Objective: To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and cardiac MRI (CMR) in the diagnosis of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) in Beagle models. Methods: Twenty-four normal male Beagle dogs (1-year old) were randomly divided into control group and irradiated groups (3-month, 6-month and 12-month after radiation). The left anterior myocardium of Beagle dogs in irradiated groups was irradiated locally with a single dose of 20 Gy X-ray. Cardiac ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging and CMR were performed on all dogs, and the mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean) and the area of lesions with increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake were obtained. After imaging examinations were finished, dogs were sacrificed and their hearts were taken out to perform Masson staining and electron microcopy. One-way analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results: There was basically no uptake in myocardium in control group. The myocardium showed increased uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG in the irradiated groups. The SUV_mean of myocardium in 3-month, 6-month and 12-month after radiation groups and control group were 5.90±1.31, 4.66±2.21, 3.21±0.82 and 1.13±0.21, respectively (F=11.81, P<0.05). The area with increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the irradiated groups decreased progressively with the prolongation of irradiation time (F=195.74, P<0.01). The reduction in myocardial perfusion and myocardial fibrosis were observed by CMR early at 6-month after irradiation. Compared with the control group, the 6-month and 12-month after radiation groups had increased end diastolic volume (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV; F=15.479 and 16.908, both P<0.01), and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; F=63.715, P<0.01). The progressive aggravation of myocardial fibrosis was displayed in irradiated groups by Masson staining. The mitochondria degeneration, swelling and the count reduction in irradiated groups were observed by electron microscopy. Conclusions The increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the irradiated myocardium may predict the risk of RIHD. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging can detect RIHD earlier than CMR.

Objective To explore the feasibility of EPR in vivo fingernail dosimetry to address the difficulty in separating mechanically induced signals from fingernail EPR dosimetry for need of nuclear medical emergency aid.Methods Using the specially designed EPR in vivo measurement system,uncut fingernails were measured to obtain the characteristics of EPR signal without mechanically induced signals.The in vivo fingernail experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of in vivo condition on the spectra.Actual in vivo measurement experiment was conducted to evaluate the interference of the in vivo condition on EPR spectra.Results The background signal distribution of uncut fingernails was obtained and background signals had no significant difference between male and female(P＞0.05).The dose response curve in the range of 2-10 Gy was established,and the half-life of the fingernail radiation-induced signal was approximately 5 d.The water treatment combined with temperature-changing was established for restoring the background signal.EPR signal obtained after restoring treatment has no significant difference with background signal (P＞ 0.05).The EPR spectra of in vivo fingernails were obtained.Conclusions The EPR spectra without mechanically induced signals can be acquired by this method.The feasibility of the in vivo fingernail EPR dosimetry is preliminarily verified.

Objective ToimprovethediagnosticaccuracybyassessingtheCTfeaturesofganglioneuroblastoma(GNB).Methods 38patientswithGNBconfirmedbypathologicalresultsandunderwentplainandcontrast-enhancedCTscanwereanalyzedretrospectively. Results GNBoftenoccurredinchildren.Allthecasesappearedassolitarylesion,7werelocatedinthemediastinum,12intheadrenal,15inthe retroperitoneal,3inthethoraxcavityand1inthepelviccavity.PlainCTshowed36lesionswithheterogeneouslowdensitywithnecrosisand cysticdegeneration,and28caseswithcalcifications,2withhomogeneouslowdensity.Thesolidlessionofallcasesshowedprogressive enhancement(4casesshowedslightprogressivecontrastenhancement,11casesshowed moderateenhancement,23casesshowed markedlyenhancement).Peripheralvesselsweredisplacedbytumorin19casesandembeddedbytumorin13cases.13casesshowed thepresenceofsmallvesselsin/aroundthetumorarrangedinclumpsorinline.Conclusion ThespecificCTfindingsofheterogeneouslowdensity withnecrosis,calcifications,peripheralvesselsdisplaced,moderatetomarkedlyprogressiveenhancement,mightbeusefulforthediagnosisofGNB.

