Microclimate and development of pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes

This study aims to evaluate the microclimate and development of pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes. A prospective cohort study was conducted in an acute care ward in Indonesia. Risk factors for pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes were identified based on the Bergstrom Braden conceptual model. Microclimate data were collected every 3 days for 15 days while the development of pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes was observed every day. Pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes were developed in 20 of the 71 participants. Total mean difference in skin temperature was higher for patients with pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes (0·9 ± 0·6°C) compared with controls (0·6 ± 0·8°C) (P = 0·071). Binary logistic regression predictor values for pressure ulcers and superficial skin changes were 0·111 for type of sheet and 0·347 for Braden Scale results. In conclusion, difference in skin temperature seems to be a predictor for pressure ulcer development and superficial skin changes, while synthetic fibre sheets are able to maintain a beneficial microclimate.     

Sustainable Antirestenosis Effect With a Low-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon: The ILLUMENATE European Randomized Clinical Trial 2-Year Results

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a next-generation low-dose drug-coated balloon (DCB) designed to optimize the amount of drug transferred into the vessel wall and to maximize the amount of time the drug resides in the vessel wall.

内镜黏膜下剥离术与外科手术治疗表浅食管癌的对比研究

目的：探究内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）与传统外科手术治疗表浅食管癌的疗效并比较其有效性及安全性,为表浅食管癌的治疗提供借鉴和指导。方法：回顾性分析2013月1月—2018年12月于南京医科大学第一附属医院就诊的表浅食管癌患者共920例,其中ESD组和外科手术组各460例,收集、分析其临床资料并密切随访。结果：ESD组平均手术时间［（74.05±1.84）min］、住院天数［（8.13±0.20）d］和术后并发症总发生率（9.6%）均明显低于外科手术组［（240.90±6.88）min、（18.96±0.42）d、29.6%］,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组均有较高的完全及治愈性切除率,组间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。ESD组中满足ESD手术绝对或相对适应证的患者较外科手术组具有更低的术后并发症发生率（P＜0.05）,其中符合绝对适应证的ESD组患者术后并发症发生率更低。多因素分析结果表明,淋巴结转移及非治愈性切除是诱发表浅食管癌患者死亡的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：ESD治疗表浅食管癌的临床效果与传统外科手术相当,术后并发症更少,生存率更高,可以作为满足ESD适应证的表浅食管癌的首选治疗方法。     

Lower Extremity Revascularization Using Directional Atherectomy: 12-Month Prospective Results of the DEFINITIVE LE Study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of directional atherectomy (DA) for endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in infrainguinal arteries in patients with claudication or critical limb ischemia.BackgroundTo date, no prospective, multicenter, independently-adjudicated study has evaluated the effectiveness and durability of DA in the treatment of PAD. Previous DA studies have not been prospectively powered to evaluate any differences in outcomes in patients with and without diabetes.MethodsDEFINITIVE LE (Determination of EFfectiveness of the SilverHawk® PerIpheral Plaque ExcisioN System (SIlverHawk Device) for the Treatment of Infrainguinal VEssels / Lower Extremities) prospectively enrolled subjects at 47 multinational centers with an infrainguinal lesion length up to 20 cm. Primary endpoints were defined as primary patency at 12 months for claudicants and freedom from major unplanned amputation for critical limb ischemia (CLI) subjects. A pre-specified statistical hypothesis evaluated noninferiority of primary patency in diabetic versus nondiabetic claudicants. Independent angiographic and sonographic core laboratories assessed outcomes, and events were adjudicated by a clinical events committee.ResultsA total of 800 subjects were enrolled. The 12-month primary patency was 78% (95% confidence interval: 74.0% to 80.6%) in claudicants, with a 77% rate in the diabetic subgroup versus 78% in the nondiabetic subgroup (noninferior, p < 0.001). The rate of freedom from major unplanned amputation of the target limb at 12 months in CLI subjects was 95% (95% confidence interval: 90.7% to 97.4%). Periprocedural adverse events included embolization (3.8%), perforation (5.3%), and abrupt closure (2.0%). The bail-out stent rate was 3.2%.ConclusionsThe DEFINITIVE LE study demonstrated that DA is a safe and effective treatment modality at 12 months for a diverse patient population with either claudication or CLI. Furthermore, DA was shown to be noninferior for treating PAD in patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. (Study of SilverHawk/TurboHawk in Lower Extremity Vessels [DEFINITIVE LE]; NCT00883246).     

