Group AV Research Articles

Antibacterial effects of dentifrices against Streptococcus mutans in children: a comparative in vitro study.

Fluoridated dentifrices have antibacterial effects on children's teeth. On the other hand, the side effects encountered with the use of them have led researchers to look for safe alternatives. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of different commercially available fluoride-free dentifrices on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in comparison with different concentrations of fluoridated dentifrices. Study groups comprised of fluoride-free dentifrices, which contain Probiotic (Activated Charcoal Probiotic Dentifrice-Group P), Aloe Vera-Group AV and Salivary Proteins-Group SP. Fluoridated dentifrices containing 1450 ppm fluoride-Control Group 1 and 500 ppm fluoride-Control Group 2 served as control groups. Antibacterial activity was assessed by Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations and agar well diffusion assays on S. mutans. Biofilm inhibition assay was performed with dentifrices, which had antibacterial activities, and a negative control phosphate-buffered saline (Group PBS) on sterile hydroxyapatite discs against S. mutans. Statistical evaluation was performed. Only group AV showed an antibacterial effect on S. mutans, while control groups showed a similar antibacterial effect. The mean number of viable bacteria present in S. mutans biofilm in Control Group 1 and 2 and Group AV were statistically significantly lower than that in Group PBS, but there were no statistically significant differences between Control Groups and Group AV. Antibacterial activity of commercial dentifrices against S. mutans may be exerted by antibacterial components other than fluoride. Aloe vera-containing toothpaste showed an antibacterial effect on S. mutans, although not as much as the fluoride-containing toothpastes in the control groups. However, further in vivo and long-term studies are required.

Auditory or Audiovisual Stimulation Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment and Neuropathology in ApoE4 Knock-In Mice.

We hypothesized that auditory stimulation could reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and that audiovisual stimulation could have additional effects through multisensory integration. We exposed 12 month old Apoetm1.1(APOE*4)Adiuj mice (a mouse model of sporadic AD) to auditory (A) or audiovisual stimulation (AV) at 40 Hz for 14 days in a soundproof chamber system (no stimulation, N). Behavioral tests were performed before and after each session, and their brain tissues were assessed for amyloid-beta expression and apoptotic cell death, after 14 days. Furthermore, brain levels of acetylcholine and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed. In the Y-maze test, the percentage relative alternation was significantly higher in group A than in group N mice. Amyloid-beta and TUNEL positivity in the hippocampal CA3 region was significantly lower in group A and group AV mice than in group N mice (p < 0.05). Acetylcholine levels were significantly higher in group A and group AV mice than in group N mice (p < 0.05). Compared to group N mice, expression of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 was lower in group A, and expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was higher in group AV. In a mouse model of early-stage sporadic AD, auditory or audiovisual stimulation improved cognitive performance and neuropathology.

The effect of plasmapheresis therapy on management of patients with snake bite

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of plasmaferesis therapy in patients with snake bite who were admitted to intensive care unit in the setting of tertiary referral hospital. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study involved 114 adult patients with snake bite who were admitted to a referral hospital’s intensive care unit between January 2012 and December 2022. The patients were divided into four groups according to the treatments. Group AV performed antivenom (Group AV) alone. Group PP performed plasmapheresis alone. Group AV+PP performed antivenom and plasmapheresis. Group GST performed only general supportive therapy. Results: Fifty two of 114 were included in Group GST, 31 in Group AV, 18 in Group PP and 13 in Group AV+PP. APACHE score, SOFA score, GCS, stage of the bite, length of stay in the intensive care unit, acute kidney injury, and hematological disorders were higher while the platelet count at admission was lower in Group PP and Group AV+PP compared to Group AV and Group GST (p&lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Antivenom and plasmapheresis are not alternatives to each other, antivenom should be performed to patients according to the severity of the bite, and plasmapheresis should be performed without delay in those with severe hematological effects.

Role of endogenous heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats

Objective To evaluate the role of endogenous heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide (HO-1/CO) signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury(ALI) in rats. Methods Forty healthy clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 190-210 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), ALI group, ALI plus ZnPP-IX group (group AZ), and ALI plus vehicle sodium bicarbonate group (group AV). ALI was induced by intravenously injecting lipopolysaccharide 5 mg/kg in anesthetized rats.At 30 min before establishing the model, ZnPP-IX 10 μmol/kg (diluted to 1 ml in 50 mmol/L sodium bicarbonate) was intraperitoneally injected in group AZ, and 50 mmol/L sodium bicarbonate 1 ml was intraperitoneally injected in group AV.After injecting lipopolysaccharide for 6 h, blood samples were collected from the common carotid artery for determination of plasma CO concentration, the rats were then sacrificed, and lungs were removed for microscopic examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of CO level, wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio), cell apoptosis (by TUNEL), and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmie reticulum kinase (p-PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (p-elF2), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12 in lung tissues (by Western blot). Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. Results Compared with group C, the lung injury scores, W/D ratio, AI and CO levels in plasma and lung tissues were significantly increased, and the expression of HO-1, GRP78, p-PERK, p-elF2, CHOP and caspase-12 was up-regulated in the other three groups (P 0.05). Conclusion HO-1/CO signaling pathway produces endogenous protection possibly through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress during endotoxin-induced ALI in rats. Key words: Heme oxygenase-1; Carbon monoxide; Endotoxins; Acute lung injury; Endoplasmic reticulum stress

IS THERE TREATMENT EFFECT OF VINPOCETINE ON AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN RATS WITH ALZHEIMER

Alzheimer's disease (AD) shows less autonomic dysfunction. There was lack of response or prolongation of its latency in skin sympathetic response. Vinpocetine is a classic inhibitor of PDE1 activity. Vinpocetine treatment has been shown to enhance performance on cognitive tests in humans. The efficacy of the use of vinpocetine in clinical trials has been controversial. A comparison of multiple studies evaluating vinpocetine use in Alzheimer's disease AD was recently conducted. Objective: Our first aim was to assess dysautonomia in rat with Alzheimer's disease AD electrophysiologically, using sympathetic skin response (SSR) test. The second aim in this study, evaluate of the effect of vinpocetine treatment on Alzheimer autonomic dysfunction and attention deficiency.Method: Rats were divided into four groups: Sham group (Group C, i.p. saline), Alzheimer group (Group A), Vinpocetine group (Group V, 5mg/kg, every other day, i.p.), Alzheimer+ Vinpocetine group (Group AV). Alzheimer's disease was induced in old male rats by AlCl3 (40 mg/kg i.p.) and D-Galactose (90 mg/kg) daily for 6 weeks. Then Skin Conductance Level (SCL), which is a sympathetic skin response parameter, was measured as tonic (no-stimuli period, 2 min) and phasic SSR (simultaneously with 15 auditory stimuli, 10 min). Tonic SSR is useful to investigate general states of arousal and alertness, while phasic SSR is useful to study multifaceted attentional processes (related to novelty, intensity). Results: SCL was difference among groups (tonic: F=21.47, p≤0.000; phasic: F=9.86, p≤0.000). Skin conductance level (SCL) was statistically lower in Group A than Group C (p≤0.005) and Group V (p≤0.000). SCL of Group V was statistically higher then Group C (p≤0.04), Group A (p≤0.000) and Group AV (p≤0.000). SCL of Group AV was lower than Group C’s (p≤0.01). Conclusion: There were no statistically difference between Group A and Group AV. We concluded that autonomic disturbances accompanied Alzheimer's disease and vinpocetine treatment couldn’t ameliorate this disturbance. Keywords: Autonomic dysfunction, Dysautonomia, Inhibitor, Skin conductance level, Sympathetic skin response

Glomerular loss after arteriovenous and arterial clamping for renal warm ischemia in a swine model.

To evaluate the glomerular loss after arteriovenous or arterial warm ischemia in a swine model. Twenty four pigs were divided into Group Sham (submitted to all surgical steps except the renal ischemia), Group AV (submitted to 30 minutes of warm ischemia by arteriovenous clamping of left kidney vessels), and Group A (submitted to 30 minutes of ischemia by arterial clamping). Right kidneys were used as controls. Weigh, volume, cortical volume, glomerular volumetric density (Vv[Glom]), volume-weighted glomerular volume (VWGV), and the total number of glomeruli were measured for each organ. Group AV showed a 24.5% reduction in its left kidney Vv[Glom] and a 25.4% reduction in the VWGV, when compared to the right kidney. Reductions were also observed when compared to kidneys of sham group. There was a reduction of 19.2% in the total number of glomeruli in AV kidneys. No difference was observed in any parameters analyzed on the left kidneys from group A. Renal warm ischemia of 30 minutes by arterial clamping did not caused significant glomerular damage, but arteriovenous clamping caused significant glomerular loss in a swine model. Clamping only the renal artery should be considered to minimize renal injury after partial nephrectomies.

