AIM: Determination of total alkaloids in Dendrobium nobile Lindl.METHODS: Dried materials were subjected to exhaustive extraction with ethanol: water (9:1,v/v) under reflux.Following filtration and condensation,the residue was dissolved in 3% hydrochloric acid and filtered.The solution was refined using a strongly acidic cation exchange resin column through sequential elution.After elution of deionized H2O,the eluent with 50% of alcoholic plus 5% of ammonia was collected until alkaloids were completely desorbed and evaporated under reduced pressure.The test sample was obtained.The test sample was dissolved in glacial acetic acid and titrated with perchloric acid titrand(0.1 mol/L) with automatic titrator.The herb should contain alkaloids,calculated as dendrobium(per 1ml of perchloric acid titrand is equivalent to 26.3 mg dendrobium).RESULTS: The results of three batches of material were 0.85% ,0.63% ,1.03% respectively.CONCLUSION: The method is convenient,fast,effective and reliable.Automatic potentiometric titration can be used for determination of alkaloids in Dendrobium nobile Lindl.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of stent-assistant angioplasty for intracranial vascular diseases.

METHODSThirteen patients with intracranial vascular diseases were treated consecutively by stent-assistant angioplasty for different purposes. Of these patients 7 had symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis, 3 intracranial wide-neck aneurysms, 2 intracranial pseudoaneurysms, and 1 bilateral transverse sinus stenosis. Clinical procedures and technical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSIn the 7 patients, the degree of intracranial artery stenosis reduced from 83% to 5%. Three months after the operation they exhibited good patency of stented lesions. Intracranial wide neck aneurysms (with 2 pseudoaneurysms) were successfully embolized with GDC in 5 patients. The patients with bilateral transverse sinus stenosis were implanted a self-expanded stent in the right transverse sinus. One patient failed because of the tortuous configuration of the left jugular bulb, but the patient's symptoms were improved quickly after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONStent-assistant angioplasty is a useful technique for selected intracranial vascular diseases, and it needs further investigation.

Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome