In the present study, the accuracy of the 4-dimensional model single photon emission computed tomography (4D-MSPECT) and quantitative gated single photon emission computed tomography (QGS) was investigated for assessing left ventricular end-diastolic (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (EF) from gated myocardial perfusion imaging (G-MPI) using left ventriculography (LVG) as reference. From December 2008 to June 2011, 85 patients, who underwent rest G-MPI and LVG (within 30 days) in West China Hospital, Sichuan University, were retrospectively recruited. EDV, ESV, and EF were calculated from G-MPI using 4D-MSPECT and QGS. Eighty-five patients (47 men, 38 women; age 57 +/- 13 years) were finally analyzed. Correlation between results of G-MPI and LVG was high for EDV, r = 0.89 (4D-MSPECT), r = 0.81 (QGS); ESV, r = 0.97 (4D-MSPECT), R = 0.95(QGS); EF, r = 0.95 (4D-MSPECT), r = 0.93 (QGS). 4D-MSPECT and QGS underestimated EDV significantly compared with LVG [(125 +/- 20) mL (4D-MSPECT), (118 +/- 39) mL (QGS), (131 +/- 33)mL (LVG)]. The ESV, 4D-MSPECT and QGS values did not differ significantly from LVG [(47 +/- 32) mL (4D-MSPECT), (53 +/- 29) mL (QGS), (49 +/- 37) mI (LVG)]. For LVEF, only QGS yielded values were significantly lower than LVG [61% +/- 21% (4D-MSPECT), 55% +/- 17% (QGS), and 63% +/- 19% (LVG)]. EDV, ESV, and EF as determined by 4D-MSPECT and QGS from G-MPI agree well with relevant values with LVG. However, Algorithm-inherent also showed slightly over- or under-estimation of volumes. Therefore, separated normal databases should be set up for each algorithm.
Aged ; Algorithms ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging ; Regression Analysis ; Software ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective To analyze the volumetric and dosimetric variations in radiation treatment planning(RTP) using CT images based on normal and extended reconstructed field-of-view(FOV). Methods Original data of CT scans from 16 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinomas were reconstructed to form 2 sets of CT images with Dermal(45 cm)and EFOV(65 cm),which were then exposed to RTP. Contouring of targets/OAR including GTV(gross tumor volume),CTV(clinical target volume,CTV),brain stem, lens, parotids and cord was made on normsl FOV CT set.A 7-field equi-angular IMRT (intensity modulated radiation Therapy)plan was generated with prescribed GTV dose of 70 Gy.Two sets 0f CT images were fused in DICOM coordinate system and targets/OARs on normal FOV CT were copied to EFOV CT.IMRT plans were then transplanted from normal FOV to EFOV CT,with the same isocenter on DICOM coordinates.Volumetric and dosimetrie variations including GTV,CTV brain stem,lens, parotids and cord were calculated on dose-volume-histogram(DVH).For dosimetric verification,IMRT plans were input into fluence maps of Mapcheck 1175 phantom based on normal FOV and EFOV, and DTA(distance to agreement)was used to analyze the passing rate of calculated/measured absolute doses at 5 cm depth.Paired-t test was used to compare the passing rate of field 1-7 of IMRT plans based on 2 CT sets.Results Volumes of targets and OARs on 2 CT sets of different FOVs were statistically different.with larger calculated volume on norlual FOV in all cases.There was no statistic difference in the maximal(Dmax) doses received by all targets and OARs except the small-volume lens, in which the dose was higher on normal CT than that on EFOV CT(t=-3.14,P<0.007).The mean doses(Dmean)to the CTV(clinical target volume)and GTV(gross tumor volume)were higher on EFOV than normal FOV CT(t=-6.45,-5.65,P<0.001).There was no statistic difference in Dmean received by OARs and the minimal dose (Dmin)by all targets and OARs(P>0.05).There was also no statistic difference in the passing rate of field 1-7 of IMRT plans based on 2 CT sets.Conclusions There were volumetric and dosimetric variations as evaluated on DVH using different reconstructed FOV during CT simulation,though the difference between the passing rates as verified in 2 dimensional fluence map was not significant.

This paper is aimed to assess the diagnostic value of MRI versus 99 Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (99 Tcm- MDP) bone scan (BS) for osseous metastases in patients with prostate cancer. The computer-based retrieval was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane Library and Ovid data bases to search for trials about diagnosing osseous metastases of prostate cancer with MRI and 99Tc"m-MDP BS. Selected with time acceptance and time exclusion criteria, the data quality were evaluated with QUADAS quality assessment tool and collected. We used the Meta-Disc software to conduct meta-analysis, and then calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), drew the summary receiving operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and measured the area under curve (AUC) and Q value. Then five studies were included, involving 353 patients. The pooled sensitivity of MRI and BS was 0. 95 (95% CI 0. 90~0. 98) and 0. 67 (95% CI 0. 58~0. 75), respectively. The pooled specificity was 0. 97 (95% CI 0. 94~0. 99) and 0. 88 (95% CI 0. 83~0. 91), respectively. The pooled DOR was 402.99 (95% CI 119. 05 ~1364. 15) and 23. 85 (95% CI 1. 32~431. 48), respectively. The AUC was 0. 990 1 and 0. 624 1, respectively. The Q was 0. 958 7 and 0. 593 8. It can well be concluded that MRI is more effective than 99 Tcm-MDP BS in the diagnosis of osseous metastases in patients with prostate cancer.
Area Under Curve ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The purpose was to investigate the research achievements over the past two decades on moxa smoke produced in the process of moxibustion, in terms of its clinical studies, chemical compositions, safety assessment as well as the mild smoke or smoke-free moxibustion, for revealing the recent dynamic and developing orientation, and promoting its further application, succession and innovation.

BACKGROUND:Moxibustion products produced in moxibustion, such as moxa smoke, are one of hotspots in moxibustion research. Metabonomics can be used to more comprehensively and systematicaly study the effects of moxibustion products on the body.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efect of diferent concentrations of moxibustion products on urine metabonomics of rats.
METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, low-dose moxibustion products group, middle-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products recovery group. In the latter four groups, rats from each group were exposed to the mixture of moxibustion products and pure gas at ratios of 0.4:2.0, 0.8:2.0, 1.6:2.0, 1.6:2.0, respectively, 4 hours daily, 5 days weekly, totaly for 60 days. After 60-day high-dose moxibustion products stimulation, rats in the high-dose moxibustion products recovery group were raised in normal air for 21 days. Rats in the normal control group were raised in normal air for 60 days without any moxibustion products. Then we analyzed the changes of urine metabonomics in al group rats.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totaly 108 metabolites were identified in the urine of rats using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and 64 metabolites were verified by standard library. There were some positive correlations between changes of typical metabolites and moxibustion product concentrations. The metabolites in the urine were most different between the high-dose moxibustion products group and normal control group. Twenty-two differential metabolites, such as glucuronic acid and vitamin C were mainly involved in 15 sugar and amino acid metabolic pathways, such as ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. These findings indicated that energy metabolism, detoxification and anoxidation increased in rats stimulated by moxibustion products.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of visceral pain and water metabolism on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) model rats by moxibustion and its products. A total of 40 SD rats were randomly di-vided into the normal group, model group, moxibustion group, non-smoke moxibustion group, and moxa smoke group. IBS-D model was induced by colorectal distension with an inflatable balloon. The general condition of rats was ob-served. Visceral pain was assessed by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores. The immunohistochemical method was used in the detection of claudin-1, AQP3, AQP8 and Na+/K+-ATPase protein expression. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the AWR scores, claudin-1, AQP3, AQP8 and Na+/K+-ATPase protein expres-sion in the colon were decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). The stool was loose, which was on hair around the anus. After moxibustion, non-smoke moxibustion and moxa smoke stimulation, the stool conditions of IBS-D model rats were improved. The AWR scores were decreased in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Except Na+/K+-ATPase, expressions of claudin-1, AQP3 and AQP8 in colon were increased in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). The comprehensive therapeutic effect showed that moxibustion was better than non-smoke moxibustion; and non-smoke moxibustion was better than moxa smoke stimulation. It was concluded that the combination of warm stimulation, optical radiation and moxa smoke induced best effect in improving visceral pain and water metabolism on IBS-D model rats. Among them, warm stimulation and optical radiation may play the main role.

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on learning and memory abilities, corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in subacute aging rats. Methods:Twenty four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were subcutaneously injected with 25% D-galactose [125 mg/(kg·bw)] for 40 d continuous; rats in the normal group were injected with saline at the same position for 40 d continuous. Rats in the moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) at the same time of modeling; rats in the normal group and the model group were only identically grabbed without moxibustion for 40 d. The learning and memory abilities of rats were observed using the Morris water maze at the end of the experiment. Abdominal aorta blood and thymus were collected after water maze experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone level, and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of thymus GR. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed that a significantly longer escape latency time (P<0.01) on the third and the fourth days; number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly reduced (P<0.01); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly decreased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels increased (P<0.01); thymus GR expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the moxibustion group showed that the escape latency times were significantly shorter on the third, the fourth and the fifth days (P<0.01,P<0.05); number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly increased (P<0.05); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly increased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels decreased (P<0.05); thymus GR expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the learning and memory abilities of subacute aging rats, down-regulate serum corticosterone levels, and increase thymus GR content.

This paper is aimed to investigate the influence of gated myocardial perfusion imaging (G-MPI) with 8- and 16-frame acquisition models on the assessment of left ventricular function. Patients prepared for stress and rest G-MPI were prospectively recruited from January 2010 to January 2011 in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Two separate G-MPI studies, one with 8 and the other with 16 frames, were simultaneously acquired during a single gantry orbit using Concurrent Imaging technique. We calculated the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and volumes using the Auto Quant software. Forty-eight patients (29 men, 19 women; average age 51 +/- 16 years old) were finally analyzed. The differences in left ventricular EF between 8- and 16-frame were small: 3.27% (95% CI: 6.41%-0.12%) for post-stress and 3.13% (95% CI: 5.93%-0.32%) for rest. Both using 8 and 16 frames, there were significantly larger volumes and lower EF in patients with stress-induced ischemia than without. As for detecting left ventricular EF, 8-frame and 16-frame acquisition models should not be mutually alternated.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gated Blood-Pool Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging ; methods ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Stroke Volume ; physiology ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

To study the usefulness of JPEG2000 compression for nuclear medicine (NM) image, normal and abnormal static images were compressed using a JPEG2000 plug-in. For lossless algorithm, the compressing ratio (CR) was calculated. For lossy algorithm, images were visually analyzed by NM physicians and ROC curves were generated. The area under ROC curve (AUC) was used as the index of image diagnostic quality. Paired sample t tests were performed to compare the AUCs. It was found that the lossless CR was (1.34+/-0.05) : 1. For lossy algorithm, the AUC decreased with the increase of CR. Comparison between the original and the compressed images revealed no significant difference for 10:1 CR but significant difference for bigger CRs. It was concluded that lossless compression has little usefulness for NM image because of very low CR. While lossy compression isused, the diagnostic quality of static NM images is preserved at CRs 50 : 1,40 : 1, 30 : 1,20 : 1 up to 10 : 1. For other types of NM image, CR should be increased or decreased according to their characteristics, especially the level of intrinsic statistical noise of NM image.
Algorithms ; Area Under Curve ; Artifacts ; Data Compression ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Nuclear Medicine ; methods ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Thyroid Gland ; diagnostic imaging

To objectively and quantitatively study the effect of JPEG2000 lossy compression of nuclear medicine image, line source images of various noise levels, actual quadrant-bar phantom images and simulated quadrant-bar phantom images of various noise levels were compressed using a JPEG2000 plug-in at 10 : 1 to 50 : 1 with a 10 : 1 step. Modulation transfer function (MTF), full width at half-maximum (FWHM) and the peak to total count ratio (PTCR) of line spread function of the simulated line source images were analyzed quantitatively. Image quality of the quadrant-bar phantom images was visually evaluated according to quality control procedures and the result was used to verify the quantitative analysis. It was observed that PTCR decreased as compression ratio increased and the higher the noise level, the faster PTCR decreased, which was in accordance with the increase of the width of the smallest bars that can be visually resolved in the actual quadrant-bar phantom images and simulated quadrant-bar phantom images. On the other hand, no significant change of MTF and FWHM was observed as compression ratio increased. It was concluded that PTCR may serve as an objectively quantitative metrics of image quality assessment.
Algorithms ; Data Compression ; methods ; standards ; Diagnostic Imaging ; standards ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Nuclear Medicine ; methods