Objective To assess the clinical value of dual-energy intracranial CT angiography (CTA).Methods Forty-one patients suspected of intracranial vascular diseases underwent dual-energy intracranial CT angiography, and 41 patients who underwent conventional subtraction CT were enrolled as the control group.Image quality of intracranial and skull base vessels and radiation dose between dual-energy CTA and conventional subtraction CTA were compared using two independent sample nonparametrie test and independent-samples t test, respectively.Prevalence and size of lesions detected by dual-energy CTA and digital subtraction CTA were compared using paired-samples t test and Spearman correlative analysis. Results The percentage of image quality scored 5 was 70.7% (29/41) for dual-energy CTA and 75.6% (31/41) for conventional subtraction CTA.There was no significant difference between the two groups(Z= -0.455, P=0.650).Image quality of vessels at the skull base in conventional subtraction CTA was superior to that in dual-energy CTA, especially for the petrosal and syphon segment (Z=-4.087, P= 0.000).Radiation exposure of dual energy CTA and conventional CTA were (396.54±17.43) and (1090.95±114.29) mGy · cm respectively.Radiation exposure was decreased by 64% (t=-38.52, P=0.000) by dual energy CTA compared with conventional subtraction CTA.Out of the 41 patients,19 patients were diagnosed as intracranial aneurysm, 2 patients as arteriovenous malformation (AVM), 3 patients with Moya-moya's disease, and the remaining 17 patients with negative results.Nine patients with intracranial aneurysm, 2 patients with AVM, 3 patients with Moya-moya's disease, and 2 patients with negative findings underwent DSA or operation, with concordant findings from both techniques.Diameter of aneurysm neck, long axis and minor axis by dual-energy CTA was (2.90±1.61), (5.23±1.68) and (3.83±1.69) nun, respectively; Diameter of aneurysm neck, long axis and minor axis by DSA was (2.95±1.71), (5.10±1.60) ,(3.83±1.65) nan,respectively.There was no significant difference for the diameters of aneurysm between dual energy CTA and DSA ((t=-0.734,1.936,0.12.5 respectively, P=0.482,0.085,0.903 respectively), and good correlation was found between diameter measurements using the two techniques(r=0.964,0.976,0.973, respectively, all P=0.000) Conclusions Compared with conventional subtraction CTA, dual energy CTA has good image quality for intracranial vessels; however, image quality of the skull base vessels is worse, especially for the petrosal and syphon segment.Dual energy CTA has decreased radiation dose and a high diagnostic accuracy, being a practical imaging madality for diagnosis of intracranial vascular lesions.

Objective To explore the clinical value of dual-energy CT lung perfusion imaging and perfusion scintigraphy in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) rabbit models. Methods Acute PE models were established in 20 rabbits with femoral vein injection of sponge as embolus materials, and 4 rabbits were injected saline as control group. Two hours after embolization, dual-energy CT and perfusion scintigraphy imaging were performed respectively. Taking the pathologicall findings as the reference standards, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of both imaging methods were compared. CT values and enhancement degree (overlay value) of the embolic areas and normal pulmonary parenchyma were measured in DEPI image after embolization. Results Normal lung was color-coded as homogeneously yellowish red, perfusion scintigraphy displayed rarefaction or absence. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of DEPI was 100%, 97.50%, 95.24%, 100%, and of perfusion scintigraphy was 67.50%, 81.25%, 64.29%, 83.33%, respectively. Increased CT values and overlay values of embolism areas in DEPI images were lower than those of normal pulmonary parenchyma (P<0.05). Conclusion DEPI has higher sensitivity and specificity than perfusion scintigraphy for detection of pulmonary emboli in an acute PE rabbit models.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,adverse events of gemcitabine vs.5-FU with radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas.Methods Between January 2007 and January 2011,a total of 56 patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas was included and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received 3-DCRT radiotherapy with individual dose of 1.8 ～ 2 Gy,5 times per week,and total dose of 45 ～ 50.4 Gy for 25 ～ 28 fractions,and received concurrent chemotherapy (5-FU or gemcitabine).The patients (n =30) in gemcitabine group were treated with gemcitabine (500 rng/m2 at the 1st,8th,15th,22nd day,at 10 mg · (m2)-1 · min-1,through micro-pump) during radiotherapy; 3 weeks after radiotherapy the patients received gemcitabine infusion at a dose of 800 mg · (m2)-1 · d-1,one time per week,for 3 or 4 cycles.The patients (n =26) in 5-FU group were treated with 5-FU (500 mg/m2 at the 1 ～ 5th day per week,IV),the cycle was repeated every 2 weeks during radiotherapy; 3 weeks later the patients received 5-FU infusion at a dose of 800 mg · (m2)-1 · d-1,the 1st ～5th day per week,the cycle was repeated every 2 weeks ; with a total of 3 or 4 cycles.The efficacy and adverse events were observed,and the patients were followed until June 2013,and the median survival,1 year and 2 year survival was calculated.Results Of the 56 patients,the overall response (CR + PR) rate was 73.2％,and it was 65.3％ in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,80.0％ in radiotherapy with gemcitabine group (P ＜ 0.05).The overall one and two year survival rate was 48.2％ and 14.3％,while median survival was 15.2 months,and the corresponding values were 42.3％,11.5％,13.3 months in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,and 53.3％,16.7％,16.6 months in radiotherapy with gemcitabine group,and the survival difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P =0.071).At the end of treatment,the pain-relief rate (VAS score ＜4) of the 56 patients was 83.3％,it was 75.0％ in 5-FU group and 90.0％ in gemcitabine group.In radiotherapy with gemcitabine group,the incidence of 3～ 4 grade myelosuppression was significantly higher than that in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (20.0％ vs 7.6％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions For the locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas,radiotherapy with gemcitabine can improve pain-relief and prolong survival compared with radiotherapy with 5-FU,but the incidence of adverse event of myelosuppression is higher.

