Double stent insertion for combined malignant airway and superior vena cava obstruction.

The present study sought to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of double stent insertion as a means of managing combined malignant airway and superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction (CMASO).From July 2010 to January 2018, twelve consecutive patients with CMASO were treated by double stent insertion (airway and SVC stents) in our centers. We assessed data pertaining to both technical and clinical success rates, as well as to long-term patient outcomes.The use of double stents (12 airway stents and 19 SVC stents) was technically successful in all study subjects, with a 0 to 92 days period between the 2 stent insertions (mean 27.8 days). Patients did not show evidence of any procedure-related complications. Mean patient Hugh-Jones grades improved from 4.4 ±â€Š0.5 before inserting the airway stent down to 1.2 ±â€Š0.4 following this insertion (P < .001). Mean SVC pressure was reduced from 17.5 ±â€Š2.8 mm Hg before the stent insertion down to 6.7 ±â€Š1.4 mm Hg following this insertion (P < .001). Fifty-six days after insertion, a single patient experienced re-obstruction of their SVC stent. All patients died within the follow-up period, with a median survival time of 113 days for these 12 patients.This double stent insertion protocol is both effective and safe as a means of offering palliative care to those with CMASO.

Synthesis, in vitro antibacterial activities of a series of 3-N-substituted canthin-6-ones.

An improved synthetic route of canthin-6-one was accomplished. To further enhance the antibacterial potency and improve water solubility, a series of 3-N-alkylated and 3-N-benzylated canthin-6-ones were designed and synthesized, and their in vitro antibacterial activities were evaluated. A clear structure-activity relationship with peak minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.98 (µg·mL(-)(1)) was investigated. Particularly, compounds 6i-r and 6t were found to be the most potent compounds with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values lower than 1.95 (µg·mL(-)(1)) against Staphylococcus aureus.

Palliative Stent Insertion for Acute Malignant Colorectal Obstruction: Long-term Patency and Survival.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term outcome of palliative stent insertion for acute malignant colorectal obstruction. METHODS: From May 2009 to February 2015, consecutive patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction underwent palliative stent insertion in our center. Technical success, clinical success, and long-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction underwent palliative stent insertion. Technical success was achieved in 42 of 45 patients. Clinical success was achieved in 41 of 42 patients. During a follow-up of 5 days to 25 months (mean, 6.9±4.5 mo), the cumulative 6- and 12-month patency rates were 88.6% and 72.7%, respectively. The cumulative 6- and 12-month survival rates were 60.1% and 14.3%, respectively. The independent predictor of prolonging survival was subsequent chemotherapy after stenting (P=0.017). CONCLUSION: Palliative colorectal stent insertion can provide a good long-term outcome in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

Placement of the Decompression Tube as a Bridge to Surgery for Acute Malignant Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of placing the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery for acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction. METHODS: From January 2009 to August 2014, consecutive patients with acute malignant left-side colonic obstruction underwent placement of the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery in our center. The technical and clinical success of placing the decompression tube was evaluated. Clinical success was defined as relief of obstructive symptoms within 48 h after placing the decompression tube. Elective tumor resection was performed 7-9 days after colonic decompression. The types of surgery, primary anastomosis rate, and follow-up findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty patients with acute malignant left-side colonic obstruction underwent placement of the decompression tube as a bridge to surgery. Placement of decompression tube was technically successful in all patients. No procedure-related complication occurred. Clinical success was achieved in 19 patients. Elective tumor resection and primary anastomosis were successfully performed in all 19 patients. The postoperative complications included wound infection (n = 2) and anastomotic stenosis (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Decompression tube can serve as an easy, safe, and effective bridge to subsequent surgery for patients with acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.

ß-Carboline-functionalized dithioacetal as Hg2+-selective fluorescence probe in water.

A novel sensing system based on the ß-carboline core has been designed and synthesized for Hg(2+) detection in water. We have demonstrated that a straight forward methodology can provide rapid, sensitive and selective recognition (cross-contamination experiments) for Hg(2+) over a wide pH range. The vivid fluorescence change from blue to colorless can be clearly discriminated by the naked eye. Furthermore, there is a good negative correlation between the fluorescent intensity and the concentration of Hg(2+) in the range 1.0×10(-6) M-7.0×10(-6) M. ß-Carboline as a fluorophore synthesized via this route also provides a new strategy for the design of novel fluorescence probes and fluorochromes.

[Study on clinical features and etiology of primary Budd-Chiari Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively study clinical features and etiology in patients with incident Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) in China. METHODS: Taking consecutive case series of patients with incident BCS as who were diagnosed in our hospital, enrolled from September 2010 to January 2012 as the object of research, and the follow-up was lasting until June 2012. Taking records for all patients' symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, radiology findings, treatment, interventional treatment survival and symptom-free period. RESULTS: There are total 149 incident cases of BCS. In which, the median age was 46 years old (range 10 to 82); 61.7% of them were male patients, 38.3% were female patients; 85.9% of them were chronic, the other patients (14.1%) were diagnosed during acute or subacute periods; the median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 96 months (range 1 day to 360 months). In terms of causes, 30.9% of the patients caused by hepatic venous block, 5.4% of them resulted from inferior vena cava block, and the rest 63.8% were suffered from combined hepatic venous and inferior vena cava block. 80.5% patients have at least one etiological factor, Furthermore, the most common cause was the web (61.1%), only 4.8% have myeloproliferative diseases (JAK2 V617F mutation), and none Factor V Leiden mutation cases was found. 144 patients were treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, the technical success rate was 95.1%, and took oral anticoagulation therapy for 12 months. At 18 months, The survival rate and the symptom-free survival rate after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were 97.8% and respectively. CONCLUSION: Web is the most prevalent etiological factor for BCS in China. It is different in western countries; the common reasons of BCS are risk factors related to thrombosis, such as myeloproliferative disease and Factor V Leiden mutation, etc., which are seldom found in Chinese BCS patients. In China, most chronic BCS patients were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and have excellent clinical outcome.

Microbiological characteristics of medically important Trichosporon species.

Trichosporon species are opportunistic pathogens associated with a high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Disseminated trichosporonosis is uncommon but reports are increasing. In this study, using 16 stock clinical isolates of suspected Trichosporon species and 4 known Trichosporon strains, we investigated the morphology, physio-biochemistry, molecular biology and antifungal susceptibility characteristics of these Trichosporon spp. and discovered that ITS sequence-based identification is a rapid and accurate identification alternative to most phenotypic or physio- biochemical methods. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests showed high amphotericin B, itraconazole and terbinafine MIC value in these Trichosporon strains.

[Modified Mitchell's technique for repair epispadias with a report of 3 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a modified Mitchell's technique for epispadias repair. METHODS: Three patients with epispadias were undergoing the treatment. It was performed to form a penile pedicled flap or scrotal mediastinum flap for the repair of the urethra and the urine was drained through a perined "U" shaped stent. RESULTS: All of the patients were successfully treated in one-stage with a good appearance and a matching opening of the urethra. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned technique could be a good method for epispadias repair.