Objective To explore the value of 64-slice spiral CT angiography in diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas(PAVF).Methods 12 patients with suspect PAVF were performed by enhanced scan with 64-SliceCT.Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reformation were performed in all cases including coronal multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),maximum intensity projection(MIP),volume rendering(VR).Resnlts 12 cases were diagnosed as PAVF by 64-SliceCT angiography.Single PAVF in 7 cases,Multi-PAVF in 5cases.We found 20 lesions in 12 patients,Except direct multi-pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in the area of near the heart in one case.Conclusion 64-slice spiral CT angiography is a useful and noninvasive means to identify PAVF and is also useful for therapeutic planning and postoperative follow-up.

Objective To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1,the most abundant ginsenoside in ginseng root,on differentiation and lipolysis of 3T3-L1 cells and to explore its anti-diabetic mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes were induced under standard differentiation process in the presence of 0.1,1,10,100?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 for 6 days.Oil red O staining,measurement of triglyceride contents and glucose uptake assay were performed.The expressions of mRNA and protein of PPAR?2,C/EBP?,ap2,glucose transporter (Glut) 1,and Glut4 were analysed with quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot.The binding affinity of Rb_1 to PPAR?-LBD was evaluated by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).Lipolysis of adipocytes was examined by the measurement of glycerol released from adipoeytes treated with Rb_1 for 1 h.Results Ginsenoside Rb_1 facilitated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes in a dose-depondent manner.10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased lipid accumulation by about 56%.Treatment of differentiating adipocytes with 10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased the expressions of PPAR?2 and C/EBP?mRNA and protein,as well as mRNA expression of ap2,one of their target genes.After treatment of differentiating adipoeytes with Rb_1,basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport augmented significantly accompanied by up-regulations of mRNA and protein level of Glut4,but not of Glutl.SPR showed Rb_1 could bind to PPAR?which suggested Rb_1 was a ligand of PPAR?.Ginsenoside Rb_1 inhibited basal lipolysis in adipoeytos in a dose-dependent manner.However,it did not affect isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis.Conclusion As a PPAR?ligand,ginsenoside Rb_1 promotes adipogenesis,inhibitas basal lipolysis and inereasos basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport in cultured adipoeytes.Therefore,anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing activity of ginsenosides is,at least in part,involved in the enhancing effect on PPAR?2 and C/EBP?expressions,hence promoting adipogenesis and glucose uptake,and inhibiting lipolysis in adipocytes.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) in a canine model of acute cerebral ischemia.

METHODSCerebral perfusion was assessed in 6 dogs subjected to craniotomy with CEU at the time of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after occlusion of the left common carotid artery (LCCA). The microvascular volume (A) and blood flow velocity (beta) in the brain were measured from the time-versus-acoustic intensity plots, and the value of Axbeta were calculated. 99mTc-ECD brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on the day before the experiment and at 120 min after LCCA occlusion. The radioactive counts on both sides of the cerebral cortex were calculated.

RESULTSA significant correlation was found between Axbeta from CEU and volume of the blood flow of the CCA from Doppler flowmetry. A, beta and Axbeta values varied significantly between the different time points (P>0.001). The ipsilateral hemisphere showed a low-perfusion state while the contralateral hemisphere showed a high-perfusion state immediately after the occlusion.

CONCLUSIONSThe changes of beta is the main regulation mechanism during acute cerebral ischemia in dogs.

Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brain ; blood supply ; Brain Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Dogs ; Male ; Regional Blood Flow ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and the effects of captopril on the renal blood flow and microvascular perfusion in dogs with acute cardiac insufficiency.

METHODSAcute cardial insufficiency was induced by combining occlusion of the left anterior descending artery with right ventricular pacing in 12 mongrel dogs. The ascending aorta and left kidney were dissected and ultrasonic flow probes were placed on ascending aorta and renal artery to monitor cardiac output (CO) and renal blood flow (RBF). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the kidney was performed as CO was reduced to 25% (LCO25%) and 50% (LCO50%) from the basic measurement and microvascular flow velocity (beta), microvascular volume (A) and microvascular blood flow (renal cortex) were observed. After CO reduced to 50%, captopril 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg were injected successively and contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the kidney were performed again before and after injection.

RESULTSAt baseline, CO, RBF, CXbeta (beta of renal cortex), A and A x beta were (1.46 +/- 0.16) ml/min, (107.5 +/- 35.7) ml/min, 1.39 +/- 0.14, 120.3 +/- 14.8 and 167.4 +/- 25.0, respectively. After the LCO25% was reached, RAF, CXbeta, A and A x beta decreased to (72.50 +/- 32.4) ml/min, 0.87 +/- 0.082, 117.6 +/- 13.1, and 102.6 +/- 15.5, respectively. The corresponding values after the LCO50% was reached were (44.1 +/- 17.2) ml/min, 0.61 +/- 0.039, 106.9 +/- 12.0, and 64.7 +/- 8.83, respectively. It is suggested that the volume of the renal microvasculature remained stable until the LCO50% was reached. When captopril 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg were injected successively at LCO50%, MAP decreased from (85.4 +/- 7.8) mm Hg to (78.7 +/- 7.3) mm Hg and to (69.1 +/- 6.3) mm Hg (P < 0.05), respectively, while CO increased from 0.73 +/- 0.084 to 0.83 +/- 0.065 and to 0.9 +/- 0.054 (P < 0.05), respectively. RBF increased from (44.1 +/- 17.2) ml/min to 60.3 +/- 17.8 and to 79.4 +/- 17.8 (P < 0.05), respectively. After captopril 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg were injected, the increased flow ratios with CO were 0.15 +/- 0.084 and 0.31 +/- 0.011, respectively, and with RBF were 0.29 +/- 089 and 0.522 +/- 0.040, respectively. The increased renal blood flow ratio was higher than that of CO after captopril was used. The corresponding increases were from 0.61 +/- 0.039 to 0.75 +/- 0.020 and to 0.86 +/- 0.027 for CX beta, from 106.9 +/- 11.9 to 115.4 +/- 11.1 and to 116.6 +/- 8.9 for A, from 64.7 +/- 8.83 to 87.0 +/- 8.6 and to 100.6 +/- 8.9 for A x beta, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe renal microvasculature plays a role by keeping its volume stable in the protection against renal ischemia when acute cardiac output decreases slightly. The role of captopril to improve renal microvascular perfusion is independent of increased total cardiac output or increased systemic blood pressure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cardiac Output, Low ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Dogs ; Female ; Kidney ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Perfusion ; Renal Circulation ; drug effects ; Ultrasonography

Adult ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; diagnosis ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Thrombosis ; diagnosis

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of rhIL-6 and rhEPO on hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes, and mechanism of rhEPO in treatment of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). The HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes were cultured with medium containing different concentrations of rhIL-6 and rhEPO for a certain time, then mRNA was isolated and its RT-PCR was performed, the bands were photographed and analyzed by UVI band, the hepcidin and G3PDH mRNA ratio were semi-quantitatively analyzed. The expression levels of hepcidin in GepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes at different conditions were compared. The results showed that the hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes could be enhanced by rhIL-6, the rhEPO could inhibit rhIL6-induced hepcidin mRAN expression. The rhEPO alone basically did not influence hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. It is concluded that Hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes can be elevated by rhIL-6 with concentration- and time-dependent manner in certain range. rhEPO can inhibit this effect of rhIL-6.
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of nitroglycerine (NTG) on myocardial oxygen metabolism and regional cardiac function in canine hearts with a stable systemic hemodynamics in situ.

METHODSEight anesthetized open-chest dogs with flow-limited left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery or left circumflex artery (LCx) stenosis were studied. The percentage of ventricular wall thickening (%WT) was measured with quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), myocardial blood flow (MBF) with radiolabeled microspheres and tissue oxygen pressure (tPO(2).) with oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence. 2DE was performed and radiolabeled microspheres and Pd-porphyrin injected in the dogs at rest during intracoronary infusion of 0.3-0.6 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) of NTG. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2), ml x min(-1) x 100 g(-1)) was calculated as the multiplication product between the arterio-venous oxygen content difference and MBF, and myocardial O(2) delivery as the product between arterial oxygen content and MBF.

