Objective To compare the virtual non-enhanced chest CT (VNCT)generated from spectral CT with conventional non-enhanced chest CT in patients with lung disease in terms of CT number accuracy and image quality.Methods A total of 30 patients with lung disease proved by pathology underwent the conventional non-enhanced thoracic CT and contrast enhanced CT with spectral imaging mode in arterial phase (AP)and venous phase (VP).The VNCT images were reconstructed based on the enhanced spectral CT imaging data.The mean CT number,signal to noise ratio (SNR)for the lesions and image quality score were obtained and compared between the true non-contrast CT (TNCT)and the VNCT (including AP and VP)with paired t test.Results The mean±standard deviation for CT number were (38.74±5.17)HU,(39.08±5.07)HU and (38.96± 5.18)HU for TNCT,VNCT at AP and VNCT at VP,respectively, with no statistical difference (P>0.05).All 3 sets of images demonstrated acceptable image quality,even though there were statistically significant differences in the SNR value and image quality score.The mean ± standard deviation values for SNR were 4.74±0.42 with TNCT, 3.79 ± 0.5 1 with VNCT at AP and 3.77 ± 0.39 with VNCT at VP (P <0.05),and the image quality scores were 5.00 ±0.00 with TNCT,4.17±0.65 with VNCT at AP and 4.17±0.53 with VNCT at VP (P<0.05).Conclusion In patients with lung disease,the vir-tual non-enhanced CT images generated from spectral CT provide accurate CT numbers for lesions and acceptable image quality com-pared with the true non-contrast CT.VNCT may be used to replace TNCT to improve work flow and reduce radiation dose.

Aim To test the contribution of 15-HETE on expression of KV1.5 channel under hypoxia condition,using CDC or NDGA to block 15-LO/15-HETE,and to observe the effect of hypoxia on KV1.5 channel protein,mRNA expressions in cultured rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells(PASMCs)and pulmonary arterials(PAs).Methods Western blot,RT-PCR and 15-LO blockers,cinnamyl 3,4-dihydroxy-[alpha]-cyanocinnamate(CDC)or nordihydroguiairetic acid(NDGA)were used to identify the role of endogenous 15-HETE on expression of KV1.5 channel in cultured rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells(PASMCs)and PAs.Results(1)The expressions of KV1.5 channel protein and mRNA in PASMCs and PAs preteated with CDC or NDGA greatly increased than those of PASMCs under hypoxia group.(2)Exogenous 15-HETE added to PASMCs pretreated with CDC or NDGA greatly decreased the expression of KV1.5 than that of adding PASMCs pretreated with CDC or NDGA under hypoxia condition.Conclusion The down-regulation of KV1.5 channel expression caused by hypoxia is through endogenous 15-HETE.

Objective To compare the clinical application of Da Vinci robot surgical system (RSS) with traditional open surgery (TOS).Methods From Feb 2015 to Jul 2016,48 cases of upper abdominal surgical disease patients were divided into RSS group (23 cases) and TOS group (25 patients) randomly.Results The anesthesia time [(194 ±16)min vs.(181 ±11)min,t=3.262,P=0.002] and operation time [(167 ± 14) min vs.(158 ± 14) min,t =2.292,P =0.027] were much longer in the RSS,while the blood loss during operation significantly less than the TOS [(128 ± 62) ml vs.(190 ± 86) ml,t =-2.886,P =0.006].The RSS has obvious advantages in 24 h-drainage [(69 ± 27) ml vs.(114 ± 54) ml.t =-3.680,P =0.001],time to out-of-bed activity [(27.7 ± 8.0) h vs.(35.7 ± 9.9) h,t =-3.067,P =0.004],BPS,postoperative exhausting time[(27.2 ±5.9)h vs.(32.8 ±8.3)h,t =-2.690,P =0.01] and length of hospital stay [(10.4 ± 1.8) d vs.(11.8 ± 1.9) d,t =-2.600,P =0.013].But the total hospital cost was higher in RSS [(117 000 ± 10 000) yuan vs.(77 000 ± 8 000) yuan,t =15.087,P =0.000)].Conclusions The RSS is a much minimally invasive surgery,reducing blood loss and postoperative pain,promoting rapid recovery,shortening hospital stay.

PurposeTo explore the feasibility of personalized energy spectrum scanning in upper abdomen CT by comparing the image quality and radiation dose of optimizing choice spectrum scanning protocol with conventional 120 kVp scan.Material and Methods Sixty patients undergoing abdominal CT scan with and without contrast enhancement were prospectively collected and randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (30 patients) underwent conventional 120 kVp scan and spectral enhancement scanning; group B (30 patients) underwent spectrum scan and 120 kVp enhancement scanning. Spectral scanning protocol was based on individual choice with conventional 120 kVp NI10-5 mm average mAs scan for every patient. The CT dose index of volume (CTDIvol) and effective dose (ED) during non-contrast phase and portal venous phase were recorded. The CT value, standard deviation (SD), signal noise ratio (SNR) and contrast noise ratio (CNR) were measured in the liver parenchyma, spleen parenchyma and portal venous trunk.Results The CTDIvol and ED of spectrum scanning were less than 120 kVp scan but there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). The SD of group B GSI imaging was less than group A 120 kVp (P<0.05), while the SNR was greater than group A. The SD of group A GSI portal venous phase in the liver, spleen and portal vein was less than group B 120 kVp (P<0.05).ConclusionThe optimized energy spectrum scanning protocol can reduce radiation dose with quality of single energy image from the energy spectrum equal to or better than the conventional 120 kVp scanning protocol. Personalized energy spectrum scan protocol provides multi-parameter diagnosis and multi-application platform and can be used routinely in the upper abdomen scan.

Objective To study the diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT)in patients with sepsis in early stage. Methods In the perspective study, 168 patients enrolled were classified into three groups,ncluding 31 cases in control group,37 cases in SIRS group and 100 cases in general sepsis group. The latter were com-posed of moderate sepsis sub-group with 36 cases, severe sepsis sub-group with 40 cases and septic shock sub-group with 24 cases. Indexes of inflammation, SOFA and concentration of PCT in all patients were determined and their cor-relation with sepsis prognosis was analyzed. Results The level of PCT and CRP is 3.1 ± 2.3 μg/L and 34.7 ± 28.0 mg/L in SIRS group,is 10.8 ± 8.1 μg/L and 106.8 ± 69.3 mg/L in general sepsis group respectively. Which are higher than the level of PCT (0.3 ± 0.2 μg/L )and CRP (4.1 ± 2.9 mg/L)in control group (P < 0.01 ). Higher con-centration of PCT and CRP were found in general sepsis groups than these in SIRS group. The difference is prominem.Moreover,an increasing trend of PCT with the more serious of illness was found in subgroup analysis ,but not in CRP.According to the receiver operating characteristic curves( ROC curves) ,The best cutoff values in the diagnosis of sep-sis were >4.395 μg/L for PCT,>51.8 mg/L for CRP and >4.0 for SOFA score. Condusion PCT and CRP are useful diagnostic parameters with high specificity in early sepsis. PCT combining with SOFA score can be used as ide-al quantitative index to estimate the severity of sepsis and prognosis in patients with sepsis.

AIM: To explore the effect of L-carnitine on nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) in cardiomyocytes under H2O2 stimulation.METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells were stimulated by H2 O2 at concentration of 200μmol/L for 12 h to induce oxidative stress injury.In treatment group, L-carni-tine and cyclosporin A ( CsA) , a specific inhibitor of calcineurin ( CaN) , were administered 30 min prior to H2 O2 stimula-tion.After treatment, total, cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 protein levels were determined by Western blotting.The method of immunofluoresence was used to evaluate the distribution of NFATc3.RESULTS: H2 O2 treatment produced no effect on the expression of total NFATc3, but caused its translocation from the cytosolic to nuclear compartment, which was greatly blunted by L-carnitine pretreatment.CONCLUSION:L-carnitine antagonized oxidative stress injury via alleviating NFATc3 nuclear translocation.

Objective To investigate the effect of lidocaine on the LPS-induced NF-κB activity in rat peritoneal macrophages. Methods The peritoneal macrophages obtained from male Wistar rats were placed in 12-well plates at 2 × 106 cell/ml after being cultured for 3 days. Each well contained 1 ml of cell suspension. The cells were randomized into control group (group C), LPS group and 3 LPS + lidocaine group S (group LL1.2.3)(n = 10 wells each). In group LPS and LL1,2,3, the cells were exposed to LPS 100 ng/ml. In group LL1,2,3 the cells were exposed to lidocaine 2, 20 200 kg/ml respectively in addition to LPS 100 ng/ml. After being incubated for 24 h, the HMGB1 concentration in the supernatant (by ElISA) and HMGB1 mRNA expression (by RT-PCR)and NF-κB activity in the cells were measured. Results LPS signiticantly increased HMGB1 concentration,HMGB1 mRNA expression and NF-κB activity in the supernatant. Lidocaine treatment significantly attenuated the LPS-induced increase in HMGB1 concentration HMGB1 mRNA expression and NF-κB activity in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Lidocaine can inhibit NF-κB activity in the rat peritoneal macrophages and in turn inhibit the synthesis and release of HMGB1.

Objective To explore the application of low dose of radiation combined with low concentration of contrast medium in the energy spectrum CT of the coronary artery angiography.Methods 60 patients with suspected diagnosis of coronary heart disease were randomly divided into A,B two groups,30 cases in each group.Group A with 350 mg I/mL contrast agent,undergoing conventional CT scanning;Group B using 300 mg I/mL contrast agent,the gems energy spectrum CT scanning with low-dose.Two groups both adopted forward-looking heart switch control scanning mode.After scanning,group A reconstructed conventional images of 40% ASiR sequence,group B rebuilded axial surface images of single energy 65 keV and 40% ASiR sequence,all the reconstruction images were introduced to AW4.6 workstations used for analysis.Double-blind subjective rating was done by two experienced doctors to measure CT values and SD of aortic sinus (AS),left main (LMA),the left anterior descending branch proximal (LAD-p),left circumflex branch proximal (LCX-p), right coronary artery proximal (RCA-p)and pericardial fat,AS the noise (SD),to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)and contrast to noise ratio (CNR),to calculate the effective doses of radiation(ED)by recording CTDI and DLP,and to record iodine intake.By using two independent samples t test to compare two groups of patients’the effective radiation doses,iodine intake,the average CT value,SD,SNR and CNR.Results The subjective image quality score differences and coronary measuring section CT values between the two groups had no statistical significance.In the aspects of effective radiation dose,group B reduced about 29% compared to group A,the difference was statistically significant.Iodine intake in group B decreased about 16% than in group A.Conclusion In coronary artery CT imaging, spectral scanning with low dose of radiation and reconstruction images with single energy can effectively reduce the radiation dose and iodine intake,at the same time it can obtain the approximate image quality like conventional scanning.

Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients. To improve the outcomes of patients undergoing a surgery, new adjuvant therapies that can effectively inhibit metastases have to be developed. Studies have shown that flavonoid naringenin, a natural product that is mainly present in grapes and citrus, may contribute to cancer prevention. It has many advantages compared to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as low toxicity. To determine whether naringenin can also inhibit metastases, a breast cancer resection model that mimics clinical situations was established. We found that orally administered naringenin significantly decreased the number of metastatic tumor cells in the lung and extended the life span of tumor resected mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that T cells displayed enhanced antitumor activity in naringenin treated mice, with an increased proportion of IFN-γ and IL-2 expressing T cells. In vitro studies further demonstrated that relief of immunosuppression caused by regulatory T cells might be the fundamental mechanism of metastasis inhibition by naringenin. These results indicate that orally administered naringenin can inhibit the outgrowth of metastases after surgery via regulating host immunity. Thus, naringenin can be an ideal surgical adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients.
Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Interleukin-2 ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid(ALA)on 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA)-induced autophagy in human neuroblastoma(SH-SYSY)cells and its possible mechanisms.Methods SH-SYSY cells were divided into 5 groups:blank control group (group A),ALA group (group B),6-OHDA group(group C),ALA+6-OHDA group(group D),and rapamycin(RAPA)group (group E).The cell viability,cell apoptosis,and oxidative stress were assayed and analyzed in A-D group.The expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ,AMP-activated protein kinase(AMP-K),phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK),the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR were detected by Western blot in A-E group.Results Compared with the blank control group,the 6-OHDA group significantly reduced the cell viability(P ＜ 0.01) and p-mTOR protein expression (P ＜0.05),and increased the cellular apoptosis rate(P＜0.01),oxidative stress level(P ＜0.01),LC3-Ⅱ protein expression(P＜0.05,with the highest level at 6 h after treatment),and p-AMPK protein expression(P＜＜0.05).There was no significant difference in these indices between ALA group and the blank control group.Compared with 6-OHDA group,ALA+ 6-OHDA group showed that the cell viability(P ＜ 0.01) and p-mTOR protein expression (P ＜ 0.05) were increased,while the cellular apoptosis rate(P＜0.01),oxidative stress level(P＜0.01),LC3-Ⅱ protein expression(P ＜0.05),and p-AMPK protein expression (P ＜ 0.05)were decreased.Conclusions The 6-OHDA can induce oxidative stress and autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells and decrease the cell viability.ALA can alleviate the 6-OHDA-induced cell injury possibly by inhibiting autophagy via AMPK/mTOR pathway.