The effect of stereoscopic cultivation on the growth, photosynthetic characteristics and yield of Tulipa edulis was studied to explore the feasibility of stereoscopic cultivation on efficient cultivation of T.edulis. Total leaf area and photosynthetic parameters of T.edulis under stereoscopic cultivation (the upper, middle and the lower layers ) and the control were measured using LI-3100 leaf area meter and LI-6400XT photosynthesis system in the growing peak period of T.edulis.Plant biomass and biomass allocation were also determined.In addition, the bulb regeneration and yield of T.edulis were measured in the harvesting time.The results indicated that in the middle layer of stereoscopic cultivation, leaf biomass proportion was the highest, but total bulb fresh and dry weight and output growth (fresh weight) were the lowest among the treatments.And total bulb fresh weight in the middle of stereoscopic cultivation reduced significantly, by 22.84%, compared with the control.Light intensity in the lower layer of stereoscopic cultivation was moderate, in which T.edulis net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency were higher than those of the other layers of stereoscopic cultivation, and bulb biomass proportion was the highest in all the treatments.No significant difference was detected in the total bulb fresh weight, dry weight and output growth (fresh weight) between the middle layer of stereoscopic cultivation and the control.In general, there was no significant difference in the growth status of T.edulis between stereoscopic cultivation and the control.Stereoscopic cultivation increased the yield of T.edulis by 161.66% in fresh weight and 141.35% in dry weight compared with the control in the condition of the same land area, respectively.In conclusion, stereoscopic cultivation can improve space utilization, increase the production, and achieve the high density cultivation of T.edulis.

BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by viral and non-viral hepatitis is often accompanied with severe metabolic disorders, the accumulation of toxic substances and continuous release and accumulation of a large number of endogenous toxins and inflammatory mediators. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of various combined non-biological artificial liver treatments for patients with acute liver failure (ALF) complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with mid- or late-stage liver failure complicated by MODS (score 4) were randomly divided into three treatment groups: plasmapheresis (PE) combined with hemoperfusion (HP) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), PE+CVVHDF, and HP+CVVHDF, respectively. Heart rate (HR) before and after treatment, mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory index (PaO2/FiO2), hepatic function, platelet count, and blood coagulation were determined. RESULTS: Signifi cant improvement was observed in HR, MAP, PaO2/FiO2, total bilirubin (TBIL) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after treatment (P<0.05). TBIL and ALT decreased more signifi cantly after treatment in the PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P<0.01). Prothrombin time (PT) and albumin were signifi cantly improved only in the PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P<0.05). TBIL decreased more significantly in the PE+HP+CVVHDF group than in the HP+CVVHDF and PE+CVVHDF groups (P<0.05). The survival rate of the patients was 58.1％ (18/31), viral survival rate 36.4％ (4/11), and non-viral survival rate 70％ (14/20). CONCLUSION: Liver function was relatively improved after treatment, but PE+HP+CVVHDF was more efficient for the removal of toxic metabolites, especially bilirubin. The survival rate was significantly higher in the patients with non-viral liver failure than in those with viral liver failure.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage by different interventions and explore the better treatments of peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty one cases of Bell's facial paralysis were randomly divided into three groups. In acupuncture group (44 cases), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. were applied; in electroacupuncture group (45 cases), the selection of acupoints and needling method were same as those in acupuncture group, and the electroacupuncture therapy was applied on Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5) in acute stage; in medication and acupuncture group (42 cases), Prednisone and Acyclovir were taken by oral administration, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12, were applied by intramuscular injection in acute stage, and acupuncture was applied by the way which was same as that in acupuncture group during quiescent and recovery stages. The curative effects were evaluated by House-Brackmann Grading Scale, and the failed rates were observed by follow-up after one and three months.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rates were 79.6% (35/44), 93.4% (42/45) and 78.6% (33/42) respectively in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The cured rates above tympanichord were 54.2% (13/24), 85.2% (23/27) and 48.0% (12/25) in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences of cured rates below tympanichord among three groups (P > 0.05); and the failed rate in electroacupuncture group was much lower than those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group by follow-up after one and three months (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe peripheral facial paralysis is effectively treated by electroacupuncture in acute stage, and it suggests that electroacupuncture should be applied early during the acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To study the prevention and foreseeing nursing of the complications of interventional therapy for carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). Methods The foreseeing nursing and reasons for the complications of interventional therapy for CCF were analyzed in the 16 patients. Results 16 patients were embolized successfully.Exophthalmos and vascular murmur were relieved. The most common complications were bleeding of the puncture,cerebral vasospasm, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral embolism and hyperperfusion syndrome. 1 patient was reembolized for the rupture of balloon. Vascular vasospasm was relieved after treatment in 2 patients. Hyperperfusion syndrome was relieved after lower blood pressure in 1 patient. Conclusions Interventional embolization was an effective treatment for CCF. Foreseeing nursing was the key to ensure the treatment effect.

The most appropriate time to introduce androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer remains controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of early versus delayed surgical castration on prostate cancer progression and survival in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. TRAMP mice were randomly divided into three groups: the early castration group (on which castration was performed at the age of 4 weeks), the delayed castration group (on which castration was performed when abdominal tumours could be palpated), and the sham-castrated group. Mice were monitored daily throughout their lives until cancer-related death or the development of an obviously moribund appearance, at which time the individual mouse was killed. Androgen receptor expression in prostate tumours was also evaluated. The results shows that the average lifespan in early castration, delayed castration and sham-castrated groups were 54.1 weeks, 59.9 weeks and 39.1 weeks, respectively. Both early castration and delayed castration conferred a statistically significant survival advantage when compared with the sham-castrated group (P<0.001). However, the difference in lifespan between the early castration group and the delayed castration group was not statistically significant (P=0.85). The increase in lifespan in the TRAMP mice that received either early or delayed castration correlated with lower G/B value (genitourinary tract weight/body weight) at death than the sham-castrated mice. In conclusion, early and delayed castrations in TRAMP mice prolonged survival to a similar extent. This finding may provide a guide for clinical practice in prostate cancer therapy.
Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Orchiectomy ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Transgenes ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique, safety and clinical efficacy of transportal variceal sclerotherapy with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for gastric fundal varices.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with gastric fundal varices confirmed by endoscopy were enrolled in this study. The causes of the gastric varices were cirrhosis caused by hepatitis virus B or C (n = 16) and hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous obstruction (n = 5). Percutaneous transhepatic or transplenic portography were performed on all 21 patients. The gastric varices were treated with NBCA-lipiodol mixture injected via a microcatheter introduced into the varices. For 8 patients who had large gastrorenal shunts (GRS), a balloon-occluded catheter was introduced into the GRS via the right femoral and left renal veins before injecting the NBCA-lipiodol. During the NBCA-lipiodol injection, the balloon was inflated to block the flow of GRS. Follow-up evaluations included findings of the laboratory liver function tests, upper intestinal endoscopies, and the occurrences of rebleeding.

RESULTSIn 20 patients (95.2%), the gastric varices were successfully obliterated with 2-8 ml of NBCA-lipiodol. In one patient with a large GRS, sclerotherapy was not successfully performed because a balloon-occluded catheter was not available during the procedure. In five patients, small amounts of NBCA-lipiodol entered into the distal pulmonary artery branches. Two of them suffered from transient irritable coughs; no patient developed severe pulmonary embolism. Embolization of portal venous branches occurred in two patients, which were not treated specifically. In comparison with the findings before the treatments, the serum alanine aminotransferase levels decreased at both 3 and 6 months after treatments (P less than 0.05); serum albumin levels increased at 6 months (P less than 0.05); the prothrombin times decreased at 6 months (P less than 0.05); but no significant changes were seen in the serum bilirubin levels. Fifteen patients were followed-up endoscopically for 3 months after the treatment. Gastric varices were completely resolved in 10 patients (66.7%) and were markedly smaller in 4 patients (26.6%). Worsening of the esophageal varices occurred in 3 patients (20%). All the patients were followed-up from 1 to 30 months [(16.7+/-8.8) months]. Rebleeding was observed in 4 patients, and the cumulative rebleeding rate at 1 year was 9.52%.

CONCLUSIONTransportal variceal sclerotherapy with NBCA is a safe and effective method for treating gastric varices. Microcatheter technique and occlusion of the large gastrorenal shunt with a balloon-occluded catheter are necessary to ensure obliteration of gastric varices and prevent pulmonary embolism.

Adult ; Aged ; Catheterization ; Enbucrilate ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; therapy ; Female ; Gastric Fundus ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; Sclerotherapy ; methods

BACKGROUNDThe main therapeutic treatments for hepatic artery complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) include thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, stent placement, and liver retransplantation. The prognosis of hepatic artery complications after OLT is not only related to the type, extent, and timing but also closely associated with the selection and timing of the therapeutic methods. However, there is no consensus of opinion regarding the treatment of these complications. The aim of this study was to determine optimal treatment for hepatic artery complications after OLT.

METHODSThe clinical data of 25 patients diagnosed with hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) between October 2003 and March 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatments included liver retransplantation and interventions which contain thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement.

