Objective To explore the feasibility of “double low ”(low tube voltage and low contrast agent concentration)imaging technology of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT)in coronary angiography for low-weight patients.Methods 60 patients (BMI≤25 kg/m2 )who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA)on DSCT scanner were divided randomly into 2 groups:group A was “double low”group (n = 30,tube voltage = 80 kVp,using sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction technology and 270 mg I/mL concentration of contrast agent);Group B was conventional group (n=30,tube voltage=120 kVp,using filtered back projection technology and 350 mg I/mL concentration of contrast agent).Adaptive cardiosequence prospective ECG-gated technology (CorAdSeq)was applied in both the groups,The collecting phase was 65%-75% RR interval (when heart rate<70 beats per mi-nute)or 40%-50% RR interval (when heart rate≥70 beats per minute).Subjective and objective methods were applied to evaluate the image quality.The image quality and.radiation dose were compared between the “double low”group and the conventional group by using SPSS 1 9.0 software.The differences between measurement data were analyzed by using independent samples t-test.Results The effective dose with size specific dose estimates (EDssde)of group A(1.22±0.31)mGy/cm was significantly lower than that of group B (3.44±0.80)mGy/cm with P <0.001.Contrast-noise ratio,signal-noise ratio and CT value of group A were signifi-cantly higher than those of group B (all P <0.05 ).Conclusion Compared with conventional DSCT coronary angiography,“double low”DSCT coronary scanning proposal for low-weight patients can significantly reduce the radiation dose and the amount of contrast agent,and the image quality can meet the needs of clinical diagnosis.

Objective To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of 17 cases with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD) deficiency in Guizhou,China.Methods The clinical features of 17 patients with G6PD deficiency were analyzed,DNA samples were obtained from the patients and some mothers,and the exons and flanking intronic sequences of the G6PD gene were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.Results The cases had diverse phenotypes,these patients had acute haemolytic anaemia triggered by eating broad beans,infections,ingestion of specific drugs or the neonatal period and chronic nonspherocytic haemolytic anaemia.Three cases of the patients had concomitant diseases for α Mediterranean anemia,acute myeloid leukemia M2 type and neonatal anal membrane stenosis,respectively.G1376T,G1388A and A95G were the commonest G6PD variants in patients in Guizhou,China.G1376T,G1388A and A95G mutations were observed in 82.4％ cases.Two patients had only compound variants(c.1311 C ＞ T,IVS11 nt 93 T ＞ C).One case in the Rongjiang County,Guizhou Province had novel compound variants (c.G1388A,IVS10-10 T ＞ G) in the world.A patient's mother in the Guiyang City,Guizhou Province,China had compound variants (c.1376 G ＞ T,1311 C ＞ T,IVS11 nt 93 T ＞ C) as a carrier.Conclusions G6PD deficiency has a wide range of clinical heterogeneity.A novel G6PD compound variant haplotype c.G1388A,IVS10-10 T ＞ G was first found in the world,and the SNP spectrum of G6PD was enlarged.There may be a G6PD compound variant haplotype c.1376 G ＞ T,1311 C ＞ T,IVS11 nt 93 T ＞ C in Guizhou.

