Efficacy and Safety of the Safe Triangular Working Zone Approach in Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Spinal Metastasis

Yan Bi Cong,Fan Yan Feng,Tian Qing Hua,Wang Tao,Huang Zhi Long,Song Hong Mei,Li Ying,Jiao Lei,Wu Chun Gen 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.9

Objective: This study aimed to assess the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the safe triangular working zone (STWZ) approach applied in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for spinal metastases involving the posterior part of the vertebral body. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 87 patients who underwent PV for spinal metastasis involving the posterior part of the vertebral body, with or without the STWZ approach, from January 2019 to April 2022. Forty-nine patients (27 females and 22 males; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 57.2 ± 11.6 years; age range, 31–76 years) were included in group A (with STWZ approach), accounting for 54 vertebrae. Thirty-eight patients (18 females and 20 males; 59.1 ± 10.9 years; 29–81 years) were included in group B (without STWZ approach), accounting for 57 vertebrae. Patient demographics, procedure-related variables, and pain relief as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) were collected at different time points. Tumor recurrence in the vertebrae after PV was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: The STWZ approach was successful from T1 to L5 without severe complications. Cement filling was satisfactory in 47/54 (87.0%) and 25/57 (43.9%) vertebrae in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.001). Cement leakage was not significantly different between groups A and B (p = 1.000). Mean VAS score ± SD before and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after PV were 7.6 ± 1.8, 4.2 ± 2.0, 2.7 ± 1.9, 1.9 ± 1.5, 1.7 ± 1.4, 1.7 ± 1.1, and 1.6 ± 1.3, respectively, in group A and 7.2 ± 1.7, 4.0 ± 1.3, 3.4 ± 1.6, 2.4 ± 1.2, 1.8 ± 1.0, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 1.7 ± 0.9, respectively, in group B. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a lower tumor recurrence rate in group A than in group B (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The STWZ approach may represent a new, safe, alternative/auxiliary approach to target the posterior part of the vertebral body in the PV for spinal metastases.

Disruption of endothelial barrier function is linked with hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands of Sjögren's syndrome

Cong, Xin,Zhang, Xue-Ming,Zhang, Yan,Wei, Tai,He, Qi-Hua,Zhang, Li-Wei,Hua, Hong,Lee, Sang-Woo,Park, Kyungpyo,Yu, Guang-Yan,Wu, Li-Ling Elsevier 2018 Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of Vol.1864 No.10

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes hyposecretion in salivary glands. Endothelial tight junctions (TJs) play crucial roles in salivation and barrier function of blood vessels. However, whether the alteration of endothelial TJs were involved in pathogenesis of SS was still unknown. Here, the ultrastructure and function of endothelial TJs in submandibular glands (SMGs) were detected by transmission electron microscopy and in vivo paracellular permeability assay in different aged NOD mouse model for SS. CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were injected into tail vein to trace the infiltration, while claudin-5 expression and distribution were detected by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Results showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was gradually decreased and lymphocytic infiltration was found as age increased in 12- and 21-week-old NOD mice, but not 7-week-old NOD mice. Blood vessels were dilated, while endothelial TJ width and paracellular tracer transport were increased in 12-week-old NOD mice. Moreover, the injected CFSE-labeled lymphocytes were observed in SMGs of 12-week-old NOD mice. Claudin-5 level was increased and relocalized from the apical portion of neighboring endothelial cells to lateral membranes and cytoplasm in 12-week-old NOD mice. Additionally, the alteration of claudin-5 expression and distribution was further confirmed in labial salivary glands and bilateral parotid glands from SS patients. In cultured human microvessel endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), IFN-γ stimulation significantly increased claudin-5 expression. Taken together, we identified that the endothelial TJ barrier was disrupted and contributed to the development of salivary hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration in SS.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Endothelial tight junction barrier is disrupted in hyposecretory submandibular glands from Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The disrupted salivary endothelial barrier is linked with lymphocytic infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome mouse model </LI> <LI> The redistribution of claudin-5 is responsible for disrupted endothelial barrier in salivary glands from Sjögren's syndrome </LI> </UL> </P>

中國的罷工權: 歷史與現實

( Cong Yan Cai ) 아세아여성법학회 2007 아세아여성법학 Vol.10 No.-

Right to strike is a fundamental constitutional right and human right. Right to strike has not yet been sipulated in Chinese current Constitution, In this article, the author firstly reviews the development of right to strike in foreign countires and international law. Secondly, the author reviews the development of right to strike in China. Thirdly, the author analyzes the necessity and feability to stipulate the right to strike in China. Finally, some suggestions concerning how the right to strike is stipulated in Chinese Constitution and other legislations are provided.

Comparison of pre-indwelling double-J stents versus ureteral catheters for artificial hydronephrosis in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A retrospective cohort study

Tingshuai Yan,Keli Quan,Cong Yan,Tong Yang,Yingqi Zhao,Jianping Shu,Gaofei He 대한비뇨의학회 2022 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.63 No.4

Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of pre-indwelling double-J stents versus ureteral catheters for artificial hydronephrosis in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 1,258 patients who underwent PCNL for kidney stones from August 2017 to July 2020 in our hospital. Among them, 682 patients had double-J stents inserted (DJ group) and 576 patients had ureteral catheters (UC group). We analyzed baseline patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and complications in both groups. Results: The puncture success rate was 97.9% and 97.4% in the DJ and UC groups, respectively (p>0.05). The operation time was 74.5±37.8 minutes in the DJ group compared with 80.8±38.5 minutes in the UC group (p=0.004). The total stone-free rate in the DJ and UC groups was 80.5% and 78.7%, respectively (p>0.05). The incidence of perioperative complications was relatively low in both groups and showed no obvious differences. In the subgroup analysis, the operation time for patients with no obvious or mild hydronephrosis preoperatively was significantly shorter in the DJ group than in the UC group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences among patients who had moderate or severe hydronephrosis preoperatively. Conclusions: It is feasible, safe, and effective to create artificial hydronephrosis by insertion of pre-indwelling double-J stents in PCNL surgery. Furthermore, the operation time was significantly shorter in the DJ group than in the group with pre-indwelling ureteral catheters, especially in patients who had no obvious or mild hydronephrosis preoperatively.

Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and Implications for Honey Bee Health

Chen, Yan Ping,Pettis, Jeffery S.,Corona, Miguel,Chen, Wei Ping,Li, Cong Jun,Spivak, Marla,Visscher, P. Kirk,DeGrandi-Hoffman, Gloria,Boncristiani, Humberto,Zhao, Yan,vanEngelsdorp, Dennis,Delaplane, Public Library of Science 2014 PLoS pathogens Vol.10 No.7

<▼1><P><I>Israeli acute paralysis virus</I> (IAPV) is a widespread RNA virus of honey bees that has been linked with colony losses. Here we describe the transmission, prevalence, and genetic traits of this virus, along with host transcriptional responses to infections. Further, we present RNAi-based strategies for limiting an important mechanism used by IAPV to subvert host defenses. Our study shows that IAPV is established as a persistent infection in honey bee populations, likely enabled by both horizontal and vertical transmission pathways. The phenotypic differences in pathology among different strains of IAPV found globally may be due to high levels of standing genetic variation. Microarray profiles of host responses to IAPV infection revealed that mitochondrial function is the most significantly affected biological process, suggesting that viral infection causes significant disturbance in energy-related host processes. The expression of genes involved in immune pathways in adult bees indicates that IAPV infection triggers active immune responses. The evidence that silencing an IAPV-encoded putative suppressor of RNAi reduces IAPV replication suggests a functional assignment for a particular genomic region of IAPV and closely related viruses from the Family <I>Dicistroviridae</I>, and indicates a novel therapeutic strategy for limiting multiple honey bee viruses simultaneously and reducing colony losses due to viral diseases. We believe that the knowledge and insights gained from this study will provide a new platform for continuing studies of the IAPV–host interactions and have positive implications for disease management that will lead to mitigation of escalating honey bee colony losses worldwide.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>The mysterious outbreak of honey bee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in the US in 2006–2007 has attracted massive media attention and created great concerns over the effects of various risk factors on bee health. Understanding the factors that are linked to the honey bee colony declines may provide insights for managing similar incidents in the future. We conducted this study to elucidate traits of a key honey bee virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus. We then developed an innovative strategy to control virus levels. The knowledge and insights gained from this study will have positive implications for bee disease management, helping to mitigate worldwide colony losses.</P></▼2>

Adsorption removal of pefloxacin from water by halloysite nanotubes

Cong-Liang Zhang,Shu-Jie Cui,Yan Wang 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.23 No.-

Batch adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of pefloxacin from water using halloysite nanotubes as adsorbent. The effects of various parameters such as contact time, initial solution concentration and temperature on the adsorption system were investigated. The optimum contact time was found to be 100 min. The isotherm adsorption data fit well with Freundlich model, and the kinetic data fit well with the pseudo-second order and the intra-particle diffusion model. Intra-particle diffusion analysis demonstrates that pefloxacin diffuses quickly among the particles at the beginning of the adsorption process, and then the diffusion slows down and stabilizes. Thermodynamic parameters such as DG, DH and DS were also calculated. The negative Gibbs free energy change and the positive enthalpy change indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption, and the positive entropy change indicated that the adsorption process was aided by increased randomness

On the receding contact plane problem for bi-FGM-layers indented by a flat indenter

Cong Wang,Jie Yan,Rui Cao 국제구조공학회 2023 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.85 No.5

The major objective of this paper is to study the receding contact problem between two functional graded layers under a flat indenter. The gravity is assumed negligible, and the shear moduli of both layers are assumed to vary exponentially along the thickness direction. In the absence of body forces, the problem is reduced to a system of Fredholm singular integral equations with the contact pressure and contact size as unknowns via Fourier integral transform, which is transformed into an algebraic one by the Gauss–Chebyshev quadratures and polynomials of both the first and second kinds. Then, an iterative speediest descending algorithm is proposed to numerically solve the system of algebraic equations. Both semi-analytical and finite element method, FEM solutions for the presented problem validate each other. To improve the accuracy of the numerical result of FEM, a graded FEM solution is performed to simulate the FGM mechanical characteristics. The results reveal the potential links between the contact stress/size and the indenter size, the thickness, as well as some other material properties of FGM.