Evaluation of Plasma Cytokine Levels in Mesobuthus Eupeus (Scorpionida: Buthidae) Scorpion Envenomation in Rats Treated with Polyvalent Antivenom

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that scorpion venom increases blood levels of some cytokines, including Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in experimental model of scorpion envenomation in laboratory animals. Objectives: This study aimed to measure circulating cytokines levels in rats after envenomation with Mesobuthus Eupeus scorpion and to compare the findings in rats treated with polyvalent antivenom to evaluate the role of routine treatment in scorpion envenomation. Materials and Methods: For the present research, the venom of Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion was extracted by electric shock and then intraperitoneally injected (1.5 mg/kg) into 2 groups (V: venom group and AV: antivenom group) of 36 Wistar rats each weighing 200 ± 10 g. Additional 36 rats were considered as control group (group C) and were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with 50 μL saline solution. Group AV were injected ip, with polyvalent antivenom 2.5 ml/kg, 30 minutes after envenomation. Heparinized blood samples were collected by heart puncture at different time periods (1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours) after venom injection for determination of the levels of plasma cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α by Ray Biotech specific ELISA kits for rats. Results: IL-1a, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly increased in 3 hours after envenomation in both groups (V and AV), but the intensity of increase in AV group was less than the other group, i.e. moderate elevation of cytokines occurred after treatment with polyvalent antivenom. At next time points, gradually decreasing amounts of cytokines were seen. Conclusions: Our data suggest that using polyvalent antivenom in short time after envenomation could reduce the inflammatory responses related to the systemic changes during the elevation of cytokines in scorpion envenomation.

A comparison of the hemodynamic effects of tracheal administration of vasopressin, adrenaline, and vasopressin plus adrenaline in a porcine model

The β-adrenergic effects of tracheal adrenaline include a decrease in initial arterial pressure, and those of tracheal vasopressin include bradycardia. Both of these deleterious effects influence the outcome of resuscitation. We conducted an animal study to test whether tracheal administration of adrenaline and vasopressin results in synergic effects and abolishes the undesirable individual effects of each drug. Twenty-four pigs were intubated, anesthetized, and divided into four groups. The control group received 5 mL of water. Group A received 0.05 mg/kg adrenaline. Group V received 0.8 U/kg vasopressin. Group AV received 0.05 mg/kg adrenaline plus 0.8 U/kg vasopressin. For all animals, the heart rate and arterial pressure were recorded before drug administration, at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 minute after administration, and then every 0.5 minutes for 14 minutes. The heart rate decreased from 4 to 15 minutes postinjection in group V. In contrast, Groups A and AV had increases in heart rate. In Group A, the arterial pressure decreased initially after adrenaline administration and then gradually increased. Group V demonstrated an increase in arterial pressure postinjection that then plateaued. Group AV initially demonstrated a nonsignificant arterial pressure decrease and then an elevation in arterial pressure. A combination of adrenaline and vasopressin eliminates the bradycardic effects of tracheal vasopressin and minimizes the β-adrenergic effects of tracheal adrenaline. In addition, simultaneous administration of these drugs results in higher arterial pressures, which would have a positive influence on resuscitation.

Toward a high-throughput auditory P300-based brain–computer interface

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can provide severely disabled people with non-muscular communication. For those most severely disabled, limitations in eye mobility or visual acuity may necessitate auditory BCI systems. The present study investigates the efficacy of the use of six environmental sounds to operate a 6x6 P300 Speller. A two-group design was used to ascertain whether participants benefited from visual cues early in training. Group A (N=5) received only auditory stimuli during all 11 sessions, whereas Group AV (N=5) received simultaneous auditory and visual stimuli in initial sessions after which the visual stimuli were systematically removed. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis determined the matrix item that elicited the largest P300 response and thereby identified the desired choice. Online results and offline analyses showed that the two groups achieved equivalent accuracy. In the last session, eight of 10 participants achieved 50% or more, and four of these achieved 75% or more, online accuracy (2.8% accuracy expected by chance). Mean bit rates averaged about 2 bits/min, and maximum bit rates reached 5.6 bits/min. This study indicates that an auditory P300 BCI is feasible, that reasonable classification accuracy and rate of communication are achievable, and that the paradigm should be further evaluated with a group of severely disabled participants who have limited visual mobility. With further development, this auditory P300 BCI could be of substantial value to severely disabled people who cannot use a visual BCI.

