OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the detection of radiation-induced myocardial damage in beagles by comparing two pre-scan preparation protocols as well as to determine the correlation between abnormal myocardial FDG uptake and pathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anterior myocardium of 12 beagles received radiotherapy locally with a single X-ray dose of 20 Gy. 18F-FDG cardiac PET/CT was performed at baseline and 3 months after radiation. Twelve beagles underwent two protocols before PET/CT: 12 hours of fasting (12H-F), 12H-F followed by a high-fat diet (F-HFD). Regions of interest were drawn on the irradiation and the non-irradiation fields to obtain their maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax). Then the ratio of the SUV of the irradiation to the non-irradiation fields (INR) was computed. Histopathological changes were identified by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Using the 12H-F protocol, the average INRs were 1.18 +/- 0.10 and 1.41 +/- 0.18 before and after irradiation, respectively (p = 0.021). Using the F-HFD protocol, the average INRs were 0.99 +/- 0.15 and 2.54 +/- 0.43, respectively (p < 0.001). High FDG uptake in irradiation field was detected in 33.3% (4/12) of 12H-F protocol and 83.3% (10/12) of F-HFD protocol in visual analysis, respectively (p = 0.031). The pathology of the irradiated myocardium showed obvious perivascular fibrosis and changes in mitochondrial vacuoles. CONCLUSION: High FDG uptake in an irradiated field may be related with radiation-induced myocardial damage resulting from microvascular damage and mitochondrial injury. An F-HFD preparation protocol used before obtaining PET/CT can improve the sensitivity of the detection of cardiotoxicity associated with radiotherapy.
Animals ; Dogs ; Fasting ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/*metabolism ; Heart/*radiography ; Heart Injuries/*radiography ; Male ; Myocardium/metabolism/pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography/*methods ; Radiation Injuries/diagnosis/*radiography ; Thoracic Neoplasms/radiotherapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Objective To establish radiation-induced heart disease ( RIHD) Beagle models, in-vestigate the efficacy of 18 F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of RIHD and observe the pathological changes. Methods The ventricular anterior wall of 12 Beagle dogs were X-ray irradiated locally with a single dose of 20 Gy. 18 F-FDG PET/CT and echocardiography were performed at baseline and 3 months after radiation. ROI was drawn on the irradiation field and the non-irradiation field ( the posterior wall of left ventricle) to obtain the SUVmax . Then the SUVmax ratio of the irradiation field to the non-irradiation field ( INR) was cal-culated. The left ventricular function parameters before and after radiation were obtained by echocardio-graphy. Within 1 week after the imaging examinations were finished, the dogs were sacrificed, and hearts were taken out to perform pathological observation. Paired t test was used to analyze the data. Results High 18 F-FDG uptake in the irradiation field was shown 3 months after radiation. The average INRs before and after radiation were 0.99±0.15 and 2.54±0.43 respectively (t=7.021, P=0.001). No significant difference was ob-served on cardiac function parameters between baseline and 3 months after radiation( t values:from-1.253 to-0.786, all P>0.05) . The pathological results showed a few degenerated myocytes, increased thickness of myocardial vascular walls in irradiated myocardium. Conclusions 18 F-FDG PET/CT can detect early RIHD before abnormal cardiac function. Increased 18 F-FDG uptake in irradiated field may be related to myocardial ischemia which results from microvascular damage by radiation.

Myocardial fibrosis is an important pathological process in the development of cardiovascular diseases, which is closely related to the prognosis of patients. Activated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are the main effector cells, whose surface specifically overexpress fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Radionuclide-labeled FAP inhibitors (FAPIs) can specifically bind to FAP to visualize activated CFs in vivo, showing preliminary clinical application in the early diagnosis, prognosis prediction and interventional guidance of various cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the progress of researches on the application of radionuclide-labeled FAPIs in cardiovascular diseases imaging.

