Enhanced Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties of Graphene Oxide Loaded with Berberine on Biomedical Titanium.

Internal implants are widely used in most orthopedic surgeries, of which titanium and its alloys are most widely used owing to the excellent corrosiveness resistance, low elastic modulus and good biocompatibility. However, implant failure still occurs for that titanium and its alloys themselves do not own antibacterial and osteogenic properties. In this work, we successfully fabricated berberine-loaded graphene oxide (GO) on the surface of biomedical titanium and systematically investigated its capabilities of antibacteria and osteogenesis. In vitro results showed that berberine had low antibacterial activity, but GO loaded with berberine on titanium (Ber&GO@Ti) exhibited superior antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with the synergistic effect of GO and berberine. Meanwhile, Ber&GO@Ti performed satisfactory cytocompatibility and was capable of promoting osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. In the vivo experiment, Ber&GO@Ti showed excellent antibacterial properties and inflammatory cells e.g., neutrophils had seldom been found. No visceral toxicity had been found. This multifunctional coating showed great potential in orthopedic implants.

Therapeutic effects of transarterial infusion of lipiodol and ethanol in various ratios in a rabbit VX2 tumor model.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization with various volume ratios of lipiodol and ethanol in a rabbit VX2 tumor model to identify the optimal volume ratio. METHODS: Eighteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits implanted with VX2 tumors in their left liver lobes were randomly divided into six groups based on volume ratios of lipiodol to ethanol: group A, 3:1; group B, 2:1; group C, 1:1; group D, 1:2; group E, 1:3; and group F, 1:4. Pre- and post-treatment unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect tumor formation and evaluate tumor growth rates. Liver samples were harvested one week after the procedure, and apoptosis index of tumor tissues was evaluated by pathologic examination and TUNEL assay. RESULTS: Tumor size decreased in groups B, C, and D, but increased in groups A, E, and F. Tumor growth rates in groups A-F were 0.40±0.03, -0.11±0.21, -0.08±0.09, -0.12±0.07, 0.06±0.12, and 0.05±0.09, respectively. The change in tumor size was significantly different in group A compared with the rest of the groups, but no significant difference was observed among groups B-F. Apoptosis indexes of the six groups were 4.7±2.1%, 6.7±2.1%, 11.7±3.1%, 11.0±2.0%, 10.7±3.2%, and 12±3%, respectively. Apoptosis index was significantly lower in group A compared with groups C-F (P < 0.05). Apoptosis index of group B was significantly lower than groups C and F. There was no significant difference among the other groups. CONCLUSION: The volume ratios of lipiodol to ethanol ranging from 2:1 to 1:4 were equally effective, the ratios 2:1 and 1:3 had equal safety, and the ratios 1:1 and 1:2 indicated better long-term therapeutic effect. Increasing ethanol in the mixture caused more severe liver injury. Optimal efficacy and safety was achieved with a lipiodol to ethanol volume ratio of 1:1.

Collision tumor of the esophagus: report of a case with mixed squamous cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Esophageal cancer is mainly divided into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Epidemiologically, the former contributes to 90% of worldwide esophageal cancer cases, while adenocarcinoma contributes to two-thirds of cases in developed countries. Although other rare types and collision with multiple histological types of tumors do occur in the esophagus, it is very rare for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) to collide with an epithelial malignant tumor. To date, only three cases have been reported in the literature. The current study reported a 69-year-old male patient with squamous cell carcinoma and GIST in the middle esophagus. There was no merging of tissue components between these tumors. This study together with a literature review indicates that esophageal collision tumors have been increasingly reported in recent years. Histology and immunohistochemistry are needed to make a differential diagnosis. The exact oncogenic mechanism or the interaction of two independent neoplasms still remains to be determined, and further investigation, such as electron microscopy and genetic analysis, may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of the colliding tumors.

Computed tomography of gastrohepatic ligament involvement by gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to analyze the contrast-enhanced CT features of gastrohepatic ligament (GHL) involvement in gastric carcinoma (GC) and to evaluate the influence of GHL on the spread of GC correlating with the anatomic bases. METHODS: CT scans of 41 patients known to have GC and GHL involvement were reviewed retrospectively for the primary tumor and the GHL abnormalities, as well as the role GHL played in the spread of GC. Emphasis was placed on direct invasion, lymph node metastasis, and GHL seeding. The relationship between the accompanying ascites and the different pattern of the GHL involvement were also evaluated statistically. RESULTS: CT features of the GHL abnormalities caused by GC could be summarized as follows: (a) direct invasion (34.1%, 14 of 41), which was visualized as a regional (nine of 14) or diffuse mass (five of 14) in the GHL; (b) GHL seeding (26.8%, 11 of 41), which consists of ''smudged'' appearance (eight of 11), nodular infiltration (two of 11) and "GHL caking" (one of 11); (c) lymph node metastasis (63.4%, 26 of 41), including enlargement of lymph nodes (22 of 26) and cystic lesion (four of 26). We also found direct extension of GC into the transverse fissure and/or the liver via the GHL in three patients. Ascites, which was found in ten patients, seemed to be associated with the pattern of seeding involvement. CONCLUSIONS: GHL can be invaded by GC through several patterns and contrast-enhanced CT scan plays an important role in detecting GHL involvement in GC, which has a variety of CT manifestations. GHL may also serve as a potential conduit for the predictable spread of GC into the neighboring organs such as the liver.

Effects of Cr(VI) on the performance and kinetics of the activated sludge process.

The substrates removal performance, removal kinetics and the electron transport system (ETS) of sludge were investigated by sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and batch assays, respectively. Compared to the control system, significant decreases were observed in substrate removal efficiency with the Cr(VI)-feeding concentration up to 5 mg L(-1) in SBR system. And the recovery for NH4+-N removal were more difficult than that of COD after the termination of Cr(VI)-feeding. Significant inhibitory effects of Cr(VI) on the ETS activity and substrate removal kinetics were observed in the batch assays. The inhibitory effects of Cr(VI) would be overestimated on COD removal and underestimated on NH4+-N removal by the short-term batch assay as compared to the long-term operations. Additionally, significant correlations between the ETS activity and the inhibitory rates of Cr(VI) on substrate removal indicated the ETS activity can provide effective predictions on the potential performance of substrate removal in activated sludge.