Objective To evaluate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ ( Ang Ⅱ ),angiotensin- (1-7) [ Ang- ( 1-7 ) ],and co-action of Ang Ⅱ and Ang-( 1-7 ) on β cell insulin signaling pathway.Methods Mouse pancreatic β cell line NIT-1 was incubated with( 1 )0,10-7,10-6,10-s,10-4 mol/L concentrations of Ang Ⅱ for 24 h ; ( 2 )0,10-7,10-6,10 -5,10-4 mol/L concentrations of Ang- ( 1-7 ) for 24 h; ( 3 ) co-administration of Ang Ⅱ and Ang- ( 1-7 ) was divided into control,10-5mol/L Ang Ⅱ,10-6mol/L Ang-( 1-7 ),10-5mol/L Ang Ⅱ + 10-6mol/L Ang-( 1-7 ) group.Tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor β subunit(IR-β-Tyr) and serine phophorylation of protein kinase B(Akt-Ser) were detected by Western blot.ResultsInsulin-stimulated IR-β-Tyr and Akt-Ser phosphorylation was significantly decreased in Ang Ⅱ 10-5 and 10-4 mol/L group; no significant changes in insulin-stimulated IR-β-Tyr and Akt-Ser phosphorylation were detected between Ang-( 1-7 ) treatment groups and control; Ang-( 1-7 ) blocked the inhibitory effect of Ang Ⅱ on Akt-Ser phosphorylation,yet exerted no effect on Ang Ⅱ-induced IR-β-Tyr phosphorylation inhibition.Conclusion Ang Ⅱ significantly inhibits insulin signaling pathway in β cell; Ang-( 1-7 ) reverts the inhibitory effect of Ang Ⅱ on insulin-stimulated Akt-Ser phosphorylation in β cell.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To summarize the experience of surgical treatment in patients with uremia and severe coronary artery disease, and reduce the perioperative risk thereof. Methods Sixteen chronic renal failure patients who were received haemodialysis and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the period of February 2009 to December 2016 in Tianjin First Central Hospital were assessed in this retrospective study. Of the 16 patients, 8 patients and 6 patients were treated with off pump and on pump CABG respectively, one patient was treated with CABG and resection of ventricular aneurysm, and one patient was treated with CABG and tricuspid valve replacements. The renal function changes in preoperative and postoperative periods, 2-day and 1-week after surgery were observed. Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function. The improvement of angina was recorded. Results Fourteen patients were successfully withdrawn from ventilator therapy within 24 h after surgery. The tracheal intubation was removed 65-hour after surgery in one patient. One patient died of multiple organ failure on the seventh day after surgery. The average length of ICU staying and in-hospital stay were (125.5 ± 21.6) h and (28.6 ± 7.4) days respectively. The serum creatinine (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were higher in two days after surgery than those before the operation (P < 0.05). Fifteen patients which followed up (the final follow-up date was February 2017) showing cardiac functionⅠ-Ⅱ, ejection fraction (EF)>0.40, and no angina occurred. Conclusion CABG is relatively safe for patients with end-stage renal disease and severe coronary artery disease. CABG can significantly eliminate angina symptoms with satisfactory clinical effect.

