PurposeTo evaluate the motion correction algorithm (snapshot freeze, SSF) and multi-cycle reconstruction on the imaging quality and interpretation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Materials and Methods Sixty patients with suspected coronary heart disease were divided into two groups according to the heart rate. Twenty-ifve patients with heart rate ≤65 beats per minute underwent prospectively ECG-gated CCTA on gemstone CT. Image quality and interpretability of standard (STD) and SSF reconstructions at 75% R-R interval were compared. Thirty-five patients with heart rate>65 beats per minute underwent retrospective ECG-gated CCTA. Image quality and interpretability of STD and SSF reconstructions at 45% and 75% R-R interval were compared. The image qualities and interpretability were assessed based on coronary artery segment, coronary artery bifurcation and overall coronary artery.Results For 25 patients with prospectively ECG gated CCTA, SSF reconstructions showed higher interpretability than STD reconstructions on per-segment level [96.3% (341/354)vs 90.7% (321/354),P<0.01]. Image qualities with SSF were higher than that with STD reconstructions for left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA). There was no statistic significance for left main coronary artery (P>0.05). For 35 patients with retrospective ECG-gate CCTA, SSF reconstructions at 45% R-R interval showed higher interpretability (P<0.01,P<0.001). But there were no signiifcant difference for 75% R-R interval images (P>0.05). Image qualities with SSF were higher than that with single and double sector STD reconstructions (P<0.001). The image qualities were signiifcant different among SSF, single and double sector STD reconstructions for 45% R-R interval images of LM (P<0.01), but it was similar for 75% R-R interval images (P>0.05). There were signiifcant different for LAD, LCX and RCA on both 45% and 75% R-R interval images (P<0.01,P<0.001). Conclusion SSF may improve the image quality and interpretability of CCTA images using prospectively and retrospective ECG-gated techniques, especially for improving the image quality.

[Absract] Objective To investigate the imaging features of CT and MRI of echinococcosis, and improve the imaging knowledge of the disease. Methods Clinical and radiological findings of echinococcosis of ribs were retrospectively analyzed by reviewing the seventeen cases confirmed by clinical and pathological findings. All patients had CT scan, eight had X?ray plain film and five had MR examination, while 4 patients underwent additional contrast?enhanced CT examination. Results All lesions were unilateral. There were 33 ribs involved, and single involved rib was seen in 7 cases. On CT scans, 10 cases showed cystic, swelling and osteolytic bone destruction, and 7 cases showed moth?eaten osteolytic bone destruction. There were 13 cases of hydatid cyst, 3 cases of a single sac watery density shadow and 10 cases of polycystic separating wheels form. There were 4 cases of fractured ribs, 2 cases of the longitudinal fracture and 2 cases of the transverse fracture. On MRI, there was one case of rib medullary cavity expansion destruction. It was a single cyst with hypointensity on T1WI, hyperintensity on T2WI and hyperintensity on short time inversion recovery (STIR) images. There were one case of rib medullary cavity expansion destruction and 3 cases of hydatid erosion ribs cortex among 4 cases of polycystic type. Polycystic type echinococcosis appeared hypointensity on T1WI, hyperintensity on T2WI and hyperintensity on STIR images. Polycystic type had mother sac and ascus structure, and signal intensity of ascus was higher. STIR sequence showed more clearly polycystic structure. Conclusions CT and MRI can clearly show location of echinococcosis of ribs. There are the imaging features of cystic, swelling and osteolytic bone destruction or complicating cyst of polycystic type which can help the qualitative diagnosis of rib echinococcosis.

Objective To explore the impact factors on early neurological deterioration(END)in patients with cerebral infarction combined with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods The clinical characteristics and laboratory of patients with acute ischemic stroke and COVID-19 in Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed from December 15,2022 to January 15,2023.According to whether or not END occurred,all patients were divided into END group and non-END group.The clinical data of two groups were analyzed.Results A total of eligible 56 patients were included in this study,with 16 cases in END group and 40 cases in non-END group.The average age of END group(74.31±12.04)was older than non-END group(67.18±8.15)(P＜0.05).The proportion of previous history of coronary heart disease and diabetes were higher than non-END group(all P＜0.05).In terms of laboratory examination,the number of monocytes,C-reactive protein,glycated hemoglobin,lactate dehydrogenase,myoglobin,albumin,D-dimer,and fibrin degradation products in END group were significantly higher than that in non-END group(all P＜0.05).Logistic analysis showed that C-reactive protein is an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction combined with COVID-19(OR =1.084,95%CI:1.002-1.173,P＜0.05).Area under the ROC curve was0.825(95%CI:0.709-0.941,P＜0.001).Conclusions For patients with cerebral infarction combined with COVID-19,early neurological deterioration is more likely to occur in elderly patients with multiple underlying diseases,abnormal coagulation and inflammation indicators.Increased C-reactive protein has good predictive ability.

