ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the image quality and the diagnostic value of low radiation,low dose and isotonic low concentration iodine contrast pulmonary computed tomography angiography (CTPA) protocol in pulmonary embolism.Methods Eighty patients with clinic ally suspected pulmonary embolism and BMI＜28 kg/m2 underwent pulmonary CTA on a 64-MDCT scanner (GE Discovery CT750 HD).Eighty patients were divided into two groups (group A:n=40,80 kV,Auto mA,20 ml 270 mg I/ml,60％FBP+40％ ASIR; group B:n=40,120 kV,Auto mA,40 ml 370 mg I/ml,100％FBP).Image quality was assessed,using a five-point scoring scale.Intraarterial density was measured in the common pulmonary artery trunk,the main right and left pulmonary arteries,lobar arteries,and then the average CT value was calculated.Image quality score,Average CT value,noise,SNR,CNR,CTDIvol and DLP were compared between the two groups using t-test.The occurrence rate of the superior vena cava iodine contrast agent sclerosis artifacts and the positive rate of pulmonary embolism were compared between the two groups,using Chi-square test.Results PE was found in 33 patients (14 in group A,19 in group B),and there was no difference of the positive rate of PE between two groups (35.0％ vs 47.5％,x2=1.289,P＞0.05).Overall 4-6 pulmonary artery branches were clearly displayed in all the cases.The image quality scores for two groups were 3.9±0.6 and 4.0 ± 0.7,respectively.There was no statistical difference between two groups (t=0.632,P＞0.05).The superior vena cava iodine contrast agent sclerosis artifacts were reduced in group A (28 cases vs.36 cases,x 2=10.362,P＜0.01).The average CT value and noise in group A [(426.8 ± 84.8),(14.9 ± 1.5)HU,respectively] was higher than those in group B [(359.4±75.3),(7.4± 1.4)HU,respectively],which was statistically significant(t=3.758,22.848,respectively; P＜0.01).However,the SNR (28.8 ±6.3)and CNR (24.5±6.1) in group A were lower than those in group B(SNR 50.4± 14.7,CNR 42.9± 13.8).There was statistically significant difference between two groups (t=8.522,7.669,respectively; P＜0.01 both).The CTDIvol[(3.3±0.3)mGy]and DLP[(101.4± 11.9)mGy· cm] in group A were significantly lower than those in group B [CTDI vol (9.6±0.6)mGy,DLP (328.5 ± 37.3)mGy· cm].The difference between two groups was statistically significant(t=56.393,36.675,respectively,P＜0.01 both).Conclusions The low radiation,low dose and isotonic low concentration iodine contrast CTPA protocol shows pulmonary artery branches of 4-6 levels,reduces radiation exposure and contrast media volume compared with the conventional pulmonary CTA,and achieves the same positive rate of PE in comparison of the conventional CTPA.It can meet the clinical needs.
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Objective To investigate the expression of complement regulatory proteins on placentas of pregnant C57BL/6 mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii in order to explore the molecular immunological mechanism for abnormal pregnancy induced by T. gondii infection. Methods Twenty-four pregnant C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups equally. The infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 200 of living T, gondii RH strain tachyzoites on the 8th day of gestation, and the normal group of mice was injected with physiological saline. All mice were killed on day 14 after gestation and placentas were collected. The expression levels of Crry, GPI-DAF and CD59a mRNA were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR, and the positive rates of Crry and GPI-DAF were measured with flow cytometry. Results The died fetus rates of infected group and control were 80. 95% and 4. 41% , respectively. The infected group was significantly higher than of that the control group (P＜0.01). The expression levels of Crry, GPT-DAF and CD59a mRNA in the infected and control group were 0.786 ±0. 199, 0.594 ±0.096, 0.880 ±0. 179 and 0.550 ±0.077, 0.221 ±0.074, 0.591 ± 0.075 , respectively, and the difference of three kind of complement regulation proteins between two groups was all significant (P＜0.01). The positive percentages of Crry and GPI-DAF cells of infected and control group were (10. 03 ± 2. 11) % , (2.95 ±1.04)% and (3. 15 ± 1. 32) % , (0. 66 ±0. 26) % , respectively, and the difference of the two kind complement regulation proteins between two groups was also significant ( P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion The expression level of mouse placental complement regulatory proteins was increased after infection with T. gondii, and then immunological microenvironment at the fetomaternal interface was destroyed. It may be one of important immunological mechanism for abnormal pregnancy induced by T. gondii infection.
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Objective To identify the immunogenicity and the potential of using Schistosoma japonicum mitochondria related protein(rSj338) as a candidate vaccine antigen for Schistosomiasis japonica . Methods The expressed recombinant fusion protein(rSj338/26GST) was purified and recognized by S.japonicum heavily infected rabbit sera and rSj338/26GST immunized rabbit sera by Western blotting. The inclusion bodies,the revivified protein and the purified protein from S 12 gel filtration were injected twice into rabbits to produce anti rSj338/26GST antibody which titer was then measured by dot ELISA. Balb/c mice were immunized with the inclusion bodies and the purified protein from S 12 gel filtration and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae to identify the protective immunity produced by rSj338/26GST. Results The inclusion bodies, the revivified protein and the purified protein from S 12 gel filtration could stimulate the rabbits to produce high level of anti rSj338/26GST antibodies and could be recognized by S. japonicum heavily infected rabbit sera and rSj338/26GST immunized rabbit sera. In Balb/c mice, the inclusion bodies could induce 27.8%( P