The incidence of dextrocardia is lower. The dextrocardia is often associated with congenital anatomical abnormalities. The patient with normal cardiac structure of dextrocardia and severe coronary heart disease that needs coronary artery bypasss is rarer. This article summarizes the perioperative management and surgical experience of dextrocardia with bypass surgery via a clinical case.

Objective To identify Anaplasma species circulating among livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang province , Southeastern China and to analyze variations regarding to their 16S rRNA gene.Methods Samples of spleen, liver and blood were collected to extract DNAs .The 16S rRNA gene fragments of Anaplasma species were amplified by using a nested PCR and then sequenced .Ho-mology analysis was conducted by using BLAST program .The multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses comparing with the sequences of other Anaplasma species in GenBank were conducted by using MEGA 5.0 software.Results The 16S rRNA gene fragments of Anaplasma were detected in 1 cattle, 8 goats, 5 Rattus confucianus, 1 Apodemus agrarius, 1 Berylmys bowersi and 1 squirrel out of 129 animals. The natural infection rate of Anaplasma was 13.2% in animals from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang . The alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that there were at least four Anaplasma species prevalent in livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area , including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and Anaplasma bovis.Moreover, there was a variant that obviously differed from Anaplasmma bovis and other Anaplasma sp.in GenBank.Conclusion The Anaplasma infection was detected among livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang province .A newly discovered variant in rodents was likely to be a novel species .More close attention should be paid to Anaplasma infec-tion among human in Xitianmu Mountain area .

Objective To investigate the risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients with on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB). Methods The clinical data of 200 patients with ONCAB were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into POAF group (n=52) and non POAF group (n=148) according to the occurrence of POAF after operation. The perioperative data including age and gender of all patients were collected and analyzed. The index of opinion of statistical results was classified by two categories Logistic regression analysis, and the related risk factors of POAF were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the age, red blood cell (RBC), left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were analyzed in two groups. Results The incidence rate of POAF was 26%, mostly occurred in the postoperative period from 1 d to 3 d. Compared with non POAF group, the age, the proportion of patients with age≥62.5 years or older, the proportion of patients with LAD≥35 mm, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and perioperative transfusion of RBC were increased in POAF group, and data of mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time and hospitalization time were prolonged, but the LVEF level decrease ( P<0.05). Among them, the elderly (≥62.5 years), increased LAD (≥35 mm), the higher perioperative transmission amount of RBC were the independent risk factors of POAF after ONCAB, and the higher LVEF was a protective factor for ONCAB. The optimal thresholds for age, RBC, LAD and LVEF were 62.5 years, 1U, 35.5 mm, and 0.34. Conclusion The occurrence of POAF after ONCAB is related with age (≥62.5 years old),LAD≥35 mm and perioperative transfusion of RBC, which can be used as clinically to predict the occurrence of POAF.

AIM: To clone and express mouse canstatin (m canstatin)cDNA and provide a basis for the further research on its anti-angiogenic activity and potential application for cancer therapy. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from mouse liver tissue by Trizol Reagent, and mouse canstatin cDNA was amplified by RT- PCR, then cloned into vector pMD18-T for sequencing. pET30a(+)-m canstatin recombinant plasmid was constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21 with induction of IPTG. RESULTS: Mouse canstatin cDNA is 684 bp coding 227 amino acids. The sequences of both cDNA and amino acid share high homology with human canstatin, with cDNA identity at 89% and amino acids identity at 96% to human canstatin. In the present study, pET30a(+)-m canstatin recombinant plasmid was expressed in E.coli BL21. CONCLUSION: Mouse canstatin cDNA has been cloned for the first time. Constructed pET30a(+)-m canstatin recombinant plasmid is highly expressed in E.coli BL21.