Objective To determine the diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) and metastatic lymph nodes,and to establish the diagnostic thresh-old of apparent diffusion coefficients(ADCs). Methods Conventional MR scans and DWI scans were con-tinuously performed in 56 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and 55 healthy volunteers. All patients re-ceived primary tumor biopsy and MR image-guided cervical lymph node fine-needle biopsy. ADC and eADC values of both primary lesions and lymph nodes were calculated and compared. Results According to the pathological diagnosis,all the 56 patients had non-keratinizing carcinoma and 51 had lymph node metastasis. In the control group,75 cervical lymph nodes were found. ADC values of both primary NPC and metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower, while eADC values were higher than those of normal controls. Setting the ADC value threshold at 0.809 ×10-3 mm2/s, the sensitivity and specificity for primary NPC detection were 80.4% and 74.5%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 79.2% and 77.6% ,respectively. The accuracy was 78.4%. Setting the ADC value threshold at 0. 708×10-3 mm2/s, the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes were 43.1% and 93.3%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 70.7% and 81.5% ,respectively. The accura-cy was 73.0%. Conclusions DWI might be a new diagnostic approach in the detection of primary NPC as well as metastatic lymph nodes.

Objective To assess the application effect of the catheter management software on the management of Indwelling urinary catheter in the Emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Methods A prospective control study of targeted surveillance of catheter-associated urinary tract infection was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015 in EICU. The patients were divided into two groups. The patients in control group (131 patients) were treated from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and received routine catheter management, and the patients in test group (135 patients) were treated from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, and received catheter management by software. The catheter management software was developed and applied, and the process specification which collaborated with the software was established. The quality of the catheter management including the omission rate of the catheter management, the rate of urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and the rate of catheter used etc were evaluated after the software's application. Results Through software applications, the omission rate of the catheter management, the omission rate of urine drainage bag replacementand the omission rate of urinary catheter replacement in test group were significantly lower than those in control group:0 vs. 36.64%(48/131), 0 vs. 15.27%(20/131) and 0 vs. 9.92%(13/131), P<0.01 or<0.05. The performance rate of catheter daily management in test group was significantly higher than that in control group: 99.26%(134/135) vs. 64.12%(84/131), P<0.01. The rate of CAUTI in test group was significantly lower than that in control group: 1.90‰ vs. 9.16‰, χ2=4.843, P=0.028. The rate of catheter used in test group was significantly lower than that in control group: 60.74%(82/135) vs. 73.28%(96/131), P<0.01. Conclusions The development and the establishment of the management software can improve the rate of implement, and declinethe rate of CAUTI.

Objective To explore the clinical value of the dual-low-dose with low tube voltage for head and neck CTA. Methods One hundred and sixty patients who were clinically suspected head and neck vascular disease underwent CTA procedure were propective selected, and whose body mass index (BMI) was also lower than 25 kg/m2. Forty cases were randomly selected as conventional group(120 kV,150 mAs, iodine 320 mg/ml), the other 120 cases were as the low dose group. The low dose group divided into three subgroups according to the random number table method, which were low iodine group (37 cases;120 kV,150 mAs, iodine 270 mg/ml), low tube voltage group (42 cases;100 kV,150 mAs, iodine 320 mg/ml) and low iodine and tube voltage group (41 cases;100 kV,150 mAs, iodine 270 mg/ml). The carotid bifurcated CT value, standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), iodine intake and effective radiation dose (ED) of the four groups were recorded,all data undertook statistical analysis useing one-way ANOVA. Meanwhile, the subjective image quality score was applied to evaluate the image quality, and the differences among groups were compared by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results The image quality score were (2.85±0.19),(2.33 ± 0.34),(2.26 ± 0.32),(2.87 ± 0.22) in the four groups, and there was no statistical difference between groups(P>0.05).The carotid bifurcated CT value were respectively (380±30),(314±27),(514±52) and (425±28) HU in conventional, low iodine, low tube voltage and dual-low-dose groups, and the iodine intake were (18.85±2.10), (15.75±1.78), (18.53±1.98), (15.62±1.92) g, the ED of the four groups were (1.74±0.14), (1.73± 0.11), (1.32 ± 0.08) and (1.35 ± 0.09) mSv, the difference were all statistically significant (P<0.01). Furthermore, the iodine intake and the effective radiation dose in dual-low-dose group were significantly lower than the conventational group. Conclusions Head-and-neck CTA with dual-low-dose scan can provide same quality images as using 100 kV and high dose iodine contrast agent, and which also significantly reduced the ED and iodine intake greatly. Thus, this scanning program has great clinical value.

