Objective To assess the feasibility of low voltage with CARE dose 4D computed tomography pul-monary angiography(CTPA)by using image quality and radiation dosage.Methods 92 patients with clinically sus-pected pulmonary embolism(BMI:20 ~30kg/m2)were randomly divided into two groups(group A:n =46,80kV;groups B:n =46,100kV),the male and female of group A were equal to the number.Image quality score(given blind-ly by two senior radiologists ranged from 1 to 5 points).The CT value and standard deviation(SD)were measured and recorded in common pulmonary artery trunk,the main right pulmonary arteries,right low lobar arteries,and erector muscle of spine,calculated the SNR of ROI.Average CT value,signal noise ratio(SNR),CTDIvol,DLP were com-pared between the two groups.Used the CT dose index(CTDIvol)to compare radiation dosage between group A female and male.Results The agent average CT value and SD in arteries in group A [(510.27 ±115.45)HU,(50.06 ± 11.67)HU respectively]were higher than those in group B[(413.32 ±100.38)HU,(35.12 ±11.94)HU respective-ly],there were significant differences between the two groups(t =10.367,8.892,all P =0.000),but the SNR of ROI was (12.36 ±3.90),which was lower than (14.03 ±4.46)in group B,there was significant difference between the two groups(t =-5.238,P =0.001 ).Image quality score of transverse ection(1mm)in group A was (4.20 ± 0.29),which was lower than (4.91 ±0.36)in group B,there was significant difference(t =-20.23,P =0.000), but there was no significant difference in coronal section(5mm),coronal maximum intensity project(MIP)image and the capability of displaying the pulmonary artery branches(all P >0.05 ).The CTDIvol in group A was (2.03 ± 0.39)mGy,which was greatly lower than (5.04 ±1.02)mGy in group B,there was significant difference (P <0.05);but there was no significant difference between female and male in group A[male:(2.05 ±0.39)mGy;female:(2.01 ±0.38)mGy,t =-0.300,P >0.05].Conclusion Radiation dose can be decreased greatly(above 50%)in 80kV CTPA compared 100kV without compressing obviously the image quality for patients BMI 20 -30kg/m2 ,and no significant difference between the group A(80kV)different gender radiation dosage.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of different stages of histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) with the incidence rate and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. METHODS: Related data were collected from the infants and their mothers who were treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, from January 2018 to June 2020. According to the presence or absence of HCA and its stage, the infants were divided into four groups: control ( RESULTS: Compared with the control and late-stage HCA groups, the early-stage HCA group had a significantly lower incidence rate of placental abruption and a significantly higher rate of prenatal use of antibiotics ( CONCLUSIONS Early-, middle-, and late-stage HCA can reduce the incidence rate of RDS in preterm infants. HCA stage may not be correlated with RDS severity in preterm infants, which needs to be verified by further research.
Birth Weight ; Child ; Chorioamnionitis/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/etiology*

The purpose of this study was to detect the distribution of Treg and Th17 cells in bone marrow and to investigate the relationship of Treg/Th17 imbalance with the pathogenesis and progression of multiple myeloma (MM). The Bone marrow was collected from 37 MM patients and 12 healthy volunteers, the ratio of Treg and Th17 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of Treg and Th17 cells simultaneously was examined in peripheral blood of 19 MM patients with same method. The results indicated that the frequency of Treg cells was higher in MM patients than that in control group (P < 0.05), there was a trend of increasing of Treg cell number in the ISS stage from I+II to III (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the patients with MM, the Treg cell number in bone marrow was higher than that in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). Th17 cell rate was not statistically different between MM patients and control group (P > 0.05), and at different ISS stage (P > 0.05). Th17 cell number between bone marrow and peripheral blood was not significantly different (P > 0.05).The ratio of Treg/Th17 in patients with MM was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), and increased gradually from ISS stage I+II to stage III (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the Treg/Th17 immune imbalance is presenced in bone marrow of patients with MM, this imbalance may promote the progression of MM.
Bone Marrow ; immunology ; Cell Count ; Disease Progression ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo search for the best acupuncture and moxibustion treatment program for stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-three cases of stroke were divided into a scalp-body acupuncture group of 62 cases, a scalp acupuncture group of 60 cases and a body acupuncture group of 61 cases. They were treated for 2 months and then their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSIn the scalp-body acupuncture group, 13 cases were basically cured, 32 cases improved obviously, 15 cases improved, 2 cases was ineffective, and corresponding figures in the scalp acupuncture group were 8, 21, 24, 7, and in the body acupuncture group were 11, 28, 19, 3, with a significant difference between the scalp-body acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture group (P<0.05) , and with no significant differences between the scalp-body acupuncture group and body acupuncture group, and between the body acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture group.

CONCLUSIONScalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture has a better clinical therapeutic effect than that of simple scalp acupuncture for the patient of stroke.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) on the nociceptive modulation in mononeuropathic rats. NPY was microinjected into the PAG. The latency of paw withdrawal (PWL), assessed by the hot-plate (52 ) and the Randall Selitto test, was measured. Intra-PAG administration of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 nmol of NPY significantly increased the PWLs in a dose-dependent manner. Co-administration of 0.2 nmol of NPY(28-36) and 5.5 nmol of naloxone significantly attenuated the NPY-induced increase in PWLs. The results suggest that Y(1) receptor may mediate NPY-induced anti-nociception, and that the opioid receptors in PAG may also be involved in this process in mononeuropathic rats.
Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Male ; Microinjections ; Mononeuropathies ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptide Y ; pharmacology ; Nociceptors ; drug effects ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Periaqueductal Gray ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In the present study, using fast cyclic voltammetry (FCV), atomic absorption/flame emission spectrophotometry and immunohistochemistry, we investigated the correlation between iron levels and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in rat nigrostriatal system during the early 6-OHDA lesions in the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). The results showed that 1 d or 3 d after lesions in MFB, there was a 45% or 66% reduction, respectively, in the density of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive cells in the substantia nigra (SN) of the lesioned side accompanied by an increase in iron staining intensity and iron concentration; while there was no change in dopamine (DA) release in the striatum (Str) of the lesioned side compared with the unlesioned side and the normal rats. There was no difference in the iron staining and concentration of SN and DA release of Str on the lesioned side between one-day group and three-days group. These results suggest that an iron level elevation in SN may be involved at the early stage of degeneration of DA neurons in SN. However, DA release in Str was unchanged due to the immense compensatory mechanism of DA system.
Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Female ; Iron ; metabolism ; Medial Forebrain Bundle ; physiology ; Nerve Degeneration ; Neurons ; physiology ; Oxidopamine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sympathectomy, Chemical

BACKGROUNDTo design and establish a method of multiplex PCR normalization and parallel detection of HBV and HCV.

METHODSUsing two pairs of primers, one inner and the other outer, each having a 20 bp common sequence, the authors amplified target DNA for two rounds. All products would have this common sequence. Using this common sequence as primer the authors performed further amplification. Finally, multiplex PCR was normalized to a single PCR style and eliminated multiple factors disturbance. Four kinds of nucleic acid extraction method were compared. Multiplex PCR normalization was established and optimized by using orthogonal design by analysing 6 kinds of key factors. The method was evaluated by detecting 28 samples of HBV and HCV.

RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic idex and efficiency for HBsAg, HCV antibody positive patients were 83.3%, 70.0%, 153.3%, 72.2% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, idex and efficiency for HBsAg positive patients were 78.6%, 80.0%, 158.6%, and 79.2%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, idex and efficiency for HCV antibody positive patients were 75.0%, 90.0%, 165.0% and 83.3% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe multiplex PCR normalization method may have potential applicability in parallel amplification of multiple genes of pathogens.

