Objective:To synthesize non-contrast-enhanced CT images from enhanced CT images using deep learning method based on convolutional neural network, and to evaluate the similarity between synthesized non-contrast-enhanced CT images by deep learning(DL-SNCT) and plain CT images considered as gold standard subjectively and objectively, as well as to explore their potential clinical value.Methods:Thirty-four patients who underwent conventional plain scan and enhanced CT scan at the same time were enrolled. Using deep learning model, DL-SNCT images were generated from the enhanced CT images for each patient. With plain CT images as gold standard, the image quality of DL-SNCT images was evaluated subjectively. The evaluation indices included anatomical structure clarity, artifacts, noise level, image structure integrity and image deformation using a 4-point system). Paired t-test was used to compare the difference in CT values of different anatomical parts with different hemodynamics (aorta, kidney, liver parenchyma, gluteus maximus) and different liver diseases with distinct enhancement patterns (liver cancer, liver hemangioma, liver metastasis and liver cyst) between DL-SNCT images and plain CT images. Results:In subjective evaluation, the average scores of DL-SNCT images in artifact, noise, image structure integrity and image distortion were all 4 points, which were consistent with those of plain CT images ( P>0.05). However, the average score of anatomical clarity was slightly lower than that of plain CT images (3.59±0.70 vs. 4) with significant difference ( Z = -2.89, P<0.05). For different anatomical parts, the CT values of aorta and kidney in DL-SNCT images were significantly higher than those in plain CT images ( t=-12.89, -9.58, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the CT values of liver parenchyma and gluteus maximus between DL-SNCT images and plain CT images ( P>0.05). For liver lesions with different enhancement patterns, the CT values of liver cancer, liver hemangioma and liver metastasis in DL-SNCT images were significantly higher than those in plain CT images( t=-10.84, -3.42, -3.98, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the CT values of liver cysts between DL-SNCT iamges and plain CT images ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The DL-SNCT image quality as well as the CT values of some anatomical structures with simple enhancement patterns is comparable to those of plain CT images considered as gold-standard. For those anatomical structures with variable enhancement and those liver lesions with complex enhancement patterns, there is still vast space for DL-SNCT images to be improved before it can be readily used in clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scan and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of brain metastases.Methods:The MRI plain imaging findings of 105 cases with brain metastases and 103 cases without brain metastases confirmed by enhanced MRI examination and clinical diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. The comparisons of plain MRI findings including T1 weighted image (T1WI), T2WI, T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR), DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were made between brain metastases and non-brain metastases.Results:The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T1WI in the brain metastatic group were 54, 23, 9 and 19, respectively, while the numbers of hypo-intensity and iso-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 52 and 51, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI in the brain metastatic group were 1, 9, 72 and 23, respectively, while the numbers of iso-intensity and hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 11 and 92, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of DWI in the brain metastatic group were 4, 31 and 65, respectively, while the number of hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group was 4 and others were iso-intensity, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI/FLAIR in the brain metastatic group were 4, 5, 60 and 36, respectively, while all cases in the non-brain metastatic group were hyper-intensity, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The number of lesion accompanied with peripheral edema in the brain metastatic group were 69 cases, significantly higher than 0 cases in the non-brain metastatic group ( P<0.001). The mean ADC value in the brain metastatic group were (0.919±0.019)×10 -3 mm 2/s, significantly lower than (1.098±0.012)×10 -3 mm 2/s of non-brain metastatic group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For patients with a history of primary malignancy, the MRI plain scan signals of T1WI, T2WI, T2WI/FLAIR and DWI are significantly different between brain metastatic tumor and non-metastatic tumor. The mixed signal, peripheral edema and the restriction of DWI diffusion indicate brain metastases. The combined application of the above parameters can improve the diagnostic efficacy of predicting brain metastases, and contrast enhancement MRI examination should be performed for the confirmation of diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scan and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of brain metastases.Methods:The MRI plain imaging findings of 105 cases with brain metastases and 103 cases without brain metastases confirmed by enhanced MRI examination and clinical diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. The comparisons of plain MRI findings including T1 weighted image (T1WI), T2WI, T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR), DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were made between brain metastases and non-brain metastases.Results:The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T1WI in the brain metastatic group were 54, 23, 9 and 19, respectively, while the numbers of hypo-intensity and iso-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 52 and 51, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI in the brain metastatic group were 1, 9, 72 and 23, respectively, while the numbers of iso-intensity and hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 11 and 92, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of DWI in the brain metastatic group were 4, 31 and 65, respectively, while the number of hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group was 4 and others were iso-intensity, respectively, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI/FLAIR in the brain metastatic group were 4, 5, 60 and 36, respectively, while all cases in the non-brain metastatic group were hyper-intensity, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The number of lesion accompanied with peripheral edema in the brain metastatic group were 69 cases, significantly higher than 0 cases in the non-brain metastatic group ( P<0.001). The mean ADC value in the brain metastatic group were (0.919±0.019)×10 -3 mm 2/s, significantly lower than (1.098±0.012)×10 -3 mm 2/s of non-brain metastatic group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For patients with a history of primary malignancy, the MRI plain scan signals of T1WI, T2WI, T2WI/FLAIR and DWI are significantly different between brain metastatic tumor and non-metastatic tumor. The mixed signal, peripheral edema and the restriction of DWI diffusion indicate brain metastases. The combined application of the above parameters can improve the diagnostic efficacy of predicting brain metastases, and contrast enhancement MRI examination should be performed for the confirmation of diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the CT findings of patients with different clinical types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A total of 67 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were collected and divided into 4 groups according to the clinical stages based on . The CT imaging characteristics were analyzed among patients with different clinical types. RESULTS: Among 67 patients, 3(4.5%) were mild, 35 (52.2%) were moderate, 22 (32.8%) were severe, and 7(10.4%) were critical ill. No significant abnormality in chest CT imaging in mild patients. The 35 cases of moderate type included 3 (8.6%) single lesions, the 22 cases of severe cases included 1 (4.5%) single lesion and the rest cases were with multiple lesions. CT images of moderate patients were mainly manifested by solid plaque shadow and halo sign (18/35, 51.4%); while fibrous strip shadow with ground glass shadow was more frequent in severe cases (7/22, 31.8%). Consolidation shadow as the main lesion was observed in 7 cases, and all of them were severe or critical ill patients. CONCLUSIONS CT images of patients with different clinical types of COVID-19 have characteristic manifestations, and solid shadow may predict severe and critical illness.
Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Coronavirus Infections ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Pandemics ; classification ; Pneumonia, Viral ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the CT findings of patients with different clinical types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A total of 67 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were included and divided into 4 groups according to the clinical staging based on . The CT imaging characteristics were analyzed among patients with different clinical types. RESULTS: Among 67 patients, 3 (4.5%) were mild cases, 35 (52.2%) were ordinary cases, 22 (32.8%) were severe cases, and 7 (10.4%) were critically ill. There were no abnormal CT findings in mild cases. In 35 ordinary cases, there were single lesions in 3 cases (8.6%) and multiple lesions in 33 cases (91.4%), while in severe case 1 case had single lesion (4.5%) and 21 had multiple lesions (95.5%). CT images of ordinary patients were mainly manifested as solid plaque shadow and halo sign (18/35, 51.4%); while fibrous strip shadow with ground glass shadow was more frequent in severe cases (7/22, 31.8%). Consolidation shadow as the main lesion was observed in 7 cases, and all of them were severe or critical ill patients. CONCLUSIONS CT images in patients with different clinical types of COVID-19 have characteristic manifestations, and solid shadow may predict severe and critical illness.
Betacoronavirus ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective This report aims to assess the exposure risk of aflatoxin B1 in edible vegetable oil in Guangxi.Methods By using margin of exposure (MOE),the report analyzes the dietary exposure of aflatoxin B1 in edible vegetable oil with the data from contamination survey and dietary intake survey.Results For the vegetable oil sample,the content of aflatoxin B1 was between 0.50-320.00 μg/kg.The detection rate of peanut oil was 78.08％ (114/146) which was higher than other vegetable oil,and the exceeding rate was 31.51％ (46/146).For peanut oil,the average content was 30.80 μg/kg,the dietary exposure of the population was 17.30 ng/kg BW,and the MOE was 18.For the prepackaged peanut oil samples,the average content of aflatoxin B1 was 6.33 μg/kg,which was below the limit.While for the bulk peanut oil,the average content of AFB1 was 41.50 μg/kg,which was more than 1.08 times of the limit,and the dietary exposure was 25.59 ng/kg BW.The MOE of bulk peanut oil was 12,1/8 of the prepackaged peanut oil.Conclusion Food safety regulators should pay more attention to bulk peanut oil products,the priority in the risk management measures.At the same time,related department should also promote healthy education for the residents.

Objective:To explore diagnostic value of dynamic electrocardiogram (DCG) combined esophageal electro‐physiological examination (EEE) for sick sinus syndrome (SSS) .Methods :A total of 74 cases suspecting SSS ,who presented 24h mean heart rate <55 beats/min in DCG ,were selected .After DCG examination ,all subjects received EEE . Diagnostic value of single and combined examinations wereexplored .Results:Compared withthe SSS positive rate of single DCG and single EEE(87.8% ,86.5% ) ,theSSS positive rate ofDCG combined EEE(97.3% ) was sig‐nificantly rose ,P<0.05 both .Conclusion:Dynamic electrocardiogram combined esophageal electrophysiological ex‐amination can evaluate sinus node function from different angles ,which can significantlyincrease SSS diagnose rat .

Objective To study the effects of experiment-related factors on hematological parameters in SD rats, analyze the data difference and causes, understand the effects of anesthetics and stress responses on the physiological aspects of animals, and to provide a reference for the standardization of animal welfare and compound toxicity testing methods.Methods According to gender (A), fasting time (B), anesthesia (C) and blood collection mode (D), SPF SD rats were divided into 24 groups.Blood samples were collected from each group.Then, red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, white blood cell count and classification indicators were measured.Results The primary and secondary order of the factors affecting the white blood cell count was D > C > A > B, and the levels of white blood cell count of each factor were male rats > female rats, and venous blood > arterial blood, chloral hydrate > pentobarbital sodium > no anesthesia.The primary and secondary order of the factors affecting the white blood cell classification was C > D=A=B, and factors affecting the levels of white blood cell classification were chloral hydrate > pentobarbital sodium > no anesthesia.The primary and secondary order of the effects of the factors on the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level was C > D=A=B, and the levels of red blood cell count and hemoglobin level were pentobarbital sodium > chloral hydrate> no anesthesia.There was no significant difference in the blood indexes between the different fasting time groups.Conclusions There is no effect of fasting on hematological parameters, but there are differences in the blood parameters between arteries and veins.The effect of chloral hydrate anesthesia on the count and classification of white blood cells is greater than that of pentobarbital sodium.The effect of chloral hydrate anesthesia on the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level is greater than that of pentobarbital sodium.The two kinds of anesthesia methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Objective To synthesize Wye-125132,an inhibitor of mTOR,and to establish a synthetic route for industrial production.Methods Barbituric acid was used as the raw material to synthesize the intermediate 2, 4, 6-trichrolo-pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde 2 via Vilsmeier-Haack and chlorination reaction, while intermediate 5 was prepared via 3-step reaction from 1,4-dioxaspiro-[4,5]decan-8-one.The condensation of 2 and 5 was followed by substitution reaction to obtain the key intermediate 7.The side chain 9 was prepared by 3-step reaction from bromine aniline.Then the title product 1 was obtained with the reaction of Suzuki cross-coupling of 7 and 9.The structures of intermediate and target compounds were confirmed by MS and 1 H-NMR.Results and Conclusion Compared with the method reported in the literature,this new synthesis method possesses some advantages, such as ready availablity of raw materials, simple operation, mild reaction conditions and easy disposal of products.The total yield is 13.2%,and the purity of the target compound is 99.77%.

Objective To investigate the roles of microRNA-382 (miR-382) in the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF).Methods Human kidney epithelial cells (HK2)transfected with miR-382 inhibitor (antagomiR-382) were used to examine the effect of miR-382 abundance on cell polarity,as well as to test the complementary relationship between miR-382 and its predicted target gene heat shock protein 60 (HSPD1),which was further verified by 3'-untranslated region luciferase assay and site-directed mutagenesis.The role of miR-382 played in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis and redox regulation was examined in a mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model.Locked nucleic acid (LAN)-modified anti-miR-382 was intravenous delivered via tail vein 30 min prior to UUO,and repeated the dosage 24 h after the surgery.For clinical verification,renal biopsy specimens from 12 IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients were collected,6 patients with moderate to severe TIF and 6 patients without TIF.The relative abundance of miR-382 and HSPD1 protein was analyzed by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.Results HSPD1 was confirmed to be a new,direct target gene of miR-382 by in vitro 3'-untranslated region luciferase assay and sitedirected mutagenesis.The development of epithelial transition in HK2 cells was accompanied with upregulation of miR-382 [(6.54±0.96) vs (1.12±0.26),P ＜ 0.05].Blocking the expression of miR-382 could reversed the progression of epithelial transition partially.In UUO mice the abundance of miR-382 was up-regulated [(6.89 ± 2.47) vs (1.00±0.42),P ＜ 0.01] while HSPD1 and Trx were downregulated compared with the sham group.Down-regulation of miR-382 was associated with significant decrease in TIF,but increase in HSPD1 and thioredoxin protein compared with UUO group [HSPD1:(0.34±0.10) vs (0.14±0.05);Trx:(0.79±0.18) vs (0.36±0.16);all P ＜ 0.05].The expression of miR-382 was up-regulated and HSPD1 was significantly down-regulated in IgAN patients with TIF.Conclusions miR-382 play an important role in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in human and mice.HSPD1 is one of the target genes of miR-382.The down-regulation of HSPD1 and the decrease ability of anti-oxidative stress may be the important mechanism of miR-382 involved in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.