The Use of the Woodchuck as an Animal Model for Evaluation of Transarterial Embolization

There are many shortcomings of current animal models as surrogates of hepatocellular carcinoma that handicap preclinical testing of embolization agents. The present study explores the feasibility of using the woodchuck (Marmota monax) as an animal model for the testing of novel embolization agents. Four woodchucks underwent magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, and left lobar hepatic artery particle embolization. Percutaneous access, arteriography, and lobar embolization were successful in all animals, with angiographic stasis obtained in the target vessel with minimal reflux of embolic material. These results support the feasibility of the woodchuck as an animal model for preclinical testing of embolization agents.     

Intraarterial Lidocaine for Pain Control in Uterine Artery Embolization: A Prospective,Randomized Study

Purpose

To assess efficacy of two different techniques of lidocaine injection in the uterine arteries to reduce pain following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomas.

Embolization of Congenital Renal Arteriovenous Malformations Using Ethanol and Coil Depending on Angiographic Types

Purpose

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of embolization of congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using ethanol and/or coil according to angiographic type.

Leiomyoma Infarction after Uterine Artery Embolization: Influence of Embolic Agent and Leiomyoma Size and Location on Outcome

Purpose

To study the factors that might impact infarction of individual uterine leiomyomas and total tumor burden after uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Treatment of Acute Hemoptysis by Bronchial Artery Embolization with the Liquid Embolic Agent Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer

PurposeTo determine the technical and clinical success of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) with the liquid embolic agent ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer in patients with acute hemoptysis.Materials and MethodsThirty-four patients (25 male; mean age, 58 y; range, 13–78 y) who underwent BAE with EVOH were retrospectively reviewed. Reasons for acute hemoptysis included lung cancer (44%), pulmonary metastases (12%), bronchiectasis (21%), arteriovenous malformation (5%), tuberculosis (6%), aspergilloma (3%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (3%), anticoagulant overdose (3%), and scar tissue (3%). Technical and clinical success of BAE were retrospectively assessed.ResultsEmbolization was technically successful in 94% of patients. Additional embolization material was needed in 4 patients (12%). The immediate clinical success rate was 94% (32 of 34); in 2 patients (6%), hemoptysis recurred immediately after the intervention or could not be stopped. Periinterventional minor complications included headache (n = 1), fever (n = 1), and acute renal failure (n = 1). During follow-up (mean, 8.8 mo), 5 patients had a recurrence of hemoptysis (15%).ConclusionsThe use of EVOH copolymer for BAE in patients with acute hemoptysis is technically successful and safe and has a good clinical outcome with a low number of recurrences.     

Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) reproduction is impaired in aged oil sands process-affected waters

Large volumes of fluid tailings are generated during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. As part of their reclamation plan, oil sands operators in Alberta propose to transfer these fluid tailings to end pit lakes and, over time, these are expected to develop lake habitats with productive capabilities comparable to natural lakes in the region. This study evaluates the potential impact of various oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) on the reproduction of adult fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) under laboratory conditions. Two separate assays with aged OPSW (>15 years) from the experimental ponds at Syncrude Canada Ltd. showed that water containing high concentrations of naphthenic acids (NAs; >25 mg/l) and elevated conductivity (>2000 μS/cm) completely inhibited spawning of fathead minnows and reduced male secondary sexual characteristics. Measurement of plasma sex steroid levels showed that male fathead minnows had lower concentrations of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone whereas females had lower concentrations of 17β-estradiol. In a third assay, fathead minnows were first acclimated to the higher salinity conditions typical of OSPW for several weeks and then exposed to aged OSPW from Suncor Energy Inc. (NAs ∼40 mg/l and conductivity ∼2000 μS/cm). Spawning was significantly reduced in fathead minnows held in this effluent and male fathead minnows had lower concentrations of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that aged OSPW has the potential to negatively affect the reproductive physiology of fathead minnows and suggest that aquatic habitats with high NAs concentrations (>25 mg/l) and conductivities (>2000 μS/cm) would not be conducive for successful fish reproduction.     

The endocrine disruptor diethylstilbestrol induces adipocyte differentiation and promotes obesity in mice

Epidemiology studies indicate that exposure to endocrine disruptors during developmental “window” contributes to adipogenesis and the development of obesity. Implication of endocrine disruptor such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) on adipose tissue development has been poorly investigated. Here we evaluated the effects of DES on adipocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo, and explored potential mechanism involved in its action. DES induced 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, and activated the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and peroxisome proliferator-acivated receptor (PPAR) γ as well as its target genes required for adipogenesis in vitro. ER mediated the enhancement of DES-induced PPARγ activity. Moreover, DES perturbed key regulators of adipogenesis and lipogenic pathway in vivo. In utero exposure to low dose of DES significantly increased body weight, liver weight and fat mass in female offspring at postnatal day (PND) 60. In addition, serum triglyceride and glucose levels were also significantly elevated. These results suggest that perinatal exposure to DES may be expected to increase the incidence of obesity in a sex-dependent manner and can act as a potential chemical stressor for obesity and obesity-related disorders.     

不同硅橡胶印模技术可影响模型尺寸的精确性

背景：印模尺寸的精确性与最终修复体的适合性密切相关。 目的：评价一步和两步硅橡胶印模技术法制取牙科模型的线性尺寸的精确性。 方法：模拟临床口腔环境中的温度和潮湿度,分别采用一步和两步硅橡胶印模技术法,制取标准口腔模型的印模各10个,灌制成超硬石膏模型,使用游标卡尺测量每个模型的长度、宽度和高度。 结果与结论：两种方法制取模型的测量值之间以及与标准模型的测量值之间差异无显著性意义,两步硅橡胶印模获得模型的测量值比一步硅橡胶印模更接近标准模型的测量值。     

颅底高血运脑膜瘤外科手术前栓塞术——有效性及安全性

目的 回顾性分析颅底高血运脑膜瘤患者外科手术前瘤体供血动脉栓塞术,评估其有效性及安全性.方法 收集2008年至2015年6月接受全脑DSA检查并证实血运丰富的73例颅底脑膜瘤患者临床资料,就外科手术前瘤体供血动脉栓塞及栓塞相关并发症,瘤体切除术中出血量、手术时间进行分析.结果 外科手术前31例患者(栓塞组)中接受Glubran胶栓塞16例,聚乙烯醇(PVA)颗粒栓塞14例,Glubran胶联合PVA颗粒栓塞1例;42例患者未接受栓塞(未栓塞组).外科手术中平均出血量在栓塞组为693 ml,未栓塞组为903 ml,差异有统计学意义(P=0.047);瘤体完全切除率在栓塞组为87.1％,未栓塞组为66.7(P=0.134).栓塞组无栓塞相关并发症发生.结论 颅底高血运脑膜瘤外科手术前栓塞可有效地降低术中出血量,是安全有效的辅助治疗方法.     

Polyvinyl chloride dermatitis not caused by phthalates

Seven cases of contact dermatitis in children due to identification bracelets made of poly-vinyl chloride plastic are reported. Patch tests with the bracelets were negative in the five cases tested. It is concluded that the reactions were irritant due to some unknown chemical in the bracelets.
The most widely used plasticizers in PVC, phthalates, must have very low sensitising properties, as only one positive patch test was found in 1532 patch tests with phthalate mix, performed as a joint study by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group.