Background Toluene and chlorobenzene have been designated as surrogate contaminants in the challenge test for evaluating the safety of recycling processes for food-contact recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Establishing a reliable analytical method is essential for ensuring the compliant use of rPET and safeguarding food safety. Objective To develop a rapid quantitative method for determining toluene and chlorobenzene in rPET using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS), as part of the challenge test for process safety evaluation. Methods The effects of different chromatographic columns and headspace conditions on detection of target analytes were investigated. Three columns HP-5 ms UI (30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm), DB-624 (30 m×0.32 mm×1.8 μm), and VF-WAXms (30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm) were compared for separation efficiency and peak shape. Headspace equilibration temperatures (50-100 ℃) and equilibration times (10-30 min) were evaluated to determine the optimal instrumental parameters. The effect of sample grinding on recovery was assessed to select the best pretreatment conditions. The established method was validated for selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision, and was subsequently applied to the analysis of 12 rPET samples. Results The target analytes achieved good separation and response within 15 min, under the optimized conditions using an HP-5 ms UI column, a headspace equilibration temperature of 60 ℃ and a 10 min equilibration time. Direct analysis without grinding yielded satisfactory recovery rates. Toluene and chlorobenzene showed excellent linearity (0.0030-5.0 mg·kg⁻¹, R²≥0.999). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.00003 mg·kg⁻¹ and 0.00011 mg·kg⁻¹ for toluene respectively, and 0.00011 mg·kg⁻¹ and 0.00037 mg·kg⁻¹ for chlorobenzene respectively. The recoveries of the matrix spike at low and high spiking levels ranged from 88.6% to 110%, with relative standard deviations of 0.52%-4.9% (n=6). Among the 12 rPET samples from different recycling stages, three samples contained detectable levels of toluene (0.196-0.250 mg·kg⁻¹) and chlorobenzene (0.704-0.867 mg·kg⁻¹). Conclusion The proposed method is simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and accurate, making it suitable for determining toluene and chlorobenzene in food-contact rPET. It provides a robust technical approach for the safety evaluation of rPET recycling processes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Male

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of personalized positioning using a cervical collar combined with a vacuum pad in the Cyberknife radiosurgery for cervical spine metastases.Methods:This study enrolled 68 patients with cervical spine metastases to be treated with Cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy for cervical spines. These patients consisted of 41 males and 27 females, aged from 43 to 78 years (average: 51.5 years). They were divided into groups A, B, and C using the random number table method. The patient positioning in these groups was achieved using a cervical collar combined with a vacuum pad (personalized positioning), a vacuum pad, and a small head mold, respectively. After the first treatment, the comfort levels of the positioning molds during treatment were investigated. After radiotherapy, the average deviations in translational and rotational directions, the minimum tolerance distance (dxAB), the minimum rotational deviation angle (drAB), the proportion of false nodes, and the comfort level of the three positioning method were acquired for analysis.Results:The three groups showed statistically significant differences in the inf-sup, left-right, ant-post, pitch, roll, and yaw directions during the first treatment ( F = 7.13, 2.56, 3.41, 4.21, 2.71, 8.14, P < 0.05). Compared with groups B and C, Group A had significantly lower dxAB, drAB, and the proportion of false nodes, showing statistically significant differences ( F = 5.06, 4.31, 3.30, P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients in groups A and B felt more comfortable with the positioning molds than those in Group C ( χ2 = 12.46, P < 0.05), with no statistically significant differences between groups A and B ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:For patients with cervical spine metastases undergoing Cyberknife radiosurgery for cervical spines, the personalized positioning using a cervical collar combined with a vacuum pad can improve the accuracy and safety of Cyberknife spinal tracking while remaining the comfort level.

