[Investigation and analysis of airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City].

Objective: To investigate the species, concentration and seasonal trends of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. Methods: The Department of allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University conducted a cross-sectional study about monitoring the airborne allergenic pollen from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 by the gravitational method in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City, which include Yuquan District, Xincheng District, Huimin District, Saihan District, Tuoketuo County, Helingeer County, Tumotezuoqi County, Wuchuan County and Qingshuihe County. Daily pollens were counted and identified by optical microscopy, and the data were analyzed. Results: The airborne allergenic pollen was collected every month all year round in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot city. Through the whole year of the total quantity of pollens ranged from 24 850 to 50 154 grains per 1 000 mm2 and two peaks of pollen concentration in air were observed,which happened in spring (from March to May) and in summer and autumn (from July to September). In spring, the main pollens were tree pollens, which principally distributed in Populus pollen (18.29%), Ulmus pollen (8.36%), Pinus pollen (6.20%), Cupressaceae pollen (5.23%), Betulaceae pollen (2.73%), Salix pollen (1.80%) and Quercus pollen (1.16%). In summer and autumn, the main pollens were weed pollens, which mainly included Artemisia pollen (42.73%), Chenopodiaceae pollen or Amaranthaceae pollen (7.46%), Poaceae pollen (2.26%), Humulus pollen or Cannabis pollen (0.60%). Conclusion: There were two peaks of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. In the spring peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were tree pollens. In the summer and autumn peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were weed pollens. The Artemisia pollen was the most major airborne pollen in this area.

[Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of diffuse midline gliomas with histone H3K27M mutation: an analysis of 30 cases].

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of diffuse midline glioma (DMG) with H3K27M mutation. Methods: Thirty cases of DMG were collected in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from October 2016 to May 2018. The patients' clinicopathological data including age, tumor site and histological grade, treatment and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: There were 21 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 26 years (range 5-53 years). Fourteen tumors were located in thalamus, 12 in brainstem (one involved both thalamus and brainstem), and one each in hypothalamus, fourth ventricle, and sellar region, respectively. Two cases presented as diffuse intracranial lesions. Three cases (10.0%) were of WHO grade Ⅰ, 10 cases (33.3%) were grade Ⅱ, eight cases (26.7%) were grade Ⅲ, and nine cases (30.0%) were grade Ⅳ.All patients with gradeⅠ tumors were older than 20 years. Histologically, all were pilocytic astrocytoma-like. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that all tumors were IDH1 negative. Twenty-eight tumors showed diffuse expression of H3K27M, and two showed focal expression. Twenty-one tumors(100.0%, 21/21) showed absent expression of H3K27me3. Sixteen tumors (57.1%, 16/28) showed strongly positive expression of p53, and ATRX was negative in eight tumors (38.1%, 8/21). The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 5% to 40%. Eight cases (including two cases of H3K27M expression of individual cells) showed K27M mutation in H3F3A gene. Intracranial and spinal cord dissemination occurred in six cases (20.0%, 6/30). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.5 months and median overall survival (OS) was 34 months. Mean PFS was 11.2 months and mean OS was 24.3 months. Compared with adults (>20 years old), children/adolescents (no more than 20 years old) had significantly shorter median OS (8 months vs. 34 months, P=0.013). There was no significant difference in PFS and OS between DMGs located in the brain stem/thalamus and other sites within midline (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in PFS and OS between WHO grade ⅠDMGs and WHO grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ DMGs (P>0.05). Conclusions: DMGs occur more commonly in children and adolescents with male predominance. DMGs present with WHO Ⅰ-Ⅳ tumors morphologically, and pilocytic astrocytoma-like lesions with WHO Ⅰ are more common in adults. Expression of H3K27M but not H3K27me3 is helpful for diagnosis of DMG. The prognosis of children/adolescents is significantly worse than that of adults, whereas histological grade and tumor location do not affect prognosis.

Encapsulation of phytosterols and phytosterol esters in liposomes made with soy phospholipids by high pressure homogenization.

Phytosterols and phytosterol esters were encapsulated within large unilamellar liposomes prepared with soy phospholipids using a microfluidizer. The average particle diameter of these liposomal vesicles increased with increasing amounts of encapsulated phytosterols, especially with increasing free sterol content. The phytosterol content, liposomal particle size, and phytosterol encapsulation efficiency started to plateau when liposomes were prepared with MOPS buffer dispersions that contained 50 mg ml-1 soy phospholipid and more than 4% phytosterol blend, suggesting the saturation of phytosterol encapsulation. We proposed an encapsulation mechanism of free sterols and phytosterol esters in liposomes, where free sterols were mainly encapsulated within the lumen of these liposomes as crystals, and sterol esters and some free sterols were incorporated within the phospholipid bilayer of the liposomal membrane. The results from this work could provide the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries a practical method to produce loaded liposomes using inexpensive phospholipid mixtures for the delivery of bioactive ingredients.

[Nested case-control study on associated factors for anemia during pregnancy].

Objective: To explore the related factors of anemia during pregnancy and provide scientific evidence for the primary prevention of anemia during pregnancy. Methods: The pregnant women (≤12 pregnant weeks) who received the first pregnancy care in a local medical institution in Hunan province from June 2013 to November 2014 were included in this cohort study, and for them anemia had been excluded by physical examination. Baseline survey and follow up till childbirth were conducted for them. A queue-based nested case-control study (1 ∶ 2) was conducted (380 pregnant women with anemia detected in this study as case group, 760 pregnant women without anemia randomly selected and matched by age, habitual residence during pregnancy as control group. And t test, χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify related factors of anemia during pregnancy. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that low family annual income level (net income) (OR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.22-3.59), low educational level (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.22-3.59), pre-pregnancy perm/hair dye (OR=2.23, 95%CI: 1.63-3.05), early pregnancy vomiting (OR=2.51, 95%CI: 1.56-4.03) were the risk factors for anemia during pregnancy. Intake of vitamin and trace element supplements (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.50-0.94), frequent meat, fish, shrimp, egg intakes (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.49-0.92), frequent soy milk, milk intakes (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.27-0.95) were the protective factors for anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: A number of factors, such as family annual income level, education level, poisonous and harmful material contact, pregnancy reaction, nutrition, are related to the incidence of anemia during pregnancy, it is necessary to take preventive measures to reduce the incidence of anemia during pregnancy.

[Effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of kidney tubules, serum interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor ß(1) in hyperuricemic rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney tubules and the levels of serum IL-6 nad transforming growth factor (TGF)ß(1) in hyperuricemic rats. Methods: Forty male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NC group), oteracil potassium group (OP group), oteracil potassium with febuxostat group (OF group) and oteracil potassium with benzbromarone group (OB group). Each group had 10 rats and balanced in body weights. To induce hyperuricemia, rats were given oteracil potassium by gastric gavage once a day for eight weeks. Rats in OF group and OB group were given either febuxostat or benbromarone starting with oteracil potassium, and rats in NC group was given saline only. Blood samples were taken before, and at the end of 4 and 8 weeks of the treatments and serum uric acid, creatinine, blood usea nitrogen(BUN), IL-6 and TGFß(1) contents were measured at each time point. Renal pathological changes were observed via HE and Masson staining, and the expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with those in NC group, the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, BUN, IL-6 and TGFß(1) in the another three groups were increased significantly (all P<0.01). However, the IL-6 and TGFß(1) contents in OF group were much lower than those in OP group (P<0.01). HE and Masson staining showed that OF group had less damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis than OP group and OB group (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of α-SMA was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01) and that of E-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in OF group compared with those in OP group. Conclusion: Febuxostat treatment significantly inhibited EMT and reduced the levels of IL-6 and TGFß(1) in hyperuricemia rats.

A comparative study of the rheological and sensory properties of a petroleum-free and a petroleum-based cosmetic cream.

