Objective To compare the effect of transthoracic contrast echocardiography (cTTE) with transesophageal contrast echocardiography (cTEE) for detecting right to left shunt (RLS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods The prospective study was conducted in 29 consecutive patients with PFO who suffered from cryptogenic stroke and/or migraine. Contrast echocardiography was performed in all 29 patients. The cTTE was performed using transducer with second harmonic imaging modality (transmitting frequency 1.7 MHz, receiving frequency 3.4 MHz). The cTEE was performed using transducer with frequency 7 MHz. Ten milliliter saline solution of contrast were rapidly administrated through an antecubital vein. According to whether microbubble (MB) appearing in left atrium after complete opaciifcation of right atrium within the ifrst 3 circles, the results were classiifed by a four-level semi-quantitative categorization:Level 1 (no PFO-RSL), no MB in left atrium; Level 2 (small PFO-RSL) 1-10 MBs; Level 3 (medium PFO-RSL) 10-30 MBs;Level 4 (large PFO-RSL)>30 MBs. Results The total detection rate of PFO-RSL was signiifcant different between cTTE and cTEE (86.2%vs 55.2%,χ2=5.711, P=0.017). In cTTE there were 4 cases at level 1, 1 case at level 2, 5 cases at level 3 and 19 cases at level 4. In cTEE there were 13 cases at leverl 1, 2 cases at level 2, 6 cases at level 3 and 7 cases at level 4. The comparison of semi-quantitative grading derived from cTTE and cTEE was also signiifcant different (Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed Z=-3.789, P=0.000). Conclusions The efifciency in detection of PFO-RLS with cTTE was better than with cTEE. Compared with cTEE, cTTE was easier in practice and brought less discomfort and complications to patients.

Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Paraganglioma

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC-DAD method for the determination of axifolin, naringenin, quercetin and kaempferol in Cudrania tricuspidata and C. cochinchinensis in order to provide a scientific reference for species identification and quality evaluation, by establishing.

METHODThe determination was performed by HPLC-DAD on an Agilent C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) by gradient elution (0-15 min, 35%-50% A; 15-30 min, 50% - 65% A) using methanol (A) and 0.1% phosphoric acid (B) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 290 nm for taxifolin and naringenin, 365 nm for quercetin and kaempferol with column temperature at 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe content of axifolin and quercetin in the root of C. tricuspidata were remarkably higher than that in the root of C. cochinchinensis, and the content in stem of C. tricuspidata was also higher than that in the stem of C. cochinchinensis, the content of axifolin and quercetin was variable in different species. The content of naringenin and kaempferol in the root of C. cochinchinensis was visibly higher than that in the root of C. tricuspidata, and the content in the stems of the two herbs was similar, the content of naringenin and kaempferol was visibly variable in different medicinal parts of the herb, but similar between the two herbs.

CONCLUSIONThere's some difference of the content of the four ingredients in different medicinal parts and different herbs, so clinical use should not be confused.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Kaempferols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Methanol ; Moraceae ; chemistry ; Organ Specificity ; Phosphoric Acids ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Reproducibility of Results ; Species Specificity

To summarize the nursing experience on recurrent intravenous leiomyomatosis with right atrial invasion in one case undergoing thoracoabdominal joint surgery.The key points were muhidisciplinary consultation and collaboration,detailed personalized surgical program and reasonable arrangements.A comprehensive preoperative assessment and psychological counseling was carried out.In the process of operation nosocomial infection was strictly controlled.The patient underwent an 8-hour procedure with 1 000ml intraoperative blood loss and was in good recovery right now.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and security of propranolol gel in treatment of Infantile hemangiomas.

METHODS51 consecutive infants with hemangiomas from October 2010 to September 2011 in Department of General Surgery Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command were treated with propranolol hydrochloride 3% gel. Changes in hemangioma size, texture, color, tumor blood flow peak were recorded.

RESULTSThe results were evaluated using Achauer system, responses of IHs to propranolol were considered scale I (poor) in 4 patient (17.24%), scale II (moderate) in 18 patients (24.14%), scale III (good) in 22 patients (44.83%) and scale IV (excellent) in 7 patients (13.79%). The response of superficial hemangiomas was significantly better than other hemangiomas (P < 0.05), and no significant differences in response among different primary sites (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTopical use of propranolol hydrochloride 3% gel is an effective option for superficial hemangiomas.

Female ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) serum level in the Guangxi BA-MA minipigs whose carotid arteries were injured by balloon denudation and in the patients with carotid stent assisted angioplasty.

METHODSTwelve Guangxi BA-MA minipigs were chosen. High fat/cholesterol feeding and endovascular balloon denudation were used to create a carotid artery atherosclerotic stenosis animal model. Blood samples were collected from peripheral veins before starting the procedure, and again, at 2 and 3 weeks after the procedure, respectively. Serum NO and ET concentrations of blood samples were tested. Nineteen patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent stent assisted angioplasty were randomly selected, and their serum NO and ET were tested using the same methods as above.

RESULTSIn the animal group, there was a significant decrease of mean NO concentration at 2 weeks after carotid injury (t-test, P < 0.05), however, no significant change of ET was observed. A very significant increase of ET was observed at 3 weeks after the procedure (t-test, P < 0.01). In the patient group, there were no significant differences among serum NO or ET concentration of peripheral vein blood before, immediately after, and 6 h after the endovascular treatment.

CONCLUSIONSIn this study, a decrease of NO concentration and an increase of ET concentration of peripheral vein blood are found in BA-MA minipigs after carotid arteries are injured by balloon denudation, which might be a cue for the formation of atherosclerosis. However, no significant changes are observed in this group of patients who underwent carotid angioplasty treatment. Therefore, further studies are needed.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; surgery ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Postoperative Period ; Random Allocation ; Stents ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo find out the correlation between the content of taxifolin in Polygonum orientale and the storage time.

METHODHPLC was used to determine taxifolin. The chromatographic condition was as following: Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase acetonitrile -0.1% phosphoric acid (gradient elution), the detection wavelength 290 nm and flow rate 1.0 mL x min(-1), the column temperature 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe injection volume of taxifolin was in good linearity within 0.07 and 0.35 microg, the average recovery was 99.7% with RSD 0.2%. Taxifolin content was 0.84, 1.36, 1.75, 1.99 mg x g(-1) corresponding to storage time of 10, 7, 6, 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe content of taxifolin decreased with the storage time. When the storage period is more than six years, the content is lower than that required by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version). This method has a good repeatability and accuracy, it provides a scientific reference for clinical use and quality evaluation of P. orientale.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Stability ; Drug Storage ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the potential association between valvular strands and migraine with aura.

METHODSDuring a 1-year period,transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 51 consecutive patients with migraine with aura and 75 control subjects who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for other purposes and had no history of migraine. The presence of aortic and mitral valve strands was evaluated.

RESULTSThe incidence of valvular strands was 21.5% (11/51) in migraine patients and 28.0% (21/75) in control subjects (Χ²=0.663, P=0.416). The incidence of patent foramen ovale was significantly higher in patients with migraine with aura than in control subjects (50.9% vs.29.3%) (Χ²=6.302, P=0.012). The incidence of aortic valve strands was significantly higher than that of mitral valve strands in migraine patients (Χ²=4.320,P=0.038).

CONCLUSIONValvular strands are not associated with migraine with aura and show little clinical significance.

Aorta ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Humans ; Incidence ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Mitral Valve

Transparency Ecosystem for Research and Journals in Medicine (TERM) working group summarized the essential recommendations that should be considered to review and publish a high-quality guideline. These recommendations from editors and reviewers included 10 components of essential requirements: systematic review of existing relevant guidelines, guideline registration, guideline protocol, stakeholders, conflicts of interest, clinical questions, systematic reviews, recommendation consensus, guideline reporting and external review. TERM working group abbreviates them as PAGE (essential requirements for Publishing clinical prActice GuidelinEs), and recommends guideline authors, editors, and peer reviewers to use them for high-quality guidelines.
Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic