Spin transport properties in ferromagnet/superconductor junctions on topological insulator

The spin-dependent Andreev reflection is investigated theoretically by analyzing the electronic transport in a thin-film topological insulator(TI)ferromagnet/superconductor(FM/SC)junction.The tunneling conductance and shot noise are calculated based on the Dirac-Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation and Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk theory.It is found that the magnetic gap in ferromagnet can enhance the Andreev retro-reflection but suppress the specular Andreev reflection.The gate potential applied to the electrode on top of superconductor can enhance the two types of reflections.There is a transition between the two types of reflections at which both the tunneling conductance and differential shot noise become zero.These results provide a method to realize and detect experimentally the intra-band specular Andreev reflection in thin film TI-based FM/SC structures.

Clinical application of three-dimensional printing in the personalized treatment of complex spinal disorders

Purpose： To investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional （3D） printing in complex spinal surgery. Methods： The study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 in Shenzhen Second Peoples＇ Hospital and 4 cases of complex severe spinal disorders were selected from our department. Among them one patient combined with congenital scoliosis, one with atlas neoplasm, one with atlantoaxial dislocation, and the rest one with atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation. The data of the diseased region was collected from computerized tomography scans for 3D digital reconstruction and rapid prototyping to prepare photosensitive resin models, which were applied in the treatment of these cases. Results： The use of 3D models reduced operating time and intraoperative blood loss as well as the risk of postoperative complications. Furthermore, no pedicle penetrations or screw misplacement occurred according to the postoperative planar radiographic images. Conclusion： The tactile models from 3D printing allow direct observation and measurement, helping the orthopedists to have accurate morphometric information to provide personalized surgical planning and better communication with the patient and coworkers. Moreover, the photosensitive resin models can also guide the actual surgery with the drilling of pedicle screws and safe resection of tumor.

Endovascular Coiling for a Ruptured Proximal Lenticulostriate Artery Aneurysm

Aneurysms of the lenticulostriate artery （LSA） are rare lesions that are categorized into either proximal （at the junction of the middle cerebral artery trunk） or distal （within the basal ganglia）.

A retrospective study of epidural and intravenous steroids after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for large lumbar disc herniation

Objective： To assess the early curative effect of epidural or intravenous administration of steroids during a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy （PELD）. Methods： 28 consecutive patients who underwent PELD due to large lumbar disc herniation between November 2014 and January 2016 were followed up for 6 months. These patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment they received after PELD. 14 patients （Group A） were treated by PELD and epidural steroids, while the other 14 patients （Group B） were treated by PELD and intravenous steroids. We evaluated the effectiveness by the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale （VAS） scores for back and leg pain, and the postoperative Oswestry disability index （ODI） at 3 weeks after surgery via the clinical charts and telephone interview. Postoperative hospital stay and time return to work were investigated as well. Results： There is a significant decrease in VAS （back, leg）, ODI, and time return to work （p 〈 0.05）. For VAS （back）, Group A showed a significant decrease compared with Group B at 1 day and I week after surgery （p = 0.011, p = 0.017）. As for VAS （leg）, Group A showed a significant decrease compared with Group B at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months follow-up examinations （p - 0.002, p - 0.006, p 〈 0.001, p 〈 0.001）. For ODI, Group A showed a notable decrease compared with Group B （p 〈 0.001）. The postoperative hospital stay in two groups was not statistically different （p = 0.636）. But the time return to work in Group A was significantly shorter than that in Group B （p - 0.023）. Conclusion： Patients who underwent PELD with epidural steroid administration for large lumbar disc herniation showed favorable curative effect compared with those who underwent PELD with intrave- nous steroid administration.

Chinese specialist consensus on imaging diagnosis of intracranial arterial dissection

Intracranial arterial dissection is an important cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults, but there are no domestic or globally-accepted criteria for the diagnosis and classification of intracranial arterial dissections. The evidence base for the benefits of diagnostic and interventional angiography techniques is lacking, and the imaging features of intracranial arterial dissections are not yet universally recognized or understood by clinicians. These issues influence the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial arterial dissection. Therefore, a consensus conference was convened by Neurointerventional Expert Committee of Chinese Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Chinese Interventional Neuroradiology Society of Chinese Stroke Association and Young Physicians Committee of Chinese Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The aim of this document is to report an expert consensus on the imaging diagnosis of intracranial arterial dissection. The participating clinical experts utilized their judgment and experience. Every effort was made to achieve consensus among the committee members. The expert consensus was intended to provide guidance, but they are not to be considered prescriptive for any individual patient and cannot replace the judgment of a clinician.