Objective To evaluate spiral CT features and differential diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma in the hepatic biliary duct.Methods CT findings of cystadenocarcinoma in the hepatic biliary duct proved by pathology in 4 cases were retrospectively analysed with review literatures.Results Biliary cystadenocarcinoma appeared as unilocular or multilocular cystic tumor,the cystic wall was irregular with mural nodules and satellite leisons,and the distal biliary duct was dilated.Conclusion Spiral CT is efficient method in diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma in the hepatic biliary duct.

Carrying nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and other substances, the tumor microenvironment-derived and cancer-derived exosomes promote tumor metastasis through intercellular communication. These exosomes mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, which is a key step in tumor invasion and distant metastasis. Exosomes also play important roles in creating tumor microenvironment to help tumor cells escape immune surveillance and to promote the formation of pre-metastatic niche for the engraftment of detached cancer cells. In this review, the progress in multifaceted roles of exosomes in tumor metastasis by inducing EMT, regulating immune response and promoting the formation of pre-metastatic microenvironment was discussed.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of spectral CT monochromatic imaging in improvement of imaging quality of bronchial arteries.Methods We retrospevtively analyzed the chest CT images in 38 patients who underwent the contrast-enhanced spectral CT.These images included a set of 140 kVp polychromatic images and default 70 keV monochromatic images.Using a standard Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI)viewer at an advanced workstation (AW4.6),an optimal energy level (in keV)for obtai-ning the best CNR of the bronchial artery could be automatically obtained.The SNR,CNR and objective imaging quality score for these 3 imaging sets (140 kVp,70 keV and optimal energy level)were obtained and compared with one-way ANOVA .Results The optimal energy levels for obtaining the best CNR were (62.58±2.74)keV.The SNR of the 140 kVp polychromatic images,70 keV monochromatic images,and the optimal keV monochromatic images were 1 6.44±5.85,20.96 ±8.32 and 24.91 ±9.91,the CNR were 13.30±5.45,1 7.25±6.97 and 20.67±8.62,and the subjective imaging quality scores were 1.97 ±0.82,3.24±0.75 and 4.47±0.60,respectively,exhibiting significant differences among groups (F =10.1 7,10.1 7 and 1 1 1.12,P <0.00).The optimal monochromatic group was superior to the 70 keV group and the 140 kVp mixed-energy group.Conclusion Monochromatic images at approximately 62 keV in dual-energy spectral CTA yields the best CNR and highest diagnostic confidence for imaging bronchial ar-teries,which may improve imaging quality for imaging bronchial arteries.

Objective To compare the virtual non-enhanced chest CT (VNCT)generated from spectral CT with conventional non-enhanced chest CT in patients with lung disease in terms of CT number accuracy and image quality.Methods A total of 30 patients with lung disease proved by pathology underwent the conventional non-enhanced thoracic CT and contrast enhanced CT with spectral imaging mode in arterial phase (AP)and venous phase (VP).The VNCT images were reconstructed based on the enhanced spectral CT imaging data.The mean CT number,signal to noise ratio (SNR)for the lesions and image quality score were obtained and compared between the true non-contrast CT (TNCT)and the VNCT (including AP and VP)with paired t test.Results The mean±standard deviation for CT number were (38.74±5.17)HU,(39.08±5.07)HU and (38.96± 5.18)HU for TNCT,VNCT at AP and VNCT at VP,respectively, with no statistical difference (P>0.05).All 3 sets of images demonstrated acceptable image quality,even though there were statistically significant differences in the SNR value and image quality score.The mean ± standard deviation values for SNR were 4.74±0.42 with TNCT, 3.79 ± 0.5 1 with VNCT at AP and 3.77 ± 0.39 with VNCT at VP (P <0.05),and the image quality scores were 5.00 ±0.00 with TNCT,4.17±0.65 with VNCT at AP and 4.17±0.53 with VNCT at VP (P<0.05).Conclusion In patients with lung disease,the vir-tual non-enhanced CT images generated from spectral CT provide accurate CT numbers for lesions and acceptable image quality com-pared with the true non-contrast CT.VNCT may be used to replace TNCT to improve work flow and reduce radiation dose.

PurposeTo explore the feasibility of personalized energy spectrum scanning in upper abdomen CT by comparing the image quality and radiation dose of optimizing choice spectrum scanning protocol with conventional 120 kVp scan.Material and Methods Sixty patients undergoing abdominal CT scan with and without contrast enhancement were prospectively collected and randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (30 patients) underwent conventional 120 kVp scan and spectral enhancement scanning; group B (30 patients) underwent spectrum scan and 120 kVp enhancement scanning. Spectral scanning protocol was based on individual choice with conventional 120 kVp NI10-5 mm average mAs scan for every patient. The CT dose index of volume (CTDIvol) and effective dose (ED) during non-contrast phase and portal venous phase were recorded. The CT value, standard deviation (SD), signal noise ratio (SNR) and contrast noise ratio (CNR) were measured in the liver parenchyma, spleen parenchyma and portal venous trunk.Results The CTDIvol and ED of spectrum scanning were less than 120 kVp scan but there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). The SD of group B GSI imaging was less than group A 120 kVp (P<0.05), while the SNR was greater than group A. The SD of group A GSI portal venous phase in the liver, spleen and portal vein was less than group B 120 kVp (P<0.05).ConclusionThe optimized energy spectrum scanning protocol can reduce radiation dose with quality of single energy image from the energy spectrum equal to or better than the conventional 120 kVp scanning protocol. Personalized energy spectrum scan protocol provides multi-parameter diagnosis and multi-application platform and can be used routinely in the upper abdomen scan.

Objective To explore the application of low dose of radiation combined with low concentration of contrast medium in the energy spectrum CT of the coronary artery angiography.Methods 60 patients with suspected diagnosis of coronary heart disease were randomly divided into A,B two groups,30 cases in each group.Group A with 350 mg I/mL contrast agent,undergoing conventional CT scanning;Group B using 300 mg I/mL contrast agent,the gems energy spectrum CT scanning with low-dose.Two groups both adopted forward-looking heart switch control scanning mode.After scanning,group A reconstructed conventional images of 40% ASiR sequence,group B rebuilded axial surface images of single energy 65 keV and 40% ASiR sequence,all the reconstruction images were introduced to AW4.6 workstations used for analysis.Double-blind subjective rating was done by two experienced doctors to measure CT values and SD of aortic sinus (AS),left main (LMA),the left anterior descending branch proximal (LAD-p),left circumflex branch proximal (LCX-p), right coronary artery proximal (RCA-p)and pericardial fat,AS the noise (SD),to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)and contrast to noise ratio (CNR),to calculate the effective doses of radiation(ED)by recording CTDI and DLP,and to record iodine intake.By using two independent samples t test to compare two groups of patients’the effective radiation doses,iodine intake,the average CT value,SD,SNR and CNR.Results The subjective image quality score differences and coronary measuring section CT values between the two groups had no statistical significance.In the aspects of effective radiation dose,group B reduced about 29% compared to group A,the difference was statistically significant.Iodine intake in group B decreased about 16% than in group A.Conclusion In coronary artery CT imaging, spectral scanning with low dose of radiation and reconstruction images with single energy can effectively reduce the radiation dose and iodine intake,at the same time it can obtain the approximate image quality like conventional scanning.

Objective:To study feasibility of preparing artificial antigen by membrane coated with hapten-carrier.To compare the Emodin-BSA membrane antigen immunogenicity and specificity against the liquid antigen.Methods:Emodin-BSA-PVDF membrane was prepared by the method that BSA was coated on PVDF membrane and the BSA was coupled with Emodin-couplint agent derivative.Rats were immunized by subcutaneous implantation.The immunogenicity and antibody specificity were characterized using Emodin-CA or Chrysophanol-CA or Physcion-CA membrane immunoassay. Results: The immunogenicity of Emodin-BSA coated membrane antigen was higher than Emodin-BSA liquid antigen;the specificity for three anthraquinones was almost the same(P>0.05). Conclusion:Emodin antiserum generated using Emodin-BSA coated membrane antigen has a high immunogenicity and specificity to Emodin.The results show it is feasible that membrane coated with hapten-carrier is used as artificial antigen.

