Feasibility study of reducing the radiation dose on virtual non-contrast scanning in dual-layer spectral coronary CT angiography / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of reducing the radiation dose on coronary artery calcium score (CS) of virtual non-contrast (VNC) scanning in dual-layer spectral coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods:One hundred and twenty-two patients were examined on a dual-layer spectral detector CT scanner from March 2019 to August 2020. Volume CT dose index (CTDI vol), dose length product (DLP), effective dose ( E) were all evaluated for each patient. CS was calculated from both true non-contrast (TNC) and VNC images for left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCx), right coronary artery (RCA), and the total coronary artery (Total) by two radiologists independently. Pearson′s correlation coefficient was calculated for measuring the association between variables. The correction coefficients of each branch (λ LAD, λ LCx, and λ RCA) and the average correction coefficient (λ AVG) of the total coronary artery were obtained. The calibrated calcium score (CCS_VNC) was equal to λ multiplied by CS_VNC. The CS_TNC and CCS_VNC were compared using repeated oneway analysis of variance test. Correlation analyses for CS_TNC and CCS_VNC and agreement evaluation with Bland-Altman-Plots were performed. Results:The average effective doses in TNC, CCTA and total group were 0.69, 6.47 and 7.16 mSv, respectively. The effective dose was reduced by 10.6% and the scan time was reduced by 39% while using VNC images. There were significant differences among the CS_TNC and CS_VNC of LAD, LCx, RCA and Total ( t=6.75, 5.33, 4.99, 6.60, P< 0.05). Excellent correlations were observed between CS_VNC and CS_TNC ( R2 values were 0.929, 0.896, 0.958, and 0.918; λ values were 2.18, 1.18, 2.15, and 2.07, respectively). There were no significant statistically difference among the CS_TNC, CCS_VNC AVG, and CCS_VNC LAD/RCA of the LAD and RCA (all P> 0.05). The difference was statistically significant among the CS_TNC, CCS_VNC AVG, and CCS_VNC LCx of the LCx ( F=10.94, P<0.05). The paired comparison were performed in groups and the differences were statistically significant between the CS_TNC versus CCS_VNC AVGand CCS_VNC AVG versus CCS_VNC LCx ( t=3.31, 3.43, all P<0.05). There was no significant statistically difference between the CCS_VNC LCx and CCS_VNC AVG( P>0.05). Conclusions:It was feasible to accurately evaluate the CS_VNC from spectral data in comparison to TNC imaging, and to reduce the patient radiation dose and acquisition time.

Bioinspired membrane-based nanomodulators for immunotherapy of autoimmune and infectious diseases

Autoimmune or infectious diseases often instigate the undesirable damages to tissues or organs to trigger immune-related diseases, which involve plenty of immune cells, pathogens and autoantibodies. Nanomedicine has a great potential in modulating immune system. Particularly, biomimetic nanomodulators can be designed for prevention, diagnosis and therapy to achieve a better targeted immunotherapy. With the development of materials science and bioengineering, a wide range of membrane-coated nanomodulators are available. Herein, we summarize recent advancements of bioinspired membrane-coated nanoplatform for systemic protection against immune-related diseases including autoimmune and infectious diseases. We also rethink the challenges or limitations in the progress of the therapeutic nanoplatform, and discuss the further application of the nanomodulators in the view of translational medicine for combating immune-related diseases.

Practical value and thought on "co-regulation of body and mind" in treatment of post-stroke spasticity with acupuncture / 中国针灸

This paper reviews the application of "co-regulation of body and mind" of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity. It is found that acupoints on the head and the back of the governor vessel, as well as Jiaji (Ex-B 2) points are mainly used for regulating the mind, and the local sites of spastic muscles and the points on the antagonistic muscles are for regulating the body specially. It is believed that regulating the mind should be integrated with regulating the body, while, the acupoint selection be associated with needling methods so as to fully achieve the "co-regulation of body and mind" and enhance the practical value of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity. It is proposed that the classical anti-spastic needling techniques, such as huici (relaxing needling) and guanci (joint needling), should be more considered.

Multimodal imaging analysis of the cyst like lesion of condyle in temporomandibular joint / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the imaging features of condylar cystic degeneration of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by cone-beam CT (CBCT), spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, thirty-two patients with cyst-like lesions of condylein temporomandibular joint were examined by CBCT, spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in General Hospital of Chinese PLA. There were 12 males and 20 females involved, aged from 16 to 65 years with an average age of (33.9±12.5) years. The characteristics of CBCT, spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging were analyzed. Condylar cyst like lesions were classified as type A and type B based on the presence or absence of surface bone defects. Condylar cyst like lesions were classified as type Ⅰ(yes) and type Ⅱ(no) according to the accompanying bone marrow edema-like lesions of the condyles. The incidence of condylar bone marrow edema, disc displacement and abnormal bone metabolism were analyzed. Results: A total of 64 joint images of 32 patients were included, including 34 sides with TMJ cyst-like lesion and 6 sides with multiple cyst-like lesions,the total cyst-like lesions were 42. The largest diameter of cyst-like lesion ranged from 1.0 to 12.4 mm, with an average length of (3.7±1.8) mm. There were 24 cases of type A TMJ cyst like lesion and 10 cases of type B cyst-like lesion. The detection rate of CBCT was 95.2% (40/42) and that of spiral CT was 100% (42/42), there was no significant difference (Calibration Chi-square=0.51, P=0.474). The detection rate of nuclear magnetic resonance was 80.1% (34/42), and the detection rate of cyst-like lesions less than 2 mm was 3/11. In the cyst like lesion side, there were 9 sides with anterior disc displacement with reduction, 20 sides with anterior disc displacement without reduction. In the non-cyst like lesion side, 10 sides with anterior disc displacement with reduction and 6 sides with anterior disc displacement without reduction. There was a significant difference in the displacement of the disc between cyst-like and non-cystic lesion side (χ²=7.80, P=0.005). MRI showed that 6 cases of cystic side[17.6% (6/34)] had bone marrow edema-like lesions (all type A), 1 case of non-cyst like lesions side [3.3% (1/30)]had bone marrow edema-like lesion, there was no significant difference between cystic and non-cystic lesions (Calibration Chi-square=2.04, P=0.153). There was a significant difference between type A and B cystic lesions (Fisher exact probability method, P= 0.024). Radionuclide bone imaging showed abnormal bone metabolism in 26 patients in the cyst-like lesion side and 5 patients in the non-cyst like lesion side (χ²=22.82, P<0.001). Conclusions Multi-slice Spiral CT could detect the cyst-like lesion of TMJ condyle in the early stage, which is different from the large joint. And the formation mechanism may vary from the different classifications.

Research progress of dental pulp stem cells for peripheral nerve injury repair / 中华口腔医学杂志

Peripheral nerve injuries are mainly related to severe trauma, fracture and tumor surgery, leading to reduced quality of life and impaired physical and mental health. The repair of peripheral nerve still faces great challenges in clinic, and the research on the regeneration and repair of peripheral nerve has become a hot issue in related disciplines. Cell therapy plays an irreplaceable role in tissue regeneration and repair. Schwann cells are ideal cells for peripheral nerve repair, but their limited sources inhibit the clinical application. Dental pulp stem cells are derived from neural crest, which provides a new cell source for nerve regeneration. The purpose of this article is to review the research progress of dental pulp stem cells for peripheral nerve repair.

Multimodal imaging analysis of the cyst like lesion of condyle in temporomandibular joint / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the imaging features of condylar cystic degeneration of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by cone-beam CT (CBCT), spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, thirty-two patients with cyst-like lesions of condylein temporomandibular joint were examined by CBCT, spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in General Hospital of Chinese PLA. There were 12 males and 20 females involved, aged from 16 to 65 years with an average age of (33.9±12.5) years. The characteristics of CBCT, spiral CT, MRI and radionuclide bone imaging were analyzed. Condylar cyst like lesions were classified as type A and type B based on the presence or absence of surface bone defects. Condylar cyst like lesions were classified as type Ⅰ(yes) and type Ⅱ(no) according to the accompanying bone marrow edema-like lesions of the condyles. The incidence of condylar bone marrow edema, disc displacement and abnormal bone metabolism were analyzed. Results: A total of 64 joint images of 32 patients were included, including 34 sides with TMJ cyst-like lesion and 6 sides with multiple cyst-like lesions,the total cyst-like lesions were 42. The largest diameter of cyst-like lesion ranged from 1.0 to 12.4 mm, with an average length of (3.7± 1.8) mm. There were 24 cases of type A TMJ cyst like lesion and 10 cases of type B cyst-like lesion. The detection rate of CBCT was 95.2% (40/42) and that of spiral CT was 100% (42/42), there was no significant difference (Calibration Chi-square=0.51, P=0.474). The detection rate of nuclear magnetic resonance was 80.1% (34/42), and the detection rate of cyst-like lesions less than 2 mm was 3/11. In the cyst like lesion side, there were 9 sides with anterior disc displacement with reduction, 20 sides with anterior disc displacement without reduction. In the non-cyst like lesion side, 10 sides with anterior disc displacement with reduction and 6 sides with anterior disc displacement without reduction. There was a significant difference in the displacement of the disc between cyst-like and non-cystic lesion side (χ²=7.80, P=0.005). MRI showed that 6 cases of cystic side[17.6% (6/34)] had bone marrow edema-like lesions (all type A), 1 case of non-cyst like lesions side [3.3% (1/30)] had bone marrow edema-like lesion, there was no significant difference between cystic and non-cystic lesions (Calibration Chi-square=2.04, P=0.153). There was a significant difference between type A and B cystic lesions (Fisher exact probability method, P=0.024). Radionuclide bone imaging showed abnormal bone metabolism in 26 patients in the cyst-like lesion side and 5 patients in the non-cyst like lesion side (χ²=22.82, P<0.001). Conclusions Multi-slice Spiral CT could detect the cyst-like lesion of TMJ condyle in the early stage, which is different from the large joint. And the formation mechanism may vary from the different classifications.

Bone marrow microenvironment and differentiation of leukemia cells / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is the environment on which leukemia cells depend. It contains stem cells, bone marrow stromal cells, and abundant cytokines, which can regulate the differentiation and proliferation of leukemia cells. The regulation of BMM on the differentiation of leukemia cells is a complex process that can act on different targets and signaling pathways. It mainly includes hypoxia-inducible factor, integrins, Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways. The study of relationship between BMM and leukemia cell differentiation can help to find pathways and targets that induce leukemia differentiation which will find new directions for the treatment of leukemia.

Modeling the neuro-protection of theaflavic acid from black tea and its synergy with nimodipine via mitochondria apoptotic pathway / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Ischemic stroke presents a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Theaflavic acid (TFA) is a theaflavin isolated from black tea that exerts a potentially neuro-protective effect. However, the dynamic properties of TFA-mediated protection remain largely unknown. In the current study, we evaluated the function of TFA in the mitochondria apoptotic pathway using mathematical modeling. We found that TFA-enhanced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) overexpression can theoretically give rise to bistability. The bistability is highly robust against parametric stochasticity while also conferring considerable variability in survival threshold. Stochastic simulations faithfully match the TFA dose response pattern seen in experimental studies. In addition, we identified a dose- and time-dependent synergy between TFA and nimodipine, a clinically used neuro-protective drug. This synergistic effect was enhanced by bistability independent of temporal factors. Precise application of pulsed doses of TFA can also promote survival compared with sustained TFA treatment. These data collectively demonstrate that TFA treatment can give rise to bistability and that synergy between TFA and nimodipine may offer a promising strategy for developing therapeutic neuro-protection against ischemic stroke.

Analysis of the significance of kinetic needling in the treatment of spasm / 中国针灸

The filiform needling technique is an important factor affecting the acupoint effect, and it is the key to option the needling technique corresponding to the disease so that the clinical curative effect can be improved. This paper systematically reviews the application of kinetic needling in the treatment of spasm, in order to provide some theoretical basis for the optimal acupuncture regimen of spasm. By summarizing and analyzing the similarities and differences of acupoint selection principle, needling characteristics, stimulation range, stimulation amount and indications in the treatment of spasm, it is found that kinetic needling emphasizes the effective combination of acupuncture and kinesis, which is an effective mean of treating spasm.

Magnetic resonance tracking of endothelial progenitor cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron ox-ide homing to the site of hepatoma / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To track the migration and incorporation of intravenously injected, magneti?cally labeled endothelial progenitor cells ( EPCs) from mouse bone marrow into the blood vessels in a rapid?ly growing HCC model by microMR (7.0 T). Methods This study was approved by the Institutional Com?mittee on Animal Research. H22 hepatic ascitic cancer cells was directly injected into the left liver lobe of BALB/c nude mice ( n=15) . EPCs derived from bone marrow of C57BL/6 mice were isolated and cultured. The third passage EPCs were collected and labeled with 25 μg/ml superparamagnetic iron oxide ( SPIO) and poly?l?lysine (PLL) complex (SPIO?PLL). MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the difference of growth curve and apoptosis between labeled and unlabeled EPCs. EPCs labeled with SPIO?PLL were injected into mice via tail vein in experiment group (on the 3rd day after establishing HCC model) (n=15) and control group (n=6). The signal changes of tumor (the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after transplantation) were observed by microMR. Prussian blue staining and immunohistochemistry staining of CD31 were per?formed. MRI findings were confirmed by histomorphology. Two?sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results Single tumor was showed in the liver of all mice 3 d after establishing models. Labeling with SPIO?PLL at a concentration of 25μg/ml did not alter cell growth curve ( measured by MTT assay;t=0.281, P>0.05) and cell apoptosis (analyzed by flow cytometry). The apoptosis rates of SPIO?PLL labeled and un?labled EPCs were (12.31±1.43)% and (11.57±1.24)% in early stage, and (0.55±0.07)% and (0.49± 0?05)% in late stage. No significant differences were observed between them (t=0.967, 1.060; both P>0?05) . Migration and incorporation of transplanted and labeled cells into tumor were documented with in vivo microMR as low signal intensity at the tumor periphery as early as the 3rd day after EPCs administration in preformed tumors (4/5). Prussian blue staining showed iron?positive cells at the sites corresponding to low signal intensity on MRI. The positive cells expressing CD31 existed in intratumoral and peritumoral vessels. There was no signal change in control group at all time points. Conclusions MRI can demonstrate the in?corporation of magnetic labeled mouse EPCs into the implanted hepatoma. It may be helpful for early diagno?sis and therapy of liver tumor.

Separation and authentication of tilianin and quality standards of semen of Dracocephalum moldavia / 中国中药杂志

Tilianin was separated and authenticated from the seeds of Dracocephalum moldavia, a Uygur medicine, by chromatographic technique and spectroscopic method. The purity of tilianin is more than 98% determined by HPLC area normalization method. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) method was used to separate tilianin from D. moldavia by mixture of chloroform-methanol (5: 1) as a developing solvent on high performance silicagel precoated plate (SGF254) and using aluminium trichloride as a chromogenic agent for qualitative identification of D. moldavia. To establish a HPLC method for quantitative analysis of D. moldavia, tilianin was used as a Quantitative marker and separated on a C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) column with acetonitrile-01% formic acid (25: 75) as the mobile phase and detected at 330 nm. The calibration curve of tilianin displayed ideal linearity over the range of 0.617 2-123.44 μg x mL(-1) with a regression equation of Y = 33.773X - 0.824 8 (r = 1). The average recovery of tilianin was 101.0% with RSD of 3.7%. The RSD values of intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 2%. The content of tilianin in 4 batches of the authenticated semen of D. Moldavia was between 0.016 and 0.187 mg x g(-1). The qualitative and quantitative method established is suitable for the quality evaluation and assessment of semen of D. Moldavia.

PI3K/Akt signaling pathway regulates autophagy induced by acute kid-ney injury in septic rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the autophagy induced by sepsis and acute kidney injury , and the regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in this process.METHODS: The rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP) or sham operation .Histopathologic changes of the renal tissues were examined by HE staining .Blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) and serum creatinine ( SCr) were measured by chemical colorime-try.The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 I/II (LC3 I/II), beclin-1 and p-Akt at different time points after CLP was detected by Western blotting .In vitro, human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 were treated with LPS to induce autophagy .The protein expression of LC 3 I/II and p-Akt in the HK-2 cells after LPS treatment at different time points and different concentrations was detected by Western blotting .These molecules in HK-2 cells and apoptosis of HK-2 cells treated with LPS plus PI3K inhibitor or Akt inhibitor were also detected .RESULTS: Compared with sham group , the severe changes of renal histopathological injuries in CLP groups were observed , the levels of BUN and SCr in CLP groups were significantly increased .LC3 I/II, beclin-1 and phosphorylation of Akt gradually increased after CLP.After treatment with LPS, the expression of p-Akt (308) in the HK-2 cells gradually increased in a dose-and time-dependent fashion.The expression of beclin-1 and p-Akt (472) reached a peak at 8 h or 10 mg/L LPS treatment.Treat-ment with PI3K or Akt inhibitor down-regulated the expression of LC3 and promoted the apoptosis of HK-2 cells.CON-CLUSION:Autophagy in the kidney is induced by sepsis and acute kidney injury .PI3/Akt signaling pathway may be in-volved in this process .

The value of multi-source RF-transmission in balanced fast field echo cardiac cine imaging at 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To assess the advantages of multi-source RF transmission(MT) for balanced fast field echo(BFFE) cardiac cine imaging.Methods Fifteen volunteers were scanned on a clinical 3.0 T MR system equipped with MT.Acquisition of B1 maps with and without MT were followed by axial and four chambers BFFE cine imaging for all subjects with different transmission modes[single source RF transmission (ST),MT and MT with allowable shortest TR(MTS)].The B1 field uniformity and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were quantitatively analyzed.The B1 field uniformity was evaluated by the pixel values within the ROI and was compared with Student t test.CNR was defined as follows:(SIblood-SImyocardium)/ 0.5 ×(SDblood + SDmyocardium).CNR were tested with one-way ANOVA for three groups comparision and with LSD for inter-group comparison.Image qualities were blindly assessed by 2 readers with a 4-score scale.Global image quality scores were tested for statistical significance by using the nonparametric paired sample Friedman rank test for three groups and the Wilcoxon signed rank test for further inter-group comparison.The Kappa statistics was used to assess interreader agreement.Results B1 homogeneity was significantly improved for images with MT compared with ST under the condition of other parameters unchanged (t =21.632,P ＜0.01).In left ventricular,CNR of blood and myocardium was improved from 10.8 ±2.2 for ST to 14.4 ± 2.4 for MT and 14.1 ± 2.2 for MTS.In fight ventricular,it was improved from 7.7 ± 1.2 for ST to 12.2 ± 1.4 for MT and 12.0 ± 1.2 for MTS.The differences were statistically significant (F =11.617,61.472,P ＜0.01).The images of MT and MTS groups demonstrated greater CNR versus the ST images.There was no statistical difference between latter two groups.The image scores of Reader 1 and 2 were 4.60 ± 1.18 and 4.73 ± 1.10 for ST,6.53 ± 1.19 and 6.67 ± 1.29 for MT and 6.73 ± 1.03 and 6.73 ± 0.88 for MTS respectively.There were statistically differences among three groups (x2 =23.577,24.275,P ＜ 0.01).The image quality was improved on BFFE images using MT and MTS technology compared to ST technology,and there were also significant differences.The interreader agreement between two readers was good [K=0.643,0.722 and 0.814(P ＜0.05) for ST,MT,and MTS group respectively].Conclusions MT technology significantly improves B1 field uniformity,increases CNR and reduces artifact on BFFE cardiac cine images.The TR is decreased within the normal SAR ranges,and thus scanning speed is increased.

Biological effect of seed-coating in Carthamus tinctorins / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the Biological effect of seed-coating in Carthamus tinctorins.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Two kinds of seedcoating chemicals SCF1 and SCF2 were used in this experiment, the seed YM-99 and 27981-99 were coated by three kinds of ratio of seedcoating chemicals to seed. It was investigated that the germination energy and germination percentage in the room and the emergence rate, seedling stage growing, pest in the field.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seedoating can improve the emergence rate and seedling stage growing, it also can effectively control aphid, rust and virosis during the growing period in C. tinctorins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seedcoating has significant biological effect in C. tinctorins.</p>