Self-expandable metallic stent for unresectable malignant strictures in the esophagus and cardia

Objective Self-expandable metallic stent (EMS) placement has been the first choice for dysphagia because of the certainty over its safety, low invasiveness, and immediate efficacy. However, there still remain some problems in relation to the EMS placement site and anticancer therapies before and after EMS placement. Methods: Consecutive 78 patients in whom EMS was placed due to the unresectable malignant stricture in the esophagus or cardia from July 1995 to August 2003 in our department were studied. Results: Gastroesophageal reflux was found in 5 of 8 patients after placement of conventional EMS for the stricture in the gastroesophageal junction. Meanwhile, acid and bile reflux into the esophagus were not detected by pH and bilirubin monitoring, respectively, in 6 patients after placement of the EMS with an anti-reflux mechanism for the stricture in the gastroesophageal junction. The median survival period of all patients after EMS placement was 123 days. The median survival period of 7 patients with radiotherapy only after EMS placement was 138 days and that of 17 patients with radiotherapy before EMS placement was 60 days, which was shorter than that of the former (p<0.05). On the other hand, the median survival period after hospital admission due to dysphagia of these 7 patients was longer than that of 17 patients with radiotherapy only before EMS placement, although, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: EMS with an antireflux mechanism is not commercially available in Japan and approval is urgently required. The indication of radiotherapy associated with EMS placement is to be studied further.     

Safety of, and biological and functional response to, a novel metallic implant for the management of focal full-thickness cartilage defects: Preliminary assessment in an animal model out to 1 year.

Focal full-thickness cartilage lesions of the human medial femoral condyle (MFC) can cause pain and functional impairment. Affected middle-aged patients respond unpredictably to existing treatments and knee arthroplasty may be required, prompting risk of revision. This study assesses the safety of, and biological and functional response to, a metallic resurfacing implant which may delay or obviate the need for traditional arthroplasty. The anatomic contour of the surgically exposed MFC of six adult goats was digitally mapped and an 11 mm diameter full-thickness osteochondral defect was created. An anchor-based Co-Cr resurfacing implant, matching the mapped articular contour, was implanted. Each goat's contralateral unoperated femorotibial joint was used as a control. Postoperative outcome was assessed by lameness examination, radiography, arthroscopy, synoviocentesis, necropsy, and histology up to 26 (n = 3) or 52 (n = 3) weeks. By postoperative week (POW) 4, goats demonstrated normal range of motion, no joint effusion, and only mild lameness in the operated limb. By POW 26 the animals were sound with only occasional very mild lameness. Arthroscopy at POW 14 revealed moderate synovial inflammation and a chondral membrane extending centrally across the implant surface. Radiographs at POWs 14 to 52 implied implant stability in the operated joints, as well as subchondral bone remodeling and mild exostosis formation in the operated and contralateral unoperated joints of some goats. By POW 26, histology revealed new trabecular bone abutting the implant. At POWs 26 and 52 MFC cartilage was metachromatic and intact in the operated and unoperated femorotibial joints. Proximal tibiae of some operated and unoperated limbs demonstrated limited subchondral bone remodeling and foci of articular cartilage fibrillation and thinning. The chondral membrane crossing the prosthesis possessed a metachromatic matrix containing singular and clustered chondrocytes. Our data imply the safety, biocompatibility, and functionality of the implant. Focal articular damage was documented in the operated joints at POWs 26 and 52, but lesions were much reduced over those previously reported in untreated defects. Expanded animal or preclinical human studies are justified.     

大承气汤联合自膨式金属支架在左半结直肠恶性梗阻治疗中的应用

目的:探讨大承气汤联合自膨式金属支架(SEMS)在左半结直肠恶性梗阻(MLBO)治疗中的作用及安全性。方法:选取2018年1月—2020年6月天津市人民医院收治的因MLBO行SEMS治疗的患者78例。随机化分为大承气汤组38例,聚乙二醇组40例。两组患者均进行限期手术治疗,在后续治疗时,大承气汤组口服大承气汤(1袋,125 mL/次,2次/d),聚乙二醇组口服聚乙二醇(舒泰清,A剂+B剂各2袋/次,饮用水冲调至125 mL/次,2次/d),比较2组术前准备时间、腹腔镜率、手术时间、并发症发生率、造口率、排气时间、术后住院时间、淋巴结清扫数目及术后病理水肿程度等差异。结果:大承气汤组的术前准备时间为6(5,7) d,低于聚二乙醇组的8(6,9) d,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。大承气汤组限期手术的腹腔镜率为65.8%,高于聚乙二醇组的40.0%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.023)。大承气汤组在造口率(21.1% vs 50.0%)及并发症发生率(15.8% vs 40.0%)方面亦优于聚乙二醇组(均P<0.05)。两组的淋巴清扫数目无明显差异(P=0.2),但大承气汤组的病理组织水肿程度比聚乙二醇组轻,差异有统计学意义(P=0.043)。结论:大承气汤可有效提高MLBO放置SEMS后限期手术的肠道准备效率及质量,提高腹腔镜成功率,并明显降低限期手术并发症发生率及造口率。     

A cost-minimization analysis of measures against metallic dental restorations for head and neck radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to compare the estimated public medical care cost of measures to address metallic dental restorations (MDRs) for head and neck radiotherapy using high-energy mega-voltage X-rays. This was considered a first step to clarify which MDR measure was more cost-effective. We estimated the medical care cost of radiotherapy for two representative MDR measures: (i) with MDR removal or (ii) without MDR removal (non-MDR removal) using magnetic resonance imaging and a spacer. A total of 5520 patients received head and neck radiation therapy in 2018. The mean number of MDRs per person was 4.1 dental crowns and 1.3 dental bridges. The mean cost per person was estimated to be 121 720 yen for MDR removal and 54 940 yen for non-MDR removal. Therefore, the difference in total public medical care cost between MDR removal and non-MDR removal was estimated to be 303 268 800 yen. Our results suggested that non-MDR removal would be more cost-effective than MDR removal for head and neck radiotherapy. In the future, a national survey and cost-effectiveness analysis via a multicenter study are necessary; these investigations should include various outcomes such as the rate of local control, status of oral mucositis, frequency of hospital visits and efforts of the medical professionals.     

Expandable metallic stent treatment for malignant colorectal strictures

Four patients were treated by placement of an expandable metallic stent (two Gianturco Z-stents, two Ultraflex stents) for malignant colorectal strictures. All four patients were able to defecate after stent placement. Stent migration was recognized in one patient. Two patients suffered from tenesmus after stent placement.     

金属离子对果胶酶的协同作用研究

以香蕉皮为原料,在固定pH值、温度、加热时间的实验条件下,采用酸醇沉淀的实验工艺,探讨不同金属离子(铜、铅、镁)及同种离子不同浓度对果胶提取率的影响,从而确定金属离子对果胶酶的协同作用。     

扩张置管治疗癌性复杂性食管狭窄和瘘的近远期疗效观察

目的应用带膜金属支架治疗癌性难治性食管狭窄和瘘,并对近、远期疗效进行观察。方法在电子内镜下应用扩张器和支架置入器,对临床确诊的难治性食管狭窄和(或)瘘的48例患者进行支架置入术。根据病情的不同情况选择不同的治疗方式。结果48例患者共放置支架64个,置管后狭窄处直径由(4.02±1.35)mm增至(15.05±4.02)mm(P<0.01),吞咽困难由3.28±0.42级改善为0.94±0.73级(P<0.01),食管瘘患者瘘口全部闭合。随访1个月及1年有效率分别为100%、74.2%,1年失访共3例,复发共8例经重复治疗缓解。结论内镜直视扩张置管治疗难治性食管狭窄和瘘,操作直观简便,定位准确,成功率较高,近远期效果较好。     

高Z重金介质的肿瘤放疗增敏效应研究现状

目的：探讨高Z重金介质的放射剂量增强效应及其应用于肿瘤放疗增敏的研究历史、当前进展与未来发展方向。方法：全面检索高Z介质表面/界面的剂量效应及其用于肿瘤放疗增敏的早期研究和最新报道。针对近年来开展的重金介质放疗增敏相关研究,按照放疗射线类型和增敏效应研究手段分别进行总结述评,以把握该领域的发展历史和研究现状,并对现存的问题进行讨论和展望。结果：目前针对高Z重金介质的放疗增敏研究主要包括质粒DNA辐照、体外细胞辐照、动物肿瘤模型试验以及剂量学模拟等手段。针对传统X-γ射线放疗的增敏效应研究最为深入,针对同步辐射放疗、质子重离子放疗等先进放疗技术的重金增敏研究也有开展。研究结果已充分证明了重金介质的放射增敏效应及其用于肿瘤放疗增敏的可行性,为临床前试验的进一步开展提供了重要的理论和实验依据。结论：高Z重金介质的肿瘤放疗增敏效应研究近年来取得了较快的进展,部分研究已从增敏效应验证进入放疗试验的增敏参数优化和作用机理研究阶段,为实现其在临床肿瘤放疗中的应用,增敏效应的微观作用机理是必须深入研究的重要课题。     

The Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Zr-Based Metallic Glass under Different Strain Rate Compressions

In this study, the high strain rate deformation behavior and the microstructure evolution of Zr-Cu-Al-Ni metallic glasses under various strain rates were investigated. The influence of strain and strain rate on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior, as well as microstructural properties was also investigated. Before mechanical testing, the structure and thermal stability of the Zr-Cu-Al-Ni metallic glasses were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter. The mechanical property experiments and microstructural observations of Zr-Cu-Al-Ni metallic glasses under different strain rates ranging from 10⁻³ to 5.1 × 10³ s⁻¹ and at temperatures of 25 °C were investigated using compressive split-Hopkinson bar (SHPB) and an MTS tester. An in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) nanoindenter was used to carry out compression tests and investigate the deformation behavior arising at nanopillars of the Zr-based metallic glass. The formation and interaction of shear band during the plastic deformation were investigated. Moreover, it was clearly apparent that the mechanical strength and ductility could be enhanced by impeding the penetration of shear bands with reinforced particles.