Objective To observe the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) in repair of the articular cartilage injury in rabbits. Methods Osteochondral defects in the cartilage surfaces of femoral intercondylar fossae were made in 33 healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits, of which the knee lesions of the left hind legs were treated with LIPU (LIPU group) while that of the right ones used as control group. All animals in two groups were sacrificed respectively at the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks postoperatively for gross appearance observation and histological examination. Results The ultrasound-treated tissues became more mature with in advance repair or regeneration. The repaired tissues in the LIPU group were near to normal hyaline cartilage tissues at the 8th week postoperatively, while the repaired tissues in the control group were weak, near to fibrocartilaginous tissues. Conclusion LIPU can promote repair of articular cartilage injury in rabbits.

Objective To analyze the clinical and pathological factors which can influence the occurrence of the recurrent occlusion of metallic stents in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with malignant biliary obstruction, who suffered repeated metallic stents obstruction and were admitted to authors" hospital during the period of March 2006-September 2008, were retrospectively analyzed. Of 50 patients, liver carcinoma was diagnosed in 12, pancreatic carcinoma in 17 and carcinoma of bile duct in 21. The relevant factors which might bear a relation to the occurrence of repeated metallic stents obstruction were evaluated. Results Single factor analysis of variance indicated that the denomination of carcinoma, clinical stage of carcinoma, location of obstruction, whether infection being accompanied or not, and the anti-tumor therapy after biliary stenting treatment were the significant factors closely linked to the occurrence of repeated metallic stents obstruction in patients with malignant biliary obstruction, Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that clinical stage of carcinoma, location of obstruction and whether infection being accompanied or not were the important factors that determined the occurrence of repeated metallic stents obstruction. Conclusion Clinical stage of carcinoma, location of obstruction and whether infection being accompanied or not are important reference factors for judging the occurrence of occlusion of metallic stents in malignant biliary obstruction.

Objective To investigate the effect of incomplete cryoablation on the biological behavior of prostatic cancer RM-1 cells and its mechanism.Methods RM-1 cells of prostatic cancer were placed in -20℃ icebox to be frozen for 5 min.After the recovery of the cell state,the RM-1 cells were frozen again for 10 min and 15 min successively.After culture for one day,the cellular morphology was microscopically examined.A total of 20 C57/BL mice were used to establish the tumor-bearing models,which were randomly and equally divided into the control group and the incomplete cryoablation group with 10 mice in each group.At scheduled time points the tumor lesion size was measured for all mice.The mice were sacrificed at 14 days,the lung tissues were collected and were stained with lE;the numbers of metastatic lesions in the lung were calculated.Transwell assay was used to test the cell migration and invasion,immuno-blotting method was adopted to determine the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related (EMT-related) protein expression level,and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to check the secretion volume of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).Results After incomplete cryoablation,RM-1 cells became disorderly arranged,their morphology was changed,and antenna structure might be formed.At 3 and 7 days after cryoablation,the tumor size in the incomplete cryoablation group was slightly smaller than that in the control group,but only the difference at 7 days after cryoablation was statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.019).At 10 and 14 days after cryoablation,the tumor volume of the two groups was almost equal.The pulmonary metastatic lesions in the incomplete cryoablation group were obviously much more than those in the control group (P＜0.001).Transwell assay indicated that the cell migration and invasion ability in the incomplete cryoablation group was stronger than that in the control group (P＜0.05).Immuno-blotting test revealed that,when compared with the control group,in the incomplete cryoablation group the expressions of N-cadherin,MMP-9 and Vimentin were up-regulated,while the expression of E-cadherin was downregulated.ELISA test showed that increased secretion of TGF-β was observed in the incomplete cryoablation group.Conclusion Incomplete cryoablation can enhance the migration and invasion ability of RM-1 cells,increase the number of pulmonary metastatic lesions in tumor-bearing mice,and affect the EMT-related protein expression level.

