Esophageal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors with high incidence and poor prognosis. Angiogenesis-related pathways play an important role in the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main mediator of angiogenesis. In addition to promoting angiogenesis and maintaining the survival of neovascularization, VEGF can also directly act on esophageal cancer cells and promote the occurrence and development of tumors. This article reviews the biology of VEGF and its effect on blood vessels, the expression of VEGF in esophageal cancer cells and its influencing factors, the role of VEGF in esophageal cancer cells, the immunomodulatory activity of VEGF and the clinical study of VEGF inhibitors. The purpose of this study is to provide a basis for more rational use of VEGF inhibitors in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Objective To review the study progress of mesenchymal stem cells induced to differentiate intervertebral disc cells Methods The recent related literature was reviewed. The theorical and experimental studies were summarized. Results MSCs had the potential of multidirectional differentiation.International experimental studies indicated the potential of MSCs induced to differentiate intervertebral disc cells. Conclusion MSCs induced to differentiate intervertebral disc cells has the fine prospect.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current research progress of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for spinal implants manufacture. MethodsThe recent original literature concerning technology, materials, process, clinical applications, and development direction of 3D printing technique in spinal implants was reviewed and analyzed. ResultsAt present, 3D printing technologies used to manufacture spinal implants include selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, and electron beam melting. Titanium and its alloys are mainly used. 3D printing spinal implants manufactured by the above materials and technology have been successfully used in clinical. But the problems regarding safety, related complications, cost-benefit analysis, efficacy compared with traditional spinal implants, and the lack of relevant policies and regulations remain to be solved. Conclusion3D printing technique is able to provide individual and customized spinal implants for patients, which is helpful for the clinicians to perform operations much more accurately and safely. With the rapid development of 3D printing technology and new materials, more and more 3D printing spinal implants will be developed and used clinically.
Object ive To summar ize recent advance in the appl icat ion and research of ar t i f icial chordae tendineae. Methods The cl inical and experimental research l iterature was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The follow-up results showed that artificial chordae tendineae replacement was superior to other operation methods in valve repair. But, it was compl icated and difficult-to-learn. In recent years with the development of many surgical skills and new techniques, good cl inical results were achieved. Conclusion With the development of surgical equi pment, chordae material, and implanting skills, artificial chordae tendineae implanting will be easier and the scope of appl ication will be larger.
Healthcare-associated infection management has advanced rapidly in recent years. With the development of more standards and guidelines, infection control measures become more standardized and evidence-based. Evidence-based measures are increasingly applied in infection control, which promote more studies on the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. Furthermore, more new ideas of infection control have emerged, with old ones being challenged. The hand hygiene reform, multidrug-resistant organisms, and surgical site infections become the hot topics in recent years. In addition, whole-genome sequencing also provides more bases for understanding pathogen transmission in hospitals. Based on the high-quality studies published in recent years, this opinion review discusses these hot topics in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.
Objective To review the researches on the jointpreserving procedures for the treatment of the avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. Methods The latest original literatures about the joint-preserving procedures for the treatment of AVN of the femoral head were extensively reviewed. Results There were many surgical jointpreserving procedures to treat AVN of the femoral head, such as core decompression, bone grafting, and osteotomy. Most researchers achieved excellent clinical results by using the joint-preserving procedures to treat the early stages of AVN of the femoral head. Conclusion Treating AVN of the femoral head by the joint-preserving procedures, especially the free vascularized fibula grafting, can achieve an excellent longterm clinical outcome.
Before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), echocardiography is the first choice for preoperative screening of suitable patients, which can be used to observe the morphology of aortic valve, determine the cause of aortic stenosis, and evaluate the severity of aortic stenosis and other cardiac structure and function. During TAVR procedure, echocardiography is mainly used for real-time monitoring of complications and immediate postoperative evaluation. After TAVR, echocardiography can be used to evaluate the shape and function of the prosthesis valve and monitor long-term complications. This article reviews the research progress of echocardiography in TAVR for guiding clinical practice.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the progress in pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow. Methods Related literature concerning PLRI of the elbow was extensively reviewed, comprehensive analysis was done. Results The lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC), radial head, capitellum, and coronoid process are important constraints to PLRI. Muscle groups that cross the lateral elbow are secondary constraints to PLRI. Clinical examination includes lateral pivot-shift test, lateral pivot-shift apprehension test, chair sign, active floor push-up sign, tabletop relocation test, and posterolateral rotatory drawer test. Radiology, arthroscopy, and ultrasound can help diagnosis of PLRI. Reconstruction of bony fixation or soft tissue fixation can be used for treatment of injured LCLC. Conclusion The primary constraints to PLRI is LCLC. Ultrasound imaging is accurate for identification and measurement of normal LCLC. Therefore, ultrasound may prove valuable in assessment of abnormal lateral ulnar collateral ligaments. Reconstruction of soft tissue fixation, which can avoid iatrogenic fracture, is a selective treatment method.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current researches and progress on experimental animal models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. MethodsDomestic and international literature concerning experimental animal models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head was reviewed and analyzed. ResultsThe methods to prepare the experimental animal models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head can be mainly concluded as traumatic methods (including surgical, physical, and chemical insult), and non-traumatic methods (including steroid, lipopolysaccharide, steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide, steroid combined with horse serum, etc). Each method has both merits and demerits, yet no ideal methods have been developed. ConclusionThere are many methods to prepare the experimental animal models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, but proper model should be selected based on the aim of research. The establishment of ideal experimental animal models needs further research in future.
Objective To review the research progress on the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and visual ization of peri pheral nerve. Methods Literature about the research on the 3D reconstruction and visual ization of peripheral nerve both at home and abroad were extensively reviewed and thoroughly analyzed. Results The appl ication of 3D reconstruction and visual ization technology was capable of not only reappearing the 3D outer contour and spatial adjacent relationship of peripheral nerve veritably but also displaying, rotating, zooming, dividing and real-time measuring their 3D internal structure and the del icate pathways in any direction either separately or totally. Prel iminary achievements were achievedin terms of brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, the functional cluster of nerve trunk, intramuscular nerve distribution pattern, peripheral nerve regeneration and the 3D reconstruction and visual ization research of complex tissue including peripheral nerve. However, the research on the visual ization of peripheral nerve was still in the initial stage since such problems as recognition, segmentation, registration and fusion of the peripheral nerve information were not resolved yet. Conclusion Researching 3D reconstruction and visual ization of the peripheral nerve is of great value for updating the diagnosis and treatment principle of peripheral nerve injury, improving its diagnosis and treatment method and launching a new way for the studying and teaching, which may be a new growing point for the peripheral nerve surgery.