Objective To evaluate retrospectively the image quality and detection of nodules with low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT)by photon detector and iterative reconstruction (IR).Methods Sixty-six patients with lung nodules underwent routine LDCT with image reconstruction using filtered back projection (FBP).These patients were followed up by LDCT with photon detector 6 months later with image reconstruction using FBP and SAFIRE.Image quality and detection rate of the nodules were compared among groups including routine LDCT,photon decector+FBP and photon Decector+IR groups.Results Noise was decreased and SNR was increased in turn for routine LDCT,photon detector+FBP and photon detector +IR,exhibiting statistical differences (all P<0.001).The CT image quality score among routine LDCT,photon decector+ FBP and photon decector+ IR groups were increased in turn with statistical differences (χ2 =32.65,P<0.001).132 lung solid nodules (SN)were all identified in three groups with average diameter of (5.13±1.49)mm, (5.1 1±1.57)mm and (5.08±1.54)mm,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05).14 ground glass nodules (GGN )in routine LDCT group and 15 in other two groups were identified with the average diameter of (6.44±1.86)mm, (7.23±1.74)mm and (7.31±1.68)mm,respectively.The ability of routine LDCT to detect the GGNs was lower than that of the others.Conclusion Photon detector and IR are able to decrease image noise,improve image quality,and increase detection rate and measurement accuracy of GGN.

OBJECTIVE:To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Puerarin solid self-microemulsion capsules in rats in vi-vo. METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into two groups with 18 rats in each group. They were given Puerarin solid self-mi-croemulsion capsules(S-SMEDDS capsules)and commercially available Yufeng ningxin tablet,with the dose of 158.15 mg/kg puer-arin. The 0.2 ml blood samples were collected from tail vein 0,5,10,20,40,60,90,120,180,240,360,480,600 min after medication,respectively. The blood concentration of puerarin was determined by HPLC,and pharmacokinetic parameters and rela-tive bioavailability were calculated by using 3p87 software. RESULTS:The metabolism of puerarin was one-compartment model in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of S-SMEDDS capsules and Yufeng ningxin tablet were as follows as cmax of (1.032 0 ± 0.020 6) and(0.587 3±0.011 7)μg/ml,t1/2ke of(116.431 4±2.166 0)and(88.222 6±1.752 4)min,AUC0-t of(261.532 2±1.464 0)and (102.835 5±1.957 4)μg·min/ml. Relative bioavailability was 238.77%. CONCLUSIONS:Compared with Yufeng ningxin tablet, S-SMEDDS capsules are absorbed more completely and removed faster.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Salinomycin nanostructured lipid carriers (Sal-NLCs) and optimize its formulation. METHODS: Sal-NLCs was prepared by emulsion evaporation-low temperature solidification method. Using particle size, Zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading as evaluation indexes, central composite design-response surface methodology was used to optimize the amount of Sal, the ratio of solid lipid glyceryl bisstearate to liquid lipid glyceryl octanoate in oil phase, ratio of surface active agent polyoxyethylene 35 castor oil (EL) to polyethylene glycol-15-hydroxy stearate (HS 15), the amount of polyoxyethylene (40) stearate (P40). The morphology, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), Zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading and in vitro release mechanism of Sal-NLCs were investigated. RESULTS: The optimal prescription was as follows as Sal 0. 86 mg, glyceryl bisstearate 40.70 mg, glyceryl octanoate 11.30 mg, EL 44.05 mg, HS15 7.95 mg, P40 3.8 mg. Prepared Sal-NLCs was round-like and dispersed evenly. The particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of prepared Sal-NLCs were(81.81 ± 2.60) nm, 0.183 ± 0.042, (-24.9 ± 3.4) mV,(94.35 ± 1.50)％ and (1.47 ±0.04)％ (n=5), respectively.24 h accumulative release rate was (99.81 ± 3.90)％ (n=3).Drug release behavior was in line with Higuchi model, and relative error of particle size, Zeta-potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading to predicted value of model were all lower than 4％. CONCLUSIONS: Sal-NLCs with sustained-release effect is prepared successfully according to optimized formulation, and its quality meets the expected standard.

Objective To investigate the evaluating the value of CT quantitative analysis and visual scores on pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Methods Thirty one patients with PAP who underwent chest HRCT scans and pulmonary function tests(PFTs)between July 2014 and April 2016 in our hospital were collected and analyzed.HRCT mean lung density(MLD)was measured by syngo InSpace Lung Parenchyma Analysis.Using CT visual scores(HRCT score and RE score),two radiologists with three-years experience at least evaluated pulmonary lesions retrospectively. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between MLD, HRCT score and RE score.The correlation between MLD, HRCT score, RE score, the parameters of PFTs, and blood gas parameters were also analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results There were correlations between MLD,HRCT score and RE score.The correlation coefficient among MLD,HRCT score and RE score were r=0.835 vs r=0.768 vs r=0.838 in baseline. The correlation coefficient among MLD, HRCT score and RE score were r=0.827 vs r=0.780 vs r=0.896 in follow-up. And there were also strong correlation between ΔMLD, ΔHRCTscore and ΔREscore. The correlation coefficient among ΔMLD, ΔHRCTscore and ΔREscore were r=0.599 vs r=0.651 vs r=0.867. There were significantly (P＜0.05) negative correlations among MLD, HRCT score, RE score and VA, DLCO in baseline and follow-up retrospectively. There were significantly (P≤0.001) negative correlations among the ΔMLD, ΔHRCTscore, ΔREscore and ΔVA, ΔDLCO.The correlation among MLD, HRCT score, RE score and DLCO was more significant than that of VA. The correlation among ΔMLD, ΔHRCTscore,ΔREscore and ΔDLCO was more significant than that of ΔVA.There were markedly(P＜0.05) negative correlations between MLD and PO2,and the correlation coefficient were r=-0.738 in baseline vs r=- 0.810 in follow-up. Conclusion The HRCT quantitative analysis and HRCT visual scores are feasible to evaluate PAP.

Objective To assess the application of high-pitch CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at 70 kV tube voltage with 15 ml contrast medium using third-generation dual-source CT. Methods A total of 70 patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n=35) underwent CTPA on conventional scanning mode (120 kV,80 ml contrast medium);and group B (n=35) underwent CTPA on high-pitch scanning mode at 70 kV tube voltage with 15 ml contrast medium. The CT values and standard deviations of the main pulmonary artery,apical segment of right upper pulmonary lobe (S1),and posterior basal segment of the right lower pulmonary lobe (S10),anterior thoracic air,and back muscles were measured. The signal to noise ratio (SNR),contrast to noise ratio (CNR),and effective dose (ED) were calculated. The overall image quality was evaluated by two blinded radiologists. The quality image was compared using non-parametric test on two independent samples. The potential differences in CT value,SNR,CNR,and ED were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. Results The CT values of main pulmonary artery [(300.62±77.54)HU vs.(332.80±102.80)HU;t=-1.53,P=0.13],S1 [(361.72±84.92)HU vs. (325.37±87.86)HU;t=1.81,P=0.08],and S10 [(359.54±89.61)HU vs. (318.26±87.19)HU;t=2.00,P=0.05] of right lung were not significantly different between group A and group B. The CNR of S1 (22.81±6.05 vs. 19.80±6.60;t=2.05,P=0.04) and S10 (22.65±6.37 vs. 19.28±6.63;t=2.23,P=0.03) of right lung in group A was significantly higher than in group B. The SNR of main pulmonary artery,S1,and S10 of right lung were not significantly different between group A and B. The subjective diagnostic quality values of group A and B were 1 (1,1) and 1 (1,1),respectively (Z=-0.08,P=0.93). The subjective diagnostic quality values evaluated by two radiologists showed excellent consistency(κ=0.87,P=0.01). The mean ED was 79% lower in group B [(0.92±0.23)mSv] than in group A [(4.33±1.80) mSv] (t=11.72,P=0.00).Conclusion Application of high-pitch mode in CTPA at 70 kV with 15 ml contrast medium using third-generation dual-source CT can remarkably reduce radiation dose without affecting image quality.
Computed Tomography Angiography ; methods ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiation Dosage ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Stenosis, Pulmonary Artery ; diagnostic imaging

Objective To investigate the clinical usefulness of quantitative dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) iodine enhancement metrics combined with morphological CT features in distinguishing different lung cancer subtypes. Methods One hundred and sixty-two consecutive patients suspected with lung cancer were prospectively enrolled and underwent DECT in arterial phase prior to biopsy or surgery.Tumor histological subtypes were determined in 110 patients. Two radiologists interpreted CT morphologic features of 110 lesions in a consensual manner. In addition, two radiologists independently contoured lesions and placed regions of interest in descending aorta or subclavian artery on the same section for normalization , from which automated computer measurements were generated:iodine density and iodine ratio (the ratio of iodine density of lesion to that of artery on the same section). DECT metrics and morphological CT features were compared among different lung cancer subtypes. Chi-square was used to compare qualitative parameters. One way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative parameters satisfying normal distribution, while those parameters not satisfying normal distribution or ranked data were compared by Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to differentiate the histological subtypes of lung cancer: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Results There were 48 cases of adenocarcinomas, 36 cases of SCC and 26 cases of SCLC. In analysis of CT features, tumor diameter, distribution, spiculation, pleural retraction, vascular involvement, confluent mediastinal lymphadenopathy, encasement of mediastinal structures and enhancement heterogeneity showed statistical difference (all P<0.05). The diameter of SCC[(5.73 ± 3.67)cm] and SCLC [(6.08 ± 4.39)cm] were larger than adenocarcinoma [(3.75 ± 2.80 cm)] (H=13.806,P<0.05). Adenocarcinomas were mostly located in the periphery (31 cases), while SCC (26 cases) and SCLC (21 cases) were mainly centrally located. Spiculation was mostly found in adenocarcinoma (44 cases) rather than SCLC (13 cases). Pleural retraction was mostly observed in adenocarcinoma (36 cases) rather than SCC (10 cases) and SCLC (5 cases). Vascular involvement was mostly found in SCLC (19 cases) rather than adenocarcinoma (15 cases). Confluent mediastinal lymphadenopathy was more frequently found in SCLC (15 cases) compared with adenocarcinoma (3 cases) and SCC (4 cases). Encasement of mediastinal structures was mostly found in SCLC (13 cases) rather than adenocarcinoma (7 cases). Homogeneous enhancement was more frequently found in SCLC (10 cases) than SCC (6 cases). No significant differences were observed in other CT features between any other two groups. Iodine density and iodine ratio were statistically different among these three subtypes lung cancer (H=16.817,20.338,P<0.001). Iodine density of adenocarcinoma and SCC was (1.50±0.80) and (1.40± 0.40) mg/ml, respectively, higher than the (1.20±0.40) mg/ml for SCLC (P<0.01). Iodine ratio of adenocarcinoma and SCC was (16.10 ± 7.02)％and (15.05 ± 4.62)％, respectively, higher than the (11.55 ± 3.15)％ for SCLC (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between adenocarcinoma and SCC. Accuracy of the model based on CT features was 69.1％, accuracy of the model based on CT features combined with DECT parameters was 80.9％. Conclusions Quantitative DECT metrics are different among adenocarcinoma, SCC and SCLC, when combined with morphological CT features, higher diagnostic accuracy can be achieved.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognostic factors of 125I seeds implantation in the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods:From January 2017 to December 2019, 44 patients (39 males, 5 females, age 41-84 years) with advanced lung cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy who received 125I seeds implantation in Hebei General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were followed up for ≥12 months, and the clinical efficacies were observed. χ2 test was used to analyze the difference of effective rates between groups. The cut-off value of postoperative dose delivered to 90% gross tumor volume ( D90) was obtained by ROC curve analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate and log-rank test was used for univariate analysis. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis to find the influencing factors for clinical efficacy. Results:The total effective rate was 72.73%(32/44) after 6 months treatment. The cut-off value of D90 was 120 Gy with the AUC of 0.771. The short-term effective rate of D90≥120 Gy group was better than that of D90<120 Gy group (18/19 vs 56.00%(14/25); χ2=8.17, P=0.004). The 1-year survival rate was 77.27%(34/44). Univariate analysis showed that age ( χ2=3.99, P=0.046), preoperative Hb ( χ2=10.60, P=0.001), tumor maximum diameter ( χ2=11.50, P=0.001) and postoperative D90( χ2=5.81, P=0.016) could affect the survival of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative Hb (hazard ratio ( HR)=0.023, 95% CI: 0.001-0.882, P=0.043) and tumor maximum diameter ( HR=40.889, 95% CI: 1.458-1 146.586, P=0.029) were prognostic factors. Conclusions:125I seeds implantation shows a good effect in the treatment of lung cancer patients after the progress of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The short-term effect of patients with D90≥120 Gy is better than that of patients with D90<120 Gy. Preoperative Hb and tumor maximum diameter are prognostic factors of survival after implantation.

Objective To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of third-generation dual-source CT with tin filtration for spectral shaping and iterative reconstructions.Methods Thirty-five patients underwent low-dose CT (LDCT) for lung cancer screening on second-generation dual-source CT and follow-ups on third-generation dual-source CT. Image quality and radiation dose were compared between the two examinations.ResultsThe radiation dose of third-generation dual-source CT [dose-length product (DLP)(49.7±18.2)mGy·cm, effective dose (ED)(0.73±0.26)mSv] was lower than second-generation dual-source CT [DLP (86.37±13.44) mGy·cm, ED(1.20±0.42)mSv](t=6.01, P=0.000;t=6.57, P=0.000). The objective image noise of second-generation dual-source CT [(25.7±2.9)HU] was higher than that of third-generation dual-soure CT[(18.6±4.2)HU](t=5.24,P=0.000).The subjective image noise of second-generation dual-source CT [(4.60±0.49)scores] was significantly lower than that of third-generation dual-source CT [(4.80±0.40)scores] (t=4.15, P=0.000). Conclusion Chest CT for the detection of pulmonary nodules can be performed with third-generation dual-source CT that produces high image quality and low radiation dose when using a stellar infinity detector with spectral shaping.
Early Detection of Cancer ; methods ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Thorax ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods