Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a low-dose contrast medium protocol for 64-slice CT angiography (CTA) of head using a low-tube-voltage setting.Methods ① Phantom study:64-slice spiral CT respectively sets 80,100,120,140 kV and 100,200,300,400,500 and 600 mA as scanning parameter lines.Analysis of the best Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and contrast to noise ratios (CNR).②Clinical study:to prospectively continuous select sixty-six patients with suspected intracranial aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation and so on from April to October of 2012 to perform hand CTA inspection.The random number table method for A,B two groups,33 patients in each group.Group A (conventional group)scanning parameters:120 kV,400 mA and amount of contrast agent:1 ml/kg; Group B(test group) scanning parameters:80 kV,600 mA,amount of contrast agent 0.5 ml/kg.Using independent samples t test for each group radiation dose,SNR,CNR were statistically analyzed.By two experienced radiologists to 5 points on two groups of image quality subjective evaluation.Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis of subjective evaluation.Results Group A and B group CTDIvol respectively is 59.1,27.5 mGy.Group B than in group A,CTDIvol decreased by 53.5％.A,B groups of the SNR,CNR were 71.5 ± 10.7,92.0 ± 7.4; 58.5 ± 10.5,79.6 ± 7.7,Group B than in group A SNR,CNR were enhanced by 22.3％,26.4％,differences were statistics significance (t =584.0,388.6,P ＜ 0.01).The subjective image evaluation of group B was bigher than group A (Z =31.2,23.4,P ＜ 0.05),differences were statistics significance.Two physicians on CTA images to assess the consistency of uniform height(Kappa =0.904,P ＜0.05).Conclusion In the head CTA examination,use of low tube voltage combined with low contrast dose not only can improve the image quality but also radiation dose were significantly lower.

Objective To evaluate the differences in image quality and radiation dose in the neck CTA between low tube voltage scanning method combined with exact calculation of contrast dosage and conventional scanning methods.Methods Ninety patients who had undergone neck CTA examination from October 2012 to June 2013 were prospectively selected to perform study.Patients were randomly divided into Group A,B and C,each with 30 cases.Tube voltage and contrast amount were,respectively,120 kV and 70-80 ml for Group A (conventional group),100 kV and exact calculation for Group B,80 kV and exact calculation for Group C.Using ANOVA test,radiation dose,contrast amount,CNR were statistically analyzed among three groups.Subjective evaluations were made of image quality by two experienced radiologists based on a 5-point system.Results The effective doses in Group B and C were (4.5 ± 0.7) mSv and (2.1 ± 0.4) mSv,respectively,significantly lower than (6.6 ± 0.9) mSv in Group A,with statistically significant difference(F =72.4,P ＜ 0.05).The amounts of contrast were significantly lower in Group B and C than that in Group A,which respectively were (73.2 ± 8.2) ml for Group A and (48.2 ± 5.1) for Group B and (48.6 ± 5.4) ml for Group C,with statistically significant difference (F =56.8,P ＜ 0.05).CNRs increased respectively by 42.2％ in Group B and by 42.2％ in Group C compared with Group A,with statistically significant difference (F =72.6,P ＜ 0.05).Venous artifact images were found in 10 patients of Group A,having different effects on image quality,whereas in Group B and C,there were not vein artifacts to found.Conclusions The low tube voltage (80 kV) scanning method combined with exact calculation of contrast features not only significantly lower radiation dose and lower contrast amount used,but also improved image quality in comparison with conventional method.

Objective To study the X-ray imaging characteristics of gouty arthritis. Methods The X-ray plates from gouty arthritis were analyzed. Results The gouty arthritis usually occurred in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The X-ray findings were dissymmetric swellings of soft tissue,bony erosion defect with sharp and hard edge,narrowed joint space and irregular articular surface,emergence of fiber stiffness,even joint malformations and sublimation or dislocation, associated with hyperosteogeny and nearby osteoporosis. Conclusion Diversification was presented in X-ray findings of gouty arthritis, which could be easily confused with other single or multiple bone joint diseases. As a result, accurate diagnosis should be based on careful analysis about X-ray findings.

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma thrombomodulin (TM),tissue factor (TF),tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI),P-selectin (P sel),von Willebrand factor (vWF) and D-dimer (D-D) levels in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and its clinical significance.Methods Twenty-three cases of HFRS were divided into two groups according to the severity of disease (12 cases in mild group and 11 cases in severe group),and 20 healthy individuals served as control group.Blood samples were collected at every stage of the disease.Plasma TM,TF,TFPI,P-sel and vWF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); plasma D-D was detected by nanoparticles enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay; creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CKMB) was tested by immunosuppression assay; blood clotting time was recorded for blood coagulation functions; blood urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),and platelets (PLT) were also routinely tested.The comparison between groups was done by analysis of variance and two sided t test.Results During the acute phase of HFRS,the plasma levels of TM,TF,P-sel,vWF and D-D were significantly increased,activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged,international normalized ratio (INR) was elevated,while fibrinogen (Fn) and PLT were decreased markedly as compared to control group.In febrile phase,there were significant differences between severe group and mild group in plasma TM [(1.78±1.00) μmol/L vs (1.33±0.35) μmol/L,t=2.600,P＜0.01],TF [(36.63±8.48) ng/L vs (32.93±10.61) ng/L,t=3.423,P＜0.01],vWF [(327.1±57.2) μg/L vs (260.3±63.2) μg/L,t=2.257,P＜0.01],APTT [(63.9±20.5) s vs (48.7±18.6) s,t=4.920,P＜0.01],and INRlevels(1.8±0.6 vs 1.5±0.4,t=2.276 P＜0.05).The variation curves of TM,P sel,APTT,INR and D-D were similar to those of BUN and ALT,but contrary to PLT count.Conclusions There are significantly elevated plasma levels of TM,vWF,P sel and D-D,prolonged APTT,increased INR,and much decreased plasma Fn and PLT in the acute phase of HFRS,suggesting the presence of extensive capillary injuries and activation of platelet and coagulation system,which is closely associated with kidney,liver and cardiac muscle damage.Hence,it is essential to use antiviral agents,anticoagulants and fluid resuscitation in the early stage of the disease.

Objective To investigate the Adamkiewicz artery visualization using gemstone spectral CT angiography (CTA) with optimal monochromatic technique.Methods The prospective study was approved by the local institutional review board,and written informed consents were obtained for all the examinations.The successive 58 patients with suspected aortic aneurysm or dissection underwent aortic gemstone spectral CTA.They were divided into two groups based on the different reconstruction protocols:A,optimal monochromatic reconstruction;B,polychromatic reconstruction.Visualization rate of Adamkiewicz artery in two groups were recorded.Objective(measure CT value of the descending aorta and calculate signal-to-noise ratio [CNR]) and subjective (score of Adamkiewicz artery visualization) were evaluated.Paired samples t,Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis.Results CT value of descending aorta and CNR of group A [(568.4 ± 57.5)HU and (52.3 ± 8.1)] were significantly higher than group B[(346.2 ± 48.6)HU and (26.7 ± 3.7)] (t=12.70 and 15.20,P＜0.01).The visualization rate of Adamkiewicz artery in group A (94.8％,55/58) was higher than B (82.8％,48/58;x2=4.20,P=0.04).The score of group A (55 cases,3.9±0.8) was significantly higher than the group B (48 cases,3.4±1.0)(Z=-2.40,P=0.02).Conelusion Gemstone spectral CTA with optimal monochromatic reconstruction can improve the visualization efficiency and quality of the Adamkiewicz artery compared with routine polychromatic reconstruction protocol.

Gliomas are extremely aggressive brain tumors with a very poor prognosis. One of the more promising strategies for the treatment of human gliomas is targeted immunotherapy where antigens that are unique to the tumors are exploited to generate vaccines. The approach, however, is complicated by the fact that human gliomas escape immune surveillance by creating an immune suppressed microenvironment. In order to oppose the glioma imposed immune suppression, molecules and pathways involved in immune cell maturation, expansion, and migration are under intensive clinical investigation as adjuvant therapy. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate many of these functions in immune cell types, and TLR agonists, thus, are currently primary candidate molecules to be used as important adjuvants in a variety of cancers. In animal models for glioma, TLR agonists have exhibited antitumor properties by facilitating antigen presentation and stimulating innate and adaptive immunity. In clinical trials, several TLR agonists have achieved survival benefit, and many more trials are recruiting or ongoing. However, a second complicating factor is that TLRs are also expressed on cancer cells where they can participate instead in a variety of tumor promoting activities including cell growth, proliferation, invasion, migration, and even stem cell maintenance. TLR agonists can, therefore, possibly play dual roles in tumor biology. Here, how TLRs and TLR agonists function in glioma biology and in anti-glioma therapies is summarized in an effort to provide a current picture of the sophisticated relationship of glioma with the immune system and the implications for immunotherapy.
Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; chemistry ; immunology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; immunology ; Glioma ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; agonists ; genetics ; immunology

Human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) is an acute contagious respiratory disease. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication in patients with severe avian influenza A (H7N9), for whom mechanical ventilation (MV) is an important supportive method. A patient, suffered from severe avian influenza A (H7N9) and complicated with ARDS, was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in January 2017. With very intensive care for oxygenation, respiration and consciousness, and monitoring, she was successfully cured by comprehensive managements, among which noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) was the major respiratory support method. The result demonstrate that, in patients with conscious state, satisfied expectoration ability and relatively good cooperation, and with close observation of oxygenation and respiratory rate, NIV may be accepted as an effective method for patient with ARDS caused by severe avian influenza A (H7N9).

Objective To investigate the feasibility of histogram analysis in differentiating brain high-grade glioblastomas,primary lymphoma from metastatic tumor.Methods 26 cases of brain high-grade glioblastomas,22 cases of primary lymphoma and 18 cases of metastatic tumor confirmed by postoperative pathological were analyzed retrospectively.Delineation of ROI and extraction of texture parameters were performing by using Mazda software.The histogram parameters,including Mean,Variance,Skewness,Kurtosis,Perc0.1%,Perc10%,Perc50%, Perc90% and Perc99% were analyzed statistically,and the ROC was then established.Results Mean,Perc0.1%,Perc10%and Perc50% exhibited statistically significant differences (P＜0.05).The best diagnostic parameters for differentiation between brain high-grade glioblastomas and primary lymphoma,primary lymphoma and metastatic tumor,and brain high-grade glioblastomas and metastatic tumor were Perc0.1%,Perc0.1%and Kurtosis.The AUC for these preferred diagnostic parameters were 0.937,0.879 and 0.7 1 8,respectively,with optimal thresholds of 50,70 and －0.43,sensitivity and specificity of 90.9% and 88.5%,77.3% and 88.9%,and 61.5% and 77.8%.Conclusion The histogram analysis of MRI images contributes to differentiate quantitatively between brain high-grade glioblastomas,primary lymphoma and metastatic tumor.

The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0-10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.
Humans ; Stainless Steel ; Powders ; Cardiovascular System ; Constriction, Pathologic