Objective: To explore the relationships of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with severity of skin lesions in children with psoriasis and peripheral neutrophil count, and to evaluate in vitro effect of NGAL on expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-22 (IL-22) by a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Methods: From January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2018, 98 children who newly developed psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of 6 hospitals in China, including 51 males and 47 females. Their age was 7.00 ± 2.99 years (range: 3-14 years) , and their course of disease was 7.4 ± 5.85 days (range: 3-28 days) . The serum level of NGAL was detected in all the patients before and two weeks after treatment, and the relationships of NGAL with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and peripheral neutrophil count were evaluated. Western blot analysis and reverse-transcription (RT) -PCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells, respectively, after 12-hour treatment with NGAL at concentrations of 0 (control group) , 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/L. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16 software. by using t test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: After 2-week treatment, the PASI score, neutrophil count and NGAL level in children with psoriasis significantly decreased (1.80 ± 1.19, [6.16 ± 0.76] × 10⁹/L, 90.86 ± 0.75 μg/L, respectively) compared with those before the treatment (10.38 ± 3.42, [11.01 ± 2.85] × 10⁹/L, 113.48 ± 21.26 μg/L, respectively; t = 31.42, 18.34, 16.37 respectively, all P < 0.001) . Before the treatment, the serum level of NGAL in the patients was positively correlated with the PASI score and peripheral neutrophil count (r = 0.918, 0.799 respectively, both P < 0.05) . The mRNA and protein expression of IL-22 in HaCaT cells significantly differed among these groups treated with different concentrations of NGAL (F = 176.31, 296.96 respectively, both P < 0.001) , so did the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α (F = 193.28, 318.80 respectively, both P < 0.001) . Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression of IL-22 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the 0.125-, 0.25-, 0.5- and 1-mg/L NGAL group than in the control group (all P < 0.05) . The NGAL level was positively correlated with the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells (all P < 0.05) . Conclusions The serum level of NGAL was high in children with psoriasis, and positively correlated with severity of skin lesions and peripheral neutrophil count. NGAL can upregulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells in vitro.

Objective To investigate the CT spectral imaging features of benign and malignant ovarian tumors and to assess the value of spectral CT in differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.Methods This study was granted by the institutional review board with a waiver for informed consent.34 patients with ovarian tumor(11 benign tumors and 23 malignant tumors)underwent preoperative CT scanning that included arterial phase (AP)and venous phase (VP)with GSI mode.Measurements were performed on the GSI viewer.The iodine concentration (IC,100 ug/cm3)was saved,and the normalized iodine concentration (NIC)and the spectral curve(spectral Hounsfield unit curve)were recorded.The slope of the curve was calculated as the formula:(CT attenuation (40 keV)-CT attenuation(100 keV))/60.The CT value was measured at 70 keV in Mono image.CT values,the slope of the spectral curve,the iodine concentration and NIC were compared between the two groups by using independent sample t-test with software SPSS 2 1.0.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)was used to determine the threshold of slope of the spectral curve,the iodine concentration and NIC for differentiating benign and malignant ovarian tumors in VP.Results The slope of the spectral curve,the iodine concentration and NIC of malignant ovarian tumors in VP were 1.72±0.77,14.50±6.44 (100 μg/cm3),and 0.33±0.12.The slope of the spectral curve,the iodine concentration and NIC of benign ovarian tumors in VP were 1.05±0.48,8.86±4.04 (100 μg/cm3),and 0.22±0.13.Significant differences were found between the slope of spectral curve,the iodine concentration and NIC of the malignant ovarian tumors and those of the benign ovarian tumors in VP (P=0.01).CT values in double phases revealed no difference between these two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion There is a significant difference between the solid component of benign ovarian tumors and that of malignant ovarian tumors in spectral CT.GSI scan mode can provide more information for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

Objective To explore the MSCT and pathological features of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC)and to improve the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating SRCC from renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC).Methods The MSCT findings and pathological features of 19 patients with SRCC and 213 patients with RCCC were reviewed retrospectively.Results On CT imaging,the average diameter of SRCC (65.95 mm±10.75 mm)was significantly larger than that of RCCC (51.88 mm±14.69 mm)(P=0.01);Of 19 SRCC,11 showed hemorrhage,necrosis and cystic degeneration and 1 showed calcification on unenhanced CT scan,while 9 of 213 RCCC showed calcification,there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.07).In addition,10 cases of SRCC had slow and prolonged enhancement while 198 cases of RCCC had a contrast-enhancement pattern of "fast-in-and-fast-out",there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in CT enhancement mode (P＜0.05).SRCC had a high degree of malignancy:in 19 cases,there were 4 cases with involvement of surrounding viscera,4 cases with perirenal effusion or hydronephrosis,5 cases with lymph node enlargement,7 cases with tumor thrombus of renal vein or inferior caval vein and 4 cases with pulmonary metastasis.Pathologically, 11 SRCC (57.89%)contained sarcomatoid component and 17 cases (89.47%)was positive for Vimentin.Conclusion Compared with RCCC,SRCC demonstrates certain characteristics signs at MSCT examination.SRCC is generally larger mass,heterogeneous and continuous ehhancement on the contrast scanning.The diagnosis of SRCC should be considered especially when the lesion has signs of invasiveness or metastatic.

Objective To investigate the expressions of PGE2 and COX-2 between colorectal cancer tissue and normal colorectal mucosa tissue,and its relation to clinical pathology and significance.Methods 115 colon cancerous tissues and 69 normal colon tissues were collected in our hospital from Jan 2010 to Sept 2011.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the PGE2 and COX-2 expression in both of the colorectal cancer and normal tissues.Results Positive expressions of PGE2 and COX-2 were 87.8％ (101/115) and 80.9％ (93/115) in the colorectal cancer tissue,and 8.7％ (6/69),21.7％ (15/69) in normal colorectal mucosa tissue respectively (x2 =110.96,62.194,all P ＜ 0.05).Expressions of PGE2 and COX-2 were closely associated with,tumor invasion,differentiation,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P ＜ 0.05).The Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated that the PGE2 and COX-2 expressions in tissues were closely correlated (r =0.987,P ＜ 0.05).Survival rate of the patients in both negative expressions of PGE2 and COX-2 (63.6％) were higher than that of both positive expressions (37.8％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion High PGE2 and COX-2 expressions in colorectal cancer tissues predicts poor patients' survival.

Objective To investigate the clinico-pathological features and renal outcomes of primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with glomerular IgM deposition.Methods Primary IgAN diagnosed with biopsy from January 2006 to December 2011 were recruited.Patients were divided into groups according to IgM deposition (Group A) and without IgM deposition (Group B).In addition,Group A was subdivided into two groups based on the position of IgM deposits as the mesangium (Group A1) and both mesangium and capillary wall (Group A2).Renal outcomes were defined as end stage renal disease (ESRD) and/or the doubling of baseline serum creatinine.Clinico-pathological features were retrospectively compared.Kaplan-Meier was conducted for renal outcomes,and Cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic value of IgM deposition and the position of IgM deposition in the progression of nephropathy in IgAN patients.Results 939 patients were enrolled with 422 (44.9％) having IgM deposition (Group A).Of the 422 patients,382 patients were divided as Group A 1,whereas 40 patients were noted as Group A2.Compared to Group B,hemoglobin,serum protein,albumin and serum IgG levels in group A were significantly lower,and the cholesterol and serum IgM levels were significantly higher (all P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in serum creatinine,estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR),urinary protein,blood pressure and uric acid between group A and B.In terms of pathological manifestations,patients in Group A exhibited more severe histological lesions including glomerular sclerosis,S1,M1 and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration (all P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence showed that the proportion of IgG,C1q and Fg deposition in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (all P ＜ 0.05).By Kaplan-Meier,cumulative renal survival rate has no significant difference between Group A and B (Log-rank test x2=0.019,P=0.891).Univariate and muhivariable Cox regression analysis showed that IgM deposition had no significant effect on the renal progression in IgAN patients.Subgroup analysis showed that patients in Group A2 exhibited higher urine protein,creatinine and blood pressure,and lower eGFR and serum albumin,also had worse histological lesions including M1,E1 and T1-2 of Oxford classification (all P＜0.05),Immunofluorescencc showed that the proportion of IgG,C1q and Fg deposition in group A2 was significantly higher than that in group A1 (all P ＜ 0.05).By Kaplan-Meier,renal survival rates calculated from outcomes were lower in Group A2 (Log-rank test x2=1 8.207,P ＜ 0.001).In addition,IgM deposited both in the mesangium and capillary wall was a risk factor for renal progression of IgAN patients with IgM deposition by a univariate Cox hazards regression mode and multivariable-adjusted Cox models (HR=3.621,95％CI 1.924-6.814,P＜ 0.001;HR=2.309,95％CI 1.176-4.533,P=0.015respectively).Conclusions The IgAN patients with IgM deposition relatively had more severe clinicopathological changes,especially those with IgM deposited both in the mesangium and capillary wall.In this study,IgM deposition was not found to be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of kidney in IgAN patients.However,IgM deposited both in the mesangium and capillary wall was an independent risk factor for renal prognosis in IgAN patients with IgM deposition.

