Effect of hydrogen-storage pressure on the detonation characteristics of emulsion explosives sensitized by glass microballoons

In this study,hydrogen-storage glass microballoons were introduced into emulsion explosives to improve the detonation performance of the explosives.The effect of hydrogen-storage pressure on the detonation characteristics of emulsion explosives was systematically investigated.Detonation velocity experiments shows that the change of sensitizing gas and the increase of hydrogen pressure have different effects on the detonation velocity.The experimental parameters of underwater explosion increase first and then decreases with the increase of hydrogen pressure.The decrease of these parameters indicates that the strength of glass microballoons is the limiting factor to improve the detonation performance of hydrogen-storage emulsion explosives.Compared with the traditional emulsion explosives,the maximum peak pressure of shock wave of hydrogen-storage emulsion explosives increases by 10.6%at 1.0 m and 10.2%at 1.2 m,the maximum values of shock impulse increase by 5.7%at 1.0 m and 19.4%at 1.2 m.The stored hydrogen has dual effects of sensitizers and energetic additives,which can improve the energy output of emulsion explosives.

Development and characterization of amoxicillin loaded floating microballoons for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori induced gastric ulcer

The current communication reports in vitro characterization of the optimized hollow floating microballoons of amoxicillin on the basis of micromeritic properties and in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC).Amoxicillin loaded hollow microballoons were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method.The morphological characterization was done on the basis of scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR)was used to investigate drugepolymer interactions.The correlation between the in vitro buoyancy of microballoons and their physical properties,e.g.density and porosity were elucidated.The results of FTIR spectroscopy revealed the absence of any drugepolymer interactions.The porosity values of more than 69%and diameter to thickness ratio greater than 2.90,proved a high cavity volume within the microballoons in all size ranges.The spherical shape of microballoons with hollow internal cavity was confirmed from SEM photomicrographs.The in vitro MIC results showed a sustained drug effect from the microballoons.In conclusion,it can be said that the developed microballoons can be used for the effective treatment of Helicobacter pylori induced gastric ulcer.

Balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) is widely accepted as a treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the intermediate stage according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) guidelines. Recently, balloon-occluded TACE(B-TACE) was developed in Japan. Despite the lack of a clear definition, B-TACE is generally defined as the infusion of emulsion of chemotherapeutic agents with lipiodol followed by gelatin particles under the occlusion of feeding arteries by a microballoon catheter, which leads to the dense lipiodol emulsion(LE) accumulation in HCC nodules. This phenomenon cannot be explained only by the prevention of proximal migration and leakage of embolization materials; it further involves causing local changes in the hemodynamics of the surrounding occlusion artery and targeted HCC nodules. Balloon-occluded arterial stump pressure plays an important role in the dense LE accumulation in targeted HCC nodules. Although randomized controlled trials comparing the therapeutic effect and the prognosis of B-TACE to those of the other TACE procedures, such as conventional-TACE and drug-eluting beads TACE, are still lacking, B-TACE is thought to be a promising treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the mechanism, therapeutic effect, indication, prognosis and complications of BTACE.

Percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia

Background Percutaneous microballoon compression （PMC） for trigeminal neuralgia is an important therapeutic method. The aim of this study was to review the effects of PMC for trigeminal neuralgia in 276 patients. Methods From December 2000 to May 2003, 276 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with PMC. The course of the disease ranged from 3 months to 38 years. Under the guidance of C-arm X-ray, 14# needle was placed into the foramen ovale using the classical Hakanson＇s technique. Fogarty balloon catheter was navigated into the Meckel＇s cave tenderly. A small amount of Omnipaque was slowly injected to inflate the balloon and compress the trigeminal ganglion for 3 to10 minutes. Results A total of 290 PMC were performed on the 276 patients. Among them, 252 had immediate relief from pain. The patients were followed up for a mean of 18.7 months （range, 4 to 32）, 14 of them had a recurrence. Of the 14 patients, 12 were re-operated with PMC, and the pain was all controlled successfully. Conclusions PMC is an effective and technically simple method for trigeminal neuralgia. For older patients with trigeminal neuralgia, it may be the first choice.