ObjectiveTo evaluate the significance of ankler-brachial index (ABI) to predict the extent of intracranial artery stenosis in ischemic stroke patients. Methods243 ischemic stroke patients were enrolled, brain angiography were examined and all of the ABI and basic data were collected. ResultsABI≤0.9 was associated with a specificity of 84.6% and a sensitivity of 16.8% for predicting the presence of severe stenosis in intracranial artery. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was (0.591±0.046) (P<0.05). ConclusionABI≤0.9 has a relative specificity and sensitivity for predicting the presence of severe stenosis of intracranial artery.

Objective To investigate the effect of treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with traditional Chinese medicine. Methods 110 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were treated with traditional Chinese medical pathway: Chinese herbal medicine soaking (incised notoptetygium rhizome, Chinese angelica, divaricate saposhnikovia root, safflower, dahurian angelica root, myrrh, common floweringqince fruit, and tuberculate speranskia herb, etc.)-Acupuncture-cervical traction-massage, once daily, 10 times as a course of treatment. After two courses, therapeutic effect score was analyzed. Results Of all 110 cases, 35 cases(31.82%)were cured; 53 cases(48.18%)had obvious effectiveness; 17 cases(15.45%)had effectiveness; 5 cases(4.55%)had no effectiveness. The total efficiency was 95.45%. The patient's age(χ2=0.296), sex(U=0.023), and duration of disease(χ2=0.577)had no significant effect on the efficacy(P>0.05);After the treatment, neck pain, upper extremity pain, upper extremity numbness, neck tenderness, intervertebral foramina compression test, sensory disturbances limbs, myodynamia of upper limbs, and tendon reflexes were significantly improved compared with before treatment, with significant difference(t=16.355、11.958、7.755、4.927、11.780、8.647、10.485、3.190、3.873、3.367,P<0.05). Conclusion The use of traditional Chinese medicine clinical pathway in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy was effective and it could improve the quality of medical care.

Objective To investigate the impact of calcification on differential diagnosis of thyroid nodule using shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods One hundred and forty-six patients with thyroid nodules were prospectively enrolled in the study. Ultrasound observations included nodule size, boundary, shape, envelope, internal echotexture, posterior acoustic enhancement, and the relationship with surrounding tissue. According to the presence of internal calciifcation, patients were divided into calciifcation group (groupⅠ) and no calciifcation group (groupⅡ). Real-time shear wave elastography (young′s modulus value) were taken in both groups. Taking surgical pathologic results as the gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of SWE in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodule were drawn for two groups respectively. Results In groupⅠ, 25 cases were benign and 38 cases were malignant. The malignant incidence was 60%. Among them the rate of malignant nodules in microcalcification group was 92%(24/26). The incidence of malignant nodules in coarse calcification group was 38%(14/37). The area under the curve (AUC) of SWE in groupⅠwas 0.564. In groupⅡ, 67 cases were benign and malignant had 16 cases. Using 30.43 kPa as the diagnostic point of young′s modulus value, the sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy and AUC were 93.2%, 81.2%, 84.8%and 0.824. Conclusion In no calciifcation group, SWE is more meaningful in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To explore the value of stress dual-phase (early and delayed phases)18 FFDG myocardial PET/CT in detection of myocardial ischemia.Methods Ten swine were prepared as ischemic models and underwent 3 imaging procedures:pre-model stress (8 swine),post-model rest (8 swine)and post-model stress dual-phase imaging (10 swine).To perform stress dual-phase imaging,the tested subjects were fasted for more than 12 h and underwent early-phase PET imaging at 50 min after the intravenous injection of 18F-FDG (5 MBq/kg) for 10 mins,and followed by a dobutamine stress test,and then delayed-phase PET imaging at 50 min after the stress test for another 10 mins.The post-model rest dual-phase imaging was performed in almost the same way except that there was no dobutamine-loading.18F-FDG uptake image was qualitatively analyzed and classified into 4 levels:1 =no uptake,2 =diffuse uptake,3 =focal uptake,4=focal on diffuse uptake.Level 1 or 2 was considered as normal.If the focal uptake (level 3 or 4)was found on anterior wall or septum,ischemia was diagnosed.x2 test was used to determine the difference of the rate of ischemic myocardium between the two phases.18F-FDG uptake ratio of the anterior wall to posterior wall (K) of the left ventricle was calculated (K1 for early phase and K2 for delayed phase).Wilcoxon rank sum test was applied to determine the difference between K1 and K2.Results CAG showed LAD stenosis ＞70％ in all swine.In pre-model stress dual-phase imaging,no ischemia was detected at two phases (8/8 for level 1 or 2,0 for level 3 or 4).There was no significant difference between K1 and K2(1.08±0.10,1.11 ±0.10; Z =-1.48,P＞0.05).In post-model rest dual-phase imaging,the rate of ischemic myocardium was not significantly different between early and delayed phases (1/8,3/8 ; x2 =0.50,P＞0.05).There was no significant difference between K1 and K2(1.47±0.28,1.28±0.40; Z=-2.02,P＞0.05).In post-model stress dual-phase imaging,the rate of ischemic myocardium between the two phases was statistically different (4/10,10/10;x2=4.17,P＜0.05),and the difference between K1 and K2 was also significant (1.55±0.32,1.86±0.39; Z=-2.49,P＜0.05).Conclusion Stress dual-phase 18F-FDG myocardial PET/CT might be useful for the diagnosis of ischemia.