Objective:To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating Brucella spondylitis from tuberculosis spondylitis. Methods:A retrospective analysis method was used to include Brucella spondylitis patients and tuberculous spondylitis patients who had undergone MRI examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2015 to December 2017. All patients data of MRI examination (all had T1WI, T2WI, STIR images) were collected and compared. The differences in lesion location, MRI signal, vertebral body destruction, vertebral wedge, kyphosis deformity, attachment destruction, dead bone, bone hyperplasia, intervertebral space change, abscess location, and abscess range were analyzed. Results:A total of 91 patients with brucella spondylitis were selected, including 36 women and 55 men, with an average age of 49.40 years old; 112 patients with tuberculous spondylitis selected in the same examination, including 48 women and 64 men, with an average age of 47.15 years old. There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between the two groups (χ 2 = 0.225, t = 1.387, P > 0.05). Brucella spondylitis was more common in lumbar spine [72.53% (66/91)], and tuberculosis spondylitis was more common in thoracic spine [47.32% (53/112)]. Brucella spondylitis patients showed higher T2WI hyperintensity than tuberculosis spondylitis patients [51.65% (47/91) vs 24.11% (27/112), P <0.05]; and showed lower T2 hyperlipidemia than patients with tuberculosis spondylitis [59.34% (54/91) vs 72.32% (81/112), P < 0.05]; the incidence rates of mild destruction of vertebral body, bone hyperplasia, normal intervertebral space, paravertebral abscess, and abscess not exceeding the range of vertebral body were higher than those of patients with tuberculosis spondylitis [81.32% (74/91), 93.41% (85/91), 37.36% (34/91), 71.43% (65/91), 38.46% (35/91) vs 20.54% (23/112), 28.57% (32/112), 1.79% (2/112), 30.36% (34/112), 1.79% (2/112), P < 0.01]; the incidence rates of vertebral body severe destruction, vertebral wedge less than 1/2, kyphosis deformity, dead bone, inter vertebral space narrowing, inter vertebral space vanishing, psoas abscess, abscess beyond the range of vertebral body were lower than those of patients with tuberculous spondylitis [12.09% (11/91), 18.68% (17/91), 2.20% (2/91), 2.20% (2/91), 61.54% (56/91), 1.10% (1/91), 2.20% (2/91), 1.10% (1/91) vs 75.89% (85/112), 72.32% (81/112), 29.46% (33/112), 46.43% (52/112), 79.46% (89/112), 18.75% (21/112), 66.96% (75/112), 74.11% (83/112), P < 0.01]. Conclusions:MRI signs can be used to differentiate Brucella spondylitis from tuberculosis spondylitis through analysis of bone hyperplasia, vertebral body destruction, vertebral wedge, kyphosis deformity, dead bone, abnormal intervertebral space, and paravertebral abscess and psoas abscess.

Objective To study the relationship between bronchial asthma and smoking status in Chinese people.Methods Asthma epidemiological survey and stratified-cluster-random method survey were performed in residents over 14 years in 8 provinces (cities) of China from February 2010 to August 2012.Asthma was diagnosed based upon case history,clinical signs and lung function test.Smoking status was investigated by questionnaire.Results Sampling population was 180 099 and 164 215 were valid.A total of 2 034 subjects were diagnosed as asthma including 79 692 men and 84 523 women.The overall prevalence rate of asthma was 1.24％ (2 034/164 215).Smokers were 23.8％ (39 137/164 215) in the whole population.Smokers were 34.5％ (702/2 034) in asthmatic patients,compared with 23.7％ (38 435/ 162 181) in no-asthmatic population.The incidence of asthma was 1.79％ and 1.06％ in smokers and nonsmokers respectively (P ＜0.001),suggesting that OR of smoking was 1.70 (95％ CI 1.55-1.86,P ＜ 0.001).According to asthma control test (ACT) score,the level of asthma control in non smoking group was higher than that in smoking group(43.2％ vs 35.3％).The times of hospitalization due to acute exacerbations (0.51 vs 0.41 events/person/year),total hospitalization rate (27.35 ％ vs 20.12％),annual emergency room visits (0.80 vs 0.60 events/person/year) and emergency room visit rate (31.77％ vs 24.47％) were all much higher in smoking asthmatic patients than those in non smoking asthmatic patients,indicating that the level of asthma control in smoking patients was significantly worse than in non smoking patients.Conclusions The smoking rate in Chinese people over 14 years is still high.The prevalence rate of asthma in smokers is significantly higher than that of non-smokers.The level of asthma control in smokers is significantly worse than that in non smokers.

