which 43 (19.8%) had MACE and 174 (80.2%) did not. The median follow-up interval was 24 (16, 30) months. The CCTA showed that patients in the MACE group had more severe stenosis than that in the non-MACE group [(44.3±3.8)% vs. (39.5±2.5)%], larger total plaque volume and non-calcified plaque volume [total plaque volume (mm3): 275.1 (197.1, 376.9), non-calcified plaque volume (mm3): 161.5 (114.5, 307.8) vs. 117.9 (77.7, 185.5)], PB and RI were larger [PB: 50.2% (42.1%, 54.8%) vs. 45.1% (38.2%, 51.7%), RI: 1.19 (0.93, 1.29) vs. 1.03 (0.90, 1.22)], CT-FFR value was lower [0.85 (0.80, 0.88) vs. 0.92 (0.87, 0.97)], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that non-calcified plaques volume [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.005. 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.025-4.866], PB ≥ 50% (HR = 3.146, 95%CI was 1.443-6.906), RI ≥ 1.10 (HR = 2.223, 95%CI was 1.002-1.009) and CT-FFR ≤ 0.87 (HR = 2.615, 95%CI was 1.016-6.732) were independent predictors of MACE (all P < 0.05). The model based on CCTA stenosis degree+CT-FFR+quantitative plaque characteristics (including non-calcified plaque volume, RI, PB) [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.91, 95%CI was 0.87-0.95] had significantly better predictive efficacy for adverse outcomes than the model based on CCTA stenosis degree (AUC = 0.63, 95%CI was 0.54-0.71) and the model based on CCTA stenosis degree+CT-FFR (AUC = 0.71, 95%CI was 0.63-0.79; both P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CT-FFR and plaque quantitative analysis based on CCTA are helpful in predicting adverse outcomes in patients with non-obstructive CAD. Non-calcified plaque volume, RI, PB and CT-FFR are important predictors of MACE. Compared with the prediction model based on stenosis degree and CT-FFR, the combined plaque quantitative index can significantly improve the prediction efficiency of adverse outcomes in patients with non-obstructive CAD.