RESULTSAmong five patients with HAT, 3 were treated with thrombolysis. One recovered, one died after thrombolysis and another one died of multi-organ failure after retransplantation because of recurrent HAT. The remaining 2 patients underwent successful retransplantation and have survived after that. Among 12 patients presented with HAS within 1 month postoperatively, 2 patients underwent retransplantation due to irreversible liver failure and another 10 patients were treated with interventions. The liver function failed to improve in 3 patients and retransplantations were performed in 4 patients after stent placement because of ischemic cholangitis. Among 6 patients undergoing liver retransplantations, two died of intracranial hemorrhage and infection respectively. Eight patients presented with HAS after 1 month postoperatively, 5 patients were treated with interventional management and recovered after stent placement. Among another 3 patients presented with HAS, 2 patients' liver function was stable and one patient received late liver retransplantation due to ischemic bile duct lesion.

CONCLUSIONSIndividualized therapeutic regimens should be adopted in treating hepatic artery complications after OLT, according to postoperative periods, types and whether ischemic bile duct lesion exists or not. Liver retransplantation is the best treatment for patients with hepatic artery thrombosis. Interventional treatments of late HAS without irreversible liver failure or bile duct ischemia are appropriate, whereas retransplantation is recommended for early HAS.

Adult ; Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of transvenous embolization withdetachable coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) for management of dural carotid-cavernous sinusfistulas (dCCFs). Methods Six patients with angiographically confirmed spontaneous dCCF wereinvolved in this study, including two with concurrent ipsilateral internal jugular vein occlusion. All thepatients received surgeries for transvenous embolization through the superior ophthalmic vein (2 cases) orthe inferior petrosal sinus (4 cases), using detachable coils (2 cases) or detachable coils combined withn-BCA (4 cases). Results The vascular murmur, exophthalmos and conjunctival congestiondisappeared in 4 patients shortly after the total embolization of the fistulas, while eyeball movementdisorder, diplopia and visual deterioration persisted for at least 1 month and gradually recovered 3 monthsafter the surgery. The fistulas failed to be completely embolized in two patients, and in one of the patients,the symptoms resolved after intermittent carotid artery compression for one week; in the other patient,exophthalmos recurred and worsened 1 month after embolization, and was successfully managed withtransarteriai embolization of the fistula. No symptomatic complications were found in these 6 patientsafter transvenous embolization in spite of the presence of a few small n-BCA granules in the lungs of twopatients. Conclusion Transvenous embolization is safe and effective for management of dCCF, andcombined use of detachable coils and n-BCA may enhance the success rate of total fistula embolization.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and complications of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with or without transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted for 62 small HCC cases undergoing RFA with or without TACE, and in each case, the tumors were not more than 3 with a diameter below 5 cm. Nineteen cases were managed with RFA alone (RFA group) while the other 27 underwent RFA combined with TACE (TACE+RFA group). Percutaneous RFA (RITA 1500) procedure was performed under CT guidance 1-3 weeks after TACE in TACE+RFA group.

RESULTSThe complete tumor necrosis rate was 77.8% (21/27) in TACE+RFA group, significantly higher than that in RFA group [57.9% (11/19), P<0.01], and the former group had a significantly lower local recurrence rate than the latter [22.2% (6/27) vs 42.1% (8/19), P<0.01]. Postoperative fever, local pain and temporary hepatic function abnormality were the common complications that were relieved after proper interventions, and mortality did not occur in these cases.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of TACE and RFA significantly increases the complete tumor necrosis rate and decreases the recurrence rate of small HCC. CT-guided percutaneous RFA can be a safe and effective therapy for small HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo report 2 cases of prostatic abscess and review the current characteristics of prostatic abscess in China.

METHODSTwo cases of prostatic abscess were reported, and a meta-analysis was made of the literature from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database and Wanfang Data in recent 10 years.

RESULTSBoth the cases had a high glucose level, and one of them had received instrumental examination of the lower urinary tract prior to the problem, both with difficult defecation, severe perineal pain and high fever, with normal peripheral white blood cell count and negative urine routine. One case of abscess was confirmed by MRI, ruptured into urethra and cured by antibiotics. The other case was confirmed by transrectal ultrasound and CT and cured by transrectal ultrasound guided needle aspiration. Meta-analysis showed that the predisposed factors were diabetes mellitus, the indwelling catheter and instrumentation of the lower urinary tract. Major pathogens were staphylococci aureus and Escherichia coli. For most patients, the diagnosis was mainly established by ultrasonography and the treatment included needle aspiration or surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical symptoms of prostatic abscess are not typically presented and the differential diagnosis may be difficult. Imaging investigation is helpful, and transrectal ultrasonography can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Abscess ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Diseases ; diagnosis