BACKGROUNDElectrochemical therapy (ECT) has been used to treat unresectable hepatic tumor. In order to improve its efficacy, we combined ECT with hyperthermia induced by electrothermal needle (ETN) (ETECT). The aim of this study is to investigate the destructive effect of ETECT on normal rat liver.

METHODSTwenty rats were randomized into 4 treatment groups (n=5 in each group): control, ECT alone, hyperthermia alone and ETECT. Following the treatment, sections of the livers were histologically examined by light microscopy and the destructive volumes were measured with micrometer.

RESULTSWe found that the destructive volumes in ETECT group were the largest (P<0.01). In ETECT group coagulative necrosis was found in both anode and cathode areas, around which transition zones existed. The transition zones can only be seen when coulomb was increased in ECT group.

CONCLUSIONETECT was demonstrated to enhance the destructive effect of ECT. This study provides theoretical and experimental basis for a new local ablative treatment for unresectable primary liver tumor.

Animals ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; methods ; Electrochemistry ; Female ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a minimally invasive technique of parotidectomy in treatment of benign parotid tumors.

METHODSThis retrospective review included 49 patients with benign parotid gland tumors. The modified technique included incision, flap elevation, facial nerve dissection, the great auricular nerve preservation and postoperative disposal.

RESULTSAll tumors were resected completely. The operation lasted 1.5 approximately 2.5 h; the average length of incisions was from 5.5 cm to 7.5 cm, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. There were no permanent facial nerve injury, no obvious scars and no depressed deformity observed postoperatively. During the 6 months approximately 5 years following-up, no tumor recurrence was found.

CONCLUSIONThe minimally invasive technique of parotidectomy reduces the disadvantages of the traditional procedure, and improves the quality of operation.T.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Parotid Gland ; surgery ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To establish an acute yunaconitine poisoning rat model with a single oral administration and to determine the contents of yunaconitine in rat tissues by UPLC-MS/MS method, then investigate the distribution of yunaconitine in rats. Method The rats were randomly divided into three groups and were intragastrically administered a single dose of 2.2mg/kg,1.1mg/kg,0.7mg/kg yunaconitine, respectively.. The rats were killed 2h later, the stomach tissue, intestine tissue, liver tissue, pancreas tissue, kidney tissue, lung tissue, spleen tissue, heart tissue, bladder tissue, testis tissue, brain tissue and heart blood samples were collected. The contents of yunaconitine in the biological materials were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method after the biological samples extracted by liquid-liquid extraction. Result A rat model of the yunaconitine poisoning was made with a single dose of 1.1mg/kg, the concentrations of yunaconitine displayed in the organs with the following order:stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, lung, spleen, heart, bladder, testis, heart blood and brain. Conclusion Yunaconitine was widely distributed in rats, especially the levels in the stomach, small intestine and liver were the highest. The conclusion provides a basis for the selection of test materials for the poisoning of Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom.

OBJECTIVETo test the accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) imaging system for evaluating left ventricular mass (LVM) in phantom and excised canine heart.

METHODSTen left ventricular (LV) wall phantoms made of two rubber-bursas, ten excised canine hearts underwent RT3DE and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). In RT3DE "full volume" imaging, the myocardial volume was measured using 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane method with the analysis software of RT3DE. Mass was then calculated by multiplying the resulting myocardial volume by specific density of myocardial tissue. In 2DE the masses were measured by area-length method. The true LV wall phantom mass was measured by water displacement and the canine LVM was weighed by anatomy, which served as a reference standard. We compared RT3DE or 2DE with true mass.

RESULTSIn LV wall phantoms, RT3DE correlated with true masses strongly (r = 0.813-0.994) and weakly correlated between 2DE and true masses (r = 0.628). In excised canine hearts, there is an excellent correlation between RT3DE and true masses (r = 0.764-0.991), while 2DE value showed a lesser correlation (r = 0.514). There are no difference between RT-3DE and true masses (P > 0.05) but different between 2DE and true masses (P < 0.05). In different planes, there was no difference between 8-plane and 16-plane (P > 0.05) but different between 8-plane and 2, 4-plane (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRT3DE can accurately quantify LVM and provide a new tool to evaluate LV function. For LVM by RT3DE, 8-plane measurement method is the best choice for accuracy and convenience.

Animals ; Dogs ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Heart Ventricles ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Phantoms, Imaging

BACKGROUNDAssessment of the left ventricular (LV) and the right ventricular (RV) volumes and their functions is important for prognostic prediction and clinical decision making. We compared the accuracy for quantifying the LV and the RV volumes in vitro between conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).

METHODSThe volumes of 37 rubber-models (10 regularly shaped to simulate normal LV, 7 shaped to simulate LV with symmetric aneurysm, 8 shaped to simulate LV with asymmetric aneurysm, and 12 irregularly shaped to simulate normal RV) and 10 excised canine hearts were measured by RT3DE and 2DE. On RT3DE "full volume" imaging, the inner-surfaces of the rubber-models and canine LV and RV were outlined and the volumes were measured using 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-plane methods with the RT3DE analysis software. On 2DE imaging, the volumes were measured by the Simpson method. The LV and RV volumes measured by drained water were served as reference values, with which we compared RT3DE and 2DE data.

RESULTSIn rubber models mimicking normal LV and LV with symmetric aneurysms, RT3DE results were strongly correlated with reference values (r = 0.795 - 0.998) and there was a good correlation between 2DE estimates and reference values (r = 0.715 - 0.729). There were no significant differences between RT3DE estimates, 2DE results and reference values (P > 0.05). In rubber models mimicking the RV and LV with asymmetric aneurysm, RT3DE strongly correlated with reference values (r = 0.765 - 0.988), but 2DE weakly correlated with reference values (r = 0.518 - 0.592). There were no differences between RT3DE and reference values (P > 0.05), but a significant difference between 2DE and reference values occurred (P < 0.05). For excised canine hearts, there was a strong correlation between RT3DE and reference values (r = 0.728 - 0.914), while 2DE showed a less obvious correlation (r = 0.502 - 0.615). Again, there were no significant differences between RT3DE and reference values (P > 0.05), but there was a significant difference between 2DE and reference values (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRT3DE can accurately quantify LV and RV volumes and provides a new tool to evaluate LV and RV function. For LV and RV measurements by RT3DE, 8-plane strategy is the optimum choice for accuracy and convenience.

Animals ; Cardiac Volume ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; Reference Values ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Ventricular Function, Right

BACKGROUNDBoth real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) are novel imaging techniques. The purpose of this study was to confirm the feasibility and accuracy of RT3DE combined with MCE for quantitative evaluation of myocardial perfusion defects.

METHODSThirteen dogs underwent ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD, n = 6) or distal branch of the left circumflex artery (LCX, n = 7) under general anaesthesia. Three to four ml of a perfluoropropane (C3F8) microbubble contrast agent was injected intravenously to assess the resulting myocardial perfusion defects with a commercially available Philips SONOS-7500 ultrasound system. After removal of the dog hearts, Evans blue dye was injected via the left and right coronary arteries to stain the myocardium at risk. In vitro anatomic measurements of myocardial mass after removal of the animals' hearts were used as controls.

RESULTSLeft ventricular (LV) mass determined by RT3DE ranged 36.7 - 68.9 g [mean, (54.6 +/- 9.6) g] before coronary artery ligation, and correlated highly (r = 0.99) with in vitro measurement of LV mass [range, 38.9 - 71.1 g; mean, (55.6 +/- 9.3) g]. There was no significant difference between RT3DE and in vitro measurements of LV mass [range, 36.7 - 68.9 g; mean, (51.3 +/- 12.5) g. Or range, 38.9 - 71.1 g; mean, (53.7 +/- 12.3) g, respectively] and under-perfused mass [range, 0 - 21.4 g; mean, (12.0 +/- 6.9) g. Or range, 0 - 19.8 g; mean, (10.8 +/- 6.3) g, respectively] after the LAD ligation (P > 0.05). Likewise, no significant difference was present between RT3DE and in vitro measurements of LV mass [range, 50.1 - 65.4 g; mean, (57.5 +/- 5.9) g. Or range, 51.5 - 65.8 g; mean, (57.3 +/- 6.4) g, respectively] and under-perfused mass [range, 0 - 25.6 g; mean, (13.3 +/- 9.6) g. Or range, 0 - 22.7 g; mean, (12.8 +/- 8.1) g, respectively] after the LCX ligation (P > 0.05). For all the animals with coronary ligation, LV mass measured by RT3DE ranged 35.9 - 68.6 g [mean, (54.8 +/- 10.0) g] and there was no significant difference between RT3DE and in vitro measurements of LV mass and under-perfused mass (P > 0.05, r = 0.99). Further, the under-perfused mass derived from RT3DE [range, 0 - 25.6 g; mean, (12.7 +/- 8.2) g] correlated strongly with the in vitro measurements [range, 0 - 22.7 g; mean, (11.9 +/- 7.2) g] (r = 0.96).

CONCLUSIONRT3DE with MCE is a rapid and accurate method for estimating LV myocardial mass and quantifying perfusion defects.

Animals ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Feasibility Studies ; Fluorocarbons

OBJECTIVETo evaluate immunogenicity after primary vaccination by different sequential program of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).

METHODSChildren of 2 months old (60-89 days) selected in Beijing were assigned to 4 groups, 1 dose IPV plus 2 doses OPV (I-O-O, 122 children), 2 doses IPV plus 1 dose OPV(I-I-O, 103 children), 3 doses IPV (I-I-I, 114 children), and 3 doses OPV (O-O-O, 106 children), and were vaccinated at the age of 2, 3, 4 months. Polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were tested and protective rates were calculated before the 1st dose, after the last dose, and after the 1st and 2nd dose of IPV.

RESULTSAfter the primary immunization, geometric mean titers (GMT) of polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were 788.32, 738.42 and 631.17 in O-O-O group, 212.02, 262.30 and 537.52 in I-I-I group, 940.35, 929.72 and 940.35 in I-O-O group and 901.09, 1102.68 and 1110.12 in I-I-O group (F values were 47.71, 53.84, and 9.81 respectively, all P values<0.01). The protective rate of three types among each group was 98.1% (104/106)-100.0% and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After the 1(st) dose of IPV, the GMT were 18.88, 37.77, 24.64 and the protective rate was 82.6% (122/138)-96.4% (133/138); after the 2nd dose of IPV, GMT were 177.03, 168.25, 321.86 and the protective rate was 99.1% (108/109)-100.0% (109/109) in antibody types 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONGMT of polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus is higher after vaccination by sequential program of IPV and OPV than that by IPV or OPV 3-doses program. High level of protective rate after 2 doses of IPV in I-I-O group may lead to better protection from vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). Sequential program of IPV and OPV can be used to maintain high level of herd immunity and to prevent VAPP, and the I-I-O sequential program should be the first choice.

Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Infant ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology

A questionnaire survey of 1 000 clinicians having experience in treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections from different levels of hospitals was conducted to mainly evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of clinical application of clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection(hereinafter referred to as Guideline). The research was conducted with the three-level quality control strictly throughout the process, and the data was real and reliable. The survey's results showed that: most clinicians considered that the Guideline had good clinical applicability. The availability and price of the recommended medicine were moderate. Traditional Chinese medicine had obvious features and advantages in treating lower urinary tract infection for it could reduce the usage of antibiotics and shorten the course of antibiotic application. In the recommendation section, clinicians proposed increasing medication guidance, updating the Guideline timely, as well as increasing treating methods and techniques, strengthen propaganda and promotion, and improve the use of evidence-based methods. In the evaluation of effectiveness, the majority of clinicians agreed that the definition in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine and differential diagnosis in the Guideline were accurately described and the basic principle of treatment as well as the treating method of TCM were recommended appropriately. The TCM formulas and Chinese patent medicine had good effect. Some clinicians suggested refining the syndrome differentiation of stranguria. Some clinicians considered that the formulas and herbs recommended in Guideline didn't have obvious effect and some had doubts about the manipulation of fumigation and washing in the part of other methods recommended in Guideline. Moreover, specification and procedure of manipulation of fumigation and washing using herbs and the acupuncture included in characteristic TCM therapy treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection remained to be developed.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Urinary Tract Infections