Pseudogene CSPG4P12 inhibits colorectal cancer progression by attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers. Pseudogenes have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in the development of various cancers. However, the function of pseudogene CSPG4P12 in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of CSPG4P12 in colorectal cancer and explore the possible underlying mechanism. The difference of CSPG4P12 expression between colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed using the online Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) database. Cell viability and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate cell viability. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion capacities. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Colorectal cancer tissues had lower CSPG4P12 expression than adjacent normal tissues. The overexpression of CSPG4P12 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in colorectal cancer cells. Overexpressed CSPG4P12 promoted the expression of E-cadherin, whereas it inhibited the expression of vimentin, N-cadherin, and MMP9. These findings suggested that CSPG4P12 inhibits colorectal cancer development and may serve as a new potential target for colorectal cancer.

Effect of Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar on fecal metabolomics in Walker-256 rats with ascites / 中国中药杂志

Utilizing metabolomics technology, this study explored the change of fecal endogenous metabolites in Walker-256 rats with malignant ascites after the administration with Kansui Radix(KR) stir-fried with vinegar(VKR), sought the potential biomarkers in feces which were related to the treatment of malignant ascites by VKR and revealed the biological mechanism of water-expelling effect of VKR. Ultra-fast liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UFLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to detect the feces of rats in all groups. Principle component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were conducted to achieve pattern recognition. Combining t-test and variable importance in the projection(VIP) enabled the screening of potential biomarkers for the malignant ascites. Metabolic pathway analysis was accomplished with MetaboAnalyst. Correlation analysis was finally conducted integrating the sequencing data of gut microbiota to elucidate the mechanism underlying the water-expelling effect of VKR. The results showed that both KR and VKR could restore the abnormal metabolism of model rats to some extent, with VKR being inferior to KR in the regulation. Eleven potential biomarkers were identified to be correlated with the malignant ascites and five metabolic pathways were then enriched. Four kinds of gut microbiota were significantly related to the potential biomarkers. The water-expelling effect of VKR may be associated with the regulation of phenylalanine metabolism, biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, tryptophan metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchor biosynthesis. This study can provide a scientific basis for comprehensive understandings of the interaction between gut microbiota and host which has relation to the water-expelling effect of VKR and guide the reasonable clinical application of VKR.

Chemical ingredient groups B and C in Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar affect diversity of gut microbiota in rat model of malignant ascites induced by Walker-256 cells / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the effects of chemical ingredient groups B and C in Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar on the diversity of gut microbiota in the rat model of malignant ascites, identify the key differential microbial taxa, and reveal the biological mechanism of water-expelling effect of the two chemical ingredient groups. The rat model of malignant ascites induced by Walker-256 cells was established, and phenolphthalein was used as the positive drug. The rats were orally administrated with corresponding agents for consecutive 7 days. On day 6, fresh feces samples were collected from the rats, and 16 S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and GC-MS were employed to determine the composition of gut microbiota and the content of short-chain fatty acids, respectively. On day 7, serum and intestinal tissue samples were collected for the determination of related indicators. Compared with the control group, the model group showed decreased feces volume and urine volume(P<0.01), increased volume of ascites and levels of Na~+, K~+, and Cl~- in urine(P<0.01), down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of intestinal AQP8(P<0.01), lowered abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus(P<0.01) while risen abundance of potential pathogenic Lachnospiraceae and Anaeroplasma(P<0.01), and reduced content of short-chain fatty acids(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, administration with chemical ingredient groups B and C alleviated all the above indicators(P<0.01). In conclusion, chemical ingredient groups B and C in Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar could alleviate the disordered gut microbiota in rats with malignant ascites to expel water through increasing the abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus and reducing the abundance of harmful Lachnospiraceae and Anaeroplasma. This study can provide a reference for the reasonable clinical application of Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar.

Association study between haplotypes of WNT signaling pathway genes and nonsyndromic oral clefts among Chinese Han populations / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore whether WNT signaling pathway genes were associated with non-syndromic oral clefts (NSOC) based on haplotypes analyses among 1 008 Chinese NSOC case-parent trios.@*METHODS@#The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of 806 Chinese non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) trios and 202 Chinese non-syndromic cleft palate (NSCP) case-parent trios were drawn from the International Consortium to Identify Genes and Interactions Controlling Oral Clefts (ICOCs) study GWAS data set, whose Chinese study population were recruited from four provinces in China, namely Taiwan, Shandong, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces. The process of DNA genotyping was conducted by the Center for Inherited Disease Research in the Johns Hopkins University, using Illumina Human610-Quad v.1_B Bead Chip. The method of sliding windows was used to determine the haplotypes for analyses, including 2 SNPs haplotypes and 3 SNPs haplotypes. Haplotypes with a frequency lower than 1% were excluded for further analyses. To further assess the association between haplotypes and NSOC risks, and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was performed. The Bonferroni method was adopted to correct multiple tests in the study, with which the threshold of statistical significance level was set as P < 0.05 divided by the number of tests, e.g P < 3.47×10-4 in the current stu-dy. All the statistical analyses were performed by using plink (v1.07).@*RESULTS@#After quality control, a total of 144 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapped in seven genes in WNT signaling pathway were included for the analyses among the 806 Chinese NSCL/P trios and 202 Chinese NSCP trios. A total of 1 042 haplotypes with frequency higher than 1% were included for NSCL/P analyses and another 1 057 haplotypes with frequency higher than 1% were included for NSCP analyses. Results from the TDT analyses showed that a total of 69 haplotypes were nominally associated with the NSCL/P risk among Chinese (P < 0.05). Another 34 haplotypes showed nominal significant association with the NSCP risk among Chinese (P < 0.05). However, none of these haplotypes reached pre-defined statistical significance level after Bonferroni correction (P>3.47×10-4).@*CONCLUSION@#This study failed to observe any statistically significant associations between haplotypes of seven WNT signaling pathway genes and the risk of NSOC among Chinese. Further studies are warranted to replicate the findings here.

Evaluating the effect of WNT pathway genes considering interactions on the risk of non-syndromic oral clefts among Chinese populations / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#In this study, we used genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to explore whether WNT pathway genes were associated with non-syndromic oral clefts (NSOC) considering gene-gene interaction and gene-environment interaction.@*METHODS@#We conducted the analysis using 806 non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) case-parent trios and 202 non-syndromic cleft palate (NSCP) case-parent trios among Chinese populations selected from an international consortium established for a GWAS of non-syndromic oral clefts. Genotype data and maternal environmental exposures were collected through DNA samples and questionnaires. Conditional Logistic regression models were adopted to explore gene-gene interaction and gene-environment in teraction using trio package in R software. The threshold of significance level was set as 3.47×10-4 using Bonferroni correction.@*RESULTS@#A total of 144 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven genes passed the quality control process in NSCL/P trios and NSCP trios, respectively. Totally six pairs of SNPs interactions showed statistically significant SNP-SNP interaction (P < 3.47×10-4) after Bonferroni correction, which were rs7618735 (WNT5A) and rs10848543 (WNT5B), rs631948 (WNT11) and rs556874 (WNT5A), and rs631948 (WNT11) and rs472631 (WNT5A) among NSCL/P trios; rs589149 (WNT11) and rs4765834 (WNT5B), rs1402704 (WNT11) and rs358792 (WNT5A), and rs1402704 (WNT11) and rs358793 (WNT5A) among NSCP trios, respectively. In addition, no significant result was found for gene-environment interaction analysis in both of the NSCL/P trios and NSCP trios.@*CONCLUSION@#Though this study failed to detect significant association based on gene-environment interactions of seven WNT pathway genes and the risk of NSOC, WNT pathway genes may influence the risk of NSOC through potential gene-gene interaction.

Effect of chemical ingredients B and C in Kansui stir-baked with vinegar on fecal metabolomics in rats / 中国中药杂志

To reveal the toxic mechanism of Kansui stir-baked with vinegar(VEK), conducta comparative study on the metabolites of fecal samples of rats before and after being treated with chemical constituents group B and C(VEKB/VEKC) extracted from VEK by metabolomics approach. The fecal samples of each group were analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UFLC-Q-TOF-MS). Then the data was processed by principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to screen and identify biomarkers relating to the toxicity of VEK. Besides, t-test was adopted for univariate statistical analysis, so as to study the changes of these biomarkers in drug groups before and after being treated with VEKB/VEKC and explore the effect of VEKB/VEKC on the metabolism of rat feces. Furthermore, the toxic mechanism of VEKB/VEKC was explored based on the results of the metabolic pathway analysis. The results displayed that compared with control group, the metabolism of fecal samples of VEKB and VEKC treated groups show obvious changes, and the VEKB treated group show more significant changes. A total of 16 potential biomarkers and 5 metabolic pathways relating to the toxicity of VEK were found and identified. And the toxicity of VEK might be associated with the disorder of such metabolic pathways as tryptophan metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, purine metabolism, and degradation of valine, leucine and isoleucine. This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical safety application of VEK.

Physiology teaching in English for foreign students / 基础医学与临床

With the continuous promotion of educational level and international exchange, more and more foreign students come to China to learn medicine. The Ministry of education has set up more advanced and higher educa-tional aims for foreign students.As one of the most important fundamental courses in medicine,physiology is a high-theoretical,specialty -practical and strong-abstract course. Therefore, combined with the characteristics and lan-guage abilities of foreign students,the most urgent task is to develop a more feasible teaching plan by carefully se-lecting and writing textbooks, setting up multiple teaching methods, and inviting objective evaluation and assessment systems.

Development of diabetes mellitus ontology and realization of semantic inference / 中华医学图书情报杂志

Objective To lay the foundation for the successive research on diabetes mellitus (DM) management system and provide support for the general doctors at grass root level to make decisions by developing DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database for semantic inference, reuse of DM knowledge, revealing and sharing potential DM knowledge. Methods The DM ontology was established on the Stanford University Protégé Platform according to the 7-step method and skeletal method by extracting the concepts of DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database, and their relationship from domestic DM-related clinical guidelines and knowledge of DM experts. The SWRL diagnosis and treatment rules were then composed and the semantic inference was realized using the JESS inference engine. Results The developed DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database included 233 concepts, 205 examples, 16 relationships between examples, 18 data value properties, 28 SWRL rules, which could thus realize the semantic inference. Conclusion The developed DM ontology can realize semantic inference and is thus beneficial for the application of ontology technology in diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease.

Physiology teaching in English for foreign students / 基础医学与临床

With the continuous promotion of educational level and international exchange, more and more foreign students come to China to learn medicine. The Ministry of education has set up more advanced and higher educa-tional aims for foreign students.As one of the most important fundamental courses in medicine,physiology is a high-theoretical,specialty -practical and strong-abstract course. Therefore, combined with the characteristics and lan-guage abilities of foreign students,the most urgent task is to develop a more feasible teaching plan by carefully se-lecting and writing textbooks, setting up multiple teaching methods, and inviting objective evaluation and assessment systems.

Development of diabetes mellitus ontology and realization of semantic inference / 中华医学图书情报杂志

Objective To lay the foundation for the successive research on diabetes mellitus (DM) management system and provide support for the general doctors at grass root level to make decisions by developing DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database for semantic inference, reuse of DM knowledge, revealing and sharing potential DM knowledge. Methods The DM ontology was established on the Stanford University Protégé Platform according to the 7-step method and skeletal method by extracting the concepts of DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database, and their relationship from domestic DM-related clinical guidelines and knowledge of DM experts. The SWRL diagnosis and treatment rules were then composed and the semantic inference was realized using the JESS inference engine. Results The developed DM ontology database and DM diagnosis and treatment database included 233 concepts, 205 examples, 16 relationships between examples, 18 data value properties, 28 SWRL rules, which could thus realize the semantic inference. Conclusion The developed DM ontology can realize semantic inference and is thus beneficial for the application of ontology technology in diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease.

Application of gut microbiota in research of Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

This article summarizes the research progress in recent years on interactions between Chinese medicines and gut microbiota based on the physiological functions of gut microbiota, including imbalance impacts of toxic/irritating Chinese medicines on gut microbiota, prognosis effects of Chinese medicines on gut microbiota imbalance, metabolism effects of gut microbiota on Chinese medicine components, and co-metabolism effects between gut microbiota and host. We would think and prospect the specific biological effects of Chinese medicines, gut microbiota structures and the relations between endogenous metabolites from "gut microbiota and host co-metabolism". All of these aim to investigate biological mechanisms and effective components of Chinese medicines based on gut microbiota and offer a new strategy for promoting safe and effective application of Chinese medicines.

Rapid identification of crude and sweated dipsaci radix based on near-infrared spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis-mahalanobis distance / 中国中药杂志

In order to discriminate the crude and sweated Dipsaci Radix correctly and rapidly, the crude and sweated Dipsaci Radix were scanned by the NIR spectrometer, and an identifying model was developed by near infrared spectroscopy combined with principal component-Mahalanobis distance pattern recognition method. The pretreated spectra data of 129 crude samples and 86 sweated ones were analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA). The identifying model was developed by choosing the spectrum for 9 881.46-4 119.20 cm(-1) and "SNV + spectrum + S-G" to the original spectral preprocessing with 14 principal components, and then was verified by prediction set, identifying with 100% accuracy. The rapid identification model of the crude and sweated Dipsaci Radix by NIR is feasible and efficient, and could be used as an assistant means for identifying the crude and sweated Dipsaci Radix.

DNA extraction from bones and teeth using AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore a new method in order to extract DNA from bones and teeth automatically.@*METHODS@#Samples of 33 bones and 15 teeth were acquired by freeze-mill method and manual method, respectively. DNA materials were extracted and quantified from the triturated samples by AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system.@*RESULTS@#DNA extraction from bones and teeth were completed in 3 hours using the AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system. There was no statistical difference between the two methods in the DNA concentration of bones. Both bones and teeth got the good STR typing by freeze-mill method, and the DNA concentration of teeth was higher than those by manual method.@*CONCLUSION@#AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system is a new method to extract DNA from bones and teeth, which can be applied in forensic practice.

Expression pattern of hoxd3 gene during early development of wild-type zebrafish embryos / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression pattern of hoxd3 gene during early embryogenesis and angiogenesis of wild-type zebrafish.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted from embryos of zebrafish in different development stages by trizol. The cDNA of hoxd3 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The RT-PCR product was ligated to pCS(2+) vector by T4 DNA ligatase polymerase and sequenced. T3 RNA polymerase in vitro transcription system was used to obtain the probe of digoxin-labeled anti-sense mRNA of hoxd3 gene. The expression pattern of hoxd3 was detected by whole embryo in situ hybridization (WISH) with anti-sense mRNA probe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>pCS(2+)-hoxd3 plasmid was successfully constructed, which was used to prepare anti-sense mRNA probe of hoxd3 in vitro. Expression pattern of hoxd3 gene was detected by WISH during zebrafish early embryogenesis and angiogenesis. It was observed that hoxd3 mRNA was expressed at the junction region of midbrain and hindbrain in wild-type zebrafish in embryos at 24 ≊72h postfertilization(hpf).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hoxd3 gene is mainly expressed in nervous system of wide-type zebrafish embryos.</p>

Expression of pax5 gene in wildtype zebrafish embryos / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To study the role and related mechanisms of pax5 gene during the development of the embryos, especially in the early development of B cell and midbrain, and to observe the expression of pax5 gene in wild type zebra fish embryos. Methods Total RNA of Tue Un gen wild type zebra fish embryos was extracted to obtain cDNA of pax5 gene by RT-PCR with specific primers. The c DNA of pax5 gene and pCS2+ vector were double digested with EcoR I and Xba I, and then ligated by T4 DNA ligase. The recombinant vector was verified by double digestion, colony PCR screening and sequencing. The verified recombinant vector was then used to synthesize digoxin labeled anti-sense mRNA probe of pax5 gene using T3 RNA polymerase in vitro transcription system. The generated probes were used to detect pax5 gene expression in zebra fish embryos by whole-mount in situ hybridization. Results The pCS2+-pax5 recombinant plasmid and the probe of digoxin-labeled anti-sense mRNA of pax5 gene was successfully constructed. Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that pax5 gene was expressed in the cerebellum and midbrain hindbrain boundary from 18-72 h post-fertilization (hpf). In the cochlea pax5 gene was expressed from 24-72 hpf and the expression was increased as time went by. From 18-48 hpf pax5 gene is found in the notochord. Conclusion Pax5 gene is highly expressed in the brain and notochord of zebra fish embryos. Pax5 gene expression is found in the cochlea of the Tue bingen wild type zebra fish' s embryos for the first time. It is suggested that pax5 may play an important role in the development of the nervous system in the early zebra fish embryos.

Seroepidemiology investigation of neutralizing antibody against enterovirus 71 among healthy people in Tianjin / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the latent infection caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) among healthy people in Tianjin and to provide evidence on prevention and control hand-food and mouth diseases (HFMD). Methods 1611 sera specimens were collected from healthy people in Tianjin while EV71 antibody was detected by neutralization test, and then the results were analyzed statistically. Results For determining positivity, the cut-point was set at 1:4. The positive rate was 66.79%( 1076/1611) for EV71 neutralizing antibody. The lowest positive rate was 32.71% in the 0-5 age group while the highest rate was 76.67% in the 16-25 age group. Significant difference was seen in the positive rates among different age groups. The lowest positive rate (59.05%) was seen in the city areas while the highest rate (72.35%) was seen in the surrounding counties. 5.71% of the people being tested showed their neutralizing antibody as ≥1:256. The difference was statistically significant on positive rates among different areas. We constructed logistic regression models with the EV71 neutralizing antibody positive rate as the dependent variable and age, sex, floating population, area etc. as independent variables. There appeared statistical significances in all the independent variables. Conclusion Age seemed a risk factor for recessive infection of EV71, and the neutralizing antibody against EV71 might not be kept permanently. In order to prevent and control the HFMD, more attention should be paid to the areas where more floating population were resided.

Biocompatibility of new bone tissue engineering scaffolds in vivo / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the biocompatibility of new bone tissue engineering scaffolds, A:D, L-polylactic acid (PDLLA)/polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid-polylactic acid (PLA-PEG-PLA)/Tricalcium phosphate and B: PDLLA/PLA-PEG-PLA in vivo, compared with PDLLA in repair of a rabbit mandibular body defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>24 New Zealand adult rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly. 15 mm x 6 mm defects were made surgically in the bilateral mandibular bodies and each hemi-mandible was assigned as an experimental unit. The defects were randomly repaired with scaffold materials in each group. Specimens obtained were evaluated with general observation, X-ray, histomorphology and computerized graphical analysis at 2, 4 , 8, 12 weeks after surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with PDLLA, the new scaffold materials B showed biocompatibility. At the same time the quantity of new bone produced was much more than that in control group (P<0.05). The new scaffold materials A showed the clear chronic granulomatous inflammation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>New scaffold material B had sound biocompatibility. It was much better than PDLLA. So it may be an ideal bone tissue engineering scaffold material. A is not adapted to be used as scaffold material.</p>

Comparison of imaging characteristics of magnetic resonance myocardial delayed enhancement between ischemic and nonischemic myocardial diseases / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the imaging characteristics of magnetic resonance (MR) delayed enhancement between ischemic and nonischemic myocardial diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the imaging and clinical characteristics of 25 patients who had MR delayed enhancement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 25 cases, 19 cases were ischemic heart diseases, in which the delayed enhancement was subendocardium, non-transmural or transmural; two cases were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the delayed enhancement was midwall in the hypertrophic myocardium, strip- and patch-shaped; one case was dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the delayed enhancement was diffuse small midwall spots two cases was restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the delayed enhancement was located in the area of the subendocardium both of the right and left ventricles; and one case was a mass of the lateral wall of the left ventricle, in which the delayed enhancement with a clumpy shape was shown.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MR myocardial delayed enhancement is not a specific sign of myocardial infarction of ischeminc heart disease. The differentiation of the etiology of the delayed enhancement relies upon both the MR images and the clinical history.</p>

Biological Control of Alternaria solani by Bacillus subtilis NJ-18 / 微生物学通报

Strong inhibition of Bacillus subtilis strain NJ-18 on mycelia growth of Alternaria solani was observed in the antagonistic tests by cylinder plate methods, and the inhibition width was 21.5 mm. Observation under microscope found that the supernatant of fermentation from NJ-18 could make the pathogen hyphae cells malformed and swelled, and consequently the growth of the pathogen was inhibited. Determining of the colonization in potato plants by the signed rifampicin-resistance in NJ-18 showed that it could colonize well in the plants, the colonization quantity of NJ-18 in the root and stem of the potato detected 30 days after fermentation irrigation was 103 CFU/g plant’s fresh weight. In pot experiment, we inoculated the tomato plants with the spore suspensions of Alternaria solani after spraying the fermentation of NJ-18, the results were investigated in 14 days and the efficacy in controlling the disease was 72.9%, which was significantly higher than 45.7%, the efficacy resulted from spray treatment of 2000 fold dilution of 50% iprodione wetable powder.

Coronary angiography with dual source computed tomography: initial experience / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the scan technique and image quality of coronary angiography with dual source computed tomography (CT) without oral metoprolol preparation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Plain and enhanced dual source CT coronary angiography without oral metoprolol preparation was prospectively performed in 600 patients. Calcium scoring with plain scan images as well as multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), and volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction with enhanced scan images were performed in all cases. The scan technique and post-reconstruction experience was summarized. The image quality was classified as 1 to 4 points, and coronary segments classified according to the American Heart Association standards were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average calcium score of the 600 cases was 213.6 +/- 298.7 (0-3,216.5). The average heart rate of the enhanced scan was 82.1 +/- 16.2 (47-139) bpm. The post-reconstruction methods with which coronary segments could be shown as best as possible consisted of single phase reconstruction method, two or more phases supplemented method, and electrocardiogram editing method. Altogether 8,457 coronary segments were evaluated, among which 97.2% were evaluated as point 1, 1.7% point 2, 0.5% point 3, and 0.6% point 4. The coronary segments in 261 cases were completely normal, while 360 segments were diagnosed with < 50% stenosis and 625 segments with > or = 50% stenosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Excellent coronary artery image can be obtained with dual source CT in patients with any heart rate without oral metoprolol preparation. Heart rate is not a major source of the artifact, coronary segments can be well shown with single or multiple-phase reconstruction method.</p>