Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for abdominal wall metastatic tumors: a preliminary study

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided microwave (MW) ablation for abdominal wall metastatic tumors.METHODS: From August 2007 to December 2010, a total of 11 patients with 23 abdominal wall nodules (diameter 2.59 cm ± 1.11 cm, range 1.3 cm to 5.0 cm) were treated with MW ablation. One antenna was inserted into the center of tumors less than 1.7 cm, and multiple antennae were inserted simultaneously into tumors 1.7 cm or larger. A 21 gauge thermocouple was inserted near important organs which required protection (such as bowel or gallbladder) for real-time temperature monitoring during MW ablation. Treatment outcome was observed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [or computed tomography (CT)] during follow-up.RESULTS: MW ablation was well tolerated by all patients. Six patients with 11 nodules had 1 thermocouple inserted near important organs for real-time temperature monitoring and the maximum temperature was 56 °C. Major complications included mild pain (54.5%), post-ablation fever (100%) and abdominal wall edema (25%). All 23 tumors (100%) in this group were completely ablated, and no residual tumor or local recurrence was observed at a median follow-up of 13 mo (range 1 to 32 mo). The ablation zone was well defined on contrast-enhanced imaging (contrast-enhanced CT, MRI and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound) and gradually shrank with time.CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided MW ablation may be a feasible, safe and effective treatment for abdominal wall metastatic tumors in selected patients.     

Drilling of bone: A comprehensive review

BackgroundBone fracture treatment usually involves restoring of the fractured parts to their initial position and immobilizing them until the healing takes place. Drilling of bone is common to produce hole for screw insertion to fix the fractured parts for immobilization. Orthopaedic drilling during surgical process causes increase in the bone temperature and forces which can cause osteonecrosis reducing the stability and strength of the fixation.MethodsA comprehensive review of all the relevant investigations carried on bone drilling is conducted. The experimental method used, results obtained and the conclusions made by the various researchers are described and compared.ResultReview suggests that the further improvement in the area of bone drilling is possible. The systematic review identified several consequential factors (drilling parameters and drill specifications) affecting bone drilling on which there no general agreement among investigators or are not adequately evaluated. These factors are highlighted and use of more advanced methods of drilling is accentuated. The use of more precise experimental set up which resembles the actual situation and the development of automated bone drilling system to minimize human error is addressed.ConclusionIn this review, an attempt has been made to systematically organize the research investigations conducted on bone drilling. Methods of treatment of bone fracture, studies on the determination of the threshold for thermal osteonecrosis, studies on the parameters influencing bone drilling and methods of the temperature measurement used are reviewed and the future work for the further improvement of bone drilling process is highlighted.     

A pilot evaluation study of high resolution digital thermal imaging in the assessment of burn depth

Thermal imaging is a tool that can be used to determine burn depth. We have revisited the use of this technology in the assessment of burns and aim to establish if high resolution, real-time technology can be practically used in conjunction with clinical examination to determine burn depth. 11 patients with burns affecting upper and lower limbs and the anterior and posterior trunk were included in this study. Digital and thermal images were recorded at between 42 h and 5 days post burn. When compared to skin temperature, full thickness burns were significantly cooler (p < 0.001), as were deep partial thickness burns (p < 0.05). Superficial partial thickness burns were not significantly different in temperature than non-burnt skin (p > 0.05). Typically, full thickness burns were 2.3 °C cooler than non-burnt skin; deep partial thickness burns were 1.2 °C cooler than non-burnt skin; whilst superficial burns were only 0.1 °C cooler. Thermal imaging can correctly determine difference in burn depth. The thermal camera produces images of high resolution and is quick and easy to use.     

Generation of a thermostable,oral Zika vaccine that protects against virus challenge in non-human primates

Here we report the development of a thermally stable, orally administered, candidate Zika vaccine using human serotype 5 adenovirus (AdHu5). We engineered AdHu5 to express the genes for the envelope and NS1 proteins of Zika virus. AdHu5 was formulated using a proprietary platform, OraPro, comprising a mix of sugars and modified amino acids that can overcome elevated temperatures (37 C), and an enteric coated capsule that protects the integrity of the AdHu5 from the acid in the stomach. This enables the delivery AdHu5 to the immune system of the small intestine. We show that oral delivery of AdHu5 elicited antigen-specific serum IgG immune responses in a mouse model and in a non-human primate model. Importantly, these immune responses were able reduce viral counts in mice and to prevent detectable viraemia in the non-human primates on challenge with live Zika virus. This candidate vaccine has significant advantages over many current vaccines that are maintained in a cold or ultra-cold chain and require parenteral administration.     

Valorisation of chicken feathers: Characterisation of thermal,mechanical and electrical properties

Increasing consumption of chicken results in generation of large amounts of wastes that need to be disposed of properly. Chicken feathers constitute about 5–10% of the weight of the chicken and thus they comprise a significant portion of the poultry wastes. Disposal of waste chicken feathers is problematic in that they do not readily degrade after landfilling, there is increasing shortage of landfill space, and they are contaminated with microbial biomass that makes them hazardous waste. Feathers contain ~91% keratin protein and thus, potentially, feathers can be beneficiated into high-value compounds or products comprised of keratin proteins or keratin fibres. Thus, valorisation of feathers could be a viable option for sustainable disposal of the waste. Characterisation of physicochemical properties of the chicken feather is an essential step to identifying possible avenues for valorisation of this waste biomass. While chemical, physical and morphological properties of chicken feathers and related potential valorisation routes have described by the authors, identification of their mechanical, thermal and electrical properties have not been reported and this information is necessary to have a complete and comprehensive characterisation of waste chicken feathers. Hence, in this research, the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of feathers were determined and evaluated to ascertain suitability of the feathers for production of high-value materials. The feathers and fractions thereof were characterised by TGA/DSC, Instron (material and structural testing), Dynamic Mechanical Analyser, and a two-probe measurement of resistivity instrument. Under heated conditions, the TGA of chicken feathers confirmed the occurrence of three zones of weight loss. The TGA/DSC results revealed a glass transition temperature around 67 °C and a melting temperature ~230 °C in the crystalline phase. The tenacity of chicken feather barbs at maximum load was ~16.93 cN/tex. The results from electrical properties indicated that chicken feather fractions have low conductivity. Overall, the results indicate that chicken feathers have potential to be used in a variety of applications such as electrical insulator materials, yarn production for use in textiles, nonwoven fabric production, filler for winter clothing, geotextile and construction materials.     

The Lindblom roller.

Neuropathic pain is caused by injury of the peripheral or central nervous system. The neurological examination of the sensory system in neuropathic pain patients guides the anatomical localization of the injury. Among the sensory modalities to be tested, priority should be given to those subserved by small peripheral sensory fibers or by the spinothalamic tract that most commonly are abnormal in neuropathic pain patients. Testing of cold and warm perception was traditionally carried out in the clinic using tubes filled with water at different temperatures, a cumbersome method that has limited the routine examination of these sensory modalities. The Lindblom roller offers a practical and effective method of readily testing temperature perception and is among the best available clinical tools for delineating the anatomical boundaries of a sensory abnormality. Routinely use of the Lindblom roller shall be standard bedside clinical assessment of neuropathic pain patients. To exemplify this statement we describe two patients affected by complex and fluctuating painful sensory abnormalities caused by an extradural mass compressing the spinal cord. The level of the injury was readily localized with a roller kept at room temperature.     

热消融治疗甲状腺乳头状癌的有效性评估

目的通过对甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）热消融后复发再手术病例进行分析,探讨热消融是否能用于可手术的PTC患者。 方法回顾性分析2015年5月至2019年8月间青岛大学附属烟台毓璜顶医院甲状腺外科热消融治疗后再手术的23例患者资料。所有患者在外院行热消融治疗前均行甲状腺细针穿刺（FNA）,20例穿刺病理为PTC,3例不除外PTC可能。15例行甲状腺癌根治术,1例行侧颈部淋巴结改良根治术,7例患者因存在复发结节压迫症状,行甲状腺腺叶切除术。 结果再手术后石蜡病理示,56.52%（13/23）见癌细胞,43.47%（10/23）未查见癌细胞,30.43%（7/23）见中央区淋巴结转移。2例消融对侧发现新发甲状腺结节,术后石蜡病理证实为PTC。 结论热消融治疗PTC无法彻底处理原发灶,达不到根治效果。对于可行手术治疗的PTC患者,不建议热消融治疗。     

Demographics and clinical outcomes of adult burn patients admitted to a single provincial burn centre: A 40-year review

IntroductionThis study evaluated trends in demographics and outcomes of cutaneous burns over a forty-year period at a Canadian burn centre.MethodsRetrospective review was performed of all consecutive adult burn admissions to the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) between 1976 and 2015. Comparison was made to the 2016 American Burn Association – National Burn Repository.ResultsThere were 4105 admissions during study period. Both overall admissions and admissions per 100,000 BC residents declined (p < 0.0001). Males represented three quarters of admissions. There was a decrease in large burns (p < 0.05). Flame burns were most commonly associated with larger TBSA, ICU stays, and mortality.Mortality decreased from 11.3% to 2.8% (p < 0.05). Factors found to affect mortality included: increased length of stay, age and burn size, male gender, and number of complications. Baux50 and rBaux50 increased, from 102.8 to 116.7 and 112.2 to 125.3 respectively (p < 0.05, respectively).ConclusionsThis study represents the largest report on burn epidemiology in Canada. The incidence of burns has decreased significantly over the last forty years. Mortality has improved over this time frame, as evident by increases in Baux50 and rBaux50 scores. Further data is largely in concurrence with that of the National Burn Repository’s amalgamation of US centres.     

A remarkable point for evaluating the severity of burns: Thiol–disulfide profile

AimThe objective of this study was to examine the thiol–disulfide profile tests in patients suffering from burn injuries.MethodsThis case–control study comprised 48 patients with thermal burn injuries and 61 healthy individuals. Thiol–disulfide tests were conducted in both groups, and also, the changes of thiol–disulfide parameters were analyzed at zero time and on days 3, 7, 15, and 30 of the admission in patients with burn injuries.ResultsThe patients had significantly decreased native and total thiol levels and native thiol/total thiol ratios, and significantly increased disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios compared to control individuals (p < 0.001 for all). The variations of native thiol levels, total thiol levels, and disulfide/native thiol ratios were significantly different over time in patients with burn injuries (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). There were strong associations with the clinical parameters and thiol–disulfide profile tests (p < 0.05 for all).ConclusionThere was a metabolic disturbance of the thiol–disulfide system among patients with burn injuries. The courses of thiol–disulfide variables in time overlapped with the burn mechanism. Strong associations provide that thiol–disulfide homeostasis might be a notable key for evaluating the severity of burns and predicting the survival.