This study was aimed to develop an ICP-MS method to determine contents of six types of heavy metals, which include Cr, Pb, Cd, As, Hg and Cu, in Pian-Zai-Huang Gan-Bao (PZHGB) tablets. The samples were pro-cessed by microwave digestion. And then, they were determined by ICP-MS. The results showed that the working curves of Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Hg and Pb had good linear relationships with the correlation coefficient which was more than 0.9993. The average recovery rate of Cr was 101.2%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 7.6%. The av-erage recovery rate of Cu was 96.4%, with the RSD of 3.5%. The average recovery rate of As was 101.3%, with the RSD of 1.8%. The average recovery rate of Cd was 100.2%, with the RSD of 0.3%. The average recovery rate of Hg was 100.5%, with the RSD of 4.2%. The average recovery rate of Pb was 104.2%, with the RSD of 5.6%. It was concluded that the method was stable and reliable, with high sensitivity and repeatability. This method can be used in the content determination of six types of heavy metals, which include Cr, Pb, Cd, As, Hg and Cu in PZHGB tablets.

Objective To investigate the clinical, radiological features and therapy of spinal actinomycotic infection complicated with spinal cord compression.Methods The data of three patients confirmed by histopathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results All three patients presented with infection of cervical thoracal vertebral bodies and soft tissue, and with syndrome of spinal cord compression. MRI examination revealed destruction of vertebral bodies, extradural soft tissue mass and spinal cord compression. Histopathological examination confirmed the infection of actinomycete in all three patients. Granulomatous inflammation could be seen in two cases, while extradural abscess was found in the other one case. Three patients all received the operation of abscess draining and vertebral canal decompression. Large-dose of Penicillin G following operation was administrated intravenously for 4～8 weeks, and then changed to oral application for another 4～6 months. Follow-up showed significant clinical effect in these three patients.Conclusions Radiologic and clinical findings of spinal actinomycotic infection complicated with spinal cord compression are nonspecific, and the diagnosis of this disease depends on pathological and microbiologic exams. Treatments with abscess draining, vertebral canal decompression and large-dose of antibiotic may achieve good clinical outcome.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of thyroid microcarcinoma using contrastenhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Methods The CEUS characteristics of 31 lesions in patients with thyroid microcarcinoma which were confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.[Results]The enhancement features of 31 lesions were hypoenhancement,morphological irregularity,and lack of a complete envelope.The time intensity curve showed late washed in and late washed out.The start-time of the lesions was later than that of normal thyroid tissue.The enhancement intensities of the lesions were lower than that of normal thyroid tissue.Conclusions The contrast enhancement patternshypoenhancement,suggested that the CEUS might provide a useful,quantitative analysis method for the diagnosis of thyroid microcarcinoma,which can improve diagnostic confidence in thyroid microcarcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between allergic rhinitis and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).METHODS FeNO was measured in 66 allergic rhinitis patients before and after treatment. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to describe the patient's symptoms. RESULTSFeNO and VAS score were significantly decreased after treatment (t=4.25,P=0.0000;t=3.34, P=0.0008), and the decrease proportion were (14.56±27.23)% and (8.68±53.17)% respectively. Correlation analysis showed FeNO and VAS score was significantly correlated before (r=0.43,P=0.0003) and after (r=0.45,P=0.0002) treatment. After treatment, the decreased proportion of FeNO and VAS score were significantly correlated (r=0.25,P=0.0437). CONCLUSIONFeNO can provide objective evidence for the treatment efficacy of allergic rhinitis.

Objective To investigate endovascular treatment of traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) and their complications such as pseudoaneurysms. Methods: Over a five-year period, 22 patients with traumatic direct CCFs were treated endovascularly in our institution. Thirteen patients were treated once with the result of CCF occluded, 8 twice and 1 three times. Treatment modalities included balloon occlusion of the CCF, sacrifice of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery with detachable balloon, coil embolization of the cavernous sinus and secondary pseudoaneurysms, and covered-stent management of the pseudoaneurysms. Results All the direct CCFs were successfully managed endovascularly. Four patients developed a pseudoaneurysm after the occlusion of the CCF with an incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation of 18.2% (4/22). A total number of 8 patients experienced permanent occlusion of the ICA with a rate of ICA occlusion reaching 36.4% (8/22). Followed up through telephone consultation from 6 months to 5 years, all did well with no recurrence of CCF symptoms and signs. Conclusion Traumatic direct CCFs can be successfully managed with endovascular means. The pseudoaneurysms secondary to the occlusion of the CCFs can be occluded with stent-assisted coiling and implantation of covered stents.

Objective To investigate the technique of transarterial embolization of dural carotidcavernous fistulas(DCCFs)with low concentration(14%-25%)of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate(NBCA)and determine its value.Methods Eight patients with DCCFs were treated by transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter.Of the 8 patients,5 had unsuccessful transvenous embolization and 3 could not be treated with transvenous embolization.Results Transarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter resulted in complete obliteration of the affected cavernous sinus and related shunts in 5 patients,no residual arteriovenous shunt was demonstrated on postembolization angiography.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 6-12 months later,complete resolution of clinical symptoms was observed in all 5 patients and there were no recurrent or residual DCCFs found.Partial obliteration of the involved cavernous sinus and the related shunt was achieved in the remaining 3 patients on immediate post-procedure angiography,but the volume of shunt diminished significantly.On clinical and angiographic follow-up 3 months later,in 2 patients,clinical symptoms were improved and the arteriovenous shunts were diminished;in the third patient,clinical symptom resolved and the shunt was obliterated.There were no major complications except for the transient worsening of ocular symptoms due to Ⅵ cranial nerve palsy in 1 patient.Conclusions Transarterial embolization of DCCFs with low concentration of NBCA using a wedged microcatheter was a safe and effective treatment method.It is an optimal alternative for the patients with DCCFs in which transvenous route was unsuccessful,or impossible.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound and contrastenhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in calcified thyroid nodules.Methods 122 cases of calcified thyroid nodules confirmed by pathology were underwent conventional ultrasound and CEUS.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive,negative predictive and diagnostic coincidence rate of conventional ultrasound and CEUS were evaluated.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the differential diagnosis value of conventional ultrasound and CEUS in calcified thyroid nodules.Results There were 73 benign and 49 malignant nodules among 122 calcified thyroid nodules.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive,negative predictive and diagnostic coincidence rate of conventional ultrasound were 49.98％,76.71％,58.54％,69.14％ and 65.57％,while for CEUS were 89.80％,91.78％,88.00％,93.06％ and 90.98％,respectively.There was statistical difference for each index between the two methods (all P ＜0.05).The area under ROC curve of CEUS was 0.908,which was bigger than conventional ultrasound.Conclusions Compared with conventional ultrasound,CEUS has higher value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant calcified thyroid nodules.

Objective To determine whether volume transfer coefficient (Ktrans )can be used to differentiate high-grade glioma (HGG)and metastasis.Methods Thirty-nine patients with brain tumors (12 HGG,27 metastases)underwent dynamic contrast en-hanced MR imaging before surgical resection or stereotactic biopsy.Images were acquired with a three-dimensional (3D)fast gradi-ent echo sequence.Gadolinium-based contrast agent was injected intravenously with dosage of 0.1 mmol/kg bodyweight at a rate of 3.0 mL/s.Ktrans and Ve were calculated from the DCE MRI data.The results of Ktrans and Ve were compared between the 2 types of tumors.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for each of the variables in differentiation cerebral metastasis from HGG.Results The Ktrans values in the parenchyma of HGG and metastases were 0.10 (0.11,0.71)min-1 and 0.21 (0.05, 0.77)min-1 ,respectively.The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).The Ktrans values in the peritumoral region of the HGG and brain metastasis were 0.04 (0.01,0.10)min-1 and 0.01 (0.00,0.06)min-1 ,respectively.There was a significant difference between the Ktrans values in the peritumoral edema of HGG and cerebral metastases (P<0.05).The optimal cutoff value of Ktrans for differentiating HGG from cerebral metastases was 0.03,with sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 70%.Conclusion Ktrans values in the peritumoral edema may be useful in the differentiating cerebral metastases between HGG.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of blue light-emitting diodes(LEDs) as a novel light source for phototherapy. METHODS: Equimolar bilirubin standard albumin solutions were irradiated with two light sources; LEDs and single side conventional blue light( sCBL). Light intensity was measured with a light meter. The emission intensity of LEDs was the same as sCBL. To estimate the effects of the two light sources, the change in bilirubin isomer before and during phtotherapy was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The effects of different light sources on equimolar bilirubin standard albumin solutions, the lumirubin (LR) and 4Z, 15E-Bilirubin IX alpha(ZE) formation of LEDs was the same as sCBL(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: LEDs is equally effective as single sCBL for phototherapy in vitro.