23例手部腱鞘巨细胞瘤患者术后功能恢复及复发随访结果分析

目的：探讨手部腱鞘巨细胞瘤（TGCT）的术前诊断、手术治疗、功能锻炼及复发因素,为手部TGCT的诊断和治疗提供理论依据。方法：回顾性分析23例手部TGCT患者的临床资料,比较患者术前彩超诊断与术后病理诊断情况,分析手部X线检查结果,随访患者并行浅表局部彩超检查,嘱患者填写《密歇根大学手概况问卷调查表》（MHQ）,同时采用E-link测量患者患侧与健侧握力3次,计算患侧手与健侧手的总主动活动度（TAM）,评价患者主观满意度和患手功能恢复情况。结果：23例手部TGCT患者,其中包括男性4例,女性19例,年龄18~68岁,平均年龄（48.5±15.1）岁。左手12例,右手11例;局部结节型TGCT（L-TGCT）21例,弥漫型TGCT（D-TGCT）2例。患者的术前彩超诊断结果与术后病理诊断结果均一致,术前X线检查无骨质损害。随访6~26个月,平均随访时间（16.0±6.5）个月,浅表局部彩超检查见肿物复发1例,复发率4.3%。2例D-TGCT患者患侧握力和TAM值较健侧明显降低,21例L-TGCT患者患侧握力和TAM值与健侧比较无明显差异。MHQ得分,80分以下3例,80分以上20例。结论：彻底切除TGCT可降低复发率,术后积极功能锻炼可取得良好的康复效果。     

New method of thrombus preparation using a fluid model for evaluation of thrombectomy devices in a swine model

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy is a promising new modality of interventional stroke treatment. Preparation of thrombus is a very important step for the evaluation of the mechanical thrombectomy devices. The objective of this study was to explore a new method of thrombus preparation with fluid model (FM) for assessment of thrombectomy devices used in the recanalization of acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

Elongation test and catheter injection test were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of thrombi prepared by FM and static model (SM). Histological structures of two artificial clots and specimens of stroke patients were compared. Radiopacity of thrombus made by FM was evaluated in a swine embolization model.

Results

The maximum tensile length of thrombi prepared by FM and SM were significantly higher (4.28 ± 0.23 cm vs 3.16 ± 0.13 cm, P < 0.01) and showed less breakage on catheter injection test (13% vs 60%, P < 0.05). Histological features of thrombi prepared by FM showed mixed thrombus structure, similar to thromboemboli retrieved from acute stroke patients, while clots generated by SM were replete with erythrocytes. A total of twelve vessels in two swine were successfully occluded (TIMI 0 or 1), with sufficient radiopacity of each injected thrombus.

Conclusion

The thrombus prepared by FM had good mechanical stability, sufficient radiopacity, and similar histological structure of thromboemboli retrieved from stroke patients, which make it possible to be used in the evaluation of thrombectomy devices.     

Early pregnancy induced expression of prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 in the ovine endometrium and regulated by interferon tau through multiple cell signaling pathways

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) plays pleiotropic roles at fetal-maternal interface during establishment of pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine regulation of PGE2 receptors EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy; and (ii) understand endometrial epithelial and stromal cell-specific hormonal regulation of EP2 and EP4 in sheep. Results indicate that: (i) early pregnancy induces expression of EP2 and EP4 but not EP1 and EP3 proteins in the endometrium on days 12-16 compared to that of estrous cycle; (ii) intrauterine infusion of interferon tau (IFNT) increases expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in endometrium; and (iii) IFNT activates distinct epithelial and stromal cell-specific JAK, EGFR, ERK1/2, AKT, or JNK signaling module to regulate expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in the ovine endometrium. Our results indicate a role for EP2 and EP4-mediated PGE₂ signaling in endometrial functions and establishment of pregnancy in ruminants.