Objective:To investigate the consistency and correlation of the respiratory synchronization tracking and fiducial marker respiratory synchronization tracking in the Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with the diaphragm as the tracking target.Methods:A total of 11 patients hospitalized at Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from April 2018 to November 2019 were enrolled, including 8 cases of lung cancer, 2 cases of liver cancer with lung metastasis and 1 case of colorectal cancer with lung metastasis. All enrolled cases used fiducial marker tracking plan (RT) and diaphragm contour tracking plan (DT), and then all received tumor visualization simulation tests. Bland-Altman method was used to make the consistency analysis of the offset in the visualization tests process of 2 tracking plans at each respiratory time point. The minimum tolerance distance, uncertainty and average standard deviation and maximum standard deviation in the optimal model state plans were compared between the both plans by using t test. Results:Compared with RT, the translational standard deviations of DT tracking were listed as follows: head-foot direction (0.4±2.9) mm, left-right direction (0.3±4.4) mm, anterior-posterior direction (-1.8±6.8) mm. The Bland-Altman method showed that the consistency between RT and DT was better in the head-foot and left-right directions, and worse in the anterior-posterior direction; the synchronization was only better in the head-foot direction, and worse in both the left-right and anterior-posterior directions. Results of the model quality comparison showed that the uncertainty of RT was higher than that of DT, and the difference was statistically significant [(23±6)% vs. (9±4)%, t=-5.24, P = 0.001], while the differences of the minimum tolerance distance, average standard deviation and maximum standard deviation were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Patients who use respiratory synchronization Cyberknife SBRT with the diaphragm as the tracking target have better consistency and synchronization in the head-foot direction, but worse in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions. Under the corresponding marginal margin of the target area in the left-right direction, for tumors near the diaphragm that are not visible in the visual test, it is potentially feasible to use the diaphragm as a tracking target to implement respiratory synchronization SBRT. For larger motion amplitudes in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions, more caution is required.

Objective To assess the influence on radiation dose and image quality of bronchial artery CT angiography for hemoptysis patients with high heart rate and free respiratory with single-cardiac dynamic volumetric scanning using 320-row CT.Methods During October 2016 and May 2017,totally 151 hemoptysis patients with heart rate ≥ 65 bmp and free-breathing were scanned for bronchial artery imaging with prospective ECG-gating 320-detector row dynamic volume CT.The patients were randomly divided into two groups,group A(81 cases) and group B(70 cases).Default multi-cardiac cycle scanning style was used for group A to generate multi-sector images A 1 which were reconstructed corresponding single-sector images A2.Single-cardiac periodic scanning was used to get single-sector images for group B.The effective doses (E) of two scanning types,the quantitative parameters of image quality [vascular CT value,image noise (SD),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)] and subjective scoring of group B and A1,A2 were compared.The detection accuracy of the systemic artery-pulmonary circulation shunts was evaluated by ROC curve against digital subtraction angiography (DSA).The measurement data was analyzed by independent sample t test while the grade data was tested by independent sample nonparametric test.Results The median value of radiation dose in group B was significantly lower than that of group A (1.42 mSv vs.3.06 mSv,Z=-8.724,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in quantitative parameters and subjective scoring points of image quality between group B and group A2 (P＞ 0.05).The median subjective scoring points of group B was 4,which was better than that of group A1 (Z =-10.584,P＜ 0.05).The differences of SD,SNR,CNR betweengroup B and group A1 were statistically significant(t =-0.983,7.898,7.695,P＜0.05),and group B had higher SD,SNR and CNR.There was no significant difference in the mean CT values of the aorta and pulmonary artery between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The detection accuracy of the systemic arterypulmonary circulation shunts was moderately high in group B and group A2.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.891 and 0.864,respectively (Z=7.210,7.430,P＜0.05).The accuracy of group A1 was poor.The area under the ROC curve was 0.626 (Z=2.434,P＜0.05).The sensitivity of group B and groupA2 were 80％ and 76.2％,respectively (P＜0.05),and 28.6％ of group A1 (P＜0.05).Conclusions The 320-row single-cardiac periodic dynamic volume CT can effectively improve the image quality and the detection accuracy of the systemic-pulmonary circulation on CT,and reduce the radiation dose of the bronchial artery CT angiography.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of thyroid benign nodules. Methods: We analyze 573 patients with thyroid benign nodules from June 2014 to September 2017 treated by RFA at Department Ⅱof Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Among these patients, there were 75 males and 498 females, with a median age of 45 years old. All patients were diagnosed as thyroid benign nodules by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy before RFA. A total of 750 benign tumors were treated. To evaluate the thyroid function of the patients before RFA and 3 months after it, and to observe the changes of thyroid benign nodules by ultrasound at 3, 6, 12 months after RFA. The paired t-test was used to compare the measurement data with normal distribution, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to compare the measurement data with non-normal distribution. To calculate the volume change and reduction rate of thyroid benign nodules. Results: RFA was successfully completed in all patients, the volume reduction rate was 67%(48%, 83%) in the 3rd month after RFA, in the 6th month was 81%(67%, 91%), in the 12th month was 89%(80%, 95%). Eighteen patients felt pain during RFA, but the pain was alleviated after stopping ablation. Three patients′ tone decreased, but recovered in a week. Hoarseness occurred in 6 patients and recovered in 3 months. Three patients had neck hemorrhage, which was managed with simple compression of the neck. Conclusions RFA is an effective and safe treatment for thyroid benign nodules and has obvious advantages such as less invasiveness, having no influence in thyroid functions. It is clinically prospective for application.