Objective To investigate the peri-nasopharyngeal invasion patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) on MRI and its relationship with tumor staging. Methods One thousand five hundred and seventy-three patients with newly diagnosed NPC which were histo-pathologically proved were retrospectively studied. The MRI manifestations and invasion patterns of the NPCs were elevated according to the 2008 Tstaging system of NPC. Z test was used to analyze the rate of adjacent structures invasion in NPCs. Results The structures invaded by NPCs included pharyngobasilar fascia in 1299 cases (82. 58% ); parapharyngeal space, 1090 ( 69. 29% ); nasal cavities, 304 ( 19. 33% ); oropharynx, 49 ( 3. 12% ); carotid space,514(32. 68% ); medial pterygoid muscle, 661 (42. 02% ); lateral pterygoid muscle, 210( 13. 35% ); skull base bones, 943(59. 95% ); cranial nerves, 630(40. 05% ) and paranasal sinuses, 242 ( 15.38% ). The T-stage distribution was T1, 242 cases ( 15.38% ); T2, 288 ( 18. 31% ); T3, 410 (26. 06% ) and T4,633 (40. 24% ). Among the cases with nasal cavities invasion, 90. 46% (275/304)showed the involvement of the structures seen in T3 or T4 stage, which was found in all cases with oropharynx invasion. In addition,69. 14% (457/661) of cases with medial pterygoid muscle invasion and 92. 15% (223/242) of cases with paranasal sinuses invasion showed the involvement of structures seen in T4 stage. As for the invasion patterns of NPC, the lateral invasion of pharyngobasilar fascia was more frequent than upward invasion of skull base (Z = 14. 025, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and downward invasion of oropharynx ( Z = 45.032, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the downward invasion of oropharynx was less frequent than upward invasion of skull base ( Z = 34. 301, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and forward invasion of nasal cavities ( Z = 14. 404, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion NPC has a predilection of lateral invasion rather than upward and downward invasion, and its upward and forward invasion are more common than downward invasion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of mustard seed on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice and explore the mechanism.

METHODSEighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and mustard seed group. The mice in the normal control group and model group were fed with normal chow, and those in mustard seed group were given 5% mustard seed mixed in the chow. Three weeks later, ACD was induced on the ear using 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene. After 24 h, the swelling of the ear was examined, and the rats were sacrificed to collect the ear tissue ears and blood for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn mice with ACD, feeding with mustard seeds significantly lessened the ear swelling, improved the tissue histopathology, lowered the number of infiltrating Langerhans cells, and reduced the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the ear, but did not cause significant changes in serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17.

CONCLUSIONMustard seed inhibits ACD in mice possibly by suppressing the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and inhibiting Langerhans cell migration in the epidermis.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; Seeds ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn).

METHODSThirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed.

CONCLUSIONNLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1β and IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Aminoquinolines ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Female ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Phytotherapy ; Psoriasis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of chest circumference-adapted scanning protocol on radiation exposure and image quality in patients undergoing prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered coronary CT angiography (CCTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-eighty-five consecutive patients, who had undergone prospective ECG triggering CCTA with a 128-slice CT, were included in the present study. Nipple-level chest circumference, body weight and height were measured before CT examinations. Patients were divided into four groups based on kV/ref.mAs = 100/200, 100/250, 120/200, and 120/250, when patient's chest circumference was < or = 85.0 (n = 56), 85.0-90.0 (n = 53), 90.0-95.0 (n = 44), and > 95.0 (n = 32), respectively. Image quality per-segment was independently assessed by two experienced observers. Image noise and attenuation were also measured. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. The effective radiation dose was calculated using CT dose volume index and the dose-length product. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between patients' chest circumference and body mass index (r = 0.762, p < 0.001). Chest circumference ranged from 74 to 105 cm, and the mean effective radiation dose was 1.9-3.8 mSv. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 98.5% (2440/2478) of all evaluated coronary segments without any significant differences among the four groups (p = 0.650). No significant difference in image noise was observed among the four groups (p = 0.439), thus supporting the validity of the chest circumference-adapted scanning protocol. However, vessel attenuation, SNR and CNR were significantly higher in the 100 kV groups than in the 120 kV groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A measure of chest circumference can be used to adapt tube voltage and current for individualized radiation dose control, with resultant similar image noise and sustained diagnostic image quality.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart/*radiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Radiation Dosage ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; *Waist Circumference

Objective: To explore and clarify the correlation between short-term aggressive intrasegmental recurrence (AIR) and functional magnetic resonance imaging after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1 262 patients with HCC who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in our hospital from January 2012 to June 2018, all patients were confirmed by pathology as HCC, of which 30 patients were found to have AIR during radiographic follow-up within 3 months after surgery, another 35 patients with disease progression who were controlled in a short period of time were randomly selected as the control group. All the enrolled patients underwent dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) scanning before surgery, and the differences in clinical data, lesion location, and functional magnetic resonance parameters between the two groups were compared, and their correlation with AIR after RFA was analyzed. Chi-square test, t test and Pearson test were used. Results: The lesions in the AIR group were significantly more in the Ⅰand Ⅳsegments than that in the control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in other liver segments (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the lesion morphology between the two groups (P>0.05), and there was a significant difference in the early enhancement pattern of the lesions (P<0.05), and the early arterial enhancement rate and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the AIR group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Further correlation analysis found that early enhancement of the arterial artery, early arterial enhancement rate, ADC value and lesion location were associated with AIR and were positively correlated, r values were 0.455, 0.633, 0.518, 0.375 and 0.287 (P<0.05). Conclusion The short-term AIR and functional imaging parameters (arterial early enhancement, early arterial enhancement rate, ADC value) and the liver segment (Ⅰ and Ⅳ) were highly correlated with radiofrequency ablation.

