The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0-10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.
Humans ; Stainless Steel ; Powders ; Cardiovascular System ; Constriction, Pathologic

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on M1 polarization of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to explore the potential protective mechanism of EA.Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and three groups of EA pretreatment [including a Chize (LU5) group, a Zusanli (ST36) group and a Chize (LU5) plus Zusanli (ST36) group], with eight rats in each group. The model rats of ALI were established by instilling LPS [2 mg/(kg·bw)] into the trachea of rats for 3 h. The rats in each EA pretreatment group were pretreated with EA for 30 min per day at the corresponding bilateral acupoints 6 d before instilling LPS. Three hours after modeling, the pulmonary function of the rats was tested, and the lung tissue was taken to calculate the ratio of lung wet weight to dry weight (W/D). The pathological lung changes and the injury score were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in rat's bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of M1 macrophage markers clusters of differentiation 86 (CD86), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and its signaling pathway factor Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in the alveoli were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Results: After being induced by LPS, the pulmonary function of the model rats showed that the forced expiratory volume in 0.1 s (FEV0.1), forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s (FEV0.3), and their respective ratios of FEV to forced vital capacity (FVC) (including FEV0.1/FVC and FEV0.3/FVC) were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the W/D of lung tissue was increased (P<0.01). The score of lung injury was significantly higher (P<0.01). The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MPO in the BALF and the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD86, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 in the lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). After EA pretreatment, the FEV0.1, FEV0.3, FEV0.1/FVC, and FEV0.3/FVC were significantly increased, the lung injury score decreased significantly, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MPO in the BALF and the expression levels of CD86, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 mRNAs and proteins in the alveoli decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the other two single acupoint groups, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MPO in the BALF and the expression levels of CD86, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 mRNAs in the alveoli in the Chize (LU5) plus Zusanli (ST36) group were significantly lower (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA pretreatment at Chize (LU5) and Zusanli (ST36) can inhibit inflammation and reduce pulmonary injury in ALI rats induced by LPS. The effect of the combination of Chize (LU5) and Zusanli (ST36) is better than that of using these two acupoints separately, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of AMs' M1 polarization by down-regulation TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the reconstruction of the thoracic and lumbar spine using the 3D-printed vertebral body after total en bloc spondylectomy.Methods:From December 2016 to September 2019, 33 patients with spinal tumors were treated with total en bloc spondylectomy, including 25 males and 8 females with an average age of 58.0 years(range, 15 to 76). The locations of the lesions contained: 29 in the thoracic and 4 in the lumbar. The surgical segments includeda single vertebra in 30 cases, 2 vertebrae in 2 cases, and 3 vertebrae in 1 case. The tumor type: the primary malignant tumor in 6 cases, the metastatic tumor in 27 cases. The preoperative Tomita score was 2-5 points (mean 3.9 points), while Tokuhashi score was 9-15 points (average 11.1 points). Divided into two groups according to different reconstruction methods during total spinal resection, 33 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral body malignant tumors were divided into 3D printed artificial vertebral body reconstruction group (21 patients, 3D printed artificial vertebral body was used for anterior column reconstruction) and titanium Mesh reconstruction group (12 cases, titanium mesh implanted with allograft bone was used for reconstruction). The main observation indicators included the degree of spinal nerve damage and pain recovery, the local tumor control rate, and the incidence of prosthesis sinking. The visual analogue scale (VAS) at 24 hours and 3 months after operation was compared with that before operation using paired design t test. Results:All cases were followed up for 3 to 31 months. There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative blood loss ( t=2.042, P>0.05), surgical time ( t=0.591, P>0.05), and postoperative drainage ( t=0.118, P>0.05) between the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) between the two groups at preoperative, 24 hours and 3 months after operation was not statistically different ( P<0.05). The Frankel grading of 31 patients (97.0%) had at least one grade improvement 3 months after operation. During the follow-up period, 12 patients (41.7%) who underwent reconstruction with titanium mesh showed different degrees of subsidence in imaging, and 21 patients who used 3D printed artificial vertebral reconstruction did not exhibit prosthetic deposition. Chi-square test results of postoperative sink rate of the two methods was statistically different (χ 2=10.313, P=0.013). Conclusion:This preliminary report suggests the 3D-printed vertebral body has good biocompatibility and mechanical stability, which can be used for reconstruction after total en bloc spondylectomy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the treatment for spinal metastases by cooled microwave ablation combined with percutaneous vertebro plasty(PVP).Methods From February 2014 to January 2017,24 patients with spinal metastases were treated with cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP,including 14 males and 10 females with an average age of 58.2 years (range,32 to 73).Preoperatively all the patients suffered with the local pain and the spinal cord or nerve root compression symptoms.The locations of the lesions included:14 in the thoracic and 10 in the lumbar.The primary tumors type:lung cancer 6 cases,breast cancer 3 cases,liver cancer 2 cases,kidney cancer 2 cases,gastric cancer 1 case,prostate cancer 1 case,ovarian cancer 1 case,osteosarcoma 1 case,fibrosarcoma 1 case,colon cancer 1 case,and unknown source tumor 5 cases.The preoperative Tomita score was 4-7 points (mean 6.3 points),and the Tokuhashi score was 8-11 points (average 9.3 points).23 patients with the spinal metastatic were treated with cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP.1 patient were treated with cooled microwave ablation only.The clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Frankel grading.The local control rate was evaluated by imaging.Resuits All cases were followed up for 5 to 36 months.The tumor volume size was 3.2-12.1 cm3 by preoperative measurement.Each lesion was heated to 3-7 hot zones.Each hot zone was heated for 5 minutes.The total heating time was 15-35 minutes (mean 22.1 minutes).The temperature inside the lesion was (56.2±5.83) ℃.The temperature inside the spinal canal was (33.6±5.14) ℃.The visual analogue scale (VAS) of the 24 patients at 24 hours and 3 months after operation was statistically different from the preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS).The Frankel grading of 19 patients had at least one grade improvement 3 months after operation.6 cases died due to systemic multiple metastases 5-8 months after surgery.9 patients had more than one organ metastasis or bone metastasis during follow-up,and survived with tumors.The remaining 9 cases did not recur or transfer during the follow up period.No nerve damage or other complications were observed in all patients.Conclusion The cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP could relieve the pain in spinal metastases,relieve the nerve compression,and reconstruct the stability,which is a safe and effective palliative surgical method.

BACKGROUND:Removing the posterior ligamentous complexes during posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) may influence motion and load bearing characteristics of the adjacent segments,contributing to the postoperative instability at the adjacent segment,which is one of the important factors for adjacent segment degeneration.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the PLIF plus screw implantation preserving posterior ligamentous complexes under microscope.METHODS:Thirty-six patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease were enrolled,which were allotted to experimental (n=17) and control (n=1 9) groups,followed by treated with PLIF plus screw implantation preserving posterior ligamentous complexes,and traditional PLIF plus screw implnatation,respectively.The Visual Analogue Scale scores and Oswestry Dysfunction Index at baseline and postoperative 3 months were assessed.The adjacent segment degeneration was observed through radiology during follow-up.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Dysfunction Index scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.01),and the postoperative scores in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).The adjacent segment degeneration occurred in two cases in the experimental group and 8 cases in the control group during follow-up.Radiology revealed that the internal fixative was stable,none of screw loosening,rupture or pullout.These results suggest that PLIF plus screw implantation with posterior ligamentous complexes can effectively relieve the pain and dysfunction in the lumbar degenerative patients,and reduce the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of adrenal lymphangioma. Methods Three cases of adrenal lymphangioma were reported, and the clinical features, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results Three cases were incidentally discovered, laboratory tests and endocrine hormone examinations were normal, CT or MRI showed lesions with low density, no reinforced or mild enhancement. All 3 cases underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, postoperative pathology supported the diagnosis of adrenal lymphangioma. They were followed up for 8-months, 1-year, and 4-years respectively, with no recurrence. Conclusions Adrenal lymphangioma is a rare benign adrenal leison, with no typical clinical manifestations. Preoperative diagnosis depends on imaging examinations. Histopathological examination is essential in making final diagnosis. Surgery is the preferred treatment option. The prognosis is relatively good.

BACKGROUND:Segmental bone defects resulting from osteoporotic fractures, trauma, congenital bone dysplasia and progressive bone disorder are very common, and bone tissue engineering provides a new approach to bone defect repair. Growth factors related to bone tissue engineering bone have been reported a lot and have achieved some results. How to mimick the natural timing of different growth factors with different bioactivities has become the current hotspot in bone repair. OBJECTIVE: To review the new developments in vascular endothelial growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein in bone tissue engineering. METHODS: The first author searched CNKI (1990/2015) and Medline database (1990/2015) for related articles using the key words of “osteogenic factors, angiogenic factors, tissue engineering bone, bone repair, vascularization, vascular endothelial growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein, sequential release, seed cels, cytoskeleton” in Chinese and English, respectively. Mechanism of action and research direction about vascular endothelial growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein were summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Totaly 313 papers were searched initialy, and finaly 87 papers were enroled in result analysis. The results show that different growth factors play different roles in bone repair. Vascularization and osteogenesis are the most important processes in bone repair. The osteogenic factors play an important role in maintaining bone structure and bone formation. The angiogenic factors can provide oxygen and nutrients for tissue growth, differentiation and functionalization. The combination of osteogenic and angiogenic factors has a better osteogenic effect than osteogenic or angiogenic factors used alone. However, the most important problem is how to control the exogenous osteogenesis and the release dosage of angiogenic factors in bone repair.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the treatment for the intramedullary broad dissemination of the malignant bone tumor of limbs by microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement.Methods From June 2001 to April 2012,19 patients with intramedullary broad dissemination of malignant bone tumor of limbs were treated with microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement.There were 12 males and 7 females,47 years old on the average (ranging from 11 to 65 years).The tumors involved:primary malignant tumor 11 cases,metastases of the scapula 8 cases.Locations of tumors involved:the distal femur 8 cases,the proximal tibia 6 cases,the proximal humerus 3 cases and the proximal femur 2 cases.After the patients were examined with MRI and the level of osteotomy was determined,the prostheses were custom-made.The exposures of the all tumors were via the conventional surgical approach.The lesions were heated at 50 ℃ for 20 min by 2 450 MHz microwave,with surrounding soft tissue protected by copper mesh.The level of osteotomy was determined by the result of preoperative imaging measurement.The prosthesis was installed after the microwave heliotherapy.Results The duration of surgery was from 60 min to 150 min (100 min on average).The blood loss was from 300 ml to 1200ml (600 ml on average).All patients were followed-up for 10 months to 5 years (2.7 years on average).1 case with chondrosarcoma relapsed 18 months after surgery,and survived with tumors.1 case with malignant fibrous histiocytoma died due to multiple metastases 8 months after surgery.1 case with Ewing sarcoma died due to pulmonary metastases 23 months after surgery.The remaining 7 cases with the primary malignant bone tumors did not recur or transfer during the follow-up period.6 cases with the metastases died due to metastases 5 to 20 months after surgery.The functions of shoulder joint of 3 proximal humerus tumor patients were restricted,while 16 patient's function weren't restricted.Conclusion The clinical results demonstrated that the microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement was an ideal treatment for the intramedullary broad dissemination of the malignant bone tumor of limbs.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the treatment for the proximal femur malignant bone tumor by conducting intercalary diaphyseal endoprosthetic reconstruction.Methods Form June 2011 to July 2014,7 patients who had proximal femur malignant bone tumor were treated with intercalary diaphyseal endoprosthetic reconstruction.There were 3 males and 4 females,61.8 years old on the average (ranging from 28 to 76 years).The tumors involved:4 case of the limbs primary malignant tumor,1 case of osteosarcoma,1 case of juxtacortical osteosarcoma,1 case of malignant lymphoma with pathological fracture,and 1 case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma with pathological fracture,as well as 3 cases of the Metastatic breast cancer of the proximal femur.All patients were evaluated by plain radiography,CT and MRI before operation.After these 7 patients were examined with MRI and the level of osteotomy was determined,prosthesis fitting is ready.The exposures of all the tumors were via the femur lateralis surgical approach.According to the general principles of tumor surgery,expose the tumor segment and soft tissue tumors.The segment of involved bone was then removed,with a surrounding cuff of normal tissue overlying the tumor.The level of osteotomy was determined as the result of preoperative imaging measurement.The proximal and distal femur intramedullary canals are reamed.The prosthesis is assembled and installed after the cement used.Results The duration of surgery was from 45 min to 120 min (90 min on average).The blood loss was from 200 ml to 800 ml (400 ml on average).All patients were followed-up for 6 months to 2 years (14 months on average).1 case with osteosarcoma died due to pulmonary metastases 18 months after surgery.The remaining 3 cases with the primary malignant bone tumors did not recur or transfer during the follow-up period.1 case with the metastases was comprehensive treated in another hospital,and survival with tumors.The remaining 2 cases with the metastases did not recur or transfer during the follow-up period.Conclusion The clinical results demonstrated that the intercalary diaphyseal endoprosthetic reconstruction was an ideal treatment for the proximal femur malignant bone tumor.

BACKGROUNDTo study the CT appearance of lung cancer combined with pleural dissemination and its anatomic characteristics.

METHODSCT findings of 32 cases of lung cancer with pleural dissemination proved by surgery and pathology were analyzed.

RESULTSThe main CT manifestations were pleural effusion (24 cases), visceral pleural dissemination with nodules (10 cases), parietal pleural dissemination with nodules (16 cases), and pleural thickening (31 cases). Out of the cases with visceral pleural disseminations, nodules distributed on the lung surface in 9 sites, while on the interlobular pleura in 10 sites. Parietal pleural dissemination with nodules were found in 45 sites which located on the diaphragmatic pleura, the costal pleura, the mediastinal pleura, and the pulmonary ligament. The diameters of the small nodules ranged from 2 to 5 mm, and the large nodules from 5 to 10 mm. There were direct invasion with tumor induced pleural thickening in 10 cases, while indirect invasion in 21 cases. In the later cases, 9 cases had parietal pleural thickening less than 10 mm, 4 circumferential pleural thickening, 5 mediastinal pleural involvement thickening, and 3 pulmonary ligament thickening.

CONCLUSIONSPleural effusion is the main manifestation of lung cancer combined with pleural dissemination. The CT features of lung cancer with pleural dissemination are the parietal and visceral pleural nodules, as well as the pleural thickening. The nodules are likely to distribute on parietal pleura of the diaphragmatic and the costal pleura, and they may transfer to the pulmonary ligament.The early small disseminating nodules are miliary in size, and only can be detected on the pulmonary window of chest CT scan.