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.

Dissolvable microneedles(DMNs)offer significant advantages for vaccine delivery,including pain relief,saving drug dose,no contamination of sharp instruments and autonomous operation.The review introduces the materials,fabri-cation processes and physical characteristics of DMNs,focusing on its application in delivering various vaccines,such as influenza vaccines,COVID-19 vaccines,viral hepatitis vaccines and the measles-rubella vaccine.Current research dem-onstrates that DMNs provide significant advantages in enhancing vaccine immunogenicity,boosting vaccine stability and reducing vaccination costs.Yet,challenges confronting the development of DMNs remain in terms of unclear material me-tabolism,skin safety,difficulties in large-scale production and lack of quality standards and regulations.With the continu-ous progress of microneedle technique and constant improvement of policies and regulations,DMNs are expected to play an important role in boosting the convenience of vaccination and raising the coverage rate of vaccination,thereby making significant contributions to human health undertakings.

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.

Dissolvable microneedles(DMNs)offer significant advantages for vaccine delivery,including pain relief,saving drug dose,no contamination of sharp instruments and autonomous operation.The review introduces the materials,fabri-cation processes and physical characteristics of DMNs,focusing on its application in delivering various vaccines,such as influenza vaccines,COVID-19 vaccines,viral hepatitis vaccines and the measles-rubella vaccine.Current research dem-onstrates that DMNs provide significant advantages in enhancing vaccine immunogenicity,boosting vaccine stability and reducing vaccination costs.Yet,challenges confronting the development of DMNs remain in terms of unclear material me-tabolism,skin safety,difficulties in large-scale production and lack of quality standards and regulations.With the continu-ous progress of microneedle technique and constant improvement of policies and regulations,DMNs are expected to play an important role in boosting the convenience of vaccination and raising the coverage rate of vaccination,thereby making significant contributions to human health undertakings.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ginkgolide B on neurological function recovery and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway after ischemic stroke in mice.Methods:Fifty-five C57/BL6 mice were selected, of which 10 mice were kept as the sham group and the remaining 45 mice were constructed as the ischemic stroke model. There were 40 mice who finally completed the modeling, and then they were randomly divided into the blank control group (GB0w), short-course administration group (GB1w), long-term administration group (GB2w), and long-term administration+antagonist group (GB2w+PRI-724), with 10 mice in each group. There was no drug intervention after MCAO in GB0w. The mice in GB1w were given ginkgolide B (10 mg/kg) 0.1 ml within 1 week after MCAO; in GB2w were given ginkgolide B (10 mg/kg) 0.1 ml within 2 weeks after MCAO; and in GB2w+PRI-724 were nasally fed ginkgolide B (10 mg/kg) 0.1 ml within 2 weeks after MCAO; and selective antagonist PRI-724 was given 3 h before administration of ginkgolide B on days 8 to 14. Neurological function scores, walking on rotor bar test scores, expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Wnt, β-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) were compared among the groups.Results:Compared with the sham group, the expressions of MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, FGF4, and GSK-3β in GB0w, GB1w, GB2w, and GB2w+ PRI-724 were increased, and the expressions of GSH-Px, SOD, TGF-β1, β-catenin, and Wnt were decreased (all P < 0.001). Compared with GB0w, the expressions of SOD, GSH-Px, TGF-β1, Wnt, and β-catenin were increased in GB1w, GB2w, and GB2w+PRI-724, and the expressions of MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, FGF4, and GSK-3β were decreased (all P < 0.001). Compared with GB1w, the expressions of GSH-Px, SOD, TGF-β 1, Wnt, and β-catenin were increased in GB2w and GB2w+PRI-724, and the expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, FGF4, and GSK-3β were decreased (all P < 0.001). Compared with GB2w, the neural function score, walking on the stick test score, and expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, FGF4, MDA, and GSK-3β were increased in GB2w+PRI-724, while the expressions of GSH-Px, TGF-β1, SOD, Wnt, and β-catenin were decreased (all P < 0.001). Conclusions:Ginkgolide B can effectively improve the neurological function of ischemic stroke mice and may be related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effects of Ginkgolide B on the biological characteristics of brain T cells and their interactions with glial cells during the recovery phase of ischemic stroke in mice. Methods36 adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated group (Sham group), control group (PBS group), and Ginkgolide B treatment group (GB group). The Sham group underwent only sham surgeries, whereas the PBS and GB groups were subjected to a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model using the filament method, followed by intranasal administration of an equivalent volume of either PBS or Ginkgolide B solution for 14 days post-injury. Neurological function changes were evaluated in all three groups using the rotarod test and a neurological scoring system. On day 15, single-cell sequencing was performed on fresh tissues from the brain injury areas, surrounding cortex, corpus callosum, and striatum of mice in the PBS and GB group to assess the biological characteristics of T cells and their subpopulations, and further explore the interactions and mechanisms among T cells, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, both PBS and GB group exhibited significant improvements in neurological scores and reduced pre-fall motor durations (P < 0.001). Compared with the PBS group, the GB group showed a downward trend in neurological scores and an upward trend in pre-fall motor durations on days 5, 10, and 15 post-ischemic brain injury, with a significant increase in pre-fall motor duration on day 15 (P < 0.05). Compared with the PBS group, the GB group exhibited a significant increase in T cell proliferative activity in the brain 15 days post brain injury (P < 0.05). The number of proliferative T cells and the levels of lipid metabolism were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), and there was a significant increase in extracellular matrix remodeling in all T cells (P < 0.05). Additionally, the interactions between T cells and both microglia and oligodendrocytes, as well as among the microglia themselves and between microglia and oligodendrocytes, were significantly enhanced in the GB group. This was primarily evident in the strengthened interactions between CD74 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), as well as colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) (P < 0.05). However, the inflammatory levels of T cells showed no significant differences compared with the PBS group. ConclusionA mouse model of ischemic stroke can be successfully established by MCAO operation. Ginkgolide B may promote neurological recovery post-brain injury in mice by modulating the biological characteristics of T cells within the brain and their interactions with glial cells.