Objective:To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT using automatic tube voltage modulation (ATVM) coupled with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) versus routine tube voltage combined with Karl-3D iterative reconstruction (Karl-3D IR), and to determine the optimal noise level for AIIR in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT examination in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from April to October, 2023 were randomly divided into group A and group B using a random number table, with 50 patients in each group. Group A was scanned using ATVM, and images were reconstructed using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels. Group B was scanned using tube voltage 120 kVp and images were reconstructed with Karl-3D IR and noise level 5. The single-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded or calculated for all patients or images. Subjective evaluations of all images were performed. The quality of the reconstructed images using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels were compared and the optimal noise level of AIIR for image reconstruction was determined. Image quality and radiation dose were statistically analyzed for Group A (image reconstruction with optimal AIIR noise level) and Group B.Results:The mean SNR and mean CNR of the reconstructed images using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 3 in group A were higher than those using AIIR with noise levels 4 and 5. The images reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 3 and 4 scored higher in subjective assessment than those reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 5. Therefore, noise level 3 was optimal for AIIR in reconstruction of contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images. The mean SNR, mean CNR, and subjective evaluation score of group A using AIIR with noise level 3 were higher than those of group B using Karl-3D IR with noise level 5 ( P<0.001). The mean SSDE and the mean E of group A were reduced by 46% and 41%, respectively, compared with those of group B. Conclusions:ATVM technology combined with the AIIR algorithm can improve image quality and reduced patient radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT. Noise level 3 is optimal for AIIR in the reconstruction of arterial-phase and venous-phase contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images.

Objective To investigate the neurovascular coupling(NVC)status in the acute phase of patients with minor ischemic stroke(MIS)or transient ischemic attack(TIA)due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion using multimodal MRI techniques and to explore its correlation with quality of life(QoL).Methods This prospective,consecutive study enrolled patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion form the Department of Neurology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,between June 2022 and October 2023.Recruit healthy subjects with matched age,sex,and handedness form the community during the same period.Patients were divided into left-sided involvement and right-sided involvement groups based on the affected side of the responsible vessel,while the healthy subjects were set as the healthy control group.Post-hoc power analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1 software.General characteristics(age,gender,body mass index,education level)were collected and compared across all three groups.Clinical data and QoL assessment were collected and compared between the two patient groups.Collected clinical data including type of cerebrovascular events(TIA,MIS),the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at admission,the responsible vessel(internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery)and its side location,the degree of responsibility artery stenosis(moderate-severe stenosis[50%-99%stenosis rate],occlusion[100%stenosis rate]),the intracranial collateral circulation status(American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology[ASITN/SIR]collateral circulation grading),cerebrovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,smoking history),and the laboratory test indicators at admission(glycated hemoglobin,triglycerides,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood uric acid,blood homocysteine).QoL was assessed using the stroke impact scale(SIS),covering eight functional domains and a patient-reported overall recovery item.Multimodal MR data were acquired for all subjects.Whole-brain cerebral blood flow(CBF)images were generated using statistics parameter mapping 12(SPM 12)software,while regional homogeneity(ReHo)images were generated using DPABI software.The voxel-wise ratio of CBF to ReHo(CBF/ReHo)was calculated as the regional NVC parameter.Differences in regional NVC characteristics were compared between patient groups and the healthy control group.Correlations between NVC parameters and SIS scores within patient groups were explored.Results(1)A total of 38 patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion were included(26 males,12 females,aged 36-69 years,with mean age of[52±11]years),with 23 in the left-sided involvement group and 15 in the right-sided involvement group.Nineteen healthy subjects were included(10 males,9 females,aged 37-67 years,with mean age of[53±10]years).Post-hoc power analysis showed statistical power of 0.808 for comparing the left-sided involvement group with the healthy control group and 0.762 for comparing the right-sided involvement group with control group.(2)No statistically significant differences were found on gender,age,education level,or body mass index across the three groups(all P＞0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed on the type of cerebrovascular event,cerebrovascular risk factors,distribution of the responsible vessel,degree of stenosis in the responsible vessel,admission NIHSS score,or laboratory test results between the two patient groups(all P＞0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the total SIS score and the scores of subscales between the two patient groups(all P＞0.05).(3)Compared with the healthy control group,the left-sided involvement group exhibited reduced CBF/ReHo values in the left superior and middle temporal gyri,supramarginal gyrus,middle and inferior frontal gyri,precentral gyrus,angular gyrus,postcentral gyrus,insula,and posterior cerebellar lobe(FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).In the right-sided involvement group,reduced CBF/ReHo values were observed in the right supramarginal gyrus,right postcentral gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,and insula(FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).(4)Correlation analysis revealed that the SIS total score in the left-sided involvement group negatively correlated with CBF/ReHo values in the right inferior frontal gyrus(T=-5.91)and the right middle temporal gyrus(T=-6.65,FDR-corrected,both P＜0.05).The SIS subscale score for activities of daily living in the left-sided involvement group showed negative correlations with CBF/ReHo values in the right angular gyrus(T=-7.36),right medial superior frontal gyrus(T=-6.97),right orbitofrontal cortex(T=-8.99),and left thalamus(T=-7.51,FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).No significant correlation was observed between the SIS total score and CBF/ReHo values in patients with right-sided involvement group.The SIS subscale for communication score in the right-sided involvement group correlated with CBF/ReHo in the left lingual gyrus(T=-12.15),left olfactory cortex(T=-7.68),and right anterior cingulate and paracingulate cortex(T=-9.46,FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).Conclusions Patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion show abnormal NVC in the acute phase,especially those with left hemisphere involvement,who exhibit more extensive impairments.QoL in left-sided involvement patients is strongly linked to NVC in the right orbitofrontal cortex and right middle temporal gyrus.These findings require further validation in larger-scale studies.

Objective:To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT using automatic tube voltage modulation (ATVM) coupled with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) versus routine tube voltage combined with Karl-3D iterative reconstruction (Karl-3D IR), and to determine the optimal noise level for AIIR in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT examination in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from April to October, 2023 were randomly divided into group A and group B using a random number table, with 50 patients in each group. Group A was scanned using ATVM, and images were reconstructed using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels. Group B was scanned using tube voltage 120 kVp and images were reconstructed with Karl-3D IR and noise level 5. The single-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded or calculated for all patients or images. Subjective evaluations of all images were performed. The quality of the reconstructed images using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels were compared and the optimal noise level of AIIR for image reconstruction was determined. Image quality and radiation dose were statistically analyzed for Group A (image reconstruction with optimal AIIR noise level) and Group B.Results:The mean SNR and mean CNR of the reconstructed images using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 3 in group A were higher than those using AIIR with noise levels 4 and 5. The images reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 3 and 4 scored higher in subjective assessment than those reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 5. Therefore, noise level 3 was optimal for AIIR in reconstruction of contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images. The mean SNR, mean CNR, and subjective evaluation score of group A using AIIR with noise level 3 were higher than those of group B using Karl-3D IR with noise level 5 ( P<0.001). The mean SSDE and the mean E of group A were reduced by 46% and 41%, respectively, compared with those of group B. Conclusions:ATVM technology combined with the AIIR algorithm can improve image quality and reduced patient radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT. Noise level 3 is optimal for AIIR in the reconstruction of arterial-phase and venous-phase contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images.

Objective To investigate the neurovascular coupling(NVC)status in the acute phase of patients with minor ischemic stroke(MIS)or transient ischemic attack(TIA)due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion using multimodal MRI techniques and to explore its correlation with quality of life(QoL).Methods This prospective,consecutive study enrolled patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion form the Department of Neurology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,between June 2022 and October 2023.Recruit healthy subjects with matched age,sex,and handedness form the community during the same period.Patients were divided into left-sided involvement and right-sided involvement groups based on the affected side of the responsible vessel,while the healthy subjects were set as the healthy control group.Post-hoc power analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1 software.General characteristics(age,gender,body mass index,education level)were collected and compared across all three groups.Clinical data and QoL assessment were collected and compared between the two patient groups.Collected clinical data including type of cerebrovascular events(TIA,MIS),the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at admission,the responsible vessel(internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery)and its side location,the degree of responsibility artery stenosis(moderate-severe stenosis[50%-99%stenosis rate],occlusion[100%stenosis rate]),the intracranial collateral circulation status(American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology[ASITN/SIR]collateral circulation grading),cerebrovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,smoking history),and the laboratory test indicators at admission(glycated hemoglobin,triglycerides,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood uric acid,blood homocysteine).QoL was assessed using the stroke impact scale(SIS),covering eight functional domains and a patient-reported overall recovery item.Multimodal MR data were acquired for all subjects.Whole-brain cerebral blood flow(CBF)images were generated using statistics parameter mapping 12(SPM 12)software,while regional homogeneity(ReHo)images were generated using DPABI software.The voxel-wise ratio of CBF to ReHo(CBF/ReHo)was calculated as the regional NVC parameter.Differences in regional NVC characteristics were compared between patient groups and the healthy control group.Correlations between NVC parameters and SIS scores within patient groups were explored.Results(1)A total of 38 patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion were included(26 males,12 females,aged 36-69 years,with mean age of[52±11]years),with 23 in the left-sided involvement group and 15 in the right-sided involvement group.Nineteen healthy subjects were included(10 males,9 females,aged 37-67 years,with mean age of[53±10]years).Post-hoc power analysis showed statistical power of 0.808 for comparing the left-sided involvement group with the healthy control group and 0.762 for comparing the right-sided involvement group with control group.(2)No statistically significant differences were found on gender,age,education level,or body mass index across the three groups(all P＞0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed on the type of cerebrovascular event,cerebrovascular risk factors,distribution of the responsible vessel,degree of stenosis in the responsible vessel,admission NIHSS score,or laboratory test results between the two patient groups(all P＞0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the total SIS score and the scores of subscales between the two patient groups(all P＞0.05).(3)Compared with the healthy control group,the left-sided involvement group exhibited reduced CBF/ReHo values in the left superior and middle temporal gyri,supramarginal gyrus,middle and inferior frontal gyri,precentral gyrus,angular gyrus,postcentral gyrus,insula,and posterior cerebellar lobe(FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).In the right-sided involvement group,reduced CBF/ReHo values were observed in the right supramarginal gyrus,right postcentral gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,and insula(FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).(4)Correlation analysis revealed that the SIS total score in the left-sided involvement group negatively correlated with CBF/ReHo values in the right inferior frontal gyrus(T=-5.91)and the right middle temporal gyrus(T=-6.65,FDR-corrected,both P＜0.05).The SIS subscale score for activities of daily living in the left-sided involvement group showed negative correlations with CBF/ReHo values in the right angular gyrus(T=-7.36),right medial superior frontal gyrus(T=-6.97),right orbitofrontal cortex(T=-8.99),and left thalamus(T=-7.51,FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).No significant correlation was observed between the SIS total score and CBF/ReHo values in patients with right-sided involvement group.The SIS subscale for communication score in the right-sided involvement group correlated with CBF/ReHo in the left lingual gyrus(T=-12.15),left olfactory cortex(T=-7.68),and right anterior cingulate and paracingulate cortex(T=-9.46,FDR-corrected,all P＜0.05).Conclusions Patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion show abnormal NVC in the acute phase,especially those with left hemisphere involvement,who exhibit more extensive impairments.QoL in left-sided involvement patients is strongly linked to NVC in the right orbitofrontal cortex and right middle temporal gyrus.These findings require further validation in larger-scale studies.