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of different drying methods on volatile components of Pseudostellariae Radix. MethodThe samples were dried by different methods， including air drying， sun drying， hot air drying （40， 60， 80 ℃） and vacuum freeze drying. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to compare the changes of volatile components in the samples after different treatments. The samples were incubated at 80 ℃ and 500 r·min^-1 for 15 min， the injection temperature was 85 ℃， the injection volume was 200 μL， the flow rate of carrier gas was from 2 mL to 150 mL during 20 min， and the temperature of IMS detector was 60 ℃. SE-54 capillary column （0.32 mm×30 m， 0.25 μm） was used， the column temperature was 60 ℃， and the analysis time was 35 min. The differential spectra of volatile components were constructed and analyzed by principal component analysis （PCA）. ResultA total of 37 volatile components were identified from dried Pseudostellariae Radix. The number of compounds in descending order was ketones， aldehydes and alcohols. There were some differences in the volatile components in samples dried by different methods. And the volatile components in samples with sun drying， air drying and hot air drying at 40 ℃ were similar， compared with other drying methods， vacuum freeze drying and hot air drying at 80 ℃ had great effects on the volatile components of Pseudostellariae Radix， and the compounds in the samples with vacuum freeze drying were the least. ConclusionIn this study， GC-IMS for the detection and analysis of volatile components in Pseudostellariae Radix is established， which has the characteristics of high efficiency， nondestructive inspection and simple sample processing. This method can be used for the distinction of Pseudostellariae Radix dried by different methods. And hot air drying at 40 ℃ can effectively retain the volatile components of Pseudostellariae Radix， and achieve similar flavor to samples with sun drying and air drying.

The development and potential application of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is closely related to the human brain, so that the ethical regulation of BCI has become an important issue attracting the consideration of society. Existing literatures have discussed the ethical norms of BCI technology from the perspectives of non-BCI developers and scientific ethics, while few discussions have been launched from the perspective of BCI developers. Therefore, there is a great need to study and discuss the ethical norms of BCI technology from the perspective of BCI developers. In this paper, we present the user-centered and non-harmful BCI technology ethics, and then discuss and look forward on them. This paper argues that human beings can cope with the ethical issues arising from BCI technology, and as BCI technology develops, its ethical norms will be improved continuously. It is expected that this paper can provide thoughts and references for the formulation of ethical norms related to BCI technology.
Humans ; Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Technology ; Brain ; User-Computer Interface ; Electroencephalography

ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram and thin layer chromatography（TLC） of Qingxin Lianziyin（QXLZY） benchmark samples， in order to clarify the key quality attributes and provide a reference for the quality evaluation of QXLZY. MethodHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） specific chromatogram of QXLZY benchmark samples was developed by using a YMC Hydrosphere C₁₈ column（4.6 mm×250 mm， 5 μm） with the mobile phase of acetonitrile（A）-0.2% formic acid aqueous solution（B） for gradient elution（0-10 min， 5%-20%A； 10-20 min， 20%A； 20-25 min， 20%-24%A； 25-40 min， 24%-30%A； 40-55 min， 30%-50%A； 55-65 min， 50%-100%A； 65-75 min， 100%A； 75-75.1 min， 100%-5%A； 75.1-90 min， 5%A）， and the detection wavelength was 360 nm. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometry（UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS） with electrospray ionization（ESI） was used to identify the components of QXLZY benchmark samples by accurate relative molecular weight and multilevel MS fragment ion information， the detection conditions were positive and negative ion modes and data dependency scanning mode. TLC identification methods for Ophiopogonis Radix， Lycii Cortex， Nelumbinis Semen， Poria， Astragali Radix and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in QXLZY were established. ResultA total of 15 characteristic peaks were identified from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Plantaginis Semen and Scutellariae Radix， and the relative standard deviations of the retention times of 15 characteristic peaks in 15 batches of QXLZY benchmark samples were≤3% with peak 8（baicalin） as the reference peak. A total of 100 compounds， including flavonoids， organic acids， saponins， amino acids and others， were identified in the benchmark samples by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS. The established TLC had good separation and was suitable for the identification of Ophiopogonis Radix， Lycii Cortex， Nelumbinis Semen， Poria， Astragali Radix and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in QXLZY. ConclusionThe material basis of QXLZY benchmark samples is basically determined by MS designation and source attribution. The established specific chromatogram and TLC of QXLZY are simple， stable and reproducible， which can provide a reference for the development and quality control of QXLZY.