Objective To assess the clinical value of dual-energy intracranial CT angiography (CTA).Methods Forty-one patients suspected of intracranial vascular diseases underwent dual-energy intracranial CT angiography, and 41 patients who underwent conventional subtraction CT were enrolled as the control group.Image quality of intracranial and skull base vessels and radiation dose between dual-energy CTA and conventional subtraction CTA were compared using two independent sample nonparametrie test and independent-samples t test, respectively.Prevalence and size of lesions detected by dual-energy CTA and digital subtraction CTA were compared using paired-samples t test and Spearman correlative analysis. Results The percentage of image quality scored 5 was 70.7% (29/41) for dual-energy CTA and 75.6% (31/41) for conventional subtraction CTA.There was no significant difference between the two groups(Z= -0.455, P=0.650).Image quality of vessels at the skull base in conventional subtraction CTA was superior to that in dual-energy CTA, especially for the petrosal and syphon segment (Z=-4.087, P= 0.000).Radiation exposure of dual energy CTA and conventional CTA were (396.54±17.43) and (1090.95±114.29) mGy · cm respectively.Radiation exposure was decreased by 64% (t=-38.52, P=0.000) by dual energy CTA compared with conventional subtraction CTA.Out of the 41 patients,19 patients were diagnosed as intracranial aneurysm, 2 patients as arteriovenous malformation (AVM), 3 patients with Moya-moya's disease, and the remaining 17 patients with negative results.Nine patients with intracranial aneurysm, 2 patients with AVM, 3 patients with Moya-moya's disease, and 2 patients with negative findings underwent DSA or operation, with concordant findings from both techniques.Diameter of aneurysm neck, long axis and minor axis by dual-energy CTA was (2.90±1.61), (5.23±1.68) and (3.83±1.69) nun, respectively; Diameter of aneurysm neck, long axis and minor axis by DSA was (2.95±1.71), (5.10±1.60) ,(3.83±1.65) nan,respectively.There was no significant difference for the diameters of aneurysm between dual energy CTA and DSA ((t=-0.734,1.936,0.12.5 respectively, P=0.482,0.085,0.903 respectively), and good correlation was found between diameter measurements using the two techniques(r=0.964,0.976,0.973, respectively, all P=0.000) Conclusions Compared with conventional subtraction CTA, dual energy CTA has good image quality for intracranial vessels; however, image quality of the skull base vessels is worse, especially for the petrosal and syphon segment.Dual energy CTA has decreased radiation dose and a high diagnostic accuracy, being a practical imaging madality for diagnosis of intracranial vascular lesions.

Objective To explore the clinical value of dual-energy CT lung perfusion imaging and perfusion scintigraphy in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) rabbit models. Methods Acute PE models were established in 20 rabbits with femoral vein injection of sponge as embolus materials, and 4 rabbits were injected saline as control group. Two hours after embolization, dual-energy CT and perfusion scintigraphy imaging were performed respectively. Taking the pathologicall findings as the reference standards, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of both imaging methods were compared. CT values and enhancement degree (overlay value) of the embolic areas and normal pulmonary parenchyma were measured in DEPI image after embolization. Results Normal lung was color-coded as homogeneously yellowish red, perfusion scintigraphy displayed rarefaction or absence. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of DEPI was 100%, 97.50%, 95.24%, 100%, and of perfusion scintigraphy was 67.50%, 81.25%, 64.29%, 83.33%, respectively. Increased CT values and overlay values of embolism areas in DEPI images were lower than those of normal pulmonary parenchyma (P<0.05). Conclusion DEPI has higher sensitivity and specificity than perfusion scintigraphy for detection of pulmonary emboli in an acute PE rabbit models.

