Sediment Transport Characteristics in a Storm-Sewer Line

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

3D-printed coaxial hydrogel patches with mussel-inspired elements for prolonged release of gemcitabine

With the aim of fabricating drug-loaded implantable patches, a 3D printing technique was employed to produce novel coaxial hydrogel patches. The core-section of these patches contained a dopamine-modified methacrylated alginate hydrogel loaded with a chemotherapeutic drug (Gemcitabine), while their shell section was solely comprised of a methacrylated alginate hydrogel. Subsequently, these patches were further modified with CaCO3 cross linker and a polylactic acid (PLA) coating to facilitate prolonged release of the drug. Consequently, the results showed that addition of CaCO3 to the formula enhanced the mechanical properties of the patches and significantly reduced their swelling ratio as compared to that for patches without CaCO3. Furthermore, addition of PLA coating to CaCO3-containing patches has further reduced their swelling ratio, which then significantly slowed down the release of Gemcitabine, to a point where 4-layered patches could release the drug over a period of 7 days in vitro. Remarkably, it was shown that 3-layered and 4-layered Gemcitabine loaded patches were successful in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell growth for a period of 14 days when tested in vitro. Lastly, in vivo experiments showed that gemcitabine-loaded 4-layered patches were capable of reducing the tumor growth rate and caused no severe toxicity when tested in mice. Altogether, 3D printed hydrogel patches might be used as biocompatible implants for local delivery of drugs to diseased site, to either shrink the tumor or to prevent the tumor recurrence after resection

Complete biologic response to taxane based chemotherapy confirmed by [18F]FDG PET/CT and surgery in a cancer of unknown primary site

Cancers of an unknown primary site are heterogenous with respect to their clinical and pathologic features. They are generally very aggressive, but specific favorable subsets have a better prognosis. For these favorable subsets, taxane based chemotherapy is very effective for a subset of woman with papillary serous peritoneal adenocarcinoma. A 52 year-old woman underwent [18F]-FDG PET/CT for routine health screening. On PET/CT, multiple hypermetabolic lymph nodes were detected in the paraaortic spaces, and there were no other hypermetabolic abnormalities. The patient was diagnosed with an unknown primary cancer that probably originated from the ovary or peritoneum, according to clinical studies and biopsy results. This was not a typical case of a favorable subset of cancer of an unknown primary site, but the tumor showed complete biologic response to taxane based chemotherapy as revealed by PET/CT, and necrotic tumor cells were confirmed by surgery

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Trachea: CT Findings with a Pathological Correlation

We present the multidetector CT findings with a pathologic correlation for the case of a solitary fibrous tumor located in the trachea. The MDCT revealed a well-circumscribed intraluminal mass arising from the trachea, with strong nodular enhancement in the periphery of the mass. The enhancement pattern of the mass corresponded histopathologically to a focal hypocellular area in the center and prominent blood vessels along the periphery of the mass. We also present volume-rendered and virtual bronchoscopic images of this rare submucosal tracheal tumor

Comparative Analysis of Efficiency of Injection Laryngoplasty Technique for with or without Neck Treatment Patients: A Transcartilaginous Approach Versus the Cricothyroid Approach

ObjectivesThese days, the main injection laryngoplasty technique is cricothyroid (CT) approach. However, patients who have previously undergone other neck treatments, such as thyroidectomy or neck dissection have distorted anatomical landmark makes this approach more difficult. The aim of this study is to determined the efficiency of transcartilaginous (TC) approah as compared with CT approach for unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients, especially for previously neck treated patients.MethodsFrom March 2005 to February 2008, 137 consecutive injection laryngoplasties were performed in patients with unilateral glottic insufficiency. Percutaneous injection was performed under local anesthesia into the vocalis muscle, using disposable 25 G 4 cm long needles through the cricothyroid membrane or directly through the thyroid cartilage. Of the 137 patients, 124 completed acoustic, perceptual, stroboscopic, and subjective evaluations prior to the injection and at 3 months after the injection.ResultsIn the 124 patients, the CT and TC approaches were used in 94 and 30 patients, respectively. Acoustic and perceptual parameters (GRBAS, MPT, jitter, shimmer), voice handicap index, and grades of mucosal waves and glottic closure were significantly improved after the injection in both the CT and TC groups (P<0.05). Only two patients (6.6%) had penetration difficulties, because of ossification of the thyroid cartilage. The overall success rates of the CT and TC approaches were 86.2%, 93.3%, respectively. However, the success rate of the TC approach in patients who had previously undergone neck treatments was significantly higher than that of the CT approach (100% vs. 65% P<0.05).ConclusionBased on the preliminary results of this trial, injection laryngoplasty using a TC approach was an effective alternative to the CT approach, especially in patients who had previously undergone neck surgeries

