Objective To investigate the stability of 1% lauromacrogol foam sclerosant prepared with different liquid-to-air ratio in order to find out the optimal liquid-to-air ratio. Methods According to Tessari technique, two 10 ml disposable plastic syringes and one three-way plastic stopcock were used to mix 1%lauromacrogol with room air, and liquid-to-air ratios from 1∶1 to 1∶9 were separately employed to make the preparation of the foam sclerosant. Each kind of liquid-to-air ratio was used to separately make bubbles for 5 times, the foam half-life time (FHT), the foam drainage time (FDT) and the foam coalescence time (FCT) were recorded, and their mean values were calculated. The optimal liquid-to-air ratio was defined as the intermediate values of all the above measured indexes. Results When the liquid-to-air ratio was 1 ∶ 1, 1 ∶2, 1 ∶ 3, 1 ∶ 4, 1 ∶ 5, 1 ∶ 6, 1 ∶ 7, 1 ∶ 8 and 1 ∶ 9, the FHT of 1% lauromacrogol foam sclerosant was 184.8, 169.3, 135.9, 110.8, 111.5, 92.6, 76.3, 74.7 and 49.9 seconds respectively; the FDT was 10.6, 17.8, 14.6, 13.7, 13.0, 12.3, 10.7, 11.5 and 12.6 seconds respectively; while the FCT was 108.4, 79.8, 41.8, 20.3, 10.4, 0, 0, 0 and 0 seconds respectively. Conclusion Based on Tessari technique, the indoor air, two 10 ml disposable plastic syringes and one three-way plastic stopcock are used to prepare 1%lauromacrogol foam sclerosant, and the optimal liquid-to-air ratio is 1 ∶ 2.

Objective To compare the difference between volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) in evaluating the radiation dose of abdominal CT scan.Methods Abdominal CT scan were performed on 180 patients with a Philips 256-slices spiral CT.The anterior-posterior dimension (AP) and lateral dimension (LAT) of each patients were measured at the level of left renal vein, and the effective diameter (ED) and SSDE were calculated with recorded CTDIvol Patients were categorized into 3 groups depending on body mass index (BMI): group A, BMI ＜ 20.0 kg/m2;group B, 20.0-24.9 kg/m2;group C, BMI ＞ 24.9 kg/m2.The differences between CTDIvoland SSDE of 180 patients and three different BMI groups were compared respectively.Results There was a significant difference between CTDIvol and SSDE of the 180 patients (t =-13.354, P ＜ 0.01), CTDIvol and SSDE were (9.91 ± 2.91) and (14.01 ± 2.82) mGy, respectively.For group A, CTDIvol and SSDE were (7.96 ± 1.83) and (12.83 ± 2.52) mGy, respectively (t =-8.417, P ＜ 0.01).Group B, CTDIvol and SSDE were (9.28 ± 1.76) and (13.62 ±2.18) mGy, respectively (t =-15.051, P ＜ 0.01).Group C, CTDIvol and SSDE were (12.19 ± 3.65) and (15.39 ± 3.47) mGy, respectively (t =-4.535, P ＜ 0.01).In addition, the mean percentage values of difference between CTDIvol and SSDE for the three groups were 62.83％, 47.80％, 28.40％, respectively, which meant CTDIvol underestimated the radiation dose compared to SSDE.With the BMI increasing, the values of difference between CTDIvol and SSDE decreased.Conclusions SSDE can be used to estimate the radiation dose of abdominal CT scan for a given size person.

AIM:To investigate the expression of Grb2-associated binding protein 2 (Gab2) in human osteo-sarcoma cells and its relationship with the invasion and metastases of human osteosarcoma cells.METHODS: The tech-nique of small RNA interference was used to transfect human osteosarcoma U2-OS cell lines.Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of Gab2 in transfected U2-OS cells.After transfection, through chem-otaxis and invasion assays in vitro, the cell migration and invasion abilities were detected.RESULTS:After transfection, the expression of Gab2 at mRNA and protein levels in Gab2 siRNA transfected cells ( SiGab2/U2-OS) was lower than that in scrambled siRNA transfected cells ( Scr/U2-OS ) and U2-OS cells.After stimulation with epidermal growth factor ( EGF) at concentration of 10 μg/L, the migration SiGab2/U2-OS cells was significantly less than Scr/U2-OS cells and U2-OS cells ( P<0.01 ) .The number of invasion cells of SiGab2/U2-OS group was significantly lower than the other 2 control groups ( P<0.01) .CONCLUSION:Inhibition of Gab2 expression obviously attenuates the migration and invasion abilities of human osteosarcoma U2-OS cell line.

Objective To evaluate the left ventricular(LV)global and segmental myocardial systolic function in patients with permanent DDD pacemaker implantation by speckle tracking imaging.Methods Myocardial imaging of LV apical long views and parasternal LV short axis views were performed in 9 patients with right ventricular(RV)septum pacing(RV septum group),15 patients with RV apex pacing(RV apex group)and 13 healthy subjects(control group).Peak systolic longitudinal strain(S_L),peak systolic radial strain(S_R)were measured,and the average of S_L and S_R among LV 18 segments were calculated respectively as corresponding GS_L and GS_R.Results The GS_L[-(18.29±2.67)%]of RV apex group showed significant decrease compared with RV septum group[-(20.54±2.29)%]and control group[-(21.07±2.08)%](P＜0.05),while no significant difference was found between RV septum and control group.The GS_R of the pacing groups were both lower than control group[(36.26±9.37)%in control group,(28.59±6.06)%in RV septum group,(26.85±7.73)%in RV apex group,P＜0.05],but RV apex group showed more decrease trend.The S_L and S_R of the LV myocardial segments close to the pacing sites in both pacing groups showed significant decrease compared with control group,but RV septum group preserved similar LV strain distribution with control group while RV apex group showed abnormal LV strain pattern.Conclusions Speckle tracking imaging is a useful modality to evaluate global and segmental myocardial systolic function of LV with pacing at different right ventricular sites.

Objective To appraise the clinical value of velocity vector imaging(VVI) by analyzing the peak systolic velocities,strain and strain rate of ventricular segments in patients with DDD pacing. Methods eventeen patients with DDD pacing were enrolled in this study. The peak systolic velocities, strain andstrain rate of ventricular segments were measured with VVI. The difference at baseline and after pacemaker implantation was analyzed. Results Left and right ventricular (LV and RV) longitudinal peak velocities at baseline and after DDD pacing were significantly decreasing from basal, mid to apical segments. But no significant difference was found in longitudinal strain,strain rate and radial motion characteristic of LV. The mean systolic velocities and strain rate at baseline and after pacemaker implantation and strain with pacing of RV posterior septum and free wall were higher than those of posterior septum and lateral segment of LV respectively. The mean strain and strain rate of RV after pacing were higher than that of LV. Compared with the values at baseline, mean strain of LV with pacing was lower significantly. Conclusions VVI can accurately assess ventricular systolic function in patients with DDD pacing, and can become a powerful means in assessing the regional myocardial function.

Objective To evaluate the patterns of intracardiac flow of left ventricle (LV) in patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) by analyzing the vortex during isovolumetric contraction phase and the distribution rules of flow-time curves in each layer of LV.Methods Twenty-seven patients with frequent isolated PVCs from RVOT were involved and 25 healthy subjects as control.The color Doppler image of LV at apical four-chamber view was acquired.Vector flow mapping (VFM) was performed to assess the parameters of vortex during isovolumic contraction phase, including diameter (transverse and vertical diameter), velocity (maximal positive and negative velocity) and the number of vortex rings.Positive flow during systole and negative flow during diastole of LV in each layer were measured by flow-time curve.All values of patients with PVCs were recorded during sinus beats (PVC-S) and PVC (PVC-V) respectively.Results Significant differences were demonstrated in all parameters of vortex between the PVC-V and control subjects.And the flow-time curves disarrayed in PVC-V.The velocity of vortex in PVC-S was lower than that in control subjects.And the distribution pattern of flow-time curves in LV of PVC-S differed from that of control subjects.Conclusions Alternation of intracardiac fluid pattern in LV was demonstrated in patients with PVCs from RVOT during both sinus beats and PVC.VFM can be used to analyze the intracardiac flow field in normal and pathological electrical activation.

Objective To survey the biliary flora in patients with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic head cancer,also the multiple factors which affect the positive findings of bile culture in these patients.Methods The information of 65 patients with obstruetive jaundice due to pancreatic head eancer,who admitted to surgery in Huashan Hospital from Oetober 2007 to October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.The factors which may potentially affect the detection of bile pathogen in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were studied with univarite analysis and muhivariate analysis,including age,history of biliary surgery,yellow stained time,serum alanihe aminotransferase level,serum bilirubin level,CA19-9 level,tumor size,site of obstruction,with or without clinical manifestations of biliary infection,and APACHE Ⅱ score.Results Twenty-five positive cultures happened in 65 bile samples (38.5％),including 21 strains of Gram-negative baeilli (72.4％),6 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (20.7％),and 2 strains of fungi (6.9％).Univariate analysis showed that the relevant factors which may affect the rate of positive bile culture in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were age,history of biliary surgery,biliary obstruction site,biliary tract infection symptoms and APACHE Ⅱ score.Multivariate analysis showed that age,history of biliary surgery,biliary obstruction site and APACHE Ⅱ seore were independent risk factors.Conctusion Age,history of biliary surgery,biliary obstruction site and APACHE Ⅱ score were independent risk factors which led to positive findings of bile cultures in patients with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic head cancer.

