Objective:To assess the viability of reducing radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration (quadruple low-dose protocol) by utilizing virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) in photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for aortic CT angiography (CTA), while maintaining image quality in comparison to images obtained from energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:From April 2024 to June 2024, a total of 40 participants who underwent aortic CTA on PCD-CT were prospectively enrolled in the experimental group (PCD-CT group), while 40 patients with similar baseline characteristics who had previously undergone aortic CTA using EID-CT were retrospectively selected for the conventional group (EID-CT group). The EID-CT group used a tube voltage of 90 kVp, a contrast media volume of 60 ml of contrast, an injection flow rate of 3 ml/s, and a contrast concentration of 350 mgI/ml; the PCD-CT group used the QuantumPlus mode, with a tube voltage of 140 kVp, a total amount of iodine in the contrast media of 140 mgI/kg, and an injection flow rate=contrast media volume/(delay time+scan time), and a contrast media concentration of 320 mgI/ml. VMIs in PCD-CT group were reconstructed in 5-keV intervals ranging from 45 to 65 keV. The effective radiation dose and contrast injection protocols were recorded and compared between two groups. Objective image quality assessment was performed for each group. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at five anatomical locations (ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and right common iliac artery), and image noise was recorded. Subjective image quality was independently evaluated by two readers using a 5-point Likert scale in a blinded manner. Based on data normality, the one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for image quality assessment, with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analysis for multiple comparisons.Results:There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between two groups (all P0.05). The PCD-CT group demonstrated significantly lower effective radiation dose [(3.88±0.65) mSv vs. (5.97±1.15)mSv], contrast media volume [(29.25±4.56) ml vs. 60 ml], and injection rate [(2.65±0.42) ml/s vs. 3 ml/s] than the EID-CT group, with reductions of 35%, 51%, and 12%, respectively (all P0.001). For objective image quality, except for the ascending aortic CT attenuation, the CT attenuation, SNR, and CNR of other vessels in the 55 keV PCD-CT group were comparable to those in the EID-CT group. Additionally, the difference in image noise between these two groups was not statistically significant ( P0.05). Concerning subjective image quality, at 55 keV, the PCD-CT group had similar image noise scores and vessel attenuation scores (both P0.05) and better visualization of renal artery branching ( P=0.001) compared to the EID-CT group. Conclusion:In comparison to EID-CT, the use of a 55 keV image in PCD-CT for aortic CTA has demonstrated reductions in radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration, while maintaining image quality.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of head and neck vascular imaging using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol—characterized by low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, low injection rate, and low radiation dose—and to compare the image quality with that obtained by energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:A total of 105 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease were prospectively enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April and June 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups ( n=35). Group A underwent conventional head and neck CTA using EID-CT. Group B underwent PCD-CT with a protocol involving ultra-low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, and low injection rate. Group C underwent PCD-CT with the full “quadruple low” protocol. Objective image quality parameters—including CT attenuation, image noise (standard deviation, SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)—were measured at the ascending aorta, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. Two radiologists independently rated subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences among groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:Compared to Group A [contrast volume: (42.78±6.64)ml], contrast agent volume was significantly reduced in Groups B and C[ (26.26±4.45) ml and (26.54±3.83)ml, respectively], demonstrating reductions of 39% and 38% (both P<0.01). The iodine concentration was 320 mg/ml in Groups B and C, lower than 350 mg/ml in Group A (8.5%). The injection rate was also reduced in Groups B and C [(3.39±0.61) and (3.55±0.51)ml/s, respectively] compared to Group A [(4.28±0.66) ml/s], with reductions of 21% and 17% (both P<0.01). The effective dose (ED) was similar between Groups A and B [(1.40±0.15) vs. (1.40±0.19)mSv, P>0.05], while Group C demonstrated a significantly lower ED [(0.99±0.09) mSv], with a reduction of 30% compared to Group A and 29% compared to Group B (both P<0.01).In terms of objective image quality, significant differences in image noise (SD) were observed among the three groups at the vertebral artery, internal carotid artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery (all P<0.05). Groups B and C showed significantly lower SD compared to Group A ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between B and C ( P>0.05). SNR was significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A at multiple vascular segments (all P<0.05). CNR differed only at the internal carotid artery, where Groups B and C demonstrated superior performance compared to Group A ( P<0.05).Subjective image quality scores showed no significant difference between Groups A and C ( P>0.05), while Group B had significantly higher scores than both A and C ( P<0.05). All images were deemed diagnostically acceptable. Conclusion:Compared with conventional EID-CT, PCD-CT combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol enables substantial reductions in contrast media and radiation dose while further improving image quality in head and neck CTA.

Objective To observe the feasibility of photon-counting detector(PCD)-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol(low contrast agent concentration,low contrast dose,low contrast agent flow rate,low radiation dose)for coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods Totally 106 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled and randomized into energy-integrating detector(EID)-CCTA(group A,using conventional scanning protocol,n=52)or PCD-CCTA(group B,using"four-lows"scanning protocol,n=54)groups and underwent relative examinations.The radiation dose,subjective and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared between groups.Results The contrast agent dose and flow rate,volume CT dose index,dose length product and effective dose in group B were all lower than those in group A(all P＜0.001).The subjective scores in group B were higher than in group A(5[4,5]vs.4[4,5],Z=-2.310,P=0.021).Compared with group A,CT value,signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of aortic root and most of the main branches of coronary arteries increased in group B,while standard deviation of CT value decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PCD-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol could be used for CCTA,which could improve imaging quality and reduce contrast agent usage and radiation dose.

Objective:To assess the viability of reducing radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration (quadruple low-dose protocol) by utilizing virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) in photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for aortic CT angiography (CTA), while maintaining image quality in comparison to images obtained from energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:From April 2024 to June 2024, a total of 40 participants who underwent aortic CTA on PCD-CT were prospectively enrolled in the experimental group (PCD-CT group), while 40 patients with similar baseline characteristics who had previously undergone aortic CTA using EID-CT were retrospectively selected for the conventional group (EID-CT group). The EID-CT group used a tube voltage of 90 kVp, a contrast media volume of 60 ml of contrast, an injection flow rate of 3 ml/s, and a contrast concentration of 350 mgI/ml; the PCD-CT group used the QuantumPlus mode, with a tube voltage of 140 kVp, a total amount of iodine in the contrast media of 140 mgI/kg, and an injection flow rate=contrast media volume/(delay time+scan time), and a contrast media concentration of 320 mgI/ml. VMIs in PCD-CT group were reconstructed in 5-keV intervals ranging from 45 to 65 keV. The effective radiation dose and contrast injection protocols were recorded and compared between two groups. Objective image quality assessment was performed for each group. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at five anatomical locations (ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and right common iliac artery), and image noise was recorded. Subjective image quality was independently evaluated by two readers using a 5-point Likert scale in a blinded manner. Based on data normality, the one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for image quality assessment, with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analysis for multiple comparisons.Results:There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between two groups (all P0.05). The PCD-CT group demonstrated significantly lower effective radiation dose [(3.88±0.65) mSv vs. (5.97±1.15)mSv], contrast media volume [(29.25±4.56) ml vs. 60 ml], and injection rate [(2.65±0.42) ml/s vs. 3 ml/s] than the EID-CT group, with reductions of 35%, 51%, and 12%, respectively (all P0.001). For objective image quality, except for the ascending aortic CT attenuation, the CT attenuation, SNR, and CNR of other vessels in the 55 keV PCD-CT group were comparable to those in the EID-CT group. Additionally, the difference in image noise between these two groups was not statistically significant ( P0.05). Concerning subjective image quality, at 55 keV, the PCD-CT group had similar image noise scores and vessel attenuation scores (both P0.05) and better visualization of renal artery branching ( P=0.001) compared to the EID-CT group. Conclusion:In comparison to EID-CT, the use of a 55 keV image in PCD-CT for aortic CTA has demonstrated reductions in radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration, while maintaining image quality.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of head and neck vascular imaging using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol—characterized by low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, low injection rate, and low radiation dose—and to compare the image quality with that obtained by energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:A total of 105 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease were prospectively enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April and June 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups ( n=35). Group A underwent conventional head and neck CTA using EID-CT. Group B underwent PCD-CT with a protocol involving ultra-low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, and low injection rate. Group C underwent PCD-CT with the full “quadruple low” protocol. Objective image quality parameters—including CT attenuation, image noise (standard deviation, SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)—were measured at the ascending aorta, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. Two radiologists independently rated subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences among groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:Compared to Group A [contrast volume: (42.78±6.64)ml], contrast agent volume was significantly reduced in Groups B and C[ (26.26±4.45) ml and (26.54±3.83)ml, respectively], demonstrating reductions of 39% and 38% (both P<0.01). The iodine concentration was 320 mg/ml in Groups B and C, lower than 350 mg/ml in Group A (8.5%). The injection rate was also reduced in Groups B and C [(3.39±0.61) and (3.55±0.51)ml/s, respectively] compared to Group A [(4.28±0.66) ml/s], with reductions of 21% and 17% (both P<0.01). The effective dose (ED) was similar between Groups A and B [(1.40±0.15) vs. (1.40±0.19)mSv, P>0.05], while Group C demonstrated a significantly lower ED [(0.99±0.09) mSv], with a reduction of 30% compared to Group A and 29% compared to Group B (both P<0.01).In terms of objective image quality, significant differences in image noise (SD) were observed among the three groups at the vertebral artery, internal carotid artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery (all P<0.05). Groups B and C showed significantly lower SD compared to Group A ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between B and C ( P>0.05). SNR was significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A at multiple vascular segments (all P<0.05). CNR differed only at the internal carotid artery, where Groups B and C demonstrated superior performance compared to Group A ( P<0.05).Subjective image quality scores showed no significant difference between Groups A and C ( P>0.05), while Group B had significantly higher scores than both A and C ( P<0.05). All images were deemed diagnostically acceptable. Conclusion:Compared with conventional EID-CT, PCD-CT combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol enables substantial reductions in contrast media and radiation dose while further improving image quality in head and neck CTA.

Objective To observe the feasibility of photon-counting detector(PCD)-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol(low contrast agent concentration,low contrast dose,low contrast agent flow rate,low radiation dose)for coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods Totally 106 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled and randomized into energy-integrating detector(EID)-CCTA(group A,using conventional scanning protocol,n=52)or PCD-CCTA(group B,using"four-lows"scanning protocol,n=54)groups and underwent relative examinations.The radiation dose,subjective and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared between groups.Results The contrast agent dose and flow rate,volume CT dose index,dose length product and effective dose in group B were all lower than those in group A(all P＜0.001).The subjective scores in group B were higher than in group A(5[4,5]vs.4[4,5],Z=-2.310,P=0.021).Compared with group A,CT value,signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of aortic root and most of the main branches of coronary arteries increased in group B,while standard deviation of CT value decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PCD-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol could be used for CCTA,which could improve imaging quality and reduce contrast agent usage and radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the effects of interleukin(IL)-34 on the polarization and migration ability of macrophages derived from human peripheral blood monocytes.Methods The CD14+monocytes were isolated from human peripheral blood monocytes by immunomagnetic bead sorting,and the purity of CD14+monocytes was detected by flow cytometry.The CD14+monocytes were divided into M1 type group,IL-34-M1 type group,M2 type group and IL-34-M2 type group.The cells in the M1 type group and IL-34-M1 type group were added granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF)to induce for 5 days,and half of the fluid was changed,and then the interferon-γ,lipopolysaccharides,IL-6 and GM-CSF were added for another 4-day induction;the cells in the M2 type group and IL-34-M2 type group were added macrophage colony stimulating factor(M-CSF)to induce for 5 days,and half of the fluid was changed,and M-CSF,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-13 were added for another 4-day induction.The cells in IL-34-M1 group and IL-34-M2 group were co-induced with IL-34 at the beginning of induction and on the 5th day of induction.On the 9th day of induction,the proportion of CD14+CD86+cells(M1 type macrophages)and CD14+CD163+cells(M2 type macrophages)in each group was detected by flow cytometry,and the migration ability of cells in the M2 type group and IL-34-M2 type group was detected by the Transwell chamber experiments.Results High purity CD14+monocytes were obtained through magnetic bead sorting,with a CD14 positive rate of(96.77± 2.72)％,which could be used for macrophage induction.The proportion of CD14+CD86+cells in the M1 type group and IL-34-M1 type group was(43.20±7.59)％and(27.87±2.06)％,respectively.The proportion of CD14+CD163+cells in the M2 type group and IL-34-M2 type group was(47.70±4.49)％and(58.95±3.65)％,respectively;the proportion of CD14+CD86+cells in the IL-34-M1 type group was significantly lower than that in the M1 type group(P＜0.05),while the proportion of CD14+CD163+cells in the IL-34-M2 type group was significantly higher than that in the M2 type group(P＜0.05).The number of migrating cells of macrophages in the M2 type group and IL-34-M2 type group was 97.8±9.0 and 205.6±21.9,respectively;the number of migrating cells of macrophages in the IL-34-M2 type group was significantly higher than that in the M2 type group(P＜0.05).Conclusion IL-34 can inhibit the polarization of macrophages derived from human monocytes cells towards M1 type,promote the polarization of macrophages towards M2 type,and enhance the migration ability of M2 type macrophages.

Objective:To analyze the value of peritumoral vascular invasion (PVI) on the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.Methods:A total of 232 patients with primary osteosarcoma from 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, including 142 males and 90 females. The average age was 17.9±8.2 years (range, 3-39 years). There were 22 positive and 210 negative cases of PVI, 94 deaths and 138 survivals. Univariate survival analysis (Log-rank test and univariate Cox regression) was used to evaluate the effects of age, gender, PVI status, tumor location, surgical method, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and chemotherapy regimen on the prognosis of osteosarcoma. The indicators with statistically significant differences were included in the multivariate Cox regression model to finally determine the risk factors affecting the prognosis of osteosarcoma. The relationship between PVI status and 5-year survival and the incidence of recurrence or metastasis was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:All patients were followed up for 7.6±4.5 years (range, 0.1-15 years). The differences in sensitivity to chemotherapy (χ 2=9.52, P=0.002), choice of chemotherapy regimen (χ 2=8.87, P=0.012), choice of surgical modality (χ 2=13.50, P<0.001), tumor metastasis rate (χ 2=8.51, P=0.004) and mortality rate (χ 2=5.39, P= 0.020) of PVI positive group and PVI negative group had statistically significant differences. Univariate survival analysis was performed on 232 patients with osteosarcoma (gender, age, PVI status, site of tumor development, surgical modality, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and chemotherapy regimen). Indicators with statistically significant differences were included in a multifactorial Cox regression model. The results showed PVI positive [5-year survival rate: HR=2.02, 95% CI (1.61, 2.79), P=0.010; 5-year recurrence or metastasis rate: HR=2.25, 95% CI (1.55, 3.14), P<0.001], surgical procedure as amputation [5-year survival rate: HR=1.22, 95% CI (0.94, 1.78), P=0.037; 5-year recurrence or metastasis rate: HR=1.58, 95% CI (1.11, 2.23), P=0.026] and poor sensitivity to chemotherapy [5-year survival rate: HR=2.71, 95% CI (1.84, 3.98), P=0.001; 5-year recurrence or metastasis rate: HR=2.52, 95% CI (1.88, 3.45), P<0.001] was associated with poor prognosis. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the 5-year survival rate of PVI positive group was 34%, which was lower than 68% of PVI negative group. The 5-year recurrence or metastasis rate was 72% in the PVI negative group, which was significantly higher than 38% in the PVI negative group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The 5-year survival rate of PVI positive group was lower than that of PVI negative group, and the 5-year recurrence or metastasis rate was higher than that of PVI negative group. The presence of microvascular angiosarcoma plugs infiltrating the peritumoral tissue in surgical specimens of osteosarcoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a useful indicator to assess the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a key effector molecule in anti-tumor immune response, has been well documented to correlate with the intratumoral infiltration of immune cells. Of interest, however, a high level of IFN-γ has been reported in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC), which is actually a type of immunologically cold cancer with few infiltrated immune cells. Investigating the functional significance of IFN-γ in SACC would help to explain such a paradoxical phenomenon. In the present study, we revealed that, compared to oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (a type of immunologically hot cancer), SACC cells were less sensitive to the growth-inhibition effect of IFN-γ. Moreover, the migration and invasion abilities of SACC cells were obviously enhanced upon IFN-γ treatment. In addition, our results revealed that exposure to IFN-γ significantly up-regulated the level of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on SACC cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which subsequently induced the apoptosis of CD8⁺ T cells through antagonizing PD-1. Importantly, it was also found that SACC patients with higher levels of plasma IFN-γ also had higher levels of circulating sEVs that carried PD-L1 on their surface. Our study unveils a mechanism that IFN-γ induces immunosuppression in SACC via sEV PD-L1, which would account for the scarce immune cell infiltration and insensitivity to immunotherapy.
B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Interferon-gamma/pharmacology* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism* ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms/pathology*

Aim To test the skin healing and repairing efficacy and the mechanism of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L bud extract by using the animal models. Methods KM mice were randomly divided into three groups:the model group, the positive control group, and the n-bu-tyl alcohol extract ( HrBN) group. Using the boils and carbuncles model, the healing condition of all the animals were observed. KM mice were kept in the SPF condition room and divided into five groups: the model group, the positive control group, and the low, middle, high dose groups. Using the full-thickness loss model, the repairing results of all the mice were ob-served. Through the antimicrobial test, the results of MIC and inhibition zone were obtained. The carbon clearance test was used to collect the blood at the time 5min and 15min, and get the liver and spleen, and the results of K andαwere obtained. Results In vivo ex-periments showed there was significant difference be-tween groups;the HrBN extract had the outstanding ef-ficacy in healing and repairing skin boils and full-thickness loss models. It had higher recovery rate than other ethanol extract, such as ethyl acetate extract and chloroform extract. In vitro experiments showed that the HrBN extract, ethyl acetate extract ( HrBE) ,AB-8 macroporous resin 30% alcohol part and 60% alcohol part had obvious antimicrobial efficacy. The carbon clearance test showed HrBN had a good effect in im-proving immune function, and it can increase the K and α. Conclusion HrBN in animal models exerts good skin healing and repairing efficacy, which might be related to its antibacterial activity and immunologic enhancement function.