Objective To investigate the clinical value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA. Methods One hundred and twenty patients who were suspected with stenotic carotid artery or carotid plaque were prospectively enrolled in the study. All of them were divide into two groups by random number table. Group A (routine group): 60 were scanned with 120 kVp after the administration of moderate-concentration CM(320 mg/ml) with 5 ml/s injection velocity, Group B (low dose group):60 were scanned with GSI which was reconstructed using 50%ASiR after the administration of the same CM with 3 ml/s injection velocity. The contrast dose [(test bolus peak time +2 s – 5 s) × injection velocity] was calculated. Images of the two groups were compared in terms of arterial attenuation, signal-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality (IQ) score. The value of CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) was recorded, respectively. Data were analyzed by using independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results The mean attenuation, noise, SNR, CNR, subjective image quality score, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED of routine group was (363 ± 56)HU, (13 ± 4)HU, 30 ± 10, 38±13, 3.0 score, (69 ± 13) ml, 13.61 mGy,527 mGy · cm and 3.11 mSv, respectively. The above variables of low-dose-group was (378 ± 69) HU, (9 ± 4)HU, 48 ± 19, 62 ± 24, 2.0 score,(49 ± 7)ml, 12.72 mGy, 478 mGy · cm and 2.82 mSv, respectively. The mean attenuation and subjective IQ score of carotid artery had no significant differences statistically between two groups (P>0.05), respectively. The noise, SNR, CNR, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED had significant differences statistically between two groups (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion Compared with 120 kVp protocol, the use of GSI associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA could provide equivalent image quality and higher SNR and CNR of carotid artery with a smaller amount of iodine and a lower radiation dose.

Objective To study the expressions of EGFR and VEGF in endometrium after danazol pretreatment and the pathological changes of endometrium. Methods A total of 60 patients with anovulartory functional bleeding were randomly divided into two groups: Danazol group and control group with 30 cases in each group. Danazol group were given transcervical resection of endometrium with danazol pretreatment, and control group without any pretreatment. The endometrium resected from uterus was sent for histological assessment, observation of the grandular quantity and stromal loose degree, and of the expressions of EGFR and VEGF in endometrium. Results The endometrium of patients who took Danazol were almost in proliferative phase(similar to early proliferative phase).The numbers of endometrial glands near the basal layer with Danazol pretreatment were lower than that in the control group; the stromal components (+～) were more compact than the contral group (～). The expression intensity and rates of EGFR and VEGF in glands were higher than those of stromal components. Danazol decreased the expression of EGFR and VEGF in endometrium compared to the control group. Conclusion Pretreatment with Danazol can suppress the prolifieration of endometrial cells, thin the endometrium,and disperse the glands, compact the stromal components, and it can also reduce the expressions of EGFR and VEGF in endometrial glands and stromal components compared with the control group.

To explore the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of estrogen and especially observe the effect of estradiol on the content of cholesterol in J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells which were incubated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL). J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophages were incubated with ox-LDL or with both ox-LDL and estradiol (1, 0.1 or 0.01 micromol x L(-1)). Oil red O staining was used to observe the formation of foam cells, and cholesterol oxidase fluorometric was used to determine the content of cellular cholesterol content. Western blotting and RTFQ-PCR were used to observe the expressions of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-B I ) in J774a.1 foam cells. Compared with the control cells, J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells showed significantly increased contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester (P < 0.001) and decreased SR-B I mRNA expression (P < 0.01). Estradiol treatment significantly lowered the contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester (P < 0.05), and increased SR-B I protein and mRNA expression (P < 0.01) in the foam cells in a dose-dependent manner. Estradiol can inhibit the formation of mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells by decreasing the contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester and up-regulating the expression of SR-B I in the foam cells.

Objective To investigate the value of wide-detector Revolution CTA with 70 kV tube voltage and prospective ECG-gated technique in diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants and children.Methods Forty-five infants and children with complicated CHD underwent echocardiography and wide-detector Revolution CTA.According to the sur gical findings,the diagnostic efficiency of Revolution CTA and echocardiography were calculated and compared.The radiation effective dose (ED) and iodine dose were calculated.The quality of CT images was also evaluated.Results There were 25 separate cardiovascular anomalies including 6 congenital cardiac structure anomalies and 19 congenital extracardiac vascular anomalies.For congenital extracardiac vascular anomalies,there was significant difference of diagnostic accuracy and the detectable rate between CTA (99.77％ [853/855],97.73％ [86/88]) and echocardiography (98.71％ [844/855],88.64％ [78/88];x2 =6.28,5.72,both P＜0.05).The average of ED was (0.20±0.05)mSv and the mean iodine dose was (2.06± 1.09)g.All CT images were qualified for diagnosis.Conclusion The wide-detector Revolution CTA,with the prospective ECG-gated technique and 70 kV tube voltage,can provide high accuracy for assessment of CHD in infants and children,which can keep good image quality,with the low radiation dose.

To explore the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of estrogen and especially observe the effect of estradiol on the content of cholesterol in J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells which were incubated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL). J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophages were incubated with ox-LDL or with both ox-LDL and estradiol (1, 0.1 or 0.01 micromol x L(-1)). Oil red O staining was used to observe the formation of foam cells, and cholesterol oxidase fluorometric was used to determine the content of cellular cholesterol content. Western blotting and RTFQ-PCR were used to observe the expressions of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-B I ) in J774a.1 foam cells. Compared with the control cells, J774a.1 mouse mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells showed significantly increased contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester (P < 0.001) and decreased SR-B I mRNA expression (P < 0.01). Estradiol treatment significantly lowered the contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester (P < 0.05), and increased SR-B I protein and mRNA expression (P < 0.01) in the foam cells in a dose-dependent manner. Estradiol can inhibit the formation of mononuclear/macrophage-derived foam cells by decreasing the contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester and up-regulating the expression of SR-B I in the foam cells.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cholesterol Esters ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B ; metabolism

Objective To determine which parameters of reverse remodeling of left ventricular could become the effective indexes in evaluating the short-term therapeutic effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)in heart failure(HF)patients.Methods CRT was performed in 26 HF patients with dysfunctions of wall motion.Serial echocardiography was practiced at baseline,one and three months after CRT.The parameters including left atrial end-diastolic diameter(LADD),left ventrieular end-diastolic diameter(LVDD),end-diastolic volume (LVEDV),end-systolic volume(LVESV),ejection fraction(LVEF)were measured and compared before and after CRT therapy.Results At one and three months after CRT,respectively,CRT was associated with reduced LADD,LVDD,LVEDV,LVESV and improved LVEF and filling time compared with those at baseline.Moreover,all these parameters had better correlations with the activities of these patients.Conclusions LADD,LVDD,LVEDV,LVESV and LVEF could become the effective indexes in evaluating the short-term effect of CRT in HF patients.The reduced diameters and volumes of left atria and left ventricle are more sensitive parameters than the improved LVEF.

Objective To develop a liquid bandage for self aid of war wound.Methods Solution A and B were prepared containing functional polymers derived from the biocompatible poly (ethylene glycol) and hyaluronic acid,which had ability of fast crosslinking reaction when they were mixed.Among them,A solution mainly comprised of mercapto group-containing hyaluronic acid derivative (HA-SH),water-solubility starch,propylene glycol,benzoic acid and etc.B solution contained pentaerythritol tetraacrylate derivative (4arm-PEG-Acrylate) and benzoic acid.The structure of mercapto group-containing hyaluronic acid derivative was confirmed by IR,1H-NMR and etc.HA-SH and 4arm-PEG-Acrylate were formulated to different concentrations (W/V) in different buffers.The two kinds of solution were mixed in different ratios,and in situ crosslinking hyaluronic acid hydrogel was obtained;the crosslinking time was recorded.The adhesive force and waterholding capacity of the hydrogel after crosslinking were measured by adding excipients such as water-solubility starch.Results In case the concentration of HA-SH and 4arm-PEG-Acrylate was 2％ and pH value was 11,the hydrogel film on wound skin would be quickly formed in 20 seconds for wound dressing after spraying A and B solution onto the wound skin.Conclusion The liquid bandage has strong adhesive force,high water-holding capacity and controllable crosslinking time,so it could be used as a novel wound dressing for war wound.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in fetal meningocele and encephalocele.Methods Thirty nine fetuses with meningocele and encephalocele confirmed by prenatal ultrasound and abortion were acquired and their clinical data and sonographic features were retrospectively analyzed.Results Ultrasound screening in 111 620 cases showed 39 fetuses were with meningocele and encephalocele,accounting for 0.35％.Among them,16 cases were diagnosed with meningocele (including 1 case with two bulging parts) and 23 cases with encephalocele.Prenatal ultrasound could clearly detect the location and size fetal skull defect,and bulging features.According to their sonographic features,meningocele or encephalocele was determined.Conclusion Ultrasound could be a reliable prenatal screening method,provide an important basis for clinical intervention and have a significant clinical value in fetal meningocele and encephalocele.

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical effectiveness of antibiotic combined therapy for febrile neutropenia as an empirical treatment.METHODS We analyzed bacterial epidemiology form Jan 2001 to Feb 2003 and performed a study in 202 neutropenic febrile patients after chemotherapy or(HSCT).Three groups were divided.In first group(84 cases) carbapenems and vancomycin were used.In second group(78 cases)and in third group(40(cases)) used cephalosporin or quinolone.RESULTS Carbapenems plus vancomycin were with response rate of 93%,and(without) vancomycin were only 66%.Cephalosporin or quinolone was with response rate only of 30%.(CONCLUSIONS) Strong antibiotic with vancomycin is effective for treating patients with neutropenia and fever(under) limited bacterial epidemiology.

Objective To observe whether rabbit blood leptin can leak into the brain after craniocerebral trauma (CCT),and to dynamically detect serum levels of leptin,growth hormone (GH),and insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1),and leptin level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after CCT.Methods The FITC labeled leptin was injected into blood vessels of 15 adult male rabbits after anesthesia.Then 9 rabbits underwent unilateral fluid percussive impact,while 6 rabbits underwent sham operation.Thirty minutes postoperatively,brain tissue was taken to make frozen sections which were used to observe fluorescence labeled leptin range.Thirty three adult male rabbits were randomly divided into serum group,serum-control group,CSF group and CSF-control group.Rabbits in serum group and CSF group received fluid percussive impact,while rabbits in serum-control group and CSF-control group were drilled a 7 mm window in skull.Rabbits in serum group and serum-control group were phlebotomized 2 ml at 1 d,3 d,7 d and 14 d after operation,and rabbits in CSF group and CSF-control group were extracted CSF 0.5 ml at the same time points.Then serum levels of leptin,GH,and IGF-1,and leptin level in CSF were tested by ELISA.Results The fluorescence imaging could be seen in the injured brain tissue of rabbits with CCT,which was more than those in brain tissue of rabbits receiving sham operation.Serum leptin levels of rabbits in serum group at each time point were higher than those in serum-control group.Serum levels of GH and IGF-1 and leptin level in CSF were higher in rabbits with CCT than those in rabbits without CCT at 1 d,3 d and 7 d after operation.Conclusion The blood leptin can leak into the brain after CCT,which can cause increase of blood GH and IGF-1.And the latter may be the endocrine factors promoting fracture healing after CCT.