Objective To evaluate the selective external carotid arterial embolization of uncontrollable epistaxis. Methods 27 procedures of super-selective external carotid arterial embolization were performed with absorbable gelfoam by using Seldinger's method in 26 cases with uncontrollable epistaxis. Results 27 procedures of super-selective intraaterial embolization of uncontrollable epistaxis were all successful without any serious complication. Conclusions Selective external carotid arterial embolization is safe, effective and successful in the treatment of severe epistaxis.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE) therapy using different embolic agents in treating uterine adenomyosis. Methods During 2004—2011, a total of 45 female patients with uterine adenomyosis were admmitted to authors’ hospital to receive uterine artery embolization therapy. The embolic agents used in the procedures included domestic iodized oil, sodium alginate microspheres and Embosphere microspheres. The patients were randomly divided into group A (n=15, using domestic iodized oil as embolic agent), Group B (n=13, using sodium alginate microspheres as embolic agent) and group C (n = 17, using Embosphere microspheres as embolic agent). After the treatment, all the patients were followed up for over 2 years, focusing on the observation of the clinical symptoms such dysmenorrheal, changes of MRI signs and severe complications. The results were analyzed and compared among the three groups. Results After UAE, the clinical symptoms such as the degree of dysmenorrhea, menstrual quantity, etc. were improved in all patients. Six months after UAE, the obvious remission rate of dysmenorrheal in group A, B and C was 33.3% (5/15), 30.8% (4/13) and 41.1%(7/17) respectively. Twelve months after UAE, MRI scanning showed that the uterine sizes in group A, B and C were reduced to 49.19%, 48.25% and 50.05% respectively. Follow-up examination at 24 months after UAE showed that recurrence of dysmenorrheal in group A, B and C was seen in 2, 4 and 2 cases respectively, and amenorrhea was seen in 2 cases of group A and one case in group C. Conclusion The use of domestic iodized oil, sodium alginate microspheres or Embosphere microspheres as embolic agents in performing super-selective uterine artery embolization for adenomyosis can effectively relieve the degree of dysmenorrheal, decrease the uterine size. In addition to ovarian dysfunction, the uterine cavity adhesion may be also a possible cause of amenorrhea occurring after UAE may. In order to ensure a similar clinical efficacy, the use of granular solid embolic agent is preferred as its safety is possibly higher than the liquid embolic agents.

Objective To investigate the effect of circadian rhythm on the duration of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) elicited by atracurium. Methods Sixty-one ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 18-55 yr with body mass index of 18-24 kg/m2 undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 2 μg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg. Atracurium 0.75 mg/kg was injected iv as soon as the patients lost consciousness . NMB was assessed by TOF-stimulation of ulnar nerve using TOF-Watch(R) SX. Tracheal intubation was performed as soon as the first twitch (T1) disappeared. The patients were mechanically ventilation (VT 6-8 ml/kg, RR 12 bpm, I ∶ E 1.0 ∶1.5). PETCO2 was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg. Anesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol 6-8 mg·kg-1·-1·-1and remifentanil 0.25-0.50 μg·kg-1·min-1 . Anesthesia was performed at 5 time periods: (1) 8:00-11:00, (2) 11:00-14:00, (3) 14:00-17:00, (4) 17:00-20:00 and (5) 20:00-23:00. The duration of NMB produced by atracurium was defined as the interval between the end of atracurium injection and 3% recovery of T2 . The data were analysed using generalised linear models (GLMs) and cosinor method. Results Fifty-three cases completed the study. GLM analysis showed that the duration of NMB was longest at 20:00-23:00 (53 min (95% confidence interval 50-56 min)) and shortest at 11:00-14:00 (43 min (95% confidence interval 39-46 min)), suggesting that there is a significant diurnal variation in the duration of NMB elicited by atracurium. Cosinor method analysis showed that equation of the duration of NMB and time point of atracurium administration was y = 48.05 + 15cos( 15t + 52.66). Conclusion Circadian rhythm can affect the duration of NMB elicited by atracurium, which shows that the duration of NMB is longest at 20:00-23:00 and shortest at 11:00-14:00.

Objective To observe signal changes induced by USPIO accords with iron swallowed by macrophages in brain tissue sections in rats. Methods Thirty-eight SD rats were divided into two groups randomly. Three of them were involved in sham operation group, other thirty-five rats were divided into five subgroups averagely according to 7.0T MR scanning time (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h). After establishment of MCAO models, USPIO was injected to tail intravenous and monitored with high resolution MRI at different time point, while rats in control group were injected with the same dose of sodium chloride. Brain tissue wax section was acquired after MR scanning. Cell necrosis, iron particle and activated macrophages were observed with HE dying, Prussian Blue dying and CD68 immunochemistry staining respectively. Results The ischemic lesion was detected as hyperintense area on T2WI after occlusion and perfusion of MCA. The accumulation of USPIO appeared as hypointense on T2WI but hyperintense on T1WI. The maximum signal change was observed at 48-72 h in both T1WI and T2WI (P>0.05). The iron particle accumulation was found in the boundary of ischemic lesion and necrotic area with Prussian Blue dying. Activated microglia was manifested with CD68 immunochemistry staining, the number of microglia at 72 h was more than those of the other time points. Conclusion USPIO can be used as a contrast agent to monitor rat ischemic stroke in vivo, and the signal changes induced by USPIO approximately accord with iron swallowed by macrophages in brain tissue sections. The cells which swallow USPIO are mainly activated macrophages.

Aim To study the effects of Free Anthra-quinone from Rhubarb (FAR)on myocardial CTGF and collagen expression and interstitial fibrosis in dia-betic rats.Methods The male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (CON),diabetic cardiomy-opathy group (DCM) and FAR treatment group (FAR).Streptozocin was intraperitoneally injected in-to the animals in the latter 2 groups to induce diabetic rat model.The model was expected to be stable for 2 weeks before the treatment.At the end of the 8th week in treatment,fasting plasma glucose and heart mass in-dex were measured.Masson staining was used to ob-serve the myocardial fibrosis.RT-PCR was used to de-tect the mRNA levels of CTGF,procollagen type Ⅰand collagen type Ⅲ.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the content of CTGF.ELISA was used to detect the depositions of collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ. Results Compared with CON group,fasting plasma glucose,heart mass index,the degree of myocardial fibrosis,and the expressions of CTGF,collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ in left ven-tricular myocardial tissue of DCM group were signifi-cantly increased. However, compared with DCM group,fasting plasma glucose,heart mass index,the degree of myocardial fibrosis,and the expressions of CTGF,collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ in left ven-tricular myocardial tissue of FAR-treated rats were sig-nificantly decreased.Conclusion FAR retards the process of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats by down-regulating the expression of CTGF,reducing the syn-thesis and depositions of collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ.

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the changes in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) mediated by low power density microwave radiation in rabbits lens epithelial cells (LECs) and its mechanisms.

METHODSRabbits' eyes were exposed to 5 mW/cm(2) and 10 mW/cm(2) power densities of microwave radiation for 3 hours. The fluorescence-recovery-after-photobleaching (FRAP) method was used to determine the GJIC. The localization and function of connexin 43 in LECs was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTSThe GJIC of rabbits LECs was inhibited by microwave radiation especially in the 10 mW/cm(2) irradiated samples. A decrease in connexin 43-positive staining was seen in 5 mW/cm(2) x 3 h treated LECs. Intracellular space accumulation and cytoplasmic internalization were clearly demonstrated in 10 mW/cm(2) group.

CONCLUSIONSLow power densities microwave radiation (5 mW/cm(2) and 10 mW/cm(2)) induces damage to connexin 43 and inhibits the GJIC of rabbits LECs. These changes result in an osmotic imbalance within the lens and induce early cataract. 5 mW/cm(2) or 10 mW/cm(2) microwave radiation is cataractogenic.

Animals ; Cataract ; etiology ; Cell Communication ; radiation effects ; Connexin 43 ; analysis ; Epithelial Cells ; radiation effects ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gap Junctions ; radiation effects ; Lens, Crystalline ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Rabbits

Objective To study the intra-and extra-hepatic collateral pathways in various ChildPugh scores by using liver acceleration volume acquisition (LAVA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods The clinical data and imaging findings of 146 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) were collected and analyzed.Intra-and extra-hepatic collateral pathways were evaluated by LAVA enhanced MRI.Intra-and extra-hepatic collateral pathways was analyzed using the Kappa identity test.Correlations of the intra-/extra-hepatic collateral pathways with Child-Pugh scores were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Correlation was calculated by the Cramer correction coefficient of contingency.Results Among 146 BCS patients there were 50 grade A patients,79 grade B patients and 17 grade C patients.Among MRI demonstrated 6 types dilated collateral shunts,only accessory hepatic veins (AHVs) and superficial epigastric veins (SEVs) as collateral pathways were associated with the Child-Pugh scores (x2 =20.324,P ＜ 0.05,x2 =11.855,P ＜ 0.05,respectively).AHVs as collateral pathways were associated with score A and score C (x2 =7.159,P ＜ 0.05,X2 =17.662,P ＜ 0.05,respectively),while SEVs were with score A and score B (x2 =7.244,P ＜ 0.05,x2 =11.855,P ＜ 0.05,respectively).Conclusion AHVs and SEVs as collateral pathways were associated with Child-Pugh scores in cases of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Objective To study the hypoglycemic effect of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides on type 2 diabetic mice and its effects on intestinal flora and pathological structure of small intestine. Methods Fifty male mice were used, except 10 were fed normally, the others were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 6 weeks, and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to make type 2 diabetes mice model. After successful modeling, they were randomly divided into model group and Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (500, 250, 125 mg/kg) group and the model group mice were given normal saline. The changes of bodyweight and blood glucose of mice in each group were recorded. After 4 weeks, feces were collected and sequenced by a 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, and the pathological changes of small intestine were observed by HE staining. Results In diabetic mice, the weight decreased. After given Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides, the weight of mice increased by 14.24%,11.97% and 8.78%, and the blood glucose decreased by 26.6%, 22.3% and 13.3%, respectively after high, medium and low doses of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides were administered. In addition, the pathological disorder and swelling of intestinal histopathology were improved. There were significant differences in intestinal microorganisms between the model group and the Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides. Verrucomicrobiae in the model group increased significantly, while the microorganism abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the healthy group and Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides group was higher. Conclusion Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides has a significant hypoglycemic effect on diabetic mice and a certain protective effect on their intestines, the mechanism may be achieved by increasing the richness of beneficial bacteria and improving the immune function of mice, it’s in a certain dose-effect relationship, and its immune function needs further study.