Objective To evaluate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ ( Ang Ⅱ ),angiotensin- (1-7) [ Ang- ( 1-7 ) ],and co-action of Ang Ⅱ and Ang-( 1-7 ) on β cell insulin signaling pathway.Methods Mouse pancreatic β cell line NIT-1 was incubated with( 1 )0,10-7,10-6,10-s,10-4 mol/L concentrations of Ang Ⅱ for 24 h ; ( 2 )0,10-7,10-6,10 -5,10-4 mol/L concentrations of Ang- ( 1-7 ) for 24 h; ( 3 ) co-administration of Ang Ⅱ and Ang- ( 1-7 ) was divided into control,10-5mol/L Ang Ⅱ,10-6mol/L Ang-( 1-7 ),10-5mol/L Ang Ⅱ + 10-6mol/L Ang-( 1-7 ) group.Tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor β subunit(IR-β-Tyr) and serine phophorylation of protein kinase B(Akt-Ser) were detected by Western blot.ResultsInsulin-stimulated IR-β-Tyr and Akt-Ser phosphorylation was significantly decreased in Ang Ⅱ 10-5 and 10-4 mol/L group; no significant changes in insulin-stimulated IR-β-Tyr and Akt-Ser phosphorylation were detected between Ang-( 1-7 ) treatment groups and control; Ang-( 1-7 ) blocked the inhibitory effect of Ang Ⅱ on Akt-Ser phosphorylation,yet exerted no effect on Ang Ⅱ-induced IR-β-Tyr phosphorylation inhibition.Conclusion Ang Ⅱ significantly inhibits insulin signaling pathway in β cell; Ang-( 1-7 ) reverts the inhibitory effect of Ang Ⅱ on insulin-stimulated Akt-Ser phosphorylation in β cell.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,adverse events of gemcitabine vs.5-FU with radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas.Methods Between January 2007 and January 2011,a total of 56 patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas was included and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received 3-DCRT radiotherapy with individual dose of 1.8 ～ 2 Gy,5 times per week,and total dose of 45 ～ 50.4 Gy for 25 ～ 28 fractions,and received concurrent chemotherapy (5-FU or gemcitabine).The patients (n =30) in gemcitabine group were treated with gemcitabine (500 rng/m2 at the 1st,8th,15th,22nd day,at 10 mg · (m2)-1 · min-1,through micro-pump) during radiotherapy; 3 weeks after radiotherapy the patients received gemcitabine infusion at a dose of 800 mg · (m2)-1 · d-1,one time per week,for 3 or 4 cycles.The patients (n =26) in 5-FU group were treated with 5-FU (500 mg/m2 at the 1 ～ 5th day per week,IV),the cycle was repeated every 2 weeks during radiotherapy; 3 weeks later the patients received 5-FU infusion at a dose of 800 mg · (m2)-1 · d-1,the 1st ～5th day per week,the cycle was repeated every 2 weeks ; with a total of 3 or 4 cycles.The efficacy and adverse events were observed,and the patients were followed until June 2013,and the median survival,1 year and 2 year survival was calculated.Results Of the 56 patients,the overall response (CR + PR) rate was 73.2％,and it was 65.3％ in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,80.0％ in radiotherapy with gemcitabine group (P ＜ 0.05).The overall one and two year survival rate was 48.2％ and 14.3％,while median survival was 15.2 months,and the corresponding values were 42.3％,11.5％,13.3 months in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,and 53.3％,16.7％,16.6 months in radiotherapy with gemcitabine group,and the survival difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P =0.071).At the end of treatment,the pain-relief rate (VAS score ＜4) of the 56 patients was 83.3％,it was 75.0％ in 5-FU group and 90.0％ in gemcitabine group.In radiotherapy with gemcitabine group,the incidence of 3～ 4 grade myelosuppression was significantly higher than that in radiotherapy with 5-FU group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (20.0％ vs 7.6％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions For the locally advanced pancreatic carcinomas,radiotherapy with gemcitabine can improve pain-relief and prolong survival compared with radiotherapy with 5-FU,but the incidence of adverse event of myelosuppression is higher.

Objective To identify Anaplasma species circulating among livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang province , Southeastern China and to analyze variations regarding to their 16S rRNA gene.Methods Samples of spleen, liver and blood were collected to extract DNAs .The 16S rRNA gene fragments of Anaplasma species were amplified by using a nested PCR and then sequenced .Ho-mology analysis was conducted by using BLAST program .The multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses comparing with the sequences of other Anaplasma species in GenBank were conducted by using MEGA 5.0 software.Results The 16S rRNA gene fragments of Anaplasma were detected in 1 cattle, 8 goats, 5 Rattus confucianus, 1 Apodemus agrarius, 1 Berylmys bowersi and 1 squirrel out of 129 animals. The natural infection rate of Anaplasma was 13.2% in animals from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang . The alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that there were at least four Anaplasma species prevalent in livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area , including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and Anaplasma bovis.Moreover, there was a variant that obviously differed from Anaplasmma bovis and other Anaplasma sp.in GenBank.Conclusion The Anaplasma infection was detected among livestock and rodents from Xitianmu Mountain area in Zhejiang province .A newly discovered variant in rodents was likely to be a novel species .More close attention should be paid to Anaplasma infec-tion among human in Xitianmu Mountain area .

Objective To explore the mechanism of Tangshenkang in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Methods HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, high glucose group (30 mmol/L D-glucose), control group (30 mmol/L D-glucose+10% animal serum), and Tangshenkang drug-containing serum therapy groups (30 mmol/L D-glucose+5%low concentration Tangshenkang, 30 mmol/L D-glucose+10%middle concentration Tangshenkang, 30 mmol/L D-glucose+20% high concentration Tangshenkang). After 24 h and 48 h treatment, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cell cultural supernatant were observed by ELISA. Results MMP-9 of HK-2 cultured with high glucose was much decreased and TIMP-1 increased significantly than the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). TIMP-1 significantly decreased and MMP-9 increased in HK-2 cultured with high glucose plus Tangshenkang compared with those only induced by high glucose, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Tangshenkang could regulate the secretion of fibrosis cell factor of HK-2 cell induced by high glucose, which may be one of the mechanisms in its treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To summarize the treatment experiences in patients with cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with acute renal injury after orthotopic heart transplantation in our hospital from January 2009 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Three patients were required the high-dose diuretics (furosemide, >80 mg/d) and six patients were received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The levels of serum creatinine (Cr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared before and after heart transplantation and after the treatment of AKI. The quality of life was observed in patients in perioperative period. Results After the treatment of diuretics or CRRT, patients showed renal function recovery with significant decreased Cr levels and increased eGFR compared with the postoperation. The patients with diuretic therapy revealed a better eGFR recovery than those with CRRT. Conclusion CSA-AKI should be based on the severity of disease, and comprehensive treatment should be taken to reduce renal damage.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients with on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB). Methods The clinical data of 200 patients with ONCAB were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into POAF group (n=52) and non POAF group (n=148) according to the occurrence of POAF after operation. The perioperative data including age and gender of all patients were collected and analyzed. The index of opinion of statistical results was classified by two categories Logistic regression analysis, and the related risk factors of POAF were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the age, red blood cell (RBC), left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were analyzed in two groups. Results The incidence rate of POAF was 26%, mostly occurred in the postoperative period from 1 d to 3 d. Compared with non POAF group, the age, the proportion of patients with age≥62.5 years or older, the proportion of patients with LAD≥35 mm, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and perioperative transfusion of RBC were increased in POAF group, and data of mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time and hospitalization time were prolonged, but the LVEF level decrease ( P<0.05). Among them, the elderly (≥62.5 years), increased LAD (≥35 mm), the higher perioperative transmission amount of RBC were the independent risk factors of POAF after ONCAB, and the higher LVEF was a protective factor for ONCAB. The optimal thresholds for age, RBC, LAD and LVEF were 62.5 years, 1U, 35.5 mm, and 0.34. Conclusion The occurrence of POAF after ONCAB is related with age (≥62.5 years old),LAD≥35 mm and perioperative transfusion of RBC, which can be used as clinically to predict the occurrence of POAF.

The incidence of dextrocardia is lower. The dextrocardia is often associated with congenital anatomical abnormalities. The patient with normal cardiac structure of dextrocardia and severe coronary heart disease that needs coronary artery bypasss is rarer. This article summarizes the perioperative management and surgical experience of dextrocardia with bypass surgery via a clinical case.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of digital subtraction bone removal CT angiography (DS-BR-CTA) and dual energy bone removal CTA (DE-CTA) compared with conventional and rotational DSA. Methods A total of 264 patients underwent 3D-DSA were enrolled, 190 of them underwent also DS-BR-CTA, while 74 underwent DE-CTA as well. Aneurysms detected with DS-BR-CTA and DE-CTA were analyzed compared with 3D-DSA on per-patient and per-aneurysm basis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of two methods for diagnosis of aneurysm were calculated. Results Taking DSA as the standard, the sensitivity and specificity of DS-BR-CTA to detect intracranial aneurysms was 96.90％ and 98.36％ on per-patient basis, while 97.37％ and 99.97％ on per-aneurysm basis, and the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of aneurysm ≤3 mm was 88.89% and 98.36%. The sensitivity and specificity of DS-BR-CTA to detect intracranial aneurysms was 98.25% and 100% on per-patient basis, 95.52% and 100% on per-aneurysm basis, and the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of aneurysm ≤3 mm was 90.91% and 100%. Conclusion DE-CTA has a comparable diagnostic accuracy with DS-BR-CTA to diagnose intracranial aneurysms, and can be used in the routine workflow for detection of intracranial aneurysms.