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Hepacivirus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Superinfection

Objective To investigate the effects of inhibition of adenosine monophosphate -activated protein kinase (AMPK) on expressions of cytochrome c (CytC) and caspase -3 and apoptosis in the cerebral cortex after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice w ere randomly divided into three groups, a sham operation group, a ischemia -reperfusion group, and a AMPK inhibitor group, 12 in each group. A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion w as induced by suture method. The AMPK inhibitor compound C ( 20 mg/kg) w as injected intraperitonealy in the AMPK inhibitor group, the equal volume normal saline w as injected intraperitonealy in the sham operation group and the ischemia-reperfusion group w hen a thread w as inserted. Immunohistochemical staining w as used to detect the expression levels of CytC and caspase-3 and TUNEL method w as used to detect apoptosis at 24 h after ischemia-reperfusion. Results Compared w ith the ischemia-reperfusion group, the numbers of CytC (28.86 ±9.65/HP vs.58.86 ±9.65/HP; t = 7.615, P = 0.030 ) and caspase-3 (7.16 ±5.85/HP vs. 14.36 ±7.85/HP; t =2.548, P =0.035), and TUNEL (67.14 ±8.55/HP vs.95.00 ±13.51/HP; t = 6.891, P = 0.030) positive cels in the cerebral cortex w ere reduced significantly in the AMPK inhibitor group. Conclusion Inhibition of AMPK activity after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion may decrease apoptosis by dow nregulating the expressions of CytC and caspase -3, and play a neuroprotective effect.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of isthmic spondylolisthesis by a single cage or double cages interbody fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 172 patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent surgery from March 2000 to August 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation and interbody fusion, 89 cases with single cage fusion and 83 cases with double cages fusion. In single cage group, there were 56 males and 33 females, aged from 18 to 63 years old with an average of(41.60±8.20) years;25 cases were in L4 segment and 64 cases were in L5;according to the Meyerding standard, 32 cases were I degree, 46 cases were II degree and 11 cases were III degree. In double cage group, there were 49 males and 34 females, aged from 20 to 65 years old with an average of(43.30±6.39) years;21 cases were in L4 and 62 cases were in L5;according to the Meyerding standard, 25 cases were I degrees, 45 cases were II degree, and 13 cases were III degree. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volum, bone fusion rate, intervertebral space height and the improvement of clinical symptoms were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful and all patients were followed up for 18 to 83 months with an average of 4 years and 3 months. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume in single cage group were less than of double cage group(<0.05). Two weeks after operation, the intervertebral space height was significantly increased in two groups(<0.05), and there was no significant difference at the last follow-up between two groups. At 16 months after operation, all bone grafts of patients got bony fusion by X-rays. At the last follow-up, there were no statistically significant difference in JOA, ODI and VAS score between two groups, no pedicle screw loosening and breaking were found.

CONCLUSIONSSingle cage interbody fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation is as effective as with double cages interbody fusion in treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis, it has the advantages of short operative time and less blood loss.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD44v6 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore their association with invasion, metastasis and prognosis of NSCLC.

METHODSA rapid immunohistochemical method (streptoavidin-peroxidase, SP) was used to detect VEGF and CD44v6 proteins expression in 43 paraffin-embedded resected NSCLC tissues retrospectively. All the patients were initially treated.

RESULTSThe expression rates of VEGF in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 62.5% (15/24) and 68.42% (13/19) respectively. The positive rates of CD44v6 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 58.33% (15/24) and 68.42% (13/19) respectively. The positive expressions of VEGF and CD44v6 were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P < 0.05), and also significantly correlated with postoperative hematogenous metastasis (P < 0.05). The 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients with VEGF positive expression were 19.23% and 6.41% respectively, whereas those with negative expression were 67.41% and 58.82%, there was signi-ficant difference of survival rate between the two groups (P < 0.05). The 3- and 5-year survival rates of CD44v6 positive expression group and negative expression group were 18.67%, 10.67% and 67.83%, 53.50%, there was also significance difference of survival rate between two groups (P < 0.05). The positive expression of VEGF was significantly correated with the positive expression of CD44v6 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDetection of VEGF and CD44v6 expression in NSCLC is helpful to evaluate the lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and prognosis. It is also helpful to guide postoperative multiple modality therapy.