Objective:To investigate the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities in the evaluation of the depth of tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, distant organ and lymph node metastasis (TNM staging), and the adjacent structure invasion of rectal cancer. Methods:Fifty-four patients (28 males, 26 females, age (65.8±11.0) years) with pathologically confirmed rectal cancer admitted to the Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University between September 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. 18F-FDG PET/CT examination, conventional imaging modalities including high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI), chest CT plain scan, upper abdominal MRI or CT plain scan+ enhanced examination were performed within 2 weeks before or after the rectal cancer being confirmed. The TNM staging and adjacent structural invasions including circumferential resection margin (CRM), extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), anal sphincter complex involvement were evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging modalities separately or in combination, and those results based on imaging were compared with the pathological results or clinical follow-up results. χ2 test was used to compare the differences of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the 18F-FDG PET/CT or conventional imaging modalities and combined examination. Results:The accuracy for T staging and the sensitivity and accuracy for N staging of the combined examination were 96.30%(52/54), 98.65%(73/74) and 93.91%(185/197), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (85.19%(46/54), 66.22%(49/74), 81.73%(161/197); χ2 values: 3.97, 26.88, 13.66, all P<0.05). The specificity (91.06%, 112/123) and accuracy of the combined examination for N staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (77.24%(95/123), 83.76%(165/197); χ2 values: 8.81, 10.23, both P<0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of the combined examination for M staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (97.01%(65/67) vs 73.13%(49/67), 95.95%(71/74) vs 68.92%(51/74); χ2 values: 15.05, 18.66, both P<0.001). The sensitivities of the combined examination in evaluating CRM and EMVI were 100%(22/22) and 95.00%(19/20), and the accuracies were 98.15%(53/54) and 96.30%(52/54), all of which were higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (CRM: 54.55%(12/22), 74.07%(40/54); EVMI: 30.00%(6/20), 74.07%(40/54); χ2 values: 12.94, 13.08, 18.03, 10.56, all P<0.01). The accuracy of the combined examination in evaluating EMVI was higher than that of the conventional imaging modalities (85.19%(46/54); χ2=3.97, P=0.046). Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities can improve the diagnostic efficacy for TNM staging and assessment of adjacent structural invasion in rectal cancer.

Objective:To determine the external bremsstrahlung doses and doses to radiation workers in selective internal radiation therapy using 90Y resin microspheres ( 90Y-SIRT). Methods:Using an AT1123 X-ray and gamma radiation dosimeter, the ambient dose equivalent rates of bremsstrahlung at distances of 30 and 100 cm from the 90Y drug with and without lead shielding were measured. The attenuation factors of 90Y bremsstrahlung attributed to lead cans and lead aprons were calculated. Furthermore, the dose rates at corresponding sites were theoretically estimated using formula. Finally, the annual doses to radiation workers were estimated based on estimated and measured bremsstrahlung doses. Results:The measured dose rates of 90Y bremsstrahlung ranged from 0.19 to 0.26 μSv·h -1·GBq -1 at a distance of 1 m from the surface of the lead shield and from 1.00 to 1.60 μSv·h -1·GBq -1 at a distance of 1 m from the surface of the unshielded penicillin bottle, plexiglass transport container, injection delivery box, and the patient. The deviations between the calculated and measured bremsstrahlung doses were mostly close to or less than ±20%. Under conditions of 200 patients treated annually, 3 GBq for each bottle of 90Y resin microspheres, and a maximum dose of 2 GBq per patient, the estimated annual effective doses to nuclear medicine technologists, interventional injection physicians, and ward-round physicians were 2.24, 1.04 and 0.22 mSv, respectively, and the annual equivalent doses to their hands were 49.9, 25.5 and 2.06 mSv, respectively. The measured attenuation factors of 90Y bremsstrahlung attributed to the lead can of 6.4 mmPb equivalent and the lead apron of 0.5 mmPb equivalent ranged from 0.13 to 0.15 and from 0.45 to 0.50, respectively. Conclusions:Under normal working conditions, the annual effective doses to the radiation workers in 90Y-SIRT will not exceed 5 mSv. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) or covering the injection sites of patients using a lead apron during 90Y injection can reduce the doses to the workers by approximately 50%.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of knee is a common sports injury.The hypofunc-tion of the knee joint appears after ACL injury,which seriously affects the overall stability,coordination and balance ability of the knee joint,meanwhile also increases the risk of ACL injury again.Proprioception training can not only enhance the balance ability of the knee joint,but also enhance the control ability of the knee joint.This article reviews the changes of proprioception after ACL injury and the related contents of proprioception rehabilitation after ACL injury in order to provide reference for further improving the functional recovery of the patients with ACL injury.

Objective:To determine the external bremsstrahlung doses and doses to radiation workers in selective internal radiation therapy using 90Y resin microspheres ( 90Y-SIRT). Methods:Using an AT1123 X-ray and gamma radiation dosimeter, the ambient dose equivalent rates of bremsstrahlung at distances of 30 and 100 cm from the 90Y drug with and without lead shielding were measured. The attenuation factors of 90Y bremsstrahlung attributed to lead cans and lead aprons were calculated. Furthermore, the dose rates at corresponding sites were theoretically estimated using formula. Finally, the annual doses to radiation workers were estimated based on estimated and measured bremsstrahlung doses. Results:The measured dose rates of 90Y bremsstrahlung ranged from 0.19 to 0.26 μSv·h -1·GBq -1 at a distance of 1 m from the surface of the lead shield and from 1.00 to 1.60 μSv·h -1·GBq -1 at a distance of 1 m from the surface of the unshielded penicillin bottle, plexiglass transport container, injection delivery box, and the patient. The deviations between the calculated and measured bremsstrahlung doses were mostly close to or less than ±20%. Under conditions of 200 patients treated annually, 3 GBq for each bottle of 90Y resin microspheres, and a maximum dose of 2 GBq per patient, the estimated annual effective doses to nuclear medicine technologists, interventional injection physicians, and ward-round physicians were 2.24, 1.04 and 0.22 mSv, respectively, and the annual equivalent doses to their hands were 49.9, 25.5 and 2.06 mSv, respectively. The measured attenuation factors of 90Y bremsstrahlung attributed to the lead can of 6.4 mmPb equivalent and the lead apron of 0.5 mmPb equivalent ranged from 0.13 to 0.15 and from 0.45 to 0.50, respectively. Conclusions:Under normal working conditions, the annual effective doses to the radiation workers in 90Y-SIRT will not exceed 5 mSv. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) or covering the injection sites of patients using a lead apron during 90Y injection can reduce the doses to the workers by approximately 50%.

Objective To evaluate the radiation protection of “four-in-one” dental X-ray equipment and to investigate the safety interlock of the equipment by measuring the scattered radiation at the position of the patient during operation. Methods A cone-beam CT dental phantom was used to simulate the patient’s head. The intra-oral and extra-oral components of the “four-in-one” X-ray equipment were installed in a 5 m² room. The scattered radiation at patient position was measured using a γ/X-ray survey meter, and the effects of intra-oral and extra-oral components were compared. Results For a 5 m² room, when CBCT was exposed under typical conditions, the dose at the patient's position was 10.70 uSv/h when there was an intra-oral component and 10.60 uSv/h when there was no intraoral component. The intra-oral part did not affect the radiation dose at the patient's position. When the intra-oral component was exposed, the dose rate at the patient's position was 4.05-6.85 uSv/h, and the extra-oral part did not affect the scattered dose of the patient examined with intra-oral components. Conclusion The evaluation of radiation protection of new equipment must comprehensively consider radiation safety and equipment operation safety. The results of this study provide suggestions for clinical radiation protection supervision and evaluation of “four-in-one” dental X-ray equipment.

Objective:To determine and optimize the radiation quality of the calibration system for mammography dosimeters in IAEA/WHO Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory and to study the requirements for accuracy of thickness of the aluminum sheets used in the measurement, with a view to ensure the accuracy of the radiation quality.Methods:For the measurements of tube voltage and RQR-M radiation quality, a standard kV meter was used to determine the actual tube voltage value of the system under continuous exposure for 30 s by setting tube voltage of 25, 28, 30 and 35 kV, respectively, and aluminum sheet method was used to determine the first half value layer (HVL 1). The kV values were adjusted to make the reading of the standard kV meter as close as possible to its nominal value, so as to obtain the set kV value, actual tube voltage and HVL 1 per 1 kV within the nominal 25-35 kV range. For effects of different thickness of aluminum sheets on the result of HVL 1 measurement, a comparison was made between HVL 1 measured by aluminum sheet with thickness of 0.318 mm and 0.369 mm and HVL 1 measured under 18 different groups of aluminum sheet using a selected 30 kV tube voltage. Results:After the set kV values were adjusted, the actual tube voltage deviations from the nominal values under 25, 28, 30 and 35 kV were reduced from 0.55, 0.34, 0.33, 0.30 to 0.04, 0.02, -0.04, -0.01, and the HVL 1 deviations were reduced from 0.011, 0.007, 0.010, 0.012 to 0.000, 0.003, 0.003, 0.010, respectively. When the thickness differences between the two types of aluminum sheet and the reference HVL 1 were both within 0.1 mm, the deviations of the measured HVL 1 were all less than 0.01 mm Al, and the result was relatively accurate. However, when the differences exceeded that of 0.1 mm, most of the deviations of the measured HVL 1 were between 0.01 and 0.02 mm Al, and the measured result was not accurate. Conclusions:Although the RQR-M radiation quality of the calibration system was deviated, it is still within the range specified under the IEC 61267-2005. The radiation quality was closer to the standard values after fine-tuning the system tube voltage. In order to measure the HVL 1 more accurately, the thickness differences between the used aluminum sheet and nominal HVL 1 should not be greater than 0.1 mm Al.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of genistein on activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the role of the autophagy pathway regulated by PPAR-γ in mediating this effect. METHODS: Cultured HSC-T6 cells were exposed to different concentrations of genistein for 48 h, and HSC activation was verified by detecting the expressions of -SMA and 1(I) collagen; autophagy activation in the cells was determined by detecting the expressions of LC3-II and p62 using Western blotting. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was used to confirm the role of autophagy in genistein-induced inhibition of HSC activation. A PPAR-γ inhibitor was used to explore the role of PPAR-γ in activating autophagy in the HSCs. RESULTS: Genistein at concentrations of 5 and 50 μmol/L significantly inhibited the expressions of -SMA and 1(I) collagen ( < 0.05), markedly upregulated the expressions of PPAR-γ and the autophagy-related protein LC3-II ( < 0.05) and significantly down-regulated the expression of the ubiqutin-binding protein p62 ( < 0.05) in HSC-T6 cells. The cells pretreated with 3-MA prior to genistein treatment showed significantly increased protein expressions of -SMA and 1(I) collagen compared with the cells treated with genistein only ( < 0.05). Treatment with the PPAR-γ inhibitor obviously lowered the expression of LC3-II and enhanced the expression p62 in genistein-treated HSC-T6 cells, suggesting the activation of the autophagy pathway. CONCLUSIONS PPAR-γ- regulated autophagy plays an important role in mediating genistein-induced inhibition of HSC activation .
Anticarcinogenic Agents ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; Collagen Type I ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; physiology

Objective To analyze the changes in distribution of occupational radiation cases reported from 2013 to 2017 in China and learn about the occupational health risks of radiation workers.Methods Descriptive analyses were made of regional distribution,disease category distribution,occupation category distribution and exposure mode distribution of these cases,according to the reports (2013-2017) of occupational radiation sickness from " Occupational Health of Radiation Workers Management System".Results There were 54 diagnostic radiology agencies for occupational radiation sickness in China that covered all provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities except Tibet and Production and Construction Corps of Xinjiang.A total of 106 new cases were reported from 2013 to 2017.Most of the cases were radiogenic neoplasm (43.40％),and chronic radiation sickness were from external exposure (16.98％) and radiation cataract (16.04％).Most of the cases (70.75％) were engaged in medical application and a small part of the cases (13.21％) engaged in industry application.Chronic exposure (80.19％) was the most frequent form of exposure mode,but acute exposure (5.66％) was very few.A part of cases (14.15％) were reported without exposure mode.Conclusions The morbidity of occupational radiation sickness declined generally in China and occupational health management of key workers should be strengthened continuously.

Objective To evaluate the application of peritoneal shunt in lumbar cistern in the treatment of communicating hydrocephalus.Methods Fifty patients with communicating hydrocephalus were randomly divided into observation group and control group.Patients in control group were treated by ventricle-peritoneal shunt (V-P),and patients in observation group were treated by lumbar cisterna-peritoneal shunt (L-P),the application effect of the two treatment methods for communicating hydrocephalus were compared.Results Compared with V-P shunt,L-P shunt has better clinical effect and lower complication rate.Conclusion The lumbar cisterna shunt has good therapeutic effect in the treatment of traffic hydrocephalus.

Objective To evaluate the application of peritoneal shunt in lumbar cistern in the treatment of communicating hydrocephalus.Methods Fifty patients with communicating hydrocephalus were randomly divided into observation group and control group.Patients in control group were treated by ventricle-peritoneal shunt (V-P),and patients in observation group were treated by lumbar cisterna-peritoneal shunt (L-P),the application effect of the two treatment methods for communicating hydrocephalus were compared.Results Compared with V-P shunt,L-P shunt has better clinical effect and lower complication rate.Conclusion The lumbar cisterna shunt has good therapeutic effect in the treatment of traffic hydrocephalus.