Objective To observe the impact of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASiR-V) on image quality and radiation dose in abdominal CT imaging,and to optimize combination of pre-and post ASiR-V percentage.Methods Totally 160 patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT were randomly divided into study group or control group (each n=80).In study group,plain images were reconstructed with 20％ pre ASiR-V combined with 20％,40％,60％ and 80％ post-ASiR-V,the arterial phase images were reconstructed with 40％ pre-ASiR V combined with 40％,60％ and 80％ post-ASiR-V,while the venous phase images with 60％ pre-ASiR-V combined with 60％ and 80％ post-ASiR-V,and the delayed phase images with 80％ pre-ASiR-V combined 80％ post-ASiR-V.In control group,images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and 0 pre-ASiR-V combined post-ASiR-V (20％ in plain,40％ in arterial phase,60％ in venous phase and 80％ in delayed phase imaing).The objective parameters (image noise [SD] and CNR) and image quality scores were analyzed and compared.Results CT dose index,dose length product and effective dose of each phase in study group were lower than those in control group (all P＜0.001).In study group,with the increasing of post-ASiR-V percentage,SD values gradually decreased (P＜0.01),and CNR gradually increased or did not change.With the increasing of post-ASiR-V (20％-60％),image quality scores increased,and image quality of 80 ％ post-ASiR-V was low.In study group,image quality of 20％ pre-ASiR-V combined 40％ or 60％ post-ASiR-V was similar to 20％ post-ASiR-V image in control group in plain,and that of 40％ pre-ASiR-V combined 60％ post-ASiR-V was similar to 40％ post-ASiR-V image in control group in arterial phase (all P＞0.05),while image quality scores of other combinations of pre-and post-ASiR-V percentages were lower than those in control group.Conclusion ASiR-V can improve abdominal CT image quality,and 40％ pre-ASiR-V combined 60％ post-ASiR V is recommended.

Objective To develop a time-resolved fluorescent microspheres immunochromatographic assay (TRFMIA) for detection of alphafetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum and to evaluate its performance.Methods The Eu-time-resolved fluorescent polystyrene particles conjugated with monoclonal antibody AC18# for AFP and AE03# for CEA were used as fluorescent labels.The monoclonal antibody AC17# for AFP,AE05# for CEA and goat anti-rabbit antibody were immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane as the test lines and control line.Several performances indicators were measured,including linear range,detection limit,and specificity.AFP and CEA were measured by the new method and the results were compared with those obtained by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) and electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) using linear correlation analysis.Results The measurement ranges of AFP were 0.07-1 000.00 kU/L with the intra-and inter-assay CV of 5.93％ and 11.07％,and those of CEA were 0.12-500.O0 μg/L with the intra-and inter-assay CV of 7.53％ and 12.13％ respectively.The average recovery rate of AFP and CEA was 92.77％ and 94.73％,respectively.Measurements obtained by TRFMIA had strong correlation coefficients ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 when compared with those obtained by TRFIA and ECLIA.Conclusion TRFMIA,which can simultaneously detect AFP and CEA,has been successfully established.