Objective To reduce the artifacts produced by cardiac or respiratory motion,through the application of exact reconstruction algorithm with triple-source CT in dynamic reconstruction.Methods Simulation studies on two dynamic phantoms were performed with exact reconstruction algorithms of both single-source and triple-source spiral CT.The performance of triple-source spiral CT in dynamic reconstruction was evaluated with comparing the reconstruction results from triple-source and single-source configurations.Results The triple-source configuration could effectively reduce the artifact in dynamic reconstruction.Conclusion The results of this paper confirm the validity of the exact reconstruction algorithm of multi-source CT,which has the potential to improve the image quality in cardiac imaging and small animal imaging.

Objective To investigate the expression of advanced glycation end products(AGEs)in a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)induced by dehydroepiandrosterone. Methods The PCOS rat model was established using dehydroepiandrosterone . After confirming that the model rats were set up successfully,serum AGEs concentrations were measured using competitive ELISA and the expression of AGEs in the ovarian tissues of these rats was detected using immunohistochemistry. Results The serum AGEs level in the experimental group were signifi?cantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). Furthermore,AGEs expression were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion AGEs are highly expressed in the rat PCOS model,signifying their importance in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of PCOS.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of cell autophagy for regulating skeletal muscle wasting of rats after severe burns. Methods: Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were collected and divided into sham injury group, simple burn group, burn+ phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, and burn+ 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group according to the random number table, with 18 rats in each group. Rats in simple burn group, burn+ PBS group, and burn+ 3-MA group were inflicted with 30% total body surface area full-thickness scald (hereinafter referred to as burns). Rats in sham injury group were sham injured. Immediately after burns and fluid resuscitation, rats in burn+ PBS group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL PBS, and rats in burn+ 3-MA group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL 3-MA (125 g/L). On post injury day 3 and 7, the weights of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs and body of rats were measured to calculate percentage of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight. Protein expressions of microtubule related protein 1 light chain 3A (LC3A) and Beclin-1 of anterior tibial muscle were observed by immunofluorescence method and detected by Western blotting, and ratio of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ was calculated. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, t-test and Bonferroni correction. Results: On post injury day 3 and 7, percentages of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight of rats in simple burn group were (0.148±0.009)% and (0.134±0.018)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in sham injury group [(0.203±0.009)%, (0.181±0.015)%, t=10.585, 4.913, P<0.01]. Percentages of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were (0.187±0.004)% and (0.192±0.009)%, respectively, which were obviously higher than those in burn+ PBS group [(0.162±0.005)%, (0.167±0.005)%, t=9.564, 5.948, P<0.01]. On post injury day 3 and 7, protein expressions of Beclin-1 and microtubule related protein 1 LC3A of anterior tibial muscle of rats in simple burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group, while protein expressions of Beclin-1 and microtubule related protein 1 LC3A of anterior tibial muscle of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were significantly lower than those in burn+ PBS group. Ratios of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ of anterior tibial muscle of rats in simple burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (t=3.461, 3.353, P<0.05), while ratios of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ of anterior tibial muscle of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were significantly lower than those in burn+ PBS group (t=3.129, 3.977, P<0.05). Conclusions Cell autophagy induced by severe burns is involved in the process of skeletal muscle wasting of rats, and inhibition of cell autophagy may contribute to the remission of skeletal muscle wasting of rats induced by burns.

Background and purpose: Most of the patients with esophageal cancers were late stage cases when diagnosed clinically. Since the prognosis is very poor, it is extremely important to improve the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is an effective modality for esophageal cancer. However, effects on quality of life of chemoradiotherapy are rarely reported domestically. Our purpose was to assess the immediate effect on the quality of life in patients with primary esophageal carcinoma. Methods: QOL was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) Chinese edition. Fifty-two patients were randomized to receive either concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LAHF). QOL questionnaires were given before therapy and at the 4th week during radiotherapy, the completion of radiotherapy, and then after 1 and 3 months after the completion of radiotherapy, respectively. Results: It has been observed that the scores of global health status, physical functioning,role functioning and social functioning during the radiotherapy and from completion of radiotherapy to 1 month post radiotherapy in CRT and LAHF groups, deteriorated temporarily, but it were not significant when compared with those before radiotherapy (P>0.05). However, global health status scores, physical functioning scores, role functioning scores were significantly improved in patients who received CRT at 3 months post radiotherapy. Mean scores were improved by 12.0±3.7 (P=0.012),8.1±2.9 (P=0.023) and 14.8±5.2 (P=0.015), respectively. Nausea and vomiting, pain and appetite loss scales scores rapidly recovered to the baseline level after therapy, although they were worsened during therapy.Conclusion: Global health status scores, physical functioning scores and role functioning scores were significantly improved at 3 months after radiotherapy in patients treated by CRT. In terms of QOL, CRT is a feasible modality for esophageal cancer.

