Objective To evaluate the value of iterative modal reconstruction (IMR) for reducing radiation dose and controlling image quality in cardiac CT. Methods Ten pigs were included. All pigs were scanned on a 256?slice prospectively ECG?gated cardiac CT utilizing routine dose (group A) and tube current reduced by 30%(group B), 50%(group C) and 70%(group D), respectively. Filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose4) and IMR were used for all data, respectively. Image noise and contrast?to?noise ratio (CNR) of ascending aortic root were measured, while overall image quality and coronary artery image quality was rated (five point scale). All results reconstructed by FBP, iDose 4 and IMR were compared. Objective measurements were compared with one?way analysis of variance, and subjective assessments were compared with Kruskal?Wallis H test andχ2 test. Results Compared with that of FBP and iDose4, image noise of IMR was(15.1 ± 6.1),(18.8 ± 5.5),(22.1 ± 4.8)and(33.0 ± 4.0)HU, respectively in group A, B, C and D with significant reduction (F=82.77, 90.71, 96.59, 95.51 respectively, all P<0.01). Using IMR, groups A, B, C, D had higher CNR (42.0±11.1, 37.2±10.4, 31.4±8.7, 23.7±7.0;F=50.65, 53.55, 76.60, 57.36, all P<0.01) and overall image quality (5.0 ± 0.0, 4.8 ± 0.4, 4.6 ± 0.5, 4.5 ± 0.5;H=20.96, 15.63, 18.66, 23.56, all P<0.01) than FBP and iDose4. Using IMR, group A (100%, 40/40) and group B (100%, 40/40) had no significant difference (P>0.05) in the diagnosis rates of proximal coronary arteries compared with that using FBP and iDose4, while group C (100%, 40/40) and group D(92%, 37/40) had significantly increased diagnosis rates (χ2=20.05, 45.72, both P<0.01). The diagnosis rates of distal coronary arteries of IMR reconstruction which were 100%(50/50), 98%(49/50), 90%(45/50), 78%(39/50), respectively in groups A, B, C, D had significant increase compared with that of FBP and iDose4 reconstruction (χ2=7.39, 16.75, 34.62, 81.33, all P<0.05). Conclusions IMR can significantly reduce image noise, improve CNR and image quality compared with iDose4. Application of IMR can reduce radiation dose but without compromising image quality.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy difference of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome.

METHODSNinety male patients of methamphetamine addiction were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, an auricular acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiaji (EX-B 2) at T5 and L2 were selected bilaterally. In the auricular acupuncture group, jiaogan (AH(6a)), shenmen (TF4), fei (CO14) and gan (CO12) were selected unilaterally. The treatment was given 3 times a week, totally 12 treatments were required. In the control group, no any intervention was applied. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks treatment, the scores of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were observed in each group.

RESULTSThe total score of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score were obviously reduced in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment as compared with those before treatment in the electroacupuncture group and the auricular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and showed a trend of gradual decline as the extension of treatment. In 1,2,3,4 weeks of treatment, the total score of withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score in the electroacupuncture group and auricular acupuncture group were lower significantly than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), in which, the total score of withdrawal syndrome in the electroacupuncture group was lower significantly than that in the auricular acupuncture group in the 4th week of treatment (3.69 +/- 2.446 vs 5.73 +/- 3.169, P < 0.05); the anxiety scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (8.19 +/- 4.57 vs 9.65 +/- 4.24, 5.27 +/- 2.89 vs 7.38 +/- 3.10, both P < 0.05); the depression scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (15.35 +/- 5.64 vs 19.81 +/- 5.37, 10.96 +/- 4.52 vs 15.00 +/- 4.53, 7.96 +/- 2.69 vs 12.35 +/- 3.59, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at the body points and auricular acupuncture play the therapeutic role in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety and depression. The longer time the treatment is with electroacupuncture at the body points, the more obvious the efficacy will be on the above symptoms.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methamphetamine ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) S gene-modified dendritic cells (DCs) might induce a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response.

METHODSThe recombinant adenoviruses carrying HBsAg genes were prepared and used to transfect DCs generated from cord blood. The efficacy of transfection was observed through the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in DCs and the expression of HBsAg was detected by ELISA. HBV S gene-modified DCs were co-cultured with T cells from cord blood and T cells stimulating activities were detected using mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The CTL assay was carried out to assess the ability of CTL lines to lyse target cells of HepG(2)22.1.5 by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release.

RESULTSThe results showed that HBV S genes were expressed in DCs with high efficacy by recombinant adenoviral vector. DCs had a normal shape after transfection. The result of MLR showed that HBV S gene-modified DCs could effectively stimulate naive T cells to proliferate. The induced specific CTL lines could lyse target cells of HepG(2)22.1.5.

CONCLUSIONSHBV S gene-modified DCs enhanced the function to induce a specific CTL effect, showing its promise for developing anti-viral vaccine in future.

Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore whether there is phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and study the effect of Tujian Mixture (TJM) on it.

METHODSSD rats were divided into the normal control group (NC group, n = 8), the unilateral nephrectomized control group (QC group, n = 8), the STZ induced diabetes mellitus with unilateral nephrectomy model group (DM group, n = 8), the Valsartan treated group (VT group, n = 8) and the TJM treated group (ZY group, n = 9), rats in the latter two groups were modeled as in the DM group and treated with Valsartan (20 mg/kg.d) and TJM (20 g/kg.d) respectively for 12 weeks. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in rats glomeruli were observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and the ratio of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 positive area/total glomerule tuft area (SMA/GT and TGF/GT) were analyzed using computer-assisted image analysis software.

RESULTSIn the NC and the QC groups, only trace of alpha-SMA positive staining was found. But there was prominant alpha-SMA positive staining in glomeruli of the DM group, with SMA/GT and TGF/GT increased significantly (P < 0.01), and marked increase of 24 hrs proteinuria excretion (P < 0.01). As compared with the DM group, the three indexes were all significantly lower in the VT and ZY groups (P < 0.01), and the lowering of proteinuria was more significant in the ZY group than that in the VT group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of alpha-SMA in glomeruli in STZ induced diabetic rats with unilateral nephrectomy is pronounced, indicating that phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. TJM and Valsartan can reduce 24 hrs proteinuria excretion, inhibit the phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells and the expression of TGF-beta 1 in glomeruli of diabetic rats, and the effect of TJM is more potent than that of Valsartan in lowering urinary protein excretion.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glomerular Mesangium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study short-term results and clinical application of Tri-lock BPS in total hip arthoplasty.

METHODSFrom May 2010 to July 2011, 32 hips in 31 patients (18 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 50 to 77 years old, with an average of 60.5 years old) were treated by total hip arthroplasty with Tri-lock BPS, including 8 patients with osteonecrosis (ON), 13 patients with fresh femoral neck fracture, 10 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The therapeutic effects were evaluated by self assessment form, preoperative and postoperative Harris hip score, radiographs, Engh score and bone in growth of femoral side described by Gruen. Based on the short-term results,its design characteristic and clinical properties were analyzed.

RESULTSAll the incisions healed well and there were no complications such as femoral fracture, infection, dislocation and neurovascular injuries. All the patients were followed up with an average time of 12.2 months (ranged, 10 to 14 months). All the joints had good or excellent clinical results. The Harris score increased from preoperative 38.3 +/- 4.9 to 92.5 +/- 11.2 at the latest follow-up (t = 27.53, P < 0.01). Radiographically, the positions of the prostheses were normal,the average limbs length and femoral eccentricity recovered to normal. X-ray of the hips showed that the femoral stem prosthesis was in line with good initial fixed standard. At 3 months after surgery, X-ray of the hips showed that bone in growth in Gruen II and VI of femoral side.

CONCLUSIONShort-term results show that the design of Tri-lock BPS is more in line with human anatomy, and has the advantages in rapid recovery of hip function and retains more bone mass. It offers a newly valuable technology for the treatment of osteonecrosis, femoral neck fracture and DDH and so on.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

objective To compare three risk prediction system,the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity(POSSUM),the Portsmouth POSSUM (P-POSSUM)and the colorectal POSSUM(Cr-POSSUM)for the accuracy in predicting operative mortality of patients of colorectal cancer in a single Chinese referral hospital setting. Methods Data of 903 patients,who undergone surgery for colon and rectal cancers from 1992 to 2005 at Peking University Third Hospital,were enrolled in the study.POSSUM,P-POSSUM and Cr-POSSUM was used respectively to predict the mortality rate.ROC curve was applied to judge the differentiation ability of each score.Model goodness-or-fit was tested by the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic and subgroup analysis was performed by the ratio of observed to expected deaths(O∶E ratio). Results The actual inhospital mortality in our series was 1.0%(9/903).The oredicted mortality rate by POSSUM,P-POSSUM and Cr-POSSUM were 5.6%,2.8% and 4.8%respectively.These predicted mortality rate were significantly higher than actual mortality of our patients.The O∶E ratio was 0.18,0.35 and 0.2 respectively. Conclusion The predicted mortality rate of POSSUM,P-POSSUM and Cr-POSSUM were significantly higher than actual observed mortality rate in a single Chinese referral hospital for patients of colorectal cancer.

Objective To evaluate a score system(Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland ACPGBI)in prediction of postoperative mortality from colorectal cancer patients in a Chinese hospital. Methods We analyzed retrospectively 904 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal cancer who had colorectal surgery from 1992 to 2005.There were 525 colonic cancer patients and 379 rectal cancer patients.We divided patients into several groups according to operative urgency(elective or emergency);surgeons(colorectal specialists or other surgeons);cancer location(colon or rectal).According to ACPGBI score we got the prediction.This prediction was compared with the actual mortality;Chi-square test,receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC),Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were used.Results Observed overall mortality within 30 days after surgery was 1.0%(9/904),and the predicted mortality was 8.3%(75/904).In all the subgroups the predicted momdity wag higher than observed mortality.We found that the actual mortality was higher in an individual subgroup in which the predicted mortality was higher. Conclusions For colorectal cancer patients undergoing a surgery the predicted mortality of ACPGBI score system was higher than the actual mortality in a Chinese hospital.

Objective To explore the effects of thyroid hormone on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx6.1 in offspring of hypothyroidism rats and the relationship between gene expression and hormone level by supplying their hypothyroidism pregnant mother with thyroid hormone. Method A total of 240 Wistar rats were half nude and half female. Female rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, hypothyroidism group, hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone in high, medium and low dosage in early stage(1- 17 d) and in late stage( 18 - 20 d). According to 100 grams of body weight, the concentration of thyroid hormone were 3.5,2.0,0.5 μg/d in high, medium and low dosage group. All the rats were fed with low-iodine food. The normal control group was given KIO_3 solution and the other groups were given deionized water. After three months female rats were mated with male rats. The content of Nkx6.1 mRNA in brain tissue of 17-day fetal rats, new-born and 20- day old offspring by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR techniques. Results①A rat model of hypothyroidism was successfully established, there were statistical significance between 8 groups in TT_3,TT_4,FT_3,FT_4(F=4.08,31.99,5.79,26.34, all P < 0.01 ). ② The expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(F = 758.720, 1121.589,144.716, all P < 0.01 ) between groups in 17-day fetal rats, new-bern and 20-day old offsprings and intra- groups in different time (F=2898.863,325.605,716.285,56.329,236.727,196.678,7115.752,9152.306, all P < 0.01 ). ③The time factor and dosage factor had influence on Nkx6.1 mRNA expression(F = 1176.655,246.530, all P < 0.01 ). There were interaction between time and dosage factor(F = 1249.934, P < 0.01 ). ④Comparison of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism group and normal control group had significant difference in the above three time points(all P < 0.01 ). ⑤Comparisons of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between 6 hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism group had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) in new-bern and 20-day old offspring; comparisons of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with high and medium thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism group had significant difference in 17-day fetal rats(all P < 0.01 ). ⑥Comparison of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with medium thyroid hormone in early stage and normal control group had no statistical significance (all P > 0.05), while between the other 5 groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone and normal control group had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) in the above three time points.⑦Multiple comparison of early stage groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone showed that the expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(all P < 0.01) between high, low dosage groups and medium group in 17-day fetal rats, new-bern and 20-day offspring(all P< 0.01). ⑧Multiple comparison of late stage groups supplied with thyroid hormone showed that old offspring and between high dosage groups and low dosage groups in 17-day fetal rats and 20-day the expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) between three groups in new-bern and 20- day old offspring. Conclusion The expression of Nkx6.1 in rats offspring is highly related to the supply dosage and supply time of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism pregnant rats.

Coinfection ; complications ; virology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; virology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; virology ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged