Clinical application of CT-assisted body surface localization combined with intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization in thoracoscopic lung nodule resection: a single-centre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Today, the detection rate of lung nodules is increasing. Some of these nodules may become malignant. Thus, timely resection of potentially malignant nodules is essential. However, Identifying the location of nonsurface or soft-textured nodules during surgery is challenging. Various localization techniques have been developed to accurately identify lung nodules. Common methods include preoperative CT-guided percutaneous placement of hook wires and microcoils. Nonetheless, these procedures may cause complications such as pneumothorax and haemothorax. Other methods regarding localization of pulmonary nodules have their own drawbacks. We conducted a clinical study which was retrospective to identify a safe, accurate and suitable method for determining lung nodule localization. To evaluate the clinical value of CT-assisted body surface localization combined with intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization in thoracoscopic lung nodule resection. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 120 patients who underwent lung nodule localization and resection surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, from January 2020 to January 2022. Among them, 30 patients underwent CT-assisted body surface localization combined with intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization, 30 patients underwent only CT-assisted body surface localization, 30 patients underwent only intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization, and 30 patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous microcoil localization. The success rates, complication rates, and localization times of the four lung nodule localization methods were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The success rates of CT-assisted body surface localization combined with intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization and CT-guided percutaneous microcoil localization were both 96.7%, which were significantly higher than the 70.0% success rate in the CT-assisted body surface localization group (P < 0.05). The complication rate in the combined group was 0%, which was significantly lower than the 60% in the microcoil localization group (P < 0.05). The localization time for the combined group was 17.73 ± 2.52 min, which was significantly less than that (27.27 ± 7.61 min) for the microcoil localization group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CT-assisted body surface localization combined with intraoperative stereotactic anatomical localization is a safe, painless, accurate, and reliable method for lung nodule localization.

Galectin-1 overexpression induces normal fibroblasts translate into cancer-associated fibroblasts and attenuates the sensitivity of anlotinib in lung cancer.

We aimed to investigate galectin-1 overexpression induces normal fibroblasts (NFs) translates into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Galectin-1 overexpression was conducted in Human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HFL1) cell. The motilities of H1299 and A549 cells were measured. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and tube formation ability were assessed. Tumor volume and tumor weight was recorded. Cells motilities were increased, while apoptosis rates were decreased after CMs co-cultured. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression level was increased, while Bcl2-associatedX (Bax) and cleaved-caspase3 decreased. CMs treatment enhanced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. Tumor volume and weight in CMs treated mice were increased, and the sensitivity of anlotinib in co-cultured cells was decreased. Our results revealed that galectin-1 overexpression induced NFs translated into CAFs.

Treatment, pathological characteristics, and prognosis of pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor-a retrospective study of 8 cases.

Objective: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease. We reviewed data from eight patients diagnosed with pulmonary IMT (PIMT) at our hospital with the aim of summarizing and analyzing the characteristics of PIMT to improve our understanding of the disease. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2019, eight patients underwent surgical intervention for PIMT at The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College. Resected tumors were subjected to pathological and immunohistochemical analyses. The follow-up duration for all patients ranged from 2 years and 3 months to 9 years and 9 months (median: 6 years and 9 months). Results: The male:female ratio was 5:3, and the mean age was 48.50 years (21-74 years). Two patients (25%) with lung disease discovered via chest computed tomography during physical examinations had not experienced any symptoms. Six patients (75%) presented at the hospital because of cough, expectoration, blood in sputum, and chest tightness. Lesions from all eight patients were surgically removed, and PIMT was confirmed based on pathological examinations and immunohistochemical results. No patient received additional treatment after discharge. All cases have been followed up to the time of writing, without any tumor recurrence or distant metastasis. Conclusion: The age of onset of PIMT is usually over 40 years, and its clinical symptoms are easily confused with those of lung cancer. PIMT can only be diagnosed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Complete surgical resection is the preferred treatment, as patients undergoing surgery require no additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, and the survival rate is good.

[Effect of thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy on postoperative immune function of patients with esophageal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy on postoperative immune function of patients with esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Eighty-one patients undergoing radical esophagectomy in our hospital between January, 2017 and December, 2019 were enrolled in this study.According to the surgical approach, the patients were divided into endoscopic group (41 cases) and open surgery (3 incisions) group (40 cases).The immunological indicators (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ratio) of the patients were analyzed using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 1 day before the surgery and on days 1, 4 and 7 after the surgery.The plasma levels of interleukin 6(IL-6) and cortisol, ß-endorphin (ß-EP) level, white blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of the patients were measured before and on days 1 and 7 after the operation. RESULTS: No death occurred in either of the group after the operation.On days 4 and 7 after the operation, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ratio were significantly higher in patients undergoing thoracolaparoscopic surgery than in those receiving open surgery (P < 0.05).In both groups, the levels of cortisol, ß-EP, WBC, CRP and IL-6 measured on days 1 and 7 postoperatively were significantly different from those before the operation (P < 0.05).At all the indicated postoperative time points, all the measured indicators, with the exception of IL-6 levels on postoperative day 7, which were comparable between the two groups, were significantly higher in the open surgery group than in the endoscopic group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoraco-laparoscopic resection of esophageal cancer can reduce postoperative secretion of proinflammatory factors, alleviate inflammatory responses, and promote the recovery of immune functions to accelerate postoperative recovery of the patients.

Mature mediastinal bronchogenic cyst with left pericardial defect: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts and pericardial defects are both rare. It is extremely rare that both occur simultaneously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a coexistent bronchogenic cyst and pericardial defect reported in China. We performed a literature review and found a relationship between bronchogenic cysts and pericardial defects, which further revealed the correlation between the bronchus and pericardium during embryonic development. CASE SUMMARY: A 14-year-old boy attended a local hospital for ankylosing spondylitis. Chest radiography showed an enhanced circular-density shadow near the left mediastinum. The patient had no chest symptoms and the physical examination was normal. Because of the mediastinal occupation, the patient visited our department of chest surgery for further treatment. During surgery, a left pericardial defect was observed. The bronchogenic cyst was removed by thoracoscopic surgery, but the pericardial defect remained untreated, and a satisfactory outcome was achieved after the operation. The patient was diagnosed with a mediastinal tumor. The pathological diagnosis of the tumor was a bronchogenic cyst. CONCLUSION: This case further reveals the correlation between the bronchus and pericardium during embryonic development.

Porous graphene oxide/carboxymethyl cellulose monoliths, with high metal ion adsorption.

Orderly porous graphene oxide/carboxymethyl cellulose (GO/CMC) monoliths were prepared by a unidirectional freeze-drying method. The porous monoliths were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Their properties including compressive strength and moisture adsorption were measured. The incorporation of GO changed the porous structure of the GO/CMC monoliths and significantly increased their compressive strength. The porous GO/CMC monoliths exhibited a strong ability to adsorb metal ions, and the Ni(2+) ions adsorbed on GO/CMC monolith were reduced by NaBH4 to obtain Ni GO/CMC monolith which could be used as catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. Since CMC is biodegradable and non-toxic, the porous GO/CMC monoliths are potential environmental adsorbents.

Molecularly imprinted photonic crystals for the direct label-free distinguishing of L-proline and D-proline.

Novel molecularly imprinted photonic crystals (IPCs) for the highly sensitive label-free detection of L-proline and for the chiral recognition of L/D-proline were reported. A series of L-proline imprinted polyacrylamide photonic crystals (PAM-LPIPCs) and poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) photonic crystals (PAM-co-AA-LPIPCs) were fabricated via the in situ polymerization of polystyrene opal. The PAM-LPIPCs exhibit good molecular response in L-proline solutions and can be visualized by the naked eye much like a pH test paper. The concentration of imprinted molecules (L-proline) in aqueous solution can be detected by the chromatic signal (structural color) or the optical signal (λmax). Furthermore, the responsivity and sensitivity of the PAM-co-AA-LPIPCs can be improved by increasing the amount of the imprinted content or the proportion of AA, or by decreasing the ratio of the cross-linking agent. When all these factors were balanced, a PAM2-co-AA0.4-LP0.5 IPC with good strength, high responsivity, high sensitivity and specific molecular recognition was obtained. It is found that the presented crystals can show obvious response to L-proline solution even at a low concentration of 1%. The PAM2-co-AA0.4-LP0.5 IPC not only very selectively distinguishes between L-proline and nicotinic acid, but it is also good at chiral recognition between L-proline and D-proline. What is more, the response is rapid and reversible and the IPC is recyclable.

An environmentally friendly method for the fabrication of reduced graphene oxide foam with a super oil absorption capacity.

Three kinds of graphene oxide (GO) foams were fabricated using different freezing methods (unidirectional freezing drying (UDF), non-directional freezing drying, and air freezing drying), and the corresponding reduced graphene oxide (RGO) foams were prepared by their thermal reduction of those GO foams. These RGO foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The absorption process and the factors that influence the absorption capacity were investigated. The RGO foams are hydrophobic and showed extremely high absorbing abilities for organic liquids. The absorption capacity of the RGO foams made by UDF was higher than 100 g g(-1) for all the oils tested (gasoline, diesel oil, pump oil, lubricating oil and olive oil) and had the highest value of about 122 g g(-1) for olive oil. The oil absorption capacity of the GO foams was lower than that of the RGO foams, but for olive oil, the absorption capacity was still high than 70 g g(-1), which is higher than that of most oil absorbents.

Factors that affect Pickering emulsions stabilized by graphene oxide.

Stable Pickering emulsions were prepared using only graphene oxide (GO) as a stabilizer, and the effects of the type of oil, the sonication time, the GO concentration, the oil/water ratio, and the pH value on the stability, type, and morphology of these emulsions were investigated. In addition, the effects of salt and the extent of GO reduction on emulsion formation and stability were studied and discussed. The average droplet size decreased with sonication time and with GO concentration, and the emulsions tended to achieve good stability at intermediate oil/water ratios and at low pH values. In all solvents, the emulsions were of the oil-in-water type, but interestingly, some water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) multiple emulsion droplets were also observed with low GO concentrations, low pH values, high oil/water ratios, high salt concentrations, or moderately reduced GO in the benzyl chloride-water system. A Pickering emulsion stabilized by Ag/GO was also prepared, and its catalytic performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol was investigated. This research paves the way for the fabrication of graphene-based functional materials with novel nanostructures and microstructures.

Porous CS monoliths and their adsorption ability for heavy metal ions.

Highly porous chitosan (CS) monoliths were prepared by a unidirectional freeze-drying method and the adsorption performance of the monoliths for metal ions in aqueous solution was evaluated. The porous CS monoliths have excellent adsorption for a range of metal ions. The effect of the amount of porous CS monoliths, the pH, the adsorption time, the amount of the cross-linking agent, and the amount of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) on the saturated adsorption efficiency (Ade) were determined. The pH had the greatest influence on the adsorption behavior. Under optimal conditions (C(CU²âº) = 800 mg/L, pH 6, and cross-linking agent = 0.15%) for the CS monoliths, the Ade for Cu(2+) exceeded 99%, and the saturated adsorption capacity (Q(s)) reached a value of 141.8 mg/g (2.23 mmol/g) in 4h. Moreover, the addition of EDTA can both increase the Q(s) and shorten the time that achieved the level. If EDTA was added, this level was achieved in 2h. The porous CS monoliths can be regenerated by soaking them in acid and their Ade is maintained.

Antibiotic-containing biodegradable bead clusters with porous PLGA coating as controllable drug-releasing bone fillers.

The construction of inorganic bone fillers with a suitable degradation period to match the new bone growth is an urgent task since most bone fillers have an either too fast or slow degradation rate. Calcium sulfate, as a commonly used implanting material, shows good biocompatibility, biodegradability, osteoconductivity and mechanical properties. However, its degradation rate and the drug-release rate are too rapid to meet the requirements for clinical application. In this paper, calcium sulfate bead clusters (CSBC), with or without loaded drug, were prepared; and two kinds of coatings, porous or nonporous, were deposited on the surface of the beads to extend the degradation and the drug release period. The results show that poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coatings, incorporated with different porogens can form in situ porous coatings that obviously lengthen the degradation period of the beads from 30 days to around 60-90 days. Consequently, the drug-release rate was significantly reduced, and the release period increased from about 10 days to over 50 days.

Fabrication of Chitosan Scaffolds with Tunable Porous Orientation Structure for Tissue Engineering.

Chitosan, as an example of natural macromolecular biomaterials, was used to fabricate highly porous chitosan scaffolds with microtubules having a tubular orientation structure using the unidirectional freeze-drying method. The porous structure of the scaffolds was characterized via scanning electron microscopy. The factors that affect the porous structure of the scaffolds, such as the concentration of chitosan solution and addition of glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent, have been extensively studied in order to find a facile and efficient way to control the porosity, tubular morphology and orientation of the microtubules. The properties of the chitosan scaffolds, including water absorption ability, compressive strength, protein adsorption and in vitro enzymatic biodegradation in the presence of lysozyme, were also investigated. In vitro cell-culture results showed that the chitosan scaffold was non-toxic to cartilage cells and the cells could spread and grow well on the scaffolds.

Zeolite/polymer composite hollow microspheres containing antibiotics and the in vitro drug release.

Hemorrhage remains a leading cause of early death after trauma, especially those with infectious complications in combat wounds. The aim of this study was to develop antibiotics-loaded zeolite (Zel)/polymer composites for hemostatic materials. The composite materials were fabricated from zeolite and various biodegradable polymers, including chitosan (CS), gelatin (Gel) and alginate (Alg), using the inversed emulsion method. The morphology of the composites was observed by SEM, and the results showed that the prepared Zel/polymer composites can form hollow microspheres under appropriate conditions. The microspheres contained three sizes of pores, nano-pore of zeolite, micrometer-sized pores between zeolite particles, and void cores having a size of tens of micrometers. It was these pores that made the composites have unexpected water-absorbing capacity. When antibiotics were loaded into the composite microspheres, they exhibited a prolonged drug-releasing period. Thus, we can make full use of the characteristics of chitosan, zeolite and antibiotics to create potential dual-functional hemostatic materials.

A facile method to assemble PNIPAM-containing microgel photonic crystals.

Structural colors: Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) based microgel photonic crystals are fabricated by using a new method called "high-temperature-induced hydrophobic assembly". The assembling conditions affect the water content of the crystals, thus determining their structural color (see image). The obtained photonic crystals are sensitive to solvents, and the reversible changes in their color can be observed with the naked eye.