Objective To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture therapy (ET) on the expression of sodium channel Na(v) 1.1 in rats after acute cerebral ischemia and the mechanism of any protective function of ET.Methods A model of focal acute cerebral ischemia was established by occluding the right middle cerebral artery.One hundred and eighty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation control (SC) group, an ischemia control (IC) group, a real ET group and a false ET group, with 45 in each group. Immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PGR) methods were used to detect Na(v)1. 1 expression. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to detect infarct volume. Neurological examination and grading was carried out at 6 hours and then 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after inducing ischemia. Results The gradings and infarction volume ratios of the rats in the IC group were the most serious, while in the real ET group the severity was much less at each time point. Compared with the SC group, the expression of Na(v) 1.1 was significantly up-regulated in the IC group. The expression of Na(v) 1.1 was increased at the 6th hour, then down-regulated to the lowest level at day 1,then from the 2nd to the 7th day was up-regulated again. The expression of Na(v) 1.1 in the real ET group was significantly lower than in the IC group. Although the expression of Na(v)1.1 in the false ET group was low compared with the IC group, the difference was not significant. The difference between the real ET group and the false ET group was significant, however. Conclusions ET can reduce damage from cerebral ischemia and benefit the recovery of neural function. ET can also could regulate the expression of Na(v)1.1 after acute cerebral ischemia, which may be an important mechanism for neural function recovery.

Aim To observe the effects of panaxdiol saponins component ( PDS-C) extracted and isolated
from Chinese ginseng herb as new Chinese patent med-icine on the promotion of hematopoiesis and the regula-tion of the immune system in treating mice models with aplastic anemia ( AA ) . Methods For preparation of immune mediated AA models, BALB/c mice were ex-posed to sublethal doses of 5. 0 Gy γ radiation, fol-lowed by transplanted lymphocytes from DBA/2 donor mice. The mice models were divided into six groups in-cluding normal control, AA model, PDS-C treated groups with lower, medium and higher dosages, cy-closporine ( CsA) as positive drug control. Both PDS-C and CsA were administered by gastrogavage for 15 days. The peripheral blood cells counts and bone mar-row pathological examination were tested, the percenta-ges of Th1/Th2/Treg cells from spleen were measured, the protein expression levels of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 transcription factors in spleen cells were detec-ted. Results Curative effect of PDS-C on treating AA
mice was satisfactory. The peripheral hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelet counts in PDS-C groups with medium and higher doses were significantly higher than those in model control. Meanwhile, PDS-C ele-vated the percentages of Th2 cells and Treg cells, but decreased the percentage of Th1 cells, as well as up-regulated the GATA-3 , FOXP3 and down-regulated the T-bet protein levels. Conclusion PDS-C possesses the activities of promoting hematopoiesis obviously. It can improve marrow myelosuppression, enhance the re-covery of hematopoiestic function, and elevate the pe-ripheral blood cells counts. PDS-C also pays its immu-noregulatory efficacy though recovering from unbal-anced Th1/Th2/Treg cells in treating immune media-ted AA mice.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a useful approach for diagnosing vascular diseases. In this paper, we proposed a reconstruction algorithm for dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch. The projection data are collected by the double-source double-multislice spiral CT (DSDMS-CT). However, the pitch of the DSDMS-CT is variable other than being constant. We have developed a new formula performing interpolation along Z-axis for dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch. The dual-source spiral CT with variable pitch can chase contrast bolus more flexibly and more effectively. The simulation results show the correctness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Algorithms ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Humans ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVE To investigate the develop mental toxicity of muscone to embryos. METHODS With zebrafish embryos as a model,The 3 h post fertilization (hpf)embryos were exposed to muscone at 5,10,20,40,80 and 160 μmol·L -1 culture solutions for 96 h and inspected daily with mi-croscopy for larval morphology.The drug solution was replaced every 24 h.Spontaneous move ments were checked at 24 hpf.Heart rate at 48 hpf,hatching rate,e mbryo deformity rate and mortality rate were evaluated.The expression of sepn1 was determined with real-ti me quantitative PCR technique at 96 hpf.RESULTS The 24 hpf spontaneous move ments showed no significant difference.At 48 hpf, spine curvature,pericardial ede ma,yolk sac ede ma,and abnormal swi mming were observed.In addition, the 48 hpf heart beats(10 s)was decreased fro m 26.5 ±1 .0 to 18.0 ±1 .9(P <0.01 ).At 48 hpf , hatching rate of 5 ~40 μmol·L -1 decreased(P <0.05),while of 160 μmol·L -1 increased (P <0.05) co mpared with muscone 0 μmol·L -1 .Muscone had little effect on hatching rate at other ti me points;Mal-formation rate and mortality rate at higher concentrations were up to 100%.The sepn1 gene expression at 96 hpf in the exposure groups decreased co mpared with that of control group(P <0.01 ).CONCLU-SION Muscone had toxic effects on the develop ment of zebrafish embryos,including spine curvature, abnormal swi mming,and pericardial ede ma.These effects may be related to the inhibition of sepn1 gene expression by muscone.