RESULTSAs compared with the baseline, NTG increased %WT and MBF significantly in both normal and ischemic beds (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in MVO(2) during NTG infusion in the ischemic bed (P<0.05) in comparison with that measured at rest. NTG, however, significantly increased the ability of myocardial O(2) delivery in both normal and ischemic beds (P<0.05), therefore tPO(2) was still higher in the ischemic bed during NTG infusion than that at rest (P<0.05). The percentage increment in tPO(2) was significantly greater in the ischemic bed than percentage MBF increment.

CONCLUSIONSNTG enhances myocardial oxygen concentration in normal and ischemic myocardium and may increase oxygen release to the ischemic myocardium in vivo. NTG may have a positive inotropic effect on regional cardiac function. In addition to direct effect on vascular tone, NTG plays important roles in the cardiovascular system by modulating myocardial oxygen metabolism and contractile function.

Animals ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; Hemodynamics ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitroglycerin ; pharmacology ; Oxygen Consumption ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the indications and surgical procedure of bronchial and pulmonary artery sleeve resection for patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer, and how to prevent complications.

METHODSFrom July 1989 to Aug 2000, 32 cases of central NSCLC were treated with bronchial and pulmonary arterial sleeve resection and reconstruction. The results were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe complication rate was 25.0% (8/32), the mortality rate in 30-day postoperation was 6.3% (2/32), the overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 82.8% (24/29), 50.0% (11/22) and 33.3% (4/12), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBronchial and pulmonary arterial sleeve resection and reconstruction in the treatment of patients with central NSCLC can not only maximize preservation of functional pulmonary parenchyma and improve patients, quality of life, but also provide an opportunity for those patients with poor pulmonary function to receive surgical resection of the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Pulmonary Artery ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide (As4S4) therapy on the corrected QT interval (QTc) in the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients.

METHODSNinety cases of APL treated with As4S4 were divided into two groups--the remission induction group and maintenance therapy group. Blood arsenic concentration was measured and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was simultaneously performed before treatment and after remission in the induction group, and before and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 courses after the treatment in the maintenance therapy group. QT interval on each ECG was measured and corrected by the Bazett formula.

RESULTSOral administration of As4S4 could lead to the prolongation of QTc both in remission induction and maintenance therapy groups. QTc prolongation was related to the doses of As4S4 and blood arsenic levels. QTc prolongation and its variation range were increased with accumulative doses of As4S4 and the blood arsenic levels. In ten courses maintenance therapy patients, the average abnormal rate of QTc was 37.7%. Blood arsenic concentration was increased slowly with courses, but the variation had no statistical difference (P > 0.05). All the patients whose QTc was abnormal (> or = 440 ms) had neither symptoms nor serious cardiac events, such as ventricular tachycardia and Torsade de pointes and could complete the As4S4 therapy.

CONCLUSIONAlthough As4S4 therapy can lead to QTc prolongation in the treatment of APL patients, it does not preclude the completion of the therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Electrocardiography ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sulfides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the direct effects of dobutamine as compared to adenosine on the coronary microcirculation in both normal and stenotic segments using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).

METHODSLeft anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis, which was not flow limiting at rest, was established in 9 dogs. At the baseline and during intracoronary infusion of dobutamine (2 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)) and adenosine (5 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)), the radiolabeled microsphere (RM)-derived myocardial blood flow (MBF) were determined, and the double product (DP) and myocardial vascular resistance (MVR) were calculated. MCE was performed to determine the myocardial blood volume (MBV, represented by A) and microbubble velocity (beta).

RESULTSAs compared to the baseline level, the MBF increased and MVR decreased significantly in both the normal and abnormal beds during infusion of both drugs (P<0.05). In the normal bed, adenosine had no effect on MBV, the decrease in MVR was the result of decreased arteriolar (plus venular) resistance, and the increase in MBF was predominately due to the increase in b (deltabeta/ deltaA=13.6). Dobutamine caused a 28% increase in MBV, responsible for 32% of the decrease in the total MVR, but the increase in MBF arose mainly from the increase in b (deltabeta/deltaA=5.9). In the abnormal bed, both the drugs caused a similar increase in MBF entirely by increasing b, and 14% and 15% of the increases in capillary resistance were associated with the capillary derecruitment during administration of dobutamine and adenosine, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe direct effects of intracoronary dobutamine infusion on the coronary microcirculation are similar to that of adenosine, and the increase in MBF occurs mostly as the result of increased myocardial blood velocity.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Coronary Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Dobutamine ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology