OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of detachable balloon for splenic artery trunk embolization in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension and hypersplenism.

METHODSEight patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension received splenic artery trunk disconnection using detachable balloons under the guidance of digital subtraction angiography. The diameter and blood flow of the portal vein, the superior mesenteric vein, the splenic vein and the hepatic artery were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. Markers of liver function and blood coagulation, and routine blood parameters were assessed. Gastroscopy was used to evaluate to the degree of gastroesophageal varices. All complications experienced during the perioperative period were recorded.

RESULTSThe portal vein diameter decreased from 1.55±0.38 cm to 1.55±0.38 cm, and the splenic artery diameter decreased from 1.45±0.10 cm to 1.41±0.09 cm (P < 0.05). The portal vein blood flow was reduced from 971.52±174.77 ml/min to 785.86±100.17 ml/min, and the splenic vein blood flow decreased from 938.01±208.86 ml/min to 644.02±188.15 ml/min, while the hepatic artery blood flow increased from 261.25±65.47 ml/min to 449.32±84.05 ml/min (P < 0.05). The symptoms of splenism were improved effectively, with platelet counts rising from 37.75±10.61*109/L to 138.63±28.22*109/L after the procedure (P < 0.05). There were no episodes of severe complications or death in the perioperative period, and all patients showed remarkable improvement in markers of liver function and coagulation function, and improvement of esophagogastric varices.

CONCLUSIONSThe interventional disconnection technique of the splenic artery trunk using detachable balloon for the treatment of portal hypertension and hypersplenism is safe and effective.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Hypersplenism ; Hypertension, Portal ; Mesenteric Veins ; Platelet Count ; Portal Vein ; Splenic Artery

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of endovascular embolization in treating spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae, and to discuss its imaging manifestations. Methods A total of 7 patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae were included in this study. Endovascular embolization was carried out in all the 7 patients. The clinical data, including epidemiology, spinal MRI and DSA manifestations, therapeutic method and follow-up findings, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Abnormal MRI manifestations of spinal cord were demonstrated in all 7 patients. After the diagnosis was confirmed by DSA, endovascular embolization was carried out. All patients were followed up for 6 months, and their clinical symptoms were improved in different degrees. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue was used as embolization agent in 4 cases, and no recurrence was observed in them. Onyx liquid glue was used in 3 patients, and in one of them the arteriovenous fistula recurred. Conclusion For the treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae, endovascular embolization is effective and safe although further investigation is still needed.

0.05). Compared with the control group,an obvious retarded development was observed from PND21-70 and the viscera coefficient of testis were increased significantly in 2.5 or 5.0 mg/(kg?d) group (P

0.05).Compared with the control group,body weights gains from PND21-70 were decreased significantly in the 5 and 2.5 mg/kg group(P0.05).No abnormal structure of testis was observed in all exposure groups.Conclusion Exposure to TBTC during critical period for sex differentiation may decrease body gain and increase spermatogenesis and the activities of LDH and SDH.

Objective To explore the effects of gestation and lactation exposure to low dose tributyltin(TBT) on development of offspring of Kunming mice.Methods The healthy adult pregnant Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups,6 in each group,they were given doses of TBT(100,10 and 1 ?g/kg) by gavage from days 6 of gestation(GD6)to the end of lactation.The number of pups and the number of male,female of each dams were determined,and the body weight of pups on PNDs 1,3,5,7,14,21 was weighed.The eye opening from PND12 and the testes descent from PND13 and the vagina opening from PND20 were examined.Results Compared with the control group,the gestational body weight gain of dams decreased in 100 ?g/kg group(P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect and mechanism of beta-elemene interventional treatment on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits. METHODS: The rabbits were all transplanted with VX2 carcinoma on kidney. Fifty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 11 groups. Rabbits in these groups were administered interventional treatment of normal saline, iodinated oil, mitomycin, 5-fluorouracil, beta-elemene, cisplatin, carboplatin, adriamycin, thiotepa, cyclophopsphamide, and vincristine, respectively. After corresponding intervention, the tumor volume in each group was measured by ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography, and the tumor growth rate (TGR) was calculated. Nenal and hepatic functions of the rabbits in each group were compared 1 day, 7 and 14 days after the interventional treatment. Morphologic change of the tumor was observed by a light microscopy and a transmission electron microscopy 14 days after interventional treatment. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by immunohistochemical straining. RESULTS: There was statistical significance in the effects of different medicines intervened on VX2 kidney transplanted carcinoma. The VX2 carcinoma of rabbits had high-sensitivity to iodized oil embolism, mitomycin, cisplatin and carboplatin, which showed serious damage to the kidney function, medium-sensitivity to beta-elemene, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil, in which beta-elemene showed slight damage to the kidney function, and resistance to thiotepa, cyclohosphamide and vincristine. Most tumor cells displayed apoptosis in the beta-elemene interventional treatment group under light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and only few tumor cells displayed necrosis. The Bax expression was up-regulated (P<0.05) and the Bcl-2 expression had no significant difference (P>0.05) in the beta-elemene interventional treatment group. CONCLUSION: Intervention treatment of beta-elemene has significant effect on VX2 kidney transplanted carcinoma and little side effect on the kidney function. Its mechanism is related to enhancing the apoptosis of tumor cells, and Bax gene participates in this action.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the radiosensitization of beta-elemene on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits in vivo. METHODS: The rabbits were all transplanted with VX2 carcinoma on kidney. The appropriate dose of beta-elemene infusion via renal artery for further study on radiosensitization was determined. Then fifty-five rabbits were divided into three groups: untreated group, radiation group and radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group. After corresponding intervention for each group, the tumor volume was measured by ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography. The sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) of beta-elemene was calculated. The pathological change of tumor tissue in kidney was observed by light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy. The apoptotic index was also examined by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method. RESULTS: The most significant radiosensitivity was observed in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group with 6 Mev X-ray radiation dose of 3 Gy.Fx(-1).d(-1) x 5 d and beta-elemene dose of 10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1). The average time delayed for tumor growth was obviously longer in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group than those in the untreated group and radiation group. The SER of beta-elemene was 1.89. The apoptotic index of tumor cells in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group was also significantly higher than those in the untreated group and radiation group. CONCLUSION: The beta-elemene can enhance the effects of irradiation on VX2 carcinoma transplanted to kidney in rabbits in vivo by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.

Objective To observe the expressive changes of RhoA and phosphorylated myosin light chain in rat liver tissue undergoing hepatic fibrogenesis.Methods The liver histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome method.Western blot was used to determine the expressions of RhoA and p-MLC(Thr18/Ser19),and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to determine the expression of RhoA mRNA.Results With the development of hepatic fibrogenesis,the protein expressions of RhoA and p-MLC(Thr18/Ser19) and the mRNA expression of RhoA were significantly increased.RhoA and p-MLC(Thr18/Ser19)correlated with ?-SMA positively,respectively.Conclusion Rho/ROCK signaling pathways are changed in the process hepatic fibrogenesis.

Objective To explore the biomechanical mechanism of long-term complication of cervical spinal operations by measuring pressure changes of zygapophysial joints using pressure sensitive film (PSF) after cervical spine anterior operations. Methods C4,5 anterior discectomy and C4,5 anterior plate fixation were done on 10 fresh adult cervical spine specimens (C2～T1). PSF was put into zygapophysial joints and pressure changes were measured in positions of extension, left/right lateral bending and axial rotation on a universal testing machine. Results After cervical spine anterior operations, pressure of the adjacent facet joints increased. The differences were significant in extension and axial rotation (P

Objective It has been known that hepatopulmonary syndrome(HPS) is related to the imbalance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. The aim of the study is to examine the levels of plasma calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and endothelin(ET) in patients with HPS for exploring their roles in HPS formation. Methods The levels of CGRP and ET were measured by radioimmunoassay in 16 cases of HPS, 30 cases of liver cirrhosis without HPS and 15 normal controls. Results The levels of plasma CGRP ((65?15)pg/ml) and ET((78?21)pg/ml) in 16 cases of HPS were significantly higher than those in liver cirrhosis (CGRP (51?15) pg/ml, ET (60?14) pg/ml) and in healthy controls (CGRP (32?12) pg/ml, ET (36?11) pg/ml) ( P 0.05). Conclusions The increase of plasma CGRP and ET is closely associated with the intrapulmonar vascular dilation of HPS and hypoxemia. The levels of plasma CGRP and ET in liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in healthy controls ( P