Objective To compare the quality and radiation doses of coronary artery angiography under the natural heart rate condition between Flash spiral heart mode and prospective electrocardiogramtriggering sequence mode using dual-source,in order to choose personalized low doses of coronary artery scanning mode.Methods Sixty patients who underwent coronary angiography(CTA)on a 128-slice,dualsource CT scanner were divided into 2 group i.e,group A(27cases)and group B(33 cases).Flash spiral heart scan mode was employed for group A.Inclusion criteria included:heart rate<65 bpm.regular sinus rhythm,heart rate fluctuation less than ±5 bpm.Date acquisition was set at 60% of the R-R interval.Prospective electrocardiogram-triggering sequence scan mode(SAS)was performod for group B.Inclusion criteria included:(1)heart rate≥65 bpm,(2)arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial.Exclusion criteria included:bad holding breath.Date acquisition(1)At low heart rate(≤75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 60%-80%of the R-R interval.(2)At high heart rate(>75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 30%-50%of the R-R interval. (3)At the arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial,date acquisition was set at 20%-90%of the R-R interval.In both gronps,patients with a BMI≥25.0kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 120 kV.while the other patients with a BMI<25.0 kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 100 kV.The BMl was(24.6±1.0)kg/m2 in group A,while that was (24.6±0.9)kg/m2 in group B.In both groups,all images were transferred to the workstation for further processing and analysis.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments and the radiation dose were compared with t test.Results A total of 336 coronary artery segments were evaluated in group A and 412 segments were evaluated in group B.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments were scored.Excellent or good was achieved in 98.2%(330 of 336)artery segments in group A,and that was 98.1%(404 of 412)in group B.There was no statistical difference in imaging quality between the two groups(t=0.513,P=0.608).The average effective dose was(0.74±0.29)mSv in group A,whereas that was(3.67±1.37)mSv in group B.There was a significant difference between the two groups(t=-10.858,P=0.000).Conclusions The personalized low doses coronary artery scanning mode can substantially reduce radiation damage while preserving good imaging quality.

Objective To study the image quality and radiation dose in dual-source CT cerebral angiography with prospective ECG-triggered sequence mode (step-and-shoot,SAS).Methods A total of forty-three patients with clinically suspected cerebral vascular disease underwent cerebral CT angiography with prospective ECG-triggering (step-and-shoot,SAS).Data acquisition was at 60％ R-R interval of the ECG presentation mode.The post-processing included maximum intensity projection (MIP),multiplanar reformation (MPR) and volume rendering (VR).The CTA image quality,radiation dose and rates of excellent images were evaluated.Results The CTA image quality score was 4.72 ± 0.50 and 97.7％ (42/43) patients had excellent CTA images.The average effective dose of SAS-CTA was (0.22 ± 0.01 )mSv,which was lower by 76.31％ than that of DE-CTA.Conclusions Prospective ECG-triggering sequence could be used in cerebral angiography with a significant reduction in radiation dose and diagnostic image quality.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variants of TSC1 and TSC2 genes in a Chinese patient with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and her parents with informed consent. Following extraction of genomic DNA, potential variants of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes was detected by using targeted capture next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The patient was found to harbor a de novo mosaicism variant c.3295_3298delG (Val1100CysfsTer3) of the TSC2 gene, with the proportion of the mutant allele determined as 13.4%, which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.3295_3298delG (Val1100CysfsTer3) variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PS2+PM2). CONCLUSION The mosaicism heterozygous variant of c.3295_3298delG of the TSC2 gene, as detected by both NGS and Sanger sequencing, probably underlay the TSC2 in this patient.
Female ; Humans ; Mosaicism ; Mutation ; Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenghui Yizhi Decoction on learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice; To explore its mechanism.Methods:Totally 24 male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model group, donepezil hydrochloride group (1 mg/kg) and Shenghui Yizhi Decoction group (15.6 g/kg), with 8 mice in each group, and eight anti rapid aging mice (SAMR1) of the same age and strain were set as the control group. The mice in each group were given corresponding medication or the same volume of distilled water for 90 days. After administration, Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and memory ability and space exploration ability of mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of β Amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) in hippocampal. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Real time PCR was used to detect expressions of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine protease-1 (Caspase-1), and IL-1β mRNA. Western Blot was used to detect expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1and IL-1β protein. Results:Compared with model group, the spatial exploration ability and memory ability of mice in Shenghui Yizhi Decoction group and donepezil hydrochloride group were improved ( P<0.05, P<0.01), the expression of Aβ 1-42 in hippocampus decreased ( P<0.05, P<0.01), the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α decreased ( P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β decreased ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion:Shenghui Yizhi Decoction can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of inflammasome and neuroinflammatory response by regulating the NLRP3/ Caspase-1/ IL-1β signaling pathway.

Autoantibodies ; Calcium Channels ; Humans ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Receptors, Cholinergic/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnose of prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to determine the correlation between dynamic MRI findings with angiogenesis.Methods Thirty-two cases of prostatic cancer and 40 cases of BPH underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.All the patients in this study were diagnosed by histopathology.The results of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were evaluated by early-phase enhancement parameters and time-signal intensity curves (SI-T curves), and the curves were classified according to their shapes as type Ⅰ, which had steady enhancement; type Ⅱ, plateau of signal intensity; and type Ⅲ, washout of signal intensity.The pathologic specimens of region of interest (ROI) were obtained, and HE staining, immunohistochemical vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) measurements were performed.The relationships among dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI features, VEGF, and MVD expression were analyzed.Results In the early-phase enhancement parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, onset time,maximum signal intensity, and early-phase enhancement rate differed between prostatic cancer and BPH(P

To investigate the postoperative serum triglyceride (TG) levels in predicting the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in patients following allogeneic liver transplantation. One hundred and forty three patients undergoing allogeneic liver transplantation in Shanghai General Hospital from July 2007 to July 2014 were enrolled in this study. The NODM developed in 33 patients after liver transplantation. The curve of dynamic TG levels in the early period after liver transplantation was generated. Independent risk factors of NODM were determined by univariate and multivariant logistic regression analyses. The clinical value of TG in predicting NODM was analyzed by area under the ROC curve (AUC). Serum TG levels were gradually rising in the first week and then reached the plateau phase (stable TG, sTG) in patients after surgery. The sTG in NODM group were significantly higher than that in non-NODM group (=-2.31, <0.05). Glucocorticoid therapy (=4.054, <0.01), FK506 drug concentration in the first week after operation (=3.482, <0.05) and sTG (=3.156, <0.05) were independent risk factors of NODM. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of sTG in predicting NODM was 0.72. TG shows a gradual recovery process in the early period after liver transplantation, and the higher TG level in stable phase may significantly increase the risk of NODM in patients.
China/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus/etiology* ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Tacrolimus/adverse effects* ; Triglycerides

Objective:To examine the expression of core clock genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the level of circadian disturbance-related proteins in the serum of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), and explore their potential diagnostic value in clinical practice.Methods:The peripheral blood samples and related clinical data from 68 patients diagnosed with CP in Shanghai General Hospital from Jan 2015 to Jan 2022 were collected. Peripheral blood samples from 30 healthy individuals were used for control. The M-ANNHEIM classification system was used to stratify the clinical stages of patients with CP. The mRNA expression of the core clock genes, including Clock, Bmal1, Per1/2/3 and Cry1/2 in PBMCs was analyzed using realtime qPCR, and the expression of circadian disturbance-related proteins like TrkB, CD 36 and Rbp in serum was measured with ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) and the area under curve (AUC) was used to test the efficiency for diagnozing PEI. Results:The mRNA expression of Per1 in CP patients was significantly decreased (0.76 vs 1, P<0.05), and the AUC for diagnozing PEI was 0.744 (95% CI 0.628-0.860), with a cut-off value of 0.72; and the sensitivity and specificity was 84.8% and 57.1%, respectively. The protein abundance of serum CD 36 was significantly increased in CP patients (33.85±19.74ng/ml vs 24.71±11.53 ng/ml, P<0.05); the AUC for diagnozing PEI was 0.834 (95% CI 0.735-0.932), with a cut-off value of 29.75 pg/ml; and the sensitivity and specificity was 74.3% and 84.8%, respectively. The expression of CD 36 was increased with the increase of CP clinical stage, and there were statistically significant differences between either two stages (all P value <0.05). The mRNA expression of Per1 in patients with CP in Stage Ⅰ was significantly higher than that in patients with CP in Stage Ⅱ or Ⅲ, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05), but no statistical difference was found between Stage Ⅱ and Stage Ⅲ. Conclusions:The decreased expression of Per1 mRNA in PBMCs and increased level of CD 36 in serum are significantly related to the occurrence of PEI in CP, suggesting that they may have potential value for diagnozing PEI and guiding the clinical practice.