A petroleum-free skin cream was developed using food-grade ingredients. The rheological and sensorial properties of this petroleum-free skin cream were compared to a commercially available petroleum-based skin cream. Specifically, large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) characterization of the two skin creams was performed. The petroleum-free skin cream showed similar linear and nonlinear viscoelastic rheological properties, comparable skin hydration functions, and consumer acceptance as the commercially available skin cream. A schematic diagram aiming to correlate the physical and sensorial properties of skin cream was also proposed at the end of the work. Results of this work could provide the cosmetic industry necessary information for the development of alternatives for petroleum-based skin creams.

The Practice of Vitamin D Deficiency Assessment in a Geriatric Day Hospital.

There has been no clear consensus on the assessment and treatment of vitamin D deficiency prior to the publication of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) Vitamin D Guideline in 2014. The aim of our study was to assess the practice in a medicine for the older person day hospital setting relative to this guideline. A 6-month retrospective analysis of all new patients who attended service from January to July 2013 was carried out. Seventy-six patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 83 years. 39 (51%) patients had sufficient levels while 37 (49%) patients had insufficient levels; 14 (19%) being inadequate and 23 (30%) deficient. Eighteen patients who had insufficient levels were subsequently prescribed supplements; 13 (72%) received vitamin D3 in combination with calcium while 5 (28%) received vitamin D3 alone. Based on the findings of this study, we have made some recommendations and adopted the guideline.

The effects of cleanroom noise intensity and frequency on physiological measures and subjective responses.

BACKGROUND: Workplace noise exposure gains growing attention in high tech industry. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the noise effect on physiological and subjective responses in semiconductor manufacturing clean room environment. METHODS: Twenty subjects including 10 males and 10 females completed all phases of the experiment. Each subject was asked to participate in four treatment combinations of two noise intensities [65 dB(A) and 80 dB(A)] × two frequency levels [high and low]. For each treatment condition, the subject was exposed to the specified noise condition in a sound proof cabin for one hour. The physiological measures included blood pressure and heart rate. The subjective measures included noise sensitivity, fatigue and annoyance. RESULTS: The ANOVA results indicate that long-time noise exposure caused significant increase in blood pressure (p< 0.001). Furthermore, the noise intensity by time interaction effect was found to be significant on annoyance and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that prolonged exposure to noise intensity at 80 dB(A) would result in a significant increase in physiological cost and subjective discomfort feeling. Thus, some countermeasures should be taken to reduce noise exposure and to promote health, and quality of working life.

The adverse effects of long-term l-carnitine supplementation on liver and kidney function in rats.

Levo-Carnitine (l-carnitine) is widely used in health and food. This study was to focus on the adverse effects of 8-week oral supplementation of l-carnitine (0.3 and 0.6 g/kg) in female and male Sprague Dawley rats. l-carnitine reduced body and fat weights, as well as serum, liver, and kidney lipid levels in rats. Simultaneously, hepatic fatty acid ß-oxidation and lipid synthesis were disturbed in l-carnitine-fed rats. Moreover, l-carnitine accelerated reactive oxygen species production in serum and liver, thereby triggering hepatic NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation to elevate serum interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 levels in rats. Alteration of serum alkaline phosphatase levels further confirmed liver dysfunction in l-carnitine-fed rats. Additionally, l-carnitine may potentially disturb kidney function by altering renal protein levels of rat organic ion transporters. These observations may provide the caution information for the safety of long-term l-carnitine supplementation.

ER stress-mediated apoptosis induced by celastrol in cancer cells and important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß in the signal network.

HeLa cells treated with celastrol, a natural compound with inhibitive effect on proteasome, exhibited increase in apoptotic rate and characteristics of apoptosis. To clarify the signal network activated by celastrol to induce apoptosis, both the direct target proteins and undirect target proteins of celastrol were searched in the present study. Proteasome catalytic subunit ß1 was predicted by computational analysis to be a possible direct target of celastrol and confirmed by checking direct effect of celastrol on the activity of recombinant human proteasome subunit ß1 in vitro. Undirect target-related proteins of celastrol were searched using proteomic studies including two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis. Possible target-related proteins of celastrol such as endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERP29) and mitochondrial import receptor Tom22 (TOM22) were found by 2-DE analysis of total cellular protein expression profiles. Further study showed that celastrol induced ER stress and ER stress inhibitor could ameliorate cell death induced by celastrol. Celastrol induced translocation of Bax into the mitochondria, which might be related to the upregulation of BH-3-only proteins such as BIM and the increase in the expression level of TOM22. To further search possible target-related proteins of celastrol in ER and ER-related fractions, iTRAQ-based LC-MS method was use to analyze protein expression profiles of ER/microsomal vesicles-riched fraction of cells with or without celastrol treatment. Based on possible target-related proteins found in both 2-DE analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using bioinformatic analysis. The important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK3ß) in the signal cascades of celastrol was suggested. Pretreatment of LiCL, an inhibitor of GSK3ß, could significantly ameliorate apoptosis induced by celastrol. On the basis of the results of the present study, possible signal network of celastrol activated by celastrol leading to apoptosis was predicted.

Pathobiology and prevention of cancer chemotherapy-induced bone growth arrest, bone loss, and osteonecrosis.

Cancer chemotherapy has been recognized as one severe risk factor that influences bone growth and bone mass accumulation during childhood and adolescence. This article reviews on the importance of this clinical issue, current understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the skeletal defects and potential preventative strategies. Both clinical and basic studies that appeared from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed for bone defects (growth arrest, bone loss, osteonecrosis, and/or fractures) caused by paediatric cancer chemotherapy. As chemotherapy has become more intensive and achieved greater success in treating paediatric malignancies, skeletal complications such as bone growth arrest, low bone mass, osteonecrosis, and fractures during and/or after chemotherapy have become a problem for some cancer patients and survivors particularly those that have received high dose glucocorticoids and methotrexate. While chemotherapy-induced skeletal defects are likely multi-factorial, recent studies suggest that different chemotherapeutic agents can directly impair the activity of the growth plate and metaphysis (the two major components of the bone growth unit) through different mechanisms, and can alter bone modeling/remodeling processes via their actions on bone formation cells (osteoblasts), bone resorption cells (osteoclasts) and bone "maintenance" cells (osteocytes). Intensive use of multi-agent chemotherapy can cause growth arrest, low bone mass, fractures, and/or osteonecrosis in some paediatric patients. While there are currently no specific strategies for protecting bone growth during childhood cancer chemotherapy, regular BMD monitoring and exercise are have been recommended, and possible adjuvant treatments could include calcium/vitamin D, antioxidants, bisphosphonates, resveratrol, and/or folinic acid.

Changes in composition a metabolism of caecal microbiota in rats fed diets supplemented with copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on the composition and metabolism of the caecal microbiota in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (average body weight of 82 ± 5 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8). The dietary treatments were: (i) basal diet, (ii) basal diet + 80 mg/kg BW CuSO(4), (iii) basal diet + 80 mg/kg BW chitosan (CS-I), (iv) basal diet + 80 mg/kg BW copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSN-I) and (v) basal diet + 160 mg/kg BW copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSN-II). The trial lasted 21 days. The results showed that compared with control, Average day gain (ADG) of group CSN-I and CSN-II increased (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in CuSO(4) or CS-I-treated groups (p > 0.05). There were no effects of these treatments on average day feed intake (ADFI) of rats (p > 0.05). The counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in group CSN-II were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), while the counts of total aerobes, total anaerobes, Salmonella, Clostridium and coliform were lower than those of the control (p < 0.05). The activity of ß-glucuronidase in group CSN-I or CSN-II was significantly depressed (p < 0.05), while the activities of α-galactosidase and ß-galactosidase were enhanced significantly (p < 0.05). The pH of the caecum digesta and the concentration of propionate and butyrate in group CSN-I and CSN-II were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in these parameters in CuSO(4) or CS-I-treated groups (p > 0.05). The results indicate that the microbiota and environment of caecum are beneficially changed by the administration of copper-loaded CSN.

Effects of beta-glucanase and xylanase supplementation on gastrointestinal digestive enzyme activities of weaned piglets fed a barley-based diet.

The effects of supplementing a barley-based diet for weaned piglets withexogenous beta-glucanase and xylanase on gastrointestinal digestiveenzyme activities were investigated. Thirty-six cross-bred weaned pigletswere randomly assigned to two groups with three pens based on sexand mass. Each group was fed on the diet based on barley with or withoutadded beta-glucanase and xylanase (0.15%) for a 4-week period. Theresults showed that enzyme supplementation improved growth performanceof piglets significantly (p < 0.05), but had no effect (p = 0.091)on average daily feed intake. The results also showed that supplementationof beta-glucanase and xylanase had no effect on pepsin activity in gastriccontents but slightly decreased (p = 0.092) the pepsin activity ingastric mucosa. Meanwhile, no effect of enzyme supplementation ontrypsin activity in duodenal contents was observed. However, the activitiesof amylase and lipase in duodenal contents were significantly(p < 0.05) decreased, whereas the activities of maltase, sucrase andgamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) in jejunal and ileal mucosa wereenhanced significantly (p < 0.05). The improvement of disaccharidaseand gamma-GT activity may be attributed to the positive impacts of exogenousenzymes on digestion and absorption of the nutrients. In conclusion,the current results indicated that supplementation with enzymes in barley-based diets could improve the growth performance of piglets,decrease the activities of amylase and lipase in duodenal contents andincrease the activities of disaccharidase and gamma-GT in jejunal and ilealmucosa.

Lake sediment resuspension and caused phosphate release--a simulation study.

Intact sediment cores and wet/dried surficial sediments sampled from the two sublakes in Taihu Lake, Meiliang Bay and Wuli Lake, were incubated in the laboratory to determine the effects of resuspension on internal phosphorus loading by simulating different resuspension events. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) release from undisturbed core sediment sampled in the Meiliang Bay and Wuli Lake in July 1998 was 1.53 mg/m2 and 2.24 mg/m2 within 4 days, respectively. However during one hour experimental simulation of resuspension, SRP increased by 0.041 mg/L and 0.077 mg/L in the above cores, which indicate that a typical resuspension event in the lake would be accompanied by the release of 10.77 mgSRP/m2 and 23.1 mgSRP/m2, respectively. The internal phosphorus loading induced by resuspension is estimated to be 8-10 times greater than the release from undisturbed sediment. SRP release from the dried sediments during simulation of resuspension was mainly dependent on the disturbing intensity. Only when the wind strength gets to certain level, the influence of wind speed on phosphorus release appears significant, indicating that an exchangeable P pool, capable of altering equilibrium conditions in the lake areas, is built up under strongly wind-exposed resuspension events.

Inhibitory effects of gynostemma pentaphyllum on the UV induction of bacteriophage lambda in lysogenic Escherichia coli.

Effects of gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) on the bacteriophage lambda induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation have been studied. The results showed that GP could inhibit the UV induction of bacteriophage lambda in lysogenic cells. The inhibitory effects were dependent on the concentration and the reaction time of GP, and were efficient at 40 to approximately 125 microg ml(-1) for 10 min. The inhibitory rate was higher than 70% when the GP concentration was 50 microg ml(-1). By electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin-trapping techniques, the signals of free radicals were detected in the suspension of the lambda lysogenic bacteria induced by ultraviolet irradiation, but after the addition of GP the signals were decreased. These results indicate that gynostemma pentaphyllum not only is a scavenger of free radicals, but also possesses the biological function of anti-irradiation, and that there is a close relation between the UV irradiation of the bacteriaphage lambda and free radicals.

An evaluation of the hemostatic effects of hydrophilic, alcohol, and lipophilic extracts of notoginseng.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the hemostatic effects of hydrophilic, alcohol, or lipophilic extract of notoginseng with those of the control and placebo. DESIGN: Hemorrhagic rat model. SETTING: Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut; animals were housed at the Hartford Hospital animal facility. ANIMALS: Sixty-two male Wistar rats. Intervention. Administration of placebo (wheat flour), and alcohol, hydrophilic (water), and lipophilic (hexane) extracts of notoginseng. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups, and their tails were transected 5 mm from the tip. Group 1 received no treatment (control), group 2 received placebo, group 3 received alcohol extract, group 4 received hydrophilic extract, and group 5 received lipophilic extract. Total bleeding time was determined and compared among the groups. MAIN RESULTS: Bleeding time was shorter for the placebo group than the control group (p=0.035). The alcohol extract group had the shortest bleeding time, which was significantly shorter than that of the control (p<0.0001), placebo (p=0.0124), and lipophilic extract groups (p=0.002). The hydrophilic extract group had a shorter bleeding time than the control group (p=0.0058) and showed a trend toward shorter bleeding time than the lipophilic extract group (p=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol extract of notoginseng results in the shortest bleeding time and provides better hemostatic effects than no treatment, placebo treatment, and treatment with lipophilic extract.

Chemical constituents from Dendrobium densiflorum.

5-[2'-(3"-Hydroxy-5"-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-1,3-benzodioxole and 7-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,4-phenanthrenedione, along with 16 known compounds were identified from the stems of Dendrobium densifiorum Lindl. ex Wall. (Orchidaceae). The structure of a previously reported compound dendroflorin obtained from the plant was revised on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Among the identified compounds, five were found to exhibit anti-platelet aggregation activity in vitro.

Constituents from the leaves of Rhododendron latoucheae.

Twelve constituents from Rhododendron latoucheae were isolated. Among them, compounds 1 and 2, named rhodolatouside A and B, respectively, are new iridoids.

An evaluation of the hemostatic effect of externally applied notoginseng and notoginseng total saponins.

No effective hemostatic agents are available for external use. This project was conducted to evaluate the hemostatic effects of notoginseng using a hemorrhagic rat model. Rats (n = 40) were divided into four groups, and their tails were transected 5 mm from the tip. Group 1 received no treatment (control), while the other groups received external powder applied to the wound. Group 2 received placebo (flour), group 3 received ground notoginseng, and group 4 received a saponin extract of notoginseng. The total bleeding time was determined and compared between groups. The notoginseng group had lower bleeding times (9.60 +/- 1.50 min) than the control group (19.23 +/- 4.09 min, p < 0.001) or the placebo group (15.18 +/- 2.24 min, p < 0.001). Likewise, the saponin extract group had significantly lower bleeding times (11.70 +/- 2.53 min) than the control and placebo groups (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). No differences were found between the notoginseng and the saponin extract groups (p = 0.35). Notoginseng and a saponin extract from notoginseng provide hemostatic effects when applied externally.

Mix-mode technique of feeding arrays of dipole microwave antennae.

A 4-element array of coherently driven dipole microwave antennae produces a hot spot in the central region of the implanted volume and cold spots in the peripheral regions of the implant. Conversely, an incoherently driven array of antennae predominantly heats peripheral (along the antennae) regions of the implant. These two modes of feeding the antennae are complementary in a sense that the cold zones obtained with the coherently driven antennae coincide with the hot zones obtained with the incoherently driven antennae and vice versa. The SAR distributions resulting from mixing these modes of feeding (mixed-mode technique) were studied theoretically and experimentally. A theoretical model that allowed calculation of SAR distributions of a 4-element array of microwave antennae fed coherently, incoherently or using a mixed-mode technique was developed in this work. The goal of the theoretical study was to determine the proper mix of the coherent and incoherent modes of feeding the antennae such that the adequately (enclosed within a 50% isoSAR surface) heated volume was maximized. In experimental studies, the antennae were driven in a cyclical manner with a duty cycle equal to the weight of the coherent mode in the mix. The duty cycle was defined as the ratio of the time the antennae were driven coherently to the total duration of the cycle. To facilitate the periodical change from the coherent to incoherent feeding, a special electromechanical switch was developed. This switch allowed a wide range of variation of the duty cycle and cycle period. Theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that, if the relative weight of the coherent feeding in the mix-mode technique was 30% (duty cycle = 0.3), the adequately heated volume was significantly larger and the SAR distribution was more uniform than those obtained with either the coherent or incoherent mode of feeding.