Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is a kind of important industrial flame retardants,which widely exists in the environment and biosomes.Some researches have indicated that PBDEs is toxic to the nervous system of animals through affecting the release of neuroendocrine hormone,the signal transduction pathways,the transmission of neurotransmitters,the expression of key proteins in the nervous system,and the apoptosis of neuronal cells.Data from environmental monitoring indicated that environmental exposure to PBDEs in China exists,but the research on the effect of PBDEs on nervous system is very limited,which calls for attention.This article summarized researches on the mechanism of neurotoxic effects induced by polybrominated diphenyl ethers from the aspects such as the release of neuroendocrinal hormone,the signal transduction pathways,the transmission of neurotransmitters,the expression of key proteins in the nervous system,and the apoptosis of neuronal cells,and some ideas about the direction of related researches were presented.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between the endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and symp‐toms ,audiovestibular functions in patients with Meniere's disease .Methods Twenty -four hours after bilateral intra-tympanic 8 times diluted gadolinium administration , three - dimensional fluid - attenuated inversion recovery MRI ,using a three-Tesla unit ,was performed in 34 patients .The extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the MRI images was assessed and compared the hydrops with age ,duration ,stage of the disease ,frequency of attacks ,pure tone audiometry ,caloric test ,electrocochleography and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials .Results Thirty -four patients showed different levels of enhancement of perilymth in the inner ears .In these patients ,obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were visualized ,including 8 slight hydrops ,11 mild hydrops and 15 significant hydrops . In all 34 patients ,the results of PTA were 9 dB HL to 90 dB HL ,with average of 43 .56 dB HL and there were 21 abnormal and 13 normal patients in caloric test with a diagnostic rate 61 .76% ;17 normal ,7 abnormal and 10 not elicited patients in VEMP with a diagnostic rate 50% ;22 abnormal and 12 normal patients in electrocochleography with a diagnostic rate 64 .71% .There were almost no complications in all 34 patients after bilateral intra-tympanic injec‐tion except short vertigo among 5 of them .A statistically significant correlation was found between degrees of en‐dolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and age ,stage of the disease and VEMP (P<0 .05) ,whereas no significant corre‐lation was found between the extent of endolymphatic hydrops and duration ,frequency of attacks ,pure tone audi‐ometry ,caloric test ,electrocochleography(P> 0 .05) and the correlation coefficient were 0 .494 ,0 .568 ,0 .590 , 0 .495 ,respectively .Conclusion The degree of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease has significant correlation with age ,VEMP ,stage of the disease and pure tone audiometry .No significant correlation was found between hy‐drops and duration ,frequency of attacks ,functional level scale ,caloric test and electrocochleography .

Objective To study the clinical value of grafting the musculocutaneous flap with uncovered in the special region to treat the open fracture and infection of tibia. Methods Twenty-eight patients including 19 males and 9 females with ankle and leg tissue defect were applied to graft the musculocutaneous flap with uncovered in the special region from July 2007 to January 2010. The tissue defeat in proximal part of the tibia were 6 cases, and 21 cases in middle and distal part, 1 case almost in whole part of the tibia. The bone occurred a defeat and infection in 23 cases, the bone necrosis occurred in 5 cases. The patients treated with iliac bone flap were 5 cases, anterolateral thigh flap were 21 cases, anterolateral thigh flap combined with fibula flap were 2 cases, the flap were transplanted by anastomosis in 26 cases. Results The tissue grafting were all survival and the survival rate were 100%. The callus formation were appear after operation from 3 to 6 months, and necrosis bone tissue almost were abstracted about 6 months. The wound were primary closure and not happened infection in 26 cases, the wound appeared infection under deep tissue in 2 cased,but being cured after 6 months by operation. The 21 patients were followed up from 3 months to one and helf year. The long-term was satisfaction and the donor area was perfect. Compared with closed graft, its area of the flap was small and need spend little time to treat the repair the defeat, and harness to recover the healthy of body and mind, also decrease the chance of infection in deep tissue. Conclusion It is demonstrated that grafting the tissue flap with uncovered in the special region is an ideal approach to treat the open fracture and infection of tibia.