Objective To detect content of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid by RP-HPLC and observe the inhibitory effect of phloroglucinol on catecholamine-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Methods This study used the principle of 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid transforming to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid under COMT’ s catalytic action. COMT (20 μL) was extracted from mouse liver homogenate. In a reaction system,10 μL catecol (1í10-3 mol·L-1 ) and 10 μL phloroglucinol (5í10-3 , 1í10-3 and 2í10-4 mol·L-1 ,respectively) were added. Products were determined by RP-HPLC to analyze effects of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid on COMT. Results Phloroglucinol had inhibitory effect on COMT activity at concentrations of 5í10-3 mol·L-1 ,1í10-3 mol·L-1 and 2 í10-4 mol ·L-1 ,with the inhibition rate being 25. 3% ,17. 6% and 8. 9% ,respectively. Conclusion Phloroglucinol has an inhibitory effect on COMT activity,which is weaker than the effect of catechol of the same concentration.

Objective To evaluate the practical value of 99m Tc-MIBI scintimammography and breast X-ray in the detection of breast cancer. Methods 100 female patients with 106 suspected focuses of breast cancer on clinical examination underwent 99m Tc-MIBI scintimammography and breast molybdenum target X-ray, and the results were compared with the pathological diagnosis. Results Compared with the histopathologic diagnosis , the sensitivity of molybdenum target X-ray for detecting primary breast cancer was 44.6% and the positive predictability was 31.7%. The specificity of 99m Tc-MIBI was 87.8% and the positive predictability was 76.9%. Conclusions In comparison with breast X-ray, 99m Tc-MIBI scintimammography is of greater clinical value in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

AIM: To observe the effect of (IFN-?1b) on morphology and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: HSC were cultured in vitro, and were treated with (IFN-?1b) and TGF-?_1. The changes of HSC on morphology were observed, and the expression of CTGF in HSC was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Phenomenon of apoptosis were observed in HSC treated with IFN-?1b. The expression of CTGF in HSC was decreased after treatment with (IFN-?1b) in control and TGF-?1-triggered groups. CONCLUSION: (IFN-?1b) is able to induce the apoptosis and suppress the expression of CTGF in HSC.

