Traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves both primary mechanical damage and refractory secondary injuries, resulting in high disability rate and poor prognosis. Current therapeutic strategies for TBI include surgical intervention, neuroprotective agents, moderate hypothermia therapy and spinal cord stimulation. However, most of these therapeutic approaches primarily address wound surface management rather than targeting specific pathogenic mechanisms underlying post-injury inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in suboptimal efficacy. Consequently, novel therapeutic strategies targeting TBI pathological mechanisms are urgently needed. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) exerts multifaceted neuroprotective effects in TBI by modulating neuroinflammation, inhibiting glutamate excitotoxicity and activating pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). Investigating the characteristics of ECS components and their related signaling pathways may yield new approaches in the development of neuroprotective drugs for TBI. Nevertheless, few ESC-targeting drugs for TBI treatment have advanced beyond preclinical or clinical trial phases. Breakthroughs in this field depend on a deeper understanding of ECS and its mechanisms in TBI. To this end, the authors reviewed researches on the composition and functions of ECS, as well as the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects following TBI, aiming to provide references for the development of ECS-targeting therapies.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves both primary mechanical damage and refractory secondary injuries, resulting in high disability rate and poor prognosis. Current therapeutic strategies for TBI include surgical intervention, neuroprotective agents, moderate hypothermia therapy and spinal cord stimulation. However, most of these therapeutic approaches primarily address wound surface management rather than targeting specific pathogenic mechanisms underlying post-injury inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in suboptimal efficacy. Consequently, novel therapeutic strategies targeting TBI pathological mechanisms are urgently needed. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) exerts multifaceted neuroprotective effects in TBI by modulating neuroinflammation, inhibiting glutamate excitotoxicity and activating pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). Investigating the characteristics of ECS components and their related signaling pathways may yield new approaches in the development of neuroprotective drugs for TBI. Nevertheless, few ESC-targeting drugs for TBI treatment have advanced beyond preclinical or clinical trial phases. Breakthroughs in this field depend on a deeper understanding of ECS and its mechanisms in TBI. To this end, the authors reviewed researches on the composition and functions of ECS, as well as the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects following TBI, aiming to provide references for the development of ECS-targeting therapies.

[Objective] To investigate the clinical value of using prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol in whole aorta and coronary arteries CT angiography combined with low tube voltage,low contrast medium injection rate and dose technology.[Methods]A total of 60 patients (heart rate≤ 75 bpm and normal heart rhythm) with suspected aortic disease or post-operation were randomly divided into 2 groups:G1 (n =30;tube voltage:80 kV;contrast medium injection rate:3 mL/s;contrast medium dose:0.65 mL/kg)and G2 (n =30;tube voltage:120 kV;contrast medium injection rate:4 mL/s;contrast medium dose:1.2 mL/kg).The two groups underwent aorta angiography with prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol by using 320-detector CT.The mean CT values and standard deviation of aorta,coronaries and adjacent adipose tissue were measured,signal to noise ratio (signal-to-noise ratio,SNR)and contrast to noise ratio (contrast-to-noise ratio,CNR) were calculated.The subjective quality scoring of 3-d post-processing images were evaluated independently by 2 senior radiologists.The mean CT values and standard deviation of aorta,coronaries and adipose tissue,SNR,CNR,subjective quality scoring,contrast medium dose and radiation dose were compared and analyzed.[Results] The abnormal and normal rate of aorta in two groups were 83.33％ (25/30),16.67％ (5/30) and 86.67％ (26/30),13.33％(4/30);while the abnormal and normal rate of coronary arteries in two groups were 43.33％ (13/30),56.67％ (17/30) and 53.33％(16/30),46.67％ (14/30).SNR values of ascending aorta,descending aorta,abdominal aorta,superior mesenteric artery,bilateral renal artery,left main coronary artery,left anterior descending branch,left circumflex branch,right coronary artery and CNR values of abdominal aorta,superior mesenteric artery,bilateral renal artery,left anterior descending branch,left circumflex branch had no statistical significance,while the other indicators were significant differences between the two groups.The radiation dose and the contrast medium dose of G1 was significantly lower than G2 (P ＜ 0.05).There was no difference in the subjective image quality of 3D post-processing images between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).[Conclusions] Using prospective ECG-gating Helical protocol in whole aorta and coronary arteries CT angiography combined with low tube voltage,low contrast medium injection rate and low contrast medium dose technology can help to reduce radiation and contrast medium dose without impacting on the imaging quality satisfactorily.

Objective To report our first clinical experience with a novel modified culotte technique for the treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions. Methods The novel modified culotte technique (the mono-ring culotte) stenting was done in which the side branch (SB) stent was deployed firstly followed by ex vivo wiring of a most proximal cell of SB stent with the hard end of main branch (MB) wire. Secondly, the MB stent was deployed through the most proximal cell of SB stent. The procedure was ended with kissing balloon dilation. From June 2014 to March 2015, 15 patients with true coronary bifurcation lesion were treated with mono-ring culotte stenting in our center. Results The procedures were successful in all cases without procedural complication and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events. The procedural time was (34. 3 ± 9. 6) min, fluoroscopic time was (18. 1 ± 3. 8) min, and contrast volume was (112. 0 ± 24. 5) ml, respectively. Post-procedurally, the residual stenosis of the main and the side branch were (10. 0 ± 2. 5)% and (10. 2 ± 5. 3)% , respectively. Conclusions The mono-ring culotte stenting is safe and feasible for treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions, and may be superior to the conventional culotte stenting.

Objective To study the feasibility of reducing radiation dose in aorto-iliac and lower extremity arteries CT angiography (CTA) with low tube voltage (100 kV) and automatic tube current modulation(ATCM).Methods Totally 61 patients requiting aorto-iliac and lower extremity arteries CTA for clinical reasons were prospectively enrolled in study.The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups:Group A(120 kV),Group B (100 kV) and Group C (100 kV with automatic tube current modulation).Both quantitative and qualitative analysis were included in this research.Group C was divided into obese group(BMI≥ 24.9 kg/m2) and normal group(BMI ＜ 24.9 kg/m2).The radiation doses were analyzed respectively among two groups.Results The subjective evaluations of image quality for axial,MIP and VR were good.There were no significant differences among group A,B and C in SNR and CNR (P ＞0.05).The effective dose of group A,B and C was 8.20 mSv,5.36 mSv,and was 7.48 mSv,respectively Group B was 34.6％ less than group A.Group C was 39.5％ more than group B,and there was no significant differences between group A and C (P ＞ 0.05).The effective dose of group C1 was 7.11mSv,group C2 was 9.69 mSv,the E with group C1 were significantly less than group C2 (t =-3.163,P ＜0.05),the effective dose of group C1 was 13.3％ less than group A (Z =-2.822,P ＜ 0.05),but the group C2 was more than group A (P ＞ 0.05) and group B (Z =-3.426,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Lowkilovoltage (100 kV) CT scanning protocol is feasible in multi-detector CT angiography for aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries.Automatic low tube voltage (100 kV) with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) scanning protocol can be used for someone with BMI less than 24.9 kg/m2.

Objective To discuss the clinical application and significance of non-enhanced computed tomography axis rotating movie imaging technique in PCNL for complex renal calculi. Methods Thirty-one cases unilateral and 2 cases bilateral multiple and staghorn renal calculi with mild or mediurn hydronephrosis patients were performed bilateral kidneys non-enhanced CT scanning,three dimensional reconstruction and the axis rotating movie composition were carried on by computer software,PCNL accesses were designed and the residual stone were predicted referred to the access-calyces angle measured in axis rotating movie image,PCNL were performed after while.Comparing between preoperation accesses design and residual stone prediction with in-operation practice were carried out.Results The first PCNL access was constructed via posterior middle upper minor calyces in 22 renal units and via posterior middle lower minor calyces in 13 renal units,which was consistent with pre-operation design according to CT axis rotating movie image.The second PCNL accesses were constructed via lower calyx posterior upper minor calyces in 9 renal units and via lower calyx posterior lower minor calyces in 5 renal units,nephrolithotomy were performed in the same operation,clinical stone clearance rate was 80%(28/35),other 7 cases with residual stone were consistent with pre-operation prediction,No blood transfusion was necessary and no severe complication happened in all 33 cases.Conclusions Non-enhanced CT axis rotating movie imaging provided the detail three dimensional shape and spatial structure of complex renal calculi intuitively) that was benefit for designing appropriate PCNL accesses for complex renal calculi patients, guiding for searching stone fragments in operation, predicting residual stone, and ensuring operation safety.

BACKGROUND: The middle ear is a little aerated cavity with a complex anatomy and a deep location. Computed tomagraphy virtual endoscopy (CTVE) can be used to reconstruct the stereoscopic images of internal surface of hollow organs using spiral CT volumetric data, providing findings similar to fiberendoscope.OBJECTIVE: To vedfy the ability to show the normal middle ear and the clinical application of virtual endoscopy based on 64-detector CT data.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A confirmatory controlled observation was performed at Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between October 2005 and March 2006.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 33 patients (66 ears) with suspected middle ear disease who underwent spiral CT examination were included in this study. Among included ears, 35 were normal, and 31 were impaired, including 24 ears presenting with chronic suppurative otitis media (10 simple otitis media, 5 granulomatous otitis media, and 9 middle ear cholesteatoma), 2 ears with post-operative recurred suppurative otitis media, 2 ears with carcinoma of middle ear, and 2 ears with temporal bone fracture, and lear with foreign body granuloma.METHODS: CT images of the temporal bone were obtained using 0.5 mm thick axis slices with a soft reconstruction kemel at 0.3 mm intervals. Virtual endoscopic images of middle ear on CT were generated from volumetric data using the Navigator software. CTVE images were observed from multiple directions using the Fly Through software, and compared with the axial and coronal images and surgery findings.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following structures were observed: auditory ossicle and joints, superior, middle, and inferior tympanum, sinus tympani, external acoustic meatus, tympanum, facial recess, tegmental wall, anterior and superior ligaments of malleus, posterior ligament of incus, and retrotympanum.RESULTS: A series of images were acquired as the virtual endoscope moved from the extemal auditory canal to the middle ear cavity. CTVE displayed the structures of normal middle ear with high details in 100%, except the anterior and posterior limbs of stapes in 68.6% (24/35) and 74.3 %(26/35), respectively. In the ears with supperative otitis media, the destruction of bone of handle, head of malleus, long and short limbs of incus, and limbs of stapes was found on CTVE in 91.7%(22/24), 95.8%(23/24), 95.8%(23124), 100%(24/24), and 87.5%(21/24), respectively. CTVE clearly showed the destruction of promontory, tegmental wall and facial nerve tube in one ear with carcinoma. CTVE showed the dislocation of incudomallear joint in one ear with temporal bone fracture. It took about 10-15 minutes to perform CTVE.CONCLUSION: CTVE can be used as a noninvasive and reliable method in displaying normal and pathologic middle ears. In cases of suspected bony destruction and confirmed trauma, it is helpful for diagnosis and surgical planning. CTVE of the middle ear can currently be considered as a complementary technique to conventional CT, and it is time-saving and reserves clinical generalization.

Objective To compare the procedural difficulty index (PDI) and immediate outcome (IM) of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with various stages of myocardial infarction.Methods Ninety-four patients with myocardial infarction were divided into three groups, direct PCI(n=38), delayed PCI(n=22) and late PCI(n=34). The characteristics of infarct-related coronary artery, PDI and IM of PCI were evaluated angiographically, and severe procedural complications (SPC) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during hospitalstay were documented. Results In the three groups, PDI was 1.47 ?1.79, 1.82 ?1.72 and 2.85 ?2.83, respectively (P