Objective To investigate the methods of reducing radiation dose in CT coronary angiography through optimizing individualized scan dosage protocol.Methods Two hundred patients (group A)underwent coronary CTA examination which was performed with fixed 120 kV and variable mA according to their BMI.The mA was set as 150-300 mA(BMI ＜ 18.5 kg/m2),300-500 mA (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ＜ 25.0 kg/m2),and 500-800 mA(BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2).When all examinations were finished,a linear regression was employed to analyze the correlation between mA and BMI,body surface(Suf),image noise(SD)respectively.The results of the analysis were used to formulate a regression equation,which was further used to establish a table list for quick search on how much mA that individualized coronary CTA scan would need.Another 200 patients(group B)enrolled for the individualized scan were scanned under new protocol that previous study established.The tube voltage was 100 and 120 kV.The tube current was variable according to the data in the table list.One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-wallis H test were used for statistics.Results Regression equation between mA and BMI,Suf,SD was:mA =17.984 × BMI + 169.149 × Suf-2.282 × SD-361.039.The SD(group A:32.08 ± 5.80,group B:28.60±4.47),dose index volume(CTDIvol)[group A:(41.97 ± 11.37)mGy,group B:(33.18±10.07)mGy],effective dose(ED)[group A:(10.91 ±3.07)mSy,group B:(8.83 ±2.72)mSv]had significant differences between the two groups(F =43.45,63.71,49.07 respectively,P ＜0.01 for all).The SD and ED results obtained in group B were better than those in group A.Conclusion Better performances were obtained when BMI combined Suf was used as a new individualized protocol than when BMI was used only,which means good image quality and lower radiation dosage in coronary CTA examination.

Objective To explore and evaluate an extracorporal method for inducing magnetic capsule endoscopy into small intestine. Methods 40 patients receiving magnetic capsule endoscopy were randomly divided in two groups: the control group: doctors stopped manipulating capsule after the examination of stomach, and the capsule entered small intestine by the natural gastrointestinal motility; and the study group: after the examination of stomach, the patient lay on the right side, doctors moved the capsule to the pylorus, and then moved magnetic ball to induce capsule into small intestine. Gastric inspection time, gastric residence time, small intestine transit time and the completion rate were compared between the two groups. Results The average time for checking stomach was (32.50 ± 11.71) min in control group and (31.75 ± 9.12) min in study group respectively, and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). After the observation of stomach, the gastric residence time in the control group was (40.60 ± 21.43) min, and the completion rate was 40%, while the average gastric residence time in the study group was (13.55 ± 9.62) min, and the completion rate was 75%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Small intestine transit time was (329.25 ± 90.00) min in the control group and (342.00 ± 89.80) min in the study group, and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion By doctors moving magnetic ball and the patient lying on the right side after the observation of stomach, gastric residence time could be reduced and the completion rate could be elevated obviously.

AIM: To investigate the effects of metformin on airway inflammation, remodeling and neovascularization in a mouse model of chronic asthma and its possible mechanisms.METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into saline group, ovalbumin (OVA) group and OVA+metformin group, with 8 in each.At the end of OVA exposure, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for the measurement of OVA specific IgE and leukocyte counts.Lung tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome to detect inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, and collagen deposition around the airway, respectively.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the number and percentage area of new blood vessels (CD31+), and the protein level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in the airway.RESULTS: Compared with saline group, the eosinophil percentage and OVA specific IgE in serum in OVA group were all increased obviously (P<0.01).Metformin inhibited the above increases (P<0.05).Compared with control group, a marked increase in inflammation infiltration, PAS+ cells and collage deposition in the airway mucosa in OVA group were observed.Metformin partially relieved the above changes.CD31+ vessels in the wall of bronchi showed the abundance of blood vessels observed in OVA group compared with control group, which was suppressed by the treatment with metformin (P<0.05).The protein level of p-AMPK was reduced in the lung tissue challenged with OVA as compared with control group (P<0.05), while metformin increased the protein level of p-AMPK (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The protein level of p-AMPK in the airway in OVA group is attenuated.Metformin effectively inhibits airway inflammation, remodeling and neovascularization possibly via activating AMPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro embryo culture of Epimedium wushanense and provide scientific basis for large scale production of tissue culture.

