Objective To investigate the clinical effect and to summarize the experience of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spleen together with splenic artery balloon block in treating hypersplenism due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Methods Under the situation of splenic artery occlusion with balloon, RFA of the spleen was performed in 15 patients with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The mean duration of RFA was (46.4±5.4) min. Routine blood tests were conducted at 3 days, one week, one, 3 and 6 months after the treatment, and abdominal CT angiography was performed one month after RFA. The results were analyzed. Results One patient developed massive bloody pleural effusion at left thorax three days after RFA, which was improved after hemostasis and thoracic drainage. No severe complications occurred in other patients. Abdominal CT angiography performed one month after RFA showed that the ablated extent by RFA was accounted for about 34.3%-71.8% proportion of the spleen, with a mean of (56.20 ±13.09)%. Preoperative blood tests indicated that the count of white blood cells, red blood corpuscles and blood platelets was (3.88±1.75)×109/L, (4.06±0.37) × 1012/L and (48.14± 11.33)×109/L, respectively. One month after RFA the count of white blood cells and blood platelets increased to (5.62±1.61) ×109/L and (132.29±33.20) ×109/L respectively. When compared with the preoperative data, the differences in the count of white blood cells and blood platelets were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion For the treatment of hypersplenism due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of spleen together with splenic artery balloon block is quite safe and this technique has satisfactory short-term effect.

Effects of six kinds of Chinese herb extracts, including Folium Crataegi extract, Herba Epimedii extract, Folium Acanthopanacis Senticosi extract, Trifolium pratense L. extract, Folium Ginkgo extract and Radix Puerariae extract, on the activities of CYP450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C, CYP2E1, CYP2D, CYP3A) in rat hepatic microsomals were studied by using a UPLC-MS/MS (MRM) and cocktail probe substrates method. The results showed that effects of six kinds of Chinese herb extracts on each CYP450 isozyme activity were inhibitory. The IC50 of Folium Crataegi extract for the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP2D activity was only for 4.04 microg x mL(-1), which showed the highest inhibition; Trifolium pratense L. extract had strong inhibitory action to CYP2D, the IC50 value was 5.73 microg x mL(-1); Folium Crataegi extract also had strong inhibitory action on CYP2E1, the IC50 value was 10.91 microg x mL(-1). Furthermore, the IC50 of Folium Ginkgo extract for the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP3A, 2D, 2E1 activities were 45.12, 35.45 and 22.41 microg x mL(-1), respectively, and the IC50 of Folium Acanthopanacis Senticosi extract on the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP2E1 activity was 32.89 microg x mL(-1). In addition, mechanism of inhibition experimental results showed that the inhibiting abilities of Folium Crataegi extract and Radix Puerariae extract on each CYP450 isozyme increased with the increasing of the preincubation time, therefore, the inhibitory effects were a mechanism-based inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Inhibitory coating can prevent nanoparticle oxidation, grain growth, corrosion and agglomeration, and endow nanoparticle with special properties. ABJECTIVE: To prepare SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanoparticles and assess their magnetic properties. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The observation experiment was performed between November 2005 and March 2006 at Nanometer Compound Material Research Laboratory of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. MATERIALS: Nanometer nickel powder prepared by DC arc plasma jet method, Na2SiO3 produced by Bazhou Chemical Industry Branch Factory of Tianjin Quartz Clock Factory (China).METHODS: SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanoparticles were synthesized by coating a layer of SiO2 on the surface of manometer nickel powder via liquid deposition method using Na2SiO3 as the main source material. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Their microstructures and material properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and vibrating sample magnetometer. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that SiO2 shell was in an amorphous state around Ni cores and it avoided agglomeration of the Ni nanoparticles. The oxidation temperature of nanometer nickel powder coated by SiO2 elevated from 287 ℃ to 385 ℃. The analysis result of magnetic properties indicated that the hysteresis loop of Ni had an excursion for the existence of anti-ferromagnetic NiO, the silica coating reduced the saturation magnetization and improved the coercivity. CONCLUSION: Preparation of SiO2/Ni core-shell type nanopartieles was successful; silica coating improved the oxidation resistance of nanometer nickel powder, endowed nanometer nickel powder better ferromagnetism and improved the coercivity.

Objective To investigate the changes in the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in experimental Wistar rats with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) after hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of bevacizumab treatment, and to discuss the efficacy of HAI of bevacizumab for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty Wistar rats with successfully established HAE were randomly and equally divided into two groups with 20 rats in each group: the control group and the study group. Hepatic arterial infusion of saline was performed in the rats of the control group , while hepatic arterial infusion of bevacizumab was carried out in the rats of the study group. Before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the treatment peripheral blood samples were collected from the tail vein, and the serum levels of VEGF, apartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined by the quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the rats were sacrificed 28 days after the treatment. HAE samples were examined to evaluate the effect of bevacizumab on HAE lesions. Results Seven days after hepatic arterial infusion of bevacizumab, serum VEGF expression level in the study group became gradually decreased, and the difference was statistically significant when compared with the preoperative level or with that in the control group (P = 0.019). Fourteen days after the treatment, the serum VEGF expression level kept going down to its lowest point, and the difference in serum VEGF expression level was statistically significant when compared with the preoperative level (P < 0.01). Twenty-one days after the treatment, serum VEGF expression level started to rise and it returned to normal level in 28 days after the treatment. In the control group no significant changes in serum VEGF expression levels was observed after hepatic arterial injection of saline (P > 0.05). Conclusion In treating hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, hepatic arterial infusion of bevacizumab has certain inhibitory effect on angiogenesis. This therapy is safe and effective.

Objective This review was aimed to provide reference for production, management and use of laboratory animals by analyzing the test results on intestinal parasitic infections of mice and rats in different provinces from 1989 to 2013 in China.The results showed that the infection rates in clean and SPF mice and rats were reduced to 10%, being better than that in the past years, but the situation was still not optimistic for the control of flagellate parasites infections.

Objective To explore the clinical efficiency and safety of radiofrequency ablation combined with Tegafur,Gimeracil and Oteracil Porassium Capsules( S-1 capsules) for hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Sixty HCC patients included in this study were underwent initial radiofrequency ablation and then they were di-vided into RFA+S-1 group and RFA control group according to the metronomic chemotherapy either with S-1 or not.The local tumor control and disease free survival outcome between the two groups were compared.Results Follow-up observation showed that the total control rate after 9 months′treatment was 93.3%in RFA+S-1 group vs.73.4%in RFA control group(P=0.038).During the 18 months of follow up,the median time for dis-ease free survival was 16.25 months in RFA+S-1 group vs.12.25 months in RFA control group( P<0.001) . One-year progression free survival rate in RFA group was 53.3%,which was significantly lower than the RFA+S-1 group(83.3%)(P=0.012).The major complication rate was 13.3%.No procedu rerelated death or severe complications occurred.Conclusion Metronomic chemotherapy with S-1 following initial radiofrequency ablation delays tumor progression and prolongs overall survival of patients with HCC tumors.

Objective: To investigate the multivoxel proton MR spectroscopy findings of brain tumors and the clinical value in differential diagnosis. Methods:Sixty patients with brain tumors underwent multivoxel proton MR spectroscopic examination with PRESS sequence. Distribution of the 60 final diagnoses of neoplasms was as follow: meningioma (n=22), glioma (n=21), lymphoma (n=3), metastasis (n=5), acoustic neuroma, pituitary tumor, PNET (n=2, respectively), vascularblastoma, arachnoid cyst, neurofibromatosis (n=1,respectively). The concentrations of NAA, Cho, Cr, Lac-Lip were obtained in the tumors and the contralateral normal brain region. The ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho, tumor NAA/normal NAA, tumor Cho/normal Cho, tumor Cr/normal Cr were calculated. Results: 1H MRS showed decreased NAA, Cr and elevated Cho. NAA concentrations in meningioma, glioma, lymphoma decreased significantly to acoustic neuroma, metastasis, but Cho in tumors changed without significance. NAA/Cr ratio was significantly lower in glioma than in acoustic neuroma and metastasis, and p value was 0.014, 0.027, respectively. No significance was found in tumor Cho/Cr data. Conclusion:Multivoxel proton MR spectroscopy is available for study of tumor metabolites. The tumor NAA/normal NAA, NAA/Cr were helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of intracranial tumors.

Objective To evaluate the preventive effects of Haishe capsules on the conversion of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Patients (n=120) with aMCI from our department were recruited and randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group (n=60 in each group).The treatment group was given 0.9 gram of Haishe capsules three times a day while the control group received no drug treatment.Data on the conversion ratio,memory and cognitive function were comparedbetween the groups in a 24-months follow-up.Results By the end of the study,12 patients in the treatment group and 15 in the control group dropped out.Valid data for 93 patients were available for statistical analysis (48 in the treatment group and 45 in the control group).The number of aMCI patients who converted to AD was 6,with a conversion ratio of 12.5％ (6/48);and the number of patients who went through conversion in the control group was 13,with a conversion ratio of 28.8％ (13/45).The difference in conversion between the two groups was statistically significant (x2 =3.83,P＜0.05).After 24 months,MMSE scores for the treatment group (25.52± 1.07) had no significant change compared with baseline levels,while MMSE scores for the control group decreased significantly(24.75--1.49) and were markedly lower than thosefor the treatment group (t=2.85,P＜0.05).MoCA scores for the treatment group (19.39 ±2.01) did not show decline until the end of the study,while those for the control group started to decrease about half way through the study and were lower than scores for the treatment group (t =2.41,P＜0.05).Compared with baseline levels,ADAS-Cogscores for the treatment group (7.62± 1.06) did not increase significantly during the course of the study.ADAS-Cogscores forthe control group were higher at both half way (7.70±0.75) and the end of the study (8.18±0.80)than base line levels,and there was a statistically significant difference in end-of-study ADAS-Cog scores between the two groups(t =-2.6,P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Haishe capsules not only effectively maintain memory and cognitive function,but also delay the conversion from aMCI to AD.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic tension-type headache (a primary headache disorder) and cervicogenic headache (a secondary headache disorder that is attributable to upper cervical spine pathology) share similar clinical manifestations, but their associated personality traits may differ. We evaluated the personality differences between sufferers of chronic tension-type headache and cervicogenic headache. METHODS: We administered the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) to 18 patients suffering from chronic tension-type headache, 19 suffering from cervicogenic headache, and 26 healthy volunteers. Depressive trends were measured with the Plutchik-van-Praag Depression Inventory (PVP). RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, the chronic tension-type headache group scored significantly higher on ZKPQ Neuroticism-Anxiety and on the PVP, while the cervicogenic headache group scored significantly lower on SSS Thrill and Adventure Seeking. In addition, the total SSS score was significantly lower in the cervicogenic headache group than in both the chronic tension-type headache group and the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that higher scores for neuroticism-anxiety and depression were associated with chronic tension-type headache, while lower sensation-seeking scores were associated with cervicogenic headache.
Depression ; Headache ; Headache Disorders, Secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Post-Traumatic Headache ; Spine ; Stress, Psychological ; Tension-Type Headache ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Kechuanning combined with western medicine on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and its effects on serum amyloid A, interleukin 1β and procalcitonin levels. Methods:A total of 104 patients with AECOPD who received treatment in Yongkang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to December 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive either symptomatic treatment with western medicine alone ( n = 52, control group) or symptomatic treatment with western medicine combined with Kechuanning ( n = 52, observation group). Therapeutic effects, latency to clinical symptom relief, pre- and post-treatment pulmonary function, serum inflammatory factor levels, and blood gas analysis indexes were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [86.54% (45/52) vs. 67.31%(35/52), χ2 = 4.99, P < 0.05]. Latency to rale disappearance, latency to cough disappearance, length of hospital stay in the observation group were (8.25 ± 1.38) days, (10.05 ± 1.53) days, and (12.65 ± 2.28) days, which were significantly shorter than those in the control group [(9.41 ± 1.46) days, (12.19 ± 1.61) days, (14.36 ± 2.14) days, t = 4.16, 6.98, 3.61, all P < 0.05]. After treatment, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1), and FEV 1/FVC value in the observation group were (1.88 ± 0.5) L, (64.13 ± 5.72)%pred, (59.43 ± 5.57)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.65 ± 0.51) L, (60.22 ± 5.60)% pred, (54.16 ± 5.19)%, t = 2.17, 3.52, 4.99, all P < 0.05]. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2) in the observation group were (9.18 ± 0.89) kPa and (96.26 ± 2.13)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(8.74 ± 0.76) kPa, (94.07 ± 2.08)%, t = 2.71, 5.305, both P < 0.05]. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2) in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(7.32 ± 0.27) kPa vs. (7.63 ± 0.32) kPa, t = 5.34, P < 0.05]. Serum amyloid protein, interleukin-1β and procalcitonin levels in the observation group were (43.84 ± 6.15) mg/L, (3.24 ± 0.51) μg/L, (1.55 ± 0.37) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(55.26 ± 3.46) mg/L, (4.19 ± 0.56) μg/L, (2.03 ± 0.46) ng/L, t = 9.23, 9.04, 5.86, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion:Kechuanning as an adjuvant therapy for AECOPD can greatly improve lung function and hypoxia, alleviate clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory reactions, and have a definite clinical effect. The study is innovative and scientific and is worthy of clinical reference.