Objective To evaluate the feasibility of optimized scan protocol in whole-brain perfusion imaging with 320-MDCT scanner.Methods Twenty healthy volunteers were randomly divided into control group (13 patients) and test group (7 patients).The standard perfusion scan protocol (collecting 19 volumes)was applied in control group.The optimized perfusion CT scan protocol(collecting ll volumes)formulated by reducing scanning phases reasonably and changing the collection intervals was applied in test group.The regions of interest(ROI) with area of(20 ± 2)mm2 were located in the bilateral frontal white matter,parietal white matter,centrum semiovate,basal ganglia,occipital lobe and cerebellum.Bilateral perfusion values from ROI were measured,including cerebral blood volume(CBV),mean transit time (TTP),cerebral blood flow (CBF),mean transit time (MTT) and delay time (DT).Results Dose length product (DLP)and effective dose (ED)in optimized protocol were decreased 42.02％ as compared to control group.Every relative perfusion value of both sides from both groups were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Every relative perfusion parameters from individual territory in both groups showed no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Using the optimized scan protocol,we could obtain the same whole-brain perfusion values could be obtained with the default standard protocol and less radiation dose.

Epilepsy ; diet therapy ; metabolism ; Food-Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Ketone Bodies ; biosynthesis

According to the characteristics of our hospital,we establish a PACS/RIS system by adopting individual adaptive compartments and design,and study the net connection methods,key technique as well as the application value of the PACS/RIS system.As a result,PACS/RIS system enables the interchange of images among different models,brings about the centralized storage,the transference and process of remote images,and accomplishes the digitalization of registration and reporting.It optimizes the work flow for the radiography department.

Objective To compare the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for T3-4 N0-1 M0 and T14 N2-3 M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after induction chemotherapy.Methods From 2002 to 2005,400 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳa NPC were randomly divided into 2 groups :induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (IC/CCRT,201 patients),and induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy alone group (IC/RT, 199 patients).Subgroup analysis was conducted for 197 patients with stage T3-4N0-1M0 NPC and 203 with stage T1-4N2-3M0 NPC.Results The follow-up rate were 96.2%, with a median followg-up time of 3.9 years.For T3-4N0-1 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (104 patients) and IC/RT group (93 patients), the 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 84.0% and 85.9% (χ2=0.08,P =0.780) ,77.0% and 72.0% (χ2=0.44,P =0.510) ,89.5% and 92.3% (χ2=0.65 ,P = 0.420), and 84.9% and 77.0% (χ2= 1.59, P = 0.210), respectively; For T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (97 patients) and IC/RT group (106 patients), the corresponding rates were 67.4% and 82.2% (χ2=3.48,P=0.060), 61.5% and 68.0% (χ2= 1.86,P=0.170), 86.2% and 87.0% (χ2=0.57 ,P =0.450) and 66.2% and 75.6% (χ2=2.07 ,P =0.150), respectively.Acute sideeffects were similar except more leucocytopenia in IC/CCRT group than IC/RT group.Conclusions Compared with IC/RT, IC/CCRT dose not improve the overall survival in patients with T3-4N0-1 M0 and T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC.

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) belong to pattern recognition receptors, which perform significant roles in antiviral responses. RLRs can initiate a cascade of signaling transduction that induces the production of type I interferon and activates the interferon signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in antiviral responses. In the course of evolution, viruses have been constantly counteracting host immune systems to facilitate their own survival and replication, and have developed a set of antagonistic strategies. These mainly comprise elusion, disguise and attack strategies to eliminate the activation of RLRs. In virus-infected cells, RLRs recognize viral RNA and then induce antiviral responses. A better understanding of viral antagonistic strategies against RLRs will provide insights into the development of new antiviral medicines. This mini-review concludes that there are three main antagonistic strategies by which RNA viruses can counteract the activation of the RLRs pathway. It aims to provide references and insights for similar studies on viral antagonism in an array of RNA viruses.
DEAD Box Protein 58 ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; immunology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; RNA Viruses ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; immunology ; virology