Ascaris suum infection negatively affects the response to a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination and subsequent challenge infection in pigs

Since their first introduction more than a century ago, vaccines have become one of the most cost-effective tools to prevent and manage infectious diseases in human and animal populations. It is vital to understand the possible mechanisms that may impair optimal vaccine efficacy. The hypothesis posed in this study was that a concurrent Ascaris suum infection of pigs vaccinated with a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) vaccine would modulate the protective immune response to a subsequent challenge infection. Four groups of pigs were either (1) untreated (group C), (2) vaccinated against Mh 3 weeks after the start of the study (group V), (3) given a trickle infection with A. suum throughout the study (group A), or (4) given a trickle infection with A. suum and vaccinated against Mh (group AV). All pigs were subsequently inoculated with live Mh bacteria 4 weeks after the Mh vaccination and necropsied after another 4 weeks. All pigs in group V sero-converted 3 weeks after vaccination (100%), as opposed to only 33% of group AV pigs that were Mh-vaccinated and given A. suum. At the end of the study, only 78% of pigs in group AV had sero-converted. Pigs in group AV had a higher mean percentage of lung pathology and the variation was significantly higher in these pigs compared to pigs in group V. The pattern of gene expression in the lungs and draining lymph nodes indicated a local Th2-skewed response induced by A. suum. Our study indicated that A. suum significantly compromised the effect of Mh vaccination. The impact of reduced vaccine efficacy caused by a common gastrointestinal helminth emphasises the importance of parasite control. More focus should be put into this area of research to outline the practical consequences of this interaction, and to be able to predict, prevent and correct negative interactions.

Effects of antimicrobial agents on the Toll like receptors and myeloid differentiation protein-2 in liver tissue of alcohol-induced liver disease: experiment with rats

To investigate the effects of antimicrobial agents on the Toll like receptors (TLRs) and myeloid differentiation protein (MD)-2 in liver tissue of alcohol-induced liver disease with Vibrio vulnificus (VV) sepsis. Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: alcohol gastric lavage group (n = 74) undergoing alcohol gastric perfusion once a day for 10 weeks and normal control group (Group N, n = 6). 66 surviving rats in the gastric perfusion group were randomly divided into 6 equal subgroups: Subgroup A was alcohol-induced liver disease control subgroup. Subgroup AA, alcohol-induced liver disease and antibacterial drug control subgroup, underwent intraperitoneal injection of cefoperazone sodium and levofloxacin (LVFX). The other 9 subgroups underwent subcutaneous injection of VV to establish animal model of VV sepsis, the rats of 4 of which were killed 2, 6, 12, and 24 h later respectively with their livers taken out (Subgroups AV), and the rats of 5 of which underwent intraperitoneal injection of cefoperazone sodium and LVFX 4 h after VV injection twice a day (Subgroups AVA) and were killed 6, 12 , 24 , 36 h, and 1 week later with their livers taken out. The behavioral changed were observed. PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4, and MD-2. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and MD-2 in liver 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after in Subgroups AV were all significantly higher than those of Group N (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) with the maximum level in the AV-12 h subgroup. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and MD-2 in liver 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after the VV injection of Subgroup AVA were all significantly lower than those of Group AV (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and MD-2 in liver tissue of alcohol-induced liver disease with VV sepsis, which may be reduced by treatment of cefoperazone sodium and LVFX, are associated with the development of VV sepsis. This treatment is effective on this disease. Dynamic monitoring of the mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and MD-2 in liver tissue benefits observation of the VV sepsis progress and treatment.

