Efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization in treating nonvariceal gastric remnant bleeding: a retrospective 5-year study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric remnant bleeding is a special case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with certain specific disease characteristics, and some matters of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hemostasis need attention. In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical use of TAE in patients with nonvariceal gastric remnant bleeding and identify the factors influencing the clinical efficacy of these interventions. METHODS: Data were retrospectively analyzed from 42 patients for whom angiography and embolization were performed but could not be treated endoscopically or had failed endoscopic management in our department between January 2018 and January 2023 due to nonvariceal gastric remnant bleeding. We investigated the relationship between the incidence of re-bleeding and the following variables: sex, age, pre-embolization gastroscopy/contrast-enhanced computer tomography, embolization method, aortography performance, use of endoscopic titanium clips, and the presence of collateral gastric-supplying arteries. RESULTS: Forty-two patients underwent 47 interventional embolizations. Of these, 16 were positive for angiographic findings, and 26 were negative. Based on arteriography results, different embolic agents were selected, and the technical success rate was 100%. The incidence of postoperative re-bleeding was 19.1% (9/47), and the overall clinical success rate was 81.0% (34/42). Logistic regression analysis of the relationship between the incidence of early re-bleeding following embolization and the proportion of collateral gastric supply arteries revealed an odds ratio of 10.000 (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing TAE for nonvariceal gastric remnant bleeding is safe and effective. The omission of collateral gastric-supplying arteries can lead to early re-bleeding following an intervention.

Analysis of prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with bladder cancer complicated by hemorrhage treated by drug-eluting bead embolization.

Background: Transcatheter bladder arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an alternative treatment used to control bladder cancer (BC) with bleeding, especially in older adult patients with comorbidities. This retrospective observational study evaluated the effect and prognostic factors of transcatheter drug-eluting bead (DEB) embolization in patients with advanced BC. Methods: We assessed 39 patients diagnosed with BC with hemorrhage who were either inoperable or unwilling to undergo surgery at our hospital between January 2018 and October 2022. All patients underwent TACE by DEB loaded with epirubicin and imaging scans after 2 months to evaluate the curative effect according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) standard to determine treatment. Re-examination and follow-up were performed every 3-6 months to observe hematuria recurrence and the curative effect. Results: A total of 95 interventional treatments were performed in 39 patients, and all participants achieved complete hemostasis within 5 days after the first intervention. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging showed that the total effective rate [complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] was 64.1%, and the disease benefit rate (CR +PR + stable disease) was 79.5%. A total of 30 patients (76.9%) had no hematuria recurrence. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the type of blood supply in BC may relate to whether the patients benefited from the intervention. Hematuria recurrence was significantly associated with the total number of tumors and the type of blood supply (P<0.05). Conclusions: Superselective embolization of bladder arteries with DEB can be used to treat BC with hemorrhage. However, hypovascular tumor blood supply may result in poor postoperative efficacy and hematuria recurrence. Additionally, multiple bladder tumors may be a risk factor for hematuria recurrence.

Factors Associated with Pulmonary Function Changes in Patients Undergoing Microwave Ablation for Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodules.

Purpose: Microwave ablation has become an alternative treatment for pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGN) and is widely accepted by clinicians. However, its effect on lung function remains unknown. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to explore pulmonary function changes and associated risk factors in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for treating pulmonary GGN. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with pulmonary GGN on thin-layer chest CT and enhanced CT were examined. Patients unable or unwilling to undergo thoracoscopic surgery underwent CT-guided simultaneous percutaneous core needle biopsy and MWA. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed before ablation and 3 days and 6 months post-ablation. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1%, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values pre- and post-MWA were analysed. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between ablation volume and changes in PFT findings 3 days post-ablation. Associations between patient characteristics, rates of postoperative complications, and PFT findings were analysed. Results: Forty-eight lesions were completely ablated and examined intraoperatively. There were significant differences in pre- and post-operative PFT findings on day 3 but not at 6 months. The mean ablation volume after 3 days of 11.4 ± 6.3 cm3 was positively correlated with changes in FEV1, MVV, and PEF values. Patients' age (mean, 59.4 ± 13.0 years) positively correlated with changes in PEF values. The rates of change in FVC and MVV values were significantly higher with multiple pulmonary nodules than with isolated pulmonary nodule. PFT findings were similar between patients who experienced or did not experience complications (eg, pneumothorax and pleural effusion). Conclusions: Pulmonary function could be impaired shortly after MWA. PFT findings may correlate with age, ablation volume, and number of ablated lesions. In most patients, pulmonary function returned to the preoperative state after 6 months.

Downregulation of PART1 Inhibits Proliferation and Differentiation of Hep3B Cells by Targeting hsa-miR-3529-3p/FOXC2 Axis.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important subtype of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and microRNA sponges regulate protein-coding gene expression. The lncRNA prostate androgen-regulated transcript 1 (PART1) was implicated in the process of several cancer pathogeneses. However, studies on the regulation of PART1 expression and its mechanism in liver cancer are lacking. METHODS: qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect PART1 levels in liver cancer serums and cell lines. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected using CCK8 assays, cell clones, and transwell assays. Interaction between PART1 and miR-3529-3p and forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: We revealed that expression levels of PART1 and FOXC2 are significantly upregulated and the miR-3529-3p expression level significantly decreases in the serum while high expression level of PART1 is positively associated with tumour size, BCLC stage, and TNM stage. shRNA of PART1 can significantly reduce the ability of cell migration and invasion by regulating AKT signalling associated with the reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that PART1 can sponge miR-3529-3p, which targets FOXC2 in liver cancer cells. The promoting or suppressing effect of PART1 for Hep3B cell proliferation, invasion, and migration is revised by miR-3529-3p mimics and inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Results showed that downregulation of PART1 can partially inhibit proliferation and differentiation by targeting hsa-miR-3529-3p/FOXC2 axis.

Lithographic fabrication of large diffractive optical elements on a concave lens surface.

We demonstrate experimentally the lithography technique to fabricate a large computer-generated diffractive optical element (DOE) pattern on a concave lens surface with precise alignment by using a laser direct writer. We obtained photoresist film with uniform thickness on the large concave substrate by selecting proper spin-coating parameters, which mainly involve spin rate, spin acceleration, and viscosity of the photoresist. We obtained a square line profile on the concave lens surface. We can write lines that range in width from 0.7 to 10 microm using a single pass of the laser beam. We have designed and fabricated a grating on the concave lens surface using the laser direct writing lithography technique. It is believed that this technique can also transfer large DOE patterns, with a continuous surface relief, onto a convex or concave lens (mirror) surface.