Objective To evaluate the tolerance and safety of sorafenib for elderly patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.Methods Forty cases with advanced renal cell carcinoma were enrolled,26 were males and 14 were females,the average age was 70 years.Recurrence or metastasis was found in 32 patients who had received nephrectomy,22 of the 32 cases had received cytokine therapy before recurrence or metastasis.Primary renal lesions of 8 cases could not be resected,so patients get renal tumor biopsy.Pathological type of all patients was clear cell carcinoma.KPS of all the patients were ≥70 points.Sorafenib was used as first-line treatment,with 400 mg twice per day,until intolerance or disease progression occurred.Results The average treatment time was 7.5 months (3-18 months),CR 0 case,PR 6 cases,SD 29 cases,PD 5 cases.The overall objective response rate and disease control rate were 15.0% (6/40)and 87.5%(35/40),respectively.The median follow-up period was 11 months.The adverse reaction included hand-foot skin reaction(70.0%),alopecia (62.5%),rash(52.5%),diarrhea(37.5%),loss of appetite(32.5%),fatigue(27.5%).Most adverse reactions occurred around the second week after drug therapy initiation,their duration did not equal.And most of these adverse reactions could be released by symptomatic treatment,they did not affect the treatment.Conclusions The types of adverse reactions of sorafenib for elderly patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma are similar to those reported in the literature.Generally the degree of adverse reactions is minor,with good tolerance and safety.

Objective To investegate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the apoptosis related protein FLICE-inhibitory protein(FLIP),Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD)and Caspase-3 in the subatania nigra(SN)of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahyd-ropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse models of Parkinson’s disease(PD), and to investigate the role of FADD and FLIP in the pathogenesis of PD and the protective effect of ginsenosides Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons.Methods 45 C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and ginsenoside Rg1 group (n=15).The mice in model group were injected with MPTP by intraperitoneal,the mice in Rg1 group were injected with ginsenoside Rg1 before injecting MPTP,and the mice in control group were injected with normal saline by intraperitoneal. The behavioral changes of the mice in various groups were observed, and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting methods were used to observe the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH),FADD,FLIP and Caspase-3 in substantia nigra of the mice.Results Compared with control group,the mice in model group presented with typical symptoms of PD, the TH-positive neurons in the subatania nigra was significantly reduced (P<0.01 ), the number of FADD, FLIP and Caspase-3 positive cells was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the cytoplasm was deeply stained;the protein expression levels of FADD,FLIP and Caspase-3 were significantly increased (P<0.01).Compared with model group,the PD symptoms of the mice in ginsenoside Rg1 group reduced, the number of TH-positive neurons was significantly increased, the number of positive cells of FLIP,FADD and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the cytoplasm was lightly stained;the protein expression levels of FADD, FLIP and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced (P<0.01 ). Nonlinear correlation analysis found that there was a positive relationship between the number of FADD and Caspase-3 positive cells (r=0.791,P<0.05).Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg1 may play a neural protective effect dopaminergic on neurons by modulating the FADD and FLIP expressions in SN of PD model mice.

[Objective] The present study aimed to determine the protective role of Melatonin (MT) against Acrylamide (AA)-induced testicular toxicity and the potential molecular mechanism.[Methods] The animals were randomly divided into three groups,the control group (n =12),the AA group (n =12) and the AA+MT group (n =12).The rats in the AA and AA + MT group were gavaged with AA at a dose of 15 mg/(kg · day) for 4 consecutive weeks.After 3 weeks of AA treatment,MT was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before AA treatment at 10 mg/(kg· day) for 1 week in the AA + MT rats.Subsequently,the mitochondrial membrane potential measurement,TUNEL assay,Western blot and electron microscopic techniques were applied in the present study.[Results] The results showed that AA could decrease the testis mitochondrial membrane potential (P ＜ 0.05) which could be recovered by MT (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,MT induced down-regulation of Bax expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in the testis,compared with AA rats.The amelioration of testicular apoptosis was further confirmed by the TUNEL labeling.Western blot results suggested that the decreased ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bak in the AA group (both P ＜ 0.05) could be recovered by MT treatment (both P ＜ 0.05).The levels of Cyt-c,Casp-3,p53 and NF-κB in AA group were markedly elevated compared with the control (all P ＜ 0.05),and reduced in MT treatment group (all P ＜ 0.05).MT could relieve abnormal mitochondrial structures in the seminiferous tubule in the electron microscopic level.[Conclusion] MT may exert productive effect through its anti-apoptotic properties associated with mitochondria.