Combing with the professional characteristics of imaging technology, Radiological Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University established the STAR training model for imaging technologists to cultivate the scientific research quality of young technicians, which includes sub-professional group training, tutor responsibility system, arrangement of research time, and reading-film session of technologists. Practice shows that this training model has made a series of achievements so far, such as that the number of publishing articles, funds application, authorized patents and oral presentation at international congress has been significantly increased. In addition, there is a high recognition of the STAR training model among young imaging technologists. Therefore, the STAR model can stimulate the scientific research passion of young technologists, and improve their scientific research capability.

OBJECTIVE：To investig ate the effects of tenuifolin （TEN）on brain mitochondrial autophagy in Aizheimer ’s disease（AD）model mice. METHODS ：Totally 50 male APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group，TEN medium-dose+ 3-MA group [TEN 40 mg/（kg·d）+autophagy inhibitor 3-MA 30 mg/（kg·d）] and TEN low-dose ， medium-dose and high-dose groups [ 20，40，80 mg/（kg·d）]，with 10 mice in each group. In addition ，10 wild-type homologous mice were included in normal control group. Administration groups were intragastrically given corresponding drug solution ；normal control group and model group were intragastrically given 0.3％ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution ，once a day ，0.01 mL/g， for consecutive 3 months. After last administration ，positive expression [measured by integrated optical density （IOD）] of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3（LC3）in neuron was detected ；mRNA expressions of LC3，ubiquitin-binding protein p62，Cathepsin D ，Rab7，phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten gene-induced putative kinase 1（PINK1） and E 3 ligase（Parkin）as well as protein expressions of LC 3，p62，PINK1 and Parkin were detected in brain mitochondria. RESULTS：Compared with normal control group ，IOD value of LC 3 in neuron as well as mRNA and protein expressions of LC 3， p62，PINK1 and Parkin in brain mitochondria were all increased significantly in model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while mRNA expressions of Cathepsin D and Rab 7 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared wit h model group ，IOD values of LC 3（except for TEN low-dose and medium-dose groups ） in neuron ，mRNA expressions of LC 3，Cathepsin D ，Rab7， PINK1（except for TEN low-dose group ）and Parkin （except for TEN low-dose group ） in brain mitochondria as well as protein expressions of LC 3 （except for TEN medium-dose group），PINK1（except fo r TEN high-dose group decreased significantly）and Parkin （except for TEN low-dose group decreased significantly ）were increased significantly in TEN low-dose ， medium-dose and high-dose groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；mRNA（except for TEN low-dose group ）and protein expressions of p62 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with TEN medium-dose group ，the changes of above indexes were inhibited significantly in TEN medium-dose + 3-MA group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：TEN can induce mitophagy in brain tissue of AD model mice by activating PINK 1/Parkin signaling pathway and improve lysosome function.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements of 3-dimensional (3D) images generated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and facial scanning systems, and to assess the effect of scanning parameters, such as CBCT exposure settings, on image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT and facial scanning images of an anthropomorphic phantom showing 13 soft-tissue anatomical landmarks were used in the study. The distances between the anatomical landmarks on the phantom were measured to obtain a reference for evaluating the accuracy of the 3D facial soft-tissue images. The distances between the 3D image landmarks were measured using a 3D distance measurement tool. The effect of scanning parameters on CBCT image quality was evaluated by visually comparing images acquired under different exposure conditions, but at a constant threshold. RESULTS: Comparison of the repeated direct phantom and image-based measurements revealed good reproducibility. There were no significant differences between the direct phantom and image-based measurements of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images. Five of the 15 measurements of the 3D facial scans were found to be significantly different from their corresponding direct phantom measurements (P < .05). The quality of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images acquired at a constant threshold varied across different exposure conditions. CONCLUSION: These results proved that existing 3D imaging techniques were satisfactorily accurate for clinical applications, and that optimizing the variables that affected image quality, such as the exposure parameters, was critical for image acquisition.
Anthropometry ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dimensional Measurement Accuracy ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the influence of object shape and distance from the center of the image on the volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, according to different parameters of tube voltage and current. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four geometric objects (cylinder, cube, pyramid, and hexagon) with predefined dimensions were fabricated. The objects consisted of Teflon-perfluoroalkoxy embedded in a hydrocolloid matrix (Dupli-Coe-Loid TM; GC America Inc., Alsip, IL, USA), encased in an acrylic resin cylinder assembly. An Alphard Vega Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) was used to acquire CBCT images. OnDemand 3D (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea) software was used for object segmentation and image analysis. The accuracy was expressed by the volume error (VE). The VE was calculated under 3 different exposure settings. The measured volumes of the objects were compared to the true volumes for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean VE ranged from −4.47% to 2.35%. There was no significant relationship between an object's shape and the VE. A significant correlation was found between the distance of the object to the center of the image and the VE. Tube voltage affected the volume measurements and the VE, but tube current did not. CONCLUSION: The evaluated CBCT device provided satisfactory volume measurements. To assess volume measurements, it might be sufficient to use serial scans with a high resolution, but a low dose. This information may provide useful guidance for assessing volume measurements.
Americas ; Colloids ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Seoul

Aspergilloma of the paranasal sinus is a non-invasive form of aspergillosis, most often in the maxillary sinus. This case presents an 86-year-old female with aspergilloma of the left maxillary sinus. The patient's chief complaint was intermittent pain on the left maxillary first premolar area. A radiopacification of the left maxillary sinus was observed on the panoramic radiograph. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed complete radiopacification of the left maxillary sinus and scattered multiple radiopaque mass inside the lesion. Biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. On microscopic examination, numerous fungal hyphae, which branch at acute angle, were observed. The diagnosis was made as an aspergilloma based on the histopatholgic examination.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Local ; Aspergillosis ; Bicuspid ; Biopsy ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Maxillary Sinus ; Paranasal Sinus Diseases

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in an odontogenic cyst is uncommon. The diagnosis of carcinoma arising in a cyst requires that there must be an area of microscopic transition from the benign epithelial cyst lining to the invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We report a histopathologically proven case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a residual mandibular cyst in a 54-year-old woman.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Jaw ; Middle Aged ; Odontogenic Cysts*

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic significance of cortical changes in the bone of diseased jaws utilizing computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomographic images of 91 patients, consisting of 7 osteomyelitis, 46 cysts, 18 benign tumors, and 20 malignant tumors, were analyzed. The pattern of cortical expansion was classified into three types: no expansion (N), buccal or lingual expansion (B/L), and buccolingual expansion (B and L). The pattern of cortical destruction was classified into four types: no destruction (N), point destruction (PO), gross destruction (GR), and permeative destruction (PE). The pattern of periosteal reaction was classified into four types: parallel, irregular, spicule, and Codmans triangle. The relationship between the pattern of cortical bone changes and diseases of the jaws was assessed. RESULTS: When the pattern of cortical expansion was compared to diseases of the jaw, N-type was most prevalent in cases of osteomyelitis and malignant tumors, B/L-type with cysts, and BandL-types with benign tumors. Comparison between the pattern of cortical bone destruction with diseases of the jaw showed strong correlations between PO and PE-types to osteomyelitis, N-type with cysts, N and GR-types with benign tumors, and GR-type with malignant tumors. Finally, the relationship between the pattern of periosteal reaction to diseases of the jaw showed a strong correlation between parallel-type to osteomyelitis and spicule-type to malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: The pattern of cortical expansion and cortical destruction is useful in differentiating diseases of the jaws.
Bone and Bones ; Humans ; Jaw Diseases ; Jaw* ; Osteomyelitis ; Periosteum