Objective:To study the mechanism of anti-proliferative effect of lupeol on highly metastatic human hepatocellular car-cinoma HCCLM3 cells. Methods:CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the effects of lupeol at different concentration on cell viability in 12-48 h. Caspase inhibitors were used to identify the subtypes of caspases activated during lupeol-induced cell death. The effects of lupeol on the mRNA expression of caspase family and Bcl-2 related genes were detected by real-time PCR. The effects of lupeol on HC-CLM3 cell phase distribution were investigated by flow cytometry. Results:Compared with the control group, lupeol could inhibit HC-CLM3 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 93 μmol·L-1 in 24h. The number of HCCLM3 cells in the period of G2/M was increased by 1-fold when the lupeol concentration was within 60-100 μmol·L-1 . Lupeol could activate the path-way of caspase, and the mRNA expression of caspase-3 was elevated by 50%-150% when compared with that in the control group. Mo-reover, the mRNA expression of p53 and Bax were increased above 1-fold by lupeol at 100 μmol·L-1 , and the Bcl-2 and PARP ex-pression were significantly suppressed by lupeol at 60-100 μmol·L-1(P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Conclusion:The results indicate that lupeol has anti-proliferative effect on the liver cancer cells, which is beneficial to the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.

Objective To study the helical CT signs of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) and to evaluate the correlation between the helical CT signs and the therapeutic effect of HCC. Methods The helical CT signs were analyzed in 22 cases with 26 lesions of the hepatocellular carcinoma that were treated with PMCT under ultrasonic guidance. Results In 21 lesions, no enhancement was detected in the lesion border or inside the lesion at hepatic arterial phase (HAP) and portal venous phase (PVP). In 7 lesions, the slight or marked patchy enhancement was revealed in the surrounding liver of the lesions in HAP. In 5 lesions, nodular enhancement was found in the lesion border or inside the lesion in HAP. Conclusion The dual-phase helical CT might be accurate in judging the therapeutic effect of HCC after PMCT. If no enhancement was showed in the lesions in the dual-phase helical CT, it indicated that no tumor survived. If slight or marked patchy pattern enhancement was revealed in the surrounding liver of the lesions in HAP, it was a normal reaction after PMCT. If nodular enhancement was found in the lesion border or inside the lesion in HAP, it indicated that the tumor partially survived.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application values of 64-row MSCT for apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(AHCM).Methods Twenty-one patients with AHCM were included in this study,14 patients were diagnosed by echocardiography(UCG),and 7 patients were diagnosed by MRL AU patients underwent MSCT exam,and 5 patients also had ventriculography and coronary angiography.The left ventricular wall thickness in end-systole and end-diastole phases were measured at MSCT workstation,the left ventricular apex thickening rate(LVAT)and the ratio of maximum wall thickness of the left ventrieular apex(LVA)to the left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVA/LVPW)in end-diastole phase were calcdated.The left ventricular end-diastolie volume(LVEDV)and left venueular ejection fraction (LVEF)were quantitively evaluated with cardiac functional analysis software.The results were compared with the measurement results from the normal control group(30 volunteers).The independent-samples t test was used for the statistics.At the same time.the coronary stenosis was measured.Results Diffuse or partial thickening of the LV apical myocardium were found in the four-chamber view and two-chamber view of MSCT images.which leaded to the deformation of the left ventricle chamber.The LVEDV were(82.6±11.4)and(108.5±10.6)ml in the AHCM group and the control group,respectively;the LVA were (20.6±3.4)and(9.9±1.5)mm;LVA/LVPW were 2.1±0.5 and 1.1±0.2;the LVAT were(25.6±4.7)%and(81.5±8.5)%.There were significant differences in LVEDV,LVA,LVA/LVPW and LVAT between the two groups(t=8.32 and 15.29,P＜0.05;t=9.91 and 27.30,P＜0.05;respectively),but there were no statistical differences in LVPW and LVEF between the two groups(t=0.26 and 1.13.P＞0.05).Five patients had myocardium bridging and 4 patients had coronary stenosis.Conclusion AHCM can be diagnosed accurately with MSCT,and the cardiac anatomy.function and coronary artery are also assessed simultaneously.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of the low tube voltage setting and personalized contrast agent application in 64-row multi-slice spiral CT pulmonary angiography.Methods Ninety patients with high risk of pulmonary artery embolism were sequentially enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups employing completely randomized design: (1) Regular group included 30 patients using 120 kV and fixed dose of 70 ml contrast agent, (2)Another 30 patients were in 120 kV group, using 120 kV and the contrast amount was determined according to the patient weight (1.0 ml/kg), (3) The remaining 30 patients were included in 100 kV group, using 100 kV and the contrast amount was also determined according to the patient weight(1.0 ml/kg).Administration of contrast agent was completed within 20 seconds for all the patients, followed by 20 ml of saline.The objective and subjective indexes for assessing CT image quality, CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and effective received dose (ERD) were compared between 120 kV group and 100 kV group; then the contrast media volume, injection rate, objective CT image indexes and subjective indexes for image quality was compared between the 100 kV group and regular group.The variance analysis and post hoc test were employed for the statistical analysis.Results Compared with 120 kV group(3.4± 0.7), the image quality of 100 kV group(5.2±1.8)had higher noise(52.9%), but subjective index for the image quality demonstrated no differences(q=0.272 ,P=0.063)in mediastinum window while CTDIvol and ERD decreased for 34.9%[(9.5±0.0) vs (14.6±0.0) mGy]and 36.8%[(3.8±0.6) vs (2.4± 0.4) mSv].The mean CT values on pulmonary artery of 100 kV group[(269.2±54.7) HU]were 13.4% (31.8/237.4) higher than the 120 kV group[(237.4±62.9) HU], but there was no statistical differences eornpared to normal group(q=0.172,P=0.260).Conclusion Using low kV setting (100 kV) to reduce radiation dose is proved to be effective and feasible in 64-MSCT pulmonary angiography.Personalized contrast agent injection has clinical application value for specific patient group.

Objective To analyze the imaging features and to enhance the understanding of pancreatic and renal involvement in yon Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD). Methods CT and MRI appearances and clinical data of six patients with pancreatic and renal involvement in VHLD were studied retrospectively.Six patients underwent CT scanning, and two of them also had MRI.Results Pancreatic cysts found in all six patients varied from several small cysts to cystic replacement of the entire gland.Calcifications were detected in four patients. Multiple bilateral renal lesions were detected in six patients.The renal lesions were classified as cystic, cystic with solid components and solid.Multiple combined renal lesions were found in five patients, and multiple simple cysts in one patient.Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in two patients, and the renal masses were diagnosed as clear cell carcinoma by pathology.Bile carcinoid was found in one patient, and retroperitoneal metastasis in another.Conclusion Multiple pancreatic cysts and/or multiple and bilateral combined renal lesions are highly suggestive of VHLD.

Objective To discuss the clinical application and significance of non-enhanced computed tomography axis rotating movie imaging technique in PCNL for complex renal calculi. Methods Thirty-one cases unilateral and 2 cases bilateral multiple and staghorn renal calculi with mild or mediurn hydronephrosis patients were performed bilateral kidneys non-enhanced CT scanning,three dimensional reconstruction and the axis rotating movie composition were carried on by computer software,PCNL accesses were designed and the residual stone were predicted referred to the access-calyces angle measured in axis rotating movie image,PCNL were performed after while.Comparing between preoperation accesses design and residual stone prediction with in-operation practice were carried out.Results The first PCNL access was constructed via posterior middle upper minor calyces in 22 renal units and via posterior middle lower minor calyces in 13 renal units,which was consistent with pre-operation design according to CT axis rotating movie image.The second PCNL accesses were constructed via lower calyx posterior upper minor calyces in 9 renal units and via lower calyx posterior lower minor calyces in 5 renal units,nephrolithotomy were performed in the same operation,clinical stone clearance rate was 80%(28/35),other 7 cases with residual stone were consistent with pre-operation prediction,No blood transfusion was necessary and no severe complication happened in all 33 cases.Conclusions Non-enhanced CT axis rotating movie imaging provided the detail three dimensional shape and spatial structure of complex renal calculi intuitively) that was benefit for designing appropriate PCNL accesses for complex renal calculi patients, guiding for searching stone fragments in operation, predicting residual stone, and ensuring operation safety.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of discriminant function analysis for pericolic infiltration in colorectal cancer on enhanced 64-slice spiral CT and to improve the diagnostic accuracy and specificity of pericolic infiltration. Methods Dynamic enhanced 64-slice spiral CT was performed in 49 colorectal cancer patients (49 masses in total) before surgery. One or two slices were selected for each mass, with a total of 96 slices. The 96 slices were classified into two groups (pericolic infiltration or nonpericolic infiltration group) according to pathological data. Discriminant analysis was performed on the CT values between the mass and the corresponding pericolic tissue 5 mm from the mass at different time points as follows; 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 s. The discriminant function was calculated, and the pericolic infiltration determined by discriminant function and CT morphology were compared with the pathological results. The CT values in pericolic and non-pericolic infiltration groups at different enhancement time points were assessed using analysis of variance. Results The mean CT values ranged from (43. 6 ±7. 8) HU to (52. 3 ±0. 8) HU in the pericolic infiltration group, and ranged from (100.4±20.3)HU to(116.2±21.4)HU in the non.perieolic infiltration group.At 20 s and 40 s,the mean CT vshle8 were(43.6±27.8)HU and(50.9±27.8)HU in the perleolic infiltration group, (102.0±16.9)HU and(116.2 ±21.4)HU in the non-perieolic infiltration group,respectively.The mean CT value in the pericolic infiltration group was significantly lower than that in the non-pericolic infiltration group at all contrast enhancement time points(F=6.278,P<0.01).A diseriminant function Was obtained as follows:D=-3.450+0.023Xl±0.017X2-0.00lX12-0.001X22+0.002X1×X2. Based on the CT morphology of colorectal cancer,69 slices were identified correctly and 27 slices were fulsely interpreted.the sensitivity.speeificity and accuracy for perieolic infiltration determination were 82.5%,64.3%and 71.9%.respectively.Based on diseriminant function,85 slices were identified correctly and 11 slices were falsely interpreted.the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 85.0%.91.1%and 88.5%,respectively.Conclusion The discriminant function with dynamic enhanced 64-slice spiral CT can improve the diagnostic accuracy and specificity of perieolic infiltration in eolorectal cancer patients.

A novel subtype of influenza A virus 09H1N1 has rapidly spread across the world. Evolutionary analyses of this virus have revealed that 09H1N1 is a triple reassortant of segments from swine, avian and human influenza viruses. In this study, we investigated factors shaping the codon usage bias of 09H1N1 and carried out cluster analysis of 60 strains of influenza A virus from different subtypes based on their codon usage bias. We discovered that more preferentially used codons of 09H1N1 are A-ended or U-ended, and the intra-genomic codon usage bias of 09H1N1 is quite low. Base composition constraint, dinucleotide biases and translational selection are the main factors influencing the codon usage bias of 09H1N1. At the genome level, we find that the codon usage bias of 09H1N1 is similar to H1N1 (A/swine/Kansas/77778/2007H1N1), H9N2 from Asia, H1N2 from Asia and North America and H3N2 from North America. Our results provide insight for understanding the processes governing evolution, regulation of gene expression, and revealing the evolution of 09H1N1.

[Objective] To investigate the clinical value of using prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol in whole aorta and coronary arteries CT angiography combined with low tube voltage,low contrast medium injection rate and dose technology.[Methods]A total of 60 patients (heart rate≤ 75 bpm and normal heart rhythm) with suspected aortic disease or post-operation were randomly divided into 2 groups:G1 (n =30;tube voltage:80 kV;contrast medium injection rate:3 mL/s;contrast medium dose:0.65 mL/kg)and G2 (n =30;tube voltage:120 kV;contrast medium injection rate:4 mL/s;contrast medium dose:1.2 mL/kg).The two groups underwent aorta angiography with prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol by using 320-detector CT.The mean CT values and standard deviation of aorta,coronaries and adjacent adipose tissue were measured,signal to noise ratio (signal-to-noise ratio,SNR)and contrast to noise ratio (contrast-to-noise ratio,CNR) were calculated.The subjective quality scoring of 3-d post-processing images were evaluated independently by 2 senior radiologists.The mean CT values and standard deviation of aorta,coronaries and adipose tissue,SNR,CNR,subjective quality scoring,contrast medium dose and radiation dose were compared and analyzed.[Results] The abnormal and normal rate of aorta in two groups were 83.33％ (25/30),16.67％ (5/30) and 86.67％ (26/30),13.33％(4/30);while the abnormal and normal rate of coronary arteries in two groups were 43.33％ (13/30),56.67％ (17/30) and 53.33％(16/30),46.67％ (14/30).SNR values of ascending aorta,descending aorta,abdominal aorta,superior mesenteric artery,bilateral renal artery,left main coronary artery,left anterior descending branch,left circumflex branch,right coronary artery and CNR values of abdominal aorta,superior mesenteric artery,bilateral renal artery,left anterior descending branch,left circumflex branch had no statistical significance,while the other indicators were significant differences between the two groups.The radiation dose and the contrast medium dose of G1 was significantly lower than G2 (P ＜ 0.05).There was no difference in the subjective image quality of 3D post-processing images between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).[Conclusions] Using prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol in whole aorta and coronary arteries CT angiography combined with low tube voltage,low contrast medium injection rate and low contrast medium dose technology can help to reduce radiation and contrast medium dose without impacting on the imaging quality satisfactorily.

[Objective] To measure the diameter of the superior rectal vein (SRV) & theinferior mesenteric vein (IMV) by CT and analyze their relationship with lymphatic metastasis of rectal carcinoma.And to discuss the feasibility of utilizing SRV to prcdict lymph node metastasis of rectal cancer.[Methods] The CT imaging and pathological data of 105 rectal carcinoma patients were analyzed retrospectively.We measured and compared the diameter of every patient's SRV & IMV by CT in the presence and absence of microvascular tumor thrombus,signet ring cell,lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis.The accuracy of predicting lymph node metastasis for rectal carcinoma by the diameter of SRV were evaluated by ROC curve.[Results] There were statistical differences in the diameters of SRV and IMV between rectal cancer group with lymph node metastasis (D =4.34 mm,D =5.00 mm) and without (D =3.56 mm,D =4.81 mm;P ＜ 0.001,P =0.023).The differences were significant in the diameter of SRV between rectal cancer group with microvascular tumor thrombus or signet ring cell and without (P =0.019,P =0.044).However,the diameter of IMV showed no statistical difference between rectal cancer group with microvascular tumor thrombus or signet ring cell and without (P =0.605,P =0.663).And there was no statistical difference in the diameter of SRV or IMV between rectal cancer patients with distant metastasis and without (P ＞ 0.05).Regarding 3.75 mm as the cut-off value for the diameter of SRV to predict lymph node metastasis for rectal cancer patients,the sensitivity was 90.9％ and the specificity was 82.0％.Regarding 4.65 mm as the cut-off value for the diameter of IMV to predict lymph node metastasis for rectal cancer patients,the sensitivity was 87.3％ and the specificity was 38％.[Conclusions] It is completely feasible to utilize the diameter of SRV measured by CT to predict lymph node metastasis of rectal carcinoma with high sensitivity,accuracy,and relatively high specificity.