Objective:To design a phonocardiographic gating device that was used in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),so as to explore feasibility of synchronized acquisition for cardiac MRI.Methods:A phonocardiographic gating device was designed,which structure included a head of stethoscope,transmission pipeline,microphone and amplification filtering circuit,computer,and pseudo-electrocardiogram(ECG)trigger output circuit.The computer's runs included phonocardiographic recognition neural network of one-dimensional dilated convolutional layer and gating recurrent unit(GRU)layer,which parameters were determined by pre-train.The feasibility of using the phonocardiographic gating device in acquisition of cardiac MRI was explored by comparing the preparation time of examination and image quality for phonocardiographic gating device and ECG gating technique.Results:The average preparation time for the phonocardiographic gating device was(10.46±1.75)seconds,which was significantly shorter than that for ECG gating technique[(32.07±5.26)seconds](t=-11.02,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant difference in the clarity of short-axis images of heart at end-systole and end-diastole,and the indicators of cardiac function between the two methods(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The phonocardiographic gating device can replace ECG gating for MRI examinations,which can effectively conduct triggering for phonocardiographic gating while reducing preparation time.It holds clinical application value,especially in equipment with high field strength.

Objective:To investigate the enhancement effect of deep progressive reconstruction (DPR) algorithm on image quality and standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in obese patients. Methods:The images of a total of 27 obese patients,who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT in Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2023 to May 2024,were retrospectively enrolled. The images of all patients were collected by using uMI 780 PET/CT. Ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) iterative algorithm and DPR algorithm were adopted to reconstruct PET images,and measure counting rate of scattering coincidence of PET/CT images,counting rate of true coincidence,noise equivalent counting rate (NECR) and scattering fraction (SF). The quality indicators of PET images included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),the maximum SUV (SUVmax) of lesions,the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR),the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the visual scores of 18F-FDG PET/CT images on livers were evaluated. The differences and consistency of various indicators between DPR and OSEM reconstruction algorithms were further analyzed. Results:The average 18F-FDG PET/CT injection activity of 27 patients was (0.12±0.01) mCi (1 mCi=37 MBq)/kg,and the counting rate of true coincidence,NECR and SF of PET images were respectively (153.73±25.09),(44.81±8.47) kcps and (36.77±1.91)％. The SNR of liver obtained by DPR algorithm was (15.83±3.60),which was significantly higher than that (9.06±1.87) of OSEM algorithm,with statistically significant (t=20.6,P<0.05),and there was significantly correlation in liver SNR between two algorithms (R2=0.91,P<0.05). In 27 uptake 18F-FDG PET/CT lesions,the SUVmax,TBR and CNR of lesions that were obtained from OSEM algorithm were respectively (5.86±1.49),(1.95±0.49) and (17.74±4.77),which were lower than corresponding those of DPR algorithm,and the differences were significant (t=9.03,8.79,15.49,P<0.05),respectively. There were significant correlations in SUVmax,TBR and CNR between the two algorithms (R2=0.71,0.70,0.76,P<0.05),respectively. The visual scores of PET images obtained from the DPR algorithm was 4 (3,5) scores,which was significantly higher than 3 (2,4) scores of OSEM algorithm,and the difference of that between two algorithms was significant (U=396,P<0.05). Conclusion:The scattering effect of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging is stronger in obese patients,whose counting rate of equivalent effect of noise is lower. The DPR reconstruction algorithm can significantly improve the SNR and lesion contrast of PET images than the OSEM algorithm,which has significant gain effect on the SUVmax of lesions,and it can significantly improve the quality of 18F-FDG PET/PET images in obese patients.

Objective:To investigate the enhancement effect of deep progressive reconstruction (DPR) algorithm on image quality and standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in obese patients. Methods:The images of a total of 27 obese patients,who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT in Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2023 to May 2024,were retrospectively enrolled. The images of all patients were collected by using uMI 780 PET/CT. Ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) iterative algorithm and DPR algorithm were adopted to reconstruct PET images,and measure counting rate of scattering coincidence of PET/CT images,counting rate of true coincidence,noise equivalent counting rate (NECR) and scattering fraction (SF). The quality indicators of PET images included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),the maximum SUV (SUVmax) of lesions,the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR),the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the visual scores of 18F-FDG PET/CT images on livers were evaluated. The differences and consistency of various indicators between DPR and OSEM reconstruction algorithms were further analyzed. Results:The average 18F-FDG PET/CT injection activity of 27 patients was (0.12±0.01) mCi (1 mCi=37 MBq)/kg,and the counting rate of true coincidence,NECR and SF of PET images were respectively (153.73±25.09),(44.81±8.47) kcps and (36.77±1.91)％. The SNR of liver obtained by DPR algorithm was (15.83±3.60),which was significantly higher than that (9.06±1.87) of OSEM algorithm,with statistically significant (t=20.6,P<0.05),and there was significantly correlation in liver SNR between two algorithms (R2=0.91,P<0.05). In 27 uptake 18F-FDG PET/CT lesions,the SUVmax,TBR and CNR of lesions that were obtained from OSEM algorithm were respectively (5.86±1.49),(1.95±0.49) and (17.74±4.77),which were lower than corresponding those of DPR algorithm,and the differences were significant (t=9.03,8.79,15.49,P<0.05),respectively. There were significant correlations in SUVmax,TBR and CNR between the two algorithms (R2=0.71,0.70,0.76,P<0.05),respectively. The visual scores of PET images obtained from the DPR algorithm was 4 (3,5) scores,which was significantly higher than 3 (2,4) scores of OSEM algorithm,and the difference of that between two algorithms was significant (U=396,P<0.05). Conclusion:The scattering effect of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging is stronger in obese patients,whose counting rate of equivalent effect of noise is lower. The DPR reconstruction algorithm can significantly improve the SNR and lesion contrast of PET images than the OSEM algorithm,which has significant gain effect on the SUVmax of lesions,and it can significantly improve the quality of 18F-FDG PET/PET images in obese patients.

Objective:To design a phonocardiographic gating device that was used in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),so as to explore feasibility of synchronized acquisition for cardiac MRI.Methods:A phonocardiographic gating device was designed,which structure included a head of stethoscope,transmission pipeline,microphone and amplification filtering circuit,computer,and pseudo-electrocardiogram(ECG)trigger output circuit.The computer's runs included phonocardiographic recognition neural network of one-dimensional dilated convolutional layer and gating recurrent unit(GRU)layer,which parameters were determined by pre-train.The feasibility of using the phonocardiographic gating device in acquisition of cardiac MRI was explored by comparing the preparation time of examination and image quality for phonocardiographic gating device and ECG gating technique.Results:The average preparation time for the phonocardiographic gating device was(10.46±1.75)seconds,which was significantly shorter than that for ECG gating technique[(32.07±5.26)seconds](t=-11.02,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant difference in the clarity of short-axis images of heart at end-systole and end-diastole,and the indicators of cardiac function between the two methods(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The phonocardiographic gating device can replace ECG gating for MRI examinations,which can effectively conduct triggering for phonocardiographic gating while reducing preparation time.It holds clinical application value,especially in equipment with high field strength.

Objective:To investigate the effect and quality of life after anterior chest wall reconstruction with titanium plate and mesh due to manubrium tumor resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from January 2012 to December 2016, a total of 13 patients with primary(11cases) or secondary(2 cases) manubrium tumor, aged 41-72 years(medium aged as 56), underwent oncological resection, following by immediate chest wall reconstruction with titanium plate and titanium mesh. The quality of life was evaluated by EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (ED-VAS) before and 3 months after operation. Computed tomographic scan was taken 3 months after operation.Results:All the patients received successful operation. During the perioperative period, 12 cases recovered well without any complications, 1 patient experienced mild paradoxical movement within 9 days after operation and then recovered. The median follow-up period after surgery was 25 months (range from 7 to 41). Computed tomographic scans for the 13 patients showed neither dislocation nor deformation of the titanium plate and mesh 3 months after operation. One patient with chondrosarcoma died as a result of relapse 11 months after surgery. In pain/discomfort dimension, the pre-operation score was 1.85±0.80 and the post-operation score was 1.15±0.38, showing a significant difference( P=0.013). There was no significant difference in scores of other four dimensions between pre- and post-operation( P>0.05). The total score of EQ-5D decreased significantly after the operation (7.08±2.02 vs 5.45±0.52, P=0.010). The pre- and post-operation ED-VAS score was 85.69±7.58 and 92.54±2.53, with a significant difference( P=0.008). Conclusions:The immediate reconstruction of chest wall with titanium plate and mesh after oncological manubrium resection is effective and safe with improvement of the quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the effect and quality of life after anterior chest wall reconstruction with titanium plate and mesh due to manubrium tumor resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from January 2012 to December 2016, a total of 13 patients with primary(11cases) or secondary(2 cases) manubrium tumor, aged 41-72 years(medium aged as 56), underwent oncological resection, following by immediate chest wall reconstruction with titanium plate and titanium mesh. The quality of life was evaluated by EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (ED-VAS) before and 3 months after operation. Computed tomographic scan was taken 3 months after operation.Results:All the patients received successful operation. During the perioperative period, 12 cases recovered well without any complications, 1 patient experienced mild paradoxical movement within 9 days after operation and then recovered. The median follow-up period after surgery was 25 months (range from 7 to 41). Computed tomographic scans for the 13 patients showed neither dislocation nor deformation of the titanium plate and mesh 3 months after operation. One patient with chondrosarcoma died as a result of relapse 11 months after surgery. In pain/discomfort dimension, the pre-operation score was 1.85±0.80 and the post-operation score was 1.15±0.38, showing a significant difference( P=0.013). There was no significant difference in scores of other four dimensions between pre- and post-operation( P>0.05). The total score of EQ-5D decreased significantly after the operation (7.08±2.02 vs 5.45±0.52, P=0.010). The pre- and post-operation ED-VAS score was 85.69±7.58 and 92.54±2.53, with a significant difference( P=0.008). Conclusions:The immediate reconstruction of chest wall with titanium plate and mesh after oncological manubrium resection is effective and safe with improvement of the quality of life.

Objective To discuss the safety and efficacy of using ExoSealTM vascular closure device to obtain rapid hemostasis of puncture site in interventional procedure via retrograde femoral artery access.Methods The clinical data of 124 patients,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from March 2016 to April 2016 to receive interventional procedure via retrograde femoral artery access,were retrospectively analyzed.During the performance of intervention,ExoSealTM vascular closure device (ExoSealTM group,n=52) or manual compression (MC group,n=72) was employed to make femoral artery puncture point hemostasis.The time spent for hemostasis,the manual compression time,the limb immobilization time,the amount of blood loss during compression process,and the procedure-related complications were recorded and the results were compared between the two groups.Results Technical success rate in ExoSealTM group was 98.1％(51/52).In ExoSealTM group and MC group,the time spent for hemostasis was (0.28±0.08) min and (5.83±1.46) min respectively,the manual compression time was (2.65 ±0.57) min and (7.70± 1.88) min respectively,the limb immobilization time was (2.72±0.43) h and (6.15±0.69) h respectively;all the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P＜0.01).In ExoSealTM group subcutaneous hemotoma occurred in one patient,while in MC group subcutaneous hemotoma occurred in 3 patients and pseudoaneurysm in one patient;the complication rates were 1.92％ (1/52) and 5.56％ (4/72) respectively,but the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).In MC group the amount of blood loss during compression process was (1.11±0.86) ml,which was remarkably less than (7.83±2.08) ml in ExoSealTM group,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion For hemostasis of puncture site in interventional management via retrograde femoral artery access,the use of ExoSealTM vascular closure device is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVETo explore the material basis of conduction along meridian.

METHODSSixty SD rats(30 males,30 females) were randomly assigned into a normal group,an acupuncture group,a verapamil blocking group and a 0.9%NaCl blocking group(control group),15 rats in each one. Fluo 3-AM(calcium fluorescence probe) was injected at the observation part in femoral stomach meridian of foot-(meridian part) and the approaching femoral meridian part(non-meridian part) in the normal group and the acupuncture group,and then incubation was applied. In the verapamil blocking group,verapamil was injected at local meridian part and non-meridian part,and in the control group 0.9%NaCl was injected. Then Fluo 3-AM was injected at the meridian part and non-meridian part in the two groups,and incubation was implemented. Caimaging changes in cells were recorded for more than 20 min after injection of every part in each group respectively. After the above operations in the last three groups,acupuncture was used at "Zusanli"(ST 36) immediately,with electroacupuncture for one min,then Caimaging changes in cells at the meridian and non-meridian parts were recorded for more than 20 min.

RESULTSIn the normal group, Cafluorescence intensity at the meridian part was higher than that at the non-meridian part. In the acupuncture group,after acupuncture Cafluorescence intensity at the meridian part was obviously higher than before,but the change before and after acupuncture was not apparent at the non-meridian part. After verapamil blocking local calcium channel and acupuncture,the Cafluorescence of the meridian part did not strengthen,and the change of that before and after acupuncture at the non-meridian part was not obvious. In the control group,after injecting 0.9%NaCl at local part,Cafluorescence intensities of the meridian and non-meridian parts showed no obvious change,so was that before and after acupuncture.

CONCLUSIONSThe voltage-gated calcium channel at the meridian part is highly correlated with its tissue cells exciting conduction.

Objective To evaluate the correlation of epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV)with coronary plaques in patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero.Methods 183 patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero were selected.They were divided into plaque group and control group according to the findings of CT coronary angiography.Independent t test was used to analyze the difference of EATV between two groups.Results ①EATV was significant higher in plaque group than that in control group (P <0.05).②EATV was non-significant higher in plaque group than that in control group for female individuals (P >0.05), while it was significant higher in plaque group than that in control group for male individuals (P <0.05).③EATV was significant higher in plaque group than that in control group for the individuals with age< 50 years (P <0.05 ),meanwhile it was significant higher in plaque group than that in control group in age≥50 years(P <0.05).Conclusion EATV is correlated with coronary plaques in male patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero while there is no correlation with female patients.EATV is correlated with coronary plaques in different age patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles combined with chemoembolization using chemotherapeutic agents or chemotherapeutic agents lipiodol emulsion (CALE)in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by hepatic arteriovenous shunt (HAVS) and related prognostic factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 133 patients with HCC complicated by HAVS.HAVS was classified into slow-flow HAVS,intermediate-flow HAVS,and high-flow HAVS,which were treated with 300-500 μm,500-710 μm,and 710-1000 μm PVA particles,respectively.The patients with slow-flow and intermediate-flow HAVS underwent embolization with PVA combined with chemotherapeutic agents followed by CALE,while those with high-flow HAVS underwent the treatment with PVA combined with chemotherapeutic agents alone.The survival time,progression-free survival time,and postoperative complications were followed up and analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate cumulative survival rate and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine prognostic factors.Results The median overall survival (OS) of 133 patients was 9.1 months,and the 6-,12-,and 24-month survival rates were 73.7％,36.2％,and 10.2％,respectively.The median OS of slow-flow group (36 patients),intermediate-flow group (58 patients),and high-flow group (39 patients) were 7.3,9.1,and 10.8 months,respectively.And the 6-and 12-month survival rates were 69.2％/19.0％,72.4％/39.2％,and 77.8％/42.7％,respectively.There was no significant difference in survival time between the patients with different types of HAVS (x 2 =2.865,P =0.239).The incidence rates of postoperative gastroesophageal variceal bleeding and acute liver failure were 1.1％ and 0.4％,respectively.The results of Cox regression analysis showed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level ≥ 400 ng/ml (HR =2.105,P =0.006) was an independent risk factor,while multiple embolizations (H7 =0.482,P =0.011),tumor remission (HR =0.431,P =0.041),and multimodality therapy (HR =0.416,P =0.004) were independent protective factors.Conclusion PVA particles combined with chemotherapeutic agents or CALE is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC complicated by HAVS.Patients with multiple embolizations,tumor remission,and multimodality therapy tend to have good prognosis,while those with a high level of alpha-fetoprotein before embolization often have poor prognosis.