Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 4-(3-chloro-4-(3-cyclopropylthioureido)-2-fluorophenoxy)-7-methoxyquinoline-6-carboxamide (WXFL-152): a novel triple angiokinase inhibitor for cancer therapy

Angiokinases, such as vascular endothelial-, fibroblast- and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (VEGFRs, FGFRs and PDGFRs) play crucial roles in tumor angiogenesis. Anti-angiogenesis therapy using multi-angiokinase inhibitor has achieved great success in recent years. In this study, we presented the design, synthesis, target identification, molecular mechanism, pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) research of a novel triple-angiokinase inhibitor WXFL-152. WXFL-152, identified from a series of 4-oxyquinoline derivatives based on a structure–activity relationship study, inhibited the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes by blocking the angiokinase signals VEGF/VEGFR2, FGF/FGFRs and PDGF/PDGFRβ simultaneously in vitro. Significant anticancer effects of WXFL-152 were confirmed in multiple preclinical tumor xenograft models, including a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model. Pharmacokinetic studies of WXFL-152 demonstrated high favourable bioavailability with single-dose and continuous multi-dose by oral administration in rats and beagles. In conclusion, WXFL-152, which is currently in phase Ib clinical trials, is a novel and effective triple-angiokinase inhibitor with clear PD and PK in tumor therapy.     

针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺治疗中风后尿失禁的临床观察

[目的]观察针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺与常规针刺、常规针刺联合足运感区治疗中风后尿失禁的临床疗效差异。[方法]将90例患者随机分为治疗组、对照1组和对照2组,每组30例,治疗组予针刺足运感区结合膀胱体表相应投影区域电针围刺;对照1组参照全国高等中医药院校"十三五"规划教材《针灸治疗学》中有关"尿失禁"的治疗选穴;对照2组在对照1组的基础上联合足运感区针刺,每日上午行神经内科常规治疗,每日下午行中风后尿失禁的临床治疗,每次30 min,每周连续治疗6次,6次为1个疗程,疗程间休息1 d,共2个疗程。观察3组治疗前后尿失禁程度、尿失禁临床症状评分及日常生活活动能力量表(ADL)评分,并比较3组患者的临床疗效。[结果] 3组患者治疗后尿失禁程度、尿失禁临床症状评分及ADL评分均较前改善(均P0.05),治疗组对尿失禁程度及尿失禁临床症状评分的改善较其他两组更明显(P0.05),且治疗组和对照2组的ADL评分明显优于对照1组(P0.05)。治疗组总有效率为93.3%(30/28),优于对照1组76.7%(30/23)和对照2组83.3%(30/25,P0.05)。[结论]针刺足运感区结合局部电针围刺治疗中风后尿失禁疗效显著。     

Arterial endofibrosis in endurance athletes: Prospective comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography

PurposeTo prospectively compare the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography angiography (CTA) to those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in endurance athletes with suspicion of arterial endofibrosis.Materials and methodsForty-five athletes (39 men, 6 women; median age: 30 years, interquartile range: 23–42 years) prospectively underwent DSA and CTA without (n = 5) or with (n = 40) electrocardiogram gating. DSA was interpreted by a single expert (experience of 15 years). CTA was independently interpreted by three other readers (experience of 5–8 years). Readers assessed the presence and degree of stenoses on iliac and femoral arteries and the overall diagnosis (negative, uncertain, positive) of endofibrosis at the limb level. Sensitivities and specificities of DSA and CTA were estimated at the limb level using histological findings and long-term follow-up as reference, and compared using the McNemar test.ResultsFor diagnosing and quantifying stenoses, concordance between DSA and CTA was moderate-to-good for common and external iliac arteries, moderate for lateral circumflex arteries and poor-to-moderate for the other branches of the deep femoral artery. It was good for all readers for the overall diagnosis of endofibrosis. After long-term follow-up (median, 95 months; interquartile range: 7–109 months), DSA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76–95%) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%); CTA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% CI: 76–95%; P > 0.99) and 84.4% (27/32; 95% CI: 68.2–93.1%; P = 0.51), 86.3% (38/44; 95% CI: 73.3–93.6%; P > 0.99) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99), and 84.1% (37/44; 95% CI: 70.6–92.1%; P = 0.68) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99) for the three readers.ConclusionCTA shows performances similar to those of DSA in predicting the long-term diagnosis of endofibrosis in endurance athletes with suggestive symptoms.     

