1.Optimization of low-dose protocol in thoracic aorta CTA : weighting of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm and scanning parameters
Yongxia ZHAO ; Jin CHANG ; Ziwei ZUO ; Changda ZHANG ; Tianle ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2014;34(11):867-869
Objective To investigate the best weighting of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm and optimized low-dose scanning parameters in thoracic aorta CT angiography(CTA).Methods Totally 120 patients with the body mass index (BMI) of 19-24 were randomly divided into 6 groups.All patients underwent thoracic aorta CTA with a GE Discovery CT 750 HD scanner (ranging from 290-330 mm).The default parameters (100 kV,240 mAs) were applied in Group 1.Reconstructions were performed with different weightings of ASIR (10%-100% with 10%),and the signal to noise ratio (S/N) and contrast to noise ratio (C/N) of images were calculated.The images of series were evaluated by 2 independent radiologists with 5-point-scale and lastly the best weighting were revealed.Then the mAs in Group 2-6 were defined as 210,180,150,120 and 90 with the kilovoltage 100.The CTDIvoland DLP in every scan series were recorded and the effective dose (E) was calculated.The S/N and C/N were calculated and the image quality was assessed by two radiologists.Results The best weighing of ASIR was 60% at the 100 kV,240 mAs.Under 60% of ASIR and 100 kV,the scores of image quality from 240 mAs to 90 mAs were(4.78 ±0.30)-(3.15 ±0.23).The CTDIvol and DLP were 12.64-4.41 mGy and 331.81-128.27 mGy,and the E was 4.98-1.92 mSv.The image qualities among Group 1-5 were nor significantly different (F =5.365,P > 0.05),but the CTDIvol and DLP of Group 5 were reduced by 37.0% and 36.9%,respectively compared with Group 1.Conclusions In thoracic aorta CT Angiography,the best weighting of ASIR is 60%,and 120 mAs is the best mAs with 100 kV in patients with BMI 19-24.
2.Synchronous 12-lead electrocardiogram analysis of normal Japanese white rabbits
Ziwei HENG ; Shumei YAN ; Chao CHANG ; Guizhi LIU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2016;26(12):20-26,65
Objective To observe the 12-lead ECG ( electrocardiogram ) characteristics of Japanese rabbits , and provide basic ECG data for cardiovascular disease research .Methods The 12-lead ECG and X-rays of 55 male Japanese rabbits were recorded in supine position after intraperitoneal injection of 20% urethane.Results ECG:① The 12-lead ECG characteristics of male Japanese rabbits were similar to humans .The rabbit heart rate was 265.5 ±36.8 beats/min, faster than that of humans .No arrhythmia was found in all the 55 rabbits.② The supine position average ECG axis was between 19 °to 250 °, varying a lot .③P wave:The shape of P wave was blunt round or a little bit sharp .P waves were all in accordance with the sinus P wave rules , which were more obvious in lead II , aVF and all chest leads .④ The PR interval was 0.063 ±0.007 s.⑤The QRS duration was 0.040 ±0.005 s.The main waves were mostly upward in leadsⅡ,Ⅲ, and aVF .The same as humans , the R/S ratios were increased by degrees in chest leads .⑥The ST segment was short, and was located in the equipotential line .⑦ The shapes of T wave were mostly round , partly had twin peaks .T waves were more obvious in leads Ⅱ,Ⅲ, aVR, and AVF and chest leads .⑧The QT interval was 0.142 ±0.015 s, and QTc was 0.306 ±0.034 s.In the X-rays, most heart shadows were in the center and right chest .Conclusions The normal values of 12-lead ECG characteristics of Japanese rabbits are obtained in this study , which are of certain application value in experimental studies of cardiovascular diseases .
3.Patients with different body mass index underwent liver enhanced CT scan:the influence of different noise indexes combined with iterative recombination algorithm on image quality and radiation dose
Yongxia ZHAO ; Hongna SUO ; Ziwei ZUO ; Yingjin XU ; Jin CHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2017;51(1):58-63
Objective To investigate the effect of different noise index (NI) combined with iterative recombination on the image quality and radiation dose of CT scan in patients with different body mass index (BMI). Method One hundred and sixty patients who had a liver CT enhanced scan were divided into group A (18 kg/m2≤BMI<24 kg/m2 ) and group B (24 kg/m2≤BMI<31 kg/m2) according to BMI, and each group had 80 patients. The two groups were randomly divided into 4 subgroups which NI value was 11, 13, 15 and 17 respectively. All images were restructured with 50% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Subjective evaluation, objective evaluation [signal noise ratio (SNR) and contrast noise ratio (CNR)] and the effective dose of each group were recorded and calculated after the scan. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to evaluated the difference of imaging quality and radiation dose. Results In group A, the SNR, CNR and the subjective score of the later arterial phase images showed a statistical difference between NI=17 group and other subgroups (P<0.05), while there was no statistical differences among the other three subgroups during three CT enhanced phase. The average ED of NI=15, 17 group were decreased by 57.56%(2.17/3.77) and 61.54% (2.32/3.77) compared with NI=11 group, respectively. In group B, the SNR, CNR and the subjective image scores of the later arterial phase showed a significant difference between NI=15 and NI=11, 13 group (P<0.05). There was a statistically difference of image quality in group NI=17 compared with the other three subgroups in the later arterial phase, portal venous phase and equilibrium phase (P<0.05). The average ED of NI= 13, 15 group was decreased by 26.41% (1.69/6.40) and 45.31%(2.90/6.40) compared with NI=11 group, respectively. Conclusion Upon maintaining diagnostic imaging quality, setting different NI according to BMI and applying the iterative reconstruction algorithm can effectively reduce the radiation dose of liver CT enhanced scanning.
4.Comparison of spectral imaging and conventional CT in CT angiography of the kidney: image quality and radiation dose
Yongxia ZHAO ; Ziwei ZUO ; Hongna SUO ; Yanmin WU ; Hengdi WANG ; Jin CHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2017;51(4):304-307
Objective To compare the image quality and radiation dose of CTA of the kidney in patients using routine CT and the spectral imaging combination of different scanning protocols with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction 2.0 algorithm (ASIR 2.0). Methods A total of 90 patients who had undergone a CTA of the kidney were divided into three groups (A, B and C), with 30 patients in each group. Group A underwent a routine CT examination, and the scan parameters are:120 kVp, 30 to 650 mA, rotation time 0.5 s/r, scan FOV 50 cm × 50 cm;while groups B and C underwent spectral imaging protocol 1 and 2, the scan parameters of spectral imaging protocol 1 and 2 are:rapid dual kVp (80-140 kVp) switching in 0.25 ms, 375 mA and 360 mA, rotation time 0.7 s/r and 0.6 s/r, scan FOV 36 cm × 36 cm and 32 cm × 32 cm, respectively. All images were reconstructured using ASIR 2.0. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of all images were calculated when the kidney CTA was completed. Each subjective image evaluation used a 5-point scoring method and was conducted by two independent radiologists. The CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were recorded, and the mean value was calculated. The DLP was converted to the effective dose (ED). All data were compared with Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way ANOVA. Results The energy level of 49 to 56 keV was found to provide the best CNR for displaying CTA of the kidney. There were significant differences in CT values, noise, SNR, CNR and subjective score between groups B, C and A (P<0.05), and there was no significant differences in CT values, noise, SNR, CNR and subjective score between groups B and C (P>0.05). There were significant differences in ED among groups A, B and C (P<0.05), and the ED of groups A, B and C were (8.2±1.2), (5.2± 0.9) and (4.4 ± 0.7) mSv, respectively. Conclusion Spectral imaging with different scanning protocols can more effectively reduce the radiation dose than the routine CT scan mode for a kidney CTA while still maintaining diagnostic image quality, and protocol 2 of spectral imaging in our study is recommended.
5.Research progress of prognosis-related lncRNA molecular markers in gastric cancer
Hui LIU ; Ziwei CHANG ; Qiumeng ZHANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Liwei JING
Journal of International Oncology 2019;46(7):434-438
Researches on gene sequencing find that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)does not encode protein, however,it participates in the biological pathway of gastric cancer and plays a certain role in the process of prognosis and outcome of gastric cancer. With the generation of gene databases and the popularity of computer algorithms,the researches on the prognosis-related lncRNA of gastric cancer are gradually increasing. The bioinformatics study of prognosis-related lncRNA of gastric cancer can provide ideas for experimental researches. It is expected to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer and improve prognosis by exploring more lncRNAs that are related to the prognosis of gastric cancer.
6.The chain mediating effect of adult attachment and psychological capital between parenting style and mental health of university students
Ziwei HUANG ; Kuo CHANG ; Yachao LI ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2022;31(8):736-742
Objective:To explore the chain mediating effect of adult attachment and psychological capital on the relationship between parenting style and mental health of university students.Methods:The short-form egna minnen av barndoms uppfostran (s-EMBU), experiences in close relationship inventory (ECR), positive psycap questionnaire (PPQ) and mental health scale for residents (MHSR) were adopted to test 1 415 students from 23 universities in Beijing.Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed by SPSS 24.0 software, the structural equation model was built by Mplus 8.0 software, and mediating effect analysis was conducted by Bootstrap method.Results:Mental health of university students (241.48±30.19) was positively correlated ( r=0.40-0.84, all P<0.01) with positive parenting style (father emotional warmth (2.97±0.67), mother emotional warmth (3.10±0.62)) and psychological capital (4.91±0.84). And the mental health of university students was negatively correlated ( r=-0.36--0.18, all P<0.01) with negative parenting style (father rejection (1.42±0.53), mother rejection (1.42±0.51), father overprotection (2.06±0.53), mother overprotection (2.18±0.55)) and adult attachment (attachment avoidance (3.31±0.88), attachment anxiety (3.66±0.97). Adult attachment was the mediation between parenting style (rejection, emotional warmth, over protection) and mental health ( β=-0.04, 0.04, -0.04, 95% CI=-0.08--0.01, 0.02-0.07, -0.07--0.02), while psychological capital was the mediation between parental emotional warmth and mental health ( β=0.21, 95% CI=0.14-0.26), both of which played a chain mediating role between parenting style and mental health ( β=-0.15, 0.11, -0.12, 95% CI=-0.21--0.10, 0.07-0.16, -0.18--0.07). Conclusion:Parenting style can not only directly affect mental health, but also indirectly affect mental health through the mediating role of adult attachment and the chain mediating role of adult attachment and psychological capital.
7.G protein?coupled estrogen receptor reduces renal ischemia?reperfusion injury by improving diastolic function of renal interlobular artery
Yuechen CHANG ; Ziwei HAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Yang ZHANG ; Ziyi FENG ; Ketao MA ; Zhiqin ZHANG ; Li LI ; Junqiang SI
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2018;34(11):838-844
Objective To investigate the effect of G protein?coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) on the diastolic function of renal interlobular artery and reduce renal ischemia?reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Female ovariectomized rats were divided into control group; ischemia?reperfusion injury (IRI) group;GPER?specific agonist (G1) intervention group;GPER?specific blocker+GPER?specific agonist (G15+G1) intervention group. Histopathological examination (HE staining), renal function test and Paller score were used to identify the success of the model and the degree of kidney damage. In vitro microvascular pressure diameter measuring instrument was used to detect the relaxation and contraction activity of renal interlobular artery in each group. Immunofluorescence technique was used to observe the expression of GPER on the renal interlobular artery. Westernblotting was used to detect the expression of GPER protein in renal interlobular artery of rats in each group. The NO content was determined by a nitrate reductase method. Results Compared with IRI group, serum BUN, Scr level and Paller score in G1 intervention group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The systolic rate of renal interlobar artery was significantly increased [(40.76 ± 1.57)% vs (29.78 ± 1.87)%, P<0.05]. The results of immunofluorescence showed that GPER was expressed in renal interlobular artery smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, and the expression of IRI group was higher than that of the control group. The expression of G15+G1 intervention group was lower than that of G1 intervention group (all P<0.05). Compared with the IRI group, the NO content in the G1 intervention group increased significantly (all P<0.05). Conclusions During renal ischemia ?reperfusion injury, GPER may regulate the systolic and diastolic activity of the renal interlobar artery by increasing the content of NO, so as to alleviate the renal ischemia?reperfusion injury.
8.18F-FDG PET/CT images quality and its impact factors in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease
Ziwei ZHU ; Zhi CHANG ; Xiaopeng SHI ; Xiaofen XIE ; Quan LI ; Jingjing MENG ; Yingfei PI ; Xue CAO ; Jian JIAO ; Xia LU ; Yingsheng ZHOU ; Xiaoli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2020;40(5):281-287
Objective:To evaluate the image quality (IQ) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and identify its influenfial factors in diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods:A total of 196 consecutive CAD patients (174 males, 22 females, 68 DM; age: (57±10) years) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between June 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent 18F-FDG myocardial PET/CT imaging. The standardized fasting+ oral glucose loading (OGL) and intravenously injection of insulin protocol was performed. According to the FDG uptake by myocardium, background activity in blood and other visceral organ nearby the heart, the IQ was visually evaluated and scored by 0-4. Zero-two was considered as good IQ, 3-4 was regarded as poor IQ. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (non-DM+ good IQ), group 2 (DM+ good IQ), group 3 (DM+ poor IQ). Factors which may affect IQ were analyzed, which including OGL, the injection dose of insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), peak blood glucose (PBG), blood glucose (BG) level at 18F-FDG injection (BG injnection), BG increasing rate ((PBG-FBG)/FBG, %), and BG decreasing rate ((PBG-BG injection)/PBG, %). One-way analysis of variance, Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results:There were significant differences ( F values: 13.074-38.371, all P<0.05) of FBG, PBG, OGL, BG decreasing rate and the injection dose of insulin among group 1 ( n=132, 67.3%), group 2 ( n=53, 27.1%), group 3 ( n=11, 5.6%). All those parameters, except for OGL, were positively correlated with FDG PET/CT IQ ( r s values: 0.142-0.262, all P<0.05). OGL was negatively correlated with IQ ( r s=-0.324, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that FBG (odds ratio ( OR)=0.687, 95% CI: 0.633-0.746), PBG( OR=0.786, 95% CI: 0.746~0.829), BG injection( OR=0.631, 95% CI: 0.595-0.716), OGL( OR=0.897, 95% CI: 0.873-0.922), the injection dose of insulin( OR=0.680, 95% CI: 0.618-0.748) were predictive factors (all P<0.01) for good IQ in all patients. For DM patients, OGL was the only predictive factor for good IQ( OR =0.940, 95% CI: 0.904-0.960; P<0.01). Conclusions:FBG, PBG, BG injection, OGL, the injection dose of insulin can predict IQ for all patients with CAD. For DM patients with CAD, OGL is the only predictive factor for good IQ. A good IQ of 18F-FDG PET/CT could be obtained in majority of CAD patients, with the standardized fasting + OGL and intravenously injection of insulin protocol and adjust according to the personal status, and prevent the hypoglycemia from happening.
9.Effects of rotenone exposure during pregnancy on GSK-3β and β-catenin protein expression in rat placenta
Ziwei DENG ; Lingqin ZHU ; Mi TIAN ; Xiaoyu CHANG ; Dandan CHEN ; Guanghua LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(4):471-479
Background Research on non-target organ damage of biological pesticides has attracted much attention. Rotenone exposure may be far beyond the occupational environment, and the exposureduring pregnancy may be increased through bioaccumulation, fruit or vegetable residues, and other forms of oral intake. At present, the effects of rotenone on placental development and its mechanism are still unknown. Objective To investigate the developmental damage of rat placenta and evaluate the expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β) and beta catenin (β-catenin) followed by rotenone exposure through the placental barrier during pregnancy, as well as to propose possible associated mechanisms. Methods Eighteen sexually mature SD female infertile rats without specific pathogens were selected and divided into three groups: blank control group (0.9% saline), corn oil group, and rotenone group (corn oil + 2 mg·kg−1 rotenone) by random number method, six female animals in each group. Another six male rats were selected and mated to the female rats at night with a female to male ratio of 3:1 per cage. Pregnant rats were given 0.9% saline, corn oil, and 2 mg·kg−1 rotenone preparation by isovolumetric gavage once daily for the entire gestation period (19 d), and their conditions were observed after the last dose. The pregnant rats were anesthetized, and the size of the placenta and blood perfusion were detected by ultrasound the next day of the last dose of rotenone. Then, 3 pregnant rats in each group were sacrificed immediately and the placenta and umbilical cord tissues were dissected. The remaining 9 pregnant rats gave birth naturally, and the fetuses were observed for developmental evaluation and weighed. The histopathological changes of umbilical cord and placenta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The reactive oxygen species levels of placenta tissues were detected by flow cytometry. The Ca2+-ATPase activity of placenta tissues was detected by colorimetric method. The localization and levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin expression of placenta were detected by immunohistochemistry. The p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β and p-β-catenin/β-catenin protein expression in placental tissues were measured by Western blotting. Results No injury or death was recorded during the pregnant rats receiving rotennon administration. Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal absorption and postpartum stillbirth were found in the rotenone group, and the weight of the fetal mice decreased (P<0.05). The B-ultrasound showed disc-shaped placenta with a thick middle and thin edge, smooth fetal surface, rough maternal surface, visible placental lobules, granular echotexture of the placenta with comma-like echogenic densities, and chorionic plate showing deep indentations, no calcification, degeneration, or necrosis in each group. Compared with the corn oil group, the fetal surface diameter of the placenta was reduced in the rotenone group (P<0.05). The Doppler color ultrasound showed that interplacental blood flow was reduced in the rotenone group, while interplacental blood flow was abundant in the blank control and the corn oil groups. The hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that smooth muscle cells in the umbilical cord tissues of rats were loosely arranged, with fuzzy nuclei and inflammatory infiltration in the rotenone group. The placental trophoblast cells were small in size, disorderly arranged with nuclear fragmentation and cytoplasm turbidity. The tissue reactive oxygen species level in the rotenone group was higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). The Ca2+-ATPase activity of placental tissues was reduced in the rotenone group (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence low-magnification observation showed that GSK-3β and β-catenin were expressed in placental tissue, weak fluorescence expression in the decidua basalis, strong fluorescence expression in the labyrinthine layer structure. The labyrinthine layer under high magnification showed that compared with the blank control group and the corn oil group, the brightness of β-catenin fluorescence expression in the rotenone group decreased (P<0.05), and the brightness of GSK-3β expression increased (P<0.05). The Western blotting results showed that the expression of β-catenin and p-GSK-3β proteins decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of GSK-3β protein increased (P<0.01) in the rotenone group. No significant expression of p-β-catenin protein was detected in the placenta tissue of each group. Conclusion Rotenone exposure during pregnancy induces placental hypoperfusion, growth retardation, and oxidative stress in rats, as well as down-regulation of β-catenin and p-GSK-3β protein expression, and up-regulation of GSK-3β protein expression, which may further lead to abnormal pregnancy and fetal restricted growth.
10. Changes of BKCa on vascular striaepericytes of D-galactose-induced aging model in guinea pigs
Ying ZHOU ; Huan LU ; Chaoyang TAN ; Zuwei QU ; Yuechen CHANG ; Ziwei HAN ; Junqiang SI ; Ketao MA ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2019;54(11):843-849
Objective:
The aging model of guinea pigs induced by D-galactose was set up to investigate the changes of BKCa expression and function on cochlear pericytes and their relationship with age-related hearing loss.
Methods:
Thirty healthy 8-week-old guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups, with 10 in each group: D-galactose aging model group, subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (500 mg/kg) daily for 6 weeks; saline control group, the same amount of saline was injected into the neck of the aging model group for 6 weeks; the blank control group, no treatment was performed. The threshold of auditory brainstem response (ABR) was detected. The content of BKCa in the perivascular cells of the guinea pig cochlear cells was detected by immunofluorescence technique. The changes of peripheral current density and BKCa current were detected by patch clamp technique. The data were analyzed by GraphPad Prism software.
Results:
Compared with the saline group and the control group, the ABR threshold and the amplitude of the wave I were significantly decreased in the aging model group, and the difference was statistically significant (