Objective To investigate the molecular characteristics and epidemiological signification of patients with low-level HBsAg. Methods PCR and gene sequencing were used to detect HBV DNA and Tyr-Met-Asp-Asp(YMDD) mutant in 136 serum samples with low-level HBsAg and 44 sernm samples with high-level HBsAg. Genotyping was performed in 47 cases with HBV DNA 10~5 copies/L by concentration method and 37 cases with high-level HBsAg. S gene sequences and serotypes were analyzed in 14 cases with HBV DNA 105 copies/L and 29 cases with high-level HBsAg. S gene sequences were compared with the consensus sequence of Chinese strain by BioEdit software. Results The HBV DNA-positive rate, YMDD mutation rate and HBV DNA load (logarithm) in low-level and high-level HBsAg group were 34.6% (47/136), 0% (0/136), 6.5±1.4 and 84.1% (37/44), 9.1% (4/44), 8.9±1.8, respectively. There was statistically significant differences between two groups (for concentration method,χ~2 = 30.8, P < 0.05; for direct method, χ~2 = 53.5, P < 0.05; for YMDD mutation ratio, P = 0.003, For HBV DNA (log), t = 6.5, P < 0.05). The genotypes in low-level HBsAg group included type B (16/47), type C (5/47) and non-classified ones(26/47). There were significant differences between two groups (χ~2=21.8, P <0.01). The serotypss included adw (7/14), ayw (4/14), adr (2/14) and ayr (1/14). There were significant differences in genotypes (χ~2 = 13.5, P < 0.05) but not in serotypes between two groups (χ~2 = 4.7, P >0.05). S gene sequencing results showed no S gnne variation was detected, but there were 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 16 cases, which would not result in the alternation of amino acid. Conclusions Low-replication phenomenon of HBV DNA was present in patients with low-level HBsAg. The major genotyps and serotype was type B and adw/ayw, respectively. Polymorphic variants have been found in the S gene. The existence of low-level HBsAg might be related with its own molecular characteristics resulting in low expression of HBsAg or immune tolerance induced by low-level HBsAg after HBV infection.

Objective To study the patterns of collateral circulation in adults moyamoya disease (MMD). Methods One hundred and nineteen consecutive adult patients with MMD (ischemic or hemorrhagic type) were identified by digital cerebral angiography in Nanjing Stroke Registry Program of Jinling Hospital between August 2004 and January 2010.The extracranial and (or) intracranial collateral circulations ipsilateral to stroke hemisphere were regarded as the research objects,and furthermore,these collateral circulations were divided into three different grades:Grade 1 collateral (anterior cerebral artery (ACA) → meningeal arteries (MLA) → middle cerebral artery (MCA) ),Grade 2 collateral ( dilating and extensing anterior choroidal artery beyond choroid fissure,patent posterior communicating artery → posterior cerebral artery→MLA→ ACA and(or) MCA,posterior cerebral artery→MLA→ACA and (or) MCA and posterior choroidal artery → posterior pericallosal arteries → ACA ) and Grade 3 collateral (collateral originating from the external carotid artery supplying to cerebral blood flow). The relationship between collateral distribution patterns in adult MMD and Suzuki' s classification was analyzed.Results In 117 assessed vessel units of the collateral circulation ipsilateral to stroke hemisphere,there were a total of 200 collateral circulations.The percentage of numbers in Grade 1,Grade 2 and Grade 3 collateral was 11.5％(23/200),52.0％ (104/200) and 36.5％ (73/200),respectively.The distribution percentage of Grade 1 was gradually decreased from Suzuki's Ⅰ to Ⅵ,mainly distributed in the early stage of MMD ( Suzuki's Ⅰ -Ⅱ ) and accounted for 91.3％ (21/23; Z =- 7.270,P ＜ 0.01 ).The distribution percentage of Grade 3 was gradually increased from Suzuki' s Ⅰ to Ⅵ,especially in the late stage of MMD ( Suzuki' s Ⅴ-Ⅵ) and accounted respectively for 37.0％ (27/73) and 63.0％ (46/73; Z =-7.270,P ＜0.01 ).Compared with the total distribution of Grade 1 and 3 collateral circulation,the distribution percentage of Grade 2 was 6.7％ (7/104),7.7％ (8/104),15.4％ ( 16/104),40.4％ (42/104),14.4％ (15/104)and 15.4％ (16/104) from Suzuki' s Ⅰ to Ⅶ.Although there was not significant difference,Grade 2 mainly distributed in the medium stage of MMD ( Suzuki' s Ⅲ-Ⅳ ).Conclusions The patterns of collateral distribution is various,changing with the progression of MMD. Grade 2 collateral circulation accounts for a higher proportion,especially in the medium stage of the disease,which suggests that these collaterals play an important compensatory role of blood flow.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Suzuki' s grading system in adult moyamoya disease (MMD).Methods Fifty-two adult patients with MMD,who were diagnosed in Jinling hospital between April 2009 and January 2010,were retrieved from the Nanjing Stroke Registry Program (NSRP).Sixteen sex- and age-matched healthy individuals with MMD patients consisted of the control group.Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,serum concentrations of VEGF and MMP-9 were compared between adult MMD patients and healthy individuals.By Suzuki' s six-grading system,patients were divided into different subgroups,and the correlation of serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 corresponding to different subgroup and Suzuki's grading was respectively analyzed.In addition,the correlation of serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 was also evaluated.Results Serum VEGF concentrations in ischemic and hemorrhagic MMD patients was respectively ( 289.4 + 69.2 ) pg/ml and ( 324.3 ± 95.6 ) pg/ml and were significantly higher compared to those in healthy controls ( ( 63.5 ± 7.6 ) pg/ml; F =69.43,P ＜ 0.01 ).Similar findings were observed for MMP-9 ( ( 499.4 ± 76.2 ) ng/ml and ( 531.2 + 100.2 ) ng/ml versus (257.1 ±30.7) ng/ml; F =66.023,P ＜0.01 ).With the increase of Suzuki' s grading,serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 respectively showed a high trend ( r =0.879,P ＜ 0.01:r =0.838,P ＜ 0.01 ).In addition,a positive correlation between serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 was found in the MMD group( r =0.590,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion The results show that serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in adult MMD are higher than those in healthy controls,which may play a role in neovascularization in MMD,and moreover,serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 show a high trend with the progression of MMD,which suggest that serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 can reflect the severity of MMD.

Aim To establish an analytical method for determination of compound G004 concentration in plasma and investigate its application to pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability in rats.Methods 5.0 and 2.5 mg?kg~(-1) compound G004 were given via ig and iv respectively to SD rats.Blood samples were collected at various time points after administration.Plasma concentration of compound G004 in rats was determined by LC-ESI-MS.Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS program and absolute bioavailability was also calculated.Results The method was linear over the range of 0.02～5 mg?L~(-1)(r~2=0.9995).The recovery of compound G004 in rat plasma was more then 87%.Intra-and inter-day precision,expressed as the relative standard deviation(RSD) was less than 15%.After iv compound G004,the main pharmacokinetic parameters T_(2),CLs,V_d,AUC_((0-∞)) were(1.91?0.65) h,(0.36?0.22) L?h~(-1),(0.78?0.36) L ?kg~(-1),(9.52?3.53) mg?L~(-1)?h~(-1) respectively.The major pharmacokinetic parameters T_(max),C_(max),T_(2),AUC_((0-∞)),MRT_((0-12h)) were 0.83 h,(3.33?0.80) mg?L~(-1),(1.77?0.21) h,(10.04?2.43) mg?L~(-1)?h~(-1) and(2.75?0.31)h after ig compound G004.The absolute bioavailability was 52.69% after correction of dosage.Conclusion The method is sensitive and specific which is applicable to pharmacokinetic analysis of compound G004 in rats.

Purpose To investigate the dosimetric differences among RapidArc (RA) plans which were designed on different target volumes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A total of 10 HCC patients underwent 3D-CT scan under free breathing ( FB),end inspiration hold ( EIH ) associated with active breath coordinator (ABC) and 4D-CT scan.The 4D-CT were sorted into 10 sets of CT images according to respiratory cycle.The gross tumor volume (GTV) was manually contoured on different CT images.The individual internal gross target volume ( IGTV1 ) was obtained from 4D-CT,and the individual margins from GTVFB to IGTV1.IGTV2 were obtained from GTVFB using individual margins.The planned target volumes (PTV-1,PTV-2,PTV-3 and PTV-4 ) were obtained from GTVFB,IGTV1,IGTV2 and GTVEIA applying different margins.The RA plans (RA1,RA2,RA3 and RA4 ) were designed from different PTVs,and for RA1,RA2 and RA3 the simple 358° arc were used,while three 135° arcs were used for RA4.The dosimetric differences were compared.Results The PTV-1 and PTV-3 were larger than PTV-2 and PTV-4; the mean values of PtV-1/PTV-2 and PTV-1/PTV-4 were 2.5 and 1.9,respectively.There were no significant differences in conformal index,homogeneity index,maximum dose,and minimum dose of PTV among 4 RA plans.The irradiation dose of normal liver of RA3 and RA4 were 8.23 Gy and 7.63 Gy respectively,both significantly lower than those of RA1 and RA2 (10.21 Gy,9.62 Gy,x2 =10.68,P ＜0.05 ),and the V30of RA3 and RA4 were 5.24％ and 5.05％ respectively,both significantly lower than those of RA1 and RA2 (7.76％,6.12％,x2 =14.76,P ＜ 0.05 ).There were no significant differences in irradiation doses of stomach and duodenum among different plans.Conclusions Using 4D-CT or ABC technology with RapidArc in HCC can define the target volume accurately and achieve prefect dose distribution sparing more normal liver volume,compared to the traditional margins.4D-CT and ABC play similar roles in sparing normal liver.

Objective To investigate the incidence,distribution patterns,and influencing factors of cerebral microbleed (CMB) in Chinese adult patients with moyamoya disease.Methods Thirty consecutive patients with moyamoya disease confirmed by digital subtraction angiography from the Nanking Stroke Registry Program were included.All patients performed conventional MRI sequences (3.0 T) and susceptibility-weighted imaging.The clinical data,such as medical history,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,mean arterial pressure,and white matter lesions were collected.Their fasting blood glucose levels and fibrinogen levels were detected.The numbers of CMB lesion,distribution information,and their relationship with various clinical parameters in patients with moyamoya disease were analyzed.Results Among the 30 subjects included,14 CMBs were detected in 10 patients from 11 hemispheres.The distribution of the lesions was mainly in deep brains (71.4%),especially in the periventricular white matter (50.0%).There was no statistical difference in age,gender,hemorrhage symptoms,blood pressure,white mater lesions,and plasma fibrinogen levels between the CMB positive group and CMB negative group.However,the fasting blood glucose levels in the former was significantly higher than those in the latter (8.0 ± 4.1 mmol/Lvs.4.8 ± 0.4 mmol/L;P =0.035).Multivariate regression analysis showed that the increased fasting blood glucose level was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of CMBs in adult patients with moyamoya disease (OR = 10.992,95% CI 1.325-91.218;P=0.026).Conclusions The CMB lesions are susceptible to Chinese adult patients with moyamoya disease in deep brains,especially in the periventricular white matter.The fasting blood glucose level may influence the incidence of CMBs in patients with moyamoya disease.

Objective To investigate the impact of multi-b-value on texture features of DWI in liver cirrhosis.Methods DWI manifestations of liver cirrhosis in 37 patients were analyzed retrospectively,and DWI of 27 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled as controls.The b values were set as 0,20,50,100,200,400,800,1 000,1 200 and 1500 s/mm2,respectively.Three ROIs at different levels of every set image were selected,and 37 texture features within these ROIs were extracted.Unstable texture features affected by different b-values were screened with the percent coefficient of variation (％COV),and the fitting degree between the unstable texture features and b values were analyzed with exponential fitting.Results Among 37 texture features,20 (20/37,54.05 ％) were unstable.With the increase of b values,exponential upward trend was found in 10 texture features,exponential downward trend was found in 4 texture features,and the relative trends could not be defined in other 6 unstable texture features.Conclusion The b values of DWI impact the texture features in liver cirrhosis.Correlations exist among some texture features and b values.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm compared to adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR-V) algorithm in improving the quality of low-dose brain CT images.Methods:Retrospective inclusion of patients who underwent brain CT examination in the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from November 2021 to August 2022. Four different algorithms were used to reconstruct low-dose CT scans of all patients to obtain 30% intensity ASIR-V (ASIR-V-30%) images, low intensity DLIR (DLIR-L) images, medium intensity DLIR (DLIR-M) images, and high intensity DLIR (DLIR-H) images. The regions of interest were selected from four sets of images, including superficial white matter, superficial gray matter, deep white matter, and deep gray matter, and their CT values and standard deviations were measured for calculating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).Subjective evaluation of image quality was conducted by three neuroimaging physicians based on the Likert 5-component scale. The objective and subjective scores of the 4 groups of images were analyzed using ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis. If there are overall differences, pairwise comparisons were conducted within the group.Results:A total of 109 patients were enrolled, including 104 males and 5 females, aged 65-110 years (89.16 ± 9.53) years. The radiation exposure of brain CT low-dose scanning was (0.93 ± 0.01)mSv, significantly lower than that of conventional scanning (2.92 ± 0.01) mSv ( t = 56.15, P < 0.05). The differences in objective image quality analysis of ASIR-V-30%, DLIR-L, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H images of low-dose CT in SNR deep gray matter, SNR deep white matter, SNR superficial gray matter, SNR superficial white matter, CNR deep gray white matter, and CNR superficial gray white matter were statistically significant( F =98.23, 72.95, 68.43, 58.24, 241.13, 289.91, P < 0.05). Among them, DLIR-H images had the lowest noise in deep gray matter, deep white matter, superficial gray matter, and superficial white matter, and had statistically significant differences compared to other image groups ( t = 167.43, 275.46, 182.32, 361.54, P < 0.05). The subjective score of DLIR-H image quality was superior to ASIR-V-30%, DLIR-L, and DLIR-M, with the statistically significant difference ( t = 7.25, 8.32, 9.63, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with ASIR-V, DLIR algorithm can effectively reduce image noise and artifacts in low-dose brain CT, and improve SNR and CNR. The subjective and objective image quality evaluation of DLIR-H is the best.

Recent innovations in nanomaterials inspire abundant novel tumor-targeting CRISPR-based gene therapies. However, the therapeutic efficiency of traditional targeted nanotherapeutic strategies is limited by that the biomarkers vary in a spatiotemporal-dependent manner with tumor progression. Here, we propose a self-amplifying logic-gated gene editing strategy for gene/H₂O₂-mediated/starvation multimodal cancer therapy. In this approach, a hypoxia-degradable covalent-organic framework (COF) is synthesized to coat a-ZIF-8 in which glucose oxidase (GOx) and CRISPR system are packaged. To intensify intracellular redox dyshomeostasis, DNAzymes which can cleave catalase mRNA are loaded as well. When the nanosystem gets into the tumor, the weakly acidic and hypoxic microenvironment degrades the ZIF-8@COF to activate GOx, which amplifies intracellular H⁺ and hypoxia, accelerating the nanocarrier degradation to guarantee available CRISPR plasmid and GOx release in target cells. These tandem reactions deplete glucose and oxygen, leading to logic-gated-triggered gene editing as well as synergistic gene/H₂O₂-mediated/starvation therapy. Overall, this approach highlights the biocomputing-based CRISPR delivery and underscores the great potential of precise cancer therapy.