Iliac vein compression syndrome: Clinical, imaging and pathologic findings

May-Thurner syndrome(MTS) is the pathologic compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery, resulting in left lower extremity pain, swelling, and deep venous thrombosis. Though this syndrome was first described in 1851, there are currently no standardized criteria to establish the diagnosis of MTS. Since MTS is treated by a wide array of specialties, including interventional radiology, vascular surgery, cardiology, and vascular medicine, the need for an established diagnostic criterion is imperative in order to reduce misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Although MTS has historically been diagnosed by the presence of pathologic features, the use of dynamic imaging techniques has led to a more radiologic based diagnosis. Thus, imaging plays an integral part in screening patients for MTS, and the utility of a wide array of imaging modalities has been evaluated. Here, we summarize the historical aspects of the clinical features of this syndrome. We then provide a comprehensive assessment of the literature on the efficacy of imaging tools available to diagnose MTS. Lastly, we provide clinical pearls and recommendations to aid physicians in diagnosing the syndrome through the use of provocative measures.

Nanoengineered Shear-Thinning Hydrogel Barrier for Preventing Postoperative Abdominal Adhesions

More than 90%of surgical patients develop postoper-ative adhesions,and the incidence of hospital re-admissions can be as high as 20%.Current adhesion barriers present limited efficacy due to difficulties in application and incompatibility with minimally invasive interventions.To solve thisclinical limitation,we developed an injectable and sprayable shear-thinning hydrogel barrier(STHB)composed of silicate nanoplatelets and poly(ethylene oxide).We optimized this technology to recover mechanical integrity after stress,enabling its delivery though inject-able and sprayable methods.We also demonstrated limited cell adhesion and cytotoxicity to STHB compositions in vitro.The STHB was then tested in a rodent model of peritoneal injury to determine its e cacy preventing the formation of postoperative adhesions.After two weeks,the peritoneal adhesion index was used as a scoring method to determine the formation of postoperative adhesions,and STHB formulations presented superior e cacy compared to a commercially available adhesion barrier.Histological and immunohistochemical examination showed reduced adhesion formation and minimal immune infiltration in STHB formulations.Our technology demonstrated increased e cacy,ease of use in complex anatomies,and compatibility with di erent delivery methods,providing a robust universal platform to prevent postoperative adhesions in a wide range of surgical interventions.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Starch Derivatives Using One-pot Synthesis Procedure

Amphiphilic starch derivatives with high content of functional groups were prepared from potato starch using a one-pot synthesis method with a single reaction medium for the entire procedure. Potato starch was benzylated, followed by the introduction of hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium(HPMA) moieties without the purification of intermediates. The synthesis was performed under heterogeneous conditions, leading to the formation of benzyl 2-hydroxypropyltri methylammonium starch chloride(BnHPMAS) with a total degree of substitution(DS) of up to 1.4. This process improved the efficiency of the preparation of amphiphilic starch derivatives and reduced the time and resources consumed by avoiding a separation process and purification of the intermediate compounds.The DS of BnHPMAS was in the range of 0.36 to 1.4, which could be tuned by varying the molar ratio of the reagents to repeating unit or by changing the reaction temperature, time, and medium. The structure of the amphiphilic starches was characterized using elemental analysis, size exclusion chromatography,fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the surface tension and turbidity of the solutions of the products were measured for their potential application in the removal of dissolved and colloidal substances in paper cycling water.

类器官芯片在生物医学中的研究进展

目前国际上药物筛选技术主要是依据药效学模型进行细胞和动物实验,测试给药前后的变化,但是这种初筛方法的效率并不够理想.近年来,随着生物技术和信息技术的迅速发展,使得类器官芯片成为生物医学中极具特色而富有活力的新兴领域.相比传统的平面细胞培养和动物模型,类器官具有更接近在体器官的结构和功能的优势,可以更好地反映人体生理学特性.结合类器官芯片与微流控技术构建的生理微系统,可以在体外模拟人体组织器官的主要结构和功能特征.本文综述了类器官的培养现状、器官芯片的制作和应用以及结合仿生传感技术的研究工作进展.这些技术研究在药物研发、疾病模型和个性化医疗方面具有广阔的应用前景.

A toolkit of thread-based microfluidics,sensors,and electronics for 3D tissue embedding for medical diagnostics

Threads,traditionally used in the apparel industry,have recently emerged as a promising material for the creation of tissue constructs and biomedical implants for organ replacement and repair.The wicking property and flexibility of threads also make them promising candidates for the creation of three-dimensional(3D)microfluidic circuits.In this paper,we report on thread-based microfluidic networks that interface intimately with biological tissues in three dimensions.We have also developed a suite of physical and chemical sensors integrated with microfluidic networks to monitor physiochemical tissue properties,all made from thread,for direct integration with tissues toward the realization of a thread-based diagnostic device(TDD)platform.The physical and chemical sensors are fabricated from nanomaterial-infused conductive threads and are connected to electronic circuitry using thread-based flexible interconnects for readout,signal conditioning,and wireless transmission.To demonstrate the suite of integrated sensors,we utilized TDD platforms to measure strain,as well as gastric and subcutaneous pH in vitro and in vivo.