A method for reducing thermal injury during the ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy

Objective:Many studies have demonstrated the heat effect from the holmium laser lithotripsy can cause persistent thermal injury to the ureter.The purpose of this study was to elucidate the use of a modified ureteral catheter with appropriate firing and irrigation to reduce the thermal injury to the“ureter”during the ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in vitro.Methods:An in vitro lithotripsy was performed using a modified catheter(5 Fr)as the entrance for the irrigation and the holmium laser fiber while using the remaining space in the ureteroscopic channel as an outlet.Different laser power settings(10 W,20 W,and 30 W)with various firing times(3 s,5 s,and 10 s)and rates of irrigation(15 mL/min,20 mL/min,and 30 mL/min)were applied in the experiment.Temperature changes in the“ureter”were recorded with a thermometer during and after the lithotripsy.Results:During the lithotripsy,the local highest mean temperature was 60.3℃ and the lowest mean temperature was 26.7℃.When the power was set to 10 w,the temperature was maintained below 43℃ regardless of laser firing time or irrigation flow.Regardless of the power or firing time selected,the temperature was below 43℃ at the rate of 30 mL/min.There was a significant difference in temperature decrease when continuous 3 s drainage after continuous firing(3 s,5 s,or 10 s)compared to with not drainage(p<0.05)except for two conditions of 0.5 J×20 Hz,30 mL/min,firing 5 s,and 1.0 J×10 Hz,30 mL/min,firing 5 s.Conclusion:Our modified catheter with timely drainage reducing hot irrigation may significantly reduce the local thermal injury effect,especially along with the special interrupted-time firing setting during the simulated holmium laser procedure.

Benign esophageal stricture after thermal injury treated with esophagectomy and ileocolon interposition

Thermal injuries of the esophagus are rare causes of benign esophageal stricture, and all published cases were successfully treated with conservative management. A 28-year-old Japanese man with a thermal esophageal injury caused by drinking a cup of hot coffee six months earlier was referred to our hospital. The hot coffee was consumed in a single gulp at a party. Although the patient had been treated conservatively at another hospital, his symptoms of dysphagia gradually worsened after discharge. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and computed tomography revealed a pinhole like area of stricture located 19 cm distally from the incisors to the esophagogastric junction, as well as circumferential stenosis with notable wall thickness at the same site. The patient underwent a thoracoscopic esophageal resection with reconstruction using ileocolon interposition. The pathological findings revealed wall thickening along the entire length of the esophagus, with massive fibrosis extending to the muscularis propria and adventitia at almost all levels. Treatment with balloon dilation for long areas of stricture is generally difficult, and stent placement in patients with benign esophageal stricture, particularly young patients, is not yet widely accepted due to the incidence of late adverse events. Considering the curability and qualityof-life associated with a long expected prognosis, we determined that surgery was the best treatment option for this young patient. In this case, we decided to perform an esophagectomy and reconstruction with ileocolon interposition in order to preserve the reservoir function of the stomach and to avoid any problems related to the reflux of gastric contents. In conclusion, resection of the esophagus is a treatment option in patients with benign esophageal injury, especially in cases involving young patients with refractory esophageal stricture. In addition, ileocolon interposition may help to improve the quality-of-life of patients.

Therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanied with thermal skin injury–from basic to epidemiological research

In this editorial,we discuss the status of a therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanying thermal skin injuries.Burns are considered a major health problem,as well as an economic and social problem,with potentially devastating and life-changing consequences.They affect a wide range of patients with different damage mechanisms,varied depths,and localizations of the burns.The most common are thermal burns,with more than 11 million occurrences annually according to the World Health Organization data.Thermal skin injuries are among the most tragic and catastrophic injuries,almost unsurpassed in terms of severity,morbidity,and mortality,as well as functional,aesthetic,social,economic,and psychological consequences.Burn survivors face stress,anxiety,depression,low self-esteem,body deformity,social isolation,unemployment,financial burden,and family problems.The advances in acute burn care have allowed researchers and physicians to pay more attention to other effects of burns,focusing on psychological consequences in particular.Apart from the significant improvements in routine protocols,it seems useful to take care of psychological disturbances that occur simultaneously but may emerge as the most lasting outcome of those injuries.In that sense,various standards and additional approaches may be involved to achieve overall recovery.

Working conditions of bipolar radiofrequency on human articular cartilage repair following thermal injury during arthroscopy

Background The thermal injury during bipolar radiofrequercy results in chondrocyte death that limits cartilage repair.The purpose was to determine the effects of various factors of bipolar radiofrequency on human articular cartilage after thermal injury,offering suitable working conditions for bipolar radiofrequency during arthroscopy.Methods Osteochondral explants from 28 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty （TKA） in Department of Orthopaedic,Peking University Reople＇s Hospital from October 2013 to May 2014,were harvested and treated using bipolar radiofrequency in a light contact mode under the following conditions：various power setting of levels 2,4 and 6; different durations of 2 seconds,5 seconds and 10 seconds; irrigation with fluids of different temperatures of 4℃,22℃,and 37℃; two different bipolar radiofrequency probes ArthroCare TriStar 50 and Paragon T2.The percentage of cell death and depth of cell death were quantified with laser confocal microscopy.The content of proteoglycan elution at different temperatures was determined by spectrophotometer at 530 nm.Results Chondrocyte mortality during the treatment time of 2 seconds and power setting of level 2 was significantly lower than that with long duration or in higher level groups （time：P=0.001; power：P=0.001）.The percentage of cell death after thermal injury was gradually reduced by increasing the temperature of the irrigation solutions （P=0.003）,the depth of dead chondrocytes in the 37℃ solution group was significantly less than those in the 4℃ and 22℃ groups （P=0.001）.The proteoglycan elution was also gradually reduced by increasing the temperature （P=0.004）.Compared with the ArthroCare TriStar 50 group,the percentage of cell death in the Paragon T2 group was significantly decreased （P=0.046）.Conclusions Thermal chondroplasty with bipolar radiofrequency resulted in defined margins of chondrocyte death under controlled conditions.The least cartilage damage during thermal chondroplasty could be achieved with lower power,shorter duration,suitable temperature of irrigation solutions and chondroprotective probes.The recommendations for the use of bipolar radiofrequency to minimize cartilage damage could be achieved with a power setting of level 2,treatment duration of 2 seconds,suitable fluid temperature （closer to body temperature of 37℃） and chondroprotective Paragon T2 probes.

Images for diagnosis--Low-grade thermal injury

It is very popular to use hot-water bottles or some electric heaters to keep one warm when sleeping or sitting in cold days in China.l Unfortunately, people might be burned as a result of prolonged contact with the heaters because of senseless due to falling asleep, drunk or some diseases just like diabetes. This special case we reported here may help us to improve the diagnosis and treatment of low-grade thermal injury.

CO liberated from CORM-2 modulates the inflammatory response in the liver of thermally injured mice

AIM： To explore the effects of CO-releasing molecules [tricarbonyldichlororuthenium （Ⅱ） dimer, CORM-2]- liberated CO on attenuation of inflammatory responses in liver of an experimental animal model of thermal injury and to investigate the associated potential mechanisms. METHODS： Thirty-six mice were assigned to three groups in three respective experiments. In each experiment, mice in sham group （n = 4） received sham thermal injury, whereas mice in burn group （n = 4） received a 15% of total body surface area （TBSA） fullthickness thermal injury, and mice in burn ＋ CORM-2 group （n = 4） received the same thermal injury with immediate administration of CORM-2 （8 mg/kg, iv）. Hepatic tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a light microscope. Levels of aminotransferases （ALT and AST） and nitric oxide （NO） were measured by biochemical methods. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin （IL-1β） activity, and the protein expression of iNOS and HO-1 in serum and tissue homogenates were assessed. In in vitro experiments, Kupffer cells were stimulated with LPS （10 μg/mL） for 4 h in the presence or absence of CORM-2 （10-100 μmol/L）. Subsequently, the expression levels of TNF-α and NO production were assessed. RESULTS： Pro-inflammatory mediators （TNF-α, IL- 1β, NO） in serum and liver homogenates of thermally injured mice were significantly reduced by CORM-2 administration. This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of iNOS while an increase in the expression of HO-1 in the liver tissue. In parallel, the concentrations of TNF-α and NO in supernatants of LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells co-incubated with CORM-2 （10-100 μmol/L） were also markedly decreased.Histological examination demonstrated that CORM-2 could attenuate the leukocytes infiltration to the liver tissue. CONCLUSION： CORM-released CO modulates liver inflammation and significantly protects liver injury in burn mice by inhibiting the expression of iNOS and NO production, down-regulating the expression of proinflammatory mediators （TNF-α, IL-1β）.

Carbon liberated from CO-releasing molecules attenuates leukocyte infiltration in the small intestine of thermally injured mice

AIM： To determine whether Carbon （CO） liberated from CO-releasing molecules attenuates leukocyte infiltration in the small intestine of thermally injured mice. METHODS： Thirty-six mice were assigned to four groups. Mice in the sham group （n = 9） were underwent to sham thermal injury; mice in the burn group （n = 9） received 15% total body surface area full-thickness thermal injury; mice in the burn ＋ CORM-2 group （n = 9） were underwent to the same thermal injury with immediate administration of tricarbonyldichlororut henium （11） dimer CORM-2 （8 mg/kg, i.v.）; and mice in the burn＋DMSO group （n = 9） were underwent to the same thermal injury with immediate administration of 160 IJL bolus injection of 0.5% DMSO/saline. Histological alterations and granulocyte infiltration of the small intestine were assessed. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil （PMN） accumulation （myeloperoxidase assay） was assessed in mice mid-ileum. Activation of nuclear factor （NF）-KB, expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） and inducible heme oxygenase in mid-ileum were assessed. RESULTS： Treatment of thermally injured mice with CORM-2 attenuated PMN accumulation and prevented activation of NF-kB in the small intestine. This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of ICAM-1. In parallel, burn-induced granulocyte infiltration in mid- ileum was markedly decreased in the burn mice treated with CORM-2. CONCLUSION： CORM-released CO attenuates leukocyteinfiltration in the small intestine of thermally injured mice by interfering with NF-KB activation and protein expression of ICAM-1, and therefore suppressing the pro-adhesive phenotype of endothelial cells.

Liquefaction for cataract extraction

A systematic review of the recent literature regarding the implementation of the liquefaction in cataract surgery and its short-term and long-term outcomes in various parameters that affect the quality of patients＂ life, including visual rehabilitation and possible complications was performed based on the PubMed, Medline, Nature and the American Academy of Ophthalmology databases in November 2013 and data from 14 comparative studies were included in this narrative review. Liquefaction is an innovative technology for cataract extraction that uses micropulses of balanced salt solution to liquefy the lens nucleus. Most studies reported that liquefaction is a reliable technology for mild to moderate cataracts, while fragmentation difficulties may be encountered with harder nuclei.

Burns and frostbite in the Red Army during World War Ⅱ

The start of World War Ⅱ(WWⅡ) led to the deployment of combat troops in several continents. Destruction and many casualties among both the military and civilians became an inevitable consequence. A large amount of people injured were in need of life-saving treatment and a speedy return to duty. Intensive studies of the specific issues of diagnosis and treatment of thermal injury were conducted in the Soviet Union before the war. The first special units for patients with burn injuries were created, and the first specialists received their first clinical experience. The contributions of famous Soviet scientists in the development of the treatment of burns and frostbite in WWⅡ are studied in this article. The structure of thermal injuries among military personnel and the results of their treatment are shown. Treatment, classification and quantity frostbite in the structure of sanitary losses during the WWⅡ are studied in this article.

Modulated-Power Implantable Neuromodulation Devices and Their Impact on Surrounding Tissue Temperatures

This project was intended to determine whether the preprogrammed time-varying recharge protocol for a battery incased in a neuromodulation implant can give rise to tissue temperatures that surpass a safe level or are otherwise benign. The study included the development of a highly accurate model of all the thermal processes that are activated by the recharging of the battery contained within the neuromodulation implant. The model was implemented by numerical simulations performed for several realistic operating conditions. The computed spatial and temporal tissue temperature distributions were employed to estimate possible tissue damage by making use of two independent methodologies. Independent calorimeter-based experiments were performed to provide validation for the calculated rates of heat generation in the coils of the implant. Spatial and temporal tissue temperature distributions extracted from the numerical simulations revealed the thermal effects associated with several realistic operating protocols. None of the operating protocols gave rise to temperatures above 42℃. Numerical values of thermal tissue damage metrics were determined and compared with accepted values which correspond to the absence and the presence of tissue damage. The experimentally determined rate of heat generation in the implant coils validated that from electrical measurements to within 2%. Both the tissue temperature results and the thermal damage metrics found no evidence of tissue injury when time-varying preprogrammed protocols are used in the recharging of neuromodulation implant-encased batteries.

Effects of combined radiation and thermal burn injury on the survival of skin allograft and immune function in rats

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effects of combined radiation and thermal burn injury on the survival of skin allografts and to analyze the relationship between the prolongation of allograft survival and the changes of immune functions of the thymocytes and splenocytes in rats. Methods Wistar rats were irradiated with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 Gy of gamma rays. Thirty minutes after radiation, 15% TBSA Ⅲ degree burn was inflicted to the rats. Twenty four hours after the burn injury, allografts were used to cover the burn wounds. In the 8 Gy group, 1 hour before skin grafting, the bone marrow cells (4×10 8) from the same donor were also transplanted. All rats were carefully observed after injury. The rats with single radiation injury of 5 Gy gamma rays, with single burn injury and with combined radiation burn injury were killed 3, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days after skin grafting for immunological assay and pathological study. Results All the allografts in the single burn group were rejected in 10 days. In the combined injury groups, the survival rates of the allografts in rats undergoing 3 and 4 Gy radiation were 20% and 30%, respectively. In the combined injury groups undergoing 5, 6 and 8 Gy radiation, the 10 day survival rates of the allografts were 69%, 88% and 100% respectively, and the 30 day survival rates in the three groups were 36%, 42% and 100% separately. The grafted allogenic skin, with normal epithelial cells and good vascularity, healed well with the recipient's skin. Hairs grew well from the allografts 30 days after grafting. Three, 7 and 15 days after allografting, in the single burn group, the proliferative activities of the thymocytes were 90%, 185% and 130% of the preinjury level, and the antibody forming capacities of the splenocytes were 200%, 171% and 300% of the preinjury level, respectively; in the combined injury groups, the proliferative activities were 6%, 99% and 91% of the preinjury level, and the forming capacities were 2%, 36% and 90% of the preinjury level. Conclusions The survival rate of allograft in rats undergoing combined radiation and thermal burn injury rises with the increase in radiation dosage. The allograft covering single bun injury is severely rejected by immune reaction. The prolongation of the survival of allograft in combined injury group mainly results from radiation that suppresses immune functions.

Cutting performance of surgical electrodes by constructing bionic microstriped structures

Surgical electrodes rely on thermal effect of high-frequency current and are a widely used medical tool for cutting and coagulating biological tissue.However,tissue adhesion on the electrode surface and thermal injury to adjacent tissue are serious problems in surgery that can affect cutting performance.A bionic microstriped structure mimicking a banana leaf was constructed on the electrode via nanosecond laser surface texturing,followed by silanization treatment,to enhance lyophobicity.The effect of initial,simple grid-textured,and bionic electrodes with different wettabilities on tissue adhesion and thermal injury were investigated using horizontal and vertical cutting modes.Results showed that the bionic electrode with high lyophobicity can effectively reduce tissue adhesion mass and thermal injury depth/area compared with the initial electrode.The formation mechanism of adhered tissue was discussed in terms of morphological features,and the potential mechanism for antiadhesion and heat dissipation of the bionic electrode was revealed.Furthermore,we evaluated the influence of groove depth on tissue adhesion and thermal injury and then verified the antiadhesion stability of the bionic electrode.This study demonstrates a promising approach for improving the cutting performance of surgical electrodes.