Objective To observe the feasibility of combining dezocine with fentanyl in the application of single integral high in‐tensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)ablation of uterine fibroids .Methods One hundred and sixty patients with uterine fibroids trea‐ted by HIFU under conscious sedation were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=80):group A with treatment combined fentanyl and midazolam and group B treated with combined dezocine ,fentanyl and midazolam .Analgesic effect was evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) .Variation of patients′vital signs (blood pressure ,heart rate ,electrocardiogram ,oxygen saturation) ,pain scores ,com‐fort scores ,sedation scores ,analgesic consumption and side effects were recorded before treatment (T0 ) ,during drug delivery (T1 ) , at the beginning of the treatment(T2 ) ,30 minutes after drug delivery (T3 ) ,at the end of the treatment(T4 ) ,2 hours after treatment (T5 ) ,4 hours after treatment (T6 ) ,8 hours after treatment (T7 )and 24 hours after treatment(T8 ) .Results Both groups showed reliable analgesic effects and vital signs of each time point were stable .VAS scores and Ramsay scores of group A were higher than those of group B ,but there was no statistical difference (P>0 .05) .Three patients in group A showed dysuria and relieved after symptomatic treatment .No respiratory depression occurred in both groups .But compared to group A ,the incidence of the analgesic side effects of group B was significantly lower and patients satisfaction was significantly higher(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The analge‐sic effects of dezocine combined with fentanyl are reliable in HIFU ablation of uterine fibroids with fewer side effects ,and could be worthy to be promoted in clinical use .

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent of endolymphatic hydrops as shown by three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D FLAIR MRI) performed 24 hours after bilateral intratympanic gadolinium administration and discuss the positive rate of endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and cochlea. METHOD: Twenty-four hours after bilateral intra-tympanic 8 times diluted gadolinium administration, three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI, using a three-Tesla unit, was performed in 48 patients, and then assessed the extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the MRI images. RESULT: Forty-eight patients showed different levels of enhancement of perilymth in the inner ear. In these patients, obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were visualized in vestibule,including 8 slight hydrops, 17 mild hydrops and 23 severe hydrops with a diagnostic rate of 83.3%. There were almost no complications in all 48 patients after bilateral intra-tympanic injection except short vertigo in some of them. CONCLUSION 3D FLAIR MRI resonance imaging has a high positive diagnostic rate in assessing endolymphatic hydrops of Ménière's disease and provides direct imaging evidence for diagnosing Ménière's disease.
Cochlea ; Contrast Media ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Injections ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meniere Disease ; diagnosis ; Vestibule, Labyrinth

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the survival of a random pattern skin flap.

METHODSCaudal based random skin flaps (9 cm x 3 cm) were raised on the back of Wistar rats. Six methods were used in the experiment to observe the effect of NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME and NO synthase substrate L-arginine on flaps: image analysis technology; light and electron microscopic studies; enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps; concentration of NO2-/NO3- in plasma and wet/dry ratio of the flap tissue.

RESULTSSurvival area of flap in the L-arginine-treated group significantly increased (67.06 +/- 5.65)% (p < 0.01) whereas the area in the L-NAME-treated group significantly decreased (35.17 +/- 1.87)% (p < 0.01) compared with the control group (53.25 +/- 3.24)% at seven days after the operation. General and microscopic observations showed that pathological changes in the L-arginine-treated group were fewer. Abundant capillaries and fewer inflammatory cells were noticed in the L-arginine-treated group. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies find endothelial swelling, thrombosis-formation and endothelial loss of contact with the basement membrane in the L-NAME treated group. Before operation, the serum NO concentrations were not significantly different in three groups (p > 0.05). After operation, NO concentration of the control group began to increase and reached to the top at the third day. L-Arg kept serum NO concentration in a higher level than the control. Enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps: microvessel intima in dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands and inflammatory cells showed oxford blue, more positive in flaps of the L-Arg treated group than the control group at the third day after operation. The flaps of L-NAME-treated group demonstrated negative or weak positive. Wet/dry ratio: twenty-four hours after flap elevation wet/dry weight ratios increased significantly in all regions of the flap of the L-arginine-treated rats compared with saline-treated rats. The ratios of the flaps of L-NAME-treated rats were reduced compared with saline-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONNO could improve microcirculation of the flap and increase its survival rates. The mechanism might be that NO could accelerate flap vascularization and protect flaps from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitrates ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Nitrites ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; physiology

Objective To assess the clinical value of three dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced MR angiography (3D DCE MRA) in the detection for intracranial aneurysm. Methods 3D DCE MRA was performed in 54 patients highly suspected with intracranial aneurysms. Then conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and feasible endovascular treatment were performed simultaneously. A three dimensional fast imaging with steady state precession (3D FISP) was used for 3D DCE MRA(Gd DTPA dose, 0.2 mmol per kilogram for body weight; acquisition time, 10 seconds). The source images were subtracted from mask images and transferred to computer workstation. All images were subsequently post processed using three dimensional reconstruction. 3D DCE MRA images and DSA images were compared for demonstration of the aneurysm, its neck, and relationship with parent artery, and the usefulness for endovascular treatment was evaluated. Results There were 39 cases with 45 intracranial aneurysms. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D DCE MRA were 96%, 73%, and 90%, respectively. Aneurysm and its neck depiction at 3D DCE MRA was significantly better than that at DSA, especially for aneurysms adjacent to the cavernous sinus and near the PICA of vertebral artery. 3D DCE MRA could guide neurosurgeons to the desired DSA projection, and helped them make plan for interventional or surgical treatment in advance. But the diagnosis should be very carefully made for small aneurysms located in the periphery and the arterial bifurcation. Conclusion 3D DCE MRA is a fast, noninvasive and efficient technique for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms. Its three dimensional information is helpful for DSA demonstration and treatment planning. Any uncertain diagnosis requires DSA confirmation.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of pancreatic DWI at a 3T MR imager and its value for the qualitative diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. Methods For 20 normal healthy volunteers and 47 patients with pancreatic tumors [21 pancreatic carcinoma (PC), 7 mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP)and 19 cystic lesions), routine pancreatic MRI and pancreatic DWI using b values (500 and 1000 mm2/s)were obtained, the DWI signal intensity (SI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of pancreatic lesions and adjacent tissue was measured. Results In the b = 500 and 1000 mm2/s DWI images, there was no significant difference in ADC value between different parts of normal pancreas. But PC and MFCP were shown as hyperintensity mass, in addition, the related SI1000 of PC at b = 1000 mm2/s DWI was significantly higher than that of MFCP (1.238 +0.448 vs. 0.371 +0.293, P＜0. 01). Compared with normal pancreas,beth PC and MFCP presented as decreased ADC500 and ADC1000 value. The ADC1000 of PC was significantly lower than that of MFCP [ ( 1. 087 + 0. 175 ) mm2/s vs. ( 1. 279 ± 0.213 ) mm2/s]. Pancreatic cystic lesions were shown as hyperintensity in DWI at b = 500 mm2/s, but were depicted as iso-intense signal or low-signal lesions in DWI using b = 1000 mm2/s. Both ADC500 and ADC1000 of pancreatic cystic lesions were higher than that of normal pancreas. Conclusions 3T-MR DWI is helpful to differentiate pancreatic lesions. High b value DWI is more valuable for the qualitative diagnosis of pancreatic mass.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography (3D CE-MRA) in the diagnosis and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms. Methods Forty-three patients with visceral artery aneurysms underwent 3D CE-MRA sequence after injection of 0. 2 mmol Gd-DTPA per kg. bw. The source images were subtracted and transferred to computer workstation subsequently post-procession. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 19 patients simultaneously for the purpose of control study. Results There were 43 cases with 50 visceral artery aneurysms. The arteries involved were 32 splenic artery aneurysms accounting for 64% including 5 anomalously arising from superior mesenteric artery; 7 of superior mesenteric ( 14% ) ; 4 celiac ( 1 from celiomesenteric trunk), 5 of renal and 2 of hepatic. 3D CE-MRA clearly demonstrated aneurysm's location, size, morphology, and was superior to DSA in three-dimensional display of aneurysrn and its relationship with surrounding vessels and involved organs. Endovascular treatment was performed in 15 patients, surgical treatment in 9, and conservative therapy only in 19. Conclusion 3D CE-MRA is a noninvasive and accurate technique for the diagnosis of visceral artery aneurysms. Its three-dimensional anatomic information is very helpful for treatment planning. 3D CE-MRA could be used as a test of choice in the evaluation of visceral artery aneurysms.