Purpose: Suicide ranks among the top causes of death among youth in South Korea. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of suicidal individuals treated at emergency departments between 2011 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Injury Surveillance Cohort, a prospective registry. Patients’ sex, age, mortality, methods of self-harm, and previous suicide attempts were analyzed. The methods of self-harm were categorized into falls, asphyxiation, blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, poisoning, and others. Sub-groups with and without poisoning were compared. Results: The proportion of self-harm/suicide attempts increased from 2.3% (2011) to 5.0% (2020). The mortality rate decreased from 10.8% (2011) to 6.3% (2020). Poisoning was the most common method (61.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 42.0% for asphyxiation to 0.2% for blunt injuries. Individuals in their 20s showed a marked increase in suicide/self-harm attempts, especially in the last three years. A large proportion of decedents in their 70s or older (52.6%) used poisoning as a method of suicide. The percentage of individuals with two or more previous attempts rose from 7.1% (2011) to 19.7% (2020). The death rates by poisoning decreased from 7.7% (2011) to 2.5% (2020). Conclusion Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and suicide prevention policies. Managing and reducing suicide and self-harm in emergency settings will require a focus on poisoning, the 10–29 age group, and the elderly. This paper will be valuable for future policies aiming to reduce the societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory role of microRNA in radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) in mice and provide a new strategy for its treatment.Methods:Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE147241), which includes normal heart tissue and irradiation heart tissue, we conducted bioinformatics research and analysis to determine the differentially-expressed genes. Then, thirty male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into the control group, irradiation group and miR-133a overexpression intervention group. The heart received single dose of X-ray 20 Gy in the irradiation group and miR-133a overexpression intervention group, but not in the control group, and then fed for 16 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis was detected by Masson staining. The expression levels of miR-133a, CTGF, COL-1 and COL-3 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of CTGF, COL-1 and COL-3 proteins were detected by western blot.Results:miR-133a was the differentially-expressed gene between the irradiation and control groups. Overexpression of miR-133a could mitigate the decrease in cardiac function and increase in myocardial collagen content ( P<0.01). Meantime, overexpression of miR-133a could down-regulate the expression levels of CTGF, COL-1, COL-3 mRNA and protein ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Radiation increases the synthesis of collagen and leads to myocardial fibrosis remodeling. Overexpression of miR-133a can alleviate the radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of miR-26a in radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) mice.Methods:C57/BL6 mice were used to establish RIHD models. The cardiac function, fibrosis, the expression levels of collagen 1 (COL1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and miR-26a were detected in RIHD mice. Whether CTGF was the target gene of miR-26a was verified by dual luciferase kit. Moreover, cardiac fibroblasts were transfected with miR-26a up and miR-26a down lentivirus vectors to construct the miR-26a overexpression and underexpression cell models. The expression of CTGF, proliferation, and apoptosis of cardiac fibroblasts were detected.Results:In the RIHD mice, heart function was decreased, myocardial fibrosis was remodeled, the expression levels of COL1 and CTGF were up-regulated, and the expression level of miR-26a was down-regulated. Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that CTGF was the target gene regulated by miR-26a. Overexpression of miR-26a could inhibit the expression of CTGF, suppress the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, promote cell apoptosis and secrete collagen. Underexpression of miR-26a yielded the opposite results.Conclusion:MiR-26a affects the function of cardiac fibroblasts by targeting CTGF and probably mediates the process of radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis, which may become a new regulatory target of RIHD.

Objective:To establish the C57BL/6 mouse models of radiation-induced cardiopulmonary dysfunction.Methods:Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control and irradiation groups. Mice in the irradiation group were irradiated with 20 Gy electron beam and bred for 6 months after irradiation. Cardiac function was assessed using ultrasonography. The partial pressure of oxygen was detected by blood gas analysis. Cell apoptosis was observed by Tunel assay. Myocardial and pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by Masson staining.Results:The LVEF in the irradiation group was (68.60±10.92)%, significantly less compared with (81.75±8.79)% in the control group ( P< 0.01). The apoptotic index of heart in the irraiation group was (23.90±6.60)%, considerably higher than (3.25±3.38)% in the control group ( P< 0.01). The CVF of heart in the irradiation group was (15.42±5.72)%, significantly higher than (1.45±0.64)% in the control group ( P< 0.01). The PaO 2 level in the irradiation group was (86.10±7.60) mmHg, significantly lower compared with (107.16±9.01) mmHg in the control group ( P< 0.01). The apoptotic index of lung in the irradiation group was (27.90±8.94)%, significantly higher than (2.50±3.55)% in the control group ( P<0.01). The CVF of lung in the irradiation group was (17.76±5.77)%, remarkably higher than (2.50±3.55)% in the control group ( P< 0.01). Conclusion:Radiation can induce cardiopulmonary apotosis and fibrosis remodeling, which leads to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, suggesting the successful establishment of C57BL/6 mouse model of radiation-induced cardiopulmonary dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the value of local myocardial blood flow and myocardial function parameters in monitoring the dynamic changes of radiation induced heart disease (RIHD) using 13NNH3 PET gated myocardial perfusion imaging(GMPI).Methods Six healthy male Beagle dogs underwent 13N-NH3 PET GMPI 1 week before irradiation and 3,6 and 12 months after irradiation in the anterior wall of the left ventricle with a single dose of 20 Gy.Global myocardial function parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),end-diastolic volume (EDV),end-systolic volume (ESV),and regional myocardial function parameters including wall motion (WM),wall thickening (WT),end-diastolic perfusion (EDP),end-systolic perfusion (ESP) before and after irradiation were compared by repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t test.Results There were no significant changes between EDV,ESV and LVEF at baseline and those at 3 months after irradiation.EDV at 6 months after irradiation still had no change,compared with baseline value and EDV at 3 months after irradiation,but ESV was increased and LVEF was decreased.Twelve months after irradiation,ESV was further expanded,LVEF was further reduced,and EDV began to increase (F values:20.974-177.846,all P＜0.05).Compared with the baseline,WM,WT,EDP and ESP were increased in 10％(2/20),20％(4/20),10％(2/20) and 15％(3/20) of myocardial segments at 3 months after irradiation (t values:14.446-672.315,all P＜0.05);those parameters were decreased in 15％(3/20),20％(4/20),15％(3/20) and 25％(5/20) of myocardial segments at 6 months after irradiation (t values:18.171-723.156,all P＜0.05),and were decreased in 35％(7/20),45％(9/20),40％(8/20) and 60％ (12/20) of myocardial segments at 12 months after irradiation (t values:14.783-711.259,all P＜0.05).Conclusions 13N-NH3 PET GMPI could be used to detect RIHD early and monitor the dynamic development of RIHD.Compared with the global left ventricular function parameters,regional myocardial function parameters (WM,WT,EDP and ESP) are more sensitive,which may be served as the early monitoring indicators for RIHD.

BACKGROUND: Since the late 2000s, the number of anesthesia performed has increased yearly. However, there has not been research into the appropriate cost of anesthesia based on the difficulty of anesthesia performed, the number of medical personnel participated, and materials administered for anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the variations in anesthesia cost according to severity of their physical status and cancer stage in patients who had undertaken colorectal cancer surgeries. METHODS: In order to analyze the cost of anesthesia for colorectal cancer surgery, we used Electronic Data Interchange data from 2011 to 2012 of the three superior general hospitals in Seoul. Colorectal cancer codes were limited to seven codes included in the cancer screening statistics of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Based on these data, a frequency analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: There was no variation in the cost of anesthesia according to gender and age. However, the ASA physical status (PS) class and the cancer stage variables were confirmed to modify the anesthesia cost. CONCLUSIONS: These study imply that there is a difference in the technology used for anesthesia by medical personnel as well as the anesthesia related materials used according to the ASA PS and the cancer stage among patients having the same disease.
Anesthesia* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Colorectal Surgery ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Linear Models ; Seoul

Objective:To automatically synthesize Al 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-74, and explore its value of clinical application. Methods:Al 18F-FAPI-74 was synthesized automatically by the commercial synthesis module CFN-MPS-100, and its yield, radiochemical purity and stability were determined. Sixteen normal Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and euthanized at 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after Al 18F-FAPI-74 injection, and the biodistribution was measured. MicroPET/CT dynamic scanning (60 min) was performed in 5 rat pancreatic tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice to observe the tumor uptake. Al 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT imaging was performed on 3 volunteers (1 male, 2 females; age: 37, 41, 43 years) to evaluate the clinical application value of Al 18F-FAPI-74. Results:The automated synthesis time of Al 18F-FAPI-74 was about 35 min, with the synthesis yield of (21.34±3.86)% (without attenuation correction, n=5) and the radiochemical purity more than 99%. The radiochemical purity was still more than 96% after placement at 37 ℃ for 6 h. Biodistribution in normal mice and microPET/CT dynamic scanning in tumor-bearing nude mice showed that consistently high uptake in the kidneys and bladder, and the tumor uptake was the highest at 20 min, and the maximum tumor-to-muscle ratio was 3.16±0.01 at 60 min. PET/CT imaging on volunteers showed that there was a small amount of uptake in myocardium, most organs such as the liver and lung had background uptake, and the maximum SUV max of persistent high uptake of tumor was 17.08. Conclusions:Al 18F-FAPI-74 has the advantages of simple synthesis, high yield, stable quality and good imaging performance in mice and volunteers. It is a kind of imaging agent that meets the requirements of clinical diagnosis.