Objective To quantitatively compare the diagnostic capability of 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) bearing mice by microPET/CT imaging.Methods The in vitro cellular uptake, in vivo microPET/CT imaging and biodistribution studies of 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG were quantitatively compared in SMMC-7721-based well-differentiated HCC.The human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells/xenografts were respectively used as positive and negative reference groups for CD13.The expression of CD13 was qualitatively verified by immunohistostaining.The levels of CD13 and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) were semi-quantitatively analyzed by Western blot test for all 3 types of tumors.Two-sample t test was used for data analysis.Results The in vitro cellular uptake showed that the 68Ga-NGR uptake in SMMC-7721 and HT-1080 cells was higher than that in HT-29 cells, and the 68Ga-NGR uptake was higher than 18F-FDG uptake in SMMC-7721 cells.The in vivo microPET/CT imaging results revealed that the uptake of 68Ga-NGR in SMMC-7721 tumor was (2.17±0.21) %ID/g, remarkably higher compared to (0.73±0.26) %ID/g of 18F-FDG uptake (t=8.826, P<0.01).The tumor/liver ratio of 68Ga-NGR was 2.05±0.16, which was 2.03-fold higher than that of 18F-FDG.In the HT-1080 tumors, the uptakes of 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG were both high, and the values were (2.46±0.23) %ID/g, (3.47±0.31) %ID/g.The uptake of 68Ga-NGR was significantly lower than that of 18F-FDG in HT-29 tumors: (0.67±0.20) %ID/g vs (3.17±0.29) %ID/g;t=4.221, P<0.01.Western blot and immunohistostaining results were as follows: HT-1080(CD13+, G6Pase-), SMMC-7721(CD13+, G6Pase+), HT-29(CD13-, G6Pase-).Conclusions The uptake of 68Ga-NGR is higher than 18F-FDG uptake in SMMC-7721 tumor bearing mice, therefore it is worthwhile to consider the feasibility of clinical translation for PET/CT in diagnosis of HCC.Furthermore, because of the difference in 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG avidities in tumors with different molecular phenotypes of CD13 and G6Pase, there is an underlying potential for molecular imaging in the determination of molecular phenotypes.

Objective To investigate the radiation dose delivered to the patients with dense breasts and the influence of photographic conditions on image quality in full field digital mammography (FFDM).Methods (1) Clinical test:we analyzed the compression thickness of breasts,Target-filter(T-F),voltage current (kV),tube current (mAs),average glandular dose (AGD) and entrance surface dose (ESE) of 100 patients (a total of 370 images,277 images of Molybdenum-Rhodium(Mo-Rh)and 93 images of Wolfram-Rhodium (W-Rh)) who underwent examinations in mode of automatic exposure by FFDM with dense breasts.(2) Phantom experiments:placed the Aluminium plate on different thickness of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plates to simulate the dense breasts.68 mm phantom was used to simulate photographic condition of W-Rh and 58 mm to Mo-Rh.The two groups of dense phantom were exposed automatically and manually.The parameters were recorded for each exposure including the compression thickness of breasts,T-F,kV,mAs,AGD,ESE,the calculation of the ratio between ESE and AGD (ESE/AGD).The image quality figure inverse (IQFInv) was obtained by software.To the clinical test,used multiple factors of variance to analyze the influence of compression thickness and mAs on AGD and ESE,Pearson correlation and regression to analyze the influence of compression thickness on ESE/AGD.To the phantom experiments,used Pearson correlation to analyze the influence of kV and mAs on AGD,ESE and ESE/AGD,single factor of variance to analyze the influence of kV and mAs on IQFInv.Results (1) Clinical test:to Mo-Rh and W-Rh,with the increase of compression thickness,ESE/AGD was increased significantly.Compression thickness had linear relationship with ESE/AGD.Pearson correlation coefficients of W-Rh and Mo-Rh were 0.956 and 0.980,respectively(P＜0.01).The effects of compression thickness and mAs on AGD and ESE were statistically significant (P＜0.05) in the two groups.(2)Phantom experiments:adjusted exposure parameters to the two dense phantoms of W-Rh and Mo-Rh.With the increase of mAs and kV,IQFInv was increased in W-Rh and Mo-Rh.Different mAs and kV were statistically significant (P＜0.05) on IQFInv,mAs and kV had positive correlation with ESE and AGD (P＜0.05),mAs and kV had different correlation with ESE/AGD in the two dense phantoms.Conclusions In mode of automatic exposure by FFDM,choosing W-Rh can achieve relatively high image quality and lower radiation dose.According to the results of phantom experiments,adjusting kV and mAs properly in manual exposure can reduce AGD and ESE effectively and ensure the quality of the image.