Comparison between early and late carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis in relation to oxidized low-density lipoprotein and plaque vulnerability

Although carotid endarterectomy (CEA), the gold standard in stroke prevention, has been performed in the late stage after the insult, its optimal timing remains unclear. Using biomarkers in plaque and plasma, we evaluated oxidative stress and plaque vulnerability between early and late CEA in symptomatic patients. We compared symptomatic stroke patients who underwent early CEA within 4 weeks of the last insult (group A; n = 15) with those who received CEA in the late stage beyond 4 weeks from the last symptom (group B; n = 57). They were divided into vulnerable (group Av, n = 13; group Bv, n = 33) and stable (group As, n = 2; group Bs, n = 24) subgroups according to the pathologic findings on their plaques. We studied the relationships among their primary symptoms, clinical findings, oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels, and gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-9) activity in their plaques and plasma. Group A had a variety of symptoms; there was no difference in the outcome of CEA between groups A and B. The plaque and plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were higher in group A than in group B (P < .05). The incidence of pathologically vulnerable plaque was higher in group A than in group B. Plaque oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels and MMP-9 activity were similar in group Av and group Bv and were higher in those groups than in group As and Bs. We first demonstrated that vulnerable plaques in patients subjected to early CEA manifested a remarkable increase in oxidized low-density lipoprotein and MMP-9 activation. Our findings suggest that early CEA may be beneficial in the aspect of oxidative stress.

Effects of gene therapy with replication-defective adenovirus ericlosing Egr-1 promoter and Smad7 cDNA on irradiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis: experiment with mice

To investigate the effects of gene therapy with replication-defective adenovirus enclosing Egr-1 promoter and Smad7 cDNA on irradiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The recombinant replication-defective adenovirus AD. Egr-Smad7 enclosing Egr-1 promoter and Smad7 cDNA was constructed. 288 C57BL mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: AD. Egr-Smad7 group (Group RA, receiving intratracheal instillation of AD. Egr-Smad7 of the dose of 10(9) pfu/0.1 ml), AD. Egr-Smad7 + radiation group (Group RAR, receiving intratracheal instillation of AD. Egr-Smad7 of the dose of 10(9) pfu/0.1 ml and then radiation to the chest 14 h later), replication-defective adenovirus group (Group AV, receiving intratracheal instillation of replication-defective adenovirus of the dose of 10(9) pfu/0.1 ml), replication-defective adenovirus + irradiation group (Group AVR, receiving intratracheal instillation of replication-defective adenovirus of the dose of 10(9) pfu/0.1 ml and then radiation to the chest 14 h later), blank control group (Group C), and pure irradiation group (Group R), each group was re-divided into 6 subgroups of 8 mice to be observed 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the treatment. The mice were killed at different time points and their lungs were taken out. The levels of type I collagen, type III collagen, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were detected by ELISA. The level of hydroxyproline was examined by alkaline hydrolysis method. The lung tissues were stained with HE to undergo pathological examination. The TGF-beta1 levels of the irradiation groups all increased, peaking in the second week (all P < 0.05), all significantly higher than those of Group C. However, the TGF-beta1 levels at different time points of Group RAR were all significantly lower then those of the other irradiation groups. The CTGF levels of different groups at different time points were all significantly higher than those of Group C (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the CTGF levels of Groups RA and AV were decreased to almost normal 12 weeks after the irradiation. The levels of type I collagen and type III collagen of the 1 and 2-week subgroups of Group RAR were significantly lower than those of Group C (all P < 0.01), then gradually increased, and were slightly higher than those Group C 12 weeks later. The levels of type I collagen and type III collagen at different time points of the other groups were all significantly higher than those of Group C (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, The levels of type I collagen at different time points of Group RAR were all lower than those of the other groups except Group C, and the levels of type III collagen in the first to eighth weeks after irradiation of Group RAR were all lower than those of the other groups except Group C. The hydroxyproline level of the 1 and 2 week subgroups of Group RAR were significantly lower than those of Group C (all P < 0.01), and then gradually increased. The hydroxyproline levels of the other irradiation groups all gradually increased significantly, peaking at the 12 th week (all P < 0.01). 1 approximately 2 weeks after irradiation Groups RAR, RA, and AV showed remarkable pulmonary congestion changes, even more remarkable then those in Group R, 8 approximately 12 week later, fibrosis changes were found in Group R and AVR, and 12 weeks later the histological structure of lung of Group AV, RAR, and RA returned almost normal. Radioactive rays induce Egr-1 promoter to regulated the expression of exogenous Smad7 gene that blocks the signal transduction of TGF-beta. Thus use of AD. Egr-Smad7 may become a novel strategy of gene therapy in prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Immunosuppression in broiler chicks fed aflatoxin and inoculated with fowl adenovirus serotype-4 (FAV-4) associated with hydropericardium syndrome.

A total of 240 unvaccinated day-old broiler chicks, which had been found to be negative for antibodies against FAV-4, were divided into four groups of 60 chicks each. Group A was fed aflatoxin at 1 ppm from 7 days to 7 weeks of age. Group V was infected intra-abdominally at 14 days of age with 0.2 ml of FAV-4, having a titre of 10(5.5) TCID50 per 0.2 ml. The combined group AV was given the aflatoxin and infected with FAV-4. The fourth group C served as the control. More pronounced clinical signs, a higher mortality rate (56.7%), and reductions in body weight gain and in the organ to body weight ratios of the bursa and spleen were recorded in group AV. A significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the HI antibody titre following vaccination against Newcastle disease, and of skin thickness in the delayed hypersensitivity test following sensitization with DNCB, indicated an additive immunosuppressive effect from aflatoxin and FAV-4 on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in group AV compared to groups A and V. Microscopically, marked depletion and degeneration of lymphocytes in the thymus, bursa, spleen and caecal tonsils were observed in group AV up to 5 weeks PI.

Microwave Coagulation Therapy with Interruption of Hepatic Blood Inor Outflow: An Experimental Study

To determine how interruption of hepatic blood in- or outflow affects the coagulation diameter of microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) in the liver. Laparotomic MCT at 60 W for 1 minute was performed in 11 Landrace pigs. MCT was performed under six different conditions: without occlusion (Group N; in seven lobes of seven pigs); with occlusion of the hepatic artery (Group A; in five lobes of five pigs); with occlusion of the portal vein (Group P; in five lobes of five pigs); with occlusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein (Group AP; in six lobes of six pigs); with occlusion of the hepatic vein (Group V; in five lobes of four pigs); and with occlusion of the hepatic artery and vein (Group AV; in seven lobes of seven pigs). The maximum diameters for each group were compared. The coagulation diameters (mean +/- SD) were 8.5 mm +/- 2.0, 10.0 mm +/- 1.6, 14.3 mm +/- 2.5, 14.4 mm +/- 2.4, 13.0 mm +/- 0.8, and 14.4 mm +/- 1.5 for Groups N, A, P, AP, V, and AV, respectively. The coagulation diameters for groups P, AP, V, and AV were statistically larger than those for groups N and A (P < .05). There was no significant difference between the coagulation diameters of Groups P, AP, V, and AV. The coagulation diameter depends mainly on the portal venous flow. In addition of direct interruption of the portal vein, interruption of the hepatic vein can also result in a substantial increase in the coagulation diameter.

Topical nitrates potentiate the effect of botulinum toxin in the treatment of patients with refractory anal fissure

BACKGROUNDAnal fissure is perpetuated by high sphincter pressures and secondary local ischaemia. Pharmacological approaches include topical nitrates and botulinum toxin (BT) which act to reduce anal pressure. BT lowers anal...

Hospital transfer for primary coronary angioplasty in high risk patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility, safety, and associated time delays of interhospital transfer in patients with acute myocardial infarction for primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).DESIGN AND PATIENTSProspective observational study with...

Adriamycin alone or combined with vincristine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer

One hundred and nineteen women with advanced breast cancer treated previously by endocrine therapy but no prior chemotherapy were given adriamycin 70 mg m 2 i.v. on day 1 of a 3-weekly cycle for 8 courses, followed by a regimen of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) until relapse. They were allocated randomly to receive either no treatment (group A) or vincristine 1.4 mg m 2 i.v. on days 1 and 8 during treatment with adriamycin (group AV). In 107 evaluable patients objective responses were seen in 30/53 patients (57%) in group A and in 28/54 patients (52%) in group AV. The projected dose of adriamycin received was 78% in group A and 75% in group AV; and 60% for vincristine in group AV. The subjective and haematological toxicity for adriamycin was similar in both groups, but 65% of patients treated with vincristine developed neurotoxicity. The median duration of objective regressions was the same for both groups (7 months), and the median time to failure was 5 months for group A and 6 months for group AV respectively. The median survival of the responders tended to be longer in group AV (17.5 months) than in group A (13 months), but this difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.112). It is concluded that there is no advantage therapeutically in combining vincristine and adriamycin in patients with advanced breast cancer.