Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for uterine arteriovenous fistula: a case series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in the treatment of uterine arteriovenous fistula (UAVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case series included three patients diagnosed with acquired UAVF. All patients underwent routine laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, ultrasound, and pelvic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). HIFU treatment was performed under sedation and analgesia using a Model JC Focused Ultrasound Tumor Therapeutic System (made by Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Co. Ltd., China) with a B mode ultrasound device for treatment guidance. The treatment time, sonication power, sonication time, and complications were recorded. Follow-up evaluations were scheduled at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month to assess symptom improvement and evaluate the post-treatment imaging. RESULTS: All patients completed HIFU treatment in a single session without any major complication. All patients complained of mild lower abdominal and sacrococcygeal pain. Typically, no special treatment is required. Following HIFU treatment, there was a significant relief in clinical symptoms, particularly abnormal uterine bleeding. Ultrasound examinations conducted one month after the treatment revealed a notable reduction in the volume of the lesion, ranging from 57% to 100%. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of HIFU treatment remained consistent during the 12-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: HIFU ablation appears to be an effective and safe treatment modality for UAVF. It provides a noninvasive approach with favorable clinical outcomes.

[Effect of Signal Molecule Combined with Thiobacillus denitrificans on Simultaneous Removal of Nitrogen and Sulfur].

The effects of Thiobacillus denitrificans combined with signal molecules on the removal of sulfide and nitrate was investigated. By adding signal molecules and T. denitrificans at the same, the total number of microorganisms increased, the removal of sulfide and nitrate was accelerated, and an increase in nitrogen gas and more stable accumulation of elemental sulfur was observed. The total number of microorganisms after the reaction was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. In this experiment, the optimal concentration for the stable accumulation of elemental sulfur from six concentrations of signal molecules was revealed. Further, the effects of adding signal molecules, T. denitrificans, and their combination were analyzed at this concentration. The results showed that it was easier to accumulate elemental sulfur after the addition of 1.0 µmol·L-1 signal molecule. After adding both T. denitrificans and 1.0 µmol·L-1 signal molecules at a sulfide concentration of 200 mg·L-1, the removal of sulfide and nitrate increased to 99.8% and 96.9% at 72 h, respectively, and increases in nitrogen gas and sulfur were observed. The amounts of elemental sulfur and nitrogen gas reached to 59.0 mg and 80.0 mL, respectively, after adding 2.5 µmol·L-1 signal molecules at 72 h when the sulfide concentration was 300 mg·L-1. Under those conditions, the removal efficiency of sulfide and nitrate reached 99.0% and 93.9%, and the production of elemental sulfur and nitrogen reached 63.1 mg and 79.5 mL, respectively.

N2O Emission and Hydroxylamine Oxidase (HAO) Activity in a Nitrogen Removal Process Based on Activated Sludge with Three COD/NH4+ Ratios.

This study dealt with nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and hydroxylamine oxidase (HAO) activity of waste sludge in a nitrification and denitrification process employing three carbon nitrogen (C/N) ratios in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The experimental results indicated that N2O emission increased dramatically after the C/N ratio in the sludge increased from 6.5 to 9.3, which was greater than the N2O emission at two other C/N ratios (3.5, 6.5). The HAO activity in the anoxic period was higher with all three C/N ratios than in the aerobic period. The results suggest that N2O was produced primarily in the aerobic period and the main source of the N2O emission resulted from denitrification by nitrifying bacteria and aerobic hydroxylamine oxidation. When a relatively deficient carbon source existed, the N2O emission under anoxic conditions was affected by the HAO activity and vice versa. When the HAO activity was relatively high, it was found that more N2O was released.