Objective To quantitatively compare the diagnostic capability of 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) bearing mice by microPET/CT imaging.Methods The in vitro cellular uptake,in vivo microPET/CT imaging and biodistribution studies of 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG were quantitatively compared in SMMC-7721-based well-differentiated HCC.The human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells/xenografts were respectively used as positive and negative reference groups for CD13.The expression of CD13 was qualitatively verified by immunohistostaining.The levels of CD13 and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) were semi-quantitatively analyzed by Western blot test for all 3 types of tumors.Two-sample t test was used for data analysis.Results The in vitro cellular uptake showed that the 68Ga-NGR uptake in SMMC-7721 and HT-1080 cells was higher than that in HT-29 cells,and the 68Ga-NGR uptake was higher than 18F-FDG uptake in SMMC-7721 cells.The in vivo micro-PET/CT imaging results revealed that the uptake of 68Ga-NGR in SMMC-7721 tumor was (2.17±0.21) ％ID/g,remarkably higher compared to (0.73±0.26) ％ID/g of 18F-FDG uptake (t =8.826,P＜0.01).The tumor/liver ratio of 68Ga-NGR was 2.05±0.16,which was 2.03-fold higher than that of 18F-FDG.In the HT-1080 tumors,the uptakes of 68 Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG were both high,and the values were (2.46±0.23) ％ID/g,(3.47±0.31) ％ID/g.The uptake of 68Ga-NGR was significantly lower than that of 18F-FDG in HT-29 tumors:(0.67±0.20) ％ID/g vs (3.17±0.29) ％ID/g;t=4.221,P＜0.01.Western blot and immunohistostaining results were as follows:HT-1080(CD13+,G6Pase-),SMMC-7721(CD13+,G6Pase+),HT-29 (CD13-,G6Pase-).Conclusions The uptake of 68Ga-NGR is higher than 18F-FDG uptake in SMMC-7721 tumor bearing mice,therefore it is worthwhile to consider the feasibility of clinical translation for PET/CT in diagnosis of HCC.Furthermore,because of the difference in 68Ga-NGR and 18F-FDG avidities in tumors with different molecular phenotypes of CD13 and G6Pase,there is an underlying potential for molecular imaging in the determination of molecular phenotypes.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of hybrid operation in treating Stanford type B aortic dissection. Methods During the period from January 2011 to December 2013, hybrid operation was performed in 33 patients with complex Stanford type B aortic arch dissection. The patients included 28 males and 5 females with a average age of (50±12) years. The clinical effect and the complications, occurring in perioperative period and in 24-month follow-up period, were analyzed. Results The operation was successfully accomplished in all 33 patients, with a technical success rate of 100%. The average hospitali-zation time was 20 days. After the operation, 29 cases were followed up for 3-34 months and 4 cases were lost to follow up, the following-up rate was 87.9%. In 21 cases, the following-up time was over 12 months. Postoperative angiography showed that there was no typeⅠendoleak; complications included pulmonary infection (n=1), strokes (n=1), reversible abnormal renal function (n=6) and retrograde aortic arch dissection (n=1). No paraplegia occurred. During hospitalization time, two cases died, the mortality was 6.06%. During the following-up time, graft infection occurred in one case and continued presence of retrograde aortic arch dissection was observed in one case. Conclusion The complication occurrence after hybrid operation for Stanford type B aortic dissections is low. The hybrid technique is very safe and feasible, but several serious postoperative complications should not be ignored. The long-term effectiveness needs to be further clarified by systemic and large sample studies.