Reversible Proximal Renal Tubular Dysfunction after One-Time Ifosfamide Exposure

The alkylating agent ifosfamide is an anti-neoplastic used to treat various pediatric and adult malignancies. Its potential urologic toxicities include glomerulopathy, tubulopathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. This report describes a case of proximal renal tubular dysfunction and hemorrhagic cystitis in a 67-year-old male given ifosfamide for epitheloid sarcoma. He was also receiving an oral hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and had a baseline glomerular filtration rate of 51.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. Despite mesna prophylaxis, the patient experienced dysuria and gross hematuria after a single course of ifosfamide plus adriamycin. The abrupt renal impairment and serum/urine electrolyte imbalances that ensued were consistent with Fanconi's syndrome. However, normal renal function and electrolyte status were restored within 14 days, simply through supportive measures. A score of 8 by Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated these complications were most likely treatment-related, although they developed without known predisposing factors. The currently undefined role of diabetic nephropathy in adult ifosfamide nephrotoxicity merits future investigation

Remission of intestinal Behçet's disease treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody (Infliximab)

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing multisystem disease characterized by oral ulceration, genital ulceration and ocular lesions. Gastrointestinal involvement is rare, often difficult to treat and associated with a high mortality rate. We treated a 47-year-old Korean man with BD who had a recurrent intestinal ulcer with tumor necrosis factor α antibody (infliximab); he initially underwent right hemicolectomy due to uncontrolled intestinal bleeding. For patients with intestinal BD who fail to respond to conventional treatment, infliximab may be a safe and effective new therapeutic option

Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions Reduced by Topical Application and Intraperitoneal Injection of Hirsutenone in NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. The increasing prevalence and severity of AD have prompted the developments of safer, more effective drugs. Although topical corticosteroids have been used as first line therapy for AD, their potential side effects limit their clinical applications. To investigate the effect of hirsutenone (HIR), a diarylheptanoid compound, on AD-like skin lesions and other factors related to immune response is the aim of this paper Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), eosinophil, IgE inflammatory factors (COX-2, iNOS) levels were reduced in blood, lymphocytes, and tissue after HIR treatment. These results suggest that HIR might be an effective treatment for AD

Bowel Preparation for Capsule Endoscopy: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study

Background/Aims: The ability to visualize the small bowel mucosa by capsule endoscopy is limited. Moreover, studies involving small-bowel preparation with purgative drugs have failed to establish which preparations produce better images and higher diagnostic yields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacies and diagnostic yields of different bowel preparations. Methods: A cohort of 134 patients with suspected small bowel disease was randomly assigned to 3 groups. Patients in group A (n=44) fasted for 12 h before being administered an M2A capsule (Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel). Patients in group B (n=45) were asked to drink two doses of 45 mL of sodium phosphate (NaP) with water during the afternoon and evening on the day before the procedure and to drink at least 2 L of water thereafter. Patients in group C (n=45) drank 2 L of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solution the evening before the procedure. Results: Overall cleansing of the small bowel was adequate in 43% of patients in group A, 77% of those in group B, and 56% of those in group C (group A vs; group B, p=0.001). Diagnoses for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were established in 9 patients (39%) in group A, 16 patients (69%) in group B, and 14 patients (50%) in group C. No significant difference in diagnostic yield was observed between groups. Conclusions: Bowel preparation with NaP for capsule endoscopy improved small-bowel mucosal visualization when compared to 12-h overnight fasting. (Gut and Liver 2009;3:180-185)Wei W, 2008, AM J GASTROENTEROL, V103, P77, DOI 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01633.xCheon JH, 2007, GUT LIVER, V1, P118van Tuyl SAC, 2007, ENDOSCOPY, V39, P1037, DOI 10.1055/s-2007-966988Ben-Soussan E, 2005, J CLIN GASTROENTEROL, V39, P381FIREMAN Z, 2005, WORLD J GASTROENTERO, V11, P5863DAI N, 2005, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V61, P28Viazis N, 2004, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V60, P534Niv Y, 2004, SCAND J GASTROENTERO, V39, P1005, DOI 10.1080/00365520410003209Fireman Z, 2004, ISRAEL MED ASSOC J, V6, P521Albert J, 2004, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V59, P487Pennazio M, 2004, GASTROENTEROLOGY, V126, P643, DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2003.11.057Mylonaki M, 2003, GUT, V52, P1122Costamagna G, 2002, GASTROENTEROLOGY, V123, P999, DOI 10.1053/gast.2002.35988Lewis BS, 2002, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V56, P349, DOI 10.1067/mge.2002.126906Kastenberg D, 2001, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V54, P705Aronchick CA, 2000, GASTROINTEST ENDOSC, V52, P346