Research and clinical primary application on 3D modeling and printing of fetal hearts based on ultrasound spatio-temporal image correlation imaging technology / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) modeling methods based on ultrasound imaging data for normal and abnormal fetal cardiac structures, and to construct a methodology system for 3D printing of fetal heart based on ultrasound.Methods:A total of 93 fetuses examined in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January to December 2019 were selected. Fetal echocardiography was obtained using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC). Ninety-three hearts were 3D modeled by blood flow modeling, blood pool modeling and cavity modeling, and printed by stereolithography technique. The data measured on the 3D digital models and 3D printed solid models were compared with the corresponding fetal echocardiographic images respectively in order to evaluate the accuracy of the modeling methods.Results:The fetal cardiac blood flow models based on Doppler flow image data showed the malformation and trend of small blood vessels. The fetal cardiac structure models printed based on blood pool modeling displayed the malformation of heart and large blood vessels. Models printed based on cavity modeling method accurately displayed valve and structural defects.For 83 normal fetal hearts, the long diameters of left and right ventricles measured on echocardiography [(15.3±1.9)mm, (13.2±1.9)mm] were compared with those measured on digital models [(15.1±1.9)mm, (12.9±1.9)mm] and 3D printed models[(15.1±1.9)mm, (13.0±1.9)mm], respectively, and there were no significant differences between any two groups of them ( P>0.05). Bland-Altman showed good consistency for all measurements within and between operators. Conclusions:The three modeling methods, including blood flow modeling, blood pool modeling and cavity modeling, have their own advantages in displaying different types of fetal heart malformations. Appropriate modeling methods should be selected for 3D modeling and printing to make up for the limitations of single modeling method. The consistency between measurements on 3D models and those on echocardiography is high, and the repeatability between operators is good.

Combined obeticholic acid and apoptosis inhibitor treatment alleviates liver fibrosis

Obeticholic acid (OCA), the first FXR-targeting drug, has been claimed effective in the therapy of liver fibrosis. However, recent clinical trials indicated that OCA might not be effective against liver fibrosis, possibly due to the lower dosage to reduce the incidence of the side-effect of pruritus. Here we propose a combinatory therapeutic strategy of OCA and apoptosis inhibitor for combating against liver fibrosis. CCl-injured mice, d-galactosamine/LPS (GalN/LPS)-treated mice and cycloheximide/TNF (CHX/TNF)-treated HepG2 cells were employed to assess the effects of OCA, or together with IDN-6556, an apoptosis inhibitor. OCA treatment significantly inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation/proliferation and prevented fibrosis. Elevated bile acid (BA) levels and hepatocyte apoptosis triggered the activation and proliferation of HSCs. OCA treatment reduced BA levels but could not inhibit hepatocellular apoptosis. An enhanced anti-fibrotic effect was observed when OCA was co-administrated with IDN-6556. Our study demonstrated that OCA inhibits HSCs activation/proliferation partially by regulating BA homeostasis and thereby inhibiting activation of HSCs. The findings in this study suggest that combined use of apoptosis inhibitor and OCA at lower dosage represents a novel therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

Reasons for restenosis and treatment progress of biliary metal stent implantation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Biliary stent restenosis is one of the main long-term complications following biliary stent restenosis implantation,which affects its application.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the reasons for the biliary stent restenosis and to explore corresponding prevention methods.METHODS:A computer-based online search of MEDLINE,Cochrane library,CNKI and VIP between January 1989 and August 2009 was performed to search related articles with the key words of "biliary metal stent,reobstruction,and interventional therapy".Literatures related to biliary stent restenosis were selected,in the same field,the articles published lately or published by authoritative journals were preferred.A total of 171 articles were searched and 22 documents were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tumor growth,gallstone formation and inflammatory hyperplasia are the main reasons for restenosis following biliary metal stent implantation.The interventional therapy is an effective way for the patients of stent restenosis.Simultaneously,the therapeutic efficacy and living quality of patients can be improved by noticing preoperative conditions,in-time detecting and controlling biliary infection,reducing complications as well as strengthening postoperative combined therapy.

Biliary tract stents implantation combined with percutaneous portcatheter system in treating hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Does the selection of stent types have effect on therapeutic efficacy? / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:It generally thought that based on cholangiography,biliary tract stents implantation can achieve a same long-term therapeutic efficacy as resection,and obtain good clinical outcomes in treating hilar cholangiocarcinoma when combined with percutaneous portcatheter system.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical methods of double interventional therapy and the biocompatibility between stent and host in hilar cholangiocarcinoma following stant implantation.METHODS:The databases of MEDLINE,Cochrane library,CNKI and VIP were retrieved with deadline of August 2009.Medium survival time and jaundice decrease rate,complication rate as well as biocompatibility between stent and host were sewed as assessment index.Clinical studies addressing double interventional therapy for treating proximal bile duct cancer were included,and animal studies were excluded.A total of 156 literatures were obtained initially by computer,and 25 literatures were included in further analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In vitro test showed that stents carrying antibiotic,silver,or Escherichia coil,which may prevent adhesion of bacteria,however,it obtained poor clinical results.Chitosan is a natural cationic polymer and possess good biocompatibility,antibiosis and biodegradability.For the compare of the therapeutic effectiveness among different surgical procedure,it found that the decrease of total bilirubin were more faster in the internal and external drainage group than the resection group,however,the difference had no statistically significance.According to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,the medium survival time of 7 patients in the resection group was 16 months.The 1,3,5 years survival rate were 57.1%(4/7),28.6%(2/7),14.3%(1/7),respectively.Among the double interventional therapy group,the medium survival time of 19 patients was 18 months,and the 1,3,5 years survival rate were 52.6%(10/19),27.8%(5/19),15.8%(3/19),respectively.The medium survival time was 12 months in 14 patients of the control group,with 1,3,5 years survival rate of 57.1%,28.6%,14.2%,respectively.The results demonstrated that biliary tract stents implantation combined with percutaneous portcatheter system can improve life quality and prolong survival time of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.