Objective: To explore and compare the preventive effect of using letrozole and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist during luteal phase of patients at high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Methods: A total of 99 infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer or intracytoplasmic sperm injection with high risk for OHSS were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial.The letrozole group (n=51) received letrozole of 7.5 mg daily for 3 days;the GnRH antagonist group (n=48) were given cetrorelix of 0.25 mg subcutaneously daily for 3 days. Both groups received support therapy combined with embryo cryopreservation. The incidence of OHSS was surveyed. And the serum concentration of estradiol, LH and progesterone on days 3, 5 and 8 after oocytes retrieval were measured. Results: There were no statistical differences in terms of baseline characteristics of patients and outcomes of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation between the two groups.The incidence of moderate and severe OHSS was found no significantly difference between letrozole group [11.8%(6/51)] and GnRH antagonist group [10.4%(5/48);P>0.05]. The estradiol concentration of the indicated days on days 3,5 and 8 after oocytes retrieval in letrozole group and GnRH antagonist group were (1 417±3 543) versus (15 210±9 921) pmol/L, (1 692±4 330) versus (18 680±11 567) pmol/L, (239±336) versus (3 582±5 427) pmol/L, respectively;compared with GnRH antagonist group, the estradiol level was significantly lower in the letrozole group (all P<0.01). The luteinizing hormone level in the letrozole group were (0.46±0.40), (0.56±0.55)and (0.67±0.58) U/L on days 3,5 and 8 after oocytes retrieval, which were significantly higher than those of GnRH antagonist group [(0.28±0.28), (0.30±0.19) and (0.45±0.37) U/L, respectively; all P<0.05]. There was no obvious differences on progesterone levels between letrozole group and GnRH antagonist group (all P>0.05),and on days 8 after oocytes retrieval,the level of progesterone in each group were significantly lower than those on day 3 and 5 after oocytes retrieval (P<0.05). Conclusion Letrozole has the same efficiency as GnRH antagonist for the prevention of OHSS, faster and cheaper to use, but its efficacy seems not to be related to the suppression of steroidogenic during the luteal phase.

Background and purpose:The third generation of aromatase inhibitors (AI) in postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive patients is the routine treatments in endocrine therapy. The 500 mg fulvestrant showed clini-cal beneifts in patients with previous AI treatment. This study aimed to access the effcacy and safety of 500 mg fulves-trant in estrogen receptor (ER) positive postmenopausal patients who had previous AI treatments with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 188 post-AI ER positive and (or) progesterone receptor (PR)-positive locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients treated with 500 mg fulvestrant in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from Jul. 2011 to Dec. 2015. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were objective response rate (ORR), clinical beneift rate (CBR) and safety proifle.Results:After the median follow-up of 11.3 months, median PFS was 5.9 months (95%CI: 4.2-7.5), CBR was 40.0% and ORR was 3.4%. COX proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that PFS was correlated with the number of metastatic sites (HR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.2-2.9,P =0.002) and previous lines of chemotherapy (HR=1.52, 95%CI:1.0-2.1,P=0.022). Six patients stopped the treatment for intolerable adverse events.Conclusion:The treatment of 500 mg fulvestrant has a favorable effcacy and safety in treatment of post-AI ER positive postmenopausal patientswith metastatic breast cancer.