Objective To investigate the image quality,radiation dose and contrast medium(CM)intake in coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)of overweight patients based on wide-detector using different tube voltages and CM of different concentrations.Methods A total of 150 overweight patients[body mass index(BMI)≥ 25 kg/m2]who underwent CCTA were divided into three groups according to scan protocols:group A(120 kVp,370 mg I/mL CM),group B(100 kVp,350 mg I/mL CM),and group C(80 kVp,320 mg I/mL CM),with each group had 50 patients.The mean CT value,mean signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),mean contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),figure of merit(FOM)of all images were measured and calculated.Images were assessed using a 5-point scale by two radiologists.The volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)of each patient were recorded and the effective dose(ED)was calculated.The total iodine intake values of patients in three groups were calculated.The above data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA.Results The mean CT value,mean SNR,mean CNR,and mean subjective score of groups B and C were significantly higher than those of group A(P＜0.001),but there was no significant difference between groups B and C(P＞0.05).The FOM value of groups B and C was significantly higher than that of group A(P＜0.001),and the FOM value of group B was significantly lower than that of group C(P＜0.001).The total iodine intake values of groups B and C was significantly lower than that of group A(P＜0.001).The ED and total iodine intake values in groups B and C were 30.34％,68.53％and 10.22％,16.85％lower than those in group A,respectively(P＜0.001).Conclusion Under the premise of ensuring image quality,the lower tube voltage and lower concentration of CM based on wide-detector allows for significant reduction in radiation dose and total iodine intake in CCTA for overweight patients compared to routine scan protocols.

Objective:To compare the image quality, radiation dose, and total iodine content of abdominal computed tomography (CT) enhancement scanning of overweight and obese patients with different scanning protocols, and to explore the optimal keV image serial for abdominal CT.Methods:A total of 90 overweight or obese patients [24 kg/m 2 ≤ body mass index (BMI) < 28 kg/m 2 or BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2] were divied into groups A, B and C, with 30 patients in each group. Group A used Gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) mode and contrast medium with 320 mg I/ml, group B used low tube voltage mode (100 kVp) and contrast medium with 370 mg I/ml, and group C used conventional tube voltage mode (120 kVp) and contrast medium with 370 mg I/ml. Monochromatic energy images at 50-70 keV (5 keV interval) were reconstructed for the arterial and portal vein phases of group A. Radiation dose and total iodine content were recorded and calculated for the 3 groups. The region of interest was placed on the organ, blood vessel, and erector spinae muscle at same level. The CT values and image noise values were measured, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. All images were scored subjectively in double-blinded by two radiologists. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare The CT values, CNRs, and subjective scores of each subgroup image in group A, group B and group C, and the radiation doses and total iodine contents in 3 groups were compared. The optimal keV value for group A was selected. Results:At 50-60 keV, the CT values and CNRs of arterial and portal vein phases in group A were higher ( P < 0.05) than or similar to those in groups B and C ( P > 0.05), and the subjective scores were lower than those of groups B and C at 50 and 55 keV ( H = 34.47, 41.27, P < 0.05), whereas there was no statistically significant difference at 60 keV ( P > 0.05). At 65 and 70 keV, only the CT value and CNR of the renal cortex in group A at the 65 keV of arterial phase were higher than those in groups B and C ( F = 102.38, 29.47, P < 0.001). The subjective scores were not significantly between groups B and C ( P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between CT values, CNRs, or subjective scores in group B and group C ( P > 0.05). The effective doses in groups A and B were 24.72% and 25.78% lower than those in group C, respectively. Compared to groups B and C, the total iodine content in group A decreased by 12.50% and 13.34%, respectively. Conclusions:GSI model combined with a low-concentration contrast medium in abdominal CT for overweight and obese patients can meet the image quality requirements while reducing patient total iodine content and radiation dose. The optimal keV value of enhanced abdominal CT for double phases was 60 keV.

Objective To study dynamic changes of gene expressions and protein synthesis of Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor-2), Osterix, osteocalcin and AJ18 inside the femoral head with steroid-induced osteonecrosis after mechanical stress stimulation in rats. Methods A total of 50 Wistar rats (half male in sex) weighing 250-270 g (mean 260 g) were involved in this study and randomly divided into experimental group (40 rats) and normal group (10 rats). The rats in experimental group were injected with dexamethasone (20 mg/kg) via bilateral gluteus maximus alternatively once a week and then trained on laboratory animal treadmill twice weekly to make rat model of femoral head necrosis. After identifying the successfully induced model by Hematoxylin and eosin stain, glucocorticoid injection was ceased and the experimental group was randomly divided into model control group, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks groups after hormone training stopped. Then, total RNA and total protein were extracted from femoral head for detecting dynamic changes of genes expressions and proteins synthesis of Runx2, Osterix, osteocalcin and A J18 after mechanical stress stimulation inside the femoral head with steroid-induced osteonecrosis by means of real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assay. Results In 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks groups after hormone training stopped, the gene expressions and proteins synthesis of Runx2, Osterix and osteocalein were reduced more significantly compared with model control group, mBNA expression values of Runx2, Osterix and osteoealcin were 0. 1809, 0. 1639, 0. 1374 and 0. 4219, 0. 3026, 0.2652 and 0. 2857, 0.2027, 0. 1583 times of those in model control group. The expressions of Runx2, Osterix and osteocalcin showed a downward trend with time. The mBNA expression and protein synthesis of AJ18 at 4th, 6th and 8th weeks after hormone training stopped were 2.6391,4. 2718 and 5. 3165 times of model control group. Conclusions In addition to hormonal factors, inappropriate mechanical stress inhibits expressions and proteins synthesis of Runx2, Osterix and osteocalcin, while the expression and protein synthesis of AJ18 are upgraded in early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND:Research has been proved that Fasudil,a Rho kinase inhibitor,can effectively inhibit the onset of secondary spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the synergistic effect of bone marrow masenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantion and Fasudil on motor functional recovery following spinal cord injury.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized controlled animal experimant was performed at institute of Endocrinology,Tianjin Medical University from November 2008 to March 2009.MATERIALS:A 1-month-old SD rat was obtained to extract BMSCs.Another 30 healthy female SD rats were used to establish spinal cord injury models,and they were then randomly divided into single injury group,cell transplantation group,and cell transplantation + Fasudil group,with 10 rats for each group.Fasudil was provided by Tianjin Hongri Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.METHODS:One week after modeling,spinal cord injury was exposed in the cell transplantation group and cell transplantation+Fasudil group,and 10 μL BMSC suspension was inserted into the injured region.Otherwise,6 hours later rats in the cell transplantation +Fasudil group were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg Fasudil,twice a day for one successive week.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Hindlimb motor function was detected using inclined plane test.The Phosphorylated-ERM protein expression was detected by hernatoxylin-eosin staining,pathology and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) nerve trace,and Western blot.RESULTS:Eight weeks after modeling,degree of inclined plane was significantly increased in cell transplantation group and cell transplantation + Fasudil group compared with single injury group (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01);while the increased value in the cell transplantation group was significantly greater than cell transplantation + Fasudil group (P ＜ 0.05).Broken myeloid tissue and cavitation were observed in the single injury group;a few of neuraxis-like structures were observed in the cell transplantation group and cell transplantation + Fasudil group,but the cavity in the cell transplantation group was larger than cell transplantation + Fasudil group.HRP-pesitive nerve fibers were detected at T_8 segment or even above in the single injury group and increased in cell transplantation group,in particular in cell transplantation + Fasudil group.Phospho-ERM protein expression in the single injury group and cell transplantation group was significantly greater than cell transplantation + Fasudil group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:BMSC transplantation can promote hindlimb motor functional recovery following spinal cord injury,while the combined application of cell transplantation and Fasudil may cause a synergistic effect.