Objective: To analyze the effect of Argon-Helium cryosurgery (AHCS) on CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and its implication in patients with advanced renal carcinoma.Methods:,Peripheral venous blood samples were ob-tained from 32 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma before and after AHCS.The proportions of Treg cells and T lym-phocyte subsets (CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD4+ T/CD8+ T, and NK cells) in the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry.Enhanced CT or enhanced MRI was used to observe the necrosis of tumor at 1 month after AHCS.The areas with no imaging enhancement in tumor were regarded as tumor necrosis.The necrosis rate was measured by Cavalieri method and the tumor burden was evaluated.Results: At 3 months after AHCS, the percentages of Treg cells were gradual-ly decreased from 4.18%±1.58% to 1.96%±0.54%, with a significant difference (P=0.001).At 3 months after AHCS, the pro-portions of CD3+ T, CD4+ T, NK and CD4+ T/CD8+ T were gradually increased from 19.26%±7.52%, 43.54%±12.99%, 1.15%±0.57%, and 17.49%±8.36% to 30.83%±5.69%, 49.58±10.76%, 1.84%±0.12%, and 27.63%±8.20%, with a statistical significance (P=0.000, P=0.003, P=0.02, and P=0.001).The proportion of CD8 + T was decreased from 40.86%±8.89% to the lowest ratio (26.74%±4.29%) at 3 months after AHCS, with a significant difference (P=0.000).At 3～6 months after cryo-therapy, there was only a slight change in the proportions of CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD4 + T/CD8 + T, NK, CD8 + T, and Treg cells, with no significant difference (P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the decrease in tumor burden was positively correlated with the decrease of the proportion of Treg cells (r=0.793, P<0.01).Conclusion: After AHCS, the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets can be improved and the anti-tumor immune response was strengthened.The percentage of Treg cells is correlated with tumor burden.

Objective To discuss the clinical significance of peripheral neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) changes in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after receiving argon-helium cryoablation.Methods A total of 33 CRPC patients,who were treated with argon-helium cryoablation at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital,were included in this study.The clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed.The following factors that might affect the postoperative overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis:age,baseline PSA level,hemoglobin,white blood cell count,platelet count,albumin,alkaline phosphatase,NLR,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR),hormone sensitive time,chemotherapy,bone metastasis,Gleason score,ECOG score,PSA effective rate.Results A total of 33 patients were enrolled in this study,the average age was 69 years (50-82 years) and the median survival time was 28 months (6-55 months).Univariate analysis showed that the baseline PSA level,alkaline phosphatase,NLR,hormone sensitive time,chemotherapy,bone metastases,Gleason score and PSA effective rate were significantly correlated with OS of CRPC patients after receiving cryoablation (P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the baseline PSA level (P=0.003),NLR (P=0.009),Gleason score (P＜0.001) were independent predictive factors for OS of CRPC patients after cryoablation therapy.Conclusion NLR can be used as a prognostic predictor for CRPC patients undergoing argon-helium cryoablation,and the increased NLR indicates a poor prognosis.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:237-242)

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of a novel surgery, to restore irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD) by atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation.Methods:Five patients with IAAD from May 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 2 females, aged 44.6±9.0 years (range, 38-61). All the patients received atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and improvement rate, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, atlantodental interval (ADI) and reduction rate, space available for the cord (SAC) and fusion of bone graft were measured and recorded.Results:The follow-up time was 80.0±23.1 months (range, 34-96 months). The surgery time of anterior joint release was 105±23 min (range, 75-135 min), and the total surgery time was 234±42 min (range, 212-276 min). The blood loss of anterior joint release was 80±16 ml (range, 60-100 ml), and the total blood loss was 123±34 ml (range, 85-150 ml). JOA scores were 6.6±0.9 before surgery, 11.2±0.4 at post-operative 1 month, and 14.8±0.80 at the last follow-up ( F=97.28, P<0.001), and the improvement rate of the last follow-up JOA score was 79.1%±7.64%. The ASIA grade were three cases of 'C’ level and two cases of 'D’ level before surgery, and two cases of 'D’ level and three cases of 'E’ level at the last follow-up. The ADI before surgery, at post-operative 6 months and the last follow-up were 9.56±1.07 mm, 1.46±0.39 mm and 1.48±0.29 mm, respectively ( F=206.54, P<0.001). The reduction rate of last follow-up ADI was 84.6%±1.4%. The SAC before surgery, at post-operative 6 months and last follow-up were 10.3±1.83 mm, 20.12±1.19 mm and 20.06±1.25 mm, respectively ( F=44.47, P<0.001). Grafted bone fuse was seen in 3 cases at post-operative 6 months, and 5 cases at post-operative 12 months. The only complication was unexpected titanium rod fracture in 1 case at post-operative 14 months. Conclusion:For IAAD, the novel surgery of atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation could achieve well joint restoration and neural function improvement, which was a safe and effective procedure.