Objective To evaluate left ventricular(LV)myocardial contraction patterns and function when pacing in different right ventricular(RV)sites and discuss echocardiogarphic method to evaluate physiologcal pacing mode.Methods This study included 26 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia without organic heart disease.Four pacing modes including right atrium pacing(AAI),RV apex pacing(VVI-RVA),RV septal pacing(VVI-IVS)and RV outflow tract pacing(VVI-RVOT)were performed on the patients in a random order after succussful radiofrequency ablation.The parameters measured in each pacing mode included(1)LV systolic function parameters:LV twist angle(Twist),aortic systolic velocity-time integral(VTIAo)and LV global strain(Gε)；(2)LV contracting pattern:segmental peak systolic strain(Sε),the time to peak value(TPε),and the distribution of segmental Sε,TPε in each layer or wall.The relationship between Sε,TPε of each wall was analyzed.[Results]Pacing from RV sites showed lower Twist,VTIAO and Gε than AAI mode.Gε demonstrated significant difference in three RV sites pacing mode(VVI-RVOT＞VVI-IVS＞VVI-RVA,P＜0.05).Compared with the AAI mode,the distribution of segmental Sε,TPε in the each layer or wall alerted significantly in three RV sites pacing mode,especially in VV1-RVA.The distribution pattern was similar in VVI-RVOT and VVI-IVS.Furthermore,the wall Sε collated negtively with wall TPε(r =-0.51,P＜0.001).[Conclusions]Compared with AAI mode,RV pacing,especially the VVI-RVA induced the alternation of LV contraction patterns and reduction of systolic function.Longitudinal strain parameters can be used to assess the myocardial contraction patterns and function in different pacing mode.

AIMTo search for flavonoids which possess stronger vasorelaxation action.

METHODSFour quercetin glycosides (1a - d) were synthesized from quercetin in three steps i. e. selective protection of quercetin, condensation with corresponding acetyiglycosyl bromide, and then removal of the protecting group; Six flavone compounds (2a - f) were prepared from phloroglucinol according to the conventional methods; The structures of synthetic compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. Vasorelaxation action of ten synthetic quercetin derivatives (or analogues) and four natural flavonoids compounds were examined on the isolated rat thoracic aorta rings; Comparative octanol-water partition coefficients (logP) were measured using a reversed-phase HPLC method.

RESULTSMost of the tested flavonoids showed concentration dependent relaxation effects against PE-induced contractions of rat aortic rings. These compounds had stronger action with the augment of logP values.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3-bromo-5 ,7-dihydroxyflavone (2d) was identified to have the most potent vasodilating action. These compounds exert vasodilating effects that are related to the logP values. A structure-activity relationship of flavonoids was suggested.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flavonoids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

Objective To assess the left ventricular(LV)contraction synchrony in patients with DDD pacing by velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods Acoustic clip capture was performed in 13 patients before and after pacemaker implantation and obtained high-frame rate B-mode echocardiographic images.VVI was done in all three standard LV apical views and parasternal LV short axis(SAX)views.The time to peak systolic longitudinal velocity(Tvl)and systolic longitudinal strain(Ts1)in the LV apical views and the time to peak systolic radial velocity(Tvr)and systolic circumferential strain(Tsc)in the LV SAX views were measured bv VVI.The standard deviation of Tvl,Tsl,Tvr and Tsc(Tvl-SD,Tsl-SD,Tvr-SD and TscSD)and the maximal temporal difference of Tvl,Tsl,Tvr and Tsc(Tvl-d,Tsl-d,Tvr-d and Tsc-d)of 18 segments were calculated.Results Compared with the values at baseline,Tvr-SD,Tsc-SD,Tsl-d,Tvr-d and Tsc-d increased significantly in patients after pacemaker implantation(P＜0.05).Conclusions The longitudinal,radial and circumferential systolic asynchrony of the LV was commonly existed in patients after DDD pacing.VVI can be used to evaluate the systolic synchrony of the LV in patients with DDD pacing.