The Stent-Assisted Coil-Jailing Technique Facilitates Efficient Embolization of Tiny Cerebral Aneurysms

Cong-Hui Li,Xian-Hui Su,Bo Zhang,Yong-Feng Han,Er-Wei Zhang,Lei Yang,Dong-Liang Zhang,Song-Tao Yang,Zhen-Quan Yan,Bu-Lang Gao 대한영상의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.15 No.6

Objective: Tiny cerebral aneurysms are difficult to embolize because the aneurysm’s sac is too small for a single small coil, and coils within the aneurysm may escape from the confinement of a stent. This study was performed to introduce the stent-assisted coil-jailing technique and to investigate its effect on the coil embolization of tiny intracranial aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients with tiny intracranial aneurysms treated with the stent-assisted coil-jailing technique between January 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed and followed-up. Results: All aneurysms were successfully treated with the coil-jailing technique, and at the end of embolization, complete occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 9 cases (56.3%), incomplete occlusion in 6 (37.5%), and partial occlusion in 1 (6.3%). Intraprocedural complications included acute thrombosis in one case (6.3%) and re-rupture in another (6.3%). Both complications were managed appropriately with no sequela. Follow-up was performed in all patients for 3–24 months (mean, 7.7 months) after embolization. Complete occlusion was sustained in the 9 aneurysms with initial complete occlusion, progressive thrombosis to complete occlusion occurred in the 6 aneurysms with initial near-complete occlusion, and one aneurysm resulted in progressive thrombosis to complete occlusion after initial partial occlusion. No migration of stents or coils occurred at follow-up as compared with their positions immediately after embolization. At follow-up, all patients had recovered with no sequela. Conclusion: The stent-assisted coil-jailing technique can be an efficient approach for tiny intracranial aneurysms, even though no definite conclusion regarding its safety can be drawn from the current data.

Operable Breast Cancer of the Inner Hemisphere Is Associated with Poor Survival

Cong Xue,Rou Jun Peng,Shu Sen Wang,Yan Xia Shi,Xin An,Fei Xu,Zhong Yu Yuan 한국유방암학회 2015 Journal of breast cancer Vol.18 No.1

Purpose: This study investigated the clinicopathological featuresof operable breast cancer lesions located in different hemispheresof the breast and determined related survival outcomes. Methods: Data from 5,330 patients with invasive ductal carcinomawere retrospectively analyzed based on tumor location. Results:The median follow-up time was 68 months (range, 18–176months). Patients with breast cancer located in the outer hemisphereof the breast had lesions with more advanced nodalstages and more frequently received adjuvant chemotherapythan patients with breast cancer in the inner hemisphere. The5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients with tumorslocated in outer versus inner hemispheres were 81.5% and77.0%, respectively (p=0.004); the overall survival (OS) rateswere 90.7% and 88.8%, respectively (p<0.001). The associationbetween tumor location and the 5-year DFS rate was most apparentin node-positive patients (73.1% vs. 65.8% for outer vs. inner hemisphere lesions, p<0.001) and in patients with primarytumors greater than 2 cm in diameter (78.2% vs. 72.3%,p=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor location wasan independent predictor of DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23;p=0.002) and OS (HR, 1.28; p=0.006). There were no significantdifferences in 5-year DFS or OS rates between patients with outerversus inner hemisphere tumors when internal mammary nodeirradiation was performed. Conclusion: This study demonstratedthat tumor location was an independent prognostic factor foroperable breast cancer. Internal mammary node irradiation isrecommended for patients with breast cancer of the inner hemisphereand positive axillary lymph nodes or large primary tumors

Effect of composite biological preservative containing Lactobacillus plantarum on postharvest litchi quality

Cong Xu,Wen-feng Hu,Shi Luo,Hua-jian Luo,Ke Ma,Yan-fang Li 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.6

Biological preservatives containing live microorganisms are environmentally friendly and non-toxic substances used to preserve the quality of fresh fruits. This study investigated whether a composite biological preservative containing live Lactobacillus plantarum (designated as DN003) could preserve the quality of postharvest litchi fruits at high temperature and in humid environment. Postharvest litchi fruits were briefly soaked in DN003, then dried and stored at 29–33oC with 95–98% relative humidity; prochloraz treatment was included as positive control and non-treatment as negative control. In comparison with negative control group, litchi fruits in both DN003-treated and positive control groups better retained their appearance with lower polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities and showed higher concentrations of vitamin C, titratable acids, and total sugar content. These data demonstrated that the new composite biological preservative containing L. plantarum is promising to be used in the preservation of postharvest litchi fruit, particularly in hightemperature and humid environment.