Objective:To investigate the value of quantitative parameters of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for children and adolescents with mature aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).Methods:It was a retrospective multicenter study.Clinical data of 44 children and adolescents diagnosed with mature aggressive B-cell NHL between January 2016 and January 2023 in Henan Cancer Hospital, Beijing Gaobo Boren Hospital, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into complete response (CR) group and non-CR group based on the international criteria for the diagnosis of pediatric NHL.Quantitative parameters of MRI, including T2 signal intensity, the minimal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin), maximal ADC (ADCmax), and the mean ADC (ADCmean) were measured before and within 2 weeks after CAR-T infusion.The correlation between the above parameters and the achievement of CR was analyzed.The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the inter-observer agreement among observers in measuring quantitative parameters of MRI.Differences between groups were analyzed using the independent sample t-test.Factors influencing CR were identified through the binary Logistic regression analysis, and a prediction model was established.Model performance was evaluated by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:Significant differences were observed between the CR group and non-CR group in T2 signal intensity before CAR-T infusion (267±152 vs.364±160, P=0.048), and ADCmin (0.94±0.38 vs.0.53±0.28, P<0.05), ADCmax (1.73±0.69 vs.0.84±0.43, P<0.05), ADCmean (1.28±0.48 vs.0.67±0.33, P<0.05), and T2 signal intensity within 2 weeks after CAR-T infusion (198±139 vs.345±168, P=0.004). A univariate prediction model was created by introducing the above quantitative parameters.The area under the curve (AUC), specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of T2 signal intensity before CAR-T infusion in predicting the efficacy on children and adolescents with mature aggressive B-cell NHL were 0.800, 84.0%, 57.9%, and 72.7%, respectively.The AUC, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of ADCmax within 2 weeks of CAR-T infusion were 0.958, 88.0%, 78.9%, and 84.1%, respectively.The AUC, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of T2 signal intensity within 2 weeks of CAR-T infusion were 0.869, 84.0%, 68.4%, and 77.3%, respectively. Conclusions:Quantitative parameters of MRI, including ADC values and T2 signal intensity, are of great significance in the early prediction of CAR-T therapy efficacy on children and adolescents with mature aggressive B-cell NHL.Among these parameters, ADCmax presents the strongest predictive performance and serves as a valuable indicator for predicting a complete response with CAR-T treatment.

Objective:To investigate the application value of dual-energy CT in the differential diagnosis of lung metastases and benign nodules in breast cancer.Methods:The data of 96 patients with pathology-confirmed breast cancer at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from March 2017 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received dual-energy chest CT scans within 2 weeks before surgery. All 96 patients were female, aged 31-84 (56±12) years. A total of 207 pulmonary nodules from 96 patients were classified into 81 lung metastases and 126 benign nodules according to pathological findings. Conventional CT features [longest diameter, boundary, location and CT value difference between arterial and venous phases (ΔCT) of nodules] and dual-energy CT parameters [standardized iodine concentration (NIC), slope of energy spectrum (λ HU) and normalized effective atomic number (nZ eff) in arterial and venous phases] were analyzed and measured. The χ 2 test, independent samples t test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test were used to analyze the differences of conventional CT features and dual-energy CT parameters between lung metastases and benign nodules. First, the least shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method was used to screen conventional CT features and dual-energy CT parameters, and then logistic regression analysis was performed to screen out independent risk factors for lung metastases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the efficacy of CT parameters alone and logistic model in differentiating lung metastases from benign lung nodules. Results:There were statistically significant differences between lung metastases and benign nodules in longest diameter, ?CT, NIC, λ HU and nZ eff in arterial and venous phases (all P<0.05). LASSO regression and binary logistic regression analysis showed that the venous phase λ HU (OR=59.413, 95%CI 14.233-248.002, P<0.001) and the venous phase nZ eff (OR=4.508, 95%CI 2.787-7.290, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for predicting lung metastases. Among them, the venous phase λ HU had the highest diagnostic efficiency, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.794 and an accuracy of 74.88%. The AUC of the logistic model constructed by combining the venous phase λ HU and the venous phase nZ eff could reach 0.958, and the accuracy was improved to 92.27%, which was significantly higher than the efficacy of the two alone ( Z=6.02, 9.54, all P<0.001). Conclusion:Dual-energy CT has great application value in the identification of lung metastases and benign nodules in patients with breast cancer, especially when combined with venous phase λ HU and venous phase nZ eff, the diagnostic efficiency is further improved.