Objective:To detect the characteristics of vascular remodeling after carotid balloon injury model in rats using ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM), and to discuss the application value of UBM technique by comparing ultrasonic characteristics with histopathological results.Methods:Carotid balloon injury was performed in 10-week-old SD rats(11 female and 11 male) by 2F Fogarty balloon catheter. The left common carotid artery(CCA) was injured and the right side in the same animal was used as an uninjured control. Arterial structures and hemodynamics were evaluated pre-procedure and post-procedure at 7, 14 days.The intima-media thickness(IMT) inner diameter, outer diameter, lumen area, vessel area, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity of CCA were measured by UBM, and the vascular resistance index, shear stress and blood flow were calculated to evaluate the vascular hemodynamics. The histological data were obtained by H&E staining in cross-sections at 14 days after balloon injury. The characteristics of arterial structure and hemodynamic changes at various time points were compared, the structural changes of CCA between injured and control side after injury were compared. The Spearman correlation and linear regression were used to test the correlation between ultrasonic and histological measurements 14 days after balloon injury.Results:①Compared with pre-procedure, the IMT at 14 days after balloon injury was increased, the inner diameter was decreased, the shear stress in ultrasound was increased(all P<0.05). H&E staining histological test showed that IMT and neointima area in male rats were larger than those of female rats (all P<0.001). ②After carotid balloon injury, the lumen area decreased, but the CCA underwent compensatory positive remodeling and the vessel area increased. ③Significant correlations were demonstrated between UBM and histology in IMT, inner diameter, outer diameter and vessel area of CCA( rs=0.819, 0.965, 0.896, 0.955; all P<0.001). The vessel area value measured by UBM was larger than that of histology( P=0.006). Conclusions:The CCA of rats can be showed clearly by UBM in males and females. The arterial structure cab be measured by UBM accurately with good correlation with histology, as did arterial hemodynamic parameters, which may be benefit for the study in carotid balloon injury model of rats.

Objective To understand the status of new coronavirus contamination in the biosafety laboratory environment, identify key areas prone to contamination, and provide evidence for disinfection of central objects. Methods surfaces of high-frequency contact environment and protective equipment were sampled with moistened sterile cotton swabs after experiment and before disinfection, the results of the one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of open reading frame 1ab and N fragment were used to evaluate the pollution status. Results Environmental surveys found 4 of 217 samples of environmental objects to be positive for new coronavirus RNA, that positive rate was 1.84%. Among them, BSL-3, BSL-2, and BSL-1 were sampled 23, 184, and 10 respectively. The 3 positive samples were from surfaces of nucleic acid extraction room of BSL-2 and from the handles of pass-through box, laboratory door handles and the outer surface of the alcohol watering pot respectively. The 1 positive sample was from the forearm of the protective clothing in BSL-2 laboratory. Conclusion There was a certain degree of virus pollution in key areas of the new coronavirus laboratory. The BSL-2 laboratory has a higher risk of environmental pollution than the BSL-3 and BSL-1 laboratories.

Objective To investigate the impact of pooling of inactivated samples on testing results of nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2, and to provide a scientific detection scheme for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid screening of large population samples. Methods The SARS-CoV-2 positive throat swab samples and the negative throat swab samples were inactivated at 56°C for 30 minutes, and mixed according to the ratio of positive samples to negative samples at 1:4, 1:9, and 1:19, respectively. Real-time fluorescent RT-PCR technology was used to detect the ORF-lab and N genes in the original solution and mixed solution. Results The nucleic acid test results of the 20 groups of inactivated samples were all positive. The nucleic acid test results of the 1:5 mixture and the 1:10 mixture were also positive. One group of samples of the 1:20 mixture was negative for ORF-lab and positive for the N gene. The Ct values of nucleic acid detection among all groups were significantly correlated. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate between different sample groups. Compared with the original solution, the Ct values of the ORF-lab gene of 1:5 mixture, 1:10 mixture, and 1:20 mixture samples increased by 1.73, 2.86, and 4.05, respectively, while the Ct values of the N gene of 1:5 mixture, 1:10 mixture and 1:20 mixture samples increased by 1.69, 2.79, and 3.25, respectively. Conclusion When conducting nucleic acid screening for SARS-CoV-2 in large population samples, a mixed test of less than 10 inactivated samples would not affect the qualitative results in most cases, but the results of weak positive samples may be affected.

Establishing an effective three-dimensional (3D) culture system to better model human neurological diseases is desirable, since the human brain is a 3D structure. Here, we demonstrated the development of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pillar-based 3D scaffold that mimicked the 3D microenvironment of the brain. We utilized this scaffold for the growth of human cortical glutamatergic neurons that were differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells. In comparison with the 2D culture, we demonstrated that the developed 3D culture promoted the maturation of human cortical glutamatergic neurons by showing significantly more MAP2 and less Ki67 expression. Based on this 3D culture system, we further developed an disease-like model of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which showed a robust increase of glutamate-release from the neurons, in response to mechanical impacts, recapitulating the critical pathology of TBI. The increased glutamate-release from our 3D culture model was attenuated by the treatment of neural protective drugs, memantine or nimodipine. The established 3D human neural culture system and TBI-like model may be used to facilitate mechanistic studies and drug screening for neurotrauma or other neurological diseases.

Objective To evaluate the curative effect and safety of lumbar artery embolization in treating massive hemorrhage caused by percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED).Methods From January 2013 to December 2016,lumbar artery angiography was performed in 4 patients with massive hemorrhage caused by PTED.Based on the angiographic findings,lumbar artery embolization therapy with embolic microspheres and spring coils was carried out.Results Lumbar artery angiography revealed that extravasation of contrast agent was detected in 3 patients and pseudoaneurysm in one patient.The bleeding completely stopped immediately after lumbar artery embolization in all 4 patients.The patients were followed up for 1-3 months,and no re-bleeding or serious complications occurred.Conclusion It is very difficult to make medical and surgical management for massive hemorrhage caused by PTED.Lumbar artery embolization is safe,effective and minimally-invasive for the treatment of massive hemorrhage caused by PTED.This therapy is worthy of clinical use.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with oxaliplatin (OXA), fluorouracil (5-Fu) and pirarubicin (THP) scheme in treating primary liver cancer. Methods A total of 65 patients with primary liver cancer were treated with TACE using infusion of OXA/5-Fu/THP scheme (TACE group). Other 21 patients with primary liver cancer, who were encountered at the Department of Interventional Radiology of authors’ hospital during the same period as the patients of TACE group, received simple transarterial embolization (TAE group). The therapeutic effect, the occurrence of adverse reactions, the progression-free survival time (PFS) and overall survival time (OS) of the two groups were comprehensively evaluated. The results were compared between the two groups. Results In the TACE group, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 55.4%and 81.5%respectively, and the median PFS and median OS were 11.5 months and 18.5 months respectively. Single factor analysis indicated that patients, who had liver function of Child-Pugh A and received more times or treatment, and who had small-sized tumor and no portal vein tumor thrombus or metastasis, usually had a better prognosis, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The prognosis of the patients with Barcelona staging (BCLC) B was better than that of the patients with Barcelona staging C, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that the portal vein tumor thrombus and tumor metastasis were independent risk factors for the prognosis of the patients. Compared with the TAE group, TACE with OXA/5-Fu/THP scheme could effectively improve the mean progression-free survival time. Conclusion For the treatment of primary liver cancer, TACE with infusion of OXA/5-Fu/THP is clinically effective with fewer adverse reactions.

Objective To evaluate the mid-term and long-term effects of early endovascular emboli-zation in treating ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Methods Early endovascular embolization therapy was carried out in 36 patients with ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm (36 aneurysms in total), and the effects of embolization therapy were evaluated by using Raymond grading method. The unified imaging review program was formulated, and the mid-term and long-term effects were evaluated at half, 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after the treatment. Results The technical success rate was 100% in 36 patients (36 aneurysms in total). Raymond grading evaluation showed that gradeⅠwas seen in 32 patients, gradeⅡ in 2 patients, and grade Ⅲ in 2 patients. Recurrence of aneurysm was found in 5 patients (13.89%) at half (n=1), 2 (n=1), 3 (n=1) and 5 years (n=2) after the treatment. Re-rupture of the recurrent aneurysm was seen in one patient (2.78%). No death occurred during the following-up period. Conclusion Early endovascular embolization for ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm can effectively improve the prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and regular imaging examination can promptly detect the recurrence of aneurysm. Effective interventions are helpful for preventing deterioration and rupture of aneurysm.

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) combined with carotid artery stent angioplasty (CASA) in treating tandem stenosis of carotid artery. Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with tandem stenosis of carotid artery, who were treated at authors' hospital during the period from January 2013 to October 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients included 7 males and 2 females, with a mean age of (66.0 ±4.2) years. The disease course ranged from 2 months to 36 months, with a mean of 7 months. Clinically, all patients had cerebral ischemia symptoms. Transient ischemia attack was seen in 5 patients and history of cerebral infarction was present in 2 patients. Coronary artery disease was found in 2 patients, hypertension in 6 patients and lower limb ischemia in one patient. After receiving adequate antiplatelet therapy, CEA and CASA were carried out in all patients. Results The technical success rate was 100%, postoperative residual stenosis was less than 30%, no death occurred in perioperative period. After the treatment, the clinical symptoms were improved in all 9 patients;no new stroke or cerebral hemorrhage occurred. After the treatment, 2 patients developed cerebral hyperperfusion-related symptoms such as headache and dizziness, which were much relieved at the time of discharge. The patients were followed up for 4-19 months, with a mean of (10.5±6.2) months. No recurrence of symptoms was observed . In one patient , transcranial Doppler ultrasound performed at 6 months after treatment showed that the carotid artery became moderate restenosis (50%-70%). No death occurred. Conclusion For the treatment of tandem stenosis of carotid artery, CEA combined with CASA is safe and effective, although larger sample and long-term follow-up studies are still needed to further confirm the effect.

Objective Diabetic infrapopliteal artery occlusive disease Deep balloon angioplasty ( percutaneoustransluminal an-gioplasty, PTA) near the middle of the treatment effect and the Department of internal medicine ,conservative treatment .Methods Sixty patients with type II diabetes mellitus complicated with severe infrapopliteal arterial occlusive patients , divided into treatment group (41 cases) and Department of internal medicine treatment group (19 cases),all patients had CTA or MRA or DSA imaging;in-terventional treatment group using Deep balloonPTA ,3 days before operation and postoperative long-term Plavix and culture as anti platelet , blood glucose controltherapy;Department of internal medicine treatment group with control of blood glucose ,precedent in im-proving microcirculation ,debridement dressing and anti infection;observed in 2 week,1 month,3 months,6 months ,1 year,2 years,3 years, two groups were compared after treatment of clinical symptoms and changes signs ,ankle brachial index (ABI),the dorsal artery of foot diameter and blood flow velocity ,evaluation and the total efficiency of 6 months,1 year,2 years,3 years and cut rate .Results Interventional arterial blood flow improved significantly after operation in treatment group ,the clinical symptoms,signs were improved obviously, ankle brachial index improved significantly ,compared with the Department of internal medicine treatment group statistical significance ( P <0.05 ) ,and the total efficiency of 3 years the rate of limb salvage and Department of internal medicine therapy group with significant difference ( P <0.05).Conclusions Deep balloon PTA treating diabetic infrapopliteal artery occlusive disease cura-tive effect,can significantly improve the rate of limb salvage;Department of internal medicine treatment forelderly ,important organ dys-function patients .

To investigate the assessed value of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for short-term efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: Serum concentrations of LDH and VEGF from 70 patients with primary liver cancer on the 1st day before therapy and the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after TACE ther-apy was determined. The benefit group includes complete remission, partial remission, and stable disease, while the invalid group in-cludes only disease progression. Results:The serum levels of LDH and VEGF in the invalid group were significantly higher than those in the benefit group on the 14th and 21st days after TACE (P<0.05). The percentage changes of the serum concentrations of LDH and VEGF in the invalid group were higher than those in the benefit group on the 21st day after TACE. Percentage changes on the 21st day after TACE were drawn into the ROC curve;the areas under the curve were 65.9%and 85.5%. The optimal cutoff points of LDH and VEGF, which correspond to the Youden index, were 0.272 and 0.745, respectively. Conclusion:The expression levels of VEGF and LDH can be used to assess the short-term efficacy of TACE. A lower expression level corresponds to short-term efficacy.