A Novel Semi-Cannulated Screw Enhanced Bone Cement Augmentation and Pullout Strength in Posterior Cervical Lateral Mass Screw Fixations: An In Vitro Biomechanical and Morphological Study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel semi-cannulated lateral mass screw (SC-LMS) for cervical posterior fixations and compare the fixation stability and safety of SC-LMS with regular solid lateral mass screw (S-LMS) in bone cement augmentation and pullout strength using fresh cadaveric cervical vertebrae. METHODS: The conventional multiaxial screw for cervical lateral mass fixation was modified to a cannulated screw with two lateral holes, used for bone cement injection in situ. Eight fresh human cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C5) were collected and used. µCT scan was performed to evaluate the bone quality of the lateral masses, including bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). SCLMS or S-LMS were randomly inserted into the paired cervical vertebrae and pulled out as a screw loosening model. These screws were reinserted in with bone cement augmentation, scanned by µCT to obtain the bone cement distribution along the screws, and pulled out to test the screw purchase strength. RESULTS: Fmax values exhibited strong positive correlations with the local BMD (𝑟 = 0.8640, p < 0.0001) and Tb.Th (𝑟 = 0.6795, p = 0.0038), whereas a negative correlation with Tb.Sp (𝑟 = -0.5567, p = 0.0251). A significant difference was observed between the Fmax before and after PMMA injection on the SC-LMS side (p = 0.019). The SC-LMS exhibited lower risk of cement leakage than S-LMS after PMMA injection, and a positive correlation was observed between 𝐹max and the distribution volumes on the SC-LMS side. CONCLUSION: The novel SC-LMS provides more robust fixation stability and is safer than the S-LMS for PMMA augmentation, which may be related to the cement-screw-cement-bone complex formation.

Emerging strategies against tumor-associated fibroblast for improved the penetration of nanoparticle into desmoplastic tumor.

The therapeutic effect of nanoparticles is limited in solid tumors, especially desmoplastic tumors, because the tumor matrix hinders the delivery of nanoparticles. As the most abundant cells in the tumor stroma, tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) produce a dense extracellular matrix, which leads to higher tissue fluid pressure, thereby creating a physical barrier for nanoparticle delivery. Therefore, researchers focused on eliminating TAFs to combat desmoplastic tumors. In recent years, a series of methods for TAFs have been developed. In this paper, we first introduced the biological mechanism of TAFs hindering the penetration of nanoparticles. Then, the different methods of eliminating TAFs were summarized, and the mechanism of nanomedicine in eliminating TAFs was highlighted. Finally, the problems and future development directions for TAFs treatment were discussed from the perspective of the treatment of desmoplastic tumors.

Macrophage M1/M2 polarization.

Macrophages can be affected by a variety of factors to change their phenotype and thus affect their function. Activated macrophages are usually divided into two categories, M1-like macrophages and M2-like macrophages. Both M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages are closely related to inflammatory responses, among which M1 macrophages are mainly involved in pro-inflammatory responses and M2 macrophages are mainly involved in anti-inflammatory responses. Improving the inflammatory environment by modulating the activation state of macrophages is an effective method for the treatment of diseases. In this review, we analyzed the mechanism of macrophage polarization from the tumor microenvironment, nanocarriers, nuclear receptor PPARγ, phagocytosis, NF-κB signaling pathways, and other pathways.

S-1 combined with cisplatin chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term efficacy and safety of S-1 combined with cisplatin (DDP) chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients were diagnosed with AGC and were admitted to our department from February 2012 to January 2015 and retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 31 (experimental group) underwent S-1 combined with DDP chemotherapy and 35 received oxaliplatin combined with tegafur and calcium folinate chemotherapy regimen (control group). The chemotherapy regimen for the experimental group included S-1, 60 mg bid on d1-d14 and 60 mg/m 2 DDP by intravenous dripping on d1-d3, with 4 weeks in a cycle. The chemotherapy regimen for the control group consisted of 130 mg/m 2 oxaliplatin by intravenous dripping, d1; 600 mg/m 2 tegafur by intravenous dripping on d1-d5; and 120 mg/m 2 calcium folinate by intravenous dripping on d1-d5, with 3 weeks in a cycle. The efficacies and adverse effects of the two regimens were assessed after three cycles. RESULTS: After three cycles, the objective response rates of the experimental and control groups were 41.94% and 42.86%, without significantly difference (P > 0.05), respectively. However, the incidence rate of adverse drug reactions in Grades 3-4 in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The short-term efficacy of primary S-1 with DDP chemotherapy for AGC is relatively satisfactory with less adverse effects.

Expression of truncated dystrophin cDNAs mediated by a lentiviral vector.

BACKGROUND: The success of Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy requires promising tools for gene delivery and mini-gene cassettes that can express therapeutic levels of a functional protein. AIMS: To explore the expression feasibility of truncated dystrophin cDNAs mediated by a lentiviral vector derived from feline immunodeficiency virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three truncated dystrophin cDNAs were constructed by PCR cloning, then these cDNAs were inserted into lentiviral vectors. Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by transient transfection of lentiviral vector constructs into 293Ad5+ cells. Cultured myoblasts were then infected with recombinant lentiviruses. Expression of truncated dystrophin cDNAs was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Mediated by lentiviral vectors, three cDNAs constructed by PCR cloning expressed relative truncated dystrophins in cultured myoblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Truncated dystrophin cDNAs can express themselves successfully mediated by feline immunodeficiency virus vectors. It offers the possibility of an approach utilizing truncated dystrophin cDNAs and lentiviral vectors toward gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Diode-side-pumped 131 W, 1319 nm single-wavelength cw Nd:YAG laser.

A diode-side-pumped high-power 1319 nm single-wavelength Nd:YAG continuous wave (cw) laser is described. Through reasonable coating design of the cavity mirrors, the 1064 nm strongest line as well as the 1338 nm one have been successfully suppressed. The laser output powers corresponding to four groups of different output couplers operating at 1319 nm single wavelength have been compared. The output coupler with the transmission T=5.3% has the highest output power, and a 131 W cw output power was achieved at the pumping power of 555 W. The optical-optical conversion efficiency is 23.6%, and the slope efficiency is 46%. The output power is higher than the total output power of the dual-wavelength laser operating at 1319 nm and 1338 nm in the experiment.