Pinnacle3 9.10计划系统不同子野面积参数对宫颈癌自动调强放疗计划的影响

目的探讨基于运用Pinnacle^39.10计划系统自动计划模块,在不影响肿瘤靶区剂量分布和危机器官(OAR)受量的前提下,最小子野面积参数对宫颈癌自动调强放疗(AP-IMRT)计划的影响。方法收集2018年9月至2019年6月10例宫颈癌患者进行AP-IMRT计划设计,每例患者设计10个AP-IMRT计划,计划靶区(PTV)处方剂量为50Gy/25f,采用7野均分的固定野照射,最小子野面积分别设置为4 cm^2、9 cm^2、14 cm^2、20 cm^2、25 cm^2、40 cm^2、50 cm^2、60 cm^2、80 cm^2和100 cm^2,最小子野数目为70个,最小子野跳数为7MU。采用直接机器参数优化(DMPO)算法评价靶区及OAR剂量分布。结果随着最小子野面积从4 cm^2增大至100 cm^2,AP-IMRT计划的总机器跳数从(649±32)MU降低至(312±26)MU,总子野数目从(69±1)个降低至(28±3)个,分别降低了53%和48%。AP-IMRT计划PTV的均匀性指数(HI)在子野面积4~100 cm^2的范围内呈递增趋势,最小子野面积60~100 cm^2与最小子野面积为4~50 cm^2的HI相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。PTV的适形指数(CI)在最小子野面积为4 cm^2、9 cm^2和14 cm^2时差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。不同最小子野面积的AP-IMRT计划间OAR受照射剂量的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论在使用Pinnacle^39.10计划系统设计宫颈癌AP-IMRT计划时,最小子野面积参数设置在14~50 cm^2的范围内均可满足临床剂量学要求,同时子野数量和机器跳数显著减少。     

Utilizing transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance laparoscopic technical skills training: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that delivers constant, low electrical current resulting in changes to cortical excitability. Prior work suggests it may enhance motor learning giving it the potential to augment surgical technical skill acquisition.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to test the efficacy of tDCS, coupled with motor skill training, to accelerate laparoscopic skill acquisition in a pre-registered (NCT03083483), double-blind and placebo-controlled study. We hypothesized that relative to sham tDCS, active tDCS would accelerate the development of laparoscopic technical skills, as measured by the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Peg Transfer task quantitative metrics.MethodsIn this study, sixty subjects (mean age 22.7 years with 42 females) were randomized into sham or active tDCS in either bilateral primary motor cortex (bM1) or supplementary motor area (SMA) electrode configurations. All subjects practiced the FLS Peg Transfer Task during six 20-min training blocks, which were preceded and followed by a single trial pre-test and post-test. The primary outcome was changes in laparoscopic skill performance over time, quantified by group differences in completion time from pre-test to post-test and learning curves developed from a calculated score accounting for errors.ResultsLearning curves calculated over the six 20-min training blocks showed significantly greater improvement in performance for the bM1 group than the sham group (t = 2.07, p = 0.039), with the bM1 group achieving approximately the same amount of improvement in 4 blocks compared to the 6 blocks required of the sham group. The SMA group also showed greater mean improvement than sham, but exhibited more variable learning performance and differences relative to sham were not significant (t = 0.85, p = 0.400). A significant main effect was present for pre-test versus post-test times (F = 133.2, p < 0.001), with lower completion times at post-test, however these did not significantly differ for the training groups.ConclusionLaparoscopic skill training with active bilateral tDCS exhibited significantly greater learning relative to sham. The potential for tDCS to enhance the training of surgical skills, therefore, merits further investigation to determine if these preliminary results may be replicated and extended.