Esophageal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors with high incidence and poor prognosis. Angiogenesis-related pathways play an important role in the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main mediator of angiogenesis. In addition to promoting angiogenesis and maintaining the survival of neovascularization, VEGF can also directly act on esophageal cancer cells and promote the occurrence and development of tumors. This article reviews the biology of VEGF and its effect on blood vessels, the expression of VEGF in esophageal cancer cells and its influencing factors, the role of VEGF in esophageal cancer cells, the immunomodulatory activity of VEGF and the clinical study of VEGF inhibitors. The purpose of this study is to provide a basis for more rational use of VEGF inhibitors in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Objective To review the researches on the jointpreserving procedures for the treatment of the avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. Methods The latest original literatures about the joint-preserving procedures for the treatment of AVN of the femoral head were extensively reviewed. Results There were many surgical jointpreserving procedures to treat AVN of the femoral head, such as core decompression, bone grafting, and osteotomy. Most researchers achieved excellent clinical results by using the joint-preserving procedures to treat the early stages of AVN of the femoral head. Conclusion Treating AVN of the femoral head by the joint-preserving procedures, especially the free vascularized fibula grafting, can achieve an excellent longterm clinical outcome.
Objective To review the progress in amputation technique of diabetic foot. Methods Recent l iterature concerning the amputation technique of diabetic foot was reviewed and analyzed. Results According to the different levels of the amputation, the diabetic foot’s amputation can be classified as major amputation and minor amputation, and differentkinds of methods can derive from these styles. Different factors should be considered when the style and method of amputation are chosen. Conclusion To the diabetic foot amputation, the general rule is to l imit the amputation level on the premise of the good cl inical effect. The health state, the region of the diabetic foot, the tissue perfusion, the susceptibil ity to infection in local tissue, and the abil ity of wound healing are important factors in selecting the styles and methods of diabetes-related amputations. Importance should be attached to the synthesis treatments of diabetes to prevent the higher level amputation.
Before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), echocardiography is the first choice for preoperative screening of suitable patients, which can be used to observe the morphology of aortic valve, determine the cause of aortic stenosis, and evaluate the severity of aortic stenosis and other cardiac structure and function. During TAVR procedure, echocardiography is mainly used for real-time monitoring of complications and immediate postoperative evaluation. After TAVR, echocardiography can be used to evaluate the shape and function of the prosthesis valve and monitor long-term complications. This article reviews the research progress of echocardiography in TAVR for guiding clinical practice.
Cancer is a disease that incidence rate, disability rate and mortality rate are high all over the world. It brings great physical and mental pain to patients. Cancer patients are in a life-threatening state of disease for a long time, which will produce fear of progression (FoP). FoP is a psychological state in which fear of disease may recur or progress. As early as the 1980s, foreign countries began the psychological research on the FoP of cancer patients. They found that this fear really exists in cancer patients and is affected by many factors. This paper reviews the concept of FoP and the related factors affecting FoP in cancer patients. The purpose is to provide reference for clinical early evaluation and reducing the FoP of cancer patients and formulating corresponding nursing measures.
Object ive To summar ize recent advance in the appl icat ion and research of ar t i f icial chordae tendineae. Methods The cl inical and experimental research l iterature was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The follow-up results showed that artificial chordae tendineae replacement was superior to other operation methods in valve repair. But, it was compl icated and difficult-to-learn. In recent years with the development of many surgical skills and new techniques, good cl inical results were achieved. Conclusion With the development of surgical equi pment, chordae material, and implanting skills, artificial chordae tendineae implanting will be easier and the scope of appl ication will be larger.
Objective To review the progress in the treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears. Methods Recent l iteratures about the treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears were reviewed. Results Treatment options of massive rotator cuff tears include nonoperative treatment, debridement, direct repair, tendon transfer, and repair with various substitutes, but the outcome is unpredictable. Recently, many experimental studies on the treatment of massive rotator cuff tears, such as gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering techniques, can provide cl inicians with new treatment strategies. Conclusion The treatment of massive rotator cuff tears pose a distinct cl inical challenge for the orthopaedist, depending on the overall presentation. The effect of traditional operation method to repair massive rotator cuff tears is limited. The treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears still need to be studied.
Chronic wounds have a high incidence and a long course of disease, and will bring a heavy economic burden to patients, which is the difficulty of clinical treatment at present. Therefore, it is urgent to find an effective method to promote chronic wound healing. In recent years, the application of therapeutic ultrasound in chronic wound treatment has gradually gained attention, and has become a promising adjuvant therapy. This article reviews the process of wound healing, the mechanism of therapeutic ultrasound in promoting wound healing, the biological effects of therapeutic ultrasound in different stages of wound healing and its application in diabetic ulcer, venous ulcer of lower limbs and pressure ulcer, in order to provide new ideas and directions for the treatment of chronic wounds.
Objective To review the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of tarsal coal ition. Methods Recent l iterature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of tarsal coal ition was reviewed. Results Tarsal coal ition is a bridge between the tarsal bones of the foot. The most common types are talocalcaneal and calcaneonavicular coal itions. Calcaneonavicular coal itions can be diagnosed with an oblique radiograph of the hindfoot. Most talocalcaneal coal itions require computer tomography for diagnostic confirmation. Magnetic resonance imaging may be useful for diagnoses of cartilaginous andfibrous coal ition. Casting is the usual initial treatment for the symptomatic individual. For patients with treatment failure and no degenerative changes, resection of the coal ition can be performed with good results. Isolated subtalar fusion may be performed for patients with failure of talocalcaneal resections. For patients undergoing failure of subtalar fusions and calcaneonavicular resection, tri ple arthrodesis may be performed. During minimally invasive operation, operation indications should be strictly controlled. Conclusion The diagnosis method of tarsal coal ition is clear. The cl inical manifestation combined with imaging examination can improve the diagnosis rate. The surgical indication of tarsal coal ition remains controversial, the randomized prospective studies are still required.
Objective To reviewe the research progress of liposomes as antibiotic carriers. Methods Domestic and abroad literature concerning liposomes as antibiotic carriers was reviewed and analyzed thoroughly. Results Liposomes as antibiotic carriers can significantly improve drug distribution, enhance antibacterial activity, and reduce the side effects of antibiotics during treatment. But it also has some problems, such as poor physical and chemical stabilities and low encapsulation efficiency. Conclusion Liposomes as antibiotic carriers can reduce the drug toxicity, improve drug biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics, and bring the dawn to completely curing infections disease.