Objective To explore the value of virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) images acquired from dual-energy spectral CT (DESCT) with metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm in CT-guided microcoil localization for lung nodules.Methods Totally 80 patients with lung nodules underwent DESCT after CT-guided microcoil placement.At optimal keV level,VMS images and VMS with MAR algorithm (VMS+MAR) images were reconstructed,and image quality scores were compared.Results 74 keV was selected as the optimal level.The image quality of VMS+ MAR images at 74,90,110 and 140 keV were better than that at 50 keV (all P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference of image quality among 74,90,110 and 140 keV VMS+MAR images (all P＞0.05).At 74 keV,the image quality of VMS+MAR images was better than that of VMS images (P＜0.05).The consistency was good between the 2 observers (Kappa=0.78).Conclusion VMS images at 74 keV with MAR algorithm could reduce artifacts from microcoil,and clearly display lung nodules.

Objective To survey the prevalence of greenhouse farmer's lung and related risk factors in part of rural areas of Liaoning Province.Methods Using uniform scheme,procedures and questionnaire,a survey for 5420 farmers(2660 men and 2760 women)with complete data who work inside greenhouses was performed in Shenyang,Xinmin,Chaoyang,and Jinzhou between August 2006 and June 2009.Pulmonary function tests was performed for every active farmer.Results Greenhouse farmer's lung was diagnosed in 308 cases,205 men(66.55%,205/308)and 103 women(33.44%,103/308),a prevalence of 5.7%(308/5420).The prevalence rate of greenhouse farmer's lung in males was significantly higher than that in females(?2=39.93,P0.05).In the 308 cases,the number of patiernts presented with fever chill,cough/sputum,chest tightness/shortness of breath were 180(58.44%),192(62.34%),160(51.95%)respectively,and the number of crepitations,radiological changes,spirometry abnormalities and serum IgE antibodies(+)was 164(53.25%),153(49.68%),147(47.73%)and 136(44.16%)at the time of the study.62.34%(192/308)of patients with greenhouse farmer's lung were mild and 38.66%(116/308)were severe.Conclusion The total prevalence rate of greenhouse farmer's lung in part of rural areas of Liaoning Province was 5.7% and multiple risk factors were associated with the disease.

Early weaned piglets suffer from oxidative stress and enteral infection, which usually results in gut microbial dysbiosis, serve diarrhea, and even death. Rice bran oil (RBO), a polyphenol-enriched by-product of rice processing, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties both in vivo and in vitro. Here, we ascertained the proper RBO supplementation level, and subsequently determined its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal dysfunction in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly allocated into four groups of seven replicates (42 piglets each group, (21±1) d of age, body weight (7.60±0.04) kg, and half males and half females) and were given basal diet (Ctrl) or basal diet supplemented with 0.01% (mass fraction) RBO (RBO1), 0.02% RBO (RBO2), or 0.03% RBO (RBO3) for 21 d. Then, seven piglets from the Ctrl and the RBO were treated with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight (BW)) as LPS group and RBO+LPS group, respectively. Meanwhile, seven piglets from the Ctrl were treated with the saline vehicle (Ctrl group). Four hours later, all treated piglets were sacrificed for taking samples of plasma, jejunum tissues, and feces. The results showed that 0.02% was the optimal dose of dietary RBO supplementation based on diarrhea, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake indices in early weaning piglets. Furthermore, RBO protected piglets against LPS-induced jejunal epithelium damage, which was indicated by the increases in villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and Claudin-1 levels, as well as a decreased level of jejunal epithelium apoptosis. RBO also improved the antioxidant ability of LPS-challenged piglets, which was indicated by the elevated concentrations of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and increased total antioxidant capacity, as well as the decreased concentrations of diamine oxidase and malondialdehyde in plasma. Meanwhile, RBO improved the immune function of LPS-challenged weaned piglets, which was indicated by elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, β‍‍-defensin-1, and lysozyme levels in the plasma. In addition, RBO supplementation improved the LPS challenge-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Particularly, the indices of antioxidant capacity, intestinal damage, and immunity were significantly associated with the RBO-regulated gut microbiota. These findings suggested that 0.02% RBO is a suitable dose to protect against LPS-induced intestinal damage, oxidative stress, and jejunal microbiota dysbiosis in early weaned piglets.
Male ; Female ; Swine ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Rice Bran Oil ; Dysbiosis ; Dietary Supplements ; Diarrhea/veterinary* ; Weaning ; Body Weight