METHODCullus and buds were induced from embryo of E. wushanense on a MS medium supplemented with different 2,4-D,6-BA, NAA, IBA.

RESULTThe optimal compositions of medium that induced callus and buds from embryo were the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 2 mg x L(-1), IBA 2 mg x L(-1) and NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and the MS medium supplemented with IBA 2 mg x L(-1) and 6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1), respectively. The optimum medium for callus differentiation was MS + 6-BA 1 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) + IBA 1 mg x L(-1), and MS +6-BA 1.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1) for shoots proliferation.

CONCLUSIONUsing embryo as explants, the method of induction and culture of E. wushanense was established by the callus and buds, and the embryo of E. wushanense can be quickly propagated.

Objective To study the feasibility and value of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to monitor non?arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods Thirty eight NAION patients (56 eyes) were divided into acute period in 17 eyes, progressive period in 16 eyes and chronic period in 23 eyes at the base of onset time. According to matching principle, 56 eyes in 38 normal controls (NCs) were enrolled. All the patients and NCs underwent MR and DTI scan. The raw data were processed by two experienced radiologists, mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivities (λ//), radial diffusivities (λ┴), fractional anisotropy (FA) and Length value were got. The independent sample t test was used for the parameter values between the NAION group and the NCs group. A single factor variance analysis was used to compare the parameters among different stages of NAION group. Results Compared to the NCs group, the values of FA and Length in NAION group were reduced [0.20±0.11 vs 0.31±0.12, (5.85±0.92) vs (65.11± 6.89) mm], and the differences were statistically significant (t=-4.28,-5.25;P<0.05). The values of MD andλ┴were increased [(0.16±0.04)×10-3 vs (0.10±0.04)×10-3 mm2/s, (0.16±0.05)×10-3 vs (0.09±0.03)×10-3 mm2/s] in NAION group and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.83, 7.10;P<0.05). The value of FA and Length in acute period, progressive period and chronic period of the NAION group decreased differently compared to the NCs group. At the same time, the value of MD value and λ┴in the three periods of the NAION group increased compared to the NCs groupand the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The value of FA between the acute period, the progressive period, and the chronic period of NAION group were statistically signficant (F=10.88, P<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the values of MD, λ┴and Length of the NAION group (F=0.23, 0.64, 0.33, 1.38;P=0.79, 0.54, 0.72, 0.27). Conclusion The parameters of DTI can be used to monitor the damage of optic nerve and development in NAION.

Objective:To analyze the differences in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and preoperative localization between patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal epilepsy (ETLE) caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Methods:From April 2015 to August 2018, a total of 71 patients (45 males, 26 females, age (24.3±9.1) years) with refractory epilepsy who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before surgery and confirmed as FCD by pathology in Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into TLE and ETLE groups based on pathological results. 18F-FDG PET/CT images were analyzed qualitatively and compared with the operation result, then region of interest (ROI) was used to calculate the asymmetry index (AI), and evaluated the hypometabolism of every cerebral region by |AI| semi-quantitatively. Engle classification were followed-up after surgery. Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to analyze data. Results:Of 71 FCD patients, 35 were TLE and 36 were ETLE. The onset age of ETLE patients were younger than TLE patients ((10.1±6.5) vs (14.9±9.7) years; t=2.48, P=0.02). In TLE group, 54.29%(19/35) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 42.86%(15/35) showed hypometabolized brain regions in extratemporal lobe. In ETLE group, 27.78%(10/36) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 47.22%(17/36) showed hypometabolized brain regions in temporal lobe. There were significant differences in the lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT between TLE and ETLE patients (97.14%(34/35) vs 75.00%(27/36), 54.29%(19/35) vs 27.78%(10/36); χ2 values: 7.19, 6.27, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in |AI| values between the brain regions of TLE and ETLE patients ( z values: from -1.25 to -0.06, all P>0.05). Conclusion:The lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in TLE patients are better than that in ETLE patients.