Objective:To discuss the effect of Xiaoqinglong decoction on vascular endothelin (ET) in rats pulmonary hypertension (PAH) model based on the Jiebiaokuoluo method.Methods:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, PAH model group, positive drug group, and Xiaoqinglong decoction in the high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups, 10 rats in each group. The control group did not receive any treatment. The remaining groups were kept in low-pressure oxygen tanks, injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 200 μL on day 1 and day 14, respectively. The rats were smoked twice a day from day 2 to day 30 (except day 14) at 4 hours intervals. The rats were placed in a low-temperature environment for 1 hour per day, and were put into cold water to swim (for 2 weeks), while the rats were given a cold diet. After modeling, the control group and the PAH model group were given equal volumes of normal saline; the positive drug group was given bosentan (100 mg/kg); Xiaoqinglong decoction 15, 10 and 5 g/kg was given, respectively, in the high, medium and low dose groups; once daily for 30 days. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) were then measured with right heart catheterization and the right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) was assessed; ET-1 and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results:Compared with the control group, the levels of mPAP, RVSP, RVHI and ET-1 were significantly increased in the PAH model group [mPAP (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 33.20±1.04 vs. 13.20±1.03, RVSP (mmHg): 62.40±1.54 vs. 24.20±1.02, RVHI: 42.90±2.51 vs. 25.40±2.01, ET-1 (ng/L): 100.80±20.34 vs. 81.50±13.84, all P < 0.05], while NO levels were significantly decreased (mmol/L: 23.20±1.81 vs. 31.70±1.49, P < 0.05). Compared with the PAH model group, the levels of mPAP, RVSP, RVHI and ET-1 in the positive drug group and high, medium, low dose groups of Xiaoqinglong decoction were significantly decreased [mPAP (mmHg): 25.50±0.84, 26.90±0.74, 27.10±1.19, 29.10±0.75 vs. 33.20±1.04, RVSP (mmHg): 54.40±5.14, 50.10±1.67, 53.10±1.05, 56.60±1.07 vs. 62.40±1.54, RVHI: 41.10±1.19, 31.20±1.67, 31.30±1.89, 40.30±1.88 vs. 42.90±2.51, ET-1 (ng/L): 70.70±7.89, 69.90±2.92, 71.70±4.32, 73.90±5.19 vs. 100.80±20.34, all P < 0.05], while NO levels were significantly increased (mmol/L: 32.50±2.06, 34.70±1.16, 32.70±1.33, 30.10±1.19 vs. 23.20±1.81, all P < 0.05), and with the increased dose of Xiaoqinglong decoction, the change was more obvious, and the effect was better in the high-dose group. Conclusion:Xiaoqinglong decoction can reduce rats PAH by regulating ET-1 and NO levels in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of low-dose 4DCT scanning in simulation and target delineation for solitary pulmonary tumors (SPTs).Methods:23 patients with SPTs received 4DCT scanning simulation with the conventional scanning (CON), low voltage (LV), low current (LA) and low voltage combined with low current (LVA) in sequence. Based on the 4DCT images derived from the four sets of scanning parameters, the internal gross tumor volume (IGTV CON, IGTV V, IGTV A, IGTV VA) of SPTs were delineated and matched. Taking IGTV CON as reference, the tumor displacement and the centroid position of IGTV V, IGTV A and IGTV VA were compared with IGTV CON. The radiation doses under different scanning parameters were compared. Results:The volumes of IGTV CON, IGTV V and IGTV A were (12.26±12.30) cm 3, (12.21±12.16) cm 3 and (11.87±11.70) cm 3, respectively ( P=0.337). IGTV VA was (11.34±11.07) cm 3, significantly smaller than IGTV CON ( P=0.005). There was no significant difference in the centroid positions of IGTV CON, IGTV V, IGTV A and IGTV VA in three directions ( P=0.491, 0.360, 0.136). The Dice′s similarity coefficient (DSC VA) was significantly lower than DSC V and DSC A ( P=0.004, 0.030). The tumor displacement measured by the four sets of 4DCT images was similar in the LR direction ( P=0.470), and also in the AP direction ( P=0.108). For the displacement in the SI direction, LVA scanning was smaller than CON ( P=0.015). The radiation doses under four different scanning conditions were (397.0±140.3) mGy·cm, (175.0±61.8) mGy·cm, (264.8±95.3) mGy·cm and (116.8±41.2) mGy·cm, respectively ( P<0.001). Conclusions:LV or LA scanning exert no significant effect on the volume, centroid position of IGTV and the tumor displacement in 4DCT simulation for SPTs. The radiation dose that patients receive under LV and LV scanning is lower than that of CON. Consequently, LV or LA scanning is feasible in 4DCT simulation and target delineation for SPTs.

Objective To explore the effect of pitch in three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT)on the gross tumor volume(GTV)and spatial position of solitary pulmonary lesion(SPL), and to evaluate the feasibility of high-pitch 3DCT simulation for SPL. Methods Twenty-two patients with peripheral lung cancer or metastatic SPL were divided into groups A and B according to the tumor location. All patients underwent spiral CT scans at different pitches(pitchCON=0.938, pitchS=0.438, and pitchB=1.188)during free breathing. All GTVSwere delineated by the same radiation oncologist using the same contouring protocol. GTVCONgenerated at pitchCON, GTVSgenerated at pitches, and GTVBgenerated at pitchB were compared in terms of volume and geometric position, and GTVSand GTVBwere registered to GTVCONgained at the conventional pitch. The Friedman M and Wilcoxon rank-rum test were used for comparison. Results The volumes of GTVCON, GTVS, and GTVBwere 11.58± 16.42 cm3, 11.63± 17.73 cm3, and 12.09± 17.46 cm3, respectively(P=0.11). There were no significant differences in the centroid position in x,y,and z directions between GTVCON,GTVS,and GTVB(Px=0.33,Py=0.81, Pz=0.39). The same result was found in group B (Px=0.92,Py=0.05, Pz=0.37). The matching index(MI)between GTVSand GTVCONwas related to the tumor location,so was the MI between GTVBand GTVCON. Conclusions The pitch in 3DCT simulation has no significant effect on the GTV and spatial position of SPL. Increasing CT pitch appropriately can improve the scanning speed and shorten the duration of 3DCT simulation,so high-pitch 3DCT simulation is feasible for SPL.