Embolization of acute postpartum hemorrhage is a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy.

No abstract

Magnetic labeling of smooth muscle cells with anionic maghemite nanoparticles allows detection of cells with MR imaging after local transplantation in the heart.

Objective-Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation within the intima is regulated by heparan sulfates. We studied a low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan (sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweed) on SMC proliferation in vitro and intimal hyperplasia in vivo. Methods and Results-In vitro study revealed that LMW fucoidan reduces rabbit SMC proliferation and is internalized in SMC perinuclear vesicles. On rabbit iliac arteries perfused in vivo with fluorolabeled LMW fucoidan after angioplasty, the labeling was mainly located on sites of injury. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that LMW fucoidan exhibited in rats an elimination half-life of 56Ϯ25 minutes (nϭ8) after intravenous administration and a constant plasma rate for Ն6 hours after intramuscular administration. After stent implantation in their iliac arteries, rabbits were also treated with LMW fucoidan (5 mg/kg IM twice a day Key Words: fucoidan Ⅲ hyperplasia Ⅲ restenosis Ⅲ stent Ⅲ vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation I ntimal hyperplasia due to migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media to the intima is a major component of restenosis after stent implantation. 1,2 Polysaccharides constitute a large family of molecules capable of developing molecular interactions with cellular targets within the arterial wall. 3 For instance, heparin, a natural sulfated polysaccharide, displays pleiotropic effects independent of the anticoagulant activity, including SMC growth inhibition, 4 anti-inflammatory activity, 5 and growth factor protection. 6 Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed that reduces rat SMC proliferation in vitro in a more intensive manner than heparin. 7 We recently succeeded in producing and characterizing new homogeneous fractions of low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan with low anticoagulant activity.The aims of the present study were to investigate the ability of LMW fucoidan to regulate vascular SMCs. For this purpose, we first tested the ability of LMW fucoidan to inhibit rabbit SMC proliferation in vitro. We explored the pharmacokinetics of LMW fucoidan injected in rats and the effect of LMW fucoidan on intimal hyperplasia. The results described below indicate that LMW fucoidan is a strong inhibitor of intimal hyperplasia and may be potentially relevant for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. Methods PolysaccharidesLMW fucoidan was isolated and hydrolyzed by a radical depolymerization process 8 from high molecular weight (HMW) extracts of brown marine algae. The characteristics of LMW fucoidan according to previously reported analytical methods 9 are as follows: weightaverage molecular mass 8Ϯ1 kDa; fucose content 35% (wt/wt); uronic acid content 3% (wt/wt); and sulfate content 34% (wt/wt). The anticoagulant activity in vitro of the LMW fucoidan was measured by an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and the amount of LMW fucoidan required to obtain an APTT of 80 seconds (control 40 seconds) was 25 g/mL. 10 The anticoagulant activity in vivo of LMW fucoidan was measured in rabbit...

No abstract

A positive ultrasound contrast agent appears to be more efficient than saline solution at determining Fallopian tube patency in infertile women by means of HyCoSy, and as efficient as an iodinated contrast agent in the same population explored by HSG. HyCoSy could be used to screen infertile women, thereby avoiding the use of iodinated contrast medium and exposure to ionizing radiation during conventional HSG in patients with patent Fallopian tubes.

Screening of pancreatic tissue samples obtained by fine-needle aspiration for c-Ki-ras mutation using PCR/RFLP analysis combined with pathologic examination could facilitate diagnosis of pancreatic tumors.

Identification of a mass being clearly visible suggests strongly the presence of small bowel adenocarcinoma in Crohn disease patients but adenocarcinoma may be completely indistinguishable from benign fibrotic or acute inflammatory stricture. Knowledge of these findings is critical to help suggest the diagnosis of this rare but severe complication of Crohn disease.