Objective To investigate the clinical value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA. Methods One hundred and twenty patients who were suspected with stenotic carotid artery or carotid plaque were prospectively enrolled in the study. All of them were divide into two groups by random number table. Group A (routine group): 60 were scanned with 120 kVp after the administration of moderate-concentration CM(320 mg/ml) with 5 ml/s injection velocity, Group B (low dose group):60 were scanned with GSI which was reconstructed using 50%ASiR after the administration of the same CM with 3 ml/s injection velocity. The contrast dose [(test bolus peak time +2 s – 5 s) × injection velocity] was calculated. Images of the two groups were compared in terms of arterial attenuation, signal-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality (IQ) score. The value of CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) was recorded, respectively. Data were analyzed by using independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results The mean attenuation, noise, SNR, CNR, subjective image quality score, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED of routine group was (363 ± 56)HU, (13 ± 4)HU, 30 ± 10, 38±13, 3.0 score, (69 ± 13) ml, 13.61 mGy,527 mGy · cm and 3.11 mSv, respectively. The above variables of low-dose-group was (378 ± 69) HU, (9 ± 4)HU, 48 ± 19, 62 ± 24, 2.0 score,(49 ± 7)ml, 12.72 mGy, 478 mGy · cm and 2.82 mSv, respectively. The mean attenuation and subjective IQ score of carotid artery had no significant differences statistically between two groups (P>0.05), respectively. The noise, SNR, CNR, contrast dose, CTDIvol, DLP and ED had significant differences statistically between two groups (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion Compared with 120 kVp protocol, the use of GSI associated with patient-based low dose of contrast medium protocol in carotid CTA could provide equivalent image quality and higher SNR and CNR of carotid artery with a smaller amount of iodine and a lower radiation dose.

Objective To evaluate spectral CT imaging in characterizing the pathological type and the differentiation of gastric cancer.Methods Ninety-one patients diagnosed of gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were all underwent triple-phase enhanced scan using single source dualenergy CT on gemstone spectral imaging(GSI) mode.Three types of images were reconstructed for analysis:the water concentration (WC),iodine concentration (IC),and normalized iodine concentration (NIC).The patients were divided into groups of mucinous carcinoma (MUC),including mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma,and non-mucinous gastric carcinoma (non-MUC).Independent-samples t test was used for statistical analysis.Results There were 24 patients of MUC and 67 patients of non-MUC.The IC and NIC of the non-MUC were significantly higher than the MUC in vein phase (VP) and in parenchymal phase (PP) [(21.33 ±6.31) × 100 vs (16.94 ±6.13) × 100 μg/ml,0.55 ±0.17 vs 0.42 ±0.14 in VP,and(20.65 ±5.49) × 100 vs (18.07 ±4.51) × 100 μg/ml,0.72 ±0.20 vs 0.57 ±0.12 in PP,respectively t =-2.948,-3.362,-2.261,-4.326,P ＜0.05].The IC and NIC of the signet ring cell carcinoma were statistically higher than those of the mucinous adenocarcinoma [(19.36 ± 4.75) × 100 vs (12.10 ±5.92) ×100μg/ml,0.49 ± 0.09 vs0.28±0.11 in VP,and (19.88±3.28) ×100 vs (14.45±4.62) ×100 μg/ml,0.63 ±0.08 vs 0.47 ±0.11 in PP,respectively t =3.253,5.180,3.339,3.850,P ＜0.01].For the poorly differentiated and well /moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma,the IC and NIC of the former were higher than those of the latter in VP and PP [(23.48 ±6.49) × 100 vs (18.98 ±5.26) × 100 μg/ml,0.61±0.16vs0.48±0.15 in VP,and (22.95±5.51) ×100 vs (18.28±4.47) ×100 μg/ml,0.81 ± 0.21 vs 0.63 ± 0.15 in PP,respectively t =3.098,3.249,3.766,4.117,P ＜ 0.01].The between-group differences of WC,IC and NIC in artery phase were no significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Different pathological types could determine different IC.The spectral CT imaging may be helpful for characterizing the pathological type of gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the value of MRI in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of bone marrow involvement in patients with lymphoma. Methods 28 diagnosed lymphoma with bone marrow infiltration and 31 healthy spines as controls were included.MRI performance and the signal intensity ratio on T1WI (SIR1) of the spine bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed and statistical analyses were performed.Results Qualitative diagnosis among these patients,was shown than MRI results indicated that 27 cases had abnormal signal. The sensitivity of MRI was 96.4 ％. There were four main patterns of marrow infiltration in MRI,containing nodular pattern 21.4 ％ (6/28),scattered pattern 53.6 ％ (15/28),mottled pattern 14.3 ％ (4/28) and uniform pattern 7.1％ (2/28) respectively.By quantitative diagnosis the SIR1 of study group (1.251±0.253) was apparently lower than that in the control group (2.625±0.434) with statistical significance (t =15.022,P ＜ 0.001).The results of multiple comparisons showed that the SIR1 of mild degree (1.390±0.172),moderate degree (0.982±0.790) and severe degree (0.908±0.122) patients with lymphoma compared with the normal controls had significant differences (all P =0.000),and difference between mild and moderate degree had statistical significance (LSD,P =0.012),so did the difference between mild and severe degree (LSD,P =0.025).However,no significant difference could be seen between moderate and severe degree (LSD, P =0.757). Positive linear correlation was existed between the persentages of SIR1 and tumor cells in bone marrow (r =-0.765, P ＜ 0.001). Conclusion As a noninvasive and direct-viewing technique, MRI presents a global view of bone marrow with high sensitivity in detecting bone marrow involvement in lymphoma. To a certain extent, it could be possible to estimate the infiltration degree and evaluation of the tumor burden in bone marrow by quantitative measurement of MRI.

Objective To investigate the value of wide-detector Revolution CTA with 70 kV tube voltage and prospective ECG-gated technique in diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants and children.Methods Forty-five infants and children with complicated CHD underwent echocardiography and wide-detector Revolution CTA.According to the sur gical findings,the diagnostic efficiency of Revolution CTA and echocardiography were calculated and compared.The radiation effective dose (ED) and iodine dose were calculated.The quality of CT images was also evaluated.Results There were 25 separate cardiovascular anomalies including 6 congenital cardiac structure anomalies and 19 congenital extracardiac vascular anomalies.For congenital extracardiac vascular anomalies,there was significant difference of diagnostic accuracy and the detectable rate between CTA (99.77％ [853/855],97.73％ [86/88]) and echocardiography (98.71％ [844/855],88.64％ [78/88];x2 =6.28,5.72,both P＜0.05).The average of ED was (0.20±0.05)mSv and the mean iodine dose was (2.06± 1.09)g.All CT images were qualified for diagnosis.Conclusion The wide-detector Revolution CTA,with the prospective ECG-gated technique and 70 kV tube voltage,can provide high accuracy for assessment of CHD in infants and children,which can keep good image quality,with the low radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the limitation of quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) of normal white matter by using a single subtraction with thin-slice TI1 periodic saturation (Q2TIPS Ⅱ ) pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL)technique. Methods Thirty-one patients with brain tumors were examined at 3.0 T MRI system . A second version of quantitative imaging of perfusion using a single subtraction with additional thin-section periodic saturation after inversion and a time delay (Q2TIPS) technique of pulsed arterial spin labeling in the multisection mode and T2* dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced (T2* DSC)MR imaging were both implemented. Cerebral blood flow map obtained from PASL and DSC were reviewed. The regions of interest( ROI )were placed in the region of normal white matter contralateral to the lesion in the proximal and distal slices. In regions of interest, the signal intensity (SI)was measured from the maps of cerebral blood flow map obtained from PASL and DSC. Pair-t test was performed to determine if there were significant signal differences between proximal and distal slices. Pearson linear correlation analysis of signal intensity was performed for values from the same slices of PASL-CBF and DSC-CBF maps. Results In the deep white matter of distal slice, PASL-CBF map showed perfusion deficit while DSC-CBF map showed low CBF in the corresponding brain area. With the increased inversion time,the PASL-CBF map showed obviously improved perfusion signal in deep white matter (but still some perfusion deficit)and slightly decreased perfusion signal in grey matter. The mean signal of normal white matter measured from distal slices of PASL-CBF maps was( -22.1 ±55.5) ml· 100 g-1 · min-1 while it was (89.5 ±45.5) ml. 100 g-1 · min-1 in proximal slices. There was a significant difference of signal intensity from PASL-CBF maps between distal and proximal slices ( t = - 9. 512, P ＜ 0. 01 ＝, while no difference of signal intensity between distal[ (62. 8 ± 29.9) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1] and proximal slices [(57. 1 ±29.6) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1 ]was obtained from DSC-CBF maps(t= -1.607,P＞0.05). There was no significant correlation between PASL-CBF and DSC-CBF in both distal ( r = 0. 093, P ＞ 0. 05 ) and proximal slices ( r = - 0. 234, P ＞ 0. 05). ConclusionsPASL has limitation in the accurate quantification of cerebral blood flow of normal white matter. The quantification of CBF was affected by the limitations of the technique itself and the different parameters chosen..

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor on stress-induced myocardial injury.

METHODSHealthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups( n = 6), and the stress-induced myocardial injury model was established with chronic restraint stress method. The protective effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor on stress-induced myocardial injury were observed with Trichostatin A (TSA) intervention. Histone acetylation levels in myocardium of rats were detected by Western blot method, spectrophotometry method was used to dynamically determine the activity of rat serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) and Caspase 3, and nagar Olsen staining were used to observe the early myocardial damage.

RESULTSRestraint stress could significantly reduce the level of histone acetylation of myocardium in rats, and TSA intervention could inhibit the stress-induced reduction of myocardial levels of histone acetylation. Restraint stress could cause the significant increase of serum LDH activity ( P < 0.05), serum CK-MB activity ( P < 0.05), and the Caspase 3 activity of myocardial tissue (P < 0.05), and early myocardial damage also occurred during restraint stress. ISA intervention could significantly reduce the serum LDH activity (P < 0.05), the serum CK-MB activity (P < 0.05), the activity of myocardial tissue caspase 3 induced by restraint stress (P < 0.05), and the stress-induced myocardial injury was also attenuated by TSA intervention.

CONCLUSIONThe histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA can protect stress-induced myocardial injury.

Acetylation ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Physiological

Objective To evaluate the effects of rebuilding stove and health education on preventing coal-burning fluorosis and arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi in 2005.Methods According to "Scheme of Impmving Stove in Preventing Coal-burning Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning of Shaanxi in 2005",the initial meeting was convened,while liability contracts were signed,leading and technical guiding groups were established,professional training was carried out.On the basis of the epidemiologic data,stoves were improved in 7 chosen counties in Ankang and Hanzhong City where the health education in several modalities was carried out.The project was checked and accepted when the work was completed.Thirty children in fourth grade were randomly selected in one primary school of each county.Fifleen adults aged 16 years old were chosen randomly in each village in each country.They were asked to answer the questionnaire about the health knowledge.Results There were 955 322 stoves improved in 7 countries in Ankang and Hanzhong City accounting for rebuilding stove was 100%(95 322/95 314).The awareness rates of health knowledge were 88%(444/508)in the adults and 100%(210/210)in children.Conclusions The government mangement leadership,the cooperation between the related departments, the participation of residents and the assufance of fund are the essentials in long lasting control of endemic diseases.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of T2WI, DWI and 3D-VBIE at 3.0 T MR in the differentiation of recurrent rectal cancer and benign pelvic lesions after curative rectal operation.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with abnormal pelvic lesions confirmed by CT or MR from April 2007 to October 2010 were evaluated with MR imaging. All the patients received examinations of both T2WI and DWI, and 24 of them received additional examination of 3D-VIBE. Thirteen patients with MR imaging in the same period who were confirmed to have no diseases of the rectum were used as control group. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) value and the ratio of the signal intensity(SI) of the lesions to the gluteus maximus in T2WI(SI(L)/SI(M)) and the ratio of the net added signal intensity of the lesions to the net added signal intensity of the iliac artery(SI(L)/SI(A)) at the time of 35 seconds after the iliac artery achieved its highest intensity were measured and calculated. The type of the time-intensity curve(TIC) was over viewed and classified as the benign type when the TIC was rising slowly or constantly and lasted for more than 90 s; however the malignant type when the TIC was rising significantly but lasted less than 90 s kept as a horizontal line for a period or was descending slowly or rising slowly.

RESULTSThere were 29 lesions of different final diagnosis, including 17 recurrence rectal cancers, 4 fibrous masses, 6 stoma inflammations, 1 sinus and 1 abscess. Fourteen of them were confirmed by pathological examination. The ratio of SI(L)/SI(M) was 2.84±1.52 in the benign group, 2.58±0.80 in the malignant group, and 2.13±0.58 in the control group, the differences between the 3 groups were not statistically significant(F=1.620, P=0.211). When the ADC value of 1.21×10(-3) mm(2)/s was set as a diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and coherence for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(17/17), 91.7%(11/12), 96.6%(28/29) and 0.928, respectively. When the SI(L)/SI(A) value of 0.28 was set as a diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and coherence for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(13/13), 66.7%(8/12), 84.0%(21/25) and 0.675. When considering the TIC as the diagnostic standard, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(13/13), 83.3%(10/12) and 92.0%(23/25), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe signal intensity of T2WI has no specificity in the differentiation of malignant lesions and benign lesions while the DWI and the 3D-VIBE have high values in it.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo clone the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) from the mouse testis, construct the eukaryotic expression vector and transfect this vector into Sertoli cells in order to use the gdnf-transfected Sertoli cells as the feeder layer to cultivate spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from the testes of normal mature mice and gdnf was cloned and amplified using RT-PCR, inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector and transfected into sertoli cells (TM4 cell line). Immunofluorescence with anti-GDNF antibodies was performed at 40 h following the transfection.

RESULTSgdnf cDNA was cloned successfully, and GDNF expressed after transfected into Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a basis for culturing SSCs with gdnf-transfected Sertoli cells as the feeder layer.

Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; RNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the osteoblast-like characteristics of human periodontal ligament cells affected by elastic stress in vitro, and the role of corebinding factor a 1 (cbfa1) in alveolar bone formation during orthodontic tooth movement.

METHODSRat dig-labeled cbfa1 cDNA probe was prepared from SD rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured on the elastic bottom plate and stimulated by elastic stress using mechanical loading system for cultured cells in vitro. The expression of cbfa1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization method.

RESULTSCbfa1 mRNA express in human periodontal ligament cells stimulated by elastic stress and did not express in normal human periodontal ligament cells.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that elastic stress plays a role in the differentiation process from human periodontal ligament cells to osteoblast-like cells. Cbfa1 is a transcription factor in alveolar bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Transcription Factors ; genetics