Dual-functional polyetheretherketone surface with programmed sequential drug release coating.

The poor bacteriostasis and osseointegration properties of bioinert polyetheretherketone (PEEK) hinder its clinical application. This work reports a simple and versatile strategy for fabricating dual-functional coating with programmed sequential drug release properties on porous PEEK surfaces. The dual-drug-loaded composite coating composed of drug-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and drug-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel can be immobilized on the surface of sulfonated PEEK by a cyclic freeze-thaw method. Based on the swelling of PVA and the slow degradation of PLGA, the composite coating can realize rapid release of antibacterial drugs and sustained release of osteogenic drugs. The in vitro antibacterial evaluations show that the porous PEEK modified with drug-loaded composite gel coating exhibits an early effective fight against Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus). The results of in vitro cell experiments show that the PEEK materials modified by the composite gel coating can well support the normal growth, adhesion and proliferation of cells. In addition, the PEEK material coated with the drug-loaded composite gel is found to have positive effects on the osteogenic differentiation of cells in detections of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of cells and the amount of calcium deposition on the surface of the material. The results demonstrate that the proposed porous PEEK modified with dual-drug-loaded composite gel coating simultaneously exhibits excellent osseointegration and exerts early effective antibacterial activity. This dual-functional PEEK material has great application potential in clinical bone tissue repair.

[Effects of microRNA-218 on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human tongue cancer cell line SCC-4 and SCC-9].

PURPOSE: To study the effects of miR-218 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human tongue cancer cell line SCC-4 and SCC-9 cells. METHODS: SCC-4 and SCC-9 cells were transfected with negative control, miR-218 mimics and inhibitor, then cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell cycle and cell apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, cell invasion ability was tested by Transwell assay. The data were analyzed using GraphPad 7.0 software package. RESULTS: Compared with control cells, there was no significant difference for cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis and invasion ability in cells transfected with miR-218 inhibitor. However, decreased cell proliferation and invasion ability and increased apoptosis ratio were found in cells transfected with miR-218 mimics. CONCLUSIONS: The expression level of miR-218 in tongue cancer cell lines may be correlated with cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion.

Application of transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in benign and malignant endometrial diseases.

To investigate the value of transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant endometrial diseases.A total of 144 patients with endometrial thickness ≥4 mm were enrolled. Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal 3D B-mode ultrasound, while blood signals were detected by 3D power Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial volume (EV), vascularization index (VI), blood flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated. All histopathological diagnoses of endometrium were obtained.There were 86 benign and 58 malignant cases. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in endometrial thickness [1.50 (1.30, 1.80) vs 2.30 (1.80, 3.20), P < .001], EV [10.62 (7.14, 17.36) vs 28.94 (9.59, 67.96), P < .001], VI [6.07 (3.61, 10.33) vs 12.01 (7.50, 19.87), P = .001], FI [27.42 (24.45, 31.33) vs 32.98 (30.22, 35.40), P < .001], and VFI [1.58 (0.92, 3.32) vs 4.28 (2.24, 6.41), P < 0.001]. Sensitivity and specificity of endometrial thickness were relatively high [endometrial thickness (86.2%, 76.1%), EV (48.3%, 97.7%), VI (72.4%, 69.8%), FI (72.4%, 74.4%), and VFI (72.4%, 74.4%)]. There was no significant difference in any parameters of the endometrium between different stages (Ia, Ib, II, and above) or phases (G1, G2, and G3) of Ia phase of endometrial cancer (all P > .05).Transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound is valuable in the differentiating benign and malignant endometrial lesions.

[Transplantation of autologous labial salivary glands for severe dry eye].

OBJECTIVE: Autologous labial salivary gland transplantation has been a promising alternative for the treatment of severe dry eye. In this article, we describe the results of the ocular surface changes after labial salivary gland transplantation and investigate the feasibility of this treatment. METHODS: The results of this technique in 8 patients (eyes) who suffered from severe dry eye were prospectively analyzed after surgery (follow-up of 6 months). The best-corrected visual acuity, Schirmer I test, degree of discomfort, usage of pharmaceutical tear substitutes, tear interferometry and slit lamp examination were investigated at different time before and after surgery. RESULTS: All grafts remained viable and the survival rate is 100%. All patients showed significant increase in the Schirmer's test and they expressed great improvement in their ocular discomfort. The use of artificial tear substitutes was reduced because of the increased ocular surface lubrication. CONCLUSION: Although the authors' long-term experience still is limited, we believe that the procedure is a promising alternative approach for severe dry eye.

Preliminary clinical experience on radiofrequency catheter ablation of right-sided accessory pathway guided by Ensite-NavX navigation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility and methodology of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) guided by 3D navigation system (Ensite-NavX) for right atrioventricular accessory pathway.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-three cases of right accessory pathway atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia including 16 cases in right free wall, 3 in right middle septum, 14 in right posterior septum; 23 cases of dominant accessory pathway and 10 cases of concealed were treated by RFCA guided by NavX navigation. NavX navigation modeling method or spatial localization method was exploited to locate target positioning.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All patients were successfully ablated without serious complications. Among them, 25 cases were operated without exposure to X-ray, 7 patients were exposed for several seconds to verify catheter position, 1 case in right free wall was ablated under X-ray combined with Swartz sheath ablation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nonfluoroscopy or less fluoroscopy RFCA for right atrioventricular accessory pathway with Ensite-NavX is safe and feasible, modeling or spatial orientation method are helpful to locate the ablation target positioning.</p>