Ligaments are dense fibrous connective tissue that maintains joint stability through bone-to-bone connections. Ligament tears that due to sports injury or tissue aging usually require surgical intervention, and transplanting autologous, allogeneic, or artificial ligaments for reconstruction is the gold standard for treating such diseases in spite of many drawbacks. With the development of materialogy and manufacturing technology, engineered ligament tissue based on bioscaffold is expected to become a new substitute, which can lead to tissue regeneration by simulating the structure, composition, and biomechanical properties of natural tissue. This paper reviewed some recently published in vitro and animal researches focusing on ligament tissue engineering, then evaluated the properties and the effects on tissue repair and reconstruction of fiber structure scaffolds, multi-phase interface scaffolds and bio-derived scaffolds designed by bionic principle and made of different materials, manufacturing techniques and biological factors. Finally, summarization followed by the prospection for future development direction of biological scaffolds in ligament tissue engineering research is given.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic disease of the digestive system. In recent years, endoluminal therapy for GERD has become a research hotspot. The reduced anti-reflux barrier function plays an important role in the occurrence of GERD. Peroral endoscopic therapy can improve the defect of anti-reflux barrier function. According to the involved layers, the endoscopic therapy can be classified as transmural which represented by transoral incisionless and transoral incisionless fundoplication, and non-transmural which represented by peroral endoscopic cardia constriction and radiofrequency ablation. This article reviews the progress of endoscopic non-full-thickness therapy for GERD in recent years, and introduces the action mechanism of peroral endoscopic therapy of GERD, the therapy of the mucosal layer and muscle layer of anti-reflux barrier, and other treatments. The purpose is to provide a reference for further exploring suitable endoscopic treatment of GERD.
Objective To review the research progress of internal tension relieving technique in assisting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with tendon grafts. MethodsThe in vivo and in vitro biomechanical tests, animal experiments, and clinical studies on the use of internal tensioning relieving technique assisted ACL reconstruction in recent years were extensively reviewed, the impact of this technology on the biomechanics, histological changes of grafts, and the clinical effectiveness were analyzed and summarized. Results The internal tensioning relieving technique based on non-absorbable high-strength sutures can reduce the risk of relaxation and rupture by enhancing the biomechanical strength of tendon grafts in vitro and in vivo, it shows good biocompatibility and support for the ligamentation of the tendon grafts and the establishment of the direct tendon-bone interface in terms of histology. This technique improves postoperative initial joint stability, range of motion, and functional scores in clinical practic, when combining with the enhanced recovery after surgery can effectively promote patients to return to pre-injury exercise level without serious complications. Conclusion The preliminary research results have confirmed the efficacy and safety of the internal tension relieving technique on assisting ACL reconstruction, then showes some degree of significance and prospect, but more research is needed to further optimize tension-relieving devices and related surgical techniques, and clarify the specific effects of this technique on graft’s structure remodeling, biomechanical function, and long-term clinical results.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of different surgical strategies for moderate functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on patients' prognosis.MethodsA total of 118 AVR patients, including 84 males and 34 females, aged 58.1±12.4 years, who were complicated with moderate FMR were retrospectively recruited. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment strategy of mitral valve: a group A (no intervention, n=11), a group B (mitral valve repair, n=51) and a group C (mitral valve replacement, n=56). The primary endpoint was the early and mid-term survival of the patients, and the secondary endpoint was the improvement of FMR.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 29.5 months. Five patients died perioperatively, all of whom were from the group C. Early postoperative FMR improvement rates in the group A and group B were 90.9% and 94.1% (P=0.694). The mid-term mortality in the three groups were 0.0%, 5.9% and 3.9%, respectively (P=0.264), while the incidences of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were 0.0%, 9.8% and 17.7%, respectively (P=0.230). Improvements of FMR in the group A and group B were 100.0% and 94.3% at the mid-term follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionFor patients receiving AVR with moderate FMR, conservative treatment or concurrent repair of mitral valve may be more reasonable, while mitral valve replacement may increase the incidence of early and mid-term adverse events.
The lower extremity exoskeleton robot is a wearable device designed to help people suffering from a walking disorder to regain the power of the legs and joints to achieve standing and walking functions. Compared with traditional robots that include rigid mechanisms, lower extremity exoskeleton robots with compliant characteristics can store and release energy in passive elastic elements while minimizing the reaction force due to impact, so it can improve the safety of human-robot interaction. This paper reviews the compliant characteristics of lower extremity exoskeleton robots from the aspects of compliant drive and compliant joint, and introduces the augmentation, assistive, rehabilitation lower extremity exoskeleton robots. It also prospect the future development trend of lower extremity exoskeleton robots.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and epidemiological characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 treated early in Jiangxi province.MethodsFour-night patients with coronavirus disease 2019 treated in this hospital from January 21st to 27th, 2020 were included in this study. The epidemiological and clinical data of patients after admission were collected, and laboratory tests such as blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, myocardial enzymes, erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), calcitonin, coagulation, T cell subset and Chest CT were reviewed. The clinical results of common and severe/critically ill patients were compared.ResultsOf the 49 patients, 40 were common and 9 were severe/critical. Fourty-six patients had a clear history of contact with Wuhan or other areas of Hubei. The sex ratio was 2.06∶1, and the average age was 42.9 years. The symptoms were mainly fever (78.7%), cough (38.8%), and fatigue (18.4%). 28.6% (14 cases) of patients had hypertension and diabetes. Serum lymphocyte count and calcium concentration of the patients were decreased, but lactate dehydrogenase, ESR, CRP and serum amyloid A were increased in these patients. T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) decreased significantly in these patients. Forty-seven patients (95.9%) had single or scattered patchy ground glass density shadows on the chest CT. Compared with common patients, the patients with severe/critical patients were older (P=0.023), hospitalized later (P=0.002), and had higher comorbidities (P=0.017). ESR (P=0.001）, CRP (P=0.010) and the serum amyloid A (P=0.040) increased significantly, while CD3+ (P<0.001), CD4+ (P=0.012), CD8+ (P=0.006) decreased significantly in severe/critical patients.ConclusionsThe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Jiangxi province are commonly imported from Wuhan. Severe/critical patients are older, hospitalized later, and have more medical complications and more severe systemic inflammatory reactions than common patients.
Objective To analyze the prospective effect of pre-existing spinal stenosis of adjacent segment on the short-term effectiveness after lumbar fusion surgery. Methods A prospective comparative study was conducted to divide 183 patients with L4-S1 lumbar spinal stenosis who met the selection criteria between July 2015 and December 2017 into two groups according to the status of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) judged by preoperative disc degeneration and spinal stenosis. There were 98 patients in group A (no degeneration of adjacent segments before operation) and 85 patients in group B (adjacent segments degenerated before operation). There was no significant difference in gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, body mass index (BMI), combined spondylolisthesis, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score between the two groups (P>0.05); the age of group A was significantly younger than that of group B (t=−3.560, P=0.000). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, and perioperative complications were recorded and compared. The VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, JOA score, and ODI score at last follow-up were used to evaluate the effectiveness. The incidence of ASD after operation was compared between the two groups, and logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the occurrence of ASD after operation. Results There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of perioperative complications in groups A and B was 13.3% and 20.0%, respectively, with no significant difference (χ2=1.506, P=0.220). Two groups of patients were followed up, the follow-up time of groups A and B was (24.9±8.8) months and (24.8±7.8) months, respectively, there was no significant difference (t=0.050, P=0.960). At last follow-up, no adjacent segment disease was found in either group. There was no significant difference in Pfirrmann grade between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05), and there was significant difference in Pfirrmann grade between the two groups before operation and at last follow-up (P<0.001). At last follow-up, 21 cases (21.4%) in group A and 53 cases (62.4%) in group B had ASD, with significant difference (χ2=31.652, P=0.000). The main cause of ASD was the severity of adjacent spinal canal stenosis. The clinical scores of the two groups at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The JOA score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B at last follow-up (P<0.05). In group B, the VAS score of low back pain and ODI score in patients with ASD after operation at last follow-up were significantly higher than those in patients without ASD (P<0.05). logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative pre-existing degeneration and BMI were independent risk factors for ASD after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion Pre-existing mild spinal stenosis in adjacent segment can significantly affect the effectiveness, and can significantly increase the risk of ASD early after operation. The main pathological type of ASD was the severity of adjacent segment spinal stenosis. For preoperative assessment of pre-existing degeneration, we should evaluate the overall degeneration of the adjacent segment of the spinal canal, rather than simply evaluating the degeneration of the adjacent disc and facet joints.
Objective To study the prevalence of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) in a community-based lung cancer screening program in Shanghai. Methods From June 2018 to July 2019, eligible participants who were assessed through a high-risk lung cancer questionnaire in Xuhui, Shanghai underwent low-dose computed tomography of the lungs. The suspected CPFE patients were invited to provide medical history and blood for analysis, and received high-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning for confirmation. Results Of the 15 cases of suspected CPFE from a total of 4478 participants in which 1704 males and 2774 females, 4 declined further examination and 11 received further examine. Eight subjects were confirmed as CPFE, and all were male, of whom two were ex-smokers and six were active smokers. These CPFE patients had cough, chest tightness and dyspnea. There were 3 cases of centrilobular emphysema, 2 cases of paraseptal emphysema, 1 case of panlobular emphysema and 2 cases of mixed emphysema. There were 2 cases of usual interstitial pneumonia, 3 cases of non-specific interstitial pneumonia, 2 cases of airspace enlargement with fibrosis and 1 case of unclassifiable smoking-related interstitial fibrosis. The KBILD scores were 61.7±7.5 and mMRC scores were 1.5±0.8. Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 concentration was (380.75±212.05)U/mL. Lung function test showed normal or mild restrictive ventilatory function, and mild-moderate impairment in diffusion capacity. Conclusions The prevalence of CPFE is 1.79‰ in a community-based lung cancer screening population, and is 4.69‰ in male lung cancer screening population.