Overlapping Stents-Assisted Coiling for Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm : LVIS Stent within Neuroform EZ Stent

Objective@#: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an overlapped stenting-assisted coiling technique in treating vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) via Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent. @*Methods@#: From January 2017 to June 2019, 18 consecutive patients with VADAs (ruptured : unruptured=5 : 13) were treated with the overlapping stents assisted-coiling technique in our center. The overlapping manner was a Neuroform EZ stent being deployed first, followed by LVIS stents placement using the ‘shelf’ technique. The patients’ clinical characteristics, technical feasibility and safety, and immediate and follow-up angiographic results were retrospectively reviewed. @*Results@#: Seventeen (94.4%) procedures were technically successful with an exact deployment of the stents and patent parent or perforator arteries. The immediate angiographies after procedure confirmed Raymond class I, II, and III occlusion of VADAs were in 12 (66.7%), two (11.1%), and four cases (22.2%), respectively. Post-procedural complications developed in one patient (5.6%) with minor brainstem infarctions, which resulted from an in-stent thrombosis during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up at 5.7 months (range 3 to 9 months) demonstrated Raymond class I and II occlusion were in all cases (100%). The modified Rankin Scale scores at 21.3 months (range 15 to 42 months) 0–2 in 17 cases (94.4%) and three in one case (5.6%). @*Conclusion@#: Overlapping stents via LVIS stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent combined with coiling is safe and effective for patients with VADA in the midterm results.

Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy for recurrent hemospermia: experience from 419 cases / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We summarized our experience in transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TSV) for recurrent hemospermia by introducing surgical techniques, intraoperative findings, and treatment outcomes. TSV was performed in 419 patients with an initial diagnosis of persistent hemospermia at Shanghai Changhai Hospital (Shanghai, China) from May 2007 to November 2015. TSV was successfully performed in 381 cases (90.9%). Hemospermia was alleviated or disappeared in 324 (85.0%) patients by 3 months after surgery. Common intraoperative manifestations were bleeding, obstruction or stenosis, mucosal lesions, and calculus. Endoscopic presentation of the ejaculatory duct orifice and the verumontanum was categorized into four types, including 8 (1.9%), 32 (7.6%), 341 (81.4%), and 38 (9.1%) cases in Types A, B, C, and D, respectively. TSV is an effective and safe procedure in the management of seminal tract disorders. This study may help other surgeons to become familiar with and improve this procedure. However, further multicentric clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings.

In Vitro Evaluation of Fusiform-Shaped Stents for Wide-Neck Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: Wide-neck aneurysms (WNAs) associated with a dilated parent artery (PA) are not uncommon morphological abnormalities and usually cause inappropriate wall apposition and incomplete neck coverage of a tubular stent in stent-assisted coiling of aneurysms. We aimed to introduce a fusiform-shaped stent (FSS) and test its effectiveness in treating intracranial WNAs associated with a dilated PA using a three-dimensional (3D) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two FSS types were designed with the middle one-third segment dilated by 10% (FSS10) and 20% (FSS20) and were compared with the tubular-shaped stent (TSS). A patient-specific 3D WNA model was prototyped and produced, and in vitro stent placement was performed. Angiographic images of the three stent types were analyzed and compared using predetermined parameters. RESULTS: The stent lumens were significantly larger in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS in the middle segments (P=0.046), particularly FSS20 (P=0.018). The non-covered area at the ostium tended to be smaller in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The stent length was significantly longer in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS. The stent cell size was significantly larger in FSS than in TSS. CONCLUSION: Better vessel wall apposition and aneurysmal neck coverage was observed for FSS than for TSS. No significant difference was observed between FSS10 and FSS20.

MR early evaluation of microwave ablation extent of liver: a clinical study / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the application of MRI in making early assessment of the coagulation extent of liver tumor after microwave ablation(MWA).Methods From January 1,2015 to January 31,2016,CT-guided percutaneous MWA was employed in 46 patients with liver tumor.A total of 55 hepatic lesions were detected in the 46 patients,the mean diameter of the lesion was (26.0±5.3) mm.On the second day after MWA,MRI was performed to evaluate the ablation effect,the ablated extent (long axis×short axis) was calculated,the results were compared with the referential data provided by manufacturer.The MWA-related complications,including inadequate ablation and excessive ablation,were recorded and analyzed.Results MRI performed on the second day after MWA showed that successful MWA treatment was obtained in all the 55 hepatic lesions,and no serious complications occurred immediately after ablation.The used parameter settings of microwave energy included 60 W-5 min (n=4),60 W-8 min (n=4),60 W-10 min (n=14),70 W-8 min (n=40),70 W-10 min (n=11) and 80 W-10 min (n=18);the corresponding ablated extents produced by the above parameter settings were 41.3 mm×31.2 mm,52.0 mm×36.3 mm,51.5 mm×34.3 mm,52.9 mm×35.5 mm,56.8 mm×36.1 mm and 64.0 min×44.0 mm respectively;all the above actual ablated values were larger than the referential data provided by manufacturer,and among them the real ablated extent of 80 W-10 min group carried the biggest difference with that provided by manufacturer (64.0 mm×44.0 mm vs.54.0 mm×37.0 mm,P＜0.01).No inadequate ablation of lesion was observed,and excessive ablation was seen in 12 lesions,presenting as the involvement of the hepatic capsule or even the subcutaneous muscle layer.Conclusion Early MRI examination after MWA can precisely evaluate the ablation extent.The results of this study indicate that the actual ablated value is bigger than the referential value provided by manufacturer.Accurate prediction of ablation range before MWA is helpful in ensuring a complete ablation as well as in improving the safety of MWA.

Optimal Guiding Catheter Length for Endovascular Coiling of Intracranial Aneurysms in Anterior Circulation in Era of Flourishing Distal Access System / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: To determine the minimum required guiding catheter length for embolization of various intracranial aneurysms in anterior circulation and to analyze the effect of various patient factors on the required catheter length and potential interaction with its stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2016 to March 2017, 90 patients with 93 anterior circulation aneurysms were enrolled. Three types of guiding catheters (Envoy, Envoy DA, and Envoy DA XB; Codman Neurovascular, Raynham, MA, USA) were used. We measured the in-the-body length of the catheter and checked the catheter tip location in the carotid artery. We analyzed factors affecting the in-the-body length and stability of the guiding catheter system. RESULTS: The average (±standard deviation) in-the-body length of the catheter was 84.2±5.9 cm. The length was significantly longer in men (89.1±5.6 vs. 82.1±4.6 cm, P<0.001), patients older than 65 years (87.7±7.8 vs. 82.7±4.2 cm, P<0.001), patients with a more tortuous arch (arch type 2 and 3) (87.5±7.4 vs. 82.7±4.4 cm, P<0.001), and patients with a distal aneurysm location (distal group) (86.2±5.0 vs. 82.7±6.1 cm, P=0.004). A shift in the tip location was noted in 19 patients (20.4%); there was no significant different among the 3 catheters (P=0.942). CONCLUSION: The minimum required length of a guiding catheter was 84 cm on average for elective anterior-circulation aneurysm embolization. The length increased in men older than 65 years with a more tortuous arch. We could reach a higher position with distal access catheters with little difference in the stability once we reached the target location.

Effect of N,N-dimethylformamide on calcium homeostasis and the calpain gene expression in human hepatocytes / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on calcium homeostasis and calpain I and II gene expression in human hepatocytes (HL-7702).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-7702 cells were exposed to different concentrations of DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, or 200 mmol/L); other HL-7702 cells, which were used as a control group, were exposed to the equal volume of DMEM; the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was monitored using the calcium fluorescent probe (fluo-3/AM). After 24-h exposure to DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, 150, or 200 mmol/L), the morphology of hepatocytes was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. After 24-h exposure to DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, or 150 mmol/L), the mRNA expression levels of calpain I and II in hepatocytes were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in cell viability among different exposure groups (P < 0.01); the 50, 100, 150, and 200 mmol/L DMF exposure groups had a significantly lower cell viability than the control group (P < 0.05). Under the inverted phase contrast microscope, HL-7702 cells gradually lost the original shape, with swelling and shrinking, as the dose of DMF increased, and those treated with 150 mmol/L DMF even became round and floated. The fluorescence density of fluo-3 in hepatocytes increased as the dose of DMF rose, demonstrating a dose-response relationship, and there were significant differences among these exposure groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in mRNA expression levels of calpain I and II among these exposure groups (P < 0.01), and the expression increased as the dose of DMF rose; but DMF did not promote the mRNA expression of calpain I at a concentration of 150 mmol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMF can cause damage to hepatocytes, which is related to intracellular calcium increase and calpain mRNA increase.</p>

Screening of differentially expressed serum proteins in patients with asbestosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen differently expressed proteins for serum biomarkers by studying serum proteome of population with asbestosis, population exposed to asbestos without asbestosis and population never exposed to asbestos, to further understand the mechanisms of asbestosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects of present study included 37 patients with asbestosis, 254 workers exposed to asbestos and 439 healthy controls. The 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS) were used to screen and identify the differentially expressed serum proteins among all subjects. ImageMaster6.0 software was utilized to analyze the differentially expressed proteins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Well-qualified gel images of serum proteome were obtained, 21, 34 and 32 differentially expressed spots were found between asbestosis and normal controls, between asbestosis and negative controls or between negative controls and normal controls, respectively. Differentially displayed proteins were identified as cytokines, α1-AT, L-ficolin, etc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to asbestos for a long period could interfere with the immune system of workers exposed to asbestos, and some proteins may serve as the biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention of asbestosis.</p>

Single Fe(2)O(3)-PLL labeled mouse spleen-derived endothelial progenitor cell detection by 7.0T MR system / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of Single Fe(2)O(3)-PLL labeled mouse spleen-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) detection by 7.0T MR system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from mouse spleen by density gradient centrifugation and EPCs were obtained by the different adherence of cells.Immunocytochemistry and fluorescent staining were performed to identify EPCs. The EPCs were labeled with Fe(2)O(3)-PLL and the intracellular iron was identified with prussian blue staining. MTT assay was assessed to evaluate proliferation of Fe(2)O(3)-PLL labeled EPCs. The cells underwent MR imaging with different sequences.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cultured in vitro, mouse spleen-derived MNCs resulted in EC-like morphology. These cells expressed EPCs-specific antigens, such as CD31, CD34 and vWF, and had the ability to incorporate ac-LDL and bind UEA-1. Between Fe(2)O(3)-PLL labeled EPCs and unlabeled cells, MTT value of light absorption had no statistical significant difference (day4 t = 2.81, day5 t = -1.87, day6 t = -0.298, day7 t = -0.115, all P > 0.05). The signal void induced by labeled single cell is 20.2 pixels in MSME sequence, and 20.2 pixels in 3D-FLASH sequence (t = 15.2, P < 0.05). Single cell could be detected by 7.0 T MR system.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MNCs isolated from mouse spleen can differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro and have the specific property of stem cells. The mouse spleen-derived EPCs can be labeled with Fe(2)O(3)-PLL efficiently. The labeled EPCs can be imaged as dispersed single cells.</p>

Pirfenidone diminishes SiO2 induced lung fibrosis in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>to investigate whether pirfenidone (PFD) presents the antifibrotic effect in silicosis of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: the non-treat group, the normal saline group, the normal saline + PFD group, the SiO2 group, the SiO2 + PFD group. Rats except in the non-treat group were intratracheally instilled with SiO2 (25 mg/ml) or normal saline. The rats in normal saline + PFD group and the SiO2 + PFD group were given PFD (50 mg/kg) orally the next day after instillation and throughout the study. Rats were respectively sacrificed 7, 21, 42 days after instillation. The pathology changes were evaluated by Haematoxylin-eosin (HE), Van Gieson and Foot staining, and the hydroxyproline (HYP) content of pulmonary tissue was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>compared with the SiO2 group, PFD could relieve the fibrotic changes in the lungs of rats. The fibrotic degree in silicotic lesions of lungs was lower in the SiO2 + PFD group than that of SiO2 group. The HYP content in the lungs of the SiO2 + PFD group [(0.75 ± 0.12) mg/g] was significantly lower than that of the SiO2 group [(1.19 ± 0.17) mg/g] at 42 days after instillation (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>these data support that PFD has an antifibrotic effect against SiO2 induced lung fibrosis in rats, Which appears to be changing collagen accumulation and inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis.</p>

Chrysotile fibers induced apoptosis of human bronchial epithelial cells and effect of oxidation / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the apoptosis rate and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level induced by chrysotile fibers in BEAS-2B cells and the blockage effect of free radical scavengers on the induction of chrysotile fibers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cell survival rate, the morphological variation of BEAS-2B cells, the apoptosis rate, the expression levels of gene caspase-3 and the ROS generation level were measured by using trypan blue phagocytosis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation assay, FCM, RT-PCR and fluorescent probe DCFH-DA in the suspension (0, 5, 10, 20, 100 and 200 microg/cm(2)) and the filtrate (0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 microg/ml) of chrysotile fibers. Addition of free radical scavengers such as catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide and mannitol prevented the radical generation and gene expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Survival rates of BEAS2B cells treated by the suspension (0, 5 and 10 microg/cm(2)) and the filtrate (0, 100 and 200 microg/ml) of chrysotile fibers for 24 hours were above 90%. The apoptotic rates of BEAS-2B were increased with the concentration of suspension and filtrate from chrysotile fibers (P < 0.05). Otherwise, caspase-3 mRNA and ROS were stimulated by chrysotile fibers. Free radical scavengers such as CAT, DMSO and mannitol could reduce these stimulations. The ROS blocking rate of suspension of chrysotile fibers was 23.7%, 21.6% and 11.2% respectively, and that of filtrate was 37.9%, 40.3% and 10.6% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Apoptosis is induced in BEAS-2B cells exposed to chrysotile fibers suspension and filtrate. Generation of ROS plays an important role in chrysotile fibers-induced BEAS-2B cell apoptosis.</p>

CDNA cloning of human leptin and its expression / 生物工程学报

To clone cDNA of human leptin gene and obtain leptin protein for future study on leptin binding proteins. The cDNA of human leptin with 6 x his-tag was cloned by over-hang extension PCR protocol using human genomic DNA as template, and subcloned into in vitro expression vector pIVEX2.3MCS, and the fusion protein was expressed in vitro by Rapid Translation System (RTS) (RTS500 cycle primer Kit and RTS500 ProteoMaster of Roche company). The apparent molecular weight(19.46 kD) and the immuno-specificity of the fusion protein were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the expressed fusion protein stayed mainly in the supernatant of the reaction mixture in soluble form. This work provides us solid basis for further study on new leptin-associated proteins.