Objective To investigate clinical and histopathological manifestations of cutaneous plasmacytosis.Methods The clinical and histopathological data were collected from 7 cases of cutaneous plasmacytosis and analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 7 patients,2 were female,and 5 were male.The average age was 42.4 years,and the duration of disease ranged from 2 to 10 years.All the 7 patients presented with multiple slow progressive brown patches and plaques.No abnormality was observed in routine examinations of blood,urine and faeces,electrocardiogram and abdominal ultrasonography in the 7 patients.Three patients underwent serum IgG detection,and their serum levels of IgG were all higher than reference values.Two patients were subjected to cytological examination of bone marrow,which showed the percentage of plasma cells (mainly mature plasma cells) was up to 5％.Histopathological examination of 7 cases showed pigmentation in the basal layer of the epidermis,and infiltration mainly consisting of lymphocytes and mature plasma cells around the blood vessels in the dermis.Immunohistochemical study revealed that the ratio of κ to λ light chain was approximately 1∶ 1,and the plasma cells were strongly positive for IgG.IgG4 was positive in very few plasma cells in 1 case,and negative in the other 6 cases.Conclusion The etiology of cutaneous plasmacytosis is still unclear,but it has characteristic clinical and histopathological manifestations.

Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a six-to seven-fold risk of occurring in cancer patients compared with non-cancer patients. VTE is the second most common cause of death among patients with cancer, and cancer-associated VTE is be-coming increasingly prevalent. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer-associated VTE is particularly important. This study presents a pancreatic cancer-associated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patient who engaged in a multidisciplinary comprehensive discus-sion in the Interventional Therapy Department, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital to enhance concern, interdisciplinary com-munication, and cooperation in terms of cancer-associated VTE diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation in treating hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who had received percutaneous argonhelium cryoablation therapy, were retrospectively analyzed. The quality of life before and after therapy, and the postoperative complications were recorded. After argon-helium cryoablation therapy, the progression-free survival (PFS), the overall survival (OS), and the one-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month postoperative tumor local control rates were calculated. Results In all 16 patients, no severe complications occurred and the quality of life was significantly improved after argon-helium cryoablation therapy. The one-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month postoperative tumor local control rates were 100％, 87.5％, 80.0％ and 58.3％respectively. The median PFS was 11 months (95％CI: 8.4-13.6 months), and the median survival time was19 months (95％CI: 9.2-28.8 months) . After argon-helium cryoablation therapy, the half-year, one-year and2-year survival rates were 93.8％, 75％ and 43.8％ respectively. Conclusion For the treatment of hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation is minimally-invasive, safe and effective with reliable curative effect.

Objective To assess the influence of different interventional injection routes of raltitrexed on the liver function, histology and pharmacokinetics in experimental rabbits, and to discuss the feasibility, safety and advantages of local application of raltitrexed. Methods A total of 25 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups with 5 rabbits in each group: group A (using peripheral intravenous injection), group B (employing hepatic arterial infusion), group C (adopting hepatic artery embolization with Lipiodol), group D (hepatic artery embolization with gelfoam particles), and group E (direct puncture of liver and injection). Clinical equivalent dose (0. 17 mg/kg) raltitrexed injection was given to each experimental rabbit. At 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the treatment, venous blood sample was collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. At 6 h and one week after administration of drug, liver functions were tested, and histological specimens of liver tissues were made at the same time. Results The peripheral blood drug concentrations at 5 and 60 min in group A were 0. 91 μg/mL and 0 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group B were 1. 73 μg/mL and 0. 37 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group C were 0. 82 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group D were 0. 94 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL, and at 5 and 60 min in group E were 0. 39 μg/mL and 0. 13 μg/mL respectively. Six hours after administration of drug, the serum levels of AST, ALT in group C, group D and group E were significantly increased (P＜0. 0l), which returned to normal levels in one week after the treatment. The severity of liver tissue degeneration and necrosis detected in each group varied, in a severity - decreasing order, from group E, group C, group D, group B and group A. In group E, the surrounding normal liver tissue had no obvious necrosis. Conclusion The rabbit' s liver has no significant first pass elimination effect to raltitrexed. The equivalent dose of raltitrexed administered through the hepatic artery can cause obvious hepatocellular injury. Direct puncture and injection produce limited liver injury. Clinically, the dose of raltitrexed can be adjusted based on the degree of super selective catheterization condition and tumor size. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27:247-251)