Objective To discuss the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol in treating giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region in infants. Methods During the period from October 2013 to December 2014 at Imaging Center of Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol was employed in a total of 27 infants with giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region. The age of the infants ranged from 2 months to 22 months (mean 5.9 months) and the body weight was 4.5-10 kg with a mean of 6.32 kg. Angiography via femoral artery was performed, which was followed by super-selective catheterization of hemangioma-feeding artery, and then pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion was injected into the hemangiomas with subsequent injection of PVA particles to obstruct the hemangioma-feeding artery. After the embolization treatment, the patient received oral propranolol for 3-6 months. Results All the infant patients were followed up for 3-6 months. Clinical examination and ultrasonography indicated that the hemangioma was cured in 20 infants (75%) and the therapeutic result was effective in 7 infants (25%). Skin necrosis at hemangiomas site was observed in 2 infants (7.5%), which was cured after symptomatic treatment. No serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, cerebral embolism occurred, and no recurrence was observed. Conclusion For the treatment of giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region in infants, transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol is minimally invasive, quickly effective and highly safe;and this treatment leaves no scar formation in most cases. Therefore, this technique is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To investigate the CT manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications in children. Methods Retrospective analysis of Clinical and CT findings in 25 cases with pathologically proved Meckel's diverticulum. The unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT were obtained in all patients. Results (1)The direct signs: the diverticulum cannot be shown in 5 cases; the diverticulums were found around the navel or in lower right abdomen in 20 cases. The blind-ending fluid-filled or gas-filled structures were found in 9 cases, with heterogeneous ring-enhancement. The tubercle-like structures were detected in 11 cases, which showed no enhancement in 4 cases, and homogeneous enhancement in 3 cases,and heterogeneous enhancement in 4 cases. (2) The indirect signs included intestine obstruction in 8 cases,swelling fat layer surrounding the diverticulum in 9 cases, free gas around the diverticulum in 3 cases,thickened mesentery in 8 cases, ascites in 4 cases, and intussusception due to inverted Meckel's diverticulum with "target sign" in 1 case. (3) CT classification: with diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding in 20 eases; with intestine obstruction or intussusception in 8 cases; bands-caused obstruction in 7 cases;intussusception in 1 case; with perforation in 3 cases. Conclusion Meckel's diverticulum and its complications have typical CT findings, and CT can clearly demonstrate diverticulum's shape, margin,internal components and surroundiug tissues.

Objective To analyze the imaging characteristics of hepatic involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH) in children on MRCP, MRI and CT. Methods Twenty-nine children from three children hospitals in China, who were diagnosed as hepatic involvement by disseminated LCH during Aug 2008 and Jan 2015 were included in this study. Their MRCP (n=16), MRI (n=22), contrast?enhanced CT (n=15) data were retrospectively analyzed. The stenoses and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, the common hepatic bile duct and its first order branches and the common bile duct were evaluated on the MRCP image. The size and shape of the liver, the imaging characteristics of the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath and hepatic parenchymal lesions were also evaluated on the cross?sectional images. Results MRCP indicated alternative stenoses/dilatation of the bile duct tree (n=16), stenoses of the common hepatic duct and its first?order branches (n=15), partialindistinctness of the common bile duct (n=2) and multiple cystic lesions along the biliary tree (n=5). On the cross?sectional images, the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath were observed in 28 children. On MRI, the periportal lesions were shown in all the 22 children with MRI, presented as hypo-signal intensity on T1WI, hyper?signal intensity on T2WI (n=11) or mixed?signal intensity on T1WI and T2WI (n=11); On CT, the periportal lesions were found in 14 of the 15 children with CT, presenting as low density (n=13) and mixed density (n=1). Multiple nodular or cyst?like parenchymal lesions were observed in 21 patients including 18 patients on MRI and 5 patients on enhanced CT. Sixteen patients presented as hypo?intensity on T1WI, hyper?intensity on T2WI and low density on plain CT, and 5 patients with iso? or hypo?intensity on T1WI, hypo?intensity on T2WI,and milder enhancement relative to the adjacent parenchyma on contrast?enhanced CT. Conclusions The imaging characteristics of hepatic involvement by LCH include alternative stenoses and dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts, stenoses of the common hepatic bile duct and its first?order branches on MRCP, the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath and hepatic parenchymal nodular or cyst?like lesions on cross?sectional images.