?AIM: To observe the clinical curative effect of the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibody combined with the implantation of Ex-press glaucoma drainage device for neovascular glaucoma ( NG) .?METHODS:A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with NG, who got the intravitreal injection of anti -VEGF antibody combined with the implantation of Ex-press. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , iris neovascularization fade and intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed at 1wk, 1, 3 and 6mo postoperatively.?RESULTS:The average IOPs of 20 patients were 47 ± 5.6mmHg, 13.4 ±3.6mmHg, 15.3 ±4.2mmHg, 16.9 ± 5.3mmHg and 18.7 ±6.9mmHg preoperatively and postoperatively 1wk, 1mo, 3mo and 6mo with statistical difference (P<0.05).The intraoperative and postoperative complications of the implantation of Ex-press mainly included early shallow anterior chamber, drainage tube obstruction, filtering bleb scarring. There were 8 eyes with filtering bleb scarring with normal IOP.?CONCLUSION: The intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibody combined with implantation of Ex -press is effective for NG, which can significantly reduce the IOP.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of rat sodium/iodide symporter (rNIS) as a reporter gene monitoring rat bone marrow mesenchymal cells (rBMSC) transplanted to rat myocardium in vivo.Methods Recombinated adenovirus vector was constructed by rNIS/enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) (Ad-rNIS/EGFP).rBMSC transfected by Ad-rNIS/EGFP were studied using fluorescence microscope.Fifteen rats were transplanted with rBMSC and randomly divided into three groups:rNIS group (with rNIS transfection), blocked group (with rNIS transfection) by oral intake of perchloric sodium before planar imaging(GE Millennium MPR SPECT), and control group (without rNIS transfection).All rats underwent 99Tcm-pertechnetate planar imaging.The biological distribution of 99Tcm-pertechnetate was studied.The expressions of rNIS gene and protein in myocardium were measured by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot, respectively.The expressions of CD29, CD44, CD90, CD11b, CD34 and CD45 were measured by immunohistochemistry.Results rBMSC transfected by Ad-rNIS/EGFP showed EGFP expression under fluorescence microscope.The transplanted rat myocardium could be visualized on 99Tcm-pertechnetate planar imaging in rNIS group.The relative uptake ratio( Rheart/Rhmb, RUR) was 6.7 ±0.4.RUR in control group (3.0 ±0.2) was lower than that in rNIS group (t =2.78, P=0.03).The percentage injection dose per gram of tissue (% ID/g) of the transplanted myocardium was 60.2 ± 20.8 in rNIS group,which was higher than that (2.5 ± 0.4) % ID/g of control group ( t = 7.13, P＜0.001 ).rNIS gene and protein were highly expressed in transplanted myocardium in rNIS group but less expressed in control group.The expressions of CD29, CD44 and CD90 were positive, CD45 and CD45 negative CD11b mildly positive in the myocardium transplanted with infective rBMSC.Conclusion rNIS can efficiently monitor rBMSC transplanted to rat myocardium.

This study evaluated the clinical effect of impaction bone graft and distal press-fit fixation for the reconstruction of severe femoral bone defect in revision total hip arthroplasty. A total of 234 patients (involving 236 hips) with Paprosky III and IV femoral bone defects were treated with the revision total hip arthroplasty from June 1998 to Aug. 2006. Impaction bone graft technique was used for 112 hips, with allogeneic freeze-dried bone as bone graft and SPII as prosthesis. With 124 hips, modular distal press-fit fixation and tapered femoral stem (MP stem) were employed. After the operation, the subjects were followed up on regular basis and results were assessed by using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Radiolucence, subsidence and loosening were observed and complications, including infection, fracture, dislocation etc. were recorded. A 6-14-year follow-up showed that prostheses failed, due to infection, in 4 patients of impaction bone graft group and that 6 patients in the press-fit fixation group experienced prosthesis failure, with the survival rates for the two techniques being 96.43% and 95.16%, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that prosthesis survival was significantly associated with surgery-related complications (P<0.05) and was not related to the type of the bone defects (P>0.05). The rate of complications bore significant association with the type of bone defects in the two groups (P<0.05). Our study showed that the two revision methods could achieve satisfactory mid-term and long-term results for the reconstruction of severe bone defects. It is of great significance for attaining high prosthesis survival rate to select suitable operation on the basis of the type of bone defect. Careful operative manipulation and post-operative rehabilitation aimed at reducing complications are also important.

Aviation ; Humans ; Physical Fitness ; Resistance Training ; Schools ; Students

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of dutasteride inhibiting fertility by studying its effects on the expressions of the epididymal epithelial junction proteins Claudin1 and β-catenin in rats.

METHODSSixteen 3-month-old SD male rats were equally divided into an experimental and a negative control group to be treated intragastrically with dutasteride at 40 mg/kg per day and the same dose of solvent, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Then, the sperm motility and morphology of the rats were detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis, the serum levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) measured by ELISA, changes in the tight junction of epididymal cells observed under the transmission electron microscope, the protein and gene expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the conception rate of the mated female rats calculated.

RESULTSDutasteride significantly suppressed the serum DHT level, sperm motility, and fertility of the rats (P <0.05). Interspaces between epididymal epithelial cell tight junctions were observed, the volume of epididymal fluid obviously increased, and the expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin gene and protein remarkably downregulated in the experimental rats (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONDutasteride can significantly inhibit the fertility of male rats by reducing the serum DHT level, suppressing Claudin1 and β-catenin expressions, and damaging epididymal epithelial cell junctions.

Animals ; Azasteroids ; pharmacology ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Dutasteride ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urological Agents ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism