Objective To evaluate the feasibility of dual energy spectral CT with 270 mg/ml iodixanol in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods A total of 60 patients with suspected coronary heart disease underwent CCTA.They were randomly divided into 3 groups.Prospectively ECG gated CCTA with 120 kVp were performed on the controlgroup (Group A,n=20).In group B (n=20) and group C (n=20),gemstone spectral imaging(GSI) technique were used and monochromatic images from 60 to 80 keV with increment of 5 keV were obtained to divide into 5 subgroups(B1-B5,C1-C5).Group A and group B used the same contrast medium (iodixanol 350 mg/ml) while Group C used low concentration contrast medium (iodixanol 270 mg/ml).One-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare objective evaluation indices (CT values,image noise,signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the left main coronary artery,proximal segment of left anterior descending branch,proximal segment of left circumflex branch and proximal segment of right coronary artery) of group A and B1-B5.Statistical t-test was performed between group A and C2(with optimal keV).Results CNR of the group B1-B5[(21.2± 3.4),(21.5 ±4.0),(21.5 ±4.0),(21.8 ±4.2),(20.7 ± 3.5)]were increased significantly than group A(16.6± 3.8).No significant differences were found among groups B 1-B4 (P＞0.05).Compared withgroup A,group B2 showed higher CT values of the vessels [(481.4±43.2),(466.7±69.3),(434.1±48.8),(436.3±42.5),(427.4±48.6)HU] and decreased image noise[(28.2±7.3)HU versus (31.1±9.9) HU,P＜0.01].The optimal keV was 65 keV.Compared with group A,group C2 showed no significant differences in CT values[(396.3± 76.3),(390.4 ± 74.4),(359.5±83.1),(358.3±67.7),(365.4±68.2)HU)],image noise[(29.1±5.6)HU],SNR(14.6±4.2) and CNR [(18.4±4.8),t=-1.29-1.40,P＞ 0.05].Conclusion Dual-energy spectral CT with monochromatic reconstruction at 65 keV can provide same good image quality as the routine method while reduce iodine concentration to 270 mg/ml.

Objective To study the clinical and pathological features of adrenal myelolipoma. Methods The clinical manifestration,experimental and imaging data of 6 patients with adrenal myelolipoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results The disease manifested nonspecific symptoms and signs,including faint lumber,flank or bulk pain.The diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma depends on B ultrosound scan,CT and MRI,revealing a fatty mass with various other densities such as soft tissue,intratumoural haemorrhage,calcification and residual adrenal cortex.Tumor excision and adrenalectomy were performed in all patients.The pathological examination showed that the tumor consists of mature fat cells and hematopoietic elements.The patients have been asymptomatic on following up for 0.5～7 years and there is no recurrence of tumor. Conclusions CT and MRI images features are helpful for the pre operative diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma.Pathologically,it is characterized by a mixture of mature fat and hematopoietic elements.

Objective To investigate the difference between the early phases and delay phase of three-phase bone scintigraphy on hemiplegic patients with earlier complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).Methods Twenty-nine stroke patients with hemiplegia complicating CRPS received three-phase bone scintigraphy after intravenous injection of 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (MDP). The region of interest (ROI)technique was used to obtain the radioactive counts of involved joints and contralateral sites on wrists,metacarpophalangeal,proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. The total counts of these four sites in each patient were then obtained and the total uptake ratios of involved joints/contralateral joints for each phase were calculated to compare the difference among the three phases. Wilcoxon test and ANOVA were used in data analyses. Results The involved joints of hemiplegic side displayed higher tracer uptake.There were significant differences of the radioactive counts between involved joints and uninvolved ones in the perfusion,pool and delay phase (Wilcoxon test,Z:-4.73 to -2.10,P＜0.05). There was no significant difference of total uptake ratios of involved joints/contralateral joints among the three phases ( ANOVA,F = 0. 807,P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusions Due to higher bone seeking agent accumulation on three-phase bone scintigraphy,both early phases and delay phase imaging showed similar value in stroke patients with hemiplegia complicating earlier CRPS.

Objective To investigate the influence of circadian rhythm,gender and stain on the tail suspension test in mice.Methods The immobility time of male and female Kunming,BALB/C and C57BL/6 mice in daytime or night were analyzed.Results ① The immobility time of Kunming mice during the day ( ( 114.24 ±11.18)s) was significantly more than that at night ( (65.39 ± 19.17)s).② The immobility time of male BALB/C mice( (68.57 ± 11.27 ) s) was significantly less than that of female BALB/C mice( ( 113.33 ± 3.87 ) s).③ The immobility time of C57BL/6 mice was significant more than that of Kunming and BALB/C mice under the same condition.Conclusions Circadian rhythm,gender and strain could significantly affect the immobility time of mice in tail suspension test.To increase the sensitivity and reliability of the tail suspension test,male Kunming and female BALB/C mice should be tested during the daytime.Compared to Kunming and BALB/C mice,the results of C57BL/6 mice were more stable.

In order to study the effects of Ca2+ in the biosynthesis of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) induced by salicylic acid (SA) in the young seedlings of Salvia miltiorrhiza, we used confocal laser scanning microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography to measure the change of relative fluorescence intensity of Ca2+ and the contents of Sal B induced by SA before and after the application of extracellular calcium channel inhibitors (VP and LaCl3), intracellular calcium channel inhibitor (LiCl), as well as intracellular calmodulin antagonist (TFP). SA could induce the calcium burst, and the Ca2+ peak could last to 2-3 min in the guard cells of S. miltiorrhiza, which prompted the biosynthesis of Sal B after the Ca2+ burst. Both Vp or LaCl3, and LiCl or TFP could inhibit the burst of Ca2+ and the biosynthesis of Sal B. The above results demonstrated that Ca2+ from the extracellular and the intracellular calcium store regulate the biosynthesis of Sal B elicited by salicylic acid in S. miltiorrhiz young seedlings.
Benzofurans ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; pharmacology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the sensitivity and variability factors that were assessed on the forced swimming test (FST) using BALB/C and Kunming mice. Methods The immobility time of FST was compared using Kunming and BALB/C mice in different experimental conditions including circadian rhythm ( day and night) ,gender and water temperature ( 12,22 and 32℃ ) . Results (①) The immobility time of BALB/C during the daytime( ( 142.42 ± 33.58) s) was significantly increased than that at night ( ( 104.89 ± 34.33 ) s). (② The immobility time of Kunming mice( (91.95 ± 40.32) s) was significantly decreased than that of BALB/C mice ( ( 142.42 ± 33.58 ) s). (③)The immobility time under the water temperature of 22 C ( ( 92.24 ± 25.81 ) s) was significant longer than that under the water temperature of 32C ( (60.72 ± 11.11 ) s). Conclusion BALB/C stain,male mice,daytime and water temperature of 22℃ should be chosen in the FST.

Objective To investigate the value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 FDG)positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT)in the diagnosis and localization of ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS)induced by lung cancer,and to increase the accuracy rate of diagnosis of EAS.Methods 8 patients were histopathologically proven to be lung cancer.18 FDG PET/CT wholebody and brain scan were performed;magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),99m Tc-octreotide (OCT)imaging and inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS)were done in all patients.On 18 FDG PET/CT images,the SUVmax values of lesions and the SUVmax ratio of lesion tissue to normal lung tissue were calculated.Results ① 8 patients with EAS included 2 cases of carciniod,4 cases of atypical carciniod,and 2 cases of small cell lung cancer.The ACTH levels in inferior petrosal sinus and peripheral veins of 8 patients had no difference.②The chest CT showed there were pulmonary nodules in 6 cases (75%),among them 2 cases were atypical lesions.5 cases of pituitary adenomas were found by MRI (25%),and OCT imaging was positive in 2 cases (25%).③The 18 FDG PET/CT showed nodular,mass like or patch samples with high metabolic activity in 8 cases (100%)of pulmonary lesions.The SUVmax of tumor was 0.72 to 14.05 (3.67±4.68),and the ratio of SUVmax of lesion tissue to normal lung tissue was 1.69 to 27.54 (8.14 ± 9.63).18 FDG hypermetabolism was found in 8 cases of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia,while 4 cases showed pituitary tumor.Conclusion Lung cancer is a common source of EAS,especially carcinoid.18 FDG PET may show lower glucose metabolism.18 FDG PET/CT should be used as an assisted method to diagnose EAS.

Objective To study the feasibility of dual-source CT with dual-energy imaging based on single contrast enhancement. Methods The clinical data of 60 cases of patients who underwent dual-energy CT (DECT)examination of the heart in our hospital were analyzed.statistically.Results The success rate of 60 cases were 100% for displaying all 600 coronary artery segments at all stages.The total mean score of image quality was 4.68 ±0.57,and the good image rate reached 95%.6 cases of patients who ac-cepted DSA examination were unanimous with DECT findings;In 6 cases of patients who accepted SPECT examination,60 segments were no perfusion abnormalities,but DECT iodine figures of 54 segments were normal,and 6 segments showed perfusion defect. Conclusion DECT with dual-energy imaging based on single contrast enhancement can get excellent coronary and myocardial perfu-sion imaging in the circumstance of appropriate heart rate,which has some potentials for clinical application.

Objective The purpose of this study is to determine whether the quantitative parameters of salivary gland scintigraphy are useful in the diagnosis of Sjgren's syndrome(SS).Method Forty patients with SS and 29 control subjects underwent salivary gland scintigraphy.Two indices,uptake ratio and maximum se- cretion were mearsured.The optimal cut-points of both indices were derived from receiver operative character- istic curve(ROC).The diagnostic value of the indices was assessed by the area under ROC curve(AUC~(ROC)). Results The optimal cut-point of uptake ratio was 5.5～5.7.The optimal cut-point of maximum secretion was 0.20.The sensitivities of both indices were 86.2%～89.7%.The specificity of uptake ratio was 63.4%～65.9%. The specificity of maximum secretion was 82.9%～85.4%.The AUC\+\{RoC\} of uptake ratio was 0.780/0,776.The AUC\+\{ROC\} of maximum secretion was 0.905/0,899.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of salivary gland scintigraphy may be useful in the diagnosis of Sj(?)gren syndrome.

Objective To explore sub-clinical items in evaluating the prognosis of epileptic patients,the study on differences of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in both effective treated and incomplete-controlled patients with idiopathic generalized tonic clonic seizure (GTCS) was carried out.Methods Interictal rCBF measurements using 99m Tc-ethyl cysteinates dimmer (ECD) SPECT was performed on 29 effective treated idiopathic GTCS patients and 12 incomplete controlled idiopathic GTCS patients. The rCBF distribution was semi-quantitatively analyzed by regions of interest (ROIs) comparing with abnormal rate of interictal hypoperfusion rCBF,clinical seizure time and EEG.Results ROI analysis showed that rCBF decreased in basal ganglia and thalamus of incomplete controlled patients with idiopathic GTCS compared to that of effective treated ones′ significantly ( P